See You Around

Today was my friend's last day at work. It made me sad. I didn't say goodbye... I know I'll see her around again soon :)

I did, however, make her this card. Love these easel cards!

I certainly am going to miss her around the office. Well, at least for the next month or so - then I won't be there either! :D

-tb:xox

Oh, the cards!

More cards... It might seem like I do nothing but make cards these days. Well, that's certainly true of the last week anyways!

Thought I'd start stockpiling thank-you cards for the summer. Baby Girl is due in September, and the generosity of others is already starting to pour in, in forms of gifts, well-wishes and (of course) advice. Nevermind that we've already done this, apparently you need different kind of advice for the opposite gender ; )

The design for this card came from Dawn over at Stampin' Up. LOVE her videos and cards... They are always so interesting and new. So I figured I'd give it a shot:

Outside:

Inside:

Materials
:: Paper - Anne Griffin
:: Stamp - "thanks so much" from Stampin' Up (borrowed from a friend)
:: Cardstock - White and pink from my stash...

And this was a very simple one for my uncle who I got to visit today (that I very rarely see!), who brought a little gift for Baby Girl.

Materials
:: Paper - "Halloween Playful Paisley" from Doodlebug Design
:: Stamps - "Thank You" from a random set from Michael's, and a filigree from Hero Arts.
:: Cardstock - purple sparkles and white, both from my stash...

If you haven't noticed, I don't go fancy when it comes to cardstock.

Sorry about the quality of these shots... camera is broken, so I'm relying on blackberry and dim lighting.

In other news, yesterday was our anniversary. It was our first anniversary, so I was lucky enough to work with the "paper" tradition of gift. I will post pictures of the gift at some point, but I would like to get good ones first!

Up next on the schedule, a whack-load of birthday cards for July (nephew, kid's friend, hubby, sister-in-law, and father-in-law), and some fun outtings with the kiddo!! :)

At some point very soon, I should definitely decide on a birthday party theme for H.Bo. I would like to make most of the decorations/games/etc, so the sooner I start on it the better!

Oh... And this last card is another from Dawn - the ever-so-awesome waterfall card (Check out her tutorial, it's easier than it looks!) This is for our caregiver's daughter for her 7th birthday:

Materials
:: Paper - "Euphoria" by Basic Grey and "Irish Eyes" by Bazzil Basics (green cardstock)
:: Stamps - "It's Your Birthday", Cakes, Candles and "Happy Birthday" balloon from Hero Arts
:: Cardstock - Purple sparkles from Recollections (Michaels)
:: Ribbon - Purple double face satin from Elan
:: Buttons - From my stash...

-tb:xox

NWN - Market Time

Mmmmm....

- tb:xox

Cards, cards and more cards!

I've determined it's incredibly difficult to make a manly card... And I had to make 4!

Here are the end results from the 4 Father's Day cards I made this. The photos are terrible (they were taken last minute before being given away), but alas, they are photos nonetheless.

To my dad (wording was adapted from a card I saw in the store)
OUTSIDE:


INSIDE:


To my wonderful husband from our equally wonderful son:


To my father-in-law:


To my brother (who was celebrating his first Father's Day this year!):

Happy Father's day to all those special dad's out there :)

-tb:xox

The Great Unveil

So, the time has come, the great 'unveil'.

HBo's big-boy room has been finished (and lived in!) for over a month now. I think it's time I get into the swing of things and finally post the end result - which, if I do say so myself, is awesome.

The "Before" pictures come with the following preface:

Dear viewer,
If you are visiting this blog, you are, no doubt 1 of 2 things: 1) incredibly fantastic, or 2) a relative or close friend who I have given the link to. In all likelihood, you are both (which makes you 3, I think). The reason you are so incredibly fantastic is that you know and (inevitably) love me for all that I am; even the flaws. Below, in the "before" picture you are about to witness, you will notice that I care very little about my spare room and keeping it tidy. And yes, as a matter of fact, I DID let my mother spend the night in that thing - I assure you though, it wasn't quite that bad. Not quite...

Thank you,
Tara

On with it..

Before:

During!:

AFTER!:

HBo's exact words upon opening the door for the first time were: "Oh my gosh!! I don't believe this". His parental units done did good, I think.

We are so happy he loves it...

-tb:oxo

Adult Learning

Recent events have got me wondering - at what point should we stop being taught manners.

It's assumed that by the time we are an adult, we have developed the skill-set necessary to conduct ourselves appropriately in most situations... particularly those situations that are common and comfortable (ie: having a telephone conversation with a stranger, checking out at the cash register, attending a party, giving/receiving a gift, etc).

As a child, I distinctly remember a number of occasions where my mother would guide me the right way. Why have these events stuck with me all these years? Because the even themselves aren't important, but the message sure as heck was!:

1. The "Troll" Placemat incident:
My mom, while out shopping one day, saw this super-cute Troll doll placement and knew in her heart of hearts that her very odd little daughter would love it. Because she's so kind and giving, she purchased this for me as a little surprise - it wasn't my birthday, or any special day in particular.

A few (literally) days later, on a visit to my grandmother's house, I was presented with the exact same generous gift from dear granny. Having already owned the placement and having already expressed the appropriate amount of excitement the first time I received this - I was faced with two options: a) tell my grandmother I already owned this, but thanks anyways, or b) put on an Oscar-worthy performance on how much I loved the gift.

Much to my mother's satisfaction, I chose option b. As we arrived home that evening after our visit, my troll placemat in hand, my other told me that she was very proud of the way I handled the situation and that it pleased my grandmother to know she made me happy with the little surprise.

What I learned from my mom here? It's important to receive gifts graciously and with heartfelt gratitude; even if you already own something similar, or you despise it more than anything you've ever received before.

2. The School-Dance incident:
Whilst getting ready for my very first school dance, mom pulled me aside and said "Tara-Jane, dear, if a boy asks you to dance, please say yes. It took him a lot of nerve to walk up to you and ask you that.... you only have to do it once!". I groaned at her and her motherly ways, and begrudgingly agreed that I wouldn't be a jerk-face.

And then it happened. The first slow-dance of the night. And who saunters over but the dude who wipes boogies on his sleeve :( super nice kid, but crusted in boogies. "Tara will you dance with me?". Picture, if you will, a movie... The scene goes still and there's a voice-over. That voice-over (while time is standing still) is my mother telling me that I only have to do it once (HA! This sounds funny, and I assure you this was not her attitude towards other things boys might ask me to do... just dancing, I swear!).

"I'm not a big dancer, but I will dance with you at least once." That was my answer. Likely not exactly what my mom had in mind, but I compromised. Alas, the song was Stairway to Heaven and felt like it lasted an eternity. Definitely 3 dances worth in that one song.

After the dance was done, he returned to his group of friends and they all high-fived him. He came up to me the next Monday and told me I was the first girl he danced with and thanked me.

Mom gave me a lot of other good advice too, like:

If someone asks you to touch your elbows behind your back, don't try it and don't sit cross-legged in a skirt without underwear.

But all this great advice came when I was a child. Is that enough? Do we need to stop "learning" when we're adults because we figure we know it all?

What happens when you're taking piano lessons as a kid and practice every night and then step away from it for 20 years? Can you sit down and play Clare de Lune for your friends and family on command without having seen the sheet music in two decades?

One would assume, however, that manners is something you practice every day, so it should never be forgotten... But as adults, we also tend to become a little more reserved in our attempts at correcting poor behaviour. If my friend is short with a cashier, I don't pull her aside and tell her that she behaved inappropriately and that she's not getting that McDonald's Happy Meal now! (Though, maybe I should...)

So, should it really surprise me that my 3 year old has more manners than some of the adults I know?

...Maybe not.


Signing off, still pondering....

-tb:xox

Mother's Day

With a 2.5 year old, every day is mother's day! Little bug is so giving, so loving, so caring and bright. Just watching him be him is gift and joy every day.

Except at dinner time. But forget that for now.

Mother's Day started with me getting to 'sleep in'. Bug got up early to make me some coffee to bring in bed (I suspect dad helped a little), and then he gave me this awesome prezzie (from Epicure - good job dad!!):

(top to bottom: 3 Onion Dip Mix, Cheese Chive & Bacon Dip, Lemon Dill Dip Mix)

Then we headed over to my in-laws and had a fantastic brunch.

All in all it was a glorious day. I couldn't help but feel a nagging inside me though, that was quite clearly due to the lack of my own mother being beside me. But I did bookend my day with calls to her. One first thing in the morning, one last thing at night! I sure miss her, but am so grateful she's the kind of mom that could talk to me every night if I happened to call her that often.

In a word a conjunction and a word: She's awesome.

I made this card for Mrs. B. I made a card for my mom too, but I can't post that until I give it to her when she's here on the 21st!


Hope everyone else had a fantastic Mother's Day as well.

-tb:xox