The last month

This last month has been a loooong one.  I was not feeling very well for a few weeks of it and with that I want to thank all my patient Etsy customers.  I had so many return customers and it seriously made me smile ear to ear.  THANK YOU!  For those of you that would like a digital holiday card you still have a few days to order.  If you do happen to miss sending out Christmas cards just remember that any of my cards can be converted to New Year cards.

I managed to squeeze in a craft that I'd been eyeing up all over the place.  It's a little time consuming but, SO worth it.  I love it!

I hope you all found some down time to enjoy something that you love during this crazy time of year.  We deserve it!

xx

Dorie

Taking it easy

Sorry for the lack of blog posts lately.  I've been experiencing back pain and I finally went in to the doctor to see what's up.  They are thinking that something is pinching my sciatic nerve.  I had issues with that a bit when I was pregnant with both kids but, nothing that was this painful.  So far I'm to ice my back, take anti-inflamatory pills and muscle relaxers.  It's only been 1-1/2 days on that regimen so we'll see how this goes. So with all of this I've been cutting my time back from sitting on the computer.

I'm sure many of you know of the clothing store Ruche and I just saw on their blog that they have a homemade holiday guide look book that is full of fun things to make.  If you have you should glance at it - really pretty things to make for the upcoming holidays.

Also, thank you for all the kind words that I've been receiving on the LEGO party I did for my son's 6th birthday party.  It really is so nice to hear.

xo
-Dorie

Keeping it local

I love it when I stumble upon other Wisconsinite artists/crafters like this etsy shop: Jack and Ella.  I love the simplicity of her designs!

Happy Halloween

photo credit: tumblr.com

Simple

I really need to step up on my Fall decor.  I have a few things floating around the house but, not enough in my book.  There are so many simple and easy things to pull together for a lovely fall look.  What do you display around your home for fall?    

1:: front entry decor, 2 :: monogram and stencil pumkins, 3 :: filled candle holders, 4 :: owl decorations, 5 ::  diy pumpkin tea light holders

A photo from our little mini photo shoot.  I'll never get bored with these two.

Etsy Fall Finds

1:: moonsun - loop scarf, 2:: charming necessities - peasant dress, 3:: angel dog designs -  felted acorns, 4:: teton coco comopany - hot cocoa, 5:: itzfitz -  wreath, 6:: bayay hipo - bag


Are you feeling fall crafty?  Check out this long list of DIY's on Everything Etsy.

Happy Fall

Okay I'm a little late wishing you that but, today we are having beautiful Indian summer type weather.  A high of 76.  Love it!


A few more holiday photo cards have been added to my Etsy shop.  I will be adding more until the end of the month so keep checking back.

If you love yourself a little bit of ruffle you may want to check out GroopDealz today.  Awww...pretty!

 

Rise and Shine

Look what I added to the shop!  These are available as an 8x10 "you print".  Print one for you and print some for gifts.  If you need other sizes don't hesitate to ask.  How cute would a framed 5x7 be for on some little person's dresser or desk? 

Other color choices available:

Fabric Wall Butterflies DIY

I have a fun and simple DIY to share.  We've all seen the paper butterflies but, when I first saw this post on How About Orange I thought oh how perfect to make them out of stiff fabric.  The perfect addition to Maddie's bedroom.  These were easy to make and I love that I can incorporate the fabric in other areas of her room as well.

 



Template for butterflies.  Click here for a pdf file.

Save and print. 

Keeping Busy

Things are a little busy around here with me but, good.  I'm plugging away with some new holiday card designs in the shop.  Keep peeking as I will have more in the next few weeks.

I'm also enjoying a little "me" time and I'm almost finished with this book.  Crazy good!  Can't wait to see the movie now. 

And off to school we go

Yep, it's back to school for the kiddos.   I had mixed emotions.  A little nervous.  Happy.  Worried.  Excited.  You know like most Mom's I'm sure.  

I think they are ready for the school year.  Both have great teachers and classmates so I know all is well.  

Mr. 2nd Grader -
You're shy and gentle by nature but, your confindence grows each day.  You are growing up way to fast and soon I will be begg'n you for hugs and kisses cuz, it won't be cool for you.  You have to know that your smile is contagious and everyone around you will see that.

Ms. Kindergartner -
Although you have a spunky side your sweet side is just as endearing.  I can't believe you are going to be away from me for full days.  Your creativity and artistic talents...leave us in awe.  You are such a carefree and beautiful young girl.

Mom and Dad are so proud of both you and love you way too much!

credit - recipe girl

This morning as a Back to School treat I made these Cinnamon Roll Pancakes for breakfast.  I can't even tell ya on how good these are.  After the kids left it was these and a cup of coffee.  Complete heaven.

Then there was walk.

This Pattern

1:: found on katiedid, 2 :: cool diy footstool from infarrantly creative, 3 :: the house of smiths, 4 :: PBteen, 5 :: Rugs USA

I've had many of these saved in my favorites.  See a pattern here? (pun intended).  Lately, I've been seeing a ton of tutorials from bloggers all over trying out the new paint and tool line by Martha Stewart.  And guess what lil'l pattern stencil is offered in this line.  Oh, yay!!! 

Calm

Things are starting to slow down around here. Today is the last day of swimming lessons, weekends are becoming less busy and back to school is in the air.   Things are definitely a little calmer.  

The summer has been great!  As much as I'm sad to see the summer vacation end soon I'm a tad anxious for some sort of routine.
    

But, until then...we're going to enjoy the last few weeks of lazy mornings, hours in the sun and nights of eating ice cream on the patio.

And playing tennis with glitter shoes on.

Inspiration

Whoooaa...it's been awhile.  I blame it on summer!   

Just a couple of things that I'm loving to look at.

 

A great parent poster design I first spotted on the Ardent Sparrow.

designer: joel felix

Have you heard of Paper Coterie?

They have some incredible products such as digital books, photo calendars, and growth charts.

Righ now they are offering $40 towards any purchase.  All you pay is shipping.  Go here to get the code deal and start shopping.

Random Stuff

My husband and I definitely have ourselves more rollar coaster partners.  The kiddos seem to enjoy stomach twirls as much as we do!

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If you love homemade anything as much as I do and you've never heard of GroopDealz you gotta check it out.  Each day they offer a discount off of some lovely homemade goodie.  Things such as these at super great prices.

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I've been selling quite a few of these baptism invitations in the shop.

I did say random, right?  Happy Monday!

Waterslide Party

This past Saturday Leyton had an early birthday celebration with a few friends.  His birthday is not until the end of July but, it was the only Saturday we had free this month.  The day sort of crept up on us and I wasn't as fully prepared as I was with his Lego party.  But, the boys had a blast and it was so much fun to see insta smiles all over the place.  It started with this invitation and I came up with a few things to go from there.  We had a water slide, water balloons and squirt gun fights. Since it was all about water activities the colors were of course blue.  Leyton had fun picking out treats to share, blueberry licorice, blue wrapped smarties, blue dolphin gummies...

A few pictures from the day.



Oh, how this boy melts my heart!