We Will Always Have Paris

Two For Tuesday: Hungry Girl's Freckled Lemonade and Swatch Books

Good gravy it is hot outside!  I hope you had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend.  We were able to cram in a day trip to the Maryland Science Center (a must-see) in Baltimore, a crab feast, a local church carnival, pool time, yard work and general household maintenance.  Busy, busy, busy!

Here are two things that grabbed my attention this week:

 
1.  Hungry Girl's Freckled Lemonade.  I'm a huge fan of icy frozen drinks on hot days.  I tried Hungry Girl's Freckled Lemonade the other day and now I can't stop whipping them up!  You can find the recipe in her 200 under 200 book or you can find the recipe here.  The recipe is only 27 calories!  Soooo much better than McDonald's 270 calories.  Delish!

 
 2.  Swatch Books from Paper Coterie.  These adorable mini-books are only $15 each and I can't wait to make a bunch of them for gifts.  Just upload your own pics and you can make your own 5.5" x 3.25" book with 11 pages.  I thought they would make great backpack stuffers for my kids when we travel around this summer.  And perfect for the dozens of birthday parties we will be attending this year.  How cute are they?

I'm off to finish up a paper cake for my sister-in-laws baby shower.  I'll be sure to post pics by the end of the week!

Stay cool (here's hoping your A/C is fixed today Larcy!)....

Two For Tuesday: Felt Fortune Cookies and Sweet Stands

These two goodies caught my eye this week:


1.  Felt Fortune Cookies.  Leave it to Martha (or her staff) to come up with these cuties.   The step-by-step instructions are easy to follow, so these might just show up on my table this year.  Hey, Larcy... I've found another use for that Sizzix circle die!!!

2.  Hello Hanna's Sweet Stands.  I stumbled upon this company this week and I'm just dying to place an order.   How fun would it be to embellish these cute little stands for your next gathering with the girls?  While you're there, check out their wishing tree.  What a great idea for a baby or wedding shower!

I'm busy prepping for Baby A's second birthday party this weekend.  We (meaning my husband) have been making dozens of jungle vines for her monkey-themed gala.  I promise to post pics!

Summer Links

As a follow up to yesterday's post, here are some last minute summertime links:

1.  Summer Eats:  Since your barbeque is already set up for summer, why not add some bricks and make your own brick oven pizza?  Our old barbeque was rusted through & pretty much destroyed, so my hubby lined it with bricks and we now serve our "brick oven" pizza to summertime guests.  Need some additional instructions?  Click here to watch a YouTube video.2.  Summer School:  Why not take an on-line Copic or Cricut class?  Try Color Me Creative Classroom here.

3.  Summer Style:  The clever blog What Would Emma Pillsbury Wear breaks down the fashion style of Glee's favorite Guidance Counselor and shows you how to find the same/similar clothing & accessories.  I love this!

4.  Summer Snack:  Bacon Peanut Brittle.  Or, as my friend Suni put it, "Bacon.  Peanut.  Brittle.".

5.  Summer "Oh My Holy Crap, I Really Want That" Item:  This beautiful ceramic lemonade crock from Uncommon Goods.  I'd have snapped this up in a jiffy, but for the fact that it is $135.  So, if any of you are looking to buy me something super-nice for my birthday (next month).....

6.  Summer Security:  Check out this great accessory for your purse.

7.  Summer Vicarious Vacation:  My friend Pam rented an apartment in Paris for the month of August.  A MONTH.  IN PARIS.  If she wasn't so darned sweet, I'd hate her with a passion.  Some of you may know Pam from Scrapbooks Plus or you may have taken classes with her in the area.  She's unforgettable.  I'm truly enjoying reading her blog journal as she explores the city, snapping pics of architectural elements, amazing food, fantastic flea markets and the occasional cup of coffee.  I love imagining myself hanging my clothes out to dry, shopping the local food markets and traipsing through Versailles.  Someday...  To read Pam's blog, click here.

Happy summer!  I'll be back soon with my latest limited edition kit, "What I Did On My Summer Vacation".

(Thanks for the links Suni.  As always, you are the man behind the curtain.)

Friday's Favorite Five: January 22, 2010

It's been a busy week!  I have a number of new products & kits in production and I've been up late each night, working away in the studio.  With all of this frenzy, there are still a few things that caught my attention this week:

1.  Chalkcloth/Oilcloth Pennant Banners.  I first saw this banner in the February 2010 issue of Country Living magazine.  I LOVE the fact that it has colorful oilcloth on one side and chalkcloth on the other.  I can totally see it on the front of my house in the summer.  Plus, it is only $28!  A steal!

2.  Beautifully Printed Valentine Treat Bags.  You can download the file for FREE from one of my favorite blogs & print it out yourself.  I am soooo totally stealing this idea for my Summer in Paris retreat!

3.  Tim Holtz's Sizzix Embossing Folders.  IwantitIneeditIwantitrightnow.  Especially the bingo card.  (Thanks for the link Vixx!)  While you're out & about looking at his new stuff, check out his Compendium of Curiosities.  I really think that this is going to be Tim's year at CHA.

4.  Ink Blot Art.  My friend Marlynn made this wonderfully artful ATC Card using an ink blot.  Seriously!  Go check it out & see how she did it.  You would never know that it started from a few drops of paint.

 
5.  Motivated Moms Weekly Chore Planner.  Like a lot of moms, I feel tremendously overwhelmed by the mountains of laundry, dishes & other "to dos".  My girlfriend Carrie sent me a link to this fantastic website that gives you a printable year-long chore planner.  It is broken down so that tasks aren't so insurmountable.  As of this week, the drawers in my refrigerator are even clean!  Who knew?  You can check out the $8 download here.  I love it!

Friday's Favorite Five - January 15, 2010

It's been a while since I had a Friday's Favorite Five posting, but these goodies were too good to keep to myself:

1.  Mardi Gras Macarons.  Although Fat Tuesday is 31 days away, Mardi Gras has already started in & around New Orleans.  Why not celebrate with Mardi Gras-themed Parisian Macarons made in New Orleans?  Last sumer, my friend & student Louise brought me a collection of Macarons from a French bakery in Maryland.  I had always wanted to try these delicate confections, but never had the opportunity.  I savored every last bite of the stash Louise brought me and now I've been obsessed with buying more.  Obsessed, like I get up in the middle of the night thinking about them.  Unfortunately, I live in the sticks and Parisian bakeries are not exactly abundant, so I'm left to order on-line.  I think I'm going to have to treat myself to these colorful tasties!

2.  Cranky Pants.  How cute are these hand knit pants?  I love them!  Baby A. certainly needs a pair!

3.  Tape Swell Wrap Arounds.  I was introduced to this fantastic company through one of my favorite design blogs, Twig & Thistle.  When I actually have the time to make a handmade card, I tend to throw it into a plain old A2 envelope and send it off.  How easy would it be to slap down one of these wraparounds and make a plain envelope into something smashing?  While you're scoping out their site, make sure you check out their packing tape line - scrumptious!!

4.  CHA Sneak Peeks on "The Scrap Review".  I've been a loyal follower of this site for quite a while.  They have real scrapbookers write review on the latest & greatest.  They are currently featuring sneak peeks of new products launching at CHA this month.  I'm dying to get my hands on Tim Holtz' new Sizzix line (look here & here), including the Movers & Shakers products.  Yum, yum, yum!


5.  This Mary Poppins handmade costume from Etsy seller Mom2rtk.  Seriously.  I would wear this costume with the hat, parasol & high heeled boots to take the kids to the park.  Heck, I'd even wear it to go grocery shopping.  Can you just see me strolling through Martins with rosy cheeks and a handful of coupons?  I would totally buy it, but for the fact that it is $449.00.  Damn.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Friday's Favorite Five: December 4, 2009

It's been quite a while since I've posted a "Friday's Favorite Five" list and now it seems that everyone on the web seems to have a "favorite five" list.  I'll have to come up with something new for 2010.  Nevertheless, here are some of the things that have caught my attention recently:

1.  Cupcake kits from Meri Meri.  My friend Jennie G. sent me this link (she likes to spend my money...) and I am now desperate to throw some sort of "Under The Sea" party so that I can justify buying the mermaid kit.

2.  This Clever Holiday Card Demonstration on You Tube.  I already have the Stampin' Up! Movers & Shapers card, ornament stamp & punch used in this great card.  Now, I guess I'll be order the Movers & Shapers inserts as my Stampers Six order this month...

3.  Downloadable Vintage-Style Christmas Tickets from Miss CutiePie Inspiration:  Head on over to her site and find out how to download these great images -- I know I will!

4.  Chim Chim Cheree T-shirts by Etsy Seller "Branded".  Must. Have. This. Shirt.:

5.  Adorable flashcard-style notecards from Sarah & Abraham on Etsy.  I love these.  I've almost used up the silhouette cards I bought earlier this year.  Time to get new ones for both girls (and maybe a set for myself!)!!:

 

Have a wonderful weekend!
 

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!