Valentines

Can I get a drumroll please?
Ddddddd...
Ta-Da!
My Valentine's are done!

After spending several hours photographing these Incredible Creatures from Safari Ltd toys, I fell in love with the end result.  I printed the photos as 4x6s at my local CVS with a white border to give it more of a postcard feel.

 I think the recipients of these Valentine postcards are going to smile.  I mean, who couldn't smile when you see this Baby Chameleon holding a heart?

 I know the 'whooo loves you' is kinda punny, but I couldn't resist.

 I love the expression on the white mouse - it's almost like he is covering up a smile.

 This little hedgehog is oh-so cute - the perfect Valentine.

 The flying squirrel just makes me smile every time I see it, like he is ready to leap and fly with his outstretched arms.

 The hermit crab just lends himself to being a Valentine, right?

 Okay, the guinea pig is my absolute favorite, because I used to have guinea pigs in my preschool classroom and at home.  Look at this sweet little face.

Valentine's Day is less than 2 weeks away.  I cannot wait to mail out my special Valentines.

Mel

Say Cheese

 I spent most of the morning Saturday photographing some small friends.  They were very good models - sat nicely, used their manners, etc :)  but like most models, they didn't eat much.

 I took TONS of pics, because I had one of my cccrraazzyy ideas.

 So, if you would ask somebody about me, they would say...Mel loves kids. Mel is creative. Mel loves being Auntie Mel. And Mel sends a lot a lot a lot of cards. That pretty much sums it up.  My Grandma Helen always had a card for every occasion. People say that she kept Hallmark in business. Maybe that's where I get it.

 I decided to take pics of my etsy items (coming soon!) and make my own Valentines. Yep, that's what I said.  I am going to make my own Valentine postcards.

 I'll send them out to my nieces and nephews, friends, family.  Who doesn't love getting mail??? Especially when it's not bills or junk mail, right?

 This little bear might be my favorite. I'm a sucker for bears (yep, I went there!)

 I will do a whole post - maybe two - with the completed Valentines.  I am still editing and tweaking the pics.  I just discovered Picasa - sooo easy to use.

 Hello, little guinea pig!

Baby Chameleon is eating healthy.  I thought I needed to capture that.  Funny, right?  This baby chameleon is from Safari Ltd as are the fruits.  Perfect playthings for any child.

Oh, people also might say that I am a bit of a shutterbug!  I took about 200 photographs in a couple hours.  It was so fun.

I think this is a Super way to spend this Sunday.  While everyone else is watching the game, I'll be here.

Have a great rest of your weekend.
Mel

BIG CHANGES

BIG CHANGES by melanieshanks on Polyvore

Big Changes are coming to Whimsical Ways!

You might have already seen a few changes. I needed a fresh, new, clean, modern look for 2015.  The header is new and oh-so fancy. There's a new Subscribe area to the right > so you can sign up with email and never miss a post!  Also, I have added my Etsy store (www.etsy.com/shop/mybigworld2015) to the right > as well.  New things will be there soon! I am so excited for these changes!

Mouse Mess themed snack

Mouse Mess themed snack by melanieshanks featuring an olive boat

If You Give A Moose A Muffin Snack

book themed snack2 by melanieshanks featuring Sur La Table

I LOOOVE this book.  It would be so easy to whip this up!  And G would love to make the muffins.

Book Themed Snack

Book themed snack by melanieshanks on Polyvore

It's G's turn to bring snack to preschool soon!  So...I am coming up with some children's book themed snack combinations.  The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and The Big Hungry Bear was the first one that popped into my head.

Cold Enough For Penguins & Polar Bears

We may not have gotten as much snow as out east, but it sure is cold here. Cold enough for penguins and polar bears. So I gave in and thought, "why not celebrate the cd?" I gathered all the polar animals ~ penguins, polar bears, moose, snowy owls (even a couple cats were brought to the mix!😀) toys that l could find and then found all the cold weather themed books. It's been a fun inside cozy kind of morning. (Mentally, I am still wishing for June-like weather.)

Have a playful day & stay warm!