art trading cards and a peek inside...

recently i have gotten into ATC's or art trading cards. i did a swap with some of the ladies at scrap n' art. it is something that has intrigued me for quite some time. and so my collection begins. here are the ones i have done:
(i haven't gotten the others from the swap yet)



and then, because it's been awhile since i've shown you my beloved mess...here's a glimpse into what i affectionately call my studio!!

overall view - kind of...my sewing machine and
a few other bookcases are not pictured

my desk - it is NEVER clean. if it was that would be a sign
that i'm not using it. and that would be sad.

various lovelies - a bit of this and that for projects

inspiration - okay, the twilight pictures don't necessarily inspire
me, but they are nice to look at.

fabric bins - a wee look at my growing collection. i get fabric from:
joann fabrics
flea markets
thrift shops
the paris flea market (happens during the summer)
vintage items (tablecloths, etc)
shower curtains (from target...they have fab. prints)
that is currently all i can remember, but i'm sure the list goes on...

also not pictured is my jewelry making nook. that is actually part of my sewing machine table. a situation that needs amending. it's comical to watch me sqeeze into the area where my beads and things are and make jewelry. but i do it.

a peek into the minds of a five and ten year old...

it's been awhile since i've noted cute things the kids have said. mostly because my memory is crap, and i don't write it down RIGHT away. so here are two notable conversations that i can recall:

last night on the way to pack meeting for scouts -

noah: "mommy will we still be alive when we're with Jesus?"
me: "well, yes, in a way."
noah: "so we will be able to walk around in jesus-town, with Jesus?"
me: "yes."


christmas shopping with kyle -

me: "ooo, kyle, feel this scarf! would you wear a scarf like this?" (it was fur, and i was joking)
kyle: "yes."
me: totally shocked and a little amused..." really? even though it's made of fur and probably for a girl?"
kyle: straight-faced...."well, it feels like the fur behind teddy's (our saint bernard) ears. you know that fur? i've have thought about a way to keep it with me all the time, and a scarf would be great."
me: "hmm." then thinking to myself, you are a strange and at the same time completely logical guy, kyle.



that is currently all i remember.
i hereby promise (to myself) to be better at documenting these "golden" conversations.

winter in colorado

today it's 70. by friday, snow.
colorado.
gotta love a place you can where shorts, but still need snow boots due to residual snow on the ground!

for good health, eat your colors!

have you ever heard that before? in other words, eat lots of fruits and veggies = color. the other night we did just that.

MENU:
marinated (in some delicious concoction) grilled chicken
steamed broccoli
red quinoa salad

tres bon.

a closer look at that "super" salad (quinoa is incredibly good for you. seriously good for you):

thank you, sweet, thoughtful husband for a delightful meal. you wowed me like you did when we were dating!
bravo.

blissful escape

things have been busier than normal for me. i have a deadline for scrap 'n art that is keeping my nose to the grindstone. i am excited for and loving the "work". i mean, really, could we call it work? i get to scrapbook and create with products sent to my door. brilliant!

i have a few upcoming blog posts brewing....things i want to document and preserve. sometimes i feel that the simple things in my life go un-documented, and as a great quote by Barbara Kingsolver states: "It's surprising how much memory is built around things unnoticed at the time." i am a collector of quotes, and that one is definitely in my collection now. i love it. it is profoundly true and poignant, no? in the spirit of documenting the everyday normal stuff i have a little tuesday and thursday morning tradition that i would like to share. noah has preschool on those mornings. those moms of you out there can appreciate how precious every moment we get "alone" is. so, i have a date with barnes and noble, a comfy chair, and stacks of books and magazines in need of purusing. there i sit, in my happy place, getting some very important needs met. i am inspired, refreshed, comforted, recharged, swept-away, and transported to a world of art-journaling and other such creative pursuits (as those are the books and magazine i am engrossed in). and the best part...it's FREE! not one dime spent on this blissful escape. who knew a book store could provide all of this? i vary my routine from time to time, but this is one of my favorites.

first project of 2009!

here is a lovely wreath that started as the little flicker of inspiration in my head. then, because i am not a very patient person - especially when there is an idea brewing, i had to gather my supplies and create. i will admit, it is a tad girlier in real life than it was in my head, but no matter. it works.


closer view of the middle:

the holiday season

so i know it's been forever since i have shown this blog any love. well, tis or was the holiday season, and with all the festivities and family in town, everything just sort of fell by the wayside. i've put together a few collages with some of my favorite holiday moments. (click on the image to better view the photos)







here's to being a better blogger in 2009!!!!!!!!!