my little shutterbug

This summer I let Henry take over my old digital camera. And it is one of his fave things to do-run around taking pictures (rechargeable batteries are key). This are some of the ones that make me smile.

our neighbor's cat, henry's bff. 

 

a lovely shot of his sister's bootay.

delta blues christmas

Heather Dunning Short, a close childhood friend from the City of Lights (next to Paris, of course) runs Locals, a store in Cleveland. This little shop is chock-full of terrific art, all from Delta artists. She recruited me to help with their Christmas promotion. So below are items I worked up.

 

Since the Delta is the home of the Blues. I created an ornament for them to sell. Found some old 45's & designed a label, added glitter & ribbon for hanging.

 The ad.

And hip, hip hooray...the little ornament was featured as a holiday gift idea in the Dec edition of Delta mag. I feel very big time. BTW, someone told me that Kristen Mullen over at Crumb did the cupcakes that were on the cover. Yum.

bible study girls

just got back from a christmas party with my bible study girls (and hubbies). And my heart is full when i think of how God has brought us together at such a happy, trying season of our lives....all being new moms, trying to juggle work, hubbies, kiddies, etc. I was tearing up talking to one friend tonight about having a "bad mom" week. And how I really lost it on henry when he pooped in his pants and feeling guilty about getting so angry with him (bad words flying out everywhere). I'm glad i could share with her & not think she would judge me. That is how our gatherings are, a safe place for us to be honest. We bop around from subject to subject-covering the gamet in our time together (switching gears like only girls can). This group means more than they know. It is hard for us to all be there each time, but even if it is 3 of us-God is there and we TALK IT OUT. Motherhood is so hard, I just really had no idea (still don't)-I love figuring it out with these ladies. I meant for us to get a picture tonight, but I forgot...enjoying our visit too much. But here is one from 2 years ago & we are missing a couple.

baby gift watercolor

 

Each are 5x7 size in acrylic easel frame. $30 for original watercolor (frame included).

mae's birdy

 

A birthday painting I did for my friend Jennifer's daughter Mae. Here's a pic of Mae Mae looking quite sassy (with her little bro Carter). Love to Mae, love to Mae's funny, kind, crazy mama. I could not get through potty training without her. You have to laugh at poop otherwise it will make you lose your you-know-what.

 

holly daze

For those of you who are members of the Jackson Jr League, I'm going to have a booth at Holly Daze, Tuesday, Dec. 14, 9:30 am - 1:00 pm & 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm, Trademart

If you want to pre-order something (magnets, notepads, purse calendars, framed verses, Christmas stickers)-let me know & I'll have it all wrapped up for you.

deck the halls & holiday show

This post is dedicated to Rita Wren (aka sarah brashier) over in Tupelo, waiting for baby #4 to arrive. She just got her first Mac; we are going to have computer lessons-can't wait. But I guess I'll have to wait for Wren to arrive & for Sarah to come out of the baby cave...

Prob more holiday decor than you care to see, but here's what's up this year (horse apples, beans, feathers, fun fabric).

 spray painted some magnolia leaves & my horse apples a great shiny green to make them last longer.

 this greenery is SO not real (all sparkly & got it half off last year at Target post-holiday). I added the ribbons, feathers, balls, etc.

 my ornament cluster, really easy...just threaded an assortment of ball ornaments on a ribbon & secured it for hanging.

 I had never see real live mistletoe, but my nieces/nephews found some & picked it for us.

I set the tree up on an end table to avoid tempting little Ruthie. Working so far.

The holiday home show (below)
Such a fun day. I really could have not made a cent and been happy. Just having people in my home, being so proud that I had my tree up in Nov, getting to chat it up with these sweet girls. God is so good to let me do this...

thankful heart=happy heart

this week i'm thanking God for:
+ That Ruthie likes to snuggle (in my lap right now).
+ When I get to rock Ruthie (even in the middle of the night).
+ The way Henry is so proud of himself when he does something "big".
+ That God gives me friends who make me laugh. He knows what I need.
+ Coffee.
+ Thankful that Tim is good at biting his tongue. No need to say it, I know what he's thinking.
+ That He loves me even though I'm rotten.
+ My 3 sisters, each so different & tell me what to do when I can't figure it out.
+ So happy He lets me be creative.

thankful box (sold out)

$15 per (limited amount-email me to reserve). A tradition we do in our house for Thanksgiving: the thankful box. I created a prettier version of it for YOU. The concept: Pre-Thanksgiving dinner, while everyone is stealing bites of turkey; ask everyone to write on a provided card what they are thankful for & then pass the box around the table after dinner & pick a card & read it out loud. We don't sign ours, so we always try to guess who wrote what. It is a sweet tradition, even if you don't get the box. Try this at your house this Thanksgiving...

home show (at my home!) TUES, Nov 16

So very excited about this little event. For one, can't wait to hang with these sweet girls the whole day & I know it will definitely get me in the Christmas spirit! And get my holiday decor up the earliest in my life!!! Please come if you are local-it is a great assortment of craftiness. Email if you have questions.

christmas is coming (early)

Bring it on! I'm am in gear this year! I'm going even use color coordinated wrapping paper
(Usually my brain won't let me plan ahead like this). I really wanted a tree up before this little home show. Hubby tried to convince me that they don't sell Christmas trees before Thanksgiving (thinking he could slow me down). So instead I got a white artificial tree from Wal-Mart, no Christmas tree farm this year =( I'm excited about having my Christmas decor up longer than a few weeks! Gonna use the fabric for toppers on the vendors tables & keeping the colors throughout the house. Spotted these green/black/white beans in WM yesterday & gonna use these somehow. I'll show you how it comes together.

watercolor baby gift

$25 for framed original watercolor: 5x7 size.

baby gift watercolor

Each are original watercolors: 5x7 size & matted to a 8x10. These are $20 each.

ART PRINTS: $15 FOR 5x7 in 8x10 mat

Below are the collection of watercolor/graphic prints I have for you! They are 5x7 prints in a 8x10 mat. They are enclosed in a clear bag. $15 per matted print. Email me to order: sarah@largendesign.com