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.html. As 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!

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 

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

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. 

DOWNLOAD FILE

Everyone's favorite (girl) Mouse

Here comes Peter Cottontail...

My Easter collection...



Lily modeling the bunny for size reference. The bunny is slightly larger than the chick, due to the ears.



A collection of holiday clippies.



For those of you that have been interested in the sculpted clippies from the past couple days, I went back and re-posted pictures of Lily modeling the Dragonfly and the Bumblebee. This should give you an idea of the size of these clips. Remember...they would also be great attached to a hat or headband! I will try to snap a couple pictures of one on a hat.

What other holiday clips would you be interested in seeing? It could be a completely different holiday...or even a different type of clip for a holiday already represented. I would love your suggestions!

Tomorrow: Everyone's favorite girl Mouse!

Butterflies & Dragonflies

Short post tonight. Been a long day.

This is the 2nd set of bug clips I have to show you this week. Butterflies & Dragonflies.

I added a couple pictures of my daughter, Lily, wearing the Dragonfly clip. This should give you an idea of the size of the clips.

Tomorrow: Easter sculpted clips

Have a great night everyone!

Bugs, Bees and Bows

I've had some fun with ribbon this week, after taking advantage of a 50% off sale at Michael's! I have several projects to show you over the next few days. Most of them will be hairbows, but I am hoping to show you a ribbon home decor project this weekend! That is the one I am most excited about!

First up: Ladybugs & Bumblebees

Lily modeling the Bumblebee clip, for size reference.

The hairbows are on fully-lined 1.75" steel alligator clips. All ribbon is heat sealed to prevent fraying. Completed bows are baked & starched for durability. The Bumblebee is finished off with a 5mm Swarovski crystal.

Tomorrow: Butterflies & Dragonflies

Happy Crafting!

Oh Baby! pt 4

This will be the final Oh Baby! posting. The last element added to the "Sweets" gift basket, was a travel wipes holder.

Carts. used: Storybook, Home Decor, Wall Decor and More

Oh My Vinyl: Hot Pink, Bubblegum, Lemon Drop, Ebony

One of my first vinyl projects was a wipes holder for Lily. It is still one of my favorite creations.

Carts. used: Plantin
Oh My Vinyl: Bubblegum, Walnut

Happy Crafting! :)

Oh Baby! pt 3

In addition to all the "sweets" in the baby shower gift basket, I added these wooden letters of the baby's initials. They were made to match the baby's bedroom, done in pink, red, green and ladybugs.

I decoupaged patterned paper onto the letters with ModPodge. It leaves a very shiny finish, which I liked for a little girl. However, I am experimenting with other types of adhesive for a more matte finish. If anyone has a suggestion...I'd love to know what has worked for you!

Even with the shine from the ModPodge, I added Martha Stewart fine glitter (color: Crystal) to the mix before coating the tops of the letters. A little ribbon, Stickles, and ladybug embellishments...and Ta-Da! It's complete.

Just as a side note: I LOVE my MS fine glitter in Crystal. I find a use for it in many of my projects. If you are looking for a good multi-use glitter, I highly suggest it. It is super-fine which provides a great overall glimmer without being over-bearing. And I love the fact that you can't see each individual flake of glitter like so many others. It isn't the cheapest glitter out there, but don't let the price scare you off. A little goes a LONG way.

Enough about that. Thanks for stopping by! Tomorrow: the 4th and final Oh Baby! posting. On today's agenda: making hairbows!