Twiggie Makes by Candace Grahl

Spring is certainly in the air and I am thrilled beyond measure! And this coming from someone who loves winter so you know I am that excited about this change. The woods behind our house has turned from a grayish-brown of tangled trees to softer shades of green with even hints of pink and red blooms poking out here and there. The other day I even smelled fresh grass clippings on my way home from the store and I breathed it in as quickly and heavily as I could as to not miss any of it. The winter wasn’t bad this year but symbolically it was the end of a long personal battle I’ve had and I stand on the other side a victor. So seeing spring come, with all it’s newness and endless possibilities and I am ready to just dive right in, head-first. Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

One thing that really helped me dive right in: Martha Stewart. Have you seen the April edition of Martha Stewart Living? Check out these GORGEOUS decoupage eggs

And my fave, the paper-napkin decoupage eggs:

Seriously, how can your eyes just not feast on those colors? I never realized how much I love color. I mean, I really really love it. One of my favorite things to do is help people pick colors for their home, their office, themselves - it’s such a fun task and mixing and matching combinations and watching them meld together or play off one another is so cool. I haven’t had much time to create lately, but letting my eyes enjoy the palette of bold, rich colors is just as satisfying sometimes and I can do that with two little monkeys hanging off of me.

Sometimes it’s really hard not to wish my little dudes were older. I think and dream up all kinds of things I want to spend hours creating with my hands, or plans for myself in a possible career I would love to pursue, but I am jolted back into reality by the whiff of a dirty diaper or a squeal because someone can’t find his silly putty. I know that in ten years - well, not even ten, probably more like two or three - I will have much more time to myself, but I will also not have a baby to hold who delights in getting kisses, or a preschooler who pleads with me to tickle him. Some days will be harder than others not to wish away and I hope I learn to be gracious to myself and the creative process that I love so much, even when I can only devote a few minutes to it at a time, if even that much.

My creative endeavors were side-lined last week when our household was leveled with that nasty stomach bug. If you haven’t gotten this yet, count your lucky stars because it is ewwwwwwwwwww. Everyone is back to feeling tip-top just in time for the spring weather. I seriously hope we’re not just being teased - I’m so sick of being indoors.

Tim is on the internet all day with his job and finds some pretty cool things along the way. He passed this one to me last week and I have watched it quite a few times. It’s a talk given by Elizabeth Gilbert, the author of Eat, Pray, Loveand she talks about a different way to look at your creative genius. It’s a funny, personal and surprisingly moving talk that has really stirred me in a way that I haven’t been in awhile (when she gets to the part about seeing a glimpse of God, it gives me chills every time). If you are at all creative or enjoy the creative process and understand the pressures it sometimes carries, you must watch it. I would LOVE to hear your thoughts on it when you’re done. Actually, I’m going to go watch it again - love it.

You guys sure know how to give a warm welcome! I will say I had this pang of “what if no one cares I’m blogging again?” as I clicked the publish button, but then I knew whoever did visit and leave those wonderful comments, that would be enough. And your enthusiasm! Seriously guys, you’re so awesome. I’m happy to have each one of you back and reading. Tim fixed my RSS feed, so if that’s how you keep up with blog-reading now you can get the updates here that way.

Just some eye candy to share for today. One of my favorite stationery companies, Cavallini & Co., came out with this set of alphabet flash cardsand as soon as I saw them I had to get them.

The illustrations are so awesome and the color combo’s are fantastic

Red and Aqua! The letter U is now my favorite

I rationalized the purchase since Conner’s birthday was coming up and he loves any kind of game where cards are involved (I can’t wait until he’s old enough to play Uno since no one else will play with me).

As I mentioned before I am a new Stampin Up! demonstrator and am having so much fun already. I love paper, I really do. I mean, I rub it - hello!! I’m doing more and more with paper crafts and stamping and it’s a lot more fun than I think people give it credit for. Cards can be kind of intimidated - so many layers you can do and so many techniques to learn - but I started small and I’m finding myself getting more and more bold with my ideas.

I’ve had this stamp set for awhile and had never used it. So I made this card for my moms birthday with my fave color combo dujour - coral and blue. It’s totally springy and something about the color coral I’m really digging right now. It’s feminine without being girly. I love pink (or pank as we southerners say) but sometimes I’m not feeling pink-y and that’s where coral can step in and be exactly what I need.

This other card I was just messing around with since I just got the stamps in the mail on Monday. I love it so much - it’s so modern and I can’t wait to try out more stuff with it (on t-shirts and onesies especially).

Little man has been sick and I have lots to catch up on now that he’s feeling better so that’s all for today. Over and Out.

Heh-looooooooo my peoples! How the heck are you?? I just want to say that I have missed you all SO MUCH! It was nice taking a much-needed break and coming back to a beautiful new site (thanks to these guys) and I am so happy you’re here! If I could see you in person I would force a very strong and awkward bear hug on you.

Let’s play some quick catch-up first but I don’t want to dwell on that too much because I am loving living in the present! Okay *deep breath* Went to So You Think You Can Dance tour, met them backstage, got to hug Joshua (!!!), had a wonderful Thanksgiving and Christmas, realized I was struggling with Post-Partum Depression (again), Max started crawling, cleaned, de-cluttered and organized the entire house (it took a whole week but man did it feel gooooooood) Conner turned three years old (*sniff*), depression lifted (God is so good!), lost twenty pounds (fifteen more to go), signed on as a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator (no worries I will not accost you, I’m purely a hobby demo), updated my etsy shop, STARTED BLOGGING AGAIN and here we are! I really do wish to hear from each you, esp. those who followed me from Laughing Daisies.

Much to blog about, but I need to say something first and this is more for my benefit than anyone else’s. A line in the sand of my mentality, if you will. I love blogging. I love connecting with people, inspiring and being inspired by others, but the pressure to blog just for the sake of doing so will not be found here. I hung that up and left it over at Laughing Daisies and do not want it here. Here there is freedom to come and go as I please. So if I disappear for a bit it’s only because I’m living my life and enjoying every moment and will be back to tell you all about it as soon as I can.

Now my first order of business it to empty out my newly stocked etsy shop and I’m hoping you guys can help me with that. These hats are probably one of my favorite things I’ve made so far. It makes my ovaries cry so hard and ache for a girl because how adorable!! I am also doing commission orders as well, so if you’re looking for something a little more personalized, email me, let me know you’re interested and we’ll work out all the details.

This is my friend Jen’s little girl, Anna. She’s so cute and was a great model!

And these guys are new too. After making them for the hats, I made a few and made them into brooches and I *heart* them so much. I am torn between the berry and the soft teal.

And the clutches. The old, trusty clutches. Just when I think I am too bored with them to make more, I finish one and I’m totally in love with them again. These, however, might be the final ones for a long time, so if you just lurve them so much, snatch one up because I seriously think I am done with them for awhile.

And that’s all I got for today. It has been awhile so I’m going to pace myself but can I just say again how good it feels to be back at this? Love it! How are we feeling about the site? The picture of my stellar hair on the sidebar is goofy so I don’t know how long that will stay there, but for now it will suffice since it’s the most recent one of me. Links are also on their way, they just didn’t make the time-cut for the launch. But seriously, enough about me, how have YOU been?