My Weblog

Silver Bella

I had such a fabulous weekend in
Omaha Nebraska with fifty-some other Bella's looking for some glitter fun. 
This is a sampling of what I gathered on my adventure.  Little bits of vintage trim, garlands,threads, feathers, and even some snow covered Christmas trees.

These ornaments look so pretty on my wire tree.  I bought them at the boutique from Mantofev   They sale all sorts of fun vintage things.  They even wrapped them up in tissue paper for me to take home on the plane.  I'm glad they made it. I  met many artist who do cool things I will post about them soon.

Halloween Pics

Happy Halloween. We had a great one. It was so cold that our tosies froze but the ghosts and the goblins were out and it was a great night with family and friends.

The First Battle

I am back.... thirty days of art. The first Battle starting. i did this page not knowing how it would turn out.
So the first battle at least this week is starting even though i'm tired or think I have no time.

Second battle do i have time for me? am I wasting my time?
This page I created with paint, then i just started to doodle. I love the colors and the depth of the sticky white paint. Under the flower is a house that just appeared, (on it a clock.) The house of time I call it. Does this house have time for the Mom to do Art????

Another page done with paint and doodling. All through the day I just kept adding layers of paint and then doodling.

This was made yesterday and all i could think of was squares. i was tired. I was just happy i did something.
Thirty days of art and for me the goal is to do something with paper. I am trying to teach myself to make time for the things I love. Happy art Time I'm off to make some.

soak in the joy

Gracee and I has so much fun making cupcakes out of play doh. It was one of those moments where time stops and i realized that this is what matters. She was so intently making little do-dads to go on the top.

I had to take a picture of both of us, i just held out the camera and clicked. it surprised me to see how much we look alike. Little Gracee what a joy, she won't always want to play with mommy, so i must soak it in ................breathe it in.........the joy of seeog her little hands work so hard.....

My art day

On Friday I blocked out four hours of art time. It was so wonderful to create. I had been given this beautiful fabric and flowers and wanted to cover my art journal. It was from an excahge that I did with Julie this past spring.

My first Tri

Here are the tri photos from a company that just takes shots and you can buy them. Not the best shots but you can see the layers of clothing we had to wear. I had on my biking shorts underneath and under my jersey had layers also. I took a week off from exercising and now I am anxious to get back to a gentler schedule. the greatest part about one of these races is the people you meet and training. I had the best day one week before the race. They had a practice tri at the lake where only 30 people showed up. We did the swim, then the bike, and a little run. the sun was shining, the lake was like a mirror and i just cruised. i love days like that.

My not so organized life

Here is a photo of my way of trying to be organized. I started a binder and filled it with school schedules, important papers and things pertaining to our family and 2006. I have dividers for each family member. It has proven to be invaluable, the last few weeks as we are trying to get back to the grind of school. I also have included book lists and jotted down some of my notes on things they will be studying through the year. I have been going to an organizing group and have gotten some good tips.

Here are the two desk drawers side by side in the kitchen. The one is my catch all and other I just recently organized. I will always have these messy areas of my life that still need a little tweeking. They are a part of my insanity and sanity. Here's to living and choosing to live a not so organized life. Happy day!!!!!!!

Books, Firelight and Children's faces

I love books!!!! recently I have committed to reading more myself and reading to my cute little ones. My older kids love reading, in fact Brig and I are reading the same book, and Rebekah has loved the Shannon Hale books particularly Goose Girl. My sarah (she's in 3rd grade) recently told me she "Hates Reading". I was shocked. Why? I asked "because of chapter books, the only books we can read now that we are in third grade." Another blunder on the part of No Child Left Behind...... it is killing our younger ones hearts and love for the Simple things. Recently I attended back to school night, I felt like we were attending a military meeting. My heart sank as I listen to the philosophies of those teachers who are so stressed out. My children need space, space to breathe, create and find the loviness of indulging oneself in a great read. I have a dream............ and it begins with children having opportunity to be children, exploring and even learning in a place where they aren't rushed and afraid to raise their hand, where the worksheets are gone and the art work increases.
As for now I will cuddle up and read with them by firelight and watch their faces, and pray that they to will love books.

Ahhhhh....the carefree days of summer.....my two little ones........

The Beautiful ordering of life

I just returned home from our annual family reunion. It was so great to see everyone again and feel the connection. I made this scrap page from a favorite photo of my grandparents on my mother's side. Recently I had the chance to spend time with my mother and the grandmother in the photo. I am gratful for their love and guidance. The beautiful ordering of life is that we turn to them for wisdom and love. The legacy goes on and the circle of life is complete each time those traditions and memories are passed on to further generations.

Here is a recent art page. I wanted the fairy to look happy but somehow she just can't help but look a little sad. I used Gesso and pencil. It was fun to have such freedom on a clean white washed page.

Happy Fathers Day

Here's to all the great dads everywhere. My kids summed it up as we were making breakfast for him on Sunday. "Our dad not only takes care of us but also is a father to other kids who need that love" We are so blessed to have such a man in our lives.