Our photo challenge this week at I Heart Faces is “Friendship”. It’s National Friendship Week.  We love that… especially since I Heart Faces was started because of my friendship with Angie. What many people don’t know is she lives in Ohio and I’m in Dallas and we met through blogging. I had the pleasure of attending the BlogHer Conference this weekend in San Diego. It was wonderful seeing so many of my friends, especially these two lovely ladies.

Laurie (Tip Junkie), Angie (I Heart Faces) and I skipped out of the conference one afternoon and spent time at the Hotel Del in Coronado! We couldn’t pass up time on the beach while being in such a gorgeous place. I love this photo of my two special friends! I think I was probably saying something goofy and caught their reaction. This photo will always remind me of that awesome day!

Join the fun and enter a friendship photo on Monday & Tuesday.

P.S. They are carrying the beautiful Epiphanie Camera bags (these particular bags have room for a laptop too!). Laurie has a pretty custom made SewTamz camera strap.

Be sure to join Amy on Facebook for more fun!
Also, be sure to check out Printables by Amy! Find easy and affordable digital files to download and print at home or at your local quick print shop. Each product is custom designed by Amy, a professional graphic designer. Amy makes do-it-yourself projects a breeze!

A few weeks ago, I talked about my trip as part of the Michael’s Creative Crew. I was honored to be one of 10 creative bloggers invited to visit the Michael’s Headquarters. I can’t really put this amazing trip into words, so I’m showing you a lot of photos!

Before going on this trip, I was a customer of Michaels, (well, I practically live there) but I didn’t know much about the company at all. After meeting the people of Michaels… I’m ready to quit my job and go work for them! Seriously I totally would if they would have me:-)

The Michaels team is the most creative, genuine, and dedicated group of people I have ever met. The time they put into making quality products and understanding their customers is very unique.

(Kami, Cindy & Me)

On Thursday evening we socialized, crafted and enjoyed a wonderful dinner with inspiring speakers (a creative blogger’s dream night!). Then on Friday we toured the headquarters where we learned many interesting facts about the company.

For instance, I didn’t know Michaels had their own product lines, which are the same quality of name brands, but a better value. They had all of their products set up for us along with amazing crafts made by their fabulous creative team. Talk about eye candy! Of course we all whipped out our cameras and browsed around in awe.

We then got to meet the creative team and see where they work. These ladies are such an inspiration and full of talent. They come up with craft ideas for all of the Michaels stores. I’m amazed that only a handful of people can keep up with that demand.

And the ideas they come up with are amazing! Here are just a few product and craft photos I took. My head was literally spinning after seeing so many creative ideas.

We had the best lunch at the home of Michael’s Creative Expert, Jo Pearson.

Jo is such a joy and wonderful hostess! Her home is a whimsical wonderland. I was in awe of everything fun. Pretty much each and every corner was crafted in some unique fashion, usually with a hint of animal print and glitter as well. The home truly captured her bubbly personality.

Everyone had a blast taking photos and exploring her amazing home. You can see Jo and her fun personality on many craft tutorial videos for Michaels. Look for her smiling face at your local Michaels too. They play her craft show at the check out line in various stores.

I was so excited to meet Amy and Jenn, two of my favorite party bloggers. Party girls sure know how to have fun!

After lunch, we headed to one of Michaels stores for more crafting. For all of you Dallas readers, this was at the Southlake store. The craft room is gorgeous! I really want to host a birthday party or girls day there soon. Who’s in???

Crafting with the talented Michael’s creative team and blog friends was my most favorite time of the trip by far!

We made jewelry, cards, decorated cakes, stamps and painted! Michaels sure knows how to have an event with style.

One of my favorite crafts was when the talented mixed media artist Kathy Kromer taught us how to use Derwent Inktense Pencils. They look just like plain colored pencils, but when you paint with water over your drawing, it turns into paint. Such a cool product! You can see what I painted above. I had never heard of these types of pencils before and now I’m addicted and so are my kids.

Another fun kid friendly craft I had never made before were custom stamps. Watch this quick video as Kathy teaches you this easy technique of making custom stamps from foam paper. It’s SO easy, both you and your kids will love it!

It was a such a blast being around so many creative minds and bloggers that I admire!

We also learned about these very neat Wilton Sugar Sheets. Everyone got to decorate a cake with them by using punches to make fun shapes.  I love this product, the cakes turned out so adorable! I was the only one who lived local and didn’t have to catch a flight home… so guess who got all the cakes?

I put them to good use the next day at a craft pool party with the neighborhood kids.

As I figured, the kids loved the Derwent Inktense Pencils and my other loot that Michaels sent us home with.

I want to thank Michaels for such a lovely trip. The creative inspiration they provided me was invaluable. I look forward to sharing more craft ideas from Michaels soon.

Fun Links:

• Michaels on Facebook & Twitter

• Store Events & Classes

• Go on a Creative Cruise with Michaels – Oct. 23-30, 2011

• Michael’s YouTube Channel – Lots of great craft videos

• Find a Michaels Store near you.

Meet the rest of the “Michael’s Creative Crew”:

Amy from Amy Atlas Events, Jenn from Hostess with the Mostess, Jen from Tatortots & Jello, Kari from UCreate, Alison from HowDoesShe, Cindy from Skip to My Lou, Kami from No Biggie, Kelly from Make Grow Gather, and Ashley from Make It and Love It.

Disclosure: Michaels provided my accommodations, food and crafting goodies. I provide you with my unbiased opinion.

Be sure to join Amy on Facebook for more fun!
Also, be sure to check out Printables by Amy! Find easy and affordable digital files to download and print at home or at your local quick print shop. Each product is custom designed by Amy, a professional graphic designer. Amy makes do-it-yourself projects a breeze!

We’ve been staying up late, making forts with sheets and swimming. No fancy vacations this year, just visiting family and learning to tie shoes. (A BIG accomplishment around here!) But I still have to make time to work. There are many things that have to get done.

As summer starts to become a very busy one for me. I try to take moments throughout the day for special times with both of my children.

Whether it is making a bubbly drink or playing a game of chess that I have no idea how to play… I hope they remember that I wasn’t always in front of a computer or on the phone for work.

I hope they remember that mom was home with them and doing her best to be a good parent.

4 Tips for Work-at-Home Parents

My kids are only going to a few weeks of camp this summer, the rest of the time they are home. With no family nearby to help with babysitting, here are a few tips from what I’m doing to find some balance…

1. Have certain hours or days that you work. Let your clients, co-workers and your kids know these hours.

Make sure your kids understand these are times you will be working and have activities planned for them such as crafting, drawing, play dough, building forts, cleaning their rooms or reading. I’ve found that inviting friends over doesn’t help and makes it harder to get work done.

2. Take several hours a day to be totally offline and just play with the kids.

I personally have to get out of the house, or I’m too tempted to check email or Facebook! We have a fun bowl full of activities or places to visit that we wrote down on small pieces of paper. The kids can draw one activity a day if they’ve been good while Mommy works.

3. Do less.

It’s okay to say no. I’ve found when I say no to one good thing, something really great usually comes around the corner. I have also not been blogging as much as you might have noticed. Or maybe not? Either way, I’m doing less to make more time for my kiddos:-)

4. Take time out for you.

I just went on a trip with my college girlfriends and it was such a wonderful time. I feel I’m a much happier person when I take time out for myself, even if it’s just reading a book or relaxing in the bathtub. A happy mom, makes everyone happier!

Do you work from home? How are you finding balance this summer?

P.S.- Check out my site on your iPhone or Android! I finally got with it and created a mobile site. Whoot!

Be sure to join Amy on Facebook for more fun!
Also, be sure to check out Printables by Amy! Find easy and affordable digital files to download and print at home or at your local quick print shop. Each product is custom designed by Amy, a professional graphic designer. Amy makes do-it-yourself projects a breeze!

Can I just say how excited I am?!? I love this site…

Thanks to Beth for the wonderful feature and interview on Ohdeedoh! I’m honored to be on such a wonderful website. Hope you’ll check it out.

Be sure to join Amy on Facebook for more fun!
Also, be sure to check out Printables by Amy! Find easy and affordable digital files to download and print at home or at your local quick print shop. Each product is custom designed by Amy, a professional graphic designer. Amy makes do-it-yourself projects a breeze!

From the BlissDom Website:

Tribe Leaders are experienced, encouraging, empathetic Thought Leaders from your particular areas of interest or “tribe.” Natural mentors, they know what interests you, what concerns you, what you want and need to explore in more detail, and they are prepared to help you maximize your BlissDom experience.

Thursday morning, after the opening keynote, join your “tribe” for roundtable discussions.  Then throughout the weekend, think of your Tribe Leaders as your mentors.

Are you a craft or DIY blogger? Join our DIY Tribe!

Leaders are me, Laurie from Tip Junkie and Marie from Make & Takes.

• We’ll meet Thursday from 10 am-12 pm for a round-table discussion and craft in the Tennessee Ballroom.
• Join the DIY/Craft Tribe Flickr group & get started with the assignments.
• Use Twitter hashtags #DIY & #Blissdom.

See the entire tribe options and schedule here.

Giveaway Winner

Congrats to Marlis for winning The Reluctant Entertainer!

Be sure to join Amy on Facebook for more fun!
Also, be sure to check out Printables by Amy! Find easy and affordable digital files to download and print at home or at your local quick print shop. Each product is custom designed by Amy, a professional graphic designer. Amy makes do-it-yourself projects a breeze!