oh my

Hello, hello December, my friend!

Take a gander at the gloriousness of the December kit from Red Velvet.

Rachel has cooked up some sweet extras this month - printable pdfs that you can use for gift tags, felt ornaments, garlands, or cute additions to your holiday projects. How fun is that?!

As for the rest of the kit... I could eat it up. Five Sassafras papers, Hambly frames and papers, Jenni Bowlin bingo cards and papers, vintage score cards, hand-cut pink felt trees, green gingham oil cloth, green Pink Paislee alphas, vintage score cards and other goodies...ummm, Merry Christmas to you? Yup, I think so. Hurry up and grab yours now.

We have lots of pretty white snow (which totally messed up our Thanksgiving travel plans yesterday) but I do have to admit that it's very festive and at last, it feels right. 'Tis the season.

Which reminds me, today is my little brother's birthday. We always had a tradition of not setting up the tree in our family until after his birthday on December 1st, so it's funny that I still end up doing that now that we're all grown up and out of the house. I'm sure we'll get everything decorated in the next few days. I'm always excited to get started. My talented friend, Yana, is coming over in a couple of weeks to take some family photos so I have to get things looking cute before then.

We have discovered that little L is terrified of Santa this year. It's not very surprising - she's a timid one. And at this age, who can blame her.

The free crayons and coloring book cheered her up, though. She gives the Santa in the coloring book kisses, so she isn't permanently scarred.

We scored some more Eames chairs off Craigslist. And yes, our house is now overrun with chairs but they were honestly such a good deal and we couldn't pass them up. Now we just need an expert to come over and tell us how to arrange our living room seating area. Or we should have a party. Everyone would definitely have a place to sit.

And check out this little end table that we got as part of the deal - it's a cylinder of brick that had been cut out of the historic Brown-Camp loft buildings from downtown Des Moines. Cool.

I have an exciting and busy week ahead with a few surprises on Friday. Fun stuff, busy stuff and then on Saturday, Erin and I will be doing Craft Saturday stuff! Don't miss it - it's this Saturday, December 6th at the Fourth Street Theatre next to Java Joe's downtown, from noon until 7 pm! You'll be able to knock out all the rest of your holiday shopping in one shot - be sure stop by to check out all of the goods. You'll be so happy you did.

If you have a minute, this is quite cute, and I'm not just saying that. It's Lo naming off her Yo Gabba Gabba characters and making them 'dance' on her toy piano. She's saying their names, if you're not familiar with the show ... Muno, Foofa (she re-visits Foofa a few times, ha,) Plex, Brobee, and Toodee. Keep in mind that the child is only one and a half and learning to talk, so you'll have to give her a break on the pronunciations. :)

it's almost time...

...to Journal Your Christmas! It all starts this Monday, December 1st, and it's not too late to sign up! Last year, I decided to give this online class a try. (You can see some of my 07 pages here.) I'll admit ... making a page each day in December all the way through the twelfth day of Christmas (in January) intimidated me at first.

But wow, I fell in love with making something every day during the holiday season, taking the photos and sliding that day's page in my book. At the very end, I was a little sad it was over.

The cool thing is that once you 'join' Journal Your Christmas, you're in for life. So of course I was looking forward to December this year when I could start all over again.

But it's more than just making a page a day. It's an experience. It really is. You're documenting the season, the memories, the music, the food, the feeling, the nostalgia, the preparations... along with a few thousand people from all around the world. Cool, huh? (The template for this 'evidence' page comes from Jamaica ... I'm looking for the link to the exact spot on her blog where she has it available for download but i LOVE this block of squares and have used it often to document randoms ... that girl is brilliant.)

You can make it into a scrapbook, or you can use it as a writing project with just a journal and pen. Either way, you're going to end up with something that brings back the magic for you (in your quest to 'take back Christmas,' as Shimelle says) and keep your memories fresh for you and others to look back on years from now.

And while we're talking about Christmas (because it is the day after Thanksgiving after all, so here we go!) Four of these fun and bright Christmas mini book kits are up for grabs in my Etsy shop.

All four include a super cute 6x6" American Crafts album with page protectors, plenty of card stock, letter stickers (two of the kits come with A.C. Thickers) and other fun little things to get you started. These make an easy gift or would be very cute to organize some of your Christmas photos from this year or years past. Or have your family help put it together over the holidays (perfect if you have kids sitting around looking for something to do!)

And the perfect thing to go with your Journal Your Christmas album? These date/number tags, also in the shop. This set will take you from December 1 all the way through January 7 (the twelfth day of Christmas!) But if you don't want to use them all, that's okay. You can choose from the pre-cut paper version, or the pdf download that you can print and cut yourself!

so really...

What are you thankful for?

I'm worried that some days I'll forget to stop and look, and these days will pass me by. My days spent with my little girl, who is trying on my Vans and hugging my leg and doing a little dance. All at the same time.

I'm thankful for the simple life. Complicated only slightly by a toddler who will turn two in a few months, with ideas and convictions of her own. But really, I've been thinking lately that these are quite possibly the most fun years of my life. And I don't want to miss them. Or wish them away.

As busy and crazy as life gets when you add a little one to your household, it's so very sweet and wonderful. Certain things mean so much more; other things don't matter at all anymore. I've seen the transformation – I've become less selfish and more patient. For me, these are the best of times.

Even though there are a lot of pretty little 'things' that I post about here - ahem, dresses and letterpressed goods and boots – I don't want anything or need anything else that I don't have. I have solid girlfriends who I keep close; who know the real me and love me come what may. (And vice-versa.) My husband is hilarious, our relationship is strong, and we don't take that for granted. My little girl makes my heart so very happy. I've never felt so much love in my life. And I'm thankful. For that.

'tis the season!

Can you believe Thanksgiving is only three days away? I don't think we'll actually be having any turkey this year unless I make it myself. For myself. I have married into a family of vegetarians.) Oh wait. We're going to my dad's house on Sunday, and we might have turkey there. YAY!

Am I the only one wondering how this came up so quickly? And running out to get evaporated milk/pumpkin/cool whip to make a pie? Maybe it is just me. [Awesome Thanksgiving-related illustrations from Natalie Dee.]

Oh my! I can barely contain my excitement. Have you seen the sneak preview of the December Red Velvet kit? This is going to be an absolute must-have for all your winter/holiday projects. It would also make a pretty sweet gift if someone on your list has been extra nice this year. This month's kit will be up for sale here on December 1st, so mark your calendar now!

I'm totally behind on this, but Kim and I posted a new challenge over at Work Your Soul on Friday.

Go check it - it's a super fun one and we have one seriously talented girl by the name of Patty helping us out on this one. Much love for this girl.

I keep bugging my friends to teach me to knit, but this is such a busy time of year for us all. I may try to learn to cast on and do a basic knit stitch here... or at least practice a little bit. Before I embarrass myself in front of them.

And check out these two. The one on the right is Francesca Lucia, circa 1980-something. She was mine. I, like so many other parents who had these in the 80s, was tempted by the new 25th Anniversary Cabbage Patch Kids. How dare they tug at our heartstrings with an emotional purchase like this?! (I mean, my dad probably had to knock someone out to get Francesca for me that Christmas in 1980-whatever.) I looked through the new dolls in the store to find 'just the right one' to give to L for Christmas but couldn't decide. Then I looked in the basement and there was Francesca, and in surprisingly good condition. I was pretty careful with my toys when I was little, and she stayed nice and clean - she's just missing some shoes, and I had to re-braid her hair and put in new rubber bands. I used to feel silly saving some of my old toys, but seeing Lo play with my old pal totally makes me grin.

Elsie's class is still going in full force. I have been making time (either during L's nap time or late at night) to do some fun projects - including this little pink girly doll. Yes, another doll. Lo's been sleeping with her all week.

And I'm addicted to making these little felt notebooks. It's bad. I can't stop.

Writing in a journal has honestly felt pretty good. Funny or serious or meaningless ... I'm not really over-thinking the outcome. Not worrying about the Sharpie bleeding through the back of the page. Just writing whenever I have time or a thought that is worth a little black marker action. I think coloring with Lotus lately has really brought back my love of markers.

Want to see something gross?! Too late. This is a bacon cheeseburger toaster sandwich from Sonic. Officially the grossest greasiest thing I've attempted to eat in awhile. And I'm a pretty big offender when it comes to fast food. But this may have cured my burger craving for awhile. Anyway, since I couldn't finish it, I used it for this page in my Wreck This Journal. I smashed it inside the book so the grease soaked through like ten pages. And I'm sure it smells like onions now. I have an even grosser photo but can't bring myself to show you. Don't worry – my most dreaded page/assignment is coming up which will surely make this book even worse and/or possibly wash away the smell. I have to take the book into the shower with me.

On a happier and less greasy note, my fantastic husband scored these two Eames chairs off Craigslist tonight. They were a steal. And in other Bo news, I have officially witnessed a new side of the guy this week. A new level of cuteness, if you will. He was bleeding and as a last resort, put on one of Lotus' pink Hello Kitty band-aids. This doesn't sound like a big deal, I know, but trust me, it was really cute. I didn't tell him that we have a new box of normal band-aids in the medicine cabinet. Ahem, Bo... we have a new box of normal band-aids in the medicine cabinet. :)

hmmm.

So yes, the new challenge is up right now at The Creative Type. And this has been my favorite so far - use paint to write your words. Any style, any color – just use paint. This is a super fun one to do, so come play along with us! It will surely kick your mojo back into gear if you had you been missing it.

I've been really into my Free People catalogs again. Like I don't just flip through... I stop and analyze.

They're the perfect example of drawing+doodling+fonts and have made me want to mess with my handwriting and try different things.

And as I've said before, I'm taking Elsie's online class right now, and both she and Rachel are such awesome sources of inspiration (especially in the area of painted lettering) so I went ahead and painted the cover of this journal. While I was in the painting mood. It's not crazy beautiful like my Free People examples – just a quickie. The past few days I've just felt like painting on everything, so watch out. (I even attempted to paint L's nails today with light sparkly pink OPI.) This notebook is one of those Greenroom Eco woodgrain lovelies from Target and I really dig the size. And yup, those are lyrics from the Ben Folds/Regina Spektor song. I used that title as a note to self, because I so rarely record things in a journal anymore and it's so therapeutic that I can't wait to get back into it.

Some random pages from my 'Wreck this Journal.' This piece of newsprint is from my hometown paper, and it's about this woman who I used to care for in a nursing home where I worked during high school. It was her 110th birthday this year. And I just thought that was remarkable. It talks about how she had a particular request on each of her birthdays after she turned 100 ... a motorcycle ride, a beer, and she gets two dozen red roses for each year from her grandkids (all of her children are gone.)

This page shouldn't even be here yet, because it's so bare but they're all a work in progress.

Same here. And we need to eat more fruit.

I love pretty leaves. Lotus helped me pick these out.

Grocery lists and a pizza order ticket from our favorite local pizza place, F&O's.

And I had a great night on Friday busting out scrappage with Amy.

Between lots and lots of chatting, I did get a few things done.

And our other friend, Julie, happened to be there too, which was awesome. She was about to go into labor at any minute and I think at one point was timing her contractions. Holy crap. And she has to be the most adorable pregnant person I've ever met, right up until the end. She really is. (Any news yet about Julie+baby?)

Got caught up on a few summer and fall pages for L's book this year.

'Oh my' is one of the things we've been hearing a lot around our house. Like L will throw a toy on the ground, it will make a loud crash, and she'll say 'oh my' in a way that makes her voice crack. Possibly so she won't get into trouble for throwing things due to her ability to be cute. Hmmm.

so watcha-watcha-watcha want?

Crazy busy days behind and ahead of me, but it's cool. Having lots of work to do makes me feel like all is right in my head, and a part of me digs the feeling I get after a productive day and a late night on the computer downstairs. And part of me is a little bit tired and surviving on coffee and Pepsi for the sixth day in a row. New goals for the next few months include making some brand new stuff for Craft Saturday, doing thoughtful Christmas shopping/gift making, learning to knit (if I can persuade Sarah and Amy to help me with that) and learning to make a quilt. This shop is super close to my house and offers a beginners' class that should teach me everything I need to know so I don't totally end up in a mess on my first try. There is no crying in sewing.
*And what's with the Beastie Boys song lyric subject titles lately? Well, the B-Boys are always on my playlist and always in my head. But I'm also very sad that we just missed their show in Minneapolis a few weeks ago. It's hard to let it go. Bo is not happy about it, either. Sucks.

My November stuff is up at Red Velvet Kit Club. Can I get all kinds of cheesy and just say that I am so thankful to be part of this team? These girls really are the best. And this month's kit was so completely radical.

Even Elsie rocked it this month - you have to check out what she did.

I made this page with a HUGE leaf from our back yard. We have Sycamore trees that are fifty-some years old and drop these enormous leaves everywhere.

And I made a fun 6x8" mini book all about the little things from fall of this year. (I am just now noticing how yellow these photos are and I'm a little embarrassed... but we've just had no sunlight and on the day I took these we were really lacking so I had to use a lamp. Yellow. Ugh. ETA... it drove me crazy enough that I retook the photos. Yes, OCD. I know.)












My mom is visiting this weekend. The mall is busy and annoying. And I'm permanently cold - one of those days where I can't for the life of me warm up. I've been exchanging super fun emails with this super cool girl. Going scrapping with Amy tonight and really looking forward to fun chatting and maybe getting something done. And a new post is going up at The Creative Type tomorrow so don't forget to check that out! I think it might be my favorite so far.

because you can't, you won't and you don't...stop

Just got the new Craft Saturday holiday show postcards in the mail and I can't wait to move out and post these in every coffee shop and crafty place of business in the area. (And cute little bundles of anything wrapped in string ... I just love that.)

Mark your calendars now for some killer Christmas shopping - Craft Saturday will be at the 4th Street Theater, next to Java Joe's downtown on December 6th. (If you've never been to C.S. before, please note that this is not your grandma's craft show. I mean that in a good way.) Erin and I will be there in full force, as usual. Dressed like elves. Okay, now I'm lying. But we'd really like to see you there. Come out and support the local craft scene!

I've been busy working on some brand new stuff for the Etsy shop. Holiday related, of course. Mini book kits (complete with very cute little 6x6" albums) and number/date tags for December and January.

I'm taking this online class with Elsie. (photo from her blog, above.) I couldn't resist. Man, that girl just has endless ideas! I finished up some cool projects and pages with the November Red Velvet kit (which rocked so much) - photos will be up on Saturday. In the meantime, go over and check out what Theresa made. I wish there were more hours in the day to do everything I want to be doing - I still have much more to do with my books from AW's Evidence and Rachel's Steady Hand, Faulty Heart. I'm in love with these new projects and art journals are where it's at, for sure. But I've also got a healthy amount of freelance work on my plate (which is great) so I must balance the to-do list.

Egg Press is 25% off. Ordered the offset calendar and it's all Jamaica's fault.

Ork Posters is also having their first anniversary sale, and I've had my eye on these for some time. I think I'm going with the black Chicago screenprint. But the other colors are tempting. Midwest, represent. We have family there and visit often. Bo used to live and go to school there. So Chicago has our heart. But so does New York City.

And this lovely thing arrived in my mailbox last week from Rar Rar Press - totally made my gray, dreary day a little bit more, um, yellow. Every time I read it, it makes me giggle. I'm putting up random things in frames in my scrap/graphic design work area and this just may complete the little group. Bo asked if I'll take it down when Lo is old enough to read it, but I'm trying to thing of something else it could stand for so I can leave it up. (Don't worry, I'll take it down.)

b*tches can't hang with the streets...

The sycamore trees in our back yard have let loose. Some of the leaves are over a foot in diameter. And there are lots and lots of them. Which means crazy clean up.

But also tons of fun for Lotus to play in.

Literally tons. Of leaves.

Fall for me is... carrying this bag from Target. That I'm not afraid to ruin with random sippy cup apple juice leakage.

And brown comfy super soft awesome boots. Yes, I finally decided on a pair. Howeth. And they don't have high heels because, again, I have to balance both myself + a wriggly toddler.

And again, with the falling. With style. Got this in the mail last week from this girl and now it's in a little frame in my office/scrap area.

I had an awesome Goodwill week. Found these boots for $4. Even though Bo despises things (especially shoes) that were pre-owned. He gave me an earful about foot diseases. (I know, I know.) I did give them a good sanitization inside and out and they seem to have been barely worn. It's rare to find a pair of thrifted boots that aren't horribly embellished all to hell that actually are my size.

And I thought they might go well with my Free People dress. When the weather warms up again. I swear this dress looks cuter in person. And I wear a better tank under it. A racer back. Anyway.

I also scored this pretty little guy.

Or girl. I haven't decided on a gender yet. It's circa 1988 and as described on another blog, is very 'knight rider-ish.' Now I'm on a mission to find some cheap 600 film for it. So we can play.

Then I uncovered this yellow and black thermal carafe. I just like the shape. I think I'll give it to Erin for her shop, PagingMisterHerman. If she wants it. (Erin, do you want it?)

I busted little girly a couple of days ago getting into my jewelry. Then I decided to help her in her mission to get fabulous. Complete with headband and silly gold chain medallion necklace.

She's such a girl. It surprises me. She sat and played with these bracelets for almost an hour.

Question - will someone make me one of these? Dude, it's Asteroids.

And I remember Elise doing a photo of all of her mini books awhile ago. So I decided to do the same. Although after I took this, I remembered that I had more that didn't make it to the photo shoot ... oh well. It's fun to look through some of these - mostly from this past year - and see things I had already forgotten about.

I've had this song in my head lately, even though it's old ... the Ben Folds version. These kids from Berkeley do a bang up job. Keep watching past the first kind of dorky guy... it gets better. I've been whistling it all day.

work it.

Today is Friday and what does that mean?

It's time to work your soul, baby.

The new challenge is up right now.

And it's fabulous.

So before you wonder what all this funny business is about, go check it for yourself.

Here are my scrap pages inspired by Kim's awesome, awesome prompt.

All featuring my friend...

...and partner in craft...

...Erin. (Yo, girl.)

I'm also having a blast with Ashley Wren's online class this week. I've had a slow start but I'm having loads of fun with paint and markers and crayons and stickers and bright fun colors, AW style.

work it.

Today is Friday and what does that mean?

It's time to work your soul, baby.

The new challenge is up right now.

And it's fabulous.

So before you wonder what all this funny business is about, go check it for yourself.

Here are my scrap pages inspired by Kim's awesome, awesome prompt.

All featuring my friend...

...and partner in craft...

...Erin. (Yo, girl.)

I'm also having a blast with Ashley Wren's online class this week. I've had a slow start but I'm having loads of fun with paint and markers and crayons and stickers and bright fun colors, AW style.