SWANKY DEAL

One of my favorite bloggers is Annette of Swanky Tables. Last year she spot lighted my Holiday line and it was so much fun that we are going to make an annual date of it. This year we are teaming up and giving away not only a $25 gift certificate to use at InkSpot Workshop, but also a SWANKY DEAL. Simply click here for all the details and to enter. Hurry! everything expires November 1st. GOOD LUCK!

Holiday 2009 Official Launch

I am thrilled to officially launch

InkSpot Workshop

Holiday 2009

Filled with tons of color and whimsy!

come see for yourself, click here

Playing Catch Up

Hello! It has been a little while since my last post so I thought I'd do a little catching up with everyone. Like most people, the past 2 weeks have been a blurr. With time off from work, school, slowing down of InkSpot Workshop orders, plus the help of visiting grandparents for the holidays we thought it would be a good idea to tackle some household projects. Numero Uno being my son's new Big Boy Room! I never thought I'd cry over packing up a crib, but the time is here. Hard to believe almost 3 years has passed since we first decorated this room as a nursery. His new room is currently being transformed into a mixture of both Disney's CARS and Thomas the Tank Engine. How to do this tastefully? Stay tuned to see the final results. Of course in about 2 weeks he should change his interests all together and we'll have to redecorate!

Now we are crying because we miss the crib... said toddler is not adjusting to his new bed, which means we are getting regular visits to our bed at 4:30 am. Every one's tired and crabby around here, almost like having a newborn again. If anyone has any suggestions for helping a little guy make the switch from crib to bed....I'm all EARS!


Before the room project started, we enjoyed a fantastic Christmas with our friends and family. Here's a shot I got just after Santa visited late Christmas Eve.

Continuing with the whole Thomas and CARS theme is an adorable ornament from Holiday Home Ornaments, compliments of Nana.

And this absolutely beautiful hand painted ornament from Stella Baby Designs. I wish I could paint!

Such a thrill to watch the little guy rip open all his "surprises". He turns 3 in just a few weeks, so this was the first Christmas where he finally understood what was going on and was so excited.

The AFTERMATH! Such a site. This is surely one to save and show his first date. A representation of all his interests rolled into one complete look. His new red bike he calls his "sleigh" and thinks he's Santa but wears a shark towel instead of a red suit. One foot has on a new CARS shoe, which actually never come off so this was a rare shot. At 2.90 he is shaving! must be the hormones in the beef:) His new Thomas the Train razor seems to do a great job.

Things are finally settling back down to normal and everyone got to enjoy some cupcakes with the neighbors. Happy Birthday Ryder!

I hope you all had a chance to enjoy the holidays. Happy New Year!

it's beginning to TASTE a lot like CHRISTMAS

It's that time of year again and my kitchen really got a workout this past weekend. Nothing says "I appreciate you" more than some home baked goods to share with your friends and family over the holidays. Of course the packaging has to be equally cute {in my InkSpot Workshop opinion}

I made up a batch of Peppermint Cloud Brownies, Chocolate Dipped Pretzels and my favorite Caramel, Pecan, Pretzel Turtles. Keep reading for more recipes...

Thanks to my mom I discovered these tasty gems! So easy to assemble. Preheat your oven to 300 degrees F, place the assembled turtles in the oven for 4 minutes (no more, no less) remove and gently press down on pecan half until the little caramel heads and legs appear. I stress "gently" because I made a mess out of my first batch.

BEFORE

AFTER

Who doesn't love a candy coated, chocolate dipped pretzel stick? Just make sure to melt your chocolate (any kind is fine, I used semi sweet Ghiardelli squares) over a double boiler to keep it nice and melty. Coat pretzel stick with melted chocolate, then roll into your favorite nuts, sprinkles, mini marshmellows or colored sugar.

Official Taste Tester!

It's all about the packaging!!! I found these most adorable and tall mugs at Walmart, they're super sturdy too.

Got these adorable mini Chinese takeout cartons from Target

Here's what everyone got specially delivered to their doorstep

A little something for my son's classmates at the school's Christmas Party

What are you baking this year? Feel free to post your favorite recipes right here.

I LOVE LA........

The LA Times Holiday Guide that is! Another Saturday morning, another surprise waiting for me in my inbox, sent by Google Alerts. My 2009 Limited Edition Desk calendars got a shout-out in this article published today, along with some other Etsy friends of mine. The pages shown are from Cecily Ink's calender, don't you just love all her vibrant colors?

Thank You LA TIMES!