• Blog

    T Tuesday: spring break edition

    So the kids are on spring break and the sun finally came out…so what do we do…go to the biggest indoor mall in the USA. Hmmm…something a bit off about that decision. 

    This is the amusement park in the center of the mall.  Before noon on a Monday it definitely wasn’t too crowded. We decided we needed to explore some of the shops to work up an appetite.

    Since we love board games the first store we set foot in was Games by James.

    This book had me cracking up…I just had to snap a photo.

    Eventually we got hungry enough for lunch. The Hard Rock Cafe had no wait so we went for it. The food was ok. We were seated right next to the kitchen and a speaker blaring music. Not so great for conversation.

    After lunch we wandered around a bit more. Mini-me was in search of a special drink she’d heard about.

    We finally found it after circling the another level of the mall…or maybe that was when we were trying to find our way out. Anyway…her drink was, bubble tea which is some sort of chai tea flavored milk with these strange dark gelatin balls in it. Very shocking when you suck one up through the straw. It was tasty but weird at the same time.

    My mom’s surgery went well…taking her to the oncologist this week with the results of her biopsy and potential treatment plan if needed. There is also another college visit scheduled this week. Never a dull moment around here.

    What are you doing today?

  • Blog - Creativity - Fun & Games

    3D Loot Crate gift box

    I was going through photos on my phone and realized that I never posted about the gift box I created for J’s birthday. The major gift he was getting from us and his uncle was a subscription to Loot Crate. Since there was nothing physical to give at that point, we thought a coupon of sorts would be in order. Loot CrateThen the wheels started turning and I thought how about a 3D crate that he could keep as a memento on a shelf as well. A physical reminder of the subscription.

    I started with black foam core cutting it down to create the box.Loot Crate

    Next I stamped a wood plank rubber stamp on the back side of a cereal box with Staz-on ink.Loot Crate

    I then used walnut ink and watered down acrylic paint to make the cardboard appear as wood.Loot Crate

    After assembly I added more light stamping for a distressed appearance. I wanted to make it look as if that crate had traveled the world. Loot Crate

    It was a fun little project and had much more impact than a plain old coupon.

    Loot Crate

  • Art - Blog - Creativity - Outdoors

    T Tuesday: chaos continues edition

    Hello…thank you for continuing to visit my blog each week especially since my posts have become weekly…nowhere even close to daily as I would like. Evidently I am in a season of life that has me focused outward instead of inward. My mom is having some health issues so between her flurry of appts and my own children throwing curve balls at me…I’ve been in clinics, hospitals and ER’s more often than not lately. I’m feeling a bit run down myself today to be honest. Running on adrenaline will eventually cause you to crash. Never the less I am here. I am not even going to pretend that I am going to make it around to everyone this week…or even perhaps next. Sorry about that.

    Anyway…enough of those things that are out of my control…and on with the post.

    I took a bit of time yesterday to prep a new art journal and actually work in it. It was so much fun to create. I know I’ve said that dozens of times but it is always true! 

    Playing with layers and getting the pages soaking wet to watch the color bleed has been very therapeutic in some strange way.

    Since Spring is officially here it’s past time to think about starting my seeds.  Over the weekend Mr. G came up with a plan to enclose the plant cart since we purchased a new full spectrum light. Evidently some of the light is UV and will damage eyes.  We honestly weren’t as concerned about our eyes as big, dumb Marvin. The plant cart is a favorite perch and in addition he has a love affair with plastic. Guess what!?! I keep my seedlings in a big plastic tote. We were afraid of Marvin going blind from the UV light as he obsessively licked the plastic tote. Not even kidding.

    It’s not the prettiest thing but it will keep all the eyeballs safe and still grow plants. The side facing the outdoors is removable so I can let the plants get natural light during the day and of course be able to water and monitor their progress. I promise I’ll share more once I actually get the seeds started.

    Tuesday holds a pre-op appt for mom and something fun..lunch with some girlfriends. Super excited to see those girls!

    As I’m writing this I hear lots of birds outside…I look and there is a flock of robins. I quickly snapped a photo and was able to distinguish 7 but honestly I counted at least 20 out there within my sight. I guess the robins have decided that Spring is here as well!

    What are you doing today?