Christmas Subway Art Printable

Sine there was some interest in the Thanksgiving subway art printable, I decided to include one for Christmas!  I can't take complete credit for the Christmas one as it was inspired by something I saw on Pinterest, but I created it to suit my tastes just a bit more.  Just click the image, save it to your computer, and enjoy!

My Memories Software Giveaway!!

Liz, from My Memories, contacted us to see if we wanted to do a digital scrapbooking software giveaway.  We couldn't resist!

The my memories suite software is easy to use, has great layouts to choose from, and various free elements to get your creative juices flowing.  The software isn't limited to just scrapbooking either.  You can create cards, videos, and photo books too!

So here's the deal:  My Memories would love to give one of our readers their own FREE DOWNLOAD for their my memories suite software.  And, as a special deal for all of our readers, they gave us a Share the Memories coupon code STMMMS45229 that provides a $10 discount off the purchase of the My Memories Suite Scrapbook software AND a $10 coupon for the MyMemories.com store!  There are loads of fun scrapbooking kits and album templates choose from.  

I created the following scrapbook layout using one of the easy layout templates and some of the free elements which are included with the software.  Oh, and some wonderfully-dated photos from my high school days.  :)

I also made this Christmas Card:

So how do you win this incredible giveaway?  There are a few different ways to enter.  Choose one, or multiply your chances by completing all five!

1.  For entry #1, go to the My Memories site and browse through their adorable paper packs and layouts.  Then, leave a comment here on our blog telling us which one(s) you love!
2. For entry #2, follow the My Memories Blog, then leave a new comment here letting us know you're their newest follower.
3. For entry #3, follow us here at This & That Creative and leave a comment letting us know you're our newest follower!  Already a follower?  No worries, just let us know in a comment.
4. For entry #4, "like" My Memories on Facebook and let us know in another comment!
5. And finally, for entry #5, "like" This & That Creative on Facebook.  Don't forget to leave another comment.

This giveaway will end Friday, October 21, 2011, 11:59 PM MST.  All comment entries must be posted before then!  The winner will be announced the following week, so stay tuned.  Good luck!


And don't forget, even if you don't win the giveaway, you can still use the Share the Memories coupon code STMMMS45229 that provides a $10 discount off the purchase of the My Memories Suite Scrapbook software AND a $10 coupon for the MyMemories.com store!

teacher subway art

I kept seeing these super cute teacher-themed subway art images on Pinterest and I knew I just HAD to have one for my classroom!  I took pieces I liked from some images I saw and incorporated my own ideas as well.  Let's just say I'm stinkin' pleased with the way it looks!  Furthermore, I found a website which will print it on vinyl and enlarge it (25.5"x33") for $25!!!  That's right, vinyl.  NOT paper.  Even the Kinko's poster printing couldn't beat it.  I'm pretty stoked to see how it REALLY looks.  If you're a teacher/know someone who is/just want a great teacher gift and would like a personalized copy, just leave a comment with the name you'd like inserted and your e-mail address and I'll send it out as a .jpg.  You can have it enlarged yourself, or just print it on an 8.5"x11" sheet of paper and frame it!

**UPDATE**

As of Saturday, October 8, 2011, the free subway art offer is no longer valid.  Thanks for your interest!

My new Internet Obsession

Pinterest.  Move over Facebook and iGoogle (the only other sites I visit on a daily basis)!  That's right.  I have a new love thanks to my friend, Anna, who introduced me to this AMAZING website.  It allows me to organize all my creative musings in one place until I'm ready to actually implement them.

Have you ever read a blog post or looked at a website and thought, "Oh!  I totally want to make that...But I don't have time right now...," or "That recipe looks amzingly delish.  I wanna try it, for my next cooking adventure," and then when you go to find said post or site again, it's missing?

ENTER:  Pinterest.

It's the greatest.

It's a site that keeps track of all those past posts/sites that you want to have access to later.  Anna explained it as a "virtual cork board" and I couldn't agree more.  Similar to Facebook or Blogger, you can "follow" people who are either your friends or have similar interests/style tastes you do.  Thus, giving you access to even MORE great ideas rather than just the ones you find on your own!

Sold yet?

To "pin" something, you just have to add the Pinterest Bookmark to your task bar (It says, "Pin It") and click on it whenever you encounter something worth pinning.  That's it.  Pretty simple.  As a heads-up, you do have to request an invite to Pinterest (which takes a few days), but it's totally worth it.  Promise.

To give you an idea, here's a screenshot of my recent pins.  Pinterest allows you to sort them into categories you name yourself as well.  If this is something you're interested in, you can view my profile HERE (I currently have eleven boards you can check out).  If you're already a member, feel free to follow my pins.  Leave a comment and I'll follow you back!  Happy pinning, people!

***UPDATE***  If you're interested, you can request and invite by going to their website, OR, if you leave your e-mail address in the comments below, I'll send you an invite myself.  :)

Digital Scrapbooking

When I started my personal blog in 2007, I also started dabbling in digital scrapbooking.  I liked that I didn't have to clean up my mess (or pull it out to begin with), I didn't run out of my favorite paper EVER, and when printed, the pages took up far less space.

I don't claim to be amazing (far from it actually), but I have become completely converted.  Thanks to blog printing, I still have pretty scrapbooks which are, by far, more financially sound and space-friendly.  If you're interested in trying your hand at some digi-scrapping, here are some things you'll need:

• a graphics/design program for your computer (I have used PrintMaster Publishing Suite, PhotoShop--I have the CS2 edition, and Gimp--like PhotoShop, but it's a FREE download)
• some tutorials (I use THIS and THIS constantly)
• and some supply sites--some are free and others require payment (Favorite FREE sites:  Summertime Designs, Shabby Princess, Craft Crave, and DigiScrap Depot)

Do you have other favorite sites for supplies and tutorials?  If so, please share!  I would LOVE to add more to my list.  :)

Creative Spotlight: Becky's Onesie Extender

So...maybe we're all a bit Baby-Hungry at This & That Creative this week??  Here's my spotlight.  Apparently all bodies (even babies) aren't necessarily "created equal."  Having ridiculously long legs myself and having a sister with a ridiculously long torso (neither of us over 5 1/2 ft.) made for some interesting fashion challenges for our mother growing up (and even now as adults!).  My friend, Becky, over at good times :) came up with this great idea for her long-torsoed little one.


Hi!  I'm Becky and I truly am one of  the plainest janes out there.   I love being organized and clutter-free.   I enjoy being green.  I also love to create.  I love new ideas which is why I love sites like this.  I am not the type of person who can think of ideas on my own; I pretty much always see things and then come up with how I want to make it.  So here I am sharing one of my projects:

I have a long child.

As a result, many onesies don't fit her. See below.

(yes, I let my child play with garbage.) (often, in fact.)

So I created a ONESIE EXTENDER! (insert trumpet sounds here!)

I made it from a onesie that was pretty badly stained up the back so I didn't feel bad cutting it up. :) It is DEFINITELY not the prettiest thing and I was actually quite amazed at its ugliness, but it works and it doesn't show once she's fully dressed so it is just perfect!

Hooray for no scrunched body!!!

And here she is. All dressed and pressed and ready to go. (can any of you name where that is from?)

And one last pic of her goofy mouth! She is constantly playing with her mouth and tongue!

Becky's original post can be found here:

http://dontblink18.blogspot.com/2011/02/project-onesie-extender.html

Fabric-Twisted Rosette Tutorial

I love accessories.  I love accessories which can be switched out with ease even more!  I bought a package of plain headbands at Kohl's a few weeks ago and decided to spruce them up with some fabric flowers.  Except I didn't want them spruced up permanently (sometimes I like to be a bit plain-jane).

Take a strip of fabric about 12" long and 2" wide (obviously you can play with these not-so-precise measurements to make the rosette more to your liking).

 Fold the strip in half the long way with the wrong sides together.

Begin rolling the fabric around itself at one end.  Once a small "rosette center" has formed, begin twisting the tail of the fabric as tightly as you can.

Wrap the twisted tail of fabric carefully around the rosette center you made previously.  Note:  The fabric should be even with the rosette center on the top.  The bottom of the rosette center you rolled will hang out the back a bit unevenly.

If the rosette gets too large for you to handle (or your fingers cramp up like mine) just guide a strait pin through the twists to the center to hold it in place while you continue.

 **See the rosette center hanging out the back?**  

To put a clean finish on the back of your rosette (and to hide the rosette center piece) just leave part of the tail untwisted and hot glue it to the rosette's back side.  There are two options here:  You can cut the fabric to size after it's been glued (like I did with the pink flower), or you can leave the tail hanging off to look like a leaf (which is how I did the tan one in the first photo).

 Then, hot glue a little loop, just large enough for your headband to slide through (that way, you can wear it on whichever headband you choose!).  It could also be slipped through a pin and worn as a broach, on a chain, or string of pearls/beads.

 ...And since my husband is a jeweler/gemologist, we have hoards of stones around the house.  I stole three to embellish the center!  This is also a great craft for a girl's birthday party/church activity as it requires minimal sewing/crafting skills.  Plus, it's also a great way to get rid of the fabric scraps you've got just hangin' around!

Photo Montage Wall Art

Nearly a decade ago, I was watching an episode of Trading Spaces where one of the designers used various floral photographs to create a photo montage on a wall.  I loved it.  That's just all there was to it!  I had to have one.  Years later, I took these hibiscus pictures while my husband and I were on our honeymoon in the Bahamas.  I printed and framed them shortly after we returned home and they have added a pop of color to our chocolate brown accent bedroom wall for the last four years.  

Even though I still totally love the hibiscus flowers, I felt it was time for something a bit different more gender-neutral.  I came up with this:

My husband and I LOVE to travel.  I take loads of pictures constantly, so I had many to choose from!  I finally decided on a montage of some of my favorite trips (admittedly, some were without my husband).  I will be the first to admit that I did have to apply some "master PhotoShop skills" as I didn't particularly enjoy the random strangers who also appeared in my pictures (minus the Times Square photo--NYC just isn't the same without loads of people...and taxis).  But hey, you'd never know that my Golden Gate Bridge shot and Bahamas Beach shot were previously littered with unnamed strangers!  I printed these with a sepia tone because, even though the pictures are more beautiful in color, I didn't want the wall to be TOO busy.  I love how it turned out!

Tie Dye Cake

 I picked this little skill up from a cousin of mine and I LOVE it.  How cute and creative are tie dye cupcakes/cakes?  You can easily personalize the colors for a party's theme, bridal colors, etc.

 I separated my prepared (and rather white) cake batter, then dyed it with food coloring.  I made this batch for a Valentine activity, but I have also done rainbow ones.  You could pick whatever colors you like.

 Just spoon the batter into your pan/cupcake wrappers.  It doesn't need to look pretty.

Once baked, they look like this!  I also took it to the next level and dyed my frosting.  Again, I just filled my piping bag spoonful by spoonful with the different icing colors.  As a tip--refrigerate your icing BEFORE filling your piping bag as well as AFTER so the colors don't blend themselves together too quickly.

Blog Printing

Meg did a fabulous post back in January about blogging.  As an avid blogger and blog-to-booker, I figured I'd entice you even more to print those babies out!!  I started my blog shortly after my husband and I were married and haven't regretted it as it's become our journal of sorts.  I actually wish I would have started one earlier.  Don't get me wrong, I was an avid journal keeper and scrapbooker before, but blogging has made it possible to combine the two efforts in an easier, more organized, AND MORE COST-EFFECTIVE way.  Don't believe me?  That's okay, you don't have to...yet...  Here are the three individual posts I have posted on my family blog about the books I have printed (if you're interested).  If not, continue reading here and most of the information will be re-capped.

**Please accept this apology in advance for sounding like an infomercial.  Just know I wasn't paid a single red cent for this little "advert."**

My blog books have ranged anywhere from $130-$170 and that includes the shipping fees.  I receive them about a week after ordering and have never been disappointed.  EVER.  Back in my scrapbooking days, I decided to see how much one of my uber-cute-creative books was costing me.  I had worked at a summer camp, printed all my pictures, and was ready to scrapbook the three-month adventure.  When all was said and done, it was $350+!!!!!  That's right.  For a three-month scrapbook, I was out a load of cash and had one more 12x12 3-inch binder to store.  Granted, it's wonderful, way cute, and I love looking at it constantly.  But I'll be completely gutted if my home floods or burns down because it's the only copy I have.  Oh, and I have nearly twenty other scrapbook binders just like it.

Enter:  BLOG BOOKS!  I can digitally scrapbook my pictures if I want, but don't have to.  The pictures can be added to pages just as they are as well.  And the image can be as big or as small as I'd like.  For example, we took a trip to Europe last October.  Those pages look like a full-fledged travel book with the images taking up full pages.  So pretty.  Have I mentioned that I don't have to clean up the mess after scrapbooking as well?  It's glorious.  I can print a book at the end of each year for less than half the cost of my three-month camp scrapbook.  I can print another copy if the one I have is destroyed.  It takes up less than an inch of bookshelf space (and they're 200-350 pages).  Seriously, what's not to love?  There are many companies willing to print the blog for you (Meg listed a few in her post).  I use Blurb and love it.  My cousin uses Blog-2-Print and loves it.  I am also working on a book of our wedding pictures because to have a gorgeous hardbound wedding book done by your photographer can be nearly $600!!!  That's ridiculous.  I am also planning to print out my blogged recipes into a book so I can literally throw away all those other recipe books I have cluttering my kitchen.  Having one with all my favorites in it is all I need.

Anyway, if you have blog-to-book questions, just let me know.  I'd be more than happy to answer them!

Legit Paper Snowflakes

Cutting paper snowflakes is probably one of my very favorite winter crafts.  Even though most people only find it acceptable to hang snowflakes before Christmas, I feel as though they make great "winter" decor.  I've been doing it for years and I wont lie...I totally pride myself on them once finished. You'll need loads of blank 8.5x11" paper and a pair of nice, sharp scissors.

Step 1:  Place the paper in front of you, portrait-style.

Step 2:  Fold in half.  Be sure to crease your edges really tightly.  I pinch the paper between my fingernails, or rub the handle of my scissors over it.  The flatter your folds lay, the easier it is to cut later.

 Step 3:  Find the center of the FOLDED edge (just bring your folded corners together and pinch the center).

 Step 4:  This is the most difficult step and takes a few tries.  You need to fold the paper into triangular thirds from the center point you pinched earlier.

 Step 5:  This is the "finishing" to the triangular thirds step from above.  Be sure your edges match up.  If they don't, just re-fold it until you get it right.  You don't want any extra space between the folded edges.

 This is what the finished product looks like after being folded into triangular thirds.  I call it the fox head or pointy heart when teaching it to children.

Step 6:  Fold the fox head/pointy heart in half leaving the flap on the top.

 This is what your folded fox head/pointy heart should look like.

 Step 7:  Cut along the folded flap on the top; you're basically cutting off the fox ears here.

 Step 8:  Cut your snowflake!  The more paper you cut, the better your snowflake will turn out.  Remember to cut large shapes AND small shapes.

 Step 9:  Unfold your snowflake very carefully so it doesn't rip.  Folding your edges in the opposite direction also helps to lay the paper more flat.

 Step 10:  Hang them in your window and enjoy!

Now you can practice, practice, practice and be ready for next winter!

Getting to Know our Contributors Week-Aliese

Do you have any pets? Yup! I have a very cute Holland Lop bunny named Truffle. She is almost two years old and was the runt of her litter; she is still rather small. It took some time, but we have potty-trained her to use a litter box (like a cat) and she just hops around the house! So cute. Her current obsession is to eat the pine needles off the bottom limbs of our Christmas tree. She also really loves to watch TV.

What was the last book you read? The last book(s) I read were the Pretty Little Liars series. I was intrigued by they TV series and had to read the books. They're kind of raunchy, but definitely gripping.

Do you like to cook? I LOVE to cook! That's probably why I'm the culinary contributor.... :) I do not enjoy cleaning up my cooking messes though...I also wish I were better at making my own recipes. I tend to do more tweaking to recipes I already know and love.

Where and what do you like to eat when you go out? I LOVE to eat out. That being said though, I prefer restaurants that aren't necessarily mainstream/franchised. I love the veggie noodles at Pasta Factory with Alfredo sauce, chicken, and sauted mushrooms. I also like the special burrito at Paula's Cazuela, and the entirety of the menu at Basila's Mediterranean Cafe. I also really love the sushi and mango/sticky rice dessert at Benja's. Oh, and even though it's totally franchised: Texas Roadhouse rolls. YUM.

What are your pet-peeves? I have so many of these (is that healthy?). I guess the ones that come to mind are: flaky people, clocks that flash 12:00 constantly, tardiness, people who blame others for their own poor decisions/actions.

What is something that you regret about your past? I regret not taking the train to Paris the TWO times I've been to Europe. Seriously! You think a girl would learn that if you wanna see the Eiffel Tower, you're gonna have to go to Paris! I planned to take the train to Paris for a day while my husband was working over there in October, but the media blitz advising all Americans to travel with extreme caution discouraged me from going since a) I would be alone, b) I speak no French, and c) our cell phones didn't have service.

What is something that you don't regret about your past? Not that I can think of an EXACT occurrence, but I have never regretted speaking my mind and being honest--even if it hurt someone's feelings. It may sound heartless, but I've had far more heartache over gossip and back-biting than honesty.

Do you have brothers and sisters? What is your relationship like with them? I have one brother (Jacob-19) and two sisters (Jennifer & Natalie-24 & 15)--all younger than myself. I also have a brother-in-law, Adam. We get along famously and it is truly an honor to be able to call them my very best friends. They're completely rad. We're very close! My siblings and I all have the same smile, the same blue eyes, and twisted sense of humor. Our parents figure the eyes and smiles are genetic, but our personalities are definitely OURS. I'm quite certain my parents have been ashamed to claim us on more than one occasion. I can't say I blame them. :) We're a rare breed.I also have four sisters-in-law and four brothers-in-law on my husband's side.

Which sports do you like? My family members are all swimmers. We eat, sleep, and breathe chlorination (that cute brother of mine even holds a few state records; he's freakishly quick). And really, if there are concessions involved, I'll happily watch any sporting event.

Do you live in a house or an apartment? My husband, Darrin, and I bought our house six months after we were married. It's a cute, little 3-bed, 2-bath home. Ironically enough, we're already beginning to grow out of it!

Have you ever lived in another country? I have never lived in another country but I have spent a combined 2-3 months OUT of the country visiting various places.

Have you ever met a famous person? I had the way cool experience of meeting and then singing with Rosemary Clooney when I was in high school. If you're familiar with the old, holiday classic White Christmas, she plays the older sister, Betty. Needless to say, my grandparents were pretty stoked about my opportunity! I also met and sang with Michael McClean on his "gold" Forgotten Carols CD, as well as various Forgotten Carols performances around the state of Utah. Oh, and I used to hang out with Steve Castleberry all the time in college (he played for the 76ers and is now playing in the Czech Republic, I guess). But I guess that was BEFORE he was famous.

How do you spend your free time? I spend my free time doing homework (I'm just finishing up grad school), sewing, cooking, digital scrapbooking, playing games, watching movies, playing the piano, singing, camping, swimming, texting my siblings because they all live far away from me, etc.

What countries have you visited? I have visited Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas, England, Germany, and Belgium.

Do you have a nickname? Quite a few, but "Liesey" is the most common. Girl, Liese, Ace, and Magoo are others.

What do you do on Sundays? I go to church, hang out with family, and relax on Sundays. My husband and I usually make a treat on Sunday nights as well.

What's your job? I am in my 7th year teaching school. I started as a 7th grade English and history teacher, and am now a 6th grade science teacher. I am currently working on my Master's and my administrative endorsement so that maybe one day when I'm MUCH older, I can be a principal.

What is your motto in life? When you go through life-whatever be your goal-keep you eye upon the doughnut and not upon the hole. NRLTD is an acronym my husband lived by and it has also since been added to my personal list of mottoes. It is one, however, I have vowed to keep secret. Feel free to try to figure it out on your own though because it's a good one!

What is/are your favorite movie(s)? While You Were Sleeping is my very favorite with the Anne of Green Gables trilogy and Mary Poppins close behind.

Which languages do you speak? I speak English (obviously) and some German.

What are you best at? I'm a really good listener, and I'm very patient. I tend to be a "jack of all trades" when it comes to crafting, music, cooking, almost anything really. I generally try something once or twice and am pretty decent afterward. What can I say? I lead a fairly charmed life. I'm just not THE BEST at anything.

Any bad habits you need to work on? I definitely need to work on de-junking. I wouldn't call myself a hoarder at all, but I could definitely stand to de-clutter and simplify.

Who has had the most influence in your life? So many people! My parents, siblings, friends, and husband are all wonderful (and easy) answers, but my 9th grade English teacher ( Judy Jackman) and my high school choir teacher (Kelly DeHaan) are two people I can guarantee I will never forget. They both changed my life and I think about them all the time.

Would you like to be famous? Umm...depends on what for! I think I'd prefer to be influential rather than famous though.

What do you think you will be doing five years from now? I can pretty much guarantee I'll still be teaching school with a possible child.

Are you a 'morning' or 'night' person? Both. I prefer nighttime, but I am a hardcore early riser (sometimes as early as 4 AM) which drives my husband crazy (especially Sunday mornings). I have a really difficult time sleeping in. Once I'm awake, I just can't go back to sleep!

What is your favorite season? Winter! With summer as a close second. I love snow and the holidays which come with winter. As a kid, it was always really easy to look forward to winter thanks to my birthday, Christmas, family traditions, etc.

What do you like to do as a family? We really love to play card games, watch movies, go camping, and reminisce. My siblings and I could look at photo albums and home movies for HOURS (and we have).

How many times did you move as a child? We moved seven times, but always moved within a 15-mile radius. We moved into the home my parents live in now when I was in the fifth grade, so most of the moves were when I was VERY young.

If you could live anywhere in the world for a year, where would it be? Europe. I would just backpack around going from town to town!

If you knew you could try anything and not fail, what dream would you attempt? I would become a vocal performance major (again).

What super-power would you most like to have, and why? Hmmm...Torture people with only my thoughts? Sounds creepy, I know, but don't you ever wish you could--just once? You know--that "customer service" rep. who doesn't want to help you, people who don't use their turn signals...I just think it'd be nice every once in awhile.

Would you rather take pictures or be in pictures? I would much rather be in pictures so that posterity knew I was there!

Are you a beach, country, or city person? I'm a beach/city person. Neither of which are where I live...sad...

Where do you spend most of your money? I spend most of my money paying bills-but when I'm shopping, it's spent at Abercrombie & Fitch, H&M, and various craft/fabric stores.

Why did you choose the shirt you're wearing right now? I am currently wearing an Abercrombie & Fitch hoodie...I totally buy Abercrombie brand stuff because my initials are "AF" and I'm obsessed with monograms. Lame reason, but it's the truth.

When did you start feeling old? Umm...Wednesday, since it was my 28th birthday? No, actually the first time I really felt old (even though I don't consider myself to be old and find it UBER-ridiculous when people say they're old and they haven't hit 50 yet) was when a student from my first year of teaching sent me a Facebook message saying she was engaged. I've only taught for seven years and had only been married for a couple of years myself! I also received a bunch of graduation announcements that same Spring and had a hard time believing kids I taught were actually adults since I didn't really consider myself one...yet...

How would you describe your overall style? VERY Casual.

What is the best material gift you ever received? Probably the diamond earrings my daddy bought me for my birthday one year (I think it was my 21st??). They're certainly not the prettiest, largest, or most expensive diamonds, but he picked them out himself and didn't even tell my mom until after he'd already bought them. It really meant a lot to me since my dad had always told us, "If God wanted holes in your ears, he would have put them there to begin with." I didn't get my ears pierced until I was 19 and living on my own. It may seem silly, but it meant a lot for Daddy to buy me earrings--diamond earrings, no less.

If you have a significant other, how did you meet and what attracted you to him/her? My husband (Darrin) and I were first introduced at a mutual friend's home, but didn't really talk until we were both auditioned for Beauty and the Beast with a regional theater company. Turns out, we were both cast in the show! He played LeFou and I was a myriad of characters. We also randomly ended up in the same LDS singles' ward and his best friend was my home teacher. We met in July 2006, were engaged October 2006, and married March 2007. We were almost instantly attracted to one another purely by our interests. We love performing and playing card games. Well...that and "single" people in the cast were few and far between. :) When you have to spend 50+ hours/week with a group of people, they tend to be your only interest by default!

What is your favorite TV show? FRIENDS, Gilmore Girls, and Glee. I'm also a sucker for MTV reality shows.

Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? So many! Abercrombie (obviously), H&M, Pottery Barn...even Target!

What is your favorite recent purchase? Netflix. :)

Getting To Know Our Contributors Week - Amanda

Hey guys!

I'm Amanda.  I am a 20 something year old married to

{bwhahaha Mr. Hubbs is NOT going to be happy.  He does not like pictures of himself up on in blog land.  Esp. not pictures in which I make him put on cowboy hat.  We will see how long this one lasts...}

I am a mommy to

Aren't my boys cute?  I just love them!

We live in Indiana (any other Hoosiers out there!?) I blog (here -obviously - Today's Top 20, Were the Joneses and The Super Mom Club) , Hubbs works (alot...) Josh goes to school (2nd grade - holy cow!).  We're pretty exciting people! :)

SURVEY SAYS...

1.Do you have any pets? No. :( We had to get rid our dog Louie

because we moved to an apartment.  BUT we did have a farm house before moving here and we had chickens (they were cute as chicks...pain in the but as well chickens.  Just not my thing) and kittens (my sister took this little gal home)

and of course.  Louie.

2. What was the last book you read? I Dare You.  By Joyce Meyer.  Well I'm still reading it.  Love it.  HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!!!

3. Do you like to cook? Yes.  But I hate to clean up.

4. Where and what do you like to eat when you go out? I'm a chicken kind of gal (well...just not owning them).  If I dont' get pasta (oh me and carbs have a love / hate relationship.  I love them.  My butt hates them...) I get either chicken fingers or a chicken Caesar salad.  I love Caesar salad.

5. What are your pet-peeves? I'm weird. Kind of OCD.  I like things in order.  I do things in order (hence...why I can't just skip a question on this list) Mondays I deep clean the living room.  Tuesdays the dining room.  And so on.  If something happens and I forget a day I have to wait til the next week to start.  I'm weird I know.  So my biggest Pet Peeve is when Hubs and I will get a season of something on DVD (well, netflix) and he SKIPS.  We were watching Law and Order.  He went episode 2 to episode 8 and then 3.  Or Josh will ask me to play Mario (old school super mario 3 style) and he warps worlds.  Can't handle it.  YOU HAVE TO GO IN ORDER!!! That's why they're numbered!!!!

6. What is something that you regret about your past? I wish I wasn't so bratty as a teen.  Was anyone else a know it all?

7. What is something that you don't regret about your past? I had Josh when I was really young. But I am so glad I had him -- I believe God def. sent him to me for a reason.  He's helped me in more ways then he will ever know!

8. Do you have brothers and sisters? What is your relationship like with them? Yea, a lot.  Both my mom and dad have been remarried to someone with kids.  So Ben, Carl (Step-dad's from previous marriage), Chris, Drew (mom's from previous marriage) Sydney, Caleb (mom and step dad's together) Max, and Anastasia (dad and step-mom's kids).  LOTS.

9. Which sport do you like? I love me some football!!

10. Do you live in a house or an apartment? An apartment.  As much as I can't wait for us to buy a house I have to say I am so blessed to have a wonderful home. (With GINORMOUS walk in closets.  Hey, thats a huge plus in my book!)

11.Have you ever lived in another country? I was born in England.  Lived there a whole 3 months.  Woot woot for dual citizenship!

12. Have you ever met a famous person? Not really famous to me.  Basketball players when I was 18.  I waited tables at P.F.Changs and they would come in all the time.  I thought most of the ones that came in were pretty full of themselves.  And so, I will not call them famous.  BUT if any of you know John Stamos and want to send him my way.  I have a HUGGE crush one him.  (And have since Full House)

13. How do you spend your free time? I make stuff.  Spend too much time on the computer looking at blogs! :)

14. Tell me about a favorite or funny event from your adulthood. Um well yesterday I told Josh to go get a Q-Tip from my bathroom so I could clean his ears.  I was reading on the couch and he came in with a tampon (he had it unwrapped and all pulled apart) and he goes I couldn't find the kid size.  I was cracking up.  Hubbs was laughing.  I said those aren't QTips.  Joshua: What are they.  Hubbs: NOT something you clean your ears with.

15. Tell me about a favorite or funny event from your childhood. These are kind of hard.  I don't remember.  I got kicked out of home ec. in jr. high because I put an egg in the microwave.  And it exploded.  And smelled for DAYS.  I totally didn't know it would do that.  (I may have had an experience with the sewing machine too....) So they sent me to Ag. Kind of funny I write craft blogs now huh?

16. Have you ever been in an accident? More than I'd like to admit.  Last time I backed hubbs Tahoe into a telephone pole at the bank. 

17. What countries have you visited? Not many.  England & Canada.

18.Do you have a nickname? Nope. And please do not call me Mandy.

19. What do you do on Sundays?  Church.  And I clean the house. 

20. What do you do? What's your job? I stay at home.  I blog.  I clean the house. I make dinner.  I do lots of laundry.  I volunteer. I used to teach preschool.  And then I was a part time manager at Gymboree.

21. What is your motto in life? Can I have a new motto?  I recently came across this : Worship fully, spend less, give more, love all.  It's supposed to be geared towards the Christmas season.  But I love it.

22. What is/are your favorite movie(s)? Breakfast at Tiffany's. I'm not sure if I like the movie for the actual movie or because of her clothes.  The Breakup cracks me up too.  We don't watch a lot of Grown up movies...usually Josh movies.

23. What kind of people do you like? I like funny people....tell me a joke! I like nice people.  I really like people.  I'll talk. You talk back. 

24. Which languages do you speak? I know ASL (American Sign Language) and French.  I know a few bits and pieces of Spanish.

25. What are you best at? Probably making stuff.  I like it.  I'm magical sometimes.  Other times... not so much. :)  

26. Any bad habits you need to work on? Yeah don't you?  I've got a few pounds that need to do a disappearing act.

27.Who has had the most influence in your life? Joshua!  And my hubbs! :)

28.Would you like to be famous? I don't know.  Right now famous to me is Bakerella.  Or Amy from the idea room.  I'd take that famous.  But not make me go crazy Britney Spears famous. 

I'm no Lohan!

29. What do you think you will be doing five years from now? Keeping on keepin on.  Josh will be a teenager - OMG.  Hopefully we will have more babies by then! :)

30. Are you a 'morning' or 'night' person? Is anyone still reading? Depends on the day.  I hate getting up. But I usually get more done in the morning.

31. What is your favorite season? Spring or fall...but spring starts warmer weather so I'll chose that one.  But fall colors are so pretty.  Even if they don't last long!

32. What do you like to do as a family? We play games.  A lot. A lot a lot of games.   Xbox, board games, card games.  If you can play..we do. (I'm the current skip bo champion of our home... Just saying.)

33. How many times did you move as a child? Twice.  Not a mover. 

34. What cartoon or TV show character best describes you? Hmmm... I don't know. But i know what I will end up being like.  Everyone loves Raymond..Raymond's mom.  When Josh grows up and moves away I am totally moving across the street. Fair warning girls.

35.If you could live anywhere in the world for a year, where would it be? Hypothetically I suppose you would also be providing me with an awesome place to live.  Like a posh flat in London?

36. If you knew you could try anything and not fail, what dream would you attempt? I'd have my own boutique.  I suppose with Etsy anyone can huh?

37. What super-power would you most like to have, and why? I do have super powers what are you talking about?

38. Would you rather take pictures or be in pictures? Take pictures.  Unless i had the body I had 6 years ago.  Then in pictures.  We're being honest here right?

39. Are you a beach, country, or city person? Tried the country thing.  I hated it.  True story: I took Josh for his 1st day of kindergarten and one of the high school kids RODE THEIR HORSE TO SCHOOL.  The poor thing was tied up outside.  I wish I still had the picture (that I of course sent to all my girl friends).

40. Where do you spend most of your money? Just one place?  Fabric stores, gymboree, American Eagle, TJ Maxx.  The grocery store.  Hubbs says I have a problem.

41. Why did you choose the shirt you're wearing right now? Um.  It's an old Tshirt from the hubs.  It was there. It was comfy.  It's purple. (it was a softball shirt of his.  I dont think he was fond of the purple).

42.When did you start feeling old? I got an email about our HS reunion coming up.  That kind of made me feel old. Or when Josh started school.  That was hard.

43. How would you describe your overall style?  Laid back.  Classic. 

44.If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Josh would make me be green.  Apparently it's now my favorite color.

45. What is the best material gift you ever received? My wedding ring.

46. If you have a significant other, how did you meet and what attracted you to him/her?  We met through a friend.  Have you seen my hubby.  He's hot! :) (Now, he's really going to be embarrassed!)

47.What is your favorite TV show? I love Criminal Minds.

48. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card?  Amazon.  Just because I could buy EVERYTHING. 

49. If you have children, how many children do you have and what are their names? I have Joshua, he's 7.

{at 100 day at school}

50. What is your favorite recent purchase? We I mean SANTA got a red Wii for Josh to put in his room.  And a magic kit.  The kid is going to FLIP. :)