notice.

I have to say that since first noticing the noticing project, I have been making a concerted effort to notice. Its a beautiful project and if you can, check it out. Its great for kids...I am going to use it in my classroom to develop attention to detail, use of technology and especially as an opportunity for kids to SLOW DOWN!
Well, Saturday was perfect. We left the house only to pick up groceries for Jan, and then to deliver them to her home and have a short visit. She is sad because she is giving her dog away. He is a wonderful lab, but needs a bigger yard. Poor Jan. Logan (the dog) is her baby, but in the last year or so he has dislocated her shoulder, broken her wrist and broken her knee, causing her to undergo knee surgery. He is just too much dog, and especially in an area with so many squirrels!
Henry's only requests today were that we make blueberry muffins and rainbow pants. We did the pants, and then, of course Ava needed a pair so we whipped those out. Hers are an adorable flannel with umbrellas all over them, and we stiched a strip of flowers down the front for fun. I think they will fray in a these are playful-not-perfect-pants kind of way. Yay! Again, made something today that I like! Henry looks great in his rainbow pants...with a fun green striped pocket. Hopefully I can post pictures later...
Which leads me to, again,...any tips for getting pics on WITH the posting? Mine seem to all show up at the bottom and I can't figure out how to get them with relevant text.
Well, hope your year is starting out with many lovely things to notice and that you create objects or energy for noticing all year long!

yay...I made something!

Finally! Its been almost 2 weeks since I actually MADE something and I was so bummed because it wasn't that I have such little time, or needed some inspiration (by way of a visit to the fabric store:)) it was just that I have been not "feelin' it". But yesterday...I finally made something I like! Unfortunately I have a lovely 2yr old who models beautifully but refuses to cooperate at this time. I am sure if I bribed her with chocolate things would be different but I am trying to not give in to that beast!
Okay...pictures...we'll see how it goes. I am still SOOOOOOOO not good at this stuff.
Well, I tried, but no luck...I plug away. Maybe tomorrow! Sorry folks.
By the way, check out jessprkl's blog (see my link list) for the sad story of her sisters missing art...spread the word. I think her sister said it best when she referred to the theft of personal art as "audatiously disrespectful". I have to agree. Good luck Shannon! For more of Shannon's work click here: Shannon Bonatakis

oh what a start!

Well, first off, Happy New Year! I really do wish you all the best this year--peace, good health, and blessings galore!
Now, really, this has been quite a start. I mentioned I have a 5 yr old and a 2 yr old, right? They have spent the enitre new year thus far, fighting! Seriously. I, being very experienced with children of this age, have a lot of patience normally, and many many tricks in my bag for diffusing tension and resolving conflict among children....but nothing is working! Really, not a day goes by that I don't imagine one of two senarios:
1. Me driving to Mexico, living happily ever after a life of beaches and sunshine.
2. Life in an modern, clean, minimalist apartment in the middle of the city, alone, quiet except for the occasional shopping spree and the numerous meals out (becasue the best food is usually the food I dont have to cook!)
I do adore the babies, and admit I have a pretty amazing life. We are all healthy and Henry and AvaJane really are delightful most of the time! Okay, now I am just feeling guilty for letting on that sometimes its just too much! Oh well...maybe I just need a little break.
I also have the slump in creativity that makes starting, and completing any project right now impossible because I get going and then I just don't know where to go. I saw Hle's blog earlier today and she is now part of a Letterboxing card trading group....where does she find the time? Her post was cute...love the card she and Audrey made. I barely find, who am I kidding? I havent even find time to do the actual letterboxing since summer, even though I would love to more of it!
Sorry if this post was a downer! Its still grey outside and at the store today, I had to tell a really attractive and interested guy that I was married, and I still havent gotten my new jeans in the mail....I better go find something to do that will cheer me up!
Before I go, here is a brief list of some good and bad from my 2007...and yes most of it is only from the last half of the year but I like to think of myself as someone who really stays in the moment...Oprah would be proud!
Yay 2007:
bought a serger
donors choose funded my project at school
great times with in-laws
dinner with my sister and brothers all in the same house
finding my new favorite jeans (taverniti so...love them)
another year of Lucky mag
another year of Living...okay I know many of you hate Martha but I don't!
my neice, Olive joined us (pictures coming)
started a blog...okay that barely fits on this list but as I mentioned above...in the moment!
Ugggg 2007:
what happened to Martha Stewarts KIDS magazine????
and Blueprint???? sad me...remember, I read magazines, not books.
gw...still?
Booker (great neighbor, old school cigar smoking and beat up truck drivin guy) died :((((
lead...china...on and on
time...gone
damn writers strike (what about Lynettes kids?)
my fav housekeeper quit for a "real" job, 9-5 and all that
new principal (yikes...we are going down fast)
gang recruiters in elementary school, really?

Buh-bye 07....helloooooooo 08!