my_weblog

Just can't get enough...

Let's start off the morning with good food, shall we? Now I'll fully admit, I'm not much of a cook and never have been, but this chocolate chip cookie recipe just had to be tried and considering I'm the proud owner of a Kitchen Aid mixer, I had zero excuse to not indulge at least once on the yummy, mouth watering treats. I also was granted a mega-size kitchen when we built the house, so I feel entirely guilty that it's amenities are supremely neglected. I suppose that happens from time to time, but still, I should be outputting delicious cookies like these more often! 

Ethan and I rolled out a batch of two dozen or so before dinner time on Saturday. I must of helped myself to at least three of them, and this doesn't include what I consumed from the bowl prior to the cookies finding their way to the oven. It was a guaranteed "forget eating healthy" moment. Ethan loved the cookies as well, especially the cookie dough! At one point, I had to shoo him away from the bowl because he wouldn't stop eating it! Suppose I should of just let him enjoy it considering mom isn't much of a cook, after all, it was insanely irresistible stuff!! 

And now onto something I've been meaning to share with you the last couple of weeks...

And there they are in their full glory, enough buttons to last me the rest of my life and then some! I've been collecting these babies the last three years via Ebay and multiple antique store visits. Almost every single one of them is as old as my grandma..maybe older. I *heart* them like no tomorrow too. They're more precious to me than any other item in my scrapbook room (minus my albums, of course.) There's truly something spectacular and intrinsic about them buttons - simply put, they don't make'em like they used to! Buttons of older generations are carefully tailored to exhibit external textures, shapes and colors not common to today's buttons. Bordering on feminine, but with a flux of straight-up definition, yesterday's buttons have a story all their own that I can't help but wonder about. I collect them with the intent of appreciating their beauty (as corny as that sounds) and to provide them a brand new home so that they might yet again, find use and enjoyment by another. I love them to pieces. 

I store the buttons inside large rectangular containers purchased at Home Goods some number of weeks ago. Prior to that, I kept them in drawers. I like having them out in the open. The colors are capturing enough to make me want to sit at my desk and look at them all day. Color really doesn't get any better than this..rainbow buttons.

And there you have it, Monday's post and a little eye candy to get you started off on the right track this week! If you've questions about navigating the vintage button market, feel free to email me. Honestly, the best resource for purchasing them is Ebay, but be wary, as you never really know what you're going to end up with until the buttons arrive in your mailbox. It's a gambling game of sorts, but if you win big, you'll land yourself a stock pile of gorgeous, one-of-a-kind masterpieces. It's so worth the risk...

Time for you to share your vintage addiction - what has you running circles around town with hopes of fulfilling that vintage void? :)

Breaking Records & Loven' Summer.

I promise that what I'm working on will be worth my lack of presence here this week. It's been a long one, but still very productive and exciting. It feels like ages since my last guest design gig and this one made me run circles around inside my head because like always, I overdid it, but in a good sort of way. I prefer to give it my all at the end of the day because that's just the way I am. Crazy, I know. Since when have I ever given in to my irrational addiction to layers and loads of stuff? Never...not that I can recall, anyway. Laugh. 

There are plans to return in a couple of days - if you could just give me a minute, I'll pepper you with more pretty photos from the weekend once I catch my breath. The covert operation is almost finished..and oh so near!! Can't wait for you to see everything...how does two tutorials sound at this point? :)

Creativity in the Works + Fresh Martha

It seems like forever since I last posted a "full project" here. That's partly because I've been insistently committed to a brand new assignment with a certain manufacturer. I'm guest designing and in the process, because I've more time than usual to enjoy my paper passion, I successfully pulled off  two major project undertakings. I'm not going to disclose the specifics. If I did, I'd be ruining the surprise. There's only a week in a half though 'til you find out what I've been up to...not too long, really.

 **************************************************

Guess what I ran into this morning before succumbing  myself to the dentist chair, Joann Fabric's brand new collection of Martha Stewart Crafts! Yes, they  updated their selection with a whole aisle of new Martha goodies! "How could they do this to me?", I had wondered when I happened upon it. Laugh. And as if it wasn't enough to simply look and admire, they forced me into bringing home a small mix of items. I hadn't seen it coming either and do I dare say that most everything is beautiful and might possibly require you to visit it too? You will love it...finally, a fresh batch of Martha treats to add to our projects. Their excellent neutrals perfect for any and all back splashes! 

How about the ribbon? I know, ribbon is one of those elements that tends to hide away in one's stash. Never really sure what to do with it, this tiny ribbon seems to offer endless possibilities because of it's convenient, extra thin width. Wrap it through a metal eyelet covered hole on top a a kraft tag and you're good to go! Or, hide it beneath tiny florals as a pretty accent. I suppose it could even be wrapped into it's own small flower or floral center - super cute ribbon!

The red and pink floral cabochons are of a clear plastic with tiny pieces of glitter intermixed within it's petals. I think their even more beautiful in person. 

How about more butterflies? Yes, no or maybe? The lace style of these butterflies stole my heart and so did the price. I'm happy to have them. 

And then there are these..seriously, they're beckon to be used as an album, don't you think? Or maybe as an altered project of some sort. More likely, they'll serve as homage to an album in my hands. I also intent to turn it into a "late June" tutorial. Be prepared...should be extremely colorful and a passage to the usual details. 

Have a lovely day my friends! I'm taking the night off to sit back and watch a movie..another favorite past time that doesn't happen as often as it should since the single life found me. I usually stay away from romance movies..at this current moment, I prefer drama/mystery as it doesn't remind me of the the fact that I'm single all over again. No person should ever have to consider dating again at this age..but that's a different topic I won't impede upon you tonight!  All the best - share more with you soon!

Unique Occurrence :: Card Making Weekend

You'll stumble upon a actual card from myself today if decidedly over at the Crate Paper blog. It's part of Crate's ongoing "Wedding Week" which is to continue on through to next Tuesday! A fabulous triple challenge has been announced in conjunction with the special feature - they've enlisted three options so that everyone is able to participate if they so desire. For full details, visit Crate Paper's blog! The first set of projects are up as well! 

I created a synonymous, everyday wedding card for the event. It's not technically the kind of card that you would sit down to make two hundred of, it's more of a "gift" giving card that you'd probably have to find an extra big envelope for so as to not mess-up the pretty bow. Bulky cards are often my specialty if ever in a desperate enough situation to create one. I still love to pile on the layers, even with cards. Someday, I'd like to produce a collection of them and stash them away for a rainy day. One never really knows when they might need a card for a special occasion like that of a "I thee wed" event! :)

 

It feels like forever since I last enjoyed a round of scrapbooking with a friend in my own home. Jing Jing Nickel, a very good friend of mine, came by Saturday evening for a fair number of hours and we sat at my kitchen table and scrapbooked until semi-late into the evening. I devoted the hours to continuing the production process of Bella projects while Jing Jing took to producing cards at a mile a minute ! The difference between the rate at which we create was hilariously funny and I couldn't help but admire her quickly paced crafting abilities. I barely made a dent in the project I was working on - huge shocker {not really}. Still, we had a great time working side-by-side and spending time together as friends always do when scrapbooking beneath the same roof. I wish this sort of thing could happen more often..maybe it's time I start a local scrapbooker's meet-up group? Maybe...

Note the high level of production emphasized by the strayed number of items laying on top our work surface!! I brought half my scrapbook room with me to the table whereas Jing Jing brought one container and a trimmer. Hmmm...maybe this is why I rarely leave the house to scrapbook. I love stuff.

 

A tired cat will sleep anywhere if you let him. Boxes like this one are a constant presence in the house and it's not at all unique that at least one of my cat's will make himself/herself at home in a strewn about box. This particular box sat on top the chair in my scrapbook space and Casper squeezed himself inside it for a two hour nap! Must of been one tired kitty...

I'm still working on my button images, so I've plans to show them around mid-week. In the mean time, ran and visit Crate Paper - hope to see you over there! ~ CM

Crate Paper Wedding Week & Small Gardens

Sorry to be away from you this week. I'm caught up in design work for a couple of different assignments and also, I've been hastily assisting Crate with an up & coming special event that'll specifically cater to brides-to-be. It begins Monday and will continue throughout the week with celebratory-themed projects from all of the Crate Paper Team! I'll be sharing a few projects of my own too, so I do wish for you to join us if able. Plus, Crate is giving away a total of four prizes, three of which are markedly unique. Though, they'll entail some creativity on your part, so get ready and locate your Crate goodies if you've a stash available. Hopefully, I see you over there next week! 

 

I've rarely been the type of person to take up landscaping, let alone floral filled pots, but with Ethan's growing interest of the subject, I thought it'd be really special if the two of us worked together to create a hand-picked arrangement of Summer flowers and foliage plants. We visited a local nursery to find everything necessary to make it before we began the minor undertaking. Even though I'm not a prolific gardner, I still love to walk around inside a greenhouse. The long line of flower beds and varied greens always peeks my interest because their coloring is usually really intense and enticing. If I could transfer the contents of just one greenhouse to my backyard, I'd be set for life. Even though I don't particularly enjoy playing in the dirt, I don't mind at all the beauty of a nicely landscaped garden :)

We did finish the process of planting six or seven selections inside the newly purchased container. I've given Ethan full responsibility to care for the floral display the next three months, though I remind him daily to water the flowers just incase he forgets. He's all too excited to do it and so far, the arrangement is prospering! I'm so proud of him!

I'd recommend this sort of project to any of you out there with kiddos! It's astonishingly easy and is a lot fun :)

Don't you just love the mix of colors and shapes in this variety? Thankfully, my dad passed on his instinctual abilities to create a shining, noticeable array of differing flowers! I watched him garden quite a bit growing up and still to this day, his yard is gorgeous! I'm so jealous. 

The plants first official watering from Ethan himself - if he continues to care for them on a consistent basis, he'll be astonished to find out how quickly they grow! Soon, they'll be overflowing out the sides of the container and be at least a foot or two tall! It'll be ten times as beautiful! Keep it up Ethan! 

 

So, I've a guilty confession I'm about to make here - I launched in on a massive size auction on Ebay of vintage buttons two weeks ago. I knew the minute I spied them there that they were an exceptional bunch - super clean and of an impressive quality! I took part in a major bidding war to win'em..after winning them, I sort of held my breath because I still wasn't a 100% sure what to expect. Three days after the auction ended, the mega size box of buttons finally arrived at my door. I opened them babies up as quickly as I could. I pulled out three large ziplock bags from the box that had been filled to the top with buttons. Upon close inspection of the bags, I nearly fell over - the buttons were top notch gorgeous!! Never in my life had I run across a button collection like it before{I wish you could of been there! I probably would of handed some out to all of you!!}. I decided in that moment to pull out some of my faves and photograph them to share with you here. I'm so, so happy about'em. 

The buttons are finally organized and have been put away in new medium sized, color coordinated metal baskets. I've been meaning to photograph them {almost did today}, but probably won't realistically do so until this weekend. I've an ample supply of buttons now as I had quite the stash before the new ones arrived. What can I say? My passion for buttons is as strong as my obsession for pretty paper and embellishments.

What's your second passion in life besides scrapbooking? 

  

And just because I haven't shown myself in a good couple of solid months, here I am again, alive and well! Working on a couple of self-improvement projects currently as I'm seriously considering doing the match.com thing. Finally.

I'm going to come around again with a couple of close-up images of the projects I've been working on this week, but I won't disclose their destination until they're fully reveal in two weeks {won't say where either!}. In the mean time, enjoy the weekend! Thank-you for stopping by!