Yosemite!

Brett and I celebrated our 5th Anniversary on June 22nd by getting away from the city and our son (bless him) to remember how much we like each other. We were supposed to go on a guided tour but hit a traffic jam on the way and missed our group. So, we wandered around on our own for awhile and had an adventure. It was beautiful. We needed it. We talked about what we want to be different this year, what we need to work on now, how much things have changed since Sebastian...We flirted and teased each other like we used to when it was just us.
Sebastian will be one year old on the 4th of July. We've been parents for one year. It feels much longer. Not ready for any more right now. I want to savor this little one while he's little.
Brett is in the best shape of his life right now since he's been running with the club. I'm weaning the boy. We're taking it slowly. We're planning to see the rest of our family next month in the Midwest. Elsie and I will finally be able to play together again!
I've got the fabric for a commissioned quilt bought, washed, ironed and almost completely cut. Its going to take over my room! It was a good week of catching up (slightly) with the many details in the crafting compartment.
Our Art Journals did so well! I appreciate your comments about them and thank everyone who was able to buy one! We're doing a pretty fun July Paper Kit with some imported tape, vintage plastic flowers and unique robot illustrations from an Etsy artist!
Its good to be back. Thanks for reading!

Down Time

Taking a week off to finish some projects from Etsy customers. I'll post some pics when they are finished.
This little boy is almost one year old!!! He no longer fits under these nursing covers...too squirmy.

I had to tear myself away to post this!

I didn't feel like I was working on a sample when I was making this journal. It was a time crunch but thats almost better for me. I got so into it. I kept making more pages and getting more ideas on things I wanted to challenge everyone else to try.
Check out Amber's pages on the RVKC blog. They are so beautiful.

June Project Kit On Sale Now!

(Kit Includes One Owl Only)

These kits are so much fun! We're offering free downloads to everyone who purchases this kit to print out onto the included transparency sheets. (Customized overlays!!!) Amber Skolnick and I are working on ours right now so they should be posted in OUR GALLERY on Saturday.
Thanks for looking and thank you to everyone who had encouraging words in response to my last post. They are a reminder that this is a good thing. I'm thankful for you all and your shared love of creating pretty things! Now, back to the paints and papers!

Playlist Therapy

I had a frustrating conversation with someone yesterday about the state of my "career" that left me feeling anxious. I went to bed sad because I felt a little pressure to do something that promised a paycheck and no time for myself. I deal with these voices in my head on a regular basis but when someone verbalizes those self-accusations they feel true. Family can be my life saver and my heart breaker at the same time. So, I went running with my iPod and borrowed earbuds and invited the endorphins to join me in my emotional circus. First came Corrine Bailey Rae's 'Put Your Record On'. This helped me let go a little.
Then there were these lyrics from a surprising source, The Drive-By Truckers...

"So if what you have is working for you, or you think that it can stand a reasonable chance,
and whatever's broken seems fixable and nothing's beyond repair
If you still think about each other and smile before you remember
how screwed up it's gotten or maybe dream of a time less rotten
Remember, it ain't too late to take a deep breath and throw yourself into it with everything you got..."

I finished off my run with a select few songs from Jenny Lewis', Rabbit Fur Coat. I ended up feeling that I was okay and that situations like the one last night can be good stress points if it makes me think long and hard to examine why it was said and the value of the thoughts that came from it. The last two years have been a strain on my spirit but I think I'm growing with it. Thats the point of life, right?

Um, on a lighter note, I have finished a lovely summer tote that is going up in the Etsy shop later today. I've also had these catch-alls lying around since my last festival. I've seen some on Etsy and thought they were a great idea so I've tried my hand at them. They hang on your door handle and are perfect for storing frequently used children's books and small toys or all of the things you take with you on the way out. My husband could use one of these!
I'm all about encouraging the marriage of beauty and organization.
I also found this fantastic shop that has some of the cutest onesies I've seen! Check them out!
Off to feed the boy. Thanks for reading.

In the Mail Today...

I ordered these from May Third over at Etsy last week. You'll see something equally as unique in the upcoming Art Journal over at the RVKC. They go on sale Friday morning @ 9 a.m. EST! I think I'll be using these fun alphas in something soon. Go check out May Third for more paper goodies.
Thanks for looking! Love those comments.

I heart Pirate babies.

I found Project Grab Bagtoday on Etsy. I'd seen these dolls on One Good Bumblebee last week so was so happy to have stumbled upon them today. So freakin' cute.

We don't worry too much about germs.

This morning, Sebastian and I took a walk to Starbucks to get some Iced Chai. When we got home, we turned the water on to fill up the swimming pool for my dad. (It evaporates pretty quickly in Fresno heat!) I guess Sebastian was parched from sitting in the stroller for 3 miles! I had to run inside to grab the camera before he lost interest.

Sneak Peek!

What would you do with some of these fun things?
Make an Art Journal?
Thats what we were hoping!
We're making Art Journals and we want you to come and play!
Here's a sneak peek of a few of the fabulous items in this months Project Kit. Its packed full of fun goodies you won't find unless you look as hard as we did.
These will be ready for sale on June 15th at RVKC . So mark it in your day planner, on your Blackberry, on your hand...whatever it takes to remember to snag one of these specially designed Art Journal Kits.
Throughout the coming week, we'll be posting examples of previous art journal pages we've done here to give you an idea of the fun of letting go of your normal rules and expectations of your LO's.
Amber Skolnick is making one for us this month! You don't want to miss it.

Quiet Book Commission

Finally! I've had this WIP sitting to the side of my craft table for about a month. I love the idea of making your own toys. This commissioned piece is for an etsy customer who wanted something organic and simple for her son to play with. Sebastian tested it out this morning in between laps around the kitchen island. I used simple, unbleached cotton and batting for the base. I included felt, chenille and various types of cotton fabric to add texture for curious fingers. I hand embroidered on almost every page and also bound the book with embroidery felt. I'm not sure I have the patience to whip up a batch for the shop because there is so much attention to detail involved. However, I am open to more commissioned pieces if you aren't in a hurry! Up next...a commissioned quilt! I'll keep you updated on it as it takes shape. Its so good to be back at the sewing machine. I missed her. I think she missed me, too.

Aqualung

One good thing about being a new parent (new parent = falling off the pop culture curve) is that there is always new music to discover. Who cares if this album came out 6 (or 12) months ago? Who cares if the band has already had two world tours and released another record? It's new for me!
So I've been loving Aqualung's Brighter Than Sunshine. Click the link for the streaming audio from aqualung.net.

Self-Portrait Monday

These pics turned out looking better than I felt. Brett decided to play along! So dramatic.

June Paper Kit

Here it is! I love this kit so much. Its exactly how I'm feeling this month. A little bit loud and scattered. Even if you've got all the Love, Elsie you can handle, (is it possible?) there are some unique pieces in this kit. We've included 2 sheets of raw, black chipboard and one sheet of the Roxie Fabric Paper (think Gaffer Tape) that you can either cut up and use as embellishments, or make your own little book with.
Kristina Contes and Elsie Flannigan are our two featured designers this month. Can't wait to see what they do with these goodies! Check it out on the RVA kit club blog.