Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Bella Birdie Handmade

I've spent the last two days organizing, cutting and assembling paper for my mini albums.  I finished the first set today.  Go here to see them. Not bad if I say so myself.  So when I was done I gathered supplies for the next two styles.  Here are some photos.  What do you think?

This is for the Enchanted Album



This is for the Swoon Album

Monday, May 30, 2011

First Mini Album

 So remember this post. Well I got my scrapbook stuff out today and made my first album.  It took a good part of the morning because I wanted to pick the right papers and supplies. Then I had to put the papers in the right order so the book would be colorful yet have a nice flow to it.  I added a few embellishments but I think I need a few more just to add a bigger punch to the whole thing.  Anyway this is what I came up with.  I posted the photos on my facebook page to see what people think.  If the response is good I will make 5 more and start a different set of 6 mini albums. I’m hoping to make at least 30 (5 different styles, 6  of each) to sell this summer.  Wish me luck!!

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Muffin Tin Monday

It’s Muffin Tin Monday again!! Here's what Ian had today. Sorry I don’t get more creative with his food but he likes what he likes and that’s how it goes.  I try to add new foods to his lunches but he likes has his favorites so that’s what he eats. 

Top: ketchup for hot dog, raisins, chocolate pudding
Bottom: hot dog, mac n cheese, pickles

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Sunday, May 29, 2011

A haute business idea

I've been thinking about starting a little business.  I’ve been a stay at home mom for 5 years and even though I absolutely love it I wish I could contribute to the household income like I used to.  I don’t want to go to work full time. I don’t even want to go to work part time either. The only alternative is to work from home.  So that’s what I think I'm going to do. I’m going to take my love of scrapbooking and turn it into a tiny business to earn a few extra dollars. Scrapbooking is a hobby I picked up about 4 years ago.  I am obsessed with scrapbook paper and anything that I can glue or tape to scrapbook page.  I do mostly mini albums and chipboard albums.  They seen to take less time and my supplies stretch a lot further. I’d like make some 4 x 6 albums to sell.  I can make them with neutral colors so they can be used for just about anything. People can use them to scrap photos of birthdays, vacations, or any special event.  I’ve looked into ordering chipboard for the covers, different suppliers for the best deal on paper and embellishments and even did a search of mini art journals and albums to see what other people are doing.  I think this is something that I could do and be good at.  It won’t consume large amounts of my time or take away from any of my other commitments.  I might even get Isabella to help me and pay her a small allowance.  But that would depend on whether or not I make any money doing this.  All of this is brand new to me.  I have the supplies, the idea and a husband who supports this endeavor 100%.  I even have a name for my teeny tiny business and an idea for a logo but that will remain top secret until I’m ready to sell my mini albums.  First things first though. I just need to make the product and see if anyone will buy it.  I went to the scrapbook store yesterday to get inspired and buy some paper and embellishments to make my first one.  Wish me luck.

Here is what I bought. Doesn’t it make you swoon!!





Friday, May 27, 2011

Reading groups and unbirthdays

Yesterday I went to do reading groups at Isabella’s school like I do every Thursday.  It was the last time I would do reading groups this year. It was bittersweet.  I have enjoyed spending time this time with Isabella and being able to help out in her class.  Her classmates are sweet and funny.  They have awesome personalities and I have really gotten to know each one.  We have a really great time together. It reminds me of my days as a kindergarten teacher.  Sometimes I miss those days but then I think about all of the things God has allowed me to do over these last 5 years that I wouldn’t have been able to do if I was working full time.  Being able to volunteer at Isabella’s school, go on field trips and be the one who stays home with her when she is sick or when there is no school are just of few of the things that I’ve been blessed to do as a stay at home mom.  Yesterday was the day that her teacher let us celebrate Isabella’s unbirthday.  It’s an unbirthday because Isabella’s real birthday is in the summer. Having a summer birthday would normally mean she wouldn’t get to celebrate at school with cupcakes, juice, and cute birthday plates and napkins.  But for the last 3 years her teachers have made it a point to take the last 2 weeks of the school year to let the summer birthday kids celebrate their unbirthdays.  So after reading groups I brought in cupcakes and juice for the whole class.  Isabella was able to help me pass everything out and then the whole class sang to her.  No one could take a bite of their cupcake until Isabella had taken her first bite. It was a great day. I’m going to miss Thursday reading groups.








Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Rollerskating


 Today I went on a field trip with Isabella's school. We went to a local rollerskating rink and then headed to the park for lunch. This field trip marks the end of the school year. It was a great school year for Isabella. She worked so hard and I'm very proud of her. She had a wonderful teacher and teachers aide and I will miss having them as Isabella's teachers. I love her school and all of the staff. We are truly blessed to be there and have them be a part of child's life.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Relay for Life

We had our Relay for Life event over the weekend.  My family has probably done 12 or 13 Relay for Life Events. I think I’ve done 9 or 10. Cancer has hit very close to home for our family. My dad lost his mom to pancreatic cancer when I was 5 years old.  My mom lost her mom to multiple myeloma cancer in 2004.  Then my grandma’s only sister lost her battle to uterine cancer in 2009.  In June 2009 my mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.  She has endured surgery and had 8 rounds of chemo.  Last fall her cancer was no longer dormant and she had to have another 5 rounds of chemo.  My mom is a cancer survivor.  We are proud to be part of Relay for Life and we will continue to do all we can to support it so that one day there is a cure.