Happy New Year!

I have been a bad blogger. All my online time lately has been spent looking at wedding things. But, I have had a wonderful year and will not be too hard on myself. I don't really have any resolutions, but I have a list I would like to check off.

1. Plan a lovely wedding with Mark and get hitched
2. Continue with Cross Fit thanks to Ashley's motivation and training
3. Play my beautiful new banjo a lot more

Those goals shouldn't be to hard to reach!

I wish an amazing 2012 to all!

I think I've been busy

I noticed my last post was over a month ago! Well, I've been playing the banjo, working, and now I have a wedding to plan! Yeah! Saturday Mark proposed and I couldn't be happier. Actually, we couldn't be happier! Yeah! Did I already say that?

I've already looked at every online wedding site out there. And, my wonderful friends have already offered to help me make...well, anything I can think of for the reception.

Good thing I have lots of fabric scraps!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

"New" Ukulele

I tried my hand at wood burning this weekend. Though I'm not quite done burning, I'm inspired to play my uke a little more.



(original artwork by Sailor Jerry)

Woah, what's this?

So...I have a blog. I almost forgot. The end of school is always a bit crazy and I've been having a great summer. So, my computer has been a bit neglected. I have tons of pictures to upload and will get to it one of these days! Here are the Cliff's Notes from my summer so far:

The sweat shop...I mean sewing camp

Steve Kaufman's Acoustic Kamp

A fiber workshop at Arrowmont

Pearl Fryar and his topiary garden

The 4th at TJs

Whew! Well, back to practicing the banjo!

Mug Rugs

I've seen them all over the internet. I didn't think I wanted one until Mark turned his Valentine's Day card over and used it as a mug rug. Well, I made this that same day.


Then I had to make one for my dear friend Sue.

I love these things! And, yes, coffee tastes a little bit sweeter when I use it.

Thin Mints

I'm never experienced this before (with Thin Mints). But they seem to be melting in my mouth today. I eat one and I have to pop another in my mouth. I am bringing them up to the office. This cannot continue!

Gifts for Friends

I am a big geek. I can't help it. I love when I get to make something sports related. I hope everyone likes their goodies!


My friend LOVES Rajon Rondo. This is my favorite. It's just so silly.

A Beautiful Monday

We had the day off and decided to take a walk by the Pier. Pictures don't do the water justice. I love Florida!

Sketchbook Delight with Alisa Burke

I love to make things. I have great confidence with fabric, beads, and frosting. However, I've always been self conscious when it comes to drawing and painting. I asked Mark for drawing lessons in January. We've discovered that we don't do so well taking classes from each other (he never followed my recorder lessons!)

This is my first line contour drawing. Mark said I should do this every day.
This is my second line contour drawing. I did not do this one the next day. It was about 1 1/2 months later. At least I did it...

I've been following Alisa Burke's blog for a little while now. I can't remember how I came across it. But, I am always inspired when I read a new post. I was so excited when she offered an online class called Sketchbook Delight. I must say, the class is a delight.

Alisa's personality and passion come through even in her videos. She makes the process of sketching, exploring, and enjoying my art almost...easy. I've done some sketching this week and I don't hate anything I put on the paper. Miracle!

Just checking out the color palate of my watercolors.

I call this the "Alisa shell" because I simply followed her directions in one of the initial videos. It was really nice to be retaught about shading and using color.
Here are two sketches I did from pictures I took on vacation.

I had a lot of fun and I can't wait for more directions, more lessons, and more inspiration!

Valentine's Day and more

I saw this idea for a card or craft on a blog. I can never remember where I find inspirations when I write my posts. So, if I find the link I'll add it later. Mark has class on Wednesday nights, so the boys and I spent these nights stitching the card. He loved it.

This weekend I finished paining more Scrabble tiles. Yes, I am keeping that beautiful red one in the middle. I can't wait for baseball season to start!

Fiberologie is back!

Fiberologie is my favorite fabric store not just because of the beautiful fabric, but because of Karrie, the store owner. Fiberologie has opened up inside of Whim-So-Doodle, an amazing scrapbook store. It is a beautiful marriage.
I popped in Thursday night for a workshop. We each made an adorable fabric covered file folder. I had a blast, and it was great seeing Karrie again. Funny, she didn't forget any of my quirks!
I decided to make two more folders this weekend. One for a former student and one for a wonderful parent at school who does so much for us teachers.
This is a great way to use up scraps and fat quarters. I can't wait until I'm off my fabric diet so I can so shopping at Fiberologie again.

Want: Kelly Moore Bag

I have two camera bags already. One to hold just my camera and the basic lens. The other is a backpack that holds my camera, the two other lens I have, plus some. The only problem with these two bags it they are very causal. I never take my camera to slightly dressy functions because I don't have an appropriate camera bag.

ENRTER KELLY MOORE. I have been on the Kelly Moore site over 50 times in the past month. Really. Her bags are fabulous. I'm in love with the B-Hobo Bag.

Why haven't I bought yet? Well, I'm having trouble choosing just one fabulous color. I'm digging the Mustard...but maybe I should get the Grey.

If I could go crazy I would get two bags. The B-Hobo (of course) and the JuJu Bag for every day. The internal dividers are removable so you can use these sans camera.
Yes, I am just going to look at this picture for a while. Love. It. I must have a Kelly Moore bag!

Do you have a Kelly Moore bag? Tell me how much you love it!

(all images from kellymoorebag.com)

Lady Chargers

I painted these Scrabble tiles as gifts for the senior girls on the basketball team. I was even able to find the tiles with their initials. Oh, they grow up so fast.

GO CHARGERS!

Etsy Treasury

Okay. I'm a little excited. My Turquoise Play Zippy is featured in my first Etsy treasury ever! See, down there at the bottom. Thank you Sabon Kitty!

Ruffles and Skulls

I ordered business cards from Moo in December. The business cards are slightly larger than cards cut in the US. So, naturally I had to make a card holder for them. I finally cut into my Spoonflower fabric. I don't think I've ever been so excited to have something so matchy-matchy.


These were so easy to design that I decided to also order mini cards and stickers. I loooove them! The business cards are even made of 100% recycled paper!

Naps on a rainy day

I can't stand his cuteness.

A Lovely Sunday

I saw this Valentine banner on Moda Bake Shop's blog this weekend. It gave me such a good feeling I knew I had to make it. Immediately.


I don't have a Sizzix machine, so I cut out the letters and scalloped circles by hand. (Note to self: don't use your old, cheap scrapbooking scissors to cut out fabric-it drives you crazy)

I just added a few yo-yos at the end and decided to stitch on the letters. With my luck they would fall off by February 1st.


Ah, now I feel better.