little ladybug

I found a lovely little ladybug hiding out in my room today! I think I might keep her... she is so cute!

seeing pumpkins

This week's topic for Studio Friday September 21st suggested by Ascender: THE BEGINNING...

Back to the "first creative steps" we all took...I'm curious to see what they looked like for us all.

Well... I am going to share this week even though it might be a rough fit... you gals are WAY talented! I think for me, the first time I really went out on a limb creatively was one Fall about five years ago! There must have been a really crisp breeze in the air because my mom & and went nuts with pumpkins! We made hundreds of fun & festive pumpkins! The best part was that others went nuts for the pumpkins too! We sold them like they were hot pumpkin-cakes! We had soooo much fun! Great memories! The pumpkins gave me a big boost... I was off and running! These are just a few of the fun creations we pulled together.

So then... Thanksgiving rubbed off on Christmas and I decided to keep the fun rolling! Loads & loads of wreaths and festive decor up to my ears! It was a blast!

I think I am a growing into a creative individual! I LOVE the creative process... experience! I am at my best & best at being me when I can create!

Now... when our house sells & we make our move... I will be itching to get unpacked and get back to creating! I miss creating for the shop!

the blues...

I've had a case of the blues. The kind of blues that you try & try to shake but they will just not get off your back. Well... I feel like I've been swimming in the blue lagoon!

But I'm gonna wash these blues right out of my hair (could stand to lose some gray too)! I have way too much for which to be grateful! This is just a temporary detour in our path! Right! Yeah!

So to bring instance smiles I made a quick stop at Hobby Lobby today. I could spend hours in there! Seriously! Been there & done that! I picked up some pretty paper and headed out to take on the day!

Just a few of my new paper pretties...

Kim ... the new design star

woo hoo! I am thrilled Kim won!
HGTV's new design star!

She has such a natural, relaxed way about her. She is too cute and way fun!

I'm looking forward to her show! Way to go girl!

vintage revisited... Anne Taintor

OMG... these have got to be the funniest dad gum things!
Courtesy of a great feed I recieve A Girl Must Shop ... they featured this great site Anne Taintor. I woke up to a good laugh this morning finding their site. Soooo great! What fun girlfriend gifts! These are just some of their fun!

always tempting

Finds from the always fabulous... always tempting me... Vintageweave Interiors!
Adding a piece from their lot of goodies is sure to add instant charm! They have many treats... you should take a peek! These are just a few I happen to favor!

singing a duet!

I am singing & whistling dixie! I think my teeth may even be brighter just by wearing a smile all day! What a treat for mama! The Duet is my new pal! Some miracle men came and set up the beauties today! Aren't they so pretty!!!

my dear... dear laundry
you are always there for me
i shall not leave you in a quandary
nor forsake you & leave you dirty
i now look at you ever so fondly
i just love you ... you... little turkey

Okay so... my clothes may not stink but my rhyming skills do!

gretel's new "do"

Okay... so I had to share gretel's new hairdo! I think she looks sooooo dad gum cute! We have always kept her hair long (you know how the boys like it) but now we've gome for the short & sassy look! I think it really brings out her eyes! :)

And speaking of gretel (the best dog in the world)... I must brag on my husband & his delightful enigineering abilities! He made this fun dog house for her a while back! Isn't he good! I weathered some metal ceiling tile & pop... here goes a really cute dog house! Thanks dear!

clippings from my "daydreams" folder

Looking through my "daydreams" folder last night... which I often to do... I came across SOME of my favorite inspirational interiors! They speak to my soul! I love them all for their neutral/simple feel with added pops and punches of color! LOVE!!! Love color! Red... pea green, crisp blue, delightful orange and yummy chocolate brown!

I get a million gazillion magazines in the mail (my favorite school fundraiser)... when I see something that speaks to me... I yank it out and put it in my "daydreams" folder! A gal can dream... MUST dream and keep her desires alive!

HUGE fan of zebra rugs! HUGE!
Could not live with out the use of black in every room!

Okay... love the screens!

Zebra... again! Great fun!

Really love the painting and sofa casters!

What a cool coffee table!

NOT possible to have too many baskets!
Great old farm table!

Just love the sharp use/contrast of neutrals!

P.S. clippings from various magazines... unable to point to exact reference.

sunday smiles

Picking flowers... rides on the teeter totter... dressing up like a princess... all for some afternoon smiles!

Tonight it's early to bed & tomorrow it's back to school! School! It will take me a while to wrap my brain around the fact that she is already in kindergarten! Little bit and I will have a full morning out and about. Lunch for a treasured friend's birthday and errands around town.

I am ending the day on a high... thank God! I feel like I've been on a teeter totter lately! Being in limbo with our move and all. I... for the most part... think I am handling it all pretty well... BUT... I have those days/moments where total panic sets in! I feel like I have so much ON HOLD! So much I can not get involved in. So much the girls will miss out on. I truly (even after all more emotional out- bursts) KNOW it IS all in the plan. I know there IS a reason for all this craziness! Right? I know I am NOT the only gal facing these same issues right now. I just have to keep falling back on the fact that I have no idea what is in store and be OKAY knowing that GOD does and he in in control!

give a kiss today

A kiss is stange. It's a living thing, a communication...

expressed in a simple moist touch. Mickey Spillane

Happiness is like a kiss...

in order to get any good out of it

you have to give it to somebody else. Anonymous

Kisses are the messengers of love. Danish Proverb

up close & personal

Some really great shots my brother took while on a trip in Africa with my parents. Aren't the animals just awesome! Almost don't look real. So beautiful... I just thought I'd share!

mother's day out... in full swing

Little bit was really excited to get back to school today! Other than asking me if I could stay there with her... she was ready to take on the day! Her teachers are super! Of course! We have been truly blessed with some of the BEST teachers!

The day seemed to fly by! I had a long list of "to do's" some of which didn't get done. :) But that's OKAY I "breathed" today! It did feel good... I have to admit... being on MY OWN for a little today! I never knew just how great mother's day out was going to be! By far one of the best decisions we made for the girls! Really GREAT for the them & GREAT for me too!

community of faith

This week over at Studio Friday ...Lauren suggested an "art tribute". A tribute to someone that you love, and that encourages\inspires\supports you as an artist.

Since I was working on this gift... I thought it would fit right in with the topic. Community of Faith is a place full of inspiration and overflowing with encouragement. A place where you can truly be yourself.... come as you are... where you are... no matter who you are. A truly great group of people... making the world a better place! The music rocks and the message is real & relevant! I love Community of Faith... thank God for such an awesome group of people and thank God for Mark & Laura's vision!


COF motivates my soul & makes me want to become a better me! thank you!