Wednesday, October 31, 2007

HappY HappY jOY jOY


You are looking at two very happy chicas. Call it the luck of the Irish, serendipity, divine intervention. Call it what you may, but we are on our way to Silver Bella next weekend. Tammy and I were able to score the last two remaining tickets to this FaBuLOUS event. You can check out what's in store for us HERE. I tried to explain to my husband this is like getting into a golf clinic with Phil Mickelson. Yeah, he still didn't get it.

Let the countdown and packing begin!


P.S. MeeMoo We Love YOU! xx00

All Hail the Birthday Queen


Just in case you haven't heard, Alice Glass turns 100 years young TODAY! She's been a bit of a celebrity as of late. And I don't just mean here-check out the article about her in The Southern Illinoisan. Just click on the link and then search for "Alice Glass" to get to the article. What fun it's been to look forward to this day along with her. I marvel at all she has lived through and seen over the years. The birthday queen is partying it up today as well. When we spoke to her early this morning she was raring to go and said, "I feel pretty good!".
Happy Birthday, Gran! Enjoy your day. We love you!








Monday, October 29, 2007

We Are Family




There's just something about spending time with family. At my parent's lake house there is a photo of all of us from our trip to Gulf Shores several years ago. The caption reads, "together is the best place to be". It truly is. Doesn't matter at which house we gather or what the occasion. We just love being together.



Yesterday, we were celebrating Missy and Emily's birthday's. And the objective was just to hang out and visit.
Cam was even able to join us so that was an added pleasure. Just so good to be together. Love you all!



P.S. Shout out to my brother, Mike. Thanks for hanging my clock and paper lantern. They look great!

Saturday, October 27, 2007

Oh, I Remember Now...





this is my kitchen! WOW! Who knew this nice little space was underneath all the arts and crafts stuff and accompanying mess? I just HAD to take back my kitchen. For those of you who have dared to visit our home during the past several months you know this is nothing short of a miracle! Since July it had become more of an art studio than a place to prepare food. Poor Jeff and Brady had to fight over the one spot to sit and eat. It's good to have this space restored to it's original purpose-except for the computer and printer, of course! And for those of you who don't believe the Fly Lady when she says shining your shink will do wonders for your disposition. Well, I maintain you haven't given it a try! There's just something about clearing away the clutter, dust and debris that makes a girl feel so much better.


Now I'm motivated to get my studio back in order. And I am seriously getting rid of half of this stuff. My tastes have changed and really, this is just sick to have accumulated this much stuff. Seriously. Going to begin sorting and have a couple pieces of furniture to paint (that's next Saturday's project). Then I can begin rearranging. Hoping to get an island or my dream to have the Pottery Barn project table-yeah, dream on. Anyway, I'm going to get it together. I really am.

Okay, I'm off to bask in the glow of my clean kitchen and move on to the adjoining living room . Wish me luck!

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Upward and Onward

There is nothing quite like having a creative vision and going through the process of bringing it to life. I have been fortunate to have had several opportunities to feel such a sense of accomplishment. This past Saturday was one such moment. After several months of working on the projects for Grandma Alice's 100th birthday celebration and wondering how or if it would all come together, I am both pleased and relieved that it was a success and is over. But what a day for Jeff's grandmother and his entire family. I was so honored to be a part of it! It probably could not have gone much better than it did-thanks in no small part to the support of my BFF, my DH and my sweet mamala.

Here are a couple additional last minute projects I threw together.
<-------This one ended up being a favorite. Just love the way it all works together-the mica tile, silver leafing and the patterned paper which does most of the work that it could almost be considered cheating! IRL it is so lux looking-kind of hard to photograph though. TOTALLY inspired by Sharon Wisely of Red Lead fame (have I mentioned I love this store?!).

My BFF warned me that I might slip into a funk after working so intently for so long and as I unpack and put things away it is a little sad. She got on to me for wanting to re-work a couple of my projects, too. I definitely will tidy up at least one of them that I've yet to share until I complete said tidying. But for the most part, I'm putting my babies to rest and moving on to new projects.


Picked this up at Target last night and look-y here. -------->
Is this FaBuLOUS?!? I'm SO wishing I was going to Silver Bella-would love to take classes from the likes of Jennifer Paganelli. Oh, well-I think I've had my own Bella going for the past several months-HA! Anyway, totally jazzed and ready to get started on Christmas gifts and continuing to expand my horizons in the mixed media arena. In fact, I may never go back to traditional scrapbookng. Yes, appalling, I know.

Anyway, upward and onward. But first, downward-I MUST get my studio cleaned and weeded out and back in some semblance of order. Until then, I leave you with this beauty.
Totally copied from Pam Garrison and I think it is my favorite of all the things I made for Grandma Alice's party. This was so much fun to do and such a leap of faith for me. Used watercolors on top of the vintage wallpaper and everything. Yes, that's a real birthday candle on top of the cake. And let me tell you, my love affair with vintage glass glitter now runs deep, very deep. (Not sure if you can tell from the photo, but that's Happy Birthday written in glitter.)

P.S. As if you haven't had your fill of "the party", I have photos coming from our wonderful photographer (love you, Tam!). So I hope you'll indulge me when they arrive. ;)

Sunday, October 21, 2007


15 handmade vintage style party hats
9 one-of-a-kind photo projects
4 months of planning and creating
Seeing the joy on the face of someone you love?
PRICELESS.


More to come about the birthday girl and her party. For today though we're resting and recooperating. Thanks, Tammy for this beautiful photo--it truly captures the joy of the day!

Friday, October 19, 2007

No Rest for the Weary


Well, it's 3:05 AM as I am writing this. I don't think I have stayed up this late in a looong time. Nearly done with all of my projects. Just a finishing touch here and there, packing up and I'm on my way to party central. The excitement is building even as I face exhaustion. Can't wait to see how it will all come together.


This is one of the French memo boards my mom helped me to make. They will each have a variety of snapshots of Grandma Alice on them. I love how they turned out-simple and elegant. Once again, Mom came to the rescue. Thanks, Mom!


Would love to share more photos, but the light isn't so swell at three in the morning! If I have time before I head out I'll post some more photos. Otherwise, I'll have lots when I return.


For now, blessed evening to all and to all... a good night or morning!

Monday, October 15, 2007

I think I can, I think I can...

Earlier in the day, I declared I would not turn on the computer or TV this evening and vowed to go computer free all week to avoid distractions. As you can see, I caved! Just a little shout out to say I am making progress-YAY!!!

I remember when my cousin Jennifer and I walked in a March of Dimes walk-a-thon. I don't remember how old we were or exactly how far we walked. But it seemed like a long, long way at the time. I remember being SO tired and as though I just could not go on a step further. But then I got my second wind and I was able to finish. It was such a good feeling to complete what I started by pushing through to the end. That's what this week feels like. One final push to the end. I've organized my list (naturally) and if I stay on course and pull in a couple of reinforcements I think I can get it all done.

For tonight though I'm off to bed. Need to make sure I don't have a relapse of sickness-that would really mess me up! Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers-especially that I'll be on my best behavior and not allow the stress to bring on the dreaded Martha Monster.

P.S. Please forgive no photo-blogger is experiencing problems again. I promise a couple photos no later than Wednesday! :)

Monday, October 08, 2007

Just a little peek...



Here is just a little peek at something I'm working on. Sorry-the scan was turned the wrong way so you'll really have to use your imagination. This is a total experiment for me. Not quite sure how it's going to turn out, but I think it just might work. Hope to finish it up tomorrow. I've been a bit under the weather so I'm off to bed, but just couldn't keep it to myself. I'm so crazy for the abracadabra collage method introduced by Sally Jean in her book, Pretty Little Things. Will share more when I've finished up this project.


Also, here's how this one turned out. IRL, it has alot of texture and I like that it is a bit of a still life or vignette. I do have to add some string to the spool inside the box, but other than that it's good to go. And that's my ebay treasure-the china doll head. Isn't she sweet? She reminds me of a friend of mine with her dark hair, sleepy eyes and heart shaped lips. I ordered her for Grandma Alice, but not sure I can give her up!

Until tomorrow dear friends. 'night!

Friday, October 05, 2007

Multitasking is Over-rated


You type A's out there-BEWARE. I'm about to rock your world with something you may not be ready to hear. Multitasking is WAY over-rated. I know, I was as horrified as you to learn this. Say it ain't so! And here's another one for you. Perfectionistic tendencies lead to procrastination and inefficiency. GASP!

If you haven't passed out from shock and you're still reading this you are either not truly a type A personality or you have already learned these cold, hard truths. I have always prided myself on being a perfectionist (maybe obsessive is a better word) and a multitasker (something that comes naturally once you have children). I believed them to be strengths. However, I have come to realize that these tendencies can also be your downfall.

So, what pray tell is a recovering perfectionstic multitasker to do? Well to begin with, I'm going to try to SLOW down and focus more on one thing at a time. Find joy in what I'm doing at the moment before moving on to the next thing on my list(s). (Yes, I said lists-like most Type A's I usually have more than one sometimes more than two going at a time.) I am also going to find pleasure in imperfection-in myself, my art and others. Yes, I said TRY. As everything usually is- it's a process. And more importantly, it's about changing your perspective. Besides, it will be a much more healthy way of living.

Just as soon as I scratch off all the items on my list for Grandma Alice's party...
only 3 hats and 3 photo projects, one banner and 2 french memo boards
and 15 days to go.

and a partridge in a pear tree! ;)