Blog Feature: Lindsay!

1. Tell us about yourself! (your name, your age, what you do etc)

My name is Lindsay, and I am a nineteen year old mother, cosmetologist, college student, crafter, and blog designer. I reside in Ahwatukee, Arizona, attend Arizona State majoring in English Lit, and have the most wonderful men in my life: my son Emerson- epitome of little boy, and fiance Brian (who blogs at http://www.brianwingate.blogspot.com) who is a paralegal-musician extraordinaire with a love for the ocean and Zen.


2. What kind of crafts (or other hobbies) are you into right now?

I've crocheted since I was a wee one, so I think its definitely my favorite! I also love re-purposing items, embroidery, and coming up with unique DIY projects. As far as other hobbies, I love designing blog layouts, reading, watching films, event planning, writing, thrifting, cooking, and going on roadtrips!

3. What are some of your current obsessions?

Wedding planning!
(our wedding blog: http://www.wesawsparks.blogspot.com) Collecting owls of all sorts (I have a cookie jar, plush, owl ribbon, etc.) LOST, tattoos, and Valentines Day!


4. What is one of your crafty goals (or other goals) for 2010?

I have so many! I think my biggest one is to get my etsy shop back up and running and do a nice update for each holiday.

5. What makes your blog special and why should we read it?

Well, I like to think of myself as a "do-it-all" gal, and my blog definitely reflects that. I share a lot of my personal life, and am very honest and open- a characteristic I feel not all bloggers are comfortable with.. I love to answer questions. I also share a lot of "inspiration" in my posts, as well as anything I love from music to film to crafts, etc. Lots of big things coming from me! Including my etsy shop, a vintage shop, more tutorials ranging from hair- both era (think fingerwaves & rolls!) to crafting, a free mini class, and some live shows.

ALSO! I'm hosting a giveaway on my blog! :) & its a big one!

6. Name your 5 favorite blogs! (with the links so I can link them)

This is really tough! I don't like to pick and choose favorites, but I guess I'll share some bloggers who I have come fairly familiar with and make sure I check on everyday:
Sometimes Sweet:
Biscuit.
Sunday Morning Sugar.
Inspired Mess.
Mucho Mucho Bueno Bueno.

** don't forget to read the other two new posts below this one too!!
** and let's leave beautiful Lindsay some comment love :)
xoxo
janel

obsession

About 5 or 6 summers ago, my family and I went on a cruise through the east coast and up into St. John New Brunswick and Halifax, Nova Scotia. Seriously, do not get me started on how much I am in love with Canada :) jeez Louise!
Anyway, while in a Canadian Provence (I don't remember which one) my sister, aunt and I went on a jewelry making excursion which landed us at this women's house named, Stormy. Her house was amazing.
Inside and out, one of the coolest houses that I have been in.
Now, to the point :) In her front entry-way, she had an entire wall filled with paint-by-numbers. There was no theme or anything, just a bazillion vintage paint by number paintings. (pardon the horrible disposable camera pictures)

She also had another wall, in another room, covered in religious, Jesus themed paint-by-numbers.

I was instantly in love with paint by numbers.
in stinking love.
It was then that I knew, one day I would have to be a paint by number collector.
One of my 2010 goals is to do one myself, and my sister bought me two kits for Christmas.
In the meantime, I have been obsessing over vintage ones :)
I decided that I would really like to do a wall of them, in my hallway, but with a theme.
After scouring Etsy, I decided on my theme :)
pink flowers
Here are some of my favorites
This lovely pair of paintings found here:

this lovely found here

this one is kind of my favorite

and this girl totally fits into the theme according to me :)

I literally stopped searching after these three because I didn't want to "want" too much :)
So, all of you thrifters, flea marketers, or other vintage-y treasure hunting people... If you find any vintage paint by numbers that fit into my theme, hook a sister up :)
seriously, they make me smile so much!
And speaking of things that make me smile, while looking through pictures from that trip, I came across this one:

Doesn't it make you so happy to know that somewhere in this world, there are places where people paint the streets awesome colors??
love it!
xoxo
janel

10 things i love about you...

well, not you really :)
I never posted pictures of the book that I made Adam for Christmas!
I used Elsie's "10 things i love about you" kit that I purchased from RVA.
I had made Adam a "10 things i love about you" book when we first met so I decided to do a married edition for his present.
Here we go:











I put a white piece of paper behind the clear pocket pages for the pictures to give you a better idea of what the pages look like.
I really love the simplicity of this book :)
As you can see from this book and my last mini book that I posted, I have really turned to a more simple, upcycled style in my scrapbooks. I like using items that I just have laying around and random supplies. I literally can't even tell you the last time I have been to a Scrapbook store :)
I hope you enjoy this book. It was a huge hit with Adam :)

**Speaking of Adam, his heart surgery that was supposed to be tomorrow has been unfortunately re-scheduled for March. There were some insurance issues (!!!!) so we have to wait until Adam's new insurance from ATT kicks in for his surgery to be covered. We are still unfortunately stuck with over $6,000 worth of bills from the ER and doctor visits. Isn't insurance kind of lame??
On the plus side though, God provides and we are just thankful that we were able to re-schedule, and that his new insurance will completely cover his surgery and he will feel soooo much better :) PTL!
AND...Adam's dad was planning to fly in for the surgery and decided to keep with his plans and is flying in today! Yay! We are so excited to be able to spend some time with him this week!
Soooooo happy!
Ok I will be back later for more loveliness so please check back.
I love you <3
xoxo
janel

make it work

YES, Please!!!
I am head over high heels in love with this embroidery by Sarah found here!
like love love love it :)

where's catalina??

So, after looking for about 20 minutes for Catalina (in a condo about 45 seconds big) I finally found her here:)

I'm taking things off of my wall so that I can re-put it all up in a cuter way and, Lindsay, I think she is in love with the finger-knit garland that you made me :)
Can you find my puppy?
Seriously, she is sooo stinking cute and this made me laugh out loud when I found her!
Happy Sunday, almost Monday!!
xoxo
janel

all you need is love.

So, today I made a new little garland for above the fireplace :) What do you think?? I think it's cute.
It got me in the Valentine's Day mood for sure.
What are some good guy gifts?? Adam wants something handmade...hmmm? Help me think :)
I was browsing some of my favorite shops in Etsy and here are some Valentine inspired lovelies:
this amazing print by ashleyg

or these valentines by emily martin.

and this print from this etsy shop :)

and I really love this picture from weheartit <3

lovely.
i am sooo thankful to be in love and to be loved.
xoxo
janel

crafty weekend mini

Yay! Thank you dad for giving me a charged battery :) Due to my dad's gernerosity, I am able to show you what I was working on yesterday!
Yesterday, I finally created a little mini book to commemorate my crafty weekend in Springfield with my blog girls!! Yes, this trip took place in early December but it took me a while to get motivated to make it :)
You can click on the pictures to enlarge them to see all of the little details.
Here you go:












love love love.
Just making this and looking at the pictures makes me miss all of these girls so much!! I can not wait until March when I will get to meet more of my blog friends and see my favorite Springfield friends!!
i heart all of you so much :)
What do you think of my book??
xo
janel

ummm...

I really really really want to find the battery charger for my camera!
I made the cuuuutest mini book of the fun crafty weekend in December with my bloggy girls and I want to show YOU!
I also have done so much work on my style file that I want to share too.
Dear Dad,
please let me borrow your charger.
Love,
your daughter

p.s. look at the Valentine I received yesterday :)

so cute!

tgif...for reals

I liked this picture :)
it's funny <3
So, I am looking really hard for a great book to get into. I love to read.

I am the world's biggest book worm.
My problem is that I can read an entire book in just a couple of days.
So, I need a new one or two, or ten!!
That is how much I get sucked into them.
I need to find a new book to read ASAP.
I need recommendations from my favorite peeps (thats YOU).
Any suggestions??
pretty please with a bookmark on top :)
xoxo
janel
p.s.

just thought you should know :)

type.

Ummm...how did I not know about this site before today??
I have literally wasted two days just looking through each picture. I am a huge fan of typography so, obviously, I am in love :)
Here are just about a million pictures that I pulled to a folder to add to my style file :)























so yeah, I am pretty much obsessed :)
Ha!
Happy Thursday friends.
The Office is tonight...yay!
xoxo
janel