snow in the mountains

We wanted snow, so off we went to the mountains... 

We loved being together as a family and we loved being in the snow!

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And after much anticipation, the winner is...

Congratulations Laura!!! Laura, please email me your address.

It was so close and all ideas are just grand. I wish there were 3 of me, so each one could make each idea and some of the other great ones that were mentioned. Now, I love this piece too and I have to admit I am a bit nervous, but I am excited for the challenge. Thank you all so, so much for your participation!!!

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Don't forget, this Monday is Messy Monday. I will show you my horrible messes... see post below for details. I am nervous and am ready to be embarrassed...

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Happy weekend all!!!

playing house

There hasn't been too much crafting in this part of the world because I am playing house, rather, I am cleaning my house.

Despite what may be seen on the house tours, my house is very, very messy. Horrendously messy. I am itching to open up shop again, but before I do so, I want my house to be clean and organized. That means no pile of junk just sitting on random corners. Or no "Monica-like" secret closet in my bedroom. You should see my bedroom closet. So. Bad. Really. I almost want to take a picture and show you, but it really is much too embarrassing... seriously.

This is a cute little vintage house, which is a Christmas present bought by grammie and grumpy from etsy. It is clean and has no secret closet. Well if it did, I wouldn't know, cause it's secret, right? The house is actually a pretty good size and is made out of tin (I think, something metal-ish). What is even more lovely is that the girls love it and so do I, (after all, I was the one who heart-ed it) and it has become an integral part of our daily play. Remember our kokeshi's... they live here. Along, with an ornament turned doll from Anthro. So cute to see my little babes play with this!

Dang, it is so much fun being a little girl...

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I will announce the contest winner on Friday. I can't wait to see which one I get to create!
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Okay, let's face it. We are all real and aren't as neat as our blogs may be, so now is your chance to confess and share your messes!!! I declare this Monday, February 2nd, Messy Monday and if you want to join, just post pictures of your secret messes you keep hidden away on your blog. I will do the same. I am a bit nervous because really my closet is bad! Really bad!!! You will see a whole new side of me. I know my best friend, Lin, is laughing excitedly at this thought because when she comes over she always comments on the side of me people don't see. She says she knows the real me. Also, in order to share it one another, on my monday post, just leave a comment linking to your mess, so that we can all laugh and be humbled together. I can hardly wait to see our messes! Is anyone else excited about this? If you want to get more people in on it, just chat away about it on your blog too and link to the instructions here! If I knew how to use flickr well, maybe we can get a group together, not sure how to do that though! Okay, well, until monday...
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polaroid tuesday: week four

Our date, her vintage dress, a little photo shoot, and some red balloons...

Balloons are so happy, especially red ones!

it is time to pick

Everyone had such wonderful ideas that I agonized over which 3 to pick (I am still debating on which 3 as I type this)... Ben couldn't pick either! So True had to do it (well, she helped just a little like posing for the picture)...

Here are your three options:

1. Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh (from Laura)

2. Woodland... gnomes, toadstools and a deer (from Angela)

3. Octopus... tentacles dangling, shells, seaweed (from Rust and Roses)

You have until next Wednesday, January 28th until midnight PST to get your vote in. Please vote only once, but if you would like to blog about it and link to this post to get more votes in from friends and family, go ahead and do so. The crown idea with the most votes will get turned into a crown and be given to the idea giver. I hope I am making sense...

It really was so hard to narrow it down, but I have to share my other favorites that almost made it:

- Parisian theme, whom had a few idea contributors, which also made it hard to pick this one, but I would so love to do this crown! I am thinking I might, so that my girls will have a new one sitting on their shelf.

- Frida Kahlo inspired crown (from Miko Design).

- Third Eye... this would have funny (from Amy).

Oh and there were so many more! Really, the list could go on... 

Thank you for everyone for sharing your thoughts and ideas. I loved reading each one. You are all some really creative folk!!!

Have a wonderful and creative-filled weekend... and happy voting!!!

a new day and new era

We honored yesterday's inauguration by making our own little patriotic cupcakes...

Red velvet, cream cheese frosting, and blue sprinkles made the perfect little combination...

It was so amazing to see history played out right in front of our eyes. I have learned that if you wanted him or not, it is very important to pray for the new leader of America, no matter who it is...

May the next 4 years be filled with many cupcakes (don't forget the veggies!!!)...

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The contest will end today and I will share the three that we will vote on this coming Friday. Don't forget to get any last ideas in before midnight PST.
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polaroid tuesday: week three

My Nikon went wonky and made the day a bit gray, but I do like it when the sky is a bit gray.

a new old thing

On one of our recent flea marketing excursions we came across this big, lovely, old, super rusty wire basket from France and in it was a nice colorful collection of vintage children's bocce balls...

 

I must say I fell in love with this piece of art rather quickly and claimed it to be mine before anyone else could. No hesitation. It was just too cool to pass up.

On another note, I am a bit bummed that my camera froze on me today (I still highly recommend Nikon). This is quite a tragedy as my camera has become an extension of my arm, so the fact that I have to send part of my arm in to get fixed and won't get it back for a few weeks is quite disheartening. I guess it will be back to my point and shoot for just a bit. Good thing, I have my polaroids, but I am getting low on film... oh well, here's to a point and shoot few weeks!!!

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Don't forget the contest!!! You could win a crown...
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hearts aren't just for valentines (+ contest)

A little request for some hearts and a lot of love...

These pictorial-ish crowns have been lots of fun for me to make. I enjoy the challenge of coming up with something a little different and real whimsical from our original crowns (not that I don't enjoy the others, cause I do), but a little challenge is always fun. 

Plus, something new always gets me thinking a little bit more and one idea leads to another. I love new ideas. Anyone have any good ones that might make for a great crown?

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Sara had a good idea and let's turn this into a contest/giveaway of sorts. 

Leave your idea for a crown in this post by next Wednesday, January 21st. One idea per person. Then, I (and Ben) will choose the top 3 and on Friday, January 23rd, have everyone vote for the top idea (out of the three). Though, I am sure all the ideas will be grand. For the winner, I will gladly turn their idea into a crown. Oh and those international are welcome to join!

Does that sound good? Happy idea making!!!
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while in bed

It can get boring just laying down, so I started to draw (and organize for taxes).

Meet my polaroid camera...
I got my little polaroid project organized too (see my new button on my sidebar). I wanted a little space where all of them can be kept together (though, they will still be here), so I drew a little something for that space. I miss drawing. I mean I sketch here and there for sewing and doodle with my girls all the time, but I really do miss just sitting down to draw. Maybe, I will pick it back up... we'll see.

I really can't wait to see how my weekly polaroid collection grows... 

polaroid tuesday: week two

Darn me. I'm sick again. Twice in a year is a very rare thing for me. All I want are soups and juice. I am sure (at least I hope), today will be a better day. I just hate not being able to do anything.

the perfect pine cone

This is one of my favorite winter scenes that is displayed in our home.
"This is the most perfect pine cone!" as once exclaimed by someone who was very dear to us. Her name was Ximena.

We were all walking through a mall parking lot when she came across this pine cone. I will never forget the excitement and delight in her voice when she found it. At the time, our dear friend was in a battle for her life against breast cancer. She had learned to find joy in the simple things that most people forgot about. She wanted to cherish every moment and every little treasure. Well, she scooped it up and said this would be perfect in her house. Happily, she nestled the pine cone in her arms as we loaded in the car and went to dinner. 

A few weeks later, I found the pine cone in the car. She must have forgotten it, which was easy because it was so dark and there was so much excitement in everyone being together. I decided I was going to mail it to her (she was from out of town). Unfortunately, I never got the chance to send it to her because the cancer won the battle not too long after. 

She was young. She was beautiful. She loved all those around here. 

When I saw this painting by Emily, it was just all too perfect (actually, the girl resembles her a bit). I definitely knew I had to snatch this print.

This pine cone is special to us. This pine cone is a reminder of her.

unicorn of the sea

My littlest seester, she really isn't that little, and her special friend have a endearing love for the "unicorns of the sea," so for Christmas I made them both their own narwhal-ish goodie. The seester got a little softie...

The special friend got a crown...
I was bit surprised that this 19 year old boy would be wanting a crown so badly, but he did. It was that or a poncho. I opted to make him the crown. Now, a pair of friendly narwhals grace his head and greet everyone, "Hola!" 

I haven't touched my sewing machine since Christmas, but I am starting to miss it. Though right now, there is lots of cleaning and organizing to be had.

out of the country and on the ship

I wish we had more time in Mexico. More time to eat, more time to shop, and more time to take pictures, but our few hours there will have to do...

My first time on a real cruise gave me only one morning of sickness, nothing a nap couldn't take care of. Then, it was off to have fun...

It was fun cruisin' along!!!

polaroid tuesday: week one

Hi all. I'm back. Right after the new year, we were whisked away by my side of the family to Mexico (one day there) and some floating around in the Pacific Ocean for a couple of days (thanks mom & dad for this treat). This was all in celebration of my dad's 50th birthday (my mom and him married young and had me young). It was a grand jovial celebration of my dad's half of a century and our family.

Of course, while there I took along my new-old polaroid camera. I am so loving it! With this new year, I wanted to embark on a new little challenge/project for myself. My goal is to take at least one polaroid picture a week (those things are darn expensive) and share here every Tuesday. Let's see how this goes. I think this will be fun and challenge more picture taking skills cause really taking pictures is just a lot of fun. So here is the first (a real polaroid picture and not a poladroid) of what will hopefully be a collection of 52 polaroid pictures...
This was our home for a couple days and the sea animals were our neighbors. My girls were especially happy. I will share more pictures of the trip and our special end of the year celebration soon.

Happy First Tuesday of 2009!!!