Life begins at 40!

I celebrated my 40th Birthday a couple of months ago.  And now that the number has had time to settle upon me...I have to ask...What's all the worry about?  Of course, for me turning 40 means something a little different that it does for most women.  I just gave birth to our 3rd child one month before the big 4-0.  Having 3 young children puts my aging in a whole new prespective. They make me plan for the furture.  To look ahead and not behind.  Because of them, life, for me, begins at 40!

Sure, I worry about my age a bit.  I'll be much older than most of the moms of my children's friends.  It may be hard from time to time to make a good "connection" with the younger moms.  But, I think the common love we share, our children, will overcome the age barrier.  Afterall, no matter what our age, we share that bond of motherhood.

Yes, I'm excited about the new adventures that are ahead.  I know I'll be scared to death at times, but still excited.

Lazy Susan: Craft Assistant

I had a lazy susan sitting around the house, serving no purpose whatsoever.  She was just sitting there, looking lonely, collecting dust.  I felt sorry for her.  Then the idea hit me, well it wandered in one day...use her to paint! 

I'm notorious for coming out of a painting session with paint covered hands!  I'm holding pieces as I paint, turning them this way and that...covering my fingers with paint in the process.  That's where Lazy Susan helps me now.  I place my project on the susan and turn her as I paint.  The project comes out neater and so do I.

If you don't have a Lazy Susan of your own for your crafting projects, get one!  I purchased mine at IKEA for a very reasonable price.  And she can be most helpful, not just for painting but for flower arrangements, sculpting, etc.  Of course, she's only helpful for those small to medium projects.

New designs...new ideas...finding time...

This is one my address signs.  A friend requested a sign with a fleur de lis...this is what I created.  It's simple.  Simple is good.

I have all kinds of ideas for other designs now.  I love it when I get into a groove and ideas just keep flowing.  Now I keep a notebook/journal handy at all times so I can jot down my random thoughts and ideas.

The hard part now...finding time to bring all these great craft ideas into being.  Balancing all that I have to do with wanting to get my craft business going strong gets hard sometimes, but I think I'm getting better.  What I REALLY need to do is get on a set schedule.  Lately, I've been guilty of cuddling with our baby boy in the a.m...just to catch a few more winks.  It would be more productive to arise when he wakes me at 6 am, but the extra bit of sleep is sooooo great! 

I'm in love with 220...

Sandpaper, that is.  Since I started making signs, I've been working with ways to get a really smooth finish on my wood before painting and lettering.  What finally worked:  220 sandpaper. 

I started with my belt sander.  Then used my sanding sponge.  Next, I put down a pretty decent coat of paint.  Let it dry, then hit it with the 220 sheet.  Very nice.  Smooth to the touch.  A really nice surface.  Add another layer of paint and finish the sign.

I'm now using this method for my other wood projects.  I'm really pleased with the results.

A wonderful announcement!

Our family is growing!  Our neice and her husband are expecting their first child in November.  And we just found out that they are having a GIRL!  The entire family is very excited for them!  We can't wait to meet little Aubrey.

Now, I get to have lots of fun!  Crafting lots of pink things for little Aubrey!  Not sure how much of that I will get to share here...don't want to spoil the surprise for the new mom. 

Featured Artist Page

I drafted my interview questions today!  My goal is to keep the interview simple for the interviewee and the readers.  If you know of someone that you would like to see featured...let me know! 

Mommy moment!

Okay...this has NOTHING to do with crafting!  This is a Proud Mama post!  My 16 month old daughter used the potty chair today! 

It took very little prompting.  She just decided that the potty chair is cool and she wanted to use it.  She came to me pulling on her diaper, I asked is she wanted to potty, she nodded yes...so off to big brother's Lightening McQueen potty chair we went!  YAY!  If she continues this...I just might have 2 of my 3 kids OUT of diapers by Christmas!  And that will be the best gift for me!  (Yes...I have three children under the age of 4!)

Amazing...I never thought I'd be this excited about potty chairs!  Your kids can open up new worlds to you!