8 Things and a Blog Award

Normally I don't do blog awards or tags, but not because I don't love them, I do! It's just that a lot of time I have a tight schedule of things planned out. I get them, I plan to do it, things come up, and then before I know it I have several stacked up. When I can't get to them in a timely fashion I feel bad and guilty, oh the guilt! So I decided to give myself a break and accept with pleasure and move on.

But yesterday, I was feeling kinda blah, and getting over a little bout with the stomach flu over the weekend, when I got TWO! They kinda cheered me up, because hey someone is 1) Interested in me and 2) Thinks my blog is interesting! Yay! Since they both happen to have very similar rules, I decided to combine them and so here they are!

First my long time bloggy friend Nichol from Kiddies Corner Deals, she such a sweetie and so nice and helpful! Thanks hon☺ She tagged me with 8 Questions:

What was the last thing you ate?
Club sandwich, our standby quick meal, on bakery bread. Isn't everything better on that? Only mine didn't have tomato, because we forgot to get pick one up and only had grape sized ones. I've tried cutting them up before but they just slide off and are annoying. All this with a glass of diet Pepsi with lots and lots of ice, cause boy am I enjoying the ice maker in my new fridge!

What is one of your best childhood memories?
Playing beauty shop with my Great Aunts, it was after my brother was adopted and I was feeling kind of neglected. They made me feel special by paying a lot of attention to me. I also remember pouring and pouring something imaginary out of this set of three pitchers they had when we visited their condo and getting served fruit cocktail. That was something special because we did not get to have fruit from a can at home.

When you were a kid what did you want to be when you were older?
Guess what I didn't want to be...a teacher! What a hoot! That's because everyone would tell me I should be one! I on the other hand wanted to be an Egyptologists, and yes, I know that's kind of random. In hindsight, it's kinda amusing since I don't like overly hot weather or being hot and dirty, two things that are probably involved with digging up things in the desert!

However, to this day, I always stop on those shows about ancient Egypt whenever I catch one on television. I also still love reading books about ancient cultures. For a brief time, my childhood interest was reignited in college when I took an Ancient Civilizations class. It was so facinating, and I just loved it. Ultimately, I decided it was something I liked do dabble in for fun; I couldn't see it becoming my whole life.

Do you paint your toenails in the winter?
Do I paint them in the summer, no so naturally I also don't bother in the winter. Actually I have terrible foot issues, no one else can touch them...EVER.

Do you watch any reality television? If so, what show is your favorite?
I am embarrassed to admit a fascination with The Bachelor and Bachelorette, Dancing with the Stars, Top Chef, and The Real Wives of the O.C. Don't think any less of me, okay?

What were some of the "trends" when you were a kid?
Oh yes you betcha I do. How about jelly bracelets and shoes, tight rolled or pinned jeans, wearing jean jacked covered and I mean covered in buttons, and hair scrunchies. Man were we hot in the 80s.

What is your favorite time of the year? Why?
Early summer, the kids are out of school and it's not too hot or humid. I love going to the beach, wearing flip flops, and sunny skies! I really like most times of the year for different reasons, with the exception of winter. I don't like gray skies and snow, if I have to do anything other than look at it while holding a mug of hot chocolate.

Do you have any hobbies?
I think you all know the answer to that one! YES, I love to scrapbook and papercrafts☺ Crafting and creating is definitely my thing! I'm very excited to be going to a crop this weekend with one of my sorority alumnae sisters!!!

Gosh I have real boring answers, sorry! If I haven't put you to sleep and want to play along, consider yourself all tagged! I didn't pick to give a shout out to anyone in particular for this one because there are SO MANY bloggers tagged for second one...

From Amanda at It's Toile Good I got The Versatile Blogger Award, one I haven't gotten before! Thank so much Amanda! For that one I am to:

• Thank and link back to the person that gave you the award.
• Share 7 things about yourself.
• Pass the award to 15 blogs you love and enjoy!
• Let those blogs know they've been given the award.

First one, check. Second one, check - actually I'm an overachiever since I shared 8! Now for the last two criteria. I pass this award along to the following ladies, in no particular order:

• Noelle at Lil Bits and Pieces of Me
• Michelle at Flying Giggles and Lollipops
• Steph at A Pocket Full of Buttons
• Sharon at Mama's A Mess
• Malia at Yesterday on Tuesday
• Christy at From Glitter to Gumdrops
• Jennifer at The Toybox Years
• Teri at The Pursuit of Scrappyness
• Maradith at Strictly Homemade
• Maureen at Spell Outloud
• Annette at Net's Notes
• Ticia from Adventures in Mommydom
• Christine at Little Page Turners
• Amanda at Funny Days with Mommy and Maddie
• Beverely at Flamingo Toes

Please Vote! Best Family or Group Blog 2009 at The Homeschool Blog Awards

I am so pleased to share with you that my other blog ABC & 123: A Learning Cooperative, that I am co-founder of, along with Katie from A List Maker's Life, has been nominated at The Homeschool Blog Awards site for:

Best Family or Group Blog 2009

We are honored and touched to be included with some of the best education based blogs out there! We'd really appreciate your vote! It only takes a second!

I know many of you read both of my blogs, and I'd like to thank all our readers, contributors, and those who've commented and supported us during the past 8 months! We appreciate each and every one of you!

It's a Major Award!

I was the proud recipient of this lovely award last week, courtesy of Nichol from Kiddies Corner Deals. This award is for anyone who likes to smile and/or laugh, and just generally spreads that along in the blogging world we all travel in.

If Nichol hadn't already given this one to me, I'd have had to give it to her. I've been meaning to give her a shout out because she is the sweetest thing; so helpful and kind enough to answer the myriad of questions I've had for her. I've had a lot, and she's very patient, passing along her blogging expertise and answering them all.

Here are some blogs that make me laugh and/or smile:

Two Friends I like to Pop In At:

Valerie's Frugal Family Fun Blog: This was one of the very first blogs I started following and from the very start I knew I had found a great resource for cool and inexpensive ways to entertain and spend time with my daughter. Valerie comes up with great craft ideas all the time that leave me thinking, now why didn't I think of that, like this DIY sticker book☺

Tara at Keeping Up with the Kelly's: From one of the oldest blogs to one of the newest blogs I read, comes this gem I found via the first McLinky Blog Hop! Tara keeps me in stitches with her humorous observations and stories. Reading her posts often make me think, OMG I was thinking the same thing, like her recent one of Random Thoughts While Watching TV☺

Two Crafty Blogs:

{That I like to read wistfully...and dream about all the crafting I could be doing if these dishes and dirty clothes would just wash themselves}

Molly Chicken: Because I need one of these, seriously we could all use a love bird couldn't we? And a Hedgehog and a Mousey and Panda and...more excuses to play with cute softies and loveys☺

Allsorts: A bright and colorful world filled with Dolly Pops, cute and doable freebies to make your home cuter, and even some computer fun for your kiddies☺

and for the last one I will spotlight one of the favorite famous bloggers I read voraciously:

Posie Gets Cozy: Filled with lovely photographs and delightful writing, Alicia's blog like eye candy for my soul. I have her book; I love it. I want to live in her world among all that delicious fabric☺

Good Things Come in Threes

I have three great reasons to be happy today! For the first two, let me say thank you to two of my most loyal readers for giving me these fun awards!
Kim at Four Crazy Kings awarded me the Panda Super Comments Awards for being a frequent and consistent commenter on her blog. Stephanie at A Pocket Full of Buttons gave me the Humane award for:

"The Humane Award honors certain bloggers that I feel are kindhearted individuals. They regularly take part in my blog and always leave the sweetest comments. If it wasn’t for them, my site would just be an ordinary blog. Their blogs are also amazing and are tastefully done on a daily basis. I thank them and look forward to our growing friendships through the blog world."

Thank you so much girls!

The third reason is because it was ten years ago today that Brad proposed to me. He's coming home in a little bit and taking us out to dinner! Not having to make dinner? Maybe I should retitle this Good Things Come in Fours☺

Nothin' Like a Blog Award to Pick Me Up

Just in the nick of time to turn my rather annoying day around I got this artsy award from my first blogging buddy Vickie from Vickie's Scrapbooking and Tidbits. She was the first blogger I connected with and exchanged regular comments with. She's always been very supportive and answers all my questions. Plus we have so darn much in common it's almost weird.

Neno's Award

Rules & Regulations:

• As a dedication for those who love blogging and love to encourage friendships through blogging.
• To seek the reasons why we all love blogging.
• Put the award in one post as soon as you receive it.
• Don't forget to mention the person who gives you the award.
• Answer the award's question by writing the reason why you love blogging.
• Tag and distribute the award to as many people as you like.
• Don't forget to notify the award receivers and put their links in your post.

I started blogging because I had been lurking around blogs for quite some time, mainly the big crafty power bloggers with lots of readers. I didn't have the nerve to leave any comments but I really liked how they shared tidbits of their daily lives and provided tons of inspiration.

In one of my scrapbooking magazines, I read how one gal had blogged about a cross country trip and then made her entries into a mini book documenting the trip. That was a great idea I thought. That's when I first got the connection between how blogging would help me keep track of things for my kidlet's scrapbook pages and share some of the crafts I've made to more than just the recipient and Brad, who always says, "Very nice." I wanted to start my own blog, but I thought, who was I kidding I was not cool enough, and who would want to read anything I had to say?

It can be scary to put yourself out there and share what you've done. What if people don't like it, what if they think my crafts look amateurish and ridiculous? I told my best friend, and she looked me straight in the eye and said, "Who cares if they don't like it. You do, I do, everyone you knows thinks you're a crafty diva. Don't let that stop you." Sometimes you need a little boost☺

Now I'm off and running and I've an avid blogger. I just love meeting all the other bloggers and sharing ideas with them. Blogging has cut down the barriers distance puts up and helped me connect to women all over and get to know them and their stories. Women I'd never know otherwise. It's been great and I'm really enjoying all the friendships I've made and have been making along the way. Thanks!

Award Season and Giveaway Winning Continues

I hope everyone is having a great weekend! I'm off at the Tulip Festival, where I have plans to meet up with Katie from A Listmaker's Life! Together we run ABC & 123: A Learning Cooperative, and while we read each other's blog, email back and forth, and talk on the phone, we've never met face to face. So we're really excited!

While I'm gone, I wanted to share good news! The prize train just keeps on a comin' my way! I won Kelli's weekly giveaway at There Is No Place Like Home. I get to pick an item from her Estsy store, and I'm having a hard time choosing! She has such pretty trims, stickers, and cards. I'll be sure to share pictures of my prize when I get it!

She has a great weekly linky party for all of us papercrafter's and gives away an item from her Etsy store Seasonal Delights each week on Wednesday. You don't even have to participate in Papercrafting Wednesday to enter, but we'd love it if you would! If you're not a papercrafter check out Friday's Show and Tell, where you can show off your treasures. Her blog is a lot of fun full of tasty sounding recipes, seasonal decorating tips, and great crafts.

I also won Katie's Sinupret giveaway! We're getting a whole load of stuff from them! ER is going to love this one! It's just too bad I didn't have it on hand before she got sick! But I'm definitely prepared for next time! In our package will be:

A copy of Dr. Bob Sears bestselling book The Healthiest Kids in the Neighborhood
A sample of Sinupret
Yellow children's binoculars
Sinupret for Kids Activity Books
Sinupret for Kids Stickers
Mini Plush Bear

I also recently received two awards from Maradith and Annie. I have both already but I wanted to give them a shout out and thank them. It really means a lot to me, that you both enjoy reading my blog!
Maradith from the Procrastinator Crafter gave me the Lemonaide Award, she said that she knew I already had it but that she loves my blog and wanted to give it me again, isn't she the sweetest? Annie from the Santiago Twin Girls gave me the Kreativ Blogger award. She thinks I have a lot of talent and creativity. That's also such a lovely thing to say!
Now for my newest award, from Sharon at Mama's a Mess! I have to say, I've um, never been given anything quite like a zombie chicken award. When I first saw it, though I let out a hoot. Thanks Sharon! Sharon is always leaving me great comments and you all know I super big ♥ comments!

The Zombie Chicken Award reads:

"The blogger who receives this award believes in the Tao of the zombie chicken - excellence, grace and persistence in all situations, even in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. These amazing bloggers regularly produce content so remarkable that their readers would brave a raving pack of zombie chickens just to be able to read their inspiring words. As a recipient of this world-renowned award, you now have the task of passing it on to at least 5 other worthy bloggers. Do not risk the wrath of the zombie chickens by choosing unwisely or not choosing at all…"

Well we can't have that, I don't need any wrath in my life! So here we go:
1. Kim at Four Crazy Kings
2. MaryAnne at Thrifty Craft Mama
3. Branflakes at Adventures of a Flake
4. Heidi at Blue Eyed Blessings
5. Bobbi at Casa Camacho

There are of course many blogs I could pass this along to, these are just a few of my favorite places to visit. So I'd like everyone to consider themselves a winner of their very own zombie chicken. Hmm...somehow that doesn't sound right, but you know what I mean! Now go forth and spread the zombie love!
Just as I was about to head of to bed Friday night, I found out I got the Splash award from Lisa at One Girlie Girl, for being "alluring, amusing, bewitching, impressive and inspiring". Whoohoo, what a great way to start the weekend! I think I'll pass this one along to my fellow Splashy gals at:

1. Vickie at Vickie's Scrapbooking and Tidbits
2. Noelle at Lil Bits n' Pieces of Me
3. Hadley at Life of a Dairy Queen
4. Kelli at Outside My Kitchen Window, go check out her brand spankin' new blog makeover!
5. Alicia at Delightful & Delovely, my real life best friend's brand new blog.

Thanks ladies for the giveaway prizes and blog awards you've all made my day! Thank you to everyone who comes by Katie's Nesting Spot, especially if you leave some comment love and let me know you're out there. You're all winners in my book, so please consider yourself awarded too! If you don't have any of the four awards take it back home with you!

It means a lot that you take the time to get to know me and I have loved learning more about you too. Blogging has been such a wonderful outlet for me, now that I've started I can't imagine life without it and all of you in it too! Have a wonderful weekend and hopefully I'll have some great tulip pictures to post and one of the "other" Katie in her Dutching dancin' outfit to post soon!

Smart Blogger Award

Thank you to Trish at Preschool Playbook for awarding me the Smart Blogger award. Trish has a wonderful blog full of great ideas from her preschool classroom. I have found it to be an invaluable resource for great ideas and tips. When I see her activities, it gets me excited to go back into the classroom.

The recipient of this award is not your everyday blogger. If you visit their blog, one thing is for sure, you will learn something (but most of the time, a lot) that is really worth the time you spend reading their post. Their post is always well-written, with good grammar, very insightful, inspiring, and thought provoking. Their posts leave you wishing that you’ve written it. They always have great stories to tell, either about life, about themselves, or about their family. Once you read their blog, there’s one thing that will stick in your head; that they are absolutely, no doubt, a Smart Blogger!

The above award description gave me a boost, as lately whenever I look my posts I find a ton of typos; those are so annoying! I swear I proof read before I post but something always slips by! Plus lately when I read other blogs, all of them seem much cooler than mine. Everyone else is being super creative and getting projects done, while I've been in a rut the past month. Keeping up with the house, planning activities for ER, and having even a little bit of a social life has been hard to balance with my creative side. I've also been feeling that mine was lacking in the insightful and thought provoking area too. So it's nice to hear that someone thinks my blog is interesting, you know other than my family who have to say they like it!

I'm going to have to agree with Trish and quote her, "I will tell you there are quite a few bloggers that I think should get this award. Sometimes I am in complete awe of some of these sites as I read them. I will tell you all that I am completely amazed by the writings, posts, and activities of the many moms and families that I read everyday." I second that whole heartily!

Link the one who gave this award and let them know you posted it. Pass this to as many Smart Bloggers as you can think of and make sure to write something about them (like why you think they are a Smart Blogger). Let them know they have an award by dropping them a comment on their blog.

I really think this one should go out to all of you! There are some blogs I read for decorating tips, crafting ideas, educational lessons, and some I read primarily to brighten my day through the funny antidotes shared on them. Plus there are so many of you whose daily lives I feel apart of from reading your daily posts. I don't think I can limit this; I'd like to pass this along to all of my wonderful followers! I visit each and everyone of you, although not as often as I'd like! I hope you know how much I appreciate your comments and opinions. In my opinion everyone is a Smart Blogger!

I'd Like to Thank the Academy...

It's a rainy overcast Wednesday, and all it makes me want to do is take a nap! I've been staying up late trying to get all my ABC & 123 giveaway winners' packages out and finishing up my Easter Swap for Noelle so that's probably adding to the strong desire to nap! I made three things for her and I can't wait til she gets her package so I can share them with you all!

My kiddo is busily scribbling on her double sided dry erase/chalkboard at the table next to me, so let's pass on some blog awards!
The first one, I had seen on a bunch of blogs for a long time and had a secret wish for someone to give it to me, mainly because I loved the colors and design of it: pink, aqua, and green I ♥ together. But one shouldn't be greedy so I patiently waited and now I'm lucky enough to have four fabulous women thing I deserve it!

• Courtney at Sister To Sister
• Missy at Simply Red and
• Kelli at Outside My Window
• Hadley at Life of a Dairy Queen

Thanks Ladies!!! I appreciate it!
The second one is from Second Star to the Right and Straight Til Morning and is the I ♥ Your Blog award. Thank you, I'm so honored that you chose to me to pass your first blog award on to!

I'm supposed to share seven things I love for the first award:

1. Reading scrapbook and craft magazines, preferably with a decadent hot coffee beverage in one hand
2. Meeting my girlfriends for lunch and shopping
3. Target
4. Siteseeing all the cliched touristy spots on vaca
5. Girltalk with my two and a half year old, aren't those toddler voices so sweet!
6. Warm tropical beaches
7. My family and friends, including all my blogging buddies!

For BOTH awards I am supposed to link and pass onto 7 blogs that inspire me:
Cathie Filian: I watch her show on DIY and love it!
Lollychops: she's doing Big Time Bunny Week right now and I love it, like I love everything she does!
Joy at Joy to the Blog: one of my local blogging buddies, who just opened her own Etsy shop and makes beautiful collages
Dollar Store Crafts: cheap craftin', I'm in!
Molly Chicken: whimsical sewing creations, check out her Love Bird tutorial.
Janniepie Crafts: love that she made her craft desk.
Inspired Company: check out her free online craft "magazine" full of inspiration each month.

Thanks you again everyone! It's good to know that I manage to post on things other people are even remotely interested in!

Birthday Blog Awards

It just so happened that I got two blog awards on my birthday yesterday! I am on a roll and just having a great ol' week! I wanted to make sure I acknowledged them and one that I got awhile back and haven't had a chance to pass on until now.
I recently found Martha at So Lovely Creations, via One Pretty Thing after I saw her decoupaged storage boxes and I enjoy visiting to see all the other crafty things she's up to. She is currently substitute teaching and looking forward to having her own classroom soon. Hmm...yet another cool crafty teacher, there must be something about the profession of teaching that draws us in!

I am to pass it on to 10 people who do inspiring projects/work and generally make me smile and laugh. So in no particular order:

1. Katie at a Listmaker's Life, have you seen the cute sock bunny she made?
2. Vickie at Vickie's Scrapbooking and Tips, isn't this cool pop up element on her scrapbook page cool?
3. Noelle at Lil' Bits and Pieces of Me, is a Creative Memories consultant who hosts really fun looking crops and recently went to an over night crop retreat and got a ton of pages done! I'd love to go have time to just craft uninterrupted for hours.
4. Mama King at Four Crazy Kings is always coming up with fun ways to keep your kids entertained, check out this great way to reuse fruit cup containers into Easter decor. It combines two of my favorite things felt and recycling!
5. Infarrantly Creative is one blog I've been lurking around for quite awhile. I love her many tutorials especially her one on how to paint flowers on your toenails, I've got a girly girl in training so this is something of infinite importance that I'm gonna need to know. She also has cool ones on how to make button replicas out of clay, repurposing broken crayons and making a cool caddy for them, soup can storage, and how to make tic tacs into a cute little gift are just some of my favorites.
6. Chrissy at One Crafty Place finds all kinds of great crafts for making a handmade childhood, but she also has an equally fun blog called Chica Schmica where she posted how to make a five minute kite, festive handprint shirts - so going to make those next Christmas, and amazing potato print Christmas cards - see the second one, isn't that cool!
7. Jeanne at Inspiring Ideas has her own line Simply Inspiring at Hallmark that I ♥ and a book out called Inspirational Home that I totally want. I love her idea to add scripture to a piece of furniture, these quick and easy Easter placecards, and how she turned an old door into an inspiration board.
8. Vlijtig is another One Pretty Thing find, I love her felt hair tie tutorial, her awesome hand carved stamps, and all the bright and happy finds she posts about.
9. Vanessa at V and Co. just posted the most fabulous Easter basket tutorial that I love, love, love! She has other great tutorials like this one for how to make a country rustic sign and a bandanna skirt.
10. Small Fry & Co. I also found through One Pretty Thing, and there is no way I can keep up with all the great projects posted over there! My current fave is this cute fabric Easter basket, but then she made this fun cupcake apron, and there's also these fun paper bag purses and these and these. Oh so many crafts and not nearly enough time!

My friend Noelle at Lil' Bits and Pieces of Me gave me this award on my birthday; there's nothing like getting an award on one's birthday. Thanks Noelle! I love visiting all my blogging buddies, we all have such adorable blogs that I would like everyone to consider themselves awarded this one!

I feel so welcomed and blessed to get so many shout outs and well wishes. This truly is a great community! My latest award that was also given out on my birthday, comes from Vickie at Vickie's Scrapbooking and Tips, she is the sweetest gal and one of my first true blogging buddies. We just hit it off right from the start. There are no rules to this award, it's just supposed to brighten up the recipient's day. Well it certainly brightened up mine! Thanks Vickie!

Even though I don't have to pass this along, I am going to award it to my friend Anna from k e household, because her little emails always brighten up my day!

As always I hope all of you enjoy your awards and do not feel obligated to pass them along, I am just glad I got a chance to spot light each of you! Have a great rest of the weekend!

Sisterhood & Cute Blogger Awards

I am so feeling the bloggy love lately! Thank you to two of my followers for recently presenting me with these two awards, I really appreciate them!

Courtney at Sister to Sister, who I just adore because she is always so positive and upbeat and so supportive gave me the Sisterhood Award. She did a guest Tackle it Tuesday at Five Minutes for Mom yesterday and showed off her fab new patterns for baby snugglies that she's adding to her collection of patterns at You Can Make This. She is so creative! Plus she still talks to me, even though I've totally flaked about joining in on her Friday blog party Finish It Friday, she's got the cutest graphic with a UFO "UnFinished Objects" for it. Problem is, I haven't finished anything yet! So if you haven't "met" her yet, what are you waiting for:)

The rules of this award are:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.

You're all super special to me, and I am so excited to be a part of the Sisterhood!!! I wish I could nominate you all, as everyone deserves it! So if you aren't already proudly displaying this on your blog please consider yourself awarded:)

I'm going to highlight ten of my blogging buds who I haven't already awarded or tagged recently for this and the following awards! Congrats girls and have fun adding two new awards to your collection!

1. Ashley at Domestic Diva's Fancy, can it really be I haven't given her one yet?
2. Patti at Lady Bugs in the Garden: Hopefully she'll see this, as I can't leave comments on her posts for some reason! The little box for word verification comes up but never has a word it, it just loads forever! Go check her out for beautiful card designs that are so much cooler than my beginner attempts!
3. Tonja at My Beautifully Chaotic Life: Just met her and already the emails are bouncing back and forth and we're both comment happy on each other's blogs. I just know I've found another sister!
4. Cheryl at Doug, Cheryl, and Abigail: Because I think she might be an even bigger fan of the Anne of Green Gable's series than I am, and that's saying a lot!
5. Missy at Simply Red: Another new friend who's an Anne with an E fan, who I can talk craft talk with, and who has a scallop punch and knows how to use it!
6. Mama King at 4 Crazy Kings: A fellow all grown up Korean adoptee who had really neat and original art projects and fun activities on her blog.
7. Ashlee at Pretty Partridge: She another One Pretty Thing girl who loves crafting as much as I do. She made the felt toddler bracelets I had featured, only she made them way better as that girl can sew! I am so gonna make her fabric covered photo album, cause I love anything monogramed!
8. Kris at Jesse Kate Designs is another one of my very talented friends who also designs her own e-patterns and who loves machine embroidery. You should she what she can do here. More importantly, she has been so sweet and supportive ever since I met her AND she's a former teacher so you know I love her!
9. Nine and Ten are hightlighted below...
   

I am also thrilled to have been awarded a Cute Blog award from Christine at Life...the Way I See It. She is currently in the process of adopting a little girl from Ethiopia and as an adult adoptee I am avidly following her journey and find learning about adoption during this stage of the game quite facinating, probably cause it's not me on pins and needles! She is also a great artist, and makes the coolest mixed media mosaics in to frames and boxes that are one of a kind and so detailed they have to be seen to be believed, colorful paper frames that are my favorite thing in her shop, and really fun mirrors using recycled pop cans! She is so creative I just can't stand it!

I can't take all - or really ANY of the credit for my blog being cute, I had a great designer Lena at Simply Fabulous Blogger Templates. Who makes the best templates for FREE! I had been looking and looking for a template that said me and this one fit me perfectly. It's exactly what I'd have asked a custom designer to make, and I don't mind sharing it:)

In fact, Kristen at All In A Mom's Life, who needs our help with kid friendly meals for an up coming birthday party AND Mandy at N'Stitches Designs, who made this - so cute it makes me love yellow - hint, hint...BRAD, like my blogger design an awful lot too, so I pass this one along to them!

As always, ladies it's great fun to highlight some of my followers, who are a big part of my life! You can proudly display the awards on your blog and carry on the bloggy love or bask in the glow of being a winner and leave it at that:)

Celebrating Friendship with Lemonade, Blog Awards & Picture Tag

Hi Everyone! Yesterday Ashley over at Domestic Divas Fancy gave me two awards on her personal blog, she's just the sweetest thing! The kind of gal you'd love to meet up for shopping and lunch if only you lived closer. I really admire her because she's also had to move about a few times with her husband and has kept a positive attitude. It's really hard to pick up and move away from everything you know and love, and then just as you're feeling comfy in the new place, do it all over again. Luckily, like me she's back living among her family!

Plus she's got a great eye for decorating and saving a buck. I'd been drooling over the crafting rooms in the Potterybarn catalogs for ages. But the table I really wanted is over a thousand bucks! That's bit too steep for a spot I'll probably cover in paint and dried on Mod Podge. Then I saw her Inspiration Room on a Budget post and saw that it might not be out of my range after all! That got me hooked, and the great tips she gives have kept me going back ever since. I had no idea olive oil was so darn useful until I read this and I love seeing her Saturday Scrapper feature with all the organized crafting space and beautiful projects. Oh and one shameless plug, after seeing my button pillow she actually went out and made this! I am tickled pink that I one of my projects led to someone actually doing it!

The Friendship Award: From Ashley

"These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

I was in the mist of writing this post when I got a message from Kaylee at Eat Your Heart Out, that she'd also given me an award, the Lemonade Award. She's got a whole bunch of recipes on her blog, and as many of you know from this request, I'm always looking for new ones to try and I think her Sweet and Sour Meatballs are calling my name.

Now Kaylee is a friend I didn't even realize I had, as this is the very first comment she's ever left me. I certainly am thankful and honored that she chose me too, especially since it's given out for such nice reasons; I certainly do try to be grateful and positive! For those of you who visit me here at my Nesting Spot, and haven't left a comment yet, please drop me a line so I know you're out there! I'd love to hear from you all and visit you too!

The Lemonade Award: From Ashley and Kaylee

This award is given to sites that show gratitude and a wonderful attitude.

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.

2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great attitude and/or gratitude.

3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.

4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received the award.

Thank you both for such great awards and more importantly for the sentiment behind them! Now girls, it'd be great if you want to pay it forward and pass along these awards but my feeling won't be hurt if you don't. I just wanted to take this opportunity to let you know how much I appreciate you! I love all the great gals I've been meeting through blogging. You inspire me and encourage me so much! I pass this award onto some of my long time and loyal followers...

Katie at A Listmaker's Life, fellow teacher with a lot of enthusiasm for educating, with whom I can navigate the tricky transition from professional educator to parent.

Anna at k e household, my super supportive friend up there in chilly Canada; who's been a follower almost from the start.

Noelle at Lil' Bits and Pieces of Me, who is always bubbling over with sunshine and a positive spirit. She's looking to join the sisterhood of professional teachers and astounds me with her Good Will finds.

Holly at Girls At Heart, she's so friendly and always welcomes you whenever you stop by the porch for a visit. Plus she's super helpful and showed me how to add ♥ to my text and how to customize my comments.

and Vickie, I know she has these both but I'm giving them to her anyway cause she was my first good blogging buddy and she's one of the best gals out there!

Vickie also tagged me awhile back for fun photo tagging. I love these kinds of things but if I'd followed the rules, and opened my sixth photo file and taken the sixth picture to post, then I'd have had to repost a picture I'd already used. So now ladies and gentleman...I give you a fashionista in training...my darling daughter!

Please note her look includes, a headband I attached one of the felt flowers I made here to and another version of the no sew felt bag I made here. I was going to make this bag fancier, but she saw it being made and wanted it immediately. She picked out the button, and it's already been carried to storytime. Sunglasses courtesy of Godmommy Alicia, attitude is all hers ☺

My First Meme

Vickie at Vickie's Scrapbooking and Tidbits tagged me for my first meme! Does anyone know how meme's got their name or what meme might stand for? I'm wondering if it's Me Me as in once you're tagged you answer a lot of questions about yourself so visitors to your blog can get to know you better. After answering all the questions you are then supposed to tag 25 other bloggie friends, to get to know them better. There are a lot of questions in this one, and I don't think I know 25 other bloggers to tag, so I'll just answer these and if anyone who drops in is so inclined, please consider yourself tagged and respond on your blog. Leave me a comment so I can visit and read your answers.

I will however, officially tag Noelle. She just gave me an award and when she answered the honest questions she had me laughing away. I'd love to know her take on these questions! She's having a great time at a scrapbooking get away at a bed-and-breakfast in Amish country right now, lucky girl!

It'd also be fun if some of the other gals who follow my blog like, Katie at a Listmaker's Life, Sarah at Mrs. D. Lightful, Anna at K E Household, Joy at Joy to the Blog, and Aime at A Diet Revolution would answer them too, so I can get to know them better! Aime was my first follower that wasn't a family member or friend that I pestered into following me. I really don't know much about her other than she works in education. But I'd love to know more! I think everyone else I pop in at has already been tagged with this meme or received an award from me lately and has those questions to answer. I'd even love it if anyone wanted to answer just a few or maybe just their favorite five.

Here are my answers...

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? My formal name is Kathryn and I got my name because my mom admired her boss' name.
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Honestly, I can't remember right now. Life must be good!
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? I do but I don't really like including it on scrapbook projects because I can't seem to write in a straight line. If I could get it to look orderly and centered then I'd probably love it, cause I hate taking the time to format and print journalling out.
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHMEAT? Salami, although it's high fat and salt content means I limit how much I indulge in it.
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Yes I have a two and a half year old daughter. I also have two four year old kitties.
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIEND WITH YOU? Of course, in fact I think it's safe to say we'd be best friends. Since we'd have so much in common:)
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM? Oh yes, hopefully most people get it and don't just think I'm rude! In fourth grade I was marked down for conduct on my report card because I was deemed sarcastic.
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Not in a million years as I don't like the sensation of being dropped, so also no roller coasters, no rides that drop, don't even really like elevators, and hate flying.
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? I don't really like cereal unless it's in Chex Mix, but Pops and Honey Smacks are pretty good.
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? No and most of my shoes are slip on.
12. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Too many flavors to choose just one, depends on the mood but I do like butter pecan, chocolate chip mint, and plain jane flavors vanilla and chocolate, both of which have to be with nothing in them.
13. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? If they loook happy.
14. RED OR PINK? Pink but a deeper pink not pale baby pink unless it's for ER.
15. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? That I need to lose weight for health reasons and I hate exercising!
16. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? Alicia, who's in AZ.
17. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO COMPLETE THIS LIST? Of course, but mainly I'm doing this because I haven't posted all that much about me and it's a quick way to let people know a bunch of random things about me. Right about now I'm realizing it's a long list and you have to retype all the questions too. Does anyone know how to cut and paste in the posts?
18. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Do sweat pants and slippers count? Black and teal blue.
19. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? My husband reading to ER in her bedroom next door.
20. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON WHICH COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Lilac, aqua blue, or rose...my happy colors!
21. FAVORITE SMELLS? Lemon, peppermint, coffee
22. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Margaret, about setting up a Valentine themed playdate for our daughters.
23. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO POSTED THIS NOTE? Of course:)
24. FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH? Detroit Tiger baseball, figure skating, and gymnastics - although my husband would argue the last two don't count.
25. HAIR COLOR? Black
26. EYE COLOR? Brown
27. DO YOU WERE CONTACTS? Not any more
28. FAVORITE FOOD? As if I could just chose one!
29. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy endings, I am way too much of a scardy cat for the other!
30. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Movies, did I mention I have a two year old? Haven't been to the movies in ages, might have been the Indiana Jones movie...on television, do kids videos count?
31. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Black fleece, very cosy indeed:)
32. SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer for sure, on the ocean please!
33. HUGS OR KISSES? I'll take either!
34. FAVORITE DESSERT? Not really a dessert gal, but anything warm and chocolately with gooey fudge sauce and real whip cream is pretty good.
35. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Vickie, I am sure will leave a sweet comment!
36. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Since I'm not sure if I'm sending this to anyone...
37. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? Elizabeth: The Struggle for the Throne by David Starky
38. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR MOUSE PAD? We don't have one, but in the past ours has had sea otters on it and the other one had our picture on it.
39. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT? No time for television last night, too busy reading blogs til 2 am or so :)
40. FAVORITE SOUNDS? My baby's happy squeals, toddler girly girl saying," I love you, Mommy," or "Baby needs kisses," or asking me, "Will you be my kissaroo," that one's from a favorite book of ours.
41. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles
42. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME? When in CA --> Hawaii, when in NM --> MI, and when living in MI --> FL.
43. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? Other than taking on too much or trying to get too much done in too little time? I like to think it's scrapbooking, papercrafts, and general craftiness. I certainly have a lot of enthusiasm for them
44. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Seoul, South Korea
45. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK? I'm eager to see everyone's answers and I'm even going to visit Vickie to see what the other people that she tagged wrote.
46. HOW DID YOU MEET YOUR SPOUSE/SIGNIFICANT OTHER? Our mutual friends in high school decided to fix us up. We met a local used music store that let garage bands perform Friday nights. We met at one of those performances.

Vickie also gave me this award too, now I've gotten four awards! It's so fun to be winner!

Scrap Honest Award!

You meet the nicest women out here in blogland. I just got my third award, Scrap Honest from Noelle at Lil' Bits and Pieces of Me today! She is so sweet and always leaves the nicest comments for me. She's a teacher in training and wants to be a kindergarten teacher, so right off the bat you know she's a fabulous woman even before I add that she scrapbooks too!

The rules for this award are:
1. Choose a minimum of 7 blogs that you find brilliant in content or design.
2. Show the 7 winners' names and links on your blog, and leave a comment informing then that they were prized with "Honest Scrap", the nifty icon they can display proudly on their blog.

3. List at least 10 honest things about yourself.

Here it goes, 10 honest things about me although I don't think I'm nearly as humorous and interesting as Noelle!

1. If I'm in a bad mood, I can eat an entire bag of Spicy Nacho Doritos during the course of a day.

2. I have serious foot phobia issues, I can't let anyone touch mine...EVER!

3. I am addicted to Bravo reality T.V. shows, especially The Real Housewives of O.C. and Top Chef; while I like to pretend I only watch quality shows like documentaries on the History Channel...

4. My secret shame is that I also LOVE Bret Michael's Rock of Love and Love Bus on VH1. Those girls present themselves as so trashy; I should be embarrassed to admit in public that I watch it, but I was a HUGE Poison fan in their heyday. Bret wasn't where it was at for me, no siree, I was a C.C. Deville girl, I always liked the guitarists. Saw him on Surreal Life and boy was he irritating, he'd have driven me nuts in minutes!
Still following along on the reality reel of shame, I'm addicted to the Girls Next Door on E!, and I am completely aware a good little Catholic girl like me should NOT be watching anything to do with Hugh Hefner but I cannot stop watching. I'm horrified yet fascinated, and hmmm what would it be like to be a Playmate, although I know one thing I don't think my parents would be "cool" with it or think it was an honor like some seem to.

5. I was a big metal head in the 80's and loved hair bands like Skid Row, Whitesnake, Slaughter, and Warrant. I plastered my closet doors, walls, and ceiling with their pictures. Oh sure now, when I watch their videos on VH1 Classic I wonder what was I thinking...and yes that is Def Leppard's Greatest Hits in my car's CD player and yes I do listen to it all the time!
6. I am so G rated that my idea of a big night out is going to Borders, getting a Raspberry Mocha Kiss drink, sitting in the cafe, and reading magazines.

7. I was so nervous about having a c-section that as the spinal started kicking in I FREAKED out, this while already in the operating room. My husband had to be brought in quickly and ahead of time while they simultaneously gave me a little something something to calm me down. Evidently, it conked me right out cause the next thing I remember was, "Look over here, it's your baby," all I could do was mumble somewhat incoherently, "Oh that was so fast!" They must have been like, "Yep that one's loopy!" This is an example of ummm...how do you say it, maybe how high strung I can be!

8. I really, really, really wanted a little girl and even though I said the normal politically correct things like, "All I want is a healthy baby," I'd have been really, really, really upset if ER had been a boy. Oh sure I'd have gotten over it and loved him just as much but we're being honest here!

9. I'm adopted from South Korea; my younger brother is also adopted. This next part is what always surprises people, I don't have a burning desire to visit my "homeland" nor do I have an overwhelming urge to find out about my birth parents. Sure I'm curious, and if that information came to me I'd take it, but I feel like I know about my HOMEland. It's called the United States of America, and I KNOW my parents. They were over my house yesterday along with my brother, and for the record I REALLY want to travel to England.

10. Even though I have no idea of how to house train or take care of it and I definitely don't want to walk it everyday in the freezing cold, I want a puppy! A little fluffy Pomeranian...my mom thinks I'm nuts! The sensible part of me knows we have to wait until the kiddo is older and the husband says NO, I secretly want one all the same. Wonder how the two kitties we have would feel...

Passing The Bloggy Love On: Now for the seven blogs I'm to pass this along to, this is the best part for me, getting to recognize the great blogs I read. It was hard to pick just seven because I enjoy so many, head on over to to see them and tell them I sent you :)

1. My friend Vickie of Vickie's Scrapbooking and Tidbits, is so popular she gets a ton of these, I think this one might actually be one she doesn't have yet! Yea! She gave me my first blog award and I was sooo thrilled, I've been wanting to give her one back and this is my first chance.

2. Tori, at The Breathings of My Heart, is a super sweet girl; reading her blog brings me back to my early college days and young love. She's an amazing writer and writes from the heart.

3. Jessica at Kid's Napping? I'm Scrapping! has the prettiest vintage inspired art work. I love the details she puts into everything, check out her paperbag books!

4. Jeanne at Jeanie's Happy World has lots of reason's to celebrate right now, she just found out she and her daughter got scholarships to go to college, yea to them! She's also just as funny as can be and is the very definition of honest!

5. K E Household, is full of fun toddler antics and easy crafts; it's fun for me to see toddlers around the world (0r at least North America - they're in Canada) be very similar and yet so different!

6. Mrs. D. Lightful has a great recipe blog, I'm so going to make chocolate covered heart shaped brownies for Valentine's and the homemade Oreo's sound yummy too. She also has mommy blog with good crafting ideas like the Love Birds Paper Craft, and the one on how to make your own baby headbands, wish I'd known how to do that when ER was younger.

7. Julie at Journey to Family I immediately liked because she lives in a purple house, then I found out she's an adoptive parent and of course I liked her even more. Then to top if off she has an awesome attitude toward open adoptions and keeping ties to her daughter's native country and family.

FREE Graphics Coming Up!!! And while there isn't a prize per say for this award, I decided to share my favorite links for free graphics on the Internet. The second and third resources I found when I was looking for fun ways to decorate the weekly newsletter I sent home with my students as a kindergarten teacher. I also used the stationary in writing centers, the kids loved seeing new seasonal choices and such a little thing made practicing writing fun again, and who doesn't love having a matching envelope to put their letter in afterward. At my last position, when I was a special education teacher even cutting out the envelope was a lesson, working on fine motor skills. Unfortunately, I had to use black and white copies most of the time to save on ink costs but they still loved them. Once in a while I'd print them out in color or on colored copy paper and they loved finding this surprise in their work box.

Lettering Delights is having a promotion for 10 free alphabets and free Valentine candy bar wrappers. I don't know how long this is going for so if you want them head on over soon! From time to time they have free graphics and other free alphabet/font promotions.

Cute Colors has sweet graphics for sale, and also has a free section with clip art sets, lists, journling cards, and greeting cards you can print out in color or in black & white so your kids can color them in. The coffee bears are my favorite, the housework bears make it look not so bad, and I love the variety of children that she provides in sets like Winter Kids so that most of my students could be represented at some time or another on the newsletter.

Graphic Garden and Art 4 Crafts are both by Helena and are two more great sites. She has graphics for purchase, free websets, and printables such as stationary with and without lines, envelopes that coordinate with some of her free stationary, calendars, scrapbook tags, school awards - these are great for a teacher on a budget, print them out on white cardstock and save yourself a bundle, bookmarks - again great as prizes for reading goals, recipe cards so your recipe collection looks as good as the yummy food you make, and patterns for crafting or as coloring pages. There are even cross stitch charts and you can send a fun digital postcard too. A lot of these have seasonal options; on Art 4 Crafts she has ideas on how to use her graphics under Projects for You and Photo Gallery.

Kindred Spirits

I can't believe it, I got my second blog award today. I am so touched and honored. Vickie over at Vickie's Scrapbooking and Tidbits gave it to me. The longer I know her the more we find out that we have in common. We both live in Michigan, and she currently lives in the town I grew up in. So I can talk about stuff like Mile Roads and she knows what I'm talking about! She is married to an accountant so he's also a math guy just like Brad is. Brad's a chemist but double majored in mathematics too, he actually likes math better than science. Math runs in his family as his mother is a retired middle school math teacher. I'm a complete dunce when it comes to numbers and figures so let's home ER takes after him. We're both SAHM's, Vickie has three girls; I've always said I want to have three girls. We've got one down, and we'll have to see about the other two. For now, I can live vicariously through her. We both like purple, scapbooking, and reading history, especially about European royalty. I think it's safe to say we've also got a love of blogging in common too. I am so glad I clicked on someones Blog Around the World button on a whim, where I found her under the listings for Michigan. Speaking of which, I am now passing this award on to Joy at Joy to the Blog, who I also "met" at BATW. She's another Michigan blogger and she lives right by me! We both love glittery things and thrifting; she's introduced me to some great stores in our area. I can't believe how much fun I am having in such a short time and all the great ladies I've met! I wanted to start a blog for a long time before I did and I am so glad I jumped on the bandwagon.

Celebrating My First Month of Blogging with My First Award

What a fun surprise I had today, my new blogging friend Vickie gave me my very first award and it happens to also be exactly one month that I started Katie's Nesting Spot. I am so thrilled and honored!

Vickie and I "met" through Blog Around the World and what a small world it is, we're about one hour away from each other, and she currently lives in the same town I grew up in. We both like to read about royalty, especially British royalty and we are both scrapbookers. To top it off, I just found out reading the post in which she awarded me, that she likes purple, but does she like it enough to have a giant purple couch like we do, and she was also born in March! Thanks so much Vickie!

And now, as I've noticed is the case with a lot of these blogging awards there are some obligations that go along with this award so here it goes!

1. Say one thing nice to a man in your life...
Brad you're such a good father, it's so sweet how you always go get our daughter when she cries out during the night; standing and rocking her until she's calm again.

2. Measure success in your life or blog with six or more ways...
That my husband loves me, our baby is happy, and our family is proud of us. That I am able to persevere through the tough times and upheaval. That I am and have good friends who are supportive and who I can be myself with!

Now on to the most fun part...hmmm since Vickie gave this to me I can't very well give it back to her so...the five blogs I give this award to are:

Brad at Sons of Twilight, my loving husband and the smartest person I know - hey he married me didn't he! He's a hard worker, very supportive, and understanding about my compulsion to craft all day and night. His blog is about role play gaming and something most of my readers would have no idea about...but it keeps him out of trouble and he really likes it! Plus he's my tireless technical support for this blog and all thing computer.

The next two I stumbled upon really soon after beginning my blog and have been avidly reading them ever since...

Miss Muffin at Muffins and More, her cute felt advent calendar first caught my eye; wow can she sew, her Halloween ideas were so cute, and then she introduced me to a fun clip art blog and has fun ideas to do with kids...there's always something fun to read or look at on her blog!

Holly at Magnolias and Sunshine, because her blog keeps me laughing and she is still full of sunshine even though she had to live through hurricane Gustav. She has great home decor ideas, can't believe she did this herself! And take it from me as a former teacher, she's the cool student's mom in the class cause she seriously made like a million little treat toppers, plus this girl is a serious sewing queen and even has her own business!

The last next two winners will probably be surprised to hear from me, cause we're not exactly blogging friends and I don't think I've even commented on their blogs before, but I've been reading them for ages and they are both part of the reason I wanted my very own blog too. I guess it just blogging shyness, cause I feel like I'm a fan waiting by their tour bus clutching my piece of paper for their autograph, LOL!

Jessica at Juicy Bits, because forget my two year old...I want one of her super cool birthday crowns, and birthdays must be her thing because she has the best ideas; those plush monsters in their own tin have got to best the best favor ever and how about the themed food and games and I could go on and on...and Brad swears we're going to finish our basement, forget HGTV after seeing this, I want her to come design for us!

Kathleen at Kathy's Cottage, because when I look at her blog I feel like I'm on vacation in some light and airy place filled with the cute girly stuff and bric-a-brac my husband cringes over, and because she finds all the pretty things online for me! I want to live in her photographs.

It was hard to narrow it down to just five, but a lot of fun to share some of my favorite bloggers with everyone and if you were one of my award winners you're welcome to take the award with you to your blog and give out your own awards too! Thanks to all the talented ladies, and my husband, who make blogland a better and funner place!