Bootsie King

I ♥ Faces Nostalgia

2009-08-24T18:26:00.000-07:00

This week's theme for I ♥ Faces is Nostalgia. This is a picture taken earlier this summer at Willa Vista, my grandparents farm. Although Hope will never meet her great grandfather I can't wait to tell her all my stories of coming to visit. An early morning walk easily brings back memories of riding in my grandfather's truck, seeing the cows grazing on the hill, eating vegetables out of his garden and hearing stories of a simpler time, one room school houses and playing ball in the field.

The building in the background was once a store, can you imagine? The story was that my great grandfather ran this small country store and although it wasn't the closest one to her, my great grandmother would walk to this one where my grandfather would fill her bag with extra candy. Must have worked, here stands their fifth generation, history is an amazing thing!

The doll my little one is holding is my mom's very first Raggedy Ann doll. Special enough that it was her doll as a child even more that she has been a Raggedy Ann Collector all of her adult life. (she could fill a house with everything Raggedy Ann) Knowing this is her most beloved Raggedy Ann, the doll with a permanent smile my mom thinks is irresistible, I'm almost afraid to let my two year carry her around. But being the perfect and loving mother and grandmother that she is, she is only thrilled to see her Raggedy in photographs!

I promise I didn't plan all this nostalgia but here it is!

You can also see in color on my flickr stream.

I made it to Grosgrain!

2009-08-10T13:17:00.000-07:00

Really I did gasp to see my picture on Grosgrain,I'm such a fan! Here is the picture, another from my first dress series and now you can see it here too! Oh it's the little things and I think big things that make a mommy's day!

Crazy, Silly, Funny Face!

2009-08-10T07:26:00.000-07:00

So, I found this great blog I ♥ Faces and this week's theme is crazy, silly, funny face. I had a hard time deciding on a picture to post because Grant is ALWAYS my crazy silly funny face! Usually five shots in a row of all different crazy, silly, funny faces and definitely when I'm looking for that gorgeous portrait shot. So here is my pick for this week, sure to always make mommy smile!

A first time for everything...

2009-07-27T06:38:00.000-07:00

My very first completed dress. Learning to sew- I skipped steps and made up steps but finished it none the least! My inspiration- I saw this dress by Decaf Plush for $54 at one of my favorite online boutiques- Little Skye. I recognized the Alexander Henry strawberry fabric and thought maybe I could make one.

I used the Tea Party Dress Pattern from Oliver+S (every pattern comes with this most beautiful paper doll, how cute is that

And here is my version-

A girls morning out with my mom and Hope to Flat Rock in NC and I found the perfect red truck and of course my model did not want to get near it so I bribed her with a fizzy Izze:)

I'm also trying to figure out Photoshop and here is another first attempt- processing a picture.

I used CoffeeShop Perfect Portrait and ta da...

Homemade by Mommy

2009-07-11T12:18:00.000-07:00

This is really my second completed homemade dress but I don't have pictures of the first up and ready yet so I'm a little backwards on my posting! My mom had this great vintage pattern. It's a size three and a little too big but I'm imagining long sleeves and jeans underneath...

I give Ema-lya the credit for picking out the fabric combo-Amy Butler's Fresh Poppies in Fushia and Joel Dewberry's Sparrows in Dark Green. The little red buttons (there are two in back) are from a vintage lot I won on ebay, I pretty much want to put a little red something on everything!

The problem with learning to sew is that now my head is full of ideas and my wish list of fabric and patterns is long. (The gathering process of any project is always the most fun part) Now for finding more hours in the day:)

Hope's First Birthday (yes last year)

2009-06-16T12:24:00.000-07:00

I know Hope will be two soon but I'm still trying to get all my crafty thoughts and ideas in one place. Plus it seems like yesterday anyway...
The theme-flowers, butterflies and bright cotton candy colors.

The invitation...

I fell in love with this stationary from Tiny Prints, is it possible to be in love with paper? The Heather Bailey fabric underneath I used as a tablecloth for the drink table and still have ideas for making it into some sort of lovely for Hopers to wear one day...

The ensemble...

MeMe gets credit for finding this super tutu complete with flower petals and a matching hair clip. Auntie Emalya transformed this plain pink leotard by sewing on matching ribbons for shoulder ties and Nana handmade the "I have to have that" birthday fairy wand I saw in Chasing Fireflies here.

The decorations...

I loved this flower balloon idea from Martha Stewart here. They were easy to make and I found the colors I needed at our local grocery, Grant had to get in on the fun too :)

Everything in beautiful with Heather Bailey paper but I loved these butterfly straw decorations from Martha here. My lovely model...

The cake..

I give all credit for the cake and cupcakes to Couture Cupcakes, just as yummy as they were lovely! Click here for my original inspiration.

The presents...

Hope was totally spoiled on her first birthday of course, this huge cupcake was handmade (yes she made it) by Nana and there was even a handmade gift inside. It really deserves it's own post...

Hope meets Bitty Baby!

The Goodies...

I found these mini tin watering can at Hobby Lobby, filled them with candy and stickers and then stuck maracas and lollipops through paper cut outs for the "flowers." I think Emily and I listened to a little Bob Marley and put these together while the kids were napping, oh when can you come back for craft time Auntie E?

I bought this pack of the flower horn blowers on sale at Swoozies, then later kicked myself for not buying more and had to scour the internet for at least one more pack :)

The mess that is the first birthday...

Oh me has another year really almost gone by? Say it isn't so, my baby girl not a baby anymore? How I do love each and every stage, a new word every day when Grant sounds like "quack" and cereal sounds like "see-O", becoming your own little independent person, refusing to wear any shoes except the red ones, having to do every thing Grant does like sitting in the dug out at his Wee Ball games and climbing up to the top bunk, and oh the kisses and hugs that are Hopers!

Hopscotch Camis GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-06-16T12:08:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite blogs to gander is Grosgrain! I love looking at the photography almost as much as Kathleen Dougherty's fabulous creations. If you are familiar with the blog then you know that if you create a link then you have a chance to actually win a fabulous creation, so here's my link... Hoping and wishing and keeping my fingers crossed! Wouldn't one of these tops look adorable on little Hopers?

Hopscotch Camis GIVEAWAY!!!!

Smitten with Opal

2009-05-25T11:51:00.000-07:00

I'm totally smitten with Opal and Tammy Swanson and Swanson Photographs! I discovered Opal, a petit clothier, from Small Magazine (an online magazine that if you haven't seen click immediately) which is such a treat that it really deserves it's own post! I love love love the photography the beyond gorgeous clothes and even the music that I think I will have to pull up the sites just to listen to! There is so much to see-the Opal website and blog and Swanson Photographs and blog. Start here and here and here and here to gaze and listen heavenly upon the wonder...

Found it

2009-05-06T05:00:00.000-07:00

I love the "name game" when I first meet someone, I guess it's that sense of connection I'm looking for. I do it with everything, when I see an actor in a movie I then must try to recall all the other movies I've seen them in and so on. Months ago I saw these gorgeous images of a bakery on flickr and just knew I had seen them before. Too far away that I would actually have been there so I went searching through my magazines (I literally have stacks under my bed) trying to make that connection but no luck. Last night I found it (three months later). There it was Miette Confiserie,in the first issue of my Boho with the page turned down and everything! I love the vintage wallpaper, how the pictures are hanging on the wall, all those jars of candy! Even their website is gorgeous with more peeks into the shop.Well I feel better now...

Bird One

2009-05-05T09:45:00.000-07:00

Here is bird one on my quest to be Tamar Mogendorff. I really love the raw edges and stitches Tamar created, it was fun to make thinking a litte messy is the look. The fabric for the body of the bird is actually from a shirt I bought at TJMaxx for $7
(the tag is still in it) many moons ago, decided I didn't like it, waited past the 30 days of take back so I chunked it in the fabric pile. Recently, through my interent love I saw that the print is actually by Liberty of London, thank you TJMaxx! Did I take the bird outside, put it in a tree and take a picture? Afraid so, may be losing my mind but having fun in the process!

Tamar and birds

2009-05-04T05:15:00.000-07:00

OK so there are two Tamars with Birds that I love! The first makes these lovely dream catchers you can find in her etsy shop and on her blog. These dream catchers were even featured in Cookie Magazine's (my favorite parenting magazine) holiday guide for 2008. The second are these bird houses and cages I saw in chasing fireflies and tinypeople. You can see more from Tamar Mogendorff here. I really would love to try my own hand at something like this, I've been into birds ever since decorating Hope's room and I still can't get enough!

Flickr Friday

2009-05-01T17:45:00.000-07:00

Because of Flickr I simply must learn to embroider! And the list gets longer...(doesn't yours do that?)

embroideries
Originally uploaded by Hillary Lang

♥ birdie
Originally uploaded by ♥*anita*♥

my embroidery
Originally uploaded by All Dolled Up!

A Lucky Day

2009-04-29T14:10:00.000-07:00

I'm on a constant pursuit to "get my head right." It's so easy for me to get caught up in the news, the bills, the daily chores and headaches but it's mostly the fear of losing someone I love that I just can't seem to replace with happy thoughts. I want to live in the now, appreciating today with the thankfulness of all it's little joys. How lucky I am today to have my parents a phone call away, my babies at my feet, and my husband beside me while I sleep!

Today I decided I needed to get out of my head, this MESSY house and away from the smell of burnt noodles (oops) and meet Josh for lunch. When we drove up to his current work site we were met with the most gorgeous views and open spaces ! Luckily (of course) I had my camera with me and when the kids ran into a field of dandelions and buttercups I was happily snapping away. There is nothing like God's great creation (and the taking pictures of my children in it) to help me "get my head right." What a lucky day...

I heard this song- If the Stars were Mine by Melody Gardot on the way home, enjoy!

Flickr Friday

2009-04-24T14:49:00.001-07:00

I'm into taking pictures of shoes, mostly Hope's. I wouldn't say my shoe collection is that fabulous, but it is oh so fun to see other shoe pictures on Flickr too (so I'm not only one)...

little riley jane
Originally uploaded by kelli jane photo

Red Shoes
Originally uploaded by ittybittybirdy

red high heels
Originally uploaded by kelli jane photo

george
Originally uploaded by bluelime photography

Earth Day 2009

2009-04-22T06:08:00.000-07:00

My sister sent me these fab cards while living in London. I am a fan of all Sarah Gibb's work but wanted to share these eco-chic cards for earth Day! Do check out her website and see the whole eco-chic card collection here. Happy Earth Day!

A Spring Doodle

2009-04-18T09:10:00.001-07:00

A Spring Doddle
Originally uploaded by bootsieking

A little something I drew. I first thought of eggs for the basket but a little late for Easter! I can't decide how I want to paint this...

Flickr Friday

2009-04-17T06:35:00.001-07:00

Hanging out
Originally uploaded by Sylvia Skea

One of my best memories and as long as I can remember my mom has hung the sheets out to dry. The smell of sheets dried in the sunshine is simply the best and one of my favorite things about visiting home. I bought a retractable clothesline but sadly it's against my neighborhood policy. I also love the idea of doing the small things to conserve and "save mommy earth" (what I tell Grant and Hope) maybe one day I'll break the rules or even try to change the rules but for today there is a whole group on flickr for Beautiful clothes lines. Enjoy!

2009-04-17T05:54:00.001-07:00

Portuguese Laundry Line
Originally uploaded by ellen x silverberg

2009-04-17T05:50:00.001-07:00

Dubrovnik 2005
Originally uploaded by margitn

Favorite Paint Book

2009-04-14T12:34:00.000-07:00

Recently I uploaded some pictures from a vintage paint book that I found from a local antique shop to my flickr account. Some said they would make great embroidery patterns and one fellow flickr member even went online and found her own copy so she could make a quilt with the designs. For way easy and toddler friendly crafting I simply printed out some of the pictures and we had fun coloring with crayons. You can easily save the images from my flickr account ( look on the right side for the Favorite Paint Book set or click here) to your own computer for some vintage fun (sure beats our regular Dora the Explorer and Spider Man :) Here are some of Mommy, Grant and Hope's handiwork...

Flickr Friday

2009-04-10T04:58:00.001-07:00

We are enjoying all the blooms and buds in our yard and I love seeing all the beautiful captures popping up on Flickr too! Happy Spring!

Can you hear the wind blow? I saw your eyes are so bright and I hear you take a deep breath.
Originally uploaded by ღMayuღ

Spring Candy
Originally uploaded by Little Starling Photography by Lauri

Pretty Underbelly
Originally uploaded by cherryvanillastudios

Flown the coop

2009-04-09T08:12:00.001-07:00

Flown the coop
Originally uploaded by bootsieking

I did make this little birdie but give all the credit for idea and inspiration to Cakies. Just too much fabric around here not to try and make one myself although I better stick to a pattern (I wouldn't want you to see my stitching up close!)
For the real thing you can buy them in Cakies etsy shop.

Clouds in the sky

2009-04-05T19:07:00.001-07:00

heart in the sky
Originally uploaded by svengali_s

I've loved clouds for as long as I can remember,decorations for the sky don't you think? This weekend I actually laid down and looked up at the clouds. Grant was interested for a minute or two and we looked to see what shapes we could find. If your day is pleasant and you're outside do it, I think it will change your day!

Flickr Friday

2009-04-03T05:59:00.001-07:00

Bibi's Room
Originally uploaded by frillie designs

I love finding decorating ideas on flickr and there are so many to find! Do take at look at the lovelies!

2009-04-03T05:57:00.001-07:00

Wide Shot
Originally uploaded by *Heather Bailey*

2009-04-03T05:56:00.003-07:00

inspiration from sanctuary
Originally uploaded by frillie designs

2009-04-03T05:56:00.001-07:00

nursery.jpg
Originally uploaded by annwood

Totally Want

2009-04-01T09:48:00.000-07:00

I have a folder on my laptop called Totally Want, it's a wish list, a dreamers list, an inspiration list. I like to think I'm cultivating some kind of sense of personal style, ideas on exactly what I do and don't like. I love looking at color combinations, finding new artists of all kinds, and well window shopping online! Here are some of my Totally Wants...

Oh this Great Gatsbyish hat! I think I might as well add the whole Anthropologie site to my Totally Want folder but I do love this hat! I think hats are one of my favorite summer accsessories!

I found this bubble by Jeanine Johnsen in the Chasing Fireflies catalog. Even my three year old son loves this catalog, he thinks he has a new book when one comes in the mail and will sit and look at the all pictures (that's saying a lot, he is more the climbing, jumping, running, screaming type!) My own crazy game in to try and figure out the designers for the items I like in the catalog since they don't share their secrets and then try to find them cheaper, shhh don't tell

Another cutie from Chasing Fireflies but I have searched and searched and just can't figure out who makes this. If you know tell me, tell me, tell me!

This was a double find! I love all the clothes on the flora and henri site but the photography is equally as eye catching! I think this litte girl looks like a little Emily and I love the blue shoes...Totally Want!

Flikr Friday

2009-03-27T05:06:00.001-07:00

spring collection
Originally uploaded by *FIFI-LAPIN*

I am such a FIFI Fan! The most stylish bunny you will ever meet! I just added FIFI LAPIN's blog to my list but discovered the in style bunny on Flickr . I really want a FIFI for Hope's room but just can't decide on an outfit, check out FIFI's blog or click on a picture and see what I mean!

2009-03-27T05:02:00.001-07:00

oh sonia!
Originally uploaded by *FIFI-LAPIN*

2009-03-27T05:01:00.001-07:00

no.228 vintage
Originally uploaded by *FIFI-LAPIN*

B 3

2009-03-24T18:27:00.001-07:00

B 3
Originally uploaded by bootsieking

I drew this for my girlfriend Holly. She is the strongest mommy I know! She is beyond faithfully braving her 7 month old son's battle with luekemia. Their story is nothing short of inspiring and has reached more people than I'm sure they will ever know! You can read more at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mathesonbarber.

I went back and forth on giving Matheson hair because he looks absolutely adorable right now without any, but I also liked the idea of the three Barber boys all healthy, happy, and with giant green lollipops.

I love you Holly!

Flickr Friday

2009-03-20T12:08:00.001-07:00

little treasures
Originally uploaded by threelittlebirds {Mindy J}

Happy friday! Today I'm sharing some of my favorite photos on flickr. Makes me want to get out my camera and jewelry for sure. Do click on the pictures to see more divinity and inspiration from the same photographer!

2009-03-20T12:03:00.001-07:00

j o y
Originally uploaded by Photo Mama

2009-03-20T12:01:00.001-07:00

I've had this picture by mistybliss saved in my favorites and took my own advice and clicked to see what was new, wow this photo is now on the cover of Mothering!

II
~maive~
Originally uploaded by mistybliss

Flickr Friday

2009-03-13T07:53:00.001-07:00

Saida
Originally uploaded by flamenconut

It really is hard to pick what to share with you, I have so many favorites! Here are some vintage illustrations (1911-1926) from Dutch Illustrator Henriette Willebeek le Mair, also known as Saida. I love this one-the colors, the sweet mother and child, and look at those little red shoes with pom poms! Do check out the next two and click to see more.

2009-03-13T07:52:00.001-07:00

Saida (Henriette Willebeek le Mair)
Originally uploaded by flamenconut

2009-03-13T07:51:00.001-07:00

Saida (Willebeek le Mair)
Originally uploaded by flamenconut

Secrets

2009-03-12T07:32:00.000-07:00

Here is a drawing I did recently and an attempt at using the paint program on my computer. I think I need a class, I just want to know it all already!

Flickr Fridays

2009-02-27T12:48:00.000-08:00

So many blogs I read have fun days where they share something like Messy Mondays etc...so, influenced by my current addiction to Flickr I am starting Flickr Friday to share some of my personal favorite finds on Flickr. Seeing that I currently have 1,382 (Ijust checked :) favorites and always growing saved I will try to narrow down to a couple each week.

I am seeing Flickr as this amazing on line library of just about anything you are into. My favorites right now are mostly images from vintage children's books! It's like a history lesson on artists and their work, inspiration and total eye candy. I also delve into searching for vintage cards, fabric, paper dolls, nature shots, craft and decorating ideas and the oh so daunting photography (absolutely amazing work that makes me want to put down my camera I'll never be that good kinda work)

So here are a few to start, if you click on the picture it will take you to Flikr and you can see more pictures from the same person.

2009-02-27T12:45:00.001-08:00

(raspberry)
Originally uploaded by october rain

Oh, I wish I new more about my camera and processing! What cute pictures and shoes!

2009-02-27T12:32:00.001-08:00

Telephone Baby
Originally uploaded by Celestial Charms

Vintage baby card cuteness!

2009-02-27T12:29:00.001-08:00

kittendoll Lola pippy
Originally uploaded by Loobylu

Look at these! Made by Loobylu, you can follow her blog from my list. I would love to figure out how to start making cloth dolls for Hope!

2009-02-27T12:23:00.001-08:00

Mary Blair Ice Cream carton
Originally uploaded by grickily

This is a vintage ice cream label by Mary Blair. I love EVERYTHING Mary Blair! She also designed the It's A Small World After All ride at Disney. I still remember this ride from my first visit to Disney world, it was Emily and I's favorite ride by far! We still talk about it today but I just recently found out about Mary Blair,there is so much of her work to see on Flickr. Do they make ice cream labels this cute anymore?

Nally's Pickles

2009-02-23T19:57:00.001-08:00

One of our friends wants to get back into his family's pickle business with all kinds of homemade relishes, jams and jellies (not all made out of pickles) and some organic. Here's a quick sketch for a label. I'm thinking a different character for the different products like a girl with a strawberry for jelly and so on. I'm having fun playing with the idea anyway, we'll see.

Give Yourself to Love

2009-02-19T12:25:00.000-08:00

Happy belated Valentines Day! I chased Hope all around in these
red heart shoes for a picture and this one is my favorite.
The cupcake is a mini cupcake and were made three days
AFTER Valentines Day but got eaten up just the same:)
This year Grant got his first class Valentines and a bag of
goodies too.

I'm also posting lyrics to one of my favorite folk songs-
Give Yourself to Love.This song takes me back to 14
and camp in Black Mountain NC under a sky full of stars.
I love it so much I had it played at my wedding and
I'm highlighting my favorite parts for you.
So Happy Valentines Day and give yourself to love!

Give Yourself to Love

(Kate Wolf)

Kind friends all gathered 'round, there's something I would say
What brings us together here has blessed us all today
Love has made a circle, that holds us all inside
When strangers are as family, Loneliness can't hide

cho: You must give yourself to love
If love is what you're after
Open up your hearts, to the tears and laughter
And give yourself to love, give yourself to love

I've walked these mountains in the rain I've learned to love the wind
I've been up before the sunrise to watch the day begin
I always knew I'd find you though I never did know how
Like sunshine on a cloudy day you stand before me now.
cho:

Love is born in fire; It's planted like a seed
Love can't give you everything, But it gives you what you need
Love comes when you are ready, love comes when you're afraid
it will be your greatest teacher, the best friend you have made

Cracking Up

2009-02-13T05:55:00.000-08:00

Sometimes these moments seem far and few between, but there are moments when Hope and Grant absolutely crack each other up! Most of the time I hear the laughter, I sneak up to catch a glimpse (one sight of mommy and it's all over) then I run to get the camera. Yesterday I was oh so lucky to have the camera in hand. I love these moments!

Something old, something new

2009-02-07T11:44:00.000-08:00

I followed the wonderful Sarah Jane's blog (I have several of her pieces and want one of everything in her shop!) to the Rosetta Project . This is a beautiful site and volunteer-driven organization where you can see page by page vintage children's books from before the 30's. I absolutely love the illustrations and poetry and had to get out my sketch book. I'm so excited this girl has a nose, neck and knees! (unlike the other girls I have been drawing)

I love seeing the different styles in illustration and writing through the times. Take a peek, if you are into vintage like myself it's totally addicting!

Goldie

2009-01-31T13:29:00.001-08:00

I found this dress by Fiona Scanlan on ebay. I love it but didn't buy it. With lots of reading and acting out of The Three Bears lately I drew up a little Goldie. I am liking my drawings better before I paint them but also love color? Maybe one day I will figure out illustrator.

Show and tell....

2009-01-28T07:02:00.000-08:00

In the wee hours when I'm supposed to be sleeping (I still cannot decide if I need sleep or "me time" to recharge sometimes) this is what I found- I love this Jottum dress and all it's devine details but cheep it is not, maybe I will draw some version on my girls or find it on ebay down the road, for now it will stay in it's online shop :)

I also found Jenny Harris, an illustrator and crafter extrodinare! I'm drolling over her craft space (mine is a "craft heap," I would love to show you a picture for a laugh but maybe I will save that for a before and after post one day) and her peg dolls are sooooo cute! Be inspired and check out her beautiful blog here

Just look at her pictures....

I am so jealous, look...

2009-01-28T06:58:00.001-08:00

Plate rack o' fun
Originally uploaded by *jenny b allsorts

Little Red

2009-01-22T22:07:00.000-08:00

I just love this play tent from Chasing Fireflies but since I'm into drawing and not shopping right now (online window shopping excluded of course) I put these flowers in Little Red Riding Hood's basket. I also made her a friend but I'm not sure about him so I put him on Flickr :)

2009-01-22T22:01:00.000-08:00

A Raggedy Ann and my version of Snow White. I'm thinking of taking the red ric rac off the bottom of her dress and painting the heart red. What do you think?

Self Portrait

2009-01-22T21:32:00.000-08:00

So, I have been having so much fun drawing lately and I'm finally sharing what I have been working on. I started out drawing vintage dolls and toys and this is what evolved. I feel like I am playing dress up with these girls! I've been looking through vintage books and Valentines on ebay and shopping all my favorite euro online boutiques for ideas. If you can't buy it draw it :)

Can you tell who this is?

Gyo Fujikawa.....A favorite

2009-01-22T08:51:00.001-08:00

I have a lot of favorites, in any and every category you can think of! I wonder where I got that from? DAD! So, I want to start sharing some of my favorites. I'm loving the idea of my blog as a place to organize all my thoughts and ideas. Not too good at organizing so we will see how that goes :)

One of my all time favorite children's illustrators is Gyo Fujikawa. I just love how she depicts the essence of childhood and make believe. She was also one of the first to illustrate very young children from many races playing and interacting together. This was before multicultural picture books were politically correct.

I love this quote of hers I found-"In illustrating for children, what I relish most is trying to satisfy the constant question in the back of my mind--will this picture capture a child's imagination? What can I do to enhance it further? Does it help to tell a story? I am far from being successful (whatever that means), but I am ever so grateful to small readers who find 'something' in any book of mine."

Here are some pictures from my own little collection. You can find lots of her vintage books on ebay and many are in still in print. I am so inspired.....

Treasure Hunt

2009-01-16T11:02:00.001-08:00

I got way excited about this "challenge" (see last post) and started collecting right away. Collecting is always my favorite part of any project! Then, this morning as soon as I put Hope down for a nap I told Grant about the Ibarguen's upcoming trip and we played I spy with the picture "my friend Jesscia" sent. Grant thought this was fun but was less enthused to go collecting/treasure hunting with me. Oh well, the hunt was on and this is what I came up. Click on the picture to see a bigger version.

Some of you may get a kick out of the GPI pen :) I couldn't resist!

The watch was a High School graduation present from Dad, I had to have it and I still love it!

The orangish/lime green heart shaped rattle was mine when I was little (Mom you are so good to keep up with these things)

The vintage paint book I found at an antique shop, I love the illustrations and I want to dress Hope just like the little girls in the pictures (Crazy about knee socks and mary janes right now)

I had to include Spiderman-he lives in our house right now, constantly webbing people and saving us :) Watch out here comes Spider man!

Can you see the tiny Fisher Price popper? It's only the cutest little thing I have ever seen (courtesy of Mama Joe) and belongs to a "baba" (fisher price little people are "babas" in our world)

A green crayon for Grant, he loves green! So does his auntie E (emalya) but the save the earth kind.

Oh the Tiffany's satchel, what more can I say!

I did include one item from the actual junk drawer- undeveloped film (I think from my Asheville days before digital) I have GOT to develop that!

Too cool

2009-01-15T21:13:00.000-08:00

My great friend "Spicer" or "my friend Jessica" just sent me this email. Her big trip is moving from Oregon to Kentuky (I'm so excited) with Derek her husband and their two adorable boys (age one and three.) I'm going to cut and paste her email and picture for you too see for yourself. This is just too cool of an idea, too cute of a mom and son moment (so Spicer), and too creative of a picture (she is an interior designer.) If only I could make my junk drawer look like this, I can barely open and close it for all the junk! I totally want to send a picture and I can't wait to see all the others! (I'm off to collect things for my "junk drawer")

Hi There!!

I've been racking my brain for ideas for entertaining our boys on our trip across the country (we leave Jan 23). When I was cleaning out a junk draw I had an epiphany!! Reed and I arranged a bunch of the stuff on a tray and then took a picture. I printed it out full letter size and trimmed it just a teeny bit so it would fit in a freezer sized Ziplock and now we have a fun I Spy game to play in the car!! So, I was thinking I could send it all of you and you could use it to keep your kids entertained for a minute and maybe you could do one for us too (it will be a long drive). it will be fun to see the different things in each person't "collection"!

Thanks!

Love,
jess

ps. Can you find me in the picture?

A beautiful moment

2009-01-07T18:46:00.001-08:00

I'm trying to clean up the lunch dishes (at 3pm) and after rumaging in the pantry (which is usually locked because my two monkeys love the pantry and all the shelves to climb) Hope brings me a bag of hot dog buns and an "I want one whine".

I give in and she looks so funny I have to grab my camera. She has on this huge winter coat that she has already refused to take off,the girl loves coats, and she is eating a whole hot dog bun! I lure her over to the window for more light which means walking to the window because this one is my little shadow (I love it) The curtain/napkin becomes a game of hide and seek and these are the pictures I got. She totally ate the whole bun except for the massive amount of crumbs on the floor :) It was only a moment, only her, only her smile!

More Raggedys and another yoyo

2009-01-06T20:41:00.000-08:00

Today I'm thinking I really wish I had some vintage Raggedy Ann books to take their picture with. Especially after talking to my mom and sister about how Raggedy Ann gets her candy I love you heart - I want to read them too! Maybe to come...

Raggedy Ann

2009-01-05T20:41:00.000-08:00

I'm starting to fall for Raggedy Ann! My Mom(a real life Raggedy collector) would be so proud! She once told me that it was just hard to resist Raggedy Ann's smiley happy face , I'm starting to agree. She's timeless- a Jackie O of her toy universe but in a cute, trendy(look at those striped leggings) kind of way. I spent too much time searching ebay for Miss Raggedy Ann but am amazed at how she has been reinvented through the times and recreated by so many artists! My specific obsession are these vintage Raggedy Ann Christmas ornaments-I want more (Oh the collector side of me coming through) So I'm totally inspired first to draw, play dress up with Hope and Grant and then the photographs. "I have lots of time and I finish my ideas." That's the mantra I tell myself anyway :)

I painted something

2009-01-04T07:36:00.001-08:00

One of my many new years resolutions/life changes-Do something creative everyday! Last night I painted this. The turtle was mine when I was little. I used pen and watercolor.

Sweet Shoppe

2008-12-15T06:39:00.000-08:00

Emily brought me the best treat from High Point I had to take a picture-Sweet Shoppe sugar cookies-my favorite! These are also some yoyo flowers I've been working on. I got the idea from Heather Bailey-I love everything Heather Bailey-check out her blog.

LuLu's Lollipops

2008-12-09T18:21:00.000-08:00

Yesterday's delight-Lots of lollipops! I'm crazy for Christmas craftiness and this year I'm going with a candy Christmas theme, bright candy colors. My inspiration-Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Dr Seuss, Candyland, and of course my babes :) Right now these lollipops are all over our tree but I want to use them as gift ornaments too-I'm swirly with ideas!