fuzzi bunz

One decision we made even before I got pregnant was that we would use cloth diapers. At the time, these were the factors that played into our decision:

• Over time, they are less expensive than disposables. I'm not going to lie, this is the MAIN reason we chose cloth.
• Supposedly children with cloth diapers potty train earlier than those with disposables because they feel the wetness.
• I could get a plain white diaper without Elmo on it. I kid you not, this did actually help me make the decision. What 3-month-old is even aware of a muppet on their diaper? I continue my campaign for plain, solid infant wear.
  

After choosing cloth and using them, here's the reasons I would continue:

• Convenience: I never worry about having to run to the store for diapers or order them online. I keep her size of disposables on hand in case we need them, but usually we end up the last week that they will possibly fit her, running through them.
• Comfort: After feeling how soft the fabric is on her fuzzi bunz, I know they have to feel better on her skin than disposable.
• The don't leak. When she has worn disposables, lots of times, she's blown out the top of them. That's never happened with the cloth diapers. Once she blew through a leg, however.

I'm not hard-core about cloth. Everyone should make the decision that's right for their family, but I'm happy this option was available to us.

Doesn't this look like a satisfied baby?

Lawn Party sneaks!

Lots going on here, scrapwise. I've been cutting & pasting up a storm here this weekend.

I can honestly say it's been longer than I can remember that I've scrapped 5 layouts in 2 days. As in, I haven't set aside any time in particular, but just grabbing a few minutes here and there, so I'm proud I've been able to do that.

What I'm not so proud of is that my scraproom is in SHAMBLES.
I can't show you the photos because my pre-devastation room is going to be in a special edition of Creating Keepsakes, but I can describe it.

Picture 8-foot open shelving on the back wall. 3 rows of that with baskets, vintage lockers, suitcases, and glass jars all stacked up above a unit that held my sewing machine, typewriter and mists.

Now picture the top shelf pulling out from the wall and landing on the 2nd shelf, then that one pulling out and landing on the 3rd, which pulled out as well and landed on my sewing machine, typewriter and mists.

yeah.

not pretty.

That event took place in about a half-second and made such a loud noise. Claire was down for the night and shockingly did not wake up so I had two full hours to clean up glass and the rest of the mess.

I know you're all jealous you didn't spend your Saturday night like I did.

So, that explains why one of my sneaks doesn't have a single stitch on it since my whole room is dismantled right now.

The following 2 sneaks were made using the main kit (LAWN PARTY), PINK LEMONADE, & PAPER LANTERNS.



This layout was one I scraplifted from Amy Tan, and it's my favorite layout this month. Actually, it's my favorite layout in a long time. She is so clever and I can envision using this idea for lots of other layouts and themes. I was proud of myself for making it entirely with the main kit + a couple shop items (white gel pen & white zing)


You'll definitely want to get the main kit this month because there's some exclusive alphas by Basic Grey in the best color ever. The design team has already been emailing me asking for extras...so you better hurry!

The add-ons will go on sale to subscribers at 12:00noon EST 4/27, and all kits to everyone else at 12:00midnight EST. Don't forget, if you haven't subscribed yet, you can do so now, just email waitinglist@studiocalico.com for more information.

Studio Calico Blog Hop

Welcome to the Studio Calico blog hop.

We're celebrating State Fair and Countryside being added to the online shop. Most of you have had the opportunity now to purchase it from your local scrapbook store or favorite online retailer, and now we're happy to provide some additional inspiration.

A fun layout I made using an old photo from my trip to Texas before Claire was born. This was the trip my feet swelled so big and never went down....well, they went down about a week after her birth, but it seemed like forEVER.


And, just a quick tutorial for creating those open scalloped circles.

Choose 2 circle punches, one slightly larger than the other.

Punch the smaller first.

Then, turn the larger upside down and center over the window.

To glue, I used the Martha Stewart glue pen and one of the punched circles as a guide.

Circle punches are some of my favorite tools, but one of my favorite items on this layout is the Heart Veneer, which I will give to one of my blog readers. To win, simply leave a comment here letting me know what you call your grandma. Winner will be posted on April 18.



Your next stop....the amazing Celine Navarro.

And if you lose your way, you can always use the designer links to the left on my blog or on the SC blog (to the right).

Claire's newborn photos

Before I became pregnant with Claire, I knew I wanted to find a spectacular photographer to document her growth during her first year. Since my life is spent on the internet and I believe anything worth having should be bought online and shipped to my door, I turned to my trusty friend, Google.

I also looked at some of my favorite photographers' blogs. Knowing I couldn't afford travel for them to come, I looked at photographers they had linked.

The name, Angela Crutcher kept popping up and I would visit her site each time. The more I saw it, the more I fell in love. She has a way of posing newborns that make them look so precious. She has a way of catching the sparkle in their eyes and the emotion of their parents. Her photos are so crisp, clear, and timeless.

Because of that, she was an obvious choice. If you're in the Nashville area and think you can't afford her, think again. Like her on facebook and sign up for her newsletter. She'll send a deal you can't refuse, then you'll be hooked. After that, I promise you'll pawn anything to have her come take photos of your kids because they are precious moments she'll document that only come once.

You can see more from Claire's newborn session here.

Thanks Angela for a fantastic session and here's to another on Tuesday!

Our House

Several of my readers have asked me to link my house posts all in one place. I thought that was a great idea, so here goes.

• Master Bedroom & Bath
• Living Room
• Kitchen
• Laundry Room
• TV Room
• Twin Bedroom
• Landing
• Kid's Bath
• Guest Bedroom & Bath
• Foyer & Dining Room
• Mudroom & Bathroom
• Claire's Room
  
• Empty house before we moved in
  

thank you's & birth announcements

After choosing Claire's thank you notes and birth announcements, I think my love affair with gray is official.

I'm sure lots of boy-mommas out there are cringing at me choosing gray for a girl when I could have chosen pink, but with a middle name like "thomas" it'll be hard for Claire to be a pink gal. So, I started her off right:




by Vermillion Star Press

by Minted

master bedroom & bath

I realized I haven't posted photos of the master bedroom and bath at our remodeled farmhouse. We didn't make and structural change to the bedroom, but the bathroom was a different story.


This is the area to the right you see when you enter the bathroom. It used to be the closet.
My sink above.
Greg's sink below.




And to the front. There's a door to the right that goes into the new master closet.
You see the door in the mirror, and that's the bedroom door.








Now to the bedroom.

I kept this fixture from our last house because they were going to replace it with a ceiling fan.






I still owe you a few things on my blog that I have planned in the upcoming weeks:

• A post with links to all the house posts
• Tutorial on using paperback books as decoration
• Tutorial on jumping photos (this one will be fun!)
• Tutorial on my Cowlick title
• Claire's birth announcements & thank-you notes
• Claire's newborn photos
• Claire's 5-month photos
  
• A couple cute Claire videos

I'll be working on these, but if I've left anything off, let me know.

we had to do it

What's a visit with Kelly like without a jumping photo?

Look at our hops :)

It's all about the camera angle.

turkey parade

Twas the day before KP came and what did I see?
Lots of creatures were stirring, yes even turkeys!

The feeder was full and the turkeys they made,
Lots of gobbles and noise while all on parade.


KP was nestled all snug on her flight
While visions of farm life danced in my sight.

KP in jCrew and they in the dew
spread their feathers while our cows went "moomoo"


When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.


Away to the window, I flew like a flash
Picked up my camera, and took pictures of these silly turkeys trying to mate in my backyard, so when Kelly came I could show her what she is missing with her big city life.

Hope you enjoyed my take at classic poetry. You can all see now why I was not an English major.

morning daddy time

One trait Claire got from her daddy is that she's grumpy when she wakes up, and it takes her a little bit of lounging around before she's ready to start her day. Food helps, too.

Notice the one leg out of the sleeper. I only have 2 that zip up and have resorted to alternating nights with those because the snaps are too easy for her to get a leg out.