Peep Peep

Remember these little chicks? Well, I added some spring color to them.. 

Do they look good in yellow? I used yellow mulberry paper and Mod Podge to give them their new look. I love using mulberry paper because it’s so much easier to work with than regular paper…it’s as thin as tissue paper but has some texture, which adds interest. I think you can find it at craft stores or specialty paper stores.

Capturing Spring in the House

Well, yesterday, it really didn't feel like spring. When I woke up it was 37 degrees, but today, it's a picture perfect spring day. In fact, I don't know why I'm still inside! Oh yes, to show you spring inside my home... with just a few cuts from the garden, a couple of dollar store bags of eggs and some little bunnies taken from the unused toy bin, it became springtime in my house!

Rainy Day Progress

Bet you thought I forgot about my 40 bags in 40 Days Challenge! Well, I didn't. So there. Actually, it was a rainy and cool weekend here, so in between watching lacrosse games (yep, they play in the rain), I started working on this:

Yep, that's my oldest son's messy closet and room. You couldn't actually open or close the door all of the way. He's coming home in less than two months so I thought I would get things organized so he can clutter it all again. I mostly organized his stuff, but I did get a bag of donations, a bag of recycling and a bag of trash out of the whole experience. Here's what it looks like now:

I also spent a little time in my basement gathering some bags. So, now I'm up to 23 bags in 34 days...I need to get moving!

I'm going to work on getting a little spring into my home. Have some little projects up my sleeve. What will I do with these, you ask?

Launch

I love to dress up, but you wouldn't know it if you saw me every day. Yes, I live in "activewear." It works for my lifestyle - kids, sports, sports, sitting at my computer, kids, sports. Anyway, this morning I got a chance to play dress up as I was part of a local magazine launch party. It was held on the rooftop of a local restaurant. The magazine, Chesapeake Taste, is a fun, new regional publication that highlights stories specific to the unique Chesapeake region. I'm writing for this publication and just getting to know all the great people involved makes me even more excited about writing for them. They aren't very formal so unless they're hosting a party, I won't get much chance to dress up again, but that's okay, I have a lot of activewear.
Featured above is me, on left holding coffee (of course), and my friend, Marghi, who makes awesome jewelry. Her etsy shop is not currently open, but you can see some of her interesting and beautiful jewelry on her facebook page, Divine Planet.

Embossed Dreams

Since The CSI Project is hosting an embossed challenge, I thought it might be a good time to share two collages I created for some college graduates. I used embossing ink to emboss the very cool D on each collage.
I created these in earthy tones because I wanted them to be gender-neutral and I actually made the one below for a male graduate.

It was fun to create these using different papers, inks, paints and gel medium. Linking to:

and

Mon Ami

I was having fun creating things for my sister's 50th birthday the other day. I can't show you what I made because she reads this blog, however, I did make some other fun things for my shop while I was creating. One of them was this little inspiration block that I call "Mon Ami." I created it with an old world plaster technique and then just played around with different glazes and stamps. On the back, I used a vintage photo from some Tom Holtz paper and then topped it with a little frame that I also had in my paper drawer.

I should have given it to my sister since she is also my best bud, but now I can't. Oh well, I think she'll like what I made (I'll share it after I give it to her).
Linking to:
Faded Charm
Create With Joy

MARCH MADNESS

Hi all! I'm having a March Madness Sale at my Country Tag Sale etsy shop! Now through March 30, you can get 15% off your total purchase!!! Just use the code COUNTRYTAG15 at checkout! Check out some of the goodies I have:

Old Wooden Level

Vintage American Airlines Pin

Vintage Metal Number Two

A very cool Williamsburg Sterling Silver brooch that is also a mini vase!

So, stop on by and enjoy your Sunday!

Oh and be sure to check out Rosemary's 7th awesome giveaway at Villabarnes this week.

Stuff

Sorry for the lack of posting; I just haven't felt like writing...ever happen to you? Many of you have been asking for updates on the little boy battling cancer from my last post. He is still struggling and his parents are appreciating our prayers...keep 'em coming. They had a small, but precious miracle the other day -- he mouthed the words, "I love you, Mommy" and smiled a big smile -- gave me goosebumps when I read about it. Unfortunately, they have no real answers and they are just trying to keep him comfortable and spend as much time with him as possible.

On the home front, I've been tackling little things around the house -- adding touches of spring to my home. Daffodils; love them. Did you know they are the flower of hope? I placed them on my kitchen counter and my mantle (in pretty vintage bottles). I've also been gathering bags for my 40 Bags in 40 Days challenge and painting the front door a vibrant red. (I'm on the third coat...not loving SW paint right now...I'm painting red over maroon...should it be that hard?)
It's crazy hair day at my son's school today...this is his look, mon.

Just went to a meeting this morning and I'm writing for a new local magazine debuting in April called Chesapeake Taste. It will feature an eclectic array of articles and interesting columns about our unique area. I'm currently writing a monthly column called Home & Hound. It's quite fun to write about dogs, their owners, and their homes.
Other than that, just keeping busy writing, parenting, watching my kids play sports, etc. I'll attempt to keep you posted more often.

Linking to:
Common Ground
French Country Cottage

Prayers Needed

I usually don't do two posts in one day, however, my dear followers, there is a little boy who needs our prayers right now. You may remember that I participated (in a small way) in an extreme room makeover for him a while back. Right now, he is desperately hanging on to life in a hospital bed surrounded by his family and friends who need a miracle. This family and this brave little boy have been through so much I can't even imagine what they've had to endure for the past five years.
Please pray for a miracle. Please pray for the strength his family needs. Thank you. And, hug your children.
This beautiful picture of Joey and his Mom was taken by Robyn Harold.

Here's to A Letter Day!

I love creating special orders for buyers. It feels so good knowing that you are creating something that someone actually requested! Recently, one of my "regular" customers asked me to create a letter C intial block for a friend's baby. She wanted something like this one above, except in coral and creme...such a pretty color combo.

She is one of my best customers and I've created initial blocks for her friends and her children, too (see below).

I always have fun with it as she gives me colors and a theme and I just go wild. How fun! I've shared these before here and here, but here are some others I've created in the past:

And, finally, here is her block:

Linking to:

 

and 

Hard Work Does Pay Off in A Big Way

You may remember the post I wrote about my son, who, as hard as he tried and as good as he was, didn’t make his high school soccer team. Read this post to get an understanding if you want to.

On Friday night we attended my son’s high school hockey banquet. You may recall that last year was my son’s first year playing hockey (as a junior in high school) and actually his first year skating EVER. The coach took him on the team as a developmental player. 

And let me say, it takes a special coach to see beyond skill and ability and to see heart and determination. Because this coach was willing to give my son a chance at doing something he loved, my son excelled. He worked his butt off between seasons. When he wasn’t at the rink skating, he was in our garage or on the street smacking pucks against a net. This is a kid who has a work ethic beyond comprehension. He’s a kid you want on your team.

He improved so much that he made the second line on the varsity hockey team this year. So, the coach gave a five minute speech about my son and his leadership, work ethic, and character…it’s a moment parents dream about. Then my son was presented with the Hobey Baker Character Award; I cried. To sum it up, these are the words that describe recipients: “Character, Commitment, Teamwork, Persistence, Selflessness, Academic Excellence, and Sportsmanship. The Team before me.” It was wonderful to see my son recognized for his character and hard work. As parents, it was probably one of the proudest moments in our lives. We have many trophies and awards lining our basement walls at our household, but this one is truly special. 

So, as much as my husband and I wish we could take credit for this, in truth, my son is special. Yes, we reinforced work ethic, yes, we preached about integrity, but truly, this type of strength and character comes from within him. Way to go, bud. Hard work and a huge heart pay off. You’re a living example of what parents dream about.

Organizing the Hall Closet

Still going strong on this 40 bags in 40 Days Challenge...nothing like a challenge to ignite the inner clean freak in me. This time it was the hall closet. I decided to purge a lot...and that meant just throwing out things that took up space. Before:

Back in the days, hall closets were used to hang guests’ coats. Today, we typically transport guests’ coats to the nearest bedroom because hall closets are now being used for sporting equipment, shoes, boots, backpacks, hats, gloves, scarves, wrapping paper…you get the picture. The trick, according to professional organizers, is to limit and categorize what you put in it.

1. Purge and sort. Get rid of what you don’t use or need. Then sort the rest. Is there another place you can hang those sweatshirts and team jackets? What about the mudroom?

2. Consider seasons. If your hall closet is small, you will need to make seasonal changes. After all, what good is a pair of mittens when it’s 90 degrees outside? Although that beach bag could be used on a trip, most likely it won’t be needed on an icy winter day. Find another spot for seasonal wear and sports equipment – even if it means extra large trash bags.

3. Categorize. Place similar items in containers, baskets, or bins, leaving room for hanging coats. Use shoetrees for shoes or simply place a laundry pan on the floor to use for wet boots or shoes. You can also hang an over-the-door shoe organizer or  hanging storage (see below) to hold everything from shoes to mittens to keys. 

Sorry these pictures aren't the greatest, but I was working with natural light on a dark day. Below, you can actually see the floor (and paint sample patches). 

Here's to 12 bags in 17 days!!