What a time, but we survived!

It is the time for resolutions, change, renewal and reaffirming. How about survival? My resolution is just to survive the next year with my three kids, three dogs, husband and mother in law. Survival of my Etsy shop. Survival of my creative spirit. Currently my creativity is being strangled by the heaps of laundry that are waiting for my attention. The survival of my youth... perhaps some exercise and diet changes are necessary for that one. The survival of my children. Right now they are cruisin' for a bruisin', (as the saying goes) and my two year old will be lucky to make to three. (I am speaking purely out of frustration and of course, would never actually hurt them, but I can now see how some parents snap.) So my resolution this year is simply to survive 2008."
(-my resolution for last year)

I survived! (so did my children..) Who knew? I have found a quiet pace to life this year which is nice. Something that is really helping, I have started planning out the meals for the week on Sunday. I check the flyers, coupons, recipe box, and get thoughts from the family, then grocery shop once, for the entire week. It is working nicely and it is so nice not to fuss over what to make each night. I know that I'll have everything on hand. With six in the house, it makes a big difference in my time management.

I am so happy that the holidays are over. It is a heavy weight off my shoulders for some reason. The halls have been un-decked and I spent way too much money at HomeGoods today buying lovely things to freshen up the house. Feeling very tired of red right now. Anyone else? Not sure how to handle the upcoming day of love, but I'll have to find some other color to show off my passion. Going with bright, sunny yellows and limes. I want to say a quick Thank you!! for all of you who visit my other blogs. (The Vintage Moth and Button Floozies) Between the two blogs we managed to raise $100 for The American Cancer Society!!! Whhoooohhoooo!! I am so excited! It is nice to see that the time I put into them can help someone other than me. That was in about 6 months so hopefully 2009 will be an even better year.

The only creative endeavours that I have tackled lately have been holiday related. A quick tip for those of you who have started following my blog since last Christmas, is to use your holiday greeting card pile as gift tags. I have mine all set to go for next year. In fact, there were so many tags, I didn't need to buy anymore this year. Recycling at its best! (see above image)

Happy New Year, things are brewing in the pot and I have lots of new changes around the home to share!

xoxo~

Abbie

Soul Journal Blog Party!!

Thank you Kathryn for hosting such fun!!
Not far from where I live there melts a barn. It is slowly being reclaimed by the earth and, to me, it is more lovely now then it was in it's 'hay' day. So, for you, I have a simple journey of the barn. The power went out several times while I working on the second image. Let's just say, I was very spooked. I hope you enjoy...

I have so many more photos that I took, but alas, my time is tight and that is all I could work on. Below are some journal pages. I don't have many to share right now, as I am just starting my Soul Journal process. (on day 4) The photos of the girls above are from Lewis Carroll. Yes, the Alice and Wonderland author. He was a fantastic photographer as well. The dancing devils in the first barn image are also his work. They were drawn for the original Alice story.







The image below is one of my journal pages (center) imposed over a photo of one of the doors from the barn. The entire wall the door sits in is now resting at about a 45% angle to the ground. I will be posting the Lewis Carroll images to The Vintage Moth once time allows today.




Thank you for stopping by! I'll be over to visit this evening!

xoxo~

Abbie

The gathering.

Welcome to my home!

Please remember to thank our lovely hostess, Vanessa, for holding such a lovely bit of fun! You will find oddities and curiosities abound here.

Down Abbie's Road things are not so pretty, and most definitely not what they seem. Yes, all of the critters hang on our walls. Truly, they do.

Even Princess Katie has dressed for the occasion, wearing her best.

Please be sure to check to behind you, as the guests will be arriving all evening.

Even the tiniest of insects are joining the soiree.


I don't mean to boar you, alas, I fear, some of my guests are quite hard to bear.


Oh, deer, even the rats have begun to gather.


Spiders, however, will not be found in these parts as I find them just too gruesome!

But their tiny trails are left all over..

Perhaps you may find a bit of science, a bit of whimsy.

Always, good cooking.

Please have excellent conversations and meet new friends.

Don't forget your coat, as it is quite brisk out tonight.

Thank you for stopping by, perhaps I'll see you again.

It was a pleasure.

Don't forget to sign the guestbook as I'd love to visit you in return!

xoxo~

Abbie

(All images as shown the creation of Abigail Mooney and may not be reproduced without permission. You may find some of the images I used at The Vintage Moth, Sandra Evertson, or below.)

A few goodies just for you... images courtesy of Martha, Oct. '07 Right click to enlarge, then save 'em.

The first day..

Well, this morning I shipped my three year old off to preschool for the entire day! My 15 month old is sleeping and the house is completely still. Not something that happens very often.. even the dogs sense the peace and quiet and dare not disturb it. (they love to bark at the passing vehicles on the road) So, for now, Mondays and Wednesdays are my 'quiet, regroup, find my sanity' days. Something I found that was missing from my day was music. I LOVE music. I'll listen to anything but prefer bands like Depeche Mode, the Killers, etc.. We have a rediculous number of music channels with our cable so I have been putting it on my favorite (turning the TV off it plays through our stereo system) and letting it run all day. It helps. I have been happier and the girls have been playing, eating, and interacting better without the TV in the background. It is the small changes that seem to be helping my days. It will be nice when my wee one starts walking. 15 months and still nothing. She can stand by herself so it's coming, but it is quite exhausting hauling her all over the place. I am working on a giveaway over at Button Floozies and still posting images daily (or trying) to The Vintage Moth. I'd love to reopen my Etsy shop someday but not exactly sure what I'd offer. The antique papers, etc are all over Etsy and I'd like to do something a little different. Not sure what yet. Something handmade perhaps.. We'll see.

Off to enjoy more quiet time..
xoxo~
Abbie

A New Digital Collage

More images are still being added to The Vintage Moth! Don't forget to go and peek!

Keeper of the Secrets

Keeper of the Secrets 8/7/08 Digital

Here is my submission for Mind Wide Open. I am so excited to see everyone's else's art pieces!! I originally wanted to do a light airy piece, but I just couldn't get that feeling and keep the key word 'secret' in play. All the Halloween stuff for sale is putting me in a Gothic mood, and some might think I'm nuts, but I'm ready for Autumn! It came out dark, mysterious, and there are most definitely secrets in this piece. Thank you Gail for hosting!! If you look close (please click to enlarge it!) you can see a lot of little details that might get missed.

Enjoy!

xoxo~

Abbie

Oh! Remember to take a peek at my new free clipart blog, The Vintage Moth, which is highlighted in the post below.

The Vintage Moth!!

I have opened a new store front at CafePress. As I work out the kinks, stop by and let me know what you think! There is only one design so far, but plenty more in the works. My favorite is the tote bag!