Monday, April 28, 2008

A Great New Site


I have been on a serious hiatus from sewing.  I don't think I have even looked at my sewing machine since Christmas.  But, soon I will have a "studio" in my new house and I plan to set up my machine and start sewing again.  I can't wait.  I was further inspired when I stumbled upon this great new site.  True Up.....All Fabric, All the Time.  Here is just one of the vintage fabrics featured on the site.  

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Ongoing Projects

I have been very busy with several ongoing projects. I have three UFO on the needles; a pair of wrist warmers, a hat and a baby blanket. I am constantly trying to remember to take a picture of myself. I can't seem to take a creative self portrait with such pressure....so, right now, I am going for just a picture. Here are a couple.....maybe just one.
You can see more here. I am working on a photography project for my dad. He wants to document the stained glass windows from our home church and put the photos together with the notes from the committee who designed the church in the early 1900's. It is turning out great! I will post more as it progresses. Finally, I am helping my dad put together a book for my grandmother's 80-something birthday. He found a stash of letters and photographs from over the years. One is a letter from my dad to his parents from camp as a child. She also has the Christmas card she sent her grandparents telling them about her first child. The idea is to put together a book that has the documents paired with a picture of the people from the time the letters were written. I think it is coming out really great. Here are a couple of the goodies inside.
The Christmas Card
My great grandmother as a child.

My Great grandmother and her four daughters.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

I *Heart* Art

This week is the annual Festival of the Arts here in Oklahoma City. It feels like heaven on earth to me. I love to check out all of the art, sample the food, and just hang out and people watch. Yesterday I took the boys and we spent 3 hours milling around. I made them try an indian taco (the little guy loved it, the older one....not so much). Then we hit the creation station and the kids art tent.
We walked away with balloons, masks, spirit sticks, and mosaics made by each of the boys.

Today I hit the festival again with a friend. I had to try the fish taco's and look at the booths without the fear that my little tornado's would rip through a canvas. I give the fish taco an A+++ and I found a couple of pieces that I really wanted, but since we are in the process of buying a house, I held back.

Yes, you read that right.....we are moving. Not far, just a few blocks actually, but it is still an adjustment. We currently live in our first house where we brought both of our children home from the hospital. Did I mention that our neighbors are more like family than neighbors. That will be hard to replace.

I love this house....I always have. But, we need more room and I really want my children to experience public school and we are not in the greatest district. So......we are moving. We still need to sell our current home, but that will happen. At least that is what I tell myself so I can sleep at night :).

Yesterday I was catching up with Amy from the Creative Mom Podcast. She was talking about the school her boys attend. It focuses a lot on integrating art into the curriculum. I have heard only good things about our new school and most of all about its focus on art. This got me so excited....then, I think it was fate. The new school was hosting the fish taco booth at the Art's Festival. It was meant to be. Random....I know, but life has been crazy and my mind is spinning. I thought that you might want to experience some of this insanity.

Monday, April 14, 2008

Happy Birthday to Me!


Today is the big day. It was 30 years ago that two CPA's had a precious little girl the day before tax day.....God's little jab at mom and dad.

I love my birthday. It is almost always beautiful here in Oklahoma. Everything is new and crisp; a great way to start a new year. Today is no exception.

Saturday morning Dillon and I got up before the boys and quietly made pancakes with strawberries. We had to be sly, there was only enough for two. Then, Saturday night Dillon hosted an intimate party for me at Kam's Kookery. It was perfect. What a great husband.




I have not forgotten the gift I promised to give myself. 365 pictures of yours truly. So, here is the first shot(s). I will post many of these on my blog in different forms, but if you would like to keep better track, you can find me on Flickr.



Have a great day in honor of me! :)

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Lucy (June 1994-April 2008)


Our sweet Lucy spent her last day laying in the sun.  My parents have had her since I was a junior in high school....she has been around longer than Dillon. :).  She has been living with us for the past 6 months or so.  Lucy was such a sweet dog.  She was always the first to greet me when I would go home to visit my parents and since she has been living with me she rarely left my side.  She will be greatly missed.

Monday, April 7, 2008

Not Just Another Monday

Monday's are not my favorite days by any stretch of the imagination.  I always feel a little disjointed....well, maybe a lot disjointed.  Today was no exception.  I rushed around to get all of the little things done that I agreed to do over the weekend.  I kept tripping over my little guy who has learned to walk and loves to do so right under my feet.  It is one dirty diaper, "I'm Hungry", "don't look at me", and snotty nose after another.  

However, this is not the worst of it.....this, April 7th, is the last Monday I will be 29.  That's right, next Monday I will be the big 3-0.  Is this some kind of punishment for something I did in my past life.  Who has to turn 30 on a Monday?  

Now, I am not one to complain.  Generally my life is pretty great.  We have a quiet little life here in midtown OKC.  I have two of my 2.3 children.  I love my husband and have some wonderful and diverse friends.  What more could I ask for?  I just can't figure out why I am not super thin, in a bikini, hanging out at the Country Club pool without a care in the world like those 30 somethings I remember from growing up in Enid, America.

HA!  Someone was delusional and I am not sure it was just me.  The long and short of it is that is not what I want.  I want to contribute to the world, I want to encounter trials...isn't that what makes life worth living.  Well, not today.

So, in honor of my 30th here are some words from Andy Rooney.  Weird, I know, but I love his voice and his sarcasm.

Turning 30 by Andy Rooney

As I grow in age, I value women who are over 30 most of all.  Here are just a few reasons why:

A women over 30 will never wake you in the middle of the night to ask, "What are you thinking?".  She doesn't care what you think.

If a women over 30 doesn't want to watch the game, she doesn't sit around whining about it. She does something she wants to do.  And, it's usually something more interesting.

A women over 30 knows herself well enough to be assured in who she is, what she is, what she wants and from whom.  Few women past the age of 30 give a damn what you might think about her or what she is doing.

Women over 30 are dignified.  They seldom have a screaming match with you at the opera or in the middle of an expensive restaurant.  Of course, if you deserve it, they won't hesitate to shoot you, if they think they can get away with it.

A women over 30 has the self-assurance to introduce you to her women friends.  A younger woman with a man will often ignore even her best friend because she doesn't trust the guy with other women.  Women over 30 couldn't care less if you're attracted to her friends because she knows her friends won't betray her.

Once you get past a wrinkle or two, a women over 30 is far sexier than her younger counterpart.

Ladies, I apologize for all those men who say, "Why by the cow when you can get the milk for free."  Here's an update for you.  Nowadays 80% of women are against marriage, why?  Because women realize it's not worth buying an entire Pig, just to get a little sausage.

I know.....a little tacky, but it's my birthday, right?




Thursday, April 3, 2008

Happy Birthday Ms. Virginia

Today is Ms. Virgina's 93rd Birthday.  I know it is not polite to say a woman's age, but I think this woman makes room for exception.  If you told me she was 39, I would believe you. Virginia is amazing.  She comes to our knitting group every week with more energy than the rest of us combined.  She has taught us to knit, to laugh, and to make the most of each day on this earth. Virginia and I have another common bond.....we both think my husband is precious.  She blushes every time he walks in.  This past Valentine's Day I realized why.  Virginia passed around her engagement announcement.  She looked so young and so beautiful and standing next to her was a man that strongly resembled my husband.  So sweet.  Here's to you Ms. Virginia....Happy Birthday.

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

ReArt -- One Person's Trash Is Another's Treasure

A new guilty pleasure. I was recently introduced to one of the greatest creative centers in Oklahoma. Rink Gallery is a Vintage/Antique Mall, Art Gallery, and Creative Resource center all in one. Last Sunday I meandered my way through the over 100 booths. I met some artists and got a ton of ideas for my creative ventures. I went in with the idea to browse and not buy anything and left with a cart of fun vintage items. I also had a lot of fun taking pictures of the vintage treasures.

While I was hanging out at the "Rink", I met Stephanie with Reuse Oklahoma. She told me about the great craft nights and the swap-o-rama-rama. The Craft Squad meets every Thursday and exchanges supplies as well as ideas. Reuse Oklahoma collects donated art and craft supplies, donates them to the artists who use them, and the items are sold to support the endeavor. Needless to say, this is the greatest place. I am hooked. Here are a few of my favorites.

Mixed Breed



Fuglies