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

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 stink and I know it.....

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...............

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..........

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.

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

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 Creative Child

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.

My Mom

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.