Creating Little Pieces of Happiness ...

MOVED!!

2011-07-30T18:22:00.000-05:00

WE'VE MOVED!!

Come over and say hello!! We're still working out a few kinks (learning how to use WordPress while being pregnant is proving harder than it needs to be).

Can't wait to see you there!!

www.christenkrumm.com

xo

Baby Dude Update (Week 38)

2011-07-25T17:06:00.000-05:00

(totally cheating as this is E at 17 weeks)

Had a doctor's appointment this morning. I am currently dilated to a 3 (only 7 more to go! yay!) She gave me the option of being induced later this week, but I declined. Been there. Done that. Moving on. I made an appointment for next Monday, but my doctor doesn't sound very confident that I'll make it (in fact she thinks I'll see her in the next two days). I am planning on eating my mom's fried eggplant tonight because (a) I mentioned it to the hubs this morning and now it just sounds amazing and (b) I actually have been kinda craving it the whole pregnancy, but couldn't really eat it... Sooo.... eggplant it is!

Here be my question to my wonderful readers -- What's your prediction? When do you think Little Mr. will make his arrival? How much do you think he'll weight? How "tall" do you think he'll be?

Be sure to follow me on Twitter as I'm sure I'll be updating a lot from there when "it" finally does happen. :)

xo

You Can't Afford to Miss This E-Book!!

2011-07-19T23:31:00.000-05:00

Have you ever dreamed of writing a book? What about an e-book?

Honestly I had never really given e-books a thought -- until recently. It all started with a fellow blogger asking me to review her up and coming e-book earlier this year. Mmmm I thought... an e-book? Interesting. Then it seemed that I was seeing e-books pop up everywhere -- and I started to really enjoy them! Not only was I enjoying them, but I became curious as to how I could get in on this e-book action.

Enter Angela England. I've known Angela for years. Let me tell you -- she is amazing. She's a stay at home mom of four (soon to be five) and a freelance writer/blogger rockstar. She has written numerous e-books and her latest one is nothing short of amazing (I also have recently purchased her "Making Money Blogging - Beyond Banner Ad Sales" which is great as well).

I've been going through "30 Days to Make and Sell a Fabulous Ebook" for 19 days now and I'm having the time of my life. When you purchase this e-book, not only do you get 75 pages packed full of information, you also get one-on-one coaching with Angela via forum (so technically not only do you get Angela's input, but the input of your peers as well -- which is priceless. We are building our own support system and it's wonderful!)

If writing an e-book is even a little thought in the back of your mind, you should take the plunge with Angela's book. She takes you through everything step by step from writing, publishing, marketing, and selling. I've been having the time of my life and I'm very excited to use her tips and techniques over and over again with future projects.

Click Here to purchase "30 Days to Make and Sell a Fabulous Ebook" (it's currently $11.99 -- you can't afford not to buy it!)

Learn more about Angela here or follow her on twitter!

Winner!!

2011-07-08T09:00:00.000-05:00

The winner of the Indelible book is ---

Diane!!

Congratulations!! You should be receiving an e-mail from me shortly!!

Everyone have a wonderful weekend!!

A very Gussy Giveaway!

2011-07-05T09:59:00.002-05:00

Hey, guys!

Just a heads up -- Gussy is giving away 4 beautiful prize packages in celebration of her birthday!! You gotta get in on this! It's some wonderful stuff!!

Good Luck!

Update: Krumms in 2011

2011-07-04T09:00:00.001-05:00

June's update in the Krumms in 2011 mini-book!! Enjoy!

Book Review: Indelible

2011-07-02T14:50:00.000-05:00

By Kristen Heitzmann

WaterBrook Press

e-book and audiobook available

$13.99, 324 pages

ISBN 978-1-4000-7310-8

Fiction/Suspense

Take a sneak peek here

Kristen Heitzmann never fails to captivate me. Indelible is no exception.

Indelible reigns you in on the first page and hooks you for the rest of the book. Trevor MacDaniel, Olympic skier turned high-country outfitter, is thrown into Natalie Reeve's life after he saves her two year old nephew from a mountain lion. Of course a romance blossoms, but not without its difficulties. When Trevor attracts an unusual predator, life is turned upside down for both Trevor, Natalie, and their small town of Redford, Colorado.

This is a book that kept me reading late into the night (I'm pretty sure my husband got used to coming home from work and finding me asleep with my nose in the book... lights still on). I loved this story. Trevor and Natalie were real characters with real problems, not just flat characters you could read and forget. Not only were Trevor and Natalie unforgettable, the whole town was just so ... perfect. The kind of town you would want to move to. I loved the suspense tinged with romance. Perfect recipe for a book. Indelible is a novel that stands on its own, however, Heitzmann's book Indivisible also follows the same characters/town. I'm excited as it means I do not have to completely give up the town folk just yet.

This book comes with high recommendations.

Note: I received this book free for review from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group. A positive review was not required.

I have an extra copy of this book to give away!! If you would like to be caught up in all the action, romance, and suspense of Indelible, leave a comment (please leave you name and e-mail so if you win I can contact you). For an extra entry, tweet, facebook, or blog about this giveaway (and come back to leave a separate comment for each!) Giveaway will run until Friday, July 8!! Good Luck

No Brainer

2011-07-01T14:48:00.000-05:00

So. Nap time around our house has been non-existent for the past... oh three-ish weeks. "Nap Time" consisted of E playing in her room for 2 - 2 1/2 hours while momma desperately tried to get house work done and take a breather ("terrible twos" is just a label... I prefer to call it... "we're teething right now" which basically is another label but whatever).

After reading Ali Edwards post on Summer and about the summer of no TV, it hit me. My kid was watching WAY to much TV (when she wakes up in the morning and the first thing following "me-eat" is "mo-be" you know she's watching to much). So. I turned off the TV and told her no more TV. Instead we've played blocks, cleaned house (I give her a wipe and tell her to clean something... she loves it), went "wa-ter" (swimming), played outside (mom lasted all of 10 minutes :/ ) and have just ... been. Given there are times when we get on each other's nerves, I swear my kid already needs a hearing aid, but we're getting through it and it's getting better!!

I love the list of activities that Ali has on her blog post.

Legos. (we do blocks)
Swimming. (E loves playing in the water)
Letter writing. I’ve got a list of people they can write notes to – family and friends and a pen-pal that Simon is overdue on writing back. (I'm starting a list -- Clara, Uncle Adam, Oma, Opa, Carson, Blake etc...)
Go outside. Mess around. Turn on the sprinkler. Climb a tree. Chase each other around. Jump on the mini-trampolines (I only last short periods of time in this heat... which I'm hating. However, if it's overcast, we run outside and play until it starts raining ... raining? haha that's funny)
Workbooks. These can be puzzle books like dot to dot or word searches or some other academic workbook. Something quiet, at the table, that engages a different part of the brain for a bit. (We color. While I work on scrapbooks, I'll give E a page to color or put stickers on. It works until she decides that the dog needs stickers too...)
Read. (We're doing the summer reading program at the library. We love to read. I'm loving that I have been able to read E "big books" and she'll just sit there and listen (mainly at bed time). Right now we're reading "The 100 Dresses")
Play cars on the front porch. (E loves cars. I can't wait until it's cooler, so that we can play more outside. Right now she's been playing "little people" in the kitchen window while I do some sort of house work).
Color or paint or draw or make a treasure map.
A trip to the library. Or maybe play library with the bunches of books we have here. (We love our library trips!)

It's a great list!! Annnnnd bed time has gotten so much better, and she's actually sleeping THROUGH THE NIGHT!! No more getting up three times to try to get her to sleep back in her bed only to have her in bed with us by 3 AM (we had to stop that because when Drew gets here, he'll sleep with us until he sleeps through the night ... the bed isn't big enough for all four of us). She's been sleeping from 9:30 until around 8:30. Nap time -- she falls asleep within 5-10 minutes of me laying her down and she sleeps for a good 2-4 hours! It's been bliss.

All that to say. I'm glad I've turned off the TV. Given we just got Gnomeo and Juliet via Netflix in the mail. Thinking about saving it for the trip to Oma's house in a couple of weeks...

What are some favorite activities you do during the summer?

June Recap/July Goals

2011-06-29T22:47:00.000-05:00

Wow. July already? It's crazy insane how fast this year is going (and yet it seems like these last few weeks of pregnancy are going to take forever).

So -- June recap:

1. Hand out more business cards -- This was somewhat of a flop. I posted two business cards on the bulletin board at the local library.

2. Update resume with May's accomplishments -- Actually heading over and taking care of this as soon as I'm finished writing this post

3. Finish editing big project -- Done and I couldn't be more relieved.

4. Dabble in e-book writing -- I have purchased an e-book written by a dear friend that goes through the process of e-book writing. I'm dabbling. This is actually going to be one of my "down time, I just had a baby" projects that I want to work on after the birth of Drew.

July Goals -- I'm actually taking it somewhat easy in July/August as my sister's getting married and I'm also preparing like a mad woman for the birth of Drew (you know... everything has to be perfect!!) But I am making goals nevertheless.

1. Write articles for Blissfully Domestic.
2. Come up with three to four ideas to pitch for August articles for Blissfully Domestic.
3. Make an outline for e-book.
4. Attempt to write two to four articles to publish else where.
5. Get caught up on writing book reviews for various clients.

Crossing my fingers that I can get these (simple) goals done this month!!

the Vacation Post

2011-06-28T18:41:00.000-05:00

The Krumm Vacation this year was to Branson, MO. Mainly because we both had family reunions over that particular weekend. Mine was in Branson (hence the fact that we stayed in Branson) and Andy's was about an hour down the road -- which ended up being quite an interesting ride (E got car sick on the way there and Andy and I missed our turn on the way back so an hour drive ended up being about an hour and forty-five minutes...nice talk time though).

I would like to take the time to dub this vacation the swimming vacation as it seems like that is all we did the entire weekend!! It was a blast. Miss E loves the water and Andy loves taking her swimming so it all worked out great (I enjoyed reading by the pool with the occasional dip to cool off).

It was my first trip 100% cloth. Which was interesting, but I survived. We did some light shopping, but nothing to crazy (honestly, it was to hot and I was to pregnant).

Elsie got to play a lot with my second cousin's daughter -- we were both so glad they got along... We have been best buds for forever.

Coming home (since we had yet to fix the AC in my car) we rode with my parents. It was a tight fit with me, Andy and Elsie all in the back seat (of a Scion no less). Good thing we like to cuddle.

After getting home, Andy and I were up until 4 AM moving into our new house! (hence the quietness on the blog) Currently still don't have internet at the house, but maybe that will be remedied soon? We shall see.

Are you planning on any summer vacations?

xo

Review: Shannon Wexelberg I Have A Song

2011-06-25T19:59:00.001-05:00

Shannon Wexelberg: I Have A Song
$14.40 Discovery House Publishing
ISBN 717336256727
Purchase here (also available on iTunes)

Shannon Wexelberg's I Have A Song is the type of CD that you pop in at the end of a long, hard day (or if you are going to have a particularly stressful day, it is a great one to start with). Shannon Wexelberg's voice is a mix of stunning and soulful. This whole album is so peaceful and will definitely put you in the worship mood. A few times while listening to the album, I got a "Hillsong" vibe. My husband (who happens to also be a worship leader... I know.. I totally married a rockstar) also enjoyed this album. The music was a little to "studio" for our taste, but over all this was a very enjoyable album.

Note: I received this album complimentary from Discovery House Publishing. A positive review was not required.

Adventures in Cloth Diapering: Cloth During Vacation

2011-06-23T17:23:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the very first installment of "Adventures in Cloth Diapering". I have always been a lover of cloth diapers. When I found out I was pregnant the first time, I was so excited to start researching the various brands and types of cloth options. My husband, however, was not so excited. He didn't really see the point, and couldn't figure out why I would want all that extra work. I tried to persevere, but, without the support of my spouse, I only lasted a few months.

Jump to this summer. Our daughter developed a weird reaction/rash to the "normal" diapers that she had been in since birth. My husband quickly jumped on the cloth band wagon and, much to my shock, starting encouraging me to go 100% cloth! I was so excited -- and then vacation came up. It was actually my husband's idea to do cloth over the vacation (this coming from a dad who two weeks prior couldn't stand cloth diapers). I got really really really nervous. Even when we used cloth diapers prior to "the rash" I never used them over night and rarely if we ran errands. I wasn't sure that I could do 100% cloth and over vacation to boot!

Guess what. Here comes the good part. I survived! Getting in a routine prior to vacation was key. I knew that I only had enough diapers for a day, a day and a half at most, so washing daily was a must. Thankfully the resort that we stayed at had a laundry mat on site so I didn't have to scour the streets of Branson looking for somewhere to wash diapers (or wash them by hand in the hotel sink...) It was actually somewhat nice to sneak away for an hour to read while waiting for a load to be done. Generally I washed during nap time (daddy had E) or at night after bed time.

Now that we are back from vacation and have been doing cloth for 3 weeks it feels like we're old pros. And I'm so proud of my husband -- he actually changes cloth diapers (he's a rock star)!

What I learned from this experience:

(1) BumGenius 4.0, Fuzzibunz, and TK Cuddlers are the best over night diapers for us. Also, limiting drinks after 9 PM so the diaper doesn't get overly soaked. I have a feeling limiting drinks around bed time is going to help a lot with potty training too.

(2) I need way more cloth diapers before D comes in two months. Like way more. Doing a little research most site recommend 24-36 diapers for a newborn. I currently have nine.

(3) When going on vacation with cloth, be sure to bring lots of quarters if you are planning on washing aka don't have a massive stash built up (unless you chose to wash by hand... this is the free way). Also, if you can invest in travel size detergent such as what Rockin Green offers, this will save so much time from having to lug your large bottle of detergent around. A plus to using the travel size is if you forget it, you aren't out as much money as you would be if you forget your main stash.

(4) Cloth diapering 100% isn't as scary as I thought.

Winner: Summer of Love PDF Giveaway!

2011-06-20T15:44:00.000-05:00

Note: Sorry to be so quiet here on the blog lately. When we got back from vacation, we moved into our new house (after 6 months it was about time!!) We don't have internet in the new house yet, and my computer cord was in some random box that I couldn't find. Now I at least have a computer!! More blog posts to come very very soon!!

The winner of the Summer of Love PDF class is (by random.org): commenter #4 who is...

Rebekah said...: My favorite thing about this summer isssssssssss China.

Yay!! Rebekah! E-mail me your e-mail address and I'll pass along to Kara so she can send you all the yummy details!!

xo

Off to Vacation!!

2011-06-09T09:00:00.002-05:00

The family is off for a week of Family Reunioning. It is a much much much needed break/vacation for the Krumm family. We will be back next and hopefully I'll have taken pictures to share. Have a good weekend!! (be sure to follow me on Twitter for fun photo updates throughout the weekend!)
xo

Giveaway: Summer of Love Class

2011-06-08T09:00:00.000-05:00

This is probably one of my favorite giveaways ever! The ever so lovely Kara Haupt is graciously giving away a PDF of her Summer of Love Class. I did this class last year and oh is it so much fun! (I really want to attempt to do it again this summer, but let's get real -- getting ready for the sister's wedding and Drew?! I'm thinking I'm not going to have enough time ... pout).

The class includes 30 journaling prompts, 18 photography prompts and techniques, daily art journaling techniques, mini-book cover and page tutorial, 2 videos, email access to instructor, and featured artwork and photography from Michelle Clement and Danielle Thompson.

Check out more information about the class here

If you just can't wait and must have this class now (which really ... I wouldn't blame you) you can jump over to Kara's etsy shop here and purchase it today!! (A special for Creating Little Pieces of Happiness readers, mention the coupon code SUMMERDREAMS and receive 25% off the class!!)

There is multiple ways you can get in on this giveaway:

(1) REQUIRED -- Leave me a comment letting me know what your favorite thing about this summer is.

(2) Be or become a follower and leave me a comment letting me know you have done so.

(3) Tweet, facebook and/or blog about this giveaway (and leave me 3 different comments letting me know you have done so and be sure to leave me the link)

NOTE: Please be sure to leave me an e-mail address so that I can get a hold of you if you win!!

Giveaway will end Friday, June 17th at 12PM central time.

Good Luck!!

What's In My (Elsie's) Travel Bag?

2011-06-07T20:03:00.000-05:00

Car rides. Gotta love them (especially with toddlers). The car ride this weekend will be the longest we've had with E (okay, so only about 3 - 3 1/2 hours. Not really that much longer than the one to Oma's house in Tulsa).

I remember when growing up and going on car rides to visit Grandma in Missouri (a 7 hour drive back then) my mom would always fix us a really cool travel bag -- snacks, games, new books and/or toys -- it was great. So, I've decided to keep the traditional alive with my kids. Another reason I'm just so giddy about traveling this weekend -- new traditions!! I seriously had so much fun putting together Elsie's travel bag. Some of the things are old potatoes, but E doesn't get to play with them lots (Dora paper dolls, colors) and other things are new.

1. E's travel bag. Just a simple canvas bag that we've decorated.
2. A new book. Wonder Pet's picture find. I bought this at Books-A-Million a couple weeks back. Whenever we're in BAM E loves looking at these books.
3. A Toy Story coloring book. E is really into Toy Story 3 right now. Really wished Netflix had more then just the third one on instant as we watch it once if not twice a day.
4. Dora sticker pad. Aunt B bought this for Elsie. There's over 400 stickers in this pad. She got one sheet to hold her over and then I put the others in her travel bag.
5. Dora and Boot paper dolls.
6. A fun mini notebook for E to "color" in or sticker up.
7. A small bag of peg dolls.
8. Colors. What is a travel bag without colors?! I think when we get back I'm going to melt these colors down into fun shapes.

A envelope re-purposed into a "house" for Dora, Boots and all their accessories.

This fun little bag has eight fun peg dolls that I painted last week.

Introducing the peg dolls! I had such a blast painting these girls!! I'm loving the ninjas. The pink one has sparkles.

I'm also planning on throwing in some fruit snacks. Elsie looooves her fruit snacks.

Anything else I should add?

xo

Update: Krumms in 2011 (Image heavy)

2011-06-06T18:44:00.000-05:00

I am having such a fun time on this project (Thank you, Elise for keeping me so inspired!) Since I haven't done an update on this project since I first introduced it, this first update is covering January - May. It still isn't 100% completed. I still have some journaling to do as well as some photos to print. But, following Elise's print photos at home (gasp). We'll see how that goes. lead, I'm going to try to

I'm loving how this book is "plumping" out.

Front cover. January. I haven't decided if I'm going to put a cover cover on it with a title such as "Krumms 2011" or just leave it as it is.

Each month has an introduction of sorts. This is basically just the random "important" things that happened during the month and the date that they happened.

I don't have to much journaling in the prior months. I'm kinda okay with that. I lost sight for a while of if I really wanted to do this project, but I kept saving stuff. So I have a lot of stuff and many many iPhone photos and then last week I just had to sit down and do it. So glad I did.

A photo of Elsie cut out and put on the back of a candy wrapper (dark milk chocolate. Oh dear it's my new favorite). A doctor appointment card, and then some junk mail used as a base and some journaling about Sugar in the Raw being the best sweetener ever.

January was the month of lots of snow. On the left is a photo I captured with my iPhone outside my car window when it first started to snow. On the left is a photo of E and my brother Skyping as he was stuck at his house and we at my parents. I put the journaling on masking tape and taped it directly to the photo.

On the left is a photo of my shopping cart (when we went and stocked up before the snow). I just loved this photo and had to incorporate it. Right -- Introducing February!

February's "important" dates.

Random pages in February. Didn't photograph all of them as I didn't completely want to stop your computers while they all downloaded. The left is a ticket stub from a impromptu circus trip (still need to get the photos and journaling for this trip -- haven't decided how I'm going to do this yet) The right is Elsie's drawing from one day when she was bored waiting for dinner at a restaurant.

Left -- the back side of the "Elsie's drawing page". It's her drawing the drawing. Right -- introducing March!

March "important" dates.

My favorite pages of the whole book so far. The first ultrasound of Drew (the one we found out he was a HE) and a shot of prego belly. I do want to do a "21 weeks" somewhere on the right photo. I have some pretty pink washi tape that is currently in some random box, so I'm waiting to find it.

Introducing April.

April's "important" dates.

TOMs tag from E's first TOMs and a Hawaii postcard from a random online postcard swap.

Postcard and a coaster from a Red Lobster date and movie stubs.

Left -- back of a birthday invite. Haven't decided if I want to put journaling there or a photo from the party. Right -- Introducing May.

May "important" dates.

The screen print from my first article published on Blissfully Domestic.

Mo Wilhems is one of our favorites. On the left I either want to put some pictures/text from the book or maybe journal a little bit about our love of this author.

Wedding announcement. Loved how this turned out to take up two pages, but it's not "perfect".

I have a lot of journaling to do as well as many pictures to add. Also, I have some Royal Wedding memorabilia that I want to add as well. I'll see you at the end of June with an update on how June turned out :) I'm excited about this month (vacation month and all).

xo

The Wedding Shoes

2011-06-04T09:00:00.001-05:00

This post should actually probably be entitled "My Mother-In-Law is the coolest" or "The coolest people in my life". These wonderfully, awesome, beautiful TOMs are gifted to me by my mother-in-law (the greatest ever). She's actually the reason that my TOMs collection is growing and my prego feet stay happy (feet in general, but mostly when I'm pregnant as all I will wear are TOMs and flip-flops. True story).

I'm calling these are wedding shoes, however, because my sister so graciously agreed to letting me wear TOMs in her wedding. Either she doesn't care or she didn't want the wrath of a 39 week prego lady in heels standing for the duration of her wedding ceremony. I totally would have worn heels for her, but I'm so so so so so glad she agreed to TOMs. I originally was going to go with the black sparklies, however, my husband despises them. Something about looking like a teeny-bopper. I love them, but they are just shoes. I'll keep him happy.

Anyways so this post goes out to the Mother-in-law, the sister, and happy feet in beautiful TOMs. And by the way -- if you haven't yet purchased a pair of these shoes ... shame on you. Go today and get some. I do everything in these shoes. When they wear out and get holes, they become my yard work shoes. I have also been known to work out at the gym in these babies. Yes, they seriously are that comfortable.

xo

Update: Krumms in 2011

2011-06-03T08:51:00.001-05:00

Here's a sneak peak at my semi-updated "Krumms in 2011" mini-album. I say semi because now, while everything is in it's correct month, after searching and searching through all my stuff I have realized I'm out of adhesive. Balls. Hopefully I can make it to Hobby Lobby this afternoon (after getting my AC fixed in my car) and pick some up. Just looking and roaming through Elise Joy's blog has gotten me re-excited about this project (it's also making me want to do a blog makeover :/ ). So hopefully by Monday I can take inside shots and share :)

What are some projects you're excited about?

xo

Summer Living

2011-06-02T19:46:00.000-05:00

We got the air conditioning in the house fixed today (happy dance) which means "construction" will continue. We're so close. I'm getting seriously giddy.

All this giddiness is starting me to thinking about light summer meals. I particularly like the one that I made tonight (at my parent's house in my mom's kitchen). Salad (lettuce, spinach leaves, onions, and bell peppers) with cheese and boiled eggs on top and tuna patties. Lots of protein. Nom nom.

What are some of your favorite lighter summer meals?? I gots picky eaters -- no beans, mushrooms, or tomatoes...

xo

May Recap/June Goals

2011-06-01T09:42:00.000-05:00

So. Last month I shared with you my "business plan of sorts" and goals for the month of May. I think I did ok as far as my goals go. Re-cap --

Build my portfolio and make $75
1. Create my writing resume.
2. Write 4-5 articles a week.
3. Send out 3 queries or apply for three jobs.
4. Start an idea notebook.

I would say that my portfolio has been built. Maybe not in the way that my four goals had it planned, but nevertheless built.

1. I did create my writing resume (as much as I hated doing it.) You can find it here.
2. This was a flop. I did write three articles last month for Blissfully Domestic and I now have a regular writing gig there (happy dance). I also wrote three (I think) reviews. So while I didn't stick to my 4-5 articles a week, I still wrote. And that, people, is a huge undertaking right now...
3. I didn't send out any queries... unless you count the articles that I pitched to Blissfully Domestic. Which I'm going to because they were queries of sorts. I also got business cards handed out and received an editing job, so that is my current major project right now.
4. I did start an idea notebook, however, it quickly turned into "e-mail myself whenever I had an idea" instead of writing it in the notebook. So ideas are still getting written down.

Not to shabby me thinks. Ok -- on to June.

Continue building portfolio.

1. Hand out more business cards. I have tons (and I mean tons) of business cards that my awesome cousin designed for me and they have been sitting in my desk because I've been to much of a chicken to get out there and get work. No more.

2. Update resume with May's accomplishments.

3. Finish editing big project.

4. Dabble in e-book writing. I kinda sorta have an idea for an e-book. Not sure that it will go anywhere --- hopefully it will. This month I hope to start working on it (like actually researching how in the world to go about it!). I think July and August will probably be spent writing/researching the majority of it. (July is going to be crazy insane as my sister is GETTING MARRIED!!!!! Most of August will be very very light work as the appearance of Drew will be upon us... another happy dance)

There we go. June's goals. Do you have any goals this month that is going to launch your business, weight-loss, organization? I'd love to hear them!! Also, if you're having trouble finishing something (or in my case starting/launching) considering purchasing the e-book The Finishing Manifesto. I read it over the holiday weekend, and Amy really has a lot of great things to say!! I'm keeping it close just to flip through when I don't feel like finishing something and need that extra kick in the pants. One of the great things about this e-book is you pay what you want!! Whether that's $5, $20, or $100 --- and let me tell you... it's worth it!! Go check it out!

xo

Disappointment

2011-05-31T23:57:00.000-05:00

Monday was the big day. It was the day that we were finally going to move into our house (after six months of living with my parents or my brother it is about time). Andy's family came in to town to help with the moving (we are only planning on moving the master bedroom and kitchen at this point because while the house is "done" enough for us to move in, it still isn't fully "done") Andy has been working like a mad man to get it finished (he gets off work at midnight and then he'd go work on the house until 5-6 AM, come home, sleep, and then go to work...) And then Sunday came ... and the floors weren't dry, so Andy couldn't put on the needed second coat of polyurethane (we've had to re-do the wood floors. The back of the polyurethane can says six hours to dry... nope) To top it off, the air conditioning in the house isn't working. Today we realized that the car AC isn't working either. This has been a whopper of a week, folks. It seems like it's one disappointment after another. Sometimes life sucks, but you know what... it's ok. I still have my husband and two (one and a half??) babies... Life goes on. Sometimes I don't want lemonade... or lemons... but at this point I don't really have a choice. So... my blog will still limp along as we're even in more of limbo than we were before this week (living at my brother's and sleeping at my parents. Long story... I'm not even going to get into it). Please just bare with me. It will get better. It has to right?

xo

image found via weheartit

Book Review: Freedom's Stand

2011-05-28T12:07:00.000-05:00

By J.M. Windle

Tyndale Publishing

e-book available

$13.99, 464 pages

ISBN 978-1-4143-1476-1

Fiction

Take a sneak peek here

Freedom's Stand follows characters Jamil, Amy, and Steve through war torn Afghanistan.

Jamil has recently renounced a life of jihad for Jesus Christ and is on a mission through the Afghan countryside to tell his fellow countrymen about this Jesus, or Isa Masih, becoming a known "healer" during his pursuits. However, when he meets journalist Kareem his journey and life takes a turn for the worst and he is thrown in prision for his beliefs.

Amy is a relief worker who, upon coming home from a leave home, finds things at her refuge project for woman are not quite as she left them. When another job opportunity presents itself, she is very torn. Stay with a project that she created, or abandon the project for one that seems more in line with what she is wanting to accomplish in Afghanistan? When she hears of Jamil's capture for being a Christian healer and claims that he is a apostate, her mission changes to making sure that he walks free

Steve is a Special Forces veteran who is working under contracts for Afghan leaders. The bona-fide lone man is searching for love and meaning in his life. When Amy comes to him for help in freeing Jamil, it is an mission and cause that he can not turn down.

I loved Freedom's Stand. Windle is such a wonderful story teller. Many times I felt as if I was in Afghanistan. I enjoyed the fact that through this love triangle, you were never quite sure who Amy was going to choose -- the "on fire for Christ" Afghan, Jamil or the strong, "always there for her in a pinch" ex-Special Forces Steve?
Windle literally keeps you on the edge of your seat (and your reading light on hours into the night).

Freedom's Stand will be released in June of this year. I highly recommend this book (it would be such a great beach read!) Anyone who loved The Kite Runner, will love this book.

Note: I received this book free for review from Tyndale Publishing House. A positive review was not required.

Book Review: Life, In Spite of Me and GIVEAWAY

2011-05-27T23:59:00.000-05:00

I'm going to leave this post at the top of the page until next Friday when the giveaway ends. Remember we need 30 participants in order for it to be a go, so send all your friends to sign up!!! (See below for more postings)

By Kristen Jane Anderson
Multnomah
e-book available
$19.99, 207 pages
ISBN 9781601422521
Inspirational
Take a sneak peek here

At the age of seventeen, Kristen Jane Anderson attempted to commit suicide. Dealing with the loss of three friends and her grandmother and a rape all in the course of two years, Kristen felt like she could go on no longer. On a cold January night in icy Illinois, Kristen laid down on the train tracks and waited for the train to barrel over her to end her life. Miraculously, Kristen didn't die that night. She did, however, lose both of her legs.

Life, In Spite of Me is Kristen's amazing story of survival and recovery. I love reading stories about people who are completely broken and think they are useless and God surprises everyone and does a huge work in their life. Kristen went from a depressed teen ready to end it all to a joyful young woman who is now encouraging other broken teens (and adults) around the globe with her story and ministry (www.reachingyou.org). I would have to say that my two favorite parts in Kristen’s story were where two different rescue workers randomly met her years later and told her that there is no way, no way she should have survived. As one of the paramedics that had been on scene later informed Kristen, “... You know, we didn't think you were going to make it. You lost about eight pints of blood. People are supposed to die after they lose five. When I first saw you, I was shocked you were still alive. I’ve seem people die from far less serious injuries. There’s no doubt that God saved you life that night, because medically... well, medically your survival was impossible... You don’t know how big a miracle... They tried to bring in a Flight for Life helicopter for you, but it was too foggy. Instead they did something I hadn’t seen before and I haven’t seen happen since. They radioed in and had all the intersections between where you were and the hospital blocked. A drive that normally would have taken forty-five minutes took only eight minutes.” I read this and literally had goose bumps. God truly had a bigger plan for Kristen. This is a wonderful book for encouragement whether or not you are struggling with suicidal thoughts. It's a quick read (I finished it in two days... with a toddler running around and two massive deadlines looming I was surprised I was able to pick it up at all). I would recommend this read to everyone.

Note: I received this book free for review from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group. A positive review was not required.

I would like to give away a copy of this book just leave me a comment. I'm not requiring you to subscribe to my blog, however, there will need to be at least 30 different participants in order for the giveaway to continue, so tell all your friends to come leave a comment!! Come on! It's a free book!! I'll choose a winner Friday, May 27th.

Review: Amazing Grace Celtic Hymns and Blessings

2011-05-25T10:47:00.000-05:00

Amazing Grace: Celtic Hymns and Blessings
$9.90 Discovery House Publishing
ISBN 0717336424126

Purchase here

Honestly. Who can pass up Celtic music? I was giddy when I was given the opportunity to review Amazing Grace: Celtic Hymns and Blessings. Celtic music and hymns! Love. Growing up in church (I'm a preacher's kid), I know a lot of hymns. I was really excited to see a couple titles I didn't know (as well as plenty I did know). One track after another was just packed with beautiful Celtic melodies -- the bagpipes, fiddles, flutes, harps they literally transport you to the Scottish countryside. I'm pretty sure my favorite track was Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing, however, as the next track and the next track played, I couldn't pick a favorite!! One thing I do wish is that the vocals (in the few songs that had vocals) had more of a Scottish or Irish flare. I'm pretty sure Elsie and I played the entire album three or four times while running errands yesterday. Elsie loved it!! She was dancing or "playing the drums" with every song! For any Celtic music lover I would recommend this album!

Note: I received this album complimentary from Discovery House Publishing. A positive review was not required.

New Blissfully Domestic Writer!!

2011-05-24T18:20:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to share this with you guys. I am one of Blissfully Domestic's new craft writers!! Gotta say I'm extremely stoked about this!! Here's my first article if you guys want to go check it out :) Eeek!!

xo

Adventures In Cloth Diapers

2011-05-21T13:56:00.000-05:00

So, Drew will be here in T-minus 2ish months. I have been thinking and thinking about it and I really wanna start him out with cloth diapers from the get go. Husband, totally not on board, but I think that's ok as I'm really the only one that changes diapers anyways... haha. So in the next couple weeks (maybe July?) I'm going to start a new "feature" (which I hate calling it that because I get so bored with "features" on my blog... and I feel like that is all I ever do... the "feature" posts) called "Adventures in Cloth Diapering" or something like that.
These next couple of months I'm going to have to start researching like crazy to actually get something that's going to fit him right off the bat (that isn't pink... a lot of my one size diapers are pink. whoops) and that is cost effective. I'll pop in every once in a blue moon with progress and updates!! I'm excited!!

Confessions on a Thursday Night...

2011-05-19T22:42:00.000-05:00

1. I'm an unashamed night owl -- probably not the perfect thing for a pregnant momma with a semi-early bird toddler, but we make it work (just FYI I haven't been to bed before 2 AM in over a week...)

2. I'm a coffee/tea addict -- and I'm totally ok with that.

3. I love love love a clean car -- I vacuum my car out at least two times a week if not more.

4. I love lists very very much.

5. I like making budgets and seeing where all the money's going -- I guess it's kinda like making a list.

6. I love throwing baby and wedding showers. Love planning them. But generally I'm a terrible host -- I should probably work on that.

7. I loathe credit cards. We have four. I hate them.

8. I like writing out bills. I hate spending money on bills.

9. I miss blogging, but I'm not 100% sure what to blog about. I like the "I know what I'm going to write about" schedule of daily themed posts (Made Mondays, Where's Baby Wednesday, etc) but I'm so bored with those (ADD much?) Give me some good ideas. What would ya'll like to see on here?

10. Oh, and I kinda sorta got a job writing for an online magazine...

xo

All is Quiet on the Krumm Front...

2011-05-09T22:58:00.000-05:00

...things 'round here are going to be a little quiet in May. Eventually this month we'll be moving into our house. For now we have moved out of my parents house and in with my brother. Oh and my brother lives in a warehouse. Yes, this place is pretty crazy awesome.

Blogging from my phone as that's how it's going for now... Will return someday (hopefully in the next couple of weeks)

xo

Blogs!!

2011-05-05T09:00:00.002-05:00

(source)

Here are some new (to me) blogs I've been frequenting:

Wee Wonderfuls

Hop Skip Jump

Enjoying the Small Things

Stephany Writes
Oh Shoot!
Cave in the Clouds

and a photo stream -- I want to heart almost every single one of her journaling photos!!

Paper Relics

Any blogs you've fallen in love with lately? Please share!!

Where is Baby?? Week 27

2011-05-04T09:00:00.000-05:00

Your not-so-tiny-anymore baby (2 pounds and 14.5 inches long!) is slowly rotating in preparation to “head out” for the grand entrance on their birthday!
Now obviously, this doesn’t happen overnight, but when you start to feel a new sort of pressure "down there" (aka your cervix), you’ll know you’ve got a fully flipped locked-n-loaded womb-fruit waiting for the countdown to launch!
If you feel like they're still not flipped, don't worry, you've still got time.
Impressive physical developments of the week: your child's lungs are already capable of breathing air as their vascular system can now handle oxygen/carbon exchange and their brain stem can now regulate rhythmic breathing as well as their basal body temperature!
For what it’s worth, at this point in a healthy pregnancy - if you were to give birth prematurely, your tiny fighter could easily win on the show: “Survivor: The Early Years.”
Go ahead, give your belly a gentle hi-five!

A How-To of Sorts

2011-05-03T09:00:00.002-05:00

Last week Elsie was sick. Trying to come up with a surprise because I remember when I was sick, my mom always came up with little surprises. While on a dreaded Wal-Mart run, I found the cutest (well, as can be) Dora paper dolls and I just knew that E would love them. However, being a toddler, I knew they wouldn't last long, sooo here's what I did to make the paper dolls semi-toddler proof.

Step One:

Cover doll and clothes in plastic. I know you can get a roll of contact paper for about six bucks at Wal-Mart. Had I to do it over, I probably would have gotten some thin cardboard (you know the stuff you get in a scrapbooking paper pack) and backed the Dora doll with it. Although it has been a week and Dora is still holding up strong.

Step Two:

Cut all pieces out of the plastic. (I know it looks like I'm cutting this dress in half, but no worries, I'm not).

Step Three:

Play!!

We totally like to layer. The Dora paper doll was a big hit!! I can't wait until she gets a little older and I can get a large collection of paper dolls going.

Made -- The One Project That Turned Into Two...

2011-05-02T17:46:00.000-05:00

So. Two weeks ago Andy and I found out that we were going to get to go to his nephew's 3rd birthday party (they live out of town and it was on a day that is generally a work day for Andy). Very exciting. I hate going to the store and risking getting a double present (you know when you and so and so get the birthday kid the same present) so I always try to come up with something different... generally that means making something. Through a series of random blog jumps, I discovered this tutorial. Amazingly cute right? I knew that I wasn't really going to have time to make the entire messenger bag (we are at a week and counting before the birthday party), so I decided to just make a car mat.

After hours (ok just a couple...) I figured out what all the very cool fabrics were that she used on her car mat and desperately contacted the Etsy shop owners to see if I could have it by the following Monday. (and let me tell you if you need some fabric in a hurry Cotton Blosson Farm and Whipstitch Fabric are two shops that can deliver in a rush!! They were wonderful!)

So. Now I had all my fabric and needed materials... and decided that it was time that I actually learned how to properly use a rotary cutter. Yeah. This wasn't a good idea. My final measurements were supposed to be 18x24, however, mine ended up being somewhere around 18x22... and then the lover came home and said "Um. Babe, that isn't straight and you can totally tell. It's not working." And here is where we insert the frustrated pregnancy tears. Lover gave me a hug and fixed me a big bowl of Rocky Road ice cream and we watched 24 or Jericho or something or other on Netflix and I brainstormed how I was going to make this work (since ripping the fabric didn't work... it tore crooked -- this is how I make just about EVERYTHING. I rip the fabric into the needed measurement. That's my secret...) Anyways. I finally figured out that I could buy "normal" cotton material, rip it to needed size and use it as a pattern. Then I would just use the ripped material for another project.

So that is what happened. That is the story behind the one project (a car mat) that turned into two (a car mat and a pillow for Elsie).

Car Mat:

Folded. Letter C for nephew's first initial.

Inside --- with two cars to prove that it actually "works".

Close up. I love how the lines aren't perfect.

Elise's Pillow:

It really isn't a big secret how much my kid loves Dora. (I'm still finding this funny as we don't let her watch the show. I find it very... annoying...)

Anyways, I kinda fell in love with the letter idea with the "C" on the car mat. Instead of just doing the first letter, I decided it was time that Elsie learned all the letters in her name. When she saw the pillow, she tried to pick off the letters to see Dora underneath... Sheesh...

What are you guys currently making??

xo

Made -- Drew's Nursing Cover

2011-04-28T14:39:00.000-05:00

Made -- on Thursday (instead of Monday) as I have been promising this post since sometimes last week. With the storms and crazy weather that has been blowing through, I haven't been able to get good photos of this thing :) So without any further yammering...

And yes, the chair is modeling my nursing cover -- because until like ten minutes ago did I actually get a shower today and I'm sure you didn't wanna see me in all my pj-ed, greasy haired glory. (and ignore the laundry in the background and the toys all over the floor).

Unlike most nursing covers, I use a slide instead of two D-rings. Personal I like the look better and if you need to adjust quickly while nursing, it makes it so much easier to do one handed.

Here's my little sidekick proving that adjusting the nursing cover is easy peasy one handed. (Yes, she's still taking her "mi-mi"s and no it's not nap/bed time... it's teething time so she gets "mi-mi"... I'm a pushover).

One other thing I changed about this nursing cover (that I haven't seen on others and haven't done on any previous that I've made) is the handy dandy pocket (sorry, I've been watching to much Blue's Clues lately...) Not sure how much I'll use it, but hey, gotta love extra pockets right???

And here is a sneak peak of what's coming up on Made this Monday... Hint. It's the one project that ended up two....

xo

Sponsor Feature -- Maryam from PampleMousse

2011-04-28T14:24:00.000-05:00

name and tell us a little about yourself:

my name is Maryam and I live in Dallas, Texas with my husband and two dogs. We are currently on the adventure to parenthood with our first child due in June! I am super excited and have a hard time stopping myself from buying all sorts of cute baby things. I love to blog, read, craft and spend time with my family.

tell us a little about your shop and/or blog:

My blog is about my life and the things that inspire me. In my shop I sell my original photography as well as some things I make by hand including screenprinted onesies.

goal for 2011:

At the moment my blog and shop are fun hobbies but I would like to develop and expand them after the baby comes since I will be transitioning from an elementary art teacher to being a stay at home mom. I'd love to be able to bring in some income from my Etsy shop and really develop my products.

fun random fact about yourself: I like to be the first one to climb into bed when it's freshly made.

where can we find you online?

Http://pamplemousse1983.com

Http://mgs1983.etsy.com

Twitter: pamplemousse83

Be sure to check out Maryam's blog and shop and leave her some love!!

xo

Where is Baby?? Week 26

2011-04-27T09:00:00.001-05:00

At long last your little swimmer can see!
For the first time ever, your wee babe's eyelids have finally opened (remember: they were fused shut previously) and they’re probably having their first moments of sight as you read this (or maybe it already happened while you were brushing your teeth or browsing the internet or something).
In addition to taking in their first visual impressions of their comfy amniotic-filled studio, your little human-bean recently acquired the ability to move their head around.
That's right, if your child were clever enough (which they're not - yet), they could engage in that most basic of non-verbal communication - the head shake/nod. Not to mention, gawking!
In further anti-alien developments: your little super star’s head hair is starting to grow in!
Who knows, maybe a cute little cowlick or two is springing into position right now - the first of years of cute-but-stubborn bed-head.
Your wee piggy's toenails have recently grown in and they're still slowly piling up fat beneath their still-loose-n-wrinkly skin.
Most importantly, their brain tissue and neurons are all developing at a rapid pace, increasing their (genius-level?) brain activity, which will continue to function at accelerated levels for the first eight years of childhood!

And after looking through pictures of eggplant to share, I now want eggplant. Fried... dipped in ranch... 3 more months and I'm going to eat my heart out!!! :)

My So Called "Business Plan"

2011-04-26T11:57:00.000-05:00

(image via http://bookporn.tumblr.com/)

I am currently reading "My So-Called Freelance Life". I have to say I'm quite enjoying it. I'm trying to get through it fairly quickly since it has to go back to the library on Monday (it's an inter-library loan book, so no renewals). In it, the author, Michelle Goodman, encourages every freelancer to make a yearly business plan. I've never been much for business plans. To me this means setting something to paper to take to a bank to say "I need money and this is how I'm going to pay you back". Goodman put it in words I like -- "[A business plan is] committing to paper your latest and greatest freelancing goals". Now this I can do. I can come up with some goals and my game plan. She encourages you to write one out for a year. For me this was a little much. If I set a yearly goal it's going to be massively huge and normally unobtainable (something along the lines of getting discovered, making it big, a writing tour... yeah... like I said), so I'm sticking with monthly goals.

So my business plan for May is as followed (and really very simple):

Build my portfolio and make $75

That's it. Why $75 you ask? Because I want to buy a new car seat cover for E's car seat and $75 is about as cheap as I have found them. Lame I know, but I'm a mom and so I normally buy "mom" things.

Now for the game plan. How I'm going to build this portfolio and make the moo-la:

1. Create my writing resume. (Note. I hate writing resumes, but this is one of those necessary evils. And very very evil it is)

2. Write 4-5 articles a week. (I'll be working generally on Tuesday and Thursday so this is when this will get done. I can get these published fairly easy at associated content -- the website that I currently write for. One thing that these articles will be are "proud worthy" -- in other words I will fine tooth comb them and make sure they are free of any terrible mistakes. Lots of my earlier publishing has many typos *blush*. Yes, I'm admitting that...)

3. Send out 3 queries or apply for three jobs. (I've never sent out a query, so I'm kinda looking forward to that!!)

4. Start an idea notebook. (Currently I have ideas floating around in my head. I can't tell you how many articles I've "lost" because I never wrote them down. If I'm going to be "cranking" 4-5 articles out a week, this is going to be a necessity).

So. Here's my question -- this being the last week of April. Is it cheating if I start on this list now? Because I totally have :)

xo

Book Glutton

2011-04-26T09:00:00.001-05:00

I am a terrible glutton for punishment. Have I told you about my "project read that stack"? I have an insane habit of buying tons and tons of stacks of books. And then, before reading them, buying more stacks. It's a never ending cycle. Such a horrible one because there are so many books on my shelves (or currently in tupperware boxes -- there is 15 boxes btw. My husband has noticed the growing trend with every move...) that go unread. So anyways, this last move (the one where we moved in with my parents) I packed quite a large canvas tote of books that I have yet to read. And project "read that stack" commenced. I've been working on not purchasing any new books (and trying to refrain from checking books out at the library) until I have most of the stack read. Currently left in the stack:

Bringing Up Girls - Dr. James Dobson
Burn - Ted Dekker and Erin Healy
Water for Elephants - Sara Gruen
The Glass Castle - Jeanette Walls
Eats, Shoots & Leaves - Lynne Truss
Let Me Be A Woman - Elisabeth Elliot
Discipline - Elisabeth Elliot
One In A Million - Priscilla Evans Shirer
Sacred Parenting - Gary Thomas
The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini

This past weekend I had a small breakdown. Three books entered into my "request" list at our public library.

And More By Andy Rooney - Andy Rooney
A Visit From the Goon Squad - Jennifer Egan
Matched - Allyson Braithwaite Condie

All of which will be waiting for me bright and early in the morning for me to pick up. I love to read, but I'm not an extremely fast reader. How in the world am I supposed to read these books (plus the two on freelance writing that I'm currently reading...) Like I said. Glutton for punishment.

What's currently on your want to read stack? Or maybe you shouldn't tell me so I don't want to check them out too (no, do because I really wanna know what everyone else is reading...)

xo

Made -- Leslie and Omar's Guest Book

2011-04-25T09:00:00.009-05:00

One of my besties got married on Saturday. A absolutely stunning wedding. I'm so happy for my friend and very excited to welcome Omar into the family! Last week Leslie contacted me and wanted me to come up with something for the guest book (She knows I work very well under very tight deadlines ;))

Here's what I came up with. We both loved this (she came up with the concept of the cards-- I just had to come up with something to put them in...)

Front cover. I got a book that was in their colors (green and brown) and "tore" out the insides. My dad, ever handy with the drill (he kinda uses one for a living), drilled four holes and I put a book-ring in each hole. Then the pretty ribbon got tied on each ring to spruce it up a bit ;) And I made a lovely card (to actually hide the artwork on the front cover) with their names (Omar and Leslie).

Inside the front cover--- I couldn't find any "normal" 4x6 page protectors, so I had to get creative. I bought a package of 12x12 page protectors that had 6 4x6 slots each. And then I cut them down. The pretty paper is a Basic Grey line, but like the crazy person I am I have no idea which line it actually was. It was the line that had the most greens/browns :) Anyways. I cut the 12x12 paper down to fit into my new sleeve and then I sewed around three of the corners for each pocket. I thought it just gave it something a little extra (and honestly I just love sewing on paper...)

Here are the cards that each guest filled out. (The "categories" are: Name, Traveled from, and Blessing/Wishes). After the guests filled out the cards, I slipped them into the pockets in the book.

Which looked a little something like this ----

I had so much fun making this!! Isn't that just a lovely red couch?! It was in the entry way of the church that the wedding was at. I wish I would have gotten some more pictures of the church (inside and out). It was just gorgeous.

Congrats to the wonderful Leslie and Omar!! Love you guys!!

xo

Book Review --- God Gave Us Two

2011-04-24T21:34:00.001-05:00

By Lisa Tawn Bergen
Water Brook Press
$9.99, 32 pages
ISBN 1578565073
Children
Take a sneak peek here

God Gave Us Two, by Lisa Tawn Bergren, is about a family of polar bears (love polar bears). Mama Bear is pregnant and Little Cub is afraid that when the baby comes along, Mama and Papa will forget her. Throughout the book Mama and Papa continue to assure Little Cub letting her know that God's gift of two will be a great blessing and that Little Cub will love this new blessing.

I loved this book (and so did my daughter Elsie). It is a fun read for families getting ready to add an addition to their family. It addresses many fears that a little one might have and the surprise at the end of the book is priceless. Loved it.

Note: I received this book free for review from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group. A positive review was not required.

Note: I received this book free for review from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group. A positive review was not required.

Hey, Hey! What do you say?!

2011-04-21T10:10:00.000-05:00

This morning I got up... and checked my blog (because I'm random and weird like that). I'm so very excited to say that we've hit 80 followers!! 80! I know that's not very many to some of you (and a lot of blogs out there in blog-land) but I'm quite excited about it! So, to celebrate, I'm giving 10% off everything in my store!! Use the coupon code: SPRINGISHERE

Get a raccoon, some paper dolls, or a doll!! Go crazy! I dare you!!

xo

My Year in Books

2011-04-21T09:00:00.000-05:00

(source)

When I was 12 I met a girl. This girl did something really cool. Every book that she read, she recorded the title, author's name and date finished reading in a notebook. For me, book and list lover, this was just way to awesome! So ever since then I have been recording the books that I read. Unfortunately I took a hiatus during the college years. For some reason I didn't think I should count these books that I was reading in a week -- I guess for some reason I didn't really feel like I was reading these books. So, any who -- there is about a four year gap in my records. Sad face.

I thought it would be fun to share the list of books that I've read so far this year (it's been a busy year so it's not as full as I'd like it to be :))

1. To Kill A Mockingbird Haper Lee

2. Flight of Shadows Sigmond Brower

3. If I Perish Esther Ahn Kim

4. The Giver Lois Lowery

5. Glass Ellen Hopkins

6. Crank Ellen Hopkins

7. The Shaping of a Christian Family Elisabeth Elliot

8. Reshaping It All Candance Cameron Bure

9. The Dopple Ganger Chronicles: The Secret of Indigo Moon G.P.Taylor

Currently on the reading block:

Persuasion Jane Austen -- I'm currently reading this book with my pen pal. Seriously? Best pen pal project ever! We are having so much fun reading and exchanging letter regarding our reading!! I believe we're going to read Water for Elephants next (I'm going to try not to see the movie prior to reading the book. We'll see how that works. The movie just looks so pretty!!)

What's on your reading block??

Where is Baby?? Week 25

2011-04-20T09:00:00.000-05:00

Your little grower’s physical proportions are pretty much birth-ready and most of their remaining development will largely be weight gain and a ton of nervous system development.
The good news is: if your child were to be born premature, they’d likely survive without much trauma as their lungs started producing “surfactant” last week, which means their tiny respiratory system is getting stronger with each passing day.
Yes, now’s a good time for a minor sigh of relief and a quick pat on the back. All that hard work and conscientious living is really getting your child prepared for a healthy delivery.
In mobile-fetus news: your baby should be scootching slowly out of the breech position (head upright, with their butt-n-legs down by your pelvis) and start rotating around for a head-first exit through the birth canal.
If all goes well, and your little womb hi-jacker isn't a contrary one, they'll be locked-n-loaded in the next few weeks!
Time is short (or really long, depending on who you ask) — just (still!) 14 weeks left before you can go back to being a single-resident human... with one tiny brand-spankin' new family member!

Sponsor Feature -- Three Leaves Toys

2011-04-19T09:00:00.000-05:00

Name and tell us a little about yourself: Our names are Levi and Alissa. We live in the Mile High City of Denver, Colorado with our son Solomon is 20 months old. We grew up in Ohio, met one crazy summer and eloped a year later. A few days after we eloped we moved to Denver! We love this city and its 300 days of sunshine a year.

Tell us a little about your shop and/or blog: Our shop is called Three Leaves Toys and we sell handmade wooden toys and teethers. Our shop is just a little baby shop, having opened on January 1 of this year, but we are so excited to grow our business and do a lot of markets this summer. Alissa has a blog (www.anewhistory.com) about our family, trying to live authentically, and handmade life.

Goal for 2011: We are really hoping to just see continued steady growth for Three Leaves Toys, and have a couple brick and mortar shops we are working with to hopefully offer our toys and teethers locally.

Fun random fact about yourself: I (Alissa) have been to 48 of the 50 states, and not just driven through, like actually visited. Levi had never been on a plane when we met, so we try to do a lot of traveling! I still need to get to Hawaii and Oregon of all places.

Where can we find you online?

shop: threeleavestoys.etsy.com
blog: www.anewhistory.com
twitter: @anewhistory

Be sure to visit Three Leaves Toys blog and shop and leave some love (aren't those dinosaur ones just adorable?!)

Project: Make Drew a Nursing Cover

2011-04-18T09:00:00.000-05:00

I'm not sure why I say that I'm making Drew a nursing cover. It's actually for me... but whatever. I received a nursing cover as a gift while pregnant for E. Best. Thing. Ever! (For a nursing mom). I will say that I loved having a nursing cover, however, just one sometimes doesn't cut it (babies do spit up a lot you know). As Andy and I have a somewhat open door policy with friends, always having a nursing cover on hand is a very important thing for me (not the mom that enjoys being in a shut room while all the fun stuff is going on outside --- yes, my daughter is so mine. Just ask her at bed time... every single night. haha).

So here is the supplies that I have for Drew's nursing cover ---

Here is my fabric. I was going to do a two-toned nursing cover, however, this fabric is already so awesomely busy, I decided to just have one fabric (not to mention that it's a Japanese print. I'm falling in love with Japanese fabric, however, in order to continue loving this fabric I'm probably going to have to get a job as it comes with a lovely price tag).

Purchased from this shop

Here is my slider. I love love love these sliders. They are so pretty. And they are coconut. Which happens to be one of my favorite things ever (still looking for coconut tea...)

Purchased from this shop.

I seriously can't wait to start/finish this project. I'm so so so excited!! I'll post some pictures when I finally get it finished. This one is so going in my hospital bag (you know... in 3 1/2 months)

xo

Blog Baby Shower >> PampleMousse

2011-04-17T09:00:00.000-05:00

Hey, lookie what we're participating in on Monday :) There's a giveaway and a little post on cloth diapering :) It's going to be epic!! Don't miss this --- all the action happens here >> http://pamplemousse1983.com

Book Review -- The Dopple Ganger Chronicles: The Secret of Indigo Moon

2011-04-16T17:32:00.000-05:00

By G.P. Taylor
Tyndale House Publisher
$19.99, 291 pages
ISBN 9781414319483
Juvenile Fiction/Action & Adventure

The Dopple Ganger Chronicles: The Secret of Indigo Moon follows the lives of The Dopple twins and their best friend Erik Ganger who have been abandoned by their parents and left at Isambard Dunstan's School. When Erik stumbles on a secret tunnel under the school, the trio is thrown into a mystery of thievery twenty years in the making. Along the way, they make new friends and barely escape death. The Secret of Indigo Moon is sure to keep your young reader on the edge of their seat!

The Secret of Indigo Moon was extremely entertaining to read. As part novel part graphic novel, it will keep even the most un-interested readers interested. The writing style of the author reminds me of a mix between Harry Potter and The Series of Unfortunate Events books. This is the second book in the series. I had never read anything by this author (let alone this series) and while reading I wished I had the chance to read the first book -- some things (back stories and such) are a little confusing without having read the first in the series. I highly recommend that you hope over to here and take a gander at the amazingness of this book!!

I received a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes from Tyndale House. I was not required to give a positive review.

Happy Drew

2011-04-15T09:00:00.000-05:00

... I have decided that Drew is a very happy baby. He likes everything mommy puts into her tummy. He is always dancing and moving about. He is very much a night owl and let's mommy know that he is really hungry during these late nights. I really can't wait to meet my baby boy. So excited. Some days seem to fly (I'm really already over half way done?!) And others seem so slow (I seriously have 16 weeks left?!) I've been having so much fun picking out things to add to my "Baby Wish List" on amazon and different fabrics for fun projects to make Mr. D. August get here fast!!

xo

The Post About Podcast Love

2011-04-14T09:00:00.000-05:00

Podcasts. I love them. Currently, I enjoy a podcast while walking with E in the afternoons (ok, so maybe I've done this like once... My parent's road is a little... hilly? Moving into our new house I'm hoping to get a morning walk and afternoon walk in). My goal is to be able to walk for an entire podcast. Mainly because this is the perfect time to get to listen semi-uninterrupted. Today we started walking and I didn't get very far... E saw the dogs in my parent's yard and a couple of my mom's piano students playing with a ball and she was finished with our walk and proceeded to attempt to climb out of the stroller. Anyways.

I'm not really all that up-and-up on good podcasts. I currently have two that I have really really enjoyed listening to (They are Paperclipping Roundtable and Cornerstone Church out of Simi Valley). But a girl has to wonder. I know there are more good ones out there. What are some of your favorites? I'm so looking for some more good ones to add to my "library"!!

xo

Where is Baby?? Week 24

2011-04-13T09:00:00.001-05:00

Seriously? Is it just me, or does it seem like the 20s weeks are going by so slow?! I feel like I should be about 27 or 28 weeks this week... Doesn't really help that 3 people this past week, including a new nurse at the doctor's office, informed me that 1) I looked like I was about to pop and 2) it's going to be a really long summer. Thanks. I needed that... On another note. Drew is only the size of a corn. You could have fooled me -- this kid really doesn't stop moving and he feels a lot bigger then a measly ear of corn....

Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at just over a pound. Since he's almost a foot long he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon start to plump up. His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

Sponsor Feature -- Silly Goose Creations!!

2011-04-12T10:42:00.000-05:00

This week's sponsor feature is from the lovely Sarah from Silly Goose Creations!! Be sure check out her fun creations -- they are so so so cute!!

My name is Sarah and my shop name is Silly Goose Creations

I am a wife and a mother. My shop name came about in a silly face my daughter Abby would make. When she made the face, we called her a silly goose. It just stuck! I love crafting, especially crocheting. My signature piece would have to be my crochet owl hats, but I have several other styles to choose from as well as hair bows, pillowcase dresses and my new shirt applique line that I am in the process of starting up.

My goal for 2011 is to market my products to a wider range of people and to constantly come up with creative ideas to provide my customers with more variety.

A fun fact about myself is that I was home-schooled all 12 years of school and went on to become the Student Body President at the college I attended. Who says home-schoolers are socially inept? Or you can use the fact of I can't whistle...not a note...never have and never will be able to...

You can find me online at my Etsy store SillyGooseCreations2 (SillyGooseCreations was already taken...and here I thought I was creative!) :

BUT my main page is my facebook page. I have a lot more pictures and products on Facebook than I do on Etsy. Facebook is SillyGooseCreations

Sarah also has some amazing deals going on!! She is offering free shipping on any orders over $20 (for this month only, so jump on that while you can!!) and also, when her Facebook page reaches 300 fans, she is going to do a fun giveaway!! So be sure to "like" Silly Goose Creations over on Facebook and give Sarah lots of love!!

One of my Favorite Posts EVER!

2011-04-08T07:53:00.001-05:00

So. I was wandering along on the web -- something I find myself doing more and more of once E is in bed...Anyways, I found this post over at Black*Eiffel on Spring Cleaning the Bathroom. Find the full post and all the pretty pictures here. Do yourself (and your bathroom) a favor and go read it now!!

(Photo Source -- Black*Eiffel)

Review: Green Sprout Baby Cloth Diapers

2011-04-07T22:39:00.001-05:00

This review has been a long time coming!! I have two of these wonderfully cute diapers (and hope to get more for Drew) and I absolutely LOVE them. Green Sprout is a Mother/Daughter business based in New York. Designed by a former fashion design college grad, these diapers are amazingly cute AND very effective. Every diaper comes with 7 complete layers. The outer layer is a cotton knit with an interior organic bamboo fleece and a layer of organic bamboo velour next to baby's skin. The snap in soaker is three layers of organic bamboo fleece and a top layer of organic bamboo velour. I seriously wish I could let everyone of you feel just how soft the inside of this diaper is. It's sure to make every baby bum so happy! They come in a variety of sizes (NB, S, L, etc). My favorite size is the EVO (I have one EVO diaper and one ML diaper). EVO works great with tiny Miss Elsie. The ML, was slightly large on E -- it just didn't fit right, all because she was to small!! (The smaller size wouldn't work because then she'd be to large -- oh the conundrums of having a petite baby!) Here's a little more information about how the EVO works (as taken from the Green Sprout website) (Note-- can you just see how soft the inside of this diaper looks?!):

Another great feature (at least I think so) is that it fits babies in the 7-35 pound range! You are going to get a lot of use out of this diaper!! They have TONS of prints to choose from --- including cotton and organic cotton categories. Here are my favorites:

Swoon. Seriously how can you not just LOVE these diapers!! The EVO works great for the petite baby. And of course there is the stylish factor -- your kid would seriously have the coolest dressed bum around!! Whether you are already a hard core cloth diaper-er, just getting started, or wanting to dive in, I highly highly recommend these diapers! There are also amazing cute girlie prints too... Right now I'm just drawn to the more boyish prints ;) Visit Green Sprout Baby's website here and "like" them on facebook here!! And whenever you make your huge order (like I know you're going to do as soon as you finish reading this post ;)) mention that I sent you!!

xo

PS And a new feature that they are offering?? LAYAWAY! This could get me into serious trouble folks!

Sponsor Feature -- Brittney!!

2011-04-07T19:19:00.001-05:00

So. This chica is near and dear to my heart... as she is my little sister :) She recently started up a blog. She just hosted a giveaway (and is planning on doing more in the future!) Here's a little more information about her. Be sure to check out her blog and give her some love!!

Hello I am Brittney. I am a full time college student-ardent coffee lover-health food junky----soon to be Mrs. Melton-sinner saved by grace.

My blog is a small peak into my crazy, blessed life. Sometimes it's rather slow and sometimes it may be hard to keep up with, but it's never boring because that's how my life goes!

My goal for 2011 is to serve my Savior to the greatest of my ability. For me, it can be summed up in loving God and loving others.

A fun random fact about me? I love, love, love tofu (it's my favorite splurge food)!

Come visit me on my blog brittneyleannemoon.blogspot.com! I'd love to hear from you!

Where is Baby?? Week 23

2011-04-07T19:08:00.000-05:00

Turn on the radio and sway to the music. With her sense of movement well developed by now, your baby can feel you dance. And now that she's more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound you may be able to see her squirm underneath your clothes. Blood vessels in her lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that your baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing her for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as your dog barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze her when she hears them outside the womb.

To Return Shortly (Like Tonight)

2011-04-07T11:00:00.000-05:00

... Sorry it's been so quite around these parts. I had every intention of blogging yesterday, but after two close almost ER trips (and coming to the conclusion that our daughter is just like her mom --- accident prone and very much a klutz...) I didn't have the energy to do anything last night except hold my baby, cuddle with my Lover, and as a family watch Tangled. As I repeated so much yesterday --- it was a binky kind of day ... (which we are trying to wean E off of... yesterday -- it was just pointless.) Also, dully noted -- we need to invest in Dora bandaids...

So I will return later today with "Where is Baby Wednesday" and two wonderful sponsor features for this month :)

(Speaking of sponsors -- I'm featured over on PampleMouse today -- go check it out!)

The Post About Peppermint Smelling Diapers...

2011-04-04T18:44:00.000-05:00

Sunday night, I had to take an important phone call and asked my dear brother to watch E for a couple minutes. Ten minutes into my phone call, he rushed into the room holding an empty gum package. "Elsie, just ate this entire pack of gum." Yes. My child LOVES gum. One of my sister's old purses was left out and E found an old pack of gum (when I say old it's like... oh two weeks?) and proceeded to eat the entire thing. Joy. Life goes on. Elsie goes to bed -- a little later then normal, but who cares that is of little significance to our story. Fast forward to 5 AM this morning. Elsie wakes up. Fussy. Ready to start her day. Asking for more (of something. I don't know what... I'm hoping it wasn't gum...) We get up. She has... gas... I research a little online about the effects of swallowing a lot of chewing gum... nothing to worry about except a little tummy ache and maybe constipation... Well, E has gas... and the poor dear... every time she passes gas, she looks at me, points at her diaper and rather pitifully states "Poo-poo" (note: no "poo-poo" yet, folks, but if today is any indication it's going to come out smelling minty fresh). All day I have smelled mint all over E... her breath, her pee diapers, her gas, her skin -- everything is minty minty fresh! So. There's my story about minty fresh diapers.

This is How We Eat Popcorn...

2011-04-04T13:00:00.008-05:00

...while we watch a movie. Yes, she is standing in a cardboard box. We call it the picnic box. It came from a garage sale (filled with baby boy clothes for Drew). She claimed it when it got cleaned out. It's really nice because now there isn't food scattered about the floor. It's all nice and neat in the picnic box :)

xo

Make Monday

2011-04-04T07:30:00.000-05:00

This week for Make Monday, I thought I'd share a whole bunch of stuff from Etsy that I wanna get to decorate my almost finished house (totally excited).

Elsie and Drew's room:

I am totally smitten with this print (from thewheatfield's shop) for over E's bed. The room is a dark dark dark navy-ish blue, so everything that I decorate has to be of the bright color variety.

I love this fabric (which is a fitted sheet from this shop). For Elsie's bed. I think. Or maybe Drew's. It kinda all depends on what the fabric that I get to make quilts looks like :)

This is the sheet (from this shop) that I had picked out for Drew (or maybe Elsie... who knows...)

I have yet to find a "cool" print for Drew's side of the room. I pick stuff out, and then re-look at it and it just looks to ... girlie. So... I'm still on the lookout for Drew's perfect print.

I have actually had the idea for a house pillow in my head for forever. (These are from this shop). You can bet that I'll be making a couple of these for E's bed.

The Lover's Room:

I love this print (from LoveSugar shop). Mainly because (back story here) when the Lover and I were dating, my dad always said that "A big ol' bear is stealing my baby girl" So I fell in love with this print. I want to have random photos over our bed creating a photo wall.

It's no secret that I love books. I'm contemplating this print from NanLawson shop for my night stand :)

Living Room

I love this print (from this shop -- you can get it in whatever colors you want!!). Not sure if I'm going to put it in the bedroom or living room. Other things that will go on the "photo wall" in the living room is -- family pictures, E pictures, D pictures, and a really cool massive clock (when I find the perfect one...)

The Kitchen:

Really?? How awesome is this print from this shop??

Also in the running are these prints --

From Elisejoy

This print (that tiny one over there >>>>) isn't from Etsy, but I love it just the same (if anyone knows where I can find this one to purchase, please let me know!!) Found here

So there you have it. I'm still on the lookout for wonderfully fun sheets for the Lover's bedroom, and still dreaming up possibilities for quilts for E and D's beds. For now, I'm so ready to move into my new house!! We're so close!!

xo

Meet the New Gals!!!

2011-04-03T15:45:00.001-05:00

Meet Lola, Alice, Mirabel, and Sally. They are the bestest of friends. Each set comes with all four friends, seven outfits, and three accessories. There is velcro on the dolls' middles in order to help keep the clothes in place for hours and hours of fun!

There will be four set going up in the shop (hopefully today?? We'll see what I can get done). Four is all there is folks, so if you want a set, you must get them now!!

xo

EDIT: They are now in the shop!! Click HERE

April Sponsors!!

2011-04-01T15:32:00.000-06:00

(Source)

Have you checked over there on my side bar?! We have four lovely shops/blogs to feature this month! So excited!! Please take a moment to go check them out and give them love (I do know for a fact that Brittney is having a giveaway on her blog right now that you don't wanna miss!!) Stay tuned later this month for a feature on each of these great shops/blogs!!

xo

Needing a Good Read? Look No Further!!

2011-04-01T15:13:00.000-06:00

By Liz Curtis Higgs
Water Brook
$14.99, 452 pages
ISBN 9781400070022
Audio, eBook available
Historical Fiction
Read a sneak peek here

Oh, goodness. Where do I begin on this book? I must say this was one of the most exciting, engaging, romantical (yes, in fact I do make up my own words...) book I have read in a very long time. To say that I thoroughly enjoyed it would be a major understatement.

When I began reading, I was excited because it slightly reminded me of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice (only set in Scotland in the 1700s). I got down right giddy upon further reading realized that it was actually a re-telling of the story of Ruth (which happens to be one of my favorite love stories of all time). This book has it all. Beautiful woman in distress (well, kinda) and a dashing man ready to save her. Sigh. (Yes, I'm a total romantic -- can't help it!) It's been a while since a fiction book has kept me up all hours of the night reading "just one more chapter". I didn't realize that this book is actual a sequel to Here Burns My Candle, however, I was not lost in the story at all -- the story very well can stand on its own. It has, however, made me want to get the previous book and read it as well (although I'm not sure how it could even hold a candle to this one!! The story is such a good one!!) I promise you, this story will not disappoint!

Note: I received this book free for review from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group. A positive review was not required.

Where is Baby?? Week 22

2011-03-31T10:01:00.000-06:00

I think I'm at 22 weeks. Ever since my wonderful lover bought me a new phone, and I lost my pregnancy app (ok, so I just haven't taken the time to re-download it), I've kinda forgotten how far along I am... I keep thinking I'm further along and then not as far along (like I've been 20 weeks for about 3 weeks?) Something like that... Anyways, here is where's baby at 22 weeks :)

At 11 inches and almost 1 pound, your baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. His lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and he's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums. His eyes have formed, but his irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. If you could see inside your womb, you'd be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers his body and the deep wrinkles on his skin, which he'll sport until he adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside his belly, his pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily.

Fabic Paper Doll Play Box

2011-03-29T16:41:00.001-06:00

This fun little box is so simple to make and will make storing your fabric paper dolls (which you can find in the shop) Supplies needed to make the Paper Doll Play Box are as followed (I purchased all needed materials from Hobby Lobby): 1 photo box, 1 sheet felt, ribbon (optional), letter stickers (optional), hot glue gun.

Step one -- Take your photo box and hot glue the felt to the inside of the lid (you will need to cut down to size just a little bit). I chose a gray felt (as seen in the picture above and my lovely model Elsie who wouldn't let me photograph the lid any other way -- she was to busy playing). The felt allows the dolls to "stick" to it making play time in the car (or church pew) so much easier (and you won't lose any pieces -- in theory... E hasn't quite gotten the "paper dolls stay in the box/box lid" idea down just quite yet)!!

Step two -- If you chose to add ribbon so as to keep the box closed while not in use (again E somehow has figured out how to get the lid off the box without untying the ribbon), you will glue two strips of ribbon to either side of the inside of the box. --Note if you have one-sided ribbon, as shown above, make sure that the right side of the ribbon is glued the in inside so when you tie it the "pretty side" will be shown. When this is completed if you chose to put your child's name on the box, do so now :) (I put mine off center on the lid. You can put it on the lid or box -- Whatever your heart desires). If you have multiple children that you're making boxes for this is a perfect way to keep each dolls separate.

Step three -- play and enjoy!! In the car, at home, at church, at grandma's house -- anywhere your heart desires!! This summer, if there is a rainy day or sick day, these paper dolls will be sure to pass time!!

P.S. Excuse the small boo-boo on E's forehead. She is, lately, becoming quite the daredevil and is diving off of laps, beds, and couches. Heaven help me. I'm really hoping this is out of her system before Drew comes...

xo

Make Monday --- to Resume on Tuesday

2011-03-28T19:36:00.001-06:00

I promise I will be back tomorrow with a tutorial of sorts sharing how to make a fun box to collect your fabric paper dolls in. However, I was gone all day today and by the time that I returned, I lost all light in order to properly photograph said box.

On another note... If anyone would like to buy me this book, I will not be mad at you...

Until tomorrow.

xo

Sponsor in April!! -- Free Gift!!

2011-03-28T17:12:00.001-06:00

(this large tea party is one I wish I was invited to!!)

Creating Little Pieces of Happiness is now accepting sponsorship for the month of April!! Sponsorship is a great way to promote your shop or blog to new readers!

Here are the details:

* the ad spot will go up on the first and taken down on the last day of the month.

*all ads are $2 for the entire month and can be paid for via paypal.

* anyone who purchases an ad space will also have a feature blog post written about them sometime during the month!! this would be a great time to offer a giveaway or discount code:)

* you will need to provide a blog button.

(if you don't have a button, Courtney from You Will Won't You or Amy from Lemon and Raspberry are incredibly talented and a wonderful people to work with for any type of design work)

Also, a special for this month ONLY -- every paid sponsor will receive a special gift!!!

Made

2011-03-26T16:02:00.000-06:00

Below is a sneak peek of the nursing cover I made for a giveaway for someone special who is having a blog baby shower (more details when posts go up!)

I'm thinking about adding a couple to the shop, but for now I'm just going to be taking custom orders ;)

xo

Today...

2011-03-25T21:52:00.000-06:00

shop

Today I...

1. Cleaned house (as the family comes home in the morning and I'm so excited)

2. Watched a whole bunch of Army Wives on Netflix

3. Packed for the Acquire the Fire Conference in Tulsa

4. Had lunch with Andy

5. Found out all the girls that were going on the trip (hence the reason I was going -- girl sponsor) dropped out, so therefore I wasn't needed...

6. Came home, unpacked, and laughed while listening to E not sleeping (instead she was playing pick-a-boo with her dolls and having a very interesting conversation with them. Really wished I knew what she was talking about)

7. Decided that I'm addicted to Laundry Monster (see link to shop above) and that I want a TON of these burp rags for Drew when he gets here.

8. Also decided that I'm a little to addicted to Etsy. Begrudgingly decided that I am putting myself on a Etsy fast until I can make more money (either writing or selling stuff) in my Pay Pal.

9. Went to Books-A-Million. I'm still on my book buying ban (self inflicted), however, that doesn't include books for E and D... all I can say is that by the time I un-pack, they are going to have a major collection of board books :/

10. Had dinner with my wonderful husband (he's working, but E and I went and met him anyways)

What did you do today??

New in Shop!!!

2011-03-24T17:27:00.001-06:00

Sandy!!! She is a fabric paper doll!! I am seriously obsessed with making these!! Elsie, my 16 month, LOVES hers!

I'm out this weekend (so starting to clean, laundry, and pack tonight) so check back Monday for a fun tutorial for a box for your fabric paper dolls!!

She's in the shop here.

EDIT: Don't forget that there's a free gift with every order (while supplies last)!!!

xo

Just a little bit of Story...

2011-03-22T22:25:00.000-06:00

So. Someone once asked if I would ever share my writings in this little place of the great big world. Well... here is the opening of my story -- This story has been in my head since I was 12 (I was a HUGE romantic). It was finished once --- it was my senior project (in high school) --- and then my parents' computer ate the entire thing. I had nothing to go off of. There is holes and gaps in my memory. Honestly, I have no idea where I'm going with it... it has taken many many forms in the past thirteen years. Changed and changed and changed. It's that story that I have to write. Have to write so I'll "get on" with life (in this case all the other stories I have in my head just waiting to be told). This one is the first. This one has to get out on paper first. I hope this time it all comes out. It's time people! (Now I wish the characters would believe that and get out of my head already -- yes, I realize I sound like a complete insane person... I think most writers have to be...) So, anyways -- Here is the beginning. Thoughts are greatly appreciated (and this is from the first draft so, as I tell my students, this is a drafty draft...)

Note: I still haven't decided if I want to write in first person or not, but for now... it's in first person.

I made a huge mistake. I know that now. Now that I’m watching the plane fly into the sunset. Tears well up in my eyes, but I forbid them to fall. It was my own fault. I told him to go. Told him I didn’t need him. But I was wrong. Oh how wrong I was.

Hello, on a Tuesday!

2011-03-22T14:14:00.001-06:00

I opened the shop back up over the weekend. Here's some of the fun stuff you'll find -- Raccoons and dolls!! (Hopefully I'll get the book strings listed today or tomorrow!!)

And a treat for all my blog readers --- a free gift added to each order (while supplies last)!!

I'm currently having a blast making fabric paper dolls -- perhaps there will be one up in the shop -- you know as long as I can part with one ;)

Visit the shop here

xo

Well, What Do You Know...

2011-03-19T22:28:00.001-06:00

... the shop is back open!! I will still be adding things (such as book strings), but those will come in the next couple of days.

I'm currently have the darnest time trying to figure out what kind of material I'm wanting to get to make a nursing cover for Drew (well, for me, but for Drew... well, you know what I mean ;) ) I just can't decide and it's DRIVING ME CRAZY (and I can't even begin to think about quilt/blanket ideas... head swimming).

xo

i'm having a man-child!

2011-03-16T22:06:00.000-06:00

It is a boy!!! Drew will be here in August. We are beyond excited. This was a shocker, as we both thought we were going to be having another girl (a good shocker though)! I'm not 100% sure what to do with a boy, but I'm excited nonetheless.

I am looking for some good "how to" tutorials for all things boy, so if you know of any good ones, please send them my way!!

xo

12 confessions

2011-03-12T18:43:00.000-06:00

1. i'm really not sure why i'm calling this 12 confessions. it's not like i'm confessing anything... more like... thoughts off the top of my head. i might need to come up with a better title for this little blog post.
2. really extremely ready to find out what i'm having so that i can start making things. like... nursing covers (because really... you need more then one)
3. i'm loving mad men season 2. can't get enough!
4. i'm drinking a fully loaded mint mocha. i'm pretty sure i've eaten nothing but sugar this week and i feel terrible. excited to start eating healthy again next week.
5. and working out. this week the work out schedule was thrown completely off.
6. reading a lot. finished two books this week and the one i'm currently reading i'm on page 268 out of 624. lovely.
7. excited to be discussing the book of james tomorrow with my sunday school girls.
8. not excited about how i realized today that i can't keep my schedule down when a wrench gets thrown in the works (ie moving to my mom's house = stop taking vitamins, watch my aunt's kids for a week = no laundry done, no quiet time, and e's sleeping schedule completely off)
9. we got our tax money back. e and i are both getting toms. $30 is a little much to spend on kids shoes, however, i'm getting them so that either a girl or boy can wear them and they can go through all my kids (however many that may be).
10. e is taking a nap. it's 6:45. i'm going to regret this.
11. ideas for my novel are just floating through my head. i can't wait until i can actually sit down and write them -- which all goes back to the stupid scheduling thing and how i feel like i can't schedule things while living in my parent's house...
12. just realized that there is a pile of clothes that i need to fold. and i now will probably have to put them back into the dryer to get the wrinkles out :/

xo

ramblings

2011-03-10T22:55:00.000-06:00

so. i've been thinking... a lot lately... how i really like making/creating things, but i'm wondering if the whole etsy/selling my wears is the route i should be going. you know... like hard core pursuing a crafty business... the reason i'm moving away from this thought/dreams???

my passion is back --- writing... i want to write... edit... read... everything... anything that has to do with writing. it's crazy. i know this is what i am supposed to be doing. and it excites me. :)

with that being said, i will still be opening my shop back up. it won't be tomorrow as i am at my aunt house house/kid sitting (and have been since monday) and have no way up upload pictures etc. the shop update should be complete by next friday, however. so stay tuned for that (because i just know everyone is sitting on pins and needles waiting for that update....)

i hope everyone is having a splended week!!

xo

where is baby?

2011-03-09T10:29:00.001-06:00

19 weeks. your baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.

Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.

so excited that MONDAY we find out what we're having!! put your guess in in the comments of the post below!!

xo

psalm 3

what's it gonna be??

2011-03-08T10:52:00.000-06:00

(source)

so, dear readers, we are about at that time. that fun time that i can never ever wait for. that's right... time to find out what baby is! early early next monday in the am, elsie, the lover and i will cram into a small room and pray that baby corporates so that we can see what he/she is. (i hear i need to drink lots of caffeine prior to going in... any other suggestions??)

so what are your predictions? pink or blue?? here are just some fun facts from pregnancy today (with my answers) regarding carrying baby goose --

1. carrying high or low -- carrying low it's a boy, high it's a girl -- have you seen me lately? there really isn't room to carry high or low. it's all baby people!! i never really got this one since there are so many different body types...

2. chinese fertility chart -- found here -- according to this, it's a boy. but also according to this elsie is a boy...

3. active baby -- active baby = boy, non-active baby = girl -- eh this one is kinda in the air. lots more active then e was (which would be a boy), but still i don't think baby is extremely active (which means i don't know).

4. morning sickness -- lots of morning sickness = a girl -- this one would have to be boy. i never really got sick, just queasy. only time i threw up was that one time -- and it was a stomach bug :/

5. fetal heartbeat -- over 140 = girl, under = boy -- wouldn't know this one because my doctor never tells me where the heartbeat is at. one time i think she told me 150, but i don't believe this one, because so many of my friends have had babies that have had heartbeats between 140-150 the entire pregnancy and it was a boy...

6. cravings -- salty/sour = boy, sweet = girl -- then i'm having both because i've craved lemons and chocolate all in one sitting. oh dear heavens...

so there you have it. what's your prediction? we'll all find out on monday morning (be sure to follow me on twitter as after we announce to the family, i'm sure twitter will be the next to find out ;)

so what's it going to be -- are we going to have a little dude? or another little princess?

xo

psalm for today

baby countdown

2011-03-07T12:00:00.001-06:00

one thing that i look forward to the most during pregnancy is the date that i hit the 150 left mark. i love this mark because --- there is 150 chapters in the book of psalm. making no sense? let me explain --

during my pregnancy with elsie, when i hit that 150 days left mark, i started reading a psalm a night. for me it's a great way to countdown (and easy because i don't have to think "how many more days left"). i'm especially looking forward to this countdown because elsie and i are going to read the psalm a night together.

so. today marks 150 left mark. will you read the psalms with me? psalms 1

the list of currentlys ...

2011-03-07T06:00:00.003-06:00

so this isn't really a list... but i thought i'd share a project that i'm currently working on (and so excited about after taking off sooooo long from beloved "scrapbooking")

this project is part ali edwards project life and part elise mini book (which everyone interested in mini booking needs to purchase this -- and stop arguing with me. just do it already. i did and it was awesome)

this is the krumms 2011 ---

first i gathered my materials -- (and after working on this project if anyone would like to purchase this tool for me i would love you forever)

glue dots -- i've been through many many many adhesives. currently this one is my favorite.

craft paper -- i'm seriously in love with this stuff. i cut mine down to 4x5 to fit inside my album.

1 1/2 inch album rings -- this was the biggest that hobby lobby had. i might have to make a trip to an office supply store and get a larger one before the year is up.

hole punch -- it's dinky, but it got the job done.

this calender from paper source -- pretty sure i'm going to wait until march next year to get my calender as they are now 50% off

i punched the holes in the calender pages and 12 pieces of craft paper card stock. each month i will journal the "high lights" on the card stock. i need to find my date stamp quickly (which in all seriousness isn't going to happen until i un-pack everything... i am considering buying a new one :/ )

i've been saving little "pieces of life" the past two months. e is sleeping and i really don't want to sneak into the room and chance waking her to get this pile of life so this will be added later.

also, as soon as i can get all my pictures off my phone and camera and organized and printed these will be added as well.

i'm so excited about this mini-project. i'm hoping maybe next year (since we'll be in our house and i should have a "space" all set up) to actually do a bigger project such as ali's albums. i drool. i simply LOVE her project life albums!

are you currently working on any projects that you're excited about? please leave me a comment linking to pictures!! i'd love love love to see them!!

xo

thursday threads (on a friday)

2011-03-04T14:19:00.000-06:00

forgive my tardiness. :) yesterday was quite busy. but here is what i wore yesterday :)

jeans: target
t-shirt: target
new hair: tara :)
watch: fossil
baby bump: 18 weeks
little person (if you can see her): elise

where's baby wednesday

2011-03-02T16:47:00.001-06:00

Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and he weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.

How far along? 18 weeks

"Waist" measurement: who knows -- i think around 40?

Total weight gain/loss? lost 10

Stretch marks? no new ones

Sleep? ok --- round ligament pain is keeping me awake some nights

Movement? baby is very active!

Food cravings/aversions? nothing crazy --- i'm so boring

Labor signs? just a little early no?

Belly button in/out? still in

What I miss the most right now: sleep...

What I am looking forward to right now: not having round ligament pain

operation summer vacation

2011-03-02T16:39:00.001-06:00

what is operation summer vacation?? well, my dear friends... it's my little way of saving for our summer vacation (which happens to also be both family reunions).
i have finally given myself a deadline to re-open my etsy shop (since it looks like we haven't moved into our new house in february as previously thought...)
next friday -- march 11th will be the official launch. there will be many raccoons, a doll or two, up-cycled envelopes and book strings!
there has been a little shop change --- 20% of all sales will be donated to amazima ministries (click the link to check out katie's blog... love this girl's heart!!) so everything that is left, will be going into our summer vacation fund! yay!
i'm excited! are you excited!!

xo

winner!

2011-03-01T23:09:00.000-06:00

so. why is my life so insanely crazy right now? i feel like i haven't even been "home" in the past two weeks. it sucks. i can't really get anything done...

anyways.... so the winner of the "tell it's story" e-book from the wonderful amy is:

(from random generator...) number 1 who is ...

emilyj said...: My fav thing is our pottery barn duvet cover. :o)

congrats, emilyj !! e-mail me fast fast at thekrumms (at) gmail (dot) com and i'll get you the info for the e-book!!

tomorrow will be time for "where is baby wednesday" -- and boy am i feeling it this week. terrible round ligament pain :/

xo

"tell it's story" e-book and a giveaway!!

2011-02-28T17:51:00.001-06:00

looking for a fun project? a good read?? how about trying amy's, from lemon and raspberry, new e-book "Tell It's Story".

i was given a copy of this e-book a couple of weeks ago to preview. it is amazing. i was totally sucked in from the first pages. and the design!! i just drool. (love love love the clean-ness of it all!)

here is a little more information about the e-book from amy's blog:

"This ebook walks through the ideas behind material culture and the value of physical objects in our lives. We discuss real life examples (like music or your childhood homes) … and then go on to discuss specific techniques to record the stories of your objects.

The final chapter looks at 4 or 5 different projects you can make to help record the stories of your things – your heirlooms, your souvenirs, your every day objects.

I believe in things.

I believe that your belongings DO have meaning beyond just their physical makeup.

And I believe those things deserve to be recorded.

Tell Its Story is half a discussion of what is important and meaningful in our lives …. and half a photography and craft project.

A list of chapters:

*Objects and Meaning
*In Real Life
*Photographing your Objects
*Journaling your Memories
*Bring it Together

this is a great e-book and fun project!! you can purchase the e-book now by clicking this link ... it is $12, however, if you enter this 25% discount code (TISChristen) at the checkout, you'll be able to purchase the e-book for only $9!!! (this is a huge steal!!)

and one more thing --- amy has been kind enough to offer a FREE e-book to one of my readers!! (yes, you really want to get in on this!!) simply leave me a comment letting me know what your favorite "thing" is. also please include your e-mail so that if you are the winner i can contact you with the information!

this giveaway ends tomorrow at noon and i'll post the winner and contact them shortly after that (and when i say shortly i'm thinking dinner time...)

good luck!!

xo