My daughter is expecting!

Was I suprised to hear such news? No, not really. We've been on a motherhood imagination ride for a few weeks now. I think it has to do with the all the new babies and pregnant ladies in our ward. (I think.) But today, she surpised me with the news of four babies. I asked her if she was nervous and she said "No, I just saw the doctor in the other room."

 A few minutes later, she came back and introduced her babies to me. Sella, Ally, Anna, and Annelise. She loves naming and renaming her babies. She did say that it kind of hurt when the doctor took the babies out of her tummy and she asked that I be her doctor next time. Oh boy, this imaginative play is a stretch. Here's the proud mama.

Sea World

We finally made it to Sea World. The kids had a great time. Aaron's favorite: the macaws in the blue horizons show. Connor's favorite: seeing the whales. Aubrey's favorite: Abby's spinning ride

What a wonderful way to spend a Saturday afternoon! We attended the production of Frog and Toad at the San Diego Junior Theatre at Casa del Prado in Balboa Park. The show was truly delightful. The actors were fantastic and the music was wonderful! Grandma joined in the fun and we had some friends join us as well. What can I say, but we're FANS!

Cute box favors

I learned how to make this cute little box directly from the Scor-Pal website. They have links to all kinds of neat projects. http://www.scor-pal.com/projects_listing.htm This one is called the mini pizza box. It's the perfect size for a yummy sugar cookie or little chocolates. At Christmas time, we made the Santa boxes for teachers and friends. I thought it would be fun to share this idea with my little craft group. The Scor-Pal tutorial is for a 4" square box and I also made a 3" box as well. Once you see how one is made, it's pretty easy to figure out how to make different size boxes. I thought they turned out cute. Just in time for some Valentine treats for that special someone.

More fun cards using paper flower techniques

Last Saturday, I went to my friend Tina's wonderful stamp-a-stack workshop. http://chickstampmagnet.blogspot.com/ We assembled 10 fun cards and enjoyed a nice lunch. It's most enjoyable for card enthusiasts like me. I always learn a new technique and I just had to share this one with my craft group.

You punch Stampin' Up! cardstock with any large flower type punch. I used both the 1 3/4" scallop punch and the Fancy Flower Punch. You can also you a smaller flower punch to have more detail in the center. Basically, you start to crumble and loosen up the fibers in the cardstock by bending it in every direction. You can use your thumb nail to curve and bend each pedal. You'll start to see how the paper will separate on the edges. Gently pull the layers apart on each petal until you've pulled it completely apart. You're left with two thin layers of soft, suede looking flowers. This morning, my friend said that it reminded her of the really fancy expensive natural paper. Layer three or four of the big flowers and add a few small ones for the center. Use a fun colorful brad for the center. These brads are the new Sale-a-bration brads! I'm one lucky girl with connections. ;) I've had so much fun making these flowers! Can you tell?

Paper Flower Tutorial

 To create this paper flower, begin by punching out 8- 1.5" circles.

 Fold in half.

 Fold about 1/3 in. Now, keep in mind which side you fold in first because you'll want to fold the same way with each petal.

 Flip over and line up edges making a pie shaped wedge.

 Flip back to other side and fold the little flap into the pie wedge.

 Ta-dah! Now make 7 more.

 Adhere to a 1.5" circle using your choice of adhesive. I use double stick tape.

Here's another cute and easy paper flower.

Start out with 7-1" circles of double-sided pattern paper. Try to avoid the glitter and/or thicker cardstock.

 Fold approximately 1/3 in.

 Fold other side in making a pie shaped wedge. As you make these, make sure you stay consistent with which side you fold first. I just got in the habit of always starting with the left side. This way, all your petals will lay the same way giving you a neat pinwheel effect.

 Adhere your petals to a 1.5" circle. If your petals don't quite seem to fit together don't worry. This is the step to make adjustments as needed. I've found it helpful sometimes to leave a tiny space in the center for the brad and to also provide some allowance when adhering the petals.

 Here's one using 3/4" circles. So cute!

I prefer to use a paper piercing tool to make the hole for the brad.