Celebrate the Boy!!!

As if I didn't love Dana Made It enough already, she is teaming up with Made by Rae for the month of February to CELEBRATE THE BOY!!!  As a mom of a boy herself, she understands how hard it can be to find fun tutorials for boy stuff.  So, her blog is going to be filled with boy crafts, tutorials and sewing projects for the month of February. I'm so excited I might just bounce right out of my seat!!!

Corsages!

Here are the corsages I made at my crafting party. The Valentine's corsage is from a kit by Beth.  I only added the heart doily.  The St. Patrick's corsage is all my own.

I apologize for the poor photos. Bad lighting and low-tech camera.

Blessings

I was catching up on some blogs today and I realized I need to take a moment to thank God for all the blessings in my life.  Ash Wednesday is right around the corner. I have never been a big believer in giving up something for Lent. To me, giving up ice cream or chocolate or something like that just seems a little frivolous considering what we are supposed to be contemplating. Instead, I try to add something to my life like making an effort to study my Bible every day or making a bigger contribution to my church or other charities even if it hurts.  When I read this today, I was reminded about how very very blessed I am. My family, my job, a roof over my head, food on the table and my health. Thank you God for the health of myself and my family.  Thank you thank you thank you.

Thank you also for the blessing of the inspiration and friendships that have come out of my (almost) seven years of blogging.

If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.

---Meister Eckhart

I hope today your life is filled with recognition of the many blessings in your life!
 
(I took the photos of the corsages and hope to post them soon!)

This Makes Me Happy

Hallmark Recordable Storybooks

Noodlebug and I love to read together. It is definitely a special time of the day that I cherish with my child. Sometimes, I sit at work wishing I were home at that very moment reading GOOD NIGHT, WASHINGTON DC for the 20th time. (his current favorite from his Auntie Vieve) So, when I heard about Hallmark's new recordable line of storybooks I got excited. I could record my voice reading the book and then Noodlebug could have me "read" him a book even when I was at work. Well, I waited too long for the NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS version and it sold out. I had the chance to get it for $19.99 with a coupon. Now, they are going for $100 on eBay. Bummer. Then, I heard that Hallmark is releasing two new titles for Spring: ALL THE WAYS I LOVE YOU and BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL. I just snapped up the titles at my local Hallmark store where they are already flying off the shelves. (maybe I should have bought more?) Anyway, they are a bit pricey but it's worth it to me to have that connection with my little one. Now I know what Noodlebug is getting for Valentine's Day!





(I have not received any compensation or other benefits from Hallmark for this post nor do I have any connection with Hallmark)

HippieDog One World One Heart Giveaway

My friend Michelle is giving away all sorts of goodies as part of the One World One Heart giveaway extravaganza!  I especially love the cute bunny that is part of the prize package.  If you are not familiar with the One World One Heart giveaway, it was started in 2007 by Lisa of A Whimsical Bohemian as a way for bloggers to network.  Many of my favorite bloggers are participating so be on the lookout for other giveaways.

I made two corsage on Saturday and I can't wait to share them with you. Hopefully, I'll get photos taken tonight. In the meantime, I'm watching it rain here in Northern California. Hope you are all warm and happy. Wherever you may be.

Prudent Baby

Not along ago, I found this clever do-it-yourself blog full of ideas for things to make for babies, children and home. I signed up to get their e-mail updates and ever since my mailbox has been filled with such creative doable ideas!  I have to keep a special e-mail folder just for all the e-mail projects I would like to try.

Recently they posted this idea for making simple coasters. I'm thinking this could be a good holiday gift idea for next year.

I love Prudent Baby!!!

Valentine's Corsage Making Party

My friend Danielle is hosting a Valentine's Corsage Making Party on Saturday.  She was inspired by the movie JULIE AND JULIA (where Julia and her friends wear big red hearts at a Valentine's dinner party) and my elaborate corsages I have been getting from Beth.  Beth made up some kits for us to use and I am so excited.  Maybe I'll get inspired and make one for St. Patrick's Day and Easter too!

In the meantime, I'm watching the rain out my window and wishing I were home in bed.

Quilt Love

I love quilts. I own several quilts made by my great-grandmother and they are among my most prized possessions. Quilting is one of the few hobbies I have not tried to take up. I would really love to, though. There is something wonderful about making something that can wrap up others in comfort. My friend Kim is a quilter and, once she gets her craft room settled and her life in order, I may have to wheedle a quilt out of her.  Oh, and get her to start that blog the world is waiting for!!!  In the meantime, I commissioned a quilt from Zoe's Attic for Noodlebug.  It has a western theme but I just love the colors that she chose.

Noodlebug is quite fond of it already.  I have several friends and acquaintances here in my little town who are part of the local quilt guild. I think it may only be a matter of time before I get the quilting bug.

My poor husband!

So You Think You're Crafty

I can't believe I haven't posted about this already! I have been following a new blog called So You Think You're Crafty.  This blog gathers a group of crafty bloggers for a weekly challenge down to a final winner. Every week, you can go to the blog and vote on your (anonymous) favorite.  The winner of each week then posts a tutorial on their winning design.  Each challenge is focused on a theme. I found this site because of one of my favorite bloggers, Dana from MADE, has been competing and is now in the final two!!!   Next week is the final challenge in this round but this week only you can vote on who will be competing in the next round! So fun and a great way to find new tutorials and bloggers!

Paper Romance E-zine

I really debated about whether I should subscribe to Teresa's latest ezine. I love her stuff but every time I subscribe to an ezine I never do any of the projects.  I'm much more of a kit person because that way the materials are already gathered for me.  However, I'm really feeling the Valetine's holiday this year so I broke down and did it. 

If you want to join in on the fun, go here.

Darling Apron Giveaway

Can I just tell you how much I love this little apron?

We are big Disney fans at my house and this apron captures the essence of Minnie perfectly!  Never Enough is giving away this adorable apron and, if you win, it will be personalized with your name!  (of course, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I will win!)

Find the giveaway here.

Inspiration

I don't really make New Year's resolutions because they make me feel like a loser when I don't follow through. There are things I would LIKE to do this year.  Lose weight. (duh)  Exercise more. (duh)  But I am also going to change my priorities this year.  I'm going to cut back on volunteering and focus more on my family. And I'm going to get more involved in my church and work on my faith life. 

Lately, I have been really drawn to art that includes expressions of faith. I just bought this little lady from Little Bit Funky. I think I'll put her on my desk at work:

For Christmas, my husband gave me this wonderful piece from Red Letter Words that I have been wanting for awhile. I'm going to put it on the door of Noodlebug's room:

Recently, a friend/blog reader posted the following in a comment:

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)

This bible verse really struck me because it was just what I needed to hear. Especially at this time of year.  I think I'm going to find a way to incorporate it in some sort of art project. I'm starting to feel inspired about 2010.

Peace

(photo borrowed from and owned by Ink + Iron)

Happy Happy Joy Joy!

I am so excited to announce that my dear friend Ellen has FINALLY returned to blogging!  A collective wail went out from Ellen's readers when she gave up her popular blog and although her Etsy shop has provided a wee bit of Ellen, it just isn't the same as a blog.  In her blog, Ellen bravely shared such issues and challenges as infertility and depression with her readers.  She wrote a wonderful illustrated primer on depression that is currently on her blog. I highly recommend it.

Ellen and I went to college together and I can honestly say she was my first friend there.  We met at an ice cream social and recognized that we were kindred spirits immediately.  I call her Frank and she calls me Malady.  She is a wonderfully creative and whimsical artist and I am lucky to not only own several of her wonderful pieces but to call her friend as well.

Find her newly revamped blog here.

(image borrowed from and owned by The Reign of Ellen)

Moving On

So, on to the good bits.

Happy New Year, Everyone!  I think this is the first time I have gone to bed before the ball dropped. But it was good for me.  Hubby and I went to see "Nine" and had a sushi dinner.  Nice quiet evening.  And home in time to put Noodlebug to bed. (he DEFINITELY wanted to wait for the ball to drop)

I was given many lovely gifts for Christmas.  Hubby got me Dansko clogs, Starbucks gift card, movie gift card, hot chocolate-making set and my favorite yummy soaps. So spoiled! I also got lovely jewelry from my mom. (the Stella and Dot items I have been craving...can't wait for Spring to break them out!)  The best part, of course, was seeing Noodlebug enjoy Christmas so much.

Being a crafty sort, I am already thinking ahead to the next frou-frou holiday. My girlfriends and I are going to have a Valentine's corsage making party at the end of the month. They have been so envious of the corsages by Beth that I have been wearing to various holiday events that they want to get on the bandwagon.  We are going to bring back the corsage!!!  Should be a fun get-together.

Now, it is foggy and rainy outside my window so I'm going to go soak in the tub with my special bath soap.  Hope you'll excuse me!!!