Rain Rain Go Away

It seems Dolly has moved inland and is dumping bucket loads of rain on us today. I didn't let it dampen my spirits tho' as I embarked on a little adventure "off the midway" this afternoon. While Brady was at his class I ran into the little consignment shop where I have some items. Kind of curious if anything had sold since I left them earlier in the month. But mostly, I went to check out the victorian photo album I keep coveting. Although it is priced well, I just couldn't bring myself to purchase it again. I think I've gone in there about 5 different times this month! It's in great condition and LOADED with photos. Yeah, not sure what I'm waiting on. But I did come away with a couple of really good finds I am just giddy about. I could hardly contain myself as I paid for them.

I got these two beautifully illustrated children's books from the early 194o's for $20. They have gorgeous illustrations that I can't wait to scan and use in my artwork. I'd like to use this one for one of my Christmas projects.

<-----I am particularly fond of this one, too. Makes me think of Mary Engelbreit. Throughout the book there is a beautiful patina on the metallic gold ink-just stunning. Really can't capture that with a photo and too large for my scanner-the books are easily 9"x12". For now, they've quickly found a home on my piano.

I also picked up a school dictionary which was super cheap at only $3 considering the amount of use I'll get from it. It has TONS of great illustrations and several full page color illustrations including this one. Yep, want to do something really special for my dad with this one. Sorry-the scan is really wonky-it is a thick book!

Then, just for fun I picked up these.

<-----He reminds me of my brother as a little boy.

<-----And I just loved her serene contenance. My collection of adopted ancestors is growing!

Well, just had to share my newest finds. I think my feet are finally dry and warmed up. We've had so much rain this afternoon that the parking lots are like creeks. At one point I was soaked up to my shins! Anyway, have to get the elves back to work around here tonight. They got the night off last night to watch Jeff Lewis and the gang. I wanted them to see it could always be worse! ;)

Stop the Ride! I wanna get off!

Sometimes I feel like I just stepped off a tilt-o-whirl. My head is spinning and I'm stumbing trying to get my balance. Do you ever feel like that? I know I mention here frequently how fast time seems to go by. My mom warned me after I had my first child that as I got older it would just seem to go faster and faster. She was right. There are moments however, when time seems to pass a bit more slowly. Kind of like after you've been off the tilt-o-whirl awhile. You've managed to regain your balance and make your way out of the midway into the fairgrounds where it's more quiet and you can take in the surroundings with a bit more leisure. From this vantage point you are able to really soak in the sights and sounds. Well, the past few days have been a mix of both around here. Part tilt-o-whirl and part leisurely stroll.



I enjoyed a productive weekend creatively and was able to make some good progress on the projects I'm working to complete before the end of the month. Yes, I know. Perhaps I should have begun sooner. You're right, but creativity and what appears to be procrastination kind of go hand in hand. Just seemed kind of blocked, but the dreary weather for several days, lots of Christmas music and the advice of one of my blog buddies managed to snap me out of it. I now have multiple projects in the works at various stages and should be able to deliver at least a few items by month end. So I was pleased with that. Thanks, by the way, to those of you who left a comment and shared some of your favorite things about Christmastime.


I also enjoyed spending time with Jeff and Brady just hanging out. Me working on my projects while they watched ballgames and stuff. We did manage to catch a couple movies each night on DVD and enjoyed lunch on Sunday at one of my favorite places-First Watch. Just seemed all in all like a more leisurely weekend. It was nice.



Now it's Monday and back to the work week and things seem a little more hectic. My house is a mess naturally because I've been distracted by other things. Yep, I can't do it all. Fortunately, I have a husband who understands and we'll work at it together all week to catch back up. Love him for that. And for listening to me ramble for hours on end as I obsess over my projects. And after two days of Christmas music playing Brady says, "Mom, why are we listening to Christmas music? It's still summer." Well, I'm not the only one who's been doing Christmas in July. In addition to numerous boutiques around town, a local radio station played Christmas music on Friday to help raise money for an area food bank. See? I'm not so crazy. I actually woke up to Mannheim Steamroller on Friday morning and thought it was a commercial. Jeff said, "I think they're trying to help you get in the mood to do your Christmas stuff." That's what I call serendipity!





Well, if you're still with me at the end of this long-winded post I'll share a peek at one of the projects I've been working on. This pic is when I was still playing around with the banner. I ended up printing the phrase on cardstock and glued it to the ledger paper which I'm hoping is not too fragile. See-I obsess about stuff like that. No wonder I don't get anything accomplished, right? I made another one out of completely vintage supplies in another colorway. Each evokes a different mood so I'm not sure which I like most. This was inspired by another project from Postmark LA by Pam Garrison. I've really gotten my money's worth of inspiration from that book!


Have you heard the Trace Adkins song, You're Gonna Miss This? Love the message of that song. I don't want to be guilty of wishing days away. I want so much to live in the moment, but sometimes we get going on this ride called LIFE and we have to be reminded to slow down. So, here's a friendly reminder. If you find yourself on the tilt-o-whirl this week, jump off the ride for just a few moments. Meander down the midway to the fairground with a frozen lemonade or an icecream cone and just ENJOY. Better yet, make a phone call to an old friend, send a card to someone who needs a friend, take a walk with your children or listen to their bedtime prayers. Just stop and enjoy the moment.





Thanks for stopping by today. Have a great week!

Need A Little Christmas

Oh, yeah. That's right-Christmas. And boy do I need a little Christmas right this very minute. I was hoping to be elbow deep in Christmas at this point in the week, but I just can't seem to get motivated. Not sure how designers work seasons ahead. How do they forecast what consumers will be looking for? What colors will be popular? And how do you get in the mood for Christmas when it's 98 degrees and 60% humidity outside?!?

I'm determined tomorrow to come home and turn down the A/C, put on the Christmas cd's and get to work. I have an exciting opportunity to place some of my work in a local shop for the Christmas season, but the deadline is looming. Would love it if you could lend some inspiration and help create a little Christmas in July for me. Leave a comment and let me know what you look forward to the most each Christmas season. Do you have a favorite recipe? activity? What are your favorite scents of the season? Holiday movie or song? Come on, now. Help me haul out the holly!

P.S. Did you know there only 154 shopping days until Christmas?

Waitin' for the repair man

I put this together yesterday afternoon while waiting for the repair man. I ordered this vintage supply kit from Jenni Bowlin earlier in the week and was surprised it came so quickly. Thought I'd piddle with it while I was waiting and followed her lead and assembled this photo folder. I printed off some of the photos from 4th of July at my parent's lake house. This was a quick little project and could easily be duplicated. I've often purchased little folders to mail snapshots from Target or Hallmark, but this is easy enough to make and much more personal so I think I'll do this again sometime. Love the vintage map and the tiny foil stars. The tiny cardstock tags are from Making Memories and the large glittered star is from Jenni, but the rest of the supplies are all vintage. May mail this to my dad so I'm not sure I'll part with some of the vintage pieces, but instead save them for a future project. He won't be nearly excited by the old clock face and vintage playing cards as me!

As it turned out, the repair man finally arrived and said it would take at least 2 hours to rip my new couch apart and fix the tear the delivery people made in the back of it. The dispatch center hadn't allowed enough time so he'd have to come back. ARGH! Bummer. At least I was able to be productive while I waited and Brady had been on a field trip so the afternoon wasn't a total waste.

On the way home from picking up Brady, I ran into one of my fav junk palaces. Found several pairs of vintage "Grandma Swan" earrings. My grandma used to wear lots of these clip on earrings-I think of her everytime I find a pair. I use these on lots of my projects and this particular store is a great spot to pick them up on the cheap.

I also picked up these beads and will use them on some Christmas projects I hope to begin this week.

Just a little share. We have kind of a busy weekend and probably won't get to continue working on my studio much (made ALOT of progress last weekend). Brady has picture day for baseball today followed by a double header provided they aren't rained out. Tomorrow we'll take him to Illinois for a couple days with Jeff's folks to break up the summer a bit for him. He's looking forward to shopping with Mee Moo and bowling with Baw Baw. Then it'll be Monday again. SIGH.

Have a great weekend!

Mickey Mouse Boot Camp

Can you believe how quickly time passes? I sure cannot! This summer has been a whirlwind and before we know it will be back to school time. I had a bit of a panic attack yesterday when Jeff proclaimed, "Ten weeks from tomorrow we'll be headed for Disney!" WOW! and I had not done a thing to start preparing. Not one thing. Nothing. Nada. And worst of all, it occured to me that I might want to get in a little better shape before we go. Two years ago when we went I had been walking on a regular basis and have since totally slacked off. Since we walk non-stop 10-12 hours/day for five days, I think I'd better start walking. In fact, on one of the Disney message boards, someone reported they were curious just how far they walk at the parks so they strapped on a pedometer. They clocked an average of 8 miles/day. For their five day trip they walked more than 40 miles. YIKES! Mickey Mouse Boot Camp has begun! I'm back to walking a mile every morning and hope to increase that over the next several weeks.

Brady really gets into counting down so this is our countdown to Disney chart inspired by Heidi Swapp. And the list making has begun, too--stuff we missed last time, stuff we want to do again, stuff to pack, stuff to research, stuff to buy. Managed to already cross some items off already, too though. YAY, me!

Got a little bit of shopping in yesterday and picked up these. They screamed Disney as I walked by them at Target. And they were on clearance! One of the other projects we're going to do to build Brady's excitement about the trip is to put Disney trivia questions in his lunchbox the month before we leave. He'll be back in school then so it should be alot of fun.

Well, first things first. I'm off to bake a cake. Somebody at our house has a birthday tomorrow!

"A" is for Apron

<-----pattern is by Busy Bee Quilt Designs and fabric is Free Spirit, Barefoot Roses by Tonya Whelan.

I did it! Finally finished my apron/smock. Well, with a little help from Mom. Probably would've taken mom only a couple hours to make this apron, but it took me three evenings-and that was with her help. Our sewing sessions always start out a little tense, but once we hit our stride it is really alot of fun. After years of sewing, Mom has lots of tips and is very good at reading patterns. She gets ALOT more out of them than I do and she says that is the secret-learning to read the pattern and think through each step before carrying it out. I need to start writing down all of her tips so I can remember them when I go home to work on my own. I had grand ideas of whipping up several of these to sell on Etsy, but I don't think that will happen anytime too soon! How cute would they be though in some SIS BOOM fabric or made out of vintage tablecloths?

My next goal is to get back to working on some small projects at home on the machine she gave me. I recently purchased the pattern for the Amy Butler Frenchie bags and I SO want to try to make some for Christmas gifts this year. I think I have a way to go before I'm ready to solo on them. And I'd like to finish my quilt top before fall so I can hand quilt it over the winter. WHEW! always lots I want to do! And that's just in the sewing arena. Mom's advised me not to take on any other projects until I get my quilt completed, but my Aunt Bonnie recently won this KIT which I LOVE. I made the mistake of peeking at their website-such. cute. stuff! It's very tempting and they are very small appliqued quilts. ;)

Anyway, just wanted to share my accomplishment. This was on my list to complete this week so I'm ready to move on to some other projects on my list. I don't consider the week over until the end of the day on Saturday so I still have a chance to get a couple other things completed before the end of the week.

Oh, and before I forget. I want to give a shout out to my hairstylist, Rachel. She did an awesome job on my hair today. That girl can cut a mean bob and she is Queen of the Blow Out. I just love how full she can make my baby fine hair. We decided to swing it up just a bit more and to grow out my bangs. Really happy with how it turned out. Thanks, Rachel!

It's been a busy week, but it's gone by quickly and I'm looking forward to the weekend. How about you? Have you had a productive week? Are you ready for the weekend? Say it with me now, TGIF!

Scenes from the Lake

Wanted to share a few of my favorite photos from the Lake this weekend. My apologies to my sis-in-law, Julie. I guess I didn't end up with her in any of my shots. Truth be told, I didn't take that many. My family is a little photo shy. Well, except Matthew. I think he thought I was shooting photos for Missouri Conservationist! He just kept posing and casting for me on Saturday!

We had a nice visit to my parents Lake house over the 4th of July weekend. I can understand why my Dad enjoys it there so much. It's so quiet and peaceful-well, except when we all descend on him! Took a boat ride with my dad, had wonderful bar-b-que and smores. Played cards and spent time with my niece, Emily-can't believe she will be taking her driver's permit test in October-yikes! Emily even inspired me to get a book read this weekend I'd been wanting to read all summer. Brady got to spend time with his fav cousin and Uncle Mike-he just adores my brother. If you knew each of them you would marvel because they are so different, but they seem to have a connection and I think it's great. Mike can get him to try outdoor things noone else can. Although, I don't think Brady ended up tubing this time. He did get to do fireworks with Mike and Matt though-thanks, Mike! We even stopped at Central Dairy on the way home. What a treat and a bargain! My sister commented that the cones we got would have been $4 or $5 at most places. They were HUGE and we paid $1.50. Their Moose Tracks ice cream is my favorite-yum!

As always, I love spending time with my sister. She is so much fun and is probably the most laid back in our family. And that's saying something 'cause we are all aware we're wound tight as a drum! It was good to go and get away if even for a little while and be with family. Now, it's back to the regular routine of the work week and back to the to do list.

Speaking of to do lists-have you been watching Flipping Out on BRAVO? Oh, my. Definitely one of my indulgences this summer is watching Jeff Lewis. His assistant, Jenni is my favorite. If you haven't checked it out and need a good laugh you should set your TIVO or DVR. What a riot!

Here are a few things on my list this week:

Looking forward to working on my studio and getting back to my wallpaper project;

Hoping to get rid of some more consignment stuff;

Want to get a bookshelf painted for the studio;

Have the junk in the garage hauled away.

If I can check all those things off my list it will be a very productive week indeed. Here's hoping!I'd like to get back to my quilt project and work on some other art stuff-I'm having withdrawal! In fact, I hope to get over to mom's to make an apron I picked up pattern and fabric for a week or so ago. It's TOO cute! Okay, well, maybe I won't get ALL of this done this week. A girl can dream, though right?

Happy Independence Day!

I'm a little late. Made a quick trip to the Lake on Thursday after work. Just in today and going to make the most of the rest of the weekend here at home, but wanted to wish everyone a wonderful holiday weekend. Hope you're spending it with those you love and will take a moment to remember just why we celebrate this day. Although there are lots of things we could find "wrong" with our country, many of us enjoy a life and choices millions all around the world can never imagine. Let's not forget our service men and women serving all over the world who strive to protect our freedoms.

God Bless America!

Just Popping In To Say...

We have finally been making progress around here. Man! does it feel good to finally be able to scratch some things off that never-ending to do list! Trying to keep up the momentum from the weekend during the work week while juggling Brady's activites. Jeff's sister will be in town on Thursday and is coming for a visit so I'd like to get a few more things completed before then. Fingers crossed.







Here's a peek at our new furniture that was delivered on Friday. I think I'm really happy with it. I wanted all white Pottery Barn, but just couldn't justify the cost. So this is as close as I could get. I took this right after the carpet cleaners left on Saturday. I've since rearranged the mantle and the side table vignette and added some throw pillows--they are from Pottery Barn! ;) Not sure if it was just adding the loveseat or the colors in the fabric with our wall color, but the look of our living room has totally changed. Definitely looks more cohesive. Love spending time in there now. I'll have to post better photos later.




It's been kind of a stressful summer so far. I didn't think summer was supposed to be that way. Turns out that most every day at summer camp Brady is the only boy in his group. So needless to say, he's not thrilled about going this year. Guess it's giving us a taste of what it will be like next year when he'll be too old to go there at all. He's growing up so fast. He's really enjoying baseball this year though and I think he's going to learn and improve alot. All too soon summer will be over and we'll be headed back to school. Or so I keep telling him. In the meantime, Monday trips to the skating rink, reading Treasure Island and baseball are helping him to get through.









I'd better get going. My goal is to be able to mark something off my list tonight. Does a load of laundry count? It wasn't on my original list. But first I'm going to go watch Jeff and Brady play catch for awhile. Brady can't seem to get enough of playing catch this week. Last night they played until they couldn't see the ball any longer. I love that he's trying so hard to get better at something. WAY TO GO BRADY!

Inspiration Begets Inspiration

Did you ever play the game Telephone as a kid? Someone starts by whispering something to the person next to them and they to the next person and so on and so on. When the phrase reaches the last person it's always interesting to see how the phrase has changed as it's traveled through the "telephone". Inspiration is alot like that game. You see or hear something that moves you and then create or do something in response resulting in something your very own yet a reflection of what has inspired you.

Artists and musicians often refer to their influences. Who has influenced their style? Who inspires them? Even athletes find inspiration from their heroes. Inventors are inspired by the need to find a solution to a common need. Every successful person has had someone who inspired them to reach their goals.

So, who or what inspires you? As a creative person I long for inspiration. And I find it all around me-nature, music, print ads, movies, blogs-- inspiration is all around. At times, I'm more receptive to it than at others. Sometimes it moves me to be creative or to change my behaviors. And what a feeling when inspiration hits. It's energizing. You truly feel alive, engaged. Inspired!

I've mentioned the little indie book, Postmark LA here before. Some of my favorite mixed media artists (Theresa McFayden, Pam Garrison, Carolyn Peeler, Rebecca Sower, Amy Hanna, Charlotte Lyons) recently self-published this book about a girl's weekend they spent together. Like-minded artistic souls spending time together doing what they love-shopping, talking, working, creating, finding inspiration. As a result, they created this book for the sole purpose of inspiring others.

I was recently inspired by a project from the book by Carolyn Peeler to create this project. Carolyn was inspired to create her piece by Corey Moortgat. No doubt, Corey drew inspiraton from someone or something else when she created her pieces which inspired both Carolyn and me. See? It goes on and on.

I know. A little Circle of Life, but who or what inspires you? Who are your heroes? I love the quote I chose for this piece. I find it...inspiring!

Man! can't believe it is Monday already! In a way I'm relieved. I mean, I felt like I needed to go back to work to rest today! I definitely function better when I am on a regular schedule and that's much easier to maintain during the work week. Anyway, it's back at it for the week, but here are some of the highlights of the weekend:

Friday-went to the movies with my mom and sister. Had fun just hanging out together. I think my sister is one of the funniest people I know.

Saturday-spent most of the morning doing laundry, waiting for a repairman and working on this.

Jeff called after he got to work and said, "oops. forgot to get my dad a card for Father's day." So, no problem as things were already a mess on the island I just made this. I scanned it for posterity, but afterwards added a couple more words and embellishments (in the car on the way to meet Jeff's folks). I'd wanted to do something with this photo ever since I worked with Grandma Alice's photos last summer. Of course, most of you readers don't know Jeff's nephews, but Jeff's nephew, Grant looks alot like Jerry (Jeff's dad) in this photo. And although the one on the bottom looks SO much like Jeff, I also see Jeff's nephew, Andrew and even Morgan, a bit. Love working with family photos in collage work-one of my new favorite things. In the afternoon, we met Jeff's folks for an early dinner at Cheesecake Factory-YUM!

Sunday-after church my sister and I took my dad out for lunch-Just the three of us. I'm not sure that we had actually ever done this before ever, but it was a real treat to have this time with him. After lunch we took Dad to check out the new Dick's Sporting Goods in our area. Dad is so funny-you can tell where I get some of my wish list making. Dad had already made a list of all the stuff he was going to look for!

Too funny! Jeff and I rounded out Sunday evening with some errands, working on the garage and getting take out followed by a movie-National Treasure 2.

Although it doesn't seem like I actually did that much, it certainly was a busy weekend. This afternoon, I'm catching my breath and then I've got to keep moving. Our new sofa and loveseat is set to arrive on Friday and we're having the carpets cleaned on Saturday. The mission to continue to declutter around here continues. Have to turn my efforts away from my studio this week, but we are definitely making progress around here and that is a good thing.

<----- I leave you with this photo of a bunny I spied in mom & dad's yard yesterday afternoon. He made me laugh at how relaxed he looks all stretched out lying in the cool grass. He must have laid there for at least fifteen minutes before he jumped up and hopped away. Going to find a couple opportunities to relax like that this week and enjoy the beautiful weather they have forecast. Well, it's on the list anyway!

Happiness Is...

a kind word and good deeds. Such little things, but big in the effect they have on one's spirit. My sister is the Queen of random acts of kindness. She and a friend of hers lugged my new cabinet from the garage to my studio in the downstairs this past Saturday. It would take me awhile to list all the selfless acts like this she's blessed me with over the years. Seriously, she's a good sis!


Merci becoup, Marisa!



<-----BTW, this was a little thank you I made for my sis inspired by the Bella's new book, Postmark LA. Climbed on to the dollie head bandwagon. Love their sweet expressions and all the wear and tear from being loved.






Not quite ready to show it all, but here is a peek at some of my favorite spots in my studio. It's making me happy to see progress and imagine it finished and actually working in there. You can see the start of my dollie head collection. ;)






Here are some other things that are making me smile this week. Hope you'll share what makes you happy. Leave a comment and play along, won't you?

Happiness Is...
our new smooth operating garage door and being able to use the opener again

jack johnson playing on the radio on a balmy summer day



browsing through the kids section at barnes & noble and seeing all the titles i read as a kid-did you read nancy drew? how about the little house books? tom sawyer?



a new book = new inspiration
<-----can't wait to dive into this one


an icy cold java chip frappuccino



reading about traveling to paris-could i? will i? i just might.



lavender sachets in my dresser drawers-love the way they scent my clothes


you've got mail-the movie AND receiving an unexpected sweet note from my mom

MAMMA MIA!

What a weekend! Spent ALOT of time at home working on my studio and managed to get quite a bit accomplished. Still not finished, but definitely making progress. But the highlight of the weekend was going to the Fox to see Mama Mia with my mom, my sister and Shirley. What a fun show! I had been looking forward to it for some time-you know how my sister and I love ABBA.





I was very curious how they were going to work the music into the storyline. So clever. Loved the use of color to get the feel of being in Greece. There's nothing quite like live theatre. Loved the voice of the gal who played the mom-her voice was great for ABBA. She had great control. The dancing was amazing, too. My favorite part of the whole night were the encores when the entire cast performed three ABBA songs in platforms and those whild metallic space inspired outfits the Swedish foursome used to wear back in the day. Can't wait for the movie adaptation-I'm hoping they have a sing along version like they do for The Sound of Music! ;)





Hoping to share some peeks at my studio soon. Although at times it feels like all the stuff is growing, it is starting to come together.

P.S. Yes, this is the lone photo I snapped before going in. No cameras allowed so I was afraid to even snap a photo of the four of us. Oh, well-next time.

Paging Peter Walsh

Where is Peter Walsh when you need him? You know who I'm talking about, right? The Australian guru of clearing out the clutter who dares to ask the question, "Does this clutter make my butt look fat?" Well, I need him ASAP! The clutter is not only making my butt fat, but driving. me. crazy!


Seriously, we've been attempting to get a handle on the clutter around our house. Part of that is clearing out my studio. In particular for a piece of furniture I just brought home over the weekend (thanks to my dad) which will hopefully help me to be more organized. I desperately want to pare down, weed out and basically get rid of ALOT of stuff. I'm making progress, but I am so frustrated and need someone who is not emotionally attached to me or my stuff to say, "hey, get rid of it!"





Here is a BEFORE photo. Don't judge me-I know I'm not the only creative hoarder out there in blogland! ;)

These are some inspiration photos I'm carrying around with me to stay motivated. Hopefully, in a week or so I'll have IN PROGRESS photos. Once I clear everything out I still want to paint and then finish my vintage wallpaper'd wall I started.

<-----Love the open shelving and the collection of vintage containers. And of course, the wallpaper!

<-----Again, love the open shelving and that you can see what you have. Also like that it is practical yet decorative.

<-----Love the locker baskets and the little drawers. I have that very lamp only it's dark brown (and needs rewired).


I'm slowly making progress. I also picked up a set of bed risers for my desk and now I have the counterheight working space I have been wanting. I can always lower it if I decide I don't like it later. I'm a little fickle at times. I'm hoping to have my mom help me make a skirt for it. I got this idea from Colleen Moody HERE.





I just keep hammering away at it. And enjoying some positives including finally putting to use some of the items I'd purchased for organizing. I am loving the new-to-me vintage luggage I purchased for a song. Nice and clean and in great shape-storing books in these. Going to sell or get rid of the luggage pieces I purchased previously. Yep, can't get over the smell. See, fickle.



Although Mr Walsh is not by my side, I am using some of his tried and true tricks--quick sort, purge and organize and the piles-keep, toss, give away. I know this works it's just time consuming and you have to stick with it. My goal is to only have 1/3 left when I'm finished. I have a way to go so, if you see Peter send him my way. And tell him to bring Eric Strommer with him--I could use some open shelving and help getting that cabinet downstairs!

EveRyDaY

Today's blog post is dedicated to my dear husband, Jeff. We are celebrating our 11th anniversary today. I am so grateful to have this man in my life. He truly is one of a kind. He has demonstrated many times over just how dedicated he is to me and our children. The lyrics to this song by Rascal Flatts sum up how I feel about him. He truly saved my life. I love you, Jeff!

Bonne Anniversaire, mon cheri!

You could have bowed out gracefully

But you didn't

You knew enough to know to leave well enough alone

But you wouldn't

I drive myself crazy trying to stay out of my own way

The messes that i made

But my secrets are so safe

The only one who gets me

Yeah, you get me

It's amazing to me

How every day

every day

every day

You save my life

Hello, Old Friend

On the upside of a three day holiday weekend when it's rained more than not and I've basically been in bed sick, I have caught up on reality TV, watched the Wedding Planner and several musicals. Not alot of excitement. I did manage to teach our last Sunday School class until next Fall and to go to a movie with my husband yesterday, but that's about as exciting as it's gotten. Feeling a bit better everyday, but this yuk has really knocked me out.

Would have loved to have used this time to do any number of things that needed to be done around here, but just haven't felt up to it. Besides, if I hadn't been sick I'd been at the Lake for most of the weekend. I did take the opportunity on Saturday to spend some time with an old friend-scrapbooking! Yes, before I fell in love with the wonderful world of mixed media I had a little thing for scrapbooking.

Shoulda known back then what was ahead since one of my favorite designers has always been Jenni Bowlin. Drawn to her use of vintage elements, I couldn't get enough of her signature style so I began subscribing to her "kit" club. Each month subscribers receive a collection of patterned paper and embellishments chosen by the designer herself. Slowly Jenni began to design her own products tailored to her esthetic-a delightful mix of vintage and modern. Now, most of the products in her kits are JBS exclusive products. In addition to her montly papercrafting kit, she also features a project kit each month as well as limited addition mixed media kits. See what I mean? I love her style!




Anyway, I took the opportunity in between naps to work on some things I had received in recent months from Jenni. I'm ashamed to say, I have quite a stockpile. At one time, I had challenged myself to create at least three layouts from each kit filling an entire album, but have since gotten derailed.





This one was a project kit I assembled for my Mom last weekend, but I didn't get a chance to share it yet. I like the way Jenni used the rubons to accent the photos. These are from her product line and go on "like butter"! I'm always amazed just how much she seems to get out of the kits she designs. Always lots leftover to use on future projects.





I first discovered Jenni and Heidi Swapp because they both had boys and there seemed to be so few layouts in the magazines with boy stuff. I like the way they both are not afraid to use traditionally feminine colors and elements for boys. Afterall, real men wear pink don't ya know!





I also credit Jenni with helping me to overcome my fear of journaling. Inspired by her, I have used song lyrics, poetry (even my own) and just a few words to tell why I want to remember a brief moment captured in a photo. In the layout above I chose this time to use a quote card I ordered from Rebecca Sower's etsy shop. You can find a link to her shop HERE. She and Jenni both use vintage elements in their work and I often get their names mixed up when I talk about them!



Even tho' I would've rather not been sick this holiday weekend and didn't feel up to doing much, I'm glad I seized the opportunity to revisit my old friend scrapbooking. We'll stay in touch thanks to Jenni.

Pitiful Timing

The start of summer beginning with the Memorial Day holiday is something I always look forward to. We had planned to head out to the Lake today for a brief visit with my family. I'd really been looking forward to taking a very big deep breath and enjoying a relaxing time of just hanging out together for a day or two.

Well, as most plans go (yes, I am often a glass half empty gal) I came down with an upper respiratory infection. Since I wasn't feeling up to travelling today, Brady rode along with Grandma and I've spent the afternoon in my chair under the quilt with ice water and a diet coke nursing my sore throat and cough. Not exactly how I had planned to start the holiday weekend.

I recently picked up Mary Emmerling's new book, Beach Cottages. In the introduction she writes, "If you have ever loved a beach house, you know it holds a place in your heart forever. " Ever since our family rented a house along Fort Morgan beach near Gulf Shores several years ago, I have longed to return to the shore. That trip affected all of us on many levels. A few years after our trip my parents bought a lovely house on Lake of the Ozark on a quiet inlet cove. Shaded by oaktrees and covered in hostas and other perinnials it's a wonderful retreat for all of us. It has all the necessary components of a beachside cottage- sun, water, laughter, flip flops, no schedules and all of us together. Like many of the cottages featured in Emmerling's book, Mom and Dad's place at the lake holds a fondness for all of us. We love being there all together. Hopefully, I'll be well enough to join everyone later this weekend.






As a consolation and to keep the beach theme going, fate brought me Rogers & Hammerstein's Carousel on TV this afternoon and my eagerly anticipated copy of LA Postmark-la petite livre arrived in the mail today. Now I'm just waiting for the meds to kick in and hopefully I'll be back on track for the holiday.







Have a wonderful holiday weekend-Happy Memorial Day!

sPRead Your wINGS and FLY

Our family had a wonderful day on Sunday. Not only was it Mother's Day, but it was Confirmation Day for my niece, Emily. I was honored to be able to participate in the worship service by being part of the choir. My vantage point allowed me the joy of seeing my entire family sitting together in worship singing, praying and taking communion. The highlight of the service was when we gathered around Emily as a family and laid hands on her and prayed that God would guide and sustain her on her personal journey of faith. I'm hoping she knew just how much love was surrounding her at that moment and felt the sincerity of our hopes and wishes for her to grow in God's love. Here are a few pictures from this special day courtesy of my sister-in-law, Julie. I managed to forget my camera!


<-------Emily with her pastor who did a great job not only teaching, but discipling as well. Thought it was great as part of their program they visited a
seminary, Catholic mass and synagogue.

<-------Me with Emily's other grandma. It was Janet's doing that I briefly stepped out of retirement for this special occasion. She is the pianist and organizes the choir at their church.

<--------Emily with her two godmothers (me and Julie's sister, Linda)

<----------this is the historic church where the confirmation took place. One of the oldest churches west of the Mississippi. Such a picturesque building. The stained glass is simple, but pretty. I wish it had been sunny so you could see how pretty they were.

<--------these two jokesters always seem to make me laugh. They kept laughing at me every time I teared up-which was often!

At Last

Tara Whitney recently began a Project of the Month post on her new blog. At the beginning of each month, she posts a BEFORE photo and describes the project she wants to finish by month end when she posts an AFTER photo of the completed project. She invited her blog readers to play along. Well if you know me very well, you know I have enough unfinished projects to fill an entire year of POM's (Project of the Month)! However, I thought Tara's new POM very inspiring and in that spirit Jeff and I have started trying to get some things accomplished around here.

At last one of the first projects is completed. YIPPEE! These shelves from Pottery Barn had been lying on the floor downstairs in our family room since January. Thanks to one of the fellas from Jeff's work they were finally hung up this afternoon. I love how they look! Going to play around with the layout of the frames, but that's what I like most about these shelves/ledges. It's so easy to have a rotating display and to incorporate three dimensional items along with the photographs. All of the photos displayed except the one in the green frame were taken by Tammy Heckel.

The light streaming through the windows downstairs was so great this afternoon I just had to snap a photo of my Brady boy. He didn't sit still for long-he was working on writing and drawing a cartoon among other things. Okay, I'm off to try and get some other things organized to see what else we can accomplish this week. Who knows, you just might see me posting a few finished POM's over on Tara's blog!

POM POMS

Just couldn't resist bringing these home with me from my mom's house earlier this week. The bush is just loaded. Man! they are spectacular.

Had my first quilting lesson this week, too. Silly, me. Thought I was just going to tear it up with the rotary cutter and get all my pieces cut in one night. Little did I know all the prep work involved in beginning a new quilting project. Managed to get all the strips cut for the first colorway and assembled three 6 inch blocks. WOO-HOO!!! Only 45 more to go! I think once I get into the groove it will go quicker, but want to do a good job so don't want to rush either. There is so much to learn, but I'm learning from the best. Hope I can do her proud.

I titled this post POM POMS at first because of the flowers. We've always called them snowballs, but I've also heard them called Pom Poms and lately I have been thinking about my Mom and how she has always been my biggest cheerleader. Sometimes without my knowing and often without me realizing it.

Recently, I had to attend a rehearsal several miles from our home. Since it was a bit of a drive on a windy road and I'd be coming back after dark my mom offered to ride along with me. We had a nice visit on the way to our destination as we recounted stories and events from years ago as we made our way through several small towns in which much of our family had lived. I was very nervous about going to this rehearsal as I have not sung and performed other than a few isolated occassions for some time and I think Mom knew the visit would help me to relax a bit. Once we arrived, I quickly got into place and began doing my thing. At one point, I looked out to see a very familiar site. There was Mom nestled into a pew about three quarters of the way back in the sanctuary quietly listening. Just being there for me. At once, I felt more at ease and confident. Just as it had been when I would look out and see her sitting and listening in the auditorium of our home church when I would practice for hours on end as a high schooler.

That is just one way she has shown her support for me over the years. There have been many times throughout my life that I don't know what I would have done without my mother. Always the voice of reason, always the teacher, always there for me.

Abraham Lincoln said, " All I am, or can be, I owe to my angel mother." Thanks for being my biggest cheerleader, Mom.

Happy Mother's Day!

P.S. Can't wait for my next quilting lesson. ;)