52 projects book of inspiration, project #2

I found this book a creative artist friend of mine gave me years ago. The book is called "52 projects random acts of everyday creativity". I always wanted to try a few, but of course we all have busy schedules and I always had a good excuse.  Now is the time to crack the spine of this book.  The premise is to have something to look forward to in terms of a project.  It could be as simple as writing a story of a childhood memory to making a poster art piece.

My 3 year wedding anniversary is coming up. I want to make a nice gift for my husband who has been so supportive all these years.  It's rough to be on call, but the person waiting for you is also suffering as well. Anyway, one of the projects from Jeffrey Yamaguchi's book is to get a regular sized envelope, address it to someone special, and then stuff it with clippings or other keepsakes of your memories together.  I think I'll address the envelope to him from his secret admirer. I hope he'll be surprised.

Last year's Christmas gifts

This is what my husband and I were obsessed with this past Christmas season.  We wanted to make a few special and surprising gifts for our family, especially since his parents like very practical things. 

I saw this craft project from the amazing Martha Stewart team (http://www.marthastewart.com/article/baby-face-clock)... and decided to modify it.  We wanted to make the faces of all of my husband and his siblings when they were kids.  I think I love the bowl cuts...and my husband's expression on the bottom one.  What is it with Asian people and these hair dos?  I had one from my grandfather when I was a kid, too.

I know his parents loved it!

I think I'm going to make another version this year for one of the sisters, since she's moving to the East Coast soon.  I want it to remind her to call us California time.  In addition, since we have our first little girl, I thought it would be fun to put her picture in the clock too.  What do you think?  I'll try to make it soon and then post a final product picture.

Seattle public library

The rain today made me think of when I traveled to Seattle for a work conference and it poured out there.  I love libraries and I think Seattle has one of the coolest ones.  There is so much eye candy there.  I revisited some pictures I took of that place.  What do you think?  I could picture engagement pictures for couples in some of these rooms.  Maybe a playful spy theme? Or a time for the couple to read together captured on film?

Whenever it rains, I just want to cozy up with a good book, a warm blanket, and a nice cup of peppermint hot chocolate.  I hope our baby girl will enjoying reading as much as I do...and that we can read together.

Bubbles - project #1

Our friends were coming to visit us this weekend.  I wanted to make them a gift they would keep.  I have been rather turned off with all the Black Friday buzz on the television and internet.  I miss having homemade items. 

Here's my gift to them.  I love bubbles and pink, so I thought their little girl might like this too.  After all, she is a cute 2 year old girl. 

First, I found a photo snow globe.  The look of it reminds me of bubbles.  I had our friend's pictures of this little girl's birthday party.  I wanted to show off the wonder of having a big birthday celebration with cake and bubbles for her to see when she is older.  She and her mom are blowing bubbles in the backyard in the first picture.  Then, I printed the pictures and added a headband as decoration. (By the way, the headband was from the new Heidi Klum line at Babies R Us.)

Voila!

The beginning

We just finished Thanksgiving.  I have been very thankful for many aspects of my life.  I just can't shake the feeling that there is more out there to challenge me.  I just finished a long and arduous training program and am now adjusting to balancing life with our first baby girl.  My husband recently told me that he thinks I am "trapped" now being a primarily stay-at-home mom until the work situation picks up for me.  I don't want to feel trapped.  I want to do more with my time and energy than just obsessing about work.  I want to have an outlet that is my own, so I decided tonight to start this blog. 

My goal is to do something crafty or creative each month and post them.  I think this blog will keep me accountable that I am continuing this journey.