tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18570199513961094972024-02-06T23:07:15.744-05:00My Art and the Mom in MeUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger263125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1857019951396109497.post-30879042956992199062021-01-15T17:33:00.000-05:002021-01-15T17:33:10.307-05:00Home Beam Company<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMAKSE6ia10yj7hyWMFjIK6Ng5OrMxaPMHNw19FRvo6Y_RT21szccHyeMTuDKWNXTyLQBsctkXEZS4eYlh7_V2RLEGbSl71-Bok4cUjAiss5y9g5eSti8jmpGTMPA3w-K2fPOjq8ooSSQ/s829/IMG_0872.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="829" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMAKSE6ia10yj7hyWMFjIK6Ng5OrMxaPMHNw19FRvo6Y_RT21szccHyeMTuDKWNXTyLQBsctkXEZS4eYlh7_V2RLEGbSl71-Bok4cUjAiss5y9g5eSti8jmpGTMPA3w-K2fPOjq8ooSSQ/s320/IMG_0872.jpg"/></a></div>
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Bobby and I have started making wood signs, mostly our favorite song lyrics, and our shop is called <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/HomeBeamCo">HomeBeamCo</a>. Please come visit!
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1857019951396109497.post-53581182565789885842018-09-25T19:09:00.000-04:002018-09-25T19:09:55.509-04:00It's a Cactus Vase. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6RzBg8O-isLP9kObpEKzPg2ObAnPZMT4q42qz2QIDOie4lBQ2EZnyRkudXZkZWAJ3nWUe-P9rCWYqVEFAvT7tyGY7JCAkEqA1ZbywvFS-fmsTVNWNYjCXdr667rsdLjW2YvUGuqIrHDWi/s1600/DSCN1175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6RzBg8O-isLP9kObpEKzPg2ObAnPZMT4q42qz2QIDOie4lBQ2EZnyRkudXZkZWAJ3nWUe-P9rCWYqVEFAvT7tyGY7JCAkEqA1ZbywvFS-fmsTVNWNYjCXdr667rsdLjW2YvUGuqIrHDWi/s400/DSCN1175.JPG" width="400" height="296" data-original-width="800" data-original-height="592" /></a></div>
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A glass vase with a hand-formed layer of concrete - I created a cactus vase - it took hours to make and it was a labor of love.
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As all of my art pieces are - I have zero background in Art until I started making vases 8 years ago -
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But I found that making Art is really what I truly, truly love to do -
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I have found my passion, and I will continue to work at it!
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I hope this post finds you well..
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And P.S. - that girl in the picture is my firstborn, and she will be a teen soon. oh my!
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1857019951396109497.post-54371492485954752252016-12-30T16:04:00.001-05:002016-12-30T16:04:27.047-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYL-iwGPOt_TPs44pUh0EFPp5gWkIPVruDwmtCvkHlSyyqTd6vt4P7eOSvaCtiisx8LDz0Bds-_QLgzQVqLBND4hX1-CUFiWwgsGsoNyUqqDKTZZ-avTgJ-iw94R7YK38hfYaYMrFRTXQ/s1600/DSCN9283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYL-iwGPOt_TPs44pUh0EFPp5gWkIPVruDwmtCvkHlSyyqTd6vt4P7eOSvaCtiisx8LDz0Bds-_QLgzQVqLBND4hX1-CUFiWwgsGsoNyUqqDKTZZ-avTgJ-iw94R7YK38hfYaYMrFRTXQ/s640/DSCN9283.JPG" width="640" height="415" /></a></div>
Wishing you all a 2017 filled with love,
Kristin
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1857019951396109497.post-78977350655726743112016-07-30T08:33:00.000-04:002016-07-30T08:33:46.052-04:00About Time. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82yk1G9hVv4yri01h66KpCshjEQH7ancIlbEM79Cr6qJJLq6NtDw62-gsd1w_nxqKti3mHRKGldLuNJLhOB1fzYFkRETxVs06MRnwH-GsrOtNNx3a2F6p8VbjZBewWskCxO3DflKAu-w/s1600/DSCN8693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82yk1G9hVv4yri01h66KpCshjEQH7ancIlbEM79Cr6qJJLq6NtDw62-gsd1w_nxqKti3mHRKGldLuNJLhOB1fzYFkRETxVs06MRnwH-GsrOtNNx3a2F6p8VbjZBewWskCxO3DflKAu-w/s640/DSCN8693.JPG" width="640" height="480" /></a></div>
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Time has this way of flying by, doesn't it? One of my more popular vases is this date vase <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/464978579/custom-special-date-gift-vase-with-date?ref=shop_home_active_1">here</a>. Weddings, Birthdays, Anniversarys...all can be celebrated with this vase made-to-order with any date you wish. I know that for me, it is hard to believe that I started this shop before my kids had even started school - and now, they are well on their way, knocking on the door of middle school.
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Yes, time has a way of flying, but what an amazing flight it is. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1857019951396109497.post-5133991783212990972015-07-14T13:51:00.000-04:002015-07-14T13:51:46.249-04:00Snapshot. I realized that the profile picture that I use on Etsy is a few years old. So I thought I should bring it up to my current situation.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMIMKOll-sekmuxkD6Bxc_FdRzZJXx_GXWzGyr3HoIK1oL69aCupoNTXhTbEtJX8-LVxTVZoXkyoACGRrdMgmGxQbT8NZqmlOHU2HZnNKkVhWXW7nMh6KxYY-z7G0VLu0-IhHFY17LBXI/s1600/044.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMIMKOll-sekmuxkD6Bxc_FdRzZJXx_GXWzGyr3HoIK1oL69aCupoNTXhTbEtJX8-LVxTVZoXkyoACGRrdMgmGxQbT8NZqmlOHU2HZnNKkVhWXW7nMh6KxYY-z7G0VLu0-IhHFY17LBXI/s320/044.JPG" /></a>
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This is me at 38 years old. With 2 kids in the thick of their elementary school years. With a hardworking husband who is a great Dad and a supportive partner in life. Self employed as an artist (whaaat?? that still seems funny to me!) in my shop <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/CarriageOakCottage?ref=hdr_shop_menu">Carriage Oak Cottage</a>.
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I feel lucky to have found some amazing friends. We encourage each other, we root for each other, we laugh together, and we are there for each other.
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I don't always feel sure of myself. I can doubt my potential. I can be a worry wart. And I can be stubborn.
I wish I cared less about what other people think. And I think I need thicker skin.
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I can be shy in new situations, but I tend to be loud in places where I feel comfortable. I love to dance, and I love to sing, although people don't love to hear me sing. :)
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I enjoy working out at a local gym a few times a week. I feel that as I am getting physically stronger, I am getting mentally stronger as well. I also volunteer a lot at my girls school. I enjoy getting to know various teachers and staff and it gives me a view into their school day. The girls also love that I am in school every so often..I am well aware this may not always be the case, so I will happily take it for now.
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So, this was a snapshot..to be updated again when I notice that my profile picture on Etsy is a few years old. :) Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1857019951396109497.post-85189496241542042712015-04-26T11:17:00.000-04:002015-04-26T11:17:33.039-04:00Life is Full<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ABAwnbGPRw7vfmdpDbrLVaN4rjKUwD-j_5a1a_jGNhf3egIk2mA0B10i0dDVmvwprzAPILI37uM5gAk7VWLM7PfGQSbe4z-FFZBCBd3xaLGrGDUAhH-1zImCLFWeLBl-GbmmVsg_jWU/s1600/Tulips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ABAwnbGPRw7vfmdpDbrLVaN4rjKUwD-j_5a1a_jGNhf3egIk2mA0B10i0dDVmvwprzAPILI37uM5gAk7VWLM7PfGQSbe4z-FFZBCBd3xaLGrGDUAhH-1zImCLFWeLBl-GbmmVsg_jWU/s640/Tulips.jpg" /></a></div>,
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If I post a picture of Springtime, surely that means it will come, right??
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Here's to hoping!
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I hope this post finds you well. I have had quite a busy few months, hence no time to post, or really even think about posting. I had eye surgery; that was a a big moment in my life. I feel like one of these days, I will give a detailed blog post about it. It is on that never-ending list of things I want to do.
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But life is full, I am not too busy, just...life is full, as discussed with a dear friend. We don't complain about life being too busy, we just look at it like Life is Full, and we are grateful for that.
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Wishing you all the best!
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1857019951396109497.post-43939398039317588972015-02-19T11:11:00.001-05:002015-02-19T11:11:54.105-05:00Victoria Magazine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYd8dTOHxyJFhgNzVCfm6h6DMRAV0rkh-upY18u-TIZDDIvf0zi7znpldFvB99rhMohqZtniLmpUpaY4iMLOAoroQQU4MSvwLGjP1FwnDJT2J1snRu3ibpfkiDV5mGpDlyg2vlTAERA4/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYd8dTOHxyJFhgNzVCfm6h6DMRAV0rkh-upY18u-TIZDDIvf0zi7znpldFvB99rhMohqZtniLmpUpaY4iMLOAoroQQU4MSvwLGjP1FwnDJT2J1snRu3ibpfkiDV5mGpDlyg2vlTAERA4/s640/005.JPG" /></a></div>
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My copy of the March/April issue of Victoria Magazine arrived in the mail yesterday. My <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/150850371/as-seen-in-victoria-magazine-febmarch?ref=shop_home_feat_3">yellow sweetheart vase</a> was featured on pages 19 and 20. It is such an honor for my artwork to be included in this beautiful magazine. Thank you, Victoria Magazine!!! Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1857019951396109497.post-16621933942674118152015-01-15T14:32:00.002-05:002015-01-15T14:32:57.719-05:00Springtime Ready<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUrNdlnqcc2VF2F5hxemhZdyZx51SrRw3gPIjelrKYhnc9SRu3iDiP0vgTeisPXq1IEb1KIpKLMUJfmm_3Qy8wtMN3nTpyLtNEbiBn53ggo_1GW4lr83A9zgkC14gemtXzrtEa4Dv6Iy8/s1600/048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUrNdlnqcc2VF2F5hxemhZdyZx51SrRw3gPIjelrKYhnc9SRu3iDiP0vgTeisPXq1IEb1KIpKLMUJfmm_3Qy8wtMN3nTpyLtNEbiBn53ggo_1GW4lr83A9zgkC14gemtXzrtEa4Dv6Iy8/s640/048.JPG" /></a></div>
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Winter has barely started, and I have the full on winter blues. So, to combat that, I have been trying to fill my shop with springtime. Like this vase <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/218638228/small-pale-pink-vase-short-vase-pinkhome">HERE</a>. Are you all ready for spring as much as I am??Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1857019951396109497.post-61591521039996090702015-01-12T11:37:00.000-05:002015-01-12T11:37:50.411-05:00HouzzI am very careful when expanding into selling on other websites. I want them to be user friendly to me as a seller, but I also want the customer to have a good experience as well. Currently, I sell on Etsy, Brika, Bourbon and Boots, Scoutmob, and now, I am a proud seller on Houzz.
<table style="width: 125px;" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/carriageoakcottage1/carriage-oak-cottage"><img src="http://st.houzz.com/static/badge125_125.png" alt="Remodeling and Home Design" width="125" height="125" border="0" /></a></td></tr></table>
Houzz is a different kind of website. You will get what I mean the very second you click on it. I have been super impressed with the level of service by the employees of Houzz. I have been very happy as a seller on my current websites, and so far, it looks like that trend will continue with Houzz! Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1857019951396109497.post-18989135140930060672014-12-20T16:21:00.000-05:002014-12-20T16:21:09.059-05:00New in 2015<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLOy0FsjIeHbL2e-R4RDUlCY_YE9sdFBTzWxEM5lq4FEi4EMoFPTm9U1z0LNkSCjZ1vdYyIzBfd4rca_bUlFCrI4VVJwtmE3mRlhMojGagFx1BHTZQQOiIFtrsbkiZhVQ5v7WlOzaPCf4/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLOy0FsjIeHbL2e-R4RDUlCY_YE9sdFBTzWxEM5lq4FEi4EMoFPTm9U1z0LNkSCjZ1vdYyIzBfd4rca_bUlFCrI4VVJwtmE3mRlhMojGagFx1BHTZQQOiIFtrsbkiZhVQ5v7WlOzaPCf4/s640/013.JPG" /></a>
With 11 days left in 2014, I am looking forward to 2015. I have been working on my "what I would like to accomplish" list. One of them is to more regularly introduce new items into my shop.
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I probably averaged 1 new item a month in 2014, if I were to guess, I know it felt mostly like I was skating by with re-circulating old stock.
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And while, I wouldn't re-list items I no longer felt passionate about keeping in my shop; I do know that it is not smart business practice, and I wouldn't attract new customers, if I wasn't creating new work. So, I want to make that a priority as I move forward.
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The vase above (<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/215927573/black-and-white-vase-2015-year-of-the?ref=shop_home_active_1">HERE</a>) is the first in my Farm Animal Series I am working on for 2015. I hope to have all of the animals completed and listed by the end of February.
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I am breathing a sigh of relief that the holiday rush is over and I am going to enjoy the holidays with my family.
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I wish you all Happy Holidays and Peace and Love in the New Year.
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xo
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1857019951396109497.post-48059356536413210872014-12-05T12:25:00.000-05:002014-12-05T12:25:51.297-05:00Not nearly summer...but......I am already dreaming of it!
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And obviously it is nearing Christmas, so I should NOT be feeling this way, but I can't help it. I am ready for flip flops and the sound of ocean waves.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwlQHbuX8YB0bwBf1buPoQLoYOmVCtZk59JLuQpwQFmxLLeeg8ANUOXDPfYdi8_6RZoPv-kDRBL9lnSkMigXmv2uWaG-i0M2qIJcoRDCwriNNpfz7X8LAwm8o3usvBs4HZbTKLRmYnEQ/s1600/DSC06207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwlQHbuX8YB0bwBf1buPoQLoYOmVCtZk59JLuQpwQFmxLLeeg8ANUOXDPfYdi8_6RZoPv-kDRBL9lnSkMigXmv2uWaG-i0M2qIJcoRDCwriNNpfz7X8LAwm8o3usvBs4HZbTKLRmYnEQ/s640/DSC06207.JPG" /></a></div>
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This is especially strange coming from my mouth, as I do love Christmas: the traditions, being with friends and family. And tonight, we are taking the girls to see Rudolph onstage...I am excited about it...
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but.. can we move the show to the beach?
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1857019951396109497.post-86149623338519524682014-11-14T10:21:00.000-05:002014-11-14T10:21:49.059-05:00Staycation Bobby took this week off from work. The girls are out of school until December 8th, they are in year round school here, which is essentially 9 weeks in, 3 weeks out, throughout the entire year.
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We had originally planned to take a vacation somewhere, but ultimately we decided on hanging out here, doing day trips, getting things done on the seemingly never-ending list we have for what needs to be done around the house.
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Here we are at a State Park called Raven Rock.
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What a place of beauty, a great hike, the perfect autumn outing.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGcNwa0-F5BuOKzaHFb-rcorA-NPO9V9R9WoWIvlCNDbvsysLsUBLkFOpWhewMXldZ_IkW8prvW-geTJ3Gu8IizgmlPeLE65E3jR9bUO_5M0YPnjuJzaZxkT6mYUAAQ3WP52lKfcipNNk/s1600/DSC07589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGcNwa0-F5BuOKzaHFb-rcorA-NPO9V9R9WoWIvlCNDbvsysLsUBLkFOpWhewMXldZ_IkW8prvW-geTJ3Gu8IizgmlPeLE65E3jR9bUO_5M0YPnjuJzaZxkT6mYUAAQ3WP52lKfcipNNk/s640/DSC07589.JPG" /></a></div>
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And it has been a great week. I think we will be planning more staycations in our future!
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There is no place like home!
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1857019951396109497.post-67668827079438793122014-11-02T16:59:00.001-05:002020-06-12T07:13:07.965-04:00Halloween 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlwVnVtiuLhb4JWl_rnDqPWBV5Qm4nReWmwzbg_oTUe60EY-QgHzWYhowGzGv5o5hOlyR7oZ0YIw2SbhNs86wrcrGbGYmnsNe3Uh2xv9u67wiS6mwMJycoyF5kjFzIfb47aRZcqO8XYbo/s1600/DSC07451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlwVnVtiuLhb4JWl_rnDqPWBV5Qm4nReWmwzbg_oTUe60EY-QgHzWYhowGzGv5o5hOlyR7oZ0YIw2SbhNs86wrcrGbGYmnsNe3Uh2xv9u67wiS6mwMJycoyF5kjFzIfb47aRZcqO8XYbo/s400/DSC07451.JPG"></a></div>
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Allison was a devil this year, a la red shirt, skirt, tights, horn headband, and red hair paint. Emily was a witch - a costume we already owned from Allison wearing it 2 Halloweens ago, and black hair paint. Easy, peasy, and they loved it!
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I hope your Halloween was great too! Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1857019951396109497.post-27170678956833094732014-10-21T15:07:00.000-04:002014-10-21T15:07:00.946-04:00My Why. I recently went to a small business seminar put together by an organization called <a href="http://vendraleigh.com/">Vend Raleigh </a>. It was very informative to say the least. And I am still processing all of the information gained, and trying to implement them into my business.
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One of the things discussed was the very personal reasons behind the why you have your business.
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These are my why.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_656HSmJ5x_JziEN-g9tWSorzjDgCZZVrcsYulp0WSr6UdyKnykqi3_F8qnhNpzOIrzgPhZLeickjOaygppeGGIunlkX9wP01ejI4YE97hgv0yRbbLsnd79vaYNLaTt4PeJzfexcfFcE/s1600/20140928_103620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_656HSmJ5x_JziEN-g9tWSorzjDgCZZVrcsYulp0WSr6UdyKnykqi3_F8qnhNpzOIrzgPhZLeickjOaygppeGGIunlkX9wP01ejI4YE97hgv0yRbbLsnd79vaYNLaTt4PeJzfexcfFcE/s400/20140928_103620.jpg" /></a></div>
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What actually started out as a happy accident when I decided one day, I want to make a vase! And then it turned out kinda neat - leading to months of experimenting better techniques - making it up as I went
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It gave me a hobby, something to do when the girls were having naptime. And this whole entire creative side of me that I wasn't even entirely sure was there - well.. it was there!
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And then came the little, very very little bit of extra money. My confidence growing - OTHER PEOPLE like this TOO!!
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And the sheer love loooove of this artwork, of getting my hands dirty, of creating something beautiful that someone may want in their home -how cool! And my kids saw that and they love this about their Mom. They say I am an artist. And even though I am still working on calling myself that, when I hear them say it, I get chills.
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And I know, without any shadow of a doubt, that if I didn't have the full and unending support of my husband, that I could not be doing this.
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Here we are a few weeks ago:
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My family is my Why.
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1857019951396109497.post-46291021612839519002014-10-16T14:34:00.000-04:002014-10-16T14:34:11.161-04:00One of a kind. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjA2Cez_MoNr6DEbKJWqnSF3IM0M0z_OD-1QgjIzBWal5OTGKdOGYsAMmPXEFNtf9C-gDodcBzIYvxT7vrHtiLzo36sU3qjjVrEmKm7ohbQDgomN2HHE7pFc89n2qy8oxcQCm_8nXau-0/s1600/046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjA2Cez_MoNr6DEbKJWqnSF3IM0M0z_OD-1QgjIzBWal5OTGKdOGYsAMmPXEFNtf9C-gDodcBzIYvxT7vrHtiLzo36sU3qjjVrEmKm7ohbQDgomN2HHE7pFc89n2qy8oxcQCm_8nXau-0/s400/046.JPG" /></a></div>
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I have been really trying hard to focus on creating more one of a kind pieces, and the above picture is an example. It can be found <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/207411843/black-and-gold-pot-golden-vase-metallic?ref=shop_home_active_1">HERE</a>.
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They don't make good "practical" business sense, and they are probably the opposite of what I "should" be doing.
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Because if they don't sell, well, I would have "wasted" money, in creating the piece, and the time in making it.
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But, I feel that I have been in such a cycle of creating the "same old things" and the filling of orders, that it took me out of my creativity for a while.
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And I love each piece I make, and when I get an order - - whether is is something I have made a dozen times, or something I have only made once -- I love making them. But, there is just something to be said for creating that which I have not made before - or will again.
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So let this be a lesson for me. To not let me lose the creativity, that I sometimes have to search for to find.
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1857019951396109497.post-59367132847494995722014-10-10T19:45:00.000-04:002014-10-10T19:52:34.030-04:00The story of 3 bottles and this blog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEmrFVVf6Y_HiMCjYFB4uS-sfiC1Mso9hNc46sDn0CdL-HPa9v9eKWcAyj_vGslVjTTwta3IvP9e1o1q6FaQsZ03od0DmImLkiwZ-0GkUDi3EsXrs8DUrijq8CKHo1cxX7kZl1X-T9hY8/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEmrFVVf6Y_HiMCjYFB4uS-sfiC1Mso9hNc46sDn0CdL-HPa9v9eKWcAyj_vGslVjTTwta3IvP9e1o1q6FaQsZ03od0DmImLkiwZ-0GkUDi3EsXrs8DUrijq8CKHo1cxX7kZl1X-T9hY8/s400/012.JPG" /></a></div>
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These bottles have been sitting on a shelf in my office, in their original glass form, glaring at me, for quite some time. Me, with an idea of what to do with them, but of the just "not getting around to it."
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Much like this blog. I have always had ideas for it. Ideas for posts, my thoughts, what is happening. But, there is just no follow through. I recently attended a small business seminar. And it is time to put some actions behind my thoughts.
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I started with these bottles. I turned them into a <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/206706667/trio-of-bottle-vases-set-of-vases?ref=shop_home_active_1">trio of bottle vases</a>, painted them happy colors that make me smile.
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And then I turned to this blog, and here I am, after a too long hiatus. Let's see if my good intentions will have some follow through.
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Thank you for reading along, and I hope this finds you well! Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1857019951396109497.post-58605548131322275822014-05-28T13:48:00.001-04:002014-05-28T13:48:27.670-04:00LOVE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOBU3KhPvZTEihevEPW5TmlS0rB1EYC68ECegGA2cqz_n9DN9unbYp_OLML9LjaXniFg-AsMCBdxEvY1nleHwRr_mVMco4_9AT0AazVCiY3T01Bru4EtLqoirAYw4NwPXwBdV4RnqCXbI/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOBU3KhPvZTEihevEPW5TmlS0rB1EYC68ECegGA2cqz_n9DN9unbYp_OLML9LjaXniFg-AsMCBdxEvY1nleHwRr_mVMco4_9AT0AazVCiY3T01Bru4EtLqoirAYw4NwPXwBdV4RnqCXbI/s400/002.JPG" /></a></div>
Combining my love of FREE ways to decorate my house, my love of the beach, and my love of my family equals this large piece of wall art that now hangs in my livingroom. Collected over many walks on the beach, this feels like the perfect fit for my coastal-inspired home. If you like it, and you are lucky enough to live near the beach (I don't....but I like to pretend I do!) I promise it is super easy to make, just add some hooks to the back of each piece, and voila, there you have it!
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1857019951396109497.post-75995666863087577282014-01-23T11:29:00.000-05:002014-01-23T11:29:08.726-05:00Better Homes and Gardens - February 2014 - Yellow Ombre Vase - Kristin MalaerI am so excited to share the news that my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/127027147/yellow-ombre-vase-lemon-yellow-home">Yellow Ombre Vase</a> is featured in the February 2014 issue of Better Homes and Gardens! They actually contacted me though <a href="http://www.brika.com/carriage-oak-cottage">Brika</a>, working with <a href="https://www.brika.com/">Brika</a> has been a true pleasure!
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This month is also my 4 year anniversary of selling my vases. What a ride it has been! I have learned a lot, had many ups and downs, but I love this job!
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Balancing family life and putting work away when the kids get home has been an ongoing challenge for me, but one that I feel I am getting much better at. But, there is always room to grow!
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Thank you to my customers - past, present, and future - I obviously wouldn't be doing this without you!
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Wishing you all a Happy New Year!
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1857019951396109497.post-24048399496652074722013-10-18T11:43:00.000-04:002013-10-18T11:43:48.442-04:00Our New Old House<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq0ibBJpRrKRLWYNjpJDQDUSiuI2xSCk-00wiUu9EYy0rTrgjXSJGJH70UJTebzj2DKWFR5LLf4IO045mdSQw8MFO3WT30xus__XWSzUC4KcxKsr4F5ZX9oeBaBzALhDy-odaA8daRPJI/s1600/043.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq0ibBJpRrKRLWYNjpJDQDUSiuI2xSCk-00wiUu9EYy0rTrgjXSJGJH70UJTebzj2DKWFR5LLf4IO045mdSQw8MFO3WT30xus__XWSzUC4KcxKsr4F5ZX9oeBaBzALhDy-odaA8daRPJI/s320/043.JPG" /></a>
Someone told me once, "Once your kids start school, you will be amazed at how quickly the time goes." And that could not be more true. The time goes so fast. Emily, my little Emily, is now 6 years old and in the first grade. Allison is in second. I can't even wrap my head around it.
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And life is busy. Etsy is keeping me busy, and I love it so much. It can literally bring tears to my eyes the amount of joy I get from being able to send my creations around the world. And that people still like my work enough to spend their hard earned money on it.
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And I am busy in the girls school. I am in school volunteering every other day, as well as help in the library every Friday. I know that the time is fleeting. They won't always need or even want parent volunteers in the classroom. But while they do, I will be there.
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And that picture above is our new house.. Our new old house. I love it. It needs a lot of work, but with some elbow grease and thrifty shopping, I think we can make it shine.
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Thanks for stopping by! October already? Wow! And November is even knocking on the door!
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Hope you are great!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1857019951396109497.post-42987473778298754452013-06-18T06:03:00.002-04:002013-06-18T06:03:26.563-04:00Emily turns 6<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-dndgYRZ4D2d0UJv-DxCe5JTiKVcUYCs9trNFXCJsEVvGOXR3DHy22b7Vw2uRzmVoqcGDtwK424RAQfrTG2amK0iMvL4D63Ev6lIMFYESdhxnZaud1ZmkpCllbSTndgpusWiTKou0tK8/s1600/IMAG0267-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-dndgYRZ4D2d0UJv-DxCe5JTiKVcUYCs9trNFXCJsEVvGOXR3DHy22b7Vw2uRzmVoqcGDtwK424RAQfrTG2amK0iMvL4D63Ev6lIMFYESdhxnZaud1ZmkpCllbSTndgpusWiTKou0tK8/s320/IMAG0267-1.jpg" /></a>
I won't state the obvious, it has been a while since my last post. A lot has been going on that has taken my attention elsewhere, but one of those has been Emily turned 6.
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I have said it before, I will say it again, Time really does fly. This photo was taken on her birthday weekend at Myrtle Beach, SC.
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My little baby is six. Wow. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1857019951396109497.post-6260872506750351562013-04-10T17:30:00.001-04:002013-04-10T17:30:34.507-04:00It's a small world after all. One of the things that I love most of all about Etsy, is the opportunity it gives you to connect with people in various other countries. It makes the world seem a little less small and me feel a little more part of it.
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One seller I recently met, from Etsy Shop <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/bikbikandroro?ref=pr_shop_more">Bikbikandroro</a>, I took an immediate liking to. Her kind heart is obvious from several conversations I have had with her. And her creations are some of the cutest I have come across.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Saa2WL5u5AKe0Mc7nadSmNdkj7zinGTrSBfYxqBIhALhWscrabyc5dSRKATm-rQV2Wu8ZmiYE-Hwj1K44cQeuRp_zlZkZJj3lcCFsZ7DamkdmkdQG9NqZzdkRO9mg9tG2GP4EZt_0KA/s1600/il_570xN.435944089_ssyq.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Saa2WL5u5AKe0Mc7nadSmNdkj7zinGTrSBfYxqBIhALhWscrabyc5dSRKATm-rQV2Wu8ZmiYE-Hwj1K44cQeuRp_zlZkZJj3lcCFsZ7DamkdmkdQG9NqZzdkRO9mg9tG2GP4EZt_0KA/s320/il_570xN.435944089_ssyq.jpg" /></a>
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This <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/125883849/sailor-tabby-cat-softie-doll?ref=shop_home_active">Sailor Tabby Cat softie doll</a> immediately stole my heart.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyBVvjSr0N0iTlSvwS4XyErGW38gRwgtDg1_w7-5dLBodkMYcFjdeXNfguNe3hBP0IEyeXvbTbRlnUYIyFA9NI02ebMGLCvL2i5BB1WjwyWAKg2f_kCZQdieKJ3K301LcBhkVMvsB5l8/s1600/il_570xN.326865700.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyBVvjSr0N0iTlSvwS4XyErGW38gRwgtDg1_w7-5dLBodkMYcFjdeXNfguNe3hBP0IEyeXvbTbRlnUYIyFA9NI02ebMGLCvL2i5BB1WjwyWAKg2f_kCZQdieKJ3K301LcBhkVMvsB5l8/s320/il_570xN.326865700.jpg" /></a>
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And these <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/96391197/blossom-pins-lilac-lavender?ref=shop_home_active">blossom pins</a> are beyond precious.
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I just had to share! :) Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1857019951396109497.post-4661834148930417322013-03-18T18:49:00.000-04:002013-03-18T18:49:21.264-04:00Whaaaat??? "Whaaaaaat??" is exactly what I said to myself when I just hopped on my blog a few minutes ago and saw that I last posted in JANUARY!! <br/>
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It is shameful that I have not been able to commit to more time here. I enjoy writing on my blog, and I especially enjoy visiting my blog friends, which is what I will be doing shortly. <br/>
I have no excuse other than life being busy, the girls are both in dance, and they were home for almost the entire month of February on break. We went to Disney for a week. It was a blast, and I will share some useful tips that I learned, in the future.
Until then, I will leave you with a picture. <br/>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9RpNiGdnrvp0PmCRU_4t-EcdLjEIzw0A-QR97bJu3DwN9k8-zjUCIhZRqBSmBM4yb58tF2laMqGV7cCsnd6bFxz31YH8JdQtTfwPE9Xn2-Y7DUFe6vKQ_X9ro7SePR17IlTjC0l9CyU4/s1600/DSCN0695.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9RpNiGdnrvp0PmCRU_4t-EcdLjEIzw0A-QR97bJu3DwN9k8-zjUCIhZRqBSmBM4yb58tF2laMqGV7cCsnd6bFxz31YH8JdQtTfwPE9Xn2-Y7DUFe6vKQ_X9ro7SePR17IlTjC0l9CyU4/s320/DSCN0695.JPG" /></a>
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The girls are getting big, aren't they?? Little Emily will be 6 in June. 6. I can hardly stand it. And Allie will turn 8, not too far after that... my, my, how time does fly.
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1857019951396109497.post-86430152184838497942013-01-28T13:01:00.001-05:002013-01-28T13:01:45.361-05:00A Homemade ValentinePeel.
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Fill.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5frCenQrEt2KlEWlWPxpIeABMwSfTmAOSI-ToQCly0ZshNOLgRBkSGY4zGy-aYCCM3u9zkeR1NxPzrSVA4xWFwQqZ6gAAJffDP_kpMslNOgmvPwWbmhdwCjJIgDEGhAzeGCnziGNCR0w/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5frCenQrEt2KlEWlWPxpIeABMwSfTmAOSI-ToQCly0ZshNOLgRBkSGY4zGy-aYCCM3u9zkeR1NxPzrSVA4xWFwQqZ6gAAJffDP_kpMslNOgmvPwWbmhdwCjJIgDEGhAzeGCnziGNCR0w/s400/005.JPG" /></a></div>
Melt. (we melted ours at 230 degrees for 11 minutes)
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxKi9iY8XSA36Sn4qH9Q2wAexpFrPOOe3a0C6k9exCgtWlnln3tOXyEDgwmSTiBTrZ6BU7ldIelB5bA8wFu8f35kjbgKaKBDhc4hMZ1qvqwl6HZvC7werKqsqqfMWNkqRcM_5SQuV6DvE/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxKi9iY8XSA36Sn4qH9Q2wAexpFrPOOe3a0C6k9exCgtWlnln3tOXyEDgwmSTiBTrZ6BU7ldIelB5bA8wFu8f35kjbgKaKBDhc4hMZ1qvqwl6HZvC7werKqsqqfMWNkqRcM_5SQuV6DvE/s400/007.JPG" /></a></div>
I put a wee bit of hot glue on the back of them and squished them to a square piece of thick paper.
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And Emily wrote out all of her classmates names.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLFTMrBUoCEg99-xFxjdyJKjAp9WVQ6oTJ2eJLTTrQUroKGLjKcGru12kg8_fzcFp1SuxrnuUafhJYUsH-n8lUrTSjOKAkN-LjnlB7OWq3Qyq9j5Xd7d5nhB6q9qL2nGticViVGIi9Lc/s1600/041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLFTMrBUoCEg99-xFxjdyJKjAp9WVQ6oTJ2eJLTTrQUroKGLjKcGru12kg8_fzcFp1SuxrnuUafhJYUsH-n8lUrTSjOKAkN-LjnlB7OWq3Qyq9j5Xd7d5nhB6q9qL2nGticViVGIi9Lc/s400/041.JPG" /></a></div>
This was a fun activity. If you do it - make sure you have plenty of time - it took us a couple of hours from start to finish.
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I later read a tip to soak your crayons for 5 minutes and then the paper will come right off.
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I read that tip a little too late! ha!
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1857019951396109497.post-42464822958701938762013-01-25T12:16:00.000-05:002013-01-25T12:16:19.574-05:00No trees were harmedNo trees were harmed in the making of my branches.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl20LNSqBBaBJKzjt0KFFgJ2wFzfbcHx5GZcwcTgrYZbwMBohVoSSE7yYxrBUhyphenhyphenkFQzPrvJSHhS98iC7gWXiOW4zkcywvrJSq4mmi9l1HLIyDp_1IiFaMGKWLFnd604rqHEc6qpCySzoQ/s1600/037-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="306" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl20LNSqBBaBJKzjt0KFFgJ2wFzfbcHx5GZcwcTgrYZbwMBohVoSSE7yYxrBUhyphenhyphenkFQzPrvJSHhS98iC7gWXiOW4zkcywvrJSq4mmi9l1HLIyDp_1IiFaMGKWLFnd604rqHEc6qpCySzoQ/s400/037-001.JPG" /></a></div>
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While I was painting some branches a few days ago, it dawned on me - I would hate for someone to think the branches in my shop came from me hacking away at some poor tree.
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All of my branches come from long-been-dead trees. They come from walks in the woods behind my house, or my parents house. And I still have quite a lot that I brought from Austin. Yes, when we moved across country - I packed some branches along.
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The idea for my branches came from when our property in Austin was just a graveyard of trees who had perished from the prolonged drought. I even have some neat, very large ones - that I had painted and are now displayed in my livingroom on the wall.
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But when I was painting the other day - I thought.. hmm... there may be people who view my listings and think I am willy nilly hacking away at the forest.
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Such is not the case, and now I feel better for saying so.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1857019951396109497.post-69545975190209394482013-01-14T08:11:00.000-05:002013-01-14T08:11:58.579-05:00New Year Changes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg93PB29CsncQ9dKoe8s0ID1lWKakGLXi1gkz6NifC2FOWi-xbfOiaduC5PTOogrYnmQsabKiT4kVB8e59rPKi5CPq1Q1oNJQtxvDk0IBntJE61hkBwkub0DTgTnCiw8MV-pLzVVcroHCo/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="280" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg93PB29CsncQ9dKoe8s0ID1lWKakGLXi1gkz6NifC2FOWi-xbfOiaduC5PTOogrYnmQsabKiT4kVB8e59rPKi5CPq1Q1oNJQtxvDk0IBntJE61hkBwkub0DTgTnCiw8MV-pLzVVcroHCo/s400/012.JPG" /></a></div>
Happy New Year! 2 weeks in and I am just getting around to saying that..
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I wish I could give myself a goal of blogging weekly and blog visiting twice a week. Maybe saying it here will make that happen. I just don't think that goal is very realistic for me.
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The above picture is me - taken with my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/119990449/pink-vase-pink-home-decor-soft-pink-vase">vase</a>. I feel like the look of my shop is boring, and I want to try to mix things up in the New Year.
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Changes. I am making them.
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Wishing you all a happy and healthy New Year!
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6