Mommy mail

If you are my mother... don't read this.

Sorry all for the disclaimer there, I sent this card out a bit late and don't want to run it for my mother. I love using craft paper and stamps to make something beautiful so of course, I jumped at the chance to make one for one of my favorite people.

 I think that every mother deserves a little something special on mother’s day. I mean, who doesn't love their mom (if you don't answer that question -.-). This mother’s day I live too far away from my mother to celebrate with her so I decided this is the least I could do. Happy mother’s day to you all!

This tutorial is really simple. All it takes is some craft paper of your choice (I used what I had) scissors, glue, stamp ink, stamps that go with your theme (I went for a travel theme because my mother loves to travel), and a few stickers that go with your style and theme.

 First things first, I started with these pieces that I cut out of my scrapbook paper.

I forget to take a photo of the one that looks like fabric in the background but all I did was cut out a rectangle and cut zigzags down the side. You can use craft scissors for this if you have them to make a lot of different designs but I don't own any so I winged it with what I had. :p

Then I just glued them onto my card and added a bit of bling with a sticker, some postage related stamps, and sticky lace (which I LOVE!)

This stuff is amazing! The actual lace that has this sticky stuff on the back of it which makes it ridiculously handy for making things like scrapbooking or cards (which I do a lot) so it’s a great alternative to buying just lace and then having to hassle with glue getting everywhere. Can I have an amen for that!? So yea, I know this is a short post with poor photos (should have made a video -.-) but my Internet is acting funny and I'm having a hoot of a time editing photos (used to use Picnic and now cant D: ) so there you have it. I hope you all learn that a little can go a long way and that every mom deserves a little love once and a while; and especially tomorrow! Happy mother’s day to all you moms out there and thank you for sticking it out, not aborting your child, not killing them through their teens, and helping your child through all the tough times. We (the children) don't say it enough but we love you.

Keeping it Together

If you haven't noticed (not sure how you could not unless you are new... in which case, WELCOME!) I have been doing a bit heck-of-a-lot of editing around the blog. I know some things are a little different so I wanted to address some things.

1. I changed the layout of the sidebar a little to be more user-friendly by deleting a few ads and spacing things out better so they are easier to read and all on one line.

2. I updated the background. Why? Honestly, I was getting sick of stripes and wanted something more personal.

3. I changed the header. This was just for fun and to give the whole place a face-lift. I put two of my favorite photos on the hanging 'photos'. I think it is a good description of how the Blanton house is; with clothes on the line, photos everywhere, LOTS of cupcakes, and crafting XD. So it’s a good idea for people get my personality and what goes on here in a short view. I am still working on trying to get the description to work with the header but it’s getting there. I might just leave it out altogether. Haven't made up my mind yet.

4. I added some randomness to the sidebar. Because who doesn't like some bling?!

Well, that's it.

If you are new I hope you take the time to browse around, check the site out, I would love to hear from you so if you like, leave a comment. If you are not new, thanks for sticking through this crazy adventure of life with me and all my insane times and hope you enjoy the much-needed updates.

If you have any suggestions, ideas, questions, or just want to comment or chat about something I would love to hear from you in the comments link. You all have an AWESOME weekend 

Even on a Rainy Day

Ok, so here's the deal. I have been kind ‘a hormonal the last few days and frankly hasn’t wanted to make a post. Sorry for being blunt but that's the way I roll. 

No, I am here to talk about brighter, happier moments, moments I strive to remember and hold on to in moments like these. In a way, editing and posting these photos make me happier and help me put aside my selfish desire for a child and instead think about making a better child/ parent relationship with the family I already have.

This past weekend all of my family (minus one) came up to celebrate my mother birthday!

It was so nice to be able to hang out with them all for the weekend, even if our initial planes to go to the Shenandoah Park got vetoed by a ton of rain.

We decided to stay dry in the house, make a toasty fire, and craft all day!

It was so much fun !

This is my heaping table full of everything that was in my craft/ guest room minus my fabric! And why yes, those are two different colored chairs. They are in mid-project... sort of. As in, I have been putting off finishing them while My Sweet helps me finish another project; but don't fret, they WILL get done. I have plans to make custom seat cushions for them too with some white in it (to tie together the soon to be all white table and future kitchen when we get a house). So I know this post is sort of all over the place but that's kind of how my life feels right about now. But you know what, looking at these photos and remembering that weekend seems to help it all make some sort of strange since. Would I go as far as say I wouldn't change a thing, not in a lifetime but I would say that I see the purpose in it all and I can only pray that there is a purpose to a hard time we are having now, even if I can't see that now?

Thank you, mommy, for letting me celebrate with you your amazing birthday and for staying up late and have girl talks, and for making sweet cards, and for being a good mom and a good friend. Thank you, Sissy, for making me laughs, hanging out, and helping me to live in the moment. Thank you, daddy, for good advice, keeping your cool, and making awesome fires! I love you all and can't wait to see you again... even if it’s a rainy day! :) <3

p.s. the cupcakes are vanilla cupcakes with vanilla frosting. They were requested by my mother.

Mirror Mirror

Over the Easter weekend me and the hubby went on an amazing date.

We went out on a picnic by the creek and watched the birds play in the creek and people run on the trails while feeding chips to the ducks. It was amazing and so nice to just get to know my sweet Dear better. Once it got late we decided to check out a movie at the little theater on Main Street.

(photo by google search)

I'll give you one guesses what movie we saw. YEP 'Mirror'. It was so funny and it was such a relief to see a clean, funny, movie that. Best part? It was actually a completely different movie the 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs'. I won't spoil it for anyone but was defiantly a clean enough movie to take your family too and one we will own for our kids (when they are older... it does have some violent scenes and some less than desirable ending in our taste). 

The Next day, we were driving around running earns and saw a little cardboard sign for a yard sale and just HAD to stop by. It was a sunny day here on Sunday after church and it was a fun little splurge. Best part, I found these.

I don't like the color AT ALL but I can SO see them in white with maybe a antiqued rub and I might even try antiquing the mirrors. 

I do love the shape and old world design. They are so charming.

(Look at all that dust. Should have cleaned them off when I got them home... shame on me!) The fact that we got them for a dollar each was just the icing on the proverbial cake! I can't wait to get stated on them but I'll have to hold off until we finish a few other projects we have going on around the Blanton 'cave' (Being a poorly built log cabin with few windows equals house-cave). I'm so excited to show you all what we have been working on and to get this brown pant out from under my nails and off my fingers ;).  Hope you all had loads of fun over this past week like we did!

Good Morning

Way-too-early-am. After a night of tossing and turning and only three house of sleep, the birds have decided that 5:40 am is the new 6am, and that, after all, waking me up was the only suitable course of action. The joys of living in the middle of know where. And by 6am I finally begrudgingly decided that there was simply no getting around the inevitable and that getting out of bed was, sadly, the only realistic option I could take. So, after getting up, making a much needed cup of coffee and half a bagel and cream cheese, and taking a few photos, I have returned to the comfort of my greatly needed heated blanket. So, here I am, editing photos and writing a short pre-post to ensure you all that I am indeed still here and will happily be posting about something awesome later in the day. But, for now, I just needed to let out a bit of early-morning-frustration and gratitude for all you fine people who make the effort to get up this early on a daily bases to keep the world running for us less than morning people. And thank you all the people that hate it and do it anyway. Our world wouldn't run the same without you. That's it, now I'm off to edit photos. Be back soon. <3

Wedding Dreams

Today I finally finished a new set of event boards! I am in LOVE with them and I hope my sister is too, because, they are for her. No, she is not getting married. For that matter, she's not even engaged yet! But, we are chicks, and what chick doesn't like to dream about weddings? Heck, I'm MARRIED and still dream about weddings. Granted, it’s in part due to these event boards I've been working on for the last two weeks, but hey, I can dream. So weather your just dreaming or actually preparing for the big day, I hope you enjoy this new set.

Like the ones in the past, I have listed information about each number below the photo. Unlike my past event boards I am also listing links to where you can find a few of the things... Just because I love you all. <3 So happy hunting!

1. The colors. self-explanatory. 2. I roses and carnations are a classic look. I combined them with these cream, purple orchids to tie in all three colors into the bride’s bouquet and think that they also add a bit of a more modern touch. 3. These lovelies have just a hint of pink on them and some bling to make the outfit whole and the bride feel sexy ;D 4. My sister loves the look of a wedding headband instead of a traditional vale and I think this has the feel of lace without over doing it and definitely is not your everyday headband. 5. This lace dress it’s to flattering. The sleeves would make any ones arms look good and the collar makes you look taller. Even the back is flattering with sexy peek hole.

1. Keys make such a unique way to display setting arrangements and make for a great extra take me home for guests. 2. These fabric globs are simple to make and airy enough see though as a center piece. They also are simple enough to enjoy the view of an outside venue. 3. Carnation pomanders are a good way to add a little something extra to plane chairs without spending a ton of cash on things like sashes or fancy chairs. These ones are, of course, in the wedding colors but you can make or order them in almost any color you can think of. 4. An antique cabinet is a good way to make a cocktail hour a focal point when having an outdoor wedding. It draws people into one area without having to create a separate space. 5. I added this for my sister, though; it is a great prop for wedding photos and can be a bit of fun all of its own. 6. Simple chairs cost TONS less than other alternatives. These have a bit of flair to them with the design without cutting into costs and can be found at just about any rental place. What makes them shine is adding things like pomanders or hanging beads on the edge of them. 7. A black tux is an all-time classic way to go and makes the brides dress even brighter in an outdoor wedding. I love the pink carnation boutonniere on this one.

1. My sister like this adorable idea and so do I. Use blank wooden puzzle pieces for guest to sign and put it together on your wedding night. It’s so eclectic and really adds to the vintage charm of this wedding. 2. What elegant wedding is complete without a bit of fancy dinnerware? I think this would make a great way to sure hors d'oeuvres or a dinner for this event. 3. These cakes are so perfect for this theme. The lace accents the brides dress so well and the two cakes keep it from feeling stuffy. 4. For an elegant vintage wedding I had to go with these invitations. They are simple yet sophisticated and the colors are just right making them a must. 5. I found these plates on Pinterest and fell in love. Mitch matching the dishes is such a good way to bring in that vintage feel and the style of these keep things looking tied together and elegant without being overdone. 6. This is such an enchanting setting for a romantic, vintage wedding and is the preference of my sister. Though, you could pull this theme off indoors, nothing says elegant like dinning under trees stung with lights and birds chirping in trees.

Thank you Sheridan for allowing me to do this set and everyone for taking a look. I hope you all enjoyed it and I hope every bride to be is fully inspired to go out and dream. Dream of things you love and the ones you want to share them with.

As a side note, I was not paid by anyone or any company to list, link, or post about any of the above products. I enjoy good design and creating something beautiful out of the things I find inspiring and that are it.

These Days

Not a lot is going on around the Blanton abode these days. I have gotten into the routine of taking care of my little salad garden I have growing and its finally starting to show.

I'm so proud that nothing is able to eat them (but Pepper whom I watch out for) and because of this, they are getting so big! I'm so excited to be able to have an all organic, fresh, nice salad soon! I'm still waiting for my cucumbers, green peppers, and tomatoes to start showing but soon, readers, soon!