Fancy Schmanzy ~ Stitches!?

The guests for Tessa's party were asked to wear fancy attire.  That's a fancy word for clothes.  :)  So of course, the I dressed the birthday girl up too.  I got her a new pink and purple tutu with faux rose petals sewn into one of the poofs.  Her yellow top with the iridescent butterfly fit perfectly into the Fancy Nancy theme.  She begged for a little of the makeup she got from the ER two weeks ago.

Oh yes, I haven't told that story yet.  Tessa was running around the house with a booster seat strapped to her hiney one afternoon.  It was hilarious, and she knew it.  Through my giggles I kept thinking, I should get up, chase her, and take that thing off; she's probably going to hurt herself.

I stood up, walked to the island to grab something, heard the BAM, SPLAT sound and screaming.  She had tripped and fallen into the coffee table.  (Which is pushed into a corner, somewhat out of the way.  My husband and I had talked of moving it into storage even that week.  Uggh, regret.)

She stopped screaming fairly quickly and I surveyed the damage.  Her bicuspid cut completely through the corner of her top lip.  A mortifying trip to the ER followed.  I don't know why, because I am totally the emotional, cry at the drop of a hat gal, but taking my girls for shots and things doesn't phase me. . . until afterwards.  I guess God gives me strength when I need it and release of tears later when it won't affect them.

They had to immobilize her by putting her arms in the opening of a pillowcase and twist wrapping her like a burrito with a long sheet.  One nurse leaned on her body, one held her head, and the third put in 2 stitches.

Afterward, they let her choose a prize and she picked the makeup over the stationary.  She was very excited for her first makeup set ever.  She is obsessed with chapstick.

I just pray with all my heart she is not phased by this unfortunate event.  She warns everyone about the dangers of the coffee table and getting an "owie" now.  But the stitches were out in time for her party and the fancy, glitter lip gloss (be it from the ER) was the perfect touch to her "posh" outfit.

The table was set ~ Fancy Nancy Style

I threw my 3 year old a Fancy Nancy birthday soiree this weekend.  That's a fancy way to say party.  Have you heard of Fancy Nancy?  She is a character in one of Tessa's books who LOVES everything Fancy!

I took advantage of my new favorite thrift stores and found old mismatched china and hankies to deck out the table.  I tried to pay under $1 for the plates and tea cups, but I just had to have the Rose plate which was $2.  (I told you these thrift stores are Awesome!)  I even found the pink cloth table cloth for $3.  Woo hoo!  See why I just have to go every week.  The party supplies were my excuse to go. . . what I am going to do now?  Ha ha!

We had to have sandwiches with frilly toothpicks because they taste better that way.  We also had parfaits with sprinkles (just like Fancy Nancy).  And pink strawberry cake was perfect for our soiree.

Let Them Eat Cake ATC swap

I am officially addicted to ATC's (Artist Trading Cards).  These little bitties are 2.5" x 3.5" and so much fun to make.  For this swap, each card had to have a cake.

Oh yeah, I'm addicted to Marie Antoinette too!  Oh and vintage lace.  I recently found a treasure trove of thrift stores not too far from where I live.  One of them has this room in a back corner that used to be the bank vault.  Anyway, that room has all the craft stuff.  Buckets and buckets of lace and baubles and fabric, oh my!  I keep going back every week to see what's new.  I'l  have to take pictures and share some of my favorite finds.

A funny

Today I was in my room taking a quick 15 to put on my face and breathe before the day started.  Jason was running around with the girls in the living room and bellowing in his best alto, "Who let the dogs out! Who! WHO! WHO! WHO?!"

Then I hear Tessa in her cutsie soprano voice, "Mommy did."  (We have a lab and my brother who lives here has a bull terrier and a yorkie.  So 3 dogs whom I usually let out fifteen hundred times a day.)

Jason again, "Who let the dogs out! Who! WHO! WHO! WHO?!"

And Tessa sounding just a bit annoyed with her beloved daddy, "Moooommmy DID!"

Jason kept singing, Tessa kept answering and I kept laughing.  It made it really hard to finish my mascara because of all the giggling I was doing; but was it worth it?  Every second!

These ~Boots~

The other day, my brother was getting ready to leave for work and Tessa stole his ~Boots~  Both of my girls seem to have slight cases of cleptomania.  Tessa proudly pulled the combat boots on with her Hello Kitty tutu and top (her 3rd costume change that day.)  Of course I ran for the camera and got this classically funny shot.

This picture is like camping and polishing your fingernails.  (Something I have done).  It's like a cheerleader winning the loudest burping contest.  (Also guilty).  Digging in the mud in your Easter dress. . . (I plead the 5th).

"These boots are made for walkin'.  And that's just what they'll do.  One o' these days these boots are gonna walk all over you."


Happy Tuesday!

Sister LOVE

My second project for Mystic Paper came together so easy because the "mini album" part came as part of the Cosmo Cricket paper in my DT kit.  You just punch it out and fold it to assemble.  Then I glued the bottom to make pockets for lots of journaling tags.  If you have never tried Cosmo Cricket paper, I suggest you check it out.  I loved the die cuts from this line.  Embellishing was simple and fast!

Below I quoted the journaling I did on the hidden tags. . .

"I never knew the special bond two sisters share and how it ties them together in LOVE. I never knew."

"One day Tessa was leading Isabella around the house saying, 'Walk with me friend.' "

Fun Technique:  I started with a paper die-cut, but chipboard also works great.  Cover entirely with Stickles.  Allow to dry.  Cover entirely with Glossy Accents.  Dry.  The result is a sparkly embellishment that almost looks like a glitter globe.

"Oh how my girls love to PLAY. Games. Peek-a-boo! I see you!"

" Big SIS ~ A princess, dramatic, girly."

"Lil' SIS ~ A lover, subdued, spunky."

"So different and also so alike."

"There is something about the way they look at each other that warms me and lifts me right off the ground."

"God could not have given me any greater blessing than my two LOVES."

I really fell in love with this paper line and especially this project.  I can't wait to get it back from Mystic to hang on my dress form in my "happy place."  I will share more about my "happy place" soon.  Hee hee.

Love and {hugs},

Love Leaves a Legacy

Look at my great grand-parents! I get all proud and puffed up when I do. They seem stiff and angry in the younger photograph. I'm sure that's just what you did then for formal pictures. To me, they also look tired. I'm sure the early 1900's were rough on many couples. It's fun to sit and imagine what kinds of things they did and shared with each other.

Back to modern day. . . The Mystic Paper Design Team kit really gave me direction with my first ever Heritage layout. I probably never would have chosen these colors, but they worked perfectly. Dusky, lusty purples and rusty oranges. Delicious I tell ya! And the patterns completely mesh with the vintage feel too!

I'm just realizing I didn't get a close up of the purple lace flower I made. Anyway, you can see it there. My first attempt at making my own flower. Today I worked on lots of fabric and lace flowers for a bib necklace I am making to swap with my Marie Antoinette group. I've got 10 so far, and I'll share a sneak peek of those soon.

Above, I Glimmer Misted circle shaped chipboard pieces with Suede and added vintage buttons and Kaiser pearls. Pretty simple, but I like the effect as a cool multi-layered embellishment.

Here is another quick tip with one of my favorite products (available at Mystic of course):

Stamp an image onto cardstock.
Cut it out.
Cover entirely with Glossy Accents.
Allow to dry completely.
Add a second coat for a more raised image.
Use as 3D embellishment on your project.

I {Heart} Glossy!

So, below is a sneak peek of the second DT project I did with the same line from Cosmo Cricket. I also used the sepia pictures of my girls that I posted yesterday.

Thirsty for more? You'll have to come back tomorrow!


Hugs and goodnight!

Peace

I've decided to share more than just projects, but also pictures and stories and moments from my day. I think that sharing here will help me to stop (daily I hope) and reflect on the good things in my life. Plus, like a good friend told me, you all can catch up with me everyday without even having to meet me for a Frap.

Doesn't Tessa look peaceful here?

I had a supremely peaceful moment on my drive home from Payson Monday. I happened to time the trip in between the rain storms we have been having. Lucky you might say, but I am more inclined to think it's a God wink. (More than just coincidence.)

I was turning and twisting my car and my cargo through the mountains when I realized I was actually thinking and pondering and enjoying the scenery. I took a quick glance at the girls in the rear view mirror, and (wonder of wonders) they were not asleep, but instead were also looking out the windows, pondering, staring in wonder.

The clouds were low in the green, wet trees. Poofs of mist trailed along the mountain tops like they were tiptoeing on tiny blades of grass. All around me beauty and Peace as far as I could see. This quiet awe lasted for what seemed like forever. (About 30 minutes.) Unbelievable and wonderful Peace. And wonder like looking through the eyes of a child.

Until. . .

Brrunmmnppp!!!! "Oh my God, NO more looking at the scenery!" I took a curve too wide and went on the bump strip which sent my heart in to palpitations and gave me an adrenaline shot worth way more than chugging a Mt. Dew. Oops.

I must also share that I was too afraid to stop and take a picture of all this wonder. Afraid I couldn't get back on the highway, afraid to lose my quiet, afraid the boogyman would get us, afraid I would stop and take a horrible picture, afraid I would be late for Tessa's appointment that day.

I don't want to say I regret not stopping, but I do. I'm going to stop regretting now though and move on; and pray for another chance to stop and not be afraid.

"For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and self confidence." 2 Tim 1:7

DT Love!!

Okay, so Mystic Paper's Design Team is going to be so FUN!! Look what I got to create something with this month. Cosmo Cricket's "Love Notes" line ~ papers, journal cards, die cut punch-outs, and even a page that you fold into a little mini album.

The colors are muted and wonderful. Actually I just saw a sunset two nights ago that reminded me of these papers.

My kit also included this delicate purple lace. I don't think I have ever seen quite this color of purple lace ever before. You have to see it in person at Mystic to know how gorgeous it really is. Wait until you see what I did with it. I think it is going to be my new favorite thing. :)


All the DT girls at Mystic were assigned "Love." (That's sounds funny how I wrote it here, like kissing homework or something.) Anyhow, if you need inspiration for Valentines day, or anything love, love, love, check out Patty, Jenna, and Sheri's blogs to see what they got in their DT kit, and what they create.


And . . . don't forget to check back to see what I made with my kit.


Love and {{HUGS}}