Happy 2011!

Happy New Year to all my blog readers and blog hoppers!

I can’t believe another year has flown by. I started this blog January 29, 2009 and it’s now 2011! Back in 2009, I decided to create a blog to help share some of my right-brain creative design and mommy ideas with others out there in blogland. I hope you found something here and were inspired to create it in your life. Along the way, I have learned a lot from other creative bloggers out there-So thank YOU! Now I feel like I have a blog full of ideas/projects/inspirations that I long to create.

With that being said, I am not going to post anything new on Designing and Motherhood in 2011. It’s time for me to move my creative energy to completing projects and not allow myself to collect any new inspirations. Know what I mean ladies? I now have the mommy energy, drive, and funds to execute the creative ideas that I have accumulated over the past two years.

I have goals lined up to finish my kids scrapbooks, take a painting class, create my family tried and true recipe book, redesign my office, finish up a few odds and end projects, and work with a few new interior design clients. I also want to spend more time reading the Bible with my husband at night when I usually did blog posts.

As for this blog, I will not delete it immediately. I will have it up and for reference (for you and for me). Please scroll down and you'll see the list of all my blog topics. I have lots of ideas: all the holidays, crafts, baby shower ideas, window treatments, recipes, home decor, mommy mishaps, teacher appreciation, organization, cakes, and birthday ideas. They are all there for you to view.

Well, as I move on I wanted to personally and sincerely thank you for following my blog and encouraging me. It's been fun. I wish you all the best in 2011!

Blessings to you all,

Staci

Part 2- Teacher aide gifts and a few girlfriends gift

Here's what I gave the teacher aides, office staff at the elementary school, and a few of my girlfriends: A Glade candle and some Hershey kisses. No saying just the gift this time! I got these single tea light candles (shown below) last year on the day after Christmas clearance for FREE with coupons. I got the Hershey kisses this year on Thanksgiving clearance (Can't remember the price) from 2010 (of course from this year not last and they don't expire till 2011). I picked out the red and silver wrapped kisses for this gift. We ate the coppery orange Thanksgiving paper ones! :0)I piled the kisses on top and wrapped with tissue paper and ribbon. I am showing you how I pulled up the corners on the tissue paper.
And wahh laa an inexpensive Christmas gift!

My neighbor and friend gifts Part 1-Cookie mixes

Here' what I gave out to my neighbors and some friends. I attached this saying to the cookie mix box! I got these cookie mix boxes for FREE with coupons at Smith's!

If you find yourself on Christmas Eve's chill,
With no Christmas cookies for Santa's fill,
Don't make them from scratch,
Just whip up a batch,
On us, direct from Krusteaz mill!
Merry Christmas

Here's some other poems you could use:

This one is to be delivered on Christmas Eve Day!

When Santa comes on Christmas Eve,
He likes to have a treat.
Usually something fattening
And always something sweet.

So while you're getting ready
For the big event tonight
Bake up a batch for Santa
And he will treat you right!

OR For a Friend:
Use this poem with a cookie mix, cookie in a jar, or homemade cookie dough:

Isn't Christmas delightful with presents and goodies galore?
But you might feel like you can't eat one gooey calorie more.
So just about New Years, when you are craving some sweets,
Remember you have a cookie (dough) mix in the pantry (or freezer) and you're not far from a yummy hot treat!

OR my favorite sarcastic poem (for the right audience of course)

Use a cookie mix or brownie mix with the following poem:

Roses are Red
Violets are Sweet
I'm too stressed out from shopping
So please make your own dang treat! Ha ha

My 6 month's old gift to his Daddy

I am making hand prints of my son's hand at 6 months to give to my husband for Christmas (or you could do if for his b-day or Father's Day). Here's the poem I am putting with it. NOTE: I recommend doing hand prints when your baby is sleepy or sleeping!

Daddy

Daddy, take my hand in yours and you will plainly see,
How very much I need you now to love and care for me.
Then as my little hand grows, I will need you even more.
Everything I do in life, I have never done before.

Teach me to be kind and loving, sharing and forgiving.
Show me through your acts of love the pure joy of living.
The years will pass by quickly and one day I’ll be grown,
I will pass what you have taught me onto children of my own.

Keep these hand prints with you and remember when we’re apart,
The special love that dwells between a child and Daddy's heart.

~ Author Unknown