Saturday, August 30, 2008

Surf's Up Saturday- Strawberry Fields Forever

Today we repainted our kitchen so now I have to rehang all of my wonderful strawberry things and got to thinking about all the strawberry items that I have seen on Etsy that I love.


Here are some of my best finds with the names of their wonderful makers, from left to right, top to bottom:


1. Strawberry fields- Wool felt Baby Shoes by AureliaandAnnalise

2. Strawberry Fields Little Tote by flymama

3. Little Strawberry House 8x8 Print by ElegantSnobbery

4. The BELLA Vintage Inspired Turquoise Strawberry Full Apron by Boojiboo

5. Banana Split Soapsicle by LoveLeeSoaps

6. Yummy Strawberry Note Card Set in a Box by DeeDeesCards

7. Berry Sweet Necklace - M2M Gymboree Strawberry collection by afdesigns

8. Strawberry Cell Phone Charm by sparkleparlor

9. candy chocolate strawberry heart by debrakallen

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Busy on Etsy

Sorry to be MIA for the last couple of days... I am opening a new store on etsy for my graphic designs since they were doing so well and it is taking sooo much time! I already have one client who bought a big package, really talented scrapbooker who I will be chatting more about on my Surf's Up Saturday.

Technically my store is opening this weekend, but if you want a sneak peek there is a button on the side for it. If you have your own biz or even sell goods for the heck of it from your home check out my designs, I am sure I can help your business thrive. Anyone who orders from me from here gets 25% off any listing with the code CreativeBubbles. Here is one of my new designs for a business card example.



Hmmm... what else?? Since we decided to keep Gabby home for one more year I am throwing myself into finding great activities to get her ready for kindergarten. I am making ABC sheets for her, creating numbers games, and making a calendar for her to play with that will also teach seasons, etc. (I will post some examples when I finish) To keep up her socialization we are enrolling her in karate and swimming lessons, (she picked these... I was shooting for hockey and tap!), but we really aren't too worried. We are not homeschooling her, I will leave the professionals to that, but with the cost of preschool and availability of non-religious based ones, this was the best choice for us.

And I think that is about it for now... time to get back to designing!

Monday, August 25, 2008

Family and Friend Outtings

One thing I love about living here, outside of Cleveland, but not in the country is how easy it is to find things to do. Last week we took the kids to the Nature Center in Bay Village and today our family went to the Lake Farm Metroparks. What a great time we had!! Tons of animals to see, stuff to touch and smell, and we got to learn a few things about nature along the way. Here are some pictures from our trip!

There was a cool breed of sheep that we have never seen before. The farm has over 50 endangered breeds of livestock!

AJ is 7 hands high!
The biggest pig I have ever seen in my life! Seriously, I had no clue pigs really looked like this!
Gabby checking out some sheep
We took a great wagon ride, pulled by a pair of lovely Clydesdales.
Gabby is over 10 hands high!

Gabby learning about solar powered energy by controlling a large solar panel. You could tell how much power the panel was getting from the spout that was shooting out water. The more power equaled more water shooting into the pond. Very cool!
Gabby checking out a baby bull calf. Adorable!
Aj and me seeing the horses!

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Indian Summer Surf's Up Saturday

With memories of days at the beach, nights catching fireflies, and early mornings working in the garden, I am looking forward to the fall with new eagerness. I am on the lookout for leaves changing to their fall splendor and when the last couple of days had required jeans and a sweatshirt I did my happy dance with joy.
With those thoughts in mind I have been looking for activities to do inside, cute clothes to keep little legs warm, and places to take the girls on those still warm fall days. Here are some of the places and things I have found.

Little legs need to keep warm, and what better way than with baby legwarmers from BabyLegs! Throw them under a skirt, with a onesie, or with some jeans for some extra warmth. I love the diversity of styles, there is something for everyone. I also like that both AJ and Gabby can wear them. Here is my favorite pair for fall:

Along that same train of thought are finding cute shoes for the girls, especially for AJ who hasn't worn shoes yet. Baby feet are not meant for shoes, they are chubby, wiggly, and beg to be free. But winters like ours require foot coverings and so I found this great company that has shoes that are so cute, yet baby foot friendly- Pediped! Such great styles, a little pricier, but too cute to resist. These are going on AJ's little feet!
And since the girls are going to be dressed so cute we will definitely need someplace to go! A favorite fall activity is picking apples and going for hayrides at Mapleside Farms in Brunswick. If you are in the Greater Cleveland area this is a place that you cannot miss. In the early days of October they have their annual Fall Foliage Festival where you can see all the beauty of fall from atop the farm's hill. Don't miss it!!After we pick all these apples and such we will definitely need to do some baking, and this apron made by ApronsbyPunkyFae are just right! She just opened her apron shop on Etsy and if you look at the top, yours truly made her new banner and avatar. I love the style and pattern on this classic Pooh apron... future AJ present perhaps?


Finally, after a long day of traveling and baking, bubblebaths are in order. I don't know about the rest of you, but sometimes the toys and various bath stuff gets a little out of control. This Bug Pod bath organizer by Boon, Inc. would be a lovely addition to any bathroom, including my own.


And that is all folks! See ya in a bit for some more fun in the Life of Connie!!! =)

Thursday, August 21, 2008

My Tantrum

I want, I want, I want,..... that seems to be all I hear some days (especially days when I am caring for other kids). Even from my darling husband I hear I wants.... I want to play WOW, I want to go here, I want 8 hours of sleep... it goes on and on and on.... well here is what I want!!

I WANT people to stop questioning my faith and my spiritual choices!
I WANT parents to teach their kids some manners and to stop feeding into bad behavior
I WANT to take a bath BY MYSELF
I WANT someone else to clean up the table after meals
I WANT the cats to scoop their own litter
I WANT to go to Alaska and see a whale
I WANT to eat a Whopper and not worry about how many calories is in it
I WANT the new Harry Potter movie to come out earlier then next July
I WANT a whole nights sleep, without tears and delirium

I realize that none of these are going to happen, but I figured that it was worth a shot.... Now that I have yelled I WANT I feel much better now!
What would your tantrum be?

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

So Simple Art Fun

I got this idea from Tutus and Turtles and have had the best time!! Anyone with preschoolers to older kids can do this (doesn't work so well with smaller ones since they will want to put these in their mouths). I have done a lot of crafts with painting noodles and stringing noodles, but nothing as simple and multifunctional as this. Dyeing Noodles!!! This batch is going to a special little girl and for my little girls, but it is so easy to whip more up when you need them.

Here is what you need:
plastic freezer bags
different kinds of noodles (if you are going to string them make sure that you use noodles with wide holes, elbow noodles do not work so well)
3-4 large bottles of rubbing alcohol
food dye
cookie tray
Here is what you do:
1. Pour desired amount of noodles into plastic freezer bag (you can only do one color in the bag so don't use the whole box!)
2. Pour enough rubbing alcohol into the baggie to fully submerge the noodles, enough that when the bag is on a surface the noodles are still covered.
3. Add food dye to the baggie, use enough to get a good sense of what the final color will be
4. Shake the baggie up to mix everything and get the dye into all the noodles
5. Repeat this process as many times as you wish to make tons of colored noodles!
6. Once you have all your noodles in the dye mix let them sit for at least 6 hours. I let ours sit for overnight to get such bright colors.
7. Once the desired color is reached cut a small hole in the bottom corner of the bag and let all the dye out.
8. Spread the dyed noodles onto a cookie sheet and let them dry out until they are not pliable.
9. Let the fun begin!! You can use the noodles for jewelry making, decorating, sorting, the list goes on...

Here are some pics of our noodle dyeing fun:





Conversation of the day

Klint: I think I want to join the Air Force
Me: Why? (this is nothing new, Klint is constantly thinking of joining a branch of the military)
Klint: To get the Army Advantage
Me: (stare at Klint dumbly until he realizes what he just said makes absolutely no sense)
Klint: Oh.... and that I why I would make a great Marine!!
(pause)
Klint: I should buy a boat!!
This, my friends, is why my life is really a sitcom!

Monday, August 18, 2008

Recovered!

Well I finally recovered from Gabby's 4 birthday bash and what a pirate extravaganza it was! We had a great time with all of our best friends, got to do a lot of piratey things like treasure hunting and eye patch making, and even had some great piratey cupcakes made by one of the best bakers I know (she does it for a living!!). We hung up the Jolly Roger to let everyone know where the fun was, smashed a treasure box pinata, and unwrapped some of the most unique party favors I have ever made. THEN on Sunday we went to Ashland to go on a vintage carrousel with Grandma GG and Grandpa which was sooooo much fun, I know that even AJ had a blast riding all the animals.

Whew!! Here are some picture of the fun....



Thursday, August 14, 2008

Someone make the pounding stop!

This is going to be short as my head feels as if AJ is playing with pots and pans inside of it. It is the end of summer and what a summer it has been! Tons of days spent at the beach, the pool, the library, park, and so many other places. I can't say that I am sad to see it end, even the weather cooling down has made the house a little more peppy. (My cats actually move during the day now!) But it was a pretty good three months.

I was looking for some new clothes for AJ since she is growing so quick and I came across this cute site with terrific designs for kids- Colette Kids

Now that I got my phone back and have a computer of my own I am obsessed with personalizing them so they are easily recognizable as mine. One site that I have used before with great results is DecalGirl.com. One of my favorite designs is this:


But now I have found another place to get skins and this place, although a little pricier, let you design your own so you can definitely have a one of a kind item. It is a site called Skinit.com by HP. So check it out and happy decorating!!

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Dogeared.com

One of my ultimate shopping sites.... Here are a few new things that are going on my Christmas list!

Is it just me?

Is it just me or has anyone else felt this way?
~from PostSecret

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Chit Chatting Away with Etsy

I love Etsy... I love shopping there, selling my graphics, and just chit chatting with other artists. Last night was a great time in the chat room. I love that you can promote yourself and other shops while bsing about all sorts of stuff. Most of all it gets your name out there. I promised that I would feature some shops from the chat room on the blog and here they are, in no particular order. Please take a look at their shops and buy something... why pay for something made in a factory when you can get a unique item for so much less, and handmade!



Fresh Cut Cherry Earrings from DKJewels





VINTAGE White 70s Hippie Knit Top from lindenlaneclothing



Green Bird Pendant Necklace from BirdWatching




BOOM drawing by MollyDear


The Seasons, Cha Cha Charm Bracelet by AzhuresJewels


Fairy Dust Made With Goats Milk Electric Pink BIG 6oz Bar by WaningMoonCreations



Rock Attitude Purse by wheredyagetthatpurse

Well that is all for now, I am sure that there are a lot more great sellers out there, happy shopping!!

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Surf's Up Saturday- Gabby's Picks

With Gabby's 4th birthday in a week I decided to let her come online with me and pick out some things that she thinks is cool for today's edition of Surf's Up. She helped pick out her birthday presents and is starting to know what she likes and doesn't like. She is very into art, tee shirts with funny sayings (her favorite shirt says "I tried to be cute but I got bored!), and playing outdoors. We visited a few favorite sites and a few new sites and here are her top picks.

Fabric Tea Party Set from Pottery Barn Kids


Western Chief Rain Boots at REI

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