{just me}

Flower Tutorial!!

Had a total different blog post for today BUT I like this one BETTER!!! So this past weekend I helped out again at the Queen Bee Market. I LOVE that market it is BEYOND awesome. Mique the owner of the Queen Bee and 30 Handmade Days Blog is such a sweet person. ( I promise to get to the tutorial in just a moment). A few years ago when I stumbled upon the Queen Bee market I will never forget how in awe I was and also how intimidated I felt. It was a strange feeling for me because if you know me not much intimidates me. All those crafters and talent in one area was like WOW! Like the craft industry I come from the " artisan handmade market" was SO different to me. Yea it crafting but these are also blogs I read and seeing the bloggers there is person well I was star struck (lol). Now fast forward to now, all those girls are SO welcoming,kind and nice. I feel right at home walking into the early morning set up and doing whatever I have to do to get it all done. Mique and Kaitie just call I am there. Hopefully next year I will get back into having a booth spot ;). Anywhoo I helped set up the photo back drop and made these FUN flowers for the event. Well I came home and re-made them on a smaller scale for my fall display and new furniture piece. I thought I would share with all of you how to make them. So I did a video. YIKES, on my IPAD. I hope you enjoy it and here are some photos of the QBM and my Fall display at home. You can see the QBM flowers were MUCH BIGGER!

   

14!!

How did my Lillie become 14?? She was so little when I started this blog years ago. She is a AWESOME 14 year old that's for sure!!! So lillie at 14 is smart, awesome, still crafty, sporty and still loves to hang out with me. How cool is that. This past weekend during my Create Whimsy crop she had her first game back in the box. She has been out of the goalie box for a little over a month with a broken thumb. I knew she was nervous and the game was against our rival team the Carlsbad Wave. ( I say rival but really I have MANY friends on that team lol) Well they lost, I don't think it was lillie's fault at all we at times just don't score enough goals. The final score was 4-1. ( I think she let 2 of those in and the goalie let 2 ) She came home and just bawled her eyes out. Poor thing, I felt so bad. Her passion gets the best of her. Her passion is amazing for a 14 year old. She was a bit better later in the day nothing some skateboarding can't fix. For Lillie's party this year we had to have it late (broken thumb) as she wanted it at a indoor trampoline park. So a few weekends ago I took her and her friends to BIG AIR it was so great. Nothing like a bunch of soccer girls and dodge ball. lol Then In and Out for dinner plus a sleepover. Yup it was a perfect party for her. I feel like party's get harder and harder the older they get. No more shopping at toys r us anymore either for them. Kinda sad it's all electronics.We got her a laptop for her birthday and next year we are going to LONDON ( belated present) so she can see a live futbol game!! Here are some pictures from the party.

Jump time!!

Lillie and basketball..

Lillie wasn't happy about it but her brother got to come... Evan and seth..oye.. gotta love a dad though that will play like a kid.. :)

Beyond THANKFUL for Lillie's friends.. she has the best group of girls to hang out with. Some from her team..some from her school.. and of course her BFF julia...

Seriously lillie was about to give me a heart attack!

In and Out... there favorite..You would think my oldest is a manager for in and out that we might get discounts.. NOT!!

I took many pictures of lillie and her gifts.. ( her friends all know her SO well) but this picture is PERFECT it pretty much sums up lillie and all her goofiness....

Nice photo bomb morgan..lol..

Simple and easy!! 14..

Awww LOVE IT!!!!

And the next morning.. Lil and Julia... You would think they are separated at birth.. SO much alike but different.. Julia is quiet and well we all know lil.. she brings out the BEST in julia.. I hope they stay friends FOREVER!!

 

Class Time..

Before I go into detail on the title, let me tell you a bit about the weekend. AWESOME!! If you are new to reading my blog {welcome} and if you have been reading it since the beginning well then you know that I host scrapbooking weekends at my house once a quarter. This was our Fall crop SO FUN!!! We laughed all weekend, crafted, stayed up until the wee morning hours talking about life just to get up early and start all over again. I am SO blessed to have wonderful friends that support what I do and LOVE being a part of CREATE WHIMSY. Next year we have BIG plans for Create Whimsy as we look for a permanent home for our crop weekends so no one will have to get a hotel room I will be able to house them.. SO EXCITING! Now onto "CLASS TIME" so I recently taught a fabulous class at the Mall of America for Archivers and Epiphany Crafts called Handmade Happiness. I was looking to teach this at my local scrapbook store Papertales but I can't seem to get the dates stuck down. From my last post you know that I will be starting a small seasonal job ( thank you for all the kind emails congratulating me very thoughtful) so I have decided to teach the class here at my home. If you have seen the photos of our crops you know I have PLENTY of space and room to host and teach a class. Plus I will have my scrapbook room right here!! All the info will be listed below with a sign up through paypal. You are going to LOVE this class. I hope you will join in.. Kits will also be available. The class will be NOVEMBER 9th from 1-4pm I am doing it later in the day as that should free up all you sports moms and any of my orange county girls it should give you plenty of time to get here. This gives me time to order in the product and kit your kits.. ;) Let me know if you have ANY questions!! MY 30 Thankful day Mini will be up on the blog tomorrow ( fingers crossed still waiting on a box).. Well Happy Monday Friends...

CLASS INFO:

DAY: Nov 9th 1pm-4pm

PLACE: My HOUSE ( I will send supply list and info once registered)

DESCRIPTION: Create a custom 7 ½" x 8 ½" ring-bound mini album with 10 pages in the style of "Project Life" to celebrate the special moments and people in your life! Use lots of Epiphany Crafts Shape Studio tools and embellishments, along with paper from American Crafts (including Studio Calico and Pebbles) and Echo Park. This workshop will show you great techniques featuring the Shape Studio tools, like creating your own custom embellishments with photos, letters, maps, tickets, receipts, and more. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination!

$55.00 {class} if you just want the kit I will bill you separately for actual shipping.

I got a JOB!

Well I have "always" had a job. I had the scrapbook store years ago and then got my dream job teaching for Lil Davis Designs. After Lil Davis I started PDW which in reality was perfect timing as it kept me home raising these crazy kids of mine. Then came Epiphany Crafts and I got to travel here and there again teaching and creating, so I have always "worked". About 3 weeks ago I went to the Paper Source by my house to grab a few things for our Create Whimsy crop. While I was in there I casually asked if they had a witches hat stamp ( I wanted to decorate the fox stamp I was getting by having him wear a hat) so the kind gal said no we don't have one that small. I said " it's ok I will just whip one up with my cameo" and that was it the magical sentence. She then asked if I would be interested in seasonal work for paper source. Just for the months of November and December. I wasn't sure but I took the application and then pondered on it a few days. The hours are small and usually while the kiddos are in school so I said why not. I called back and set up the interview. It was a great interview almost like chatting with a old friend. I got asked simple questions like how long have I been a Paper Source customer where then I had to laugh as back in the day I used to drive to Beverly Hills as it was the ONLY one around. Asked if I like paper crafting..UMM YEA.. then the question on helping customers and sales. I know I have always been great with people ( I honesty believe that is my gift from GOD, being able to communicate lol he gave me the gift of GAB!). I left the interview really excited, like wow i might have a small part time job that I wasn't even looking for. Next year Evan and I really want to start traveling the world with the kids and I mean WORLD. They are the type of kids that would really appreciate all the history in all the places. So I look at this job as extra money for the travel jar. PDW is slow and I don't think at the moment it will miss me 4 hours a day. Heck some days it takes me 4 hours to just write my to-do list lol. So there it is I am back in the work force temporally. Kind of exciting. A change up in the everyday. Don't you just love the unexpected? So that's it that is how I got asked to work at the paper source. If you don't follow me on Instagram here is the photo I took. Well today is filled with lot's of prepping for our Create Whimsy crop this weekend and a VERY long to-do list. Happy Wednesday Friends.. ( wow blogged 2 days in a row)

Interview Day!! ( had to laugh because when I got home and checked my mail it was the Paper Source catalog)

There cute fox stamp that I used my Cameo on with Chalkboard Paper to make his hat.

 

Feb-October...

EEEKKKKK.. It's been a while I am not sure where to even start, so I will just start current and maybe work my way backwards. October is almost to a end with the evil November right around the corner. Evil because I turn 40 in November (ewww) oh well it's just a number right?? So as usual it's been busy in the Hill household. Lillie my goalie broke her thumb so she has been out of the box for almost 5 weeks. She is starting this weekend at a BIG game back in the box I know she will be nervous. I have my create whimsy crop this weekend always excited for that, I LOVE the group of ladies that I can call my friends and all the new ones I get to make. I recently returned from MN from the scrapfest event. I was there teaching and creating for Epiphany crafts, LOVE teaching and creating for them glad and thankful to be kept around so long. {lol} Also our kitchen remodel is pretty much done just have lighting and moulding to still finish. The rest of the kiddos are growing like weeds. Danika is 22, Caitlin 19, Lillie 14, Seth 11 and Liam (my grandson) 3. It amazes me I started this blog in 2005 Seth was only 3.. goodness. I am looking forward to sharing more on here vs Facebook. Creating and crafting again. PLus of the crazy happenings with my family is always interesting to write about. So I hope you will follow along with my random ramblings again. Here are some pictures from Scrapfest!!

Make and Takes...

Class time...

Jodi from Fancy Pants.. ( she is the sweetest)

More classes..the ladies making all there epiphanies..

And my Power point that I was SO stoked that worked on my IPAD.. Didnt have to lug around the heavy laptop..

 

 

 

Brrr its cold here...

I think today I actually lost feeling on my nose. It was SO cold! Today though was a very productive day, got the booth all set up it looks so cute. Flights are all back up so the show floor should be packed. Its such a different vibe, the toy fair. So many more people than CHA I love it. We have a lot of FUN planned for the booth this week for the buyers. We are giving away a IPAD!!! Plus lots of custom crafty bands more on that tomorrow. Had a great dinner tonight and walked around in the freezing cold. On the home front the family is having a good time with out me. Seth has full control of the xbox live, I think he has played all day on it. The washer broke but thankfully Evan found one on craigslist (were so cheap lol)to replace it. Well I hope you all had a awesome Saturday. Here are some photos from today....

 

Came outside to this...You don't see this everyday in Cali...

ToyFair 2013... So FUN!!

The adorable booth... Crafty Bands..

Finished the night with Dinner in Times Square... Great Day!!

Hello again...

Hi long lost blog. So a lot has gone on the past 4 months. Seth turned 10 and I turned 39 (ewwww). Remodeled a kitchen and bathroom. Thanksgiving and Christmas came and went and we brought in the New Year with a cozy night at home with the kiddos. Then Friday January 11th came and it was the WORST day of my life. My mom passed away. Her heart just simply stopped the morning she was supposed to have hip surgery. Needless to say the past month has been the worst and saddest time of my life. I loved her so much even on the days of my life that we didn't get along. I never knew how much hurt one person can have until I cried for 3weeks straight. My kids loved there "nana" so very very much that it hurt my heart to tell them on that awful day. I gave my mom a beautiful service at our home and so many wonderful friends and family came to celebrate her life. Today is better than yesterday and I know tomorrow and each day forward will get better. It just pains me to never talk to her again as we talked everyday. Thank you so much to all my friends who sent emails, cards, Facebook thoughts and just for being there. This week I am in New York for Toy Fair 2013 for Crafty Bands. It's a nice diversion away from my thoughts plus I love working and talking with all the people. More on New York tomorrow..

Cupcakes and Coffee

That is my Friday morning. I know cupcakes are bad for you but it TASTE good. Not the best cupcakes as they were made from a box. It is about the only thing I can bake in a kitchen that is a mess. The kids liked them though and I guess that is all that matters. They don't seem to care that our house is so crazy nutty right now or the fact that they don't have handmade from scratch sweets. They do read the menu everyday though to see whats for dinner. I love seeing them standing there reading it. I am hoping when this kitchen is done to paint the back of the door that leads out to PDW land {aka the garage} with chalkboard paint and doodle the menu each week. Before that will happen though we have lot's of other stuff to do around here. So what are your weekend plans? We have soccer of course, I also have to drop off my fall class at Paper Tales and LOT'S of priming and painting. My goals for the weekend would be to completely have the kitchen primed and living room and the scraproom re-painted. We will see how far we get. I am also hoping to take the kiddos on a hike and then church on Sunday an back to the daily grind on Monday. I wish it was in our budget to hire a bunch of people to just come in and get EVERYTHING done. {I think I have been watching way to many HGTV shows} We don't have that budget though so it's weekends and a few hours here and there during the week. The kids are off on Monday for a furlow day, good grief so maybe I will put them to work somewhere around here. Today I have a HUGE pile of awesome stuff I got at the goodwill that is going to get a new look with all sorts of spray paint. As soon as the coastal clouds move on. Well HAPPY FRIDAY everyone I hope you all have a FANTASTIC weekend!!!

Finally GREAT weekend!!!

So we all know I have been in and out of a "funk" lately. I tell you it's this house, it is stealing my mojo and will to get out of bed. I am learning though to embrace it, love it and be thankful I have a house even if it is not all together yet. So jumping to the weekend. Evan scored some prime seats to the Padre game on Friday night. Now we all know I am no where near a fan of baseball but the thought of getting out on a friday night even if it was with the kiddos I was all over it. I guess his friend at work is a season ticket holder and had 4 field seats for FREE. So off we went to downtown San Diego, I will admit I was a bit envious of all the hipsters down there partying there night away. I then quickly realized that alcohol is calories that I do not need and I have not even had a glass of wine in like forever. The family and I parked and went into the Petco park and it was a PERFECT night. The kids shared nachos and I got a diet coke that Evan I shared. {Yes we shared I was not paying 10.00 for 2 bottled soda's} The Padres lost of course and again I will say that baseball is pretty boring for my brain. Unlike soccer that I can watch for hours and hours plus the guys are way more fit than baseball players, just sayin. Saturday was game day for Lillie all the way in Temecula and we lost, Lillie took it pretty rough. I decided to go to hobby lobby to soak my sorrows. LOL.. She was quickly better though as we went to Pat and Oscars for lunch. The rest of the weekend was spent cleaning and organizing. So today, Monday has been pretty good I do wish though it would get cold so I could wear my boots instead of flip flops. Well I hope all of you had a great weekend also. On a side note I made a fun Washi Tape flower tutorial over on my PDW blog. I have a few fun projects I will be sharing here later in the week.

 

Middle Of the week...

Thank goodness almost to friday. So I am pleased to say I am out of my funk, I think. Made a "list" of all the house to-do's and slowly checking them off. The kitchen is going to take longer I have accepted that and can now move on. {lol} I guess my expectations get the best of me and I assume stuff can be done in a day at least in my brain it always seems that way. If we had a team of people I am sure it could but since we are on budget and evan is doing all the work it is what it is. It's gonna take time. So today I am working a bit on PDW, trying to get my little company back up and running. I am also cleaning up this insane scrapbook room, boy it gets messy. It's time to clean it out again, something I do about every quarter. I enjoy cleaning out all the old stuff I will not use and donating it. Also I cannot wait to start decorating this house when it is done. I think you all will love my vision and the direction it's going. A little colorful, a little shabby, but most of all a HAPPY COLORFUL HOME! I have been collecting stuff for the last few months but this purchase last weekend at the Queen Bee Market is by far my FAVORITE. Not sure where its going to go but I also need to find a smaller one for the bathroom to hang towels on. I got it from this company. So I hope your Wednesday is going great and your crossing things off your to-do lists. Oh and on a side note you know how I make weekly menus well this is going on next weeks menu for sure it looks SO yummy. Tonight's dinner is corn beef and carrots and potatoes and I think I will bake some brownies for dessert...

Happy Wednesday Everyone...

See MESSY!!!

Isnt that the CUTEST EVER!!! and it was only $32.00 deal of the DAY!!! oh the things I can hang off of it...