Wplus9 Feb '11: Release Day.

FOR YOU

Stamps: Wplus9 (Flora & Fauna I)
Ink: Palette, Versamark
Twine, Button, Paper: Papertrey Ink
Markers: Copics
Scalloped Punch: Stampin' Up!

Today is the final day of the February release, and I've been so grateful to participate in it! I love making cards; it is such a quick and easy craft. I also love that it builds a stash of handmade cards for me to use for birthdays and thank yous.

Check out what the other design members created:
Dawn
Elise
Jinny
Kerrianne
Maile
Savitri
and our wonderful Guest Designer:
Sarah Martina Parker 

I hope you all have enjoyed this little 5-days-of-cards. Back to normal blog programing tomorrow.

Wplus9 Feb '11 Release: Day 4.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Stamps: Wplus9 (Spring Post, From the Kitchen)
Ink: Palette, Colorbox
Twine, Button: My grandma's craft stash
Paper: Papertrey Ink

Another card featuring Dawn's beautiful Spring Post stamp set.

Check out what the other design members did with this set:
Dawn
Elise
Jinny
Kerrianne
Maile
Savitri
and our wonderful Guest Designer:
Sarah Martina Parker

Wplus9 Feb '11 Release: Day 3.

LOVE YOU

Stamps: Wplus9 (Spring Post)
Ink: Versamark, Colorbox
Twine: Divine Twine
Button, Felt: My grandma's craft stash
Paper: Papertrey Ink
Dies: Stampin' Up!, Spellbinders

The stamp set I used, along with Postmarked, make such a unique stamp set. I haven't seen anything like them! Dawn is a designing genius!

Check out what the other design members did with this set:
Dawn
Elise
Jinny
Kerrianne
Maile
Savitri
and our wonderful Guest Designer:
Sarah Martina Parker

Wplus9 Feb '11 Release: Day 2.

YOU BRING ME JOY
Stamps: Wplus9 (Flora & Fauna 1 & Sweet Nothings)
Ink: Versamark, Palette, Tim Holtz Distress Inks
Marker: Copic
Cardstock, embossing plate, button: Papertrey
Button: My grandma's stash
Twine: Craft Supply
Scalloped Punch: Stampin' Up!

I love Dawn's little bird stamp. Have been using it a ton since I received it in the mail. This set is so perfect for me! Birds, butterflies, flowers. I love it all.

Check out what the other design members did with this set:

Dawn
Elise
Jinny
Kerrianne
Maile
Savitri
and our wonderful Guest Designer:
Sarah Martina Parker

Canon Lens for Sale

I'm using my blog as a marketplace for one of my favorite things today.

I'm sad to party with this beauty, but it must be done. It takes the sharpest pictures I've ever produced. 85mm is the ultimate in flattering lenses; your subject will look its best. You wont be disappointed.

I'm selling it for $340. Please email me if you are interested.

Thanks for all your inquiries! The lens has sold. (Thank you, thank you!!)

Wplus9 Feb '11 Release: Flora & Fauna I.

BUTTERFLY CARD
Stamps: Wplus9 (Flora & Fauna I)
Ink: Colorbox; Versamark
Cardstock, Twine, Button: Papertrey Ink
Scallop Edge Punch: Stampin' Up
I love Dawn's style. Her stamp designs are beautiful and February's release is no different. Three beautiful and versatile WPlus9 stamp sets will be released this month, and today we are introducing you to Flora & Fauna I!

This stamp set is packed with butterflies, flowers and a bird stamp. I adore each and every one, but today's card features only the butterflies. I stamped a butterfly collage on purple cardstock with versamark ink using the biggest butterfly stamp. I then wrapped the twine around my card a few times, attached a button and tied a bow. Next, I scalloped both the left and right edges of a green cardstock strip and attached it to the cardstock base with dimensional adhesive. I cut a white cardstock strip and stamped the smaller butterfly in five of my favorite ink colors, and attached it to the green cardstock strip. A fast, simple card with a punch of color.


Take a moment to check out the other Wplus9 designers' projects. (I love seeing what everyone does with the same stamp set. We all have a distinct crafting style and our cards always turn out so different!)

Dawn
Elise
Jinny
Kerrianne
Maile
Savitri
and our wonderful Guest Designer:
Sarah Martina Parker

103.5.

Albuterol steroids to open the airway. Nebulizer and gas masks. Throat spray to ease painful swallowing. Humidifiers to help with breathing. Tylenol and Ibuprofen to bring down all the 103.5+ fevers. Shakes, moans, crying, nausea, aches. As a mother, it is painful to watch.

I remember being a mother of one. She would get sick; we thought it was exhausting. (And it was!) Little did I know that the exhaustion from one sick child pales in comparison to having three sick at once. I literally haven't slept for 2 days.

Motherhood is never ending. No breaks. No vacations. Constant worrying.

And yet, motherhood is my greatest joy. I have a secret that I must confess: I kind of enjoy my kids being sick. (Well, other than their pain. I never want them to be in pain.) The overabundance of kisses, hugs, cuddles I've received over the past two days makes my lack of sleep worth it. My older daughter, who is getting a little old for cuddling, wants me to hold her. My darling, crazy redhead boy is finally calm enough to sit on my lap and watch a movie. My baby falls asleep on my shoulder; something he NEVER does on a normal day.

I'm so grateful to be a mom. Even when wiping noses, cleaning up who knows what off the floor, administering medicine and fighting to get my baby to sit still while I hold the nebulizer's mask over his mouth.

Motherhood. It is rewarding. Not glamorous. Not glamorous in the least, but nothing makes me happier. Nothing makes me feel more fulfilled. I wouldn't trade my life with these three sweet children for anything.

Am on strict doctor's orders to keep my baby home from church and other public locations until spring. (Apparently there are some nasty things going around and lots of babies are ending up hospitalized.) The doctor suggested that babies under the age of 1, and babies like mine, who've had pneumonia and are under 18 months, stay home until April rolls around. That puts a damper on a lot of plans. Perhaps it will give me more time for blogging and crafting, though...

Giveaway: Green Ruby Designs.

Meet my gorgeous friend and neighbor, Carola. She is the epitome of style; always dressed fashionably and looking fresh and beautiful. (And may I add that she has one of the most beautiful, squeezable babies EVER?) I didn't even have to look at her shop, Green Ruby Designs, to know I'd love everything in it. Carola has great taste! I'm head-over-heels for her jewelry. I am sure you will be too! It is unique, well made and stunning when worn. Three of my favorite pieces are the Bellflower Earrings, the Cameo Necklace and the Antique Heart Necklace.

Green Ruby Designs would like to give one of you beautiful necklace of your very own!
To enter, visit Green Ruby Designs and let us know on this post what piece of jewelry is your favorite. Entries close on Friday, January 28th.


For extra entries: (A new comment for each entry must be left for these extras to count.)
• Tweet, Facebook or Blog about and link back to this giveaway.
• Follow Green Ruby Designs on Facebook.


The winner will be chosen via Random.org and announced on January 29th. Good luck! 

Congrats to Elaine!

EDITED TO ADD: Carola is offering 25% off with the code "Valentine" at checkout! Yay!

On My Mind Lately.

I've had so much running through my mind lately that I've found writing to be very difficult. Jotting my scattered thoughts down in an understandable format is seemingly impossible. So...things have been rather quiet around here. Am starting to straighten out my emotions; realizing that my trials are a bit trivial compared to some. Trying to GROW from these experiences.

I'll be back in full force this week. Tomorrow, my uber-talented neighbor is going to giveaway some of her fancy-smancy jewelry. Be sure to leave a comment on that post!

The February Wplus9 release starts on Thursday and I've been in my craft studio getting ready. Seriously adorable stamp sets!

And then, of course, I'll probably try to sneak in a random post or three. Per my usual blogging style. Hoping my blogging mojo returns quickly.


Other random things that have been on my mind lately:

:: Loving my new Dark Diversion Fluidline from MAC. Haven't tried gel eyeliner? YOU MUST. I'd hurry and get your hands on the limited edition color before it disappears. It is a maroon-brown-purple color. Pretty, pretty. (Very similar in color to their Raven Eye Kohl or Sketch Eye Shadow.)

:: Totally obsessed with Pinterest since I joined in December. It's like a bulletin board. You can pin up all the fun/delicious/beautiful things you find around the web. (You can see my boards here.)

:: 1 house + 3 kids under 6 = A disaster area. Trying to rectify that equation. Spent my weekend organizing and cleaning. It is Monday morning, and my house is already in disarray. Have recommitted myself to my cleaning plan.

:: Have gone 3 weeks without eating sugar. My body feels so much better. Also avoiding all the things I am allergic to for a while; which may be helping a tad. (I'm allergic to eggs, wheat and dairy. It's not fair. Not fair at all. I ignore it most of the time. The tummy aches are worth it.)

:: Have started couponing. My husband is out of work, did you know? We are starting to feel the crunch. Major budgeting is in order. I've tried to coupon in the past, but never had a ton of luck. (Lack of organization and motivation, I suppose. I have a better motive now, so I'm hoping for some good success.)

:: Enjoying Miranda's menus of the week. Am going to join her as soon as my strict no-sugar challenge is over. She posts them on Fridays. I hope to see some of you playing along as well!

:: Booked a family vacation to Southern California. Looks like my resolution of taking the kiddos to the beach will actually come to fruition!

***Image via fffound; found by me via Pinterest.

All Eyes On...Envelopes

Dawn, the owner of Wplus9, asked her design team to focus on envelopes this month for our All Eyes On project. I decided to keep it simple and design a printable envelope that even you non-stampers can use. (You can find the printable below. Just click on the envelope template and it will download to your computer.)

I wanted everything to look a bit distressed, so all the edges of the card and envelope are distressed using Antique Linen Distress Ink.

I LOVE YOU CARD
Stamps: Wplus9 (Background Builders: Hearts and Sweet Nothings)
Ink: ColorBox, Distress Ink
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink
Patterned Paper: I have no idea! (How horrible. I'm sorry to the company I'm not attributing.)
Buttons: From my grandma's enourmous stash.
Border punch: Stampin' Up!; Flower Punch: Spellbinders

I printed the envelope twice. Once on cream cardstock and once on this dark red polkadot paper by an unknown company. (If you know the company that makes it, please leave the name in the comments.)

I cut out the cream envelope, used a scalloped border punch along the flap, and distressed all the edges.

Then, I cut out the red patterned paper envelope, leaving only the middle rectangle and the upper flap. I then trimmed 1/4" off all the sides and 1/2 inch off the top. I used it as a liner for the inside of the envelope. (I love when you open an envelope to a surprise!)

I assembled the envelope and then stamped three rows of the same hearts on the card.

Here is the template. (Click on the picture below to download.) Let me know if you use it! I'd love to see your envelopes!

Wanna see more? Check them out:

Dawn
Elise
Kerrianne
Jinny
Maile
Savitri

How to Throw a Faux Sleepover Party.

I have to admit: sometimes I feel that a camera gets in the way of living. Especially my monstrosity of a camera. It's a lot to lug around when you are admiring your children or hosting 15 6-year-old girls at a pajama party. On Saturday, I threw my blogging, must-cature-every-moment-with-my-lens tendencies to the wind and just enjoyed the girls. And today, when I wanted to tell you all about it, I'm regretting it just a tad.

The party was a huge success. An easy, quick theme you can throw together in one day. With my hectic life as of late, it was just what I needed. The girls didn't seem to mind that it was a little more low-key than my usual events, and I actually had 4 or 5 moms ask me if they could copy the party in the future. (Which I, of course, agreed to. Especially since I borrowed the idea from one of my besties, Christina.)

How to Throw a Faux Sleepover Party:
01. Make and deliver the invitations. (I designed my easy pj pants in Adobe Illustrator, printed and cut them out, glued them to a pink card base, and attached to buttons to the pants. Glued the information onto the inside of the card. They were super simple and took about 20 minutes to make all 15.)

02. The night before the party, prepare the cupcakes. (I made homemade strawberry cupcakes with lemonade frosting. Daughter's request. Her favorite colors are yellow and pink and favorite food is lemonade-flavored anything. I am not eating sugar, but my husband said the combo was rather tasty. Unfortunately, the only picture I took of them was in the blurry picture below. *Recipe can be found at the bottom of this post.)

03. Fill four glass cookie jars with different candies and snacks. Pop popcorn and fill popcorn bags. (Mine came from HeyYoYo. Darling vintage and the perfect size for 6-year-olds.) Set up a cute little Snack Shop on a table and recruit your husband to man the station.

04. Make a giant bed on the living room floor with pads, sleeping bags, blankets and pillows.

05. Prepare waffles for the guests just before the arrive and place them on a cookie sheet in the oven to keep warm.

Faux Sleepover Party Itinerary:
9:30-10:00: Waffle Breakfast
10:00-10:30: Party Craft/Activity (We made princess door hangers.)
10:30-10:30: Sing Happy Birthday/Eat Cupcakes
10:30-10:45: Open Presents
10:45-11:00: Send girls to the "Sweet Shop" to pick out candy and a bag of popcorn.
11:00-11:30 (or whenever moms arrive): Watch birthday girl's favorite flick. (E's choice was TinkerBell) Let them gather on the "bed" you made on the living room floor.

This party was a big hit. The girlies loved it. Other fun activities you could do: paint fingernails, play freeze dance, or decorate pillowcases.

These are the only pictures I took, one of which is extremely blurry. C'est la vie!

STRAWBERRY CUPCAKES
8 large fresh strawberries
2 eggs
1 c. white sugar
1/3 c. oil
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. lemon zest
1 1/2 c. flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
3 tbsp. instant vanilla pudding mix
1-3 drops red food coloring

Preheat oven to 325° F. Line cupcake pan with cupcake liners.
Place 8 strawberries into a blender, and blend until smooth. Pour the puree through a strainer to remove seeds. Puree should equal about 3/4 cup. Set the puree aside.
In a large bowl, beat together the eggs, white sugar, vegetable oil, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, lemon zest, and strawberry puree until well combined. Stir in the flour, baking powder, salt, vanilla pudding mix, and red food coloring to reach a desired shade of pink. Spoon the batter into the prepared cupcake cups, filling each about 2/3 full.
Bake in the preheated oven until the cupcakes have risen and a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean, about 23-25 minutes.
Let the cupcakes cool before frosting.

LEMONADE FROSTING
1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 c. butter, softened
3 c. powdered sugar
3 tbsp. frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
1 tsp. grated lemon zest (optional)

Place cream cheese and butter in a large mixing bowl, and beat with an electric mixer on low speed until fluffy.
Add sugar, lemonade concentrate and optional zest.
Beat on low speed until sugar is incorporated, about 1 minute, then beat on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 1 minute.
Frost the cupcakes.

Wplus9 January Color Cue.

It has been a while since I've posted a card. And honestly, it has been a while since I picked up my paper cutter and stamps. I took a nice long break over the holidays from crafting. It was wonderful to have a clean craft room/office for once, but I sure was happy to get that ink on my fingers again this week.

Dawn assigned another gorgeous color cue. All pastel and pretty. You know, I've never been comforable with pastels. I don't wear them. I don't craft with them. I don't decorate with them. Not to say that I don't love them, cause I DO. I just am drawn to bright and bold. And needless to say, my "pastel" card isn't exactly pastel. I didn't mean to darken those flowers up so much with my shading. I got a little carried away.

Goal for 2011: Make a pastel card. A truly pastel card. And love it.

YOU BRING ME JOY
Stamps: Wplus9 (Ever After)
Ink: Memento
Markers: Copic
Paper: Stampin' Up!, Neenah

Check out the other designer's cards:
Dawn
Elise
Jinny
Kerrianne
Savitri

We'd love to see you play along too! Head over to Dawn's blog for all the details.

Breakfast Heaven.

I have a new favorite topping for my waffles. It is a must try - you won't be disappointed. Here's how it's done:

1. Make your favorite waffle recipe. (Don't have a one? Try mine below! Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside. They are perfect. It's beating the egg whites that makes all the difference.)
2. Top the warm waffle with plain greek yogurt and honey or honey flavored greek yogurt.
3. Add a heaping spoonful of sugared raspberries. (I used frozen raspberries.)
4. Toast walnuts and sprinkle them on top.
5. Devour. You'll love 'em.

MY FAVORITE WAFFLES
Makes 12-16 (4-inch) waffles

1 3/4 c. flour
1 tbsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
2 egg yolks
1 3/4 c. milk
1/2 c. cooking oil
2 egg whites

In a medium mixing bowl stir together flour, baking powder, and salt. Make a well in the center of dry mixture; set aside.
In another medium mixing bowl beat egg yolks slightly. Stir in milk and oil. Add egg yolk mixture all at once to the dry mixture. Stir just till moistened (batter should be lumpy!)
In a small mixing bowl beat egg whites till stiff peaks form. Gently fold beaten egg whites into flour and egg yolk mixture, leaving a few fluffs of egg white. Do not overmix!
Pour 1 c. batter onto grids of a preheated, lightly greased waffle baker. Close lid quickly, do not open til done.

I have some work to catch up on and my daughter's birthday party tomorrow. I'll be back on Monday to share all the details. Have a wonderful weekend.

Twelve Things: January.

01. Can always count on the kiddies being in good spirits in the a.m.
02. Ten days into my second 12-week round of no sugar. Apples are my best friend.
03. Off to Kindergarten she goes. We always miss her.
04. Planning my day with my favorite pen EVER.
05. Nap time for the smiling baby.
06. Reading break. Loving this book!
07. Sugar cereal as a snack. Leftover from the Christmas holiday. (I know, I know.)
08. Eighty ounces of water a day. It's killing me.
09. Thrifted shoes. Love my $2 find.
10. Another reading break. Must catch up on my pile of unread magazines.
11. Three things that get my extra-dry skin through the winter. (one, two, three)
12. Tackling the mess that is my desk & work space for a night of designing.

Miranda is someone I can always count on for inspiration. I've participated in "12 on the 12th" a couple times before. I hope to be more consistent this year.

Homemade Funfetti Cupcakes

Nothing says "I love you" like a from-scratch cake on your birthday. (Well, I suppose that depends on who you ask. As for this sugar-loving foodie, from-scratch cake is the ultimate in thoughtful gifts.) Funfetti is a kid-favorite, and a family favorite. I thought I'd share our recipe for the fun cake with you. These cupcakes were made for my 1-year-old's birthday on Sunday.

The darling spotted cupcake liners came from HeyYoYo.
The jumbo frosting tip was sent to me on my birthday by my sweet baking-expert friend, Kathia. I believe it is Wilton brand.

HOMEMADE FUNFETTI CUPCAKES
(makes a dozen delicious cupcakes)
Preheat oven to 350° & line pan with paper liners.

1 1/4 c.  flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 c. sugar
6 tbsp butter, room temperature
1 egg + 1 egg white, room temperature
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup milk
3 tbsp rainbow sprinkles

Sift flour, baking powder and salt together in a bowl. In a mixer, beat the sugar and butter until combined, about 2-3 minutes. Add egg and egg white, one at a time, beating on low. Add vanilla. Gradually add flour mixture in 3 parts, alternating with milk in 2 parts, ending with the flour mixture. Fold in rainbow sprinkles.
Fill cupcake liners 2/3rds full. Bake for 17-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Remove from pan and cool completely on a wire cooling rack before frosting.

FLUFFY VANILLA FROSTING
(makes 4 cups)
Recipe given to me by the wonderful Kathia

1 1/2 c. unsalted butter, room temperature
1 lb. powdered sugar, sifted
1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

With an electric mixer, beat butter on medium-high speed until pale and creamy, about 2 minutes.
Reduce speed to medium. Add powdered sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping down sides of bowl as needed; after every two additions, raise speed to high and beat 10 seconds to aerate frosting, then return to medium. This process should take about 5 minutes. Frosting will be very pale and fluffy.
Add vanilla, and beat until frosting is smooth. Add one drop of food coloring at a time and stir with a flexible spatula until well combined before adding more.
If not using immediately, frosting can be refrigerated up to 10 days in an airtight container. Before using, bring to room temperature, and beat on low speed until smooth again, about 5 minutes.

Enjoy!

Happy Birthdays.

Six years ago today, I was holding a new little babe in my arms. I fell completely in love for that beautiful girl at first sight. I was overcome with emotion; terrified and overjoyed all at once. The nurses swaddled her tightly and handed her over. She seemed too tiny. I wasn't expecting her to feel so fragile. And yet, so strong. She was pink and beautiful; complete with big, blue eyes, perfect pink lips and long black eyelashes to make any woman envious. When we didn't have visitors, I held her. Just she and I in a peaceful hospital room. We'd stare at each other for hours. I fell completely in love. It felt right.

5 years later, on January 9, 2010, I became a mother of three. I didn't know my heart could feel more whole than it already was, but this new baby boy had a place to fill. With the third, I wouldn't allow the nurses to take him from my room. I knew from experience how quickly these moments pass. I didn't want him out of my sight. I wanted to study him, from his wrinkly wrists to his fuzzy blonde locks and down to his pudgy toes. I didn't want to forget his sweet nose that looked so much like his father's or his mouth that was shaped just like mine. I wanted to change every diaper, feed him every meal and hold him every moment I was allowed.

This is how things should be. This is what life is about. Siblings. Family. Children. Motherhood. Nothing compares. Nothing.

Today, as I reflect on their births, I am celebrating. This is their day, but it is also mine. These sweet children made me me. They made me a mother.

 My sweet girl.

My darling boy.

My Resolutions.

As a child, I remember that a year seemed to last a lifetime. Christmas couldn't arrive fast enough, and the four months in between Christmas and summer vacation seemed an eternity. Now that I am a bit older, years seem to fly by.

2010 was memorable: babies, colic, first smiles, pneumonia, a little princess and a tiny super hero, road trips, picnics, swimming lessons, designing, gardening, kitchen experiments, concerts, anniversaries, job loss, kindergarten, new callings, back to college, weddings, new siblings, baby kisses. 2010 was good to us. Challenging, but good. It's nice being so in love with J. Having him at my side makes even the hardest of times hopeful and the simplest of moments joyful.

I have high hopes for 2011. Hoping for a bit of calm. For some stability and simplicity. More sleep. Hoping my kiddos don't become too old for my hugs or kisses. That I'll still be my the favorite girl of my three boys. That my daughter will still be my shadow. Hoping that my garden grows a little taller. That I get more use out of my over abundance of tomatoes. That my butternut squash plant will produce more than one squash.  Hoping for lots of family time. That we create some lasting memories.

My intention was to have only 11 goals for 2011. It turned into 18. I'm not very good at being concise. (My mother, an editor by profession, slices away at my papers when I ask her to edit. Apparently I'm too wordy.) But, alas, I couldn't decide which resolutions to nix. So they all stayed put.

My word of the year? Grow.

I want to grow. Spiritually, socially, mentally, physically. I want to be stronger. A reliable employee. A trusted friend. A good wife and mother. I want to be better.

Wishing you the best in the year to come.

Happy New Year.

I'm still on vacation, but I thought I'd quickly post that my holiday has been marvelous. Family, friends, food and road trips galore. I am now sporting a new pair of leather boots, a pretty white watch and a few extra pounds.

I've been thinking about my resolutions. I usually have them written by New Years Eve. Rewritten a few times by the 3rd. But this year, I've been a little more reflective. I have a lot I want to work on. But I want to keep it simple. Simplifying is always a goal of mine. I'll reveal them soon.

I do, however, know my word for the year. I've never given myself a word before, so this will be a first. The word is perfect for me. I'll tell you all about that soon as well.

My husband's classes start in two days and my parents fly home to Hawaii tomorrow. I must spend every available moment with my favorite people before they are gone. Will be back soon. Maybe with a new blog look. A redesign is on the docket.

A special new years note to you, dear reader: Thank you for being such a wonderful part of my 2010. Blogging has uplifted and comforted me during a very challenging year. I've been amazed at the friendships I've been able to develop and the opportunities that have been given to me. Thank you for reading, for commenting, for emailing. Hope you stick around in 2011.