Fun times giving away!

A couple of things, I really appreciate the encouragement that I got from the last post. It meant a lot. I have been searching for way to promote my shop and fan page, and thought I would try and host a giveaway on my facebook page. Well, it worked, and I had so much fun with it. I really have no idea how to do a fancy giveaway so I did the drawing old school style. I wrote down everyones name on a piece of paper and put it in a bowl. I had one of my children draw the name so  that they could feel involved in the contest. I really want to include them as much as possible in the workings of Sweet Home Boutique. I know if they feel like they are vital in important things, they will have no desire to rebel and run away as they get older. I mean who wants to leave a place where they are so desperately needed. I do find it hard though to include them in everything. Like, my girls really want to sew for the shop but they are not quite ready yet :-)...I tell them to keep practicing, and pretty soon they will be doing everything.

So, on to the contest. I asked my husband to take a couple pictures of me preparing the drawing for my blog, and here is what I got..lol..

Afterwards I took the camera over and snapped a picture of the bowl of names!

 I then had miss America pick a name!

 YaY, my first contest winner (excuse the greasy face, I had not washed up yet)

 I was so excited  doing this that I am going to be giving away a custom crochet owl hat every Friday from my facebook page, so make sure you go over there and sign up!


I also got to working on some new things to my shop.  I actually cut the fabric for this dress a couple of weeks ago, but just had the chance to sew it together last night. We have some really pretty red roses in our yard so my daughter and I grabbed one and headed out to the backyard behind our fence to snap some pictures. My children are actually very enthusiastic to model for me because I pay them $1.00. Not every time they model, but every month or so we go shopping with their obedient jar money, and I put the dollar in there with it.

 I didn't actually use this picture in my shop,  but I really like it.

 I also crocheted a love bug hat for my hats collection. I like the colors, and I had to replace some other hats the I took out. Even thought the Mickey and Minnie, Hello Kitty, and Captain America were popular in my shop, they are licenced characters, and I want my shop to be above board on everything. If I want Sweet Home Boutique to be a strong company it has to be built right from the bottom up.

So, what do you think about the cherry dress, and the love bug hat?

Also, make sure to head over to my facebook page to enter the giveaway for the crochet owl hat.

 

This and That.

So, where to begin. I have been so busy here with everything in general. I have a horrible habit of spending WAY to much time on the computer. Just ask my family :-)...I think I need to work on that but it is hard when I have an online boutique, and yes facebook IS my daily social life with my friends. Now that I have both clothing and crochet items in my shop I get a bit conflicted...I really want to crochet new projects, but I also want to add some more clothes. Instead of going for it and doing one I just stand there a bit stunned, then  hop on the computer instead..Not Good for business!
I justify it by promoting when I am online. I am in the process of a promotion on my facebook page now. It is going well, but I should have added more requirements...I will be doing that on my next giveaway that I will start on Friday, and host from my blog. Not sure of what I am going to be giving away yet, so if you have any suggestions of things from my shop, you can leave it in the comments below. I am very open to input.

On motherhood, gosh, sometimes I feel like such a failure. I mean, I know I try my best, but I of course always fall short. The hardest part of motherhood I believe is always being a good example to my children. They watch everything I do, how I eat, my habits and attitudes..I always need to check myself because I really don't feel like I can do much if my child is acting out, and I am seeing myself in that particular behavior. The only thing I can do is of course tell them they are wrong, and then check myself and work on it. Like all moms, I want my children to be everything that they can be.

Back to my shop again, I have been able to get out some more things in between sending out orders from a big rush to my shop last week. Here are some new things that I listed. Please tell me what you think of them. The picture in the yellow skirt I took myself with a continuous timer, so I am not really sure about them. Also, I was going to wear a really nice brown ruffle shrug over the top, but I couldn't find it so I wore a short hoodie instead. Not sure that works so much either, but I think it gives it maybe an edgier (or dirtier ) look..

                                                                  

 

                    

I also listed a crochet frog hat.

 I was actually pretty happy with the frog hat because I just put it together without looking at any patterns.
What are your thoughts on the new listings, and how about the edgie, grungy hoodie?  Does it work or should I redo those pics?

Decoupage, my first experiance with Mod Podge.

I was totally inspired by pinterest to do some modpodge projects. I wanted to start small, so that I didn't ruin something. I decided to make my daughters 5&6 some jewelry boxes for the big clip on earrings, and beaded necklaces. First I gathered my supplies. Folk Art paint, sponge, paintbrush, 2 pieces of pretty cardstock, a plate, blank jewelry boxes, and of course....Mod Podge

 

 

The first thing I did was prime the jewelry box by painting them...

 My next step was to paint the inside with modpoge. Because cardstock is already hard I did not have to prep that with it. .

 I then placed the pretty paper on the inside of box boxes, and on the top..I covered the paper with a coat as well to secure it to the boxes and give it a protected surface.

And, Ta Da pretty jewelry boxes for my little girls. After seeing these my sons 2&4 decided that they wanted boxes as well. So, I am going to be on the lookout for some cool cardstock paper to decorate them with. My 4 year old wants to use his to store Lego's and I thought that was a great idea.

These would make great Christmas Gifts as well!

Crochet Owl Hat Giveaway!!

I am hosting a giveaway on my facebook page for a FREE custom owl hat, you pick the colors and size! This would be a great Christmas gift.

 

   Head over to my FACEBOOK PAGE to enter in the contest, drawing will be help on Friday!

Peanut Butter Play dough recipe

        Before having children I worked in the university preschool and the main teacher would make this for the children. I thought it was a great idea, fun and lunch all in one.
Here is how to make it..

Gather your supplies...Peanut butter, powdered milk, honey, raisins and pretzel sticks.

 Mix half peanut butter and powdered milk according to the batch size you would like. Then add about  1/4 cup of honey..more of less depending on your batch size

Stir it up at first, and then knead it with your hands. If it is super sticky add some more powdered milk.

 Give each participant pretzel sticks, and raisins and a ball of dough and see what they come up with!

Enjoy lunch and have fun!