Oh deer!

The lighting is just cruddy today – we are in for some rain! However, this picture isn’t really done so this is an in-progress pic. I was inspired by this work and decided to try it out with paper before I move to wood. Really, I don’t seem to have enough time to start a big wood project these days. Isn’t that sad?! I keep telling myself to just tackle a project one step at a time and even if I only get a half a step done in one day I’d still be moving forward…maybe tomorrow! I want to paint the frame or refinish it…I’m thinking I’ll either paint it dark brown (Julie, you’ll be happy! lol)

Why don’t I seem to have enough time? Well, aside from the usual laundry, cooking and cleaning…boring! We’ve just been people on the move lately. I taught another needle-felting class on Saturday. I tell you, crafters are just the nicest people! It was fun. We all went four-wheeling on Sunday after church. The weather was crisp and clear – no bugs or sweat! We are part of a hunting club and have access to 1,800 acres of land. I snapped some pictures to show you how awesome it is!

Here’s one of the many trails-

Here’s another trail with the middle child riding a small four-wheeler.

There’s lots of water features on the land. The Mississippi borders part of it and there are ponds and swamps. I learned there is a wild rice bed! We will be ricing this fall!!!!!! Miles of the trails are bordered with raspberries and I found a hazelnut tree/bush yesterday. There is so much to see and explore. I told the middle child that once he figures out how to strap down the Rhino and 4-wheeler we will spend time out there even when dad is at work. (My brain does not compute the straps…it’s weird…like I enter a mind-warp when I have to deal with them!)

 

There is tons of wildlife out there…here is a wolf track…the size of my HAND! My youngest shot his first deer last fall out here too. And for his birthday he got this -

A Savage .22 bolt action for a lefty. He and Grant shot targets most of the time while Abby, Dev and I rode the trails. We were all exhausted when we got home, and will be going back soon! Even though this is within 8 miles of our house we don’t get out there too much. Last year was a cruddy summer and I was so busy with Girl Scouts – but this year – this year we are hoping for a great summer and lots of FUN!

Happy Crafting!

Where do the days go????

I can’t believe it’s already Thursday! In crafty news I don’t have much to show for the week. I did complete and deliver these modge podged eggs to/for the library…

I decoupaged book pages to plastic eggs, added a glitter glaze, and then coated them with about 6 layers of modge podge. They are pretty…and time consuming! (Most of my volunteering with the library has to do with crafting for the Friends Of The Library Foundation, and Abby and I volunteer during the Summer Reading Program.)

In happy news I won some prizes at my library during their “Hot Reads for Cold Nights” program! I got a book club journal -

 

and a mug, and some note cards, and a beautiful wood-turned top from the Ripple River Gallery. It’s been a good week! I even got caught up with some cleaning…I spent all day yesterday cleaning out and organizing the pantry and a couple cabinets. phew, I don’t know why those chores have to take all day... this Saturday I teach a needle felting class again, we are making bunnies!

Well, that’s it. Have a great weekend and Happy Crafting!

What a weekend!

We went to a St. Patrick’s Day parade in a neighboring town…my hubbie was in it -

He’s the one on the left.

Everybody gets their green on for this parade – here is my youngest -

You can’t see but he also has a blinky bow tie…he’s pretty cute! St. Patrick’s Day is also my hubbie’s birthday…it was a looong busy and FUN day!

Happy Crafting!

It’s so nice outside

that I haven’t been at my computer at all! Yesterday I raked a part of the yard that hasn’t been raked in years and years. It is the part of the yard that we used to store about 50 bicycles in. Really. Well, the bikes are now gone and I have a fresh new blister to show for the raking. I am so out of shape!

In crafty news I finished this!

I added a little Martian! And my favorite is the little guy peeking out the porthole!

The little Martian has a magnet in his bottom. lol! And the space ship has a little tab of metal buried in it’s side…so the Martian ride. I feel I could fuss with this some more but have decided it’s good enough. There are too many other projects in the works right now…mostly yard work! I’ve also been making more things for the library. Here is the latest collage I brought to them -

This was on my work table (aka Kitchen Table) all last weekend. I’d add a little something wait for it to dry and add a little more. It’s amazing how much time these take!

Well, that’s it for this week…Happy Crafting!!

3…2…1…

Take off!

This rocket is almost done. Almost…I seem to have a problem with finishing projects. I. Don’t. Know. Why. I still have to weave in the little fuzzies and there is a surprise element to this rocket I’ll show you soon. There. Now I have to finish!

Happy Crafting!!

Collage attempts 3 and 4…

And we have a winner! I like these!

 

I think I’m getting somewhere now. I think we all know I love paper airplanes…I see a lot more of them in my future collages! Again I made these by layering paper, tissue paper, paint, glue, more paint, more paper…you get the idea. These little guys are tiny. The frame outside edges of the frame measure 4”x5”. And I think the frames are pretty special…they came this way direct from the thrift store. By the time you read this post these will already be at the library and for sale. It’s kind of hard to give them up…but a darn good excuse to make some more! (And I loooovvvveeee my library – we gotta do what we can to support them!)

Happy Crafting!

PS: Next week I think you’ll see more needle felting.

PPSS: Mary…could you keep a look-out for more frames from our favorite thrift store? smile. They don’t have to look like this – I can always paint them…just little and sturdy. Really any size up to 8x10…

Bonus links to keep you busy and give you something to talk about…#1

She’s awesome! (there are two you can find the other one here)

#2 http://autismasithappens.blogspot.com/2012/03/future.html This blog is written by a mother who had a daughter with autism. Oh my gosh…she can get down in words what a lot of us parents with “special needs” children are feeling! When I read her posts I keep thinking “I know! I’ve been through that too!!!” It is almost painful for me to read but I can’t stay away. I check in with her blog once in awhile and read big chunks and leave feeling happy, sad, and understood! Her daughter is quite a bit younger than mine…I wish I would have found someone like her 10 years ago…The post I’m linking to really relates to where we are right now…you’ll see.

Collage attempt number two…

OK – this one is actually not done yet. It needs a little somethin’ somethin’. I just don’t know what. Hubbie has suggested a yellow bird. I think “tweet” needs to go and be replaced with scrabble tiles or something. Any ideas? I want to get it to the library by the end of the week…so put your thinking caps on!

Happy Crafting!