2/29/08

Introducing ModMom


If you're a mom who started your pregnancy with intentions of cloth diapers, pureed baby food, handmade clothes, second and third languages, daily play dates, organic snacks, and ended up just managing to make it through the week with one shower and a trip to Wal-Mart for more Elmo covered diapers, then ModMom is the blog for you. Its a great resource for those occasions when you need a reminder that being a mom doesn't mean all the fun has ended. Its also a time saver when you're looking for something out of the ordinary as there are links for days. Did I mention there are ALWAYS giveaways? Go check it out!

2/28/08

Widdling Away at the List


These were fun to get in the mail on Monday. The camera loves them. They are going to be included in the March Paper Kit at Red Velvet Kit Club.
Finished this one.
Getting closer on this one.
I have a sick boy that has been needing most of my attention. Pretty sure I didn't shower all day. MMmm...speaking of smells!
Thanks for all of your comments about the stamps. Angie was thrilled to know so many people liked them. Congratulations to all the Fashionistas that were chosen for SIStv! I'm excited to see how your styles influence us and grow throughout the year.
Love to all.

~R

2/26/08

Acrylic Stamps by Angie


I love this cute little robot stamp. I made this card for my husband last night and left it near his coffee pot to find before he went to work. It reads 'Love Bots For Life'. I'm just waiting for the right picture of Sebastian to be printed before I use them in a LO.
Check out Angie's other stamps HERE.

Leave a comment with your name and favorite smell and I'll choose two winners to receive one of these lovely stamps by Angie.

Fill In The Blanks


I've had this quilt in my head for a few months but it finally took shape this weekend. Today as S was sleeping, I realized I had hit a wall in three major projects I'm trying to finish up so I felt 'allowed' to make something for myself. It was so refreshing to start cutting and watch it make sense in its free form essence. I get the biggest rush when I'm making something from scratch with no patterns or dimensions to follow that might give me any sense of the outcome. I usually make mistakes I didn't anticipate but the process is so much more fulfilling than fussing over details. Sometimes it means tossing the whole thing in the trash but its still my favorite way to work.

I'm filling in the blank spots with unbleached, 100% natural cotton and then backing it with unbleached muslin. I'll bind it with the darker yellow and use my ever trusty 'stitch in the ditch' quilting method.

Its similar to the Denyse Schmidt designs but more reflective of the Gee's Bend essence. Its a simple idea that you could try with a variety of colors but I'm really into this monochromatic look right now. I'll be sure to finish my other projects before I start up again but I'll be sure to post it when its done.

2/25/08

p.s.

Brilliant. You may have to give it about 10 seconds to load. I found this link from Dooce.com. Her blog is not for the easily offended but this video is really cute.

2/24/08

TODAY I LOVE


* Making Plans
* Making Quilts
* Making....Other Things

* Smelling Coffee Grinds
* Smelling Wet Earth
* Smelling Clean Bathrooms

* Taking His Picture
* Taking Home New Fabric
* Taking Time to Rest

* Watching My Waistline
* Watching Him Sign for the Train Whistle on iTunes
* Watching Across the Universe Twice

* Finding Money in the Dryer
* Finding Light in the Evenings
* Finding Out I Am Good at Something New

2/22/08

Flickr Favs.


1. From the wardrobe, 2. Untitled, 3. we'll all be here for you, 4. bonehead, 5. gray, 6. Real Living Magazine Nov. '07, 7. little otsu love, 8. saarinen, 9. Wardrobe, 10. Bedroom, 11. my kitchen wall, 12. The Boudoir, 13. two, 14. color, 15. Untitled, 16. guggenheim, 17. kitchen, 18. Bag shoes, 19. Room, 20. Guestroom, 21. Sad cowboy, 22. Right Brain Terrain {eco posters}, 23. the best kitchen colors ever, 24. perfect color combination, 25. Domino Magazine - Great Headboard, 26. West Elm Summer Quilt - I love the pattern and color, 27. From the blog: Making It Lovely, 28. 14 Studio Space by Starlee Matz, 29. Meet Tanya Whelan of Grand Revival Designs, 30. Blissliving {bedding}, 31. Blissliving {bedding}, 32. Coffee Cup Tags, 33. hmmm... interesting..., 34. lovely letters, 35. Power Poufs!, 36. domino
I only just now figured out how this works.

Oh, and if you're reading this Martha and/or Sarah Highfill, I am SO glad you all posted to say hi. I need your e-mails! Mine is in my profile. I was so happy to hear from you. (For those other than Martha and Sarah, we went to college together.)

I'll be away from the computer this weekend trying to finish up some projects in order to make way for a large one. Busy, busy. Its supposed to rain buckets here so it'll be a good excuse to stay inside and make stuff. Love to all!

~R~

2/20/08

'The Plan'





This is my attempt at knowing how I'd like to decorate and make purchases for our next home. I need something with a strong sense of style that reflects our family's taste. When you're decorating on a really tight budget, you need a plan so you don't waste money on pieces you don't really like or lose focus of what you really need. I'll be filling it up with images and lists in preparation for the new place.

I found these this weekend at a local antique store. I love Mellimac! I've been collecting the Mellamine that Target started putting out last Spring because I love the idea of a bright, mix and match kitchen. My mom has always had Pyrex in her kitchen so it feels right to have it in mine. Brett and I are planning to move to the Midwest near the beginning of Summer via U-Haul and are hoping to catch an Ikea on the way to load up on a few pieces of furniture in a box. One of the benefits of having moved so often in the last four years is getting to start fresh with furnishings. We've given away and sold most of the furniture we've ever owned every time we've relocated but having a child means doubling the amount of 'necessary' furniture to take with you.

Flickr has been a fabulous source of inspiration for the new place.
A girl can dream or a girl can plan.

More news later. My mind is starting to shut down for the night.

2/17/08

Tagged and Memed~Sounds like Punishment


I was tagged by Lorie and Memed by my sweet friend, Katelyn, a LONG time ago so its about time that I return the favor.

*********************
You must post the rules before you give your answers.
You must list one fact about yourself for each letter of your middle name.
Each fact must begin with that letter.
If you don't have a middle name, just use your maiden name.
After you've been tagged, you need to up-date your blog with your middle name and answers.
At the end of your post, you need to tag one person. (Be sure to leave them a comment telling them they've been tagged and need to read your blog for details).

A:rtistic. I've always enjoyed the process of repurposing and making something new. I think children naturally tend to repurpose and use their imaginations with objects around them so I guess that part has been nurtured enough to join me in my adult years. I think I have a responsibility to share it and use it to help others enjoy theirs.

L:ovely. This lesson is still a work in progress. Brett bought me a necklace with the definition of lovely in the locket for Christmas one year. It helps me remember.

L:istener. One of my best traits.

I:nternational. Well, I've lived in other countries, learned Chinese, enjoy Thai food, and this letter was hard to match.

S:illy. I had a friend in college that encouraged this part of my personality. We had the best times together. It was so comfortable.

O:ptimistic about fitting into my pre-baby size again since I've doubled my mileage each week.

N:ervous. I get this way around new people and with small talk. I totally get awkward unless you're the 'warm' type.

Consider yourself tagged.

Memed? Not even sure what that means but I used my flickr favorites. So handy.

I really want a room like this.

I really need one of these.

Someday, I'd like another of these.

I want to give away lots of these.

Everyone should know this.

I am so happy to have him.

You've been Memed, too, if you want to play.

Happy long weekend.

2/15/08

Postaholic

Any husband who is willing to hang a pink print on his wall is a keeper. I had to track this one down from the Reform School website and decided to guide Brett towards a 'really good idea for a Valentine's Day gift'. He was all about it. It came in the mail on Wednesday and even though I knew what it was, I wasn't allowed to open it until yesterday. We aren't going to frame it until we move in case it breaks on the way but I am so happy to finally have this print in my possession.
Next is a pic of my workspace today. A completely lovely mess of pink. I've got some kits to pack and some quilt bits to finish so I'd better get started with the relocating of piles. Have a lovely weekend, ya'all. I'm bound and determined to rent 'Across the Universe' even if its not in the Dollar DVD machine. I don't want to be the last one in the world to enjoy the eye candy.

p.s. Thanks to everyone who bought a project kit this morning. I updated the shop with a few more in case someone missed out on the first batch.

p.p.s. CHARIN! I just got a box from the post man. Sebastian is out running errands with his Papa but I'll be sure he gets his Valentine from Katie Shae. His first girlfriend!

Handmade Journal Kits




February's Project Kit is everything you need to make a journal for your doodles and secrets. Make lists, test out pens, write love notes or fill with pictures of your mom. Using a journal that is already visually stimulating will make writing in it more fun. It frees up your thoughts in ways blank pages don't and you can mess up and call it part of the process. Add your own masking tape, paper clips, staples and handwriting to make something lovely to look at on your shelf.
Find one for your hot little hands HERE.

*EDITED: I've just added 10 more to the shop this morning (2/15/08 @ 7:50 a.m.). Thanks for the great response!

2/14/08

Who Do You Love?


How are you showing them?

Happy Valentine's Day to all of you lovely readers, commenters, and lurkers alike. You make this place special.

2/12/08

While I Was Out


Sebastian made good friends with the animals at the petting zoo. He's still learning about personal space.

2/11/08

WOWZA!






It was a thrill to be in the middle of the scrapbook/craft chaos at CHA today. I went down last night and got to spend some down time with Elsie and Shannon Tidwell before things got busy. I got into registration before the line exploded and as I was sitting patiently, saw Ali Edwards get stopped by a few fans. I smiled on the inside because I am not a 'stop and say hi' girl. I'm a 'look from a distance' girl. I'm much more likely to introduce myself to someone who may recognize me. When I saw the lovely Celine Navarro and her friend checking out product at a booth, I rushed over and grabbed her. I also stopped by Daisy D's and met Stephanie Dos Reis, who's first line just premiered at the show. I was feeling pretty brave until I saw Jeanette and some others from SIStv. I just smiled on the inside again and walked on by. I ran into Michelle and Amy Tangerine and Kristina Contes and Morgan at the Love, Elsie booth and met a lot of lovely scrappers.
I made the rookie mistake of not bringing wheeled luggage to carry all those catalogs! Check out some okay pics of some of my favorite product here. I'm off to bed. More soon!

P.S. The top four LO's were samples for the show. LOVE the Daisy colors and the whole Forrest line. They are so beautiful.