Art Printable: Norwegian Table Prayer

My family pedigree is actually quite mixed, but a good percentage is Norwegian.

[Cue Olaf and Lena jokes. Yuck it up clowns!]

Years ago at a wedding we attended the couple included the Norwegian table prayer as part of the dinner and I was struck by how beautiful it was and how important it is to include our past as part of our present. Fast forward a few years and I did a bit of online searching to determine how to incorporate that bit of my heritage into our lives. Finding the prayer was easy, figuring out how to pronounce the words was the tough bit. I finally found a super helpful YouTube video and now we are fluent! [With the prayer at least!]

I wanted to create an art piece to visually remind us of the prayer we regularly include in our days and I figured a few other Norwegians could be into it as well!

I hand lettered the text, drawing the flora by hand as well in a style I thought looked authentically Scandinavian. I have to tell you the truth: I think it's super cute!

If you'd like to have a print in your home please visit my Etsy shop and download your printable right now!

How do you celebrate your heritage?

ce

Recent Work: Carnival Fundraiser Flyer

I recently had the opportunity to create a flyer to help spread the word about a young man with leukemia who needs some help. Some of the folks at Peace Lutheran Church decided to put on a carnival fundraiser to help this young man and his family, and I was happy to be included.

UPDATE: I've added the coordinating raffle ticket too. Such a fun project and a great cause!

It's a real joy for me to use my skills to help others and it's amazing to see folks come together to help folks in our community in need. The ladies planning this are awesome!

We're praying for you, Jaykob!
ce

Snapshots: Studio Photography

I've been enjoying the get to know you process with my schmancy camera. There are lots of tips available on the internet on lighting, backdrops and camera settings that really help newbies take good pics.

[You can decide if those tips are helping me!]

Here are a few pictures from a session I did with W this week. We skipped buying a picture package from the studio she attended in an effort to curb the money monster her dance class was becoming, haha! I already have ideas of things I would try differently and I had hoped to do some outside but it's been raining on and off.

What a face, love it!

ce

Party Planning: Independence Day 2014

Every year my folks throw a 4th of July party at the lake. This year I created a fun rocket and flag centerpiece and a festive e-vite to help get the party started!

What did you do for the 4th?
ce

Party Planning: Rookie of the Year Baseball Theme

I put together a sporty 2nd birthday party for M over the weekend. The baseball themed event featured a ticket invitation, edible peanut centerpieces and a concession style lunch. I even slipped in some star shaped ice cubes and made the ketchup. Too much? Haha! It was a real joy putting it all together for our 'rookie of the year' and while he doesn't quite get what the fuss was all about he had a great time.

What would you add to a baseball themed party?
ce

Personal Project: 35th Wedding Anniversary

My folks celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary this weekend and I'd wanted to make them something special to commemorate the occasion. I had a few ideas of what I could make and set to work sketching and working. Ultimately this idea came together the best. I feel like it works for them because they both enjoy spending time outside at their place on the lake, and I really love the translation of their years together as rings of the tree which become greater in number with time too.

I framed it up for them in a cute frame that looks a little like tree bark, a nice touch, yes?

Congratulations Mom and Dad!!
ce

Party Planning: W Turns 4!

I really enjoy party planning. The food, the decorations, the theme. Picking the theme is probably my favorite part!

Some of the themes we've had? Rainbows. Goodnight Moon. The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Gardens.

For W's 4th birthday we drew inspiration from The Paperbag Princess.

 We had pink and gold tassles.

A paper crown.

Glittery crown cupcake toppers.

 Pink lemonade.

 Macaroons.

Dragons. Duh!

W was the paperbag princess for Halloween last year, that memory became part of the party decor too.

White and gold frames for the wall.

Pink flowers.

Pre-party we took this photo that became a mailed thank you note. You already know how I feel about thank yous.

This year I started the decorations enough in advance that I didn't need to spend the night before and morning of desperately trying to finish. This allowed me to be much more relaxed by the time the party arrived! I'll try to remember that for the next party. :)

Do you enjoy party planning?
ce