a theme for the week

For the past few weeks, I've been trying "themed" weeks in an effort to try and be more organized and interactive with my kids. I've found that if I take the time to plan out activities for the week, it's easier for me to make sure I'm taking time during the day to devote just to my kids. Working from home full-time makes my schedule pretty crazy, and if I don't preplan, my day can easily get overtaken with the demands of work and just the basics of childcare. I'm not the best at just sitting down to play. I totally admire moms who are great at that. For me, having preplanned activities helps give me a focus and ensures that I'm prepared and scheduled to "just play". Even if it is only for 10 or 15 minutes, these activities have given Elle and I something new to do together each day, and I hope it helps her feel and understand how important she and Liv are to me. To record these ideas for my own personal reference, I'm going to post these projects/ideas under a kids focus theme. Do any of you have any ideas for fun, fast, creative things to do with your kids?

little princesses

This Halloween Elle decided she wanted to be a princess. My sister's and I used to make princess crowns with beads and wire when I was younger so I thought it would be fun to make these for Elle and Liv. They are super easy. You just string the beads on a strand of wire big enough to fit around your head. Then take another strand of wire and string beads as you wrap it in a triangle formation around the first strand of beads and wire. For Elle, I put the crown peaks in a complete circle, and for Liv, I just put the peaks in the front of the crown. I also made Elle matching jewelry with the beads and silver elastic thread. I ended up just buying Elle's princess dress and switched out the white rosette embellishments for sparkly buttons. For Liv's costume (pictured above), I embellished a onesie with silver jewels and sewed a pink princess skirt. Overall, I think they turned out ok and it's always fun to get to be creative with their costumes.

halloween treat bags

Here are the treat bags Elle and Liv made for their friends and cousins. Clear bag was in the $1 bin at Target. We made the bag header with black cardstock and used a QuicKutz die to cut a spider web and spider to embellished the header. We put glossy accents on the spider to make it stand out against the black cardstock. We filled the bags with spider rings, bubbles, bracelets and vampire teeth. We can't wait to give them out tonight!

happy halloween

I've been busy testing each of the final production printing plates for the L Letterpress product line. Here some projects I made with the Halloween printing plate set. Product started shipping this week and should be arriving in stores next week!

ps - the hard drive on my mac crashed about three weeks ago and I just got it back last night...upcoming is a bunch of posts.

so excited...

On Friday, I got production samples of the L Letterpress Starter Kit. Tonight I tested each of the components of the kit, and I'm so happy with how it is turning out! I can't wait for the product to hit stores (looks like beginning of November). It's been a lot of work - especially these past several months - but I think it's going to all pay off. So excited...

traveling....

Since Liv was born, I feel like we've been traveling, traveling, traveling. We've been to California, Florida, Idaho, Washington, Alabama, Virgina, Washington D.C. and driven through even more states. I think we're finally back at home for at least a few months. Luckily most of our travel has been with family or to see family which I love! Now, I can't wait to get back to my creative projects including this blog. In the spirit of travel, here's a great project I found to showcase your worldwide adventures....

This home decor project created at Brooklyn Limestone is the perfect way to showcase your travels around the world. I love how it creates a visual reminder of where and when you've traveled. Simply photocopy and mount the passport pages onto square wood blocks or mini canvases and hang on the wall. Add a frame around the squares to define the space on your wall. Check out the detailed step-by-step here.


I'm thinking that creating a collage of mementos from your travel locations like ticket stubs, maps, brochures etc. would also work well - especially for any domestic trips you'd like to highlight.

momAgenda

My friend Andrea gave me the best gift today...the momAgenda planner. I love all things planning - calendars, lists, planners, notebooks, pencils, pens....

I first discovered this planner a year or so ago shopping at Oblation in Portland. These planners are well designed with beautiful covers and are unique in that they follow a traditional school year and include 17 months (ex. August 2009 to December 2010).

Thanks Andrea! I can't wait to start using it!

a trip to the fair

So I just had to post these photos from a few weekends ago. We went to the fair where my husband grew up to see the animals and go to the rodeo. Elle had such a great time. I definitely want to think of a creative way to frame or display some of the photos from our trip.

Liv - She's such a happy baby.

Elle on the roller coaster - can you tell she was having fun??

Our little cowgirl.

fabric feedback

I need your feedback!  So I have an idea about recovering a small child's couch/chair for a toy room I'm redoing right now in my basement.  I'm not really set on a specific color palette for the room, but I'm currently thinking aqua/teals, corally orange/pinks/red, grays.  I want the room to feel fun yet slightly sophisticated.  With just 2 girls for now it can edge towards the girly side, but I want the flexibility of it not being so girly that a boy is totally out of place.  

I did a quick search at fabric.com and pulled these swatches.  I'm thinking that if I can find a fabric I really like, I can base the paint and some other decor around it.  

So do you have any favorites from the image above or any recommendations I should check out?  The couch/chair will be set against a wall that is visible when looking straight through the door into the room. 

Any thoughts???

tiny pin cushion

Since my sister Lauren left (along with amazing sewing ability), my sewing machine has been gathering dust. I've got a list of projects to sew, but before I do I want to make these cute pin cushions from Origami Mommy. I think it be interesting to also try creating them in a slightly bigger size.

dresser tool chest

I like this idea on Crafty Nest for turning an old dresser into a rolling tool chest. I think it would be perfect for storing art supplies and craft tools.

paper bag menus

This idea is from the Sunday Suppers blog.  The food and parties are amazing.  I love the idea of using a brown paper bag with a small clothespin for the menu.  I think it would  be so fun to get a group together to create, cook and eat a themed dinner.  Anyone interested?

tiny watermelons

Just found this cute "tiny" food idea.  I'll definitely have to remember this for a future tiny party.

cha summer

image from here

I just got back from CHA (Craft and Hobby Tradeshow) in Orlando late last night. We had a great time demoing the L Letterpress and the new QuicKutz products.

Here are some of the things people are saying about the product....

Craft Critique (click to see the full review)

Here's something that has everybody buzzing... a letterpress machine for the crafter. That's right. Letterpress. At home. QuickKutz has launched a new brand: Lifestyle Crafts (also known as L), and is about to release what crafters have been clamoring for: elegant letterpress....

Scrapbook Trends Blog (click to see the full review)

So one of the most exciting products is the “L” from Quickutz. It is a home letterpress kit. The letterpress kit is part of the Lifestyle Craft brand....

The Scrap Review (click to see the full review)

My fave product of the day was imPRESSive. (Sorry, I'm a little slap happy from not sleeping for more than 6 hours total since I've been in Florida!) Yes, QuicKutz has come up with the new amazing product that will do letterpress (printing & debossing), called... wait for it... Letterpress....

How to Use the L Letterpress

I've had a lot of people ask me how the L Letterpress works. It's easy! Here's a basic tutorial...

Step 1: Place printing plate on clear lid of L Letterpress tool. There are currently 15 printing plate sets with fantastic designs that can be mixed and matched to create an unlimited number of projects!


Step 2: Use the ink brayer to ink the printing plate. There are currently 20 ink colors available which can also be mixed to create additional custom colors!


Step 3: Place paper on the base of the tool. The L Letterpress paper is specifically designed for the L Letterpress tool to achieve that fantastic impression and soft texture.


Step 4: Close the lid of the L Letterpress tool and roll through the Epic Six tool to simultaneously print and deboss your image.

here it is...

Introducing L - a brand new lifestyle craft brand focused on developing products that enable creativity! With L products, you can add that personal handmade touch to all of life's events from simple everyday occurances to special occasions like weddings and babies.


I'm really excited about the first product launch in the L brand...the L Letterpress line. This collection of products is desigend to let the home crafter create elegant letterpress projects with an easy-to-use, convenient and affordable method.


Below is a picture of the L Letterpress Combo Kit which includes everything you need to start creating letterpress projects. Check out the L website - lifestylecraft.com - to see all of the products in this initial launch, and be sure to check out the 15 printing plate sets. The designs really turned out great!

If you're not familiar with letterpress, below is a quick explanation. The photo on the left shows the design pressed into the paper with no ink so you can easily see the debossed element of letterpress. The photo on the right is that same design pressed into paper with ink. The letterpress result has a fantastic texture and feel.

Here are a few projects made with the L Letterpress...

just a few more hours...

i've been working on a new product line that launches tomorrow!  it's been a crazy past few months finalizing all of the details...especially with a new baby in the mix.  there's been a lot of long hours and sleepless nights to pull it off, but hopefully it will be worth it in the end (maybe I can also finally get back to posting on this blog!).  

tractor baby shower

My friend and co-worker Laura threw an amazing baby shower. There are too many great ideas to even begin to pick a favorite. Check it all out on her blog Lucyisms. You'll love it, and be inspired to use her ideas for your next picnic themed party.

aunt lauren giveaway....finally

Thanks to random.org, I finally selected the giveaway winners!

mary/mommy of 5 - skirt
molly - diaper pouch
tvmom - tote bag
lizzy - coloring book

Send me email with your contact info, and I'll get it sent out to you. Congrats!

fashion paper dolls

So this post was supposed to be Friday....but a family reunion in California postponed it until today. My sister Lauren is studying fashion design at Auburn. I'm amazed at what she is able to create and draw with the training she has received so far. She is always sketching fashion croquis with a variety of stylish clothing designs. For one of her classes last semester she created this collection inspired by music. The gathering and rouching seen throughout the collection was designed to represent music soundwaves. I can't wait to see what she continues to come up with. Leave a comment here to win a paper doll coloring book based on this clothing collection!