It's beginning to feel a lot like...

Oh my! Nothing like spending a full day taking photographs oh kiddos with Santa Claus to make you feel like Christmas is here!

Isn't this hilarious? 7 days old and staring at Santa!! 

Yup, that's what I spent my day doing! Taking loads and loads of Santa pictures!

 

This weekend we got to go to Mr. B's Aunt's house for a little Christmas time yummies!

Then it was time to clean and clean and clean and decorate our tree!

Mr. Doggie likes to have his picture taken. 

He loves the tree too, but is a good boy and doesn't take anything off of it.

but it's VERY tempting for him!

Wanna see some of my favorites? Let's have a look-see!!


Oh here was a new one! Just got it last night as an early gift from Mr. B, it wiggles and plays "I'm so excited" LOL!!!

This is one from last year with all the sweet little penguins hanging around the fire place.

Ah and from the year before Little caroling penguins.

Are you starting to see a theme? lol! yes, I do LOVE penguins and their cute little faces.

Oh! A penguin with a cookie and icing bag!! TOO CUTE!

 Oh what a sweet little angel penguin!

 And a fuzzy one with a snow cone!

Now the tree isn't done entirely in penguins, but they are some of my favorites! I'd love to see some of your favorites!


If I don't post again before Christmas I wish each and everyone of you the most blessed holiday! Take time to enjoy the time spent together, and eat lots of yummies! I want to see pictures!!!! ;)

My oh my! Tis the season!!

Hello! It's been many a day since my last post, not for lack of want that's for sure! Most days getting home from work to cook and do the dishes are all I can seem to accomplish ahhh "married life". Oh did you miss it? I guess I had been neglecting my poor blog. There is now a Mr. B- a very handsome one I might add.

I look at that picture and wonder how I ever got him to wear a purple shirt! What a lovely day that was, stress free too! I had decided early on that whatever happened, happened. Whatever didn't, didn't. It made wedding planning and preparation very pleasant and simple.

We moved two weekends ago in with my in-laws which makes no difference to me since I don't spend much time at "home". It's the holiday season and I work retail so I am working over nearly everyday.

I have managed to squeeze in some time to make some gifts but shame on my I wrapped them before taking pictures so I suppose one will just have to wait a wee bit longer to see the pictures!

I made my mother a blanket and a scarf, and my nieces all little sparkly makeup bags. I am working on a blanket for my brother and have made a bunch of scarves out of scrap. Oh! I also started a few amigurumi creatures, and have been buying used crochet books from the internet like wild! I have a thing for pattern books anyway to find them pre-loved and cheap is even better!

It's been cold and warm here, some flurries and some rain. None of the weather has been too drastic, but the doggie and I have decided to hunker indoors tonight with our crochet and some cookies.

 Chocolate Chip, White Chocolate Macadamia Nut, and Peanut Butter cup. This was half way through, I had 4 trays in the oven, and about 8 more to go.

Mr. Doggie wanted one so badly he was being so sweet but he got a doggie biscuit instead. I did at least give him a peanut butter one.

Ah, with the hubby working all night, and the doggie fast asleep I believe I shall work on the blanket for my brother and sip some peppermint tea. YUM! :)

Hugs!
-Rachel B.

paper florals

I got super super excited yesterday when I had the bright idea to start making my own embellishements and they cam out  absolutely beautiful, so I decided to get a little creative with my handcrafted paper flowers. 

This one ended as a bobby pin ...

This one eneded up as a pendant and on a scrabble tile.

 

These can be purchased here.

 

Thanks for looking! Please feel free to comment! :) 

GYPSY!

I got my gypsy today, and just spent the last two hours updating software and syncing, I haven't gotten any carts on it yet, but i'm hoping to soon!! I'm sure there will be a multitude of projects to follow!!


Anyone have any great gypsy tips? References they use a lot? I'd love to know!! I Just recently have grown my cartridge collection enough so that I feel like a gypsy will be helpful. I can't wait to start using it!


Love Much!
--Rachel

Kitchen ART!!

I absolutely LOVE these!!!!!! I had bought these canvases at michaels a while back and wasn't quite sure what I would do with them, but I knew I had to have them.

So today as I was playing with my cricut, I decided I would work on these canvases and this is what I came up with, the set of three will be SOOO cute in my kitchen with my pink and black appliances!!!!

What do you think? 

Weddings, New Houses, and Babies

Okay, so in case you weren't already aware, EBAY is a GREAT place to get new carts. I've purchased 7 new ones in the last week or so for less than $150.00. Yes, I should be saving for our wedding, although the majority of our wedding planning and purchasing is already done! Our rings will be completely paid for by the end of the month. Just waiting on the bridesmaids to get their dresses! :)

Also, today at Hobby Lobby I picked up this Cricut bag:

for 23.99. It has wheels and LOTS of pockets. :) I was amazed at the deal, apparently they are usually around 99.00 there, so I was thrilled.

My best friend ordered my a Gypsy, and it should be here next week... SUPER EXCITED!!

Our house is being moved week after next, and I am sooooo thrilled to get in and get settled!! :) I will have an entire cottage for all of my crafting stuff!!


I made these pendants with the paper stars I have been folding. The stars are approximately 1/8 inch, and I've made them in a rainbow of colors. The pendants have a loop on the top to hang from a necklace, and are adorned with a small Swarovski Aurora Borealis crystal.

These stars are much larger, at 1/4 inch wide. Once again it is a pendant that has a crystal attached.

 I think this bottle is my favorite! I love its shape, it has the smaller of the stars in it.

Onward to babies! Lol, they are not in my near future, but its that time of the year when it seems like every woman I know is about to have a baby, which means I get to make lots and lots of diaper cakes! I LOVE it! I even managed to work in using my cricut.. 

See those letters? Plantin school book, and sugared with fine hot pink glitter!!! 

 Look at all the adorable goodies!

My wedding has taken over...

Hahahaha... I thought, oh, I'm a creative person who knows precisely what they want.. I can plan a wedding all on my own, and cook the food and make the cake, oh yea! I'll have PLENTY of time to do my own hair and makeup too.... LOL!


HERE IS THE MOCK UP OF MY WISH TREE...

THE VASE I GOT AT GOODWILL FOR 1.20

THE MARBLES ARE FROM THE DOLLAR TREE

TAGS WERE MADE WITH THE "TIE THE KNOT" CRICUT CART

BRANCHES WERE IN MY BACKYARD, I TOOK A THIN WIRE AND A BAG OF REALLY CHEAP FACETTED PURPLE BEADS, AND WRAPPED SOME OF THE STRAIGHT BRANCHES WITH THEM

BUTTERFLY IS FROM HOBBY LOBBY (MADE FROM FEATHERS)

THE FLOWERS WERE LEFT OVERS THAT I POPPED OFF, AND POPPED ONTO THE BRANCH NUBS

THE WHITE CRYSTALS WERE FROM THE FLORAL DEPT AT HOBBY LOBBY, THEY COME IN BUNCHES, AND ARE CHEAP (.99 ON SALE) AND HAVE WIRE ATTATCHED

 THE FLOWERS ALREADY HAD THE GEMS IN THEM, ALTHOUGH THEY WOULD BE EASY ENOUGH TO GLUE SOME IN IF YOU NEEDED TOO.

 I USED THE TAGS I MADE WEEKS AGO, AFTER THEY'D BEEN EMBOSSED, THEY REALLY ARE PERFECT FOR THIS!

 ARE YOU EXHAUSTED YET? I AM, LOL!

 MY BOUGUET IS WHITE HYDRANGEAS FROM AC MOORE, CRYSTALS FROM HOBBY LOBBY, AND SOME WHITE AND PURPLE STEMS FROM MICHAELS. I ALSO ADDED SOME ROUND SPRIAL TWIGS FROM I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE. ;)

 BRIDESMAIDS BOUQUETS, I FOUND THESE VERY SIMPLE BUNCHES OF GARDEN FLOWERS AT HOBBY LOBBY FOR $5.00, REMOVED SOME VINES OUT OF THEM, SOME WEIRD FUZZY THING, AND A BIT OF THE GREENERY, THEN ADDED A SET OF PURPLE HYDRANGEAS I GOT AT THE DOLLAR TREE, SOME CRYSTALS, AND A FEATHER BUTTERFLY. (THESE ARE MUCH MORE LILAC IN PERSON)

 THIS IS MY COMPUTER ROOM CURRENTLY.... 

 IT IS COMPLETELY OVERRUN!

 THESE ARE ALL FOUR OF THE BRIDESMAIDS BOUQUETS TOGETHER, (I MADE MYSELF FINISH THE REMAINING THREE ABOUT 20 MINUTES AGO SO I COULD FEEL ACCOMPLISHED)

 THESE ARE OUR CANDY BOXES! 
LABEL FROM HOBBY LOBBY, RAN THROUGH THE PRINTER USING THEIR TEMPLATE, REALLY REALLY EASY! BOXES COME FIVE FOR 1.00 FROM THE DOLLAR TREE, WE WILL BE ADDING A PURPLE PIECE OF TISSUE, AND SETTING THEM UP FOR OUR CANDY BUFFET.

 THIS WREATH *WAS* PINK, IVE BEEN GRADUALLY ADDING FLORAL SPRAY TO MAKE IT PURPLE, THEN I WILL ADD SOME GLITZ, AND TWO R'S (RACHEL AND RYAN) AND HANG IT ON THE CHURCH DOOR

 THIS ROSE WAS WHITE.. AND FROM THE DOLLAR TREE, I COATED IT IN FLORAL SPRAY AS WELL SIMPLY BECAUSE I COULD, BUT I REALLY LIKE IT, AND WILL PROBABLY END UP DOING THE BOUTS WITH THEM :)

 THESE ARE SCRAP BOOK PAGES, THAT WILL BE LAID OUT FOR PEOPLE TO WRITE ON, THEY HAVE THE SAME QUESTIONS, JUST WANTED TO MIX UP THE FORMAT A LITTLE BIT.

 WHATS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY OF RACHEL OR RYAN?
ADVICE FOR THE NEWLYWEDS
HOW DO YOU KNOW THE BRIDE OR THE GROOM
AND OF COURSE THERE IS A PLACE FOR THEIR NAME ;) I LOVE THE IDEA OF THIS, AND THE WISH TAGS, AND A GUEST BOOK, WE WILL HAVE LOTS OF GREAT KEEPSAKES.

THERE IS SO MUCH MORE I AM WORKING ON, ALL OF THE JARS/DISHES HAVE BEEN FOUND FOR THE CANDY BUFFET, BETWEEN GOODWILL AND MARSHALLS. THERE ARE VINTAGE GLASS, AND SOME BEAUTIFUL PURPLE VENETIAN GLASS. IM REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.


WE ALSO HAVE DECIDED TO HAVE A SMALLER CAKE (NEITHER OF US ARE BIG ON CAKE) AND HAVE A DESSERT BUFFET WITH:
ECLAIRS
CHOC. COVERED STRAWBERRIES
WHITE CHOCOLATE COVERED CHERRIES
CREAM PUFFS
MINI CHEESECAKES
MINI PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE
CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES


FOR FOOD AT THE RECEPTION WE ARE LOOKING AT:
BONELESS BBQ WINGS
BACON WRAPPED SMOKIES
MEATBALLS
PITA CHIPS AND SALSA
ROLLS WITH HONEY BUTTER
DELI SPIRALS
CRAB MEAT SALAD


FOR DRINKS, WE ARE MAKING A DRINK SERVER FOR SWEET TEA, UNSWEETENED TEA, AND PURPLE LEMONADE. WE ALSO ORDERED JONES SODAS WITH OUR ENGAGEMENT PICTURES ON THEM, IN GRAPE, AND CREAM SODA. THERE WILL ALSO BE WATER AND COFFEE.


I'M WORKING ON MAKING THE INVITATIONS RIGHT NOW, AND THEN WE WILL FINALIZE THE PROGRAMS SO I CAN MAKE THEM. 


WE FINALLY GOT SOMEONE TO COME ON SITE FOR HAIR AND MAKEUP, BUT WE ARE STILL SEARCHING FOR A PHOTOGRAPHER OR TWO. WE WANT CLASSIC, AND ETHEREAL, AND WHIMSICAL PICTURES, AND OF COURSE WE HAVE TO HAVE THE STANDARD PICTURES TAKEN TOO.


I HAVE SO MUCH TO THINK ABOUT, AND DO! LOL


WHAT HELPED YOU PLAN YOUR WEDDING? DID YOU DO IT? HIRE SOMEONE? FAMILY? 
WHAT WERE YOUR FAVORITE WEDDING MEMORIES, OR WHAT THINGS DO YOU LOOK FORWARD TO AT YOUR WEDDING?


(PS, THIS IS IN ALL CAPS, BECAUSE I'M TOO LAZY TO WORRY ABOUT PROPERLY FORMATTING SOMETHING, I'M NOT YELLING.)