Merry Christmas

From our family to yours.

Our very first gingerbread house! My son worked on it the most (over 2 hours!). To assemble the house I used melted sugar as it said on the box. It took forever to melt!
Then we used icing to 'glue' on the candy. Well, it's not bad for a first time.



And a very special thank you to I. from Florida. A lady whom I don't even know but who totally made my day yesterday by placing an order in my shop!

I'm taking this first sale as a sign that Rocajo Studio has the potential to grow into something wonderful.

Baby shower anyone?

No, no, not for me. I'm good, thank you.
But I just listed these cupcake toppers on Etsy and I think they've turned out really well!

All with the help of my new best friend: Ms.Scallop Punch!

Making changes, taking chances

Excited, nervous, happy, doubtful, ... These are just a few words to describe how I am feeling right now. Launching the shop was a big thing for me and naptime and evenings have since consisted of designing, tweaking, worrying and researching amongst other things.  Still HAPPY is the feeling that is most prominent. I'm taking a leap, taking a chance, I'm working towards my goal and that feels so, so good.

Latest design

Do you have a dream? Take a chance!

Pushing ahead: shop opening!

Rocajo Studio is now LIVE!

And I'm already getting cold feet... Oh, how I know myself. It's so easy to start comparing yourself to all the other great Etsy shops that are already out there. How easily those feelings of self-doubt start to bubble towards the surface. I tell you, comparison is lethal!

But I did do it! (Thanks for kicking my butt, Tanya ;). I went ahead and listed some items. And everytime I get a 'view' my heartrate speeds up a little. There is still so much to do, so much I want to add, so much I already want to improve (add 'real' pictures, etc.).  I'm writing down a big to do list of all the things I have in mind for Rocajo Studio in the future. And I also have a "dream BIG" list where I write down all those things that seem out of reach now, but if I take little action steps towards those big dreams I might will realise some of them.

I used to have another Etsy shop where I sold handmade bookmarks, keychains and brooches. It was a wonderful creative outlet for me and so rewarding, but I don't think I ever considered it as a true 'business'. It allowed me to be creative while making a little money on the side. This time I'm determined to make it work since my goals have changed: I want to become a WAHM.

These last few post have been a little different. Very honest, very much sharing my deepest feelings, unveiling fears and hopes. I'm contemplating whether or not to start a new blog for Rocajo Studio. I'm torn: Little Sweethearts is who I am, Rocajo Studio is who I would like to become. Do I break with the past and just start over or do I marry the two and join my former self with the person I would like to become?

The Blogger template I chose so many years ago is still the style I like (white background, clean, bright), but there are some things it cannot do. If I change the template all of my older posts will go wonky and some pictures might go missing. Still very much in doubt.   I'll let it sit for a while, I think.

In the meantime: please check out http://www.rocajostudio.etsy.com/ and let me know what you think of the shop so far!

What I had in mind in order to become a WAHM

See also my previous post.

This is what I had in mind:

This is just an example (I have to start somewhere, right?). Placecards for the holiday/winter season.

I can't afford to invest in a fancy printer and decent cutting material right now so all my items would be DIY (= print your own).  Eventually I would like to expand to in house printing. I would start with placecards, gift tags, maybe even invitations in different colour combinations and gradually expand to all kinds of printable party items (probably focusing on children's parties in the future).

I am really stepping out of my comfort zone here by showing you this already, but I also know that I have to get a move on if I wish to open up my shop before Christmas (which is, well, like only 10 days away)!

And Rocajo Studio, well, those who know me will be able to understand why I chose that name.

I want to be a WAHM

There, I said it. I want to be a Work At Home Mom.

I'm very lucky to be able to stay at home right now to take care of my youngest daughter, but eventually, when my leave is up, I will have to go back to work.  Now, I like my job. It's a part-time job at a small company but when I am totally honest I would prefer to be a WAHM.  And also because due to the bad economic situation my job might not actually be there anymore when my leave is up.

So I have to start making up a plan now, see if it works, turn my dreams into something real. I'm already preparing something but I keep delaying: it's not good enough yet, I have to do this first, tweak some more, etc...

I'm getting this off my chest and onto my blog since I know that if I don't push that publish button soon, I would not tell you. But if I do tell you, you will expect to see something on my blog.  It's not that my motivation isn't big enough (staying home with my children while feeling rewarded for something that I made and contributing to the household financially). But I know I will work even harder to make my dream happen if I have your support.

So please, leave me a comment if you read this. Kick me in the butt (well,...).

(found this on Pinterest)

Love is

when he 'gets' you.

Given to me by my husband after his business trip to the States.

Love you so, so much.



A late Halloween post

At Halloween we had a Harry Potter inspired dinner with some friends.  I had made invitations for each member of the family with an owl printed onto the address label (since we don't really send things by owl in this part of the country ;). I don't have a picture of the actual invitation, but the true reason for this post is that I wanted to show off something my husband made. Or baked I should say. He made a "Monster Book of Monsters" inspired cake which not only turned out great, it also tasted delicious (sponge cake with whipped cream, pineapple and ganache (the top chocolate layer)).



Monstrilicious!

Adventures in Bali - Part II

On the very same day I wrote my 'Adventures in Bali' post there was an earthquake in Bali. At 6.1 it was no little one, but luckily the damage was only minor with only a few wounded and no deaths.  My sister is safe and still very much enjoying herself. She is heading for the Gili Islands now and will probably do something I'd never do like diving between sharks or something like that...

Adventures in Bali

No, I'm not the one who is currently backpacking through Bali on my own... but my little sister is!  Thank heavens for the internet as this seems to be our only way of keeping in touch during her three week long adventure.  She left last Sunday and stayed in Sanur for a few days and now she will be moving along to Ubud. 

Besides being slightly worried (maternal instincts seem to cover baby sisters too) I'm also very proud of her that she is following her dreams and traveling the world.  I would definitely not dare to travel on my own, with only a backpack as a companion at the age of (almost) 24. 

If possible, she would love to travel for a year in 2013 and visit New Zealand and Australia for six months combined with six months in South America.  Personally I would opt for the first two since they are on my wish (but-probably-will-never-get-there)- list.

Themed Birthday Party: "Alice in Wonderland " - preparation

For my children's birthdays I have always come up with a specific theme for their parties.  Cowboys, Indians, Princesses, Fairies, Pirates,... They have always been a LOT of fun, but also a lot of work. Timely preparation is therefore needed. 

In February my daughter is turning 9 and we've decided on an "Alice in Wonderland" party after watching Tim Burton's movie. I've been doing lots of research on the theme and my mind is already full of ideas.  However, turning those ideas into something tangible isn't always easy.

I would love to make her a dress, just as similar to the one Alice wears in the movie (so not the blue dress with the white apron as in the cartoon, though, an apron would be convenient... hmm, must think further about that).

I plan to use an easy pattern and I would love to find a light blue fabric that is slightly irredescent. There's a huge fabric sale in November that I would love to go to. (edit: just went through my fabric stash and came across 2 metres of blue satin, so I'll probably use what I have).

The rest of the family also dresses up for these parties (which means I've been a pirate bride, Pocahontas, a Queen, etc). I'm thinking Queen of Hearts for myself and there can't be a Wonderland party without a Mad Hatter of course (uhm, sweetheart...?)

And then of course there is also the invitation to think about, decorations, food, games... ooh, mustn't be late!!

6 months already!

At 6 months you

• are starting to sit up a little bit on your own (but if I leave you without support for more than a few seconds you topple over)
• have 2 teeth
• just started eating solids (as of 2 days ago)
• are still breastfeeding
• are not sleeping through the night yet
• can transfer your toys or your pacifier from one hand to another
• can put your pacifier into your mouth (with the occasional hit and miss)
• have had a few rough days falling asleep

Something in the making...

Gathering some supplies, thinking up a pattern, ooh, the fun. It's been a while since I did some sewing.

Adding a bit of lace by hand.

And soon my baby girl will have a new hat!

A day to remember

September 10, 2011: your first tooth

Almost too cute for words

You are rolling over onto your tummy more and more often. Your arms still give you some trouble though. You are also a master at drooling. And of course we can't get over your hair: it just has a way of its own (definitely a conversation starter and it makes you look very cute too)!

Close encounter

This weekend was the first time you sat up in your stroller. There was so much to see!
I also discovered a tiny white line on your gums, which seems to be the reason why you have gotten a little fussy. Poor you. Your first tooth will come along soon, probably by the end of the month. You are starting to pass toys or your pacifier from one hand to the other.

And some things stay the same: you are still sporting the mohawk look, it's just a little longer and breastfeeding is still going very well. Next month we'll start introducing some solids. I wonder what you'll think about that...

Painting

The kids and I tried aquarel (watercolour painting) today after picking up a couple of books on the subject at our local library.

I love my son's psychedelic shark which he drew and painted all by himself.


My daughter drew a bouquet of flowers.

And I tried to mimic some of the examples that were shown in the library book (Flowers in Aquarel by Elisabeth Harden).

Summer holiday activity: rainbow salt

Coming up with activities to entertain the kids during the summer holiday isn't always easy. Lucky for me, my friend Elise at Inspiration Surrounds... Creativity Abounds has a blog full of cool, easy and inexpensive craft ideas. When I read her post on Rainbow Salt I knew I had to try it.

We used different plastic containers and big chalk crayons to colour the salt.



When we finished colouring the salt in different colours we poured the salt into small glass containers using a funnel. And voila, instant art!

Sweet success

Making chocolate muffins with the kids: fun & ... mmm, delicious.

Almost wordless Wednesday

I aged some pictures of my daughter when she was about 3 years old using Picnik (I am loving this stuff!).

Looking at them I wonder where my little girl went.

She's read all of the Harry Potter books by now (at the age of 8, yes, I am proud), draws amazingly and she is a tiny mom to her little sister.

Where will you go from here?

This little girl

stole our hearts.

Taking notice

We went for a walk today and I suddenly noticed something I hadn't seen before.

Don't know how I missed this before 'cuz it's literally bigger than me. Somehow I must have managed to just pass by, not noticing her. She totally fitted in, dressed for a rainy day.

A day in your life

You are 3 1/2 months old. Breastfeeding is going really well. Your hair grows straight up, just like your sister's did when she was a baby. Don't worry, it'll be alright. She has really long hair now even if yours looks more like a mohawk right now.


You are starting to 'talk' more. This week I heard a "meuhmeuh'. I like to think that you are practising 'mama'.

You love your little fists and fingers. You chew them to your hearts' content and end up being wet allover.

Yesterday you didn't sleep much and somehow I thought you would catch up today but no, you haven't really. But you're still sweet, my little darling.

A walk in the park

I used to think that the pictures that came straight out of my camera were pretty good. Since discovering Picnik I know that I can make them look a lot better!

Some examples after our walk in the park today:

My son took that last picture. With a little bit of Picnik I think it looks great!

Having a Picnik

Playing around with Picnic.

Loving the retro look.

some52things

Some52things is a new blog of mine where I challenge myself to take weekly pictures. There's a link in my sidebar underneath my picture. Come follow me or, even better, join me!

Time flies by

the day you were born

2 weeks

1 month

2 months

3 months

You are our pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Love you.