Jon Rawlinson and Owl City

I was surfing blogs the other day.. (yay.. I do that too..) and ran across this video by Jon Rawlinson. It led me to peek at some of his other videos and he uses the band Owl City is several of them. Their music is wonderful. Clean, calm and perfect 'float away' music. Something this momma is in desperate need of. I noticed the other month that I had completely stopped listening to music except when we were driving in the car. A horrible thing to say the least! Since then I have added a music player to my studio space and try to have it on during the day and TV turned off.

Kuroshio Sea - 2nd largest aquarium tank in the world - (song is Please don't go by Barcelona) from Jon Rawlinson on Vimeo.

(If you watch the video, I would recommend hitting the four arrows and expanding it to full screen.)

Now you can float away with me when you visit.. I have added Owl City's tunes to my sidebar. Slide down a bit and you can shut it off for watching the video above.. hope you enjoy it too.. do you have any other music suggestions? Something that's not spattered all over the radio and TV? Let me know, I'd love to check it out!

xoxo~

Abbie

One World ~ One Heart Giveaway!!

I have decided to participate this year in the One World ~ One Heart Giveaway. The wonderful people I have met through blogging have helped me survive some rough spots in my life and as a thank you, I will be giving away four of my Sweet Abigail PDF files from my Etsy Shop. The giveaway is open to anyone! You must leave a comment on this post to be eligible to win. The contest will end February 12th, you have until that day to enter. I will announce the winners on February 13th. For more information about the One World ~ One Heart Giveaway please visit their blog.



Good Luck! Don't forget to leave a comment!

xoxo~
Abbie

Thank you..

Bev, Lisa and Anke passed along this very lovely Marie Antoinette award to me and I thank them dearly!

Instead of passing the award along, I am going to highlight some of most favorite friends, artists, photographers that I have had the honor to get to know through blogging. Please visit them, you won't be disappointed!


1. The Collage Diva herself, Kathryn, her art is full of color, form and passion. Someday soon I hope for her and I to meet, chat and share.


2. Randel Plowman if you haven't had the chance stop by to see his work, please do, it is nothing but collage and FABULOUS!


3. Amanda Churchill -a magnificent pro photographer and momma all bundled into one gorgeous package! I have watched her develope and grow her dreams! She is an inspiration for any woman wondering if they can do it all.



4. Anke Martin - another woman who does it all! Pregnant with her third child, she just opened her art studio for instruction. A marvelous photographer and mixed media artist from across the ocean. Hugs Anke!



5. RhondaMum - Honest, true and lovely, I have watched Rhonda start her blog, open her shop and blossom as an artist!

and a few giants in the land of blog that are so huge most have found them but if you have not, their blogs are worth the visual journey...

Sandra Everston, Vanessa Valencia, and Amanda Soule.

The list goes on and if I highlighted everyone I'd be here for days! :) Every blog on my sidebar is worth visiting. The blogs I follow in my profile... there are so many! and so many more that I just can't add to the list, it's not that they aren't fantastic, I just get dizzy thinking about it! If I had hours and hours to spend just browsing my time could be swept into Bloglandia forever.. as it is, I spend too much time here.

Thank you for the award Ladies!

xoxo~

Abbie

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

Busy hands...

I have been busy working on crafty bits to decorate my home for the upcoming season of 'Boo!'. the mood has struck, and if I don't go with it, I'll never get anything done! so far I have made several (4) pillows (embroidered and appliqued), painted two grungy boxes, assembled a witchy portrait, created a ghostie from some vintage lace and antique Victorian jet buttons and made several rag garlands. There are so many more ideas in my folder! So this is where I have been lately.. creating for my family and home. It is more enjoyable than creating things to sell.

I hope at some point to post some of the templates that I created.

Hope everyone else is enjoying some creative time!

xoxo~

Abbie

Growth and RAK gifts..

Our seeds are sprouting! In front you can see the start of mammoth sunflowers and behind, the red wispy sprouts are radishes.. We also planted pilgrim tomatoes and pumpkins. None of those seeds have germinated, perhaps they are too old. Isn't the red of the radish stems fantastic? Speaking of fantastic, I received the most fabulous gift in the mail on Tuesday!!

The above creamer was a gift from Mary at the Little Red House. You have no idea how excited I was.. I was tearing at the tape that held the box closed in the van.. my son kept asking questions (One, because mom was VERY excited about something and, two, he was very curious about this 'stranger' who sending gifts) It made my day, week, month!! I finally go the box open (note to self.. keep scissors in the glove box) to discover that the package was wrapped with more tape and bubble wrap! Aaahh! The anticipation nearly killed me! I wanted to take some pics, honest. To show you the process one takes when opening gifts from internet friends. Nope, couldn't do it! I ripped into that sucker like I was child in a candy store! It is lovely! A beautiful pitcher with.. cherries!! Just perfect for my kitchen! Thank you, Mary! It was a thoughtful and wonderful surprise that just took my breathe away..

So, I was RAK attacked.. (hit with a random act of kindness). I think it is time to pass along the love!

hhmm.. yet again..

I have no idea where this post is going, I just know I need to blog. does anyone feel that way? I really dislike the idea of people stopping by to check out the newest post, only to find the same old one they have seen for days on end. some posts on my favorite blogs I read over and over, just to spend time there. To me blog posts are like chapters in a book, you keep wanting to turn the page to find out what happens next. It brings a huge smile to my face every time I visit a blog and there is a new post waiting, just for me!

First, I must put out a shout to my dear friend Mary at Little Red House, because I was flipping through the pages of the new Romantic Homes mag and I stumbled across her couch!! I knew I recognized it! I felt like I knew a celebrity! I wanted to call her up and say "Mary! I just saw your couch in Romantic Homes!! How exciting!! It looks so fabulous!" But, alas as she is a blogger friend, I do not know her number.. but Mary, last night laying in bed with my hubby, watching Desperate House Wives over the pages of a romantic magazine, I was thinking of you, my friend, with the famous lovely couch! :)

Lastly, the fern images are for you from my image file! Take them and make the world a 'greener' place!

Ah... I also just joined a swap that looks like so much fun!! Go check out Rhonda's Les Emotions de la France Book Swap!!

Thinking of him...

Well, my stacks are getting larger.. I am not crocheting quite as voraciously as I was, but the work is progressing slowly on my brother's blanket. For those of you who are new to my blog, my brother is currently serving in Afghanistan.

Last night I kept my eyes open long enough to watch the Diane Sawyer interview with Randy Pausch about his Last Lecture at Carnegie Mellon. Oh, it was wonderful. Truly sad, but uplifting and enlightening all at the same time. Now, I have a new item for my wish list, his book. If you are unfamiliar with him, please check out the site! It is worth every minute! You can also watch his last lecture here.

Have a happy day!

xoxo~

Abbie

gggrrrr... blogger is still acting up.. 2/3 of my sidebar is gone.. can you see it? and comments still aren't working right..

A quiet moment...

Come and sit a spell.. we are lounging in front of the fireplace today, as it cold and drizzly outside. (actually this is where I spent my Sunday..) flipping through the pages of my new Somerset Life and enjoying the eye candy. Corey Amaro just has a fabulous way of weaving stories of her life in France.

And I really enjoyed Sandra Evertson's Article, Les Modes Francaises. I tried to download the elements she used to make the bark clothe bag tags, but the links did not work..

Ah, well.. at least the fire kept my tootsies warm..

Above is a little glimpse at a Floating Journal project Anke Martin and I are doing together. We each have a journal, and once our entry for the month of April is completed, we will 'swap' them. Float them across the ocean that separates us, and work in the other journal the next month. Once the books are full, we will each have one to keep. They are spiral bound, and to start I just couldn't keep the metal rings bare.. I'm sure as the year progresses, the journals will have much added, and i can't wait to see the final results! Anke is one of those talented artists who has inspired me for years now. (It's been years Anke, can you believe it?!) We 'met' on ATCards.com - she traded my first Artist Trading Card with me, and we have been friends ever since. If we were closer I know we would be fantastic friends, but, alas, we have an enormous body of water between us. Someday, perhaps we will meet, until then, we write back and forth.. As the journals progress, I 'll post about them.

A tremendous thank you!!

I would like to thank everyone who commented and emailed me in regards to my 'seeking balance post.' It made me feel so much better. Truly, every single one of you helped me. These are a few that stuck out to me and I have been rereading all of them over and over..

"I am wife, mother, artist, intellectual, friend... Even if they are not all apparent, they are all still within us. We just need to find the time and space to let them step forward..." -Mary

"You will find that only pleasing others will get old eventually and you will lose yourself doing so." -Caron

"Cabin fever sets in as I spin my wheels waiting for Spring to burst upon the scene, and soul-searching takes over.." -Paula

"Don't look back, what's done is behind you and can't be changed. Don't look ahead too far and linger in the "waiting" thoughts." -Dena

"Have you ever heard an older woman look back and lament over all the time spent with her children? I know I haven't....but I have heard many wishing they had spent more time with their families and are now filled with regret and wistfulness at the years and time lost." -Paula

The wonderful words and thoughts go on and on! Please read the comments, they are appropriate for anyone and carry much love and wisdom. Thank you for bringing me back to center.

My blogger friends rock! ;)

The above image of chickadees is a 1895 Denton print for you to use as you desire! Just click and save it!

Desperately Seeking Balance

A few people have posted lately about life, balance, and finding their creative energy. Mary and Kathy have been searching and, from my understanding, have finally found a peace with themselves and the direction their life/craft/art is taking. I am currently a stay at home who has put most personal endeavors (school, art, career) on the back burner to raise my children and take care of my family and home. This shift is a very hard struggle for me. I am trying to find creative outlets in my kitchen, but I truly feel as if I am in a form of hibernation or cryostasis.

Waiting.

Waiting for what?

I was in a local quilt shop the other day and I was having a pleasant adult conversation with the owner. (Adult conversations don't come by that often so when they do I jump on the opportunity to use some three syllable words) I mentioned that it would fabulous (and my dream) to open a scrapbooking/craft shop in the same plaza. (it is a new plaza, with some empty store fronts) She said that a local woman was considering opening a yarn shop and that it could be a great 'one stop shop' area for crafters and artisans. In return, I replied that I needed to wait a few years yet, until my children were at least school age before I could start a retail business venture. Then she gave me some advise.. the only words of wisdom she had were 'Don't Wait.' Starting her business at 49, she said that the days were long and the work was hard and she could really use youth on her side.

How long is too long? What am I giving up? Or am I not 'giving up', but receiving instead? Do I need to be at home, and focus solely on the 'mother/wife/caregiver me', for me to appreciate the 'business, artist, creative me' later in life? Is experience, appreciation, and peace something that comes in time, or does it come when you reach out and grab for it? I suppose there is no right or wrong answer here. It would be nice to look back when I am 50 or 60 and not have regrets. Not wonder about all the 'what ifs'. Now is the time in my life that I need to make the choices that will steer my future, to avoid the malaise of 'the things never done', or the 'it would have been nice to ____'s.

Ok. I am done. I am confused. So here I sit, typing on my PC, a choice, instead of researching a business venture, or working on an art piece. Perhaps is is time to rethink my direction right now...

I picked a WINNER!!

I finally had a moment today to pick my Spring Giveaway Winner!!

(Actually my two year old picked the winner from the bunny!)

#55!

Angie(quillysilly) said...
I found my way here via Esprit`D*Art and must say
that you have a lovely blog! I'd love to enter your very generous giveaway
and congrat's on making it to 300! WOW~! Angie

I just want to thank everyone who entered! It was an overwhelming response and very exciting! I am hoping to have a monthly giveaway starting in April. On the last day of each month, I'll pick a random winner from everyone who has left comment on any post from the entire month. I have just been so blessed with the friendships and goodness of everyone, I would love to give something back. Just as with this giveaway, they will be custom gifts, specially put together for that person!

Happy Spring! Pass along the Love!

GIVEAWAY!! A Special Spring Bounty Just for You!

It has taken me a little while to get to this but I'm so excited!!

After much fussing and fiddling, I have finally decided what to give away in celebration of my

300th post!

Actually I don't know what it is yet.. once the winner is picked, it will be a

CUSTOM gift package

put together specially for that individual!

Just what you would like... I'll visit your blog or site, and 'custom fit' your gift just to you!

There are so many different personalities who stop and visit.. those who love decorating, home decor, the crafters, the artists, the collage enthusiasts, those who are retired and those who are just starting their careers, or those, who like me, stay at home and change diapers all day! I want to say thank you to each and everyone of you.. you make my day more special and gently remind me of my hidden potential. Everyday, you visit, comment and put a smile on my face. You lift up, encourage and support and I truly want to thank you!

So, I can't show you, but you'll love it! I promise!

I wish I could give a gift to everyone who visits, but unfortunately it's just not in my budget! :) But I promise, if I win Powerball or the lottery, then it's a giveaway, everyday for everybody!

So, you know the way to play... leave a comment and your entered! I'll draw a winner on the

First Day of Spring, March 20th!

Feel free to pass the word along, and thank you!!

Well Deserved Playtime...

I want to thank each and every person who commented on my last post. It definitely was scary and we are trying so hard to move beyond all the 'what if s'. Not so easy when you have a wild imagination like I do..



I spoke with my son this AM and he was feeling much better. (He is at his father's this weekend) He had a rotten headache yesterday and was having a hard time accepting that everything was going to be alright, once all the CO was out of his system.



Before all hell broke loose, Z and I went snowboarding on Wednesday. He was on vaca this week and really wanted to go. I skied, although I do know how to snowboard. Skiing is just more natural for me. We met some friends at the lodge so Z was able to board with some of his buddies too.



It was wildly windy and bitter cold, but there were no barking dogs, crying babies or diapers to be changed so it was perfect! We had just gotten a foot of fresh powder so the conditions were gorgeous! It was nice to spend time just with Z. His sisters take up much of my time so the private 'mommy and me' times don't come very often.

Enjoy your weekend! We are, of course, in the middle of another snowstorm. This time we only got 10".

Toot! Toot!

I'm tooting my own horn this morning.. it's my birthday! :) I woke up to a wonderful, cheery email from my friend Anke, who sent me this Birthday Greeting. Isn't it so bright and fresh? Thank you Anke! Also, I had a phone call from my brother in Afghanistan. It was so nice to hear his voice and know that he is doing alright. Let's see.. my MIL went out early and brought home fresh, old fashioned donuts from a local shop. Yum!! They remind me of the ones my grandmother used to make.. Cliche, but true.. AND.. there was an enormous moose out near the edge of the field this morning saying 'Happy Birthday'. OK, he was nibbling off the trees, but as far as I'm concerned he was there just for me. What else.. oh! A huge 'birthday present' arrives today from my hubby, (LOL!! I'll show you tomorrow..) and we are going out to dinner without the kids tonight. This time I don't think I'll order an alcoholic beverage.. to top it all off, the sun is shining and I'm pretty sure I'm gonna pack up the girls and venture to Michael's. (about an hour away) It's been a great day and it's only 9:30!

I hope everyone else has a lovely day too!

♥ Abbie

Some fabulous colors to cheer me up!

My mother and I took a trip to Michaels last weekend and I picked up some lovelies for my studio. The walls haven't been painted yet, my DH said I could call the painters (close friends) to come do it for me. :) Now I just need to make the call! I have been admiring apothecary jars in the latest issues of everything.. Somerset, Country Living, you name it, they are everywhere! The shapes are so much fun so I picked this one up. Thinking I'd put buttons or ribbons in it, I changed my mind and created a tiny world of combined seasons. My blue bird (not 'bluebird', but a bird that is blue..) sits atop a nest of vintage German Christmas tinsel. she is perched on three eggs that you can't see. (my three kids..) A lady bug peeks out, along with some summer daisies. Fall apples are behind her, and the winter we are suffering through is her view.


Below are some more colors, a wonderful egg carton being recycled to hold tiny bits and pieces, German scraps, and some of my many pens are at the ready if I ever decide to actually sit down and do something with all my 'stuff'. I find myself up there sometimes at night, just standing and staring. The ideas don't come and it is so frustating to have the desire to create but the actual process fails me right now. I know it is because things are crazy in the other parts of my life. In time, the time will come.

Here it is!! The fabulous handbag Rosie made for me!! I just adore it! She also made the cute little pin with wonderful, bright yarn and a vintage button! isn't it just too cute? I put the pin on the handle of the purse so I can be sure to take it along with me too! ♥ thank you! thank you! Be sure to check out her Etsy Shop where you can get her darling creations for yourself!

She also included a GORGEOUS vintage, red and white handtowel. Absolutely perfect timing, as I am slowly changing my kitchen over to red and white. I love vintage cherries, so I am hoping to go in that direction, the bright cherry red. Just like my handbag! Once I get some pics of my new kitch decor, I'll show you the towel!

Hope everyone is having a fabulous weekend, we are getting snowed on.

Precious Moments and Little Gifts..

A peekie at the goodies that are going out...

Lately I have been filling my time with little things.. I am working on a Grannie Square Blanket for my brother in Afghanistan. (or perhaps is it an afghan?) Not to sound cliche, but the days seem to go by so quickly. After he left, I found that the days blurred together and before I noticed, a week had gone by and I hadn't given him or his situation a thought. In the evenings, once the girls are tucked in bed and the house is quiet, I sit at the foot of T's bed (she won't fall asleep unless I am in the room) and crochet. Because the squares are easy, I don't need much light to work by. I found that my thoughts were drifting to my brother, so I decided the blanket should be for him. Now, no matter how crazy my days get, I stop, pause, and send thoughts and prayers his way every day. I don't know if he gets them, or will want the blanket when I am done, but that is not the point. It's my time to spend with him, even if he so very far away.

The colors are above, pale and almost faded. Not really masculine or what you might think of when you think of a Specialist Sergeant in the Army, but they were our grandmother's. When she passed away my mother got all of her yarns. There were 12 baby weight skeens, in these three colors, soft and wonderful to work with. I just love the grey, cream and salmon together. I was able to make 11 squares from one ball, so hopefully the finished piece will be big enough to really enjoy once its done.

Above, is my little bundle of love and good wishes for.... well, you'll just have to wait until she get it!

I truly enjoyed every minute that I worked on your swaps. I wasn't able to make them quite as large as I wanted, as I had 9 to do. 3 are shipping International and the other 6 are going Priority Mail today. Ouch! That 'll hurt the wallet, but it is so worth every penny! I hope you enjoy them! I am hoping to host an Easter Swap as well, but next time make it a 'Three for Three' swap... I'll let you know once I figure it out!

Have a fabulous day!

Sit and have a cup o' tea..

I drink tea. My husband is a coffee person, but I like tea. The smell of coffee is fabulous, but unless it is cream and sugar with a 'little bit of coffee' I just can't drink it. So, I thought I'd share my favorite tea and give you a sneak peek at the lovely pretties I have been packing up for my Valentine's Day Swap!

As you can tell from the pic, I use a mug. Not a dainty, pretty cup (I do have some) but a mug. My tea bag sits wrapped around the handle all day, and as my cup empties I just add more hot water. I know, I'm sure, that I am breaking all the rules of proper tea drinking that people are gasping all over the world. No sugar, no cream. Just a bag. The flavor of Pickwick Wild Raspberry Rose is just delightful! It reminds me of summer as it is filled with rosehips, hibiscus, rose leaves and raspberries. I had a hard time tfinding in any of my local shops, so my MIL ordered 6 boxes for me off the internet! Isn't she a sweetie? ♥

Below is the glimpse of goodies each of you will be receiving from me. I had so much fun putting these together! I can't wait for you to open them, I just wish I could be there! You'll have to let me know when you get them, they will be going out in the mail on Monday. Hopefully everyone will get them before Valentine's.. Sherry and Carolyn, I'll hope for speedy delivery for you!! :)

Everyone have a lovely weekend, I'm not sure if I'll be able to post, but I'll be visiting everyone's blog!

♥ Abbie

There is a field.. I will meet you there. (update at bottom)

Today was our wedding anniversary. Hubby took me to dinner at a nice local restaurant and we enjoyed our time without children or dogs. The 'grammas' stayed home with the kids. I went all out and ordered a Strawberry Daquiri at dinner. Now, for those who aren't familiar, I don't drink. I can't remember the last time I had an alcoholic beverage. Ok, shoot forward twenty minutes, Abbie can't find the potato on her fork that she swore she just scooped up. I started to giggle and that was it. It was all down hill from there so I pushed the drink to the other side of the table. Only about half of it was gone at that point. To regain my composure so as to not embarass myself or my hubby, I just sipped at it the rest of the evening, occasionally. It really did help take the edge off. It is amazing how much tension builds up in my body through the course of a day. Kids squealing, dogs barking... it was a help having G (my mother in law) with me. she is so good with the kids and truly helps out alot. I can run to the bathroom and not hav to worry about dragging T with me. Oh! Another treat today, both girls slept all night in their beds in their room. All night. It was like an anniversary miracle! Hubby and I got to sleep together all night alone. OK, we had two dogs between us, but hey, it's better than a set of feet kicking me in the head all night.

Serenity Now!!

♥Abbie

*If anyone would like, click on the above images and copy them to your PC, they are copyright free images created by myself from antique books and sheet music. Enjoy!

*******************************************************
Notation added Thurs AM.. Thanks for all the wonderful comments! Rosie asked what we had to for dinner so here it is.. I had baked salmon with lemon, butter and seasoned breadcrumbs (yummy!) a baked potato (and sour cream, of course!) and my hubby had prime rib with 'homestyle' mashed potatoes.. don't ask what that means, I have no idea! lol! They served green beans 'family style' (one bowl for both of us) and the usual salad and bread. It was very simple yet very good. Although I could have been eating a McDonald's cheeseburger and a Coke, as long as we were alone, it wouldn't have mattered! Oh! I almost forgot we shared a brownie sundae for dessert. (another yum!)

Frosting! and Pea Soup???

I love Frosting!

First I have to put a 'shout out' to my friend Amanda who has a wonderful Etsy shop, yet to be discovered and truly appreciated! Lovelies abound, and also, she just gave birth to the cutest little girl you've ever seen! Her birthday is in two days so I thought I 'd pass along the good word and send you in her direction, please stop by her shop, Frosting, and take a peek around. As a stay at home mother, myself, I know how hard it is to start a business and keep the momentum going. Also, her blog is wonderful place to stop, peek and visit.

♥ Happy Birthday Amanda!

Abbie's Split Pea Soup with a pat of butter..

OK, now for the pea soup.. I spent yesterday in the kitchen with my camera.. Uhh? I never thought I'd be taking pics of my food, especially pea soup (have you ever tried to make pea soup look good?) but I did (tried anyway!) and it was fun! I love pea soup! It warms my soul, fills me up, and just plain makes me feel good. I used a leftover ham bone (a 'must have' for really good soup..) and didn't follow this recipe very well.. I always start my cooking off using a recipe as a guide, but them stear away adding dashed of this and bits if this until it's just right.

3 C water

1 bag of dried split peas (washed and de-stoned)

1 14 oz can of chicken broth

1 ham bone with leftover meat

1/4 tsp marjoram

dash pepper

1 bay leaf

2 carrots

2 stalks celery

1 small onion

In large pot, combine water, hambone, chicken stock, peas, marjoram, pepper, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and let simmer, covered, for an hour. Remove ham bone and bay leaf. Add chopped carrots, onions, and celery. (add more water if too thick) Simmer, covered for 30-40 minutes unitl veggies are tender. Cut off leftover meat off bone and add to the pot. Leave on your stovetop until it is mushy and.. green! Serve with nice, crusty bread and butter. Butter in the soup and butter on the bread!

You'd think I was Paula Dean!

Enjoy!