Just Make Stuff

Starred...

1. Flag bunting, 2. pretty mistake, 3. Balling up that bag of #yarn, 4. Molly's Sketchbook: Mother's Day Liberty of London Handkerchief Set, 5. Osterdekoration, 6. Picture 491, 7. A Smashing Star, 8. Jieldé Loft floor lamp 

Good stuff from the last few weeks...

• I LOVE these layouts...those circles are amazing.
• These would be cute to make for next week.
• How clever is this iPod dock?
• Such great ideas at this neon baby shower.
• I always love the details in Elise Cripe's "Around Here" posts.
• Tons of food...calzones, corn chowder, wedge salad.
• And this Snicker's salad sounds awfully intriguing too.

{Starred posts include recent Flickr Favorites and the blog entries I've found & saved (with a star) in my Google Reader}

Randomness...

1. A crafting update...thank you notes are underway

2. I made Mac a little high school colors blanket back when we celebrated his reveal party, but now I wanted one too. I decided to try to crochet two yarns are the same time and it seems to be working. I will spend many hours on it this summer, all the while dreaming of cool nights at football games.

3. The next couple of nights Sean and I are running the concession stand at Mac's musical. They have a popcorn machine. Wish me luck not eating every single kernel. 

4. I was so sad to hear about Nora Ephron passing away. When Harry Met Sally and You've Got Mail are two of my all time favorite movies. Sean and I were also lucky enough to see her play, Love, Loss and What I Wore. I've often joked that I don't like sharing my name too much, but I always loved that I shared it with her.

5. This is my new favorite photo...Sean and Mac showed off their crazy socks before we went to his graduation ceremony.

Craving...

It surprises me that after a hectic week of crafting up various party supplies I am already wanting to make more. I am craving some scrapbooking, catching up on my little Project 36, making 4th of July crafts, and crocheting...I guess I really do love making stuff.

Unfortunately tomorrow includes a doctor's appointment and three different meetings, so I guess the crafting will have to wait a little bit. In the meantime I'll share these random bits from the last month or so...

 And first on my list after tomorrow is putting together graduation party thank you notes.

A colorful blur...

Sean and I are pretty sure that this was the biggest party we have ever hosted...we were incredibly fortunate to have so many of our friends and family celebrate Mac's graduation (and a little bit of mine too).

Just as I had hoped there were colors everywhere, but with all the party prep craziness I didn't get a chance to get too many photos of the details...

There were messy fabric banners everywhere, including our backyard with its mismatched chairs and tables borrowed from family and neighbors.

Buckets of rocks and little banners on skewers made up the centerpieces (or in this case a weight to keep napkins in place). And there had to be too many colorful straws for party guests to stick in their drinks.

My mom found this snack mix recipe for us to make as party favors. We quickly learned that Fritos drizzled with a caramel mixture are pretty amazing. The party invitiation turned into little tags for the favor bags.

The school photos of Mac over the years were clothespinned to some fabric strips tied together to decorate the mantle.

And, just as we planned for, the front and back yards were filled with games. 

This was a celebration that was thought about for years. To look around at our family and friends laughing as they ate together and played games was the very best version of this dream coming true. 

The graduate...

Dearest Mac,
We are so excited to see you graduate tonight. We know know how hard you have worked for this day. Learning does not always come easily for you, but please know the effort and concern you consistently put forth has taught everyone in your life something incredibly important. You have taught us how crucial it is to always try your best. How important it is to have energy and enthusiasm for not only what you love, but for your responsibilities too. We are so ridiculously proud of you and love you more than anything.

(Tonight Mac has his very first graduation ceremony. His school does a dinner and each graduate gives a speech. I haven't heard his yet (my mom worked on it with him so it could be a surprise), but I know it's about creativity. I have two packs of kleenex ready.)

End of school gifts...

Tomorrow is Mac's last day of school...which meant I really needed to figure out some teacher gifts. 

After a (slightly desperate) brainstorming session (and a bunch of Pinterest searching) I came up with a S'more Kit. A big jar holds all the supplies including various chocolate bars, marshmallows of course, and instead of graham crackers I included shortbread and waffle cookies.  

Some gigantic barbecue skewers were nearly impossible to get on top of the jar, but I had to make sure all the supplies they'd need were included in the kit.

The tag idea came from here. Here's is a PDF of four tags in case you would like to make your own kit... Download S'more Gift Tags

Finally, Mac's teachers have had him in their classroom for the last three years so I wanted to make sure to send a note to try to thank them for all they have done for him and our family.

A few details...

A gift is wrapped for a neighbor's baby shower this weekend.

Fabric is out to make another baby gift to give tomorrow.

Crayons are sorted into little jars for one of the activities at the graduation party.

Happy Father's Day...

Sean's Dad is an avid reader so he has an ongoing request for gift cards for every birthday and holiday. So I wrapped yet another gift card... 

We are having a relaxing Father's Day...biscuits and gravy for breakfast and sausage pizza on the barbecue for dinner. Mac picked out some sweat bands for Sean to wear when he's running. You really won't be able to miss him in Electric Pink and Neon Green. Meanwhile Mac chose this t-shirt for his Dad which he seemed to really love. It's fun to see that Mac's quirkiness in clothing choices is both nature and nurture. 

The package goes to...

In love with this wall Mac and I saw yesterday as we were out running Father's Day errands.

The little box goes to comment #17...

Emily said... So much fun!! PICK ME:) June 15, 2012 at 11:20am

Emily please e-mail me your address so I can get the box off on it's way to you.

Randomness...

1. Thank you all so much for the New York Travel tips. I can't tell you how much I appreciated all the ideas and restaurant suggestions. Just like in my previous travel binders, I have already included a bunch of the resources you shared.

2. A couple of weeks ago I mentioned that I would use this graduation gift idea from the Eighteen25 blog to give to a neighbor graduating from high school...

3. In his thank you note my neighbor said the money gift was "clever and crafty"...a pretty decent endorsement from a 17-year-old guy.

4. Here's a PSA if you have been coveting the adorable turquoise kitchen cart from Ikea like I have...even though it's not for sale via the website you can call and order it...it also finally came into my local store so it might be at yours too.

5. And a PMS(A) (otherwise know as public service announcement closely related to PMS) Trader Joe's Chocolate Covered Toffee Popcorn is dumbfoundingly good.

6. Sean has been working on the graduation party games this week. There are homemade cornhole boards that are almost finshed in the garage and he has spent the week painting what might be in the running for the world's largest Twister game...

7. That's just over 1/4 of it. 

8. I completed one little blog project this week. I added some social media icons (from here) to the navigation bar up there. It includes links to my Pinterest, Twitter, and Instragram accounts...oh and e-mail in case you need to get a hold of me. 

9. Finally, just like I mentioned a couple of months ago, I have a small box of random bits of crafting supplies to share. Just leave a "pick me" and I'll do a random drawing on Saturday.

10. Have a great weekend!

 

12 on the 12th...

This little monthly project has documented half a dozen 12th's now. Today's version seems to be twelve errands on the 12th...

1. Trying a chiropractor for my migraines. 2. Six years later and it's still not fun to have to go in here for a shower gift. 3. Getting church birthday gifts for our nephew and niece 4. Finding a birthday gift for my niece...my inner feminist might cringe, but my inner eight year old was thrilled 5. Getting more travel supplies. 6. A cup of broccoli cheese soup. 7. More gift card wrapping...a graduation gift for one of Mac's friends. 8. You know I had to get this tape. 9. A favorite neighborhood tree from our walk after dinner. 10. Karate class. 11. Stopping by Trader Joes for some supplies on the way home. 12. Getting ready to host a friend for dinner tomorrow night...first up croutons for a salad.

{I'm keeping track of the 12th of each month in 2012...you can see all of them here}

The 2012 version...

I put one together for our Midwest roadtrip in 2008 and our Pacific Northwest roadtrip in 2010...and now it's time for the next one...

Sean and I have been planning this trip for two years...it's a dreamed of destination in celebration of Mac's 16th birthday. I ended up keeping the secret from him for two whole hours after we purchased tickets. Does it count that I kept my mouth shut for two years? Plus two hours. 

It's a short trip, we're staying in Times Square, and have tickets to see Sister Act. I have Broadway tickets sitting in my house. I just cannot believe it. 

And just like I asked in 2008 and 2010 as I planned for those trips, if anyone has any New York City hints we would love to hear any and all of them. Thank you! 

Recycled...

The same gift card wrapping idea I used a few weeks ago just with new colors...

This is going with me to my last day at the community college tomorrow to thank the professor who, as a master teacher, has challenged me and supported me and then challenged me some more. She shared her class with me and gave me the opportunity to test out what I have been dreaming about all these years in school. And to now know it is really as amazing as I ever hoped it would be. 

Starred...

1. genius of love, 2. studio, 3. Old New 30's hexagons, 4. Snail Mail Love, 5. Untitled, 6. K is for Correspondence, 7. ...putting things in a row isn't bad either..., 8. Around The House

A few favorite finds from the last two weeks...

• Love this backyard mobile.
• I want to go here.
• White chocolate lemon truffles and dill yogurt biscuits.
• One of my favorite scrapbookers is back. 
• And I would love to have lights like these.

{Starred posts include recent Flickr Favorites and the blog entries I've found & saved (with a star) in my Google Reader}

Sugar Donut Muffins

These muffins were found at All Recipes years ago now and are a total favorite little breakfast treat. I use only 1/2 of the teaspoon of cinnamon the recipe calls for for the sugar topping.

Sugar Donut Muffins

Ingredients:

For the muffins:

1/2 cup white sugar

1/4 cup butter, melted

3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 cup milk

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 cup all-purpose flour

 

For the sugar topping:

 1/4 cup butter, melted

1/2 cup white sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

 

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease 24 mini-muffin cups.

Mix sugar, butter, and nutmeg in a large bowl. Stir in the milk, then mix in the baking powder and flour until just combined. Fill each mini muffin cup about half full.

Bake until the tops are lightly golden, 15 to 20 minutes.

While muffins are baking, prepare the ingredients for the topping. Place melted butter in a bowl. In a separate bowl, mix together sugar with the cinnamon. When muffins are slightly cooled dip each one in the melted butter, and roll in the sugar-cinnamon mixture. Let cool and serve.

Ceedo...

Thirteen years ago this month we walked into a tuxedo shop to get an almost-three-year-old dressed up for the wedding of his mom and step-dad. He couldn't even say "tuxedo" so instead he stuck with "ceedo"...  

Yesterday we walked into that exact same shop to get an almost-sixteen-year-old a suit to wear to graduation in a couple of weeks. His school does a sit-down dinner and each graduate makes a speech that they work on for weeks ahead of time, so he needs to look extra snazzy.

I am pretty sure Mac's waist has only gotten a couple inches bigger than it was in 1999 making him extra fun to fit. It meant his colorful socks were on full display with pants that fit his waist, but were way too short. At least he didn't have everything else on display at the store like that cute little guy did thirteen years ago.

One step forward...

 
(A card made for good family friends who had their first baby last month.) 

This week has gotten better. Thankfully the lecture went well. Mac finally got some sleep. This week has also had a few more little challenges. I completely screwed up on the time for Mac's physical for cheer leading and the doctor's office can't see us for another two weeks. Sean and I got into an argument. I needed to write test questions for the final on Monday, but had returned all the resources the professor I am working with lent me this semester...that wasn't to much fun.

It's been a little like one step forward...one step back. I'll take it though...it's way better than one step forward, two steps back. 

A little more updating...

It occurred to me that I have a few scrapbook pages that I never shared...

The love stamps are from Catslife Press

I also have updated the albums of scrapbook layouts, cards, and gift wrapping that can always be found when you click on the "Making Stuff" link up in the navigation bar at the top of the page.

Embracing imperfection...

Sometimes things just don't go the way you hoped they would. Whether it's your last week of student teaching, your teenager's behavior, or something as small as a random craft project...

These jars were going to be replacements for last year's backyard candle holders that are looking a little worse for wear. They were supposed to be color-blocked perfection...instead they are streaky and have borders that the painters tape decided to rip away when it came off the finished project. 

But with these silly painted jars I am going to try to make the best of it, just like the challenges of a tough master teacher who has told me we will see if my last lecture tomorrow shows "growth" before she can give her endorsement to the department chair or a disastrously grumpy McIntosh who has not slept through the night since Thursday due to the electronic baby he had to care for as a school assignment. I will try to not obsess when things are far from perfect...focus on the positive...and do the best I can. 

Randomness...

1. Here's is my layout from last Tuesday...

2. I used this tutorial on two t-shirts today...amazing how much more comfortable they are then a regular old crew neck. 

2. My mom made us these delicious hamburgers for dinner and introduced me to my new favorite recipe blog.

3. She also has made us snow cones three days in a row with the birthday gift we got her and the homemade syrups she's been whipping up. Summer 2012 is going to be a snow cone fest.

4. Sean ran his 4th Mud Run on Saturday...

5. And he accomplished that while dealing with his grumpy wife who doesn't like getting up early and got motion sick when we had to be shuttled to the race site on a school bus. I don't know how he does it...both running so fast and putting up with me.

6. I have been slowly working on getting better categorical organization going around here. So far we have all the teacher gifts and organizational projects together in one place...

7. Next up is gathering together all the parties. Any other category requests?

8. This week includes giving my last lecture for the semester and a meeting with the department chair that, hopefully, will conclude with the opportunity to teach my own class next year. Please cross your fingers for me...

And off they went...

These invitations have hopefully arrived to the friends and family we invited to celebrate with us... 

The invitation was inspired by this design which has been waiting on my Pinterest graduation party board for awhile now. Our "theme" is all kinds of colors since Mac and I love all things colorful.

After seeing this party idea last fall we decided that instead of just feeding everyone we would also have lots of games ready and waiting for people to wander around to. We have a few D.I.Y. game ideas saved up including a pipe ball lawn game, cornhole, and painting our own twister board. We also have bocce ball, badminton and ladder golf sets ready to use. We've hired a guy who puts together an amazing taco bar and are planning on ice cream sundaes for dessert. I have a stack of fabric waiting to be made into decorations and just have to figure out a little party favor for everyone.

As much as I have always loved hosting parties, I don't think I have looked forward to having a celebration as much as I am with this one.