QueenLondonsCarriage

Baby's New Nursery

2011-07-01T18:26:00.000-07:00

I have been working on "designing" the new baby boy's room. And we have come up with a sophisticated pallet for this nursery. We want orange, tan, white and navy blue. Here is a picture of the crib wall as I have it pictured. Obviously, the door is the door into the room and it opens up directly to where the crib will be placed. I plan to sew a wall drape to hang behind the crib out of drop cloth material and orange textured cotton. We may make or hang something over the crib, but for now we haven't found the perfect thing. The cream/white rectangle to the right is a small bookshelf which will be painted to match the dresser and armoire going on the adjoining walls.
The bedding we plan to use is from Pottery Barn.
The armoire we have is very similar to this one found at County Living.

The Bombay chest we have is very very similar to this one found at Sarah Jane Furniture.
The crib we have was purchased for our first on, used for our Daughter, and will be used again for our new Son. It was purchased from Babies-R-Us, but is a Stork Craft in Cognac.We plan to paint the ceiling with white and navy blue stripes like in the picture below found on cantyshanty via google.

So, these are the staple items, and I will post pictures as we go. I hope everyone likes it as much as I do!

Boy or Girl? Boy or Girl? Boy or Girl?

2011-06-06T08:00:00.000-07:00

I have a disclaimer: this day did not go quite as planned, BUT...
It was such a fun day. I couldn't sleep, so I got up early (for a weekend) and started baking cupcakes (four dozen to be exact). Knight I helped me mix and pour the cupcakes into the baking cups. While the cupcakes were cooling we fed kids, vacuumed floors, bleached bathroom floors, cleaned counter tops...pretty much did stuff that had to wait until the last minute or else they would be worthless with 2 little ones running around! So around 11:00am the Queen Grandma came over to help finish up, BUT...she couldn't help, she had something to her back while picking out stuff from upstairs at the ranch house and was in extreme extreme pain. I asked her if she needed to go to the emergency room, but she refused. So around 12:30pm the King Daddy helped her out of the chair and into her vehicle. We called Grandpa and told him to watch for her because she could not get out of her car by herself. At 2:00pm Grandpa called and said that they were going to the emergency room and would not be at our gender reveal party. Needless to say I was very disappointed that they would miss all the fun, but we let the Queen Grandma go with us to the ultrasound and we swore her to secrecy, so she already knew what the sex was. So about this time I started taking fun pictures of my sweet kids. Below is Easton kissing London...my favorite!

London is trying to look mad....
Easton is doing a goofy face.

So here is the final table. I tried to keep is very simple. I made cupcakes, hollowed out the center and filled them with the appropriate colored frosting, then frosted the tops with just enough frosting to hide the color of frosting.

Here is the pink side. King Daddy ran and picked up the last few things (since the Queen Grandma couldn't bring her stuff). We had pink and white animal cookies and red licorice bites.

Here is the blue side. In the jar in the back was salt water taffy and blue cookies and creme kisses.
Again, the finished table for our small gathering.

Best picture of my kids and I. The other pictures are better of me, but not as cute of my kiddies. And about a half of a second earlier Easton had his hand on my belly too, but boys are embarrassed, I suppose. Also, you can kind of see my belly...you really can't tell until I'm like 7 months pregnant (because I'm so tall I think), but I guess it's better this way...I never look HUGE!
Here is team PINK!

Here is team BLUE!
Everyone had just opened their cupcakes...it's a.....

BOY!!!!!!!!!!! There is blue frosting inside those cupcakes!!

My Grandma said "Oh no, it's a boy". She was not so happy! It was actually the response we expected from her....So, in October a sweet baby boy will join our family making the count: 2 blue and 1 pink; and my parents grandchild count: 4 blue and still only 1 pink princess!!!

Bump Watch: 19 Weeks

2011-06-02T13:36:00.000-07:00

How Far Along: 19 weeks!

Size of baby: Large heirloom tomatoe (8 1/2 ounces)

Total Weight Gained: 6 lbs.

Maternity Clothes: A mix of regular clothes with the bella band and maternity clothes. My good friend loaned me two bags of her maternity clothes which has really really helped get me through thus far!

Gender: Unknown

Movement: If I sit still the baby kicks pretty hard, and the King Daddy can now feel the kicks from the outside.

Sleep: I have been sleeping fine, with the exception of our 2 year old who is having some trouble transitioning into her big girl bed.

What I miss: I miss playing rough with my kids in the floor because now I can't lay down and play airplane with either one of them, but especially my 5 year old.

Cravings: I like salty anything (chips, salsa, etc.)!

Aversions: Nothing.

Symptoms: Other than having a belly sticking out, and feeling weak on occasion...feeling pretty good.

Best Moment this week: Our 5 year old son (KnightI) graduated from preschool this week, and that was a pretty big deal. I had to work, so the King Daddy took lots and lots of pictures for me! We put up Queen London's big girl bed and one afternoon we went looking for her and she had climbed up into her bed and gone to sleep all by herself....it was very sweet.

...the countdown has begun...

2011-06-01T09:48:00.000-07:00

On Friday, we will find out the sex of our newest baby. We already have the names picked out and will announce them on Saturday to our families. I have planned to have cupcakes there that have been hollowed out and filled with appropriately colored filling, and then frosted in vanilla or chocolate frosting. About half way through our get together we plan to pass out the cupcakes and everyone gets to bite into them together. We also asked that everyone wear the color (pink or blue) that they think the baby will be and we have a little contest. Once everyone knows we will announce the name. So 2 days and counting until we know what we're having, and 3 days and counting until we tell everyone what we're having!

Harboring a little secret...

2011-05-12T11:13:00.000-07:00

So, you know how I've been saying that I'm super busy, and I just can't find the motivation to craft, and how London wore a shirt that had to be decoded by the rest of our family? Well that's because we are having another baby!!! Surprise, another little King or Queen is on the way, and we just can't wait to meet the little avocado (you see, babycenter says that as of today, our little baby is the size of an avocado)!! We will find out in about 3 weeks what sex the baby is, and we can't wait. Eddie and I think we have come up with the perfect names, but we are going to keep the names a secret until we know what the baby is. THEN, we are going to surprise the Queen Grandma. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to do a reveal that is special and fun? Please let me know! So without further ado....BABY KING 3

Kylie's Vintage/Modern Pink/Green/Black Wedding

2011-05-08T15:51:00.000-07:00

This past weekend the Queen Grandma helped to decorate for a wedding that took place in Visalia. The colors were hot pink, lime green, and black and white. My Dad was the officiant, so here is the Queen Grandma and Grandpa lighting candles before hand.

Kylie and her Father walking long path to the aisle.
Below is a photo of Mike and Kylie hand in hand during the ceremony. You can see the piece that the Queen Grandma re purposed from Roxanne's wedding. It is an apparatus that is covered in fabrics that match the wedding, and frames are tied to hang within the art piece.
Thank goodness Kylie provided bubbles for their exit. We utilized those a little early! Easton wanted to know when it was going to be over....AND the wedding hadn't even started yet!!!
Here is a little bit better picture of the altar, the bride and groom, and the aisle. The Queen Grandma and the Mother of the Bride spent two hours on their hands and knees laying rose petals down the aisle in the shapes of scrolls. Well, needless to say, they just look like petals after approximately 7 bridesmaids and the bride!
Congratulations Mike & Kylie!!
After the ceremony, as the guests were leaving we let our kids run wild for a little bit! Easton blew bubbles and London chased them.
Since Grandpa officiated the wedding, we had to get a picture at the altar. Maybe someday Grandpa can marry them...someday, someday a lot time from now!
Queen Grandma re purposed the cupcake stand as well at this wedding. The Bride did something unbelievable....she made everyone of those cupcakes for the reception herself!!
Below is a photo of the cake table and cupcake stand. In addition to the cupcakes and cake, the venue served cheesecake...mmmm!! Easton loved his first piece of cheesecake, while London thought it was disgusting! Queen Grandma decorated this table using a glass jar full of bridal pieces, black and white fabric, mossy ferns, a vintage iron table, and wood chips.
A better picture of the actual cake table.
The Bride also cut out circles from her favorite book and cardstock to match the colors to spread throughout the reception.
My Son started to get bored waiting for the bridal party...so he built a fork sculpture!
And here is the sweet little Queen BEFORE the wild hit her. It was hard to sit still for that long. She was wild, not bad in any way, just busy, busy, busy!
...but London took the time to sit and attentively listen to the bridal parties toasts.
London asked to dance with the groom, so she paid for her dance!
Kylie also provided a photo booth. The Kings happily obliged to take a photo... Obviously, I wasn't quite ready for the picture to be taken, but you get the idea!

Easter 2011

2011-04-27T12:44:00.000-07:00

So the Easter weekend was super fun for us, even though it was busy! Friday I took off work at noon, and we took the kids to the movies to see the movie "Hop". It was really cute, but my Daughter is too young for the theatre, or so we learned. Then Friday night I boiled eggs and put them back in the fridge to get cold, and baked cupcakes for my Sister-in-law's thirteenth birthday part at the zoo on Saturday. So Saturday morning we got up early, frosted said cupcakes, got everyone ready and drove one hour north to the zoo. The kids had a blast at the zoo, almost lost our little one as she thinks everyone is fun to walk with! After that trip I was convinced I need a leash!! We got home from the zoo and the picnic and after everyone had rested a bit, the kids were ready to dye some eggs.
London helped first...
Easton helped next...
They were sooooo excited when the eggs actually turned colors! Easton's favorite is always green, but our green was WEAK this year, so other colors started taking precedent.
The Easter Bunny brought the kids new baskets (because last years matching buckets got left on the back porch and are now rusty/disgusting), butterfly nets, bug catchers, PEZ dispensers, chocolate bunnies, swimming goggles, lots and lots of candy, and Easton: a boat for search and rescue missions, and London: peeps lipstick (which we did have to take away since she keeps eating it!!).
Grandma took her little ducklings on a walk, and helped them find their special eggs.
Easton found his yearly green egg. Doesn't he look thrilled to post for my pictures?!

My sweet nephew, Knight III, hunting for his very own eggs, playdoh, and hula hoop.

The Queen Grandma pulled this dress out and washed it for me. She asked if London could wear it for Easter because it was my Easter dress approximately twenty (cough cough)-seven years ago. Doesn't my sweet girl look so sweet wearing her Mommy's very own Easter dress. When I put the little petti-slip on underneath the dress London swayed back and forth saying "pitty Mommy pitty". She did look pretty, and I was so excited for my family to see this sweet one.

The Queen Grandma LOVES to take Pumpkin Carriage rides, so TJ hooked up the tractor and took all of the kids and a few choice adult/teenage chaperone's for rides.

This picture is especially neat because you can see the pumpkin carriage being pulled around the vineyard, and in the background is the house. That house was built in 1875, and my Great Great Grandpa bought it in 1896. My Great Grandpa Renaud was born in that house and passed in the house; my Grandpa was born in a small house (that no longer stands) just to the northeast of the house), and now my parents live there with my Grandma (who thinks she's the Queen). The house still has many of the original fixtures and character that it had, but has been upgraded by my parents in the last 3 years. Well I hope everyone had a great Easter. We enjoyed our family and friends.

Our little Queen's most special dresses

2011-04-06T14:50:00.000-07:00

I have so much going on, and nothing really going on, so I'm going to share some of our little Queen's special baby baby dresses. When London was about 1 month old and Easton was 3 years old, we took the kids to Disneyland for a few days away. Queen Grandma couldn't stand the thought of our little wearing off the rack Disney clothes, so she got out her sewing machine and all of the local animals came around to help. Below is a picture of the closet with a few of the special items we took for the kids to wear. A picture of my most precious/fiesty from the start little wearing her Cinderella inspired Christening-esque dress. I always wanted long long dresses to put on my Daughter so Queen Grandma knew just what I had in mind. We are waiting in line to pick up our season passes at the Happiest Place on Earth! The second day our sweet little debuted her Belle inspired dress, and as you can see my Daughter was very good as showing how she felt. Queen Grandma also made receiving blankets out of Disney fabric for each day we were there. So when London was ready to be snuggled up like a burrito, she would be matching and ready for any Disney adventure. At my Baby Shower for London, Queen Grandma surprised me with a sketch of this Christening-esque dress made from one of my highschool dresses. When we picked it up we were in love, although we wish it was a tad bigger. Not too far from our houses there are gorgeous trees with green grass, so treked out there in search of a pretty back drop. *You can really see how long this dress truly is in this photo. And an up close photo of my little Queen laying in a bed of wishes. Oh how I miss that sweet chubby baby! She has turned into a full fledged TWO YEAR OLD TODDLER!!!!

...goats and a funny story...

2011-03-29T12:50:00.000-07:00

So firstly, I would like to introduce 2 goats to you...Emma and George. Emma is standing on top of the crate and George is somewhat hiding behind the crate. For the Queen Grandma's 50th birthday we adopted two 8 week old baby goats. We surprised her with them.

Here they are after the Queen Grandma started to build then pen bigger as they grow. They are about 4 months old here.

When the goats pen was built out, the chickens were moved closer to the goats, so George is checking the chickens out and scoping the scene.

Here is my sweet Queen feeding the goats. Emma is the sweeter one, and she eats right out of the kids' hands. She also walks on leash. It's amazing to see my Daughter blossoming into a little farm girl.

Again, here is London feeding Emma. Emma happened to walk right up to London on this day and KISS HER right smack on the face. Well, I suppose a farm girl has a certain bond with her animal friends. So, on to the funny story...today the Queen Grandma looks out her window and sees a goat walking around her porch. So she quickly runs outside thinking that goats are out and loose. Well to her surprise, this goat on the porch IS NOT ONE OF HERS. Can you imagine the surprise when Queen Grandma see some random goat playing on her porch. She keeps teasing us that all the goats in the area can hear Emma cry for her, so they are coming to see what Emma is talking about. You see, Emma cries whenever the Queen Grandma leaves her...Emma wants to be right next to our Queen Grandma. So the neighbors come over (they have several goats, but all are pigmy goats) to see if this random goat is their goat...IT IS NOT THEIRS EITHER!!! So this leaves us wondering...whose goat is this and where did HE come from? Since HE is most definately a HE, Queen Grandma sent him to live with the pigmy's until his proper owner can be found, or forever depending on whether or not he gets along with the pigmy's. But one thing is for sure....HE can not live with the Queen Grandma. We do not need any more baby goats on this farm!

Capri's Sweet Lemonade First Birthday Party

2011-03-24T15:53:00.000-07:00

So I would like to introduce you to a super sweet one year old, Capri!
Capri's Mommy planned and made almost everything for this amazingly sweet birthday party. you can see Capri discovering her birthday cake with one itty bitty little finger...

Capri's Daddy made something pretty great (if you ask me)....HER VERY OWN LEMONADE STAND!!! There were bottles of pink lemonade sitting out on the stand along with a personalized chalkboard. This stand (and Capri, of course) is going to the epitome of the lemonade girls.
Here is the sweets table filled with lots of yummy pink and yellow treats. I'm not sure if you can see them, but on the left of the picture the invitation is framed. I only mention this because QUEEN LONDON'S CARRIAGE designed it specifically for Miss Capri. And the treat bags on the right also have 2.5" round circle labels designed to match ;).
Below is the "sour" table....love that!!! Capri's Mommy set out lemonade, pink lemonade and water for all of the birthday partiers. Capri's Mommy had us design the water bottle labels and the labels for the lemonade stands.

Here is an up close photo of the "pink lemonade" label attached by pink and white ribbon.Isn't this table scape just amazing, and perfect for an outdoor first birthday?
Below is a picture of the water bottle labels which match the invites, all labels, the thank you notes. I'm so glad these worked out so well, and the labels withstood the ice bucket too!Here is the birthday cake and cupcake display, and I just think it looks so great! Capri's Mommy made all of this stuff herself, and I think it takes the cake!
A very special first birthday cake with cute yellow petit fours below...
Sugar cookies with yellow frosting.....mmmmmmm
Thank you so much Christine for letting me help with Capri's party, and I hope I can get you to write a few tutorials on how you made all of this super sweet stuff!

Super top secret spy birthday party

2011-03-02T15:30:00.000-08:00

Last weekend our Son had his 5th birthday party. I am really trying to scale back on the decorations, and make it more fun for the kids because that's where is really matters. So here was our sweets table. I used 2 yards of herringbone fabric hung from a metal clothing rack (that the Queen Grandma had stashed away), and an "Easton" banner made by my good friend from Birthday Bliss.

We had Capri Sun's (because all kids love those!), caramel apples with sprinkles and some with peanuts, and cupcakes. These cupcakes were sooo good, and out of 48, I had only 9 left ;). I made the bottom layer chocolate fudge, then french vanilla, and the top layer was died teal green to match the party.

I made the fans, last minute of course, by cutting the herringbone paper into strips and folding it. I glued it together and added the 5 cut out to the center. And all of the cupcake toppers were made to match the invitations with Perry the Playtpus on them. Perry seemed to fit the theme perfectly as he is a secret spy on Phinneas and Ferb, as well as Easton has a shirt with "Agent P" on it.

Yes, I stacked my corningware up and made my own make-shift cake platter. I think it turned out cute, so that's all that matters!!!

We went on a mission around the house. I only took pictures of the first stop because frankly it was cooooold, and all of us were running to try to get back inside the house! So the first instruction:

1. Follow the crooked porch until you find the blue table with your investigative tools on it. (notepads covered in matching paper and pencils)

2. The goats will know where to go next. (Queen Grandma has goats, so we stuck all the kids party blowers near them pen)

3. Find row 7 and you will find your disguises for your last mission. (plastic glasses with the fake noses attached)

4. Crawl through to doorways and don't touch the lazer beams. (I took string and ran it through 2 doorways and one room, and everyone had to crawl through the string and try not to touch the "lazer beams")

5. Find the last window for your top secret identities. (I made identification cards for each kid that has their photo on it, their age, and their secret code for mission (which was their initials))

Here is our most special birthday boy. We can't believe our first baby is 5 years old....oh how I remember when he was so tiny, and I could dress him up and get him to smile for me.

The littlest knight shared his lolli-pop with our very own little Queen. Thanks Grandma for providing such a LARGE lolli-pop........ It was sweet that they were sharing. And the little Queen had a coordinating outfit to the rest of us. She had on white lace leggings, black lace up boots, herringbone panties, a black tutu, a special shirt that was decoded by the family, and a matching hairbow.

Happy Birthday my sweet Son. Mom and Dad love you so much and feel so lucky to get the opportunity to raise you.

Only in the movies...

2011-02-18T14:54:00.000-08:00

Today, I had one of those days, you know the ones that only happen in the movies. You go in for one thing, and come out with so much more! Yes, one of those days!!! Stay tuned for more.....

Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T09:35:00.000-08:00

Today is filled with so many different emotions for me. Today is the day that my Husband (then my Boyfriend) taped a note and a rose to my window while I was at work and I knew I was smitten. We talked late late that night once i got home (because cell phones weren't cool yet). Then...three years ago today I picked my Son up from my Mother-in-law at 12:30 (because she needed to go to work), and at 1:08 pm our world stopped. She was in a horrible car accident. 12:30 was the last time I got to talk to her. We lost such a force in our life that the pieces have been crumbling around ever since. So there, that's the story (in short form). I want to remember the great things about her today.

Tami used to have fresh baked Hawaiian bread ready when I got done with the high school football games. (I would always sneak over to my boyfriends house after the games before curfew)

Tami went with me to every wedding dress fitting with my Mom and I.

Tami and I talked to each other every day, and would just sit chatting about anything and nothing at the same time.

Tami would just giggle when I told her of plans I had for a party, or school, or whatever.

Tami was the third person to know that I was pregnant with Easton, and she made me take one MORE pregnancy test just to make sure.

Between my Mom and Tami, I had someone with me during every doctors appointment when I was pregnant with Easton.

Tami was there the day we found out we were going to have a precious baby boy.

Tami was there the day we had our precious baby boy.

Tami watched Easton for us when I went back to work.

Tami was there for our Son's first robot birthday party.

And we were making plans for Easton's second birthday when she was taken from us just ten days before our little turned 2.

We will never let our children forget what a great person their Grandma was. We will always take her new flowers, so her resting place is as close to as beautiful as she was. We will never forget what we had, and what we lost so tragically. We will continue to see what a wonderful Mother she was, through her four wonderful children (one of which I got to marry!!). So today I will remember Tami! We love you!!

London's Vintage Cowgirl Second Birthday Party

2011-01-31T12:17:00.000-08:00

This weekend my Daughter, Queen London, had her second birthday and second birthday party. I can't believe my baby is TWO!!! Below is the sweets table. I am trying to pair the parties down a bit, so this year we had pink cupcakes (thanks to Amber), sugar cookies (thanks to Sydney), caramel apples, and pink marshmallows. We also had lunch for the kids which consisted of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches cut into the shape of a star, animal crackers and juice for the kids.

And as a side note that little red barn is super vintage and was given to me for my Son's nursery when he was born and sat in his room until about one year ago when the kids began sharing one room. I may have to bring it back home because I still love it!

I made all of the cupcake toppers ahead of time, and they had her name on them as well as L's, 2's, and glitter 2's with pistol's in the background (because we all know that she is our little pistol).

Here is the door to the backside of the house and the kids table was set up right below this entryway. My friend Heather of Birthday Bliss made the adorable banner, and I plan on hanging it above London's bed once we transition her into her BIG GIRL BED!!!! Eeeeeee!!! And again you can see the WANTED poster I designed after finding a few other wanted posters designed similarly. London is "WANTED for crimes including climbing out of her crib, throwing daggers with her eyebrows, and being feisty like a pistol!"

Mom had this old gun sitting out on the table.

The Queen Grandma was primping London before all the guests arrived. Most of London's ensemble was designed and created by my Mom and myself. We ordered the pink cowgirl fabric from Warm Biscuit, and then rest of the fabric was purchased from Beverly's here locally. London's leggings were repurposed from a vintage sweater purchased at the local thrift store with some of the dress fabric. I made her bow a couple of days beforehand, and I like them BIG, so for everyone who likes dainty bows....great for you....BUT NOT ME!!! I think the more the better!!! I personally think that she looks like a cute little cowgirl cupcake with the frosting on top!!! And everyone knows the frosting is what MAKES the cupcake! :)

London's absolute favorite gift was from our good friends, and it consisted of a french paper basket, a black and hot pink skunk with a mohawk (their Son has a mohawk and picked this gift out for her), and M&M's.....London's LOVES M&M's, and we have been potty training this sweet girl, so we go through lots and lots of candy! :) :) :) So, on another note....THERE ARE PANTIES UNDER THAT DRESS!!!!!! We have one big girl!!!!

We sang Happy Birthday to our favorite girl...

And she enjoyed every last bit of that frosting!

The Queen Grandma and Grandpa stole a few precious moments with London. Grandma is teasing London "Don't you tell Papa". London's favorite person in the whole wide world is Grandpa, and Grandma always teases her that Grandma is London's favorite, and they just won't tell Papa.

London opened up one of her presents, and she may be a little bit bossy, so she was telling somebody that they can't see her present. Hopefully, someday, I can teach this little pistol to "be nice".

We also did shrinky dinks at the party, and they were a big hit with all of the little girls, and my nephew.

I had most of the pictures already traced and cut out and ready to be colored. Horseshoes, cowboys, cowgirls, initials, hats, and my personal favorite was the horse.

After most of the guests left Grandpa and the King Daddy took the bigger boys outside for some target practice with Grandpa's BB gun.

Doesn't Easton look just like a little cowboy...I love the bandana, Sheriff badge, cowboy boots, and BB gun...he takes shooting very seriously!

Now I would like a small disclaimer, we do not allow our 2 year old to touch this BB gun. BUT, I asked my Dad if he would hold her and let her try to pretend to shoot for her birthday (and so I could take a picture)! I'm glad I did because it's such a sweet picture of my Dad and baby girl.

Happy Birthday to the sweetest little Queen. We love you London Tami Lynn.

My Baby is Turning TWO!!

2011-01-28T09:25:00.000-08:00

Sunday is a big day...London is turning two! Although we are having her party on Saturday, we plan on spending Sunday doing what she likes. I can not believe that 2 years ago I had this little bundle of joy inside my belly. London is the most loving little girl with hugs and kisses and a very calm little girl, BUT she is as feisty as they come! She yells at her Brother and bosses anyone who will listen around....a girl after my own heart <3!

When London was one month old we took her to Disneyland for her Brothers third birthday, and she gave us a run for our money while there. I think this was the first time my parents got to see her this way!

Grandma took the reigns for a little bit and they met up with their Fairy Godmother!
And to top the birthday off, we have been potty training her and I almost feel like my baby is leaving! She's a big girl now....she only has a few remnants left of baby-hood: pacifier, crib, and she still has not had a haircut!!! On that note, King Daddy and I have gone back and forth since the day she was born about cutting hair and piercing ears....neither are things I want to do, but he taunts me often about it! London's hair is just so pretty, and it curls down her back....I just can't bear to cut it. King Dad wants to cut bangs, and I absolutely can't do it....CAN NOT DO IT!!! My Sister and I were plagued with half-a-head bangs, and I just can't put my Daughter through that! King Dad and I made a deal that we would cut her hair on the 2nd birthday, but now that it's here....I don't want to do it!!!! So in the end the saying stays true: Happy Wife, Happy Life....so London's hair is staying!!!! Next post will be pictures of little Queen London's birthday party!!! Woo hoo!!!

The Queen Grandma's Enchanted Winter Golden Birthday Party!

2011-01-14T16:22:00.000-08:00

My Dad and I surprised my Mom (the Queen Grandma here) with a "Gold" birthday party. I stole most of the items used to decorate from her house (and she barely noticed)!! So here is table 1: a fat glass apothecary jar filled with moss sitting atop a sheet of matching printed paper. We filled those blue bowls with cake balls, and sugar cookies!

Here is a cake pedestal with a cloche sitting atop. I designed and handmade each one of those carriage fans.

Here is one of the taller vases filled with silver twigs and whispy grass and one of the hand made fans.

A close up of the table after the cupcakes were placed out. I don't know if you can see that frosting on those cupcakes, but it is chocolate chip frosting, and tastes JUST LIKE chocolate chip cookie dough.....A-MAZING!!

The gift table was just as you entered the building.

The CAKE!!! It was made Olivia of Piece O Cake by Olivia, and tasted amazing! The cake was french vanilla with the same chocolate chip buttercream....mmmmmmmmmm!!!

I know the cake table wasn't amazing, but I didn't anticipate how large the tables would be, nor did I remember to bring serving plates for those yummy-yummy sugar cookies.

I made red velvet and cream cheese cake balls. I think I learned my lesson...either I'm not a perfectionist (which is totally true) and/or I made these way too big and they kept falling off of the sticks. It didn't matter though, there was not one left!!! You can find the recipe to my red velvet cake pops here.

And here is the Queen of my Heart....Queen London. She was quite the little dancer this evening, and stayed on the dance floor ALL NIGHT. And by all night, I mean until we left at 12:00am (midnight)!!!

And here is the King of his Mommy's Heart....such a sweet cute faux-hawk boy. He's so much more shy than his little Sister.... Here is right when my Mom walked in the door! SURPRISE!!!

And we danced the night away!!!

My Mom's friends and family danced, and danced, and danced!!! It was such a great time! I need to find a place locally that I can go dance at....such a BLAST!!!

Grandma got a special dance with her little King....Michael Jackson, of course. He thinks he is MJ, and even does the moonwalk for which he has named the "walk backwards with your head back"....lolololAnd I will leave you with one last endearing photo. These are my parents, and they have been married 32...THIRTY-TWO years. That is nothing to laugh at, that's serious!! And although my Dad isn't always the most romantic man...he has the sweetest heart and threw this entire party for my Mom.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY QUEEN GRANDMA!!!!!

And....as her surprise present from us, we got her BABY GOATS!!!! She named them George and Emma....twins, 8 weeks old! Eeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010 Ends....

2010-12-30T10:08:00.000-08:00

Well this year has been a big year in the King household...lots of new things, and lots of the same 'ol. Our Son turned 4, started a new pre-school, learned how to unlock my cell phone, learned how to use the computer, and generally became a wonderful little man. Our Daughter turned 1, started walking, started talking, grew loooooong hair, and became the fiestiest little girl that we love so much! King Dad finished his school program, and spent lots of time with the kids. I planned parties, juggled my family, worked full time, went back to school, and GRADUATED from college finally!

Queen London's Carriage grew in a few aspects by starting this blog, by opening a facebook, by brainstorming, planning and throwing a few fun parties, and by just keepin' on. Queen Grandma continued to sell her vintage on etsy, and I sold a few digital files on etsy. We still love what we do, and how we can do it together. Below are a few photos from our year in 2010.

London's first ever birthday party

Easton turned 4 at his Dinosaur Party

We celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary...8 YEARS!!!

Easter

We let our little one play at the Queen Grandma's IN THE MUD!!!!

Alice in Wonderland Tea Party & Cookie Baking Party

Halloween

We took the kids to Disneyland and celebrated the King Dad's 30th birthday!We matched our clothes.....even after all these years!!! We are truly best of friends!
I graduated from Fresno Pacific University.

Queen Grandma threw me an amazing party!

And we had an amazing Christmas that I haven't blogged about. Maybe someday you can see my tree, the Queen Grandma's tree, and all things royal for our holiday. Thanks for sticking around to see what we're up to. We have exciting things coming in the next few weeks, and I can't wait to share with you what we have planned!

Graduation Party 2010

2010-12-21T15:58:00.000-08:00

December 11, 2010 I did something that has been in the works for many, many years....I GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE!!! I know there is no time frame to finish something that important, I wish I would have done this years ago!!!

My sweet Son came and supported me, and he was such a trooper.
1:00pm-2:00pm car ride to school
2:00-3:00pm wait for the ceremony while holding seats
3:00-4:30pm watch boring adult graduation ceremony
4:45-5:15pm car ride to restaurant
5:15-5:35pm wait for seats at restaurant
5:35pm-6:35pm eat in an adult establishment
6:35-7:05pm car ride home
= GOOD BOY!!!

Of course, my Husband, who watched the kids, listened to me cry when I was frustrated, dropped off dinner at school, brought stuff I had forgotten, and generally helped to put me through this schooling.

My parents who had this dream for me, and both said that "this was the best Christmas gift they could have received this year". They wanted this for me the first time I went to school, and second time I enrolled, and I finally decided enough was enough and applied for graduation!!!

Here are my: (from left) Sister-in-law Tiffani, Husband Eddie, Son Easton, me!, Sister-in-law Tori, and Sister-in-law Tara.......who watched me walk this walk...and their Mom would have been there will bells on if she could have been (and I suspect that she was there anyways)!

These girls are so important to me, and I hope to someday watch each one of them do the same walk I did!
My Mom and Cousin Janice threw this amazing get together for me, and wait till you see all the details!!!! Do you see that cake?!!! Piece O Cake by Olivia made this cake, and it was exactly what my Mom had in mind!!!

Again, Piece O Cake by Olivia designed, completed, and delivered this amazing cake!

It is no surprise that my Mom put this display together, and it is all things that are loved by us! We always make caramel apples, like for everything!!!, vintage desserts, keys to our heart, frames and pears (there is a side story to this: when my Husband and I got married oh so many years ago, and our theme was red and tan, with pears "Quite a pear"!! lololol, so it is no surprise that these pears would make a surprise appearance at my graduation party).

Do you see those cupcakes with fondant toppers??? Olivia made those too, yep! There were four designs, but my absolute favorite was the one with the silhouette on it. The silhouette was a graduate (me) holding the hands of her two adorable kids (made exclusively for this event).

Nobody can turn down red velvet cupcakes!!!!

This hand towel was the inspiration for the entire party, and my Mom did an amazing job!! I created the silhouette that is framed above the towel, and I was able to keep it afterwards to remind myself forever that I DID IT!!! With a Husband, and 2 kids in tow!!

And a very good family friend made these sugar cookies, and let me just tell you that they are amazing...not like good, like I ate the entire bag that night while I stayed up late with my Sister-in-law talking!!!

We did not take my Daughter to the actual graduation because can you imagine an almost 2 years old having to stick to that schedule I outlined earlier for my Son? Uh, no! She stayed home with the friend who made those sugar cookies!!

And here is the last picture from my party...my beautiful Sister-in-laws. I want to formally and publicly thank my Mother who listened to me, gave me advice, and who threw me this party. My Dad may have helped too! And to my Husband, who again, helped to push me to do this. To my kids, who gave me the drive to do it. And to my Mother-in-law who would have been there with bells on, and I believe she was there. She is probably the one who poked me, and reminded me that I needed to DO IT!!!!!

And thank you to all who read this blog....I love what I do!!!!

Lack of posts

2010-12-03T12:02:00.000-08:00

I am so sorry for the lack of posts for those of you who check back here. I have recently went back to school, and am in the last push to finish those classes!!! I will post pictures in 10 days...because I GRADUATE DECEMBER 11!!!! I have always gotten so close, and then I don't actually finish, and start in a new program, so I will finally have my bachelors degree...and will be done there! Woo hoo!!! So I am sorry that I have all but abandoned this blog, but don't you worry i am still making stuff! Recently, I designed and printed the announcements and invitations for my graduation party, designed a good friend's baby shower invitation, designed several Christmas labels, and am designing Christmas tags to put on this blog so watch out for those!!!

Mary Poppins Sweaters and Mickey Mouse Shirts

2010-11-17T12:12:00.000-08:00

Last week we used our volunteer a day passes to take the kids to Disneyland. This was a very special trip because we took my nephew too! So of course I have to go completely overboard, and make shirts...and skirts...and sweaters (you get the idea)!

Below are my 2 kids with their clothing. Easton's shirt has an alligator (because he's obsessed with catching and wrangling alligators) with Mickey Mouse inside his mouth holding the alligators mouth open with one finger! London has a skirt with the London skyline on it, and Mary Poppins floating in from the Heavens....practicallly perfect in every way!
Here is my Dad holding the kids before the Nemo submarine. You get a really good picture of Easton's shirt here. Now there is a disclaimer. My Mom and I were going to finish the details on the shirt in the car on the way, and of course, we forgot to bring needles. So we were searching, and even stopped to try to buy a sewing kit, and none of the little places we stopped had them, so these shirts were missing a few minor details....but I'm sure I'm the only one who noticed!

Here is our family picture. You can kind of see my sweater in this picture. I made the same skyline and Mary Poppins for the bottom of my sweater. I also madee twisty flowers with big pink bows to pin on the other side of the sweater.

So the Queen Grandma, and Mommy had matching, and it was so cool to match with my Daughter too! I absolutely love making these hand made items, and wish I had more time to do so!

Thank you everyone for following my blog! I would love to do a free printable, but want some kind of direction to head...so if you have any ideas please comment and let me know what you would like to see!

Halloween 2010

2010-11-06T13:50:00.000-07:00

As always, I'm not an "off the rack" kind of girl, so when it came time for Halloween, I knew there was not going to be a costume that you could just purchase on my kids! Since my Son is 4.5 now, he wanted to pick his own costume (even though I begged and pleaded with him to match his Sister). Easton chose to be a Ghostbuster. I thought about making my Daughter into the stay puft marshmallow man, or even a little ghost, but do I want to remember my Daughter as a little ghost....no! So, since he got to choose his costume, I figured I get to choose the other one right? So, London was a peacock. Both costumes were handmade or found partially handmade, and needed a little help....

Here they are sitting on our front porch with their pumpkins....and that pacificer (aka pappy) hardly leaves this little fiesty girls mouth!

When they were trick or treating, they held hands for bit (before London's hands got ridiculously sticky from her lolli pop). They may not have had matching costumes, but they still go together!

Here is my Daughters costume finished. I took a plain white onesie and stitched layers of circles cut from felt, circles cut from lace, and ruffles left from her skirt into a circle pattern on her chest. I then attached that skirt (on clearance from Forever 21) to the onesie. London's headband was wrapped with the matching fabrics, and then the Queen Grandma had a vintage hat in the perfect blue color with the netting and the leaves, and one of the peacock feathers I made with lace glued around it. I really feel like the headband made the costume (but I might be partial)! Her feather spray was made from cardboard wrapped with batting and blue felt fabric. I then stitched elastic to the spray and it became "wings" kind of.

Easton's costume took much less time stitching and cutting, but was just as fun to make. We found a tutorial here for the backpack. Essentially, you find a box that fits your child's dementions, then stuff a backpack inside the box and make the appropriate cuts for the straps to fit though. Then spray black, and attach all kinds of fun and interesting stuff to it. Easton's included: frozen dinner tray, RC car mini box, old garage door opener, tin tape (thanks to Daddy), a garden hose (thanks to Grandpa), and wires of all colors. If you visit At Second Street's blog, she really does show you exactly how to make this super cute (and easy enough for your child to help) costume. My Mom found his jumpsuit at the Thrift Store, and I stitched the ghostbuster symbol back on it.

Here's another cute picture of my little Ghostbuster!

And a close up of the backpack. Hot glue goes a long way in this project!!

And my Daughter trying to eat every piece of candy that she found! And if you noticed I personalized their candy buckets by using vinyl stickers of their names on their pumpkin buckets. Thanks Grandma for their buckets!!

I hope everyone had a wonderfully spooky Halloween!!!

Mismatchy is in right?!

2010-10-26T15:29:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I did the funniest/silliest thing of my life yesterday. About 11:00am somebody came in my office and commented on my clothing, so I stood up to model my pants, and I look down, AND I HAD TWO DIFFERENT SHOES ON!!! Literally, I had on one black boot, and one brown boot!! I didn't even notice!!!

So, the back story: when I am getting dressed I don't put my glasses on, so when I'm looking through the floor of my closet for my shoes I can usually tell the difference without my glasses, but apparently yesterday I could not! And secondly, I didn't turn the overhead light on yesterday, I only turned on my nightstand light. So, as a note......I made very sure that I had on matching shoes today!!!!

Grandma's......

2010-10-20T12:32:00.000-07:00

I was reading a post today about "a Grandma by any name is still a Grandma", and it began me thinking....my kids have all kinds of Grandma's...
1. Grandma (Maternal Grandma, or we refer to her on here at the Queen Grandma)
2. Grandma Tami (Paternal Grandma, or we do call her Grandma and Mama Tami)
3. Grandma Delores (Maternal Great-Grandma)
4. Grandma Bobbie (Maternal Great-Grandma)
5. G.G. (Paternal Great-Grandma)
6. Grandma King (Paternal Great-Grandma)
7. Nana (Paternal Step-Grandma)
8. and one other than we haven't quite decided what her title will be....maybe we'll just call her by her name (Paternal Step-Step-you get the idea)!

I am thankful for each one of these women for their role in my children's lives. My Mom is the funnest, adventure seeking, playing in the dirt kind of Grandma, and it doesn't bother her one bit! My late Mother-in-law was amazing for me and my Son; she was always up for whatever we had in mind, and just giggled when I had an idea that was out there.

I just wanted to thank my Mom for being so fun! Easton loves to come to your house! And I wish I could have spent more time with my Mother-in-law, and I hope she can see the kids from Heaven!

The Blessed Nest is hosting a link party - Please check it out!

2010-10-19T20:11:00.000-07:00

This Blessed Nest is hosting a link party, and I included my silhouettes! Please check her site out, and give me some feedback on what you would do with a custom silhouette!

Simple as that giveaway!

2010-10-13T08:34:00.001-07:00

I was just over at simple as that, and they are having a giveaway that I would love, love, love to win!!!! The giveaway is for Sweet Suite Photoshop Actions by Life.Camera.Actions.! I already posted it on my facebook, but everyone should enter, and everyone should take a look at how great your photos could look!!!

Crisol's Alice in Wonderland Party

2010-09-28T15:48:00.000-07:00

A customer of mine, Crisol, was kind enough to lend me her photos she took of her Daughter's birthday party. Crisol did an amazing job, and she used my blue and pink Alice in Wonderland Party Collection (you can view here).

Look at this amazing cake.......what a perfect cake for this theme!!!

And her tower of cupcakes looks amazing!!!!!!!!

Crisol's Daughter Emily is "Alice", and look how cute the two girls look....

Each placesetting looked like this:

And this:

And you can see the cupcake toppers added to the muffins, and the banner circles in the background.

Muffins and little tea cakes look super cute with the toppers in them.

And lastly, the adorable birthday girl, Emily! Happy 6th Birthday sweet girl! I hope you had a great birthday party! I was honored to help design the paper products for your tea party!

Halloween Fans by Lil' Luna on eighteen25

2010-09-16T13:38:00.000-07:00

Over on eighteen25's blog, they are are filling their site with cute DIY decorations for Halloween! You can find the tutorial here for Lil' Luna's paper fan decorations....I, for one, LOVE them!!! I may just have to make a few wreaths covered in these for my doors!

Photo courtesy of eighteen25

Ripping and Tearing Fabric for Backdrops

2010-09-14T11:35:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I was just perusing my usual daily reads and cam accross Celebrations at Home's blog. I thought to myself OMG!!!! They are writing about hanging stuff like lace and fabric to create backdrops. My Mom did this last year!!! Do you all remember seeing the pictures of Roxanne's vintage green wedding? I feel like we were ahead of the curve!!! And let me tell you, this entire wedding was a DIY. We had like 4 hours before the wedding to have it ready!!! Luckily, the Queen Grandma, Grandpa, my King Husband, and my 2 kids were on hand to help tear fabric for the table cloths. And you must do the "rrrrrrrrrrip" sound when you are tearing the seams. Please see my post about this beautiful wedding! I so enjoyed helping with this one!

You know what my most favorite part of the decor for this wedding was?

It was most definately the vegan cupcakes sitting atop the tree trunks....aren't they cute?! EEEEEEEEEE!!! I hope you are all having a great Tuesday!

Jones Design Company - Audrey's Nursery

2010-09-01T11:09:00.000-07:00

I was searching around today, and found this beautiful nursery! I love everything about it....and I mean everything. You can find Jones Design Company here .
I love this ruffle pillow, and especially.....the crown print hanging behind it. Where do I find that?!!!!!!

Above is the changing table, with a print of vintage sweets...I love everything in this nursery is so non-Babies R Us.

I love the mossy green, and that bed is just too cute. My Mom bought and has stored a bed very similar to this one in white with tall four posts.....I almost can't wait for London to go into a big girl bed, and that's only because I get to re-decorate!

And lastly, I think this Mom of 4 is amazing, she owns her own company and is raising 3 boys and only 1 girl. She deserves some serious credit!!! AND then she blogs about it!!!

DIYCupcake Decoration by Icing Design

2010-08-25T10:38:00.000-07:00

I was on Icing Design's blog yesterday, and they had a great idea for decorations that can be made ahead of time. Oh the possibilities are endless here! To see their blog and directions go here .

{images courtesy of Icing Design}

And voila! Super cute little cupcakes that could be expanded on to fit any event you are having.

How to make White Chocolate Cake Balls

2010-08-17T11:25:00.000-07:00

So, if you follow my blog you have already seen the desert spread we set up for my Daughter's first birthday party. I had lollipops, cupcakes, oreo pops, caramel apples, and cake balls.

And here is an upclose picture of the jar filled with red velvet, cream cheese and white chocolate cake balls.

First, you need to bake your cake and let it cool completely. Once cool you need to mash it up until it looks very crumbly like below.

Then you want to mix room temperature cream cheese frosting in with the cake until it makes a mushy mess. When it is wet enough to form it, but dry enough to still be cake-ish. Then you will form the cake mix into small balls and place on wax paper.

I then put these formed balls into the freezer and let sit for about 15 to 20 minutes. It helps the frosting set up, and then you can really roll the balls into nice round balls. **(This would be the point in which you insert your lollipop stick. If you do this part, dip the end of the stick into your melted white chocolate and then put into the cake ball. Then put back in the freezer for a few minutes. This helps your lollipop stick stay in place better when dipping in white chocolate)**

I then rolled the balls to make then into nicer circles, and then dipped them in melted white chocolate.

I always melt my chocolate chips in the microwave. I microwave on high for 30 second intervals. If your chocolate isn't runny enough add a little vegetable oil to it and stir, stir, stir! Make sure you get all of your chips mixed together. I then dip the bottom of the ball into the white chocolate, then place on a fork. I then pour the white chocolate over the top of the ball and tap the fork until the excess chocolate drops off. Then move the ball back to the wax paper and sprinkle with pretties!! I used hot pink sugar sprinkles (bought locally at Michael's).

Here is an up close picture of the cake balls before refrigerating. I made these fun-fetti cake balls for a very special friend's baby shower, and there was not one left!! That is always a good sign!

And here is your finished product right before displaying.

I would love to see your version of these cake balls. Please email them to me!!

Also, Queen London's Carriage now has a facebook page. Please visit us at our facebook page and "like" us!

Alice in Wonderland Tea Party

2010-08-03T22:05:00.000-07:00

One of the Queen Grandma's friends came into town, so we decided to throw a little tea party. Theresa (Friend) used to make cookies when I was a child, so we asked Theresa if she would teach our kids how to bake cookies. She went step by step, and each kid got a turn to help make the cookies. Below are the pictures!

These are the Carriage kids...111Knights and one little fiesty Queen!

Mrs. R taught the middle Knight how to cut and measure butter for chocolate chip cookies.

Next it was the 1st Knight's turn...

Knight 1 was really into this mixing, measuring and baking thing!

Again, Knight 1 pouring sugar...

The Baby Knight helped too....who can tell that the 3rd Knight is only 9 DAYS older than the fiesty Queen?!

The little Queen was not so interested in mixing...she liked eating the cupcakes best!

The baby knight was the mixer boy.

Alice kept track of the time for us, and the Caterpillar relaxed alongside the biscotti, fresh fruit, and caramel dipped apples.

I made these toppers for the bags of chocolate chip cookies we would all take home. They say "Eat me. Hurry, oh my, it's getting late!" And a little tidbit: the mad hatter in the photo is the 1st Knight!!!
Here are the Ghiradelli chocolate brownies, raspberry butter cream and fresh strawberries. Each person at the party had a tag placed in a goody.

The cat was very curious...

My name is Leah, and my favorite of all favorites is chocolate dipped bananas! So I put my tag in the banana. There were white chocolate raspberry cupcakes in the back also....mmmmmmmmmmmm!!!
So here is my tea party. The 1st Knight just said "Mom, I want one of those chocolate things. Where are they?" Oh my sweet boy....they were gone days ago!!!!

This party is available for purchase in our etsy shop. Please take a look!

Bright Ruffled Quilt by {Pick Up Some Creativity}

2010-07-28T11:20:00.000-07:00

Beautiful quilt I found by Pick Up Some Creativity. This quilt is just beautiful, and I love all the textures and colors. Can you image receiving something like this at your baby shower or birthday party? I love this quilt, and would love to have one myself. Queen Grandma.....we are requesting a new item!!!

Ashlynn's 5th Ice Cream Social Birthday Party via The TomKat Studio

2010-07-20T09:18:00.000-07:00

I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the hanging ice cream cones!! And I would have never thought to do that! Doesn't that tree just look too yummy!

Above is the invitation that Ashlynn's Mom used for the party. Ashlynn is wearing a rosette tank by Modern Frills and a tutu by Tiny Belles Boutique. I love the blue that they used....really! The invites are by Pen 'N Paper Flowers.

And as all of you know I am super partial to intials or anything monogrammed, so I love this lime green A! I think Ashlynn had a great looking party! I wish I had more time to throw my loved ones parties like this!

FYI - my nephew is turning 4 tomorrow!! I can't wait to help out with his Blue Train Birthday Party. I am the cupcake making, picture copying Auntie!!

(All images via The TomKat Studio)

Motivation...

2010-07-15T09:07:00.001-07:00

Today is a downer day. I can not seem to find motivation lately. I feel like I can't put my inspiration into real form. This weekend I will try to rest, and maybe that will help! Stay tuned, I have been working on a few fun things!

Eat Out (doors) Treasury on Etsy!!

2010-07-13T16:14:00.000-07:00

Mom was included in another treasury!!! We are so lucky!!! Thank you so much....

Summer Games Treasury!

2010-07-07T11:23:00.000-07:00

Thank you so much Studio Seventy Five for including us in the treasury! Please go here to see all of the details!

"I Made It" Renaissance Era Handmade Sock Lovie

2010-07-01T10:47:00.000-07:00

Mom has been making sock animals for some time, and then she gets on a whim, and makes something too cool for words! Mom was sitting at the hospital with one of her nieces and started working on this little guy. My Son loves Knights in Shining Armor, and anything renaissancy, so we are always inspired to go in that direction. Below please find the man Mom made. After she made him, she was so tempted to keep him. And I don't blame her, he's adorable.

Mom literally hand makes these...hand sews them, plays with the ruffles, then stitches them in place. These guys are truly labor's of love.

She listed this guy on etsy, so be sure to check him out here.

I am also linking this post, and this adorable little guy to "Everything Etsy".

London's Hand Made Mommy Dress

2010-06-29T16:45:00.000-07:00

Do you remember when I mentioned a hand-made dress for London out of a dress that I wore in highschool?

Here are the pictures that my Mom and I took of London when she is about one month old. We drove to a field near our homes, and laid London in this beautiful chair underneath that beautiful tree!

So for our next set of pictures we laid in between the trees in the orchard in the field of wishes! I got my wish...

Oh look at my sweet chunky girl!

And here a picture of the Queen Grandma holding her only Granddaughter....so sweet!

Carnation Cupcake

2010-06-23T11:55:00.000-07:00

I used to creatly dislike carnations, but I think I may have jumped to the conclusion much too fast. I love the ruffly full edges of carnations, and I absolutely love how blisstree paired the carnations with a vase, and created a cupcake....now if that isn't cute I don't know what is!! I can't wait to remember this idea and use it!!!

Photo courtesy of Bliss Tree

Win a $100 Gift Card from Paint the Moon at www.moms-with-cameras.com!

2010-06-16T14:40:00.001-07:00

I have come across so many great things lately, and you definately need to take a look at this website...especially if you are learning about photography and editing! Please go to Moms With Cameras to enter for this giveaway. I may need to purchase some of these actions!!!

4th of July FREE Printables!!!

2010-06-15T13:00:00.000-07:00

I have been working on a few free printables! And below you will find the party circles which can be used to make cupcake picks, or attach to your place setting! Please enjoy these 4th of July printables, and please send me pictures of how you used them!! I would love to feature some of your great ideas.
Untitled 1

Etsy Treasury - "the look..."

2010-06-10T08:34:00.000-07:00

We were featured in another treasury! We couldn't be more thrilled when people like our stuff! Thank you so much.

Felt Flower Tutorial from eighteen25

2010-06-09T10:27:00.000-07:00

I was doing some usual perusing on the internet this morning (surprise! surprise!), and came across these three Sisters blog. They are from Las Vegas, and are raising their family there. For the tutorial please go here . Really go and take a look at their site, because they have some great and fun ideas. I felt to excited to try some of their ideas that my toes were getting all tingly!!!

Terrarium Inspired Wedding Photo Shoot

2010-06-08T10:11:00.000-07:00

I came across this wedding shoot...and it is gorgeous! I see where they are going with this, but think it would be unreasonable for a real wedding. I mean I had 225 people at my wedding, and my Sister had around 100, and you would have stock the table full to support that kind of wedding! But, in any event it is gorgeous!!!

I love the swizzle sticks, and birch wood box covered in moss!! I mean really love it!

And the jar with moss and mushrooms, I have made several of these, and they are just so impressive in real life!

Another picture of the birch tree box and yummy cupcakes. What's funny is that we displayed our cousin's cupcakes on pieces of cut tree trunks. I really think it adds another element to the venue.

And let me just say that I love those lollipops!!! And when I say love I mean more than love them!! I love moss too. I just put moss into the apothocary jars that sit on my fireplace mantle (I stacked river rocks, white potpourri, and then bright green moss).

(Photos by Oh, darling! Photography)

Check out the table all together. I love it, love it, love it, and think I may theme next years birthdays like this. What do you think? I want to throw Easton and London's party together. I was thinking "Snips and Snails" and "Sugar and Spice". I could do a woodsy-outdoor with LOTS OF SWEETS setting...I think I'm set! Hopefully, my kids agree!

Custom Silhouette Prints

2010-06-03T20:21:00.000-07:00

I have been working on these prints for some time now, and created a few for myself, and four for my Mother depicting each of her grandchildren. I just listed the zebra prints on etsy. These prints are of my own children, and I personally love the zebra and damask, but can do some more modern designs should someone ask me to do so. If you purchase one through etsy, and you tell me in the notes to seller that you saw this on my blog I will do two silhouettes for the price of one! You can mix and match silhouettes, or do the same silhouette with different backgrounds. You can totally customize these do your hearts delight!!!

Happy 6th Grade Graduation Foo!

2010-06-02T16:08:00.000-07:00

Today is a very special day. My youngest Sister-in-law graduated from the 6th grade. She is such a beautiful young lady. We were so lucky because Aunt Kelli (who works at the elementary school) saved us seats in the front row! Perfect for taking pictures!! Thanks Kelli!! I met our Gram, two Sister-in-laws, two Cousins, and my Husband. Below are a few pictures of our beautiful young lady.

I can wait, but I can't wait to watch her grow up. She is a beautiful girl, and so into nature and animals.

And I made them take one funny one for me, and their expressions are so their personalities. Tiffani (the one in the gray jumper with blue purse) is so sweet deep down, but is fiesty on the outside. Tori (the graduate in yellow) is a very mellow, quiet girl, and is just coming into her own. Eddie (the only BOY!) loves his Sisters so much, and feels such a need to protect them, and make sure they are on the right track. Tara (the one in the black shirt) is a very quiet one, and has done this same face for pictures for so many years.

It was also nice to spend some time with Gram, Kelli, Holli & Sierra.

DIY Closet Door Handles Makeover!!

2010-06-01T14:26:00.000-07:00

I have lived in our house for about a year and a half. We moved in just 2 months before London was born, and there were no handles on any of the closet doors anywhere! I always meant to put new pretty handles on, but never got to it...SURPRISE SURPRISE!! So this weekend I took all of the old handles (which were placed in a bowl in the hall closet) out, cleaned them really well, let them dry overnight, and gave them a few coats of good old black spray paint, and then let them dry overnight. Excuse the picture, since it was taken with my phone, but it looks way better!! If I could do it over again, and I might, I should have sprayed them off-white which would better match with the cabinets. You can also see that the itty bitty wall between the closets and the door. I put up vinyl letters with my husband and my initial in black. My kids have this same monogram on their door, but theirs is in white. Anyways, I have so much to do around my house, that there are no words to fully describe it!! But, this is a start!!

Soft Mermaid Etsy Treasury

2010-05-31T20:01:00.000-07:00

We were included in another Treasury by jupiterdesigns! Thank you so much for including us!!!

Rainbow Party Collection

2010-05-24T12:51:00.000-07:00

I'm going to start showing what I love to do. I created this rainbow collection for a little girl turning 2.5! A friend of mine asked if I would donate a gift certificate to her Daughter's fundraiser at school. I created this vase filled with a sample of my collection, and also donated a matching shirt to which ever collection the lucky winner chooses.

So today I put together a collection of party ideas.

You can purchase my DIY Rainbow Paper Party Collection here.

Here is an up close picture of the collection printed and assembled for the give-away.

Assemble balloons in the rainbow colors around the party, and make an arch over the table. Photo courtesy of Care2

You could totally tint chocolate, and cover oreos in the rainbow colors. Dipping stuff into chocolate is a fun and inexpensive way to make your party look posh! Photo courtesy of The TomKat Studio

Can you imagine how amazed your guests would be by this table. I mean, come on, the table cloth is a-mazing!!! Photo courtesy of Mama Loves To Shop

Roxanne's Vintage Anthropology Inspired Green Wedding

2010-05-20T10:19:00.000-07:00

Last year my Cousin got married, and her ideas for her wedding were a vintage "Anthropology" inspired green wedding. Well my Mom's wheels started turning, and you will see below what she came up with. Below is the "altar" that was created. My Mom took different fabrics and tied them to a ladder-ish hanger, and we suspended the backdrop from the metal arbor. Then a white harvest table was placed underneath it. We placed silver candleabra's, rusted urns filled with bark and tree branches, glass vases filled with the same flowers that were placed in the bouquets, and candles.

Below is the bbq pit area (that was not used) decorated, and do you see the vintage suitcase? That is what held their cards. We framed large poster sized prints of the couple, and set them out here and there.

On the table we mismatched vintage table clothes, quilts, and new fabrics that flowed well with the theme. The brides friend planted and grew herbs for each of the guests, and the favor given out by the couple was that they donated to their favorite charity.

On to the yummiest part of this wedding! The bride had cupcakes instead of hte traditional cake, and even had vegan cupcakes as many of the bridal party and immediate family are vegan. Mom displayed them on these glass topped cake stands, and it brought that glam factor in.

Next, my Mom had this vision of cupcakes stacked all over this iron piece she has had forever. It was hard for me to envision, but when it was done the iron piece was the perfect compliment to anthropology inspired wedding. Notice the cupcakes stacked on the branches that were cut cross ways. Mom found those branches on the side of the road, so she hauled them home, and had them cut.

More cupcakes on those cake stands. Those cake stands were used at my wedding, and have been borrowed by just about everyone for some special event, and now used at this wedding.

Below is an up-close picture of the cupcakes sitting atop the wood pieces. It really is a stunning way to display yummy cupcakes.

Roxanne and Aaron had a beautiful day, and we were so glad to be a part of it!

DIY Chalkboard table by Centsational Girl

2010-05-17T11:20:00.000-07:00

I was doing my usual first thing in the morning perusing of the internet when I stumbled across Centsational Girl's blog. Below she took a table and 2 hideous chairs, and transformed them into a set. Below you will see the before picture.

And below you will see the after picture. OMG! After going through her site I am even more inspired to get going on painting a few of my own things!!

A list of items I still need to work on:

Sand and paint the shoe tree in the entryway (I attached old wood to the top and bottom of the tv stand it used to be to create a little shoe seat).
Make and hang two bulletin boards over the computer desk in the family room.
Find and fix a dresser/sofa table/short bookcases for under the window in the dining room
Finish painting the adirondeck chairs I bought last year black.
Make growing panels in the backyardd to cover some of the ugliness that was my Grandpa's satellite wiring circa 1985.
Put up the molding around the bathroom mirror.

This weekend I went in the backyard and I decided I was going to BUILD SOMETHING!!! I got out the chop saw, two drills, and I started attaching old wood to a tv stand I am repurposing for a shoe seat in the entry way. I added the wood to look like molding. Next I need to fill the holes, sand the item, prime the shelf, and paint it. Then I am going to enlist the help of my Mom to sew a little seat cushion to sit on top of it. I will post pictures when it's done!!

Sam's Blue and Green Baby Shower

2010-05-13T16:19:00.000-07:00

My Aunt Samantha had a baby in 2007, so I helped to host her second baby shower. My part of the shower was to order the cookies from Goodies, and display them. Since this was Sam's second baby, we opted not to have a cake and traditional shower. We threw a small family shower and had such a great time. I took a pie tower and wrapped crystal wire around the legs along with fibers and coordinating ribbon. I then made tags with with the parents, big brother, and baby's name on them to hang from the top. I then arranged the cookies around the tower. It turned out rather cute.

My gift for Sam was a Petunia Picklebottom diaper bag purchased from Rosemary and Thyme in Exeter, California. I loved the diaper bag, and I think she did too!

It was truly too cute. (photo courtesy of: http://celebritybabies.people.com/2007/05/30/sheryl_crow_tak/)

Ashley's Pink Posh Baby Shower

2010-05-12T11:53:00.000-07:00

I helped with a baby shower some time ago for my cousin Ashley when she was expecting a precious baby girl Sophia. The shower was held at Campagnia in the patio area and was just beautiful. Hot pink gerber daisies were laid out on the tables and exhibited in stainless cans.
Ashley's friend had the cake made and it turned cute with the hot pink bow on top.

Now for my part in the shower! My Mom and I did the favors for the shower. We took notepads and made sleeves to fit down over the notepad that showed a small bird with an S (for Sophia). We then punched holes in the front of the notepad and tied ribbon and fibers through the top. We also tied a pink ribbon around the bottom, so we could attach pins that we made for everyone.
This picture shows the pins much better! We took small pieces of pre-cut glass and used soldering tape to seal them up. Between the glass we printed pictures of Ashley (Mommy to be) and decorated them using sweet baby girl sayings and glitter. We then wrapped wire around the outside for a bit more texture.

As everyone knows already...I LOVE BELLY MOLDS!!! I was honored to do my cousins belly and then she gave me the opportunity to decorate it however I saw fit!

Here is an up close picture of the belly mold, and Ashley and I both joked that "that's what she looks like naked"! It gave us both a good laugh!

Ashley is a beautiful person, and I was lucky to be a part of her day!

My gift consisted of a hand covered S for Sophia's room. I used the colors that Ashley was using in the nursery and it turned out beautifully!

And before the shower I had a shirt for made for Easton: a pink button down shirt with "Sophia's Cousin" embroidered on teh back. He was the talk of the afternoon!

Easton's second baby shower

2010-05-11T12:18:00.000-07:00

My Mother-in-law Tami threw me a second shower for Easton, and themed it Cowboy (since his nursery was a cowboy theme). Peggy with Creative Cakes created the yummy cake, and again it was just too cute!

Tami strung Easton's name together, and hung it from the fireplace, and placed white star dishes on the coffee table filled with different goodies.

You can see the red handkerchiefs, star confetti, blue and red votive candles, cowboy hat and the diaper cake that my Aunt Sam made. She ordered the crocheted cowboy boots off of ebay, painted a few wooden horses and stars to go around the cake, and a toy horse on the top. She did such a great job! It was too cute! You can also see my Husband and I in one of our prom pictures. Tami was too much fun, and I can only imagine what she would do if she could see our little girl London. We named London after Tami almost one year from the time we lost Tami. Thank you "Gramma Tami"!

Easton's Vintage Soft Blue Baby Shower

2010-05-06T15:59:00.000-07:00

When I was pregnant with Easton, my Mom and cousin threw me a vintage soft blue baby shower. Below are pictures of the cookies that Goodies Cookies made. The cookies were frosted sugar cookies, and they were sooooo good! And cuter than cute!
My Mom displayed them on a simple white flat tray.

Peggy from Creative Cakes did the cake, and again, it was amazing!

In this picture you can see the top of the cake, and the silhouette was taken from the invitations that my Mom chose.

Here is a picture of my Mom and I by the cake display. If you have seen my previous blog about London's shower, you can see the difference between two showers and 3 years!

My Mom used one of her statues of a doctor spanking a baby, and filled a few jars with blue and brown baby items. Also, she used scrabble tiles everywhere to spell out easton's name, and "cowboy", and "star", and you get the picture.

Here is an up close picture of the scrabble tiles, and of the favors. The jars with the blue lids were filled with white chocolate covered pretzels, and kisses, and other milk chocolate candies.

Below is the main dining table decorated in hues of blue and brown.

Below is my gift opening seat decorated with some very special items: my blue Petunia Picklebottom diaper bag, a few special cowboy baby items, and vintage cowboys from my Grandfathers room.

The second dining table adorned with a MOM plaque, candy filled jar, and favor jars.

Here is my belly mold from 4 1/2 years ago! I can't believe how BIG I was!!!!

My Mom had the cutest idea ever!! She strung together blue stars for every day until my due date. So every day as I got home from work I tore a star off, and you know what?!!! I was ONE DAY LATE!!! So, I needed just one more star!! But I really hung this in my kitchen, it was a really fun reminder!

The favors for the games sat on the end table, and you can see my stars pinned on the bulletin board.

So as you can see I am more than blessed when it comes to showers and parties given to me!! Thanks Mom! Thanks Jan! And thank you to all that have been so supportive along the way!

London's Pink Zebra Baby Shower

2010-05-05T12:14:00.000-07:00

Most of you have seen this picture before. It is my Mom (the Queen Grandma), me (the Queen Mommy), and little "Queen" London in my belly. My Mom and Cousin threw me this amazing baby shower right before I had our little queen. I was soo into zebra print, and London's nursery was done in brown and white zebra stripes and pink. So, Mom and Janice hosted about 35 people for lunch and desert.

Pictured above was the main lunch table. Janice has a glass table that holds ten people, so Mom laid lace table clothes down first, and then zebra printed fabric over. They then took pink glass vases and weighted them with river rocks and stood tree branches up inside of them. They make a very powerful impact right?!

Next, they tied ribbon and fibers onto the tree branches and clipped glittery birds every so often.

They also filled different glass jars lots of pink, soft fabrics, glittery anything, and treasured momentos from my life as a little girl.

Above you can see one of the jar is filled with pink and white pearls, silver glittery leaves, and little paper swans. You can also see (duhn, duhn, duh DUHN!!!!) a hand drawn dress. Let me just tell you this little story: at the end of my first year in high school, there was a ceremony called "Recognition" where the school recognizes all the student athletes for their accomplishments. My Mom had a dress made for me from a boutique called What's Up Europe. So I wore that dress for recognition, and it is made from the most beautiful off white raw silk. So again I had some of my senior pictures taken in it when I graduated, and so for my baby shower my Mom had that dress repurposed into a beautiful gown for London. I will share it with you all some day. I was so happy, and surprised. The same dress maker that made that dress, and re-made the dress for London also hand made my wedding dress, and every single one of my bridesmaid and flower girl dresses. Oh, the money they've made off of us!

Okay, so back to my baby shower....Above is another jar that was on one of the additional tables. And you can see the favors. I had saved baby food jars, so my Mom filled them with kisses, and tied ribbon and fibers to the little jars.

You can see the sock animals my Mom made for London above. There is a white goat, a pink mouse (that started out as a pig), and a pink and purple zebra. I love the way my Mom embellishes EVERYTHING.

With both pregnancy's I made belly molds just so I could see the difference from one baby to the next, so above is me on my shower day which is about 3 weeks before I had London, my belly mold before Easton (approximately 34-35 weeks) and my belly mold before London (approximately 35-36 weeks).

Again, Creative Cakes created the cake, and each cake gets better, and better! The silhouette above is from the invitations my Mom used, and Peggy truly is an artist!!!

Here you can see the bar where my Mom set up the cake and the tower of tutu's! That was a super cute idea and it ended up looking adorable.

Easton came by at the end of the shower, and he wanted to try on my shoes. Someday he will be so embarassed by these!!

Easton's Knight in Shining Armor 3rd Birthday

2010-05-04T16:05:00.000-07:00

Easton absolutely loves Knights in Shining Armor, and thinks he truly is one. So for his third birthday we threw it at Adventure Park. I had just had London, and my Sister had just had Wayne, so we threw a small party (and when I say small I mean just family, all 45 of us). Below is a picture of my Husband holding our little Knight, and he insisted on wearing his costume.

He seems to cry at every birthday party. This time it was because he wanted to open MORE presents....poor guy!

Below is a picture of my Sister, her two boys, my two kids, and me. I don't know if you noticeed, but we got Easton to take off his costume. And, my Mom bought all of us matching shirts from Signals for Christmas that said: Mine-"queen mommy of 2", Sister-"haute mommy of 2", Mom's-"queen grandma of 4", and my Mom's Sister-"great auntie of 4". I loved mine! And wore it so often I had to make myself change my wardrobe up.

Below is my Dad, the proud Grandpa. He loves his Grandkids, and we are lucky to have him too. He has pictures holding the older two boys (who are 5 months apart), and then holding the younger two (who are 9 days apart). I know, I know, my Sister and I could have spaced them out a bit, but we didn't!!!

Easton's Green Elephant and Owl 2nd Birthday Party

2010-04-29T15:54:00.000-07:00

On with the pictures of the parties that I've personally thrown. Below is my Son's second birthday. This birthday was exceptionally hard to do because my Mother-in-law (who helped me soooooooo very much with EVERYTHING) passed away about 10 days before this party. The invitations had already gone out, and I had already paid the deposit on the spot. And we considered not having the party at all, but everyone said to do it anyways. So we did, and it was scaled down drastically, but I'm glad we did it.

Easton cried when everyone sang to him. I really think the emotions of the day just overwhelmed my sweet two year old.

Easton got his first set of golf clubs at this birthday party. He absolutely loved them, and still does. The only problem is that Easton is left handed, and they only sold right golf clubs, so he hits the wrong way, but we will eventually get him a bigger set, a BIG BOY SET.

Peggy from Creative Cakes created this adorable elephant and owls cake. I was amazed and overwhelmed when I saw the cake! I mean, Peggy does incredible work!!

Can you see the owls piped on the sides of the cake...WOW! And my Son's favorite color is green, and has been for years, and so she mixed the green icing just perfectly!!!

The favors were plastic buckets full of fun stuff: monkey washmits, monkey toothbrushes, fruit snacks, plastic animals, candy, and a very special scarf made by Mother and I. We took regular fleece and cut it into strips, and then cut the fringe at the bottom. We then took fabric that had the appropriate animals on it, and stitched it onto one side and layered matching fleece underneath. On the otherside we stitched felt letters on.

Above is the girl version. The fabric we used was owls, and hot pink fleece, and aqua felt letters. During this time period my Son wore scarves often, so I thought "lets give each one of the kids their own scarf too". I don't know if the kids ever wore them or not, but I LOVED making them!

Above you can see the tablescapes, and Easton's giraffe rain boots.

I love throwing parties, and especially if they are for my kids! I am going to keep showing you pictures of parties I've thrown, or helped with in one way or another. I hope you enjoy, and please leave me links to your parties!

Etsy feature!!!!!

2010-04-27T08:46:00.000-07:00

We were featured on etsy yesterday!! Please click here to view the treasury. What an awesome feeling it is to be featured, I mean, that means someone else likes the same things you like!! Congratulations Mom, you know how to rock the vintage couture like no one else!

Easton's 1st Robot Birthday Party

2010-04-26T15:42:00.000-07:00

I have been looking through all of these great parties, and it reminds me of my own Son's birthday parties. I always love to throw parties, and luckily, my Mom does too! We have opted to have my Son's parties at a place because I just don't have the room in my house to hold the amount of family we have. So, for the first three years we held his party at Adventure park in Visalia.
Easton's first birthday smashing his little cake. I don't know if you can see that cake, but it was amazing!! Peggy from Creative Cakes created this cake from a book that we loved. We took a picture of the cover, and she went to town creating this beautiful boys cake!

Here is a close up of the cake, and the amazing colors Peggy came up with. You can also see the cupcakes that my Mother-in-law made for the party (before they were displayed), and the coloring sheets we printed for the kids.Here is Easton opening one of his presents (from G.G. and Pop). I don't know if you can see this, but he has on robot robeez, and I wore a robot shirt from Wet Seal, and Jewelry from Forever 21.Oh boy was Easton made....his Chi (his Aunt) and Cousin wouldn't let him touch their tickets....
My Mom and I created all of these bowling bags as the favors. We had a few new babies attend also, so we included fleece blankets with robots printed on them for those little ones. Attached to the bowling bags were little robot bags with each one of the kids names on them, and they were filled with candy, color crayons, coloring pages depicting robots, fruit snacks, and tooth brushes!

When I finally settled on the theme, my Mom got busy!! She started saving every robot-esque item she could find, and she made robots to sit on every table. Above is the Mother of all robots, and she is holding a Mommy robot, a Daddy robot, and a baby ETK robot (which I hang together on my christmas tree every year). She is made up of several glass vases, and plates, shot glasses, fibers, and anything else that looked bright.

Again, you will find the robots are made up of many different things, like aerosal cans duct taped together, and then adorned with fun and bright items!

Above is a jar covered in tin foil, with lemonade packages as the head with shot glasses for ears, and black tubing attached for the arms. Then we placed it on the table atop a blue serving tray! You really can create whatever you want!

It was such a Happy Birthday for my sweet Son Easton!!!!!!!!!

The TomKat Studio: {Fabulous Giveaway} Dolce Vita Mia Hair Accessories!

2010-04-19T18:58:00.000-07:00

NEW 3 piece set - Chocolate Brown Peony flower with vintage rhinestone on Brown Skinny Headband AND chocolate brown TUTU combo Newborn Baby Infant Newborn Toddler Girls Chocolate Peony flower

Image courtesy of DolceVitaMia

New Brick Red Flower with yellow accent and rhinestone center Headband Baby Infant Newborn Toddler Girls Teens Womens Brick Red Flower and rhinestone center

Image courtesy of DolceVitaMia

NORA Nuovo Aqua Teal Turquoise and Purple Swirl and Sparkle With Grace and Lace Fabric Flower on Vintage Ivory Headband Newborn baby infant toddler child girls NORA Teal

Image courtesy of DolceVitaMia

Calling all beauty queens! Please go over to The TomKat Studio and enter their sweepstakes by clicking The TomKat Studio: {Fabulous Giveaway} Dolce Vita Mia Hair Accessories!
Or visit DolceVitaMia to purchase goods! I would love the brick red flower!!!!!

The TomKat Studio: {Fabulous Giveaway} Adorable Applique Shirt/Tank from Modern Frills

2010-04-16T10:56:00.000-07:00

So most of you know that I love all things personalized and handmade, and this week on TomKat, Modern Frills is giving away an applique shirt. So I'm entering. Tell me what you think and go enter at: The TomKat Studio: {Fabulous Giveaway} Adorable Applique Shirt/Tank from Modern Frills . Some of Modern Frills designs are:

This blue and black crown is my favorite of all favorites!!

images by Modern Frills

Thank you so much for reading my blog, and go enter!!!!

Free Tutu!!!

2010-04-08T11:21:00.000-07:00

Please visit http://www.freeprettythingsforyou.com/2010/04/pretty-tutu-giveaway.html to put your name in to win one of these beautiful tutu's. The tutu's are available for purchase through http://www.etsy.com/shop/preciouscupcakes. I love the rainbow one, which one do you love?

Easter! Easter! Easter!

2010-04-04T20:14:00.000-07:00

The weekend started with boiling 45 eggs, and then dying 18 of them! Luckily, I had plenty of little hands to help. Green was the winning color, as usual.

Cute, right?

They truly love each other!

Wow! The Easter Bunny did a great job! (or so I think!) London's bucket was full with a new spring outfit, books, gardening gloves, watering can, peeps and a few other little things. Easton's bucket was full with a new movie, books, gardening gloves, socks, hose nozzle, watering can, hand sanitizer, peeps, and a few other little things.

Easter morning is always fun when you have kids to enjoy it with.

Well, first thing she found was the peeps, and luckily for me, it made for a really cute picture!

In Easter attire. It was cold, so leggings and boots were a must!

She found he share of Easter eggs with the help of a very special Grandpa.

Grandma and Daddy are trying on the bunny's harness to take "her" for a walk. My Sister named her Adelle, and she is a sweet little baby. Easton said that is was very nice of the jack rabbits to bring him a bunny for easter.

My Mom hid bouncy balls for each one of the kids to find. Of course Easton absconded the green one!

London needed a little help on the walk up to the barn.

And for some reason my little tutu wearing princess loves dirt! I guess she has to keep up with her Brother and cousins. The four cousins closest to her in age are ALL BOYS!

The Fairy Grandmother left a few extra special finds for our little princess...

She is waiting for her turn to pet the chickens.

Easton always picks the green!!

Sweet boy was waiting his turn....

...all the chicks...

So, Happy Easter from our family to yours!

Easter wreath!

2010-03-30T13:10:00.000-07:00

image courtesy of Lemon Tree Creations

I found these last minute diy beautiful egg wreath. Aren't they so Anthropology-ish? I love them. You can go here: Lemon Tree Creations: Framed Book Page Egg Wreath to see a tutorial on how to do them. I love them, maybe I will have to make a few for Mom and I!

Parking it with the kids...

2010-03-16T13:20:00.000-07:00

I called my house on my lunch hour and my sister-in-law answered. I thought "oh my, where did I call" and "who in the world is at my house". Anyways, my sis-in-law was there helping my husband get the kiddies ready to go to the park. How great is that?! I agree! BUT, I totally want to be there, and I can't be because I work during park hours! This has brought about a few feelings today, but the biggest one is that I sometimes forget how great my husband is. He doesn't unload the dishwasher when I ask him, or always say the right things, BUT he is the best father to our children. I hope he is having a great time with Chi Tiff, Lou, and Easton.

This picture is from their last park day about a week ago. In fact, it was one week ago.

This picture is from a few months ago. Chi sent me this picture while I was working. Can you believe that a fellow park parent asked how old "HE" was. Did she not see the pink giraffe socks, or the pink onesie. Now I must agree....there is no bow and I remind my Husband to ALWAYS put a bow on her, but sometimes a bow is the least important thing before leaving the house. I guess the blue cowboy blanket (thanks Berta!) could have fooled anybody, but London does have an older brother riding in the car with her.

This picture is from this weekend. I took the kids to the park near our house and let them play. To my surprise, there were a few "high maintenance mommies" there. I must remind myself NOT to judge them, but come on who brings their kids to the park in stiletto heeled hoochie boots? You won't catch me carrying a child in those!

I hope that my kids always remember their Dad and Chi taking them to the park to play. What a great memory they are making for our kids. Love you Daddy! Love you Chi! Love you ETK! Love you Lu!

My dear sweet son turns 4!!!!!

2010-02-28T17:52:00.001-08:00

Last weekend we had Easton's birthday party. I truly can not believe that my son is 4!! Pictured above are the sweets display I put together.
There were caramel apples, chocolate and white cupcakes with green cream cheese frosting, red vines, oreos, candy necklaces, pixie sticks, popcorn, and white chocolate covered oreos!
We went on an "adventure". Easton loves to go on adventures at my parents house, and we can be gone forever it seems like hunting dinosaurs or pretending to be avatar's. The second stop was at the chicken coop to pick up the dinosaur hats. Boys got dinosaur hats and girls got red baseball caps (only because I could not find enough dinosaur hats).
The third stop was at vine 23 (which is the actual day that Easton was born), and each child got to pick out a hidden dinosaur.
Our first stop was at the pumpkin carriage to pick up the kid's treasure bags which held candy (of course), and hunting gloves (gardening gloves).
The second stop was at the cow barn to hunt for bubbles of course! And maybe a few dinosaurs!
London and I went a hunting too! And do you notice Easton and London's shirts? I MADE THEM (with the help of my oh so talented Mother). The dinosaur is lighting the birthday candles with fire from his mouth! I thought they were cute....so that's all that matters!
Easton and Logan were in full force hunting for dinosaurs in all their gear!
Happy Birthday to our most sweet four year old son, Easton!
Can anyone else see the red vines in his teeth?!
And yes, London ate a cupcake of her own!
The best family picture I have seen in a long time! From left, London, Chi Tara, Daddy Eddie, Chi Tori, Easton, and Chi Tiffani. My Husband, our children, and my 3 Sister-in-laws.
Our good friends kids were making scary faces for the camera!
Thank you to everyone who came to Easton's birthday party. I love having everybody together!
And thank you from Easton (who on this day was an army wearing, dinosaur hunting BIRTHDAY BOY!)

My FAV Ribbon site!!!

2010-02-09T14:25:00.000-08:00

I got an email today from Reasonable Ribbon about some great deals on ribbon, and please check out their blog below: http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.com/2010/02/enter-to-win-our-super-valentines-blog.html. I use their ribbon for so many things, but a lot for making London's bows, for decorating at parties & to use on my cards! Please check out their blog and site right away!

I used their red damask 3/8" ribbon for this bow!

London's first ever birthday!

2010-02-06T19:07:00.000-08:00

So on with my blogging I go. Recently I did a few things for my girlfriends baby shower and they really turned out beautifully! So I stole a few of their ideas and did London's birthday party. Please enjoy the pictures....I LOVE doing this stuff, creating is my fav!

So above is the candy table with lollipops, red velvet white chocolate cake balls, caramel apples, and candy galore!

I made this vase to hold lollipops at my girlfriend, Christine's baby shower, so I totally re-used it!

My fiesty little fiest, London Tami Lynn!

My sweet Daughter....she is the Queen of our hearts!

My family, the KING'S!

London sign I made, balloons my husband brought for Lu, the American Girl baby we gave her for her first birthday, the scooter and wicker teapot the Queen Grandma gave to our little girl.

My version of a lolligirl. In her previous life she was a Christmas paper mache girl who was broken, so I fixed her up!! I think I will change the signs for every birthday and this will grow with her....

I LOVE decorating, and I really should have made more of an effort when I was in art school....

Paper doll

2010-01-16T11:50:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I bought this sheet of clip art from cupcakecutiees () with crowns, and wings, and birdcages. I absolutely love it! So I created a 5x7 card that I could frame for my Mom that reminds me of these paper dolls that my Mom and I saw in San Luis Obispo a few years ago. In this super cute shop in downtown SLO, we saw these life sized paper dolls with children faces on them, and my Mom has been begging me to make her one since. So, I put my own twist on it! What do you think?

My New Love of Photoshop!!

2010-01-14T18:45:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I have designed a photo card to pass out to our family members for my sweet nephew Wayne's FIRST BIRTHDAY!!! I love making these cards, and each one I do turns out better and better! I also was inspired by Tom Kat Studio to make cupcake picks. What do you think?

I am really going to try to keep up on this blog. I know that I love to read everyone's blog's!

Welcome...

2010-01-14T15:33:00.000-08:00

Well as our first post we wanted to introduce ourselves. We are a daughter and mother team who love all things fun and beautiful. We love creating things for our family and friends, whether that is ambiance at our party table, or costumes for our kids, we love brainstorming together. So, here we are!