Back in the Day

Today's my birthday, and I'm feeling nostalgic. It's a milestone year and those seem to force you to reassess your life, and wonder whether you're on the right path, and what the future holds.

Today I'm reminiscing about:

• Spending my 16th, 25th and 30th birthday in various Mexico locales
• Summers in New Mexico
• Roswell Country Club cheese sticks, circa 1991
• My mom's Strawberry Birthday Cake
• Pillow forts, backyard camping, making mud pies, and swimming at my Nana & Paw Paw's house
• Bad 80s fashion & Big Cheese Pizza
• Slathering on suntan oil (NO SPF, what skin cancer?)
• Running through sprinklers
• Splashing in gutters after a New Mexico flash flood
• Wonderful memories my husband & I have made
• Sunsets on Alki
• Driving into Seattle the first time
• Summer thunderstorms
• The smell of wet concrete

If you're hitting a major birthday this year, what is taking you back?

The Babies Are One

So, about this time last year, I had, oh, about 6 or 7 friends, family, and bunko buddies birth their first babies. It was the 2009 baby boom.

Well, fast forward a year, and guess what? . . . They're all turning ONE! Their first birthday! Just one more first of many. So exciting! So fun! And, you know what first birthdays mean? Cute first birthday invitations.

Here are a few that have gone out recently. Funny thing is, I'm always complaining about there being no girls, but look at all these girls. (Don't you just want to gobble them up?!)

I'll start with the cutest (ok, I'm a little biased because she's my niece, ok? ok?). Mom wanted cupcakes, so she got cupcakes. If you knew about her sweet tooth, this would totally make sense.

Now, how adorable is this? Mom wanted cowgirls. She's giving the girls tutus & the boys cowboy hats as favors, and her only request was pink/black. PS, I love tutus; if it were ok for adults to wear them (not like Ace Ventura), I would totally rock one all the time.

For Charlotte, owls were the theme, so we pulled from the plates and napkins. Whooo's cute?!

See all those girls? What am I complaining about? Well, for good measure, here are a few boys.

Mom asked for teals, reds, oranges, and greens, so we came up with this cute polka dot design. But, you probably aren't even looking at the design, because Rylan is so darn scrumptious!

And, how's this for creative? Instead of sending a baby announcement when Cooper was born, mom &a dad decided to send a "One Year" announcement. Dad whipped up the sweetest poem about Cooper's life for the back of the card, and I think it turned out so well. You want to read the back of the card, don't you? Too bad!

Now, you don't have to be turning one to have a birthday. So, if you're looking for invitations, I'm your gal. Talk to you soon!

April Showers

Being so busy prepping for the awesome open house, I've fallen behind on updating the website, and showing you the latest designs.

So, this week, you'll see all the designs that have been pumping out of the workshop (well, maybe except the wedding invites, because those haven't been mailed yet).

The invites for this wedding shower mixed palm trees and a rustic background

some hibiscus flowers and pink, pink, and more pink

to achieve the "vintage tropical" look this client wanted. What do you think? Are you feeling the island vibe?

All I have to say is, I think I'll have a mai tai.

My First Open House

Last Thursday, I hosted my first Rosita Designs Open House.

The workshop was all spiffed up, filled with gifts galore.

Such a fun gathering of girlfriends enjoying wine, snacks, and great conversation.

They browsed paper goods.

custom designs.

handmade signs.

handmade hair flowers and wrist lovelies.

and pretty things for your neck.

Thanks to all my friends, it was an amazing success. And, excitingly enough, it will be the first of many!

To say I am appreciative of these ladies would be an understatement. The outpouring of love, support and kudos that I received on Thursday was overwhelming, and I am humbled by their generosity.

Thank you, friends. Thank you!

Maybe next time, you'll come! See you there.

If you are interested in purchasing anything, there are a few things left over, and we can of course work together to do custom designs. Just, send me an email.

Special thanks to my awesome pal, Carrie, for the photographs!