More fun than galoshes in the rain.
This one deserves a post all it’s own. 🙂
Yup, it’s a baby announcement. And… it’s for our family. :)!
Photo inspired by the adorable print here.
{Credits: Meet & Greet Elements Pack by In the Making Design, “You are awesome” mini kit by Splendid Fiins (thought bubble – recolored), font: American Typewriter, “Just Love” and “Peace Man” actions on photo by Sarah Cornish, (myfourhensphotography.com)}
…that I’m learning, but who’s counting. 😉
If the answer is going to be yes anyway, you might as well say it with an exaggerated nod and a sparkle in your eye.
Case in point:
Katey asked for the largest, curvest banana in the bunch.
I answered with my sparkly nod, letting her know I was in on her little secret… and was rewarded with a fruity smile.
Sweet.
and I’m elated to have you join me. Welcome on your journey – from the lovely, crafty Antonia’s blog.
{Link no longer available. It has been disabled because the blog hop is now done. 🙂 You can still purchase the mini kits in Jessica Sprague’s store. Bags made with the designer’s 4ever bloghop kits: label from Carina’s mini kit, polaroid frame, banner and rick-rack heart from mini kit by Splendid Fiins, glitter splats from JS admin team and Heidi Swapp mini kit, star story stick made with 4ever mini kit by the Queen of Quirk. Paper strips on prizes below from above kits, as well as In the Making mini kit and Live Design’s mini kit.}
The labels can be used in digital or hybrid scrapping. A very 4th of July one and another for other occasions as well.
We love the 4th of July around here – here’s the blog post from last year if you would like to see what our small-town celebration looks like. We love having popcorn on the 4th – sometimes buttery – sometimes carmely, sometimes in the afternoon – sometimes during fireworks. I like it all. I thought it would be a great deal of fun to dress the popcorn bags up this year and put in prizes a la Cracker Jack. I hope you enjoy them too!
Here’s a close-up of the popcorn bags:
The labels can be printed directly onto paper bags – a little tricky, but I found great directions here, or they can be printed as labels and adhered to the paper bags.
And a photo of the prizes that can be found inside:
The prizes are packaged with the adorable papers included in the bloghop from the JS designers. A cute idea I got from sugarbsupplies where I bought the glassine envelopes. I used them partly because glassine is resistant to water and grease. Also because in my research I found out glassine is used to package fireworks. Perfect! And Zotz are included in my prize packages – a fun, fizzy candy that screams fireworks and fun to me. 😉
Here’s the story stick “prize” {craft} included in the download:
These can be made ahead of time and slipped into the bags, or the supplies can be included and each person make their own (that’s my plan). I used colored pencils for the base. I glued the sharp point into the star part, but if you’re feeling brave (or have older celebrants) it would be neat to have the stick be writeable as well. 🙂
Here’s info about the story sticks (also included in the download):
Feel free to visit as long as you’d like, and when you’re ready –head on over to the beautiful, effervescent Brenda’s blog, stop #14. 🙂
Here we are in the Mormon Miracle Pageant:
{photo by Rick Egan, Salt Lake City Tribune – June 14, 2011}
JB, me and our little ones all around.
My very favorite part of the pageant is when Christ calls up the children to teach and bless them – a scene straight from the Book of Mormon when Jesus visited this continent. I love that as part of the pageant, the man portraying Christ actually talks to the children every night, teaching a principle that noone but them can hear. The music is playing over the sound system and even though we’re close I have to read lips. 🙂 Two nights ago he talked about obedience and last night it was how their Heavenly Father loves each of them.
My very, very favorite part of the whole pageant is when Jesus holds up a baby. There’s something special about babies–so much love. We have had the blessed opportunity to have two of our little ones play that part. Not this year, but perhaps next. 😉 Our babies always stare (or grin) at Christ with such awe – and it’s always mutual.
There are still 3 more performances of the Mormon Miracle: tonight, Friday and Saturday. The free historical drama (one and a half hours long) starts at 9:30 p.m.. Everyone is more than welcome. I’d love to share my favorites.
{I lightened the photo a tad so the people can be seen. 🙂 Lighten Shadows Action by Sarah Cornish of MyFourHensPhotography.}
I adore my birthday. Always have. Yesterday was very busy and I didn’t get to post. 🙁 No bother, birthday bogeys are almost as fun. It’s the day after ( bogey – a la golf terms) I also have something for alliteration. Both loves I share with my mom.
One of the best parts about a birthday is sharing.
Sharing birthday cake with my sweetheart Katey Belle. And a big thank you to my lovely visiting teachers that brought me a “party” cake – rainbow chip. And they brought it the day before. Eating cake on my Birthday Eve felt so indulgent.
I also share a birthday with JessicaSprague.com. How fun is that?
The site is turning FOUR!!! To celebrate, they’re throwing a HUGE Birthday Bash & Summer Sale. From June 14-26, you can save 20% off of every self-paced class, and 35% off of ALL digital products. In addition, grab all 27 episodes of Jessica’s amazing Photoshop Friday tutorials for just $1 each before they’re retired on June 26. As part of the celebration, starting on June 24, you can participate in an incredible 47-person blog hop, picking up a sweet digital freebie at each stop! (I’ll be one of those. 🙂 ) Best of all, on June 26 Jessica will be making a special announcement of a brand new class coming up in July. The site is only on sale two times a year, so don’t miss out on this GREAT savings opportunity! For all the info on the Summer Sale, Photoshop Fridays, blog hop, and the new class, just click here!
I personally adore the Photoshop Friday tutorials. All the supplies to make one layout and a video tutorial teaching a Photoshop skill (or two). I love the bite-size chunk of Jessica’s knowledge. And at a dollar a piece it’s fun to collect lots of knowledge… and saved memories. Beauty. It looks like all the hybrid (paper+digital) tutorials are also on sale for a dollar. Fun!
And my whole birthday month is shared with this:
{photo by Rick Egan, Salt Lake City Tribune – June 14, 2011}
The Mormon Miracle Pageant. We had our last dress rehearsal on my birthday. Performances are Thursday – Saturday of this week and Tuesday – Saturday of next. Anyone (and everyone) is invited to come see it. Our family is portraying a Nephite family this year (third year now!). Can you find us above? Jim Bob is wearing turquoise (and a sleeping Katey). I am wearing red. 🙂 Our house is full-up this week with visitors, but next week is all open if anyone would like to spend the night. 🙂
And the invite straight from the pageant website that sums up the one and a half hour show:
“Share an evening under the stars with us, enjoying the beauty of the hills and the magnificence of the Manti Utah Temple while you watch this free historical drama. …The pageant’s three intertwined stories–the restoration of the gospel, the witness of the Book of Mormon, and the journey of the faithful pioneers to the beautiful Sanpete Valley–demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ for all people.”
How we love the simple truths and beauty of the Pageant!
Thinking on happy unions… one reason for my parent’s successful marriage is that they have always had mistletoe hanging in their home.
Year-round.
Multiple locations.
One right over the kitchen sink for whomever is washing the dishes. 😉
These photos are from their mission apartment when we were there on Mother’s Day. 🙂
Over at Jessica Sprague.com. “Every Monday in May you will have the opportunity to purchase an item from a designer and receive an item of equal or lesser value from that same designer for FREE! No coupon codes needed. Just fill your cart up with goodies and watch the magic happen! Keep in mind that you will not be able to use coupons or gift certificates during this special, so hold on to them until Tuesday. You can, however, use a coupon or gift certificate if you are just purchasing a class as classes are not included in this special. You can also use a coupon or gift certificate if you are purchasing only one item per designer. This special will end at midnight eastern time.
So, for example, if you want to purchase the new “Paper Garden” set from Kitschy Digitals (which I know you’re gonna want to), you can choose another one of the Kitschy Digital products that is $2.99 or less, add it to your cart, and that price will be deducted from your total! Woo hoo!”
**I took this wording directly from Mandi‘s site because she took it directly from Jessica’s site and like her, I feel that they explain it much better than I would have. 🙂 Oh, but I did change the product featured, because I think Danielle‘s paper flower set made with Sasha from The Gilded Bee is simply beautiful. And May Day Bogey should definitely be celebrated with flowers. 🙂 You will be seeing those flowers on the blog here in the near future. ;)**
I posted a fun tutorial over on the Mouse, Paper, Lovely blog last month. A whole post on how to use clear packaging to show off fun, simple gifts.
Here’s a peek at the unwrapping:
and the first project inside:
For the rest, you’ll have to flit and fly on over. There is always so much inspiration to be found there. I love the magnetic bookmarks featured earlier this week. Just love.
Here’s a little behind-the-scenes on the photoshoot for the above parcel.
A big ol’ pot and a fun-lovin’, colorful Usborne book: Drawing, Doodling and Coloring held up the package. The pink polka-dot material and green shag come from my grandma’s house. She cleared out boxes of yummy material and sent them to my sister’s place. One family reunion we got to pick out our favorites. I love my cardboard box of moose-printed, white puffy heart, bright colored fabric. I have some big plans for that material. In the meantime it makes a fabulous back drop for my photos. 🙂
The pink polka-dot fabric is actually a dress:
And the tag reads size 11.
What? They certainly do not make them like they used to. 😉
{Credits: Crystal’s Artisan Label Templates No. 3 and Sweet Summertime Papers HERE, HERE, and HERE, and a little glitter for the butterfly bodies. Also used Crystal’s 5×7 Template Set #2 and Set #1 for the layouts above and Earth Love recycling sticker by Cosmo Cricket .}
Years ago I saw a photobooth album on Elsie Flannigan’s site and thought the idea was sooo fun-loving. I have a few photo strips I’ve collected over the years – the one above is from the mall in Twin Falls, Idaho where I used to shop growing up. The photobooth was not there back in the day, but it was when we visited in 2007. I have one from Chicago with Jim Bob, and one with my sister at a KMart years ago. And there are so many more that can be created digitally. 😉
When I saw Linda’s Hybrid Friday Project I knew it could be adapted easily. What a suh-weet tutorial too. So well done! I loved learning not only how to bind a book, but the terminology as well. Signatures? Stations? I feel smarter already.
Little Book of Favourites – Hybrid Project Friday, by In the Making Design
I was a little intimidated at first because I didn’t own all the materials. So, I’m gonna let you in on a few hacks. The cover is a cheerio box. Covered of course, but not fancy or expensive. And that nice waxed linen thread? Not sure where to find that, but waxed dental floss works well in a pinch. See?
And it’s minty fresh. Now, I can’t guarantee the lasting quality of the “thread”. It did help me learn the technique though. A technique I will definitely be revisiting.
Especially in the future when we have fun with this app, Pocketbooth:
And this review is helpful, to get an idea of all the features:
I love all the possibilities for backgrounds with the “photobooth” being so portable. Yes, there might be a whole series of these books.
And for fun, here’s a little peek at the inside back cover of the album above:
I love this patterned paper. Makes me happy for when the weather is a little warmer. There is nothing I love more than hanging clothes on the line, with the sun on my back. mmmmm.
“I am a stinky, p.u., beautiful princess” – Katey, 3:42 p.m. on a Tuesday (Jan. 25, 2011 to be exact)
She’s right on all counts. Well, was right. I did change her bum before the photo shoot.
And a few minutes later after some accessorizing:
We talked for a few minutes about beauty and good hearts. I wanted her to know there is so much more to beauty than polka dot scarves and fluffy dresses. It will be an ongoing conversation. She is already a beautiful, beautiful princess, partly because her heart is so beautiful. And I love that she knows she’s beautiful. That’s something even a stinky diaper cannot hide.
