Babies and more babies and fuzzy pom poms :)

Where does the time go? I have not posted in several months but I have a good excuse....two toddlers and a new addition on the way (if all goes well because I know it is still early and this is a critical period but I could never wait three months to share my excitement with the world).  Life will be busy but our home will be full of love. I hate the mess and yes, I sometimes feel overwhelmed but more than anything, I love watching my children grow. Anyway, I have done so little crafting but I did set a token economy up for the girls today. They each have their own box which they have decorated and they earn little sparkly pom poms for good behavior. I decided to do this when time-outs didn't work out as well as I had hoped for my 2 1/2 year old. Today is the first day and she seems excited about earning these little fuzzy balls so, I hope this continues and we have a lot less pushing little sister incidents, fighting diaper changes, "I no wanna share....all mine!" kind of behavior which I realize is probably age appropriate but I think this is a good step. Time to take a nap while the house is quiet. I so quickly forget how something so small can make me so sick and tired.

Party things

Becoming a one year old is a big achievement and we are getting ready for a party. Aowyn will be turning one at the end of August and last time I posted, I was in the process of making several Sesame Street theme banners, which are now complete....thank goodness. because the banners took far too many late night hours and I'm sure she will not remember a single detail of her first birthday...but that's ok. Aowyn has had to share her attention, unlike her older sister and as much as I try to even things out, sometimes it just can't work out that way. I want her to have a super special day with family and close friends with all the details, courtesy of mama. So, here are the pics as I promised.

Feeling the need to craft

I finally made it back after disappearing for awhile. I get into the routine of being mommy, wife and "Suzy homemaker" as my mom calls me and I forget that I need to do something for myself every now and again. Eventually I start feeling the urge to create, craft, cook....whatever. I've kind of fell out of love with felt and that's really all I knew. My new project is Aowyn's 1st birthday. My youngest little chick turns one at the end of August. She loves Elmo and so, Sesame Street party it is! Just a small party at home but I like to make things extra special and well after spending almost $60 bucks at the party store for some basics, I have decided to do a little crafting. I have to start these projects early because I never know when I'm going to get the time and I'm just a planner. I have spent the past few nights working on a 15ft pennant banner that says "Happy Birthday Aowyn." My next project is a Sesame Street Sign for the front door. I'll have to post some pictures when everything is finished up. So, that is where my creativity leads me......to Sesame Street.

Building our family

Mama hen has been tending to her chicks these days which has left little time for crafting. The closest thing to crafting that I did today was teach my two year old how to crack an egg and cook scrambled eggs. My plan worked....she learned a little something and then actually ate her breakfast. As hectic and loud as my home is, I absolutely love that I have to time for the little things. Making pancakes in the shape of a heart, finger painting, tea parties and bedtime stories to name a few. I am so grateful that I'm able to stay home with my kids while they are young because I know I am building a strong foundation. At one point in my life, I never imagined I would have children. Now I have two and I am excited that we are working on adding a third (and final) to our little nest. Things will be busy and cramped to say the least but our home will be full of love and nothing is more important than family. Only time will tell when I will have good news to share but when the time is right, it will happen. Happy belated Mama's Day!

A new sense of freedom

I use to be the kind of person that would rehearse every move or better yet, hope to blend into the background. Now that I have become a mama, everything else has disappeared into the background. I am so focused on my girls that I find myself making funny faces, singing the themes songs of many Nick Jr. shows and just being plain entertaining. I have become so comfortable and it is too bad that I spent so many years worrying what others thought, as if the whole world was so focused on me. Just a thought... 

Mama and the girls picking strawberries

Spring time fun

I have never been much of a gardener. I appreciate beautiful plants and flowers but the problem is that they need to be watered. I have to admit that I have a pot of succulents at my front door and everyone thinks they are real but they are perfectly fake (shhhh!) Anyway, now that I am a stay at home mom, I figure I have no excuse. This past week, I helped Autumn (my terrific 2 year old) plant her first garden....tomatoes, peas and green peppers. Autumn makes gardening so much more fun and I love that she looks forward to her little jobs like feeding the fish, checking the mail and now, watering her plants......makes her feel useful.  So, just thought I'd share what I've been doing besides crafting. Here are a few pics of our garden and I will keep you posted on the growth (being hopeful). Looking forward to our veggies!

Autumn watering her plants

Tomatoes, peas and green peppers

The critter that had his eye on our veggies....well, I've got my on on him

                                          The wind swept hair look.....very super model-ish

Bunnies and robins..oh my!

I've been away from my blog for too long but blogging does not always make the list of priorities. Now, several weeks later, I am back and I bring a couple new crafts. I woke up yesterday feeling the need to craft and I was determined to create something this weekend. I have so many ideas but I figured I would stick the the Spring theme. It was suggested to me that I make a felt robin barrette and then I also made a cute little chocolate bunny hair clip as well.....who doesn't love a chocolate bunny?? I wish I had one right now but it is probably better that I don't :) By the way, the bunny tail is extra fluffy because it is needle felted....by me of course. Here they are.....enjoy!

Pinching my pennies

I'm always looking for ways to cut spending. With our first daughter, I made my own baby food and now with the second, I've also included making baby wipes. Both are so easy and I feel better knowing I'm giving them better products (especially since they are made with love...awww). Anyway, this is how I do both in case anyone was wondering. 

Baby food:

Steam the vegetable of your choice and puree in a blender or food processor. You may need to add a small amount of water to get the baby food to the right consistency. Then, spoon it into an ice cube tray, cover and freeze. Today I made 12 servings of peas for $1.00

Baby wipes:

You will need a roll of 2ply paper towels, Ziploc bag, baby wash, tea tree oil, water and baby oil or olive oil. Anyway, I tear off the paper towels and create a stack. It really takes very little time once you get a little rhythm going. Once I've got my stack of towels, I cut them in quarters...so now I've got 4 stacks. You could just cut them in half but I find it more handy to have the smaller wipes. Place the paper in Ziploc bags (one roll makes two bags of wipes). Now you mix 1 cup water, 1 tablespoon baby wash, 1 tablespoon baby oil or olive oil, and a few drops of tea tree oil. Mix and pour over the wipes. Mix up a second batch of the concoction and you have just made yourself 2 bags of wipes. So quick, easy and cheap!

A suitable replacement

As you may have read in a previous post, Autumn's dear bear-bear was lost and quite possibly thrown from the car window. We had a few back up security blankets but nothing would replace her old friend. Anyway, she has always been a fan of Moose and Zee from Nick Jr. and so last night and early this morning I gathered my supplies and got to work crafting her very own Moose and Zee buddies. My reward was the smile on her face and the way she gave them hugs and kisses. Once again, we will have peace in the house thanks to momma and "Moozy." 

Spring is on its way

I've been crafting again and I even had my dear hubby helping me cut tulle...what a good sport :) Aowyn is  modeling a lovely pink and purple tulle tutu and matching headband. Perfect way to start Spring!

Dear old friend...

Bedtime was different without Bear Bear. He has been with Autumn, our two year old since she was born. He has never missed a nap or bedtime but we are missing him. I packed him in the car this morning for our trip to Gainesville but he never made it home. We fear he may have been thrown out of the car window while driving through the Ocala National Forest. I have plenty of back up security blankets but he is irreplaceable. I found a similar bear and told her that Bear Bear went to college but that his brother, Beary would like to keep her cozy (I know... I borrowed that from Blues Clues).  Autumn was not very pleased but she has fallen asleep. I know it's just a security blanket but I miss him too and I hope he finds his way into the hands of someone as caring as Autumn.

Another Felt Creation

Red Felt Rose Hair Clip

Time please

It has almost been two weeks since my last entry. I need more time or maybe I should buy a cape and I will magically gain superwoman powers....not likely. I am at a point in my life where I am in constant demand. If one child isn't crying, the other one is and there have been a few occasions where we have all cried. I know the girls will be grown before I know it and I will yearn to feel needed again so, I take a deep breath and know that we will get through the day.

As for the crafting, I guess since Valentine's Day has come and gone, I will move onto the Spring theme. I've also been wanting to learn how to crochet. I figure I should tackle crocheting before I take on knitting. Enough talk...the kids are finally both asleep at the same time (this rarely happens in my house) so, I must use my time wisely and get to work. 

Simply perfect

I haven't had much time for Mama Hen Crafts recently. I have been getting ready for Autumn's 2nd birthday. In fact, I just finished decorating Dora cupcakes and it is not even 6 a.m. I am not a morning person but when you become a mother, you do things when you can. Anyway,  last year I told myself that I was going to simplify and just have family come over and serve cupcakes. Well, now it has turned into a Dora themed birthday party at the petting zoo. I'm sure Autumn would have been perfectly happy with cupcakes at home but we want her to have an extra special day and we have such a hard time containing our excitement. We are sure to have a great day surrounded by friends, family and a the farm.

I meant to say in the previous post....Just a moment :)

Just a momen

I'm usually the person who thinks about what she is going to say and rehearses it in her head before it even comes out. Sometimes, I even talk myself out of saying it at all. I have been trying to live in the present and do a little more rather than over thinking things. I'm making an effort to make those around me feel noticed and appreciated. It is such a wonderful feeling knowing that I have made someones day a bit brighter and it took just a moment. Not a crafting post but a few thought I wanted to share.

Why Mama Hen?

Mother Hen: A female chicken who bears eggs or chicks; An outspoken and overprotective woman dealing with others' affairs


Yes, I have had a couple little chicks (and eventually, I would like one more even though I often feel like I'm going to lose my mind with these two).
Yes, I can be outspoken if given the right situation.
Yes, I can be a little overprotective but I'm only thinking of your best interest. 
I'm the one in the family that calls everyone to make sure things are in order and you can count on me to get it done....even if it means staying up past midnight.
I've actually been like this since I was a kid.....very intuitive and always trying to take care of others. So, it makes sense that I would name my blog Mama Hen Crafts. I planned on blogging only about crafts but you'll probably find that it's a little of this and that with some of my creations mixed in. Sounds like a great recipe....right? Alright...Autumn is getting herself in trouble and Aowyn is crying and that means it is time to go :)

A few of Mama Hen's Crafts

I wanted to share with you a few of the items I have created. I am working on several more onesie designs but I've got a little stitching to do. Not sure what direction I will take after these are completed but I have lots of ideas.

The mama hen is blogging

Welcome to my first blog. I'm excited to begin sharing bits and pieces of my life with the world. The girls are finally asleep and I am enjoying the peace and quiet. I've been thinking of what crafts I will begin working on and when I will find the time. With a two year old and a five month old, I have my hands full. I've been told, "sleep when the baby sleeps" and that is exactly what i'm going to do. Good night :)