Finding Inspiration Again

 Blogging has been pretty low on my list as of late. Come to think of it, everything has been pretty overlooked these past months . . .

 I guess that's what happens when you are a soon to be mother of four who is 7 months pregnant and feels ready to pop any minute! This sweet baby boy growing away is scheduled to arrive anytime around the holidays this year. I am officially due on Jan. 8th but my last two were both 2 weeks early so we are looking at a very special Christmas this year! 

 This has been an especially challenging pregnancy for me. I have asthma and as baby grows it gets much worse. I find myself often spending my days napping, catching up on movies and having tea parties with little Miss Evangeline. 

 As for the business, I have had to really slow down and just work as I am able. I did however find some inspiration for these new creations from simply spending some time looking through pictures of our goodies from the past years. These and many others are now available on our site! It felt so good to create again after what felt like a long, dreary break.

Here is a recent photo of Evangeline's 2nd birthday trip to the Museum of Natural History. She is very much into dinosaurs these days and we had a great time! My babies are growing up so fast! It's hard to believe soon we will have another baby boy to complete our family. I just have to remember to slow down and always take the time to cherish each moment together.

Have a wonderful week!

~Carie

A Little Bit of Autumn

It has been really hot here in Southern California the last few wees and there doesn't appear to be any end in sight. I am so anxious for a bit of Fall that I made these cute little vintage lace and burlap pumpkins today. Just a spur of the moment kind of thing but they were so much fun! They are now available for purchase on our site. Here's to hoping cooler weather comes our way soon!

~Happy Creating~

Carrie

Journals

 

When my Mom and I first started our business, embellished journals were the first things we created. Over the years we have created hundreds of them. While they are one of my favorite things to make, as of late they have been pushed by the wayside.

 This week however, we made the time to get back to our roots so to speak and made a few new ones for the shop.

 It was so much fun playing around with pretty papers and layers of lace that I can't wait to make more of them!

 These are currently available on our site.

We have plans to list another half dozen or so in the coming week! 

Happy Creating!

Carrie

Vintage Lace Cuffs

 I have been spending my days at the sewing machine lately which is something I haven't gotten to do in many years. Usually I am busy working with paper and glue but after being asked to create cuffs and anklets for a store I have fallen in love with sewing again!

 These are just a few of the vintage lace cuffs and anklets that are shipping out to one of our stores we create for.

 I also have listed some on our site and will be doing made to order versions of these and others!

 I have many other ideas for new sewing projects just as soon as my two older kiddos get back to school in a few days.

 I'm looking forward to having a routine again and more time to create but I sure will miss having them home and all the extra help around the house has been wonderful!

 Thank you for stopping by and happy Wednesday!

~Carrie

Dog Days of Summer

 My blog has been long neglected but I have to say with good reason. It has been a long summer so far for me but the days are beginning to look up. I am happy to announce we are expecting our 4th child just after the new year! We are very excited and the kids can't wait to meet their new brother/sister just after Christmas.

Here is a picture of our little peanut. It has it's little hand up to its face and is growing nicely as am I! he he he

I have been dealing with morning sickness and all the other joys of pregnancy (yuck) but thankfully I am beginning to feel a bit better these days and have been getting back to work with new holiday items! We just listed a preview and invite you to stop by and see what's new for Halloween which will be here before you know it! 

Warm regards,

Carrie

SALE TIME

 

All of our gift tags and altered note cards are on sale!         It's a great time to stock up! 

Stop by and see what's new!

 

 ~Carrie

New Creations!

Just a quick post to let you know we have been busy creating lots of new pretties for you! Hopefully I will find a free moment to actually sit and write a blog post. Between 3 kids, my veggie and flower garden, the biz, and the million other things us mommies do. unfortunately my blog is not high on the list. :(

I do however have a recent picture of my little sidekick! She is getting so big! 

Happy creating and have a wonderful week!

~Carrie

Freebie Of The Week!

 I am enjoying a relaxing Spring Break with my kiddos. Today we played outside planting flowers and enjoyed the warm sunshine. I have activities planned each day this week to keep them busy and out of trouble! 

I did however take a minute to list a few new items. We also have a fun FREEBIE this week!

We are giving away a pair of mini stamped glassine bags with each order of $25 or more before tax/shipping. Each bag will be filled with a few goodies as well! We hope you will stop by and visit us! Happy Spring!

~Carrie 

New Additions

 Just a quick post to share a few of the many new items we have added to the shop. So excited about all the new goodies! It has been a rough few weeks, sick yet again but finally on the mend now (fingers crossed). Hope you will stop by!

Here is a recent picture of Evangeline. She is getting so big! My partner in crime while big brother & sister are at school. 

Happy Creating!

~Carrie 

Gesundheit!!

I have spent the last 3 weeks, as I'm sure many of you have, dealing with this nasty flu going around. It started with my 10 yr old son. We thought we had escaped it and life went on as normal until. . . my 7 yr old came home from school last week with a fever. So again I cleaned like a maniac hoping the baby wouldn't catch it! But of course she did. After fevers, nights up coughing, body aches and sore throats they are all getting better, and the oldest 2 are back to school. So just as life gets back to normal. . . who gets sick - yep, me. Of course mom doesn't get sick, who will cook and clean and play taxi and read The Wheels on the Bus for the 10th time in a row- the answer I'm sure you all know, sick or not we carry on!

 I did however find time in between napping and hot tea with honey to snap a few shots of some new flowers and embellishments we just got in. I have many more items to photograph and list as I start to feel better. Enjoy the rest of your week!

~Carrie

Ribbons Ribbons Everywhere . . .

 We get lots of requests for our crinkled ribbons. So . . . we now carry them by the yard! We currently have over 10 colors available which will vary by season. 

We invite you to stop by and see them and all of our new items!

Valentine Card Tutorial

I love Valentine's Day. It is one of my favorite holidays. I usually do lots of baking and pack up fancy little boxes with cookies, cupcakes and other goodies and we hand deliver them to the kids teachers, family and friends.  I'll have to share this years treats with you when the time comes!

Another favorite thing is to make our own cards. Here is a quick project for 

Painted Valentine Cards 

 that is fun & kid friendly! 

Gather Your Supplies

• Blank note cards or card stock

• A variety of craft paints

• A sponge brush, piece of sponge or old cloth

•  Embellishments (doilies, ribbons, printed greetings, pictures, etc)  

 Simply squeeze a variety of paints on your plate and begin dabbing your sponge into several colors at once. Be sure to sponge off any excess onto a paper towel before stamping unless you prefer a heavier handed look. 

Dab paint onto one side of your blank card in no particular pattern. Adding bits of color and layering as you go! 

 

  

 Lay on newspaper and allow to completely dry. Mine took around 20-30 minutes. Then begin embellishing with your favorite goodies! 

It's also fun to paint gift tags as well! 

 If you prefer to let us do the work we have a variety of painted tags and cards available on our site and more are coming later this week! 

Have fun creating!

~Carrie  

Cozy & Warm

 It has been so cold here! Cold for Southern California anyways. I have been tucked away working on Valentines and sipping tea the past few days, just trying to stay warm!

Evangeline has also been helping out in between bowls of hot chicken soup! 

Wishing you all a lovely weekend!

~Carrie 

Ribbons and Roses

 We have some beautiful new stamped ribbons just in time for your Valentine's Day projects! Be sure to stop by and check them out!

 We also have a few new lavender sachets!

My Funny Valentine

 A new year and I finally got around to updating my poor neglected blog. I have been quite busy with my little one and working on a new plan for the business. I am really excited to begin taking things in a bit of a new direction which will allow me more time to spend with my family and still get to create when the mood strikes. As you'll see below I have been making a few Valentine's treats for the site. These will be up soon and l will give you more details about the upcoming changes to Noelle Garrett Designs in future posts!

Happy Belated New Year! 

~Carrie