Preschool Fun - The Letter A

I love going to the Dollar Tree for craft supplies. The one near me is a little ghetto, but that's ok :)

We got some great stuff for crafts this past week

 This paper is way thicker than the Crayola pads I've been buying and done great with paints

 Adorable stickers!

 Totally cheesy paints

 There were more fruit shapes in the package, Lenny loves these.

These huge stamps with a handle are perfect for toddlers...I think they are intended for teachers...but whatever.

We did some work on the letter A this week and covered our letter A's with apples

 

I try to incorporate their snack or lunch into our little "lesson". The obvious choice for snack was apple slices and "A"nts on a log.

 We had such lovely weather here in Florida last week. We couldn't resist being outside, so we brought our lunch outside :)

Hope your week is off to a good start! 

New Logo

Before I talk about our preschool fun this week, I wanted to take a moment to "unveil" the new logo for my Etsy Store, Isaboo Designs. This is what you will see on my Etsy page

 

This is the "official" logo.

 

I'm really kinda stoked :) I am hard at work on new things for the store, some accessories for grownups and kids and my coupon/grocery store clutch has the kinks worked out so that will be in the store soon as well. 

I am on Twitter (click on the upper left to follow me) and you can "like" Isaboo Designs on Facebook too!

Inspiration Workshop - Week 14 - Inspiring Books

The first thing that comes to mind when I think of inspiring books is Jane. Just Jane.

Source: google.com via Erin on Pinterest

JANE AUSTEN! (Come on, get with it peeps)

I fell in love with Jane Austen when a dear old British family friend gave me a copy of the movie Sense and Sensibility at age 13. I decided to read the book and I was HOOKED.

Source: google.com via Erin on Pinterest

I love time period, the clothing, the language, the houses, the MANNERS, the courtship...all so completely opposite to...everything! I spent the next few years reading all the usual Austen offerings as well as digging for more obscure works.

Source: google.com via Erin on Pinterest

I don't have a favorite...maybe the typical P&P...seriously, don't you want to frame this?

I then joined the Jane Austen Society in my early 20's. Yep, I was the youngest one, but I really enjoyed digging into the books, hearing different perspectives and being introduced to the world of Jane Austen spinoff novels...seriously some amazing, some horrid, but all a testament to the fact the JANE LIVES...through completely obsessed, young, middle-aged and "slightly older" women.

So let's pretend I'm not a total dork.

Opps...time's up for that one with my next inspiring book(s)

Source: google.com via Erin on Pinterest

Yes. If it begins with "Little House" I read it. Cover to cover. Till the cover came off. My Mom even did a whole homeschool series with us where we made butter like they did back then and stuff.

I enjoyed reading how they built their homes, made their own toys and clothing, how much more simple life was...Wonderful stories of a time that actually wasn't too long ago. I found the stories so inspiring and hope that my children will learn that life can be good and be SIMPLE.

Ok, let me slightly redeem myself with a truly amazing MODERN author.

Jodi Picoult.

Source: jodipicoult.com via Erin on Pinterest

I randomly found one of her books at the library a few years ago. I quickly plowed through nearly every one of her novels in less than 4 months. I think there are only a few of her novels I have not read.

Her books are absolute page-turners. She is an amazing storyteller and has the ability to confront seriously controversial issues in a way that make you really think...in a good way.

Source: jodipicoult.com via Erin on Pinterest

People are probably most familiar with "My Sister's Keeper" which was made into a movie, but seriously. READ THE BOOK. Reading her books makes you feel like you learned something and gained more insight into something you may have known nothing about before.

I don't read as much as I would like anymore (working on that), but I have always been a pretty avid reader and that is something I am proud of. Life can be so different if we take time to look at another perspective, or pursue more knowledge. We can never stop learning and books (I'm still partial to paper ones)make the sometimes difficult pills (cough cough, math and science, cough cough) easier to swallow.

Tis' the Season...Yes I'm Serious

I know it's 90 degrees where I live, but Fall is coming and it's time to start thinking about the awesome holidays that are coming up and what to deck your lovely halls with!

Why not some lovely bunting ;)


I am really excited to introduce my seasonal fabric choices in my Etsy store! I have several choices in the following themes: Halloween, Fall, and Christmas. I have lots of great designer fabric choices including Moda, Kate Spain, Robert Kaufman and Doodlebug Designs :)

Christmas

Fall

Halloween

 I really had fun choosing these and decided to do this for the holidays to make choosing fabrics a bit easier. You can choose just one fabric or up to 3 for each strand of bunting. Of course if you have something else in mind, I can do that too!


I also have custom sports team bunting available. SUPER fun for parties or just to show your team spirit. You can choose up to 3 colors/prints for these as well. I did this adorable one for my local Jacksonville Jaguars.

Anywho, to make things more fun :) My early bird holiday decor shoppers (and the sports obsessed) can take advantage of a special price on my large size seasonal custom bunting! Until November 1st all Sports Team and Seasonal bunting will be $15! These will have 10 pennants on them and are about 90 inches long. You can place your order HERE.


I look forward to making lots of fun and cheery bunting this holiday season!

Inspiration Workshop - Week 14 - Vintage

Vintage.

I was so stoked for this week's Inspiration Workshop that I went totally crazy looking up vintage things around my house and online...

My Pinterest followers are quite annoyed by now I'm sure!

I actually have a couple really great vintage clothing stores within walking distance of my house.

But I am really not that brave...must become more brave!

I love vintage things because it is so awesome to think of the stories behind each item, I could literally peruse antique stores for days...

These are my favorite vintage personal items

 This is a card actually. My husband's grandmother sent it for one of the kid's birthdays and I fell in love with it despite the kids messing it up with tape. I am praying she has a box of these somewhere because I plan to frame this. From the print I am guessing mid-60's.

 My Grandmother (who is now with Jesus), gave this to me several years ago because my stepdaughter didn't have a pillow for the trip back home and my Grandmother just would NOT have that! I have kept the pillowcase because I have so few things of her's. I do plan to make an actual pillowcase dress from this. I am hoping my daughter get's to wear it for a VERY long time.

My Mother-in Law sent me this book that she found and I have had so much fun perusing it and trying to figure out some of the great techniques in it. I KNOW this will come in handy for wintertime, because I am clueless for anything with sleeves! Copyright is 1938. Sweet!

Ok, we cannot talk vintage without mentioning MAD MEN. Seriously, it's a vintage lover's dream on the small screen :) Everyone is so beautiful, amazingly coiffed and I LOVE it.

Source: google.com via Erin on Pinterest

What could one do with so much totally groovy wallpaper!

Source: style-files.com via Erin on Pinterest

This is totally vintage I can do!

Source: modcloth.com via Erin on Pinterest

Nothing says "mod vintage" like a green leaf and daisy cream and sugar set. 

Source: modcloth.com via Erin on Pinterest

I hope you have enjoyed the vintage love and find some amazing things at Grandma's or a special shop. I think it's the history that makes these things special, so remember to ask!

Now I am off to muster some bravery for a great vintage dress ;)

Keeping up with the Everyday and Etsy Store News

The college semester started for me this week so it's been a scramble to get ahead on some projects and experimenting with new ideas so here is what I have been up to aside from being an insane person trying to do everything (AHHH!). I really have no idea how school, mommy stuff, blog stuff, shop stuff is going to work...but here we go! I am determined to be organized and so far, so good :)

 My big custom order is coming along and it's actually going quite smoothly. Here is a peek at some of the fun fabrics I am using for this order. SUPER fun!

 I am really wanting to get some market totes in my Etsy because I am so passionate about buying local and this is a great way to help others get on board (a cute tote can change the world!). This bag was a no go, but it was fun to make and is making a great library tote :)Of course about 3 minutes into using this tote bag I managed to spill coffee on it....

  When I got the wild hair to hand embroider the bunting strand on my bag, I got a little crazy and made this little thing. It's embroidered on burlap and adhered to cardstock, I think it will be cute to frame :)

The next one was a biggie...our bathroom. Which has been completed for several months now, but not painted. We had a showing last week and I was determined to get it painted. Three hours of painting later (thank Jesus for naptime)...I'm kinda loving it :)

Now we just need a hefty amount of decor happiness and finally, ONE room completely renovated in our house. Everything else is at like 85% so this is a big deal.

I've been tossing some ideas around for my Etsy store and am going to be adding some new items in the next few weeks so be sure to add my store to your favorites.


I will be adding some fun boys bow-ties, flower headbands, embellished totes, and bunting fabric options for the upcoming holidays. I will be posting updates on new items here on my blog, so make sure you are following :)

DIY Memory Game - Tutorial

All of the work I've been doing putting educational things for my son and daughter to do gave me a little idea.

I had the idea to make my own little memory game for Leonard (since according to the boxes at the store, he is old enough). This actually turned out to be a lot of fun and I am looking forward to having Leonard try it out.

This is super easy and probably requires no explanation, but here goes. BTW - this is for a set of 8 pairs, so 16 cards :) I made two sets.

 Materials:

Cardstock - you will need a patterned sheet for the back and a solid (preferably white) for the front

Stickers - not teeny tiny ones, look for a pack with good graphics

Glue gun (or adhesive product of choice)

Corner rounder - optional, but it will make your cards last longer

Paper cutter

 

If you are using a corner rounder, go ahead and round them corners :)

 

 Put your cards together and voila!

  

 Now where to store my little cards????

 Just make your own cutesy little boxes using this EXCELLENT tute!

 Let's play!