Keeping Calm & Carrying On

Sock Monkey Mommy's Day: Part 2

Earlier this week (On Monday) I reveal Part 1 of the Sock Monkey Mommy's Day I hosted for Allyson, who's a expecting her fourth little girl.

Welcome to Part 2. Today I'm going to share with you all the details of the dessert buffet, and some fun group photos we took towards the end of the party.

That's me, Maxine the Mommy Sock-Monkey, and the Guest of Honor-Allyson. Gotta love the props for the photos, right?! We couldn't help but give some Monkey Kisses ;)

In the dining room everything was about desserts, desserts, desserts. I planned ahead for candies that matched Allyson's sock-monkey color scheme, ordered cupcakes from Gigi's and even packaged some munchies to go!

The secret to a good candy buffet is: it's all in the details. To each jar I added ribbon or tulle, and a paper label (printed and then punch with scrapbooking punches). At the far left end of the buffet are clear bags and ties for guests to make a treat bag to take home with them, and for their kiddos too.

I've been collecting apothecary jars for a couple  years now, so I'm always all set to rock-and-roll for a party like this...I just have to search out the perfect candy contents. Another tip: It's nice to have packaged candy inside the jars. It makes for easier, mess-free clean up. I've learned this the hard way a few times! I tried to do my best with monkey-themed things like Animal Crackers, Monkey licorice stix, tootsie rolls, Sour Monkey Tails.....and more.

It's important ot urge everyone to make a treat bag, otherwise I can solemnly promise that you will be eating and snacking on candy for weeks to come because it will be sitting around your house.

I designed some Hershey Bar wrappers and came up with these "Monkey Bars" :)

These mini chocolate chip cookie dough cupcakes were heavenly, even better than I imagined. I created fun little cupcake sticks by printing some of the elements I designed for the invitation, punching them out with a circle punch, and  popping them back-to-back on top of a toothpick.

I couldn't help but make some puppy chow, or "Monkey Chow" as I re-named it. Because it's such a powdered sugary, messy treat, I pre-bagged them all and created some paper toppers by folding over (covering the zip-lock) some of my Sophisticates patterned papers and finishing off with a "Monkey Chow" paper seal. 

These were great grab and go kinds of treats. Last but not least I wrapped the water bottles with some paper wraps I designed.

 A couple weeks ago I shared an Instagram photo of my Nana and I working on a fabric project. Well, the fabulous seamstress that she is helped me hem-up the pink gingham table runner you see above, and also helped be sew these adorable little fabric pouches that were goodie bags that each guest left with on their way out...

I found the directions and tutorial via Pinterest, by Martha Stewart. I picked up the fabrics at my local Walmart's fabric section and bought some travel size lotions and hand sanitizers from Bath and Body works for each guest. These fabric bags are super re-usable too! I love them!

Three generations....Grandma, Daughter and Baby on the way....

A good friend from Canada even scheduled a trip to Milwaukee just so that she could be here for Allyson's Mommy Day! Allyson and I had a great time showing Jennifer around Milwaukee throughout the weekend!

I'm so thankful to have such a wonderful friend like Allyson. She truly is a super awesome friend, an organized mommy, and a great wife too. I only hope someday I can juggle everything like she does in her household!

If you've made it this far, thanks for reading and following along.

Sock Monkey Mommy's Day: Part 1

That I love to host parties and get-togethers?

Recently my girlfriend, Allyson, found out she was pregnant with her fourth baby girl! Can you believe it, four girls! Wow! I am so happy for her and know she probably doesn't need anything, especially a baby shower....so instead I threw her a "Mommy's Day."

Allyson's baby has been named Alayna and Allyson has been brainstorming and creating a beautiful baby's bedroom for her with a sock-monkey theme....so what better way to celebrate that with a Sock Monkey themed Momm'ys Day! Here's the invitations I created and mailed out:

Today is Part 1 of the Sock Monkey Mommy day where I'll reveal the decorations and games we played. Let's start here at the front door!

I've been collecting sock monkeys from here, there and everywhere for the past three months knowing I was going to throw the party. I found this super cute idea on Pinterest to wrap styrofoam wreaths with yarn. It was time-consuming but not strenuous to do at all while catching up on Days of our Lives and the NCAA tournament.

There's the mommy, Allyson ;) Dresses perfectly in matching colors ;)

I created three different wreaths, in three different sizes and the colors that match Alayna's nursery. Post-party all the decor and props were gifted to Allyson.

I had so much fun with the yarn that I made paper mache wrapped yarn letters too spelling

A-L-A-Y-N-A, but I don't seem to have taken any photos of them....crazy!

When guests arrived they were greeted by "Mommy Maxine" and her sock monkey babies. The invitations asked everyone bring some funky socks for Allyson, because she's a funky sock collector! She went home with this big basket of cute and adorable socks from everyone.

As my usual parties, it's nice to help out the "guest of honor" by having everyone self-address an envelope for the thank-yous she'll have to send later....

I found that super fun springy monkey pen at Pier 1: great little detail, huh?!

The house was decorated with sock monkey babies.

Because shower games aren't always the most fun, I just limited it to one game with two different rounds. We played Scattegories based on the popular family game, using the letter "A" (Alayna) in round one, and the little "M" (Meinholz-last name) for round 2.

Most everyone participated and two monkey-themed prizes were given out to the winners with the most points (Monkey/Banana salt & pepper shaker from Pier 1, and a Monkey patterned photo album that I snagged at Target!)

I designed fun little game papers, printed them out and even the Mommy-to-be got to play too!

Allyson opened several sock-monkey themed gifts from onesies to hats and this beautiful handmade quilt by her Alayna's Nana. I definitely learned a lot at this party---it makes sense to have a theme. It gives family, friends and guests inspiration for gifts....and Allyson received some awesome sock-monkey themed gifts!

This ends Part 1 of the party. I hope you'll stop back on Friday (May 4th) to see part 2 which includes several pictures from the dessert buffet and friends/group shots!

Here's a sneak peek of the dessert buffet that I'll reveal on Friday...

See you soon!

Becuase I know Justin's Reading...

Today's Friday Favorites is about some of my favorite friends:

Justin and Jenna

Justin reads my blog. Come on now...isn't that the sweetest thing ever?! (I don't even think my own Steven visits this blog!)

Not too long ago Justin celebrated his official one-year-on with a local Fire Department. It was great to meet some of his work friends and congratulate him on all his hard work and determination. Steven and I are so happy for him and his success.

Jenna organized and threw him a fun party with delish food and plenty of friends!

(That's Steven's brother Dan----he always finds a way to wreck a photo!) argh.

Puerto Rico Part 2: The Vacation.

As mentioned earlier, Steven and Justin flew into Puerto Rico post-workshops so that the four of us could enjoy a bit of R&R.

Did you know that PR is actually a small little island? We drove from one end to the other with Nilmarie a couple times actually!

Who wouldn't be in heaven with a beach 20 feet from your door and a view like this?!

I shared plenty of Instagram photos while we were in PR, but these are some of my favorites from the trip.

Justin and Jenna were a hoot to travel with. We had a great time, this being our first "couples" vacation. First we stayed at the hotel with this amazing view.

Then we stayed at The Palmas with the ocean right at the doorstep and beautiful walkways like this one...

The boys practiced a bit of water aerobics (haha-dorks!).

And after having dinner at Nilmarie's house one evening, both Steven and Justin fell in love with this Puerto Rican Beer that Tato (Nilmy's husband) introduced them to.

Can someone tell me why boys (even at this age) lay in the sand/ocean like this? I just don't get it....just makes me think of where all the mucky sand and water are going as each wave comes in!

We sure did have some delicious dinners!

and some great date nights.

It took me a solid 2-3 to actually wind down from "work-mode" and feel like I was on vacation. The sunlight was devine and always re-inspires me to start creating again as soon as I get home.

The NCAA Final Four games were on the weekend the boys were in PR. Steven and I were rootin' for Kansas, of course. 

Even though I worked out nearly every day...my diet consisted of Waaaaayyy to many of these pretty pool drinks ;)

Puerto Rico is a beautiful island. I'm so excited that it's another place that both Steven and I have been to together as a couple.

Where are some of your favorite vacation spots?

An Amazing Gift

What a Tuesday it was at Bella Blvd yesterday. Little did I know (or remotely expect) to receive a surprise gift from some of my favorite peeps! Did you happen to catch this photo I shared I facebook yesterday? (Okay I know it even makes me laugh every time I look at it....)

So--back up 24 hours--when I arrived at the studio after a morning meeting Carii (my Creative Assistant) says, "We have a surprise for you, come here" and she handed me this beautiful hot pink & black damask hat box. I mean, I am IN LOVE with this box! But I was incredibly clueless. 

"What the heck is this? Why are you buying me gifts....I don't need any gifts, what the heck is this for?" I kept saying over and over as they insisted that I open the box.

I had no idea...seroiusly, none.....then I opened it.....

WHAT IS GOING ON?! What is this little mystery package with pretty things inside??? I'm still so confused....until I find the darling handmade card that reads,

"Stephanie & Steven,

Congratulations and Best Wishes from all of us on the Bella Blvd Team, Design Team and your local Artistas. Enjoy with Love!!"

Little did I know Carii organized this super exciting engagement gift for us. Seriously? Are you for Real? How blessed am I? It's hard to accept this super generous gift because the girls gave me a large amount of money to be spent on a PhotoBooth at the wedding reception!

The hat box was filled with photo props like feather boas, a Fedora hat, that funny mardi gras mask, broaches and more fun stuff to use with the Photo Booth.

 I am so thankful and do not deserve this. The Bella staff and all the design team girls DO NOT NEED TO KEEP surprising me like this. (I mean, a girl isn't going to lie and say she doesn't love it! ha), but seriously girls, STOP BUYING ME THINGS, I love you just the way you are!  ;)

Yes, I guess that's me saying thank you. Steven and I saying thank you, because you didn't have to and you did anyways and we love you all so very much and cannot believe your generosity and excitement for us to be getting married. 

Bella Blvd has provided me with many many new opportunities, one of the most memorable is making friends from all around the United States and the entire world, that share common interests and passions----those people that you instantly connect with simply through a hobby like scrapbooking. Making memories is so important to each of us that we always want to contribute to helping others make fabulous memories too. I am so grateful for that gift.

I am speechless, and don't even know how to say thank you. Or repay you. I hope you girls will travel long and far and spend a weekend in Milwaukee for my wedding next Spring. Start planning now ;) hehee. How amazing would it be if we were all to party the night away in person?

I plan to make a fun little sign or something cute next to the PhotoBooth at the reception that says "thank you to my Bella girls that gifted this awesome creative gift for our special day!" So that way, even if you can't make it ... or aren't there....you'll be thanked and see the photos afterwards!

I love you all! What a great Tuesday! One of the best ;)

KISS: Pocket Page

How do you include memorabilia on your layouts? Sometimes if I don't have a lot of pieces I like to create a simple pocket on my page.

The majority of the page contents are from Jillibean Soup. 

I loved the postcard invite for The Cruise's Third Annual Gathering Gallery Night that I wanted to include it on my page. So I added a couple sticker tabs and called it a day!

This is something I try to go to every year to support my friend Jen, who's a fabulous designer.

A Beautiful Holiday Centerpiece

First off, I take absolutely NO CREDIT for this beautiful handmade centerpiece idea today! Just for the record.

On my birthday my dear friend Allyson walked in to surprise me with these beautiful roses.....with a handmade touch! Look at what she glued around the entire vase?! Omg....in love....and they are pink! 

I'm totally using it this weekend as my Christmas Centerpiece! What a great gift!

Allyson said it was pretty easy (once she got all the pink candy canes!), she just hot glued on a low temperature setting one-by-one and tied with a ribbon wrap. You still have time to make yours!!!!! Are you ready for Christmas?

A Very Bella Birthday

It was one of the most memorable birthdays I've ever had, thanks to so many friends and family and especially because of my wonderful DT Coordinator-Laura Vegas-and team.

The girls surprised me with this awesome Birthday Card Blog Hop

Here are some of the photos I grabbed from some of the blogs......

ooohhhh....it's good to feel loved! ;)

All these girls keep me very motivated by inspiring me everyday! Now I have all these handmade keepsakes as daily reminders........

And they're all made with BELLA PRODUCTS! Swoon.

You might as well have just wiped the drool from my mouth!

.....and then later in the afternoon delievered the handmade gifts in a darling pink box!

When the box arrived it had Laura's return address on it----so I thought, "How sweet of her she must have sent me a gift...."

What would be inside this adorable pink modge-podge-fabric-wrapped box.....????

SERIOUSLY!?!!!??? Every single handmade card that I saw on the blogs that morning was inside...with hand written message from nearly the entire Design Team! What a moment! I loved every single tiny detail and touch...all the pink! and all the birthday wishes! Wow. This is SOOOO COOL!!!

I thought to myself Why have I never done this for any of my friends?! This is so cool!

It just made my day! While I was still trying to meet art deadlines for CHA it forced me to look away from my computer and enjoy the little moments from my birthday!

Robin wrapped my office door and jazzed it up with some fun pink ribbons...and I had plenty of visitors including local Artistas, my mom, my aunt and plenty of phonecalls. I even was surpised when Steven bought me an iPad! I had NO idea, honestly! What a GREAT DAY!

Thank you to everyone that contributed to making my birthday so special. I truly loved it! How are you possibly going to beat this next year ;) wink wink!

Ciao ciao for now....off to do some Christmas shopping.....

Double Page Layout: Shopping & Dinner

Last year I traveled to the beautiful Salt Lake to visit my dear friends at Doodlebug!

It was a true girls weekend loaded with shopping, giggling and catching up!

One of our stops was this charming antique/thrift store, Broadbent's that Tonya really wanted me to see. It has the ma&pop charm with the coolest retro signage outside.

After a full day of shopping, and I mean full, we drove up the mountains and had dinner at this awesome place too! I *love love love* the mountains, so this was just perfect!

It's pretty hard to believe that I've known "the doodle-less" (as I like to call them!) for more than 7 years! I always look forward to spending time with Cynthea and Tonya and the gang and can't wait for our next adventure!

Layout: And Counting...

As promised, this is the last layout featuring Canada photos. (at least for now!) It's quick and simple one that I hope will inspire you to document a special friend or someone in your life you are grateful for. After all, don't forget the month of November it's all about an ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE!

When I sat down and thought about it, I met Allyson when I was 16 years old. (that's more than 10 years ago!). We've been friends all this time and never once have traveled together, just the two of us!

So in honor of our "11 Years and Counting..." of friendship I created this simple single page layout. I wanted to include purple because it's Allyson's all-time favorite color and everytime I see something purple I think of her!

The journaling is important here and reminds me how great of a friend she has always been!

What friendships are you thankful for? Don't forget to let him/or/her know it!

 

A Scrapbook Getaway: Crop A Doodle

If you follow me on FB, then you know recently I traveled to Indiana for the weekend to meet a couple of my favorite peeps at Crop A Doodle Do, A Scrapbooking Retreat and Spa.

The old house was just as charming as it was beautiful, nested in a multi-acre farm in Arcadia, Indiana.

Jill, Nikki and I have become really great friends of mine through the scrapbooking industry. We each started our businesses within six months of each other (back in 2008) and have relied on each other for advice, friendship and so much more. 

Each year we plan a getaway weekend (Fall seems like the best time to getaway from the offices), to scrapbook, visit and enjoy each other's company - outsideof the CHA trade-shows and weekly random emails. My drive this year was a little less than five hours. Nikki's was nearly ten (coming from Missouri) and Jill's a lucky three (from Ohio).

 

Becky (the Hostess with the Mostess) showed each of us around as we arrived separately. The three of us stayed in the Slumber Party room....

and were greeted by a heavenly plush robe and some bath goodies!

The room was perfect and the comforters were divine. I slept like a rock the entire stay...going to bed after 3am each night ;)

The house was beautiful and full of these pretty lighting fixtures in each room! 

I just loved the little details like the handmade curtains in the dining room, the hooks with our names on them in the bathroom,

and the deer in the front yard that has supposedly been there keeping watch for some 20+ years!

We had our own little cubbies to store our bathroom things,

 and plenty of scrapbooking space!

That's me croppin' away buried in our very organized mess of products, inspiration and snacks! We enjoyed watching FRIENDS (tv show) seasons on DVD. Good times as we laughed at those old episodes! We had a wonderful time.

 The food was delicious including the signature Cornbread Doodle Salad! Look at that darling presentation! How cute is that?!

And even a low-calorie dessert (jello chocolate mousse). Becky did the grocery shopping according to our emails about food preferences. Because I mentioned I was a calorie counter she incorporated a couple really calorie-friendly meals into the weekend! I totally love when people go above and beyond for the personal touch like that! 

And the owner, Bret, stopped in with a couple cute faces...

He stopped in to thank us for the business and tell us a bit about the house, and how it used to be his Grandmas. I, LITERALLY, almost brought home this little lady with me. Her name was Jayda; Bret was looking for a home for her....I was runner-up and missed out....but I'm sure she's going to make her new owner a very happy man. How can you not love that underbite! ;)

I feel pretty confident saying that we'll be back next year! We all fell in love with the hospitality, charm and staff @ Crop A Doodle Do in Arcadia, Indiana.

 

A Wedding Gift

Several months ago Jasmin called me up and asked if I'd help her with a project for her wedding. How could a girl so no? Of course, anything I could do to help! So we got together and she explained the idea for this Wedding Tree Canvas.

She brought all the supplies and we searched google and Pinterest for inspiration. Instead of a guest book for people to sign, instead they would choose a paint color and leave their thumbprint, creating a leaf on the tree.

She planned it just perfectly by choosing paint colors to match the living room in her house. 

Knowing exactly where it would go in her home.

You can see my blue thumbprint in the finished canvas below. I had to test it out early ;)

Then, Jasmin sent me this one post-reception. After "leafing" a thumb print, guests signed their names around their leaves. Here's the finished product:

I heard the wedding was perfect. I'm sorry I wasn't able to make it, but am glad I was able to give Jasmin and Jed a handmade wedding gift that will last a lifetime like this! Thanks for thinking of me Jazz, and for inviting me to be a part of your beautiful day!

 

Family Photos: Kyle, Ashley & Kam

In September I had the opportunity to take some family photos of some dear friends, the Knipples. Kam is the first addition to their family and he's growin' up quick!

He sure loves his mommy and daddy! I thought today I'd share some of my favorites from the shoot, taken right in Kyle & Ashley's backyard.

Those blue eyes are going to kill the ladies someday, I already know it ;)

So cute. Love those baby cheeks!

Scrapbooking: A Gift

I never got to share this on my blog when I created it. Last year I purchased a custom painted Flourish Frame from Heidi Bohn. Bella Blvd partnered with Heidi, an independent artist in 2009 & 2010 selling these beautiful one-of-a-kind wooden frames that display 12x12 layouts in your home or office. Aren't they gorgeous? (I have a dream to put this awesome display of them in my home someday with photographs.....that's for another post!)

They have a lot of depth and invisibly float a 12x12" layout inside the frame. 

Anywho I had a pink tone on tone frame created for Morgan for a Christmas Gift. I wanted to create for her a 12x12" remembrance layout of her Grandma that she has recently lost and was very close too. Knowing Morgie like I do it wasn't my intent that it would be hung in her bedroom right away, but moreover a gift for her "hope chest" for her future home. 

The great things about the frames are that you can include as much dimension as you want, actually the more the merrier. Morgan had given me this 5x7" photo of her grandma and grandpa dancing at a wedding because I knew I wanted to do something special with it for her. I think Morgie probably forgot about it because it wasn't until some 6-7 months later that I gave her this gift at Christmas. This is the best photo I have on file of the layout.

I'm already starting to brainstorm any creative Christmas gifts I can give this year,

afterall Christmas is only 74 DAYS from today! yikes!

How Do We Remember This Day?

10.6.2010

One Year Ago Today.

My neices & nephew lost their daddy. My sister lost her husband. I lost my brother in law. We all lost him. Our family, his family, our church family, his work family. Everyone lost Chris that day. At first we took like by the second, and then by the minutes and hours and so on.

It's been 365 Days, or 8,760 hours, or  525,600 minutes. And while it feels like so so long ago since I've seen him or talked to him, it also feels like the accident was yesterday. I can recall that morning second by second as if it was just 24 hours ago. It's bitter sweet really. But,

No matter how you spin it, we all think of him each and every day. Shortly after Chris went to heaven we celebrated Carson's fourth birthdayand Madelyn's ninth birthday.

Thanksgiving was just around the corner. I especially couldn't help but miss Chris (the cook extraordinaire) because he always helped me make the gravy (something I notoriously mess up!) So Aunt Chaya stepped in this time around, but we all remembered Chris saving the day the year prior.

Each of us filled out a little card writing what we were each thankful for. I can't wait to scrapbook the page with all the pieces. The kids' resounding answers of "family" were so uplifting & comforting. Recognizing our strength as a unit was so mature & sweet. 

Christmas of course came next. Angela chose a biblical reminder to be printed on their annual Christmas card for everyone to be reassured that her and the kids were okay.

As the new year turned the corner the high school (Chris's alumni) had our family and church family attend a special Chapel service to honor Chris and also retire his football jersey # as he was the star running back on the high school's first-ever state championship team.

 

Valentine's Day...

and the cards, gifts, prayers, monetary donations to the Anabelle, Madelyn & Carson (AMC) Education fund kept pouring in. Our family is humbled by those that stepped up to do anything and everything possible to show love and support towards Angela & the kids...

The Smith house went back up for sale in Spring (the house was up for sale when Chris passed away and Angela obviously took it off the market to get through the winter with the kids). While we were in Vegas for my youngest sister's Bachelorette weekend.....also remembering Chris by each of us getting tattoos....

Angela was on the phone with her realtor nearly everyday and SOLD THE HOUSE!

We remember Chris at Nicky & Kurt's wedding as he was supposed to be up there as a groomsman that day. We remembered him on the dance floor that night...

and in the following months as we celebrated birthdays...

Angela and the kids said goodbye to the house they made a home and raised their three children in...

and hello to a new home closer to church and school. It was a group effort making this move!

In May young childhood & neighborhood friends of Chris', along with his parents organized the Chris Smith Memorial Volleyball Tournament in Sussex. Another outpouring of generousity and love abounded.

We celebrated Father's Day and remembered how great of a dad Chris was and still is by providing for his family each and everyday.

And this summer we camped and enjoyed the lake house together, learning to fish and put worms on the hook and all the small things we realized Chris was so good at!

So what's the common thread throughout these year in review photos? 

Smiles.

While I assure you it hasn't all been smiles and happiness, it 100 percent has been Love, Support, Hugs and Inner Happiness by means of our Faith in God and our Faith in family and friends.I remember hearing people say time will pass and help you heal. And I remember thinking, "I can't even think about an hour from now, where the hell will we be a year from now? How in the heck will we get there?" It was the longest day of my life, and one that will remain vividly in my  memory probably for the rest of my life. My sister is amazing. Her oldest daughter (above) has grown up so quickly this year helping her with so much and stepping up at the big sister in the house. I admire and love them all so much, more than a word can describe. I thank God for the one year of heaven Chris has experienced. While we all wonder sometimes what he's doing up there...playing football, racing cars, watching us....

Angela wants us all to remember this day as a birthday for Chis in Heaven. Instead of being sad, we should be overwhelmed with comfort knowing he's celebrating his first heavenly birthday.