be mine.

with the end of christmas, it has been brought to my attention that valentine’s day is on the horizon.  so, i’ve begun designing some small valentine note cards, round stickers and candy bar wrappers.  here’s a peek.  more to come soon.

:: red plaid candy bar wrapper ::

xoxo, rae

friis fam

because i am more awake tonight at 10:30 then i have been all day, here is a peek at our christmas card this year.  i really should be doing my bible study….

…front…

…inside…

sweet dreams.

beautiful clients

some fun new designs thanks to my charming clients.  their pictures and personal styles are very inspiring and make my job a joy.

… gorgeous … and family …

… a proud big brother, so cute!…

…i love the photo booth pictures in this card… 

…and of course these festive pictures taken by my friend stacy, of my neighbor and friend’s little girl,  and card designed by my other friend and neighbor katy… now that is what you call a group effort…!

i love christmas time.

the tote.

about a month ago at matilda’s birthday party i gave away these totes as a party favor using each child’s initial.since then i have had a few people i know place orders, so i figured why not make them available to everyone?  it can be very challenging finding something personal and functional to give during the holidays and this tote meets all of those requirements.

it is great for children & adults, the library, reusable shopping bag [small purchases], to fill with activities for road trips, overnight bag, holding projects, and so much more.

bags measure about 14x14'” and are made out of a canvas material.

:they can be customized using the following monograms::

 

::and these typefaces::

View Full Album

 

for $15  $12 each.

please email me your order at rae@armommy.com

if you are interested in learning how to make these totes on your own, you may also email me.

*** happy shopping ***

diy paper ornaments.

i’m so not ready for november to be over, but at the same time i have been chomping at the bit to dig into my christmas decorations.  like many of you i didn’t waste anytime.  the two days after thanksgiving, my house looked like someone puked red & green, pine needles and glitter.  it was quite the mess.  but after we had stayed up late saturday night drinking hot cocoa and decorating the christmas tree, i looked at the final product and was a bit disappointed.  it didn’t look finished, but we were out of ornaments to hang.  hmmm.    well, this time last year matilda was one month old and i was getting very little sleep, so there is no saying what happened to the missing items.  it is very possible that i went on a purging spree, or it could be that they are lost in the black hole that is our attic.  however, knowing that we could stumble upon our old stuff at any moment, i decided not to run out to target to replace them, but instead found a fun little project to do with the kids.

…paper lantern ornaments…

 

i took the boys to ben franklin to pick out some of there very own scrap booking paper and then picked out some of the scraps i have laying around my office.  they look adorable on the tree giving it a homespun feeling and i’m guessing it would look great as a garland and adorable strung in a child’s room or playroom.

…here is how you diy…

1.  cut 10 strips of paper 4” long and 1/2” wide

2.  use a round punch to create holes at the top and bottom of each strip

3.  stack strips together and attach brad through the top and ottom holes

4.  gently bend strips into a C shape and fan them out, creating a ball shape

5.  attach string around top brad for hanging

6.  tie ribbon at tip [optional]

[note: to make larger ornaments, you will need to use more strips of paper]

…have fun!…

christmas arrivals.

if you have yet to find the P E R F E C T  greeting card for the holidays, then today is your lucky day!  all of our cards are customizable and our design team is eager to help by making adjustments to fonts, colors and sentiments.  [a selection of fonts and motifs can be found in the blog entry below]

all cards are $1.50 each and can be printed on flat or textured card stock.

+ $.50 each to add a coordinating border/backing.  envelopes are included.

$20 to purchase your design and you can print on your own.

a proof will be sent via email for your approval prior to printing.  we ask for 5 days to fill orders.

email rae@armommy.com with orders or inquiries.

*** e n j o y ***

greeting card no.1 [accordion fold]

greeting card no. 2 [5x7]

greeting card no. 3  [5x7]

 greeting card no. 4 [5x7]

greeting card no. 5  [5x7]

 greeting card no. 6 [5x7]    

greeting card no. 7 [5x7]

greeting card no. 8 [5x7]

greeting card no. 9 [5x7]

             greeting card no. 10 [5x7]

greeting card no. 11 [5x7]

 

thanks for looking through our collection!  if you don’t see anything you like, send us an email and let us know…   we welcome custom orders. 

rae@armommy.com

*** m e r r y   c h r i s t m a s ***

G I F T tags.

gift tags are a “must have” when it comes time to wrap gifts.  so why not create some that fit your personality style and theme for the season!?

with frankly stationery by ARMOMMY you can create your own or customize one of the tags we designed.

tags are 3.5” x 2.5” and are printed on textured cardstock. 

$8 for each set of 12 tags.

email your order or questions to rae@armommy.com.

ARMOMMY designs:

    

O R  P I C K   A  M O T I F ,  T Y P  E F A C E   and   your own M E S S A G E   or   M O N O G R A M

christmas season motifs [colors can be changed]

our favorite fonts

View Full Album

orders and questions can be emailed to rae@armommy.com.

looking forward to seeing your design choices!

…merry christmas…

be encouraged.

[this picture has nothing to do with the post.  just thought it was fun.]

below is an excerpt from a book written for single moms by a single mom.  jana [armommy sales] and i, who have both been solo moms, read this book as a tool for a fellowship group we started.  it came as a bit of a surprise to me that i would be greatly affected, even today as a married mom of 3, by the words on the pages of angela thomas’ book.  there is no question that single moms face challenges that some of us won’t experience, but we will all face hardships, disappointments, and setbacks.  because of that i believe you will be blessed by the paragraphs below [chosen by jana]…

A home with one parent is not the path I had intended for my children, but the bigger question continues to be, how now shall we live? I want to become a woman with a changed life. A healthy heart. A full, alive, and passionate soul. If this happens for you not only have you reaped the benefits personally but your kids will get a head start, because they will have lived in a  place where

[difficult circumstances became a really great life.]

How cool will that life lesson be for them? I think it will serve to give them tools they'll need to overcome life's inevitable disappointments and failures. I think they will understand more about hope. I believe that if you live healthy in front of them, they might just grow up to become healthy balance adults who multiply and pass on the beauty of God's redemption.

What God does for us fills the emptiness so that we are able to give that same kind of selfless love to our children, our families and the friends that walk alongside us. When I am full of the knowledge of God, made clean by His forgiveness, and walking in the grace He had given me, then I am a  really cool  mom. I am not Supermom, but in that full place, I know that I am loving my children as they were made to be loved.

When I am full, I am not wishy-washy about my role as protector or provide. I overlook the small things. I major on the kids' hearts and look into their eyes and hear what's on the inside of them, trying to get out. I am not whiny or grumbling. I forgive them even as I'm giving out consequences. I dance with them more and take longer to brush their hair or watch a new skateboard trick. I am peaceful because I am living from the gift of God's peace to me. I know they can feel the difference. I am not empty, and they are the benefactors.

God's grace flows freely from my heart into theirs. And we are better. And life is brighter. And hope abounds.

Angela Thomas  ::  My SIngle Mom Life

b e   e n c o u r a g e d !

xoxo

n . o . t your average betty crocker.

i am not a good cook.  if you are a friend [or my mom] and you are reading this i can hear you say, “sure you are!”  but i know better.  i can cook and i do cook, but really i am not good.  however, there is something that i find SO endearing about people that look and feel at home in a kitchen.  and it just occurred to me as i was preparing to sit down and write this entry that there isn’t anything that can replace a home cooked meal [unless you are my son’s friend “g” who goes home raving about the frozen lasagna and meatballs i’ve served the couple times he’s been over…  heaven sent for my self esteem i think].  i want my family to be blessed by my cooking.  for these reasons, i continue to battle it out in the kitchen.  sometimes begrudgingly but always happy with my efforts.

if you are like me [a below average betty crocker] you probably look at a cookbook titled “15 minute meals” and chuckle.  it takes me 15 minutes to dice a carrot; or at least if feels that way.  so, i have grown particularly fond of recipes that use very few ingredients.  below you will find a friis family favorite.  it is MY favorite because it requires few ingredients, fresh veggies, no meat preparations and is virtually burn proof [however one night i left the burner on low and by the time my husband got home that evening the broth had evaporated and the top layer of tortellini's was crispy…  ooops…  but it was still edible].   it is my FAMILY’s favorite because it’s simple and delicious. 

as a side not ::  my favorite cookbooks are williams-sonoma which have a reputation for needing few ingredients.

tortellini.&.vegetable.soup 

INGREDIENTS :: 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 carrots halved lengthwise and thinly sliced, 2 stalks celery thinly sliced, 2 zucchini halved lengthwise and thinly sliced, salt and pepper, 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth, 1 pound fresh cheese tortellini [i always use chicken herb], 2 plum tomatoes chopped [the kids are not fans so i omit], 1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf [italian] parsley chopped, 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese.

1. in a large saucepan over medium heat, warm the 2 tablespoons oil.  add the carrots, celery, and zucchini and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.  season with salt and pepper.  stir in the broth and bring to a boil.

2.  add the tortellini and cook for 5 minutes, or according to the package directions.  remove from the heat.  stir in the tomatoes and parsley and season to taste with salt and pepper.  ladle the soup into bowls, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with the cheese, and serve.

for extra “flare” garnish each bowl with a spoonful of store bought pesto and serve with a loaf of italian or wholegrain bread.

voila!  a hearty soup YOURS will enjoy and YOU won’t stress over.  especially because you won’t be left with a kitchen full of dirty dishes….  this recipe only requires one pot.  try it out and let me know what you think!

bon appetite! 

lights . camera . action

below is the anxiously awaited ARMOMMY video.... the blockbuster hit of the holiday season.... well at least in our way of thinking!

before you grab your goodies and settle in for this charming, thought provoking, 3 minute love story, i would just like to say a few words:

mark of august island pictures; you did a phenomenal job filming, editing and blessing us with your time and talents. emily of jones design company, i did not even know that i was creative until i spent time with you. thank you for sharing your home, ideas, friendship and encouragement. to ALL of my friends and family who's darlings i have borrowed; thank you for not charging me and for your willingness to help [and for making such cute kids!]. to kames and jaty, for creating our web site, putting up with me and being devoted friends. thank you to my mom, aka jane, aka the president of ARMOMMY. i don't know what it was that convinced you to go into business with me. i can only assume it's a God thang. thank you for putting a lot on the line, for your time, energy, creativity, believing in me, supporting me, sharing your wisdom and picking up the phone when i call. [seriously, i know this is getting ridiculous, and is totally uncalled for, but bear with me.] thanks to my family, friends and children who have sacrificed, helped, humored and cheered me on. to my yodaler [aka my husband] for being the true definition of a partner, for putting up with me and for simply saying, "yes, i know you can do it" when i rattle off a seemingly outrageous and unreasonable vision that i have for our life and the company. Lastly to my Lord and Savior, the ultimate designer, creator and idea maker; thank you for crossing my paths with these lovely people, for giving me a platform to share your love, for forgiving me and for never leaving my side. may it be for Your Glory.

ok, now you can E N J O Y !

ps - thank you to all the people i forgot. xo

theBUMPER

babies’ curiosity about doors, or a friendly chasing game between bigger children can have painful consequences.  protect those precious fingers from getting slammed or keep doors open for ease of supervision with our clever door bumper.

the bumper is tied to knobs on either side of the door and fits snug against the latch.

perfect treat for your home or a friend!  purchase some now for $9 each in the following fabric patterns…
daisy chain
blue lattice
red lattice
lovely birds
use the paypal button below to purchase or send an email to rae@armommy.com.  specify which fabric{s} you would like and any ribbon preferences {or we will choose a coordinating ribbon}.

enjoy dear friends!
rae friis . vp + mom . ARMOMMY

p l a c e . m a t s

Want to teach your little ones to set the table {without saying a word}?

They will be SO proud of their acheivement and what mom doesn't want a little extra help!?

 

OR simply want to add some fun and excitement to your meal or craft time? 

our place mats are the perfect solution view our collection below.....

All of our place mats are professionally laminated {very thick} and are 12x18".

Colors can be changed on the place mats below. 

If you don't see anything that you like, please send us your ideas and inspiration

and we will be happy to come up with a custom design.

Cost . $18  $15 for the month of September.
Purchases can be made at the bottom of this post using paypal,
or you can email me: rae@armommy.com 
your order and I can invoice you personally!

girl silhouette {$25 additional charge to create your child's silhouette from a picture}

boy silhouette {$25 additional charge to create your child's silhouette from a picture}

boy multi-dot

girl multi-dot

boy "eat your peas"

girl "eat your peas"

boy scallop

 

girl scallop

boy multi-stripe

girl multi-stripe

yellow + navy cloud

pink + navy cloud

boy - d is for dinner

girl - d is for dinner

strawberry plaid

gingham cupcake

fortune cookie plaid

sailboat stripe

please include the description of the place mat you would like to purchase along with the name{s} or monograms you would like to use and your email address.  you may also email me your order and specifications at:
rae@armommy.com 
you will have an opportunity to view a proof so you know exactly what you are getting!

thank you for shopping ARMOMMY.