Moving Again

I finally got around to getting my .com set up! I'm super excited about this! Right now I am working on the design work, and I should be up and blogging again in a few days. Please change your bloglovin to follow my .com. There is also a spot to subscribe by email, and to sign up for my newsletter so check that out too!

You can get to my store from scrawnygirl.com, store.scrawnygirl.com, or any of the avenues though Storenvy. I hope to updating with some new listings soon!

Thanks again for all your support! xo

January Sponsor Shout Out

Only a couple more weeks left of January, how crazy! This month I have had some super rad sponsors! Make sure you check out their shops and blogs, and give a little handmade love! xo

Kiser Krafts makes unique and wonderful plushies from socks. Kelly also crochets, and is working on a rad collaboration with Cody from Lu & Ed. These awesome hats are open for pre-order with 50% of the sales being donated to Drumm Farm. http://drummforkids.org . Also, if you are looking for some cute Valentine's Day decor, Kelly just listed this gorgeous crocheted bunting....that I might go buy after I type this post up....Kelly also does an awesome handmade link up on her blog weekly, so make sure to check it out if you have a handmade shop!

Shop | Facebook | Twitter | Blog

Hamburke is a cute shop carrying hair bows, ponytail ribbons, crocheted baby items and reusable sandwich bags and wraps. I'm in love with these crocheted baby booties! Too bad I don't know anyone having a baby, because they would make the perfect gift! Also, just in time for Valentine's Day, these crocheted heart clips are just darling!

Shop | Facebook | Blog

Common Room is a blog/podcast run by some rad ladies, where they talk about all things Pop Culture, Food, Fitness, and Fashion. Check out this awesome take on Cauliflower Soup. These are also the go to gals for recreating Effie Trinket looks from The Hunger Games. I loved that they had different looks for different skin types and budgets! Lots of super fun posts, so check them out!

Blog | Facebook | Twitter

Violet's Buds is an eco-friendly handmade accessories store, overflowing with cuteness. I love all her new hoop art, it's such a fun and creative way to decorate! Of course I like to brag about my sushi hair clip, you can get your own here. Also, take a look at her awesome blog overflowing with handmade goodness and fun contributor posts. If you have a handmade shop and would like to be featured, you can sign up here!

Store | Blog | Facebook | Twitter

My Craftily Ever After is an awesome blog by Ashley full of crafts and recipes. If you are a football fan, she has a great post about Superbowl Party foods, with a super cute set up. She also has a great collection of crafty projects in an archive, making it easy for you to find a weekend project. Don't forget to check out the yummy recipes! I can't wait to try out a couple of them soon!

Blog | Facebook | Twitter

Little House of Crafting is one of my favorite stores to buy little geek gifts for myself! Toni makes perler bead art and pinbacks/magnets. If you have a handmade shop, you can order custom buttons with your logo (which i recently did and they are awesome!). I know she is working on perler bead kits, where you can make your own perler art at home! Can't wait for those! She also features handmade geeky shops on her blog, check it out!

Store | Blog | Facebook | Twitter

Be sure to check out all these lovely ladies blogs/shops! Thanks for supporting handmade! xo.

Valentine's Day Special

Right now in my shop, I am offering a Valentine's Day special on my two Valentine's Day cards! You can grab a card and the matching brooch together for a discounted price! What a cute gift idea!

What is your favorite thing about Valentine's Day? I like how everything is pink and heart shaped, it just makes me smile and want to buy all the things!

Little Moments

A couple little moments from this week: 

This week we've been working on a better bedtime routine. Amelia has gotten in the habit of waking up at 3 am and then staying up....It has definitely been making for a tired momma. Amelia loves baths, so we've been trying to fit one in before bedtime...she is big fan of the bubble beard.

This week the weather has been sunny and pretty warm, so we've been taking her baby bike out to check the mail and do wheelies in the driveway. She loves this Sofia the First hoodie she got for her birthday. It's the one thing she will keep on her head. 

Other little moments: Playing at Toys R Us, eating lots of blueberries, saying "baby", watching Frozen, eating cheese quesadillas at a restaurant, getting her big girl car seat.

Kawaii Kitchen: Quick & Easy Egg Sandwich

Several years ago we were staying at a friend of a friend's house while in Austin for SXSW. The poor guy had to feed a band and their entourage, and he made the most amazing sandwich for us! As soon as we got home, I expanded on his recipe.

Quick & Easy Egg Sandwich:

Ingredients:
(You don't have to use my exact toppings, there are so many yummy variations.)
*2 slices of bread
*2 eggs
*slice of cheese
*avacado or guacamole
*mayo
*splash of milk
*non stick cooking spray (This is super important)
* ceramic bowl
*microwave
*salt and pepper
 **my husband likes to add salsa to his

 Step 1:

This step is the most important!  

Spray your bowl with non-stick cooking spray. If you don't your eggs will stick and it will take soaking and washing your bowl 50 times to get the egg crust out.

Step 2:

Add in your 2 eggs, splash of milk, and any kind of spices. I normally just add some salt and lemon pepper.

Step 3:

Put in the microwave for 2 1/2 minutes. The time may vary depending on your microwave and size of eggs.

Step 4:

While the eggs are cooking, put your toast in the toaster.

Step 5:

 

At 2 minutes, add your slice of cheese and cook the remaining 30 seconds.

Step 6:

 

Make sure you use oven mitts to remove your bowl because it will be hot!

Add mayo or whatever condiment you prefer to your toast. If you sprayed your bowl, your eggs will just slide out with the help of a fork. Add your avacado or guacamole...or anything else that suits your fancy.

This is one of my favorite go to meals. It keeps me full and is quick and easy to make, which is perfect since I have a toddler on the loose.

Let me know if you try this, and how it turns out. What would you put on your sandwich?

Scrawny Girl Shop Update

After weeks of working on sketches and paintings, I've finally launched my new line of cards! I had so much fun with these. There are 2 Valentine's Day cards, but they could be used for other lovely special occasions. I also made a get well soon, happy birthday, and just a cute card for any occasion. 

I am now offering a listing for Buy 3 Get 1 Free, where you get to pick the 4 cards you want. I also have 3 different colors of envelopes: white, pink, and kraft. 

There are also shrinky dink brooches based off the same designs. I love how these turned out! My favorite is the Make Out Bandit!

My inspiration for this line came mostly from the Kyary video Candy Candy. All her videos are just so visually inspiring and the music just puts me in a good mood. 

Check it out here:

Little Moments

Nap time is one of my favorite parts of the day. She's so cute when she's asleep.

Looking at presents with Uncle Coco on Christmas morning.

Sitting so still and watching Curious George.

Christmas Eve with Papa.

I want to get better at sharing the sweet little moments going on in my life. I also want to get better at taking pictures with my actual camera instead of my phone. I tried to find some photos I haven't shared yet. I haven't posted any Christmas pictures from my camera because I've been working really hard on my Valentines Day line (which I hope is up this weekend). 

Almost everyday when Amelia finally takes her nap, I usually snap a picture to send it to Clint at work. He enjoys seeing what she's doing throughout the day when he's not here. Right now she's twirling while holding some ponies, and watching My Little Pony. 

Me, I'm ready for nap time. Today I'm planning on trying out my new Tracy Anderson workout video and working on more products for the shop update. 

What are your plans for this awesome Friday?

January Read: Bright's Passage

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I actually bought this book for my husband because he is a huge Josh Ritter fan. Of course he hasn't read it, because he usually only reads while on tour, and the band hasn't done much in a while. I too love Josh Ritter, and he is such a great storyteller in his songs that I have no doubt that this book will be amazing. 

One big mistake I always make when choosing a book is reading all the Goodreads reviews. Sadly, many of his music fans disliked this book. Truthfully, this is not a book I would pick to read. I enjoy light hearted or adventurous books, and Bright's Passage seems serious and sad. I won't know how I really feel about it until I give it a chance and actually read it.

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I would love to get my hands on the audio book version, where Josh reads the book with an accompanying score composed by Royal City Band bassist Zachariah Hickman.

 

Let me know if you decide to read along, and when I finish I will post my review here on the blog. Have you already read this book? What did you think?

Hairography 2013

I thought it would be fun to take a look at all my hair colors and styles for 2013. My hair has a slight identity crisis, or maybe I just get bored easily....

From left to right: I started 2013 off with my natural hair color because I had been pregnant and did not dye or cut my hair the whole of my pregnancy. Then I added a little bit of lavender, then a little bit more...

Of course it washes out pretty fast, and I was over my long hair now that I had a baby to pull it all the time, so I got a swanky hair cut, then died it pink. I could not get the pink out for the life of me and decided I'd do a crazy Paramore-ish red, which later faded to a gross orange. I'm lazy and the upkeep of red was too much for me and my poor pillow cases. 

I really wasn't sure what to do about the orange, so I dyed my hair brown around May. Of course brown is my least favorite color for my hair to be...bleached and back to lavender, which was very pretty in my opinion. 

Now I normally only use Manic Panic, but a few years ago I bought this huckleberry blue in Color Jamz, and looking fondly back at the pictures, picked up another bottle. It took forever to fade, until I finally just bleached it out, and one of my lovely friends dyed my hair mint green with Pravana. Sadly it washed out in only a couple of washes, and it took a whole tube to cover my hair, so it jut wasn't worth the effort to maintain even though it was so pretty.

I kept my bleached hair for a bit, then I was enchanted with Manic Panic's Enchanted Forest. This color was gorgeous and lasted forever. Of course forever is a long time, and I needed change. Sadly I thought using dawn soap with baking soda was the answer to getting it out, and really damaged my hair. 

When I dye my hair I use mostly conditioner, so in an effort to make my hair feel less like straw I mixed lots of conditioner + manic panic's ultra violet, hot pink, and a splash of pastelizer which resulted in the pretty pink color (I put the photo's in the wrong order). Unfortunately, I didn't get the dye everywhere and had to cover with more purple a few days later.

Right before Amelia's birthday party, I dyed my hair back brown, then headed to my stylist to just cut it all off.

I can never make up my mind about my hair, but I've decided to always just do what feels right to me at the time. Sometimes I get a little self conscious about my crazy hair when I get people coming up to me non stop or staring. Then I remember that it's my hair, and having it be bright and fun makes me happy. It's just hair, it will grow back.

Do you dye your hair? What's your favorite product?

2014 Goals & One Little Word

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Happy 2014! I've been reflecting on 2013 and thinking of my goals and intentions for this new year.  I've been using Jessica Swift's Goal + Intention kit, and I am also thinking of getting Leonie Dawson's workbook too. I need all the help I can get. ;)

This year for my word of the year, I picked FOCUS. I have a tendency to be all over the place, start things but never finish them, and try and do too many things at once.  This year I want to focus on what's important, and finish what I start.

2014 Goals:

1. Read at least 1 book a month. I will be posting what book I intend to read on here, and you can read along if you like, like a mini book club. 

2. Take more ME time, which includes exercising, eating better, and pampering myself more. I bought 2 vegan cookbooks, Bake & Destroy and The Happy Herbivore: Light & Lean, to help me make healthy yummy meals for me and my family. I'm working on my fitness calendar this weekend, and plan to start Monday. 

3. Print more pictures. I had a dream my laptop got stolen and I was super sad about the loss of all my pictures of Amelia. That is probably a sign I need to back my pictures up somewhere else, but I would like to print and display more in our home. I would also like to scrapbook more. I have tons of supplies, I just need to print some pictures and take the time. I actually have a fun tutorial coming up on the blog, so stay tuned for that.

4. Decorate our home. We've lived her for at least 5 years and I've hardly decorated. My main issue is indecision. With the help of Pinterest I've narrowed down some colors and other fun things I would like to try this year. I'll try and remember to take pictures to post my progress on here. 

5. Build my brand. This past year my blog, art, and biz has come so far and so has the evolution of my Scrawny Girl brand. I can't wait to see where it will lead this year. 

Do you make resolutions or goals? What is your big one for the year?

Best Bits of 2013

I've been a tad under the weather these past few days, but I didn't want to miss out on a little review of some of the best bits of 2013! 

1. I opened my online shop to sell my dolls and illustrations! 

This is a big one for me because one of my resolutions for this year was to BE BRAVE.

I had a hard time choosing which platform to use, and ended up with an Etsy and a Storenvy, but I've had the best response from Storenvy. I also met an awesome group of artists and crafters, who have been super supportive and become great friends! If you're looking for a handmade community Storenvy is the place to be! 

I am also excited to say that even though my little shop wasn't open for very long, I made 10 sales this year! Which is just amazing! I've had a great response to my artwork, and I've been cooking up all sorts of cute ideas for 2014!

2. I learned about zines from my rad friend Sonya!

I drew this for her as the cover of her next zine! 

I've also bought so many zines, with plans to buy more. I have an idea for a zine of my own, I just need to make some time to draw everything....sounds like another goal for 2014!

3. I had my 1 year blogiversary giveaway.

I moved my blog from Wordpress to here, but before I did, I had a wonderful giveaway with great feedback. It was so much fun!

4. I finished my 52 week project!

I actually finished something! This is a real challenge for me, because I am all over the place. For instance, I still haven't finished my 30 Days of Lists from March....Amelia made it easy for me to do this challenge because I am constantly taking pictures of her. I'm trying to figure out what to do for 2014's challenge. 

5. Blog re-design!

This is a more recent accomplishment, but I am very proud of my logo and blog redesign. I just got my business cards in the mail today with my new logo. I'm super excited about this brand that I am creating, and look forward to where I can take it in 2014!

I just want to thank everyone who reads my blog and who has supported me by purchasing items in my shop or an ad space. It really means the world to me! I hope you have an awesome New Year's!

Handmade Fav: Squshies

In a effort to promote handmade, I started featuring some of my favorite handmade shops. Please check out these amazing shops and support handmade! 

Today's featured shop is Squshies, which is run by the amazing Danielle!

What is it that you make/sell?

Felt Animal Ornaments, Hoop Art and Needle Felted Sculptures

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What is something unique about your shop, process, or how you got started?

I started making felt animals as a fun thing to do in between job searches but it quickly replaced my job search. I've loved cartoons and animals for as long as I can remember and I think the Squshies are the perfect combination of two things I love. All of the Squshies are handmade and designed by me and my husband. We try to caricature the features of the animal that make them special. Every Squshie is made of eco-fi felt. We hand cut and hand sew each piece of felt for every Squshie.

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What is your favorite product and why is it the perfect gift?

Favorite product? That is a tough choice! I personally love the weirder animals that we make, aardvarks and elephant seals, animals that you usually can't ever find in stores. Great for an animal lover that prefers the more unusual. Our dog ornaments also make great gifts for any of the dog lovers in your life.

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Danielle also did an awesome collaboration with Cody of Lu & Ed! The super cute Gabos Ornament is a limited edition ornament that was designed by Danielle. A portion of the sale price is donated to Drumm Farm, a home for kids and young adults in the Missouri foster care system. http://drummforkids.org/

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You can keep up the latest Squshies products and news here:

Blog

Shop

Twitter

Tumblr

Facebook

Instagram

Rad After Christmas Sale

(+) Craftypodes lovely Christmas Tree with one of my Scrawny Girl Ornaments.

I hope you are still in your PJ's all nice and cozy with some hot cocoa. It's the day after Christmas, and you know what that means?! After Christmas Sales! So stay home and shop until you drop! 

I've just taken 30% off all the items in my shop! There is no need for a promo code! I can't wait to show you all the cool things I'm working on for 2014!

Also, keep an eye on my Twitter, I've been retweeting all the rad after Christmas sales in other shops today!

52/52 Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas! 

I actually finished a photography challenge! Although it wasn't hard because I am constantly taking pictures of Amelia. My mom actually took this picture of us before Clint and I went to his work Christmas party. I hope you and yours are having a wonderful holiday!

We are at the ranch enjoying Christmas with Clint's family. We did Christmas with my family last week when they were all here visiting for Amelia's birthday.

I am trying to decide on my next photography goal. I have been trying to participate in the #fmsphotoaday challenge on Instagram, but I am awful with keeping up. Although, I found if I write what each day is in my day planner, I am more likely to remember. Are you participating? It's super fun and random, I love seeing what everyone comes up with for the same photo prompt and how different everyone's photos are. 

I was thinking about doing another 52 weeks project, but I am not sure on my subject matter yet. I was thinking perhaps more arty? I was also thinking I should get better at using my camera instead of my phone. That is how I started this last challenge, and then I got lazy and started using my phone again. My goal is to get better at using an actual camera. 

I know some people like to do the 365 project, which is one heck of a challenge. Are you into photography challenges? Which ones have you participated in? Completed? Any subject matter you would like to see lots of pictures of on Scrawny Girl in 2014? Let me know in the comments!

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

 

On Repeat: Christmas Music

I'm one of those people who love to listen to Christmas music, especially since I haven't worked at the mall in several years. If you work in a mall I sympathize for you and the non-stop Christmas music. 

I really love Christmas music from the early 2000's, oh you know N*Sync, a little Britney Spears, and my all time favorite....Hanson! I've been listening to the Hanson Pandora Christmas station almost non stop since Thanksgiving. I will admit I am a bit of a Hanson fan girl....They were performing at SXSW a couple years ago when I was there and I was super sad I didn't get to see them live. I'm not sure if I could deal with grown up Hanson though....

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I really just need to buy this album...I wonder if it's on vinyl...I wonder if all their albums are on vinyl.....(insert the dreamy sigh of a hipster here)

The only other Christmas album I listen to non stop is A Very She & Him Christmas. I am a big fan of the movie Elf, which somehow always makes me want to listen to this album. I have this on vinyl and on my iTunes. I burned a copy to a cd to listen to in my car a few years ago and it is so scratched that it just skips constantly.

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Are you a fan of Christmas music? If so, what is your favorite album?

December Sponsor Shout Out

It seems this month has flown by! Moving my blog to blogger and accepting sponsors has been an awesome experience. I can't wait to meet more bloggers and handmade artists through this community! I've enjoyed getting to follow along with my sponsors as they prepped for this crazy holiday season! Make sure to check out these rad shops and blogs, and leave some love!

The Lu & Ed shop is just full of the most unique products, but you gotta catch 'em fast (like a Pokemon) because she sells out quickly! She has a cute collaboration ornament that is on sale, and a portion of the proceeds go to Drumm Farm, a home for kids and young adults in the Missouri foster care system. You can also check out Lu & Ed's Handmade Fav feature to learn more about how rad her shop is!

Pelhuaz by Red is a cute shop full of handmade jewelry that would be the perfect gift for any occasion. Her for the little princess line is super cute, and I can't wait for Amelia to be old enough to wear some! Check out Pelhuaz by Red's Handmade Fav feature here!

AnnaBela Artistry makes amazing crocheted pieces and jewelry. I really love that they make cute things for animals too! AnnaBela Artistry is also giving 20% of proceeds to a family in the Philippines effected by the typhoon, how cool is that?!

Little House of Crafting is one of my favorite stores to buy little geek gifts for myself! Toni makes perler bead art and pinbacks/magnets. I couldn't help myself and bought her new Bubbles from The PowerPuff Girls perler. You can read about me gushing about how much I love her shop here!

Angelhearts Crafts makes the loveliest pendants, pouches, and clips. I am really enjoying her new upcycled elephant plushies. You can check out her Handmade Fav feature here!

Kiser Krafts makes unique and wonderful plushies from socks. She also did a collaboration with Violet's Buds, so please check out this rad lion where 50% of the proceeds goes to Drumm Farm, a home for kids and young adults in the Missouri foster care system. You can learn more about Kiser Krafts in her Handmade Fav feature!

ArtyStik Ego makes wearable art disguised as jewelry. Everything in her shop is just so shiny and beautiful! Take a peek at her Handmade Feature to learn more!

Violet's Buds is an eco-friendly handmade accessories store, overflowing with cuteness. The Dolly & Me collection is too adorable! I am wearing one of her fun clips right now! Check out more in her Handmade Fav feature!

Bracelet Frenzy is a shop full of your favorite braided bracelets! I am a big fan of the Gryffindor bracelet! Check back in 2014 for Bracelet Frenzy's Handmade Fav feature, but for now you can follow them on Facebook to keep up with the latest!

CallunaMuse makes marvelous beaded earrings. I know a friend of mine who would love all of her sparkly earrings. Please check back in 2014 for her Handmade Fav feature, just in time for Valentine's Day. Also, keep up with the latest by following CallunaMuse on Facebook.

I have a few new sponsors this month that will be featured in my January post, but be sure to check out their blogs and shops too! If you would like to be a part of this awesome community, check out my sponsor page for more info, or feel free to talk to me on Twitter.