our nest.

i found these oh-so-cute birdies at everyone's favorite - hobby lobby last week. the little blue birds were in the spring decor. (which is 50% off this week, i think - and the pinkies were in the valentine's day pretties - 30% off.)

i totally love their shabby chicness.

i wanted a family - so i bought two of each.

they were fun to personalize...i added our names, meaningful Bible verses, and beatrice even got a little princess crown.

(grant was less than thrilled about being a pink bird.)

there's a "song in my heart!" (ha!)

the lovebirds: me and my man...

i remembered a wire bird cage that i picked up at a garage sale a couple of summers ago. i didn't know what i was ever going to do with it, but i loved it and couldn't sell it on our garage sale. it's been waiting patiently for a new life.

i used wire and beads, buttons, lace, and thread to set the birdies to flight. you will notice that our birdcage is busting at the seams - perfect! so is our little home! :)

happy day, friends!

much love to you!

lovelies...inspiration everywhere!

i'm totally enjoying teresa's latest ezine...the take heart workshop. our first project used shipping tags, and i think i may be addicted.

becky shander, artist extraordinaire, has been watercolor painting, here, and i was itching to try it.

i've tea dyed, and stitched, and glittered, and embellished!

what a happy day!

pink-a-bella! let's talk happy!

friends. i am just busting to share this fun with you!

but first. a little background...the past couple years, beatrice (7 years old) watched with delight as her mamma and her auntie prepared for silver bella. a creative soul, she knew this looked like something she wanted in on. she and i began playing silver bella. hunkered down in our art room, she learned to use her sewing machine, glitter everything in sight, and trust in her artistic instincts. totally fun. BUT it still wasn't the same as GOING to silver bella! (and she knew it.)

so for Christmas, she received "pink-a-bella", a crafting party with her mamma, auntie karla, and favorite four year old, little miss kitt. (kitt is karla's daughter, my niece, beatrice's cousin...are you following?)

we drove to our capital city, lincoln, and stayed at a very nice, inexpensive hotel. now. the getting away from our house part was crucial. no distractions. fancy.

the first order of business was the presentation of the aprons. i made these from a 5 dollar flea market bargain. pink and white chenille. we all wore them. so fun!!! seriously look at those happy faces!!!

karla and i prepared pretty little kits for the crafting experience.

we started right away friday nite with a stitching and gluing activity.

embellished gloves.

adorable.

we glued.

we stitched!

we dressed in our pink-a-bella pj best! (okay, the mamma's didn't do this part.)

we even had a bedtime story.

the next morning, we were ready to get to it!

SPOOLIES!

we painted,

and dressed,

and accessorized

our little dollies.

when the girls needed a break. we took one.

our projects included:

1. embellished gloves

2. spoolies - as seen on crescendoh

3. bitty baskets - picked up from amy powers' inspiring ideas -

4. necklaces

5. flower pins - gluing by girls - stitching by mammas

6. photo frame - american girl crafts at michael's

7. snowman mobile - charlotte lyons - we didn't get to him. The girls were ALL done!

and they were sooooo happy!!!

here are all of the creations from the pink-a-bella weekend!

precious girls.

priceless memories.

pink-a-bella 2012 - here we come!

stitching pretty...

3 inchy valentine's day swap!

all packaged and ready to go!!!

yayyyy!

xoxoxoxox

happy day, friends!

meet the girls...

so, let me tell you about the valentine ornie swap i am participating in.

cool girls.

talented ladies.

terrific hostess - alanna george - she started a little group last spring...then the girls traded halloween ornies - i didn't play along for this one since i totally skip halloween because i want to get right to Christmas - and now i am back in the swap'n sweetness for a valentine's day theme!

i really love swapping. it is a great way to get to know other girlies, and it's sooooo fun share pretties with other gals who like what i like.

now. sometimes i have a vision for what i think i am going to create, and then....the result is, well...not so much what i thought it would be. does this happen to you?

at first, i thought these little prom queen valentine girls were too creepy to share.

then, they became quirky and kinda cute.

and THEN i decided i loved them!

this project was totally inspired by julie - at the adventures of blue girl xo - she shared the how to for an artful thursday project. i cheated and used yarn because i had it on hand.

so here they are...in all of their quirky loveliness...i think i love them because i can relate - can't we all???!!

happy day!

and...

let it snow!

let it snow!

let it snow!

oh yeah...i have a BLOG!!!!

ahhhhhh!
it would seem that life has gotten away from me a wee bit!! so sorry to be absent for so long, friends! here's a quick low down...


Christmas was just splendid. i so loved being at home with my family.



Christmas dinner at sissy's. hallelujah - my friends and family know better than to have me bring food, but i am always happy to provide the table place cards.







we had fun with the cousins...



and that crazy uncle brendan...



snow...



we listened to my dad read the Christmas story for the gazillionth time and we still love it...



new toys..



the boys went skiing...



leaving beatrice and i home to play house for three whole days!!!! no pics - the camera was in colorado.



we had a great time. totally trashed our art room, and i am still digging my way out. i have swaps to prepare for, a tutorial to write, pretties to create, and school to teach.



so, here i am 6 days into january wishing you all a happy * happy * HAPPY new year!!!