Tickle Me Tuesdays, 3rd edition

Welcome to the latest edition of Tickle Me Tuesdays, where we all share what's been tickling our fancy!

If you'd like to participate (and I sure hope you do!!), here are the rules: 

1. Write a short post with anywhere from one to five items that have been tickling your fancy recently. Please include pictures and links :)

2. Make sure to link back to the party in your blog post (you can grab the button or include a text link)

3. Come back here and link up your blog post!

4. Visit some other links and HAVE FUN!

Here are mine:

Mini Love Callout Hand Carved Rubber Stamp from Cupcake Tree

Perfect Peplum Jacket from DownEast Basics

Fromage Cheese Plates from Uncommon Goods 

(Because I'm really craving some FRENCH cheese!)

Now it's your turn! I can't wait to see what's been tickling YOUR fancy!

 </span><center><a href="http://yesteachercrafts.com"><img src="http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/yesteacher/COLOURlovers-1.jpg"/></a></center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "> 

Mondays with Jack, 26th edition

Welcome to the latest edition of Mondays with Jack! If you want to know what this weekly feature is all about, see here.

Moving the World Collage Card from Stories Divinations

"Too bad you can't buy a voodoo globe so that you could make the earth spin real fast and freak everybody out." -- Jack Handey

**THIS JUST IN! Use coupon code: "WORLD" for 15% off everything from Stories Divinations !!

I'd like to thank the academy (again!)

Not really.

But I would like to thank the ever-so-fabulous Crystal from Domestic But Not Martha for bestowing upon me the Stylish Blogger Award! (If you're not following Crystal's blog, you should be! She's got a passion for all things handmade!)

This is the second time I've received this award, so I'm feeling EXTRA stylish right now. Maybe even stylish enough to get away with pajama jeans. Maybe.

Reprinted here for your enjoyment are seven random things you've been dying to know about me:

1. My parents are missionaries in France. We moved there when I was seven back in 1989 (just to save you the math, that makes me 28). They still live there and I love to visit as often as I can! 

2. I've been married for 8 years to The Best Guy in the World. We have three cats and a dog :).

3. I teach first graders who are deaf/hard-of-hearing. This doesn't involve any sign language: they all wear either hearing aids or cochlear implants and my job is language and reading remediation!

4. I love to shop at thrift stores!

5. I could eat ice cream for every meal of the day.

6. I drink black tea every morning. I used to drink coffee, but I was making it so strong that it was starting to give me headaches. And what's the point of drinking coffee if it doesn't look like mud?


7. I've always wanted to host a murder mystery dinner party. I've been to a couple, and they were so fun!


Instead of passing this award on to 15 more bloggers, I'm going to give you permission to just grab this award for your wonderful self! And then come tell me about it so I can read 7 interesting things about you!!


Happy Weekend!

My heart cries home!

I'm one of those people who never got to stay in one place for too long. I've lived in California, France, Germany, Michigan, California, and now Texas. 

When someone asks me where I'm from, I ask them how much time they have!

My family is spread across the United States and France, so I don't have the luxury of going back to one place and seeing everyone. (Do you?)

Below, some lovely home-inspired Etsy finds:

"Home is Where the Art is" from Dear Colleen

Home is Where the Heart is Necklace from Boy Girl Party

Home is Where the Heart is - from Mud Hutt

Customize Your Home is Where the Heart is State -from Lily Gene

Tickle Me Tuesdays, 2nd edition

Welcome to the second edition of Tickle Me Tuesdays, where we all share what's been tickling our fancy!

If you'd like to participate (and I sure hope you do!!), here are the rules: 

1. Write a short post with anywhere from one to five items that have been tickling your fancy recently. Please include pictures and links :)

2. Make sure to link back to the party in your blog post (you can grab the button or include a text link)

3. Come back here and link up your blog post!

4. Visit some other links and HAVE FUN!

Here are mine:

Charley Harper Flash Cards/Floor puzzle from Anthropologie (if only I had a kid to buy for!!)

Yes, Michigan State Love from Goose and Trisser

Tres Stacking Rings from Lunasa Designs

Now it's your turn! I can't wait to see what's been tickling YOUR fancy!

</span><center><a href="http://yesteachercrafts.com"><img src="http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/yesteacher/COLOURlovers-1.jpg"/></a></center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; ">

Mondays with Jack, 25th edition

Welcome to the latest edition of Mondays with Jack! If you want to know what this weekly feature is all about, see here.

Avoir un Siege 8x10 Fine Art Photo Print from Coco Shack

"I think the mistake a lot of us make is thinking the state-appointed shrink is our friend." -- Jack Handey

Or maybe I should just manage my time better...

Dear Time - Space Continuum,

Please send us an extra day in the week. We can call it "Erranday". If it's not too much trouble, make it come right after Friday, and right before Saturday. That way, we can have a day to do all of that housework, grocery shopping, laundry, and other miscellaneous errands.

That way, our weekend can really feel like a weekend. We could do more lounging around in pajamas, crafting to our hearts' content, TV-watching, shopping, eating out, and hanging around in general.

It doesn't have to be any more than an extra 24 hour period once a week, and I PROMISE, we'll all be so grateful! And happier! And healthier!

I know you can do it. PLEEEEEEASE?
Love,
~Sarah

Winter Berry

I took this picture on a walk up behind my parents' house in France this past Christmas:

It inspired me to look for some winter berry beauty on Etsy! Take a look at these gorgeous finds:

Chocolates for my Sweet -Valentine's Wreath from The Wright Wreath

Red Winter Berry Earrings from Girl Loves Glitter

Red Berries and Cream crochet flower brooch from The Brooch Boutique

Hand Painted Necklace from Tuckoo & Moo Cow

Tickle Me Tuesdays, first edition

Welcome to the first edition of Tickle Me Tuesdays, where we all share what's been tickling our fancy!

If you'd like to participate (and I sure hope you do!!), here are the rules: 

1. Write a short post with anywhere from one to five items that have been tickling your fancy recently. Please include pictures and links :)

2. Make sure to link back to the party in your blog post (you can grab the button or include a text link)

3. Come back here and link up your blog post!

4. Visit some other links and HAVE FUN!

Here are mine:

 Custom address stamp from Note Trunk

Ginger Peach Soy Candle from Lilac Ave 

Take Time print from UUPP

And now it's your turn! I can't wait to see what's been tickling your fancy!

</span><center><a href="http://yesteachercrafts.com"><img src="http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/yesteacher/COLOURlovers-1.jpg"/></a></center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; ">

Mondays with Jack, 24th edition

Welcome to the latest edition of Mondays with Jack! If you want to know what this weekly feature is all about, see here.

A New Day Fine Art Print by ZuppaArtista

"Whenever I need to 'get away' I just get away in my mind. I go to my imaginary spot, where the beach is perfect and the water in perfect. The only bad thing there are the flies. They're terrible!" - Jack Handey

The little crafter that could

Does this ever happen to you? You're browsing along at the mall or online or wherever, and you come across something super cute... like this Full Bloom Belt from DownEast Basics.

And you think to yourself: "Hey, I think I can make that!"

A quick Google search led me to this fabulous tutorial from Ruffles and Stuff for a grosgrain ribbon belt. Check out her final product:

I even found a few great tutorials to make your own felt flowers for the belt! A pretty variety from One Little Minute. A fun and easy one from I Am Momma. And a classy and sophisticated flower from Lu Bird Baby.

I can already tell, these will be my new crafting obsession!

It's in the bag!

I'm so excited to be participating in Ashley's blog crawl! It officially kicked off on Monday and I've been having so much fun peeking into y'all's purses! Yesterday, was the lovely Catherine from The Life Styled And now, it's my turn....

Here she is:

The photo is courtesy of Mimi Boutique -- I just got this purse from them and so far, I love it! It's really big and roomy and the ivory just goes with everything!

And here's what's inside:

1. "Frugal is such an ugly word" coin purse from Anne Taintor. It's my most ironic possession, because really, I'm quite frugal!!

2. Compact mirror and lipstick. Because deep down I'm vain. (Don't judge me!) :)

3. Burts Bees pomegranate chapstick - the best!

4. My phone. It's not fancy and I don't even buy the texting plan because I'm cheap frugal (refer to itme #1).

5. Luxurious hand lotion from Yves Rocher (a swanky bath and body company from France)

6. Tic Tacs and keys. Never leave home without them!

7. My super cute business card holder that I bought at a large craft fair last year.

8. My journal (a Christmas present a few years ago from my little brother!) -- I love recording my life!

9. An altered mini-composition book that I made to jot down appointments and reminders. Want one for yourself? Check out my tutorial here!

So I'm not sure what this all adds up to in terms of what my purse says about me.... I'm a practical person with a little frivolity on the side, perhaps!

Be sure to visit Miss Social for a peek into her bag tomorrow!

Two things

There are two things I want to share with you today.

The first is that Sweet November is offering FREE advertising on her blog until she reaches 300 followers! You can check out the details here.

And the second is that you should hurry on over to Sandy A La Mode! She's having a huge giveaway with five winners and discount codes to many of her lovely sponsors, to boot!

Tickle Me Tuesdays

Hi Everyone! I'm hoping to start a brand new linky party here in blog land (there's always room for one more, right?). Introducing....

Tickle Me Tuesdays is a venue for you to share what is currently tickling your fancy. It could be that cute pair of tights from Anthropologie. It could be a rosette necklace you saw on Etsy. It could be some stationery found at Big Cartel. Once you write your post (including some pictures, of course), come back and link up here so we can all go "window shopping". It'll be a great way to know each other better and a fun way to find new shops and lovely products out there!

The first Tickle Me Tuesday will start next week on the 18th. If you'd like to participate (and I sure hope you do!!), here are the rules: 

1. Write a short post with anywhere from one to five items that have been tickling your fancy recently. Please include pictures and links :)

2. Make sure to link back to the party in your blog post (you can grab the button or include a text link)

3. Come back here and link up your blog post!

4. Visit some other links and HAVE FUN!

Are you as excited as I am!?! If you are, please feel free to spread the word (the more, the merrier!). You can even use this tweet:

"Tickle me Tuesdays: It's a linky party! Join the fun on Tuesdays and share what's been TICKLING your fancy! http://tiny.cc/qo6v9 "

Mondays with Jack, 23rd edition

Welcome to the latest edition of Mondays with Jack! If you want to know what this weekly feature is all about, see here.

Grass Floral Embroidery Pillow Cover by KainKain

"How come the dove gets to be the peace symbol? How about the pillow? It has more feathers than the dove, and it doesn't have that dangerous beak." - Jack Handey

Vacationing in France: what we saw

This is the last of the pictures from France. It's some of the cool things we saw.... I wish I could take you all there in person so you could see it all yourselves!! Instead, here's the best I can do:

Drool-worthy store fronts

Tourist office of Strasbourg

The Strasbourg cathedral, surrounded by Christmas markets

 Close up of the Strasbourg Cathedral door

Snowy rooftops in Belfort

The lovely view outside of my parents' house

I sure do miss it all! I can't wait until we get to go back!!

Vacationing in France: what we ate

On top of my mother's home cooking, we had the opportunity to eat out at several local French restaurants in the Alsace region. I'm not a food blogger, so I apologize for the photos, but at the time my mind was on devouring the deliciousness!

"Tarte Flambee"- this is not pizza... it's better! We ordered this one covered in goat cheese, munster cheese, and ham!

Fresh made crepes smothered in Nutella. Bliss!

 "Rosti" - a hashed potato dish served with all kinds of toppings.

"Tartiflette" - a scalloped potato dish served with various toppings.

REAL "pain au chocolat" that leaves your fingers buttery! Yum! 

"Choucroute a l'Alsacienne" - I never thought I liked sauerkraut until it was served hot with meat!

"Profiteroles" - cream puffs stuffed with vanilla ice cream - to die for!

I'm drooling over my memories! Up next: what we saw.