Friday, April 1, 2011

Ultimate Blog Party at 5 Minutes for Mom

Ultimate Blog Party 2011

It's that time of year again, when one of the biggest parties across the blogisphere is thrown! I'm happy to be welcoming new guests to my online home once again through 5 Minutes for Mom's Ultimate Blog Party and to be seeing familiar and well known faces again too.I'm Katie, a former teacher turned SAHM to a sweet four and a half year old daughter, referred to by her initials on this blog and also as my little chicklet. My husband of over ten years Brad and I are expecting our second child in August and just found out it will be a baby boy. We're very excited because we've wanted to expand our family for a couple of years now but the timing hasn't been right until now.

I love decaf latte's, diet Snapple peach ice tea, lemon bars, deep fried dill pickles, homemade ranch dressing, and having a different lip gloss for every day of the week. I think my collection is big enough for that and I know my Vera Bradley bag collection is! I used to work at a bookstore in high school through college and my love of reading has stayed with me. I adore a well written and illustrated children's book, they seriously make me giddy.

While I tend to wear neutrals I am very drawn to color especially happy spring combinations, aqua blue is my favorite color followed by sherbet pink, and I love both of those combined with lilac and a hint of green. I am most attracted to shabby chic but due to compromise, boo - hiss, have ended up with a very traditional looking home. For a few more snippets about me, click over to my 34 random and silly things about me post done for my recent birthday.

I also enjoy traveling and took advantage of my six years in Northern California to explore that wonderful state. Some of the day trips my husband and I went on there are my favorite memories. We've also lived in Santa Fe, New Mexico and I feel fortunate to have experienced two different regions in the United States besides the Midwest where I grew up and currently reside. I am also an avid amateur photographer, originally born in South Korea and adopted when I was two years old. Guess that's me in a nut shell, oh yes, and I'm a Type 2 Diabetic but I don't let that slow me down one bit.

Project Collage
I consider myself mainly a craft blogger, both my own projects and kid friendly ones, at least that's the main reason I started reading and then writing my own blog. Above are some examples of my projects. My favorite creative outlets are memory keeping related, specifically paper crafts. I was introduced to scrapbooking after going to Hawaii for my belated honeymoon and a whole new world of creativity opened to me. I think I was drawn to this medium because I have a tendency to forget things unless they are written down. Plus I take so many pictures, I needed something meaningful to do with them!

I especially like making mini books and enjoy making them from scratch, like the interactive accordion fold pocket books with tags. They make great gifts. Another favorite project is the 10 Reasons Why You're A Great Daddy book I made with my daughter. It incorporates her handwriting. Making custom and personalized home decor is another thing I do frequently.
PhotobucketAdori GrapicsPhotobucketPages Preview V2
I'm always interested in learning new techniques, and am teaching myself to sew and how to expand my skills through digital and hybrid scrapbooking. I am on the design team for Adorible Digital Designs and with each new kit release I make examples and frequently have freebies, like the ones shown above, for visitors to download. My next set will be available on Monday so please come back for that! Not only do I enjoy sharing my own projects I also love helping showcasing the talents of others. Every Thursday I am co-hostess of a creative party for showing off your latest creations. I am always inspired by the posts linked up at A Crafty Soiree and would love for you to join us! You'll always find something to spark your imagination there and each week I feature three participants.
abc button
I also post some of the projects and learning activities I do with my daughter, who's at the right age for me to use many of the things from the kindergarten curriculum I have from my teaching days. I'm taking a bit of a break while pregnant but I am also co-founder of the educational blog ABC & 123: A Learning Cooperative where you can find lots of activities to do with your children.

While crafting projects and family life are a big part of Katie's Nesting Spot, I also do family friendly product and book reviews as well as host giveaways. It's so much fun to try out new products and share them with my readers! I pick and choose sponsors, products, and the deals I share carefully so that I only feature ones I can really stand behind and would bring into my own home. That makes it easy to give one hundred percent honest opinions, as I always do!

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you'll come back and visit frequently, as I love making new friends. I invite you to look around, the pull down menu under my blog header will help you navigate my blog by categories. Like all bloggers, I love comments so please leave me one before you go so I can be sure to make it by your online home too!

Signature

33 Friends Said:

Mozer said...

Oh Katie I didn't know you found out you are having a boy---how exciting! Congrats. again. :)

Mommyof2girlz/StephD said...

Paaaarty! Love the collages of all the AMAZING work you do and I am so happy to not only be a bloggy friend but to be on the receiving end of your beautiful work. Kisses :)

Maria and Michelle said...

Love, Love, Love ABC 123!!! It's in my reader :) Can't wait to look around some more and see what all you've been up to. You are Miss Crafty for sure! Thanks for stopping bye and I hope you enjoy the party this week!

Michelle @ FTSN

Kathleen W. said...

Nice to meet you! We have so much in common: both of us love crafts, both of us were teachers, and we're both due in the summer (me, in early July, with what we think is a boy too--ultrasound was not too accurate).

I'm your newest follower!

Anonymous said...

Following you from the UBP...hope to see you around My World.

Jessica
http://myworldmadebyhand.blogspot.com

Lindsay Conner said...

Stopped by from the party! I blog at CraftBuds.com

Dacia said...

I'm a crafter too & your newest follower. Congrats on baby boy, so exciting! Happy UBP day!

Maria Matter said...

I just love your blog Katie! It's like a portal in to a whole new world for me! (I'm just learning what blog parties are!) lol
I design greeting cards and work with digital images too, lots of fun!! I'm just starting to venture out from card making blogs to see what all is out there in blogland, what an adventure! So glad I found your blog, I'm your newest follower!
hugs!

silly eagle books said...

Hey Katie! A baby boy!!!! How exciting!! Congrats to you!! I'm so excited. :)

Thanks for stopping by today--of course, you know I love your blogs already. ;)

Brimful Curiosities said...

Oh, congrats! Speaking from experience, girl + boy is a good combo. I'm sure your daughter will be a good mommy's helper. Happy partying!

Jenna said...

visiting via UBP'11 - following to get new craft ideas. We need them!(:

Congrats on the baby boy! They are awesome!

josette.272@gmail.com said...

bravo tu m as l air de faire des merveilles ton blog est superbe bises

Michelle @Flying Giggles said...

Katie, I am so excited for you! A boy! That is wonderful news!

Julie Danielle said...

Nice to meet you :) We use to live in Northern CA too.

bless her heart said...

Hi Katie! It's Stephanie from the Creative Scrapbooking Divas! I love your blog and have followed you for awhile now. It's amazing all the creativity you have! I hope you'll join us at the CS Divas web site again for a crop April 29-30! On a personal note - I'm definitely going to work on some projects to link up with you and your other sites! Thanks for the inspiration!

Megan @ Purple Dancing Dahlias said...

Hi! Stopping by from the Ultimate Blog Hopping Party 2011. Christian home schooling, homesteading, holistic mama of 4! Please come and visit my post http://purpledancingdahlias.blogspot.com/2011/04/2011-ultimate-blog-party.html. Following you, can’t wait to read more of your blog, I love being crafty but don't have a ton of time, its fun to see what others are up to!

Meghan said...

Hi! I'm visiting from the Ultimate Blog Party. I used to live in Northern California and I'm teaching myself to sew too!

I'm glad you participated in the party and I look forward to getting to know you better. Congratulations on your growing family.

Unknown said...

So glad to "meet" you!! Stopping by from the UBP'11 - so much fun meeting new friends!! Andrea and I used to both be teachers as well, but are now staying home w/ our little munchkins!! :) Have a fun party week!
www.twenty6blog.com

Lena B said...

Hello! Love your blog. Find me at www.way2goodlife.com
P.S. Also if you can find a minute and vote for me as elenka29 here http://www.mamavation.com/2011/03/vote-for-mamavation-mom-3.html
(it's a competition to get into fitness bootcamp. There is no registration - just click and submit). Looking forward to reading more of your posts

Michelle @Flying Giggles said...

I tried leaving a comment yesterday and my computer crashed! I have been working on it all morning, but I HAD to come back and congratulate you! I am so happy for you - a boy! That is just too sweet, growing up I had always wanted a sister, but now, I would never trade in my brothers!

Kristina @ A Home Made by Kiki said...

Hi Katie! I'm stopping by from the UBP! I love all things crafty so I'm your newest follower! Can't wait to follow along with you on all your craft projects. Stop by and visit if you get a chance...I love meeting new bloggers!

Kanesha @it's a full nest said...

I'm in love with you site - yes! Found you on the UBP11 party circuit.

I love to make things and I have an artistic, live-in mother-in-law - so we keep the project flowing.

-Kanesha

Lisascraftiques said...

Hi!
I'm visiting from the Ultimate Blog Party. Nice to meet you! Congrats on your new baby coming!
Lisa

Amanda said...

Stopping by to say hi from the party :)

Unknown said...

I too love to scrapbook but lately I have been doing a lot more paper crafting. Love the bright, fun colors you have used in some of your projects. Here from UBP11

Tiffany said...

Stopping by from the UBP! What a great detailed post. Congratulations on your pregnancy. You've got some great looking projects.

Have a great weekend!

Unknown said...

Congrats on your baby boy. Boys are crazy-fun - I have a 2yo boy. I love visiting other crafty bloggers! Happy UBP!

Beth Niquette said...

How lovely to meet you! Congratulations, by the way, on your dear little boy. You have a beautiful blog. This is my first time participating in the Ultimate Blog Party. I think it is such a wonderful way to meet new people.

Have a wonderful day!

Joy @ Joy Of Desserts said...

Stopping by from UBP11. I'm a teacher turned homeschooling mom too, and I also love crafts. I'm following you and hope you'll do the same for me. You should link up your giveaways on my Giveaways 24/7 page.
http://joyofdesserts.blogspot.com/2011/04/welcome-to-party.html

Susana said...

Katie!!!! OH, I am so excited and happy for you! I didn't know you were expecting again! OH, I am just so sincerely happy for you. When I saw your top post and the onesie, I instantly hoped it was for your baby! Big hugs Katie!

OH, BTW, you aren't a "craft blogger" you are the Craft Queen!

Lyuba @ Will Cook For Smiles said...

Congratulations on your upcoming addition! Boys are great, my boy is August baby too :)
Nice to meet you!
Hope you can stop by and meet me too at http://willcookforsmiles.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Wow!!! you are so creative! So many fun things on your blog! Love it! :)

MaryAnne said...

It was fun to learn a couple new things about you! I've never tried a deep fried pickle! Never even heard of them! I'll try one if I ever find someone serving them =)

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