Frankenmuth, MI

So I thought Frankenmuth was just a big Christmas store and a Famous Chicken Dinner.  Boy was I wrong!! It is the cutest Bavarian looking village in the middle of Michigan.  We didn't even get to the Christmas store, as there were so many places to go in the one short day we were there.  We also happened to show up on a day that had live music outside, which added to the ambiance. The kids and I went with my mom and dad, and had a great time.

Fairy Gardens everywhere!

People are Still Scrapbooking!!

I had a conversation with a lovely woman in the middle of Michael's craft store.   She was buying a ton of scrapbook stickers, (as was I, the stickers being on sale and all...) and I asked where she scrapbooked.  She was wishing for a place to go.  The scrapbook stores have closed, and I haven't met a Creative Memories consultant in ages...I used to meet one per week back in the day.  But we both were yearning for that connection that comes from gluing paper and stickers and glitter and ribbon with our photos, whilst eating yummy snacks and engaging in good conversation.  I used to use scrapbooking as a way to meet people whenever I moved.  (If you read this blog regularly, I move a lot.)

Scrapbooking alone isn't as much fun as with people, and it almost becomes a chore.  I don't pull it out as often as I like, though I know that my family loves the end result when I am done.

However, just this week, I have been sent TWO emails, one from a friend, and one from a email list I am on.

http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2015/05/scrapbook-in-a-week.html
http://www.bigpictureclasses.com/galleries

People are scrapbooking again!  They, like me, do not care that scrapbooking is passe, and it so nice to be inspired by other's work.  It makes me want to pull out my stickers right this instant!  (I can't, however, as I am about to head up to Frankenmuth, Michigan for the day. Woo Hoo!)

Tomorrow, the big picture classes are also hosting a "Craft Party", which is just a webcast discussing everything craft.  I am IN.  I will be parking the kids in front of a movie at 1pm Eastern, for sure!

No matter what your hobby/passion/thing is, it is nice to get reinspired by others that share your love of the craft.

Soleil's Birthday Bash

"Mom! Mom. Mom. Mom.  For my birthday? 

I want a tea party with My Little Pony with lots of treats."

Running to Meijer at the last moment for a dress

Thank you, Pinterest!

Daddy's surprise

A side trip to Fabiano's Chocolate's with Catie

Nail Painting Station

The Party Girls

Le Bon Macaron's custom French Macarons & Bake and Cakes Birthday Cake

Rainbow Bracelet Making Station

The hostess

My helper for the day, Catie!!

Summer 2015 has started!!

I love summer!!
I am very happy to have my kiddos home, and we have a list of things we want to do.  I have mentioned before that I theme out my weeks.  The first week, however, is for just chilling.  In fact, yesterday was our official "Couch Potato Day".  I let them watch tv/play games most of the day.  (Full disclosure: They were fighting by 9:00a...)

We have limited screen time, and I believe in it for a variety of reasons.  But I also believe in "treats".

 Sidenote:  Have any of you read Sarah Silveman's Bedwetter Book?  She writes a whole section on "treats" and having something to look forward to, and how if you have them all the time, they are no longer treats.  I love her!

The kids didn't even complain when I had to go to the grocery store, since we had a very empty refrigerator.

Here are some of the other things we have been up to:

Soleil's Chocolate Making Kit

My official Taster

Inspired by: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3_dV-e4d9c

The ones we made for Uncle Mikey!

Geocaching at the MSU Children's Garden

MSU Dairy Store for Ice Cream.  A Summer requirement!

Use up Your Stationary

I have always loved any type of paper, stickers, envelopes, office supplies, etc etc.  As I posted before, I was immediately hooked on jazzing up my planner.  Now that that is done, what now?
Last week, I received a lovely hand written note from a dear friend, and I immediately dropped everything and started writing back to her.  Writing notes is fun.  Receiving them IN THE MAILBOX, is even more fun! (I had my next paper craft:)

I pulled out my stationary collection, and I have a ton.  Some of it, I am bored with, other stuff I have been saving for a special day.  I also have lots of new stickers, because they are my favorite purchase of life.  (I will jazz up some of my old stationary with stickers, washi tape, stamps, etc.)

I try to write a hand written letter once per week.  Guess what? Your friends will write back if you bug them long enough!

So, use up your stationary.  Send a note of love.  Send some extra stickers to someone.  It will be welcome by whomever you send it to!