Thursday, May 5, 2011

Moms that Inspire part one

hello peeps. every now and again, i post some things to the store's blog that are not very store related. for the next few days, this will be the case.

mother's day is sunday and i, for one, think it is a very important day. i was blessed with an amazing mom and i don't think all the mother's days in the world would ever be enough to honor her.

i am also blessed because not only is my mom amazing, i have also had the honor of being surrounded by other incredible moms.

so, the name of the store is inspire and for the next few days, leading up to mother's day, i am going to post about some moms that *inspire* me.

today's post is about my beautiful cousin, kasi. i hate calling her my cousin because that seems so not personal enough. i consider her to be pretty much my sister from another mother. she is the mother to two of my beautiful godchildren, Madelyn (lulu) and Ella and my little handsome man, hayden.

here's to her.



she is selfless.

completely completely selfless.

she makes so many sacrifices for her babies.

she never complains about those sacrifices.

you would never even know they are sacrifices.

to her, they aren't.

it's for her babies.



she works hard.

i mean really, really hard.

busts her butt.

doesn't get enough credit for how hard she works.

not near enough credit.

long hours, lots of headaches, weekends, nights.

again, she never complains.



she loves big.

with her whole heart.

she doesn't have to tell you how much she loves her kids.

she doesn't show it through other things.

she just loves em'.

wholely.

fully.

without reservation.

without stipulation.

when she looks at them, you just see it.



i never see her get down.

she just does what she has to do for those babies.

loves being a mom.

wouldn't trade it.

has traded other things that she loved and wanted.

has done it without reservation.

because of them.

because it's about them.



is so patient.

i mean so stinking patient.

she doesn't snap for no reason.

she never degrades.

or hurts feelings.

she just breathes.

loves.

guides.

corrects.

occasionally talks through the oh so necessary clenched teeth.

keeps her cool when most would lose it.



she always makes the kids feel secure.

calms all of their fears.

soothes their nerves.

kisses bo bo's.

kisses lu lu's bo bo's a lot (she's a little clumsy).

reassures them.

wipes tears.

lets them know she is and always will be there.



isn't afraid to play.

or act silly.

laughs at their quirks.

laughs at their jokes.

plays.

let's go.

forgets the stresses when they want to play.

when they want to laugh.



she tries her hardest to keep a special relationship with each child.

to give each one time.

attention.

on top of everything else she has to do.

to get to know each one.

treats them each according to who they are.

what they need.

makes sure they are all feeling loved.

loves them each for who they are.

no what she wants them to be.

for all of their flaws.

all of their perfections.

all of their beauty.



through all of this, she manages to maintain a healthy, loving marriage.

seriously, a real one.

not a fake one.

not a show.

one of the healthiest i've seen.

she loves her husband.

supports him.

puts him in line. (when needed)

clings to him.

keeps up a home.

cooks. (often)

finds the time for stories.

and movies.

and special days with each baby.

she takes care of her family.

not in ways that are always fun.

or easy.

or what she wants.

and again, doesn't complain.

doesn't get down.



she's an amazing mom. she reminds me of my mom, a lot. and, in my opinion, that's an honor. she's so selfless. she has shown me that you can maintain a home a job and a healthy marriage and still be an awesome mom. she has shown me patience. she has inspired me to quit complaining. embrace the here and now. especially when u have babies. she has inspired me as a mom. she is truely, on of the best. i hope she knows that. she doesn't hear that enough. she's doing an amazing job. those kids are lucky. her husband is lucky. i am lucky to just have her in my life. i thank her for sharing her kiddos with shane and i. for allowing us to be such a big part of her life. their life. i love her to pieces.

happy mother's day kasi.

i hope you realize that you are an amazing mom.

(hope she doesn't kill me for this)

be back tomorrow with another inspiring mom.

hope your thursday is blessed.
ash*

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

New Lines!

hello ya'll!

some of the lovely scrapbooking companies out there are beginning to realease a few mid-season lines.

of course, the wonderful jenni bowlin has decided to do so. she is releasing some really really great stamps and a new paper line. i adore the stamps. here are just a few.









there are more in addition to these. but c'mon who doesn't love some awesome border stamps. ahhh the lace has me dying.

mrs. bowlin also realeased a new paper line. it is called Haven. i love the color scheme. i also love the way most of the papers have one side that is a print and one that is a huge image. i just really like this line. here's a peek at the paper.



so many options with cutting this one. journaling cards, border strips, and embellies. love this.













the bomb diggity sassafras also released a new line called Sunshine Broadcast. it is FABBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBULOUSSSSSSSSSS. i know i say this about every line but i just really really love this one. it is light and airy and so so pretty. i really dig it. here's a looksie.



















oooooooooooooooooo. i gotta have this in my hands ASAP.

so get ur booties in here and spend some moola so that we can order these two new lines. u know u want em.

tell me which is your fave.

hope you are having a very blessed wednesday. see ya soon!

ash

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Mother's Day Project Ideas

Hey peeps!

Sunday is a very special day for most of the ladies in our lives. it is mother's day. in my opinion, it is a day that can not ever get the attention and respect that it deserves. my mom does and has done far more than we could ever give her credit for in just one holiday. i'm sure most of you feel the same way. how do you ever honor the one who has done it all?


photo by: Clint Shuttlesworth~effect added by: me

every year for mother's day, i rack my brain to try and get a gift that is personal and useful. it is always hard to get exactly the right thing for someone who deserves so much more than i could ever give. my brothers, of course, just hand me their money and i am solo on picking out the gift. gotta love those boys! it just seems that for the years that i have made my mom something, she seems to love those gifts best. she cries and cries and shows everyone. i always try to get her something and then make a little something on the side.

i haven't made something in a while for her, so, this year, i am cooking up a couple of little projects. i am also hoping to make a little something for shane's mom and another mom that i look up to too! i already know what i will be creating but i scoured the internet to find some inspirational project ideas that would be perfect for mother's day. i thought it would be fun to share them with you!

for starters, you could always make a homeade card. it is quick, easy, and from the heart. something i am sure all moms would keep forever.

here are a few ideas.








you could also do just a regular scrapbook for mom filled with some awesome photos of her and her kiddos/grandkiddos.

here are some beautiful layouts that i love.













if you are not in the mood or don't have the time (go figure) for a large, standard scrapbook, a mini album is the perfect solution. i can usually finish one in a few hours. you can do it bragbook style so that she can carry it in her purse. or you could create one as a coffee table or office desk/shelf book. they are the perfect way for her to show off some of her favorite memories and the talent of the person creating it.

here are some great mini album ideas.










and if you are just not in the scrapbook kind of mood, there are always so many options for little home decor pieces that make great homeade gifts. the options are endless and the end result is always beautiful.

here are some of my faves that i found.





















i know right, so many great ideas. if you need some product for your mother's day projects, head on over to the store. come get some goodies and maybe a few ideas. we will be happy to help.

i will post my mother's day creations as soon as i am done with them.

go ahead and get creating something for those special moms in your life. you know they deserve it!

happy tuesday.

ash

Happy Birthday Doll!

I am two days late but I must post this!

Happy Happy Birthday Taylor!


Photo by: Stacy Landry Photography

Happy 18th Birthday to a girl who is the bomb diggity to say the least.

Words can not express how much i adore you.

i am so thankful to have you in my life and in my business.

you are an amazing friend.

you are an amazing employee.

you are an amazing person.

you love the store like it is your own.

you are always friendly, always sweet, always helpful.

you come in at the last minute whenever i need you. (most people would never do that)

you put up with the craziness that is me.

you bring some really great ideas to the store.

you create some really beautiful stuff for the store.

i hope you know how much i appreciate you and all that you bring to my life.

i really hope you are blessed beyond measure in all that you do.

hope your birthday kicks butt!

love you much!

Ash!