Tuesday, November 22, 2011

The Paper Mama :: Holiday Photo Challenge

Chelsey over at The Paper Mama inspired me to be a little funny this year & create a Christmas card. I actually had fun with this & was laughing at myself while doing it. Total dork, I know but hey... isn't that what the holidays are about? Smiling & enjoying!

So, here is my entry for her super cute Holiday Photo Challenge. hehe!
Doesn't this inspire you to be creative, too? If not, then clink on the button below and go check out more or at least have a giggle or two at all the cute pictures.





The Paper Mama



Wordish Wednesday: Epi Pen

It's been a slow week in pictures, forgive me. Rain doesn't help and the busy schedule of the holidays coming up and well, I could keep making excuses. I really just haven't picked up my camera (but my iPhone is a different story!)... anyways...

I did take this lovely shot of a new thing around our house. Abbie's Epi Pen.
 :(

Yes, she is "officially" allergic to peanuts. She had her allergy testing done last week and the peanut testing spot swelled up immediately. She has to go back next month for a little more testing on different tree nuts - almonds, cashews, etc.

It's a little scary and a little relieving at the same time? I mean.. I hope we NEVER EVER EVER have to use this thing. That would be very scary. But, I'm relieved to know now what has caused her breaking out into hives and scary the crap out of me once & for all.

I've been reading up on peanut allergies. Not so bad. After everything she went through to come into this world & to be a part of ours, this is nothing we can't handle! ♥


Thursday, November 17, 2011

::fAveritte creations:: {giveaway!}



My name is Amy Averitte (pronounced like favorite without the f)...which is why I decided to name my biz fAveritte creations! I love to work with color and patterns on fabric. I allow the fabric to encourage me in what I should create with it.

All of my creations are my own and not from any patterns. This makes them such unique gifts! I love to just lay out my piece of fabric and draw out my creation with a Sharpie marker which indeed makes each piece one of a kind and no two will be exactly alike.

I first learned to sew about 12 years ago when I worked at a factory that made fire gear and can not thank all of the veteran sewers there enough for teaching me how to sew pockets. I also was in charge of creating patterns for each jacket and pants that needed to be created. This position helped me to understand how pieces of clothing is constructed which has indeed helped me today with my creations.

I started making childrens items over a year ago when I was pregnant with my first child Bane and made all of his nursery decor - a monster theme with primary colors. I created a prayer flag for his room for a fibers art class I had in college and a classmate suggested I should start marketing them and sell them...so that's what got me started on etsy!

My Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Visual Arts Administration with a minor in Graphic Design also help the creations flow.

Some very cute things from Amy's shop: fAveritte creations on Etsy:

{Best Friend Pillows}
How adorable are these? The perfect Christmas present for best friends!

{Superhero Pillows}
Ok, seriously... what kid wouldn't want a Superhero pillow? I love how cute these are! Quirky & different, bright & colorful. You just have to smile when you see them!!

{Tooth Fairy Pillow}
I picked the pink one but there are all sorts of these adorable tooth fairy pillows. Hang them on the door and the tooth fairy leaves a little extra something in it at night. Love it!


How can you not love all the colors, patterns, shapes? Just adorable!!
And now... Amy has graciously agreed to a $15 gift certificate giveaway for one of my lucky blog readers!
WOOHOO! I'm jealous of ya's!

Please leave {one} comment for each to enter:
Visit fAveritte creations & tell me what your favorite pillow is.
Add fAveritte creations to your favorites on Etsy.
"Like" fAveritte creations on Facebook.
Follow Don't Blink via GFC.
Follow me on Twitter.
"Like" Don't Blink on Facebook. 
Tweet about this Giveaway (post a link!).
Blog about this Giveaway (post a link!).

Please note: This giveaway is only open to U.S. Residents.

Giveaway will end on 12/2/2011.
Winner will be notified by e-mail so please be sure to leave a valid e-mail address!

If you have any questions about this giveaway, please feel free to e-mail me at tammy.schaper@gmail.com .

Thank you & GOOD LUCK!

Do you have a product you'd like me to review or would you like to offer a giveaway on my blog featuring YOUR etsy shop? Please contact me for more details!!


My Sister ♥

Do I love having a Sister? YES, I love having a Sister.
If you would have asked me about that when I was a child or pre-teen or teen, I may have told you to get lost. I can remember our fights, arguing, daring each other to cross over a line in our shared bedroom. (Which I am sure to be paid back for very soon with my very own daughters. Yay!). But now, now I can't imagine her not being in my life. I love her dearly along with her 2 beautiful children & her wonderful husband.

I got the honor of taking pictures of them last week. Her daughter was a little moody (she's a girl!) who wanted no part of it. But she warmed right up and I had a ton of fun with them!

I will try not to put you in a picture daze.

and then, she {snapped}


















and my favorite picture of the entire day
 that still cracks me up when I look at it....

{SHOW OFF YOUR SHOT - this is my shot I'm showing off!!}
ahahaha!!! ♥

Thank you Sister for being so awesome. Love you!



Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Wordish Wednesday :: Katie & Terry

It was a pretty fun filled weekend!
I had Friday off for Veteran's Day --- hooooray! I got to take some awesome pictures of my Sister & her Family (will share them tomorrow!). Saturday we had a wedding to attend of two very dear friends. ♥ Sunday was chilling out, watching those Dallas Cowboys kick some BOOTAY!

Katie looked SO beautiful in her wedding dress. Everything was just perfect. I am so happy they had a beautiful wedding day! I didn't snap LOTS of pictures but the few I got doesn't really do justice as to how pretty the bride (&groom) looked.

Congratulations Terry & Katie!!


The adorable little flower girl.

Trying to get the flower girl & ring bearer to go down the aisle. lol!!


My beautiful friend, Laurie ~ Matron of Honor.


Here comes the bride....


Kissy Kissy!


The New Mr. & Mrs. ♥


So, so happy for them!! Everything was just beautiful!!


Thursday, November 10, 2011

Blogger Spotlight | | Mandy from a sorta fairytale


Are you looking for a new blog to check out? Maybe get some advice, just connect with another Mommy or a really good story to make you laugh? Well, here at Don't Blink, I have decided to start a Blogger Spotlight! I will be featuring my favorite blogs that I visit frequently. They make me laugh, they offer advice and they deserve a spotlight feature so you can check them out, too!

Say hello to Mandy from a sorta fairytale!



Mandy is a really sweet, fun loving Mommy! I love reading her blog about her daily adventures and her adorable son. She graciously agreed to answer some questions for me so you can get to know her better too! Please make sure you add her blog to your favorites to follow her adventures!


1. Where do you call "home"?
Home for me is Seattle, WA. (well we live in a suburb but close enough) :-)
 
2. When did you start blogging?
I started blogging after my husband and I got married back in 2007. For the first couple of years, I very rarely posted anything, it was more of a way for us to update family and friends with things going on in our lives. After the birth of our son in January 2010, I started blogging a LOT more. My blog is my sons baby book, and a journal of our lives as a family. It's also a way for me to network with other ladies in similar walks of life!
 
3. Besides blogging, what do you like to do in your spare time?
I'm a work at home Mama, doing professional photography. So, a lot of my spare time is spend editing photos and consulting with clients.
 
4. Tell us about your family:
My husband Philip, he's sarcastic, realistic, creative & artistic, a business marketing major and one of the most wonderful people I know! My son Bennett will be 2 in January and is is silly, quirky, cuddly, loving, spastic, energetic & the sweetest little guy you'll ever meet. I just love my boys so much! Also, we are expecting another baby boy this coming April. Couldn't be more thrilled!!
 
 
5. What is the one thing your son can do to bring a smile to your face?
 All my son has to do to put a smile on my face is be himself!! Like I said, he is so crazy silly, just a smile from him will completely light me up!
 
6. What does your family do for fun?
In the Spring and Summer months - you will find us out walking with my son, taking him to parks or the beach. Also, I'm a  HUGE fan of baseball... so you'll find me at the stadium quite a bit. Something about sitting in the stands munching on garlic fries, watching baseball just makes me feel cozy and at home.
 
 
7. What do you find is the most fun about blogging?
The best thing about blogging are the people I meet!! I have met some amazing friends through the blogging community. Some I have met in real life, and others I feel like I have. Some of my best friends have been made through my blog.
 
8. Where is your favorite place to shop?
Favorite place to shop? That's easy... Target. :)
 
9. What advice would you offer to a new Mommy?
 The best advise I can give is to follow your own maternal instinct. Even if it doesn't feel like it, we all have it! We all know what is best for our children and our family. It's wonderful to get advise from people, but in the end.... follow your gut!
 
 
10. What do you like to do to pamper/spoil yourself?
Hmmm...well I love getting massages. Luckily my Hubby will give me one if I ask, but I try not to take advantage :) Going back to baseball, to spoil myself I just go to a game. I really do love it THAT much.


Thank you so, so much Mandy for being a guest with me for the day! I can't wait to hear more exciting news about your growing family (and to see the pictures!!). 

Are you interested in being a Guest Blogger here on Don't Blink?
Well, give me a shout! I'd LOVE to feature you!
tammy.schaper@gmail.com 

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Wordish Wednesday: Christmas Cards

I'm a slacker today. I should have had this posted earlier but it was just one of those days.
On Sunday, I put red dresses on the girls (Thanks, Mom!) and we went out to the back yard/wooded area to see if I could get a few shots for some Christmas cards. I can't believe its that time of year already!

Anyways, trying to get BOTH of them to look at the camera, sit still, smile.. uh, impossible. Why is it you have so much more patience with other children with your own when taking pictures, too? Or is that just me? lol!

I did get a few... and I did make Christmas cards at Shutterfly already (LOVE THEM!).  Here are just a couple of the shots. :)




I am so in love with these little girls. ♥