Meet my Contributors!

As we say goodbye to February and hello to brighter, springy weather (I hope!), I want to take a minute to introduce you to some beautiful faces that you will be seeing around these parts a lot more...

My Wonderful Contributors...

Courtney from Baxtron Life

I'm Courtney: wife to Jerry and mama to Zion.  Although I tend to thrive on the witty sarcasm and hustle-bustle of NYC, my soul longs for the Pacific Ocean, organic fair trade coffee and the laid-back crunchy granola-ness of my home in Seattle, my spirit belongs neither here nor there, indulgently abiding in the love of my savior.  I love meeting new people, experiencing new things and overcoming obstacles in life.  My blog: Baxtron{Life} is my place to share life, encouragement and the day-to-day adventures of our family of three living in New York City.

 Kelly from Live.Laugh.Rowe

I'm currently a stay at home wife. My bloggy home is over at live.laugh.rowe where I share my journey with you -- one that includes crafting, cooking, my furry friends, incredible husband and my faith. Prior to my blogging adventures, I was a Director of Admissions in Higher Education. I {loved} my job, but the stress wasn't contributing to any quality of life. So, for the time being, here I am blogging. I started blogging in 2010 basically to keep long distant friends up to date on our lives, but in the past six months decided to pursue it a little more passionately. I am loving every minute of it and truly enjoy making so many new virtual friends. In September, I opened an Etsy store called House 129 and have found that to be an additional creative outlet. Life is good!

Digger From Digging Deeper Design

 

 
In a nutshell, I have decided that I am going to make my living by writing, designing, and photographing, so I'm going to. For those of you who have not been reading my little blog, here's the rundown - I love hiking, camping, biking, reading, designing, sewing, traveling, rainy nights and sunny days. I'm a huge fan of the mountains and an even bigger fan of the beaches. I got married in the summer of '03 and have spent the last 9 years learning what it's like to grow and change alongside my polar opposite. We're night and day different, but find a pure and solid happiness in each other and ourselves while we sort out this complicated, messy process called marriage. We have 2 very energetic and entertaining little boys, the Super Awesome, Bruiser, and the King Of Mayhem, Monster. The goal now is to achieve balance in life: to be opinionated yet nice, to have pretty things and still save for a rainy day, to be a good mom, but still find the "ME" in Mommy.
 
 

These three ladies will all be contributing to Imprintalish and guest posting periodically. They each bring something unique and different to every post they write and I know that you will enjoy what they have to say as much as I have enjoyed reading and following their blogs! So please, go on and give them a big hello hug and spread some love!

Wordless Wednesday-The Door

This door seems to be the source of lots of fun in this house...nearly two years ago I was taking photos of Gray doing the same thing, with the same door. While Gray came running (crawling) anytime he heard the door open cause he wanted up the stairs, Westyn comes crawiling anytime I have left the door open, cause he wants to open and shut it and play behind the glass...the very dirty glass! It is clean now, I promise, but probably not for long!

 

Mouth gobbers on the glass is the best isn't it!?

 Linking up with The Paper Mama

5 Blogging Tips

I have been blogging for almost 2 years now! Can you believe it? I am ancient! LOL...I've seen tons of blogs out there that are fabulous and successful and that I keep going back to. So I asked myself why? It came down to a couple things-I can relate to their content, they post regularly and I loved their blog design! Then I got to thinking of other things that I hate about some blogs and compiled a list for you to use and implement or ignore-whatever you like! :)

1. Word Verification

You know when I first started blogging I had mine enabled. I hated getting junk mail in my mailbox and telemarketer phone calls, so why would I like to get Spam comments? Yes, it seemed like a good idea...but it's NOT! Do you like getting comments? Then disable your Word Verification! I love commenting on my favorite blogs...but if I'm in a rush, which more times then none I am...inputting the word verification is such a tedious process. Especially because for some reason I can never read the first one and have you noticed that they all contain TWO words now, not just one! There have been times when I was going to comment and then didn't when I saw the Word Verification come up...yes, I am mean...haha.


So word to the wise, turn it off!!!

2. Are you a 'noreply-comment@blogger.com?'

I have made a promise to myself to email all my commenter's back. Well, most everyone, life sometimes gets in the way. But I think it's not only polite, but a nice way to 'meet' your readers. There is one problem with this though and that is when one of my commenter's is a 'No-reply Blogger. Meaning I have no way to return your comment or answer your questions, without going on a mad hunt through your blog, looking for contact info and such. I must confess that in my early days of blogging...I replied directly in my comments section. But I know NOW that people rarely come back to check. I know that I don't!Shame on me! So everyone, go check your blogger profiles and make sure the little box' Show Email' is checked, pretty please? So I can say hi, when you leave a lovely comment :)

To fix both of the above issues head on over here for the quick run down on how to do it!And then I will visit your page more often..haha...no really...go do it!

3. Pretty Pictures

I am a HUGE visual person...I love pretty things and colors! One of my biggest pet peeves is seeing teeny, tiny photos on someones blog. You have all this space to use, so use it!! I would recommend making your photos at least 500 pixels wide (I always make mine 600 pixels), cause then I can see what your showing off without squinting! This also goes for fonts as well, keep it simple and please don't use caligraphy type or fancy script fonts as the main text of your page-it hurts my eyes!

4. About Me Page

Get an about me page (mine is a bit updated-but I will fix it soon!) When I come across a blog that grabs my attention (first impressions count!) I also want to know a little bit about the writer and to see if we have anything in common!

5. Search Box

Have a search box or label section on your blog. So if I'm looking for something, I can do it quickly and not have to spend hours going through your history!

That's it. For now. I could go on and on...but I hear a baby crying so I should get my butt of the computer and go check on him!

Do you have any blogger pet peeves?

Happy Tuesday!

Last Call for March Sponsors!

Email me!

Sponsor Love-Gaia Metal Studio

Wait till you see what Kathleen from Gaia Metal Studio has been adding to her shop...

Beautiful, aren't they?! Go have a looksee for more...:)

Scavenger Hunt Sunday & Sunday Confessions

I am combining my two favorite Sunday blogging posts into one...how fun! (That was my lame attempt at rhyming!)

Crossed

Confession- It is very, VERY rare that I am sitting with my feet up. I always feel like there is something to do, something to be put away or cleaned. Even sitting on the floor playing with the kids...I am anxious to get up and put the dishes away or reply to an email...

A Glimpse

A glimpse of our new floors that went in this weekend-I love them! Can you tell which one we went with?

Confession- I think I love my new floors more then I love my new kitchen.

Handwritten

Confession-I love Art. Math and Science were never a strong area for me and I barely passed them in high school and college. One year I dropped out of Physics after only two weeks and that same year I barely squeezed by in General Math with a 52. You needed a 50 to pass. Art and English I could do with my eyes closed and pass with flying colors.

Bliss

Yep, you already saw this one this week...here it is again, cause it's cool!

Confession- I am addicted to Photoshop. i edit every single photo I take to some extent. Maybe just the color or contrast, somethings full blown editing-cloning, textures...then I don't know where to stop. I end up with 4 or 5 edits and can't choose which one I like the best!

Gray

So no, this in fact isn't 'Gray'...but it is my Gray...my soon to be 3 year old in a few months...

Confession- Some days I love being home with my kids. On those days I dream of what it would be like to have another baby. Other days I wish I could scream and think to myself there is no way we could have another baby!

Frivolous Friday's Photography Linky is now open...capture your 'me' time moments and then link up!

Calm-Poetic Winter Photo Challenge

A little tea me time

Calm probably wouldn't be the exact word I would use to describe any part of my February but I tried to soak up the parts that were on the 'calm side' as much as I could...

Seeing any sign of spring right now calms me...kinda like talking the person off the bridge, ya know!? Ok, maybe that's an exaggeration! But Spring is my little glimmer of hope...hope that one day my toes will be curled around blades of grass and a hat will be optional, and definitely not wool!

I'm calling this photo Heaven- for some reason the sun's haze just complimented and enhanced the branch so well!

Linking up with:

 

Did you have a 'me' moment this month?
The Frivolous Friday's Photography Link up is now open, I'd love for you to link up!

Now accepting Sponsors for March, interested? Click here for more details
.

Frivolous Friday's #10

Welcome to Frivolous Friday's!!!

For anyone wondering what Frivolous Friday's is all about...well..it's about you! You can come here on the last Friday of every month and link up your photography posts that center around you! I want you to Capture the Moment, you know, the one moment that you get all to yourself? I'd love for you to share with us what you love to do...walks on the beach? A simple cup of coffee? Shopping? Did you buy yourself something new? A haircut? Do you read? How do you 'treat' yourself?

Get creative and take a photo (self portraits are welcome), then grab a button, link away and have fun!!

<a href="http://www.imprintalish.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Frivolous Friday's" src="http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l607/Alicia_Hummel-Kettlewell/frivolousbutton.jpg"/></a>

Sometimes I find it very difficult to grab a 'me' moment and actually enjoy it! One thing that I can totally count on though, is this fabulous little basket of pretty colors! I have a bit of an obsession with nailpolish. More so in the summer months...but lately I've been needing that little 'fix.' A fix of sunshiny, happy color on the tips of my fingers!

By the way, did you see Beth's post at Through the Eyes of the Mrs. last month on her beautiful nails?

Grab a featured button Beth!

<a href="http://www.imprintalish.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Frivolous Friday's" src="http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l607/Alicia_Hummel-Kettlewell/featured-1.jpg"/></a>

Ok, your turn...link away!

Some guidelines:
I'd love it if you followed me, but it's no biggie if you don't want to.
Please link up Photography related posts only, showing off how you spend your 'me' time.
Please link back to this blog post with button or link.
Take a second and view some other link ups, leave a little comment love!

Huge Valentine's Giveaway Winner!!!!

Soooo I know you've been dying to know who won the Huge Valentines Giveaway..right? I know I have!!! Well, the winner of over $200 worth of totally gorgeous products from my super fantastic Sponsors is....



Drum Roll.....

Woohoo Chelsea!!! I always get excited when I see a name I recognize come up as a winner for my giveaways! I swear girl..you have horse shoes up your bum! LOL! Not only is Chelsea super sweet (you should go visit her blog Sunny with a Chance of Sprinkles) but she's won a giveaway from me before :)

Anyway, I will be emailing you shortly!!!

Also, I just wanted to remind all you guys that tomorrow is Frivolous Friday! So get your photos ready! If you've done something to treat yourself this month (date night, haircut, new shoes-whatever!) I'd love for you to share and link up!

Sponsor Love- Getting to know PinkCamelia

The day I clicked on PinkCamelia's shop, I was hooked. Maria's pieces are gorgeous! To put it bluntly I want one of everything! Maria is a mom to six and is so sweet and obviously very creative! I love doing these interviews with my Sponsors as it gives me, and all you guys a little insight into the workings of a super talented handmade shop owner. I am always curious as to how other moms do it all too...so let's get to know Maria from PinkCamelia a little better shall we?

Describe a typical day at PinkCamelia..

There is no "typical day" at PinkCamelia! I am a stay at home mom with four boys left in the nest and I work on my pieces every chance I get! I visit the bead and gem shop while the kids are in school and I get most of my crafting done on weekends and late on school nights.

If you could describe your work/shop in ONE word, what would it be? Why?

If I could describe my shop with one word it would be FUN! I really have so much fun designing and creating my jewelry!

Do you have any advice for someone just starting up their own creative business?

I think the best advice I could give someone who is just starting up their own business is to believe in yourself and in your product! Be patient! Success doesn't happen over night! Since I am just starting up, these are the things I keep telling myself!

What's your favorite thing about being your own boss?

The best thing about being my own boss is that I can work around my crazy life! I work when I can and I design whatever I'm in the mood for!

Where do you go for inspiration?

My inspiration comes from the people I see every day and the places I go: teenage girls are fun and free spirited; tennis skirts are bouncy and stylish; bathingsuits are colorful; my favorite pair of jeans are casual but sometimes glamorous!
 

Thanks so much for sharing Maria!!! Now go on everyone...go get your shop on at PinkCamelia!

How Pinteresting-Painted Dressers

Happy Wednesday my friends!! Before we dive into the lovely things I've picked out for you to drool over, I want to welcome all my new followers from the BLOG HOP! I'd love for you to say hi and introduce yourself if you haven't already...oh, and How great was that event?! I want to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who linked up!! The linky is now closed, but you can still go on over and check out some of the fabulous blogs!

Second, if my house was decorated with every single pin that I have on Pinterest, I would be in heaven! I was just relooking through all my pins, and wow, I want to do it all! LOL...oh man, I would need a house 10x the size of mine just to fit all those projects and decor ideas in!

Ok...on with the show...

Funny, how when trying to complete one project your mind slips into another area that you think needs sprucing up! I've been rethinking some pieces of furniture that we have and although I don't want to get rid of them, they I need a change. Check out some of these amazing transformations on regular pieces of furniture...from paint ideas to literally taking the drawers out of dressers...

1. Better Homes and Gardens  2. Poppy Seed Living 3. Pinterest (source unknown)

4. Oriental Tiger  5. Design Sponge  6. Rolled Up Pretty  7. Addicted 2 Decorating  8. Norske Interior Blogger  9. Flickr