Little Fragments

Ode to my son's 5th Grade Graduation (for Grandma)

2008-06-16T17:42:00.004-04:00

Okay- so here are some pics of my boys big day.....(mainly this is for Grandma- enjoy mom!)

an empty stage.....

ushering in for the big moment....

here we go, almost time......

the big moment, onto to 6th Grade we go....

the proud mom....

the proud dad...

farewell elementary school...

enough said.........

I am lost in time.............

2008-06-15T20:03:00.018-04:00

Okay- first let me say that I am sorry for the extreme lack of post lately. I can't believe that it is already June. I have had so many things to do over the last few weeks that I have just gotten completely overwhelmed. I have had no time for anything it seems. I am horribly late getting anniversary cards and presents out to both my sisters- plus my mom and dad. :( I really suck and I am not afraid to admit it! (SORRY GUYS- they are coming soon). I haven't even really set foot into my studio, which really bums me out..........

My husband and I have been redoing all the landscaping in our front yard over the last few weekends! (ARUGH!!!!!!!!!!!) I will tell you that nothing takes it out of you like working in your yard in the heat all day. It is completely exhausting and wipes you out for days after. But I most say that our yard is looking quit nice..........

On top of tons of yardwork- a few weeks back I had gotten so very sick at work that I couldn't even drive myself home. My husband had to come and pick me up and bring me to the doctor. Sadly, it seems that all my recent symptoms point out that I am suffering from endometriosis. Which truly is just not the best news. Needless to say that it knocked me off my feet for a few days and looks like it will be a bit of a process to deal with. I may be having some major surgery happening very soon but for now it is a sit and wait.

Within that same week we had a close friend come in from DC. I still wasn't back to 100% but he cooked for us all weekend and even went shopping with me! How can you beat that, he is just a wonderful guy. While here he made us this extremely delicious pizza. Doesn't it look so so yummy! Trust me- it was and yet so simple to make. It is the perfect thing for these hot summer days. Which by the way- GEEZ has it been hot here in North Carolina. I am not the most fond of the heat.

In some other news-
My son has finally said goodbye to elementary school and boy was there ever a million class parties, graduations, ect..... You would have thought he was finishing college! :) It is was a sad but exciting graduation day. Here he is getting his certificate from the principal. It really was great watching him transition into the next phase of his life. Plus, we got some kicks out of the other graduates and how excited their parents were. Too funny- to hear whoop whoops over your child's 5th grade graduation! It was great.

My husband and I have decided that we are going to be homeschooling him from here on out. It is a big undertaking but we both feel it is the best choice for him. So within the next few months my life is about to undergo some very very big changes. (I will be sharing more on those as they happen) I think that they all will be positive and move our lives into a new direction.........

Onto some studio news-
I have decided that I will be closing down the websites store and only be posting my goodies on Etsy. It is much easier for me to balance right now with everything else that is happening in my life. I still have plans for the new categories, so don't be bummed....... You can access my Etsy Shop from littlefragmentstudio.com for your shopping convenience. Within the next few weeks, I will be having an Etsy Grand Opening and you bet there will be plenty of cool things up for sale as well as a drawing to celebrate. :) Check back for that update soon......

Well- I think that I have rambled on to you enough today with all the happenings of my life. Plus I have an extremely dirty kitchen to clean before heading off to bed! :) :) Be back soon with some more news, updates, pics and the VERY LATE picks of the month for June...........

I stink and I know it.....

2008-05-28T22:51:00.003-04:00

Oh my. I am just not the best blogger. I have tons and tons of things to share with you. Many updates and changes. I promise to update this weekend- so please check back then for news and pics. Take Care.

my muse...............

2008-05-06T20:23:00.002-04:00

Here is my Little Joe just hanging out with me in the studio. He is intently looking at my art supplies and trying to find what mom should use in her next creation. Truly, my dog LOVES art. He can be seen staring at every picture in our house. My husband and I will just pick him up so he can get a better view. He really enjoys it and it is just too cute!

Hello May..........

2008-05-06T11:44:00.005-04:00

I don't know about you- but I can't believe that it is May already. Where in the world is time going? My son will be finished with 5th grade in just a few more weeks and ahhhh do I feel old! :) My husband laughs and says that 30 isn't old but for some reason it has been feeling old to me. I think maybe that it could be the fact that my son is growing up so fast and that just makes me feel old. Who knows! :)

Now onto a happy and steering away from my age note- my son and I had a WONDERFUL time at the "Handmade Market" this past Saturday. The day was truly all about me and him. We woke up- got dressed- got breakfast and started on our hour journey to Raleigh. We laughed and sang to Jack Johnson. When we got there it was just to cool. We were greeted with an adorable little tote bag and many smiles. My son really enjoyed himself plus I gave him his own spending cash with which he bought and adorable little monster. I of course came home with tons and tons of wonderful things. It was a really great show with so many talented artist. I just LOVE handmade! I am really hoping to be a part of the next show. Keep your fingers crossed for me on that one.............

Our fun day continued when on our way home from Raleigh- I decided to stop at the Guitar Center. My husband and I have been telling our son for a while now that we would be getting him a guitar and lessons but have let some other things get in the way of actually doing it. I have also been wanting to learn how to play for a few years now and have always put it off. Well- not this time. :) This weekend I became a woman of action and got my little man and myself two of the most beautiful guitars! Electric for him and acoustic for me. We were both so so excited. We came home and played- of course we both sounded terrible but it was great! Talk about a really cool way to bond with your child! My husband is now wanting to get a keyboard and learn to play. Maybe we will be the next Partridge Family!!! :) I feel bad for my neighbors- for the soon to be dreadful noise floating out of my windows!

Well anywho- You should be thrilled to know :) that my favorite picks for the month of May are in and to learn some cool facts about May just click here, "Cool May Facts" I'll be back soon with more updates on life and shop news. Take Care.

A Small Studio Glimpse.......

2008-05-02T23:09:00.011-04:00

Hey there all-

Oh boy. I must tell you that I am so excited but also so exhausted. I have finally gotten my studio together with the exception of some special art pieces I am doing for it. I have also order this WONDERFUL kit from jennysbakeshop on etsy. It is the cutest thing and I am extremely excited to get it. It will be a blast to create with and I think it goes perfectly with the feel in my studio!

Speaking of the studio, here is a very glimpse of it (above). I will be taking so more detailed pics soon! I have a slightly busy weekend as tomorrow is "The Handmade Market" in Raleigh, NC. It was to be a family event for us but my husband had to go out of town unexpectedly this weekend, so it will just be my son and I. Which of course will still be very fun. I am sure that I will come home with many wonderful new things from such a talent group of artist. I am also thrilled to have one of necklaces in the charity raffle. It will be a great day and I am looking forward to it! If you are in the area please do try to pop in for a visit! :)

I also have FINALLY taken a moment to take some pics of my little collection of dolls that I call with great affection my "studio gals". They are just so cute and I love them all! The three over to the left (above) are from a wonderful artist with a shop on etsy called Sugar and Spice . The other little cuties to the right (below) are from another truly wonderful artist by the name of Nicole at Raggedy Old Annies. Nicole like magic makes all her dolls smell like cherries/strawberries. It is WONDERFUL!

I just love the feeling that they give the studio, with their happy little faces just smiling all the time! I do have a few more "gals" hanging around in the studio but I will save them for later.

I promise to be back very soon with my picks of the month for May as well as May's interesting facts. I have also decided to add a Poll to my blog. My first question is one that I have been so curious as to other mom's thoughts on for a long time- so be sure to check it out. Well I am off to bed to dream of all the handmade goodness that my eyes will behold tomorrow! Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. Take Care!

Old Barn by the Zoo.....

2008-04-22T19:35:00.004-04:00

On our way home last Sunday from our lovely zoo adventure we came across this lovely old barn and I made my husband stop in the middle of the country road and snap a pic.

I loved it so and wanted to share it with you. I love the mystery of it. Enjoy!

OMG Where has the time gone (revised)......

2008-04-22T16:12:00.009-04:00

I am happily using my 11 year old sons new expression of OMG. I can't believe how fast time is going by. I have really been a sucky blogger lately but I swear with good reason. I was down with the stupid flu for a week and couldn't even think straight enough to tie my own shoes, then I got my lovely Ikea order which of course comes to you in boxes so needless to say that took me some time to put together. My hallway was filled with craft and art supplies for days until I got all that done. I still have some odds and ends to tie up in the studio but the furniture is together and I couldn't be happier with that.

I am going to be making some art pieces to decorate my new studio but I decided that I needed a weekend to not craft and so that's what I did. I spent some much needed time with my husband and son. We had rain ALL weekend which did dampen (no pun intended) things slightly but it still was nice. On Saturday, we went to our local Farmers Market and walked around. I picked up some nice fruits, veggies and some yummy goats milk soap that makes you feel softer then a babies bum! WONDERFUL. It felt so great to support our local farmers. My husband and I would like to instill that in our son- the importance of supporting them. It is really is a nice place and we will visit it often. On Sunday, we went to our local zoo (see below for a few pics from that adventure). It was fun but would have been even better if we didn't get stuck in exhibit for an hour due to major down pours and finally decide that we just couldn't take anymore and then walk back out to our car in showers that soaked us and now have made my husband sick. :( But we laughed and had a great time anyways. That is the joy of a family!

On Sunday night my husband so kindly helped me start my 500 little goody bags for the large goody bag that will be handed out to the first 500 customers that attend The Handmade Market on May 3rd in Raleigh, NC. I am so so excited about it. I have also donated my "Just Believe" necklace to their Charity Raffle. It feels great to be a part of such a wonderful cause which this year is AnimalKind. I hope that some of you local gals will go and check it out. I will be there with my family doing some shopping. Yeah!

Two very loving Giraffes.

My Son Dominic and the Giraffe Family.

The two very handsome men in my life.

A very funny chimp!

At some point when I have a free moment I SWEAR I will be posting some pics of the new studio and giving some shop updates. Well I hope that all of you are well. Be back soon.

I promise!

April Showers........

2008-04-02T16:04:00.016-04:00

You know the old adage, "April showers bring May flowers". Well I have come up with one of my own due to all the recent rain and gloomy weather that we have been having here in North Carolina (which we do NEED) and it is "April showers mean crafting for hours". Yes, yes I know it is silly but it is true!

Alas though- my studio is still not done as it is missing the furniture and it has brought my creating life to a screeching halt. I have had such trouble with my Ikea order and that is not like them. I hope though that I have gotten everything straightened out and that I will have my stuff sometime next week. (pictures coming as soon as I am done, scout's honor). It is all going to be worth it when everything is done and I am able to sit in my own space and work. I have so much in store for this month. I have been finding tons of fun and unique items to post in the new categories on the shop. They are going to be great!

In line of a new tradition that I am creating for myself and after some searching around I wanted to share some interesting tid-bit's about the month April with you and I will try to continue to do this each month. So here it goes with April fun facts-

April Is Autism Awareness Month .

April Is Keep America Beautiful Month.

April Is National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

April Is National Poetry Month.

April Is Stress Awareness Month.

Coming soon- look for some pictures of my new Dollies. I have somehow re-kindled an old love inside myself for dolls and have been on the hunt for some really cute ones and boy did I ever find some. They are so great and wonderfully handmade. Check back to see my newly adopted cuties and to learn where you can get one of your very own!

Some VERY exciting news...........

2008-03-27T21:10:00.004-04:00

Oh Boy! I am so sorry that it has been so long since my last post but there are two very good reasons why and here they are:

#1 I am thrilled to say that after much consideration and moving around of furniture- I now have a dedicated studio space and no longer have to share it with my dining room! YEAH!!!!!!!
I have been so busy painting, decorating and organizing it and PROMISE to post pictures very soon. I am currently waiting on my huge craft desk and huge cubby bookcase to be delivered from Ikea.... (I LOVE Ikea by the way) I am so happy about it and can't wait to get to work on some fresh designs in my new inspiring space.

#2 Okay I am even more thrilled to announce this- I will be adding two new sections to the shop and they are "Crafty Project Kits" and "Crafty Little Fragments". I have been working very hard to find and get items ready for them. Under the crafty project kit category you will find thoughtfully put together kits for making jewelry, scrap pages and other artful things. Under the crafty little fragments category you will find some of my favorite things to craft with including; amazing German Glass Glitter, tinsel, Dresden, Victorian trims, flea market finds and trinkets, vintage papers, ect. I PROMISE it will be GREAT!!!! I plan to have both sections open within the next few weeks, as well as my Etsy Shop and I will also have tons of new one of kind things up on the site.

Some other fun news to share- I was so thrilled about Candice Carpenters shop opening and placed my first order with her. Oh- I got such lovely things. Her shop is just to cute!

Isn't it the most WONDERFUL feeling in the world when you go to mailbox, open it up and inside waiting for you is a box full of treasures! Even though you know what you ordered, it is still the biggest thrill opening it and inspecting all your new goodies, ohhh and ahhhing through the whole process! Ah how I love it..............

Well anywho, I hope that you are as excited with all the new-ness as I am! I promise it is all going to be so great......

I will be back very soon with a post and pic's of some wonderful recent Etsy finds plus the new studio pics!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Take care.

Sorry it's been a while.......

2008-03-13T15:54:00.004-04:00

Sorry it's been a while since my last post. My life has had some craziness in it lately and sadly I haven't had the chance to get on here and ramble.

Last week my husband and I took our son to a 6th grade information night at his soon to be middle school and honestly it was hard on me. Don't get me wrong, it was very nice going in the school and seeing where he will have classes and meeting his teachers but it was also hard realizing all the changes that my son is soon to face and that he is growing up and I can't stop it. I remember myself entering into middle school and it was a whole new world. My son is very excited about it and I am too, just nervous! I guess that is just part of being a mom.

Over the last few days I haven't spent anytime in the studio due to coming down with what I think is this crazy, icky flu that has been floating around. Everyone around me has been sick and I have for a while kept the illness at bay but now I can feel something coming on, that feeling of just not being 100%. Oh how I hate it. I haven't wanted to call in sick at work since I am not deathly ill but by the time I get home in the evening I am dead! I am however thrilled to be having another week off soon, in fact it is 3/24 - 3/28. I am hoping to get some really nice items up on the shop and I am planning the Grand Opening to my Etsy Shop for that week too.

I will be back with more news and details in the Etsy Grand Opening soon! Take Care

Messy Studio!!!!

2008-03-04T22:54:00.006-05:00

I would love to know how making three greeting cards turns into this big of a mess????

It seems like it always starts with taking pretty much everything you own out- even things that you truly know you don't need- nor will you use for your project but that of course doesn't matter because you may just end up needing it- so better to have it out then not to have it out.... :)

Making a mess can be loads of fun but it sure does stink when it comes time to but everything away. Which of course for me has now been spread out to a couple of days process. I have several custom card orders that I am working on and my brain is churning trying to think up glorious designs for them, so I may just let my mess go until I have them done because it will of course just go right back to this. I normally do try to be as orderly as I can when I work but that never really applies when I am working with greetings. Oh well, it's my mess and you know what- I love it! Maybe more messy ='s more creative..... I did post the lovely cards that made this mess on the shop, so please go check them out!

Oh my!!!!! Look at the goodies!

2008-03-03T14:42:00.023-05:00

I can't even begin to tell you what a great weekend I had. No I didn't go anywhere fancy but the things I did do even though they were simple, they were wonderful! I'll start with Friday night- my husband, son and I went out to Barnes and Nobles and of course I needed to stock up on my craft magazines! I was so very surprised when I came across this little crafty gem from the UK. When we got home that night my husband had to endure all my ohhhh and ahhhh's over it. I think the thing that I loved most was the spelling of "mom-mum" Just Wonderful. That night I surfed around and found the site where you can subscribe to the magazine and you bet I am getting a subscription ASAP! Of course while I was at the lovely Barnes and Nobles book store had to stock up on all the Somerset's and oh wow, aren't they all as wonderful and full of inspiration as always! In fact I came across one of the most amazing artist while reading through them. Her name is Abby and she makes gorgeous sculptures of birds by sewing them and then creating beautiful collage backgrounds to place them in. I am so inspired by her and am going to start saving up to get some of her pieces! WONDERFUL, TALENTED, INSPIRING and NOT TO BE MISSED.

Now on to Saturday..... We slept in (YEAH) and then on a whim decided to go this large Flea Market that is hosted at our local coliseum. This was my first time ever going and I was like a kid in a candy store. At my first stop and for my very first purchase I picked up these lovely vintage children's books. The images inside are more then I could have hoped for and will make for some lovely creations.

As I kept on my journey I found ton's of vintage music and lyric books, vintage print ad's, vintage children's magazines, 1920 paper dolls (which I am truly in love with!!! ) and a incredible makeup compact. At the booth that I seemed to have spent all my money at, there was a lovely older woman by the name of Betty. I was standing patiently waiting to pay and as I watched her review some of the items that I was buying she eventually came to a pack of sheet music and her eyes lite up, her face smiled and within a breath and through a soft whisper she said, "I haven't looked at these in years, I was never any good at music or playing." Her smile and laugh was so endearing and the thought that these precious items that I was so luckily buying belong directly to her made me feel honored and the excitement of knowing that I can preserve them into forever lasting pieces of art made me gloriously happy. When we left I skipped all the way to our car! It was a WONDERFUL day for me. Simple, calm and lovely! Below are some pic's of my treasured new finds....... They will soon be art that you can own and treasure.

~ Betty's Vintage Sheet Music~
~Vintage Postcard and Compact~
~Vintage Print Ad's (Just Lovely)~
~1920's Paper Doll (I LOVE THEM)~
~More Paper Dolls~

March is here.......

2008-03-02T12:06:00.009-05:00

Just a quick note to tell you that the monthly recommendations for March are in............ YEAH! All of which I greatly love, especially the Death Cab for Cutie CD, it is ever so excellent.

Besides the holidays there are two other special dates to remember in March:

March 9th is when Daylight Savings Time begins so go out and enjoy an evening walk after work!

March 2oth rings in the spring. Start thinking of your garden and maybe pick up a book on birds and see how many you might have living in you own backyard!

Thanks (edited)........

2008-02-28T22:45:00.012-05:00

I just wanted to say a quick "Thank You" to all the girls who came by the shop and helped celebrate the grand opening with me. The winner of the grand opening gift certificate is, Theresa of Georgia! Congrats to her........ I most say that it feels so great to have the site up and going. I feel so accomplished.

Today I have been in the Studio working on some new paper art and also working on some custom orders that I have received. I have decided to create a greeting card line that features my little cutie pie Boston Terrier, Joe Beans. Beside my husband and son, he truly is the LOVE of my life. It shouldn't be hard to see why, just look at that muffin head! So many days that I might be feeling down or just stressed, he somehow ALWAYS makes me smile and laugh. We have had him for six years now and everyday he does something that makes us all just love him more and more. It is amazing how that is. Dogs provide such happiness and truly don't ever ask for anything back. No where else will you find such a freedom of love then that from a dog.

The "Smoking Joe Greeting Card" series will of course be silly and fun, to match our little man and all the glorious silliness that he provides day in and day out. Here is example of the new series. This one has already been purchased but I promise there will be many more cuties to come. Please be sure to check back by the shop for new goodies. I have been trying to get new things posted everyday.

Some quick other news- In the upcoming weeks I will be posting two very very fun craft tutorials that can easily be made by yourself, with friends or even with your little ones for a fun weekend project. So be sure to check back soon for those and more wonderful blogginess!

The Website is up and running....Yeah!

2008-02-27T20:02:00.019-05:00

Geez..... am I glad that it is finally done. It is funny how when you are opening a new online shop your focus is all over the place. I mean you have so many area's of concern that you have to think about, taking tons of pictures, posting tons of items, checking and making sure your shopping cart is working, that shipping is calculating properly and yada yada yada. The list seems never ending. Don't get me wrong, all of that is totally worth it but I am just so happy that it is behind me and now I can channel my focus to my art. I have so many ideas in my head for new things. It is like a never ending book. I have decided to start carrying an art journal with me. Sally Jean has mentioned that she does that and it helps her to keep track of her thoughts and ideas. I thought it would be great for me to. There is a website that sells such lovely journals that can truly inspire you. They just scream, "pick me up and write". I am planning to get one this week and give it go.

I must say that having this week off of work has been ever so helpful and even though the last few days have been filled with website things it has been nice just be home and stay in pj's past 6:30am. I also forgot what it was like to sleep in on a Tuesday, wake up and go get a cup of coffee, watch the Today Show, oh how wonderful it is!

This past Sunday I took such a fun class at Ornamentea in Raleigh. It was on a soldered shadow box. Here is a pic of my first attempt at one. (promise not to laugh!) I cannot tell you enough how nice it was to sit with a group of wonderful girls who all share a love of creating, cutting, pasting, gluing and laughing. It was great...... I plan to really work on this craft and post some of my creations with it very soon. If you don't solder, I can highly recommend it as a fun and rewarding way to create!

Something else that I really wanted to share was these wonderful custom stamps that I had made of my logo and catch phrase. There is a wonderful artist on Etsy that made them for me. I also purchased some of her stamps and they are just tooooo cute! I don't know what it is about them, but they stamp such a clear and sharp image. I was so glad to find her. Please be sure to check her out if you are looking for something like this.

Well I am off to rest and who knows maybe watch a movie. AHHHHH time off from work is truly one of life's simple pleasures. Check back again soon for more post and an updated recommendation list as March is upon us.......

OH YEAH! ENJOY OUR EXTRA DAY this FRIDAY..... HAPPY LEAP YEAR..... somehow it inspires me to go outside and play leap-frog.... go figure! Take care.

Some updates......

2008-02-21T10:50:00.007-05:00

Just wanted to do a little update on the happenings of my life right now and share the news of just how busy I am with making new goodies for the shop's grand opening next Wednesday the 27th. I only have 5 days left and I am trying to get as much done as possible, while still working my day job. I am so thrilled though because next week I am off of work for the entire week and after Wednesday I am planning to add new items to the shop pretty much everyday, so be sure to keep checking back in case nothing is to strike your fancy on the grand opening day.

In the midst of launching the site, I am trying to balance everything else that is going on right now too. This weekend I have to totally clean my house which I am ashamed to admit is just a true disaster and the cleaning process "as always" really cuts into my time for creation so Saturday may just be one less day for me to get anything else done! I hate being faced with the age old battle of to clean or create! URGH!! :) Then on Sunday I am taking a wonderful class at Ornamentea in Raleigh. It is with Laurel Rupe on creating a soldered shadow box pendant. I am so excited but it will pretty much take the entire day and once again that leaves me with one less day. I am very quickly running out of days here! Honestly though I have truly neglected my soldering iron and boy do I miss it, but hopefully this class should get me back into the swing of things. Oh how I dream and wish that I could somehow channel an inner Sally Jean and create works as wonderful as hers. Maybe some day I can be that good too. Practice, Practice, Practice.

So needless to say the next few days will be keeping me on my toes with cleaning, designing, creating, posting and learning wonderful new things (which of course I am excited about)..... I can't wait though for the shop to be open to the world. I keep telling myself that all the stress and running around will be totally worth it!

On a much easier going note in my life- recently, I have been doing alot of looking and shopping on Etsy (well the recently part is a fib because I really look and shop on there all the time, but don't tell my husband that!) I have found some of the most friendly and wonderful artist who have shops filled with glorious goodies. I love Etsy, it is such a wonderful forum for artist and creators. It truly helps us to support one another's works and all things handmade, which I think is just great.

Here is some other exciting news in my life that I would like to share... I have just recently bought two of the most wonderful craft machines. I got a Provo Cuddlebug and oh how I love it! I have put off buying one for a while now but finally gave in. It really is great. My son and I stayed up late one night and I helped him to make the cutest embossed bookmark with it. He was so proud! I highly recommend getting one if you don't already have it. I may eventually start saving some pennies for the Provo Cricut Expression machine but for now the cuddlebug is just fine. The other crafting goody I got was the Xyron Creative Station . This little baby makes stickers, magnets and laminates! Talk about bringing your creations to a new level. It is so easy to work too and things come out excellent everytime. We of course laminated my son's bookmark. I love this machine and once again highly recommend it. I have been trying to make my own embellishments for my greeting cards and gift tags. It can be great fun and very rewarding but also alot of work! If you have any questions about the craft machines I mentioned just let me know and I would be more then happy to share more of my thoughts on them.

Well all this talking about crafting has got my creative juices flowing and we all know that my days are numbered, so I better get to work. Take Care.

Unexpected Surprise

2008-02-14T16:02:00.012-05:00

My husband came in the door last night around 8:30 covered in white flakes (no not dandruff! :) I looked at him and said what in the world is all over you, he says don't you know it's like a blizzard outside! Nope-I had no idea and had heard nothing about it nor the possibility of it snowing but low-n-behold I looked out and it was coming down in buckets. Big beautiful flakes. Of course we knew that would mean no school the next day. :) My son of course was thrilled. This morning I woke up at around 6am and checked outside for the winter wonderland. It was lovely. Somehow a snowfall always seems to quiet the earth and makes things be still for a while. I went back out again later on in morning to take some pictures and as always looking at all the glowing white snow makes the Colorado girl in me awaken and I feel an empty spot and I miss home. My husband always laughs at me when I say that because I left there when I was 6 years old, but I truly feel that if you were born on the West Coast and then you move away from it- some part of you always wants to go back home. It is almost like a desire to live in that part of the world has been written into your DNA and no matter at what age you may leave some piece of you knows that is where you belong. I'm sure that this also works the same with those who were born on the east coast and now live out west. Maybe one day life will bring me back but for now North Carolina is home and that is alright with me. I wanted to share some of the pictures that I took and hopefully pass on some of the white stillness to you. It truly was a wonderful and unexpected surprise........

Celebrate the Shop's Grand Opening

2008-02-12T12:09:00.001-05:00

To help celebrate the "Grand Opening" of Little Fragment Studio, I will be offering a drawing for a $25.00 Gift Certificate! All you have to do is visit the shop on Wednesday February 27th- go to the Contact Rebecca page- fill in your name, email address and put in the comment line to enter you into the drawing and then just like magic "bing-bang boda-boom" you are entered baby! Just think 25 smackers to use as you please. I hope to see your name in my bucket! Thanks so much.

Shop Grand Opening

2008-02-10T19:08:00.001-05:00

I am so please to announce that the shop will be opening on Wednesday February 27th. I have been extremely busy making sure that there will be plenty of lovely items ready for each and every category. My wonderful website designer has done such a great job for me and I have just gone in and added all my own personal touches to the site. I truly hope that you will join me in my Grand Opening Celebration. There will be a wonderful surprise in store for those who come by, so be sure to check back here for more details on that! For now- I am off to the studio to CREATE CREATE CREATE!

The Creative Child

2008-02-05T19:48:00.000-05:00

It is so funny to me to watch my son grow. In the beginning when your children are small you see little pieces of yourself, maybe in their eyes, the way they may smile at you or the way they laugh. But as they keep growing up you start to see a reflection of yourself in much deeper parts of them and their personality. My son has taken after me in so many ways but the one that delights me the most is seeing just how creative he is becoming as each year passes by. He loves to write stories and draw. I feel that he is quite a budding artist and has such an eye for detail. This picture, in chalk, was done by him a few years back. I always smile when I look at because somehow it reminds me of who I was at that age and how I looked at the world with such whimsy. It amazes me how something as simple as a picture from your child can open your eyes to who they are becoming and help you remember pieces of yourself. "Oh how simple things mean so very much". My hopes are that the creative things I do in my everyday life continue to reflect positively on him and that he keeps going down the creative path too.

Melody House

2008-02-04T22:48:00.003-05:00

Just thought I would share with you this wonderful new 16" by 20" Canvas Collage (the frame is PhotoShop and of course doesn't come with the canvas!) that will be available in the shop. Which by the way will be opening within the next few weeks. The picture in no way does this beauty justice.(I should hire professional photographer, only how I wish if I could afford it) This piece is so whimsical and fun. I was inspired to make it today while I was thinking of my house and how it is always filled with the sound of music and I wanted to somehow transfer that to the canvas. As you walk up the path of this bright cheery home you are welcomed by musical notes and when you peek into the windows you can see the music coming through. I think that Music is Art in sound and how lonely life would be without it.
If this piece sparks your fancy then be sure to check back again for the Shop Grand Opening Date! Take Care.

My Mom

2008-02-04T21:23:00.001-05:00

I am sure that most of us think of our mom's as our best friends. I know for sure that I do but I also think of her as my most trusted and genuine confidant in the world. My mom is one of my greatest inspirations. I have such fond memories of her from when I was child. We lived in Colorado and every Friday her and I would go to Taco Bell and to the thrift store while my sisters and brother were in school. She probably didn't realize it then but those little outings where the foundations of the friendship that we have now- 25 years later. I couldn't imagine a life without her undying support for everything I do. My creative spirit is a reflection of her. My childhood room was hand-painted by her with lovely images of Holly Hobby and our home was always beautifully decorated (even if it was shag carpet and seventies wicker, groovy!) I have the fondest memories of her telling never ending bedtime stories and teaching me to roll my R's when I talk. Now that I am to old for bedtime stories it is my son that gets to share in all these wonderful traditions with my mother, which mean more then anything to me. My mother is one of the strongest women that I know and I salute you mom, for your never ending kindness, grace, compassion, undying love, spirit and for giving me the greatest friendship of my life. I love you.

Process of Creation

2008-01-26T23:21:00.001-05:00

I think it is so funny the process of creation. You start with an empty canvas, paint, glue, paper and some small thought in your head of how this is all going to come together. I thought that I would share with you a little incite into my brain while I am staring at all the ingredients to my art...... Rip- tear- glue- THINK, Rip-tear-glue- AH HA, Rip-tear-glue- THINK THINK, Rip-tear-glue- Oh I don't know, Rip- tear- glue- Yep that's it! ;) For the most part my creative process is always evolving, one day one way one day another. I think that keeps me going and not stuck with blank canvas syndrome or boredom, which as all artist know can be a true nightmare. I think mixing things up and exploring new techniques are what keep me on my toes. There is one thing that I can say never changes with me though and that is the use of music while I create. I love it! It puts me into another world, let's my mind escape. Something about listening to the art of the lyrics helps me along with my own art. Lately though I have been watching and listening to the peaceful show Sunrise Earth while I am working. Yesterday I had it on as I was in the studio and the sounds and the truly beautiful imagery of the show brought me into the most peaceful frame of mind and helped ease me into such a lovely piece of art. If you are not familiar with the show, it runs on Discovery HD at various times. I normally TiVo it so I have it around whenever I want it. :) If you love scenery and the sounds of nature please do check it out. It will fast become a favorite- trust me!

Visiting Artist

2008-01-19T23:47:00.001-05:00

Well I guess he is not truly an artist, but he does give me tons of inspiration! ;) This is my funny, loving cutie pie Boston Terrier named Joe Beans. He has about 8000 nicknames and knows all of them but for the sake of space we will just stick with Joe. He just adores sitting on my desk and exploring what I have up there, what I am doing and getting to check out the backyard view from up high. My family and I love him more then words and I am sure that there are those out there who can relate. He is spoiled in every possible way and thinks he is a human. Another addition to our family is our wonderful boxer named Roscoe who also thinks he is human (go figure) and is very curious as to what his mom does with all those crafty items but he of course is just to big to fit on my desk. I know that Cesar Millan may not approve of my dogs and their humanly behavior but he doesn't have to know! ;) Dogs make life so much lighter and I just couldn't imagine my life without one.