Jude's Painting

 Ever since my nephew Jude was born I have been wanting to paint something for his room. I finally consulted with Mindi and painted him something. I like how it turned out. I think it looks great in his room and although he does not care about it now, hopefully he will enjoy it in the future. The scarf is my very favorite part.

 I also painted this little painting which is very similar to the one I painted for Jude. I like this one as well. I now just need to find a home for this one!

I made Jude a headband last week with his Superhero name 'Ninja Toe' on it. He loves it and by that I mean he does not know it is on his head. He sure looks cute with his headband on. I am so glad that I have had the opportunity to live so close to Jude, Preston and Mindi. It has been so fun to watch Jude change and grow for a couple months. I am not sure how I am going to survive 5 months without seeing him. Please excuse this picture of me. Just focus on very cute little Jude.

Weather System

I finished a new painting today. This is a rather big one. It measures about 40 inches by 16 inches. It took a while but I feel that the finished product is worth it. I love that this girl is in control of her environment. She embraces something that some people think is a negative part of nature and makes it help her and things around her grow. My favorite part is the umbrella, her boots, and the highest yellow flower.

Jude was very helpful with this painting. Thank heavens he was here to help me.

Leafy Headbands & Giveaway Winners!

The idea for this headband has been swirling around in my head for a long time. I finally tried it out and I would say it turned out to be quite the success. I feel one with the trees when I wear it. That is actually a lie, but I do love it. To make them, I sewed the leaves together, sewed them onto ribbon, and then put a little bit of elastic on the back so it fit tight to my head. My sewing skills need a lot of work but I do my best. What do you think of the new headbands?

I know I said that there would only be one giveaway winner but I could no resist. I have decided to give two necklaces away. The winners of the giveaway are... JOANNA & LUCY! Congratulations ladies, I will get them off to you soon!

Happy Trails...

Happy Superhero Day Square Knot!

Happy fathers day to a superhero, chef, doctor, poet, humanitarian, hunter, movie lover, traveler, husband, friend, and most of all my daddy! If I become half the person you are then my life will be a success.

GIVEAWAY!

Hello! Last night in the deep pathways of my brain, somewhere between being awake and asleep the thoughts of a giveaway for all my lovely blog readers came creeping into my head. When I awoke, I was so excited just thinking about it! I have had my blog for over three years now and I have received so much positive encouragement and support as I have grown in my creativity throughout the last few years. I really appreciate all the support that this blog and its readers have given me as I strive to discover who I am and what I want to be as a person and an artist. I am looking forward to my 5 month adventure in China and a little time off from all my many creative hobbies that I love so much. So before I leave the continent, I want to do a Summer Giveaway Extravaganza! I will be giving away a sweet ribbon necklace that I recently posted about to one lucky visitor of my blog.


To enter, just leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite thing about summer and make sure that I have your email! Enter the giveaway on or before Tuesday the 22nd of June! I will pick a winner through some sort of random method that night. I am just so excited to give one of my creations away!

(this is not the exact necklace I will be giving away)

My favorite thing about summer is getting to escape the heat with a movie in a nice cool movie theater. Whats your favorite?

Beads Galore

Welcome my dear friends to my newest creative obsession. I have made around 30 ribbon necklaces thus far and I do not see any signs of stopping any time soon (except for my journey to Asia which will halt most of my creative endeavors for several months). I really love these necklaces. I also love the bead store that I am forced to go to almost weekly because of the vast amount of necklaces I am making. I have no choice. It is unequivocally out of my control.My first experience with Beads Galore was memorable to be sure. It was a year ago and I was with Preston shopping for wedding supplies. At 9 AM in the morning, there was a line of quite a few people waiting for the stop to open. We did feel a bit out of place because we didnt need wheel chairs or oxygen tanks and we did not know how to shop in this crazy place. I have sense learned and re-learned the proper bead store etiquette and procedures and now it is one of my favorite places to visit. It is always an adventure, always overwhelming, and always a good time.

Here are just a few examples of the necklaces. Happy trails everyone!

New Paintings

I am way behind with posting about my latest paintings. Here are several of the commissioned paintings I have completed as of late.

Among the Forest

I finished a new painting this week. I really enjoyed working on this one. I must really want to become a tree somewhere deep down in my soul because I am always drawn to painting about it. This girl is not just giving life to her own tree but she is helping the trees around her grow stronger. It is a lovely idea indeed. Enjoy.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Craft Day

For many weeks, Mindi, Shannon, and I have been planning a Smith Craft Day Extravaganza! I have now moved to mesa so so we decided that last Saturday May 29th would be the day! It was awesome! We crafted all day and ate some delicious food while we were at it. I wish everyday was craft day! Zach says that I am the, "walking craft day" but I dont usually have people to do my crafts with so it was wonderful. Preston, Zach, and Jude were very good sports. We got a great deal done. We did not get as much done as we planned but we had a good time and did accomplish plenty.

We made, what seemed like, hundreds of blocks. I suppose it was only 38 but it took a very long while.

This is a look at the mayhem that was the condo. I brought all of my craft supplies up from home and Mindi brought some of hers too. It was wonderful to have everything we needed right at hand.

I told Mindi about an awesome salad I love from Macaroni Grill and she decided to try and recreate it for craft day. It was amazing. I loved that salad. I dream of that salad. Mmmmmm

This is a photo of what I have now named "Happiness Triffle". The ingredients are crumbled up brownies, peanut butter cups, vanilla pudding with peanut butter and whipped cream in it. Zach's mom told us about it and Shannon and I went from speaking with her to the store immediately to get the ingredients. It was very easy and delicious. It the perfect treat for craft day.

Almost done with all of our blocks.

Jude was even helping mom. What a good little helper he is.

As much as I hate living away from Mom and Dad and the extra ten or twenty degrees that the city asphalt and lower elevation brings, I love to live with Shannon and Zach and near Preston Mindi and Jude. I have the greatest family in the world. The end.