Free printables...DIY Thankful Jars

Thankful jars!

With Thanksgiving quickly approaching, I wanted to give yall a great activity for your family. My friend and I came up with this idea as a Fun Friday activity with our 3rd graders' class, and it was a lot of fun and hopefully somewhat meaningful. The best part? I am giving you these brand new, super cute designs for free!

We got super lucky that my mother-in-law had several old mason jars we could use. I also had been saving jars for some reason this past year, I guess thinking I'd need them for something like this, so this project turned out to be almost free.

Instructions:

1) Get a mason jar, top with the round sticker

2) Attach the rectangle "Thankful Jar" sticker on the outside

3) Print the "I'm thankful for" cards on either cardstock or plain paper. 

4) Have everyone in your family fill out as many as they like. Put them in the jar and then when you sit down to Thanksgiving dinner, you can pull all the cards out and read them. It gives you a head start on discussing all the many, many things we have to grateful for!

Click here to download the stickers

 Click here to download the thankful cards

Monster Truck party favors

How precious are these goodie bags? These were the party favors the lucky attendees received at my friend's little boy's Monster Truck themed 3rd birthday party. They say "I'm WHEELIE glad you came to my party" and are filled with 4 monster truck "tires" (chocolate mini doughnuts). I'm always amazed at our clients' creativity!

"Nothing of Significance Happens Suddenly"

My title to this week's post, "Nothing of Significance Happens Suddenly," is a quote from an ancient philosopher and used by the minister at Independent Presbyterian Church (IPC) in his sermon this past Sunday. This was a special Sunday as it was celebrating the completion of a beautiful pipe organ. As Ellen and I are laboring over the very challenging task of revising our Little Lamb Design designs for 2012, this really struck a chord, no pun intended! 

The beautiful sanctuary of Independent Presbyterian Church completed in 1926, as seen from the back balcony.

12 years of fund raising and planning, nearly 1 year of construction and installation, followed by 6 months just to tune the complex instrument, all came together in a joyous morning filled with thankfulness and music. How great that in this hurry up world where so many things are being dumb-ed down the cheapest and quickest denominator, that so many people came together and labored for years to have this organ completed. There were plenty of obstacles along the way, but there were those with vision who saw the project through. I believe that music is the universal language, and speaks to your soul, so it is really awesome to think of how many will be touched by the music this organ will produce for generations to come.

Just some of the nearly 130 pipes which compose this organ made by the Dobson Pipe Organ Builders

My father in law, Joseph Schreiber had been the organist at IPC for over thirty years and this instrument is named in his memory.  Not only did he set the bar for music during the worship services, but he also put into motion a music and arts program that enriches our whole community. He taught us all so much about hard work, attention to detail, and the value of doing things not the quickest way but the right way.

There is a whole orchestra contained in the organ, and I can't imagine the hours of practice required to master such a complex instrument, but we are all richer for the seed that my father in law planted, and that Jeff McLelland the current music director carries on.

If you live in Birmingham, or are ever passing through take the time to check out the beauty of this unique instrument, or better yet attend one of the many concerts or services where this powerful instrument plays a part!

Submitted by Stella 5/11/12

Morning of the Wedding Bridal Luncheon

I had the pleasure of helping to host a bridal brunch last weekend for a good friend's daughter and wanted to share a couple of the details in case you might be planning a similar event.  With everyone's work and travel schedules the only time to host the get together was the morning of the wedding. We were all concerned about planning too much the day of the wedding, but it all turned out to be very relaxed and fun! The bride and her bridesmaids needed to have a meal to get them through until the reception, so it was a practical way to kick off the exciting day.

We chose this colorful invitation and customized the colors of the bridesmaids dresses to match the actual wedding.  You can customize the colors of any invitation from Little Lamb Design for a small fee!

Next, my friend Shaun put together these simple table decorations with potted Gerber daises, little stainless buckets from the hardware store, and some shiny sheets of wrap in between. It was simple, inexpensive and fit in perfect with our pink and green theme.

I had heard about doing a bridesmaid's cake with charms for years, and here was my opportunity to try it!

The tea room where we hosted the brunch baked us a fabulous strawberry cake, and as they assembled it they place a charm for each bridesmaid attached to a ribbon underneath. At the other end of the ribbon we had attached a card with the meaning or fortune that the charm was to foretell.  Each bridesmaid and junior bridesmaid chose a charm to pull before we cut the cake.  Fortunes ranged from, a camper charm which meant their life would be filled with travel to a ring charm which meant they would be the next to marry. 

Somehow we all manged to eat a big slice of cake even though more cake awaited us at the reception just a few hours down the road.  It was great fun to get to share a little relaxed time with the our good friend and all three of her daughters on such a special day!

 I hope you have the same pleasure of being a part of such a happy celebration! Stella

Pennants!

How cute and handy are these blank wooden pennants from Pick Your Plum? Better get 'em quick! This is like a Zulily or Ideeli but for us crafters...how cool is that?

 

Click photo to order

Wouldn't they coordinate perfectly with our Party Banner Invitation?

 

Posted by Ellen

The ups and downs of owning a boat!

My father is now 88 and still very much the patriarch of the family. He is really upbeat and has great perspective on things, and 98% of the time I think he is dead-on with his advice and wisdom. But, this past weekend, when I had a rare occasion that I had to disagree with him, I had to take note.  He has always said "The two days that are the happiest parts of boat ownership are the day you buy the boat and the day you sell it."  I have to say, those two days are bittersweet, and it is all the days in between that are the happiest!

2003- back in the heyday of our boat use!

In 1993, my husband and I bought a 19' Maxim inboard/outboard boat.  It is the old style boat with walk-through windshield. I was apprehensive about the expense and the responsibility of boating with our young children. But for the next 15 years we made so many great memories I can't recount them all. Tubing, teaching the kids to ski, fishing, swimming off the boat, and the frequent boat rides just to cruise around and cool off, all great memories.

This appears to be some sort of unsafe project my teenage boys were experimenting with, exactly what I worried about when we bought the boat!

Then the last 5 years or so, there has been much less boat use, the children are grown, and have summer jobs, and somehow circumstances have just conspired against boating! So while it has been a great run with the boat, it is time to bid farewell. 

My Dad always said this would be such a happy day, but when cleaning it out last weekend for a final time, I felt the same sadness that you feel when getting rid of your first car.  It was a great ride, with a lot of memories, the end of an era!!

The boat is making its way to the Boy Scouts, where we hope they will be able to make use of it at their summer camp, which makes it a little easier to part with!

So to anyone apprehensive, like me, about taking the plunge into boat ownership, do it! Yes, it will at times break down, and after you keep it enough years and make lots of great memories with it, no one will want to buy it from you, but it's all worth it!

Happy boating! Stella

So much fun for just about $3!

In a time where everything seems to be SO expensive, gas, groceries, car repair, tennis shoes, eating out, and college tuition to name a few things, there is still one thing that is good clean fun on the cheap.  Dying eggs has to be one the most just simple fun and somewhat zen like activities (okay maybe not zen like if you have toddlers, but if you are by yourself or with children a bit older) that anyone, with a few extra bucks and a little vinegar, can engage in! 

Grab a dozen eggs (about $1.60) and the good old fashion Paas egg tablets ($1.47 at Walmart or CVS), and viola! I like to have a glass of wine and just enjoy dipping them in the dye, some dark, some light, half and half, or give them a tye-dye look, the possibilities are endless.  And afterwards I like to display them in a pretty shallow glass bowl with a little Easter Basket grass! A great inexpensive centerpiece for my kitchen island or even dinning room table.

Now granted you can get way more elaborate. 

 These are probably the coolest idea I've seen this year, without being too complicated. They are from Martha Stewart's site and just use some thread or neon floss secured with a little Modge Podge.

But you can also get really complicated with this hinged egg on a bed of sequins! Martha Stewart will tell you how-to. But personally I think if you get complicated or try to be too exacting, it spoils the relaxing fun!

I hope you have a blessed Easter filled with the renewal the Holiday brings and also just some good simple fun! Stella

Do you remember any of your high school graduation gifts?

 This time of year has me thinking about all the families who have someone graduating from high school, college, or graduate school. I do not have anyone graduating this year, but was thinking back to my own high school graduation (in 1979, yikes talk about time going too quickly!).  Times have changed as have graduate needs especially with all the technology (our kids really can't imagine that no one even had PC's in our college years, and the computer we used for computer programing class was so large it was housed in its own building!) I know that my family and friends were very generous and gave me thoughtful and useful gifts to mark my graduation, but only one gift that I received do I still have and use today. 

The sewing box that I received for high school graduation, and didn't think was a very exciting gift at the time, but now really appreciate that it has endured as the one I still remember and use!

This sewing box with just the basic assortment of thread, needles, and a few items used for hemming or repairs was given to me by a neighbor and is still in use 33 years later! Probably because my sewing skills never progressed beyond basic repairs, this did the job.

Next I text-ed my three children, all high school graduates, about what was their favorite high school grad gift:

My text: "Hey, I'm working on my blog post, what was your favorite or most useful high school grad gift?

My 23 year old son replied: "Mom, you have a blog?" 
 Then (granted he is an engineer):    "A tool kit, very useful"

My 21 year old son, always a man of few words replied: "cooler"

I actually talked with my 19 year old daughter who said: The several sets of monogram towels she received are her most used gifts!

Let me know if you remember any of your high school graduation gifts!

In closing I have to mention our line of graduation announcements. Times have changed and rather than just the standard graduation announcement available through the school there are lots of options for announcements. Some include photos and space to let your family and friends know where you will be headed next.

Check out the Little Lamb Design Graduation Announcements, and have a great day!

Stella

Baby Showers and Baby Bites

30% off ALL Little Lamb Design Baby Shower invitations. Now through April 2nd!

I am so excited that we are currently offering a sale on our Baby Shower invitations, and it makes me think of all things cute and fun! Which leads me to share my absolute favorite little cakes in Birmingham.  We have some pretty great bakeries and cup cake shops in Birmingham, Alabama and my daughter and I are big fans of cup cakes so we have sampled them all! But I have to share my absolute favorite is a treat called Baby Bites by Pastry Art Bake Shoppe. 

Pastry Art has fantastic wedding and specialty cakes, but they are famous for their 1" Baby Bites. I don't know how they do it, but something about their little cakes are so moist and flavorful, and topped off with just the right amount of icing (not like the 2" of icing that some bakeries add to their cup cakes). I don't know their secret, but would venture to guess that it is the use of the freshest highest quality ingredients, all combined via some sort of mystery recipe into 2 blissful bites.

Sweet Nest Invitation shown with chocolate, marble and red velvet Baby Bites!

Of course it was a great excuse for me to head over to Pastry Art and get a few Baby Bites to shoot for these photos! But they are so delectable that just one (or two!) are enough to satisfy.  Something this small can't be bad, right? You don't have to wait for your next Baby Shower; I have given them as a pick me up for friends, and served for dessert for all sorts of get-togethers.

This Forest Invitation is one my favorites, and even better with strawberry and vanilla Baby Bites!

I hope you have some small treat that makes your day today! Stella

Popcorn!

Little Lamb Design Popcorn and Movie invitation has been popular for all ages, as well as corporate events.

With all the talk of the Oscars last week I have had popcorn and movies on my mind. I haven't psyched myself up yet to see The Artist, even though everyone that sees it gives it a fantastic review. When I want to really relax and go to the movies I seem to be more drawn to a good action movie I can get lost in, like Safe House with Denzel Washington.  I give it a two thumbs up! I guess my movie taste is more like enjoying Bruce Springsteen over Opera!

Which brings me to the popcorn! I have been trying to eat healthier lately, and so was checking out some options with popcorn.  Below is a recipe I found for "Popcorn Trail Mix" on the GoodLifeeates website. So I decided to give it a whirl.  I whipped it up last night and snapped this photo before we all (4 of us) sampled it!

1 envelope Orville Redenbacher Natural Simply Salted 50% Less Fat, popped
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/4 cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
2/3 cup raw, unsalted almonds
1/3 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup diced dried apricots

Pop the corn, toss with the cinnamon, then combine with the other ingredients.

My conclusion is this is definitely a healthy snack that satisfies you when you want something crunchy that wont weigh you down!  It was however a little lacking in flavor. The nuts and dried fruit were delicious but the popcorn just doesn't pack a punch without a little butter and salt! 

I think I will have to on occasion stick with just a little movie popcorn. We have the bucket that you buy once a year and refill for just a few dollars! We never have them fill it all the way up, but just get a little in there as it is even cheaper than a small, AND has the added benefit of really EMBARRASSING our children when we tote the bucket to the theater! 

I hope you get to enjoy the movie of your choice soon! Stella

Were our parents more glamorous?

Wedding photo of my parents leaving their 1950 ceremony.

I ran across some old photos the other day, and am struck by how my parents and their friends look so glamorous.  I'm not sure if it is the timeless quality of black and white or if they genuinely dressed nicer, but they seem so much more charismatic than the photos I have of myself and my friends at the same age. Even their photos from trips to the beach in their bathing suits (which my mother would have thanked me for not putting on the Internet!) seem charming and classy.

My parents on their honeymoon at Pat O'Briens in New Orleans.
I have a similar  photo of my husband and I at about the same age, but we don't look elegant! 

And one last photo I have to share.  Below is a photo of President Calvin Coolidge. The year is around 1924 and he is greeting Walter Johnson the Hall of Fame Washington Senator's baseball pitcher. Even sporting events back in the day seemed classy.  Ties for the men, dresses for women, hats for both, and note no one has disposable drink or food containers in hand. 

President Coolidge known to be a man of very few words is all decked out for a
baseball game where he greets Walter Johnson.

I can't resist mentioning if you have some old photos either classy and elegant or just dated and funny pull them out and use them on your next invitation.  Below are some Little Lamb Design invitations that have some fun with old photos.

IV137 is available in lots of different versions and can be a great use with that dated photo!

Little Lamb Design IV142 is perfect for an anniversary party.

Have a great day, Stella

Salute to Farming Families!

The barn my Grandfather built, now nearly 100 years old, with all brick construction and an all slate roof. Incredible craftsmanship that is still in great condition.  The original milking parlor is the small round structure on the right.

Sometimes I have the pleasure of finding myself out in more rural areas, usually either in Alabama or when I'm visiting family in Virgina. Recently I had occasion to run an errand to a local farm and was reminded how grateful I am that certain families are still committed to making a living on their farm. He told me to come by the barn around lunch as that is when I could catch them just before heading over to the house for lunch.  I'm struck by how different in many ways their lifestyle is.  Even in the country, they have all the modern conveniences that we have, but their profession dictates their hours and days.  Some days may be quiet and they are a little more free to have a relaxed day, but many are long because animals must be fed and crops must be harvested.  When it is time, these jobs must be done and can't wait until Monday or even morning.

Hay bales on a recent foggy morning.

My Grandfather and Uncles were dairy farmers.  Cows must be milked 2x per day, 365 days a year! Someone must be there 24/7 to tend to a dairy farm! I don't know that I could make that commitment!

One of the cows on my Uncle's farm. The farm always looks to me like everything is just on auto-pilot, cows eat and give birth, the rain waters the fields: but I know the business of a successful farm is really much more complicated.

 Farming like every industry has become more competitive. Most of the farmers of this generation seem to go to college for degrees like AgriBusiness, Dairy Science, or Horticulture. To be successful you have to be a great business person, to figure how much to spend per acre, how much yield you will get, when to upgrade equipment, whether leasing or purchasing more land will be most profitable, and which if any chemicals to use.  All while taking a gamble on so many factors out of your control, like the weather and what the market price will actually be when your crop is ready.  I would be frustrated by the fact that when I have a great crop with the right sun and rain, so does everyone else, driving the price at market much lower. And vice verse, when there is a drought or storm destroying my crop those are the years I could really make a killing because everyone is usually in the same boat.  Supply and demand at it's best, but so many factors out of the farmer's control!!

I love fresh fruits, vegetables and meats. So thank you to all the farmers who are willing to be "tied" to their farms and have a job that involves so many risky factors!

And if you have any little ones that love tractors, here is the Little Lamb Design salute to the farmers.

Below is a cute farm invitation as well as a waterproof label, perfect for your little farmer! 

I'm looking forward to fresh tomatoes and corn! Stella

Summer, please!!

Sea gulls who never seem to be bothered by cold wind and temperatures!

It is well documented by my family that I love warm weather and can never get enough of the beach! Now I love living in Birmingham, where we have 4 seasons; the change of seasons is always refreshing and each hold their own treasures. BUT, a recent cold snap has me counting the days until spring. So it is a testament to how much I really love being on the coast that I braved the cold recently to walk the beach.

 While visiting last week with my father who lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia I squeezed in some time on Chesapeake Beach, known by the locals as Chick’s Beach.  Below is a photo of that wild winter surf crashing on the pilings for the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, which touches land right on Chick's Beach.

This bridge is one of the Man Made Wonders of the World.  A 20 mile feat originally completed in 1964, includes two 1 mile tunnels, and hasn't ever used any tax dollars to build or maintain. It connects Virginia Beach to Virginia’s rural Eastern Shore (and Maryland and Delaware).

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel at sunset, with many cargo ships, waiting their turn to be loaded at one of the local ports, in the background.

It will cost you $12 to cross, but well worth the price to see this beautiful estuary usually teaming with large cargo ships, Navy vessels, and both commercial and sport fishermen.

The beauty of the beach in the winter is special, swept clean by the wind and storms, with only a few hearty dog walkers and Navy Seals out exercising. So while I’m thankful for this invigorating trip to the coast, I can’t wait for warm summer days, light summer clothing, and all the fresh summer fruits and vegetables!

In the meantime, I will keep using one of my favorite Little Lamb Design note cards. My partner designed this beautiful blue stationery with a delicate starfish, and I use it year-round to keep a little beach in my heart even in the winter. 

 Stay warm! Stella

Everyone still loves to receive letters!

Furman University has a beautiful campus with huge trees lining the roads, fountains, and an abundance of flowers, but most photographed is probably their bell tower surround by a lake and walking tail.

I recently spent a couple of days visiting my daughter at Furman University in Greenville, SC.  It is always so refreshing to be around young adults.  They are so full of energy and enthusiasm for both learning and socializing! The best part was probably spending some time in her dorm room where friends and other residents freely came and went, discussing their plans for the day, classes they were taking, plans for their major, politics, and recent speakers that had come to campus. 

Of course there was talk of some recent post on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest, as well as text received from one friend or another! Which brings me to my interesting observation, that in spite of all the electronic and quick ways of communicating they still really treasure the handwritten note.  My daughter has often reminded me that she loves receiving "real mail." She says it makes her whole day to go to her mailbox and receive actual personal snail mail! I also noticed that on her wall (real dorm wall not Facebook wall!) as well as others on the hall, she had pinned up notes and cards received from friends. There were notes of encouragement after a rough day or class, some "I came by and sorry I missed you, let's get together," and also the "I'm so glad we're friends," or "I'm glad you are in my sorority." 


So in the hurry up world of quick communication, the written note stands out as even more special.  The short thank you or thinking of you that is actually mailed to someone has such an impact. Even this younger generation recognize that it is special when someone takes the time to write them an actual note with pen and paper and deliver it! Below are a couple of my favorite Little Lamb Design notecards.  Treat yourself to some beautiful personalized stationery, or give some to your favorite college student.  You will make someone's day by writing them a note, and you might be surprised how much your college student will really use stationery!

Our NC610 is perfect for young and older women and has a matching return address label too!

This flat note card FC653 features fun and bright flowers.

You can add this matching return address label for a fun splash of color on your envelope.

Stella

Inspired By Nature

This is Stella writing today! I wanted to share an inspirational outing that I had the pleasure of last weekend.
My three children are now young adults and I just don't get to the park, zoo, ball park, or local bike trail like I used to. I love the outdoors, and miss those days that I spent many hours outdoors with my children! So last weekend, I grabbed a young friend and we headed to the Birmingham Zoo. It was a little cool, but beautiful and sunny for January.  I was in dire need of a dose of sun after a stormy week! We picnic-ed  and had just good clean fun, but I was really uplifted by all the inspiring colors and patterns in nature. I seems that no matter what combination of color or patterns that we might imagine, God has already created it in nature. Below are a few photos from our outing, as well as some of the Little Lamb Design invitations inspired by nature! 

This gorilla was unbelievable! He seemed to be showing off his muscles and definitely playing to the crowd. The texture of his fur is hard to see in this photo, but on this bright sunny day, his coat was truly beautiful.

This Caribbean Flamingo was absolutely beautiful.  His neck is bent all the way around, beak tucked into his back, and his eye appeared to be staring right at us. Look for new stationery this spring in this magnificent shade of orange!

Okay, it isn't hard to see where we got the inspiration for this custom valentine! But the zebras are just so fascinating.  I love the beauty of their gorgeous stripes.

The color and saturation of macaws were incredible, I couldn't get enough!

Check out our zoo invitation for your next party!

Okay, I have many more photos,  but don't want you to feel like you are watching your neighbors' vacation slide show, so I will leave you with these few.  But let me say, maybe since my children are grown, and I no longer was tending to scraped knees or hunting for their sippy cup (though those days were great, and I enjoyed every minute while they lasted!) I was able to enjoy the zoo in a whole new way! The animals' behavior, the color combinations, the textures, the patterns were all like a breath of fresh air!