inspireco

eagle, almost finished

2009-07-01T14:53:00.003-04:00

My father just sent me pictures of his eagle. Can you believe he's done all this work in less than a week? Unbelievable! Isn't my cousin lucky to be getting such a work of art?

grace

2009-07-01T09:18:00.005-04:00

I had been searching forever for a vintage Miraculous Medal so when I found this one at Gilding The Lily, I was beside myself with joy. I showed it to Kristen and told her how important it was to me. I told her how I needed find someone to make it into a necklace for me to wear everyday.

Do you know the story of The Miraculous Medal? Mary appeared in a vision to a young nun in Paris in the early 19th century and described the image on the medal. She then told the young nun "Have a medal struck upon this model. Those who wear it will receive great graces, especially if they wear it around the neck.” Great miracles started happening all over France for people who wore the medal. See here for more information.

"There is no superstition, nothing of magic, connected with the Miraculous Medal. The Miraculous Medal is not a “good-luck charm”. Rather, it is a great testimony to faith and the power of trusting prayer. Its greatest miracles are those of patience, forgiveness, repentance, and faith. God uses a Medal, not as a sacrament, but as an agent, an instrument, in bringing to pass certain marvelous results."

Kristen graciously and generously offered to make the necklace for me...she even bought the vintage medal.

Last week it arrived and it is just so beautiful.

Thank you so much, Kristen, for making such a personal, beautiful piece for me. I wear it as a constant whispering prayer.

home sweet home

2009-06-29T14:59:00.005-04:00

(Look away Colleen, Kristen and Kim...there's a spoiler below!)

It's been a little while since I made any Sugarville houses. I think making 60+ for Silver Bella '07 burned me out a bit.

As a doorprize for Artistic Affaire Printemps, I donated a Sugarville house. Colleen won and asked for it to be personalized with her son, daughter-in-law, and new baby. When I found this little buggy, I knew it would look sweet with a little Mama and little Papa. I like how it looks like Papa is playing with the baby.

I decided to try a new way of making a lawn for the houses. It was a bit tricky and messy...and I'm not sure if I'll repeat it for future properties. But I must admit I like how it looks in the photos.

This next house is a gift for Kristen Robinson. She made me something so wonderful (I'll show you this week!) and this is in exchange. Actually, she offered to make this very special thing for me and the only way I could accept is if she allowed me to make something for her.

I love so much this little family of three. I hope it reminds Kristen of her own little family.

This last gift is for Kim Caldwell for inviting me to teach at her event. I was so impressed with Kim's sweet family and the love that's evident in her home and I wanted to create a piece that celebrated her family.

p.s. I've been meaning to tell you that the rug in my living room is, believe it or not, from the Mary Kate and Ashley line at Target. Find it here.

my daddy

2009-06-26T09:17:00.003-04:00

My parents just left...it was such a nice visit.

My father spent his mornings and afternoons out on the deck carving this eagle for my cousin. Can you believe how lovely the feathers are looking? Isn't it wonderful?

And I just love this photo of my father that Alfredo shot...isn't it fun? I love the angle of it and the banner in the background...too cute.

stitching party

2009-06-25T09:21:00.004-04:00

I invited some friends over yesterday for a little stitching fun.

Claudine, Lorraine, Pam, Hope, Sue and Lia all came over for the afternoon and we talked and stitched and ate and laughed. It was a lot of fun. We're hoping to make it a regular crafting thing. I didn't take pictures but I'm hoping they will post their samplers on their blogs. Pam posted hers already.

Here's how mine is coming along...

I think I'll make a little wallhanging out of it.

My parents helped so much for yesterday's party. My father made his famous chicken salad and my mother patiently showed how to make perfect stitches (which nicely countered the imperfection of mine!)

The folks are here just for one more day so we'll try to make the most of it. We're having a great time and it's so much fun to have them around.

Hope you have a lovely day too.

toy ring

2009-06-22T13:20:00.003-04:00

I saw these cute wooden shapes at JoAnn's the other day and I bought a whole bunch.

I used my crop-a-dile to punch a hole through the wood...
And I put them on a ring.
And it makes a really good quiet time toy for contemplation. (But I wouldn't make this for a baby who's still putting things in her mouth)

My parents are visiting this week (and are due to arrive in a half hour!) whoopie!

who knew?

2009-06-19T16:21:00.003-04:00

Just look at my cute new shoes. When I saw these on Sherry at Artistic Affaire in California, I asked where she got them. I did not expect the answer to be Walmart for less than $15! They are so cute and so comfortable.

While there, I also picked up one of these...

after reading Scrappy Jessi's idea for using it as a wrap out of the shower.

Walmart? Who knew? I still hate my Walmart but I did step in just for these two things.

the visit with Seth

2009-06-18T21:31:00.004-04:00

We had such a great time with Seth. We ate cupcakes, watched movies, wrestled, ran, laughed, and sang songs.

Seth is really a character. He says the funniest things, in the funniest Southern twang you can imagine. Poor Alfredo would often respond "Que?" to the simplest requests. For instance, Seth's "Come on" sounded more like "Mawn" which was completely foreign to little Alfredo.

We met my parents today in Fredericksburg, which is just about the halfway mark. We had lunch and then spent, no kidding, 2 hours at their relatively new Joann's Fabrics and Crafts. My father pushed Alfredo around in his stroller while my mother and I strolled down each aisle twice. Seth followed along practically begging for this thing or that thing. At one point I heard him saying to my mother that he neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeded a can of spray paint sooooooooooooo baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad. I think I have had that kind of need before. Hopefully it passes because he did not in fact score a can of spray paint.

One of the highlights of the visit was some splish-splashing fun with Alfredo's new water table.

This thing is ingenius because really all Alfredo wants to do in the water is put things in and take them out and pour in water and pour it out. The last thing he wants to do is sit in the water.
The boys played for hours while I lounged nearby sipping my sweet tea.
And when I stood on the lounge chair to get a birdseye view of the fun, this is the look I got from Seth.
Can't you just hear him saying "Aaaaaaameeeee, what in da wooooooooooorld are you doin' up thar?"

what a great day!

2009-06-17T10:35:00.004-04:00

Last friday I had a really great day. I was invited to meet up with some bloggy friends, old and new, for a day of shopping and friendship.

Here's a list of all the friends there:

Andrea - Everyday Beauty | Beth - Beth Leintz | Heather - Pretty Petals | Hope - Besottment | Jessica - Such Pretty Things | Karla - Karla's Cottage | Lori - My Faerie Window | Pamela - Pamela Jane's Studio | Robin - Thrifty Miss Prissy | Stephanie - Just A Little Bit Pink

We had so much fun hanging out, shopping, and chatting. Here's a picture (courtesy of Karla) of all of us at On a Whim, in their fabulous foufy prom dress room.

It was so much fun spending time with these friends...and they gave such lovely gifts. Check out their blogs to see the pictures of what each made.

On another note, I'm really hoping to be more regular in my posting. And I still have some little worlds to add to the etsy shop. My little nephew Seth is visiting us this week and we're having a blast...but let's just say that I don't have very many spare moments. None to be exact. :) Can you believe Seth is 7 now? We were supposed to go to Mount Vernon today but when Seth said he'd rather stay home and "make art"...well, I agreed. We're doing a million and one things...and you wouldn't believe the growing list of things to do when Alfredo is napping.

batman

2009-06-11T08:30:00.004-04:00

I couldn't resist getting these batman pjs for Alfredo, complete with a velcro cape.

Isn't he adorable?

He's been here a whole month and we're loving every minute. He is just so much fun to be around. He sings so many songs, mostly in the car. My favorite to hear him belt out is "Beautiful Boy". He is, afterall, my beautiful boy. His favorites are the silly songs of Laurie Berkner.

hippo palace

2009-06-10T14:07:00.004-04:00

One of the {many} highlights of my weekend in California teaching at Kim's event was being the swap partner of sweet Jenny Morgan. I'm not going to show you pictures of what I made her...so shabby and not in the least chic. Really. I'm sure you think I'm being modest but believe me, it was not up to par. Besides, I didn't take any photos of it.

But just take a gander at what she made for meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee...

This sweet box was packed full of the most delicious assortment of pink supplies you've ever seen (which all got stashed in my suitcase and are now all over the place, never to be reunited for a photo op again)

When I showed this box to Alfredo, he giggled with delight. And he decided that it needed something...a little inhabitant.

Perfect just made perfect-er.

Hope you all are having a great week. And thanks to everyone who bought stuff from my etsy shop. I'm packaging it up and hope to get them out tomorrow. Thanks so much for your support!

etsy shop...

2009-06-08T21:19:00.004-04:00

I've started filling up my etsy shop...I'm excited for you to see. Click here.

Here are a few things up now. I'll be adding more each day this week, so stay tuned...

behind the scenes

2009-06-04T13:17:00.004-04:00

I loved being behind the scenes for Kim's event last week. Here's a peek of a happy bundle of "puff balls" waiting to be hanged. Kim had so many of these puff balls and they are so pretty. They remind me of pouffy peonies or prom dresses. And just look at that pretty rose ball that Kim made...Friday morning, before we started setting up for the event, Kim Hesson, Sherry, and I went to the flower mart with Kim. You wouldn't believe how many flowers Kim bought in just 30 minutes. We were her mules...just look at the haul we were toting for her. Happily, I might add.

It was quite an experience being surrounded by so many beautiful flowers...

When I talked to my father this morning (Hi, Daddy!) he complained about me promising another update for two days ago but not delivering. Anyway, here's that post...I'm trying! Oh, but I won't have the Etsy shop update until next week. A sweet friend asked me not to post them until she returns from a trip this weekend. Plus, the gloomy skies would mean grainy pictures.

How did it get to be Thursday already? Really...how did that happen?

simply amazing...

2009-06-01T13:54:00.009-04:00

Kim Caldwell is a genius. Here is proof...

I would have further proof if my camera was more fully charged (like I thought it was).

It was amazing. Fabulously over-the-top. Kim made everyone feel cared for. Not the least of which was me. This was a wonderful introduction into the world of craft instruction.

I'm as pleased as punch about how well the class went. All of the students were so nice and it was an honor to share my project with them. Just look how lovely they turned out...

It was so much fun and I feel so creatively powered up. Oh but it's so nice to be back home. Alfredo was sleeping when they picked me up from the airport and he sleepily did a double-take when he saw me. And then he was so happy that he was almost crying from happiness. And he seems so different. It's only been a few days but I swear he's different.

Today has been full of kisses and tight-neck-squeeze hugs and big smiles from him. And, this is so sweet--he will just gently hold my face in his hands as if he's checking to see if I'm real. So sweet.

Tomorrow I'm going to show you a few behind the scenes photos, including some from a jaunt to the flower mart with Kim. And then stay tuned this week for some stuff to pop up in my brand spanking new etsy shop.

life with amy...

2009-05-27T18:51:00.003-04:00

As I was packing up the last of the boxes, I spied something out of the corner of my eye...
something shiny and moving...

Here at La Casa de Amy, even the ants are in on the act. I just had to show you. So cute. (Rich won't think so...this ant and all his uncles will be gone by the time I get back)

packing up

2009-05-27T14:59:00.003-04:00

I'm working like a fiend to get ready for the class on Saturday. I leave early tomorrow morning and I have a million and a half things to do.

One thing I just did was decorate the bottles of glitter for each table. {Probably a detail that I could've skipped} I used the got flowers from Prima for the kits...you know the ones that come in little milk bottles? Well, I had so many of those bottles left that I decided they'd be the perfect vessels for glitter. I added a label, layered flowers on top, and a little strip of fabric. Even better would be to glitter each flower on top. Maybe there'll be time for that when I get there.

I could really drown in a sea of details right now. I need to try to keep focused and make sure that I pack everything I need. I'm on the verge of crazy right now. Just a tip-toe away from ding-dong.

Little Alfredo is napping. This is nap part two. He woke up while I was on the phone and I rocked him back to sleep. Any minute now he'll wake up again and who knows what I'll be able to accomplish then, with those big eyes and sweet voice asking to sit in my lap for the 101st viewing of 101 Dalmations. We're evidently on a little 101 Dalmation marathon. Before that, Jungle Book. And before that, Brother Bear. I bought two new movies for Rich to surprise him with while I'm gone. Rich is taking off work tomorrow and Friday so he'll have some nice together time with him.

Back to work...I'll take lots of photos on Saturday so you'll see all the fun we're having.

Oh boy am I ever going to miss him while I'm gone.

What's this?

2009-05-18T17:45:00.003-04:00

I'm busy making the kits for the class I'm teaching at the end of next week. Do you see my beautiful distraction in the background? He had a bowl of fruit and picked up each piece saying "Que es eso?" After I told him, he'd say, in English, "I like watermelon" or "I like pineapple". Isn't he just a doll? He's telling me just what I want to hear.

"Que es eso?" just happens to be his current favorite question. He's collecting English words for everything and practicing using them all the time.

He's also singing lots of songs. I can't believe how many lyrics he can remember. It's amazing.

Oh, and guess what showed up this week on our doorstop...

the salamander!

We haven't seen him since just before Alfredo left last September. And this time he has a lady friend. I think we interupted some special couple time. Just after we shot this photo, Mr. Salamander charged at us. Yikes.

Now every afternoon we go to the door regularly for Salamander checks. Today yes. Yesterday no.

oh my goodness

2009-05-13T13:06:00.004-04:00

We're having just the best time getting to know each other again. Alfredo repeats just about everything I say...especially "Oh my goodness!" The other day Rich took him to the store and beside the freezers he said "Oh my goodness! Frio!"

He's having a little bit of separation anxiety, not letting me out of his sight. I'm sure as he feels more secure and understands that there's nothing to worry about, he'll feel more at ease about letting me leave a room.

He's speaking almost all Spanish and I'm speaking almost all English but somehow it's working. When he says something in Spanish I repeat what I think he said in English and we work it out that way. He seems to understand quite a bit of English and I think he's understanding more everyday.

My heart is just so happy. I keep thinking "How can this be true?" but it's not for me to ask how or why. It's an answer to a prayer, this is. And I'm going to enjoy every moment I have with him.

Oh, one more sweet story...There's a pillow that sweet Catherine made for us with a row of four houses. One of the first things we did with Alfredo, way back when he first arrived, was talk to him about who lived in each house. Rich was playing this game again with him the other day...asking who lives here? "Amy!" and here "Rich!" and here "ME!" and here? "No sé como se llama." (I don't know his name) Can you believe that this little guy can say so much? He's so marvelous. I'm so in love. You'll have to humor me a little while, my friends. Lucky for you he's so cute.

life is good...

2009-05-11T18:47:00.003-04:00

We're back from California with Alfredo.

I feel like I'm in a dream...how can this really be happening? And I think Alfredo feels the same way. I can see him trying to work things out in his mind. He's so happy though. So happy. And so are we.

Here's a picture my friend Amy in Petaluma took of us at the park.

More later.

news

2009-05-05T09:46:00.005-04:00

I officially closed my online Yahoo store yesterday. It was a big step. Boy, was it ever hard to push the "cancel my account" button. But, honestly, I've been forking out hundreds of dollars for a while now for an inactive storefront.

It's not bad news...it's just change.

I archived all of the old issues of Inspired Ideas...hopefully all the links work, etc. Go here to see the new, very condensed site. If you spot a problem, let me know por favor.

See? I'm brushing up on my español...getting ready for the trip to pick Alfredo up. I leave tomorrow. I don't think I'll be able to check in until I get back on Saturday.

To give you something pretty to look at until then...

I've made so many of these little worlds and I'll be filling up my new etsy shop with them when I get back. It will be my new naptime activity. Be on the lookout for that. It may take sometime, what with my new priority and all.

I'm so unbelievably happy. I can't even tell you how happy. Nervous too...but more than anything happy.

who's that girl?

2009-05-03T16:48:00.002-04:00

I got a haircut today and when the stylist suggested we flat iron my hair I said "why not?"

I can't believe it's really me...everytime I look in the mirror, I can't resist swinging my hair around and vogue-ing it up. Seriously.

It'll only last until I wash it...and with the weather as damp as it is, maybe not that long. I'm going to try to keep it like this for as long as I can. In this picture, I look just like my sister Jessica. It's uncanny.

Hope you had a good weekend. And thanks for all the anniversary well-wishes and the blog-update tips. It's a work in progress (the blog and the marriage!)

hello world...

2009-05-02T11:03:00.004-04:00

It was a rather low-key birthday celebration. We shared a burger from Five Guys and then caught a movie. We saw "The Soloist". (really touching and motivating)

Rich is off playing Ultimate this morning. I'm meeting up with a bunch of family and Rich for a birthday lunch in Old Town. I haven't ventured much out of bed...instead I've been tapping at the computer, cranking out a new look for the blog. (do you like?) I've got a few things in the works for inspire co. and this is just the first bit of it. More on that later.

I'm getting so excited about going to get Alfredo. We're absolutely giddy about it. I keep trying to imagine him here again and I just can't believe it. I can't even imagine it. What a gift even one more day will be with him.

Tomorrow is Rich's and my 12th anniversary. An even dozen. Still going strong. Still very much in love. More so (almost) every day.

happy birthday!

2009-05-01T07:50:00.002-04:00

Happy Birthday to my Rich! (He's 40 today!)

Hope you have a perfect birthday (even though you have to work)! I hope your day is full of the most delightful birthday surprises.

You are, by far, the cutest 40 year old on the block.

french knot crazy

2009-04-29T11:58:00.006-04:00

After failing a few times at it yesterday (and lots of times throughout my stitching history), I looked up how to make a french knot. Thanks to this video, I finally got it. And my sampler has turned into a celebration of that lesson.

For instance, how about a whole bowlful of (french-knot) cherries...
And how about covering nearly a whole square with 'em...

I used tiny ones to polka-dot the background of the cupcake square (currently a favorite)...
Where Teresa is working on her sampler a short 20-minutes a day in an exercise of control, I've worked on mine all but perhaps 20 minutes. Full on-forget about the laundry-we're eating out tonight crafting going on here folks.

on a roll..

2009-04-28T12:09:00.002-04:00

Oh my goodness, but this sampler idea is providing the best therapy for me today. While I concentrate on making the stitches and dream up what to do next, I'm able to daydream of the days to come and quietly pray for God's blessings.

I've been thinking of the thoughts someone left in a comment about how this arrangement might not be the best for Alfredo. I hear you. I worry about this too. Stability is so important for little ones and this plan we have to help might turn out to do the opposite.

Rich and I have talked about this often. We just couldn't possibly say no to Alfredo. Our hearts made him a promise that we would do whatever we could for him, always. We will give him so much love and we'll teach him so many things. We talked to as many experts as we could find. They all agreed that the positives of this arrangement outweigh the negatives.

We honestly don't know what the future will bring. Who does? Well, none of us certainly. That's why we count on God to help us through. He knows.