These kite valentines have got to be the sweetest. Eva of Misako Mimoko has handmade these one-of-a-kind greetings with a vintage fabrics and felt. Hand-painted faces and ‘Happy Valentine’ is embroidered on the back. Even though they may not be suitable for children to play with, they would still make perfect decorations.
via seventy tree
The nursery! Agh…if this baby arrives as early as Jax did, that means I only have 9 weeks to go. Woah. I’ve gotta get this little guy’s home ready! Inspired by the rooms above…I know what color I want to paint the walls and what I want the curtains to look like. But the floor…I hate it! I just want to rip it up and paint the hardwood white! Why don’t I? Well, I’ve asked my husband so many times. No, everytime. It’s pretty damaged, so my solution is to get an awesome rug and I will be happy. I love this citrine stripe rug, but my budget is limited. I will have to try this DIY tutorial…seems pretty easy. So much to do…
Teaching Children How to Be Still
Interesting article, even more insightful is the automatic choosing which side of the fence you are on when it comes to parenting…
Jaxon’s MONSTER birthday party was a success! On Sunday we had immediate family and a few friends over to our house to celebrate. I still can’t believe he is two!
I had a blast designing all the silly monsters for his invitation, which is available in my shop. (Alphabet poster and monster prints to come!) I know I said I wasn’t going to go overboard, but I just had to make those little guys come to life. So, with the help of my mom, gran and sister, we made little stuffed letter monsters for the favors.
For lunch, Thomas made pulled pork and smoked beef brisket. It was so delicious! I made a green monster cake (snickerdoodle…yum!) and my mother-in-law crafted the eyeball cake pops for the top. Thomas said I made too many sweets…but who doesn’t like a bright orange cupcake?
After Jax blew out his little two candle, all by himself, it was time to open gifts. Oh yay! More toys. Haha! Just kidding, he actually received lots of cute clothes…much needed, thank you.
And the party ended with yummy rainbow slush, made by my sister-in-law and all the kids jumping on Jaxon’s bed…lots of fun and sticky little hands!
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. I have a few designs in my shop, LITTLE FRILLS paper + goods. If your little one likes rockets or moons…you are all set. Large enough to drop in the mail or perfect to hand deliver. Personalization and custom orders are available.
Yes…it is handmade. See my Oscar the Grouch DIY post here.
A little fact about today: I am 24 weeks and Jax is 24 months.
Dear Jax…
I can’t believe you are TWO! That was such a fun year. Watching you learn how to walk and talk and jump. So many fun memories we have had…you sure are growing into a handsome little boy. We have loved every minute. Excited for you will meet your new little brother in a few months too! I am sure you will love him and teach him how to give your sweet hugs. We are so proud of you. (tear…oh my) Love you!
So excited to celebrate tonite. Mimi and Papa are taking you to Chuck-E-Cheese and on Sunday you are having a MONSTER birthday party with friends and family.
Happy Birthday Jaxon!
xo Mom + Dad
OH MY. I need this sign hanging in my home today. Just when I thought my luck was getting a little better…this morning happened.
I woke up at six o’clock. My husband left for work. Let the dog out. Browsed a few of my daily reads online. Made a cup of hot chocolate. My sister-in-law arrived with Jaxon around seven-thirty (she watches him on Thursday nights). Got him settled in with a movie and some cheerios.
Then, I began to open my file that I had been working on for about a week now for an animated presentation at one o’clock with a client. WOULD NOT OPEN. OMG. Freaking out at this point. Called my mom…called Thomas, of course they said opposite things to do. Grrr! Finally got a hold of my ‘boss’ to break the news that I was having technical difficulties. Pacing the living room. He said so calmly, ‘Oh just send me the file and I’ll see if I can open it.’
Jaxon, practically climbing on top of my pregnant belly, while I am waiting on the couch for him to call back. Thinking to myself…patience, Laura.
He calls back. IT OPENED! Unfortunately some of the work was missing. So, I frantically started to rebuild the missing parts. Then Jaxon says, ‘Mommy, dump…button. dump down there! (Geez, really right now?!…he has a bounce house in the basement) ‘Okay, let’s go.’
Meanwhile my portable hard drive cable completely ripped out of its plug. Fixing that later because I have a proposal to send out! (AGH…Just my entire life’s work, nbd.)
About to cry. Still working as fast as possible. It’s about eleven o’clock. Thinking…soon Jaxon will go his nap, praying it would be nothing like yesterday where he screamed for two hours on an off, resulting in no nap at all.
Almost done. Put Jaxon down around noon, five minutes of crying…then out like a light. Sweet, finishing up a few details…and before I knew it time was up.
…Well, the presentation went better than I ever expected. And as soon as the call was over my little peanut woke up from his nap.
Somedays working from home is a breeze, somedays it is hectic. I know to some of you it may seem like no big deal, but I’m still learning to juggle the day to day tasks and trying to find ways to handle situations like this one. And I’m sure its only going to get harder when I have two little ones. But when the client claps after you present and says, ‘Laura, you killed it!’ It makes the worst day ever, become so much better.
photo from Megan Galante’s Mundane Day Sign Project
I am in awe right now…Maricor + Maricar, talented twin sisters, hand embroidered a family set of Sweater Letters. The letter ‘B’ is available in their shop. The letters above were commissioned by ESPN magazine for their regular ‘Go Play’ section. You must visit their site to see all the incredible tactile work!
Incredible installation at the Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane. Artist Yayoi Kusama created a brilliantly white environment for an interactive children’s project called The Obliteration Room…where over the course of two weeks children who visited were given colored dot stickers to collaborate in the transformation of the space. Looks like fun! The installation is part of Kusama’s Look Now, See Forever exhibition that runs through March 12.
via poppytalk
Wow…2011 was definitely a year that I will remember. In January, Jaxon turned one. In April, I launched Little Frills paper + goods…new products coming soon! My little sister got married in May. In June, we went zip-lining for Thomas’ birthday. I lost my job and Thomas passed all his tests at work and became a journeyman in July. We got married in August. Honeymooned on the beach in Destin, Florida. I turned 28. In September, we found out we were expecting our second child! In October, Jaxon’s birthday party was featured in Parents Magazine. In November, Jaxon got a big boy bed. Our dog, George turned 6. My nephew, Harley was born. And last month we found out we are going to have a baby boy!
I am thankful for all the memories, the ups and downs and great adventures that 2011 brought. So glad to begin a new year…lots of good things to come! Thank you so much to all of my amazing followers for reading my blog and for all the lovely comments and messages you have sent. Hopefully one day we can meet.
Happy 2012 everyone! xo
Thanks…I must say you have great taste! Most of my wedding was DIY. I have a huge creative family and everyone pitched in to help with all my crazy details. The wood came from a old family barn and I actually designed my own invitations. I would love to help you out. You can email me at laura_coggins@yahoo.com. Congrats!
