Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Miracles


"It is a miracle if you can find true friends, and it is a miracle if you have enough food to eat, and it is a miracle if you get to spend your days and evenings doing whatever it is you like to do, and the holiday season - like all other seasons - is a good time not only to tell stories of miracles, but to think about the miracles in your own life, and to be grateful for them."
~Lemony Snicket (The Lump of Coal)

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Happy December!

Good day to you! It is the first day of December, can you believe it?! I cannot...especially since I have been a total blog slacker, and am not prepared to post anything today. I have been very under the weather. The kind of sick where you are not sure whether you need to throw up or lay down...sorry tmi? I did manage to make it to work where I drank tea (my body wouldn't even let me drink hot cocoa...so sad), and thought long and hard about eating some soup. For those of you who care, I did get down 2 oranges, and some toast. I would rather get 10 shots than deal with this illness...and that is saying A LOT, because I loathe needles....

Anyhoo I do not have anything prepared for you today, but I did want to let you know I have been working on the advent calendar, and a few cards. My camera is dead at the moment and needs to be charged (wow I am FULL of excuses today...), but as soon as everything is back to "normal" I will get my bootie in gear and fill you in on my craftiness. In case you missed it, here are the details. :)

Oh and I forgot to mention, I am redesigning my blog so it may look a little funky the next few days. Thanks for your patience - it should look much cleaner here soon. :) YA!

Have a happy Saturday!


Sunday, November 25, 2012

25 Days of Craftiness

Christmas a few years back...
 
Greetings friends! I have been so inspired by all the DIY-ing on the world wide web that I have decided to try my hand at some fun holiday cheer. The list below are just a few of my favorites, and I would like to try leading up to the big 2-5 of December. The catch is that I am trying my best to mostly use items I already have for these crafts. Wish me luck!

Be sure to check out my Pinterest board for more inspiration, and be sure to try some do-it-yourself-ing this month. :) Enjoy!

1. Felt Christmas Tree Ornaments (Bugs and Fishes)
2. Fabric Ornament (V and Co.)
3. Pretty Paper Ornament (Craftberry Bush)
4. Candy Cane Cocktail (Martha Stewart)
5. Scrap a Family Recipe (My Mind's Eye)
6. Host a Cookie Exchange Party (Ellinee)
7. Clay Letter Garland (Oh Happy Day)
8. Pretty Painted Nails, such as these (The Beauty Department)
9. DIY Christmas trees like this (Our Pinteresting Family), or this (Minted), or this (Rockstar Diaries)
10. Chalkboard! (My Sister's Suitcase)
11. December Daily notebook for keepsakes. I adore this one! (The Nerd Nest)
12. Colorful Wall Art (Daisy Made Belle)
13. Advent Calendar similar to this (Silhouette Blog)
14. Christmas Card Shaker (Echo Park Paper blog)
15. Glitter Bobby Pins (The Beauty Department)
16. Christmas Wreath (Creativity Living)
17. Lemon Ricotta Donuts (Elephantine)
18. Mini Holiday Advent Album (Two Peas in a Bucket)
19. Lavender Hot Chocolate (A La Mode)
20. Paper Napkin Poinsettia (Ellinee)
21. Homemade gifts like this (Family Circle)
22. Display for Christmas Cards (Martha Stewart)
23. Christmas Candles (The Ivy Cottage)
24. Hand-made Ornament (A Sorta Fairytale)
25. Marshmallows! (The Urban Poser)

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Holiday Spirit!

Hello there! Hope this week is treating you well. This week I have been able to create a few crafty items, but I have been very busy pinning so I thought I would share with you a few fun things I found!

Another beautiful advent calendar from Chefmessy! This one looks very fun, yet simple.

A wonderful DIY wreath for any seaon over at Two Junk Chix (their blog is awesome btw).

Such a great idea, and I just got a white pumpkin this weekend! :) Chatelaine blog

Can you tell I am in the holiday spirit? Well, just in case you didn't know I AM! The change in weather here has me making chili, and drinking tea and cocoa all day. It is wonderful!

Here is a sneak at a card I am working on for the upcoming Bazzill card swap! Hooray for the holidays. :D
 
What are you looking forward to during this holiday season?
 
Check back next week - I will have more fun things to share! Have a wonderful week.
 
 

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Weekly Update: Slowing down

Hello! Sorry for the lack of posts lately - I felt like I was on a roll a few months ago! I need to update you on a big change that has happened, which will explain my lack of blogging. I officially started full time one week ago at my job and I am so excited to have more time in the office during the week, especially being able to see other staff members. I am truly blessed with a wonderful work place, and a job that I love and am passionate about. I would love to be able to blog more, but I have been stressing out about getting a post out each day. So I have made a decision to only post once a week. I am hoping this will lead to less stress for me, and better photos and posts for you! (win, win) :)

Thank you for all your support, and I hope you check back soon. Have a wonderful day!


 
Oh man, gotta also find as much time as possible to spend with this little guy. I love him so much!

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Weekly Update

Hello fellow bloggies! Sorry for my absence - things have been a little crazy this past week. On top of being sick for a few days, one of my dear friends is moving across the country, and I am looking into daycare for our son, which I didn't think would be so difficult, but it has been emotional. In fact, I have been overly emotional about the whole thing, and after looking intensely for places in our area for a few hours, I had a breakdown on the phone with hubby, which caused him to be overly concerned about me the rest of the day. Let me tell you, not fun. I ended up looking at a place that seems like a good option so we shall see what unfolds. We have great options right now, but we would really like him to be interacting more with kids his age. It would also be ideal to find a place that has a daycare, and preschool. That way we could keep him there until he is ready to go to kindergarten. But not only is it hard to find a place like this, it is even harder to trust a place to watch your precious baby, especially when you worked at a daycare center for several years. There are great places, and some not so great places. It can also depend on each individual person, but I need a place that has consistancy and where I know everyone and they know me. Many commercial daycare centers do not offer that - not that I have been to EVERY one, but I am looking for something a little more personal. I know it will all work out. Please pray, cross your fingers, send good thoughts into the air. We always appreciate it! :)

Needless to say I have not been that creative this week, but it has been busy so here are some highlights:
  • Hubby has replaced the large mirror in our master bath with two individual mirrors. He also hung a few paintings above our bed - now we need a headboard! Pictures soon!
  • Made homemade banana chips, which turned out a lot better than homemade apple chips that I burned cause I forgot the timer went off...opps. I will definately try BOTH these recipes again. BTW A Beautiful Mess is one of my favorite blogs - YOU should check it out).
  • Discovered a yummy white chicken chili recipe (my mom also makes a killer white chili).
  • Received my cards from the Bazzill Basics Paper card swap and I am super excited for the holiday swap. The cards I got are so cute. Such talented ladies!
And here are a few things that have caught my eye (some have been catching my eye for weeks!):
This makes me laugh every time I see it! Arcadiagraphic on Etsy

I am so excited for Christmas. West Elm holiday ornaments on Simplified Bee

Craftberry Bush is another favorite blog. Lucy knows how to put beautiful things together and photograph them well.


 
What is catching your eye this week? Hope you are having a nice week. <3 p="p">

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Paper Pinwheel fun!

Hello bloggies - hope you are having a nice day! This week I decided to try my hand at a popular trend right now: paper pinwheels. There are many tutorials and ideas floating around on the internet. I found this video from Two Peas in a Bucket's Adventures of Glitter Girl very inspiring (if you haven't seen these videos you should check them out). I also found this cute card from liveteachcreate, which is so adorable! I will post a how-to later on this week, but here is the card I created. Hope you enjoy!




For more pinwheel inspiration check out my pinterest board here. Thanks for stopping by!

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Try It Tuesday: Zucchini bread



3 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups shredded zucchini
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nugmeg
 
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F 
2. Combine eggs, sugar, and vanilla until well mixed. Fold in zucchini.
3. Sift together dry ingredients in separate bowl.
4. Pour dry ingredients into wet until mixed.
5. Fill greased pan (loaf, muffin, square) 2/3.
6. Bake for 1 hour or until toothpick inserted into middle comes out clean.
 
This recipe can be made into loaves or muffins.
You can also substitute whole wheat flour for the all-purpose.


Monday, September 17, 2012

Motivational Monday

 
“Nothing is predestined: The obstacles of your past can become
the gateways that lead to new beginnings.”
- Ralph Blum

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Try It Tuesday: tomato tart

Hello bloggies! A simple recipe that my mom always used to make is Tomato Tart, and decided to try making it myself. Great way to use all the tomatoes you may have laying around...YUM!

 
Tomato Tart*

4-5 large ripe tomatoes
1 cup shredded cheese (combo of Parmesan, mozzarella, and Swiss)
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup chopped basil
salt & pepper
ready-made or homemade pie crust
 
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Par bake pie crust if needed.
2. Mix together mayonnaise, basil, and sour cream.
3. Layer cheese, tomato, s&p, and wet mixture in pie crust (in that order) until you have 3-4 layers. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top.
4. Bake in oven for 15 minutes or until bubbly.
 
*Please note that these are only approximate measurements. My mom said she usually guesses on the amounts for each ingredient. You could also try different cheeses, or substituting yogurt or ricotta for the sour cream.

Monday, September 10, 2012

Motivational Monday


"To be yourself in a world that is constantly
trying to make you something else
 is the greatest accomplishment."
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Friday, September 7, 2012

Preview Friday

Hello friends - be sure to check back next week, because I will share a new favorite crisp recipe, Halloween cards I am working on, and how to make a jewelry holder from an old corkboard. Have a wonderful weekend!


Thursday, September 6, 2012

2 posts in one!


Hey friends - this is a 2-for-1 blog post. First one of my favorite shops on Etsy: Dancing Mooney. Janell not only has beautiful jewelry, but she also makes the most amazing soap. I love this vintage necklace above. I hope you find her art inspiring!
 
"The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance."
~Aristotle
 

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Confession...

Ok I will admit it. I do have a need to keep things...people have called me an hoarder in jest. I am guilty of keeping bills and receipts years after the purchase (one of my current "projects" is cleaning out the file cabinet). Although the shows about hoarding do facinate me, the thought of stuffing our house full of stuff stresses me out to the point that I after watching just a few minutes of these shows, I immediately start giving away things I would never have wanted to before. The disease facinates and frightens me all at once!

Anyway...I have been trying to organize my craft room, which has turned into the guest/workout/office/misc room. I do not mind since my hubby has been so great about letting me do what I want with the room, even if I change the room right after he spent hours helping me rearrange it. The hardest part is getting a room just right (is it ever truly right?), and I have been guilty in the past of taking everything in my room, putting it in the center of the room, and then totally rearranging it. At least it keeps me busy...for now. But the hardest thing for me is that I have a lot of stuff, but I need to have it organized otherwise I get totally overwelmed and cannot focus on anything but the piles of stuff.

There are many great organizing ideas all over the internet, and here are a few of my favorites that I have already incorporated or would like to:
using a binder to store clear stamps - I do this now and it is handy (I cut out the paper telling me the manufactutor and tape it to the back of the stamp set)

ribbon storage - I kinda do this, but it is not color coordinated...

recycled storage containers
 
using pegboard
 
You can find more ideas here at the Better Homes and Gardens website.
 
Speaking of getting organized, I have decided to have a focus each day on this blog. I am hoping this will help me when I am having a hard time finding something to write about or need inspiration. Here is the following schedule:
MONDAY: Adventure of the week (something new I have either done or plan on doing relating to crafting)
TUESDAY: Crafty inspiration (either my work or others)
WEDNESDAY: A few of my favorite things.
THURSDAY: Inspirational (quote and photo)
FRIDAY: Week wrap-up and fun weekend ideas.
 
I also think it would be fun to incorporate something like this for my family relating to chores, meals, etc. I have something in mind and will share it soon.
 
Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful night :)

Monday, September 3, 2012

Fall is here!

Hello bloggies! Hope this holiday weekend treated you well. For most of us, school starts tomorrow (can you believe it?). Summer may be over, and although fall does not officially start until September 22nd, I cannot wait for one of my favorite seasons. Here are a few things I am looking forward to this fall:

 
Pumpkin Patches

Owl Prowls (they start nesting and are most vocal - I heard one a few weeks ago!)

the beach! my fave time to go actually - not as many people
 

Our anniversary - it will be 5 years already

Hanging out with family, and checking out the beautiful sunsets
 
 
FOOTBALL! My husband paid me to write that...just kidding. ;)
 
Just a few of the things I am looking forward to this fall. What are you looking forward to this fall? Have a favorite time of year?
 

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Motivational Thursday



Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires courage. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

A few of my favorite things.

Hello bloggites - short post today...doesn't the title of this post make you want to bust out singing "The Sound of Music" soundtrack? I actually just did, and it was epic. Sometimes I wish I could just bust out singing in real life and everyone around me would join in and we would start dancing like in all the classic musicals (think Sound of Music, West Side Story, Rent...etc). I digress...

Here are some things I have been eyeing lately. What is catching your eye these days?
 
Such a knarly necklace. Sharks are so cool.
 

My nails would look amazing with these awesome bird nail transfers.
 

This bag is so beautiful I woudn't have the heart to give it away.
 
My heart and my home are in Oregon. Love this place mucho.
 
Cookies that are works of art!
 
Thanks for stopping by!

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Old photos

Hello fellow bloggies - I hope you had a marvelous day! Mine was great for two main reasons; 1) I got to hang out with my two main little guys (B and JB), and 2) I was able to start two and finish one scrapbook page using a few old family photos. Usually I just put photos on a page and decorate without journaling, but I wanted to challenge myself by journaling and incorporating a sketch or two I found.

This scrapbook page was something I wanted to create for a while. My hubby and I have been blessed with multiple sets of relatives who have been married for at least two decades. They are both wonderful examples of how a relationship can work, each in it's own way. I treasure the individual relationships I have with each one, and also respect and value their marriages as examples for our own.

Here is the first page:

 
 
 
Items used: Pink Paislee - Indigo Bleu stamps, Nantucket ribbon trims, Prairie Hill shopping tags, Expressions Wood Shop timber wood alphabet, Paper: Butterfly Garden – Botanical Gardens; Nantucket - Lobster Bisque; Collage Press – Taffeta; Cosmo Cricket Tiny Type
Here are the two sketches I drew from in case you didn't see my last post. I found them both on Pinterest, but I am putting the original sources here.

scrapbook.com

janaeubanksketch.blogspot.com
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The second page has a few photos from when my brother was little. He is sooo cute in them - mind you he is 23 now. This page is not complete. Here is the preview:
 
Sorry for the poor lighting, I will have a better one when it is finished. I will also list the items I used.
 
And finally a photo I took today of the boys playing that I am going to make into a page titled "My First Buddy" or something like that... :)
 

So sweet.
 
 
Until next time, have a wonderful day!
 
 


Monday, August 27, 2012

Adventure of the week: Scrapbook sketches

Greetings bloggies - hope the beginning of your week went well. Today was filled with family portraits, a Lowes run, and watching the latest episode of The Newsroom...again (my hubby really digs it). I also worked on the wedding programs for my friend and went to a Zumba party! Very productive I would say.

On facebook I talked about trying something new with my scrapbooking. I want to make sure that I follow through and give you an update. I am not finish with the page, but I want to show you what I have done so far. Usually when I scrap I put photos on the page with a date and maybe a location - I never journal. Not because I don't want to, but because I have never tried. Some background: although I have been making cards and scrapping for a while now, it has only been recently that I have started paying attention to brands and trends. Recently I discovered Studio Calico and I have become hooked! I am waiting for Christmas so I can sign up for a subscription cause that is how much I am getting into it. Anyhoo, below are two sketches and the supplies I will be using for my page. Not sure if I will have time tonight to finish my scrapbook page tonight, but if I do I will update this post...:)

Enjoy!


Supplies all from Pink Paislee:
Indigo Bleu border stickers, Indigo Bleu stamps, Nantucket ribbon trims, Prairie Hill shopping tags, Expressions Wood Shop timber wood alphabet, Paper: Butterfly Garden – Botanical Gardens; Collage Press – Taffeta; Christy Tomlinson She Art - Leap
 
 
 


 
I found both off Pinterest, but I am linking the original sources here: Scrapbook.com and Jane Eubank's Sketches
 
 
 
 
 

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Washi tape, brads, wood veneers...oh my!


Hello friends - hope you are enjoying the end of your weekend. I cannot believe summer is over, but I am also glad because my favorite season is coming up! I simply love fall - especially in western Oregon so I am starting this post with some fall items I am diggin' right now, and then a few photos of a few things I have been working on.
http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/shop/freckled-fawn/131110-birds-on-a-wire-washi-tape/?filters=whats-hot



 
 
So many fun things to scrapbook and make cards with! I am so excited to start the Pop off the Page class with Jen Jockisch offered by Studio Calico. I received all my supplies for the class a few weeks ago, but I have been anxiously awaiting for the class to start! One week left. See my goodies in the photo below.
 
 
Just a few more photos of two cards I made and a wedding program I am working on! Thanks for stopping by, and hopefully you read all the way to the bottom...:) I will leave you with a kitty photo since you are so nice to finish reading my post. Have a wonderful Monday!
I have been working on my photography skills...can you tell?!
 
 
Oh kitty, you are so silly!
 
 
Annnnd one more photo of what I will be posting about next...my wonderful box of goodies from Pink Paislee. Stay tuned. :)