Monday, December 29, 2008
Almost the New Year!
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Happy December!
Friday, November 28, 2008
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
So Thankful!
I LOVE that we have a holiday that is entirely dedicated to being THANKFUL! I don't know about you, but I often think about the things I'm thankful for. This year, we instituted a journal that sits on the kitchen table, it says "Happiness Must be Grown in One's Own Garden" We all are using it to write down the things that we are thankful for. I am LOVING this! Seth drew a couple of pictures and wrote that he is thankful for "mi buter" - LOL! I so enjoy how he spells things just like they sound to him! Jonah wrote that he is thankful for "my brother Seth" - awww! That just makes a mother's heart melt! And Lar wrote about an experience recently and said that he is thankful for a Father that he can spend time with. Isn't that the BEST?
Anyway, I just wanted to share a few things that I'm thankful for this year - I'd love to hear what you're thankful for as well - please leave a comment and share :)
- my parents, and my parents-in-law -both who care!
- the opportunity to stay at home and raise my boys
- for a strong husband (and that he's a complete dork like me!)
- for heat!
- for snuggly blankets (and boys to snuggle!)
- coffee! (can I get an "Amen!"?)
- the freedom of religion and being able to publicly praise God!
- our new church home
- girlfriends
- deciding to homeschool
- random hugs and kisses
- a tight-knit family
- creativity
- art supplies
- a cozy home
- my extended family members - we are all close!
- the computer
- music
- the opportunity to spend more time with Larry right now
- a family who appreciates me
- the calm that comes with knowing I am not in charge
- my camera!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
The Holiday Season Begins!
FINALLY got the Etsy shop up and running today! YAY! My partner was very excited (she is the craftswoman for this endeavor) as she has been UBER-patient with me in figuring out how to set up the shop part of it. Now that I know how, I'm thinking I just might have to open one up for my own stylings and creations!
Sooooooooooooooo, what I want to know is, what is your favorite holiday tradition? What are you LOOKING FORWARD to this year? AND, what is the one tradition that you could LEAVE BEHIND? Something you do, but really don't know why you do it anymore...post a comment and let me know...here are mine:
I LOVE getting down the decorations the day after Thanksgiving (yes, when many of you crazy people are out shopping!) and sorting through my decorations and deciding what's going to stay and what's got to go...I've been simplifying my "style" since last year...much better!
I COULD DO WITHOUT the "Under $x amount gift exchanges". I like to attend the parties, etc. but I really don't need or want the chintzy little gifts - I don't like to buy them and don't know what to do with them after I receive them! I'd much rather do a White Elephant gift exchange (you give or regift something you already have) where there is humor involved and you don't have to feel bad about pitching it afterwards!
Monday, November 03, 2008
GO VOTE!
No matter what, no matter who, no matter when,
God will still be in charge.
Whew!
Now do you feel better?
I know I do!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Tuesday AUTUMN CREATIVE with your kids!
Here's what you're going to need for this project:
Crayola crayons (others will do, but might be a bit soft)
sharpener big enough for crayons
Wax paper
Iron
Fall leaves
Construction paper, stapler/tape/gluestick OR
Frame (optional)
DIRECTIONS (read through first):
1.Take and tear two pieces of wax paper slightly larger than your frame (you will cut it down to size later).
2. Set aside second piece of wax paper.
3. Place fall foiliage on first piece of wax paper as you desire - if it's too bumpy it might not work. However, I DID manage to make a few "helicopters" work, just place them towards the center, not the edges or they won't seal.
4. Sharpen crayons over your creation so that shavings fall all over project randomly. Be generous. Spread them out with your fingers if need be. Use several colors. Make sure to get shavings along the edges so it will "seal properly. Make sure no leaves are poking out - you want wax paper or crayon shavings around the edges, not foilage, for best results.
5. Place second piece of wax paper on top of all of this.
6. Iron on low setting - just hot enough to melt the shavings and wax pieces together. Move your iron in circular motion over entire project until all shavings are melted and piece is melded together. **If you don't have an iron you use just for crafts - please place a hand towel over the project to ensure you don't end up with melted wax or shavings on your iron (and turn up the heat just a tad) :)
7. Trim to size
8. If framing in a glass frame, you may choose to carefully tear off the top sheet of wax paper, as shown in the photo above. To do this, simply tear top piece off slowly while wax is still warm (re-warm if necessary). Once removed, place glass on top of piece and then invert frame to place backing on.
9. If not placing into a glass front frame, you might want to hang these on a window or slider door for an entirely different effect (see comment below) - cut construction paper "frame" and gluestick or staple/tape to edges so light can pass through the waxed paper portions. VERY FUN!
**Your kids will LOVE this project and so will you - collecting the foiliage is LOTS of fun. You can do this in two parts if you like, foiliage one day and creating art the next. We framed two pieces and the other two we made outline paper "frames" for and hung on our slider door like stained glass - VERY COOL EFFECT!
Let me know how yours turns out!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Doctor, Doctor, give me the news...
HOW DO I KNOW YOU ASK? BECAUSE I HAVE LOOKED ALL OVER THE YELLOW PAGES!
Hmph!
Sigh.
So, alas, alack, I have been taking the kids to their Orthodontist, Pediatrician, Vision, "Talking" Doctor and Chiropractor appointments without any help. SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK.
And yes, it is getting OLD.
I am ready for a break. How about you?
And don't get me started on after-school sports...at LEAST I have HELP with that! (thank you Big Lar and G'ma and G'pa Ski!) I bow to those of you who have to tackle that one by yourself as well...oh my - you deserve a medal!
Monday, October 13, 2008
Care to Join Me? Let's tell our stories!
Sunday, October 12, 2008
What is UP?
something that is keeping all of the women I know from getting it "together" this Fall.
So far I keep hearing the same things from most of the women I know...these things being:
1. There is not enough TIME in the day!
2. I can't seem to get a regular SCHEDULE together!
3. Things keep POPPING up and eating up my time...
4. I'm in the CAR all day
5. I am feeling so OLD
6. How did I ever have time to work?
7. My house is a DISASTER
8. I miss my FRIENDS
9. I miss my HUSBAND
10. I am TIRED
So, what IS up?????
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Wasted Days and Wasted Nights...
And it is my life! Wasted? Hmmm...I'm not sure about that...A LOT has been being done, just not ART, as I had hoped! I have NOT gotten the Etsy shop up and running yet (sigh!) and I have NOT been in the Studio as I had hoped...I have NOT even been volunteering at the Thrift Store the last two weeks because things have been so hoppin' crazy!
I HAVE been:
-prepping and doing the GlenEagle garage sale (read: getting rid of TONS of junk around here! YAHOO!)
-Spring Cleaning (in the Fall nonetheless!)
-hosting two great U.K. coaches for a week (check out www.UKsocca.com for more info)
-taking the BOYZ to soccer/swimming and going to soccer games
-working out like a madwoman (read: ENDORPHINS BABY!)
-going away with dh for a MUCH NEEDED weekend!
-going away on a weekend "lifebooking" retreat with CTMH girlfriends
-Designed, ordered and received my new business cards - yay!
-Making and taking the boys to TONS of different types of dr. appointments (eyes, ped's, psych's, etc.) trying to make sure we get them ON THE RIGHT TRACK and get them WHAT THEY NEED to learn best.
-figuring out a daily/weekly routine that will work with the new school/teachers that the BOYZ have this year
-sorting through a TON of paperwork and bills and financial YUCK that I avoided all summer long!
SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooo, needless to say, this week, I am hoping to:
-get the Etsy shop up and running!
-get in my studio again!
-start blogging daily
-continue my workout regime
-keep eating HEALTHY (fell off the wagon there for a week or two...oh my!)
-oh! And figure out FaceBook...my newest discovery - chalk that one up to the two STUARTS who were staying with us - thanks a lot guys! :)
Okay, I promise to post a more insightful and artistic posts as the week progresses...
keep checking back for photos and inspiration :)
Good NIght for now...and hey - does anyone know where the expression "Bloody Hell" came from anyway? Do tell....
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
A new day is dawning...
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
MyArtStudio@rocketmail.com
Time for Rediscovery :)
Daily Studio Hours
New email: MyArtStudio@rocketmail.com
Deep Breathing
Self-Care
Yoga
Living Green
Eating Better
Walking
De-cluttering
Taking everything slower
Learning the art of "no"
Asking, "In the grand scheme of things..."
Here's to a new year...yes, I know, it's only September, but it always feels like the start of a new "year" to me, more-so than January. Must be because I always LOVED the start of the school year so much :) So here's to new beginnings!
Goodbye CTMH!
After 12 years I am retiring as an active Consultant! I am turning my customers over to a few VERY CREATIVE and ACTIVE Consultant friends who will take good care of you! My downline will roll up to my upline and will be taken good care of as well :)
This has been a very hard decision, and I have taken 6 months to seriously consider it, so I am not making it lightly. I am going to pursue some other endeavors at this time (which you will most likely read about here!) and explore some new things as well. I am looking forward to this time of "rediscovery"as Big Lar is calling it.
Thanks for all of your support. Please let me know if you need the names, websites and/or emails of a Consultant to take care of you in your area. My friends Maggie and Debi are having their new Fall Idea Book release party this Sunday at 2:30pm Let me know if you want to attend. I will be attending as a customer to see all of the new things myself - I can't wait :) What a different feeling!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Giveaway TIME!
Their site is cool and crafty and INFORMATIVE for women just like you! I'm finding all sorts of useful stuff over there! Let me know what you find...leave me a comment or send me an email :)
I'll be posting about www.theshackbook.com soon! Just finished it last night! So finish up your copy or get your hands on one soon so we can chat about it together! ;)
Thursday, August 21, 2008
PAPER PARTY POSTPONED FOR TOMORROW>>>
Can you possibly imagine why????
We had the opportunity (read: time and money fell into the time/space continuum at PRECISELY the same moment! Now how often does THAT happen??? Read: never!) to get new carpet so we JUMPED on it!
Consequence: The craftroom is the LAST room to have been put back together. Today at 2:00 pm this is what it STILL looks like. And approx. 20% of items that belong in here are still in the garage! Oh my! Looks like ANOTHER huge GARAGE SALE in a couple of weeks! Who will the lucky people be?
NEW CTMH catalog has been released...contact me to get one in your hot little hands or view it online under shopping at my other site: www.glittergirl.myctmh.com
I'm planning on a proper "reveal" at the beginning of September sometime...
More soon...once soccer camp is over this week - this one child in half day (out at noon) and the other out at 3pm is KILLING me!
PS
ALMOST done, I mean a few pages away, from being done with THE SHACK, have you read it? Ooooooo, let's blog!
Monday, August 18, 2008
Guess who's another year older???
Friday, July 18, 2008
Having lots of summer fun! You?
Sorry I haven't been posting regularly...we've been having LOTS of summer fun around here! Today is my mom's birthday...see the slideshow I made for her :) We are going to Emerald Downs on Sunday to celebrate - today (Fri.) Jonah has a co-birthday sleepover/bowling party for TWO of his friends and Saturday Seth has a sleepover bday party at a friends' house as well...it is DEFINITELY BIRTHDAY SEASON around here!
I was messing around with self-portraits again the other day - was headed out for a day with my friend Angela (we had lots of fun by the way! :) ) - anyhoooooooo, am LOVING the results of working out and TAKING CARE of myself! I notice that if I TAKE PHOTOS of my new, improved self and post them around, I am MOTIVATED to keep it up :) I never did that before. What are your secrets/tips?
I started doing Jillian Michael's 30 day shred on ON DEMAND...they are on DVD too. They are great! I have only done them 3-4 times so far but they seem to really work your muscles - and in 30 minutes nonetheless! I need to get back into the routine of going to the gym - being out of town last week and this week has thrown me off - but I DID keep active while I was gone walking and riding my bike of all things! Rode the Wenatchee Loop with my friend Holli (11 miles) and took a long, hilly (and mind you, SCARY) ride along Hwy 2 with my friend Angela out at Lincoln Rock - until we took a nice detour thanks to the fruit stand girl's advice. It was crazy HOT but sooooooooooo cool to be OUT THERE and using my body in different ways again!
LOVING LIFE right now! (However, I AM noticing that with getting LOTS of sun exposure and thus vitamin D, I am staying awake WAYYYYYYY late! Notice: 1:45am right now! yikes!)
Paper party at my house Saturday from 2-10pm - are you coming? Let me know :)
Trish sent me some samples of some cards she's created lately - thought I'd share - maybe it will inspire you! I LOVE the pirate one! Way to go Trish! If any of YOU want me to share what you're doing...send me some photos! I'd love to see!