scrappin' it up!

I have a fun tackle to share for Tackle it Tuesday!! I have been meaning to finish my son's pre-birth/birth scrapbook. I've had half of it finished for awhile, but I needed to add my journaling and finish up some loose ends to make it feel complete. This last Friday, I had the opportunity to go scrapbooking with friends, and I was able to get even closer. And then yesterday I was able to finish up the journaling. So, now I can say that I have officially tackled it (minus only one page that needs a little more thought into the journaling part of the page).

**Warning: Lots of pictures ahead,
but hopefully inspiring ones!**

here's the page that I need to finish...see that blank space?

There you have it!
A fun tackle, but one that took longer than expected...
Now I'm on to Austin's first year...we'll see how long that takes.
Have I mentioned that Austin's 17 months now?

For more Tuesday Tacklers, visit 5 Minutes for Mom.

a few of my favorite things

Today is Friend Makin' Monday over at Kasey's place. She has asked us to share 10 of our favorite things. I wanted to go beyond what I might normally choose, so I tried to get a little creative!

10 (out of many) of my Favorite Things

MY KIDS AND HUSBAND
OK, this one wasn't extremely creative, but it should be extremely obvious! I couldn't live without these 3 blessings in my life! I am one lucky woman!

SCRAPBOOKING
I really enjoy taking some "me" time and using this creative outlet as a way to have fun and enjoy some time with friends. I use to be able to scrapbook at home, but not anymore with 2 kids! We have a scrapbooking store in our town that holds weekly crops, so I try to get in there once a month.

DEALS ON CLEARANCE
(especially at 50-75% off!)

REALITY TV TAPED ON DVR
Whenever I have some down time (usually at night with my computer on my lap), I like to look through some of the shows taped on my DVR and enjoy a lazy couple of hours of reality TV, like Amazing Race, Survivor, Biggest Loser, The Bachelor...but don't worry, I'm not a crazy reality TV junkie!

HAM, TURKEY, AND CHEESE SANDWICHES ON WHEAT BREAD
There's nothing like a yummy sandwich like this, with a side of Baked Lay's and some delicious fruit. My favorite is with REAL deli meat from the deli...it's a rare treat!

PICTURES
I love taking pictures, looking through pictures, anything with pictures! It's such a wonderful way to document life...what would we do without it?

NEW HAIRCUT AND COLOR
I love the feeling of a new hair cut and color after coming home from the salon. I usually feel like a million bucks and so I usually plan my hair appointments on a day where I'll be going somewhere (anywhere) that evening!

ORGANIZING
Give me something to organize and I'm all over it...junk drawers, closets, you name it, I love it! Check out some of my organized projects here, or all of my organizing madness.

CARRIE UNDERWOOD
I really enjoy country music, and right now my favorite artist is Carrie Underwood. I was able to go to her concert back in November, and she was amazing! Carrie Underwood's CD Carnival Ride is nicknamed "mommy's music" by my daughter Mikayla.

SLEEPING IN
LOVE THIS!! My husband is such a great man...he lets me sleep in often on the weekends (we try to trade off for each other, but I often get more spoiled...thanks, babe!)

Come and join us at Kasey's and meet some new blogging buddies!

birthday on the brain

Yesterday I celebrated my 31st birthday (it feels so weird writing that!). I woke up to a nice surprise of my favorite kind of doughnuts, which I haven't had since my birthday last year (you know, with trying to be on this weight loss kick and all). Mikayla was eager to give me the birthday card that she helped make, and Ryan had a scavenger hunt all set up for me around the house, finding little gifts along the way. What a sweet husband! For lunch we headed to Red Robin and then afterwords Ryan took the kids home for a nap and I got to do some "kidless" browsing at Target. Later in the day my mom came to the house to watch the kids while Ryan and I snuck away to a movie. It was a very relaxing and enjoyable day with the family.

****************************************

On Friday Mikayla went to one of her best friend's 3rd birthday party. It was all pink and princess-y...just the way Ellie likes it! They decorated crowns, wands, ate princess cake, attempted a little dress up, and watched the birthday girl open her presents. To say the least, Mikayla didn't want to leave!

Princess Mikayla & Princess Ellie

******************************************

In just 2 short months exactly from today's date, Mikayla will be turning 3 herself! And, friends, how that happened all of the sudden...I have yet to understand! I'll save the mooshy-gooshy stuff for her birthday, but as I started thinking and planning for what we wanted to do for her party, I thought I would share some of my birthday party ideas from the past to get in the party planning mood!

Austin's 1st Birthday - monkey theme
(for more detail, check it out here)

Mikyala's 1st Birthday - butterfly theme
Mikayla's 2nd Birthday (friends) - ladybug theme
Mikayla's 2nd Birthday (family) - flowers and favorites theme

(for more detail, check it out here)

Is it obvious that I love a good theme? I think we've narrowed Mikayla's 3rd birthday party down to a dress up/tea time party. So, I'll be on the hunt for some great party plans. We'll only be inviting a few of Mikayla's little girlfriends, so it means that I get to do some major spoiling! I'd love to hear from anyone who has planned a dress up or tea time party before and the kind of things that you did. I've already gathered some great ideas, but I'm definitely looking for more!

And, most importantly...
thank you to everyone who shared a birthday greeting yesterday! It made my day!!

31 things i've accomplished...

In no particular order, I have...

...graduated from college with honors.
...received my Masters in Education.
...taught upper elementary school-aged children for 6 years.
...met my "future husband", got engaged, and then married all in exactly a year.
...birthed two healthy children (C-sections).
...played in the Oregon state basketball tournament my senior year in high school.
...celebrated 5 years of marriage with a trip to Southern California this past December.
...taken a missions trip to New Mexico to an Indian Reservation while in high school.
...found life long friends in college.
...started HB Creative Design.
...gone to Hawaii for my honeymoon and even went snorkeling!
...traveled to Washington DC and other surrounding east coast states in middle school (visiting the Statue of Liberty while I was there).
...participated in various dramas, at church and in community.
...sung in many different performances...at school, church, a variety of social functions.
...coached 5th grade basketball and was an assistant coach for junior high.
...worked at Camp Tilikum for three summers as a staff camp counselor (best summers of my life!)
...kept my first job for 5 years working at a hardware store as an office assistant, cashier, accounts payable...you name it, I was there long enough to do it!
...beach fished in Kodiak, Alaska with my brother, mom, and dad.
...gone white water rafting (and even survived (more so emotionally) from being thrown out).
...lived in potato country in Eastern Washington (with my aunt and uncle) for a year for my first teaching job.
...survived the aches, pains, and symptoms of both a boy and girl pregnancy.
...planned my wedding in 4 months.
...used my creativity in many different avenues.
...started blogging, and got hooked right away.
...helped make my house a home through my love for decorating.
...developed inspiring friendships throughout the years.
...joined MOPS, then joined the leadership team for MOPS.
...continued my walk with God.
...become a mother to my two beautiful blue-eyed blessings in less than 2 years.
...been blessed with being a part of an amazing family legacy.
...found the passion to be a better mom, wife, friend, daughter, sister.

Anyone care to guess why I chose 31?

I have to admit it was a little difficult coming up with this list. I realized that although I know I have accomplished a lot in my life so far, it still feels like I have so many more dreams of accomplishing things in the future (maybe for another post?). However, instead of me wishing I would have been more adventurous or had more tenacity for other things, I need to remember to instead look ahead, make each day count, celebrate the joys, grow from the struggles, and hold on to the memories of what I have already been through.

the handmade touch

Updated to add on July 16, 2009: This tutorial was featured on Tip Junkie! Welcome to all of you visiting from there. Feel free to take a few minutes to browse around my blog. Whether you're looking for crafts, tutorials, or organization...it's here (and more)! Thanks for stopping by and hopefully sticking around!

Looking to create a cute, inexpensive,
useful, easy, and unique gift?

I have the fun pleasure of being the Creative Activities Leader for my local MOPS group. Some of the challenges of preparing crafts for our MOPS monthly meetings are that I need to make sure to find something that is inexpensive, easy to complete with a variety of craft abilities, and something quick (less than 30 minutes). But since I love to be creative, I'm always up to the challenge!

I found the following idea while visiting Paper Zone and thought that it would be perfect for January's craft!

The MOPS moms loved it, so I thought I would pass the idea along.

Here's a quick and easy how-to...

Step 1: Purchase blank notepads (I found a pack of five 4x6 notepads at the Dollar Store).

Step 2: Using a piece of 12x12 scrapbook paper (designed or plain) cut a 4x12 strip (or whatever size of notepad you will be using).

Then wrap the piece of paper over the notepad starting in the front.


**Note: If using the 4x6 notepads, there will be a small strip on the back of the notepad at the bottom that will have no paper (see picture below).


Step 3: Choose how you would like to decorate the front cover. I used some rub-ons I have in my scrapbooking supplies.


Step 4: Decide where you would like the ribbon to be by placing it between the back of note pad and back cover (keep in mind where you have added your embellishments on the front).


Step 5: Using Modge Podge, glue the paper to the back cover, making sure you have put the ribbon in place, as well.


Step 6: Turn it over, tie a bow and you have your completed project!! You can even add a large magnet strip on the back to hang on the refrigerator for some handy (but cute!) scratch paper.


Here are a couple more samples I had used for MOPS (with a few minor embellishment changes than what I had the ladies create).


This one is a birthday gift for a friend of mine. Today's her birthday!! (Hope she doesn't check the blog today to spoil the surprise!)


Being crafty is what I'm hooked on for today (and most days).

To see what others are "hooked on", visit Hooked On Houses for Hooked on Fridays!

Happy Crafting!!

And, don't forget to check out my scalloped punch craft challenge ending March 5th. Are YOU up for the challenge?

let's get crafty!

For Things I Love Thursday over at The Diaper Diaries, I want to share with you my LOVE for creating.

I love to create in many different ways...cards, scrapbooking, home decor, kid projects, baking (not too good with this one), and pretty much everything else in between!

One of my favorite crafting tools right now is this circle scalloped punch...


Oh my! This little piece of crafty goodness has potential for so many projects!! I just bought it a couple of months ago with a JoAnn's gift card I had gotten for Christmas (in other words...free!). I have the 2" punch (as shown) made by EK Success - Paper Shapers, but I believe there are many different companies that sell these scalloped punch (like Stampin' Up!) I haven't used it much, but I've seen a lot of fun projects that I definitely can't wait to dive into!!

Like these adorable things that Missy from Simply Red (my new blogging buddy!) created during Valentine's. I wish I would have come up with this!!

And seriously, how cute are these over-night guest goodies created by Theresa at Crafting the Web? A-maz-ing!!

Hello cuteness?? Check out these summertime fun craftiness by Anne at Stamping with Blue Moon Creations.

On top of these kinds of projects, there are so many card examples that can be created using the scalloped punch that I just can't wait to sit down and go to work!

So, let's get our craft on!

Do you have a circle scalloped punch?
I want to see what you come up with!
Don't worry...I'll give you 2 weeks
to brainstorm and create.
Come back here on Thursday, March 5th with your project in a blog post (new or old) and link up with the rest of us to share what you have created.
There might just be some sort of giveaway...
oh yeah, you heard me right!
Spread the word if you will...can't wait to see!

If you're not too much into crafts (and that's OK!), you can still share what you love and head on over to The Diaper Diaries for Things I Love Thursday to tell us all about!

i'm in the sisterhood!

These last few weeks I have really been enjoying blogging a whole lot more than when I first started the blog last May. I am lucky to be in a phase of life where things have slowed down a bit (for which I am thankful and I'm sure will be short!) and blogging has become my ultimate just mommy outlet.

Where my blog first started out as a way to show off my kids since updating our family website was something only my husband could do, it gradually turned into a place where I could share my thoughts and creativity with the "outside world"...and of course, I still manage to sneak in shots of my sweet blue-eyed babes!

Within these last few weeks I have really gotten to know quite a few different ladies through various blogs I have come to enjoy and be inspired by. A couple of these ladies offered me an award and who am I to refuse that??

A big thank you goes to Kelli at Outside My Kitchen Window & Kasey at All That is Good. Both of these women are inspiring and super sweet! They've taken time to leave comments on my blog on a regular basis and I just love seeing what they have to share through their own blog. Because of these two wonderful ladies, I am now part of the Sisterhood!!

**Updated to add: Julie from Tattered Threads & Willing Hands (such a beautiful blog name!) just gave me this award, as well! She had such super sweet things to say about me and now I'm blushing. Thanks, Julie! It's been fun getting to know you through Friend Makin' Mondays over at Kasey's!!


The rules of this award are...

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.

2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!

3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.

4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.

Michelle at Her Cup Overfloweth
Lynz at The Miles Family
Tammy at Raising Angels
Katie at A Listmaker's Life
Missy at Simply Red
Kim at Caldwell Cuties
Shelley at My Treasure Hunt
The Masked Mommy

I wanted to give this back to (is this cheating?!):
Kasey at All That is Good
Kelli at Outside My Kitchen Window

baskets here, there, and everywhere!

I love baskets! I love to organize! It's a win-win situation for me.

For Works for Me Wednesday this week (Shannon's last one!), I thought I would give you a quick tour of all the little baskets I have around the house, and what I use them for. I actually didn't realize I had so many until I started taking pictures of all of them. (I think I might have a problem. Although, I guess it's a good problem since it keeps me organized.)

Many of the baskets I own I have purchased over the years either on clearance, on sale, given to me as part of a gift basket, or found at a second-hand store. Some of the baskets I paid full price for were ones I bought at IKEA that fit perfectly into our bookshelves...and those were purchased one by one over the years.

I also love buying baskets that come in sets. I found a killer deal once about 3 years ago (I still remember it) at Home Depot that had a set of 4 baskets...I so wished I would have scooped up another set at the time! My mom made basket liners for Mikayla's nursery and they looked so adorable. Then, when Austin was born, she made another set of liners for his room, which now I only need one basket for his room (see pictures below). Now I am happy to be able to use these baskets in other places around the house.

Hopefully you are inspired by one of these pictures and can find a use for a basket to help keep you just a little bit more organized.

these are the IKEA baskets I had mentioned earlier...
they are perfect for holding toys and books

more IKEA baskets!
the basket on the far right holds our camera stuff...
video camera, regular camera, & camera bags
(keeps them handy, but out of the way)

gotta love a basket of books!

these little baskets I found at Fred Meyer and they were
on clearance for $1.49 each!
I should have snagged more, but I only picked up four
(inside these baskets pictured directly below
are our remotes & the kids' music CDs)

this is another one of those Fred Meyer baskets...
I use it here for odds and ends to clear up clutter on the counter
one more Fred Meyer basket...
used in my son's room for lotion, comb, diaper rash cream, etc.
basket of blankets in the coat closet
a bread basket on the kitchen counter...
it helps keep all the bread items together in one place
(this is one of the baskets from the set I found at Home Depot...isn't it great?)

another part of the Home Depot set...
used in Austin's room for blankets
(this is the liner I was talking about earlier that my mom made - cute, huh?)
more toy organization!
(another basket from the set at Home Depot)

I received this basket as part of a gift...
it was perfect for the kids' bathroom!

another little touch in the kids' bathroom
I found this one on sale at Fred Meyer...
...and so I bought two!
(one for each bathroom)

these two baskets I found at Marshalls...
I loved that they have basket liners that match the colors in Mikayla's room...
they are perfect for all of Mikayla's babies and accessories

Is it obvious that I love me some baskets??

Apparently, they work for me!


Head on over to Rocks in My Dryer for more of Works for Me Wednesday. This will be Shannon's last time hosting and then she will passing it along to Kristen at We Are THAT Family starting next week!

one thing lead to another

4/1/09 - Updated to add: This post is part of Masked Mommy's Cupboard Pow Wow! Check out all the cupboard transformations by clicking on the Pow Wow button to the left.


I could start out by sharing how I had quite the day with some sick (and rather crabby) kiddos, but we'll avoid that subject and pretend it didn't happen...

The kids and I are heading out Tuesday morning to visit my sister and her family in Washington. It's about a 3 hour trip, and since my husband can't come with us due to work, I'm very thankful that my mom is joining us!

There were a few things I needed to tackle before heading out of town...

*LAUNDRY! 3 loads of it...
*Packing (2 suitcases - one for both the kids, and one for me!)
*Vacuuming /cleaning the rooms - I just feel like I have to leave the house clean for my hubby! So, he can relax and enjoy cleanliness for the next couple of days.

There were a couple of other tackles that I guess I didn't have to do, but one thing led to another...and that's how my personality works!!

I wanted to make a little travel activity bag for Mikayla to take on the 3-hour drive. I headed to the craft cupboard to gather some goodies and was mortified by the shape I found it in!! I decided that enough was enough and before I could create the activity bag, I made myself clean the top part of the craft cupboard in the play room...but I couldn't just clean the top part, I had to organize it inside as well (which wasn't that bad because I had already organized that thoroughly once before).

I have a habit of just putting things on top of the cupboard because we have a childproof lock on the outside and it's always such a pain to deal with when I want to put something away. Luckily, this cupboard is behind the door in the play room, so it's not something I see all the time (or that others see).

BEFORE
top of cupboard...what a mess!

AFTER
ahhhhh...much better!

BEFORE
inside the cupboard...
just needs a little shaping up

AFTER
that works!

Here's the activity bag that I created for Mikayla to take along on the drive.
Contents include: crayons, sunglasses, Super Silly Songs CD, paper, coloring book, stickers, My Little Ponies, dolls, and brushes, Dora lift-the-flap book, mini MagnaDoodle, Hermie DVDs (Max Lucado)

Onto the next tackle...

I also wanted to create a little snack box to take with us on the road, but just like the craft cupboard, I headed to the pantry and I was in shock! How does it get this bad so quickly?? I only had enough time to do a couple of shelves, but they were the ones we use the most. Which means more mess!

BEFORE

AFTER

Here's the snack box I created to take on the road with us.
Contents include: Teddy Grahams, bottled waters, granola bars, Yogos, Nutrigrain bars, graham crackers, fruit snacks

Of course we probably won't eat all of this on the drive, but you can never be too prepared!! I'll probably throw in some fruit, carrots, string cheese, and other refrigerated snacks before we hit the road.

I really do have good "systems of organization" for these chaotic places, but sometimes I go through organizing rebellious phases! Can anyone else relate??


For more Tuesday Tacklers...head on over to 5 Minutes for Mom.

If you'd like to see more of my tackler insanity, check out more of my tackles HERE.