the pink couch

are you ready,

2012-03-08T08:30:00.012-08:00

for a bunch of scrapbook related stuff? I've started to realize that I don't really scrapbook anymore without having a reason: challenges for Crate Paper but I still really enjoy working with paper.... I think it's a time thing too. With the new house, I have all these interior projects that I want to start on and it keeps me pretty occupied! Now that it's Spring I have a whole list of out-doorsy projects to start - some planting, sprucing up the outdoor sitting area - I want to create this lighting feature I've had on my mind for weeks.... I just need some extra time!

back to scrapbooking! My color challenge for March is posted over on the Crate blog.

I couldn't decide on a color combination this month, so I went with 2! If you have some free time this weekend you should play along! I give away a Crate Paper collection to the winner of each challenge - pretty sweet right! :)

This layout was made for the February color challenge but colors are still kind of tie into the current challenge. :)

I even squeezed some time to create a little custom order on Etsy this week. :)

Today's schedule includes cleaning up that massive mess I call my craft room. Getting the house ready for company. Peter's parents are coming to stay with us and should be arriving tonight! Since it's their first visit to the new house - a home tour will be in order. :) Everything needs to be in order and dust free! I naively thought living on the fairway of a golf-course might help to ease the dust issue but sadly that doesn't seem to be the case! At some point I WILL take photos of the entire house and I will get them posted. There's still some little things that I want to find to make the house feel more complete. A new rug here, and taller lamp there, maybe an end table and some new paint..... All in all, I'm really happy in our hew home... dust and all. Have a happy Thursday!

Shabby Apple Winner!

2012-03-06T19:03:00.003-08:00

Hi all, I'm here to announce the winner of the Shabby Apple giveaway! They are my new favorite clothing find *plus I really like their photos! :)

and the lucky girl is:

Stephanie Smith

said...
I Like them on Facebook.
How lovely it would be to win this giveaway!

2.3.12

yay Stephanie!! Please send me your contact info to rosas07@msn.com

amd I'll be back tomorrow to share a whole bunch of scrapbook stuff! I've been a bit preoccupied taking care of a sick household and hoping that tomorrow is the day that we all start to feel better. I need to get everyone back on track! Until then ~ good night!

Friday Giveaway: from Shabby Apple!

2012-03-02T09:02:00.007-08:00

Hello and Happy Friday!!! When the sweet people over at Shabby Apple approached me with a giveaway from their amazing clothing site, I just knew it would be a perfect fit for a blog giveaway! If you haven't found Shabby Apple yet, you are in for a special treat!

Shabby Apple is a fanciful online boutique whose specialty just happens to be pretty vintage inspired clothing and accessories. - think Anthropologie-ish with beautiful photographs and realistic price points - What impresses the artist within me most, about Shabby Apple, is that each of their collections are inspired by a theme and then each of the dresses within that collection has a coordinating name. (I love that simple cohesiveness of each collection!)

Here's a few of my top picks! The Mad Hatter collection - a whimsical Alice in Wonderland inspired line and my personal favorite - the Yosemite collection. (I would like one of each please!) I could also see me wearing one of these fun aprons from the Boysenberry collection while spending a Saturday afternoon baking! Lastly, the Oh la la collection how nice a Paris vacation would be right now!

They also have dreamy accessories, super cute heels and even a little girls clothing line! (My good friend Christine and I spent some more time, this morning, chatting on the phone with our morning coffee all while shoe shopping :)

Are you smitten with all of the pretty dresses? I can certainly see the need for a few new Spring dresses in my near future :) I'm super excited to be able to giveaway a $75.00 gift card from Shabby Apple to one of my lovely blog readers!

To enter this giveaway:

1. please visit the Shabby Apple Facebook page and click on the 'Like' button.

2. then pop back here and leave a comment on this post!

Super simple right! I'll be choosing a lucky winner on Tuesday. Good luck to you! xo ~T

glitterly gold and a little pink

2012-02-29T11:12:00.005-08:00

Over at the today, I've introduced my newest monthly post: 'It's a Wrap!' The last day of each month I'll be posting my thoughts and hopefully some new ideas all centered around gift-wrapping! It's kind of an easy-breezy post for the end of the month, simple and with pretty photos. I think I'm going to create a gift theme for each month, that way I'll have my color combination posts and a themed gift wrap post for the month and with a little luck the posts will hopefully compliment each other! (That's the hope!)

This month, I went the route of a baby-shower theme. I think baby-showers and Spring somehow go hand in hand together.... which is perfectly ok because I love soft muted baby colors and shopping for sweet little baby items.

There's lot's of details and how-to's over on the Crate blog.

Gift Wrap details:

trims, sequins, ruffle crepe paper: thrifted
Bakers Twine: thrifted vintage
Journal Tags: Crate Paper (Story Teller collection)
Yo-yo & Gold leaves: handmade by me
gift-wrap papers: thrifted

There are some excited things in the works at our little casa today. Chase and I are patiently waiting for the landscapers to arrive and start on our backyard - I've never been so happy to see grass and small cactus's! :) While I wait, I'm just putting the final touches on Crate's color challenge that kicks off this Friday and on Friday afternoon, here on my blog, I'll be doing a fun little giveaway that you won't want to miss! I can't wait to share that giveaway, I've been dreaming about it all week!

Have a wonderful sunny afternoon! ~ Tara

Fruit and Water combined

2012-02-27T07:20:00.008-08:00

Hello and happy Monday morning to you! I'm spending the morning working on a new monthly post for Crate Paper (check out the blog on Wednesday!!) but wanted to take a little break to post the rest of my photos from the guest-spot on Jessica's blog! I had originally planned on doing a crafty type post for her blog but it just wasn't happening and then the idea to do a easy recipe seemed much more realistic. I had about a day to decide on a project and get it photographed. :)

A post all about Infused Water it is!

Because we live in the desert, dry has taken on a whole new meaning and to remedy that unfortunate fact - we drink ALOT of water. I remember my first spring/summer in AZ watching people walk with a gallon of water in hand and thinking it was a tad bit overkill. Now, 10 summers later, I've come to realize that a gallon of water a day is a must! Since water can be bland at times, especially with the 10 and under crowd here's a couple of ideas for spicing it up... or sweetening it up!

Strawberry - Cucumber Infused water

You will need: 1 pitcher of cold water, half of a peeled cucumber - sliced and 6 sliced strawberries

Push the fruit down into the water and let set for just a few minutes. Of course the longer you let the fruit and water blend together the stronger the flavors will be. If you're planning on making this for guests, make it right before you'd like to serve it. I've found that the strawberries tend to use their vibrancy when I leave them in the water for too long (3+ hours) and they don't look as pretty as when I first slice them! I like fruit to look fresh!

The best part of infused water is that you can play with different fruit combinations to see which ones suit you taste! Whenever we have guests over I keep a pitcher of the Strawberry/Cucumber chilled in the fridge, I've found the majority of people like how refreshing it is - even my finicky Chase will drink it! My other favorite combinations are Peach/Mint leaves, Lemon/Raspberry and Honeydew Melon/Green Apple.

Table Scape details:

Table runner - a DIY project that cost about $12 and only took me an hour to make - I made it right before taking these photos!
Vase for flowers - found coffee can at the grocery store (I walked around looking for any type of container with the yellow and red colors on it. I love the high contrast between red/yellow and black/white.)
Succulents - planted in thrifted tart tins and tea canisters
Paper straws - purchased from Etsy
Mason Jars - thrifted
Glass Pitcher - Pier1, purchased last summer

Have a lovely Monday!

8 things I love: Saturday

2012-02-25T07:07:00.002-08:00

. by taraanderson featuring amrita singh jewelry

Oh my! - what a week it has been! I'm so happy it's the weekend, relieved really and even though it's not looking to be a lazy type of weekend - I'll take anything that resembles a less rushed and hectic schedule! I have my fingers crossed that if I can finish all... or most of my to-do list, I'll be able to escape out of the house tomorrow for a little retail therapy. I'm on a mission to find a little black dress and possible a new pair of heels! (I say little but really what I want is a mid-calf length possibly retro inspired dress.) Peter and I have 3 black tie* optional weddings to attend over the next 6 months, it's been quite some time since I've been to a formal wedding. I'm hoping new shoes will be the motivation I need to get moving today on that to-do list!

I'm going to try and pop back in this weekend to post photos. My blog is turning into a 2nd flickr account. ;) xo ~ T

8 things I love: Saturday

2012-02-18T09:09:00.000-08:00

easy weekend by taraanderson featuring summer tote bags

It's feeling more and more like the beginning of Spring here! As much as I love my pretty wool coats, black boots and cozy scarves... I wouldn't be opposed to some easy-breezy weekends either. Soon enough!

My weekend includes; cleaning, laundry, having a sweet friend over to check out the new house, and trying to decide on an art project - horses or elephants? I'm so torn and I've been thinking about this since last night and still have no idea which one to use??? To many possibilities! :)

flowers, black stripes & a guest post

2012-02-17T19:33:00.000-08:00

I'm spending a little time on my friend Jessica's blog - Scrumdillydilly! Jessica was nice enough to be a guest on my blog over the summer, so I thought I'd return the favor! It also gave me an excuse to buy flowers and put together a new tablescape and I just couldn't resist. :)

This was also probably the most fun with color I've had in awhile! Hop over to Jessica's blog to check out my guest-post!

our Valentines Day

2012-02-15T10:44:00.000-08:00

~ in photos! Yesterday ended up being super busy but I did manage to squeeze in a few photos throughout the day!

Valentines tablescape - there's some more photos of our table if you keep scrolling down.

Flowers from the little boy - he smelled all of the flowers before finally deciding on these ones. The sweet part about it is that these don't smell very nice. :))

Bruschetta is always a good choice, it's takes no time to make and looks pretty in a large glass jar!

The Shrimp Fettuccine was wonderful - you can't really go wrong with seafood, pasta and a creamy cheese sauce. I should post the recipe, it's so easy to whip up!

Chase and I had some time to make cupcakes and while they were baking I created these tiny flags with left-over Crate Paper scraps. I'm always looking for any excuse to use up extra paper!

These heart place-cards were a little project I made up for Crate Paper this week! I created a set of 4 heart shaped pockets with every one's initial on the front and sewed a lace/tulle pocket on the back to hold a small 'love-note' written to Peter and each of the kids. Just an extra detail that makes themed dinners so fun!

and I did, somehow, find a little bit of extra time to pull the sewing machine out and make some paper garlands for the kitchen. **the large butterflies are hand cut** I'm going to spend the rest of the afternoon making something. I need to come up with a good idea by tomorrow so I can get it photographed by Friday! Nothing like a little pressure to get you moving - right? Happy half-way-through-the-week day!

Monday Menu

2012-02-13T19:47:00.000-08:00

it's back! I've been playing with the idea of re-introducing this series of posts and today seems like the perfect Monday!

menu 2-13 by taraanderson featuring plastic jewelry

I'll start the menu for tomorrow since dinner tonight is already over with and it wasn't exciting enough to write about anyway. :)

Tuesday: Valentines Day!!
Shrimp Fettuccine with a Parmesan Cream sauce
Garden Salad
Bruschetta on grilled Sourdough
Chocolate Strawberries & Mini Cupcakes

Wednesday:
Pork Chops w/ pan seared apples
Mashed Potatoes
Garlic Green Beans
Garden Salad

Thursday:
Grilled Eggplant Sandwiches
Broccoli Salad

Friday:
Terriyaki Chicken Thighs
Brown Rice
Peas and toasted Almonds
Garden Salad

Saturday:
French Dip Sandwiches (I make mine in the slow cooker)
Coleslaw with Blue-cheese and poppy seeds

Sunday:
Garlic Herb Strip Steak
Caprese Salad
Roasted Rosemary Fingerling Potatoes (I typically hate potatoes but I made these last month while my sister was visiting and they were, by far, the best potato I've ever had! I hate them a little less now :))

** If you plan on posting your menu somewhere please leave me a link! I love to check out what other people are planning for dinner.... yah I'm kind of nosey like that. I have a very full day planned for tomorrow: Alaina's class play and then Valentines party, Chase's class party, I need to prep everything for dinner, make the desserts, make little-tiny flags for the cupcakes and sew a bunch of garlands for the kitchen, finish a science project with A and write up a post for the Crate blog..... whew! I'm so happy I work well under pressure - I probably shouldn't leave so many things for the last minute either..... Oh well, no one is perfect.

Happy Valentines Day to everyone! Hope your day is filled with pretty flowers, yummy candy and lots of love! xo ~ T

8 things I love: Saturday

2012-02-11T08:20:00.000-08:00

. by taraanderson featuring bell bottom jeans

Popping in to say hi this morning!!! I made it through the week, a little more tired than usual, but at least it's the weekend. oh yay! I've plans to work on Alaina's science fair project all weekend and then the kids' Valentines cards for class parties this coming week. There is always something to do!

craft closet - finished.... almost

2012-02-03T10:37:00.000-08:00

I'm happy to report that with each day I'm able to sort through and unpack a few more boxes at a time and the house is starting to look more like home and not like a crazy storage facility! I ended up getting sick and spending the entire first week, after we moved, in bed. All that time lost. So, I'm trying to play catch up now and nothing will get you moving faster than having unexpected guests needing to spend the weekend with you! Typically, I hate surprises. I need ALOT of time to adjust to changes but hearing from a good friend yesterday who needs to place to stay while recovering from a recent operation, I decided to put aside my typical freak-out reaction and rather hurry to get the house ready for guests tomorrow! I probably won't be posting much this weekend and throughout next week because of said guests. I imagine I will be spending the majority of my time cooking and cleaning for 3 extra people. I did always say I wanted a house big enough for lots of extra guests!!(I just didn't think it would happen 2 weeks after moving into a larger home :))

Chase and I have been running around putting things away this morning when I passed by my craft room and much to my amazement, it actually looks.... normal. Especially the closet! I got super lucky and have a large walk in closet - perfect for all my stuff! I'll be changing out some of the wire baskets for closed boxes and I still need to thin out my paper collection but I'll get there. Probably not this week but sometime soon I hope! I've also decided I'm in desperate need of a sewing table!

Ok, now back to cleaning house!!

Pretty Party with Crate Paper

2012-01-29T08:29:00.000-08:00

hello - hello! I'm back but just making this a quick post today. I wanted to share a couple of projects that I made last week for the Crate Paper booth at CHA. Crate has created 2 new collections and I got a chance to play with the paper & chipboard from the Pretty Party line. It's so wonderfully girly and flowery and just perfect for Spring parties! If you pop over to the Crate Blog and leave a comment on my post today we're giving away one Pretty Party collection!

To go along with the party theme, I created a little party favor, invitation and some pretty confetti - Because I'm convinced confetti goes with everything!

I have my color challenge to prepare for this Friday and I seem to be running a tad bit behind with it. I'm slowly making progress getting the house unpacked but my craft room has been last on the list of things to-do. It's a slow process! xo ~T

8 things I love: Saturday

2012-01-14T09:25:00.000-08:00

comfortable by taraanderson featuring leather shoes

The movers are already at the other house with the furniture so that gives me a few quick minutes to post. I'm doing it people, I'm wearing sweats in public. Normally sweats are only reserved for the day that I get out of the hospital but today I throw caution to the wind and wear them anyways! This moving stuff is serious business that requires the absolute most comfortable clothes ever. Sweats my friends, sweats.

xo ~ T

me & Cocoa Daisy

2012-01-11T11:03:00.000-08:00

Due to the epic move set for this Saturday, this will most likely be my only scrapbook post for the month. So, I figured I'd better make it a good one! Way back in October I was asked to be a guest designer for Cocoa Daisy and even though December was a crazy busy month, I accepted the challenge. I think working with a kit is also a little more organized too because you only have so many things to work with and then that's it!

Here's what I made with their January main kit!

This layout was all about a strong title and stronger journaling and I just didn't feel that it needed a photo to support the over all feel. It wasn't meant to be a super cutesy layout. (Even though, when both my husband & my good friend saw this page they said the same thing! "Where's the photo?) This layout could not be more appropriate for this week!

I loved this floral paper - it's reminds me of pretty vintage wallpaper and yellow mixed with black and white stripes is always a hit in my book!

I had wanted to create some type of little mini list album and then decided on making one for Home lists. Everyone room in the new house has an index card that I can jot down items that are needed for that room. I think I've filled it since taking these photos over 2 weeks ago!

Had to scrapbook one of the kids' Christmas photos!

The Cocoa Daisy kit came with a package of Sassafras paper flowers (I loved those and was so happy to see them in a kit again!) Instead of just tossing the packaging that the flowers came with, I covered the little paper insert with paper and then sewed in lots of randomly cut pieces of graph and ledger paper. It made a good tiny notebook for keeping track of everything lately!

Well, there you have it! All my scrapbook stuff for the month in one place! I'm going back to packing this afternoon, movers are coming on Saturday and that's only 3 days away!! Wish me luck!

8 things I love: Saturday

2012-01-07T22:07:00.000-08:00

just in time too!

black and white by taraanderson featuring a knotted bead necklace

Since my sister is here visiting & helping us to move, we've been playing dress up in my closet for the past 2 days. I use to love when she would come down because I'd get a chance to clean out the closet and I'd send her home with all my extra stuff. Double win! So far, I've sorted through jewelry, winter coats, clothes and purses, oh and makeup. It's good to have a little sister to share with! :)

taking a break

2012-01-04T13:31:00.000-08:00

I'm taking a little break this afternoon. I have packed 10 boxes today. That's it? Only 10? Surely I've been able to accomplish more than just a measly 10 boxes. Even I was surprised to re-count and realize that no, 10 really is the magic number. Man.... packing is a total pain in the rear and where is all the cool stuff people are always exclaiming that they unearthed while packing? So far, I've found bupkiss - nada - nothing. Unless you believe finding a petrified scorpion, that met it's death in the corner of our garage, the find of the decade.... because I sure don't!

I crawled back into Peter's side of the bed this morning and told him to please wake me in exactly 11 days after we've moved into the new house. I want nothing more to do with the packing part of this move.

Ok, so when I say I've not found anything good, maybe that's an over exaggeration, I have found some fun forgotten stuff in the back of the bookcase and closet. Like my notebooks I wrote in back when Peter and I were first dating. It was cute skimming over their content. Nine years later here we are. :) I found photos I had forgotten about and more notebooks. I actually tossed 11 filled notebooks. I'm pretty proud of myself for that. I still have about 20 more notebooks that I think I may end up keeping. I also think I write too much.

I've been so lucky to have lived in the same house for the past 10 years. Must not forget that!

my top 9 of 2011

2012-01-01T07:49:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

following with tradition - I'm posting my top 9 favorite projects from 2011. I think all but one of these projects were Crate Paper stuff. I worked alot with Crate last year and this year looks to be very much the same! I also realized how very little actual layouts I made :( I must make this more a priority this year.

I'm still working on a massive custom order.... I'm hoping today is the day that I wrap it all up. My to-do list is out of control and only continues to grow by the day! Time for some coffee and the first sewing fest of 2012!

ps. did you know the Rose Bowl parade isn't today? I always thought it was on New Years - so dissapointed this morning but I know what I'll be doing tomorrow!

2011 in photos

2011-12-29T08:55:00.000-08:00

I made this collage on Christmas day! I took one photo from each month that I thought sort of told the story from that month. Here's my list! (I used a collage in Picnik to create this one.)

1. January - vacation to California
2. February - Valentines Day swap
3. March - picnics at the park
4. April - sharing Hot Chocolate on colder mornings
5. May - Easter weekend at the ranch nearby
6. June - Peonie season
7. July - the 4th
8. August - wildflowers
9. September - Grandmas vintage jewelry
10. October - Disneyland vacation
11. November - Fall crafts
12. December - decorating for the Holidays

I'm working on the biggest custom order and as soon as I finish up today I can get back to posting some scrapbook stuff. I'm guest designing with Cocoa Daisy this month and wanted to share all the projects I made for them! See you soon!

the day after

2011-12-25T17:13:00.000-08:00

*this is not one of those sappy - guess what I got for Christmas posts.... well sorta and there is a point to this post - promise!*

I have a confession to make tonight. I hate writing and I hate the part of blogging where I have to write. Ironic since a blog is an online journal but it's true. Maybe you can tell, maybe not but I like the idea of not having to write too much. I almost view my blog as an extension of my home, my craft room and sometimes my closet, kitchen or backyard. I like to post photos and I like things to be simple and easy on my blog and in real life. I think simple doesn't require alot of explaining.

There's actually very few things that I feel strongly enough to want to talk in detail about. I'm not a big fan of drama so I tend to steer clear of those topics that I have a strong opinion about. So what does that leave me to talk about on my blog? The mundane details of my crafting adventures, what I did today and how I made something. If you get bored with those topics you're not alone because I do to! Don't get me wrong, I love to make things and I love to take photos! Because being creative is very much a part of my everyday. But photos don't get you into trouble where as writing can.

Back to avoiding drama - I'm not of fan of message boards, never have been.... because of said drama. (I'm raising a 7 yr. old girl, I deal with enough of it at home.) Two weeks ago, for whatever reason, I pulled up twopeasinabucket and clicked on the top 10 popular posts. (I know, I was going fishing for drama at that point! :)) I found a thread title that simply read:

"I feel like the worst parent ever."

It caught my attention, I opened it, read it, and immediately felt the need to respond, not to the thread, but to the poster. It was a young mom who didn't get the job she thought she would have before Christmas and didn't have a way now to provide presents for her 2 young kids. It went on to explain that she was too late to add her kids to any of the charity gift lists and to please give her ideas of where else to try in the area she lived. Some of the replies were less than helpful or positive. Yes the post was made under an anonymous name but for good reason.... it is Two peas after all, a site known for less than caring message boards. As a mom I can only think of a few things worse than the feeling of not being able to provide for your own children - especially during Christmas.

and it is Christmas the season of giving and hope and a time for children to be excited. I'm willing to give someone the benefit of the doubt and reach out to help because it's the right thing to do.

I emailed, or pea-mailed rather, the poster and asked for an address and the age of her son. Nothing else... no back story, no I hope things change for you in time... just an address. As it turned out, her kids are really close in age to Alaina and Chase. I'm a girl, I love to shop, I love sales and I usually have extra toys hiding around the house especially this time of year - so I was able to get everything ready quickly. I wrapped up a couple gifts for her 6 year old daughter and a gift for her little 1 year old son, gathered everything into a couple boxes and got them ready for the post office. Chase and I waited for Alaina to come home from school so we could mail everything off together before the post office closed for the day.

While up at the post office waiting in line, Alaina wanted to know who I was sending the boxes to. She's a nosy one - that child of mine. How much do you explain to a 7yr. old? Alaina understands alot, she likes to think that she's a teenager but I don't always want to tell her the truth. I'd rather her think the world is perfect right now. I ended up telling her the truth and adding a little sugar to it. I explained to her that "a mommy in Texas wasn't able to buy presents for her kids, so we're sending the presents to her. In a way it's almost like being Santa Claus."

I wish I could have taken a photo of Alaina's face right then. Her eyes were huge and her little mouth dropped open, I think it shocked her a little that I had compared her to Santa ("the one person I love the most" - she wrote that to him this year.)

She asked me who the mom was and if I knew her. I told her no, that it was just a mommy on the computer that needed some extra help this year. Still, Alaina wasn't satisfied with my simple explanations so she poked around for more answers, asking me about the daughter, her name, age, where they lived. Maybe she thought I was lying to her? I have no idea but I tried to answer her questions as best I could on the limited info I had received from 1 peamail.

From the post office the kids and I drove down the hill to meet with our realtor to look at one more home for the week - it was already late on a Friday evening. (Oh yeah, we're moving in a couple of weeks - but that's a whole other post!) I think Alaina and I put the post office conversation in the back of our minds as we walked through yet another weird old house.

Fast forward to Christmas afternoon, I went back yesterday to look at that thread that was posted 2 weeks ago on Twopeas. Again some of the replies to this mom were doubting the sincerity of her initial post and was it a post and run thread?

I was thinking about this yesterday as I went about cleaning up the mess of my house after opening presents, that whether or not the post was real, I got so much more out of this than the money I spent on a stranger. Let's face it, our kids don't want to and aren't going to listen to what we say as their parents but they are paying attention to what we do. I believe in showing kids what a good example is - not just telling them. Lead by example, that's my parenting philosophy.

I had the opportunity, that day at the post office, to show my kids that you don't have to know someone in order to help them. I believe you will get back in life what you give out to others and I still have faith that there will continue to be people out there who would be willing to help others without letting the feelings of doubt or disbelief stop them.

I know this because I'm raising 2 of them right now.

- Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it by the handle of anxiety, or by the handle of faith. ~Author Unknown

2011-12-25T13:20:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas to you and your family today!

The kids are still playing with their new toys, Peter is taking a nap and as for me, there's a wrapping paper disaster scattered around the living room to clean up. Hope your holiday was a magical and fun one!

8 things I love: Saturday

2011-12-24T20:50:00.000-08:00

everyday by taraanderson featuring beaded jewelry

Today has felt like a Sunday. All day infact! Peter never has Saturday's off, so today both of us kept correcting the other regarding what day of the week it really was. :) So tonight, before it really is Sunday, I'm posting my list!

my 8 things list:

1. white t-shirts
2. faded blue jeans
3. cozy grey sweater
4. stripe scarf
5. white ballet flats
6. red plaid bag
7 & 8. coral and gold jewelry (quite possibly my favorite combination, it's an unexpected color choice but I like that it stands out!)

This morning we took the kids to see Santa..... exciting right? Yeah, not so much. Only one was excited to see him, apparently my youngest had better things to do with his morning. It never fails either. I think every Santa photo is of Alaina smiling and Chase either crying, not in the photo at all, or staring off into space. Good times.

Alright, I have milk, cookies and a frozen pizza to put out for Santa tonight. Yep, that's right I said frozen pizza. Alaina was concerned about Santa having too much dessert and not enough dinner. Pizza, to a 7 year old, seemed like a practical choice because after all, who doesn't like pizza?

Happy Christmas Eve!

photo post

2011-12-23T16:14:00.001-08:00

I got sick right before Christmas too ~ wouldn't you know it! While I sit here on the couch I thought I might as well try to get caught up on photos. Time is quickly running out!

Last week or maybe 2 weeks now, I created a series of Holiday Frames for a Crate Paper blog post. I found a group of frames at thrift stores and used Crates Peppermint to make these.

I took these photos at the beginning of the month. I keep meaning to go back and take better ones ~ I'll have to put it on the to-do list. I decorated our living room with Silver and Gold, white poinsettias and glittery reindeer.

I put this tree into my craft room. I wanted one old-world tree so I could use all those vintage bulbs I had collected. It's especially pretty at night! I've stashed all of the presents under this tree so it doesn't look quite as bare underneath.

We added a little tree to one of Chase's cars and placed it in between collections of pink and red glass bulbs and vintage candle sticks on the kitchen table.

I think it's time for some more tea and maybe another nap tonight. I need to get better in a hurry!

Homemade Ornament Party

2011-12-22T15:59:00.000-08:00

Last weekend Alaina and I held a little ornament making party. A few of her friends were invited, one of my good friends came to help so it was like a girls craft day with the addition of one little boy. Chase loves to paint - so painting ornaments with a group of girls didn't phase him one bit.

I set out silver trays filled with craft supplies for each ornament, jars of paint brushes, a muffin tin filled with small tubs of paint and buckets of glitter and glue. I put down lots of newspaper to cover the table incase of spilled paint (which happened more than once) oh but what fun we had and what an incredible mess we created!

{Alaina's ornaments - the kids got a tiny bit carried away with the puff paint and glitter!}

We made my cinnamon cutout ornaments decorated with white puff paint and glitter, mini frosted cupcakes and large frosted/glittered cupcakes, Clay lollipop ornaments (the idea came from Creature Comforts blog - I altered the ornaments a little by using a glue gun and thinner clay) and beaded candy canes.

I could really see this becoming a yearly tradition for us. What's amazing is that the kids stay entertained for over 6 hours creating their own ornaments. Needless to say, I was wiped out but the homemade ornament party was a huge hit!

be-gifted

2011-12-20T09:46:00.001-08:00

The little elves around here have been busy wrapping up gifts this week! I always choose a color combination to wrap my gifts and for this grouping it was red-pink-yellow-silver and kraft. It's an interesting combination but I kind of like it!

I still need to wrap the kids' gifts, it's going to be a very gift-wrapping week!

twinkly lights

2011-12-19T20:07:00.000-08:00

"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful." ~Norman Vincent Peale

I found this quote last night and thought it matched the photo pretty well. I was taking some photos the other day when, without warning, my camera started getting fussy with me. It didn't want to focus on anything in particular and instead blurred some of my photos. Somehow, I think it's even lovelier this way!

Candy Holiday Shadow Box ~ Crate Paper

2011-12-19T07:18:00.001-08:00

So last week sometime, Christine and I were on the phone discussing projects that we could do together for the Crate Paper blog. We thought about making ornaments and then the idea of a Christmas shadow box was brought up and we just had to decide on how large to make the boxes. Because I think good things come in small packages, the smaller the box - the better. Christine mentioned using Jello Boxes for our project which meant a shallower box.... but I'm always up for a challenge!

After a couple of "rass-a-frassa's & who's idea was this again?" My shadow box came together really quickly. I completed it - from start to finish- in one evening even while being distracted by the Home Alone 2 movie that the littles were watching for the 879th time this month. ;)

The outside of my box is covered with Crate's Peppermint Collection Papers. I painted the inside of the box a warm shimmering gold color.

I used a crop-a-dile to punch a hole through the back of the box, just big enough to fit a light through. The gold paint on the inside gives my little box scene a warm glow.

I'm not sure how I did it but I managed to fit 8 pieces of Peppermint chipboard into this little box. To make them secure, I covered the bottom of the box with white modeling clay. This way, I just pushed in each of the chipboard pieces into the clay and they stayed put! To cover the clay, I used a hot glue gun, some sparkly "snow" and a few pearls for added texture.

If you visit the Crate Paper blog you'll get to see Christine's box too and she even created a tutorial to help you in creating your own mini box! I think this project would also be alot of fun to create with kids.... especially over that long Winter break that's fast approaching! I have all sorts of projects to post this week. Christmas is just around the corner!

Holiday Snowflakes- photo tutorial

2011-12-17T08:59:00.000-08:00

In my house everything has the possibility to be transformed into something else! I'm pretty confident that given enough time, I can find a second use for just about anything. Neck ties are sewn into necklaces, t-shirts make really cute scrapbook flowers and coffee filters are perfect for holiday snowflakes!

Alaina and I love to use coffee filters, they're already round and super light weight so when we created a garland with them, they almost appeared to floating in the window-sill!

I photographed the steps for making one last week!

Hope you are doing something fun this weekend! I have a little crafty get-together with friends planned for tomorrow but first I think a wee bit of scrapbooking may be in order for today! happy Saturday!

8 things I love: Saturday

2011-12-17T08:55:00.001-08:00

Neutral by taraanderson featuring gold tone jewelry

1. ruffly neutral top
2. Black Velvet Jacket
3. Dark boot cut jeans
4. Black boots
5. Betsey Johnson bag (I have this one!! It's one of my favs ever!)
6. thin long necklace
7. sparkly rhinestone ring
8. cute polka dot scarf

Doily Envelope- Tutorial

2011-12-15T07:03:00.000-08:00

Here's the tutorial! I made a much smaller envelope this time and it's the perfect size to tuck a gift card into. Pretty appropriate for this time of year! With just a couple of supplies and a few steps - you can whip one up in no time - let's get started!

the supply list:

1 round doily
thread and needle
giftcard
button

Step 1. Place the gift card in the middle of the doily as a measuring guide. (You'll want the doily, when folded up at the bottom, to cover about 3/4 of the giftcard.) Cut the bottom of the doily off.

Step 2. Fold the bottom of the doily up covering most of the giftcard and cut the edge of the doily, leaving about a 1/4 inch of doily on either edge.

Step 3. The edges of the doily are going to be sewn, because the doily that I'm using is a loosely crocheted pattern, I used a pin to hold the edge together. The pin will help stop the doily from shifting too much during the sewing process!

Step 4. Sew the edge of the doily. I went back and forth, about 3 times, sewing down the edge of the doily and then back up again to make sure I had sewn the edge completely closed.

Step 5. Repeat steps 2-4 with the opposite side of the doily.

Step 6. Using a needle and thread, sew a button onto the top front of the doily.

* To crease the edges of the doily use a hot iron and press along the edges. Just be careful to not touch the iron to the button!

The size of your envelope will depend on the doily size but I have to admit that the smaller envelope was my fav. It makes giving a gift card this holiday season a little more exciting!

very merry giftwrap winner!

2011-12-14T20:55:00.000-08:00

Thankyou for all of your sweet comments from this weekend, they made my crafty little heart smile. :) I'm happy to say that Rebecca is the winner of this weeks giveaway!:

Rebecca said...
Oh, Tara! This is GORGEOUS!!! What a fabulous idea! You are such a little crafty genius! ♥
10.12.11

Today was extra productive! Thank goodness for days like today. I was able to finish another project for the Crate Paper blog. Christine and I paired up to create a project for Crate Paper this month. Of course, I waited until the last minute to work on mine but it's done! I even had some time to wrap up a few presents. Tomorrow is a whole new set of goals; giftwrapping, a little sewing and lots of tidying up! Goodnight all!

a Very Merry Giftwrap Giveaway!

2011-12-10T06:00:00.000-08:00

Hello to you all and happy Saturday morning! A few crafty friends and I have teamed up this weekend to do little blog-hop party! Each of us decided to put our own spin on the traditional stocking concept. I first thought of a hanging doile but then I thought what could be sweeter than to fill than a doile envelope! and so, an idea was formed and brought to life.

I did create a tutorial for my doile envelope and I'll post it this coming week but first the fun stuff! I'm giving away this envelope and it's filled with all sorts of fun little trinkets, perfect for helping to add that extra special touch to packages as you wrap your gifts this month!

there are snips of vintage seam binding and lace, 2 handmade garlands, stitched gift tags, a spool of my favorite pink bakers-twine, mini clothes pins, 2 handmade flowers, typewriter tags, a vintage Santa pick, a pink button tag, and tinsel star, glittered leaves and a few paper doiles all tucked away into a pretty vintage doile envelop.

To enter the very-merry giftwrap giveaway please leave a comment at the end of this post!
I'll choose a winner on Wed. 14th. Goodluck!

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

and feel free to check out what my crafty friends are up to! Click on these links to visit their blogs and giveaways today!

Jessica from Scrumdillydilly.

Megan from Radmegan.

Jennifer with The Felt Mouse.

have a lovely weekend!!

the Dessert Tree

2011-12-09T12:14:00.001-08:00

Here in our house, we do themed trees for Christmas! At one point, we only had 1 tree and it was a hodge-podge of Christmas decor... things that I had and stuff that Peter had but eh, nothing too terribly exciting. Then I inherited some old handmade Disney ornaments, starting collecting vintage glass balls and became the proud owner of my Grandma's Hallmark ornament collection and before I knew it - I had enough stuff to be able to do different themed trees throughout the house! The hardest part for us is compromising on one theme! (Not that we have to compromise too much, we did put up 3 trees this year :))

So one Saturday afternoon, while Chase slept soundly, Alaina and I crept out to the garage and decided that this year we would create a Dessert tree. We sorted through my boxes of kitchen themed ornaments and pulled anything that had to do with dessert or baking. Cupcakes, gingerbread men, ice-cream cones, slices of cake, lolly-pops, candy and sheets of cookies, some wire whisks and spatulas and a few vintage glass bulbs. If it was cute, sweet and or pink, we were going to use them!

The only new ornament I had to purchase for this tree was the knitted D!
(I really need a larger tree for all of the ornaments! I looked everywhere for a 6ft. flocked Christmas tree to no avail. I was too late! major bummer)

*Alaina picked out this ornament because according to a 7 year olds philosophy of dessert, bacon is a perfectly acceptable dessert choice. :) - in case you were wondering how the 3 little pigs found their way onto our tree.*

and because you can't have a dessert tree without a glass, or jar, of milk!

I have a special blog-hop party and a pretty giveaway to do tomorrow! Don't forget to pop back by this weekend!

a late night sneak-peek

2011-12-07T20:08:00.001-08:00

Ok, so instead of scrapbooking today, which I really wanted to do, I put together a petite gift wrapping kit. I spent much of my morning making flowers and playing with my type-writer, getting ready for a fun event that's soon to take place! I'm excited to be participating in a crafty blog-hop where I'll be gifting my creation here on my blog!

Here's a sneak-peek of what I have planned~ check back this Saturday for a very merry be-gifted giveaway! (say that 3 times fast!) ;)

Tomorrow is "find the most perfect ornament for my bestest" day and then it's on to the giftwrap selection. Every year, Peter and I do an ornament exchange for Christmas. Since there's nothing either one of us really needs, picking out a small ornament each year has carried so much more meaning than any last minute gift could. Whether it's just a silly ornament (like the tv dinner tray ornament a couple years back) or more meaningful (like the mommie owl with her baby for my first Chirstmas with Alaina) I really look forward to our ornament exchanges! So this year, I've decided Christine and I will start an annual tradition and do an ornament exchange! (I'm secretly super excited to be choosing an ornament for another girl~ there are so many cute girly options!)

Journal your December

2011-12-06T13:53:00.001-08:00

I was asked to be one of the guest designers for Journal Your December, a blog with daily prompts to help you along as you create your own journal! I figured as I put my page together, I would photograph each step and share the process! (I used the Peppermint kit from my Etsy shop for this page.)

the supply list:

small photo - I used a wallet sized photo trimmed down to a square
one album cardstock page
5 circles of sewn garland
bakers twine
large vellum tag
vellum star
paper button sticker
*sewn packet of sequins and snow
*glue-dots

Directions:

*for each of the kits, I packaged them in a sewn sleeve, to make this packet I filled the sleeve with sequins and snow and sewed a small little packet - about the size of a wallet size photo.

1. decide on the placement of your photo and use glue-dots to secure the sewn snow/sequin packet to your page. Take the bakers twine and bunch it on top of the packet.

2. I used a section of 5 circles and folded 1 of the circles over another. Use glue-dots to secure the garland over the backers twine.

3. Place the photo (but without gluing it into place) over the area that you'd like it to go. At this point, I just want to double check that this is really where I want my photo to be placed! Use a glue-dot to and stick the vellum star underneath the bottom corner of your photo.

4. Use 4 glue-dots to secure your photo into place. I place the glue-dots onto each corner of the photo. Use one of the paper stickers to place onto of the corner edge of your photo.

5. Lastly, I printed my title onto the large vellum label. Use a small glue-dot towards the very top of the label and then carefully slide the vellum label underneath the paper garland.

and the end result ~

I also used the index card to do all of my journaling on. My prompt was Collections, so I chose to do the journaling on how my collection of vintage deer first got started!

I hope this might help you with one of your pages! I plan on scrapbooking some more tomorrow and maybe putting together another little layout-outline. :) We have family visiting this week so crafting is squeezed into small breaks throughout the day. It makes for some very quick and interesting projects! good-night!

a new month,

2011-12-05T21:14:00.000-08:00

means a new color challenge for the Crate Paper blog! This really is my favorite challenge and I absolutely love coming up with a new combination of colors each month. This month, inspired by our unusually wintery weather, I chose colors that were cooler and more muted. (and they couldn't be further from the typical red-white-green colors that are so expected this time of year!)

I decided to create 5 pages for my December Journal. Each page is 6x6 inches and I used a combination of 4 collections by Crate Paper (Neighborhood, Peppermint, Random Farmhouse). I wish I had pulled out the Portrait collection out to play with, of course I remembered after I had finished up!
So, here are my pages:

Silver & Gold

our Wreathe

ttv Santa

vintage ornaments

home

~ all wrapped up!

and did I mention that I get to give away a Crate Paper collection each month! How sweet is that?! I'll be choosing a winner next Friday, if you feel like participating in the challenge this month. The details are in my post on Crate's blog. :) I'll be back tomorrow to post another page for my December Journal, I'm a guest designer this month for a journaling based blog!

8 things I love: Saturday

2011-12-03T11:33:00.000-08:00

just popping in this afternoon to post my Saturday 8 things list! I must say how much I adore this color combo, grey + yellow + a little gold = spectacular!

metallics by taraanderson featuring slip on shoes

1. light flowy (not a real word, I know) blouse
2. Grey dress pants, straight leg
3. Vintage Wool coat ( I love this yellow one with the fur color!)
4. perfect small clutch
5. Leopard flats (for staying in)
6. metallic heels (for going out)
7. gold rings
8. gold cuff bangle (I adore light pinks with gold, it's so feminine!)

That does it for today! I need to get back to cleaning and scrapbooking. I have some special people coming to visit us this week and I need my home to be holiday guest ready!. Happy weekend. Oh and yes, I absolutely plan on posting photos of our Christmas trees, there are 3 this year!

December is here!

2011-12-01T14:34:00.000-08:00

Remember this photo of my box of vintage Christmas ornaments I posted last year?

Well, I collected a few more this year! and this is only some of them, I used a bunch and then remembered to take a photo. What luck I have! :)

Are you ready for December? I just finished putting our trees up today and I think the house is mostly finished being decorated. The Christmas dishes are being washed and I have a whole list of projects and crafts to do this holiday season! So exciting! But first, I will be watching The Santa Clause tonight and continuing to wash dishes. :) What's your opinion on Christmas dishes? yay or nay?

Oh! and I added my holiday playlist to the side bar here ----> It's some of my favorite Christmas music - enjoy!

a winner, plus some other stuff

2011-11-26T09:54:00.000-08:00

Sorry! Yesterday ended up being so incredibly hectic, and I didn't go anywhere.... well, with the exception of the post office. :) I did have plans to go out on Black Friday but I chickened out at the last minute and decided I really didn't need anything desperately enough to brave the crowds. Instead, I tidied the house and put away some of the Fall decorations in preparation of my 23285394875 + boxes of Christmas stuff.

Now, onto the important stuff!

and the winner of the of December Journal is:

Kanani said...
LOVE the colors and textures in the peppermint journal kits! thanks for the chance to win!

21.11.11

Thank you to everyone who left such sweet comments! It's so hard giving away just one kit... but I have a few more giveaways planned for December. It seems like the perfect month for gifting handmade items doesn't it?! I'm on my way to Home Depot this afternoon, exciting, right! I need a few paint samples for my next color challenge with Crate Paper. Have a wonderful Saturday and weekend!

Peppermint GiveAway!

2011-11-21T07:17:00.000-08:00

Good morning! What could be a better way to start off this week than with a giveaway? :) I had so much fun this weekend with the reopening my little shop, (thankyou to everyone for your purchases and sweet comments! I really do love creating ~ especially Christmas items!) I thought a Holiday Kit would be perfect to giveaway. Today's giveaway is one of my Peppermint December Journal kits!

Starting next month, I'll be doing little step-by-step tutorials on creating some of the pages for this journal. I've always wanted to create a December Journal but I didn't want the pressure of having to photograph and scrapbook everyday. I created this journal with that idea in mind, a 6x6 inch mini that I could fill whenever I found a free moment! {December might be the most wonderful time of year but it's also the busiest!}

To enter this pepperminty Holiday Giveaway just leave a comment at the end of this post! I'll choose a winner this Friday. Good luck and happy Monday everyone! ~ Tara

Etsy Update

2011-11-19T09:04:00.000-08:00

it's all updated and I gave my shop a little makeover this week complete with a new name! yay for a productive morning! I have still a few more things to add to the shop this afternoon but so far it's coming right along. :)

If you have any questions about the shop, I'm going to be working all day and I have my computer next to me so feel free to drop me a line! Have a wonderful weekend ~ Oh! and I'll be doing a little Holiday Giveaway on Monday.... if you feel like popping back in! :)

Etsy, part 2

2011-11-17T20:22:00.001-08:00

Today was all about photos and music. I finished taking my photos this afternoon, did a little scrapbooking and found a new favorite song. I'd say that makes for a pretty spectacular day! Other than Etsy I'm working on the next Everyday Challenge for the Crate Paper blog. This month's challenge topic will be a first for me so it's kind of special. My challenge post will go up on Monday if you happen to feel like scrapbooking next week. ;)

here's a few more photos for Etsy. I really love Christmas colors, they're so pretty and girly. It's such a fun change from all the orange and black we had for Halloween just a couple of weeks ago!

{I made another little page for my December journal using one of the kits. I'm on a roll!}

and I found this song, that I think is so amazing! I must be late finding this song so it may not be new to you but I put it on repeat tonight and edited all of my photos to it! It's my new fav work song.

Time for some peppermint tea and a little menu planning for next Thursday! good night!

Etsy preview

2011-11-16T19:11:00.000-08:00

it's late but I wanted to post some of the photos from today! I still have 2 full kits to photograph tomorrow but I am almost ready! I'm going to say that I will be re-opening the shop this Saturday morning. Like most of the kits I've put together I included a few vintage items I've been saving for the right project. I even pulled out this old box of vintage type writer paper to create little tags for each product. I do love my sewing machine and typewriter. :)

~ onto the photos!

This last photo is part of a kit that I'll be photographing tomorrow. I already dove into the kit and starting playing with some of the pages.... just getting a head start on my own December mini!

So, I'll come back tomorrow and add a few more photos. I also want to put together a giveaway for Saturday.... something perfect for the holiday!

just another Monday

2011-11-14T17:26:00.000-08:00

I came home this afternoon in a great mood, I had after all, just found the most beautiful vintage red coat while at an antique store earlier this morning. (I've already asked Peter to take me on an afternoon date up North so that I can wear it!) I was all ready to get to work and start photographing when..... I got a phone call.

Our neighbors 15 yr. old son was having an eye-brow emergency and who's the first person you call in a situation like that? Well apparently, me. So, after making an eye-brow house call and trying to calm down a teenager, I had lost the best light of the day and my mojo was a little wiped out. (If you're wondering how I went from a red coat with a gorgeous fox fur trim to teenage eyebrows, I can only say that my life is completely random and you got to move fast to keep up!) Can I just say now, that no one could pay me enough to be a teenager again. Remember when something as simple as eyebrows could be the deal breaker to your popularity in high school?
No thank you.

I did take a few photos though. I'm in the process of packaging everything now. I'll be wrapping up the smaller kits tonight. Everything is pretty and layered and a tiny bit sparkly. I love the packaging process!

I'm hoping to start taking photos again tomorrow.... that is if I don't get another phone call. :)

8 things I love: Saturday

2011-11-12T11:44:00.001-08:00

I'm taking a little break this afternoon to post my outfit of the week! The closer to winter we get, the more excited I am about jackets! My Grandmother gave me a few of her winter coats, the old wool ones with the fur collars. I am so determined to wear them this winter and even if doesn't get the cold here, I'm going to take the chance of being overly dressed and wear them anyway! :) So, this weeks '8 things' is Grandma inspired!

winter weekend by taraanderson featuring straight leg stretch jeans

1. comfy knitted sweater
2. wool coat
3. dark straight leg jeans
4. big knitted scarf
5. fuzzy ear muffs
6. leather tote bag (I love anything in an eggplant color!)
7. printed gloves
8. brown riding boots
+ 1. a pine scented candle from Bath and Body Works because cactus' don't smell very holiday-ish!

and...... I'm working on an update for my Etsy shop! I'm so excited about this too because it's just in time for Christmas. I've put together 3 different Holiday/Christmas kits; Peppermint, Sugar Plum and Sleigh Ride. Each kit has handmade paper stickers, vintage bits and bobs, garlands, snowflakes and layers of paper. I made an extra kit for me so I can play along this December too!

{I took these with my phone today. I'll be added some much better photos on Monday as I get each kit all packaged up!)

alright, I'm off to get some more sewing done! Enjoy your weekend!

a quick hello

2011-11-07T17:59:00.000-08:00

just getting the Color Challenge post ready tonight for Crate Paper. It goes up tomorrow morning!!

8 things I love: Saturday

2011-11-05T08:04:00.000-07:00

It's a chilly 50 degrees out this morning. If you live some place where 50 degrees is no big deal and your rolling your eyes while continuing to read this, I'll apologize now, because here in the desert it might as well be -10 degrees. We are freezing. :) But the cooler weather and rain make it seem a bit more Fallish which is always a welcomed event!

With the arrival of cooler temps ~ I wanted to make today post match with a pretty Fall/Winter outfit!

almost winter by taraanderson featuring post earrings

1. frilly neutral tones tops
2. Dark Indigo jeans
3. Peacoats (especially in jewel tones)
4. Black Ankle boots (these boots paired with a dark boot cut jean will make your legs look a mile long. If you don't have a pair of boots put these on your wishlist!)
5. Diaper bag that no one would ever guess was an actual diaper bag.
6. Vintage inspired rhinestone earrings
7. Floral Wallets
8. Merry Merry Pink perfume

The kids and I are getting bundled up to head out this morning. Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Friday photos ~ Disneyland

2011-11-04T09:43:00.000-07:00

Hello folks. I'm afraid I have been flying a bit under the weather this week. It was such a busy week/weekend that I think I may have out done myself and so, here I sit wrapped up in blankets on the couch. It's a peppermint tea - chicken soup - cough drops kind of day! While I haven't felt up to making anything, I have done lots of photo editing ~ at least something other than cleaning up from Halloween was accomplished! As promised I thought I would share some of my favorite photos from our Disneyland trip!

I think 2 days at Disneyland with 2 small kids would have been enough, but since my parents, little niece and our friends were with us, we decided to add an extra day. (I think for everyday you spend at Disney you'll need at least 2 to recuperate!) If you're on the fence about visiting during the Halloween season, I'd lend my vote to "it's absolutely worth it!" The park was beautiful!

Our friends Danielle and Lee met us for 2 days at the park and my kids could not get enough of them. :) Peter and I are so grateful for wonderful friends and we get to see them again for Christmas! lucky us!!

I'll be doing an "8 things I love" post tomorrow and I'm really hoping that by next week I'll be back to normal and get on a regular posting schedule again. Happy Friday!

it's Halloween time!

2011-10-26T13:54:00.001-07:00

If you've followed my blog for awhile, you probably have a good idea that Halloween is my favorite and my best! I don't know why I find it so appealing, maybe the colors? I do like bright colors mixed with black and white! There's also the candy, the dressing up part, the overall excitement that goes hand in hand with the holiday.

and I also love how anxious my kids are about going trick-or-treating. Alaina's been practicing each evening at our own house. She always starts the same way too "Mom, let's pretend I'm a tricker-or-treater!" and then she goes on to ring our doorbell. :) While my kids are young, I think the holiday is just as exciting for me as it is for them.

Our front yard is already for the 31st! I'll take you on a walk through out it. First, while wandering the aisles of Target I found this amazing black foil chandelier (for only $5. score!) and while it wasn't meant for outside, it ended up being perfect for the front entry. It's shimmering in the sunlight and then reflects the twinkly orange/pink lights at night.

I turned our fountain off for the moment and filled it with strands of little twinkly lights. The glow at night is perfectly spooky, and then just for fun, I perched the crow atop of the fountain. For about the first week, I kept doing a double take every time I walked past the front window and glanced out. :) That crow looks surprisingly real!

and because it's my house, skeletons have to wear pink flowers in their..... hair? on their heads. :)

Chase and I were out thrifting 2 weeks ago in an older part of town and came across someones collection of Empire Plastic lawn ornaments. I picked up 2 small pumpkin figurines, but left behind some larger ones... that I ended up kicking myself over once I got home! Since the wiring for the pumpkins looked like it was still from the 60's I replaced the lights with new lighting kits from Home Depot. I never thought I would be one to own any of those vintage plastic lights, until now! They are really pretty at night!

a couple more photos of decor details

I have 5 pumpkins waiting to be carved on Sunday!

I had this candy garland in mind last year as something I wanted to make for Halloween. It's made from toilet paper rolls (I feel silly for even saying it), plastic cups and pom-pom or poof-balls as they are often referred to as in our house. For the longer candies, I rolled fabric around and used pinking shears to cut the end fabric off. The small round candies were made by cutting the end off of a plastic cup and gluing a paper circle into it, and finally I wrapped each one in black tulle and used sewing thread to tie off the ends.

I couldn't decide on a good place to hang the garland and decided to just be content with draping the entire 9ft. of candy on the courtyard gate. It's cute but I still think the gate needs a "Happy Halloween" sign to hang right in the center.

lastly I haven't added anything new to the inside decor except for a couple of new ornaments for one of the Halloween trees. :) I'll fill each of the little pumpkins with candy-corn this weekend. We have some extra kids coming to visit us this weekend!

thanks for touring my front courtyard!! It's now time to turn on all of the outside lights. :)

photos, photos & some more photos

2011-10-25T14:39:00.000-07:00

the problem with an amazing vacation is the amount of photos that quickly accumulate.... but how could you go to Disneyland and not take a billion photos?

I'm hoping to have a bunch more photos edited in the next few days. I love taking and sharing photos, editing though, not so much. xo ~ T

it's Challenge time!

2011-10-22T14:15:00.000-07:00

hello and happy Saturday to you! I meant to post this before I left on vacation but there was way too much to do and so, here it is, on a Saturday. :) This months Color Challenge with Crate Paper ~ the details of the challenge are posted on the blog. I knew I wanted to make a mini for the Fall season and even though this month is all about orange I was determined to create a color combination that wasn't expected. No orange for this month!

This month's colors are Peacock Green ~ Mustard Yellow and Wheat ~ I think these colors are so complimentary to Autumn photos or Fall themed projects!

I created this mini album using coaster sized chipboard, Hambly transparencies, lots of Crate Paper Chipboard accent pieces and Patterned Paper. It's called Autumn Plans - think December Daily except geared towards Fall - It measures only 4x4 inches, large enough for photos & journaling and yet small enough that it's completely manageable. I think I made this entire little book in one afternoon!

I filled the album with a combination of photos, to-do lists, quotes, ATC's (from last year) and I plan on adding more photos as I take them. I still have lots of baking to do with the kids, our annual Autumn hike in Sedona, some arts & crafts time and the kids' Fall festival at school. busy-busy!

What are your Autumn Plans this year? This month is going by entirely too fast but I am happy to say that I have the house and yard all decorated for Halloween. I just need to pick up one bag of every possible candy available at the grocery store and I think I'm all set! I'm off to finish up some laundry and then it's on to making a candy garland! Hope you're are having a lovely weekend!

helloooo!

2011-09-28T12:38:00.001-07:00

I am so bad. I meant to come back here last week but in the words of my daughter "you're busy, busy, busy. You have 2 kids," and you know what? It's true, I do have 2 kids. So, that's what I'm going to attribute my lack of blogging to. :) AND my baby started preschool this week! Little Chase is now in school, it's only been 2 days so both him and I are trying to transition ourselves into this new adventure. I wish I had photos to share, but sadly I don't. He wanted absolutely nothing to do with the camera on his 1st day and when I picked him up he immediately wanted to go home. No photo opts for us!

On the Crate Paper front, I created a few new projects, tutorials and layouts this month. It's always a good thing to be inspired..... and finding a little extra mojo doesn't hurt either. :)

I recycled this project, but I love the Random chipboard pieces from Crate. It was reason enough to re0create this canvas!

I loveeee these colors, it reminds me of a pretty shabby vintage Christmas. Everything used for this layout is Crate Papers new Peppermint collection. I may be trying to introduce an icy sea-foam blue into my holiday decor this year!

I've also done a couple of post's on gift wrapping recently. I've dubbed them "Crate Scraps to Gift-wrap." You can check out of my 5 simple must haves for a lovely gift in this post!

and if you need some ideas for Holiday gift wrap click here for my Crate Paper post!

and after all that, I still have one more Crate layout to share later this week, but here's a peek. :)

Ok, so that should bring me up to date with the creative happenings of this past week. whew~ that was quite the post! I need to run to the grocery store and then onto Starbucks for a quick pumpkin latte before dinner! Happy Wednesday all!

Crate: my home

2011-09-21T09:52:00.000-07:00

First off, thank you for the all the positive thoughts, prayers and kind words and even though some of them made me cry, I still really appreciate the thought.

You know when you experience something on a large scale, and you know you're never going to be the same again? and yet, you also know that you have to put on a smile, muster up enough grace to get through each coming day (even if you don't have the energy to change out of your pjs) and be the wonder mommy and wife you need to be for everyone? Well, that right now, is me. I find it very peculiar how something so life altering for me could have happened not even 2 weeks ago and realistically my everyday life is much the same as it was. I don't really understand how it's possible.

So, for the past 2 weeks, I have done almost nothing on the creative front. I knew I had to prepare Crate Paper's monthly challenge post for the blog and yet I've felt anything but inspired lately. I had already chosen the word Home for the challenge and like most of my work, I just wanted to create something light hearted and simple. It was a good thought in theory but I just wasn't that into it. And then a really simple idea came to me, I'd write my grandparents a letter.

Simple and maybe not quite as lighthearted as I would have liked but this layout came together in just an hour and for the "home" theme it was perfect.

If you feel like scrapbooking this week/weekend check out my challenge here.

I'll be in and out this week, I have a bunch of projects I've completed for Crate paper that I wanted to post and I really do want to get back to creating, I just need to carve out some time! xo ~ T

on hold

2011-09-09T14:40:00.000-07:00

I stayed up late last night, trying my best to sort through the overwhelming grief and disbelief that comes from loosing a loved one. Not just a family member but my 2nd Mom, and now the day after her passing I'm met with the surrealness that even though my world feels as if it has stopped, the world outside continues on as if nothing has happened and I sit here wondering how that's possible. Why is death so final? Having lost both my grandparents within the past 10 months, I think the day after is the worst. Having to wake up with the realization that from that moment on, my life with that person will cease to continue. The idea that if I call their phone number, no one will be there to answer. I of course have 30 years of memories and photos but some how, today, it doesn't seem to be enough.

Good bye to the most wonderful grandmother I could have asked for. I will miss you forever.

I'm taking the rest of the weekend off. Peter's parents are on their way down from California and I promised the kids that we'd spend the weekend together.

summer photos

2011-09-07T12:19:00.000-07:00

I decided today called for some summery photos. I've been busily working away on a couple of Christmas projects at the moment. Presents have been wrapped and photographed and now it's time for a little break and some lunch!!

Happy summer-time!

8 things I love: Saturday

2011-09-03T10:28:00.000-07:00

Plus a few extra things!

weekend away by taraanderson featuring hair bow accessories

I'm taking the kids to California next month for an extended weekend. Lots of walking, photo taking and hanging out with friends and family! fun-fun. So, I've been planning out what to pack already... I know, I am so dorky but what can I say, I like clothes!!

the colors of September

2011-09-02T14:17:00.000-07:00

It seems the more time I spend at Crate Paper, the less I post here. The Crate Paper blog has taken over! I really need to work on finding a good balance because I don't know how other's are able to manage 2 blogs. It's not easy - 2 posts in one week! whew!!! I just posted my Color Challenge for Sept. on the..... I'll warn you though, it's really pretty and you're probably going to want to contribute to the challenge this month! ok go ahead and click on the link -----> Crate blog.

This months color palette was inspire by the lovely Napa Valley. Have you ever had the chance to visit Napa during Autumn? I use to pass through Napa often, on my way out to the ocean for the day and was always taken aback by the changing landscape. Sometimes the vineyards in Fall would glow a coral-orange color and the hillsides would turn a purpleish-red in the shadows. It's one of those places you'd have to see for yourself to really appreciate.

Here's our color combination:

I created 2 layouts this time around. I actually made a 3rd project but decided to save it and post it later this month. I clearly have too much fun with these challenges!

(pie-charts are my new love!)

ok, so that brings us up to date with the challenge! I've spent the entire week scrapbooking, I'm thinking I deserve to take the weekend off. There's fun to be had and some summer sales at the mall to check out. Happy Friday!

8 things I love: Saturday

2011-08-27T10:00:00.000-07:00

it's Saturday, woo-hoo!! Here's what I've lovingly deemed the weekend-mommy-uniform. :) It's just the kids and I here this weekend, Peter has ditched us for a convention in town, which is completely ok with me! It's actually much too hot to be out and about this weekend and Alaina really wanted to have a craft date today. I'm also pretty positive we'll be making a date with our pool later on. :) Here's to lazy weekends!

weekend shopping by taraanderson featuring sheer scarves

1. White t-shirts
2. Worn blue Jeans!!!
3. cute scarfs
4. floral cocktail rings
5. gold cuff bracelets
6. casual tote bags
7. flat Skechers
8. tinted lip gloss

Summer Tea

2011-08-26T12:59:00.000-07:00

Back in the mid 80's my family moved us across country from soggy Washington to beautiful Selma, Alabama and so started my obsession with iced sweet tea. I don't remember much of Selma, just a couple of random things, one being a local restaurant that served iced tea in these massive (to a 4 yr. old mind you) mason jars. Seriously though, how could anything served in a mason jar not be good?

Now decades later I have my own collection of mason jars and have made, what I think to be, the perfect tea concoction! During the summer months, when fruit is at it's best, I'll play around with different combinations of fruity teas. There's white tea & honeydew, jasmine tea & blueberries and my personal favorite: nectarine & mint tea.
Here's my take on an ode to the south sweet tea!

Nectarine Mint Sweet Tea

you'll need:
6 cups water
2 tea bags
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup water
1 bunch mint leaves
3 nectarines
4 cups ice

directions
1. In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar with 1.3 cup of water. Bring to a slow boil and stir often until the brown sugar has completely dissolved. Let the syrup cool to room temperature.

2. In a large kettle, bring 6 cups of water to a boil. Remove heat and steep 2 tea bags. Let the tea cool to room temperature.

3. While syrup and tea are cooling, rinse and cut nectarines.

4. Once the tea has cooled, add tea, syrup, nectarines and mint to a large pitcher. Store in the refrigerator. I tend to think the tea is better after 'resting' for a day in the fridge.

Hope you are having a lovely Friday!!

New Crate Challenge

2011-08-23T10:30:00.000-07:00

Did you happen to catch my latest post on the Crate Paper blog? I'll be hosting a 2nd monthly challenge for Crate Paper. The concept for this monthly challenge is really simple, in fact the name of the challenge basically gives it away: Crate Everyday!! You can read more about the challenge, rules and the amazing prize (2 Crate collections of your choice!!) on the Crate Blog.

Essentially this challenge will be centered around an everyday idea in the form of a prompt and it's up to you on how you'd like to interpret each prompt. Easy enough right? Since this was the debut challenge, I thought I'd kick off this month's prompt with the word Routine.

I created this mini album, using Crate's Accent cuts, about 10 simple things i do everyday. (I love projects that read like a list!)

I also created a layout for the challenge. I hate to admit this but I am the worst grumpy person ever in the mornings. I try to attribute my CMG (chronic morning grumpiness) on a number of things, however, I'm starting to believe that I am just not meant to be a morning person. This page is my "morning confession from a night owl" layout. :)

If you enjoy challenges where you are more "creatively free" this challenge will hopefully be to your liking. If your like me and like some sort of definitive restraints to the challenges you contribute to, hopefully you'll join me for my monthly color challenge! Thanks for stopping bu today! xo~ T

8 things I love - Saturday

2011-08-20T12:54:00.000-07:00

wishful Fall thinking here this morning!! I personally cannot wait for cooler weather just so that I can wear comfy sweater dresses again.

Untitled by taraanderson featuring a snake belt

1. sweater dress
2. boyfriend jacket
3. retro watch
4. rock or stone rings
5. skinny belts
6. any Betsey Johnson tights!
7. black riding boots
8. large stripe tote bags

Canvas winner!

2011-08-19T21:49:00.000-07:00

finally!! the night is all mine and I have time to visit my computer again! The winner for the photo canvas has been chosen ~ Congrats to: Hilary!!

Hilary said...
Oh, I'd love to win this for my new apartment!
I "liked" them on FB.

x Hilary

16.8.11

and because I can't do a post without a photo, here's a little peek at Monday's post! I've been working on a new project and it's almost ready to come to life. :)
thankyou to everyone who left a comment about your favorite challenges!

happy weekend!

mom, I want to be rain.

2011-08-18T20:49:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow will mark the end of our first full week of 2nd grade! Like most mommies, this week has been all about getting back into the swing of things. Homework, packing lunches, new bus stop times, 08972359862395 forms to fill out.... yep, school is back in session! and every day after school Alaina sits down with her snack and tells me about the daily happenings from a 6yr. olds perspective.

Today's conversation went something like this:

Alaina: Mom, Katie wants to be corn.

me: Really? Like for a Halloween costume?

Alaina: No, she just wants to be corn.

me: Well, that's unique.

Alaina: and I want to be rain, in a storm, because lightning and thunder are cool.

me: Rain would be a good choice.

Alaina: and it smells nice too. Oh, and Chase wants to be a panda. - -

Someday, I'm going to crate a little book of all our random conversations. The chronicles of Alaina. I think it would be a fun idea to record everything and be able to look back on our daily ramblings. Do you ever save or scrapbook some of the stories your children tell?

I'll be back tomorrow to choose a winner for the photo canvas!

Tuesday Giveaway from:

2011-08-16T09:44:00.001-07:00

Canvas Prints

Every now and then I receive an email of an opportunity for a product giveaway and when Megan from Easy Canvas Prints wrote to me about the beautiful gallery wrapped canvases they create, I knew it would be a spectacular product worthy of sharing with everyone! The canvases are stunning and when paired with perfectly styled rooms, a custom photo canvas could be the ultimate center piece for the favorite room in your own home!

Easy Canvas Prints is giving away an 8x10" custom photo/print canvas to one lucky winner!

How do you enter this giveaway?

1. Click here to "Like" Easy Canvas Prints on Facebook

2. Leave a comment, with your name & email address, at the end of this post.

Easy-peasy right? This contest will end on Friday the 19th, and I'll post a winner that same evening.

Good luck! xo~ Tara

8 things I love- Saturday

2011-08-13T14:25:00.000-07:00

Birthday Bash by taraanderson featuring cropped jeans

1. Aviator sun glasses
2. large printed tote bags (big enough for extra kid toys & snacks but still cute for mom!)
3. Sequined top in an earth-tone
4. drape-y cropped cardigan
5. cuffed denim
6. wood grain platform wedges
7. vintage inspired jewel rings
8. barely there nail polish

they say it's your birthday,

2011-08-12T13:29:00.000-07:00

So, I was thinking about this a couple of weeks ago. It's a birthday coincidence. Every one of my birthday's that have ended with a zero, I've lived in a different state. Here's the list so far!

1st birthday - born in Washington
10th birthday - lived in California
20th birthday - lived in Hawaii
30th - in Arizona

at this rate, I'm going to need to decide on the next state to live in for the next big birthday! haha. No really, after this summer (which we still have about another 2 more months of) Peter and I are really questioning how long we can continue living in the desert. I'm thinking maybe New Mexico or Oregon. We'll see in 10 years from now where life takes us!

What could possibly be a more perfect birthday present than flowers and a tea tray? Alaina gave me this elephant tea pot as a b-day gift! She wanted to have a mommy/daughter tea party this weekend and we do love tea and cookies in this home. :)

Peter and I have a sushi date planned for tonight ~ yay for date nights and a great babysitter! Happy Friday everyone!

fabric friendship bracelets tutorial

2011-08-10T10:27:00.000-07:00

While I was in Oregon I found this really colorful woven fabric rug (kind of hippy-ish but so cool!) and decided I'd have to find somewhere in the house where it would be useful. Well it lasted for 4 whole days in front of the patio door before our 3 yr. old Lab chewed the corner of it. Oh well - it was a cute rug.... for 4 days. Rather than toss it in the trash, I started to think of projects where I could repurpose the fabric. After dismantling, cleaning and drying all of the fabric strips I remembered an old summer favorite - braided friendship bracelets!

To get started you'll want to use long strips of fabric (about 2ft.+ long), preferably cotton as it's easy to work with and I like that it frays on the edges a little.

Choose 3 fabric strips and use a clip to hold the fabric in place. Of course, if you have an extra set of hands available, ask for help in holding the fabric. To keep tension on my fabric I put a heavy book on top of the clip.

Loosely braid the fabric. When you get close to the end of your fabric, take a moment to measure the bracelet to your wrist. Since this is a slip on bracelet, you'll want to make sure you have enough room to wiggle the bracelet over your hand.

(I bribed Alaina to be my little hand model :))

Once you have made the bracelet to fit your hand (and because we're using cotton you can stretch the fabric a little too) remove the clip and hold both ends together. I would measure one last time before we sew the ends together! Measure twice and sew once!

Lay your bracelet flat, with both ends pushed together. Then using a straight stitch, sew the ends together, going forward and backward to ensure that all of the fabric has been sewn together and is secure.

Remove the bracelet from the sewing machine, trim off strings and cut fabric to just above where you sewed.

To cover up the sewed edges, cut or tear a piece of fabric about 2 inches wide and about 8 inches long. Slip the fabric into the bracelet where you sewed the ends and tie a single knot. Trim off the extra fabric from your knot.

We played with fabric combinations all afternoon, mixing and matching contrasting colors with patterns. I forgot how fun making simple bracelets could be and I'll bet if you try this tutorial, you'll end up making more than one! I think Alaina and I made 6 bracelets on Sunday. (4 for us and 2 for her friends.) :)

Happy crafting! xo~ Tara

Coffee Frosting recipe

2011-08-09T21:53:00.000-07:00

Instead of posting a weekly menu, which wasn't terribly exciting this week - lots of salads, I thought I would share a recipe I made over the weekend. Sunday was the husbands birthday and as a tradition he got to choose a cake. This birthday a Coffee Cake with Coffee Frosting was requested. Peter told me that they use to have a similar cake when he was young, so I was a little extra determined to create a really good cake for the b-day boy!

For the cake part, just the basics were used; flour, sugar, eggs, baking powder, salt, milk, vanilla and butter. Now for the frosting it took 2 tries in order to get it right. My mistake on the first run? Butter. I don't use it so I tried, unsuccessfully, using a spread which was a total waste of time. After a quick trip to the grocery store I was ready for a round 2. Here's the recipe!

Coffee Frosting

ingredients
1/2 tsp. of instant coffee grounds, crushed to a powder
pinch of salt
1/8 cup milk
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/4 cup powdered sugar/ confectioners sugar * you can add a little more or less depending on how sweet you like your frosting to be*
1/2 tsp. vanilla

directions
Mix coffee powder, salt, and butter in a medium sized bowl with an electric mixer, and beat until butter is smooth. Add half of the powdered sugar and milk into the butter mixture, and mix to incorporate. Add the remaining sugar and milk and mix at low speed to incorporate. Beat frosting at a med-high speed until desired consistency is reached. *I mixed my frosting on a high speed for about 6-8 minutes.*

This frosting was a whipped, buttery, sweet topping that was a perfect match to the dense coffee cake and Peter agreed! Success!

a question for you

2011-08-06T20:46:00.000-07:00

As I sit here on the couch tonight, not scrapbooking, a thought popped into my head. If you had to choose a scrapbook challenge to contribute to, what type of challenge would you be more apt to play along with? Of course I know your first choice would be my Color Challenge with Crate paper, ;) so what would be your 2nd choice?

{ I did however make 2 more garlands today.... at least something creative was accomplished!!}

LakeBay ~ Crate

2011-08-06T08:35:00.001-07:00

**eta** I know that the new product collections for Crate haven't shipped yet, so if you're asking yourself about that Denim color I chose for this color combo, here's my idea to remedy this conundrum. The Denim, is only a shade, don't worry about the teture! For this challenge I'll allow any shade of Denim that you'd like to use. Check out this color chart for lot's of denimy (is that even a word?) blue shades!

If you have time to scrapbook this next week, I posted my Color Challenge on the Crate Paper blog yesterday. Have I mentioned that the winner from this challenge gets to choose a any Crate collection as a prize? Not too shabby right? If I were to win, at my own challenge, it would be a toss up between the new Random Collection (which is so totally me!) or the Portrait
Collection. :)

This month's color combo is called "The Lakebay House." This actually wasn't my first choice for a color combo for the month, I had a different combo picked out and my finicky taste changed at the last moment and I went with Lakebay instead. Turns out though, this was the much better choice! I hope everyone likes it as much as I did!!!

I also had time to make a mini of little Chase! Just like this mini I chose a subject and took a series of photos to use. It's a simple idea for an album! The fabric pages are fabric swatches, (I scored an entire book of swatches from a local upholstery fabric store!) and the fabric tabs at the top of each page are from Home Depot.

Do you any crafty plans for the weekend? I'm going to try and spend a little time scrapbooking this afternoon and I'll be trying out a new coffee cake recipe sometime today. I don't think there could be a better way to spend a Saturday!! Happy creating!

one summer photo

2011-08-04T22:39:00.000-07:00

anyone up for a photo challenge? If you could describe summer by only using a photo, what would that photo be of? How do you see summer? I still view summer as wild flower laced fields near grandmas house in Grass Valley. Summer afternoons spent playing in the creek and evening horse back rides. Fishing down at the pond with Grandpa and crafty summer art projects. Every summer held so many possibilities and every day was a new adventure to be had. My color combo for tomorrow is very reminiscent of summer-time! If you post a summer photo, let me know where so I can see too!

a week's worth of work

2011-08-03T22:56:00.000-07:00

yep. 1 week, 4 layouts, 2 little books, a custom order and a bunch of lists for the next 5 months of challenges and I think I'm ready to wrap everything up! I should be getting back to a normal schedule soon. I do love my craft time though, staying up until 2am every night sewing and painting is about as adventurous as it gets for me..... the life of being a mommy is quite simple. :)

Here's a little detail of a layout for Crate Paper. I'll be posting on their blog this Friday. It's Crate's Color Challenge time again! It's a different color combo for me, and definitely one that wasn't as common and yet it's quickly become one of my favorites. Can't wait for everyone to see it!

I think I'll do a photo post tomorrow. I've been collecting some pretty photos and have yet to post them anywhere. I'm calling it an early night, I need to have a super productive day tomorrow. Good night all!

Food talk: 7-26

2011-07-26T20:28:00.000-07:00

Funny how Monday's seem to fly by. It's likely because our Mondays are most peoples Sunday, it's our family/errands/laundry day. So, while I would like to keep my menu's on track for posting every Monday.... it rarely happens. Tuesday is fast becoming the new Monday. :)

Menu Outline for 7-25 by TaraAnderson on Polyvore.com

Weekly Menu

Monday:
Chicken Linguine w/ Pesto
Watermelon
Garden Salad

Tuesday:
BLT Cobb Salad (w/ turkey bacon)
Grilled Naan Bread
melons with strawberry's & mint

Wednesday:
Lemon & Herb Fish Cakes
Romaine Leafs with Salad Shrimp & Avocado
Couscous
Honeydew melons

Thursday:
Grilled Strip Steak
Spinach Salad w/ strawberries, red onion, feta cheese and pan roasted sourdough croutons - poppy seed dressing
Roasted Baby Potatoes w/ herb spread

Friday:
BBQ Chicken Salad (tomato, roasted corn, avocado, black beans, grilled chicken)
Watermelon
Berry Lemonade

I haven't thought of anything yet for Saturday's dinner. Sometimes when it gets this hot out, it's hard to be interested in food and we end up eating alot of salads and sandwiches. Things that are easy and light... and generally simple. While I was in Oregon, I found some of my grandmother's & great grandmother's hand written recipes that had been saved all these years. My grandmothers family is German, so a few of the recipes were for things like Sauerkraut Cake and lots of Sourdough recipes. I'm determined to find and recreate at least one of the recipes this week. :) Wish me luck and happy start to a good week!

it's Friday!

2011-07-22T14:41:00.000-07:00

I'm home. Back to my tiny casa in the desert. We arrived home on Monday and I was just telling a friend today that I always go through a readjustment phase when I return home. I've cleaned, dusted, mopped, purchased a new vacuum cleaner, rearranged the furniture a couple of times, hung new/old artwork and reorganized my stuff again & again just for the sake of needing to get reacquainted with my space. Does anyone else do this?

While we were at my grandparents house I found a couple of milk glass dishes. I adore milk glass, I cluster different shapes and sizes together to organize my collections. The small dish type bowls are my fav, oh and the pedestal bowls too! I have a tray on my dresser for jewelry and another tray full in my craft room.

(I'll take some more detialed photos of my craft space as soon as I have some better lighting!)

I made my sister take me to one of her favorite antique stores in Florence where we came across someone's vintage bird collection as well as some nifty cameras. I walked away with 2 phesants, a vintage Kodak Brownie and this vinatge Revere movie camera. Cute isn't it! It still makes the noise of the old films when you turn the dial. :) It's the little things in life that make everday special and interesting!

scenes from the beach #2

2011-07-15T16:14:00.001-07:00

I just discovered that the Safeway's in Florence has wifi. Woo-hoo! and a Starbucks, double woo-hoo! A few more photos of our trips to the beach. The kids are in love with sea shell searching and sea-gull chasing and making sand angels. Yep, those are my children. :) Just a few more days on the Oregon coast and we're home bound for Phoenix. Oh, and I have been taking videos of our vaca but trying to figure out how to upload them has proven a tad bit tricky. I knew I should have read the manual pre-trip! Have a splendid weekend!

summer journal idea:

2011-07-11T10:00:00.000-07:00

I wanted to post last week, but forgot all about it! At the beginning of the year in Alaina's 1st grade class, her teacher handed out journals to each of the students. I believe that they had an allotted time each day to quietly write on their journals. It was so cute skimming through Alaina's journal at the end of her school year. She wrote about how much she loves her little brother, that she wants to be an artist when she grows up because "I'm really good at it," and about how much she and her dad love bacon..... the inner workings of a 6 year are quite humorous.

When Alaina asked me to make her a summer journal that she could take along with her on our trip, I starting thinking of an idea for what could be used to create the front and back cover of the journal. (It would have been easier to just use a compisition notebook but I really wanted something on a smaller scale. Pocket size or just a little larger.) I scoured my craft room looking for the right size chipboard to use as covers but didn't really find anything terribly useful...... until I saw a box of greeting cards!

A greeting card would make a perfect little journal! They're already folded and cute cards are readily available everywhere, but it's especially sweet if you can reuse a pretty card that was given to you. (Do you keep cards that you received? I always keep the pretty cards I receive for special occasions, I figure eventually I'll use them for something useful.

To start I trimmed down to size a small stack of graph paper and folded the sheets in the middle. Just use a couple of staples to hold the paper inside the card.

and no summer journal would be complete without a sheet of stickers. I used to be a sticker queen when I was little and I've obviously passed on the love to Alaina. (Chase too if you noticed his 4th of July flag below!)

There is my easy-peasy summer journal idea! Other add on ideas could be a sheet of printed titles, maybe add a roll of cute washi tape to hold paper notes, and a sheet or 2 of letter stickers. Hope you are able to make a few with you little ones and record those special summer memories!

scenes from the beach

2011-07-08T14:20:00.000-07:00

thought I would pop in and share a few photos. We're hanging out at a McDonald's while I upload photos and the kids can play. It's my only option in this town for a good wifi connection. Beggers can't be choosers I suppose.

I took the kids to the beach for their first ocean experience a couple of days ago! You can tell my kids are tourists because they're clearly dressed for the snow instead of the beach. :) So beautiful but holy freezing Oregon coast!!

Tidal pools are always my favorite, and searching for sea shells. Alaina picked up a wee little hermit crab and screamed and complete terror. It's tough being a kid and growing up in the desert, we're so sheltered down there. Tomorrow will be another beach day for the kids. A sandy beach this time with no terrifying crustaceans!!

Paint Challenge

2011-07-07T09:00:00.000-07:00

It's my turn again to post a challenge on the entreArtistes Magazine blog this month! I have been bitten by the paint bug, lately, when it comes to scrapbooking, so I knew I wanted to do a challenge that involved paint! So for my challenge, which is really simple, is to use paint to write your layout title.

I mixed together a few shades of acrylic paint in white/cream/sand shades. I like using lighter shade as my base. I tend to keep adding more layers of paint until I get the right consistency of texture and then I use spray paint. I love high contrast pages and it's hard to make a mistake with paint. Just remember you can always paint over something you don't feel belongs.

Oh and I also made a sketch! It's my first attempt at trying to make one on the computer rather than hand drawing one. I tried. :) Happy scrapbooking!

Guest Blogger: Jessica from Scrumdillydilly

2011-07-05T09:58:00.000-07:00

hellooo from the road! Since I'll be away from my little craft space, I've scheduled a few scrapbook/craft posts over the next couple of weeks and I plan on actually uploading a couple of videos of our trip. (yep, you're going to get to hear my squeaking voice. :)) But first! I asked my talented friend Jessica, aka "Ms. Queen o'Crafts" if she would do the honors of being my first guest blogger. I thought it would be fun for everyone to see someone else on my blog for a change and I knew Jessica would put a great tutorial together!! Please say hello to Jessica for me!
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Salutations folks! This is Jessica here from scrumdillydilly sharing a little eye candy that is completely, totally and utterly inspired by Tara and her mad paper skills. I absolutely cannot adore her crafty brain enough, can you?

I have a few birthdays coming up and wanted to present the birthday peoples with happy scrappy wee notebooks. Inspired in part by Tara and her mad layering skills and in part because one of the notebooks I picked up has a big blazing word on the front that will not do for a gift at all I decided to create a tiny log cabin "quilt" from paper scraps to add a mad dash of color to the front of each notebook.

I gathered up my paper bits, scissors and my trusty glue stick and began with a mini wonky square.

Next, I added a thin scrap of paper to one side of the square and continued on my merry way, cutting and gluing and gluing and cutting.

I used an index card as my base and added paper until I had no more index card to cover. I flipped the card over and trim excess bits and popped the whole thing into my sewing machine.

I used a medium straight stitch and stitched around the perimeter of the card and then all the way across in a series of rows as wide as the width of my sewing machine foot.

After smothering the back of the stitch-happy paper with double stick tape, I positioned my little bit of color to the front of each notebook and did a little happy dance (along with a wee bit of rootbeer float as it was hot out and I was celebrating).

I think I may be addicted but I am flat out of notebooks. You can whip up your own books with scrap paper, cardstock and staples or cover a series of mini composition books. If yer really brave, you can switch to fabric scraps and whip up itty-bitty log cabin squares for embellishing all sorts of crafty fun. I hope you enjoy my tiny take on Ms. Tara's magic and don't be stranger if you have any questions.

4th spectacular

2011-07-04T09:00:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th of July!!! Time to wave our flags, be grateful for our independence and watch the fireworks! Hope everyone has a safe holiday!

happy 4th by TaraAnderson featuring agate jewelry

my all time favorite rendition of our National Anthem. Nobody can sing it like Whitney!

inspired by: the 4th

2011-07-02T13:30:00.000-07:00

We're celebrating the 4th here a little early this year and on Thursday I had a craft day for the kids and our favorite neighbor. I decided that we would try and make flags to hang and celebrate the holiday with. Any time I can let my kids create something and they get to use up those paper scraps (that pile up a mile high after each scrapbooking project) - is always a positive in my book!

In creating our flags, I gave the kids each an 8 x 10 piece of cardstock and a pair of scissors. I sat out my container of scrap paper, glues, stickers, rhinestones, ribbons, paper punches and flowers and encouraged the little artists to create their own unique flag.

Be prepared for a mess!

**helpful hint #326: Glue Dots and a stapler will be your child's best friends with this project. I always try to keep our craft time to right around an hour, anything that takes longer than an hour is not going to end well for small children. So, it's always helpful to look for short cuts when working with kids!**

It was Chases' first experience working with children's safety scissors. :) His paper did start of as an 8x10 sheet and got smaller as the hour went on.

flag art by: Chase

Alaina wanted to use a little of everything on the table!

flag art by: Alaina

our favorite little neighbor Shavonne just discovered my secret stash of scrapbook flowers!

flag art by: Shavonne

and finally my flag. I sewed all of my layers to a piece of linen. I love the flexibility of linen! If you're making these flags with kids, make sure you use cardstock as your glue will not stick properly to linen.

I don't have a large flag to hang in the front of the house but I think this littler one will be perfect for our front gate.

Happy 4th of July - crafty Saturday to everyone!!

summer time clothes

2011-07-01T22:49:00.001-07:00

a small post this morning inspired by the ocean and sea shells.

summer shopping by TaraAnderson featuring wedge heels

My plan for today: packing! yikes - vacation time is almost upon us!

I also used a few of my photos as inspiration for the styleboard above. I'm totally in love with that lavender/coral color palette, so much so that I think I will use it as a guideline for what to pack for our trip. It seems very beachy and pretty at the same time! My own personal theory when it comes to choosing what to pack is to choose a color combo. This way you can mix and match your clothing choices and everything should still look good together. (that's the goal anyway, as I hope I don't end up looking like a crazy tourist from the desert! ;))

Can you tell I'm excited to be going to the ocean? I have an Inspired by: post coming up a little later today. It's a fun kid's craft!!

getting ready & making a list

2011-06-28T21:08:00.000-07:00

I don't know how most people go about packing for a trip, but for me it's something that I kind of look forward too..... and actually I think packing might just be the most exciting part of the trip. That sounds crazy right? Much like planning my weekly menus, I approach packing in the same way. I make a long list, write down each day and what I plan on wearing for the day - even down to the purse and shoes. Because I'm traveling this time with the kids, I'll do the same with their suitcases. All in a effort to keep things simple and hopefully I won't forget anything! ~ that's the plan anyway.

vintage inspired by TaraAnderson featuring travel bags

I've been playing on Polyvore - careful, it's addicting and extremely time consuming! This is what my mental picture of each day looks like. *dork alert* When I was a little younger, I would separate all of my clothes and accessories into individual bags with a label that had the day of the week. An entire outfit in a bag.... it took the guess work out of wondering what to wear in the morning.

Don't worry, I'm not nearly as organized when it comes to unpacking. In fact, I've been known to take my sweet time unpacking after a trip ~ as in weeks. :))

Monday Menu

2011-06-27T20:13:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile without posting my weekly menu!

I actually enjoy going to the grocery store in the summer time. Not only is it about 40 degrees cooler than the blazing outside temps., now when you first walk into the store you can smell the nectarines & peaches. yummm! Plus, during summer, it's perfectly acceptable to serve salads every night of week and no one complains! So cooking during this season is super simple!

Here's this weeks menu.

Monday:
Fish Tacos
3 bean salad
watermelon

Tuesday:
Grilled Garlic Chicken
Mango Salsa
guacamole
Salad

Wednesday:
Eggplant Sandwiches
honeydew & blackberries with brown sugar lime sauce

Thursday:
Asian Beef & Vegetable Wraps
"fried" rice * I use brown rice with soy sauce to create an non-fried rice

Friday:
Terriyaki Chicken
Thai Coconut Rice with Mango's
Roasted Zucchini

Saturday: Breakfast night-
Grilled French Toast skewers
grilled white peaches with mascarpone cheese and honey
turkey bacon
eggs

Sunday:
either left-overs or Pizza

Now, time for a late night snack and some photo editing! night-night!

guest designing + Crate Paper

2011-06-20T09:20:00.000-07:00

I think this month has been one of my busiest yet! Thankfully, it's almost over! I was asked to be a guest designer this month at Skissedilla - sketch blog.

I have this layout hanging in my studio right now, it's kind of inspired by the confetti packets I made for Crate Paper's wedding week. Who knew little paper circles could be so inspiring!

I also decided to host the giveaway for the sketch challenge as well ~ a little handmade & vintage embellishment kit, because everyone could use a little something extra!

On the Crate Paper blog today, my very first Crate DIY project has just been posted! Alaina and I got crafty and made a few Art display boards for her room, complete with tiny vintage tart-tin magnets. It's a fun summer craft project to try and it could be completely versatile! I plan on making another larger one for my kitchen pantry - to post the menu plans for the week and other lists.

whew!! I think that covers today's events. I have a whole day of apts. and errands and then a little dinner party to host this evening. Busy indeed - Happy Monday!

lovely sunday

2011-06-19T12:17:00.000-07:00

color inspiration for the weekend - more suited for Spring but still pretty and light enough for Summer.

question of the day

2011-06-15T11:37:00.000-07:00

What do you collect? Off the top of my head, I can think of 5 collections:

1. vintage glass containers/jars
2. postage stamps (especially birds, butterflies, and stamps from Malaysia & Singapore)

3. India flower vases
4. vintage cameras (of course! I have a particular love for Kodak cameras & Polaroids)

5. Orchids (I now have 5 plants living in my kitchen)

Do you collect something unexpected? I will admit, I never thought I would be a dorky stamp collector..... and yet, I have a great collection of pretty stamps. So, I will wear that title proudly!

Got to run and pick up the girl from art-camp. I have a bunch of projects to share for Crate Paper this week and a fun little giveaway as well. Be back soon!

Crate: wedding week

2011-06-09T11:30:00.000-07:00

Over the past few years I've been adding various DIY ideas to my wedding-redo file. How many times have you thought "if only I could re-do my wedding, I would have done _______ differently?" Luckily for me, Peter has promised that when we renew our vows, that I can have that big wedding reception I've been dreaming of and planning for!! So, I've been storing away ideas; from color combinations to flower/plants, place settings ideas, decor concepts and a few menu ideas.

but then.... this week Crate Paper gave us the chance to create something wedding-theme-ish and I got to test out some of my ideas. Since I couldn't choose just one project, I created a few smaller project-ideas. If you don't have a wedding in the near future, I think any of these projects could easily work for an outdoor dinner party too!!

{I did a little write-up about each of these projects on the Crate Paper Blog.} My concept was: vintage cameras mixed with pretty scrapbook supplies.

{Table Number Cards}

{Table Seating Name Cards}

my favorite project! {Tear & Toss Confetti packets} I used a wax tissue paper and sewed them into small bags, filled with some handmade Crate Paper confetti and sewed a small tag across the top!

{mini paper garlands} ~ made from Emma's Shoppe and Portrait scraps

The Crate Paper Blog today, is giving away 2 Portrait Collections, pop over there and leave a comment to enter the giveaway and to see the rest of the design teams wedding creations! xo~ T

from the studio this morning

2011-06-07T09:08:00.000-07:00

I have a few scrapbook layouts and maybe an atc or 2 and a color combo. on the agenda for today. An entire day devoted to being creative... hopefully. :)

Alaina and I love this song right now! Even little Chase dances around the studio when it plays. It's a fun song to listen to while working!
Enjoy your Tuesday!

weekends were made for the zoo

2011-06-05T13:05:00.000-07:00

Warm Sunday morning at the zoo +
Picnic lunch under a shady tree +
Icees to keeps us cool +
2 Enthusiastic kids +
1 cute friend +
= a perfect weekend!

the hide-out queen

2011-06-03T18:08:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you just need to build a fort and hide out for awhile. My imaginary fort is constructed of mostly vintage linens (the pretty floral ones) little twinkling white lights and lot's of big cozy Indian inspired floor pillows. I think that day-dreaming is lovely - even as an adult. It's been almost a month since I've posted here. I suppose, too much has transpired these past 2 months, certainly more than I care to share, so I did what any normal person would do: I hid. Metaphorically of course, as there is no pretty fort to take refuge in. But the much needed break from the Internet has proven to be a wonderful and creatively freeing idea. Just think: you cut out all Internet interaction for one month. Think of all the extra time you would then have to be creative. It's been nice..... and I didn't really plan to be gone for this long but hey, some of my best ideas have started out as mistakes.

live & learn

Creative, I have been. I've had time to scrapbook, to paint, to collage. I put together another Color Combo. for Crate Paper this month. I love color combinations, and Crate Paper and Christine over there just keep proving to be the perfect fit for me. I'm so thankful to have such a great place to be apart of.

I also put together a Push-Pin tutorial for Crate Paper last month. I ended up, clearing out most of my craft room and giving the room to Alaina to move into. So I made a little list of some things I was looking for, for the new craft room-space.

My new craft room - the process.

I found this beautiful end table while out visiting an antique store with Chase a couple of weekends ago. It needed a home and I was looking for something similar but more gold-ish, but for the price, this one was coming home with me. I've since found curtains for the room, light blue. As I complete the room I'll take photos however, I will say that I have had 2 people, just this week, walk by it and ask if that's my craft room.... I must have done something right with it. ;)

and finally, starting this Monday - Crate paper will be hosting an entire week of inspiring wedding themed projects.... and I may have a project or 3 to share next week for their wedding extravaganza!! Oh, and there will be 4 giveaways too, so be sure to pop in throughout the week - because you know you want a chance to win Crate Paper products!! :)

have a beautiful weekend. ~ T

the pink couch

are you ready,

Shabby Apple Winner!

Friday Giveaway: from Shabby Apple!

glitterly gold and a little pink

Fruit and Water combined

8 things I love: Saturday

8 things I love: Saturday

flowers, black stripes & a guest post

our Valentines Day

Monday Menu

8 things I love: Saturday

craft closet - finished.... almost

Pretty Party with Crate Paper

8 things I love: Saturday

me & Cocoa Daisy

8 things I love: Saturday

taking a break

my top 9 of 2011

2011 in photos

the day after

8 things I love: Saturday

photo post

Homemade Ornament Party

be-gifted

twinkly lights

Candy Holiday Shadow Box ~ Crate Paper

Holiday Snowflakes- photo tutorial

8 things I love: Saturday

Doily Envelope- Tutorial

very merry giftwrap winner!

a Very Merry Giftwrap Giveaway!

the Dessert Tree

a late night sneak-peek

Journal your December

a new month,

8 things I love: Saturday

December is here!

a winner, plus some other stuff

Peppermint GiveAway!

Etsy Update

Etsy, part 2

Etsy preview

just another Monday

8 things I love: Saturday

a quick hello

8 things I love: Saturday

Friday photos ~ Disneyland

it's Halloween time!

photos, photos & some more photos

it's Challenge time!

helloooo!

Crate: my home

on hold

summer photos

8 things I love: Saturday

the colors of September

8 things I love: Saturday

Summer Tea

New Crate Challenge

8 things I love - Saturday

Canvas winner!

mom, I want to be rain.

Tuesday Giveaway from:

8 things I love- Saturday

they say it's your birthday,

fabric friendship bracelets *tutorial*

Coffee Frosting recipe

a question for you

LakeBay ~ Crate

one summer photo

a week's worth of work

Food talk: 7-26

it's Friday!

scenes from the beach #2

summer journal idea:

scenes from the beach

Paint Challenge

Guest Blogger: Jessica from Scrumdillydilly

4th spectacular

fabric friendship bracelets tutorial