My First Mother's Day

Image from Dear Baby

I hope all of the mothers (mothers-to-be, mothers of angel babies, mothers of 4 legged friends) out there had a wonderful Mother's Day! I know there is some debate (in forums and other places) about whether or not pregnant women are in fact mothers but my definition of a mother is someone who thinks about her child before she thinks about herself. I'm grateful to have a mother who has done just that - sacrificed and thought of my needs first. For the past 27 weeks I have tried to follow my mother's example by thinking of my growing baby boy before I even get out of bed in the morning. I think about what food he needs to grow into a healthy baby before I eat and *try* to stay away from junk. I choke down a protein shake every morning just for him (trust me, there is no amount of money in the world that would make me do this just for myself). I get in my nightly walks with Mr. Designs by Vanessa even when I feel like a 90 year old lady who needs a hip replacement (another pregnancy perk). Before he was even conceived I thought of him on a daily basis and started taking prenatals, started working out and cut out caffeine to help get my body prepared for him. So yes, I very much consider myself a mother. Every time I feel him kick or I hear his heartbeat at my midwives office, I feel like a mother.

Mr. Designs by Vanessa gave me a very sweet 1st Mother's Day Card signed from our baby. I won't embarrass him by sharing what he wrote in the card but let's just say that it was tear inducing sweet. Ok, one tiny little excerpt: That tiny kick you feel today will be our baby boy saying, "Happy Mother's Day, Mommy!" and " I love you and can't wait to meet you face-to-face and cheek-to-cheek in a few short weeks from now". Isn't my hubby nauseatingly cute?! He also got me a very thoughtful keepsake box from Willow Tree featuring a mother and a son, I can't wait to put our baby's first curl in there! He definitely made my 1st Mother's Day special and I look forward to next year when our baby is out here to celebrate with us.

I hope someone made you feel special on Mother's Day!

Tutorial Roundup: Mother's Day Gifts

Still on the search for the perfect Mother's Day gift? Check out these fun tutorials for some last minute crafty ideas...

Mom Necklace Tutorial from Epheriell Designs
Stitched Postcard Tutorial from Sew, Mama, Sew
Blueberry Pancake Recipe from Smitten Kitchen
Fingerprint Pendant Tutorial from The Crafty Crow

Fabulous Finds: Cinco de Mayo Margaritas

Happy Cinco de Mayo! Here are some pregnancy-friendly margaritas for you:

Lime Margarita Cold Process Soap by Beacon Creations
Margarita Soy Tart Melts by Kimberly's Candles
Margarita Heart Candle by Kimberly's Candles
Lime Margarita Photo Card by H20Works

Happy Easter!

Happy 2010!

Happy 2010 to all of my blogging friends, I've missed you guys! Mr. Designs by Vanessa and I spent Christmas in New Mexico visiting family and then we drove to Sedona, AZ to ring in 2010. It was a very relaxing New Year's Eve in a cute little bed and breakfast, maybe a little too quiet, but they say that your New Year's Eve is indicative of how your year will turn out and I could use a little relaxation in 2010. I wish you all a relaxing 2010!

Keep Calm Recycled Sign by William Dohman

Relax by hoppscotch

How To: Chex Party Mix

So I have to admit that I've been a bit of a scrooge this Christmas when it comes to decorating and baking. I promise to make up for my lack of crafty inspiration in 2010! Chex Party Mix was the closest that I came to baking this year and I got the recipe right off of the Chex box. Martha Stewart would scoff at my Party Mix but I will still share the yumminess with you. It is super easy, takes a little over an hour and healthier than cookies (yes, that is my excuse for not baking and I'm sticking to it...now to find an excuse for not decorating).

Love,
The Grinch

Ingredients:

3 cups Corn Chex® cereal
3 cups Rice Chex® cereal
3 cups Wheat Chex® cereal
1 cup mixed nuts
1 cup bite-size pretzels
1 cup garlic-flavor bite-size bagel chips or regular-size bagel chips, broken into 1-inch pieces
6 tablespoons butter or margarine
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons seasoned salt
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder

Oven Directions:

Heat oven to 250°F. In large bowl, mix cereals, nuts, pretzels and bagel chips; set aside. In ungreased large roasting pan, melt butter in oven. Stir in seasonings. Gradually stir in cereal mixture until evenly coated. Bake 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Spread on paper towels to cool, about 15 minutes. Store in airtight container.

Upcycled Gift Wrapping

Happy Holidays my crafty friends! Check out my latest tutorial that I wrote for Craftzine: Upcycled Gift Wrapping. Happy upcycled wrapping!



Add your Upcycled Gift Wrapping photos to the Designs by Vanessa Tutorial Flickr Group.

Holiday Recipe Roundup

There is nothing better than the smell of gingerbread or sugar cookies baking in the oven around this time of year. What will you be baking this year?

Reindeer Pops - Bakerella
Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Cookies - Two Peas and Their Pod
Gingerbread Snowflakes - Martha Stewart
Handmade Chocolate Dipped Marshmallows - Craftzine

Christmas Tutorial Roundup

Check out these fabulous holiday tutorials I found on some of my favorite blogs. Are you doing anything crafty this Christmas?

Denim Christmas Tree Tutorial - Day to Day
Partridge Ornament Tutorial - Retro Mama
Bauble Ornament Tutorial - Lupin
Paper Christmas Wreath Tutorial - The Red Thread

Christmas Loves

My Christmas Loves:

being with family
24/7 christmas music
decorating our tree
the lights
luminarias
baking cookies
going home for the holidays
seeing old friends
wrapping presents
angel trees
old traditions
starting new traditions
santa clause
christmas movies
a charlie brown christmas
finding the perfect gift
cinnamon pine cones
ginger bread houses
the food
zoolights
hot chocolate
remembering loved ones
the cheery atmosphere
candy canes
holiday crafting
christmas morning in pj's

What are your Christmas loves?

How To: Fabric Leaf Place Cards

This mini tutorial is my poor attempt at an apology to Thanksgiving for snubbing it and going into full Christmas mode without showing the turkey the proper respect it deserves . I blame the 24/7 Christmas music on the radio and the shiny new Christmas craft supplies they put out before Halloween is even over. I'll try to hold off listening to any more Christmas songs until November 27th (today doesn't count)...

Materials

Cardstock
Fabric Leaves
Buttons
Hemp String or Yarn/Ribbon
Paper Cutter
Hole Puncher

Directions

Step 1: Determine how large you want your card tent and use your paper cutter (or scissors) to cut your card stock down to size. Fold your cardstock in half to make a card tent. If you don't feel like cutting or folding, you can always buy ready made tent cards at your local craft store.


Step 2: Punch a hole through your card tent and fabric flowers (these can be found ready made at a craft store or make your own using a leaf cookie cutter as your stencil). I have a nifty hole puncher that punches 2 long skinny squarish holes but if you don't have this type of puncher, no worries, you can punch 2 side by side holes or hand-cut 2 slits.


Step 3: Place hemp string through your holes, connecting your leaves to your card tent, and finish off with an up-cycled button.


Step 4: Enjoy your festive place card! Instead of names, I will be writing meaningful quotes on these cards and setting them around the table.


Add your Fabric Leaf Place Card photos to the Designs by Vanessa Tutorial Flickr Group.

Gift Guide: Stocking Stuffers

Fabulous Finds

Today's fabulous finds are inspired by Veteran's Day and by my Dad (who was a Navy man). Thank you to those who have served our country and continue to do so!

Nautical Mini Pencil Skirt by Lalouka
Anchor Pendant by Silver Beyond Ordinary
Vintage Anchor Buttons from The Paper Button
Nautical Wedged Shoes from The Crumpet Closet

How To: Tutu Cute Halloween Wreath

I was searching my favorite blogs for Halloween inspiration when I came across this adorable Tutu Cute Halloween Wreath Tutorial by Baby Rabies. Be warned, baby fever is extremely contagious at this blog. For my version of the Tutu Cute Halloween Wreath I added a "spooky" sign in the middle and being the big chicken that I am, this is about as spooky as I get! Because my door is freakishly big (seriously they built the doorways in this home to the specifications of an NBA player), I decided to go with the XL straw wreath and used about 3 1/2 rolls of tulle to make it extra fluffy.




Add your Tutu Cute Halloween Wreath photos to the Designs by Vanessa Tutorial Flickr Group.

Terrorific Tuesday

Spooky Spider House
Silvia creates a miniature haunted house that is spooky and oh-so fun!

Witchy Embroidered Postcard
Sharron Westerfield brews up a whimsical witch postcard

The Impatient Crafter
Vintage plastic owls become the focal point of a charming necklace you can wear for Halloween and all year round!

Pumpkin and cat felt treat bag
Felt bag that can also be made as a wall hanging or door hanger

Cheryl Ball's Halloween Door Hangers
Create these door hangers from inexpensive gloves for Trick of Treaters

My Big Mouth
Make a creepy wire tree just in time for Halloween!

Mel's Day of the Dead Necklace
Linked chain, skulls and spiderwebs for Dia de los Muertos

Crafty Chica's Matchbook Shrines
Adorable little folding shrines that fit in your pocket!

Paper Pumpkin
Make a plump paper pumpkin from some strips of paper plus a little Halloween craftiness!

Polymer Clay Zombie
Candace's diabolical plan to populate the world with zombies continues!

The Impatient Crafter for iLoveToCreate
Make a retro style styrofoam ornament into a fab Halloween Party centerpiece! Madge shows you how using iLoveToCreate products!

How to Make a Spooky Spice Rack
Come make a spooky spice rack with Crafterella, she's sharing her unique labels with everyone!

Halloween Treat Tote
Conjure up a quick Halloween cupcake basket using new ScoreBoard dies!

Brenda Pinnick's Halloween Banner
A little scary, a little fun, this delightful banner celebrates all things Halloween. Made using Brenda Pinnick Sizzix dies, glitter and ribbon.

Creepy Candlesticks
Pattie Wack turns mini pumpkins into a boo-tiful Halloween lighting idea!

Strands of Beads
Melissa explores the holiday possibilities in a black and white checkered bead

Glow in the Dork Wall Hanging
Turn off the lights and have a laugh with this goofy wall hanging from Alexa Westerfield!

Picture Perfect Pumpkin
Vanessa Coppola turns a traditional pumpkin into a decoupaged masterpiece!

If you would like to join in the fun next week, e-mail Alexa at swelldesigner@yahoo.com and put in your subject line "Terrorific Tuesday". She'll get you added to the group!

Halloween Goodness

I have scoured the internet in search of Halloween goodness and I think you will be spooked (in a good way) at what I found. Link your Halloween crafts & recipes in the comment section.

Fun Fall Cookies Recipe @ Stylish Cousine
Mmmm these candy corn cookies look delish!


I Scream Sandwiches @ Martha Stewart
How ridiculously adorable are these ice cream "sand-witch" hats?!

Jack the Hoop-o-lantern @ Betz White
Check out this super sweet Jack-o-lantern by Betz.


Free Printable Cup Sleeves @ Living Locurto
Drink your pumpkin spice latte in style.