blooms of days gone by....

I still can't believe she was ever this little. My girlie has always been her very own fashion statement. Even then she loved, I mean LOVED, to wear her socks on her hands. Her favorites were the ones with ruffles at the top. Go figure.

I am still working to overcome my white card stock inabilities. Fear is more like it. I must admit I love my flower. It began as a water stain stamp in yellow, then I outlined it with black added a few petals and a center. Painted it with a wash of color. Then a little "candlewicking" for a few stitches and I have myself a flower. I love it... The journaling is simple: You are the flower, the bloom within my heart, and fills it with love and joy....

The days are winding down to the start of school for us. I am having a heavy heart. It is more than time for them to get back to school. They need it. Maybe I do too. I am not sure, one thing I am sure of this year, will sure be different. They say change is good. I think this time I'd just like things to stay the same, safe and sound. Without uncertainty or worry.

Well whatever comes of this season I hope that she blooms and grows with confidence. A strong sense of herself and her goals.

L.

pickin' dandes...

"we're pickin' dandes for you mama" your favorite flowers right mama.....years later and she still believes they are my favorite...honestly...they are not however, I so do love them when they are at the ends of their days.. they are beautiful.

With this layout I only wish you could hold it, to enjoy it, because it is truly beautiful. There are a few layers of colors. I love my paint and the layout base is a shade of green. I love green. I say that with a song. Everything about green is good. Well, except for the stuff in the back of the frig, and that would be OK if it didn't smell so bad. I shutter at that...ucky. But wouldn't that green make a great paper color?

Today is just so very beautiful here, the sun is sparkling with the hit of fall to come. 70 degrees will be this weeks highs....sigh, love it. Nothing is better than a comfy big sweatshirt and your favorite pair of shorts.

Embrace the greens of our days, the browns and oranges are on the way. Pick the "weeds" in your yard and make a bouquet. I believe they too, will be beautiful.

L....

time to shop.....

School's in just a few days.....that means it is time to shop..ugh!! Oh I mean YAY!! I love to shop for school clothes. Can you tell I am lying with a great big smile on. I sometimes could only wish for uniforms. The thing of it is that my girl is pretty even and has great taste for the most part. Honestly so far it isn't shopping with her I fear, it is everyone else. The crowds I am sure will be huge and stressed out.

I however, am fearing the moment she turns into one of the sweet girls that are unhappy with Mom in the fitting rooms.

I worked retail for many many years, and you all know the fitting room jinx. I have always felt sorry for the shopping partner on the outside of the fitting room door. I have often thought a dressing room rule should be, one's tone needs be left outside. Kindness is a good thing. No Dude's allowed and it is not a trash receptacle. Okay that's another day.

So I plan to start my day with a Starbucks and they have agreed to stick with me most of the day and we will be good...

I get to buy shoes I love to buy shoes. I can't wait maybe I'll need a new pair for the school year . Hah.

Better yet, we will get to buy crayons and all the paper goods. I love paper. I may even need a box or two..

Truth be told I love to school shop I only hope that she will love every year as much as I do...

I have to admit when I look at this photo. I have to say, I am glad her Dad's got other plans for tomorrow. I fear we may end up with another pair of green colored glasses. She loved these glasses and wore them until they no longer fit. I am sure she would still given the chance. I loved how great they looked with her pink sparkly jellies.

Details: I got creative. (I know hang on, it don't happen to often) Thought I'd draw a few flowers well one thing lead to some paint and whallllaaaaahhh. I got embellishments. I know it's hard to tell the background is green and the papers used are manila and light blue. The paint is also light blue. And then there's those crazy flowers..who'd thought.

Shop away my friends...and enter fitting rooms with caution and a smile on. Don't forget the wet ones, I can only tell you what happened last, in that fitting room you are about to disrobe in. I can tell you that in the 3rd room down to the right, one night that dude was hot....her not so much....

Shop away ladies.....shop away...........

-L.

you can have it.......if..........

You can lift it!!! That's what he said with a smirk and he walked away. "If you can lift it and carry it, then you can have it"
Humph!!!

Sooooooooooooo, I carefully lifted everything off of it. Then I made my plan to lift it from a wrickey shelf high above my shoulders. I couldn't lift it!!!!! I never have let those words work with me before. They did. I couldn't lift it! So I walked away, feeling sad and defeated. This thing is dang heavy! I really couldn't lift it.....

My Man stopped and looked at me and says " Where is it?" I gave him my very best, my very biggest green eyed pout. Even as an old lady I still got it!!!! Quietly, I whisper "It's to heavy I couldn't lift it." My Man is quiet. His laughter came from somewhere unknown to me and he filled the store with his very bold chuckle.... " I was just kidding" "I'll carry it for you sweetheart"

Well now, that did it, I will carry it, just help me get it down. He did and I wouldn't let him carry it thru the store. He simply followed me saying over and over, "Let me have it...."

Ever so noooooooo. Once we made it to the car with all our treasures, he sheepishly looks me as he is trying to handle it into the vehicle. "Dang this is really heavy"

"Humphhhhhhh"

So here's the deal, I have a man who sees what I see....I love his vision and he knows what I love. We love to shop together with only a couple exceptions....no clothes shopping ( unless there's no budget).....I can't handle Cabelas. ( A sporting goods store on steroids...)

He is fantastic and absolutely fun to shop with. But the poor guy can't always say no. I feel bad about this, sort of.

I must say he finds some of the most fantastic things and has a vision. I can remember when we created a space for me. He asked what I wanted, anything, at first I thought all these great new cupboards and counter tops. When we began looking and designing, he had another thought. He always asked," are you sure?" Then he arrived with a few photos on a cellphone. He had been shopping, asked me to look at the photos and there it was everything I could have ever dreamed of for my studio. I couldn't believe it! I told him how much I loved it all and he simply smiled and said, good we picking it up on Saturday. I bought it already. That's my man.

Happy Birthday My Man, I Love you ton and gobbs............

L-

Let's talk white cardstock!

Let's talk white cardstock....

I have a love hate love hate hate hate relationship with white cardstock. Once I think I love it, it quietly reminds me that the feeling is not mutual. I am certain it hates me and is out to get me..hahaha It is, as if, it continues to make it's way into the studio to take up space. I can hear it snickering at me each time I buzz in the room... It is the thorn in my side, the cow that won't come home. Yeah that's it! It is the big white cow in the studio. HaHa I laugh at my bad self....

White cardstock is not my friend these days. No matter how much I try to make friends, white cardstock snickers at me each time I pull a sheet out. The thing, that is the worst of it, is that once I am able to use it, it doesn't photograph well for me......It decides to turn out grey or blur the picture every time. It is like the kid that always blinks when you take the picture, or do you know someone that just does not take a good picture. White cardstock is that goofy family member we crop out. The only problem is that, it's big bad bold self is background.

In the old days I only used white cardstock as fill or to firm the background up.

In the end of all this craziness, you may say it is just paper...or "Chick what's your deal?"..

It is more than just paper and adhesive it is a passion. A passion to create, with all mediums there are available. The desire to be better, even in a hobby or a pastime. No matter what you choose to call what we love and do, it is personal. I am sure that you all have goals of things your hoping to accomplish with your creative process. I am stepping up and I will no longer be white cardstock challenged. If nothing else I will at least use it all up! Be done white cardstock be gone. I say you climb that hill and make a dent in your idea. Be different, be brave, be you, be your style....

Get out your white cardstock and give it some space...

(If nothing else lets use it and make room for something new ;)!!!)

l-