Damask Love Returns

The verdict is in.

Damask Love readers are the most awesome readers in all the land.

It’s a fact. A fact that I didn’t even know about until my recent siesta from blog town. You guys checked in on me to make sure I hadn’t defied all laws of gravity and fallen off the earth’s surface. You messaged me, emailed me and even snail mailed me. Who knew you all were such loyal and sweet readers!?

Well today, I’m getting back to it after a much, much, much needed break. What was it much needed? Well, there’s been lots going on ’round these parts. Howsabout I update you on a few of the more noteworthy happenings. Let’s go.

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It may look like I’ve had one too many slices of deep dish, but that’s no food baby. That’s a baby baby.

Hands down my best DIY ever.

Well – I guess it’s not really a DIY. More of a DIO (ourselves) because this was…um…uh…a team effort. I’ll spare you a full tutorial on this particular project. Google it.

For the last few months, I’ve been in a haze of excitement, overwhelm, exhaustion, occasional queasiness and all too frequent trips to the store for a watermelon fix.  (I’m currently eating about two watermelons a week). With our first little one on the way, Andrew and I could not be more happy. Seriously. We are so excited…but I’m gonna be honest: pregnant is weird. Weird in the best, most unexpected ways possible:

Like when you go to the grocery store (for the aforementioned watermelon fix) and a 40-something-year-old man looks at you…then looks are your protruding baby bump…then looks back at you and says “Hey, boo.” Seriously, dude? I’m pregnant. Why are you hitting on me right now?!

Or when your mother tells you that she doesn’t want to be called Grandma because it makes her feel old, so I say “Well, what do you want our kids to call you?” Her response? “Gladys” The woman wants to be called “Gladys.” Really, mom? Really? Gladys? Note: my mother’s name is NOT Gladys. Never has been. Never will be. I have no clue where she came up with the name Gladys, but I quickly vetoed that one. Most days I’m a fan of ridiculous, but even this idea was overboard for me.

Chances are that the stories will keep coming as this bump gets bigger and bigger. Chances are I’ll be sharing those stories with you here on the blog. I hope you won’t mind. Of course, there will still be your regularly scheduled crafting – but let’s be honest. Crafting is way better when there’s a hilarious pregnancy story to accompany it. Right?

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It’s no secret that I’m mildly obsessed with gelatos. I used them HERE, HERE and HERE – and now you can find more of my gelato love all packaged up in a kit that I helped design! How crazy is that?!

I partnered up with the friendly folks at Faber-Castell to design the cards and content included in the Card Making Gelatos Kit. You’ll find it nestled in the paper crafting aisle at your local Michael’s Craft Store and when you open it up, you’ll find a photo and profile of your’s truly! I may or may not have purchased a ton of these kits already to give out to my family! Don’t worry though – I left a few on the shelves just for you!

Untitled-4This latest development is one that I had to share in today’s update post.

Ever since Domino Magazine came onto the scene – I’ve been a fan. So you can imagine how I reacted when they named Damask Love one of the 17 Best DIY Blogs out there! Excited would be an understatement. You can check out the full line-up of blogger HERE.

So – there you have it: a quick look at what I’ve been up to…well at least the most exciting bits of news. This week, I’m off to Salt Lake City where I’ll be speaking at Altitude Summit and hobnobbing with all the awesome creative bloggers who will be in attendance. Be sure to check in with me on Instagram to see what I’m up to! In the meantime, I’ll be posting all your beloved craft & DIY tutorials right here – so come on back tomorrow so we can get this party…restarted!

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Keep on crafting with these other posts

About Amber

Hey, I’m Amber Kemp-Gerstel - the crafty brain behind Damask Love, where creativity, color, and a little chaos come together. I’m a suburban mom of two, known for turning up the volume on everyday DIYs and showing up like your colorful, crafty BFF. Over the years, I’ve gone from psychologist to full-time content creator, TV host, and brand partner, with appearances on Making It, Today, and HGTV. When I’m not making stuff or on set, I’m chasing around my two boys, Markus and Maxwell, and laughing my way through the mess.

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200 Comments

  1. 6.18.14
    Rae Ramses said:

    Congrats! I had a feeling this was coming when I saw your pic with the camel. Heehee! Super excited for you and Andrew. Your mom, on the other hand, is a riot and I see where you get your sense of humor. I definitely have missed your posts and don’t mind any ‘As the Baby Turns’ stories.

  2. 6.18.14
    Nikkia said:

    Congratulations on everything!!! Especially the new addition to your family!! So happy and excited for you and your hubby!! I’m glad all is well I hadn’t put an APB out yet but it was coming lol .
    🙂

  3. 6.18.14
    Carol Mc said:

    Congratulations! Very happy for you and your hubby. Happy to see you back posting.

    When I was carrying my first I couldn’t get enough peanut butter. Cravings are a funny thing. Watermelon sounds healthier.
    t

  4. 6.18.14
    Gaelle said:

    Félicitations !
    Found your blog a few weeks ago when I was looking for some tutorials on bookbinding & became a huge fan… your job is so amazing!

  5. 6.18.14
    Shelly K said:

    Congrats, girl!!! 🙂 And I completely understand the whole 40 something old guy thing! lol When I was pregnant with my third and pushing my other two in a stroller, I had some old guy in a car, whistle and circle around the parking lot, just staring at me! Yeah, somethings wrong with people…lol…Well, enjoy your watermelon and glad to see you’re back! 😉

  6. 6.18.14
    Felicia said:

    Congratulations to the New Mommy & Daddy to be! I just had had a Nov. 2013 bundle myself. Blessings to you both.
    Kudos on the Gelatos collaboration, I personally have been resistant to this item so as not to start another fetish, but just because YOU my friend are now a part of its design. I will certainly have to pick up me at least one kit. Love your blog posts. …and yeah those remarks from other guys while you have the baby bump…it comes with the territory somehow. I think it sends off some dummy brain in their heads that they think we would be in any way attracted to them. LOL! Just enjoy every moment. Smooches…

  7. 6.18.14
    ~amy~ said:

    Congrats!!! Love your baby bump stories…especially the gladys one. Yahooo for the shout out from Domino and woot woot on the gelato news!

  8. 6.18.14
    Cris G. said:

    Big congratulations!!! I can’t think of a better reason for your absence… I wish all the best for your baby, for the happy couple, and grand… ops! lady Gladys :). Good to have you back!

  9. 6.18.14
    Gina said:

    OHMAWERD!!!!!!!!!!! Congratulations to you and Andrew…and Gladys (that is HILARIOUS!) I am so happy to hear about Baby Damask! Awesome!! What a gift!!

  10. 6.18.14
    Judy said:

    Congratulations on all your exciting news, especially your pregnancy!! Thanks for sharing your funny baby stories!

  11. 6.18.14
    Quiana said:

    So happy for you! As I sit here 2 days past my due date I can attest to those strange 40 year old man stories. Ughhhh! I just don’t get it. Anyway, congrats on well on being included in Domino’s round-up as well. Hope to see you at the next Alt Summit =)

  12. 6.19.14
    Megan said:

    Congrats!! What wonderful news 🙂

  13. 6.19.14
    Linda B. said:

    Whelp, I purchased my card making Gelatos kit today! Can’t wait to use it Amber! Thanks!

  14. 6.19.14
    Kelly R said:

    Congrats to you and your family. What an exciting time for you. Enjoy it all!

  15. 6.19.14
    bonnie said:

    Congratulations on everything! Happy to see you’re back! LOVE your Blog! Missed You!

  16. 6.19.14
    Samanthak said:

    Hi Amber, congratulations on your very exciting news, glad you were ok and are back on board…thought about messaging you but didn’t want to intrude as I know life happens outside of blog land and sometimes you have to prioritise. The bump looks great, it is totally weird when you feel the little one wiggle for the first time, kinda like butterflies. Hope you have a great pregnancy, if you don’t have the book what to expect when your expecting by Kas Cook then get it, funny as! And good info too. So thanks for sharing your news with us and we look forward to seeing the antics of the bump and craft!

  17. 6.20.14
    Gerry S. said:

    I always love your posts, but this was the BEST EVER!! Congratulations to you and your husband. A sweet baby for you both. So very happy. Thanks for keeping us in the loop. It will be fun for all the blog aunties to travel this path with you. Hooray for Amber!

  18. 6.20.14
    janet said:

    Wonderful news, Amber. Congratulations to you both 🙂

  19. 6.22.14
    Brenda Porter said:

    Congrats Amber and Andrew!!! this is so exciting! I feel like I am gonna be an Auntie or something! anyway…keep the pics and stories coming! and of course the crafts!! I did miss you! take care!

  20. 6.23.14
    Kathy said:

    Congratulations! I think it’s funny that “Grandma” would make her feel old but “Gladys” wouldn’t. LOL! My daughter and niece and nephew call my mom “Gra” (pronounced with a long ‘a’ like cat…my nephew couldn’t say Gramma” but said Gra and it stuck.

  21. 6.24.14
    KMCorby said:

    I was undecided on that Gelatos card kit, but now that I know you had a hand in designing it I want to go get one right now!

  22. 6.24.14
    Ann said:

    Wishing you all the best! What wonderful news!

  23. 6.27.14

    CONGRATULATIONS..I really missed you, I’d only just found you and then you disappeared. I can’t wait to hear all the bump stories. I too love Gelatos and need some more, so will be purchasing that kit. Oh and something else…I have made approx 100 envelopes using your tutorial, some as gifts, some for me and some that have been requested..thank you Amber, more craft sessions please. Cx

  24. 6.27.14
    Lisa Norstrom said:

    Amber – I am so glad you are well and CONGRATULATIONS!! How very exciting for you and your husband! I have not been getting any notifications from bloglovin that you posted these latest two posts, I just looked up Damask Love because I was going to see if there was any news – I was so glad to see everything is all right – in fact more than all right – such wonderful news! Oh yeah – and you know you’ve really made it when you are helping create kits for one of your favorite products AND have your picture plastered on the package!! Congrats on that as well – I am going to keep my eyes peeled for that kit! Welcome back!!

  25. 6.29.14
    Kathy H said:

    Oh, so that’s what you’ve been doing! Congratulations on your awesome news! Your Mom sounds as fun as you are!

  26. 7.1.14
    jay c jay said:

    CONGRATS to you and your husband. So very happy for you .

  27. 7.21.14

    Congrats Amber and Andrew, adventure awaits! Best DIY (DIO) ever! Love it. Wishing you all the best.

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