I found these prints in the shop Thompson Designs and I just adore them. I'm picturing having all four prints framed together and I already have a perfect place picked out in my house. (Although displaying them with clothes pins as they have done is really great too!) Now to show them to dear sweet hubby and see if I can get him sold on them as well...
Bird Post Cards
I found these prints in the shop Thompson Designs and I just adore them. I'm picturing having all four prints framed together and I already have a perfect place picked out in my house. (Although displaying them with clothes pins as they have done is really great too!) Now to show them to dear sweet hubby and see if I can get him sold on them as well...
Getting Organized
I'm so excited...these storage cubes are 40% off this week at Michael's, so tomorrow morning, hubby and I are heading over to pick some up! I've been busy laying out all of my crafting supplies into categories to try to figure out which cubes exactly I'll need.~
It didn't help that this week, I found an article on Better Homes & Gardens online showing the "Ultimate Hobby Room". Check these pictures out! Beautiful!
So I guess you know what I'll be doing this weekend!
So I guess you know what I'll be doing this weekend!
Shop A Little More!
Did you know that there are now almost 200 sellers participating in the Cora Paige benefit?!? Amazing!
~
Lots of goodies have been sold, but there's still about 600 items listed on Etsy waiting for buyers! So keep on shopping people!
~
Also be sure to read the Storque article all about the benefit!
~
Also be sure to read the Storque article all about the benefit!
Monday Monday
I really needed a productive day.
~
Something about the sun shining outside made me realize just how D-I-R-T-Y my house was! Yikes! So, I made myself a to-do list and as soon as Claire went down for her nap, I went to town. (I must confess, there were a few things that I did that weren't originally on my to do list, so I wrote them on my list just so I could cross them off! What satisfaction that gives me!)
~
Here's a funny little math problem for you....
What does
2.5 people
+
1 week's hiatus from laundry
=
apparently this.....
Holy smokes!I had no idea we produced so much laundry in one week,
can this be right?!?
~
At least it's done...until next week!
~
~
Don't feel bad for me...my day wasn't all work and no play. Claire had her kid's music and dance class in the morning which is absolutely adorable. And while I was cleaning, I had french meringues cooking in the oven. Can you say SUGAR?!? Delicious! I had no idea how easy these were to make. Now I just wish I had a baby or wedding shower to throw for someone as they would be such a great treat! (By the way, I found this recipe here, and she found it here...so the blog-world turns!)
Here's Claire asking me for more. Cute huh?
Too bad I didn't get a picture of the meltdown she had after I finally had to cut girlfriend off!
~
~
By the end of the day, I was completely exhausted, but it sure feels great to be caught up!
Picture of the Week
~She's a phone talker for sure!
~
Claire loves talking to her daddy on the phone while he's at work.
~
Important items on this day's agenda:
What does a sheep say?
What does a cow say?
How many toes do you have?
~
Love it!
Advice for Etsy Sellers
Being new to Etsy, I'm always open to reading experienced seller's advice on starting a shop. There's currently a three-part series all about starting an Etsy shop on the Design Sponge Guest Blog. It's worth checking out.
~
The series is fairly long, so I'll just include the links.
~
~
The series is fairly long, so I'll just include the links.
~
(Interview with Blue Belle Bazaar)
~
(Interview with White Elephant Vintage)
~
(General tips for anyone starting out)
~
Happy reading!
To Be A Stay-At-Home
Since having my daughter and becoming a stay-at-home, one thing I have learned is that I very strongly dislike people asking me "so what do you do all day?" ~
When you have young kids, your typical day is: constant attention, from getting them out of bed, fed, clean, dressed; to keeping them out of harm's way; to answering their coos, cries and questions; to having two arms and carrying one kid, one set of car keys and supplies for even the quickest trips, including the latest-to-be-declared-essential piece of molded plastic gear; to keeping them from unshelving books at the library; to enforcing rest times; to staying one step ahead of them lest they get too hungry, tired or bored, any one of which produces the kind of checkout-line screaming that gets the checkout line shaking its head.
I'm sorry, I can't always tell you exactly what I do all day. What I can tell you is that I was busy all day. I might not have sat down much. There's a chance that I didn't shower or brush my teeth before noon. I can also tell you that no matter how much I did, I still feel like there was more I should have or could have done. And something that I thought I did today might have actually been yesterday, or last week, I can't really remember.
~So, tonight I found a column from a writer for the Washington Post on the blog Leaning In. To summarize, a woman had written in to this columnist wondering why her stay-at-home mom friends didn't have time to call her. Note: the woman writing in does not have kids, but does work full time, so she doesn't understand how a stay-at-home could be any busier than what she is.
~Here's a portion of what the columnist (Carolyn Hax) had to say:
When you have young kids, your typical day is: constant attention, from getting them out of bed, fed, clean, dressed; to keeping them out of harm's way; to answering their coos, cries and questions; to having two arms and carrying one kid, one set of car keys and supplies for even the quickest trips, including the latest-to-be-declared-essential piece of molded plastic gear; to keeping them from unshelving books at the library; to enforcing rest times; to staying one step ahead of them lest they get too hungry, tired or bored, any one of which produces the kind of checkout-line screaming that gets the checkout line shaking its head.
~
It's needing 45 minutes to do what takes others 15. It's constant vigilance, constant touch, constant use of your voice, constant relegation of your needs to the second tier. It's constant scrutiny and second-guessing from family members and friends, well-meaning and otherwise. It's resisting the constant temptation to seek short-term relief at everyone's long-term expense. It's doing all this while concurrently teaching virtually everything — language, manners, safety, resourcefulness, discipline, curiosity, creativity, empathy.
~It's needing 45 minutes to do what takes others 15. It's constant vigilance, constant touch, constant use of your voice, constant relegation of your needs to the second tier. It's constant scrutiny and second-guessing from family members and friends, well-meaning and otherwise. It's resisting the constant temptation to seek short-term relief at everyone's long-term expense. It's doing all this while concurrently teaching virtually everything — language, manners, safety, resourcefulness, discipline, curiosity, creativity, empathy.
Everything.
~
It's also a choice, yes. And a joy. But if you spent all day, every day, with this brand of joy — and then when you got your first 10 minutes to yourself, you wanted to be alone with your thoughts instead of calling a good friend — a good friend wouldn't judge you, complain about you to mutual friends or marvel at how much more productively she uses her time.
It's also a choice, yes. And a joy. But if you spent all day, every day, with this brand of joy — and then when you got your first 10 minutes to yourself, you wanted to be alone with your thoughts instead of calling a good friend — a good friend wouldn't judge you, complain about you to mutual friends or marvel at how much more productively she uses her time.
~
Either make a sincere effort to understand, or keep your snit to yourself.
Either make a sincere effort to understand, or keep your snit to yourself.
~
Well said, Carolyn!
Well said, Carolyn!
Treat Yourself!
I've recently gotten in the habit of having a late afternoon cup of tea. Around the time when I'm starting to slow down from the day, and waiting for my husband to come home, I let my daughter watch one show on PBS while I sip some tea. My current favorite is Orange Spice by Bigelow, but Chai is my ultimate treat.~
It seems that so many of us, moms especially, are guilty of never treating ourselves to something that we want or enjoy. It doesn't have to be something big, but we really should all allow ourselves some sort of little treat every day.
~Maybe your treat could be an extra long shower or bath? How about a brisk walk before the rest of the family wakes up? How about sipping tea late afternoon?
~Get over your guilt about taking time for yourself. (Note this is a pep-talk for yours truly as much as it is for you!) It's okay if the laundry isn't completely folded, and supper isn't ready on the table when your husband comes home. Life will go on! The family will survive!
~That's my challenge to you today...
indulge a little...
you deserve it!
Introducing: Anytime Cards
After this Valentine's Day, my husband and I vowed that we're no longer buying each other store-bought cards. To spend over $4 on a card that probably doesn't even express exactly what we're trying to say to each other just doesn't cut it anymore
~
With that in mind, I've started playing around with making cards at home! These are so much fun to make, I think I'm addicted! Each card has some combination of paper, ribbon, buttons or other embellishments. I'm learning that lots of layers make for a great card!
~
With that in mind, I've started playing around with making cards at home! These are so much fun to make, I think I'm addicted! Each card has some combination of paper, ribbon, buttons or other embellishments. I'm learning that lots of layers make for a great card!
All of the proceeds from the cards I currently have listed on Etsy are part of the Cora Paige Playground fund so be sure to check them out!
Keep Shopping!
Tons of items have been purchased on Etsy already to help support the Cora Paige Playground. Don't stop now, there are so many great goodies out there!
~
~
Here's a list of Etsy sellers who have items listed for Cora Paige.
~
Cora Paige Playground
The story of the McClenahan family and their sweet daughter Cora Paige was brought to my attention this week and really affected me deeply. What started as a trip to the doctor for a pesky ear infection ended with their little girl in the hospital fighting stage 4 cancer. Sadly, this past week little Cora Paige lost her brief battle with cancer and is now with her maker in Heaven. It's so hard to comprehend why the Lord would choose to take a sweet little girl from her parents, but hope has already started to emerge from this tragedy.~
A memorial has been established to build a Cora Playground at her home church, Grace Community in Newton, KS.
~Several Esty crafters are now selling items with the proceeds to benefit the Cora Playground Memorial Fund. The pink button to the right will bring you to the Etsy page where all the "Cora Paige" items are listed.
~To read more on the McClenahan family, visit their blog:
~For more information on making a donation, visit:
~For more information on Grace Community Church, visit:
~
What else can you do?
You can pray for this family. They are going to need lots and lots of prayer for a long time to come.
~You can also go and hug and love your children just a little extra today. Always remember that they are a gift...a gift and a blessing from God above.
Happy Valentine's Day!
Happy Valentine's Day
from Cora Anne Designs!
~Enjoy spending time today with those you love most!
Red Velvet Cupcakes
Being from the North, I have always heard of Red Velvet cake, but had never actually tried it. (I know, all you Southerners are falling off your chairs right now, get back up, it's okay!) I spotted a post on Design Sponge called "In the Kitchen with Amy Butler" where she was making her mother's red velvet cupcakes. Considering how fabulous all of Amy Butler's products are, I had no reason to think her mother's cupcakes wouldn't be fabulous themselves! Being Valentine's, I thought I would give them a try! They really turned out not too bad for an amateur. Here are my thoughts on the recipe:*The fear of spilling food coloring is huge for me. Most recipes only call for a few drops, and this recipe required an entire ounce! That's the whole bottle! I was so afraid of getting the red all over everything, I even changed into grubby clothes before adding it and I washed the dishes very slowly and carefully when I was done so water didn't splash around the kitchen!
~*The recipe used phrases like a "scant of salt" and "make a thickening of..." Are these phrases from down South, or am I really just that uneducated in the kitchen???
~*I did try two times to make the frosting before I finally had to give up and send dear, sweet hubby to the store for Betty Crocker's variety. I don't think anyone could even tell the frosting wasn't homemade!
~Don't let my comments discourage you though. Overall, they really weren't that difficult, and they do taste fantastic! If you're looking for a yummy, (sexy maybe?) dessert for Valentine's, go ahead and try them out!
~Ann’s Red Velvet Cake
Preheat oven at 350
1 oz. red food coloring
2 Tbsp. cocoa
1/4 c. butter
1/4 c. margarine
1 1/2 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/4 cup cake flour
1 scant tsp. salt
1 c. buttermilk
1 tsp. soda
1 Tbsp. vinegar
Mix coloring and cocoa together until smooth and set aside until needed. Do not stir.
Cream together butter, margarine and sugar. ( be sure to beat the mixture long enough…… the butter, margarine and sugar should look white and creamy )
Add eggs and vanilla and mix well.
Add cocoa mixture and mix until well blended.
Sift together two times: flour and salt.
Add alternately with buttermilk and mix well.
Place 1 tsp. soda on cake batter, then add 1 Tbsp. vinegar. Mix until well blended.
Pour into 2 well greased and floured 9″ cake pans
Bake at 350 for 30 minutes
Cool and frost with French cream icing.
French Cream Icing
1 c. milk
6 Tbsp. flour
1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. margarine
1 c. fine granulated sugar
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
Make a thickening of 1 c. milk and flour. ( blend with hand mixer )
Cook until thick but not clumpy, more like a thicker sauce.
Beat well to be sure it is very smooth. Take pan off heat and set in a pan of ice water to chill it.
Cream together butter, margarine and sugar for 15 - 20 minutes.
Add thickening and beat another 10 minutes. Add vanilla.
** Icing needs to be very cold.
You may want to put it in the freezer for a bit to thicken and cool it.***
If you choose to make cupcakes, this recipe yields about 36 of them.
~
Enjoy!
Valentine's Craft
Still looking for a fun Valentine's craft to do with your kids? Check this out! I really wish I could take credit for this idea because it's so stinkin cute, but unfortunately, I can't. I saw it on the blog Little Bit Funky and it was just so adorable, I had to try it!~
All you need is red paint and a brush, white, pink or red card stock, some fun scissors and other embellishments if you wish!
~
I decided to strap my daughter into her portable highchair for this project. At the age of 16 months, she's too old to let me have complete control, but not old enough that I could explain to her how I needed her to cooperate! I kept her distracted pretty well with some crayons while I went to work!
I stamped lots of pieces of paper, in part because some just didn't turn out so fabulous, and also in part because it can't hurt to just hold on to a few extras for some use in the future.
Finally, I let my daughter out of her highchair and she got to check out what all the fuss was about!
We're planning to give these to my husband and to all the grandparents, I sure they'll love them!
And They're Off!
Today I am mailing out my cards for the Valentine's Card Swap hosted by April Foster Events! They are on their way to Michigan, Indiana, New York, Texas and Ohio! I went through what felt like a million different ideas before I finally decided on these and I'm really happy with how they turned out and hope the ladies enjoy receiving them!
~
(The picture doesn't really make them look too impressive...
sometimes my point-and-shoot camera just doesn't do justice!)
~
I'm also including a few fun little Cora Anne Designs
pink and red goodies for them which I hope they enjoy!
~
~
I can't wait to check my mailbox this week and see kinds of ideas the other ladies came up with!
Introducing: Paint Sample Gift Tags
Have you ever thought about who has the fabulous job of naming paint colors, or nail polish colors? I've thought about this on multiple occasions. Who decides that a certain shade of blue paint should be called Coastal Mist while two shades darker looks like Velvet Morning? Or that one shade of brown paint looks like Tiny Fawn and three shades darker should be called Root Beer? (Yes, I am actually reading these names off of paint samples, I'm not making them up!)~
I once had a pedicure done in a color by O.P.I called I'm Not Really A Waitress! Isn't that hilarious?
~
I've taken some paint samples and used them to make gift tags. With Valentine's Day just around the corner, my first tags are all pinks including Pink Singe, Hot to Trot, Fire and Ice, Beaming Pink, Radiant Rose and Fusion!
~
Take a look! Plenty more to come!
Too Cute!
This made me laugh out loud!
My daughter just learned how to tell us when there's "poop" in her diaper, this is too perfect!
I'm not normally into sayings on baby's shirts, but I could make an exception for this one!
Check this and the other fun onesies out at www.fun2wear2.etsy.com
Tickled Pink
I spotted this print yesterday in the handpicked section of Etsy.com and had to have it! My parent's gave me a pink banana seat bike for my 10th birthday, and this print brings back all those great memories!
Be sure to check out all the fun bike prints at
Be sure to check out all the fun bike prints at
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)