let me catch my breath!

Our house is buzzing with activity now that the kids are home for the summer. We've been so busy that it seems like they've been off for over a month already, it's hard to believe it's only been a couple of weeks! So far we're spending a lot of time outdoors, but we haven't started our park hop yet. I guess I'm not the only one who's a creature of habit in this house...my kids like to go where they know too:) But the Mr. + I have big plans for the next 2 months to keep the kids occupied and interested-a fishing trip, indoor water parks, outdoor amusement parks, a trip to the cottage and possibly even a short road trip too! Hopefully there's enough time to squeeze it all in, and have a bit of time to relax as well.

NOW FOR THE BIG NEWS!! I'm in the early stages of working again. Yippee!!! OK, I'm not going full force yet, but I can see the possibilities and I am elated!! Yes, I have done some artwork:) The mini papercut was somewhat co-operative, but it was still a challenge trying to find time and space to work with her climbing all over the place and trying to stand on all of my beautiful paper. But I'm not complaining! I'm just so happy that I proved to myself that I could do some work again, under time constraints, and still manage my little one who was trying to wreak havoc amidst it all. I'm hopeful that this is just the beginning of more to come :) I think a pat on the back is well deserved!

confessions of a shopping momma

As a mom I'm always on the lookout for great deals, whether it be groceries, household items or clothing. But while shopping for clothing or just simply browsing, I find that I naturally gravitate towards anything kiddie related before looking for anything for myself. Since I spent most of March at home, only really venturing outside to grocery shop and do school taxi runs, I felt like I deserved a little bit of retail therapy.

It's funny how having kids really changes the way you shop for yourself. When I look for a purse I make sure there's lots of compartments for sippy cups, diapers, wipes, changes of clothes and snacks. When I try on shoes not only do they need to be comfy , but I have to be able to run after a small child in them. Jeans need to have a rise high enough that when I crouch down to tie my little ones' shoes I'm not giving anyone a free show with a view of a plumber's crack :0

So how did I fare on my little shopping spree? Pretty good! I bought a purse that fits all the necessities for my munchkins, jeans that cover everything they should and even some goodies for the kiddos. So here's a little something I want to say to all you mommies out there...treat yourself every now and then. You all definitely deserve it! I bet your kids and hubbies would agree ;)

we now return to your regularly scheduled program

Did you notice we were gone? We've been MIA the last couple of weeks, prepping for Halloween kept me pretty busy (I decided to take on the task of making a Little Red Riding Hood costume for my eldest...more on that later), but things have settled down considerably. Thank goodness for that!

Seriously, where does all the time go? Do you ever feel like you have no time to do anything, and spend all your time doing nothing, missing out on all the little moments? That's how it's been here lately. Oh well, what can you do? I promise not to be missing for so long again, and there's lots of new stuff to fill you all in on, so stay tuned friends :)

gotta dance

A few weekends ago the eldest papercut had her ballet recital. She really enjoys dancing, and getting to wear a fancy costume makes it that much more enjoyable:) She has done so well in her class that she was selected for the competition team next year! We are very proud of our little ballerina!

winter meet spring

It looks like winter is ready to pack up and leave (even though it snowed yesterday for about half an hour) and we might just be seeing the beginnings of sunshine ahead. We are really looking forward to shedding all our layers and snowsuits, even if it means we'll be trading them in for raincoats and umbrellas. Hey, anything has got to be better than all the salt and slush!

I've already started a lot of our spring cleaning, and it feels good to be purging the baby clothes that the mini has outgrown, as well as snowsuits, boots and toys that have seen better days. We got a new rug for our entryway, and tomorrow I'd like to pick up some new floor mats for the kitchen. Every few months we go through the kids' toys and donate the ones they aren't playing with anymore. The house always feels lighter and more organized after we've done it, and now with a third little rugrat with her own pile of toys, the house feels like it's due for a good overhaul.

With the departure of winter we can pack away all our gear that has cluttered up the front hall since November...skates, helmets, boots, snowsuits, hats, gloves, scarves, heavy jackets. I love the winter months, but we are all impatiently awaiting the warm weather, and I think it might be on it's way! Keep your fingers crossed:)

start small

I have big hopes for Little Papercuts.

Over the past few years I've come to realize that while it would be wonderful to have a website, a blog can be a great forum to promote your work.

I would love to have a a big airy (read organized) studio space, separate from my kids' play space, but it's nice to be able to watch 'Twilight' as I work and listen to the chatter of my funny monkeys:)

Even though being busy with artwork is something I enjoy, I am content to put it on hold because the mini papercuts are only young once, and I don't want to miss even a second of it.

I really need to get my etsy shop up and running, even if it means only offering 5-10 custom orders a month in the beginning. (Yes muffin, I hear you and I know you're right)

Word of mouth can be a girl's best friend, and really help out the pocket book. I am lucky to have such wonderful customers, family and friends!

If you have a great product, it will speak for itself. Start small and dream big...yup I think that's right:)

almost, but not quite

© 2010 little papercuts

I'm trying to get back to work. Everything that I've tried to use as a substitute is not really filling the void. I finally dragged out my makeshift light table and I'm determined to finish up some artwork that I had started for my niece while I was pregnant, before my belly got in the way. I 'm not sure if I'll be able to devote enough time and attention to Little Papercuts, but it's a start. I had high hopes that by now I'd be back to work and whipping through orders while the mini papercut watched, content to play on her own and watch from her bouncy chair. That is obviously not the case.

Even though I've found the time to sew, I have come to realize that not having an actual studio space to do papercut stuff (and working in a medium that is prone to fly off the table if someone walks past me at a brisk pace, causing a gust of wind) could become a bit of a challenge.

For those of you who are patiently awaiting my official return to work, I say 'Thanks'. I promise I will return, I'm just not sure as to when that will be. Sorry :( Hopefully it'll be soon!

the name game

So, the mini papercut is due in a couple weeks and we've decided on a name for a girl, and we do have a boy's name picked out just in case our ultrasound tech was wrong. Since my kids all have Chinese middle names, we're somewhat lucky in the sense that we only have to choose a first name (their middle names are chosen by their grandparents). While it took us quite some time to choose names for our other two children, my husband and I could not agree, this time around it seemed to be a much more simple task. So what did we select? Well, if everything goes according to plan, and our little one is a girl we've decided on Zoe. I really love this name, and since my other kids both have 'A' names, I though it would be appropriate to name our third and final child with the letter 'Z'. Having said that, if we should have a surprise with the arrival of a little boy, his name will be Owen, after my godfather. Can't wait to see which it will be:)