8::Sleeping Beauty

8::Sleeping Beauty, originally uploaded by mamma tortilla.

Fabric Scraps Exchange

My mom and I were trying to organize my crafting corner today in an effort to get me back to the sewing machine. As we are attacking all the fabric I have, I realized that I have tons of scraps and I would love to share. So why not do a fabric scraps exchange:) I love getting new fabric and you can do so much with fabric scraps!

Here Are The Rules:

1. You have to put together a bag of your scraps and send it to someone you have never met before. It can be in a small sandwich ziplock bag or a gallon ziplock bag. It's up to you on how much you want to giveaway :)

2. Post a comment below and leave an email address/blog address. You will mail your scraps to the blogger who posts a comment below you. Once a comment has been posted below yours, go ahead and contact that person to get their mailing address. You have until June 4th to post.

3. Please mail your item no later than June 7th.

4. If you are running behind NO WORRIES! Just be kind enough to email the person letting them know their scraps are on the way.

5. U.S. and Canada participants only please :)

This is going to be so much fun!! Tell your friends, twitter, facebook about it, whatever. The more people that participate the more fun! I will leave the first comment :)

Leslie

Cottage Collection By Bunny Lane Designs

Ok when I saw this Cottage Collection by Bunny Lane Designs..........I did my little happy dance because this dress is so stinking cute!! Every little girl should have one. I am so excited to see more of what she is going to have. She is just giving us a sneak peak of the new collection so if this is cute, can you imagine what the rest is going to look like????

Head over to her etsy store and have a look around. let me know what you think.

And on a even happier note, my May Flowers photo was featured here at the One Hundred Photos Feature blog. I again did the happy dance. Ok I did more then my happy dance :) I am very excited about it. can you tell? Head over there and check it out!

Leslie

7::100 Butterfly Wings

This beauty landed on my window last Saturday morning.

6::100 Thinking Big Ideas

6: Thinking Big Ideas, originally uploaded by mamma tortilla.

Pondering, constructing, analyzing and creating BIG IDEAS!

Summer Pouches

Summer is fast approaching, as I keep mentioning and reminding, so time to put away all the heavy purses and make something light and fun to use. If you have kids of course its hard to do because we always have to carry around all this stuff!! But once in awhile you get to go out kid free so why not go out with something light and super cute!! I love these! I had a lot of fun making this and want to make lots more!

Made by Me :) Pattern from Bend-the-Rules Sewing by Amy Karol

Made by Melissa. Pattern from Noodlehead

Have a Happy Sunday!

Leslie

First Place...NO WAY!

I just finished taking a six week photography class over at Bloom E-Course.  This is another class I highly recommend.  Rachel, the instructor, is super nice and so passionate about photography and this class.  She answers every question and gets you excited every week about your photography assignment.  You walk away from the class more confident about taking pictures and you make new friends along the way. 

The fourth week of class Rachel had a photo contest and we were each allowed to submit a portrait picture.  At first I was pretty hesitant but I said "what the heck, I have nothing to loose."  I submitted a picture of Chloe and I WON FIRST PLACE!! WOOHOO! I was shocked.  There were  many talented photographers in my class so I was really surprised.  I won a lensbaby, a discount to Mpix and a discount to Totally Rad Actions. AWESOME!  But in the end everyone won something, she gave away actions and textures she created to everyone in the class.

Here is the winning picture:

 

Take this class if you want to learn how to use your camera, whether it be a point and shoot or dslr!!

Leslie

5:100 May Flowers

had a picnic with the hubby and kids and we ran into these beauties :) love how this picture turned out.

Summer Time Is Almost Here

I think everyone is ready for the Summer because all the crafty people are going crazy. Found so many fun summer projects to do that I wanted to share. Hope this helps get your creative juices flowing and get you back to crafting. I've been slacking but this has just motivated me :)

Splish Splash Dress by Pea Pod Creations

Hampton Hooded Beach Towel by Prudent Baby

Tiered Terracotta Planter by Positively Splendid.

Comfy Natural Cushions for Wooden Chairs by Craftzine


Doesn't this make you just want to drop everything and start crafting??? love it. Have a happy Monday!


Leslie

A Sad Week

Last week was a tough week at my house from both the kids being so sick to a family loss on Mother's Day. My Uncle passed away and it has been the saddest week. I spent most of the week tending to my little ones and mourning a loss. The hardest part was seeing my grandmother hurt as much as she did. I couldn't post on MT last week or even write anything about it on any public internet page because it was so personal that I couldn't share with the world that I was sad.

But, I decided to share tonight because these are things that happen in life. I have to admit, and I have admitted in the past, that I love reading other people's blog and even wonder how they do it. They look like they have the perfect life, they craft, they have business, manage to take care of their kids, post everyday, seems like nothing ever goes wrong and have dinner on the table by five. PERFECT right? well...

I have come to learn that those are only snap shots of people's lives, not everything is perfect everyday well not at my house anyway. So when you come visit me here you only get snap shots and we do have real things happen :)

On a happy note, I am feeling much better especially since I know that my family has accepted our loss and that he will live on in our hearts:)

3::Dangling Feet

3::Dangling Feet, originally uploaded by mamma tortilla.

My friend Katie asked me to take pictures of her beautiful son Liam. Well as we are having fun taking pictures of him we decided to put him in the bookshelf. Can you find baby Liam? hehe

Square Foot Gardening

I'm really excited to show you guys my new garden.  I have never had a garden before and I was excited to get my hands dirty:)  Thankfully, I have friends that are willing to share their secrets about gardening and how it all works.  So they were kind enough to introduce me to Square Foot Gardening.  It's very easy to do and to maintain.  I have so many things sprouting at the moment: lettuce, pumpkin, tomatoes, marigolds, hot peppers, gourds, etc.  Everyday the kids go outside and see the progress.  Not only am I having fun gardening but Austin is really taking pride of his work and gets just as excited as I do.  Go check out the site out if you are interested in starting one. 

I would love to see other square foot gardening pictures so if you want to share email me at mammatortilla@gmail.com and send over your pictures :)

Leslie

Happy Mother's Day!

To all the beautiful mothers out there, enjoy your day :) You deserve it because we have the hardest and most rewarding job.

2::100 Pho-Tak

picture taken by me

For Christmas my beautiful sister gave me this Pho-Tak Reflex I camera. I jumped and screamed when I opened it. I always wanted to have a vintage camera. Thanks Nicole. I took this a couple of weekends ago with my new Nikon D300. It's one of my favorite photos.

"maybe im just like my mother"

"Dance like no one is looking" that's the motto in our house. Austin, Chloe and I have daily dance offs at our house. We crank the radio in our kitchen and dance. Its even come in handy when everyone is on the verge of a melt down and need a quick distraction. If you know me, dancing is something I have always loved. Nope not a professional or took dance classes. I just dance and love it. If I am good, well thats a different story.

Well, I guess all the dancing in our kitchen paid off because at my sister-in-law's wedding, Austin busted a move.....




And right before I posted this we had our morning dance off and an old Prince song came on "....maybe I'm just like my mother" and Austin sure is just like his mom.

Leslie

simple things in life: Play Dough

I love this time of year because all my kids want to play with is dirt, water and play dough. I mean for hours!! All I have to say is "oh play dough, how i love thee." Keep it simple and they will love you :)

Homemade Play Dough
by Mothering Magazine

1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
1 cup water
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Combine ingredients in saucepan. Place on medium heat and stir constantly until a ball forms. Remove from heat and knead for a few minutes. Want to add some color? Paprika for red and cocoa for brown :) Store in airtight container.

1::Holding On

Originally uploaded by mamma tortilla

I've decided to participate in the 100 photos project. To take pictures of whatever inspires me. A way to help me improve my photography skills and help me open my eyes to the world around me. I was going to start another blog for this but decided that I would keep it here on Mamma Tortilla. I do have another project in the works but have to hold off until its up in running. My focus is going to be on still life for this project but i love this picture and wanted it to be my first.

mother's day gift ideas that i love

here are some really cute craft ideas that would make wonderful Mother's Day gifts. Ooooooo so cute stuff!! this is why i love crafting *sigh*.

Sewing Machine Cover by Sparkle Power

Fingerprint Pendant by The Crafty Crow

The Flower Ring by V and Co

Sewn Stash Baskets by Purl Bee

i would love to have any one of these things...HINT HINT! hopefully my hubby is reading this :)