christytomlinson

Monday Moodboard....Pumpkins

So I know.. it's Tuesday.. but we just go with the flo around here. FIrst off.. SPARK.. wow. was AMAZING. I did go last year.. but only walked around for a bit during the day. This year I was teaching and was there for the entire event and have to tell you. WOW. WOW. WOW. I was blown away by this creative "handmade" event. The classes were amazing ( i sneaked into a couple during my free time). The Decor was incredible, the food.. um. can't even say enough how good it was and of course it was presented in the most amazing way.. just as everything was at this event. The Handmade market (which was open to the public.. was so cool! I got a few things there. And all the other little things, like the make and take night, the private concert from Sarah Sample. It was just amazing. I also got to spend time with some wonderful friends i haven't seen for a while. (here is just a peak of Spark)..

 I will post more about it this friday.. with pictures, but had to update you :).
So sSunday I traveled home and all the way I was thinking how much I missed my family and how seriously tired I was (i was driving.. 5 hour trip).. and just wanting to come home and just snuggle with my family and kids and go to sleep. Well.. my dear husband.. dear dear wonderful husband had other plans for me. He knows how much i HATE surprises.. not that I hate them.. I just hate not knowing about them.. I always peak at my presents, always find out what is happening.. when I think something is going "down", i have to figure out what it is.. but this time. He got me. My birthday isnt until THIS coming Sunday and he totally caught me off guard by throwing me a surprise party this PAST Sunday when I arrived home. He had some help from my good friend Meridith. But Let me tell you I WAS surprised.. lol. but it was so fun. It was just with some of our close friends and family. We had cupcakes, played bingo with some FUN prizes (ben gave away gift cards to some fun places and a trip for two! I was impressed! lol). Here is a picture of us here.

 It was fun. At first I was a little annoyed because I was so tired.. but it quickly went away when all the hugs and smiling faces were around me. I love my family.. and love my friends. I am so blessed. It was a simple but very memorable birthday gift. I LOVED it. Thanks Benny.. I love you :).

So.. now onto the Monday Moodboard! ( Latley... i have a terrible habbit of getting sidetracked :))

Sunday at the party, one of the things Ben served was Pumpkin Cookies.. oh yum.. those are seriously my favorite. Then I started getting obsessed with pumpkins smells and finding my pumpkin candles to fill my house with that delicious scent. So this week is inspired by pumpkins. It's the epitome of fall. You can't see a pumpkin and not think FALL or halloween or thanksgiving. It just is.

 

 

Pumpkin LipBalm

I love handmade skin care. Organic and simple. I'm putting this one first because my lips are chapped right now.. and those just so look refreshing and yummy.. my lips are craving them!

Woodland Pumpkin

This pumpkin is soo freaking cool and non-traditional! I love it! I would seriously leave this up through Christmas!

Pumpkin Nest Spoon

I love creative people.. and I have to say.. this is SUPER creative. Love the idea of a birds nest twist.. and that its been made on the spoon is even cooler! Creative Art. love it.

Danita Pumpkin Girl Print

I was going through my November 2011 Artful Blogging Magazine that just arrived yesterday and found this amazing artist featured in it! Danita.She is one amazing artist! So had to check out her blog and etsy shop and this small print was featured in her shop. So adorable. Makes me want to get out my paints and create!

Upcylced Pumpkins

oh my heck.. seriously. I LOVE recycling things to make new things. Made a bag once out of a mens suit.. and gloves out of an old sweater (you can read about them and see them here.. Men-suit Bag.. Sweater Gloves).  I LOVE the idea of taking old sweaters and clothing and making pumpkins with them! These are ADORABLE.. makes me want to get out my sewing machine and sew!.. lol.. dang. I thinK I need a day to be artsy this week.

Pumpkin Monster  Doll

i have seen these little monsters popping up everywhere.. felted one.. ones made out of socks.. and I LOVE this girls take on it.. for fall. A pumpkin monster doll. So stinking cute!

 All this talk of pumpkins is starting to make me hungry.. must be lunch time. Right now I am craving one of my closest friends Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins. (you can find the recipe here). Margie is FAMOUS for these.. most of you probably already know that.. she has posted her recipe on her blog many times and I constantly see people tagging her on facebook saying they are making them. Hum.. might have to bribe one of my kids to make them for me after school. Or maybe I should just do it :)

Well i am inspired now.. inspired to create something for fall.  I wish I had more time this week.. I want to do some sort of canvas. Gotta get my move on.. because while I just got home.. I leave again in 2 days for San Diego to teach at CKU!! Ben is coming with me this time.. and we get back home on Sunday. So glad is he coming with me. I miss him when I am away. He's is my rock. That's for sure.
Well I have a fun post.. video for you for tomorrow.. on a tag I made last week.. with a pumpkin on it :)

happy Tuesday!

 

 

Monday Moodboard- Fields of Green

 

Today's Monday Moodboard is inspired by my childhood memories.  It's been raining here for the last 3 or so months.. with a few snow showers in between.. and while the rain doesn't do much for my Fibromyalgia.. its does wonderful things for nature. I remember visiting my mom's parents.. my grandma and grandpa Skeem each year in the Spring. They lived in a small farming community right outside of Twin Falls, in Kimberly Idaho (which actually is where I was born).One of my most vivid memories was driving down the back country roads to get to their house.. and it always seemed to be raining.. or had just rained. It wasn't cold out.. it was warm.. but I remember looking out the window at the wet roads and fence posts and just beyond them.. fields and fields of green grass.. that seemed to go on for miles. Beautiful green grass. I remember driving onto their farm and seeing the big weeping willow just huge and overlflowering with leaves.. and their big lawn so green. I loved the smell of the rain and actually loved to sit outside on the tire swing in the rain under the willow tree and just enjoy the warm rain air. Sometimes we would even play for hours in the rain.. getting soaking wet and loving every minute of it! It is one of my favorite memories growing up. Three of my grandparents (my dad's parents and my mother's mom)  passed away my Senior year of high-school. I was living by myself at the time and remember taking the long drive to each of their funerals, by myself,  reliving those childhood memories. Such wonderful memories. So grateful for them all.  My mom's dad, Grandpa Skeem.. died a few years later. I sure miss them all.  

This morning, after all my kids had gone to school and the house was quiet, I took a moment to snuggle with my hubby on our living room couch, looking out our windows  .. at the 100 year old tree we have in OUR yard, and how my kids love that tree, love swinging on it, love climbing in it and how beautiful our yard looks right now with all this rain we've been having.  The grass is a gorgeous green.. and the cherry blossoms are in full swing. Just simply beautiful. So today's monday moodboard is inspired by grass filled yards, big old trees and memories that I will always cherish.

 
 

These delicious goodies all came from etsy.. except for floral bag in the upper left hand corner.. that is a limited edition handmade bag.. from vintage fabric that my dear friend Jeanne Oliver made her new spring line debuted today (beautiful dresses, bags, purses, vintage items, art prints, jewelry.. and more) .. you have to check it out on her website.. I am doing an entire post on it this week.. and she is giving away one of her beautiful new ruffled totes.. so watch for that!

So here is list of the fun things I found for this Monday Moodboard

Green Shimmer Eyeshadow

Green Blouse (vintage)

The White House Print

The Sadie Handbag

Mod Flower Pillow

Rococo Shawl pattern

Green Bow Handbag

Rotondo Clock

Beauty Growth Pressed Grasses

A dream Garden Necklace

Rainy Spring Little Girl Dress

How Green is your Garden Hair tie

 

So fun! love monday moodboards..

So today I am busy busy busy getting ready to leave tomorrow morning at 6 am for Donna Downey's Inspired event! I am teaching three classes..two canvas classes and a jewelry cuff class! Can Not wait! I get to also see one of my True's.. my besties.. Margie. She is rooming with me and also teaching. I can't wait to spend time with her. Much needed time. We are teaching Wednesday.. and then taking Donna's other inspired event classes on thursday , friday and saturday! can't wait! I told her we are going to find a movie theatre and go see Water for Elephants.. I read the book. LOVED it. it was a little Riskee.. okay a LOT. but I couldn't put it down. It was good. Sorry.. guilty pleasure I guess.

So anyhow.. just busier than ever getting ready to leave! Gonna schedule some blog posts for while I am gone.. share with you all about Jeanne's new line and do an awesome giveaway.. AND have another Behind the Art video to share with you! can't wait! Hope you all had a wonderful mother's day! I did.. we just hung out, played games and watched movies. It was heaven.
Happy Monday!

Monday Moodboard- Plum Crazy... and last day to register..

 

I remember when I was in high school my mom had a fascination with the color purple. All shades of purple. One summer when I came to visit, she has recently re-decorated her living room. New paint, new carpet.. new everything. She had also had second hand pieces.. so this was the first time.. she had everything new and she deserved it. She was raising 13 kids for goodness sake. When I walked into the house..the first thing that caught my eye was the light iris shade of carpet that covered the floor. Almost white.. but a TRUE tint of purple in there. The walls were also a shade of lilacs.. (my mom also had a love of lilac bushes.. still does today.. yum). She had couches that had a faint stripe of cream/lavender and plum.. with darker plum accent pillows and painting with shades of silver and plum and lilacs in them.  It was tastefully done.. but I have to admit.. I DID NOT LIKE PURPLE! lol.. so while I was excited for her new room.. I was left wondering.. really? purple? mom.. really? She also told us AND herself she was never good at decorating or home decor.. the truth was.. she was just totally ahead of her times.. now I can see that room in a high-rise somewhere.. in New York City.. accented with dark shades of wood, stainless steel  and a hint of grey with Orchids in a glass vase on the cofee table.  I can also see it in the country.. in a cottage with white weathered furniture, vintage lace as accents and worn wood floors. With a bouquet of purple wildflowers in an old weathered white pitcher.. on the table.  My mom truly was just ahead of her times.. she has always had wonderful taste.  And you know what the funny thing is.. now NOW i love purple.. well MOST shades of purple. I love shades of plum, iris, lilacs, orchids, eggplant, amethyst, violet, and lavender. I admit I do have a hard time painting with it.. but I recently did a piece that had purple and I actually really loved it.  So today's monday moodboard is in honor of my mom and her wonderful sense of style..  (just a few years too early)..

 

 

Hand-printed Plum LampShade kit

Zoe Dark Plum Linen Dress (um please can I have this?? lol)

Deluxe Plum Purple Flower HeadBand

Love is REAL embroidered Cuff Bracelet (oh seriously.. be still my heart)

Delicious Purple Straw Cloche Hat

Purple Cottage Shabby Wood Shelf

Plum Silk Mini Rosette Ring

A Plum Spring, Art Print

Rustic Hemp Recycled Journal in Plum (yum)

Felt Lilac Plum earrings

Distressed Plum and LInen Picture Frame

CandyLand Sparkly Summer Plum Fun, Art Print

Linen Crocheted Lilac PinCushion

Egglpant Cozy Spring Mug Sleeve

So those are my lovely purple finds... Etsy is such a wonderful place.. so much inspiration to be found there.. yum yum!

 

Well before I go.. I wanted to remind you, that today is the last day to register for the She Had 3 Hearts  Art Journaling Workshop at the discounted price!!

 

Right now if you sign up, it's only $35.00.. last day to register at this special offer price! Ttomorrow the registion goes up to the regular price of $44.95!! So if you haven't signed up.. don't miss out on the opportunity to save! Class starts in 21 days!!! wahoo!

you can find out more about it here! or click on the workshop link above on my blog..

Speaking of Art journaling.. I am listing a supply list THIS week for the class.. and our shop will be filled to the brim with fun things like journals, Panpastels, Shiva paintsticks, watercolor pencils, Inktence Watercolor blocks.. and more yummy goodness! Watch for the news coming later this week!

Happy Monday!  

Monday Moodboard- Birdcage Fever

 

Im back!! Wow.. what a wonderful week it was last week! Seriously.. loved being with my best girlfriends.. in one place.. creating art, relaxing, eating, chatting. I think we spent most of our time just talking.. in our pj's. It was SO relaxing! I was so relaxed, I decided to stay two extra days and work! I have a HUGE deadline for my licencing agent.. for Surtex.. I have over 70 canvases I have been working on that will debut at Surtex in New York! wahoo! well.. I haven't quite FINISHED all 70.. so I thought since all my art supplies where with me.. and i only have 2 weeks left to finish them.. it would be a great opportunity to just stay and be alone and work like crazy to get as much done as I can! And I DID!  It was great except for the nights.. when I was scared half to death at every noise in the house! lol.. I TRIED to talk my hubby into coming up and meeting me (we only live 2 hours away from where our retreat was).. but alas.. it didn't work! lol. But it was great. I just created and painted and created and painted! It was exactly what I needed. The only problem was that I didn't have a computer with me.. so I couldn't answer emails, or do updates on my blog.. or store things.. but I promise it was worth it. Sorry if you were one of the many who were waiting for me to get back to you thursday and I didn't until today! But home now.. at least until Thursday.. when I jet off again for another fun adventure! More on below! onto our monday moodboard!

 

One trend I have been noticing a lot lately the comeback of birdcages in homedecor and fashion and I admit... I have jumped on the bandwagon. I love going thrift shopping with my Friend Margie.. because she alwasy seems to find the most awesome birdcages! Real ones that are made of wire or wood... rusted or painted..seriously cute for housing a candle or a collection of hankies.. or whatever your fancy is.  So today's monday moodboard is in honor of Margie.. and her love of the birdcage.. and for getting me addicted to it too!

 

 

 

A good Bird Print (seriously I just bought 4 prints from this wonderful artist!)

CocoCozy Blog/Birdcage (this girl is amazing! she had this bird house painted for her outdoor space!)

BirdNest with Eggs

Burlap Birdnest Banner (it breaks out into this adorable spring banner!)

Mazimliians Pet Shop Birdcage Purse (this really hold a bird for traveling!)

Birdnest necklace, wire and pearls

Gilded Birdcage Organic Tote

Vintage Birdcage Seals

Vintage Birdcage necklace with bird and pearls

So fun huh? I have a few birdcages in my house.. and a necklace I purchased from etsy. I also love painting birdcages! I will show you one I have done recently.. soon!

So I mentioned I will be leaving again thursday and yes.. it is for another "art" event!  Many of you are familiar with Ranger Products like their sprays, inks, stains, my favorite "heat gun" and more! Well each year they hold Workshop event called "Ranger U" .  It's for store owners, artists.. teachers. etc.. that to come learn for 3 full days on how to use all of the product Ranger creates. Tim Hotlz (my dear friend and out of this world artist!).. manages the event.. and each session they only accept 26 applicants! You have to actually apply to get in. I applied back in February and anxiously waited to hear the news.. and few weeks ago I got in email from Ranger that I was accepted!! Wahoo! I am SUPER excited to learn more about how to use all the products ranger produces..and become  a "ranger certified instructor/artist".  Which I can then teach YOU lovely artists as well! So I am flying to New Jersey Thursday morning.. for 3 full days of workshops. I am excited to meet the 25 other ladies and gents who also were accepted and ALSO super excited to spend time with my friend Tim. He is seriously one freaking amazing artist.. I am in awe at what he does and he is such a wonderful person to boot. If you are ever lacking inspiration.. check out his blog.. I am sure you already do.. who doesn't? really?  lol

so I am excited for that opportunity! Now I just have to play catch-up SUPER hard for the next 3 days.. so I can leave again and not worry about all the stuff I have piling up at home!  I want to do a post this week on the amazing week I had last week with my friends. I  took pictures and did lost of fun videos.. so I can't wait to share :)

oh and before I forget.. don't forget to check out the Scarlet Lime Blog! Melanie did this AWESOME vidoe on how to make a mini album using one of our kits! gonna love it!

Scarlet Lime Blog

Happy Monday!

Monday Moodboard: Dreamsicle .. and paying it forward winners

 

Happy Monday to you ALL! I feel SO energized and excited about this week! Lots of reason why.. but the biggest reason is.. this friday I leave for 5 days to be with my TRUE's.. if you don't know who's those are.. you can read about them in this post HERE.

But in a nutshell, they are my closest girlfriends. The ones I can tell anything to, the ones who love me no matter what. ANd it's been since OCTOBER since we have all been together! WAY TOO LONG! We all live in different parts of the country and seriously.. getting together every 6 months with your best friends.. is just not enough! We are meeting in Logan Utah.. up in the mountains.. we rented a small house.. that will fit the 8 of us and we have NO plans. Seriously NONE. We just want to be together.. hanging out, enjoying each other! We have all said we "might" bring our art supplies.. and I have always said.. no.. but as it gets closer and I have been preparing for my new Art journal Class.. I am totally OBSESSED with making art journal pages right now.. so may bring that stuff to work on! Anyhow.. totally off the subject of the Monday Moodboard! But I AM SO EXCITED FOR THIS WEEK TO COME!!!!!! lol My Heart is super happy right now. SUPER HAPPY!

So onto our monday moodboard!  First off, I am not a pink person, I don't have it in my home, I don't usually put it on my art.. AND I only own 2 shirts that are pink tones. BUT i LOVE the color of coral and salmon! it's so bright and cheerful and warm and reminds me of the beach and sand and long slow days in the sun. Man can You tell I am sun deprived right now? Whenever I see this color.. it just makes me feel good! AND right now.. I am feeling GOOD and happy.. so hence.. the Moodboard for today..

it's called Dreamsicle (kinda like a popsicle.. just want to eat it and its DReAMY!)

 

 Seriously.. doesn't that remind you of summer and yummy creamy popsicles!  I love it.. makes my heart happy today. Here are the links to all of the wonderful products!

Cantaloupe Ruffled Scarf

Vintage Summer Dress (I think I may need to get this :))

Linen Floral Print Addy Wristlet

The Secret to Happiness Art Print (um love.. VERY talented artist! )

3 Strap Coral Flower Headband

Miss Katrina Coral Pink Flower Shoe Clips

Cabbage Roses Ribbon- Blush

Fuzzy Salmon Felt Wool Bowl (love love love)

Passion Flower Muslim Pillow

Fate, Destiny, Luck Print

I love you Hand embroidery

Coral Brower Print

Viola Soft Coral Necklace

Branch Coral covered Buttons

Give ART print (seriously talented girl!)

I know.. eye candy.. I am going to buy BOTH of those prints for my studio.. just love them. the girl is super talented!

So last wednesday or thursday? can't remember. I did a post on paying it forward.. about some amazing girls who purchase the She Art workshop for others.. as their way of paying it forward.. I was SO touched I wanted to jump on board! So I said I would giveaway 20 spots (doubling what they gave away) in the She Art Workshop that starts TODAY!!! (you can still sign up!! join me!!)

IF your name is below and you are already taking the class.. then you can give it to a friend or family member.. as another way of paying it forward. Just email me their name and email address.  If you do see your name.. PLEASE email me and let me know your full name and email address.. so I can get you into the class! wahoo!

Posted by: Mary Brockway | April 06, 2011 at 03:29 PM

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Posted by: kate blue | April 10, 2011 at 02:08 PM

 

Congrats Ladies!!! Please email me so I can get you into the workshop! And for those of you who didn't win.. you can still join me! come play! It started today!

lots of posts this week.. and fun stuff.. so check back! (wednesday doing a fun "Behind the Art" post with Faber Castell!)

Happy Monday!

Monday Moodboard- Yellow Love Affiar

 
 

 

So as you know, I only have one daughter. Allie Belle. Allie has a LOVE affair with  the color yellow. I KID YOU NOT. She has a yellow coat, yellow shoes, almost all yellow shirts, yellow dresses, yellow school bags.. you get the point.
Well for the last 3 months she has ben begging me to get her a new bed-set. Her current bedspreadis a few years old.. it's pink and brown and turquoise. She does NOT like pink.

Well, at first she did a ton of research online to find what she wanted.. but we she never could find exactly what she was looking for and then about2 months ago, we were in Target and we saw this yellow and grey quilt with matching pillows. I saw them about the same time she did and I KNEW what she was thinking.  She looked at me with these puppy dog eyes and said "mom! THIS IS THE ONE!"  Can I get it? pleeeeeeeease?"  I looked at her, then the price (it was $75 bucks for a twin quilt? really?)  and  "I was like.. um.. NO. Are you going to pay for it?"  Of course I knew she didn't have $75..or the additional $20 dollars for the sham and $20.00 for the two pillows.. but I am SUPER cheap, I was never going to pay that much for a dang quilt! lol

So we went on our way.. and ever since then, she has been reminding me that she REALLY REALLY wants it. I always say.. "well when you can save up the money!" Which she has been trying to do. She works for us after school in the shop, bagging things or sorting things for us. She babysits.. But we don't pay much! lol.  so she is only about a third of the way there.  Well this past weekend, I was in target and low and behold that quilt was on SALE.  Well not really on SALE .. but it was being offered as a substitute for another quilt that WAS on sale and was out of stock. It was $45.00 for the quilt and the sham. The pillows were still separate. So.. being the nice.. "pushover" mom I was.. decided to get it for her and surprise her with it that night. She had worked hard all day cleaning both bathrooms and had been doing laundry all day.. so I decided she finally deserved it. Plus we decided last week to put our house of for sale, and the new quilt would  give her room a way more grown up look (so really its only because I want to sell our house! lol)

She almost started crying when I brought in the bags! She couldn't believe it! She immediately gave me her money that she has saved.. which almost covered the quilt. I figured, I would buy her the pillows. And to tell you the truth.. it looks ADORABLE on her bed!  and with her brown walls! (she has been begging us for years to pain them yellow. um no. again).  It really does make the room feel a lot more grown up. After all, she IS 11 going on 17! lol

So today's monday moodboard is in honor of Allie. When we move into the new house.. she has begged us to paint her new room yellow.. and this time, I just might. but it's her room.. so I told her if SHE wants to paint it. she has to do it herself. Which I KNOW she will. I tried to find a picture of her quilt online.. but apparently they only sell it in the store.. so I just took pictures of her bed. It looks great on the bed my husband made her a few years ago.

 

 

 

Allis is my sunshine. I am wondering if she knows that and that is why she loves the color yellow.  I honestly love spending time with her. Truly do. She is funny and caring and helpful. She talks alot. Which I find sometimes .. hum.. let's just say... never mind. It's not good. BUT i realize she is at the age where she wants to talk alot and so I just let her. Sometimes I will interrupt her and ask her to just tell me the end of the story.. instead of the 2 hour middle.. and she does. But usually I let her tell the entire story of why her room is not clean and her she couldn't come straight home after school. I figure someday she will stop talking as much.. so I better just enjoy it while she still does.

So in honor of allie and her obession with the color yellow...

 here is Week #13 moodboard!

 

 Most of the items except for the quilt pictures above.. came from Etsy (the quilt is from JC pennies)
I had all the "web" links to each product saved on my computer and for some reason can't seem to find the document now! So until I have time to go back and link all of the fun products.. this will have to do for now, I will try and get them posted later tonight after I get my work done!

So I don't know if you have already seen friday's post.. it was late in the day.. but I have a couple of fun giveaways still going on..

check out THIS post here, to get entered to win a some fun new art supplies from Pink Paislee

and check out this post HERE, to get entered to win a spot into the 2nd launch of the She Art Workshop! Starting April 11th!

I will post the winners of both of these on Friday!

Also.. two of my awesome She Art Students emailed this past wekend to let me know that they were giving away a spot into my upcoming classes, as part of a pay it forward project! I was so dang TOUCHED! . Make sure to visit each of their blogs!

Stephanie Lin

Amy Boland

Such big hearts! I LOVE IT!

Tomorrow, I have a special tuesday post to share with you.. about a HUGE new project I have been invited to work on with one of my very best friends!

Wednesday I will have some new art to show you! I know it's been a while.. but I have been working hard another yet ANOTHER huge project, I will share with you on friday! can't wait!

Happy Monday!

 

 

 

Monday Moodboard - Carnival Ride

 

I wokeup this morning to the birds chirping and a peak of sun on my face and I almost dreamed it was summer. Then I actually opened my eyes and saw our bare 100 year old tree outside, just waiting for spring to come, so his buds can start to sprout and leave will come again to his branches. The sun quickly hid behind those dang clouds and I realized.. nope! It's still spring and it's "eastern idaho" spring.. which means cloudy skies, rain, sometimes snow and highs about 40! lol..

SO in an attempt to think of warmer day and sunnier times.. I am going with a Carnival Theme today..

Seriously if you ever want to look at some really fun colorful things on Etsy.. do a search under carnival. It will pull up so many happy things.. it will just brighten your day!

 

 

25 Retro Wagon PopCorn Bags

Toddler Girl Carnival Clown Costume

Daydreaming Fine Art Carnival Print

Cotton Candy Earing

Hold on Tight Print

50 Blue Paper Straws And Custom Straw Toppers

Icre Cream Miniature Food Platter

Victorian  Carnival Mini Top Hat

Carnival Red Snowcone Ornament

Olivia Colorful Fabric Daisy Clip

Carnival Pinwheel Poster

and that's it! Hum.. only problem now is I am REALLY craving a snow-cone! Lol  dang! Might have to go for a popsicle instead.

Well this week I have a lot of fun things planned for the blog. Seems like lately i have done a lot of serious posts. So this week all fun baby!

Also will be debuting a brand new art journaling class that starts in May! She Had three Hearts.. can't wait to tell you more!

Happy Monday!

 

 

 

Monday Moodboard- Retro Throwback ...and a HUGE giveaway!

 Monday Moodboard on a tuesday? Uh-oh! Watch out.. things are getting a little crazy around here!! lol

Yesterday was the first debut launch of the She Art Workshop!!!I have been soo excited to see all of the wonderful creations already coming in on the flickr site from creative people all over the world!  It's awesome to have so many creative people in one space and inspiring each other! Loving it!

 

This week's moodboard is inspired by some of my favorite retro items.. all from delicious etsy of course! and All but two items are under $5.00 bucks! (marked with **)

 

Keep Looking (suite-case print)
 

Vogue Knitting 1960 Pattern **

Just Keeping Tabs Postcard with envelopes **

Grandmother's Garden Retro Afghan Pattern **

Mytroshka Dolls Metallic photo **

Big Red Vintage Typewriter Bag

Polka Dot  Platform shoes**

Retro Camera Necklaces (hello $1.25!!) **

Gold Plated Bicycle Earrings ($.99!!) **

Crocheted Felted Tote PDF pattern **

 

So those are my fun finds for this week!!

 oh my goodness life has been crazy busy over the last two weeks and I think I still have about another month to go! I have A HUGE project I am working on.. can't wait to share.. oh sooo excited.. here's a hint.. "Surtex, New York.. this May!!"

more on that later! lol.. but not too mention, two more weeks of the She Art Workshop (seriously I could spend all day in the classroom with those girls!) Plus the shop, even more stuff coming this week! Plus new kits for March.. I think I need to clone myself.. is that possible yet? lol  Oh Hey! by the way.. did you know that even though the She Art Workshop debut started. you can still sign up for the second launch!? April 11th? You will have instant FULL access to the class once it opens! So you can still sign up!!! check it out!

Okay.. so I better get back to work.. got a fun church thing I have to also prepare for tonight.. (Young Women's in our ward have New Beginnings).. always fun!

BUT before I go.. had to share with you a HUGE giveaway going on today over at my friend, Melody Ross's website! I know it's huge.. because our Scarlet Lime shop was one of the Sponsors!! We included 5 of our Mixed Media kits! PLUS there tons of other prizes!!
You have to check it out! AND her Soul Restoration class!  So make sure you check it out!!

 

Soul Restoration Giveaway!

one more thing before I go.. just wanted to wish my dear friend, Julie.. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! so glad to call her friend.. can't wait to see her next month! Yipee!

Happy Tuesday!

 

 

Monday Moodboard: Woodland Splendor and a life lesson

 

Today we were supposed to be up skiing and snowboarding in the hills with our kids.. but sometimes you have to adjust your plans because you just need to do the right thing. We were crazy amazed and grateful last week for the orders that came in for the launch of the new Mixed media Shop on our Scarlet Lime Website.. but sooooo not prepared for so many! Normally it takes  2-3  business days in house for us to process the regular day to day orders we get  from our two stores.. but with the launch, and amount of orders we got just that NIGHT, we didn't know if we could make that 2-3 processing  commitment we had made to ourselves and our customers.  We have been working as quickly as possible, working late nights last week.. and all day saturday to print, pull, package and ship the orders that came in. We still have over a third of them left.. and our goal was to have them all ship out within that 2-3 business day time.  We wanted ensure everyone got their packages in a timely matter and in time for the She Art Workshop to start! Well 3 business days is tomorrow.  So we sat down with our kids and had a little life lesson in commitment and priorities and doing what's right instead of doing what's sound fun.  We talked about how blessed we  were as a family this new shop launch went so well, and that we apprieciate our customers for supporting us. Our kids know this is our livelihood and that this IS our only source of income.  We told them how we normally only take 2-3 business days to process orders and since today was a national holiday, that meant that we needed to ship everything by end of day tomorrow. We also told them that even though  we had planned to go skiing today as a family, that  because of our commitments to our customers, the right thing to do is to make good on those commitments... and that sometimes work has to come before play. We asked them to take a vote as a family and we would ultimately do what the family wanted.. because after all this IS a family business.  We gave them two options: we could stay home and work hard all together.. to get these orders finished and then spend a fun evening tonight doing a movie and dinner.. or go skiing and have tons of fun.. and we would have late packages and anxious customers who are so excited about receiving their fun new goodies. We put it out on the table and let them decide. And you know what they decided? Well obviously you do by now! lol.. we stayed home. It wasn't an easy decision. oh my heck! you know how bad I wanted to go snowboarding this morning? ?.. be up in the hills, on the slopes.. surrounded by beautiful white snow. AND to make it even more tempting, Targhee GOT 30" OF NEW SNOW in the last 24 hours!! that's sweet powder baby!!...but we are staying home and doing the Right thing! Which I have to admit I am proud of.. because we are not a perfect family and we don't always do the right thing!

 

So as a reminder that you can ALWAYS find  good things out of EVERY situation.. even when plans change ( because even though we stayed home from skiing we  NOW get to go see the Gnomeo and Juliet movie tonight as a family.. wahoo!! ) I found these fun whimsical "woodland" goodies. They make me happy, the make me smile.. and they are a just what we need today to get our energy going to get our work done.. so we can play! It reminds me of the 7 Dwarves in Snow White.. whistling while they work.. (haha.. usually with my kids there is NO whistling if they have been asked to work).. but today.. I can happily say.. there is. Enjoy!

 

 
All of these bright fun goodies, I found on etsy..

Woodland Yellow Necklace

Woodland Deer Cupcake Toppers

Deer Cake Toppers ( i know a little pricey.. okay a lot pricey.. but oh so cute!)

Woodland Fawn ClipArt Collage Sheet

Garden Gnome and Mushroom pillows

The Foxed Found Bliss

Loving Wood Gnomes

Woodland Creatures Recycled Locket Set

Tucker HandmadeFelted Owl Plushie

Mushroom Wool UPcycled Ornaments

Litte Red Riding Hood Ponytail holders

Deer Pixie Girl and Hat

Squirrel Dog Color

Aren't all of these just so fun! Makes you want to just JUMP into a disney movie and sing along!

Well thanks for letting me share my little story today.. there's always a reason for everything right?

Before I go.. just a reminder.. the She Art Workshop starts in ONE WEEK!!!!!! Holy cow! So fun! If you need the supply list, or want to watch the fun sneak peek video of what's in store for this class.. click on the link in the top right corner of my blog that says "She Art Workshop" or just Workshop!
 Can't wait to have you all in class! If you aren't registered yet.. you have ONE WEEK LEFT! We would love to have you! :)

Happy Monday sweet friends!

 edited to add:  our friends that went up skiing without us, just texted to say that the small  road to Targhee (just outside of Alta Wyoming)  closed down due to winds and drifting snow. So they weren't able to go and are now headed back home. It's a 2 and half hour drive to Targhee. We would have driven 2 and half hours to find out, we should have just stayed home anyway.. and still had to drive 2.5 hours back! See.good things always DO come out of any situation! :)

Monday Moodboard- fresh linens.. and p.s. happy heart day!

okay first off.. can I just say.. YOU ALL FREAKING ROCK! oh my heck.. when I posted that little gift to you on friday I had no idea the outpouring of love that would come my way.. I wasn't expecting it.. but I can tell you it was SO thoughtful and so so cherished. I had such a busy weekend that when I sat down last night to relax and catch up on the blog.. I was honestly overcome with gratitude for you all.. reading each and everyone of your comments.. I read some to my husband  and kids and told them.. THESE WOMAN JUST ROCK!

So thank you!

If you didn't get a chance to read the blog post on friday yet.. I have a special gift for all of you wonderful wonderful people for Valetines Day.. You can check it out here.. it's a free download of an art piece I created JUST FOR YOU!

 Here's a little peek

 

So yipee for Monday! It's Monday Moodboard time!

  
Today's Monday Moodboard is inspired by the smell and feelof fresh linens! Think of cotton, lace, burlap, linen.. all of those items just makes me think of waking up in the morning with the sun shining and birds chirping.. house clean, everything in order.. oh man I can almost taste it! lol.  I know today is valentines day.. and the theme SHOULD be centered around that.. but i guess I like to be different :) So here is today's moodboard

 
 
of course most of the sweet treats were found on etsy.. but there are actually a few that weren't! Here is my list!

Burlap Wrapped Candlesticks

Owl Nest Print (I heart this!)

Remember the Day FeedSack Pillow

Sweet Summer Apira Blouse

Sweet Friends Canvas print

 Baby Elephant Vintage Paper

Vintage Ledger Eyelet Tags

The Art of Spring Guilded Life Event (seriously awesome.. i am going to this!!)

Wooded Fruit Felted Pods

Ledger Number Tiny Tags (ordering some for the shop!)

Vintage Cream Lace Soldered Pendant

So those are just a few of my favorite things this week!

Speaking of my favorite things.. I can't let the rest of this post go by without giving some love to my very best friend, the love of my life, my pal, my business partner, husband, father to my children... I think I could go on and on.. but benny..

i just wanted to say " I love you" .

Seriously that guy rocks! So love to be able to spend 24/7 with him. Can't imagine life it any other way!
Over the weekend I painted this little canvas for him.. to hang in his office (which really is my office.. his desk is next to mine! gotta love it!)

It reads:

"He was her one true love"

 

I used modeling paste and a texture brush to create the heart

 

I splattered paint on the canvas and used some of my favorite stamps. Then I  wrote B +C in different part of the background.

 

I also got him THIS print from this Etsy shop here (um can I just say that Alisa is one of the most talented artists I KNOW!!!)

 

 

 I hope you all have a wonderful Valentines Day!! We are going to spend it with our 6 kids like we do each year.  We like to do a special candlelight dinner and decorate the table with candy hearts and handmade love notes. We figure we get to spend every weekend going out on a date.. (just me and ben).. why not spend valentines day with the ones who make our family complete. 

Before I leave.. wanted to let you know if you are still on the fence about taking the She Art Workshop.. or just don't have the funds. I have two WONDERFUL friends giving away spots into this class on their blogs today!! 

The Guilded LIfe Girls blog.. is giving one away (which is the event I am attending in june that I mentioned above). You will fall in LOVE with these girls! They are our newsletter sponsors this month for Scarlet lime.. and you are going to die when you see what they are giving away! That newsletter goes out later this week! 

You can also enter a chance to win on Elles Studio Blog! Elle's Studio has some of the best tags and finds ever! In-fact we will be bringing in some of her goodies into the Scarlet Lime shoppe! (which debuts wednesday night!!)

So go get entered to win! I will even have more chances to win this week on My dear friends Mel's blog and the Where Woman Create blog! This class starts in TWO WEEKS!

What are you doing today? Love to know!

Love you all! Happy "heart" DAY!