Smile And Wave

The Weekender

We had a low key, stay-at-home weekend with Brett working and catching up on housework. I was feeling the winter blues and riding the hormone train that comes right before my cycle each month. There was a thrift store trip involved at the end that made up for it.

We did get to enjoy the company of our neighbor friends' kids so they could go out on a date. We traded nights and I think we've all decided we need to start doing it once a month. It's a guaranteed date night, we don't have to pay a sitter, our kids get to play together at each other's houses, and everyone likes pizza for dinner! Trading nights with another couple has been something I've wanted to do for a long time so I'm thankful for our friends being up for it! Have you ever swapped date nights/playdates with anyone? 

There's still snow on the ground and it's going to be hovering in the 30's all week but the sun is out today and the streets are clear so I'm feeling more cheerful already. Oh, and I also got some fun news that I was selected again this year for Babble's Top 50 Mom Craft Blogs! I think I share Alison's sentiments over feeling a little broad with my topics on this blog since I tend to post about diy's, family time, outfit posts, and home decor but those are all things I love and I'm just not sure I'd feel as motivated to narrow it down to one or two.

I do love that I'm not alone in feeling this way. I'm also really thankful to have been chosen along with some of my dear friends and so many creative women I've long admired!

And with that I leave you for a trip to the hardware store. Always running out of nails.

-Rachel

 

This Makes Me Homesick: Southern Living Magazine Feature

I've been trying to get my hands on a copy of this magazine all month but none of our local bookstores, big or small, carry it so I was so glad when Elsie shared it recently on A Beautiful Mess. 

We all got to share our favorite spots in Springfield, MO so seeing it again was a big fat reminder of how much I miss these girls and our time spent there! So many good memories, ladies. We did miss our Holly and wished she could've been at the shoot to share in the fun but, alas, she lives far away. That makes two of us now but that's the beautiful thing about the internet - we can still keep up with each other's lives one way or another.

-Rachel

*images c/o Elsie

 

EEK!

A few exciting things to share over here! First, Elsie and I were contacted by BUST magazine a few weeks ago to publish the Paint Chip Art that I designed for A Beautiful Mess and I finally got to see their version of it in print on Monday! They recreated the art using my instructions with an expanded tutorial printed on the following page. Other than being a great issue, there are a handful of other bloggers sharing recipes, photography advice, etc. that I know you'd enjoy. You can pick up a copy at Barnes & Noble.

The second exciting news is that Smile and Wave was named as one of Babble's Top 50 Mom Craft Blogs! I am really honored to be among so many of my favorite blog reads such as Under the Sycamore, Dana Made It, Poppytalk, Prudent Baby, etc. Head over for the full list if you need some great DIY inspiration. 

Thanks for all of your support through your readership! It means so much.

-Rachel

Modern Ink Mag Feature

The lovely ladies over at Modern Ink Magazine have put out yet another beautiful collection of images and articles meant to inspire! I was honored to be asked to share my top ten must haves with you in their Feb/March issue.

Head on over to see what I've had my eye on lately and then enjoy getting lost in the rest of the eye candy!

Thanks for including me, ladies! 

-Rachel

Sources: 1,2,3

 

Hand-Printed Tea Towel DIY

I've shared a simple tutorial for salvaging stained vintage tablecloths over on A Beautiful Mess this week. If you haven't given hand-stamping a try, you'd better get over there.

Also, I was happy to be invited to share some of our favorite children's books on OhDeedoh last week! I shared a story about a special author I met as a third grader and how she influenced one of my favorite hobbies as an adult. Thanks so much, to OhDeedoh, for the chance to share! There are a host of lovely mothers sharing their favorite authors and illustrators. It's a great chance to pick up some new favorite blog reads so be sure to check them all out.

In unrelated news I've shut down THE STASH, my vintage sheet shop, until the Spring. In the meantime, I'll be continuing to collect the prettiest vintage sheets I can find and make sure they're ready to head to happy homes in 2012. Thank you to everyone who purchased something! I love knowing there are so many others that get the same thrill from vintage sheets as I do.

I've got another e-course in the works! It's close to being ready to share but I'm going to sit on it just a bit longer. I'll share the launch date and title as soon as I'm able.

Thanks for all of the fantastic feedback on Amy's House Tour this week! We're all so glad you enjoyed it and can't wait to share another one soon.

xo,

Rachel

 

 

 

> Feeling the Love In March

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I was really flattered to be featured as blog of the month in March's issue of SEW magazine. Each issue this month comes with a free Simplicity pattern for a fun cocktail dress and the magazine is full of fun tutorials and resources. This magazine has a really young, fresh vibe to it with beautiful photography and modern projects. I recommend picking one up next time you happen to be at a major bookstore.

Danielle of Sometimes Sweet has been running a blog feature called Mama Said that shares experience and advice from her mama friends. I've enjoyed reading every one of them and was happy to be included in Volume 5 of Mama Said! I love knowing that we're all moving through motherhood with our own challenges but we still share so many of the same. High five to all the mamas (and mamas to be) out there!

My neighbor, Rachel, texted me yesterday to ask if I'd seen the nursery from her home tour on my blog on OhDeedoh yet. I hadn't! Thanks, OhDeedoh, for the shout out from both of the Rachels!

Just this morning Tara Gentile of Scoutie Girl posted parts of an interview she did with Amanda Oaks of Kind Over Matter and myself on creating with kids. All work-at-home or working moms know it's a challenge to balance family life with work but I truly love getting to be at home with my kids while contributing to our budget. Head over here to see the full article.

There's been talk of salt water sandals and spring weather on Twitter this afternoon! Do you have Spring Fever yet?

xoxo,
Rachel

> Welcome to February!

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I've got TWO new DIY's over at Danielle Thompson's blog this week that you'll want to bookmark if you like to use fabric backdrops in your photos. Go see what I made out of these rods and hooks and then find yourself some felt and a staple gun! Danielle has been hosting some fantastically creative people lately with freebies and all kinds of eye candy so take a look and scroll down a bit.

My arrow garland made it onto OhDeedoh in a Valentine roundup last week! There are a host of fantastic Valentine themed projects floating around the interwebs but here are a few of my favorite!

20 Handmade Valentines in 20 Days


Mer Mag's Handmade Valentines which I saw via Aesthetic Outburst.

Martha always has something for us.

It was also fun to see the quilt I made for Modern Patchwork in one of Ashley's posts as a backdrop for photos (second photo down). I told Ashley that as soon as I started working on that project I knew it was meant to be hers when it was done. I was more than happy to pass along a quilt knowing it would be well-loved and well-used!

Have you ever had that experience with something you intended to make? Someday, when the kids are grown and I have a little more time on my hands, I plan on making a quilt for each of the special people in my life. Yes, this is the plan.

I've added the Modern Patchwork button to the sidebar for easy access to the post with all of the information on it. It's been great to hear back from excited customers and I can't wait to see some finished projects! You can purchase Modern Patchwork here through PayPal or here through the RVA website if you'd like to pay with a card.

We've got quite the snow day on our hands so I plan on baking lots of biscuits, making sure our laundry is caught up, and possibly thinking about shoveling the sidewalk just for the thrill of it. Being a California girl, I've never shoveled a sidewalk before. Yes, I like to live on the wild side.

The kids are having dance party #1 of the day to burn off some energy and I'm enjoying my second cup of coffee. What are you doing on this glorious first day of February?

xoxo,
Rachel

> A Little Bit of Happy News!

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When I was invited to contribute to this quarter's issue of Artful Blogging a few months ago I had to read the e-mail twice to make sure I wasn't making it up in my head! I've kind of had a secret wish to make it onto the pages of Artful Blogging since they first started showcasing some of my favorite blogs in 2007 and to make things even sweeter, Ruby's little mug made the cover!

I got a little more serious than I usually get in this space as I reflected back on what blogging meant to me. It's been quite the wild ride these last three plus years and blogging has played a major role in the way my family's story has been shared and how it has developed.

It's been a place of inspiration and a way to share my favorite ideas. It's challenged my creativity, introduced me to some fantastic women, and taught me how to crochet a granny square (among other things)!

It's afforded me the built-in community I've needed during these sometimes lonely years at home with little ones and shown me how to be a better mom. It's affirmed and encouraged me in times of self-doubt when one or both kids were causing me to question our parenting methods and allowed me to feel okay about things when I realized I wasn't the only mama who occasionally used bribery to get her son in the bath.

Blogging has not only documented our lives these last few years, it's allowed me to be at home with my children while contributing to my family's financial needs. Like so many other bloggers, it's been a platform for sharing new product, introducing online classes and e-courses, and featuring sponsors that have chosen to advertise with Smile and Wave. It's the best kind of job!

It was a pleasure to have the opportunity to reflect and share how much blogging has meant to me these last few years but mostly I'd love to thank you, my fantastically supportive and loyal readers. Your comments, shared stories, and general presence have meant the world to me and made this place pretty special. It wouldn't be the same without you!

xoxo,
Rachel

ADDED: I have had a number of people ask where to purchase this issue and I'm not 100% but I think all major bookstores carry it (Barnes & Noble, etc.) Can anyone who has seen it there confirm this? You can also subscribe on their website. See links above. Thank you for all of the sweet words! It means a lot!