treasures from acorn hill

Sensory fun with rainbow rice

2012-03-05T16:32:00.001-08:00

Originally uploaded by stacycakes

We have been doing lots of things with rainbows, so when I needed a good idea for my sensory table, colored rice seemed like a fun choice. The kids are nabbing a blast with it, I added some small sand toys, rakes, funnels, shovels, and than the kids decided to add some matchbox cars. Than I added some large collared gems, the fun is endless!

Here's what you need to make it:
rice
White vinegar
Food coloring
Baggies
Cookie sheet
Place 1 1/2 cups of rice for each color you want to make. Add 1 tbs vinegar and food coloring. Seal the bag and have the kids shake until the colors all mixed unto the rice. When all the colors are mixed, gently pourontoa cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes in a low oven,225.add toys and have fun!

Rainbow love

2012-03-04T18:08:00.001-08:00

Originally uploaded by stacycakes

This week we reviewed the letter "r". I was trying to think of fun letter r projects, we made raindrops one day, traced the letter r, made colored rice for the sensory table and made colored rainbows. I filled an egg carton with alt he colors of the rainbow and had a special painting tool that pulls the paint, kind of like an ice scraper. I put all the different colored paint on the tip of the scraper and let the kids pull the paint onto the paper, they came so beautiful!.... Next post, colored rice for some sensory fun!

me and j

2011-11-10T16:13:00.000-08:00

its been a lovely few months in my world, actually its been a lovely 6 months to be exact. despite a hurricane, a fall snow storm and two power outages, my life has been full of fun, love and laughter. as thanksgiving is upon us, i would like to take the time to give thanks for the small everyday gifts i have been blessed with. i had a very difficult start to this year, and as the year will be coming to a close soon enough i am so thankful that i made it through and am happier than i thought i would ever be again. so take the time to enjoy a picnic, or a sun rise or a song with someone....life is short, and unexpected so carpe diem, carpe diem!

eric carle carnival

2011-09-13T18:26:00.000-07:00

hello everyone, ive missed you all out there in blog land, alot has happened in the past few months. i have wanted to post but cannot figure out how to post pics from my iphone and that is my main source of communication as of late. i finally broke down and opened up my lap top and decided to post pics from the eric carle carnival that i ran in the spring. it was a smashing success and the kids,parents and teachers enjoyed themselves! here are a few pics of the day, i can post directions to any of the ideas you see if you would like. other than that things with me are going great. another school year is off to a good start, alot of crying three yr olds to contend with but they are so darn loveable!....happy tuesday and i promise to post more consistently, after all i did make it a new yrs resolution last year, damn it!.....cheers!

Tame me

2011-06-26T07:49:00.000-07:00

Tame me, oh tame me
I need to be tamed

Tame me, oh tame me
If you know my name

My head is restless,
My heart,
My soul

Tame me, please tame me
And make me feel whole

Running wild through the depths of the sea

Tame me, oh tame me
My name is ec-Stacy

Us

2011-03-22T15:11:00.000-07:00

Started out backwards,commited sight unseen,
who would have thought it would have ever lost it's sheen.
The glasses we wore were the color of rose,
Until resentment set in,when it was I just don't know.
Our love was forever I never thought it would end,
Now I'm left sitting alone.........barely friends.

Eulogy for my grandfather, Joseph John mazzarino .july 26 1914- January 20, 2011

2011-01-26T16:26:00.000-08:00

From a very little girl I remember my grandfather being my best friend. I would sit for endless hours listening to his stories while he rubbed my back, his words like a lullaby,soothing,comforting, I couldn't remember a better feeling.
I remember Sunday mornings,going to visit after church.he would have bagels and donuts and I was allowed to have a little coffee with milk, I felt so grown up! I would eat a bagel and cream cheese and Joseph a bagel with butter, and we would fight over which mug we would get.
Joseph and I would be so excited when our parents went away because we knew Grammy and grampy would babysit,and that meant trips to the candy store, trips to the toy store, lots of junk food and of course chocolate pudding pie! How lucky my brother and I were to have the "best of grampy".
Last night I was thinking that not only was he mine and joseph's first best friend,but tj's as well. He insisted on driving me to all of his doctors appointments,buying all of his shoes and taking us out for burgers,(hence the name poppa burger). He was allies' first best friend playing with her for hours,worrying because she didn't speak for the first year and a half,( now she doesn't shut up,little did we know!). Followed by trey's first best friend playing ball in the alley and taking him to the corner for candy, and segi's first best friend even in his 90's!
A greater gift we couldn't ask for. He brought out the best in everyone he came across and made everyone feel special. He gave love away freely and love always found it's way back to him. We thought he was invincible, he would live forever! Allie told me that she thought he would be here for her children,it never crossed her mind that he wouldn't be. But Joe Joe would not have wanted to live if his quality of life was compromised. He knew when the show was over and left this world quickly and quietly with dignity. He leaves behind a family that has learned so much from him. He was so proud of each and every one of us and he will live on in our hearts forever. He believed in humanity and found the good in everyone. I realize he has helped me be the woman that I am today and I know he would be so thrilled to see all the love in this church and over the past few days. We celebrate a life lived to the fullest. He was a humble man who was so rich with love and was so thankful for each day he had on this earth.
It was mother Teresa who said, "we can do no great things,only small things with great love", my grandpa lived it....sleep well dear grampy, Joe Joe,poppa burger, we love you!

resolutions....

2010-12-31T05:37:00.000-08:00

happy new year to all my friends in blog land.....if you knew me in real life you would know that i don't typically make new years resolutions, i don't even enjoy ringing in the new year...i hate change!... since i was a little girl, i just can't get with the whol new year idea. i was content and happy with the old one, why change it?.....all in all i would rather pretend that it's not even happening, ( i am a cancer after all, and we hate change and we are homebodies), so if i had my druthers, i would be at home, not celebrating a new year!, but i digress.....in my effort to be more organized i started to make lists this week...and i made a list of new years resolutions, mostly because i enjoy checking things off my list as i do them, i get a great sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, i highly recommend it!....here is my new years resolutions....ready?
1.let the little things go...i good example of this would be my son leaving his socks all over the place and never with the dirty laundry, it drives me crazy but i vow to let it go.....awww, see, its working out great so far!
2. i invested in a pedomiter over the summer and walk a minimum of 10,000 steps a day, which i vow to keep doing everyday in 2011...dr.oz suggests we all walk 10,000 steps a day to stay healthy, i believe he is correct!
3.i will sit at my art table every day and do something creative,even if its making a tag,or doodling. (of course teaching preschool i have to be creative everyday, but i mean on a personal level).
4. psalm 46:10 "be still and know i am God"
5. i will greet the day with thankfullness and enthusiasm...(see #1)
6. tolerence towards others who don't have the same ideas as me....i tend to think my ideas are the best,(i know i know, bitchy!) and not give my opinion unless it is needed.
7. do a minimum of one kind thing each and every day for a stranger, co worker etc....
8. get organized....i am a bit of a scatter brain, and although i hate clutter and mess i am unorganized, or as i like to refer to it as closet caos....(as long as its out of sight i am ok with it).
so in closing i would like to encourage everyone to make a resolution list, it was good to write down my goals and it gives me a challenge for the new year, perhaps this year i will be ok with ringing in the new and saying goodbye to the old!.....

brown paper packages, tied up with string......

2010-12-24T04:59:00.000-08:00

these are a few of my favorite things...... i want to wish all my friends in blog land a very joyous christmas filled with blessings of family and good memories.....i always wax sentimental this time of the year,and think back on the past christmas's and all the people who are no longer with us....i think especially about my grandmother who died on her birthday 8 yrs ago in december.....i still miss her everyday, but christmas especially. i used to do alot of cooking with her, and as we bread the vegetables for the frito misto we would listened to christmas music on her little kitchen radio and shake the veggies in brown paper bags of flour, i somehow realized that this joy, this memory was special and may not always be here....and i was right, but as i think of her and all the past memories, i look ahead to to this christmas and all the memories we will create this christmas eve, i see the promise of the future in my childrens eyes, and one day when i am a grandmother i will flour vegetables in a brown paper bag filled with flour with my grandchildren and still remember my own with such love....and time and memories live on.....

i thought that this year i would wrap up my packages like parcels this year, there is always something so appealing to me to recieve a gift in brown paper tied with string, makes me think of "the gift of the magi "and my beloved "little woman"....a simple message, but even when times are as tough as they are right now, a simple wrapped parcel could be given with such great love....so its in that honor that i wrapped my gifts this year....wrapped with such love!

one of my favorite things.....

2010-11-27T14:45:00.000-08:00

this watercolor paper is by far and away the best i have ever used. its called "moulin de larroque" 200 lb. cotton rough surface paper, made in france and it is very hard to find, i am not even sure i know how i stumbled upon it,...you can find it here http://www.moulindelarroque.com/pages_ang/index.php i am asking for more this christmas, it came in a book of 10 sheets, it makes a very amatuer watercolor painter look amazing! the sheets are gorgeous and absorb the color beautifully...i have used many different papers, some very expensive and this paper is just the best. if you love to watercolor do not hesitate to purchase some, i know you won't be disappointed! enjoy and happy shopping!

another day with my lover......

2010-10-10T06:28:00.000-07:00

wicked ice cream sandwich

mr. brainwash icons, spray can heart

nine for bloody mary's

growing up in brooklyn was fun and sentimental to me in many ways, it reminds me of family, and good friends,and tradition, i wouldn't trade it for anything in the world........but my one true love is manhattan....anyone who knows me knows that i visit as often as my busy schedule allows. any excuse for me to drive out of jersey and through the tunnel is a celebration for me!...a few weeks ago robert and i went to see a fantastic exhibit called mr. brainwash icons. check it out here http://www.mrbrainwash.com/...this it was down in the very trendy meat packing district. i haven't been down there in a while and i was quiet impressed with how lovely it is with its upscale stores, fabulous resturaunts,and great bars...we visited chelsea market,which is a treat in itself....while robert ate a sushi feast, i ran from shop to shop and couldn't resist jacques torres chocolate shop and walked out with a sweet treat worth every single calorie...the wicked ice cream sandwich!...which is a ginormous icecream sandwich made on chocolate chip cookies that are laced with chipotle chocolate chunks,and these were no ordinary chunks...they are huge, like the size of quarters er only square!...check it out here...http://www.mrchocolate.com/. (i only ate half)....we visited a beautiful little bar, that called our names with promises of bloody mary's and an old ny feel that did not disappoint. i must say my manhattan never ever lets me down!

chelsea market

chocolate bark.....

2010-10-04T16:54:00.000-07:00

i found this recipe in the october issue of bon appetit magazine. it looked too good to pass up, all weekend i baked to send out care packages to my daughter and her friends, and this was on my list.... first i chopped up all different candy bars, i used snickers,twix,kit kats, butterfingers and chocolate covered marshmallows. than i melted bittersweet chocolate, i used giurdelli chocolate morsels, they are delicious( they taste like dove dark chocolate bites!)...i melted mine in a pot on low heat, i poured them out onto tin foil and than topped it with all the chocolate bars and some fall colored M&M's and peanut butter M&M's....let this set for a few hours and than break into pieces.....heavenly!!!

dish washer decoupage...

2010-09-27T16:12:00.000-07:00

i had decoupaged my dishwasher about five years ago,and i was a little sick of the image that was one there....i peeled it all off and than started again, only to hate what i picked next so i peeled that off too,and back to the drawing board!....i found these gorgeous napkins at the chelsea market yesterday,and was inspired!...napkins are great to decoupage with, first i peel the layers and there is usually 3 layers, i just use the image. thani used modge podge to adhere the napkins to the dishwasher....i its not completely finished i think it needs to sort of trim, but i will let this cure for a while before i add anything else...p.s. i did this all while running the dishwasher, hows that for multi tasking!

bench re-do

2010-09-20T16:28:00.000-07:00

i finally got to some of the things on my to do list this weekend, one of them was to re upholster my antique bench. my cat thinks this is his scratching post,and ruined the burlap that i had on here previously.i purchased some new burlap for 2.99 a yard at my local fabric store. i decided to stencil my burlap with a french stencil that i love. i used a chocolate brown acrylic paint. after it dried i stapled it to the exising bench seat and viola!!!

cooking zucchini blossoms

2010-08-30T07:28:00.000-07:00

things in my life seem to be changing at a rapid pace,and they are not all happy changes....the one constant in my life is cooking, i mean when things seem really tough i get down and dirty in my kitchen...it instantly makes me feel better and i know that everything will be alright!...i recently bought some zucchini blossoms at the farmers market and i channeled my great grandmother and fried them up. they were delicious!

here is what i did...first make sure you wash the blossoms thoroughly to get out any little critters that may be living inside. pull out the stamen and the outer stem. dry with a paper towel and set aside. i made a simple batter with milk,eggs,flour,grating cheese, salt and pepper. the consistency was not to thick, but thick enough tostick to the blossoms.heat some oil in a cast iron pot. when the oil is hot enough add your blossoms,turning until brown on all sides... i topped them with some fresh basil and served them right away....i think great grandma raymonda would be proud!

not so mixed media monday.....

2010-08-02T16:09:00.000-07:00

i have been going through a very rough time personally and so i have been utterly uninspired....i haven't done much art and i haven't cooked much in the past two weeks, but the other night i was inspired by a very large zucchini that someone gave me....i shaved the zucchini and some yummy carrots to make beautiful ribbons,and sauted it with some shallots and garlic...added salt, red pepper and lots of fresh basil and mix it with fettucini or linguini,whatever you prefer,top it with some grated loccatelli and you have the perfect comfort food!....cooking always makes me feel better,soothes me in a way that nothing else can...(i really am a frustrated cook)....happy mixed media monday!

mixed media monday....

2010-07-12T05:37:00.000-07:00

i adore miniature things,and i love my doll house!....and although i love the victorian gingerbread houses that are commercially available, i wanted something to fit more with my personality....so ebay hunting i went...and found the perfect simple dollhouse, two story, open floor plan....and vintage,just my style!..... i painted it with whimsy,and left it that way for a bit...i had a vision as to how i wanted to decorate my pretend getaway, but again, didn't want to just fill my house with just any old furniture. i obtained most of my furnsishings by pouring over ebay sites, i got a vintage porcelain sink that i just adore,and the table and chairs i found at my local dollar store,painted and decoupaged...oh the joy!....as in real life, i adore sweets,and cooking and collecting,and my doll house really reflects that parts of me.i made curtains out of scraps of fabric,and cut out a mackenzie childs screen image that i found on their site. when i couldn't find a drawing table, my dad stepped right in,and made one for meits shown here in the top right side of the second floor. i found a little vintage blonde dolly at an antique store,and there i sit,at my kitchen table,phone in hand, very happy....my dollhouse has been a labor of love for me,and just like in life, i frequently move things around inside.......wake your inner child and search for your perfect miiature hideaway...it can be made out of a box,or frame,create one today!

mixed media monday

2010-07-05T15:24:00.000-07:00

i am starting a new weekly post called "mixed media mondays"......each week i will feature a new project to help my creative juices,and perhaps yours....the first feature is, mixed media hearts....

first i prepped some old wood boards with cream paint. than i decoupaged some old dictionary pages over it. i painted some red hearts, mixed with some white and cream paint. than i added some antique lace and various embellishments like screen, paper,metal charms,stamp pads and tape......try to use the same color scheme throughout your piece,and i like to make more than one piece, i usually make two or three.....find your inspiration from a color, or a liece of fabric or lace....i find inspiration everywhere!....enjoy!

a few of my favorite things.....

2010-06-28T15:39:00.000-07:00

it has been such a crazy month of june....i had my sons stepping up from grade school,my daughters prom and graduation from high school. a myriad of birthdays and graduation parties dispursed along with father's day....every day we had something,literally!....i am breathing a sigh of relief that it is all over,and although i am a little let down after so much enjoyment and pride, i am looking forward to relaxing a bit.i got so many FABULOUS birthday gifts that i thought i would share some with you,starting with THE ART OF TIM BURTON along with the cutest MARC JACOBS bag that looks very tim burton-ish!!!.......if you are a fan of tim burton this book is a must have!.....next up some lovely art supplies from PAPER PRESENTATION,delicious italian paper and tags,just the right size to hold my MOO cards.i got TREASURED NOTIONS,the most delicious book about TINSEL TRADING COMPANY!, and many many other fabulous books and things....as well as the new IPHONE,which isn't in yet, so that will be an added surprise that i am awaiting!....i am a lucky, lucky girl!!!!!

the to do list.....

2010-06-14T15:36:00.000-07:00

i have not been feeling myself as of late....and

it dawned on me that its because i haven't made any to do lists......i haven't done much in the way of writing at all....ghastly!....i love making "to do" lists, i feel with it, together, and oh so grown up....its a feeling of accomplishment as i cross each item off on my list!...so today in an effort to feel more in charge i got out my trusty " to do" book and started to make my list!...and i actually crossed off many of the things off my list today! yippee!!!!!...

love affairs...

2010-05-16T07:28:00.000-07:00

oh what a beautiful sunday, the birds are chirpping,and the sun is shining!...the possibilities are endless!...should we drive into manhattan?... because as many people like to flock to the beach on a beautiful sunny day, i like to flock to the city!...the sites, the smells, the people, the shopping...thats right i have quite the love affair with manhattan...the minute i get through the tunnel, its like the energy is different, electric some how...and like a moth to the flame, cannot stay away....when i am there, i am home!!!....what is your love affair?

my grammie's sewing table....

2010-05-12T03:20:00.000-07:00

here is a picture of my grandmother's old sewing table that i use as my night table....i painted and decoupaged it, and absolutly love this piece...i am posting it here today because i saw on "someday crafts" blog a post called "what to do with an old sewing table?"...so here is what i did!....i tried to use the machine, and it does still work, but not very well, and i love the shape of the table, the front opens up, and their is a little shelf inside to hold my chapstick and reading glasses....and i have some of my most favorite things on the top!....thanks someday crafts!!!.......so what have you repurposed?

to my mother.....

2010-05-10T03:50:00.000-07:00

dear mom, i wish you a very happy mother's day....you are my biggest fan,and my cheerleader. you always try to help me and support me 100%....your help is so appreciated,and i don't know what i would do without you!...i hope you know how much i love you,....you say i am strong, but i think you are the strong one...always putting everyone else in front of yourself, your my hero!....i hope you enjoyed your special day,and every day!!!

all my love,stacy

a 5 yr. old memory.....

2010-05-08T06:58:00.000-07:00

do you remember rock flower dolls?....these little dolls came out in 1971, and as a wee little girl i fell madly in love with them the minute i saw the cheesy commercial,....ahhh i still remember the feeling i get when i think back!...they were the size of dawn,(their bodies were more pliable) but they were mod,and they came with their own album that when you put the record on,you attached the doll to the top,and they danced like wild!ohhhh, now you remember what i'm talking about!!!!!i bought heather, the blonde, years ago,and the other day my dear friend donna sent me lilac,the red head in the mail...it was a total surprise, and when i opened the box, it brought me right back to being 5 years old.....aren't they so so gorgeous?...almost 40 yrs later, i get the same feeling when i see them!!! so whats your favorite 5 yr. old memory?

may day.....

2010-05-01T04:42:00.000-07:00

when i got my new issue of somerset life magazine and saw these cute little recycled toilet paper baskets,(page 34,creative idea #2 "hanging pretty") i couldn't believe how unbelievably cute they were.....i had to make them right away!...i was like a kid in a paper,er i mean candy store. i rushed home from work and started to wrap,dip and embellish these little goodies!
here is how....you take a toilet paper roll and flatten it,you glue the bottom tigether with a little hot glue, securing with a clothes pin until set.

gather your favorite papers,cut to fit yout roll and wrap and glue the paper onto the roll. i than added some trim papers that i cut with a decorative scissor, and glued to the top and bottom...this adds interest and beauty. melt some wax in a pat, you must know that the pot you use will now be the wax melting pot forever... i keep this in my craft closet. so melt the wax, on very low,and than brush it onto your little baskets. i find this very gratifying, the wax gives everything a soft vintage feel.
now the fun part......gather ribbons and bits and pieces, baubles and beads, and start embellishing as you wish...

than i punched a whole on either side and strung wire through it to hang. add a piece of tulle inside and you are ready to give this little treasure with a secret note or little gift tucked inside.

in honor of may day surprise a friend by hanging one on their door knob today...!

wrap it up.....

2010-04-30T03:31:00.000-07:00

my mom and i have two showers to go too,and the brides both live out of state....instead of having them lug a big gift back to california and chicago we opted for gift cards, but than you run into the problem of making them look pretty...i mean its a gift card,how boring!....so i went through my supplies and got out some cello bags, added some white jordan almonds and inserted the gift card. tied it up with some white tulle and some calla lilies and adde a pretty gift tag that i made with some simple white paper and a rubber stamp,and i think this makes a lovely little presentation!....

for the second idea i took some little pink favor boxes that i had,(you can purchase boxes from several etsy shops or a good candy supply store.), again i added some tulle, some pink seam binding, a random silk flower and a cute little tag i made with some old recipe cards and my friend lisa's line of paper.....i had wrapped up a simple chocolate bar for a friend who had surgery,and i got to thinking that this too would be a great way to present a gift card, just tuck i into the candy wrapping and this makes a sweet little gift!...you don't have to spend alot of money to make a small ordinary gift look spectacular...just look around your house,and think outside the gift box!

everyday miracles.....

2010-04-27T18:40:00.000-07:00

yesterday the baby chicks started to hatch...we got to witness these small miracles, and one in, particular, come into this world...they made a small hole in the shell with the help of their egg tooth,and than slowly the egg started to crack...you could see how hard these little guys were working, trying to break free,taking small breaks in between the fight out of their birth home....after a few short naps,and much hard work they emerged,flopping around, eyes closed, small cheeps.....soon they dried out and fluffed up and they are just so adorable,don't you just want to take them home?....sadly the last little chick didn't make it, he took a long time to hatch and the other chickes were pecking at him before he was even fully out of his shell.....club foot and seemed to have wear his intestines on the outside, he floundered around and unfortunatly could not be saved....a little reminder of how fragile life really is....what a beautiful miracle for my 3 yr. olds to witness, it was so great to see the excitement on their little faces!...in honor if the chicks coming my class made paper mache eggs and little pom pom chicks...just part of our everyday miracles!

the perfect spring day.....

2010-04-25T18:37:00.000-07:00

yesterday was the perfect spring day, we planned to go into manhattan to walk around...we started out at the union square market and strolled around enjoying the beautiful produce and flowers...than lunch at our favorite vietnamese resturaunt for some pad tai....after that we shopped around (anthropologie, abc carpet, h&m and daffys)...than we walked down to the village and went to sit in washington square park...there was entertainment all around,and this sand artist who was amazing...we had some time to kill before our movie so we went for a drink al fresco, than to the movies to see "city island" it was very funny!...after that we walked back up to have a nightcap at "bar 13"...it was the perfect day to walk around our favorite place in the world!!!...
on the drive back home we realized we were starving so we went to the diner for a very late bite to eat!

celebrating....

2010-04-18T18:08:00.000-07:00

today my family gathered to celebrate my daddy's birthday. it was such a nice day, and i made some delicious pasta with zucchini and carrots, grilled suasage rings, seafood salad fresh mozzerella and foccocia, (all my dad's favorites)... my dad loves wine, so i made him a canvas of wine labels that he collected for me over the years...i made a brownie cake edged with truffles, and topped it with another wine label that i turned into a birthday sign.
i have the most wonderful parents, and am so grateful for them, i appreciate them so so much...i don't know what would do without them!!!
happy sunday, i hope everyone has a great week!

fleur de sel caramels

2010-04-17T18:03:00.000-07:00

i made these delightful caramels tonight and they came really delicious...

here is the recipe...4 tbs. unsalted butter

1 1/2 cups heavy cream

2 cups sugar

1/2 light corn syrup

pinch salt

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

lightly grease a baking pan.

combine all ingredients except vanilla in a sauce pan. turn on medium low heat. cook stirring occasionally until sugar dissolves.mixture will bubble and darken, cook and stir until the firm ball stage,(245 degrees). take off the heat and stir in the vanilla and pour into the prepared pan. cool and cut into little pieces with a sharp knife. its best to do this when the caramels aren't too sticky anymore. wrap in waxed paper and place in a bowl....so sweet!

nicoise salad on a lovely sun day...

2010-04-12T19:14:00.000-07:00

yesterday was such a beautiful relaxing sunday....i decided to make a lovely nicoise salad and eat al fresco, pretending i am in france instead of my backyard in new jersey!....i boiled potatoes and lovely haricot vertes and dressed them with a delightful vinageratte, i grilled some salmon, and added some olives, tomatoes and hard boiled eggs... i grilled some bread and served it along with an artichoke and romaine salad...delicious! we washed it down with a refreshing margarita...there was a lovely breeze blowing and dinner was enjoyed by all..i hope you took time out to enjoy the beautiful weekend!

encaustic painting...

2010-02-23T04:58:00.000-08:00

encaustic painting has been around for a long time, in fact it is the oldest form of painting,started by the greeks when they used wax to seal their ships,and than adopted by the egyptians to create beautiful paintings for their mummys....it didn't become popular until the 50's, (jasper johns) and its still not a widely used medium. I am excited to say that i took an encaustic painting workshop this weekend. it was really fun,and it forced me to use colors that i wouldn't normally use. encaustic painting is painting with wax and manipulated with heat. it is really forgiving and the possibilities are virtually endless. i would love to do more of it, but unless you have a very large studio with good ventilation, it wouldn't pay to invest in the costly supplies. i can happily cross it off my to do list,and had a great workshop!..i highly recommend it.

happy valentine's day...

2010-02-14T05:45:00.000-08:00

happy valentine's day to you.....i hope you have a wonderful day with the one's you love! show your special valentine's you love them with a handmade note! xoxox what is that smell?....... love is in the air!

sanctuary.....

2010-01-31T07:56:00.000-08:00

when i am feeling stressed or sad i can always find my solice at my drawing table. it helps me to focus and instantly take my mind off of my problems...no matter if i just start to organize my supplies or take out my watercolors to prep for a piece of art. it is my sanctuary!

its a bright, bright sunshiny day........

2010-01-23T05:43:00.000-08:00

happy saturday, it is a beautiful,sunny day and i for one and thankful for a day of rest after a very exhausting week. here are the news journals i have been working on for valentine's day....make it a great day for yourself and make sure you do something fun....bake some cookies, or create some art, or sing on the top of your lungs,or dance like no one is looking...it's good for your heart and soul!

my new sketchbook.....

2010-01-14T18:53:00.000-08:00

i recieved a beautiful new italian sketchbook for christmas,and the pages are thick and take to watercolor nicely...now i love moleskin,and use those for everyday sketching and mixed media, i have several of them, and use them for different things.... but i knew i had to do something very special with this particular sketchbook.i finally decided to make it into an illustrated cookbook, filled with several of my favorite recipes,what better way to savor all the sentimental recipes from family and friends!....here are some of the pages i've started to fill....i am having so much fun!

giving thanks.....

2009-11-26T06:18:00.000-08:00

as i get ready to celebrate thanksgiving this year with my family,i am giving thanks for all that i have... a beautiful family,wonderful friends, a comfortable home, and today most of all i am thankful for my grandmothers giant cast iron pot....i make everything in this sunny yellow pot,and i swear to you it all tastes better!
i inherited all her cast iron ware after she died, and i celebrate her every single day in using one piece or another.... last night i used it to make so many things,it was a great help to me...i miss my grammy more than i could ever put into words, but she lives on in my heart and in my pot, and for this i am oh so thankful!
many blessings from my house to yours....happy thanksgiving!

the start of november

2009-11-01T07:29:00.000-08:00

i find that when i am stressed or happy, upset or thrilled, i always find myself celebrating in my kitchen.... it always goes back to nurturing for me, nurturing my family,nurturing my feelings, nurturing my life...i can usually solve any problem by standing in front of my stove,mixing up a batch of cookies, or a delicious meal.if i need inspiration,or to calm myself down, i can always do it with spoon in hand.

even when i find it hard for me to concentrate,as soon as start chopping garlic, or stirring risotto, it helps me to focus on the task on hand and instantly soothes me. i think this is why i can relate so closely to ina, paula,alex and nigella....they are so passionate about cooking, it is there essence, their being....and like me it is there passion and joy.

happy halloween....

2009-10-31T08:04:00.000-07:00

happy halloween to all my friends in blog land....i just realized i haven't posted anything in a month. i am sorry but life has been very hectic!....work, doing the college thing with my daughter, 3 kids, a boyfriend, my mom being sick and all life throws at you can be very overwhelming.... i am on the upswing, and count my blessings every day!.... i hope you all have a spook-tacular halloween...xox

goodbye september.....

2009-09-30T16:37:00.000-07:00

things have been busy here, sorry ive been gone for so long...school started, and having a daughter who is in the process of applying to college,working, and being a single mother of three, it's been veryyyy busy!
i have been investigating how too make my own greeting cards,or freelancing for a greeting card company and i have been painting to unwind.
i hope everyone had a good september and look forward to a wonderful october!

the very heart of me.....

2009-08-24T12:26:00.001-07:00

ive noticed lately i've been a little out of sorts, not sad or upset exactly but not myself,(myself being very happy and bubbly,and usually quite cheery!)...and it just dawned on me that i have not cooked in a really long time,i made some guacamole
yesterday , (but that hardly counts even though the feel of the knife chopping up tomatoes and onion,garic and jalapenos was very theraputic to me.)
you see i was on vacation so i haven't really cooked anything since,gosh august 13 or so....today is the 24th,so that means its been 11 days since i have made some kitchen magic...sooooo i have some brownies in the oven, and i am making some stuffed rigatoni with broccoli,homemade pizza with some fresh pesto that i made and chicken skewers for dinner...as i was chopping garlic,and cleaning broccoli,hearing the sizzle of the oil,and the feel of the salt on my finger tips has made me so extremely happy and really puts me at ease,the smells so inviting that everyone is intoxicated by the aroma...
i am a homebody by nature,and i love nothing more than cooking for family and friends,having them all gather in the kitchen, i realize i don't need much more in life, a nice glass of shiraz, some good food, great music,and laughter surrounding me as i stand over my butcher block island with my apron on completly content with life....
and that is the very heart of me!

home sweet home....

2009-08-21T06:38:00.000-07:00

we are home from our trip down the shore....
now i am no dinosaur,i think of myself as more of a shark, a shark in the sense that they have survived for millions of years and have been able to adapt to anything,living amidst the most beautiful fish, coral,shells etc...and the darkest, murkiest depths of the unknown....
now pt. pleasant isn't the most desirable of destinations i know, but the place we where staying at, sold itself as a "beachfront resort and spa", overlooking the ocean.... ( i pictured waiters in white jackets bringing me drinks poolside,and hot stone massages,me laying with a smile on my face).....to actually what it was.... a motel,overlooking the parking lot.
now all the other motels on the strip (they call a spade a spade) are not putting on heirs, the call themselves what they actually are motels,.... sandpebble motel, windswept motel, not, the white sands oceanfront resort and spa.....(a motel masquerading as a resort and spa)....
now i am a woman of many, many words,(anyone who knows me knows that i always have an opinion!,)and i was rendered speechless for a good hour or so upon my arrival at the white sands oceanfront resort and spa...
butafter awhile it did grow on me,...the room was clean and they did have the only great resturaunt in a five mile radius...
i never did see a white jacket waiter, in fact i never saw anyone checking our lovely paper wrist bands,and we never got a lounge chair on the beach, my poor dad had to go down to the pool at 7:30 every morning to get us lounges, or we would have been sitting "parking lot side" every day...but being the shark that i am, i enjoyed myself, despite the white sands motel, masquerading as a beachfront resort and spa,because i was with the people i love....and love covers bad motel!

hot,hot,hot........

2009-08-13T09:49:00.000-07:00

i am home today with the air conditioning guys who are hear finally to put in a new compressor...i haven't had any air for three weeks,and its been tough,its been hot and humid,and everything feels sticky,and all my art is buckling,and its been hard to work on anything without breaking into a sweat!...i've been desperatly trying to count my blessings in this situation,and i have been reminding myself of all the good things in my life, this is just a gentle reminder that i cannot control everything in my life and it has been humbling to say the least....i am looking forward to going away next week with my family for a much needed rest....so at the moment i am enjoying having the day off,and being home,my favorite place to be,despite the heat!
i took this picture a few weeks ago in the city...<3

true to form.....

2009-08-02T05:52:00.000-07:00

i am in the middle of an art piece to be submitted to a new gallery showing with a silent auction added to it...we each recieved a paper mache torso and stand to be decorated for breast cancer awareness....i was planning on making my piece a little more shocking and dark, but i decided not too because its a fundraiser...its not finished yet, i am just watching it for awhile until it speaks to me....i wonder what it will say?

a summer day at the met....

2009-07-29T19:05:00.000-07:00

we spent saturday at the met,and we had such a wonderful day, i still say its the best bargain in the city...you can spend hours strolling around looking at fabulous art, shop and have a delightful bite to eat in a beautiful setting.... we where so happy to see our favorite little man sitting on his little stool drawing in the sculptor garden, he is so very talented and patient,and he can be found on any given saturday at the met....i photographed what is known to be the first papyrus,paper from the egyptians...they took leaves and cut them into thin strips,and wove them together,and than took a stone and pounded them into the very first sheets of paper...me being a lover of anything paper,this just fascinated me.... more to come...ciao my friends...

dessert table

2009-07-23T03:36:00.001-07:00

dessert table
Originally uploaded by hello naomi (away)

this is so very lovely, don't you just want t stroll along this table....beautiful!

"playing with a full deck"

2009-07-03T06:31:00.001-07:00

my 9 of diamonds for this years artist trading card exhibit "playing with a full deck" was chosen for the poster...the exhibit will be held in deleware ohio from july 20-august 8....its a wonderful exhibit that i enter annually,the room is made entirely of artist trading cards,wall to wall...if you live in ohio,check it out!

happy saturday from blogland...

2009-06-20T07:41:00.000-07:00

i finished my charms and sent them off for my second annuel charm swap....i cant wait to get my package of goodies in the mail...and i made some vintage looking brides and grooms for my two cousins who are both getting married...hope you all have a great weekend,and stay dry!

the day my daughter was born...

2009-05-26T15:25:00.001-07:00

memorial day, may 25,1992,1:25 p.m. 8 pounds 13 ounces...my daughter, alexandria marie antonelle came into this world,with not a breath, no heart beat and an apgar score of 0,this was the single most tragic and miraculous day of my life to date...my water broke in the middle of the night but i wasn't dialating at all and after several hours the doctor gave me choice to either have a c-section or pitocin to bring on my labor...i had a previous c-section with my son t.j. and i would have opted for another c-section ,but all the nurses and the doctor advised me to go with the pitocin...(no one told me that there was a high risk of a uteran rupture when given pitocin after a section) they started the pitocin drip and my labor came on fast and furious...all was progressing well and i was given an epidural...i felt like i had to push, thomas went to get the camera,but when the doctor checked my cervix, i was bleeding heavlily and i was going into shock...they rushed me into the delivery room and without me even knowing(i literally had no idea) the doctor in 4 minutes time cut me open (without even washing his hands)and took my little lifeless daughter from me...
"you have a baby girl, what would you like to name her and do you want her baptized" was what the nurse asked me minutes after i was rushed into the delivery room.i looked at her in shock and out of the corner of my eye i saw doctors and nurses working on my little girl...they called a code blue and pushed a screaming thomas out of the room. by this time i was loosing massive amounts of blood, and the doctor operated on me for several hours at the same time my daughter was attached to a respirator fighting for her life...
i wasn't allowed to see her for several days,because i was too critically ill and so was my baby,the nurses would take polaroid pictures of her with tubes down her throat and a teeny tiny iv in her foot...the doctors said she wouldn't make it and they told thomas that he would be a widower,there was not much hope for either of us, but by the grace of God alexandria marie antonelle pulled the respitaor out of her throat, and started to breath on her own... two weeks later we where home and getting stronger everyday!
my daughter is the essence of strength and perserverence, and from her first day on earth was a fighter...and she hasn't stopped yet! she is a fantastic student, always making honor role,and the most wonderful daughter in the world,she will make a great mother someday, she has quite the maternal instinct, and has the most infectious laugh on earth...she has a smile that lights of the world,in fact when she was a baby she would wake up in her crib, rubbing her little nose on the mattres,and than lift her head and smile so bright...to this day it is the single most beautiful memory i have...i cry when i think of her, and even though she was born in may, she truly came in like a lion!!!...allie girl i love and adore you!!!

happy mother's day...

2009-05-10T15:45:00.001-07:00

to all the mommy's out there, i want to wish you all a happy mother's day...i made my mom a special book with old stories that my grandmother wrote down for me, i photo copied them and made a little book for her, my mom cried...we miss my grandmother oh so much...and i try to honor her every day! she was the best!

chocolate decadence....

2009-05-08T18:53:00.000-07:00

this trader joe's chocolate decadence cereal is delightfully chocolaty and delicious! now i am not a cereal fan, in fact aside from putting some kashi in my yogurt i never eat it, but i bought this cause it had the name chocolate on the box, and it is the most chocolaty of chocolate cereal, and packed with fiber and made from wheat,its good for you too!...so run don't walk to your nearest trader joe's for some today!

museum fun...

2009-05-06T16:45:00.000-07:00

my school is having a museum day next week, were we will each transform our classrooms into a room in a museum...i picked "pop art" and we have been busy making different piecese for the exhibit... we are making some of our own pollacks, harings,lichensteins, warhols and more... we are making giant sized tootise rolls, bubble gum, hersheys kisses, and more... here are some pics of us hard at work!

filet mignon,ella and louie....

2009-05-02T22:58:00.000-07:00

tonight we decided to cook in, so we went to trader joes and got some filet mignon,topped with crimini mushrooms on a bed on fresh baby spinach with garlic mashed potatoes...we drank absolut with blood orange soda,and listened to some jazz...it was fabulous!

allie's prom

2009-05-01T15:01:00.000-07:00

the prom was very stressful, and it took forever for hair and make up and her driver got lost and they didn't get to the prom until 9..and she was at the after party by 10:30....she's tired today!

prom day...........

2009-04-30T02:47:00.000-07:00

today is my daughters junior prom.last night we had the manicure,pedicure,eyebrows done, and today its hair and make up, shes been tanning all month and her gown is hanging on her door....she is so excited!... i hope they have a great time, i will post pics later!

thursday....

2009-04-23T02:52:00.001-07:00

i have so much to do for my upcoming art show on thursday that i am up at 5 a.m. wondering how i am going to get it all done...i know logically that i will, but i still stress out a bit about it...did i mention its already thursday?
i took this photo in central park this past weekend...i adore this little house!

happy earth day !!

2009-04-22T03:49:00.001-07:00

i hope everone has a wonderful earth day...and remember to recycle!!!

some more art...

2009-04-21T15:56:00.000-07:00

my little guy is home with strep throat,so that means i will be home from work tomorrow...thats good cause i need to get all my art work ready and priced for the show on saturday...wishing everyone a wonderful tuesday!

sketch book...

2009-04-20T19:27:00.000-07:00

one of my favorite things to do at night to relax is listen to some good tunes,and sketch in bed...on any given night i have my sketch book, some good pens, my water color pencils,and various magazines, as well as the book du jour, and water...sometimes my computer is there as well,sometimes not,it depends, but my phone is always there...my b.f. turned me on to pandora.com, which is a great music site that allows you to put in your fav bands or songs, and then they play similar tunes...it is fantastic, check it out!http://www.pandora.com/

spring...

2009-04-17T17:35:00.001-07:00

we went on a class trip to the farm yesterday...it was such a fun trip,and my class loved it,all the baby animals where just born! the goat had triplets and this is the little baa baa black sheep

a lovely easter....

2009-04-14T17:48:00.001-07:00

we had a lovely easter,i had 26 people with lots of food and fun..it was blessed day !! i hope you all had a wonderful day as well!

new treasures from acorn hill.....

2009-03-29T18:48:00.001-07:00

here's whats been going on in my world...some new art for my upcoming art show on april 25, at watchung's 2nd annual art in the park...it should be a lovely show,so come on out!

ta sigh.............

2009-03-18T10:30:00.001-07:00

its been quite a trying time in my world... i've been sick since last week,and am still not feeling much better,despite all the meds im taking, and to add insult to injury i stepped on a nail last night in my basement,and had to get a tetnus shot and they added more antibiotics to my repratuare....so i am still home from work,and need to feel better soon!
my grampie (pictured here with cousin george, who we lost in january) is in the hospital with sever back problems,and at almost 95, is not a candidate for surgery, so he's not eating or drinking,and wants to go home.... its a terrible situation and i am feeling so badly for him...
my dearest friend's 23 yrs old niece has been critically ill from a staph and strep infection in her lungs,and is now blind because she coded for so long...she has been in my heart and my prayers for the past few weeks,as she has a long long road to recovery, she has a multitude of problems due to her illness being so life threatening...
life is fragile...so i thank the lord for every day i have!

friends 4ever

2009-03-13T11:03:00.001-07:00

my newest lil dollie...so now i wont be so lonely!! isn't she sweet! xox...i am home sick and desperatly trying to feel better,for my conference tomorrow! more tea with honey for me!

The Altered Book: Art Doll Chronicles

2009-03-11T15:38:00.000-07:00

sunday i am attending one of lisa kittell's art workshops. i cant wait!! i am so excited to meet lisa, she is amazingly talented!...it is an altered art doll/journal workshop...its going to be so much fun! saturday i have a preschool workshop to go too, which will be long! so i will really enjoy sundays workshop much more i am sure!

cutie..........

2009-03-08T13:36:00.001-07:00

is she not the cutest thing in life?...i just made her! and i just love her!!! she is my character in 3d!!! im very excited!

prayers for lauren

2009-03-07T07:41:00.000-08:00

my dearest friend peggy has a neice that is gravely ill. she is 23 yrs old and suffering from a staph and strep infection in her lungs. she was an extremely healthy beautiful vibrant girl a week ago,and now she is fighting for her life. the doctors are desperatly trying to help her.please say many prayers for her and her parents, missy and steve...i feel helpless and desperate.:(

hooray!

2009-03-06T16:10:00.000-08:00

hello, its so good to be back in touch! my computer crashed two weeks ago,and all of my information was stuck in my old computer...i just picked up my brand new computer that all of my old info was transferred too! i was so lost without my pics,and favs,and passwords,ugh!! so nice to be back! xox

love........

2009-01-30T19:03:00.000-08:00

it's good to be in love...

the dinner table..

2009-01-24T05:12:00.000-08:00

here is the game i helped my daughter make for italian...she loves this class and came up with a conjugation game around food, (she's not my daughter for nothin!) i made the board out of foam board and the game pieces out of sculpy...the object of the game is to roll the die,and move around the board,starting out on top of a plate. when you land on a card you need to conjugate a verb or you cannot move again until you do. in order to win you must collect one of each food group cards,and land back on your starting plate. it was fun to make,and looks like fun to play.
happy saturday everyone!

"phenominal woman"-maya angelou

2009-01-20T18:20:00.001-08:00

Phenomenal Woman

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Maya Angelou

for kate...

muffelatta saturday...

2009-01-18T07:01:00.000-08:00

Muffelatta sandwiches are so delicious, and my son and I were watching a bobby flay throwdown the other day, so we decided to make our own muffelatta sandwiches... i first tasted these overabundant sandwiches in new orleans at a place called napoleons... ours are just as delicious!

january clean up...

2009-01-09T17:55:00.000-08:00

it is so good to have my house cleaned and put back together after the holidays. i adore the holidays and decorating, but i move so much stuff around that it feels good to put it all away until next year... happy january!

christmas booty

2009-01-08T16:58:00.000-08:00

here is a picture of our cat boo with my daughter in christmas morning...isn't he a cute santa booty?

ta sigh....

2009-01-05T14:11:00.000-08:00

went back to work today after the long holiday break, which was tiring and difficult as we had a death in the family, my son was sick and my daughter had her tonsils out,my computer has a virus and my parents had a car accident... and that is putting it mildly...im not going to complain or woe is me all over the place, im just exhausted and am looking forward to some r & r with my honey...perhaps this weekend! i hope everyone is having a good 2009 so far!
* special order giraffe's i had to make,they are darling!*

Let it Snow....

2008-12-20T05:19:00.000-08:00

Yesterday it snowed and snowed all day,the first snow day of the school year! I was supposed to host my staff Christmas party,but it was postponed till tonight. My kids and I took advantage of the day,and did some last minute shopping and than while the snow was falling we baked for hours, we made delightful treats for Santa,and to share with our family. Hope everyone has a Blessed Christmas and a Healthy and Happy New Year!

oh christmas tree....

2008-12-10T17:12:00.001-08:00

a picture of my tree this year...i just love christmas!

let it snow-man

2008-12-08T03:59:00.000-08:00

introducing the new addition to my lollishop little snowman and lady!...made from felt batting and vintage papers and embellishments,so sweet! i hope everyone is having a lovely holiday season filled with joy!

my lollishop!

2008-11-30T12:07:00.000-08:00

my lollishop is finally up and running,and i am so excited,after two days of uploading and writing,my merchandise is on!!please everyone make yourself a cup of cocoa,put on some christmas music and come visit! happy holidays!
http://www.lollishops.com/treasures-acorn-hill

happy thanksgiving!

2008-11-26T17:11:00.001-08:00

hope everyone has a blessed day!

happy halloween!.....

2008-10-31T18:13:00.000-07:00

we had a fun halloween, i hope you all did as well!!

L* O* V E

2008-10-19T08:54:00.000-07:00

here are my new pillowcases that i ordered after seeing them in country living's august issue...they are from the U.K....aren't they fabulous!!!

halloween fun

2008-10-15T04:18:00.000-07:00

ive been doing fun halloween projects wih my preschool children...incorperating my lesson plans and halloween together...its been fun! hope you are all enjoying the lovely weather weve been having!!

memories from my nose.......

2008-10-05T17:14:00.001-07:00

i love the smell of ivory soap,and it makes me think of my childhood...i would love to take a bath,and as i lay in the tub,bar of soap in my hands,and i would day dream about all kinds of things...oh to be young again, i keep a jar filled with the yummy clean smelling ivory soap in my babthroom at all times...so what smells bring you back?

the kite runner

2008-10-01T17:44:00.000-07:00

i just finshed reading the kite runner by khaled hosseini and it was so magnificent!a beautiful portrayel of the characters,and breathtakingly sad...a wonderful story about friendship and betrayal,forgiveness and healing...

boo...........

2008-09-30T15:54:00.000-07:00

more halloween treats!

lollishop

2008-09-29T06:49:00.000-07:00

im so excited for the new little shop that is opening,that i am so proud to be selling my treasures...thank you sadie and everyone at the lollishop!

lollishop

2008-09-28T12:41:00.001-07:00

View my page on LolliShops Guild

happy fall.........

2008-09-28T07:19:00.000-07:00

i adore fall and all the colors,the decor of my house really lends itself to all the seasons delights...

boo

2008-09-27T11:49:00.001-07:00

i adore halloween,and made these little picks to put in any halloween display...they are for sale in my etsy shop!!

artist trading cards......

2008-09-10T15:47:00.000-07:00

here are the new artist trading cards that i submitted for my gallery show... ive been so busy lately not that anyone reads me anyway....

a page from my zine....

2008-07-13T16:18:00.001-07:00

a page from the journal class im taking, its been very fun, this is my favorite page so far...

write place,write time.....

2008-07-02T17:39:00.001-07:00

im taking an online journaling class...it is really fun,and its so nice to feel like im in school again,it gets your mind and your hands really working...and i can go at my own pace....im on page 6!

birthday trip.........

2008-06-22T09:57:00.000-07:00

this weekend we went to the city to the Met. we had such a wonderful day to celebrate my birthday...we walked around for about seven hours,and we can just never get enough!... the highlight of the day was this sweet man who was sketching in the sculpture garden... he was wonderful... we enjoyed a terrific day,i hope you all had a nice weekend!

busy bee,,,,,,,,,,,,,

2008-06-14T05:24:00.000-07:00

ive been such a busy bee lately...my school year is coming to an end,(but no rest for the weary,i have these kids all summer long) and it was my litle guys birthday last week,we had a kung fu panda party...the kids had a blast,and the movie was terrific, except my panda cupcakes started to wilt because it was soooo hot last weekend!..hope you all enjoy your summer weekends!

baby shower.....

2008-05-31T19:06:00.000-07:00

here is a picture of the diaper cake i made for my assistants baby shower...it was fun to make and a very sweet centerpiece!

new treasures.....

2008-05-25T12:21:00.000-07:00

yesterday we took a trip up to lambertville n.j. and new hope p.a....here are some of the treasures i found...i cant decide which one is my favorite!

fundraiser...

2008-05-22T16:57:00.000-07:00

i just finished this antique school desk that i made for my son's school fundraiser. i had all the kids draw in a one inch square and then i decoupaged them all over the desk and added my own embellishments...i hope it raises some good money!

2008-02-23T14:22:00.000-08:00

last weekend we went to the Met....we had so much fun just wandering around the museum for hours...we are going back in a few weeks,cant wait...

sweet journals...

2008-02-05T15:25:00.000-08:00

i made these sweet journals in honor of valentines day....arent they sweet!