ashleyannphotography.com

shopping in your pjs {my reader’s stores}

AshleyAnn — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:40:52 +0000

So I had this idea that I would make a page on my blog dedicated to the etsy stores of my readers….I had NO IDEA there were so many of you talented readers with etsy stores! I had fun looking through your stores. Below is an image of what the new etsy store page looks like. You can find it under the “info” tab as the page titled “shopping in your pjs“. Once on the page, just click on the store banner to be taken to that store.

I also want to feature an item from each of the stores. Etsy will only let me create one of these for 25 items, so it will take me a while to get through all the stores. I plan on updating this once a week until I have featured them all.

If you are a reader and would like to be included, leave a link to your store in the comment section.

If you store currently does not have a banner, I just listed those at the end of the page. Once you get a banner, let me know. Enjoy shopping!

diy {bib onesie v1.0}

AshleyAnn — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:30:29 +0000

While picking up a few groceries, I noticed Walmart had some basic onesies for $3.00. As is they were pretty simple and cute. I picked up a yellow one and decided I’d play with it a bit and try to make something a bit more unique.

My supplies:

DISCLAIMER: I do not know the ‘right’ way to sew. So this tutorial won’t be all that easy to follow…basically I just wing it and hope it doesn’t come apart.

Step 1: Make the base ruffle. I cut a strip of fabric (from this skirt) about 3 inches wide and 14 inches long. Next I folded it over and sewed the edges together. Next I put in a gathering stitch (the longest stitch your machine will make) and gathered the fabric into a ruffle.

Step 2: Sew the top of the ruffle to the top of the onesie.

Step 3: Sew the rest of the ruffle down. I actually took a pencil and drew where I wanted the ruffle to go, then sewed it down.

Step 4: Originally I was going to sew a piece of a vintage sheet on top, but I couldn’t figure out how to do it so I changed plans.

Step 5: Cut an old t-shirt into small circles. Mine were about an inch in diameter. Fold the circles in half two times, stitch onto the onesie. I did mine in groups of about 5.

Step 6: Add more circles and buttons to the middle. I piled 5 circles off-centered on top of eachother, then added a button. I sewed all three down, starting with the middle one.

I liked it hanging up.

On Baby Sister I can’t decide if I like it or not. For a $3.00 Walmart onesie it is fun. However, I am not super crazy about it. It kind of reminds me of a clown or funny lion.

When it was finished I sat down with Oreos & milk and thought about what to change on it next time.

So this is my first attempt. I am headed back to Walmart and will try v2.0….changing the following:

1. Make the whole bib part MUCH smaller. It looks too big on her now.

2. Use my mom’s serger to make the base ruffle

3. Use colors that don’t resemble an animal

4. Something different in the very middle…the buttons and circles just aren’t quite right

Well, maybe that will give some of you some ideas for dressing up a plain onesie….

he’s six {Lego Birthday Party}

AshleyAnn — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:30:48 +0000

Just a reminder Google Reader is not reliable with my blog…it doesn’t show updates…..

My oldest is six. A pretty handsome six year old in my opinion….pretty incredible in many other ways too. He wanted a small party with the boys from his class…a Lego and donut party that is. I like to make birthdays a big deal, but work on small budget so most of our party stuff is made at home.

The invitations: Lego mini-fig print outs with a few Lego pieces and party info included.

He spent a lot of time blowing out candles: breakfast the day of, school the day of, dinner the day of…and his party. I love how he is looking at Big Brother in the top picture.

Me: What do you want to take to your class for your birthday?

Biggest Brother: “I want a chocolate chip cookie, then frosting, then another cookie on top. I want the sides rolled in sprinkles. Then on the top I want a toothpick with a piece of paper that says ‘6′ on it”.

Me: Glad you know EXACTLY what you want.

His gift from his dad.

What I did with his gift from his dad…party decor.

Me: What kind of party do you want to have?

Biggest Brother: “I want to play Legos and eat donuts. For the donuts I want a tower with Lego men on it. I want one dozen glazed, one dozen chocolate, one dozen chocolate with sprinkles and one dozen sugar. Then on the top I want a rectangle donut with 6 candles on it. I don’t want the candles all crazy on it. I want them in a straight line down the middle.”

Me: Glad you know EXACTLY what you want.

Legos – check.

Donut tower built by Biggest Brother – check.

The whole gang came out to celebrate on the mantle.

I printed Lego Indiana Jones and Star Wars sheets for the boys to color while we waited for everyone to arrive. In case you are curious, 5 & 6 year old boys do not like coloring. They prefer to run around with Light Sabers and dart guns.

We had a few games planned. One was a bridge building contest. I divided up bags of Legos – each bag had the same Legos in it (took FOREVER to do). They ended up just mixing them together and doing team work. In case you are wondering, do not spend 2 hours dividing up Legos for 5 & 6 years….and they don’t care if the bags look cute on the skateboard.

My boys working together on their bridge.

Once built, we tested to see how many blocks the bridges could hold. The winning builder got a Lego sticker….which had a cute little Lego case holding them. Once again…no one cared about the Lego box holding the Lego stickers….no one but me. I thought it was a cute idea.

Sooner than later the Legos got dumped on the floor and the craziness began.

There were other kids at the party…I just don’t know if their parents want pictures of them on the blog…

When it was over I asked Biggest Brother if he had fun. He said, “It was the greatest party EVER.” I was thrilled…he enjoyed all the little things I did to make it special. I asked him what his favorite part was. He replied, “Playing with the Light Sabers.” In other words, the one part that wasn’t planned! Figures.

Here are a few of the make it at home projects I did for the party…

1. Freezer Paper Transfer t-shirt: You can find a tutorial online by doing a little google search. I used the font Rosewood. The shirt was 50% off at Hobby Lobby…cost me $2.50!

2. Party Favors: ‘Bubble Light Sabers’ and chalk….yes, I am that mom that sends home creative stuff instead of candy. I replaced the original labels with stickers I made.

Stickers: I found this graphic and added text, Legos, and ‘6′ to the inside for different projects. You can find Lego paper goods and party supplies online, but it can get pricey. I added my stickers to the cookie toppers, party favors, napkins, coloring pages, bridge bags and as confetti on the tables. To make them as stickers I used Label Paper (the full sheet instead of individual ones).

Big number 6: I cut the Star Wars box into a large number 6. Secondly, I cut tissue paper into small squares then hotglued them to the cardboard 6.

He is six. We had fun celebrating and I had fun trying to find ways to make Legos cute. He would have been happy to be shut in a room with all his friends and just his Legos. I know that. I, however, enjoy the details of a party and getting to do the things I love to make his day just a bit more special. I know he won’t remember stickers on bubbles or the same label design printed on coloring sheets. He won’t remember most of the little things I do. I do hope when he looks back at his childhood he’ll remember that I did the things I love not just for other people or for work, but for him too. I hope he remembers that his mom embraced the way God made her and used that to do little things to make his days special.

I like him. I really like him.

aunts {and a Leyton Smiles giveaway winner}

AshleyAnn — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:30:46 +0000

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

baby’s got a new blanket {LeytonSmiles}

AshleyAnn — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 13:30:46 +0000

UPDATE: CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. The last counting comment is Allison’s.

Baby Sister loved to be swaddled.

I saw this ADORABLE swaddle blanket and thought we’d give it a try again. The blanket was just so soft and cute.

She didn’t like it. Good thing it’s not for her. It’s for her SisterCousin. What you ask is a SisterCousin? It is a sister you get to grow up with but doesn’t live in your house so you don’t have to worry about her messing with your stuff. In other words…MY LITTLE SISTER IS HAVING A BABY!

MY LITTLE SISTER IS HAVING A BABY GIRL!

MY NIECE AND DAUGHTER WILL BE A YEAR APART!

MY LITTLE SISTER IS HAVING A BABY GIRL!

I can’t even begin to put into words how excited I am. I am giddy. I can’t wait. I am beaming as I type this. I hope I get to babysit all the time. I wonder if my mom will babysit my kids so I can watch my niece. Probably not. I just can’t wait….I am seriously beyond gone with anticipation and excitement. I’ve been told that “Aunt Ashley” is too hard to say. So right now I am leaning towards, “Most Beautiful Princess of Awesomeness”. I think it will roll off her tongue quite nicely.

Since it is always fun to give something away too…the etsy seller, LeytonSmiles, that made my neice’s blanket is giving one away to you too!

Contest Details:

Prize: 1 swaddle blanket from Leyton Smiles

Contest ends Saturday, March 6th, 2010 9:30pm US Central

Winner chosen at random

Enter by: Tell me something fun you did with your aunt growing up, something you do as an aunt now or offer a suggestion for what my niece could call me….or just leave a general comment.

6 {as in I have a six year old}

AshleyAnn — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:53:01 +0000

6 years ago today:

First time daddy. Firstborn son. One of the first holds.

First day at home

First time on a beach…2 1/2 years later.

First lost tooth….6 years later.

And just for laughs….as I was going through pics I came across this one. It is one of our first family pictures. Chris thinks we look the same…we differ in that opinion.

This picture cracks me up. So many things I could say about it…it is just so funny to me. First time parents.

My 5lb 13oz boy is six today. It is a strange place…having a six year old. A wonderfully new, exciting, strange place. I have a six year old son. Pretty cool. I’ll leave it at that because you already know how crazy I am about my kids and how much I love being a mom…if I get all sappy right now I’ll start crying and there is a lot of celebrating to do today.

Happy Birthday Tough Guy….you’re awesome….and super strong…and you can run really fast…and you have killer ‘karate’ moves.

she’s been worried that I am getting bored

AshleyAnn — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:30:57 +0000

UPDATE: GOOGLE READER IS NOT RELIABLE WITH MY BLOG…..don’t follow the updates it posts. Generally I post EVERY weekday.

Did your parent’s ever tell you that your face would “freeze like that”? Mine did. Well, if that could be true, there is a good chance her face might freeze like this. It is her new CONSTANT face. Kills me everytime. Goodness. And, yes, she is crawling through the excer-saucer. She doesn’t like standing in it, but crawling under it is a big hit.

Her first time to pull herself to a standing position. Funny thing is I was unloading the dishwasher and she started messing with the door. I grabbed the camera…to get another shot about how she is into everything. It wasn’t until I put the camera up that it dawned on me that she had never pulled up to standing before! I guess that is what 4 kids does to you!

Her big brothers were at the top trying to get her to climb to them. Oh the things she is already learning.

Littlest Brother taught her how to pull things out of the pantry. Thanks again brothers.

It’s hard to get frustrated with a face like this.

Well, little girl, I am not in any way bored. Thanks for making sure of that.

yawning…all week

AshleyAnn — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 13:30:05 +0000

UPDATE: Google Reader likes me again???????? That’s the word. Thanks for letting me know it is working! Happy day to me.

This is how I feel this morning….

Why? Could it be a brain freeze from too much ice cream mixed with Girl Scout Cookie Thin Mints?

Or could I be tired from the sheer number of wounds (mainly facial) that are a part of my normal day?

Nope. I’m tired because I know this is a BUSY week. This is BIRTHDAY WEEK for oldest brother! (yes, we celebrate for a week around here)

That means my house is once again taken over by primary color decorations picked out (and usually made) by my son. I’ve grown an aversion to primary colors over the years. It’s his birthday week…not mine….so I give in and let ugly his killer design sense take over!

There’s a lot of projects to be made. Desserts to be eaten. And LEGO fun to be had. I’ll share all that next week….if I’m not sleeping. Oh yea – I never get to sleep.

I have some friends that aren’t sleeping too much lately either.

They have a beautiful girly reason not to sleep a full 8 hours. Goodness do they have a cute reason! Snuggled babies make me happy.

Tiny baby girl in her daddy’s big hands makes me even happier.

Tiny baby girl sleeping…well today that just makes me jealous!

Congratulations P’s on your sweet girl…she is a treasure!

thank you!

AshleyAnn — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 02:40:12 +0000

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!

a little blog update

AshleyAnn — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:30:24 +0000

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!