Monday, December 10, 2012

Ornament-a-Day

   Seems like all my inspiration and creativity these days starts with something found through Pinterest. And this is no exception! I came across a neat idea of sharing a photo a day of a special Christmas ornament, with an explanation or special memory. So, that is my plan. I'm obviously very behind so I will do 2 a day until I catch up. ;) 
   
   If you would like more info to join in, the original idea came from here: http://www.enchantedhomeschoolingmom.net/2012/11/christmas-ornament-day-picture-on.htmlAs an added bonus, I found a cool homeschooling blog to follow. 





  
  Two of my first Christmas ornaments. Doesn't get much better than that! I actually had 2 "Baby's First Christmas" ornaments. The other one was a cute yellow plastic rattle, with a nursery scene inside. My parents gave me that, and several other childhood favorites, when I got married. Unfortunately, we had an apartment fire 3 years ago and lost most of them. Thankfully, these were still at my parents and I acquired them last year. Makes me cherish them even more!

   Do you have a favorite ornament? Maybe from your first Christmas? Or one you, or your child, made? A precious family ornament handed down from a grandparent? I'd love to hear about them!

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Blessed

  • My Wonderful Merciful Savior. He took on flesh and bore God's wrath so that I may be in fellowship with Him here on earth and for eternity in Heaven.
  • My dear husband. It's not always been easy, but it's always been worth it! We have been through so much in the time we've been together, and I know God has only made us stronger through it. I am blessed to be your wife. 
  • Our 2 sweet kids. Thank you God for entrusting us with these two precious lives! They teach me about love, trust, and patience, in new ways everyday. 
  • My parents. Thank you for modeling Christ's love in a loving marriage. You lived out your faith everyday, even in the hard times and you instilled the same in me. You continue to give selflessly of your time, energy and resources, even when there was nothing left to give.
  • Our families. Brothers, Sisters, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins-whether blood related or by marriage,...we love you! I don't know where I would be without my family and I am so thankful for the relationships I have with Jim's family. 
  • Friends who are like family. God has blessed us with a great extended family! I love doing life with you. I love making memories with you. I love watching our children grow up together. Thanks for sharing your life with us!
This is just part of the long list of things I am thankful for, but the ones that are nearest to my heart. 

From my family to yours...Happy Thanksgiving!

The Anderson's 





Wednesday, November 21, 2012

My Little Man turns 2!

      I can't believe my baby boy just turned 2! It seems like just yesterday we were announcing that we were expecting. He is a ball of energy with such a sweet spirit. As with most parents, I think my favorite things are hearing him say "I love you", and hearing him laugh. He has the most contagious, uninhibited laugh! 
      
     We celebrated his birthday with a party fit for a "Little Man". It was a Milk, Cookie and Mustache Bash. I thought it was such an original and unique idea...until I started looking on the internet to purchase things for it...and found a ton! I worked with an amazing designer on Etsy that sold entire party printable packs for this exact theme. A few color and wording changes later, and the invites were the perfect start to planning this bash. 

Special Thanks to Robin at Paper Clever for the
invites, banner, food tags and favor tags! Check out her Etsy shop!
  

    

     The backdrop (given to me by a sweet friend-Thanks, Carla!) created a real focal point. I used gift wrapped boxes to add height on the table. 







     We had 6 types of cookies and 3 kinds of milk. A friend let me borrow some awesome antique milk bottles and a vintage milk sign. (Thanks, Chrystal!) I cut some mustaches from black cardstock with my Cricut and added them to the paper straws in the Frappuccino bottles. 






      My dear husband came up with the great idea of creating an Andy Warhol inspired collage of our son, which we used to play "Pin the Mustache on Jacob". Guests had fun with the paper photo props and collection of ties...even some clip-ons for the little ones! ;) We played "Name that Stache" and had some "Wooly Willy" games. Favors were white chocolate "milk mustache" lollipops. 

     A tradition we started in our family was to have a children's book "guestbook". We invite our friends and family to write a special note to the child. Our oldest still loves for us to read her every note from all 4 of her birthday books. I think at this point she can recite them to us, but they mean so much to her and I know they will for years to come! 


Printables: Paper Clever (http://www.etsy.com/shop/paperclever)
Paper Straws: Creamy Cakes (http://www.etsy.com/shop/creamyspecialtycakes)
Name that Stache game: Busy Chickadees (http://www.etsy.com/shop/BusyChickadees)
Mustaches: Cricut digital cart: Mustaches & Glasses



Saturday, May 19, 2012

Happy 1st Birthday, Leapin' Lilypads!

I can't believe Leapin' Lilypads Creations & Celebrations has been open for a YEAR! :)

Crafting is my hobby, my passion and my business. It is my excitement, my calm, and my frustration all rolled into one! I love learning new tricks and working with new mediums. I just want to play with it all! I have enjoyed seeing my crafting abilities expand over this year and look forward to doing even more in the year to come! Next goal: Sewing! :)

I just want to take a minute to say THANK YOU! To my entire family--for encouraging me along this journey, for challenging me to do more/learn more, and for putting up with me in my frustrating moments! I love you all and this would not be possible without you!

For all my friends, family, readers and customers....THANK YOU! From the bottom of my heart!!

Since the first anniversary gift is "paper", I have created a special printable for you to download, as my gift to you!  And don't forget: 25% off anything in the Etsy store until 11:59pm tomorrow night! Use coupon code: THANKYOU25.