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.

51/52

Today is Amelia's 1st birthday! This year has just flown by! We had her party on Saturday, and she had so much fun. She enjoyed everyone singing Happy Birthday, opening presents, and smashing cake. It was the cutest little party. Sadly none of her cousins we able to make it, but it just kept all the attention on her which was nice. I also get to keep all the rad goodies I picked up for the goody bags, and I'm not complaining (hello MLP temporary tattoos). 

Her cousins are here visiting and it's interesting to see her interacting with kids close to her age. She definitely loves to follow them around and copy them. Tonight we are having mini cupcakes (courtesy of MiMi) to celebrate after dinner. 

I am not big on sharing super personal things on here, and especially not birthing stories. Truthfully birthing stories freak me out. I read one once, and I never thought I would have a baby after reading it. But I wanted to share a few things from the day Amelia was born so I wouldn't forget, and maybe someday she will read it and enjoy learning about the beginning of her life. 

Amelia Birthday Fun Facts:

1. I started the very early signs of labor in Pier 1. I was Christmas shopping with my friends T&E.

2. Clint was at work, and rushed home. We headed up to the hospital with my mom in tow at 11pm on Dec 17th.

3. Upon arrival I immediately asked for the epidural. I thought I was going to be hardcore and wait until I really needed it, but I went in and told them to give new the good stuff. Of course I had to wait an hour.

4. Amelia was born at 7:41 am on Dec 18th. My mom was there and so was Clint. My moms job was to give me the oxygen mask between pushes. 

5. I kept saying "they didn't tell me this in the class!" I so wasn't prepared! 

6. The first thing I said when I held her was "she doesn't look like an alien" and "she has hair!"

7. Later that day there was a crazy haboob.

8.We spent the entire time in the hospital watching Castle.

9. When we finally went to leave the hospital our car wouldn't start, and a security guard had to help jump start it. 

She was the cutest little thing and it was a very exciting time. Clint was super cute and got to give her her first bath and he loved cuddling with her (and still does). She's definitely a daddy's girl. She has grown to be the funniest little girl with a bright personality. We are very excited to share all these new experiences with her as she grows. Xo

Handmade Fav: Little House Of Crafting

In an effort to promote handmade this holiday season, I am featuring some of my fav handmade shops. Please check out these amazing shops and support handmade!

Today's handmade fav featured shop is one of my super favs! I am addicted to all her cute geeky products! I've bought several of my friends and family little stocking stuffers from Toni's shop this holiday season, and I can't wait to buy more!

What is it that you make/sell?

I make pinback buttons and perler bead art. I also have my pinback buttons available in magnet form. 

If you don't know what perler bead art is, here is an awesome example:

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

I ensure that my perler bead art is of the highest quality. I take the time to iron the pieces until the holes in the beads are closed. This amount of time varies depending on the color of the bead; however, I want to insure that customers are receiving a highly durable product.

Perler beads are super small, and I think it takes some amazing patience and skill to make these rad designs. I also think Toni must be a genius to come up with all these patterns!

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

My favorite product my Keep Calm and Write On button. It's the perfect gift as November is National Novel Writing Month. 50% of the sale price will be dontated to NaNoWriMo on December 1st so everybody wins!

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Even though NaNoWriMo is already over this year, take a look at all her other amazing pinbacks! I am a huge fan of her Harry Potter and Adventure Time themed ones! Toni also take custom orders! I have so many I want her to make for me!

This is my bag with my Luna Lovegood quote and my Lumpy Space Princess pinbacks! 

I also wear them....

Anything else you would like to add Toni?

Thank you so much for reading about me and my shop. :) I will have Scrawny Girl featured on my blog in December. Please come and see her feature!

Thanks for participating Toni! 

You can keep up with the latest products and news for Little House of Crafting here:

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The Unicorns Made Me Do It

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I'm working on some rad new changes to the blog for 2014. You can already see some change with my blog layout and logo. I really wanted my little space here to be more of a reflection of me and the growth I've made as an artist. I'm also going to have lots of new arty things to look forward to in the new year! 

I appreciate every single person who takes the time to read my blog, leave a comment, and chat with me on Twitter! Interacting and making new friends makes having a blog even more fun! I made a short blog reader survey to get some feedback from all you lovelies. It's not long and you can click here to fill it out. 

Thanks again, and Happy Holidays! xo