Antique Obsessed

I wish I had enough money to buy every photo at the antique markets, but as it is I must narrow it down to one or two favorites each trip. This one had to be mine- as I could so perfectly relate to it.

it seems some thing never change.... boys will always

be silly boys and moms will try to remain calm and poised in the midst of being amused

Back of the photos( if you have ancestors from Rotterdam and a funny grandpa named Peter maybe you need this photo more than I do....

I love these images.

We also bought the set of springs from an old truck several months ago.

We attatched it to an antigue shabby chippy door (totally funky junk, right?) and

weaved a set of bulbs through it for a light above my bed.

I love the crazy industrial look

I know it's not for everyone out there, but we love the look of it



plus, my boys think it's cool ( even if it is weird) so that's always a bonus.

Be funky.



Easter Rememberance

These cards are circulating around Facebook (like this link for great inspiration on your news feed), courtesy of Mormon.org

I am sharing them here, hoping they bring some reflection to your holiday this week.
There are 10 cards total, and I will add them as they are posted.

May you find many reasons to feel pure joy and deep peace

Creative Kids

My 13 yr old son saw a little version of this fun quote on Pinterest and decided to make a canvas for his room.  I loved the way it turned out, and best of all he created it.

We got a bunch of canvases at Hobby Lobby, and then he got busy with the tape and acrylic paints.

With a stencil he traced his words, then filled them in...so easy, but did take a little time.

I got thinking that I wanted to copy his idea and create a canvas of my own.  I wanted something I could use in my extra room that I work in, but sometimes doubles as a crash pad for house guests.  I also wanted something inspirational....this is what I came up with....

Now, just because I have already had so many people ask me how I did it I, thought I would get on today and add a quick post with a few instructions.   The canvas is large, because I wanted it to fill my space, but you could make it any size.
I started by layering the background  paints (again acrylic- it dries so quick and is easy to layer) and almost smudging the edges with a darker brown, almost dry brush.

My hand writing looked horrible so I printed up the letters in a huge font on my computer, then taped the paper to the back of my canvas- in a sunlit window I could see the letters through the canvas and paint, and so I all had to was trace the edges.  Then it was just a matter of filling in the letters with paint. (Sorry, no pics along the way. I wasn't sure how it would turn out and so I didn't think it was worth taking pictures of).  I love it now.  I have caught the canvas bug.....what can I make next?

Happy Holidays

I am happy to report there is no excuse quite like hosting Thanksgiving

to justify getting the new chairs you dreamed of....

I fell in love with these metal chairs from World Market- and I am loving them with the farmhouse table.

Showing off our aprons, apple pie, and vintage glass sodas for everyone to enjoy....

I love our family's little traditions (can you say a tradition is little when you come from a family of 14?)

Tables ready for guests, and cousins ready for pie (before dinner was ready).

After a day of Black Friday shopping and lunching with mom and my big sister,

It's time to prepare for Christmas.

Can you ever have too many Santas or candles?

Over the years my Santa collection has grown to almost 30- and the silver candle holder

was an awesome "Black Friday" find at Tai Pan trading Co. 

I sort of think Black Friday is for moms to buy what they really want for themselves, before

the hustle and bustle of the season takes over.

Antique trucks tucked under the tree for the big boy of the house...

Wrapped Santas with goodies for a neighbor or two

A naughty kitty who thinks the chirping ornament is a real bird

(that kitty has broken quite a few ornaments around the house...

but why do I think it is cute?)

My favorite things of the season...music played by my family &

the nativity I bought (what a splurge back then!) the first year I was married.

It was expensive to me.... but man, I love pulling it out year after year-

I am so happy it has has survived all the years, moves and the flood.

A stairway to swag....

My favorite snowman greets the entry way

I even wove some lights in my funky junk spring decor

(eventually that will be mounted and made cool- I promise)



Wishing you the best of the season.....

....and pondering our divine nature

(one cool tidbit-  the shepherd holding the crook in this painting is my sister-in-law's dad. Jon McNaughton, the artist, is local and uses many people he knows to model.  My brother made into one also....but that is another story)

***

For now

Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas

***

Thanks for sharing the holidays with me



Love in Blog land

Before I dive in and show off my recent box of treasures from a lovely give away let me give you some back ground.  My sister brought over an issue of Somerset in Love, years ago. It was filled with gorgeous images and creations that made crazy.  To my giddy happiness it included info about the artists.  I started clicking around online to connect with a few of these women and learn more.

One artist in particular, Lee, was kind enough to answer back.  Her blog is full of everyday life and lovely images, as well as artistic endeavors.  She was an everyday mom making art and living the dream on the side.  I love it.  She is kind enough to feature links to other worthy bloggers and occasionally shower us with give aways.  She shares the ups and downs of life, making and creating the home you dream of, and much more.
I highly recommend her blog to your reading list....

BUT I entered a giveaway, and to my luckiness, I won.  My package of random treasures came today- ( I am especially excited, as I am trying to replenish my stash after the flood in my creative space!).

so many lovely things to stir creativity (thinking of Christmas tags and ornaments?)

how amazing are these sweet little bottles of glitter?

I am such a sucker for ephemera and vintage trinkets!

I believe I was shown some serious love in the world today

Thanks Lee!

A few other things around and about today

my thankful shelf



rustic turkey perched on Great Grandma's hand stitched kitchen towel



I swallowed my fear and painted this old chair for a shabby chic accent piece



found a doll with a definite history at the antique mill

(hubby didn't even blink an eye when I picked it up to buy it)



we also picked up old crates for stacking and storing

not sure if they will stay this way, but for now I am enjoying my corner

My oldest son went on his first "real" date and is now driving to school on his own

(on the right)

God will surely tire of hearing my voice now! (*H*E*L*P*!)

Life is moving fast

 I hope I can remain present

mindful

grateful

thank you for stopping by

The Right to Peacably Assemble

How can we watch what is happening and not speak up?

Or is it easier to turn off the news and tell yourself you just can't handle it

We have to handle it

We have to speak

I am a believer in individual rights

In the pursuit of the things you love

What is wrong with this sign?

When you say "We Are One"

apparently that means if have been raped, or if you have been beaten

or if you have had someone steal your laptop (ironically a symbol of the thing you are protesting against)

you can't get help...

WHY?

Because your need then ruins the cause of The ONE.

In all my days of attending rallies

and meeting other like minds

I have never seen a supply list like this

How is this okay with the donors (political highly in nature that I

am not getting into now), the media (mostly ignoring it)

and the people who think this is a good thing?

The irony of the people there....

Honestly, if they succeed in killing corporations

we lose so many great things that America is all about.

I have been reflecting on teaching my kids about freedom

Listening to local leaders speak, meeting other families

casually enjoying a children's choir, honoring

military and singing the national anthem

No threat of fighting

No drug use

No rapes, sex in tents, or even worse

Deaths.

(Are we up to 7 now with the last shooting in the recent 'protests')

What I saw was hundreds of thousands of people

exchanging hugs, handshakes, and e-mail addresses

The feeling was warm and inspiring

much different than what I see on current 'occupy protests'

I met examples at Mt. Vernon

and breathed in the spirit of freedom and humility

in memory of people who knew what it meant to sacrifice

I had to post today





We may agree that corruption has tainted an excellent system,

but we must uphold our system

we must honor freedom

we must wake up and speak

And I am thankful for my freedoms

what is left of them



think about it today

and don't be afraid to speak

Looking back on Halloween and Ode to Pinterest

Birthday, Halloween, and Pinterest...all reason to take some serious photos of life.

Sharing a few of what is going on around here.

Pinterest has an adorable pin of a simple masquerade style mask for a cocktail party- but why not add smoky eyes, gloves, and a costume dress for the Halloween party?

Around the house on all Hallow's Eve...

 the mummy is ready to greet

on the Porch

The goodies

the kiddos

(why yes, that is my son in a Bill Clinton mask....why do you ask?)

the click-and-print adorable banner off of Pinterest

I know you can't see it well, but I loved this thing during the season!

We had a great, but extremely busy Halloween Holiday..

we were greeted with snow the next day

so Christmas music is fair game, right?