12.12.2006
she's even crazier at 8 am
this is the best we could get of just estie. we had promised her candy if she'd participate in the family shot. this is her yelling "danny" and running for the stash.
12.06.2006
11.20.2006
Leah Things
We're listening to Christmas music around here (post Halloween is my kick-off, but I've been known to listen to a cd or two in July . . . I love it too much to limit myself to one month of the year). Today in the car, "Chestnuts Roasting" was playing (a nice Diana Krall version); Leah was stumped and bewildered after the "a turkey and some mistletoe help to make the season bright" part . . . she blurted out, "a turkey with a missing toe?" Yes, that could be posted in the Reader's Digest and win me a few hundred, but I thought I'd just keep it for Darlybird readers.
We had our Primary Program over a week ago, and Leah is used to singing all of these cute church songs. The other night, she was in the family room alone, singing. The tune was all her own and so were the words. Fortunately I was poised with pen and paper: "Jesus Christ, I know it's you. The love of your spirit, it couldn't be true. I know how you have the scriptures and how you know it's true." I busted up laughing. And then I thought, "what couldn't be true?" Uh, oh.
We had our Primary Program over a week ago, and Leah is used to singing all of these cute church songs. The other night, she was in the family room alone, singing. The tune was all her own and so were the words. Fortunately I was poised with pen and paper: "Jesus Christ, I know it's you. The love of your spirit, it couldn't be true. I know how you have the scriptures and how you know it's true." I busted up laughing. And then I thought, "what couldn't be true?" Uh, oh.
11.14.2006
A Little Tag 411
1. Find great, reasonably priced, royalty-free clip art here. I just ordered Old Fashioned Christmas and one for only 2.98 featuring Humorous Babies. Should be good times. For a little more ($15-$20), you can get the book with a cd-rom of all of the images.
2. Find the shimmery, luminescent paints here. I definitely recommend the smallest little pots at the bottom of the page. They are tiny, but you hardly use anything and they'll last FOREVER.
3. For Tiffany, Provo Craft is the brand of the fancy handmade papers. They are bound in a little booklet called Paper Palette. Robert's doesn't carry them any more, but Michael's does still. However, sources tell me that they are not being imported anymore, so maybe that's why Robert's (the Provo Craft mothership) doesn't sell them. So snatch them up at Michael's before they're gone.
4. I got 11-1 oz bottles of Icestickles Glitter Glue (far superior to other brands---chunkier glitter) for 9.99 on Ebay. Unused. Ka-ching. They are generally $3.50 each. Happy hunting.
2. Find the shimmery, luminescent paints here. I definitely recommend the smallest little pots at the bottom of the page. They are tiny, but you hardly use anything and they'll last FOREVER.
3. For Tiffany, Provo Craft is the brand of the fancy handmade papers. They are bound in a little booklet called Paper Palette. Robert's doesn't carry them any more, but Michael's does still. However, sources tell me that they are not being imported anymore, so maybe that's why Robert's (the Provo Craft mothership) doesn't sell them. So snatch them up at Michael's before they're gone.
4. I got 11-1 oz bottles of Icestickles Glitter Glue (far superior to other brands---chunkier glitter) for 9.99 on Ebay. Unused. Ka-ching. They are generally $3.50 each. Happy hunting.
11.13.2006
Instructions for tags (photos below)
I thought about making this all visually friendly, with photos and all, but then I realized that I don't have the time to something silly like that. So sorry, Charlita!
Supplies:
***vintage images from clip art books (the Dover clip art series are phenomenal)---you can check these out at the library, or buy your own book.
***parchment-colored text-weight (copy) paper (We got a ream for $12 at Xpedx)
***cardstock--plain colored and textured (esp beautiful)--also fun prints are cool, too.
***handmade fancy papers (found mine at Robert's Craft outlet and Michael's---near the scrapbooking section. They are in a little booklet and are no bigger than 5x7". You can also get that huge Pound of Paper thing that Provo Craft made---they no longer sell it at Roberts, but it still is at Michael's. These papers (or another fancy handmade substitute) are essential.
***glitter glue (Icestickles brand is far superior to other kinds, I might suggest)
***random ribbons (or twine, or yarn . . . it all depends on the "character" of each tag)
***glue sticks up the wazoo
***low-quality .79 scissors (made by Provocraft) that have all sorts of different edges, i.e. scalloped, deckled, squiggly, zig-zag)
***colored pencils, or if you really want to go crazy, spring for luminarte watercolors. They impart an amazing iridescence. It's out of this world.
***Rubber stamps (substitute for vintage images)
NOW YOU CAN SEE WHY I SPENT TOO MUCH MONEY!!!
1. Enlarge and copy vintage images onto parchment-esque paper. It makes it look more nostalgic than plain white paper.
2. Cut out, color or paint, and glue onto fancy paper
3. Glue fancy paper onto cardstock or other fancy paper
4. Glitterize
5. Punch hole
6. Add ribbon
7. Ooh and aah a million freaking times!
Have fun, girls.
Supplies:
***vintage images from clip art books (the Dover clip art series are phenomenal)---you can check these out at the library, or buy your own book.
***parchment-colored text-weight (copy) paper (We got a ream for $12 at Xpedx)
***cardstock--plain colored and textured (esp beautiful)--also fun prints are cool, too.
***handmade fancy papers (found mine at Robert's Craft outlet and Michael's---near the scrapbooking section. They are in a little booklet and are no bigger than 5x7". You can also get that huge Pound of Paper thing that Provo Craft made---they no longer sell it at Roberts, but it still is at Michael's. These papers (or another fancy handmade substitute) are essential.
***glitter glue (Icestickles brand is far superior to other kinds, I might suggest)
***random ribbons (or twine, or yarn . . . it all depends on the "character" of each tag)
***glue sticks up the wazoo
***low-quality .79 scissors (made by Provocraft) that have all sorts of different edges, i.e. scalloped, deckled, squiggly, zig-zag)
***colored pencils, or if you really want to go crazy, spring for luminarte watercolors. They impart an amazing iridescence. It's out of this world.
***Rubber stamps (substitute for vintage images)
NOW YOU CAN SEE WHY I SPENT TOO MUCH MONEY!!!
1. Enlarge and copy vintage images onto parchment-esque paper. It makes it look more nostalgic than plain white paper.
2. Cut out, color or paint, and glue onto fancy paper
3. Glue fancy paper onto cardstock or other fancy paper
4. Glitterize
5. Punch hole
6. Add ribbon
7. Ooh and aah a million freaking times!
Have fun, girls.
11.08.2006
These beauties
are the reason my mom and I made 27 trips to Robert's Craft in an 84-hour period while I was in Utah. I'm just tickled to death with my new hobby. You feel like such an artist, and your results are near-immediate. (The best project for someone with adult ADD
. Hence, my love for the new-found artform.) If you really want some more instructions, I'll give them to you. Afterall, I never intend for my blog Darlybird to merely be an advertisement for the business, Darlybird. In fact, I only named my blog Darlybird after I had initially given up on the Darlybird business idea. And then I said, "giving up is for losers. I'm going to do it." And I did. And this is all too much info. Sorry.
. Hence, my love for the new-found artform.) If you really want some more instructions, I'll give them to you. Afterall, I never intend for my blog Darlybird to merely be an advertisement for the business, Darlybird. In fact, I only named my blog Darlybird after I had initially given up on the Darlybird business idea. And then I said, "giving up is for losers. I'm going to do it." And I did. And this is all too much info. Sorry.
I love these babies
especially the little one on the right. She's the spitting image of my niece, Beatrix. Huh, Sus? Oh yeah, each and every tag I make is unique. No two are identical. Kind of adds to the romance of it, no?
A few more tags
These are part of the vintage ephemora series. I think they'd look fabulous on your Christmas presents this year.
Just a small sample
of what I did with my chicas when I was in Utah. Gift tags up the yin yang. (I hate the "up the yin yang" phrase. Why did I just use it?)
Soon, I'll post a few on Darlybird and then you can buy them if you want. Or, I'll also be putting them in for free with orders. The vintage images are intoxicating, as is the glitter, and the Indian fine papers. All I want to do now is make gift tags. Anyone want to join me? These aren't even the best. But they are pretty darn cute.
Soon, I'll post a few on Darlybird and then you can buy them if you want. Or, I'll also be putting them in for free with orders. The vintage images are intoxicating, as is the glitter, and the Indian fine papers. All I want to do now is make gift tags. Anyone want to join me? These aren't even the best. But they are pretty darn cute.
Shnizzle didn't care for a costume. She just wanted candy!
And then Esther couldn't be Snow White, since Leah wasn't going to be Belle anymore. Good thing we had a make-shift tutu I had made for Leah's 2nd birthday!
Check out her quads!
10 minutes before we were to leave for our Halloween festivities, Leah decided she didn't want to be Belle . . . I was happy because I don't love the whole princess thing. But what to be? Good thing we have a ballerina outfit we could kind of throw together. 
11.01.2006
I don't even know what to call this
Last Sunday I was a bit antsy. The week ahead seemed kind of vacant and boring. I felt a bit stagnant. (Yes, I know I just posted about how content I am. Such is my life.) I found myself wishing I could visit my family and friends in Utah. So I did.
I decided to go, and one hour later I was on I-80, a tank full of gas and two sleeper-clad girls in the back of the car. I've always been a little flighty, spontaneous -- what have you; but this beats almost all of my other escapades. I didn't have time to call friends or family. My mom knew I was on the way because I finally got a hold of her 15 minutes before I left.
Highlights:
1. Lovelock, Nevada 10:30 p.m. : Knocking on the door of the Royal Inn -- one of the only non-Batesesque (PSYCHO) Motels in the whole town. No flashing neon, either. Seems promising. Two just-awakened girls in my arms. No answer. Knock again. No answer. Walk to my car, hear motel door creak open. Turn to see yucky site: Man with frumpled toupee' (I don't do accents), flannel pants, and a --yes-- garment top. He asked too many questions when he checked us in, and his wife made a few sideways comments from their bedroom. I think I must've interrupted something . . . yikes! Duct tape on carpet of room, moldy bathroom. A horrible night's sleep (thanks be to Giz for that one!)
2. Because I was "alone" and driving it myself, I fully justified a few too many ounces of Diet Pepsi. This created a bathroom hazard. I thought I had perfectly timed my stop in Delle, UT-- just after the Salt Flats, but still 32 miles from humanity--until I walked into the Skull Valley gas station and was told in broken English, "outta ordah." I begged, telling the kind sir that I just had to go pee, and had to go BAD! It was a no-go. "Last bathroom 7 miles back. Next one 32 miles." So I did what any normal person would do and decided to hike back a few yards from the convenience store and do my biz. This is about the only time I wish I was a boy. Squatting down and peeing is not that easy. Not to mention that Leah followed suit and pulled her pants down, and then---bless her little heart---Giz started trying to pull off her pants and her diaper. Needless to say, I was laughing my guts out; I ended up peeing on the butt of my pants, and almost worse---the dust/pee mixture that splattered as I went splattered up about 1 ft of my pantlegs and all over my shoes. (The very shoes I'm wearing right now.) I made Leah walk behind me as I made the humiliating trek back to my car. Her musing: "Mom, you've gotta change your pants right when we get to Lolly's." Me: "yep." Her: "and then take a shower!" Random sidenote: There was a small airplane in the parking lot of the Skull Valley convenience store. Huh?
3. Being with my family made me so happy. My mom had an amazing dinner thrown together Monday night and I just loved soaking in the aura of the Utahns. She also makes the most delish desserts: chocolate ganache cheesecake, frozen key lime pie (courtesy of Ina), Sour Cherry and Raspberry Cobbler, key lime icecream, and I know I'm forgetting a few others. Should you need recipes, you know how to contact me.
4. I did the most awesome and fulfilling project with my mom, sisters, sisters-in-law, aunt, righteous mama----more to come later. Let's just say it involved 4 trips to Roberts Craft, a lot of "glitterizing" and a bit too much money. But it's addicting and beautiful.
5. I visited my grandma and grandpa Harmon in West Jordan. They are fabulous, wonderful people, but let's face it----oldies don't know how to deal too well with little kids. Especially my crazy girls. [Side note: As I typed "crazy girls," I heard the roar of the hose in the back yard. Sure enough, Giz was playing firegirl again. Sopping wet, muddy, wet windows, wet hair, wet everything.] But back to Grandma--she has an amazing organ---not as in classy amazing, but as in crazy amazing, with flashing buttons that make it look like the cockpit of a rocket to outerspace. What almost-2-year old wouldn't love that? My dear beloved grandma looked at Esther as she ran over to the organ, pudgy fingers making music and said, "Look with your eyes, not with your hands!" You've got to be kidding me! Now that's a concept Esther understands perfectly. Trying to distract her from the cockpit, my grandma gave her a lei made with fabric flowers. And now for the moment of most toxicity: Just as Esther yanked the lei and hundreds of fabric flowers went flying through the living room, Leah happened to pick up grandma's 3 foot prized teddy bear and body slam him/her on the coffee table. Never a dull moment.
6. On the ride home I perfected my pee-on-the-side-of-the-road technique. Let me know if you want some coaching. Needless to say, I had to call my mom immediately and explain my newfound skill. Thank heavens for cell phones.
All-in-all it was a fabulous trip. Looking back on my list, I realize I've mostly written about the "weirdlights" instead of just highs. I failed to mention many wonderful moments. I loved being with my family, and loved seeing a little bit of Lindy Lou and Becca. Wish I could've stayed longer and seen more people.
Also, I used to think that Nevada was hell and that if I could just blow it up I would be a happier person. This time I loved the awkward beauty of the sagebrush, mountains, big clear sky, and nothingness. Nevada, I'm putting away my dynamite because I think I like you now.
I was happy to pull up to my home sweet home. And then I saw the helicopter circling over my neighborhood. Nothing new. But that made me miss Utah all the more. Ghetto living is not the best---even if it is in Cali with great weather and Trader Joe's. THE END of a very weird post.
I decided to go, and one hour later I was on I-80, a tank full of gas and two sleeper-clad girls in the back of the car. I've always been a little flighty, spontaneous -- what have you; but this beats almost all of my other escapades. I didn't have time to call friends or family. My mom knew I was on the way because I finally got a hold of her 15 minutes before I left.
Highlights:
1. Lovelock, Nevada 10:30 p.m. : Knocking on the door of the Royal Inn -- one of the only non-Batesesque (PSYCHO) Motels in the whole town. No flashing neon, either. Seems promising. Two just-awakened girls in my arms. No answer. Knock again. No answer. Walk to my car, hear motel door creak open. Turn to see yucky site: Man with frumpled toupee' (I don't do accents), flannel pants, and a --yes-- garment top. He asked too many questions when he checked us in, and his wife made a few sideways comments from their bedroom. I think I must've interrupted something . . . yikes! Duct tape on carpet of room, moldy bathroom. A horrible night's sleep (thanks be to Giz for that one!)
2. Because I was "alone" and driving it myself, I fully justified a few too many ounces of Diet Pepsi. This created a bathroom hazard. I thought I had perfectly timed my stop in Delle, UT-- just after the Salt Flats, but still 32 miles from humanity--until I walked into the Skull Valley gas station and was told in broken English, "outta ordah." I begged, telling the kind sir that I just had to go pee, and had to go BAD! It was a no-go. "Last bathroom 7 miles back. Next one 32 miles." So I did what any normal person would do and decided to hike back a few yards from the convenience store and do my biz. This is about the only time I wish I was a boy. Squatting down and peeing is not that easy. Not to mention that Leah followed suit and pulled her pants down, and then---bless her little heart---Giz started trying to pull off her pants and her diaper. Needless to say, I was laughing my guts out; I ended up peeing on the butt of my pants, and almost worse---the dust/pee mixture that splattered as I went splattered up about 1 ft of my pantlegs and all over my shoes. (The very shoes I'm wearing right now.) I made Leah walk behind me as I made the humiliating trek back to my car. Her musing: "Mom, you've gotta change your pants right when we get to Lolly's." Me: "yep." Her: "and then take a shower!" Random sidenote: There was a small airplane in the parking lot of the Skull Valley convenience store. Huh?
3. Being with my family made me so happy. My mom had an amazing dinner thrown together Monday night and I just loved soaking in the aura of the Utahns. She also makes the most delish desserts: chocolate ganache cheesecake, frozen key lime pie (courtesy of Ina), Sour Cherry and Raspberry Cobbler, key lime icecream, and I know I'm forgetting a few others. Should you need recipes, you know how to contact me.
4. I did the most awesome and fulfilling project with my mom, sisters, sisters-in-law, aunt, righteous mama----more to come later. Let's just say it involved 4 trips to Roberts Craft, a lot of "glitterizing" and a bit too much money. But it's addicting and beautiful.
5. I visited my grandma and grandpa Harmon in West Jordan. They are fabulous, wonderful people, but let's face it----oldies don't know how to deal too well with little kids. Especially my crazy girls. [Side note: As I typed "crazy girls," I heard the roar of the hose in the back yard. Sure enough, Giz was playing firegirl again. Sopping wet, muddy, wet windows, wet hair, wet everything.] But back to Grandma--she has an amazing organ---not as in classy amazing, but as in crazy amazing, with flashing buttons that make it look like the cockpit of a rocket to outerspace. What almost-2-year old wouldn't love that? My dear beloved grandma looked at Esther as she ran over to the organ, pudgy fingers making music and said, "Look with your eyes, not with your hands!" You've got to be kidding me! Now that's a concept Esther understands perfectly. Trying to distract her from the cockpit, my grandma gave her a lei made with fabric flowers. And now for the moment of most toxicity: Just as Esther yanked the lei and hundreds of fabric flowers went flying through the living room, Leah happened to pick up grandma's 3 foot prized teddy bear and body slam him/her on the coffee table. Never a dull moment.
6. On the ride home I perfected my pee-on-the-side-of-the-road technique. Let me know if you want some coaching. Needless to say, I had to call my mom immediately and explain my newfound skill. Thank heavens for cell phones.
All-in-all it was a fabulous trip. Looking back on my list, I realize I've mostly written about the "weirdlights" instead of just highs. I failed to mention many wonderful moments. I loved being with my family, and loved seeing a little bit of Lindy Lou and Becca. Wish I could've stayed longer and seen more people.
Also, I used to think that Nevada was hell and that if I could just blow it up I would be a happier person. This time I loved the awkward beauty of the sagebrush, mountains, big clear sky, and nothingness. Nevada, I'm putting away my dynamite because I think I like you now.
I was happy to pull up to my home sweet home. And then I saw the helicopter circling over my neighborhood. Nothing new. But that made me miss Utah all the more. Ghetto living is not the best---even if it is in Cali with great weather and Trader Joe's. THE END of a very weird post.
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