Signs of Spring

It's almost here!
No more snow, no more wearing layers and layers of clothes (and still being cold), no more going out in the cold to start the car on only to go back out into the cold when it warms up, no more sitting inside eating junk food in front of the tv (ok we might still do that last one)

We're been seeing the first signs of spring over the last couple of days.

Like flowers starting to come up


And thunderstorms



And the first hail of the year




And of course... FISHING!

Madelyn was so excited to go fishing with her daddy



As soon as her bobber hit the water she said "I think I got something!"
This went on about 10 times


She didn't catch anything, but I think she had fun anyway


Maybe next time!

March Stampin' Up! Project

Every month our Stampin' Up! group meets to make cards, eat good food, and chat. Tons of fun, and it's helped me discover that I'm kinda crafty after all!

Each month we are challenged to make a project at home, and then bring it to show the group. We vote on our favorites. This month our challenge was to create a container.
I decided to make a candle box with matching candle.
I found the idea and tutorial for the box here
And here is my version:


I wanted to keep my box simple and modern, so I used black and white cardstock. I stamped both the box the box and candle with Stampin' Up's Medallion stamp using their basic black ink.
(Sidenote, I just bought this stamp and I am in LOVE. I'm already thinking of lots of project ideas to use with this stamp. It's so pretty)

Some tips I learned while doing this project:

*Stamp after you have scored the paper, but before you fold, so you know exactly where the folds will be.
*I dipped a plain gold brad in glue, then black gitter for the piece in the center of the box. Make sure you remember to punch your hole and add the brad before folding the box.
*For my final candle I did not use wax paper like the instructions say. The time I tried that it was a slight disaster. Some of the wax paper didn't melt right, so it was bubbly and rough feeling. I think I probably just did it wrong, because every tutorial on stamping candles I find say to use the wax paper.
Instead, I just stamped a piece of tissue paper, cut it out, layed it on the candle, and heated it slowly with my embossing tool. It turned out much smoother that time.
*Make sure you keep the embossing tool moving, if you let it stay in one spot too long the tissue will yellow.

So that's it! I don't know that it will actually win anything, but I'm really pleased with how it turned out :)

Stayed tuned, I'm sure there will be a lot more projects with this medallion stamp to come!

The First Haircut

Today we took Madelyn to get her first haircut. She's watched Travis get his hair cut before, so she was pretty excited it was her turn (she really wanted to wear the cape) We took her to meet Jay, the awesome stylist who has been cutting my hair for years.

Here is her haircut story, in pictures:

The before.
Notice the excited smile. Yay, a haircut!




Waiting. She seemed a little unsure of what was going on, but the huge mirror was interesting enough.



It was when Jay asked her to stand up that things started to go downhill. I don't know if it was because she really just wanted to sit in the chair, or that she realized he was a stranger coming at her with sharp scissors. Either way, a meltdown ensued.



If pictures with mommy in front of the big mirror didn't make it better...



Then a candy cane from Jay might



By now I think she decided he wasn't so bad after all. Still not someone she wanted to talk to of course, but he did give her candy




and a really cool spin toy







The after:



Next we went to McDonald's for fruit and yogurt parfaits (and possibly some french fries)

Here she dunking with daddy




And all was right in the world again



Thanks Jay!

A Normal Day

I just started my blog and already I'm neglecting it. That didn't take long, huh? Ha!
I do have some stuff in mind that I will try to post later though.

I came across this great quote on another blog today. The blog is called Enjoying the Small Things, and it's fabulous. If you get a chance to visit, I suggest starting here It really is a beautiful story! (and the photography is A-MAZ-ING)

Ok, back to the quote. She took it from a reader who's grandmother has this taped to her bathroom mirror. So I'm sorry I don't know where it originated!

"Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so. One day, I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return."

Beautiful, right?
I've been counting down the days to spring (literally. I have a countdown ticker. Only 1 month until the first day of spring, by the way) and I love this reminder to enjoy the normal days. Even the cold, cloudy ones :)

My Funny Valentine

This week we've been gearing up for Valentine's Day. We've been cooped up inside with colds (first Madelyn, now me. Awesome) so I figured it was a great time to do some Valentine crafts.

First up, heart garlands!
These were so easy. I just cut hearts out of paper, let Madelyn paint them, and then glued them together with a piece of string in the middle.
Madelyn has been watching a lot of Little Bear lately. There is a episode where Little Bear makes a kite, complete with kite tail. So when we started this project she immediately thought that's what we were making. By the time the we had just a few hearts on she wanted to "fly" them. So keep in mind some of these hearts have been around the living room a few times :)


Next we made Valentine sugar cookies. YUM.
I asked Madelyn to roll the dough into a ball, but she said she wanted to make a hot dog instead


And a cute Madelyn "Cheese!" picture for good measure.
(side note, how cute is her headband?! Two for $5 at baby gap. I'm thinking she's going to look adorable in her headband, some big sunglasses, and swim suit this summer. Yes, I am already planning summer outfits. It's freezing outside and we haven't left the house in a week. Don't judge.)

ANYWAY, here is miss Madelyn in her headband
Back to cookies. Despite the fact that some were shaped like hot dogs at first, they all spread out and turned into perfect cookies.

Time to decorate!





All in all, we had fun. Colds and all.



More to come.... :)

I have a blog

I finally made a blog! Go me!
I'm pretty sure I will only have one reader ever (hi aimee) But that's ok :)
My main goal in writing this blog is to get enough entries to make a really cool blog book. And to update my one reader on my life and all that :)

So here it goes! Please excuse all grammatical errors and my overuse of smiley faces.




:)