Telling Stories

When he's an artist and not an athlete...

We had parent/teacher conferences last week. I never know what to expect because at home, sometimes my kids make me nuts. Like, roll into a ball and rock back and forth nuts. 

I see all the good...and all the bad. 

So it's always a bit of a crapshoot going in there. 

Especially with this guy...

I know. He looks sweet and innocent, doesn't he? We had our family pictures taken this past Sunday and I was fully prepared for the Sam-meltdown...but Ethan was the one that gave us the most trouble. Funny how that happens. 

Also, he's started doing this twitchy thing with his face. I caught it in this picture:

But you can't get the full effect. Not that I have anything against weird twitchiness, I'm just imagining him getting made fun of and that worries me. But don't worry, I've been really compassionate about it. I think the last thing I said to him "Will you STOP doing that weird twitchy face thing?" 

To which he responded "MY NOSE ITCHES" 

To which I said, "THEN USE YOUR HAND!"

I suffer from an innate loss of sympathy. 

Anyway, Ethan's teacher is this cute, adorable, sweet girl (and she really is a girl. I am getting OLD, friends.) and she had so many great things to say about my son. It made me so happy. Especially when she said "Ethan is really a leader. The kids just want to be around him."

I knew Sophia had leadership qualities, but I was a little surprised to hear this about Ethan. I was also kind of...okay REALLY excited...when she said "He is an amazing writer." That one I'm holding onto. I remind myself of it every time he gets twitchy or doesn't listen or does that high-pitched whine that really makes him sound like a wounded animal. 

So far, it's helping. 

I always expected to have a son that loved football. And cars. And hated school. (I don't know why--Adam and I both loved school.) I didn't expect to have one who spends his free time making these:

In 3-D:

Or making cards for his friends...

in 3D:

Or writing books...

But I am so happy this is the kid God gave me. 

In our society, it's tempting to discourage kids from exploring their creative side. It's easy to assume boys will love sports and cars and boy things...but the world needs creative thinkers. People to plan and build and write and draw. 

I welcome this side of my boy, twitchy face and all. 

I think he's going to do amazing things...

Turn your junk mail into art

What seems like forever ago, I pitched an article to Memory Makers Magazine about using recycled goods in your scrapbooking. I was never one to get too caught up in the acid-free thing...in truth, I just like paper. 

And one of the greatest sources of paper is your mailbox. 

Junk mail. 

The result of that pitch was an article about Green Scrapbooking...a nice way to say "use your junk mail to make pretty things." 

Like a mailer with coupons for diapers...

...which became a little mini album. 

Or, if you're in children's ministry and wind up with a random roll of raffle tickets...

They make a lovely background for a layout. 

So whenever I get a catalog I love, like Anthropologie or Land of Nod or anything else that comes to my mailbox full of things I know I can't afford, I hang onto it.

My husband calls this "hoarding." 

If I'm not careful, he's going to put me on A&E.

Doesn't he know you can turn the pages of a catalog into a gift for a very sweet, very wonderful, very amazing friend on her birthday? 

I took a sheet of kraft cardstock on the outside and gussied it up...which is a nice way of saying I got it good and messy. With paint, rub-ons, stickers...all the things that make birds sing outside my window on a clear day. 

I like messy things. 

You should see my bathroom. If I wasn't exhausted and if I knew how to take an indoor photo at night that didn't turn out burnt orange, I would go take one to show you how messy it is. 

The funny thing is, I also have a cleaner, more graphic side, but these messy pages with masking tape and paint and STUFF sticking out all over the place? They make my heart do cartwheels. 

Because when I make something like this, I am NOT over-thinking. I am creating. And it's therapeutic to get a little lost in what I'm doing...to think about the message I want to convey, in this case "You are an amazing person and I wholly adore you." 

That photo above shows you that this is not a fancy-schmancy book. I took a stack of pages, folded them down the center and hand-stitched the binding. 

EASY but seriously, so fun. 

I inserted pockets by folding one page over and stapling it to the following page. Then you can stick even MORE stuff inside! Here's a closer view...

If you get a cute graphic like this flower-guy from Land of Nod...

Let it show by folding a sheet of book paper back. 

It's a completely original, one-of-a-kind gift...the kind you give when you really want your heart to show. 

We've all got plenty of junk mail laying around...and I know we read about controlling clutter and how throwing junk mail away immediately is key...but what can I say? 

I think I've found a way to justify holding on to a few things...

What about you? Have you ever turned your junk into art? I would love to hear about it...or better yet...I'd love to SEE it!! 

We hoarders have to stick together.

 

Thursday Thought of the Day

 
 

Mixed Media Art

I painted this weekend. It felt good. It's really the first time I've painted since we moved. Sometimes you just need to create something. 

And knowing I was making something for a dear friend of mine made it even more fun. 

The background is a lot of Webster's Pages papers, a sewing pattern, sheet music and old book pages. Lots of paint, modeling paste, texture...

And then this big old chipboard heart I found in my scrapbooking stash. I used more Webster's Pages (Western Romance), and then the standard old sheet music and book pages and painted the whole thing pink.

The trim threaded through the scallops really added some cool texture, and I popped the heart off the canvas by using foam squares from Scrapbook Adhesives.

I really wanted to make this piece super-girly because my friend Lyndsey has four boys...and every girl needs a little pink.

When it came to the sentiment, it was important for me to get it right...so I spent some time just thinking about Lyndsey and all the things I love about her. Ultimately, the thing I focused on was that she really makes the world more beautiful...

Seriously...Just go look at her website. 

So, I printed the words off and used more gel medium to adhere them down. A few rub-ons, a big pink button and pink paint on the edges and I was done. 

 
I feel so lucky to have friends who really fill my world with beauty...

Today on the Crafty Power Blog

Today I'm over at the Crafty Power Blog talking about this layout...

Which is based on this post...

Which is still one of my favorite stories ever. 

Come check it out!?

Productivity, Setbacks and Indecisiveness

This past week has been beyond full. I admit, it's getting hard to keep everything straight. 

I've been packing up boxes for a month now, and Adam loads them up into the van and drops them off at the house after work. We've moved so much already, so why do I still feel like there's so much left to pack?

In my purging/packing, I discovered my affinity for magazines is bordering on out of control.

That was one of three stacks I found. I packed them up in a box before Adam could hunt me down and force me to throw some away. (I haven't read these yet!) 

I made cover art for my upcoming papercrafting book. This is always so fun, but lots of pressure to "get it right!" You can tell I am an indecisive person when it comes to art...

I also made some little bookmarks for a friend which were featured on the Crafty Power Blog last week. 

I cleared off the fridge and thought "I will NOT miss this thing." Not only is this fridge small, but it's impossible to open. I swear, it's sealed as tightly as a deep freeze right after you close the lid. 

Plus, the kitchen does look cleaner with our fridge because I can't stick a bunch of stuff on it. As much as I love that, it's so messy!

One night last week, we had this crazy hail storm. It started out as thunder and rain and then got louder and louder until these started falling from the sky. 

In the morning there were what looked like piles of snow from all this hail. It was insane.

And keeping in line with Murphy's Law...my Hobbit woke up on Thursday morning 100% sick. Throwing up everything and ended up sleeping on the couch (in the midst of all of our noise) for most of the day.

I felt so bad for him--He was just miserable.

By Friday, he was totally normal again. It was the strangest bug. 

I also hunted down some fun stuff...

And yes, painted loads and loads of ugly brown trim to a beautiful white...

My hair looks ridiculous in that picture. Just sayin'.

Looking back on the whirlwind, it was quite productive, but we're all feeling the pain a little bit. Living in two houses hasn't been easy, but this upcoming weekend we move in for good. 

I can't wait to wave goodbye to the rental, but I have to admit, I'll miss living in this part of town, close to my friends and familiar with everything. This rental got us out here, and even though there are many things we don't like about it, I am thankful for the Colorado roof over our heads this past year.

Today we're getting hardwood floors in here...

...which I think is going to transform the space completely. We're still talking about backsplashes and counters, but those are decisions for another day...

My brain is much too full to think about it!

Adding Hand-cut Letters to your Artwork

I was pretty excited when the friend of a friend contacted me to see if I could make some artwork for her...until I realized that I had to make the artwork. Instantly, I was nervous. She had a very specific idea in mind and it didn't involve my typical birdies or little girls. It was just words. 

I started with the background. Used some of my favorite patterened papers, old sheet music and book paper and then added layers of modeling paste, textures (like bubble wrap and cool stamps)...

And I measured a rectangle in the center where the words would go. The elusive words. The most important part. To say I didn't want to mess this up would be an understatement. But that center rectangle seemed to give me the stink eye every time I looked at it. 

The truth is, you have a lot of options when you want to add lettering to your artwork. Most often, I print strips on the computer and adhere them down, but with something this big, I knew that wouldn't work. I didn't want to use letter stickers either--just not the look I wanted. 

So I turned to my trust printer and made my own. 

I'm not going to lie. This isn't the quickest way to do this. I have a Cricut packed away in the garage at our new house, but I love doing this on my computer because I can choose any font I want. Plus, I find this kind of detail work therapeutic. 

Making your letters is actually really easy. 

1. Open a Word Document. 

2. Go to Insert and Select "Word Art." (I always choose the top left option, the outlined words.)

3. Choose your font and type your desired phrase. Click Enter. 

4. Drag the box until the words are the size you want them. 

5. Under the Word Art Tools Option, find the button that says "Rotate." Click that and choose "Flip Horizontal." 

This is what your words will look like when you print it out. If you're using patterned paper, make sure you print the outline on the BACK of the paper, because when you cut it out, you want the lines on the back.

6. Cut out your letters with a pair of detail scissors. I love my Cutter Bees!

They're super sharp on the end (Believe me, I've stuck myself with them more than once.) and they're great for getting the insides of letters like "A".

Once you do that, you're going to want to grab your Gel Medium (or Mod Podge.) 

Position the letters where you want them. Don't assume your spacing is just going to work out. 

Brush the gel medium on the back of each letter and adhere it onto the canvas.

Once they're all down, brush another coat of gel medium over the top of all the letters...

It won't look clear when it goes on. This is normal. It will dry clear, but try and make the brush strokes nice and smooth if you can. I have a couple of brushes that are really bristly (is that a word?) and you can see every line even after it's dried.

I liked the artwork this way, but I really wanted the words to pop, so I outlined them using a fine-tipped permanent black marker. (Make sure the gel medium is completely dry before you do this.) And go slow. The tip of the marker will slip off the letter really easily and you'll end up with stray black strokes on white letters. Not the look we're going for...

Pretty easy, right? 

I've made lots of page titles this way and it seemed a natural fit to do it on a canvas. I like the way this turned out so much I'm going to make one for my house too. 

Happy Painting!

The Art of Writing a Letter

I'm sitting in the salon, underneath a dryer waiting for my roots to change color when another stylist walks a tiny shriveled woman into the room and sits her down across from me. 

I smile at her tan orthopedic shoes and shaky limbs, watching as she pulls something seemingly precious from inside her overstuffed purse. She doesn't notice me, so I watch as she unfolds a small stack of stationary, scrawled with the handwriting of someone she must love. 

As she sits in silence for many moments, she turns the pages over in her hand, reading the news someone took the time to send her, and a slight smile crosses her lips. 

This letter, I think, has made her day. Someone out there loves her. 

And I wonder back to the last time I sent a letter, written out by hand... and I can't remember it's been so long. 

Letter writing is like a lost art, one that was an important part of my adolescence. Growing up, I had pen pals all over the country, and we'd fill each other's mailboxes with notes and cards and trinkets that told the story of who we were. 

Frozen in time. 

Lately I've been pondering my love/hate relationship with technology. I love it because I don't have to write my books longhand. I hate it because it's a constant distraction, carried around in my pocket, vying for my attention... and all too often, it wins. 

There's something wonderful about the simplicity of non-rechargable, not battery operated items. Things without a cord or a USB port. Books, especially...you can't smell the pages of an E-Reader. You get less of a person in an email than you do in a handwritten note or card. 

Don't you think?

The handwritten word--has never lost its appeal to me. So I'm adding "send at least one letter or card to someone I love each week..." to my Summer Inspiration List. 

I started last night. Writing out words of encouragement for a friend...

I purposely wanted it to be different. I wanted her to find something new every time she picked it up and read--like a word find, kind of. 

I included some of my favorite quotes, scriptures and wrote some of my own words...and wound them all together on the inside of a card.

My hope is that when she finds it in her mailbox, she's instantly filled with good feelings, encouragement, the kind an email can't bring. And I believe the kind even a phone call can't bring. 

Because some of us just communicate better without saying a word. 

So, I ask you...when was the last time you wrote a letter or sent a card? Do you think it's important...or just old fashioned and obsolete? Would you accept the challenge to write one letter each week this summer? C'mon, I'm moving in a few weeks and I'm committed! :) What do you think??

Before I die...

Adam introduced me to this website called Stumble Upon. You sign up, put in your interests and you "stumble" around the web. Mostly it overwhelms me. How is a person supposed to find anything when there are so many voices clamoring for our attention? 

Sometimes it makes me feel like I should be doing so much more than I am...and sometimes it energizes me.

I remember the summer I lived in New York, being the uh, outgoing person that I'm not, I did't talk to many people. Just people in my classes mostly. And I'd ride the subway and walk the streets and sit in Broadway shows and marvel at how many people there really are in this world. 

And every one of them has a story. 

And most of them, I'll never know. 

I was struck by the sadness of that. Because people are amazing. And stories are meant to be told. 

I think a bit of my idealism died that year. Not in a bad way, just in an eye-opening, maybe there is more to this world sort of way. The world is so much bigger than me. 

So sometimes when I get down about something, I put it in that perspective. It helps. 

Anyway, this morning, I stumbled on this website. And it was one of those inspiring moments. They took an abandoned house in New Orleans and turned it into a sounding board, a place to think, a place to profess your dreams... 

In bold letters, the words BEFORE I DIE...

And then chalk and places for passers-by to fill in the blanks. People with stories...and dreams...

 

I read a lot of the responses...and in the back of my mind, for so many of them, I was thinking "What's stopping you???" I mean, obviously the one that says "Meet Justin Bieber" may have some security to deal with... but some of the other ones..."Care for a dog...", "Learn to play mandolin..." 

They're so attainable. 

I think sometimes our dreams are just waiting for us to make time for them. And we don't because we're too wrapped up in our daily lives to give them their due...but with something like this, you put it out there. You whisper it on the wind and when you do that, words have a way of coming back to you.

Sometimes, we just have to say them out loud. Write them down. Recognize them. Give them their place. 

It's something to think about, no?

What would you write? What dream is waiting for you just around the corner?

BEFORE I DIE I WANT TO... ???

Half Full

I love pretty things. I want to fill my new home with prettiness. Not necessarily "stuff" but just beauty...weather it's kind words or lingering kisses...hands helping little ones or looking for ways to make my kids smile. 

I'm declaring our new house a "Family First" zone. 

I rarely make things to decorate our house, but I plan to fill it with handmade items (cheap and easy decor) and things my kids have made. I don't care that it'll never be in some decorating magazine...it'll speak to our family, and that's what matters most. 

I made this wall hanging for the Crafty Power Blog...you can see the whole post HERE.

So simple and easy, but such a great reminder. I want to hang this one in my kitchen so I always remember to focus on what's important. 

GOD.
Our Family
People who love me. 
Encouraging words.
Our creativity. 
Good friends.
Our Health.

The glass is half full. Or 3/4 of the way full. Or overflowing.

And I don't want to miss it by focusing on the things that don't matter.

*****

Don't forget to enter the giveaway for Elana's new book, Gluten Free Cupcakes! Delicious stuff. I think I might make some this weekend! Just leave a comment on the post below.  

 

 

 

The Great American Tall Tales

Not long after we finished Godspell, the Artistic Director at CYT sat down with us and asked Adam and I if we'd be up for writing a show based on The American Tall Tales. We started kicking around ideas and suddenly a sort of "Night at the Museum" meets "American Folklore" idea was born.

We were excited because both Adam and I feel like theatre should be fun. And the stories lend themselves to lots of FUN...and really, what's the point if you don't enjoy it? (Isn't that true of anything?) I say yes.

 
(Here we are on the way to the show. Adam didn't even make a weirdo face!)

When we agreed to write the show, there were no plans of uprooting our family and moving to Colorado, so we thought we'd take all of last summer and work on it nights and days off. Piece 'a cake.

Yeah, right.

Moving changed all of that, setting us several months back on our deadline. Keep in mind that Adam was starting a new job and I was working on rewrites for my novel...and we had kids to acclimate to a new school and a new house full of packed up boxes... It was a lot to juggle, but I have to tell you the truth. I think it helped us to be so busy. It helped us settle in and feel like we were still a part of something. As much as we could be.

And it filled our home with music.

 
For months, Adam wrote music based on the script I'd written and he and Sophia recorded the songs so the kids would have rehearsal tracks. I can't lie...I loved it. The show was coming to life right there in our living room. We'd read through it scene by scene, acting out the parts and fixing things along the way.

And then we sent it off for someone else to direct...which, I admit, was sort of weird! I was nervous about not working through the kinks in rehearsals, but having done CYT, we were able to anticipate some of them. The directing team gave us some great feedback, some wonderful suggestions and we did a couple of simple rewrites and the kids got to work pulling it all together.

If I'm honest, I really didn't have time to go home this past weekend. None of us did...but I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

We drove in to Huntley on Friday night (opening night)...

 
They have a beautiful performing arts center in their high school.

Then it came time to watch the show. We had no idea what to expect, but we sat back and enjoyed the kids' performances. Of course, we also critiqued our script and music the whole time. We found some great things to change, discovered which jokes worked (one of mine got a nice laugh and I teased Adam because he almost cut it out!) and which didn't. We were once again blown away by the talent and thankful that CYT doesn't underestimate them.

And even though we were worried about some of the song keys and transitions we'd written, we had parents come up to us and tell us what the show has meant to their family...

Because CYT is a family affair...

 

This little group that we're flanking here are three siblings who've all come up in CYT. I told them it was time for us to take a photo with "the beautiful people." Geesh!

But they blew me away. The girl on the left played "Sally Ann Thunder Ann Whirlwind Crockett." I thought she was seventeen.

She's fourteen.

I know that means nothing in a blog post, but this girl has the poise and maturity of a performer many, many years older...and I have to say, she's as good as anyone I've ever seen in a professional show. Her sister, next to me, is a dancer who didn't realize until recently that she can sing. (And boy, can she sing.)

They were both leading roles in the show and their brother (who Adam's worked wtih before) was the Asst. Director.

 
More beautiful people. Amy & Sarah are sisters and they were the choreographer and director. Amy's getting married at the end of the month. I guess busyness isn't reserved for the Walsh house!

We also got to meet some of the other cast members...

 
...and I was so shocked at the reception we got. These kids are humble and gracious on top of being insanely talented. If for no other reason, I think we made that trip to remind us how much we love theatre and also that your sphere of influence isn't always limited to those you can see. (Up there are (from l-r) the teacher, Johnny Appleseed, Annie Christmas and Annie Oakley.)

This boy played Paul Bunyan...

 
And rocked out on his song! He was also incredibly sweet.

We went home with such mixed emotions that night. Elated, excited, thinking about some of the things we wanted to tighten before Rockford does Tall Tales in the fall. Trying to work out ways that we could fly home and direct that production. Marveling over the kids and chatting up their talent.

And yes, missing CYT.

We went back the next day with our whole crazy clan (and picked up an extra member...)

 

Sophia was so happy to see her best Illinois friend.

I admit, I was a walking stress ball that day. I get stressed when I get nervous and I think I spent most of the weekend nervous. Nervous to fly. Nervous to see the show. Nervous what people would think of the show. Nervous Sam wouldn't do well during the show.

Nerves. Ugh. Adam kept saying "you need to learn how to relax."

I'm thinking massage. In a beach cabana. In Hawaii. With no responsbilities. For at least five consecutive days. Without my computer.

They invited us back stage before the show to talk to the kids.

 

They asked us questions like "Which song did you write fourth?" and "How'd you come up with the name 'Sloane' for the girl?"

We loved talking to them and they were so so excited...the energy back there was palpable.

 
...and I realized what Debbie, the Artistic Director said to me on Friday night was true... "CYT is CYT no matter where you go."

The good things about it translate from county to county and hopefully state to state. There's a great CYT in Denver and Adam and I have talked about starting one up here where we are, but it's a time issue at this point.

Still, I have to tell you...if you have a kid who, like me, isn't an athlete and who has any inkling of a desire to perform (sing, dance or act)...seek out a CYT.

The enjoyment they'll get being a part of this group is unmeasurable. It will build their confidence and give them an incredible sense of self. It will teach them to push themselves and to deal with disappointment when they don't get the part they want. And it will show them that hard work can sometimes lead to surprising yourself (when they do get the part they want.)

I am so thankful for the gracious reception we got at this production, so happy we made the trip and so grateful they allowed us to be a part of it. (Thank you, thank you, CYT Chicago!)

...now when do we start the next one?

Christian Youth Theatre

Last week, we went on a whirlwind trip back to Illinois for one sole purpose. CYT. (Christian Youth Theatre.)

 

A few years ago some kids at our church invited us to the first CYT production in Rockford. I admit, I didn't have the highest expectations from a kids' show. But wow, were we surprised. They were professional and excellent and not at all what we'd seen in kids' theatre (or community theatre, for that matter.)

We knew we wanted to get involved--theatre had always been a part of our lives, but when we dug our heels into the ministry, we thought we'd seen the last of "Guys and Dolls" and "The Music Man."

Ministry doesn't often afford you the time on the weekends to do that sort of thing. CYT was different. Shorter rehearsal periods, incredible parental involvement, the directors don't have to also build/paint/assemble sets.

It is, in a word, a community...and one we needed more than we realized.

So, we flew in to the flatlands...

 

...and stayed here, with my parents.

 

We got in on Wednesday (Adam's birthday) and the following day we ran errands and caught up with some old friends.

Here I am in my favorite place in all of Rockford: Barnes and Noble. I was there all day and could've spent longer...especially with two very important friends...

 

Chris has been a great source of encouragement in my life and Ronnie is now and always will be one of the most genuine, caring people I know. I was so excited they were able to meet me last minute.

The last show we directed before we moved was Godspell, and our disciples in that show grew to be a really close bunch. And they let us in their little circle.

We are awfully lucky that way.

So, when one of the girls asked if we could do a "disciple dinner" on Thursday night, we were all over it. She was going to handle all the plans--we just had to show up!

When she asked what food we missed most, we didn't even blink...

 

Giordano's Pizza.

So that's where we went.

And that's where I realized how very much I miss these kids...how very much I miss CYT and how very much I miss encouraging people at this point in their lives.

You see, when you're away, you can block out the things you miss. You can convince yourself that you don't really miss those things. You have a new life now...but the truth is, the old life is only a memory away. And while I was there, it occurred to me that having theatre as a common ground with teenagers is kind of a beautiful thing.

You don't have to figure everything out, you get to discuss this mutual love you have for performing.

We sat across from my beautiful friend Holly and her husband Dan (Dan, you're beautiful too...) because one of the kids (JoJo) told us to "go sit with the old people. (And because we love them.)

 

Holly is a dance teacher in Rockford and one of the kindest, most talented people I know.

The kids all looked a little different. Everyone was taller and thinner.

 

But just as goofy...

 

...and just as loud!

I love hanging out with teenagers because you find a wide assortment of photos on your phone that you didn't even know were taken.

Here's proof.

   

I think I was the only one that didn't know this one was being taken:

  

But all of this got me thinking about this group of people that we don't get to work with anymore, and I guess it made me realize that our life here has been in limbo. We live in temporary housing. My kids are in a temporary school. We haven't set down roots. We aren't involved yet because our community is changing again.

And it made me a little sad.

I think one of the greatest things about our life in Rockford was being able to work with kids like these...

 

...and seeing them go on to audition for colleges and get scholarships and write them recommendation letters because you already know how incredible they are and some college theatre professor is going to be let in on that little secret...

 

...and they make you feel like you mean something to them...and you hope they realize the feeling is mutual...

 
...and they tell you to call them silly nicknames like "Mexican" and you feel like it's so wrong, but you do it because it becomes a term of endearment and you love them.

...and can't wait for them to come to Colorado to check out the colleges that are in your new neck of the woods...

 

...and you burst with pride thinking about all the roles they're getting and the way they've blossomed and started to believe in themselves...and you hope you added just a smidge to that self confidence...because you've known for a long time how talented they were.

 

I guess it was eye opening. It made me miss this. At my core, I think I was born to encourage...but these kids have done more for me than I could ever do for them. They've built my self confidence.

Adam and I were talking the other day about how I second guess myself. And he said "Is there ever a time you feel totally confident in your decisions?"

And without a doubt, I knew...I feel that way when I'm doing theatre. Directing a show, teaching kids. I don't second guess myself. I feel confident. I love teaching them they've got more inside.

Because they do. We all do. When you dig down deep, there's so much more in there...and I want to be one of the people who helps kids realize it.

It was a long-short trip. I learned a lot about myself and tomorrow I'll tell you the whole reason we actually went...but today is a work day so I need to get to it. I hope you had a wonderful week!

The creative middle child

Sometimes I'm reminded that Ethan is a middle child in every sense of the word. I was a middle child, so I try to make sure he doesn't get overlooked, but then it dawns on me that Surprise! He's being overlooked. He's easy and laid back and low maintenance, and well, that makes him easy to overlook...

 
I tried to convince Adam he gets these traits from me, but he just started laughing and walked away.

Ethan is all boy. His jeans are worn one time before they have holes in the knees. His shoelaces are coming apart after only one month of wearing them. He has to empty sand out of his shoes every single morning.

He plays hard. He cries too often. He's really sensitive.

And pretty goofy.

 
I sometimes wonder how he handles all this moving around stuff. He still talks about his old friends, and even though he's incredibly good natured, I have to wonder how it's really affecting his tender heart.

 
We close on the house on Friday. He has a reader's theatre at school. They're at the same time. I'm sad to think that he may not have a parent in the room cheering him on. It makes my heart hurt...makes me feel like I'm letting him down.

He'll never let on if that's really how he feels. He's just that kind of kid.

I've started noticing that Ethan is really creative. I guess I didn't expect that from my boys. I don't know why given who I'm married to, but it's been surprising to see how much he loves art and building things and yes, even modeling clay...

 
And, you can see, he's also got a thing for Super Mario Brothers...Here's Mario...

 
Luigi...

 

And um...Yellow Toad and that other guy...

 
Pretty fun, no?

 

He wants a Mario room in our new house and while this goes against everything I believe a child's room should be (I am not big on commercialized bedding/clothing etc.) I'm inclined to make it happen for him... and to make it the coolest room he's ever seen.

I think he's pretty special, this kid.

Time to find some creative ways to show him.

Silk Tie-Dyed Easter Eggs

I love my husband. When he was a children's pastor, he'd always find the coolest things to do with our kids, and I'm happy to say that hasn't changed. I love the kind of dad Adam is. Involved and creative and usually pretty even-keel even when I'm not.

We tend to trade off on bad moods or lack of patience, which is good because on the rare occasions we're both losing it at the same time, it's like WW3 in here. Not really. That was a joke.

Just before Easter, Adam "stumbled" (do you know stumbleupon.com?) upon an idea for a new way to color Easter Eggs. He was so excited about trying this, but I assumed that by Friday he'd forget all about it. Not so.

So, Saturday, we gathered our supplies, ran all over God's green earth looking for a glass or enamel pot (we never did find one) and finally got down to it.

In spite of his enthusiasm, our kids weren't exactly cooperative, so I'm not going to lie and tell you it was all bunnies and roses here. It wasn't. It was mildly frustrating and at times, frankly, just annoying, but we worked it out in the end...

So here's what you do.

1. Gather your supplies: Silk ties (we bought them at Good Will), scissors, an old white tee-shirt or sheet, eggs (not hard boiled), twist ties or string, water, vinegar & a big pot (apparently you're supposed to do glass or enamel but we used metal and it was fine.)

(A better blogger would've had a photo of this. I just have an orange-tinted photo of our messy table.)

 

2. Cut the ties. You want strips big enough to wrap the egg in.

 

During this step, you may begin to question the hand eye coordination of your left-handed child...

 
...despite the "Great Chop Job of '08" in which he demonstrated on his own hair that he does, in fact, know how to use a pair of scissors.

 

Yeah. Good times right there.

And, about this point, your Hobbit may begin to wonder why he had to turn off Spongebob, because for Pete's sake, he sure can't use scissors.

 
(Don't worry, his meltdown is JUST around the corner.)

After you've cut the ties, you'll have what looks like a big, fat mess. No worries. This is common in the Walsh house. At least on the art kitchen table.

Next, you just roll the eggs up in the ties...

 
...or pose with them, whichever...

 
Then use a twist tie (or a piece of yarn if you forget to buy them in spite of your husband's reminder calls and texts while you were standing right in the middle of Target...)

 
I'm nothing if not resourceful.

Once you're done, you've got a big pile of tie-wrapped raw eggs.

 

So, next, take an old white T-shirt or sheet and cut it into pieces big enough to wrap the eggs again.

 
And then do that. (Good instructions, no?)

And wrap a long piece of yarn all around the egg...

 
About this time, you're exhausted because you procrastinated all day and it's way past the kids bed time. Take a deep, cleansing breath. It's about to get worse.

While your husband rifles around in the cupboard for vinegar (which you know you have SOMEwhere,) you go put the kids to bed. They will argue with you about what they're wearing to church for Easter because you didn't get them new outfits. It's okay. DO NOT storm out of their rooms, throw a towel at your husband and say "You deal with them." This never works in your favor. Especially when you take over the vinegar hunt and come up empty-handed.

Hypothetically speaking, of course.

Once you find your composure hiding somewhere else in the house, you boil the eggs in water and at least 1/4 cup of vinegar at a nice simmer (about 20 minutes). If you have an electric stove, good luck. Electric stoves do whatever they want.

Oh, and your house is going to STINK. So, just be prepared.

Then plop down on the couch and watch TV till midnight so it's impossible to wake up on time the next day.

When you finally get home from church, revisit your little eggs...

 
Endure your children's complaints about how badly they smell. They'll get over it in a minute.

And do not, by any means, announce your skepticism that any of this is going to amount to anything...

 

Because, well, you'll be eating crow...

 
Because the eggs are pretty. darn. cool.

 
 
 
 

And this one is my favorite...

 
 
A huge success! And totally edible, so figure out how to make egg salad and you're good to go...

 

Busy.

This week, we close on a new house. Our first Colorado house. Our fourth house ever. We can't wait, but I admit, it doesn't seem real AT ALL. I keep thinking we have a month to wait, but we don't...it's actually here. I'm a little nervous, if I'm honest. I guess it means we've officially moved to Colorado. Maybe after we move into our own house, it'll actually start to feel like we live here and stop feeling like we're on vacation.

I painted this weekend. Just this one that's been brewing in my head for awhile now...

 

A reminder to myself that it's okay to go against the flow. It's okay to make waves. To be different. To follow your gut.

I'm also...

...working on a few custom pieces but they aren't finished. I loved what my friend Becky said about painting for other people in this post. I echo her sentiments exactly.

...busy trying to find Sophia a good audition song for her audition for "The Sound of Music" (which is Saturday.) Anyone got any good ideas?

...finishing up a few deadlines so I can enjoy my weekend free & clear because I'm...

...preparing for my best friend to come visit me. It's been years since I saw her and we are both ready for the break! There's something about an old friend, someone who knows you already...it's comforting and familiar. I am so looking forward to it. I envision antique stores, spa treatments, good food and there's even been talk of some Friday Night Lights. Sounds like perfection to me.

...Loving being part of the Scrapbook Adhesives design team. I did my introductory post this weekend and added this layout: 

 
...which looks crooked to me. Maybe I need a V8.

...reading devotionals here. They have so much great stuff and I have a feeling this one today is going to nail me to the wall.

It's important for me to slow down and hand it all over to God because stress has been making me physically sick and I'm kinda done with that. So. That's what's on my mind as I start my week...a whole lot of busy.

What're you up to this week?

 

Super. Exciting. News.

Forever ago, when I finished working on The Busy Scrapper, I knew I needed a break. I had a LOT (still do) to learn about writing fiction, so I took 2009 to learn. And learn. And learn. In the process, I walked away from papercrafting altogether. I couldn't do it all, and frankly, I'd lost the desire.

I got my book deal (for my novels) and at the center of that story is a big, beautiful scrapbook. The kind you find hidden in a trunk. The kind that you open and when you do, a whirlwind of laughter pours out, bringing with it a collection of memories.

 
Source

Fast forward to about a month and a half ago. I was going through a bunch of photos of our move and I started to think about all the stories I wasn't telling. So much had changed, but none of it had been documented. And suddenly, I knew I needed to start up again.

Telling our stories was too important.

Long story short, one morning, I got a hair-brained idea. Truth be told, I think it had been percolating for a little while... but that day, it turned into a full-fledged idea. One that needed some attention.

And one that resulted in some super exciting news!

 

I'm writing a new book!

My proposal to Memory Makers Books was officially accepted and all systems are a GO! This isn't fiction, it's another idea book, like my first two...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, I'm hard at work finishing up my rewrite for my second novel in the series and outlining/organizing this one.

 
I can't say much more about it, but I can say that it is really, really exciting and will have loads of creative ideas in it! I've already got a few contributors lined up but am working on getting the rest. Let me tell you... so far, I'm working with a dream cast! I love this part!

I've come to realize that when it's not time for a thing, it feels forced. I think God takes the desire away. But when the desire returns, I think it's important to pay attention. I'm not talking about doing laundry or unloading the dishwasher... but creatively, two years ago, it wasn't time for me to do a third book. Now, it is. And I'm more than thrilled.

In the midst of all this house buying craziness, it's a much-needed source of excitement!

Happy Tuesday!

Shine

What is it about the idea of "fitting in" that we think it so important? I'm curious why we, as a society, choose to shove ourselves into boxes and tack on labels like they're a necessity?

Why, in a world of color, do we choose to be bland? Why do we overlook our gifts, afraid to step out and do something scary because we might look stupid if we fail?

 

What are we so afraid of?

I've been thinking a lot about who I am and who I want to be. For a long time, I lived my life according to what I thought other people wanted and expected of me. Whether or not anyone actually put those demands on me or if they were simply perceived is beside the point. The fact is, I wanted everyone to be happy with me all the time. So their words and viewpoints negated my own.

And I'm not sure why. In the midst of that, I managed to find this tiny little voice inside me that guided me and led me and allowed me to do some of what I knew I was called to do...

But I wonder how much louder would that voice have been if I'd silenced the voices that really didn't matter in the first place?

 

I'm not wise by any means, but I'm wiser than I was having lived through the past few years. And this is what I know is true...

• People have the ability to instantly make you feel "less than"...but only if you let them. (Thank you, Eleanor.)
• Comparing yourself to other people does absolutely no good. I read something recently: "Be the best you you can be...everyone else is taken." I love that.
• There is no way everyone will like you. No matter how nice/good/honest/kind/wise/talented/beautiful you are.
• People often mean well, but trusting the advice of others over your own gut (or what God's told you) is a sure-fire way to find disappointment.
• Everyone is creative. Your art may look different than mine. I may not even understand your art...but I respect it. I love it. I value it. Because it represents your viewpoint...and our viewpoints, our differences are what make this a very beautiful place to live.
• Living your life to please others is a waste of time.

 

I believe we are born to shine. To live big. To dream in color. To make some noise. I believe in standing up for what's right--even when it's unpopular. I believe in being a cheerleader and applauding when good things come your way. I believe in building up...never tearing down.

I believe God always knows what's best for me...and I trust HIM to help me find it. No matter what.

I see so much negativity in the world and I have no desire to be a part of it. Not even for a second.

 

Today...I hope you find a way to stand out. To stop hiding. To do the daring thing. To take a risk. I hope you write down that big dream, the one you've been carrying around in your pocket. Whisper it in the wind and let it be carried up to heaven...

Because God loves to make our dreams come true.

Happy Birthday & A Winner!

So as of today, I am officially the mother of a ten-year-old.

 
I honestly cannot believe it's been ten years since we first met Sophia.

 
From the beginning, she's always been a pretty content kid. A rule follower like her mommy.

Well, except that one time...

 

She's always been fashionable...

 

...and loving to her brother(s)...

 
And yes, she's always been a little performer...

 

She's always been told she looks just like her daddy...except, ya know, prettier...

 

See what I mean?

 

She's smart beyond belief, loves to read and has a strong sense of what's right and what's not. And she's not afraid to say so.

 
I kind of love that about her.

We named her Sophia because 1. I liked the name and 2. It means "wisdom" and "excellent virtue." We pray those things for her...

 
As she grows, it's my prayer that she'll know God more, love God more and be totally confident in who He's called her to be.

 
We love you, sweet girl, and hope this turns out to be your best birthday yet!

 
**************************************************************************

Now, for those of you who didn't come here to see my walk down memory lane, I do happen to have a WINNER for Christy's brand new Art Journaling Class, "She Had Three Hearts."

Special thanks to my sweet friend for letting me probe her brain! I loved it! (And I'm doing another fun interview this week that you might be interested in, so come back and check it out.)

Now. For the good stuff. The winner is:

 
(Like my brushwork there in Photoshop?)

#20!

Martha Richardson said...

I'm signed up for SheArt but already know I want to sign up for the next one ;)

Reply March 25, 2011 at 05:39 PM

So, Martha!! Send me your information and we'll get it on to Christy and YOU, lucky lady, will be soaking up the good stuff.

Hope you're having a great week!

On Writing

When we moved to Colorado last July, I was right smack dab in the middle of a deadline for my first novel. I don't know how you feel about deadlines, but I treat them like sacred holiness over here. I rarely ask for more time because I want my publisher/editors to know I will move heaven and earth to get things done on time.

And I will.

But that doesn't mean I don't feel a little scared in the middle of it all. Sure I can't deliver. Sure I'm writing drivel...

That's how I'm feeling now. Because, as luck would have it, we're moving again. Right smack dab in the middle of my deadline for Book 2. If this is a sign of things to come, we're in trouble, because my third book is due soon too and I really don't want to entertain the idea of one more move. (Ever.)

 

My agent, Sandra, is more than just a businesswoman. She's my friend. So when I hinted (or maybe more than hinted) that I was verging on terrified, she called me. She had just the right words. Our conversation went like this:

Sandra: Did you see the movie Up in the Air?

Me: The one with George Clooney?

Sandra: Wait. Let me leave the family room. Ok. No, not that one, the one with the balloons.

Me: Up?

Sandra: Yeah, Up.

Me: Yes. I cried.

Sandra: I think that's what you have to do right now. Get yourself a big bouquet of balloons and just hold on tight.

 

She understands that this is tricky...living life, being a mom, working my freelance assignments, moving & moving again and writing/editing novels. She gets it. And she said exactly the right thing at exactly the right time.

For some reason, that night, I sat down to paint and found my balloon bouquet waiting for me...and I knew I'd be okay. Don't get me wrong, I'm still a little nervous, but the fear of starting had gone. Her words had inspired me to change my thinking...

This painting tells the story of where I'm at right at this very minute... 

 

Because life is like that sometimes...We're just along for the ride. We're holding on, waiting for the wind to change...waiting to be carried off to a beach somewhere with an umbrella drink and a swimsuit that makes all of our cellulite invisible.

But this. This "in the middle of it" part...this is what I want to savor. I want to remember how it felt to write my first three novels...so it means more when I see them on the shelf at Barnes and Noble. I don't want to wish these moments away.

This is the good stuff.

The stuff to remember.

And now that I've gotten a bird's eye view of it all, I feel more ready than ever...time to fly.
 

Using Creativity to Instill Faith in your Kids: The Prayer Board

I've got a super fun project to share today that gives you a chance to use your creativity to build your kids' faith.

Adam is an editor now for Group Publishing, which means he and I have been digging into the phenomenal curriculum this company puts out. I've done some freelancing where I've been writing curriculum for churches, but it's the take-home activities I'm loving dreaming up.

As I work on these different ideas, I find myself thinking "Wow, we should do that with our kids."

So this weekend, we did.

I'm extremely visual when it comes to learning, and recently I went back in my journal with a highlighter and highlighted all the answered prayers going back to months before our move. There were SO many. I started thinking this would be a great way to build our kids' faith. To create a display board where we pin our prayer requests and then a separate section where they could move the requests once they've been answered.

I started with this:

 
...which, let's face it, isn't doing anyone a bit of good.

I cleared it off and tucked away all the awesome little mementos...

 
Then I turned to the brains of the operation for their input.

 
I cut strips of paper and asked them to write down any prayer requests they had. And then, any answered prayers they could think of.

 
Once that was done, I started with this hoity toity, frilly scrapbooking paper and then realized I thought it was really pretty, but it didn't reflect our family...certainly not my kids...so we put that aside and went with something more cheerful. Ethan and Sophia each got to pick one piece for the background and then they had to agree on the other two pieces.

I did the cutting...

 
...and the dorky posing that shows just how desperately I need to find someone local to cut (and color) my hair. Ouch. It hurts to look at this.

 

(And for those of you who saw me on Friday, I may or may not be wearing the exact same clothes I was wearing then.)

We laid the pages out on the board and that's when I discovered my haphazard methods of measurement weren't exactly the best idea...I had this gap in the center.

 

See?

 
Happy accident, if you ask me.

 
Turns out, a nice strip of striped paper in the center made the perfect separation.

Pause for mustache picture.

 
Can you see the chocolate milk mustache? Or is it "moustache?" I never know. But while we're on the subject...are mustaches (moustaches, pronounced "moo-stashes") coming back in style? I don't claim to be fashionable and I need to know. The whole concept confuses me. Like a furry animal over the top lip. Just no.

Unless you're Tom Selleck. Then you can do whatever you want.

Anyway. Back to the Prayer Board.

The great thing for cheapie mommies like me is that when you're working on a cork board, you can staple it instead of parting with your precious (and expensive) adhesive!

 

So, staple it all on there, a nice border in the center to separate your requests from your praises.

 

(I know this picture feels "off". I get vertigo looking at it. Sophia was camera happy so she took most of these, but seriously, I couldn't figure out which way this one went!)

Anyway. Next, we laid all of the requests out on the board. Not including mine and Adam's because we haven't done ours yet... Oh, and I added some 3-D K & Company sticker flowers onto two of the edges. I really think it needs more "pop" in general, but this is a good start.

 

So, then we took a bunch of these fun Girl's Paperie stickers and outlined the board and I added the words "Prayers and Praises" right at the top.

 

I also printed out two "titles" to help differentiate the top and the bottom.

 
The top says "We're asking God for..." and the bottom says "We're thanking God for..." (Now that I think about it, I should probably flip those around. I'd like to teach them to be thankful first. So if you make this, do that, ok? and make your titles bigger because you're kids don't understand "small handwriting," and their requests will overpower your title. Just sayin'.)

Then we re-hung it.

 
While I did the cutting and stapling, this really was the kids' project, and my hope is that as these prayers are answered, one by one, we can move them to the other side of the board and they'll have a visual way to see that God does listen to them. To all of us.

And he answers every prayer...in his time.

*Don't forget you've still got a couple days to enter the giveaway in this post. You could win a spot in Christy's art journaling class!

An Interview, Art & A Giveaway!

*There is an awesome giveaway at the end of this post...but don't miss the goodstuff between this line and that one!! :)*

Years ago, when I first entered the scrapbooking world, there were few people as generous and genuine as my friend Christy Tomlinson.

I've always admired Christy for so many reasons. Her style blows me away, not just her pages and her impecable interior design skills, but also (and especially,the way she treats people...the way she lives her faith...the way she makese me laugh. Christy is doing amazing things, and I feel so honored and a little bit in awe that I get to witness it...even from a few states away.

I wanted to take this chance to interview my friend because I think her perspectives on art and family and business are inspiring.She truly is one of a kind.

Plus, she's one of my very favorite artists and one day I'm going to buy a CT Original to hang in my new home!!

Grab your coffee and pull up a chair...I'm so happy to share a little deeper look at my friend, Christy Tomlinson.

 

[Courtney] In a world with so many visual images, how do you think an artist can develop a style that's uniquely their own?

[Christy] The great thing about art is that we have all a history that we bring to the table. We have experiences and relationships that are unique only to us. Each of those experiences and relationships translate into art and so that is what each person creates that is uniquely their own. It's not necessarily  about style...it's about the story being told. 

 
 
[Courtney] I love that...telling our stories...Do you find you have voices of self doubt? And how do you silence them?

[Christy]  Um.. heck yeah! I do everytime I start a new adventure in my life...but honestly...having good friends and a supportive husband keeps me grounded. I have to remember that if I don't try, I can't fail. And I would rather try a million times over and have one fantastic experience then never try and never have one. 
 
[Courtney] And you've definitely done lots of amazing things! What advice do you have for someone wanting to turn their creativity into a business?

[Christy] Remember the internet and social networking are your friend. Millions and Millions of people are on the web so creating an online business is probably one of the KEY things to our success. We live in a small town, only 4000 people.There is no way our business would ever survive a "store front". But online, I have access to millions of customers and most of those customers have come from free or inexpensive advertising like social media networks, blogging, facebook. and twiter. Remember to be yourself. I TRULY believe it will work out, if it's meant to be. If it doesn't, it might not be the right time, or the right format. 

 

  
[Courtney] For an artist, inspiration is so important...What (or who) inspires you?

[Christy]  My life inspires me. Life experiences... friendships, deaths, celebrations, heartaches, fun memories...they inspire me. I can't imagine creating art without a purpose in mind. I mean I can, but wow, when there is emotion involved...it just has so much more meaning. you know?  I have alot of favorite artists.Melody Ross is someone who inspires me emotionally. She is a TRUE gift. She can brings out the best in me. I also LOVE Somerset Studio magazine...so much inspiration in that magazine! 
 
[Courtney] So once you're inspired, how do you get motivated? You're so busy! How do you do what you need to do even when you don't feel like it?

[Christy]  My family motivates me. But honestly,it's a scary position to be in...the creative ideas, concepts, new products, new workshops...all of those things are what support my family. My husband supports me and helps run our store and is a WORKHORSE, but the concepts and ideas FALL on my shoulders. So my family motivates me. I have 6 kids, my husband and I work out of our home, so  THIS is my livelihood, our full-time business. I admit there are days that I just need a break {like ANYONE who has a job or a stay at home mom taking care of kids) Oh my heck! We all need a break right? So I spend time doing things I love to do too. Read a book, have a get together with friends, Watch tv.. sleep. Sleep and more sleep. It's important to take time for ourselves. 

 

 
[Courtney] As a mom, I keep wondering, how on earth you do it with SIX kids??

[Christy]  Well, first off remember my husband is home full time. He works with me, so I guess we are both really busy, BUT our kids are extremely self sufficient and mature and they're hard workers. I grew up in a family of 13 and my husband a family of 8,so from the time we could talk we were doing chores to help keep the house clean and organized. Our kids do their own laundry (ages 6-15). They each have a dish night. They each have a night they cook (the younger ones pair up with the older ones). Don't get me wrong, my husband and I do too, but we ALL share in the responsibilities of the home. We are also the type of people that don't feel the need to be involved in EVERYTHING just because everyone else is. We don't push a ton of "extra"  activities on our kids unless it's something they REALLY want to do.  Why? just because the Jones' do? We do our own thing. Some people think we are weird, but we like to think we are low key! LOL

 
[Courtney] Ok, so what's a typical day life for your low key self? Be honest!!

[Christy] Ben and I up at 7:30, come downstairs and have prayer before my husband drives the kids to school. After they're gone, I go right into my office and start working (in my pj's, without my hair brushes or a bra on, etc). It's not usually until someone stops by unannounced or it's lunch time, that I realize I am still sitting in my pj's and haven't even put my contacts in and that's why my eyes hurt from squinting). That's when I go get dressed. We work until usually 5:00 PM. Just like most normal people. I am either ordering product for the store, working on an art piece for the blog, or my licensing agent. Or shooting video for an online class. Blogging, editing video, answering customer service emails... that's my day.

My kids get home around 3:00 and when they do I always take time to stop and make sure they are doing their homework, their afterschool jobs, that they are getting to scouts or other meetings they have. After diner, we either just hang out as a family, or go to "meeting" like games, or church things that we have as a family.. and then bedtime is around 8:00! We read scriptures and have prayer and then after the kids are in bed my husband and I snuggle on the couch and watch tv.  It's SO important for us to have down time. AND to have a relationship outside of "work". We work together 24 hours a day. Never apart. We have for 14 years of our 17 years of marriage. So we have a very awesome and productive business relationship.. but it's important for us to really take time for our "personal" relationship too. Same with my kids. 

 


[Courtney] If I had to describe you in three words, I would say "Inspiring, creative and genuine." How would YOU describe yourself?

[Christy]  Motiviated, Funny and Low key. 
 
[Courtney] You're so positive and encouraging. What do you make of the negativity and criticism that's out there in the creative world?

[Christy]  Honestly, I don't hear it...I do my own thing. I do this because it's my life and my job and it supports my family. If I let myself get caught up in catty message boards or mean websites, I would NEVER move forward AND I would question every decision I make worrying if those decisions would end up on those "message boards or websites". So I don't. Really honestly, we are all just wonderful people trying to do wonderful things... so I LOVE and support everyone.  
 
[Courtney] I know you, like me, have a strong faith...I'm curious how it influences your daily life? Your relationships? Your art?

[Christy]  My faith IS my life. It always has been. My husband and I live our life around our religion (we are LDS) and we believe every opportunity, every idea, every "break", every good thing that happens to us is a blessing from God.  We also  believe every heartache or trial or hardship is also a gift from God... in that we can grow and learn from those experiences and it makes us stronger. I believe there is a beautiful life waiting for me after this one, and my relationships and knowledge and life experiences are ALL I get to take with me. I believe I have the opportunity to be with my family forever depending on how I live in this life. So my life is centered around living so I can be with them forever. So It has a huge influence in every part of my day to day. It does. Wow. That was intense! LOL. 
 
[Courtney] I love your passion, so much...but since I also know you as a fun girl, let's end on a goofy question. If you had to eat one meal for the rest of your life...what would it be?

[Christy] Ham, mashed potatoes and frozen peas. YUM. 
 

Do you see why I love this girl? If you missed her She Art mixed media workshop, I'd highly recommend it! And ...this is the best part...I'm super SUPER excited because Christy has a new workshop...This time, she'll tackle art journaling...a subject near and dear to my own heart!

So today, Christy is giving away a seat in her new class, it's called "She Had Three Hearts."

 
You can read more about this class HERE, but trust me, Christy's workshops are amazing and it will be well worth the $35.

If you'd like to win a spot in this awesome online class, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post before midnight (MST) on March 30th. In honor of my daughter's tenth birthday, I'll draw a winner on Thursday, March 31st!

Facebook, blog or tweet about this giveaway and you can enter up to three more times! How's that for spiffy?

And don't you dare click out of this without commenting and say "I'm not creative." None of that crazy talk on this blog, missy.

Special thanks to Christy for sharing so much of herself, with this interview and just with her life in general. Now, what are you waiting for?

Leave a comment!!

*All images are property of Christy Tomlinson

On my Love List

Loving a lot of new things today.

Here's the short list.

1. The giveaway my friends Jenn & Lyndsey put together on Lyndsey's blog. Being obsessed with fond of paper, this one made my little heart go pitter-patter.

 
I know they're intended as a gift wrap kit, but all I'm thinking is scrapbook pages, mixed media collages & wall art... The giveaway goes through this Friday so hop on over and leave them a comment today! And if you don't win, here's the link to The Gilded Bee...just leave a little for the rest of us, okay? Those trims are to die for!

2. This past weekend, the theatre company we write for held auditions for The Great American Tall Tales.

 
While on their site, we discovered that three of the school day shows are already SOLD OUT! Before the cast list even went up! This is the first time Adam & I have written a show and handed it off to someone else to direct, so we are beyond excited. (And also incredibly jealous. SOMEday we'll direct it ourselves!!) Please pray we find a great deal on airfare so we can zip to Illinois in May and see the show!

3. Super exciting news in my "professional life" that has me beyond excited...but can't quite share yet. I am over here giggling at the thought that I have a "professional life." I know I should probably start seeing myself as a grown up, but deep down, I still feel like a kid, bed piled high with dolls and stuffed animals...

 
(I have such vivid memories of everything in this picture, even the nightgown I am wearing...) 

4. The tickets are booked and my best friend is heading out to see me in April!

 
I haven't seen her in over three years! That's really unacceptable, no? We finally made it work and at the end of April, we will be hob-knobbing with a masseuse, a nail technician and the fine folks at the flea markets and antique stores of Fort Collins. I cannot wait.

5. I ordered one of these bags for Sophia's birthday:

 
My friend Sasha makes and sells them in her etsy shop. She posted one on her blog and I emailed her right away. Sophia is really into owls and I love the idea of getting her custom-made goods for her birthday! Isn't it adorable? Sophia's has a red gingham body...it's super cute! 

 6. Adele. I know, I'm the last person in the world to discover her, but holy darn.

Girl can SING.

You probably can't see the entire thing and I can't get it to post smaller so oh well. I tried to play it for Adam last night, but when he didn't look up from his brainless computer game to utter his "Uh, that's great." I knew he didn't have any appreciation for my new-found music love.

7. Finally, I'm hoping to hear a little news on this guy today:

 
It's funny because every time I see the outside I try to imagine ways to make it cute. It's not really, ya know? It's sorta blah. And being a two-story house lover, it does nothing for me. But then I imagine the possibilities on the inside...and the space (room to spread out!)and I have to stop and catch my breath.

And remind myself that while the counter offer implies that our offer was accepted (they only changed the closing date), we don't have the official word. Any prayers would be appreciated. Knowing that the kids school has a gifted program (for the ARTS) just about sent me into a giggle fit. Cross your fingers that we hear something today!!

So that's a bit of what I'm loving today.

Just a smidge.

There is so much more to share...

...but for now, I have a novel to whip into shape!

Have a great Monday!

 

She Art on Sunday

I've spent most of the weekend working as a result of my being unable to concentrate with all three kids home...and the fact that I couldn't hardly justify sitting around working during my kids' spring break...

But today, Adam convinced me to take a break.

So I listened.

 

*My own phrase: "Passion swelled inside her like a symphony & she followed every dream one at a time." Something I need to be reminded of...that all my dreams don't happen all at once...that prayers are best answered in God's time. But mostly, this is a reminder for a friend...to embrace the passion, to follow the dreams...it's worth it, don't you think?

Yesterday, Sophia and I watched some of the videos for my friend Christy's SHE ART Workshop. I started painting a little over a year ago, but I love learning new techniques and just watching someone else's process. Christy's class was like peeking into her studio...and coming away with FUN. Sophia also loved watching with me...and painting her own canvas today.

I've found the best way to work on new techniques is just to go for it--copy what you've been shown... later, you can figure out how it works itself into your own style.

So, that's what I did.

 
I am especially interested in ways to make the backgrounds more interesting, and I think Christy does an excellent job of showing how to do this. To top it all off, she's an incredible teacher (and an amazing artist) so it's fun and there's some great take-away.

I love doing mixed media because it's a way to make my scrapbooking supplies pull double duty. They're great on layouts, of course, but when you see the different ways you can use paper and embellishments, well, the creative possiblities are endless.

Endless, I tell you.

And, as I've mentioned before, the creative break it gives my brain is invaluable. I took a two hour break and now I can dive back in to my work. The kind of work that requires my brain to be in full gear.

Scary thought.

 
I'm excited to bring you more with Christy later this week...so if you're still on the fence, I'll push ya right over!

Happy Sunday!

 

The Joy is in the Learning

Typically my weeks are for working. I write. I edit. I critique for writer friends. I rewrite. I re-edit. I critique some more.

I love it. I love the way I spend my days. And on the weekends, I'm typically ready for a new mode of creativity. I can't believe it, but I'm itching for my scrapbooking supplies. After I finished my second book, I kind of went fetal and stopped scrapbooking completely. There were a number of reasons, but mostly I'd attribute it to burn-out.

However, since we're so limited on space in this house, I can't bring everything in. And my photo printer isn't even hooked up.

So I paint.

This weekend I finished some projects I'd started and did some new ones. I am loving it. I love making art for kids' rooms.  

I want to attempt dinosaurs next. But so far, I'm going with vehicles for boys.

 
(Sam is not a fan of this train because 1. The boy isn't wearing an engineer hat and 2. His own skin isn't brown. Apparently he thought I was making this for him.)
 
I love happy colors. And birds. And little girls with floofy hair.

 
And quilted dresses.

And I am loving doing the custom paintings with a specific message, taylor-made for a specific child. Like this one.

 
Mika's mommy asked me for one that said "she scattered sunshine wherever she went." Her daughter scatters sunshine so it seemed most appropriate. I love that this one will be heading to Mika's room and I hope it makes her feel good about herself.

Then, I thought I'd try some lettering, which I don't do much of, but always did a lot of in scrapbooking. This is a quote that's really stuck with me. It's so true and it accompanied my (embarrassing) realization that the parables Jesus told were stories. Not necessarily things that actually happened to people.

I'm quite the Bible scholar.

 

I've seen lots of paintings and illustrations of books piled up like that and wanted to try my own stack. Those were the same colors we used when we directed Godspell and I think I'll always love them.

I struggle not to compare my simple paintings with fine art and more complex works of art. Isn't that always the way? Whether we're writing or taking pictures or painting or delving into something new... there's always someone better than we are. There's always someone we compare ourselves to...and we come up short.

But I've realized if I look at those people as potential teachers...if I study their work, that only benefits me in the long run, right? The bottom line is, I'm learning with every painting. And I think that challenge of learning something new keeps me intrigued.

Tackled any new creative endeavors lately? I'd love to hear about them!

 

 

All Four Love: Love Unexpected

 

Unexpected.

I have never been the person who thought of myself as an artist. My grandfather was an artist (the real kind) and by comparison, I paled.

So, I guess it was somewhat unexpected for me to stumble upon art. And to find myself smiling while I paint.

 
It was unexpected that I would venture out of my scrapbooking box and fall in love with a different form of art. Especially when I never looked at scrapbooking as "art" even though in so many ways, it really is.

I find it wonderful and exciting to discover a new passion...a new love...waiting for me underneath the layers of paint and gesso. It keeps my creativity fresh and stretches me to constantly learn and try to improve.

 
They say you always find love when you aren't looking for it. And I don't think they're only talking about a soulmate.

 
Passion hovers. Waits in the shadows, and like an unrecognized wallflower sitting alone at a high school dance, it stares at us wide-eyed...hoping for that one glance in its direction.

All it takes is one glance...enough to fall in love.

 

Unexpected.

Link up with Jeanne and I right here on my blog this week! We can't wait to see your photos!

 

Writing Journey Wednesday

Yesterday I got a phone call from one of my all-time favorite people in all the world. A friend from college who has always challenged me to go after my big dreams. I distinctly remember the first time I met her in Dr. Kasch's COM 101 class. It was a lecture class and she moved over a seat so I could sit next to her on the aisle.

 
She was a creative kindred spirit from the get-go. Jewish. From California. She opened my small-Midwestern town mind like a can of baked beans and I don't know if I've ever properly thanked her for that. (Thank you, Jess!) She and I understood each other. Plain and simple. You know those friends who just "get you"? They are few and far between...and they should be cherished.

Anyway, my sweet friend was having, like I've been having, a bit of a creative identity crisis. You know, where you feel so full of creativity but you aren't sure where to start or what to pursue?

 
See, recently, there've been some changes in the way I spend my days. I'm no longer freelancing for the magazine due to some serious cut-backs in the publishing house...which, at first, was a tough pill to swallow, but then became a sort of open door to my creativity. I could do anything. Pursue anything. Of course, I still have novels to finish and editing to do... but the time I'd spent working on the magazine... I could do whatever I wanted with that time.

Then it hit me. Oh my heck. What am I going to do with all that time?

 
Our conversation got me wondering about the creative process and whether or not she and I were the only two people in all the world who are feeling this way. You have the energy, the drive, the ambition, but you just aren't sure where to start. Or what to start on. If you have ONE thing that revs your motor, you're lucky in a sense, because odds are that's the thing you're going to pursue. You're going to love every second of it. Pour yourself into it.

And hopefully live a full, satisfied life.

But what if you have more than ONE thing that keeps you up at night? What if it's stories and art ideas and dreaming of cake decorating or catering? What if you could easily get jazzed about starting a Christian Youth Theatre in your new town or you want to take classes and learn new techniques and write books and study photography and art?

 
How do you decide what to do next? How do you work it all in and still do each thing with excellence?

Because none of it is worth doing if you aren't doing it to the best of your ability, always striving to get better. Or, as a great editor said this past weekend at the writer's conference I attended...

"Don't bring God something that didn't cost you anything."

Gosh, that's good advice.

I don't have the answers to these questions, but in an effort to make my friend and I feel like we're not going postal, I'm asking if you've ever felt this way, are feeling this way or anticipate ever feeling this way. If so, how do you handle it? Do you simply make time for everything? Work on one thing at a time?

 
What do you do in the midst of a creative mid-life crisis? Not that I'm mid-life, mind you.

Would love to hear your thoughts as I'm tossed on the sea of uncertainty. Surely, I can't be the only one!

...Or can I?

Winner of the SheArt Workshop!

 

 

I am so excited for Christy's workshop I can hardly wait! (Which is funny since I'm behind on my Soul Restoration workshop--which is also awesome, by the way!)

But one lucky reader is definitely going to join me in this class and that is...

 

Can you see that? It's #78!

  Marilyn Johnson said...

So excited for Christy's class, I can hardly wait!

Reply February 05, 2011 at 07:47 PM

Marilyn! Send me your info and I'll pass it on to Christy! :)

If you havent' signed up for this class, or you're on the fence about thinking you're creative (you are!) go for it! You've got NOTHING to lose and it's only $35. (A GREAT price, by the way!)

Thanks to everyone for playing along. :)

Red Umbrella

Choosing to leave Illinois, the place where we'd grown up and lived our entire lives wasn't a decision we came to lightly. It came after much prayer, lots of conversations and a bit of input from people we considered our "wise counsel." The idea came to us sort of accidentally, but once we'd spoken it aloud, it grew and tugged at our heartstrings.

It started as a "What if...?" question. I usually love those. Those are the basis for any good idea, I think. But this "What if" scared us--not a Freddy/Jason kind of fear. The kind of fear that's mixed with excitement and bubbles way down deep in your belly.

You know that fear?

In the early stages, someone very close to me, who I knew prayed for us and heard God on our behalf, told me something that I've never forgotten. She said "I see you leaving, but under the covering of a big, red umbrella. God is going with you."

If you're not a spiritual person that may sound like a load of hooey (and if anyone else had said it to me, it may not have meant so much) but it resonated with me. It was confirmation.

We were going...under the covering of a red umbrella.

I'd just started painting at that time (this was a little over a year ago) and I immediately knew I wanted to paint something that signified how I felt.

 
Since that time, I feel like I've painted better paintings, but this one will always hold a special place in my heart. Because it came from a place of passion. What I longed for...that red umbrella...to lead us HOME. To that place of acceptance, where we can simply be ourselves.

I did a google search of "Red Umbrella" and guess what I found?

 

I listened to the lyrics and cried. It was almost like God had reserved this song just for me. Like these lyrics were written just for me at this time in my life. (Did you know God can use secular songs to speak to you? Gasp!)

Since that day, I've listened to this song more times than I can count because it lifts me up. It makes me feel better. It speaks to me in a way I can understand.

Let it rain...it's pouring all around me...let it fall...it ain't gonna drown me...after all, I'm gonna be okay...so let it rain...

Yeah. Pretty much just what I needed. And still need. A love song from God, one that reminds me he never leaves me or forsakes me. He's got it covered. When I worry and panic (which I do more than I care to admit...) He's still in control.

Recently, I did another red umbrella painting, this one quite a departure from the first. (Or any that I normally do). I wanted to learn to draw a better umbrella so I googled till I found some cool ones. I based this on one of the sketches I found online, but naturally I have no idea where.

 
Adam was quite concerned for her. ("She doesn't have any boobs.") Aw, honey, so nice of you to notice. This painting was more an exercise is "let's see if I can figure this out..." than anything. And I'm not satisfied with the umbrella, but it's a start.

I have a feeling, that red umbrella will always speak to me. Any time I'm in a tough spot, I'll remember those words and they'll comfort me.

I'm gonna be okay, so let it rain.

Has God ever used unconventional means to get your attention? Like a country song, rather than a church song? Tell me I'm not alone!

P.S. Today's the last day to enter the giveaway for Christy's SheArt workshop! Don't forget to comment on this post!

 

Mixed Media Giveaway

About a year ago, I took up painting. I needed a creative outlet that still allowed me to play with paper but had no rules, no assignments and a world of possibilities. When we moved, I decided I would set up an area for painting and if you read my blog, you know it's become a huge part of our lives. In fact, when looking for a house last week, my husband said, "I think we need an art room for you and the kids."

Yeah. He gets me.

I've been painting a lot lately, mostly kid art--stuff you'd hang on your kids' walls...

Like this little girl...

 

And this angel...

 
(My mom informed me this "wasn't her favorite." I laughed. I love that she's honest with me. It's like when we used to go shopping and I could always count on her to make sure I didn't leave with my muffin top fully exposed. She needs to come visit me. I miss her.)

I've done a few others, but what really gets me jazzed is the thought of learning more about mixed media and working my scrapbooking supplies onto these canvas creations...

And that's why I am SO excited my dear friend Christy Tomlinson is offering a mixed media art workshop!

 
Christy and I worked together at Chatterbox back in the day and I've always, always considered her one of my very favorite scrapbookers. But more than that, she's an artist and her artwork is full of vibrant color, whimsical design and the layering and texture that made her scrapbook style all her own. More than that, Christy is just good people. I cannot wait to take this workshop!

(I'm hoping she teaches me to get over my fear of rub-ons.)

I'm especially excited because I get to give away a spot in this class to one VERY lucky blog reader!

Here's what you need to know!

 
The She Art Workshop is a 3 week e-course the begins February 28th! In this workshop, you will learn how to create unique and detailed girls, as seen in my art projects! I will also share with you how I create my backgrounds, textures, and layering styles on canvases and other surfaces! You will walk away from this class feeling confident in creating your own personalized" She Art" projects as well as having learned  new art techniques you can use in other mixed media projects!  The She Art Workshop begins February 28th. Registration ends February 27th!

If you want to register, you can check out THIS LINK for more info.

If you want to enter right here to win, simply LEAVE A COMMENT IN THE COMMENTS SECTION. (Not on Facebook, leave it right here!)

For additional chances to win, simply blog about the giveaway, Facebook it or Tweet it and then come back and leave another comment!

And listen. If you've NEVER done something like this and it terrifies you to even think of it, remember that no one is watching, the instructions will be super-easy to follow and YOU ARE CREATIVE so you've got the goods to make some pretty awesome stuff.

Ok. The contest will be open through next Monday, February 7th (Midnight MST). I'll draw a winner and post it on TUESDAY!

Also, just a reminder, be thinking about your ALL FOUR LOVE Photo! We're posting tomorrow and our first theme is "Loved Deeply."

So much fun stuff going on today! And to think, I thought today was going to be rotten because I had to go to the grocery store first thing! Boy, was I wrong!

Things I'm Loving Right This Second...

I don't think I've ever done a post about all the things I'm loving right now. There are quite a few things that make me happy on any given day, but on this day, here are the things that make the top of the list.

1. Finishing up edits on my first novel.

 
This book is the first in a three book series for Guideposts and yes, I still have LOTS of work to do before all three are done! I'm excited because the book takes so many things I love and melds them together. It's a story about friendship in a beach town, complete with clapboard cottages a big scrapbook full of memories right at the heart of it all. Can't think of a better way to infuse everything I love into one story! Anyway, that's how I'm spending my days. And seeing the story evolve like I have...it's just pretty darn exciting!

2. Flying Lessons, the Whole Shebang

 
This e-book, by Kelly Rae Roberts, has been challenging and inspiring me in so many ways. The most ironic thing is that after I posted yesterday (which was actually Wednesday at midnight,) I discovered "Who Does She Think She Is" is not just a question that pelts me in the back of my mind when I think of doing something new...it's something lots of people struggle with. So many that they've made a documentary. Which tells me two things. 1. I'm not alone. 2. Sometimes we, as artists really do have the same ideas at the same time. (Other times, people steal ideas. That's just not cool.)

3.Yep. I'm a little late to the game.

 
Thanks to my friend Shannan, Friday Night Lights has been on my mind.  When I hit the Target Clearance aisle earlier this week and saw Seasons 1 & 2 for $15, I knew I had to snatch them up. I watched two episodes yesterday and discovered I had seen the first one before, but for some reason, I didn't keep watching. So, I'm hooked now. And I don't even like football.

4. White Peach Oolong Tea

 
I didn't make new year's resolutions this year. Truth be told, I sort of feel like I'm living one big, fat resolution by living in Colorado, so it didn't seem appropriate to add more to my list. But, that doesn't mean some changes weren't in order after the gorge-fest that was Christmas.

I'm following a pretty restricted diet right now, and part of that is that I don't eat or drink any sugar. For me, that means no creamer (because I have to have non-dairy creamer) which means no coffee. A good way to help the headaches and still have something warm in my hands in the morning (like right now) is to drink this tea sweetened with Stevia. It's been wonderful until I feel I can go back to the regular coffee.

5. Soul Restoration

 
I'm participating in Melody's e-course Soul Restoration  so far, I'm really enjoying it. They've obviously put a TON of work into this class, and for people (like me) who can't attend Brave Girls Camp, it's a great alternative. I'm hoping to spend the evening working on the first two projects. I'm pretty sure Mel is offering it again in the spring, so if you didn't get into it this time, you'll have another chance!

6. Banana Paper Notebooks

 
Photo Credit here.

I picked these little guys up and let them sit awhile before I figured out what to do with them. I'm using one for all the notes I'm taking for Kelly Rae's class, recording my creative dreams, my fears, inspiring quotes and important reminders to myself... I LOVE it. I'm planning to use another one for Soul Restoration. I've always been a notebook freak and these little guys are perfect!

Questions for You: What are you loving right now? What are your favorite things? What websites MUST I check out? I'd love to hear what jazzes you!

 

Never Too Young

I'm going to be ugly honest about myself today.

Sometimes I am not a fun mom. I find myself struggling to be playful. I never played Barbies with Sophia. I have never attempted to figure out how to play any game (besides Just Dance) on the Wii, in spite of Ethan's love for video games. I hate puzzles and when Adam and Ethan do them I call it "father/son bonding" and don't even pretend I want to join in.

And more times than I'd like to admit, I have to work, to shoo them away so I can meet a deadline. (It's not a huge number of times this happens, but every time it does, I feel guilty.) I work from home, so it's hard to "put my work away" and be in the moment. But I'm focusing on doing better.

Now that I paint (fairly regularly) with Ethan and Sophia, I find my Hobbit so wanting to join in. Acrylics and this crazy monkey aren't really a great idea, so when he begged to paint the other day, I searched for their cheap-o watercolors.

I couldn't find them. Do you believe I begrudgingly cracked open my own new set of watercolors? I knew he would ruin them, so I really didn't want to share. (Oh my gosh, did I just admit that?...and I wonder why my kids sometimes seem really selfish.)

 

I used to be the kind of mom that hated kid-mess. I wouldn't break out paints unless it was just me and everyone else was in bed. I wouldn't let them play at the kitchen table, and my heart would race whenever they were doing something messy (with glue or markers or paints.)

 

I'm not like that anymore. Our kitchen table is full of scrapes and knicks and stray lines of paint. I love it. Adam wants to get rid of it, but when I look in the one corner and see how Ethan wrote "I love you" so hard it went right through the paper and carved into the table, I can't dream of parting with it. It's the perfect craft table.

 

I guess I've sort of realized that Picasso was right... "Every child is an artist." And I don't want the second half of his quote to be true. I don't want my kids to ever struggle for one second to remain artists when they grow up. If I never let them get messy, well, how will they ever become artists?

 

Incidentally, for all my fretting, Sam didn't make a mess at all. He did ruin my watercolors, but I decided to buy a new set and call these his. Homeboy's got some mad skills.

 

I know this post is rambly, but I guess what I'm saying is... get the paints out. Buy them a canvas. Let them experiment. Step back when you want to tell them the trees have to be green and there's no such thing as a purple cloud. Let them dream...right in front of your eyes...

Because they're never too young to be an artist.

Christmas crafts for Kids

It's been a really busy weekend and we're preparing for a road trip, celebrating birthdays and doing all sorts of creative things... in case you've got kids home for the next two weeks, I wanted to share this fun ornament making project we did over the weekend.

I got this in a Family Fun magazine and it was a huge hit!

Ok. This is what you need...

 
- 3 cups flour
- 1 cup salt
- 1 cup water
- wooden skewer
- Paintbrushes
- Acrylic paint
- Mod Podge (or gel medium)
- String

So, you dump the flour, salt and water into a bowl and mix with an electric mixer on medium until a ball forms.

 
That's Big Red in action. I love her.

So the dough starts to look like this. You've probably done this before if you've ever made homemade play-dough.

I haven't. I'll just put that out there.

 

So that's what it looks like.

You take it out and knead it until it's smooth. This is the fun part.

 

 

At this point, Ethan was playing his DSi and refusing to join us. I would like to say that it didn't take more than five minutes of dough kneading and he was right there...

 

Ok. so then you roll the dough into golf-ball-sized balls...

 
Then flatten them with your palm.

 

Next, press on noses, ears, mouths and hair using drops of water to attach them and smooth the creases. (For the record, I completely missed the part about the drops of water and chunks of my hair fell off my little guys. boo for not reading the directions.)

 

For the eyes, you can use a wooden skewer (if you're like me, you won't realize this means "toothpick" until you're laying in bed the following night. Instead, you'll use a big old fruit kabob stick.) Don't forget to poke a hole in the very top that goes all the way through. This is for the string so you can hang your ornament on the tree.

 
Even little hobbits can do this.

Ethan has turned into quite the little artist. I'm constantly impressed by his out of nowhere ideas. He doesn't follow my instructions. He totally does his own thing. Like, instead of making ornaments that look like our family. He went with something near and dear to his heart.

 

Once you've got all your little guys finished, you stick them in a preheated oven (275 degrees) for TWO HOURS. (I know. Have something else for them to do while these bake.)

 

Bake them on a foil lined cookie sheet and let them cool completely before you mess with them.

 
If you have your own hobbit, chances are, he'll play with the leftover dough for hours. Ok, not hours because the dough dries out and falls apart, but a really long time.

Once they're all cooled, use acrylic paints to paint them. Best to start with the faces (for some reason Ethan chose yellow for this) and then let that dry, then add all the other details.

 

(Ethan didn't exactly follow directions, but oh well.)

I want to add that he painted his the next day... and he got really into it.

 
Finish your painting...

 
Then seal with a layer of Mod Podge (front and back.)

Once everything is dry, you can add string through the hole at the top and hang it on your tree. I'd show you a picture of that, but we don't have a tree.

I know. We're pathetic Christmas celebraters.

Easy. Fun. Totally creative project for you to do with your kids! Happy creating!

 

The Art Connection

It's gotten to the point in our house when I break out the paints, I can expect to hear the scurrying of small children who can apparently smell the acrylic and gel medium from the other room.

Yesterday, I worked all morning and I just needed a mental break. So about 3ish, I whipped open the paints. Therapy, you know.

 

About 4, my rugrats pummeled the front door, telling jokes about butts and giggling like maniacs. This was quite an improvement compared to Monday when they came in fighting. Like screaming banshees they burst through the door, tattling on themselves for screaming down the block as they walked home.

Don't get me started on that one.

Yesterday, though, apart from the butt jokes, they were really good. When they saw me at the table, they gasped.

"Are you PAINTING?" Then "Can I paint? Can we paint? On a canvas?"

Some people like when their kitchen table is clean and pristine. I like my kitchen table to look like this:

 

And that's just what it looked like this morning when I woke up. I love that I've introduced my kids to art, but I love even more the connection it's brought to us. We sit and paint and they talk to me about their days. They tell me about school and friends and how they can't wait to see their grandparents and cousins at Christmas.

 

They encourage each other (and me) with all kinds of compliments. They try new things. And I love it. Usually, they ask me "What color should I paint this?" or "Do you think I should draw Bowser AND Mario? Or just Mario?"

But this time...on this day...they didn't ask for my input.

They did it all themselves.

 

Even the Hobbit got in on the action. He lasted all of five minutes which is when he realized he couldn't draw Luigi and threw in the paintbrush (literally.)

 

Eventually he'll learn to love his colored chicken scratches...

 

...as much as I love his moppy Hobbity hair. (He's got a runny nose, I think this photo was mid-sniff.)

Ethan worked so hard on this Mario. He's giving it to his cousin as a Christmas present (Carrie, don't show Cooper!) and it took him three different "painting with Mommy" sessions to finish him.

He put such care into it. And he did every bit of it himself.

 

(At this point it was dark and so all my photos have a lovely orange-hue to them. Someone teach me to shoot without my trusty natural light, please!)

Sophia has had a blank blue canvas for months (a year maybe). She's painted over it so many times I can't even count.

Finally, she came up with something on her own...

 

After the boys went to bed, Sophia and I stayed up for a bit. And as we painted, she asked me questions. Like, hard questions. Birds and the bees kind of questions. I knew they were coming, but I wish I'd answered them before her friends could illustrate them for her with funny chicken scratched pictures hand-drawn at recess.

I thought I had a little more time.

 

We sat right here and chatted it up. I had her tell me what she'd heard (she recreated the original hand-drawn picture) and then I let her ask me questions. It was a tiny bit uncomfortable, I'm not gonna lie (I'm not exactly one to shout from the rooftops on this particular topic. Read: I.am.a.prude.)

But I've found that for both of us, having something else to do while we had that talk took away a lot of the intimidation. Maybe that's wrong--not to stare her in the eye with undivided attention, but she knew she had my ear. And when it was important, I made sure to make eye contact.

Incidentally, these art dates are getting me some Ethan love too...

 

I'd like to direct your attention to the honeycomb in the lower right of that photo.

And also to this portrait Ethan drew of Adam and I...

 

I said, "Um, Ethan, why am I so chubby?"

He looked at it and said..."Uhhh....I'll draw you another one."

Yeah, you better, little dude.

Mama said knock you out.

I rarely profess to know anything about anything on this here blog, but one thing I know for sure is that having this connection with my kids is more amazing than, like Carol Burnett's comic timing.

And look...they're really getting into it...

 

(Ethan's...and no, Mario isn't relieving himself in a hazy shade of blue. That's a galaxy or something...)

 
(Sophia's. She looked up the quote herself. It says "One kind word can warm three winter months." She's still got to glue the letters down, but as she worked she said, "You can give this away on your blog, Mom."

I said, "Yeah, if I can rig it so I'm the winner."

I then reminded her Saturday is my birthday and I fully expect to get this painting gift-wrapped and hand delivered to me. Along with a donut.

Incidentally, the questions didn't stop last night after Paint-a-palooza. This morning, she pulled me in the bathroom and asked for further clarification. Exactly what I was dreading. The realization that this wasn't only the way other people made babies...it was the way we ended up with Sam...and that, my friends evoked some major "EWWWW's"...

And lots of "Where do you do that?"

Holy Heck, help me Jesus.

Mine from last night. I don't know if she's done. She's had two different faces on and I kind of think her eyes are scary. Are her eyes scary?

 
Anyway, what do you do to connect to your kids? I would love to hear your ideas!

Art Therapy

No words today, really, I'm on deadline so I'm preserving all my words for my edits!

The other day though, I took a break and painted with my kids.

I cannot explain the way this feeds my creative soul.

 

I read a great quote that really spoke to me:

"Don't apologize for who you are or the art you create." --C.J. Rider

 
I love exercising different creative muscles...pushing myself to learn something new. I did this one on watercolor paper without any mixed media (except the letters) which was different for me. I'm going to frame it, I think...because I need this reminder.

Back to editing!

Pink Houses and Cute Cows

Perhaps because of my college affiliation with Gamma Phi Beta (which has a crescent moon as its symbol) I routinely doodle crescent moons. I credit my friend Jessica with the face on all my moons, though I make him sleeping or awake depending on my mood.

I like to doodle. I do it all the time. On the phone. In church. Whenever I have a pen in my hand. But sometimes the doodle turns into therapy and I end up attached to my creation. Like with this one.

 

I had just bought watercolor pencils (which, call me crazy, but seem remarkably similiar to regular colored pencils. What am I missing here?) Anyway, one night I colored with my kids. Forgot to give my cow legs so they're sort of penciled in as an afterthought. I knew I wanted to turn this into a painting just because I loved the moon. And, ok, I loved the cow too. I've found if my paintings are going to look kid-like, I might as well embrace it, right?

But, I don't have time to paint right now. I'm on deadline. And I do miss it when I can't do it. So the other night, I sat down to write and I heard Sophia say to Adam, "Dad, if it's okay with you, I want to paint with Mommy. We can read tomorrow."

And I knew I would spend that night painting. (Incidentally, my writing the following day flowed MUCH quicker than usual. Coincidence?)

Sophia and I stationed ourselves around the kitchen table and went to work. I had just received my Bushel and a Peck bracelet from my friend Jeanne, and she wraps her jewelry in shredded vintage book pages.

These became my moon.

 

Of course, I had to get to work on my cow. Non-legless this time. She's thankful she's standing and not squatting near the fence.

I'd like to name her. How about Linda?

 

I took more shredded book pages and made the fence. I almost didn't do that, but I'm so glad I did. I really love the added detail it gave Linda. I wouldn't want her to get bored looking at a yawner of a painted fence.

I added flowers near the front porch. In my mind they are big, fluffy peonies. Only without the ants crawling all over them.

 
And for whatever reason, I made the house pink. (Did I tell you I want to do a painting with a row of different houses and paint them all pink. It'll be called...you guessed it... "Little Pink Houses." (an ode to John Cougar Mellencamp.)) Adam rolled his eyes when I told him this. I don't think he thought I was serious.

Oh, I was.

Something about a pink farmhouse.

 

You can't really tell, but the windows aren't all pink. They do have white over them so they don't look like someone painted the glass pink. That would just be pink overkill.

So, here's the finished product. I wrote the lyrics to a Laurie Berkner song around the moon. It reads:

Look up, it's the moon,
Look up, it's the moon,
Look up, it's the moon so high.
It's big and round
And I have found
That it looks just like a pizza pie.

 
I'm not going to put in a big disclaimer about how I know I'm no Picasso. That goes without saying. But I don't paint to hang in a gallery somewhere. I paint because it makes me happy. The way scrapbooking used to. It's truly become a creative outlet...and in exercising a different part of my creative brain, my other creative muscles seem to grow.

Something about the quiet of painting, listening to the thoughts that are rolling around in my head...it calms me, refreshes me...regardless of the end result.

What's your creative outlet? And when was the last time you indulged?

Protected

You might think being by myself most of the day would give me cause for worry, but you'd be so wrong.

How can I worry when I'm protected by this Centurion?

 
Nevermind that said Centurion is so engrossed in his morning Diego that he doesn't even stir, doesn't make a squeak, when I get in his face with the camera.

 
Nevermind that his lips are so stinkin' huge they evoke no fear.

And nevermind that he's a little sleepy in the job.

 
He's still fierce. I mean, he's got a sword for a belt for pete's sake.

(Anyone know who "Pete" is anyway? Are we talking St. Peter when we say "for pete's sake?" I'm just curious.)

 
In other, less exciting news... the other night I was writing and I usually don't once the kids are home from school, but I'd had a frustrating day and needed to make some progress on something. Well, I had just gotten into a groove when Sophia came in and asked to paint.

How could I say no?

I'm still working on my painting, but here's a little hint at what it's gonna look like.

 
I'm kinda into cows right now.

:) I have three or four blog posts in my head, but I'm a bit slammed right now so I'm keeping it simple today. Just had to share my personal hobbitty bodyguard with you.

Hope it's a good Thursday!

Creativity and The French Nest

This weekend, I had the chance to go to The French Nest. I was going to go with my sweet friend Jeanne, but she had far too much beautiful stuff to make for her shop. She just listed all of it this morning and it's all beautiful! I bought a bracelet/cuff and I cannot wait to get it.

When Jeanne couldn't come with me, I almost didn't go (have I told you about my social anxiety before?) Adam forbade me to spend all day Saturday working, and I am so, so glad I have a husband who knows me so well.

 
It was the perfect day for an outdoor market. Sophia and I went together, and it was a wonderful morning together. So much beauty and creativity all in one place.

 

This market is in Old Town Fort Collins every month from May-October. This past weekend was the last one of the year. I am sad for that, but so so happy I went. I was so inspired.

 
But it got me thinking about all the different forms of creativity that are out there. Booths run by artists, jewelry makers, knitters, women who made handbags or quilts decorated the park.

So many different mediums we can choose to express ourselves. So many mediums I've never tried. I've settled on writing, but does that mean all I can do is write? What about all the people who swear they aren't creative? What would it take to prove to them that they are?

  
  

Creativity is so intensely personal, but I do believe there are some similiarities from person to person. It's got me up at night thinking...

What do you do to express yourself? Does working with one medium get boring? Do you need a new medium to challenge you? What keeps you from being creative? Time? Money? Space? All of the above?
 

I'm really curious about other people's creative processes, so I hope you'll share. Mine is in a bit of limbo right now so I've got time to ponder. And if you don't think you're creative, why not? Would a trip to the outdoor market change your mind or make you feel inferior?

What if you saw this little gem as part of the decor in one of the booths?
 

Then you'd be hooked, right?

I am. And I'm hooked on creativity.

Up at night thinking...

The Creative Process

Creativity is this strange, intensely personal thing. What stirs creativity in one person might paralyze another. For years, I've spent time trying to pattern my own creative process after the prcoesses of others.

Why?

I've learned--and am learning--that what works for one person is not going to work for me.

Writing is no different. Some people outline every plot point, every story arc, every nit-picky detail of their book. Other people get a basic idea or a title or a character that sort of pops to life in their mind and they just go. Seat of the pants style.

I'm somewhere in between. And so far, different with every book. What worked in my first book isn't working in my second book. It's downright maddening, if I'm honest.

I've paid attention to the uber creative man who happens to live in this house with me and I've learned something strange about HIS creative process too. Of course, it makes me jealous, but I'll tell ya anyway. He's got himself figured out.

Recently he was asked to submit a song for a project. If it were me, I would've come home that day, wrote the song then spent the next three weeks making myself nuts tweaking it, right up until deadline day. But he didn't do that. He gets an assignment and sort of sits on it, like a chicken on an egg. He lets it incubate. Then, one morning, he wakes up at 5 a.m. and writes the whole dang thing.

Just. Like. That.

But he trusts his creative process.

Part of my creative process is to abandon the medium I'm spending most of my time in. Not necessarily abandon it, but definitely depart from it.

Do something else. Something to exercise other creative muscles.

I admit, I didn't know how I would do this living here, in this rental, without my STUFF surrounding me. Everything is packed. I have no "studio". But when you need a creative outlet, you find it. Somehow.

In my case, at the kitchen table.

 
I dragged all my paints in from the garage, ran up the local scrapbook store (which conincidentally is right down the street) and I painted a bird I found waiting for me on a sheet of Crate Paper. I changed her up a little bit, but she's strongly inspired by the art of the patterned paper.

 
I painted just for the fun of painting, which is different than writing on a deadline. In that case, you need your creativity to meet you when you sit down with a blank page. Oddly enough, I find that when I fill my creative tank with non-writing activities, something amazing happens.

My mind is clear. Uncluttered. I want to write.

 

I like to work a really inspirational quote into my whimsical little, looks-like-a-kid-painted-it paintings. (I do realize I'm no Picasso. Have I mentioned before that I don't really care?)

This quote spoke to me, though all I could think of was poor, tortured Sylvia Plath, who must've been full of self-doubt to kill herself the way she did. Doesn't make her words any less true though, does it?

So what is the point of all my blubbering?

Sometimes you have to stop working so hard to be creative and just let it be. Let pictures move around in your mind. Let them fall together like checkers in a Connect 4 gameboard.

Honor your creativity. Give it a place. You deserve it.

I talked about this in my Big Picture Scrapbooking Class. Permission to live a Creative Life.

It's not frivolous. It's necessary.

I know this is my soapbox, but it's something that's so important to. Because saying that being creative is frivolous negates everything I've set out to achieve in my life.

And I guess I'm searching for a little validation or something.

What about you? What opens the creative floodgates for you? Do you find it hard to take time for yourself to do something creative? Would love to hear where everyone else stands on this!

 

Paris Street Market

When we headed out to Colorado, Adam and I took on this new attitude...we've been all about doing things we've never (or rarely) done before. So far, we've racked up quite a list, including but not limited to:

• Eating outdoors on a restaurant patio
• Hiking in the mountains
• Moving across the country (or at least the middle of it)
• Adding running to my walks because I don't care if I see anyone (I won't know them anyway!)
• Stepping out of my comfort zone to make tons of phone calls (it's a little thing, but it's big to me)
• Sitting outside in our backyard in the evening playing and watching the sun go down
• Going for long walks as a family and panicking when one child steps into oncoming traffic (oddly, we haven't gone since that happened...)

There are more but I can't think of them. My point is, we've been saying a lot of "This is Colorado Courtney now..." as if that's instantly supposed to make me bolder and braver. Or at least more willing to walk outside the house...

I've never been to a street market. I've been to a flea market once and made my best friend Mindy do all the talking. (I got a great (GREAT) old typewriter and then couldn't find a place for it in my house. I gave it to my mom and now secretly want it to be my Christmas present.

But it really does look far better in her home than it would in mine.

Anyway. My friend Jeanne told me about this street fair and I knew I wanted to go...

 

While we were there, we ran into Shamanie, Jeanne's neighbor and friend and someone I think I would love to hang out with. Yes, we're holding that freshly made kettle corn that is the perfect blend of salty and sweet, though I confess it's those super sweet kernels that keep me going back for more...that and our freshly squeeze lemonade made the perfect mid-morning snack.

The street market was new to me, and I truly was just browsing since I'm in a rental and don't want to decorate this house so much as deal with it...

But I was inspired.

Inspired by old windows with chippy paint...

 

Salvaged wood creations like this adorable house...

 

And stacks of artwork to whet your creative appetite...

 

It filled up my creative tank, just being there, seeing the mesh of colors and the way people turned their creative energy into something tangible like a pillow or an apron or a quilt.

The very first booth we went in held the best treasure. Buried on a quilt rack, I found this:

 

Frayed edges, soft, worn fabric, delightfully lightweight with colors that made me gasp.

I knew it would be too much money.

In true Illinois-Courtney fashion, I had Jeanne ask the woman for the price. When she told us it was $40, we both gasped and Jeanne said "If you don't get it, I'm going to."

I knew it was a good deal, and while I really wasn't in the market for a new quilt, I couldn't pass it up. It made me so happy.

 

I now use it every single night as the Colorado air turns from toasty warm to breezy cool. With the windows open I can put on a sweatshirt and curl up underneath this happy blanket and read or have a couch date with Adam. It was definitely a good buy. Now I want more of them. I'd like to start a collection. Not necessarily big heavy quilts, but light, worn ones like mine.

And while I can't be certain where this quilt came from, I like to imagine its frayed edges and torn lining mean it has a history. A story. Perhaps quilted by a new grandmother or passed down when its creator moved from this life into the next.

Regardless, I am so happy I bought it. And so happy I went to the street market.

This month there's one here in Fort Collins and I've already got it on my calendar! Sometimes, I'm finding, doing things I've never done before is absolutely the best idea in the world.

Especially if I get to go with these girls...

 

Things I'm loving right now. Deb Raney & Family

I know I've already told you about my good friend (and mentor) Deb Raney, but I want to tell you about her new book. I have the wonderful opportunity to read Deb's books before they become books. I read them on my computer screen and then gush over how great they are! (They are) So far, I think I've read 6 or 7 of her books and I have to tell you, I think this newest one might be my favorite (until the next one, I'm sure...) I have absolutely no reason to lie to you about this. I'm not getting a commission on these books and I'm pretty sure Deb already likes me so I don't HAVE to tell you to read this book.

I'm telling you because you really need to read this book! :) (I care about you, don't you get it?)

(and if you haven't read the Clayburn series, you must! They are all WONDERFUL!) (And such beautiful covers!)

Deb's whole family is incredibly talented. Her husband has just designed a new websitefor Christian teens (though I can see how it would be an excellent source for youth ministry leaders as well as parents who want to keep an eye out on what's good for young eyes...)  It's got incredible information, interviews, reviews...you name it, they've got it!

Not to mention, it just looks cool. And it's called "Clash Entertainment" so it sounds cool too!

As if that weren't enough talent, I found out last week that her daughter-in-law is also incredibly creative. She started a business called Raney Day Designs. (How cute is that?) The website is adorable, and her fabrics are sooo cute! If you know someone who is having a baby, her products would be such good (unique) gifts! It almost makes me want more kids.

No, it doesn't. I was just kidding.

Seriously, God, don't mistake that for a prayer or anything. For. Real.

But it does make me want to spoil the babies I know! :)

I mean, how cute is this?

(I LOVE that fabric!)

And this one?

Adorable. Where were you, Jenica when my babies were babies? (Oh, probably just a baby herself, huh?) ha. I wish she could teach me how to sew. I wish anyone could teach me how to sew. I have had a sewing machine for years and never used it.

In other news, I had my blood drawn yesterday. Four vials on an empty stomach. I was a little light-headed. I know people don't typically enjoy having their blood drawn, but knowing they are doing a full blood panel and every possible tests (including an allergy test) I am thrilled. (Just don't let me be allergic to coffee!) Just kidding. I'm giving it up anyway. I just haven't quite figured out how.

I am, after all, so addicted I create artsy photos with my morning fix:

I'm trying. I swear. Doing good without gluten. Working on my plan to implement "The Thyroid Diet" and staying away from sugar.

But that darn coffee.

Anyway. I am curious. Who are your favorite authors? Yesterday I bought a new book. I'll let you know how I like it. And I'll let you know if the author becomes one of my faves.

And if you don't read (well, why not?)... just tell me...what are YOU loving right now?

A lazy thyroid, art therapy and a lesson from God

Last week, on my weigh-in day, I woke up to find that I'd gained. I think I'd gained about a pound or something really inconsequential...the kind of thing that makes Adam roll his eyes at me.

(This isn't a weight loss post, I promise...)

Having been to the endocrinologist and having been told that while my thyroid antibodies are still elevated my thyroid is testing "normal," I thought tracking points and going back to Weight Watchers was going to work. Why wouldn't it? I tested "normal."

Well, I think normal is a relative term.

The truth is, I gave myself a month. A month of tracking. By that time, I should know if it was going to work. So when I woke up last Tuesday to find out I'd gained, I admit, I was discouraged.

Then I sat down for my morning devotional, which is part devotional/part therapy because every other day I'm working on exercises in a Geneen Rothbook...

 
...and yes, I am learning a LOT about myself. It's amazing. A little confusing with all the head knowledge I've carried around forever, but still...amazing.

Anyway, I decided to look up the word "gain" in that nifty little back of the Bible thing we call a concordance and among the many verses I read was one that really jumped out at me.

Phillippians 1:19-26:

"For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamaed, but with all boldness, as always so now also Christ will be magnified in my BODY, whether by life or by death."

Something about this really jumped out at me. Something about Christ being magnified in my body, but even more than that... my deliverance comes through prayer according to MY EARNEST EXPECTATION. And I got this picture of a bird. Freezing. Sitting in the trees, expecting spring. She's just waiting because she knows it's coming. But where the heck is it already?

Her expectation is earnest... and eventually, spring will oblige. Spring will arrive. But only in its own time.

So, I decided to paint her. I've only just started painting things that actually mean something to me. So far, I've done three paintings that have messages that come from my life...and now I understand the concept of art therapy.

This is my birdie.

 
That's me right now. Waiting with earnest expectation for spring to arrive. For my answers about my body and my thyroid and my tendency to abuse food by starving myself, punishing myself, or eating carelessly...whatever it is...

 
I don't have to explain that trying to work through disordered eating while battling a thyroid problem presents all kinds of difficulties.

For instance, I found Molly's bloglast night and seriously think I should give The Thyroid Dieta try.

 
But it's a diet, which goes against what Geneen Roth is teaching me through these eye-opening books of hers. Is a diet okay for a former anorexic/bulimic if she has health issues?

If you can't tell, I am way into over-analyzing.

I wrote in my journal several months ago, "This is a season of learning." Boy, is it ever. I told Adam I'd found that in there and he laughed and said, "Shouldn't every season be a season of learning?" I know he's right, but I think what God was trying to tell me was..."Prepare to learn some hard lessons. Prepare to dig up your junk, all that junk you've had buried and deal with it. All of it. I want to use you, but these things are standing in the way."

I love learning. But some lessons are harder than others.

So. I am on the hunt to determine what's wrong with my thyroid while still striving to love and honor and respect this body God's given me.

And I'm doing it all with earnest expectation...

 

Art Therapy

This whole journey of the mind is kind of interesting. How you go through something painful--the kind of thing you are certain you'll never recover from, and then God takes it and uses it to show you that not only are you going to survive, you're going to come out on the other side stronger and healthier and closer to wholeness because of it.

I think it's kind of cool.

Here's my big revelation for the week (last week... I'm expecting more this week.) Last week, I discovered that I am an adult. I don't feel like an adult...which means, I am still waiting for someone to take care of me. I am still waiting for someone ELSE to hold my hand and tell me it'll be okay and show me how to do everything and defend me and give me what I need.

How weird is that? I am an adult. This means I have the responsibility to myself to do these things for myself.

That's kind of a cool revelation. Giving myself permission to give me what I need.

And after this weekend, one of the things I needed...art therapy.

Last night, with everyone in my house settling down (finally), not throwing up anymore (thank God) and hacking their yuck coughs in the opposite direction of my open mouth (seriously...how much spit do you ingest when you're holding sick kids?)... I sat down at the kitchen table and tried to lose myself for a little bit in some art.

I admit, I was a little frustrated. A little frantic. I should know better than to do this while any children are still awake, but I just felt like painting.

I started with this really simple one, based on another revelation I had during my devotions. (Basically, I do everything in my power to be who everyone wants me to be. I don't ever rock the boat. In the process... I think I'm doing myself a disservice.) This is just on acrylic paper.

I admit, it was haphazard and frantic and not precise at all, but that's the way I was feeling so it is what it is, I guess. 

I think it's important for art to start reflecting what I believe or what I'm going through, so i did this little girl...

Again, haphazardly. I find myself a little frustrated when I make time to create lately...almost felt guilty because, you know,t he house was sort of crumbling around me...but the message is what matters...

...so that's what I'm trying to do.

Saturday, I attended the Beth Moore simulcast for "So Long Insecurity."

...and it reminded me that I really need to finish this book. I think it will be next up in my morning reading schedule...after I finish the new Geneen Roth one I bought the other day. (It's called "Why Weight.")

Why do I feel absolutely unable to articulate these lessons I'm learning until days and even weeks later? I wrote down so many notes during Beth's teaching...I want to re-read all of them and really "get" what she's saying...but I do sort of feel like my brain is fizzling a little bit.

Oh, I know... it's because of these guys...

The sickies.

This is what our Sunday looked like for most of the day. (I did escape to Target for about an hour after Adam got home. Thank God.)

Ethan woke up okay, but with this ridiculous cough (thanks to me, I'm sure...) and as the morning wore on, he wore out...and when I found him like this, with Monkey and everything...

...well, I knew he was down for the count. Sure enough, he had a fever and even put himself down for a nap later on. (Now that's a sick six year old, huh?)

I admit, it broke my heart he tried to smile when I took his picture...and also seeing him walk around with that monkey...it just made me sad. Years ago, I did this layout for a Memory Makers book...all about that darn monkey.

 
 
He's since been cast off, but back in the day, Ethan wouldn't sleep without him. So, knowing that he still brings him comfort...I don't know. I guess it reminds me that he's growing up. 

After The Hobbit yakked all over me and my bed (Adam's side--smart kid) and himself, he really seemed to feel a lot better.

Can you tell?

 
Amazingly, he still had a fever pretty much all day, but he's at that age where he doesn't know he shouldn't run around like a crazy man while he's sick.

So, we're on the mend. If it gets warm enough today, I'm flinging open all the windows and airing out this sick house.

Anybody else do any art therapy this weekend? Do you find art IS therapy or does it stress you out more? Anyone else have this ridiculous "i'm never going to feel better" sickness that's floating around?

Hope not.

Happy Monday!

  

Rockford, Illinois Engagement Photographer

Several weeks ago now, I got to take engagement pictures for a beautiful couple who is getting married in May. We kept waiting for a decent weekend, but we have had some pretty harsh weather this winter, so when we heard the sun was going to be out at a time we could go, we jumped on it.

But IT. WAS. FREEZING.!

So worth it though, I think... we ended up having fun and getting some good shots of the happy couple.

Because it was so cold, we didn't have time to go hunting down new places. I mean seriously, Lauren was wearing flats and no socks. I was wearing a hoodie with a short sleeve top underneath. (I think we are both insane.) So, I went for my tried and true favorite places...

...thankfully, I still managed to find some spots within those tried and true places that I've never shot before. Like this:

I absolutely fell in love with this red parking thingie. I have no idea what it's actually called. My only wish was that the painted "No Parking" was still on there... You can only see it if you look really close.

I just love it.

But then I love all of these spots.

The next one is another spot I've used two other times, but for some reason, I feel like with the snow on the ground, it looks completely different...

This one makes me so happy...

...and it's the start of 'happily ever after'... 

 
 
 

New Artwork

Six years ago, my sister had her first baby. A boy. Cooper. He was born about a month before Ethan.

They are good buddies.

That picture makes me long for summer. Not to talk about the weather on my blog, but yesterday was so beautiful, it made me remember how much I love warmer weather!

Anyway, when Cooper was born, I painted a picture for his room. It was an alphabet picture with his name on it, like the ones you see in pottery barn only well, not as cute. It's hung in each of his (I think) four rooms, which makes me so happy.

Then, my sister asked for one for my niece's room. Flowery. I obliged. I don't have a picture of that one either, but I have a picture of my niece:

They look really tan. It would be so nice to be tan right now, wouldn't it?

My niece is half of a pair. Her twin brother is Eli.

He's a sweetie...though in this picture, the two of them were actually being little stinkers, spraying the other kids with the hose. I admit, it made me laugh, but I think Ethan and Cooper were less than thrilled.

(Do you hate me for posting summer photos in March? When spring is just...almost...here...?) :)

So, then my sister had another baby three months ago. And I am loving painting lately, so I painted a picture for her, inspired, of course by Kelly Rae.

And I sent it off like a good aunt, knowing that a piece of me was in her room too.

I should add that my sister lives in Georgia, so she's far away and I don't get to see my nieces and nephews nearly as often as I'd like, so it's kind of fun knowing that my paintings are in their rooms.

So, that's three paintings...but four kids. And I'm told when Lilah's painting arrived, there were tears.

From this sweet guy:

And yes. I felt like a total schmuck.

I'd tried painting something for Eli many, many times. Tried and failed.

So finally, I resorted to using some serious inspiration. The Land of Nod catalog. And I'm glad I did. Sometimes you just can't come up with something, and in those times (and in this case because I wasn't selling it)...you have to learn from the pros. And in my mind, in the world of kids' art...Land of Nod is a serious pro!

So, last week, I finally finished one for Eli.

I did a mixed media painting with some old Chatterbox papers and I really love how it turned out. I added a ladder to the fire engine after I took this, but you get the basic idea.

I think painting art for kids' rooms is probably going to become my favorite thing to do! I am toying with the idea of entering an art show, but the thought of being the only one there with art that looks like a kid did it does wear on my nerves a little bit! We'll see. It's not till July so I guess I have some time to decide...

Anyway, that's my new painting. I hope it makes it up to my sweet nephew!

Happy Thursday!  

Inspiring Interview with Artist Jessica Rose

You know how you're on a blog and they link to another blog and then another and you end up in a place and can't really remember how it happened but you've got a new one to add to your favorites?

That's kind of what happened with me when I stumbled upon the blog of my Inspiring Interview for the week.

Her name is Jessica Rose and you are going to love her!

Friends, meet Jessica:

 

Jessica's unique and whimsical style had me at "hello" and I keep returning to ooh and ahh over everything she's done. I love that it's foreign to me. I can't dissect it. It's just complex enough (for a non-techy) that it leaves me squinting at the computer screen and scratching my head.

But most of all... it leaves me completely and totally 100 percent inspired...Read on and I think you'll agree.

Have you always thought of yourself as an artist?

Actually, I guess I always have. Even when I was a little girl my parents went out of they’re way to make me feel as though I had a special talent.

What inspires you?

I’m inspired by so many random things. A trip to the mall will yield a handful of new color combinations I want to try, Quotes will inspire an entire print, and many of the blogs I read put a sudden urge to create. J

What keeps you creatively motivated?

The biggest most important thing is that I enjoy what I do. This goes a LONG way in motivating me. Keeping it from seeming like work does the trick for me.

 
 

Where do you get your ideas for your artwork?

I’m not really sure. I try to follow trends, but not let them lead me. I try to keep a positive outlook and work to make sure that translates into each piece.

How did you learn to create your artwork digitally and what program(s) do you use?

I am completely self taught. I just took it one step at a time. I use photoshop and try not to overwhelm myself. I take each day at a time. When I want to do something, and I’m not sure how, I just google it. J Google is my best friend.

Do you do something creative everyday?

Unfortunately no. J I have two little ones still at home, so my everyday routines are not always geared towards creative-ness. J

What do you tell people who swear they aren’t creative?

Look a little harder, everyone has done something creative at one point or another. Whether it be adding an extra ingredient to a recipe, or even putting a creative spin on an outfit. J

What is a one of your BIG dreams regarding your creative life?

To one day have my own studio/craft space. I would LOVE to be able to leave a project out and not have it take up kitchen table space.

Describe your style… do you find it translates to your home decorating, your fashion, etc.?

I’m not too sure about this one. I do tend to lean more towards a modern simplistic approach to decorating. My fashion sense took a turn for the worse after having my first daughter. It’s much more fun buying clothes for them, or decorating the house.

*Interjecting to tell you that I am in love with the above print and intend to get it in as big a size as I can.  

Are there certain conditions you need just so in order to create? (Foods/atmosphere/Music etc.)

It definitely helps to set aside time to create while my girls are napping. Having time to do something without being interrupted is priceless.

Complete this sentence… I am passionate about…

Life. I’m always worried I’ll look back and wonder what I did with my life. How will I be remembered?

What’s something most people don’t know about you?

I am TERRIFIED of spiders. If you have been around me for more then a day you already know this…

What photo can you always look at to ensure a smile?

Family pictures will always ensure a smile. Pictures of my husband and I when we were dating, pictures of my girls.

What’s your favorite room in the house?

This would probably be my kitchen. Just because my little work space is set up there and I do 99% of my creating here. We completely remodeled the kitchen last fall, and I really like how it all turned out.

 
 

Describe your perfect day:

My perfect day would have all of these ingredients;

Creative time to work on a crafty project, an equal serving of play time with my girls, a smidge of house cleaning, sunny warm weather, a bowl of chocolate peanut butter ice cream, and a cup and a half of cuddle time with my hubby. J Not necessarily in that order either. ;) 

Complete this sentence: “An artist is…”

Talented, creative, and blessed.

  
 To get your own dose of jessica's work, check out her BLOG. 

Once you've done that, you're going to want to run (not walk) to her ETSY SHOP. where you can see her prints, cards and Photoshop Overlays.

You will love them!

*All images are the property of Jessica Rose and are used with her permission. Thank you, Jessica!

...Now, wasn't that INSPIRING?

 

A Learning Fair

About a month ago, Sophia came home with a book on Martin Luther King, Jr. In spite of the swear words she learned because of this book, I was so happy that she chose this Christian Hero for her book report. I had no idea this was not just any book report. This was a project for her school's Learning Fair. That meant lots more than just an outline and a book report. It meant a poster and a display and a costume and a short speech.

And one freaked out Mom! Why is it that when my kids get these projects that they so clearly cannot do by themselves, I go into hyper crafty mode and only let them apply the glue? What is wrong with me?

Sophia and I came up with the concept for her poster, but then she went and left me...she had praise team practice, so I had to assemble the thing myself. Which meant, our original concept sort of went out the window and I ended up with this.

The little ribbon tabs on the sides are facts. You pull them out and learn something new about Martin Luther King like, he was the youngest person to ever win the Nobel Prize. And he was assassinated by James Earl Ray in 1968. And he was married and had four kids.

It was involved. I thought when we I finished the poster, we I were was done...but there was more...

Ethan's project... less involved. We decided to paint belugas. Mama and baby belugas. The babies are grayish. I painted the baby. Ethan wanted to paint the mama. She's the white one. We both did the ocean.

 
This was more of a collaborative effort and we really had fun doing it.

I might hang it up, though I don't know why I would hang up pictures of beluga whales anywhere in my house. I'm actually laughing picturing people's faces when they come in my house and see it on display.

"Um, what's with the whales?"

Anyway, the actual fair was last night. I admit, I sort of dread these things because I get really anxious in crowds, especially when I've got all three kids. I'm not one of those "let my kids run around unsupervised" kind of people. I'm really freakishly overprotective, so I get anxious. And sweaty. I get really sweaty.

But surprisingly, the learning fair was a ton of fun. Oh, it was crowded, but now that we've been here three years, I'm starting to know some of the people better and I even have friends, so going to these functions is like hanging out with my friends (and five hundred other people, but you know what I mean...)

So, we went to the kindergarten room first and that's where I realized part of the reason Ethan's project was so easy was because I forgot to do part of it. I mean, I forgot to make HIM do part of it. There was a project sheet with it...I have no idea where it is. I think I remember seeing it. Where it disappeared to is beyond me. I want to know how to keep track of the papers. There  are stacks and stacks that fill our recycling bin every day, but what about the ones you have to hold onto? I need a system.

I'm such a scatter-brain. Anyway, he posed with his picture...

 
I said, "Ethan, that is such a fake smile!"

That's when I got this:

 
Which not only looks fake, but kinda goofy, no? 

So then we trudged to Sophia's (crowded) room. With Sam. The idea in her room was that they were a wax museum and they had buttons you pushed to hear a little speech about who they were.

As I mentioned, she was Martin Luther King, Jr. This is where all the extra stuff I didn't know about came in. The costume (I realized they had to dress up a few days ago), the display (we brought in a Bible), the mini speech (they did this at school...phew!) It was involved. And it was fine. (Why did I worry about it so much?)

 

Doesn't she look like Martin Luther King? Funny thing was I printed out a photo of Dr. King and adhered it to a stick, ok, a paintbrush, fashioned it into a mask she could hold in front of her face while she talked. Do you think she'd wear it? Nope. Do you think she'd even allow me to bring it in the building? Um. Nope.

She cried. She did NOT want that dang mask. Made me destroy it. I thought it was a great idea.  Because my pale white, blondie does NOT look like the King.

I think she wanted me to get out of her face at this point.

I never know what I'm going to find when I hand my camera to Adam. I located this one:

This is "the boy." She'll tell you it's not, but it is. And I gotta say, my girl's got good taste. He's a cutie!

Don't tell you I told you she likes him, she'll totally kill me. Especially since she swears she doesn't like him. And oh my gosh, I think he might maybe like her but don't say anything because that'd be so embarrassing. And I'll never forgive you if the secret gets around and I'll know who started it because you're the only person I'm telling.

Ah... to be in third grade again.

My friend Heather liked my mask idea. Her daughter was also doing MLK and she's also a pale whitey so we had a couple of conversations about how to swing this thing. I told her I was doing a mask. Heather is uber creative and hysterically funny which means that she didn't just do a mask...

She did a Conan-style mask.

It was creepy and hilarious at the same time. I bet her daughter let her bring it in the building, darn it.
I was just glad Sophia stopped crying.

So, anyway, we made our way into the gym which was the American Indian (Native American?) section of their museum and we discovered my friend Heather's porcupine. Those are zip ties. and yes, she colored them.

I told you she was creative. I invited her to art night. I hope she comes.

Ethan and Sam both dug the teepees and whatever this thing is:

 
And I thought the totem poles made out of popcorn tins were genius.

I love seeing all the fun ideas these parents kids come up with!

We hit the car afterwards and Adam and I looked at each other. Big sigh.

"We survived."

Maybe we've turned a corner. Maybe now that Sam is two, things are different. Maybe I don't have to be all wacky and anxious...

Here's to hoping.

Love to hear about YOUR projects, er, I mean your children's projects! Fun? Awful? Do you complain about them like I do all the while secretly wanting to make them the coolest thing there? (Not that I do that, of course, but you know, I could see how someone might...) :)

Alright, I'm writing today so I have to run! Have a great weekend!

Got any fun plans?

Playdates.

Ok, before I start this post for real, I have to print a correction to yesterday's post. My mom sent me a frantic text after she read my blog yesterday (I know it was frantic even though it was just words on my phone.) It said, "I read your blog! You forgot the lemon juice."

To which, of course, I responded: "Huh?"

I'm eloquent that way.

She then informed me that the black bean dip recipe calls for lemon juice, which I have completely forgotten because I never use it. I think the key here is if you like the cilantro and lemon juice flavors together, you will love it in the dip. Me? I want to taste the SALT. I mean, I douse the stuff in salt. Tons of it. But if you like the other, throw those in there too. It's yummy.

And if you try it, come back and let me know if you like it or if it's just me.

Sometimes I feel bad for my kids. Because I am a border-line agoraphobe, they rarely get to do fun things. Ok, that's not true, I put my social anxiety on the back burner for their benefit, but I still feel badly for them. I feel like I *should* be the mom who loves taking them to parks and roller rinks. I confess my own wretched memory of skating blissfully around the rink in jr. high has me a little leery. When a small child dropped to his knees RIGHT IN MY PATH, sending me flying across the path of several other poor skaters all while "You Gave Love a Bad Name" pounded out on the loudspeaker, I think a permanent mental scar was inflicted.

And that really hurt. Not just my pride either. Physically, HURT. Surprised I didn't break something like a wrist or at least my pinky finger. That might've made it worth it if I'd gotten the cast I always wanted.

Anyway, there are times when I feel so bad for them I realize I need to do something.

And that's why I love playdates.

Ethan loves them too. Isn't he just like a happy puppy waiting for some attention here?

If you're like me, you assume YOU will be the entertainment for said date of play. You'll be happy to know (as I discovered) this is not the case. In fact, the kids don't really even want you around. They will have Wii tournaments without you. They'll dive into the dry erase markers and decorate the oversized white board in your office just fine without you hovering, thank you very much. And yes, they'll also gladly use your paints and canvases so long as you busy yourself with other things.

I spread leftover wrapping paper on my table as if it needs protecting from stray streaks of paint. The thing is so beat up (and Ethan carved "I love you" in it, so you know, I probably could've gone without.)

I wish I'd taken a photo of Joshua's final painting. It was pretty darn cool.

I did make Sophia and Cali pose with theirs, though Sophia informed me she still needs to put letters on hers.

Is it wrong that I am totally stealing her candle in the darkness idea? She came up with this and she's going to put something like "Let your line shine" or "You are the light of the world" or something... and Cali said as she painted, "you should put swirlies around your flame."

Hello? Genius. Don't be surprised if in a few days I'm posting a candle of my own. 

Ethan was so cheesy all day. So happy to have his friend over to play.

But then, the girls weren't any different.

The simple fact that I had to bribe them out of their jammies and into real clothes should've been a hint that my children were in desperate need of a new routine. 

Then there was Sam:

talk about cheesy.

He was content to follow the boys around (and they let him!) and eat fruit snacks with no shirt on.

Pretty sure I can expect another frantic text after my mom reads this post too. "Don't you put clothes on that kid? It's freezing outside!"

She forgets how much these children run around, I think. And she forgets that I don't keep my thermostat on 65 like she does.

Love you, Mommy.

Good play date. Need to do it again. It was so fun watching the kids with their friends, and it made me so happy to see what GOOD kids they've picked to hang out with!

Happy Tuesday!  

  
 

Inspiring Interviews Blog Series

I've been thinking a lot about inspiration--how you find it, how you keep it, why it's important...and I've discovered that the most inspiring thing to me isn't the rows of books and magazines at Barnes and Noble. Or the music playing in the background as I write...or even the art that people post to their blogs.

The most inspiring things aren't things at all. They are the people behind the things. And what I really like is the chance to pick those brains and be inspired by other people's experiences and beliefs.

So, I decided to start a new blog series called "Inspiring Interviews." I know interviewing people isn't exactly a new concept, but I really want to find inspiring people in all different fields. So far, I've lined up novelists, artists, designers, natural health gurus, photographers, inspiring women of faith... all kinds of inspiring stories... and I cannot wait to share them with you.

The idea is that every Friday (I think I'm going to do Fridays...kicked around the idea of Monday...) I will post a new Inspiring Interview with a woman in one of these fields. We'll get to know--and be inspired by--their artistic processes, their eye for design, their life stories, their bravery, their overcoming the odds, their simple approach to self nourishment...

And I believe that inspiration will hang around.

I love to learn about people. I love to uncover their stories. Some of the people will be people you recognize. Others will be quietly living a life no one knows about. All will inspire in one way or another. I hope you'll come back to read the first installment tomorrow. Maybe you'll learn a little something new!

I did another painting awhile ago but didn't get a chance to photograph it. When I realized I hadn't snapped a picture, I used my cell phone to get one quick just so I can remember what she looks like.

I cut the little bird out of cardstock and then used a Pop Dot underneath to make her stand out. I think that even though it's a terrible photo thanks to my cell phone, she is a happy little angel and I guess that's why I like her.

Because we all need a little happy in our lives.

Especially this guy.

 
Life is sooo hard. My mommy takes pictures of me when I'm mad and crying!

Not fair, Mommy! Stop doing that! "Dat. Not. Funny!"

Awww, poor guy. I can assure you I wasn't really laughing at him. I was taking my pictures and all the while saying, "Aw, buddy, what's wrong?"

Somehow my splendid show of sympathy didn't register with Sam.

Come back tomorrow for the first Inspiring Interview!

I can't wait! :)
  
 

Random things I love

I love a little bit of random. So, here's a random list of things I'm loving right now.

Cinnamon Raisin Ezekiel Bread

It's a big part of my new, nourishing eating regimen. Notice I didn't say "diet". I don't think I will ever use that word again. I have finally figured out that when your eating is connected to some sort of emotion, you have to tune into the emotion in order to treat the problem. And part of the solution is to have a pretty clear idea of how to eat.

For me, that means no white bread/processed flour, etc. Enter Cinnamon Raisin Ezekiel Bread. This stuff is so good. It's made from sprouted grains. I haven't tried the other flavors yet, but I plan to. I have two slices of this everday. In fact, I'm eating some right now. If you want more info about it, the Food for Life Website is a great place to start!

 
My college friend Jessica started a BLOG! Jessica was the friend in college who taught me it was okay to dream REALLY. BIG. DREAMS. I will always love her for that. I remember walking into my Com 101 class with Dr. Kasch -- it was a big lecture hall class, and I just wanted to sit down. (Because you know, everyone was watching me enter. I swear, I am so self conscious!) Anyway, I found an empty seat on an end and asked the girl sitting there if it was saved. She said no, and I sat down. Instantly, I noticed her handwriting. I am going to ask her to post a sample. It's so cool. It needs to be a font. (Even then I was obsessed!) But she was reading a Vanity Fair or something and began to tell me how she was going to work in TV. She was from LA. She wanted to work on the David Letterman show. In New York. I think I had stars in my eyes.

I said, "You're really going to do that?"

She said, "Why not? Somebody has to." (or something to that effect.)

Major revelation. Why not? Somebody has to! Why can't it be me?

Her blog won't be about television though because after working on The Tonight Show and for one of the networks, she started her family. I respect her so much for deciding to focus on them. Her blog is full of pretty things. Decorating things. Dreamy things. Martha-esque things. You will like it. :)

oh, and you'll also find a little bit of this:

I can't think of a better person to have my morning coffee with.

Also loving painting right now too...

This is the first painting I've done that's a little bit personal. I can't go into all the details, but I have learned that art can be a kind of therapy. And that alone makes me want to keep doing it. (By the way, those yellow circles are flowers, you just can't see the stems in the photo!)

Loving white. I am wanting to add white everywhere. Since I'm not okay with painting new cabinets yet, I've decided to bring it in in other ways. Like these:

I'm thinking about painting my kitchen some shade of green so then they'll really pop when I put them up here:

I think the rendering of me in that photo is really realistic.

Loving watching my boys together:

Ethan was home one day last week with a bad cold and headache and Sam was a little out of sorts by it. It's usually just he and I during the day. So I did have to break up a fight or two (almost always instigated by Sam)... but then they finally settled into this...

 

Yeah, I'm watching TV with my big brother.

You smiling, Ethan?

 
 Yeah, I'm smiling too.

 Also loving Archway's Pumpkin Pie Spice Coffee

Pretend that label says "Pumpkin Pie Spice" on it. I couldn't find a photo of it and I'm really just too lazy to walk in the other room and take one. I've got a sort of love/hate relationship going with coffee. Instead of quitting altogther, I'm just cutting way (and I do mean WAY) back.

Have mostly given up sugar.

...which has been tricky. I am not "fasting" sugar like I've done before. I'm actually just not going to eat it anymore. A taste here and there is one thing, but if I want to really change my life, I feel like I need to keep it mostly at the bare minimum. We had a meeting here last night which resulted in half of a homemade chocolate cake being left behind. I had a half of a piece of the cake (and a bite of Adam's key lime pie) so I know it's good.

But I think what's been so liberating is knowing the I don't need the cake. Not like "Oh, I need that like I need a hole in my head" I don't mean it that way. of course, none of our hips need cake. But I don't HAVE to eat it. It has no control over me.

Sounds pretty deep since we're talking about cake, no?

If you have food issues, I think you'll understand what I mean.

It's pretty freeing. And I like it.

My friend Robin in Haiti updated her blog. She's still in Haiti. I still don't think any of this is real. In spite of the smell of dead bodies and the loss of physical items. She's such an amazing person. I don't think I could ever be so strong.

Anyway, last thing...

I'm also loving my upcoming BLOG SERIES which I will tell you more about tomorrow. If you like to be inspired and you like to learn about people, you will like this! I think it's going to be a ton of fun! :)  I hope you'll check back and leave comments once I start it!

Have a great Wednesday!
 

Mixed Media Scrapbooking

So, thanks to Kelly Rae, I learned something I've always wanted to learn... mixed media as it applies to canvas and paints. I'm not big on the vintage looking mixed media, but cool, bright, artsy stuff...count me in!

I've been painting a lot. Having a ton of fun. Learning that my stuff sort of looks like a little kid did it and I'm okay with that. It makes me happy.

And last week, I sold this one:

Seriously. Someone bought it. Backed with pages from the Anthropologie catalog, this one was pure play for me. And someone bought it for a little girl's room.

Now that made me really, really happy!

So, the other night (and have you noticed how I start half of my paragraphs with "So..." I promise if you buy my novel when it's released, I will NOT do that. Cross my ever-lovin' heart.) I got this weird hankering (seriously, it's the only word I could think of) to SCRAPBOOK.

Shut the front door. 

I did. I promise. It's been quite awhile since I wrote "The Busy Scrapper" and that's about the last time I scrapped. No, I think I wrote a couple articles after that, but the point is...it's been a long time. I tried to sit down and scrap a few months ago and I HATED IT. I hated what I came up with, I mean. It was so ugly. I was sure this just wasn't for me anymore.

But the other night I thought I'd try again but I'd incorporate the mixed media and the paints and make a big, fat mess. (I love when my hands are all painty. :) ) I wish I had a picture of my painty hands, but I don't want to get paint on my camera so I've never attempted this shot.

Anyway...

Here is the fruit of my labor. The point here is not to blow your socks off but to tell you how much fun I had scrapbooking...and I needed it!

I have to tell you the truth. I had all of these pictures in my "Oops, I printed these and didn't use them" pile. The little bitty ones are from this big piece I did for my living room. I had tons of tiny pics and then the glass broke and I took it as a sign that it was too ugly to actually hang up.

Here's a closer look:

 
I love to add texture to my pages. I always have. I especially love sewing on them (or should I say stitching since I seriously cannot sew!)

But there was a time when I wouldn't have cut that big picture of Sophia into a silhouette because it wasn't "in" to do that. Remember when scrapbooking first caught on, we cut everything into shapes? Well, then it swung the other way and it was so NOT COOL to do that.

Now, I don't care what's in or out. I wanted it to look like that, so I cut it.

Maybe I'll wear stonewashed jeans too.

Just to be a rebel.

(Just kidding. I have my limits. They include shoulder pads which I heard are back in style. Seriously? Do I need more bulk? Next they'll tell us to curl and tease our bangs and buy stock in Aqua Net! Deja Vu, anyone?)

Anyway, I also used to be pretty... well, not frugal when it came to scrapbooking. I purchased a lot more than I could use. Now I'm downright cheap. I even did this:

Can you see that? The pop dots come on this strip. It's all the same material, so when I realized I was out of Pop Dots, I just cut the strip...

That's, my friends, is what we call SUPER CHEAP.

I use every square inch of my adhesive because it's so expensive!!

So anyway. I scrapped. It's not a work of art or anything and I put zero thought into it, but man, it was FUN!

And shouldn't a hobby be fun? Otherwise, what's the point of a hobby??

:)

Just sayin'.

Today's the last day to enter my giveaway! Look down below and leave me a comment and I'll enter your name in the drawing! I am so excited to see who wins Meg's Giveaway today! And I've already penciled in my Post Office Visit for later this week. :)

Thank you to Meg for doing a big fat blog giveaway in the first place! It's been tons of fun! :)

Check back later this week! I'm starting a new blog series I can't wait to tell you about... if you like to be inspired, I think you're going to LOVE it!! :)

Happy Monday!