Archive for the ‘Day Off’ Category

From the Yard

Well, not our yard. These photos are from the home we rented in San Francisco. It was a fabulous oasis in a big city. As a desert rat, I was mesmerized.

On Vacation

I will be out of the studio beginning today, Thursday, July 22 through Tuesday, July 27. All orders will be processed next Wednesday and Thursday. If you have a question or special request I will be answering emails sporadically throughout the week.

We are headed to San Francisco for a family road trip. I will be updating my Flickr and Twitter accounts with fun photos and tweets from our week. I hope you will stop by!

Teacher Gifts

Today was Kate’s last day at Sunflower Preschool. Jack started at Sunflower in 2006 followed by Kate in 2008. The wonderful teachers have been a big part of our lives ever since. I remember searching for a preschool when Jack was still in diapers. Every school gave me heebie-jeebies until the moment I walked through the door of Sunflower. Instantly I knew we were home. In our four years there, not once did I regret our choice. Lately I’ve been ready for Kate to move on to elementary school. I felt that way until I picked her up today. That’s when I began sobbing hysterically. Who knew? (Don’t answer that, Mim)

We are so lucky our kids had such genuine, kind, joyful, respectful and loving women teaching and nurturing them. There is no way we can ever thank them enough. Yesterday, Kate and I made mason jar cookie mixes for teacher gifts. We used a recipe I haven’t tested *gasp* for Butterscotch Cookies in a Jar. I started salivating when I read the recipe, so I’m pretty confident they’ll be good. I labeled the jars with adorable canning labels and tags from my friend and fellow stationer Cyn Thomas of River Dog Prints. I printed the baking directions on purple cover stock and bam! mission complete.

They look amazing, don’t you think?

Strawberry Banana Trifle

My kids are on spring break and frankly, I’m having a hard time getting anything done. That includes blogging. I’ve decided to stop stressing over it and share a recipe I discovered.

A few weeks ago I wanted to make something light, low fat and low sugar. I googled diabetic desserts and was flooded with Angel Food trifle desserts. There were a million variations, so I made my own version with my family in mind. It was embarrassingly easy and turned out fresh, light and delicious.

Strawberry Banana Trifle

• (1) loaf angel food cake (or 1/2 a 9 inch round) torn into 1 inch squares
• (2) pints fresh strawberries sliced
• (3) bananas sliced
• (1) 1.5 oz box Sugar Free/Fat Free Instant Vanilla Pudding (makes 6.5 cups) prepared according to package directions
• (3) cups fat free milk
• (1) 12 oz tub Light Cool Whip

Layer 1/2 angel food cake, pudding, strawberries, bananas and Cool Whip. Repeat layers. Cover and chill 4-8 hours before serving. Serves six.

Everyone ate seconds. Two enthusiastic thumbs up from kids and adults alike.

Wedding Photos!

Our family and friends are giddy over the photos from my sister’s wedding. Arizona wedding photographer Larry Reeves did an amazing job capturing the feeling of the day, the playfulness of Adam and Mel, and the unique details of their wedding.

Larry posted several images on his blog. There were so many amazing details he had to make two posts! The first post focuses on the ceremony and the Wright House where the wedding took place. He captured all the details from the flowers to the fabulous fingerprint wedding bands. The flower girl and the adorable boy in the bow tie are my kids and the handsome officiant is my husband.

The second post highlights the reception, dancing, pies and more details. Mel and Adam chose to skip the traditional cake and receiving line. Instead they opted for pie which they served to each guest. It was incredibly personal and sweet. The pie toppers were designed and made by Melanie. She and Adam are avid birders making the birds a perfect reflection of them.

It was a great day for everyone. Larry and his 2nd photographer Matt Sloan were a joy to spend such a special day with.

Nerdy Wedding Favors

Let me start off by telling you these are not my design, my handiwork or even my idea. My wildly creative sister, Melanie, came up with this ingenious wedding favor design and executed it perfectly. Mel married her true love Adam last Friday. They have always considered themselves nerds. In our family being nerd is cool. It means you are true to your authentic self and don’t really care what outsiders think. Mel’s Facebook bio even reads, “Nerds are awesome. I heard it on NPR” and she’s been spotted wearing a t-shirt that says, “Talk Nerdy to Me“.



Melanie raided the 7-11′s in Mesa, Arizona looking for old style Nerds. She and Adam created six different labels to add to the boxes. The front has a funny photo and the back has crazy “Did you know” tidbits about the bride and groom.

Honestly, aren’t these the coolest wedding favors ever? Why, yes they are!

On Vacation

I will be out of the studio beginning today, Tuesday, March 30 until Monday, April 5. All orders will be processed next Monday and Tuesday. If you have a question or special request I will be answering emails sporadically throughout the week.

I’m happy to tell you I will be with my family in Mesa, Arizona celebrating my sister’s wedding. I will be updating my Flickr and Twitter accounts with fun photos and tweets from our week. I hope you will stop by!

32 Letters Art Exhibition

Last week my featured design was a custom invitation for a children’s art exhibition and school fundraising event. The exhibition was last night and it was spectacular. When I turned the corner and saw the canvases created by the artists in Jack’s first grade class it brought tears to my eyes.

Our class worked on the canvases for several weeks with the guidance of an amazing artist mom. I am beyond thankful for all her hard work. Jack has never had interest in artistic pursuits until this project. He learned art doesn’t have to be literal. He can create something he feels instead of something he sees. Since the project began, a spark has ignited within him. I’ve enrolled him in a summer pottery class and he’s bursting with excitement.

I am so thankful to be a part of a school that truly values the arts. I have friends whose children are enrolled in other schools in our district. They complain there is no time for art. We are blessed to have such an amazing school. My son can read, write and love art. What more could I ask for?

Spring Forward

Happy Saturday! Don’t forget to turn your clocks ahead tonight.
I’m looking forward to spring when we move our life to the backyard.

Mondo Valentine Cookie

Happy Valentine’s Day! Yep, I’m a stationer, but a Valentine card alone is just not going to cut it for my family. Been there. Done that. Earlier in the week I saw this fabulous recipe on Bakerella. Woo hoo! Valentine dilemma solved.

I don’t own a heart shaped pan and there is no way I was going to drag two kids around town to look for one on February 13th. Instead I used a 12 inch spring form pan. It worked flawlessly. We won’t eat it until later today, but we all loved the batter and decorating with the kids was a kick.

Wishing you a sweet Valentine’s day!