Forceful Life Phases

Waiting is for wimps. When I want something, I often times go after it (*ahem* Michael *ahem*).
I know that patience is key, but sometimes you just gatta take life by the nips and make things happen.

Troof, right?

So, to celebrate getting shitake done I may be putting a little bit of pressure on myself here to write a blog entry.  Trying to get back into the habit here, so any little cheerleading you wanna do will so encourage me -- feel free! I'm ignoring the stinky stack of dirty dishes in the sink, and turning my nose up from the toys that need to be put away. I'm -GASP- taking a moment for myself, to do something that I wanna do!

Moms, you feel me, don't you?

So, I'm just going to pretend I see you on a daily basis and you know exactly what has happened within the last few months. Not even gonna try to recap everything right now. If you haven't mastered mind-reading, and facebook stalking, then you need to shape up or ship out.

There is a lot currently going on, and even MORE on the horizon. I have oodles of DIY projects currently in the works (literally half done projects litter my house, but its only because I don't have enough hours in the day). Here's my life in bullet points, or slashes... whatever:

// 30 Day Shred (as of yesterday)
// Halloween at work
// Halloween at home! Trick or treating!
// Costumes for the fam
// Picking pumpkins
// Painting or carving pumpkins
// Decorating the house
// Making my first wreath (Pinterest post!)
// Thanksgiving at home
// Christmas at home
// Day Makers Project 2012
// New Years at home
// 2013 Resolution: Organize Our Lives (already in the works, with excel spreadsheet and all)
// Bridal Shower, hosted by moi in OH (April)
// Bachelorette party, hosted by moi in Nashville (May)
// Brianna's 2nd Birthday (July)
// J's Wedding, in OH (August)
// Another J's wedding, in OH (June)
// OUR WEDDING! (Oct) Yes, you heard me right... we have begun the planning process for our "reception" doohickey. Planners have been hired. More details later.

So, this is a great wide open overview. I have multiple excel workbooks on dropbox.com, available to me anytime if I should have a few moments to do more pre-planning (in line at the grocery store, right before bed, after washing dishes and before throwing out the trash, whatever). It's quite insane how much we have going on next year with 3 weddings, one being our own, the Organize Our Lives project (OOL, as I'll call it), Day Makers Project, and the rest. Parties, parties, pinterest, pinterest, prayer, prayer... Think I can handle it?

Well, whatever comes our way I am going to try to get it down on... paper/blog. I hope my misadventures amuse you as much as they entertain me. And remember to laugh a little. What's a list like that without a crazy little good madness laugh?

On my way out, I'll share some instagram lovin' with yall.

Toodles!

Brianna's 1st Birthday (picture post)

Color scheme: teal, tangerine, white and fuschia.

Best friend writing the first letter to B.

Time Capsule. Quote within: As soon as I saw you I knew an adventure
was about to happen. -Winnie the Pooh

Party held at my parents' house -- original outdoor party plan didn't quite
mix well with the 100+ degree heat.

Just woke up from a much needed nap. Our Onsie has been teething
molars and had been cranky all morning.

Tears still fresh in her eyes, she's finally smiling.
Getting her birthday tutu on!

Please don't mind the forehead glare -- it was hot outside.

Thanks to pinterest I made the tutu & headband! The necklace however
she borrowed from me (do I sense this will happen more and more
the older she gets?).

Cheesin.

Lesson learned: "lots of balloons" = more than 50. Be prepared to spend
$100 on balloons next time I want "lots" of them, because 50 just didn't
satisfy me.

Beautiful girl.

She loved opening her gifts!

One of the attendees, being such a sweet onlooker. Ready for your party little
L??!

Cute shirt from B's godmother!!! Love you Jordann!

She's such a good cheeser.

Playing with one of her birthday presents.

L reading an ADORABLE book received from my cousin, Mindy.
Such a cute idea that I will write another blog post about.

Cake time! White cake with whipped cream instead of frosting.

That's my girl!

Pool time!

Thank you pinterest (yet again) for this banner idea. Easy!

Cooking string : clothes pins (painted and dried over night), pictures, and
stencil'd paper that spelled "Happy Birthday Brianna".





Gift bags. Another note to self: wash table clothes before using because
those creases are tacky. Ugh, I'm such a novice.

Tried to include as many silly faces of B's from her first year as I could.

Was a big hit!

I haven't tried it out yet, but you best believe I will be!

Pinterest Win: Paper Flowers and Thumbprint Guestbook

So this PWin should be Favorite'd on your computer. Right now, go complete the act of favoriting this craft. Because you're going to LOVE it.

You can thank me later. For now, just revel in the cuteness.


PAPER FLOWERS

Source: jonesdesigncompany.com via Marie on Pinterest

Skill Level//Easy

Time//<5 minutes to make 1 flower

Ingredients//

-scrapbook paper: solids, patterns, textures, anything works.

-hot glue gun (I lost mine so bought a cheapo for 3 bucks at Michaels)

-glue sticks

-Scissors

Summary of Directions//

-cut various sized circles from scrapbook paper, cut a spiral down to the middle of the circle, roll paper up, then hot glue.

I added my flowers to the corners of some note cards I made for my cousin's baby shower. Wishes for Baby cards were another Pinterest Win -- everyone loved filling these out at the shower, and the parents-to-be enjoyed reading them. My cousin noted that the answers really said a lot about the personalities of the people who filled out the cards, and it was fun trying to guess who said what.

THUMBPRINT GUESTBOOK

Source: chanceycharmweddings.com via Chancey Charm Weddings on Pinterest

Skill Level//Easy

Time//>15 min

Ingredients//

-canvas

-pencil

-permanent markers or paint markers

-fabric paint ink pads, or dye ink pads (warning: if you use dye or pigment ink pads, the ink may bleed or wipe off with water. I used them anyway because they come in a better variety of colors)

-ribbon & hot glue gun (optional)

-wet wipes

Summary of Directions//

-Draw your main image, or get someone to draw the main image on the canvas. The main image can be just about anything -- some popular images are of trees and bikes, but many times people use thumbprints as balloons, and you tie balloons to just about anything. After the main image is drawn with pencil, go over it with permanent market or fabric paint marker. I found that the fabric paint markers didn't come in too many interesting colors, so I ended up using permanent markers with good results.

-Attach ribbon so that the canvas can hang from a wall, using hot glue and gun.

-Add your thumbprint first, so that you can set the tone and people behind you will know what to do.

-Set out the canvas with the ink pads at the event. If you want folks to sign their names, lay out fabric paint pens.

This was for a family baby shower. Because everyone knew everyone, I didn't ask people to add their names. Names would have crowded the small canvas.

This was a larger shower, with more people that the mama-to-be was unfamiliar with. So this time, I did ask that names be included.