We Will Always Have Paris

Friday's Favorite Five: October 2, 2009

I know... it's been a while.  I'm fresh out of excuses. 

So, without further ado, here are the top five things rocking my world this week:

 

1.  This amazing Eiffel Tower vinyl wall decal from Etsy seller "Say It With Style".  I'm in the process of re-decorating my studio and I think this is the perfect addition.  Thanks for the link Jennie!

 

2.  These beautiful Halloween tags from Etsy seller "PS It's In The Details".  I have a hundred uses for these beauties.

 

3.  Fall TV.  I love some of the new shows.  One of my faves is Cougar Town on ABC.  Catch it on Wednesdays.  If you're over 35 and female, this is laugh out loud funny.  I cracked up through the entire pilot.  Another favorite is Glee on Fox.  Hubby and I both love the show.  Although it really isn't a "family" show (lots of teen issues), even Baby G. gets caught up in the dance routines.  Watch it.

4.  This Sweetheart Tree necklace.  Ali featured this Lisa Leonard beauty on her blog recently and I can't get it out of my head.  It kind of reminds me of The Giving Tree stump (those born in the 70s will get the reference to Shel Silverstein's classic).

5.  The Noisette's new song, "Never Forget You".  I love the retro 60s soul feel of this tune.  It's the most often played song on my iTouch right now.  Go take a listen!

Friday's Favorite Five: August 28, 2009

I totally blew off last week's Friday's Favorite Five in favor of enjoying the last days of Summer with good friends visiting from Texas.  Friday's Favorite Five turned into Monday's Favorite Five, which turned into Wednesday's Favorite Five.  And Wednesday's Favorite Five just doesn't sound right. 

Here are the top five things making me smile this week:

 

1. Vintage Halloween Images from Twisted Vintage Images.  I must be ready for Fall... One dollar an image & they are high enough quality that you can print them for background images.  I love this!  Thanks for the link Kim C.!

 

2.  The Tinsel Wonderland Workshop on December 5th in Lafayette, New Jersey.  During the $150  event, hosted by Lisa Kettell, students will make a clay/papier mache christmas tree doll with a china doll face, faux mercury glass bulbs, tinsel bulbs, tinsel sheets and tinsel treasures.  They have the entire event set up so that you will truly enjoy a Victorian Christmas -- it's even set in a village straight out of a Dickens book.  There will be hot chocolate and antique shopping to boot!  Oh, how I desperately want to attend.  If I can't make the Tinsel Wonderland Workshop, I might try to attend Art Opera in April of 2010. 

  

I worship the work of Jenny & Aaron of Jenny's Bake Shop & they are TEACHING A CLASS AT ART OPERA!  Any D.C. girls want to go play on the Jersey Shore with me next April?

3.  Back to School embroidery patterns.  Free!  Click on over to Sew Mama Sew and get yours!

 

4.  The amazing kids birthday parties thrown by One Charming Party.  Check out their American Girl party and their Vintage Glam Barbie party.  Get inspired to throw a party!  I'm thinking I might throw myself a Vintage Glam Barbie party for my 40th.  If nothing else, I'd love to see my girlfriends all "gowned up" for a photo session.  Wouldn't it be cool to throw yourself a kid's birthday party?

 

5.  Settlers of Catan.  Our friends Amy & Cory came out for their annual 5-day visit/Luckett's Fair trip.  We generally spend our spare time playing games, most often "Speed Scrabble".  This year they brought "Settlers of Catan", one of the hottest board games around.  We are totally addicted.  We stayed up most nights until 1 a.m., completely forgetting that, oh yeah, we have KIDS THAT WILL BE UP IN A FEW HOURS.  I loved the fact that each player had the opportunity to play with each roll of the dice, regardless of whether or not it was your turn.  During most board games, I kind of tune out while waiting for my turn.  This one kept my attention.  For hours at a stretch.  If you love board games, buy this.  You'll thank me for it.

Have a wonderful weekend!  We're hoping to be "homebodies" this weekend.  No out-of-town trips.  No out-of-town guests.  Just us.  And our house that needs some serious cleaning.

Friday's Favorite Five - August 14, 2009

Last week's "Favorite Five" is brought to you on a Monday because, well... it's summer.  And I wanted to go to the beach last Friday.  So there.

Here are the top five things that rocked my world (last week):

1.  This beautiful Parisian apron from Anthropologie.  Ever the enabler, Jennie G. sent me this link today.  She's killing me.  I don't think we can be friends anymore...  BTW, if you're an Anthropologie fan, check out this great blog.

2.  This retro chair/stepstool.  My grandmother had one of these when I was a kid.  I loved to sit on it & was pretty ticked when my brother came along & I lost my throne because he "needs it more".  The memories of the chair came back to me when I was at Suni's a couple of weeks ago & saw hers (in bright red).  I need this chair.  For my kids.  Right?  I found one on E-Bay with cheap shipping.  That in and of itself justifies the purchase.

3.  This flying cap from Etsy seller Handmade Charlotte.  I guarantee you that Baby A. will be wearing this sweet chapeau come Fall.  I LOVE the retro feel.  And the dogs.  And the flowers.  Of course, it will have to be pink.

4.  Mad Men on AMC.  Season 3 just started up and I'm dying to have an hour to myself to gobble up the first new episode (conveniently recorded on my DVR).  I desperately want to be Joan when I grow up.  If you've never watched the series, catch up via NetFlix.  You'll thank me later.  If you're already a fan, did you know that you can make your own 60's Mad Men avatar?  Check me out:

 

5.  The new Twilight line by Pink Paislee.  I don't know about you, but I'm starting to get excited about the change of seasons.  Maybe it's because it has been so stinkin' hot.  Maybe it's because the stores are already hocking their Halloween wares.  Regardless,  I'm ready to start some Fall projects.  Click on over to the Pink Paislee site to see the hottest papers/embellishments of the season.

I'll try to get the new coupon links up tomorrow morning.  Hope you're having a wonderful week!

Friday's Favorite Five - August 7, 2009

The CHA Summer show is finally over and my wish list is filling up.  Fortunately, my birthday is right around the corner... 

Here are the top five things making me smile this first week of August:

1.  This YouTube video shot at the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Japan.  Well, now I'm gonna have to add this to my "Vacations" section of my Do-It/Did-It Rolodex.  I have watched this video over & over again.  It is so incredibly serene that I can forget the housework and screaming baby two feet away from me.  Heaven on earth I tell you!

2.  The new Imaginisce I-Top Brad Maker.  This amazing tool (plus the additional supplies) will let you make your own patterned brads to go with your favorite paper lines.  Oh me, oh my!  Click here to watch a video and see how it works!

3.  The new letterpress machine from Quickutz.  Momma wants...  I love the rich & elegant look of letterpress stationery.  Word on the street is that this hot new device can be used in your current Big Shot/Big Kick.  Click here for the video that sold me on the system.

 
Photo courtesy of VistaMommy on Flickr.

4.  Muffin tin meals for kids.  I stumbled upon a Flickr group this week that posts nothing but meals for kids served up in muffin tins.  This one here is a dessert tray where kids can fish for goldfish crackers.  The sprinkles serves as plankton, the pretzels are the fishing rods, and the pudding/frosting is bait.  How clever is that?  Baby G. is going to lose her mind when I serve this up at a playdate next week.  For more ideas, click here.

 

5.  Alice in Wonderland Paper Playset from Etsy Seller Fantastic Toys.  My creativity mojo must be in overdrive, because I can think of 1000 uses for this wonderful PDF that you print & cut yourself.  For only $3.00.  Seriously?  How can you not want one of these?

Hope you found something to inspire you (or empty your pocketbook....)!  I am working on a couple of items for my Etsy shop and a new on-line book kit that should be released in the next week or so.  Have a wonderful weekend!

Friday's Favorite Five - July 31, 2009

Whew!  What a hot & muggy week here in the Metro-DC area.  Ugh!  Here are five things to make you smile & forget how icky it is outside:

1.  The beautiful ready-to-decorate letters from Etsy seller Damboise Designs (aka "Say It With Letters").  It is almost time to start prepping those holiday decorations and I just LOVE the "Noel" Deb just released.  The "N" is 8 inches high and 16" wide, while the rest ("OEL") of the letters stand just 5 inches high.  How cute is this?  Plus, at only $20, it's a steal!  Maybe I'm just dreaming of some cooler weather....

2.  This wedding video from YouTube.  I don't know who these people are.  I just wish they were my friends.

3.  iMobsters on my iTouch.  I am completely addicted to this game.  My husband just shakes his head when he hears me muttering to myself, "Seriously?  You put a hit on me?  Do you know who I am?  Do you know who I'm connected with?".  I kind of have to laugh at the fact that I am probably playing against 14 year-old boys.  If you have an iTouch or an iPhone, download this application today.  You too can lose hours of your life attacking people you don't know!

4.  New punches from Martha Stewart.  Cupcakes?  Crowns?  Ice Cream Cones?  They just opened a new Michaels out here in the sticks, and it is one of the fancy-schmancy Michaels where over 1/3 of the store is dedicated to paper crafts.  Heaven on Earth, I tell you.  So, me and my handy-dandy printable coupons will be visiting multiple times to stock up on these fantastic punches.

5.  Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day.  One of the big perks of getting up with a baby at 3 a.m. is that I finally have time to watch movies (albeit in 30 minute snippets...).  My DVR had recorded this movie last week and I genuinely enjoyed every minute of it.  Amy Adams is at her perky best and who doesn't love Frances McDormand?  I think it was on HBO, so set your DVRs accordingly (click here for the schedule).  Or make yourself a Do-It/Did-It Rolodex card to watch it in the future!

That's it!  I'm off for a local getaway weekend with the family.  Pics & details will be posted next week.  Promise!

Friday's Favorite Five - July 24, 2009

Before I get started, let me follow up on last week's favorite five, where I listed Webster's Pages CHA "sneak peek" of their new Postcards from Paris line.  Well, more pictures have been released and. oh. my. Lord.  Check it out here.  I love, love, love the birdcage trim.  Local gals, any idea what stores carry this line?

I've been frantically scurrying about, trying to get ready for Baby G's fourth birthday party.  She wants a pirate party (again), so I got it into my head that we would build elaborate pirate ships out of refrigerator boxes and let the kids paint & decorate them.  Then, we'll have the mother of all pirate water balloon battles and try to sink the ships.  Great idea in theory.  In reality, it's a lot of work.  This all comes on the heels of our luau, so I'm a bit worn out.

With all of this hullaballoo, I've still managed to find five things that made me happy clap this week:

 

1.  Pin-Up Girl "Inchies" from Etsy Seller Piddix.  I featured another Etsy seller's Scrabble tile art a few weeks ago & I promised myself that I was going to try to make a pendant or two.  Purchasing "Inchies" ready to go would make this process sooooo much easier!  Check out their store & make sure you take a look at the Alice in Wonderland sets!

 

2.  Super-adorable cupcake liners from Etsy sellers Layer Cake Shop and Hey Yo Yo.  Why go with the traditional plain cupcake liners when you can spruce up your tasties with these cute polka dot, striped & gingham papers?  While you're out there checking out their shops, make sure you look at the cupcake toppers.  The ballerinas & dwarves really take me back to being a kid in the 1970s.  I want them for all of my cupcakes!

3.  Fabric Yo Yos.  These totally remind me of my grandmother.  I've loved fabric yo yos for years.  I keep saying that I'm going to make a fabric yo yo project one of these days.  I even made myself a Do It/Did It card to inspire me!  Suni re-triggered my interest last week when she sent me this blog link.  Now I TOTALLY want to make them and use them as scrapbooking/card making embellishments.  Plus, look at this heavenly (see photo above) garland fabric goddess Heather Bailey made from yo yos.  Must have.  If you want to learn how to make fabric yo yos, check out Heather's fab tutorial here.

4.  Custom tea towels.  Wouldn't this make the best housewarming gift EVER?  Etsy seller Leanne Graeff will hand carve an image from a photo of a house, and then hand stamp tea towels for you.  I am head over heels in love with this idea.  Jeanette, I totally thought of you when I saw this!

5.  Lifetime TV's new show "Drop Dead Diva".  I know it's cheesy.  I know it's campy.  But I am soooo totally loving this mindless show.  They are only a couple episodes in, so if you haven't tried it, set your DVRs to tune in!

This weekend will be filled with swashbuckling birthday fun.  I'll try to post the handmade invitations & goodie bag medallions later.  Have a wonderful weekend!

Friday's Favorite Five - July 17, 2009

I feel like summer is just slipping away.  When the wind picks up, some of the older leaves are already falling from the trees.  Michaels already has their Halloween seasonal section up & running (we all bitch about them forcing the next season upon us, but come on... we all find ourselves perusing the aisle...).  Hubby and I are hoping to pick raspberries this weekend and teach Baby G. how to make jam.  Tonight we have a "Great Outdoors" night at her pre-school -- complete with firefly jars & s'mores!  You can't take our summer away yet!

A TON of super-cute things caught my eye this week.  Take a look at the top five:

 

(Original photo by Lauren Meader.  Check her out: http://laurenm.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/)

1.  Milk carton templates from Papertrey Ink.  Oh! Oh! Oh!  I just love this idea!  You can download the template for $5 and cut & design your own.  How cute would this be for homemade candies?  Or cookies?  Or just about anything?  Check out additional samples here and here. 

 

2.  Papertrey Ink's new "Button Bits" line.  I know I'm touting the same company twice in on "Favorite Five", but Suni & I had to call each other this week when Papertrey released their July line.  We both were stumbling over each other with "ohmygoddidyouseethenewbuttonbitslineineedneedneedit".  Check out the samples that sold us on the stamp set.  Buy your own stamp set here.  You know you want it....

 

3.  Prima Marketing's new line of flowers.  JENNY!  JENNY!  JENNY!  WE MUST GO SHOPPING!  Everyone who knows me knows that I am an absolute whore for Prima flowers.  Prima really outdid themselves with their new line.  Take a look at the video touting the new products here.  Local girls have to stock up on the Cherry Blossoms.  We all have pending layouts from cherry blossom festivals of years past -- now there's a product to motivate us to scrap them! 

 

4.  CHA Summer Sneak Peeks.  I've been listening to the Paperclipping Newsbreak podcasts I mentioned in a previous "Favorite Five".  I am digging the fact that Nichole and Nancy really dish on the industry.  Recent episodes cover the buyout of CK Media, fallout over the new ProvoCraft Gypsy (a companion to the Cricut), and all the scoop on the upcoming CHA Summer show (some pretty big names are not showing up for the big semi-annual scrapbook buying show!).  Nancy's Scrapbook Update website has a pretty comprehensive list of Sneak Peeks of soon-to-be-released product.  The photo above is from Webster's Pages new line, Postcards From Paris (you know I'm dying to buy it up!).  Go check out your favorite lines!

 

5.  Grippos Barbeque Potato Chips.  (I hate you Suni, I really do.)  When I was pregnant back in December, Suni introduced me to the magic that is the Grippos BBQ chip.  Apparently they are a favorite where she's from.  I couldn't stop eating the damn things.  Fortunately, the bag stayed at her house and the whole sweet/smoky/spicy goodness became nothing more than a wonderful memory.  A couple of weeks ago she showed up in my neck of the woods with bags of Grippos.  Five bags.  Big bags.  And a box of extra hot.  Oh sweet Jesus.  Here's the thing...  These things are fantastic.  Best chips I've ever had.  But they are hot.  Like ulcer-inducing hot.  The first day I opened one of my "gift" bags, I had to call Suni on my way to Dairy Queen to chew her out because I needed an Artic Freeze to put out the fire in my belly.  Now I've discovered the magic of a mocha and Grippos breakfast.  Fan-frickin'-tastic.  As long as you don't burp...

On that note, have a fantastic weekend.  I have butt-nothing on the calendar, so (please, oh please), I'm hoping to get some crafting done.  It's 4:08 in the morning.  Too early for Grippos??

Friday's Favorite Five - July 10, 2009

In the luau preparation frenzy of last week, I completely blew off the Friday's Favorite Five.  Sorry 'bout that.  I hope you enjoy this week's:

1.  The new Sizzix bracket album dies.  Now you can make your own mini albums -- as many as you want!  This is ideal for my daughter's pre-school activities.  A little chipboard & my Big Shot and I can whip up an album in an hour.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the die will show up in the aisles of AC Moore (I'd love to get this with a coupon).  If you need it now, head on over to the Sizzix website where the die sells for $34.99.

2.  Tim Armstrong's "Into Action" on my Summer of 2009 iTunes playlist.  This is currently G's favorite song and we listen to it over & over again in the car.  It cracks me up to hear her sing it -- I think she knows all of the words.  Miraculously, I haven't grown tired of this 2007 hit. 

 

3.  Sideshow Stamps Tiki Collection.  I first discovered Sideshow Stamps when teaching my Big Top Circus book a couple of years ago.  They have some super cute circus images.  I recently discovered that they also have fantastic "Tiki" and "Polynesian" lines.  Maybe I'm just in a summer luau mood, but I just love these images.  Plus, their summer stamps are 15% off right now.  Also, if you can gather your crafting buddies and place a $75 order, you get a grab bag of 30 free stamps.  Make sure you get the "Christmas Story" leg lamp.  Anybody want to join me in an order?

4.  Supercute flower headbands from Etsy seller Banner Boutique.  I bought this one a couple of weeks ago & Baby A looks picture perfect in it!  I had a hard time selecting which headbands I wanted.  They're all so beautiful.

5.  The new Stampin' Up! catalog, just released last week.  I just picked my copy up an hour ago & I'm looking forward to devouring it tonight.  I have a three color marking system (Have It/Want It/Need It) and I love making out my wish list.  Don't have a hard copy?  Peruse the new catalog on-line by clicking here.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Friday's Favorite Five - June 19, 2009

It may be late, but it's still Friday!!  Here are the top five things that caught my eye this week:

 

1.  This beautiful Audrey Hepburn scrabble tile pendant on Etsy.  Oh me, oh my!  Must have!!  Seller Pieces of Me has a ton of gorgeous images to choose from.  I need this one.  Click here for this pendant (ONLY $5.95) or check out her full store here.  I think I need this Wizard of Oz pendant as well.  And this one.  And this one.  I have an old Tim Holtz "Road Trip" necklace kit that I never used.  I'm thinking I need to dig it out and fill it with these adorable scrabble tiles.  For instructions on how to make your own, click here or here.  Maybe I'll make up some Nancy Drew pendants for my old gal Millie.

 

2.  The uber-cute BBQ invitations included in Stampin' Up!/Country Living Magazine's new Summer Cookout kit.  I love it!  I'm the hostess this month in my Stampers Six group and I'm all over this one!

  

3.  Teenytile.com.  Did you know that you can have any image you want printed onto a 2" x 2" ceramic tile?  I'm thinking that this would be a wonderful journal cover medallion.  I have so many fantastic images that I would love, love, love to have made into tiles.

 

4.  Giant PomPoms.  Everybody seems to be decorating with these beauties lately.  Teresa McFayden (Silver Bella guru and my personal idol) inspired me to try this at home.  Take a look at the poms she made for her daughter's graduation party here. I think I'm going to make up a bunch in red, pink & aqua and hang them from my studio ceiling.  You can find the "how to" on Martha's website. 

 

5.  A Muse Artstamps summer line.  I just can't get enough of these adorable stamps.  Local gals can pick theirs up over at Angela's Happy Stamper in Reston, VA.  If your local store doesn't carry the stamps (remember to shop local first!), you can always buy them on-line.  Make sure you check out the upcoming A-Muse-A-Palooza from July 10 - 19, 2009.

Have a wonderful weekend.  Hope you get some crafting time in!!

Friday's Favorite Five - June 5, 2009

Here are the top five things that caught my attention this week:

 

1.  Story People Pewter Charms.  I'm a huge fan of artist Brian Andreas.  I love the whimsy of his art and the pairing of words.  His pieces always make me smile.  Artist Lynne Suprock has designed a line of hand-stamped pewter charms that capture Brian's stories.  I'm certainly adding this one to my birthday/Christmas wish list.

Here are some of my favorite Brian Andreas' stories:  Crayon Pirate, Odd Couple, Believing My Father, and Pretend Visitor.

 

2.  Weeds Season Four is finally out on DVD!  If you haven't tuned in to this Showtime series, it's time to make use of that Netflix account.  I cancelled our Showtime account last year, so I haven't seen a single episode of Season Four.  I can't wait to catch up on the adventures of the pot-dealing soccer mom.

 

3.  Peter Callesen's amazing paper art.  I am obsessed with paper arts taken to the extreme.  Check out artist Peter Callesen's paper cut sculptures.  Gorgeous!

 

4.  You Tube Popsicle Cards Tutorial.  Baby G's 4th (FOURTH! OH MY HOLY CRAP!) birthday is coming up & she has declared that she wants a popsicle pool party (whatever that is).  So, I've been looking for cute invitation ideas.  I stumbled upon this fantastic video by Stampin' Up! demonstrator Angie Kennedy Juda.  God, I love the internet....

 

5.  Handmade buttons on Etsy.  I totally adore the red & aqua colors on this set.  Love them!  Etsy seller Tessa Ann has the best I've seen.  Check out herfelt cupcake while you're there!