Hello, it's Bianca!

I made these for the boys. My office has special reams of paper wrapped in this purple paper. When I saw it ready to be recycled, I picked it up and opted to re-purpose it on this year's Valentine's day cards. I really wanted to incorporate purple this year and so there you go. I think that cool little fox adds a fun sort of flavor.
Here's the back of them. They say, "You're a Blast!"
These are the ones I created for her teachers. Simple stickers from the dollar spot at Target, I think.
Here's the back of them. They say, "Thank Ewe!"
Are you going to be giving away Valentines this year? Did you make them or buy them? How else do you celebrate the day?

Has it really been two years since the big day? Yeah, but where did the time go. A series of days filled with the every day adventure. It's awesome! I never knew how great life could be.

WHIP IT
I know there will be many of you who groan at the mere mention of this movie. Yes, it is a chick flick. Yes, there are some stereotypes in there. But did I like it? Yes! No, I loved it. Ellen Page once again nailed it. I started watching this movie on my own, while Don did his own thing. Yes, I would have rather watched this with someone, but I really wanted to watch this, so I flicked the On Demand and rented it. Halfway through the movie, Don walked in to kiss me goodnight, and next thing I know, it was the end of the movie and he was still sitting next to me.

I remember watching Roller Derby as a child. It used to show on TV late at night, alongside American Gladiators. C'mon, humor me and tell me you remember watching that too! Anyway, the thing I loved the most about this movie was to "be your own hero," which is coincidentally the tag line. Marcia Gay Harden executes the mom character so beautifully that instantly, my heart strings told me I had to call my own mother. As a mother, you just want what is best for your child. Sometimes losing sight of what your child may want. Then again, it is just natural for a child to find their own path, even if the parent doesn't always agree. That's when Daniel Stern delivers one of the best lines ever (hyperbole much?): I can stand to lose the money. I cannot take losing the chance for our kid to be happy. Man, it doesn't get any more basic than that.

The movie will take you back to younger days, where you were once given the opportunity to practice with the Varsity team when you were only 12 and not only could you hold your own, but you blocked the superstar player, certifiably humbling them in that brief moment before she hammered another shot at your face. Or at least that was the way it happened for me. Regardless, I became my own hero then, but this movie brought back those anxious feelings I had back then. So go on out, rent it, and have some fun. I rate this the super deluxe box of Godiva chocolates!


WEEDS

This morning when I dropped her off in her new class, she seemed to fit right in, but was also a little shell shocked. This room is situated on the side of the building, with large windows facing a very busy street. It is about twice the size of her other room, with many more cubbies, three miniature rectangular tables, and a dedicated play area for imaginative play.

The three children who were in the class were very talkative. Each of them was sitting at varying ends of the different tables. The dark haired boy of them was sitting at his own table, crying and fussing about his mother who'd just left him. He was in Mari's 1st class and he was every bit as fussy about drop-off back then too. While my heartstrings ached for his mother, I felt comfortable knowing there was some sense of familiarity. The blonde haired little boy at another table happily munched on dry Cheerios, when he paused, looked up, and grinned at Mari. He said, "It's Mari! Hi Mari." The tiny African American girl glared at me and Mari, as she sat like a princess at the head of her table. She haughtily said, "Don't sit there. Don't look at me. I'm eating breakfast. My table." What better way to learn to deal with adversity then right off the bat. I pulled out the tiny chair and placed Mari's breakfast in front of it. I carefully took off her coat and sat her down to eat breakfast. Our new friend was not happy that I chose that spot. Right when she was about to object, I shot her the patented Mrs. Jones stare that I learned when I was in 2nd grade while visiting my sister's math class. You see, Mrs. Jones was a very tall, fit African American lady, whose pencil skirts only accentuated her lovely body. She stood about 5'10 and wore 1-2" heels. Her black hair in a perfect bob accentuating her perfect face. Her big eyes peered behind gold rimmed glasses. If you crossed her, she'd pop her face, staring squarely at you, her gaze would bore a hole straight to you soul, freezing every thought and action. This little Miss was not going to intimidate me, nor was she going to have the upper hand with my child, not while I was around at least. That stare stopped her and she quickly looked down and continued to eat her food. Later, she called the teacher over asking Mari's name. "Who's that?"

Mari waved hello at all of her new classmates and sat down for her breakfast. I got a bit of a lump in my throat as I told her goodbye. She kissed me and just stared around at her new environment.
I hope she had a good first day.

And since it is so business like and styled on the outside, I elected for a bit of colorful fun on the outside. I used a leftover piece of light blue hyacinth fabric from an old bag I had. There you go, easy-breezy-beautiful. So long Ziploc bag, hello gorgeous! Now I want one for my own. I think it turned out pretty good considering I'd never made one before. I used the tutorial I found over at Skip to My Lou found here.
Mari has gone through a serious growth spurt and she's outgrown all of her darling tights. For me, it was the last of the things that remained from when she was itty bitty and brand new. That pair in the middle is actually the very first pair of tights that I'd put on her so long ago.

Next up, here's a picture of the injury I sustained while doin' the next project. Mix sharp objects and me, well, not a good idea. Just a tiny slice , but man it was gushing out bright red for a few minutes. C'mon, everyone is a fan of Nemo!
Ok, so this is the design. Yes, rudimentary, but we want a pull string pinata for Mari. I've never made one myself, but I have done similar projects, especially every Easter when we make cascarones. Anyway, that's the design based on the Starfleet logo.
Some newspaper, wooden coffee stirrers, and balsawood rods.
Using the rotary cutter and shortly thereafter, is when I nic'd my pointer.
Don in action, putting the frame together. He was so careful with the measurements and carefully tearing tiny strips of duct tape to keep the joints secure.
First layer of newspaper strips and glue. whooo...messy
Can you see it?
Ta-da!
A few more layers to add and then crepe paper to decorate. Woo-hoo! Next weekend, I need to make several Starfleet logos because we will play pin the logo on Spock. Also, I will have a coloring page for kiddos to color, marker, or paint.

Guapo in action singing Happy Birthday. He is soooooooooo excited!
Whoa, that's some serious blue-ness. Sorry. Anyway, see how he is enjoying it?
How can you put a price on that sort of happiness, though? Happy Birthday Guapo! Thank you for bringing us another year of snuggles, loves, and happiness!
And Happy Birthday to Christian Bale too! Que Guapo indeed. ha ha!

This review has one movie on DVD and the other is currently in the theater. Enjoy!
MAX PAYNE
Prior to watching this movie (and heck, halfway through it) I wasn't sure that it was based on a video game. I told Don sarcastically, "This movie feels like a video game. Is it based on a graphic novel?" That's when he told me it was based on a video game. The film didn't pull me in, though. Despite the eye candy, it just wasn't what I wanted it to be, and you know what, it could've been so much better. :( Sorry Mark, but this was a fail. If it happens to be on TBS on a Sunday afternoon, then go ahead and watch it, but not if it is football season. I rate this an unenthusiastic smile that you give when you are forced to be happy.

CRAZY HEART
The background story for this movie: I normally take my BFF's birthday off from work. It is the day before New Years Eve, and we try to plan to do something while we have the day off. Well, recently she's had to work on her birthday (sadface all around) and this year I had to work too. We postponed our date for later. Well, Friday afternoon, I took a half day and we met up for some girl time. We opted to head to the Angelika theater, catch a flick, then head on over to Ikea. Originally, we were going to watch A Single Man, but when the guy who sold us the tickets told us he heard it was depressing, we changed our minds to watch Crazy Heart. I was intrigued to watch Tom Ford's directorial debut, but this was an afternoon of happiness and celebration, not sadness. You know what, I was WONDERFULLY suprised. The only thing I knew about this movie were some of the actors. That's it. I LOVED this movie. It reminded me similar to The Wrestler, but not nearly as gut wrenching. This movie was actually funny and witty and well played. I adored the music...heck, I fell in love with country music. Seriously, I want this soundtrack right now. But yes, it was good. I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND it. I rate this that stupid smile you get after falling in love for the first time all over again. Ahhh...bliss.

Perhaps trying to frighten it...
No, just inspecting the yummy cupcake.
Isn't she a doll?

What made this extra-special is that I started and completed this project during my time at lounge night. Started completely, like I had to cut out the pattern, cut the fabric, piece together and sew. Yes, this is probably an easy project, but for me, I was thinking it would be multiple lounge nights before I finished. Somehow at the end of watching The Proposal, this little beauty was formed. Next week, Mari is moving on up to the 2's class (where did the time go?!?), and this is what she's gonna wear on her first day!
Next, I had some of this vinyl remaining from a teeny, tiny wallet I attempted to make. It didn't turn out as great as I wanted, but it is definitely functional. Anyway, I've been wanting to make a bib for Mari for a while. This was just the prototype for it and I think it came out pretty good. 'm in love with the lime green ric rac with the black and white.
I even made a little pocket to catch the food in the front. I might've made the neck a little too wide, though. Of course, this was supposed to be lined with a cotton backing, but being that I'd never sewed ric rac after between fabric that is inside out, so lesson learned. The way I'd guessed was actually wrong,but I think it still looks good without it, just a little raw and unfinished.


Next up, I'm going to be sewing Tribbles for Mari's birthday. We're going to do a Tribble hunt since her Epic Birthday this year is Star Trek themed.