Look To The Sky

it's Saturday...

after a long week.  i've been dealing with a cough that has been taking my voice and giving me a run down feeling.   we did manage to sneak away to a sweet inn one night, nonetheless.   Ella, Philip, and Will David were able to get some truly great swimming time.   That WD is quite the little fish!    Mommy was able to have a precious block of time playing the baby grand in the sitting area, and had a little audience even.   we had two days of school off this week, and at this point, i'm not quite certain if we will start Monday.   this past week of school was pretty much a regular, standard week.  we did finish one of our fall art projets, and next week I will have pictures of both projects completed.    i will throw in a video or two for history and science.   we will establish a better system for our Spanish curriculum.   and, try to have a visit to the library.  Buddy will learn a little bit more about "non fiction" books.   both children are working towards their Pizza Hut "Book It" coupons!    i am excited for the week, even though i am feeling under the weather.  there's something about homeschooling that just delights me.  several times this week the kids commented on how great it is to be homeschooling, especially during our little vacation.   

here is my More Paper Than Shoes October design team project. it is a fall decorative hanging (with handmade flower, embossing, and glitter):

 

and here are several drawings, still the grayscale look.   i told Rich that this year i really WILL have a list for my birthday and Christmas.  i am as bad as my kids!    there are a couple of artist quality colored pencil sets that i'm eyeing up.  

i am considering placing these into my shop, and actually, making a complete "print" shop, no longer offering vintage finds or vintage creations.

Will David, in particular, really likes this one:

 

and this, another in this series:

 

and here is one that is quite different from the rest.  inspiration for this drawing came from a public domain industry drawing book for girls.    think vintage fashion all the way- hats, dresses, patterns...a very special find!

 

one, two, three, Smile!

 

a boy with a slightly crooked smile

 

the squinty eye smile

 

the upside down smile, orchestrated by "papa"

 

the sweet cousin smile

have a great weekend!

blessings!

AMY

pulling ahead

 
some little girl named Ella had a bright idea of creating a train of wagons and cousins on Labor Day

 

so sweet isn't it- the caboose

 

more caboose

 

the full view with Richard pulling away!

 

our famous trio of the "bigs"- cousins Philip, Ella, and Abigail

 

oh i love this photo of the girls

 


two characters, the best (and worst! ha!) of friends and brothers

 

wd held on to this cookie for a long time that day...but finally i had to put it to rest due to a bee following him around.

 

september MPTS challenge

 

Oh I can't wait to share the real thing for this challenge at More Paper Than Shoes!    Here's a little sneak peak, and you'll be able to see the other team members' projects in a few days!

To be honest, this is the only crafty thing I've done in WEEKS.  that's so sad, isn't it?  I just haven't had time.

Between getting ready for a garage sale next weekend and starting homeschooling this week, not much else has happened here.   In fact, those two things have truly exhausted me.   It's been a trying week physically. Each afternoon I have had to rest for awhile and recuperate from teaching two kids.   I'm hoping that after this week (because I really don't expect it to happen this week!) I will be on a better schedule, and able to include some time to craft!

here are a few photographs of Ella and cousins...oh, and Philip, too.

 

 

 

 


(these last few photos were taken this week at the butterfly gardens near our town....it was a wonderful educational and inspirational experience!)

dreaming

of summer days.

or at least spring

or at least a few days of sunshine for this photographer to get snapping.

tomorrow, my goal is to take pictures.

haven't done that for awhile....Etsy and homeschooling, and being a mom has taken priority.

however, since photography IS one of my priorities, i shall make more of an effort to create timeless images.

my heart is glad.

here is a dreamy Ella-girl photograph from months ago....

it has a very retro or vintage feel.

i love that.

makes my heart happy.

my soul joyful.

how AWESOME is God that He lets us be happy with things like this?

small joys...even amidst heartache...ring true joy no matter what.

forward

so there it is.

my word for the year.

subject to change.

and change again.

but it's a start.   i think it is fitting for thoughts i have had the past few months, anyways.  

moving forward with church change, homeschooling beginnings, friendships, Etsy, to name a few.   

looking back is okay, just not dwelling.

looking forward is wonderful, as long as you do it in God's will and time.

here are a few photos of what i made for sweet Lisa's baby girl...Elyana.  again, i used patterns from One Yard Wonders.   i LOVE this book, and it's so worth mentioning my love for it because there are so any amazing things to create with the patterns!   i plan on creating something from this book at least once a month, along with other sewing projects the other weeks.   not sure what to name this "journey" yet, of sewing each week.   i thought of some titles, but nothing concrete yet. soon, i hope!   i will be setting up a group on flickr so if there is anyone in cyberland that wants to join in and share ideas, they can!   i have a list prepared for what i want to work on, week by week.   this is not be a pressure thing, but a learning and fun experience. i really do hope to get some creativity besides my own interested!   hoping hoping hoping!

here's a flyaway jacket along with matching booties for Elyana.   i tell you what- elastic is NOT my friend.  that's kind of difficult to put in.  practice would be good i suppose.....i used this very vintage, iron on seam binding that was TINY so it was a little difficult to put along the raw edges. luckily, i did use this mini scrapbooking/ribbon iron that my honey had gotten me a few Christmases back..it did wonders on a few spots.    i won't tell you how long this took me, especially the booties!  

my sister in law had extra fabric from what she used in her nursery and other projects, so luckily i had that to create with!    i was happy to add some vintage charm to the ensemble.  both pink and cream seam binding.

i have to say-  i am glad i challenged myself and moved FORWARD with this project.   it wasn't good to just continue to hang back in fear of this project.  however-  my Etsy shoppe partner, who happens to be my gracious sister in law, Lisa, and who loves to sew- i do believe she is the grandest seamstress of all, and i so mean that (no pun intended! LOL!). 

blessings!

ps  here's a kid funny.  philip to ella-  "please play with me but don't be a dog..."   ella to philip- "ruff ruff..", as she continues to pretend to be a doggie named diamond, or solve it, or star, or....sigh.......imagination....

peek-a-boo

where's will david?

i can't find him!

he likes hide you know!  it's his new game!   he's quite good at it and wins everytime!  :0

and the best peek a boo, i see you photo...

i just love this baby boy who is growing quite fast into a toddler. but, he's still technically a baby, so i will continue with the "baby" term! heheeee!!!!!  more than likely i'll continue with the baby term for another 70 years! ha!

some things he does lately-

eat peanut butter bread like there is no tomorrow

say "mamma" mostly with a FEW "dadda"s throw in

points using all five fingers instead of one (so cute!)

climbs onto couch

bops others on head with toys if they are sitting on the floor

starting to know that mommy likes certain things and he will actually bring them over to me...incredible

completely rather be with daddy if daddy is around

loves big sister and loves to lay head on her when she is on the floor

laughs at big brother

cuddles mommy oh so closely

finds favorite blankies and drags then all over (say, Linus?!)

keeps us hopping lately

loves bath time

loves to take socks off still

not totally into milk yet

loves blueberries and animal crackers, just like his siblings

can smile the best smile that wipes all fear and worry and sadness away

it's just amazing what babies can do!

thank the Lord for babies!

what's that saying?  God made babies to show He likes people? something like that, anyways!

BLESSINGS!
  
 
 
 
 

snow

my kids love it.

i love it but just not the cold that goes with it!

nor do i like the slippery roads it brings.

but, honestly, i like it.

i like it because it reminds me of wonderful times,

and of especially Christmas.

but now it's New Year's

and we are still in lots of snow and

looking for more!

here is Ella in lots of snow from before Christmas, at Rich's parents' house, when we celebrated Christmas (boy, was that confusing!)

Also, two boys being goofy and three girl cousins being sweet!

i love these pics....so much personality! what treasures of children!

today Rich worked but the kids and I wandered from house to house. :0

fun fun fun!

tomorrow is my sister in law's baby shower. it will be a truly delightful time- i cannot wait. but i cannot imagine how excited SHE is!   ella is happy she gets to come....what a treat for a little girl!  tomorrow afternoon i bet we'll be searching through her closet finding the perfect dress to wear!  i get to play the piano while guests arrive...how neat is that? 

i would love to post pics of what i have as a gift, but since i THINK Lisa may see this post by tomorrow evening, i shall not!   the suspense!

tonight i was able to create a few items for the ETSY shop which i will hopefully put up tomorrow.   the time is hard to find.  will david has reached a new level of mobility so it's just plain tough to find time. that's why i keep staying up til about midnight! craziness!   all in the name of creativity!

i am still thinking of a special "word" for the year. it's something that scrapbookers i know do, and since i scrapbook, i jump on the bandwagon.  last year, i had changed mine from something or other (cannot recall! LOL) to embrace.  this year, i am thinking still of a word...maybe by tomorrow i'll have it.    i take suggestions!

enjoy all the snow. stay warm. stay safe!  blessings!