DIY Animal Printing

 

Last week I had the idea to buy some leopard print paper for a gift I'm planning to make. When we got home I thought, "I don't want to buy another thing". I tried to figure out a way to make it. Lightbulb! I thought "why don't I put a piece of animal print clothing directly on my printer?" I did that and it turned out great. For my particular project I wanted  the print to be light enough for writing to show up on. Again, I scratched my head. Aha! I grabbed a sheer shirt and put it over the leopard scarf template and put them both directly on the printer.

I'm thrilled with the results. Now I can print all kinds of paper using anything that will fit on my printer! I covered my experiment sheets with a Georgetown cupcake box and made this to corral some clutter.

I used my daughter's skirt for this one

Free is Good!

DC Delightfulness!

A little blurry, I know...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

Television can get such a bad rap in some groups. I have learned SO much from watching T.V.
I used to be the kind of cook that gave my mom and I salmonella poisoning when I made eggnog as a teenager. I was certain I was a lost cause and my soon-to-be husband knew I would be doing no food prep in our marriage.Then came cable. HHHaaaaallllleeeeelllluuuujjjjjahhhhhhhhh! I discovered Giada on the the
Food Network and learned to cook from watching her show Everyday Italian!

One of my favorite food shows is DC Cupcakes on TLC. I LOVE cupcakes! The show centers on sisters Katherine and Sophie who left their satisfying corporate jobs and started a bakery showcasing their maternal grandmother's recipes. They have been a roaring success from Day 1.. Today they opened a location in Los Angeles- we had to be there!

My daughter and cousins landed on Robertson and 3rd about two hours before opening. The film crew was there too- we are so glad we got there early because that element slows the line down. Katherine and Sophie were SO sweet and warm! My daughter was wearing a cupcake motif skirt, the sisters loved it so much they wanted a photo with my daughter. Katherine noticed that Tia needed a straw and went and got one and put it in her cup. They explain that they want all their guests to feel like they are in their home and they really do! We kept chatting them up (pregnant Katherine was wearing one of those robot babies in a carrier) while they signed their latest book for me.

I collect signed cookbooks and have them addressed to Tia and I

They are Extremely close to their mom-who they and everyone calls "Mommy". She is the breakout star of the show and I had her sign my book too. We had the best morning, oh, did I mention the cupcakes taste AAAAmmmmaZing! So delightful. I'm excited that Tatianna and I will have the same closeness that the sisters and Mommy have too! I'll be whipping up some of their recipes with my new Kitchen Aid Mixer (I have been wanting one for years)!

"The Big '3-O' !"

I look a little velociraptorish!

I can remember being at my parent's friend's house on the eve of my dad's 30th  birthday and hearing him say "tomorrow is "the Big '3'-'O' "; here I am now 30 years old as well. I'm so grateful for my Mom and Dad  for giving me the core values that have shaped me into my "mature" self :).

My sister reminded me yesterday that I have accomplished "a lot at 30." When she started listing things I thought "hmm, that does sound impressive".  For months she has asked me "how I was feeling"! Like I had just received a death sentence. I had to remind her that I have been a "grown-up" for a long time- so nothing much changed for me on November 6, 2012.

On that note, I took Ethan and Tatianna with me to vote after school. It is so important for me to have them experience the privilege of casting one's vote.The year I turned 18 I was so thrilled to have made the cut-off the night before the election. I hopped into the polling place with my new engagement ring and was so excited to vote!

One meaningful birthday highlight was that I received this fun, chunky, "statement" ring from my sweet friend who hand delivered my gift yesterday. I told Patrick I wanted one months ago and he was like "that it not my territory", so I let it go. When I opened her gift, I looked to the heavens and praised God for such a wealth of friendships. I knew she was "led" to buy that. I never mentioned it to her but it is EXACTLY what I would have bought myself. It matched my birthday dress perfectly!

I must confess. I wrote "This day will probably su**"  (the astricks were so my kids wouldn't know what it said) on my calendar for Nov 6. . I wanted to have low expectations so I couldn't be disappointed if things weren't ideal. I think it worked! ;). I had a truly beautiful day with my loving family and friends. Breakfast at Urth Caffe with my sister, Voting with my kids, High Tea at the SLS hotel with by dear friend, Rock Sugar with my soul mate; then cupcakes with my parents, brothers and kids. I fell asleep like a happy baby...