Hello there! I've sure been enjoying all the wonderful autumn colors and projects online. I've been soaking in every drop of fall that I can. This time of year in Minnesota is spectacular. Our weather has been gorgeous and the trees are starting to glow with their bright hues. The temperature is cooling down and there is a crispness in the air. It invigorates me to no end...I just can't get enough!
Remember this altered journal (above) that I made in Pam's class at Art in Ashland? Well, I decided to actually start using it as an art journal to capture my feelings about the season. I had some fun cutting, pasting and journaling.
I've been inspired lately to document my daily life more. Get back into scrapbooking, in a sense. Making my art personal. Bought this new scrapbook and Elsie's recipe box of inspiration to get me on the right track.
Speaking of documenting everyday life. Ali Edwards is leading a Week in the Life project on her blog. This is the scene I found in my home when I peeked out from working on this post.
Here are the projects they were working on. Lowell filling out his calendar for September, of course remembering to put "Lowell's Birthday" on there and Chloe drawing pictures. These are the moments of my day that I want to photograph and remember; the "ordinary moments" that are so fleeting.
Here are some newly published books chock full of inspiration. My friend Julie Collings has an amazing new book out called Pretty Little Felts. She has a variety of wonderful projects that are unique and beautiful, so true to her style. My sister gave me Taking Flight by Kelly Rae Roberts for my birthday. It is a must have for the creative journey. I was thrilled to find this brand new book Folk Art Halloween by Bethany Lowe. She is one of my very favorite artists for vintage-inspired Halloween decor. That's what's been inspiring me lately. What about you?
Finally, I wanted to share this lovely estate sale find from last weekend called "Girls Book of Treasures". It was published in 1899 and is so fun to read. Makes me want to create my own book of treasures.
P.S. By the time I finished this post the above scene had transformed into an oatmeal "sparkle" angel-making party. Ahh..kids.
Remember this altered journal (above) that I made in Pam's class at Art in Ashland? Well, I decided to actually start using it as an art journal to capture my feelings about the season. I had some fun cutting, pasting and journaling.
I've been inspired lately to document my daily life more. Get back into scrapbooking, in a sense. Making my art personal. Bought this new scrapbook and Elsie's recipe box of inspiration to get me on the right track.
Speaking of documenting everyday life. Ali Edwards is leading a Week in the Life project on her blog. This is the scene I found in my home when I peeked out from working on this post.Here are the projects they were working on. Lowell filling out his calendar for September, of course remembering to put "Lowell's Birthday" on there and Chloe drawing pictures. These are the moments of my day that I want to photograph and remember; the "ordinary moments" that are so fleeting. Here are some newly published books chock full of inspiration. My friend Julie Collings has an amazing new book out called Pretty Little Felts. She has a variety of wonderful projects that are unique and beautiful, so true to her style. My sister gave me Taking Flight by Kelly Rae Roberts for my birthday. It is a must have for the creative journey. I was thrilled to find this brand new book Folk Art Halloween by Bethany Lowe. She is one of my very favorite artists for vintage-inspired Halloween decor. That's what's been inspiring me lately. What about you?
Finally, I wanted to share this lovely estate sale find from last weekend called "Girls Book of Treasures". It was published in 1899 and is so fun to read. Makes me want to create my own book of treasures.
P.S. By the time I finished this post the above scene had transformed into an oatmeal "sparkle" angel-making party. Ahh..kids.
Today we went to a new (to us) apple orchard. We enjoyed a hay ride, playing in a silo, running through a corn maze, saying hello to a pony, picking apples and having a picnic. What more could you ask for on a Friday morning!? 
The morning of my birthday, we did the Autism Speaks, 
Here is our team, consisting of my parents and my family. We were part of the larger 
We came home for cake and then hubby took me out to eat at 
It's so fun to have our birthday's so close together. Mine is next Saturday, the 20th. We'll be doing the
Also some pics from the apple orchard last weekend. We had such a beautiful day. We really have been outside a lot, enjoying the fall weather.
I just can't turn people away when over a dozen amazing artists have come up with step by step tutorials for projects created just for the Sweet and Sinister bloggers. Since there is still 6 weeks to go before Halloween, there is a lot of time for crafting. Now this new blog will have all the tutorials that have already been posted, plus the new ones that I post each week. In fact, my fabulous guest designers are creating such amazing projects just for this blog that I am going to have to start to post a tutorial and giveaway every few days to pack it all in before All Hallow's Eve. If you haven't joined in the fun or know someone that wants to, just click on over 
