creative living

Mary Mary quite contrary

I have been itching to create but just no time....I am off for a couple of days so it is my goal to get some stuff done......Cleaning is a never ending battle so I'll just take that in stride....

Now on to the fun stuff - I would like to start by saying that I am not a design label whore.....but today was I best shopping day ever....I would also like to interject and add that I don't take the time to shop for myself and I almost always pick up something for my kids (today being no exception) 

So here it is - 

I got these Coach sandels that I had my eye on for $67 - hup....get off the floor that is what I said.....I love Macy's  - they were on clearance plus the sale plus and added discount for using my card (which I hate to do but for the discount I whipped it out) they retail for aprox $200.

So I had to look for a summer bag, right? Usually I carry around my Coach bags - I've always owned Coach even before they were sold off to Sara Lee Corp - because they were made from really good leather. I am not a big fan of the newer styles....But I really like the slouchy bag look....and I found this one by Micheal Kors This bag is normally $300 - I bought it for $170 (did I already scream how much I love Macy's today!!!!!!)

I also treated myself to these stacked rings from Henri Bendel

The clerk said they had just arrived in the store.....I could never work there or I would be walking around like Mrs. Roper - with accessories from head to toe!!!! 

Finally, my little garden is really growing.....My daughter said that it looks like a jungle

 

 

 

Art happiness

I have been thinking about blogging but way too much going on as of late. Although school is still in session - I mean really can this be over already...... Not that I have all these great plans for the summer but this has been the longest school year ever.....Although next year there are a lot of changes ....and a completely new schedule for the both of them which means all of us.....

So in Garden news - things are really growing although I'm getting tired of being bitten by bugs.....

 
Isn't she just the cutest thing!

So I went out to JoAnn's the other day. 
I am so in love with the set of dragonflies I picked up

I am watching youtube and I come across some videos by Milliande and she does are journals. Anyway in my youtube surfing I came across another artist who talked about using Iridescent Medium - 

oh I am in love. What is does is adds glimmering to whatever you apply to it. You can mix it with paints, water it down whatever this stuff is amazing

my pictures really don't do it justice.....

I am feeling the inspiration for a mini-book.....

     

He is One!!! and other ramblings

OOOOH my where is heaven's name has the time gone......There has been so much going on that I really can't begin to blog it all. I am also starting to wonder where is this blog going.....When I started my life was in a much different place....and now.....well it is so hard to fit everything in.....which is more than frustrating but I digress.....

Little C is One now.....oh my heavens!!!! My baby....my little boy, who can walk and talk and eat real food and run and chase his sister's

That was after the cake and ice cream.....he just fell out....even with all of the noise and children running around...... My poor little pookie!!!!

So school is almost out....I know....like really the kids are still in school....I am so ready for a break.....but I definately have plans in the works ....those nuts are not going to give me the flux this summer.....

 I started a  garden and we have had plenty of rain and sunshine and heat

and now

that huge thing is summer squash - I wish they were zucinni!!!!!

On the scrapping front I found these

they are doiley tags from Martha (3 designs) and these metal charms from Making Memories on clearance

The $2 was more than worth it for the lock and key alone!!!! I should have bought another one........

and This paper line is to die for:

It is from The Girls' Paperie - actually I added some more embellishments so this is not the final LO....

Anywhoo!!! I love this paper line.....

These were my Anniversary flowers.....so pretty....and they lasted for a week.....

        

love me some Yellow Bicycle

I have just been enjoying the outdoors - OK not really - I hate bugs, but the weather here has been so nice and I am really trying to enjoy nature. The other day little c and I went for a walk - wasn't anything planned but something that I decided to just stop and do - because I have been meaning to do it and there was no better time like the present.....Right  - I mean if you are always waiting for the perfect time to present itself well good luck with that - so off we went and I enjoyed myself - the birds singing and little c humming

I could have done without the skinny bitches jogging by (just kidding....) but that's OK, tooo....

I think that I have been keeping to my list - it terms of what I wanted to buy on the scrapbooking from and my LSS finally got the Basic Grey One

In the back is the Martha Stewart score board - everyone has been raving about it and it is really hard to find...so I had to pick it up too, right.....

Anywhoo - they also had the latest boy line by MYB

ooooohhhh the love!!!!

 

it's a Work in progress - but I love this line..... I really need an album for C.

  

It's spring break

This is the end of spring break and the kids have become my little shadows - OK... I guess they are always my little shadows but it's been 24/7.....

I was thinking the other day of how I am really a quiet person but my house is full of noise....I never talk on the phone because you would never to able to hear me or you would be interrupted by a small voice who has decided to come and share a story or riddle or request.....I really try to appreciate these moments because I know that they don't last forever.....

Here is a blast from the past

I found this little guy at Target after my sister boasted about having a friend send her one from Atlanta....Hangin' on to my childhood and he makes me smile....

My husband bought me this:

It smells good just don't spray too much or it will be with you all day!!!!

Finally I am lovin the American Crafts 6x12 photo holders and the WE R Memory keepers cards

fun and simple - a little out of the box but it's a memory and words and a picture so It's going in the scrapbook.....

  

 

I'm out enjoying the sunshine but thought I would post my latest happiness mini album - it's still a work in progress

happy album from kay jo on Vimeo.

spring fever

The weather is getting really nice and I have major spring fever. Of course the girls have been wanting to go outside as soon as they get home from school....and as well they should....plus that gave me a reason to take some pics - and in golden light (is there ever anything better than that to a photographer?)

So here is my latest LO with a pic that I took today

I used the latest PP: the girls' paperie by margie, Making Memories pitter patter, Maya road chipboard letters, tattered angels glimmer mist : electric blue (it's the perfect baby boy blue), AC chipboard butterfly with a transperancy butterfly and BG bling and white dots made with a signo white pen (the best pen ever !!!!!)

My LO was inspired by jamie waters 

Well that's it for today - I have a video I'll post later of a mini I've started.....

  

Gratitude

This has been a long week for me. I started it off just trying to get thru my two days of work. I know that is not a good thing but sometimes I have so much in front of me that  - that is the best that I can do. I know that I might not accomplish everything but I try and sometimes I just make the decision to wade thru the waters.....

So this week we had wonderful warm weather and sunshine - that always helps...... but my friend (my daughter's godfather) someone my husband and I have been friends with for 25 years - he lost his father....

I spent the weekend at his home, with family and friends, listening and just being present.  I fixed food today for George to take over to the house...this will be an especially hard week for him as things begin to come to a close. As there is closure to the process and then the true form of grieving begins.

He is my second friend who has lost a parent - and although I know that I am not getting any younger and neither are they I am fortunate to have them in my life ....But they are beginning to look older to me now...just a little different

So I remind myself of just how fortunate I am, blessed each day no matter how it begins or ends.....

 

sunshine....

The weather here is just what I needed. I got a little sun this afternoon and as soon as the kids come home I am sure they are going to want to go outside again.....

I've been in utter thought mood lately. And here is the question - Is an accomplishment ever too small? Sometimes we find ourselves not acknowledging the small things - don't they make a difference too. So here is to the small things that I accomplish everyday because they add up to make a big difference in my life......

OK...so I'm at Target (I have a serious love hate realtionship with this store) and I am minding my own business and I find this - calling my name from the shelf

 

and guess how much it cost?

 

I KNOW!!!!!! I mean I had too, right......

Here something funny:

Like mommy like son

 
 
 

a little eye candy

This is a blog I love to look at. I think that her work is truly inspiring....if you take the time to read her story you will find sadness and perserverance - but isn't that what being a woman is all about.....she lost a son to brain cancer and is now a single mother....

Christine Middlecamp

I am dying to pick up my sewing machine, I am craving a string quilt....and I have a honeybun that is just calling out my name.....

going to see my therapist tomorrow - she asks too many questions - but I guess that is the point....