So Smitten

Ok, here it is.
I've decided to do a bit more photography. Although I thought I'd try to focus more on grownups. Since I spend all my days with little people.
So this is what I'm thinking...So Smitten!

I'm still working out some details, but I thought I'd throw it out there. Since you all are my peeps and I couldn't keep it a secret!
And I have to say it has been SO FUN already. I'm not trying to get too busy because there's still all that grocery shopping and bums to wipe and vacuuming to do...
I'm also trying to keep So Smitten a little separate from twomittens simply for professionalism reasons. Not that everyone doesn't want to hear about how crazy I am...
(But you already know that)
Did I mention that I had fun doing this??!!

Little Thing

Just A Peak

More to share soon!

Chaos Theory

Creative chaos.
It's quite evident that I'm not any good at balancing my creative life with my everyday SAHM/housewiferly life.
All around me (in blogland and occasionally reality) are women who seem to write and photograph and sew and cook and publish books and create beauty with everything they touch. While also raising housefuls of kids and nurturing loving relationships.
My Creativity seems to fully compete with all the other things I'm supposed to be doing. My head is bursting with ideas and thoughts and energy while the laundry is waiting to be folded and toys are strewn from one end of the house to the other. And I should be going to the grocery store.
But it is such a force to be reckoned with. And the more attention I give it, the more it wants.
And I try to do all those other things. But the force will not be ignored.
So I try to keep it under control. Even when I want to throw all the clothes out the window and let the kids get their own lunch. And the force is threatening to burst out of my chest like that little alien head.
I try to control it but it generally ends in chaos.
I suspect my husband wishes he were married to one of those people who gets a rush out of tidiness and shiny silverware. Although I certainly have never given him reason to suspect that's what he'd be getting here!
I have such a difficult time managing both. If I ignore the force long enough it will subside. But then all you have is the housework. And who can live like that??!!

How do you manage your Creative Chaos?

Old Polaroid

Having some fun with this!

What's In Your Purse

Ok, I've been tagged by Mrs. M.
Ten things in my purse right now. And unlike Mrs. M, I only have one. I cannot manage more than one purse. Then everything is always in the 'other' bag.

1. A rock. It's pretty and white. And a little heavy.
2. Diapers
3. Piece of fabric
4. Stickers
5. Tide pen. I never use it. I always forget it's there.
6. Pretty Mac lipstick that my darling daughter recently got into and destroyed. Viva Glam V and Skew.
7. About 5 lipglosses.
8. Zoo passes.
9. Nikon Coolpix
10. Pig car

And yes, my husband did suggest I get a smaller purse for the rare occasion I leave the house without kids. For the rare event I don't need a 10lb bag to haul around.

I'm not going to tag anybody, but feel free to play along in comments or link to your list!

Daylight What?

Dear Daylight Savings Time,

As a childless person I used to think you were mildly amusing. With your extra light at dinner time. And your changing of all the clocks and time devices. Although there are always some I can't remember how to change. And the vcr that was supposed to change itself but then was always like an hour and 12 minutes off. One way or the other. But whatever. It's always on a Sunday right, so even if I'm an hour early for church because I totally forgot, I can just have a nap later. And hey, who doesn't like sunshine right?

BUT.
Now that I am a mother of 3 children, YOU SUCK. We don't run a totally tight ship around here, but bedtime is a BIG DEAL. And bedtime directly effects getting up time. And we tried keeping the kids up later (to their normal time) but our Early Bee got up at the new early anyway. And 'losing' an hour of sleep?? How about losing an hour of whining? Or an hour of laundry? Something I can really make the most of.
And who's hungry now, and what time is it really???
And why is it called 'springing ahead' when it is -24 and snowy with a windchill of -frozen penguins?!
So yes, we all enjoy more daylight. And we're all happy to think that spring might get here some day. But don't think I'm fooled into thinking that I will get that hour back in the fall.
Now excuse me while I go and try to figure out the clock on my toaster oven...

not your friend,
Mrs. Twomittens

Ode To Fleece

Images and patterns for cute little girl sundresses are taunting me. Pretty summer outfits are everywhere. The Babe has some already waiting in her closet. But the cruel reality is that we are stuck in the snow here, and it's going to be cold and ugly here for A LONG TIME still.
So what is a practical girl to do?
I've become fascinated with fleece. Sure it's soft and fuzzy, but it also requires no finished edges...even more fascinating...but what can you do with it other than making endless blankets and scarves?
Then I happened to pick up a copy of Bend The Rules Sewing at the store one day and saw 'The Wee Jacket'. And I knew I'd found gold.
This seems to be the perfect solution! I don't knit, but I have longed for some cute little sweaters to go over sweet little dresses.
You can literally fold your fabric in half, fold it again, to cut out your form. Then simply sew up the sides and underarm. Cut a hole for the head. In MINUTES. I then added a few embelishments, for fun and some ribbon to tie. DONE.
And then with the leftover fabric I sewed up a couple of simple pullovers. The Babe figured out how to take off her baby bag (she was getting too big for it anyway) so I've been trying to figure out a way to keep her cozy at night. I'm going to just slip one of these over her jammies to keep her snug in bed. Perfect!

Baby Girl 21 Months

Well it seems like boys boys boys around here lately, but believe me The Babe is not a wallflower. She pretty much runs the place!
One of her most favorite things lately, is getting dressed. Without any help. She gets upset if you try to help. Until she gets stuck. And then she gets upset until you untangle/help her again. And she is veery fashionable! The layered look is popular.
You can definitely tell that the two's are approaching. With a vengence. A little more headstrong. A little less cooperative. A few more meltdowns. But the entertainment factor is still pretty high. At least some of the time...
Most of the time though, she's a feisty, comical, sunny, bright, determined, sweet, sassy little thing.
She seems to be quite interested in the potty these days. It can be difficult to get a diaper on her. At least she likes to sit there. While chewing on her toothbrush. I think it's a good start.

She and daddy are BEST friends. She's always the first one to send him off to work or welcome him home at night with a greeting.
She's not deterred much by her brothers and does her best to keep up with them. She does a pretty good job too.
Most of all she's our little Miss Sunshine. With attitude. And we wouldn't want it any other way.