Poetry: Watch Softly, Little One

Maggie's Big News

Have you met my daughter, Maggie? Let me tell you about her. She is beautiful, talented and smart. She tends to think like a republican and she is an excellent big sister. She is also rowdy, independent and headstrong. Maggie is 11 years old. Get to know her because my little tween is going to be a MOVIE STAR!! Scoot over Miley.



Alright, I'm jumping ahead of myself. Let me tell you what went down. I was visiting NMFilm.com- just curious what they were currently filming in Albuquerque. On the locals page I see that there is a casting call for a "smart and determined ten year old girl". Oh, yes. I know one of those.



It was for the independent feature film Adios, New Mexico. I sent in a few pictures of the Magpie and I was emailed right back with a sample script! I had sent in this picture of Maggie driving my car.



Eerily, in the script, the scene opens up with the girl, Nickie, driving a truck into a gas station. So exciting! Her audition is on Saturday. It's just on location test footage, but I think she has a good chance of becoming an actress... for at least a day. She is already a star at home, it's about time she graced the silver screen!

Huge Wall Sticker Giveaway from Online Poster Printing

Online Poster Printing is rolling out an innovative adhesive fabric that they call a Wall Sticker. When you order a wall sticker from Online Poster Printing can print any size up to 58" x 100". That is HUGE!! The stickers are water resistant and they use fade-resistant inks. You can stick them on almost any surface. Just peel and stick and reposition if necessary. Online Poster Printing offers next-day turnaround and online proofing.
Think this little man would make a good wall sticker?

Online Poster Printing is offering two (2) Mad Madam Em readers a 24”x 24” wall sticker! This is a $46 value! All you need to do is leave a comment on this post telling us what you would have printed on a 24”x 24” wall sticker! Earn an extra daily entry by tweeting this contest.
Just copy and paste this:

@emilyhorne @uprinting Huge Graphic Wall Sticker Giveaway $46 value, 2 winners, 4 days #giveaway http://bit.ly/G4ZV1

Of course you can always earn an entry by subscribing to my Bloggity Blog (top right-hand corner) or by letting me know you already subscribe. This giveaway will only run for FOUR days! The lucky winners will be chosen on Monday, September 14th. This giveaway is only open to US Residents and shipping fees apply.

Am I cute when I do this?

My favorite from his 8th month shoot.
More coming soon, and some exciting news about big sister, Maggieloo!
Stay tuned!

Dodge Boys Mom's Hooded Towels

Aww do you love this? Jack looks like a little prizefighter. He coulda been a contenda.

This awesome hooded towel was designed and sewn by the talented Jeanette of Dodge Boys Mom on Etsy. She created this fabulous crib sheet that I use on Jack's crib all the time. I have washed it and dried it (in the dryer and on the line) weekly since receiving it and it has held up beautifully. The colors are vibrant and the construction is sturdy. The same can be said for these lovely hooded towels.

The quality of this hooded towel is excellent. The towel is big, absorbent and soft. I just love this color and the little geckos lining the hood and edges is just adorable. A note on the color- my images sucked the color out of this towel- the actual color of the towel is much closer to this image in her shop. This towel is so much better then those thin hooded towels you get in a set at your baby shower. This will be your go-to towel for the little ones for years!! For under $20, that is really sayin' something.

She has 29 awesome hooded towels up in her Etsy shop right now! Check out these awesome little fishies or these funny pink piggies. Look at all of them. Go on, do it. Then come back here and leave a comment telling us your favorite hooded towel at Dodge Boys Mom. Then guess what?

YOU COULD WIN ONE!

As a matter of fact, TWO of you will win one each! Aww, that Dodge Boy's Mom, she's a good lady. Thank you Jeanette for this generous giveaway and good luck Mad Madam Em readers! This contest will run for three weeks ending September 18th.

To Enter:

1. Leave a comment telling us your favorite hooded towel at Dodge Boys Mom.
2. Twitter this post! (you can do this daily) Just copy and paste this:

@emilyhorne #GIVEAWAY! Amazing Hooded Towels for 2 winners! $20 value and SO DARN CUTE http://bit.ly/NQxYD

2. Subscribe to my Bloggity Blog via email (top right-hand corner).
3. Add my button to your blog and link it here… yippy!
4. Blog about this post and link it here… woohoo!

5. For FIVE extra entries! Make a purchase at Dodge Boys Mom and email me your receipt (you can take out all of the personal info)!

Ebeanstalk Rattle Review

Ebeanstalk is an online toy store that is dedicated to selecting unique, safe, learning toys and baby gifts. When they contacted me to see if Jack would like to test something, I was thrilled. The toy they sent is called a Click-A-Roni from International Playthings, who makes all kinds of neat baby toys. Jack loves this…


It's not your everyday rattle. It twist and flips, it has a mirror on one end and little balls inside. It's got the little rubber nobbies on it that feel so good on sore gums. Baby Jack likes to twist and click to make multiple shapes. Overall, a really cute toy, I would definitely recommended.

Right now Ebeanstalk.com has free shipping for orders over $65. Go check them out!
http://www.ebeanstalk.com/

Running Tree

UPrinting Custom Postcard Giveaway

I set out Friday morning on a mission to create a full color design I would like to see printed in postcard form. Not just a few postcards- 200 postcards! It better be a good design. 200 times the good. Pulling from my very favorite photography- I choose two images. "The Flying Phone" is one of the cooler images I've ever captured, if I do say so myself.

A few "hellos" later and I have a postcard design I can see 200 times. I think I'll send a few out, and then make sets of 10 or so, wrap them in a ribbon and call them gifts. Uprinting is going to print these 5x7 postcards in full color 14 gloss, as per my request. Not only do they do Custom Postcards, but they also do Custom Greeting Cards and so much more. You must check them out.

Your turn! UPrinting is giving TWO Mad Madam Em readers 200 custom postcards each! This is a $68.00 value! You can personalize your custom postcards for invitations, thank you cards, announcements, holiday greetings, etc. To start your design, all you need to do is download one of their templates to fit within their size requirements. Winner is responsible for shipping. Contest ends September 3rd, 2009. CONTEST ENDED! Congrats to comment number 10 and comment number 13!

• To enter: Tell me what you would print on 200 postcards.
• Bonus entry: Decide which of my two designs I should have printed and leave a comment below!
• Want an extra entry? Subscribe to my blog via email!
• Want one more? Tweet this:

@uprinting @emilyhorne Mad Madam Em Giveaway 200 Full Color Custom Postcards from Uprinting $68 value #giveaway http://bit.ly/9FfOE

A Quick Trip Home

I swapped with my mama, her kid for mine. My darling sister, Liz, was here for a whole week. I took this in her Senior year. She's a brain and attending ASU (go Rams).

So, we had a ball and so did Maggie, many stories for other times, but then we swapped back. I drive Liz & Jack the long 500 miles to mom's. When we got there Jack got a present from his Grammar & sister- a personalized sippy cup! He knew exactly how to use it, brilliant baby.

Mom decided to pull out the sewing machine. I am so proud of her.
She made a pillowcase. I can't wait to see what she will come up with next! (ducking)

Jack sure loves his Pop-Pop!
He is not too comfortable with grass though- very alien to him.
Good thing we don't have any :)

All that outside business called for a bath from Grammar in the sink.

Tired from his bathy- he fell asleep on sissy.

I took a few shots on the way home with the babies. This is in Pecos, TX.

This is in Pecos too, I can't pass up a broken-down house, especially with a clothesline.

I was raised to take pictures of trains, it's the right thing to do.

Sore soon, and some great giveaways coming up too. A new one from UPrinting! Stay tuned!

Aww! Adorable!

My Aunties have entered this competition, with the cutest picture ever!
Help them win by voting thumbs up- super easy.
Don't let the Chihuahua's win!!

Thursday Love

Two Portraits

The evolution of my photography has led me to these two shots today.

Maggie, looking into the sunset at Jamie and Chelsea's wedding.

Chelsea herself at the edge of a wonderfully strange canyon.

Online Poster Printing- Canvas Print Giveaway!

About Online Poster Printing

Online Poster Printing specializes in printing high-quality posters using premium materials. They offer a money back guarantee on all their products, such as photo canvas prints, vinyl banners, wall stickers, and rolled or mounted poster prints.



WIN a 16x20" Rolled Canvas Print
with your favorite image!

All you have to do is leave a comment describing the photo you would have printed!


WOOT! We have a WINNER! YAY!!

Eden B said... 19

The picture I would use would be of my family, nestled together, in our coordinating outfits,out by a history barn in Hershey,Pa.My three boys are the babies that the doctors told me I would never have (twins and a singleton) so I've been wanting a large print to hang in the living room, to remind me every moment what huge a blessing they are...even on the hard days. It would be fun to win. Thanks for the chance.

and then she WON! and you can win too, just click here-


Giveaway is open to US/CAN residents. Shipping of prizes is not included and must be paid by winner. Online Poster Printing reserves the right not to print obscene or offensive materials. Contest ends July29th, 2009. Canvas Prints will be awarded by coupon code on Friday July 31, 2009. The email sent out with the coupon code will also include directions on how to order. Make sure you have your high-resolution photo ready.

Tweet this for an extra entry!

@EmilyHorne WIN a 16x20" Rolled Canvas Print with your favorite image! #Giveaway from Mad Madam Em http://bit.ly/TQ2dw

Business Cards Online

Dodge Boys Mom Review and Giveaway

I needed a new crib sheet, I was workin' with 3 of them, one of which I picked up at a yard sale and I am fairly sure is circa 1983, how sad. I turned to Etsy, looking for durable and unique crib bedding, and that is just what I found in Dodge Boys Mom. She makes these fantastic 100% cotton crib sheets. At first, I was going to get this Froggy sheet, to match Jack's nursery, but then I saw this Airplane print and had to have it.

These sheets have been pre-washed to prevent shrinkage and right now Dodge Boys Mom has 57 prints to choose from! Jeanette, the handcrafter behind the Etsy store doesn't just make crib sheets. She also creates bibs, burp pads, hooded towels, and tote bags! I can't even sew on a button! The construction on this sheet is sturdy: excellent quality.

I can tell it will hold up to many, many washes.

This contest has ended! Thanks to all that entered. Curious who won? Well, it was:

pixie13

Dodge Boys Mom has been cool enough to offer a giveaway to Mad Madam Em readers! A $25 gift certificate to her Etsy store! Aren’t you happy you're here? Just head on over to Dodge Boys Mom on Etsy and tell me which awesome handcrafted item(s) would want for the little one in your life and leave a comment below. This giveaway will run for two weeks, ending Tuesday, July 26th 2009. Winner will be notified via email, so be sure I can get to your email or leave it in your comment.

Extra entries!

1. Twitter this post! Just copy and paste this:

@emilyhorne #GIVEAWAY! http://bit.ly/OiFMK $25 Gift Certificate to Dodge Boys Mom on Etsy: crib sheets, hooded towels, totes for baby!

2. Subscribe to my Bloggity Blog via email (top right-hand corner).
3. Add my button to your blog and link it here… yippy!
4. Blog about this post and link it here… woohoo!

5. For FIVE extra entries! Make a purchase at Dodge Boys Mom and email me your receipt (you can take out all of the personal info)!

Jemez Mountains 70's Style

We just got home from another wonderful trip up to Jenn and Damien's cabin in the Jemez. We even hiked up to the San Antonio Hot Springs, which is like my favorite place on the planet. I captured many images, but I will not allow myself to post them until I start pulling out my older shots. These are from the first trip we took out to their cabin, I got these on my way home, and as usual, I like to pretend I shot them with a Polaroid (which is sadly no longer producing instant photography) in 1974. Enjoy.

This is best viewed large, please click to expand

Uno más, por favor amigo, mi hermosa bebé, Maggie.

I'm a Guest Blogger!! Chalkboard Spray Paint Craft

Huggalugs Review and Giveaway

Contest Closed! Congrats Stephanie!

I think I had a baby to put him in legwarmers. When the trend started a few years ago, I could only imagine my little crawler rocking a pair of striped leg huggers.
Now Jack actually wears them! Huggalugs, in fact.
Go check out their site, they have so many adorable designs, and they have some fantastic photography.



My little mansey has some serious chubby legs, and I was worried they would pinch at the top. In the very least, I assumed they would leave red marks, indentations where the leg huggers were pulled up. Nope! Not with Huggalugs. They are breathable, they do not pinch and yet they stay up!
Love them!



Another amazing thing is that Jack and Maggie can share them! She can wear them on her arms and heck, even as legwarmers with a skirt. Jack rocks them on his legs, perfect from crawling and then potty training. Now, how many other clothing items can my 11 year old girl share with my 6 month old, I ask ya? So, I want 22 pairs please. Starting with the Jo Bomber's, then we need a pair of the Wild Child and round it out with a pair of the Train Tracks. I have several adorable shirts to pair my Huggalugs with, this "Here Comes Trouble" tee is compliments of bon bébé from their adorable Wild Child line. You must go check them out- so cute.

Huggalugs has been cool enough to offer a giveaway to Mad Madam Em readers! Aren’t you happy you're here? Just head on over to Huggalugs shop and tell me which design is your favorite and leave a comment below. This giveaway will run for two weeks, ending Friday, July 10th 2009. Winner will be notified via email, so be sure I can get to your email or leave it in your comment.

Extra entries!

1. Twitter this post! Just copy and paste this:

@emilyhorne GIVEAWAY! http://madmadamem.blogspot.com/ free baby leg warmers from Huggalugs! You pick the design!

2. Subscribe to my Bloggity Blog via email (top right-hand corner).
3. Add my button to your blog and link it here… yippy!
4. Blog about this post and link it here… woohoo!
5. Comment on another post on this Bloggity Blog and link it here… yeeeeeha!

6. For FIVE extra entries! Make a purchase at Huggalugs and email me your receipt (you can take out all of the personal info)!

The Trendy Tadpole Review and Giveaway

Contest closed... congrats Jami!

Take pictures of your children. Take pictures of your children in funny shirts. Do this so in twenty years they will look at pictures from their youth and think you were hip. You won't be hip anymore, but at least you were for a while. Not only were you cool, you made your kid cool. Nobody is cooler than Johnny Cash. Johnny Cash and Jack Stone, of course.

This absolutely adorable rockin’ shirt came to us from The Trendy Tadpole. I have fallen in LOVE with their designs. The Buddha Belly, Oh Snap, and These aren’t the parents designs are my absolute favorites, but it is hard to choose.

Jack's Boy in Black shirt is a lap tee. From The Trendy Tadpole:

"What in the world is a lap tee and will it give my baby super powers?

Lap tee's are those funny little tee shirts with the flaps around the neck so the baby's giant head can get through without ripping it apart. Trendy Tadpole baby tee shirts are made on American Apparel and are 100% cotton and stretchy. Trendy Tadpole's funny baby clothes will be the hit at the next baby shower."

The Trendy Tadpole has been cool enough to offer a giveaway to Mad Madam Em readers! Aren’t you happy you're here? Just head on over to The Trendy Tadpole and tell me which design is your favorite and leave a comment below. This giveaway will run for two weeks, ending Friday, July 3rd 2009. Winner will be notified via email, so be sure I can get to your email or leave it in your comment.

Extra entries!

1. Twitter this post! Just copy and paste this:

@emilyhorne GIVEAWAY! http://madmadamem.blogspot.com/ free hip T-shirt from Trendy Tadpole! Johnny Cash, The Clash and more!

2. Subscribe to my Bloggity Blog via email (top right-hand corner).
3. Add my button to your blog and link it here… yippy!
4. Blog about this post and link it here… woohoo!
5. Comment on another post on this Bloggity Blog and link it here… yeeeeeha!

6. For FIVE extra entries! Make a purchase at The Trendy Tadpole and email me your receipt (you can take out all of the personal info)!

SALE!! 50% off ALL Trendy Tadpole shirts with checkout code: WHOLESALE