It's Been a Busy Spring!

I realized today that it's been far too long since my last blog post...more than a month! Where does the time go? It seems that ever since I turned 40 this year, time is flying by faster than I would like. I have taken on the opinion that I am not going to let it bother me, but I have to admit, that some days it does, and I wish I could slow the world down and enjoy it a bit more. My spring has been filled with spending a lot of quality time with my family...birthday parties, outdoor activities, school functions, and sneaking in a bit of time to produce new jewelry designs...my newest creative interest! Scroll down for pictures. :)

A year has gone by since my grandpa Joe left this world for someplace better, and I know he is always smiling down at us...but I still miss him terribly, and wish he were here.Simon is almost finished with Kindergarten, and just turned 6 a few weeks ago! My little guy is getting to be almost as tall as me!I hope your Spring has been as lovely as mine and even though it's officially not Summer yet, it sure feels like it here in California where we've had 100 degree plus days for the last three days. Swimsuits and back yard BBQ's, here we come! :) Here are some new pieces that have been listed in my Etsy shop.

Summertime....

Wait a minute...snowman in summertime!??? Is something wrong with this picture? Nope...it's Holly Jolly July over at PFATT Marketplace right now, and the snowman guy above is a new collage piece I created just for this event! I was also lucky enough to be chosen as the featured artist for the month of July, so you can read all about how I got started on my artistic journey, and what inspires me. You can check it out here.
This looks a little more like summer! I only had one chance to snap this pic of a pretty butterfly feeding in my front yard before it flew away....
Here are some of my recent summertime flea market finds....love the vintage ballet slippers!!
Part of our fourth of July celebration included a stop in Santa Cruz for some fun in the sun at the beach.....
And at the boardwalk! It felt great to dip our toes in the ocean, and we had a blast on all of the rides!


Here's a recent steampunk necklace I created using antique glass beads, watch parts, and a tintype photograph. I just love how this one turned out!

Try to stay cool this summer, and I hope you are able to have a lot of summertime fun of your own!

Pictures, Pictures, and You Guessed it, More Pictures!

They say a picture is worth a thousand words...so I have included a lot of pictures in this post, and few words....I think you'll all get the gist....this is what I have been up to in the month of April. First up, more lovely photo's from my day with the Pfattie's~



I was sneaky and snapped a pic of Iva and Colleen when they weren't looking ....shhhhhhh don't tell! :) They both found some fabulous treasures that day!









And here they are...the Pfattie's!
My little guy isn't so little anymore...Simon turned 5 on Monday the 28th....Happy Birthday Simon! :) Oh, and if you're wondering why there are more than 5 candle's on the cake, it's because we celebrated my mom's birthday too, which was on the 26th.
Roller coaster fun with Dad.....
Hangin' with Spongebob at Great America!
Being silly with Mom.....
Updated mural pictures....




This painting represents the preschool that Simon attends....it's a work in progress, designed by one of his classmates, a talented 5 year old girl named Jamie
Here is the start of my Thomas the Tank painting..Simon Loves Thomas!
This is the school district logo...we painted it on a separate board and then mounted it to the wall
Here's how it looks currently~

Aye Mateys~ don't miss the Swashbuckler Soiree this Saturday May 3rd, or ye be walkin' the plank!
I am working on some new pieces for Donna's Soiree this Saturday, so please drop by and join in on the fun!

I hope you all had a Merry Holiday!

Finally I have a moment to post, and catch up with everyone! It seems the last several weeks have been a blur of activity...from participating in shows, to spending time with family, and seeing old friends....and getting my home ready for the Holiday's. The last month has flown by, and I can't believe that Christmas was here and gone so quickly!

It was a pleasure to meet some new friends at my last few shows of the year, and see so many familiar faces too. Here are a couple of pictures from the last of my 2007 shows for those of you that were not able to attend..... Here are a few special moments from our Holiday this year.....Simon decorating cookies & cakes with his cousins....

Simon hanging ornaments on our tree......

Placing little bulbs on Grandma's ceramic tree with his cousin....

His first time ice skating....

Visiting with Santa on the Christmas Train ride......

My grandma "Meme" and my great-grandma Nina....there are 5 generations of us still smiling! Nina is the oldest at 94 years young, and Simon is the youngest at 4.

Simon opening his first present on Christmas eve....

My hubby Ryan (on the right) goofing around with cousin Art on Christmas eve.....we do a "silly gift" exchange, and Ryan picked a package of fake moustaches....

I managed to squeeze in some time to hit the local monthly antique faire here in Sacramento looking for a present for my father, as well as a few goodies for myself. Here are the treasures I came home with just for me.....a lovely little doll size crazy quilt, some trinkets for my art, and an antique pair of leather & velvet baby shoes with pretty blue buttons.....

I have all sorts of new ideas running around in my head of things that I would like to make, but first I have to get some early spring cleaning and organizing done around the house. Are any of you feeling that early spring "itch"?