things we learned @ the maker faire 2012

maps are important

 

fire is hot

 

squish <3s accordions

 

unicorns are even more awesome when combines with funny bikes

 

dont let husband close to the booth where they sell these

 

popsicles are mmmmmmm....

sunshine&bunnies, 

holly*

5-20-2012 solar eclipse

Did you catch the eclipse a little over a week ago? Living on the west coast, we got a great view. Well, as great as you can get when you're literally staring at the sun (not recommended btw)...

 We try to get out of the house fairly often, but it always ends up being such a big ordeal that i dont get the chance to goof around with my camera. This was not the case on the day of the eclipse. We were right out side our front door to enjoy the event and things were kept simple!

The trees around our house creating super neat little apertures and cast neat shadows onto our home.

The best part was to share the science behind the eclipse and how rare/special of an event it was to witness with the boy. Its no big secret that we're pretty well all giant nerds in our house and I think its a great thing to pass along to the wee ones.

then there was general silliness. Its just how things work around here...

And now for a real photo of the eclipse. I couldn't get a good one so photo credit goes to Nancy! ... 

 

 sunshine&bunnies, 

holly*

my challenges in may2012!

Hey All! Looks like its challenge time over at The Sampler's blog! Not only is there a sketch challenge but a card challenge as well!  I love how this sketch translated for me, BUT not how the photo came out! UGH! This past week I was having a bad week for machines around the house. From issues with cameras and laptops to even my car making a funny noise. It was quite the week.. Moral of the story is, pretend the picture is prettier and head over to The Sampler's blog for inspiration and your chance at some amazing goodies!

Anywho, one last tid bit from the sampler, a SNEAK PEAK of the June2012 Kit! The full kit reveal will show up later this week, but i am smitten with this kit and cannot wait to share!!

 

In other news, I've been working on making more manageable goals and to do lists for myself. My to do lists always seem to challenge me. BUT, with a wee one and a not so wee one, there are a lot of things I would love to accomplish but never seem organized enough... and this is where I am challenging myself. One project per day instead of a blanket and overwhelming list of close to a billion things to do... i started the experiment  just as husband went out of town again, (boooooooooooooo) but I have to say that most days I was successful with completing my 1 thing and even got a few smaller things off the list. This week, I have big plans to work on my photo shopping and weed the wine barrel planters in the back yard (among other things). 

Here's to a successful week! 

sunshine&bunnies, 

holly*

i want to make something...

well, husband is officially home for some unknown amount of time. YAY! SOOOOO.... there is the possibility of actually making something... today was all about doing laundry. making beds, washing dishes, setting the robot on the floors, putting away legos, cleaning bathrooms, fussing in the backyard, etc. tomorrow is for errands. FRIDAY. FRIDAY is for making! here's hoping to an enjoyable thursday and a lengthy friday!

sunshine&bunnies,
holly*

first things first, i have a winner to announce from The Sampler's April Blog Hop! Heather P gets my sample of the sampler! winners from the remainder of the hop and the GRAND PRIZE winners will be announced this coming monday on The Sampler's Blog!

in other news, i kinda lost my mind today. after coping with a cold all week, i thought it wise to go a 2 mile hike with a class full of kindergarteners whilst wearing squish. good times were had by all. it was very enjoyable and a beautiful walk... my sore tootsies are so worth the good time we had!

 

hope everyone has a lovely weekend! i plan to get some rest! 

sunshine&bunnies, 

holly*

hard on for headbands

with a husband out of town, two kids to take care of, trying to cook for husband's grandma who has been having health issues, and nevermind dishes, dinners and laundry that just don't do themselves... i've been limited to quick small crafts lately. after finally putting squish in one of those dorky headbands for little ladies that i loathed and sworn i would never use... here i am making them.... last night's crafting was a little over the top, but sickeningly sweet at the same time. 

after stocking up on elastics and alligator clips, i raided the ribbon, fabric and flower stashes so i can sit with a basket of goodies and make little things for the little lady. then we have modeling sessions while she sleeps... poor baby... tehehe.

in other news, The Sampler's MAY2012 Kit is available and just wonderful. I hope to play with it a little later on today. I adore working from those kits especially with baby. I can be near her and easily grab a completely coordinated bag of goodies and just get going! love it!

SIDE NOTE: don't forget to participate in The Sampler's April Blog Hop before comments close on friday! loads of amazing goodies to giveaway! 

sunshine&bunnies,
holly*

may2012 from TheSampler: TWO SCOOPS

This month's kit is full of bright, cheery colors and lots of yummy little things... just like an ice cream shop! As always there are amazing papers and embellishments including a few DIY inspirations for alphabets! So many possibilities in a not so small package! Snag yours today for as low as $29.99! That's over 25% off retail price! This kit is definitely something you do not want to miss out on!  

Also, don't forget to check out last month's blog hop! Comments are open through Friday, so get hopping for your chance to win some amazing prizes!!! 

sunshine&bunnies, 

holly*

Hello and welcome to my stop on The Sampler's Blog hop! Have you seen April2012's kit from The Sampler yet??? Well, along with a load of goodies, this month's kit included a little baggie of adorably teeny tiny brads. You know, those little ones we loose before we use? Yea, those! Well, have no fear, the design team is here to show you our best with brads.

I wanted to start off by sharing MY essential tools for working with brads. I MUST have the following when working with brads: a good number of brads (duh), an Xacto knife, metal ruler (or one of those fancy grid rulers from tim holtz! i keep loosing mine....), an awl (aka. hole pokie tool), and a self-healing mat....  oh and possibly a pencil...and maybe some band aids for good measure...

 

Now that I have my tools and materials I want to work with, I need to actually poke some holes for my brads. This means I have to  figure out where i want the brads to end up. On this layout i wanted to add some texture on top of existing layers and in a straight line. So, on top of my self-healing mat, using my metal ruler and hole pokie tool, i measured out my spacing. 

Often I will not poke all the way through when measuring, but instead just leave a mark. You can do this step with a pencil even. Once i have made my marks, i will pick up my layout and VERY CAREFULLY finish making my holes with the hole pokie tool. (if you fail to follow the VERY CAREFULLY part of the instruction, apply band aids...) The hole pokie tool is also good for separating the brads on the back of your project....

So now that my layout is full of holes, its time to put brads in. Why did I bother poking holes you ask? Well, these are teeny tiny brads and would never in a million years go through all my layers with out completely destroying the brads, my layout or both.

So pre-made holes give me control of where the brads are actually going and aid in a more polished finished project. actually, this goes for all types of brads... rulers are your friends...

Those few holes and brads give this layout a very interesting texture that meshes splendidly with the title which is popped up (although you cannot really tell in this photo... shoot.)

Another way i like to use brads is to make shapes and frames. On this layout I added hearts by simply making sketch marks/dots in a rough outline of my heart. Then poked my holes.

A very ordinary element on any layout, but totally jazzed up on this layout!

Now that you've stuck it out with me this long, I HAVE GOODIES TO GIVEAWAY! Follow me (there is a button on the right! no your other right... oops) and  leave a comment  on this post on or before Friday, May 4th, 2012! That's all you have to do to be entered to win amazing goodies from kits past, present and future!

ok, enough of me! head over to Shaunna's blog for a smashing good time!

thanks for stopping by!
sunshine&bunnies,
holly*