[Make] Ninja-Pop Valentines

This weekend I was busy making the boys' classroom valentines.  Smarty Pants requested ninjas, so with a little help from a purchased clip art set, I created these fun cards--

I also created a non-photoshop version...

They're Here! TOMS Ballet Flats

I've been waiting for these pretty little ballet flats to arrive-- and finally they're here! Now that I spend most days on the run, I'm always on the lookout for comfortable, pretty and unique shoes. And with TOMS charitable One for One Movement, these ones really fit the bill. My old comfy Born flats were retired last summer, so I ordered the colorful Lina flats and can't wait to see them in person.  

When I purchase online, I always look for Free Shipping and additional savings. I found a few savings options for the TOMS Ballet Flats--

The TOMS ballet flats are available at Nordstroms (ships Feb 18th) with free shipping.

an additional 6% back with mr. rebates

or 5% back with Ebates

They're also available at TOMS 

code: ShareToms or NewBalletFlats for $5 off  

and an additional 5% back with Ebates 

or 6% off with mr. rebates

Have you joined Mr. Rebates or Ebates? They're a great source of savings if you shop online-- And yes, you really get the money back.  And if you sign-up friends, your friends and you get an additional referral fee (Ebates) or a 20% cut of their earned rebates (Mr. Rebates). I linked my referral code, but if you don't want to use it you can head directly to their site and sign-up.

Since my boys are allergic to shopping, I do most of my purchasing online-- with coupon codes and free shipping, sometimes it's a better deal than going to a brick & mortar. Anyhow, this is NOT an advertisement, just thought I'd share a few ways to save!

BTW, I ordered them from Nordstroms since I wasn't sure on the size (they supposedly run a 1/2 size big) and, if necessary, I can return it at the store or free via mail.

I'm a bad influence.  Sorry.  :)

[Home] LOVE. Valentine's Mantel

That's LOVE (period).

Fun and to the point.

Click "Read more" for the details

[Wordless Wednesday] London on the Move

source

pssst... happy wednesday!

[Weekender] The One With... Sewing Lessons, Michael Jackson, Banana Bread, Falcons & Homework

What an odd compilation of activities!

It doesn't happen often, but every now and then I'll have a jam-packed weekend.  And, thanks to my parents who came over to watch the boys, The Mister and I were able to go on not one, but two dates!  Here's what I was up to this past weekend--

[1] SEWING - I took a sewing class... Can you believe it?

Now, that I know how to thread a machine... I'm armed and dangerous!

[2] MICHAEL JACKSON - We had a date night-- Yippee!

First we ate yummy Persian food at our favorite kabab place in the Valley...

Koobideh, roasted tomatoes & peppers, and saffron rice.  So good!

Then enjoyed Cirque du Soleil's Michael Jackson experience...

It was a wonderful mix of all things Cirque du Soleil (acrobats, gymnasts, contortionists) and awesome dancers and, of course, great, great music. I thought it was a nice homage to a great performer. I had to laugh at the reviews that complained about the acrobats, gymnasts & contortionists... It's Cirque du Soleil people, what were you expecting??!!

[3] BANANA BREAD - I made yummy Banana Sour Cream muffins for Smarty Pant's basketball team and bread for us.

light and moist with a cinnamon-sugar crunch. Yum! here's the recipe

[4] FALCONS - We took a drive to the Terranea resort in Palos Verdes and enjoyed beautiful scenery, good food, great company and balmy 75 degree weather.  Aaah!

I used to live in the area and had no idea that it is now a vacation destination... crazy!

We saw a falconry show too!

According to the handler, they can fly up to 250 MPH... I believe it!

Hanging out with a hood.

Eating some yummy pigeon treats.

 

They are used to keep seagulls from over-populating the area... And sure enough, when he was in the air, all of the birds disappeared. Except the pelicans.

[5] HOMEWORK - I wrapped-up the weekend by "helping" Smarty Pants with his "Star of the Week" board and display. And I naively thought that I was done with homework years ago! Silly me.

So it was a busy, busy weekend, and although I was thoroughly exhausted and am now buried in laundry and dirty dishes... It was worth it!

[Oh Martha Monday] Polka Dots

I just love polka dots.  They're happy and cheerful, but can also be retro and elegant too. Here are some polka-dotted ideas from Martha Stewart--

polka dot pea soup

[Make] Yarn Hearts

[Inspired by] Bright Colors

[Wordless Wednesday] Gold Twine

pssst... thanks for stopping by!

[Make] Yarn Words

This year I said nay to a typical pink and red Valentine's mantel.  I want something that  I can enjoy for a while... at least until March, so  the traditional hearts, red and pink are a no-go.  I'm still working on a couple more things, but here's my un-Valentine Valentine's mantel so far...

This idea came about when...

I saw these awesome rope words by wednesday and knew that I had to try it out... 
but with yarn. no rope to be found in mi casa.

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I then decided on the quote "love makes the world go round".
love that quote... when's the last time "hate" made the world go round, huh?
besides, "love means never having to say you're sorry" 
is just too long... and untrue :)
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Sorry, where was I? Oh yeah...
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Since the word "world" was mentioned, I then had a deep desire to...

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pilfer the globes from Happy Vee's room,

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and was further motivated to dig around my untidy craft room until...

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 I uncovered my stash of old Auto Club maps,

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which where then cut-up and taped to the large mirror above our fireplace.
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which then became a cool backdrop for the yarn words.
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but the white words blended too much into the map background...
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so a coat of venetian gold paint came to the rescue.
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and those glue dots really do hold everything.
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and the rest is history. 
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the end.

Don't you love the snowball effect that comes about with a little inspiration?

[Oh Martha Monday] Edible Hearts

Do you bake for Valentine's Day?  I usually don't, but after drooling over all of these heart-shaped goodies from Martha Stewart, I'm a little inspired to put on an apron and break out my whisk! 

Um, "hello" meringue ice cream sandwiches! "Hi there" uber decadent roberta heart cake!

meringue heart ice cream sandwiches

roberta heart cake

mini berry pies
how cute are these?


Click "Read more" for the full post

[Make] Felt Heart Arrangement

Here's what I decided to do with all my needle felted and washing machine felted hearts. This is inspired by the felt ball arrangement by dans le townhouse that I was oohing & aahing over last year.  Pretty cute, huh.

Well believe it or not, it's sunny and beautiful outside... and I thought I was going to be rained-in for the day.  Guess it's time to change out of the pjs... :)

sharing with...

[Weekly Inspiration] 1.21.2012

this beautifully quilled 2012 piece... 

via sabeena karnik on behance :: as see on all things paper

this "grown-up" string art... i loved making string art when i was a kid! 

via que linda

this cool origami lampshade via nellianna on etsy

this mixed media fiber art piece. love the 3 dimensional aspect.

 via julieandco2 on etsy

this quote from ira glass-- a reminder to keep at it... 

via the print shop. :: as seen on the creative mama

We're enjoying a rainy, grey morning at home.  Smarty Pant's basketball practice has been cancelled, and for that I am glad... It's nice not having to rush around on a Saturday morning. I've been nursing a cold all week and I'm finally feeling better... Just in time for lunch out with the ladies-- Yahoo!  Hope you have a creative weekend in store!