scissors paper glue

doesn't get much better than this

you know your friend REALLY likes you when she not only sends you vintage buttons but sends them in your most favorite colors ever.

lucky me, that's all i'm saying.

mother's day in polaroid

the game with gramma, my sis, her hubby + family and little cousin

the boy and a little pink eye

Our Feet

A stroll through a favorite store

Time to head home.

next

:: Ahoy,  Captain ::

This is another collage I finished recently.  I have been trying to incorporate the anchor redwork into a piece of mine since I bought it at the greatest antique store EVER while in Portland for Studio Craft.  Nothing was working so I put it aside.  I pulled it back out again recently and began to play.   Then my little captain ended up laying on the redwork just like that and I thought to myself.  That's it!  The rest was easy.

That kind of thing  happen to me time and again, where the pieces just seem to find each other.   

I love it.  Collage kismet!

finished

:: living room wall :: in my etsy shop now.

I am trying to get back to basics a little this week.  i'll be showing some pieces i have been working on and some works in progress.   

Happy Tuesday!

What my children have taught me

You can never say i love you too much.

That mixing two cereals IS yummy.

That being silly is not only neccesary, it's required.

That to make them happy all I need to do is play with them.

That stripes and polka dots DO look cute together.

That I am a good cook.

That a hug and a kiss can fix ALMOST anything.

That I never knew I could love THIS much.

Happy Mother's Day to all of  my mama friends.

saving a moment

:: a conversation that recently took place in my house ::

Her - "Mommy, you said you were going to put medicine on my chin."

Me - "Oh yeah, come here."

Me - "Chin up, lass"

Her - " You MEAN lassie"

Me - "Oh yeah, Lassie"

Her - "And boys are called Lassos."

Me - smile

email, where art thou?

So I have finally caught up on my email.  You all should have 17 emails in your inbox from me.  I was really behind.   By the way what is up with Yahoo mail?  anyone else having trouble with it these last two days???

So here we are on Friday of my mail week and i have to tell you i feel like my posts this week were a little self indulgent rather than thought provoking .  It is hard though because  i just have the best friends that send the best mail and i think they deserve props.  So thanks for letting me do that.  I have been thinking a bit about getting back to the basics here.  This started out as a place to show my collage work and has really grown into so much more.  I am really interested in photography now and am so pleased to see the improvement in my picture taking over the last few years.  Sometimes I wonder why you all show up here?  What draws you to my blog?  I know for me, I love blogs that have lots of color, great ideas and projects and are written in a sincere manner.   What do you love about your favorite blogs?

Are you saying to yourself what does this post have to do with mail week?  Well, here it is!  I have spent this week catching up with people that I needed catching up with.  Why don't you  send one email, letter or card this weekend to someone you need to catch up with.  I know you feel bad because it's been too long but believe me you'll feel so great after you do it.  Most people understand how life is and are just happy that you thought of them.  Do it ok?

polaroid from a beach trip we took earlier this month.

give-aways, swaps and just because

Get ready for another marathon post.

The Give-Away

Recently I have not only met Carrie of Carriegirl but I also won a giveaway she was having on her blog.  Yes you read that right ,I won something!  Now it is with great hesitation that I share Carrie's blog with you because you see she has one of the best vintage etsy shops EVER!  I would like to buy everything she lists but that is just not possible.   She also has an etsy shop with her handmade goodness too.   Go give Carrie some love but stay away from the folk glasses alright???

Check out the yummy fabric I won here in her give-away

and the awesome vintage patterns

Swaps

My personal favorite thing in all of blogland is the personal swap.  I recently met Jen of Painted Fish Studio.  We discussed among other things the weather in MN and if I should move there or not and polaroids and where to get film.   So we decided to trade spring polaroids except lucky me, spring was not cooperating in MN and Jen got worried she wouldn't have any spring photos for me.  I MENTIONED that i loved the soap photos she recently took in Amsterdam and guess what? double bonus!  She sent me a bunch of photos but I picked my favorites to post here.  My friend Jen also has a great etsy shop, check it out!

The beautiful soap photo.  yummy!

 

The cool accordion book she made to hold my polaroids she sent.

The coolest polaroid ever.  This is Jen's feet and her rhubarb, but isn't it sooo much more than that.  Absolutely breath-taking Jen.  Thank you for agreeing to swap.

Last but certainly not least is Lindsey.  Lindsey had blogged about an etsy order gone bad and I felt for her.  I sent her a LENGTHY email trying to cheer her up and encourage her at the same time and you know what the girl did?? 

She sent me this..

 

I know so great right?  A beautiful necklace in a pretty pouch and the prettiest card.  Don't be surprised if that cards ends up in one of my collages Lindsey. 

Thanks so much girlies.  I am glad to have made your acquaintance.

drinks and some mailboxes

Sorry about the late post today.

This is what happened at a vendor provided lunch today.

I did however find some great pics of some mailboxes.  Click  here, here, here, here, and here

more mail goodness tomorrow.

ps. i am TERRIBLY behind in emails.   i will try to catch up this weekend.

indulgent with LOTS of pictures

Yes I the thank you cards have already been sent out.  My birthday was ages ago right?  I know, but my friends send the best gifts.  I was inspired by each and every one that was sent. Here they are in alphabetical order because i gotta be democratic.  What makes me giggle is that each of these friend's sent gifts set to a theme.  I wonder why they think i'd like that? (giggle, giggle, snort, snort) Right Kristin?

Speaking of her, here is what she sent:

Kristin let me know she gives a hoot (i know REALLY bad) by sending all things owl.

 

Kristin's card - oh so very true

 

She sent a beautiful beaded wristlet, an adorable keychain, the cutest owl charm,  the most perfect little ceramic dish and the coolest  owl journal EVAH!  Oh shoot, I just realized  all of it isn't all here.  Her son, Peanut, picked out the cutest, brightest owl bank for me. He made homemade wrapping paper and told her what to write on his card.  He also sang me happy birthday over the phone.   Oh and chatting on the phone with Kristin afterwards wasn't bad either :) Thank you both!  You know how much I heart you friend!

Now Miss Mary Ann she went with an animal theme too.  She is such a deer.   Let's take a look at what  see sent.

The cutest ceramic deer, vintage trim, handmade deer cards and a sweet addition to my rhinestone brooch collection.  Of course there was more goodness...

All of my goodies together:  A handmade deer box for all my treasures (love this), a deer cake topper,  I need a reason for a party just to use it. An adorable deer patch, vintage deer stationery (so very good) and a test tube of little deers. and no they are not cloned.  This girl is GOOOOD people! 

Oh and one more shot of the beloved deer boxes bottom (rated G)

Next up Vallen Queen.  Vallen is my No Cal sister and she know how to make my eyes pop out of my head.  Just look at the way she wrapped my gifts.

YES that IS a belt off of a thrifted sweater.  This girl is a GENIUS I tell you!!

Serious I had never even CONSIDERED navy or aqua with green like this.  I feel a new favorite color combination in my work coming.  Of course there we actual things wrapped in there. 

Here they are:

A delicious button bracelet, vallen style.

A gadget box and beautiful japanese postcards. Oh shoot I forgot the dog clips.  Yes, weiner dog paper clips,  Oh and Jen ,now you know my source for the fish postcard.

and finally the piece de resistance

A beautiful japanese craft book.  I can't believe she found one that I don't already have. Since I have mumble, mumble, mumble of them.

Oh my girls, my posse, how you have warmed my heart with these beautiful, thoughtful and creative gifts.  I love them all.  Thanks you for making me feel so special on the day i was born.