Happy New Year!

"What will the world Look Like?"

5 x 7 Cardboard Insert 

(from Kendra's pajama packaging ;)

"What will the world look like when you. . . Live Your Dreams"

Here's to a Happy, Beautiful, Purposeful & Joyful NEW YEAR! May 2013 be the best yet . . . 

Cheers,

Kristin xoxo

The Light of Love . . .

"Christmas is most truly Christmas when we celebrate it by giving 

the light of love to those who need it most"

--Ruth Carter Stapleton

Um, OK. So it's been a bit crazier this Christmas than usual. My typical stress-producing perfectionism over decor, food and everything Santa related has been pushed aside this year for a lesson in the real meaning of the season . . . .

In addition to the tragedy we're experiencing as a country, we've had a sick friend (and mother of four) in the hospital the whole month and our puppy hurt her back to such an extent that she couldn't walk for a few days. And in the midst of this pain and fear, somehow the presents and such has lost it's luster. But in it's place, I've learned to throw my hands up and just (try and) go with the flow. 

Still, we have done a few things that I put on Instagram and wanted to share with you here. Wanna see?

One of my favorite ornaments made the Christmas tree

(and my very favorite ornament in front of it :) 

Dutchy mad at Mama for making her stay put

Kendra making gifts for the grandparents

(Totally Pinterest BTW: take a plain plate (ours was from the dollar store), 

decorate with Sharpie pens and then bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Done!) 

Oh! And look. I did attempt to art at least once. Another picture frame in process . . .

And my baby just this morning as she made her way to the last day of school before Winter Break.

Oh, and one more thing: Our Christmas Card picture! Check out this 2012 shot (and the combat boots):

(I'm allowed to think that she's the cutest thing I've ever seen, right? 

Oh, and the kid's cute too ;)

And now on with the show: only a few days left before Santa comes and I for one am going to try and make the most of it. Wether everything is done or not. After all, it's all about the love . . . .

Wishing you and yours the very merriest, happiest, and heartfelt of celebrations. 

Kristin xo

Craft Store Frame . . .

"La La Land"

5 x 7 Wood Frame

I've missed you: I feel like I've been out of the loop for so long! I had an almost disaster with my computer which left me lost for quite a while. And when I say "lost," I mean not only lost without the technology (I never really realized how much of my life is in there) but that I also almost lost all of my images from the last 3 years of Kendra growing up . . . . suffice it to say that I dogged a bullet and gratefully, am now up, running and protected. Whew!

In the meantime, I did do a little something for my Mom's birthday that I wanted to share with you:

I took a wooden craft store frame and decided to embellish it. I started by applying 2 coats of gesso before drawing the girl in pencil. Once she was protected with a workable fixative, I colored her in with both acrylic and watercolor paints. She was highlighted with glittery pens (becoming a staple for me ;) and then actual glitter on the interior and sides of the frame:

Martha Stewart glitter on the interior of the frame

And here she is all dressed up with Kendra's second grade school picture:

What more could a grandma want? 

Thanks for looking!

Kristin xo