God is Great

This illustration comes from one of the Little Golden Book's by Eloise Wilkin. I saw it recently and was immediately taken back to my childhood. I bought for my kids right away! All of her stories are sooooo sweet and innocent.

Have a blessed Sunday friends!
xo,
Chrissie

A little burlap goes a loooooong way...

It seems like Burlap is all the rage! After Rhoda announced her Burlap Party, I wanted to see what I could do with it.

I bought 1 yard of burlap at Joann's for 1.99. I made three projects with it and I still have a lot left! A little burlap goes a looooooong way!

(And since burlap is so inexpensive, it is definitely a frugal find. Go to Shabby Nest for other Frugal Friday ideas!)

Project #1 Burlap Lampshade

(doing my lamp up Nester style. Go here to see some ladies who really love their lamps!)

I bought the lampshade at Goodwill for $1.99. I already had the lamp base from a thrift store a while back. I made a template and hot glued the burlap right onto the lamp shade.

Here it is in the day time. I printed a "5" from the computer, cut it out, and traced it directly onto the lampshade with a sharpie. I used brown acrylic paint to paint it in. (5 stands for all our children:)

Here it is with the light on. I'm really happy with how it turned. What an inexpensive project!

Project # 2: Posie Brooch

(using scraps of material and scraps of burlap)

In the summer my traditional outfits consist of shorts and plain tank tops or t-shirts. I thought this would be a fun way to embellish an other wise boring outfit. These are so easy and so cheap. I'm gonna make lots more! I'll do a tutorial for you next week.

Project # 3: Burlap Matte

I've had this matte for two years now. I bought it to frame a wedding picture for our bedroom, but never did it. I thought instead I'd make a piece of art for our Master bedroom.

I used a hot glue gun and scissors and basically wrapped the burlap around the matte. Super easy. Inside is some leftover material that I love and the words are cut out of material and ironed on with Heat n Bond. Looking at it now I wish I had used a light blue material, but I'm not going to do it over.

One night I will sit down with light blue embroidery thread and sew the letters on.

Thanks for looking at all my new burlap projects.

I will definitely be using it again!

xo,

Chrissie

Green Chile-Stuffed Chicken

Okay, I need some practice photographing food! It may not look all that appetizing, but trust me, it's yummy!
If you're anything like me, new (and easy) recipes are sorely needed around here. I get tired of making (and eating) the same old thing.
Here's one of my favorite crock pot recipes, served with green beans and applesauce.

Green Chile-Stuffed Chicken

• 4 boneless, skinned chicken breast halves, pounded thin
• 3 oz. cream cheese
• 3/4 cups shredded cheese
• 4 oz. green chiles
• 1/2 tsp. chili powder
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 c hot enchilada sauce

Combine cream cheese, shredded cheese, chiles, chili powder and salt and pepper. Place a generous dollop on each flattened chicken breast, then roll up. Place chicken rolls in the slow cooker, seam-side down. Top chicken breast rolls with remaining cheese mixture, soup, and enchilada sauce. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours.

Go to Balancing Beauty and Bedlam for lots of other new recipes! ...and come back tomorrow. I'll be showing you what I've been making with burlap!:)

This and That

"The best cut flowers are hand-made"

I love the flowers my kids have been making for me.

Happy Tuesday Friends! How was your Memorial Day?

We spent the day at our neighbors playing, swimming, and eating way too much good food.

The kids were in the pool AAAALLLL day. Love it!

This was a custom piece I just finished for a very loyal customer (and friend). We met at one of my art shows a few years back and she has a little collection of my pieces. Cheri actually wrote all these clever sayings and I just painted them up for her. It'll be on it's way today! I hope you love it!


And speaking of friends, I met Lori through our blogs and I have decided she's got to be one of the nicest people alive. We did a package swap, and she totally spoiled me. I wish I had taken better pictures, but she sent me that beautiful fabric swag, two cupcake kitchen towels (we both love cupcakes), custom made BEACH blocks (cuz we are a beach family!), and those two darling pieces of jewelery that she makes in her etsy shop. (Except my necklace has a "C" on it.) I think the bracelet is my favorite. I have a very small wrist and Lori made small enough to fit me.

Thanks so much Lori, it was fun! If you want to see what I sent her...she'll show you right here.

And last but not least, here is a cute teacher's gift if you're looking for one.

I took popcorn containers from the dollar section at Target, filled them with popcorn, candy, and movie tickets, and made a card out of popcorn scrapbook paper. Easy peasy but I think they're cute.

There are a lot of bloggy parties coming up this week, so I'm off to repurpose, repaint, and recycle. More coming soon!

xo,

Chrissie

10

Ten things that I'm grateful for:

1. a little girl who loves ballet
2. rambunctious boys who keep me on my toes
3. a hardworking and loving hubby
4. a church who prays for their people
5. a little bit of sunshine this morning after a week of straight rain
6. passion in life
7. successfully transitioning the baby out of our room and into his brother's
8. my new label maker
9. $2.50 flip-flops from Old Navy
10. fresh strawberries and cherries

Thanks Crystal for the inspiration!

HuGe SaLe, Day 2

Yay! I'm so happy you guys snatched up all the pieces from yesterday. Of the 10 pieces, I sold 9 and there is 1 left. I am listing 10 more today. They are mostly bigger and heavier, so they will be a little more. Remember, shipping is included in the price! Please leave me a comment or email me to reserve one.

I'll be packaging up all the pieces this weekend and mailing everything out on Monday. Thanks friends!:)

Have a WONDERFUL weekend!

xo,

Chrissie

1. Cat and Dog

mixed-media painting

12 x 12" chunky canvas

$20

2. What one loves in Childhood stays in the Heart Forever

Mixed-media mosaic

featured in my first book Wild Tiles

measures 6 x 24"

$35

3. Girl with Bird

Mixed-media painting on 12 x 12" canvas

$15

4. Cat Going over the Rainbow Bridge

Mixed-media painting

12 x 12" canvas
$15

5. Dog with Bone

Handmade Ceramic Mosaic

11 x 15"

$35

6. Captivate, Magical, Imagine

This piece includes all 3 panels

Mixed-media paintings framed

$25

SOLD, THANKS!!

7. Cat with Bird and Snail

Mixed-media painting

12 x 12" canvas

$20

8. Chinese symbol for Truth

Tile and glass mosaic

12 x 13"

$35

9. Possibility

Mixed-media painting

8 1/2 x 11 canvas board

$10

SOLD, THANKS!!

10. Welcome to my Pad

Mixed-media painting with hand embroidery and beading

8 x 10 canvas

$15

HuGe SaLe

Hi friends.
You know we've been doing major renovations in our house (still working on the bathroom, but it's coming along. I can't wait to show you some pictures.)
Anyway, I've been doing some major organizing with my art supplies and projects. I'm trying to create a little space/studio in the garage for myself.
I have A LOT of art. A LOT.
I need to downsize because I just don't have room for it all and I'd like to create space for some new pieces.
I thought I would do something different.
I'm selling a bunch of pieces for very inexpensive. When I say inexpensive, I mean I'm practically giving them away. But I'm okay with that! I love my bloggy friends and I feel like we will both win! If you are interested in any of these, please leave a comment or email me and I will put it in my etsy shop for you. All prices INCLUDE shipping. (Did I mention how much I love my bloggy friends?:)

1. Nourish Your Authenticity

12 x 5 mixed-media mosaic

$12.50 (remember, that includes shipping!)

SOLD, THANKS!!

2. A Mother's Love

5 x 12 mixed-media mosaic

$12.50

SOLD, THANKS!!

3. Dream Big

5 x 12 mixed-media mosaic

$12.50

SOLD, THANKS!!

4. Everything You Imagine

5 x 12 mixed-media mosaic

$12.50

SOLD, THANKS!!

5. Love God

8 x 8 painting on wood

$10

6. Pray (Sorry it's sideways)

3 1/2 x 5

$5 ( I'm not kidding)

SOLD, THANKS!!

7. I love you

6 x 7

$8

SOLD, THANKS!!

8. Cross

5 x 7 1/2 mixed-media mosaic
$10

SOLD, THANKS!!

9. Seek out the truth

6 x 8

$9

SOLD, THANKS!!

10. Bloom

6 x 7 1/2 mixed-media mosaic

$10

SOLD, THANKS!!

I hope you are having a fantastic Wednesday. There will be more tomorrow...:)