New inspiration = New creation

This past weekend was a lovely blur of trading bliss! I am part of a trade team and we had a Trade n' Stay weekend and I made 17 amazing and exciting trades. I look forward to the mailbox every day now!

During this fun event I gained much inspiration, and decided to add another creation to my shop. Before Nowell was born, being an "artist" per se, I decorated his nursery with many handmade, one-of-a-kind creations. Many of which I sell now, but one that I hadn't though to until now.

This modern, cutsie "Bird on a Branch" felt wall hanging is now available in chocolate in my shop for $18. Check out the listing here.

Here are some pics of the 2 nurseries he has had in his year and a half! I'm pretty proud to have been able to offer my wee man such a lovely abode. (Baby mobile, painting and wall decor by Mommy.)

Addicted to trading.....

I have just been totally addicted and enthralled by this Etsy Trade Weekend that is going on. I have made lots of trades and I am looking incredibly forward to receiving all my packages in the mail over the next few weeks. So exciting! I just love getting packages in the mail, so this is so much fun for me.

And, what is even better, is trading my creations for others creations. Bartering is just such an ancient system, but it is so exciting! And it feels SO much better than our current system...much less guilt. hehe.

I just keep checking back to see what trades I have succeeded at or who is wanting to trade with me. It is delicious!

I'll post some pics of the items I scored in the next few days...I have a ton of shipments to get out first.

Good night all.

That is all.

Missing you....and you.....and you....

It's been a week since we lost Cleo and I miss her. I am not as sad as I was the first few days, but it definitely feels emptier without her. It's funny how mourning works, well not funny, but interesting. Just when you start to feel a bit better, where every waking moment isn't interrupted by thoughts of her and ensuing sadness, you begin to feel a wee bit guilty that you don't feel as sad anymore. Well, maybe that's just the way I am, but it is so. I have had my fair (or unfair) share of losses....the hardest of which was my Dad over 6 years ago. I still miss him terribly every single day. I don't have any grandparents left, the latest to leave us was Grandpa Tom last spring. Sadly, we lost 3 Grandpas just months before Wee Man was born (both Tyler's Grandpas and mine).

With all the loss, it sure feels comforting to acknowledge what I have gained. A wonderful family in Tyler and Wee Man and that is the best thing in the world. Thanks for being there always....I love you.

Random mohawk pic follows....

Thinking of you little girly....

We lost one of our beloved kitties after the holidays and I have been seriously down about it. Poor girly. We don't have any idea what happened, we believed her to be the most healthy of the cats. She was not acting any differently that we noticed. Unfortunately, I found her and I certainly do not view my bedroom closet like I used to. It really makes you wonder if you are capable...I didn't notice any signs...how could it just happen out of the blue? I am dealing with the guilt slowly.

I miss you little girl.

Recovery + Accomplishments

I am on the mend from the miserable flu bug and getting tons done. Well, at least today I accomplished much. Wee Man and Tyler headed out to see G.G. since we missed that family Christmas due to illness....I still could not go as I am contagious still. And, well, since this bug knocked down 7 of the 9 people who attended the Christmas I hosted, it's a bugger.

I finished 2 custom Monogram Paintings over the holidays (one for a baby on the way and one for a gal who wanted one for herself). The "Big C" monogram was a 16" x 20" canvas and it looked amazing - the normal size for these paintings is 8" x 10". I am looking forward to receiving a picture of the painting hanging in it's new home (thanks Mark!) I have another 2' x 4' custom Motion Painting to complete by Wednesday and hopefully a few more orders come from some quotes that were requested over Christmas.

When Wee Man and Tyler left earlier today I was instantly lost and oddly lonely. What to do...so much to do...but, I need to decide on just a few things...I only have 4 hours!

I got to work vacuuming, washing floors, hanging pictures (that have been sitting on my dresser in our room since we moved in over 3 1/2 months ago), steam-sterilizing more flu-bug-infested-things, cleaning the tubs, sinks + mirrors and then........for the first time in forever I had a long, relaxing bubble tub and painted my toes a lovely magenta color that makes me smile. Ahhh, me time.

Still - I can't wait till Wee Man gets home. And Tyler too.

Unhealthy New Year....so far.

Man, oh man! This holiday season hasn't been so merry. We have had a houseful of visiting family with the flu, including Tyler, poor Wee Man and finally me. That is specifically how I brought in the New Year....with my head in the toilet.

I hope it isn't a sign of things to come....

Here we go 2010.