finally

We would like to interrupt this blog to make the following announcement:

You see this baby? Yes, the little cherub in the above pic. That's the one.

As of 8:30 on February 24th the State of California will declare that she is all ours.

(Not that we needed them to tell us that.)

Please stay tuned for a ridiculous amount of pictures following this event.

the issue at hand

The whole thing started out in the garage. I had a desk out there with my hammers and torches and beads and a few friendly dead bugs, which I didn't care for much.

But the time had come for my own space. I commandeered the boys play room. What boy needs their own play room anyway? He's got a big closet.

We went to IKEA and invested in some furniture for my new room. (I like to say "invested" because it sounds so financially responsible.)

And then I outgrew that desk space so we added more. And it was at this point that I decided that the time had come for a full fledged studio. A art/craft room that would inspire me. But the issue at hand was paint color.

I started thinking about all my choices.

I thumbed through a ton of design books.

I listened to the experts and I convinced myself I wanted a subdued color like pistachio.


But the problem is that pistachio doesn't make my heart sing. No not at all. It makes me feel like reading and using big words and watching Nova on a Tuesday night. No, pistachio wouldn't do.

So it was back to the drawing board. And the more I sat in my studio and pontificated (big word because I had pistachio paint chips laying around), the more I pontificated what color would most inspire me, I realized that most of the art already up on the walls had robin's egg blue in it.

And then I had a duh moment and the decision was made. Robin's egg blue is what makes me happy.


When Jenny called to ask what I was up to I said, "Painting, and you're not going to guess the color! Pale aqua blue!"

And she said, "Well I could have told you that. It's your color."

I always thought eggplant was my color, but now I'm going to have to rethink my whole life.

All the above photos are by Lolas Room. Isn't she amazing?

I can't wait to share pics of the finished room. I hope it looks as good as it does in my mind.




1. Angora Bolero Jacket, 2. Pastel Roses II, 3. Untitled, 4. Turquoise, 5. pale blue dot 2, 6. collecting color, 7. Pretty Wrapping Paper, 8. some kind of magic, 9. the perfect fence, 10. a not so glamorous collection of aqua things, 11. Butterfly, 12. Using Texture 01, 13. channelling, 14. TEXTURE-T-150B, 15. Hotel Chatham Paris, 16. ATC Feather Mail (2)

between a rock and a hard place

I asked Sugar Daddy what he wants for Valentine's this year besides the obvious. He said he doesn't want any sugar for Valentines because he is trying to shed a few pounds. This puts me in a tough spot because candy is my go to with the hubby.

I thought about getting him a t-shirt or a new belt but after fifteen years of marriage those gifts are a little over done.

The happy ending is that being between a rock and a hard place gave me an idea.

A few months ago, Sugar Daddy moved into a new office and he said he wanted a low maintenance plant for his desk. I went to my stash of beach rocks, picked out a nice one and drew us as birds in white ink.

Then I got side tracked, as I tend to do, and drew on a whole bunch of rocks.

I had fun.



I used black and white ink with a calligraphy pen.



Then I went and bought an awesome apothecary jar, some charcoal, soil, moss and a darling little plant called "Moses in a Cradle". With a name like that, I had to have it.

I took everything home and assembled a terrarium for Sugar Daddy's desk.

This is how to assemble a terrarium:




I tried my hand at felting a little mushroom which turned out lame in a charming sort of way. But I also felted some green balls which are delightful.

I added my little love rock and sealed it with a kiss.





I'm giving it to him early because he barged into my studio unannounced (which is what we always do around here) and saw what I was up to.

I had left over moss and plants so I made a little sumpin' sumpin' for me too.


If you are stumped about what to give this Valentines, may I suggest you go to your favorite nature spot, pick up some rocks and create a minature ecosystem for your lovey. If you are thinking in your mind "But I can't draw", first I will say, stop whining. This isn't drawing, it's doodling. Everybody doodles. Then I will direct you to this children's book.

If you still don't think you can do it, go ahead and use stamps. Lame, but still cute.

life with these kids

Things have been pretty hoppin' for me lately. Lots of Etsy sales. Lots of blog hits. Lots of chitter chatter with people who may or may not want me to design for them.


Life is swell. Hectic, but swell.


And sometimes I start to feeling like cool beans.


But then my mind quickly reverts back to something I heard a few years ago. I was at a big book conference hearing my favorite author speak about what it feels like to have won the Pulitzer prize.


He had his whole family with him at his table and prior to his speech he had been holding his new daughter Rosie. He walked to the podium, grasped the sides and said, "I know you are all wondering how it feels to be the Pulitzer winner. Well, I'll tell ya. It's awfully hard to feel cool when you are continually being shat upon by another human being." He then stepped to the side so that we could see his crap stained pants.


And so that's how it is. I'm really just a mom, trying ever so hard to look cool, but it just isn't fully possible when instead of shopping for fashion, I am coerced to drive DAILY to the quarter machines at Block Buster so the boy can get the latest kid craze- squishys. If you haven't heard of them, just wait.





And then there's Birdie. Talk about being shat upon. Three hundred and eighty-four baby wipes a day and believe you me, I'm in the poop trenches. Also, I find it very difficult to carry on a conversation with other adults when instead of watching the news and staying abreast of current affairs, my mind is being fed at a toddler level.

Although I do consider Feist to be a pop culture experience.


And that, dear friends, is the true state of affairs.

told ya they rock

the winner and a freakin' awesome offer

Okay, do you see why Ebsi and the Brothers Record are AWESOME? Sorry to shout but, THEY ROCK!

This is a seriously amazing offer and if you don't do it, quite frankly, you're a silly fool.

So go. Go now my little friends. Scurry away to claim your piece of the Ebsi magic.

And then come back to me.

Oh and spread the love, spread the word. To sweeten the deal, if you refer a friend and they buy a package from the brothers, I'll hook you up with fifteen dollars off any Secondsister product.

Were givers, us Carlsbad people.

obedience

Chapter 1

And now it came to pass in the commencement of the two thousandth and ninth year in reign of the judges over the land that the boy child was waxing old in years and large in stature. And in those days I, April was sore afraid that my womb would nevermore bear seed. And I pleaded daily with the Lord that I might add to my posterity.
2 But behold the Lord God, in his wisdom, answered that the time was not neigh.
3 Great was my disappointment and I was exceedingly wroth insomuch that I was determined to understand the cause of this neglect. And I didst speak strong words to the Lord in supplication for reason for my tribulation. But my mind was a stupor and my heart was heavy laden.
4 And while I pondered and lamented my life, behold, the Lord appeared to me in a dream, coming to me as a llama.
5 And I was chasten for my ingratitude.
6 And my heart was softened.

Chapter 2

And it came to pass that shortly after I humbled myself before the Lord that a messenger came bearing glad tidings.
2 And I was blessed with an iPhone with which I learned that my home would soon welcome a new babe, born of another woman's womb, but which was meant for me.
3 And this woman was fair in the sight of the Lord for her good works.
4 And the babe was brought forth and laid in my arms and angels sang hallelujah about me and I fell to my knees and asked the Lord for forgiveness for my faithlessness and iniquity.
5 And I gave thanks to the Lord all my days everafter.


Chapter 3

After these things were past, the Lord planted a seed in my heart that I might share a message of hope to those of his children who weep day and night in unbelief that their righteous desires might be granted them.
2 And I, being a lazy and slothful servant of the Lord, stalled.
3 But thus saith the Lord, speak these things that I have shown thee that others might find faith.
4 And I knew what the Lord would have me do, but my cynicism was neigh at hand and I knew the hearts of the barren children of God, and I feared that they would stone me with nasty comments on my blog.
5 And this I did know because I had cast a stone or two in my unrighteousness.
6 And the Lord, knowing me to be a lazy and weak servant, presented me with opportunity to speak the things which he bade me speak.
7 So it was that after many promptings from the Lord that I began to feel ashamed of my unwillingness to serve.
8 And it is after that manner that I write these things and hope that thou wilts hear my message and that if it is to fall upon a heart of stone that it might bring hope and certitude.



(I've been known to pick the scriptures up every now and then. Shut up. It's true.


Judge not, that ye be judged.


I don't mean any sacrilege, I just think that each of us is writing our own story and when you learn something valuable, you ought to write it down. The prophets of old did it and their posterity is still learning from them. I think I should too. Infertility runs in the family.)


Hebrews 11:11
Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

button bracelet tutorial

I've been totally slammed in such a happy, happy way with jewelry orders. My bff Jenny is coming to my rescue. She will be over later today with her sewing machine and nimble fingers. I'm putting her to work.

That's the thing I love most about Jenny. She's true blue through and through. She's always there when I'm in a pinch.

I made her this valentine. Andre the Greek and Sugar Daddy have been doing a lot of squid fishing as of late and I had sea creatures on the brain so I drew us as jellies.


And then I had the bright idea to make a bracelet to go along with it because, you know, I have soooo much extra time on my hands. It, of course had to be blue to match the card, with one pink button for quirkiness.

And then I thought I should do a tutorial about these button bracelets because they are a super fun and cheap project that you can do with kids and they make really great Valentine gifts.

So here it is, because I have soooo much extra time on my hands.

Supplies:

For a standard 7 1/2 bracelet you will need fifteen or so buttons, fifteen or so jump rings at least 8mm in diameter, a clasp, flat nose pliers. You can find all these things at your local craft store. Or if you are super lucky, you can snatch some vintage buttons out of your grandma's button jar. (I'm not that lucky)

Step 1:
The golden rule to jump rings is "don't pull- twist". If you pull them apart you won't be able to get them back into shape. Instead hold one side with one hand and then grasp the other side with your pliers and twist.

Thread the jump ring through one of the button holes.

Step 2:

Add two buttons on each jump ring so that you form a chain.

Keep going until you reach your desired length and then add on one more jump ring to one end and a clasp to the other.

Simple simple simple. This is a really great crafts for kids and all you need to do to make your bracelet more mature is to use fancier buttons. It is extra special if you can add a button off a loved ones clothing. Baby buttons are ridiculously cute. Give it a go and let me see your finished projects!

FYI: I will be adding a few more items into my shop later today and into the weekend.

AND DON'T FORGET TO ENTER TO WIN THE FREE CUSTOM BLOG TEMPLATE ON WEDNESDAY'S POST

winter? what winter?

Are you nesting?

Are you hunkered down in your fuzzy socks, eating soup and watching the snow fall?

Not me!

As a designer I'm already well into Spring.

I'm shopping for butter yellow duponi silk and periwinkle enamel flowers.

I'm looking at Shana Rae's photographs and pondering how I might interpret them into something that dangles from your ears or glitters about your collarbones.



Shana Rae's work makes me weak in the knees. I think I love her.

I'm starting to get my bearings on what Secondsister Spring is all about. And I'm looking at my past Spring items for new inspiration.

The last photo is a set of earrings I just posted yesterday. They are in the shop. If you can't live without them, I understand. I'm making a pair for myself.


!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Don't forget!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You have until the 10th to enter to win the custom blog design package. Scroll down and leave a comment on yesterday's post!

the d.l.

Hello Feburary!

Only sixteen posts in January! Whoopee! I'm starting 2KX off with a bang.

I know I've been a little MIA as of late.

Here's the DL on my absence.

I went to CHA for a little R& R. Turns out there wasn't much R&R to be had. MRA had her minions working away like mad turning her booth into a pink wonderland. She rocked the cazba at the show and thanks to her FHO she had the best booth around. We saw a few SW's and LOL alot.

So I did the CHA thing with Margie then I came home and worked like MADD on my Spring jewelry line. Margie, Rhonna and Liz all wore my necklaces at the show and they passed out a cabillion business cards for me so I thought it might be a good idea to at least, you know, add a few new items to ye ol' shoppe.



Meanwhile...

My minions were working feverishly at pimping out my new website and giving this here blog a little TLC. Oh yeah. They rocked. Don't you think?

The Brother's Record, AKA Ebsi, are good friends of mine ( not quite BFF, but along those lines) that just happen to own an awesome website/blog design company. Now isn't that just convenient for me?

Seriously, check these guys out. I am excited to be working for Ebsi, helping them design blogs for girls like me. SAHM's who should have, nay, deserve, blogs that pop.

Oh and BTW, Ebsi is giving away a

free custom blog template

to one of my readers. A template that no one else will have. It will be yours, all yours. Here's the catch. You must leave a comment, just one please, telling the Brother's why they should pimp your blog. If you blog about this giveaway, we'll give ya more consideration than the non-blogger abouters. Fair is fair. A winner will be selected on the morning of February 10th. You'll be SOL if you don't get your comment in by then.

In between working in my art room, talking and texting and emailing the Brothers like crazy, trying to get our adoption finalized, drawing illustrations for the Brothers to use, changin' butts and takin' names and generally TCB, I've not been blogging.

So there you have it. The DL on my DIYADD life.


P.S. VCO's stay away. If you leave a comment correcting my use of acronyms I will publicly poke fun of you. At this time I'm only accepting drawing entries and accolades for my new blog and jewelry line. Thank you for your cooperation.

JIC:

Just in case you aren't one of the cool kids that stays abreast of urban acronyms I'll help you out a little.

DL: Down low
CHA: Craft and Hobby Show
MRA: Margie Romney-Aslett
R&R: Rest and relaxation
2KX: 2010
FHO: Friends helping others
SW: PJ
PJ: Personal joke
BTW: By the way
BFF: Best friends forever
LOL: Laughed out loud
MADD: Mothers against drunk drivers
TLC: Tender loving care
SAHM: Stay at home mom
VCO: Vocabulary corrections officer
AKA: Also known as
DIYADD: Do it yourself attention deficit disorder
SOL: (if you don't know what this means, you're better off not knowing)

TTYL...