Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Tweet Tweet Challenge: Take 2 (and a birthday card)

I really liked the bird challenge over at Unity Stamp Co., so I decided to give it a second go. Not entirely happy with the results. I should have dug around more in my stuff for a better frame, but it was late. The card is for my Grandma, and I know she won't care. I do like how the owls and word bubble turned out though. (Sorry for the terrible pictures).

It's hard to see, but there are little word bubbles in VersaMark all round the page.
The thought bubble was also stamped in VersaMark and then cut out.
I just used some random cardstock for everything. The images and sentiments were from the Unity Set: Lollypop Tree You and Me. I used VersaMark Dazzle Frost for all the VersaMark stamping. The owls were colored with some blending chalk by Plaid and some markers I had on hand for accents.

On to the birthday card. My husband is turning 29 this Friday and I decided to make him a card using the Unity Set: All About Today. Really, I just wanted to use this set and I figured I could make it work for a birthday card. Here's the end result.


I used some VersaMark (can be seen in the up close shot below), the YOU stickers are from Studio 112 (bought at JoAnns), the exclamation point is by SandyLion (love this set), and the happy and birthday sticker borders are by Flair Designs.


Thanks for looking.

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Unity Stamp Co.: Tweet Challenge

Unity Stamp Co. has a challenge going on at their blog for the month of April. The challenge is to use a bird on your card/layout/etc. Here's what I came up with. 
Front 
Inside
The front has some random ribbon from H&M Fabrics (in Bakersfield - AMAZING store!), the chipboard frame is from Colorbok and I used Chocolate Covered Cherry Glimmer Mist on it. The bird is by Unity Stamp Co. (not sure of set it was in a random batch I got). There are also swirls (another random Unity stamp) that I stamped using Versamark Champagne Dazzle ink. The bird is popped up with pop dots. The inside sentiment is a sticker bought a long time ago from Miss Elizabeth's (sold at the Dollar Tree). 

I think that's it. Thanks for looking.

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Weekend Fun

Today was a little different than most Saturdays. Normally the boys and I are home most of the day, and if we leave it's to go shopping. Today my sister-friend needed a ride to her art class. Once we dropped her off, I felt like it would be a waste to go home because we were all already in the car. That was all it took. I decided to go to the park. On the way there I thought of a friend who might like to go with me and called her. We ended up driving to her house, walking to a nearby park, playing, walking back, having some cool down time, and then going home. It was wonderful. We all had fun. The boys got to play and I had some mommy time.

One of several that he rode on
J
J
Z
G
H LOVED the sand
G

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Moxie Fab Food Wraps Challenge

One of the challenges going on at Moxie Fab World right now is the food wraps challenge. I hadn't planned on participating to begin with, but then something came to mind. I recently acquired some See's candy and had the box to play with. I decided to decorate it for my best friend. Here's what I came up with. Now I just need to make some cake balls and fill it.

I covered the lid and bottom of the box, as well as the inside.
Close up of decorations
Inside of lid

All papers, stamps, and embellishments (except twine and brad) are by Bella Blvd.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Freedom

This weekend my twins got to experience a new type of freedom. Their daddy and big brother went up north to visit family and we stayed here (I had to babysit on Monday). It is amazing how much quieter a house can be when you remove just one child. The boys had a blast playing with toys, running around the backyard, picking up rocks, swinging, climbing, chasing each other, and the list goes on. Normally H stops them at some point. He tries to be in charge and tell them what they can or can't do, takes the toy they have, or tries to play with them. This weekend they had freedom to just do and be. I'm sure they'll be excited to see H when he get's home this afternoon, but I also know they have enjoyed just being them.

J
G
G and J
G - he knows how to right himself - he thought this was fun
J
J
G
G - look at those adorable feet
J and G
J and G
J 
G
G and J
G and J
G and J
G and J - G's the only one who made it to the top
G - another rock for the bucket

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Differences

One of the most interesting things about twins is having these two little boys who look EXTREMELY alike (some might say identical) but who are two very distinct little people.

They sometimes sleep similarly.
J and G
And if I don't dress them differently there are many people, family included, who can't tell them apart right away or at all. Still, their personalities are SO different. Today at lunch I wanted a picture of them. They both know what the camera is, and at this point both can say cheese. G is all about the pictures. He'll sometimes smile coyly, but he always has a huge, cheesy grin in there somewhere.
G
J, however takes time to give me the pictures I want. He's shy in front of the camera. If I'm not careful I miss some great shots because the smile is gone and he's just starting at me. Making him laugh always works though.

J
My two sweet boys. You are so much alike and so different at the same time. I love you both!

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Random things

My 3 yr. old is like me in several ways, though I think he's like his father in many more. One of those ways is the random things he says when he wakes up. You never know what will come out of his mouth. I, too, have this tendency if you ask my sister-friend about when I lived with her.

This morning, when he woke up, his brothers and I were in the dining room. This is what I heard:

"Oh no, not again."

He then walked into the dining room and said:

"Mama, the sun is up?" (Yes, the sun is up). "The ladybugs are awake." (Yes, the ladybugs are awake).

Now, we've been looking for and at and holding ladybugs for the last couple weeks, but I have no idea why they were on his mind first thing this morning. Looks like I may have some insight into what we'll be doing later today.

Monday, April 4, 2011

Cards

I received a package I ordered from CraftySteals.com today (such a fun website) and got a little crafty tonight. I made a card for my nephew's birthday (only 2 days late) and a pick-me-up for my sister-friend. I don't think they're super wonderful, but I'm glad I got something done. Now, it's time for bed.
The orange strip, robot, and word bubble are from MME Lil Robot line.
Letters, flower cut-out, and stamps used for background are Bella Blvd.

A 3-yr-old's thought process

Eating has been a struggle with my 3-yr-old lately...well, if it isn't oatmeal, nuts, or an apple it has been a struggle. He wanted to have oatmeal for lunch, but I already had a peanut butter sandwich for him (something he will usually eat). He refused to eat it. He at his cheese and his blueberries, but not the sandwich. He REALLY wanted some oatmeal. The best part was when his daddy told him that variety is the spice of life. He promptly responded with, "I don't want the spice of life anymore." I love this boy!

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Germs and Friends

The boys have a virus, croup. I hate having sick babies. They don't feel well, I'm tired, they're tired, and everyone needs a cuddle but as they get bigger it's harder to fit all three on my lap. On top of that, I think I'm getting a sinus infection. Thankfully, we seem to be on the mend and it's spring break so I don't have to worry about an extra little one and trying to keep her from getting it.

One of my best friends, after hearing we were all under the weather, asked if she could make dinner for us. She's an amazing cook and I loved the idea of one less thing to think about so I said yes. She made some AMAZING homemade chicken noodle soup (chunky enough the twins could pick bites out), biscuits, and jello with strawberries. So sweet and absolutely delicious. I think I should hire her...if only.

**Best H saying today: "No thank you, I already got my germs in my milk." He wanted to share with me and I told him no because he's sick and I didn't want his germs. After finishing his milk I asked if he wanted water and that was his reply. Silly boy.