Creative Sparks

Creative crazies

The boys are playing with my old Weebles Treehouse.  Annie is sitting on the floor and trying to figure out how to fall over gracefully so she can creep forward and get a toy just out of her reach.  The wind is blowing cold.    I'm busy creating and watching and playing and packaging.  I've been working on some new things these past few days that I*am*so*excited*about. (I know you're not supposed to end a sentence with a preposition...sorry!)  I get in these creative crazies sometimes as I'm sure other artsy-craftsy people can relate to....pouring yourself into something until you're empty - or I guess you could say filling yourself up with a new idea until your cup is brimming and spills over.  (That's a more positive spin on it, eh?)  I know some people hate those posts that are like "I have something really cool to tell you/show you but it's a secret and I can't....and I'm sorry that this post is one of those.  But I'm not finished yet!  I can't show you an unfinished project!!!!  (oh the horror! ;)

I want one.

Man this has to be the funniest story of the day.   Of course I want mine to be real  and preferably in bank notes or gold bouillon or something like that.

You have to admit that he had guts.  Reminds me of the stories you read about the dumb things people do to get caught.  Like the one about the guy who is trying to rob a bank and the clerk asked for some id....and he gives it to her.

*laughter*

is it that time already??

I can't believe it's almost Christmas!  Time flies!  I had my birthday this past weekend and have been so busy filling orders and packaging and making pet rocks with the boys and doctor's checkups and volunteering at the school and cooking and decorating and the list goes on.  I have a bunch of new things in both my shops...over at Annie and Olive and at my "grown-up" shop at Creative Sparks.  My new favorites are the Christmas hearts and the fabric covered bead bracelets.  Yum!

It's like a madhouse around here.  I mailed so many packages yesterday I had to stop and take pictures!  It's fun but a bit stressful.  I don't want to forget anything or overlook someone.  I'm not complaining though - it's wonderful to make something other people enjoy. 

I know this is a huge drive-by post and I have lots of Thanksgiving pictures to post.  But for now, Benjamin's needing me.  We're playing trains! 

Happy Picture

Just wanted to post another picture from our lovely weekend.  She is my snuggle-bunny for sure. 

Today is Colin's "turkey run" at school - all the kids run around the backstops on the school field to try and win a Thanksgiving turkey!  Go, Colin, Go!

I've been posting and updating ye olde shoppe a bunch this week....offering up some new prints after several have inquired if I sell my little fun sketches of Miss Annie and her butterfly, Olive.

They are simple and innocent.  Bright and colorful and joyful.  Happy little pictures.   I need to post a picture of this one framed in Annie's room....

Is it Friday already????

new favorites

The last flower.

We all piled out into the yard this past weekend for some much needed garden and yard clean-up.  I couldn't resist snapping pictures of my now dormant garden and found this little flower still boldly "pinking" when all others have quietly settled into their long winter's nap.  The kids were cute and fun and excited to rake leaves and deadhead and trim all the perennials.   Gillian was adorable in this borrowed rainbow sweater...anyone remember Rainbow Brite?

We piled them onto our blanket and attempted a spontaneous photo shoot.  Much laughing ensued.  We snapped our own pictures...we snapped some more. We enjoyed the beautiful golden leaves of our huge honey-locusts...the little leaves were drifting down upon us like snow.  The boys played and played...Harry was in heaven. 

Great day.

Dear Blog,

I am so sorry I've been so negligent.  I didn't mean to ignore you like you didn't exist!  I think of you often...especially when one of the youngsters says or does something funny. You are in my thoughts all the time!

I've been anxious to show you all my cute pictures and things on which I've been working.  I captured Annie's little "nose crinkle" jus the other day and immediately thought of you and how much you would love to see it.

She is getting so big and now sitting at her *real* highchair!  We love having her sit at the table with us....she loves to eat her food - especially peas which surprises me somehow.

I've been so busy these past few weeks working on a big Annie and Olive project!  Today I sent out over 100 Annie and Olive pieces to an art gallery in Scotland for a Christmas exhibition through the holiday season.  I'm so glad to be a part of it and this is the main reason I haven't visited you more often.  Making a lot of little felt-y things and fabric-y things and flowery things and mushroom-y things and heart-y things takes a lot of commitment and time...and patience from that guy I talk about sometimes(remember?  Russell is his name).  I made tons of fun and cute things and sent them off for a fun Scottish adventure!  They were thrilled.  (Especially the mushrooms who practically climbed into the boxes themselves.)

I'm also still involved in the Poppytalk Handmade Virtual Street Market for the month of November.  There are so many cute items that I want to tell you about  - maybe next time?

There have been a couple of things that the boys have said that I didn't want to forget...and of course the first thing I think about is you!  You know you live in a very advanced age technologically speaking when your three year old asks you "where is the button?" on your feather duster.

You know that your six year old is cute and still so young (even when he is the biggest) when you tell him he'll be in "double trouble" if he doesn't shape up.  And then being in "double trouble" being the absolute worst thing that could ever happen. 

I've also been wanting to tell you more about Colin's first grade year and how smart he is!  Reading up a storm and loving it.  This makes me so happy.

I hope to post more often in the next few weeks.  I've got a backlog of pictures to show you - I'm sure you're starting to think I only have this one little girl anymore! Rest assured, I have two precious boys too (three when you count that guy, Russell) and they are needing some attention.

I've enjoyed our time together. Thanks for always being there when I have even a few minutes and I'll see you soon!  I'll leave you with one last cute picture and then off to the rest of my day...

Love,

Bethany