Family Time: First Birthday, Christmas and Paying it Forward

First time with Santa. Caleb was a little scared, Isaac was happy!

My baby turned ONE the other day. He is soo cute and sweet and calming, and is turning into a little climber. When we took him to get his one year shots, Issac was begging the nurse "NO cup (cut) baby!! Be Careful, don't hurt Cabib!!"... yes, he covered his eyes and actually tried to take the vaccine tray away from her as she was prepping. He must be a little scared from the scissors and stitches incident...



Isaac helped make the birthday cake, he is so helpful, he just loves his little brother! Do you spy my Scentsy candle? Oh goodie, I got the Sugar Cookie melts and the Irish Cream car freshner and those make me so happy, I just want to smell them constantly!!



Okay, back to the subject at hand... As tradition that I started for my oldest child, on the first birthday, everyone in attendance got a sheet of paper and wrote him a letter for him to open when he turns 18. The letters consisted of testimonies, advice, sweet sentiments, encouragement and other great things. I created a little time capsule that I put these letters in, as well as other mementos that I will add to in his youth.


Time Capsule by For Goodies Sake

Then, on his 18th birthday, he will open the capsule, and read all of the letters, look at all the pictures (and his friends will think, wow, your parents were hot back then! I jest...). In any case, I want this to be a tradition for each of my children and I hope I don't get {too} lazy over the years and forget/lose/accidentally give to Goodwill these letters, because they are true gems. For Calbe's birthday, we had fajitas and cake (I made it, got the wrong kind of icing so the polka-dots/number ran :( The family talked, laughed, and played the Wii. Go Grandmas, GO!!





Here, we decorated the Christmas tree. I usually do an all white/silver/blue shabby chic tree, or one year I did the jewel tone and antiqued gold Victorian tree, but this year, I wanted to do something cheery and bright because Isaac is really into it now. I am a tree perfectionist. I usually unload and reload the tree at LEAST three times every Christmas, but I relented some control and allowed my toddler to help.



He handed me ornaments and tried to name them as he gave them to me to hang. Oh, the hilarity of it all when he picked up a crazy heart ornament I made as a youth and tried to figure out, "what tha heck is this thing!?". His facial expressions slayed us as we watched the video over and over again (only the first minute of the video, you can shut off the rest). Enjoy!!



And, no, I did not borrow ornaments from the back of the tree (thus making it lean forward) for the sheer beauty of a fully stocked photo, and no, I did not get the majority of my ornaments at Micheal's/Joann's 90% off after Christmas sale last year. As for my singular shelf of which I can decorate, I wanted to make a lovely Nesting Place style garland, but alas I could not find my greenery box and the shelf wouldn't hold that much weight anyways, so I used my feather boa and a strand of red wooden beads. I consider the decorations as part of the garland!



But hey, look at what I DID get! At the Antique Mall, I got these cute card ornaments. All you do, is take cards cut out the front and glue it onto a foam board and then, cut out the back of the card (the part with the message on the inside) and glue that to the back of the foam board so the message is on the back. Then, you punch holes in the top and string in some tulle for a loop and a bow. Now, glue and glitter that puppy up and you are set. Makes great and inexpensive gifts for neighbors, friends and family.



The other two ornaments I made last year. I got some paper mache ornaments, painted them and added trims and ribbon. The snowflakes are brads that I cut the backs off and glued them on. I went for the whole robin's egg blue, red and white theme, because, really, is there anything better?


Vintage Red Czech Glass Pod Earrings by Jeweled Ambrosia

Also, I started my shop on Lollishops. It is fun over there, but a little more confusing than Etsy because there is the main site, than the Ning public blog, than the Ning vendors only blog, then the Flickr group... it's just a little much. As a seller, I feel like a newbie for the first time again. I do gotta say though, that listing an item for sell is a snap, where as on Etsy, it is this major production, so I LOVE that! Compare my two stores and let me know what style you prefer in the comments. Honestly though, every time I go to the Antique Mall, I wish I would be able to have my own little booth! Oh, I would LOVE THAT- has anyone done that before??!!

Jeweled Ambrosia at Etsy vs. my new Jeweled Ambrosia at Lollishops


Friends Help You Fly by Fannie Narte

Also, I want to inspire everyone to Pay it Forward today. The other day, someone wrote me such a nice letter, and it came at the perfect time, when I needed a bit of uplifting. And yesterday, my mom was at Braum's and the guy helping her was so kind and nice (unusual for the particular location.) He even helped an elderly lady to her car. Well, my mom called and wanted to let the management know she appreciated him. They were so happy, that corporate found out and took the boy out and even gave him a special gift for a reward. All because of a phone call!!


Friends Help You Fly by Fannie Narte
What can we do today to Pay it Forward? Do you have a friend/relative/neighbor/local clerk that may need a boost? An anonymous letter or note. An overdue apology or phone call.

There was an elderly man who was the grocery cart getter at our grocery store, and I saw him get out of his car one day, so I left him a little "Thank You note" and a flower in his car windshield... Maybe, while you are scraping your car windshield, you can go and scrape someone's else's? If you are an Etsian, buy from a new seller with no sells, you can find them by using the "undiscovered" Pounce feature! Offer to babysit, bring someone some cookies, or a bag of groceries... Honestly, sometimes it helps to pray, so that you will be guided to know who needs an extra bit of help. I hope everyone has the opportunity to serve someone in some way today. Not only will it warm them, but it will warm you inside as well.

Giveaway, Midgets and a Crazy Mouse

Sleepwalk print by Serpent Mandalas

Have I ever told you that my husband sleep walks? I haven't? Well, I will give you TWO crazy examples and then tell you about last night.

When we were first married, I awoke, being thrown out of bed, flying through the air and hitting my head on our dresser. Fortunately, my husband's body softened the fall. Apparently, he dreamt I was about to be hit by a speeding bus in his dream, and he was saving my life by throwing me out of the way, what a superhero. Thanks, hon!


Superman print by the amazing Mikiep

Another time, I awoke to a bouncing bed. He was jumping up and down on the bed vigoursly while attaking the ceiling. Little white ceiling popcorn paint chips were all over the place. When I asked what he was doing, he frantically replied something along these lines, "There are plastic sporks coming down on us!" Apparently, some crazy mutant plastic sporks were sneaking up on us and stuck in the ceiling, and yet again, he was saving the day. (I hope the spork wasn't as big as this one from Paul Pape Designs!)



Back to the present. I am on the computer (suprised?) and he is laying on the couch waiting for me. He falls asleep. All of a sudden, he jerks awake and speaks gibberish to me for a minute or so (completely normal for him).


Cute little gnome stamp from Niko Art not quite a midget, but the cutest related thing I could find and still be respectful :)

He screws up his nose and says "Who is in that chair with you? I don't see them anymore, did they leave? Oh, there they are, how can you both fit in that chair? Is there a someone in your chair with you?"

I simply reply, "Yes."

He says, "Really? No... NO! She must be a midget then or something. Why don't you come over here then. Shoot my legs off and carry me around, you little midget lover."

Then, he falls back asleep. I suppose, in sleep theory, by removing his legs, he would then be midget like and I would love him too, like my midget companion that was sharing my seat with me? Weird, huh? But seriously, that is not very weird compared to all of the other sleepwalking/talking events I have encountered in these last 5 years if marriage.



Okay, here is another cute little family thing. We finally figured out how to upload video from our digital camera. Too bad it was after I had already erased our UFO sighting video!! He did a little crazy mouse puppet playtime with Isaac (who has named the mouse Pinky Roo). It's cute and 5 minutes long, so take a look if you want to watch. (Yes, I am on the computer again working on my Etsy shop, Bad Mommy!)



Now, the reason for this post, Jennifer of Elegant Journey is hosting a giveaway on her blog for this lovely button print. She is a sweet designer with pretty art and a much less cluttered blog then mine! Go and enter her giveaway and browse around, she has some cute stuff!

Also, my Thanksgiving feast with my husband's sweet family. We didn't do boring turkey this year, we did FONDUE!! Enjoy our pics, b/c it was Yumm-o!








fried chocolate, sooo good!













PS, the wonderful Contrariwise (wonderful metal jewelery designer) has an excellent article on getting your products to show up in Google image searches (I use that all the time!) HERE is how to do it. I am going to try it right now with this vintage style rose shabby chic flower cameo locket necklace!

Dempends- The Hunt for Denim and Little White Shirt Perfection

read comments to find out hot to get her hairstyle!
The tale is of horror and frustration. Hours (narrowed down by years of searching) in a dressing room with a 2 year old and surrounded by copius mounds of jeans, and shirts.

It was a fine day of bargain hunting at the fine establishment other wise known as Ross. The premium selection of cheap, imported goods filled the cramped aisles, searching 3 long rows for that perfect pair, wandering into other sized sections b/c you just *know* they have all been miscategorized...

These things I was certain... I found a pair of SEVENS for only $29. I found a size 0 I could fit into. I found a pair of jeans that was absolutly PERFECT... just a tad too small (so when I found the one size larger 1 hour later... it was amazingly waaaay too big and cut way different!)

I had to make a decision, I had narrowed my choices down to 4 pairs. The ones that fit best were, PETITES size 4. I have never ventured into the Petites before, it has always been junior and maternity sizes for me, so taking that leap was rather (clears throat) difficult, since MOST items in Petites are a little too "oldie" for me. But they fit the best... only they have these pocket things that bell out a bit (what is up with that style?) but they were livable. Then, the Sevens... oh heaven, like manna of the denim world, but too dang long. What tha? Is everyone super model height now a days? Apparently, Victoria Beckham did not get the memo that too long pants are not exactly "in" right now.



I know I *could* alter them, but I will never get around to it, so I cuffed the legs, and it still works! Yay!! A bit hobbo sexy all at once. I suppose that is what boho is? Well, I put on those PETITES jeans (b/c my cords were just not working for me), ripped off the tags (and the tags of the shirt Isaac was wearing since his other one was covered in hair and dust from rolling around on the dressing room floor for 2 hours) walked to the registers and paid for my clothes. (Please tell me that I am not the only one that does this).


sheer white vneck by revolve clothing
Also, white tshirts. What is that all about? How come every shirt I try on is sheer? Not everyone likes to show their goods or layer tshirts!! Heaven forbid I already layer due to low cut v-necks, (which layering is not a friend of a nursing mother)...

So, I give up on the shirt search (it has been months now). I venture over to Joannes to get some fabric for a custom order, and lo and behold I FOUND IT! The PERFECT white t-shirt... for $4.99 (better deal than the Gap Favorite T or DownEast Outfitters t's)!!!!!!!!



It is in the tshirt section, complete with iron on transfers, rhinestones and puffy paint. It is the Jerzee FITTED brand. The cap sleeves are a good length (not to tank toppy like others), the scoop neck is just a bit scoopy, but NOT low cut, and the shirt is long enough to cover the back of your jeans should you EVER wish to bend down without exposing yourself. The material is also, not sheer. Well, it is not perfectly not sheer, but it is pretty close. I can wear it without feeling overwhelmingly paranoid that everyone can see my underthings. If you are feeling spendy, there is always the celeb favorite LnA tee for $60 as worn by Jessica Alba pictured above! (why?)



A ball of jeans... Portland "art"

I got home, put on my jeans and my plain white shirt, messy ponytail (which took me at LEAST an hour to perfect mind you), and my hubby looked at me like I was all dressed up and ready to go out. That felt good :)

Random and most hilarious explaination of the DEMPENDS... every now and then, we watch Cheaters (I actually know someone who was on there, as a cheater)... on the episode a woman with a particularly large trunk was walking around wearing "daisies" so short they looked like denim underwear (thongs, actually). The investigator guy said rather seriously, "It appears she is wearing pants." Surely, this could not happen more than once? Well, a couple months ago, we see a lady wearing the same things! (not a cute, young, toned, hip one either...) We joked around that they looked like she was wearing adult diapers and forgot to put on her pants (warning link is yucky).



diaper cover (for little girls though) by Luca Bleu
I then made the suggestion, that they SHOULD make denim Depends diapers, for wearing ease, a new fashion statement for the old and crusty. Bedazzle them even! I branded them as Dempends (as in Denim/Depends... get it, get, it, hardee har har har?!?!?)



But, for those of you who got through this tale of greatness, I offer a gift. I already know how to shop for jeans that fit, what works for my body type and yada yada, but for those of you still in MOM JEANS (watch this for a dose of hilarity) and tapered (shudders), acid wash jeans, I offer you a little jewel. Oprah's guide to finding the perfect jeans (and bra) fit for your body shape, I have two links you ABSOLUTELY need to click on HERE and HERE. No need to thank me, just be kind to your behind and know that I love you and am not judging you in any way!!



On totally different note, if you are in the Fort Worth area, we organized a little neighborhood craft and gift show this Saturday from 9 to 2. It is in the Parkwood Hill Estates clubhouse map HERE. There will be an assortment of goods and of course, my jewelry will be there as well. So come on by, support handmade and do some holiday shopping! If you prefer to shop online, I (and many other Etsians) are having a Black Friday through Cyber Monday sale in my Jeweled Ambrosia shop, so take a peek :)!

Twilight Movie Review

Last night around 7 pm some ladies and I went to Olive Garden and ate a little dinner (a first girl's night out for a lot of us in "a while" please read Edward style). We then went to the theatre to see the midnight showing of Twilight.



Our theatre had about 4? theatres open for the movie. We got there several hours early and the rooms were pretty much full, so we sat way back and on the side... but that was better than in the very front. One uptight little blonde woman got thrown out of the crowd for cusing out the audience, it was rather hilarious!



The movie started out good, but soon turned a bit... awkward and it was a little weird, Edward was a little weird. The story just kind of moved from awkward dislike between Edward and Bella, and then all of a sudden they were in love... it didn't really show why or how that happened, so it was a little sad for the book readers and probably really confusing for non book readers. I have to say first, that I am really happy I read all the 12 chapters of Midnight Sun, it really offered a lot of perspective that made you feel more like an "insider" on Edward.



But, after all of that awkwardness wore off, the characters settled into their skin and it was a great show. Bella and Charlie had some great moments as well. The cast was pretty much perfect in my opinion... but poor Jasper, looked more like Edward Scissorhands than anything else, I actually felt a bit of pain of embarrasment for him more than once. But I TOTALLY blame the director, not him!!



Alice, Emmett, Rosalie, Jacob, the "bad vampires"... all did their parts perfectly... even though their parts were pretty non existant! I mean, some made up waitress at a diner who was not even in the book had more air time than sweet Alice! I am not even going to go there, it's just too depressing. I really wish Alice would have tricked Bella into getting ready for the prom, Alice decorating Bella up for events she hates is a big part of both of their characters.



Carlisle, loved him, although his haircolor looked, really... off, they added gray patches to his blonde hair near his temples and it looked weird. Esme was sweet, but not as sweet... she did not kiss Bella's forehead, not even once! The vampire make-up was a bit (okay a lot) atrocious in the beginning of the movie. Some serious cake make-up was used that creaked in their face lines, which is fine for stage (I have done many shows of awful cake make-up so I know what works) but definately NOT okay for screen, especially with HD and Blu-Ray technology. It was quite painful, but towards the end of the movie, the make-up looked a lot better.

The meadow scene was absolutely not magical, not romantic, sweet and sincere though, but not much more. Edward glittered a little, and his angry "I need to show you my skin in the sun" line was a little... weird.



Over all though, I enjoyed it! Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson did an excellent job and they had great on screen chemistry! There was a lot of banter and dry humor that I loved, the audience giggled and swooned at the right moments and really, there could have been more popular quotes and scenes extracted from the book and put into the script in place of unnessecary adaptations, but that was fine (or at least that is what I am telling myself).



Of course, I know some people LOVED it, some people HATED it, I am neither of these people. I thouroughly enjoyed it, will watch it again, but am a little saddened that it wasn't more awesome. But really, you can't please everyone!

Now, go and get this lovely vintage style, Swarovski crystal Twilight Bella bracelet I made! *hint hint wink wink



Note, lovely above images are from movie stills, various photo shoots and Entertainment Weekly photo shoots. Lovely, aren't they?!



(added in later) I have now watched this movie again, and I love it even more than when I first saw it! The first time, I was all uptight and critical, that it was hard to just enjoy it for the essence of what was Twilight, not knowing what would be added in and what wouldn't be taken away that I mostly watched for my favorite parts as opposed to watching they story they offered. But now, with the second time around, I was able to relax and enjoy it for what it was without the anticipation and critiscm already built up. Hope you know what I mean!

Life List

Laurel Hill Sterling Banner Necklace

You just copy the list into your blog and highlight the things you've actually done. How much easier can it get?

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain (hiking)
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea (from the beach)
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child (well, my brother is adopted)
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping (when I was like 4)
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie( Do commercials count?)
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee



My JeweledAmbrosia Find your Path Compass Ring

If you do this on your blog be sure to let me know in the comments so I can visit. I got this list from Bonita.

Craft Fair

Well, I put my shabby goods to use and created a fab display. I used the shutters for earrings holders. I cut cardstock in half, punched holes and stamped the back with my shop name. Then I just put them through the slats. Easy as pie.



I used white ornament hooks to hang necklaces on the wire house, and pretty white shabby trees as displays as well. I definately need to invest in more natural colored busts though for the future. My jewelry really looks much better displayed on a bust and gets kind of lost in a sea of chains and such when layed about. But hey, this was my first craft fair with jewelry so there is always a learning curve!



What I like the best was this banner I made. I used the cardboard backing that comes from cardstock packages to make each pennant. Then, I drilled holes in the sides, hotglued on ticking fabric and put pretty sage green brads to string them together. Go ahead and click on the above photo for a better look!

Then, I used a circle punch to create the letter pieces and I glued them to black paper (which I had to handcut larger circles!) I drew the letters on and stamped the middle with my little s.jane logo that she designed with me. I used lots of rhinestones, buttons, metal quotes, a rusty key and even a pearled butterfly from my wedding cale to decorate this sign! I really really wanted to outline the circles with glitter and add some lace and tassles and such, but I ran out of time. It was a bear to make, and OH so much cuter in person than what my camera captured. Here's me and my mamacita selling up a tiny storm. Ain't she cute?



I know, I know, I probably should have not stayed up until 5:30 am making this thing, and I probably should have tagged my jewelry with prices instead, but hey... it's cute, so there. Lesson learned. Now, I am off to make some more banners and garlands!!



My mom also had her tile coasters there, go and check them out in her Pretty Nifty Etsy shop, she has some cute ones and we will be listing tons more for Christmas!!



I also met cute Etsian Cindy, from Revel Designs. She had such a gorgeous display, and a cute blog! I took a picture, but seriously it is waaay better in person. It had a shabby suitcase on wooden legs, and a pretty shabby door on legs, and the sign so amazing too!



She sat next to a booth that made homemade gourmet marshmallows, called Texas Puffs. These were the best, I scored a bag of peppermint! You must try these, especially in your hot chocolate. This pic I pulled from there site, so it is Halloweeny, but at the craft fair it was really cute and Christmasy. If you are daring, here is a little recipe HERE and a tutorial HERE.

Here is your random fact: Charlie Chaplin once won 3rd place in a Charlie Chaplin look a like contest. Also, on March 1st 1978, the coffin of Charlie Chaplin was stolen from a Swiss cemetery three months after his funeral. It was found miles away, weeks later. Weird!