Craft Time! Crayon Garden

I've been feeling the need to get crafty lately and I've started a bunch of little projects that have yet to be finished.  BUT, I saw this idea on Pinterest and decided to make it my own.  It's a cute way to display crayons and it's a fun way to play with colors!

I call it my crayon garden.  Here are the supplies from Hobby Lobby that I used:

An awesome wooden picture frame

8 glass votive holders, mine look like mini pots

Paint in the colors you want - I used blue, pink, green, brown, yellow, orange, purple and red

Craft paper for inside the frame - I used paper that had creepy crawlers

Paint brushes

Mini wooden fence

Hot glue gun and glue

The first thing I did was paint the inside of the glass.  I used glossy acrylic paint.  It took me two days and 3 coats to get the coverage I wanted.

I painted the fence next.  At first, I painted it in a rainbow of colors, but I didn't like the outcome so I decided to go all brown.

Next, I hot glued the fence to the outer edge of the glass in the frame and then glued the glass votive holders where I wanted them.

The last step is to add the crayons!  I let Neil add some fun bug stickers to it.

Organized Mess

I've spent a good part of the day staring, contemplating, how to get this house organized.  I'm still not sure, but I may be heading into the right direction.  My problem is that I want to do too many things at once, so not one single thing ever gets finished.

On my to-do list for awhile is to clean up and organize my sewing/crafting/hobby corner of the playroom.  Yes, MY creative space is in a small corner of the playroom.  For such a small area, it is a complete disaster.  I've been using a folding table as a sewing table, BUT my mom gave me her beautiful sewing cabinet that not only takes up less space than my unstable table, it also has tons of storage!  Oh storage, how I love thee!  I've been on Pinterest for a good part of the day looking up creative and cute ways to organize and store my stuff in a convenient way while the hubby has been putting up shelves in the bathroom closet.  (That has been shelf-less since before Christmas, while all of the things that went into the closet are on my kitchen floor)

Here is my before:













I've cleaned up my corner, I've got the ideas, now I just need to get to work!

What's New What's Next - Fantasyland *Giveaway CLOSED*

This past week, I was invited to the Walt Disney World Summer to Remember event hosted by Phineas and Ferb.  It was a whirlwind few days as media from all over were entertained, dined and presented information about what we can expect to see this summer at not only Walt Disney World, but at Disneyland and Disney Cruise Line.

Meg Crofton, President of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Operations

During the "What's New! What's Next!" presentation, we heard from Meg Crofton, President of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Operations.  One of the most exciting things coming up for summer is the Fantasyland expansion at the Magic Kingdom, that will DOUBLE the size of Fantasyland now.  I cannot wait for the walls to start coming down so we can see what Disney World has in store for us!  Take a look at the video I took from the presentation:

You can fly on your favorite elephant, Dumbo, brave The Great Goofini's roller coaster on The Barnstormer and hop on or off the new train station now!  The next phase of Storybook Circus will open in July of this year to include the second Dumbo attraction (with indoor interactive queue) as well as the Casey Jr. Splash 'n' Soak Station, which I am thrilled about.

This holiday season, Under the Sea - Journey of the Little Mermaid, Enchanted Tales with Belle, Be Our Guest Restaurant, Gaston's tavern and Ariel's Grotto will celebrate their grand opening.

The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is scheduled to open in 2014.

In honor of my favorite land in the Magic Kingdom, I am giving away 5 Fantasyland postcards, featuring the panoramic photo below.  The first 5 people to tell me what attraction they are MOST excited to experience will receive a postcard.  (U.S. residents only, sorry)

New Fantasyland artist rendering

Questions about anything you see in the video?  Ask away!

What's New What's Next - "The Magic, The Memories, and You!"

I have to admit, I have never seen "The Magic, The Memories, and You!".  I have seen videos of this amazing show, but never in real life.  I have good intentions to catch it every time I am in the Magic Kingdom, but it's difficult to stay that late with 2 small children when we're taking day trips.  BUT, we have a week long summer vacation planned for the kid's birthdays, and there is NO WAY I am going to miss it this summer.

"The Magic, The Memories, and You!" show is a beautiful presentation of music and eye candy projected onto Cinderella's Castle.  Guests become the stars of the show as photos that are taken throughout the day magically appear dancing all over the exterior walls.  During the holidays last year, you could see the castle transform into a gingerbread house and even a giant candy cane.  TOO COOL!

The What's New What's Next presentation gave us a sneak peak at some of the new visuals in "The Magic, The Memories, and You!" and I just can't wait to see it for the first time.  This summer, hosts Phineas and Ferb show you some beautiful castle scenes that take you to the beach, the jungle and under the sea with some of my favorite Disney characters.

Under the Sea - Photo courtesy of Disney Media

The Lion King

The Little Mermaid

Be sure to catch this nightly show right before Wishes.

Stay tuned for more highlights from the Walt Disney World Summer to Remember event!

CLOSED Marvel's The Avengers GIVEAWAY!!!!

Who's excited for the new Avengers movie?  I am, I am!!!  Who's excited to win a cool Avengers prize pack?  Check it out below! 

ITEMS FOR GIVEAWAY:

MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS t-shirt in adult  sizes of S, M, L, XL
MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS set of 6 buttons
MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS one pair of limited edition 3D glasses

Three chances to win!  The winner will be chosen on May 8th by random.org.  Open to U.S. and Canadian residents only. 

One entry by leaving a comment telling me if you were a super hero, what would your super power be?

One entry if you “Like” MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MarvelsTheAvengers  Leave a comment below letting me know you did.

One entry if you follow MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/avengers  Leave me a comment below letting me know you did.

Check out The Avengers in theaters everywhere May 4th!

CONGRATULATIONS WES H.!  You are the winner of the Avengers prize pack!

Balancing life one kid at a time

When I was a Mommy to one kiddo, I felt like I had all the time in the world. I wasn't rushed out the door. I didn't have to be anywhere. I didn't have to figure out the timing between picking Neil up from school and actually cooking for dinner to be ready and still warm by the time Daddy got home. It was just Neil and Mommy. Even though Neil is now in school 3 full days a week, I feel like I don't have the time to devote to Ava like I did with Neil. What am I doing with my time? I have no idea! Maybe I spend too much time reading Twitter and Facebook. Maybe I spend too much time texting my friends. Maybe I always feel like time is running out before I need to pick Neil up from school. I know I'm not spending too much time cleaning! She is now 6 months old and we have yet to fall into a routine, which is bothering me to no end. I need a routine. She needs a routine. We will get there...together.

How do you balance a multi-kid family?

Sewing is the new black! **GIVEAWAY**

At least for me it is.

My mom taught me how to use her sewing machine when I was about 14. I can't for the life of me think of why or what I made, but I have never forgotten how. I've made lots of things over the years including a cheerleader Halloween costume, pajama pants, boxer shorts for Home Economics, purses and now nursing covers, Boppy pillow covers, and little girls pillowcase dresses. I like to start projects, but I usually never follow through with them. I'm sure if you asked my husband to tell you how many ideas I've had that have fizzled out, he will just roll his eyes and grunt. He is ever so supportive whenever I say, "so honey, I've been thinking..." That usually means $ out the window. He is my biggest fan and will gladly hop in the car and drive me to the craft store. This time is different. I am using my crafty sewing skills and actually bringing $ IN the window, or rather my family's piggy bank, this time.

After high school, I lost interest in sewing (per usual). I asked my mom for a hand-held sewing machine for Christmas a few years ago because I was always hand stitching the hems of my pants. Instead, she bought me a real sewing machine. The interest quickly came back. I can spend all day looking in pattern books! I started making cute things again.

I've always been told I need to sell my creations somewhere, whether it be online or at a craft show. I was never sure if this was the same as family and friends telling a really terrible singer to go on American Idol. I pushed all of my insecurities out the window and decided it was time to go for it. If no one likes my stuff, that's ok. I opened my Etsy shop last November and started with just a few things, which grew into more things, which grew into customers asking for custom made things, which grew into a huge smile on my face. People are actually interested and I have found something I am good at and have actually followed through with! I never really thought anyone would actually find any of my items in the vast world of Etsy.

My sewing machine broke a few weeks ago, so I had to "borrow" my moms machine...the same one I learned how to sew on 16 years ago. I'm pretty sure she knows she isn't ever getting it back.

In keeping the promise to myself to "follow-through" with this business venture, I have created a Facebook page for my store and here is where the giveaway details begin.

Please visit my page HERE and "like" it. I will enter the first 50 names into a drawing to win a Minnie Mouse cosmetic bag like this:If I get 50 "Likes" in 24 hours, I will give away 2 of these!

Wait, there's more! I will enter the first 100 names who "Like" my page into a drawing to win a Minnie Mouse backpack like this:
or this:

You can potentially win BOTH!

To visit my Esty store, go to www.AvaBabyCo.com.

Thank you in advance for everyone's support in my new crafty venture!