A year.

2013? Really? Is that really happening? Wow. 2012 was an interesting and challenging year for me. My blogging and illustrating has turned into a business. I’ve been focusing on healing myself and working on my PTSD. I’m watching my kiddo grow from a babbly two-year-old to a sassy/chatty 3-year-old (her hair is longer, too).

Blogging is so interesting. I can always remember back, think about how a year has gone. Thinking of the good, the bad, and the weird. Funny. All that. BUT, it’s never quite the same as wandering back through old blog posts. My posts are pieces of me that I shared in THAT moment. Anything from a favorite date with my husband, to a silly thing my daughter did. It’s all documented here. I don’t share each and every thing that happens in my life here, but I do share quite a bit.

This last weekend I wandered through all my posts from the year. There are a LOT. I’ve picked out a few of my favorites. I can’t help but wonder what it will be like to wander back 10 years from now… and check out my 2012 blog posts. Wow. OMG. I’d be 40. Not ready. Never mind.

Well, here you are. My favorite posts from 2012. If YOU want to wander through and share your favorite moments from 2012, you’re welcome to link to your blog post below.

January

A compiled list of my favorite tweets about my kiddo… – First time in my life… I changed my hair color from blonde to brownPaper Terrarium TutorialI have a 25-month-old? – I went to Alt Design Summit and wrote about it here, here and here – A Self Photo challenge

February

I turn 29ThingsLOVE pillow tutorial – Learning to dress myself – Some Q&AGirl’s NightPeace out PaciBraided Volume Hair – My kiddo’s vlog

March

Paper Flower FramePlacemat ApronWhat I’m ReadingLittle Red CoatPin-it Back HairJust Another Day – How to safely use Pinterest – St. Patty’s Day DriveMr. AngusKatniss Reaping HairThe New TeepeeBullying

April

Pie + a birthdayCrap. I have a 2-year-old – this episode is brought to you by-f-yeah candy – Paper insect collectionAdventures in a meat-free lifeBellinghamWhat’s in my purse?Baked ravioli!

May

R’s First YearPiggiesWorking on me. – Sea monkey kitBaby bookThrifted Dresses – White bean, cauliflower, and spinach spread recipeRevamped Play Kitchen – I’m a Better Homes and Garden’s contributor! – How to make a GIFFried egg + polenta

June

PNW Blogger Meet UpSweet Summer Crown Hair – Weed killer recipe – Tattoo for you? No, for me. – Happy Father’s DayBrunchJamison SquareOoooooh, potty trainingWhat would I do over?R’s first drawing of me

July

Buttermilk biscuits –  Made it: camera strapsOrganize your jewelry – Don’t like it? Move on. – Mississippi Street FairEl PolloZoo!Bridal Shower Photo Booth

August

I have a green thumb? – My bachelorette sisterSlowing Down in New YorkChartha Standwert – Framed Wallpaper – The old zephyr – Natural Dye Experiment: turmericSharing my kiddo onlineOregon Coast – Homemade PB

September

PB and Chocolate Chip Dough BitesFridge Work Station10 years ag0Homemade Mod PodgeGlitter Starbucks Cup – Flat Iron Curls – My daughter grinds her teeth… erg. – More reads

October

Homemade air freshenerWho do I think I am?Goodbye, Tree – My favorite way to cook broccoliUnicorn horse, with a beautiful dress, and glasses.Toasted Walnut Pasta – Magical Unicorn/Narwhal NecklaceBaked parmesan pumpkin seeds!Gold Gift BoxThrifted Glassware Candles

November

Homemade Apple ChipsPainted feather quill, and journalRoll-up bun hairPolka Dot WreathS’mores in a Jar – LOVE and NOEL blocksPepperoncini Cheese Dip2012 Holiday Photo Challenge – Rockwell style Christmas photo editI survived – Faux Mercury Glass Vases – Rudy the red-nosed wreath

December

Home Advent Calendar – Happy Christmas Tree Skirt – Laminated Tablet SleeveSilver Glitter ChainMy girl turns 3 – “Poop” Treat Labels – Marshmallow World Wrapping PaperSnowflakes for Sandy Hook – Holiday Photo Challenge winners! – Santa? Maybe not. – Birthday style – 3rd Birthday 20 Questions

I shared a “year in review” post last year. I refer to that post so often (whenever I need to remember something). Check it out, if you’d like.

– Chelsey

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Share your “year in review” blog post below:




A year in photos.

A year in photos. One of my favorite end of year blog posts. This is my 3rd year participating in Ashley Sisk’s year end photo round up (my past 2 years: 2010 and 2011). I always love wandering through past photos, and this is always like a scavenger hunt. I hope you all enjoy, and if you’d like… join Ashley 

1. Me!What are you most proud of accomplishing in 2012? Goodness, just making it through the holidays was an accomplishment. I have never been so busy in my life! A ton of orders, blogging, life, and selling at a local craft show.

2. I Love Youpicture of your husband, boyfriend, children, pets, etc.

3. Still Laughing… – I’m still laughing at these two girls. Jess and Stephanie. We stayed up past 3 am playing Mad Libs. Yup. It was hilarious… because we used dirty words. Yeah, we’re a bunch of 5-year-olds.

4. Winter Wonderland – This photo is as wintery as things get. We had one day of snow, but I didn’t take any photos. Santa screams winter time, to me.

5. Birthday – My kiddo’s 3rd birthday.

6. Friends

7. I Was Inspired… – I was so inspired by my trip to Alt Summit last January. It was an amazing learning experience, and I met so many talented and amazing people. I can’t wait to go again, and I’ll be speaking this time. Whew!

8. Spring Fever – Warm day at Jamison Square!

9. Travel or Vacation – a trip to the Oregon Coast.

10. Summer Days – a trip to NY in August. Holy hot!

11. A Day In My Life – Just another day.

12. All Smiles – 4 generations.

13. Autumn Harvest – Welcome Pumpkin.

14. Home

15. Celebrate! – A pie to celebrate a birthday.

16. Let’s Do It Again… My Napa trip was AHmazing!

17. I Miss You – My sister. She lives in New Zealand.

18. Beautiful

19. Dress Up – Halloween.

20. Close Up

21. Holidays

22. My Favorite – This is my favorite photo from 2012.

23. Don’t Ever Change

24. Just Because…So There! – My cute little Chihuahua man, Angus.

25. Hopes and Dreams – I hope for the most beautiful year, with more happiness than sadness. Lots of growing and journeys with friends. AND, an exciting year for my beautiful daughter…. who’s starting preschool in a couple days! <3

– Chelsey

P.S. I hope you all have a happy and SAFE New Year! 


3rd Birthday 20 Questions

It’s officially a tradition! 20 questions for my kiddo on her birthday each year. Last year’s answers were pretty silly… since I was asking a 2-year-old that didn’t really know what I was saying. BUT, I love looking back at her answers! She mostly knew what I was asking this year, but not completely. I love this! Here’s this year’s:

1. What is your favorite color? Purple and blue and pink.

2. What is your favorite toy? Ponies!

3. What is your favorite fruit? Bananas.

4. What is your favorite tv show? My Little Pony

5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Cereal

6. What is your favorite outfit? Ballerina and pink dress.

7. What is your favorite game? Catcher. That has a robot in it.

8. What is your favorite snack? Oranges.

9. What is your favorite animal? Ponies.

10. What is your favorite song? Um. Christmas.

11. What is your favorite book? Dora.

12. Who is your best friend? Keira.

13. What is your favorite cereal? 
Milk Cereal.

14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Play in snow.

15. What is your favorite drink? Water

16. What is your favorite holiday? Um uh. Winter.

17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Dreamlight sweet night!

18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Snacks.

19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Pizza.

20. What do you want to be when you grow up? A worker just like Dada. 

Do you do this? Do you have a birthday tradition with your kiddo?

 

– Chelsey


Birthday Style

This lady. Right here. Has a 3-year-old. Yes I do. A week and a half ago the husband and I celebrated the birth of our kiddo. We have a kiddo that talks a lot, knows exactly what she likes (mostly chocolate and ponies), is kind, is funny, is temperamental, she likes to visit meltdown city, she’s super silly, and is my friend. I love her so much.

For her birthday I wore this flowy green top, jeans, and my sweet t-strap flats. With a mini-bouffant. A favorite outfit of mine. A perfect “mom outfit” to run around with a bunch of kids on a birthday. The birthday party was so much fun. Unlike the previous years, I chose to go very low-key. We rented a room at a pizza spot and ordered 5 pizzas. Let those kids go wild! ANNNNnnnd, then I go home and do not clean up. Thank goodness. Tomorrow I’ll share the 3 photos I did manage to take at her birthday. PLUS, I asked her some questions. So fun chatting with my 3-year-old.

Also, I’ll be 30 soon. OHmahgoodness… Still haven’t figured out what I’d like to do to celebrate. Something small? Big party? Fly away somewhere? I dunno.

Umbrella: Amazon, Frankford Heart Umbrella

Top: A small shop in Santa Barbara, CA (can’t remember the name)

Jeans: Levi’s Denizen

Shoes: c/o Blowfish Shoes

– Chelsey

P.S. those Blowfish shoes are so so comfortable! I wear them all the time! You can also get $10 off everything in their shop. Just use the code: 10OFF. Yay shoes!

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Wordless{ish} Wednesday: Santa? Maybe not.

A couple weeks ago we went to have a chat with Mr. Santa. R knew EXACTLY what she was going to ask for. She was excited. REALLY excited. We had been prepping for this moment for a while. “You know we’re going to Santa? You want to sit with him and tell him what you want for Christmas?” Yup, she did. She was ready. She wanted a “Purple My Little Pony Princess, with a crown, a cape, a horn, and wings.” That’s what she wanted.

We got there, to “Santa’s Workshop”, and the closer we got to him in line… the less she wanted to meet him. I totally get it. Here, go sit in this stranger’s lap and tell him what you want for Christmas. Nope. She wasn’t up for that. We tried to bribe her with a candy cane, nope. Mama will sit there with you, just put your head up and say hello. Nope. This is how our photo turned out. My kiddo would not lift her head and acknowledge the man. No crying. No sounds. Her head was just glued to me. Ha! All I could do was laugh. How can you be upset with something like this? This will be a photo will will love and a story we will remember and share with her when she’s older! I love it. Santa looks completely baffled.

How was your Christmas? I hope it was fantastic!

– Chelsey

P.S. Don’t forget, you only have a few days left to enter my big gift guide giveaway!

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{If you have a Wordless{ish} Wednesday, please feel free to link it up below. And, feel free to link up to these blogs too… Parenting by DummiesProject AliciaJenni from the BlogBree: his honey and her mommy, and Live and Love Outloud.




Day 49: Holiday Photo Challenge Winners!

Day 49: You guys. I can’t even believe it’s already Christmas Eve! I’ve been so so so busy. All with blog and illustration work. I can’t believe I’m already sharing the winner’s to this year’s Holiday Photo Challenge! Really. Can’t believe it. As usual, I was SO happy and excited with every entry! You guys are so good.

In case you all forgot what there is to win, here’s a reminder:

This year I had the help from a few fantastic judges to choose the winners. Even with their help, it was so hard for all of us to pick! Seriously. Thank you, again, for participating. AND, I hope to see all of you next year!!!!!!!  I’d also like to thank the judges that helped me pick the winners: Capree, Jamie, Jess, Roxana, and Jenni. I really could not have done it with out them. Give them all a visit, if you have a moment. Ok, enough of my babble. We’ll start with the Reader’s Fave (as chosen by all of you) and the winner of the Canon Lens Coffee Mug + Macro Cell Lens band:

Reader’s Fave: Watson’s Christmas Card Debut

Congrats to the reader’s fave! I loved this photo from the first moment I saw it. Good choice!

Ok, like I said before…. it was so difficult to choose winners. I wanted to give a little love to the 8 entries that just almost made it. Really, so hard to choose (even the images not shared here, so good):

10th Place:  Mona’s Pituresque

9th Place: Dworianyn Love Nest

8th Place: Behind the Camera and Dreaming

 

 7th Place: Good Knits

6th Place: Emily Billings

5th Place: Lookie Boo

4th Place: Centsable Girls

 

 3rd Place: The Whimsical Photographer

 

ALRIGHT, what you’ve all been waiting for. The judges and I have chosen the winners. The winner of the 1st place prize (Fuji Instax 210 Wide instant camera + 40 exposures):

First Place: Flavor Pink

Annnnnnd, the big winner…. the Grand Prize winner (Amazon Kindle Fire HD 16GB):

Grand Prize: Ramblings from Utopia

Thank you so much! All of you that entered were fantastic. If you’d like to see all the entries, you can check out the original post here. I’ll be contacting the winners to get your addresses and send out your prizes (after Christmas)! Yay!

Happy Christmas Eve!

– Chelsey

P.S. if you still want to win some prizes, check out my gift guide giveaway! That runs through New Years!

All prizes were provided by me, The Paper Mama. Please click here for more prize rules.

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To keep up with my 50 DIY Days, click here.