Paper Bird

Pumpkin Girl Giveaway

Artful Thursday- Paper Pumpkin Girls

My very favorite holiday is Halloween.  And although I am in no rush for the holidays to come, I find myself thinking of fun things to make for this magical holiday.  Earlier this spring I found the cutest Halloween cross stitch pattern.  A sweet pumpkin girl with a quirky cat.  I don't cross stitch but I purchased the pattern anyway knowing I would turn the art it into a paper doll.  I thought I could just whip her out but she took just a little longer than I thought.  The hardest part was painting the face.  I didn't care for the face on the pattern so I had to come up with my own face design.  In the end I think she turned out pretty cute.  But my question is- hair or no hair?  I can't decide which I like best!

 

There are so many fun Halloween papers to choose from.  I loved putting together the paper outfits.

 

My quirky cat!

 

The details are always the most fun in creating paper dolls.  I purchased this tiny skull last year from Stampington and Company.  I used ribbon and tulle to add a little whimsy to their dresses.  I used black glitter from my BFF- Martha Stewart's products.  

 

I thought a little Halloween Giveaway was in order since I was a complete DUD and missed last weeks Artful Thursday!  Leave a comment and tell me which way you like the paper doll- hair or no hair.  I will pick a winner next Friday when I make my Artful Thursday Post.

 

And since we are talking about Halloween

Check out Kari Ramstroms Best Halloween Ever.

 

  Happy Artful Thursday

 

 

Everybody has a bad hair day, but us girls still like to be told we look nice even if we don't feel like we do. 
Cat Deeley 

 

 Just a random quote to go with the photograph I took of our sweet chicken Rufio.  Isn't she cute, mop top and all?  I've experienced a few bad hair days myself!  Lately I just can't seem to appreciate the graying of my hair or the extra fluffiness that seems to stick to my body no matter how much I exercise.  Ugh!  The woes of aging.  And then I am reminded by this wonderful quote of what beauty is.                  

"Real beauty isn't about symmetry or weight or makeup; it's about looking life right in the face and seeing all it's magnificence reflected in your own"-Valerie Monroe.... 

Our bodies are a gift, created in the image of One who loves us so much.  We are a masterpiece of His handiwork.  What better way to show gratitude then by letting our light shine through this amazing gift we are given!  I have met so many sweet spirits through this community of blog.  I have not met you in person.  But I have felt the goodness through your blogs and by the sweet comments you have left to encourage and inspire me.  Thank you for that example of kindness and for the beautiful light that you share.

I can hardly believe how quickly these days of summer are coming to an end.  My heart sighs as this reality starts to sink in.  LuLu starts school next week.  Truth be told I would just as soon keep her home.  She begins a new journey in her life as she will enter into Junior high as a 7th grader.  I would choose to home-school her in this phase of her school life if I thought I could be disciplined enough to do it.  And of course she would have to be a willing participant and there is no way in heck that this child of mine would ever consider this.  She definitely has a mind of her own and she is quite the social child.  She loves people and thrives in the company of others.  I will worry and stress over the things I don't want her sweet spirit exposed to.  But I know that this season in her life will be sweet and she will bloom and grow like a beautiful summer flower.  And just like these fleeting days of summer I will savor each and every moment... for I know all to well that this season of her life will pass much to soon.  Savor these sweet moments with your little one's- in a blink of an eye, they are all grown up.

 

 

 

 

 
All photographs by my Daughter-In-Law- Ally Lewis 

Ally Lewis Photography  
 
 

 

The Joy Of Being A Child

Their eyes reflected the brightness as a dew covered flower of the early morning sun.  Busy on their way to another day of business... the business of being a child. Carrying only a bucket full of imagination and the determination to empty it into the times to be had today.  The joy of being a child, all too soon to grow and bloom into a young woman.  Innocence into wisdom, child to adult, girl into woman.  But for now all that can wait.  There is too much business to attend to now. 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wishing you happy carefree summer days!
 
 
 
 PS.  I had to share this photograph of my son Christopher as he was so proud of him self when he killed a rattlesnake that came very close to him at a family party!

 
 

ARTFUL THURSDAY- Lavender Sachet's

 

Just recently I purchased a pretty pillow cover from Andrea of Faded Plains.  When I opened my package I found this hand made lavender sachet tucked inside.

 
 

I love this sweet gift of kindness.  A simple stamped bag filled with fragrant buds of lavender. 

The fragrance is sweet and calming.  I tuck it under my pillow case at night for a restful sleep.

These little sachet's are so simple to make.  

 Pick some  pretty stems of lavender and let them dry.  Roll the buds in your hands, letting them fall into a bowl.  Sift through your buds takeing out any large stem pieces.

 

 

  Sew a pocket from scraps of fabric- using bits and pieces of ribbon if you'd like.  You can stamp or embroider on your little pocket too.  Be as fanciful or creative as you feel  Fill your pocket with the dried buds and sew the sachet closed.  Embellish your bag with sweet little treasures such as buttons or millinery- you could even pin a small tag to it.  So very simple but what a lovely gift of kindness to give to a friend or neighbor. 

 

 

 

 Stop by and visit Andrea's shop, Faded Plains  filled with wonderful treasures

 
      Happy Artful Thursday

About the girls.....

Do you Remember Lilly and Lola,

two of the five Americana Pullets we purchased as baby chicks?

 

 

There will be no egg laying by these two.

There has been a little cock-a-doodle-dooing going on these early mornings.

Looks like I have me a few roosters!

Meet George and Lincoln.

We can't be sure but my sweet Cocoa is showing signs of being a rooster as well.

 

Three out of five?

The odds were not good to me.

My neighbor down the road purchased twenty pullets chicks.

How many of his chicks were Roosters?

Not a one!

Seems the joke was on me.

"Mr. we are not having any more pets" is NOT laughing.

He keeps saying the word "ROTISSERIE"

LOL! 

   

(Life is Good)

... when you're sitting on a beach.  Contemplating how good you have it and reflecting on the paths that have led you to this point and place.  Letting go of regrets that are only wasteful baggage. Anticipating the excitement of dreams to be fulfilled.  Renewing the determination to continue on the path that leads to more goodness.  Packed for the journey ahead, recharged for the challenges that await.  Coming to the realization that you are not here by your own merit, but by those who you have followed and led.  Life is nothing without those you love, without those who are there when life isn't so good and when life is great.  Knowing that this is what it's all about, realizing more than ever that... Life Is Good... when you're sitting on a beach.

(written by Ted Lewis)

(Warning- mega family photos!)