Cutest Baby Converse High Tops Around

The tiny high tops are adorable.

Add the graffiti, the bright ribbon laces, the paint can and brush charms (look closely!) and you have the cutest, hippest, one of a kind pair of baby high tops in the neighborhood!

This pair of tennies are size 3.

A "must have" for any stylin' fashionista, tomboy, or "all boy" cutie.

Giant Poppies...had to share!

About 4 years ago, my mom gave me a "giant" poppy.

We share our plants and help each other that way with our gardens.

Mom and I both have beautiful flower beds with so many varieties of flowers that we sometimes need to look up a few names.

I have planted and transplanted this main poppy plant I think 3x now.

Last year, it grew to an amazing 3+ feet high and had flowers as big as the palm of my hands.

My poppy plant produces deep dark orange crepe paper like flowers with black centers. I also have peach but they are smaller.

This spring, the plant didn't get to the 3' height, but I moved it again last fall. Even though it is shorter in height, it has doubled in fullness and it looks by the size of the bud heads that the flowers will be impressive again this year.

This is them now. The pods measure approx 1.5" - 1.75" long in size.

I will take another picture for you when they start to open. I can't wait!

Wasted Talent? Check Out My Duck Prints

I just ran across these two paintings that I did while still in high school. I drew them from pictures in magazines & painted them with watercolors. I never did anything with them but keep them under my bed. The mallard print has some rips and tears now. Since I have never shared them with anyone, I decided to show them here. They are getting old and it would be a shame if no one ever saw them. If we don't meet up again before next week, have a safe & blessed Holiday weekend!

I Am Stuck On Handmade Wash Cloths!

My Grandmother made kitchen "rags" as they were called in the ol' days. I didn't remember that until now that I am writing about them.

My linen closet is full of cotton wash cloths. So is a kitchen drawer.

For some reason, even though I have soft water, regular wash cloths get stiff in the laundry process. Not the towels or anything else, just the terry wash cloths.

The 100% wash cloths that I make don't do that and I use them in the kitchen as well as in the shower. I love them! I won't give them up! They ARE all they are said to be and if you haven't yet, I challenge you to try just one and see what you think.

My teenager also used them. She has her own colors that she likes so hers are hers and mine are mine.

I can and will make them larger or smaller for you, if you have a custom request, please let me know. If you are a soap seller and want several, I will do that too! These would make an awesome going to college gift as well as a moving out, wedding, or Father's Day gift. I also make them for baby, in baby colors and for holidays in holiday colors. Lot's of colors to choose from.

Current Afghan Under Construction

This crib, baby seat, car seat or stroller afghan is taking awhile to construct. Since it's planting season, I'm torn between inside and outside play (flowers or crocheting). Seems the answer would be easy. Most days it is. Who in her right mind wouldn't choose to be outside in this fresh, warm, bright spring air? There is only one problem with that choice and you know what it is if you are currently looking for work. Playing outside costs you money (flowers, veggie seeds, weed & feed, bird seed, etc...) Playing inside can potentially make you money (& if you are like me, you are trying to make at least enough to cover the cost of yarn, ribbon, and supplies). Ok. I put 1 1/2 rows on this pretty pink number. Now it's time to go outside. That was easy! Have a blessed day, jillian http://www.lollybopbaby.etsy.com/

"Angel" ~*~ Happy Mother's Day ~*~

A Newborn's Conversation with God A baby asked God, "They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?"

God said, "Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you." The child further inquired, "But tell me, here in heaven I don't have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy."

God said, "Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you. And you will feel your angel's love and be very happy." Again the small child asked, "And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?"

God said, "Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak." "And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?"

God said, "Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray." "Who will protect me?"

God said, "Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life." "But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore."

God said, "Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you." At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, "God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name."

God said, You will simply call her, "Mom."

My Craft Room Is A Hot Mess!

As my yarn pile (and I literally mean pile!) gets larger my studio seems to get smaller. The yarn is spreading out across the floor because I can't stack it any higher and I am realizing that the only way I am going to "fix it" is to post a picture of the hot mess & embarrass myself into doing something about it. It isn't that I'm a slob. I want to organize my yarn. I just don't know what kind of organizing to do! If I get stacking bins or more laundry baskets that have any depth to them, I will have to dig through it every time I need a ball or skein. I can't get shelving, I need an edge to contain the balls. I am thinking about those kids room organizer vertical tubs that aren't so big that I have to go on a ball hunt when I need one... but not sure yet if THAT is what I want. I also don't want to invest the money in something I will want to get rid of in a few months. I would also be stuck with a stack of blue, green, and yellow, or pink, purple, and white. I have a yellow studio. So. Do any of you have an idea for me? I could do some shelving with some clear bins....hey, that is a great idea! Thinking out loud here.... hmmmm. Maybe I will head back out into the yard and craft in my flowers while I ponder the issue. Have a blessed day!

Happy Mother's Day

Have a blessed day A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie. Tenneva Jordan

Promoting another handmade shop

I am a huge fan of handmade. I am also a huge fan of people succeeding in what they do, especially if they put their heart into it and give it all they've got. Here is another etsy shop (sidebar) that I love. Heartsabustin has done some custom work for me and has 100% record of satisfied customers! Check out her shop and give her some love! Be blessed and have a great day, jalene

Handmade Baby Afghan in Bernat* Mint Green

I will be adding this afghan to my little handmade baby & children's boutique on a made to order basis. You choose the color either in baby Bernat, or Red Heart acrylic yarn. Perfect to welcome baby home from the hospital, baby shower, or just because! A handmade gift will be a cherished heirloom for years to come.

Crochet Magazines

I am on the hunt for a good....no, great crochet magazine to subscribe to. When I am in a bookstore or any store that sells magazines, I see loads of scrapbooking, knitting, landscaping, and DIY publications...but either no or one crocheting magazine. I am going to be searching the web today for that one magazine that I will subscribe to and will be sharing all kinds of crochet news, tips, patterns, and how to's with all of you. Stay tuned. My to do list for today includes moving plants in the yard, buying yarn, & mailing a box to my expecting nephew & his lovely lady in AK with a (of course!) handmade baby afghan.