2010 calendar

2010 calendar is ready for print! soon to be on sale @ studio on 6th

apple-blueberry

"psuedo hubby's" uncle turned 70 today!  when invited to the party, we were told not to bring gifts.  that is difficult for me seeing as i love to "gift".  so i made a pie.  here's how!

after pressing the pie dish with my pastry, i peeled 5 apples using a potatoe peeler.

i sliced up the apples and layered the bottom of the pie dish with them.  i then mixed the remaining apples with blueberries & 3/4 cup sugar.

once the pie dish was filled with the mixture, i sprinkled on a crumb topping.

i used 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup flour cut in enough butter to make the powder like crumbs.  i then sprinkled this on top and cooked the pie for 50 mins @ 350 degrees.

here is a picture of the cooled pie wrapped up and ready for the bday party!

fall centerpiece

i love doing centerpieces.  i search around my house for all kinds of odds & ends to create them.  i get a lot of inspiration from magazines and stores, so i thought i'd post them here to hopefully give someone else a few new ideas. 

on the top tier, i placed frosted leaves i found in the clearance bin at hobby lobby a couple years ago.  the middle tier is filled with nuts, feathers, and other things that remind me of fall & harvest.  the bottom tier has little pumpkins and gords that "the monster" and i bought on his class field trip to the apple barn.

happy hunting!

my brother and his beautiful wife

 

 my brother and his wife are due in november.  these were my first "maternity" shots.  i'm pretty proud of both this adorable couple and the photos! 

bicycle time

thursday's, after work, my extremely supportive "pseudo hubby" watches "the monster" and i take off on my bike.  today is thursday.  can you tell i'm looking forward to it?

i did a search on etsy with the keyword "bicycle".  wow.  237 pages were returned back to me.  although i didn't have time to look thru everything, there is certainly a lot of the same-old-stuff out there.  however, the artists below really impressed me with their sincere creativity.  enjoy!

bicycle chain earrings by ninadinoff  

if anyone wants to know what i would like for bday/xmas...

 

"Penny Farthing for Your Thoughts" - 8x8 Fine Art Print by irenesuchocki  

irene is so talented!  she creates breathtaking images.

Clock made from a Recycled Bike Wheel by stuff made from stuff  

love. it.

"Jonathan, don't bring that wet bicycle in here, hang it by the door" by Gomez Whitney 

i actually need this.  and i want it.  and i know others who need this.  what a fantastic idea!

so... interested in going for a ride?

new creations

i currently sell my photography at an adorable little shop in historical downtown springfield (il).  starting in october, i will also begin selling a few mixed media and other paintings!  all are acrylic on canvas and vary in size and price.  we'll see how they do and if i can keep up during the holidays, but here goes nothing...

fotopedia!!!

http://www.fotopedia.com

greatest. thing. ever.

melting crayons

our labor day was a rainy one. we made the best of it while simultaneously finding use for all of those broken crayons!

 

  

  

  

  

we first shredded the crayons using a cheese grater.   then we pored them out over a piece of paper and on top of that, placed wax paper.  i ironed the wax paper until all of the crayon shreds melted, then we peeled back the wax paper.  after our design cooled, we cut out a heart and other shapes (not pictured).

i have also seen people just break up the crayons and put them in muffin pans.  you can melt the wax in the oven, and when it cools, you have one big multi-colored crayon!  i thought it might be a fun idea to stick a wick in each "crayon muffin" and when it cools, you will have a candle.  maybe a nice xmas idea?!

hostess gift

on my porch, i have a potted herb garden. thru-out the summer, i use them in my cooking; but today, i bundled them up to take along as a hostess gift.

a farewell to summer

it' labor day weekend (almost). i have a love/hate relationship with this holiday.

things i hate:
- it reminds me that cold weather will soon be upon us
- i can't wear white pants/skirts/shoes anymore
- goodbye to swimming and boating... we'll meet again in the spring

things i love:
- a long weekend off work
- friends and families will get together for eating, drinking, and playing
- the leaves are starting to turn yellow
- i also love everything below... what great items to celebrate labor day with!


doesn't it just look like this child is having a great time at an outdoor picnic?! great shot ryan detzel


katesy has these fun slingshots that i know my son would LOVE!




mushroom toadstools!!! the people at royal kane were thinking just like kids when they made these.



forty ducks sells this picnic blanket. i really like the colors and the design.



post your loves/hates in the comments

shel-abration

this painting/poem is for a very special little girl. in november, i will become an aunt!

shel silverstein poems are a passage of childhood. i loved, loved, loved the books when i was a little girl and i am so excited to share this first poem with my little niece. "the monster" and i already read his silly stories and indulge in his goofy characters.

shelsilverstein.com offers great games, print-outs, and events for children. plus, the illustration on this site is amazing. enjoy!