Handmade Holiday

If you haven't seen it yet, go check out my Handmade Holiday Blogathon on my new blog! You'll find TONS of tutorials, recipes, gift ideas, advice, and more to give this holiday an awesome handmade touch. Enjoy! :D

Happy Labor Day!

I hope you're having fun :D

xo

(photo source)

You Amaze Me, Fireworks

Every year I start getting really excited...for fireworks. I dance around and squeal like a small child. And I'm ok with that. Because fireworks are awesome. And this year I'll get to see TWO shows!! On Friday Alex went to the Concerts in the Gardens 4th of July celebration with my parents. It's an annual event that includes a couple hours of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra playing patriotic music with a fantastic fireworks finale! I hadn't been in a few years, but it was just as good as I remember! There's nothing better than eating watermelon in the Botanic Gardens while listening to live music and watching FIREWORKS. Am I right? (A: YES.)

Now I'm off to my in-laws' cookout. They live close to downtown, so we can watch the Austin fireworks show from their front lawn! While eating. I love eating ^_^

Happy Independence Day!!

PS: Also check out my colors of fireworks post on Birds of a Feather :)
PPS: And I'll be uploading more photos to my Flickr :D

Just stopping in...

...to say hi!

This is a busy week! Last night I did my first Craft Academy live video chat. There were some technical difficulties at first, but I had a lot of fun! I was really glad some people made it in :) [By the way, the 4th of July Party Packet is on sale! Only $10 for lots of fun stuff :D]

Today's list:

1. Bid for a small freelance project *nervous*
2. Prepare for Craft Academy video tutorials *organized*
3. Interview for graphic design position at a local magazine *anxious*
4. Record with Renée *fun*
5. Make salsa for 4th of July parties *yum*
6. Couch to 5K run *needed*
7. Etsy Austin Stitch 'n' Bitch! *excited*
8. Pack! *prepared*

The hubby and I are driving to visit my parents tomorrow in Fort Worth :) We're planning to stop in Waco (Texas Ranger Museum) and hopefully Dublin (mmm Dublin Dr. Pepper!!) on the way. Then Saturday we'll drive from their house to my sister's in Houston (she's having a party Saturday). And Sunday we'll come home to go to my in-laws' party (and maybe a couple others). *whew* It's gonna be a busy week!!

What are you up to?

4th of July Party Pack

Coming soon: the first Craft Academy Party Pack! It's packed full of tutorials for the best Independence Day ever! We've made food, decorations, of course these awesome picnic placemats (wait 'til you see it unrolled!), and more :D You should check it out ;) (And tell your friends!)

You Amaze Me, Dad

I love my dad :) I think I get a lot of my design ideas from him. He's an architect and has always been a source of inspiration for me. He's level-headed and intelligent, and a designer to boot! We've designed birdhouses and tree houses together. He's also ridiculously active (he started playing soccer at 50, and now runs and plays softball too!). He taught me from a young age to care for the environment, and to do my part in our community. He always listens to my opinions on things from politics to architecture, and I love discussing anything with him. I'm so lucky to have such a wonderful man to look up to!

For all you do, you amaze me, Dad. I love you!

Happy Father's Day

Camping

I love camping. I'm an outdoorsy type (although I hate the heat >_<). I've actually gone camping in both extremes though. Well, as extreme as Texas gets anyway. We went camping in August once (a mild August, I think it was just in the upper 90s), and we camped several times over New Year's (temps in the 20s). I love being able to disconnect and just spend time with nature ♥ At first I was going to throw in some beautiful photos from weheartit, but now I've decided to share with you some personal photos instead. I hope that's ok?

(This was our first camping trip! Yeah, he's whittling :D)

(This was the August trip. Couldn't sleep the first night, so we got a fan! haha)

(This was one of our New Year's camping trips. I believe the sentiment was "Never again.")

Ah, nostalgia....I mean, er, Ah, camping :-) Soon it will happen again! Looks like we may be in for another August trip...And maybe I'll give you the pretty found camping photos later ;) Happy Wednesday :D

Any other campers out there?

Memorial Day

(source)

Today we remember those loved and lost in service to our country. I am lucky enough to have not lost any family or friends to war, but my thoughts are with those who have. On Memorial Day I always think of my grandfather, who fought in the Air Force during World War II. My family was blessed that he made it home to raise his family, and pass away years later doing what he loved. My grandmother, now passed, kept many mementos from his time of service. My father has letters and newspaper clippings she saved from all those years ago; my sister and I each have a bag of his from the war. While I did not know him as a soldier, I know it shaped who he was and am grateful that I was able to learn about it through keepsakes and stories.

Who do you remember on this day?

Yellow Roses

I had fun photographing the yellow roses one of my students brought me for Teacher Appreciation Week!

Just thought I'd share :)

You Amaze Me, Mom

For all that you've done and all that you do,  

 you amaze me, Mom.

Thank you for being everything I needed growing up and never hesitating to sacrifice so that we could have what we needed. Thank you for giving the best advice and making the best split pea soup. Thank you for making me laugh and helping me heal. Thank you for teaching me to be independent and comfortable in my own skin. I can't thank you enough.

Happy Mother's Day

and all my love,

AJ

Panda Apron!

I had sooo much fun making this for my girlfriend! She requested it when I signed up for Style School, so I made it for her for her birthday :) I used this awesome fabric I found - blue with white stars (because I love stars!!), along with a cerulean cotton and blue and light purple felts. The face is backed with felt, the bottom is doubled. I embroidered the face and ears by hand. I crocheted the neck and waist bands with a dark blue to match the felt. The neck band is attached with buttons (so it's adjustable); the waistband is attached with two loops. Hopefully she'll send me pics of herself in it soon, but in the mean time this is what I have!

Panda face!!!!!! hehe ^_^

Happy Birthday, Melissa!!

It's my beautiful bestie's birthday today!

Go wish her a happy birthday :D

 I'm hoping she got her birthday present, so I can post pictures ^_^

AND

Best wishes and congratulations to her and her fiance!!!!!

I take credit, since I introduced them repeatedly until they got together ;-)

(Please excuse the bad photos...they're the most recent because she left me for law school in NYC! Oh right, she just finished law school, too!!!!!! You rock, Melissa!)

Happy Earth Day

You Amaze Me: Egg Art

Topical, yes? ;)

Eggs are incredibly fragile, yet people are able to make amazing art with them!

Here's some eye candy for you this fine Easter morn.

For creativity and talent, today you amaze me, egg art.

I hope your Sunday is amazing, too :)

Please leave a link if you have some pretty egg photos!