Vale Design : Freelance Package Design & Branding

Merry Christmas

{image credit Unknown. Found via Pinterest}

Vintage Holiday Greetings

{image credit Julia. Found via Pinterest}

39 weeks

Yep, I said it. 39 weeks and this baby is tucked up inside all cozy and showing no signs of wanting to come out! I do not see a baby 1st Christmas for us. *sigh*...

I can not believe that 2011 is almost over. We have had blinders on a bit having a baby due around the holidays, but we wanted to say thank you. Thank you for supporting Vale Design and this site. Personally and professionally this year has been amazing and we are holding our breath waiting for the excitement that 2012 will bring us! We will be taking some time off and will see you back here the first week of January...hopefully with some cute new year's news! Happy Holidays!

How far along? 39 weeks
Total weight gain? 30+ lbs
Maternity clothes? Gap maternity leggings and shirts.
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: Not too bad. I have been keeping myself busy and I am pretty exhausted at night. Still sleeping all over the house, finding the bed that feels the most comfortable.
Best moment this week: Having my husband home for the holiday break and at this last doctor's appointment. Love spending time together.
Miss anything: MY GAP JEANS and my lotions and potions. They are all waiting patiently to have me back!
Movement: Yes. Like clockwork.
Food cravings: Triscuits and port wine cheese spread {weird one I know!}
Anything make you queasy or sick: Not any more. Last week was bad.
Gender: Girl, but lately we have been thinking of boy's names just in case!
Labor signs: Still 3cm and 80%. A little back pain.
Symptoms: Hip pains while sleeping.
Belly button in or out? Has been out for a while
Wedding rings on or off? Have been off for a while
Happy or moody most of the time? Impatient. I am sick of waiting.
Looking forward to: Seeing my baby. I want to see those fingers, toes, nose, lips and eyes. What color are they? Does she have a lot of hair? I am ready to meet her! The holidays and being distracted by great food and family. Missing my MI family this year. Love to all of you!

36 weeks | 37 weeks | 38 weeks

{pregnancy survey question credit Little Baby Garvin}

Free Printable Helen Dardik Holiday Gift Tags

Love these free 2011 holiday printable gift tags from illustrator Helen Dardik. Her style is just so sweet! {Found on Pinterest and Paper Crave}

{image credits Helen Dardik}

38 weeks

Happy Monday everyone! Hope you had a nice weekend and finished up all of your holiday shopping. Sorry no baby update post on Friday. Things are getting a bit crazy around here. Posts may start to be a bit sporadic. Here is my 38 week update for you.

How far along? 38 weeks
Total weight gain? 30+ lbs
Maternity clothes? Gap maternity leggings and shirts & some of husbands fleeces.
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: Barely sleeping at all. I find whatever bed is comfortable in the middle of the night and pass out. I have been sleeping mainly in one of the guest rooms. I feel like I am sleeping on a basketball that has an opinion about what side I sleep on. She prefers I sleep on my left :)
Best moment this week: Finding out I was not at 0cm.
Miss anything: Laying flat on my back and stomach.
Movement: Yes. Like clockwork. {Puts my mind at ease. I am sure I will miss it.}
Food cravings: NOTHING! 
Anything make you queasy or sick: EVERYTHING!
Gender: Girl
Labor signs: Less Braxton Hicks. I was pleasantly surprised at my last dr. apt to find out I am a "bonus" 3cm and 80%. I have not felt any pain yet. Not that I am complaining! The past two days I have also been so nauseous. Hard to eat to have strength for labor when everything makes you feel sick. Back to bland foods.
Symptoms: Hip pains and swollen fingers and ankles at the end of the day.
Belly button in or out? Has been out for a while
Wedding rings on or off? Have been off for a while
Happy or moody most of the time? Tired and flat out "first time mom" frightened. Anxious I will miss a sign that she may be in distress. I got her this far, I need to get her here safely. That is a lot of pressure. Also, tired of people asking me if she is here yet. Umm, we will tell you. Please stop asking me. Makes me more tense.
Looking forward to: Seeing my baby. I NEED to know she is healthy and perfect. That huge sigh of relief when labor is over and I can start to just really enjoy being her mother.

36 weeks  | 37 weeks

{elephant toy by Zooklz}

{pregnancy survey question credit Little Baby Garvin}

Quote :: Oscar Wilde

Free Printable Holiday Type Gift Tags

Another beauty from Amy at Eat Drink Chic! Just download these free printable holiday type gift tags, trim and enjoy. Thanks Amy! Another beauty! Found via Pinterest.

{image credits Eat Drink Chic}

Free Printable Reindeer Gift Tags

I have always been a HUGE fan of Amy of Eat Drink Chic. She has done it again with these DIY adorable free printable Peace, Love & Reindeer Hugs holiday gift tags. Thanks for sharing Amy! Found via Pinterest.

{image credits Eat Drink Chic}

DIY Holiday Glitter Ornament Tutorial

I found this beautiful holiday glitter ornament DIY tutorial over on Dandelions on the Wall. So easy and with gorgeous results. This would be a great project to do with your kids for teacher gifts, or gifts for the neighbors or to use as a hostess gift. Found via Pinterest.

{image credits Dandelions on the Wall}

mmm...Monday :: Candy Cane Cookies

INGREDIENTS

1/3 Cup Finely Crushed Peppermint Candy Canes
1/3 Cup Sugar
1/2 Cup Shortening
1/2 Cup Butter, Softened
1 Cup Sifted Powdered Sugar
1 Egg
1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
1 Tsp Imitation Almond Extract
2 1/2 Cups All Purpose Flour
1 Tsp Salt
1/2 Tsp Red Food Coloring

DIRECTIONS

Start by combining the crushed peppermint and sugar and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl cream together the shortening and the butter then add in the sugar continue beating. Next add the egg and the flavorings then mix in the flour and salt. Continue mixing until well combined.

At this point divide the dough in half and tint one half with the red food coloring.

Let the dough chill for at least an hour in the fridge.

Once the dough is chilled, go ahead and preheat the oven to 375*.

Roll out red dough about 1/4 inch thick then roll out the rest of the dough until 1/4 inch thick. Lay them on top of each other and roll up like a long roll. If you need a visual at this point, think of the packaged cookie dough at the stores in a long roll, that's the concept here. Take teaspoonfuls and drop on greased cookie sheets or use parchment paper.

These will bake for about 9 minutes. Once they come out of the oven immediately sprinkle with the crushed candy mixture and move to wire racks to fully cool.

*Note: You can use real almond extract, I am allergic to tree nuts so I have to use imitation almond extract.

**Another tasty holiday cookie recipe to add to my pregnancy nesting baking list! Orginal recipe found here. Found via Pinterest. Enjoy!

 {image credit Mommy Hates Cooking}

mmm...Monday :: Peppermint Sugar Cookies

INGREDIENTS

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 large egg yolk
2 large egg whites
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
1/2 cup finely crushed hard peppermint candies or candy canes (about 3-ounces)
additional powdered sugar for rolling

DIRECTIONS

Sift together dry ingredients- flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.

In a large bowl, beat butter and powdered sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add egg yolk and beat until blended. Add egg whites and extract and mix well (mixture will look grainy). Gradually beat dry ingredients into butter mixture. Stir in peppermint candies.

Gather dough into a ball. Wrap dough in plastic and chill for about an hour.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Position rack in middle of oven. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment, or spray with nonstick spray.

Form dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in powdered sugar and place on prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart. Using tines of a fork, flatten each cookie, creating crisscross pattern.

Bake until cookies are golden on bottom, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to racks to cool completely.

TIPS

*Use round peppermint mints or small candy canes (they easier to unwrap than the larger ones).
*These cookies turn out best if mint is crushed finely, with few large "chunks" of peppermint.
*Reader tip: Add white chocolate chips!
*Since readers recommended it, I added some peppermint extract to the original recipe.

**I am SO in the nesting phase of this pregnancy. All I want to do is bake. I am going to be making my second batch of my grandmother's homemade rolls today to freeze and I have been adding cookies recipes to my lists. Original recipe found here. Found via Pinterest. Enjoy!

{image credit Recipe Girl}

37 weeks

Well, we made it. 37 weeks. Technically Baby Vale is full term and can make her appearance whenever she feels like it...which does not feel like it is going to be anytime soon. Curious what birthday she will choose. Hopefully we do not have to choose one for her!

See that purple paper on the dresser? That is a letter one of my nieces wrote to her new cousin. We have not read it yet. We are waiting to read it to the baby. How cute is that?!

How far along? 37 weeks
Total weight gain? 30+ lbs
Maternity clothes? Gap maternity leggings and shirts & some of husbands fleeces.
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: Still horrible. Hips really hurt. Flipping side to side a lot.
Best moment this week: Doctor's apt to learn she has dropped a bit and is in position.
Miss anything: Touching my toes, bending forward, a flat stomach, clear skin, my lotions and potions and my own body back!
Movement: Yes. Very active. {Scared us this week with one very slow day. Trip to the hospital for fetal stress test. She was perfectly fine. Heard her heartbeat and officially felt like her mother. She perked up and started squirming when her daddy got there and started talking to her.}
Food cravings: Cheese and crackers, but starting to loose my appetite. Heard this is normal.
Anything make you queasy or sick: Nope
Gender: Girl
Labor signs: Nesting like a crazy woman. Braxton Hicks almost all day. {wish there was more...}
Symptoms: Hip pains and swollen fingers and ankles at the end of the day.
Belly button in or out? Has been out for a while
Wedding rings on or off? Have been off for a while
Happy or moody most of the time? Courageous. Feeling ready to take on this momentous task.
Looking forward to: Starting labor pains. Someone handing me my perfectly healthy daughter and telling me all is well. I want to look into her eyes and touch her fingers. I want to watch my husband hold his baby girl. They are so connected already. She absolutely loves his voice.

Have a great weekend and see you back here on Monday!

36 weeks

{pregnancy survey question credit Little Baby Garvin}

Washi tape gift wrapping + ideas

Washi tape is so versatile. Love the holiday wrapping ideas and simple diy ornament decorations found on The Sweetest Occasion, submitted by Christine of Pure Joy Events. There is also a free printable holiday tag available for download from Frog Prince Paperie. Found via Pinterest.

{image credits 6 Bittersweets}

Free Printable Holiday Gift Tags

Illustrator {and my friend} Lori of Fresh Picked Whimsy and Whimsy Studios is at it again! She is generously sharing these free printable holiday gift tags. Make sure you check out all of her free downloads. Thanks Lori!

{image credits Fresh Picked Whimsy}

mmm...Monday :: Candy Cane Blossoms

INGREDIENTS

1 bag Hersheys Kisses brand Candy Cane Kisses
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 egg
2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoons milk
Red and Green colored sugar

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350°. Remove wrappers from candies (approximately 35).

Beat butter, sugar, vanilla and egg in large bowl until well blended. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt; add alternatively with milk to butter mixture, beating until well blended.

Shape dough into 1 inch balls. Roll in red and/or green colored sugar. Place on ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake 8 -10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned and cookies are set. Remove from oven; cool 2 to 3 minutes. Press candy piece into center of each cookie. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely. Yields approximately 35 cookies.

**My mom needed a recipe for a yearly holiday cookie exchange that she participates in, so we took to Pinterest and stumbled onto these beauties. They are so festive. She made them this weekend and said they are so easy to make. I taste tested them and they are equally delicious! Original Hershey's recipe found here. Pinned from Baked Perfection and pinned onto my Pinterest Holiday board. Enjoy!

{image credit Baked Perfection}

36 weeks

I do not usually get too personal on this site, but people have been asking me for some baby details so I figured I would give you a sneak peek into the Vale household these days. Above is the petite's nursery. We went with a soft gray with banana yellow and teal accents. I am NOT a pink purple girl! I am going to try to post detail info {and better pictures} about the nursery sometime this month. It is such a peaceful room. The husband and I find ourselves in there a lot just hanging out.

I also found this super cute pregnancy update survey on Little Baby Garvin that seems like an easy way to answer everyone's questions. Here goes!

How far along? 36 weeks
Total weight gain? 30 lbs   {started at 125 lbs...you do the math}
Maternity clothes? Gap maternity leggings and shirts {All of my maternity clothes are from Gap. Awesome & will be able to wear after pregnancy. Great fit!} and many of my pre-pregnancy shirts from Anthropologie
Stretch marks? Nope {thanks Mom!} Even my stomach tatoo still looks pretty good.
Sleep: horrible. Hips hurt and I keep flipping from side to side. Feel like I am sleeping on a basketball.
Best moment this week: Doctor's apt this morning to hear the petite's heartbeat and learn her position.
Miss anything: Bending forward, touching my toes, yoga, putting on my own socks, clear skin and wine. Being able to do all of my errands without asking for help. Crossing more than 2 things off my to do list a day. Riding in the car without getting attitude from the petite. My Gap jeans with buttons and zippers.
Movement: Hell yeah! Strong pokes in the ribs by little feet. She gets hiccups all the time poor thing. Rolls when she hears her daddy's voice :)
Food cravings: Originally french fries {thanks again Mom!}, now Starbucks small pink birthday cake donuts. Anything Asian, Chinese, Sushi etc. {rolls only though!}
Anything make you queasy or sick: Nope
Gender: Girl
Labor signs: Braxton Hicks like crazy. Have had them since 28 weeks. Mild crampiness this past week.
Symptoms: Heartburn, hip pains and this past week swollen fingers and ankles at the end of the day.
Belly button in or out? Has been out for a while
Wedding rings on or off? Have been off for a while
Happy or moody most of the time? Content, but anxious about a first baby and labor.
Looking forward to: Labor being over. Someone handing me my perfectly healthy daughter and telling me all is well. Spending time with my family over the holidays. Being swallowed by all the holiday cheer. Looking at my Mom with a new found respect and awe and watching her help her baby learn how to mother her granddaughter.

Have a great weekend everyone! Soak up some holiday spirit!

{pregnancy survey question credit Little Baby Garvin}

Printable Vintage Santa Treat Bag

Hello December! I am totally getting into the holiday spirit and I seem to be gravitating toward vintage Christmas this year. I am feeling nostalgic. So I was super excited to find this free printable Vintage Santa Treat Bag download over on Skip To My Lou. The image is from one of my favorite vintage clip art sites, Graphics Fairy. These would be cute for holiday party favors, seasonal birthdays {which our baby will have}, advent bags, treat bags left by Santa for the kiddos, hostess gifts and many more uses. I wonder if you would be able to print these on canvas bags as well?

{image credit Graphics Fairy. Found via Pinterest}