I have a blog? Oh, yeah...I have a blog.

I'd like to nominate myself for the worst blogger ever award.

If one doesn't exist, I'd like to request that someone create such an award and then award me with said award.

Because obviously I am far too lazy to create an award, and even if I did I'd forget to award myself with the award. I'd wake up one day and think "Wow, I suck at updating my blog. I should win the worst blogger ever award. Oh, yeah! I created that award! Wow, I suck at awarding fake awards to myself."

Crafting, eh? Yeah, barely. I remember when I used to have the energy for actual crafting. Now I get about halfway through a project and then forget about it. Or decide I don't feel like finishing it.

I'm totally lying. Mostly I get the idea, get the supplies, and then decide I don't feel like starting it. I've totally lost my crafting mojo.

Wanna see the only project I've even really started?

Don King, The Wreath

It was going to be a lovely tulle wreath like this one from Pattern Shmattern. Instead, I misjudged how much tulle it would take, and didn't want to go back out for more. So I just finished it off by wrapping some leftover yarn. I planned on getting a cute Halloween decoration for the middle and to call it done, but it's been like 3 weeks and I still haven't gotten one. I probably won't.

...

Random Baby Update:

We're having a baby girl! We weren't going to find out, but I'm really happy we did! We're incredibly excited.

Naming a human is hard! There are so many names. Almost too many names. I have no idea how anyone ever decides on a name! I've pretty much accosted every person I know who has ever had a child and asked how they decided.

Any advice blogland?

Love 'em, even if they DO have heads...

If you have a good memory, (or just scroll back a few pages) you might recall I was in love with these vases from CB2:

Personally, I envision them hanging on my bathroom door sans flowers, so they're headless.

I'm a bit warped, don't hate.
-Me, like a few months ago

But then I was wandering around Michaels, and I found these little wooden plaques that were on sale for $1. So I figured I'd save myself $12.95.

Sure, they aren't vases and can't hold flowers. They aren't headless. But I love them anyway.

Plus, it was a nice easy project! Just how I like 'em!



Trace the pattern on the back side of the scrapbook paper, flip over, modge podge and viola.




Now I just have to find the energy to hang them.

I have a good excuse!

I'm serious. I know I have been a terrible crafter lately. And an even more terrible blogger. But I have a really, really, really good excuse.




You see, while I was not posting and not crafting, I was basically hibernating and growing the adorable little two dimensional cutie pie above.

This is our first baby, and I was kind of smacked in the face with how little I was able to function for the last three months or so. Talk about tired! I'd get home at 6, and be in bed by 6:22. Wake up, repeat. Throw in some trips to the bathroom, eating what I could and that's been my life for the last few months.

I totally thought of you all, though.

I thought about updating. I thought about crafting. Then I thought about sleeping and decided that's what I had to do.

So you'll forgive me?

Now that I'm entering that glorious time called the second trimester, I'm able to stay awake to about 9pm. I'm planning on having some time to craft and post! I'm off tomorrow, and I already have a project all lined up.

(I just have to say my husband has been amazing! He's taken such good care of me, and has been so, so sweet!)

I need a vacation from this vacation....

That's another saying I'm not a fan of.

I totally didn't forget about you, blogland. I've been away on vacation for the last two or so weeks, with no internet. It was great. We went on a cruise with the in-laws and brother-in-law and his girlfriend fiancee! They got engaged on the cruise, I'm so freaking excited for them!

And for me, because I get to have an awesome sister-in-law!

We spent 10 days on a cruise to Bermuda, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, and San Juan.

I'll be back in a day or so with some pictures at least, if not a project or two.

Thanks for sticking around and not unfollowing me. Totally appreciate it!

Hearts and hugs!

I am whatever you say I am.

Alternate Title: Kids say the darndest things.

This isn't necessarily craft related, but it's creative, and it's my blog, so I'm posting it!

I found a treasure trove of awesome reports and paperwork from way back in high school. I am DYING of laughter at this gem, and I have to share it with you.

Did you ever have to write "I AM" poems? If you're not familiar, you can read more about them on Read, Write, Think.

It's pretty much plug and play poetry. The outline is there, you just fill in the blanks.

Here's my version from all the way back in 1996? Or 1997? I know it's before 1998 because that was the year I foresaw my fan club reaching 5000. =)

I have no idea what is all over it!

In case you can't read it, it says:

I am a silly girl who blushes easily.

I wonder how they fit all those clowns in those little clown cars.

I hear voices in my head.

I see my fan club reaching the 5,000 mark by 1998.

I want to be happy and successful in all that I do.

I am a silly girl who blushes easily.



I pretend that my poem is cool.

I feel confident in all that I do. Sort of.

I touch the ceiling when I giggle and laugh just like in Mary Poppins.

I worry about people that are unhappy.

I cry when I don't get what I want.

I am a silly girl who blushes easily.



I understand what goes up must come down.

I say everyone should have fun all the time.

I dream my dream will come true.

I try to be nice to everyone.

I hope to get an "A" on this poem.

I am a silly girl who blushes easily.


Can someone grab the flux capacitor, build a time machine and then let 15 year old-ish me know that in the future she still won't understand how they fit all those clowns in those little clown cars? And that I hope she was just kidding about hearing voices in her head? Because if not, those voices have taken over and she is just full on totally insane 15-ish years into the future? Thanks!

I love the line "I feel confident in all that I do. Sort of." Still totally resonates with me, all these years later.

Did any of you ever write an "I AM" poem? Want to write one now? Please?! I'll be your BFF for like, ever!

I doubt that I could do any better than 15 year old-ish me, but if any of you are willing to play, I'll play too!

Kill it with fire.

Coffee filters are my new arch nemesis. Not that I had actually had an old arch nemesis. So I guess it'd be more correct to say coffee filters are both my first and my current arch nemesis.

I have no idea why I have such a hard time with them! Here, in all it's lopsided, laughably ludicrous loveliness, is my latest attempt:

Don't be jealous of my mad skills, yo.

There's no other option. It must die. Or go live in the garbage can with my last attempt at coffee filter projects.

It's outrageously terrible. It's the ugliest thing ever. It's beyond awful. It makes me giggle.

Just so that image isn't burned in your head, he's something I made that won't make you cry:




I'm having much better luck with books, so I think I'm going to to try to follow Lindsay's awesome tutorial for her book page wreath.

Another wreath? I need a support group!

Show of hands...

...who got the new Serena and Lily catalog and is already planning how to make this?



You can see a larger image of their Seychelles Chandelier by clicking here.

Beautiful, right? Over my budget, right? Totally doable, right?

So far all I've figured out is embroidery hoops, jute, and beads. I know it can be done!

I know that there's someone out there who will make this. I know that there's someone out there who will make it way better than I could possibly ever dream of making it. I know there's someone out there who will post a tutorial.

And I know that I'll follow along with said tutorial in my own half-arsed way.

So, who's up for it? Show of hands? Show me what you've got!

Don't make me attempt this on my own, fail miserably and cry.

I'm totally ugly when I cry.

Crafting: Because it's way more fun than laundry...

Laundry is my least favorite household task.

It used to be washing dishes It used to be washing cups, specifically. Before we had a dishwasher, the house looked like a scene from the movie Signs, just cups all over the place. Waiting for me to wash them, or the alien invasion, whichever came first.

Anyway, laundry. Yeah. I wish I was one of the awesome women in the world who is on top of her laundry. Folding it, ironing it, putting it all away right away. Washing like with like. Paying attention to the instructions on the tags.

I'm not though, and I'm pretty sure at this point in my life that's not about to change. I'm cool with it, because if I was a good-at-doing-laundry person, I would possibly be using the clothespins I found in the laundry area and wouldn't have gotten to make this project!

Design*Sponge featured an awesome clothespin mirror complete with tutorial from Diane at In My Own Style. Have you seen it?

After realizing that I had all the materials on hand, I decided to give it a go:

Mirror
Clothes Pins
Hot Glue
Glue Gun
Spray Paint (optional)

Diane did a few different versions of this mirror, and spray painted one of them. I'm pretty much obsessed with spray painting since my vases last week, so I jumped at the chance to break out the spray paint and make a white mirror.

First up, clip the clothespins to the mirror to find the correct spacing:


I was a little sloppy with how I clipped them since I was going to take them right off to spray paint.

Lay out the clothespins to spray paint.




Get really, really super excited that you're about to get your spray painting fix. (This is optional and you can skip this part if you aren't me, and aren't currently obsessed with spray painting, but I still highly recommend it!)

I didn't flip them and do the other side, since I'm lazy and figured you wouldn't really notice once it was hung. You can do that if you're patient, but I was ready to get working already.




Break out the glue gun and put a dab of glue on the backside of the clothespins. Continue one by one until you're all done.

Flip it over and realize that even though the backside looks AMAZING! the front is all wonky. Remove the clothespins that are crooked, and correct it. Laugh at yourself for being so bad at crafting. (Again, this is optional though I don't suggest you do this one. You're a good crafter, after all!)

Once you're sure that the spacing is correct on the front, go mad with the hot glue and fill in all the spots. Then, Slip some ribbon through the hanger:


After testing it, I decided I liked it better without the ribbon. I hung it on an empty wall in my husband's game room. "You're taking over my room too, now?" "It's so boring in here, though! I'll just take some pictures, and take it down!" (It's still there, by the way. He's cool like that!)

Here's how it looks in all it's hand print and hot glue tail glory:



Now imagine that without the smudges. Winning!

Cute, cheap and easy. Exactly what I like.

I'm on such a crafting high, I'm going to attempt to make a coffee filter project. Last time it didn't turn out so well for me, but I'm feeling brave. It can't possibly turn out any worse, so I've got high hopes.

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

I'm linking up here:

Stuck like glue...

Or stuck because of glue, rather. Hot glue to be exact.

Ready for the dumbest question you'll hear all week? Possibly all year?

How the heck do I get a felt flower off a yarn wreath?

Is there an easy way? Aside from removing all the yarn that I already painstakingly wrapped for a babillion hours of my life?

Y'all are super smart, help me out here! Pretty please with a cherry and chocolate sprinkles on top?

Pretty please tell me I'm not going to have to cut it and start over. Looky-loo at how cute this could be, if only the flower was gone!

Because I swear if I have to start over, I'll just quit. Seriously.

Do you have any advice? Words of wisdom? Names to call me? Help me, please!

Awesomesauce! A High and Low Linky Party

You already follow Jennifer from Life, Crafts and Whatever, right? If you don't, you should. I'm pretty much in love with her blog. What I love most is that it almost feels like a one-sided conversation I'd have with a friend, it's real and honest and funny.

I found her blog a bit ago when I came across this post UFC + subway art = home decor?

I was all, "OMG! A CRAFT/HOME DECOR BLOGGER WHO LOVES MMA?! SHUT UP!"

You all may not know this about me yet, but I'm also an MMA fan. Back in 2006 my husband and I drove 17 hours to Moline, IL to see Pat Miletich fight Renzo Gracie. We had off for three days, and drove 17 hours EACH way. We went to see his MFS Gym, home of the IFL's Quad City Silverbacks. I was a casual fan before and had attended events, but that was what made me love the sport and become a real fan.

/end tangent

I was super excited when I saw that Jennifer was hosting this linky party:



When I'm feeling a bit down or off, I like to think back over all the things in the recent past I have to be grateful for, so this is right up my alley! I think we can all use this, so grab her button and come play along!

Lows:

• I didn't get to see my mother or grandmother for mother's day. I live about 3 hours away, and it just wasn't in the cards for today.
  

• I can't find my favorite flip flops. They just up and disappeared, because I had them last week and now they are gone. They're perfectly molded to my feet from wearing them all last summer, and I'm bummed just thinking about having to break in a new pair.
  

• I totally slacked in responding to blog comments. Sorry, I promise I'll get better at this!
  

Highs:

• My brother-in-law graduated from college yesterday. My husband and I have been together since he was like 9, so I totally think of him as my own little bro, too. He's off to Vet School in the fall, and we're all so freaking proud of him.
  

• I got my hair cut, and the new stylist really got what I was saying. I put on a brave face before hair cuts, "It's just hair, it'll grow back if I hate it!" Luckily, I love it, it's super cute!

I have really, really thick hair and it grows super fast. That might sound awesome, but it's not. It's a PITArse to manage, so I'm thrilled with this cut. I can possibly now go six weeks without a hair cut and still look alright. Possibly.

• We're a few weeks out from our next cruise! 9 nights of Caribbean bliss coming right up!

• My family are watching our animals, so that means I'm just a few weeks out from seeing them and getting to hang out a bit!
  

• Speaking of my awesome family, my parents gave us a patio set for Christmas and it was finally nice enough today to put it together. This is our first nice set, and I am so excited to trade up from the plastic chairs and broken plastic table we've used for the last three years. (The table had a hole in it, and we had a box of dominoes on top that covered the hole. For three years. No lie!)

We broke out the grill, made burgers and played yahtzee while rocking out to summer tunes it was so nice!

• While talking about today and the previous "High," I found out that my iPhone corrects the word "Awesome" to "Awesomesauce"

Super High:

My phone may think I'm lame, but YOU (the collective "you" of blogland, at least) don't! This week I've received more comments and emails than ever before, and because of that I've found cool new blogs to follow! I'd like to sincerely thank you all in blogland for being so welcoming, encouraging, thoughtful and inspiring.

I really, really appreciate it and I think you're all AWESOMESAUCE!

Can I get an "A" for effort?

For the longest time, I thought that was the dumbest saying. "Um, Effort starts with an E, dummy pants," I'd think while silently judging the person who used the phrase. Man, I'm so embarrassing sometimes.

And speaking of embarrassing, I decided to tackle a project I've had in my "To Try" files forever.

Erica at P.S. I Made This made these amazing (Seriously, I need new adjectives!) faux pottery vases from puffy paint, spray paint, and cans/bottles.

Confession: I've never used puffy paint OR spray paint before today. (That might be a lie, I have a vague memory of making a shirt in first grade with puffy paint, but I don't know if I actually did or if I'm just creating awesome fake craft memories. I've always been a horrible crafter. I can't draw a straight line to save my life, and I half-joke that I was absent the day in preschool we learned to use scissors because I can't cut right. Back in school, every single project I did for classes or science fairs was a hot mess. So, I'm inclined to believe that I'm just making up the puffy paint memory.)

So, I took a trip to Michael's and the dollar store to pick up some supplies.



Puffy Paint
Painters Tape (dollar store)
Spray Paint
Glass vases (already on hand from a previous project)

I had this totally fantastic Lazy Novice Crafter Idea* that they would look REALLY, REALLY, REALLY cool if some of the glass was showing, so I just wrapped two pieces of the painters tape around the bottom to create four separate sections.


One I did not tape at all, and the other I taped off into a chevron pattern:

Next up, start applying your puffy paint into the patterns you'd like to use. Remember, I can't draw a straight line, so I decided to go with just simple dots. Even I can do that!


The one with the painters tape was super easy to do, because I could just hold the tape and not worry about smudging my masterpiece puffy paint dots. The one without tape? Luckily, my hand fit inside. Taking it out, not so easy. I basically turned my hand into a giant suction cup, so you can imagine me trying to remove it without touching any of the paint, yes? Go ahead, take a minute to picture it. Call me dummy pants if you must.


Next, let the puffy paint dry. Watch The Nate Berkus Show. Talk to your dog about how her day is going and if she has any big plans for the weekend. Touch the puffy paint to see if it's dry. Reprimand yourself for touching the still wet puffy paint. Wait some more.

Finally, a quadrillion and two minutes later, you're ready to break out the spray paint and paint these suckers.



I used Krylon Indoor/Outdoor in gloss white. I chose it because that's what Michael's carried, and I know nothing about spray paint.

Carefully remove the tape and viola! Pretty, perfect porcelain vases:



Stop reading and following along if you're here for the tutorial.


You know I'm a lazy novice crafter, so of course they didn't turn out perfect. In fact, I'd say at this point it's a total project fail. I've got high hopes that I can fix it, but that's another project for another day.

So what went wrong?

1. I used cheap painters tape that I picked up from the dollar store. It didn't totally adhere in some spots, but I didn't realize it. You know, being a lazy novice crafter and all.

2. I got spray paint INSIDE the openings. Not a huge deal on the one that didn't have tape, but on the others you can see it through the glass.

3. I didn't listen. Every single blogger who has a tutorial that uses spray paint says the same things. Listen when they say thin, even coats are best. Listen when they say to let the paint totally dry before removing the painters tape. Listen to anyone but me, ok?

In the spirit of sharing successes along with failures, I present to you, the following photo:




I think I might be able to salvage this just fine with a razor, q-tip, paint thinner and a steady hand. But even if I can't, I'm going to consider this project fail a crafting win.

I used puffy paint and spray paint for the first time. I learned about painters tape and following the advice of other more experienced crafters and bloggers. I found out that my hand makes a fierce suction cup.

I'm putting on my big girl panties and linking up to the following awesome parties:













And, because this is still one of my favorite projects ever, I'm going to link on up here:



Jennifer from Life, Crafts, and Whatever is co-hosting this blog hop/linky party so even though this project is a week old, I'm hoping they'll forgive me for linking this up and not my most current post!

Things I love, today at least...part deux.

1. Glee.

Perhaps you're like my husband, and now think less of me for being so obsessed with this show. If you could see me rocking out during Glee, you'd get it. I love Glee. I love the Glee soundtracks. I sing and dance along to Glee when I clean, when I drive, when I work. I love it so much I won't can't even pretend to be embarrassed by it.

2. Clean Towels.




Warm, fresh, good smelling fresh out of the dryer towels. After I put these away, I totally shut the bathroom door just to so the next time I walk in I get to smell the loveliness.

3. My iPhone 4. I just upgraded from the 3G, and it rocks! A camera with a flash? Yes, please!
It has a pink otter case. It's adorable, and I love it.

4. Flip Flops. Yay for my toes being able to breathe! Socks are my nemesis. I'm a weirdo who breaks out the flip flops the second the temperatures reach 50.

If I'm a novice crafter, then I'm an expert on flip flops. Wanna know what makes those flip flops great, aside from the price? Take a peek at the seaming on the part that goes between your toes. See how it runs front to back, not side to side? They'll be comfy, and there's no rubbing even if you wear them a lot.

What's not so great? Your feet will most likely be sliding all over if you slip into them after the pool, or if it's a super hot day and your feet get sweaty. (I'm just keeping it real, yo!)


5. Blog Contests. Since I'm new to blogging (I say that a lot, jeez!) I'm a bit blown away by all the fantastic contests to take part in and the generosity of bloggers and their sponsors. Prime example, the totally adorable Mandi at Vintage Revivals.

Perhaps you've seen her on a little television show called The Nate Berkus Show? Yeah? Thought so. She's super cute, and talented to boot! Right now she's hosting The Epic Giveaway, and the winner gets to have Mandi come to their house for a makeover. Are you kidding me?!! How awesome is that?

Perhaps you've seen Mandi on a little television show called The Nate Berkus Show? Yeah? I said that already? Yeah, I did...because she's awesome and I needed to repeat it just to remind you how lucky that winner will be.

Voting is going on now, and while I didn't enter Jill at Junky Vagabond did! Wander around, and look at her beyond-amazing projects. And now, take a look at Jill's blog for her office entry post in the contest.

You know you want to help her win that makeover! So vote for her now, entry 82, titled "I'm a blogger, not a gator" Did the title give you a gigglefit, too?

Someone call VH1 and let them know this girl had the Best Day Ever!

Is that show even on any more?

Today was pretty much perfect. Thursdays are my alone time days, the one day a week where I'm off from work and at home alone.

I typically fill up the day with loads of errands. Cleaning, food shopping, and running around all day. It's the day where every thing gets done. It's the day where I tackle projects that I make up for myself, like rearranging closets for no apparent reason other then my need to make something up to do to keep me busy all day. The day where I'll decide to make an elaborate dinner, well for me at least. (Lazy Novice applies to cooking too, in my life!)

Today was way too easy of a day. I had nothing to do. I straightened up and went to the food store to pick up dinner for tonight, and was home by noon. Dinner was in the crock pot fifteen minutes later.

And then I had all afternoon to do nothing! Storms were rolling through, and I didn't feel like leaving the house.

So I sat down here:

Right under that crooked fabric covered canvas, and right next to that crazy eyed dog.

I kicked on the DVR for a marathon date with Nate and Gen.

I finished my wreath.


I have no place for this wreath. I have no one to give this wreath to as a gift. I made it just to make it. I need a support group, for real.

I'm most likely the only person on the planet who didn't know this, but if I can spare just one person from the misery of googling the following, I will have done my job:

"Hanging Wreath By Ribbon" or "Use Ribbon to hang wreath" or "How does every awesome blogger on the planet hang their wreaths by ribbons without a wreath hanger, and how come there are no google results? I can't possibly be any clearer with my search terms, google. C'mon, help me here!"

Thumbtacks. That's the super secret.


I hung curtains so the landscapers wouldn't see me lounging in my yoga pants and lime green Alaska shirt.

I cleaned out my front door "Drop All" Basket, and put the photo of lovely Ms. Cleo in her fancy frame.




I pulled out my craft stash, and realized I am terrible at finishing projects. I have FOUR unfinished projects. Four.

I promised myself I will finish these projects.

I realized that most of them are way beyond my skill set.

I painted my nails.

I read blogs.

I ate my delicious dinner.

I wrote this blog.

I love today.

Today was a good day.


The wreath was the only project I finished this week! Linking up to Debbiedoos newbie party!

Take a wild guess what I'm making...

It's round.

It has felt flowers.

It's the perfect door accessory.

It rhymes with teeth.

It starts with a W and ends with a REATH.

3 Babillion Awesome Points if you can figure out what it is before I finish it.

If you liked it, then you should have put a bird on it...

(Sorry to get "Single Ladies" stuck in your head, but it's been in mine all day and I'm a firm believer the only way to get it out of my head is to give it to another person!)

What is it with birds in blogland? One day we all woke up and just agreed that the way to make anything better is to put a bird on it? Where did it start? When will it end?

Hopefully not too soon, because I have two bird related projects in the works!

I used modge podge for the first time, and it was a success! I managed to not ruin what I was working with, although it was a little sticky (I'm weak, I can't resist a pun) for a bit, it dried just perfectly!

Curious why I finally got around to using Modge Podge?

Becca at Blue Cricket Design has a tutorial for Pretty Bird Wall Art. Have you seen it yet? It's one of the coolest projects ever!

I finished the book part, but have yet to tackle the drawing of the birds. I'm a wee bit freaked out that I'm going to mess up, so I'm putting it off until I have the time to really concentrate on it.

I had to get pictures printed, and had some leftover free prints so I had CVS print up the birds I'm planning on using as a template.




Adorable and totally free, since I had the other supplies on hand.

I was just "Ehhhh" about the frame and yarn before, but once I strung a piece across and clipped the birds on I was all "Aww!"

What do you think about blogland's current love of birds? Love it? Wish it would just go away? Have you done any projects that incorporate birds? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

I'm linking up for the first time at Debbiedoo's Newbie Party! Come join us!

I'd like to thank the academy...

As a new blogger, every single comment is a huge deal to me! I see an email saying there's a new comment and my heart just flutters. I get a huge smile, make a dolphin noise of excitement, and basically freak out that someone actually took the time to comment on something that lil' ole' me had to say. It's pretty awesome!

So imagine my excitement when I found an email from Jessica Lauren at Copy Cat Crafter:


Confession: Jessica Lauren posted a few of her projects on a linky party, and I commented on them without realizing I was on the same blog. I just got so inspired by her amazing creativity, after I clicked on the second one, I was like "Hold up, I already followed this blog!"

Click those links above, people. The lady has skills! Serious, amazing, creative skills, go be inspired and then come back here.

Thank you so, so much Jessica Lauren! I'm totally honored and super excited! You pretty much made my day, possibly my whole life!

The tasks from the award are to:

• Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to their site in your original post.
  

• Tell us seven things about yourself.


• Pass along the award to 6 newly discovered bloggers.


• Contact these bloggers and let them know they got this award.

1. I hate the sound of crickets. Seriously, more than anything else in my life, hate. It just gets stuck in my head and I can't think about anything else aside from that sound. I'm a bit nervous to put this on the internet for all to see, because I fear if I'm ever kidnapped or in charge of some important secret that will save the world my captors will know to torture me with the sound of crickets. Or maybe someday some cricket who I've offended will find this, and my house will be invaded by said cricket and all his cricket friends seeking revenge.

I'm only half kidding. I'm getting all creeped out and distracted right now, and there aren't any crickets! Ok, ok, moving on...

2. I use the following words far too frequently: absolutely, perfect, awesome, for sure, totally, adore. Way too often.

3. I'm really word-y and verbose when I type. I need a character limit installed in my brain. I know, you're totally shocked and couldn't tell, right?

4. I am insanely curious about other peoples lives. I want to know every thing about every one I meet within the first 10 minutes of knowing them. It blows my mind that I will never know what another persons life is like to live, their thoughts, relationships, experiences...I'll never get to live that, and hearing their story is as close as I'll ever get.

5. In turn, I am a chronic over-sharer. I think other people want to know as much about me as I want to know about them. Come to think of it, maybe that's part of my wordiness.

6. I'm married to my high school sweetheart. He's my favorite person on the planet, the funniest man I know, and I'm constantly in awe of his ability to make every person we meet love him. He's just totally amazing, and I'm thankful every day that I get to call him mine!

7. I'm a super happy person. If I'm feeling sad or upset or angry, I kick on a total tear-jerker of a movie, and let it all out. Works every time! I'm super quick to forgive, mostly because I forget insanely quickly why I was upset at someone. Combine those with a job I love, amazing people in my life, a ton of love and support and you've got the perfect equation for a super happy person.


I've found the following bloggers recently and started following them, hopefully they'll be just as excited and not think I am some crazy stalker blogger, since the first comment I leave some of them will be about this award. I'm not quite up on all this blog etiquette just yet, so I really hope this isn't too weird. I don't want to be exiled to the land of crazy bloggers.


Cookie Cutter Chic
I just love her picture frame clock, and there's an amazing tutorial!

the SUNSET LANE
Kari's painted stairs are one of my favorite things ever. Come on up!

Tales of a Trophy Wife
Check out her "Awesome Blossom" project and feel free to stock up on all those long sleeve shirts on clearance you know you were going to buy anyway.

The Coconut Life
Peep her bedroom and you'll hear the ocean. No shell to the ear, required.

Cheerful Heart Mom
Who turned a cereal box into a beautiful organizer for kitchen wraps.

Of Pinks and Fairy Tales
I adore her disc sunburst mirror. I'm also obsessed with her Anthro-inspired "Swooping Loops" bow earrings. So cute.


I also want to give a quick shout-out to Libby at A Perfectly Crazy Life who transformed a free curbside changing table into a piece that belongs in show rooms and magazines. I saw you were already tagged, but I just love your blog and gain so much inspiration, I had to include you!

Thanks to Jessica Lauren for thinking of me, and all of you in blogland for inspiring me!

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
(That's the dolphin noise!)

Things I love....today, at least.

1. Pinterest.

After waiting for like sixteen thousand hours, I finally got my invite today. If you're reading this blog, I'm assuming you read other, way more awesome blogs, and already know about pinterest.
If you need an invite and don't want to wait three weeks for yours to arrive, feel free to leave me a comment and I'll send you one!

Even the amazing Mr. Berkus is talking about pinterest. Holla!


2. un homme/une femme vases from cb2.



Personally, I envision them hanging on my bathroom door sans flowers, so they're headless.

I'm a bit warped, don't hate.

3. Mountains and Salt Lake City, where my company corporate offices are located. I just returned from my first trip to UT, and it was amazing. Mountains make my heart feel whole. I grew up at the beach in NJ, but I'm a mountain lover by nature. I love my job and company, and even more-so now that I've seen the amazing setting.

4. Pretty Bird Wall Art via Becca at Blue Cricket Design. Seriously? Amazing. Canvas, newspaper, modge podge and some bird silhouettes?

Confession: I have never used modge podge. Does that make me like the worst lazy, novice crafter ever in the history of crafters?

5. My latest project, which I'll share as soon as I finish it! It involves a blue Ikea NYTTJA frame , leftover green yarn from my sister's yarn wreath, and a small dollar store wreath.

Fancy Feast...for my eyes.

Meet Ms. Cleo, one of the furry loves of my life. She's fancy. Were she a person, she would attend fantastic gallery openings for obscure artists. She'd dine on caviar and canapés. She would vacation in Seychelles, and Paris, and occasionally Athens. She'd have homes in Manhattan, and Beverly Hills. And Aspen, of course, because let's be real here, she looks ultra cute in snow gear. Her children would attend Blair Academy, and eventually Yale. They'd receive their MBA's from Harvard, because their father, Ms. Cleo's husband, is a legacy. Mr. Cleo's humor and good looks run deep, but his pockets are even deeper.

That's how fancy Ms. Cleo is.

Sadly for her, but luckily for me, she isn't a person. I'm not totally convinced she's aware of that fact, the way she prances around with her tail held high. She'll tell you when you can pet her, exactly how long you can continue to have the privilege of petting her, and bite the heck out of you when she is done. Thankyouveryverymuch.

So, you see, Ms. Cleo needs to have a fancy framed photo. There's no question that a standard frame just isn't fancy enough for her fancy face.













...............

I wish I could give credit to the app I used for that photo, but it was so long ago I have no idea what it was! It was in the app store like a year ago, the whole purpose was to try on hairstyles.

Because I am insane not weird in any way, I decided to try hairstyles on my cat. Don't hate. I think I sent that photo to every member of my family. Ok, I totally did. It cracks me up!