Refreshments, anyone?

We headed to North Carolina friday night to surprise some old friends of ours. They recently found out they are pregnant & therefore were planning to move this past weekend. Good thing we did, because only two other people who had offered their help showed. That was so frustrating. What happened to people owning up to their word? That "grinds my gears". It use to be that a man gave his word with a handshake. Now, a man's word often doesn't mean anything at all. Doesn't it bother anyone? Does it not bother us that in today's society, honesty means nothing?

On the positive end of things... my wonderful husband IS a man of his word. I love him so much. He made me so proud the way he stepped in & took initiative. What wonderful ideas (& MUSCLES!) he has! It was so good to watch him from a distance. It reminded me to honor him. & at the end of each day, we had great,much needed time with our sweet, long time friends. It was so refreshing to have fellowship with believers who are also dear friends.

The ride home was great, as well. There was such a sweet spirit & bond between us. We had such a nice time talking & laughing together. Yes, I said it... my husband & I talk... & LAUGH together. We ACTUALLY like each other. I know, weird isn't it? :) I really felt like we got over a wall, conversationally, that has been building up for a while. We talked about some really important things & made some really productive conclusions.

& before we went to bed last night, we prayed together. I love praying to my Lord & Savior with the wonderful companion that He provided me with. I use to believe that marriage was all coincidence & that you just end up with THE someone that you really believe you can make it work with. But. it seems like I am constantly being amazed at just how perfect we are for each other. Maybe God does make someone for everyone? I don't know, because I am not God. What I do know is that my husband was,is, & always will be the one & only for me.

I love my life.

Orchids for Larissa

Today I put the final touches on Larissa's mahogany jewelry set. My husband stained these two lovely pieces of mahogany & I couldn't wait to put some art on them!

...Have I ever mentioned how good he is to me?

Larissa likes to make necklaces, so she quickly snatched up my offer a while back. I was excited to paint for her, but I had NO idea where to go with it. I couldn't figure out how to paint on stained mahogany without ruining it entirely. I asked Larissa what she was thinking. Name? Design? Not only did she want her name & a design SHE SENT ME A PICTURE. I love her for that.

Larissa was in the process of redoing her room. She said it was a mix between Victorian & Oriental (tasty). She sent me a sweet little picture of some white oriental orchids she liked. I was thankful for the picture, yet at the same time, horrified.

I have never painted flowers. I've tried before. Tried is the key word. I usually fail miserably. So, Larissa, here's to you. You gave me a challenge & have inspired me to keep trying for things that intimidate me. Thank you. I hope you love love love it.

I wanted to post a picture of the set before Dennis put the hooks on it for her necklaces & bracelets.


Mahogany. Red Mahogany Stain. Acrylic paints. Sold.

Tea Time

I'm sorry for such a long gap between posts. It has been a yucky week. My health has definitely seen better days. But, once again, my prince charming has come to my rescue. He's so wonderful. My husband has been taking care of our sweet baby girl and I all weekend. Yesterday he spent all afternoon outside working on stuff for all my Father's Day orders. "What a man, what a man, what a mighty good man!" I don't know where I would be without him. I think sometimes God has to bring us down to a vulnerable stage in order to give us "fresh eyes" for our spouse. This weekend, if nothing else, has reminded me of all the reasons I married my best friend. Because, whether or not we want it to, life usually comes along & causes us to forget.

That's all I've got for you today, cause my best friend is in the other room... & I'd like to go have a cup of tea with him.

Sifting

Have I ever told you about my amazing husband? Well, he is mine... and he is amazing. Not only does he spoil me with trips to the hardware store, but he is my own personal carpenter. Last night he helped me out with Marge's kitchen sign for hours. Yes, plural. He used a hand planer to put a chamfer edge around it. Then, as if that was not enough, he sanded the whole thing for me. Oh, dear ...he is so like-able. Even if I wasn't madly in love with him, I'd still like him. All I can say is, "Marge, this is going to be boss".

Today I started priming so that tomorrow -hopefully- I can use my AWESOME pumpernickel paint & begin! Here is a look "behind the scenes" so far... which, I warn you... is not much. But if nothing else, LOOK AT HOW BIG IT IS... it's amazing.

Mainly, I have been spending all my spare time on the other Father's Day plaque. I felt I needed to ask for permission before I used names... so in my last post I referred to a "woman" who wanted a plaque for her husband, the "marine". Which is still true, her husband is a marine, & his name is Mark. And, the woman, Christina... is my cousin. Yep, this story just gets better & better. I haven't met Mark yet, but from what I hear I am missing out because he is truly one amazing man. After all, he is a marine. To add on to that feeling of "missing out", I don't think I have seen Christina since I was a teeny-bopper. I hate that. This will in no way make up for that lost time... but we don't live TERRIBLY far from each other. I am crossing my fingers to meet her beautiful family & see her again sometime in the near future.

But for now, I am using what I do know of Mark & Christina to paint my heart out.

I will admit, I've gotten choked up a few times. Its hard to create something so sentimental, something that reads "Our Father, Our Hero". All the while knowing this family's father & hero have been gone for so long... knowing when he comes home he will be meeting yet another son for the first time ...all because he was doing his duty to fight for our country. For our freedom.

How would you handle that?

I've been thinking about it non-stop ...and I can tell you straight up, I would NOT be handling it with courage, strength & honor. I'd be angry. So angry. & who knows, maybe Mark is angry... I wouldn't know because I'm not him... nor Christina. But, if he is angry, he's still being a man of his word and thats something I am not sure I could do. How pathetic of me.

So, as I have been painting, I've been trying to sift through all these thoughts & emotions. ...& I need some tissues. I thank God for giving me this opportunity. & I hope that as you read this, you take a minute & thank God for what you have & WHO you have in your life.

Fans, friends & flames

It was such a great weekend. Friday I officially made my very first order. A friend of mine is buying one of the Father's Day plaques! I am so excited to get started on it. Saturday morning I got a message from a lady who,and I quote, "LOVES [my] work!" & would like me the paint her something for their kitchen. Is it jumping the gun to say I officially have fans? I don't think so... just let me dream. in all seriousness.... what a blessing to get to orders in the same week.. the FIRST week! Then the weekend just got better when some friends of ours came to visit. It was such a sweet time of fellowship & good conversation. Sunday evening we sat around & roasted marshmallows over the fire pit. Um, I love firepits. And, I just so happen to believe I am amazing at roasting marshmallows. Toasty, golden goodness on the outside, warm & soft on the inside. That, my friends, is the picture of the perfect marshmallow. If I could have captured it in a bottle I would have-that was for Jessica Marie.

I am excited to get started on this plaque. I finished it up some over the weekend with the help of my handy dandy husband. We filled in & smoothed out some dents & scuffs. Then I put in three tiny nails to cover up some existing holes. It looks great! Ready for paint. & it's just calling my name....

I will post pictures as soon as it's finished... or maybe I will give you a sneak peak.

Taking Off

I am really excited to share this news. * Drum Roll * I believe there are two people interested in purchasing Father's Day plaques! Can I get a "holla" from anyone ( "holler" for all my whitey tighties). This is like a dream come true... doing this. I have always wanted to take something I enjoy doing and bless others with it, all the while making a little extra money. It has been a lot harder to get started than I thought. I have been gifting people for a while, but I've never attempted to make any cashola before. It would be nice to get paid for the time, energy & thought you put into things. But if it never goes anywhere big, just seeing the joy these specialized gifts bring people is plenty good for me.

It occurred to me last night that I have never shown you any examples. I've been talking about these gifts, painting & what not but never shown you a finished project before. Wanna see?

I think I can make that a reality.

The frame is pine, coated with acrylic paints and finished with crackle.

I made this as a birthday present for my husband this year. The story behind it? When we were dating, I was always too shy to tell him how I felt. One night, before I left for California I quickly said,"You're my favorite" and jetted for the door. Come to find out later, that phrase made his day. He's still my favorite, so I thought it would be appropriate to show him that on a day to celebrate his birth :)