This is Awesome

I'm sure you're thinking.... more trains?

Yeah, me too.  My son is obsessed.  I've tried to minimize the trains in his life because they're all he thinks about.  At this point, there is no denying his love of them.

If you can't beat them, join 'em?

All supplies for this one were in a Cocoa Daisy kit from a few months ago.  I used a Tim Holtz distress ink with the rolling camera stamp from Glitz Designs.  Some of my favorite items are used on this layout:

FLAIR (Evalicious)
TWINE
ENAMEL DOTS

** Photo idea is from Pinterest.  I used trains where the original one used toy cars. **

Birthday Planning

So I'm in full birthday planning mode for the little guy.  Did I mention he'll be SIX?  I don't even want to think about him getting any older right now.  I might cry and then I'll want to have another baby.

He requested a Wreck it Ralph party this year but he wants another skating party.  So I have the challenge of turning the dressing room at the local rink into Wreck it Ralph central.  Not easily done but with a full day of Pinterest-ing (yes, thats a word) and planning with my mom, we have created a party like no other.  I really can't wait for it to all come together.

Here are a few ideas from my Pinterest board:

 The Cake:  We ordered the cake.  It will be similar to the pink cake below but in blue.  The race track with be black.  There will be candy and figurines but at the top will be a small apartment building with Ralph on top.  I mixed the two lands (Fix It Felix and Sugar Rush).

 I will be making these cake pops - no bags or labels, just a treat for the table.

 My version of the controllers will be the vintage Nintendo controllers made out of rice crispy treats.

 I really want to do the cookies but we'll see how hard they are.  I might make a batch of heart cookies and test out my writing and frosting skills first.

 My idea for the room will be balloons hanging down from the ceiling with some stars mingled in.  I saw a hammer candy mold that I want to purchase and possibly make some chocolate hammers.

I love the Pac Man cookies.

Decorations:

I ordered these two backdrops - again, to tie in the two worlds.  The brick wall will be hung up behind where the kids sit.  The checkered wall will be for the cake and snack table.

Brick wall from Amazon.

 Checkerboard from Birthday Express.

I ordered favor boxes that match the checkerboard wall.

I've watched the movie three times this week to make a list of things I see that I can tie into the whole theme.  I've got a list of candy and ideas that will take shape over the next month.  I can't wait to see how it turns out!

Summer breezes

After a really hot May, June and July seem to have cooled down and I'm experiencing the perfect summer weather.  I am not, I repeat *not* a fan of summer.  I don't like the heat.  Funny since I live in a place where its pretty much summer all year round....

I've been at my new job for two weeks now and I'm still in love with it.  However, the hours and the workload leave me exhausted at the end of the day so I'm not scrapping as much at night.

I am leaving on a weeks vacation on Wednesday so there is a lot to finish up before we go.  My mom flew out yesterday with my son so I have a few days to myself to prepare and even scrap.

So today, I'm sitting in my room with the windows wide open and music playing.  Today its Pandora 80's Hair Rock.  We saw Rock of Ages last night and while it was cheesy, the soundtrack rocked.  The characters are loveable (even Tom Cruise) and the entire theater pretty much sang along to every song.  It was fun.  And our first date night in a long time.

And when I get back from vacation I expect there to be sneak peeks of all the new lines all over the internet and I can't wait.  Never mind that I have 9 Studio Calico kits that are barely touched AND stacks of new lines from Winter CHA still waiting to be used, I must make my list for new items soon.

I usually do that on Pinterest and keep track of what I've purchased.  Looking back, I have just about everything on that list.  I am waiting for Everyday Ecclectic from Echo Park which is the Hambly line that was never released before they closed down.  It ships next week so my pre-order should be here when I get back.  I keep track of the new lines and Sneak Peeks using the Scrapbook Update site.  They keep a running list and update it daily with any new sneaks out there.  Great way to keep up.  I like to pin anything I want so I can go back and shop later.  Its a great resource for keeping it all in one place.

Here is the link to my Summer CHA board - in case you want to follow me.

As for vacation, I will have posts scheduled so if you're a follower (yay!) you'll see updates while I'm gone.  I know its been quiet but I'll change that.  I have a schedule again and will be able to craft regularly.  Look for updates from the trip as I'll be posting pictures one day.

I have two Shop updates to let you know about.

My Etsy shop will be open and there is a coupon code to save 20% on your order while I'm gone.  The code is good NOW and can be used up until July 20th.  Any order placed before I leave will be filled and the rest when I get back.  Coupon code is CANADA20


*on a side note, we will have some new products in this weekend so keep your eye on the shop.*

The Flair for Buttons shop is also on vacation and Shelley has a 10% off code you can use while she's out.  Enter code 'summervacation12' to save 10%.  Valid until 7/16.

Pinterest Quotes

If you read this blog regularly you know I'm addicted to Pinterest.

I pin.  A lot.  One board I have holds on to my quotes that I find interesting.  I have several that have to do with little boys.

These in particular caught my eye and I've been waiting to scrap them.

 I know I've already posted this one but it worked for two different blog posts.

I used a sketch from Ashley Rock Designs with this quote as my journaling.

There was this one from a couple of weeks ago.

And what I did with it......

Whats up?

I'm am not a big fan of Basic Grey.  I just don't work well with their products but when they release a line like the new Whats Up? line, I buy up multiples of everything.

I finally got one of my orders of the new line last week and I had the perfect photo ready to go.

And here's a shocker, I used an idea I found on Pinterest!

 Oh look, more Studio Calico veneer.

I forsee many happy layouts with this line.  Maybe even a card or two......

Easter crafts

I decided at the last minute to make a few things.  Nothing major, just a few cute things for the table.  I tried to keep it easy but I couldn't.  I had to make something.

We went to the East Egg Hunt at the local horse stables.

Of course we dyed eggs.

 With Aunt Rose and Grandpa.

 That all came off in the bath that night!

We tried something different.  I saw THIS on Pinterest

and had to try it.  Came out awesome!

We watched {lots} of hockey while we died eggs.  All 30 teams played Saturday.  My team made it into the 8th and final spot for the West.  We play Vancouver but I believe we can beat them.
Go Kings Go!

And finally we celebrated.  In our new space.  With our new table and my newly unpacked china.  We even had to buy a folding table to fit everyone in!

 Baskets were cut from a Silhouette file.

 Filled with candy and a dyed egg.

 Used the idea from the Amy Tan + Kelly Purkey class last weekend.

The host store wrapped washi tape around the water bottles and

it looked so cute!  we decided to give it a try.  I actually used

some of the washi tape.  Didn't make a dent in my stash though!

 Everyone got a water bottle.

 Two tables to host 16 people.  A couple cancelled at the

last minute so we were able to stretch out a little.

 Another Pinterest idea.

 I used some Chevron ribbon and twine from the Etsy shop.

 I ran out of my good china.  Guess I need more than 12 settings.

 Cupcake centerpiece.  I used a bunch of extra flowers and 

butterflies punched out to make the confetti for the table.

 Here are the dyed eggs.  You dye the egg whites like you do

a regular egg in the shell.  The egg white absorbs the dye and

gives you a really cool looking deviled egg.  They will taste

like vinegar unless you wash them off.  The original source

did not say she rinsed the eggs but we did.  Then I piped the

filling in with a Wilton star tip.

Pretty eggs!

Can't forget the Easter Bunny!  He did stop by but this year he left most of the candy and chocolate at home.  He brought N his first set of hockey gear.  He's had the helmet and skates for a while but he needs the rest to learn how to skate fully equipped.  

 Look!  Its the easter Puggie!

 Mmmmm... Candy for breakfast!

How cute is 'Boom Boom'?

Little cousin Nolan came for a visit too!

 Family tradition.  (Did anyone else start singing that song...? Just me?)

Anyway, its a family tradition to put olives on our fingers.

 First peep!

And now we're on Spring Break!  I did my best to plan some fun activities for the week.  Stuff that will keep us busy and out of the house for a couple of hours a day.  My goal is no tv or movies (except the movie we see in the theater).