Chevron-ish

I still love a good chevron pattern, but I feel like trend has been around for awhile. That doesn't mean things need to get stale. Time to mix it up with my own take....

For this I used the Valley High Studio Calico kit (which takes some of the hard work out because all of the patterned papers are already co-ordinated to compliment each other) to create my own chevron-ish pattern....

As you can see I cut strips of paper 3 inches long, and all the same width. Then I laid them in a sort of "v" shape and added and added until I got enough for a background. Easy peazy, lemon squeezey. So it doesn't scream, CHEVRON!, but you kinda see it... right? I mean, unless I am totally off my rocker here. (totally possible).

I should also mention that I love these photos of them....

We were out for a picnic at Keenland on a random spring day, watching the airplanes fly in. It was a pretty simple and sweet day, yet one I will not soon forget. Smiles all around. Cute hats, tickles, play time..... I'm sure they will remember the chocolate pudding snack packs the most. 

Where Are We Going Mom?

Crazy.

Just in case the dance video didn't clue you in..... we're a little nuts around here. Especially with everything going on... lots of stuff on the horizon... lots of changes happening. (Like the new blog look? Thank you, Hubby Jack.) Not much else that I can talk about yet....

So I'll leave you with a crazy, throw everything but the kitchen sink in, layout.

One day Ev asked me where we were going and I replied, "crazy".. without even thinking about it. (My Dad used to say this to us all of the time.) So all day long she demanded to know when it was time to go crazy. Now she asks from time to time, "Mom, is it time to go to crazy now?" To which I silently reply, "we are already there, my dear."--- I imagine she's picturing it to be somewhere very similar to Disneyland.... when maybe it's more like the inside of a therapists office. She'll know in a few years.... haha. (and laughing at your own jokes in type is the first step)

I Have a Winner and I'll Dance if I Want To

So I was reading over the comments you all posted (thank you by the way, it is so lovely to go through and read these).. and I noticed a little trend. A lot of you claim that you either "can't" dance, or don't like to!! What?! I am here to tell you that you can, and you can have fun doing it too!

So, I decided to put together a little video that includes some moves that you suggested (thank you!), along with ones that are just in my repertoire (which is a much too fancy word for what you about to see).

Feast your eyes on these dance moves... I promise, no twerking, or sticking my tongue out in a suggestive way...

and, after using random.org to chose a winner...... the winner is Lucretia who said, "Delicate and fragile and beautiful. Thanks for the chance to win. I'm afraid I don't dance so no dance moves...." email me at elizgardner@me.com so I can get your infor and put your prize in the mail!

Also thought I would share these original gems... so you don't think I'm the only one that is not afraid to look like a total dork while dancing... and I didn't make these moves up!

aaaand, if you haven't waisted enough time on my blog already today... the dance of all dances, the one that I WILL on day learn from beginning to end, because it is just. plain. awesome. awesome.

Your welcome, happy Monday. hehe.

American Crafts Welcome Blog Hop

Well hello there! Are you here for the American Crafts 2013-2014 design team welcome blog hop? I thought so! I couldn't be more thrilled to have you!

Our first design team assignment was to create a layout about ourselves. This is rare for me, but I'm working on making selfie projects happen more often. My biggest hang up is that there aren't many photos of me. Like most of you, I'm sure, I'm typically behind the lens. But that's no excuse, right? --especially when our phones have that handy dandy little button that flips the camera around (CAUTION: If you're not quite ready when you hit the button and have the phone too low it is double chin city, yikes. Seriously. It's not pretty... you've been warned.).

Here's my project....

and now for the fun part... a giveaway! I'm going to give one lucky winner the NEW Amy Tangerine premium ribbon value pack from the Cut & Paste line and a Dear Lizzy roller date stamp...

Just leave a comment telling me what your favorite dance move is (I need some new moves people) and I will pick a winner by Monday, September 9th. Oh, and feel free to follow my blog so you can see what else I create with American Crafts fabulousness (I promise not to post photos of my chins). 

Next up on the blog hop is the super talented Kelly Goree.

Mr. Personality

To say I have a smiley baby would be a gross an understatement. His personality is unparalleled. Seriously. This kid has jokes. He'll just sit there studying you, waiting quietly with this look on his face....

Then as soon as you make eye contact he gives you this, I'm about to be hilarious, be ready for it, grin...

Then he's all, "Do you see how stinking funny I am? See how I can smile so big I almost crack my face in half?... do you like my Jack Nicholson impression and the way my hair even curls over my ear like his?... Wheeeere's Johnny?"...."

Now do you wanna see one of my tricks? I have so many....

With Dez I always feel like I'm part of some inside joke. He makes me feel like I'm the most important person in the room (and it's not just me, he does this to everyone...). No matter what kind of mood I'm in he can bring a smile and giggle to my lips in mere seconds. Like magic. It'll be interesting to see how this develops when he grows. I can only imagine whats going on in that head of his...

New tricks include: standing on his own (even though he never seems to notice he's doing it); antagonizing his big sister (and finding it hilarious); barking like a dog; sneaking things the puppy shouldn't have over the fence to him; shaking his head,"no," with perfect comedic timing (like after I ask, "you love your Mommy, don't you Dezi?"); waiting to poop until we are in public (and then as loudly and noticeably as possible); the list goes on... I can't wait to see what he comes up with next.

Journal Spot

Seems like lately I've been stopping work on projects at about 90% complete. Missing titles, sewing to be added later, today was an empty journal spot......

Pretty soon I'll think of just the right thing to write on that tag.... and if I don't then maybe the title is enough. Luckily this isn't very typical of me. Although it may take a few days worth of working on a project in 5 minute intervals (between wiping butts and picking up and cooking and hugging and playing and you get the idea) I'm usually pretty good about finishing things before I move on.

I'll just chalk it up to fluke and keep this creative train rolling full steam ahead. Eventually things will fall right into place.... just in time for a big American Crafts Design Team box to show up! [insert happy dance to disco music here] [end blog post with Travolta pose]

Mojo

I stumbled across some creative mojo over the past few days and it's the best timing. I've got some fun assignments and deadlines coming up that I can't wait to share with you... but this one I created just for fun...

I posted a pic of this layout on Instagram because I couldn't manage to dream up a title. Someone suggested, "Hanging Out," which I like, but didn't have enough veneer letters for. Sometimes even when the creative juices are flowing I manage to get blocked in other areas. Now I'm thinking I should write in "favorite," above the title so it makes a little more sense....