Life is Sweet!!

Thought this little painting was oh so appropriate for today, this is the second week of my efforts to shape up and get healthier! I have walked three days out of each week, eaten healthy, had lots of water, no sodas.....you know the routine! So far I can tell I feel better, my energy is up.....but as for pounds.....just a few....so far. I am determined to take better care of myself! And that includes some creating time just for me in the studio this weekend! I have been busy with a commercial job, redoing the interior of a children's retail shop. I love this job...can not wait to show pictures of it! Just as soon as I clean out the van from work to see if my camera is buried in it somewhere!!!! Have a great Friday and may it lead into a fabulous weekend!-Sandra

Counting My Blessings!!!

Have you all had a chance to check out the creations for the Bird and Bonnet Swap, hosted by Karla (www.karlascottage.typepad.com) and Beth (www.bethleintz.typepad.com)??? The Vintage Workshop contributed some wonderful images to be used in this swap. I was so intent on finishing mine up and getting them in the mail....I forgot to take pics of them!!! Oh well, I probably couldn't find my camera anyway.....my life is on overload and overstuff (supplies for jobs and projects are piling up in my home and van....come on three day weekend!! I need ya!!!) Sometimes I wonder what would happen if my life were in order and all things were in their place.....would I have a bad case of artist block??? You know, like writers block....would the creative juices refuse to flow in my brain??? The older I get, the more I am willing to try the organized life (I know, those of you that know me are laughing really loud right now!!!) I am really trying to work on ME right now...so if you want to join me in prayer, that God will bless me with the gift of organization, all prayers are welcomed!!! You know how they say God has a sense of humor...please tell me he is not laughing right now too!!! I really want to be organized, almost as much as I want to paint when I should be cleaning house or cleaning out my van or studio.....painting just brings me such joy, it is so therapeutic to me, it is just part of who I am....cleaning and organizing just have not found their niche yet in my life!!!

Oh well, on to the blessings of this day!!! My mom had surgery today on her left hand. She has Osteoarthritis and her hands are knotted and bent from it...it really limits her ability to use her hands. She has always played at sewing, crafting, painting and plain puttering....so it is a tragedy to see her so limited in using those talented hands!! They operated on two fingers today, using local instead of anesthesia due to her use of oxygen and her COPD. They scraped the bone removing all bone spurs, then they fused the middle joints on both. They then "wired " the upper and lower joints once they were repaired. Recovery is about 8 weeks, then we will know if she wants to try the right hand and continue the repairs. I am so praying that this is a major improvement for her!!! A wonderful surprise today was that while she was having surgery, the administrator of Day Surgery came in the O.R. and it was her room mate from the Specialty Hospital where she had spent the month of February. Dee was in the bed next to my mom recovering from major back surgery and had not been able to walk for three months!! So it was a real treat to see her back at work and up and walking!!! She came out into the waiting area and found me to visit!!! A lovely surprise!!! It is such a blessing when someone crosses your path and makes an impact on your mind....when you know God placed them there for just the right reason....Dee was a sweet room mate for my mom and we enjoyed many evenings of visiting with her!!! Sooooo, a successful surgery behind us and recovery on the horizon....we are counting our blessings on this wonderful Wednesday!!! And the thought of the three day weekend headed our way is just what I need!!! -

Happy Mother's Day !!

My two darling children planned a special day to celebrate Mother's Day...they took my mother and I to brunch at a French Bistro and then had lots of presents and lovely cards! I got a new gas grill (wow!) and two new large coffee mugs, both pink (one Baylor Mom and the other an insulated travel mug)...think they get that coffee is the start of my day??? I love that my kids make every occassion special and always choose just the right gifts for me!!! So sweet! My daughter drove in for the weekend from college, right in the middle of finals. I love when she comes home, it is such quality time together. God has truly blessed me with two wonderful children!! Hope all you other mothers out there had a great day too! My mom is getting stronger every day, and it was so wonderful that she was able to get out with us and have some family time. I am off to enjoy the last bit of sunshine left to this beautiful day....thinking I might need to cook steaks on that new grill tonight!!! -Sandra

The BEAUTY of it all!!!

WOW!!! The first bloom of the season on the peony!!! I got this plant two years ago in Colorado at a quaint little nursery in Crested Butte. I am so thrilled it has bloomed again this year!! And the frangrance is divine!

Ok, how do you add more pics to a post without all of them appearing at the top of the post??? Guess I am just used to typepad and their format....there are things I like better on blogspot and then there are things I like better on typepad...want the best of both..on each of my blogs!!!

Chaos? Why yes I seem to be queen of that!!!

Have you ever known someone who could create chaos anywhere they are??? Well, you do now! Crown me queen of chaos....no one in my family will disagree at this time! My living room was just fine, completely decorated...very Old World Italian...I simply love that look when I do it for clients...but for some reason, I decided I wanted something playful, light, airy, clean, crisp....so......welcome PEPPERMINT TEA! Now I am not talking the kind you sip....yum! I am talking the paint color. My living room walls donned that color last week, which made me need to paint the ceiling, then the bookcases, then the french doors....then the baseboards...you get the picture right? Well, right in the middle of it all, my mom (who you know is now residing with us) said she thought it all needed a finishing touch, crown molding! Well, I am here to tell you that job is not as easy as it looks! I have three 12' strips of it, butchered, to prove it!!!! Last night I researched online and am about to go at it again...so keep those positive thoughts that a creative brain can think rationally, at least this once. Hoping by tonight to have the molding up and to paint the last coat on the bookcases before I collapse into a chair and watch some T.V., Brothers and Sisters is back on tonight. -Sandra

Hippity Hop Easter Swap day #10

Isn't she adorable??? Thank you Ann Marie Scrabo for this sweet bunny box! I have it perched on a vintage metal candlestick in my living room, the crown is just the perfect touch for that sweet little bunny!!! This truly was the best Spring swap ever!! Just filled with treasures and I can't bare to take them down yet!!!

How Lucky Can You Get!

Even though I had no idea my life would spin out of control this last month, I signed up for an Easter Swap headed up by Heather Bluhm . She was an excellent hostess, emailing us with all the details for the swap...there were 11 women in the swap, and we were to create an Easter/Spring creation for each person in our group. Heather was the one with the enormous task of sorting and mailing for all the groups.

Well I was one LUCKY GIRL !!!! Just look at the fabulous creation I unwrapped out of the package that Heather sent:

I will do the count down backwards (so appropriate for me!!!) from day 11 to day one!

Day 11 was this Sweet little chick box from Vivian at http://www.vivswhimsy.blogspot.com/ !!

The little chick is handmade and is dressed for Easter in a sweet pink ruffled collar and a pastel party hat!! the box sits on a nest of white crepe paper and I must agree with Kecia (http://www.lemoncholys.blogspot.com/ ) it does remind me of a cupcake or sweet confection! I just can't get enough of this one...she is perched on top of one of my mercury glass candlesticks in a layer of aqua paper Easter grass! Thanks Vivian, not sure I can put this one away after Easter, she may just have to sit with me in the Studio!!! Love it!!!