Pinterest Challenge {update #1}

So I had a little hiccup in my giddy-up....or is it hitch in my giddy-up? Guess I'm not to sure about that...

Anyways...

Originally I was suppose to finish up my little trip at my moms in Western Washington on Sunday, head back home to N. Idaho and dive head first into my six projects...but my cousin called and practically BEGGED...well maybe not begged, but asked really nicely if  I could stay one more week since a last minute trip was bringing her to Washington. Well its very hard to resist a cute pregnant girl(soooooooo excited about that!!!) so I stayed...but no worries!! I still can make this challenge work...

I decided to tackle something that has REALLY  been bothering me since I pinned this:

Seven Mistakes Even Nice Looking Blogs Make
oh yea...wake up call!!!

#1 on the list...overall design to big.

{inspired}

I have been spending the last week at my mom's while the hubby has been playing army. I haven't gotten much done except drink coffee, chat with my mom, drink coffee, rock  the baby, get Starbucks and do some shopping...fun times, right!? I'm loving it and I do plan on getting back into project mode as we head into the new week, but for now I'm just taking it easy.

Yesterday we ran to Portland to hit up Home Goods and World Market...we didn't buy a single thing, but I did get inspired! We'll have to see how this influences my next few projects...

Sisters Share it All {Pinterest Challenge}

So I follow three super cute blogs done by three sisters...Everyday Reading, Merricks Art and The Cloakroom at Victoria Station ...I'm sorta partial to them since I happen to be the middle sister of three sisters too. Kindred spirits, maybe? Any, who... they, like the rest of us, love to Pinterest, but as we all know, sometimes we pin pin pin, but never actually do anything. They are challenging all of us to pick 6 pins and do them in the next 6 weeks!



I have to say this sounds like fun. I am pretty good at making recipes off my Ymminess Board, but others have been neglected...like my Sewing, Too Cute Crafts and Baby Boys Room Boards. Well thats going to change!

{featured}

I have some exciting news! I have been featured over at Osie Moats!

She featured my Valentine Mantel!

As a blogger I always hope people will like what I'm blogging about, but to be recognized for it is a HUGE GINORMOUS honor!! Its especially awesome when the blog that does the feature is SOOOOO CUTE in its own right! 

Please head over to Osie Moats, explore her blog!

Belly Tales {3 months}

Not only is today Valentine's Day, but is also Everett's 3 month birthday!! I'm so lucky to have this little man in my life! We all love him so much...even if he only does one of three things...laugh, cry or eat! Haha! He's going by several nicknames lately...I tend to call him Ever-since Everett seems too old for him and it is an old family name that I have always wanted to use. Justin calls him "bubi" because he says Everett isn't big enough to be called "bubba"! Haha! I prefer Bubi anyways and its so cute when Ellery calls him that. My grandma has her own special nickname for him, her brother's name is Everett as well, but they always called him Dib, so she gave our Everett the name "Lil Dib"! I love it too!

 I set up his 3 month photo shoot a bit different this time...using my collection of old tool boxes for the backdrop. I'm still learning, but these are my best yet...course, it could just be the totally adorable subject matter!!

a {Valentine} mantel Part II

I am loving all the crafty Valentine mantels floating around the web lately! So today I thought I would share my sister's super adorable Valentine decor! I'm incredibly jealous of its sweetness! 

LOVE Wreath

Inspired by this: MyCupRunnethOver

To create this wreath, she used a grapevine wreath that she already had, tucked in the flowers and hot glued scrapbook letters to the bunting! Love!!

Burp Cloths Part III {sewing}

I have been on a roll sewing sets of burp cloths as gifts lately! I just love making them...they are easy, fast and so darn cute! I am especially in love with the appliqued initials I have been adding! I think everyone loves a personalized gift when its pretty and functional! I already talked about how to sew a basic burp clothes HERE, so today I thought I would walk you through how I add the applique. Keep in mind this is how I do it-as a beginner sewer- so it may not technically the "right" way, but it works for me!

FREE Valentine Printable {Penguin}

I couldn't resist turning my cute little Penguin into something for Valentines day! 

Follow the link to get your FREE printable!

Valentine Penguin PDF

Please leave me a comment if you like what your seeing! Feel free to share this with your friends, but please do not turn these into items you sell! Thank you!

I linked up with
Not Just A Housewife - Show me what Ya Got

FREE Printable {Penguin} Cupcake Toppers

So, way back in October, my hubby surprised me with an amazing anniversary present! He got me a Bamboo Tablet to use with Photoshop....not that I had a clue how to use it...and my first few attempts almost had me chucking it out the window....since then, the darn thing has just been sitting there, glaring at me,  EVERY time I sit down to work on the computer...making me feel SOOOO guilty for not putting it to good use.

Until today.

Yep, I conquered the Bamboo...well...at least its not laying out in the yard-- trust me, I was so close to saying  farewell-- it helped me successfully create a VERY CUTE cupcake topper set for my niece, Joy Lillian's, 5th birthday!

I'm super excited that I was able to turn this sketch of penguins...

...into THIS!

Got to give a huge shout out to Mel Stampz for her awesome Chevron digital paper! If you haven't checked out her blog, please do! Love it!

Do you like this printable set?

 Visit my etsy shop, Averie Lane Boutique to get your own customized set!