Summer in Review: What my blog friends have been up to!

If you didn't catch my "Summer in Review:  Ready, Set, Craft!" post be sure to check it out here, I took a little look back at the crafty things I accomplished this summer - which turned out to be a lot more than I realized!  Now that summer is over I'm getting back into the swing of all things blog-related, and catching up with all my blog friends and seeing what they've been up to.

I've said it once, and I will say it again, I am constantly inspired by all of the crafty women I've met through blogging - it's hands down been the best part of thie experience.  Check out what some of my favorite crafty bloggers (and friends!) have been up to this summer - you'll be inspired too!

angelina la dawn tomato is special to me because she was a real life friend before she was a blog friend.  Now that she lives states away from me - her blog is a great way for me to keep up with her - plus she has such wonderful taste and is always sharing innovative and creative projects.  Check out her Fabric covered button earrings...

and this is how she decorated her living room wall - she created Contact paper wallpaper!  Amazing!

And I know I've featured this Recovered chair before - but I just love the colors and patterns she chose!

Sarah over at Auburn Street and I met through blogging and our mutual friend (above!) and even managed to get a puppy playdate in for our pups while she lived here in Grand Rapids.  This summer she packed up and moved to Chicago - what an exciting place to be!  Before she left though, I was excited to stop in and support her at her first craft show here in town, Bizzarre Bazaar.  She makes the most wonderfully repurposed envelopes and stationary...

She's in the midst of getting her apartment set up, and improvsed this Chalkboard calendar.  So clever!

Gabrielle at i craft at Bee Wise Bags is such an inspiration to me as a crafter and businesswoman.  I'm amazed at how much she juggles!  I just love these fabric Hair clips...

and she spent a lot of summer getting her garden ready for a Garden tour - and boy did it look spectacular!

Lollychops has been a favorite crafty blogger of mine since I first discovered the world of blogging.  Her projects are always so detailed and thought out, and so well done.  I'm absolutely in love with these Necklaces she's been making lately...

and check out this Messenger bag using stencils.  Sooooo pretty!

Abby over at Steinway Street was also a real friend before we started blogging - she and I spent a summer together at Interlochen Arts Camp back in high school - where we were the coolest campers, ever!  It's true!  I know I posted her Coffee filter wreath from the beginning of summer before, but I just love it!

I about died when I saw these Rock monsters!  They are so ridiculously cute!  Take a peak at Abby's post about them to see what she ended up doing with them - so cool!

My favorite knitter Marie has had a busy (and stressful!) summer, but I always love checking in with her over at Permission to Unwind.  She always shares such beautiful photos of the projects she's working on.  I wish I had half the knitting talent and mojo that she has!

Jane at Maiden Jane is my go to blogger for all things sewing related.  I just love all of her totes - she and her daughter are so creative and talented.  Check out this Placemat bag for example...

and you know I love her Oversized beach totes.  This polka dotted one is so fun!

My Cupkins cohort Meg at MegaCrafty has been busy as well.  I was absolutely amazed by her glass etching projects this summer.  Check out this Etched glass vase/candle holder.  So beautiful!

And she had a wonderful to make a "Scrapbox" for her husband - a runner - to commerarate all of his races.  It was such a neat idea - I love the way it turned out.  What a great gift!

Oh, and if you haven't been over to her Halloween blog, MegaSpooky, yet - you must.  Meg is crazy for Halloween and has amazing ideas, decorations and projects.  Head over there to get inspired!

So tell me - what have YOU been up to this summer?  Leave a link to your favorite project!  Happy Friday!

Summer in Review: Ready, Set, Craft!

I haven't been quite as crafty as I would have liked to have been this summer - but I am letting it slide since I spent plenty of time outside, enjoying friends and family in the beautiful weather, and wrapping up another semester of graduate school work, too.

In case you missed anything, here's a little recap of my crafty pursuits and projects from the summer months...

Cupcakes... Chocolate banana Father's Day cupcakes, Red, White and Blue July 4th cupcakes, Pina Colada cupcakes, and S'Mores cupcakes.

Articles at Babble.com... Father's Day, July 4th, and Back to School crafts...

Baby Bunnies, a la Martha Stewart Living...

Super soft baby bibs...

Favors for baby showers and weddings...

Stamped card sets galore...

Growing tomatoes for the first time...

Patriotic Pillowcase dress  and Bandana Picnic Blanket a la Aesthetic Nest...

and Get Better Boxes for dearly loved little ones...

You know - now that I look back - maybe I had a craftier summer than I thought!  To find out more about these projects (and many others!) head to the June, July, and August archives over here ------------------>

to check them out!

I'll be back tomorrow with a summer recap from my friends!  That's right, I'm finally catching up on visiting all of my dear blog friends' blogs and will be posting with highlights from THEIR crafty summers for you to check out!  You don't want to miss this!

The Windy City

Hubs and I got out of town last week for a (very) belated wedding anniversary trip, and to spend a couple of days together before the madness of fall sets in.  I say madness affectionately, because I love fall and all of the holidays that follow it - but this one is sure to be busy.  I'm writing my thesis, hubs has lots going on at work, I have six (count them, six!) friends who are pregnant and expecting their babies starting in November and going through April, and I'm already looking forward to football parties (emphasis on the party, not so much on the football), apple-picking and pumpkin carving that fall brings with it.

Our trip was much needed, and a lot of fun.  We stayed just off the Magnificent Mile and did plenty of shopping, sightseeing, eating, and walking (hopefully the latter two items canceled each other out!)  We even took a trip over to Shedd Aquarium.  Other than a brief afternoon trip to see the show Wicked back in 2007 I hadn't spent any time in Chicago since my friend Meg's (hi, Meg!) bachelorette party back in 2005.  This alone seems a little silly, since we're just a couple hours drive away from the city.

We took the commuter train into Chicago - a little longer of a trip but you can't beat $8 train tickets, not having to park or pay to park, and being able to relax and enjoy the ride.  We ate burgers at Chef Marcus Samuelssons "Marc Burger" at Macy's (he won Top Chef Masters) and had a lovely dinner at Chef Art Smith's "Table Fifty-Two" (former chef to Oprah - yes, I obviously have a thing for celebrity chefs!) and just enjoyed spending so QT together.

I hope that you all had the opportunity to enjoy your loved ones this summer, whether home or away.  I'll be here all week doing some summer recaps, Ready, Set, Craft! style while I get into fall-mode.  Happy end of summer, everyone!

Get Well Soon, Caleb!

My dear friend Cindy's two-year old little boy, Caleb, is having surgery today, and although I'm out of town all this week (which is why I have been a complete blog slacker, by the way!) I was sure to put together a little get better box for him before I left.

I used a Sterilite tub (just a couple of bucks at Meijer, and sturdy to last a long time!) and created the lid design using some simple stickers.

In the box was the art apron I created for a Babble article last month - you may remember it... it's a super cute little thing perfect for arts and crafts, or helping Mom in the kitchen!

Also in the box... some playdoh, a coloring book and crayons, stickers, and a cool little toy truck.

I'm thinking about Caleb and his parents today!  Please send good juju their way for an easy surgery and quick recovery!

Get Well Soon, Caleb!