PIF- Pay It Forward

So my friend Shyleen posted a really cool idea on her blog the other day. I'm going to pass it along because I thought it'd be fun.

The first 3 people to comment here will get a handmade gift from me. Since all I'm really good at is paper crafting, it'll be something along those lines. After that, it all depends on what I decide to make you. :)

The catch? You gotta comment here first, and then you HAVE to post this back on YOUR blog. Gotta PIF!

(Facebook readers: Sorry guys, you gotta post to my actual blog. Get over there and comment!!)

Miss Maggie the magnificent

Here is the most beautiful baby niece in the entire world. She turned 9 weeks yesterday (if you're counting, she was born on Valentine's Day). Today was her baby blessing. We had a huge freaking party at my in-law's. No joke, it was record breaking... 46 people, many being kids, running around eating, talking, sprinkler jumping, water-gun squirting... and I didn't take a single photo! Guilt is sinking in as I type. If you want to see pictures, go to the blogs linked as "Family Blogs." I'm sure SOMEONE will post cute photos, I'm just here, sharing what I've collected of the doll in the short time she's been here. :)

Ding dong, ding dong

My brother-in-law got married last weekend... here are the better shots I got during the day...

My dad, me & my "little" brother

The happy couple!

All smiley

So in love

Our nieces & nephew

Matthew's Brother-in-law (baby bonnet) & his younger brother

I thought the water pitcher was even pretty!

The cake topper

My & sister-in-law's cake cutting photos (along with other family's) around the cake.

It was kiltamania!

The wonderful food!

Cutting the cake

Say cheese!

First dance

Niece & "cousin" (common aunt/uncle) watching the dancers

Father/daughter dance

Me and my sissy

Throwing the garter

A book is worth a thousand expressions of love

And this sucker was a labor of love! And it was filled with names of people who loved the beautiful couple too!

The hand sewn binding...

Deckled edged pages...

Cover...

Finished product...

Remember me?

Oh lordy lordy! Do I have fun stuff to post! Where do I ever begin? Let's start with my latest work of art.

I created a signature book for my brother-in-law's wedding. (Michael is married for those of you keeping score... no more Schulzes to farm out... this generation anyway... But I know a couple Bukowskis still up for grabs if you're interested. ;) )

Allie asked me to create a book after seeing one I'd made for Trena & Aaron as a wedding gift. Now, a paper-bag mini-album is WAY different than a whole guest book for the reception & open house of a wedding... WAY different. Her idea was that it'd be really cool to take it out and show the kids someday, "Your aunt Meghan made these with her own 2 hands!" Being the scrapping enthusiast that I am, it sounded good at the time. What a journey!

So I checked out Etsy's offerings for ideas... expensive too!

I bought books... thank you T&A and Georgie for the Amazon gift cards... they helped!

I went to the most amazing art store I've been to with my dear friend Jaime... we both fell in love... to get supplies.

And I made a book!

I got lots of nice compliments from family and I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. I've learned a new art technique... and I finally own my own pot of Yes Paste. A major w00t if I've ever had an occasion to. ;) Pictures to follow shortly...