Happy President's Day Weekend!

i *heart* jeff

And the balloons he surprised me with. :)

happy valentine's day!

i *heart* conversation hearts

project: accordion card

Valentine's Day is almost here! Still don't have a card for your special someone? Don't worry - there's still time to make a cute, little accordion card!

I "taught" the girls in our ward how to make these at Enrichment last week. I say "taught" because a) I was pretty unorganized and b) I got so much inspiration from the girls that I ended up using their ideas (pictured above) in addition to some of my own ideas (pictured below)!

For directions on how to make an accordion card, go here. To tie, place a ribbon in between the back cover and back page so it can tie in the front or on the side. Round a few corners, ink a few edges, and you're done. Well, except for writing your mushy valentine message, that is. :)

i *heart* hanging hearts

Hanging my Valentine's hearts is something I look forward to every year. Who knew that crayons and wax paper could make something so pretty? Find the directions here. That Martha - she's a clever one!

Oh, happiness!

Hooray! I have my camera back after leaving it in Idaho last week (who knew that 6 days without a camera was a long time?!). Fun V-day pictures and projects to come!

PS* I did not make these cupcakes, but aren't they lovely?

Super, Super Tuesday!

Finally! Super Tuesday is here! As I have mentioned, I have become somewhat of a Presidential Primary Election addict, so voting this morning really was exciting! It was wonderful to arrive at the polls at 7:20am and have to wait in line - it makes me so happy to see citizens who care enough about government, politics, and our country to wake up and vote. So, if you haven't already, get out and VOTE if you live in one of the 24 states holding Primaries today! I have some links you may be interested in listed below.

• For websites, profiles, & photos for each candidate, go here
• Take a quiz for an idea of which candidate you agree with here
• Find your polling place here
• See election results as they are reported here

If you're in Utah, be sure to be in line to vote by 8:00pm tonight. Only those affiliated with the Democratic or Replublican party can vote, but you can register with a party at the polls if you aren't already affiliated. Hooray for the democratic process!

Jeff's *new* Blog

I would like to get the word out about Jeff's new blog. It is titled "Mormon Faith and Facts." It is, in his words, "an opportunity [to] share personal thoughts, experiences, doctrine, and facts about my faith." Jeff is so knowledgeable about the organization, history, and doctrines of our church, as well as having a strong testimony and ability to teach. I am excited to see what he has to share!

Be a little better

So many wonderful tributes have been paid to our beloved President Gordon B. Hinckley. I, too, am grateful for his wonderful example of tireless love and service to others and the Lord. I love how someone in my ward characterized him - "It wasn't possible to look at him and not smile in your heart." Although he will be missed, I can't help but be happy for his reunion with his dear wife, as well as for the amazing legacy he has left.

"Let us from this day forward be a little better, love one another a little more, treat one another with greater kindness and look to God and live."

President Gordon B. Hinckley

State of the Union

Just a reminder: the State of the Union Address is tonight at 7pm MST/9pm EST.

Oh, how I love being an informed citizen!

heirlooms

Lovely, vintge thread spools my mom gave me. They we given to her as a high school graduation gift from her aunt. She has used about half of them over the years and the rest have been handed down to me. I LOVE them! I almost can't stand use them - they are my own little, mini, family heirlooms.

this just in!

Yes, I am at work. And yes, I should wait to post until later. But I just couldn't wait!

My amazingly talented friend Angela just alerted me to her *new* Etsy shop she opened over the weekend! I just took a look and WOW! The jewelry, the photos, the descriptions - beautiful! So, so impressed!

Angela and I became friends when we started working together about 2 years ago. I remember commenting on her pretty necklace her first day; she replied, "Thanks, I made it." I couldn't believe that she had actually twisted all the wire herself and taken the time to make something so intricate (to see what I mean, look at her Mary Neckalce, which I love)! She does it all -cooking, sewing, and of course jewelry-making. And I owe my introduction to the craft-blogging world to her. So a BIG shout out to Angela!

Be sure to stop in at the shop and visit her blog - she's doing a giveaway for the earrings pictured above (or another similar pair - your choice). Yay!

UPDATE: Congrats, Jordan, on winning the earrings!

on my mind

A few things I've been thinking about lately:

After reading Jordan's post, I decided it was time that I take my New Year's resolutions more seriously. I have been pondering what I want to accomplish this year and I think I have a good start. I'm hoping to formalize/semi-finalize the list in the next few days.

Closely related is my new dedication to getting organized and motivated. Writing down my daily tasks/goals really helps me to follow through with them. My new Moleskine planner as helped in the process(thanks Jeff).

My life is FILLED with unfinished projects! Although I was busy sewing costumes, recovering buttons, making cards, hemming pants, etc. over the break, I still have plenty more to do. And don't think I've forgotten about the headband tutorial and giveaway - hopefully I'll have those ready within the next few weeks.

It's Primary time! I have spent much of my past week watching debates, interviews, and covereage of the Republican and Democratic Primaries. I even dreamed about a couple of the candidates the other night - yikes!

I'm already getting excited for spring. Yes, yes, I know, it's only January 8th with plenty more days of snow and cold ahead. How to resist thoughts of beautiful spring showers, cute umbrellas, lovely spring skirts, delicate blossoms, and warbling birds? Hopefully celebrating Valentine's Day, as well as some other little festivites over the next couple of months will hold me over. For now I'll have to be content with the anticipation and gentle reminders of spring, including this little bottle my mom gave me. :)

Happy New Year!

New Year's Eve 2007

Hat-making supplies covering the table

Glitter, well, pretty much everywhere

Festive, finished hats on our heads

Tasty cheescake treats, bean dip, shrimp, etc. etc. in our stomachs

Noisemakers in our mouths

Silly string all over the floor

Sparkling Cider in our goblets

Sparklers in our hands

Family and friends filling the house

Along with hopes, wishes, and dreams for a wonderful year ahead.

Happy New Year!