inspireco

angels, frosting, and worried looking turkeys...

2009-11-23T11:30:00.006-05:00

These are heading out the door today...

I'm terrible at keeping secrets and I just couldn't wait to show you these paper dolls for a swap. I will show you just these two images though and will catch you up on the details later.

Meanwhile,
Thursday afternoon we had a ball decorating the cupcakes.

(Please don't study the messy kitchen in the background! We had other priorities that day)

Have you seen this stuff? It's perfect for the frosting-challenged like me. We just squeezed little puffs all over the cupcakes and threw sprinkles on them. And did you know that they make "cupcake mix" that just makes 12 cupcakes? Just our size batch.

We're still working on these turkeys...

Maybe it's just me but with their googly eyes these turkeys look really worried. "Is that an axe in your hand?!" this one seems to be saying.

(Terri, is this your paper?)

cupcakes, playdough, and crafting!

2009-11-19T14:11:00.004-05:00

If ever a day you'll want to visit the Powers' household, it's today...

We're making cupcakes (with sprinkles) and homemade playdough (scented and dyed with kool-aid) and we're crafting like crazy.

Don't you want to come over?

Alfredo's feeling so much better and we are celebrating that with lots of fun. He's napping now but we whipped up the cupcakes before he went down (with promises of frosting fun and taste-testing when he wakes up!)

While he's napping, I'm working on a swap project and having so much fun with wallpaper Karla gifted me at Silver Bella and angelina fibers (which you can get here). The style of the swap is vintage so I decided to sew an antique lace overlay over the shimmery angelina fibers. These photos don't do them justice...I love how it turned out.

And when we're done with the cupcakes and playdough fun, we're going to make these into turkeys!

I'll show you when we're done. Don't they look like fun already? If you want to play along, it's just as easy as it looks. Trace your little one's hand and cut that shape out of patterned scrapbook paper...then grab a handful of googly eyes, little orange triangles and little red ovals and meet us back here.

it was a bella-bration!

2009-11-17T16:50:00.004-05:00

I'm back from Silver Bella...what a party it was! It was so much fun meeting new people and reuniting with old friends.

Want to see what I made in my classes?

First up, Rosary-inspired necklace with Kaari Meng. I cannot believe that I really made this necklace. I mean, just look at how beautiful...

Next, I made this adorable little snowman in Jennifer Murphy's class...

Then I snipped feathers like crazy to fashion this bird in Denise Sharp's class...

The next day, bright and early, I learned how to make this fun mobile in Charlotte Lyon's class...

And, after a great lunch & presentation by Jo Packham, I made this sweet little birdy in another Jennifer Murphy's class.

I have so much more to show and tell but Alfredo is a bit under the weather and needs extra loving today.

Speaking of the little guy, while I was snapping these photos he said "I have a problem!"

Alarmed but amused by his choice of words I said "What's going on?!" He replied "My hippo keeps eating my other animals and I don't know how to make him stop!"

"Maybe he needs a time-out" I suggested.
"No, he's just really hungry" said Alfredo. "Give him a bowl of candy!"

silver bella here I come!

2009-11-10T21:23:00.006-05:00

I'm packing like crazy for Silver Bella. (I'm heading out tomorrow morning) I can't wait to see all my friends and make new ones.

Before I go, I wanted to tell you about the new product just added to my Open Sky shop. I'm so excited about it!

Remember this bird? Well, I made the fabric with this fabulous crafting material.

They are called Angelina Fibers and I can't stop thinking about it, playing with it, and talking about it. I'm going to work on making a video to show you how cool it is but that will have to wait until I get back. Until then, here's a little information to get you excited too.

You can make a fabulous gossamer-like fabric and it is so easy you won't believe it. You just place a bit of the fabric on a piece of parchment paper, cover it with another piece and quickly (like 2 or 3 seconds) run your iron over it. The fibers bond with each other (and only each other!) But the most exciting part and the part that is so hard to photograph is how vibrant and sparkly these fibers are. It's like glitter fabric!

What are you going to do with it? I'm thinking it makes the most fabulous angel wings.

Click here to order some angelina fibers so you can play too!

my introduction

2009-11-03T14:35:00.000-05:00

There's a challenge at OpenSky to create a quick introduction for others involved in the project. I thought you might like to see too.

That bump bump bump you hear in the middle is Alfredo running through the house to find me. When he did, he stood there listening quietly and at the end said "Who are you talking to, Amy?"

week in review....and something new

2009-11-02T13:21:00.004-05:00

Alfredo's family (whom we really consider our own) arrived on Wednesday morning after flying all night. I had assumed that Wednesday would be a quiet day for them, resting and visiting.

I couldn't have been more wrong. Even though nobody was able to sleep on the plane through the night, not even 3 year old Joel, they were ready to hit the town the very moment they arrived.

If I gave you a play-by-play of the week, you'd be exhausted just reading it. Trust me. We stayed plenty busy. It's hard to believe it was just 3 days...we packed so much in there. In between all the touristy things we did, we prepared feasts of meals and talked about all sorts of things.

One thing we talked about was the idea that they would move here, to Virginia. The idea is still in the preliminary stages but it just makes so much sense to all of us. If it were to happen, Alfredo would have all of his family, including us, as part of his daily life. He'd have the structure of our daily life yet his father and family would be very much a part of his life.

There are all sorts of details and complications to work through. Unfortunately for us, if it doesn't work out, Alfredo will be bound for California in December. And we will wait as patiently as we can for the time when he would return to us in late spring. It breaks my heart to even think of it. Instead, I'm doing two things...I'm working hard to make this new plan work out, for everyone to be here. Secondly, I'm treasuring these moments with Alfredo, taking extra time to cuddle and read stories and play, and being grateful for the gift of this time with him.

Halloween night was wet and cold and our little Rhino loved trick or treating. After the 10th house, he declared that he had enough candy. We returned home and he happily shared his bounty with us as we watched television and, on occasion, handed out candy to sopping wet vampires and ghouls and Hannah Montanas.

Yesterday and today I have playing a bit with a new-to-me fabulous crafting material. I made the bird and nest in the piece pictured out of it and I'm already dreaming up new and fun ways to use it.

Best of all, I'm so excited to share it with you through my new OpenSky store, hopefully this week.

good gracious me

2009-10-30T22:19:00.002-04:00

My guests are gone. My house is a wreck. And this is literally the first time I've rested in three days.

p.s. My washing machine broke at the worst time a washing machine could possibly break. Let's just say it involves poo-poo and a car seat cover and leave it at that.

the open sky project

2009-10-26T12:25:00.003-04:00

Many months ago I was asked to be a part of something very exciting. It's taken lots of work and now I can finally make an announcement about it.

It all started as an idea of John Caplan. He had spent the day with his son discovering magic shops in NYC. These places were little gems of shops, sometimes hidden deep within secret buildings of the city. What struck John was the enthusiasm of these shopkeepers...the excitement of sharing their passion with others. John left thinking that his usual shopping experiences today significantly lacked that kind of connection. He immediately started dreaming of a way to re-create what he'd experienced that day.

What if he found other people who were as excited about their passions as those magic shopkeepers? And what if he asked those enthusiastic people to host a little shop in his project?

His team contacted me and asked if I would set up a shop that shared the craft supplies and other things that I love. I was immediately intrigued by this idea. I started making a wish list (that went on forever!) of all the things I love. That was so much fun! The team has been working hard to find as many of those as they could. It wasn't as easy as we'd hoped but we haven't given up. And we've discovered so many new things along the way to share.

Would you like to see? Click here.

We're steadily working to fill the shop with wonderful things so be sure to stop back by regularly. And we're going to add fun project ideas and other exciting stuff (including video!). Stay tuned.

In the meantime, enjoy FREE OVERNIGHT SHIPPING! today and tomorrow. Isn't that exciting?

Shop your passion!

house-work

2009-10-26T09:35:00.003-04:00

I'm back from a wonderful crafting weekend at Charlotte's. We had such a wonderful time being spoiled with gourmet food prepared lovingly by her friend Suzanne and crafting elbow to elbow. It was perfect and we all agreed we'd come back again for the next event she plans. I hope you'll join us too...
My house is definitely a work-in-progress. I love it so much though and can't wait to jump on it again. But alas, I have to wait...

I've shifted gears to getting the house ready for our important house guests. I'm so excited and nervous and eager. More than anything I want them to feel comfortable and welcome and loved. I have to remember that maybe a stack of junk on the counter isn't as important as me feeling relaxed, rested and calm.

So while I'm running around cleaning up, Alfredo is adding his own touches to the decor...
Unfortunately, this little miss has a broken arm now. She's just not meant to be wrangling pigs...
not at her age.

Although I was disappointed I couldn't be sore with him. I had after all placed her well within his reach and had even photographed what he'd arranged. So how could I scold him when he came to me with one of her arms in his little hand saying "Amy, your little girl doesn't work anymore so we have to throw her away!"

Oh dear.

I hope you're having a marvelous Monday, my friends.

fierce lion/tiger

2009-10-22T17:37:00.001-04:00

We're having a lot of fun with face paint this afternoon.

Alfredo went to the doctor today and got his flu shot. When he woke up from his nap, he needed a treat and the face paint seemed like just the thing. Can you believe how realistic his roar is?

pretty pumpkins

2009-10-21T09:58:00.006-04:00

So, it's not like I don't have a million and one things to do to get ready for our guests next week. But last night I decided that I needed to make those pumpkins from Olive Juice's kit.

And I'm so glad I did.

Alfredo was my big helper, filling each empty pumpkin with beans. It's amazing how they came alive as they plumped up. We used 10 bags of beans for these 5 pumpkins. 4 of these are from the kit and one is made using a scrap of velveteen I found. And when I was at the pumpkin patch the other day, I looked down to see a whole bunch of pumpkin stems. I asked someone if I could have them and the look on her face was priceless. (Preserved stems came with the kit but I needed one more the extra that I made)

I relocated the Halloween tree and put these beauties in the wheelbarrow instead. Aren't they luscious?

Meanwhile, I better get cleaning. Can you spot the toy car under the sofa? They are everywhere!

halloween swap

2009-10-16T18:33:00.004-04:00

I participated in a really fun swap...a vintage black and white themed halloween swap. And just wait until you see the fabulous treats we received. I didn't have a feather tree so I took some pussywillow branches in a bucket and put them in a wheelbarrow...very impromptu but I think it looks rather whimsical.
Here's the tiny ornament I made...after I received everyone's goodies I realized it was a bit too small...oh well.

From Barb

From Sarah

From Jenny

From Connie

From Crystal

From Natalea

From Heather

From Maija

From Michele

From Mel

Can you get over how fabulous these are? We keep going in there and visiting with them. So, look at me...I'm getting all spooky widdit.

new specs

2009-10-15T13:30:00.004-04:00

I just picked up my new specs. Alfredo said "Now you look like Mrs. Powers!" I'm not sure what he meant by that. I think it's because the lady putting the glasses on my face said "Here you are, Mrs. Powers."

So here I am, Mrs. Powers...

I just found out last night that Alfredo's father, grandparents and uncle (who is only 3!) are coming to visit in just two short weeks. I have so much to do to get ready...first order of business is to get the guest room ready. It is in a sad state presently. Remember way back when I was cleaning, sorting, and stashing and trashing stuff from my craft studio? Well, I used the guest room as a dump. And I never really finished clearing it out. I was telling my friend Lorraine yesterday that there was all sorts of pretty debris left behind there and we decided that "Pretty Debris" would be a great title to a story or a blog.

Anyway, here's to cleaning up messes!

p.s. I should clarify that I really am Mrs. Powers...Amy Powers! It's just that he's never called me that, of course.

a splurge

2009-10-13T10:47:00.004-04:00

While in LA last month, I splurged, rather impulsively, on these two appliqued and embroidered tea towels. I just fell head over heels for them. Maybe you can see why.

just look at that teacup perched on her bottom precariously...
and her painted toenail!
And I love this happy birthday girl...

It was definitely a splurge and I'm thinking they will be a waste as tea towels. Instead, I'm going to figure out a way to frame them. They make me so happy!

for hope

2009-10-12T17:25:00.003-04:00

We just returned from Savannah for our friend Hope's wedding. It was so beautiful and special and we were so happy to be a part of her big day.

I didn't take any pictures...not one.

To make up for it, maybe I'll show you just a little of what I made Hope for her present. I haven't given it to her yet so I can't show more than this until I do.

It was a very, very long trip by car but Alfredo did surprisingly well. He did say "I tired of being in the car" about a thousand and one times but, really, what can you expect from a two year old. Next time, we'll definitely fly.

Today Rich is off and we're enjoying some nice family time. Well, at the time being, Alfredo is kind of bossing Rich around and Rich isn't liking it very much. I think we need to take a family walk. I'll try to post again tomorrow.

bug in a rug

2009-10-07T15:12:00.003-04:00

It's a bit of a blustery day today.

So after I buckled him into the stroller for our daily take-a-nap walk, I looked at his short shirt sleeves and bare feet (he calls them "berry feet") and decided I needed to grab a blanket.

Now the problem with a blanket on a stroller, as some of you been-there-done-that moms will agree, is that the blanket will fall out or will be thrown out at some point of the trip. And it will get run over by the stroller.

I thought about this on my way to grab said blanket and I was struck with a brilliant idea....

a pillow sham.

His feet tuck nicely into the bottom flap and the top flap can be pulled up like a blanket. It's like a tiny sleeping bag but better.

Just look at that...

My little bug in a rug.

p.s. 3 posts in one day? What can I say? I'm on a roll.

I'll be there...

2009-10-07T13:06:00.003-04:00

My friends Hope and Pam and I are hitting the road in a couple of weeks to go to see our friend Charlotte here.

Doesn't it sound like a wonderful time? Will you be there?

posh squash

2009-10-07T10:57:00.007-04:00

Look at these scrumptious pumpkins that OliveJuice is offering as a kit! I snagged a kit for myself and I'm excited about whipping them up as soon as it arrives. Check them out here.

mrs. pennywhistle

2009-10-05T14:40:00.003-04:00

Meet Mrs. Pennywhistle.

And her dog, La Luna.

I bought this sweet little creature and her pet at Kim's Artistic Affaire's Vendor Soiree from Julie Haymaker Thompson.

She is one of my favorite things in the whole world. When I saw her, and especially when I discovered that she's a music box (the kind that you crank to operate), I had to have her. Actually, all I could think is that I wanted Alfredo to see her too.

And now she is one of his favorite things too. (He named the dog!)

mr. rhino

2009-10-02T13:19:00.002-04:00

Note to self: Stop complaining about being too old and about things like necks hurting.

googly eyed pumpkins

2009-09-28T15:28:00.003-04:00

Saturday was a dark and rainy day so we pretty much stayed put. In the afternoon, we decorated our pumpkins that we got at the pumpkin patch earlier in the week.
Just a little felt for the mouth and googly eyes stuck on with a bit of glue stick.
And a button nose for one of them.

Oh yeah, we're going to get our Halloween on around here.

In costume news, Zebah was so last Tuesday. For a few days straight, it's been Rhino. So I ordered the costume and it should be here this week. Maybe we'll put on a show for you.

The costume has just one horn and since we hear the Rhino Song about 10 times a day we know by heart that Rhinos have "2 big horns on the tip of the nose". Until we looked it up to discover that Indian Rhinos indeed have one horn, I thought I'd have to make another horn. I might still do that because I do think Rhinos look more Rhino-like and less unicornish with two.

just a thought...

2009-09-25T14:44:00.003-04:00

My sister's husband was in an accident on Tuesday night. He seems to be doing okay and was even released from the hospital today. But what a scare it was! He has a fractured skull (and had bleeding in his brain) along with broken bones in his face and hand. We are praising the Lord for carrying him through this recovery so quickly. It may be a long recovery still ahead but he's going to be just fine.

The thing I keep thinking is that accidents like his happen on the most ordinary of days. They can happen to anyone at anytime. It doesn't mean that we should necessarily live our lives paralyzed under a cloud of caution. Perhaps instead let's strive to have such an appreciation of the urgency and preciousness of today. I hope I don't sound like I'm giving a soap box sermon. We all live such busy lives and sometimes we need to be reminded and redirected just a bit.

Happy weekend everybody!

today

2009-09-22T16:10:00.002-04:00

On this day last year, we packed up our little baby and flew with him to California. Isn't it incredible to think that it's been a year? And just look at where we are now. If you'd told me last year that this is where we'd be, with him here and everything so happy, I would have told you off or something. He's waking up from his nap...I can hear him making little noises over the monitor and any minute he'll come sweetly down the hallway looking for me or call for me quietly from his bed. Oh, here he is. All smiles and saying "It's morningtime!" I love this life.

Picking a Costume

2009-09-21T16:22:00.002-04:00

So I'm not really a Halloween girl. I like the candy part but all the spooky, ghoulishness gives me the creeps.

But this little guy might change my thinking about the holiday...

I love how excited he gets! I'm glad to be back home playing with him.

just back...

2009-09-21T13:26:00.006-04:00

Oh my goodness...you wouldn't believe what a fabulous weekend I had at Kim's event! Saturday in particular was one of the very best days of my life. It sounds like it would have to be an exaggeration but I assure you, it is not. I was in such a delicious whip-up of creative flurry that I couldn't stop. I crafted nearly through dinnertime and even when I got back to the hotel. There was no stopping me.

I'll share more later, but I wanted to show you my finished projects to back-up my statement about this being such a fabulous event. I've never loved class projects as much as these three. Seriously.

The effervescent Miss Lisa Kettell taught this fun class. It was supposed to be to make a dragonfly fairy but I decided to make her wings into little legs with pointed ballet shoes. I'm so pleased with how it turned out but just wait until you see how other people's looked. You won't believe it. They are all so unbelievably sweet.

This was the first class and it really revved up my creative engines.

Julie Haymaker Thompson is amazing. I love her generous spirit. Just being in her midst brought forth a creative flurry within me. She fills the room with creative light.
I just kept adding and changing and working and creating purposefully. I'm so tickled with it.

We finished the day with the amazing Ruth Rae. She lead us through how to put together layers and layers of elements and details to make a beautiful cuff bracelet. The kit alone was worth the price of admission. But Ruth's gentle teaching style was what made it over-the-top great.

I'm so pleased with how it turned out.

I'm already planning to attend the next one...I'd be crazy to miss it. Dare I say you would too? Stay tuned to Kim's blog for the announcement of what she's cooking up for the next one...and start saving your pennies because I have a feeling you won't be able to pass it up either.

Thank you Kim for putting all the care you put into the smallest and the biggest of details. You make it look so easy but I know all the work you put into it and I appreciate it with all my heart.