Yes, it's that time again!

You know what I love about my Painted Peggies? They are timeless. They can be modern while also being classic and traditional. Sorta like the great new prints over at Shutterfly! The 2010 Holiday Collection is beautiful. I'm going to have such a hard time choosing a design.

See what I mean? http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery

I decided YEARS ago that dragging my less-than-willing littles out to the Department Store Portrait Studio wasn't fun. It wasn't joyful. It was something closer to torture; the long wait, the hot little camera room; the cranky photo subjects...so I started taking our own Christmas photo to add to our cards. And now that I can send my photo to Shutterfly and have them print the cards for me, it is even easier. I can do it on MY time, when the kids (and me) are in a good mood...and we can have as many 'do overs' as we need! I even enjoy the outtakes...sometimes more than the real photos!



I love how easy it is to incorporate my finished photo into the Shutterfly designs. I can pick one that's nostalgic, whimsical, or reverent. The variety is beautiful and mind-blowing! http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-cards
Whichever I choose, though, I am guaranteed a beautiful card and experience from start to finish. I always get tons of compliments, especially from those loved ones far away that don't get to see the kids very often.

PS: they also have GREAT photo gifts, so check those out, too...wouldn't Grandma LOVE a photo mug of her favorite grandkids while sipping her morning coffee?
http://www.shutterfly.com/photo-gifts/photo-mugs

New Product: refrigerator clothespins !

We all can use extra room to hold notes on our fridge (even though I only allow stuff on the side of my fridge...I don't like seeing clutter on the front!).

Here's a super cute way to hold a note: peggy clothespins! They can be painted to match your kitchen decor, or your favorite color :)

Little Boy Blue

We just came from my 'big' ultrasound and found out we are having a boy! My son will be so excited to hear the news when he comes home from school. He will be sharing a room with the new little addition. It sounds good in theory, but most of us have been there and can tell otherwise!

It is strange finding out the gender; we didn't with my first two pregnancies, but this is the last, so we decided to go for it.

So now off to find a name...decisions, decisions!

PS: I added some new pics to my dolly playset post. I am in love with the princess one I did (if I do say so myself!) Now my daughter wants one of her own!

Dealing with negativism

Since I made the decision to quit my job and stay home, I've gotten more than enough opinions about it from pretty much everyone. Many, many people were supportive, and shared with me their experiences.

Then there were those who, to put it bluntly, told me I was insane. THEY could NEVER do it, nor did they want to. Those who couldn't be paid enough to stay home with the kids. Those who reminded me, lest I forgot somehow, that I had a Master's Degree. I responded simply by saying that it was the best decision for my family. Period.

The way I increasingly felt was that my kids' kidhood was slipping away faster than an icepop on a 97 degree summer day, and I was powerless to stop it.

I used to watch my little boy trudge off into someone else's house each morning at 6:30 to be put on the bus. Sometimes I could barely make out his form in the darkness, and I'd stifle the tears as I drove the hour to work. Yes, his babysitter was wonderful, supportive, and a lifesaver, but why wasn't I putting him on the bus?

I used to listen to my toddler crying for me through a classroom wall while I remained on the other side, trying to engage my own class of preschoolers. At some point in the school year, spending so much time with other people's children while mine cried for me a room away began to get to me. Separating at the preschool door with a tear is something MANY a parent has to go through. Listening to your child cry for you off and on for seven hours when you can't go to them is another. It just felt...wrong.

I felt disconnected from them. I was disconnected from them. So, degree or no, I decided that I had to take action soon.

A new day, a new project!

I am adding a new product to my hand painted dolly sets: dolly necklaces! Yes, you heard it right: I am now making the same adorable dollies from the playsets into actual necklaces that your little girl can wear.

What a wonderful way for the little girl to always keep her dolly near!

Each is hand-designed and hand-painted with pretty details. Hangs from a fabric cord and features a lobster claw closure. Recommended for ages 3 and up.

Please e-mail me for more information on these or any other product pictured on my blog:)

A new adventure!

I haven't blogged in quite a while (talk about a false start) because I have been super busy with a new hobby/business venture.



I am making dolly playsets. I had made my daughter one for Christmas for fun, because I wanted to make her something meaningful and handmade.



I got some attention from the one I made her so I thought I'd try my hand at selling the sets. So far, the orders are keeping me busy, but I'd like to have more.



E-mail me for more information on these custom dolly playsets; the perfect gift for the little girl or boy who is hard to buy for. They are great for keeping the three-and-up set busy at the doctor's office or in the car.

Baby #2, and getting closer!

By the time my second child made her appearance, I had made up my mind: I was staying home. I called my boss over my maternity leave to break the news. She begged me to stay (that's how I like to phrase it) and told me I could bring the baby...so I caved and said 'yes'! It was nice to know I was wanted but I knew it would be stressful.

I went back and had to adjust to working while having a newborn and juggling other children to care for as well. It had its good and bad days, but I still felt very blessed to have her with me all day while earning a full-time salary at a relatively low-stress job.

When my baby was almost one we built a huge new facility and my boss informed me that there would be no infant room in the new school. I would need to find outside child care. So the saga continued...