[inspiration from others...]

like adding a little personal touch to your gifts?

I love this post from my friend Janel...I receive so much of my creativity and ideas from this little one and thought I would share this cool idea on making a corsage for your candles!!! Candles often can seem like the..."I don't know what else to get you, so I got you a candle" gift---BUT not with these little touches - the candle becomes the accessory to the cool corsage!

[for a "how-to" fun project...check out the link below to Janel's blog!]

http://janelkaden.blogspot.com/2009/12/gift-ideas-candle-corsage.html

[making baby clothes???]

Remember that baby shower I made invitations for? (see previous post!) Well...I was talking with the new mom and dad to be a couple weeks ago [steve & kimi] about how the majority of baby clothes are pretty generic and how should I say it...just plain "baby" looking...WHY can't babies dress hip too? So, after our conversation, I decided I was going to try and make baby landon some cool clothes.

With the help of my friend Kevin who owns EMBRACE APPAREL [www.embraceapparel.com...check it out-such great stuff!!!] I picked up some pieces from American Apparel to play around with. Steve & Kimi love the mid-century modern look so I found some leftover fabric I had in my craft closet (yes, I have a craft closet, ha), dusted off the 'ol sewing machine and went to town!  It was SO MUCH FUN making them and creating unique little pieces of art...so much fun that it has sparked an interest in making this into a little side business!! Steve & Kimi loved the clothes so much that Kimi, the marketting MASTER, is helping me create a business plan market them to local boutiques and shops through out the Long Beach/L.A. area!

NOW, I NEED YOUR HELP!

We are trying to think of a name for the line and COULD USE YOUR HELP!!!  Baby Landon's nickname is TURTLE and since he was the inspiration behind this project starting, it is only fitting that the word turtle is in the name...AND I want to keep the mid-century modern look...any ideas???? 2 free onesies if your idea becomes the new name!

this is so much fun :)-------enjoy your day!

[one for one]

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysE2VlyvdnI

Personally I love my TOMS shoes...I like wearing them. I like giving them. I like feeling cool every time I put them on AND I  like smiling to myself knowing that some kid around the world is feeling the same way.

Give the gift of TOMS this Christmas...everyone likes them!!! Ideal for teachers, that special someone, your parents, your children, your dog and your best friend.

There are so many amazing styles to try and if you simply can't decide which ones to get someone there are gift cards available on the website as well!

My awesome friend Megan is an affiliate with TOMS SHOES because she truly lives the principle of giving. She sacrifices her time, talents and love to everyone she comes in contact with...and just but putting her name "meganfate" in the 'discount code' area you too can be blessed by getting a little bit of money off our shoe purchases!!--Feel free to use/share the discount code: "meganfate"

PAY IT FORWARD and give to more than just the people you know!

www.tomshoes.com

hmmmm what to do....

A great friend gave me this cool black screen as a gift a few years ago and ever since I got it, I have always wondered how to decorate it just perfectly for Christmas!? Most normal people don't loose sleep over things like this but I do!!! So, as I was watching the amazing (and might I add, incredibly informative) HGTV Channel this weekend, a show came on about decorating celebrity homes for Christmas...I fell in LOVE with the look they designed for the singer Jewel's home!!! They had put this garland on her tree that was made out of old, vintage Christmas cards and I thought to myself..."I COULD totally do that!" Almost simultaneously my head turned and my eye caught the black screen in the corner--then all of a sudden there was a spot light illuminating the corner and I heard the words, "pick me, pick me...I want some Christmas Garland!"

I had to oblige and go through with it now :) So there began my fun project for the week! [YOU can DO IT TOO!!]

1. I quickly looked through my stash of old Christmas cards and designs to find some I liked

2. I copied them onto textured paper with my home printer

3. I cut them out and glued to a backing (a colored piece of cardstock---don't worry about making the lines perfect when you cut...it adds to the uniqueness & vintage feel)

4. I then glued it onto another piece of cardstock in which I had scalloped cut the edges

5. last step punch holes at the top - add a few glitter accents throughout - HANG & ENJOY :)

{I was thinking about making some of them just plain ornaments with a ribbon or possibly Christmas Cards or tags for gifts...let me know if you have any more ideas!!}

[make a jersey...make more fun]

Our family is a  little....how should I say??um....interesting? My grandparents gave land behind their house to their children and we all grew up on this one beautiful plot of land back in the woods in Mechanicsville, VA. So, ever since we were little kids we played together...we were all we had. A few times we played nice and sometimes-actually usually, there were tears.  One sport we have all grown to love is football....we...uhhhh, kinda like it a lot.

Not because we are pro but because we truly enjoy the time with each other....I believe so much in the power of football that I have a few tips for you to start your own family football team

TIP ONE: 

make jerseys...it makes for more fun...

I finally designed and had jerseys printed for the fam...our teams are the DUCKS vs. the BUCKS

TIP TWO:  

have 2 designated, appointed or elected ALL TIME captains.
Selection of teams becomes much easier. The two captains discuss and divide the group fairly...this way NO one gets picked last and feels like they are the worst player on the field....AT LEAST I appreciate it :)

TIP THREE:

football is a TEAM sport
Everyone plays on every play...no one just stands on the line and runs around the field without purpose. This is why it so important to have great captains -- they direct plays and get everyone involved!!

TIP FOUR: 

fans are a necessity
My mom pulled out some cheerleading moves for the 70's..VICTORY VICTORY is our CRY....V-I-C-T-O-R-Y!!!!!

TIP FIVE: 

go big or go home.
Why not play tackle football?

let me know how it goes & enjoy :)

[not responsible for any injuries that may occur before, during or after any game to come as a result of this blog...play at your own risk! ha]