When Reality Sets Back In. {And Some Recent Design Work On T-Shirts}

Time.

Have you ever wished that time would go by quickly but then it suddenly seems to slow down, as if it's egging you on, sticking it's tongue out at you, going, "Nyah, nyah, nyah"? That's just about how I feel right now. Not that I'm just laying around waiting for it to go by. Quite the opposite, really.

We found a place in Chino Hills. The application is signed, sealed, delivered. Our move in date is July 8, which is less than a month away, but there is so much going on between then and now that every day feels like a whole week. I'd go as far as to say it's dragging, but I know that I should probably be thankful that it is. I found out recently that I don't like to be hurried. Hello, I had a 2 year engagement, and I've been married for 4 years with no kids. So why am I so impatient to get on with moving?

While I ponder this question, let me show you one thing I am excited about: tshirts! I submitted and idea to my blog friend Olivia's call for tshirt designs for the Lake Tahoe Relay and it was chosen! Liv posted pictures of them on her blog {pictures from there} after the relay was done last weekend and I thought they turned out great! I especially love the blue. Reminds me of the ocean...or of a lake, more appropriately, huh?

Thanks for the opportunity, Liv! It's such an accomplishment to see one of my designs "in print." =)

Perfect Christmas Card Sentiment Giveaway By Kaza Design

My beautiful and creative Aunt Karina, who constantly inspires me, is giving away 10 handmade Christmas cards. Visit her design blog for details. As someone who has admired and seen all the wonderful things my aunt has made throughout my life, take my word for it~ you'll want to enter this giveaway. =)

Kaza Design Giveaway

Now through November 19, 2010

Come Together: Back From Break {Sort Of.}

Hey! I'm back...but not entirely. Let me explain.

I have to sincerely say I did miss this little blog and more importantly blog friends...though I have loooooved the time I've had "sans blogging."

I did know, however, that I wouldn't be able to stay away forever. It's too much a part of me to leave it cold turkey.

So I'm back, but I guess what I'm trying to say is, I'll be taking time in between posts, but I am back to visiting/commenting on your blogs starting: now.

I've got a lot to post, but it'll take some time. I'm taking it slow.

A few peeks on what is to come:
*Photos from my cousin's wedding I shot in Manti & Provo, Utah last month.

*My Etsy shop launch! I have to add a few more things to it before I actually announce it, though...

*More designs I've been working on, tutorials, and best of all...Free Downloads!
*Anchor Blue T-Shirt design contest submission...I'm one of 5 finalists so I'll let you know how that ends. ;)

See you again soon...

Shout Outs

Congrats to Cody & Kylie on buying their first house! If we ever get out of California, we may just be able to afford to buy a house, too!

Dabble in design like Kera did~ she's inspired me to do some more of it myself, especially with all the free digital design kits available to download. Thanks, Kera!

How cute is this fairy party Kim put together for her daughter Shailey? I'll be contracting her to do my party this year! And yes, it will be fairy-themed. I would just like a good reason to wear fairy wings, all right? :)

I just love this image taken by Olivia Carter. I wish the skies here were that pretty of a blue!

And another pretty picture taken by Tami, whose family just moved from California back to Utah. Don't worry, Tami, there are rainbows in Utah, too. :)

Thanks, Hillary, for sharing this touching poem, and the sweet video "Tender Mercies of the Lord."

MY LIFE IS BUT A WEAVING BETWEEN MY GOD AND ME.

I DO NOT CHOOSE THE COLORS, AND HE WORKETH STEADILY.
OFT TIMES HE WEAVETH SORROW, AND I, IN FOOLISH PRIDE,
FORGET HE SEES THE UPPER AND I THE UNDERSIDE.
NOT TILL THE LOOM IS SILENT AND THE SHUTTLE CEASE TO FLY
WILL GOD UNROLL THE CANVAS AND EXPLAIN THE REASONS WHY.
THE DARK THREADS ARE AS NEEDFUL IN THE SKILLFUL WEAVER'S HANDS
AS THE THREADS OF GOLD AND SILVER IN THE PATTERN HE HAS PLANNED.

New Header + First Ever Blog Poll!

I designed a new header yesterday. Pretty?

I've been thinking lately of changing my blog address to reflect me, anelieze, a little better because let's be honest~ this blog is mostly about moi. =}

I'll put it up to a vote: please let me know what you think on the poll to the right!
Poll ends Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at midnight. Thanks!! 
*Update: Well, I guess the website I used for the poll went berserk, so I ended it early. Thanks to all who voted! I'll think about it and let you know what I decide shortly.

New Moon Birthday Party

I promise this is the last post with "New Moon" in the title.

This weekend was a blur.

Last Friday, the day New Moon came out,

I had to be really careful to not read/see/hear anything about New Moon

because I had to wait until 4:30 pm on Saturday to watch it.

Let me tell ya: it was really hard.

It was everywhere!

But I managed, and so went in to see it with a mostly fresh perspective.

Two things:

1. I LOVED IT.

and

2. I AM DEFINITELY SEEING IT AGAIN.

Friday afternoon & Saturday morning were spent getting everything ready.

My sister Ruth, my friend Susie, and my hubby Franco helped SO much.

I am so grateful.

I was elated that so many people went to see the movie with me!

We reserved a whole row at the movie theater.

And because it was a matinee showing,

the theater wasn't too full.

It was perfect.

Thanks to all who came! You made my day!

Pri & me

Bry, Kels, Me & Franco

Then, it was on to dinner & festivities at our apartment.

I'm very happy at how it turned out:

The decor included:

red roses, tons of candles, branches with hanging quotes from New Moon, black, green and white tablecloths, and New Moon posters.

The food:

I had to make labels for the drinks~

I didn't have too much time to design them,

so I went with simple and named them the first thing that came into my head:

Vampire Elixir & Alpha Wolf.

{cheesy, huh?}

Haha!

The elixir was some red strawberry drink and the wolf drink was apple juice.

I had to have caramel apples and

for the main course: ravioli, salad, and rolls.

My favorite quote from New Moon.

On to my absolute favorite part of the whole party:

Bella's cake!

My friend Susie

{who left a little early so I didn't get a picture of her :( }

decorated this AMAZING cake with buttercream frosting & fondant.

I couldn't be any happier with how it turned out!

Franco & Me

Jenea gave me Twilight Scene It, so of course we had to play it!

Hayley & I were on a team and we won!

My mom saw the movie, too, and though she's not the biggest fan,

she realized she's a Team Jacob!

She likes his long hair.

I had to invite my beehives, too. Sarah, Maddy, and my sis Ruth.

We're showing off our bracelets~

which were the favors~

either a Jacob or Edward.

Edward's had a crystal heart and Jacob's had a wooden wolf.

I am both.

{I was almost leaning more towards Jacob...}

Mayra, Me & Jonathan

Jenea, Me, and Ela

What a night!

This night was not about New Moon.

It was about family, friends, & fun.

What more could you ask for in life?

What To Blog About?

Have you noticed I tend to blog in big rushes,

like I store up all the stuff I have to blog about and then do a hundred posts in one day?

I don't do it on purpose, but that's what always seems to happen.

Take right now, for instance. I can't think of ONE thing to blog about.

Well, I bought a new hand soap over the weekend and I absolutely love to wash my hands now because I love the way it smells...so I tried to find it on Target.com and tell you all about it,

but I couldn't find it. So it'll just have to wait until I get home and read the label.

Hope you can cope with the suspense.

I can blog about my weekend, I guess. But I don't have any pictures.

I love adding pictures to my posts.

Don't you like to see pictures included in posts?

Reading a long post is sometimes, well...boring without pictures.

Unless the text is really interesting.

Which in my case it usually isn't.

So instead of leaving today post-less,

I'll list the things that happened in my life this weekend.

Exciting, I know.

Friday: I went babysitting and missed my friend's bridal shower because I thought it was on Saturday night. Sooo mad.

Saturday: made a list of tons of errands to run, got a late start in the morning and my car wouldn't start.

Franco fiddled with it and got it to start, and then we immediately drove to the auto store to buy a new battery. While he switched the old one for the new one,

 I spent over an hour at Michael's Arts and Crafts Store where I ran into five people I knew:

Kim Boman, Elina, {a young woman from my church} with her mom, Keiko Chun, and Sarah Law {one of my beehives} and her mom, Valerie.

Our computer got a virus which proceeded to delete all of our programs, and Franco had to re-install them all one by one. Tedious.

I cleaned the bathroom~ every little corner of it. Woot woot.

I painted a comissioned oil painting for a friend which she's giving away as a Christmas present while watching She's All That and Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen.

{What happened to you, Lindsay?}

Franco forgot that he had to go to work so I dropped him off and

bought my New Moon tickets!!

Two more weeks, girls, two more weeks.

Went on my weekly {sometimes daily} run to Target.

Saw two people I knew there: Amber Johnson and her daughter Clarissa.

Franco and I ate dinner and watched the latest episode of The Office.

Poor Michael. Poor Pam's mom.

Sunday: Went to watch the Oxnard 6th Spanish Ward do their Primary Sacrament Meeting. I miss those kids!

Designed 50 programs for our Evening of Excellence tomorrow night while watching The Princess Diaries on YouTube. I wanted to see some of the San Francisco sights, which is where it was filmed.

Can't wait for our trip!!

{I actually got the "South of Market Street" comment her mom said this time.}

Went to have a celebratory cake with Franco's family for Mayra's 20th birthday.

Over the course of the weekend, I also read a book and a half.

But they're just easy Young Adult reads,

so I'm embarrased to list them here.

Sometimes I just need something to keep my mind occupied.

There. I've had my personal blogging fix for the week.

I promise it'll get a little more interesting...eventually.

Why do you blog what you blog?

Do you blog for yourself, or for your "followers"?

Maybe if you give me a few ideas it will help me be more consistent.

Have a great week!!

Shadow Boxes

Olivia was kind enough to send me a couple of

cute shadow boxes in her package last month.

I was ecstatic because I've always wanted to make

a shadow box keepsake for all of the

receipts, hotel confirmations, metro tickets, plane boarding passes,

pictures, etcetera from my European trip in 2005.

I finally got to do it,

and now all my memorabilia is up for display,

a reminder to me of how much fun I had

& of how hard I have to work to go there again someday.

Good idea, don't you think?

:)

{craft idea from here.}

I have a confession...

I'm obsessed with blogs! Everywhere from my friends's blogs to design blogs to random people's blogs I come across on the net--I can't seem to stop blog-viewing! I find it so interesting that you can have your own "space" to put up anything you want up on the web and match it to your personality! I was googling today for who knows what (I get sidetracked very easily and forget what I set out to do) and found this blog from a random girl in Provo. But in my book she's a professional blogger because she paints her small-town life so colorful and fun! This is what I aspire to. And I know, there are many, many other blogs out there probably more interesting, but I actually spent the last hour (at work, no less) looking at her blog. This is my confession. Don't tell my boss.