Monday, January 30, 2017

simply wonderful weekend . . . .

What a wonderful weekend . . . of doing not really anything.  Well, I guess I did something . . . 
I painted, I read, I fold paper cranes . . . I took a nap that felt simply wonderful
Richard and I played cards, took Charlotte to lunch . . . and did few things around the house.
I didn't anticipate enjoying a do nothing weekend as much as I did.  I feel rested and relaxed!
Finding joy in the little things!

Friday, January 27, 2017

charlotte . . .

Children are one of the greatest lessons in happiness, 
constantly challenging us to enjoy the moment, 
as the next one will not be the same.



Wednesday, January 25, 2017

more paper cranes . . . .

 Charlotte wanted to color with me  - so we worked on coloring some origami paper. 
 She had to leave before her sheet was finished . . . so that paper crane is yet to come.
  I can't wait to see what her crane looks like once she is done and I get it folded.

 I used some watercolor pencils on my sheet .  I colored it rather quickly and 
dabbed it here and there with a wet paint brush . . . then had to wait
for it to dry before folding a crane.  I like how it turned out . . . but then,
I always like how paper cranes turn out.  
I have been a little obsessed with paper cranes this week!

Monday, January 23, 2017

paper cranes . . .









It was a cold and rainy weekend . . . perfect for being inside and getting online to list my Shabby Charlotte dolls.  Instead . . . I folded paper cranes.  I will get the dolls listed soon.
 I seemed to have had origami paper all over the place . . . so decided to get it all back in order.
After looking at all the beautiful paper I just felt the need to make some cranes.
Happy Monday!

Thursday, January 19, 2017

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Bloom!


Don't wait for someone to bring you flowers. 
Plant your own garden and decorate your soul.


I've been wondering why I only have one African Violet in my house.  
 I need to change that.
 I also need a cup of coffee, but I am going to win that battle . . . although I may just sleep through the whole battle.
Happy Wednesday!

Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Shabby Charlotte dolls . . .


I believe it is time for me to get busy making dolls and getting them back in my ETSY shop.
I seem to have gotten busy doing other things and I miss making these quirky little dolls  
So I am hoping by the end of the week to have the dolls that I have - listed and for sale.
 . . . and some new Shabby Charlotte dolls in the making.  Time to get busy! 



Monday, January 16, 2017

doodles, paint, and omelets . . . . and withdrawals

 I needed a reminder today . . . 
"Faith isn't a feeling.  It's a choice to trust God
even when the road ahead seems uncertain."
~ Dave Willis.org
  . . . doodles and paint
. . . and when my husband makes an omelet - it smiles!
I needed smiling omelets today.  
I quit drinking coffee on Thursday.  Just typing that makes me wonder what was I was thinking? I drank a few cups of tea to get me through the headache . . . and I thought that would be it, but NO - there seems to be more to it.  It has been five days . . . I am so tired and feel like I am just off or in a fog . . . I guess sluggish is a good word.  I'm congested and even though the worst of the headache is gone . . . it feels like it is still right there under the surface.   By 3:00 in the afternoon I can't keep my eyes open . . . I have just given in to a 3 hour nap every afternoon . . . and I don't usually take naps.  Of course I had to get online a find out what I could about caffeine withdrawal.  Who would of thought . . . and what was I thinking?  I love coffee!  . . . did I mention that I LOVE COFFEE!
I actually made the decision due to some health issues . . . so it is a good decision.  
I am drinking herbal tea (which is NOT coffee) . . . but I love the message on my tea bag tonight.

Sunday, January 15, 2017

keeping the winter blahs away . . .



Winter days call for some color - don't you think? 
 I am not a big fan of winter . . .  and January seems to want to get the better of me sometimes. 
 I tend to put up a fight when things want to get the better of me.  So I am fighting back with paint, and origami paper, and monkey button rings.  

"They say a person needs just three things
to be truly happy in this world:
someone to love, something to do, 
and something to hope for."
~ Todd Bodett

Saturday, January 14, 2017

buttons and bows . . .

I purchased this head wrap for my new granddaughter.  It will be awhile yet before I get to take a picture of her wearing it . . . but I did get a glimpse of her during Kasey's ultra sound this week.
Check out Che Bella Bows on ETSY.  (although I believe her shop is closed for a few days)
. . . and a few more button rings.  I think Charlotte is going to love these.

coloring . . .




Richard found this wonderful origami  paper that you color.
Now I just want to color and fold cranes . . . 
. . . and paint . . . and sew . . . and take pictures . . . and make dolls.  
I have a head full of ideas these days . . .  hoping to make it a creative new year!

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

paper cranes and paint . . .

Faith is not about everything turning out okay.
Faith is about being okay 
no matter how things turn out.

I am back to work this week after two weeks off - which I suppose is a good thing.  Being back on a schedule seems to help me in some ways . . . but I am missing my late nights and days filled with doing exactly what I want to do.  
I am finding a little time each day to play and create something.  
That is good for me . . . good for who I am.  

Saturday, January 7, 2017

Today I choose JOY!




I love her hands . . . and I love her face . . . and I love her imagination!
She brings us so much JOY! 
Happy Weekend!

Friday, January 6, 2017

starting a new year . . .

Busy day today . . . but doodled a little with some paint this morning.  Busy in a good way - lunch with a friend, some shopping, some projects, and time with Charlotte.
I found the list below at  Meet Me At Mikes . . . I think these are fun!

Making:  dolls and doodles . . . journal pages . . . and crocheting a beanie
Cooking:  13 Bean Chili
Drinking:  coffee . . . always coffee (but tonight it is decaf)
Reading:  The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler . . . just starting it
Drawing:  doodles
Wanting:  warmer weather . . . not a lover of cold weather (I consider anything below 60 degrees cold . . . yes, I am that big of a wimp)
Looking:  at my closet . . . thinking I need to clean it out . . . UGH!
Deciding:  if I should go to Starbucks in the morning . . . decided – it’s a yes . . but it will be cold outside. :(
Wishing:  the best for everyone in 2017
Enjoying:  quiet mornings . . .
Waiting:  . . . about 3 more months for a new granddaughter
Liking:  Instagram
Wondering:  where a few photographs are in my house . . . I stuck them away and can't find them
Loving: . . . the time I spend with Charlotte
Pondering:  a road trip . . . 
Listening:  to nothing . . . nice and quiet
Considering:  a new camera
Buying:  a new purse . . .
Watching:  Game of Thrones
Hoping:  for some good news tomorrow
Marveling:  at how quickly last year flew by . . . and here we are starting another new year.
Cringing:  at seeing Winter Break end . . . but I getting back into a routine can be a good thing for me
Needing:  that road trip I am thinking about
Questioning:  someone’s mental state
Smelling: the new lotion I bought today
Wearing:  leggings and a flannel shirt
Noticing:  it is getting late and I should really be getting to sleep
Knowing:  life is short . . . enjoy every minute!
Thinking:  I am going to drink coffee and be a bum in the morning
Admiring:  so many creative people . . . .
Getting:  obsessed with avocados . . . 
Bookmarking: some ideas for baby shower favors and a Project Life Album 
Disliking:  getting sick . . . finally starting to feel better
Opening:  a letter from my Aunt Olive
Closing:  my book for the night
Feeling:  INSPIRED!
Hearing:  nothing but quiet . . . 
Celebrating:  a new year . . . a new beginning.  I love new beginnings!
Pretending:  that people don’t piss me off
Embracing:  FAITH

Also found this website . . . according to them - here are my nine best Instagram images for 2016.
I'm seeing a theme here . . . 
Happy New Year!

Tuesday, January 3, 2017

magic . . .


. . . and then there is little girl magic!  

Sunday, January 1, 2017

my word for 2017 . . . faith

The idea is to pick one word to focus on for the new year . . . just one word.
I have never really liked the idea of making resolutions for the new year.  They tend to be things I should be doing anyway . . . and I have always felt that picking the beginning of the year to start new habits or make positive changes isn't really the best way for me.  
But ONE word . . . I like that idea. A word is something I can embrace and something I can apply to  many areas of my life.  A word can't be broken like a resolution.  It is there as a reminder and to encourage me every day . . . something to keep me focused on what I need to do
I didn't really think long and hard . . . although there are a lot of words I could have picked to inspire me and move me forward in the areas of my life I would like to improve.  I simple thought about what I need right now.  I tend to worry too much . . . and to be honest life has given me some things that I have a real reason to worry and stress about.  
I absolutely hate when stress gets the better of me because I know better than to let it . . . and then it does . . . and then it does again.   
My word for 2017 is FAITH . . . .
Faith in God . . . that I need to trust in him and his timing
Faith in myself . . . it is my life and journey - no one elses.