kids art: painted letters

We played with paint this weekend!

Painting is one of our favorite past times. So much so, that they even cleaned the entire playroom before we were able to began. The boys each painted the first letter of their name. Sorry the photos are so poor. My camera is out of batteries so, I took these with my cell phone.


I have to say the "paint bucket" I put together on our last crafty day made the setup for this project run very smoothly! Everything was setup in the correct order; smocks, tablecloth, letters, paint, and last brushes. This made for a much more relaxing experience for me. Yay!

nature deprived

We desert dwellers are a little nature deprived by now due to the summer's heat but, I do get a little (hot) fresh air in each day as I sit on our shady front porch waiting for the school bus to arrive. We are settling in to our new routine now that school has begun. I guess I'm daydreaming of that new ritual today since I've been indoors all weekend! Being indoors can be pretty productive some times though and this weekend I put myself to work cleaning, cooking, organizing and even squeezed in art projects with the kids and for myself! That feels good.

painting in progress, weeping willow

dandelion

Painting in progress montage

Dandelion painting completed, 7-26-09

Handmade Portraits: Mimi Kirchner

This video made smile. Mimi is lovely and very inspirational. I adore her dolls. The sleeping swaddled babies are precious, the robots so cool, the strong tattooed men are clever and her school boys are so cute (partial to these I'm sure because I have a little school boy of my own). Such care is taken in creating them and so much history is behind the fabrics and the many bits and pieces that make up one of her creations.

veggie frittata

This was an easy all-in-one meal! The southwest hash browns have a kick and made the dish hearty enough for dinner, the broccoli gives it a nice crispness and the rosemary gives it a savory earthy flavor.

Ingredients:

• 6 eggs
• 2 cups simply potatoes southwest shredded hash browns
• 1 cup chopped broccoli
• 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 3 tablespoons water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 4-6 oz of your choice of shredded cheese
  

Directions:

In skillet drizzle some olive oil and add hash browns, broccoli, onions and rosemary. Cook over low-medium heat until the hash browns are golden and the vegetables tender, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and place into an oven safe dish approx. 8 inches. Beat eggs, water, salt and pepper; pour over hash browns mixture. Top with cheese and paprika. Bake, uncovered at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes or until eggs are completely set.

sisters vacation

Aunties & the boys having fun in the backyard.

So much has happened recently! Since our trip to Colorado, I just feel like time has flown by. We came home and within days our first born began kindergarten. A few days after school started, my 2 sisters arrived to witness Ethan's first days at school and celebrate my birthday.

Aunties & Hudson relaxing by the pool

For my birthday we stayed at the Hotel Valley Ho in old town Scottsdale, drank John Daly's by the pool all day, and ate like queens. Both my sisters and I love to order a few things and share family style. Anyone who goes out to eat with me knows this is my favorite way of enjoying a meal! We enjoyed a delicious lunch at Arcadia Farms. This place makes you feel like you're inside a doll's house and the food is all farm fresh. We enjoyed dinner atMalee's Thai on Main, the food was great as was the service. Katie, Kelly & I were all pretty tipsy and giggled our way through dinner. A few steps from the restaurant (Kelly had REALLY high Tina Turner heels on) we stopped at The Tortilla Factory to rest our feet, have another drink and snack on chips and salsa and finished the night with a chocolate cake to go (which I enjoyed in the bathtub later that night,haha).

Hotel Valley Ho room

Hotel Valley Ho bathroom

Hotel Valley Ho pool

After our night away, my sisters had a blast hanging with their nephews for the rest of their stay! I was so sad to see them go. I hadn't felt that sad in awhile :( It sure does get harder to be away from our loved ones as we get older and understand what family means to us. My sisters are really special. It's sad knowing I won't see them again until March 2010!




In other news ...

Sara Hardin (AKA Ask Sara) found that even Martha Stewart Living suggests Soft Flex Wire by name for their beading project!

Black Mountain Jewelry Co was reminded yesterday of why they love doing jewelry repairs.

Tiffany from Green and Natural Parenting explains how taking a nature walk with kids helps improve their emotional well-being.

Craft Magazine showcases Egg Press' work and whirl video, which gives a mesmerizing view into their workshop, on their blog.

post-it animation

escalator animation

Fashion trends and project ideas

Fashion Trends

Are you a recessionista? No matter what your income, looking good doesn't have to weigh down your wallet. Recently, Jamie Hogsett and Sara Hardin of Soft Flex Company, went on the hunt at Kohl's and Target to see what sort of affordable fashion they could find. And of course, paired the latest fashion trends with some of Soft Flex's free jewelry projects ideas that match.

We hope to update this section a few times a year with current and affordable fashion options that pair with our current and affordable free project ideas for accessories to keep you looking hip. I created the graphics and layout for this new web feature and I hope you will take a look by clicking Fashion Trends!