Friday, February 17, 2012

10 from 3 Card Workshop and a Contest!

I just released another new paper crafting workshop on Craftsy.com!  This is one for all of the card lovers out there - especially those with limited time, or limited supplies!

You can make 10 cards with just 3 sheets of 12x12 paper and 10 card bases.  I used supplies from Close To My Heart, but you can use any supplies you have on hand.  Don't believe me?  Check it out:

Click HERE to purchase this template.

Additionally, it's been a while since I've done any kind of blog candy, or give away on my blog.  So I'm going to do that!

Purchase my template above, make a set of cards, and send me a photo of your completed cards that I can post on my blog (you may watermark your photo if you desire).  Email the photo (high resolution please) to nonapearl@firebin.net.

Complete all this by TUESDAY, FEB 28th.  I will post the photos to my blog on the 29th, and randomly select one of the entrants to win this collection of new CTMH stamp sets seen below (a $72 value!!)  

Contest open to anyone.  Shipping of the stamps is included if winner is a US residents.  Resident of other countries must pay shipping to be determined by zip code.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Ruby's Room and Banner

Ever since we moved into our new house in 2010, I've been on a quest to learn to be a better decorator (as well as a better housekeeper - but let's set that aside for now, shall we?).  I started with our living room.  It's not totally complete yet.  It will likely be a work in progress for many years to come.  But someday, when the kid crap is all put away, and my knitting isn't exploding all over the coffee table or end table, I'll share pictures of that room.

From there, I moved on to my craft room.  That is also a work in progress, and now that I'm not teaching classes any more, it is also continually evolving in look and function (and going from messy to clean to messy on a weekly basis).  So once again - not really something I'm ready to share at this point.

Moving on, I decided that our kids deserved to have spaces that reflected their personalities, and were enjoyable to be in, but also functional with regards to usable space and the ability to keep them clean.  That my friends, was where I hit the decorating jackpot!  This was finally an area where I felt comfortable, and I can truly say that the rooms are "done".

I shared Samantha's room a few weeks back.  If you missed it, you can check out this post here.

Last week I finally put the finishing touches on Ruby's room!  Here are the pictures...

The color is so much more vibrant in person.  It's a rich, turquoisey, tiffany blue.  I wish it transfered better in the photos.  This bookcase is from Target, and it used to be in Samantha's room (with bins).  But I found the bins were actually a hindrance to keeping her room clean, so for Ru the bins went away.  I love the she can easily see what she wants to play with, and easily put things away.

I bought pretty turquoise blue knobs for the dresser, but those of course will probably not go on for at least another year or two, so decided not to wait for that to post pictures.  ;)  

I found this little shelf at an antique show last fall.  I had read an article about how children read more books when they can see the covers, and had planned to do rain gutter book shelves (google it, it's cool), but when I saw this shelf, I knew it would do the job just as well.  Ruby loves it too - and she's reading more now than ever before.  I try to switch out the books every week or so.

She's not quite ready for a big girl bed, but I have a pretty, white iron child bed (from ikea) that will go there once she is ready.  And grandma is making her a quilt in the same fabric as her name banner, so it will be perfect! 

This little table was built by my grandpa when I was just 1 year old.  (He built the rocking chair in the photo above as well).  I recently painted the table so it would match Ruby's room better.  It is so sweet to see her play at this table, and remember all the time I spent playing at it when I was young!  I need to paint the matching chairs too, but that will happen at a later date.  (The chairs in the picture go with a different table).  


Here are some better photos of Ruby's banner.  I've had so much fun making these!  I just wish they were easier to photograph.  :)  I do sell these if you are looking for a custom name baner!  You can message me or check out my etsy shop.  I'm working on getting lots of new fabric styles in soon for custom banners.




Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I recently joined Pinterest - (yes, I was the last person on earth to join) - and found these fun, and inspiring images to share.  I've also pinned them to my boards - so if you want to find the source you can follow me - nonapearl.  :)

I hope you have a fantastic day!

valentine

tiny knit hearts for your valentine...I could see this kids finding so many uses for these!

Sweet Dreamy 15' Paper Garland

valentine

Heart Garland

Monday, February 13, 2012

Maternity Photo Shoot

About 2 weeks ago, our cousin Latisha Hale did a photo shoot of our family.  She asked if I wanted a particular setting for the photos, and I jumped at having it at Fisherman's Terminal.  Not only did this location jive with our plan to do a nautical theme for the nursery, but it holds extra special meaning for me as it is where my mom and step-dad were married 20 years ago.

The day was glorious - which is absolutely unheard of in February in Seattle.  It was sunny, and warm-ish (low 50s), and the wind was fairly calm for being right on the water.

Here are some of my favorite shots.  I was almost 34 weeks along when they were taken.  :)  We were so impressed with Latisha, and how comfortable she made us!  If you are in the greater Seattle area, and want photos taken, check out her webpage here.  We can't wait for her to do our newborn pictures too!  :)




this one is probably my favorite...

with this being a close second...


love, love, love these next two:



This is the little sweater I knit him:



The angle on this one makes me look HUGE-A-NORMOUS, but I still like it.  :)  I brought back that little boat from Mexico for Bubbah's room.

another fave...  the sea stars will be going up in his room too.


Thursday, February 9, 2012

Owlet Sweater

I thought I had posted pictures of my finished Owlet sweater - but I guess my brain had a pregnancy blurp.  Here is a link to the pattern.  It comes in many sizes, and she also carries the pattern (called Owls) for adult sizes too.  Best part is that it is knit seamlessly for the bottom up, so it's a great sweater for beginners.

I finished this for our little man about a week ago, and I'm so thrilled with how it turned out!


It was such a fast and simple knit, and the shine yarn is so scrumptiously soft and cozy.  I can't wait for our little guy to wear it!  I knit it in the 18-24 month size, but it looks to be closer to a 12-18 month fit comparing it with other clothes that we have.

Here's a close up of the owls:


We're just 4 1/2 weeks away from our little guy's due date.  It won't be long now!!!

Monday, February 6, 2012

Hey Sweetie Pie!

I have a brand new paper crafting template to share with you!  I took a break from designing over the holidays, but I'm back baby - and this template is SUPER cute.  I think you'll enjoy making these little paper pies for any occasion, but they seemed quite appropriate for Valentine's Day!

Because this is a "mini" workshop, I've lowered the price to just $3!

Here are few detail shots of the layout:


In addition to the 2 page 12x12 layout, you'll also learn to make 2 adorable cards.  And you can take your "baker's knowledge" and create dozens of pies for cards and layouts in the future.  You can even switch out your colored patterned paper for blue to make masculine blueberry pies!

When you click the link above, you'll be taken to Craftsy.com where you can purchase all of my available patterns - both knitting and paper crafting.  You can also browse a great collection of other crafty patterns.  It's a fantastic site!

If you pop over to my "Paper Crafting Templates" page (see the link at the top of the blog), 
you'll notice a few changes as well.
All of the templates featuring current papers (or templates that can be made using any papers) are still on the top, but I've put all of the rest in the "retired" section.  These are still available, but you have to email me directly to purchase them.  However, now that they are "retired" I've lowered the price to just $3.  So if there was a particular pattern you'd had your eye on for a while, you can get it now and at a discount to boot!

Keep checking back for more new patterns that will be coming soon!  I can't wait to get my hands on all the fun new CTMH products in the new Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book!


Thursday, February 2, 2012

New Pattern!

It's been quite a while, but I have a new pattern for sale on Knit Picks and Ravelry.  :)  I call them "Waffle Knit Mitts" and you can purchase the pattern by clicking on either of the links above.  The pattern is slightly less when you buy them on the Knit Picks website (because I in turn don't have to pay any fees to sell there). I also hope to have a few pairs up in my etsy shop in the next few weeks.

It's a super fast knit, and would even make a nice Valentine gift for the man in your life - since the pattern includes sizes for men and women, in both the fingerless and full mitt variety.  Working in worsted weight means you could knit these up in a weekend - or if you are really fast, just an evening.

I was pleased that we had snow at just the perfect time for a nice backdrop for the glove photo shoot.  Although that also meant I had to model my own creation - which I don't normally do.  I think my hubby did a nice job with the photos.  We had to shoot the "soap opera" way though - hiding my pregnant belly with a scarf and carefully cropped images.






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