Brody’s best friend (Ashley) is having her birthday party this weekend. I’m also in birthday party mode as Brody’s party is at the end of the month. While searching online for ideas for his party, I came across a cute tissue paper wreath tutorial.  Of course it looked too girly, but I wanted so badly to make it.  No biggie, I’ll just make it for Ashley.  Her party this weekend will consist of pink and green polka dots, which is why I went for the colors that I did while making it.  I’m very happy with the way it turned out…

For the most part, it was extremely simple to make, but VERY tedious!  I will not be making one again, but absolutely love the fun look of it and happy to cross it off my list as being accomplished.  I would recommend trying it if you like it and have a reason for it.  It’s cheap to make and honestly just takes time, so if you have the time, go for it.

Here’s another gift I wrapped this past week. Nothing creative, but it counts, right?

I love wrapping gifts!  There’s just something about being able to touch my creative side and make something creative without spending a lot of time. Obviously having cute wrapping paper helps, although using standard solid white or even kraft paper works sometimes even better (then the sky is the limit with accessories and colors you can use).

My neighbor is about to have a birthday.  I purchased this gift wrap from her daughter for a school fund raiser.  I figured it was the perfect gift wrap to use to wrap her gift.  I purchased a huge roll of brown ribbon last year and have used it in many projects (getting my moneys worth for sure).  This was perfect to wrap around the whole gift.  I then printed out “Happy Birthday Jen” on cardstock and cut it to the size I wanted. Add some thinner ribbon, cut some holes through the cardstock and viola. Simple and easy gift wrapping.

I will definitely use this technique again (so easy).

About a month ago, I stumbed across a blog called,  Grinning Cheek To Cheek.  This past week, she posted about an upcoming “Birthday Boy Blast”, a two-week long review and giveaway event hosted by herself and her friend Jen from lifewithlevi.com.  Both of their boys are turning one (one just turned one and the other is about to turn one).

From September 19-30th, they will be featuring products related to birthdays, toddlers, or their parents. There are some really great giveaways lined up, including:

• Boon Flair High Chair from Boon
• Britax Marathon 70 Car Seat from Hayneedle
• Ergo Sport Carrier from Ergo Baby
• Baby bedding sets

And much, much more!

Just wanted to tell you all about it in case you’re interested.  Hope someone I know wins something.  If so, make sure you tell me all about it!

Have you heard of K&Company’s new SMASH Collection?  I just stumbled across a video about their new product line and am in LOVE!

The products are SO reasonably priced! I’m thinking it would be fun to make one of the journals into one year of life with Brody and our adventures together. To take something from each day we have together and quickly “smash” it into the book and say something quick about it. How fun to look back on that in a later year. Just a thought.

I have a friend I’ve been meaning to write for over a month now. *sigh* I hate when time flies by so quickly and I haven’t done something I so desperately wanted to do. I definitely have priority issues (AKA…spending too much time on the internet).

I made this card last night. I tried a few new techniques, although I don’t think I quite perfected them. I love everything about this card except for the bottom right triangle part. It just doesn’t flow well with the rest. The card also appears to be upside down (which it’s not). Anyway, it’s a creation, something I haven’t done in a while and I wanted to share it with you all.

Isn’t that so true? I don’t think many of us just come up with ideas on our own. We look to other things for inspiration and build off of that (tweaking to make it our own). Loved this saying when I saw it and just wanted to post it.

While out and about this past week, Brody and I were sitting at a stoplight (a VERY LONG stoplight).  I had time to memorize every license plate around me and check out the surrounding stores (yep, I felt like I was sitting there that long).

Here was my view:

I looked to my right to see that Auto Zone was having some construction done…new parking lot perhaps.  I first wondered if they were getting ready to demolish it and build something else, then I read the sign, “OPEN, entrance off of Old Buffaloe Road”.  Hmm, ok.

Then I look to my left to see Advance Auto Parts.  Clear as day was the hood of a pick-up truck open with a large sign that read, “Easy Parking”.   Very clever guys…very clever!

I had to laugh.  Very smart on their part for taking advantage of the not-so-easy-to-get-to competition right across the street.

If you live near me, you HAVE to check out The Meat House off of Falls of Neuse and Millbrook Road. It’s your local butcher (think Sam from “The Brady Bunch”…Alice’s boyfriend).

They have anything you can imagine and then some. And it’s more than just a butcher. They have baked items, condiments, freezer and refrigerator items, appetizers, etc… Fun things you’ve never seen or tried before. Definitely a place to visit if you’re having a cookout or even need a gift for the guy in your life. It’s an incredible place!

To top it off, their customer service is OUTSTANDING! We’ve been there three times now and every single time has been impressive! You are greeted upon entering, offered help right away, your items are carried to the front for you (so you don’t have to carry them around while you’re shopping) and all while never having to wait. I was even given a freezer tote once to put all of my goodies in for my drive home (FREE).

Check it out. I promise you won’t be disappointed!

And, no, I was not given anything to write this post. 

Just wanted to share a new favorite find with you all.

I was flipping through blogs and came across a post titled, “Today I Am” on After Nine to Five‘s blog.  Loved reading through her post and wanted to join in as well, so here we go…

• Ready for life to slow down (big time).  I’m treading water and gasping for breath.
• Wishing that time could stand still for at least one day.
• Excited for upcoming fall activities, especially my first MOPS (Mothers Of PreSchoolers) group starting in September.
• Happy to have the new Steven Curtis Chapman CD (re-creation) in my car.  LOVE his music!
• Proud to have the privilege to be called “Mama” (8 long years in the waiting).
• Realizing that I need to stop making excuses and get myself back into shape.
• Finally adjusting to the fact that we may only have one child.  I’m fine with pouring all of my love into our little miracle.
• Noticing that my clothes are starting to feel tight again. Ugh!
• Wasting Spending too much time on the computer and not enough time in front of my sewing machine or in a chair reading a good book.
• Hungry for water.  Can you be hungry for a liquid?  I’m so parched right now.
• Looking forward to waking my son up in the morning, hearing him ask for “Dada” (he always asks for the parent he’s not with) and then seeing him smile at me.
• Thankful for the family that I have, that they love me unconditionally, for the church that we attend and how it’s such a perfect fit for us, and to know God and have a relationship with Him.