2011 Blog Recap

2011 has blown by!  I can't believe in less than 12 hours it will be 2012. :D  I'm really looking forward to what this new year has in store, on and outside of my blog.  Everyone have a great and safe NYE!

Here is just a small recap of my blog these past 12 months. 

JANUARY

 

In January I let you all in on my love for Domokun.

FEBRUARY

In February I made a couple of DIY space shirts.

MARCH

 In March I posted the remaining pictures from my trip cross-country to go to Comic-Con.

APRIL

 In April I made a tutorial on how to make Troll 2 inspired cupcakes!

MAY

In May I decided I want to be a redhead for the summer.

JUNE

 In June I introduced you all to my new kitten, Creeper!

JULY

 In July I took an unexpected trip to Summerville, GA.

  

AUGUST

In August I decided to dip-dye the ends of my hair.

SEPTEMBER

 In September I finished my first quarter of grad school!

OCTOBER

 In October I went pumpkin and apple pickin'.

NOVEMBER

In November I shared my Halloween photos.

DECEMBER

In December I celebrate my birthday with a blog party!

Giveaway with eef etc

 

Erin, from eef-etc, is here to celebrate my birthday with a great giveaway for you all!

She is giving one lucky Mary Rebeca reader a set of her 5 Mini Recycled Coffee Notecards and Envelopes from her shop.

U.S. entries only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Stranger Year Discount by Elin Winblad

Elin, from the glowing forest magic rain, is here to give my readers a special discount for my birthday celebration! Elin is a great artist, and for 2012 she is doing a project called "A Stranger A Year", and would love for you all to participate! It's free to send in a photo of yourself, and if you would like a print, it's only $10.00 with the coupon code--that includes shipping! [normally $20]

Just go to her shop and use coupon code: EWIN47 [coupon only good for ASAY print]

Coupon good through January 7th

 

Mary Rebecca Giveaway

I hope you are all enjoying my birthday blog celebration so far! This giveaway is from me to you--a thank you for keeping up with me this entire year. ;)  

Prize Packet Includes:

-2 felt hair bows [handmade by me]

-1 hamburger ring [handmade by me]

-1 pocket size grid notebook--with cupcakes!

International entries welcome.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Birthday Party Playlist with Shannon*Bear

Hiya HMR readers! What the what it's Mary's blog birthday celebration! Can we say Happy Blog Birthday to her or what?! I'm Shannon from Shannon Bear and I think there probably isn't any better way to bring in a totally rad party down than with some tunes. I'm just dropping off a quick but awesome blog birthday playlist! These are a few of my favorite songs to rock out to when I'm celebrating, they get me pumped up to get some memories going and even squeeze out a few dance moves. I hope these get you in the mood to celebreate Hello Mary Rebecca and get your toes tapin'!

 

xo Shannon

Birthday Party Photos by Flex Family Arts

 

Mary Rebecca!

To celebrate your birthday the Flex Family decided to throw a little party at our house.
 I suppose it might have helped to actually invite YOU...but in any case...here are some shots of what transpired.
 We hope you have a wonderful day and thank you for inviting us along!
Party on!

♥, Missus, Mister and Baby

Gift Bow Tutorial

 

Today I wanted to share a super easy tutorial on how to make your own gift bows. I love making these for presents because you can customize the colors to match your gift wrapping or just the person's personality! :D 

1. Cut out strips from paper of choice. I like to recycle magazine pages that have colors/prints I like. You don't have to be super exact when you cut them out--as you can see mine are far from perfect. Just remember-- the bigger and more strips you use, the bigger and fuller your bow will be!

2. Twist one side down and hold it halfway down the strip.

3. Repeat with other end.

4. Punch brad through middle, making sure you get both ends. You might want to make a hole with something sharp and then place the brad in--they tend to just bend when using them alone.

5. Keep repeating steps 2-4 until you have a bow you like.  Remember to place the pieces at different angles on the brad to get a bow shape.

6. Once you're done adding pieces close the brad to hold everything in place.

7. OPTIONAL: Cut some bottom ribbon pieces out of a spare strip and add to brad before closing.

8. Use tape to attach to your present...or your cat! [I actually didn't use any tape on my cat]

Hope you guys enjoyed my tutorial! :D  

Mary Rebecca

Pussycat Vintage Giveaway

 

Nicole, from Pussycat Vintage, is graciously giving one of my readers a $25 credit to spend in her vintage shop! Right now she is having a great sale and the 2nd week of January she will be stocking even more great items. :)

International Entries Welcome!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Birthday Wishlist

 

I just made this list today, so unless my friends and families are mind-readers...these probably aren't the birthday gifts I'm getting. haha They are probably more New Year presents to myself ;)

1. The Lens Strap Holder $18.00 [PhotoJojo]  I'm ALWAYS misplacing my lens cap--perfect solution!

2. Girl and Cat print $18.00 [Marisol Spoon] Still kicking myself for not getting this at I.C.E.

3. Cats The Ticket dress $49.99 [ModCloth] I only have 2 cat themed articles of clothing!

4. Sweetheart Sunglasses $14.00 [Urban Outfitters] Been wanting these for some time now.

5. Sana Black Herringbone Bookbag $49.00 [Blowfish Shoes] Haven't bought a school bag in years!

6. Double Velvet Bow $22.00 [Red Velvet] I can always use another bow in my life.

27 in 27

 

This is the first time I've made one of these lists... so we'll see how well I'm able to mark things off of it!

[Plus now you guys know how old I am--eek]

So, in no particular order---MY 27 IN 27 LIST!

1. Find and move in to a place of my own. [no roommates for a while.]

2. Get a part-time job that works with school.

3. Spend more time working at school.

4. Read a book a month.

5. Learn how to better use Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop.

6. Have a blate...or two, or three!  [blogger date]

7. Restock my Etsy more frequently.

8. Paint more.

9. Overhaul my closet and dress better.

10. Learn how to style my hair.

11. Blog more often.

12. Take more pictures of myself. Not to be vain, but so when other bloggers request one I don't have to keep using the same one from 6+ months back ;p

13. Visit more estate sales.

14. Practice drawing.

15. Drink less soda.

16. Exercise more/tone up.

17. Practice more with doing Special FX makeup.

18. Focus on my posture. I don't want a hump!

19. Go camping.

20. Hang out with friends more.

21. Visit at least one state I've never been to.

22. Go to more art shows.

23. Geocache more.

24. Get on a better sleep schedule.

25. Get glasses I like.

26. Comment more, lurk less on other people's blogs.

27. Use the film in my freezer.

Birthday Party Crown Tutorial by Sparkles and Sticks

Hi everyone!  My name is Jaime, and I blog over at Sparkles and Sticks.  I am so excited to be a part of Mary Rebecca's Blog Birthday Party.  Have you wished her a Happy Birthday yet?

I was very inspired by the Birthday Party party Miss James threw for her daughter a few weeks ago- I immediately wanted to make a birthday crown of my own!  Instead, I decided to make one and give it to Mary Rebecca.  Virtually, obviously.

 
Supplies:
a pack of sparkly pipe cleaners in assorted colors.
strong scissors or wire clippers

Star Crown

 

Step One: Attach two pipe cleaners together to form a circular base for your crown.

Step Two: Make your center star.  Start by making a very small crease at the end of your pipe cleaner.  You are going to use this "hook" to attach the two ends of the pipe cleaner.  Then, make ten crisp creases in your pipe cleaner.  The 10 segments you make with these creases form the perimeter of your star.  Manipulate the pipe cleaner until you are happy with the shape of your star.  Make another small hook at the end of your star.  Cut off any excess pipe cleaner and hook the two hooks together to complete your star.

 

Step Three: Make four more stars (two medium sized, two small) as described above).

Step 4:  Attach your stars together and to the base of your crown by twisting small pieces of pipe cleaner around the pieces you want to connect.

 

Heart Crown

 

Step One: Attach two pipe cleaners together to form a circular base for your crown.

Step Two: Make your hearts.  Start by making a small crease at the start of your pipe cleaner- this bit will serve as a hook that will help complete your heart.  Bend the rest of your pipe cleaner into the shape of a heart.  Make sure the top humps a round and smooth while the center is a hard crease.  Make another hook at the end of your heart, trim excess pipe cleaner, and hook your heart together.  Make five more hearts, or however many you need to fill your crown.

 

Step Three:  Attach the bottom points of you hearts to the base of your crown by twisting small bits of pipe cleaner around both.  Make sure your hearts are evenly spaced.

Step Four: Attach the tops of your hearts together with small pieces of pipe cleaner.  Twist excess pipe cleaner into little circles for a pretty, royal effect.

  
Happy Birthday, Mary Rebecca!

xoxoxo 
Jaime

It's time for a birthday celebration!

Today I turn another year older! I thought a fun way to celebrate would be hosting a little birthday party right here on my blog! Check out the line-up below to see all the fun I have in store for all of you. ;D