Spot of Tea

Creative Kids, New Books and More

My DD is having fun during spring break drawing and sketching.  Horses, castles, flowers and such.  She loves to draw, paint and do anything creative.  Hopefully there are some art classes in the area for her to take this summer.  I think she'd love it.  DS had way too much fun coloring his bedroom walls with marker, black - permanent marker, the other day.  Such fun having creative kids.  Now I get to paint the bedroom.  Maybe I'll do part of it in the Chalkboard Paint.

I just picked up Tim Holtz's new book - "A Compendium of Curiosities".  Love it!!  Can't wait to try some of the techniques in it.  What fun things in there to try and do.  I also picked up Somerset Memories Spring 2010 magazine today too.  Lovely stuff in there too.  Gosh I'm going to be busy this weekend catching some creative ideas.  I also found a book I'm dying to pick up - "Playing with Books" by Jason Thompson.  Amazing things in there that have me just itching to get creative.  Fun, fun stuff.

Having a great time at work.  Love the people, love the place, love what I do.  And I have an extra bonus that just makes me happy.  I spent most of my childhood not too far from where I work.  I remember spending time among the shops and such at the time.  I also remember seeing things looking run-down, beat-up and depressed.  We moved for my dad's job but a majority of our family remained in the area so I saw it on a regular basis.  It makes my day to see the area coming back, to see new shops and businesses, including where I work.  It is exciting and thrilling to be around as all this happens, to maybe add just a little something to help.

Tea and Comfort

First day of "spring break" for the kids, meaning no school.  So after work today we spent time outside playing then headed inside for tea.  Used the end of my Christmas Tea from Murchies today.  It smells so yummy - oranges, cloves, cinnamon, and cardamon.  Rosy cheeked children, a steaming pot of tea and some cuddle time on the couch.  A lovely start to spring.  It is a bit chilly out still, but it is supposed to get warm, like 70's or so, yet this week.

Started reading a new book, when I have a sliver of time here or there.  "The Secret of Excalibur" is by Andy McDermott.  The first few chapters have been interesting enough to keep me reading it at least.  The kids and I are finishing up "The Wind in the Willows" and then we'll start "Alice in Wonderland".  DD has been reading a bunch of her books to DS while we are relaxing during snack time and as part of bed time.  So fun to watch.  Just love that they will sit next to each other and read.

The things that bring me comfort.  Tea and reading.  I can count on these things to help me relax when life is crazy, or the kids have been out of control, or I'm stressed out, or anytime I need some peace and quiet.  And on that note ... I'm going to make a cup of tea, grab my book and settle in for a little reading before heading to sleep.

Hair and Music

I did get my hair cut last night.  Love, love, love it.  Short in the back, and kinda funky.  DH says it is cute and he likes it.  That's a good thing 'cause I'm really enjoying it.  Now I'll just have to get some highlights soon.  I am going to have DH take photos and create a layout about my fun new do.  It is amazing how a change in hairstyle can change your mood and outlook.  I not only look different but I feel different.  And DD got her hair trimmed also.  Her bangs are almost even now.  Thank goodness.

 
I started listening to music again.  Seems like I stopped even paying attention to music a long time ago.  I didn't even have my car radio on for the longest time.  But I'm enjoying some oldies but goodies and even new music lately.  It's almost "radio-blasting-window-down-car-cruising" time around here.  Maybe that is why I'm listening to more music.  I am looking for new music to give a listen to so if anyone has any fav's they'd like to recommend that would be great. :)  Went to work today for the Tai Chi and loved the music they played.  Very soothing and calming.

Spent some time at Barnes & Noble this morning after work.  Got the new Somerset Life magazine.  Such fun, creative and inspiring ideas fill all the Stampington & Co publications.  Went again in the afternoon with kids and hubby.  Love that we all enjoy books so much.  So with all the craziness about the latest "Alice in Wonderland" movie I picked up the book.  This copy includes "Alice in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass".  I'm planning on ready it to the kids, since we've read most of the kid books we have at least 3 times each.  Love bedtime rituals.

Shoes, Hair and Gel Medium

Like my new banner?  DD and I got the same style shoes (and yes, mine are kiddie sized) because they were just so darn cute.  DD was super excited that we could match and thought it was funny that I can shop for shoes in the kids department.  It won't be long before DD is wearing the same size shoe and then surpasses me.  But at the moment it is something we are having fun with.  Maybe we'll get matching sandals for the summer. :)

I am looking for a new hair style.  I am at the "I hate my hair and can't do a thing with it" phase.  Again.  I found a style I like, that I think will work with my hair type but I'm not sure how everyone else will react to it.  It is kinda on the edge for me.  But I'm ready for a more dramatic change at the moment.  Ever have one of those moments that you find yourself looking around and suddenly think ... "Oh yeah, that's me.  You really need to get yourself back together."  Well, I've been feeling like that recently.  A combination of going back to work, having long ago friends come back around after long absences, being around new friends, and being around creative people again has me looking at myself differently.  I haven't "let myself go" but I have forgotten myself for a bit.  But now I remember me.

And to go along with that ... I've been trying out new projects from some of the Stampington & Company publications.  Loving "Somerset Apprentice", "Somerset Studio" and "Art Journaling" at the moment.  Getting into gel medium, such a wonderful thing.  And still loving alcohol inks with metal mixatives.  I'll have to post some pics when I get the projects completed.  Feeling creative and having fun.

HOPS, Books and More

Went to the H.O.P.S. (Heart Of Professional Scrapbookers) event this past weekend and had a blast.  Got some scrapbooking done and talked to some scrappers that I miss seeing on a regular basis.  So fun.  Can't wait for the next one to come in November.  I only got to go Saturday and Sunday this time but I've convinced DH that I should go all weekend and stay at the hotel next time.  That way he and the kids can play at the pool and relax too.  Fun weekend for all then.  Old Town University donated cute prize packs for the event too.  One was a lime green soft cooler filled with scrapping supplies and other goodies and then the other was a purple scrap mini tote filled with supplies and goodies too.  These went over well and we'll be donating for the next one too.

I mentioned that I found some interesting creative books yesterday and just had to have them.  They have been great to thumb through so far and I can't wait to have a chance to really dig into them.  I'm thinking that a class based on the "Artistic Mother" might be a good thing to do next fall.  They have both given me ideas for projects too.  Now I just have to find time to do it all.

DD just had a typical little girl experience ... she cut her bangs all by herself.  And here I was thinking that I would have to be watching DS for this and we were well over it for DD.  But nope.  Now she has those funky chopped up bangs.  I can kinda make them less noticable if I put gel in and blowdry them to the side, if she lets me.  Still can't believe she did it, at this age no less.  Oh well, got some cute photos to scrap at least.

DS and DD made a fort the other day and played pretend for hours.  Love how they just think up these fun stories to go along with their play.  A jungle fort with vines to swing on, a pirate ship to walk the plank from, a cave to hide from dinasours in.  What great imaginations.

Found some interesting books I just had to have - 1) Objects of Reflection: A Soulful Journey Through Assemblage and 2)The Artistic Mother : A Practical Guide to Fitting Creativity into Your Busy Life. Can't wait to dig into them.

Work, Weather and Stuff

I've been having a great time working at Old Town Univeristy.  Love that I get paid to do something that I really enjoy doing.  A local artist, Mary Williamson, brought in these really cute charms that she makes.  Her company is Simply Charmed.  I got to stage photos of them for the website.  How fun is that? 

I'm excited that we are going to have a digital scrapbooking class in April.  The instructors brought in some samples and I am so impressed.  There are some mini albums, cards, 12x12 page, and even a decorative tile.  Very fun and great graphics.  I'm going to have to give it a try, when I get some time.

 

The weather is warming up a bit around here.  It has been sunny and feels like spring is in the air.  I keep hearing that we are supposed to have snow in the next few days, according to the weather people.  But it certainly doesn't feel like it.  Some of my bluebells even have shoots pushing through the soil.  I'm going to have to trek out through the piles of snow in the backyard to see if the rhubarb is pushing through yet.  DH says not to get too excited, it's been know to snow on his Bday in April.  It did last year so I know he's not kidding.  Just wonder if it will this year.

DD has a music program coming up this month.  She's going to be singing a special part according to a note that was sent home today.  She loves to sing and dance so she is thrilled.  I'll have to get the camcorder out, or see if I can get one of those cute little new ones, if the taxes come in soon.