07 January 2011

CREATIVE STREAK

It seems 2011 has started out with a creative bang! And I couldn't be happier :) Since October. it feels like I've been on autopilot crafting - making multiples of things to build up my inventory for craft shows and Holiday sales. I love to do it; don't get me wrong. But it's just not the same as creating just for the sake of creating; creating on a whim.

I haven't done any personal scrapbook pages yet, but that's coming too. So far it's been shabby collage style tags & altered things. I was DYING to get my hands on the gorgeous paper that had been sitting on my desk for a couple of months. And boy was I glad I did! Two different lines, two different inspirations and interpretations and a crafty girl who's as happy as a pig in mud. <---Probably more a reference to the current state my home (ie. a sty). So, here they are; my newest. I hope you enjoy them. And I hope you're enjoying a creative streak, too :)





PS You can see more detailed photos of all these project in my Etsy shop & my flickr gallery.

02 January 2011

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

It's a brand new year, a clean slate, a time to start over :) I hope the last few months have been wonderful for you! It's been a while so, here's a brief rundown of what's been going on around here:

August: Visited NY for a few days to see my Grandma for her birthday. The kids had a great time at Playland in Rye, NY. It was so fun for me to take them there and see how much it's changed since I was a little girl! My mom had brain surgery later that month and an out-patient procedure turned into a week long ordeal in the hospital and side effects that she is still dealing with. I'm just thankful that she is on the road to recovery. My big boy started First grade.



September
: Not a whole lot! LOL Getting into the swing of things with school in session, preparing for local craft shows and generally keeping up with my home, shop and life :)

October
: My favorite time of year. We visited a corn maize/farm, got some pumpkins, put out our Halloween decor, and of course, the NC State fair! Ah, Fall.... how I love you. My mom was well enough to travel so she and my dad came down for a visit.





November: Prepped for and participated in a few craft shows; one of which was the Durham Art Walk Holiday Market. It was FABULOUS! Looking forward to participating in the Spring again. I met so very many wonderful artists/artisans. Fun times. Hosted Thanksgiving again, with some tried and true recipes and some newer ones. No misses this time, I think they were all hits :) And Ethan lost his first tooth!


December: The most wonderful time of the year! So busy with Christmas, cookies, crafting and company! Had a visit from my dear, dear friend from home whom I hadn't seen in more than four years. It was absolute heaven. Had a surprise visit from my parents - best Christmas gift ever. Ethan lost another tooth. We went to the town Christmas parade. Celebrated my 7th anniversary to the best husband a girl could ever ask for. Also celebrated the birthdays of my brother, my nephew, my niece and my sister. And we had the BIGGEST snow storm I've seen since we lived in NY! It started Christmas night and blasted us all day on the 26th. The kids were in heaven. How perfect is that?








All in all 2010 was a good year, albeit the most difficult for my family and me. But, God saw us through and we ended the year in a better position than when we started. I am eternally grateful for His providence and His faithfulness. Now I'm looking forward to an even better 2011!!

Happy New Year, dear friends. I wish for you every good and perfect thing!! Thank you for sticking with me :)