The New "Must Have" Outfit........

I am so pleased with how this new outfit turned out! isn't it adorable!! i had to make two to start with...one for a very loyal customer,,and the other for the boutique, Isaiah's Sister in Texarkana,,, this oufit would be great with a white long sleeve tee under the top and then in the spring, the pants will have shrunk down to capris...and wouldn't it be the cutest for v-day???.....i just had to let my katie model it for me!

A Messegner Bag For Baby Hayden

Here is a messenger bag i made today...i lined the inside with a soft, dark denim and pretty pockets....it's a beautiful bag..could even be used as a back pack....i used extra thick and stiff interfacing....and it just made it so nice.. it's going to be used as a little boy's diaper bag... the baby boy's name is Hayden.....i hope my customer likes it.....

Sewing with EG

Today i started teaching emma grace how to sew...she's 5 and a half,,,and my grandmother bought her , her very own sewing machine.....it has a really slow speed on it....so she can learn to sew on it easily........she wanted to make a pillow bed for her new fav stuffed animal, "giraffeeeee".......david's mom gave her this blue stuffed giraffe months back,, and lately it's become her carry around toy.....she even took it along with a card board box house she made to show and tell at school this week.....she's such a crafty little girl........anyways,,,,,she picked out this fabric and cut it.....pinned it,,,,sewed it......stuffed it....and i helped her sew the decorative stitches on the ribbon and sew up the open hole after she finished stuffing it......she's so proud of it...and i was really surprised to see how straight she was able to keep her stitching line......she really had a great time today....and i had fun being able to teach her.. she's already got a long list of all the other things she wants to make for "giraffeeeee"..lol...i'm proud of her and i will cherish this day and this adorable pic!!

"Katie Bug"

I had a customer message me wanting a little girl's purse for a three year old.....i had this lady bug fabric left over from a previous order i had done....so it worked out perfect...i couldn't help myself.i had to add the bows to dress it up and make it extra girly........the inside is also black with white polka dots.....i do these a lot for birthday gifts for emma grace's friends.....
this one turned out really cute.....and with the name it was hard not to keep it for my katie bug...lol

Sisters, Food, and "Pillow Dents"

So, my sis in law, mary, knowing that i love contemporary christian music, called and invited me to join her at a natalie grant concert in eldorado last sunday night.... i was thrilled..........if u really know me then u know that i probably talked myself out of going,,,,or at least tried to......see, i like the idea of going off and doing fun stuff without my kiddos and hubby,,,,,but when it comes down to it,, i just don't like leaving them behind......i'm the mom who will go and go with no end without a break,,,,and not think much of it....until i finally get one,,,or david makes me take one....lol.......it's hard to make myself go,,,,but when i get home, i'm very thankful for it...............
so , back to the story,,,,,,,the night before i was thinking i should just stay home,,,,i had lots of sewing to catch up on.......amongst other things....but by lunch time the next day i was excited again...... mary picked me up and we left.....we jammed in the car to some great music,,,,,she introduced me to "brit nicole" and awesome singer........and when we got to eldorado we ate some dinner,,,,,,we ate dinner, both of us without interruptions ,,,,,,no taking kids to the bathroom, or changing diapers right after we got our food,,,,no spilled drinks, or wiping dirty faces..... we love our kids.....and would do anything for them,,,,,,and have.......but man was it nice to have some real adult conversation,,,,,and remember what it was like to put on a clean outfit, go out and come home with the same clean outfit on,,,,,,and no ketchup or spit-up stains......lol.......wow...............after dinner,,,,,anticipating some great music,,,,we left and went to the concert..........during the concert, we realized that the expectations we had for that night were very human,,,,,small minded....if u will.............because what we experienced wasn't just a night out and good music,,,,,,,God moved in that room,,,,,that full room.........and in our hearts......i think mary and i both cried thru half the concert......just the how the words of natalie grant's new songs......how they spoke so much truth......and how she ministered to us between songs......and one story was one that will forever be embedded in my heart.....a story about a girl she knows.....a girls she grew up next store to.......she had everything,,,,,she was the "it" girl.......the good girl........and grew up, got married and now has three kids of her own.......just living life and loving life and appreciating life,,,,,and living it in a respectful manner........and then she found out she had stage 4 bone cancer.......now she's dealing with leaving her husband and three children without a mother and now she's facing death head on......looking it in the face........and spending her days in a hospital bed.......and "every night", she says......" i scoot over a little in the bed to make room for the one who be with me thru it all....and in the morning i know there will be a dent in the pillow beside me where He laid with me all night"............
hearing this story and stories like it should spark something in us,,,,,,they should make us feel ashamed for all the "Pity Parties" we have for ourselves......if u haven't realized it yet,,,,,,someone always has it worse off then u do......actually, more then just one person.......a lot of people.......
this world is not about us....it was not created for us.......we are merely passing thru,,,,,and people aren't really going to remember us.......they are going to keep on living their lives.......because time doesn't stop.......but God will remember what we did.......He knows if we get up in the morning and study His word,,,,,He knows if we pray for more then 5min,,,,,,,He knows if we are compassionate,,,,,,He knows if we do our jobs with a joyful heart even if it's not what "we" want to do,,,,,,,,,He knows if we really tell others about Him,,,,,,,He knows if we forgive others,,,,,,,He knows if we serve others,,,,,,He knows if we stand up for Him...............God knows everything,,,,,,,and He knows what we don't do...........and in the end,,,what we do in life isn't going to be remembered by people here on earth,,,,,,,it is only going to be remembered by Him.......and that is all that matters.......instead of worrying about making a good impression on people,,,,,,,we should be worrying about making a good impression on God.........
if u know any of natalie grant's songs,,, it's probably the one titled, "held".......she wrote it after a friends' baby died.....and it talks about how troubling it is that a baby would die even though it's mother was praying for it........ she sang that sunday night too..........and the tears came pouring down..........this isn't a song i intentionally listen to.......it's a beautiful song,,,,,but it brings so much pain with it........when david and i lost our first baby to a heart defect when i was 12 weeks preg,,,,it was so confusing to say the least.....two weeks before we had been told that there may be something wrong with the heart of our new baby.....but we were steadfast with prayer before our God,,,,,,,and trusting Him........
our baby died.......and i wanted to die with him........i fell into a depression for a couple of months....and never realized how much pain a person could feel until that time............
but i kept trusting in my Mighty God..........and came thru that valley.........but only because i clinged to my God and HIs word........i grew more in that last month then i had the whole year and half i had been saved.........i don't know why God didn't let me have that baby here........but i know that will hold that baby one day.......with my God.......who is holding him now.......
i just wanted to know that the pain i went thru wasn't going to be in vain.......that there would be purpose to it......that my God would be glorified out of it...........and He is........i can't tell u how many times i have been able to share in other's grief......and pain,,,,,,and then be able to tell them about the three beautiful, healthy children i've been blessed with now.........and how God can do the same for them........ well, thanks natalie for sharing ur song and making me listen even when i didn't want to........because, not only am i reminded of the hurt and loss,,,,but i'm reminded of the joy and glory that came later........ i'm not one to usually bare my soul out here for all to see.......but on this blog it just comes out.......
thanks mary, for taking me with u.......it was very refreshing,,,,,and makes me want to hold on to all that is good.......

Cottage Snow White.............

I couldn't resist using red ink on this post.......this cute little chenille outfit reminds me of Snow White......all it needs is a big red bow ........i made this outfit for the boutique, "Isaiah's Sister"........ it's a size 3.....so i couldn't let either of my girls model it for me.....but, i'm thinking that katie needs one....with her blue eyes and black hair,, she would really make the whole idea of snow white come to life.......

Pigtails and Donuts......

So this week miss katie decided she was going to stop eating baby food all together......it started this past weekend....she wouldn't eat her carrots or apple oatmeal anymore....and then it was sweet potatoes,, her all time favorite.........she would eat half a jar and then start spitting them .....not just spitting them out,,, but spitting them at whoever was feeding her.....lol or at least it seemed that way..haha..........anyone or anything within a two foot radius would most likely fall victim to the little spitter!!
so last night i cooked baked chicken with potatoes and carrots......and gave her small pieces to eat on her own......she ate everything she could get her hands on......she loved it! this morning i ventured to give her some powdered donuts.....i gave her three, and i gave them to her whole.......... in this pic u can see she just devoured them! .........
i also started giving her half formula and half real milk in her bottles.....she'll be 11months old tomorrow...so i guess it's time......
katie got her first two teeth last thursday and friday......and the top ones are trying to come in too.....she never ran fever or fussed or anything.......it was great!
she's started cruising along all the furniture too..........yesterday she actually let go of the end table and tried to walk!!!!!!! she didn't get anywhere...lol......but it was still exciting to see.......it just doesn't seem like she's suppose to be this old yet! i have the worst feeling that i'm going to be a basket case on her first birthday.......ahhhhh......
well, lastly, i gave miss katie her first pigtails this week too...... aren't they cute!...... her hair still has a lot of curl in it.........she's so much fun to dress up and play with......lol.......
that's all for now.......just wanted to update u all on miss katie....................

Her First Day at the Big "K"

So this morning i took emma grace to her first day of kindergarten.......i can't believe it.....really.......
last night i was up making her this shirt and my mind wondered back over the last five and half years.......i thought about carrying her in my belly and the first day i had to share her with others.......it was hard for me to even let other people hold her......i wanted to protect her like i had the last nine months......but i couldn't......and God reminded me that she's His and not mine.......but i am so grateful to be her mother........then, i started questioning myself,,
have i taught her everything she needs to know for this big transition in her life? have i taught her to listen and obey her teacher? have it taught her enough to see thru the outside of people and look at their hearts? have i taught her to stand up for what she believes in,, even if no one else does?

my heart is aching today, because those first five years are gone,,,,,and i can never get them back.....she'll never be a baby again......

i remember reading something about letting go and letting ur kids spread their wings and fly....... i guess emma grace got her tiny wings today......and over the years they will grow, and i know that i will have to let her fly........but i must say,, i'm glad it's not today............

Sneaky Sleepers.......

Last night we put the kids to bed,,,determined they were going to go to sleep at a reasonable hour,.......lately, we've been struggling with them for over an hour every night to get them to finally go to sleep.......last night was no exception..... after putting them back to bed several times and spanking them too, we were glad to have some quietness..... david and i stayed up a couple of more hours and then i decided to go to bed...i went in to katie's room and covered her up,,,then over to warnock's room ,,,,,(emma grace sleeps in there most nights on the top bunk)
there were no kids in there.......so i checked my room,,,,,and found them both sleeping under all the covers and pillows.......so comfortable.....so peaceful.....so sweet..... i couldn't resist a picture...........they usually end up in the same bed together lately.......they love each other so much.....and take care of one another.....every time i take eg to the doc or like last friday to visit her teacher,, she always asks for an extra sticker or prize for her little brother,,,,,and he does the same at the post office and library for her.....i cherish all these moments, and am so thankful they have each other and katie to grow up with....i pray that God will use them to love one another, protect one another, comfort one another, and strengthen one another......they are a blessing to david and i,, and to each other.......

I wanted to share a pic of of this bag with u all...a pair of sisters here in town own a dance studio and one of them is expecting.....so the other requested this adorable tutu cute diaper bag.....I even found some material with ballet slippers to line the inside with....and added a pink satin ribbon tie to finish it off......and check out the baby's name... very chic.......

So, last night i finished another one of these outfits for a lady in Texarkana,,,, this is the third one of this particular outfit i've done late in the summer.....this is a pic of my katie in the one i did for her as a sample to show everyone.......the one i did last night has initials monogrammed on the shirt instead of the applique ....

W's Birthday........

warnock has been waiting for his birthday since emma grace had hers in april.........and it's finally here.......we were a little dumbfounded at first at what to get him.......and then we realized,,,,,everytime we go to wal mart he asks for this motorcycle bike........i guess we were so use to hearing it and answering "not today, warnock, maybe another day." that we didn't even think about it.....luckily we went to wal mart the night before his party to pick something out and walked by it........ it was "another day" haha.......
when david gave it to him.......he was more excited then i have ever seen him........it was so precious.....
he loves that it has a number on it.....


he picked out his cake all by himself....it had to be motorcycles.....
david and uncle garret built him a ramp for his bike....since he learned to ride with no training wheels the week before......he thought the ramp was "awesome".........and , awesome, seems to be his new word......along with the phrase, "sometimes i do, (fill in the blank with whatever he's talking about),,, and sometimes i don't".........


anyway,,,he had a great time and when he and david left......he told david,,,"that was a good birthday, daddy".......






































he really liked the book aunt mary got him......















and the fishing pole that shoots out like a gun that aunt abbie and uncle garrett got him......











i didnt' get enough pics this year.....but
after the party he played most of the afternoon with his new punching gloves,,,car set-up, and slept in his sleeping bag the last two nights......

The "No Bath Night"

so, i declared a "no bath" night at the house and this is how my son rebelled......lol.........
he rode around the house on the four wheeler with david.. david came in the house,,without warnock....i asked where warnock was,,and david said "he's coming".......a min or so later i get a knock on the back door......and he says "i need to dry off".....yeah,,,,,,so much for the no bath night,.......
i hosed him down....stripped him down,,,,,and bathed him with dawn dish soap on the back patio.......haha.....but not before i took this pic.......
as he reminds me often,,,,,"I sure like mud".......
yes, my little man,,,,,u do.........

Purses for Mom and Pop's Pharmacy

i mailed out a few purses today......they're on their way to Mom and Pop's Pharmacy in Springhill, LA......so now "Cloud Dust" is in three different states,,,in three different stores.......wow......just wanted to share with u all.......

One Creation Studios.......

So, yesterday i took the kids to get some new pics done....at One Creation Studios in texakana....
my kids showed their typical personalities during the shoot....
emma grace did whatever we asked of her.......
warnock wouldn't cooperate much,,,even when i tried bribing him.....ah....boys......
katie was great....and wanted to be the center of attention...until she got tired...lol......
but, all in all,,,,nikki got some great pics.....i really appreciate someone who can handle three young kids for almost two hours.....when one is crying, another is complaining and the other is dancing around the room singing.......ha.....seriously.......
here's a few of the good ones....

Here I am........Just me.....

Here I am....a blogger.....lol...never would have thought that.....when would i find time? lol
i've had a number of people wanting to look at new things from "Cloud Dust" and they complain because they don't have a myspace page.....so ....u people win.....now u can look here!
i worked on, and finished, a few things today for the store in texarkana,, "Isaiah's Sister" today...






and i also worked on some new onsies this week and couldn't resist making one for my sweet katie mae,,,,,and i had to add her new leg warmers from baby legs for a pic!

i love this las pic of her crawling away!

i started a new book.. it's called crazy love,,,,and i'm excited about it,,and i will share some about it next time......i'm in the process of looking for a good bible study to do with the college girls this fall.....(david and i lead the college ministry at our chruch) i got one on ruth, but it's not as in depth as i would like......if anyone has a good one on ruth, please share!
it's late and i'm rambling, i know..sorry.....but i have to say how impressed i am by my soon to be three yr old son......he is riding his bike without training wheels....ah! he needs absolutely NO help! i'm so proud of him......i need pics......i will post some soon! in the meantime, here are a few pics of the kids i took this week......the ones of katie in her white dress ...my bf, melanie MADE it for her,,, she wore it for her baby dedication back in may,,and i realized i only videoed,,and had no acutal pics of her in it,, so i got some this past sunday.....