Where have I been?

I'm still here! Just been busy these last few months. Very, very busy. I've been working on something big. BIG.

I've decided to expand Skylar's Candy Clips. New products. New website (my VERY OWN website!). New packaging. Eeeek!!! I am so excited, I'm jumping out of my pants!

There you go. That is the real reason I've been MIA and my Etsy shop is on vacation mode. Let me fill you in on some very exciting details. First off, Skylar's Candy Clips will now be under the new company, Lizzie, Izzie, & James, LLC. The name was picked out from three wonderful little people who are the darndest, sweetest, things to me - my kids. "Lizzie" (Elizabeth), "Izzie" (Isabelle) and "James" are their middle names. Here's the new logo:



The second thing that we did was to upgrade my supply stash. We switched to the highest quality felt - wool felt. Between 70% to 100% wool felt to be exact. Yummy enough for you?

This picture shows some colors that I'm using in 30% wool because they are not available in either 70 or 100% but believe me, the quality is to die for!

We hired a web designer, photographer, and a branding company to work together in forming my new website, and packaging. We are hoping to be up and running before Christmas. Hopefully! In the meantime, I am busy working on the new designs, samples for the models and photographer, and putting together a small inventory for the holiday rush.

So please be patient as I go through this new journey. More updates on our progress soon!

*For more updates, please follow me on Facebook.

Canada bound {and some cuteness}.

Just wanted to share some cuteness with you.
This is Knuckles. My brother Kevin's puppy.
Isn't he just the most adorable bundle of fur you've ever seen?
He is so cute - I wanted to sneak him into my carry on and bring him home.
He is part chihuahua and part cocker spaniel.
My kids went crazy over him when we were on vacation.
And so did I.

Going away again this weekend to take the kids to see Peter Pan at the
Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Stratford, Canada.
I am just as excited as the kids - I LOVE plays.

Then we are off to Chicago next week for my cousin's wedding.
Whew. It's been one heck of a busy summer.
I promise lots of pictures when we get back.

And another giveaway for back to school.

Meet Nelly.

Nelly

Do you remember my first sewing project? I am proud to say that I bravely tackled the sewing machine (finally!) and produced this sweet doll.



Her face and hair are made out of felt and her body from fabric. I got the tutorial from here - but changed it up just a bit.


I made her a cute little pillowcase dress without a pattern so it is far from perfect. I'll do better next time now that I know the proper way to do it.


Nelly's little maryjane shoes are made from felt too but again, you can see the imperfections. Sigh.


But one little girl thinks Nelly is PERFECT. And that's my sweet girl Skylar. She brought her to bed and here they are in the morning. Nelly will be loved - I am sure of that.

On vacation!

Which Happy Place does this attraction belong to?

Hooray for summer! The kids and I are on vacation visiting my family for the next two weeks!

Lots of pictures coming soon! In the meantime, let's have a little contest.

Take a look at the picture above and guess which attraction it is and what theme park it belongs to.

Hint: Don't be too scared to take a guess.

The first person who guesses right wins something new from the Fall collection of Skylar's Candy Clips!

WINNER! WINNER! WINNER!

Congratulations to #53

Robyn

for winning the
Rosey Corner Creations Giveaway!

Enjoy your beautiful new diaper tote!!!

My first sewing project.

Black Apple Dolls from marthastewart.com

A friend is coming over today to give me my first ever sewing lesson. Do you remember the sewing machine that I bought a few months ago? Yep - still in the box, unopened, untouched. Until today. Yikes - I am excited and nervous at the same time. I've been drooling over these dolls for the longest time and today, I will actually try to make them. TRY. I will post some pics when they are finished. BE NICE when you see them - they will not be perfect.

If you want to try them yourself, you can find the FREE tutorial here. And watch the video featuring the Etsy artist who created these adorable dollies.

* And don't forget to join the giveaway!

Rosey Corner Creations Giveaway! (CLOSED)

Meet Carol from RoseyCornerCreations. She is a mommy to five (yes, five!) children and runs a successful shop on Etsy. She started sewing when she was five years old.


(from Carol's blog:)

"I'm a wife and a mother of 5 energetic children. I enjoy a clean house, sparkling kitchen, well ordered closets, freshly laundered linens, and floors free from small building blocks, doll shoes & muddy shoes. But that's my life only part of the time. Most of the time it's peanut-butter cookie crumbs and strawberry jam fingerprints and my favorite sticky kisses. I love my life,sticky fingerprints and all. I started sewing with my mom when I was 5. So, yes, that means I've been sewing for a few decades. Being creative makes me smile, I love to smile. I'm excited to have the chance to make you smile too. Maybe you'll find a chuckle or two in my shopping/sewing/family/life experiences. And hopefully something I create will make you smile too."

And make me smile it did. I looked at her shop and my, oh my, does she have some beautiful pieces. Just look at the description of each one and you can tell that a lot of love and detail go into each piece. Here are some of my faves:

Changing Pad Clutch $22

Card Keeper $8

Perfect Small Tote, $16

Plastic Bag Holder, $11

Her items are not only beautiful, they are all affordable - which is a big deal to most people nowadays. Start thinking Christmas gifts, everybody. Seriously, the plastic bag holder is genius, especially if you, like me, like to recycle plastic bags.

But I saved the best for last. This one is my favorite item of all:

Amy Butler Diaper Tote $25

Take a look at this little beauty. Aren't the colors lovely? I started to drool as soon as I saw this one under her featured listings.

Now for the good news: you guessed it - this is the giveaway prize!!! One lucky (VERY LUCKY) reader will win this beautiful diaper tote.

Here is how you can enter (please leave a different comment for each entry):

1. Visit RoseyCornerCreations on Etsy and pick your favorite item.
2. Become a follower of Carol's blog.
3. Become a follower of my blog (if you already are, please state that in a comment)

4. Grab my pretty button for your blog
5. Become a fan of Skylar's Candy Clips on Facebook (if you already are, state that in a comment). Click on the Facebook Page Badge at the top right of my blog.

6. And for extra credit, who are you trying to win this diaper tote for (and it's perfectly okay to admit that you want it for yourself!)?

* if you don't have your email on your blog profile, please include it in one of your comments.

Good luck everybody! The winner will be picked through random.org

on Sunday, July 18, 2010.

This giveaway is now closed.
Thank you for all the entries!!!

Pssst... giveaway happening tomorrow.

Check back tomorrow if you want to win this lovely!

Happy 4th of July!!!

photo courtesy of food network

Happy 4th of July!!!

I hope that you are having a wonderful holiday weekend!

We are off to see the fireworks and enjoying a picnic with friends.
I will be making and bringing these two goodies...

Avocado Pound Cake by Joy the Baker

Frozen Key Lime Pie by Cookie Mondays

What kind of yummies are you making today?

I'm still here!

Sorry for the lack of posts. This summer started lightning fast and am already overwhelmed.
Lots of orders to finish before our trip to California in three weeks.
This post is short but I will share a few highlights from June.

Chris and I celebrated our 17th year anniversary.
10 years as a couple and 7 years married.
I made this sign for him because he is truly the peanut butter to my jelly.
The cheese to my macaroni.
The other pea to my pod.

Last Sunday, June 27th I ran the Stratton Faxon half marathon.
13.1 miles to be exact.
I finished in a little under 3 hours.
My legs, knees, and feet were hating me for three days straight after.

Welcome "Lovebirds".
My new felt hair clip holder.
I am truly in love with them.

I'll be back for some more summer highlights!
Become a fan on facebook and for a chance to win on a monthly drawing!

Dreaming of...

Dreaming of... my friend Mary's delicious treats...

Homemade Oreos

Maker's Mark Bourbon Brownies

Can't wait to try...

Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies

Brown Rice Crispy Treats

If you haven't visited her bakeshop on Etsy, go, go, go!
Her handmade goodies are unbelievable!
You will be an addict.
And instantly gain 5 pounds like I did.
But the calories are worth it.
Every single one.
Pinky Swear.

Visit her shop here...
And her cool blog here...

My birthday boy.

To the best daddy, hubby, lovey {ever!},

Happy 35th Birthday
to the...

coolest... {at Superbike School May 2010}

bravest... {training for his upcoming amateur boxing match May 2010}

and just simply, the most wonderful guy I know!
I love you!

Featured in Viva La Moda!

A few weeks ago, Ainhoa from Viva La Moda contacted me about using my Itty Bitty Initial Clips for her online magazine. Of course, I said. I can't wait to see it. Now it's here - whoo-hoo!!! Page 68-69 of the magazine and it is item #3 (front and center!). Check it out online. They focus on handmade items and a lot of vintage fashion. So if you like either one or both, you would love browsing their pages. If you want to be part of the mailing list, click here.

Curly Flowers Limited Edition Headbands

These headbands are new on Etsy. Just $12 each. I only have a certain amount so get yours while they last! Ssshhh... one Facebook fan will win their choice of color on Tuesday, June 1st. One lucky fan will be chosen to win something from the shop each month. So become a fan now if you aren't already (just click on the Facebook link on the top right side of the blog).

In a Treasury {some really beautiful hydrangeas!}.

My Pastel Hydrangeas Bouquet Headband
is in Treasury East today.

Thank you, emmjeyessvintage for including them!

Boxing for a good cause.

My husband {Chris Mascarinas} is stepping in the boxing ring

on June 11, 2010.

For a good cause.

Boxing and dinner to benefit 3 charities:

Hope for Haiti, RF Youth Boxing, and USA Boxing.

If you are in the Tristate NY, NJ, and CT area, I hope to see you there.

www.therealfightclubstamford.com

WHITE COLLAR BOXERS IN TRAINING from djavan harris on Vimeo.

A special Mother's Day

This Mother's Day, I received some very special things...

a special pancake breakfast made just for me {with a cup of my favorite coffee}...

a new flower garden...

a special card from a very special little girl...

{inscription inside Skylar's card}
My Mommy

My mommy is the best
My mommy makes the best headbands
My mommy buys the best shoes
My mommy makes the best burritos
My mommy is the best mommy ever!

Love, Skylar

a special card from a very special little boy...
{thank you, Deacon for making me 26 years old!}

And don't forget my very best Mother's Day present of all...

My three very special little monkeys
{Deacon, Peyton, and Skylar in 2008}

the best kids a mommy could ever ask for!
{Peyton, Deacon, and Skylar - taken Mother's Day morning in their jammies}

Thank you for making today and everyday, a special one.

Happy Mother's Day to all the mommies out there!!!

Don't hate me because I'm VILE.

Valentino Summer Flower Tote

This is a lovely conversation that I overheard while walking through my downtown area today.

A small circle of women dressed in their designer duds are gushing over this woman's new tote (see above).

Woman #1: Oooooh... I just love it! The hardware looks so good! Love the flowers!

Woman#2: Don't you just love it? It was such a bargain too. It was only 3 grand!

The women giggle and agree on what a steal this lady's purse was. Here's the kicker:

Woman #1: So where do you think we should have lunch? Rosies (a gourmet deli)?

Woman #2: I don't know. Rosies has some fabulous salads but they're a little on the heavy side. I'm not sure if any of you would like that extra 50o calories!

I couldn't stand it any longer. I walk up to them.

Me: Excuse me ladies. I heard that there's a Chicken Joe's that just opened on this block? Do you know where it is?

Woman #2: Chicken Joe's? What's that? {I swear the look on her face was priceless}

Me: They have the most fabulous chicken nuggets and french fries combo in a bag! You should try it - it's out of this world!

Woman #1: Um... It may be up the street some more. I thought I saw a sign. {And you know she is secretly counting all the calories that I am about to consume}.

I thank them politely and walk away - hearing them whisper and know that they are talking about my lunch of choice. I smile to myself, loving it all.

Gooey Good. {a random post}

G is for gooey. G is for good. I am so loving PW's homemade cinnamon buns.
Thank you Bakerella for your instructions on baking a half batch.
The only thing that I tweaked was the glaze. Substitute half a demitasse cup of espresso for the coffee and two tablespoons of honey instead of the maple syrup. Yum! I made two trays - one to give away and one to keep. I made some friends very happy!

My thumbprint necklace finally came in. Lindsay did a wonderful job.
She inscribed my children's names on one side along with their birthdate and birthstone. Fancy!!!

And now their tiny little thumbprints are forever frozen in the little charms {sigh}.
What a beautiful keepsake. Truly.
I have another charm coming with my wedding date and my initials and my husband's.
{Double sigh}

My little lovebirds Peyton and Andrew (Deacon's best friend) holding hands in the car.

I think it's real, people!

Thank you, foundhandmade for featuring my Tiny Twin Flowers on your blog.
I appreciate it and am so flattered to be with some awesome crafters!

Check out my new Pretty Pinwheel Headbands.
They are available at the shop now.
More new items to come soon.

Delaney Butterfly has a new color combo!
It was the first clip to be given away to one of my Facebook fans.
If you want a chance to win a monthly giveaway on facebook, click here to become a fan.

This was one heck of a super random post.
But it's been a great week.
Busy. Good. Great.
Hoping that it will continue over the weekend!