Happy Love Day!

Wishing you a day filled with love. xo.

Birthday wishes

Some 11 years ago, I graduated from college and moved into my very first apartment. It was then that I discovered my love for all things paper and virtually any craft ever invented. I especially took a liking to making my own cards - and made so many that I had a nice stash to draw from for everyone's birthdays, anniversaries, etc. In the past few years, that's changed, big time. It's not that I don't love making cards, it's just that I've got a limited amount of leisure time and I'd rather do something else these days (read: knit).

Two very dear friends have birthdays this month, and I really wanted to make some cards for them. And yet, it's been so long, I drew a blank. Where to start? What to use? And then I got overwhelmed - until I remembered that I'd actually bookmarked some ideas I'd seen online. Totally drew on them and the resulting cards were cute and quick to put together.

The first card, above, was inspired by this tag by Nora Griffin. I love her cards and visit her blog often. She's so creative, and I love that her cards aren't at all fussy. I love her use of color - so fun. If you haven't yet visited her blog, I highly recommend it. I got this deer stamp on clearance more than a year ago, and while it's been used for a few holiday projects here and there, it wasn't until I saw Nora's tag that I realized how versatile it could be. Maybe if I get my act together I can whip up some 'dear friend' Valentine's day cards, too (maybe.....).

This card, was inspired by this one from Two Peas in a Bucket. I love these robot stamps and hadn't really used them much because I kept thinking they were really boyish. After seeing the original card, it got me thinking that the little robots could really be versatile. This card is for a little girl, and I think that even though the base card is white & blue, the added purple touches  and glitter glue make it work. Our little friend is turning 6, and she's such a cool girl, I know she won't mind that this isn't a syrupy sweet all pink card.

I am always astonished at the amount of inspiration online, and so grateful for people who so generously share their ideas. Had it not been for them, I probably wouldn't have made the effort to go dig out my supplies and put these little cards together. So glad I did. I love homemade cards.

Getting ready for Easter

Earlier this week, the table in the guest room (which doubles as my craft space, but these days hasn't seen much use) looked like this:

Now, I would love to say that whenever I make a mess and start a project, it has a happy resolution and something totally cool is created. But, as anyone who knows me will tell you, I LOVE to start projects and have the best intentions to finish them... but often don't. I've got half-finished Valentine's day cards and St. Patrick's day cards to prove it. This year, I decided to force myself to focus and get some cuteness made up from this little mess I'd made.

I made a few Easter cards with some forgotten stamps and some much neglected pretty pastel scrapbooking paper that otherwise would continue to be stored under my craft table forever. (I do have a boy, after all).

I made some super-simple but very cute gift cards for M to give to his friends. They're 3"x3" and super simple to make.

And, finally, I got some Easter treats together for some special kids in our lives. I usually keep items that I think will make good packaging for gifts later down the road. I had saved the clear boxes that Papertrey Ink's stamp sets come in, but wasn't sure what I would use them for. Then I remembered seeing this idea for turning the boxes to gift bags -- and I knew how I would package up the goodies. I finished off the goodie packs with some left over stamped Easter images.

We are not big on candy at our house, and I know that the kids that these are going to also don't eat much candy. So I stayed away from the typical candy baskets and chocolate bunnies, and instead filled the treat bags with things I know my toddler loves: stickers, fruit tape, raisins, a new tiny pad of paper and new markers, and a new movie. There were a bunch of toddler-friendly dvd's on sale for $3.99 at Target last week, so I snatched up a few that I think the kids will like. One of the girls who is getting one  is really into crafts and art projects, so instead of a movie, she's getting a washable ink pad (pink, of course!) and a fun bunny stamp. 

All in all, the treat bags were simple and inexpensive to put together, and I'm glad to be giving them some fun little treats rather than candy. I can't wait to give them to our little friends!

So full

These past couple of weeks have been so full for us.

First, as we prepared for our friends' visit, our days were full of preparations: cleaning, grocery shopping, cooking.

Then, once they arrived, our days were full of fun, laughter, reminiscing, and love. And my heart felt like it would burst every time I heard the Monkey tell our friends he loved them. They are such good friends, it was such a wonderful blessing to have them visit.

After our friends left, our days were full of teething issues, sleep problems, and crankiness; full of moments where counting to 10 was necessary and where tempers were tested.

And now it finally seems that we've moved beyond that (for now), and our days are once again full of laughter, play, and lots and lots of singing.

Oh, and lots of preparations for the Monkey's upcoming birthday party, of course! I finally got the invitations made last night, and am so happy with how they turned out. I used Papertrey Ink's Enjoy the Ride stamp set and an older dinosaur from AMuse. When I saw this adorable card by Erin Lincoln, I knew that was the route I'd take for the invitations. The theme is dinosaurs, and I was a bit worried that it didn't come across so well (aside from the pun in the wording, of course). But then the Monkey saw it this morning and he said, "Mami, dino driving car!". Mission accomplished!

I initially wanted to have the dino flying an airplane instead of driving a car, but the stamp set I own (PTI's Fly Away) didn't work with the dinosaur I already owned... and I wasn't about to go out and buy all new stamps for 8 invitations. I really like how they turned out, though, so it worked out for the best... and I'm thinking I might have to use this dino + car combo for something else for the party. Any ideas?

I have a handful of other things I want to make for his birthday, including a quilt for his crib this summer. I'm really keeping my fingers crossed we won't be dealing with sleep issues much longer, so that I can get back in the sewing room a few nights this week and get his quilt finished. I'm so excited!!