Delightfully Noted

Friday's Dose of Delight

2012-03-09T07:44:00.000-06:00

First full week back at the bloggity-blog & I am definately getting into the swing of things again. I have lots of goodies to share with you all in the upcoming weeks so be here or be square! So on with the two....dos{brushing up on my Espanol for no apparent reason}... new things I discovered that have delighted or inspired me.

A Long(enecker) Short Story Blog

In addition to checking out crafty & home decor blogs I lurvvve fashion bloggers {like I wish I can shrink them, bottle em' up & bring them home with me type of lurvvve}. The only prob is majority of the ones I stumble upon seem to wear things that just don't seem realistic for the average Jill {ya know Average Joe's wife}. Kind of like the outfits runway models drape their bodies with. Needless to say, fashion bloggers score bonus points with me when they share outfits I can imagine wearing with out laughing at myself. Kristen of the Long (enecker) Story Short blog does just that! I adore how classy & put together her outfits are. Plus, I envy how darn cute she looks in glasses.

Trust, me you don't wanna see me in glasses.

You can check out her full blog here.

DIY Polymer Clay Bead Necklace from Delighted Momma

I know I've mentioned Lindsay from the Delighted Momma blog a time or two over here on the DN. Most of the time though I am raving about her fab skin tips. Well, it just so happens that she is also the Queen of Polymer Clay Land. Nevermind the fact that I just made that place up but seriously she is a rock star when it comes to clay jewelry. This necklace is by far one of my faves that she has shared! I wish I had a video for y'all of the one time I attempted to work with clay. It was a sheer disaster but Lindsay makes it look easy-peasy. You can check out the full details over on her blog here.

Hope you all have a delightful weekend!

Easy Chrysanthemum Earrings

2012-03-08T07:37:00.017-06:00

After my last chrysanthemum project I had a few flower beads left over. I've been so smitten with all of the chrysanthemum jewelry over on Etsy that I just had to make myself a pair of my own earrings.

I've been on an earring kick lately.

Probably because they are so simple to make.

Just dab a little metal jewelry glue on the back of your bead & then adhere the back posts. Let dry.

And there you go! A quick & inexpensive way to add to your jewelry collection. Any by the way I am proud to announce I have now aced spelling chrysanthemum three times in this post without spell check. I'm not sure how this will prove beneficial in life but regardless it's a new obtained talent I am quite proud of.

Sharing with friends here:
http://www.somewhatsimple.com/
http://lilluna.com/
http://jaimelyn11.blogspot.com/

Guest Post: Give Your Home a Style Update

2012-03-07T07:24:00.001-06:00

I spent a large portion of my post-surgery recovery daydreaming about a living room facelift {no, this isn't some new cosmetic surgery performed in the comforts of your home!}. So far I'm up to like 42 ways to rearrange the furniture. I had that much time to lay around & think! Phew, when will I ever say that again?

So, therefore this post couldn't have come at a better time. Today, Christina Johnson, who works in the New York City Apartments & Rentals market, is here to share a few simple home decorating tips to help freshen up your little adobe.

So on with the show!

Interior design is constantly changing as new fashions and trends take over the looks of the space. While a home should always give a feeling of comfort and welcome on an individual basis, adding a few touches of current styles and trends can help bring in a fresh look and update the design without changing the base that makes it feel like home.

Green and Healthy

The interior design trends toward environmentally friendly materials continues to grow in momentum as more men and women become aware of our influence on the world around us. Bringing in more natural materials to a home, such as bamboo wood furniture or even just a clay pot, can uplift the look and make it friendly to the environment.

{Source Lonny Mag via Decor Pad}

Beyond simply adding more green materials, another design trend is creating a healthy environment. This includes air quality and using space wisely to minimize the amount of dust and airborne pollutants within the home. Adding more hypoallergenic items that are made from environmentally friendly materials and which clean easily to remove dust adds to the look and comfort of a room while helping improve air quality.

Fun Colors

As with previous years, bringing in more color remains a trend that is continuing. Bright colors like greens, yellows and reds are adding a splash of color to a room, particularly when used in items like pillows, throws and other small items.

{Via House of Turquoise}

For those who are concerned about changing the entire room to one color or who feel most comfortable with neutrals, a great way to bring in more of this trend is adding a splash of a favorite color to the decorations like pillows on the couch or a vase in a bright shade that is set as the centerpiece on a table. Color used sparingly in a neutral space can brighten the room and bring in more of this trend. Those who are more comfortable with larger amounts of color can add colorful curtains, blankets or even paint the walls the bright shades to bring in this new trend.

Modest Spaces

Instead of crowding the space or using the modernistic minimal looks that are often cold and sterile, new trends work with a combination of traditional styles and the modest use of furniture to avoid overcrowding and keep an open floor plan. This combination of minimalist and traditional is working its way into the latest interior designs for a comfortable feeling of home that also prevents feeling that the space is crowded with furniture.

{Source: Traditional Home}

The latest trends and styles for interior decorating are simple to add to current spaces for an updated and interesting look. By bringing in a splash of color, eco-friendly materials and modest furniture that does not crowd the space, it is possible to make the most of a home’s function and improve the style at the same time.

Christina Johnson who works remotely for Elliman Prudential in the New York City Apartments and Rentals market. She is using her journalism major to combine what she loves most, writing and her career. Her specialties include home decor design and DIY home improvement projects.

Sharing with friends here:
http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/

Hot Chocolate with Almond Milk

2012-03-06T07:30:00.003-06:00

I created & enjoyed this little hot cocoa recipe a few Friday's ago when I came home to find our furnace not working {of course it had to be on one of the coldest nights yet this season}. And of course I am sharing this with you on a day that is anticipated to be mmmmm....about 60 degrees here in Chicago. 19 degrees above the norm for this time of the year. Just a little meterologist 101 for ya on this fine ol' day.
So anywho, back to this cold, cold day where I apparently I didn't get the memo that our one and only space heater was for weiner dog usuage only.

{Heat Hogger}
So while they laid around warming up their paws I was shivering my buns off. I decided to make myself some hot chocolate & then I realized we had some almond milk. I thought it's sweet flavor would help take my warm drink up a notch & that's exactly what it did!

Ingredients

4 cups of plain or vanilla almond milk

1 cinnamon stick, split in half

1/4 cup of fat free chocolate syrup

1/4 tablespoon of sugar

Pinch of salt

Whip Creme (for topping)

Directions

Bring milk and the cinnamon sticks to a boil & then allow to simmer for about 10 minutes.

Remove cinnamon sticks & then stir in your chocolate syrup, sugar, & salt.

Remove from heat and divide the hot cocoa into mugs. Top each drink with a little whip creme & drizzle of chocolate syrup. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.

I thought it came out delicious & the light almond taste from the milk adds the perfect little twist to a classic winter drink. Of course, believe it or not spring is almost here! Forget hot cocoa, bring on the cold cocktails!

Sharing with my friends here:
http://todayscreativeblog.net/
http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/
http://jaysonandashley.blogspot.com/
http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/
http://southernlovely.blogspot.com/

National Craft Month:5 Crafting Tools I Can't Live With Out

2012-03-05T07:28:00.002-06:00

Happy National Craft Month! I thought about having you all over for a par-tay but then that would mean I'd have to clean. Which would then in return mean that I'd have to surpass my capacity of adult responsibilities for the month & let's face it March just barely started & no one likes an "overachiever" anyways, right?

So, in honor of this holiday & my return from the dead I thought I'd share with you a few of my favorite crafting tools. My homies if you will.

Martha Stewart Scoring Board via Amazon

I realize this may sound criminally insane but during 2010 B.M.S.B {before Martha's scoring board}I use to score all my stationery card orders by hand with just a ruler & boning knife. But then a friend referred me to this scoring board & it was as if the gates of heaven had flung open & I could hear the angels singing...ahhhhhhhhh. This board can be used for creating all kinds of envelopes, cards, & gift boxes.

Glue Gun via Google {Sorry, can't find original source!}

Behold the glue gun.....it's a blistered kind of love but I use hot glue for everything. EVERYTHING. Paper crafts, wood crafts, wreaths, when my doxie lost the tip of her ear in some freak accident......

Silhoutte Cameo from US Cutter

Miss Cameo & I have a tumultuous kind of love but I admit between the flu & surgery I've been neglecting her. With that being said this electric cutter really can take your crafting to a whole other level. You can see my Silhouette crafts here & here.

EK Sucess Flourish Square Punch via A Matter of Memories

Over the years I've used all kinds of different punches & I have to say the EK Sucess brand RULES!! I use them for cupcake toppers & favor tags & other paper crafting needs. They are easy to use & best of all you don't need some Olympian strength hand muscles to punch your paper. Which is a good thing because the only exercise my hand gets is from lifting my wine glass.

Mod Podge from Amazon

Mod Podge....the all-in-one glue, sealer, & finish & da bomb.

So there you have it...my five crafting BFFs.

Stay tuned because soon I'll be sharing some SUH-WEET crafting tools you'll want to add to your toolbox.

Feel free to share what your FAVORITE crafting tools are!

PS. Thanks again to every one who left sweet comments & sent me emails checking to see how my post-surgery recovery was going. I am so thankful to be a part of this wonderful blogging community! YOU ALL ROCK.

I am happy to say that during recovery I played a stellar Rip Van Winkle. Only my fairy taled played out in the comforts of my own bed not some pain of the butt mountain.

Everything was going well & then SOME HOW I managed to contract the stomach flu last Friday....again. Second time in 8 weeks!
Apparently, I missed the memo that my immune system retired in 2011.
Which is good because I wouldn't have thrown it a party anyways.

So with that being said hugs & kisses to the most patient man I know {unless he's waiting for a bread basket at a restaurant}, my hubby, for putting up with an annoying, bell ringing, incapaciated wife for quite some time now. I owe you a kidney honey!

Also, thanks to my pups, Sianna & Brylee, for being the best cuddle bugs ever & for licking my face every now & then, I suppose to confirm I was still alive. Either that or I misunderstood & you were actually checking to see if I had died & were planning to make a meal out of me.
Either way I thank you.

The Big Chill

2012-02-27T07:35:00.000-06:00

{Source: Via Apartment Therapy}

Why hello there. So guess what? I survived my first surgery. Crazy, huh? I guess 'em doctors do know a thing or two. Nothing to worry about. Just a little surgery-smergry. Thank you to every one for all the well wishes! I do have to say though a funny little thing happened during this past week of recovery. I did something I haven't done in a looooooong time.

I rested. No kidding, I slept like the dead!

It was foolish but I have to admit prior to surgery I pictured spending one day recovering in bed & the rest of the week off feverishly (but slowely & a little painfully) working away on shop orders, crafting, cleaning out closets, & yadda, yadda, yadda. After all when you have alot on your plate you have to make every free minute count, right? In reality, this is how my week went:

Get a glass of water. Take a nap.

Brush my teeth. Take a nap.

Walk down the stairs. Take a nap.

Pet the dog.Take a nap.

Pin a recipe. Take a nap.

Roll over in bed. Take a nap.

You get the point. I liked my naps this week. ALOT.

The hubby commented that perhaps my body needed the rest alot more than I realized.

Honestly, I couldn't agree more.

So with that being said instead of jumping right back into the hustle & bustle of things this week I am going to take another week off from the bloggity-blog & hold on to that inner stillness for just a little longer.

Hope you all have a delightful week & can't wait to catch up with all you lovelies!

My Foster Blogger & You're"Never" List

2012-02-15T07:00:00.001-06:00

{Via Forbidden Planet}

Well, my dear peeps,unfortunately, I found out this week that I will be having surgery tomorrow. It is far from brain surgery but regardless it still scares the poo out of me. Despite the hubby trying to convince me that people can't die from pre-surgery panic attacks I still decided it would be wise of me to find a back up caregiver to my blog here. A foster blogger if you will.

So I ~~told~~ asked my friend, Erica, to take over incase there are monkies performing surgery on me tommorow. She seemed thrilled. Never mind the fact that Erica has never blogged in her life. All I know is that she tends to like me better on the days in which I post about food.

Any who, so this whole surgery-smergy thing had me thinking about my list of nevers. Everyone's got one right? It's that mental check list of things that you've never done or had happen to you. Of course they always include the fun bucket list like items like "I've never been to Australia" or "I've never ridden on a motorcycle". But there are also those particular little things on your list that you've never experienced that you're actually kind of proud to brag about! Here's mine:

Yeah, see that X through the last one? When my doc decided to break it to me that I would need surgery one of the millions of things going through my head was "Dude, you're really messing with my never list".

So what "bragging" items do you have on you're "never list"?

PS. I have a few pre-scheduled posts but will take it day by day during my recovery in regards to my blogging. So we'll see....either I will be bored out of my fricken mind & post like crazy{I don't take to bed rest very easy} or I'll be a zombie and things may be quiet around the DN for a few days.

PPS. I'm also going to apologize ahead of time for any blogging that may happen under the influence of meds.

If I say anything crazy I'll just blame it on Erica.

Hot Diggity Dog! It's Valentine's Day.

2012-02-14T07:44:00.001-06:00

This is what us people who don't have kids do.

We decorate our dogs.

Sianna & I wish you a delightful Valentine's Day!

Anyone have some sweet plans to celebrate?

12 Last Minute Valentine's Treats

2012-02-13T07:05:00.001-06:00

Tomorrow's Valentine's Day! Still looking for some sweet inspiration? Here are twelve yummy last minute treat ideas to make for your loved ones.

Chocolate Sandwhich Cookies|All You

Rice Krispies Treats|Babies,Paper and Song

Sweet & Salty Mix|Apple a Day

White-Chocolate Cherry Shortbread|Better Homes & Gardens

Sweet Heart Cupcakes|Glorious Treats

Strawberry Two Ingrediant Fudge|Cupcakes & Cups

Glass Topper Valentine Cookie|Cupcakes & Cups

Strawberry Mousse with Meringue Hearts|All You

Lovin' Spoonfuls|Disney's Family Fun

Heart Candy Dots|Martha Stewart

Heart Sandwhich|Cutest Food

Love Potion Smoothie|My Dream Sample

Friday's Dose of Delight

2012-02-10T07:40:00.000-06:00

Happy Friday my friends! I hope everyone has a weekend planned full of what ever it is that makes your heart content; relaxation, crafting, shopping, gator hunting. Like I said whatever makes you happy.

Here's this Friday's Dose of Delight; mini, mini round-up of two things that have inspired or delighted me this week.

The Cottage Market Craft Room

Honestly, if you follow me on Facebook then you should have known this was coming! Andrea, of The Cottage Market, revealed her recently organized craft supply room & holy tamale this is like a crafter's dream!!! See all the details here & then go grab yourself a rag cause you're drooling.

Uncommon

Okay, okay so I fib this store, Uncommon, didn't just catch my eye this week it was actually one of the first stores I fell in love with when I first opened an Etsy account.

It's awesome, whimsical, & unique & plus the sellers are from near my hometown so fist bump on that!

Check them out here.

Hope everyone has a delightful weekend!

12 in 2012 Progress & How to Hold Yourself Accountable

2012-02-09T07:44:00.000-06:00

{Goals Clipboard from Decoy Lab}

If you're ever struggling at holding yourself accountable start a blog. There are no penalties or readers who are going to threaten you with wedgies & swirlies if you miss your goals. Truth be told, the motivation to be more accountable for yourself is behind the fact that you shared your goals with the "world" & who likes to report back that they've accomplished absolutely nothing? Not me! Not interested in blogging? Then I suggest writing your goals down on a piece of paper & then giving it to that one person in your life who is annoying & nagging & likes to remind you over every extra large milkshake how you said this was the year you were going to chanel your inner Giselle...swimsuit & all. Nah...see blogging about it sounds soooo much more fun doesn't it?

So as some of you know I'm participating in Live Delightfully's 12 in 2012 series in which I am blogging about 12 various goals I set for myself for the year 2012.

Instead of making excuses {spent most of the month of January in bed with some form of some kind of flu...stomach flu, cold flu, lazy flu, etcetera} for every goal I have not started on. Today I will just be sharing the few goals
I have made progress with.

-Lose 5lbs by March 31st -Since I was sick most of January I got a great start on this goal. See, there's always a silverlining. I've also been making it point not to eat until I feel like barfing & more to the point of putting the fork down when I'm semi-satisfied. I did drop between 2-3lbs but I'm pretty sure I just gained it all back over Super Bowl Sunday.

-Read the full "Twilight" series & then watch all the movies- I've made it through the first 2 books & movies. Let's just say I'd be okay with just reading the novels & skipping the movies. Anyone else familiar with Twilight series & agree with me?

-Organize all of our home's closets-Three down & like a bajillion more to go. I'm afraid by time I finish them all the first ones done will be a disaster again. You vicious little cycle.

-Design & introduce a new stationery line-

So I've got a new product idea I've been wanting to introduce & actually spent a little time this past weekend thinking it through & researching some materials for it. That's progress, right?

-Start a Delightfully Noted newsletter- Does it count if I've signed up for some newsletters in order to get an idea & be inspired for designing my own format? We're talking baby steps here people.

-Prioritize my time better- They say even the small things count! In the past few weeks I've really been working hard on limiting the amount of time I allow myself to work on orders. I have a bad habit of coming home from my day time job & then working till bed time. I know my customer's appreciate speedy service but there's no need to feel like I have to complete all orders within minutes from receiving it. This standard I set for myself was begining to consume me & I was leaving very little time for other things in my life. Now I set an internal time for myself & when the clock strikes whatever is done is done. I walk away. What's the worse that can happen if an order has to wait till the next day? I'm still providing prompt service & my customers are still happy.

How are you doing on your goals for the year, month, or week? Have any tips on how to stay focused on the goals you want to achieve? Please do share!

Opening an Etsy Shop: Top Ten Things You Should Do to Get Started

2012-02-08T08:49:00.001-06:00

Bravo!You've decided to take the leap of faith & open up your own Etsy shop. But before you list that first item here's a round-up of the 10 most important things I believe you can do in order to prepare yourself for a successful on-line experience:

Read, Read, Read
Knowledge is power. There is no such thing as too much reading when it comes to running your own shop. There is a wealth of information available to you on the internet. Use it! Prior to opening Delightfully Noted I spent three months reading anything & everything related to Etsy & the handmade world. You'll be amazed at the knowledge you will gain from sites such as the Etsy blog & forums, Handmadeolgy, Handmade Success, & Oh My! Handmade Goodness....to just name a few.

{Creativity Print from Life's A Journal}

Create A Name For Yourself
Choosing a shop name is fun but it's also probally one of the most important things you'll do for your business. You want something that reflects your shop's style, is memorable, easy to pronounce, & most importantly can be picked up by the search engines. However, before you settle on a monikor make sure to check for any legalities such as trademarked words or stores with similar shop names. You can research trademarked words & phrases by visiting the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) website.

Check'em Out
Whether you plan on selling handmade cards, jewelry, or vintage purses I recommend perusing the shops of other sellers in the same category. Find out what's hot? What is & isn't selling?Are your item's prices going to be competitive? This exercise isn't for you to copy other sellers because let's face it as Ingrid Bergman once said "Be yourself. The world worships the original". You may find after browsing other similiar shops that there's a niche that isn't being filled. Maybe you sell soap. There are a TON of soap sellers in the world but maybe you notice no one is marketing to the individuals with sensitive skin. There you go, now your inspired!

Make it Legit
Don't let the legal issues behind selling online intimidate you! In most cases the paperwork required to obtain a business license & sales tax ID is really quite simple to fill out. The laws & sales taxes vary from state to state so I encourage you to contact your state & local officials to find out what is required of you. This site, Go to Great Panes, has some very helpful basic info regarding registering your business & there is also this wonderfully informative article from the Etsy blog regarding sales taxes. Before you even think about listing your first item make sure your shop is legit!

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
One of the most determing factors of how well you'll do on Etsy will be based on the quality of your product's photos. The truth is good pictures lead to sales. Good news! You don't need to have a fancy schmancy camera to take great, professional looking pictures. Dig out your camera's manual & read it {gasp!}. Learn how to use your macro setting, practice styling your photos, take pictures from different angles, & experiment with light. The best photos are taken during the day {crying out loud turn off your flash!} in a place where there is a lot of natural light. Lastly, learn how to edit your photos. Most cameras come with basic photo editing software or you can always find free services on-line. Cropping, brightness, & contrast are about the only three words that exist in my photo editing vocabulary.

Bookkeep Like Your Life Depends on It
I get it. Bookkeeping is boring but you will thank yourself later {especially when it comes to tax time!} if you start off financially organized. Plus, how else will you know if you're turning a profit if you aren't keeping accurate records on your biz? Designate a folder or envelope for all of your paper receipts. I also find that it is efficiant to create a "folder" in your business email account to store all of your on-line invoices from places like Etsy & Paypal. Lastly, you'll want to select a bookkeeping software program {unless you're old school & choose to use a paper ledger} for tracking income & expenses. Programs such as Outright, Microsoft Excel, & Quickbooks are favorites among Etisians.

Got to Keep it Seperated
I highly recommend having a seperate bank account for your business money. Mixing biz & personal finances in one account can become hairy & disorganized. Personally, I've been very satisfied with my ING Orange account. There are no fees or minimums required in order to open an account with them. Even better, I can connect it to my store's Paypal account & easily transfer money between the two.

Ship Shape Shipping
Figuring out shipping for my shop was probably one of the most overwhelming parts of getting started. Ugh, & international shipping! I practically peed my pants everytime I thought about it. I finally saw the light when I came across this article full of basic shipping tips over on Go to Great Panes. I have to also note that purchasing my own postal scale was seriously the best $30 I have invested into my business.

Show Me the Money
After registering & upgrading your Etsy account to "seller status"you are going to have set up your payment methods. There are four options in which a customer can pay you; Paypal, check, money order or "other" {typically used for gift certificate purposes}.The step-by-step guide on how to set up your payment methods can be found here in the Etsy Seller Handbook.

Stellar Store Front
So you've read until your blue in the face, you've picked a store name you love, your business is registered with the state & now you're ready to let the world see what you have to offer! It's time to set up shop & list your goodies! Make sure to create a store front that is warm, inviting, & informative. You can accomplish this by designing an avatar & banner relective of your shop's style, filling out all of your shop's sections, writing clear & concise item descriptions, & appropriately tagging all your products. Most importantly prepare to provide your customer's with a great on-line shopping experience!

There you have it the top 10 things you should know to prepare yourself before opening your own Etsy biz! Is this all you need to know to run a successful shop? Heck no! But I believe once you have a good basic foundation other factors such as promoting, improving your tags, & search optimization are things you can learn along the way.

Are you a fellow Etisian? Anything you'd like to add? Was there anything you felt was important to know before setting up shop that I may have missed {I'm writing this while a neurotic dog has been whining at my feet for the past hour so pardon me if my brain isn't functioning at its normal level of intelligence {which is like genius level by the way} And now she's trying to smoosh herself between an armoire & the wall. Any body want her? Annnybody? Bueller? Bueller?}?

Daydreaming about selling things on Etsy? Questions?

Feel free to comment below or email me if you'd like!

Linking here:
http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/
http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/
http://lilluna.com/
http://southernlovely.blogspot.com/
http://jaimelyn11.blogspot.com

{Introduction} The Spark Plug Series:Etsy & Small Biz Tips

2012-02-07T07:45:00.000-06:00

As we all know there's a science behind selling handmade goods or opening your own biz. I don't anticipate, as the owner of my own online Etsy shop, to be winning any scientific achievement awards anytime soon. A matter of fact I'm quite sure there's still a lot for me to learn when it comes to selling my handmade paper goodies. On the other hand I feel that I've been able to manage a pretty steady pace of sales on Etsy, well, at least enough to keep me plenty busy between my full time day job & blogging while still hovering a little bit behind that "she's going to lose it" line.

{Art Print from Wicked Paper Co.}

Since I opened shop back in the Fall of 2010 I've experienced some of the ups & downs of running your own biz {like beating my new printer to near death at one in the morning during the holiday crunch time} & I've also have had the pleasure of developing quite a fun on-line friendship with another Etsy seller. This gal has helped me tremendously! Any time I had a silly question or just needed to vent to someone who could relate she was right there for me. I'd like to pay it forward now. So this month I'll be starting a new thing called the Spark Plug Series; a series full of tips, tutorials, & how-tos for all the small biz go-getters out there, or as I like to call them "spark plugs!" Not only do I plan on sharing what has & has not worked for me but I am super excited to open this series up to other sellers who have found success & are willing to share a secret or two with us as well! So whether you've already taken the leap & opened up your own shop or you've been daydreaming about selling your handmade jewelry or scarfs or taxidermy hamsters or what ever it is then I am hoping this series can be of some help to you!

The Spark Plug Series will be featured every other Wednesday & tomorrow we're starting off at the bottom {or top depending on how you look at it}; the top things to know before opening up shop! If you're already an Etisian or small biz online seller I'd love for you to stop by as well & share what may have worked for you or things you wish you knew before you took that leap of faith.

See you on the flip side.

PS. If there are certain topics you'd like to discuss in this series please let me know in the comments below or feel free to send me an email!

Simple Chrysanthemum Bookmarks

2012-02-06T08:59:00.008-06:00

For some odd reason I never seem to have bookmarks when I find that rare opportunity to jump into a novel. I'm always using those obnoxious insert cards that fall out of magazines all the time. Resourceful yes, but pretty, not exactly. This weekend I happen to be pondering over what to do with some leftover chysanthmum beads. I am a firm believer that when one encounters a creative rut you go picking! As creative peeps how many of us can deny that we own a pile of unused craft supplies that just sit around reminding us of all the moolah we've dumped into places like Michael's & Hobby Lobby? I find inspiration is often hiding in that pile & in some severe cases stray cats are too.

As luck would have it I came across some alphabet paper clips I had purchased years ago. Ding, ding, ding....I had an idea.

Chrysanthemum bookmarks!

I just used some jewelry metal glue & adhered the chrysanthemum beads to the top part of the paper clip.

Instant bookpage glamour.

Hope everyone had a delightful Super Bowl weekend!
Any favorite commercials?
Madonna's performance...yay or ney?

Linking here:
http://www.skiptomylou.org/
http://www.thegunnysack.com/
http://craftomaniac.blogspot.com/
http://www.pollywantacrafter.com/
http://todayscreativeblog.net/
http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/
http://jaysonandashley.blogspot.com/
http://www.thegunnysack.com/
http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/
http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/
http://jaimelyn11.blogspot.com/
http://www.houseofhepworths.com/
http://www.itsoverflowing.com/
http://thefrugalgirls.com/

Friday's Dose of Delight

2012-02-03T08:31:00.000-06:00

I don't have much to say. In case you aren't one of my FB peeps {you really should be}, instead of spending time writing up this post I got distracted & ended up spending twenty minutes going through the starting line up of Puppy Bowl VIII. This is what happens when you go hours locked up by yourself in a hotel in the middle of Iowa. So with out further adieu, here is this week's Dose of Delight; a mini round-up of things that inspired or delighted me this week!

Chinese Soup Spoon Wall Art

I don't think I've ever seen Chinese soup spoons used in such a hip way! I am infatuated with this DIY wall decor found over at the The Silly Pearl blog.

Knock Knock Store

Ever heard of the Knock Knock store?

It's this witty online store filled with all kinds of fun & humerous paper goods & accessories like this Social Media citation note pad. Seriously, who can't think of a person or two, or three, that couldn't use some guidance with online etiquette?

Hope you all have a delightful weekend! I can't wait to get home to my pups, my own bed, & oh yeah, the hubby. Smiles.

DIY Personalized Lap Desk for Kids

2012-02-01T08:51:00.003-06:00

So my first attempt at cutting vinyl with the Silhouette Cameo {aka Miss Cameo} was for this personalized lap top project for my niece's birthday.

You may remember a few weeks ago I shared the handmade earrings & jewelry card that I created for her. Well, during Christmas, Santa brought her a lap top which I happen to know she was wishing for only because I came across her note to him while "accidentally" eating some of the cookies she had left out for him. Don't judge. Any who, I thought a personalized lap desk would be a great birthday gift to go along with her new computer.

I found this perfectly pink & girlish one at Hobby Lobby.

After downloading a butterfly graphic from the Silhouette store I created my design on my computer & then had Miss Cameo do the printing and cutting of the vinyl. Then all that was left to do was to adhere the vinyl to the lap desk {I make this sound so simple but truthfully this was the first time I used my Silhouette & this creation was after I spent 4 hours & a lot of wine trying to figure things out...perhaps, the wine could have something to with it taking 4 hours BUT again there you go with that judging thing!}.

Even if you don't have an electric cutter you can still do this project! There are plenty of vinyl sellers on Etsy that you can purchase personalized names or words from. I told you before I got your back!

I still plan on sharing a tutorial with tips & things I've learned on how to cut vinyl but right now it pains me to think of that night. So stay tuned.

Speaking of personalized things anyone remember the first personalized item they received as young kiddo?

Mine was a little ballerina jewelry box!

Linking here:
http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/
http://southernlovely.blogspot.com/
http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/
http://thefrugalgirls.com/

January's Crush of the Month: Washi Tape Projects

2012-01-31T07:48:00.002-06:00

It's time to wrap up the first month of 2012 & with that comes another "Crush of the Month!" So what am I swooning over now? Japanese washi tape! Seriously, how can you not love this decorative paper tape? It's like masking tape at its finest. It comes in an assortment of pattern & colors & is extremely easy to use. Washi tape has gained popularity among the crafty world & that's because there's a bajillion things you can do with it. Here's a round up of a few of my favorite washi tape projects & sellers {color coordinated of course for your viewing pleasure}:

Sources: Invite:Paper Crave| Washi Tape:Chicky Doddle |Card:Gingham Girl|Washi Tape:Unknown

Sources: Washi Tape:Yours is the Earth|Taped Jars:Via Lola Lina|Bunting:Paper Klip Design|Polka Dot Tags:Less is More

Sources: Clothespins & Tag:Bahana Splits Boutique|Packages: decor 8|Gift Wrap Kit:3 Girls & a Goat

Sources:Vases:To Be Charmed| Tile Coaster:Design Dreams Japan|Packaging:Creative Pro|Eggs:Family Circle

Sources: Vase:How About Orange| Drink Stirrers & Favor Boxes: Martha Stewart

|Bud Vase: How About Orange

Aren't they all fantastic? Up until this point I have allowed myself to buy one, JUST ONE, roll of washi tape but I'm afraid this is an addiction waiting to happen.

So what are you crushing on lately?

Linking here:
http://www.tipjunkie.com/homemade-projects-21/
http://todayscreativeblog.net/
http://thefrugalgirls.com/

How to Make Fabric Flowers from Old T-shirts

2012-01-30T07:37:00.006-06:00

I decided since I don't have a lot of Valentine decor perhaps I could sweeten up a plain tan pillow I had picked up a few weeks ago. I wasn't aiming for anything traditional {ie. hearts, cupids, etc} so it was perfect when a pink shirt sitting a top a donation pile happen to catch my eye. I thought why not use the old shirt to make some fabric flowers? {Sorry about that Goodwill!}

To get started, after you've picked a shirt to destroy {there's about twenty in my hubby's dresser if you'd like to burrow them} you will want to cut a circle approximately 2 to 2.5 inches in size from your coordinating colored felt.

Next, you are going to make your paper template. Draw a flower on your piece of paper. This doesn't have to be perfect but I would suggest making a flower with at least 5-6 petals. Cut the template out. My flower measured about 2.5 inches wide.

Now using your flower template start cutting your fabric flowers. I just placed my paper template down on the shirt & cut around it {you can use pen to trace your template first but this will leave pen marks as you will see in one of my pics below. I ditched the pen after the first few flowers.}. Again, no need for perfection here. As you can see above, my fabric flowers look like blobs! You'll need to cut out about 11-12 flowers.

Now take one of your flowers & fold in half and then in half again. Repeat until you have four folded flowers then take your glue & adhere them to your piece of round felt. You'll want to place them edge to edge but as you can see you may have some space between them depending on the size of your flowers and felt. No biggie! That space is going to be covered anyways.

Once you have those four glued down to the felt circle you'll want to glue the folded flap of each flower to itself. See picture above.

Fold four more flowers & glue them on top of the original four flowers but place them semi-perpendicular to the first grouping {so you cover the first group of flower's edges}. Repeat the layers until you have one last fabric flower left.

In order to make the center of you flower you're going to fold your last fabric flower in half but instead of folding it again you will want to roll it.

Then adhere to the center of your flower with a big glob of glue. Once that has dried, fluff up your petals & you should have a pretty & delightful little fabric flower!

Now your ready to adorn your pillow or what ever it is you want to dress up with your t-shirt flower. Of course unless you have a little mischievous doxie who likes to kidnap your flower project after you scold her for barking incessantly at the mail man. Then like me you'll spend fifteen minutes searching for said flower.

Evidence that my dog is a bully.

In order to get the t-shirt flower attached to your pillow or item you can either hot glue or sew it on.

I actually created two different sized t-shirt flowers for my project & then clipped on a matching chiffon flower clip I had lying around. I'm loving the soft & romantic touch that the flowers add to my decor!

Linking here:
http://www.skiptomylou.org/
http://www.homemakeronadime.com/
http://www.thegunnysack.com/
http://craftomaniac.blogspot.com/
http://www.thegunnysack.com/
http://jaysonandashley.blogspot.com/
http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/
http://todayscreativeblog.net/
http://www.tipjunkie.com/
http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/
http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/
http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/
http://thefrugalgirls.com/
http://jaimelyn11.blogspot.com

Free Printable Valentine's Day Card {24 Hours Only!} 2012 Special Delivery Charity Project

2012-01-29T12:03:00.003-06:00

February is right around the corner & with that comes Valentine's Day. I'm thinking you should share the love this year by joining the Etsy community & myself in the 2012 Special Delivery Project. This year Etsy will be working with Citymeals-on-Wheels which helps deliver meals & human companionship to elderly New Yorkers. Thanks to the donations they will also be delivering greeting cards this Valentine's Day. Being that I am a stationery junky you know I couldn't pass up participating in such a wonderful project! Butttt I'm REALLY hoping you'd like to join me!

All you need to do is send in some handmade or store-bought Valentine's Day cards {with a sweet little message written inside} to:

Etsy
Attn: Katie Rose Crosswhite
55 Washington St.
Suite 512
Brooklyn, NY 11201

It's really important to note that Tuesday, February 7th 2012 is the deadline in which all cards must be received! Please see post here to learn more about this project & important rules regarding the types of cards you can send {like no glitter you sparkle-a-holics!}

As if that wasn't easy enough, I'm going to simplify your life even more by offering one of my shop's Valentine's Day cards for free for the next 24 hours!!!

Download here, then print, cut, & fold the cards in half. All that's left is to write a special little message, add envelopes if you'd like, package, & then mail off to the address above.

See aren't you glad I woke up on the right side of the bed this morning??!

Feel free to print off as many cards as you'd like in the next 24 hours. You can use them to send Valentine's wishes to friends & loved ones but most importantly I hope you'll join me & send some to New York to help brighten a stranger's day too!

Reminder! Card will be available for free only until Monday, January 30th 12:00pm central time, so hurry over!!

I'd love to hear if you get any use out of the card or if you participate in the Special Delivery project!!

Friday's Dose of Delight {Closets & Hypnosis}

2012-01-27T07:42:00.000-06:00

This felt like an incredibly long week to me & I can't wait to get my weekend on. As I'm sure you can't either! So friends here's this week's Dose of Delight; mini-mini roundup of things that inspired, caught my eye, boggled my mind, or just plain out delighted me.

Closet Makeover from Love of Family & Home

Have you seen this closet makeover? Seriously, Tonya did an A-M-A-Z-I-N-G job. This closet transformation is the best for a variety of reasons but what resonates with me is that it is simply the most realistic makeover I've seen in a lonnnggg time. Sites like Pinterest are filled with beautiful closets but lets face it how many of us have closets bigger than a neighborhood filled with hundreds of pairs of Louis Vuittons? This closet actually gives mine hope.

*Tear drop*

See full post here.

Hypnosis for Getting Out of Speeding Tickets

Now I've heard of acting like you need to pee really bad to get out of a speeding ticket {okay, so maybe I didn't just hear of it but perhaps used the excuse a time or two} but hypnotizing the officer! I couldn't imagine trying to pull this on the police {nor would I recommend it so don't call me when you need bail!} & the funny thing is I would probably just end up hypnotizing myself.
Buttt then I realized this technique could be used for ALOT of things....like on the hubby when he sees you went on a BIG shopping spree. There's one keyword that the video shows we need to express....learn it & we can rule the world!

Hope you all have a delightful weekend!

PS. I've been wanting to get back to my vacay series, cruises, & a bulk supply of duct tape but in light of the recent tragic events in Italy with the Carnival cruise I think it would be best if I waited a bit. In the mean time, I'm in need of another vacation.

I've Got Idle Chatter Syndrome

2012-01-26T11:41:00.001-06:00

I've got about fifty random things that I wanted to share with you lovelies. Individually these things aren't enough to take up a whole post so instead, lucky you, I'm just throwing them all out there. So welcome to my brain.

*YOU GUYS.....I think I finally found a mommy for the motherforker doll {blink....I didn't say what you thought I said.} Yesterday while combing through my Google Analytics I saw one of the referral search keywords to the DN was "mini doll organ". He just may be adopted....either that or a doll serial killer happen to land on my page.

*Picked up this dress in black at Old Navy last weekend & seriosuly can't stop thinking about how much I lurrrve it. I can't get over how freaken comfortable it is. I went for the sales & of course I had to fall for a new item that was full price but whatev.......Seriously considering going back & picking up the pink one too.

*I've decided since I get quite a handful of emails {and by handful I mean like two} with questions about starting an Etsy biz that I'll be doing a new monthly series here. I just haven't thought of a name for it yet.

*Speaking of emails, this morning when I logged into my Yahoo account it said I had 10,693 new emails!! I immediatly figured I must have said something to offend someone. A whole bunch of someones. Phew. Luckily, it was just a glitch.

*You know your a craftoholic when you wake up in the middle of the night to your hubby talking in his sleep and he says, and I quote, "Please.....please, honey, stop painting my face."

*Lastly, I've realized I never really gave a proper farewell to Melissa & the Confessions of a Makeup Junkie series. I feel like a soap opera producer & like I have to kill off her character or something. Death by a stippling brush! Truthfully, Melissa recently became engaged over the holidays & between having like a dozen jobs & planning her wedding she's become one busy, busy bee. So we have decided to bid adieu to that series. I want to thank Melissa for sharing her cosmetic geniusness with us while she was here! Seriously, the girl had some awesome tips.

So now my friends may I ask one little favor?

Right now Melissa is running a giveaway & it's not even the prize {makeup goodies} that I am concerned about {although after capping off a few giveaways on my stationery on some other blogs it'd be nice to be the winner for once!}

It's more as a little way for me to thank her for the effort she put into her series here.

Pretty please with a cherry on top head over on over to her Facebook page here & leave a little note letting her know Delightfully Noted sent you! I'll clean your toilets if you do.

Valentine Centerpiece using Branches

2012-01-26T07:48:00.000-06:00

Remember that time I dragged a small tree down the street all in the name of fall decorating? Trust me, the FedEx man remembers. I'm pretty sure that's why he never hangs around after dropping off boxes on my porch. He just rings the door bell & runs. It's like he'll do anything to get away from the crazy tree girl. Any who, I'm happy to say my little centerpiece of branches has become quite versatile through the different seasons & holidays. A matter of fact now it's a sweetheart tree.

{Glitter Heart Ornaments-Hobby Lobby}

Do you do a lot of Valentine decorating in your home?

50th Birthday Survival Kit

2012-01-25T08:46:00.002-06:00

Before I poke fun at all those fifty & over I wanted to thank everyone who commented on my Blogging Blues post yesterday. As I shared with many of you, it's good to know I'm not the only one who has scattered thoughts regarding where I'm going sometimes with my blog. One thing I do know is as we get older we all need a little humor when it comes to birthdays. That's why when we were invited to one of our neighbor's surprise 50th birthday parties a few weekends ago I knew I had to throw together a survival kit for her.

After reaching out to my Facebook peeps for some help I headed off to the store & came home with an arm full of goodies I then created a little tag listing all the things I included in her gag gift along with all the challenges she will now be facing now that she is the big 5-0!

In case your wondering, yes, I did look like a hot mess in the check out line purchasing all these items. In addition, I'm pretty sure once I turned 25 I needed like half of these items. Any one else feel like that was the age when things started going down hill?

I had these great ambitions to throw a together a really cute survival kit with an artist organizer box and Red Cross inspired labels but unfortunately this was the day I came down with the cold flu. It took all the energy I had just to throw these items in a regular ol' gift bag.

Some of the other funny items that friends on the DN Facebook page came up with that I wasn't physically able to get that weekend were:
*adult diapers

*hemorrhoid creme

*old lady clothes

*fan {for hot flashes}

*bra {to keep you lifted}

*rejuvenating youth lotions

*prune juice

*bunion pads

*support hose

*Metamucil

I can't wait to see what Google keywords this post brings in.

Linking here:
http://southernlovely.blogspot.com/
http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/
http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/
http://delightfulorder.blogspot.com/
http://www.somewhatsimple.com/
http://jaimelyn11.blogspot.com/
http://thefrugalgirls.com/

The Blogging Blues & 4 Ways to Refocus

2012-01-24T07:47:00.003-06:00

So there I am in bed with my laptop last Friday evening;I've got a glass of red wine, two snuggly dachshunds, & I'm ogling blog after blog when out of no where it happens........suddenly I DON'T LIKE MY BLOG. I start questioning my blog, my crafts, my writing, EVERYTHING. I swear I had only just begun drinking. My stomach started churning & I seriously believed that for the good of the world I should never write another blog post again! Or better yet I should delete it & deny it ever existed in the first place. Convince everyone they were conspiracy theorists any time they even mentioned the word "blog". "Blog? What blog? You work for the government don't you!"

{Source: The Artist at Work via My Devine Self}

Okay, so maybe that was being a little dramatic but I did feel an overwhelming amount of self-doubt. I know it's easy to get tied up in the whole comparison game and EVERY BLOGGER DOES IT but quite honestly I can't even blame my sudden onset of the blogging blues on that. So it wasn't envy. It definitely wasn't blogger burnout or the lack of coming up with content. I actually feel like for the first time in my blogging life that I have more post ideas than I do time. I couldn't pinpoint what it was, but for that very moment I just felt I had lost my bloggy blog way {not to be confused with Snoop Dogg's doggy dog ways}.

The truth is blogging is like a relationship. It can be demanding but you must nurture it. It can be simple or as complicated as you want it to be. Just like in relationships there are bound to be flaws with your blog but you work your way through them.

{Source: Bohemian Musings}

I decided in order to get over this little rut I needed to remind myself of why I started blogging in the first place. I needed to revisit my thoughts I had put down on paper when this blog was just a fragment of my imagination. I needed to reevaluate my goals. I needed to look at things from a different angle. And you know what? After doing all this I am slowly feeling like I can see the big picture again.

Here's 4 little tips that have helped me refocus

1. Let It Be.

Sometimes when you feel like you have lost sight of your blog's main mission you need to turn off the computer and step away. It may sound counter intuitive when at all moments you should be working on getting back on track but sometimes taking a break is the best way to kick start your creativity again.

2. Create or Revisit What Your Blogging Platform Is.

Thanks to a very insightful blog called none other than the "Successful Blogging" blog I had created notes on what I wanted my blogging platform to be way before my first post here on Delightfully Noted. The point of the exercise was to come up with 8-10 subjects you wanted your blog to be based on {example: crafts, handmade goods, small biz tips, etc....) Revisiting that list now & then helps me zone in on why I wanted to blog in the first place.

3. Create Your Perfect Reader.
No, I'm not talking about cloning here. I'm talking about envisioning the type of audience you want to create content for. Of course, as a writer any body who is willing to read your blog should be considered the "perfect reader". However, I don't know a darn thing about biophysics & I sure as heck don't expect a lot of nesophysicists to be dropping by the DN. What I do know is crafting, being a small biz owner, & making fun of life's silly moments is what I enjoy most. I want to write for those people not nesophysicists {if you're a crafty nesophysicists then please, please no offense!}

4. Think Like a Magazine Editor
Quick! When I mention "Real Simple" magazine what comes to mind? "People?" "Better Homes & Gardens?" "Shape?"
Each & every magazine has it's theme, right? As a blogger, you are the editor-in-chief of your own "magazine". If you think of yourself that way then you more apt to stick to the goal & mission of your blog versus being all over the place with a bunch of random post.

There you have it! I'm not an expert by any means & I'm not naive either. I know this will be one of many ruts I get myself into with my blog. But these little reminders mentioned above definitely helped me get my groove back!

Have you ever hit a roadblock with your blog? Do you ever feel like you've lost sight of where you're going? How do you refocus yourself? I'd love to hear any tips you may have!

Linking here:
http://todayscreativeblog.net/
http://jaysonandashley.blogspot.com/
http://southernlovely.blogspot.com/
http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/
http://www.somewhatsimple.com/
http://jaimelyn11.blogspot.com/
http://delightfulorder.blogspot.com/

Valentine Treat Box {Silhouette Cameo Project}

2012-01-23T09:14:00.004-06:00

Who doesn't like to indulge in treats every now & then? As some of you know I received the Silhouette Cameo for Christmas. Miss Cameo & myself have been working on getting to know one another over the past few weeks. Let's just say it started off as tumultuous relationship but she is slowly working her way back into my good graces. I plan on sharing a tutorial soon with some basic Silhouette tips ~~so you can avoid meltdowns that may just get you confined to a straight jacket~~ but in the mean time this little Valentine treat box was one of our recent collaborations.

While browsing the online Silhouette shop{ which is filled with all kinds of goodies!} I came across this scalloped lace gift box.

Right away I envisioned it as a cute way to package up some treats for a simple but sweet little Valentine gift. After downloading the template, Miss Cameo went to town doing her "thang" and cut out all the lines & intricate little details. All that was left for me was to add some colored card stock under the lid of the top of the box, adhere the the little word "Enjoy" to the top of the lid, add some cookies, & tie it up with some bakery twine. Easy peasy!

No electronic cutter? No worries, you can still get the same effect by downloading free box templates from the net like this one here. Then use an edge punch for the decorative details. See! I got your back.

Hope everyone is having a delightful Monday!

Linking here:
http://www.skiptomylou.org/
http://www.thegunnysack.com/
http://craftomaniac.blogspot.com/
http://www.pollywantacrafter.com/
http://southernlovely.blogspot.com/
http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/
http://www.katiesnestingspot.com/
http://thefrugalgirls.com/

Printable Valentine's Day Kitchen Jar Labels {Jelly, Jam, or Homemade Butter Gifts}

2012-01-19T07:45:00.009-06:00

I'm sharing my printable Valentine's Day labels just in case you are looking for some simple but sweet ideas for grandma, a teacher, or a neighbor. You can use these "spread the love" labels I created {you know how I love a good, cheesy pun!} on kitchen jars like jelly & homemade butter.

Download free labels here.
Print on label paper or regular paper & use double sided tape to adhere to jars.

Enjoy!

Love to hear if you get any use out of the these.

Linking here:

http://www.somewhatsimple.com/
http://jaimelyn11.blogspot.com/
http://delightfulorder.blogspot.com/
http://thefrugalgirls.com/2012/01/craft-blogs.html
http://michellepaige.blogspot.com/
http://tatertotsandjello.com/
http://www.iheartnaptime.net/

Simple Valetine Gift for the Cook or Foodie

2012-01-18T08:18:00.009-06:00

It's no secret, my Valentine is happiest in the kitchen {well, on the golf course too.} The hubby does most {"MOST?" I can hear him now!} ...okay,all of the cooking around here. He enjoys cooking. I, on the other hand, don't have time for it. Plus, let's just say I tend to be on the messy side when it comes to preparing meals. Despite the old saying that "a messy kitchen is a happy kitchen", happiness is not exactly how I would describe the mood when the hubby is scrubbing spaghetti sauce from the ceiling after one of my cooking endeavors. So the other day when I was checking out at our local World Market {I lurve me some World Market!} I saw these mini-graters & right away a simple, little Valentine gift idea for the hubby came to mind!

Secretly, I think the hubby gets a kick out of the corny lines I use when creating kid's invitations for the shop {for example, "We hope you'll take the bait & celebrate!" adorned across a fish invite.} So I thought adding a little "We're "grate" together" tag to the grater would be cute & cheesy...ha ha...get it? Cheesy? Graters are used for cheese. Oh geez, I crack myself up.

Literally, we are "grate" together because without him I would starve to death & be begging you for donations to my "Feed this Wife" charity.

Typically, for V-day we just exchange cards & go out for a nice dinner but I thought this would be a nice little gesture to show him how much I appreciate a meal being on the table every night when I get home.

These are perfect little gift ideas for the cooks or foodies in your life too! You can always change the wording to "Have a "grate" Valentine's Day!" if you are giving it to someone other than your significant other.

Do you and your SO exchange big gifts for Valentine's? Just cards? Or do you not celebrate at all? What's your V-day traditions?

Linking here:

http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/
http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/
http://southernlovely.blogspot.com/
http://lilluna.com/
http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/
http://michellepaige.blogspot.com/
http://www.uncommondesignsonline.com/
http://tatertotsandjello.com/
http://www.iheartnaptime.net/

DIY Makeup Brush Cleaner

2012-01-16T12:04:00.006-06:00

Today I am sharing my quick & inexpensive homemade makeup brush cleaner recipe. I started making my own brush cleaner a few years ago after being disenchanted by the cost of store bought ones. Personally, I find it difficult to convince myself to pay $14 {going rate for a Sephora brand cleaner} for a bottle of liquid when the homemade stuff works just as well. The best thing about homemade cleaners is that there are so many variations out there & a lot of the ingredients are things you probably already have lying around in your house!

DIY Makeup Brush Cleaner Recipe

1 cup of warm water

1 tablespoon liquid dish detergent

1 tablespoon vinegar

Fill a small bowl with the above ingredients. Place brushes bristle side down in the bowl & swoosh around. Remove brushes and rinse under tap water. Reshape the brushes & then place them on an old towel or a couple sheets of paper towel. Allow to dry.

It's recommended that you wash your brushes at least once a month. This will help your brushes last longer and also help you avoid spreading bacteria to your face and causing those nasty breakouts. Is it sad to say that this is probably thee only cleaning schedule I stick to around my house?! Maybe if the laundry threatened to cause breakouts I'd be convinced to stay on top of it.

Hope you all had a great weekend! Are a lot of you off for MLK day? Unfortunately, I was hit with a horrible head cold and spent most of my long weekend cuddled up with my pillow & Neti pot.

Not exactly what I had planned!

Hope you all have a delightful Monday.

PS. Looking to win some personalized note cards from yours truly? I'm doing a giveaway over at the la chapstick fanatique blog so make sure to swing by & check it out!

Linking here:
http://www.thegunnysack.com/
http://www.skiptomylou.org/
http://www.homemakeronadime.com/
http://www.pollywantacrafter.com/
http://craftomaniac.blogspot.com/
http://www.thegirlcreative.com/
http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/
http://todayscreativeblog.net/
http://www.tipjunkie.com/
http://thefrugalgirls.com/

Friday's Dose of Delight

2012-01-13T07:21:00.002-06:00

Ahhh, Friday......shouldn't every day be a Friday? Or even a Saturday. I can handle that. We just got our first snowfall here in the Chicago area. Can you believe we made it all the way till January? Yesterday it was in the 50's. Last week we made it all the way up to 55 degrees. I was confused. Our flowers were confused. And I told everyone the world was going to end.

But then we got hit with a storm, & it took me two hours to commute home from work, & my weiner dog doesn't want to pee outside anymore, & I realized, oh it's still Chicago. I guess the world isn't going to end. And then I just felt like that weird, creepy preacher dude who was all over the net & the news telling everyone last fall that doomsday would be October 21st. Remember? And then that day rolled around & we were all still here & all the sudden he changed his tune & claimed he calculated the dates wrong. Which I totally get because I'm not good at math either. So thankfully people don't really listen to me or weird, creepy preachers. Butttt hopefully you still enjoy this week's Dose of Delight; a mini round-up of some favorite new inspiring things I came across!

Mini Pastel Arrows from Verla Ivans

I'm a sucker for color & that's exactly what drew me in to these boho inspired candy colored arrows. Wouldn't they make great desk decor? They're for decorative purposes only so don't think you can go all "cupid" with them or anything. Check out more of Verla Ivans shop here.

Fabric Upholstered Headboard from

Iffarantly Creative

If there is one craft technique that I cannot manage for the life of me to get down....... it's stenciling. So anytime I come across someone who has managed to perfectly stencil an entire room or a headboard like this one from Infarrantly Creative I start to hyperventilate. But in a good way. Everything about this room from the ruffled pillows to the color combo has me smitten.

Hope you have a delightful weekend!

12 in 2012: Goal List

2012-01-12T11:29:00.000-06:00

In case you missed it yesterday I spoke about why I hate to make New Year's resolutions & yet here I am today about to share my New Year's resolutions. Don't worry I understand your confusion.

Actually I'm participating with Regina of Live Delightfully on her 12 in 2012 project in which we work on 12 various goals that we'd like to accomplish in the year of 2012.

Why did I agree to do this despite my strong opposition to New Year's resolutions?

Truth is, Regina payed me. Like big bucks.

Honestly, I felt that since this is my first year in the blogging world that I actually may be able to stick it through & really accomplish some of my goals.

Blogging definitely makes you more accountable! I'd hate to report back that I've accomplished nothing.

So without further ado, here is my list:

{I've combined my list to include both personal & business related goals}

-Buy more handmade {I love supporting my fellow Etisians!}

-Create a better skin care regimen for myself {Inspired by Lindsay of Delighted Momma! If you aren't familiar with her then you are missing out. She's a gorgeous aesthetician who shares a lot of natural skin tips.}

-Remodel that dreadfully awful, ugly family room fireplace {I can't stand staring at you anymore. And stop staring back!}

-Lose 5lbs by March 31st {wouldn't it be great one year to say my goal is to GAIN weight?!}

-Read the full "Twilight" series & then watch all the movies {Look people I don't expect this goal to be a life altering experience but I am taking this for what it is. I've always wanted to read a full series and watch the movies along the way & yes, I know I'm a little late to this game}

-Organize all of our home's closets

{I have lots of "Monica closets"}

-Create & initiate a frequent buyer discount program for customers who return to Delightfully Noted

{I love my regulars!}

-Design & introduce a new stationery line

{I can't share all my secrets!}

-Start a Delightfully Noted newsletter

-Organize all of our digital photos
{Anyone have tips for this one? }

-Prioritize my time better {Between a full time job & my shop I'm always working! All work & no play=a very spazzy, psycho wife}

-Find a charity that I would like to assist & volunteer for.

There you have my 12 in 2012! Again, if you'd like to join you can learn more about this project here.

12 in 2012: Why I Hate New Year's Resolutions {Don't Blame the Alpacas!}

2012-01-11T12:45:00.000-06:00

A few years ago I had made a New Year’s resolution not to make New Year’s resolutions anymore. That was a rather successful year. Three reasons come to mind when I think of poo-pooing off this January tradition. First, the obvious, most resolutions are doomed to failure for most of us. I mean did I really think it would be feasible to learn how to run my own alpaca farm? Cities have ordinances against this kind of stuff. In Baltimore it’s illegal to take a lion to the movies , in Zion it is illegal to give domesticated animals lighted cigars {as for the undomesticated let them smoke away}, & apparently in my city it is illegal to run Alpaca farms. See what I mean? Why set yourself up for failure?

Secondly, why is January the only month we find the need to reevaluate ourselves? I believe evaluation of our lives & goals should be done on a weekly & monthly basis. Which is why I plan on staging interventions with the hubby every week .

I'm a good wife like that.

Lastly, sharing resolutions publicly just allows people to judge you or make really annoying side comments when you cheat or fail on your goals. As if you are not aware that you are breaking your resolution. It’s kind of like that phenomenon on how when you tell a kid they can’t do something and it makes them want to do it even more. Remind me on how this quadruple cheeseburger I'm about to stuff my face with is filled with a bajillion calories & how it doens't jive well with my resolution to budge the pudge & guess what now I have to eat it to prove a point.

I hate having to prove points….as you can see they only end up hurting me in the end unless of course I choose to throw my quadruple cheeseburger at you. Then we both lose.

Let’s face it top resolutions like losing an excessive amount of weight or getting rid of debt requires a lot more than just simply putting a goal down on paper. It requires self-understanding {Ick! who really wants to analyze themselves?} strategy, motivation, education {if you don’t know how calories work losing weight is going to be a lot harder to do!} & support.

So then why I am joining my friend Regina from the Live Delightfully blog on her 12 in 2012 project? Am I crazy? Perhaps. Tomorrow I'll share my reasons along with my list. Figured, I've probably lost 99.9% of you by now.....Bueller? Bueller?

In the mean time if you're a fellow blogger & would like to participate in this project you can learn more about here.

I'd like to know do you make New Years resolutions? If not, why not? If so, what are they?

Saltine Cracker Chocolate Toffee Bars

2012-01-10T07:46:00.009-06:00

This saltine cracker toffee bar recipe is seriously as simple as baking can get. It's no secret that "easy" is my kind of cooking. A matter of fact I even considered making "Easy" my mantra for this year & displaying it creatively among some wall decor like I have seen so many other bloggers do with their family mantras. But then I realized hanging up a piece of wall art screaming "THIS YEAR I'M ALL ABOUT BEING EASY" in my home wasn't that bright of an idea after all. It seems like it's a good way to welcome unwanted solicitors from like Craig's List or something. Sooooo, I guess that means we're back to the drawing board on that.

In the mean time let me share this delightfully yummy recipe that I baked over the weekend. One of my co-workers had made these saltine cracker toffee bars for us over Christmas. I admit at first I was confused on why there were crackers in my cookies but one bite and it sucked me in hook, line, & sinker. I'm warning you though these are highly addictive. I'm only assuming that based on the fact that the hubby pointed out last night that I ate the whole batch by myself. Do you know how exhausting it is to live with a man who tells tales? Lies I tell you. He's wrong. I gave him two of them.

Saltine crackers
1 cup brown sugar
1 stick butter
12 oz chocolate chips
heath bar toffee chips

Preheat oven to 350.
Cover a cookie sheet with parchment or wax paper. Arrange saltines in a single layer on top of the paper.
Combine butter and brown sugar in a saucepan and place over medium heat. Stir until mixture thickens and starts to boil.
Pour butter and sugar mixture over saltines. Then take the back of a spoon or spatula & start to spread mixture evenly all over the crackers. Work quickly before the mixture cools.
Place cookie sheet in preheated oven & bake for 10 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown. Be careful not to overcook.
Remove the cookie sheet from the oven & evenly sprinkle chocolate chips over the crackers.
Return the cookie sheet to the oven just for one quick minute (you'll want to keep them in there just long enough for the chips to slightly melt)
Remove the crackers from the oven & smooth the melted chocolate over the crackers using the back of a spoon or a spatula.
Sprinkle toffee chips on top of the chocolate.
Refrigerate for 2-plus hours. These also freeze well too! Break apart before serving. ENJOY!

Linking here:
http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/
http://todayscreativeblog.net/creative-crafts/
http://jaysonandashley.blogspot.com/
http://funkypolkadotgiraffe.blogspot.com/
http://carolynshomework.blogspot.com/
http://www.crazyforcrust.com/
http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/
http://lilluna.com/
http://southernlovely.blogspot.com/
http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/
http://www.itsoverflowing.com/
http://www.houseofhepworths.com/
http://thefrugalgirls.com/
http://jaimelyn11.blogspot.com/
http://www.thegirlcreative.com/
http://craftomaniac.blogspot.com/
http://www.pollywantacrafter.com/http://www.pollywantacrafter.com/

TV Cabinet Turned Craft Hutch Storage Unit {Before & After Pictures}

2012-01-09T07:41:00.014-06:00

I've been wanting to share this TV cabinet turned craft hutch project with you lovelies for quite some time now. This is actually an undertaking my husband & I worked on before I was even blogging so thankfully I was smart enough to take some "before" pics.

EEK! This old beat up thing was left behind by the previous owners & for quite some time it sat in our basement and served as my "Monica closet". Any old fans of the show "Friends" in the house?! Basically, any or every little thing I didn't know what to do with was shoved into this old TV unit.

Shortly after starting my own business on Etsy we realized we needed to remodel our home office to better accommodate all my shop's inventory but there was one little problem.......there was no storage or closet space in the room. That's when little Miss Ugly's life was spared! Why not convert the TV unit into a craft/office hutch to help store some of my supplies? And that's exactly what we ~~my husband~~ did!

Holy smokes! Who knew I was storing animals in this thing? So after clearing out the wild life my hubby sanded, painted, & added a peg board to the back of the unit & then we moved it up to the office.

I found a picture holder at Pier 1 & thought it was the perfect way to display some of my card designs on the side of the cabinet!

Ready to see the inside?

Now I have a fun and organized space for all my packaging materials, hole punches, ribbon, card stock, postal scale, & other business supplies. I can not express how much easier my life is with this storage unit! No more running room to room just to finish one order.

Sources:

Paint Color-"Fountain of Youth" by Dutch Boy

Ribbon Memo Board-Michael's

Dark Turquoise Office Organizer Bins-Walmart

Dry Eraser Boards (Spray Painted White)-Bed, Bath, & Beyond

White Organizer Basket-The Dollar Tree

Round Magnetic Holders-Michaels

Picture Holder-Pier 1

Peg Board & Kit-Menards

How do you organize your craft or business supplies?

Delightfully Noted Calendar Winner

2012-01-08T18:10:00.000-06:00

I know I said the winner of the 2012 Delightfully Noted Desk Calendar would be announced tomorrow but I'm impatient & decided to go ahead and pick the lucky winner tonight!

Plus, I'm just trying to find a way out of cleaning

my house right now & this seem like a legit excuse.

Sooooo, the lucky winner is ............

Alicia Crenshaw

Which is really super awesome because Alicia was dear enough to share some invaluable information regarding how difficult it is to find stationery for young teenage boys. I couldn't agree more & thought her theme ideas were fab!

Thanks again Alicia & congrats on your win! I will be contacting you soon to gather some info so you can obtain your prize.

Thanks to everyone else who participated! I truly appreciated all the ideas you all came up with & was definitely inspired by quite a few of the themes you all shared.

If you still want to get your hands on a desk calendar you can purchase them here in the shop.

Limited quantities available

so once they're gone they're gone!

Friday's Dose of Delight

2012-01-06T07:42:00.000-06:00

Peanut butter jelly time!

Peanut Butter jelly time!

Now where he at?

Where he at?

Anyone else have a significant other who insist on watching the same darn

episodes of Family Guy over & over & over & over? What makes the situation even more dire is the fact that my hubby's sleep patterns require him to watch television in order to fall asleep. I, on the other hand, would much rather drift graciously into la la land listening to some white noise blaring from the air filter next to our bed. But NOOOOOOO.....instead I enter the REM cycle with the PB&J song playing over & over & over & well you get the point.

So shall we get on with this year's first Dose of Delight?

Here's a mini round-up of the things this week that have caught my eye, inspired me, or made me fall madly deeply in love with them!

Jessica's Little Shop of Illustrations

Read my lips. Never mind you can't see me. Imagine reading my lips and I am telling you how much I love this gal's art work.

Like truly, madly, deeply love it. So chic!

Check out the rest of her work here.

Hand Painted Olive Oil Bottle

from Selfridges & Co

Two words. Olive it!

Hope you have a delightful weekend!

Don't forget to enter for your chance at a 2012 Delightfully Noted desk calendar here.

6 Printable 2012 Calendars & a Delightfully Noted Calendar Giveaway!

2012-01-05T07:10:00.005-06:00

Free 2012 printable calendars. Here's to an organized year!

Kokeshi Doll 2012 Mini Calendar from Creative Mamma

2012 Calendar from anna and blue paperie via Pizzazzerie

{See details-stipulations apply}

2012 Calendar from U Me It

2012 Printable Calendar from the tomkat studio

Doodle 2012 Write In Calendar from Creative Mama

Calendar Cuties January thru March from i love it all

And now as if all these freebies weren't enough I have a special giveaway for you!

One lucky reader will score a free limited edition Delightfully Noted desktop calendar!These calendars are the perfect way to dress up any office or desk and they include 12 delightful months
uniquely designed by yours truly.

So here’s the 4-1-1 on how you can win this gem:

Please leave a comment for each individual entry.

Required Entry

*I'm looking for some fresh inspiration for the new year!

Leave a comment suggesting some new invitation

themes I may like to add to my shop

Additional entries: {Make sure to leave a seperate

comment for each entry!}

*Become a fan of Delightfully Noted on Facebook.

Already a fan {high five!}? Tell me below!

*Follow the Delightfully Noted blog.

Already, a follower {chest bump, ouch!}, leave a comment telling me so.

*Follow me on Twitter. Already tweet buddies? You know what to do.

Bonus Entry {Do the following and get yourself 3 more entries-make sure to leave 3 separate comments for this task!}

Share this giveaway on your Facebook or Twitter page.

Make sure to tag Delightfully Noted

in the post so entry can be verified!

*Open to US residents only

*There will be no exchanges for the winning piece

*Please be sure to leave a way for me to contact

you in your comment if you post anonymously!!

*Your comment is your entry so don't forget to leave it!

*Entries must be submitted no later than

12:00am central time Sunday, January 8th.

*Winner will be selected by random.org & announced

here on Monday , January 9th.

Valentine's 2012 Collection & The Cutest Inspiration Ever!

2012-01-04T08:46:00.002-06:00

The 2012 Delightfully Noted Valentine's collection is here. It's hard to believe we have to switch from Christmas mode to Valentine's mode so quickly but hey that's retail for ya!

NEW! Personalized Ladybug Valentine's Day Cards

NEW! Personalized Rock Star Valentine's Day Cards

Inspired by this little guy!

Isn't he cutie? This is my nephew & he's going to be our ticket to fame some day. Seriously, I've never seen a kid love music more than he does.

That guitar goes EVERYWHERE with him.

Thanks to him he helped me come up with the Rock Star themed Valentine's idea.

I'm sure he'll be looking for his paycheck soon.

NEW! Happy Valentine's Day Cards

View full Valentine's collection here.

Speaking of holidays, am I the only one who has been too lazy to put away the Christmas decorations? I guess the stomach flu gave me some what of a pass but I am seriously thinking of adding a "holiday packer" to my list of people I would pay to do my work for me.
Along with someone to put away my laundry.
And someone to change my bed sheets.
And someone to fill my gas tank.
Wow, my list is getting quite long!

Girl's Printable Earring Card with Handmade Earrings {Gift or Party Favor Idea}

2012-01-03T07:46:00.010-06:00

I wanted to share the handmade jewelry & printable earring card I put together for my niece's birthday. She just recently got her ears pierced & was super excited

about the new holes in her head.

As long as you know your way around a glue bottle {using it not eating it!} then making little earring studs is super simple. All you need are beads or gems, some jewelry glue, & flat post for the backs. You can find all these goodies in your local craft store's jewelry aisle. I actually used some butterfly sticky gems for my earrings.

Once you have all your supplies you just take your glue and adhere your bead to the earring post. Let dry.

See what I mean?

I wish all my projects could be this simple.

Of course, being that I am a lover of packaging I couldn't resist not adorning these earrings to something cute. So, I came up with this fun earring card.

And because someone once told me sharing is caring, I decided to make the earring card into a free printable for you!

Download here & print on card stock.

Each card measures about 3.5 x 3.5 inches.

Use a safety pin to poke two holes & add your earrings.

I think any young girl would enjoy this sweet & unique gift which got me thinking what an awesome favor these would be for a girl's party! Since beads & jewelry findings typically come in bulk you can make quite a few of these earrings for just a few buck-a-roos.

Enjoy!
Love to hear if you get any use out of these!

Linking here:
http://todayscreativeblog.net/
http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/
http://jaysonandashley.blogspot.com/
http://funkypolkadotgiraffe.blogspot.com/
http://www.uncommondesignsonline.com/
http://www.tipjunkie.com/homemade-projects-13/
http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/
http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/
http://lilluna.com/
http://southernlovely.blogspot.com/
http://www.houseofhepworths.com/
http://www.somewhatsimple.com/
http://thefrugalgirls.com/
http://whipperberry.com/
http://vanessascraftynest.blogspot.com/
http://www.toysinthedryer.com
http://tatertotsandjello.com/

16 Candles & Then Some

2012-01-02T12:06:00.001-06:00

Happy 2012!

Did you have a good time ringing in the New Year?

You are mistaken if you believe the holidays are over my friends because today I am celebrating my BIRRRTHday! As I reflect back on my, ahem, sixteen-plus years there are times that I doubt I've learned anything {like driving through our garage a few years ago} & then there are those times when I marvel at how far I have come {like owning my own business}. I know, mostly for women, there are doubts & fears about growing older but for me one of the plus sides of blowing out birthday candles is that little fact that every year you become more & more "unapologetically" you.

I've learned in my sixteen-plus years that it's okay...............

*that I'll never be a morning person. Eventually, after some time, your loved ones will grant you a lifetime pass & start to ignore all the vulgar insults & two-year old tantrums you throw while half-comatose. Either that or they just start to fear for their lives.

*to be a grown adult & still want your mommy when your heads hanging over the porcelain god. {Thank you stomach flu for so graciously welcoming me into 2012 and no that's not code for "hangover"}.

*to be 16-plus year old & still have no idea what you want to be when you grow up.

*to never know how the hell to fold a fitted sheet.

*to only shave your legs in the winter for special occasions....like an invitation to the White House.

*to love your pets sometimes more than you love people.

*to let go of the life you planned because sometimes not being in control is one of the most beautiful things in the world

DIY Disco Ball Wine Charms {New Year's Eve}

2011-12-29T16:50:00.006-06:00

These disco ball wine charms only take minutes to make, which is great considering most of us are probably still recovering from the hustle & bustle of the Christmas season.

First, you'll want to gather up your little disco balls. I found my gold beauties in the Christmas sale aisle at Michael's. They're practically giving away their holiday items for free! They're packaged as vase fillers, however, little styrofoam balls covered with sequined ribbon will work too.

With a large embroidery needle or wooden skewer start poking holes through the center of half of your disco balls {leave the other half unpunctured!}. Then take two of your hole punched disco balls {I used various sizes} & string them onto some pretty ribbon.

Then tie your ribbon around the base of your wine glass & cut off the ribbon tails. If you want to add more disco balls to your charm {it helps it look more festive!} then grab a few of the non-hole punched balls and adhere them to the ones already on the ribbon with some hot glue.

There you have it! Nothing like a little glitz & glamour.

I'm thinking these would even look great strung around the neck of a wine bottle for a hostess gift!

By the way, I'm writing this tutorial on my brand spanken new laptop! It was an early birthday gift from the hubz. What a week! First, the silhouette machine and now a new computer. I'm not sure what's up with all this spoiling but I have my suspicions he's going to ask me to donate like a kidney or something soon. Or maybe my brain....I catch him every now & then admiring my intelligence. Yep, that must be it. He wants my brain.

Wishing you all the joys of the new year!

PS. If you haven't stopped by the "Best of 2011" party yet to link up your favorite post of the year, then get to it!

Linking here:
http://thefrugalgirls.com/
http://clairejustineoxox.blogspot.com/
http://thecraftyblogstalker.blogspot.com/
http://delightfulorder.blogspot.com/
http://firefliesandjellybeans.blogspot.com/

Showcase Party:Best of 2011 {Share Your Favorite Project or Post}

2011-12-28T11:25:00.007-06:00

As we prepare to turn the calendar to 2012, I decided it would be fun to throw a "Best of 2011" party. Kind of like a New Year's eve to eve to eve party. The good thing about this soiree is that you can come in your pjs if you want & it doesn't require any kissing at midnight....unless of couse, Ryan Gosling shows up. Then all those rules go out the door.

This is your time to link up & share your favorite post of 2011! But before we get started, I wanted to share two of the faves from my bloggity-blog. First up, is my "Most Viewed" project, the............

Family Sign with Tile Backsplash

Honestly, if it wasn't for this project & Pinterest I don't think any one would read this blog. Kidding. My mom would.

Now for my favorite post of the year!

This was a toughie but I decided to go with my

Decorated Bud Vases {My "Jill Decor"}

Truly, this isn't my favorite post because of the project itself but more because of the story behind the vases. Everyone's lovely comments regarding my dear friend,

Jill, brought a smile to my face.

So now it's your turn..........I am uber excited to see what you got & think this will be an awesome way for us to be introduced perhaps to some new blogs or post we may have missed over the year. So party on!

If you need help on how to link to this party there's a great tutorial here.
Feel free to share a link back to this party on your most current blog post. You know how parties go, the more the merrier!

16 Delightful Silhouette Cutter Crafts......Seriously, This Thing Can Make Children

2011-12-27T14:08:00.000-06:00

Hello, lovelies. I hope you had a wonderful holiday with you & yours! Did Santa leave you anything fun under the tree this year? He did for me! I was relieved to see that Santa was a pretty forgiving man this year & was kind enough to scratch my name off the naughty list. Although, I'm quite sure my name just got moved to list C: The Grouchy But Sometimes Nice List. Sooooo, he left me a Silhouette Cameo!

I've been wanting a Silhouette machine for eons & have spent the past few months trying to make my case to the hubby on why we needed one more thing to smoosh into our home office. A very difficult task I may add when one has no clue what the heck a Silhouette machine even is! I didn't think my explanation that it was an electronic cutter was really helping my case. Great, so it cuts things......there's this other cool invention called "scissors". Those can cut things too for a lot cheaper. But by time the the holiday shopping season was in full mode I was pretty sure I had the hubby convinced that the Silhouette machine could make ANYTHING! I may have even convinced him that that is where children come from.

Honestly, I'm a bit intimated by this machine. So, I decided to peruse the net to see all the wonderful things the Silhouette can create .....maybe find a little inspiration to give me a kick in the butt to start on my first project.

{Wood Grain Lampshade from Vintage Revivals}


{Headboard Makeover from Craftaholics Anonymous}

{Gift Tags from Silhouette Blog}

{Book Bag from eighteen25}

{Monogram plate from Taylor Made}

{Vintage Number Canisters from A Bowl Full of Lemons}

{Cupcake box from the Silhouette Blog}

{Ornate flowers from Mel Stampz}

{Quatrefoil Glass from Under the Table & Dreaming}

{Canvas Wall Art from the Silhouette Blog}

{Etched jars from How Does She?}

{Birthday Invites from Eileen Josephine}

{Rhinestone Applique from Make it and Love it}

{Labeling via You Say Too}

{Zippered Pouches with Iron-ons from Make it and Love it}

{DIY Bunting from How About Orange}

See what I mean? The possibilities are endless & now I even have myself convinced this think can make children.

I just haven't discovered that tutorial yet.

Did you receive any fab gift this year?

4 Ways to Reuse Old Christmas Cards

2011-12-22T11:39:00.010-06:00

I know some of you may not want to have this conversation *raising hand* but in a few short days Christmas will be over & it will be time to take down the tree, pack away the holiday decor, & mourn over the five {or ten} seasonal pounds you managed to pack on over a period of two days.

You are also going to have to deal with all those

Christmas cards you received but before you throw

them out or hoard them away in some dusty

attic consider all the great & easy ways you can reuse them:

One of my favorite ways to recycle old greeting cards is to use them as gift tags. Growing up, this is something my mother always did! Every year after the holidays I pack away some of my favorite seasonal cards in my gift wrap storage bin, that way the following year I don't have to scrounge for them when I am wrapping gifts. Just cut & trash the backs of the cards off, then hole punch and place pretty ribbon through the front of the card. Wallah! Inexpensive & practical gift tags!
Some holiday cards are so beautiful they are like pieces of art work. Save your favorite cards for the following year & you'll have free Christmas decor! Frame & use them to decorate walls or mantles. You can also use them as picture mattes to display some of your own personal family photos.
Love DIY projects? Get your creative juices flowing & create crafts out of your greeting cards. Think ornaments, small gift boxes, or even journals!
Start your year off in a charitable way & donate! That's right, you can send all your holiday cards to the St. Jude's Ranch for Children, a safe home for abused & neglected children. Their Recycled Card Program has been running for over thirty years & the kids reuse the cards to make & sell new cards. You can check out more information here.

Do you have any cool ways you reuse your greeting cards?

Linking here:
http://www.somewhatsimple.com/
http://jaimelyn11.blogspot.com/
http://www.skiptomylou.org/
http://www.tipjunkie.com/homemade-projects-1227/
http://todayscreativeblog.net/
http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/
http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/
http://lilluna.com/
http://thefrugalgirls.com/
http://ornamentplace.com/?p=978

December's Crush of the Month: Boot Socks

2011-12-21T07:53:00.000-06:00

{Image source via: Style Sizzle}

{Image source: The Daybook}

{Image source: Nectar Clothing}

{Image source via: Chictopia}


{Image source: Knack}


{Image source: Made By Lex}


{Image source: Vanity}

When the hubby first saw my holiday wishlist his response was "Wow, you really like boots". Well, apparently I really like boot socks too. Seriously, I can't get enough of their peek-a-boo cozy effect! Wearing them with skirts and winter tights is my favorite. They're like leg warmers but wayyyy cooler. Whether or not you choose to bust out your Jessica Beals Flashdance moves is your prerogative. I won't judge.

What are you crushing on this month?

It Ain't Always Pretty

2011-12-20T07:49:00.000-06:00

One of the biggest misconceptions people have about me when they learn about my shop Delightfully Noted is that I'm a trained graphic artist. Nothing, my friends, could be further from the truth. I am actually a self-taught wannabe graphic artist and quite honestly if a REAL graphic artist ever observed how I go about creating my designs they'd probably laugh themselves into a coma. Which I'm not even sure is medically possible but I'm now thinking if life's events called for me to be comatose that's exactly how I would want to go......laughing up a storm.

Last night I happen to be cleaning up my hard drive and came across a few of my rough drafts that I worked on per customer's requests. The humble beginnings of some of my designs can be rather hysterical.

Meet

This

Guy

Half devil. Half squirrel. The saddest part about this little guy is that he's apparently confused and storing his nuts in the wrong cheeks. Talk about some junk in the trunk!

Fortunately, for my customers {and my business} my designs go through lots of edits before I present them.

Speaking of designs, don't forget to mind your p's and thank yous after the holidays! New winter themed thank you cards are now available in the shop & they are perfect for showing your appreciation for all the goodies and gifts that will be bestowed upon you & your family this holiday season.

Better then squirrel devil, right?

Peppermint Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

2011-12-19T07:44:00.003-06:00

I have to admit I'm usually not a big fan of peppermint. I'm thinking old church ladies had something to do with it. Insisting children eat peppermint candies from the bottom of your tissue filled pocket is never a good thing.

Buuttt I was slightly infatuated with this peppermint cream cheese frosting. Then again I'm infatuated with anything cream cheese. The icing only carried a slight hint of peppermint so it quickly earned itself an A+ in my book.

This recipe is easy & makes for a pretty presentation with its light pink color.

Definately a new fave of mine!

8 ounces (2 sticks) of unsalted butter, room temperature
12 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1 pound (4 cups) confectioners’ sugar
3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
Red food dye
Beat butter and cream cheese with a mixer on medium-high speed until fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce speed to low. Then add the sugar, one cup at a time, and then add the vanilla & peppermint extract; mix until smooth. Mix in a few drops of red food dye. You may refrigerate your frosting for up 2-3 days. Allow to set at room temp prior to applying to your baked sweets.

Adapted from Martha Stewart's Cupcakes.

Download free Ho, Ho, Ho cupcake flags here.

What baked goodies are you making for Christmas?

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Friday's Dose of Delight

2011-12-15T23:07:00.005-06:00

Happy Friday! We are just nine days away from Christmas! EEK! Which means were ten days away from my annual holiday withdrawal meltdown. You know how there's seasonal depression? Well, I'm pretty sure I suffer from post-Christmas depression. It saddens me to see all the hustle and bustle and holiday spirit disappear all in the blink of an eye. Then don't even get me started with that darn song, "Where Are You Christmas".......they play that after the holidays and I lose it emotionally, in a fetal position, under my tree screaming to my hubby at the top of my lungs "WHERE ARE YOU CHRISTMAS?!" Okay, perhaps I don't lose it that much, but seriously, this weekend take a moment to slow down and really appreciate what this time of year is really about. Be blessed for you health, loved ones, and the good memories you have made in the year 2011.

Now that I got that off my chest let's move on to this week's Dose of Delight!

"Home" Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

I know this song isn't new but I came across it again while listening to Pandora this week and I seriously have had it on replay ever since.
The song lyrics make my heart smile & it has such a Johnny Cash feel to it.

Play it and try not to tap your feet.

Eggnog Cranberry Whoopie Pies

Don't these whoopie pies from Crumbs and Chaos {which is what the hubby deems the kitchen after I've been in there} look delightfully delicious? Recipe here.

Hope you all have a splendid weekend!

Printable Holiday Wrap Around Address Labels

2011-12-15T07:43:00.004-06:00

Here you go pretties! Printable wrap around address labels for those of us who are fashionably late on getting our holiday cards out. I created these to use for my own personal greeting cards and figured since it's the season of giving why not share them with you?

If you haven't noticed I am feeling quite generous this week so I suggest taking advantage of this freebie because after the New Year I expect to be compensated for all my printables. Payment will be required in the form of Pinot & miniature daschunds. Kidding. About the doxie part that is. Wine is always welcomed.

Download your free labels here. You can print on label paper or regular computer paper & use double sided tape to adhere them to your envelopes.

Each label measures 8 x 2 & can be used for multiple sized envelopes. If you aren’t familiar with how wrap around address labels work you can

view examples from these Etsy sellers.

As always, I love to hear if you get use out of

my printables! So don't be shy.

How many of you haven't mailed your holiday cards yet?

Linking here:
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Free Holiday Printable Cupcake Flags {Ho, Ho, Ho}

2011-12-14T07:48:00.007-06:00

I wanted to share with you all the free holiday printable I created in case you missed it the

other day over on the Love Sweet Love blog.

You can download your free cupcake flags here.

Print on paper or card stock.

Then all that is left to do is cut & decorate!

Cupcake flags are an easy way to add a little festive touch to any of your baked goods or use them on toothpicks for appetizers. I added little pom pom embellishments to the top of my lollipop sticks to dress them up a bit.

I hope you enjoy your little free treat!

I'll be sharing the yummy peppermint cream cheese frosting recipe I used on these goodies soon.

Now go stuff your face with a cupcake.

Linking here:
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http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/
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Spicy Corn Dip Recipe

2011-12-13T07:41:00.007-06:00

I pinned this spicy corn recipe awhile back and was super excited to give it a try this weekend for an appetizer at our ugly sweater party. Annndd as far as I am concerned…..any recipe that just calls for you to open cans and stir is a winner in my book. The dip was a big hit! It's kind of one those dishes where once you start you can't stop, or perhaps that's just my issue.

Ingredients

1 (8 ounce) container sour cream
1 cup mayonnaise
2 (11 ounce) cans of corn drained
4 green onions, chopped
3 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
1 (7 ounce) can diced green chiles drained
1 1/4 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions

After draining both your corn & green chiles, mix in a medium size bowl with your sour cream, mayonnaise, green onions, jalapeno chile peppers, and cheese. Chill in refrigerator for one hour then serve with tortilla chips or crackers.

Adapted from allrecipes.com

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Ugly Sweater Party {Holiday Party Ideas}

2011-12-12T07:44:00.013-06:00

‘Tis the season to rock ugly sweaters & that’s exactly what I did this weekend {although some people may beg to differ but more on that later}! The hubby & I threw a holiday ugly sweater party on Saturday

for all our neighborhood friends.

I wanted to share a few of the little details

I worked on for our shindig.

Invitations

Of course, invites from yours truly.

Decor

I decided since I'm spread pretty thin this time of year that I would restrain myself from going overboard on decorations. That & the fact that I am pretty sure the hubby would like to live to be able to see the year 2012. I'm like the devil's spawn when I feel overwhelmed and stressed.

So you're welcome honey.

I spared you your life. You owe me.

I spotted this little, adorable wine sweater at our local grocery store & decided to adhere it to some card stock & frame it's royal cuteness!

Sweaters

{Me channeling my inner June Cleaver with my new,

adorable headband from my friend, Regina's, Live Delightfully shop}

Even little Sianna had to get in on the ugliness {Brylee, on the other hand refuses to wear anything. What a party pooper}!

Activities

Gotta have a little healthy dose of competition, right? So, apparently I suck at this whole ugly sweater thing because I didn't get ONE single vote!

We also held a white elephant exchange which

was fantastically r-rated and hilarious.

You always know it's been a good night when you pass out, in your clothes, on the couch in the middle of the party. Seriously, someone should have cut this girl off.

How was your weekend?

PS. I'm also over in Angela's corner of the world today guest posting on her fab blog, Love Sweet Love. I'm sharing a freebie so you'll want to check it out!

Linking here:

http://www.skiptomylou.org/

http://dittledattle.blogspot.com/

http://www.homemakeronadime.com/
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http://todayscreativeblog.net/craft-2/
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http://jaysonandashley.blogspot.com/
http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com//
http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/
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Favorite Family Christmas Tradition {Guest Post: Live Delightfully}

2011-12-08T08:56:00.001-06:00

In case you missed it, I was over in Regina's hood yesterday, Live Delightfully, sharing my favorite Christmas family tradition. Annnddd since I was busy ~~stuffing my face~~ sitting at a Sonic drive-thru last night with the hubby {would you believe me if I told you I ate my first ever banana split?! And I even worked 4 years in college at a icecream shop! Crazy, I know} I didn't have much time to pull a post together. Soooo, here we are!
Well you are there check out her most memorable holiday tradition as well!

{Me & my bros circa 1986.}

Christmas is absolutely my faaaaavorite holiday & that’s thanks mostly in part to the laughter & fond memories my family has continued to create over the years by playing board games. That’s right! For as long as I can remember, every Christmas Eve we’d get together with my mom’s side of the family. Once we were finished stuffing ourselves with a year’s worth of ham and green bean casserole, us kids would quickly clear off the dinner table {okay, maybe we didn’t really help clear off the table} and bust out the board games.

{Image Source-So apparently we were too busy playing games to actually take pictures of us playing games. So use your imagination this is my siblings, cousins, and I planning our game strategy and for some odd reason we are doing it while walking in the cold.}

{Here are some of us as BIG kids at Christmas a few years ago.

I'm the one of the right. Not with the bald head}

We would play into the late hours of Christmas Eve and this annual tradition almost always resulted in light & fun family feuds or better yet moments that would go down in family history. Like for example, when Grandma or Grandpa would blurt out some rated-r irrelevant triva answer that left all of us simultaneously squealing “oooohhhh, grrrooss” & laughing hysterically till our sides hurt. Both my grandparents have since passed so these fond memories definitely make my heart smile.

{Grandma & Grandpa 2002}

Over the years as we have grown older, our holiday get together has had to adapt to all the natural changes life brings a family; marriages, starting families of our own, & spreading out across the country {or even the world! One of my cousin now lives across the pond in London} But despite all these changes there’s still one thing I look forward to every holiday season & that’s the moment where my loved ones and I can all take a little break from life’s daily stress & strain & sit down, bust out a board game, annnndddd WATCH ME KICK SOME BUTT!!!

So what are some of your favorite holiday traditions?

Festive Holiday Burlap Wreath

2011-12-07T07:59:00.011-06:00

Joy, joy, joy! Made me a holiday wreath this past weekend.

I missed my burlap wreath so decided to go with the same concept again but just a tid bit more festive.

After wrapping strips of burlap around the styrofoam wreath I hot glued on the green bead string thing-a-ma-jiggy {phew, say that five times fast!}. Added some cluster of ornaments and strung on a "joy" ornament I had lying around.

PS. Just in case your feeling like a slacker today let me point out that I just glanced in my laundry room and saw a holiday rug……a rug I put in the laundry basket to wash…..LAST CHRISTMAS!! People, it has been a year!! A whole year of “Oh, yeah, I’ll get to that” and I never did.
Now that my friends is housewife of the year!

PPS. Today you can also find me over on Regina's blog, Live Delightfully, sharing my favorite Christmas family traditions. I hope you'll check it out!

Linking here:

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The Big Easy

2011-12-06T07:45:00.002-06:00

Over the next few weeks I plan to recap some highlights from our vacay down to Central America, mostly so I can relive it. I’m selfish like that. Annndd because this is like my diary and when I’m old and senile I’d like to have something to remind me of this awesome trip. Today I’m starting off with our adventure down to the Big Easy where we caught our cruise ship.

So the ~~hubby~~ we decided to take the Amtrak train from Chicago all the way down to New Orleans; a whole whopping nineteen hours. On the way down we had one of those sleeper cars. Let me just say if you enjoy feeling claustrophobic, sleeping on a steel bed that looks like it was straight from the local corner’s office, and being flung around like a rag doll for almost a full day, well, then the train will be right up your alley. However, I do wish I had video of the cheerleading stunts my hubby & I were doing every time he tried to hoist me up onto the top bunk. Oh gosh, it was a classical I'm-going-to-pee-my-pants moment. Which would have been bad for him.....if I really did pee my pants. The hubby kept trying to remind me that it was “all about the experience”. I swear if I heard him say that one more time I was about to throw myself off the train! Note to old senile self: you do not, I repeat, do not like long train rides.

Once we finally reached New Orleans we only had one evening to check out the city before we were to load the ship so we headed to the French Quarter where we enjoyed a nice dinner at a French restaurant called Broussards.

To be honest, I don't remember what I ate but I remember really liking it {see I'm already turning old & senile}. After we finished stuffing ourselves we took a stroll down Bourbon street & hung out there for the rest of the evening. You know people watching. Listening to some music. Being carefree. Sigh.

I wish we would have had more time to check out the garden district. Also, everyone and their mom told me before we left that we had to check out Cafe Du Monde for the world famous beignets. Has anyone ever been there?

Next post......the middle of the ocean.

{Image via Broussard's Restaurant....I'm a bad blogger & was too caught up in eating to take any pics of this fine restaurant}