Handcrafted Inspirations Galore!

I've been republished! I had a surprise email today..my light switch plate article from the August 2011 issue of Somerset Home was republished in the free digital magazine Handcrafted Inspirations, Vol 2. (See screen shot above). This issue is packed with creativity -- cool projects, beautiful photos and inspirations. You can check it out by clicking on the link below and then downloading it to your computer. Enjoy! And have a great Labor Day weekend!


www.stampington.com/freedigitalmagazine

Last Hurrah and First Day Back

Wednesday:
My oldest and youngest were headed back to school on Monday (today). Aside from taking my kids back-to-school shopping and eating dinner with them, I have ignored them the last three weeks..half because I was out of town and the rest of the time because I have been a slave to my new job (hence the lack of blogging).
Late Wednesday night:

Enough was enough! I decided that we needed a spontaneous beach day!

So, early Thursday morn, we headed to the closest beach (about 1-1/2 hours away) and enjoyed a full day and evening at the beach. Just what we needed to reconnect and chill.

We even went to Funland, a small amusement park/arcade on the boardwalk, crammed into a photo booth for pictures, and rode the kiddie rides (my 18 year old is waving from the helicopter above).

Well, it was my son's first day at his new school (notice how happy he looks-ha!). They only had a half day...it's a good thing cause I missed him. He was a little lonely being the new kid and all, but I'm sure he'll be just fine. My other son left for college this morning. Of course, he slept in and missed his 6:20 AM flight (what was I thinking?) and had to catch a later flight to New Hampshire instead of Boston. But, he made it (I guess) and now the house is quiet again...except my middle son and me -- he is looking for a job.

Ahhh...A Girls' Weekend

I just came back from a much needed respite. After three weeks of working 50-60 hours, I was exhausted and almost cancelled my plans to head up to the Laurel Highlands in PA with my book club friends. However, since I was leading the discussion on Loving Frank, I thought better and went. All I can say is "Thank Goodness." I really needed a break and it was a perfect weekend with perfect weather -- sunny and 75! We enjoyed the outdoors -- some went rafting, some went hiking. I opted for hiking since I've enjoyed the perilous rafting trip in the past. We drank wine, discussed the book (which I recommend) and then toured Frank Lloyd Wright's Falling Water and Kentuck Knob homes. Truly amazing. I will let the pictures tell the rest...

Thanks Ladies!

21 Years of Firsts, Fear and Fun

Happy Birthday to my adult son! My first born. Wow. Here he is having his first beer ever (right). Seriously, he has been my "guinea pig" as a parent...so many firsts in child-rearing; without him I wouldn't have discovered so many things along the way.
Firsts: parenthood, tee ball, play groups, Cooperstown, lacrosse, hilarious, offbeat movies, alternative music, photography, and Boston to name a few.
Fear: What can I say? He was my first born! I was afraid to let him do anything, but he had no fear!! Trust me.
Fun: He is a really fun guy to be around as his sense of humor is unparalleled...I think he makes me laugh more than anyone.

He has grown up to be quite a guy. Very smart, extremely interesting and a great conversationalist. When he leaves for school, the house is just not the same. So, Happy Birthday, bud. Thanks for being you and I love you more than you could ever know.

Neighborhood Entrepreneurs and Big News!

We have a few little entrepreneurs in our neighborhood. Along with lemonade stands (there are a few), one of our little neighbors has a veggie garden and a produce stand. He is only 12, but maintains it like a pro. My son and I ride our bike there every day to pick up some fresh items for dinner.

On to the news...Well, as my youngest is going to enter a private school this fall, I knew that I had to find a real job...writing for local magazines, two etsy shops, and one newsletter just wouldn't work with an extra tuition bill to pay (not to mention that I have to begin paying off college loans next year). So, I was exploring my opportunities and praying a lot. About a month ago, my cell phone rang while I was grocery shopping. On the other end of the line was a woman whom I met once about 10 years ago; she was calling to ask me if I would be interested in an editor job! It seems a former co-worker recommended me. God works in mysterious ways.
One month later and I am the editor of the University of Florida's alumni magazine!  It's exciting, too, as we are starting fresh with a new direction and a new design. My job started when I was in Pittsburgh with my dad, but it really went into full swing this past week. Last week, I worked over 50 hours (including finishing other articles, some etsy projects and the newsletter). Not fun, but I know that the work will lessen once I get everything in place (I hope so). So, my friends...I will be posting only once or twice a week (as of lately, that's what you've seen anyway) and that's it for the time being. My etsy shops will remain open, but no more custom orders.
Any Gators out there?

My London Connection

Like most of the U.S., I am addicted to the Olympics and can't get enough. I watch them every evening ... and usually fall asleep (only to have my son wake me, exclaiming that I just missed something exciting)! I have a small London connection, but alas, it's not the Olympics. I recently finished a huge custom order for a bride-to-be in London. She found me through my etsy shop. We have been working to create the perfect favors for her wedding...it's been a long process, but I shipped the order last week! First, she wanted something like the photo above, but after many, many conversations, we opted for something fun and funky (she really has a fun personality so the shabby chic, French look just wasn't her). I ordered the hearts, an acrylic stamp, and by way of another artist, I received a small sample of her bridesmaid's dresses and went to work to find the perfect color match.

After finding the perfect paint, I began painting over 100 little hearts, stamping each one and writing the names of her guests on each and every one! Tedious work to say the least and really not something I could do while watching TV. I finished in time, but forgot to take pictures of the final product...except this one (which is backward because the names go on the front, but you get the idea).

So, that's my connection. Oh, and we do have a hometown guy in the Olympics...pretty fun...Matthew Centrowitz, a graduate of our local high school, just qualified for the semi-finals in the 1500 meter track event! He set the Maryland state record at 1600 meters and his father was also an Olympian. Keep your eye on this guy! The semi-finals are tomorrow...Go Matt!

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