Criss Cross

April and May were just C.R.A.Z.Y...too many Cross cookies to count (I was going "cross" eyed)!!  I was so thankful for all of the Communion orders, but I thought my hand was going to fall off!

I needed an order to get my creative juices flowing...and as luck would have it, I got one!  Now, this did end up being a Communion order, BUT unique.  I had a customer who contacted me and gave some unique descriptions of her son (nicknames, interests, etc)...and here was my creation:

Karate Frogs!!

 

This young man (nicked name froggy as a baby), was not only celebrating his Communion, but also he orange belt in karate!!  Congratulations!! 

 

 

(For those of you who know me, you know that I love frogs...so this was especially fun for me).

Oops...

Okay, we're going to forget the last few months happened.  I've been a pregnant, chaotic mess.  We now know that Pea #4 will be a girl, and she is due to arrive on October 4th (at least, that's when the C-section is scheduled).  All of the peas are excited, especially Pea #1 because she will now have a sister.  Our family will now end in a tie...2 boys and 2 girls (well, unless you count the dog...then girls win!). 

So, the past few months have revolved around lots of cookie orders!  I will get to all of them, but I will start with the end of the school year...

I decided to make my daughter's teachers some fun cookies as part of their gifts.  As usual, Sweet Sugarbelle has AMAZING ideas and tutorials, so I looked to her blog for inspiration.  She never lets me down...here is one of her posts on the cute cookies I made...

The apple cookies needed a little something extra, so I made some caterpillars.  I LOVED the "Bookworm" cookies and just had to try them!  So fun!

Over the next couple of weeks, I will add more of my cookie creations.  Thanks for looking!

News!

Well, it's been a crazy couple of months for me.  I have been receiving more cookie orders, which has been wonderful!  I also have other news....

Yup, there's another pea that will be joining our family in October!  It was a shock, but we're very excited and happy!  Stay tuned to hear if it will be a boy or girl pea!!

Last Tuesday we returned from a great trip to Florida!  My parents live down there, so we were able to relax and check out some places we wanted to see (Legoland, Lowry Park Zoo, etc).  Just a quick tip:  DON'T go to Legoland on Good Friday.  EVER.  The Peas had a great time, but it was ridiculously crowded.

I had three cookie orders to finish in three days...a bit scary, but I got them done!  Here they are...

 

Pirate Birthday Party

 

 

Painter Palette for a Birthday Party

 

 

Madagascar Themed Birthday Party

 

This weekend I'll post about the bowling cookies I'm making for Saturday...then it's Communion time!!  Tons of cookies to make for Communions.  Luckily, my orders don't have Communion on the same weekend...it's pretty evenly spread, starting next weekend and ending May 19th.  

 

Bunnys and Flowers and Chicks....oh my!

Ahhhh...victory!  96 Easter cookies DONE.  One set was delivered today, while all of the others will be tomorrow.  I had to get them done by tomorrow because we will be enjoying our spring break someplace warm and sunny...now I'm just crossing my fingers that we don't get any bugs or viruses before Saturday's flight!!

Here are some photos from my crazy cookie week...

 

Cookies are based and ready to decorate!

 

 

All done!!!!

 

 

 

St. Patrick's Parade

Sorry I've been MIA...it's been one crazy week and weekend!

First of all, let me start by saying that last week's Quartermania event was AWESOME!!!  Both the vendors and the guests had a great time, and I was able to get my name out there and received some business.  They're having another Quartermania in May, but unfortunately I have a scheduling conflict for that day (May 18th)...so I'm hoping I can make the one after that. 

This past weekend was Hamilton's St. Patrick's Day Parade!  My oldest Pea dances for the Irish Arts Academy (Denogla School of Irish Dance), so we march in the parade every year.  This year was really special because her dance instructor, Miss Maggie, and her husband were the Grand Marshals.

 

It was a beautiful day for the parade.  The families of the dancers march in the parade also (directly behind the group), so fun was had by all...until the middle Pea had to go to the bathroom.  Luckily we made it to the end of the parade!

 



Quartermania Tomorrow!

Tomorrow's the big day...Quartermania!!  If you want more info about the event, click here for my post.  I think I am ready.  Just need to label everything and pack up all my goodies. 

Two of my auctions will be cookie baskets...here's a preview of them:

Spring theme...

St. Patrick's Day theme...

 

I hope to see you there tomorrow!  Just remember to tell the person at the door that you're here to see Three Peas and a Dog!

My Precious is Back!

My Precious is back!  My Precious is back!

For those of you who don't know, back in January my external hard drive crashed (link to post here).  You know, the one where I backed up ALL my photos.  Yup, everything GONE.

My process has always been:  Back up onto CD's, then move the photos from my computer to my external hard drive.  Well, I became busy (and who wouldn't be, with three small Peas?), so I was behind on my backing up.  The last CD was for May of 2011.  So, when the EHD crashed, I lost from June of 2011 until December of 2012, PLUS all of my youngest Pea's baby photos (yes, he was born in 2010, but I had a separate folder for his first year pics that I didn't back up either). 

So, after crying and throwing multiple tantrums (yes, I am a closet 2 year old), I worked with a couple of places to try and get my photos back. 

Yesterday, I met up with one of the techs from Cerberus, and we went through what they were able to recover.  There is one more folder he's trying to work through, but I got the majority of my photos back!!!!  Best. Day. Ever.  The only thing I don't see so far (I haven't looked through the photos he's currently working on) are my youngest Pea's baby photos.  I can see it now..."Mommy, why do my brother and sister have big baby scrapbooks and mine only has 10 pictures in it?".  Poor third Pea.  This makes me sad.  I'm really hoping this awesome tech guy can find them.

But, right now I will do my happy dance and go through the photos that were saved...and BACK THEM UP!!

Slacker

I'm sorry everyone for being such a slacker these past couple of weeks!  There have been some things going on (which I will share with you in the near future), and I've been buiding up my inventory for this Quartermania Event (check out that post here).  It's been hectic, but I was able to get a crap load of headbands done...

 

I am also finishing up some Boo-Boo Bags.  These take a bit longer, as they have more parts to sew...but I love them anyway!  Just need to fill and sew the rice sacks, and sew the outsides together...

 

 

 

For Quartermania, I have to auction off 5 baskets of items!  Here are the items some lucky winners will get:

 

1.  One Dozen Spring Themed Cookies

2.  One Dozen St. Patrick's Day Themed Cookies

3.  Mother/Daughter Headband Set

4.  Mother/Daughter Scarf Set

5.  Therapy/Boo Boo Bag Set

 

This week I'll focus on the cookies and the presentation of my items...I'll have more pics to post throughout the week!!



Quartermania!

I love holiday weekends!  We were so productive today!  The hubby organized the Peas toys, while I cleaned up the kitchen, sorted through school artwork and did some sewing.  I was working on my sandwich/large snack bag (different from my sandwich wrap)...I'm still working on placement of the "pulls", which help with separating the velcro.  I will try one more idea I have tomorrow. 

 

Sooooo, I've been hesitant about participating in craft shows right now because I really need to focus on building up my inventory.  However, this event came up and I couldn't pass it by!!!

 

QUARTERMANIA!!  I've never actually been to one, but everyone I've talked to that's gone said it's a blast.  This will be my first official event, so I'm super excited!  If you're in Central Jersey and you're free on March 2nd, please come and support me!  Here is the information, as per the Facebook event page:

 



What is a Quartermania Paddle Fundraiser? It is a cross between an auction, a raffle, and a home party! Local direct sales vendors, as well as local businesses, will be auctioning off new items for only 1-4 quarters per bid! You can win items retailing up to $100 for mere quarters! If you like Bunco, Bingo or Tricky Tray's--you will LOVE Quartermania!
 

Location:  New Egypt Elks Lodge #2457

105 Lakewood Road

New Egypt, NJ  08533

 

Saturday, March 2nd

 Doors Open at 5:00pm and the “Mania” starts promptly at 6:00pm

Tickets can be purchased at the door for $5 each - you will receive 2 game paddles
... Additional Paddles may be purchased for $2.00 each
MUST BE 21 TO ATTEND.
50/50
Cash Bar and Food, Snacks & Drinks will be available for purchase.

 

***Don't Forget to Bring Your Quarters!!!!***
Feel free to forward this invite on to all your friends!!!!
For more information contact Melissa Conk at melt1313@gmail.com

How It Works:
- Each item up for bid will be displayed for all guests to see.
- There will be a brief description, retail value and how many quarters you will need to bid. Guests that want to play will give their bid (quarters) and hold up their numbered paddle.
- When all bids are collected, the auctioneer will draw a numbered ball from the container. If the number on your paddle matches the number on the ball drawn, you've won that item! If a matching numbered paddle is not held up, the auctioneer will draw again, until we have a winner.
- Once we have a winner all balls will be placed back in the container and go to the next item to be auctioned.

 

Just send me a quick email or post in the comments section to let me know if you can make it!!

Happy Belated Valentine's Day!

I hope everyone had a nice Valentine's Day!  It was a close one, but I was able to get all my heart cookies done for the Peas' classes!  I think I was happier with how the larger love bugs came out...

I'm sorry I've been MIA, but it's been a bit crazy around here!  Now that it's calmed down a bit (hopefully), I am going to catch up on sewing inventory (and maybe cleaning and laundry).  I finished two more cookie orders...Mario cookies (you can see what they look like here) and R2-D2 cookies...

 

The R2-D2 cookies were new for me...and fun to make!  A huge thank you to Sweet Sugarbelle's tutorial on how to make these cute cookies!

 

Communion season is coming up, so I've started practicing some cross designs.  I have a few orders already, so I need to be prepared!  I think I've figured out the cross design for the girls, so now onto the boys!

 

 

Okay...I'm exhausted!  Until tomorrow...



Surprise party cookies

Last week I mentioned that I was making cookies for a surprise party (find that post here)...the party was today, so now I can post the rest of the cookies!!

Starfish

Surfboard #1

Surfboard #2

Surfboard #3

Sea Turtles

 

As you can tell, the party was a luau theme.  I loved making all of these designs, but I think my favorite was the sea turtle!

 

Coming up this week...

 

Valentine's cookies

Mario cookies

R2D2 cookies



Cookie Crazy!

Phew!  It's been a busy week!!  I've finished an order for a surprise party, and I have two more orders (plus mass amounts of Valentine's Love Bugs) for next week!  Communion season is also coming up, and I am starting to finalize my Cross Cookie designs.  Lots to think about...too bad laundry and cleaning aren't part of my thought process.  Sorry family.

Here is a sneak peek at the surprise party order...can you guess what the theme is?

 

Tonight I will be bagging and tagging these cute cookies...I will post the others this weekend.  Next weeks orders will include Mario and R2D2.  I'm super excited to work on them!

 

Now it's time to get to the bus stop to pick up the oldest Pea.  Here's to hoping I can get her to sit down and get her homework done...

Love Bugs

Between the scrapbooking crop yesterday and Superbowl Sunday today, it was the perfect time to keep experimenting with my Valentine's Day cookies!  I served up some love bugs and lace hearts yesterday, and I will be doing the same today...

 

I also made larger heart cookies...I'm thinking the love bugs might be better using a larger cookie.  My goal this week is to try a larger love bug and lace cookie to see which look better...then it's mass production time! 

 

But first...Superbowl celebration and decorating cookies for a surprise party!

Happy Groundhog Day!

Yay for an early spring!

 

Day 33:  Happy Groundhog Day

 

Today was a productive day.  I had an all-day scrapbooking crop, which was long overdue.  I have a wedding album to complete for someone, so I was finally able to sit down, with my scrapping ladies, and work on the book!  And now...the Peas are in bed, the hubby's in bed (not feeling well), so I will continue my scrapping solo.  Yippeeee!! 

1 Snap a Day - Day 28

I love those days where everyone is in a good mood.  The Peas aren't fighting, everyone's listening...I haven't seen these days lately.  Today has been "that" day.  Happy Peas = Happy Mommy.  It's hard to believe that next year I will have two Peas in Elementary school.  I don't even want to think about when all three of them leave me!

 

Day 28:  Lunch Date

 

This little Pea is my only lunch date on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.  He has the same thing EVERY time:  half a cream cheese and jelly sandwich, a banana and a cheese stick (or slice of cheese).  It rarely changes.  I want to remember these lunch dates...time is just flying by!

Just playing around...

Valentine's Day is coming up, so I thought I'd play around with some cookie ideas!  I have a plan to make some conversation hearts, but I was also intrigued with lace.  Sweet Sugarbelle has another great tutorial...this one about piping lace onto cookies! 

Here are my first experiments...

 

They were a lot of fun to make, but I think next time I will use a slightly larger decorating tip...the #0 tip I used showed EVERY little shake of my hand!

 

I think I will make these, along with the conversation hearts, for the Peas' school Valentine gifts.  Fun!

 

 

 



1 Snap a Day - Day 26

Snow!  Although there was only about an inch of snow on the ground, the Peas were chomping at the bit to get out there and use their new saucer sleds.  Those new saucers didn't even make it through the hour they were out (as you can see below)...

 

Day 26:  Broken saucer but no broken spirits!

 

I give 100% credit to my husband for taking these photos...he took the Peas out to play while I was baking my butt off in the kitchen!!

 

 



Birthday cookies!

Now I need to focus on something else besides my photos...I know!  Cookies!  I had two orders for today, both for birthday parties.  The first order was wrapped yesterday, 2 dozen in all.  Here they are, ready to go...

Day 24:

The next batch to go out was a dozen Lalaloopsy cookies.  This was my first time making them.  They were a lot of fun, and the tutorial from Sweet Sugarbelle was a huge help!  I would definitely make them again!

Day 25:

 

Next up is a surprise party!  I will post about that order AFTER the party happens...I don't want to be the one to blow a surprise!  You'll be hearing more about that in a couple of weeks.