DIY: Pom Pom Cone Cards

If you've followed my blog for any time,

you're probably already aware I make my own cards.

Proof can be found here, here and here.

And I'm always on the lookout for new card ideas.

While waiting in line to check out at a store recently,

I saw a gift bag out of the corner of my eye,

and immediately knew I wanted to use the idea,

to turn it into a bunch of different greeting cards.

So not too long after seeing the gift bag,

I went to Michael's to purchase some pom poms,

and got to work on creating my cards.

Let me show you how simple they are to make!

The Goods:

Pre-folded Cards or Card stock

Pom-Poms (I used two different sizes)

Textured Beige Scrapbook Paper

Hot Glue Gun

Hot Glue Sticks

Cut a bunch of isosceles triangles out of the beige paper.

I cut two different sizes because I had plans to use two sized pom-poms. 

Using your glue gun, secure the cones to the paper however you desire.

Next continue by adding three (or more) pom-poms to create your ice cream cones.

And that is it folks!

Super easy, yet super cute card for someone special's birthday!

Christmas DIY Round Up

For this month's DIY post,

instead of sharing one DIY project,

I'm sharing FIVE past DIY projects

that are all Christmas related!

Let's start with some homemade holiday cards.

If you've followed my blog for awhile,

you'll know that I make pretty much all my cards.

I've done it for years and can't imagine buying them again.

Which reminds me, I need to get on that for this year!

2012 Holiday Cards

2013 Holiday Cards

Now how about some fun homemade ornaments?

I've made thumbprint ornaments the past two years.

They are pretty easy and always come out really cute!

I should make some this year too.

Any suggestions for a new design?

Thumbprint Reindeer Ornaments

Thumbprint Snowmen Ornaments

And last but not least, I can't forget a DIY decoration.

I saw this idea in 2013 originally,

but waited until 2014 to make it.

And I LOVE it so very much!!!

I'll be displaying this for years to come for sure!

DIY PEACE Decorative Sign

Merry Christmas!!!

December 25th!

Christmas Day!

Yippie!!!

Now that I've sent or given out all my homemade cards this year,

I will leave you with a quick look at the cute ones I came up with!

Wishing a very MERRY CHRISTMAS to you all!

I hope your day is wonderful and spent with those you love.

Christmas in Santa Barbara

I had a WONDERFUL Christmas this year!
One of the best Christmas I've had in a long time actually.
I hope you all a great Christmas too!!

My parents flew in a few days before and we drove up to Santa Barbara on Christmas Eve.
We had a delicious dinner and then attended 9PM Christmas Eve Mass.

Some pictures with the tree outside the church.

After that, it was time to get ready for bed so Santa could come!

And don't think I forgot to set out cookies and milk...
I was hoping for something good in my stocking and under the tree!!

After just a few hours of sleep, it was up bright and early.
It was time to open presents, drink lattes and eat warm homemade cinnamon rolls!!

My aunt and uncle's beautiful 13 foot tree!!

Presents time!!!

I was a good girl and Santa brought me a Sock Monkey Onesie! 

After presents and breakfast, I got myself ready and then went to town prepping and cooking!
After all...I was making the Christmas FEAST for 13 people!!!

So what was on the menu you ask?

Let me tell you...
(Because sadly not everything got photographed. I was BUSY...)

Roasted Pork Crown Roast with Apple, Bacon Cranberry Stuffing.
Roasted Potatoes with Rosemary and Onion.
Sauteed Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Garlic.
Roasted Cauliflower with Garlic and Lemon.
Garlic Herb Monkey Bread Muffins
and an Arugula, Cranberry and Parmesan Salad.

Oh yeah, and Homemade Applesauce too.
But sadly I was so busy that I COMPLETELY forgot to serve that.

Pictured Top Row: Arugula Salad, Cinnamon Rolls, Pork with Stuffing.

Pictured Bottom Row: Finished Crown Roast with Homemade "Hats", ALL the produce, Roasted Cauliflower

I was proud!

Can you tell???

I had some GREAT helpers that made the day quite tasty!!!

And these folks had a great time relaxing in the beautiful California weather!

Most of us were in short sleeves!!!

The Christmas Feast is served! 

Like I said before, I had a wonderful Christmas and LOVED cooking the whole meal. 

I think it was a success and look forward to making many more holiday meals in the future.

Holiday Cards

I know I don't normally post much about the "More" part of my blog, but I thought NOW would be the perfect time! 

I think I've mentioned it before, but I pretty much make ALL of my cards. I honestly cannot remember the last time I paid for one. That's not to say mine are cheaper, it's just something I enjoy doing.

Even thought it's something I like to do, and I THINK people like to recieve them, I was a little stressed about getting everything done this holiday season. Making homemade cards were the last thing on my list sadly...

Less than a week before Christmas I had a list of 10 cards I needed to make and hadn't started on ANY! I figured I'd pick the most important ones and make those, and move onto more if I had time.

Well...one night I got super motivated, sat down in front of the tv and went to town making those cards! I got eight out of the ten made that night and I was very happy with the work I'd done too.  I finished the next two the following day.

Now that I've gone on and on and probably bored you...here's a look at the finished products!

Happy Halloween 2011!

Halloween Parties, Trick-or-Treating, Haunted Hayrides - the list can go on and on and on.

Whatever you did (or didn't do) to celebrate, I hope you all had a very

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

Wishing my two AMAZING parents a Happy Anniversary from California with LOTS and LOTS of love!!!

Here's to 31 great years together and to many more in the years to come. 

xoxo

Happy Easter!!!

Wishing EVERYONE a very Happy Easter!

I hope your day was filled with joy and spent with family and friends who you love dearly.

I didn't go home for Easter this year, but I made sure to let those special people in my life know how much they mean to me. 

How did I do that you might asks?

Well...

I did it by sending them homemade Easter cards!!!

Here are a few of the ones I made:

For Mom and Dad

And My Brother and His Wife

Can't forget the best little guy around, my nephew - Gavin!

I didn't spend my Easter alone though. I had a few friends over throughout the day. Read all about the food I made on and for Easter in a coming post!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Today is February 14th - or more commonly known as Valentine's Day!

I don't have one specific Valentine this year, but that didn't stop me from making things and spoiling the people I really care about!

To start off - I sent my wonderful nephew, Gavin, a few little gifts and this card! I love you little man. xoxo

And this weekend I made a few edible goodies to share!

A few weeks ago I purchased this cute heart shaped pasta from Whole Foods and decided I'd make a pasta salad with it.

The hearts boiling.

Cooked and cooling.

With all the veggie friends!

Then Robin made heart shaped cookie pops and I assisted. I don't think I was much help though...

Anyway, here's one I made!

And I didn't stop there...

I made cake balls!!! 

Alison helped me finish them on Sunday and I paid her in cake balls. It was a win win situation.

I've made them before, so I knew what I was getting into. But I also knew how delicious they are when you're all done. Heck they're delicious at any step along the way!

From past experience I knew the recipe made quite a few cake balls. I planned on bringing in a lot to give to my co-workers, so I decided I'd make TWO kinds!

Red Velvet and Funfetti!

MMMmmm.

Funfetti cake waiting to be crumbled and mixed with frosting.

 The candy coating.

Funfetti cake and frosting balls waiting for candy coating.

70 Funfetti Cake Balls!

And 150+ of both flavors.

WOW!

All wrapped up to give away.

Alison and I couldn't stop with cookie pops and cake balls. Oh no, we went further! We dipped strawberries and pretzels in the leftover cake ball coating. Yum!

I hope you all had a wonderful day spent with those you love.

XOXOXO

Happy 2nd Birthday, Gavin!

Today is my adorable nephew, Gavin's 2nd Birthday!

I can't believe that it's already been two years.  He is getting so big. No longer a baby - but a little man!

They had a party for him today in Tucson. I couldn't make it home, but that doesn't mean I wasn't wishing I couldn't be there to see everyone - especially the wonderful birthday boy!

Since I couldn't go - I sent my gift to Becky earlier in the week. 

Over the holidays I saw ads for the recordable storybooks from Hallmark.  I thought it was a great idea and knew it would make a great gift.  Since I'd read to Gavin more than once over my time in Tucson for Christmas, I knew that he'd be getting one from me for his birthday! 

After looking at many, I decided on...

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star!

I've always loved that story and thought he would to.

I read each page - sometimes more than once due to mistakes, and was pleased with the outcome.

I really hope that he likes it and listens to it often.

In addition to the book, I made him a train themed card with animals too!

Making cards for him is so much fun.

I hope you had the Happiest Birthday, Gavin! May your second year of life be simply wonderful. 

Aunt Robyn loves you veeeeeery much and can't wait to see you soon.

xoxoxo!

Mike & Alison Tie The Knot!

Alison is one of my best friends. 

We met a few years ago at work and become close almost instantly. I met her - at the time - boyfriend, Mike soon after.  

They became engaged and I couldn't wait to help Alison with the wedding.

At first they were thinking of getting married in Southern California. Then there was talks of it being in Mexico.

But then... then I found out we were going to Jamaica!!!

I always have a great time when we're together and consider them like my family. Of course I was excited that I was going to be going to such an amazing place to see two of my closest friends get married!

My wonderful Sister- In-Law, Becky agreed to go as my "date". Took lots of convincing too, right? ;) Also, I must say thank you to my amazing brother for letting me steal her for a bit!

Since I like to make every post have something - even the tiniest bit to do with one of my hobbies, I must share with you the card that I made for Mike and Alison.

The next morning at brunch Mike asked me if I'd made it and when I replied, "Yes", said I should go into business.  

If only I could get paid for my hobbies...

Now a few of the memories from the amazing wedding and unforgettable trip to Jamaica.