Scrapbook {Retreat}

I'm back from my wonderful retreat weekend! It was the kind of weekend that catch yourself just loving life! Getting away from routine and the daily chaos of being a stay-at-home-mom is the best best medicine for long Minnesota winter days. And, sorting through adorable pictures of your little ones puts everything in perspective pretty quickly!

I enjoyed every minute I spent with the eight ladies at retreat. We laughed, we cried, we were silly, we were vulnerable. We were honest and supportive. We were sarcastic and goofy. Seriously, I am so thankful for last weekend.

It's Thursday, and I'm still playing catch-up on house-work. But, that's okay...because for four entire days, I had none!

Established {2002}

 When I made personalized name art for the kids, I thought it would be neat to include a third that represented the start of our family: our wedding date.

I used a combination of hand-cut items and Cricut cuts. Those Folk Art people are just too adorable! The paper is Crate paper, from several collections.

I'm leaving tomorrow for a scrapbook retreat! I can hardly wait...four whole days of scrapping. Looking forward to sharing new pages when I return!

{Playing} Library

I didn't catch it right away, but Ella sounded out "library" and came up with "wybie," and wrote a note that she taped to the playroom door. She spent quite a lot of time setting up her desk and getting her supplies in order. She even brought in bags for her readers to carry their books in!

 We've been playing Library a lot recently, so I made copies of blank library cards and gave Ella and old date stamp. Playtime just got a bit more fun.

She also posted a "Shhh!" sign on her desk. And let me tell you- she doesn't mess around with that rule! I used October Afternoon 9 to 5 for these pages. I had so mucg fun with the embelishments- I thought this line was absolutely perfect for these pictures. And then I saw OA's new release  called "Public Library." Now, that would have been perfect!

Fabric {Flowers}

 After seeing fabric flowers and birds on Etsy and Pinterest...I got the itch to make some of my own. I'm an instant-gratification kind of girl; I want to start and finish my idea the same day. The flowers I had seen were made from vintage quilt remnants, cut into circles and sewn with a very primitive (or child-like) swirling stitch with a sewing machine.

 After racking my brain as to what fabric I could use, I finally remembered an old white table cloth that is actually more like fabric of a blanket. I found it and started cutting. I'm not a pattern kind of girl, either. And when an idea strikes, I dig in and think it through as I go. I started with the blanket folded and cut a small circle and then a larger circle. I sewed black "swirls" around the small one first. Then around the larger circle, leaving a small opening for a stick from outside (serving as the stem). I hand stitched the opening for the stick closed to secure the stick. Finally, I sewed the button onto the smaller circle, attaching it to the larger circle at the same time. Then I added some vintage lace ribbon, tying it at the base of the flower, serving as leaves.

The flowers went so well that I decided to go for a bird. I would recommend using a stencil or your own hand-drawn template. Of course, I dove right in and just started cutting and my first bird didn't look so great. The second time went much better. I did everything the same as for the flowers, just adding a small twig inside the bird's tail to keep it from flopping over. I added a wing, using the same fabric and a piece of book paper. Finally, I sewed the button and twig on at the same time. I love the way they added so much charm to my vase and flowers!

Christmas Morning {Pictures}

I. Love. This.

Opening their "BIG" present: a Leap Pad for each of them. Basically a child-friendly computer. (We thought we'd save the cell phone for next year). :)

No instruction needed. Kids just get it.

Sweet little baby face.

The wished-for Dream Lites. This was the only thing Cohen asked for.

 

 The Aftermath!

Short and sweet today....I've been meaning to post these all week!

{Introducing} Personalized Children's Room Art!

  Ok, this is exciting! Months ago, I jotted down some ideas of artwork that were "someday" ideas. It's so great to see one of those ideas come to life. This one is "Children's Room Art & Baby Names." I did some research on Etsy and didn't find anything like these...which makes it even more exciting! These are on 12"x12"x2" wood boxes, with the sides stained black. I want the art to grow with the child...I don't want it to be so baby-ish that it gets put away once they grow into their "big kids" rooms.

My technique is still the same as my other artwork. It's still folk art, just kid friendly. I have many more ideas for designs, such as elephants, dinos, butterflies, dragonflies, etc. Each piece is custom made-to-order, therefore it will be a perfect fit for each baby/ kiddo's personality & bedroom.

What's next in Children's Room Art? I'd love to *Someday* make fairy-tale and nursery rhyme themed art. Ooh, now that will fun! :)

P.S. Blanket and Yellow booties were made by my Mother-In-Law for Ella when I was pregnant with her and the blue booties were made when she was teeny-tiny enough to fit in them. Oh so long ago!

Merry Christmas Eve

Since having kids, Christmas Eve is one of my favorite days of the year. I love the preparations, the traditions and the excitement of what's to come on Christmas Day.

First, we bake cut-out cookies. This was Cohen's first year doing the cookie-cutter part.

Then, of course, comes the decorating. Eric frosted cookies and then Cohen dumped sprinkles on them. Ella took her time and had beautiful cookies to show for it.

We opened Grandma and Papa's presents Christmas Eve night.

Ella opening an American Girl type doll. My MIL sewed several adorable outfits for "Star" (Ella's named her) including even a sleeping bag!

Ella's new hat and scarf that Grandma also made. Cohen got a new hat and I got a scarf that I just love. Handmade gifts are just the best!

Christmas Eve jammies.

Santa's keys...since we don't have a chimney, we hang keys outside so Santa can get in through the front door.

Cute, huh? What you can't see (or hear) is them fighting over who was going to hang it. :)

Each kid picked out a cookies for Santa- Cohen picked one exactly like the one Ella picked.

All snug in their beds with visions of Sugarplums dancing through their heads. Goodnight kiddos, see you promptly at 6am, Christmas morning!