celebrations - chikaustin

celebrations

September17th

6 Comments

featured

Posted in: celebrations, crafting, home sweet home

Deadlines are looming and this baby is coming within the next week and a half. AACK! So much to do, so little time… and I could go into labor sooner. I have to get movin’.

I made this pillow, a while back, for the nursery to go in the vintage La-Z-Boy. In true Jade fashion, I didn’t follow a pattern, I simply traced the pillow and cut fabric accordingly. Then started adding embellishments such as the rick rack and the stitching along the flowers.

Last week, Ohdeedoh (aka Apartment Therapy) contacted me about Chloe’s nursery. They had previously featured Makena’s room, which no longer exists (sniff… sniff), and it is such an honor to be featured again. You can see the tour here. Thanks Ohdeedoh!!

Okay friends, I wish I could stay and chat but I’ve got to run. If only I could have a cup of caffeinated coffee or tea to make this easier.
August28th

19 Comments

thirty-four

Posted in: celebrations, mama life

Sometimes life starts going so fast that you forget to buckle your seat belt.

This is going to be one of those posts where I’m all over the place so bear with me. This week has been one of those weeks. It all started with Keegan’s third birthday. Followed by dinner and a movie with my girlfriends to go see Julie & Julia. And a doctors appointment for me, where the baby’s heart rate sounded just beautiful. Can I get an amen?!?

Yesterday I turned thirty-four and I couldn’t have been more pampered. My hubby simply rocks. He brought home flowers, a six-pack of bottled root beer, a toblerone, and tums. I love that man. The kids painted a picture for me and made a pin cushion. And then we went out for Mexican food with my family where I was greeted with more flowers from my beautiful sister and a chocolate cake. Mmmmm….

I had a wonderful conference call with my editors, who I might add are the best editors in the whole wide world. I’m just sayin’. Tonight I’m going out with my girls for dinner and to see Wicked. I CANNOT wait!

Tomorrow morning we are going to Le Garage Sale here in Austin. If you are in the Austin area, this is a must attend event if you are looking for a bargain, boutique style. But first we are going to hit up some trailer food for breakfast, and possibly even lunch. Don’t worry, I’ll bring my camera and show you what I’m talking about. Austin is becoming a mecca for fabulous trailer fare.

Then Sunday is my baby shower. Oh it’s all getting close my friends.

I still have some pictures from last weekend to show you that will have to wait for next week. And I’m also getting the nursery all ready to show you. Today I’m washing baby items and making lists of things I still need to get.

And I have my book deadline that coincides right with the baby’s delivery at the end of the this month. I promise to keep popping in here, it is my little break, my place to vent and share.

I hope you all have a lovely weekend and I’ll see you on the other side. Make it the best weekend you can!
August24th

9 Comments

happy birthday keegan

Posted in: celebrations, mi familia

Three years ago today a new man entered my life and stole my heart. My sweet little fella, Keegan, was born here in Austin, Texas.

Keegan is sweet, patient, and kind. He takes his time with whatever he is doing. He doesn’t like to be rushed, especially at mealtime. He likes to hold hands, give kisses, and cuddle. When he’s ready for a nap he’ll go to sleep anywhere, even on the floor. He loves his sister more than she’ll ever know. He really values his relationships with everyone in his family, especially all of his uncles. He’s the sweetest little man’s man I know.

This weekend we had his birthday party at the Little Buckaroo Ranch. It was as hot as an oven, but the party favor bandanas were put to good use to wipe the sweat from their brows. I did an applique on them with their first initial. Little cowpokes indeed.

The kids sang farm songs.

Pet a rooster.

Watered the ponies.

Got nibbled on by goldfish. Did you know, that if you keep goldfish in your stock tank/pond it will keep mosquitos from living in there as well. Who knew.

Fed the goats.

Pony rides.

Hung around.

Had a campfire cook-out.

And had cake.

Happy birthday sweet Keegan. I love you to the moon and back.
July5th

7 Comments

independence day goodness

Posted in: babes in toyland, celebrations, crafting, in my kitchen

Yesterday, in the midst of the Fourth of July festivities, I decided that this has to be the longest holiday of the year.

You wake up early to rush out and watch the small town parade. Spend the day with friends and family enjoying good southern hospiality, barbeque and treats. Then stay up late watching the fireworks. All in 106 degrees.

Scenes from our independence day ::

You’ve really gotta LOVE Texas to make it through the entire day.

We crashed around 10 pm, with the sound of fireworks going off over the lake out back. We rushed down to the kids room, grabbed them out of their beds and sat up on our bedroom deck to watch hundreds of colors exploding over the lake. Each one of us, cuddling one of our babies, who are growing up so fast. Enjoying moments just like these, and holding them dear in our hearts forever.
June25th

30 Comments

a little secret

Posted in: books, celebrations

I have this little secret.

One that I’ve been wanting to share with you for a couple of months now.

And since I just signed my contract last week, I am overjoyed, over the moon, ecstatic.

I got a book deal. Did I just say that? I got a book deal. Sometimes I have to say it aloud just so that I believe it.

I’m working with Lark Books on a great new project for Craft Hope! And I can’t wait to share it with you very soon. I’m blessed to be working with some incredible editors and fabulous designers/bloggers, who I am also proud to call my friends.

So in all of my free time (ha) I’ve been researching, recruiting and networking. I’ve been writing, brainstorming and planning. I’ve stayed up late to catch my friends on the other side of the world as they are just waking up. I’ve gotten up early to catch the others as they are finishing up their day.

I’ve sat at the bookstore researching. I’ve sat quietly alone at my desk working.

All of this while changing diapers, potty training, pool dates, play dates, laundry, house cleaning, cooking, blogging, blog reading and running Craft Hope.

My major deadline is running exactly the same time as my due date. How about that for timing?

I can’t wait to share more with all of you. Stay tuned!
June18th

7 Comments

she’s crafty

Posted in: babes in toyland, celebrations, crafting, thrift and vintage

While trying to think of a blog post title for this entry, the Beastie Boys ’she’s crafty’ song popped into my head. So I started singing along and quickly realized that they aren’t talking about the sewing crafty type. Ha!

I have been wanting to make a halter dress for Makena since it’s summer. Of course, I had no pattern. Just a vintage pillowcase with embroidery that I’ve been saving for just the right project. And I love white dresses in the summertime.

She’s a string bean that’s for sure. So after several adjustments to the elastic to keep it on her little body, I think I’ve got just the right fit. I also took pictures along the way in hopes of whipping up a tutorial for you.

Today we are going to a two year old birthday party and the theme is butterflies. The girls are supposed to wear wings and the boys capes. Good thing I made Keegan a cape for Christmas and already had one ready to go. The wings I got at Target (of course).

And for the birthday girl, I made her a tutu using this tutorial. Belly button not included. Easy peasy.
December23rd

12 Comments

we wish you a merry christmas

Posted in: babes in toyland, celebrations, crafting, home sweet home, mama life

We’ll be spending Christmas Eve at home with family coming in and out throughout the day. The laughter, the love, the sharing of food, the twinkling lights, the beverages, the kids anticipation… I just can’t get enough of it.

Christmas morning we’ll head to San Antonio for a couple of days to see the rest of our family. The holidays in San Antonio bring more twinkling lights than you can shake a stick at. The River Walk is aglow with Christmas cheer. I promise to bring back some sparkly pictures.

But for now, the house is quiet. The kids are (somehow) playing nicely in their rooms while I am able to sit at my new crafting space. My space that I’ve once again reclaimed in our bedroom. It’s a nice place for me to just ‘be.’ And to connect with you. My friends.

Here’s a little teaser for ya. A tiny snapshot of my space. My Christmas present from my luva luva… a new Ikea desk. And an even bigger gift, a place in the house that is ALL MINE. A place to breathe.

From our family to yours, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
December16th

9 Comments

Feels Like Christmas

Posted in: celebrations, crafting, home sweet home

The weather has been unseasonably warm and then unseasonably cold. On Sunday, it was 80 degrees and we went down to the lake for a canoe ride. Today, we are all bundled up inside while it remains 37 degrees outside. By Saturday it should be 70 degrees. That’s Texas.

Last night we went downtown Austin for a rare date night. The sparkly lights outside. The dim lit corner of a tapas bar. Time to just ‘be’ with my first true love. Note to self: Add regular date nights to New Years resolution list.

Inside today, the sewing machine is out to continue the handmade gifts that will replace the last minute rush to Target for ‘just one more thing.’ I made this sweet little prayer pillow for a girl’s night gift exchange tonight. I sure hope they don’t pop over here and take a peek. Today we’ve got capes and tiaras on the list.

Around our house, the halls are decked with our own twinkling lights.

And the stockings are hung by the entertainment center with care. Because if I hung them on our pot belly fire place, they would go up in flames.

I hope you are all finding some moments during this hurried season to relax and take time for yourself.

Love and Peace.
December10th

13 Comments

Numero Quatro

Posted in: babes in toyland, celebrations, mi familia

A couple of months ago I asked Makena what she wanted for her birthday. She said that she wanted to play in the snow.

We live in Austin, Texas. It doesn’t really snow here.

$Makena\'s 4th Party$

Today is her birthday and she got her wish. It snowed overnight!

Happy Birthday Sweet Pea! I hope that I can continue to marvel and amaze you throughout your lifetime!

Photos taken by the incredibly talented Kristen of Faux-Toes. Thanks Kristen!! If you need a photographer, she’s your girl!

Details :: We had the party at the park in our neighborhood. No hired entertainment. Good old fashioned fun. The poofy balls are from a Martha Stewart kit from Michaels. It makes 7 pom-poms. Near the Martha Stewart paper goods. In a box near the ground. We ordered the cake from Costco. Ordered pizza for lunch and had a big bowl of clementines for snack. We also made a mix-tape for the families to take home. Makena is really into dancing these days so we threw a mix-tape together of her favorite songs and played them during the party. An easy, budget-conscious party!
August27th

27 Comments

Thirty Three

Posted in: celebrations, mama life

This morning I woke up to handmade paper chains draped across the dining room. Hand drawn cards from my babes. And pancakes with whip cream and sprinkles. Which means one thing, today is my birthday. Thirty three years ago today I came screaming into this world and haven’t stopped yet.

Since having my babes, we haven’t made a big fuss about my birthday. It’s just another year. But this year, Miles gathered the troops and had a crafting session last night with construction paper. I was sent to bed around 7 pm and told not go to come out. Well. If you insist.

Makena’s card depicted our entire family with a receding hairline. We all look like my grandpa. A chef’s hat was made. Masks were created and worn. A good old fashioned handmade birthday party. My favorite type.

And look what I got for my birthday! My own pair of chucks!!! I haven’t had a pair since seventh grade when I had off-white high tops that I would fold down and wear with alternating socks. Pink and green. Green and pink. With three swatches. White leggings. Big bangs. And braces. Fashion icon I tell ya.

Hope you all have a good one too!