FREE - DIY Owl Calendar Printable

LOVE! Love! LOVE! Love this!!!
I'm going to print about 4 different versions.  :-)

 

Ch-ch-ch-check it out!

She Art - 2011

This year I took the She Art 1 and She Art 2 Workshops by Christy Tomlinson.  I also took her She Had Three Hearts Workshop.  They are all online, and the videos and instruction are wonderful.  She has such a great, comfortable style.  I have learned so, so, so much!  She makes it all look so easy.  I already posted two of the projects I completed this summer:

Here's one more of the girls that I did this year, that I thought I would share. 

I put her on an 8 x 10 canvas.

I love the dimensional aspects of it - the modeling paste stenciled design in the corner, and the wooden heart that kind of come off the surface and add texture.

This isn't a commercial, because neither of them know that I'm saying this, but I believe that Brave Girls Club and Christy have given me back my creativity.  I feel like I lost it for several years, and since I found those two sites, I have been bitten by the bug again - so grateful!!

Craftin' - Part 3 - Brave Girl Charming

This summer I had Brave Girl "mini-camps" where several of my friends/family came over and we worked on our Soul Restoration 1 projects.  I did a couple of posts about it in April.  Here's one of the first ones. 

I was also lucky enough this summer to go back to the real Brave Girl Camp as part of the staff. Going back to serve a new group of girls was an amazing blessing.  I learned so much more and made so many new friends!  It was awesome!

Look at how sparkly they all are in this picture!!  That is exactly how this July camp felt - wonderful to spend time with all these bright, shiny, amazing women!

Anyway, over the last couple of months, I've been gathering vintage beads and charms, and I've managed to cobble together enough to create several "Brave Girl" charm bracelets for a few of these special girls.

 
As you can tell, they are all different metal tones, and beads with lots of color. That means they go with EVERYTHING, right?!

Every bracelet is different, but they all have several of the Brave Girl symbols: soul houses, truth tellers, brave girl boots and hats, and lots of heart(s)!

I've never made jewelry before, so this was a bit intimidating, but after the first one, I got the hang of it, and I was able to put all these together over just a couple of evenings.    

Of course, I made one for myself, too!  It will be fun to wear when I need a little bravery!

Linking up here, here and here.

25 Days of Christmas

19.  Snow? Love it? Dread it? Tolerate it?

In Texas, we get it so rarely that I like it.  When we get it, the city shuts down (so I get to "work from home"), but then it's gone within 2 - 3 days.  Also, it makes everything look so clean and pretty.  All that being said, I think that if I had to live with it and drive in it and actually continue normal activity in it for months at a time, I would probably be leaning more towards the DREAD end of the spectrum.  Since I'm off to Wisconsin in a few weeks, we will see pretty soon how I like it.  :-)

Book Page Garland

I have stopped spending hours and hours and hours a day blog hopping, but I just happened to be cruising the web the other day and landed at one of my favorite spots, The Nester, and saw this GORGEOUS book page garland.  LOVE IT!!! 

I thought I would make one of my own, but I just don't have time this year.  Maybe next year.... 

25 Days of Christmas

15.  Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?

Heck yes!  We open almost all of them on Christmas Eve.  I mentioned in a previous post that Santa actually shows up WHEN. WE. ARE. AWAKE. and passes out presents on Christmas Eve.  After he leaves, mayhem ensues.  It's awesome!  So much fun!  Then on Christmas Day, we can comfortably spend time with the extended family.

Soul Food

On the Brave Girls Club site, they have just posted a recap of Day 5 at camp.  Click here to read all about it.  While you're there, join the club and sign up for the daily truths (it's all free and so, so wonderful).  You can also check out the archives to read about days 1-4.  But be forewarned - after you read them, you will really, really, really want to go to camp. 

This video is also posted on the Day 5 wrap up, but I wanted to share it here, too.  It is one of my most favorite things we did at camp.  Reading the post and watching this video for the first time tonight was amazing.  I have been jonesing for another taste of the BGC experience, and this was just the soul food I've wanted.  It took me right back to that moment.  What a blessing it was to have been a part of this.  Enjoy!



I cannot believe that Kathy and Melody were able to belt out that song all the way to the end.  I lost my voice to tears about half-way through.  But that is what Brave Girls do - they will share their light and they will carry you through and continue to sing your song until you find your voice again.  They are AWESOME!

I hope you're sharing your voice and your light, and if you can't right now, that's ok.  We've got your back - we'll light your candle and sing your song until you can join back in...

Brave Girl

 

YEEEEEHHHHAAAAWWWWWW!!!!  I'm at Brave Girls' Camp this week.  I have been looking forward to this trip for months!!!

If you're not already a member of the Brave Girl Club, go over and check it out.  Melody and Cathy send out a Daily Truth email that is wonderful.  In addition to the community they have created, the camp, and the daily inspiration, they also teach online classes. 

I'll be back next week with lots of pictures and inspiration I'm sure.  YEAH!!!!

Followin' the Rules

Becky at Farmgirl Paints is taking a photography course, and we all know there's no better way to learn something than to teach it.  She's called her class project "THRIVE" - isn't that great?!  Every week, she brings each lesson back to her readers!  YEA!! 


 She's translating photography lingo into real terms that make it easy to understand. (Except for aperture - I still don't get it.  That's not Becky's fault, I've just got a mental block - higher is lower, less is more, up is down - it does not compute.)

I'm learning all sorts of cool stuff about my new camera.  Normally, I'm an "AUTO" girl.  Put all the knobs and dials and buttons on AUTO and let the camera do the work.  That works when you're being a tourist and taking a gabillion shots of churches and various statues, but not so much when you're trying to get the artistic shot of your candle-lit dining room table. Also, you pay extra for all those knobs, dials and buttons, so I'm aimin' to get my money's worth.

This week's lesson is ISO and the Rule of Thirds.  I had heard the Rule of Thirds before, but never tried to compose or edit my pictures to comply (what a rebel - always breakin' the rules - yeah, right), and I was already playing with the ISO a bit.  I'm repeating a couple, but here are a few of my rule-following third pictures:

The barn door is on one of the intersection points of the 9-block 1/3 grid.

I don't know if this is right, but the pole is right along one of the 1/3 lines - and I like this one.  :-)

It's a little late for Santa, but he's also positioned in the right spot, and by the tracks in the snow, it looks like he just walked right into that spot by himself.

This one's divided into three sections.

And here are the REALLY, REALLY BORING pictures where I was playing with both the ISO and the aperture (lower to higher or higher to lower - I'm not sure, but at least I'm trying!):

  

I was practicing on the water spitters on the side of the pool - I really do not like those things - but they were a moving target.  For what it's worth, I like the last one of these the best.  It was a mostly sunny day, and I took these one after the other, I was amazed at the difference in moving the dials and hitting the buttons.  Cool stuff!

I'm linking up to Becky's project, so hop on over to Farmgirl Paints and check out all of the MUCH better photos.

Celebrating Edie

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EDIE!!!

I think I may have mentioned Edie and her blog, Life in Grace, before....like maybe a million times.  Hers was one of the first blogs I found when I started exploring this world, and in case you didn't know, I think she is A-MA-ZING!

When she left a comment on my rookie-blog, I almost fell over I was so excited! I immediately went and told the hubs, and he gave all the right signals to indicate he was happy for me even though he had no idea what I was talking about. I was happy for a week - and how many times did I go back and read that comment? I'm too embarrassed to say - let's just say it still makes me smile!

As soon as you start reading her blog, you are hooked.  Even though you have never met her, you feel like you know her and want her to be your new BFFL. She's so cute and fun and clever - you almost want to hate her, except you just love her so much!  Instead, you want be just like her.  You know, when you meet a new friend, and you talk about them all the time, and start copying the way they've decorated their house, and start reading the same books and listening to the same music that they like.  (Yikes! That sounds slightly creeper-ish, but you know what I mean....ahem.)  Maybe it's that you have stuff in common, but this new friend just expresses it in a much hipper, truer, more soulful way than you do - so it's more like inspiration.  That is Edie. 

She is, truly, an inspiration.

One day, when we grow up, I hope my blog is maybe one tenth as good as hers. I love the way she writes about the everyday - the pretty and not so pretty.  She writes about being a mama and the love she has for her kids shines through in a way that all moms hope they're showing their own children.  She shares stories about her family, she shares recipes, she shares her love of music and books and crafty goodness, and, through it all, she shares her unwavering faith. She shares her gifts with all of us without expectation or reservation.  She's not afraid to be vulnerable - or if she is afraid, it seems she just takes a deep breath and walks right through it.  She is real - and this is why so many of us love her. 

She and her family are in the midst of a very trying time, and instead of asking "Why" or being defeated, she has stood in gratitude. During this time, instead of focusing inward, she has reached out and written posts to try to provide comfort and reassurance to all of those who are worried about her.  Like I said - Edie is an inspiration - just through her actions, she encourages each of us to be better.

Today (actually yesterday, but I haven't gone to bed yet so it's still today for me) is Edie's birthday, and there is a HUGE throw-down goin' on across blog-world to celebrate her.   This virtual community is trying to send our support and big hugs to her in the way we do it best.  I am in awe at the number of people who have joined this party to bless Edie today.  If you read some of the other posts, you will see that I'm not the only one who feels this way about her.  She is well-loved.

Miss Edie, I wish you the happiest of birthdays and mucho buttercream!  Peace be with you!

If you want to party-down, and share the love, come on over to Edie's blog...all the cool kids are doin' it...



(PS:  I shamelessly stole these pictures from Edie's blog and facebook - begging forgiveness...)

Christmas Prayers

I'd planned a different post for this morning, but instead I've decided to talk about something else.

Edie at Life in Grace has written the most wonderful post called Santa Claus Theology.  I strongly encourage you to click over and read it today. 

 It's a funny thing this whole bloggy world - I have never met any of the wonderful women who's words I read everyday, but I feel like I know them all.  Edie is funny and smart and honest, and her blog is probably my most favorite.  I check it every day, eager for a new post.  She has an amazing gift for always saying just the right thing.

I was catching up on some other blog reading today, and I learned that on Tuesday night, Edie and her family lost their home and everything in it to fire.   According to what I've read, thankfully everyone made it out of the house safely.  In times like these, we are reminded of what is truly important. 

I cannot imagine this happening at any time during the year, but most especially during the holidays.  My heart is breaking for them.  Please include them in your prayers right now.  I'm praying for God's peace and comfort for them during this challenging time.

Who Doesn't Love a Flash Mob?

I saw this on Susie Davis' blog here.  Love it!!!



I wanna be in a flash mob! These videos just make me happy. 

Merry Christmas!

Favorite Things

So, I know I said I'd be posting about Thanksgiving madness at my house today, but I changed my mind.

Instead, I've been inspired by The Favorite Things posts going on over at 320*Sycamore.  I've just stumbled upon this blog and it is wonderful.  There is so much good stuff out there, I think I could make blog reading a full-time job... I WISH!  Anyway, hop on over and check out all the good stuff:



I'm also linking up to another awesome Favorite Things party at Funky Junk Interiors here:





I'm having an Oprah moment talking about my favorite things, excuse me for a minute while I just let that soak in............


.........ahhhhhh!  Lovely!  So, a few of my favorite things - here goes:

It's obvious, I know, but I might as well start with Oprah!  Then, just go right ahead and add Martha to the list too.  Add to that my other favorite TV-ish things:  Tivo, Biggest Loser, and Glee!

Here's some more obvious...family: 

Family who are reading and don't see your pictures, don't be offended - your pictures are implied.  :-)

Then there is favorite vacation - I don't care - just near the water - any water - even a pool or an aquarium will do!

Favorite holiday - duh - Christmas! 

  

Favorite part of my house - the backyard in the late spring.

And a few other random favorites at the moment:

Sonoma Original Bootcut Jeans from Kohl's - I just got a pair the other day, and I struggle with fit - I am LOVING the way these fit me! YEA!  dark wash, of course.

Favorite new (for me) music:

Long time favorite music:

and more Kasey...

Favorite make-up products:

 

Favorite food (I'm not proud):

  apple fritters and...

cheese pizza. 

And, before this gets much worse, I'm going to end on favorite color:

"...And these are a few of my fav-or-ite things." 

Gratitude Friday

I completely and unashamedly stole this idea from Edie at Life in Grace. In my own defense, I do have to say that I did tell her the very day I saw it that I was going to copy it, so she was warned and it is totally documented in the comments section.  The first time I went to Edie's blog, this was the post.  I L.O.V.E. the idea of these letters. 

So, I went to the Hobby Lobby, bought some for myself, painted them...


...had to figure out how to hang them (Command Strips!), and

hung them up right over the door leading to the garage so this is what we see every time we leave the house.

(I wish I'd bought the bigger letters, but I thought they would overwhelm the space since it's so tight.  I like it, but I don't love it yet.  I may need a do-over.)

It's a gratitude reminder.  I've been trying to do this here every Friday, but I love having this daily nudge.  There are so many people, circumstance, and things that we take for granted - seeing this not only makes me smile, but it makes me think. 

Today, I'm grateful for:

1. Making my plane on Tuesday morning.  I was the last person to board - YIKES!

2. Having enough gas in my car to make it home from the airport tonight (no time to fill it on Tuesday morning)!

3.  Falling back last weekend - it's so much easier to get up early (I would have missed the flight for sure if not for this).

4.  Everyday is another chance to start over.

5.  My new computer is on the way!!!  YEA!

Have a great weekend!

I'm linked up here: