Ambrosia Designs

Monogram Paintings

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +0000

A few weeks ago (well, over a month ago, now!) I made this matching monogram wall hangings/door signs for two friends of my from high school who were having a double wedding Christmas themed shower. I saw these cute door signs in a local boutique store but they were TOO MUCH money, so I decided to adapt the idea and make my own.

I bought oval canvases and wooden initials from Hobby Lobby, gathered some Martha Stewart all-purpose paint, foam brushes and circle cut-outs (made with my Cricut) and went to town.

First, I roughly used the circles to get a general circle outline, then freehanded the large polka dots. For the smaller polkas, I used a lip balm cap (seriously!) and a pencil eraser (which, btw, if you wash right away, the paint comes completely off each item).

Then I painted the outer edges red.

I painted the initials red, then added a coat of glitter (which was so cute in real life, but hard to photograph!)

Then I added cute ribbons (red polka dot ribbon for the edge of the canvas & green striped for the hanging part) and made bows out of glittery tulle rolls (also from Hobby Lobby).

Voila! This project cost me about $10 apiece + time. And they seemed to really like them.

Taking Up Painting

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

I've been on a variety craft kick lately...painting on canvases, making door signs and onesie making....and surprisingly, I even have a stack of scrapbook pages & projects to photograph but never any daylight to do it in (*especially* since I'm leaving before daylight and coming home after dark most days!) But at Thanksgiving, I remembered to take a photo of this painting I made for my mama for her birthday (back in July!)....she had asked me to make her a painting of flowers, and I found several pictures online and she picked this one for me to make.

It certainly isn't perfect, but it was really fun to make...the red flowers even have beads on them...

Thanksgiving Recap

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

So yes, I dropped off radar for a while...but I'm back with some "catchup" posts from the holidays & (gasp!) some cute crafts as well!

First up, Thanksgiving in pictures....

Happy Thanksgiving!

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Thank You GOD for blessing me much, much more than I deserve.

Happy Thanksgiving...from our family to yours!

Craft Fair Fun

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

This past Saturday I went to a craft fair at the local fairgrounds...there were some cute booths...this one was all handpainted signs...

And this one had the cutest little (FSU) baby beanie...

But this booth by Crafty Expressions (see their blog here!) was my favorite. They make all sorts of cute stuff...beaded rings, note holders, picture frames, crocheted hairbows, and crocheted plush! I think it's so cool when someone has a business making crafty goods....

Isn't this little boy with the snowman the cutest??

Hope you have a happy Thanksgiving tomorrow!

Vacation Continued...

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 23:00:00 +0000

The first night we ate at the Apple Barn (toooooo much food)!

The next day Adam fished for our trout at a local trout farm and they cleaned and cooked it for us. It was really good!

I curled my hair!!! (HA!)

Adam ran into my Aunt Janet & family in Smoky Mountain Knife Works...we didn't know they were coming. They were with my Uncle Mal's family and were going to meet up later with my Paw-Paw's family who I had never met...so we arranged to go to the Dixie Stampede with them, and I got to meet them (see below)! Meeting some of Paw-Paw's family was something I've always wanted to do!

We ate at our favorite place there, the Peddler.

When we got there, the leaves were so pretty and fallish, but by the middle of the week, they were all gone and it was very, very cold and wintery.

At Dixie Stampede...

Meeting my aunts for the first time!

Me with my family I got to meet for the first time! This was so, so fun and unexpected!

The next day was an early lunch and some Cade's Cove exploring. It was so cold we only hiked once for a couple of miles to a waterfall.

The last day we went to the Apple Orchard and bought a bunch of apples, ate at the adjoining restaurant, and bought some fudge and candy for our families.

Then, we bought passes to play lasertag, mini golf, and go karts. (I ran into a wall and scared Adam to death on my go-kart, but thankfully, I didn't wreck the go kart or injure myself seriously!)

After that, we looked at boots (I wanted some, but they were waaaaay expensive!!!) and shared an oreo sundae (yum!)

Where we stayed...

The icicles on the mountains on our way home...

It was such a fun time! :)

Conferences & Cupcakes in Pensacola FL

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

I had a continuing education conference this week in Pensacola, (which, surprisingly was really good)! While in town, I spent the night with my friend, Britney and we taste tested the two local cupcake shops, Oh Snap Cupcakes and Cupcake Emporium!

Cupcake Shop #1 - Oh Snap!

The conference...I actually really enjoyed this conference - the teachers were both really interesting and knowledgeable!

Cupcake Shop #2 - Cupcake Emporium

My good friend, Britney, posing with our cupcakes!

From left to right on each row: Oreo (from Cupcake Emporium), Strawberry (Oh Snap!), Peanut Butter (Cupcake Emporium), Peanut Butter (Oh Snap!)

We thought the peanut butter & Oreo cupcakes from Cupcake Emporium were delicious, as well as the strawberry cupcake from Oh Snap. We didn't love the strawberry cupcake from Cupcake Emporium or the peanut butter from Oh Snap (cake was too dry).

It was a fun girls night! :)
Hope you have a great week!

Vacation Day 1 - Tennessee Aquarium

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 14:10:00 +0000

We recently went on vacation for a whole week (!!!!!!) here's a few shots from our drive/first day....

Peanut Festival 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:47:00 +0000

Some iPhone shots....more to come soon!

Random Mish-Mash of Pictures

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 23:00:00 +0000

Adam and I recently became owners of iphones...and one of my favorite things was the colorful (and girly) cover I chose. (ha!...I am so easily pleased!)
I bought Taylor a dry erasable table & chair set for her birthday...and these were some pictures Tori drew on it...
Oh what was that you said? You want to see pictures of my adorable nephew? Well...

...okay! That is a request I can grant!
Happy Monday! Amber

Hey Cupcake! Card

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 11:00:00 +0000

Another simple little card today...jewels + letter stickers + some chipboard stickers.
Sometimes simple is best!
Have a grand day! :) Amber

Thankful Card

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 11:00:00 +0000

Just a simple little card + envelope today.
Enjoy your day! Amber

Because of You Wedding Two-Page Layout

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 11:00:00 +0000

Just a quick post (sorry for the less than stellar photos) with a page I made a year ago about how thankful I am that both sets of our parents have Godly marriages and have stayed together in a world that is so full of divorce. It is such a testimony to the sustaining power of God!
Have a great day! :) Amber

How to Make a Baby Football Onesie

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 11:00:00 +0000

This was the post I hinted at a few days ago...I made baby Barrett a little football onesie.

Here's what you'll need:
1. Paint (I used Martha Stewart's AMAAAZING paint that can be used on literally any surface..it needs a whole post of it's own!...anyways, I used a white colored paint...I think it was high gloss variety)
2. A foam brush (I get mine on Michaels super sales - 20 brushes/$1 and keep them on hand for projects such as this!)3. Masking Tape - mine was about 1" wide.4. A plain brown onesie - I used a Rabbit Skins brand onesie from Hobby Lobby @ 40% off...it cost about $2.50.
I don't have the inbetween pictures (well, I have some but they're in RAW format and not easily accessible to me right at the moment)...but basically, I masked off the long strip first and painted and let it get semi-dry, then CAREFULLY peeled off the masking tape and then masked off the little strips (taking the masking tape just up to the painted part - not covering any of the painted parts) and painted the little strips.

And let it dry! And then you have something like this...
Awwww! It's a little football Barrett...
And a Nebraska picture!
And this unrelated one...just because it's so cute....!!!
The End! Email/comment with any questions...I will try to post better inbetween shots in the futures! Amber

Princesses on the Playground

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:00:00 +0000

A few weeks ago, I took Taylor & Tori to a playground near their house...they were in their princess dress-up costumes...and it was too adorable to NOT take a million pictures of it...!!
Can you see Tori & Taylor??
Please...let me go play again....
I love these two cuties!
Happy Monday! Amber

Blast from the Past

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 11:00:00 +0000

A few vacation pictures from May 2009...this was a FUN vacation. Super laid back & relaxed @ Callaway Gardens...
A family of ducks...

We were like the duck paparazzi. They were so cute...although they FIERCELY did not like us getting too close!

On the way home...why, yes, that is Adam fishing on the dock...!!!

Also, I remember it was a trip with good hair days. Haha! :)

How I love looking back through old pictures! Especially of vacations!

Florida State Footbal...

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 11:00:00 +0000

Adam & I are Florida State fans...obviously, that's not really anything to be proud of this season...ha?...but I took these pictures before we lost three games, and they're too cute not to post.

Mr. B & Uncle Adam:
Uncle Adam is a little exciteable when it comes to football games:
Barrett doesn't know how to react to all the excitement...
But he figures it out with a little help from Uncle Adam:
With Auntie Amber too!
He decides he's not too keen on having crazy pom-pom hair...get it off...please.
And, really, even after Uncle Adam teaching him how to cheer for the Noles, he's still not sure what all the yelling is about...
But don't worry, we are sure he will learn soon enough!!

With Mommy...
I bought him a cute little Florida State onesie AND a Nebraska onesie at the collegiate store in our local mall. Because Barrett's Daddy is a Nebraska fan, and in spite of Auntie Amber posting looooots of Florida State pictures about Barrett, she is actually trying to remain sortof unbiased about Barrett's football fanhood and buys Nebraska AND Florida State attire evenly for baby Barrett.

If Auntie Amber had pictures of Barrett decked out in Nebraska gear, she would post them here...you know, for the sake of being unbiased...and because Barrett is so cute in whatever he wears. But she doesn't have any...yet. To be continued?

The end.

Handmade Birthday Cards

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Some birthday cards I've made recently for two co-workers!
I always try to make matching envelopes!
I love the colors on this one...
Number three...
And, finally:
I probably should make these cards into four posts considering my lack of posts, but alas...I'm doing them all together! :)

Hope you have a great day today!! Amber

Thanks Cotton Candy Card

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Simple little card to use when I'm in a pinch!

Enjoy your day! :) Amber

The Big Oh-Five!

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 23:30:00 +0000

Taylor is now...FIVE years old! Unbelievable, honestly. We had a little mini-pre-birthday party for her and I made this "I-spy-esque" card...
When we got there...Taylor was giggling away with Annie, my Nanny's dog...
I think Annie was LOVING the attention...
I don't know why, but I love this picture...Taylor midstride, while talking to Annie, the sunglare, my brother in the background...it brings back fun memories!
The beautiful Tori...
There were giggles and playing with Uncle Adam...
And they even agreed to a few "pretty pictures"
For dinner, we had gourmet grilled cheeses (best ever!), jalepeno roast, and cheese dip...oh and punch! YUM!
After dinner, Taylor wanted to go back outside, and I used this as an opportunity to coerce a picture of them in the grass with my fancy camera (slowly learning how it all works!)
They chatted with Trev a bit and then we went off in search of Annie at Nanny's house...
Hello, Nanny! (Ha...she wasn't too keen on her picture being taken. I think she was saying in this picture...Amber Lynn, you better not be taking my picture!)
Then it was time for cake & brownies & ice cream. Taylor and Grandma Benton made the cake.
Oh the joy!
Oh the excitement!
Sigh! Oh the unbelievability of it all. FIVE?!
Tori got to blow out her candle too...for her brownie cake, since my parents were out of town for her birthday...
Then it was present time. Taylor got some cute clothes, lip gloss, nail polish and a dry erasable table...but I don't have any pictures of that because my camera battery died...maybe Taylor & Tori's mama can supply us with some pictures?
It was a fun night. Taylor is so smart and tall and beautiful and we all love her SO much!

Good news!

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 23:00:00 +0000

Well, in spite of the fact that I randomly seem to stop blogging, there are lots and lots of fun blog projects that have been created....and just need to be photographed!!! I broke my camera several months ago and have been saving up for a new one and now that I finally have a new camera, I just have to find a little time to take pictures! Maybe today...we shall see! Until then, here is a little someone who makes me very happy AND a little tiny peek at an upcoming blog post.
Aw! You can't be mad at me for not posting for so long when I post a picture THAT cute, right?
:) See you (hopefully) soon!
Amber

A Pier Park Birthday

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 11:00:00 +0000

On the actual day of my birthday, Adam and I went out to Pier Park to have a little fun...a Five Guys burger (mmm!), and bought a few little things (like a dress shirt for Adam for $.80 at JCPenneys!!!)

Then on the following Thursday, I went with these two cuties and their mama to Pier Park again, but this time for a Red Robin burger and some rides at the Miracle Strip at Pier Park...my camera was a little foggy (it was so hot...to me at least!)
The giraffe...
Guess which one is Auntie Amber?! Oh yes, the white hand is hers! Haha!
At Red Robin...
with Ming-Ming...
My favorite little girls...
Kids are so funny. They instantly lighten everything. I (bravely) rode the ferris wheel with these two on the ONE condition they did not rock the seat...I am mildly (ha!) afraid of ferris wheels BECAUSE of the following reasons:

1. I remember my mom talking about getting stuck on the top of a ferris wheel and always being scared of getting "stuck" on a ferris wheel.
2. MAINLY, because when Adam and I were dating and I actually rode a ferris wheel, he ROCKED the seat so much (on purpose because I was so scared!) I seriously thought I was not going to make it off the thing alive.

Anyways, since then, ferris wheels are NOT my thing. So of course Uncle Adam rides the ferris wheel with Taylor at the Peanut Festival and so she and Tori call me a chicken. To prove them wrong, I rode it with them at Pier Park. I was scared. Taylor told me...I don't like it when you are scared. She then asked me, are you a lot, lot scared or a little scared? I said a little...and she moved...and I said, okay, A LOT! And she said okay, if you are a lot scared, I will be really still. She also kept saying things like look at the ocean it will make you feel better. Ha!

Well, I made it (obviously). On the next ride we got on (the Scrambler), Taylor looks at me and says I know Uncle Adam is mean to you, but I love you (and proceeds to hug me). I said WHAT?! Uncle Adam isn't mean to me! Why do you say that? She said, because he rocks the ferris wheel seat even when you are scared! I tried to explain that he was picking on me because he liked me, but she said..."Still, it's not nice."

Haha...well, what do you say to that?
So hilarious. I am still laughing about it!

Baby Barett's Dedication

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 11:00:00 +0000

Our sweet nephew after his baby dedication at our church. (Somehow I don't have shots of the whole family on our camera?)

But I do have lots of shots with the #1-Baby-Bear-Hogger...UNCLE ADAM!
Oh little bear...your Uncle Adam loves you so much!
He wants to be around you all the time...
And, well, he hogs you. Pretty much unashamedly.
But scrapbooker Auntie Amber doesn't mind...cause she gets lots of pictures of you AND Uncle Adam...
Which, well...is sortof a miracle! Good work, baby Barrett!

Thank You Card-stravaganza...

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 11:00:00 +0000

So...about a week and a half ago, Britney and Jaylin (hope I spelled your names right!) came over and we had a card making extravaganza since Britney is moving to Pensacola and needed some thank you cards for her last day at work...

Jaylin also worked on some thank you projects...
So adorable!
And Britney and I made a small army of cards...
It was so fun!
Here is Britney with some of her cards...
And up close shots of her cards...
And some close up shots of my cards...
There was some crazy lighting because it was 9:30 or so when I took these pictures, but you get the idea! We got so much accomplished...and it was really, really fun. :)

Thanks for helping me put a dent in the "store" ladies (okay, haha, it was barely a dent!)
Enjoy your weekend, everyone!
Amber

Surprise 50th Vintage Birthday Party pt. 2

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 11:00:00 +0000

Welcome to part 2 of the surprise birthday party,
which I shall dub "The Shocked Face was Worth It All."
Hahaha! I kill myself with my corny jokes.
But this is the face I'm talking about...
Here's the details...we had the partyat Adam's cousin's barn, and Adam's sister & cousin did a lot (most) of the work...we went with a "vintage" theme instead of an "over the hill"/black theme so that she wouldn't feel sad (and so we could decorate better). We told her it was a Scentsy party...which she believed entirely, and then had the barn door roll up with everyone in the room screaming surprise. But she didn't understand what we said. Haha. So Megan had to explain it was her surprise birthday party.

Here are some pictures:
We had strings of pictures of her growing up as banners...and a beautiful vintage cake and collections of vintage stuff clustered together...
The sign in area...everyone made a card with a memory of her and I made a birth to present scrapbook of her life...
We made a photobooth with old, colorful quilts hung up on a storage rack...
Like below, with a photo with the seven of us (though baby Barrett was barely even visible at this point!)
It turned out VERY cute. And she loved it.

And this concludes pt. 2, "The Shocked Face was Worth It All."
At some point in the future, I'll post the scrapbook of her life, and the memory book I made.
Enjoy your FRIDAY! :) Amber