Camping or BUST!

I'm busy gearing up for a fun weekend of camping. The park we're camping at is only 20-30 minutes away. But it'll be great for a first family camping trip. Bummer of all bummers---all my relatives from California & western Washington have cancelled! The heat has scared them all away. (Wimps.) haha! (It's supposed to be 107 degrees tomorrow!)

So, instead of being out there all alone in camp city, my super duper friend Tia & her family are going camping with us!! And, guess who decided to put on his campy pants & join in on the fun? Mr. WhiMSy love!! (It's a miracle!!) I'm SOOOO excited!

I expect lots of zany antics, silliness & laughter. Oh & oodles of s'mores-n-campfire fun! Yahoo! I can't wait!!

♥

P.S. I'll be back Monday!

P.P.S The "FREE JULY SHIPPING" offer at WhiMSy love is extended through August 2nd!

P.P.P.S. And yes, I did make that banner. I shoulda been packing & planning & checking things off my to-do list. But...

Happy Birthday Tia!

Late Tuesday night, Mr. WhiMSy love & I snatched the girls out of bed & plopped 'em in the minivan to go on a secret mission. Our destination: only about 10 blocks away. We blitzed Tia's car with messages of birthday-ness & left a big bouquet of balloons by her front door so when she woke the next morning she'd start her day with some happy. I think the girls thought we were nuts. They were so sleepy & confused in the backseat. (Girls, seriously, you should be used to mommy & daddy's quirky ideas by now. For reals.)

If I could've spread as much birthday cheer as possible I would 've had a dumptruck drop a load of confetti in Tia's driveway or better yet, (& right up Tia's alley): had Merry Maids jump out of a cake.

Tia & I are an odd couple. We are opposites in many ways. She loves ironing & cleaning. That's about as opposite as it gets. But our combined personalities keep things interesting.

I have never had a friend like Tia, who I can just laugh & laugh with at the most random things. Sometimes there will be a room full of people just staring at us with blank faces while we turn red, hardly able to breath from laughing so hard. And if you asked us what we were laughing about we probably wouldn't even be able to explain.

We can look our worst around each other too. No makeup required.

I am pretty sure she knows more secrets about me than any other person besides my hubby. She is the most giving person. She really does sacrifice her time & energy for her family & friends. And, she puts up with me.

Tia & I have only known each other for about 5 1/2 years. But it feels like she has been my sister forever. She is my best friend.

We don't have to hang out with each other every day, or even talk on the phone all the time to know that we are....constant. (Although, our emails often get out of control.) My favorite is when she comes over to my house, unannounced, & just sprawls out on my couch. (Sometimes she'll call ahead: while sitting in my driveway. haha!)

I never feel like I can find the right words or express well enough how very much I treasure her. But I'm pretty sure everyone needs a Tia.

♥

Photo Booth Photo Book

I've had this photo album for several years. I thought it would be fun to share since it was SO easy to make & it's a fun way to show off your tiny photo booth pics.

The pages of the book are unlined 3x5 cards which are sold in office supply stores or in the office supply sections of large retail stores. Cut 2 matte board pieces (for the front & back) to the same size. Punch a hole in the corner of all the "pages" & matte board. Slip a hinged binder ring through the holes. Decorate your album & adhere pictures with double sided tape.

♥

Mystery Cards Tutorial

I found this idea in a book called Make Cards (c 1992) by Kim Solga.

The only supplies needed are: cards (or paper folded into a card shape), a black marker, a black crayon & whatever you choose to draw or create with: crayons/paints/colored markers.

Simply color, paint or draw a design using your medium of choice. Leave an area open in your design for the "secret" message or picture. Here my 5 year old drew a cat. Use a black marker to write your message/picture. Pazely's secret picture is a rat inside the cat's mouth.

Now, color over your secret picture/design with a black crayon, pressing hard to cover the area completely.

This is how Pazely's crazy-neon-cat-thingie turned out.

The recipient of your card will need to use a coin to rub away the crayon & reveal the secret hidden message/picture.

Here's more of my mystery card gallery...

I used watercolors to create a polka-dotted tea cup. The message reveals plans for a tea party!

A secret meeting. Shhh!
Here is a pink stove with a secret message baking inside!

"You're sweeter than a cupcake!"

You could even create riddles with hidden answers.

What did the banana do when it saw the ice cream?

(Answer: It split!)

What a fun idea this would make for party invitations! It will also be perfect for some fun school lunchbox ideas I'm trying to gather for the coming school year! Really, a mysterious & secret card is perfect for any day!

**I also wanted to mention that I always try to reference a project or activity shown on my blog to its original creator (or the source I received the idea from) if it is not my own creative idea.

♥

New Arrival!

There's a new kid in town! I've been anxiously awaiting the arrival of these vintage Grape Soda bottlecaps for some new Bottle Cap Badges! They'll be made & ready & in the shop tomorrow!

{Inspired by the Disney movie 'UP'.}

UPDATE: They're in the shop now!

♥

Week in Review

I didn't take many photos this week. I've been busy cleaning my art studio, which, in fact, is almost, almost done! YAHOO! In case you didn't know this: I HATE CLEANING. And something odd happened this week. My hubby JUST found out that I don't like to clean. WHAT?? I thought he already knew my detest for household chores. Don't I make it quite obvious? Don't I whine loud enough? This is such a typical man thing: I had to say the exact phrase "I hate cleaning." for him to understand that I hate cleaning. And you know what he did when he heard me say it? He made the sweetest gesture (which I think will change my life forever): He gifted me with a cleaning crew. And they all happen to live right under my roof. Every Saturday all 4 of us will work as a team to clean! clean! clean! before we begin the day's fun. Our first job as newly banded cleaning crew was this Saturday. My life just got a lot easier. I am so grateful for the help!

Why am I a messy person? I used to be such a clean freak when I was younger. I seriously couldn't go to sleep as a kid until everything in my room was in its place. Well, the cleaning obsession may have gotten lost during the marrying-&-having-babies stages of my life, but I still find some sense of pleasure in organizing. I'll pass any day on the vacuuming & dusting. But...Stacking magazines in pretty rows? Separating buttons by color into jars? Finding happy places for bits of ribbon & trim? Love it.

I even scaled down my massive list of over 2500 emails to a sweet little bundle of 25! (I think I have a hard time letting go.)

Oh, & along with all the cleaning, I watched lots-o-movies to distract me.

• Across the Universe. (Oh. My. Gosh. The music is amazing! The movie incorporates 33 original compositions written by members of The Beatles. I totally heart the track "Let it Be" & "I Want To Hold Your Hand". What a creative movie! Wowzers. The cameo by Joe Cocker made me smile BIG! My dad introduced me to Joe's music when I was 14 & I LOVE him! Did you know that lots of the music on my playlist comes from movies I watch? Yeppers.)


• Coraline. (Really liked it! So much eye candy!)


• The Neverending Story. (A favorite of mine as a kid. Who doesn't love a giant-cuddly-flying-dog-snake-thingie? Um, my kids don't. I was up in the wee morning hours comforting a tiny human who woke with bad dreams.)


• Dream a Little Dream. (Oh, those Coreys. Movies that scream "80's" just rock in my book. But man! That high-school girl in the movie had, like, ginormous boobies. I can't even relate. I was, like, flapjack flatty in highschool.)


• LOST Season 4/Disc 1 (Don't tell me what happens! I'm so far behind. No cable & all, you know. I gotta catch up. But EEEEK! I love that show. Every episode is uber entertaining.)

Gosh, I'm long-winded. Could this post get any longer?

Nope.

♥

A Camping We Will Go!

I'm soooo excited because next weekend I'll be surrounded by oodles of family for CAMPING FUN!! The girls have never been camping before-- thanks to Mr. WhiMSy love's dislike of any sort of outdoor or nature experience. {Boo. Hiss.} So I will be a brave single parent that weekend & try my hardest to give them the WHOLE experience. I secretly hope the hubby will be lured in by all the CAMPY goodness & decide to pitch a happy tent after all. I want to create lovely memories for our girls. Because, it's all about the memories, ya know? I can't wait! Wheeeeee!

I'd love to hear any CAMPING tips, tricks or secrets you have. Anything from packing for the trip to your favorite s'mores recipe... & everything in-between!

♥

Customer Appreciation Photos

I created a new set of photos in my Flickr account specifically dedicated to WhiMSy love customers who've sent me pictures AND to blog fans who've created projects as a result of tutorials I've shown on my blog. I'll also gladly feature a picture revealing your love & affection for all things WhiMSy love. So, if you have any photos lying around & you'd like to send 'em my way, please do!!

The set of "Customer & Blogger Appreciation Photos" can be found by clicking HERE.

♥

The most recent photos I received feature my fork easels used to hold placecards at a customer's wedding. (Photo by Chris Ware Weddings Photography.) My customer, Jessica {who was also the bride!}, handpainted each personalized guest placecard! FYI: She'll be opening an Etsy shop soon.

♥

Thanks to all my fans! You rock my crafty world!

For reals.

Pregnancy Q & A

Q: Should I have a baby after 35?
A: No, 35 children is enough.

Q : I'm two months pregnant now. When will my baby move?
A: With any luck, right after he finishes college.

Q : What is the most reliable method to determine a baby's sex?
A: Childbirth.

Q: My wife is five months pregnant and so moody that sometimes she's borderline irrational.
A: So what's your question?

Q : My childbirth instructor says it's not pain I'll feel during labor, but pressure. Is she right?
A: Yes, in the same way that a tornado might be called an air current.

Q: When is the best time to get an epidural?
A: Right after you find out you're pregnant.

Q : Is there any reason I have to be in the delivery room while my wife is in labor?
A: Not unless the word 'alimony' means anything to you.

Q: Is there anything I should avoid while recovering from childbirth?
A: Yes, pregnancy.

Q : Do I have to have a baby shower?
A: Not if you change the baby's diaper very quickly.

Q : Our baby was born last week. When will my wife begin to feel and act normal again?
A: When the kids are in college.

Blind Drawing

I love me some super quick fun easy activities---& this is one of them! All you need is some paper & something to draw with.

First, think of something to draw. Then, close your eyes & draw it!

Now, open your eyes & laugh!!

This activity is almost more fun for those watching you draw. It's funny to see the silly drawings come about in their wacky ways.

My 6 year old drew this pair of scissors. She totally added that little black bit in the center AFTER she opened her eyes. (CHEATER!!)

Here, Pazely concentrates so hard to keep her eyes closed.

Can you guess what she was trying to draw?

A sun!

A bird with a worm by Zoey.

Zoey & I drew a cow. It looks like she even put a bucket under the cow for the milkin'. haha!

I forgot my udders.

I've also done this project at parties, but you put a paper plate on your head (more sturdy) & draw. That way you know there are no cheaters. Plus it looks funny & everyone can get a good laugh.

Another variation of this activity is something I did in a basic drawing class I once took: You can open your eyes, but you have to look only at the object you're drawing (NOT at your paper!) & you can't pick your pencil off the paper.

This activity is one that can take just a few minutes, or you can really stretch it out for an hour or two!

♥

Aprons, Aprons, Everywhere!

Ok, well, maybe not EVERYwhere. But they're definitely on my brain.

After the girls & I visited our brand-spanking-new remodeled & big-city-lookin' library yesterday, I drooled over an apron book I brought home. I'm already picking out fabric & trim to stitch up my very first WhiMSy love handmade apron!

Speaking of aprons...Last night I finally sat down to make one of the many little project ideas I have rattling around in my crafty noggin. It's so fun when I actually have the time to work on something new.

The apron I worked on last night was a little one for sure: A wee owlie apron! It's only a prototype. And I realized... it's not gonna work. It's too big. And if I make it any smaller, it'll look too wide & squatty, like the sweet owlies themselves. I envisioned a new owlie with an apron. The Summer Owlie is just trying it on for size below. And I love-it-so because it's made from vintage fabric & vintage rik-rak. I'm not giving up on the owlie/apron combo. Maybe I need to whip up some bigger plushie owlies, hm? With aprons?

So, I'm back to the apron drawing board. It looks like Barbie snatched this one anyway. Why does everything look cuter on Barbie? I hate her.

Then again, is there a market for cute vintage Barbie aprons?

♥

P.S. Do you usually hear happy music when you arrive to my blog? I adjusted the music playlist so it won't automatically play. You'll have to manually click the "PLAY" button to hear tunes. I was getting too many {anonymous} complaints about my "annoying" music.

Jumping for TTV Joy!!

Aaaaaand.....we have lift-off!

After reading a subtle challenge from ms. april kennedy, I decided to see how difficult a jumpy shot would be, TTV-style.

♥

Week in Review

My summer continues to be happy & lovely!

Did you see a few of my TTV photos I snuck into the Week-in-Review? Getting my vintage Kodak Duaflex II camera was definitely a highlight of the week!

This week I'm continuing to clean & organize my art studio. It's a s l o w process, but I'm doing it that way on purpose. I really want an organized space that works for me--instead of haphazardly tossing things in places they don't belong (only because they never really had a "place" to begin with.) I'm coming up with several super inexpensive (mostly free!) ways to organize & I'll be putting together a post about it in the future.

Happy Monday!

Hope your SUMMER is swell!

*Click on the picture mosaic for a photo play-by-play.

P.S. Did you know you can add your week in review mosaics to the week in review flickr group? Come join & play!

♥

I'm in TTV Heaven!!

Look what came yesterday! My Kodak Duaflex II!!! When the package arrived, the hours of light left in the day were few, so I grabbed my new toy & snapped away! Here's a few pics for you to peek at...

The girls got lolli-pops from daddy:

My first TTV self portrait:

Sidewalk chalk:

Pots & Flowers on my porch:

I'm so in love. And addicted.

♥

Paper Whistle Tutorial

I'm having the greatest time getting inspired & looking through my collection (& some borrowed from the library) of vintage kiddie crafty books. I need to keep my tank-of-summer-fun-ideas from gettin' too low or the girls will surely turn into monsters!

This paper whistle is a super duper quick project!

We traced the pattern from the book, but then I ended up creating my own pattern--a little larger, which worked MUCH better.

And, after much searching & frustrated tinkering around the internet, I kinda figured out how to create a little link for you to view my template, so you can print out your own paper whistle! I don't have the process of linking & PDF's & patterns & templates perfected, but it's better than nothing:

http://sites.google.com/site/whimsylove/paper-whistle-pdf

{And I'd so graciously like to thank Liz of Made in Lowell for steering me in the proper direction & some more sweet shout outs to Lydia @ Understand Blue, Jennifer @ Hope Studios & Irene @ Library Nation for trying to help this computer dummy.}

After you print out your template, you cut it out & fold along the dotted lines.

Although the whistle looks super cute made out of this lovely polka dotty paper, we found out that the cardstock was just too thick. Computer paper or copy paper works best. Even notebook paper would do well.

Cut out the notch at the bottom.

Spiff it up with some creative bits & you're good to go!

Place between your fingers & blow. {Refer to top photo for proper finger placement.}My girls & I also found it works if you hold the paper vertically to your mouth as well. The sound is more like a squeak or honk than a whistle, but it's fun all the same! It reminds me of the little trick I did as a kid of holding the blade of grass between my thumbs while blowing.

♥