Love Finding Deals!

I went to Michaels today in Corvallis.  I never really used to shop there until somewhat recently when I found their hidden clearance section.  I love going every time I'm in town because they always (for some reason) have better prices than all of the Portland/Beaverton/Hillsboro Michaels I've been to.  Anyways, Look at what I found today!

Normally $24.99, I got 3 packs of these (50 favor pillows in brown and ivory) for $9.99 each. 

I have been thinking about what to do for favors (or whether to do them at all), but this is an easy and cheap fix.  $30 for the pillow boxes, plus the cost of candy, and I'll easily be at less than $1.00 for favors/person.  I had originally planned on doing something DIY, but with school being as crazy as it is, and having a ton of other DIY projects, I'm not sure how doable DIY favors would be.  Besides--everyone loves candy, right?

Sizzix Outlet

Maybe I'm a little late in finding this website...or using it, but either way, I'm going to share it with you now.

SIZZIX HAS AN OUTLET STORE ONLINE!

(click on the link above to access it)

I was told to sign up for their newsletter, because apparently they will send out emails with specials and new products...I'll confirm this when I get my first email:)

They have some great products there for those of you who haven't tried a lot of them (like me).  I'm thinking about getting some of the texturz texture plates (only $3.99!!!)

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This embossing folder set ($4.39):

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And maybe a few of the smaller embossing folders ($0.29 each):

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They have tons of stuff...and for the price, it's easy to try out some of their different products!

One thing to keep in mind:  The texturz texture plates require the use of the Sizzix silicone rubber (rubber mat) and their texture plate, but I've seen other people say that they actually prefer just using the rubber mat and one of the clear acrylic cutting plates on top.  The rubber mats are $5.99 on the Sizzix website, but I'm sure you could try using something laying around the house of similar dimensions.  Here is something I found on ebay.  

Anyways, I hope this was helpful.  Please tell me what you're planning on purchasing, and how you're going to use it!

A Couple of New Songs on my Workout Playlist

I can't say I'm a huge fan of a lot of the newer artists nowadays, but I will admit that some of the songs they're making make for some good workout music.  Especially when you look at the music videos--those skinny bitches sure do make us regular girls look bad;)  Here are a few of the songs I just added:

• Blow (Cirkut Remix)--Ke$ha  *THIS IS AN AWESOME REMIX--I would venture to say better than the song.*
• Born This Way--Lady Gaga
• S&M--Rihanna  *I really dont like this song much, but it's got a good beat:)*

Going along with the funeral theme...

Makes me think of this Nick Swardson clip...

Jokes.com
Nick Swardson - Funeral
comedians.comedycentral.com
Nick Swardson Stand-Up Nick Swardson's Pretend Time Buy tickets to the New York Comedy Festival

Hope you all were able to enjoy your weekend, and even spend some time with family:)

Reflection on a Funeral

Depressing, I know, but I attended a funeral this morning/afternoon, and started thinking about the things I would hope people would remember about me, and the experience I would want people to have at my funeral.  I also happen to think this is kind of a good topic for Good Friday, considering the actual reason people celebrate Good Friday/Easter does not have to do with eggs and bunnies hiding eggs filled with candy and money (I had some cool uncles growing up).

First, what I hope people remember about me:  I hope that it can be said that I was a giver of gifts.  Physical and emotional, that I was a good wife and mom, and that I did my best to contribute to society.  Outside of those few things (the most important ones I could think of today), I would just hope that the rest would be truthful--no pseudo strangers retelling stories they heard second-hand.

The experience:  I'm not religious, so no churches or hard pews to sit in.  I hope that if they're usable, that my  organs will be donated, and that the rest of me is cremated and put into a crappy coffee can.  My friends and family can gather in the middle of a clearing in the woods, bring blankets, a keg, and good stories to share.  No singing--I have nothing against religion or the hymns being sung, but it's not for me, and not what I want at my funeral.  I want people to celebrate my life by sitting down with a good beer [or wine], and just spending 30 minutes sharing stories and thinking of me.  That's all.  I wont need a 2 hour ceremony--heck. I wont even need 30 minutes...I wont be there.  It IS pretty cool to think that people could come up with enough things to say about me that it might even last 30 minutes, though.  In the spirit of earth day, I think I just want to go back to the earth.

Anyways, I hope you all had a wonderful Friday!

Big Kick

I bought a Sizzix Big Kick after doing some research on a good multipurpose tool.  I wanted something that I could use several brands of dies and embossing folders in, and also have the capability to possibly letterpress or make my own embossing folders in.  The great thing about the Big Kick (or the Big Shot--they're the same thing) is that it's got a multipurpose "platform".  What does that mean?  Well, the platform is the wedge of plastic that sits on the bottom of your project, giving it enough thickness to make sure the machine is putting the right amount of pressure on whatever you're doing (cutting, embossing, etc).  Since the machine is not adjustable, this is the only way to make sure that you're putting the right amount of pressure on each project as it's being rolled through the machine.  The multipurpose platform basically has several thicknesses of plastic on a hinge, connecting it to the main large piece of platform.  Hard to explain, but there are tons of videos online about it.

Anyways, I was excited to try it out--I got an awesome deal on it, along with some Cuttlebug embossing folders...

I love that I can get whatever brand of embossing folders/dies I want and they all work on the Big Shot:)

I thought this owl was pretty cute!

what the folder looks like when it's open

stick the paper (card in this case) inside the folder

roll...

roll...

ta-da!

it's hard to tell just how raised the image is, but it looks and feels really great.

another embossing folder.  I love that these are the perfect size for cards, and you can also use them for scraps of paper if you want to attach it as an embellishment.

Cant wait to play with this some more!

Cake Topper Love

I've been swooning over these cake toppers from Etsy seller bthanari.  Aren't they PERFECT?!

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Cute Cork Coasters

I found this item on Etsy today at CreativeCorksNMore's shop.  They're somewhat local, out of Eugene, OR, and I love that they use recycled items--it feels good knowing that these corks actually served a greater purpose (keeping wine from spilling/spoiling) before becoming something else!  This would be an awesome favor for a vineyard wedding.

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Monk's Blood

21st Amendment's Monk's Blood.  So good...been looking for this since our visit to see Brett in San Fran.  Thanks for the recommendation, Brett!

before polishing it off:)

More of our save the dates

Here's a couple more pics of the save the dates--with the stamped backs and rounded corners:)

Front

Back

Fish Tacos

Dinner tonight was delicious.  Can't go wrong with fish tacos!

Craig, frying the fish for our tacos

Beer batter!

Yogurt with jalapenos, dill, and other yummy crap.  

STD update

Yeah. I said it. STD.  Fortunately, I'm referring to my Save The Dates:)  I should have posted this a long time ago, but school happened.  Anyways, after a long night of printing them with Seyoung, we finished all of them, and they all looked AMAZING.  The backs weren't exactly as planned, but I think they're perfect anyways!  Here are some pics as we were printing...

I don't have the pictures of them with rounded corners, but I'll post the real thing when I finally take pics:)