A Note to Delta - Post it style
Monday, May 10, 2010
For years I have been collecting ephemera. I love typography, old letters, music sheets, calling cards, perfume labels and the list goes on...they come in handy for projects.*
For Blair's 3rd and 4th birthday, I made decorative picks to adorn her cupcakes. For this project I used old music books that I picked up for .10 cents. But because they were half off, I only paid a nickel. That was even cheaper than the retail price when the book was published in 1904. I could easily make copies from these but the paper is thin and easier to work with so it's my paper of choice.
I cut (four) 3x3 inch squares from the sheet music. I have also done 4x4 depending on what size rosette I needed. I folded each square accordion style. Easy, easy...
And then when all were folded, I folded them in half and secured them together with tape.They looked liked tiny fans.
When all four were secured individually, I joined them all together with double sided tape to make one full rosette.
And then with the magic of a printer, I photocopied the perfume label from the *second picture above and cut it out of card stock. Then I made several wallet size photos from one of Blair's pictures and glued her picture onto the body in the perfume ad. I cut wings from scrapbook paper, added crepe paper and using double sided tape again, I secured it all to the front.
I taped a toothpick to the back to make it stand in the cupcake.
And that is how "Fairy Blairs," as said by Blair, were born.
And that is how "Fairy Blairs," as said by Blair, were born. Now I have requests from all of my kids to make fairies for their birthdays. The older ones want really funny ones for theirs so we are working on those images.
I have also strung rosettes together to make banners which look really great on gift packages
or anywhere you want to create a little interest - mantles, bookshelves, on a floral display - endless possibilities. I made one for Halloween last year and downloaded vintage script to make the word Halloween with each letter on a rosette.
It's such a simple adornment which takes very little time and money.
I wish I had a baby shower to throw for someone because I have a fun idea for that and am dying to make picks.
Have fun - you'll enjoy making them!
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Sunday, May 9, 2010
From the zoo trip , May 2010, WA DC
Kids of all kinds act up too and its mother's expression made me laugh. Zoo trip, May 2010, WA DC
Some days I have to remind myself that Motherhood is the highest calling that I can have. Some days I have to search for the energy to look for one more lost shoe, do one more load of laundry and make one more scrambled egg. I envy those mothers who, with great passion, say they honestly can't think of anything they would rather do than be a mother.
Then there are days when I'm reminded that I am one of them.
Like the other day when Reese came shopping with me and I watched him go straight for the craft section to load up on all the things he wants to create, knowing there would be another picture for me to hang.
And the other night when Belen, Charley and I went to a friend's house where we all got manicures and I watched them laugh and enjoy themselves.
And a day ago when Trae puckered his lips and kissed me over and over and over on the cheek.
And last night when Blair wanted to show me her Mother's Day present, I waited and she began to sing two songs she had been practicing all day. When she felt a little embarrassed that everyone was watching, she suddenly moved to hug me. I held her as she sang in my ear and I could feel the vibration from her voice right over my heart.
Last night before bed, I happily collected the little one's shoes to be ready for Sunday, I made sure the clothes in the dryer had been dried thoroughly, and today I awoke with happiness to get the scrambled eggs started.
I do know that my calling as a Mother is a great one and I love it.
I am so very thankful for it and its beautiful, daily reminders.
And it's ok when there are some days that I can't see the forest through the trees because I know that eventually the forest will win out... every time.
Happy Mother's Day to you all!
Miss you mom...
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Friday, May 7, 2010
Lifelong friends.Jon and some of his high school buds, May 2010
Every year about 7 of them get together for a weekend of reminiscing, and hassling each other, only the ways guys do. This time it was at one of the guy's cabin back home in WA state and involved fishing, golfing, and a big fire.
Ahh, Friday.
Just hearing the word always brings a sense of relief and cause for celebration. Every week on Facebook, one of my friends somewhere, posts the old "TGIF" status and everyone likes it. I don't know why Friday is considered unlucky in some countries. For me, it's been a perfectly happy day. It is such a welcome sight after a long week and ushers in the weekend's possibilities.
Each weekend I make a mental to-do list of projects I want to get done, knowing full well I won't realize most of them. Maybe that's why in Australia, there is a new trend called "Red Bull Friday" where people drink large amounts of Red Bull. I guess they want to speed through their last work day and be fueled for successful weekend activities.
I'll take it a little slower but as long as I get something done and the weekend is enjoyed, I will view it as a success.
And I'm not even on Red Bull.
Happy Friday mates!
*hoping to get the boys' room done this weekend. The primer and base coat of paint is up - now for stripes.
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Monday, May 3, 2010
For those of you that hate to see books destroyed, turn away.
I have a hard time parting with books, let alone rip them apart.
As I was looking through Restoration Hardware's catalogue, I came across this "objets d'art."
They cost $29.00 for each bundle of books. I wondered who in the world would buy this when you can just do it yourself? It couldn't be that hard.
So I decided to try it and the books would have to take one for the team.
I wasn't crazy for the look but I felt challenged to recreate this with thrift store books at a fraction of the price.
This picture courtesy of Restoration Hardware
I have a hard time parting with books, let alone rip them apart.
As I was looking through Restoration Hardware's catalogue, I came across this "objets d'art."
They cost $29.00 for each bundle of books. I wondered who in the world would buy this when you can just do it yourself? It couldn't be that hard.
So I decided to try it and the books would have to take one for the team.
I wasn't crazy for the look but I felt challenged to recreate this with thrift store books at a fraction of the price.
This picture courtesy of Restoration Hardware
I gathered up a few books - $1.00 each. Trae enjoyed stacking them on his little wagon. Note to self: old books = cheap toys. 
As the RH catalogue says, the books are "liberated from their covers" which must be akin to burning bras or something. I first made sure the books were not going for thousands of dollars on Ebay. The most expensive one was $13.00. No big whoop I thought. So off with the covers!
Next, I took jute twine and tied it around the books. I wanted the lighter shade but I didn't have that and wanted to use what I had so this color would do. It was around $2.00 for the roll.
Five minutes later I had my own "objets d'art." I held them all together with one of Jon's boot laces. See what happens when your husband is golfing and fishing with his high school buddies out in WA state? (our home state) You take his shoelaces...
And then I put it on the shelf and suddenly I kinda liked it. I think it would look better en masse so there will be more on the way. And I'm going to buy leather cords to hold them together.
As a side note, the capiz flower candle holder was only .49 cents at the thrift shop and the name card inside of it was from my 1st grade field trip to the Portland Zoo and OMSI. There was a slide into the petting zoo area and we enjoyed going down it and watching the animals dodge us.
A goat came up to me so I petted him and he started to eat my name tag, that name tag. He was slowly getting closer to my neck when my mom realized I was yelling. She was in a tug of war with the goat but managed to get it out of his mouth.
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Sunday, May 2, 2010
We're a little informal with birthdays around here.
On the actual birthday, we just celebrate as a family and have cake & ice cream and let the kids choose the restaurant where they would like to dine.
For Trae man, we just stayed home and had an ice cream cake.
Now that the weather is nice, it's time to get the party started outside. For years my friends thought my kids' birthdays were in Spring and Summer. That's when I would hold their parties outdoors at my house. Remember, Janet?
Three are actually winter babies and all within 1 week of each other. And we haven't had their parties yet. We don't even do big parties every year. I know, I'm a slacker in this area.
So, I figure by July we should have them wrapped up and then on to Blair's.
Trae's reaction to us when we started to sing to him.
My 5 best.
Couldn't wait for the fork. I told you we are informal...
I finally got him a fork.
Sweet 2 year-old
On the actual birthday, we just celebrate as a family and have cake & ice cream and let the kids choose the restaurant where they would like to dine.
For Trae man, we just stayed home and had an ice cream cake.
Now that the weather is nice, it's time to get the party started outside. For years my friends thought my kids' birthdays were in Spring and Summer. That's when I would hold their parties outdoors at my house. Remember, Janet?
Three are actually winter babies and all within 1 week of each other. And we haven't had their parties yet. We don't even do big parties every year. I know, I'm a slacker in this area.
So, I figure by July we should have them wrapped up and then on to Blair's.
Trae's reaction to us when we started to sing to him.
My 5 best.
Couldn't wait for the fork. I told you we are informal...
I finally got him a fork.
Sweet 2 year-old
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