bulletin board

I had to share my latest favorite thing...I have way too many other things to be doing right now, but I just love my new bulletin board so much! I've been eyeing this frame (yup, it's a frame!) at Ikea for quite a while now but just couldn't decide what I wanted to do with it. Kim has one in her scrapbook room, and Heidi even used them to display her new papers at CHA. Like I said, loved the frame, but didn't know what to do with it. I was at Ikea the other night and walked passed it and thought, what the heck...I love it, I'll figure something out. As I was driving home it hit me to make it into a bulletin board (one of the things my room has been missing), so I quickly stopped and got a roll of cork at Staples and got to work as soon as I got home!








I even made some custom push pins by just glue-gunning some large rhinestones and chipboard hearts to the pins...so easy. To add the cork to frame, I first removed the glass from the frame (be careful...don't cut yourself!). Then, I layed the glass directly onto the cork and traced it with a pen. I decided to do 2 layers of cork to make it a bit thicker and sturdier. Once the ovals were traced, I cut them out with scissors. Then, using the cardboard that comes on the back of the frame as a base, I adhered the first layer of cork to the cardboard using a strong, double-sided tape, then I adhered the second layer of cork over the first layer. The reason you'll want to adhere the layers together is to prevent the cork from bubbling. Then I just put the frame back together the way you normally would if you were inserting a picture and you're done!




Did I mention how much I love it? Now I have an place to display pictures, projects and whatever else I want. So pretty. And by using a frame as the base for your bulletin board, think of the possibilities! My mind has been spinning with ideas. Kim made her custom bulletin board from an old frame and it is amazing. So many things you could do!




And before I go, a few pics of the girls.


(this is Gabby's "smile" for the camera. So hillairious. Gotta love that my 1 year old knows what to do when I pull the camera out!)




I could eat her, she's so cute. I seriously could.



And doesn't this one look so OLD?



All dressed and ready to go for her play-date at Ava's this afternoon. So sweet.




Okay, I'll be back next week with pictures and stuff from Girl's Night Out. I can't believe it is on Saturday!!! Any of you coming? I am sooooo excited!! Stressed, excited, nervous...you name it, I'm feeling it. Wish me luck!!



T:)

i'm here...

I am exhausted! I cannot believe that is Thursday night already...this week is flying. I'm pretty much consumed with Girl's Night Out stuff right now...Kim and I have been putting in some late nights putting kits together and getting everything ready. I'm so excited, but like I said...exhausted! It's all of this last minute stuff that is the fun part...I can't wait to see it all come together. I know it'll be worth it! And have I mentioned how excited I am for Janet to come? She has an awesome project that she's teaching for us that she designed especially for Girl's Night Out. So, so fun. For those of you coming, I'm looking forward to seeing some of you again and to meeting some of you for the first time. Yay!


Anyways, this is just typically what the girls and I have been up to...hangin' out. I am sooooo ready for good weather. Oh, to go on a walk...that will be nice. We usually end up in the (messy) basement where the girls can play while I "work". It really is a good set up down here for us. My scrapbook room is attached to the play room, so we can all be together doing what we want to do...whether it's reading, scrapping, eating, playing or just plain old watching TV. This is my everyday.






Just wanted to check in. Anyone watching American Idol? David Archuleta is my fave. Amanda Overmeyer is my least fave.




T:)

cards, cards, cards!

I had to share one of my favorite things I've been playing with this past week...this card kit by Heidi Swapp. I ordered it from QVC a few weeks ago on a whim and I just love it! See, I love cards. But for whatever reason I have a hard time getting supplies out to make one little card at a time, which results in total lame-o, last minute cards whenever a birthday or something comes up! This kit is soooo awesome...it has enough supplies to make 60 cards and everything coordinates and of course, it's all just stinkin' cute. I've had everything spread out on my table for the past week or so and it's been so fun to just sit down and quickly whip up a few cards at a time, here and there. And they are soooo easy! I love this kind of scrapping...no thinking, just plain fun. Here are some of the ones I've done so far...











I love all the tapes and the little journaling spots...so fun! I even added a few things here and there from my own stash, but honestly, you don't need anything extra to add...there's so much stuff in the kit. And I love all the elements on the insides of the cards. I usually jsut embellish the front of my cards and the leave the inside blank...I love the extras when you open the cards up!



And I know you're probably all thinking, "How in the heck did she find the time to make this many cards???" And honestly...I don't have time! These were made in a few minutes at a time, not in one sitting. That's what I love about this kit. So do-able. (and Niki and Karly...this is what I got for us to do in Texas when we come!!!)





(just a note...I am soooooo sorry! But I just checked the QVC website and these kits are sold out! Maybe they'll be back sometime...if I hear anything I will let you know!)



I *heart* scrapbooking. And Happy Leap Year!



T:)

he's home!

Yesterday was a happy day in our little family...after being gone for 9 days, Graham got home safe and sound from his trip to Vegas and Phoenix. And he came with gifts! I was quite surprised by my late Valentine's Day present. It was totally not necessary at all, but kinda cool to get that cool little turquoise box. Thanks, babes! I guess if you come back with presents like this all the time, then you can go away as much as you want. Haha!!! (totally joking)



The girls were so excited to see daddy (as was I) and I'm looking forward to things just being normal around here for the next little while...as normal as they can be, I guess! I'll be busy with Girl's night Out stuff, but so much more doable with my husband around. And we had another little surprise yesterday, too....my sister had her baby! She was scheduled for her C-section on Wednesday, so little Harry came a  bit early, but I'm sure mama was very happy about that. He was 7lbs, 10 oz and I can't wait to see him! Congrats!!





Okay...just a quick post today 'cause I wanted to share my happiness that my hubby is home. Time for lunch!!




T:)

could she BE any cuter?

...I don't think so.



My crazy (but adorable) little Gabby at almost 19 months. This girl keeps me beyond busy. From climbing onto countertops, to emptying my kitchen cupboards, to eating the garbage, to scaling the walls in the bathtub, to running away from me WITHOUT her diaper on...sheesh! I'm gettin' tired just thinking about it. But we couldn't live without her, that's for sure.



Graham has been out of town for a week (only a couple days to go till he's home!) so we've been keeping busy. We went to Red Deer to visit Grandma and Grandpa for a few days and then we've just been hanging out since we got home. It's crazy how only 2 kids can keep a person so busy. Especially when one of them is a 3 year old. I was just watching Oprah and this family was on, and Kate said something that I totally did an "Amen, girlfriend". She said, "Didn't you know that 3 is the new 2???" (in reference to the terrible-two's) Okay, soooooooo true! I actually have been talking with my sister, mom and even Kim today about how Payton turned 3 and is suddenly a different person! Obviously my sweet little girl is still there, but man...she has her days and her moments, that's for darn sure. I've been reassured by many, though, that I'm not the only one. It's definately a girl thing, and a 3 year old thing to be sassy and difficult at any and all times!



Here's a little video to let you know just what I'm talking about:




(we took this video on the day that Ryan and Jody had their little girl to show them what might be in store!! I hope for their sake that Aviana isn't quite as emotional!)



Okay, Gabby needs her mama so I'm off for now. Have a great weekend!




T:)

felt fortune cookies

I saw these adorable felt fortune cookies on the Martha Stewart website this weekend and thought they'd be the perfect little Valentine's gift....I love them! The instructions to make them are here if you want to whip some up!

(note: Instead of using ribbon and glue like they suggest, just use decorative tape. I used the MM fabric tape and it was super easy and not messy at all...glue can get messy!)





I love finding new ideas...keeps things fresh, and these are a fun alternative to a Valentine's card. I saw the chopsticks at Walmart yesterday and thought they'd be fun to add to the little cookies. Oh, and I just filled each cookie with Hershey's Kisses 'cause you can't go wrong with chocolate!


Also, I thought I'd share the little fortunes that I created in photoshop...you can just click on the image below and print them off and add them to your own cookies.





Have fun, and Happy Valentine's Day!




Tal:)

more bday pics...

I realize that there is some major "pink" and "birthday" overload happening on my blog right now, but I got Payton's birthday pictures back from Kim this weekend and I had to share some...so so cute. I love little girls...and these are definatley girly pictures! Thank you sooooo much Kim for taking pictures for me. I highly recommend this to anyone doing a birthday party...it was so nice for me to just enjoy the party and do everything I had to do without worrying about pictures. Yay!



My house is a disaster today and I can't bring myself to clean it...I'm sure when Gray gets home he'll be thinking, "so what exactly did she do today???" Hee hee. Come on, I went to Walmart, read books with the girls and played with pictures in photoshop! Totally productive if you ask me (wink). I'm actually just feeling super overwhelmed right now with my life in general...so excited for Girl's Night Out but a little stressed with all that Kim and I have to do to pull it off. Aaaahhh! And then Graham is leaving tonight to work out of town for a quick trip, them home for a couple days before he's away again for over a week. He deserves to get away (his annual dirtbiking trip) but I miss him when he's gone...he is such a calming influence that I need as I tend to stress out and freak out over the littlest things. BUT....all will be well! Lucky for me I have my family and friends around to help keep me busy and sane. Haha!!



Hope everyone is having a great Monday.



T:)



P.S...this is the crazy "Birthday" month in mine and Graham's family's...Happy early or late Birthday to Kedan, Molly, Jeremy, Sean, Ryan (I think??), Mom, baby Harry and Me!! (maybe that has to do with me being bummed out...as of Friday I am now 28. AAaah! Feelin' old.)

the ballerina party

I thought I would share some of the pictures from Payton's little ballerina birthday a couple weeks ago...beware, there is alot of pink! It was so fun and all the little girls were so cute...Payton was waaaaaay excited to say the least. These are all "before the party" pics...Kim actually came to take pictures during the party and I still need to get them from her, so I'm excited to see those, too! So this was the party...




the invites...


(I loooove how these turned out!)






the cake...

(Thanks to my sister, Karly for decorating the cake...last year I tried to make Payton a Dora cake and ended up stabbing the cake in frustration 'cause I suck at icing!! So I let Karly do the decorating this year. haha!)




the decorations...

(I didn't do lunch, just snacks and cake for the girls...worked out well and was very easy!)





the "activity"...

(I got these crowns at Michael's for only $1.50 each. Then I made the wands and each girl got to decorate a crown and a wand with those fun foam stickers. They loved it.)






the goodie bags...


(Pretty much got everything at the dollar store. Yay!)





the tutus...

(Nana made tutus for each little girl. They were a hit and everyone looked so stinkin' cute. And look at my little 3 year old!!! Love her.)




the pretty flowers...


(I had these Martha Stewart flowers hanging in my scrapbook room in the old house and thought they would be perfect for the party. So girly, I love them!)




and last but not least, the banner...




(Did you think I'd pass up the chance to make yet another banner??? As if! The cute scalloped triangles are made by Jenni Bowlin. I think I need to buy some more!!)




It was such a fun afternoon and I'm glad the party was only an hour...we kept the girls busy and then it was time for everyone to go! (heehee) I'll share some "during" the party pics as soon as I get 'em, and here's a little video of the girls dancing (sort of) before I go...




Good night!



T:)

wanna see?

This month we're featuring our scrapbook rooms at The Goodie Box so you can head on over there today to sneak a peek into my room. It's all about my closet storage!


See you there!


T:)

President Hinckley

As I was browsing through blogs today and reading on my church's website, I've just come across so many articles and thoughts on President Hinckley. As most people know, he passed away on Sunday night and I am just overcome with gratitude and love for this sweet and amazing man. I loved hearing him speak at general conference and he has always brought me feelings of peace and comfort in a time when our world can be such a scary place. I am so grateful for the work and service he did for all of us...and I am so happy to know that he is reunited with his wife whom he openly loved so much. What an amazing example. It is has been a neat opportunity for Graham and I to talk with Payton about how we will see him again and because of Heavenly Father's plan for us, we will all be together forever.

We love you, President Hinckley.