Bribery Works!

I recently started this venture of making hair accessories and tutu's...and am trying to sell them on Etsy.  I would be remiss if I did not plug my site at this moment... http://www.etsy.com/shop/2under2mom .  Anyway...once I make a headband, hair bow, whatever...I need to then take the pictures and post them online.  Of course I could just take pictures of the bow and post it...but that would be boring.  I think people like to see them on the kids to see what they will look like.  Well...lucky for me...I got 2 kids therefore I have 2 models..right?  WRONG.  Both hate wearing bows and both hate holding still for the camera so I can take a picture. 

Desperate times call for desperate measures....BRIBERY.  That is right folks...I bribed Ava into wearing the bow and into getting  her picture taken.  Take a look at how it all went down.  Oh and if you like the bow...you can find it at http://www.etsy.com/listing/76855669/pink-tulle-bow . 

Me:  "Ava can you pose so Mommy can take a pretty picture of the bow in your hair?" 
Ava:  "No" 

Me:  "I will give you a piece of candy if you let me take your picture" 
Ava:  "Where do I look?  In here?" 

Ava:  "I love candy" 

Ava:  "Oh man..candy makes me sooooo happy!!" 



Ava:  "I love bows and candy!!!" 



Brown & Blue Headband

Brown crochet headband embellished with this over sized blue Gerber daisy.  This headband looks just stunning on children and will dress up any outfit.  I thought this headband looked particularly nice on Ava because the flower matches her beautiful blue eyes.  Take a look...

 If you are interested in purchasing this headband, please visit my Etsy store @ http://www.etsy.com/shop/2under2mom

New Favorite!!

I think I have a new favorite color combination...cornflower blue and yellow!!  I made a headband this afternoon that has a cornflower blue crochet headband with a beautiful yellow flower and yellow tulle bow.  It is so softy and girly looking.  I think this headband would be perfect a flower girl in a cornflower blue and yellow wedding!!   Sure hope some one takes advantage of this headband and buys it...if not...I'm keeping it for my babies!!  So cute.......

Thanks for reading and check out my Etsy store if you are interested in this headband or perhaps others I have created... http://www.etsy.com/shop/2under2mom

Ice Cream Cupcakes

Thought it would be a nice summer treat and a nice surprise for the girls to make them a special dessert.  Being that they like ice cream and they like cupcakes...I thought I would try my hand at making them some ice cream cupcakes.  These are simply cupcakes that are baked inside of an ice cream cone and then decorated to look like an actual dripping cone of ice cream.  They were a big hit and the girls loved them! 

Here is how I did it....

1.  Mixed the box cake mix according to the package.  Lined my cupcake pan with cupcake liners, so the cones wouldn't stick, then placed the cones inside the liners. 

2.  I poured the prepared batter into the cone.  You don't want to fill them to full or they will spill out all over the place....I stopped at the line right before the top. 

3.  I cooked them for the amount of time that the box states to cook cupcakes.  I check them with a toothpick to make sure it came out clean and that they were done. 

4.  Next it was time to ice them.  I have a rather unique technique for icing.  I don't enjoy trying to ice my cupcakes and messing the frosting all up by getting cake chunks all over the place.  I take the frosting out of the tub and put it in a microwavable safe bowl. I put it in the microwave for about 25 seconds...just long enough to get it a little melted and smoother.  I then dip my cupcake, or in this case, my "ice cream" cone into the frosting.  This is a quick way to frost and it allows you to put just a moderate amount on your cupcake.  I'm not a huge fan of a ton of icing, nor do I like the calories, so this work out perfectly. 

5.  Now it was time to add the final touches..and decorate.  To top this tasty treat off I poured some ice cream hard shell syrup on top of the cupcakes.  Don't worry about the drips that go down the side...that is what gives it the look of melting ice cream.  To top it all off I sprinkled on some rainbow sprinkles.  I popped them in the fridge for a few hours to get the frosting to set nicely.  Tasty and fun treat!! 



Abby Caddaby Tutu

I have my blogger page set up so I can see what postings are getting the most hits.  It seems like on a daily basis I am getting hits on my Abby Cadabby 1st Birthday Party.  If I look at stats a little closer it appears as though people are searching Abby Cadabby Tutu's and coming upon the posting.  All this to say...if you are interested in an Abby Cadabby Tutu...then you have come to the right spot.  I custom made my daughters for her birthday and I could have been more pleased.  Seeing that I was able to make them and they were so pretty, full, and colorful...I thought why not make them for others that were interested.  I set up an Etsy page in order to help sell my Tutu's.  My thing is I customize the orders. I make them according to your child's waist, height, and color of choice.  If you have an idea for a Tutu...I can make it.  So go ahead...check out my store now and order your very own Abby Caddy Tutu for your little one's party!!!!  http://www.etsy.com/listing/56970583/custom-made-tutu

Still Working Hard on Etsy

Today I had a friend over so I did not get as much accomplished as yesterday.  I did get one headband made today and a barrette to give to my friends baby.  Here is a picture of today's headband....

No...you haven't already seen this one before...I made one yesterday very similar to this one.  The ladybug one I posted yesterday was on a red headband and the tulle bow was much smaller and there was no fuzzy feather accent.  I'm quite proud of this one. 

Here is my thing though....Etsy is so darn competitive.  There are like 1 million people out there selling headbands.  I noticed I have had lots of people look but no one taking the bait.  It is a bit discouraging to look through the Etsy site at some of the stores that are perfectly put together.  I am just trying to make a few bucks...these folks are making livings from their crafts.  Oh well...I guess I will just see what happens. 

If you get a chance...check out my store....http://www.etsy.com/shop/2under2mom

More Added to my Store!!

I have been working diligently over the last 2 days trying to build somewhat of an inventory in my Etsy Store...Sugar and Spice Accessories.  My question is how do I stand out from the rest??  There are, what seems like, a million pages that all sell the same things.  I'm hoping I can at least make back some of the money that I have put into making these accessories.   If you get a chance...take a look at my site...http://www.etsy.com/shop/2under2mom

Here is what I added today...

Deco Mesh Summer Wreath

Pink Crochet Headband with White Sparkly Gerber Daisy

My personal favorite...Cream Crochet Headband with Peach Flower and Pearl Accent

Most time consuming and first attempt at making a bow....Peacock Blue Crochet Headband with Green Bow and Pearl Accent

Ava modeling the Peacock Headband

Banner for Esty Store

Etsy Shop...Sugar and Spice Accessories

If you are looking for accessories for little girls...then stop by my Etsy Shop.  Currently I have tutu's and headbands for sale.  I welcome custom orders! 

What I have posted thus far...

To take a look or to order go to my store...Sugar and Spice Accessories...
http://www.etsy.com/shop/2under2mom

VOTE PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I entered Stef's picture to the Parents Magazine Cover Contest! The photo I submitted is currently in the running to become one of our weekly Reader's Choice finalists! Each weekly finalist will receive $250, plus have a chance to be one of the 10 finalists chosen to travel to New York City for the Parents Cover Contest photo shoot.  Please help me vote for Stef's picture so we can get her on the cover.  Below is the link you must click in order to vote.  Feel free to share the link as well!!!

Get your friends and family to vote too! Just forward this email to them or share the link. http://photos.parents.com/category/vote/photo/928035

Timber Expo 2011

Friday and Saturday we had the opportunity of attending the Timber Expo 2011 at State College, PA.  This year we decided to take Ava with us since she is a little older and can somewhat handle a day without a nap.  This was also a way to take Ava on an overnight trip and show her it does not always have to end with going to see a doctor.  The last two hotel stays she had involved staying close to the hospital in order to see the doctor the next morning and/or get her surgery. 

Stefanie only being 19 months is not able to handle a full day of activity without getting tired, which in turn leads to super cranky.  She instead got the opportunity to stay with Grandma and Granddaddy.  We don't like not doing things as a whole family but then again it is sometimes nice to give the kids some one-on-one attention as well.  We hope that if we get to go to the timber show again next year we will all be able to go. 

Friday finally arrived and Ava was beyond excited about this trip.  I had to wake her Friday morning so we could hit the road.  As soon as I walked into the room she sprung out of the bed.  I quick got her dressed and packed the rest of her stuff.  We put everything in the car, grabbed our breakfast to go and we were on the road.  Several hours and several stops later...we arrived at the Expo.

Ava had the opportunity to sit up in the big pieces of equipment with her daddy.  Walk around the fairgrounds and see all the stands.  Take a tractor ride up to the woods to see some of the equipment being demoed.  Then Ava started becoming very tired and so it was time to leave.  Our hotel was about 20 minutes away...and since that is the longest she will sleep in the car...we figured it would give her the opportunity to take a power nap.  She fell asleep almost immodestly and we took our time traveling to our lovely hotel. 

Once at the Springhill Suites by Marriot we had awhile before dinner so we relaxed in the room watching TV until dinner time.  When it was time to go out we got dressed for dinner and walked next door to the steakhouse.  On our way we passed a beautiful little fish pond out in front of the hotel that was loaded with fish.  We promised Ava that after dinner we would feed the fish.  After a nice dinner, we grabbed a piece of bread leftover from our bread basket and headed back to the pond.  Ava busily fed the fish for quite awhile and had a blast doing it. 

Final activity of our busy day included getting to swim at the hotel pool.  We swam in the big pool for about 25 minutes and rounded out our evening in the hot tub for the last 5 minutes.  Back to the room we headed for baths and bed.  What a full and wonderful day we had. 

The next day Ava was exhausted from the day before.  We hit the road and headed to Grandma's house to pick up Stef.  Once there we discovered a very tired Stef who also had a full and exciting weekend with the grandparents.  We got both tired little girls home and took it easy the rest of the day.  They both were in bed and asleep at 7:30 pm and slept until 9:30 am. 

Here are some pictures from our weekend. 

Ava in the Boom with Daddy

Our Logger being cheesy

Brand new 525 Cat Skider

525 Cat Cable Skidder

Ava posing with a "baby boom"

Mama and Ava