Z. Daisy Blog

Promise Kept

A few months ago I made a pool bag for my oldest daughter.  After I made hers, my younger daughter decided she wanted one too, of course.  I promised I would make her one, but wasn't sure when time would permit.  She certainly didn't forget my promise and reminded every chance she got.  I started working on it a few months ago and finally finished it up today.  Phew!  The warm summer days and trips to the pool have certainly been good motivation.   Here's a list of her requests:

1) Lots of pink.  CHECK.
2) Cupcake.  CHECK.
3) Butterly.  (Reverse side.) CHECK.
4) Ruffles.  CHECK.

I took a very deep breathe after this little project was done.  No mother enjoys having an unkept promise hanging over head.  I love making things for her though because she is the best appreciator.  She is always so proud and goes on and on about how much she loves it.  That's always good motivation too. =) 

I do have a little cupcake applique pattern to post.  I'll try to do that in the next few days.  Who knows, maybe you have a little one who's requested a cupcake with a cherry on top too!  Oh to be 6 again and only dream of pink, cupcakes, butterflies and ruffles.  Very sweet.

Organic Binkie Bungee Packaging!!

Yeah!  It finally arrived and we are loving it!  Very soon we will be launching our Organic Binkie Bungee and have been working hard to figure some fun and unique packaging.  Brooke found these great recycled cereal boxes to use for the hang tags and they are so cool!  The "inside" of the box will be on the front with all our wording and details, then the back will be the "outside" of the box.  They turned out great and we are so excited about doing our part to recycle and reuse.  We'll let you know when they're in the store, but couldn't resist giving a little sneak peak today!

Doodling

Do you ever start little projects without an end goal in mind?  I feel like I've been doing that a lot lately - just doing something on the whim without any big picture in mind.  (This is very unlike me!) Maybe eventually all the little pieces will come together to make something great.  We'll just have to see where all the mini inspirations lead.  This weekend I spent some time doodling - I am no artist, but it's fun to draw simple flowing things like flowers and branches.  If I had to add human life, it would definitely be a stick person. For some reason, I decided to hand embroider one of my doodles and this is what I ended up with.  There wasn't enough time to do the whole thing, so maybe I'll be adding to it later - depending on my whim that day. =) 

A lot of my motivation has been my oldest daughter, she's 8.  She has a strong interest in designing, sewing, and all things creative.  So maybe subconsciously I'm doing this for her to show her another outlet for the things she enjoys.  I'm constantly finding her in my sewing/laundry room going through my pile of scap fabrics putting little things together.  She'll lay it all out (without sewing it together) and then draw little pictures of her design in her sketchbook.  It's the cutest thing.  She's dying to use my sewing maching, but we're sticking to sewing by hand for now.  She'll thank me later, right. ;) Off to enjoy another beautiful summer day - wishing you lots of fun on your next creative whim.

Lorri

Happy Father's Day!

Here's a little photo journal of our morning at Lake Michigan.  There were lots of rocks which means...
Lotsa climbing...
Lotsa throwing...
And lotsa collecting.  Hope you all had good times with your dads today.  Here's a shout out to my dad if you happen to read this.  Happy Father's Day!  Love you and wish you were here!
Lorri

Another Favorite Place...

We visited Catigny Park yesterday, which is now one of my new favorite places to visit in town.  

It's another old mansion estate filled with gardens, ponds, pools and fountains.  Aren't those lily pads beautiful! 

The kids would run and run, but then stop to take in the beauty of the elements around them. 

There's no better way to top off a sumer outing than by dipping your toes in cold little creek!  We will definitely be going back!

Favorite Places

Do you have any places that you really enjoy?  There are lots of far away locations on the beach or in the mountains that I thoroughly enjoy, but there are also a few sweet spots close to home.  One of my absolute favorites here in town is Adams Park.
This fountain once graced the front of John Quincy Adam's mansion which stood where this park is now located.  (Not THE John Quincy Adams, but his distant cousin.)  The park is right downtown close to all the yummy ice cream shops and the train tracks.  Our family frequents here on many summer nights.
The peonies were in full bloom the other night.  So pretty.
There's no playground here, but the kids always love it - the fountain, the water, the winding paths, simple kid fun. 
Our good friends were with us this weekend, this is their daughter and one of our boys.  It was a good time together.

Decorating Fun...

Okay - some of you remember the awesome "Rock Star Banner" that Lorri made a few months ago...are you ready to see it's new home? She made it for my daughter's birthday and it was great on the Hannah Montana stage at the party but now it has a permanent home in Abby's room. After much deliberation...we have put up posters, banners and all of the things that a 7 year old girl loves!

The canvas next to it was painted by Abby's very talented grandfather. Her room is not big...but it is filled with beautiful hand-made things from people she loves. As for Will, my 4 (almost 5) year old son, he has a hand-painted Bears room that he loves. My husband went all out creating a great space for Will to have football dreams. We also received this wonderful print to canvas picture of Will for his room from http://quivercreations.com/. I had trouble photographing it well but it is really a great and not too pricey gift!

Email us and let us know your how you decorated your children's rooms! We love to see how creative people are when it comes to creating a wonderful space for their children.

A very special day today...

Lorri is the best business partner any one could ever ask for...she is also a great friend, mom, wife, and a very impressive crafter. I hope you will join with me to wish her a very happy day today!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LORRI!  - Brooke :)     (Lorri loves my smiley faces)

Apron Swap

Anybody else out there still working on their apron for the Summer Fun Apron Swap?  I just finished mine yesterday and thought I'd share it will you all before I sent it off in the mail.  The mailing deadline is June 6th and I can't believe I actually have it done a few days early! 
These are two of the prints from Amy Butler's Midwest Modern Collection.  I just love her prints!  Anyway, I'm really hoping the recipient likes it!  It's really hard to make something for someone you've never even seen before - I guess that's what makes it so fun too.  I'll be sure to post pics of the one I receive next week.  Bye for now!
Lorri