It's a start

I scanned this baby in to make a stencil and/or a linoleum block. I told you that I just got started! And I remembered to post about it...yay me! But right now I need to spend some time with my boys, read some books, tuck them in and then play in my studio. I think I am going to iron my linen and then rip seams out of some old linen curtains so that I can dye it. Good times, people. Good times!

I am gonna do it this time!

I just found this blog. So lovely. Now I am inspired and ready...ready to dive in head first. And swim.

I did manage to make a tea wallet and two pirate pajama bags for the boys. Tomorrow it's back to the daily grind for me, but I plan to keep blogging, writing, creating, thinking, doodling, dreaming and making.

Monkey See, Monkey Do

Or perhaps a better title would be "Giraffe See, Giraffe Do." This bottom image is Eli pretending to be a giraffe. If you ask my Eli what a giraffe says, he sticks out his tongue as far as he can and then makes a noise sort of like this, "thffffffpppppptttth." I can't wait to take the boys back to the zoo to see the giraffes.

House Rules

My eight year old made this list of house rules. I love all of the phonetic spelling. It originally said house "expectashuns" but he crossed it out and wrote "rules" over top. Hilarious. I wonder why listen to mom is the very last one? My favorite rule is "be like a star." I think that boy is a star.

I am excited for more days like this.....

This was taken last summer. I was looking through the pictures on my hard drive and thought I would share this lovely image. Mud, boys, bathing suits and summertime.

Elephants

I watched a video about elephants and how they have very strong family bonds. They will even help a member in trouble and none of them will leave until that elephant is helped, freed, etc. Pretty cool, eh?

I also saw this at Fish Food today. I am going to make a drawing like this one. It is so lovely. Maybe I should make a bunch of elephant artwork. That would be great. Her recipes look pretty good, too.

Anyway I have the whole day to myself tomorrow and plan on doing some sewing and art making. I think I will add elephant drawing to that list.

This is really weird

I have the whole day to myself. At home. It is so quiet....I almost do not know what to do with myself. Almost.

I think I am going to make this for both boys. I have been wanting to take them hiking for a long time and collect things for our terrarium. I think these bags would be perfect. Plus Ammon wants to be a composer/archaeologist (Indiana Jones style of course) so this bag would be a HUGE hit. Plus it looks SUPER easy and fast to make. I hear my sewing machine calling my name already.

I also have the unfortunate privilege of making an apple pie today. Sad, but true. Sometimes you just have to make sacrifices, and this is one that I am willing to make. The recipe came from my mom and has no added sugar in the filling, just the natural sugars from the fruit. Excellent. I also have a pie crust recipe that does not use shortening or butter and is just as yummy as those that do use shortening or butter. Better get to baking!

Aren't they beautiful?

I have always loved Bonsai trees. I think I will have to buy one soon...or learn how to grow them and make them myself. Now there's an idea!

(found via Indoor Bonsai Tree)

Inspiration from Chinese take out

I found a beautiful silhouette of a Bonsai tree on the Chinese take out bag. I am going to scan it in in to my computer, make it much larger and then use it to make a stencil for fabric. I am thinking pillows, aprons and, of course, bags. I just hope that I remember to take pictures! What usually happens is that I get so caught up in the moment and the making and the mess that I totally forget to take pictures.

My first project

In response to the recent purchase of G.I Joe figures (by my husband) that were "for the boys" I feel the need to make the girliest thing possible...a purse. Perhaps a skirt or dress would be the most girliest of all things, but folks it's cold here still. I don't think about them until it is really nice and warm. Purses, on the other hand, are an all-weather girlie accessory and necessity.

I should tell you that I have only recently been converted to a purse carrier. I use to just lug things around in my pockets, a backpack or a diaper bag. But I have discovered the purse and I have to say, I like them. A lot.

Tell me about your first purse story, or maybe a funny purse story, in the comments section below. I remember thinking that my mother's purse was a Mary Poppins' bag of sorts. She had EVERYTHING in there. Even a burnt out lightbulb.

Another post about lists

I just found this blog. Truly inspirational. I think I am going to make some terrariums with my boys in cool jars. I have always loved terrariums. I hope they do, too, but if not, I will. Plus this blog is FULL of cool projects and things to try and make. I have a feeling that my boys and I will be on a scavenger hunt for smooth rocks very, very, very soon.

So here is a list of things I would like to do on my time off:

• Spend A LOT of time with my boys making art, going on hikes, visiting the library, etc.
• Go to Ikea :)
• Make stuff with my sewing machine, such as aprons, bags, blankets and tea wallets. Oh and scarves.
• Get some dye vats going in the basement. I found some old linen curtains that NEED to be a different color. And a different form altogether.
• Paint some old furniture really funky-like. Right now, I love this table.
• Bake some Maple Syrup Scones and drink tea.

There. That should keep me busy for a little bit.

I have next week off

That is what I am thankful for....time with my boys, my husband, my art. Oh and my blog! I am really going to take advantage of this time off and get organized AND make some art. Seriously. That's what corporate graphic design does to you. It makes you realize that you need to make your own stuff! It also makes you able to afford to do your own stuff. Nice.

Ramblings

So I treated myself to a new Jade plant yesterday. I found a very lovely specimen on sale for $5. Yeah, I know....only $5! I love Jade plants. My mom had HUGE Jade plants when I was growing up and I loved how they looked. I hope mine gets that big one day. But for now, he just looks really cute in the terra cotta pot. I am going to paint the pot with chalkboard paint, I think, and let the kids graffiti it up a bit. Or maybe I will paint it a different color.....decisions, decisions, decisions.

I guess I have had paint on my mind a lot lately. I started a painting of a photo from Poland that my husband took. I just have to finish it. I also have this HUGE itch to paint furniture, like the stuff seen here and here. I have some ideas and some perfect pieces to start with. I just hope that my mother does not get mad that I am painting on antiques. Her antiques...yeah I know. All of you wood purists out there just either gasped for air and fainted or had a panic attack or something. But these pieces are in some serious need of TLC and repair. I would never dream of painting over an antiques that was in good shape....well only if I found the right color (hee-hee). So far I have four little tables to paint, a dresser and some bedside tables, too. Oh and a bookshelf that was already painted. Fun times! For some reason I really enjoy the whole process of sanding, cleaning, painting, etc. I am hoping that I will remember to take before and after pictures and post them here, if they turn out good.

I also bought some linen today; I just love linen. I am going to make some fabric buckets, a purse and hopefully a remnant quilt. It was on sale, BONUS! I have some more white-ish linen that I found in my dresser (of all places) that is just begging to be dyed. No seriously it screamed, "Dye me! I don't like the color that I am wearing!" So I foresee some buckets of dye in the basement in the very near future...and possibly a batik station. I am also going to print and paint on it. I told you I have had paint on the brain.

Thankful Thursday....TGIAF

I am thankful that tomorrow is Friday. That means the day after that is Saturday...and I don't have to go to work. Hooray!

I am thankful for free online sewing patterns. I am planning to make this bag this weekend.

I am thankful for new episodes of the Office and 30 Rock. I love these shows.

I am thankful for a job that uses my degree and talent. Nice.

I am thankful for my boys, who always make me laugh and smile.

I am thankful for my husband...he is the best even if he does not put dirty clothes in the washer.

I am thankful that Spring is coming soon.

I am thankful for inspiration and a nice kick in the butt to get my own freelance art and design business going.

What are you thankful for?

I am in love....

...with this. So beautiful. Isn't typography the best?

Hello blog

I have not been here in awhile. I got a full time job...albeit temporary...but it has definitely sucked a lot of time and energy out of me. So, I will try to visit you more often now that I have a schedule down.

BTW have you checked out this cookbook. You have to try the Steel Cut Oats Seven Ways and, most definitely, the Sweet Potato Spoon Bread. I dare say that goat cheese is delicious. Almost as good as avocados.

Watch this...

...and then go make some.

Good-Bye, Paul Harvey...

...you will be missed.

I know that he was ninety years old, but what a great radio voice! And no one can deliver a "Good Day" quite like him. My great grandfather got to meet Paul Harvey, which I think is pretty cool.