Jun 18

cravings

Food wise, I haven’t had any unusual cravings, really. Though my mom would say that the baby definitely wanted some boba tea in the first trimester. I have been eating a little something sweet every day, which is a bit different for me considering I used to be notorious for saying I wasn’t a dessert person. For the most part, my mornings start with a smoothie – frozen strawberries, pineapple, mango, blueberries, spinach and orange juice. There’s no ice necessary because the fruits are frozen! Sometimes I add just a little water. When blended, it turns green and you can’t even taste the spinach. It’s the best and my go-to. Often a batch is made large enough to save for the next day – and just needs to get mixed with a spoon. photo from a couple weeks ago on Instagram.
Last night JC called in and ordered from Hostario del Piccolo and walked over to pick it up for us while I cued up Mad Men. We had a delicious dinner at home (we will really miss living so close to such amazing restaurants). Our appetizers and pastas were delicious.And in case you missed it, on the last Paperclipping Roundtable, we talked all about food and documenting it. You may get hungry while listening.
Jun 14

Scenes from Santa Monica

Our last full weekend in Venice was last weekend. The rest of the month has a variety of trips in store for us, so it was nice to be able to enjoy the beautiful weather at home. We woke up early on our own, I made breakfast – fried eggs, bacon, tomatoes, a fresh sliced peach and plum. For drinks, grapefruit juice and black coffee. My doctor says I can have 200 mg of caffeine a day, which is the equivalent of a large cup of coffee. Usually I just drink a small cup in case I want a little afternoon pick-me-up. We decided to have a car-less Saturday and browse for furniture locally for the house. We set out on foot and I opened the Map My Run app to log the distance of our walk. I snapped some photos along the way and when we were done, we had done 6.8 miles on 6/8. Santa Monica Scenes 1Santa Monica ScenesCollages made on PicFrame while I was laying on the sofa for pretty much the rest of the day.
Jun 13

#amytangerine | stamps

It was really neat seeing one of my stamps at Target last week. I posted this photo and enjoyed reading the comments that so many of you had already gotten yours. In searching through the hashtag #amytangerine on Instagram,  we spotted some cool stamping in action and at rest. Thanks for sharing! As always, you can follow my adventures on Instagram. To shop for these stamps, please go to your local retailers or visit Simon Says Stamp and Two Peas In a Bucket online. Amy Tangerine | #amytangerine

from left to right, top to bottom:

1. @rinadamay | 2. @mrsjennyg | 3. @happiescrappie | 4. @scraftastic | 5. @umichka | 6. polkadotcreative | 7. @nikatous | 8. @polkadotcreative | 9. polkdadots_1
Jun 11

Barcelona KDS event

It was my second time to Barcelona, a first for work. Mireia, the owner of Kits De Somni, a leading kit club, contacted me last year about teaching at an event she was planning. After setting a date for May, Mireia and her team organized all the details for the weekend event at The Glass Room. Loredana Bucaria and I each taught 2 different projects to a wonderful group of ladies. lory & amyDSC_0093DSC_0133DSC_0100DSC_0102KDS1DSC_0103DSC_0107DSC_0146DSC_0110DSC_0112Thanks to my awesome translator, Elena, we got some painting, stitching, mini book making, and a Daybook done and had lots of fun along the way. Loved being surrounded by such talented group of women, most of them from Spain, but some even came as far as Africa! Thanks everyone for a truly memorable weekend. We also had a hashtag that we used for the event for Instagram – #amylorybcn.

Here’s a post by Jara and a post by Judy. Kits De Somni also has a blog post of other people who posted photos of their weekend here.
Jun 10

big Project Life update

projectlifebannerIt’s another week in the books for Project Life! Though I am not caught up by any means, I am excited to be in town for a little while and to work on this bit by bit. Here is what Week 22 looked like.Amy Tan Project Life Week 22Here’s a closer look at the left and right sides:Amy Tan Project LifeAmy Tan Project LifeBlog FooterBecky’s got a bunch of amazing (and happier) creative team layouts on the blog today. I used the Project Life Core Kit – Blush Edition and a mix of fun scrapbooking supplies, Kelly Purkey’s June/July kit, and Studio Calico’s Project Life kit (you can sign up for the waiting list here). In case you missed it, I showed on Two Peas how I made the quickest spread to date, using just one collection in my last Project Life video.

My newest favorite way to get these spreads done is definitely the Canon SELPHY CP900 Wireless Photo Printer. I print out photos straight from my iPhone wirelessly beaming it to the printer via the Canon IEPP app. It’s awesome. And makes things so much easier. I also use PicFrame and referenced this fantastic tutorial by My Sister’s Suitcase on getting multiple photos onto a 4×6. Now the 4×6 prints from the Selphy are just a bit smaller than 4 inches by 6 inches. At the moment, this isn’t a bother for me as they still fit into the pockets and my focus is on getting the photos in there and the weeks documented. If you’re looking for more ideas for taking pictures with your phone, The Phone Photography Workshop is still open for signups at the early bird price of $39.728 x 90Glad you all loved the washi tape holders – I placed an order myself for a dozen more. My plan is to have all of them readily available when I move into the new house. Plus, it makes great storage for a washi tape bar. All Ready Memories also has these great Project Life card boxes. DSC_0442 DSC_0446They look great as is, but I thought I would add a little something to them. I started off by adding some thin washi tape to the top edge. Just to be sure it stayed, I applied adhesive onto the wood first and then put the tape down. DSC_0449DSC_0451And used adhesive fabric paper from my first collection (you could use patterned paper in the same manner).DSC_0453I flipped it over and measured out one side of each box, making my markings with a pencil and ruler.
DSC_0454 DSC_0455Next I took the new Fiskars Amplify scissors, which are premium shears designed to cut extra-thick materials. You can read more about these on Business Wire and on Fiskars website where you can also purchase them.DSC_0456DSC_0474 DSC_0475 DSC_0476 DSC_0481I chose to only do one side and like that it still looks just as good without anything on it from the back.DSC_0483Supplies: Project Life card boxes | cards from Blinks of Life | LifeLovePaper | Studio Calico’s Project Life kit (you can sign up for the waiting list here) | Assorted Project Life core kits, now available at Two Peas In a Bucket!
Jun 07

Love List

thelovelistSupplies: Surrounded Paper || Fiskars Fingertip Craft Knife || American Crafts Cardstock || Hello font

On the Love List right now:
1. Finishing this book – Someone Could Get Hurt: A Memoir of Twenty-First-Century Parenthood, which I highly recommend for both a good cry in the beginning and laughs throughout.
2. Long dresses for days. Like literally I have been wearing them every single day.
3. Feeling a good amount of energy.
4. Getting closer to closing on our house… we had a setback and it’s not happening next week, but I’m practicing patience. And advising people to stay on top of their credit reports – mistakes on those are the biggest pain in the tush.
5. The fact that you all love washi tape too.
6. Our classes at Paper Tales next week are filling up! Only a couple spots left.
7. Still being able to paint my own nails.
8. My new Canon SELPHY CP900 Wireless Photo Printer- more details on why it’s awesome to come on Monday.
9. Laying on my side for prenatal massages.
10. 100 more days to go! Oh boy.
Jun 06

major washi love

As you probably already know, I have a slight major obsession with washi tape. The craze has been around for a few years and still seems to be going strong. The collection has grown significantly since this video was made last year. It’s a little out of hand, but I like it. And the fact that I think I have finally found the perfect way to store the ones that get most used on my desk is another plus. Of course there are still stragglers on my messy productive desk. washi tape dispenser transferring to washi tape dispenserAll Ready Memories sent me this handmade in the USA (Bonus!) wooden washi tape holder. I transferred some of my favorite tapes of the moment to it. washi-tape-holder The design is great, with edges that are just sharp enough to tear the washi tape. washi-tape-holder1 I decorated it with the only phrase that seemed appropriate. It really is the most perfect washi tape dispenser around. washi-tape-holder2 washi-tape-holder3 washi-tape-holder yes pleaseSupplies: All Ready Memories Washi Tape Holder | Washi tapes collected over time from Two Peas In A Bucket and Wishy Washy and Studio Calico | camera washi tape by Teresa Collins | cork arrow sticker | Kelly Purkey alphabet stickers

I also love the Project Life card holders from All Ready Memories and will be showing you what I did with those on Monday. But honestly, I think I will need to add more of these washi tape holders to my collection ASAP. They’re great for taking to events – as you can see it in action at Pink’s daughter’s 2nd birthday party over the weekend.washiatpinksparty
Jun 05

4 years in 500 square feet

When I first moved to this tiny, little apartment in Venice exactly 4 years ago today, I hardly imagined it would be home for this long. The street has since changed, from being mostly residential to a fairly hip and happening stretch where I can walk out the door and within 2 minutes, arrive at a few of the best restaurants in town. There are so many pluses to living here for 4 years, including being walking distance to Whole Foods in one direction and the beach in the other. It’s about a 5 minute bike ride (or 20 minute walk) to my favorite street, Abbot Kinney Blvd. The only downside to being just a short bike ride to the Santa Monica Pier, is that my pink beach cruiser has gotten more rusty living outside.courtyardAnd after 5 months of dating, in September of 2009, JC moved in. Now there were 2 of us in this tiny place and we somehow managed not to get on each others’ nerves too much. Though it was little, it was a place we both called home. living room this moment is more precious than you think kitchensofaphotos by Tara Whitney

Last Friday, JC and I found out that we finally had everything we needed to drop contingencies on the house we have been in the process of buying since the beginning of April. Buying a home in Los Angeles County is a doozy. I am sure it’s not an easy, smooth process anywhere in the world, but for some reason around these parts it seems extra difficult. The inventory is really low right now, and competition is fierce. When I say fierce, I mean many places are going for well OVER asking price. As in you have to bid higher to even be in the game. This is the 3rd place we had put an offer on, and the 2nd place we went into escrow on. And really, the only place we both truly fell in love with (although were afraid to admit it right off the bat).

So we are closing next week, we get the keys, but not the ability to move in just yet because there are still tenants in the main house. And tenants in the guest house. Yes – there is a guest house! And a converted garage that is larger than our current place, which we may call home for a few weeks. We are thrilled since our little family will be growing and we will be able to have my mom and cousin living on the property and close by, but not sharing a roof or walls. We all need a little space. Speaking of little spaces, dear Venice apartment, you will be missed! Thanks for the memories and an incredible 4 years.