Coconut Goddess

Let's Play Wednesday. . . California Edition

ok,I know it's Thursday, but we had some technical difficulties! But here it is.

This is one of my all time favorite layouts. It was inspired by calendars and mini-books. This layout is comprised of smaller 3.75x3.75" mini layouts. These happen to document a year in our life.

To make this layout simply create your mini-layouts of first. I punched a hole in the corners and reinforced the holes with eyelets. Then I used a jump rind int he corners to bind the whole thing together!

winner's circle and a happy monday

ok. it is monday morning, and usually I hate mondays. but the sun is shining, I have a bowl of water melon and i am determined to make this a creative and enjoyable week. I got a wonderful care package from my dear friends at Making Memories that I am DYING to play with. Also, there were 5 babies born in my ward this week! (A ward is my church congregation for those who are wondering) so I have lots of cards to make too. I just hope this brutal work week won't put a dampler on my plans.

what better way to start than to announce some winners!

KOTM- Kids Play winner . . .
    Jenny A - My 5 year old daughter saw a picture of me when I was pregnant with her. I told her "Look! This is a picture of me when I was pregnant with you." She had a puzzled look on her face. I tried to explain it so she could understand. I said, "This is a picture of me when you were in my tummy." All of a sudden she had a look of horror on her face and gasped, "You ate me???!!!!"

Paper Crafting with Kids winners. . .

Ashlie | June 01, 2008 at 09:21 PM

Swedie | June 12, 2008 at 10:59 AM

Please email me your addys and I will get these out asap! (your package will come directly from CK Media)

Let's Play on Vaca. . .

Well, not really on vacation. Let's play Wednesday will return July 2 bigger and badder.

With the upcoming all new CK website launch, working 80 hours a week, getting my house organized, my own site redesign, and all the other little things that pop up in life, I just have to say no. Just for a bit. Now, that doesn't mean I wont be blogging, just putting a little hold on LPW.

For all the craziness going on, see my personal blog hosted by mom. She updates everyday, and every once in a while you will find a little crazy post from me as well.

coconutgoddess.typepad.com/coconuthouse

creative disconnect

so I am smack dab in the middle of a creativity drought. A BAD ONE. I am sure that working 80 hours a week, the stress of launching new websites at CK, and missing my family don't help. But this is a bad one. I NEED HELP. I just stare at my materials, at my desk, even my computer, and I just want to shrink away. NOT a good thing with looking deadlines.

Where are my muses when I need them.

Kim my asian sistah, if you are there, send my some creative juju. I really need it.

PS, check out Sierra's new hair. She looks so fabulous!

Read and Win!

Who wants to win a KOTM: Kids Play? Read on. . .

I was going to come up with some witty challenge, but instead, your task is simple.

go to . . . http://coconutgoddess.typepad.com/coconuthouse/2008/06/out-of-the-mout.html

For those who don't already know, I have introdiced my mother to the world of blogging. And so far, she is loving it! Leave a comment with one of YOUR favorite kiddie quotes. The winner will be picked Monday so you will have your kit for the weekend!

Let's Play Wednesday

  Floppy Flowers

Here is a way to use all those flowers I KNOW you have lying around your stash! These are velveteen flowers from Prima. The technique to make them fluffy came from a tutorial to make fun floppy fabric flowers. But I found that it works really well for all the flowers I already have in my stash! For each flower, you will need at least 5 seperate flowers.

1. Lay the first and largest flower down flat.

2. Fold each of the smaller flowers in half and lay them on the larger flowers, overlapping them similar to the way I've done here.

3. With needle and thread, make small stitches at the center, through all layers, to secure the flower petals and hold everything together.

Now you have some fun floppy flowers. Add a button, or glue a little jewel in the center to hide your stitches! For even more flower inspiration, check out the Wise Craft Flowers flickr pool. And be sure to come back Friday for my take on a KIT project and for your chance to win one of your very own!

 

from the heart

i know i have been a very bad blogger lately, and I am commited to getting back on track next week. and after a few friendly emails, concerned questions of where did i go.. i wanted to just take a moment to share. i am not sure why i feel so compelled to write about this, but i do. and I have learned... when you feel it, go for it.

i recently started a second job. as you all know by my various posts, working in publishing is a love/hate relationship. it takes such devotion and love to do what we do. and as a single mom, there is the added pressure of providing a life for my little coconuts. so like all the moms out there, you just do what you have to do. even if that means working 60-80 hours a week.

with this, i have recently felt like there was more that I needed to be doing. I have this strange sense that there is a higher purpose to my life that I am not doing. but what? i still dont know. i just know, that I thank god everyday for the chance to share the blessings he gives me with my family, my freinds, and everyone who has ever been inspired by one of my silly projects either online, in print, or in person. it is truly amazing to me, what joy a little paper and adhisive can bring into my life. :)

so in a nutshell, i have been busy, stressed, and buried under the strain of life. but now, my family is away. i have the roost to myself, and after i get through this grueling weekend, i PROMISE i am ready to share my heart again. share my art with you, my ideas, and hopefully, inspire you to simply get in and play. Over Friday-Sunday... I will be working 30 hours, having a garage sale, leading the music in church, teaching a lesson, and finishing up an art project. send your energizing ju-ju, and i will see you next week. i will annouce winners, have a big huge giveaway, and more!

UNTIL THEN . . . Please visit the newest addition to the coconutgoddess family of blogs. My mother will be the hostess diva extraordinairre for my cocoNUThouse blog. This will be the blog for friends and family to know the going ons with the Cabrera clan. An intimate look into my families life. It will be my mom's baby, but my whole family will be contributing. check it out, let her know what you think... (and keep in mind, she is a blogging virgin!)

http://www.coconutgoddess.typepad.com/coconuthouse/

 

Let's Play Wednesday

i did not forget.. i will see you this evening!

weekend challenge and...

giveaway! woo hoo. so there are TWO WAYS to win. (and two winners)

for the giveaway, leave a comment below with an idea for a fun kids friendly craft. EITHER something that YOU create for your kids to play with and enjoy. OR a craft you do together!

the other way to win, is to SHOW me what you have created. Again, leave a comment and I will post the winner here next week!

Now what do you win... [here comes the shameless plug]

 you will win a fun summer prize package from me, including a copy of Paper Crafting with Kids! I love this issue, and I am VERY proud to have several projects in this special issue. good luck! I will choose a winner next week. ok. back to the pool!

giveaway alert

check in tomorrow for a fun giveaway and weekend challenge!