Happy Mother's Day!

This one's for all my homegirls...lol.  I have something to say to each one of you, so whether you're a momma or not, keep on reading.

Chipboard Photo Frame and a Silhouette Promotion!

Friends, you know I love me a good Cammie project!  I'm always on the lookout for new and different things I can cut or ways to make my projects easier with the help of my Silhouette Cameo.  I'm excited to report that Silhouette is now offering chipboard {and it's on sale}, which ended up being just the thing Little Crafter and I needed for a fun Mother's Day project!

{Grandma and Grammy, you can stop reading now!  Come back after the 12th!}

Are they gone yet?

Ok, now that they're not listening, I want to show you these adorable magnetic Chipboard Photo Frames!  They were so easy to make, and quick too!  Here's how we did it:

Mother's Day Button Photo Frame

Mother's Day is just around the corner, friends!  {Hooray!!}  If you're in need of a quick, cute, and easy gift project that just happens to be inexpensive too, here's One Artsy Mama to the rescue!  

BUTTON PHOTO FRAME

All About Mom Book: Review & Giveaway from Paper Coterie!

Friends, did you realize that Mother's Day is just three short weeks away?  Have you started thinking about what you might want to do for the moms in your life {and what those of you who are moms yourselves might want to ask for}?  I want to show you something today that I absolutely fell in love with at first sight.  Usually, I share DIY, or Do-It-Yourself, projects; this is a DIT, Do-it-Together, project I couldn't resist!

Take a look at the "All About My Mom" Photo Book from Paper Coterie!

A Day for Mama

So far, this Mother's Day has been the best one yet.  Last night, we spent time with my mother, then today was a day for me and my boys.  They started off the day by giving me sweet cards and my present, a "World's Best Mom" t-shirt with the Ravens logo on it!  They really do know me. :)  Then, they took me on a breakfast date to my favorite local bakery/coffeehouse.  Mmmm....blueberry scone!

Our main activity for the day was a trip to some topiary gardens about 45 minutes from home.  The azaleas were in full bloom and were absolutely gorgeous.

The topiaries themselves are always fun to see too...this camel is one of my favorites.

Noah was at such a good age for exploring the gardens.  He was constantly in search of another fountain, and he wasn't disappointed...there are at least seven, if not more.  He kept running ahead to see the next thing, especially if there was water involved!  We loved not having to deal with the stroller this year.

There were lots of fun things to see.

And we had a delicious picnic lunch in the shade of a tree in the Iris Garden.

We also had some quality mama-son time...as you can see, we like to have deep intellectual conversations. ;)

One of my favorite things about Mother's Day is a tradition my hubby started the first year Noah was born.  He cooks dinner, and we get dressed up for a special date.  Noah gives me a wrist corsage, and after dinner we do a mommy-son dance. 

The first year, Noah slept through dinner.  The second year, he slept through half of it, then wasn't thrilled about eating.  This year, though, it was a sweet success!  Noah was awake and well behaved, and it was a special time for all of us.

Thanks to my boys for making it such a wonderful, special day.  And Happy Mother's Day to all the mommies out there...enjoy a day well-deserved!

Happy Mother's Day {a little early}

Happy Mother's Day {a little early} to all the mommies out there.  I found this online and thought you might appreciate it as much as I did...

MOM - Job Description

POSITION:

Mother, Mom, Mama, Mommy

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work in an often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities. Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next. Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT AND PROMOTION:

Virtually none. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE:

None required unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

WAGES AND COMPENSATION:

Get this! You pay them! Offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.

BENEFITS:

While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth and free hugs for life if you play your cards right.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cute, huh?  And oh so true!  Motherhood is the single most challenging and rewarding thing most of us will ever do.  With that in mind, I wanted to take a minute to show a little love for the special moms and grandmas in my life.

Gramma L.

I am so glad that you are able to come on such a regular basis to visit with us {and of course have some goodies at Snickerdoodles!}.  I have really enjoyed getting to know you better and I am so thankful that Noah gets to know you too.  You amaze me, looking so good and doing so many things at 90 years young!  My favorite thing about you is that I don't think I've ever heard you say a negative thing about another person...it makes me want to strive to be the same way.  You are one classy lady and we love you very much!

Mom-Mom P.

Happy Mother's Day!  If ever there were a mother who consistently gave of herself and all that she had for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, it is you.  You have done so much for so many people and today I want to say thank you for all of your self-sacrifice.  You love us all no matter what and always do what you can to take care of whoever needs it.  Some of my earliest memories are of fun times with you...I still remember the pig-face shirt you made me and searching for Easter eggs outside...over and over and over and over.  I wish we could spend more time together, but know that I love you and think of you often.

Mom-Mom D.

You are the best apple-pie maker in the entire world.   Not to mention your pot pie, your sticky buns, and, well, everything you cook!  You have helped to teach me the value of hard work and I really admire how you roll up your sleeves and pitch in when something needs to be done, even at 81 years young.  It humbles me when I see you scrubbing my kitchen floor.  I love the way you've always been there to tell me that I can do anything I put my mind to.  Most of all, I love watching you with Noah; I know the two of you are the best of buddies and it brings me such joy to see him knowing and loving you the way I do.

Mom L.

Thank you so much for the way you have accepted me into your family and into your heart.   Thank you for being so loving, encouraging, and understanding.  Thank you for all the medical advice. ;)  You have such a sweet and selfless spirit and it's a joy to spend time with you.  I love our weekly lunch {and cookie} dates and of course our shopping excursions to our favorites...Michaels and Target!  It cracks me up how we can always find something we "need."  You have a great sense of humor too; our ugly Christmas pin tradition is just one example.  I really appreciate all that you do for our entire family; God gave us a treasure in you.

And, last but FAR from least...

Mom

There's no way to begin to thank you for all that you mean to me.  From the time I was a little girl, I looked up to you and wanted to be just like you when I grew up.  The older I got, the more I realized what a good goal that really was.  You are selfless, generous, loving, and wise.  You are never happier than when you are serving others or doing something to bring joy to another person.  You always think of others before yourself, which is just one thing that makes you such a strong woman of God.  You have always been such a wonderful example to me, and I love that God has placed you in your job so that you can be that kind of example to so many kids who aren't blessed with having one at home.  You always have been and continue to be one of my very best friends.  Thank you for supporting every single thing I've ever done; from Ensemble shows to 4-H to switching careers, you have stood behind me and cheered me on.  I hope that I can be half as good a mama to Noah as you continue to be to me.  I love you more than words can say.  Happy Mother's Day.



Hands-On Mother's Day Cards

One of my favorite holidays is just around the corner!  This Sunday is Mother's Day, and I'm excited to spend the day with Little Crafter and Hubby touring some gardens.  I'm also looking forward to sharing the little cards and gifts I have up my sleeve to show my wonderful mom and mother-in-law how much we love and appreciate them.  You've already seen the "big" gift idea, but I wanted to get Noah in on the action too, so I spent some time with him making special cards.  Since there are a few days left, I thought I'd share these ideas with you in case you want to make some too.

{Grammy and Grandma, sorry to do this to you again, but you get to stop reading now.  I promise no more secrets after Sunday!}

Unfortunately, I can't claim either of these ideas as my own.  But that's what I love about blogging and sharing inspiration...I get as much or more than I give!  This first idea came from the weekly Macaroni Kid newsletter I get every Tuesday.  It's a handprint foam flower, and boy is it sweet!

HANDPRINT FLOWER

 

Materials: colored craft foam, colored cardstock, pencil, scissors, glue, photo

STEP 1: Trace child's hand on foam with fingers spread apart.  Cut out.  Repeat for the number of "flower petals" you want.  We used six; the sample I saw used eight.  If you have multiple children, you can do a few prints for each child and combine them into one flower, or have each child make his/her own.

STEP 2: Cut out a circle of cardstock as a base and arrange handprints around it to form flower petals.  Glue in place.

STEP 3: Cut out photo in a circular shape to form center of flower.  Size will vary depending on the size of your child's hands/the flower.  I just found something to trace that looked like the right fit.  Cut out a slightly larger circle of colored cardstock.  Adhere photo to cardstock circle, then to flower.

STEP 4: Cut stem and leaves from green foam or cardstock.  Glue in place.

TA-DA!  The sample I saw took it a step further.  They wrote "Reasons I Love Mee-Maw" on the stem, then wrote something they loved about their grandmother on each "petal."  I am still debating whether I want to do this or not...I really like the look of it as is and am afraid to add writing. :p  Either way, it's sooo sweet!

The second idea came from a cute blog called Serving Pink Lemonade...Jeanine shared it on a linky party I visited this morning, and I fell in love with it.  Here's our version:

FINGERPRINT FLOWER CARDS

Materials: inkpads in various colors {we used pink, purple, yellow, and green}, white cardstock 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Optional Materials: wording stamp, blender pen {you can also use green marker}

I didn't dare take step-by-step pictures while Little Crafter's fingers were covered in ink, so you just get the finished product pic:

STEP 1: Fold cardstock in half.  Have child press thumb into ink pad and place it onto the paper in a flower shape.  Then, add a flower center using a different finger.  Repeat, changing colors if you like.

STEP 2: Add stems using marker or a blender pen in green ink.

STEP 3: optional - Add a stamped greeting.

I thought these were really sweet keepsakes and something easy a child can make with minimal assistance to give to a mother or grandmother.  Hope you like them!

In the meantime, I've been working more on my jewelry skills...here's the latest.  My first bracelet with a real hook closure!

Well, I guess it's time I get busy around here.  My Bible Study buddies will be here in a few hours and the house needs a little work.  Then again, I hear my beads calling...which do you think will win? :)

Oh, and speaking of winning; I promised to do another giveaway when I hit 75 followers.  I just noticed today that I'm only 10 followers short of that goal!  YAY!  Tell your friends to come check out One Artsy Mama and it'll be giveaway time again before you know it...I'm feeling a jewelry giveaway this time, I think!

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