the art show.

i totally can NOT believe that the entire month of september has slipped away and i only had three posts on my happy little blog. three. seriously? three. i know that i have been making all kinds of messes in my art room, so where are the pretties? i've finished up my swaps for silver bella, so now it's time to wrap up the Christmas lovelies show.

you may recognize some of these photos, and i am so sorry for that, but i want to have some kind of record of the goods i've got ready to go, and this just seems like the best way to get that done. so....here we go.

banners!







advent ornaments!







Christmas countdowns!





baby's first Christmas booties!



little pretties!





if you're in the neighborhood, i'd love for you to stop by the Christmas lovelies show!
happy day!

this is my best girlfriend.

karla ann.
my little sister.
it would be so storybook to be able to say that we have been the best of friends since she first entered my world and memories, but the truth is, we used to have some pretty good knock'em down fights. drove our parents nuts. they always told us, "you girls are sisters! you're supposed to be best friends!" and as usual, they were right.
it just took us until i went to college to figure it out.
anyway. today is her birthday.



we are celebrating by hosting a huge garage sale!!!! let me just tell you, karla is seriously on a high over this thing. she is SO good at it. she could open a "let me come in to your home, clear out your junque, and have a garage sale" business. (in fact, she sorta did that with me and i am sooooo grateful!!)

i am blessed beyond measure to have her for a sister, and the fact that she is my
dearest friend is just too stinking wonderful. we live two blocks away from each other, create art together, and our children totally think they are siblings. so. even tho our early chapters aren't necessarily "storybook", i am so thankful for the way this life is turning out.

happy birthday, sissy!
love you!

ok, just for happy.

have you noticed that this wonderful world of blogging hosts some very kind women? after my very first swap with some Christian artists, (the joy banner) i was invited to participate in a surprise project for miss linda, the texan, by one of these kind online girls. (i seriously have to learn how to link up.) anyway. linda's son is getting married, so we put together a little mother of the groom banner. several girls sent a pennant to this sweet mastermind, and then she sent it on to miss linda.



it was great fun putting together a little treat for someone i've never met!

while i'm on the subject of oooh-la-la-love, here are some well wishes for some friends who totally ran off and GOT MARRIED! how cool is that, anyway!?



i was inspired to use these little index cards after i saw jodie's project at the silver bella pre-party somewhere in texas! (stink. i so have to get this linking thing down. i promise to work on it.)

happy day!

ok friends. it's so totally time to create!

i am putting a class together at our local paper arts store, embellishments, and i would LOVE for you to join us!



we're going to create a little treasure from trash!



we will be so green! and cool and hip! :)



but best of all, we will have a wonderful time together!



sooooo grab your girlfriends, and mark your calendars...october 22, 6:30 - 9 pm.




thank you for stopping by. i am so totally embarrassed at the lack of fun that's been occurring on this happy little blog...i seriously hope my blogging life will come along in stride with my real world soon!
happy day to you!

away in a manger...

i picked up this bright red house for miniatures at our local gucciville. cheap. i think they were totally popular in the 80's. do any of you remember them? anyway. i'm putting together some pretties for my art show, and needed a "home" for a set of matchbox advent ornaments.



for this set, i used the scripture readings from the back of an old hymnal that focused on the Christmas story. there were exactly 25 verses, so...perfect!



each ornament is embellished on the outside with bits of lace, or little pretties, and a vintage bingo marker. there are different images inside of each one.



happy day!

silver bella!

ok.
my sissy and i are going to a paper arts event in omaha later this fall called silver bella. i read about it in country living last year and just about flipped out. i knew it was something i really wanted to experience, and am thrilled that i get to attend this year! paper artists from all over will be there, creating and sharing for three whole days. we are staying in a fancy shmancy hotel, without any kids, buying the t-shirt, the charm, the whole bit. we are so there! anyway, once i registered for classes, i learned all about this whole blogging world, and here i am! :)



some prebella fun involves swaps. in june, there were like a gazillion swaps to join. i chose a couple that looked like fun. here are some snapshots of what i've been working on.



the friday night vendor event has me totally saving my pennies. the theme is 100 aprons. everyone has been invited to wear an apron: vintage, hand-crafted, funky, anything goes. i've altered a halter top and added a little flair...i'll show more of that as it gets closer to being complete.



we were also paired up with a gal who has previously attended silver bella, you know to share little tips and make the new girls feel more at home. my "big sister" is jodie from louisiana. she is totally and completely responsible for this blog. :) she has been the best help. full of advice and encouragement. so i am way looking forward to spending time with her, too!

it's been a while since my last post, i'm still trying to find my groove! please keep checking back.
happy day to you!

a little fancy never hurt!

each year at school, our local fund raising group donates planners
to the teachers and staff. now. no offense to anyone, free is great,
but they aren't very pretty....



so with some lovely papers and doodads, i tried to jazz 'em up!







i love happy paper art!
happy day!