For the Love of Creativity: Lost & Found Treasures

This post is a little late, but its been a fun day full of projects here at the house.

However, I can't talk about crafty friends without mentioning my friend and co-worker at TEAinTEXAS/Texas Tea & Travel. 

Brenda and I talk creative stuff all the time, share crafting ideas, and she spends a lot of time making stuff for the magazine and tea business. She had her sister also make a sell decorative wall hangings online and at crafts fairs. They have some of the cutest letters, hearts and crosses.

She is quite to collector of broken china, lonely buttons, ribbon scraps and more. I am amazed at how she can take simple little items and turn them into such beautiful creations. She is always showing photos of new projects that she is working one, but don't take my word for it, check out her website at D&B Designs. 

Until our next cup of tea ... 

For the Love of Creativity: Making A House a Home

I'm really enjoying this week down Memory Lane as I revisit friends who keep me #CreativelyInspired. Today, I spent a little time at Maribel's website trying to decide which of her adorable cottages I want next. You may remember Maribel from when I profiled her beautiful houses at Christmas.

But Maribel was also one of those military spouses who taught me early on that your house should reflect you in style and decor - it doesn't matter if the Army moves you every few years, you have to take pride in your home. She was a friend who worked hard to show how proud she was of her home, it didn't matter if she had to spend time painting or rearranging furniture, she took made sure her family always felt like it was home.  

Maribel, was someone who I'd watched to learn more about being a military spouse. As a young wife, married to a newly commissioned officer, I knew that the impressions I made would be important. Maribel, the spouse of a senior officer was a great example of the poise, confidence and friendiness that I hoped to develop as I started this new life.

I defientely took notes and having friends like this can both inspire and get you in trouble, because the shopping never ends! My Pinterest boards are proof of that! Live life #CreativelyInspired!! 

Until our next  cup of tea ... 

For the Love of Creativity: Mommy Humor in Life's Special Moments

As I continue a week of friends who keep me #CreativelyInspired, I have to point out, not all of my creafty friends have blogs, sell their products or publicly post their projects. Some of these friends started their creative adventures because they enjoyed the art medium they use and as a part of their enjoyment, they have found ways to incorporate it into their everyday lives, either getting crafty with their kids or using their talents to create memorable events for their families. One of those friends, is Elissa.

Lissa and I met in college. I attended the same college as our two husbands - at that time the guys were still on probationary status as to whether we'd spend the rest of our lives with them - good new, they passed!

Lissa was a military spouse like me, our husbands commissioned about a year apart. She attended a neighboring univeristy and would visit on weekends, where we spent most of our times shaking our heads at the crazy ideas the husbands and their friends chose to do for fun. Ten years later we still spend our weekends the same way - just not with their friends, but with their sons.

Both Lissa and I survived military seperations with the help of a furbaby and crafty arts. Both of us had kids at or near the end of the active duty Army and we are both grateful that our husbands have the chance to spend those precious moments making memories with us instead of us having to tell them in letters, emails and video chats. Both of us are now working moms, who can get overwhelmed by projects we do for our child's special moments, but find it worth the lack of sleep when we see their smiles.

It was no surprise that she was my first thought today as sat in the carpool line, with 20 minutes until school let out, frantically trying to put together a Batman airplane to serve as a cake topper for my son's birthday cake this weekend. I texted her a picture halfway through, because I knew she has probably had a moment like that at some point as well. 

True to her nature, she offered encouraging words, a little bit of humor and a lot of perspective at my last minute predicament. I didn't quite get it finished, and there's a second something or other that I have to put together. I dropped a Lego or two between the seats, just for a bit of added suspense and panicked trying to cover it when the Lil Monkey was delivered to the vehicle. 

Life is one big adventure, and with inspiring friends like "miss Lissa", there's not half-finished project that we can't find a little humor in attempting. I'll have to post photos of the cake when we pick it up on Saturday!

Until our next cup of tea ...

For the Love of Creativity: Stuffed

Sometimes being stuffed can cause second thoughts, but that is not the case with the kids kitchen treats company, Stuffed.  

Kristin and I were neighbors at my first Army duty station. Not only were we neighbors but our husbands were in the same battalion, deploying at the same time. We saw each other when we walked our dogs, attended the same unit events and spouse activities, even found out we were pregnant near the same time, but it wasn't until years later that we discovered we were both crafters. And we lived 5 houses apart!

Now she has taken that creativity and combined it with the daily activities of two toddlers and created Stuffed!

"I created Stuffed, an eco-friendly, play-food for your aspiring little chef and make-believer," she says.

Kristin wholeheartedly believes in teaching her children to be creative and was inspired to create these child-friendly everyday foods to help boost that creativity. You can't help but feel like spending an afternoon in the kitchen with these fun and colorful treats, no matter what age you are!

Breakfast is served!!

An all-American favorite ...

Or a classic favorite!

Tea time treats for an afternoon tea party! 

Visit Stuffed online to learn more about the products and to order a little creativity for your chef! If you would like to place an order or want a list of products, send email to stuffed.play@gmail.com. 

(** Note: The coffee cup is made to fit your favorite coffee shop's sleeve. So your little one can be just like you!! Starbucks sleeve can be purchased separately.)

Until our next cup of tea ...

For the Love of Creativity: Creative Baggage

Some might call this the most romantic week of the year, as we countdown the last 7 days until Valentine's Day. This year I thought I would spend this week talking about creative people whom I love!

Creative people often find themselves surrounded by other crafting people, its our nature to find people with like minds and interests, and lets face it for many of us crafty people, we want friends who tell us its o.k. to buy stuff while we still have 600 half-finished projects, even if our husbands are telling us to finish something before we start another. {Raises hand and nods head in admittance of guilt.}  

First I want to tell you about the person who is as best craft friend a girl can have considering we've never met. You may know her at Quiltsmart Mandy, but before that, she was (and still is) Mandy at Creative Baggage.

As "Quiltsmart Mandy" you may have seen or talked to her at Quiltsmart's blog, social media accounts and even followed along as she walks your through creative Quiltsmart projects throughout the year.

At her blog, Creative Baggage, she takes her readers through a variety of other creative interests as well. Much like me, she is a creative butterfly, floating through a variety of creative worlds such as cooking, quilting, sewing, and kids crafts. Lately she has been taking us on a wild adventure in the kitchen with projects that will make your mouth water, your tummy grumble and inspire you to tie on an apron. 

The only thing she doesn't do it tell you how to get the magically housecleaning fairies to wash your dishes. {sigh} I don't think she's figured that one out yet, either!

My favorite part is that Mandy is very aware of promoting creative kids. Whether her little helpers are crafting alongside of her or she is creating projects for you to share with your little ones, she definitely believes that childhood should be sprinkled with creativity!

Mandy and I collaborate on a lot of things and talk almost weekly unless one of the kids is sick and needs attention and love only a Mommy can give. We brainstorm about projects, talk about fabrics, think up new themes and generally focus on how to help you, our visitors, learn more ways to be creative in efficient and unique ways! Between the 2 of us we have a variety of social media and blogs so it is something that is always on our minds.

I think our husbands may have conspired to keep up apart in real life for fear we'd never come out of whatever creative cave we conjure up. It's probably a good idea, we could go on for days with only chocolate and lattes to fuel us.

If you have some time to check out her blog, definitely pull up a chair, grab a cup of tea {and some cookies} and dive in because you are in for a creative treat!

Until our next cup of tea ...

Conversations with my Kid: I Don't Know My Story

This is a little off topic of the blog, but too funny not to share. The conversations I have had with him over the years are quite humorous at times. He has a funny way of looking at things and his interpreation of every day life is amusing ... most days. Here is an example.

Last night when I was putting the Lil Monkey to bed ...

Lil Monkey: Remember when I was a baby and you stole me?

Me: What!?!

Lil Monkey: Did you steal me when I was a baby?

Me: Who told you that?

Lil Monkey: Well, I just ... you know.

Me: No. I don't know.

Lil Monkey: You know, in the movie Tangled ...

Me: That's Repunzel's story,  not yours.

Lil Monkey: Oh, then I don't know my story. 

I guess like the super heroes he loves so much, he wants to have a unique story.

Until our next cup of tea ...

Festive Fun with a Friend!

Today I had an alone-day. My dear husband was taking his last final of the semester and my parents were taking Lil Monkey to their community's Christmas parade. I attempted to get some long overdue house cleaning done, but then the craft store was calling my name. As soon as my neighbor got her kids and husband off to their respective activities, we headed over to JoAnn's to get supplies to make wreaths.

Now we've both been wanting to make Mickey Mouse holiday wreaths since our two families went to Disney together about 18 months ago. Her husband was more than ready for her to got get the stuff to get it done. My husband was used to my project fixations.

So off we went. The store is pretty picked over at this point and they are already putting out Valentine's Day stuff, but we found what we needed and about 2.5 hours later, this is what we had ...

Her wreath was a beautiful greenery wreath with ornaments and bows ...

Mine was a wire wreath with ornaments strung (and glued) to it. I filled in some of the empty spots after this, but forgot to take another photo.

All in all it was a fun afternoon, and something we'd nover done before. First we've never had a kid-free day at the same time, secondly she's never really done craft projects of this size before, but I think she is hooked now. She is already looking for Spring wreath ideas. I've created a monster!!

Another quick project I did was this vase. The case itself was 70% off because it had a chip in it. As a 

collector of the occasional chipped teacup, I wasn't deterred. The 4 berry branches were 70% off as well. I added some Epsom salt to the vase which I had at home. So for about $8 I created this fun centerpiece. (Later I found 4 more berry branches from a live wreath we had last year - 2 dark red, 2 gold.)

Another great craft adventure complete!!

Until our next cup of tea ...

What's Your Story?

I had a package waiting for me when I got home today and inside I found this adorable Origami Owl lanyard from my friend, Korin Hardt. First of all, it could've just been a note that said, "I love you face" and I'd be happy but then the lanyard made it even better. On top of all that I'm on a hexagon kick right now, so the boxes were totally a happy bonus!!

As soon as I got my son an afternoon snack, I rushed to my bedroom to find the charms I'd been collecting for my lanyard. Since I wear a Media Badge a lot at TEAinTEXAS Magazine, I knew I wanted it to reflect the journey that had led me  to this place, which qualifies as my dream job (that or book editor).

So I'd been thinking about it and eventually, got these charms, one or two at a time ...

Army Charm: Starting the day I got married, I spent 7 years working with military and military families. I started out as a journalist and photographer with a base newspaper and eventually became the Family Readiness Support Manager for a Military Police Battalion. TO this day I still have treasured friends I met at both of these positions and those 7 years played a pivotal role in making me the person I am today, both personally and professionally.

Blog Charm: It was while I was at the Army newspaper that a co-worker and fellow troublmaker (TC), talked me into starting a blog about my daily life and the adventures of military life. Though that blog is currently inactive, it did serve as the stepping stone for this one ... which is why you are reading this post.

Flower Charm: During the time I was working for the newspaper and for a few years after I left, I was a freelance photographer both in nature and landscape and for family portraits in natural settings such as parks and gardens. It is a reminder to always look for the beauty in life. Even when the blooms are dormant, the rustling leaves across the ground have thier own charms over us, if you just take the time to watch them.

Purple Ribbon: The purple ribbon serves as a reminder by giving of my time, I can help make a difference even if it is one day, in one person's life. The purple ribbon serves as reminders of Adoption, Anti-Gay Bullying, Domestic Violence, and Pancreatic Cancer - all elements that has touched my life. Everyone has a story and by serving others, we may be the weight that tips the scales giving them a better life.

Teacup Charm: That's easy. That one is the reminder of how something I loved in daily life, led to my work at TEAinTEXAS.

Love Charm: A reminder to always love what you do. I am the one who choses to love or hate what I am doing.

Pink Charm: A reminder to always be myself. From an accidental PrettyPinkPrincess login to being named "Viper Princess", the best person I can be is me. Holding true to myself is the best path I can take.

If you don't have an O2 rep, I'd definitely say contact Korin. She'll definitely help you find your happiness!! 

 

Got My Owl!!

Yesterday I got a surprise in the mail. Well, not really a surprise, but a treat. Actually, anything that comes in the mail that is not bills or sales flyer is a treat, but you get the idea.

 

Last week I finally ordered some charms and a chain for my living locket from Origami Owl.  I'd been introduced to Origami Owl or O2 at a Women's Conference that my former law firm was particpating in as a vendor, about 2 years ago. I bought a living locket and two charms. I loved it and so did my co-workers and friends who saw it. A few asked me to host a party, but the closest rep we could find was about an hour away.

Recently, however, a longtime friend of mine, Korin, told he she has signed up to be a Origami Owl Designer. I was so excited! Let's the shopping begin!!

 

 

Last week I order two more charms and a chain, and today they arrived! They were even better than I thought! Of course, I had to get a tea cup (or coffee depending on how tired I am) and a white flower to remind me of all of the beautiful places we visited on our 10 year anniversary cruise.

 

When I put it all together, it was perfect! Well, almost ... Within hours of getting the charms, I was back on the website, making a wish list ... I mean I definitely need a blog charm, right!?!

I guess the packaging was right then, happiness found me! {sigh} They just get me! If you don't have a Origami Owl rep, definitely check out Korin's Origami Owl page.

 

Until our next cup of tea ...

Idiocracy

Have you ever seen that movie Idiocracy, where Luke Wilson plays Private Joe Bauers, the definition of "average American", who is selected by the Pentagon to be the guinea pig for a top-secret hibernation program. Forgotten, he awakes 500 years in the future and discovers a society so incredibly dumbed-down that he's easily the most intelligent person alive?

I swear sometimes I feel like I am living that in real-life. Take for example my little "quick" trip to Michaels last night for some last minute supplies for a project I am working on.

I told hubbyt I'd be quick. It's about 3 miles from the house, I planned run in grab some embroidery floos and a few sheets of scrapbook paper, maybe look at Halloween stuff on sale and be back in time to put the cooling leftovers from dinner in the fridge. Ha! Who was I kidding. By the time I made it back home, hubby had not only put the food away but cleaned the whole kitchen!

So here's what happened:

I ran into Michaels as planned. I grabbed some scrapbook paper for a flip book I am making for Jamie with his swim pictures. The got distracted by the Fall and Halloween decor (like I knew I would). There was a cute project sheet for decorating a charger for Fall so I grabbed a sheet and then remembered I wanted to grab a charger for some cinnamon pillar candles I'd been toting around for 3 years. I then wandered over to the table docor shelf and picked up a beautiful wrought iron pumpkin candle holder that was on sale for 50% off! On the next shelf was the Halloween stuff and I wanted to see what was on sale because it's hubby's favorite holiday and I wanted to decorate with stuff he'd like too. I saw these adorable black iron spider table top candleholders that were on sale for 30% off. Ah, I love sales ... Anyway, I did quick math in my head, realised I have enough cash to get it with the stuff I needed as well. So I quickly ran over to the needlepoint section, grabbed the floss that I needed and headed to the register.

Maybe it was just all falling into place too well and something had to go wrong, but when I got to my turn in line and the cashier started to ring things up, I noticed that the spider candleholder was at full price. "I'm sorry," I said, "but the spider was on sale."

No, it's ringing up full price," she said.

"I'm sure there was a sign next to it saying it was 30% or 50% off," I said, which was met with a look of boredom from the cashier. The shae radioed the manager, "There's a customer who says a candleholder is on sale but its ringing up as regualr price," she said with the most boredom I've heard in a long time. She waited a minute then said, "He said if it was on sale it'd ring up that price."

"Do you mind go look while you finish scanning," I asked, trying again.

"I guess," she said.

I ran over and sure enough there was the sign, "30% Off Celebrate It! Halloween Decor Tabletop". Not wanting to take the sign off the rack, I took 2 quick pictures with my phone making sure the sign and spiders were visable and went back to the register.

"Oh, you took a picture," said when I handed her the phone. She returned a few minutes later She stood there almost a full minute looking at the picture then radioed the manager. I'm not sure what he said, but she said, "This says 'Celebrate it! Tabletop Candleholder Collection," looking at the tag on the spider.

"Well, there were decorated candles next to it, not everything was a candleholder," I said.

"Let me go see," she said and left to go look.

I stood there feeling so bad that the lady with the infant behind me was waiting, but she assured me she'd do the same. The cashier returned and pulled out a sales paper and S-L-O-W-L-Y flipped through it. She radioed the manager again, then looked through the paper again.

"I ... guess ... I ... can ... just ... give ... you ... 30% ... off ..." she said dragging each word out as if it took every ounce of energy she had.

She finished ringing me up and I apologized to the lady with the baby again, who smiled and said no problem, before leaving.

I mean, was it really that difficult?!? You would think I was trying to get 50% off a car at a dealership, not 30% off a $4.99 candleholder! Does everything here in Miami have to be SO DARN DIFFICULT!?!

Well, I got my spider and here is a picture of it with my candles I got on sale at Yankee Candle ... Now, Yankee Candle- they have GREAT customer service!!

Until our next cup of tea ...

Creating Christmas Memories!

Anyone who knows me, would not be surprised to hear that Christmas is my favorite time of the year. Growing up with my dad and step-mother who had 12 children between the two of them, left little time or energy to put much effort into Chistmas and as a little girl, even into my teen years, I vowed that when I had chicldren that Christmas would be what it was meant to be ... a magical time of year.

Well, during my whole pregnancy I searched through my cross stitch magazine and book collection, looking for the perfect stocking for our little angel. I finally had it picked out and when he was 3-months-old I started stitching. I spent any free time I had on it, which wasn't much with a newborn. 3 months into it, I realized that despite my hard work, I had managed to miscount when crossing from one page of the pattern to another, leaving a 12-stitch gap. UGH! I had to start over! I was nearly halfway done and the mistake was right in the middle of the whole thing. Rather than cry over it, I started collected what I needed and decided that I would stitch it on 14-count Aida, instead of 28-count, over 2. I prefer the softer look of the smaller count, but it definately harder when working on a larger project and I only had from Septemeber until Novemeber to stitch it and sew it, so we could take his Christmas photos with it.

Well, I'm making progress. I work on it for a few hours each day and am only ehind about a week from where I'd planned to be. So far here is the weekly progress pictures.

Week 1 (Sept. 5, 2010)

Week 2 (Sept. 12, 2010)

Week 3 (Sept. 19, 2010)

I feel like I'm making progress this week, despite Jamie's teething issues. I'll post updates as I go along.



The stocking I chose was "Opening His Pack" by Nancy Rossiin the book, "The Stockings Were Hung." (Sorry for the glare!)

Well, off to get a little stitching done before bedtime!

Until our next cup of tea ...