Whimsy Lane Hat Giveaway

We just made our 100th sale in our etsy shoppe and we are so excited!
We hope you will come celebrate with us!
{click on image to go to our facebook page}

Teacher's Secret Stash Box

Happy New School Year!
It is nice to have my daughter back in school because she was getting awfully bored, but I sure miss her and all her help with the new baby!

For our first day of school gift this year, the Princess and I decided to make a Teacher's Secret Stash Box. There are several of these floating around in blogland. They are adorable, something that the teacher can actually use, and I got to buy office supplies! I have an obsession with office/school supplies. :) Unfortunately, the teachers at our school buy all supplies, so I don't get to go supply shopping.
We went shopping at Staples, where they had office supplies galore in several different color ways. There was enough from each pack to make two boxes {we loved our teacher from last year so much that we made her box, too}.

Then I designed a cover for the top. I used the Darling Paper Collection and bits and pieces from the Hopscotch Collection ~ both by Shabby Princess. I unfortunately can't share my completed top with you because of the copyright rules, but I am going to share the template so that you can make your own. It will be at the end of the post.

We had so much fun filling up our boxes arranging everything just perfectly.  I think they were a hit with the teachers! They were hard to give away and I need to make my very own!
Here is the template in case you want to make your very own. This fits the standard sized craft organizer. I made one in JPEG format if you are going to print and trace onto patterned paper, and one in PNG format if you are going to design in digitally like I did. Just download the one that works best for you! If you make a box I would love to see it!

Thanks for stopping by!
I linked to these great parties!

Preparing For Baby {DIY Photo Props}


I'm not a professional by any means, but I love taking pictures...especially of newborns. I love browsing through etsy and looking at all the new and trendy photo props. In anticipation of the arrival of our little one, I had an entire list of pictures and props I wanted to use. Unfortunately, my budget didn't allow me to buy everything on my dream list....but it also didn't stop me from creating my own!

At the top of my list were the baby cocoons and hats. I love them. I want them in every color. And now I can! I realized that all they really are is a long tube. It dawned on my that I could easily use my Knifty Knitters {and I wouldn't have to learn to knit} that were tucked away in the closet! I was so excited! I ran right out, bought some yarn, and a couple hours later and two sets of cocoons with matching hats!
I used the Large {Green} Sized ring to create my cocoons. I made it approximately 20" long. My little guy was about a month old before I had a chance to use my cocoon and it was large on him. They have a lot of stretch to them. I used the Small {blue} Sized ring to create the little hats and it fit perfectly. I dressed the cocoon up a bit by tying a blue ribbon around him.
I love the "Pea In A Pod" pictures, so I also made a set in green. I'm still trying to get the perfect picture in a little basket, but I have captured a couple adorable ones!
These are large enough to go up around the baby, so they look all snuggly!
I also made a bowl shaped cocoon using the Extra Large {Yellow} sized ring. I waited a bit too long to use this prop, as my little man doesn't really curl his legs up anymore, making it hard to hide the diaper. He still fit in it, but it was a tight fit and he didn't really like it. This is a prop that would be best for a newborn, as they still curl up and sleep easily.
I didn't make this last one, but I bought the pattern off Etsy and my sweet mother in law made for me while she was visiting. I just love it! She is making me one in a larger size and I can't wait to get more pictures of him in it!

The best part is that I can add these to my Photo Prop Bin and use them when I take pictures of all my friend's new babies! 
I used Photoshop Elements and free actions from Coffee Tea and Photography and also Pioneer Woman to fix and dress up my photos a bit. I think one of the most fun parts is playing around with the photos when you are done!

I joined these parties:

Preparing For Baby {Car Seat Canopy}

Hello! Nicole here!
I'm back after a little (8 month) unplanned break. I was busy creating something wonderfully cute and precious. It was exhausting work, but totally worth it in the end!
I'm so excited to introduce you to the newest ~and long awaited~ addition to our family. He arrived a month ago and has stolen our hearts.
~~William Jay~~

Although I didn't post on the blog, I was busy creating lots of baby things to prepare for the arrival of this sweet little man. Some things I created from scratch and others I used templates and patterns already provided by other fabulous bloggers. I took pictures along the way and I'm going to share it all! I will post as regularly as I can...or should I say as regularly as Will will let me!

{Car Seat Canopy}
My first project was a carseat canopy. They didn't have these 7 years ago when I had my daughter and it was at the top of my baby list for our little man. It took me forevvver to decide on fabric...I mean like 7 months! Everything I liked was way too girly. Then I stumbled upon the Happier Collection by Riley Blake. It was instant love. It comes in several color ways, but here are the coordinates I used.
Then I had to decide on how I was going to do it. I wanted something fancy and unique and different! I found the Zippit Car Seat Canopy pattern on Etsy and ordered it right away. It was a little pricey, but exactly what I was looking for. Plus, she allows commercial use of her pattern without any other additional charges! It was fairly easy to follow, but there were a couple parts that were a little tricky.
I'm so proud of my finished project! I put in a zipper and used piping, velcro and snaps for the first time...and it all works how it is suppose to! 
One of the things that drew me to this particular cover, was the angled side corners. I love that it doesn't touch the ground and get dirty. It is a much more tailored and clean look.
It has a bustle in the back to allow for air flow. It just snaps in place...super easy!
What I love the most, though, is the zippered front.
It is awesome being able to adjust it depending on where we are and what we are doing.
Our little man loves it and instantly falls asleep as soon as he is buckled in.
I give this cover 2 thumbs up and would totally recommend to those wanting to make one! 

I will be back soon with my coordinating diaper bag and accessories.
Once I finally found a fabric I loved, I went a little crazy with it!

I joined these fun parties:



Teacher Gifts

I usually try and go all out with my Year-End Teacher gifts, but with our little guy due any day now, I knew I needed something quick, easy and cute! I've seen several versions of these around blogland....mostly with magazines and sunblock/tan lotion attatched. I opted for fruity candy and lipgloss!
I found the beach towels at Walmart, of all places. I fell in love with the bright colors and stripes! I got a box of fruity Mike and Ikes in a color that matched the towels. I found the chapstick at Big Lots and was so excited. The packaging was just perfect for my Summer Rest and Relaxation theme!
I created a tag in PhotoShop Elements using the Sandbox Kit by Shabby Princess and tied everything together with a coordinating bow. I'm really happy with how they turned out. The princess gives them to her teachers tomorrow and I hope they love them as much as we do!
I joined these fun parties!

Bead Necklaces

I decided I needed some necklaces to match all the bracelets that I've been making! Here are a few of my latest designs!










And More Beads