New things for the New year...

I received this great book on how to create cute felt crafts from my sister for Christmas. I finally had a chance to open it up and try one. Here is my sweet little alien. I am hooked!!!

My nieces loved it so much that I took them to Micheal's and let them each pick out some felt so I could make them each one as well. Sophie ( who is 3) has decided she would like a purple and pink polka dotted cat. Marissa ( who is 7) would like a pink and blue peacock or pink and white panda (whichever I think is easier.... I now have my work cut out for me.

I stumbled onto a great frame sale this weekend and got several great new frames to hold my favorite pictures of Mexico!

To go with my new houndstooth coat, Kirsten and I went shopping for a purse. I was able to find a great kelly green bag in little old Mount Vernon. We have this great little gift shop called the Silver Spider. I searched all weekend for some yarn to match my bag. I am dying to knit a hat and scarf for my new coat. My search did not pan out, so I will continue on through the week!

Ahhh, home from Mexico!!

Here are some shots from our trip to Mexico. We had a great time, although it was a bit more primitive than I was anticipating. We had fun exploring and being adventurous!
Below is a photo of Miramar beach where we stayed.

The Highlight

Jeremy and I, along with two friends, took a boat ride on "La Tovarra" a river and estuary. What an amazing experience! We saw all kinds of wildlife and beautiful mangrove trees everywhere. . The boat stopped half way so we could check out the small crocodile farm.We were excited to see them, but were very surprised when we saw just as many along the river as we passed by. We ended our fabulous tour at the restaurant at the head of the spring for some swimming in the warm pool amidst the turtles and tropical fish and a fantastic lunch over looking it all.

Our Favorite meal

A view from el Encanto, our hotel

The best shopping was in Guadalajara, on our last day. We took a cab to a huge market and I bought a gorgeous papier mache skeleton bride and lots of jewelry. We had a great lunch with a couple we met from Chicago before jumping on our plane to head home.

Off to Mexico....

MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!

Jeremy and I are flying out tomorrow to meet up with 6 friends in Santa Cruz, Mexico. We are staying at El Encanto, a cute little resort that is very eco-friendly and far away from all the tourists. We will be staying right on the beach in little apartments with showers open to the stars and open air kitchens so we can all cook together.
I will post lots more when we return!!!! Hope everyone has a great Christmas! xoxoxoxo

Attack of the Zombie Gingerbread men!!!!

Run, hide, lock your doors!!! The Zombie gingerbread men are coming!!!

Ok- maybe I have seen too many Zombie movies, but last night as I sat decorating my gingerbread cookies for Christmas, I laughed out loud as I started arranging my cookies to attack!!! I thought their big red eyes, and arms straight out, like they were walking right toward me....... like Zombies !!!

Here they are attacking a village of innocent gingerbread people- yikes!!!!

Well- maybe they are not super-scary but they are very delicious!!

Merry Christmas!

Ice storm 2007

Check out our icy landscape! We spent over 24 hours without power again during this crazy storm.
The ice was so beautiful and treacherous. The whole little town of Mount Vernon was covered in a beautiful layer of a sparkling glaze. The storm was silent except for the eerie sound of the branches cracking and falling. The trees around us were so waited down with ice that hundred pound branches came crashing down all around us, snapping power lines and landing on cars.

Check out Bead trends Magazine......
Kirsten and I have a nice two page spread in it on how to make our paper bead jewelry. It is so exciting to see our work in this great new mag. Check it out!!!

Holiday Craft Open House

Kirsten and I are having an open house with all of our hand made crafts Thursday November 29th from3:30 to 6:00pm at my friend Alicia's house. We are displaying our jewelry along with a few other handmade items like felt ornaments and knit hats. We have been so busy creating new kinds of jewelry... bracelets, pins, wine charms, and festive pieces for the upcoming holidays.

Check out these beads I made just in time for Christmas.

Raking leaves with Anna

Jeremy's sister came to visit us last weekend. We had a fantastic time playing in all our leaves. We also beaded bracelets and made pancakes. Anna had so much fun playing with our dog Dottie, who just can't get enough of her.

New ATC's

Funky Tree Swap

Polka Dot Swap
Colorful Collage Swap
Insect Swap
I have been very bad about posting work.... so I am playing catch-up tonight!

sock animal swap

I am so excited to introduce my new sock friend to my sock animal family (the far right) from Spike! What a fun creature with great characteristics and such a cute tongue sticking out!


I had so much fun creating my sock animal to trade, I decided to make three. I couldn't decide which one to send though because I love them all so much! So Chantale, you will have to wait and see which one you are getting! Here are all my cuties together.
Meet Cozie, my Cute as a Button Cow, Betty my beloved Bunny, and last Mitzy, my Polka-Dotted Mouse.



Goodbye to one of my sock animal friends! Have fun in Canada! xoxoxo Wendy

Halloween Biscuit Hunt

Today we took our dogs to the local dog park for a Halloween Biscuit Hunt. Dogs were encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes! Dottie and Violet wore their Boodanas (glow in the dark ghost bandanas). They ate a ton of biscuits and we collected a bag full of them for later! Here are a few cute dogs in their costumes!

Saturday afternoon in the park....

A Saturday afternoon in the park with Sophie and Marissa (my nieces) seemed like a
perfect way to spend such a beautiful day!

hummingbirds.....

My parents have a hummingbird feeder that was buzzin' with birds this weekend and I just couldn't resist sharing these pictures. These pictures are especially for Steph because she loves birds so much! Just think Steph , How close I must have been to these little birdies!

New art for the wall

My mom and I went to an arts festival in the Quad Cities this weekend and I came home with some new art for my house. Jan Byron, the artist my mom and I bought our pieces from, is from Oklahoma but unfortunately she has no website. Jan Byron creates stuffed figures with with wire and beads and shrinky-dink type faces.

Dog Park!

Violet my adorable Beagle enjoyed all the attention this weekend!

The weather has been fantastic so we have taken advantage of it and gone to the dog park! Nothing beats an afternoon surrounded by 15 to 20 different dogs chasing one another through a big beautiful park. I am so in love with the Pug puppy we met and the adorable Boston Terrier named Oliver. We also met a dog named Crash the is part Beagle and part Pug--- Puggle??Here is Dottie with her new friend Crash.
Jeremy made a friend at the Dog park too- yikes!

new camera!

I was so amazed by my new sister-in-law's camera that I bought a new one! (thanks Joy!) Check out her great photography at WildFlowers Photography
So... I have been messin' around with my new camera and here are a few snap shots of this great mushroom that popped up in our yard after a few days straight of pouring rain.