{Made it Monday} Olivia's birthday album

Heeeeeeeeeeeeeey internets!

I'm so glad to be back in action!

My sweet lil' computer is back on track and we're ready to roll!

I finally got around to making Olivia's 6th birthday album right before my computer went away.

Let's keep it real here and understand that this is the *ONE and ONLY* birthday album I've ever made for her (or anyone else, for that matter). Don't get all judgemental on me and tell me about how you've never made even. one. album. for your child because up until now, I was in THE SAME BOAT, OKAY???

Anyhoo.

I like it. I think it turned out cute.

I used all the Instax pictures we took on the trip. The Instax camera was one of O's birthday gifts. She loves it. I love it even more. I love how cute and tiny the pictures are (the size of a credit card) and how you snap the picture and out it pops.

Instant gratification?!

I'm a fan.

So, here are a few pictures of the album. (Click each picture to make it larger.)




















While I was working on the album, Olivia glanced over at me at one point and asked, "Mommy, why are you spending time making a scrapbook for me? I know what my birthday was like."

I sat there for a few minutes wondering this myself. Why DO I spend tons of time putting together an album full of little memories of this, that and everything else during that one little trip??

Then it hit me. The answer.

It's because I have *NO* idea what I did for my 6th birthday. Or what I was like as a 6 year old girl or what toys I was "into." I remember my favorite friends (who are still some of my faves, by the way) and who my teacher was that year, but other than that, nothing. (Am I alone here? My memory is reeeeeeally bad.)

And, that's a little sad to me.

Am I okay despite the fact? Absolutely.

(Mom - stop tearing up. I'm okay. Really. Hey! By the way - do you remember what we did for my 6th birthday? Just wondering.)

So, that's why I do all this crazy scrapping for my kids (when I can). So they can remember. When they are older with families and children of their own, they can remember.

We can remember.

All the little details.

Not just pictures in a box, but the details of the good times. The details that are so quickly forgotten in every day life.

Will they still need therapy? I'm almost certain they will.

I'm okay with that.

What they won't need help with is remembering the details that are so often lost for me.

Hopefully, they won't need help with that.

{Par-taaay Wednesday} Sunshine and Lemonade

Aaaaaaaaand....I just can't help but show you one more party today.

Hop on over to Lulu Pink and check out her Sunshine and Lemonade party.




Total cuteness. Srsly.

Party on.

{Made it Monday} Teeny tiny bags

Not long ago, I found these Valentine bags by Christine Middlecamp.



Oh dear! All that layered paper, collage-y goodness just made me smile! I knew I had to do something similar! So, when the ladies at The LilyPad started releasing their BYOC goodies for April, I whipped up a couple of bags of my own!

Here they are in all their glory! Nothing extraordinary, but frankly, I'm quite proud of them! They turned out just lovely and I can't wait to give them away!











You can click hereto view them in my gallery at The LilyPad and to see all the credits!

Happy Monday, peeps!

Are you ready for the bunny?

Check out this video from Better Homes and Gardens on how to make the super cute bunny folded napkin!



Cute, no?

{Par-taaay Wednesday} Easter has Sprung!

Easter is just around the corner and so today I want to spotlight a little Easter fête that will make all our hearts go peep, peep, peep!

You have to head over to Anders Ruff to check out their Easter Has Sprung party photo shoot.



















If that doesn't put you in the mood for spring, I'm not sure anything will!

Run on over there and check out their party! Be sure to leave them some love by commenting on their awesome party-ness!

Happy Wednesday, people!

{Trendy Tuesday} Washi Love

You know...I'm not really sure this topic belongs under {Trendy Tuesday}.

Yes. It's trendy.

Yes. It's ALL. OVER. CREATION. right now.

But, really I think I should file it under {Things I Love} instead.

You want to know why?

Because I big, fat, puffy heart LOVE washi tape.

Waaaaaaaaah?

Washi tape.

A beautifully dyed and patterned tape made in Japan from washi - a type of rice paper. Perfect for crafting and decor, this tape can be used for gift wrapping, book decorating, layering, trimming, card-making, letter-making and more! It's also easy to tear, can be written on and can be applied to walls and furniture as well.

Srsly.

What more could you want in a tape?

There are so many beautiful varieties out there and so many projects just waiting to be brought to life.

Paperklip Design can make you a bunting in any flavor you'd like.






Parcel Post featured a similar bunting, but used it to creatively wrap a gift. Clever.


Nileey transformed her iPhone 3G cover. Love this.


Elizabeth from To Be Charmed whipped up some fantastic Easter decorations using washi tape.






Aaaaaaand she made some wonderful little spring (ish) vases.



Inspired yet? Find some washi tape of your own at:
Cute Tape
Pretty Tape
Happy Tape
Japanistic
And, of course, Etsy.

Happy Tuesday, friends!

Spring(ish) Break Day 5

Last day!

Today I leave you with one last idea from Martha. It might just be my favorite idea yet! In fact, it wasn't originally a Teacher Appreciation idea at all. Martha thought these would make great Bridesmaid Goodie Boxes. But, I think they'd be perfect for your favorite teacher! We have these little differences of opinion every now and again! Pfffffft.

How. Cute. Is. This??


Seriously, I can't stand it!

You could fill it with your teacher's favorite fresh snacks and goodies or even a takeout lunch.

If I were doing this gift, I would probably get them takeout from a local specialty shop (Sparkle City peeps - I'm thinking Ice Creams and Coffee Beans or Gigi's Cafe). Then I'd re-wrap it in a cute container with a sweet tag and ribbon. {You know me, right? You should've seen that one coming.}

Or don't re-wrap it. It doesn't really matter. It's the thought lunch that counts!

Whatever you do, make sure you get something your teacher likes. You could give them a takeout menu and let them choose what they'd like to order. And, make sure you know what time of day is best to bring it, if you choose to bring them lunch. There's nothing worse than having a nice hot/fresh meal sitting there getting cold and stale while you wait an hour and a half for your planning period. Nothing.

I have a little something for you today. It's just a quirky little form I like to use to find out all of our teachers' favorite things. I use this every year so that I can make choices for things that they really like and I don't have to guess. I mean why buy your teacher an iTunes gift card if they'd rather have new books or movie tickets, right? Get them what they want!

To get a copy of the My Favorites form, just click here.

You can change it, re-write it, make it your own.

I hope you've enjoyed this little series of Teacher Appreciation Week ideas and I hope you've been inspired to do something nice for your teacher!

I may have a few more ideas between now and TA Week, but as of now, I'm moving on!

Happy Spring, people!