...i love designing logos

Just finished designing a logo for Nicole Faby, who requested something "bright" and "cute." (And she said she wouldn't mind if paisleys were somehow incorporated...) I think we were able to come up with a logo that is all of those things. Hope she likes it!

...being frugal

J refuses to go get his hair cut by a professional. He makes me do it even though I hate cutting hair. I don't know how hairdressers do it. I think hair is so yucky and I hate the way it sticks to everything when it is wet. (I wish he would just go get it done by someone who knows what they are doing! I mean...who cares about $7 every 8 weeks?) Anyway...he claims he likes my haircuts best. (pshaw!)

So...the reason I am writing this is because J and I have been trying to think of ways to save money. (The state of our economy has made us think about being more resourceful and frugal.) J says that every little bit helps, so I will continue to be his hairdresser.

Here are some other ways J and I have decided to save our money...
1. Keep lights turned off if we aren't in the room.
2. Buy generic brand food. (When I can...sometimes the generic brand just doesn't cut it. It's the food snob in me...)
3. Free dates/dating at home.
4. Limit eating out to 1 time a month.
5. Create a budget (Sad that after 6.5 years of marriage...we still don't have a budget. But we will!)
6. Buy kids clothes the year before on clearance.


What are some of your money-saving tips?

...blog pet peeve

I have a pet peeve. Okay...fine...I have a few. This one is a blogging pet peeve and is right up there with blaring blog music for me. Here is it:

I use google reader to keep up on all my blogs. I read a lot of blogs and I just don't have the time to visit each blog individually to see if it has been updated. (I LOVE google reader, by the way, and highly recommend it!)

My pet peeve is when people have their setting set so I can't see their full post in google reader. I understand that some of you are trying to make money based on your blog hits and that you want to encourage people to visit your blog rather that read it "the lazy way." BUT...for me...I usually read the few sentences that google reader does display and then never look at your post. (Snobby...I know.) It is not that I don't want to...I DO! That is why I am making this plea for you to change your settings.

So...for those of you who don't know if you have this feature set up or not, here is how you can check (or change *wink*) it.
1. If you use Blogger, log in to your dashboard. Click "Settings" and then click the "Site Feed" tab.
2. Under "Allow Blog Feeds" change it to "Full." (It would seriously make my day!)
3. Then click "Save Settings." Easy Peasy!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Mine will be loads of fun. (Working...working...and more working.) I have made a goal to not work weekends anymore, but it hasn't been possible so far. Hopefully next week...

...john masters organics

I have found a new favorite hair product! I have tried so many of these leave-in hair shine treatments and every one of them seems to leave my hair greasy and gross looking. I was so excited when I was given a bottle of John Master's Organics Shine On! It is amazing!! My problem with the other shine products may have been that I lacked the application know-how, but this seems fool proof! My hair never looks greasy!

Here's the best part about this product: With most leave in shine products, you have to compromise body for the shine and softness. Not with Shine On. Not only does it give you an incredible shine and softening...it also INCREASES your volume! (Good for fine hair like mine!!)

I use Shine On while my hair is still wet, but you can use it when your hair is dry as well. Shine on retails for $30 at johnmasters.com. It is WELL worth the money! You will love it!

...crafting again! yay!

I use to craft and make things quite often, but ever since my little design business picked up, I haven't had time to do anything but design. Last night, I decided to take a much needed work break and get a little crafting in.

Back in August of last year, my friend, Jen, hosted a watch party. At the party, you would buy a watch face and then you could buy interchangeable, beaded watch bands. I loved them, but wanted to try making them on my own. It is now January! Took me a while to get to it, huh?

I decided to make a red/brown band; a black and silver band and a clear and silver band. I liked them so much that I also made one for my sister and sister in law and also one as a thank you gift. Being an amateur photographer, I couldn't quite get the pictures to make the watch look as cute as they do in person, but you will get the idea.

They were so easy to make, too!! You should all try!


MATERIALS NEEDED: (for each band)
1 Solid Bar Watch Face (I bought mine HERE.)
4 Lobster Claws (Purchased at local craft store.)
Beads in preferred sizes and colors (Purchased at local craft store.)
2 Sterling Silver seperators (I bought mine HERE.)
Beading Cord (Purchased at local craft store.)

HOW TO:
1. Cut a 12" length of beading cord.
2. String a lobster claw, three small beads and another lobster claw and push to middle of beading cord. Thread identical patterns of beads on both sides of cord, stopping to thread a sterling silver seperator at the 1/3rd way mark and the 2/3rds mark.
3.Thread on that last two lobster claws, seperated by 3 small beads.
4. Tie a knot in the beading cord and tuck knot inside a bead to hide it.
5. Attact two lobster claws to either side of the watch face.

...the inauguration

I may not agree with all of Obama's views, but I can't help but feel some excitement for the new president today. I have had the TV on this morning watching the coverage of the inauguration and I can't help but feel a little emotional. There is so much patriotism. So much pride in our wonderful country. It has been a while since I have felt that with the general American population. The hope and change Obama is bringing may be just the thing our country needs.

...pillsbury pie giveaway WINNER

is.....

MARTA who said: "what a cute pie giveaway. sweet! i love pumpkin but i think custard is my favorite. mmmm. thanks for offering such a fun kit!"

Congrats, Marta!! Please email me within three days to claim your pie kit!

We will be having more great giveaways soon, so keep checking back!

...giveaway sponsor

I am sponsoring a giveaway over at Make and Takes! Go enter if you want to win a blog makeover!

...introducing

Craner Design Studio is now...
SHERBET BLOSSOM DESIGNS!

I have been wanting to do this for a while, but I have been too nervous. A week ago, I finally decided to take the plunge and switch to the new url. (http://www.sherbetblossomdesigns.com) I had purchased about a while ago for my design business, but was nervous about people finding me if I moved. Since Sherbet Blossom has become such a big part of my life, I thought it only right to tie everything together. The design is a lot more simple and will allow the design portfolio to stand out.

Please help me out by switching your craner design studio buttons to the new one:

<center><a href="http://www.sherbetblossomdesigns.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="SherbetBlossomDesigns" src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e177/hannahcranerr/BlogButton-2.jpg" /></a></center>

And, as always, if you need anything designed, please let me know! Thank you for all your support and business!

...my dream toaster

Browsing Williams Sonoma today and came across THIS beauty. NOT AVAILABLE?! I am so disappointed! (But, in all honesty, it was probably a good thing it wasn't there. I may have made a splurge and we are paying for J's hefty tuition this week.)

I think I need this toaster in the future, though, so if any of you can tell me where I can purchase it...I will love you forever.

...pie kit GIVEAWAY!!!

I think my good experience with the easy-peasy pie crust calls for a giveaway, don't you?
I, with a little help from Pillsbury themselves, will be giving away a fabulous pie-making kit! Yay!! It will include:

• 2 glass pie pans
• 1 set of Crate and Barrel pie-top cut-outs
• 1 pastry server
• 1 CD-ROM with photos and recipes of Pillsbury pie favorites
• 1 cute, lined basket

Giveaway Guidelines:

1. To enter the PIE KIT GIVEAWAY leave a comment on this post telling what your favorite pie is. (Email me the recipe and I will love you!)
   
2. If you blog about this, you get an extra entry. (Tell me if you did this so I can verify)
   
3. If you put the Sherbet Blossom Button up on your blog you can get an additional entry. (Tell me if you did this so I can verify)
4. If you twitter about it, you will receive an additional entry. (Tell me if you did this so I can verify) That is 3 possible EXTRA entries!!!
   
5. Leave only one comment please. (Anonymous comments will be ignored.)
   
6. This contest will close at 11:59pm on Sunday January 18th. Any comments made after that will be disregarded.
7. If I don't hear from you within 3 days to claim your giveaway another winner will be chosen.
   

GOOD LUCK!!!

COMMENTING CLOSED

...pillsbury pie crust

I have to admit it...I was skeptical. I am a bit of a food snob and prepackaged anything is normally not in my diet. When I was challenged to try Pillsbury's Pie Crust instead of making my own...I hesitated and felt a little anxious.

BUT...I was SHOCKED!! It is really good! And easy... You just roll it out on the pie plate, bake it and voilà! It is ready! Seriously...with the ease of this crust, I am not sure I will be able to go back to making my own.

My husband doesn't believe that a dessert is a dessert unless it is made with chocolate. Because I have sworn off sweets for the next month (can't wait until the end of these 4 weeks!!!), I made this pie for him. Here is one of our favorite recipes:

THE BEST CHOCOLATE CREAM PIE

What's in it:
1 (9 inch) pie crust, baked
1 1/4 cups white sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups milk
4 egg yolks
1 ounce unsweetened chocolate
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

How to:
1. In medium saucepan, combine sugar, flour, cornstarch and salt. In a medium bowl, beat milk and egg yolks until smooth. Gradually stir into sugar mixture. Stir constantly over medium heat until mixture thickens and comes to a full boil. Boil and stir for one minute.
2. Remove from heat and stir in chocolate, butter and vanilla. Stir until melted.
3. Pour into pie shell. Place plastic wrap over filling to prevent skin from forming and chill for several hours. Top with meringue or whipped cream and chocolate curls if so desired.

...how to throw a princess party

1. SERVE HEART CAKES

Because we were making E's "real" birthday cake on her actual birthday, we didn't wan't to make another cake for her party. We spotted these cute little heart shaped cakes in the store (I know...I can't believe I bought them either...) and thought they would be perfect. Don't tell the moms, but almost every girl had two. They loved them!

2. HAVE A PRE-PARTY BALL

Most of the girls came dressed in princess costumes. For those that didn't, we sewed princess tutus for them. The girls spend the first 20 minutes dancing to princess birthday music and had a "ball."

3. PHOTOSHOOT WITH THE PRINCESSES

I wanted to document all of the party guests. All of the girls seemed pretty experienced posing for pictures. I bet their mommies take a lot of pictures of them too.


4. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A PRINCE

E deemed C, "the prince" of her party. However, this prince was a little more of a nuisance to the partiers than a charming one. He loved watching and bugging the girls.

5. PIN THE KISS ON THE FROG

This was many of the girl's favorite game. We actually had to play it twice because of all the requests.

6. MAKE SOME JEWELRY

We made some bracelets at the party. The girls all made theirs in different ways, but they were all very serious about it. It was so cute to watch them!

7. DECORATE PRINCESS HATS

We used birthday hats and some tulle to make princess hats. The girls decorated them with jewels, stickers and feathers.

8. READ "PRINCESS AND THE PEA"

We read all of the girls the story of the Princess and the Pea. They were all VERY attentive as they listened to the book.

9. TEST TO SEE IF THEY ARE "REAL" PRINCESSES

After reading the book, we tested to see if the guests were "real" princesses by hiding a pea (key lime) under one of three pillows. The girls each took turns testing the three pillows out and then would tell us which one had the lime underneath. This was by far their favorite activity of the day and most of them proved their "true princess" status on the first try.

Each girl was rewarded with a pearl necklace once they proved that they were a "real princess."

10. OPEN PRESENTS

A princess party wouldn't be complete without a little spoiling of the birthday girl. E has some wonderful friends who gave her fabulous presents.

Needless to say, it was a huge success, but I am glad we have a whole year before we have to do it again!

...trying to get my husband to wear these "fashion trends"

I'll admit that every season I am excited and anticipate the announcement of the latest color and fashion trends. I frequently check Pantone's and the other designer's websites who dictate our style. When I saw the Spring '09 announcement, I couldn't help but laugh imagining my husband in these "fashion trends." He would probably die before wearing them. He really would...

...why I love my husband

Check out what my sweet husband bought me! A new lens to help beautify my blog. (This really isn't the reason I love my husband, but it certainly didn't diminish my feelings...) I would never admit to being a great photographer...but maybe I will get a little better with this pretty piece of equipment ...

Expect a lot of photography in posts to come...cause I want to test it out! (Now...if any of you have photography tips or sites you love...let me know!)

...a little kookie?

I have been busy busy with blog designs and am excited to finally be caught up and working at a doable pace that allows some family time too. Here is one of my latest blog designs. She wanted damask and polka dots with the colors black, red, white and turquise incorporated. Turned out pretty cute. Good ideas Nia! They turned out great!