beYOUtiful (again)

I've been working on a lot of custom orders this week and the "beYOUtiful" theme has become a popular one around here:)

What do you think of the fabric necklaces?  If y'all love them I will make a bunch more and list them in the shop.

Today's my 37th birthday!  Remember when you were a little girl and 37 was old????????
I am blessed and grateful to be here today!  This is my prayer for the year:

Jesus, may there be less of me and my junk, and more of You and Your Kingdom.

Have a blessed weekend friends!  

Around the house today...

We are on day four of being cooped up inside due to Tropical Storm Debby.
The rain clouds seem to have made a permanent home over Central Florida, and we are doing our best to stay entertained while inside.
It's been cozy and fun, but we are ready for some sunshine!

Embracing the Present

found here

I wish I was sharing some of my art, but alas, I am sharing this pinterest find instead.

After a dry spell, my creative urges have come back full force and I find myself jotting down ideas and sketching constantly.  I have been teaching an all day art camp this week so by the time the kids are down for bed and I can actually paint I'm too tired!  I'm hoping for some free time soon just to create!

I think this may be our busiest summer ever.  I'm kind of looking forward to the slow, hazy days when I hear, "I'm boooooooored!"  So far we have just been busy.  I quickly fell in love with the print above...a nice reminder to stay in the present and be grateful.  I will my keep my journal full of new ideas close to my heart and know that the time to create will come soon enough!  :)

Fathers Day 2012

We spent a long weekend at a Disney Resort for Father's Day...

Feeling blessed.
I hope y'all had a lovely Father's Day :)

Wednesday

Do you love my original title?  ha

I checked this morning to make sure I knew what day it was!

Aren't summers the best ;)

There's been a lot of arts and crafts going on around here during summer break.

My kids are dying to visit New York City and I thought this was a great project for them.

I drew one and they followed along.  It was their idea to use different scrapbooking papers in the background.

I got the idea from the wonderful blog:  Deep Space Sparkle.

If you have any children that love art, this is the best website for ideas and inspiration.

And on another note...

I'm hosting a give-away at this beautiful blog.

I love Hannah's honesty and her love for God.

I'm excited to be over there!  :)

HAPPY WEDNESDAY FRIENDS!

10 on 10: June edition

 :Breakfast:  greek yogurt, blueberries, strawberries, walnuts, and white chocolate chips:

 :Early morning painting session:

 :Mommy's coffee time:

 :Pillow-making time:

 :Work-out time:

 :My new shirt that I made, and a cutie:

 :Madagascar 3.  It was super cute:

 :Afternoon painting session:

 :Daily Piano Practice:

:Early evening swim:

*Disclaimer.  These 10 on 10 were actually taken on the 11th.

Um, yeah, I thought yesterday was the 10th.

That's what summer break will do to you.

Gratitude gives way to Simplicity

(prints available here)

I love when I'm creating art and certain pieces fall in place just the way they are supposed to.

I've been painting these flowers all weekend, and last night when I got into a nice, hot bath, I grabbed my copy of the book Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach.
I've had this book for over 10 years and every once in awhile I pick it up and I always find something poignant in it.
The following passage really resonated with me:

"Gratitude gives way to simplicity-the desire to clear out, pare down, and realize the essential of what we need to live truly well.  Simplicity brings with it order, both internally and externally.  A sense of order in our life brings us harmony.  Harmony provides us with the inner peace we need to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us each day, and beauty opens us to joy."


What a gift it is in life when God provides us with just the reminder that we need at any particular moment...

I hope you had a blessed weekend.  :)

Etsy update

I'm making all kinds of new stuff for the shop!

First up are these new bracelets...made from fabric and with my favorite reminder.

I'm hoping to have a whole batch in the shop next week.

You can find this one here.

Since I'll be adding new items, I'm also putting some old favorites on sale.
All checkbooks are on sale for $15 with free shipping!

It has been raining cats and dogs here for three straight days!  We are having a carnival/birthday party tomorrow so I'm praying the rain will stay away long enough to set it up outside.  Wish me luck ;)

Have a blessed weekend, friends!

I workout...

My story about exercise...

I had no intention of posting about working out, but it seems like I am not the only one with health on the mind!
Ava took this picture of me last night after I got home from my run...and I was surprised at how strong I looked.  I guess that explains the five pound weight gain since I started muscle conditioning.

So anyway, back in December my boys were in Runners Club and I was outside watching them run during our Christmas break.  They would sprint down our street to the stop sign and then walk back, and repeat that (intervals).  They begged me to run with them, but people, I seriously could not run just that one block they were doing.  I had to stop and walk.  It was a serious wake-up call.

I've had an on-again off-again love/hate relationship with exercise.  I danced my whole life and weight has never been an issue for me.  But I wanted to be healthy.  I wanted to feel strong.  I wanted to be a good role model for my kids who I encourage to participate in sports.  I decided to join the YMCA.

I know the money commitment for a gym is an issue for some people when it comes to exercise.  I decided to cut back a little in other areas so I could join.  I really enjoy the classes and the free daycare which is a great break for my kids and I during the summer months.  I love the muscle conditioning classes and spin classes.  I run every week but I need to mix it up or I get bored easily.  Last night I ran four miles for the first time without walking at all.  I know that's nothing to some people who train for marathons, but I was really proud of myself.  I've come a long way since December.

I believe God wants us to take care of our bodies.  Not in an obsessive, look perfect with no cellulite unrealistic way, but to take charge of our health and feel confident kind of way.  Exercising regularly really helps me control my general anxiety, and I have so much more energy since I made exercise a regular part of my life.  I honestly feel better all the way around.  It also helps me curb my sweet tooth urges.  Who wants to put crap in their body after they've spent an hour at the gym?

That's my story.  I just wanted to put some encouragement out there for those of you who want to exercise but just keep putting it off.  I'm rooting for you!  :)

Same topic...there are some books about how an active lifestyle serves God.
Has anyone read any of them?
Everybody Matters
Running, the Sacred Art
Sole Sisters

Well, hello there!

Hi!

I know I don't give this blog the attention I used to, but life has gotten in the way!  The truth is that I've gotten in the habit of prioritizing more important things, which is actually a very good thing.  But I have missed blogging on a regular basis.

We have been busy over here wrapping up the school year and starting our summer vacation.

I thought I would do a little re-cap of our last couple of weeks.

Pirate accessories from the $1 section at Target can provide lots of entertainment.

Ashton as Robin Hood for the second-grade "Fairy Tale Ball".

 Logan (on the right) and his friend at the 6th grade award ceremony.  Both of them got the silver award (3.5-3.99 GPA for the year) and I was so proud :)

Ava's painting from back in September.  She won first place at her school and first place at the county!  :)

Girl's day.  We went to see First Position (ballet documentary) and it was amazing...........

This is we do for dinner when I don't feel like cooking...pretty popular in the summer.

My fisherman...obsessed.

A little beach time, and yes, those are my yellow toenails.

My bookends.  I heart this picture so much.

Feeding the birds and turtles.

I finally made Logan this bracelet I saw on pinterest by cutting up a baseball.

Idea found here.

And our Summer List!  We are officially in summer mode!

Last but not least, I have an artistic vision that I'm not sure if I'm going to pursue.

Sometimes I get grand ideas and I have to pray about them.  It would take a lot of time and energy and I'm not sure that's the best idea for my family.  Can anyone else relate to that?   Sometimes I bite off more than I can chew and end up regretting it later.  But it's such a great idea!  I am trusting God will guide me to the right answer...Stay tuned on that :)

***Oh, I almost forgot.  My sweet blogging friend Annie is giving away a signed copy of my newest book, Sew to Swap.  Head over here to win it :)