My First Canvas

I know that I have mentioned in a few posts before about the love of Our first apartment. It is something I will never forget. A first apartment means so much, freedom is the first word that comes to mind for me. Not having to answer to anyone, to come and go as you please. To do what you want when you want and not have to clean up the mess. It is just overall fantastic. I love being a host and having people over, that is why I insisted on a two bedroom apartment, and I wanted to have another space to decorate. Our friend penned it the Penthouse because it was the first apartment at the top of the stairs.

For me, I enjoyed every thing that happened inside those crooked walls. I spent time on every room and found the best pieces. I told a friend once that when it was time to move out I wanted to sublet my apartment fully furnished so I could re do a new place, and kind of pretend I was Carrie from Sex and the City. That did not happen though. Eventually it was time to move on to the next, and although I am enjoying making a new home for us, there is just something about Main St I will never let go of.

So, for now, here are some pictures of our apartment. I took these pictures on the day we moved out. It was kind of bittersweet. My Mom and Sister went to take the last things down to the car, and it was just myself and the camera.

I want to take a moment to thank everyone that helped us on moving day. First off, my Mom, who did such an amazing job packing up everything in my kitchen. Not a single thing broke, and tape over the salt shakers was genius. My Sister, who came to help even though she had a 6 month old baby to take care of. For packing all our clothes, which is a HUGE job, and scrubbing my fridge so well. To my little brothers, who aren't so little anymore. I told them not to lift anything heavy but they surprised me by being such great help that day. To my other brother Kenny who didn't have to help us at all, but did. Todd for waking up at the crack of dawn to take a bus from the city to help us move at 9 am, and then when we go to the new place tiled our floor so we could have our own toilet. Glen for letting us use his truck which was a huge help. We would of had to make 6 trips if we didn't have him there. Paula who could of spent the day at Ryan's soccer tournament but came and helped pack and let us stuff her car full of our crap. And Sarah for entertaining Lil'Miss Ava and helping me put together my new entrance bench, twice :) Couldn't have done it with out you guys!


Come back soon, and I'll share with you what I did with My First Canvas.

-AR

Pinterest

I have heard a lot about Pinterest lately. Everyone seems to have it, and everyone seems to be addicted to it. I have to admit, I LOVE the idea of it. Having everything you like on the Internet in one space that is just your own, genius.

I recently read a job posting that wanted candidates to actually have a Pinterest account. So I signed up, or at least I thought I was signing up. I was actually put on a waiting list, and had to wait to be "invited" via email to join. Well my prayers have been answered because today I was invited. I signed up and my account is www.pinterest.com/AmyRobertsDesgn .

Now, I just need to figure out how to "Pin" and I'm sure it wont be long until I am addicted also.

Come back soon, and Ill share with you my likes on Pinterest!

-AR

I Made That! - Baby Birthday Edition

It was my adorable niece's very first birthday on March 27! I was helping my sister plan her big party which happened on March 31. I was in charge of making the cake,

A "decorate your own cupcake" station for the little kids as well as a "memory book". A memory book is something I kind of made up of course. It is a simple scrap book that we filled with pictures of Miss Ava throughout her first year with various family members and friends. I cut up pieces of paper and set out markers for guests of the party to leave a special birthday message for the birthday girl. It is a simple keepsake and a cuter guest book that everyone will be able to look back on over the years.

For Ava's first birthday I really wanted to get her some TOMS shoes. Preferably the silver tiny glitters, but being so busy, I didn't order off line and was left to scour the malls and call as many shoe companies as I could. No one carries the tiny glitters in such a small size. So I was forced to buy her some hot pink Mary Jane's with a cute bow on the toe. She liked them just the same.

I also made her a gift of course. I am really glad my family taught me from an early age that hand made gifts really are the best. Not only are they one of a kind and personalized, they are cheap! I was on a shopping spree with my friend Nicki and she showed me this box on blank cards for less than ten dollars. The cards had cute little pastel coloured owls on the front, four different styles. Of course I bought them. I knew I could use them for something creative. As Ava's birthday approached, I found some simple wood frames unfinished at the dollar store, so I picked up four. I also found a pack of pastel card stock at the dollar store which went perfectly with the pastel colours of the cards. I painted the frames a cream colour,  cut the card stock to fit the frames and placed the owl cards over top. I also left secret messages in all the cards. I thought this would be a fun find for Ava when she was older and maybe replacing the owls with pics of her high school crush. However, my Sister found these messages about 30 minutes after I left her place for dinner.

This is what the final creation looked like,

After Miss Ava's birthday came Baby B's 1st Birthday. Ava was born 2 weeks before Brooklyn who is our cousin. For Brooklyn's baby shower I made her a sign-able frame as one of her gifts. It was Winnie the Pooh themed and had a jade green border. I wanted to make Brooklyn a growth chart. So I made it Winnie the Pooh themed as well and tied in the jade green colour scheme in the numbers and leaves.

This is what the final creation looked like,

I personalized this gift by making the characters appear like they were going to someones 1st Birthday with the cake with one candle, the party hats, and balloon. I like giving these personalized gifts to friends and family because I find that today, we get so much "stuff" we really don't need and we forget about the simple treasures that are so special to us. And keepsakes are something that can last a life time and be passed down the family.

Good tip for giving hand made items as gifts, sometimes guest of the party will approach you to make one for them, Cha-Ching! Might have a special something to show you all in July.

Come back soon, and I'll share some more hand made creations with you!

-AR