Hop Art Studio

Dogwood

Well I  took a break and went upstairs to draw.

I used my Prismacolor pencils to draw and color some dogwood flowers. It was quick little illustration. ATC sized (called ACEO's  -The acronym "ACEO" stands for Art Cards, Editions and Originals.)

Fun little size to work with.

I sat there drawing away with my Kindle Fire propped up in front of me playing a new SyFy series I began watching on Netflix.

And I must say it was very fun!

So I will definitely try to crave out a few moments in my busy days to try to work on something artistic.

Even if it's just a tiny piece of art.

And a want to give a big hug to everyone who follows my blog. Your comments lifted my spirits and gave me the courage to keep on "keeping on".

 

(Oh yeah...working on a new look for the blog. I think the dog's a bit on the creepy side, right? But I like the colors. I'll look at the other ready made options Typepad has. Haven't searched around them lately. I'm sure they must have some cuter ones. Or I'll have to work on one of my own.)

Life

Yes I've been a bad blogger.

I've been busy. Not with anything in particular, just life. I seem to always be taking care of everything. I have all of these grand plans to get "creative" and they just don't come to fruition.

It's tough really.

There's this "artist" inside of me yelling out at the top of her lungs...."Grab that paint brush. Pick up that pencil! Do something!!!" But instead I find myself cleaning, cooking, fixing, scrubbing, folding......etc. It just never stops!

So this week I decided that I needed to crave out a small space just for me.

When we built this home I was so burnt out by the whole process that I did not put in the plans an "art room".

We had just moved back from our tour in California. All of our things were in storage.

(Military storage, I had no access to anything I owned.)

We were living in a two bedroom apartment with just our beds and a love seat when we found land and a builder.

I had no idea that for one year I would have to live out of our suit cases. Yes, it was stressful.

In the end it was worth it. (You can look back at the house here on my blog.) It's our last home. 

So why didn't I put in a room just for me?

Well....there are some battles we fight and then there are others that we just don't even try to win.

I rationalized that one day the boys would move out and I'd take over one of their rooms.

And when James joined the Army I thought, "Here's my chance!"

But I just couldn't bring myself to do it. 

(The thought of changing his room just broke my heart.)

So anyways....

So there is this little space, at the top of the stairs, where I have placed a desk. 

It's tiny. No space for any supplies. Just the desk.

But near by in the hall way, directly across from the desk, is a small linen closet.

I got busy....cleaned out a shelf. Bought some very cool clear storage baskets at Target (I found them in the bathroom isle.)

I put all of my "art" supplies in them. 

Carted them upstairs.

Put all of my colored pencils in some cute McCoy pots.

And found my papers.

So a small space,but I think for now it will be fine.

This summer I'm gonna force myself to NOT ignore my inner voice anymore and get back to my roots.

So please forgive me as I continue this process of change. 

I'm still finding it rather hard to get back into stamping.

And I'm not sure where this process will take my blog.

Art...illustrating...coloring...knitting...life...?

It's a journey.

Fernandina

 

What does one do on their birthday-anniversary? Take a stroll down the streets of historic Fernandina!

I love this town. Second to St. Augustine, my childhood favorite place to visit.

We had lunch on the water.

Ate some delicious fudge.

And I found a bunch of goodies!

The child's sewing machine is going to be displayed in my studio one day.

(When I ever get a studio!)

I found the McCoy pot for $10! Score

The really large glass frog for $8! Oh yeah!

And the sewing machine for $20 or was it $25? (Who cares, I love it!)

The crochet shawl was on sale for $18 at a really cute shop.

Love that old house. So many historic old houses to see.

We drove down the back streets just oohing and ahhhhhing.

Thank you for all the sweet and kind comments left on my blog during the premier of my new digital stamps for Hambo.

I'm so excited that the profits will go to a great cause.

Keep checking back as I plan on sharing more cards that I have made.

(Hopefully, keep your fingers crossed, I'll finish my work on 3 more images!)

Graduation 2012

He graduated! Now it's off to school. Then after 5 months it's off to Jump school!

We had a great time visiting with our son. He's a joy, a blessing and dearly missed by all of us.

I'm a proud mom and I'm very excited for the new journey that he is embarking on.

Since coming home I've been playing catch up.

I'm pooped!

As you can imagine the emotions were a roller coaster of highs and lows. My heart hurt when we had to say our good byes.

But I was also full of joy  - because he was so happy.

Life is good. 

Soldier Boy

 

Happy Birthday James!

Hard to imagine that my little boy is 20 today. He's all grown up!

Love you sweetheart.

 

As you can imagine I've been really busy. I am getting ready to see James graduate next week. We are so excited for him! It has been a wonderful experience. And we are so proud.

I will put a link to my facebook page on my blog. (Can't believe I haven't done that already!)

I do have something special coming up at the end of the month.

So check back.

Ukulele

While visiting one of my husband usual spots for music supplies I came across this adorable Ukulele. It's a long neck soprano. I've never, ever played a stringed instrument but I have always wanted to learn to play the guitar. So I figured, "It's a baby guitar!"

Listening to my hubby play, he's actually a drummer but tinkers with the base and guitar, I just knew that it was something that I would never take the time to learn.

Holding, the guitar just seemed large and cumbersome. And the strings felt too tough for my fingers.

He makes it look easy, of course. But I know that some people are born with a gift for music, he's one of them. 

 I've really been wanting to learn how to play something.

I took piano lesson when I was young, I mean really who didn't take them back in the 70's. But I eventually quit taking lessons when we moved to a new neighborhood, far away from the teacher. Yay! Now, that was a happy day. (Not that I didn't like the piano, but I was painfully shy and performing in front of people was horrifying. I think I played the quickest version of Fur Elise ever known to mankind!)

After years of lugging around a piece of furniture, that I never played anymore, I sold my upright piano. 

Much to my husbands surprise I told him that I wanted to purchase this cute little thing and he was shocked! But bought it for me anyways. 

That was a month ago. And I have the callouses on my fingers to prove that I'm trying to learn to play it. And it's fun! And it only has 4 strings. And they aren't as tough as the guitar. And it's cute.

Did I mention how cute it is? 

I've downloaded some songs that I found online that are fairly easy. And I must say that you gotta have rhythm to play the Ukelele!

It's not the fingering that's hard. It's the strumming. 

But I will keep practicing and one day I'll be able to play it. Maybe not as well as my hubby does, but well enough for me to be able to say "I did it"!

 

James

(James is poking his head out from behind that tree)

I'm so proud of my sweet son. This was his decision and he's really enjoying BCT. It's hard, no doubt about it, but he seems to be up for the challenge.

Only a few weeks from now we will be driving up to see him for his graduation ceramonies. I can hardly wait! We are so excited.

I'm gonna take a ton of pictures! (He'll be so sick of me pointing the camera at him. But I won't care.)

James has written a few letters to us. And need I say that these letters will be treasured for ever.

The calls have been few and far between. But it's so wonderful to hear his voice.

He's becoming a strong and confident young man.

It's was hard to say goodbye to him when he left for BCT and there have been lots of moments when my heart has really ached from missing him. But I know this is what he wants and he has to learn to be on his own.

So proud of you James.

Army

The beginning of this month my sweet son James left for basic training. Yes, he joined the Army back in May of last year and was in the delayed entry program. So this was the month he was to leave.

I have to tell you that the months leading up to the day he left flew bye. I don't know where they went! Honestly. I knew he was leaving. I was prepared for him to leave. But it hit me like a ton of bricks when I saw that van pull away and I knew that he would be on his own.

I'm glad that we had a lot of time to spend together last year. He wasn't in school and only working part time (just under 40 hours). We'd often have lunch together or spend  a few evenings alone while his little brother and Dad were at baseball practice.

We have always been close, he's an artist like me and we share so many similar interest, but I think last year was even more special because I knew he would soon be gone. And also I knew that this was something that he really wanted. Maybe something that he needed.

Funny, I've been a girlfriend with her boyfriend at basic training the first year and then his fiances  the second year while he was stationed far away. Then after our first year of marriage a move to a new state and then right away a 6 month depolyment!

So separations are not a new thing for me. Many separations from my hubby when we were young, when we were new parents and when are kids were in school. But boy nothing really prepares you for the first time your child leaves you. Especially when they go away to the military. Sorry, it's not the same as when they leave to go to college. We haven't talked to him in weeks. So, yep, not the same at all!

So keep James in your prayers for safety and that he continues to grow to become the wonderful man that I know he is to become. He has been a blessing in our lives and I know he will continue to be a blessing to all those that he meets.

And yes, prayers for this Mom. Even though I'm handling it really well and I was prepared for this new journey it still is not the same place with out our James here.

Still Time!

Stamping Up stamp Sets for Sale

 

I still have several Stampin Up! stamp sets for sale. If they do not sell by the end of this month I will be moving them to either my Etsy store or sell them locally. So if there is something you're on the fence about hurry up and let me know that you want it.

Thanks for the sweet comments. I agree, I need to take care of me also and not use up all of my energy taking care of my family. (Although, for me, they do come first.)

But as a sweet friend posted "To thine self be true." When we put our passions aside and don't attend to them then we will never be 100% happy.

I will make it through this stage of my life. I'm actually excited about this year! 

Bring it on!

Life Changes

A new year filled with lots of changes.

My son left the beginning of the month to start his career in the Army. He is currently going through basic training. I look forward to the weeks ahead. To supporting him through this time in his life and to be there for him when he graduates in the spring.

Times have changed. 30 years ago when my hubby (then boyfriend) went away we had no contact with him until he graduated. Now there are websites, Facebook pages, cell phones and photos that we can look through. Life is good! All of these changes make this time for us parents easier. So please keep him in your prayers and thoughts.

I don't make New Years resolutions but I do take time to reflect on the year before and evalutate what I should do differently this year. What improvements I should make, in myself and in my life.

The past few years have been a struggle for me. Emotionally and physically. I will turn 49 this year. As 50 looms near I realize that I have not been true to myself - in many areas. I have let my wants and needs be pushed to the way side as I have had to focus so much time and energy into being a wife and mother. In a world where so many women have been taught to put their careers ahead of their family I guess I have lead an "archaic" ideal of family life, where mom stays home, does the cooking and chores and is always available. I'm happy that I have chosen this path, no regrets. But it hasn't been an easy choice during times when women no longer cook or have chosen traditional roles in a marriage. 

Now I'm not saying I'm unique, I know there are many women who make the choice to leave careers and be SAHM. It's just, at times, makes me feel different. That's all.

So now....as I'm reaching a different point in my life...with my first born leaving home. My baby only having 2 years left in high school and I'm almost 50 that I have to stop and think about changes.

And yes, going through that "change" in a woman's life I have to try to take the time to find what I want to do the next 10-20-30 years of my life.

So. I plan on drawing more, watercoloring, painting, yes crocheting and knitting.

And I want to color again. I do want to get back into card making. But in a different way. 

For me, not for anyone else. But for what I want, what will make me happy.

I want to be creative. 

I want to be an artist, again.

Thank you for sticking with me.

Thank you for letting me share my passions with you.

Thank you for the journey.

December Thoughts

I've been busily decorating the house for Christmas once we got back from our trip up north. I enjoy this time of the year but this year is a bit more stressful. My son leaves soon for boot camp,  the beginning of January. So this month is happy and sad at the same time.

To help me handle some of the stress I'm feeling I've been busy crocheting and knitting. Yes, I'm still working at it. It's very rewarding.

This little bird is a Lion Brand® Wool-Ease® Amigurumi Love Birds Pattern Number: 80015AD I used cotton yarn instead of wool. He turned out a bit larger than I expected. Hence, why one should check gauge! LOL.

This fun scarf is in the new issue of Crochet world - New-Season Scarf designed by Carrie Carpenter for Caron International. It is really easy to make and so soft. I used a Acrylic/rayon blend that I found at JoAnns by Sensations. I have a special friend in mind that I want to give this to.

I found this beautiful Wool blended yarn at JoAnns that was just enough to make this Cowl.  LionBrand® Vanna'sColors Easy-Over Cowl Pattern Number: L10382 I have another friend in mind that may like this cowl.

This adorable little dress is from a pattern  from Linda Permanns book Little Crochet called Swing Set Cardigan. It can be easily lengthened or shortened to fit the size one needs. I used Caron Simple Soft yarn.

I know that I've not been sharing any cards or coloring on my blog. It's been a real challenge for me this year to be in that frame of mind. I think we all get burnt out every once in a while and I just needed a break.  

I needed to step back from things and re-evaluate why I do the things that I do.

Are we doing them for ourselves or for other people? Is what we are doing making us happy or does it add more pressure to our already busy lives? It's important to put things in the right perspective from time to time.

As Christmas looms closer and this year comes to it's end I can honestly say that I'm glad that I committed to sticking to what I needed to do. Something that was more conducive to my well being. 

Next year, well I haven't made any decisions yet about what direction I want to go. I needed the break this year, maybe next year I'll feel a bit different and take baby steps back into the crazy world of paper crafting!

 

North

While we were driving up through the Carolina's I was busily snapping pictures.

My hubby was giving me strange looks and wondering why I was taking so many pictures of the cars! 

"I'm taking pictures of the trees. I'll crop the cars out later.....Men!"

Once we arrived in VA I saw that the Bradford Pear tree still had all of it's beautiful leaves.

I'm glad I was able to snap a picture before they fell off.

I went to the neatest antique mall in Mineral, VA. I wish I had had more time to really go through each booth. 

We stopped through it on the way to my hubby's brothers house.

I loved how the owner of this booth had stacked wooden and tin baskets. I love anything old and made of tin!

While at his brothers house there was a small bush and I had to snap a closeup of the berries.

They reminded me of tiny turtle shells.

After VA we headed up to PA for Thanksgiving Dinner. 

I wish we had more time to visit while up in PA. It's one of my favorite places to go antiquing. 

My mother in law set a beautiful table and there was a lot of wonderful family and friends to share all the yummy dishes.

Of course dessert! This was only a small sample of the goodies. We had so many yummy things to try.

We were thankful for the time we spent with our families.

We were especially thankful that my son was able to visit before he leaves for basic training.

We are now in count down mode.

I'm sad, but also excited for him at the same time.

This month.....it's going to go bye too fast.

 

Bunny

I found a cute pattern for a bunny on line. Some good resources for knitting and crocheting. if you are interested in them they are Ravelry and Lion Brand.

I've not gotten sick of practicing knitting and crocheting patterns. Although, I have accumulated a bunch of stuff that I've made.

I recently found out our church has a charity that they give baby items to. So off go all of my blankets, hats and booties! I love learning new things and it's nice to have them go to a new home.

I'm excited about this year coming to an end soon. It's been a year of challenges, changes and new found growth for me. I've learned what is truly important to me and I think next year will be even more interesting.

One of the things that will be very different for me is that my oldest son will no longer be at home. I may or may not have mentioned this on my blog but he enlisted in the Army. The new year will find him at basic training and then spending a year in school. I'm excited for him and at the same time sad that he is leaving home. I know that this is part of every parents life, whether their child goes away to college, gets married or just moves out to be on their own.

I know I will adapt to the change and I know that I will always be in contact with him. He's been such an immense blessing in our lives and I know that he is beginning a new chapter in his life. This is all part of being a parent. Letting go.

So, as the old year soon comes to its end and the new year is soon upon us I welcome the changes it will bring.

Identity

I have been under the weather lately. Nothing major just "girl" stuff.

Trying to keep my hands busy knitting and crocheting.

I do feel a bit of an urge to start paper crafting again. I think maybe sometime next year.

I have to stay focused on a few personal goals that I have set for my self and de-stressing my life was the main one.

I'm close....not quite there yet. Peri-menopausal hormonal swings sure are making it difficult. During these fluxes I have panic attacks and identity "crises". I find comfort in isolation, a coping mechanism that I developed growing up.

For me, going to my room was not a form of punishment but something that I found to be very comforting. I would retreat to my room and escape into the wonderful worlds of my imagination. I was a prolific reader, mostly fiction. I loved sci-fi and fantasy. I would spend hours and hours drawing and writing poems. I have a lot of happy memories of that room of mine. 

So I guess that's why I enjoy solitude when I find myself stressed out. For others, they need to be around their friends. I've apoloqized to my close friends for not contacting them more often lately. I do hope they understand my need for space. I treasure my friendships and I hope that they understand that, for me, I'm not trying to be distant but just need to be alone.

So anyways.....I'm looking forward to pressing on....to finding a happy place....to the end of this year and the beginning of the next.

I'm excited for the holidays and for the newness that I find in the changes of the weather.

It's a beautiful time of the year!

 

Fall

 

Fall is in the air.

I love this time of year. And I just had to put out some autumn decorations. Time to turn off the AC and open the windows. I get in the "cleaning" mood and baking mood. 

If you haven't seen my stamp sets for sale there's a link at the top of my blog or you can go here

Stampin' Up! Sets for Sale

I did try to save on shipping for the people that sent in orders. I packed them in smaller boxes or padded envelopes. 

What did I find?

Well, as I thought, because of the weight of the wood mounts these set cost more to ship.

Shipping them priority actually saved on some orders or the orders cost the same as if I had shipped priority.

I'm not making any money on shipping. I would refund any difference if the sets shipped cost me less than I charged you on your invoice.

So far, that hasn't really been the case.

The link will remain at the top of my page.

 

Mitts

It's been an eventful month. Lots of mishaps and general busyness.  I'm hoping that the end of this year will be more forgiving. I'm pooped!

Yes, I'm still knitting. I'm having fun using double pointed needles. I'm trying my hand at simple hand mitts. These use rib and moss stitches.

Coats and Clark booklet -Knitting made easy -Moss Stitch Mitts by Nazanin S. Fard

Have I made any cards? Nope. Crazy, right?

I got rid of more stuff through our local scrap stores garage sale. What was left over would be donated to local school. My gift certificates, I'm giving them to 2 very special friends. Love you guys!

Then I went to where I keep my SU! sets. I've put them in bags and plan to finally start selling them. I think I've had a hard time letting go. It's like losing a small part of a very memorable part of my life. But it's time. So I'll let you know when they go on sale. Sorry that it's taking so long.

Also, I will be listing some Copic Ciao markers. I know most people like Sketch. But the nibs are exactly the same. These are great for beginners. The markers are used, they were my extra class markers. So if you are looking for extra markers for your students or there are colors you want to try mabye you'll be able to use them. 

I'll go into more detail when I get around to listing everything.

(Of course I'm gonna do this during the last 3 busiest times of the year!)

 

Yarn it!

There is something wonderful about the feel of bamboo needles. They just feel comfortable. I know that other needles make the knitting go a bit faster, as they help the yarn slide off more easily. But every time I pick up these needles they make my hands go awwwwwww.....

I found this knobby yarn at Michaels on clearance a while back and thought I was going to try to knit a shawl with it. It's been sitting in one of my Longerberger market baskets - haunting me for several months now. 

So I decided to pick it up and knit a scarf. I'm sure I'll find a good home for it once I'm finished.

Just knit, knit, and knit. No purling. Mindless repetition.

Sweet.

Never Forget

 

I took this photo of my youngest son with his little cousin at the National Air and Space Museum in Virginia last year. I'm reminded of it today because my littlest one was about the size of his cousin 10 years ago today.

It really feels like it was only yesterday.

My son had just started kindergarten and my husband was deployed over seas. I had just met with a friend at the base gym, trying to get my mind off of my hubby being gone and my littlest one starting school.  While we were chatting all eyes suddenly turned to the TVs overhead. I wasn't sure what everyone was looking at. My friend told me to turn around, something terrible had just happened. I couldn't believe it. I stood there watching the planes hitting the towers.

Being on the base meant that we had to immediately evacuate. Only essential personnel were allowed to stay. No one panicked. We just got out quickly and headed our separate ways.

All I could think of at that moment were my sweet little boys and my husband.

I rushed to my sons school where I picked up the boys.

I have to say that I was one of the few parents that did not allow my boys to watch the events that unfolded that day and the coming weeks. I was criticized for it. But I stood firm. Their daddy was deployed overseas and in my opinion they were too young to understand it all.

I stood strong and I stood my ground. I did not need to instill in them any of the fear that everyone else was feeling.

I'm not saying that they weren't informed. But I informed them. And I re-assured them. I did not want them, at their young ages, glued to the news. I'm glad now that I did that. I did try to understand why the other wives, at the time, felt that they needed to explain everything to their children. And I did not argue with them.

I felt for our husbands who were unable to contact us back at home. I could only imagine how scared they must have been to have thier loved ones in harms way. I know it was wonderful for the boys to finally be able to talk with their Dad and to let him know we were okay.

 I don't think any of us will ever forget that day.

10 years ago.

I know I never will.

Trusting

I found a wonderful seller on Etsy  http://www.etsy.com/shop/LadyDanio?ref=pr_shop

Perfect amount and variety of yarns for tiny projects that I want to do.

Found some yarn on clearance at JoAnns. You know the really chunky stuff that you just can't live without but then can't figure out what to do with! Well I used  US 15 needles and only 6 stitches to created a fun scarf. 

Crocheted hat for a tiny Blythe doll. Fingerling yarn.

Knitted a fun hat for this little darling.

Again having fun with the tiny yarns and tiny needles. It's addicting!

This one I did using only stockinette stitch so that it would create the rolled bottom.  

I'm opening another Etsy shop soon where I will start selling my knitted and crocheted items. I'm having so much fun making them and am starting to create quite the collection. This is becoming a very additive hobby!

Haven't quite given up on coloring, card making or paper crafting entirely. But I haven't really missed it. I know that's sad to admit, but I think I just got burnt out on it. I'm still attempting to purge all of my supplies. Within reason. 

(I'm listing items as I can get them photographed and itemized. It's a daunting task. Also, other supplies will be sold at Pictures in Time in Orange Park during their garage sale. I started photographing my SU! sets. Again, time seems to be an issue in getting all of it done.)

Tiny nesting bowls made using cotton yarn.

 

I'm still an artist so I do have a hard time getting rid of things that I know I will use in the future. Hence I'm holding on to a few things.

My life right now is full of a lot of changes. And I just can't make any firm commitments to what I can and can not do. It's a very uneasy feeling. Knowing that I miss some of the aspects of paper crafting, especially rubber stamping and coloring in all those beautiful images.

I do miss the people. 

But I also had to come to the realization that it took a lot of my time. It took a lot of planning. And it required a lot of supplies. And I just got overwhelmed.

With knitting and crocheting, which I have been doing on and off since I was 9, I don't need as many supplies. I can work on it while everyone is watching tv. It's repetitive, which calms my anxiety (due to my hormonal swings at the moment.) And with my family dynamic at this time I can't keep some of the commitments that I was able to last year.

So....yes....I miss it....but I feel....looking back on the last few months since I stepped away from teaching, creating rubber stamps and design team commitments....that it was...for now...the right choice.

God only knows the future.

And I put my faith in His hands, that all  will work out for the good. Especially for those that don't worry about what the future brings I'm going to try to trust in Him.

Cute

Some things just make me happy. You know it really doesn't take much.

I found this adorable pyrex dish at an antique store. It's missing the lid, but that's okay. I loved it just the way it was.

And it only cost $4. Another reason to smile.

My sweet little Blythe dolls just managed to find their way inside it! Imagine that.

(Yes, I knitted their sweaters. Using sock yarn on US1 needles. They're the size of toothpicks!)

Purging

It's been a lonnnnnnnng time since my last post. I guess summer just gets the best of me. With the boys home I tend to keep really busy with "stuff". But I'm still alive and well. 

I made the mistake of watching one of those Hoarder shows and I just had to start purging. I'm not one to hoard, well not like they do. But I do like to "collect" stuff. However, I get to a point when I've had enough and I just have to re-organize and purge.

I found some great canvas boxes at Walmart with coordinating magazine organizers. I do have a harder time throwing away some magazines. I have every issue of Mary Engelbreit's magazine. Now that it's no longer being published I just can't bring myself to part with them. I do not keep other magazines, with the exception of a few gardening ones. And then only a few of them, not every issue. And yes, I do re-read them or use them for inspiration.

I have yet to tackle all of my old Stampin' Up! stamp sets. The tasks of photographing and posting them, for the moment, is overwhelming. I'm scared that if I only list them by the name that I'll get emails asking about them and their condition. So I figure it would be best to avoid all of that and just force myself to take a pic. I promise, I will get to it. And I will post it here on my blog, not my Etsy site. 

I did purge all of the other stamps and stamp sets that I have and I will begin photographing them this week. Then you can start looking in my Etsy store for the listing.

Other items I've managed to part with I will be selling at our local scrapbooking store. I know that what doesn't sell will be donated to a local school. I like that idea.

And no, I still have not been stamping. Although I must say that going through all of this stuff did spark a "bit" of interest in it again. I guess in time I'll start again. Maybe..... starting with coloring.......maybe...

Flower Time

My sunflowers are blooming and they are beautiful. I've never really grown this many sunflowers before and I'm really glad I planted the seeds that I did. Can you see the bee? I was happy to see them. There seem to be less and less of them every year. The butterflies are also fewer this year. I read that if I walked into the nearby woods that I would most likely see more of them there. That the monarchs are not around this year but that they haven't disappeared entirely.

I've still been knitting and crocheting. Getting a bit better at knitting. I found that I need to work on different project, using different sized needles, or else my hands start to cramp. I have a bad feeling that some day I'll have problems with my joints. Oh well, we all get old, don't we?

I feel like we are back in California. Because of the extremely dry weather that we have been having there have been a few wild fires. Some in the swamps. And the air is often thick with smoke, just like we use to have when we were stationed on the west coast.

I don't like it! I want are beautiful blue skies and warm breeze back. Not the smoke and soot. Hopefully we'll get another rain storm and it will help with the fires.

I'm still being lazy about photographing all of the stuff I want to sell. I know, I know....time to get started. Just keep checking back from time to time and I promise I'll either post it here or in my Etsy store.

Balance

 

The light was shining through my laundry room window one evening and I just had to go snap a photo. While visiting relatives in PA my hubby and son found some amber colored bottles and brought them back for me. I added the Mrs. Butterworth bottle I had saved when the company decided to discontinue making them in glass. I'm glad I did now! (You know how you feel really silly putting some things aside and then later on you find out that it was the right choice. I don't feel as silly now.)

I know I haven't been writing in here much. But I must say that I truly have enjoyed taking this time off. I have had a lot going on in my life at the moment and being less stressed out is top priority. I have found joy in discovering other hobbies to do, instead of stamping. I'm enjoying my gardening once again and  love working with my hands. I use to cut, sand and paint folk art. That was very satisfying. 

Not that I didn't enjoy card making. Oh I did. But I think that one needs to find balance in ones life. And I'm trying to find a more balanced me. I think I'm on the right path.

Sweet Tomatoes

I planted my first vegetable garden,  with the onset of spring, a few months ago and recently started to pick tomatoes, peppers and lots of zucchini. It's a very small spot, 4' x 8'. But it's something I've been wanting to do for some time now and what the heck!

I've been busy getting things done around here. Now that the weather is hot and the yard is needing lots of tending to I find time seeming to fly right bye.

I'm really enjoying knitting and crocheting. I just discovered the cutest little dolls, mini Blythes. Part of the pet shop series. And boy are they darling. When I was little I use to make clothes for my Dawn and Barbie Dolls. (Remember Dawn? I still have those cute little dolls.) And I found that there's this whole community of people that dress up dolls. I'm talking grown ups! Well......I'm not gonna take time to try to knit doll clothes but I did find a smidgen of time to knit and crochet these tinny tiny little hats!

I'll share a few pictures when I'm done. Seriously addictive, these little dolls are.

Dress

(Knitted dress from Easy baby Knits by Claire Richardson. Yarn -by Naturally Caron "Country")

It has been a very stressful couple of weeks and I have not been able to focus on anything. I found the repetition of doing the same stitches over and over again very calming. I'm still learning the ins and outs of knitting. Very different from crocheting. And it's sparked my interest again in picking up the crochet hook and trying a few new things.

I didn't check the gauge on this dress. I know it's like wayyyyy important to do. But I'm not making it for anyone and I just wanted to immerse myself in learning to follow a pattern and getting my tension right. I made a few mistakes  (some of the seed stitches are wrong) and I lost my way when I was decreasing the armholes (I faked it in a few areas!) But I learned a lot when it was all said and done. 

I also found that I could download saved PDF files to the kindle from my MAC! So very cool. Now I can take some of the free patterns that I want to practice with anywhere. Not having to print them out is a huge money saver.

(Now maybe one day I'll get an IPad where these types of things would be so much easier....oh wouldn't that be sweet!)

Anyways, I'm still sorting through my stuff, trying to figure out when I'll find the time to photograph it all and post it. I think I'm going to start with my SB dies. I don't have a lot. But I don't use them so they must go. 

So keep looking back from time to time to see if I update my stamps for sale page -here on my blog.

(Also, check my Etsy store as I plan on putting some stamps on there also.)

Changes

I became interested in stamping when my sons 2nd grade teacher invited me to a Stampin' Up! Party. Little did I know that in a few years I would be designing rubber stamps. That was back in 2007. 

I joined Ginak Designs in 2008. Hard to believe that its been three years, this month. I honestly have to say that it has been the most wonderful experience ever and I wouldn't trade it for anything. Gina has been a joy to work for and I have learned so much from her over the years. She graciously took me in as one of her early illustrators and has always given me great flexibility in what I drew for her.  She has always been fair, honest and a joy to work for. I will truly treasure all of the years that I worked with her and her designers.

As you can gather from this paragraph I have made some decisions about the direction that I want to go this year. It's not something that came up suddenly, at least not for me, but something that I have given a lot of thought to over the past year. My life is moving quickly in a different direction and I have to be more flexible to change with it.   The changes are more personal than professional and hence harder to talk about.  Hard to put into words, since my motivations may seem based more on emotion than reason. Hard to put the rational on what may seem irrational. But for me, at least, it makes sense.

I have resigned my position as an illustrator for GinaK Designs. I am not moving on to design stamps for another company or to start my own stamp line. I have decided that it is time for me to make a change and part of that change  is that I will not be illustrating rubber stamps.

For the moment I will be taking a long break. I may from time to time come up with something and pitch it to Gina and see if she wants to use it, but this will be up to me. Gina now owns the copyrights to all of the images that I have designed for her since 2008. They will continue to be available at GinaK Designs and I look forward to seeing them used by her wonderful design team.

Please understand that the images are not being retired. They are copyrighted and in no way should my leaving  Ginak Designs be construed as the images being available for your own/companies use to be made into digital or rubberstamps. (I just had 2 of my images used by an artist who sold them as her own works, unbeknownst to the company she was designing for. This is a big no-no! You can not take someone else's images, flip them or change a couple of things and pitch them as your own. If you are not familiar with copyright laws then please see the link at the side of my blog and become familiar with what it says.)

I leave it up to you if you wish to continue to follow my blog as I'm currently transitioning away from it being mostly stamp related. I'm toying with the idea of starting another blog (this one will continue to be available too so that you can still use some of the tutorials on it) and I will share a link to the new blog if and when I start it.

For right now, I'll still be posting on this blog and I will start sharing all of the things that I want to sell. I have already updated my Stamps for Sale page with a few more items.

Thanks for all of your support over the years and I hope that you will enjoy the new journey that I will be taking. It's gonna be an interesting one!

Purging

It's time to start purging and letting go of a few things.

So I'll be holed up in my room most of the week, creating piles - toss, keep and sell. 

Check back here on my blog and my Etsy store for the items that I will be getting rid of. I plan on selling a bunch of my older Stampin' Up! sets. Please don't email me to see what I have, just be patient and I'll post a picture. (These stamps will have an additional shipping cost since they are made of wood and too heavy to ship for free. Sorry.)

So hang in there with me as I purge my room of all the "stuff" that is crowding my world lately.

Friends

Thank you so much for the sweet comments and kind words. I hope I didn't ramble on too much yesterday. It was good to be able to put my thoughts into words and share it with my blogging friends.

I love my friends. And for someone who is very comfortable to be in her own little world of creative madness, it's good to have friends who will call me to talk, listen and share their opinions with me. Love you guys.

I don't remember if I shared this card. I used my set for Ginak Designs "Framed Friends" and colored it in with Copics. 

I took the plunge yesterday and visited a knitting store. (Not a chain store, but a cute hole in the wall place.) I didn't buy a thing, well except for 2 old issues of a knitting magazine (40%). The only thing that bugs me, and I do understand why it is this way, is that the classes are all at night. Same with all the get togethers.  I did talk to the owner and she said there have been others asking for a morning class. If not she did have areas where you could come and work on a project at the store.

I'm a quick learner. When I find something new that sparks my interest I really try to figure out all there is to it. But I think that with this new craft there may be times when I will need to have someone explain what I'm doing wrong. (Especially the piecing together of stuff!)

Definitely YouTube has been a huge blessing. Where were we prior to the internet? Oh yeah, the dark ages....lol.

My Journey

(Matinee Jacket  from the book Easy Baby Knits by Claire Montgomerie)

I have been stamping since 2003 when my sons 2nd grade teacher invited me to a Stampin' Up! party. I was hooked. I bought my first SU! set, Vintage Postcards, and a black ink pad. I knew nothing about paper and how it affects the quality of the stamped image so my first couple of attempts were lousy. Now you would think that because I went to college and majored in fine art that I would know all there was to know about papers, inks, stamps etc. Nope. Not the case. But I was quick to fix my mistakes and soon I was hooked. It's hard to believe that I have been stamping for 8 years. Sure doesn't feel that long.

But stamping is not all that occupies my time. Most of my time is spent taking care of my family. And that takes up a ton of time! I try my best to not neglect them and my "addictions" come second to everything else in my world. When my hobbies become a chore or take away from other things that are more important I step back and take a break. I'm not the type of person who likes to give up on something but I'm also not going to keep doing something just because I've been doing it for a long time. Also, once I have achieved certain goals that I have set for myself the challenge of the craft becomes less appealing to me. Sure there's a ton of things that I have still to learn about papercrafting. But the things that I enjoy the most about it, coloring, I know that I can still do without the need to have so much "stuff".

I think what's gotten to me lately is the stuff. OMGosh.....how much stuff do I really need to create a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 card? Seriously? 

And I love to draw, so creating stamp sets fills that need. Not sure I could give that up.

I'm not saying that I'm leaving stamping. But what I am saying is that what the last year in my life has shown me is that I need to re-evaluate what direction I want to go when it comes to my hobbies. I need to feel like the end result of my hobby is something that satisfies my soul and helps better myself, somehow.

Knitting....well....it's a challenge. It's new to me, although I've crocheted for years and years, I have always wanted to learn to knit and do it well. I have found it to be very relaxing. Takes my mind off of my worries. I need that right now.

Coloring....love it....will continue to color in digital and stamped images.

Stamping....will keep making cards...but will be making them because I just colored in an image and need to frame it with a nice card base. I'll make cards for releases and challenges I'm a part of.  Or  make a cards to sell on my Etsy store. 

Buying.... Yep....Not going to try so much to keep up with all the current trends and supplies out there. Can't do it anymore. Will try to use what I "gots". And sell what I don't need anymore.

Life....needs to become more simplified. It's too short. Kids grow up too fast. And I'm getting too OLD!

Knit,Purl,Therapy

This sweater is from the book "Teach Yourself Visually Knitting" by Sharon Turner

I have taken a bit of a break these last couple of weeks from stamping all the time to learning an old skill again. 

I'm really a crocheter. I learned to crochet from a sweet lady when I was 9. I still have that first red scarf. Once I learned this new skill I continued to practice. I created my own little Barbie doll clothes. It was so much fun. But I always admired knitting. I tried to teach myself but being more into crochet I kept holding the needles and creating the stitches backwards. Still works, I just never learned how to do it correctly, or so I thought..

Now we have the internet and YouTube. Oh what a cool creation. So I decided to try again. Mind you I had, in previous years, taught myself to knit and purl using beginners manuals. The English method. Then I read about the Continental method, and now I'm hooked. I have poured over videos after videos on how to cast on stitches and how to hold the needles. Thankfully I have found that each person has their own unique method and I have found what works for me.

I have never, ever tried to make anything beside a scarf when it came to knitting so I figured I should jump right in and try a small child's sweater. I'm hooked! I knitted a little cute cap to go with it. Granted I got a bit in patient when I got to joining the side seams together (I've since learned the mattress stitch) but I'm happy for my first attempt.

I need to de-stress lately. Not sure if it has to do with peri-menopausal stuff or just life in general. I found that the repetitiveness of the knitting and purling have been a blessing these last few weeks. 

(I also made a cute yellow sweater using a different pattern. I've found that yarns do play a big part in how the final garment will look. And I've also learned that if you make a mistake pull it all out and start again. That in making mistakes we actually learn a great deal about the process. In the end the final product is so much better when we take the time to try to do it all again.)

Chloe

Meet sweet Chloe. I just couldn't draw Baxter and not draw this beautiful face. I love boxers. We owned one and they are so much fun.

I don't know if I mentioned this before but the illustration is only 5x5 inches. I'm working on a smaller scale because I want to practice without feeling overwhelmed by the size of the project. I'm liking this scale. I also did an ATC sized illustration. Chloe took 16 Prismacolor pencils to get all of the texture just right in her fur.

I hope you don't mind me sharing my drawings with you. It's really helping me immensely to be able to illustrate again.

Thank you for all of your kind words about my post yesterday. Means so much to me.

Joy

During Sunday school yesterday something out of one of the passages that was being read struck a cord with me. You know how that is, when something is said that seems to stick with you and you just can't get it out of your head. It's not usually something profound in nature, sometimes it's just one word. Often times it's said during moments of normal conversations with a friend. 

The passage was read in I Thessalonians 4

¹¹ and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, ¹² so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

It's out of context, I know, but for some reason just those few lines rang true to how I want to be this year.  

I've decided to make some changes this year, as you know, and I'm finding out that "leading the quiet life" - no stress- that's a good thing. To move in a forward direction while not focusing on the past.

I closed a few doors this year and now a few other doors have opened up to me. It's all about balance and priorities. Finding the joy in our lives.

Baxter

I wanted to keep my pledge to myself to start working on my art again. To practice. Just do it, not think much about what to draw, just draw. It's been way too long since I just made art for art's sake.

This sweet face is Baxter, my friend Vicky's boxer. I just couldn't help but try to illustrate him. I used Prismacolor pencils to draw him. 

Have a wonderful weekend.

Day by Day

The first thing my hubby did, the year after we were newlyweds, was go on a 6 month deployment. I was in a new state, far away from family and people I new. I will never forget how that felt. But even though it was difficult for me it really was a blessing. I grew so much those 6 months we were apart.

The next deployment that I remember as a difficult one, not that all of them weren't difficult (this is pre-internet, cell phone, Skype, etc. Letters would take 8 weeks to arrive.) was the first one with kids. My son had just turned 3 and he missed his dad. I missed his dad and we were just not getting along. It was a trying time. A friend gave me a small card, that I just came across while clearing out my planner, it read - 

One Day at a Time

Whatever the goal we're pursuing,

no matter how rugged the climb,

we're certain to get there

by trying our best,

and taking one day at a time.

"Forever" is hard to imagine, 

"the future" may seem, far away-

but every new dawn

brings a wonderful chance

to do what we can on that day.

by Emily Matthews

 

One day at a time. That's how I tried to live that moment of my life. No matter the challenges or hardship that I faced I tried to remember to not worry and take life one day at a time. 

Praying for all of our families who have a loved one deployed or are apart. 

Thanks!

I wanted to pop in today and say thank you to everyone who left me words of encouragement. Here on my blog, Facebook and emails.  It's so nice to know that I'm not alone in making decisions that aren't always the most popular ones to make. Even though in the grand scheme of things in my life it's a small change. But I do believe that I'm going in the right direction. And that by the end of this new year I will be the better for not adding more stress to my life.

Step one. I took all of my Prismacolor pencils that were still stored in their original box and put them all on my table. In cute McCoy pots of course. Now they are in plain sight, everyday as a reminder that I need to be doing something artistic. My Copics, stored in a thin-tall towers, can easily be moved to sit next to my pencils. I hope to use both in combination.

I'm really excited to start practicing drawing, painting and watercoloring again. (A bit scary, but beginning a new again always is.) 

To Begin Again

I wanted to share a photo of our tree and fireplace that I took on Christmas Eve.  The lighting was dim, but I do think that the photo turned our okay. 

Every Christmas Eve, for the past 25 years, we have watched the musical  Scrooge (1970 with Albert Finney). We love that movie. It's a wonderful retelling of Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol". (But I'm sure you were already aware of that.) While sitting there with my boys I reflected on the message of the story. Of Ebenezer's commitment to starting a new again. To living his life to the fullest. It's a wonderful reminder of how short our lives really are and how we need to treat not only ourselves but our fellow man with kindness and respect. Every year, around this time, I look back at the past year, and as Scrooge did, reflect on what I have done or not done. And with the new year I commit to making some changes.

This year it's going to be to de-stress. Not only does stress hurt me physically, I have Hashimotos which is aggravated by it, but mentally it has broken me. I think that if you were to look at my life you probably wouldn't be able to see what my stressors are. You'd probably laugh to yourself. But everyone has different tolerance levels and mine are fairly low right now. Don't get me wrong, I'm a very strong person. I have been through a lot of adversities in my life and have come out a better person on the other side. However, and it may be due to hormones being all "wacky", I seem to now stress more over the small things.

So in looking back on 2010 I realized that teaching, even though it is something that I love, was one of the things that stressed me. Oh I love my ladies and I enjoyed teaching them. But because of the way my family functions I found it very stressful to not only prepare for the classes but commit to teaching dates and times. Our family is not a family of regimented scheduling. I never know what's around the corner! And that's hard for someone, like myself, who enjoys knowing what's around that next bend. And since I'm not going to leave my family, lol, I've had to make the difficult decision to not teach, for now. Maybe, in the future, when my boys are grown up and on their own. When my hubby is retired from the Navy, things will calm down more and I'll have more time. (Or not!)

I will still try to add tutorials on coloring here on my blog. So I'm not giving it up completely. And no, I'm not going to teach at another store or out of my house. I loved teaching at A Small Cleverness. Loved my ladies there.

Also, as an artist I have been neglecting the gifts that the Lord has given me. I miss being an artist. I've looked back on the past few years and I realized that I have not done a painting, illustration or watercolor in a long time. I miss it. I do realize that paper crafting is an extension of my artistic self but I think I still have a void to fill. I'm going to commit this year to work on my art again. Not just pen and ink, my stamp designs, but color pieces.

So you may start to see more artwork on my blog. I love my Copics so you'll definitely see coloring using them. And I will continue to make cards. But I think I need to find my muse again. She's been away much too long.

Fun Stuff

These are sample for my next Copic Coloring Class at A Small Cleverness, this Thursday. I love the images by Impression Obsession. Truly gorgeous illustrations.

Here's a picture of my second Copic Beginners class I taught on Saturday. We had so much fun! The ladies all did a great job and I really loved teaching them.

And then when I got home, after a wonderful day of teaching coloring, I found all of these goodies in the mail! I ordered a bunch of gorgeous ribbons from Hambo Stamps. Oh can hardly wait to start playing with them.

What a great weekend.

 

Special

Sorry for the lack of post this week. Summer is winding down and school is soon to start. So that means that I've been really busy tying up lose ends around here. I have really enjoyed having the boys home with me but am ready to have my days all to myself once again. I sure get more done!

To celebrate Ginak Designs Blast from the Past week and help you stock up on some oldies but goodies, here's a coupon special for you!

Ginak Designs

 

(No combining orders- $35.00 before tax and shipping.)

Apron ATC

I mentioned on Facebook that I was working on some ATC. Well here they are! I love to create ATC's using scraps of things that I have extra of. Or supplies that I've bought, are outdated and I've never used. I stamped my apron gal from my set "Sew Pretty" for Ginak onto ivory cardstock. The paper for the apron is from a 6x6 pad "Kitchy Kitchen" (Melissa Frances) The background paper is Girlie Paperie. I used Copic markers to add some shading to the gal and apron. So much fun sometimes to just do repetitive things that don't take much thought (after the first one is created of course....LOL.)

And how cool is this! I found the sign at Marshals (outlet store) for $7. Added some cup hooks and found a way to not only organize my Spellbinder dies but add something cute to the wall of my new room!  

Baseball and Fireworks

 

   It's become our family tradition to go to our local minor league baseball game for the Fourth of July. I remember one game when my oldest was around 2-3 and fell asleep just before the fireworks were to go off at the end of the game. Nothing we could do was working to keep him up. So there he slept, on my shoulder as bright and loud fireworks went off over our heads.

Now my boys are all grown up, but the game is just as fun. They enjoyed all the junk food and loved watching the fireworks. I've yet to see fireworks as good as our baseball stadium puts on. Fantastic!

It's Special Day

 

Today is a very special day, it's my dear friend Deb's birthday! Happy birthday Deb. I made this card just for you. 

To help make her day really special would you take a moment to hop on over to her blog and wish her a very happy birthday. If you've never seen Debs cards you are in for a treat! She's an amazing artist.

Deb Felts Blog

Image is by Stampin' Up! colored in with Copic markers.

My new stamp set is now available. 

Head on over to Ginak Designs  

"Upside-Down" Pineapple Cake Recipe

"Upside-Down" Pineapple Cake

Cake:

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup milk

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temp

2 large eggs

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp salt

Pineapple Topping:

1 can (8 oz) crushed pineapple, drained

1 cup sweetened flaked coconut

1/3 cup packed light-brown sugar

2 Tbs. unsalted butter, at room temp

1. Heat oven 350º oven. Coat 9 inch spring-form pan with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Cake: In large bowl, combine flour, granulated sugar, milk, butter, eggs, baking powder, vanilla and salt. With mixer on low speed, beat for 1 minute, scraping down sides of bowl, until blended. On high speed, beat for 3 minutes. Spread batter evenly into prepared pan. 

3. Bake in 350º oven until wooden skewer inserted in center comes out clean, 55-60 minutes.

4. Pineapple Topping: In medium-size bowl, gently stir together drained pineapple, coconut, brown sugar and butter until well mixed. 

5. Remove cake from oven when done. Heat oven to broil. Spread pineapple topping over top of hot cake. Broil 4 inches from heat 5 minutes or until topping begins to brown. Remove cake to wire rack; let cool 10 minutes. Remove side of pan; let cake cool completely

Have Some Cake

 

I made this yummy "Upside-Down" Pineapple Cake last night. 

Instead of the pineapple being at the bottom of the pan, with the cake spread on top before baking it. You bake the cake until done and then spread the Pineapple (and coconut in this case) on top and place under the broiler for 5 minutes.

I have been really busy making samples for the up coming preview of the new Ginak Stamp sets. I'd love to be able to share them now but have to wait until Sunday!

So in the meantime, enjoy a slice of cake.

My Room

When I put my mind to doing something I focus all of my energy and get it done quickly. I can't stand to have things half done around the house. And I don't like a mess. So when my husband convinced me to use the study for my art room I made the change over in a couple of days. It's not perfect, mind you, but it's mine! If money were no object and the perfect room were available things would look differently. Yet, it is "my" room now and I have just about everything in a place that is convenient  for me to get to. And in the end that's really what matters, being able to get to my stuff so that I can create.

 

The room is small. It's at the front of the house and almost octagon shaped.  It had four very large windows that allow a lot of light into the room, but take up wall space. I used our old dinning room table for my desk. It's green legs match the curtains I made. Go figure!

I finally have a place to display this awesome dollhouse that I found 2 years ago in Pennsylvania. What a bargain. It brings back so many great memories. I had one just like it as a child. I bought the furniture, bit by bit, on Ebay.

Had my husband and son build the bookshelf (Matches the other 2 smaller ones I moved to the opposite wall. These house our collection of books in them.) They also built the 4 white shelving units (Found them on clearance at Walmart!) Tried to put to use the many Longaberger baskets that I have accumulated over the years.

My desk fits all of my essentials needed. Plus I was able to tuck my favorite stool beneath it.

For now I've tucked these 2 drawer units underneath the desk. I don't like them there but I need them for storage. One thing I want to get rid of slowly are all those punches. I have tons! They take up way to much room. 

I put my extra ribbon in this cake stand I found at Target last year.

Put my Copic refills in a organizer I found at Target. I'm almost finished collecting all of the Ciao refills.

More places to stash stuff. My baskets and my McCoy pottery. Love them! Any time I'm at an Antique store I have to hunt for McCoy pots. My collection started when my husbands Grandmother passed away and we inherited a few of her pots. 

Found these cute baskets in Targets dollar bins. Bought a bunch at the time thinking that they would come in handy. I put my paints and extra refills in there.

Buttons in re-used candle jars. Sometimes the jars that candles come in are so pretty and practical.

All my extra stuff, papers, embellishments, supplies are stored in the white shelfs. I put them in various containers and they seems to be right within arms length of the desk. Working out rather well I must say.

I bought this cedar chest, one of my first antique purchases, over 20 years ago. I've used it to "hide" many things over the years. I placed my paper cutter on top.

The coolest part of the chest is the drop leaf in side. Right now I've put all the extra punches in it. The rest is full of my papers and Cuttlebug folders.

Stamps?

My GinaK are stored in Binder Boxes. Other loose stamps are stored in SU! Clam Shells. I don't like to hoard stamps or stamp sets. All my extra stamps are in a different storage area of the house. I plan to slowly start selling them. 

Well hope you liked the tour of my space. I'm really enjoying being able to finally have a place, inside the house, that I can go to and find my creative muse. It's liberating! 

Busy!

Sorry for the lack of post this week. I'm busy moving all of my stamping and art stuff from it's current small location to our study. I really didn't want to take over the room but my hubby insisted. And well....I took him up on the offer. Now I really need to sort through all of my stuff and just keep the things that I really need and use. I'm not one for hoarding supplies and it actually wigs me out to have so much unused stuff that someone else might find a need for. 

So anyways, it's taking me a while to get the room ready and now I'm in the process of moving everything into it.

What was I thinking?

Winner

Congrats to Sheri. Just send me your mailing address and I'll mail the magazine out to you ASAP.

Comment by: Sheri

Yesterday

I have never seen this magazine before and would love to take a gander at it. Thanks so much for the opportunity to do so. And congrats to your graduate! It is an exciting time for sure!

 

It was a very exciting night last night. My first born, my sweet baby, graduated from High School. We were so excited for him. He's such a blessing.

I was actually able to get some shots of him from way up in the bleachers. They held the graduation outside, in the football stadium. We had a very big storm pass through during the day and the skies stayed gray until the evening. Thankfully they cleared up and by 8PM there was no hint of rain in the sky. 
 Prior to the graduation we celebrated by taking him out to his favorite restaurant and then giving him his gifts. One of the gifts was his own laptop and a skin for the front of it. He scanned some of his favorite pieces of artwork that he created this year and created the skin on Skinit.com. I thought it was a cool way to personalize his laptop.

 

Free Magazine

 

It's been a very busy time for me. My oldest is graduating and that means a ton of things to do! Very exciting time of the year. I'm really looking forward to school ending and summer break. I enjoy having my boys home with me. 

In my haste I totally forgot that I had already purchased this wonderful magazine. Not a cheap mistake on my part but my misfortunate is your luck!

Would you like the latest issue of Where Women Create? If so leave me a comment by Saturday the 5th of June - by 8am EST. Leave it here, on this post, and I'll pick someone to mail this magazine to. (Check back Saturday to find out who won.)

Enjoy

We Honor

 

 
 Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day because it was a time set aside to honor the nation's Civil War dead by decorating their graves. It was first widely observed on May 30, 1868, to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of General  John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former sailors and soldiers. 

On May 5, 1868, Logan declared in General Order No. 11 that:

The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.

Today we honor those brave men and women who fought and died for the freedoms that we in this country hold so dear to us. God bless those who died, those who are serving and those that have served. God bless their families.

 

 Photos taken during our trip to Gettysburg.

Home Again

 

   

We had a wonderful time visiting with all of our family. It's truly beautiful country where they live and of course everything was in bloom. I took tons of pictures and can't wait to put them into an album and frame some.

I really did need this break. It gave me time to step away from all of my regular routines and reevaluate my priorities. There are times when one gets overwhelmed with certain things that are thought to be important  - but when they aren't paid attention too, as when we take a break from it - one realizes that they aren't as important as once thought. I think that I have been guilty of that. I need to think about what is important in my life, what edifies it. And put aside the things that tear it down. 

Disney

  
 
 
 Guess where we spent the last 3 days? Yep, Disney. Had fun and glad we were able to make the trip.