Still Alive!

I would love to be a blogger that posts daily.  I'll add that to my list of things I would like to accomplish in a day along with styling my hair and getting to bed before 10:00pm.

Well were still kickin' here.  Busy with Michael's "swim" lessons.  I say "swim" because really he is just learning to float first but it's amazing how much I love watching him learn something.  It's probably a good thing his teacher prefers him not to swim outside of his lessons because I would probably be being a psycho practicing with him all afternoon.


Here's some of our latest from Champagne Press.  We haven't stopped and now that it's wedding season it's crazy!  Here are some non wedding goodies (well I guess some of them are wedding related) for you to see.  Our shop is growing and will be changing a lot very soon with new products and a new style.  Can't wait!

Thank you cards for the beautiful baby girl Ava!  My friend Brooke's new love bug!  

Birthday party invitations for Colton.  It was an AWESOME party with bad guys and breakfast and lots more fun!  

Bridal shower invitations for one of my fabulous customers!  

Molly's Cash man's birthday invitations.  So sad I will miss this party - it's going to be crazy fun!  

Birthdays and Baby

We've been busy busy with wedding invitations and baby Michael's social calendar ;)  He loves spending time with his Grandma Mary and now that we have a little one were on the birthday party lists!  Alright party!  Well speaking of parties if you know my best friend Molly you know March is her birthday.  Not any particular day - just March.  Here's the invitations I made for her Wig and Stache Bash (fun!). 

Vintage Birthday Invitations

Getting to be so big!  

Two Posts in One Day?!

I'm drinking wine and feeling chatty.  Hmmm... Where to begin, ha!  Well I am excited for my babe Michael someday to read this so I'm sure I can find SOMETHING about him to blog about, ha!  Yeah right, I am talking and obsessing over him constantly (in my head and to his Grandparents) I try to keep the Michael chatter to a minimum as not to annoy people but what can ya do ;)   So recently I have been comparing his newborn pics to now.  WOW.  Here's one of the first to most recent 8 mo pic.  

SOOO tiny!  

8 mo. Grown so much already!  

It sick how much we love him.  How anything he does is the funniest, cutest, etc.  Right now we laugh that he loves to climb, laughs at Tux and Migo constantly, is always hanging on Mama's legs, turns around when Dad tries to hold him, puckers up for kisses, high fives, is learning to wave hi, says DADADADA, today we think he said Michael, occasionally says MAMAMAMA and pretty much anything else he does is our favorite.  

Love our Baby Boo.

Wedding Dreams

So...  I was a little nervous at first to begin advertising wedding invitations..  You know - all the expectations that go into wedding planning, the uncertain brides, competitive market but the more I've been thinking the more I'm sure - I got this!  I am totally excited about creating something just perfect for each bride and I have been busy creating samples that I am really happy with.  More to come FOR SURE!

"Floral Luxe" for the dazzling bride.  

"Burlap and Lace" perfect for an outdoor or natural themed wedding.  

If you know me you know I LOVE NEUTRAL colors but I would be really excited to add a color pop to any of these invites or create something custom.  Pocketfolds, invite boxes, so many options!

I might add for all of you that like to think - how does she do it with a baby?!  My house is a HOT MESS, there's ribbon and paper EVERYWHERE, we are picking little rhinestones off every surface in our house but were happy so who cares!

Happy Friday!

Zoo Trip

While my Mom and Dad were here for 2 weeks over Christmas we went to the Phoenix zoo!  Seems like every kids childhood is full of zoo memories (at least they should be) and here's Michael's first!  He is sure to be an animal lover with two puppies and a kitty at home.  He warmed up to the goats right away!  

I must say the Phoenix zoo is a little bit lame - lots of areas missing animals - but overall it was a really fun day!  We saw monkeys, an elephant, flamingos and more!  

Petting the goats

With Granma Mary Pat and Grandpa Bill 

Mama and Me!  (and a crazy orangatang - not sure how to spell that!) 

Feeding the Giraffe - sooo cool!  

Ahhh! Were alive!

Really?!  The last post was in October?!  Wow.  

Well Champagne Press and our family survived the holidays!  Several sleepless nights and we made over 1,500 handmade Christmas cards!  I say we because hubby Ben aka the bitch was actually pretty helpful and pitched in a lot to get everything done.  Yay for Ben!  Who would have thought?!  

Now it's the day before Christmas, I was still shopping today and I can think of a million other things I would have liked to buy/make for friends and family but oh well - here we are - what can ya do?!  This month Michael turned 7 months, met Santa and somehow still continues to steal my heart more and more everyday.  Both Grandparents and Uncle Cody and Auntie Cara are here for Christmas - Godmother Bree is in town and I have never been happier.  Life is so good. 

Love my boys.

Love him. 

One Adorable Boy! A Boys Life.

 So we had a fun weekend!  Headed to Flagstaff to watch a former student cheer for NAU and chilled with Daddy and Mama all weekend.  I'm pretty sure I'm getting some teeth because I have a hard time napping during the day and am a drooling fool!!!

Me and my Pops! 

Monday Funday!  

L.O.V.E. Baby Boo turns 5 mo!

and Mom turns...  30!  Like Whoa!  

Gorgeous boy! 

He is loved!

Now I know why parents are insane.  Look at that face.  

New Baby Cards

Thought I would share these new creations! 

Christmas is Coming!

I really never knew I was such a Christmas person..   Yesterday my husband found a list of Christmas songs I had jotted down as a reminder to download.  (I didn't want to look like such a weirdo downloading them in September I guess).  But now I look even weirder because I made a list and hid it!

So now that I am a shop owner I guess it's socially acceptable to start gearing up for the holidays early - yay!  You know, the way the mall is decorated for the holidays in October and your magazine subscriptions are already sharing with you holiday recipes and gift ideas?  I am going to go crazy making holiday cards and tags.  Thanks to my Aunt Peg who got me lots of goodies at archivers for my upcoming birthday - here's my first one!  

Ornament Cards - soon to be seen at ChampagnePress.com!

Minnesota Visit

We headed to Minnesota and didn't look back!  It's always nice to leave reality to be welcomed by Grandparents and family eager to see baby Michael (and his mama).  It was a wonderful visit, saw lots of friends and family and also Daddy joined us for a long weekend!

Mama and Michael 

Grandpa was being loud - good thing Nana is protecting me! 

Such a stud!  A girft from Nayarah to Michael - thanks Naya!  

The lovely couple celebrating 35 years - Congratulations!  

We were so busy; a dinner at BonFire, shopping at Nordstroms, Archivers and lunch with Aunt Peg, time with Grandpa, snuggles with Grandma, bridesmaid dress shopping with the girls, sushi, and an anniversary dinner - table for 16!!  Before we left we had visits from Shane Michael's Godfather and Steph Shane's gorgeous girlfriend.  What a fun weekend!  

Etsy Finds for Gift Giving

Okay so I know today I was going to blog about my etsy finds for gifts..  Ummm...  How do you link pictures?!  I don't wanna go stealing pics from the web and posting them...  Usually when you copy an etsy URL into something the pic shows up... Boo!  I am technology challenged!

So here's just a few since the pics aren't pulling up with them.  
The first is a really cool herringbone iPad case.  http://www.etsy.com/listing/76581156/ipad-case-gray-herringbone
Beautiful floral coasters for maybe someone you're not sure what to get for. http://www.etsy.com/listing/78603051/flower-coasters-set-of-4-white
Bunny printed teas towels.  I know you're thinking teas towels?!  Click on this link and peek.  They are so beautiful!  http://www.etsy.com/listing/61519721/fuzzy-bunny-in-navy-hand-printed-flour
And lastly a pretty cool bracelet - http://www.etsy.com/listing/70936996/metal-head-combination-of-silver-nuggets

So that's no fun.  No one wants to go clicking away.  Learn how to use technology is pretty high on my list but somehow just never gets done.  So for a little eye candy here's another bloom.  I added lots more to my shop today!

www.champagnepress.com

New Blooms

I hear etsy gets quite busy during the fall as the holidays approach and why not?  I would much rather buy someone a beautiful handmade gift rather than something store bought.  Don't get me wrong - Nordstrom's has a lot to offer; Joie blouses, Theory tees, True Religion jeans (yes I still heart True Religions), Juicy perfume, Frye boots - oh wait I was talking about gifts for other people right?  Well, anyway the point I am making is there is tons of gorgeous gifts to be gave for sale on etsy..  

Tomorrow I think my blog will be about some of my etsy faves.  It's gonna be hard to narrow them down.  Here are some of my new listings :)  Happy Thursday!     

I think this ones my fav... 

Oh wait - maybe this one!  Ha!  

Custom Orders

Browns and creams and whites 

The custom orders are coming in!  Wedding season, holidays are creeping into everyone's mind.  Wanted to share the custom box I created for my new customer Rose and another for my girl Brooke.  "Rose that's a very pretty name..."  5 bucks if you can name what movie that's from!  

Black and white and red and leopard!  Rawr! 

Da-da-da-dahhh!!!

Love it! 

I'm so stoked about this new shop item.  Card boxes!  They will be made to order for my customers - this ones for my friend Rachel and she chose the colors to compliment her room where she's planning to keep her cards :)

Michael this Month

This month Michael has gotten so much stronger and loves to giggle and play.  He's using his jumperoo, and loves dancing and singing with us.  (Well, he doesn't sing or dance really but we do).  He's rolled over twice and babbles away.  New nicknames?  Hmm..  What don't I call him?  This month it's been Michael Booty, Booty Boy, Marvin, Pooty Head, Stinkeroonie, Roonie, and of course the staples - Boo, Buggy and Buddy.

Happy babe playing with his mama!  

Paper and Lace

So I've made some invites as you know but this weekend I am finally beginning to list invite packages on my shop site.  I am in love with some of my creations.  Here's my fave!

Wedding Cards

My friend's Suzie and Macy were married this past weekend at the Montelucia resort in PV.  It was gorgeous, the bride was gorgeous (duh) and our cards were gorgeous!  Here's the latest projects for their wedding.  These cards are both listed in my etsy shop and are for sale for $5.  

Blank Inside 

Love this one!

And love the message.  The rest of the story is theirs to write I suppose!  

Little Loves

Our little love birds on their last few play dates.  This top pic was visiting the Copper Canyon Spiritline girls at their cheer practice.  There were so many ooh's and ahh's that the babes needed to hold hands for moral support.  Bridget is going to have lots of boys after her.  If Michael's smart he'll just play it cool for the next 20 years and then ask her to marry him!  Beautiful babes!  

Holding Hands?!  They grow up so fast!!! 

Clearly they are close in age - both really enjoy their hands this month! 

Baby B so close to rolling over!  (I think Michael weighs too much to roll) haha! 

Top Five Reasons Why Marriage Rocks!

So you may not know but Ben is obsessed with "Top 5" lists, ranking things, recalling the best "10" of something, etc.  Well recently we had our baby Michael of course and right now were really happy.  While things are good, ha, I though I would just do a little Top 5 in honor of my crazy husband.

#5 You always have someone to watch a movie with.  If you're lucky they will pause it and explain what's going on every time you got ADD and stopped paying attention or send a text on your phone, etc.  If you're really lucky they will find this trait endearing and you will have a good laugh about it.  BEWARE though, no matter what this can become tiresome, so watch out sister!  Make sure you are always paying close attention to your man's mood reader.

#4 Your partner can add balance to a part of you that may be lacking.  For example, Ben does the budget, cooks and shares current events.  I change the diapers and contribute love and reason when he is acting "dooms-day-ish".

#3 Someone to bitch to.  This is a good thing.  You don't need to be complaining to everyone around you.  It's nice to have this one person to complain to and then it's gone!  Note --- This is different than someone to take it out on ;)

#2  It is so good being married with a baby.  I couldn't imagine doing it alone.  Probably the main reason being, no one cares as much as your significant other about how cute you think your baby is.  "Babe, you should have heard him laughing" "Ben, come look at the babe he's sticking his tongue out!"  "Hurry, he looks so cute right now!"  After having a baby, I have realized Ben CAN hear me when I am calling his name because if it concerns Michael he comes running...  Suspicious...

#1 The best reason to be married is you have someone to make plans with.  Plans for Friday, plans for your next vacation, business plans, life plans, and if you're doing it right, plans on HOW you will love each other forever!  Cheesy I know!

Right now we are loving being parents to Michael, we have all sorts of plans on how we are going to parent him and love him.  He has given us a new reason to be motivated everyday and our marriage is stronger from seeing the other person love a little baby so much.

Baby Shower Invitations

Baby Shower Invitation 

Each invite will have a different onsie :)  

So here's what's going on this week with Champagne Press.  I'm making baby shower invites for Brooke's friend Monica's shower - thanks Brookie!  I got a new cartridge for my cricut so I can cut onsies, rattlers, etc.  It's actually the "sampler" cartridge which is cool b/c it has lots of goodies on it!  New "thank you" stamps are on their way in the mail so I'll have to show those off soon!

It sure doesn't feel like fall!

SO the trend on etsy right now is artists are gearing up for fall.  Pumpkins, costumes, orange, and brown, you get the idea.  It's kinda hard to get in that mode being that's it's still hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk.  I still burn my feet getting the mail with no shoes.  Here's my attempt at getting into "Fall".  Tonight maybe some halloween cards.  Michael's first halloween - what should he be?!  So excited to eat his candy , I mean, for him to get candy.