Holiday 2012

New holiday cards are posted in my Shop.  Can you believe it's less then 2 months until
Christmas???

DIY Washi Tape Silhoutte

There are a few spots on my daughter's bedroom walls that needed a little something.

A few months ago I took advantage of some washi tape sales and purchased some colors that went well with the other colors in her room.  This project is super easy and you can

have it done in no time.  End product - a little face shaped art piece you can cherish for years to come.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •



It can't be so

There's this boy

It's my sweet, sweet boy's 8th birthday today!  Love this kid!!!

It was a sports party

My son turns 8 next week but, we celebrated his birthday with friends a tad early.  We have busy weekends ahead so we found a night we could take him and friends to see a minor league baseball team game in our hometown.  Afterwards it was his first home sleepover.  The best group of boys ever!

I meant to post about his invite earlier and to let you know that it's in my Etsy shop.  Colors, wording and etc...can be customized.  I printed them on kraft paper and was super happy the way they turned out.

Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies

Today we finally got rain.  Like a good half hour soak 'em up grass, plants and flowers kind of rain.  I seriously think they are in shock right now.

It seemed liked the perfect time for baking cookies.  One of my all time favorite cookie recipe is one that I ripped out of an old Martha Stewart Living magazine.  It's been a family favorite.  I love myself a traditional crispy chocolate chip cookie but, this recipe is like eating cake and cookies all in one.

I dare you to stop at one.

Click here to download recipe

SIX

Today my lil'l girl turns six.

You are creative.

You are beautiful.

You are smart.

You are silly.

You dance like it's nobody's buisness.

You are loving.

You are ours and we could not be any prouder!

Her room was decorated with balloons when she got up this morning.

Love her!

An Art Party

My little girl wanted an art party for her birthday celebration with friends this year.  This is the first time we've had a birthday party somewhere else rather than at home for the kids.  I knew we had to keep it simple since we'd have to tote everything.  There was this Studio that caught her eye last year at the downtown farmer's market.  I told her that she could possibly have her next birthday party there.  She remembered.  I'm so glad she did. 

It started with this invitation.

So of course when I saw this cake idea I knew it would be a perfect fit.  It looked a little intimidating but, it was actually pretty easy.  The messy bowls even looked pretty.



They had a party room that fit our group size perfectly.

Then it was time to...

Yup, the cake was a hit!

Along with their painted masterpiece each child took home a paint pail with

goodies in it.

This was one happy little girl.

I can't believe she turns 6 this Wednesday.  Two years ago it was this princess party and last year this butterfly party.  Just shows she is growing up before our eyes.

Father's Day Fun

The kids and I had so much fun with these great Masters of Disguise printables from Paper Coterie.  You can download them on their blog here.  So fun!

It's going to be an artist birthday party

Someone is turning 6 and is super excited for it!  My lil'l peanut loves art just like her momma.  She will be celebrating with a few little friends at a pottery/mosaic studio.

I had a few rough ideas for her invitation.  I showed them to her and she was very honest to what she liked and didn't like.  I had a version quite similar to the final one but, the colors laid out more like a rainbow.  Right away she chimed in and said, "I don't want a rainbow party, mom!"  Of course you don't - silly me!

** Look for the invitation to be offered in my Etsy shop soon.

Fabric Poms

I took a stab at making these fabric poms for the lil'l girls bedroom.  Cute, right?!  Super fun and sort of addicting.  The most time consuming part is cutting out the circles.  Right now they are hanging on her window curtain rod but, I'm not sure that will be their permanent home.  I followed this diy tutorial.  Because fabric isn't as thick as felt I added a few extra folded pieces to each side for more fullness.  I also waited with the string for hanging until after they were made.  Just as easy.

Chalk Fun

It just seemed like the perfect day for this...

And let it begin..

Whew...we've had a busy May!  End of flag football at the YMCA for the boy, school programs
for both kiddos, a fractured wrist for little miss monkey, missing teeth and the last day of school on May 31st.

This past weekend Tony and I surprised the kids with a trip to the Mall of America in Minnesota.  What a crazy fun place!  We enjoyed an afternoon at the Sea Life Aquarium, a day of shopping, ventured on the rides at the Nickelodeon Universe and spent an afternoon at the Waterpark of America.  We got to meet up with some great friends that live only minutes away which was such a special treat.  Next to the mall was IKEA.  The big blue building was in site everytime we drove to the mall.  Oh, yes...I had my list with me.  We planned on stopping there on our way home but of course...something had to stop us.  The night before we were going to leave I must have ate something that did not agree with me.  I was tossing and turning the whole night.  Needless to say that the next day I just couldn't bring myself to go.  I wouldn't have enjoyed it and embraced it like I would have liked.  So, the hubby promised we'd take a day trip to the one in Chicago.  I have it marked down!!!

And now summer vacation begins.  Already I'm hearing, "Mom, what are we going to do today?"  Lovely!

Summer Totes

Memorial weekend is always the for sure kick off that summer vacation is here.  The kiddos only have 4 days left of school.  Can we say that excitement is running wild around here with them.

Living in Wisconsin we don't have the typical beaches as our beloved coastal friends have but, we sure have plentiful amounts of beautiful lakes.   We also spend many days at our community pool.  Even with tad older kids I'm always finding myself lugging around a ton of things for when we do visit the pool and lakes.  There are may affordable beach totes all over the place.  Practical and adorable!  

1:: Target   2:: Eddie Bauer   3:: Old Navy   4:: Seasons Gifts and Home

How cute are these?

I hope you all have a safe and enjoyable Memorial weekend!

Rise and Shine Print Winner

Thank you all for entering!  I hope to do another giveaway again

real soon.

Mother's Day

photo credit

I hope all you Mother's had a wonderful day!  My day was filled with hugs and kisses, poems, sweet little gifts, family and beautiful weather.

Don't for get to enter for a chance to win an 8x10 print of my Rise and Shine design.

Tuesday night a winner will be chosen.

Giveaway - Rise and Shine My Love Print

I'm way over due with a Winks and Daisies giveaway.  I've had many inquiries about my Rise and Shine My Love prints lately so what better than to give one away.  The winner will receive an 8x10 matte photo print( if within the US) or a pdf file of the print(if internationally).  You may choose from any of the five color schemes listed.

Chances to win: 

• Simply leave a comment to this post to what you'd do with the print.  ei: where would you hang it or place it, would you give it away as a gift, etc...

• Like Winks and Daisies on Facebook here and let me know in a comment to this post that you did.

The giveaway will end Tuesday, May 15th.  Please check back here on May 16th to see if you won.  Good luck!



Fonts that Rock

I'm so thankful for sites like the Lost Type.  I seriously got all giddy when I first came across their blog/site.  I'm so in love.  As a designer you know how important type is.  I'm a simple kind of gal when it comes to fonts.  Less is more.  The way you pair fonts together is key to a great design.  If you need any inspiration the Lost Type has plenty here.  The style is retro vintage.  Just lovely!

Here are a few of my favs.  You wanna know the best part?  You can actually download them for free!

I just designed this print using the font Oil Can from Lost Type for my son's bedroom.  I'm still debating on what size to make it.  Once I have it up in it's place I'll share what it looks like.   

                          

friday.

magnet photo credit

Orange and Blue Boy Bedroom Ideas

I know...where or where have I been, right?  Just life.  Things tend to be more and more busy around here.

With Spring underway I have so many home projects floating around in my head.  One has been starting my almost 8 year old son's bedroom make over.  I have waited too long for this one.  Poor guy still had a toddler looking room with cars and trucks filling the walls.  Vehicles no more!  I painted his room a cool gray color and we are now ready to fill it.  I came up with this inspirational design board.  He loves navy blue and orange so those are the 2 colors I'm working around.  He also love sports and anything to do with history and science.  I hoping to get things together in the next month.  Stay tuned and I'll share some DIY projects I have up my sleeve and his bedroom reveal.

oh stripes!

I seriously think I cannot get enough of stripes lately.  All in a good way.  The curtains I so want for my son's bedroom.  Anyone know of where I can find bold striped fabric in white and orange?  If so please let me know.  I'm bagging you!!!

cups :: curtains :: bag :: towels :: storeage bin :: porcelain goods

State Proud

top right: children inspire design, top left: AHeirloom, bottom right: poppyandpinecone, bottom left: oldnewagain

I love seeing all the state pride handmade goods popping up all over.

Love

image found here

Valentine Freebie Finds

I was not on the ball at all for this year's kids classroom Valentine handouts.  BUT, I found some free printables and easy DIY's I just love.  So if you are a slacker like me I gottcha ya covered! 

 love bugs - dandee :: heart bookmarks - thirty handmade days :: 4 printable vday cards - one charming party :: arrow cards - sweet muffin suite

Crayon Hearts

This weekend my daughter and I made some of the "OH" so popular hanging crayon hearts from Martha Stewart.  I've seen this all over Pinterest.  It was on our to do list and they are now catching some rays in her bedroom window. 

 I guess wearing a princess crown while doing this project is required.

LOVE!

So True

   credit: amanda catherine designs

Quiet

photo found on tumblr.com

Hi all...it's been a little quiet around here.   I've taken on a few more hours at my day job so my
"alone" time seems to have depleted a bit.  The only thing I hate is that I have a 40 min. commute each way.  I work (3) 10hr. days so it turns out to be more like 12hrs.  It's all good though.  I actually enjoy the drive in to work( just not the drive home).  Thinking about what needs to be done, what can be done and what should be done.   All the while listening to the tunes I want to listen too. (Thanks for the comments about my playlist - I'm digging it too).   I have 2 full days off during the week so I can't complain.  But, seriously why is it those days that the day just flies by.

Shhh...I'm posting from work but, on my breaks I take little peeks on different sites.  Pinterest calls out my name each morning.   I can't help it... It goes hand in hand with my coffee.  Speaking of which I have some boards out on Pinterest so if you care to follow click the button to the right.  I'd love to follow back.

Oh, and BTW...I only had coffee and a Special K bar for breakfast.  Blah!

Sale in the Shop

Hello!  Just a little note to let you know that right now I'm offering 15% off any design in the shop.   I've added a few new birth announcements too.  Enjoy! 

Party Printables

Hi all!  Hope you are having a wonderful start to the New Year.

I'm starting to add new party printables to my Etsy shop.  I've had many requests
for matching party extra's so I thoughts I'd put together some fun items that will
help coordinate the perfect party.  Extras such as: flag banners, cupcake toppers, straw flags,
water bottle labels, party labels(to label food and etc...), and thank you tags.

So far I have SPLASH party pack completed.  More to come!

You may have remembered the birthday water party I planned last summer for my son.   You can view that HERE.