think fast

summer clothing review

Summer has arrived! It's no secret summer is my favorite time of year. I love the slower pace, the pool parties, having the kids home. Well, mostly having the kids home. Hee.

But, am I the only one that looks in their closet and thinks, "I have NOTHING to wear"? So, when this fantastic company contacted me to do a product review...well, I jumped on that one.

Have you ever heard of them? We are lucky here in Phoenix to have a local store, and I've shopped their stores in California, too. They mostly sell casual, wearable cotton clothing and cruise wear. Since I already own a couple of their casual tops, I headed over to the Pants section. It was so hard to decide what to pick. I knew I wanted something lightweight (yeah, over 100 degrees here in AZ), but still stylish, you know what I mean? A gal can't live in yoga pants forever.

Well, I ended up with this adorable pair of Women's Capris.

Don't I look cute in them? Oh wait, that's the catalog photo. Hee. Want to see the real deal?

Adorable, right? (Oh, and I didn't purposefully cut off my head - Sophie was snapping a photo for me and I have a huge sun flare right over my face). Well, I think you can get the idea. These pants rock! They are super comfy, have a great waistband (no, not elastic either) that stays in place, and bonus- I didn't realize they had front pockets until I got them in mail. Love that! Just can't say enough - they fit perfectly, too. I picked the color Truffle, but I seriously agonized over getting a dark blue pair, too. But, black would be totally flattering, how about a basic white pair? Hee, hee.

My advice? Head over to Fresh Produce and check them out. If you don't have a store close by, they ship anywhere in the world! Oh yes, they do. 

p.s. I already own the vintage tank and the vintage drape top - love them!

Later.

may wrap

Since I am starting a fun blogging schedule for June, I thought I would "wrap up" May today and tomorrow. Sound like a plan?

May was a very busy month for us (I know, aren't they all?) - we had preschool graduation:

Don't you love the squinchy eyes? She's so funny. Eloise finished her special need preschool for her speech delay. She has improved SO much - her diction is much better and she is pulling out amazing full sentences that were unheard at the beginning of the school year. She will attend a regular preschool next year but still get about 30 minutes a week of therapy. We are so proud of her.

In May we also:

Purchased a 2006 Suburban (love it)
Watch Clara win her second Congressional Art Contest
Cheered Tristam on as he re-entered the work force at Perlman Design Group
Purchased a 2005 Chevy Cavalier (yep, bought the white one)
Enjoyed Sophie's end of year Arts Festival as she finished 7th grade (she's in the choir)
Worked like crazy on the 1973 travel trailer (lots of updates coming soon)
Finished design on Kesti family reunion t-shirts (will share those later, too)
Worked on three special projects for Paper Crafts magazine
Welcomed the return of summer with swimming, grilling and a trip to the cabin

That's just scratching the surface, but I do have that product review for you tomorrow and some trailer photos. Then, be sure to touch base June 1st for new blog debut!

Later.

submission tips

Hello there! And a special "hello" to those hopping over here from Paper Crafts Connection. I'm posting over there today and sharing a few tips on submitting to the magazine.

Here are my top five tips for submitting in general:

1. Be original. I know, easier said than done, but try to mix it up a bit. Don't always use patterned papers from the same collection. And, it's okay to mix different stamp companies on the same card (someone asked me that, once). Be punny, be funny, be YOU (don't copy someone else's style).

2. Don't hoard. I used to be afraid to cut my brand new paper, or even open my fresh pack of Thickers. Just do it. Here's my challenge: use the very last thing you have purchased on your next card. You bought it, you use it. Hee.

3. Try a different size or orientation. Sometimes I get in a rut, so I do a tent fold card; or make a shaped card. It's a great way to get inspired.

4. Take great photos of your card; invest in a light tent or make your own. If you want professional photos, using the right equipment will help tremendously. Do I mean you won't get picked up without a light tent? No. But, it's far less stressful for me knowing I can get good photos after the sun has gone down. 

5. Go easy on yourself. Pick a few of your favorite categories for each call, relax and create. I've found that the cards which are picked up for submission are often my last minute "I'll make one more card for this call" projects. Don't overthink it.

Okay, enough of my blabbering. Here's a shot of my light tent in action.

(Check out my before and after card posted at Paper Crafts Connection today). The light tent you see is linked in tip #4. And no, I'm not being paid to recommend it. Ha.

Here's a close up of my neutral background. If my card base is completely white, I would probably use a Kraft paper for the background.

And, here's a card that was published in Paper Crafts Card A Day. I thought it was quite appropriate since today IS Lucky Penny Day! Awesome.

Please leave a comment or question about submitting and I will answer in Friday's post. Go ahead - ask away!

Later.

car dilemma

So, here's the dilemma. Wouldn't you know it, no sooner had we purchased the new Suburban...and yep, Keith's car died. Died as in stopped on the interstate dead in its tracks. I had the fun job of towing it home. Ugh.

So, tell me what you know about a reliable, guy driving 50 miles each way to work type of car. We wanted a Chevy Cobalt, but we really need to NOT take a loan for this car. Check these out:

We got your basic Chevy Cavalier: white, plain jane, $4400.

Then, we've got your basic Ford Focus, grey plain jane, $4800.

Both have about the same mileage, have cold AC (mucho importante here in Phoenix), etc. So, opinions?

And, thanks for helping me test my comments last week. I think we are all figured out. Oh, and one more thing - help me out with the consumer reviews today and I will post a fun consumer review for YOU tomorrow. Deal?

Later.

test post

Okay - been having a few issues with folks being able to comment. Can a few of you leave me a comment so I can test it out?

Here's a card I made while visiting the awesome Doodlebug facility. Leave me a comment if you have ever used buttons on a card! Hee.

Later.

mom's new ride

Okay, so maybe technically it wasn't a Mother's Day gift. But, when the Mom, chief taxi driver, and chauffeur gets a new ride, I think it counts, don't you?

Yep, another Suburban. It's the fourth one we've owned. Crazy, yes? But, we really love how they drive, how long they drive (our tan 'burban has 232,000 miles on it), and how easy they are to maintain. We briefly entertained downsizing to a Tahoe, but when this beauty came up on Craigslist, we jumped. It's the fanciest one we've ever had, fully loaded with all kinds of goodies. Seriously can't wait to hit the road this summer.

Happy Mother's Day to me. Hee, hee.
Later.

little people rule the world

At least according to Eloise. She loves her Little People!

Hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day! I will post a photo of my fabulous gift tomorrow.

Later.

mother's day

Happy Mother's Day to all those Moms and Moms-to-be (I know several of those) out there. This holiday is very near and dear to my heart being a Mom of eight. And, of course, I have the best Mother and Mother-in-law possible. I feel very blessed to have all these wonderful women in my life. Hats of to you!

What is the best gift you have ever given or received for Mother's Day? Most moms will tell you that it is "time". But, I will add that photographs are the next best thing. My kids were cooperative enough to pose for this beautiful photo:

I love that they are sitting on a vintage afghan - and that no one matches - and that they are so casual. This photo totally reflects who they are. It was a no brainer to have it made into one of those handy dandy canvas art prints. I used Easy Canvas Prints and couldn't be happier. In fact, I ordered another canvas a few weeks ago (for Tristam's birthday) from one of his favorite shots taken in Japan. (Will have to take a picture of it hanging in his house).

Anywhoo- you know it's not too late to order one up for your special Mom. Check out their facebook page; once I added them as a friend I got a code for 40% off (or maybe even 50%, can't quite remember). Check it out.

Making progress on the trailer, hope to do more this weekend! So, watch for an update next week.
Later. 

happy birthday clara

Our: Clarabelle, artist, fashionista, smartypants, sammy the seal, always hungry, and yes, a little bit nerdy Clara is seventeen today. Wow. Adult life is just beginning.

(Now, can you hurry up and get your driver's license? Mom's taxi service is ready to retire).

Happy Birthday, Clara!
Later.

fiskars winner

Thanks SO much for letting me get my ducks in a row. Harrison picked the winner of the Fiskars/Jenni Bowlin punches and here she is:

My favorite tool that I reach for time and time again in my crafting is definitely my cuttlebug. I love embossing and diecuts!

Posted by: Lillian Child | April 10, 2012 at 08:19 AM

Lillian - looks like your email is not shared with Typepad, so I will try to contact you in my comments (does that make sense?)...otherwise, shoot me a note and I will get your address. Thanks so much for all the fun comments. You guys surely love your tools!

A quick trailer update for you:

Here are all the cushions loaded up in my Suburban to go off to "Kim's Interior Sewing". No, not me. Another Kim here in Phoenix. I figured she must be good with such a cute name. Heh. The teal vinyl (great embossing, right?) is for the five table/booth cushions. And, the awesome stripe with the vintage flair is for the long sofa in the back of the trailer (that folds into a bed). So, what do you think? Good choices? I'd love your opinions. And, give me ideas for curtains/blinds. Is one better than the other?

Thanks, again!
Later.