*** Stress Case's First GIVEAWAY - Adorable Apron!***

Hey Everyone!  It's GIVEAWAY TIME!!! I love GiveAways!!!  Check out my friends blog, Little Miss Casey. She is having a giveaway to celebrate 100 followers {Congrats, Casey!}.  I get to be part of all this fun by being the happy Giver.  Click on over to her blog for all the details.  You have about ten days to complete the mission and enter the contest.  GOOD LUCK!!

 Stress Case's First GIVEAWAY - Adorable Apron!: "Thank you, thank you, thank you, to everyone who reads this blog! I wish I could give away aprons to every single one of my readers! It me..."
Until Next Time,

* Memorial Weekend *

Hey Everyone! I hope your weekend is long and relaxing ~ and you're remembering those that fought for the great USA!  I spent Saturday working... but yesterday made up for *work* and we had a fab time with friends and family in Newport Beach. Jeffrey's girlfriends' family rents a home for about five days. The weather was beautiful, although really windy when we arrived. Tons of kids, mostly past high school buddies {I say past because they are all in college now - but still get together for this annual event}

Not sure if you can see the poor girl getting buried in sand directly center of picture.

The Windy Waters....

No LifeGuard Sunday but Monday #40 will be on Guard!

We really had a nice relaxing time.  Great food {Yummy BBQ'd steaks}. G-ma & G-Pa even came this time!
Today was my monthly "Girls Day" with my two Besties.  We went out for coffee & breakfast ~ lots of chatting too.  When I got home, I made my little niece a peasant top. All Pink and Shinny  :-)   Tomorrow she will be 11 years old.  Hard to believe!  We'll be all gathering at G-Parents tonight for a little Birthday party.  Check out the handiwork!

Birthday Top for Sky-girl. Hope she likes!

More news later tonight..  I feel a Give Away in the air!!!
Until Next Time,

*** LooK At What I WoN ***

Hey Everyone!  You all know by now that my newest obsession is participating in BNR/BNS on Etsy. I don't always post about them here but I always T W E E T  and post to my FACEBOOK PAGE to encourage people to stop by {and Buy!}.  It's a great way to advertise and lots of fun!  So about 10 days ago, I bought into a few BNR's and I was just getting ready to close my laptop, when I noticed an email from a fellow Etsy shop owner, letting me know about a BNR she was in.  Real quickly I clicked and went to it.  I totally liked the shops and ended up buying in.  I didn't realize that you also received a raffle ticket when you purchased.  My ticket was sent to me via email {#89}.  Well late that night when I checked my email before bed, Elizabeth, the team leader of STAT Team, notified me that I was the winner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I was so shocked! I don't usually win anything...   so check this out..... I didn't win one gift, or two gifts, I won a ToN of gifts!!!!! How generous is that??? It's like Christmas around here everytime the mailman stops by! The talent of this Team is amazing!  Such care and wonderful craftsmanship is apparent in each item.  Follow H E R E to go directly to their blog and the April 25th post explaining the details AND a picture of each prize made and donated by each shop.  I'm still so honored to be the recipient of all these beautiful treasures!!
Until Next Time,

* Time For A Long Weekend *

Hey everyone!  So just when I think I can be a little more regular blogging, the opposite happens! Maybe this nice long weekend will allow time to catch up on all things PiNk and SpArKLeY :-)    {Yep, famous last words}.  Of course I secretly wish that we could get away and enjoy the wonderful weather we are having this week in SoCal. In years gone by, our family tradition was to spend the Memorial Weekend in Rancho Mirage {Palm Springs}. Hubby's Aunt has a wonderful condo in a gated community down there, and it just so happens that she returns to her home in Lake Tahoe right before the long weekend.  We love the 100 degree temperatures when that refreshing pool is just steps away from the perfectly cooled condo. Things have changed a bit these last few years... since we've rescued two completely adorable Italian Greyhounds {not at the same time}, we feel bad boarding them for several nights and even though we could take them with us, we'd be limited with many of our usual activities. Yes, they are our "babies" now that the boys are adults. And, this year I am On Call Saturday so I need to stay in town. Maybe I forgot to mention my recent adventure? I'm putting my nursing license to good use ~ last summer I became a certified Phlebotomist. I *LOVE* what I do! It's so satisfying to see that first squirt of blood in the vial - - success! I know, it's not for everyone but for sure just about everyone has to have it done at some point. And I am getting pretty good :-) 

Well, I think I should get to the reason, or announcement for today's blog.  About a month ago, I posted about an activity I wanted to get involved in.  A blog I'm following * * RIGHT * HERE * *, is organizing the "SUMMER-OF-NO-PANTS". Marigold, the author of  hideousdreadfulstinky  has gathered other bloggers who guest post their take on a Summer of no pants, complete with tutorials, discounts, etc.  It's so full of inspiration and just makes you want to drop everything and go sew!  There is also a Flickr group to join and show off your creations. It's a great place to get help, discuss and meet others that are participating. After you finish reading about this fun project, click on her * H O M E * P A G E *, and be further inspired. I love blogs like Marigold's, so knowledgeable and so fun to look at! I hope mine grows up to be so great as well.  Actually, I should slow down a bit on all the blog reading I do and hit the sewing room.  Time is so limited as it is and if I want to practically make a new wardrobe, I'd better get crackin'.  Lol, okay maybe not an entire new wardrobe, but some summer stuff.  I've lost a good amount of weight since last summer {by choice} and as a result, happily I need summer attire! What a great predicament to be in.  So, will anyone join me in my May/June activity? Let's get sewing!
Until Next Time,

**\l/** Wedding Updates & All That StUfF

Hey Everyone!  I think I mentioned a few months ago that my oldest son proposed to his girlfriend in February.  We are so excited! They have been looking at different places for the ceremony and reception.  They wanted the beach but then we'd all need to drive to another location for the reception, etc.  After viewing many venues, they decided on the Franciscan Gardens.  We all went to an open house last month and Oh Man, that place is magical !!!  The little city of SJC is totally cool to begin with and when you add in this secluded area that feels like a faraway place, it was simply enchanting, like a fairy tale.  Their day will be truly memorable!  I know I shouldn't have, but I did.  I took pictures with my phone.  Yep, the smart one..  smarter than me.  But, fear not! My youngest also took pictures of that same night with the really, really good camera, and I WILL be getting copies! {Jeffrey, did you hear me? Do you even read your Mom's blog?}.  So, until I actually get those pictures ~ as well as our family Easter pictures ~ then my smarty-pants phone will just have to do! I even made a slideshow AND made a link to it.  So without further ado, go ahead and click --->WEDDING/RECEPTION VENUE SLIDESHOW!!   
Until next time,

* Yikes!! I know, it feels like it's been FoReVeR!

Hey Everyone!  So sorry for the M.I.A. status this past week.  Time has been so short it seems... it's certainly not because I have nothing to say.  I've been waking at 3am for work and just not used to it yet.  I hope all the Mom's out there had a wonderful Mother's Day. I know I did !!  My boys are the best.  My oldest son & his fiance hosted a lovely brunch this morning. We had such a fun time!  And it was so darn cute!  Then this afternoon, we went to my Mom & Dad's house for more fun and food and family!  Days like this are so great.

This will be a quick post {I do need to learn blogging on the go from my phone ~ I just can't control colors and all that good stuff}.  I have a couple new things to show you that I made and posted to my shop. A pair of little guy soccer boxers 

Aren't they cute??  They are 100% cotton flannel.  So soft and cozy.  I made two of these at the same time.  Also, some overalls.  Red, black, gray & white plaid.  Real lumber-jack looking!  What do you think?

Like how I show measurements?  Lol, easy for me.  Well, that's it for now.  Hoping not to have such a gap before the next posting.  Happy Monday to you!
Until next time,

The BEST idea EVER!!! Hideous! Dreadful! Stinky!: The Summer of No Pants 2011: The Line-up and The S...

Hideous! Dreadful! Stinky!: The Summer of No Pants 2011: The Line-up and The S...: "The Summer of No Pants 2011 is coming together! I've been working with some amazing women who are working hard to present you with tutori..."
Until next time,