Get Well Soon!

One of my favorite things to do is to bring a smile to others when they are down.

1. The task usually involves food
2. It might also include something crafty.

I won't disclose who, however I have a friend who is going through some really harsh health trials right now. I remember when everything went crazy with my health a few years back, I had a friend who sent me a care package. It made the things I was experiencing a little lighter, and totally brightened my spirit.

I guess I can say, I feel it my duty to pay it forward ... So I thought I would share a few ideas with you of how to pay it forward to someone you know who is struggling.

I simply just got some fun candy, wrapped it with a little piece of pattern paper, and put a "sweet" thought on each one. I can't say they were overly decorated ... however the thought is what mattered ... right? (at least that is what I keep telling myself!)

1. Before you know it you will be saying: "Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho" it's back to work I go! So enjoy relaxing while you can!
2. Remember that everything happens for a "Riesen"
3. Each day feels like a "Dud" when you're sick. Luckily you have chocolate to get you through.
4. I know you're going through a "Sour Patch" but with faith you'll get through.
5. Bad news makes you feel like saying "Gimme a Break"! With lots of prayers, and a treat, you'll "Crunch" right through it.
6. When you feel like your medical bills are going to be "100 Grand" Read this Scripture: Matt 6:33
7. Proverbs 3:24 - When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid. Yeah thou shalt lie down and thy sleep shalt be "Sweet"
8. When you think that you can't take it anymore, "Chews" to Count your many blessings.
(Strip paper by Bella Blvd.)
Please, enjoy making someones day and use these ideas!

A Quote that has changed my life!

(Thanks to the AWESOME creative team at American Crafts for posting this on their wall!)
I don't know if you blog, but often times there is this little bird on my shoulder that makes me feel guilty for not showing you EVERY little thing I create during my week, or sharing more of my life with you. This was a quote I really needed. This summer, I really have done just that ... I have taken time to live ... and although I haven't posted everything I have done, I feel like I have created better, smarter, and finished creative projects I have wanted to do for YEARS!

I think often times we all have a picture in our minds of these blogging friends, and that their life is PERFECT! That they never sleep because they create, or cook, or sew, or are the PERFECT mothers. I promise that MOST of the time, they only post the best of what they have. Just a little reminder, that we are all normal, everyday people ... mommies that often don't get a shower until late afternoon (if at all) ... and for heavens sake, sometimes eat cereal for dinner.

AND IT IS OKAY!

Just wanted to give you permission!
So I leave you with one more quote ... instead of getting bent out of shape because you don't think you are what others are:
Being happy is much more important than crafts sometimes!
I rest my case!

Studio 5 - Capturing Growth Moments

A few weeks back, I got a call from Michelle at Studio 5, and she asked me to be a contributor! It looks like I will be doing a segment 6-8 segments throughout the next year!!

So today is the first segment of the line-up and it has been such a fun process to prepare!
It is all about Capturing your child's growth moments in a fun and creative way!

First off, I want to give a huge SHOUT OUT ... to two companies that I teamed up with for this segment! First, let me introduce you to www.papercoterie.com
Not only did they allow me full creativity on their amazing website, and sponsor the projects for my segment ... but they were amazing enough to offer guests on my blog a $40 credit to spend by September 30th, 2011! You pay only the applicable shipping charges. Make sure to place your order before midnight on Friday, September30, when the event code expires. There is no minimum order, and your coupon code is MANDYDOUGLASS

The next company was Pro Digital Photos in Pleasant Grove, Utah. (www.prodigitalphotos.com) They are the same company I worked on my Christmas Cards with, as well as the photobook segment I did on Studio 5! These people make it happen and you won't be disappointed. Look below to see what they helped me create!

I wanted to give you a few details on the projects I made for my segment.

GROWTH CHARTS | Made by www.papercoterie.com

This product is what inspired me to do this segment in the first place. Stacy Julian did a promotion with the Paper Coterie on her blog a few months ago. I ordered one of these growth charts for my son! I loved it online, but I just about pee'd my pants when I got the actual product in the mail! AMAZING quality, beautifully designed, and SO versatile!
They are made out of fabric. You can place it on the wall directly, or do Iike I did and place it on masonry board and hang it on the wall. Either way, it is something you can take with you if you move and use for years to come! Click here to make one using your FREE promotion! (scroll down to the growth charts!)

Journals | made by www.papercoterie.com
These journals were SO easy to create! I love having them around my house, because they are cute enough to leave out on the counter, and if you're like me ... you don't remember them if they aren't in eye site! (right?) Making both Journals took me about 10 minutes! SO easy. You can also make one of these using the free promotion. They can be personal, the funny things your kids say, etc. You can personalize them completely to you! Click here to get started!

My child @ ... Book | made by www.papercoterie.com
There are THOUSANDS of websites to make photobooks on. Even ProDigital Photos makes amazing, personalized photobooks. I chose this one for my segment because of the theme. This book took me 1 hour to make. It was well designed and all I needed to do was upload my photos, and change the wording to match my Bryson.I did also add some text on my photos, displaying when each photo was taken. I loved how it turned out and can't wait to do one for each year of both of my boys! Click here to use your free code to make one for your son or daughter! Click here to check out the great photobooks you can create on www.prodigitalphotos.com

Memory Boxes | made by www.papercoterie.comI thought these looked cool on the website, however I was BLOWN A-WAY when I received mine in the mail! The quality is AMAZING, and it looks so great with the first few weeks of Bryson's pre-school products. They are on backordered until October. Click here to look at all the awesome styles, and get excited to order yours soon!

Vacation Wall | Made with products from www.prodigitalphotos.com

This is a project I have wanted to do for a few years now, and finally had an excuse and a deadline to get it done! You saw my "teaser" on my last postHere is how it was done. I created the file in Adobe Illustrator, then I put an amazing action, called Dirt Bag from www.getotallyrad.com. Then I simply sent off the file to www.prodigitalphotos.com. I sent it on a Friday and had it back by Wednesday. I am lucky that they are local, but since it is a website, they will ship anywhere! The wording did take me a while ... but I was SO pleased with how it turned out! If you would like to hire me to create one for your vacation wall and personalize it to your family, please email me! skierdouglass@gmail.com.

Next came the frames and pictures. Prodigital Photos also printed all of my amazing photos. Their photo tech's made them look amazing. Click here to get information on their photo printing options!Lastly, came my frames. I went to our local "Good Will" called the Deseret Industries and picked up LOTS of frames for $1 each in a variety of sizes. Then I took them home and spray painted them to match my rug in the basement. It took a while, but it was worth every minute! I was so pleased with the outcome of my wall!

I hope a few of these projects were able to inspire you! Feel free to comment or email me with any questions on Today's segment. You may just find it on an upcoming segment!

Our Labor Day was PEACHY!

Hope you all had a fabulous weekend!

We were so happy to have our Daddy home. It seems like we only see him a few times a week with school and work these days. We got to spend the whole weekend together and even spend some time out on Utah lake with my sister's and their families!

One of my favorite things from this past summer has been to watch my sweet husband, and his excitement for the food we have been growing in our backyard ... (I promise, only a few more posts about our garden stuff!)

I however have been most excited about having a peach tree!

Growing up, we had a peach tree, and I loved every minute of it. My dad always made peach cereal for us in the morning! We cut up peaches, put milk in it, and added LOTS of sugar ... and there you have it ... PEACH CEREAL! I decided to continue the tradition on with my little ones. I went a little peach crazy this past weekend!

1. Peach Cereal
2. Canning Peaches
3. Peach Pie for Sunday
4. Homemade Peach Ice Cream

I know, a little extreme for one weekend. I promise I don't do this every weekend! My family keeps wondering what I am on ... I just tell them I am high on peaches!
I still have a few peaches left, however & I don't think I am going to do peach jam this year, so I guess I will just keep enjoying a bowl of fresh peach cereal for the next week. UMmmmm! I am loving this.

My lack of blogging only has been because I am working on lots of projects, canning, and getting ready to do studio 5 again!

Here is one project I am sending to the quilter tomorrow ... This is the fabric from Riley Blake Designs! It is new ... called Decadence, by Samantha Walker!

Did you just pee your pants? Because I did when I saw this line! I JUST LOVED IT! I can't wait to get it back so I can show you how fun my project turned out!

And here is a little tiny sneak peek at a creation I am working on for the Studio 5 spot! September 19th is the day! Don't miss it! (Don't worry, I will post it for all of you that don't live in Utah!)

All I can say is 30" x 30" Canvas ... SUPER EXCITED!

Check out this DRESS!

Can you believe that this entire dress was made out of toilet paper?
Adam's Aunt and cousins did this for a contest! They need lots of votes on Facebook to win. Do you think you could take a few minutes and vote for them! I think they deserve it, don't you?
Click here to go to the link.
Then "like" the Cleaning Supplier FB page.
Next Click on the picture you see here on my blog.
"Like" the picture.
If you want, you can unlike the Cleaning Supplier after you're done!
Thanks a ton in advance!

Working on a post for you! Hope you're having a fabulous week!
M