It's Baaaack....Friday's Dose of Delight|1.30.2015

Many, many moons ago when I was a young little whippersnap, I ran a series here on the blog called "Friday's Dose of Delight". Basically, at the end of every week I would share a mini round-up of  DIY projects, articles, home decor, or other thingie-things from the www. that inspired and delighted me that week. You know things that caught my eye! I loved this series because I got to share fun finds with like-minded people, assuming most of  you are like me......95% abnormal.

I mean there's only a certain amount of glitter and plank wall discussions that the hubby can handle before he self-combusts with excitement!

So without further adieu, please give a warm welcome back to.....

Things I'm crushing on this week are..........

Have you seen any of the sneek peeks of Ikea's new collections that are coming in February?

The SPRUTT collection is my favorite so far.

Thinking this little guy may make its way into the playroom (think Lego storage!).

Original source here

Speaking of the playroom, check out this playspace over at Lay Baby Lay-perfect inspiration for my camp-themed room! I'm particularly fond of the old school chalkboard.

Original source here

Ever wonder what the rule of thumb is in hanging curtains or picking a rug size for your dining room?

Design by Numbers has a round-up of  awesome decor tips and illustrations to help you.

Original source here

Love, love, this Neon Dash throw from Land of Nod !

These "Addicted to You" Flamingo Valentine cards from my friend, Mari, are off the chart FABULOUS!

Hurry over and check out her shop, I promise you will not be disappointed!

Original source here

Hope everyone has a delightful weekend! The wood floors in the playroom are getting put in on Sunday. EEK! I can not wait to get started on decorating this room!

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Gold Foil Inspired Cards

I've been daydreaming A LOT lately about gold foil and calligraphy; two techniques I wish I was an expert on right about now because both trends are HOT, HOT, HOT.

From time to time, I like to step out of my wanna-a-be graphic design world and make a good ol' fashion handmade card. I ventured out this weekend to the craft stores with not Georgia but gold foil once again on my mind (along with mac 'n cheese) and was super excited when I stumbled across some foil stickers.

Say hello to my crazy-simple gold foil inspired cards.

What You Need:

Card stock

bone folder & scoring board (optional)

foil stickers

bakers twine

pretty envelopes

paper trimmer or scissors

The skill level required for this project is as basic as it gets--as in a kindergartner could handle it.

Difficult, time-consuming projects? Ain't no one got time for that.

{1}Trim your card stock down to A2 size (4 1/4 " x 5 1/2) or to what ever appropriate size for the envelopes you are using.

{2} Using your bone folder and scoring board crease and fold your cards in half.

I purchased the Martha Stewart Scoring Board & Envelope Tool set many years ago and I have to say it was a worth while purchase. If you don't own these supplies you can always use a ruler and a pen to fold your cards. 

{3}Apply your stickers and any other embellishments you would like to include 

and then sign, seal, and deliver!

My brain went to mush not too long ago and I am horrible now on keeping up with birthdays.  I like to have a few handmade cards lying around in case I don't have time to run out to the store and need to mail out a birthday card pronto. So for these gold foil inspired cards I decided to go with classic birthday words like "wish" and "celebrate".

I love how they came out--I'm almost convinced they look like genuine gold foil stamped cards.

Plus, I'm gobbling up this whole aqua, pink, gold combo thing right now. 

To me, they are a trio of colors straight from heaven.

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Delightfully Noted's 2013 Holiday Collection

It's my favorite time of the year. Delightfully Noted's 2013 Holiday Collection is finally here! Phew, what an undertaking this was this year considering now I am someone's personal assistant mommy.

When it comes to designing my invitations and stationery I often find I perform best when I get into one of my creative vibes and then I just zone out for hours designing and creating away.

Well, now those moments are interrupted like mmmmm.....every two minutes or so.

Apparently, babies need to eat, be burped, be bathed, and be changed a lot.Who knew?

You can view and shop full collection here

I hope to work with you this holiday season!

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Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry My Way Through This Cardstore Review

So I was recently offered the opportunity to create a card and review it for this lovely stationery site called cardstore.com   Ever hear of it? Obviously, a paper good snob like me couldn't pass up a moment like this.

Right away I knew I was going to create a card for Baby B.

I'm not much a of a journal person (says the person who writes a blog) but I love the idea of writing quick little notes for Baby B to read when it he grows up. You know something I can throw in his face when he's a disgruntled teenager plotting my death in his on-line manifesto.

Customizing your photo cards with this site couldn't be easier. You just simply upload a pic, type a short message, add a signature and leave the delivery to them. Yep, that's right they'll send it to the recipient for you!You can even import addresses to make delivery a breeze. There are also a ton of cute designs to choose from. I chose this Totally In Love design to create my card but the word bubble and holiday photo cards are also some of my faves.
The best part is you don't even have to step foot in a store!

I have to admit I was assuming I would be receiving one of those thin-glossy-photo-paper-like cards but they are printed on nice quality card stock. It's like your very own "Hallmark-ish" type of quality card.

The only thing I would note is that I thought it would be more fun if there were more color options for the different templates. If you're anything like me then you like to coordinate with the colors of your photograph and sometimes it can be difficult to match when there are pre-set colors. Hopefully, this is something the team at cardstore will consider in the future!

Over all, I love this site and I think you will too. So if you're looking for some one-of-a kind personalized cards to send out for any special occasion I highly recommend you check out cardstore.com pronto!

Now if you'll excuse me I need to back to some ugly crying.
Today is my last day home with my little bear.
Tomorrow I return to the work world. To say I am not handling it well would be an understatement.
Last night I had a melt down in the middle of the toilet paper aisle at Target.....which was odd because I wasn't even there for toilet paper.

My heart hurts thinking about leaving this little guy. For the past few weeks I have tried to hold it together but now that it's here.... well, I think only a tranquilizer could help.

Perhaps you'd like to come and pet and braid my hair as I lie in the fetal position and ugly cry and tell me everything is going to be okay and then shhhh.......slip me some Valium.
AND now cardstore.com is suddenly wondering where this review all went wrong.


**Disclaimer:The lovely people at Cardstore.com sent me a promo code for purchase of one free card. I was in no way paid for my opinions (trust me, you think they'd pay me for this?)
As always, the opinions expressed in this post are 100% my own.

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When Inspiration Comes in the Form of Mork & Mindy

Remember the sitcom “Mork & Mindy” starring the then-unknown Robin Williams?  I have very little recollection of the show since the series ended pretty early on in my life. A matter of fact I’m thinking I must have watched re-runs. I do, however, recall even as a child thinking the science fiction show was a little odd.  Mork {Robin Williams}, was an alien who landed on Earth in some egg-shaped spaceship clearly looking as if he had raided the closest of Rainbow Brite.

  Him and his roommate Mindy were always throwing up gang signs, too.

Image: Eyes Peeled, Always

{What up!}

Well, apparently over the years I must have been suppressing some deep routed issues with this show because the other night I ended up dreaming that Mork & Mindy were our neighbors. Isn’t it funny the things you can dream of?  No matter how ridiculously awesome that would be to have this quirky pair as neighbors, I do have them to thank for this new invitation design!

{Retro "Our Little Sweetheart" Invites from Delightfully Noted} 

It is strange sometimes where artist and crafters find their inspiration!  Soon after my dream of good ‘ol Mork & Mindy this retro rainbow design kept coming to mind. “Our Little Sweetheart” invites are such a darling and unique way to celebrate your little one’s big day. They’d even make for adorable baby shower invitations.

{Cupcake toppers are the perfect way to add that special touch to yor baked goods!}

Did you know Delightfully Noted also offers other coordinating party decor?  Favor tags, cupcake toppers, and thank you cards are also available. Contact me for details.

Oh, and just incase some of you are looking to waste some time here's a video of Mork & Mindy's pilot show.  You can thank me later.

What's the strangest inspiration you've ever had?

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