Already January 3rd

I really do not know where the time goes anymore, a bit melancholy about it really. As a result I am trying to enjoy each moment, sometimes hard to do when cleaning the toilets and tackling mountains of laundry but I am going to try. Of course spending quality time with my kids is always a priority. I have one turning 7 this month, one turning 15 next month and one turning 12 this year. So hard to believe time of babies is over and they are growing so fast. I vow to play more games with them, read more stories to them and have more meaningful conversations with them, oh and teach them more....
Speaking of days and years we are getting out our new calendars, I again am going to use one of my own. I am very happy on how these turned out and was proud I got them out a little earlier this year.

Something I made

Just a little post of something I made a bit ago. I thought I should post something even though I didn't get started on the first it is pretty close being only the second. Of course again I am trying to post more and since it is a new year and it seems we always try to do things we have always wanted to do, here goes one of them, blogging more.
So I am always trying to figure out a cool hand made gift for someone who always says they don't need or want anything but on the other hand would do anything for you. So they finally told me they would like some of my stationary that I make out of my paintings. Well of course I could let it rest there so I went through some things I had on hand and made a little stationary pouch to hold the cards in. I thought it turned out so cute.

The leg warmer craze continues....

Now that cold weather has crept in again, ugh, I have already gotten out my recycled, felted wool. My friend and I made french press coffee cozies last week. Soon I will be making another pair of the best, warmest slippers in the world, this time with suede bottoms so I can't wear them out so fast.
For the first time I have been selling some of my goods that I have been making out of the recycled sweaters. A little over a month ago, at the first sign of cold weather, I took some leg warmers and arm warmers down to the shop where I rent a spot. I am so happy to report that I sold two pairs so far. yipee I am so glad that someone else loves them as much as me, well, actually not sure if that is possible, they probably just really liked them, as for me I am mildly obsessed. I am so excited I can be wearing mine again, I wear them with dresses, with pants, with tights, with leggings, tucked in the top of boots, they are really the best. Of course too some are smaller and they make the best arm warmers, they keep the wind from going up your sleeves, they are great for 3/4 length sleeves and you can cut a thumb hole in them for extra warmth on your hand. I really can't get enough of either of them and they become even cuter and irresistible with hand embroidery on them.
Here are some pictures of what I had. If you are interested in any for yourself shoot me a note. Right now I am just selling them locally but if there is some demand I can also put some in my shop.

Grapes

I have to say it and I have to show you, Yes, I did grow these in my yard. I am so proud of my little grapes. I hope to put in more next year, I want to put in a whole row and put a few growing up my pergola over my deck (when I get it some day). I picked up this vine at K-mart one year, I have no idea what kind they are, just thought it would be fun and it was on sale. I moved it around the yard twice before it settled growing up the fence of the dog kennel. I have a bunch of vines growing to cover up the chain link to make it look pretty. This is the second year it produced, giving more each year. They are really tasty and when you pull the stem off the seed come out with it, pretty convenient. I can't wait to see what it does next year and hopefully in the spring I can plant more.

New Mixed Media Piece

So the other day my daughters teacher called with a special project request and only four days to do it. She would soon be traveling with her family to Florida for her grandparents 40th wedding anniversary. The family was making an album of family events, memories and photos for them. The teacher wanted something special and different for the cover and asked if I could come up with anything. I quickly brainstormed and came up with an idea. I picked up some photos, an album page and gathered any special information that would make it unique to them. I cut out some masonite and drilled holes and then went to work. The mixed media covers were filled with photos and clippings, I used things that had special meaning, including painting on some orchids that were in her bouquet. This project was so fun to do and was very nice to be included in this special memory. Here are some pictures.
p.s. I have a photo of the lovely couple holding the album will try to get it on too, later.

Think Pink - Breast Cancer Awarness Month

I had the privilege to decorate another "pink" window. This time I helped display the inside along with painting the outside. Last year I had some notice, this year things got confused and I got notice at the very last minute, but it worked out well. It seems I work best under pressure and we got things done. Last year I did pink tulips which are easy peasy, but I wanted to come up with something different since my window also won last year some may remember and see I did the same thing twice. This year I did the window for the Stone Cottage, a new business in town where local artisans and craftspeople rent a spot to show their talents and sell their goods. It is under a year old and I was excited about doing the window because I hoped it would draw attention to it and be discovered by new folks, which would benefit us all.
So to finish the story, after receiving the email that the owners wanted to participate but it was such short notice they may not be able to, I replied to the email, of course we can do it, Monday afternoon, we will meet, I will paint the windows and then we will put the inside together, lickety split all before I pick my kid up for drivers ed. That is all it took. I grabbed a bunch of pink things I had around the house, we grabbed everything pink we had in the store from the vendors and it all came together.
The crown jewel, my window won second year in a row. Here are a few pictures to share. It is so fun to do and it is a great cause. So whatever you can do this month, if it is giving money or raising awareness by some kind of generous act, please do your part.

Mushroom Lovers

So my 14 year old son loves mushrooms, particular sauteed or fried, particularly over steak, which is one of his favorite foods since he can remember. So whenever mushrooms are on sale I buy them, mainly for him, we all like them but it is fun to see his face light up when I tell him I am making them. I bought a batch recently that had a pair of mushrooms that had grew and merged together. I thought this was so cool and having never seen something like this before I thought I should document it in a photo. I hope you enjoy this photo and whatever thoughts it may bring to mind. It makes me think of how couples, friends and families grow and merge together in life. They still have their own stems to stand on and feed themselves but yet our lives may overlap and merge with love and unity and we become one with others.