Tor Weeks odd animals

amazing art...odd-animals a series by Tor Weeks

I would say we are a pretty creative family...For fun, when the kids were smaller, my children and I would play a game of what kinds of animals would you create into new creature combinations??
Depending on my childrens age at the time the creatures would turn out horrifying or beautiful...death-defying or delightful.
The designer Tor Weeks has brought back some vivid memories for me of some of those very delightful moments that are gone much too quickly.  Click on her link above and you will see more of her imagined beauties!

One cool thing about the internet is that it lets us get a glimpse into what other artist and designers are creating where previously we would have to travel the distance in person to see their work or read about it in library books...I find it fascinating that there are so many creative and talented people in this wonderful world we live in!

BTW  I am recovering from gall bladder surgery...yep they finally figured out what was wrong with me! Should be feeling better soon :)

vintage baby baby book

While I was doing more cleaning yesterday, I happened on a box in the garage that had some of my Mother's belongings in it.  She has passed away almost two years ago and there were a few things that I brought home from her house that I still hadn't gone through.

  

Not sure what was inside when I opened the box, I found my baby book and first baby booties (above). They are pink velvet and I am very surprised to see that the button eyes survived my baby-hood. I noticed though that I probably couldn't resist the pom-pom nose on the bootie on the right though! (grin)...

The most fascinating thing I found though was my Mom's Antique Autograph book from 1946, 




 I am amazed at all the preserved pieces of history between the pages of this book...I'll show you more of what is inside when I can get it photographed.

Hope your weekend was delightful...Happy Monday!

Goal setting and go getting in 2011

picnik collage of winter weather

So here I am again. The New Year has begun and for some crazy reason I have been stressing about getting all things that were considered at loose ends in my life ( I guarantee it is a lot) all tied up in neat little packages.

 So I thought it might do me some good to just share them with you as sort of goal setting to begin the New Year and see where this year takes me... 

Art: focus on narrowing down what I really want to create...and do it! (re-visit this again at a later date) 

Work/business:  got my business license as a florist...taken a sabbatical from working outside the home and

opened my Etsy shop

Home: finish organizing household goods and purging unwanted items...try to delegate better (ha)

Personal: Get back on my health routine...take a deep breath and enjoy the journey :)

OK so there it is...I do feel a little better...thanks for letting me share :)

Happiness always!

Out with the old...in with the new

I have been lost in the chaos of cleaning out my closets...It struck me that they needed re-organized and what better time than the New Year to make that happen . 

In truth, I am still trying to make adjustments from our move over a year ago to try to make everything have the most convenient, happy, logical, labeled permanent home.  I feel really good about purging the unused Christmas things and re-organizing the cold weather gear, re-inventorying cupboards and putting up much needed shelving.  I still have some painting to do and of course the garage needs to be re-stacked and labeled, but over all I am encouraged by my progress.

What are your projects in the new year??? I would love for you to share :) 

2011...please come in and make yourself at home...

Will you enter in gently, dear 2011?...let us get used to you, get to know your name and shake your hand?...

Or will you push your way in?...

demanding our attention and force yourself upon us like an unwanted flu bug?

*****

I've made my peace with 2010...with it's struggles and surprises...its blessings and burdens. I am ready to welcome 2011 and throw the door wide open in anticipation of what this new guest will bring.

What about you?

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year My Friends!

my dog Willow smirking and perplexed at all the snow...

Willow finally getting used to the snow and watching the little birds in our yard...

Much love to you at Christmas and hoping you are dry, warm and happy...

Blessings, Joy and Peace!

Amber XXOO

{to the best of my knowledge, above vintage images are all copyright free} 

23 year Anniversary and The greatest ideas from Blogland...

My Hubby and I celebrated our 23 yr. Anniversary on Sunday. He gave me a sweet heart necklace that I really loved, took me out to dinner and a movie while my daughter watched the boys for us...you know, I'm glad he's the one I get to share my life with :)

We've been in our home just over a year now and last year I baked cookies and took them around to our neighbors at Christmas time. It was so fun and we got such a warm happy response that I will be doing it again this year. The Melted Snowman recipe below is one I came across that made me chuckle and that I want to bake for the families with young kids on my block. I can't wait to make them...

http://smashedpeasandcarrots.blogspot.com/2010/12/christmas-traditions-melted-snowman.html





Another Super cool find to check out in Blog-o-sphere land

http://www.artwallonline.com/about/     Art Wall Online is a virtual display space created to exhibit the artwork of independent artists. The pieces are showcased in the form of an “Art Wall,” — an arrangement of artwork placed on a virtual wall. Each one is curated by proprietor Katie Stephenson. Everything is either made by hand or is a print of handmade work and is priced between $5 and $500. Art Wall is not a shop, but a curated gallery. 




What a fun idea...XXOO!

Holidaze are here!! Hip Hip Hooray for a Give Away!

http://mbshaw.blogspot.com/2010/12/holidaze-are-here-hip-hip-hooray-for.html

Mary Beth Shaw is a mixed media artist, a teacher, a sometime designer, a writer, and a store owner who is generously giving away some wonderful stencils and Wood icing to not only 3 but to 4 lucky winners! I had to share with you , because I know my heart skipped a beat at the chance of winning!

Prize 1 - Set #1 of my new baby stencils
Prize 2 - Set #2 of my baby stencils
Prize 3 - Both of the clear stamps
Grand Prize - Container of Wood Icing and a set of large stencils. 
video demo of products @ Stencil Girl Products


Creative hugs!!!

wordle...quite fun really and Holiday inspirations

 Wordle is a toy for generating “word clouds” from text that you provide.  You can tweak your clouds with different fonts, layouts, and color schemes. The images you create with Wordle are yours to use however you like. 


The two examples are the ones I did just for fun to try it out, but I think it could even be used to make project flyers or help with the kids homework assignments.

http://blog.lobsterandswan.com
Also if you click on the link above it will take you to a post about some delightful online magazines...
  
I love finding little bits of inspiration all through the blogosphere... Here is one  of my own suggestions; 
Very cool and creative online publication  gifted-magazine

Hope this day finds you well!

festive looking visitors

We had some beautiful backyard visitors after a snowy winter storm today. The birds perched on the branches of our juniper trees and looked for the berries that were hidden beneath the blanket of white soft fluff. The robins look so Christmas-y and dressed for the season...all they need is a top hat to complete their attire :)