Northern Lights

Tonight I looked around at my messy house and then I looked at my amazing kids. And for the first time it all felt exactly how it's supposed to be.  For the first time I wasn't feeling stressed or annoyed by the jungle that our home has become.  Everything was exactly how it's supposed to be when you've got a 5 year old and a 2 year old.

I want to remember this moment forever. 

I want to remember on the crazy days when laundry, dishes, dirty sinks, stinky diapers, broken toys, books, crushed cheerios, sticky lollipops, tantrums, and a big dog following me everywhere feel like vines strangling the jungle.

I want to remember to breath...and ENJOY EVERY MINUTE that I can with these incredible littles that my love and I created!

They are growing so fast!

They are amazing!

I don't want to miss the big stuff because I'm sweating the little stuff!

Before the kids went to bed tonight we FINALLY replaced the batteries in our star light turtle.

Me: "why did we take so long to do this? it's so awesome!"
little dude: "because we just forgot, it's ok let's just enjoy it."

I've always loved to look at the stars! When I was younger I had a convertible, a nissan 240sx, loved that car.  One of my favorite memories in the car was putting the seat back with the top down, looking at the stars and listening to music.  I told the kids about that tonight.  I played the song I loved playing when I looked at the stars in my car called Northern Lights.

little dude: "I love your music mom."
Me: "I had a feeling you would buddy"

The three of us snuggled and star gazed.

We saw the moon.

We saw the smile faces in the stars.

We talked about art.

We changed the color of the stars.

We breathed.

We listened...

Me:"This is one of the best moments of my entire life...I love you both so much."
little dude: "Mine too...I love you mommy."
little miss: (muffled from the binki) "me too guys"

*HEART MELTING*

Our life is not perfect, really whose is? It's chaotic and messy. Exactly how it should be! I am so blessed and lucky. This I will always remember!

Do something special with your little munchkin today, forget about EVERYTHING and just focus on them. You will be so glad you did!

Don't bite off more than you can chew!

I've been working really hard to finish a few more pieces so I can open my Etsy shop by August 1st.  I'm absolutely digging the work.  It's a great way for me to check out for a bit,do something for me that I really love,  listen to music, and most importantly have a creative outlet again!

 I have a tendency of looking at the big picture too much and sometimes...ok all the time...it kicks me off the track. It disrupts my focus.  In turn I take on too much and then there's no way for me to succeed. So this time I will learn from past mistakes and take this one step at a time!

The only thing I need to concentrate on right now is getting my store up and running and of course selling something!  

My hubby is in sales and he always says "nothing happens until you sell something." So true.  When I started this blog I thought...

-do a project start to finish
-take pictures along the way 
-blog about it.

 Easier said then done! Tutorials take time. I've got 2 young kids, a husband that travels for work and we don't live close to family. So I don't have much help.  I need to be honest about what I can and can not accomplish so I don't set myself up to fail.  At this point in time I am stealing moments to work on my projects.  So I will not be doing tutorials right now.  I'm not saying never I'm just saying not right now. I will post pictures of my work but step by step tutorials with pictures are just not happening.

2 weeks ago I had a mother's helper 3 hours a day for the entire week.

 Totally Rocked!  

It's amazing how much you can get done when you have uninterrupted  time to work.  I absolutely ADORE my littles but it's not easy to craft when they are in the studio with me. We are in the process of setting up a play space in the basement. This will definitely buy me some more time. So for now I will not bite off more than I can chew.  I'll be back with updates on getting the shop up and running.

Until then...

GET CRAFTY!

Mod Podge ROCKS!

*original post: July 11, 2012*

Totally Rocks!  Have I been living under a crafty mod podgeless rock?  How on earth am I just learning about this amazing sticky wonder and all it's awesome crafty uses? I must confess it's an addiction... I just want to Mod Podge everything!  I've got a long list of projects to try and I can't wait!

I've had a mother's helper this week(squeal)...SWEET! So nice to get some daylight hours to get some projects done. I finished a few small projects that I can't wait to share!  I bet your thinking...is this chick ever gonna post pictures and how to's?  I know ...I know...I need to get my stuff out of the dungeon that is my basement, find some natural light and snap some pics. I'm new at this and will be more on the ball as time goes by.  Good thing I have no followers yet:)-

I grabbed "MOD PODGE ROCKS" button today.  It's a ridiculously helpful blog with tons of information about all different types of Mod Podge and projects.  Yes there's more than one kind of Mod Podge!  Amy's got a post on all the different types of Mod Podge and what their best uses are.  I also learned that making your own Mod Podge is a big fat NO NO.  So for all you Pinterest lovers pay no attention to the Mod Podge recipe.  According to the Mod Podge Guru it's not worth it and won't work as well as the real stuff.  Check her site out it's my go to these days. www.modpodgerocksblog.com

Now go get Crafty!

Lovely Day...

*original post: July 8th*

Well the shower was a smashing success!  I was actually really proud of my work.  It was truly a party made with love so that always makes things easier and less stressful:) Plus my awesome mom was in town a few days before to help craft, make and do...NEVER would have gone as smoothly without her help.  Thanks Momma!

Most importantly the ladies had a lovely afternoon mini-feast and seemed to enjoy themselves very much.  It tickles me pink to see people enjoying themselves at my parties.  I guess that's part of the thrill for me.

The momma-to be, my BFF, love her like a sister, Moh-Moh to my kids and just my all around gal pal was absolutely radiant!  She had the glow, the hair, the nails, the belly...if you've been prego ya know what I'm talking about:)

Quick back story:

My best friend from college is married to my husband's best friend from college...we really all lucked out! The four of us have a very close relationship, we consider each other more like family than friends. When I was pregnant with my son (who's turning 5 this month...gag) Dave was diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer.  He needed to start chemo immediately. This was the year they were getting married and long story short...He's a fighter and he's 5 years in remission!  There was a 1 % chance they could conceive naturally...1 freaking percent , pretty rough odds.   Well, they beat the odds this winter without even "trying".  What an amazing New Year's surprise:) People always say that babies are miracles and after giving birth to 2 of my own, they really and truly are.  However this little boo boo shana is a miracle of miracles!!! She is such a gift and we are all so excited to meet her summer!

Oh...It's A Girl!

Now it's easier to understand why I was just ecstatic to shower her and her lil' love bug with this lovely day. So, linking in with the decor aspect of my blog... I made many of the decorations for the party.  Hope this inspires you to create a lovely day for someone you love!

I made some cute signs that I displayed around the house:

I placed 2 spoons in each jelly jar that was stuffed with coconut cake and this sign stood next to them.

I had a small journal for guests to write a little something to baby about life and love. Sadly nobody wrote anything.  In hind sight I should have done my entry first to give the guests some inspiration.

Love Bug's Garden Patch! 

AND NOW THE FOR THE DETAILS...

Momma-to-be is a vegetarian so the savory table was a little garden patch filled with her favorite veggie inspired bites.

I made the little birdhouse in the corner too:) so easy. Buy one at Michael's, grab some paint, ribbon and embellishments and try to make one yourself!

I embellished all the little cups and serving pieces. I just think it adds so much.  Takes time to do but well worth it in my opinion. I also tried a few new recipes I found on Pintrest. YUM! Cucumber Avocado Ceviche was a BIG HIT!

                         
                    Used Washi tape for the first time...AWESOME! Such an easy way to embellish!

                                                   

PEANUT BUTTER PIE SHOOTERS!

My new favorite party dessert.  Found this little gem on Pinterest. 

Super easy to make and a total crowd pleaser! 

The Sweets were displayed on the hutch in my den. I love using the pieces in my home as opposed to bringing in more tables and taking away from the mingling space.

The pictures just don't do it justice:( Next stop photography 101!  I don't take great pictures with artificial light. My house is really not lit very well and I have dark furniture. Perfect storm for not so great pictures.  I need to figure out a way to take better pics inside.  Any suggestions?

My husband's Grammy's recipe...insanely sweet and delicious. I don't even like coconut and I LOVE this cake! I put 2 spoons in each jelly jar and the "sharing is caring" sign beside them.

This was the same kind of cake she had at her wedding:)

      I ordered these sweet mini pie pops from Etsy.  The shop owner is really wonderful to work with!

Dave makes some insane chocolate chip cookies and I just had to have them at the party. So yummy! Something tells me he'll be whipping these up for his little love bug quite a bit over the years:)

We chose one of her favorite childhood stories and purchased a hard cover copy.  The guests really enjoyed helping to make a reading list for the baby.

I wanted the ladies to leave with a little something to thank them for joining in the festivities and making it a special day for my GURL Annalisa. Favors can really add a major expense to your budget.  So I decided to fill a few apothecary jars (if you don't have them borrow them from a friend and save some money:) with candy that matched the colors of the party.  The ladies grabbed cello bags and twisty ties to make their own goodie bags to take home.  Another highlight that created many giggles and smiles from the ladies.

CREDITS:

Old Time Favorites: http://www.etsy.com/shop/OldTimeFavorites pie pops

Caroline's Cakes:  www.carolinescakes.com  caramel cake

Paper in the Park: http://www.mypaperinthepark.com/ printed tent cards & signs

Thanks for stopping by and have a lovely day!

Busy as a Bee

*Original post: June 17th*

I am in the process of planning my best friends baby shower!  I've been wanting to post about some of the projects I'm doing and time just keeps flying by. So I'm stealing a minute to give a quick update.

As much as I love to create and craft I think I might love to plan parties just a smidgen more.  It incorporates all the things I love.  I get to create, craft, cook, style and most of all make someone I love feel special.  I have been planning this shower in my head for years and now it's finally happening.  In fact it's happening next Saturday!  I have a ton to do but it's coming along really nicely.

The theme is "Little Lady Lovebug".  My friend and her hubby have called each other LoveBug since I can remember so what could be cuter than a little love bug:) I'm describing the style as Mod Shabby Chic with bright colors that POP. Lots of bright flowers, jute ribbon, mason jars and lots of other fun accouterments!

I've been working on a few canvas signs that are super cute...lovebug garden patch, 100% made with love, love notes and sharing is caring.  The momma-to-be is welcome to take any of the signs home for the nursery or playroom.  If they don't match her decor I'll be opening my Etsy shop with them very soon:)

I was hoping to give a play by play on how I've made these little beauties but alas it just didn't happen this time.  I'll get better about taking pictures and posting I promise.

Hope everyone has a wonderful time celebrating the awesome dads in their lives! We've created a few special things for ours.  I'll be back once the party is over with a full story and pictures too!

Givin' it a Whirl...

*this post was originally written in April. Due to technical difficulties I started a new blog. I have decided to move all of the posts from the original blog.

I am about to embark on a journey. One that will hopefully fulfill my creative needs, give me something to work on that's just for me and oh yes some money would be nice please:) I'm a firm believer that money doesn't buy happiness but it sure does make life more comfortable! I am the momma of 2 remarkably delicious littles that I've had the privilege of staying home with for the past almost 5 years! My amazing husband works his cute little butt off to keep our family afloat and keep me at home to raise our little darlings. In the next couple of years the kids will be in school full time (which makes me gag a bit). I am determined to find a way to be "home" yet work (doing something I love) to help my awesome little family thrive. If I am being totally honest here a typical 9-5 job will completely and utterly crush my soul! I know that sounds dramatic but it's the truth! Therefor I MUST make this work. Now is the perfect time to attempt my new venture. I'm still at home with the kids (2 and 4yrs. old) and since they're not bitty babies anymore I've got a little, I repeat little more time and a lot more brain power. Sleep is a really really good thing! Success will only make me a better mom & wife. So it's a win win! Right;) So here folks is where the journey begins... I am a crafter, a creator and a passionate party maker. I love taking things that inspire me and turning them into pieces of art, a craft or party decoration. I often find myself thumbing through catalogues thinking I can just make that! Well now it's time I put my thoughts, creativity and skills to the test! I adore my children and will forever be a kid at heart. I loved decorating their nurseries and dreaming of ways to enhance and decorate their little lives. So...my plan is... to design and create decor for spaces where little ones dwell. I have a laundry list of projects to try and some that are already in progress. I love to craft and I'm super excited (yes I am aware I'm a dork;) I'll blog about each project and all the steps I take to work towards owning a successful and exciting craft business. TODAY I will start to create my little corner of the world... I will call this land... ******WHIRLYGIGGLES****** And so by proclamation of the fairy queen I declare today the first of many to be filled with imagination, decoration and inspiration for little ones everywhere!