Friday Finds: DIY interchangeable cupcake stand

I've seen my share of DIY cake stands, but this is pretty creative and workable...and most importantly,doable, by just about anyone.
Pinterest introduced me to this yesterday and I could hardly wait to share!


Amber Lee over at Givers Log graciously offered this tutorial and I think you'll be impressed with the fact that you, yes YOU, can actually attempt this in time for your spring and summer shindigs...imagine the possibilities!

Happy Planning!

Man, THIS is cute...pun intended!

I couldn't go without sharing these insanely adorable details for this little man's birthday party! From the cheerios, to the burlap, to the "staches" what child (or adult for that matter) wouldn't love this shindig!? and better yet? Almost all of it can be tailored to your specific needs!




Meander on over to Hostess With the Mostess for even more detailed photos and vendor credits here! Photo Credit: HWTM

2012 is Destined to be Great!!!

Our Destined to be great!!!(tm) Toddler Tees are available and currently featured in sizes 2t, 3t, and 4t.
Visit our Blessed Beginnings Baby site for more exciting details!!

Happy Holidays everyone!

and a very special thank you to little Mrs. Mary Saou at Daylight Photography for sharing her skillzzz with her Canon. :)

Weekend Deal! 11.11.11

In celebration of Veteran's Day we thought it only fitting to offer a sweet deal to our littlest fans. Place any bib/burpie/toddler tee order this weekend (until midnight Sunday, November 13th) and pay only $11.11 + applicable shipping and taxes for your area. Yup, only $11.11 for our most popular custom boutique offerings!

That's over 25% off for the bibs and burpies and 30% on our Destined(TM) Toddler Tees!

Support your favorite small business today AND your favorite veterans!

Oh, and for those of you who love any of our other goodies, like our Bella(TM) frame or miracle(TM) canvas....we'll throw in an 11% discount through this weekend as well!
Now THAT'S something to smile about. ;)
Happy ordering...and Happy Veteran's Day to all of our heroes!

We're Tickled Pink for a Great Cause!

Ready to do yur part to foster Breast Cancer Awareness? For the month of October, 10% of every item you buy will be donated towards Breast Cancer Research AND for every purchase exceeding $30, your item will be shipped for free! Yup, FREE to anywhere in the continental US!



What are some of the things you can buy, you ask?

For $30, you can purchase any of the following:

an embroidered custom bib and burpie set:
a 25 ct. custom die-cut correspondance card set (envelopes included):

our NEW hand painted Miracle canvas:
TWO "destined to be great" toddler tees:


and for RDU area followers, if you're interested in a delivered floral arrangement, let us know and most assuredly, we can design a glorious Tickled Pink vase for your nearest and dearest survivor!

To purchase online: Blessed Beginnings Baby or Call 800.252.2166!

Our LABOR of love...

We're really excited to share one of our latest babies with you...yes, we're birthing another one...and this one has been in the works for sometime. After three boys, you'd think a girl would be overdue, right? Just joking...nope this is probably as close to our girl as we'll ever get....so for our hopeful blog followers, don't get your hopes up too high!

This labor of love is really just another offering for YOU!

I know you're probably thinking Heaven Sown...when do you have time to do baby stuff, weddings,and cheesecakes...not to mention a new baby?!

Technically, this is just a little extension of our Blessed Beginnings Baby line and we love it so that we thought we'd share a rough image of our work...even before we get truly professional pictures.

So, you know how BIG we are on miracles around here, right?...maybe now you'll understand why. Here's a glimpse at our own definition.



This 18 x 22" burlap canvas perfectly expresses how we feel about:

• each of our angels...
• those surprising little blessings that cross our path ever so often, and even
• those awe-inspiring testimonies that our friends share with us from time to time!

...perfect for a doctors' office, nursery, photographer's studio,or the home of any believer....this hand-painted gem is a daily reminder of God's handiwork.

It's featured here in a neutral burlap with copper lettering (although my el-cheapo digital doesn't quite pick up the glistening metallic finish), but can be tailored to perfectly accent any space. It's currently available in our Etsy shop here...soon to be offered on our BlessedBeginningsBaby site...and we'll keep you posted. In the meantime, we just had to share the good news with you!
Do YOU believe in miracles?

Sneak Peak: Destined to be Great!

At Blessed Beginnings Baby, we believe that you’re destined to be great! Why not tell the world what to expect? Feast your eyes on our latest creation…
our Destined to be Great Toddler™ Tees!

Hurry quickly to add to your collection just in time for the new school year! Only $16 and great enough to stand alone or layered for every season. Your little king or queen would definitely stand out...for all the right reasons!

Available in the following fabulous unisex colors:

vanilla on cherry red
vanilla on heather gray
cherry red on cocoa
cherry red on turqouise
lime on kelly green
lime on royal blue

Sizes currently in stock: 2T, 3T, 4T
Limited quantities available!
Available for purchase by July 15th on our Blessed Beginnings Baby website or if you can't wait until payday, feel free to purchase along with anything else from our Etsy Shop: Blessed Beginnings on Etsy

Got Milk? Sip & See...

So one of the latest crazes these days in the world of baby showers is a "sip & see". Here are a few photos of another one for inspirtation. This one recently featured on Hostess with the Mostess adds a little twist, worthy of recognition. Kudos to Carrie Sellman of Half Baked for all of the chewy and chunky details!

A "Sip & See" is an opportunity to shower a couple who has recently welcomed a new bundle of joy to their family...guests can come by and witness the miracle in person and spend a little amount of time with the happy parents. In this case, this lovely gathering was held for a couple adoptive parents. What another great application of the concept!
Carrie delivered in more ways than one from creation of the theme, favors, and invite to the festive games, and decor! Slam DUNK! Seriously.



One of my favorite touches was the fact that the guests were encouraged to write humorous thoughts onto diapers to provide the mommy and daddy with a little chuckle. The Diaper Thoughts station gave the men an avenue to showcase their best and most clever diaper humor! A Well Wishes station encouraged guests to write something sentimental on keepsake cards which were then placed into a glass bubble bowl. Of course, the main activity was oohing and awing over the guest of honor, Baby Colin!

How's this for modern, sleek, fun, and creative fete fun for all who attend?

Wanna see more scrumptious details? See for yourself on the Hostess Blog.

Speak the Word!

Life can get a little hazy sometimes....just enough to get you a little off kilter. That's ok, we have an app for that. :)
We believe in sowing...words of encouragement, positive thoughts, and plastering positive images high and low.
Here are just a couple of our latest offerings to remind you how He has it all still in control. Hump day is here, which means the week is half over and even if you haven't accomplished everything you'd wanted to by this point in life, there's no mistaking it, you're still destined to be great and you're still covered by His grace. Keep chuggin' because you'll always be the apple of His eye!

New Site: Unveiled!

It's always a great feeling to work with great people and get great results! Sometimes, that dynamic doesn't easily manifest itself. Well, this time, we'd like to think we were graced with just that (a workable dynamic), and wanted to share great news with you!

We've admired this photographer's work for some time...so much so, that you've seen her work featured on our blog. Bernadette Uzcategui of BU Photography is the the bestest MainLine Philly photographer EVER!!! When it comes to service, quality, and a superb final product, you Philly-anites have no need to search any further!!

We approached her with a proposition to photograph her {coos} and {giggles} as she calls them on her site featuring some of our products, and she did NOT disappoint! Thanks to her handy footwork, quick thinking, and adorable models we're now able to unveil our new and improved...drumroll please, Blessed Beginnings Baby Boutique website. Stop the presses!

We truly can't say thanks enough to her for allowing her gift to be used to be such a blessing beyond our dreams! Thanks to her willing models (and most importantly, to the mommies and daddies of her willing models) we are able to share a little more of what's near and dear to us!

Yes, miracles DO happen...



So, a special thank you to little Mrs. Bernadette (and thanks Adrian, to you too...because without you, our paths never would've crossed), and without further adieu, we re-introduce you to our baby.... Blessed Beginnings Baby Boutique.

Oh, and for those of you who love our baskets, correspondence cards, blankies, and such...we'll get pics of those up soon...and yes, they're all still available...but for now, fall in love again with our bibs & burpies!

As long as I'm living, my baby you'll be!

This baby shower brunch is to die for, especially if you love Robert Munsch and Sheila McGraw's, "Love You Forever" kiddie book. I think, as a matter of fact,I know, I loved this book the moment I heard it.

When was that, you may ask? ...when my oldest son's kindergarten teacher honored the moms for Mother's Day with the children reciting the key phrases in this heartwarming book.

Talk about being moved to tears? :)

Eh hem, fast forward to this week when this oh-so-charming brunch graced me with its presence.
From the adorable brunch menu including tiny syrup-filled glasses topped with french toast triangles, maple glazed bacon skewers and assorted mini quiches to “milk bottles” filled with milk & oj, this party left no detail overlooked!

Want more glorious details, see for yourself...there are more adorable ideas to tickle your fancy!



...and know any mommies or mommies-to-be?...this book would be a great addition to their library!



...and a big thanks to Hostess with the Mostess for sharing yet another charming event!

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made!!!

Yes, that you are! God has already created you to be just that, wonderfully made!

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

Psalm 139:14

We love to share what inspires us, and that word inspires us even in days that don’t seem so great….so much so that we had to create an addition to our Spring/ Summer 2011 line: Our Wonderfully Made Patchwork Bib and Burpie Set

Just as we all are different (yet wonderful), here’s an opportunity to add an extra personalization to our already unique offerings.
This bib set features a delightfully coordinated combo of unique cotton prints quilted together and paired with our already loveable plush fabric…only the best for your favorite drooler. Yet again, not only functional, but fabulous!
Remember, THREE layers of fabric to be the cutest drool-picker-upper ever.

Functional. Reversible.Customizable.

We’re in the process of unveiling our new and improved website soon, but feel free to take a peak at what’s to come Blessed Beginnings Baby.


So yes, as you go through the rest of your week, remember, you are, fearfully, and wonderfully made!

B is for Bella...

...a beautiful baby, whom we have yet to see, but if her nature is anything like her parents, she is sure to be God's grace personified (as her reversible burpie says below).

To welcome the newest member of our Blessed Beginnings extended family, we thought we'd share with you our last addition to our product line, our "Bella" custom frame. Look closely, it showcases her name AND the special meanings that made her parents fall in love with it!

Arabella - /air-ah-BELL-ah/ - beautiful grace, answered prayer

What princess wouldn't love this?!

It's totally customizable, like our bibs and burpies, and that cashmere bling just OOZES beauty! Dontcha think?

Maybe if we're all fortunate, we'll get to share a pic of little Miss Arabella herself donning her latest treats soon. Until then, you'll just have to love the look of her reversible bib and burpies on this cute and cuddly teddy bear...

Save Big! Black Friday Deals Inside!

Not only are you getting great buys on the items featured in our holiday baskets this year, but we're also offering additional discounts on any items in our inventory...from plush reversible baby bibs and our "You're Looking at a Miracle" onesies to our holiday baskets and correspondence card orders!
The more you spend, the more you save!
Spend $50...Save 5%
Spend $100...Save 10%
Spend $150 and more...Save 20%
Small print? You just have to place your order by 11:59pm Cyber Monday. :)

Finalize your holiday orders today!!

Holiday Promotions Unveiled!!

Can you believe it!? We're only a week away from collard greens, sweet potato pie, turkey, and a slew of other homemade dishes. Before we know it, some of us (eh-hm) will be setting our clocks in preparation for Black Friday.

Well, while you're hustling and bustling over the next few weeks to amaze the loves of your life with gifts that will impress them, we can guarantee you that you'll save yourself a little undue stress, by selecting from our latest Holiday offerings!

Go ahead, it can't hurt! Meander over to our parent site, G8tr Enterprises, because before you know it, the time will have gotten away from you and you'll find yourself scrambling in the 11th hour to track down something that we can already have packaged and ready to go!

Drumroll please.....

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Thankful Thursdays...So thankful for "God ideas"!

Ya know, there are tons of our current colleagues out there who work day jobs, head home in a fury, wish about what they would love to do, dream about the crazy work schedule on the next day, wake up to a hectic morning, rush off to do their day jobs, head home in a fury, and wish and dream some more...only to see 5 and 10 years later that they're doing the same things they've always done and getting the same results. I don't know what it is about us as humans, that makes us sooo dependent on what is, that we won't step out to see what can be.
Is it: a. a lack of faith b. a fear of failure c. no stick-tuitiveness (nope, not in Webster's) to make things happen Maybe it's a little of all three. So, today we're going to share a few stories of folks who are using their "God-given" ideas, and making them work for them. They inspire us to keep chugging so that our gifts will make room for us!!

“A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.”

(Proverbs 18:16)

Success Story I
Ok, so what do you get when you combine two haute mommas, vintage style, and God ideas?

Oh Fiddlesticks!
Their funky & festive designs are adorable for our little ones....so much so that they're cute coming and going! The front features really cute vintage images describing a compound word and, have no fear, if you get a little perplexed, the answer is on the back! and for the show-stopper in your household, So cute, we might just buy some of our own!












































Success Story II
This single-parent mother of twins really has figured out how to make her gifts work for her. Featured in Black Enterprise in 2008, this now 28-year-old has managed to turn her once in-home stationed business into a multi-million dollar debt free operation, Elohim Cleaning Contractors. In 2002 (not even 10 years ago!!!) Sirena Moore, her father, and younger brother pooled their resources to start a construction site cleanup company. Not glamorous you say?...not glamorous = $2 million in revenue in 2008! She was recently named the 2010 Small Business Person of the Year by the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. Her favorite scripture,

Sirena’s Favorite Quote: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” (Colossians 3:23 NIV)

speaks volumes...and if you're interested in seeing how she can directly motivate you, take a moment to check her out! Hats off to another gifted woman, making her gifts work for her!


Success Story III
Now last, but certainly not least, you have two daring siblings willing to quit their jobs to push a product line that endorsed a then Illinois senator/presidential candidate, who by most accounts, was not the "shoe-in" to win the 2008 United States presidential election. Regardless of your political preference, these two, Lorielle and Brandon Broussard, are to be commended for their daring approach to following their dream.
Their Barack The Vote slogan led them from potentially penniless to generating over $600,000 in revenue in 2008. Since the election, they've continued on to their new line, Yotown,showcasing non-political views but personalized maps of area cities....again, working together, making their gifts work for them.

In every success noted above, you'll see:
which in our world is equivalent to

What's missing in your equation?
Here's to a wonder-filled weekend as we all shoot for the stars so that others may see Him in our works. Ta-Ta for now!

Heaven Sown sends a sincere thank you...

...for gracing us with your presence at CBEN Vendor Fair held in Morrisville, NC on February 10th! It's always a pleasure to meet new people and expand our network. It was fun to feature some of our latest work and you seemed to enjoy 'the bling' as well! If you missed out on the opportunity, no need to fret! We will also show a 'new look' this Wednesday, February, 24th at JCC's Black Business Expo from ten until 3pm in Smithfield, NC. For additional information on anything featured at the showcase or our products, please do not hesitate to give us a call! 800.252.2166