{Happy Valentine's Day! ...and a little love detecting!

Here is a pic of the Valentine's that Jackson gave to his classmates this year. I saw this tutorial all over the web this year so we gave them a go and they did not dissappoint! He's such a cutie!

Sammy didn't want to cooperate in a little photo shoot for his Valentine's and had no desire to help in the planning or prep, so I just took over. I'm completely okay with that!

Jackson's teacher asked if I would come in a teach a little Valentine's craft about a week ago. I had the bright idea that we would make tote bags that would double as Valentine's carriers and a library book bag. When I told her what I was planning to do she said that the room mom's already planned to decorate bags at the party so what's a mom to do? I called my mom! What would I do without her? She told me that in the Friend back in the 90's there was a sharing time about service. Secret service. Well I took the idea and ran with it. The kids filled big manilla envelopes with hearts that they made in all shapes and sizes. I gave them a sheet of paper to track all of their good deeds on and we made a 'love bug' pencil (because every good detective has to record their movements). I told them if they were able to complete at least 7 secret acts of service for someone they loved (and left a homemade heart as their calling card) by the next week I would reward them at the class party. The kids totally got into it. Jackson made my bed. He left little notes for Sammy and the kids in his class were just as excited to be love detectives! On Friday Mrs. Jacob's gave me a list of kids that had brought back their lists of secret acts and I gave them this...

They are official detective badges. You should have seen all these little second graders wearing their badges with pride! So fun.

{Cupcake Love...

Oh my.... nothing from December to February! Well, what can I say?? It's a busy time of year! Christmas was great! New Year's was great! It's been freezing cold here and I have spring fever Big Time! Yesterday was 65 beautiful degrees so I'm a little happier this week.

Last week in anticipation for teh day of *love* I had a little cupcake gathering. It was so fun! Okay, not that I need to make (or EAT) cupcakes right now -isn't swimsuit season right around the corner??- but they are darling and SO fun to make! I caved.

Here is a little 'taste' of what we came up with:

Kelly's bakerella spin off. I think they are just beautiful.

Annelisa's delish almond cupcake with raspberry creme filling.

This is a little deceiving... I wanted to make a beautiful, out of this world good cupcake and while I do think it turned out pretty, it tasted like grainy poop! Who except for Martha Stewart and Bakerella can make meringue frosting over a double broiler and not have it turn out grainy?

Love this. Jocelyn's hostess knock off!

Round two of the hi-hat cupcake. Well, hi-hat turned lo-hat... I tried a different recipe and it tasted great, but did not form stiff peaks! Anyone have a good suggestion for me on a no-fail meringue icing recipe?? :)

{Decking the Halls... and the stake center tables!

Some friends and I were asked to come up with table centerpieces for our Stake Musical Christmas Fireside next week. I made a trip to ARC and the coffee isle of my local supermarket and came up with these super fun starbursts! I had seen something similar done with an old phone book at a local boutique in Colorado Springs and knew it could be adapted to work for our event. I love how they turned out and can't wait to see 24 of these beauties decking the cultural hall for Christmas!

{Christmas Vinyl Par-tay!

Christmas is just around the corner... Yikes! For the last few weeks I've been thinking about, creating for and *anticipating* Christmas. I think I have come up with a few gift ideas almost anyone could benefit from. I hope you can make it!

When: Friday, December 3rd
Time: 7:30 until we finish!
Place: My home

Please feel free to call me with questions or to place an order (761-9084). I would appreciate your orders no later than Wednesday, December 1st (midnight).

Merry Christmas!
Tagan

.Click on the pictures to enlarge the image.

Happy Halloween!

Love, Harry and Draco.


Yesterday we had a super fun trunk or treat at the church... Todd and the Young Men were in charge of the spooky science lab. I'd say he has a little craft in him afterall. I was super proud!


We waited in line for what seemed like FOREVER for the hay ride but the boys loved it!

{Boot-licious!!!

I love Conference weekend. I love OCTOBER Conference weekend. I am always ready to watch Conference, be inspired and hang out with my family. Mom and I usually do some kind of craft and this year we decided to *surprise* each other and just show up with something fun to make. Well, I guess I should back up because I was in Utah in September for my niece's baptism and I can't go to Utah and NOT go to Tai Pan Traders. I love that store! I was a little short on time so I just ran in really quick and of course found a million things that I loved, but the item at the top of my list was a Halloween witch boot filled with funky flowers. It was a little spendy (like $125.00 spendy, ouch!) so I passed, BUT not before I called my mom to tell her how darling it was. So, fast forward one month later and mom came up with an over-the-top WAY cuter rendition of the witch boot that I saw in Utah. It's funky, glitzy and just my kind of Halloween decor! Thanks for a super fun project mom!

{Official...

Last weekend I had my first *official* photo shoot. I didn't know this family, they were a referral from a fundraiser that I did last year. I had the best time! I love getting to meet new people and Shawna and Dave were so kind. The kids were just darling and even their dog, Sally was fun to shoot! Here are a few from our session.