Life In Photos #23

Full disclosure – this was a crap week in pictures for me. We had plans EVERY SINGLE day of this week, and my picture taking took a backseat to running around and having playdates and such. All of these pictures are actually from the same day, the one day we managed to take a long walk together!

These lovely purple flowers looked excellent adorned with morning dew drops.

About a fifteen minute walk up the road from us is an adorable little farm. We see the owner walking all the time, and last time she let us know that they have a new baby donkey, and we should just let ourselves in the gate and go visit! I was just as excited as my little. Mama is up front, baby is to the right and Daddy is to the left. Just look how fuzzy that baby is!!

The donkeys were so friendly, nuzzling right up to us, and letting us pet them. Mama (pictured here) was all about getting some attention! The baby was a bit skiddish, and tended to stay close to mum or dad. But eventually he(she?) warmed up too.

My hubby actually took this one for me. I am terrified of spiders, but I definitely can appreciate their value and even yes, sometimes, beauty. I love the yellow and black contrasts on these orb spinners. . .however I was NOT trudging into spider laden territory to get this shot. His back was away from us, so my wonderful hubs climbed up the bank to snap a picture for me. I wish it had been closer, but the angle was really awkward, and I didn’t have my zoom lens. While my hubs isn’t afraid of spiders like me, he wasn’t about to get too close either!

Clockwise, from top left. . .

1. We started our Labor Day morning with pancakes.

2. This little moth decided to join me in a late night painting session.

3. The hubs was out at the MTG Judge Conference this weekend, so we spent Friday and most of Saturday at my bff’s place. They have a great park to go to!

4. I’ve posted lots of book photos as the September edition of Books and Cupcakes Book Photo Challenge is in full swing! The prompt list is below – hop in and join the fun with #booksandcupcakes #bookphotochallenge, and (if you’re taking part in it) use #novelteabookclub to share your snaps with members!

 

Life In Photos #20

Edgar watching the living room antics from up on high. The bookshelf is definitely a favorite cat spot.

I had a brinner party for some friends this week and it was a good time. I love to make food for people! Lots of laughter, as seen by my hubs about-to-burst-out-laughing face. 😀

She was watching a new episode of My Little Pony, and there was a ‘scary bad guy’. She’d pull the blanket over her head when it was too frightening – so cute!

My grandmother gave me this blanket which was handmade by one of my great great aunts. Eli loves it. He goes out of his way to sit on it and if you’re using it, he will find a corner just to rest on. Blanket love.

Completely forgot to do an Instagram roundup last week, oooooops.

Going clockwise. . .

1. Finished the bookmark for my hubs! He loves it. 😀
2. I’ve been posting lots of bookish photos on Instagram as I’m taking part in a Book Photo Challenge for August.
3.We had a big game weekend at my BFF’s house and it was a blast. This is a shot from Lords of Waterdeep – one of our faves.
4. I’ve been back into making omelets for the little and the hubs in the morning (not a huge egg fan myself).

Life In Photos #10

It’s been a grand week around here! My birthday was on Wednesday, and it was spent with my hubs and daughter. A nice simple day, just the way I like it! This weekend has been filled with family, fun, and laughter as my dad and brother are up to visit. Such a wonderful way to celebrate!

Ready for an adventure in the woods at Grammy’s house!

Happy Eli bathing in sunbeams.

Books make the best birthday presents.

My mother-in-law took a trip to Cancun and brought me back this vanilla! It smells so rich – can’t wait to bake with it.

Happy mail from Scrawny Girl.

Gotta get ’em started on geek while they’re young! She loves her MLP comics.

-Kayly

Tea Time

Here it is. . .my newest crafty DIY project.

Voila! The Custom Tea Mug!

This came from a double Pinterest inspiration. The first was a mug that had the first lines from famous works of literature printed on it. I though to myself hmmm, I would love this but with the first lines of my personal favorite books. So began my quest to make this cup. It started with a $1.49 plain white mug from Marshalls. I traced the outside of the cup onto paper to make some templates. Using a black crayon (taken straight from my 2 1/2 year old’s crayon cup) I marked the template blocks onto the cup. Then came the tedious task of doing all the tiny lettering with a crayon! I didn’t worry about font, or even real legibility for this step; this was solely for blocking on the letters to make sure they fit in their allotted spaces. The final lettering is where the second Pinterest inspiration comes in.

There are many pins floating around that claim you can write a plain ole Sharpie marker on porcelain, bake it in the oven, and have it magically fused forever. Codswallop! Hogwash! This is entirely untrue – the Sharpie can be wiped right off with a sponge. What you need is an oil-based paint Sharpie – designed specifically for writing on porcelain, glass, metal, etc (and sold at any craft store). I’m not even sure you have to bake it once it dries, though I did. Back to the lettering. I erased the crayon with a Q-Tip as I went along filling in the final text. You don’t even need water; it just rubs off! I used a few different fonts so the sections of text are a bit more visually separate. And presto – your own one-of-a-kind mug!

So there’s my new mug in all it’s glory. The lettering isn’t perfect, and the lines are crooked in some places. But that’s what makes is my own. I love it’s little imperfections! Massive awesome points from me to anyone who knows any of the books these are from – you’ve got good taste. Do you have a tea/coffee related craft of your own? Submit it over at Little Green Guy – she’s doing a feature on them! You’ll find my mug in there along with other cool tea and coffee related crafts.

-Kay

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