Category Archives: everything else

aunts {and a Leyton Smiles giveaway winner}

I have so much fun finding out who wins these giveaways (I use a random number generator). Usually it is someone I have never met, but occasionally it is someone I know. This time it is my sweet friend Amanda Weber! Amanda was in the youth group that I volunteered with when I was in college. She and her sister were super tight with their other girl cousins. The relationships that they have as cousins is what I hope my daughter and niece have. I photographed Amanda’s wedding a few years ago and it was one of the greatest honors for me. While I was in college I watched her transition through high school and become such an incredible young woman. She and her cousins (and another friend) came over to my little dorm room, apartment and then house once a week during part of my college years – some great memories there.

Congratulations on becoming an aunt and on winning the Leyton Smiles blanket. Here is what Amanda wrote: “I grew up with aunts around all the time. We always did so much stuff together as an extended family! It is great having an aunt only 7 years older than me. She always took us to stuff our parents wouldn’t. I too just found out I am going to be an aunt… not sure if it will be a neice or nephew yet, but I look forward to it! I think your neice should call you “Aunt Corbie”, although with C around it might be kind of strange!

“Corbie” was the nickname the girls called me back then (a shortened version of my maiden name)

I really enjoyed all the comments you wrote about your aunts and the things you do as an aunt. You gave me some great ideas. I do already have 8 nieces & nephews on Chris’ side…this will be my first on my side. Reading all your stories made me want to share a bit about one of my aunts. My Aunt Sandy (or Grannie Sandy as my kids call her) was my only aunt to live nearby while I was growing up. Lesley (my sister) and I spent tons of time with crazy Aunt Sandy. Some of my earliest memories with her involved lots of cowboys. She was single and a big fan of George Strait. She’d pack Lesley and I up and take us to local rodeos. It was at those rodeos she taught us the phrase, “Wrangler Butts Drive Me Nuts”.

Sounds like something an aunt would teach! Well she found her a pair of Wranglers (actually it was more the shirt that was worn with the Wranglers) she liked and liked the guy in them even better…married my Uncle David (DaveMan as my kids call him). My Aunt Sandy is loud and wild and fun and colorful. She started a business a while back making custom motorcycle chaps – Hawg Hugger Leather. Her business took a break as she fiercely fought and BEAT cancer 3 times. She is a force to be reckoned with. You can’t tell too well, but in the picture below she had my sister draw her Hawg Hugger logo with a sharpie on her newly bald head. Fighting cancer with attitude…that is my aunt.

I’ve been searching through files to find some pictures of her on her boat with my kids…can’t find them. So I stole one off her facebook account (just fyi I don’t have a facebook account…I get on Chris’ if I need something…no I don’t plan on getting one soon). That is Big Brother in the background.

While on the mend from all that several battles with cancer entails, she took up quilting and embroidery. Each of my kids have beautiful quilts custom made for them. She got kicked out of her junior high Home Ec class for telling the teacher “my mom knows more than you do” in regards to sewing. Did I mention she is a bold…tell it like it is kind of girl. Love her!

My kids and some of their quilts….oh yes, there are more!

My Aunt Sandy is a great example to me of what a great aunt is. I love her deeply.

And just a random pic that makes me laugh.

I’ll be back tomorrow with Lego party overload. You know when you go to the beach you keep finding sand in all sorts of places.

Well after a 6 year old Lego party…I’m finding Legos in all sorts of places.

Happy Monday

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ashlee - those quilts are beautiful! i have a fiesty aunt as well…they are the best. Your aunt sounds like such an inspiration!!

Robyn Farmer - I love the quilts, oh how they will cherish them the older they get.

amanda torres - Your aunt looks just as beautiful bald as she does with hair. Not too many people can say that. I love her quilts, and that each kid has one. For each grandchild in the family, we make quilts. All the women are in charge of embroidering one square and initial it. My grandma pieces it all together, and you get it right after the baby is born. Our quilts are my most treasured possession.

Yanet - Beautiful quilts! Coming from someone so special makes them even more beautiful. Does she make any to sell?

Ruth - I feel inspired to embroider now. These quilts are beautiful. I love seeing how contemporary these arts can look when paired with unconventional colors and patterns!

Aunt Sandy - WOW……Bald is beautiful. Thanks so much for all the kind words and the wild pics of me and baldness. You always seem to touch my heart in so many ways, thanks. Can’t tell you how much you and your family mean to me (Grannie Sandy) and Uncle Dave (Daveman). We love you more than you will ever know.
Looking back, I would not have changed a thing, OK, maybe a couple. The time I spent with you and Lesley growing up were, and, always will be the best times of my life. I know I had a lot of fun teaching you two about cowboy shirts, wranglers, and good they looked atop a saddle. I couldn’t have picked better nieces to share that with. I will sign off with a saying on a magnet you guys gave me, it says it all:
“Children get spoiled because you can’t spank AUNTS”
Thanks, I loved it.

Cindy - What a fun Aunt Sandy you have!!! I can totally picture her teaching you the wrangler chant… priceless memories. Sandy is an inspiration for me in creating memories with my nieces and nephews!!!

Lesley - Yeah, I gotta agree, Aunt Sandy is pretty cool! Rodeos were awesome with her and I’m pretty sure she’s to thank for both of us loving good ol’ country music. I remember getting in trouble when I was younger and telling mom, “but Aunt Sandy would let me…” Mom replied, “then why don’t you go live with her!” I didn’t then but several years later, after college she, and Daveman let me live there for a few months while I was commuting to my job in Bartlesville. Thanks again for being a fun aunt, always having gum and always opening your hearts and home! You’re the best.

chantelle - lego party! can’t wait! I just came back from legoland in Florida-the lego exploded in my suitcase-real fun, yup, even pulled a piece from the washer!

Anna Joy - I love those quilts!!! Your Aunt Sandy is one amazing woman!

Rachel C - Aunt Sandy — you are one special, fabulous lady. You always make me laugh — but, reading this post made me cry. You have more spunk than anyone I know…..

thank you!

I won my first ever blog award….well you won my first ever blog award for me that is! Thank you to all 120 of you that took the time to go to the site, search for my listing and leave a comment to vote for me.  Chris randomly mentioned to me the other day that he visited The Lovelies site and read through the comments you left about why you like this blog…I think it surprised him in a really great way. Surprised me in a really great way too. So thank you! I have a blog award. Whoop! Whoop!

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Jill R - Congratulations! I’m so happy for you! But I knew you would win…..no surprise for me.

Trinity - I was hoping you would win…yay! You so deserve this!

Johanna - I can’t believe it’s your first award! Your blog is awesome!! Congrats!

Alba - congratulations!
I really like the changes on the blog, even this kind of pattern are not my thing.

Simies - Congratulations! Iam new here, but I love your blog!
My google reader just pick up your posts, so it´s maybe fixed!

Kirsten - Congratulations! I didn’t vote, but would have if I had known about it. Your blog is my fave in all of cyberspace. And, NEWS BULLETIN: Google Reader is picking up your blog!!!! W00t!

Jamin - Congrats! Imagine my surprise to suddenly find your posts in Google Reader this morning! It was killing my wife and I that we were missing out–we’d try to click & visit, but we just forget so easily when it doesn’t show up in the feed. (Tell your husband I said hey!)

Lindsay - CONGRATS!! I got online this morning and freaked out a little that I didn’t see your blog on my blog list! Normally it just sits at the bottom! I always knew where to go find your blog :) Yay for Google Reader working!

Alison R - Congratulations! Well deserved, no doubt!

Christy - Congrats! Yay! you showed up on my blog list today!!

Margie - Yay for you! Congrats!

Jen - YOU’RE ON MY GOOGLE READER!!! I’m so glad! I think that Google has finally recognized there vast error and found you!

I am so PLEASED! And you have a very pretty new background.

sarah - Hey, my Google ready picked up this post! Yay!

And congratulations!

Martina - Hey! Your blog miraculously re-appearred in my Google reader today! Yay!

Kara P - It’s about time!!!!

rachel denbow - Ashley! I’ve been blown away in the last few weeks with how your blog is looking and how great all of your posts are and now I’m so happy that you’ve won this award! Well deserved, Mama. You are a hard worker and have SO MUCH talent. And HOORAY for a birthday week!

Lesley - Congratulations!! A lovely award for a rockin’ blog.

Dick - Congratulations!! I’m sure it is the first of many awards.
You certainly deserve it.

Raechel - CONGRATS!!!

Jodi - You definitely deserve it!! Congrats!!!!

Jamie ~ Alabama - Congrats on the blog award and for the fun “new” look on your site. I really like it. I have been a lurker for a little while and I just wanted to let you know that it looks like Google Reader is now picking you up. Yeah!!

One more thing… I am a mom with 3 (very soon to be 4) little ones all 4 and under. I read recently where you talked about keeping to a schedule and how that really helps keep you day/week on track. Just wondering if you could share that with us? Thanks!

Robyn Lee - YAY!!! Congrats! You definitely deserve it!

Yanet - Congratulations! So glad I voted! BTW, I really like the new DIY tab. thank you.

Jolie - Hooray! I’m thrilled you won. Not surprised mind you – it’s very well deserved, but thrilled for you nonetheless!!!

a little blog update

Well as you can tell I’ve made a bit of progress on updating my blog. There are still a few things I am working on, but it feels good to get most of it off my “to do” list! I thought I’d point you around a bit to make it clear what and where everything is….

1. My new background by Katie Daisy. It is a bit bolder than my backgrounds in the past…I love it. I love the colors. I love the modern/vintage feel of it. I love that it is unique. I just love it. Katie Daisy is so incredibly talented. You might remember her from The Wheatfield poster giveaway a few weeks ago. I have her You are my sunshine poster in my kitchen. I was looking at her flickr account and came across this pattern she designed. She was so incredibly kind to let me use it as a background on my blog. If she could print it into wallpaper I’d probably cover a room in my house with it!

2. Post Categories: All my posts are categorized. You can search by category instead of reading all of them. There is also a search button…for specific searches.

3. DIY Projects: I created a page that just lists most of my DIY projects. There are still a few I haven’t gotten on there, but the major ones are listed. This will make it easier for you to find specific projects.

4. Info: Under the info tab you can find the following:

SnapShops: information regarding the workshops I teach for those wanting to learn more than automatic on their dslr

Online Goodness: Some buttons for some of my favorite sites (making my own button is still on my ‘to do’ list)

About Me: …a page about me…

Booking Me & Local Photographer: Why I am no longer taking clients…and a list of local photographers

5. Favorite Posts: Here you can find a listing of some of your favorite posts and mine. This is a great place to look if you are new to the blog.

6. My lovelies: Inspired by my friend Meg (her listing is down right now, but we all hope it will be up soon! I was totally wrong on that. Somehow I missed that it got moved to the left column of her blog. It is under the title “Happy Things”. You really need to check her’s out….it’s the best). This is just a spot for me to share some fun things that I don’t want to write a whole post about. You’ll want to look at this often, I’ll be adding stuff.

Buttons on the footer: I currently do not offer ad space on my blog. In the footer you will find buttons for non-profit organizations that I am a fan of.

I really like the sliding tabs on the left of the blog. I like keeping my blog simple and clean looking, so it is nice to just shut that tab when it is not in use. It is kind of like shutting my messy drawer full of pens, tape, stamps, and junk. I debated adding a permanent side column, but for now I think I’ll keep them hidden…you’ll just have to remember to check them! For those curious, I use a template from ProPhoto blogs. I customize my template. I highly recommend ProPhoto Blogs…especially for photographers. There are several other features that I currently am not using. If you are interested in a ProPhoto blog use the code: ASHCAM473 to get $10.00 off your purchase.

So what do you think? I’d love to hear your feedback!

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Christy - Love the redo! I adore the background

Crystal - Awesome job…love it!

Lauren Roberts - I think it looks amazing Ashley! You have come such a long way from where you started and I am SO proud of you! I love the background too. It’s so bright and welcoming :)

Kristi - I love all the new things!! I love the setup of your blog! I love the layout of it period. I would have one like this but dont really want to pay for it haha!

ashlee - its beautiful! i too would wallpaper a room in my house with this print!!!

Trinity - Good job…I like it a lot. I like how you put so much thought into where everything should go and how to make it easy to use. I love the my lovelies tab…I think that is a lot of fun!

Lesley - I’m lovin all the changes! Great background – totally you.

Kara - LOVE the background–I would totally have this in wallpaper at my house too! So fun!

Jodi - I love all the changes! I love the side bars but best of all the background is perfect! It just reads perfect for your style of blog! Congrats on the changes, makes me want to go and makeover mine!

lisa @ ellebows - I love, love, love the background! So beautiful and so Ashley Ann!!

Rachel - Everything looks amazing!!! So Lovely!

Ruth - Nice. I like! And I think the colors are very you…

Carla - it’s so beautiful! and i love that you don’t have gobs of links. simple is always the best and so classy. {and this is a reminder to clean my space up too!}

Shannon Phillips - It is so very you. I LOVE it!!!

Alison R - I absolutely love what you have done. I noticed the new background a couple of days ago and just had to sigh! So pretty! Great job!

Jolie - love the new look – gorgeous!

candace - Love it all, right down to the little post dividers. I can tell already I’ll be hooked to the lovelies tab. :)

Amanda - I really love your new background!

Lee - LOVE the redecorating :) Love even more? It came to my reader! I’ve missed your blog, without realizing it had gone missing. So glad to see you again. Have a wonderful week.

Robin - Yay! You’re back on my Google Reader feed!

Rachel - Oh I love it!! What a great makeover! :)

maegan - I love the new blog look! The background reminds me of my shower curtain!

Shey[B] camera strap {giveaway winner}

and the winner is…..

Debbie who wrote, “I’m dreaming of building my etsy business, fruitofmyhands, to a successful business so I can be a ,”stay at home grandma”

Your comments were so fun to read…a lot of dreams for spring and family. There were some really beautiful dreams listed there. There were 2 comments though that cracked me up….had to share them:

“I’m dreaming of….Celine Dion. Ha! I just saw her movie last night and can’t wipe the smile off my face. I don’t know whether to break into song and dance or cry because she’s so great. :)… oh! and seeing my family who’s coming to visit this weekend. But c’mon … it’s CELINE.”

“I’m dreaming of….Eating bags of cadbury eggs that won’t add to my exploding muffin top!”


Remember, you can use the code PHOTOG to get 10% off an order at Shey[B]

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candace - what a super-cute, fun yet sophisticated background-love.it.

robyn - is that the same lady from “you are my sunshine”…. LOVE her work, want her to come design things for me in my entire house!

Debbie - Thank you very much. I will contact Shey(B) for my prize. Deb

ruffles, ruffles, ruffles….and some you are really going to like!

UPDATE: The contest is now closed. The last counting comment is ae’s “sunshine.” Winner to be announced soon.

In less than a year’s time I have gone from not owning a sewing machine to sewing ruffles on everything. What happened to that girl that was shell shocked about having a girl in her house? She’s not here anymore! Just to refresh you, here are some of my ruffle projects over the last 8 months…click on the title to find a link to the original post:

Ruffled Amy Butler pillow for my daughter’s nursery

Ruffle Bottom onesies…man oh man did her little newborn bum look cute in these!

T-shirt fabric ruffled pillow. The easiest thing ever to make. (sorry no tutorial)

Ruffled Tea Towels

Well now that she is all over the place, she doesn’t really like anything on her legs – slows her down. Heaven forbid she crawl around in a plain ole’ diaper cover like her brothers did. Well they actually didn’t have diaper covers, but we can pretend. Again, no tutorial for this. I feel funny about doing sewing tutorials. I don’t know anything technical about sewing so I am afraid to post a tutorial knowing so many great seamstresses read this. Basically, I just cut strips of scrap fabric, folded over the edges, sewed them down and then layered the ruffles on some bloomers I already had.  I did the cutting one night and the sewing in about 20 minutes one morning. Super fast project.

This little thing crawling across the floor is just so much cuter than the diaper.

When I found out I was having a girl (after 3 boys) I talked to a lot of girls I knew that grew up with older brothers. Some had awesome experiences, others not so great. Among the things that stood out to me was that some older brothers gave their little sister a hard time for doing ‘girlie’ things….like painting fingernails, wearing pink, makeup, etc. It seemed very natural for a lot of my friends to be more ‘tomboy’ than ‘girlie girl’ because they loved their brothers and naturally just embraced that. I don’t care if my daughter grows up wearing converse or heels. I don’t care if she likes hot pink or orange. I don’t care if she sews, crafts or hunts. I want her to be who she is uniquely created to be. I do care, however, that her brothers never make fun of her if she does decide to be more of a girlie girl. For that reason, while she is young I am celebrating the girlie girl stuff in an effort to teach her brothers to celebrate her unique role as their little SISTER. So by bringing on the ruffles and letting her brothers see her crawl around in her cuteness hopefully they are learning that being a girl isn’t ‘gross’, but can be pretty cool and special.

I hope while she doesn’t have an opinion that her girlie hats, headbands and ruffles will help teach her brothers (and her) that the desire and ability to climb mountains, camp and make the biggest splash in the mud puddle have nothing to do with whether you have Spiderman or ruffles on your rear.

One place I have not attempted to add a ruffle is on my camera…well Shey[B] came to my rescue.  Ruffles on camera straps. CUTE, STYLISH, FUN RUFFLES ON CAMERA STRAPS. Can you believe these things!

She has tons more…not all have ruffles…some would work for you guys out there too. I can’t wait to get my strap in the mail, until then I want to celebrate RUFFLES! What is a celebration without a present? Today you can win a Shey[B] camera strap cover!

Visit her blog here and her store here

Contest Details:

Prize is one $30.00 gift certificate to the Shey[B] store

Contest ends Saturday, February 27, 2010 10pm central US time

Winner chosen at random

To enter: finish this sentence in the comment section “I’m dreaming of…….”

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For those of you that can’t wait to order one, Shey[B] is offering 10% to Under the Sycamore readers. Just type PHOTOG at the checkout!


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laura - sandy beaches in april…

Melissa - I am dreaming of a whole day to myself to just create.

Lisa - warm weather! :)

Erica - …warm summer days and playing outside with my kids!

Annie - holding my baby bean for the first time (due in 6 days!).

Shannon Phillips - the day that my husband finishes school and we have lots and lots of time TOGETHER!!

Kari - a warm place where it doesn’t snow, children are not sick and the Sun always shines! (can you tell I have cabin fever?)

Sally - I’m dreaming of nights in the distant future where my baby boy sleeps through the night!

keely - …the next date day with my husband.

allison - …this little baby inside of me being a girl!

Emily - I am dreaming of summer Fridays

Kristi - the day I can wear flipflops again!! Oh how I have missed them!

Kathy - I’m dreaming of another baby. :)

Colette Amey - I’m dreaming of going more than two weeks without someone in our house getting sick! Warmer weather come quick!!

Melissa - …a craft room full of Amy Butler fabric, lots of yarn, and scrapbooks as far as the eye can see!

Jennifer - I’m dreaming of sunshine and warmer weather! Enough of the cold and snow! :-)

Katie - joining up with a new church plant. Lots of exciting possibilities if that is where God is leading us.

Margie - my husband coming home today…after being gone all week and then stuck for 2 days extra due to snow. dream dream dream!

Tracy - Spring, green grass, sunshine, smell of rain, and flowers! Great giveaway…LOVE her camera straps!!

Jessica - vacation in San Fran in Sept.

kribss - s’mores, bonfires, pudgie pies, fishing, long walks, cool drinks, frisbee playing, sprinkler running, flip flop wearing, fresh mowed lawns, pretty flowers growing….*sigh *

Sarah - SPRING!!!! Flowers, sunshine, warm weather, and pedicures :)

Rebecca - …the feeling of my barefeet in dew drenched grass. Right now we have more than a foot (and no end in sight) of the white stuff. March isn’t even “in” yet and he is already roaring.

I love your ruffle butt bloomers~I think I have some of those in store for this “maybe girl” here…and if SHE is actually a HE, I’ll have a few good baby gifts (seems like EVERYONE is pregnant these days around here.)

Allison - …the day when we can give our boys the house and yard of our dreams so they have more space to run and play….and I can have my garden!!!!

Andrea Jett - spring photo shoots! being outside with my camera again…

Bobbi Jo - snow melting and tulips sprouting up!

robyn - im dreaming of all things spring… flowers, allergies, greenery, mud puddles, playgrounds, dirty clothes from days outside playing, windows open, walks outside… i could keep going! and i secretly dream of having a little girl to dress up in ruffles… boys are fun but ruffles would be really fun!

Amy - my littlest sleeping through the night!!

jennifer - sunshine!

heidi - pink blossems, dew on the grass (instead of frost), rolling down windows and opening my sunroof, concerts in the park, and long runs without a sweatshirt.

Candy Foster - a fun-filled camping trip w/ the family!

janie - a new ruffled shower curtain for my bathroom!

Deanna - My husband coming home from Iraq.

Jill R - I am dreaming of SPRING!

Brooke - I am dreaming of babies :) and the time when God will allow that in our lives.
I love the ruffled bottoms! I have always loved Shey B’s camera straps, but I want to try to do it on my own. Yea right..I doubt I can make anything quite as cute!!
I am not a great seamstress either…but I try too. It’s worth it to try!

Raechel - I’m dreaming of holding our own ruffle-wearing daughter in my arms very soon. (She’s due in 2 weeks and we have ruffles EVERYWHERE in anticipation of her arrival)

Love the ruffle bloomers, by the way. It’s encouraging to me to see you doing things for your girl now, once she’s here. I keep thinking it’s do or die right now – that if there’s anything I want to make for Hazel, I have to do it now, before she’s born. Good to see that I can relax and make her some ruffle bloomers in a few weeks or months. That squishy little bottom isn’t going anywhere for awhile! :)

Love all the cute things you do! Thanks for sharing!

Robyn Farmer - making fun ruffle cuteness for etsy.

Susan - sleep! My two year-old is going through a bad spell of waking up in the middle of the night.

ashlee - Im dreaming of the farmers markets….its almost time!! Little sisters ruffles are too cute!

Elizabeth - I’m dreaming of…..my five older brothers and how, being the youngest and the only girl, shaped my life in more ways than they can image…..they were such wonderful role models for me and shaped me to become the person that I am today!

Emily - I’m dreaming of the day that…I can shop on the girlie side of the store, the day that I can put ruffles, headbands, huge flowers, pinky lacey, frilly girlie girl things on a tiny baby girl of my own.

Christy - SPRING!! or warmer weather. I want to get outside! It’s snowing here as I speak.

Luv the Ruffles!! I’ve added them to everything myself my curtains in my kitchen and tank tops. My camera strap needs some ruffle love.

Awesome giveaway!

Rebecca - a nap and maybe a massage.

Karla - ….green grass!

Tess S. - of spring time. new flowers, big mud puddles, dogwood tree’s, tulips, green grass, sunshine, flip flops, and on and on and on. in a way i’m thankful for cold winters. it gives me a reason to be oh so thankful for all the great things that spring brings.

Cath - …my date with my bed tonight

Sarah D - …springtime turning into summertime, refreshing glasses of lemonade and iced tea, changes that are coming into my life, and whipping out my camera to capture it all with the knowledge I’m going to gain from attending a SnapShop!

Lori Danelle - . . .getting to quit my day job and pursue my personal creative ambitions.

That and getting my mid-remodel house finished. That would be pretty great too. :)

Emily - 5 oclock so I can start my weekend getaway to my brothers-in-law in New Haven!

Jessina - …graduation and summer and starting college next fall!

Abby - …spring! Days without snow! Playing outside!

Jennifer Campo - ….the summer & the lake!

~abi~ - …a white christmas. just kidding! :) i’m dreaming of my trip to vegas in a week for wppi!!! :)

Elise - …planting (and documenting w/photos!) my first veggie garden this spring :)

This is my first visit, love the blog so far!

Cassie - …floating in the ocean in a hot pink raft with jewelry-wearing monkeys & violinists…because those are the crazy dreams I have every night now that I’m prego! :)

Kristina - …warm weather and carefree days, ice cream sundaes and blowing bubbles, and being able to take a walk in the evenings!

robyn - I am dreaming of being thinner and trimmer before spring!

Meredith - I’m dreaming of Spring, sunshine and picnics!

Faith - ….date night with my hubby tonight!

Jenny - …my baby boy due in May!

Teresa J - I am dreaming of the day I get bring my baby home!

Kara - seeing the sun again. I really don’t even need it to be warm just to see it! :)

Lindsay Thomas - Celine Dion. Ha! I just saw her movie last night and can’t wipe the smile off my face. I don’t know whether to break into song and dance or cry because she’s so great. :)
… oh! and seeing my family who’s coming to visit this weekend. But c’mon … it’s CELINE.

Erika - No more snow and the warm sun!!

Christina S - …planning my nice WARM summer vacation with my family at the lake.

Crystal - …the first warm spring feeling day that I can open up my windows and let the breeze blow in!

tiphaniefaith - ….a white sandy beach, with lots and lots of sunshine. Bright sweet sunshine! And cool refreshing water. :)

Can you tell I’m tired of winter?

Rachel Ridd - im dreaming of warm weather and planting my garden

amber fischer - …finding a really fabulous chair that is both comfortable and stylish that would make a good desk chair. For very inexpensive. Yes, I’m definitely DREAMING. ( ;

Shannon - actually having a new house in the near future…another six months to go until ours is finished….

jody - I’m dreaming….of a day when my boys can ALL dress themselves & a day when we say GOODBYE to diapers!!!!!

Kelly - …green grass! I haven’t seen our grass since September 30th…boo.

Jill - …sunny days and warm weather so I can play outside with my kids!

Kristin - … the weekend!

Lesley - I love this post and I totally agree that ruffles and puddles and mud all go quite nicely together!

Ashley Dougherty - I’m dreaming of….my first baby due in July! :)

Lesley - oops, I got distracted and missed the whole dreaming thing, mine is dreaming of what it will be like to see my little baby for the very first time!!!

Jenna - A girl’s trip to St. John in less than two weeks that my mother-in-law surprised me with! Ahhhh…

Stephanie - …sun, sand, hammocks, and Red Stripes awaiting me in Jamaica for my Honeymoon!!

Morgan - …sunshine, sun dresses, sun tan!

Brandi - I’m dreaming of a vacation for my 30th birthday in a few weeks!

Mary - being settled, in my mind.

allison waken - Summer!

Jennifer F - I’m dreaming of summer and pedicure dates with my BFF’s!

LaurenS - warm weather please!

Katrina - I am dreaming of the end of this school term. Almost done, then I can relax and concentrate on the last of the unpacking in my new place.

Robyn Lee - the next place that God will lead my military husband and I. I’m praying it will be somewhere warmer than North Dakota.

BriBedell - I am dreaming of flat abs and toned calves…lol :)

Kathleen - I’m dreaming of finally moving closer to family! And I know a photo and fashion loving sister in law who would love one of these camera straps… so cool!

evie - Spring and traveling to the beach!

Karen - A nice quite weekend.

sarah - …starting a portrait photography business, thanks to Ashley Ann’s tips & inspiration :)

Pins + Paper - I’m dreaming of… my husband returning from his deployment :)

~ Kristen

ASH - I’m dreaming of the day I can stop being a software developer and be a seamstress instead. :)

Btw .. your ruffled baby bum is ever so cute! :)

amy jupin - suntan lines on my shoulders, pool parties and the sound of lawn mowers.

Jaclyn - SUMMER!! I need a break from my students, to spend more time with my kids, travel, relax!

Katie H. - The joy and excitement of watching my boys run and play in the house we just purchased yesterday!!

Kathy Ward - I’m dreaming of warmer weather and green trees!

Jenny - I’m dreaming of a grandbaby that can wear one of those diaper covers…

Amanda - …snuggling with my two year old and six month old girls on a blanket in the warm sun (there is currently still snow on the ground here). Ahhh…to see their cute little legs again.

Erin - Warm sunny days, the smell of fresh cut grass, and long summer nights!!

Lacy - …the first taste of spring, sunlight and warm weather, so I can take my daughter outside and enjoy it with her!

Shelby A - I’m dreaming of yardsales and flea markets!

Celeste - …chocolate chip cookies! ;)

mindy t - Spending time alone with my hubs again. Having a 2 yr old and a 5 month old keeps us busy.

Taylor - ….a warm, sandy beach!

Meredith - spring!!! This southern girl is tired of the snow.

Trinity - …clean house, laundry done, folded and put away, and me sitting with a starbucks…children are kindly playing together, sharing their toys…yeah…good dream!

stephanie - …sunshine, open windows and some fresh air with my little ones!

Sarah - no more snow!!

Ashley Cangelosi - the sun roasting my pale skin, into brown bliss!

kate m. - warm weather!!!

Liz - … spring!

ps – thanks SO much for the cute hoodie for my own little girl – I LOVE the ruffles!!! :)

Michelle - a warm summer day outside by the pool!

Chelsea - …a nice WARM summer day!

Stephanie - Summer! (And snowcones, and swimming, and shorts, and flip flops and pretty toenails and sunscreen)

kristi - there being no more snow around here- maybe someday!

Jaimie - i’m dreaming of living where it’s warm.

Lindy Taylor - I’m dreaming of shooting my first out of state wedding this summer in Ventura, California!

Tonia - …slowing down and playing more with my 3 boys and 1 little girl!

Jill J - of… a clean house!

Liz - …warm summer days!

Jess - …Spring. No more cold and snow!

Jill - a nice, loud family dinner full of laughter.

Autumn - Spring break…..a whole week away!!

Jackie - warmer weather, flip flops, skirts, kids in the pool, should I keep going…

Callie B - I’m dreaming of sleeping the whole night through!

Mandi Smith - getting my new Canon 30D in the mail!

Alisa - warm weather so we can play outside again!

christina larsen - I’m dreaming of a little girl in S Korea.

kat - a good life!

Hayley - meeting the little baby inside of me in 4 weeks.

Courtney H - snuggle time with my husband tonight sans kids!

Amanda G - …warm spring days with butterfly’s flittering and tulips sprouting. I’m ready to be done with winter.

Denette - Just a few minutes of quiet…

Jodi - of summer!!! Can not wait for this yucky, long winter to end!

Beatrice Killam - …spring (which is still a ways away here in Bozeman, Montana)

Sara - …..the sun dancing on my skin.

Mara - holding my newborn baby son is just a few more weeks!

jen@odbt - I’m dreaming of warm summer, popsicle dripping days.

Mandy B - ….a nice, quiet, warm, sunny Spring Break.

Shannon J - sunshine, spring and baseball season! (and by the way, I’m a girly girl who works for a baseball team… so she can definitely be both!)

Jamie - …sunny, warm weather!!!

Amber - a day when my world is not totally covered in snow.

Heidi - ….a new camera strap!

Meagan - the beach!

Christian @ Modobject at Home - Today I’m dreaming about the baby girl who will be joining our family of boys in just 5 or 6 weeks. I’m thinking she’ll have lots of ruffles!

Rachel - taking pictures of our little boy with his little sister arriving in July! (Maybe with a fabulous camera strap around my neck!)

patti - …a much deserved night out with the girl friends and no kids! :)

Erin B - Sunshine and warm weather!

theresa - I am dreaming of financial security :) That way I can buy all the cute stuff I find on here! And also have more babies!!!!!!

Kristina H. - of warm weather,spring flowers, and planting my summer garden!!

the inadvertent farmer - A waist…Kim

Susanne - Playing outside on a sunny day!

Samantha - …my hubby coming back from a 2.5 week TDY at Red Flag! One more week to go! :)

Jen - I’m dreaming of a relaxing night with my hubby and friends tomorrow night…love my 3 active boys, but it’s time for a night without them!

Em - an organized house, dozens of incomplete crafts completed, a pile of ironing done and hung, and not sacrificing a single minute with my girls.

Lissy - …some cooler weather….it has been 104-108F the last few days…we have had a very hot dry summer…autumn starts in a few days but March is usually pretty hot too…

Debbie - I’m dreaming of building my etsy business, fruitofmyhands, to a successful business so I can be a ,”stay at home grandma”

Erin Jones - …a warm vacation!

nichole - …May 11th, Graduation from nursing school. I’m dreaming of life after that day & a rhythm to my life. One that involves un-rushed quality time with people I cherish & miss often (hubby, daughter, sister, & bestie, Shan). Yeah. That’s what I’m dreaming of.

Mary - planting a garden with my girls…hope we have a green thumb!!!

Beth - I’m dreaming of Hawaii!

Kara - …going for walks again!

Mindy - a white Christmas… no, JK! … More like, SPRING AND SUNSHINE!!!

Chelsea Beck - temperatures above 50 degrees!

sherry - I’m dreaming of the summer…playing outside in the sun, (seattle is a bit wet) and taking a trip home to visit family and friends.

Amy - …warm springtime walks with my husband!

Rachel - a family vacation with no phones, computers or tv :)

Amber - so many things! A fully potty trained little boy, summer, a house to myself, a crate of raspberries to eat (with help) and sleeping in again… some day!

Alison R - a good cup of coffee and at least 5 minutes of some simple, quiet, “me” time! Here’s to dreaming!

Casey - I’m dreaming of a non stressful day

Caitlin - Warm days at the cottage…

Catie - my half done home improvement projects to magically be finished :)

Jen - …another snow day in Texas!

Liz - ….planting my vegetable garden (even if it’s only February!)

rachel - …another baby girl! and for the one i already have to finally get those darn molars through the gum.

Suzanne - a lazy Saturday with my family.

whitney freeman - holding my sweet new baby this fall!

Becca - I’m dreaming of my newborn baby girl’s tush in one of those cute ruffle onsies! LOVE THEM! I must make her one of those! Really, I am just dreaming of more sleep right now…she is only one week old so the sleepless nights are still upon us!

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these camera straps! I have been wanted to buy one forever!

Beth - …somewhere WARM and flip flops! :)

Allison - being content with what today holds, and not in looking to the future for the happiness today should bring

Mandy - a new lens for my camera – - and warmth, like the rest of the world

Kate - …for a baby sometime :)

Katie - … moving into a place that I can make my own.

bopha - …all the cute ruffles and bows I’m going to get to put on our baby girl!

Julie GM - … the new project a handful of us (hubby & I included) are working on together will become a success!

Liz - warmth. :)

STACI - those camera straps are too cute! the ruffles make them even better!!

Stephanie - health for my son.

Emily - …being a mom!

Heather King - … the first day that my two sons play together in the sand box… Austin is 4 days old, its a ways away, but it’ll happen :)

Rachel - laying in the grass with my kiddos and husband and soaking up the sun…(oh spring, I am ready for you)

Julie - being married one day

Erin Kirby - i am dreaming of a happy ending.

Amanda Mc - …visiting NYC in just 2 weeks!

Meg - …of a new job.

casey! - …beautiful spring weather and cute ruffly dresses to go with it!

Rachael - I am dreaming of the perfect wedding (12-11-10)!! And one of these perfect camera straps!!

Rachel - …. summer!!

betsy - I am dreaming of white dresses, family, and friends gathered together. :)

alidegraff@yahoo.com - eating bags of cadbury eggs that won’t add to my exploding muffin top!

abbie - amazing growth as a photographer this year…and every year after.

Jenn McQuate - I am dreaming of…HEAVEN! What better thought while we are waiting here on Earth.

meg duerksen - this post is supposed to make me like ruffles….and i i do. but what it really makes me want is a big chubby baby and white painted floors! :) i think the third floor or or the craft room NEEDS painted floors.
and shey b….she rocks.
i have one made from selvage or is it slevage? i love it. it’s going to africa. oh yeah!

Heather - I’m dreaming of a ruffle-bottomed baby girl or lego-obsessed little boys of my own! I just can’t stop dreaming of being a mom one day. :)

Michele V. - I’m dreaming of a warm summer day sitting outside
drinking a tall glass of strawberry lemonade.

Savannah - I am dreaming of holding my precious baby for the first time!

Emily - …of winning one of these straps! Love them! Ok and a nap too…

Jodi - I am dreaming of Spring…..planting seedlings and my garden! I am dreaming of it every day!

I own one of these straps, I absolutely love it. If I win one, I will give it to one of my friends!!! They are all catching the DLSR buzz.

Leslie B - sleeping in on Saturday mornings!

Brittany - I’m dreaming of warmer weather so I can have sunshine on my face!

marie - my baby girl due in August!!

Donna - help for my son’s ADHD.

melanie - our family being complete and together…

Ruth - I’m dreaming of having a little girl, myself, someday…after four boys!

maegan - an extended family vacation to the beach this summer! Can’t wait to watch the cousins play together.

paige - i’m dreaming of …. more girl scout cookies. I tried to use discipline and buy 1 box and I wish I’d bought 20. :)

Teresa - our family finally getting into our own home.

Megan - … Spring! Warm weather, cool breezes, fresh flowers, long walks, BBQs with family and friends!

Nicole - a day where I can look out my window and not see snow.

Somer - … sunshine and kisses.

Kirsten - SPRING! But we’re supposed to get more snow this week instead.

sirje - spring!

ae - Sunshine!

Nicole - I am dreaming of the morning, when my little ones will wake and we will begin another day together…

MelissaM - Sorry, I missed the contest, but I gotta share about this post. My 22 month old daughter, Lily, is officially a fan of your blog. When her daddy is gone during meal times, we sit together and eat, and look at your blog together. She squealed with delight at the ruffle bottom pics of baby sister tonight! She kept doing her “more” sign and pointing to the computer! So of course we had to scroll through previous posts of baby pics sis so she could squeal and smile some more. Thanks for sharing!

Mindy - i’m dreaming of owning a canon 5d mark II camera :)

Shannon Arnold - Hi, I’m hoping to make a ruffled baby bloomer. You are inspiring. I am having trouble finding plain bloomers, though. Can you help me?

Shannon

House Tour {Kara of Facet Five Designs}

For those of you that love inspiring home tours….here is my first home tour. I had the chance to visit the incredibly creative home of Facet Five Design geniuses Kara & Tim. Their house is incredible…so many cool details everywhere. It made me feel like I have a very boring home :) Kara has been featured on Apartment Therapy, Today’s Creative Blog and Domestic Ease. Hope you enjoy this beautiful tour. You can visit Kara’s website or blog for more design beauty.

Tim & Kara basically renovated every inch of their cottage home…and made just about everything you see here.

You can find tutorials for a lot of it by doing a little search on her blog

Kara, when you grow tired of this awesome light fixture feel free to pass it my way!

And in other design related news, my friend Jesse writes the blog Good Girl Gone Glad. She has majorly classy taste in home decor…something I could never achieve. She posts some of the most beautiful home decor finds and she pulls a lot of it off in her own home….with 3 little ones running around. A little while back she tagged me for a little online pass along.

To take part I am supposed to list 10 things that make me happy, then pass it on to 10 other blogs.

So here you go (I am not listing people on this…obviously they make me very happy):

1. Iced Caramel Macchiato

2. Peonies

3. Mod Podge

4. Flea Markets

5. My daughter’s first swimsuit

6. Craftivism

7. SUNSHINE

8. Sun tanned toes tickling the sand (aka country music about sunshine)

9. Vintage Tablecloths

10. Newly sharpened pencils

And to nominate 10 blogs I am picking the last 10 comments (according to the time I am writing this) that have blog links:

Yes! Mom

The Good Flea

A Time to Eat

The Farmer Family

Daniel Family

Let My Lifesong Sing

Penny Pickles

Amber Fischer Photography

Balancing Everything

The Rogers

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christina larsen - Kara’s house is amazing. I have been checking out her blog, but haven’t fully seen every room. She is super talented.

ashlee - this house is absolutly amazing!! I love the yellow and grey bedroom:) thanks for sharing it!

keely - Beautiful home!
And thanks for tagging me. It’s been a crummy day so far, so coming up with 10 things that make me happy will be good medicine! :)

Casey - Gorgeous home! I am jealous of every inch of that place!

Kara - I LOVE the jam jar chandelier! I dream of being that creative someday!

Robyn Farmer - Love the mason jar fixture…I might try to make one for our patio. Thank you for tagging me, it made me feel very special.

Christy - I love this house, I could move right in!

Jill R - Really cool. The kitchen is my favorite. Also – PLEASE post pictures of baby sister is her swimsuit. I know she will be off the chart adorable!

dianereeves - There are so many fun elements in their home. I especially like the fireplace with the painted white and wood stained finishes. It is a nice combination.

ASH - love the tour, especially the jar fixtures. i saw them a couple days ago on Brookly Limestone and was really intrigued. then i saw them here and i thought to myself “wow, lots of people are doing the jar fixture!” .. and of course realized a few seconds later that it was the same house :)

Alison R - Thanks for the beautiful tour! So many beautiful things! I adore the jar light fixture, how amazing! Have a great day!

Yanet - Ok, I normally read your blog on my iPhone (in the bathroom when I can escape my three little boys) but today I HAD to come at check out the pics in your blog on my iMac (BIG screen). I love all the details in their home. From the hardwood on the ceiling to, of course, the mason jar chandelier.

maegan - Thanks for the tour! Stunning design- I loved it. And of course, just like everybody else, I love the jar fixture.

Yanet - Ashley! I just went to check out Kara’s blog and read about the concrete table coming your way. Can’t wait to see it!!!

Heather - that galvanized metal headboard is amazing, but then again so is the whole beautiful house! Loved the tour!!

JenMc - Great Pics! I love your creativity!! Thanks so much for sharing and inspiring us all. You are very talented!!

Jesse - Her home is fabulous! Love that corrugated metal headboard! I always love home tours.

julie - obsessing over the mason jar chandy.
not good.
I will not sleep tonight trying to figure it out.
need. need. need.

D - Thanks to Kara for directing me to your blog. Looks like my daily reading list just got longer!

D

Kyla - I love the daybed with all the cushions and maps…what a beautiful home!

Jeannette Swan - I love checking out Kara’s blog to see all the amazing things she creates! Their house is beautiful and you took beautiful pictures. And, your house is not boring…that would be mine!

Sandy - This house is amazing, stunning! I want to use yellow, grey, white and browns for my basement and I am going to model it off this bedroom, LOVE IT!! Seriously, I am in awww right now!

Giveaway Winner {HeartSmiles}

The winner (chosen at random) of the HeartSmiles hat is Crystal who wrote: “My husband and I are high school sweethearts. Our very first Valentine’s day, at the ripe old age of 16, he decided to leave me a treat…as s surprise. My favorites, Dr. Pepper and Kit Kat bars. Unfortunately, he left them on the ground by mailbox. He called me when he got back home and told me to look outside. When I found my treat, I discovered the ants found them first. No matter that I did not get to enjoy them, I was hooked from then on out. :)

I looked back at Crystal’s other comments and she is pregnant with a baby girl! Yeah for baby girls in cute hats!

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Crystal - Wow!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

GoogleReader

Just curious if Google Reader is doing crazy things for anyone else? It seems to be picking up comments and not posts for me.

I think what has happened is somewhere in an old post there is a ‘bad’ character due to me writing a post in Word and then copying and pasting it into WordPress. If anyone knows how I would go about locating this ‘bad’ character, please leave a comment or shoot me an email. Thanks!

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Lori Danelle - Google Reader was just picking up comments for me too. . . .But no idea how to find bad characters. Whenever I have to write code (which is nearly never) I just cross my fingers and hope I didn’t screw anything up!!

monique - I read you through Bloglines and after you got your blog back up I was unable to ever see your photos through bloglines.

Carissa Miller - I can’t help but can I just say that I am frustrated FOR YOU! I hate computer crap. Of course, I am sure you are much more patient then me. I just freak out and want to throw stuff at the computer. Ok, Ok…so maybe I HAVE actually thrown stuff at the computer a few times. Especially lately since I have been trying to get my website up and running and have no idea what I am doing. UGH! Good luck. Hope you get it fixed.

patti - I do know that if you use Word to create your posts and don’t copy/paste it into something like Notepad first, WordPress will adopt all the formatting from Word, but it won’t come over to WordPress correctly. Unfortunately the only way I know to correct this is to hunt and peck through the post in WordPress to look for said ‘bad’ character and remove it. Trust me, I feel your pain. I’ve done it a few times myself. I’ve learned my lesson enough times now to always draft in Notepad and paste it from there into WordPress and format my posts in WordPress directly.

Meredith - I follow you thru a feed reader (windows live mail) and ever since your blog has been back up all it shows is the titles of your posts. No pictures, no post! :(

Heather - I follow you through Google Friend Connect (which I think is linked to Blogger) and it only shows posts up through your I Believe post 3 months ago. It doesn’t seem to find updates after that. I keep your addy in there so I can just click to your site from my list, but it doesn’t show anything new. Sorry I don’t have anything more then that. Have a great weekend.

tiny twig - i read through bloglines and it only shows your post title…no pics, no text. that has only been since you changed the blog, though.

man, tech stuff drives me nuts sometimes! i’m like lori…when i change something i always just cross my fingers and hope it shows up like i’ve intended! :)

emily anderson - man, i’m so ticked at google reader…i totally forget to come and read your blog (cause i read everything through google reader)…and then when i remember, you’ve posted like 10 times! dang it! i missed all the fun give-a-ways. curses to google reader.

Giveaway Winner {Gussy}

Guess who the Random Number Generator pick to win the Gussy….

Brooke – who wrote, ” memory cards, fine point sharpie, mini striped planner, fiber one bar.
I have been so mad, both of the past two nights I have checked about 15 minutes too late to enter. So I made it tonight :)

Glad you made that entry in time Brooke! Everyone else…go buy a Gussy and make yourself happy.

Or show your special someone this post and ask them to buy you a Gussy!

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Brooke - No way, I don’t make you sound better than you are. I think that if we lived in the same place and we were friends, I would probably be one of those ‘overbearing friends’ who thinks you’re so cool that they won’t leave you alone :) You really do all the great things I want to do. Deny all you want, but you are adorable.
Oh, and thanks again for the gussy.

Giveaway Winner {Paper Relish…Pretty Little Things}

It was fun reading all that you listed for your pretty little things. I wanted to list some of the things you wrote….but I don’t have time! So with that said, you should read the comments – they’ll make you smile and brighten your day. And the winner of the PaperRelish giveaway is:

Jill R., who wrote: “My pretty little things are my baby boys with their chubby cheeks!”

I love that a mom of boys won…just because you have boys in the house doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get a pretty little poster in your house too. Congrats Jill!

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Sarah - Your Doily project made it onto Style Me Pretty: http://www.stylemepretty.com/2010/02/11/valentines-day-inspiration/

So Cool, Congrats!

Erin Nantois - Hi Ashley
I follow your blog religiously and yesterday I was sitting at the Dallas airport and I saw this guy and I thought it looked like your husband just from seeing pics on your blog. And then I saw you and your precious family waiting for him at the airport. I almost came over to you guys but my husband said that was kind of “stalker” :) Anyway so glad to hear and see your sweet family all together.

Jill R - Thanks Ashley! I don’t think I’ve won anything since the 3rd grade. And we have NOTHING on our walls right now, so this is just perfect. So excited!

AshleyG - oh fun! Congrats! And Ashley…that poster size pic w/littlest brother eyeing it is to die for!

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