Gowns

Yesterday I woke up with a brick of anxiety sitting on my chest over the Artful Blogging Article I'd been writing. I'm sure I freaked myself out a little too much about it. Everything I wanted to say was always in my mind I just had to retrieve it and organize it into clear headings and paragraphs. It was SO much fun though. I'm very pleased with the Article and can't wait to see it. I'm still waiting to hear on which issue it will be in.

I wanted to do something really fun to lighten my mood for the day so I arranged some of my favorite gowns and got all dressed up. My hunky husband was the photog. He did a great job.

My Dad's beautiful garden was the backdrop for the photo shoot. It's glorious in Spring 7 Summer but it is just as warm and rich in the fall.

Miss Jenny recommended the Author Francine Rivers to me when I announced I had started reading. Now, I feel like Francine Rivers is turning me into a professional reader. I've finished two of her books in only 2 days time! That's over 500 pages! It blows my mind that I was never interested before. This book was my favorite of hers so far. About the Story of Tamar from the bible who has an unshakable commitment and obedience to her husband and God. I've found so far in reading that I'm more likely to be genuinely interested if it was a true story or inspired by real events. So I'm really into Historical Fictions.

Another love I found this week is Barnes & Noble. It is like a day at the Spa to go there and read all of the Stampington & Martha Magazines and browse the many hundreds of books. Everything is so artful and creative there. My favorite section is the Aisle of Journals. They had amazing leather binding journals with engravings and gold trimmed pages. Of course I would have liked one of those but settled on this one below. It is my "In the moment" Journal. I'll be keeping this in my purse so that when ideas come to me at the store or in the car I can jot them down.

Fall Wardrobe

The first wave of Fall sickness has come and gone. My son woke up with Croupe the other night which came out of no where. He hadn't been sick for any amount of time. Weird. the girls were starting to get the sniffles so it was time to open the windows to pull some fresh air in. Next I started with Clorox wipes (the lemon scented ones) they are SO addicting! And then made some Vegetable soup. The yummiest thing for a soar throat. I'm not sure if it was the cold or the Vegetables that kept everyone from eating it but I sure loved it.



Last week was time to break out the Winter clothing bins and pack away Summer so this week I was armed and shopping with my list of items needed for the upcoming seasons. Thanks to my thoughtful and generous sisters and brother I only needed socks for the kids but for poor neglected old mom. I need sweaters! My mom & I headed to the mall where we found a very cute sweater and American Eagle clearly hasn't received the memo about money woes because they saw it fit to charge $44 for one sweater! What!? Anyways on to the thrift store.





There I found 5 sweaters for $5-$6 each. All in perfect condition from brands like Gap, old navy, the limited & express. This beautiful purse was the perfect purse that I wasn't looking for and don't really need but it's what I call my "motto color" of the season. I'm loving this color for Home decor and fashion. It says fall and warm to me.


This Swap package came to me from Missy at Fairy Child Heirlooms for the Wicked Witch Swap. This is the last for me for many months. What wonderful things came from my swapping experiences. I will have to dedicate a whole post on reasons to swap but for now let us recognize this beautifully made Art doll!

Thank you so much for a perfect package!

G'ma & Papa Date Day

This day was too wonderful & heartwarming not to share. My parents & I often set up date days to get together and go somewhere special & sometimes just to do something special like playing in the wading pool or jumping in the leaves. For this date we went to our favorite nursery/ pumpkin patch.

Me and my youthful Mamma
Valencia and Papa petting the kittens

My dad got to show the kids the animals and go down the slide 8 million times. My mom swung with Valoria who found the swing very comforting and Jaedin found a bus full of kids to play with from a field trip. Here are some of my favorites of the day. This is a famous spot at the nursery the kids always like to throw rocks into the waterfall.

Life is just too short not to find time for the people you love most in the world!

A special Thank You to my loving parents who always make time in their busy lives for us.

We love you and we especially love creating these memories with you!

Zombie Jar Swap

Okay, So maybe she isn't much of a Zombie but she sure is a pretty witch. I altered her pants outfit. I think she started out life meant to be the Scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz but now she is a witch trapped in a Vintage Mason Jar with glittering silver stars. I created her skirt from black silk and added coffee stained lace. I finished her skirt up with a sheer ribbon waist wrap. She sure can pose.

This Glamour Ghoul package was put together by Sasha for the Swap she hosted The Zombie Jar Swap.

It came beautifully wrapped with an incredibly cute sparkly mask and her handwriting was also a treat. The package traveled here from Canada so it had to pass many hands and even through the tissue and shredded paper the glass jar broke. Sasha sent me pictures though of what it was intended to be. It was wonderful. I've looked for a replacement glass at Home goods but but I've grown used to it not having one now so I think she'll remain this way. I can see the blingy goodies better without glass :) Thank you Sasha for making me such a Gclamouring Goul. She's great!

The very pretty orange glass bell that didn't make it on it's journey. Isn't that a big beautiful black rose though! The rose and the hanging crystal will be salvaged for another project I'm sure. The swap was very much a success and I've found another Wonderful blog that I LOVE to read now! Thank you again Sasha!

Caramel Apples

RECIPE FOR CARAMEL

1 1/2 tbsp. butter
1 1/2 cups light brown sugar
6 tbsp. water
Popsicle sticks
8 to 10 apples

Melt the butter in a saucepan. Add the brown sugar and water. Stir until it has a smooth consistency. Gently bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 3 minutes, until the pans sides get steamy and the mixture is thin but somewhat sticky. Remove from heat. Pierce the center of each apple with a Popsicle stick, then swirl in the caramel syrup until coated. Place apples on a greased cookie sheet to harden. Refrigerate for at least 1 to 2 hours. Serves 8 to 10.

Here are my sweeties enjoying their caramel apples during the baby's nap time. I had originally planned on having them dip their apples. Since I decided to make my own caramel instead of using tub caramel, I had to make them myself. You have to dip the caramel when it is still hot and I'm sure the 3 and 4 year olds would not resist sticking their fingers in this yummy stuff.

I think it worked out well because they were perfectly content being the consumers and not the producers. The rarest photo of my household would be a big beautiful smile on Valencia. She smiles tons but when I turn on the camera she ignores me. (Notice her lace faux scarf) This is the same lace I use to make my Vintage Lace roses. She sure does sell it!

I kept (hid) a few leftover apples for this evening when my husband got home and we could share some with the baby and with Daddy. My husband made a fire and I got the kids all bundles up to enjoy our Caramel apples on a crisp Fall night.

We put up their cute little play tent to camp out on the porch until bedtime. We stuffed it with blankies and pillows and don't forget each child's favorite dolly and stuffed animal. In this photo you can see Jaedin's favorite cat named "Snowball" This was my favorite cat when I was a little girl also. I don't think I named her though. The other morning as we were driving to Grandma and Papa's house we had this discussion about the cat..
Mom: Jaedin, What is your cat's name?
Jaedin: Cat
Mom: Well your a Boy and your name is Jaedin but I don't call you "boy". So we should name her. And we shouldn't just call it "cat"
Jaedin: okay
Mom: So is your cat a him or a her?
Jaedin: Uhhh a her
Mom: Okay, well she's white. What can you think of that is the color white?
Jaedin: Wipes
Mom: (thinking it's clearly evident I DO change too many diapers) hmmm..what else is white?
Jaedin: Snow is white
Mom: Okay what about snowy?
Jaedin: No, she looks like a snowball!
TADA!! her name is officially Snowball. And I'm so proud of him because this week he has learned how to name things, interrupt a conversation properly by saying "Excuse Me" and how to Excuse himself from the dinner table when he is done. That doesn't even include his progress with writing his Alphabet and what sounds he's learned this month. I'll make a big post on that I'm sure!

We've had the most fun fall ever so far unplugging ourselves and really spending quality time with each other as a family. I hope they can remember these times when they get older and come around often to make more memories like this! I urge you to go have a Caramel apple night! :)

Rainbow of the Season

Rustic Red Planks

Rouge Arbor

Pretty Pink Prarie

Orange Pumpkins

Yellow Gourds

Green Grass

Blue Sky

Purple Pansies

Table for one

Table settings can be art. Depending on where you start.
Head of the table or mid way. Set the table like Jesus say
Faith at the head and peace too. While humbleness and love comfort the new.
Family and friends that stop by to share. Some wholesome type stories with special care.
Then joy and laughter touches the heart as forgiveness and repentance make a new start.
By offering up prayer all around and blessing the food before they chow down.
To do this mealtime gathering, to feast and feed their souls.
as the host set the table with Christ in control of this table like setting that is art.

Poem by: Theresa Lavonne Baltimore

As most of you know I was born with a lacking love of the color orange. I created a rustic neutral flea market table setting by collecting some items around my home I've had. In all honesty I still don't know what I bought this screen door for. It was only $3 at a flea market and it has a useful beauty like no other piece of furniture. Can you image what years this was used? and on what structure it was used? How many times it slammed shut on cool fall nights with the owners on the front porch swings starring at the stars.

I set this screen door on top of 2 small columns. I painted the small orange pumpkins the kids and I just picked for the pumpkin patch. I painted 3 a grayish pink and the other 3 a light tan color. I draped vintage jewelry over the pumpkins. Set in true woman style. You have to have the sun sparkling of some crystal clear glass and some shimmering diamonds don't hurt.

This week I feel a strong message coming to me from life that is pushing me harder to jump out of my comfort/lazy zone and create some wonderful things. I think of it as the feeling of being loved by everyone in the world. Well how would you feel if everyone in the world loved you? I would feel like no matter what kind of crazy abstract things I could think of they would be well recieved. So I'm going to hold back less. With what I say in conversations like not hesitating in going to church because I don't want to say the wrong things or whether it's photographing or blogging.

My Etsy shop this week

Vintage Lace Roses. I've started designing sets of 2 and 3 vintage lace roses to use as napkin rings for a romantic dinner or bracelets for you and 2 friends. The uses for these are never ending. Bookmarks, on candle sticks, curtain tie backs, to tie around your ponytail, rear view mirror, gift bags, favors and on and on.HUGE altered Canvas shopping bags. I will be making many shopping bags that match in a shabby, modern, vintage way. Hmmm that's eclectic. These bags are extremely sturdy and fold down a bit for easier carrying. I shop every 2 weeks. When I go I take them out of my trunk and into my cart. I open them up and put them on the cashiers bagging station so it's easy for them. Then after I get home and put the groceries away I make a trip back out to the car to return them to my trunk or I put the bags with my purse that way I know I will have them the next time I go shopping.

Here is the project I've been the most excited about because it's a craft supply I haven't ever had in stock. I don't keep a sewing machine lying around to be used because there is no space and it's somewhat dangerous for the kids so I had a wonderful time making a large stockpile of many colors of crepe paper frills. I'm including 24 yards in one big box! I will have a few different color combination kits for sale.