A little thank you.

I have felt so much love from those around me lately. From the friends and family that watched my children while I was away at ALT to all of you that visit + leave comments here. It all means so much and I'm grateful.

Before my flight left Utah on Saturday I snuck away to Anthropologie and snagged a few of these darling little spice jars. They are the perfect treat to say thank you and are officially my new favorite thing.

I filled a couple with Swedish fish and packaged them up for some special friends. Friends that are always there cheering me on and encouraging me when I need it most. I hope you have a friend like that because everyone should.

After I delivered these treats I got to thinking what a sweet Valentine they would make too. Draw a little heart on the chalkboard label, fill with some yummy chocolates and you're golden. Perhaps a weekend project? I think yes.

Good Morning Northwest.

A couple of months ago I was asked to teach a few community classes for the Parks & Recreation Department. This week a local TV station picked up the story and asked if I would come into the studio at 5:30 for an early morning segment. I was really nervous (and tired!) but it went well thanks to the kind host, Crystal Costa.

I have a new respect for news anchors. They have a tough gig and it's inspiring to see them effortlessly switch gears as they report on different stories. Here is a link to the segment in case you're curious to see it for yourself. Or if you'd just like to hear my real life voice which is always a crazy experience for bloggers, am I right?

ALT Calling Cards 2012.

Exchanging business cards with fellow creatives is one of my favorite aspects of the Altitude Design Summit. I was pretty busy getting ready for the Method party and didn't exchange as many cards as I would have liked, but the ones I did get my hands on were beautiful!

Letterpress cards will always be a personal favorite. I'll never tire over the way they feel in my hands, the weight of the paper or the intricate designs. Jane's card was especially lovely.

My new friend Marie created cards that came with a caramel and the recipe. It was all packaged sweetly in a glassine envelope. And in case you're wondering, the caramel was delicious! I'm excited to try Marie's recipe for myself.

The lovely Danni is a packaging queen so it's always a treat to get one of her cards. I love the little animal paperclip and vinyl "Press On" that came with each one.

Before I left for Alt Lindsay sent a text telling me to keep an eye out for one of her bloggy favorites, Mindy Gayer. I was unfamiliar with Mindy and didn't think my chances were very good spotting someone when I didn't even know what she looked like. Well, guess who I just happened to sit next to during one of the panels? Yes, it was Mindy and she was so kind and lovely. A real gem. Plus, her card? It's pretty rad.

Some of my other favorite cards of Alt 2012:
ISLY
Annily Green
Swoon
Old Sweet Song
Mer Mag
Melanie Saucier
Love & Lemons
Rachelle Francey
Lupa & Pepi
Hilary Schuster (love her picture! so clever and a great way to be remembered.)
Kacy Faulconer
Deb Averett
Brianna Webb

See my favorite cards from Alt 2011 here.
My wooden business cards here.
And a great pinboard of even more business cards here.

ALT.

Last week while at ALT I had the opportunity to throw a mini party alongside Melanie and Susan with the fabulous sponsor Method. It was a blast. ALT never disappoints (hello amazing speakers!) but adding a little Smilebooth to the mix didn't hurt. I'm spending my day catching up around the cozy brick house. There are babies to cuddle,  laundry to do and emails to return. Plus, I have all sorts of great ideas brewing since leaving the conference which means I'll be making lots of lists. Lots + lots of lists.

Browse the Alt Flickr account to spot some of your favorite bloggers and scroll through hundreds of Smilebooth shots from the Method party right here.

Snow Globe Valentines.

Snow globes are so magical. I remember being entranced by them as a child and even today I love watching the "snow" inside drift slowly to the bottom. Audrey shares my fascination with snow globes so we decided to make some for her preschool friends in honor of Valentine's Day.

To make Snow Globe Valentines you'll need:
-glass baby food jars
-2" styrofoam balls
-pipe cleaners
-glitter (we used Martha Stewart Crafts Tinsel Glitter)
-glycerin
-serrated knife
-hot glue gun + hot glue sticks
-spray paint (for the baby food jar lids)

Start by painting the lids of your baby food jars. They will need about 24 hours drying time.

When your lids are dry you can assemble your snow globes. Using the serrated knife cut one rounded side off a styrofoam ball. You want the cut piece to fit inside the the center of the jar lid, leaving enough space for lid to tighten securely when it's put back on the jar.

Next form the pipe cleaner into a heart shape. Twist the bottom two ends a couple of times to secure.

Stick the twisted ends of the pipe cleaner heart into the center of the cut styrofoam piece.

Trim off the ends of the pipe cleaner.

Using your hot glue gun secure the styrofoam piece to the inside center of the lid.

While the hot glue dries, fill the jar with water. Add 1 tsp of glycerin and as much tinsel glitter as you like. We used about 1 tsp or so.

Finally, attach a cute tag and deliver to your loves.

Pinned.

Happy Friday! I have spent this week stitching + stitching + stitching away on Valentine Heart Pin orders. Thank you for your kind response! It's been fun.

While giving my fingers a rest this afternoon I hopped over to Pinterest for some eye candy and to freshen up my boards. Oh that site never disappoints! Obviously mustard yellow is speaking to me.

1.Flora from Bonjour-Celine via Kelly | 2.Sweater Hug from K. Miller Photographs via Lindsay | 3.Heart of Gold from Besotted Brand via Rachel | 4.Blanket from Batixa via Kelly | 5.Simplicity from Bubby & Bean via Lindsay

Valentine Heart Pins.

Monday's nearly gone, friends but I couldn't let it slip away without telling you that I've added a couple of new things to the shop. Valentine Heart Pins! These have been in my head for awhile. I think they're the perfect token to give your loves this Valentine's Day. Each pin is hand stitched by me and is attached to a little card with a favorite E.E. Cummings quote: 

"I carry your heart with me. I carry it in my heart." 

    Get yours while you can here.

Friendship Bracelet Valentines | An Update.

Are you starting to think about Valentine's Day yet? I already have ideas brewing in my head for the children's 2012 valentines and plan on sharing at least one of them with you next week.

Until then, here's some happy news. Thanks to Pinterest, my inbox has been bursting with inquires about a possible printable for Abby's Friendship Bracelet Valentines from a couple of years ago. I'm happy to tell you there's now a free printable for you to enjoy. 

You can download the file here.

12 Calendars for 2012.

Yesterday I finally took a few minutes to set out my calendars for this year. I own this one and this one and love them both. Here are twelve of my other favorites from around the web including a couple of free desktop calendars from some favorite designers. Hopefully they help brighten up your year, friends.

1.Free Desktop Calendar from new to me artist Rebekka Seale. Rebekka's blog Dear Friend is a new fave. | 2.Geometric Wall Calendar from Leah Duncan | 3.Limited Edition Calendar from the lovely Suann Song from Simplesong Design | 4.Language of Flowers glicee print wall calendar from The House That Lars Built | 5.Tea Towel Calendar DIY Embroidery Kit from Curious Doodles | 6.Watercolor Wash from Oh My Deer Handmades | 7.The Instagrams from my dear friend Passionista Presents | 8.A Year In Food perfect for all you foodies out there by Sweet Fine Day | 9.Printed Linen Wall Art calendar from Bookhou at Home | 10.Free Desktop Calendar from artist Shanna Murray | 11.Cross Stitch Letterpress calendar from Pistachio Press | 12.Garden Calendar Print from Rifle Paper Co.

My Beastly Book of Hilarious Heroes.

This book just may be the biggest hit of our Christmas. At least in the eyes of my 7 year old. Many of you know we follow the Want, Need, Wear, Read tradition for our gift giving during the holidays. A month or so ago, while searching the shelves for Owen's "read", I happened upon My Beastly Book of Hilarious Heroes and knew instantly he would be in little boy heaven.

Owen has an incredible imagination and oftentimes prefers drawing and playing to reading. I was happy to discover that while enjoying My Beastly Book of Hilarious Heroes he would be doing all three. Each page offers little artists simple instructions while leaving plenty of room for their imaginations to run free.

In the week and a half since he opened it Owen has be filling this books pages with characters from his seven-year-old mind. Including the one above which is my personal favorite for obvious reasons.

Weekending | Christmas Break Edition.

Happy New Year, friends! Today is Ryan's last day of vacation and I am  s l o w l y  letting myself get back in the ol' routine. Tomorrow I'll be scrubbing down the cozy brick house and (finally!) putting away the rest of our Christmas decor before the children head back to school on Wednesday. It's been a lovely break. Probably my favorite ever. 

We've been admiring the glow of our pretty tree,

taking road trips to Portland to see the Blazers stomp on the Kings,

adding pink sparkles to our nails,

enjoying our first family ice skating session,

and listening to The Head and the Heart over + over + over again.

Other highlights: Filling out our Resolution Kits, reading The Hunger Games, and watching a new movie every night. It's been wonderful and I'm sad to see it end.

I hope you've had an equally enjoyable holiday season with the ones you love too. Twenty-Twelve is going to be a great year. I just know it.