In the Works

It's been forever since I posted a crochet project, but I'm happy to report that I finished this project I started a year ago.  It's a rug, complete with bobble edging. So now I'm working on the pattern to share.

I'm excited about this so stay tuned for the pattern in the next few weeks!

Mini Cactus Painting

Another small cactus painting is now in the shop: 

A 5x7 prickly plant that reminds me of home!

Photos of the Week

We live about half a mile from our elementary school so when the weather is nice we walk and I love it.  Mornings are the prettiest time of day around here.

On our way we pass by lots of "Purple Robe" Locust trees.  I want one of these in my yard eventually.

Decorating with Ocean Colors

I'm seven months into my new home and I now feel like my family room is coming together.   I'm so so so into blues, greens, whites, and grays. They are the most relaxing, beautiful colors in the world to me.  The colors of the ocean!

All of our walls are a white/cream color so I'm really glad we got brave and painted an accent wall.  The wall color is called "Spa" by Sherwin Williams.  I highly recommend this color!

The bookshelf is a refinished hand-me-down from my grandmother.  This baby made me really grateful for my power sander!  Even with that tool it took many hours to sand and paint.  It looks white against the blue wall, but it actually has some blue tint in it.  

And, I've already written about my love of houseplants.  I asked for plants for mother's day and birthday gifts this year and I'm really glad I did.  They liven up any space.

A Look at my Sketchbook

While I was out photographing red cactus blooms last week I also took the opportunity to paint them. I love painting outdoors, but doing so while sitting on jagged rocks is challenging.

After the blossoms were done, I moved to a better seat with a view of the lake and mountains.  Here's my quick watercolor landscape sketch!

Photos of the Week

I discovered these beauties only about a mile from my house!

I don't think I've ever seen this kind of cactus blossom before.

It always surprises me what I find in these dry deserty hills.  There's more out there than you would think!

A House of Plants

These are the little beauties in my house right now.........................

I have a little garden growing on my kitchen table.  Some plants are potted, some flowers were found outside in the hills, and some were given to me for mother's day.  I love having living things in my house...............including people :)

Are you a fan of indoor plants? I love em' just about anywhere- indoors or out!

Photos of the Week

 The weather was awesome last week so I'm back with more lake photos!

This time I caught a few birds too.

I feel so blessed to live in this beautiful place.  It's a gift that heals my soul.  I can't feel sad when I'm looking at this lake, listening to the birds and feeling the warm sun on my face.  I can't help but feel overwhelmed at the goodness of a God who lets us have challenges, but who also desires our happiness above all else.  

Mother's Day Bookmarks

What do you use your paper scraps for? 

I love turning my left-over watercolor paper into flowery bookmarks.  The rest I just test out painting ideas on. 

I may be giving away the surprise if my mom sees this, but I wanted to share the idea before Mother's Day.