lemon squeezy

Valentine's Day Free Download: Day One

2012-02-01T09:32:00.005-07:00

A free download for your kids to bring to school. I bought size "C1" cellophane bags at xpedx (they are 4 inches wide) and after putting in the candy just folded the top of the bag down (I cut off a little too) and stapled the tag on. Voila, really simple.

Click on the image below and it will enlarge on your screen. Then right click and save to your desktop. From there, print on 8.5 x 11 paper/card stock. I used some old linen paper I had lying around.

Art from Alex

2012-01-28T21:36:00.005-07:00

Since I haven't been doing too much art of my own lately, here is something my daughter Alex painted a few months ago. However, next week will be the beginning of a 6 day free printable download frenzy with my friend Muffin, so I'll have to get back to designing soon.

Box winners

2012-01-21T11:56:00.005-07:00

The three winners are Heidi , Shalini and Pat. Thanks everyone for entering!

Cupcakes

2012-01-19T05:00:00.002-07:00

I know a million people are coming into town for Alt Summit and the Sundance Film Festival this week. While I'm not lucky enough to be going to either, you should add to your festivities and treat yourself to Cupcake Chic in Orem Utah (30 min south of SLC and Park City). Deliciously dense cupcakes with lots of frosting. I took these pictures a little while back and then took home a whole dozen all to myself.

Key Lime is my favorite! Look at that lime zest in the frosting.

Shutterfly card

2012-01-18T22:37:00.005-07:00

Another design I did for Shutterfly. They have it in the adult birthday invitations section, but I originally designed it with teenagers and kids in mind, like the color schemes and pictures in the designs below.

(I took this picture below when I was in France along with pictures of his whole family. He is the son of my friend's friend. His mom and dad are from South Africa and his school friends are from England. Cutest and raddest accent ever.)

Wedding invites

2012-01-17T22:28:00.003-07:00

Some random self project wedding invites I've been working on.

Paper Box giveaway!

2012-01-13T19:50:00.004-07:00

Anyone want a free box (like the one I designed and posted about HERE)? I have three sets (yes, three!) of 5 boxes to give away, ranging from the boxes shown here, to other basic patterns and even some Christmas themed ones. They are a great size (about 4x4" by 1.5") and useful for jewelry, bobbypins, or as my daughter uses hers: a home for her Littlest Pet Shop turtle.

Leave a comment on this post by Jan 20th at midnight and you'll be in the running! Make sure you leave a way for me to contact you so you can get your prize if you win. Merry late Christmas!

Ana and her family

2012-01-12T18:25:00.003-07:00

My sister with her daughter and her new fiance.

You'll notice from these next pictures that they are definitely a dog loving family. My sister has two dogs, Princess and Sunshine, and her fiance has one named Buddy.

And below is Kaylee with a blank "I'm freezing" stare as her two dogs hang around her. It was something like 24 degrees the morning I took these last month. The same morning I took this frozen berry picture.

Gift Box

2012-01-03T16:51:00.004-07:00

I made this box for "Baks Company" and they sold it to Walmart, where you can find it in most of their stores right now. The box is pretty cool cause it has a magnet closure, I love magnetic closures on things. The boxes are primarily made for gift cards, but I actually used a few I had on hand to give away small gifts like jewelry and homemade caramels this Christmas.

I've designed a few boxes for them in the past, mostly sold to Associated Foods. It is always weird to see something you made in a large retail store.

Cherie and Josh

2011-12-28T13:20:00.004-07:00

Now that the 24 days of Free Christmas Downloads are done, I'm back to my regular posting. Photos, random designs, etc. But Valentines is the next holiday coming up and I'll be doing more free downloads as that gets closer (if not before then).

Until then, here are pictures of Cherie (as in Sherry) and Josh. They have been married 9 years and haven't had pictures together in just as long. (I've taken pictures of their dogs, but not them.) They were in desperate need (as Cherie said) of some updated pics.

Day 24: Children's coloring page

2011-12-24T05:00:00.002-07:00

For the last of our 24 Days of Christmas Downloads I've drawn this coloring page for all those bored kids that finish their dinner way before the adults. Print out the jpg below on 8.5 x 11 paper or click HERE to download the PDF.

It has been great collaborating with Muffin and creating all these free downloads for you these past 24 days. Keep checking back, I'm pretty sure we'll do something like this again soon!

Day 23: Printable Stickers

2011-12-23T10:08:00.003-07:00

Download some lovely stickers for your last minute christmas present decorating.

Day 22: More Cards!

2011-12-22T05:00:00.007-07:00

Need any more cards? Here's a little of everything. Merry Christmas for those last minute gifts and candies you're wrapping, thank you's for the gifts you receive, and a couple undefined cards for anything else you can think of. Click HERE and HERE to download the pdfs.

These cards are small, 2 x 3.25 inches. Since they are so small they don't necessarily need an envelope, or purchase these cute little guys HERE for just $10.95 for 100.

If you want, you can also click on each of these jpgs below, save to your desktop and print rather than downloading the PDF.

Day 21: Decoupage clothespins patterns

2011-12-21T17:01:00.004-07:00

Click HERE to download awesome patterns to decoupage onto clothespins.

Day 20: Money gift holder

2011-12-20T11:00:00.005-07:00

If you don't have a gift for you favorite niece or sister-in-law yet, why not cash? Write a note on one of these cards, and slip the whole thing into a DIY sleeve. Click HERE for the PDF. It's super easy. (The sleeves will hold a gift card too.)

Use this jpg (below) if you'd rather that over the PDF. Just click on it, save to your desktop and print.

Day 19: Printable Holiday Gift Box

2011-12-19T22:26:00.002-07:00

Go to Muffin's blog to get her adorable printable gift box.

Day 18: Berry Wall Art

2011-12-18T22:46:00.004-07:00

Another piece of Christmas themed art for your wall. I printed mine out and stuck it to a wall by my desk, but you can switch out some art in frames you already have up, like the folks at YoungHouseLove.com. I braved the very cold weather this morning with my sister and her family and dogs to take pictures for her, and came across these beautifully frozen berries.

Click HERE to download the pdf for the best version and print on 8.5 x 11 paper and frame in an 8 x 10 mat. Or, click on the jpg below and save to your desktop and print.

Day 17: candy banner download

2011-12-17T20:15:00.002-07:00

Click HERE To go to Muffin's blog to get the printable for this cute candy garland.

Day 16: Napkin holder

2011-12-16T04:00:00.002-07:00

Napkin holders to go with the table place cards from a few days ago. I just pretended I knew how to fold a napkin when I put this together, so if you have any better folding techniques, feel free to do it your way. Just print these napkin holders, cut out, and tape together on the back.

Day 15: Coloring page

2011-12-15T11:14:00.001-07:00

Get this downloadable coloring page for your kids to color and give to friends or family members. Click HERE to get the link!

Day 14: Holiday Wall Art

2011-12-14T04:00:00.005-07:00

For you wall, a lovely holiday tree. Print on 8.5 x 11 card stock and either hang without a frame like I did, or put it in a frame with an 8 x 10 mat board (there will still be a smallish white edge surrounding the image). I did that but my mat board was off-white and it looked funny with the white paper it was printed on. Click HERE to download the high quality PDF. Or, click on the jpg below, save to your desktop and print (the jpg should still look good.)

Day 13: Vintage Gift Tags

2011-12-13T17:09:00.003-07:00

I'm in love with these Vintage Gift Tags that Muffin made for all of you to download.

Day 12: Place cards

2011-12-12T04:00:00.004-07:00

Decorate your Christmas table with these cute little place cards. I designed it so the front is how I show it above, but you could actually use the backs for the name as well and it would look nice. Download the PDF HERE or click on the image below, save to your desktop and print.

Day 11: Santa Matryoshka Doll Card

2011-12-11T04:00:00.003-07:00

Check out Muffin's blog for her Sunday Christmas download.

Day 10: Card and Bookmarks

2011-12-10T09:19:00.004-07:00

Download this holiday card HERE . (Yours won't print with that striped banding though unless you are low on ink like I am.)

Since some people have told me they can't get the PDFs to work, you can also click on this image below and save to your desktop and print.

I also made bookmarks out of the same pattern in different colors. Download them HERE or click on the image below and save to your desktop and print.

Day 9: Desktop Wallpaper

2011-12-09T13:10:00.003-07:00

A Christmas desktop wallpaper from Muffin. Love it!

Day 8: Card Download

2011-12-08T05:00:00.005-07:00

We received our first Christmas card in the mail today. Some people are really on the ball. I know what family type of "picture" I would create (we usually don't sent a traditional pic, mostly because it is hard to take a family picture with me in it since I'm the photographer)...but I don't think that will happen this year. Here are our 2007 & 2008 cards:

Anyway, even if I don't have time to make a family picture and mail out cards, all of you can! Use this Noel card and stuff it with your picture, or just a note to your families and friends. Click HERE to download the PDF.

If you can't get the PDF above to work, just click on this image below, save it to your desktop and print on 8.5 x 11 paper.

Day 7: Mini Lantern Christmas Scene

2011-12-07T08:44:00.004-07:00

The tutorial on how to make this Anthropologie inspired snow globe is over on Muffin's blog. I've never thought of making a snow globe, I love it!

Day Six: Santa letter

2011-12-06T05:00:00.003-07:00

A Santa letter for your kids to print out and fill in. Click HERE to download the PDF and mail that letter off to Santa. If the PDF link isn't working for you, you can just click on the jpg above and save it to your computer, then print.

Day Five: Ornament tutorial and download

2011-12-05T14:28:00.006-07:00

Muffin has a great ornament tutorial on her blog for today's download. Click HERE to get it.

Day Four: Dangly Gift Tags

2011-12-03T19:10:00.010-07:00

A set of 8 printable gift tags to spruce up your gifts this year. Click on THIS LINK to get the PDF. (Move your mouse toward the bottom of the PDF. Four buttons appear, click the one on the right to download. It might take a minute to load.)

This jpg (below) is in case you can't open the PDF linked above (I really need to be more computer savvy...). Click on it, then save to your desktop and print.

Day Three: Iron on owl transfer template

2011-12-03T10:37:00.003-07:00

View today's owl t-shirt transfer printable download HERE on Muffin's blog.

Day Two: Holiday Activity Cards

2011-12-02T09:26:00.006-07:00

Never be bored again! Okay, maybe you will be, but not for a little while. Download a set of these Holiday Activity Cards for a bunch of activities to do with your kids, friends or self! We're following the "decorate christmas cookies" card this afternoon.

(It looks as though the linked PDF above isn't working, so until I figure that out, click on the jpg below, save to your desktop and print on 8.5x11 card stock from there.)

of these Holiday Activity Cards

Day One: Advent calendar

2011-12-01T14:53:00.004-07:00

Head on over to Mufn Inc. for a tutorial and number download for this Advent Calendar. I love the stitched on ribbon that holds the small daily gifts.

The 24 Days of Free Christmas Downloads

2011-11-30T10:59:00.006-07:00

Tomorrow begins The 24 Days of Free Christmas Downloads! My friend and I from Mufn Inc are going to post a free download for the 24 days in December leading up to Christmas. We have some pretty cute things planned! We will be switching days but every day it isn't something I designed, I'll send you a link to her site for her free download. Enjoy!

The sleeping boy

2011-11-29T12:22:00.001-07:00

Aren't sleeping babies the cutest?

Family Pics

2011-11-17T14:49:00.007-07:00

One year old

2011-11-15T09:52:00.004-07:00

Family Photos

2011-11-12T05:00:00.005-07:00

post-marriage and pre-wedding

2011-11-09T21:51:00.009-07:00

They were married a few years ago, but never had a wedding. So, in a few months they are off to Hong Kong for an amazing wedding, and these pictures are to prepare for the event.

Cindy and Rob

2011-11-07T08:26:00.005-07:00

More where this came from in a few days.

100% recycled calendars

2011-11-02T22:02:00.006-06:00

During the summer I made two calendars through a client for Walmart.com. The calendar style is new for Walmart, printed and packaged with 100% recycled paper. It can also stand on your desk, I might have to buy one!

This is the Floral Calendar.

Here are a few larger images of some of my favorites.

And this is the Seasonal Calendar, also followed by larger images of a few of my favorites.

Fall

2011-10-30T21:47:00.003-06:00

Alex and her 3 (almost 4) year old cousin.

More DIY?

2011-10-30T21:12:00.005-06:00

Yes it is! While I've actually been designing a lot and taking a lot of family photos (everyone wants pics before the weather gets bad!), the designs I can't post since they are for a client, and the photography I haven't spent the time to go though...

So, here you get some more DIY projects from around my house, since we're always working on something. I love DIY projects!

This first one is outward facing bookshelves using Bekvam spice racks from IKEA. I saw this somewhere online (long before pinterest) and saved the image to a folder on my desktop. I love that the shelves essentially present the books as art, and I think Liam is more likely to pick up a book and look at it if he can see the cover.

My sister-in-law made this mobile (and about 10 others) for my baby shower last year. I kept one and it hangs above my baby's changing table. She got the idea from this Martha Stewart page. I love it so much, and it was a cinch to make.

This DIY project is not quite as exciting, but very useful if you need it. This is a solution I came up with when I realized we couldn't put up a baby gate on our curved banister. I bought a piece of wood as high as the banister (my husband painted it white which makes it blend in nicely). Then used long zip ties to hold it to the banister. I even put craft foam under the zip ties and in between the wood and the banister to help it from ruining the paint on the banister.

Without the wood addition we wouldn't be able to have a baby gate. And without a baby gate, Liam would have fallen down the stairs several times, I'm sure. The best part is, when we're done with the gate, the banister should look as good as new!

Lastly, my friend made this jewelry holder for me. Much better place for my necklaces than the zip lock bag they were in. It would work great for earrings too.

A painted frame with heavy-duty staples in the back with wire twisted through. I love it!

Alex + two friends

2011-10-19T16:04:00.000-06:00

Baking night

2011-10-19T15:27:00.006-06:00

I took a break from photos and designs and baked a cake last week. I started at 9:30pm and finished over 4 hours later. Whew. I would have started earlier if I realized it would have taken me that long!

I found the idea here through pinterest, of course. Go to that first link to find the recipe since it is quite long and detailed, as you can imagine. It had been years since I had make a homemade cake (I know, sad) but I was really excited to try out this 6 layered cake. I made it for my baby's first birthday and since I didn't plan a party, I guess I figured I'd put all my efforts into a cake. (FYI, If I had skipped the fondant top, It would have saved me about 45 minutes.)

The batter. I hardly use my Kitchenaid mixer but it was really helpful for this. I should use it more.

The gel food coloring and edible markers. I found these at Robert's Crafts on 50% off your entire purchase day. Sweetness!

Here is one of the 6 portioned bowls of batter. Such vibrant color.

This it the meringue lemon buttercream. Four sticks of butter. I have never made something with so much butter. If you make this and want it to be lemony, make sure you have lemon extract and not just lemon juice, I found out lemon juice isn't strong enough.

Post cooked and saran-wrapped layers. The hardest part of this cake was getting the cake out of the pans. I only have two pans so that means I had to go through 3 different rounds of cooking. I tried pam which barely worked and then Crisco which I thought would work wonders but was only slightly better. Luckily it was all under pounds of buttercream and fondant so you couldn't see the mistakes.

The bottom purple layer was hiding under the curve of the plate. Yum, right?

I made THIS recipe for the fondant. I doubled the recipe, but I didn't need to. One batch would have covered it I think.

And the best part, Alex was able to decorate the cake the next morning. She loves to draw and really enjoyed doing this.

I didn't get a picture of a slice, but here is the cake with a big chunk taken out. It was pretty tasty and all the kids loved it. And the adults. And me especially.

Barnes girls

2011-10-15T23:49:00.001-06:00

Johnson family

2011-10-10T21:57:00.002-06:00

The mountains and canyons are looking beautiful these days, I wish it would last a little longer!

Baby Averi

2011-10-06T10:10:00.001-06:00

DIY projects

2011-09-29T05:00:00.000-06:00

We've been working on a lot of things around the house, here are some of my favorite things we've completed that are so easy to do.

Project 1: We made our headboard out of a 5 panel door purchased at Home Depot (for just $36! Online they were more but when I called and made the order they said it was only $36. Just be sure to request no door hole and no mounting holes when placing your order), put molding around the top and painted it all white. I got the idea HERE on Martha Stewart's website. Martha Stewart's headboard mounting instructions were for a solid wood door which was not in our budget, so we found a solution by using French Cleat Picture Hangers, also found at Home Depot. It worked out great and I love how it looks. So much so that we've decided to replace all our 1969 paper thin doors in our house with 5 panel doors, it will look great. We just have to save up a bit first.

Project 2: Painting the legs of our furniture. While I really wanted to buy some new tapered legs from Uncle Bob's Workshop, I didn't want to fork out $60 + shipping for the 8 legs that needed replacing. I've been wanting to do this for a year, and when I saw this tutorial on Young House Love (my new obsession lately) I became motivated to finally get it done. I'd post the steps here but they have it very thoroughly covered on their site, I even bought the exact same paint and it looks amazing. Much better than the birch they were before, they drew too much attention to themselves. Now these sit quietly and look a lot nicer, too.

And here is the whole chaise

One last quick and easy project: curtains made from tablecloths. I needed curtains for our really wide sliding doors and fabric isn't wide enough (I didn't want a seam running down the middle of each curtain panel) nor are regular curtains. After searching on and off for months, I started looking at things like sheets and . . . tablecloths. I bought these from Target, folded the top edge down a couple inches and clipped on some curtain clips I had already from Ikea and done! It was a cinch.

hiya

2011-09-28T15:29:00.004-06:00

I loathe terrible/selfish parkers. In fact, I loathe selfish drivers in general, as my sister can attest to since she accompanied me to SLC last weekend. Drivers are the worst. So, what better way to feel better (other than giving them a "thumbs down" as they drive by) but to put a note on their car when they are parked terribly. You know what I mean, taking up two spaces, parking on the line (how am I supposed to get my baby with his car seat in?!). I'm sure I don't need to clarify any more.
I saw something like this a long time ago and loved the idea, and yesterday after having someone park about 1 inch away from my door, I decided it was time to make some parking cards myself.

Click on the image below to enlarge. Then save to your desktop and print. It prints on 8.5x11 paper and if you don't change the size as you print, then they will be a standard business card size. Enjoy venting to your terrible parking neighbors!

More Cards

2011-09-28T09:43:00.002-06:00

A few cards that weren't chosen for Shutterfly.

What we did in Washington

2011-09-25T23:34:00.009-06:00

We drove up to Washington (and flew back...one 14 hr drive with an 11 month old is enough). It was lotsa fun, here are a few things we did and saw.

We went to the Puyallup Fair (which my sister in law told me is the third biggest fair in the nation) and saw a horse show.

Ate a monster size bag of cotton candy. Really, the bag had a picture of a monster on it.

There was tree climbing.

Rock eating.

Liam practiced walking.

We drove to Crescent Lake. It was beautiful.

Picked flowers.

Ate grass.

This is the real color of the lake. Amazing.

Then we drove to Rialto Beach. There was a storm in the '20s that washed up A LOT of trees, and the beach is covered in them. It is great.

All the rocks were smooth.

Alex made a pie.

Ferris wheel

2011-09-21T13:43:00.002-06:00

I love washed out, vintage pics. I didn't photoshop these at all, the sun was working with me that day.

Vacationing

2011-09-14T11:08:00.001-06:00

We're off to Seattle today. Here is a favorite picture from our last trip which was a couple years ago. I've missed the north-west, we were meant to be together.

Tomatoes

2011-09-12T12:09:00.000-06:00

This is my attempt to make homemade tomato sauce, since I don't know what to do with all the tomatoes from our ONE tomato plant in the backyard. Roma tomatoes grow like mad. HERE is the recipe I'm following.

Birthday and Holiday Cards

2011-09-10T00:01:00.009-06:00

Below is the Cards & Stationery page at Shutterfly.com. A card I designed is on the landing page! (See a bigger screen shot of it below.)

Here are some cards I designed for Shutterfly over the summer that are now available to order on their website. There could be more of my designs on there (you never know what they decide to use), there are so many cards to look through!

Commemorating the hair

2011-09-09T22:33:00.004-06:00

These may look like engagement pictures, but don't be fooled. My brother and his wife have been married for something like four years. These pictures were taken to commemorate his hair before chopping it completely off and donating it to Locks of Love. His wife was sad about the hair cutting (but glad he could donate it), but since he is starting his MSW at BYU, it had to go.

Dwell

2011-08-28T08:05:00.004-06:00

I love Dwell Studio and its less expensive partner Dwell Studio for Target. While searching for some fabric to make curtains out of, I discovered that Dwell Stuido has a bunch of new decor products. I love some of the vases, and the papier mache heads are pretty cool too...not that I could afford any of this stuff. But good inspiration.

Printed and framed

2011-08-26T22:03:00.007-06:00

Before seeing the artwork I printed and framed, here are a couple before pictures of Alex's room.

It was actually the nicest, most updated room in the house (no wall paper to remove!)...but the dark grey walls and dark tan ceiling had to go. I love a nice white ceiling.

And, here is the Bobby and Koalas pop-art print I finally printed and originally posted about HERE. It took awhile cause I was having frame problems, a part on the back was missing. I guess that is the risk you take when you buy used frames from craigslist. But it is all good now.

Alex's room was done pretty cheaply too. The desk was my husband's from his childhood. You can see storage crates under the bed which I bought each for 40% off at Robert's Crafts. I had to go a lot of times over the period of about a year since they only allow one item at 40% off each visit. But I saved a ton of money and just stopped by the store when I was in the area. And, they are the best storage for her many many books (a lot of which are also from my husband's childhood.) Her bed was given to us when she was two, which we painted a fresh coat of white. Her quilt I made myself, so it was just the cost of the fabric (but don't look closely, I usually just make up how I want to sew a project, and this quilt shows a little bit...). The owl prints were painted by my sister-in-law, and you can see the other free photo print I had printed from papercoterie.com.

She loves having a desk now. And it will become even more useful once she starts getting homework from school. Lucky girl gets the first two weeks free of homework! (Not that it ever takes more than 10-15 minutes plus reading...)

I have an amazing illustrated map I'm going to put up on the wall under those two shelves, but alas, it is still in one of our many unpacked boxes. It will be a great spot for it, Alex loves looking maps.

Birthday card free download

2011-08-16T10:55:00.002-06:00

Click the image above to enlarge, then right click to save to your computer, then print.

Poster for Liam's room...and Liam's room

2011-08-10T21:09:00.005-06:00

This is what Liam's room looked like about 3 months ago. Completely covered in wallpaper, gross old broken blinds, and lots and lots of heavy wood trim.

With a lot of strength, energy, late nights, help from my sister, and painting from my husband, this is what it looks like now. It is so much more refreshing and airy compared to the dark dungeon it was before. I have been working on making a poster for his wall for a couple months now, and finally had it printed and hung up on the wall today. Besides painting the closet doors, the fan blades and the door to his room white, everything is done...and on the cheap too.

The chair was given to me by a friend who no longer needs it. The crib I bought 7 years ago for my older daughter. The crib bedding was given to me by another friend who didn't want it any more. The curtains I made from $7 sheets and hung on an inexpensive rod from Ikea. I even got free 2" wood blinds from my sister and her husband who no longer needed them (for almost the whole house which is great). We replaced the light switches and covers and the outlets and their covers, making them a refreshing white from the sad tan they were before. Plus now the vacuum stays plugged in.

Don't you love the bedding?! My friend bought if from Walmart.com a few years ago. Surprising.

I bought this wooden crate from Robert's Crafts at 40% off some years ago, I have a few more under Alex's bed for storage too. I might stack another one here to make this table/book holder taller.

I was even able to get this re-stickable "canvas" print for free (and one for Alex's room) from a company I do freelance for sometimes, Paper Coterie. I love it, and I like that I don't have to worry about a frame above his bed falling and glass breaking on him. That actually happened to me once growing up. My Little Mermaid picture and frame came crashing down, glass breaking all over my bed. Luckily I was out in the living room and not sleeping, but I've been paranoid about that ever since.

Here is the print I made, framed in a clearanced $5 frame I found at Target. And printed for just $5 at Costco.

Notice how the colors match the bedding? I know, so smart of me.

Yes that is a brown wall which we painted on purpose. It looks great with the crisp grey walls and white trim. I might buy some slabs of wood and make a white trim to go around the mirror too, to lighten up that side of the room just a little more. I think I'm obsessed with white. My sis-in-law made this mobile for Liam's baby shower. Liam loves to look at it.

This storage thing I actually bought from Ikea. My husband doesn't particularly like the way it looks, but I love the functionality of it and how much stuff it holds. One of the bins I even use for his dirty clothes, and it takes up hardly any space. It is great.

And here, of course, is the babe.

Baby card free download

2011-08-06T09:36:00.003-06:00

For those baby showers you have coming up. I know I have a few.

Click on the image, save to desktop, print on card-stock.

Patterns

2011-07-18T22:32:00.003-06:00

I've submitted a couple of designs I've had here on my blog before to Threadless.com into their Pattern contest. I love that website and their shirts.

If you like this pattern, vote HERE. Just click on the 5.

And if you like this one, click HERE to vote.

look what's cooking

2011-07-13T23:55:00.003-06:00

My sister started this blog for my family members a while back so we all would have a place to share our recipes. I've been watching a lot of Alton Brown and Ina Garten on hulu lately and when I come across a recipe I like, I put it on the blog. I'm so glad she started this, she even took the time to put all my mom's old recipes on there so we can bake and cook the meals we had growing up.

Anyway, since I've been going to the blog so much lately, I realized it needed a simple face lift. Blogger has SO many more style options than it did two years ago when she first started the blog. Back then the only food related background was a picture of some sort of jewish themed dessert. Now they have a whole category under "food" with choices. I chose this basic flatware and created the most simple header I've ever done, but I think it looks great. I love technology. I'm making Snickerdoodles tonight! (This is a great recipe, but not from Alton Brown or Ina Garten.)

Colors revisited

2011-07-11T20:33:00.005-06:00

I've updated the colors on a couple of my old designs. They were so last year...or was it the year before?

You can download and print these for your decorating pleasure.

Birthday calendar (original post here).

Click on one of the files below, save to your desktop and then print on 11 x 17 paper/card stock. If you don't have that, then you might need to bring it to your local printer. (I thought 8.5 x 11 would be way too tiny for writing a bunch of names by each birthday.)

TS Eliot quote, original post HERE.

Click and save to desktop and print on 8.5 x 11 paper.

Waking up

2011-07-08T13:18:00.001-06:00

Who doesn't love to wake up from a nap happy?

Pop art

2011-06-30T14:37:00.009-06:00

I've been on a quest to find some sort of art to put up in my 7 yr old daughter's room. While talking to my husband about it one night he suggested that I take a picture of something that she loves and make it into pop art. I'm not the hugest Andy Warhol/pop art fan, but I do appreciate the philosophy behind why Andy Warhol created his famous pieces. Plus, I thought it would be fun (and relatively simple) to make. Which it was.

Now you can meet Koalas and Bobby. Alex has had these since the first year of her life and she still loves them to death. She chose these two things out of everything she owns to have transformed into pop art...not that she knows what that even is...yet!

And here is the finished product. Well, I might get color change requests, but I thought it was a good start. It was simple and quick. If you wanna do it, just follow this tutorial I found on You Tube. (You'll get to see Alyssa Milano transformed into pop art. Wow, it's been a long time since I've seen "Who's the Boss." I used to love that show for some reason. Oh, Sam.)
Now I just need to find the cheapest place to have this printed since it will be huge.

Wedding card free download

2011-06-22T23:07:00.001-06:00

Do you need a card for the next wedding you attend? Well have no fear, I have one for you to download right here! And I rhyme.

Click on image, save to desktop and print.

Raindrops

2011-06-22T14:03:00.001-06:00

I'd like to wrap gifts in this.

A variety

2011-06-16T21:56:00.017-06:00

A variety of designs that weren't chosen by the clients I designed them for. Maybe I'll end up making cards out of some of them...one day!

The beginnings of a poster

2011-06-01T23:29:00.002-06:00

Cleanflix

2011-05-30T20:45:00.003-06:00

www.cleanflixthemovie.com

Liam

2011-05-29T22:25:00.001-06:00

7.5 months old

Celebrate card: free download

2011-05-24T04:00:00.002-06:00

I had a request for a simple girly b-day invitation free download. Why not? I'm not sure if this is what she was looking for, but it is what happened when I sat down to make it. Enjoy the free download for your next celebration!

I made this second color combo, too.

Click on either of the two images below. Save to your desktop. Print. Enjoy your party.

Job Chart free download

2011-05-22T21:08:00.005-06:00

I made this job chart for Alex several months ago. I have to admit...the last few months we haven't been using it at all, but tonight I've decided tomorrow is another week and we will start it again! I'll have to take the homework off after this coming week...I'm sure I can think of something to replace it. Maybe "give mommy a foot massage..."

Here is a blank one you can download and fill out how you like. I'm sure we all have very different expectations of what would earn our kid a sticker! When Alex was younger, her charts included things like brushing her teeth and eating her vegetables, but she doesn't need to be encouraged with those anymore. After 40 stickers Alex and I go to the store and pick out a little prize, she loves it!

More of the nephews

2011-05-18T05:00:00.001-06:00

I completely forgot untill today that I also took these pictures of the same two nephews from yesterday's post.

Doesn't this guys look like a model baby with those big eyes and 2 little teeth? It is pretty easy to take pictures of him because he doesn't crawl yet. That will all change...

This is what happened when I tried to get both of the nephews in one shot. Success. Not.

I did trick this guy into looking at me when he didn't know I had the camera. He usually runs away from me when I try to take his picture. So do most other three year olds!

Family shots

2011-05-16T23:15:00.002-06:00

I recently took pictures of my sister and brother-in-law and their two kids. It was a good reminder of how hard it is to get young kids to look at the camera...at the same time! We have a plan to take another batch of pictures, but I still also like the ones from this day.

This one is a little more playful since neither of the kids are looking at me, but I really like how it turned out, they look so happy!

Cheese!

ALEX

2011-05-10T23:32:00.001-06:00

If only we all had our name in 3D letters.

Easter card

2011-04-23T13:16:00.001-06:00

Seeing how easter is tomorrow, this is a little late, but here you go.

Click to enlarge, save to your desktop, and print.

Paper Coterie calendar

2011-04-18T05:00:00.002-06:00

I ordered my calendar from Paper Coterie on a Sunday night and by the middle of the day on Tuesday, it was at my front door! From now until their beta website test phase is over (sorry, I don't know when that is), they are even offering 50% off and free shipping!

I love the way it turned out, really nice paper.

They have a patent pending on this clip. I love it. It is magnetic, the top flips up and you rotate the page to the back.

They even sent along this necklace with the calendar as a welcome-to-our-company gift.

blog header

2011-04-15T05:00:00.001-06:00

I made this header for my sister's blog. She wanted something cute but not too girly. I'm still not too sure the scallops at the bottom are gender-neutral enough...they might be leaving.

Her blog is pretty interesting too (to parents with kids), posts containing summaries of different baby related subjects from a very wide selection of baby "experts." She does all the research for you so you don't have to read the whole book (and more) if you don't have the time. www.mybabysleepguide.com.

Movie party free download

2011-04-13T21:10:00.004-06:00

My daughter turned 7 yesterday and last Monday we realized we better plan a party...quickly! I 100% took my friend's idea for a party that she threw for her daughter a few months ago, a movie birthday party. Alexandra invited several friends over and they watched Tangled, played Pass the Parcel, enjoyed popcorn cupcakes and icecream, and ate tons and tons of movie treats. Tons.

Like I said before, I got this party idea from a friend. And also this cupcake idea. The "popcorn" is yellow colored snowmen marshmallows that Alex and I twisted up and put on top of cupcakes. If you can't find those (which you probably can't unless it is winter) then you can probably just use regular marshmallows and twist them up...and maybe color them with yellow sprinkles or something. I made the wrappers and decided to put them here on my blog after my sister thought people might like them available as a free download. I think they turned out great. The girls were seriously confused when they found out they were cupcakes with marshmallows and not little popcorn bins.

We put frosting on top of the cupcakes (rainbow chip frosting to be exact...our favorite) to make the marshmallows stick.

A small selection of the treats that the girls could purchase with their "Alex money."

Alex showing off her face on the "Alex money" I made for her friends to buy treats at the little concession stand.

Of course a picture of my two kids. Plus, Liam was 6 months on the 11th, so I wanted to take some pics to document his size and looks.

Here is the popcorn cupcake template. Click on it to enlarge, then right click and save to your desktop. Print on 8.5 x 11 paper. I didn't even use card-stock for these! (I did this all sort of last minute...)

Here is a blank one if you'd like to print it on some scrapbook paper that you like. It is also 8.5 x 11.

Foxy bookmarks on other sites

2011-04-07T12:38:00.003-06:00

Thanks, mostly, to How About Orange, a lot of people viewed and were excited to print and use my fox bookmarks. Why not mention a couple of the sites so you can enjoy all the other things they have to offer?

How About Orange. This site is probably my favorite and also probably the only blog I actually check on a regular basis (I wish I had time to check out all my favorite sites every day...).

Lady Bug Market. A market type of site with many sellers and many awesome things to buy.

One Pretty Thing. Rachel creates "roundups" of all sorts of things, from printable items, kids crafts, birthdays...it is a great place to go for ideas for pretty much anything.
I've put a column on the right with a few other sites that have linked to my blog, check out their awesomeness too!

Jane Churchill

2011-04-05T13:26:00.003-06:00

If I could choose my dream job, it would be to design fabric. While I really enjoy making cards, calendars and such things, I love fabric. Maybe it is just that anything can be made from it, and I love to sew...not that I'm a pro.

I just came upon fabric (and more) designer Jane Churchill. I love her fabric and designs. I think I'll be spending the next few days enjoying her website and her fabrics.

Fabric contest!

2011-03-31T09:33:00.005-06:00

I received an email today saying I'm one of the (75) finalists in a baby boy fabric design contest! See, there is my fabric!

Okay, here is a bigger version. If you like it, vote for it and maybe I'll win! There are other great designs on there too, so make sure you vote for all the ones you like! Here is the link:

http://www.spoonflower.com/contest_voters/new?contest_id=78

There are 5 pages, so you have to scroll through them to find mine. The pattern looks a little small on their site, but keep in mind it is an 18"x21" swatch...so once brought up to the right size it should look much better.

You don't even have to set up an account, how lovely. Just click the fabrics you like and a green box will appear around them and then make sure you go to page 5, enter the characters it shows, and submit your votes.

Update: I didn't win, but thanks to everyone who voted! The final 10 are up for voting, there are some great designs. Click here to vote: http://www.spoonflower.com/contests/78

Calendar winner

2011-03-28T23:33:00.001-06:00

Calendar winner is Amy! Thanks everyone for participating, I'll try to give away more stuff soon...if not just have another free download.

UVU shirt designs

2011-03-28T05:00:00.003-06:00

A couple of shirts I made for the Concurrent Enrollment department at Utah Valley University. They were printed while I was on maternity leave...so they aren't perfect but I wasn't there to correct the mistakes.

The text on this blue one is supposed to fade lighter and lighter as each line goes up, I'm not sure why the printer did that wrong. Plus, the distressing isn't quite like I designed it, but I still like the way it turned out. The shirts are really comfy too, I likey.

I like how this one turned out. Sometimes working for a university there are so many people to please that it is rare to have a final product that turns out just how you want, so I'm glad this one did!

Giveaway: My calendar at Paper Coterie

2011-03-24T05:00:00.003-06:00

I'm excited to announce that the kind people at Paper Coterie are letting me give away one of my calendars, free shipping and all! Along with my calendar (of course), they have some really awesome products on their website, including the cutest growth charts I've even seen.

To enter, just leave a comment on this post by Monday, March 28th at 5pm (I'll leave the entry open over the weekend...). Be sure to leave an email address or a link or some way for me to contact you in case you win. Yay for free things!

My Calendar

2011-03-23T05:00:00.006-06:00

I designed this calendar for Paper Coterie a few months ago, and somehow forgot until TODAY to see if it was on their website! I think it's been there since at least December, seeing how it is a 2011 calendar. It is awesome seeing my calendar for sale!! Click HERE to view all the pages on the Paper Coterie website. Once you click there you have to scroll down, and under the "clip-wall-calendar 11 x 16" it is the calendar on the right titled "Signs of the Season." I might buy it just to have a copy for myself :)

Free bookmark download

2011-03-21T16:50:00.003-06:00

I've made some fox bookmarks for download, because I know how much you all love to read! Right? Well, I do, when I find the time.

Click the image below to enlarge. Once enlarged, right click and save to your desktop. You can print the file from there on 8.5 x 11 card-stock.

You can print this on the back of your bookmarks if you want a little more pizzaz. Be sure you're using card-stock because with all this ink, it would be a little too much for regular paper and make the paper wavy and not so pretty. This fits an 8.5 x 11 sized paper, just like the bookmarks.

Foxes

2011-03-18T21:53:00.003-06:00

I made this fox pattern but can't decide which color combo I like the most. I like them all...but for different applications I think...

Alex's art

2011-03-15T23:28:00.004-06:00

The last couple months I've been scanning in Alex's art and stories. I wish I had started years ago. When we move and unpack, I'm going to scan in a bunch of stuff from when she was younger. I really like doing this. I usually have to siphon out her drawings and only keep the most unique and special pieces, now I don't have to be as picky! If you're interested, you can see the blog here: Alexandrajaeart.blogspot.com

My obsession lately

2011-03-04T22:36:00.005-07:00

Although I'm not posting much, I've been designing cards for a client...I just can't post them until they are released. But, I was sent this image to use in my card design (they are photo cards I'm designing), below, and it inspired me to finally take some pictures of my daughter and baby. Plus, I've had more time and have been sticking around the house a lot more lately, due to Liam's ear infections and RSV. (He is finally starting to get better, yay!)

I took a zillion pictures.

Liam is almost always sucking on his bottom lip these days.

Can you tell she is obsessed with him? I am too.

Today...

2011-02-21T20:38:00.002-07:00

...was a nice, warm day! (For February standards that is.)

Utah valley

2011-02-18T21:31:00.001-07:00

I see the mountains so much, sometimes I forget how pretty they are. I took this yesterday morning by the mouth of Rock Canyon.

Midway, Utah

2011-02-03T23:32:00.003-07:00

Crazy large ice castles in Midway, Utah. They were closed when we arrived (we went on a Sunday) so we had to stay outside of the fence which was too bad. They have pathways and tunnels, etc cut through them.

3.5 months

2011-01-30T16:23:00.003-07:00

and a big fatty! It's obvious what has been occupying my time and my camera lately.

I never know what surface to put a young baby on for pictures (usually I find a sheet or something), but my dad has a few of these sheep skin rugs from Australia lying around, so why not. It didn't work too well when Liam was on his stomach though, drool on the wool and wool in the mouth.

I love how he is figuring out his hands, and clenching them so tightly in this series of photos.

The Catalina Casino

2011-01-25T10:00:00.002-07:00

I was scanning though some pictures from last May and found these of the Catalina Casino. I feel like I'm in a 1930s movie when I'm there.

My baby is warm

2011-01-13T10:17:00.003-07:00

I absolutely love this baby pouch that my friend Diana made for my baby and gave me at my baby shower. She has crazy knitting skills. And sewing skills.

A zipper!

Fleece lined!