Off Day

I didn't go in to work today. I just felt that Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday had taken enough out of me with the trip to the dentist, taking the kids to the park, Wal Mart, and playing harder this week. I don't want to burn out cause I've been going full speed so I took the day off.


I reserved two plane tickets for Cabo San Lucas, Mexico! Woot woot honeymoon here we come. Then I decided after all that hard work I was going to get a manicure. I have been picking at my nails and they have been breaking. BD pitched tonight so just in case I got a little nervous and started in on my nails I went to get a manicure. Me, miss I can do it way better than any professional why would I pay someone else money for this, broke down and bit the bullet. You see I can't do a Shellac manicure. I have been patiently waiting to go get one and finally the time was right. No chipping people and it is supposed to last for two weeks! It is awesome so far and only day one. I will be out of town this weekend and next and don't want to have to worry about chippy polish. I'll keep you posted on how this bad boy holds up. I may have to let my guard down to the whole let someone else be in charge of my nails concept. 

Then I threw in a side dish of my amazing homemade Mac & Cheese while my dad grilled some burgers for dinner. This father daughter duo often goes halfsies on dinner. He grills steak. I make a salad. He grills burgers. I make Mac & Cheese. He orders pizza. I go to town and pick it up. Seriously we can rock dinner when we let Mom off the hook. I'll probably miss this when I move, but I'll enjoy not being the main chef for a few more months. 

And finally my day off concluded with some crazy craftiness while listening to Brandon's game. I love finding projects to do while I can listen to my mans game. I am making a new/another style of felt hair accessories. This photo is just the beginning of what is to come not the actual finished product. The other day I asked BD if when I moved and we were married if I could just work from home/start my own business. Not like the 'business' I have now. He of course said sure whatever I wanted. He's great and I love that man. Although this all seems like a great idea...it freaks me out quite a bit.  I have to work really hard, which is fine, and I honestly already have most of the supplies I would need so that is great too. Its the making it successful part I'm not so sure I can conquer. Its sorda my dream though so I owe it a shot right? I also know there are tons of creators out there of similar hair accessories so setting myself apart from others is going to be a huge key too. Anyone have suggestions? Anyone? Ok well just drop a line in my suggestion box (which I now have to add cause it sounds like a great idea). By the way, Brandon's team won and he got the W, this always makes the game easier to listen to. 

 Back to work for one more day then its the weekend, again! The weeks have been flying lately.

Could you guess that I LOVE my new phone. 


Mac & Cheese Sauce Recipe:
1 cup milk. 2 tbsp butter. 2 tbsp flour. salt and pepper. 8 oz give or take of velveeta or american cheese (depending on how cheesy you prefer). 

I love a Challenge

This week I took a small challenge I failed to complete I'm human. I'm busy. I'm trying to plan a wedding for Pete's sake.  One of my daily reads - Little Miss Momma - had a headband challenge last week. I love this blog because its fun, fresh, and real. Anyways as a result  of the challenge I wore a headband  a few days once. I did accomplish a few things I wanted to for my blog and hopefully a future successful shop. 


A tutorial:
I created my own headbands and a tutorial on how to make them. My first ever on my sloooooooowly growing little blog. 


Got Re-inspired:
Having headbands on the mind made me dig back in the archives to these headband photos that I shoved away. I love making these fun blossoms to go on headbands but lately I haven't been focused on that. I think maybe I should stick to them and keep developing to see what they could turn into.

[Wearing a spring Blossom]

Well thats that. Here are my photos from the headband challenge week.

[ Photo from tutorial - easy easy easy]

[Twist on an old headband I made and now love.]

The last photo is a photo of another headband I made this week. Fall is almost here and I love wearing felt. It is going to be tolerable when this one hundred degree weather fades. So excited to be creating fun fabulous headbands again. Thanks Ashley for the kick in the caboose, not that I needed anything else to distract from wedding planning. 


If it isn't to much trouble for you could you head over and 'like' my link for a chance to get featured on her blog? Thanks friends. 

Chocolate Ball Preview

There are three working days left until the CHOCOLATE BALL.  Last year this time I had no clue that I would be spending the nights leading up to the ball staying up late drinking way too much Mtn. Dew and O.D-ing on chocolate. Last year it was just little ol' me flying solo in my booth.This year I am doing things a bit different. Change is good right? Right! My mom Becky and I are teaming up and doing a booth together.  I am solely focusing on my blossoms. She is focusing on her embroidery business, Thread Expressions and newly showcasing her rhinestone apparel, Bling-N-Letters. Less stress for me and less stress for her. We both have SO many different things we could bring to our table (pun intended), but we knew with the amount of time we had, we had to pick and choose.  Here is a tiny preview.

How do you think I should display these? Do they need to go on cards like most bows or just leave them free on the table? What would make you want to buy one? Help please! Check out my sign too! I designed that myself and cut it out on my new birthday gift. Hopefully you'll be seeing that sweet logo more on this page. Going to try to do some blog revamping after this week.

Embroidered finger tip towels by Thread Expressions

In the works: Adorable 'made in america' onesie in rhinestones! To-die-for!

Since the Fourth of July is only about two weeks after the ball we are using that as the theme for our table. I told her today I think I am as sickly in love with RED,WHITE, and BLUE as she is. =) Don't believe me? Look at this cake we she made. I am so excited for her because her stuff is AWESOME! I am biased but she really is so talented and I hope this can generate some business for her.

Don't worry I promise to give you a full run down of the booth live from the ball. Okay maybe not live but as quick as I can get home and upload some footage.

Photo Shoot

The last few days I have been working my little phalanges off trying to get a decent inventory for the Chocolate Ball coming up in only 11 days & working a little overtime with the kids. Today I decided before I forget, and time gets away, or I sell all these beauties (fingers crossed) I must get some documentation. Plus I did not want to sit on the assembly line all day. A girl needs a break okay!


Today would have been a lot quicker and cooler had my sister been here to be my photographer. Why do you live so far away!? Instead... I had to do it myself. I usually do not mind DIY but do you know how hard it is to get good pictures without the awkward arm or camera in the shot? Here is what I got out of countless photos, seriously I do not know how many I took. I relied on the ever faithful Picnik to crop out the camera making them presentable. I love that website.

[This is a photo of one of the Blossom making steps]

[Red,White,and Blue Blossoms for The 4th of July]

This next photo summarizes my day...next time I will wait and let someone else man the camera. Did I mention it was 90 degrees outside. Not exactly perfect picture weather but I managed to keep a smile.

And that is my photo shoot. I think I have a slight crush on photography. Maybe soon I can get some models.

Thanks for letting me share. 

P.S. Nail polish is by Essie. Color/Geranium. Perfect for summer! I love it.

Progress Post

Single Blossom on chain with silver bead

Single Blossom on chain with pearl

Above & Below Trio Blossom Necklace

Colors available - basics to start

NEW Blossom Necklace

Sometimes I have absolutely no idea what a project of mine will turn into. This might be my favorite party about creating. It is about evolving and adjusting and going with what you have. Not everything I make turns out, I just choose not to show that here. Although I could start a spin off blog of craft projects gone wrong. What I was getting at was that a simple hair barrette has been transformed into this dainty lil' summer accessory. The Blossoms them self are less than 1" in diameter. They are on a 15" chain with white satin ribbon to tie for an adjustable length.

 It is so precious.

Now I have to get my little fingers busy and get ready for the Chocolate Ball.  It is less than 50 days away. How many do you think I can make before then?

Philipians 4:13 

"I can do ALL  things through Christ who strengthens me."

I Can Do This

I love reading and finding blogs. It is like a hunt for a good bargain. Instead it is a hunt for a blog that I just get lost looking though older posts and finding all kinds of creative inspiration and in the mean time wasting countless minutes hours reading and researching. I guess this makes me a blog hunter. I am learning all sorts of tips and tricks about linky parties and giveaways. Did you know there were conferences for creative bloggers? Oh.My.Goodness. I would be in hog heaven at one of those. Hmm...maybe in the future. A girl can dream, and trust me I am, BIG. It is so great at the same time because I hopefully will be able to use some of this information for my upcoming wedding. Don't worry, I have NOT forgotten about that. It is only a little over six months away. Eeeek!

So I find an idea and see if I can create something similar or with a twist of my own. I know I should stick with the LuxeBlossoms and really crank them out, maybe find a craft show and market them like crazy (hello I do have a Marketing degree). And I plan too its a sloooow process so bare with me. Anyways, on to one of my latest finds I found and said, "I can do this."

I found this weeks project from one of my favorite blogs Tatertots and Jello by Nina.

Here are two of my versions of this great handmade adorable necklace. I am going to try it with the clear gems as soon as I can get to the store but for now, this is what I have stock piled (craft hoarder in denial) from a different friend of our family that I inherited for FREE. It kills me that hardly any of them can work for this necklace.

Now add this with an $2.50 plain tank from Forever 21 and you look fab for any occasion.

Did you notice how my version has a nice spring LuxeBlossom? I couldn't resist! Oh-la-la these are so fun and fresh for spring. Now excuse me while I go and raid my mom's fabric collection for some of those Blossoms I keep talking about. Okay fine, I'll ask first! :)