Word Themed Inchies

I completed these word themed inchies over the weekend as part of the 100 inchie project on Swap-Bot . I knew exactly what I wanted to do for this theme. I watercolored each of the inchies' backgrounds and then used the words as inspiration for the design.

There is nothing like an inchie for a quick burst of creative refueling! I keep a container full of them on my workspace to play with, doodle on or draw inspiration from.

I'm Lovin' It Monday

Yes, I am still alive but with Cooper still fighting a bad infection and lots of movement on Christopher's case, I just haven't been able to blog. I am praying that round three of antibiotics for Cooper and today's hearing for Christopher will bring some much needed peace!

Now, to business......this Monday I am lovin' Sassafras Lass' Paper Whimsy Blossoms . The large ones already have inked edges, what a time saver. I ran out and bought every set and I am saving them for something special!

My Poor Beautiful Eyes

It pains me just to look at my poor, sweet baby boy's beautiful big blue eyes all red and swollen and this is after cleaning out the gunk (that coordinated with the snot in his nose) that sealed them shut while he slept on my chest like he did when he was a itty bitty baby. The doctor thinks it is a bad infection from his cold that has spread to his eyes and ears but since the other two babies are getting yucky eyes, I am fearing conjunctivitis. I don't know how to survive a house with three babies with pink eye.....

so far the older boys are doing okay. I, on the other hand, am hanging on to my sanity by a thread. I wish I had more arms to comfort and cuddle............

Needless to say, no art projects or tutorials to share this week.

Thursday Thought To Ponder

You can be sure of two things in life; there is a God, and your mother loves you.

Living an Inspired Life, or at least trying..........

The past few months I have tried to refocus my life (and my business) on drawing from inspiration from the world around and trying to find ways to "artistically channel"
that inspiration in all that I do. You may have noticed the beginning of these changes but there will be some much bigger ones to come.

Life is all about being in the moment and enjoying it. It may sound like such a simple concept but to me it can be a challenge in the busy world of being a mom and a wife, a blogger and a entusiastic crafter -slash-wanna be artist! I hope you will enjoy the upcoming changes and take joy in the journey with me!

I'm Lovin' It Monday

For this I'm Lovin' it Monday I first must do a shout out to my wonderful friends who I am extra lovin' right now. You'd think from the bouquets of flowers, jewelry, cookies, fruit and the home cooked dinner that were all dropped off for me on my Birthday that I was blessed with the greatest friends on earth, right? Well on top of all of that generosity, two of my closest girlfriends snuck into my house on Friday while I was at Disneyland and scrubbed my home from top to bottom.

How humbling that your friends would help you in a way that you need but would never dream of saying. Not that my house is a dirty mess but with the unexpected addition of two foster babies for the past three and a half months I have struggled every day just to try to keep my head above water. I hope that I can be even half the friend to others that they are to me!

Okay, now for the non-gushy stuff, I am LOVIN' my vinyl lettering from Uppercase Living . I have been wanting to order something from my friend ShaLayne for awhile now but I was so overwhelmed by the endless possibilities so I finally just custom ordered my own phrases. Here are the results:

Thursday Thought To Ponder

"Life is like a coin. You can spend it any way you wish, but you only spend it once."

Going, Going, Gone!

Yes sir-eee, you guessed it....we are on week 3 of refusing to take naps and tonight was one of the best "konked-out" positions yet! Not only did he fall asleep at the table, he managed to eat all of his ribs, most of his tater tots and a good portion of his milk while half asleep with his eyes closed. We don't call him chunky monkey for nothing. Here is the replay

GOING.........

GOING...........

GONE!!!!!

Floppy Disk Album-Done at Last!

At last my floppy disk albums are done! I made four of these for the Relief Society Presidency, I hope they enjoy flipping through it and reflecting on its message. I think we all need visual reminders at times so that we don't forget what is important as we get caught up in the craziness of our everday lives

Flower-Themed Inchies

I just finished this batch of flower themed Inchies for the 100 Inchie Project on Swap-bot. I know I have said it before but I just love inchies, they are the perfect creative release for busy moms. Only have a few minutes? You can make your own little mini masterpiece in just a few minutes with little mess or waste!

I'm Lovin' It Monday

Truthfully, I am not in a "lovin' it" mood with this yucky time change but I will do my best! First, lets start with this amazing magazine, Simply Handmade

I begged for a subscription to this magazine for Christmas and I have yet to be disappointed. First off, the quality is more like a book then a magazine and it is FULL of ideas and instructions. The style and the photographs are amazing, you will be drooling!

Next, on a completely seperate note.......I love this online store for fashionable yet modest clothing, Shade . Most of their line is made for layering and who can resist this jacket and this bubble tank .....did I mention the swimsuits?

Its Just a A Day In the Life.....

I am working on some pictures for a scrapbook page using Basic Grey Page of The Month Kit for March, so while we were in the line at the Starbucks drive-thru getting hot cocoa we had out own little mini photo session!

It was a lot of fun catching these real everday moments, afterall this is truly how "we roll". Cooper a huge mess finishing his lunch in the car because it was time to pick up Chase from school, Christopher just going with the flow, Jonas being silly with me in the front seat and Chase....well, he is a goof everywhere! Baby Ray is in there too but since he is in an rear facing carseat, you will just have to imagine his adorable baby boy grin!

Floppy Disk Album-Sneak Peek

Here is the sneak peek I promised of some of the pages from the floppy disk albums I am making for the lovely women in the Relief Society presidency at our church. I am having so much fun using all these wonderful Prima products!

Useless technology, I think not!

Thursday Thought To Ponder

"I am not afraid of storms for I am learning to sail my ship."

By: Louisa May Alcott

How Week 2 of Refusing To Take a Nap is Going.....

Need I say any more?

Little League Opening Day

This weekend was opening day for Poway Little League, which is a big deal around here! Since I am cooped up in a house full of sick people (myself included) it seemed like a good time to post these pictures and remember what it felt like for us all to be out in the sun and healthy just a few short days ago!

Of course, if I am honest with myself I will remember that this day was crazy and left me feeling whiped out. Since my husband is the coach and the older boys were playing it meant me being alone with a 19 month old, 18 month old and 5 month old to watch a long opening day ceremony followed by a T-ball game (during what should have been naptime) which did not leave me with feeling like a shiny, happy person!

little bits of inspiration

I came across these images on Better Homes & Gardens and they felt so fresh, clean and fun that I felt instantly inspired to redo some rooms in my house. Instead, I will pass them on!

I'm Lovin' It Monday

I had seen the Martha Stewart Circle Cutter in action on her show and it looked so simple, I had to get one. So why, do you ask, has it sat in my studio unopened for two months? Well, like most new crafting tools they can sometimes be intimidating. Will it really work well? Did I just spend money on one more tool that I won't like to use that much?

Well, I finally had to put my fears aside and crack it open. See, I am making an album out of floppy disks (yes, those ancient things) and I needed to make a certain size hole right in the middle of a square so, I couldn't lean on my trusty circle punch crutch.

So the verdict? Wow...e...wow....this thing is super awesome fantasticness! It is just as easy to use as it looked and I can not wait to cut more circles. You can make circles anywhere from 1" to 5-1/2" diameter, in 1/16" increments so it will cover almost all of your circle cutting needs. I picked mine up at Wal-Mart

What else am I loving? All the new CHA releases from Prima Marketing Inc. My local scrapbook store just got their new stuff in and I stocked up for these albums (the papers above are Prima as well)

The pictures don't do them justice, I'll get some sneak peeks up of how I am using them!