A Season Behind...

I've been wanting to paint one of my favorite quotes since last winter, and I finally did it.  I'm just a few seasons behind schedule...

After I painted it, I sealed it with melted beeswax...I can't remember a time when I've had so much fun!  I used real dirt in the painting as well.  I LOVE the creative process.

I made this for a friend who wrote these words on her blog. I had to paint something to try to capture the beauty of her words in visual form.  I covered this in beeswax too.

As a BEESWAX addict, I plan on using it a lot more in future paintings.  It is so much fun to have a new toy to play with!!!

JuICy HoUsEs!

A friend of mine, Sylvia Drown, recently blogged about a class she attended in San Jose called "Juicy Houses."  When I saw the pictures, I knew I had to make my own!

I created a house for each home I've lived in, which totalled 7 homes.

(I made one house to represent college.)

These are works in progress.  They will be mounted to a painted canvas eventually, but I couldn't wait to share them because they are so much fun and easy to make!

My children got into it too.  They helped me think of meaningful things to include on the houses that we've lived in and had a blast creating their own JUICY HOUSES.

All it takes is scrapbook paper, scissors, glue, glitter, stickers, pictures and anything else you want to add to make your houses juicy!

Celebrating Happy Mistakes!

 "Happy Mistakes" or "Happy Accidents" in ART--things that you don't plan on while creating but that lead you to something even more beautiful than you imagined. We have a few children that fit this description too:)


This is what happened to me when I signed up for an online creative biz course called Flying Lessons by Kelly Rae Roberts.

I signed up for the course on accident (I thought it was an art class). I was so excited Kelly was teaching a class that I signed up before I read the description. Gotta love serendipity...

Born with Wings--Original Mixed Media 12x12

When I found out it was a biz class, I couldn't believe it! I didn't even have anything to sell--I was still trying to learn how to paint and find my own style. But...

...it ends up this course gave me the courage I needed to take my dreams seriously.

The BEST part of the class was making friends with creative souls all over the world. These women are angels to me.

I don't think I could have gotten thru this summer's emotional heat allergy rollercoaster

without their positive energy and support!

And together, we are flying! I am SO SO SO grateful to these women

for their encouragement

 and for being examples of courage,

taking risks and making yourself vulnerable.

So cheers to Happy Mistakes!

I love watching how life unfolds in its wondrous ways.

I'd love to hear about your Happy Mistakes!

(I made this last year after reading Kelly Rae Robert's book, Taking Flight.)

Christmas in August Sale!

I've been busy making personalized pillows--thanks for the support, friends!

For those of you who want to order some for the holidays, I'd like to make this a little easier on all of us. 

Now you can get your shopping done early so you can actually enjoy the holidays, and I won't be overwhelmed with pillow orders!

So until the end of this month, Pillows are ON SALE!

1 pillow for $35
2 pillows for $60 (saving you $10)
3 pillows for $85 (saving you $20)
4 pillows for $100 (saving you $40 and costing you $25 per pillow--not a bad amount to spend on a gift!)

I have really great new fabric to choose from.  Here are some that I have fallen in love with....

I also have fabric with just about any hobby/interest/obsession you can think of--owls, baseballs, cowboys, trucks and cars, frogs, butterflies, etc., that can be personalized for a truly special gift!

Don't forget I do schools and sports teams too!  Wouldn't WHO-DEY look great on a pillow?

(This one is being sold in The Spirit Shop at Cincinnati Country Day School.)

Finding Beauty and Feeling Blessed

When I started this blog, I was worried that I wouldn't have interesting photos and enough to write about because I'm stuck inside.  And, I love beautiful nature pictures!  But, I've found that there is still plenty of beauty surrounding me...

And, when I notice it, I feel so blessed...

My sweet hubby bought me this pillow because he said it had special meaning to me and my heat allergy!

I have fallen back in love with my Art Studio, which I've neglected for awhile.  Instead, I was using every other room in our house!  It feels great to be back in this space!

I bought this antique apothecary dresser several years ago and finally had it painted by my friend and owner of Patina, who refurbishes furniture.  This week, I finally organized my scrapbook paper and other mixed media objects.  I love it!

I'm working on this girl who is made of wings.  Her hair is butterflies and flowers, and she has her own pair of purple wings too.  A work in progress...

My hubby also brought me sunflowers and Belguim waffles from the Farmers' Market this week.  (Isn't he great?)  I feel blessed that I have been able to "Live Simply" this summer.  Even though this summer has been a challenge, I think I will look back at it with gratitude and appreciation for a

slower paced life! 

I'd love to hear about the beauty and blessings in your life!

Squiggles!

This fun family activity is one of our absolute favorites--and there is no cost and no prep time required (as long as you have paper and markers or pens in your home). 

How do you squiggle?

1.  Draw a squiggle on paper
2.  Pass the papers around
3.  Turn the squiggle you get into a picture of some sort
4.  Laugh and be amazed at your family's creativity!

We LOVE to play this game when friends and family visit.  We keep all our squiggles in a binder and have our guests sign theirs to include in it.  My kids love to look thru it! 

Here are some examples from our squiggle games over the years...

The green curlies are the original squiggle and were turned into a man carrying shopping bags.

The squiggle was the shape that I turned into a genie coming out of a lamp.

This squiggle was the purple shape that Skylar turned into a carriage.

Grandpa Harrison turned the green squiggle into a golf course.

We sent this idea into Family Fun Magazine and they published this picture of the kids!  They were so excited!

I'd love to see your squiggles too!

Things that Make Me Smile Lately...

I got the idea for this post from a new friend of mine, Juliette Crane, whose artwork and creativity also just happen to make me smile. 

Fresh from the Ocean by Juliette Crane

Other things that make me smile lately...

Cupcakes my daughter, Skylar, made one night when we were craving chocolate....

My bff since childhood coming over to sew with me. She chose the most cheerful fabric for pillows for her newly-finished basement. i love her visits! she ALWAYS makes me smile...

Don't you love her happy fabric?

Saying goodbye to stuff going to Goodwill and hello to less clutter...

Celebrating a miracle with a friend who is thrilled to be pregnant after facing some challenges and who  has been one strong mama thru it all....

My little Nora's chalkboard masterpieces....

When my children bring me treasures from our garden like these Chinese Lanterns...

Finding pregnant photos of myself. Pregnant bellies always make me smile! And I love seeing how big I was--was I really that big?

What has made you smile lately?

Town Pride

Our town is known for its flower-filled street signs.  When we moved, I wanted to paint our old sign for sentimental reasons--it is where my husband and I met and where our 5th child was born.

A local boutique--"Wyoming on the Avenue"-- is now selling 8X10 prints of this piece.  You can also purchase one by contacting me.  If you order one, I will customize the print by adding the street name of your choice unless you prefer one that says "Wyoming."

I think they'll be great gifts for yourself or hostesses, newcomers to the community or families that are moving away.

If you live in another town and have a special symbol you would like painted, let's talk! 

Town/School/Sports Team Pride

Get ready for back-to-school and fall sports season with a personalized pillow

 of your favorite school or sports team!

Wonder

In Eat Pray Love, Elizabeth Gilbert picks one word as "her word."  When discussing this at book club, we each picked "our word" that best defines who we are.  I chose Wonder.  It just seems to fit perfectly--everyday I am in wonder at it all...


the beauty...

Daydreaming (11x14)

the possibilities...

the mystery...

the unexpected joy...

the love...

the blessings...

the connections...

the magic...

of it all.

If you had to pick your word, what would it be?   Please leave a comment and share!

Yummy Apple Pizza!

One of our family's favorite ways to create together is in the kitchen.  And Apple Pizza is our very favorite thing to make.

Our Apple Pizza even won first prize in a child-friendly cook-off...it really is delicious and nutritious.  And the best part about it is that kids love to make it and eat it!

We eat apple pizza for lunch, dinner, as a snack or even for dessert. 

This is a Must-Try.  You will not be disappointed:)

Ingredients:

sliced apples
shredded cheddar cheese
tube of biscuit dough
sugar
cinnamon

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

And, for the next steps, please watch the following video.  Starring some of my little chefs...

And here is the end result...

To recap:
1) Flatten the dough until it is thin like pizza crust
2) Place thinly sliced apples on dough
3) Mix the cheese, sugar and cinnamon together
4) Sprinkle the cheese mixture on top of the apples
5) Cook at 375 degrees for about 10-18 minutes...until the dough is completely baked (this will depend on the type you use and how thin you flatten it)

If you make it, I'd love to hear your reviews!  And your children's too!

Sweet Little One

I've been feeling sentimental lately, watching my children grow.

One day, I noticed Nora, our smallest and last, filling up so much more of my lap.  I remember how she used to not even reach it, but would just snuggle up in my chest and sleep.  I already miss these moments with my older ones, who I cannot even lift now.

When I realized how much she was growing, I had to paint this...in hopes of capturing this moment since I cannot capture time and make it slow down. 

(sweet little one 8x8)

sweet little one,

today as i rocked you

and hummed our special songs

i noticed

you fill up more of my lap

your soft body

growing as fast as the weeds

your dad refuses to pull

they just grow and grow he says

but i want to try to stop them

anyway

tonight as i rocked you

and hummed our special songs

i held you longer

and tighter

slowing my breath

to match yours

and bidding time

to sleep as well

so you remain mine

to hold and snuggle

to kiss and comfort...

an eternity is not long enough

to spend holding you,

sweet little one