tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58357211729685792902024-02-07T09:36:22.060-08:00The Mother TongueA few words from a one-handed, right-brained, literati mommy!Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132764524120243914noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835721172968579290.post-45233738446030946132009-06-16T17:36:00.000-07:002009-06-16T17:44:04.055-07:00Dad rules the roost!<div align="center"> I am so excited! I went to Michael's today for a few supplies and came across the gcd studios <a href="http://www.gcdstudios.com/CollectionsDetail.asp?CollectionsID=30">provence paper collection</a>. I picked up a few single pieces at a local scrapbooking store recently and was so excited to find the whole collection today! When I came home I found the gcd studios blog and was excited to see that they have a <a href="http://gcdstudios.blogspot.com/2009/06/father-day-challenge.html">Father's Day card challenge </a>right now. I still needed to make a card for my own dad, so I got to work. I thought the rooster paper in the collection was so funny and came up with this card:</div><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348090163774256386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4BnylJbwh7_ycckaRjqZ2JvELgZVifdk-FjMN1iULpi8xFqJk0Vr2gZXT6UHMMHIJHEZk8zGcErt0oWKn71ca-36BwvKm7XYf1f45QDWtMNh_8Z9pvx0R_mYyIWkJAJvDGAdum79bB3h/s400/IMG_1371.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center">I had a lot of fun with this simple card and I think my dad will get a kick out of it!<br /></p><div align="center"><a href="http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/shaunacallaghan/?action=view&current=erikasig.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/shaunacallaghan/erikasig.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132764524120243914noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835721172968579290.post-23826697242174456982009-06-16T17:27:00.000-07:002009-06-16T19:55:20.480-07:00First ever Dawn McVey challenge!<div align="center"> I just finished my FIRST EVER <a href="http://dawnmcvey.typepad.com/these_are_a_few_of_my_fav/">Dawn McVey challenge</a>. I've enjoyed all of her color challenges and the awesome creations her other readers come up with. Today I wanted to create a birthday card for a friend of mine. These colors were so elegant together so I wanted to create a more elegant card. The sentiment is heat embossed with black embossing powder. I give Dawn all of the credit for that black embossing powder because I first saw it being used on cards on her blog! </div><br /><br /><div align="center">Here is Dawn's challenge photo:<br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348124555605008306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 247px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBpvuwlKVM2QwqpyHjvpHfbMwyDBqJN0kcToTCj6tRD3AmZgogkbn1vDXo3bJjxzGDWJcNpq4LjyDcp9px5m-x9PPVok1IAp6jcRltR24fzqnOf3xG2GMdKiI8u4HThvf4LXGEUmBEvix/s400/Dawn+McVey+%239.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center">And here's the card I came up with:<br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348124036860672514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ElIYrs5KlmoFjQHWQvBg4rdP45LyfKSCqURyH9Exih472QLDNu0_b-k0SrbXmNcO0iTjOTufCI8WEaQ7795nesgCI1zhKA_-JuV125iL723oTv5bIlJ8PVWkQfMChIUVMlm5_2YA_KB-/s400/IMG_1374.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/shaunacallaghan/?action=view&current=erikasig.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/shaunacallaghan/erikasig.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132764524120243914noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835721172968579290.post-88174109614042659792009-06-14T13:22:00.000-07:002009-06-14T13:45:58.467-07:00The value of vintage<div><div>I've been really enjoying using pages of old books to create repurposed paper crafts. I was especially inspired to the Moxie Fab World's <a href="http://www.moxiefabworld.com/2009/06/go-green-find-value-in-vintage.html">Value of Vintage challenge</a>. I helped co-host a couples' baby shower last night for some good friends of ours. The couple is named Becky and Brandon and they are doing a bee theme in the baby's room. I found the perfect sentiment from a Mother Goose book (published in 1941!!) and designed a shower card for the two Bs and their "bb." </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347286259777987170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSOldHzHX0zq3eaIoo23lnInNYl__dLm1DSeW1FI55jwDFI1TWvBjRFgPeV6y4Wlde5ujYP33iyauc2oKiAGHqJ55X8XYU1jUI7a0WDjFEe_XUDfYGTu-c0wzL-dNnHRgAcOB0X73mk1FV/s400/IMG_1287.jpg" border="0" /><br />Here are a few of the girls:</div><div>(from left to right; Miranda and baby Sophia, Becky, Ellese and moi!)<br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347283281245907522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8c23OYB263bbm-R6eG4hVOxJaDCcvgsyxNRXZhX7dOmwCf2VXL-glH0lXvrSeeCroq19t5UgRJX13CmXXRnk2uAix2xK9Y2ZtrvQ3f5TmpQ7fvif23AoMzn3spUM4l-Q5BX3OEvECmAi9/s400/IMG_1297.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />I wanted to use the nursery rhyme as the focal point of the card and found it a bit challenging to incorporate other design aspects because the sentiment was so large! I heat embossed the "B" with black embossing powder and used some sticky strip and black glitter to create the stripe across the yellow polka-dotted paper. All in all, the theme went together really well with some AWESOME designer burpies and diaper clutch from my super-talented friend, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5002761">Jenna</a>, and some sweet-smelling baby bath products from Burt's Bees.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347283286693992546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg73U7ciH07UNYzADV9dTeWwkOCEVWhfrW9bcFc6qitsms95c5BP8YjH9Sclf68ZiuxSsNxKFebZllPyacpGRtjgM-CW5_wEL40YAtMs9D3ar43x4h21vAtUpLx270b28cbjbRlzXeArG_L/s400/IMG_1289.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div><a href="http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/shaunacallaghan/?action=view&current=erikasig.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/shaunacallaghan/erikasig.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132764524120243914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835721172968579290.post-31949821495459690082009-06-14T13:09:00.000-07:002009-06-14T13:20:40.144-07:00Bright and bubbly birthday<div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">We attended another 5th birthday party yesterday and I once again used <a href="http://www.kwernerdesign.com/blog/">Kristina's Color Inspiration Challenge</a> to come up with a fun, boyish card. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347279288855862866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI1p7kPM02SBc1M9iZMaIE7QFFx86zSZMTpbmvwAHhsbxwjFZLtK-cfRJ8z1ZqvnQR3vR_Cu9yHRuHEeMJ8RLf-URQgghmMDaBhybMK2Aq6uOhb8hzpOl1TtGjgfbXpDr3XpFnLBbNd_5q/s320/Kristina+54.jpg" border="0" />Here's my card:</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347279743139342306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyTBKjdK2aFxZbHXi_NVrkQ9o_ejOVec8iOjDt77cGGXk3c9eUX3ZWenUKWDO9b_Cs0jaZ3pwR54tGKK4n9pEKELDaRjAmcdIcKWhmLl02OAVeNC5mQiiXOa1cbe-n3p6N4LFyihaCn8dW/s400/IMG_1266.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center">I almost forgot the white for the card and the number 5 added just the right pop. Hope you like it!<br /></p><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/shaunacallaghan/?action=view&current=erikasig.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/shaunacallaghan/erikasig.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132764524120243914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835721172968579290.post-73241257667544943862009-05-27T13:47:00.000-07:002009-05-27T14:16:37.324-07:00School's out for summer...<div align="center"><br /><div align="center">I'm so sad! My super-grown-up daughter has her last day of preschool tomorrow! We LOOOVVEEE her preschool teachers and wish that they could be her teachers until high school! I made some LARGE cards for them so that all of the moms could sign them in appreciation of everything they've done for our kids. These cards are made with a full sheet of cardstock, folded in half. I used vintage illustrations from a Mother Goose book that was published in 1941! (I am a total book hoarder, so I felt REALLY guilty about defacing this book. It is marked up on a lot of the pages and appears to have some water damage on the bottom of most of the pages, so I wasn't feeling <em>too</em> guilty!) </div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.kwernerdesign.com/blog/?p=1521">Kristina's color challenge</a> completely inspired the cards I made because of the bold, primary colors. Seemed so appropriate for teacher cards!</div><div align="center"> </div><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340610234487518194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6OvqefBwGVGB0AXewQ7gWmKEFkd3RglditDGbT46RdQXV7ZklP2pihYj54KKa-AdYglb2KMoXTgnjofq-MIaq0FLTisY4D0R2kF6HP80RLBu8oYnuIDyr-3UAUEjyUl_nNjjrY_W_5bL/s320/kristina+53.jpg" border="0" />Here are the cards I made:</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340610469186507618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCjcz9Vtgu8xiTHbVYBca3z8n_rNJB11JgtVOzCN6Y3lO5cE25s7VP4ukJATdhJkZKfXIrJhTQr_8F8U2a8Sj7n6ehVJRmFuMZdwJedN8E_IynHETiCdzWucPtU9XEIFphQHoPLRq8YgS/s400/IMG_1083.jpg" border="0" /> View #2:<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340610881929774754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxkxdD66frOT4R2Mib0vod-C0qtjgy02MSNWTvz8kUevXkdVRArVTfQyN5PXVdRtcAcyQXm4LEDP76Zsb31MBD0g4vSD0iJwDm3r3xJgqo0WGdDVK2oHtyrSkE9NKxu642r6pTM17zTkz7/s400/IMG_1077.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340610889594278594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQdxpxKP0hez1lBiSq1w4Xb89QUZFpQIDCLpq10q280112aZPh17AwHl7RMQvCDiY0wTDay4PPYO-e0KoLOvdD6G9kccvrQoRQo9lDTRWOPVRWu-ZNwD_l0Hlk1i_MVgaq5saFs45oeH0y/s400/IMG_1088.jpg" border="0" />View #2: <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340610892141309730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi60poglix6X-aotk-qS-bLEhYU1Vk2zB9olcGGID3Eet5d_qBAet9CdfH-66EJvgu9W3MLbe0qXTgHQDAEp3JImd_21ydiINB-9KR2NLhMB-vSnQD-46EuS_L1of3iUtmCeb17J5F3xv3X/s400/IMG_1089.jpg" border="0" /><br />Hope you enjoy these cards and thanks for stopping by!<br /><a href="http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/shaunacallaghan/?action=view&current=erikasig.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/shaunacallaghan/erikasig.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div>Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132764524120243914noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835721172968579290.post-21044954625787156872009-05-20T16:51:00.000-07:002009-05-20T17:17:47.832-07:00Woohoo and Fathers' Day, too!<div align="center">I'm so excited! Last week, my 5th birthday monkey card was one of <a href="http://www.kwernerdesign.com/blog/">Kristina Werner's</a> top 10 picks! You can see all of the other top picks <a href="http://www.kwernerdesign.com/blog/?p=1473">here</a>.<br /></div><div align="center">Now onto this week's challenge:<br /></div><div align="center"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338062000201823634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilis9pVFufr6vQXkRm3lY7siFW0oIp-iEP_9OGd7iIYs_W3BHXTMxpyFggw1LeUzG3ugealaFBJynbFU-G6S2DxY1iMk25qpaJW4p8t0oNxgiuD_38GsnJH3RSGMJCx6L5VMvPQNFeuC_E/s320/Kristina+werner+52.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="center">For this week's challenge I decided to do a fathers' day card. I was totally inspired not only by the colors of the photo, but also the image of the car. I went for a vintage-California-personalized-license-plate-look for this card. (Can you tell I'm addicted to Thickers?!) I stamped the wood-look background with an All Night Media stamp from Michael's and then, GET THIS, I whipped out my dusty paper CRIMPER and crimped that super-cool pearl aqua paper! I really like the texture it created to give the paper a metallic corrugated siding look.</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338063580421707906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2TkjxK5lTtdC9Ow63yFPObkGhuexljcA47F2R9M0I7oOIvT2y20rFb9-ZmWLKU14OKfBkAq_ObUGvVpvYfHUa-nWMqy4Pfa1QMoUlhPUEfmq7VIUW6Y3TRRPHKUWpi5z31lXsTYL7oyYl/s400/IMG_1052.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><p align="center">I will be trying to get a card done for another challenge tomorrow...<a href="http://cinemasaturdaycreativechallenge.blogspot.com/2009/05/cinema-saturday-creative-challenge-32.html">Twilight-inspired</a>! Stop by again and stay tuned!<br /><br /></p><div align="center"><a href="http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/shaunacallaghan/?action=view&current=erikasig.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/shaunacallaghan/erikasig.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132764524120243914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835721172968579290.post-85545469778833642812009-05-07T13:16:00.000-07:002009-05-07T13:49:09.164-07:00A little fifth birthday monkey madness...<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ43eGuLYwHR-8rGZsFvyLBfqhYvCSp8RJE7GmU0F1IAkftlnz6sabi_IJxHkcxg70Ls1RcaAwVUhFXfmInvulgthv-9FOSkIc522eZWY4AxjcCFCcVBziBKKOhM2Mm3YfVG4niQAwh1pt/s1600-h/Kristina+werner+51.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333180422981333650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ43eGuLYwHR-8rGZsFvyLBfqhYvCSp8RJE7GmU0F1IAkftlnz6sabi_IJxHkcxg70Ls1RcaAwVUhFXfmInvulgthv-9FOSkIc522eZWY4AxjcCFCcVBziBKKOhM2Mm3YfVG4niQAwh1pt/s320/Kristina+werner+51.jpg" border="0" /></a>I don't know what it is, but I've caught the creativity bug lately! We have a fifth birthday party to attend on Friday and <a href="http://www.kwernerdesign.com/blog/index.html/">Kristina</a> had another new color inspiration challenge, so this card emerged from the crafting madness!<br />Thanks so much, Kristina, for the inspiration and <a href="http://tethered2home.com/">Amy</a> for the inspiration photo!<br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333182996828750146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguFIlOHaRotMtg3vtOV-6g_pfJCAaDnPFJexr2_qgmDW9FxCdmlnpBmRfDLN_xbkMutox1g4Ip-rjKSJAdhhIWmKlWqdM3TWEnYq1wT2GZNJgqUWaWmmKUiIUW_pug3DPnF2q-D3qqG7HY/s400/IMG_0989.jpg" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333183195827671106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDBuHRgNH1dl58-fkFSPJgOeR1j0QDvAKe5GqaMLrTkSvK-uLn3MVM2gnZd32Ys1Ofl3abwdwJnzSM7qu6ZMCplJhBg_ZYd0JYZO_IYPLP43TMJNLxvB3fqWhkGwwdeV6Ii-4hGQdufJhj/s400/IMG_0990.jpg" border="0" /></div><div align="center">Stay tuned for a baby shower invitation featuring a bee theme. </div><div align="center">Watch out craft room...HERE I COME!<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/shaunacallaghan/?action=view&current=erikasig.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/shaunacallaghan/erikasig.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132764524120243914noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835721172968579290.post-39774580470798172462009-05-02T15:25:00.001-07:002009-05-02T15:36:22.727-07:00Kristina Werner's 50th Color Inspiration Challege Extravaganza!<div align="center"><a href="http://www.kwernerdesign.com/blog/">Kristina Werner</a> is celebrating her 50th Color Inspiration Challenge and I decided to join the par-tay! Mothers' Day is fast approaching and I thought I'd make a card for my super special mother-in-law for the occasion. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Here is the challenge:</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /></div><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331357423411253874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 211px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINSKy92qTtHmqLT8TLB4IhFh_Cq3JZbBA1Szp9kGikuQpbIbb0G9vT0JuwASRnermNpVJRqT6UM26k3mylJL8cwMlpSpeTuK5MgXwdwV5FzJaeZUQQpc25QTk-WhRyEIdpxWFoSuQFpgG/s320/kristina+werner+50.jpg" border="0" />Love the colors, Kristina! So cheerful! </p><p align="center">Here's my submission:</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331357727707644082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2HU_C1Iz2_gRlL50uCGztYkWjZUXi7oYmVqYCwxOKE198wuQJlVPXkPWqlAyjpk_fersndZ3-XEpxId7eWoVg2YhrZHf45v26pfBCVRTvp2u2NlM9sQ0UGFSUeVIfUgMQ0ygJnS21-6uH/s400/IMG_0961.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center">You'll never guess where I got the felt butterfly from.... Okay, do you give up? I got it from Pier 1 Imports! They have different packages of "table confetti" and the butterflies come in a package of 12 (turquoise and green) butterflies for $3. I felt so cool when I found these neat accents! <br /><br /></p><div align="center"><a href="http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/shaunacallaghan/?action=view&current=erikasig.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/shaunacallaghan/erikasig.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132764524120243914noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835721172968579290.post-77129186188920266252009-03-17T15:33:00.000-07:002009-03-17T15:51:46.761-07:00A Menagerie<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfOP6tTQMeyTu-6SHpRD006nxddcmcqRLlK1BwS3hibl634RnlQrMSeO2YReJOxMn60JvTOCpgU2fpHwhjUATy9-Wkfb_rNn_elrncXXjVVDut-0-OmBE_CQaCy9AcuQbdKrn-nf3AV1VA/s1600-h/IMG_0674.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314292806196417714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfOP6tTQMeyTu-6SHpRD006nxddcmcqRLlK1BwS3hibl634RnlQrMSeO2YReJOxMn60JvTOCpgU2fpHwhjUATy9-Wkfb_rNn_elrncXXjVVDut-0-OmBE_CQaCy9AcuQbdKrn-nf3AV1VA/s320/IMG_0674.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />It was a busy weekend full of organizing, tossing, gunking and spelunking! Our closets are clean, new pictures are hung and the laundry is did!<br /><br />Our new little art menagerie is awesome. Most of the components have been sitting in our closet since December. Now it's actually fun to stare at the walls! The large, scrolly thingy is from Pier 1. The cool giant star was a steal that I found in Oregon while visiting my aunt and uncle. $7! I love having a big art statement...especially featuring my fave little munchkins!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314292811883313442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGHj0_j31_wyh1UwAYxV6wVGtqfVKaialYfN33-qIc_xhVH3pLINIYdfwz_tunfUQg1Sv3se3xPuHu0d2N0C3pHyYv_DwJqEJJ3MAoHeT6mE-v7ybfXAwiYnA6CzGi46hwR7jVe1ewX9Tq/s320/IMG_0673.jpg" border="0" /><br /><a href="http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/shaunacallaghan/?action=view&current=erikasig.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/shaunacallaghan/erikasig.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132764524120243914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835721172968579290.post-55195800501962386042009-02-27T09:48:00.000-08:002009-02-27T09:59:01.889-08:00Vintage Pearl giveaway!<div align="center"> If you love personalized jewelry, then <a href="http://shealynnbenner.blogspot.com/2009/02/its-pretty-making-giveaway.html">this</a> is the giveaway for you!</div><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307536249883822626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhizh16EYgEyHuT2_4Xq8-km2I_xU8xcsXgKCJuxyg3mD-dKIPQxKcCwpaI3nRfZqV1OWasE9VbZAEOf75C_mOqaW8ZB-qsTfaWUvvvmnhuE-bDApcxZHZCE9uEkFovI0RbeNnw4DN9gbMe/s320/vintage+pearl.jpg" border="0" />Shealynn Benner's <a href="http://shealynnbenner.blogspot.com/">blog</a> is a new find of mine and I am definitely going to ask for one of her <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5114995">camera strap covers</a> for my 30th birthday coming up in about 2 months! She's hosting a great giveaway right now for this beautiful personalized necklace from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5135533">The Vintage Pearl.</a> I love all of Erin's products, but the handstamped baby spoons are absolutely fabulous. What a great keepsake! I'll be ordering one for my niece for her first birthday.</p><p align="center">Go check out the crafty goodness right now! <br /></p><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/shaunacallaghan/?action=view&current=erikasig.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/shaunacallaghan/erikasig.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132764524120243914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835721172968579290.post-26473856005304332142009-02-16T09:52:00.000-08:002009-02-16T10:11:24.466-08:00Canon love...<div align="center"> I love taking pictures! I have been loving it even more lately with my awesome new camera, the Canon Digital Rebel xSi. It rocks. </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">I love all of the details of close-up shots:</div><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303456115131008226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjr837eyBZ2fjM35mkoRta6Pr1ByHsNhbfjn1WtdFB_L4714ybzSM8cTJM-NOGjfS66Aju1rlDpRz4L7p9LetHmYRLv3GvYnn2ixnHKqcVmWBacn9IeEmJx7F8uYeURHMQfE6Nbl2XmMg2/s400/IMG_0282.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303455510345755970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSlRp_vYKGybUoabNcbuAE8vBnRXEOj1o6xkqp8D5ywy2ub-c9wDgi5WKyQeMcNWBfVQ7cbv-I8QPoCX5i1tx5mpJ7RDemi-cSdXOFh5u27zQcgGpSFMRiiPi02iLJvGVupDop38ap0dk/s400/IMG_0286.jpg" border="0" /></p><p align="center">And I LOOVE the 55-250mm lens that came as part of the package. It takes breathtaking photos of landscapes:</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303457485496955650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5NF7PR-Tney_4ax_UNZNOV_qdffR9vW9Gm2P04PpHwEA5XCPBkgUCTwP0i9yOmDiwSBXmOGOfigDyf5P-aeA598FCfBIjQb9Ymjay555VgkbcHzfbtLns7wCIR0aA_bzLWq67dme3odxK/s400/IMG_0236.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><p></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303458023001466530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigamIaVkNsIwjVzRUbKnR0B1-DYexxL1vTOr6vNSJw9u6viaf1iOZd53wX2fdaguHoZIL_M1y8iHRSpELuefmouEck6k-7tDNLYkigA3ziB0nAOvGsvhuM9YR7Ux31ZilpIdmj917F5cJK/s400/IMG_0244.jpg" border="0" /> <br /><div align="center">I need to get a lot more practice and become more familiar with all of the secrets of digital photography. I need to do this camera some justice!<br /><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/shaunacallaghan/?action=view&current=erikasig.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/shaunacallaghan/erikasig.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132764524120243914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835721172968579290.post-13217735351954763372009-02-10T14:02:00.000-08:002009-02-10T14:12:18.672-08:00Awesome crafty blog!<div align="center">I love that Blogger now has the "following" feature. It is so much easier to get a glimpse of my favorite blogs right on my Blogger dashboard. I was starting to get a little peeved about lame-o Feedblitz sending me posts of a few of my fave blogs 1-4 days after they posted and I missed out on some great info. or giveaways.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">One of the blogs I discovered is <a href="http://mylilyeden.blogspot.com/">My Lily Eden</a>. Shelly has a really cute Etsy shop called <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5622688">Lemon Tree Studio</a> and she posts some neat-o projects and photos and she also does fun giveaways. Right now, Shelly is having a 7-day giveaway. Head over there and take a look...but don't enter the contests because then I have less of a chance!! Heehee!</div><div align="center"><a href="http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/shaunacallaghan/?action=view&current=erikasig.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/shaunacallaghan/erikasig.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132764524120243914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835721172968579290.post-10473608588254345642009-02-10T13:36:00.000-08:002009-02-10T14:02:23.329-08:00Winter hibernation...<div align="center"> The new laptop is here and UP AND RUNNING! My hubby is handy in many, many ways; however, computers are not his forte. It only took 2 months to get the internet up and running. </div><div align="center">I guess I shouldn't complain. Picture uploading and web browsing now moves at lightning speed and makes up for all of the days I spent trying to just check my email.</div><div align="center"><br />Here's a photo diary of the events of the past two months.<br />(Courtesy of my *super awesome new* Canon Digital Rebel xSi):<br /></div><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301287615215629458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7EyJcofkvGLDGbimKb3vkP-e9vPX0-vzLAGnyeSXsO3YFRo33gpAMqOXKkU3l2otQREJ73eWz81IjH5E_1iX4H0xzGOR0IW4XKD5YB7-n02qYEt2hKiq314J1ETKliwz3t5gWy3DF3X-u/s320/IMG_0046.jpg" border="0" /></div><div align="center">Kira and Marcus get the ultimate 4xing machine for Christmas.</div><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301288531757657906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw6jpY4yvPjPkW1oBnK9WoK-S7oQ1bh52tpjhTk6o9AtHpZo-BRSrA9Kd3tauh-zh0rnS2bIMKlGK2tf5HBcgiKNKl1XsZoAKDoutkfk7mwfc0OxbeFnAicGf6Oep_lHA_o1lj_gGYYhMD/s320/IMG_0142.jpg" border="0" />We take MANNNNYYYY trips to park because (until this week) it's been 75 degrees for the majority of January.</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301289174082648178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1wPqiQ_zEhPjSvT0MD3KQ8TClMReC7hiuF8mSns0zmAZTLWM65aJhUzS4UaAMNxILCTuwyXpMozvHb-uBSWsvA7hWbdEjJJjbOj79oN-u5CNCFmmfbeXek55Nmb-KROd1rFyEgX3sOm87/s320/IMG_0236.jpg" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301289492976564034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2nEF9IkVMxuvdSiWXBcDfCtF59b-wErFPpIkZS1GZ7V8n1Y4Ij_ItYyLZC2RaEJM4MXgvQZgJ8rbn8qJ1DpeIDA1OFLTk6-v35iWX0hXlEM0ds4XH_OJQr3-7DSvS7GjPH3fxfVf2qZD/s320/IMG_0241.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center">We go to my Aunt and Uncle's house in Bend, OR for the New Year's holiday.<br /></p><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301290347866802930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg17VJmFj_G60KHh8lgfCZZ14uND0p0HXjoIc4CPzAWJs3XlcGpOHhMOoz55Pk4ir4Ib2mEgp9xT-o5SrxMJWVBuwEa2ZqxII1i_Y5hZdp5m96tqfGm2B6Cr8MdZgAw6zK1yjKf0DDF04o1/s320/IMG_0272.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301290350244908370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKVed8DDEN8paw1X4KyQfcZt953ioM5my_nFhnjvLiWuo1CystqxBlTRJ-5uxkIutFNnH06dpM2M2CX_UpJ_ZUirZMQmbT2IYqgwddzhZpPywS58Pw5cf-PRk7qeXob4dM_IrjkZ1r8IA/s320/IMG_0267.jpg" border="0" /><br />Kira and Marcus help daddy plant their first almond tree at the end of January. <br /></div><div align="center">So, that has been a small part of our lives for the past few months.</div><div align="center">It feels good to be back.<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/shaunacallaghan/?action=view&current=erikasig.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/shaunacallaghan/erikasig.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132764524120243914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835721172968579290.post-71090116174847199402008-12-15T21:18:00.000-08:002008-12-15T21:24:14.880-08:00Jingle all the way!<div align="center">If you don't think this ad is awesome, then you can not be my friend.<br />WARNING: Will be stuck in your head all day!<br />CAUTION: Will cause spontaneous dance moves including, but not limited to, the sprinkler, the shopping cart, the lawnmower, a few Roger Rabbits and maybe a running man to top it all off.<br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YCqDZycMgqE&hl=" fs="1" width="480" height="295" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed><br /><a href="http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/shaunacallaghan/?action=view&current=erikasig.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/shaunacallaghan/erikasig.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div>Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132764524120243914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835721172968579290.post-48880139005607698762008-12-08T14:18:00.000-08:002008-12-08T14:37:15.597-08:00I'm dream-ing....of a newwww laaaaptop!<div align="center">I have been missing from the blogging world for the past month. As you can see, the previous entry was from Halloween and included a clip from The Office, the best show on the planet. My current MySpace profile picture is from our trip to the pumpkin patch. See a pattern here?<br /><br />I have a few excuses as to why I've been so deficient in the blogging/anything related to computers realm:<br /><br />1) Our computer has "issues." (This thing is 8 years old. Almost extinct in computer years.)<br /><br />2) In order to remedy the old computer problem, we had to shop for a new one. Oh, the horror!<br /><br />3) My poor bro-in-law (our family's techie go-to guy) had to withstand several hour-long conversations with Fred (my hubby, the not-so techie guy) so that we could get the computer of our dreams. (All I want is to have enough space for Photoshop...or even just a photo.)<br /><br />4) After finally deciding on the 45,000 options we wanted, Fred decided to wait until Black Friday to order it. Because, as poor farmers, we take any discount we can get!<br /><br />So there you have it. I'm still using this dinosaur for the next few days but believe me I have a date with the internet once we figure out how to get the new thing up and running.<br /><br /><a href="http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/shaunacallaghan/?action=view&current=erikasig.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/shaunacallaghan/erikasig.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132764524120243914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835721172968579290.post-13078146542558782832008-10-31T11:17:00.000-07:002008-10-31T11:19:31.972-07:00Happy Halloween!<div align="center">Hope you have a fun Halloween!<br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ry9beVaXAd4&hl=" fs="1" width="425" height="344" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed><br /><a href="http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/shaunacallaghan/?action=view&current=erikasig.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/shaunacallaghan/erikasig.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div>Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132764524120243914noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835721172968579290.post-59823582457442902982008-10-28T15:21:00.000-07:002008-10-28T15:55:47.798-07:00Birds and butterflies and babies; oh my!<div align="center">I thought I would share a few pics from the baby shower I hosted for my friend, Megan. As you may remember, we had a birdy theme going on and it was so fun to come up with little birds and butterflies for decorations. </div><div align="center"><br />I had nothing to do with this cake (except for the consumption of it..YUM). I added a butterfly and bird from a template I (frustratingly) hand-drew. I used some Stampin' Up! and Amy Butler paper and added a little ribbon to some Wilton lollipop sticks I bought from Walmart.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262336260345583890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaTYHrzJSsUTs6GARh9E2bYxyXP3_Q88vR29vQ6ETEcbVwSHjpkkZ2-Brsc5ohS2uediuqFh0OG8NBtTume1NHaq9lqIpCytfbCd1ViiLlLNnpFeMqP4mWki4iKuWfiUNoxRbejy8-vFcA/s320/DSCF2814.JPG" border="0" />Isn't she a hot mama?<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262336251786166882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4-jTnUs5VrLKSc8h3VUXk2ebn5m9LjlIL50HarlS3Fw7ThXCUx5cCDr7CRIdLKr7GvQTnG9F3had4_IM_bSXB7iHTP1B1tBKsde-PiR_eQ2RV-IeOObZpiod16fQwhvuB11MQOL7hRkc/s320/DSCF2834.JPG" border="0" /> </div><div align="center">I bought some flowers and greenery and made floral arrangements in vases from my milk glass collection. I used pink feather boas as table runners and found these cute green flower mirrors from the dollar store to set the vases on. I especially love the bird sticking out of the homemade cheese ball! (My co-host, Alisa, made the cheese ball! DELISH! She used cream cheese, pineapple, red bell peppers and green onion and topped it with almonds. Yum-O!)</div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262338532696408706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY40UY-kJE2xS9l9DiZQyKGIKSIrosAjt8DYoW4UO-yUQCApSbOHbRxa6qi1fIQGq7GKQWvJwHrLiUqrDWYbQL5-v1RxcGdMp5iTdrg3bwKTOxWMCnwYTtBlxFQp37RsYyo9vCMwqYy5iW/s320/DSCF2812.JPG" border="0" />Finally, I left all of the guests with a fun little seasonal favor to take with them: a mini white pumpkin. I printed the message, "Thank you for celebrating Megan's little pumpkin!" from my computer and added the bird stamp, clear cellophane, a little ribbon and VOILA...fun little favors.</div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262338540238423538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW801Yi21mBPHoB33VXmi6UMLkVqrsziKvjFSmnlV5zzh7Vb3cnQAEFrQPQbqb7i1fz9PiLxu-6b5fIqtu342Sj1U-OnERSn-yPQLUYXchzx-O1M_pAjkHmp0bsAmiteRl5-JTcq33enkH/s320/DSCF2816.JPG" border="0" />All in all, we had a awesome time, had great food and even better company. It's always fun to throw in a few handmade touches to make any event even merrier!<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/shaunacallaghan/?action=view&current=erikasig.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/shaunacallaghan/erikasig.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132764524120243914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835721172968579290.post-83493985033866210272008-10-13T15:05:00.000-07:002008-10-13T15:46:10.894-07:00Pumpkin love<div align="center"> We have pumpkin fever at our house!<br /></div><br /><br /><div align="center">The kids and I have been pumpkin patch "hopping" (sort of like bar hopping, but not) for the past week. Last Tuesday, we took a trip to our local pumpkin patch and had a great time! My little man is picking up sooo many new words and his two current favorite, fall-related words are "ske-cwhoa" (scarecrow) and "punkin." </div><br /><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256765171853015106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLaJePZdb9D6Ev0LZIysOM4pe1UTFg7bVCm03TY8U6gZRnqwqSfD9N6ql84LeZ39bBpxfVKNeD_eBI-goucdr-k4J7MJBQczR6dX6CwIECVYXUGouW8fsJfOQSAX952eVPAJ9c_MaPAcO/s320/DSCF2764.JPG" border="0" />My preschooler has had a great time exploring the different shapes and sizes of pumpkins, leaves, walnuts and other natural things on our pumpkin patch adventures.</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256767674990247490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxEENw9Rs4PBfagXsQO9b1fP7LYL-YDnOeaprMaX2Skrm_Xgs0UvOni4URECxVGVREmPdkyOpfsKFMEKflaIFMjrIQap9xdzKnwLoQj8KjrxRac-0kIosK2MyyjUtxIf_BYNW6QdWCOaUH/s320/DSCF2762.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center">On Saturday, we went to an apple/pumpkin farm called <a href="http://www.abelsappleacres.com/">Abel's Apple Acres</a> in <a href="http://www.applehill.com/">Apple Hill</a> (outside of Placerville, CA). We had an absolute blast with the pony rides, photo opportunities, apple goodies, etc. If you live anywhere in Northern California, go there and have a great time! I would highly recommend taking a trip during the week because the traffic and crowds can be unbelievable!<br /><a href="http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/shaunacallaghan/?action=view&current=erikasig.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/shaunacallaghan/erikasig.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132764524120243914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835721172968579290.post-37858568770149676682008-10-09T16:15:00.000-07:002008-10-09T17:47:39.872-07:00Prince Charming<div align="center"> <a href="http://kwernerdesign.com/blog/2008/10/color-inspiration-25.html#comments">Kristina Werner</a> is a girl after my own heart.<br /></div><br /><br /><div align="center">This week's inspiration challenge comes from <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/">Ikea</a>. Tomorrow I'm headed to spend some time with my sister and make a trip to this fabulous store full of wonderful things. If you've never been to Ikea, you need to go.....like, right now!<br /></div><br /><br /><div align="center">Not only do they have the coolest and cheapest home decor items, but they also have a FREE childcare (for an hour) while you shop. It's the best place ever for moms!<br /></div><br /><br /><div align="center">Here's Kristina's inspiration picture:<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255301720531394642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmKScej5xiXXQLe79-ZFaZhyphenhyphenSXfwpYc3zmJnY_YxPStS2YYOZY8FazKdODoFAtagTFc410CLUbCB5Eh6sv93MPbrn3fFhb9-dc4CR5Fu-L-0ElYJWLvMo_1pDpwXRDMop234IGHqnu4Lw/s320/100809-colorinspiration.jpg" border="0" />Unfortunately, I was out of ruby red, so I substituted rose red instead.<br />Here's the fun card I came up with:<br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255302647226886194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDh9rXteVSGI2DCIIEdBwhsRjve3RE6fXKOLAc-N0YtbQiL1IDhb_leA3rfTyLCF3U7YXipFpgXMDNjEpPnoX8ZD0P_POmQ57CRHoU0gz40locZ9nj37KnKHdcV1AjowNHVZ02PCHtuKNg/s400/DSCF2767.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255304300705903890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIj1K11lFgNPvLkDzO7wHfgT1yxSqeJLrckYerpaS1CgasCR5UH2yWSMDkQy2IILll59zECoB1FwjCXzdopY5_bzlabeg9P8CHwriB2f27qVeKbCfGHJlLXaC6rweogpl5nFATAZO9NoKN/s320/DSCF2777.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center">I had fun doing a little bit of embroidery on this card...so simple!</p><p align="center">Card ingredients:</p><p align="center">Stamps: SU! Unfrogettable and Full of Life</p><p align="center">Ink: SU! Craft White, Old Olive and Summer Sun (for contrast on the paper)</p><p align="center">Paper: SU! Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Ballet Blue, Cutie Pie patterned paper</p><p align="center">Accessories: White gel pen, white embroidery floss<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/shaunacallaghan/?action=view&current=erikasig.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/shaunacallaghan/erikasig.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132764524120243914noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835721172968579290.post-7405870334596940592008-10-07T13:32:00.000-07:002008-10-07T13:50:01.569-07:00Birdy baby<div align="center"> One of my good friends, Megan, is due with her first baby in December. I'm co-hosting a shower for her with a birdy theme, inspired by her crib bedding from <a href="http://www.potterybarnkids.com/room/rom/romnur/romnurbrk/index.cfm">Pottery Barn Kids</a>. So cute!<br /></div><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254514647870596354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZhw2p9IbvXckOH4sFWVxKuyN99fRpwKs169x6i4_AInKOpBl6R45-WQ8y9jOBl4HearjU9AI1q4z2PkuEttdRarEixF0AyBaVSVQ3zSwBZv8wkSZGuiZOqn7o30iw_9o8C_2Va9MfgmN/s320/pottery+barn.jpg" border="0" />I decided to make the invitations with the bedding in mind because a baby bird theme is so fun and birds are so hip right now. I'm going to use feather boas as table runners and make some paper butterflies to hang around. I have a ton of milk glass vases and cups to fill with fresh flowers. Here are the invitations I put together:</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254516384051855922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4CR6wNkwpAS_Py0wuGALBzDQxrs7ye5mWAhnUXkYIk4fXr1toG0GaU5wMxrTgOjUHuTf8aVzfJPNqERw3rJ0I1fY7aq7Knb-4-oLdnfCZutQVqGRZCvtWZgPaB_FlAqVlx4o_qQHTQ8ZS/s400/DSCF2733.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center">If you have any ideas on birdy decorations...let me know. I'm still on the hunt for some birdy party supplies (plates, napkins, etc.)!<br /><br /><a href="http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/shaunacallaghan/?action=view&current=erikasig.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/shaunacallaghan/erikasig.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132764524120243914noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835721172968579290.post-56947356225419859412008-10-03T15:03:00.000-07:002008-10-03T15:45:04.057-07:00Finally feeling like fall...<div align="center">I have been in a crafty slump lately...until this week.<br /></div><div align="center">The forecasters have been predicting rain for Friday and by golly, they got something right! It's FINALLY feeling like fall and there's nothing better than a rainy day and a <a href="http://www.kwernerdesign.com/blog/">Kristina design challenge </a>to get me into the fall spirit! Here is Kristina's challenge:<br /></div><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253054491840006658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZt4gyTcyXxjkSe6JvBbSDiWknvqECsnWByV4bWa85P5F4ewMKoE-Rs75kqdayZ_gQTHD0B-SUP271zVoWtKG1ksvh5FMPcdu3A-aoTtllp2MwHRBs13O_lda2xMHR8a9vzv-_EcbvwHj/s320/100108-colorinspiration.jpg" border="0" />And here's my dual-purpose design challenge and wedding card creation:</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253055873855233058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gNPYVm-k7tqRNuZJj2HPr2RqLLtv5ek9FnaIuKM2ZRoi5yeHiRsHW_kCODRXtBFQoAIueKlRqEV_HJaKSDmPGJgCyh0nVEouvS5lHK53m8QD2ZSTT38LKbAhTENko8pYvhZfcD8rsk2e/s400/DSCF2736.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253055884841158930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5CY9qh6EqVluvrZP95YNzEd3SrZrLWaSvObqVstcDlLgVsO-LEyPFdEIhOqBawodR2Ng0o6FFJT27v8r1P9iMkm-QVcUAuBVThfXs58fEYlrkXerClmNX6n09b3x8_y6Dr89jauPiVgB/s400/DSCF2737.JPG" border="0" />This was quite the conglomoration of supplies (don't you just LOVE the word conglomoration..it rocks!) but I got a design challenge and a wedding card done all in one afternoon! Go ME!</p><p align="center">Stamps: Studio G $1 stamp from Michael's (WOOT!)</p><p align="center">Ink: Stampin' Up! Chocolate Chip</p><p align="center">Paper: SU! Very Vanilla and Pumpkin Pie and K & Company Amy Butler patterned paper</p><p align="center">Accessories: SU! Twill tape, Self-adhesive die cut from SU! Tie the Knot Simply Scrappin' kit, wired seed beads, and pop dots<br /></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/shaunacallaghan/?action=view&current=erikasig.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/shaunacallaghan/erikasig.jpg" border="0" /></a>Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132764524120243914noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835721172968579290.post-54562712510427311832008-06-25T15:37:00.000-07:002008-06-25T17:02:04.749-07:00Summer "kleaning"<div align="center">Oh my, where to start?! I've been on a bloggy hiatus for the past month. So many things have gone on and I just didn't get around to my blog and I definitely missed it (AND you)!</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Last weekend was the <a href="http://greenbabyexpo.com/default.aspx">Green Baby Expo </a>in my area. I had my own craft booth and sold some handmade cards, art display boards and some retired Stampin' Up! stamp sets. My <a href="http://www.etsy.com/index.php">Etsy</a> shop is coming soon! The <a href="http://greenbabyexpo.com/default.aspx">expo</a> was a really great experience and I learned about a lot of cool, local products. My friend, <a href="http://inspiredbyjenna.blogspot.com/">Jenna</a>, had a gorgeous booth and sold handmade nursing covers, diaper cloths, fun onesies, diaper bags, key fobs, etc. If you are looking for boutique-quality, stylish and super-functional baby items, check out <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5002761">Jenna's Sweet Baby Creations shop</a>!</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /><br />One other product I was dying to get my hands on at the <a href="http://greenbabyexpo.com/default.aspx">expo</a> was a <a href="http://www.kleankanteen.com/index.html">Klean Kanteen</a>! These awesome bottles are founded from a local company and are responsibly made in China. If you haven't jumped aboard the BPA-free water bottle train, you should. Here are a few facts about them (from their website):</div><div align="center"><br />•Better Health: Klean Kanteens are made from #304 stainless steel, the material of choice in the food processing, dairy, and brewery industries. Stainless steel is easy to clean, durable, inert, sanitary, toxin-free, and non-leaching.<br /><br />•Hydration: It’s vital for life.<br /><br />•Environmental Responsibility: Klean Kanteens are the stainless steel alternative to plastics. Plastics in landfills and oceans are one of the most <a target="new">alarming</a> of today’s environmental stories. (They are also recyclable.)</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">This is the Klean Kanteen I bought (but a 27 oz. one, with a sports cap top) and I'm excited it will fit in my car's cup holder and it will fit ice inside for a trip to the gym! In addition, I'll be saving a lot of money in the long run AND not filling up a landfill with more of those plastic water bottles. </div><p><a href="http://www.kleankanteen.com/2products/klean-kanteen-27oz.html"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215957417285410242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRRcBMOig8F1Cdih0-XO6JDrtNtnqgbsU-bxaUKUn13-G1XQKHXQfQXfppfKUxqZmI6ouIKeJgy6mO1pLYidwMEH6dfwf7joZMZu883L4U2cm6T9eEIER2U4SvfghopZhI5r2pd2v3bujR/s320/Klean+Kanteen.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center">What kinds of local products are you excited about? Give your local companies a "shout out" and post something on your blog. Go local!<br /></p><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/shaunacallaghan/?action=view&current=erikasig.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/shaunacallaghan/erikasig.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132764524120243914noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835721172968579290.post-72108351913585753172008-05-25T14:48:00.000-07:002008-05-25T16:37:16.249-07:00Wilson's Heart<div align="center">I have been haunted for the past week by these scenes:<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/asA_N8Puxuw&hl=" width="425" height="355" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent"></embed></div><br /><div align="center">This is the season finale from the Fox TV show, <a href="http://www.fox.com/house/">House</a>. I've never cried during a TV show as much as I did when I saw this. It was so brilliantly touching and heartbreakingly real. My eyes teared, then cried and I finally just sobbed. The writers outdid themselves with this episode. Every word was perfect. Perfect. </div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">Sometimes life feels so random and cruel. And sometimes we feel as if nothing "bad" will ever happen to us.</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">But such is life; we lose loved ones. And no matter how random or cruel it may seem, it WILL happen to those we love. We must love with all we have and make each day count. Stop regretting. Love ourselves. Laugh. Make memories. Be in the present. Accept difficulty and surpass it. </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">If you don't watch <a href="http://www.fox.com/house/">House</a>, you should. </div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><p align="center"><a href="http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/shaunacallaghan/?action=view&current=erikasig.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/shaunacallaghan/erikasig.jpg" border="0" /></a> </p>Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132764524120243914noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835721172968579290.post-74903381977682585882008-05-23T13:56:00.000-07:002008-05-23T13:58:47.314-07:00This was me yesterday...<div align="center"> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJF5DoFld829a64F0HdcbBTimEuZs_gzaBWNQhYA1DBjvDttgaGagk1r59VraLPXvkHePhPlSu0C47yVqTGT41mn7bdkGAhLLgP9ozRe72DAJYHBw5HzaEnBEfPFvlprK_ExPd3OLJnvH8/s1600-h/swearing.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203680471550145234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJF5DoFld829a64F0HdcbBTimEuZs_gzaBWNQhYA1DBjvDttgaGagk1r59VraLPXvkHePhPlSu0C47yVqTGT41mn7bdkGAhLLgP9ozRe72DAJYHBw5HzaEnBEfPFvlprK_ExPd3OLJnvH8/s320/swearing.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/shaunacallaghan/?action=view&current=erikasig.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/shaunacallaghan/erikasig.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132764524120243914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835721172968579290.post-66884530379108375922008-05-21T10:09:00.001-07:002008-05-21T10:51:10.218-07:00It's tag and I'm it!<div align="center">I feel sorta popular right now! I was tagged by Domestic Accident to complete the following tidbits about me. Wait a minute, this is starting to feel like homework...or worse yet, housework!</div><p align="center">4 Things I was doing 10 years ago (1998)</p><p align="center">1) Taking finals at the end of my freshman year of college!</p><p align="center">2) E-mailing and calling my new "love." (Guess what, he became my hubby!)</p><p align="center">3) Working at a local body and bath shop. Pumping lotion and cutting soap...no brain activity required.</p><div align="center">4) Walking and biking everywhere because I didn't have a car!</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">4 Things I was doing 5 years ago (2003)</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">1) Getting a new job at a wireless phone company.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">2) Reapplying to college after taking a 3 year break. All those essays can wear a woman out!</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">3) Having fun living with soon-to-be hubby and another great couple.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">4) Dreading summer because the A/C was broken in my car! 102 degrees...#@&@^#!</div><p align="center"><br />4 Things I did yesterday</p><p align="center">1) Took Kira to preschool.</p><p align="center">2) Got to have a peaceful lunch out with the hubby and Mr. Marcus Man!</p><p align="center">3) Bought some new underwear...ooh-la-la!</p><p align="center">4) Went to a friend's Tupperware show....no longer a virgin in this department! Yikes! I'm broke! (And now officially a housewife!!)</p><div align="center"></div><div align="center">4 Shows I like to watch</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">1) THE OFFICE!!!</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">2) Scrubs</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">3) House (I am emotionally scarred from the season finale!)</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">4) 24 (January seems very far away!)</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">4 things I like to do</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">1) Have date nights with the hubby.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">2) Go to the park with the kiddos.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">3) Eat ice cream.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">4) CRAFT!</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">I'm tagging <a href="http://inspiredbyjenna.blogspot.com/">Jenna</a>, <a href="http://www.mamalovespapa.com/">Morgan</a>, <a href="http://writingmomof2.blogspot.com/">Lynda</a> and <a href="http://www.seemydesigns.blogspot.com/">Shauna</a>. Have fun!</div><p align="center"><br /></p><div align="center"><a href="http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/shaunacallaghan/?action=view&current=erikasig.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/shaunacallaghan/erikasig.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132764524120243914noreply@blogger.com1