The One with Wall Decor

If Provo Craft ever comes out with a Cricut cartridge that has a chandelier die cut, you can bet that at least one wall in our apartment will be covered with them. As an (expensive) alternative, you can find wall decals all over the internet. My favorite site for wall stickers is blik. They have a fancy schmancy chandelier wall decal:
Here's another one from Vinyl Wall Art:
When I go home in a couple weeks I'm going to make some corner frames with my dad. I may not have a lot of wall space left, but I have a lot of corners just begging to be covered with such awesomeness.
I've been watching a lot of home improvement shows this weekend - blasted cable TV. I should be doing more productive things with my time... But, at least it gives me good ideas.

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The One with the Cassette Book

I've been feeling a lull in my home-creativity lately. I haven't made anything or altered anything at home for awhile. My work mojo is going great though :) But, I've finally found something inspiring that's getting my juices pumped up again. My next project is going to be a book made from cassette tapes. If I can find some cassette tapes... Where does one find cassette tapes? The best thing about them - cassettes already have holes! Here are some pictures I found online of what I'm thinking:
On another note, Chris started reading Twilight and he's totally into it. All is well in my life.

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The One with the Talking Cat

9 times out of 10, Rachel (named after Rachel Green in FRIENDS) will verbally respond when you say her name. Please ignore my high-pitched "kitty-talk" voice :)

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The One with Midtown Village

Doesn't this look like such a nice place to live, work, play and shop? This is Midtown Village on State Street in Orem. Honestly, I love all the colors, the textures and how you can stare at it for hours and don't get bored.
Until you drive around the back and see this...
I don't get it? It's like they cut off the back of the building. Are they planning on adding more? It doesn't look like they'll be doing much to it anytime soon. Apparently construction has been halted on Midtown Village due to lack of sales. Read the article about it here. You can also see more about Midtown Village on their website. I want to have a deluxe condo/timeshare on State Street in Orem! Psych.

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The One with Cable TV

After 419 days of living a cable-less and clueless life - we are now the proud owners of Comcast Cable. Now we can watch the news and American Idol and LOST and the Office and the History Channel and the Disney Channel and lots of other channels. We're pretty stoked.

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The One with Long Time No Sees

This weekend was fun. I got to hang out with people I haven't seen in YEARS.

On Saturday night Chris and I went over to my Taylor grandparent's house to eat dinner with the whole Taylor crew - minus my mom, dad, brother and sister. When I rang the doorbell my cousin Cat opened the door. I honestly cannot remember the last time I saw her so I was shocked when I saw the beautiful girl standing there! She's 13 and almost as tall as me. Crazy! I also saw my cousin Daniel and he's grown so much, too. My newest cousin Leah is one of those babies that makes me baby-hungry - she's just that cute.

We ate a delicious dinner at Ottavios - I got a very tomato-y pizza, mmm. I'm so glad they're putting tomatoes back on food, life was miserable for awhile without 'em. While we were eating I mentioned to my aunt and uncle who live in a neighborhood in southern California that I remembered someone telling me that an X-File was filmed there. I asked if they wanted to see it so back at the house we watched the episode called "Arcadia." Turns out it was filmed in the neighborhood right across the street, but the houses in their neighborhood are modeled the same and they did recognize the streets and such. It's always fun to feel that connection between yourself and part of something bigger, you know?

Today I went to church in Alpine to see my friend Erin who (whom? that?) I haven't seen since her wedding reception in 2004. It was really nice to catch up and see her two cute kids - with another on the way. I gotta catch up!
If you scroll down to "The One with the 9th Grade Graduation Flashback" Erin is the cute girl in the middle - we go way back.

I hope it's not another 4-5 years before I see my California cousins or Erin again!

PS - Only 40 days 'til Breaking Dawn. Who's excited?! ME ME ME!

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The One with Green Label Art

Awhile ago Chris and his friend Art (a.k.a. Carlos) went to the gas station to get some Mountain Dew and they noticed these unique aluminum bottles.
After googling "Mountain Dew bottles" he found out they are a part of the Green Label Art series. Several volumes have been released. We have all except the very first two - Paper Tigers designed by Adam Juresko

and Pharaohs of Dew designed by Chris Pastras and Paul Rodriguez
Since they're so rare they're selling for about $75 each on ebay.

In my picture above going left to right we have:

Gods of Dew by TEEQim (husband and wife duo miQ wilmOtt and THUY3)

Splish Splash by Dr. Revolt

Don't Sleep by Mark Nardelli a.k.a. Nards, with 5Boro

Pop Art Pirate by Mark Nardelli a.k.a. Nards, with 5Boro

X (Staple) by Jeff Ng a.k.a. jeffstaple

Bill Hilly 2007 by Peat Wollaeger

Tundra by Peter Kim a.k.a. Methamphibian

Just Like Snowflakes 2007 by Chuck Anderson

Umbrellas by J.T. Woodruff and Hawthorne Heights

Four festive red, white and blue bottles not really part of Green Label Art (at least they're not on the official website) but look like they should be (sorry no pictures)

Do The Dew by Dez

MD Superstar by Eric Haze a.k.a. Haze

Just Like Snowflakes 2008 by Chuck Anderson (looks the same as 2007 version)

Concrete Dragon by Troy Denning

Reflections of Dew by Scott Lenhardt and Danny Davis

Bill Hilly 2008 by Peat Wollaeger (looks the same as the 2007 edition)

There's also a Halo 3 bottle not pictured (I just got it off ebay for a few dollars so it's being shipped) which isn't part of the Green Label Art series (as far as I know) but looks like it belongs.

Bill Hilly is Chris' favorite because it says "it'll tickle your innards!" on the side, lol.

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The One with Sneak Peeks

Head over to the American Crafts Blog to see pictures of what I've been up to for the past 4 months! Making layouts, cards and projects with supplies I've helped design is totally cool and rewarding.

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The One with Bella's Engagement Ring

PS - Hello to all of those people who arrive on this blog by googling "Bella's Engagement Ring" - there are many of you! Thanks for stopping by, hope you came back soon!

You know I can't go more than a post or two without mentioning something to do with Twilight.

Twilight Teez has teamed up with Stephenie Meyer on several occasions to reproduce jewelry and such from the books. They already have Bella's Bracelet:
"Are you wearing your heart on your sleeve for Edward or Jacob? Well, now you can display your devotion by wearing it on your wrist! Flaunt that love affair with your very own Stephenie Meyer authorized replica of Bella's Bracelet. This high polished Sterling Silver bracelet is of the highest quality and is all-together charming and romantic." It retails for $75.00. I wonder how much it would cost if the heart diamond was real...

On June 13th (which is a particularly special day because that's when Edward proposed to Bella) they finally released information about the long-awaited Engagement Ring. Here's a link to the page. It's not the prettiest ring in the world, and I already have a wedding ring, but I think it would make a cool "right hand" ring. It's nice because it comes in three different levels of quality - The Fashion Ring with fake yellow or white gold and 13 CZ diamonds (1.20 karats) for $69.00 - The Fine Ring with 14k yellow or white gold and 13 CZs (1.20 karats) for $559.00 - or the Genuine Ring with 14k yellow or white gold and 13 diamonds all brilliant cut, VS1 clarity, G-I color, 1.20 karats for a grand total of $2199.00.

Hey, a girl can dream can't she?

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The One with the Funny Show

This is why I love this show so much - Topher Grace aka Eric Forman.

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The One with My Scrap Room

Why fill a room with kids and cribs when it can be filled with pets and scrap supplies? At least for now :)

Keep in mind that I have been involved with scrapbooking since I was 16. I used to store all of my stuff in various cardboard boxes, but they were such a pain to dig through and they fell apart easily. When I found these plastic drawers at Wal-Mart and Target I was very excited. I love organizing so I spent hours putting all my crafts and hobbies away. Chris even gets his own drawer, it's labeled "Chris' Crap." I'm so generous.Each drawer is labeled but they're also see-through so I can just look at it without opening it. Going left to right and top to bottom I will tell you what each drawer contains:

1st Column
Ribbon - organized by color (9 drawers)
Ribbon - one large drawer filled with spools as well as special thread and ribbon glue
Albums - these are all empty albums that are small enough to fit in this big drawer

2nd Column
Projects - alterable things like board books, bags, magnets, etc.
Paper Cutters and Scoring Tools
Bags & Storage
Letter Stickers
Scrapbook Tools - such as special staplers, a mini iron for iron ons, an Around The Block Paper Tagger, etc.
Chris' Crap - I think there's art supplies and stuff in there
Stamps - mostly ink pads, embossing powder and acrylic blocks
Stamps - actual wooden and acrylic stamps

3rd Column
Paint
Flowers - this drawer is quickly overflowing as flowers are all the rage right now
Chipboard Shapes
Letter Stickers and Things to Make 'Em - this is for sticker sheets too big to fit in the other letter stickers drawer and tools to make letters/words like a DYMO
Art Supplies
Art Supplies
Fabric - sometimes I save old shirts with the intentions of making them into book covers, I put them in this drawer until I get around to it.
Book Cloth
Bookbinding
My Art - until I have more wall space all my art is tucked away in this drawer

4th Column
Cricut Stuff
Rub Ons and Iron Ons
Stickers - not letter stickers, just regular stickers
Metal - this drawer contains a hod podge of metal from buckles and beaded chain to metal photo corners and charms
Foam Stamps
To Scrapbook - Every trip I go on I collect maps, pamphlets, ticket stubs and other trinkets and save them in bags. I put all the bags in this drawer until I get around to scrapbooking them.
Cards - I keep all the cards I've made for publication in this drawer. It's so nice because any time I need to send a thank you or birthday card I just go to this drawer and pull on out, write my sentiment then send it out.
Pictures - this drawer is full of pictures that I don't really want to scrapbook, but I don't want to throw away. Every once in a while I'll go through the drawer and reminisce.
Eyelets - Remember these things? They were the STUFF when I first started scrapbooking. I purchased every single color Making Memories had to offer from ebay. I will never be able to use my collection in my life.

5th Column
At the top I have 4 containers where I keep embellishments. I should work them into my drawer system.
Envelopes - of all shapes and sizes and materials
Glitter and Jewels - again, this drawer is quickly becoming too small
Adhesive
Pens
Chipboard Letters
Embellishments - mostly the House collections from American Crafts
Brads and Buttons
Bookbinding Tools
Hardware - screws, nails, etc.
Tools - hammers, screwdrivers, drill bits, etc.

6th Column
Page Protectors
The next 9 drawers are filled with different colors of cardstock. I have them organized by color including Black/Grey, Brown, White/Cream, Red, Orange/Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple, Pink
Scissors - includes plain and decorative edged
Ephemera - mostly antique looking die cuts and tags
Beading - this will probably become my next hobby so it will quickly outgrow its one single drawer
Templates - to make envelopes and boxes
Die Cuts
Chalking
Punches
Paper Holders

7th Column
The huge tub sitting on top is filled with supplies for making these snowflakes for Christmas presents that I never got around to last year...
Paper Scraps
The next 9 drawers are filled with patterned paper, also organized by color: Black/Grey, Brown, White/Cream, Red, Orange/Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple, Pink
Themed Patterned Paper - LDS/missionary, Superman, etc.
Specialty Paper - corrugated cardboard, metal, fabric
Handmade Paper
Handmade Paper
Handmade Paper Scraps
Transparencies - plain and patterned
Christmas Patterned Paper
Chipboard Sheets

Not visible in the picture, I have a tub full of patterned paper organized by company/packs instead of color. I keep all of my albums on a shelf in the closet on the left. Usually I scrapbook on the floor in the living room, but sometimes I sit on the red chair (the top is visible in the picture) at a black desk (both from IKEA).

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The One with Bird Shoes

I know birds and owls are "in" right now, but do they belong on shoes?

I bet my sister could pull them off. I, on the other hand, always have to wear socks so you'll never see me in sandals! These Owl Sandals are from Urban Outfitters and can be yours for only $38 plus shipping.

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The One with Random Things

Some random things I've wanted to blog about for a few days but they didn't seem too significant to post on their own so I'm just going to jumble them all together:

1) Latest update on the baby Avery situation: She had surgery Monday morning and they removed all of the massive tumor except the parts mixed in with muscle. She had Lipoma (which Chris correctly guessed it was a week ago after googling her symptoms - he's so smart :). "Lipoma is a benign tumor composed of fatty tissue. These are the most common form of soft tissue tumor. Lipomas are soft to the touch, usually moveable, and are generally painless. Many lipomas are small (under one centimeter diameter) but can enlarge to sizes greater than six centimeters. Lipomas are commonly found in adults from 40 to 60 years of age, but can also be found in children. Some sources say that malignant transformation can occur, while others claim that this has never been convincingly documented." I'm so happy and relieved that the surgery went well and Avery will be fine. I can't wait to talk to her about all of this when she gets older.

2) This is some clever advertising by Papa John's pizza.
My only issue is I would rip it off the door before I even realized what it was. I don't know about you, but our door is covered in tape and adhesive residue from all the signs and notices taped to our door over the decades.

3) Inhabitat.com is a weblog devoted to the future of design, tracking the innovations in technology, practices and materials that are pushing architecture and home design towards a smarter and more sustainable future. I NEED this portable cardboard table. Usually I just plop myself down in front of the TV and sit cross-legged on the floor while I'm crafting. It's not very comfortable but that's how I've always worked. This table would make my life much easier and I'm sure my back would be much appreciative.
4) Susan Farrington (I discovered her on LillaRogers.com) has the best idea for altering seashells of all things. She's covered them with googley eyes, buttons, ribbon trim, feathers, beads and more. They're so pretty. I'd like to hang them on my bathroom wall to remind me of the beach.
5) If I were to ever go barefoot I would want to spice up my feet with some of these. They make me want to run barefoot on the beach. (I must really want to be on the beach.)
Etsy seller Bohemian Vintage has some neat things offer in her shop - check 'em out.

6) At work we're going to do a creative activity: screen printing. I'm going to make a t-shirt with this on it (of course) and wear it to the midnight book release party at the BYU Bookstore:
I'm also going to make a t-shirt (or two or three) with one of these chandeliers on it which is more wearable than the Twilight shirt. I love the pen tool in Adobe Illustrator - I used it to make all of these.

7) I found these CD dividers while perusing UncommonGoods.com. I'd use them to organize our DVD collection or alphabetize our bookshelves.
8) Speaking of DVDs, I started listening to my DVDs at work alphabetically on Tuesday May 27th and I'm only on The Best Two Years. I'm not even through the Bs! This is going to take a bit longer than I thought it would.

9) Happy Thursday! (Too bad there's not a new LOST on tonight, KWIM?)

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