Tutorial: Drab to Fab Vintage Silk Flowers

It may be a miracle folks, but I thought I'd squeeze in one last tutorial for the year! Maybe you'll even have time to throw one of these together to coordinate with your New Year's outfit! Unless your outfit resembles mine this new years...the hub's p.j. pants and a cozy sweater! I hope your new years plans are much more exciting! So as you know my marketing director and I have been working hard to get the new website up for my photography business www.jacquilynavery.com (Which is now live so check it out!!) Well January also means the opening of my very own studio! I have some incredible sponsors decking it out with handmade props and I wanted to add to the action! Since I don't have girls to dress up I love making headbands for when I get...

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16 comments | Posted in: Girls,Headbands,Jacquilyn Avery Photography,Tutorials

FABULOUS GIVEAWAY To Celebrate The New Year!

First off, I hope everyone had an awesome 2010! Thank you to all of my readers for making this year one of my best! Your comments and emails over the year have touched my heart, made me laugh, supported me in trial and celebrated my successes! I am truly grateful for all of you! Some big 2011 changes are in the works for my photography company DoChara Photography, the first being the name! It will now be Jacquilyn Avery Photography and my marketing director and I have been working around the clock to get a brand new website up and running for January 1st! Along with the new name and website I am thrilled to announce the opening of my very own studio! Hooray! No more living room photo shoots! (I think the hubs just might be more excited...

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63 comments | Posted in: Giveaways,Jacquilyn Avery Photography

2010 Christmas Card - Merry Christmas!

So a tri-fold, front and back card doesn't translate as well digitally but you get the idea! Merry Christmas & Happy New Ye...

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1 comment |

Another year of stink eye for Santa!

Oh the difference a year makes!! Well...size wise, not so much on the attitude I guess! ;)...

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5 comments | Posted in: Random Fun Stuff

The Incredible Christmas Cookie Party - Blog Style!

First of all, welcome to: <a border ="0" a href="http://cuteasafox.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIywRx4LKhIBcKHtSYnikb57YDUFTzTU_Y1NABbjX4kcyovYZzTuEoSEnUIoXG4CIRs2rxQvy_Tc5GHa4N5UgG3R8q1mRUb6uRpIuA1uM3RFxM5J8JKAdQFSrMDHfu3dfaxycPbXHHRUMi/" width="300" height="300" /></a> <br /> We are so excited to put this together and hope you guys will link up your favorite cookie recipes and take a button for your blog to spread the word! To start things off I'm going to share my Nana's famous Whipped Shortbread cookies with you! These delicious melt in your mouth cookies are a Christmas tradition in my family. My Nana has since passed but my mom makes...

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2 comments |

Super Easy Cheesy Potato Soup & Possibly The Coolest Video Ever!

Recipe:Super Easy Cheesy Potato Soup So last Thursday was our Relief Society Christmas Dinner and who is our wonderful enrichment leader...yup, that would be me! In this case that meant baking 15 lbs of potatoes, 2 dozen of my Nana's Whipped Shortbread Cookies (recipe to come later), and 2 dozen rolls. Oh and I threw in 3 dozen peanut butter cookies for our freezer since well...the oven was on and the rolls hadn't risen enough yet. I will admit Asher was very much neglected that day as it was also a travel day for Daddy, to him this meant several episodes of Yo Gabba Gabba so I don't think he minded too much. Anyway my rock star of a committee member Ashley from Cute as a Fox had also made rolls and potatoes and when we were discussing what we should do with the leftovers she suggested Baked...

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3 comments | Posted in: Random Fun Stuff,Recipes

The Great Baby Name Debate!

Alright you creative geniuses! I am hoping you can help me! The hubs and I can not come up with (agree on) a name for baby boy#2. I honestly feel like we just named Asher, how are we supposed to come up with another one so soon!  I'm due St. Patrick's day (March 17th) so I have some time but considering we don't even have a possibilities list, stress is starting to creep in! I have been making my eyes bleed looking at baby name lists that contain 10% cute and 90% crap and can't take it anymore!  So if you don't mind sharing please leave a comment with name suggestions! Names you like, names you've heard, names of your kids if you don't mind me possibly copying. I need all the help I can get!  And just because I can't put up a...

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49 comments | Posted in: Random Fun Stuff

My Silly Boy & Something Fun for AZ Locals!

Last night we met up with some friends at Glendale Glitters to watch my old dance school, The Celtic Dance Academy preform! After the show we walked around a bit, admired the Christmas lights and took some fun pictures. Asher was in such a funny mood and we got some great family "action" shots!  I just love my silly boy! -Now for the Arizona locals!  If you're looking for a fun thing to do this holiday season you've got to come see: After a few years dancing in the show and then two years as assistant director this will be my first year as an audience member and I am so excited for the experience! I truly love this show and really encourage you to go! It's such a sweet take on the traditional ballet with the kick of Irish step dancing! I'd...

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2 comments | Posted in: Features,Random Fun Stuff

MORE FREEBIES!!!

So I don't consider myself a designer but I have fun making cards in Photoshop. Maybe one day I'll get good enough to sell a line, but for now I'll just give them away for free! If you'd like to use any of these cards this year just email me at alyashcreations@gmail.com and I'll customize it for you with your picture, names etc. and send the high res copy back! A great way to kickoff the holiday season! Merry Christmas! Vintage                                                                   Stamp 2 Antique  Postcard  Grandma's Attic Stamp 1 Cards are for...

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No comments | Posted in: Digital Cards,Freebies

BLACK FRIDAY FREEBIE!!!

BLACK FRIDAY FREEBIE:A TWIST ON SUBWAY ART FOR CHRISTMAS {click each image to view full size then save to your computer} I have really liked the Subway Art I've been seeing everywhere but it just doesn't quite match my decorating style so I thought I'd make some myself with a little twist. I designed them to hang in three black frames side by side in this order on my wall. I won't  be putting them up till we are in the new house though! Anyway I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and aren't running too wild shopping today! If any of you use these print outs I would LOVE to see so please email me pictures at alyashcreations@gmail....

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9 comments | Posted in: Freebies

A Mother's Thanksgiving Plea for Advice: Please Help Me!

Alright ladies, I need help. I am one night away from completely loosing it. Asher WILL NOT SLEEP. I need advice on bedtime routine, what to do when he wakes up, should we ditch bottles all together etc. Asher is almost 14 months old mostly walking, but not talking at all yet. He is a good napper and usually naps once a day but sneaks in a little afternoon cat nap in the car if needed. But here are the problems I'm facing: Problem #1: We give him water in this bottle during the day he's addicted to it. He whines for it ALL DAY LONG. Which living in Arizona I haven't really cared because he needs to drink water and let's face it, it keeps him quiet and happy in stores and at friends homes etc. He will drink from a sippy cup but it comes out so much faster that he fills his mouth then spits...

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18 comments |

It's Bitter Sweet: The Great Wall Finished

THE SWEETNESS: For those of you that have been reading you know I've had to relocate my craft room a couple times this last year. I was really excited with the last decision to move it back upstairs and just have everything organized in shelves in the guest room. Since I'd always end up pulling supplies out to the dining room table I figure this was the best plan. A Craiglist shelves super find, some Joanne storage boxes and a few hours of organization later I was in heaven! Total project including shelves cost only $200.00! And it's so pretty!! Everything is organized perfectly and makes quick projects so fast! - One of my favorite features is the card station! The middle pull down shelf makes a great table top for writing cards and...

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7 comments |

INSPIRED!

I feel like i haven't made anything craft wise in FOREVER! After summer travels, morning sickness and now the fact that we are moving I really have zero time. I even had grand ideas of making all my Christmas cards by hand this year...yeah...doubt that will be happening! But I did find some inspiration today for other projects. Wrapped in a heated blanket drinking some spiced cider this morning I opened my google reader and started browsing. Here are a few tutorials I think are simply amazing and I really hope I can find time to make these! #1. One Time Use Soap Leaves by Greenbean's CrafteroleThese are so adorable and what a great gift idea! I have so many of these leaves lying around I could make them today! Ohh and I can't wait to...

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2 comments | Posted in: Crafts,Features,Mod Podge,Tutorials

Tiny Prints Inspired Custom Birth Announcment

My beautiful bestie Claire welcomed the birth of her 2nd child; handsome little Eli, back in September. On a phone call last night she was complaining about the lack of good birth announcement options she'd found in her small Canadian town and I kind of chuckled and said, "Uh Claire...I can make you one!" (Sometimes my friends forget I have mad skills!)Anyway I sent her some American websites to check out for inspiration since I knew she'd already have something in mind and she very quickly replied with an example she loved from Tiny Prints. So I immediately got to work and here is the final product!   Isn't he adorabl...

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No comments | Posted in: Boys,Digital Cards

Baby Boy #2 Nursery {Part 2}

It's starting to come together! I can't express how excited I am about this room! ...

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3 comments | Posted in: Baby Boy #2 Nursery,Boys,Random Fun Stuff,Sewing

It's Slowly Sinking In...

So I'm having a little cry tonight. It's slowly sinking in that one of my best friends is moving away. Like really moving away, to the other side of the country away, and soon.I'm thrilled for her husband's career accomplishments but I don't want her to go. I want her to stay here so we can keep crafting, shopping, sewing, blogging, eating, shooting (camera not gun), raising our kids, hanging out and having fun together. Is that so much to ask? I'm honestly not sure what I'm going to do without her....

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3 comments |

Baby Boy #2 Nursery {Part 1}

So I finally made some decisions on Baby Boy #2's nursery decor! I am so excited now I can hardly wait to get the room done! Here is a little sneak peek! My amazing cousin Staci from Just Sew Sassy has been officially contracted to sew me all custom duds for this baby! Yeah she's awesome like that!  Here is the main fabric & inspiration: Michael Miller Gray Bicycles In addition to solids here are some coordinating Michael Miller fabrics I like.  (The exact ones we'll use are still undecided)  And look at the little number I snagged of Craigslist today! This vintage wonder will serve as room decor when I'm not stealing it for photo shoots!  Here is the crib currently in the lead.  (We'll be getting the matching...

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3 comments | Posted in: Baby Boy #2 Nursery,Boys,Random Fun Stuff,Sewing

Jared Fowler: Amazing Artist / Free Download

     Jared Fowler’s adventure into music started at the age of 11, when sitting silently at his grandmother’s funeral. As part of the wake, everyone present listened to the music that his grandmother Georgina Palfrey, had written during World War 2, almost 30 years in the past. The revelation came to Jared that music is the transporter of emotion into sound.      For the next 19 years Jared begin creating music. He received lessons first on banjo for 3 years, which got his fingers moving and ears listening. Then in high school discovering that girls liked smooth guitar more than the twanging banjo, he switched to guitar and only looked back, a few times.      Since inception, Jared’s...

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1 comment | Posted in: Giveaways

Wendy's Winner!

I hope you all had a wonderful Halloweekend! I'll be posting pictures from our family's festivities soon but in the mean time here is the winner of the Wendy's Pick Two gift card! Ginny said... I'd pick the Apple pecan salad and the baked potato October 24, 2010 10:46 AM Congratulations Ginny! Email me at alyashcreations@gmail.com with your address and I'll ship that out right away! ...

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No comments | Posted in: Giveaways

A Little Vinyl Face Lift!

I love vinyl and I am lucky enough to have an amazing friend who has a fantastic vinyl business and makes me everything I need! (Love you Marni!) Some areas of my house needed a little face lift for fall so here is what I did! Love love love it! Thank again Marni!  Everyone make sure you click the button above & check out her blog/website, she's amazi...

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9 comments | Posted in: Vinyl