Bathroom Beautiful

The perfect bathroom is a place of retreat, comfort, and even luxury! With that in mind, I've designed my version (now someone go build it for me...):

This is the scene:

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Also there's a fireplace in this room and a comfy rug lying in front of the clawfoot tub! And on the other side of the room, I want you to picture this vanity:

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This would be the PERFECT getaway spot! Especially with this sign hanging on the front of the door:

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What's your perfect bathroom like? Link up and join the fun!

PS: Be sure and check out BOTH of my $15 gift card giveaways here and here!

A Labor of Love, a Summer Sale, and a Giveaway

My good friend is getting married in September and I have the privilege of creating 75 wedding thank you cards (matching her wedding colors, of course) as well as 50 bridal shower thank you cards for her.

It's definitely the biggest custom project I've taken on, and it has truly been a labor of love! I started by making two sample cards, then creating cardstock templates to trace and cut. Here's a sneak peek of my progress:

If you were wondering how much time it takes to cut 460 pieces of paper into 7 different sizes, the answer is 2 hours and 45 minutes. What a feeling of accomplishment!


And to celebrate summer, I'm throwing a sale!

From now until Wednesday, July 6th, get free shipping to anywhere in the U.S or Canada on any set of cards!


PS: What projects are you working on these days?


PPS: If you need some cute cards in your life, I'm giving away a $15 gift certificate! Enter here!

Tickle Me Tuesdays, 24th 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 you know 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!

All my picks today are brought to you by ModCloth!

Floral to Ceiling Tea Set 

Bathing Beauty in Cherry Pie

What Color is it?

Now it's your turn! What's been tickling your fancy this week?

<a href="http://yesteachercrafts.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s92/french_mk/tickle.jpg" /></a></span></font></font></div><div style="text-align: center; clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; "><font class="Apple-style-span"><font class="Apple-style-span" face="inherit"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><br></span></font></font></div><div style="text-align: center; clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; "><font class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><script src="http://www.linkytools.com/thumbnail_linky_include.aspx?id=94822" type="text/javascript"></script></span></font></div><p></p>

Mondays with Jack, 46th edition

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

Cufflinks by Dabble Design

"If I was being executed by injection, I'd clean up my cell real neat. Then, when they came to get me, I'd say, Injection? I thought you said 'inspection.'" They'd probably feel real bad, and maybe I could get out of it." -- Jack Handey

Save at Starbucks

A few months ago, I read a tip in Real Simple about saving at Starbucks and I thought I'd give it a try!

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I ordered one shot of espresso over ice (70 cents plus tax). Then I went to the condiment bar and filled up the rest of the cup with half and half, sugar, and some vanilla flavoring. It was delicious!! And all for under 80 cents. I love me some iced coffee....

click here for super affordable rates!

Saturday Snapshot - Barney Love

Max picked Barney up and I ended up with this snapshot:

You can tell, he was NOT in the mood to be picked up right then! (And don't worry, no dogs were harmed in the taking of this picture...)

And here's a close-up, just for fun!

(I'm linking up with Kim today!)


Oh and PS: The winners from the Star Sponsor giveaways are.....

Rouge and Whimsy: Armada
Hiya Luv: Carolyn
Emerging Em: Joni
Lil' Mustard Seed: Breaking free from old ways

I left my heart in....

As you'll note from this post, there are a lot of places I call home!

This week, we got back from visiting one of those homes (where my in-laws live in Michigan!). It was a lovely visit and I miss everything about it:

I didn't know red barns actually existed until I met my husband's family!

My MIL and nephew looking for frogs at the pond behind the house.

Relaxing on the dock

Going out to eat!

It's really hard being back in Texas. We've only lived here for two years and there's no shred of family around. Plus, the Texas summer heat is just miserable! I'm trying to stay positive, but I'll admit that I left a piece of my heart in Michigan.....

(I'm linking up with Casey today!)

Inspiration Workshop: Spend the Day Playing

Today I'm linking up with Gussy and sharing my take on the prompt: "Spend your day playing"

I don't have kids yet, but that doesn't mean I can't play! My husband Max and I play all the time:

We started dating from a cake fight :)

I married a goofy guy!

We love to play in the snow!

Flashback

Two years ago, when we moved from Michigan to Texas, we called it the Great Texas Exodus of '09.

That trip has been on my mind because we're driving back down to Texas after our week visiting family here in Michigan. This time, we're just in our little Saturn with our dog Barney in our lap.

But last time....

Last time we drove down HILLBILLY style, with all of our worldly possessions in the back of my father-in-law's truck.

Here's Max, packing said possessions.

And not only did we look like hillbillies, we drove 21 hours in the summer heat, with NO air conditioning and NO cruise control!! 

Fun times, I tell ya'. Fun times.

Tickle Me Tuesday, 23rd 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 you know 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!

Leather Card Case from Tovi Corrie

Birds Group Wall Decal from CCNever

Audrey Hepburn Silhouette Chalkboard from JDavis Squared

Now it's your turn! What's been tickling your fancy this week?

<a href=”http://yesteachercrafts.com”target=””_blank””><img src=”http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s92/french_mk/tickle.jpg”/></a></span></font></div><div style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#333333" face="Verdana, sans-serif" size="2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 15px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br></span></font></div><div style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#333333" face="Verdana, sans-serif" size="2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 15px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><script src="http://www.linkytools.com/thumbnail_linky_include.aspx?id=92986" type="text/javascript"></script></span></font></div></div><p></p>

Mondays with Jack, 45th edition

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

The Cozy Coupe Original Acrylic Painting from The Handle

"I bet a funny thing about driving a car off a cliff is, while you're in midair, you still hit those brakes." - Jack Handey

Saturday Snapshot: Family Time

We are currently in Michigan, visiting my husband's family:

(Hubby's on the right, and this was the day we discovered our dog Barney is not a fan of the ocean!)

We're not at the beach, we're on the family farm instead. It's been such a lovely visit! The only thing I regret is not having as much internet access - I miss reading your blogs!

I hope your weekend is filled with sunshine and laughter!

(I'm linking up with Kim for Saturday Snapshot!)

The Mama Club

I'm 29 years old. I've been married for just about nine years. And I am not part of the Mama club.

We haven't started trying yet... we're waiting for my husband to get his PhD so that I can have the option to be a stay-at-home mom.

And honestly, we're enjoying our life right now when we can take off at a moment's notice, get lots of uninterrupted sleep, and keep our bank accounts fairly full...

But lots of my close friends have babies, and when I'm with them, I feel like I'm in a foreign country. I can't take part in the conversation about poopy diapers, birthing stories, and developmental milestones. I love hearing about all that stuff, but at the same time it sounds like a fascinating foreign language. I want to join in but it's tricky because I don't know all the words.

The closest I've come is having an adorable nephew:

So until it's my turn to join the Mama Club, I'll be the super fun Aunt :)

(I'm linking up with Casey today!)

Star Sponsor: Chic Geek Designs

Do you know Lori from Chic Geek Designs?

Not only is she lovely but she's a fun friend to have too! Lori takes beautiful photos and pairs them with the perfect quote. Take a peek:

Here's the scoop on Lori:

Tell us about your shop.

My shop is a reflection of me and my travels. I love to travel and I love to take pictures, so I thought putting them into photos, cards, books, would be the best way to share my passion. 

What is the easiest thing about running your shop? What's the hardest?

Wow, the easiest thing. Running a shop isn't too easy, to be honest but it is fun. The hardest is trying to keep it up to date with product photos and to keep new and fresh ideas in the shop. 

What is one thing you wished you had known before you started your shop?

Again, I guess I wish I knew how much work it would have been and I'm still learning the best ways of "getting out there". 

If you were a piece of candy, what would you be and why?

Oh, I would be a Reese Peanut Butter Cup! My favorite thing in the world but something I can't eat anymore. So might as well be one, right!?!? :-) 

Star Sponsor: Elephant's Trunk

If you don't already know her and love her, meet Lauren from Elephant's Trunk:

Not only is she a great friend, but she is talented as well! She sells lovely wine accessories and paintings in her shop, like this one:

Here's the scoop on Lauren:

Tell us about your shop.

The Elephant’s Trunk is a little bit of handmade wine accessories and a dash of creative canvases. Finding inspiration for products comes from everywhere and anywhere, from current events to a unique magazine or an inspirational quote. These are the things that stimulate me to create.

What is the easiest thing about running your shop? What's the hardest?

The easiest thing about my shop is connecting with others who like to create and the hardest part is finding enough time as I’d like to spend on my shop.

What is one thing you wished you had known before you started your shop?

I wish I would have know that you’re going to screw up and hey, that’s ok!

If you were a piece of candy, what would you be and why?

I would be chocolate because- who doesn’t like chocolate?

***COUPON CODE ALERT***

Enjoy 20% off your purchase at Elephant's Trunk with coupon code: YESTEACH20

Happy Shopping :)

Star Sponsor and Giveaway: Rouge and Whimsy *CLOSED*

Do you know Erika from Rouge and Whimsy? If not, you are missing out!

Isn't she adorable? She creates lovely hair accessories on etsy, like this flower feather headband:

Here's the scoop on Erika:

What is the easiest thing of running your shop? What's the hardest?
The easiest thing about my shop is that I'm never lacking inspiration! I constantly have new ideas...which takes me to the hardest thing about running my shop: TIME. I work full-time & it's a bit of a bus commute to the ol' day job. Balancing the corporate career with the handmade one is a difficult balance especially with a house, dog, husband and a million other little not-so-fun things that are a part of life. 


What is one thing you wished you had known before you started your shop?
I wish that someone sat me down and told me that I wasn't going to be a success overnight; that there would be good things and bad things but that the most important thing was to love what I was making and believe in myself and my creations.


If you were a piece of candy, what would you be and why?
I would be an Almond Joy-- fun, delicious with that surprise nut side to me ;)

***COUPON CODE ALERT***

Get 15% off your order with coupon code TEACHERSPET

***GIVEAWAY ALERT***

Erika is giving away this lovely headband!

MANDATORY ENTRY:

Visit Rouge and Whimsy and leave a comment here with the name of your favorite item. Please leave a way for me to contact you if you win!

EXTRA ENTRIES (leave a separate comment for each):

+1 Follow Erika's blog

+Heart Rouge and Whimsy (leave etsy username)

+1 Follow Erika on Twitter

+1 Tweet this giveaway

(Sample tweet: Win a pretty headband from @erikalc via @yes_teacher ! http://tiny.cc/n3ecy )

Giveaway ends Thursday 6/23 at 11:59 PM. Winner will be announced and notified the next day. Good luck!

Star Sponsor and Giveaway: Hiya Luv *CLOSED*

I hope you all know her and love her already, but if you don't, let me introduce you to the fabulous Gina from Hiya Luv!

Isn't she lovely? Gina is the genius behind the twitter chat #setupshop on Mondays at 8 PM EST where we chat about all things related to owning a handmade business (join us next time!). Not only that, but she creates delightful pouches and accessories like this one:

Here's the scoop on Gina:

What is the easiest thing about running your shop? What's the hardest?
The easiest thing about running my shop is that I am my own boss. I make my own schedule however don't let that fool you! :) However, the hardest aspect of running my shop is that I have very, VERY limited time to spend on it. Because I have a full time job outside of the home, I rarely have much time to concentrate on my shop. I have to focus on the positives though and relish in the fact that my shop is a creative outlet that I am so privileged to take part in.


What is one thing you wished you had known before you started your shop? 
A lot of things! :) Shop owners make it look so easy. Picture taking, editing photos, marketing, packaging, etc. all take tons of time. I love creating but creating the product is just a 1/4th of the actual process. Successful shop owners also make it look like they are rolling in the dough. Perhaps we define success differently. I haven't made a penny yet but I love it so much. :) I am happy with what I create so that could be defined as success. Or perhaps I am doing something wrong? 

***GIVEAWAY ALERT***

Gina is giving away a $15 gift certificate to her shop!

MANDATORY ENTRY:

Visit Hiya Luv and leave a comment with your favorite item from her shop! Be sure to leave a way for me to contact you if you win.

EXTRA ENTRIES (leave a separate comment for each!):

+1 Follow Gina's blog

+1 Like Hiya Luv on Facebook (and leave your username)

+1 Follow Gina on Twitter

+1 Tweet about this giveaway

(Sample tweet: Woo hoo! Enter to win $15 to @hiyaluv via @yes_teacher's blog! http://tiny.cc/41rtu )

*Giveaway ends Thursday, 6/23 at 11:59 PM. Winner will be notified the following day.

*The shop credit can be used towards any item in the shop and shipping. If the item and shipping are more than $15, she will send an invoice for the difference.

*Shop credit is not available for custom orders; only what is currently in the shop.

Star Sponsor and Giveaway: Emerging Em *CLOSED*

Do you know the lovely Emily from Emerging Em? Let me introduce you...

Isn't she so classy? She also sells beautiful fashion accessories in her sweet shop! Like this rosette necklace:

Here's the scoop on Emily:

Tell us about your shop. 

My mom asked me when I first started my blog and opened my Etsy shop why I chose the name Emerging Em. I think the name aptly describes the phase of life I'm in right now, as I am not only emerging as a new blogger and crafter, violinist and teacher, but also as a person. I hope the name continues to describe me, as I am always striving to learn and create new things. I'm inspired by fashion and the people around me as well as architecture and nature. I'm also inspired by what I can do - like knitting, tatting, and sewing - and combining those skills in new and creative ways.

What is the easiest thing about running your shop? What is the hardest? 

The easiest is coming up with and making new products! I always have new ideas popping up in my head. The hardest thing is keeping up with everything. Since the shop isn't my full-time job, I sometimes get behind and a little overwhelmed.

What is one thing you wished you had known before you started your shop? 

I wish I hadn't taken so long to actually open my shop! It's a lot of fun!

If you were a piece of candy, what would you be any why?

I would be a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup just because they're my favorite. The new mini Reese's will be the death of me.

***COUPON ALERT***

You can save 15% off your order with coupon code SUMMER15

***GIVEAWAY ALERT***

Emily is giving away a set of rosette hairpins in your choice of color!

MANDATORY ENTRY:
Hop on over to Emerging Em, then leave a comment with your favorite item (be sure to leave a way I can contact you if you win!)

EXTRA ENTRIES (leave a separate comment for each one):

+1 Heart her etsy shop

+1 Like her Facebook and leave your username

+1 Follow her blog

+1 Tweet about this giveaway

(Sample tweet: Win a pair of cute rosette hairpins from @emergingem over at @yes_teacher's blog! http://tiny.cc/gtt7s )

Good luck! Giveaway will end Thursday 6/23 at 11:59 PM and winner will be notified the following day.