The PolkaDot Frog Boutique

While home for the Holidays...

2012-01-10T07:30:00.000-08:00

While the kids were out of school for the Christmas break... we played a little.

We got out different things to try, things to make, and things to sew.
We didn't get near the things done that we had planned BUT we did have a lot of fun and that is, after all, what it is all about!

Here is a little bit...

Shae wanted to make jewelry and since I gave ALL of my things to my mom, tools, beads etc., I came up with another idea...

Found my hemp, grabbed some beads that I found along with the hemp from old projects... and taught her how to do this...

This was her FIRST go at it... Never took out one knot, NOT ONE! Kind of made me sick for her first try... I remember mine being,.. well...BAD!!!

Then she was hooked a little.
We found some buttons, I made one then she made one.

Then she wanted to keep going and found these buttons...

I think I need a hiding place for buttons! :)

It was lots of fun though. We both loved every minute of it.

We went scavenging for pine cones and sweetgum "balls" to do another project but those pics are yet to come...
FUN FUN FUN!!!!

Snow Ball fight in the living room

2011-12-10T11:25:00.001-08:00

Well our elves came back and for the most part have been good. Shayne did eat the last Swiss Roll though... She also rolled the living room but the snow ball fight was the cutest.

Kacey's penguin Blue Eyes got in on the fun this time and took a shot to the head.

But then turned around and gave one right back!

All and all, they had fun well into the night!

...and left the wet mess for me to clean up...but it wasn't too bad... this time!

Getting ready for fall....

2011-09-14T16:16:00.000-07:00

I love fall and with the cooler air moving in.... Ahhh, I am getting excited.
I am already starting to decorate a little, nothing much yet but big plans ahead. We'll see if I even make it close! So many things to make, try out, so little time!!

I have found several ideas here and there but my favorite place to look lately is... yep, Pinterest. Lots of pictures to get inspired by and blogs to tell you how in some cases.

So here is where it starts in my house...
Candles. Love the look and the smell of them. From a vanilla, coffee bean, pumpkin spice (my fave for fall) or a cinnamon spice... or all... put them in a nice container or in a nice display. Set it up, don't just set them out...

It doesn't matter if they are just out for the decor and looks of it or if they are there for the ambiance, lighting them all and smelling the wonderful scents. Be creative.

What about pumpkins! Can't have fall with out those. So why not mix the two...candle sticks and pumpkins.
I love this idea! It is such a simple way to dress up a harth, fireplace, entrance way, table.... anywhere really.

Another of my fall favorites is candy corn and peanuts! We always have candy jars out. I love mixing different containers around and filling them with different things.
I have used large mason jars before with raffia bows tied around the lids. (now I use those for this)

But with some candies, I needed a container with a lid.... so off I went on a search.
I wanted ones that looked great in my homes decor. One's that didn't scream look, I am only out for fall! Ha! I wanted to use them at any time of year.
I found these at our Hobby Lobby and had to have them! Of course they were 50% off!

Of course fall wouldn't be fall without a crow would it? Had to grab him too...

As far as the candy, well it doesn't last very long!
I tried to find different colors. Peanuts with candy corn, black licorice...no one eats, I wanted the green apple gummy rings but they must be overly popular this year because I can't find them... well, I did but I would have to pay by the pound and thats NOT happening...yet!

So when choosing your container, find one you won't mind looking at empty... (if your family is anything like mine!)

Next, I have to get out all of the scarecrows, hay, tree, flowers...yes tree... you'll have to wait for that one....

Heaven In A Glass

2011-09-13T16:40:00.000-07:00

We are coffee fanatics in this house and we are always stopping by the Big Name Coffee shops for a fancy schmancy cup of something…and paying the price that goes along with it.
SO, we decided to make some of our own. Now through our Pinterest addiction I found a blog that set me in the right direction. Although we went, for the most part, with the recipe that they suggested, I will definitely change it the next time we make it (and did a little this time). I will tell you how and why below.

What you will need for this Creamy Iced Coffee recipe:
1 Gallon of water
1 Pound of course ground, Strong as you can find, coffee
1 Large bowl
1 Strainer
Lots of coffee filters or cheesecloth
1 Container to hold your coffee in the fridge for up to a month

What you will need for the Cream recipe:
1 12 oz can of Evaporated Milk
1 8 oz can of Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 Container for the mix

Now, this is where I changed things up a bit. No course ground coffee here but for now… here is what we did…
I could not find a pre-packaged pound of coffee, that I thought I would like the flavor of, that was “cheap” enough for me. So I bought a regular brand name, DARK Roast, that I know I like and weighed out the pound it called for. (This is after all suppose to be less expensive that the Big Name Coffee shops.)

So, I weighed out my coffee and placed it in my bowl.

Poured the gallon of filtered water (we filter ours anyway, doesn’t have to be though) over the coffee. Now, the coffee will want to float so that is where my handy whisk came in.

Start whisking the coffee around to make sure that it is all nice and wet. Put the bowl in your fridge for 12 hours or so or overnight. The longer the better, the stronger!
So while that is brewing, you can mix up the heavenly creamy part of this drink! This gets kind of tricky so keep close… open both the milk products and mix together. Got that? Yep, I know. Nothing so Schancy or Fancy about that, JUST GOOOOOD!

It would be great to put it in a schmancy fancy container to but…I didn’t have one, so my dressing shaker did the trick this time. Maybe later, after I have saved all of this money making my own, I’ll buy one….maybe.

Now comes the FUN part, not! (this is what I would change)
So because a cold brew is supposed to be better for this particular process, we now get to filter all of that coffee. And filter, and filter!

Place a filter in your strainer and place your strainer over your final container or one that will work to collect your hard work!

I did not have the traditional, round, type of coffee filters so I used my cone shaped ones. This worked for a bit BUT busted out the bottom in no time and guess what…. Yep, I had to start over!

So I started over with the traditional round type and never looked back.
THIS IS A SLOW PROCESS!
It seems to take forever… and it doesn’t seem to leave you with the massive gallon you started off with, wondering if you would ever drink a gallon of cold coffee. But anyway, it is all good.

Now you get to sit back and enjoy all of your nice, long, hard work. Especially if you have a husband like I do, who just LOVED all of this going on in our kitchen for days! But he sure did love the end result!

Here's how to fix it up...
Fill your glass FULL of chopped ice.

Now fill your glass with your coffee about 2/3 full.

Finish off the top with the Heavenly Cream mixture.

Mmm, mouth...watering...YUM!!!

I stirred it all together to blend it all up. (It was too much for everyone not stirring it.)
You can mix this up however you like, more coffee, more cream...

Lil’ Monkey wasn’t so sure about it at first. She doesn’t like coffee!

Slowly....maybe....

Must have been ok…

Hammie was excited to get some…

Of course, she LOVES coffee!!!

Lil’ Monkey gave it the thumbs up

Everyone here loved it, even Miss “I don’t like coffee” LOVED it and wanted more!....and got it, but just a little. Dad did not like that so much… (it wasn’t the decaf kind…ooops)

Lil' Monkey said "You’re not getting this back!"

So, what would I change next time?
Well for starters, I would NOT cold brew. Too much time and work.

I think I will brew a stronger coffee and let it cool and put it in the fridge for the same use.
The rest of it, well, the rest is nothing.
I am just not the most patient person in the world when it comes to this type of thing and if the regular brewing process yields the same results, I am ALL for it! (only time will tell on that one)

I also think that I might try a decaf…
ok get back up off the floor.
I know, I know.
What’s the point of decaf!!!
Well, when my children LOVE the drinks as much as they do and MY kids and caffeine DON’T mix well...
...don’t ask...remember!... that just calls for decaf and NO other reason!

Hope you all enjoy your little bit of Heaven In A Glass as much as we do!

Unique Hand Painted Clipboards

2011-08-20T10:38:00.000-07:00

Every year my children need a clipboard for school.
Every year we were trying to find one that related to them and their style.
The popular ones were cute but everyone had them.
They wanted ones that had style and ones that everyone else would love to have.

So I started creating clipboards for them.

Wow, did it take off! Everyone wanted them.
Now, even though everyone wanted them, they still all had to be different, unique.
Several people say, "Oh, I love this one. I want one like this." Which is awesome BUT it couldn't be "just like that one". Otherwise they would loose their uniqueness.
Each personalized clipboard is different. They may have the same colors, design or theme but they are all be different in one way or another. This keeps in line with everyone's personalities and individual flair!

What's New

2011-07-18T09:30:00.001-07:00

I am trying a new digitizer so we will see...
I am excited about these new designs and can't wait to try them out!

Here is the first one to try...
New Paci Clips: Made out of material, 100% washable!
These will be a great addition to our Ribbon Paci CLips that we already make to match an outfit.
Now these will be made to Perfectly match any outfit!!

Here is our next one to try...
New Coffee Coozies: Made out of material and again 100% washable!
Since it is out of material, the possibilities are endless. They come in monogrammed or plain.

these are from Embroidery Garden

Valentine's Day Treat Cups

2011-01-14T19:39:00.000-08:00

My little valentine wanted to give different treats out to their friends this year. Ones that they thought EVERYONE would love.
So we came up with this idea and they loved it...and can't wait to give them out!

These cups are packed full of candies....NO fillers!!!
From chewy to chocolate to hard candy. There is something for everyone!
OH, and don't worry if you need something that is peanut free...we can do that too.

So if you want a special treat for your special valentine or would love your little one giving awesome valentines to their friends, check them out...
We love these little treat cups and we think you will too!
You can find them here on our website...

Tina

Hand Painted Weathered Clipboard

2011-01-10T19:56:00.001-08:00

I love hand painted clipboards.
Each one is different in it's own way.
This one is done in school colors.
It has a weathered, rustic look.
Roughed up edges and multiple painted designs.
This is sure to be a popular design.

Extra ribbons give your clipboard that added punch of whimsy.
You can order them here

Check out Facebook page as well. That link is to the right in the sidebar.

Creativity in Bloom...

2011-01-04T20:16:00.000-08:00

Well this is taking a step back, a few weeks, but worth it.
We always make ornaments for our family tree each year.
Well, our kids do.

So as we were painting them this year, using their finger tips to make a tree and presents under it, my daughter says...
"Why don't I paint my fingers and lay them like this. That will make the manger and then I can use my finger tip for baby Jesus' head and..."

So, here it is.

Awesome!

We can learn a lot each day, if we just open up to it.
This has become our most popular one so far.
It's my favorite one.
There are orders for stores already!

I think we will get back to basics this year...

Tina

Happy New Year

2011-01-02T11:21:00.000-08:00

Happy new year! I want to thank everyone for making 2010 an awesome year.
I am trying to figure out how to incorporate everything that I want to accomplish in 2011. It isn't looking very organized right now.
I want so much to start digitizing more.

All my 5 year old wanted for Christmas this year was her own room....
So I had to relocate! I had 3 closets, one was a walk in full of shelves... :(
I had to move everything to a room with NO storage!
So my wonderful husband gave me wall to wall cabinets for Christmas!

Now I have storage, still not like what I did have, but storage none the less.
NOW I just have to organize it all and get rid of a ton of things.

That is overwhelming!

I dare not show pics of the before or the during rather...I don't think I have any before pictures of either room. However, I will have some of the after!
...eventually...

I have loved this verse forever...
You can do all things in Christ who strengthens you.
I found a new one and I love it too.
It is my wish for all of my friends, fans and family.
So here is to a year full of hopes and dreams coming true.
My new verse for this year is:

May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.
Psalm 20:4

Happy New Year Everyone!

Tina

So Tired...

2010-11-13T19:36:00.000-08:00

Everything is speeding up to the Holiday's and I am already so tired.
With everything going on all at once...Wow.
The one thing I can not do is sew when I am the least bit tired. I find myself ripping out a seam or re stitching a shirt. I was making a shirt and I was tired but not THAT tired...or so I thought. I have NEVER, in all my years of sewing, from even the very begining, had something come out SO crooked!
Ugh! So, now, I guess I will not sew if I am even a little tired!
Maybe just keep a pot of coffee going because I haven't even started on my girls Christmas...

Keep you posted....

2010-11-05T11:49:00.000-07:00

It is getting colse to that time again! I love fall and Thanksgiving. The cooler weather and friends and family by a fire, laughing, telling stories...having fun! Not to mention all of the food.

We also go to the same Pumpkin Patch year after year. They have added SO many things over the last several years. Everyone always has a blast!

Here are a few of the Double Pumpkin Applique font shirts. I gave one of these away on facebook. If you have not hit the "like" button, you need to. We will have give aways when we reach 300, 500, 1000... The prizes will get bigger along with our fan base.

This is also where we will be placing all of our ads for Black Friday Sales! You don't want to miss it. Scroll down on the right and click the "like" button...and enjoy the savings!

We will have several new designs to stitch out , those will be here soon!

Changes

2010-02-01T16:59:00.000-08:00

Lots of changes coming for 2010.
I hope to blog more.
I feel like everything slipped away last year.
SO...no resolutions this year...

We have goals!
So we will see how they go.

My list includes:
(not the family time list)
Sewing more: getting back to where I started. Making a few more outfits for the girls and what ever else I can come across. We have a few new boys in the family now, so that lends itself to making boys outfits. Seeing what I can come up with. Getting feed back, then create for all!

Placing more items on the site as they are made: I make too many things that never make it up on the website...kinda defeats the whole purpose. So I will go through the studio and get the inventory on the site!

Digitizing lots and lots...my new love: this is a time consuming one. I like to play. Then you have to try stitching it all out, back to fix what ever didn't sew just right, write directions if any, fiddle with it some more and then POST it....I hope to be that good. Start small, baby steps...and get good, then become great...loving every minute of it.

Screen printing...i think it will take over...a good thing: I am almost too scared to start this process! I think I will be addicted to it. I have so many things that I want to get done and see on some one's back!!! I find myself thinking throughout the day...OH! I could do this or that or draw it like this....use a metallic paint...hoping all the while I am not blabbing the ideas out loud.

Going through my binder of ITH designs and doing each one...will take a lot of time: This is a daunting task. Although I LOVE LOVE all of my designs and I know that they all stitch out awesome....I have SO many that it looms over my head like a thunder storm! So I guess this will be a baby step process...one design at a time. One of the designs makes a doll...it is just going to be a very time consuming goal...but one that will be done. I should probably set a date for completing all of this....but nah! That would be holding my feet to the fire WAY too much. Lets just say :"this year" LOL

Paint more: This is one of the most relaxing things for me to do. I can go up to the studio and get lost in there for HOURS!...kids call wondering what is for dinner!??? I don't know! I'm painting...then you hear what take out places are crossing their lips is whispers.... I don't care if it is a wall tile, letters, clipboards or waste baskets...as long as I'm painting! My hands have to be busy!

Get a little more organized: HA! This one is for the record books. I think I'm organized, I know where everything is! BUT ask someone to go and get the blue bucket in the walk-in closet, on the right, third shelf up, behind the burp cloth bin....and they look at you like you are speaking a different language. Then they come back and say the inevitable...I can't find it"! WHAT? Ok... I'll get it...
So I really need to label, organize...no I really need to clean out the old so it doesn't consume the future....which leads me to the next task...I mean GOAL!

CLEAN OUT old fabrics...donate: There are shelves of it. Some is good, some is just too old to use for items...I make our family's dog toys or doggy bandanna's, try out new pet designs. If they don't work....the dogs will chew them up anyway. The last one I made, my grandmother said her dog ate through it in a few days. So the crinkly Doritos bag that we put in there might not be a great idea....fun to watch, maybe a little cruel, but all in good fun!

SO......

I have A LOT to do...I think I will go get started...tomorrow! LOL

Have fun! Enjoy life, you only get one shot at it!

Tina

Think Pink

2009-10-12T00:04:00.000-07:00

We have gone PINK for October and Breast Cancer awareness month.

So to call a little more attention to the cause, I went PINK as well!

When was your last exam?!
Be PRO active....do your duty and save your boobies~!!!
yes, I know it's CRUDE but I DID get your attention. Now go take a self test or go get your exam!!!

Fall is almost here

2009-09-02T11:40:00.000-07:00

As the holidays try to sneak up on me, I find myself further behind!
I refuse to get caught behind. We will see how that goes.

Fall is almost here!
I love the weather that we have had lately. I hope it last a little longer.
Just a little cool here and there.
A lot of breeze. It's awesome!

Then Christmas will be here and over before we know it!
Time flys by when we have fun doesn't it?!!

Well...
Here is Kacey's "punkin shirt"...

This design is a frayed edge applique. She did not want an orange pumpkin, she had to go through the stash and find this one.
It actually works well, we are into the retro look these days.

We have oh so many more to do...
But we will be working one dae at a time...

Yes "day" is spelled wrong but that was done for a little someone!

Keep checking back as we hope to get the other designs sewn and posted and we hope to get it all done without catching any of the icky things going around!

Wish all of you well too!

New pencil rolls and Eco friendly sandwich bags with mats

2009-07-14T19:31:00.000-07:00

Here is the new pencil roll for teens or pre-teens. It is a great way to keep up with pencils or pens. They won't get lost in the bottom of the back pack or in the desk at school! Hopefully they will stay a little more organized this way.

This one is done in a black and white hounds tooth and a crimson ribbon to tie it shut. You can pick your own color, print, style material or theme. Create a one of a kind for yourself or that special someone. This can be personalized with a monogram or initial as well.

The eco friendly sandwich bag with mat is a great way to go green! Teach your kids early to help our world. No need to spend endless amounts of money on plastic ziptop bags anymore. This bag and mat is 100% washable. This can be customized and personalized as well.

The mat fits neatly tucked inside a pocket. The sandwich fits inside another and everything is kept wrapped up and secured with a button.

So if it is for school or even the office, it is never too late to start helping out the environment! Go Green with this great and stylish eco friendly set!

Just visit the website to custom order and personalize yours today!

Happy Fourth

2009-07-04T08:01:00.000-07:00

Hey, just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Fourth of July!!!

We won't start on the new designs until next week, well after the 4th...

We have started to do a clean sweep...so to speak. I have the third floor cleaned out and back to being the Game Room! We played pool until 11:00p.m. the other night. All of us! It was So much fun.

I am working on the girls room now. They just have so many clothes! It isn't the toys, like I thought. It is just the clothes and the little things...
So they pick so many things and the rest gets donated. Easy in theory!

Next will be my sewing room, the room everyone thinks is were they put things when they don't know where it goes! Hate that. I have a lock on the door... I guess I need to use it! HA! Oh well, (the lock is so my sewing scissors and scrap material isn't used by the younger crafter...AKA Shae's Boutique)
I do share but only when I am in there to watch and help.

Well it is off to finish before the day gets to filled with 4th activities!
Everyone have a great one!

Peanut Shaped BurpCloths

2009-06-29T18:48:00.000-07:00

A posh and hip way to protect you and your clothes.
Customize a gift for someone special or for yourself.
Have one made in the nursery theme and get everything to match!
Since these are made to order, they can be made to match the: bibs, wipes cover, wrist cuffs, sippy cup and bottle leash, pacy pockets...the possibilities are endless!

Oh so far behind or that is how it feels!

2009-06-02T08:54:00.001-07:00

Well now that Grads are over and holidays are behind us, I need to get caught up!
I am trying out new designs. I have not had the time to PLAY around with the software like I thought I would. All in due time.
The fall will be here before I know it.
On top of trying to build up a new line of products...
The kids are now home for the summer and I need to clean out a lot of stuff.
Not enough hours in the day!

City tournaments are under way and then there is All Stars after that.
There is nothing like summer on the field!
Here is a picture of little one in catchers gear.
I really think she could take it!

But she didn't play this spring. She get's to play this fall while her sister plays travel soccer!!!

Got to love the game(s)!!!

Enough about that....FROGGIE TIME

There are new sippy type personalized cups coming in this summer as well as a new line of childrens items... Just like mommy.
SO keep checking back....it will be getting crazy around here!

Memorial Day weekend

2009-05-27T13:37:00.000-07:00

Well, I am glad I chose not to do the Jubilee this year.
I figured it would rain and rain...and it did.

Plus this year has just been a rough one to get going.
I think I am over my hump, which felt more like a mountain!
I am all geared up to work on fall items now.
We should be at the Apple festival in Moulton and at the Fiddlers convention in Athens again this fall.

The last of the old style sippy cups...
We still have 5 cups with the teal lids left...
To order: Click here

We have A TON of new bow holders to choose from, I will get those pics up soon.
Also new Auburn and Alabama bibs, burp cloths, little zippered pouches, cell phone holders, sunglasses case, the list goes on and on.
Something else new this fall is our children's line of "Just Like Mommy"(TM) items.
Like, oven mitts and pot holders, baby doll diapers, bibs and burp cloths.

So many new things coming so you will have to check it out!

New Software

2009-05-14T21:07:00.000-07:00

YEAH!!! I just got my new software that has been on Back order for 2 months...
I am SO excited. I have loved playing around with it so far. Very interesting.
I decided to go with the Bernina Artista V5. So I am no pro at it yet but WOW is it fun!
I cant wait to stitch out something that I created!
Then I cant wait for me to stitch something out that I create and it be GOOD!!!

Got to go play some more.........

1 Corinthians 13 for Moms

2009-04-20T11:43:00.000-07:00

I can read bedtime stories till the cow jumps over the moon and sing "Ten Little Monkeys" until I want to call the doctor--but if I don't have love, I'm as annoying as a ringing phone.

I can chase a naked toddler through the house while cooking dinner and listening to voice mail, I can fix the best cookies and Kool-Aid in the neighborhood, and I can tell a sick child's temperature with one touch of my finger, but if I don't have love, I am nothing.

Love is patient while watching and praying by the front window when it's 30 minutes past curfew.

Love is kind when my teen says, "I hate you!"
It does not envy the neighbors' swimming pool or their brand-new mini van, but trusts the Lord to provide every need.

Love does not brag when other parents share their
disappointments and insecurities, and love rejoices when other families succeed.

It doesn't boast, even when I've multi-tasked all day long and my husband can't do more than one thing at a time.

Love is not rude when my spouse innocently asks, "What have you done today?"

It does not immediately seek after glory when we see talent in our children, but encourages them to get training and make wise choices.

It is not easily angered, even when my 15-year-old acts like the world revolves around her.
It does not delight in evil (is not self-righteous) when I remind my 17-year-old that he's going 83 in a 55-mph zone, but rejoices in the truth.

Love does not give up hope.
It always protects our children's self-esteem and spirit, even while doling out discipline.
It always trusts God to protect our children when we cannot. It always perseveres, through blue nail polish, burps and other bodily functions, rolled eyes and crossed arms, messy rooms and sleepovers.

Love never fails.
But where there are memories of thousands of diaper changes and painful labor(s), they will fade away. Where there is talking back, it will (eventually) cease. Where there is a teenager who thinks she knows everything, there will one day be an adult who knows you did your best.

For we know we fail our children, and we pray they don't end up in therapy, but when we get to heaven, our imperfect parenting will disappear. (Thank you, God!)

When we were children, we needed a parent to love and protect us. Now that we're parents ourselves, we have a heavenly Father who
adores, shelters us and holds us when we need to cry.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

So here is to the end of clutter....well it was good while it lasted!

2009-02-07T23:19:00.000-08:00

Well we started a new year. It has only taken a month to get back on track.
I have rearranged my sewing room, added a few things, painted and organized everything. I have given a space to Shae's Boutique so that she may start on her own quest. This will soon present itself as a challenge. Everything I want to do, she is there and when I am not there she is still wanting to be. So we will see how long I can hold out! She is still young and learning!
We will have several pictures to load and trunk shows to talk about in the next few weeks, so although it has been awhile, check back and we will keep you up to date.

Oh, if you haven't noticed or wondered where all of the other blogs are...we deleted them! That's it - plain and simple. 2009 is going to be a year of - plain, simple, no clutter and what ever else I can get back to!

So...having said that, I have to go to work!