A Very Merry Indie Christmas >> Link Party

I hope you had a wonderful day yesterday! And that today you are in the mood for shopping "INDIE" style.

Casey over at TheWiegands.com is hosting a shop indie link party so hop on over...after you've visited my shop first of course....and check out all the fabulous gift ideas.

Today I'm offering you, my fabulous blog followers, a coupon code to use when shopping in my Etsy shop. Just enter this code ShopIndie11 when checking out to save 20%!







(Copyright Information: This pattern, including text and images, is copyrighted to Heidi Cogdill, Hip Chicks Craft Too. No part of this pattern can be copied, shared, distributed or sold. All rights reserved. No commercial use of this pattern is allowed (which means you cannot sell the finished product).

Hip Chicks Shop Update

I've added "LaLa" and "Dreamer" to my Etsy shop!!

"LaLa"

"Dreamer"

(Copyright Information: This pattern, including text and images, is copyrighted to Heidi Cogdill, Hip Chicks Craft Too. No part of this pattern can be copied, shared, distributed or sold. All rights reserved. No commercial use of this pattern is allowed (which means you cannot sell the finished product).

Hip Chicks Cook Too! Taco Soup

Today in Charleston the sun is shining and the sky is blue and temperature is very cold! The crisp fall like air reminds me of Oregon. So I put on my sweater and we light the fireplace. I love these days when we hunk in. My senses are always hightened on days like this. I love the sound of the dryer and the smell of the fireplace. I love the sun beaming in through the windows and the crisp air whisping in through the cracked window. I have a warm cup a tea next to my keyboard and a pot of Taco Soup simmering on the stove.

I am very blessed!

So I thought I'd share with you my recipe for taco soup. It's super easy and seriously yummy!

Ingredients:

Pound of ground beef or turkey
Package of taco seasoning
1 can of garbonzo beans
1 can of black beans
1 can of pinto beans
2 cans or 1 large can of tomato sauce

Instructions:

1) Brown your meat and then set aside.

2) Pour the tomato sauce in a large pot and mix in the taco seasoning.

3) Open the cans of beans and add to the tomato mixture.

4) Add the browned meat to the pot and stir.

That's it!! Seriously easy right?!

You can also add corn or any other goodies you'd like.

I then turn the burner down to simmer and let all the flavor get all warm and fuzzy together. I usually start this a few hours before dinner so the beans are nice and soft.

You can make corn bread or biscuits to go with...or we sometimes use scoop Freetos. Yum!!

I hope you enjoy this soup on a cool day! I know we will!!

(Copyright Information: This pattern, including text and images, is copyrighted to Heidi Cogdill, Hip Chicks Craft Too. No part of this pattern can be copied, shared, distributed or sold. All rights reserved. No commercial use of this pattern is allowed (which means you cannot sell the finished product).

I Adore This Shop >> InkBerry

Today I'd like to introduce you to a great artist and friend, Ann from InkBerry, in only photographs.

Her shop is full of the greatest seasonal decorations and vintage charms.

Ann partners with other companies on Themed Party Decorations

Halloween Garland (Ann makes the most amazing dress garlands)

Cake toppers

Christmas Garland

Spring Garland

Fairy Dust

Hanging Art

Don't forget to click over to Ann's blog and say HI! Also, if you love her stuff as much as I do...visit her shop or Facebook Page.






(Copyright Information: This pattern, including text and images, is copyrighted to Heidi Cogdill, Hip Chicks Craft Too. No part of this pattern can be copied, shared, distributed or sold. All rights reserved. No commercial use of this pattern is allowed (which means you cannot sell the finished product).

Hip Chicks "Fashion Mirrors" Are Back!!

Inside the Hip Chicks Studio we’ve been super busy creating great new Fashion Mirrors for the gift giving season!


Last winter I introduced a limited edition holiday collection of Fashion Mirrors. I was so thrilled by the response last year that I decided to make them a regular part of Hip Chicks product line starting this month.

"2010 Fashion Mirrors"

I’ve been working on new sketches and so far the mirrors are turning out just as I envisioned. I have to say that this years mirrors are some of my favorite {wink, wink}…and I just know you’ll love them too. Each mirror is one of kind, as I add special charms, papers and attachments making each one an individual.

This year I've decided to go with themes...like Paris, cheerleading, tennis, beach, surfing, and so many more! Just wait to you see them all!! In the meantime….here is a sneak peak at one of the new designs.

I will be putting them on my Etsy shop every few days.

I'm also taking special orders this year, for those who want a mirror tailored to a specific someone. Also this year we’re offering personalization…adding names to the front of the mirrors.

Make sure to get yours early as they will sell fast and we will stop shipping after the first week of December. So if you have your eye on one please make sure to order quick.






(Copyright Information: This pattern, including text and images, is copyrighted to Heidi Cogdill, Hip Chicks Craft Too. No part of this pattern can be copied, shared, distributed or sold. All rights reserved. No commercial use of this pattern is allowed (which means you cannot sell the finished product).

Creating A Baseball Themed Room

My son has a passion for two things...Sock Monkeys and Baseball.

He has a large collection of Sock Monkeys (but that is for another post)...and he's recently started playing baseball. When it came time to buy new bedding...he was torn on which direction to go.

We ended up finding a baseball/sport themed bedding set at Target, which he loved, so we decided to use baseball as the predominent theme. On one wall he wanted to hang his baseball posters (which he and his sister and drawn one late night) and the other he wanted to hang a shelf where he could display his Sock Monkeys.

We both loved the way it turned out.



(Copyright Information: This pattern, including text and images, is copyrighted to Heidi Cogdill, Hip Chicks Craft Too. No part of this pattern can be copied, shared, distributed or sold. All rights reserved. No commercial use of this pattern is allowed (which means you cannot sell the finished product).

Fall Yarn Wreath Tutorial

I've seen these yarn wreaths on various blogs and even in a magazine recently...unfortunately I can't remember where they were. I made this wreath in September after I found this gorgeous fall colored yarn. I've had it hanging on my front door since...I love seeing it everytime I come home.

What you'll need:

• Yarn
• Wreath (you can get all different types and sizes at any craft store...I got mine at Michael's)
• Hot glue gun
• Silk flowers, plastic berries, etc (anything you'd like to add to the wreath)

Step 1~ Wrap the yarn tightly and very close together. This is something you can do while watching TV or talking with your hubby or kiddos. It's time consuming and if you let go the yarn can loosen. Best to do it in one sitting.

Step 2~ Once you've covered entire wreath...cut yarn so the end stops at the "back" of the wreath. Apply a generous drop of glue and press the end of the yarn into place.

Step 3~ Glue on your decorations. I chose to keep it super simple and add only a silk flower and leaves. But you are only limited by your imagination on this one...go for it and have fun!

(Copyright Information: This pattern, including text and images, is copyrighted to Heidi Cogdill, Hip Chicks Craft Too. No part of this pattern can be copied, shared, distributed or sold. All rights reserved. No commercial use of this pattern is allowed (which means you cannot sell the finished product).

Favorite DIY Post - Gussy Inspiration Workshop

Hi Y'all~

I'm sharing my favorite DIY post from Hip Chicks over at Gussy Sews Inspiration Workshop. Jump on over and see all the super DIY projects.

100 Things I Love

{Stacked rocks found while at Cannon Beach, OR}

Life has been all the way around difficult for so many recently. The anniversary of 9/11 is coming this weekend and we're all forced to remember where we were when. It's a memory that is forever embedded in my mind and probably yours. It makes us hold our loved ones close and pray the evil of this world will go away. The weather around the U.S. has left a lot to be desired. Hurricanes, earthquakes, wild fires...sheeesh!!! Scary!!

After so much I thought I'd take things to a lighter note and let y'all get to know a little more about moi. I found a list in my journal from years ago entitled "100 Things I Love"...I cried (shocker!!) while reading it. I thought the 100 things fit nicely with my 100 things theme this year so I thought I'd share.

Have you ever written a list of the things you love? No?? You should!!

It's seriously the coolest thing to come across years later. It's like a peek into your own soul. If you have written one or want to...I'd love to hear from you so you can share with the group. Come on...be a good sharer :)

100 Things I Love

1. The feel of a baby nestled in my arms

2. The sun...how the light makes everything brighter

3. The sound of the ocean

4. Pedicures

5. Massages

6. Tanning (yes, I know it's bad for me...)

7. Raspberries (could eat nothing but all day...every day)

8. Warm, soft bagels

9. Fresh donuts

10. The smell of movie popcorn

11. Drive-in movies

12. Swimming

13. Naps

14. Reading

15. Snuggling with my kiddos

16. Lazy weekends

17. A first kiss

18. Hugs

19. True Friendship

20. Good books

21. Tearjerker movie

22. Eating with chopsticks

23. The silence that comes after a heavy snow storm

24. Turning the radio really loud in the car

25. Dancing around the house with the kids

26. Bike riding on the beach

27. A good sweaty workout

28. When the house is quiet and I have time to write

29. A fire in the fireplace

30. Watching the snow fall

31. Listing to the rain

32. Big family gatherings

33. Beautiful art / photography

34. The sounds of kids laughter

35. The words "I love you"

36. Freshly washed sheets

37. New socks

38. The way it feels to put pen to paper

39. The smell of magazines

40. A warm, steamy shower

41. Freshly washed clothes

42. Chocolate!

43. Cold soda (with lots of ice)

44. The smell of coffee (only the smell...never drink the stuff...ever...I know weird right?)

45. New car smell

46. My husband right after a shower

47. The sound of my father playing guitar

48. Libraries

49. Bookstores, especially used bookstores.

50. Hugs from Ethan first thing in the morning

51. A good hamburger

52. Ballpark hot dogs (at an actual ballpark)

53. Really funny movies

54. Letters

55. Candles - the smell and light

56. Shoes!! Seriously who doesn't??!

57. Jewelry...silver and funky!

58. Painted nails...especially toes

59. A good chiropractic adjustment

60. A well fitted bra

61. Getting up before dawn to write while the house is quiet

62. The smell of cut grass

63. Sound of Dustin's voice

64. Baby animals

65. Hyacinthus (favorite flower)

66. Weeping willow trees

67. Waterfalls

68. Fog, the way it silences the world

69. Thunderstorms (not so much anymore...thunderstorms in SC are serious business)

70. Museums

71. Baked cookies

72. Champagne

73. The Dictionary

74. The sound of the ice cream truck approaching

75. Antique stores

76. Holding hands

77. Wiring conferences

78. Balloons

79. Walks on the beach!!

80. Baking / Cooking (wearing a pretty apron)

81. Helping others

82. Weddings

83. Learning

84. Documentaries...these are the best

85. Flying first class (only done this once...best flight EVER)

86. Tropical islands

87. New journals

88. The feel of a paint brush in my hand

89. Family photo albums

90. Touristy shops, trinkets

91. Old keys

92. Mountain cabins, nestled in snow

93. Deserted islands

94. History books, tours...anything history

95. Beach cottages with hardwood floors...and sand in the grooves (One day I'll live here!)

96. Eating breakfast at a restaurant

97. The sound of crickets

98. Sleeping under the stars

99. Fire flies

100. Campfires




(Copyright Information: This pattern, including text and images, is copyrighted to Heidi Cogdill, Hip Chicks Craft Too. No part of this pattern can be copied, shared, distributed or sold. All rights reserved. No commercial use of this pattern is allowed (which means you cannot sell the finished product).

Don't Reject Yourself For Not Being There Yet

Your path truly begins whereever you're at. Turning 35 was harder then I thought it would be. I remember being a child and looking at my mother who was in her thirties and thinking "she's an adult...she must have her stuff figured out". Now I'm that mother in her mid-thirties and I realize my mother still doesn't have her stuff figured out :) I've had many goals over the years. Goals about family and career. And sadly I'm not where I thought I'd be at 35. Waking up on Saturday and coming face to face with the reality of that was a bit overwhelming. For the first time I wanted to rewind the clock. The do things differently. To appreciate myself and the time I had when I was in my twenties.

But then I read an article by Tama J. Kieves...who I have to say is my guardian angel. I'll get an email newsletter from her and it's as if she's reached deep into my soul and found the words I was struggling to form. In this post she said "Don't reject yourself for "not being there yet," wherever that great "there" is for you. You are on the path. The path begins whereever you are, when you emrace life with honesty, patience and compassion."

No truer words have been spoken.

Becareful of self-doubt. There are enough people in the world waiting for us to fail...don't fall into the trap and believe them. Believe in yourself...even if only a little bit. Start with that nugget and nurture it...protect it! Feed it! It only needs the smallest morsel of food to grow.

Everyday we wake up and are bombarded by the stresses of life. Our responsibilties to family and job can get in the way of true creative freedom if we let it. Be your own hero...block out a small chunk of time to feed and nurture your passions. And remember that whereever you are now is where you are meant to be. Life may not turn out the way we hope or plan, but if you stop and look at where you are and appreciate all that you do have, you'll see that goals are only a point in the distance we aim for...

This year I created a list of 100 things I'd like to accomplish in 2011. I wanted my goals to be more reachable. "Be published by 30" was a goal I had in my twenties...but this was huge! How does one accomplish a goal like that? By 29 years old I was in a panic.... How would I get published in a year if I hadn't started the process yet. I was tired of making these long term goals without having smaller, more reachable goals to help me get there. So I created a list and I've spent the last 8 months slowly checking them off. I've blogged about it on Holistic Momma, but I'm going to share my list with you here as well.

1.write 3 pages every day 2. join a homeschool group 3. join a critique group 4. move to SC and live by the ocean 5. sell crafts on etsy 6. paint 10 mixed media paintings 7. take a pilates/yoga class 8. run a marathon with Dustin 9. write everyday 10. workout 30 minutes 4 x's / week 11. stop eating sugar & drinking soda 12. finish book edits and query letter 13. submit essays to magazines 14. write endometriosis experience and submit to magazine 15. get eyes checked and purchase new glasses/contacts 16. create school transcripts for kids 17.order photo prints for 2007-current 18. take an art class 19. apply for writing grant 20. (too personal to share) 21.clean garage 22. have yard sale 23. save $ (personal) by end of year 24. make $(personal) each month 25. keep current on payroll taxes and reports 26. dissolve corp 27. save $(personal) to move to SC 29. make a new friend 30.take writing class 31. blog at least once per week 32. create or join endo support group 33. Prolo on thumb 34. wean myself off hormones 35. take more photos 36. buy a new camera (a SLR) 37. write a 1,5, & 10 year writing business plan 38. work with ethan on reading...have him able to read a full book on his own by Sept. 39. write thank you notes to family for help 40. research family history...pick a line and find out their story 41. research on how to become a geneologist 42. "Throwdown" cook off with hubby 43. feel confident in a bathing suit 44. finish pilates & cycling certification 45. see Ma before moving to SC 46. write Ma a letter or call once every month 47. rebuild credit score 48. take kids to Oregon historical sites (Lewis & Clark fort, etc) before moving 49. write homeschool article 50.order new debit card 51. read Kate Furnivall books 52. finish Paulina Simmons book 53.buy a purse I LOVE 54.create an art journal 55. buy Aly gold chain for locket 56. get teeth whitened 57. say goodbye to unhealthy relationships 58. walk with friend 1 hour / week 59. learn to play a song on the guitar 60. visit Dixie in Idaho 61. ride bikes on the beach 62. spend the weekend alone with Dustin 63. throw a girls night out weekend 64. no TV for one month 65. attend blog conference 66. attend writing conference 67. pitch novel to agent/editor 68. declutter filing boxes 69. teach a class 70. find new accountant 71. file tax extension 72. take a ballroom dance class with Dustin 73. spend my 35th birthday on the beach in SC 74. take a cooking class 75. write "fan" letters to writers whose books touched my heart and life 76. meditate for 10 min every day 77. get to bed earlier so I can get my day started earlier 78.help Ethan sleep better in his bed...commit to a bedtime routine 79. find classes/activities for kids to participate in 80. write an endo support book 81. take each kid on a special date, full of activities they would enjoy alone. 82. tell my family I love them everyday 83.give hubby at least one passionate kiss every day 84. declutter my house 85. rewrite our will 86. create a SC change jar fund. 87. buy a large 1,000 piece puzzle to do with the kids 88. perform 2 random acts of kindness 89. buy a new book light 90. help Aly find a place to volunteer 91. reconnect with my spirituality 92. create a connection spirtually between our family 93. make a cake from scratch 94. grow my hair long 95. create a list of all special events and write cards for each 96. read "the screenwriters bible" 97. make piece with the fact I'll never have another baby 98. (too personal to share) 99. sell atleast one of my paintings 100. acknowledge the positives of each day instead of the negatives.

 
You should try it!! Make a list of 5 or 10 things you want to accomplish or do in a month. Small goals are building blocks to larger goals. You can't take a flight of stairs in one step!
 
 
 

(Copyright Information: This pattern, including text and images, is copyrighted to Heidi Cogdill, Hip Chicks Craft Too. No part of this pattern can be copied, shared, distributed or sold. All rights reserved. No commercial use of this pattern is allowed (which means you cannot sell the finished product).