Friday Favorites: Scrapbook Steals and the Twinery

So I have somehow convinced myself that giving certain days of the week a theme or title may help me become a somewhat \consistent blogger.  Wordless Wednesday.  Hello Thursday.  And now introducing...Friday Favorites.  Since this the first installment, I'm making it a double feature.  :)

Scrapbook Steals.  For those of you that follow my crafting journey, you know that the community at Scrapbook Steals (and specifically Kristy Lee) have been instrumental in motivating and inspiring me to scrapbook and ultimately finish Charlotte's first year album.  They are featuring on their amazing blog some fantastic ideas for twine that are not to be missed.

And while you're at it, go check out what they have on sale today at the store.  (Remember to click on the little scissors icon to visit the secret archives.)  Some of the "steals" they feature are just too good to be passed up - much to my wallets dismay.  And since we're on the topic of twine, this leads into my second Friday Favorite...

The Twinery.  This store sells the most gorgeous 100% cotton, made in the USA bakers twine.  The twine comes in a variety of 14 delicious colors "for crafting, packaging and more!"  Bakers twine is certainly very "hot" in the crafting industry right now and the quality of Twinery twine will certainly not disappoint.  Below are a few of my projects highlighting the versatility of this twine. 

I've wrapped twine around cards to make it a bit more special.

I've used twine to string banners.  This particular project is the album cover to Charlotte's first year scrapbook (which I will have to share in its entirety another day).

On this layout (which is actually the last page to Charlotte's first year album), I glued the twine down to create the butterfly's tracks.  Since the focus of the page is the letter itself, the twine really stands out.

And on this layout, I used twine to outline the "string" of the banner sticker.

If anyone is interested, below are the supplies that I used to make the projects featured in today's post.

Blossom Light Pink Twine (Twinery)	Maraschino Red Twine (Twinery)	Lilac Purple Twine (Twinery)	Ledger Stamp (Hero Arts)	Just My Type Stamps (Lawn Fawn)
Hugs and Kitties Stamp Set (Unity Stamps)	Jenni Bowlin Soap Powder Ink (Ranger)	Jenni Bowlin Fountain Pen Black Ink (Ranger)	Offbeat 6x6 Paper Pad (Basic Grey)	Summer Days Collection (Echo Park)
Little Girl Collection (Echo Park)	Penny Lane Collection (My Minds Eye)	Thickers - Rootbeer Float (American Crafts)	Thickers - Rainboots (American Crafts)	Glitter Mini Alpha Stickers (Sassafras Lass)
Embossed Trefoil Heart Edger Punch (Martha Stewart Crafts)	Doily Lace Edger Punch (Martha Stewart Crafts)	Arch Lattice Edger Punch (Martha Stewart Crafts)	Threading Water Border Punch (Fiskars)	Binding Edger Punch (EK Success)
Balloon Craze SVG Set (Lettering Delights)	Wood Veneer Hearts - State Fair Collection (Studio Calico)	Metal Photo Turns (American Crafts)	Blush D-Ring 12x12 Album (American Crafts)	Glossy Accents (Ranger)
Signo Broad White Gel Pen (Uni Ball)	Modge Podge Matte	Foam Square Dimensional Adhesive (American Crafts)	Pink Adhesive Tape Gun/ ATG (Scotch)	Corner Chomper (We R Memory Keepers)

InLinkz.com

As always, thanks for stopping and by and please feel free to leave a comment.  I do love reading them!

Wordless Wednesday

Hello Thursday - Goodbye Big Firm

Big Announcement.  Well, maybe not since most of you probably already know this.  But regardless, here goes...

I am no longer a big firm lawyer. 

Yesterday was my last day at the big firm.  Kindove exciting.  Kindove scary.  But I think that it was the right time and the right move.  And in all honesty, much of the decision was out of my hands.  Justin is getting relocated to Newport, Rhode Island so we will be moving back east for a few months.  But nothing like having someone push you into the pool to learn how to swim.

I still hope to practice one day.  And maybe I'll find a bit more time to craft.  But it is definitely certain that Charlotte will be a lot happier.  She's gonna be one tough boss to please.

I snapped some photos the other day of my walk into work.  My co-workers laughed at me.  But I knew that I wanted to scrapbook these images one day. 

I would drive through this sentry to park on the navy base every day.  Saved me $200/ month in parking.  Plus it was nice to take a little walk into the office every morning.

One America Plaza.  My office was on the 16th floor.

This is the San Diego train station.  Super convenient because one of our pro bono clients used to take the train down from LA to prep for her asylum trial and we could just walk across the street to pick her up.  She, by the way, is now a permanent U.S. resident.  :)

Walking along Broadway.  On the right hand side is actually an SDSU art gallery in the city.  I never did get to go inside to look around...

This was the LONGEST light ever.

Sigh...my office.

And my desk.  I'm sure it's all gone by now too.  :)

And this morning, instead of driving into work and taking that daily walk, this is who I saw...

Let the new chapter of my life begin...

Charlotte's New Doll

I initially thought of calling this post "Welcome to our Family, Baby Stella."  But it's late and I sadly could not come up with anything funny or witty much past that.  So I figured "Charlotte's New Doll" was much easier to work with. 

For no particular reason, I woke up one morning a few weeks ago determined to find Charlotte a baby doll.  I'm still not quite sure how we made it this long without one.  But I felt like it was time.  So, one day after work, I dropped by the Navy Exchange toy section to see what I could find.   As I'm standing there looking at the wall of baby dolls (which apparently all cry and poop), I think to myself, "um...where are the yellow babies?" 

I went to Wal-Mart, Target, Toys R Us...and nothing seemed to fit the bill.  Toys R Us did have Asian-looking dolls but they just scared me.  I wanted something simple, plush, and that didn't talk when you walked by it.  After a bit of searching online, I ordered Baby Stella (with black hair) by Manhattan Toys. 

I must admit, I'm happily surprised and how well Charlotte and baby Stella are getting along.  Fingers crossed that they have a long and beautiful friendship.  :)

Here are some photos of Charlotte reading baby Stella The Very Hungry Caterpillar. 

And I think this is my favorite.  I said to Charlotte, "SMILE!"  This is the face I got.  I think she looks slightly Klingon. :)

Words for Wednesday

The Play Date.

I realized that after Charlotte decided to join our family, it became a bit harder to "hang out" with our friends.  More often than not, most of our friends were still staying up late, going out to nice dinners, dancing at the clubs.  (And in all honesty, these are things that I miss very much.)  But with a little baby in tow, these activities quickly disappeared from our calendar.

Enter mommy and daddy friends.  It just seemed easier to hang out with them.  I mean, they had little poopy, spitty and crying babies too.  I didn't feel bad when their kids threw food across the room.  So maybe they wouldn't judge me when Charlotte peed on the floor.  However, what I realized this past weekend is that even my non-mommy friends have an important role in playing and hanging out with Charlotte.  They provide Charlotte their undivided attention and love.  They work a little bit harder than most to make her smile.  They made unbelievable tuna salad.  And they are the most dear and fantastic friends. 

Here are some photos of our play date this weekend with Anne, Kelly and Jenn, my wonderful San Diego friends/ co-workers.  They spoil her to no end and make her giggle endlessly.  I love these girls.  I love them for loving Charlotte.