Remember when.....

Several months ago, I wrote a post asking for cans with a large pop top. I promised to show some of the finished products. I started by using a can opener to open the bottom. I washed the cans, filled, then hot glued the bottoms back to the can. I found that pineapple cans worked the best, because they were large and help more goodies! I stamped papers and wrapped the cans with ribbon, tags,... Each can was filled with goodies to make summer fun: bubbles, squishy lizards, balls, sunglasses, water guns, flip flop lottery tickets,.... I had a lot of fun making something just because, and I think the recipients all loved their little happy. I am planning to do some back to school cans for MC's teachers.

Thanks to facebook, I have reconnected with my very first BFF, oringinal best friends, as she calls us:) I mailed her little ones a can, and I think they loved the surprises. She immediately scoured her cabinets for cans that would work for some creations of her own. She has plans to create cans as party favors for an upcoming birthday.

And Again.....

I am recovering from another round of strep. I think this is about the seventh time since February; hope to get this all sorted out soon! Of course, I am still painting: plates, buckets, canvas,....the list goes on and on:) This canvas is one I finished up last week to match invitations for this little one's first birthday. The mom tagged me in some party pics on facebook. She did a great job setting everything up!

New Orleans

We spent the weekend in New Orleans--site seeing and visiting the museum that had MC's picture. I think everyone had a good time. It was very busy with the Rotary Convention, Microbiologist Convention, and Helen Brett show.
I am happy to be out of school for summer. I am hoping to catch up on all my painting; I know everyone is anxious to get their plates. I will also try to paint some things to list on etsy and facebook, but I still plan to take if very easy for a while:) I said I would never do it again, but I see a yard sale in my future. I started cleaning out Molly's room yesterday. I have to say that my kids have waaaaay too many toys. One box and one trash can later, and there is still lots to go!

Sea Turtle

My little artist created this sea turtle, using oil pastels, watercolor, and pastels. I love having her in my art class! I entered several of my students in an endangered species contest at the Ogden Museum in New Orleans. They received 2500 entries! From the entries, they chose 40 finalists. Three of my students are in the top 40; we will hear the results this week. Wish I had gotten pictures of them all, but I never expected.....

Goin' Coastal

I was recently asked to paint vehicle windows for a group headed to see Kenny Chesney. I was pretty nervous, not sure I was up to the task. Thank goodness, she was very specific; I knew exactly what she had in mind. It took last night until dark, then about an hour this afternoon.

Easter Baskets

I have been busy today making lots of Easter baskets. I wanted to get one more thing crossed off my to do list, and I had people anxiously waiting on baskets. I pulled out some old eggs and used vinyl to add polka dots and initials. Everything is cuter with polka dots:)

I had an amazing week and teamed up with Smart Girls Who Surf for a great opportunity. I cannot wait to get started. I don't want to jinx it by telling too much too soon, but I will post pictures soon!

I Need Cans

I have had my eye on a project for a long time, but never have been able to find the supplies I needed...until now. However, I need your help. I need some pop top nacho cheese cans. I need you to open the can using a can opener on the bottom! I will show a picture of what it looks like opened. Sorry, no picture with the label still on; I will work on that one. You will have to stay tuned for what I have in mind, but I will need around 10 cans by Easter. I doubt we will have nachos again any time soon, so I need your help!

Frog for Breakfast?!

I know I rarely write on here anymore, and I am sure that Laura is the only one still reading:) I have been so busy, but I have broken my month down into what's coming up. 1. Valentine Orders 2. Molly's surgery 3. Girls' Joint Petting Zoo Party.....add to that the plates I still need to finish and the party on Feb. 19. Yes, this is going to be a busy month. Throw in there a little strep throat and ice days, and this is a whopper. It is so easy for me to get bogged down in all my stuff. I read a friend's blog and just had to share. I loved her post about FROGS! It was exactly what I needed to read. I am getting started on my list:)

Sniff, Sniff

Almost 8 years ago, I had given up and didn't think I would be able to have children, but the Lord has blessed me twice. I have been wanting one more baby so bad, but the doctor, the husband,...all say no. I know it is for the best, but it seems like everyone else is having babies! I have decided to just enjoy the two I have even more. I am sitting here looking at a beautiful picture taped to my front door or the cute yorkie drawing on my fridge. I thought I would share my good friend's blog today. She has some wonderful Wayne Watson videos up--Watercolor Ponies; get your tissue ready!

Sugar

I have always wanted a yorkie, and we found the perfect little girl this year. We meant her to be a Christmas present for the girls, but she didn't quite weigh enough to come home. We got her at New Years. We are in love; she is the funniest little thing, weighing in at 1 pound! There are soooo many things to consider when purchasing a yorkie, but we were so lucky to find one from a really reputable breeder. She babysits my "brothers"--my dad's dogs, and she was so thorough in making sure we understood what we were getting. She is sporting her leopard print sweater today and LOVES her rawhide bone that is as long as she is!

I Love My Two Year Old

We are in the funeral home. Everyone is whispering, and all is VERY quiet. Molly shouts out, "Did you's hear me's poot?" Could have died!! I walked out and let my mom handle that one:)

Molly is curled up in my lap.
Me: Do you feel bad?
Molly: No.
Me: Are you tired?
Molly: No.
Me: Well, what's the matter?
Molly: Me don't have any matters.

I am in busy party planning mode. I am doing one big party for the girls together in February. The petting zoo is booked, and the cake is ordered. I have started the invites and bought the plates. Feeling very good about my progress. I am calling this my last party. I think from now on we will take a trip. The money would be the same and a lot less stress. This is the picture that is going on the invitations.

House Bed

When Mattie Claire was 4, we had her a bed built to match one that was in Pottery Barn. It holds a full mattress (not included) on top and is open on the bottom for toys... Top to bottom is 72 inches. Across the front is 80 inches. Front to back is 63 inches. We want more room in Molly's bedroom and are trying to sell it. We originally were asking $400, but I am considering any offer. I want more space in Molly's bedroom and have some big plans, but I need to sell the bed first. It will unscrew and need a new paint job after being put back together. Let me know if you are interested or would like to make an offer.

My Little Artist

I have reached my limit, and I am worn out. As a little pick me up, MC drew me a picture. She even added a little portrait of Flake in the middle of the tree. She used some of the neatest crayons to draw it; they are some kind of all in one Colorific crayon. They are like crayons, oil pastels, and watercolors all in one. I had to make her hold Flake for the pic; she is still worried about ruining his magic!

Flake

If you don't have Elf on the Shelf yet, you need to rush out and buy one. I don't know why I waited so long, but I have just been putting it off. MC was so nervous about Tuesday's doctor's appointment that I promised to get her one, then I couldn't find one. Thank goodness Jason found one yesterday while out delivering plates. Our Elf's name is Flake. He is a bad elf! Last night, he ate a rice krispy treat, leaving his wrapper on the mantel. Then, he took a bunch of ornaments off my tree and climbed it. I woke up to MC crying, because Molly touched him. Didn't she understand that could cause him to lose his magic??!! She told me this afternoon that if he was still on the tree in the morning, then Molly had killed him:( Well, he is not dead; I see him hiding behind the curtains with a couple of early Christmas gifts.

If you have noticed, I have been a little MIA lately. I am busy painting plates and finishing up orders. I stayed up until 4:30 this morning; I am trying really hard to stay on track and not ruin anyone's Christmas.

Help?!

I need a 2 or 3 Shrimp and Grits blue smocked pumpkin dress. I have one for Mattie Claire, but I need the matching one for Molly. Thought someone might have an outgrown one in their closet they might like to sell! I cannot find a good pic of it. It has pea pods between each pumpkin and is a TINY gingham like print.

House Bed

The last Christmas before Molly, we kind of went overboard. It was Mattie Claire's last Christmas as an only child, and we bought her lots! Jason and his dad built her this house bed to match one in Pottery Barn. I had big plans for a flower box and to paint it really cute. However, there just never seems to be time to paint for myself. She slept in it probably twice, now it takes up lots of space! I will never trust Molly to sleep that high up. I am sure she would end up playing Super Molly and trying to fly down! I have put it on facebook; cross your fingers that I sell it.

Yesterday, we went shopping--girls day. We shopped with friends and went to a Matilda Jane party. Both girls had a blast, and poor Molly crashed as soon as we got home!

Monday's with M & M

I am going to start sharing all the stuff that my children share throughout the week. Here is my first Monday with Molly--2 years old.

Cough, cough--"Mama, me allergic to this food." The mac and cheese was cleaned off her plate (guess she's not allergic to that); she must be allergic to the mashed potatoes, gravy, and meat.

Sneak Peak for Blogger Friends

Like I don't have enough plates to do, I decided to do an extra one. I painted this Cookies for Santa plate on a large charger plate. I will be posting on facebook this weekend and offering as a giveaway. Thought I would post here first, so you loyal followers would have first dibs. Sorry--no idea why it is sideways!!

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

A few weeks ago, I got upset with MC when she made a C on a spelling test. She spelled the two words correctly, but she wrote two letters backwards. I called it a careless error and really fussed at her. Later that night, I was talking to MC's teacher's mother, and we were laughing about 1st grade.... She gave me some advice that I filed away for another day:) She said that she wished she could tell us young mothers to not sweat these little things. When our kids were all grown up, we would see that these little things didn't matter or amount to much.
Our community was hit with a tragedy last week, and her words came back to me. I hope that I can carry these lessons with me for a long time. I know that my girls will try me, but I hope I remember to ask myself if it is really that bad??!! When she is all grown up, will it really matter that she made a C on a test in the first grade? I think not! Will it matter that she poured half a can of parmesan cheese on her spaghetti (of which 1/3 went on the couch)--I think not! I can only pray that I remember to laugh at these things and remember--DON'T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF!

This Weekend

I broke my camera, so I don't have any pictures to share right now. We have been super, duper busy. I don't look for it to slow down until after Christmas. Friday, I made the one hour drive to pick up some plates from the ceramic shop. Saturday, I drove back down there to pick up some supplies I needed from Michaels to finish up these Halloween orders. Last night, Jason and the girls carved the pumpkin. He did a great job, and I am headed to the kitchen to roast those seeds. We spent the afternoon at the nursing home. Jason's grandmother celebrated her 80th birthday yesterday, and there was a big turnout for her party today. It was great getting to see everyone!

On a side note--If you are planning to get your little one a Fisher Price ixl, I would go ahead and pick that up. I went to Target--none, WalMart--none, KMart--none, and finally found one at the WalMart in our tiny town. WalMart.com is also sold out of the pink ones. I was starting to panic and think I had missed out on another Christmas must!! I was having flash backs of the zsu zsu pets!