September 13th 2008:
Me, Rachael & Tricia nursing our kiddos (Cora, Jonas & Weston) at Wahoo’s after church.

This year:
Cora with Tricia, Weston, Jonas Rachael (in the background) after church getting ready to head on out to Wahoo’s!

Ever since the debut of my mantel when I professed my love of coffee and then again when my mantel wished everybody a Happy 4th of July I have had requests for a tutorial for the wall collage.
First a bit of background: I wanted something big and bold for over the mantel but I didn’t want to spend a lot of money on a huge piece of art with no meaning. I was inspired by the dining room of favorite blog (Nie Nie Dialogues). They filled their whole wall with pictures and I decided to modify it into an an art piece.
Now you make one!!
You’ll need: Pictures, digital camera, wall putty.
1. Pick your favorite family pictures. Keep the pictures simple and try to get some close up.
2. Enlarge your VERY favorite ones to 8×10 (I did 12), and some to 5×7 (I did 17) & keep some 4×6 (I did 12). Change the pix to sepia.

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Don’t forget to take a break for some silliness! I was wearing the flower petals the whole time.DONE!What’s on my mantel? (you ask)

The winner is:

#42 Lacey from Keeping My Fingers Crossed

Her comment was: “What cute shirts. My favorites are Lifetime Member and blogger.”

If YOU didn’t win you can still get a tee here. The prices are awesome and, lets be honest folks, you know you laughed out loud when you saw this one…

…and this one…

…and this one!!

How are the winners chosen?

First, I go through all the entries and make sure everything is legit. (yes folks, every single entry!!)

Second, I put every valid entry in the order it was received.

Third, I click on over to Random.org and type in the final numbers.

Fourth, I hold my breath because I get so nervous… even though it doesn’t matter.

Last, I get super excited to see the winner!

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Don’t forget to enter our other Birthday Bash Giveaways…

…2 adorable onsies: a pink one that says ‘Blessed’ a blue one that says ‘I’m the answer to prayer’ size 3-6 months. Here! Ends 9/16

… $50 to Pampered Chef here. Yes! $50!!!! Ends 9/15

… a photo session with Monkey Moon Photography here. (Southern California folks or people willing to come to OC for the shoot only please) Ends 9/19

See the full list of giveaways coming the next 2 months here!

I want my boy to be the best,
I want him to be great;
I want him in Life’s distant West,
Prepared for any fate.
I want him to be simple too,
Though clever, ne’er to brag,
But, Oh! I want him, through and through,
To love his country’s flag.
~Edgar Guest

Yes folks you read that correctly a FREE photo session with the talented (and extremely sweet) Gina from Monkey Moon Photography!
She is offering photo session AND up to 10 high-res images free to print as you choose!
Oh how I wish I could win this one!!
*****MUST be a Southern California Resident or willing to travel to Orange County, CA for the shoot!!!*****
Here is how you can win…
Main entry (mandatory): Leave a comment here with why you want photos taken.
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In addition to the main entry you can get loads of extra entries if you…
~Follow Gina on twitter HERE! Leave your Twitter ID in the comment or let me know you already do (3 entries)
~Subscribe to Monkey Moon Photography’s RSS Feed. Click ‘subscribe’ on the top right of her menu bar. (3 entries)
~Tweet about the giveaway, can be done daily. Copy and paste this for the tweet: “So Cal residents!! Enter to win a free photo session from @ElisLids w/ Monkey Moon Photography here http://bit.ly/3NPuPh Pls RT!” If you don’t have twitter you can FB for this one. (3 entries per day)
~Add the “Eli’s Lids Giveaway” button in our sidebar to your blog or let me know you already did (2 entries per blog)
~Subscribe to the Eli’s Lids RSS Feed or let me know you already do (2 entries)
~Follow Eli’s Lids on Twitter, leave your Twitter ID in the comment or let me know you already do (1 entry)
For every extra entry, be sure to leave a separate comment on this post! i.e. If you add our giveaway button to your blog leave 2 separate comments.
***Giveaway open one week! Ends Friday September 18th 9:00pm PST***
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If you read Eli’s Lids you have already met Gina (click here to read her last feature) and you know how fabulous she is. If you are new to our blog then read on and fall in love!!
Tell us a bit about your family.
I am originally from South Carolina and met and married my English sweetheart, Rob, 9 years ago. We have been richly blessed with three kiddos and my photography started with the birth of my first. My husband encouraged me to begin photographing clients professionally and we’ve recently made the decision for me to concentrate on engaged couples and weddings (although I can’t resist taking pictures of my sweet friends and their families and will probably always make time for them!)
Your favorite shoot to date?
That was probably my engagement shoot of Alejandra and Benny. They were up for anything and I got some interesting shots of them on railroad tracks and a tractor. The shoot was part of a shootout so I also got to meet some amazing photographers.
For those of us who want to bump up our own photography skills, any tips?
The best advice I can give someone who wants to bump up their own skills would be, as simple as it may seem, take as many photos as possible in manual mode. The single most important thing you can do is to learn through experience. Take your camera with you everywhere. Don’t be afraid to pull it out. Don’t worry that others might think you take too many. If you want to be truly great I would give the same advice a great photographer once gave me. It is this one instruction: Take 100,000 photos in manual mode. By the time you get to 100,000 photos you will be an absolute pro. If I could give any more advice it would be to develop your own style. You are uniquely you and that will come out in your photography. If you copy someone else it won’t be genuine and the world wants to see beautiful you! Lastly, hang out with other photographers. There is a relatively new movement in the photography industry that involves photographers helping each other out. I’ve been amazed at the generosity and friendliness of this industry and if I wasn’t a photographer, after meeting these people, I’d want to be one just so I could hang around them. So get out there and meet folks. Facebook. Twitter. Blog.

What is the best lighting?
For me, it’s gotta be natural, baby. I resist using my flash if at ALL possible. Give me natural sunlight in the form of evening haze and I swoon.
Flash or no flash?
Opps, I think I answered that in 4.
Any photography sites that might help us learn?
I get 99.8 percent of my inspiration from other photographers. To name a few: Mike Colon, Parker J. Pfister, Anna Kuperberg, David Jay. Right now Richard and Amy McDowell of Red Leaf Studios in Canada are my heroes. I adore the photography in Anthropologie magazine and I rent old movies because the cinematography gives me a huge inspirational boost.

We like brownies.

I have this handy spatula we call the “Brownie Spatula.” My Grandmom got it for me from Pampered Chef with the promise we would use it for everything.

We have a winner!!
#118 Melissa Antocicco

How are the winners chosen?
Well…
First, I go through all the entries and make sure everything is legit.
Second, I put every valid entry in the order it was received.
Third, I click on over to www.Random.org and type in my numbers.
Fourth, I hold my breath because I get so nervous… even though it doesn’t matter.
Last, I get super excited to see the winner!

Melissa chose the Green Rock n’ Roll Lid for her little guy to go along with the shuffle!
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Don’t forget to enter our other Birthday Bash Giveaways…
…a vintage inspired cartoon tee shirt here! Ends 9/10
…2 adorable onsies: a pink one that says ‘Blessed’ a blue one that says ‘I’m the answer to prayer’ size 3-6 months. Here! Ends 9/13
… $50 to Pampered Chef here. Yes! $50!!!! Ends 9/15
See the full list of giveaways coming the next 2 months here! (15+)

Who loves to cook?

Not me.

Who loves to have handy gadgets and adorable accessories in their kitchen?

Me Me Me Me Me Me!!!

Michelle over at Single Mom Sanctuary is hosting today’s Birthday Bash Giveaway of $50 toward Pampered Chef!!

$50!?!?!

Yep you read that correctly $50!!!!!

I met Michelle at the OC Blogger’s Ball and we had an awesome chat! She is so easy to talk to, super upbeat and has LOADS of energy (with all she has on her plate I have no clue how).

Here’s how you win…

Main entry (mandatory): Go to Single Mom Sanctuary and leave a comment on her top post titled “Giveaway from Eli’s Lids!”

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In addition to the main entry you can get loads of extra entries if you…

~Follow Michelle on Twitter here. (2 entries)

~Follow the Single Mon Sanctuary blog. Scroll to the very bottom of SMS to follow. (2 entries)

~Subscribe to Single Mom’s Sanctuary’s RSS Feed. Scroll to the very bottom of SMS to subscribe. (2 entries)

~Add the “Eli’s Lids Giveaway” button in our sidebar to your blog or let me know you already did (2 entries per blog)

~Subscribe to the Eli’s Lids RSS Feed or let me know you already do (2 entries)

~Follow Eli’s Lids on Twitter, leave your Twitter ID in the comment or let me know you already do (1 entry)

~Tweet about the giveaway, can be done daily (1 entry per day)

For every extra entry, be sure to leave a separate comment on this post!***Giveaway open one week! Ends Tuesday September 15th 9:00pm PST***

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Meet Michelle as she shares the triumphs and joys of being a single mom!

Tell us a bit about your family…
I live with my 5-year-old daughter, my mom and dad. My sister and her husband live in OrangeCounty too and they come over for dinner or go to Disneyland with us many times a month. My dad’s parents also live in OrangeCounty and we all attend the same church; 4 generations in one pew! My daughter starts Kindergarten this year – she’s very excited. She takes dance lessons at the studio I used when I was younger, and she is also enrolled in swim classes. Both my daughter and I have Annual Passports to Disneyland and enjoy hanging out there a few times a month. Sometimes it’s just the two of us, and sometimes it’s a big group of family and friends from church! She’s always looking for a new victim friend to take on Tower of Terror with her. My parents go camping at local state beaches once a month, and my daughter and I love to go with them. We don’t “rough it” in tents, but we do relax in their trailer for the weekend, enjoying the sand and playing card games. I love my family, and I owe a lot to my parents for allowing my daughter and I to live with them after my divorce.
What will readers find at your blog?
My blog is about the difficulties and joys of being a parent, usually more focused on the “single” side of parenting. I know that I have it easier than other single parents, given that I live in my parents’ house until I can afford my own place, but I know a lot of other parents and potential parents who have told me they enjoy knowing that they’re not alone in the struggle to raise good kids without driving themselves crazy, no matter their relationship status. Some of my posts are about dating (or lack thereof), a LOT of posts are about how I raise my daughter, and other posts I admit are gripes about dealing with custody issues.
What is the most challenging thing about being a Working Mom?
For me, the most challenging issue I try to deal with is managing “me” time. I take my daughter to school in the morning, work for 8 hours, and then try to find time to play with my daughter, get her fed, cleaned, and ready for the next day. I’ve yet to find a good time to exercise that doesn’t conflict with my one-on-one time with my daughter (I’m so not a morning person, so 6:00 am workouts are OUT). I’ve recently started dating a wonderful man, but now that my mom is my daughter’s after-school caregiver, I don’t feel comfortable asking Mom to be responsible for my little one the rest of the evening while I go out and see a movie with my date. My guy and I actually share a Google calendar so we can effectively plan our time together.
3 stay sane tips for Work Outside of the Home Moms… besides reading your blog, of course?
1. Don’t feel guilty about needing “you” time. It’s like the old saying, “If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.” Get a good network of friends; people you can call to watch your kids when you just need OUT of the house for a couple of hours, or who can come over and have a glass of wine with you when the kids are in bed. You absolutely need someone you can gripe to so that your head doesn’t explode. Don’t get me wrong, I love being a parent, and I love my daughter, but sometimes I have to take care of the person that is me.
2. Some people try to keep their work and personal life separate, but I think there has to be a compromise. Be upfront with your supervisor about your role in your child’s life. Let him/her know that you value the company’s time (and theirs) and so you want to feel comfortable talking to them when you need a day off for your child’s dance recital/soccer championship/flu symptoms. Don’t throw it in their face that you have a life outside of work, but if they are aware that you have other obligations as well it can help your relationship with your boss.
3. Give yourself a break. Parenting is hard work, whether you are a stay-at-home parent or you work outside of the home. I’ve done both, and they each have their ups and downs. Try to focus on the fun times with your kids (and spouse if you’re married), let little setbacks slide off your back (like Jr. needing to sleep with a blanket again), and just enjoy parenthood. It’s very easy to slip into a resentful attitude when things don’t seem to go the way you planned. Take a deep breath, or send the kids outside with bubbles so you can relax if just for 5 minutes. If your kids are alive and thriving, you’re doing a great job, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

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Don’t forget to enter our other Birthday Bash Giveaways……

…a Rock n’ Roll Lid and an iPod shuffle here! Ends TODAY 9:00pm PST

…a vintage inspired cartoon tee shirt here! Ends 9/10

…2 adorable onsies: a pink one that says ‘Blessed’ a blue one that says ‘I’m the answer to prayer’ size 3-6 months. Here! Ends 9/13

See the full list of giveaways coming the next 2 months here! (15+)

I have a friend.
Here name is Ester.
She is REALLY funny…
and creative!
She has whole line of clothing called Sewing the Seed (remember last year’s awesome Christmas shirts?!?!)
What is so awesome about Sewing the Seed? (you ask)
Well, let me tell you…
First you pick out the type of tee you want (kids/adults, long/short sleeved & color)
Then you pick your favorite design (60 to choose from!).
Then you get your new favorite shirt in the mail!
Prices are so good you should probably get 2 or 3!!
Ester is hosting today’s giveaway. These 2 onsies ———–>>>
Aren’t they adorable!!! The pink one says ‘Blessed’ in an elegant scroll. The blue one says ‘I’m the answer to Prayer.’ They are both size 3-6 months. Perfect for the new baby (boy or girl!) in your world or as a shower gift!
I heart you Ester.
I adore your designs.
I can’t wait for this year’s Christmas tee.
Here’s how you win…
Main entry (mandatory): Visit Sewing the Seed and leave a comment on this post with your favorite custom design & your email address. There are 60 options.
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In addition to the main entry you can get loads of extra entries if you…
~Add the “Eli’s Lids Giveaway” button in our sidebar to your blog (2 entries per blog)
~Become our Fan on Facebook here. (2 entries)
~Subscribe to the Eli’s Lids RSS Feed or let me know you already do (2 entries)
~Follow the Eli’s Lids blog or let me know you already do (1 entries)
~Follow Eli’s Lids on Twitter, leave your Twitter ID in the comment or let me know you already do (1 entry)
~Tweet about the giveaway, can be done daily (1 entry per day)
For every extra entry, be sure to leave a separate comment on this post! i.e. If you add our giveaway button to your blog leave 2 separate comments.
***Giveaway open one week! Ends Wednesday September 16th 9pm PST***

Tell us a bit about your family…

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Don’t forget to enter our other giveaways…
…a Rock n’ Roll Lid and an iPod shuffle here! Ends 9/8
…a vintage inspired cartoon tee shirt here! Ends 9/10
See the full list of giveaways coming this month here!

UPDATE!!
*******There was a broken link in this post so I’m going to leave it open till 9/16*******