I LOVE making and mailing things in handmade envelopes.  There’s just something about them.  To open up your mailbox and see an envelope that is something other than white, is so much fun.

My niece is a crafting extraordinaire!  She’s been making things left and right this summer and her creativity amazes me.  She received a Cricut for Christmas and has been making several cards.  Right now she’s into making 6″x6″ cards.

She’ll occasionally text me and tell me something to put on her wish list for her birthday or Christmas (so helpful).  Her latest “wish” is an envelope template.  I have two brands of envelope templates in various sizes. If she sticks with making cards this size, there probably is a better choice of a template for her.

I made her one of each size (from the two brands I have) so she could see what better fits her cards. My guess is…it’s going to be the larger envelope, so I decided to make her a handful of them since she doesn’t have an envelope template to use yet.

On four of the envelopes, I experimented with rub-ons to add something extra.  I like how it turned out.  I’m also including (not pictured) labels for each envelope so you can read the address since some of the envelopes are a bit dark  (I use 4 inch oval labels and wrap part of it to the back of the envelope to be a bit more unique).  I use the scrap paper left over to make cards or use in other projects, so I’m mailing the scraps home to her as well in hopes that she’ll find a use for them too.

Look in the mail Abby, you should get them late next week.  Hope you enjoy!

Brody and I went to the grocery store today and two things made me laugh.  We turned the corner to see a Pug balloon in the middle of the aisle. I’ve never seen anything like this (how do you know how much helium to put in them to make sure they stay grounded on the floor…the feet weren’t weighted).  Then we walked out to the car and walked past the cart in the ground.  Both random things, but both made me laugh.

I made Peanut Butter Graham Truffles tonight.  I found the recipe on a weight loss blog that I enjoy reading (of all places, right?).  They are SO good, but very rich!  Easy to make, but messy.  Worth it though.

Photo taken from faithfitnessfun.com

Peanut Butter Graham Truffles

• 1.5 cups crispy rice cereal
• 1.25 cups crunchy peanut butter
• 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 12 oz dark chocolate

1. Put everything but the chocolate in a mixing bowl and mash it all together with your hands until evenly combined. Refrigerate for one hour.
2. Roll the mix into even sized balls.
3. Melt the dark chocolate and then dip the truffles in the chocolate!
4. Refrigerate or freeze until ready to eat.

Last night I went to a MNI (Mom’s Night In).  It was a craft night (right up my alley).  It’s been a while since I’ve taken a “mom’s night” and Jason was happy to have full-time dad duty for the night.

There were four of us and we made Etched Soap Bottles.  All of the supplies were already purchased for us, so all we had to do was follow the instructions and voila, art for your soap.

We started the night out just chatting and getting to know each other, then started in on our “craft”.  It was so unbelievably simple (kids could do this).  We used stickers to spell out our word of choice and painters tape to create our straight lines (for those that chose to make one like mine). The etching “paste” was already in a pre-made bottle.  We just used a paint sponge applicator and “glopped” (am I making up words?) the etching paste (very thick) in the areas we wanted to be etched.  We let them sit for about 15-20 minutes (5 minutes was all that was needed, but we got to chatting).  Then you rinse the etching paste off in the sink, dry off, and you’re done.  It’s super fast and so simple to do.

We used a tutorial from lil blue boo’s website.  And here’s a picture of our bottles we created (I love that we all chose to do something different).

My mind is now racing on all of the things I could etch.  LOL!  I even went to the scrapbook store today and purchased some Doodlebug Paper Frills (totally went there for something else but then ran into these).  How cute will those designs look etched onto something?  Plus, I can use them in scrapbooking projects too.  They come in all different colors.  I chose teal.

I NEVER use to wash dishes by hand.  My Mom taught me that if it doesn’t go in the dishwasher, then it’s not worth having and I wholeheartedly agree. Of course, then came Brody and his feeding utensils and such. We only have so many and we don’t run our dishwasher daily, so I needed to hand wash his items (which I gladly do).

This bottle will house his dish soap (and he is particular on what I use…don’t get me started).  I’m also imagining that you could use this type of bottle to put bubble bath in and etch the word “bubbles” on it or use regular hand soap, etc…  The possibilities are endless.

If you make one, send me a picture or let me know what you used and what you etched onto it.

My husband wasn’t thrilled that I displayed the “goofy” (how he described it) picture of our son (upper right corner of the winner post). He says he looks like the silver teeth dude from James Bond. LOL! I completely agree. It is a HORRIBLE photo of him (and he’s such a cute kid).

I had to redeem myself and post a few pictures of Brody that aren’t goofy. Enjoy!

…shrinking mommy of 2.

So I changed the way I chose the winner.  I see random.org used everywhere, so figured that was the way to go. When I finally checked it out (earlier today), I was surprised to see that it cost almost $5 to use their “random picker”.  Um, no thanks.  I’ll use my next best thing…my son.  He’s unbiased.

We let him go to bed a little later than usual (as you can see, he’s already in his pajamas).  I printed out the comments left on the giveaway post (16 in all…not counting the comment I left), cut them into individual comments, waded them up (sophisticated system, huh?) and had my son pick one.

Congratulations to shrinking mommy of 2!  I really hope you like everything!  I’m also throwing in a mini journal (something not handmade in case you’re not a fan of handmade items).  The camera didn’t get the coloring right on the journal. It’s a rust/brown color, has a magnetic closure, has lined paper and a red bookmark for keeping your place.  Enjoy and congratulations again!  I’ll send you an email requesting your address.

Thanks to everyone who entered my first giveaway. Since I had more response than I thought I would, watch out…there may be another giveaway fairly soon.

Finally right?  Thanks for being patient (and I will say this would have been up much sooner…I don’t think I could have had more issues with my camera and blog today if I tried).  *sigh*

Happy 3-Year Blogoversary to me!  In honor of this monumental event (yes, it is monumental to me), I’m having my very first giveaway.  While it’s a girly giveaway, don’t let that stop you if you’re a guy…your significant other (I’m sure) will gladly take this off your hands.

First, let me tell you what’s included in this giveaway (picture below)…

• 7″W x 9.25″H Fabric Covered Journal.  This journal is perfect to use as a notebook, journal, sketchbook, or scrapbook.  I have not added anything extra to the pages as I want it to be up to you to personalize it yourself by adding tags, scrapbook paper, embellishments, etc…  It has 17 enclosures, which makes 34 pages total (since each enclosure is folded in half).  All in all, there are 68 sides to write, draw, or create on.  There are a mixture of papers inside.  Some pages are card stock, some are colored index cards, others are folded envelopes, cards, folders, and time cards.  Plenty included to get your creative juices flowing.
• Gift Card Holder/Business Card Holder.  I’ve been using mine as a gift card holder so I can have them all in one spot and not forget about them.  It has an elastic closure to keep everything inside.
• $5 Starbucks Gift Card.  Of course, something has to be put in the Gift Card Holder and why not a Starbucks gift card (my favorite!).
• 3 Paper Covered Card Stock Stitched Bookmarks.  I obviously just blogged about these the other day.  They slide onto the corner of the page of the book.  Thanks to Danielle’s suggestion, I found three sayings I liked and wrote them on each bookmark (sorry I wasn’t creative with my handwriting).
• 10 Handmade Envelopes.  A few years ago, I received a note in the mail and it was inside a handmade envelope.  I felt so special that someone chose to use such a nice envelope on me, so I started to make my own.  Here’s a set of 10 handmade envelopes (size A2) with labels already on them (so you can write the address and it be seen).  There are no enclosures for these envelopes.  I usually just use cute notepad paper or cut a piece of card stock to size and adhere a colored paper to the back side to make it decorative as well.
• Mini Jar Holder.  This past week I finished a jar of thyme.  I had just read a post about using paper to decorate jars to use to either hold small things (using the lid) or use as a pencil/pen holder (without the lid, obviously).  I figured I’d give it a try.  I did wash the jar, but I still smell thyme.
• Fabric Basket.  This is what I was creating last night and finishing up today.  I just came across a tutorial last night and wanted to make it.  I thought if I didn’t make it to include in my giveaway, the idea would sit forever and probably never be attempted.  It is by far not perfect (at all).  The sides don’t match up, the bottom is “baggy”, etc…, but it’s handmade, still usable (if you’re not picky about it not being perfect) and it’s washable (just take out the cardboard inserts and wash, then replace the cardboard inserts and you’re set again).  Easy.

This will be super simple.  I am not on Twitter or facebook and honestly don’t care if you follow me via RSS feed (if you like my content, you’ll add me to your RSS feed or you’ll mosey on over and check me out every now and again).  So…all that you need to do is leave a comment below.  If you don’t have anything to say, just say, “enter me” (or whatever you’d like).  Only one entry per person, but you can tell your friends and family about it and maybe if they win, they’ll share something with you.

You’ll have until 9pm EST on Sunday, July 24th to leave a comment. At 9pm (when my son will definitely be in bed), I’ll have random.org pick a winner and I’ll post the winner on this blog (so come back and check to see if you won).  I’ll email the winner for their address and get your winnings out in the mail this coming Monday morning.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.  Enjoy!

I will say that I’m the world’s biggest planner, but also the world’s biggest procrastinator when it comes to some things in my life.  My intentions were to get everything ready and post the giveaway when midnight came so it would be up as soon as anyone checked my blog.  I got sidetracked and found one more thing I’d like to attempt to make to add to the giveaway and just don’t have time to do it until my son goes down for his nap (around 1pm).  I also still need to take some pictures of the items I’m giving away.  It all takes time and I truly don’t want to rush it.

With that said, I promise I will have something posted by 5pm EST today. I’ll extend the giveaway entries until this weekend (Saturday) so everyone has a chance to enter who wants to.  I’ll have random.org do the drawing for me and post the winner this Saturday (and can get it out in the mail on Monday).

I found a cute little bookmark in one of my RSS feeds this last week.  It looked so easy to make, so I thought I’d give it a try.

I’ve never used my sewing machine on paper before, but I was quite impressed.  I love the look of it!  I’m not exactly thrilled with my paper choices or combinations, but honestly just wanted to give it a try.

I wish I would have taken time to put a saying on them.  They do look a bit unfinished.  I guess I could find rub-ons, but it’s not really worth my time. Hmmm.

EDITED:  Ok, so I’ve never been good with math.  My husband read my post (this post) and commented on how it’s been longer than 2-years that I’ve had this blog because my son is nearing 2-years.  Um, duh!  I’ve actually had my URL since January of 2008, but my very first blog post was on July 21st, 2008.  That’s THREE years, not two years.  *sigh*…math.  Why I was off on my dates (thinking it was the 26th instead of the 21st is just pure stupidity…no math involved there).

Tuesday, July 26th Thursday, July 21st marks 2-years 3-years that I’ve had this blog up and running. For my 2-year 3-year anniversary, I thought I’d do my first giveaway.

I’ll do a post on Tuesday Thursday with a photo and list of what is included in the giveaway and if you leave a comment, you’ll be entered for a chance to win (I’ll take care of getting the items to you, so you do not have to be local to enter).  I’m planning on making a few things this week, so my giveaway will include handmade items by me (hope I didn’t just lose your interest).

Stay tuned…