frustrations on fabric

I have stress in my life. My usual therapy in times of frustration has always been the same... paint, paint, paint. Lately, the difficulties have been especially unique so I'm exploring other creative outlets. New ways to let my mind "relax" for a while. My curiosity for sewing is alive and well after taking an online class and reading inspiring blogs and books. Soooo... last night i spent 3 hours making this...

It started as an undershirt and a pair of shorts... and now it is  this! Millie g. loves it. I'm working on a match for Stella Belle, but my bobbin ran out... which means my mom will have to drive 3 hours to the beautiful Baton Rouge to fix it. Anyway, hope you explore new things today! Time for coffee now!

tent love

Charlie snapped this picture in Africa and I cannot stop looking at it. Why? Because I like tents! I like assembling tents, I like sleeping in tents, I like the wrinkled frailty of tents. There's never been a tent that didn't take some amount of "doing" to get constructed... I like that too. I also like making tents with my 3 brilliant children. I do NOT like blowing bubbles, or play dough, or ball pits... but I do like spending large amounts of time piling bed sheets and pillows into a safe refuge. It's our favorite. Just typing these words is causing my innards to long for summer camping. Here are a few more inspiring photos of tents...

"He opens up the heavens like a canopy and spreads out the stars like a tent to live in..." Isaiah 40 

recycled painting

Today was a painting day.  Some days it is worth every bit of the hassle it takes to paint with the kids.  They adore making art. I adore making art with them... the clean up afterwards would be whatever the opposite of "adore" is. So anyway, I purchased some pre-cut wood from our local craft store (40inches x 40inches... big). Instead of canvas I used an old curtain that used to hang in my college dorm room which got demoted to a table cloth, then a drop cloth for painting walls, then Lord only knows what, and now... a work of art!  I stapled the fabric around my wood with a small upholstery stapler and let the kids have at it!

I turned on some quiet classical music and they spent a whopping 45 minutes painting a beautiful background. We took a break to run around in the sprinklers and eat lunch, then back to work. I drew a fleur-de-lis with chalk and they filled it in (sort of) with paint. I did some touch up work around the edges and there you have it! 

This project cost me $4 (only the cost of the wood... if you have your own wood it's free!) After I spray it with some clear acrylic finish, it will find a home... maybe above our red sofa. What can you recycle into a work of art?

home again

We got our ruddy, jubilant, exhausted Charlie back last night. He's filled up with stories of the beautiful, exciting things he saw in Uganda. The kids and I were pretty gloomy here without him, but were glad he got to experience Africa. And most importantly... a long trip to Africa always means really good presents! 

missing

Charlie is in Africa. I am at home. The kids are finally asleep... dirty and full of chocolate candy... but sound asleep. Our life is an exhausting adventure. I must have said these words out loud 50 times today..."Do you not know? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power." Isaiah 40:28&29

strength for tomorrow, passion for today... live big.

making, baking, creative spring breaking

Whew! Yesterday and today have been similar to the long marathon training days. Yesterday was spent at little Dean's Easter program which almost overlapped an Easter Egg Hunt for the girls... which almost overlapped a pizza party with Millie G.'s class... which almost overlapped naptime. I've been working on various projects when I can capture any resemblance of a spare minute. I finally finished my spring apron project for the pretty class. It's crooked and frazzled... but still bright (and might I add ADORABLE). I also baked up my latest batch of Amish Friendship Bread. I'm teetering on the edge of addiction to this process. It's funny that I spent most of my life making fun of my 91 year-old Aunt AnnaLee for always offering us "friendship bread" growing up and now I'm giving it out to everyone I know. Here are a few pictures from the craziness that has taken place within the last few days.  Enjoy! Jesus is alive!

on this day in history

Exactly nine years ago today I went on a very romantic, well thought out, hilarious, interesting date with a guy who I had been secretly adoring for months. He then became my friend, then my boyfriend, then not my boyfriend, then my boyfriend again, then my fiance, and now my husband and the father of my children and my favorite person in all the land.  I made a painting that is almost as bright and comforting as the feelings that come from remembering these little "anniversaries." Sometimes I get an image in my head and I spend all afternoon getting it out on canvas... this was one of those afternoons. Enjoy!