Springtime & Planning a Party

Springtime is here!

Although it's officially Spring I wore my winter scarf as it was a windy 38 degrees here in PA.  I'm glad I did as it was very chilly while I was watching my 4 year old run around the school yard with the other kids.   I love watching him run around and explore and look forward to watching him while feeling the warmth of the Spring sun vs. the chilly breeze of today.  There were still traces of Monday's snowfall on the grass!

This week I've been busy planning a Spring / Nature themed party for our daughter who turns 8.   She loves crafts and painting and has been happily helping with all that needs to be done.   The photo above shows a glimpse of flower pots the kids will assemble with silk flowers and decorative birds.   The photo below shows the backboard to a flower toss game.  I'll post pics of how everything turned out after the weekend.   Take care!

Remember Valentine's Day parties when you were in elementary school?

Happy Valentine's Day to You!

Remember the Valentine's Day parties you would have in Elementary school?  

I remember mine and they were my favorite of the class holiday parties!   First, you got to decorate your very own little mailbox (a.k.a. shoebox with a slot cut out) any way you want.   Then, kids fill it with cute tiny cards and yummy treats.   As a child who loved artwork (and chocolate) Valentine's Day was even better than Halloween.   You get yummy treats AND get to look at all the cute designs on the little Valentine's notes.  

My three kids are having their Valentine's Day today and I get to bring in cookies to one of the classes.

 I had high hopes of baking and decorating sweet heart cookies but that didn't happen.  Instead, I made a trip to the supermarket bakery & purchased beautiful heart cookies which I'm sure the kids will love.   Sometimes my Kodak / Hallmark moments of baking and decorating fancy cookies for my kids class parties don't come to fruition.   But, I will enjoy being there and watching the kids have a great time!

Enjoy yours!

Overwhelmed by all the inspiration!

I hope you are having a happy and healthy start to the new year!

As you can see...I haven't blogged much in a while.   I have realized that I have been spending WAY too much time being in awe of and...

                                                admiring
                                                searching
                                                pinning (love Pinterest!)
                                                absorbing
                                                & cheering other artists creations in whatever free time I have.  

As a visual person I will always be seeking and absorbing other artists creations...but, I need to learn to limit the time I spend doing it.    I LOVE art, color, patterns, textures, so much that I easily get lost in the online jungle of inspiring images!  

Has that ever happened to you? 

Anyway, I'll share some of my favorite finds soon.   Plus, I will be giving myself some art assignments that I will share with you weekly.    I'll keep you posted...I promise ;)

Have a great day everybody!

Kids are back in School!

 Wow...the summer sure went by fast!  After being home with the three kids all summer ( no camps) I'm ready for them to return to some structure.  They were very ready to go back too.  So now I have a child in 4th grade, 2nd grade and pre-k (he starts in September).  

I have so many plans to take advantage of my new freedom and create illustrations and paintings like crazy!  Organization and focus are important so to - do lists will be made and I will have a plan on what to focus on before I sit down to create.  I would hate for my precious two hours a day to be non productive because I'm chasing after every creative venture I want to pursue and not progressing on anything.

Needless to say, I'm so excited to begin creating again!

Do you have any plans for when your kids return to school?  If you work full time does your life get tremendously busier once your kids return to school ( homework, sports, etc.).  

Would love to hear how your schedule changes :)

A little painting today...

Hello! Here is a little painting I worked on today with watercolors, acrylics and pencils. I've been finding some precious pockets of time to paint this summer with the kids being home. It's been wonderful but I feel guilty at the same time that I'm not spending as much time with my kids as I should. The three of them have been busy on the computer while I paint. They have fun playing their games and I have fun painting (and enjoy the peace and quiet!) so I easily lose track of time. So, they end up with a bit more computer time than they probably should.

It's hard sometimes to find the right balance between carving a time to paint and doing more productive things with the kids. I need to create a schedule for limited painting time for me and computer time for the kids....and stick with it! I did begin my older two on chapter books yesterday...so that's good!

Are you home with your kids this summer too? I'm sure you are more disciplined than I am...lol :).