I had about 10 different projects I could have worked on today, but when I woke up this morning, I realized that all I really wanted to do was clean up my kitchen and enjoy it. I usually have way too many projects cluttering up my table and counter, so our kitchen often looks more like a workshop than a kitchen, and I often paint more than I cook in my kitchen. I decided all my projects could wait until tomorrow, {Read More}
Same Story…Different Year Family Photos
August 29, 2014 by 18 Comments
The same thing happens once every year. I announce to the family that it is time to get family photos taken…by me. A universal groan raises the roof, and all the griping begins. This sets the tone for our family photo shoot every.single.year. I think many of you mothers will relate to the ordeal, but those of you who: a) hire a photographer or go to a studio, or b) know how to operate your camera correctly may not. {Read More}
On the Newsstands – Paper Art Magazine {and I’m in it!}
August 9, 2014 by 1 Comment
I’m excited to announce that I have a feature in the new Paper Art Magazine! This special issue is from the editors of Cloth Paper Scissors, and is packed full of imaginative projects that can be made with paper! I’m a repurposed paper freak, and love finding creative ways to use old pages that might otherwise end up in a landfill. See that book page wreath? Yep, that belongs to yours truly! I created one especially for this issue, and {Read More}
Beeswax Candles
August 28, 2013 by 7 Comments
I’ve been wanting to make some beeswax candles for quite some time, but didn’t want to pay shipping prices to get a few blocks of the wax sent to me, since we have a well-known beekeeping business about an hour away. A few months ago, I was finally near the business, so I bought a few 1-lb. blocks of pure beeswax. I used a knife to grate large shreds off the block. I didn’t use a thermometer to heat the {Read More}
Knick of Time in Artful Blogging
July 25, 2013 by 27 Comments
There are 3 words that are music to every blogger’s ears (or eyes). If you are a blogger, I’m sure you know what they are… “You’ve been published.” I received those 3 words in my mailbox this week. A few months ago, I was contacted by Jennifer Jackson Taylor, Asst. Senior Managing Editor for Artful Blogging, and asked if I would be interested in writing an article and having my blog featured in the magazine. Of course, I said yes. Someone pinch {Read More}
A Blue Ribbon Moment
June 6, 2013 by 19 Comments
Did you ever win a ribbon in a science or art fair when you were a kid? I remember doing a science fair project in grade school on cacti and succulents. I worked really hard to make my aquarium planted with them look great and wrote the best report I could. Every class got to go through the gym to see all the science project displays and I couldn’t wait for my class’s turn. I knew I had won a {Read More}
Proud Momma Moments
May 10, 2013 by 16 Comments
In hindsight, it seems it was a little prophetic that my son joined the Army Reserves. When he was a freshman in high school, he and I were in a thrift store one day, when an Army recruiter approached him, thinking he was older than he was, and handed him a business card and encouraged him to consider the Army after high school. At the time, I didn’t give it a second thought – it seemed so far away. Fast {Read More}
A Little Dream
April 12, 2013 by 9 Comments
For the last few months, I’ve been showing you lots and lots of stenciled windows and wood projects, and it suddenly occured to me – could I create stencils to sell? I love creating something new out of something old and I love doing that with typography and antique graphics, so wouldn’t it be fun to develop my own line of stencils that others can use? This little dream has lots of challenges though, the biggest of which is getting {Read More}
Letters Home (from son at Basic Training)
March 17, 2013 by 7 Comments
Now I understand, at least one of the reasons, why God wants us to pray. Because there is nothing better than hearing from your child. I don’t think it matters how old they are. You’ll always want to know how they are doing, and what they are doing, and with whom they are doing it. Whether the news is bad or good…a parent wants to hear from their child. My son is away at Basic Training, and the letters he {Read More}
My Valentine’s Punishment
February 14, 2012 by 24 Comments
In honor of Valentine’s Day, I have a little story for you. Get a Kleenex…it’s a very sad little story. Last year it seemed tragic, but this year I can reflect on it without weeping. You see, it isn’t all that often that I get flowers from my husband. Being the tightwad, thrifty person that I am, years ago, I made the mistake of commenting about the over-priced bouquet he bought me, and he decided to never make that mistake again. {Read More}
