Momathon Blog

Happy Mother's Day!

Wishing all of you a Happy Mother's Day. And to my mom:

I'm all grown up, but I will never be too old to need you, Mom. You bring kindness, grace, and humor to each day. Love you to the moon and back! xo Chris

 

Free Printables: Happy Mother's Day Cards

Hello, friends. Mother's Day is almost here so I'm offering two free printable cards (and a printable A2 envelope) I designed. The cards feature photos by the talented D Sharon Pruitt. Link to download the printables below.

Looking for a last-minute card? Printables are easy to use. All you need for this craft is the free down loadable PDF file, 8.5"x11" card stock paper, glue or double-sided tape, and scissors. You can also embellish the card with glitter. Directions for assembling the card are on the PDF.

Link to the down loadable PDF and directions for printing and assembling the card in the steps below.

It's So Etsy: Hand Embroidered Clutch

I heart all things handmade. This Etsy find, Love Bird clutch with hand painting, would make a cute Mother's Day gift. You can find more of my Etsy favorites here.

Details:

• Clutch with hand embroidered "You & Me" on grey wool fabric. 
• Handmade by Sylvia Lee in Shanghai and sold via her Etsy shop iFashionLady.
• Dimensions: 5.5"×3.54"×2.55"
• Perfect for day or night—just the right size to hold makeup for a date night, or an iPhone, small camera, cell phone, etc.
• Detachable and inner hide-able bronze chain--47" chain makes it long enough to wear it over shoulder.
• Lined purse with a floral Bali gold cotton fabric
• $34.99 at her Etsy shop.
• Check out her other purses in a variety of colors and designs here.

Image by Chris Olson with photo via Sylvia Lee's shop iFashionLady.

 

Weekend Bling—On a Budget

Let the countdown to summer vacay begin! First stop is Paris—and why not get in the mood now with this Eiffel Tower necklace from Patina in Minneapolis. $34.

Can you see the sparkle? Found these one-of-a-kind matte gold dangle earrings at the charming Rick Rack Boutique in Minneapolis.  Perfect for a brunch with friends at a sunny sidewalk cafe. ($11).

Photos: Chris Olson

It's So Etsy: Pastel Flowers Print Is My Fresh Pick for Mother's Day

Bree Madden's photography makes me want to jump on Travelocity and book a trip to the coast. She captures scenes I love—the ocean, beaches, flowers, and birds—in the softest pastels that make me smile. I think her photos would make the perfect Mother's Day gift. You can  find her amazing photography on Etsy at Maddenphotography. You can find Bree on Twitter here.  

The Pastel Flower print featured above is a signed 8x10 print by Bree (also available in a variety of other sizes) and sells on Etsy for $25.

Find more of my posts about lovely Etsy items here.

You can find my free Mother's Day gift box PRINTABLE here.

More best advice from mom: Take turns

I grew up with two older brothers and as kids we were constantly arguing about who got to sit in the front seat of the car, or who got to take the newest (and coolest) sled down the hill first, or who got to pick the TV show next. In my countdown to Mother's Day, today I'm remembering the best advice from my mom whenever I needed to take a step back and think about what my siblings or my friends would want: "Take turns." This advice never grows old–even at work or with my grown-up friends and family–life is sweeter when we take turns.

Thanks Mom!

In honor of Mother's Day, this week my "Mom Says" doodle art features my favorite sayings from my mom. You can find all of my "mom says" art here. You can see even more of my doodles at Momathon doodles. 

Illustration above by me, Chris Olson.

 

More best advice from mom: Go outside and play

In my countdown to Mother's Day, today I'm remembering the best advice from my mom whenever I was getting cranky: "Go outside and play." I don't think we ever outgrow the need to soak up some sunshine and enjoy nature. Simple advice from my mom that continues to make all the difference in improving my outlook.

In honor of Mother's Day, this week my "Mom Says" doodle art features my favorite sayings from my mom. You can find all of my "mom says" art here. You can see even more of my doodles at Momathon doodles. 

Illustration above by me, Chris Olson.

 

Best Advice from Mom: Listen Carefully

In my countdown to Mother's Day, today I'm remembering the best advice from my mom whenever I was in too big of a rush: "Listen carefully."

In honor of Mother's Day, this week my "Mom Says" doodle art features my favorite sayings from my mom. You can find all of my "mom says" art here. You can see even more of my doodles at Momathon doodles. 

Illustration above by me, Chris Olson.

Best Advice from Mom: Stand Up Tall

In my countdown to Mother's Day, today I'm remembering the best advice from my mom whenever I was feeling down: "Stand up tall."

In honor of Mother's Day, this week my "Mom Says" doodle art features my favorite sayings from my mom. You can find all of my "mom says" art here. You can see even more of my doodles at Momathon doodles. 

Illustration above by me, Chris Olson.

 

A Mother's Day gift for moms in need: Mercy Kits

So many moms around the world are in desperate need of basic support. This Mother's Day you can make a difference in the lives of women worldwide by donating a Mercy Kit through Mercy Corps. 

The gifts come in many forms--supplies to provide clean water, a beehive kit, job training, wells and many more basic supplies to improve the lives of women and children worldwide.

Something as small as an $18 donation can supply an Emergency Food Kit that quickly delivers nutritious food such as grains, cooking oil and canned goods to families displaced by conflict, natural disasters and other crises.

A donation of $75 can supply a Breastfeeding Kit that covers the cost to train a breastfeeding counselor to support mothers and their families at a neighborhood health clinic in Jakarta.

A donation of $45 provides a Fuel-Efficient Stove Kit that helps displaced women in war-torn Congo learn to build fuel-efficient cookstoves, which minimize charcoal use and give women a marketable skill.

You can choose from dozens of Mercy Kits, just go to the Mercy Kits link.

Peace and love.

The babies are coming... (to a theater near you)

Four new babies.

Four places on earth.

One year in their lives.

Babies: The Movie features one year in the life of four new babies, from birth to first steps, in four very different places on earth--the U.S., Japan, Mongolia, and Namibia. 

The documentary film by Thomas Balmes produced by Focus Features Movies will be coming to the big screen Mother's Day weekend, 2010. Keep up with the babies, join them on Facebook.

Gotta love those chubby cheeks. Can't wait to see the movie! 

All together now... Sooooo Cuuuuuute!