Rustique Art

Sharing the ♥♥♥♥

noreply@blogger.com (Cindi) — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 03:32:00 +0000

Gotta show my love for some of my favorite finds.....

♥♥♥♥♥ Crunchy Clean Laundry Detergent!
Ohmygoodness it is wonderful...I give it 5 hearts (that's is so better than stars)
It comes in wonderful fragrances and it's green! Go for our earth....last's a long time and Ashley sends you samples along with instructions and helpful eco tips.
Example: Did you know that 1/4 - 1/2 cup of vinegar is a great fabric softner! And it kills bacteria and it even eliminates static cling.
I have use so far...the lavender scent and I just ordered the grapefruit....did I mention the savings.....yes! It saves me money too!

♥♥♥♥♥All About Cloth Diapers!
Okay! No I don't have any more babies on the way....but I do have grandbabies and their awesome wonderful mommy decided to cash in on her lust for cloth diapers and became an author in the process. Even if you don't cloth diaper you gotta love this WAHM industry. These women are amazing as are their products. And they have a rock'n network going on. Another way to go green and keep your baby healthy. When reading this blog, look for the great book available online. It makes a great shower gift...perhaps you could add it to a cloth diaper starter kit. Your gift will be the talk of the town. Oh and did I mention that the CrunchyClean is great for washing cloth diapers.

♥♥♥♥♥Karen Kingsbury!
This woman can write books in her sleep.....she must have to the way she can crank them out. If you don't know about this amazing Christian fiction writer you have to check her out. She wrote a series of books that will keep you reading until school begins again. Great summer reading....begin with the Redemption Series with the first book titled "Redemption" followed by Remember, Return, Rejoice and Reunion. Then you move on to continue with these characters in the Firstborn Series. I won't list them all because once you start you will have your list written and ready to go so that you won't miss a beat. There is one more series to finish off the whole story of the Baxer family, The Sunrise Series. The forth and final book is not out yet, but you can be sure that when it is, I will have it. But remember....they are "free" at your local library! So save your money for your gas...(sigh) and utilize your tax dollars....spend a day at the library. The kids love it and it's air conditioned!
I'm on my forth book this summer and I am relishing every page. Our church participated in a technology fast last week....I gave up TV and didn't really miss it because I would crawl in bed to read every night.
Now I'm reading John Grisham's "The Appeal" He's my second favorite read and I actually have every book of his....my all time fave Grisham read...."A Time to Kill"

♥♥♥♥♥ShoePeg Corn & Blackeyed Pea Salsa!
By far my favorite and easiest dish to make for parties, get togethers, work nights at church or just to keep in the fridge for snacking or for me....lunch! It's fast and healthy. Here's how you make it:
use a very large bowl, this makes a lot.

Ingredients:

3 cans shoe peg corn, drained
2 cans blackeyed peas, drained
2 cans Rotel tomatoes /w chilies
1 small can diced black olives
1 small red onion, chopped
3 green onions, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
1 bottle Italian salad dressing

Instructions:

Mix all together and let sit overnight. Serve with Tostitos Scoops or Fritos Scoops or a spoon will do! (I prefer the blue corn chips)
pssst....i never wait overnight....i make it and dig in!

Hmmmmmm....I think that's all I have for now! Your turn to share some ♥'s with me and my readers.

Recipe 911

noreply@blogger.com (Cindi) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 00:41:00 +0000

Hey look....I'm back! I told you May was going to be a rough month and my arms are very sore from moving those mountains....LOL! More about sore arms in a later post.

Not much time, so real quick. I threw together some enchiladas tonight and thought that I remembered Autumn (my precious first born) telling me how to make enchilada sauce from scratch. Well let's just say....from pantry and fridge items on hand.
She told me to mix tomato sauce or paste (diluted) with chili powder, cumin and some garlic powder.
Great....I didn't have any tomato sauce or paste. I did have some tomato juice....and so (here's the 911 part) I was adding black beans to my recipe anyway, so I mushed 1/2 of the can of beans in a bowl and added some juice and mixed in the spices....viola! Instant enchilada sauce! And then I mixed some tomato juice with some sour cream and poured over the enchiladas and other sauce....added cheese and chopped green onion.

Yum....cooking from scratch is fun!
I took a picture but food just does not photograph well...food photography is a real talent.

Spring Giveaway Winner!

noreply@blogger.com (Cindi) — Tue, 06 May 2008 11:36:00 +0000

Congratulations! Lexi you are the winner of the "Bling'n in the Spring" giveaway.
This beautiful Cross Key Ring is what she won by posting her comments about her MOM.
View Lexi's comment about her mom here!

Lexi also has an Etsy shop with adorable handsewn dresses and accessories for your little one as well as handpainted items too. She's a busy mom of two with a talent to create, run an her Etsy shop and host three blogs! Wow! I have trouble with one. She a member of CAST a Christian Artist Street Team and she an EtsyMom member and lives with her precious little family in Tyler, Texas.

Also in the news....You might have noticed that on the front page of the Rustique Art site, there is a featured website for that month. Last month I was urging all of my visitors to check out the fabulous finds from The Cottage Junk Co.

This month I'm featuring the amazing talent of Teresa Oller of JJ-Jewels. Her designs set her apart from the other jewelry artisians because of her eye for color and classic style. Her wire wrapping is amazing! She also hosts her own blog and I encourage everyone to read it and visit her world of wonder.

In the Blink of May!

noreply@blogger.com (Cindi) — Thu, 01 May 2008 12:01:00 +0000

Does the title of this post give you a clue?
I looked at my May calender and almost lost my ability to breathe....over scheduling is not my problem, it's just the activities that go with this month is more than I can imagine getting accomplished in a mere 31 days. I know that I will look back in amazement and wonder how it all got done. But that is another perspective, one of completion. I'm standing at the beginning and seeing many mountains.
Now, this is where I tell you that "our God" can move those mountains...and yes I have already given this over to Him....when I think about it, His tasks this month are far more overwhelming than mine! Yep, He has a lot of work to do "in" me to get me over those mountains. But I know God can handle me and my mountains. I just smile with joy when thinking about this whole 31 day, mountain moving marathon.

First thing first.....I have to decide.....do I want to be Martha...or do I want to be Mary? Hummmmmm......I "want" to be Mary! What do you think? Can I place myself at the feet of Jesus for a whole 31 days and let God's wisdom sink into my heart in the deepest recesses of my being. Or will I take it upon myself to get it "all" done and make my family and friends miserable while doing it?
A real nail biter isn't it?
Dah.....no, it's a no brainer!
Okay friends, family, readers and lurkers, in case you haven't realized, I've just humbled myself, given you the reins of accountability and challenged you to share my adventures of mountain moving in May! Let's get moving!

Mountain #1 - Answers to the Bible trivia!

A: Last word of the Bible - "Amen" Revelation 22:21

A: Sleepless nights for King Nebuchandnezzar's - Because of his dreams. Daniel 2

A: The number of gates in the wall of Jerusalem - 10 can you name them? Nehemiah 3:1- just keep reading! it's a great story of leadership and triumph.

A: The shape of the walled area from above - looks like a right foot print! Wow! Nehemiah 3 - depending on what Bible you have. Mine is Life Application Study NIV

A: More desirable than great riches - A good name! Proverbs 22:1 A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
So? How did you do? Well if it made you pick up your Bible and open it...then you did great!

Mountain #2 - Go shopping for home decor items. Why is this a mountain? Because those of you who know me so well, know that I hate to shop!
But look what I found yesterday!

This is a whole seperate post....but sooooo cool! It's prettier in front of you...this was taken on my phone camera! No bad, but the colors are wrong!

More mountains to come...gotta go shop for a curtain rod and more!

Reminder: today is the last day of the Mother's Day sale and only 4 more days to get your entry in for the giveaway!

Bible Trivia

noreply@blogger.com (Cindi) — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:20:00 +0000

Proof that our family can fall asleep anywhere and anytime of the day! While they sleep....

Let's play a game!
I love trivia because I love to learn. And my favorite kind of trivia is Bible trivia. So who of you couldn't use more knowledge about the word of God? hummmm?
I'll start easy......

Q: What is the last word of the Bible? No fair peeking!

Q: What was the reason for King Nebuchandnezzar's sleepless nights?

Q: How many gates were in the wall around the city of Jerusalem?

Q: From above what part of the human body did the wall of Jerusalem take the shape of?

Q: According to Solomon's Proverb, what is more desirable than great riches?

Have fun and learn much! I have to go to bed or tomorrow at work I will look like Jake in the picture at top. Night, night =)

Answers will be posted on May 1st.....let's see who get's the most correct!

Mother may I ?

noreply@blogger.com (Cindi) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 03:48:00 +0000

Remember that game? Take two baby steps backwards....Mother may I?

Now tell me something....if you tell your 12 year old son to take out the trash, do you really think your going to hear those three little words? hummm?

Noooooo!

Or, you asked your sweet 15 year old daughter to empty the dishwasher....Mother may I? Yeah right!!!! LOL!

I do hear a lot of these famous sayings:
"Mother can you?", "Mom will you?" or "Momma, when you go....can you take....?" or this classic, "Moooooom! where's my....?"

So here's what I'm thinking, everytime they ask and I answer with words of kindness like: "yes, I can", "yes, I will", "of course, jump in".... this moves them a little bit "closer" to me. Then the clincher....the uncanny way of how mom's always know just where those important things are (it's because we picked them up for the 1000th time and placed the object in it's proper place) they breath that huge sigh of relief and say "thank you!"

Now there they are, standing right in front of you full of gratitude and they give you a hug....they're so unknowing and vulnerable, it's your chance to reach out and grab them, hug them tight and smother with tickles and kisses.

They scream "MOM...stop!" giggles and snorts....fall on the floor laughing....make them say it...."Mother may I?" "Uncle?" "Mercy?"

Remember to leave your comment about your MOM to be entered for the giveaway. I will be posting the winner of the featured item shown above on May 5th. It's not to late to take advantage of the 20% off all keyrings until 5/01/08. Also, if you buy two or more shipping is free!

Get hooked in 3 days!

noreply@blogger.com (Cindi) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 03:09:00 +0000

Hurry! before you miss it...only three days left before the sale ends!

Are you wondering where on earth you would use one of these?

Let me help you.....

Bathroom
Laundry Room
Kitchen
Mudroom
Entry
Patio
Closet
Guest Room
Kids Rooms

I'm sure there are a couple of rooms that I missed! But really who would want to hide these in a closet? One of my clients bought three and attached them to an old shutter.....viola! Instant charm! and functionality!

Do I really need to tell you what you can use them for?

Keys
Towels
Clothing
Coats
Hats
Umbrellas
Leash & Collar
Backpacks
and more!

Each hook comes complete with an anchor and screw. Of course the screw is finished to match your Cross Wall Hook. Four versitale colors to choose from to blend with any decor in any home.

Visit my Etsy shop for these and other awesome Christian gifts.

Back in Black!

noreply@blogger.com (Cindi) — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 15:59:00 +0000

Very simple and completely elegant....I love this design!

Cross pendant measures 1.75" approx. shaped out of non-tarnishing silver wire into the divine shape of the cross. Black faceted crystals in a flower component complete the classic look of basic black.

Pendant is a perfect weight so that it lays very nicely right below the hollow of the neck. However, this necklace has sterling silver extension chain to give additional length if needed. A little silver heart attached for a finished look from behind.

A wide organza ribbon gives this design the look of a "feminine" black tie attire.

This necklace is now available in my Etsy shop!

Eating out.....

noreply@blogger.com (Cindi) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 15:29:00 +0000

I have to share with you this super easy recipe for the upcoming
"eat outside every night" season!

We have a pool and we love to play in it as much as we can. That means we like to grill while we're out there and why not eat outside as much as possible!
Our family loves to be outside in the spring and summer months so we find a lot of excuses to be out in the backyard.

Here's a run down of our weekends during the summer.....

Wake up......have coffee outside!

Get swim suit on with shorts and t-shirt for those quick trips to Home Depot or Lowes for....something! You know how it works! Get outside and you always need something from the home and garden center....right!

Get veggies and fruit cut up and ready to grab when needed! Make ice tea or lemonade for later.

Play with kids! Have one more cup of coffee and now we switch to water!

Think about dinner long enough to grab something out of freezer so that it will be thawed by the time we remember to make dinner.

Play, work, weed, mow, swim, play more....kids are hungry? Go grab the veggies and fruit along with some cheese and pretzels. Throw it all out on the table "outside".....yell, "come and get it!" Sit, eat and talk about that flower bed that needs to be spruced up.....nothing is ever left to clean up because my kids eat like termites....throw away trash and play some more, weed, rake, relax!

Okay, now you remember dinner!

We go to church on Saturday night....so about 3:00 we start to clean up. Baths, clean clothes and what about dinner....church is at 6:00 we get home about 7:30.
The first thing out of Jake's (dear son) mouth is "what's for dinner?" Is that all they think about? at 12 years of age, I think so!
Well remember I laid out something about three paragraphs ago!

So here's the secret to the easy summer meal....
One bag of shredded coleslaw mix or bag of salad
Three "cutie" oranges, you know the little sweet oranges...love them!
Sunflower seeds...I use the Naturally Preferred Organic...they are raw and unsalted.
1/2 cup of Craisins (dried cranberries)
Toss in large bowl and add Newman's Own Low Fat Sesame Ginger dressing...toss and serve! Yummo!

You do this while hubby is grilling of course so it all gets done at the same time.
We are usually grilling chicken and this is perfect with grilled chicken. Add a couple of slices of Cantaloupe on the side grab the iced tea and you have a wonderful meal....outside of course!

Light some candles and turn on the pool lights.....a lovely meal with your family!

And we get to do it all again the next day!!!!!

PieDay!

noreply@blogger.com (Cindi) — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 04:12:00 +0000

Not much to say today....picture says it all! Today was "my day" with my babies. We had the best time making pies....and then my camera died...but not before I snagged this shot. We just finished rolling the dough and getting ready to put it in the oven.
Vanilla pudding and fresh fruit waiting to be placed into the crust, a mountian of whipped cream and the fun began!
As usual, Haley was eating more dough than her weight, Park was all in it, Will was very precise and Haven was just happy to be there!
It is so true when they say the Grandchildren are the sweetest blessings that God gives us.

Bling'n in the Spring!

noreply@blogger.com (Cindi) — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:27:00 +0000

Fresh as a daisy!

These are as fresh as you can get, just jumping off of the workbench and ready for my Etsy shop and the Rustique Art site! A great gift for Mother's Day...which by the way is 5 weeks from today! In fact they are so fresh that I havn't even put them in the shops yet. Your the first to see.
I'll be busy putting these little cuties on the site in the next couple of days....so get ready to click, click, click.....

"Mother's Day" special price until May 1st all keyrings are 10% off....wow! Now you can get two for under $20! And, when you buy two....I'll pay shipping!

AND.....How about a giveaway! Easy to do, just post a comment telling me something special about your Mom. It could be anything or more than one thing.
While your at it go ahead and subscribe to my blog, that way you won't ever miss out on the latest and greatest.
Get busy posting those comments....i'll be annoucing the winner on May 4th....spread the love!

One more thing....take time in your day everyday to stop...thank God for His blessings, hug your babies and tell them more than once that you love them, tell your husband or wife that they make your heart skip a beat when they look at you, call one friend or more each day and catch up on their life, do at least one random act of kindness, find a kind word to say about the person driving slow in front of you and treat yourself to at least 15 minutes of sunshine.

Just one more shop...and then I'll stop!

noreply@blogger.com (Cindi) — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 03:41:00 +0000

Okay...I am officially addicted to Etsy! So much that I "had" to open another shop. Well also because I have accumulated over the years a few closets and a china hutch full of beautiful "junk"! And I must begin to let it go....so that I can accumulate more....of course!

Please join me in celebrating the opening of "MUGGSEY & MAE" vintage collectables. I will be adding items each day, at least that is my goal and collectors beware....I will be putting some cookie jars in the shop.

"MUGGSEY & MAE" will offer vintage treasures of all types ranging from small little trinkets to ceramics, dishes, jewelry...oh! and I almost forgot, some of the items will be altered a bit.....an example would be....the TeaChimes from Rustique Art.
I might be repositioning some things where I see fit to do. Kind of like decorating one room with items from another.....viola! you have a new look. So....bare with me as I reminisce about items from time to time....because you know every item has a story. Well yeah....(rolling my eyes)

For instance, who the heck is MUGGSEY and MAE?

Okay real quick....well you see, when I was 17 and expecting my sweet little jellybean (Autumn), I went to visit my grandma in Oklahoma. I was really big in the belly and couldn't reach my shoes to tie them, so I bent over and while down there (for a really long time) I turned my head and saw something shoved way back on a very low self. My grandma had things tucked everywhere....

moving on....

I was intrigued.... so, I got on my hands and knees and crawled over to find my very first treasure. It was a Duck cookie jar! Well, needless to say it was and still is adorable. Behind the duck another treasure waited patiently for my fat little body to get back on all fours and rescue him. He was a precocious looking little doggie cookie jar.

Now those of you who know me, know that I have a name or nickname for everything and almost everyone....especially if I love you most certainly you will have a affectionate nickname from me. The duck became MAE because she has flirty eyes and a sweet expression on her face and Mae is my grandma's middle name, so it fit quite perfectly. I later came to find out while researching the vast canyon of cookie jar collectables, that the dog cookie jar was made by Shawnee and his name was and still is, "MUGGSY" and it is a patented name.

Are you seeing the words on the wall yet? By the way, Mae...she didn't have a name from her makers, she is just listed as the Hull Pottery, Duck.

So there ya go...the beginning of an obsessive behavior called, "buy every cookie jar you can find"!
And while I will have Muggsy and Mae forever, some of the others need a good home. What else could I do....I had to open a shop on Etsy! and it needed a name....so it became "MUGGSEY & MAE" with a slight variation....just so I don't step on any toes.

SPRING SALE

noreply@blogger.com (Cindi) — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 19:13:00 +0000

LOT'S OF WONDERFUL ITEMS JUST WENT ON CLEARANCE AT

RUSTIQUE ART ETSY!

GO CHECK IT OUT AT MY ETSY SHOP
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=559&section_id=5380168

Celebrating Haley

noreply@blogger.com (Cindi) — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 03:47:00 +0000

Today is my precious granddaughter's birthday...she is six years old. Oh, my how time flies by. In a blink of my eye she has grown into the most adorable, intelligent, precocious young lady. She has the biggest blue eyes that twinkle when she talks to you. Her smile lights up my world and her humor keeps me laughing until I cry.

Now in case you might be thinking that I sound mighty partial to this little lump of sugar, you would be both wrong and right.....let me explain.

My daughter Autumn and my son in law Michael chose a wonderful way to tell me that my first grandbaby was on the way. They dropped the "at home" test result in my lap as they walked into the room. Wondering what had literally just fallen into my lap I looked down to see this "thing" and it took me about.....two seconds for my brain to kick in and realize that "we were expecting".

Well not me...but we are a close family! LOL!

About 40 weeks later I get a phone call telling me that "we" are in labor. Now it had been decided that I was not to be at the birth. Breath.....it's okay....Autumn and Michael had chosen to have their babies at home with the assistance of a midwife. And although I really did want to be there, I also really wanted to respect their first moments of parenthood with their little miracle. So....I stayed home and prayed....and prayed....paced and prayed....paced some more and prayed more. Finally the phone rang and it was Michael.....he was calling to tell me that Autumn had been laboring for several hours (24) and she was very tired and she needed prayer for physical strength to bring this baby into our arms.

Nough said.....I called my prayer warriors and we prayed.....30 minutes later the phone call came and Michael told me that I had a granddaughter! Oh.....praise God...and that Autumn was exhausted but doing well and our baby was perfect. And, that I could come over in the morning! Yeah....you bet your big brown eyes I'll be there!

That was six years ago today and yes I am partial to my first granddaughter. However....since then our awesome God has blessed us with five more beautiful and most amazing grandbabies. I am humbled....

So you see....this post might never end. I have a lot of bragging to do!

For now though, I think it would be more fun for my readers to gaze upon our first little miracle and celebrate with us six years of Haley Annabelle!

Only hours old....

The beginnings of that beautiful smile

That smile and those eyes....there's that humor showing at an early age!

Hummmm...we were making dough! Wonder where hers is? Did I mention she has a healthy appetite!

Marketing Preparation 101

noreply@blogger.com (Cindi) — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 04:47:00 +0000

Here's the scenario....you go to the grocery store and your oblivious to anyone around you because all you care about is getting what you need and getting home. Then you hear someone say....."can i look at your cross?" Well, of course that gets my attention and I turn toward the voice. A sweet elderly couple is occupying the same freezer section isle as me. I'm wondering, are they talking to me? They are indeed and they love the shirt I'm wearing. I was wearing my Witness Brilliant Studded Cross shirt and they thought it was stunning! blush, blush...thank you i replied. It was then that the sweet lady added that they love crosses and they collect them.

[raised eyebrows...bling, light goes on...moving into marketing gear]

I repeat, "you collect crosses?" Yes, she replied. Then I proceed to tell them that I make crosses! Woo hoo! grocery store networking at it's best! She then asked if I have a store and I tell her that I have a online store and asked if they shop online. "YES" they reply!

[moving in for the shameless plug...going for the business cards!]

Noooooooooooo, it can't be! I don't have any business cards with me!!!!!! Somebody slap me! you know like in that V8 commercial....."bonk" on the forehead. Have I lost my mind?

Oh, it gets better.....as i am fumbling around in my purse looking for a pen, which i can't find, I'm starting to feel really stupid and so unprofessional.
She has a pen, i say thank you...he has a card to write on, i say thank you...i write my information for them and even note the little quirky underscore in the name. (this would be a hint)

[here's the stupid part of my story]

I explain to them that they can link to my Witness site through the Rustique Art site, we say our goodbyes and finish our shopping.

It was about at the moment of getting into my car that I realized that I had given them my email address, not my web address! Can you say....STUPID! I can....and did....like 1000 times. Ugh!

If this was a fable it would have a moral....so, the moral to this story would be....

Don't ever go grocery shopping? No

Wear a shirt with your business card screen printed on it? No

I think 1 Peter 3:15 is the moral I was looking for....
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

Okay...if you think that I'm streching to make a point, then so be it. However, if I would use God's example of Marketing Prep 101 and network the way I should be prepared to do as a Christ follower, well then wouldn't I be prepared in all the ways of my life and business?

If only I could rewind to the frozen food frame of my day.....I would have at least asked them were they attended church or how long have they been collecting crosses. I need to take my eyes off of me and place them on Jesus and others.

One more thing....always have your business cards with you, especially when you go grocery shopping!

*did you notice how many times the word "I" or the form of myself, was in this blog?

31 times...possibly a lesson for another day

Snowy Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Cindi) — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 19:27:00 +0000

You gotta love the Texas weather.....70's one day, snow the next....back to 70's and thundersnow today! Wow....we have some wild & wackey weather.

This kinda of day allows creativity to blossom and the more it snows outside.....I'm all warm and snuggly inside having a "grab your cup of java stay in your jammies burrow into your studio and play all day" kinda day!

For example....this is why you save buttons before you get rid of clothing!
And even if someone passes on some random beads that you think you'll never use....think again! This little 3" ornamental cross was lovingly made from scraps...how sweet! It will probably be the fastest selling design.....since I only have enough nuggets to make one more. Guess I'll have to dig out some forgotton beads that I stashed somewhere.....Enjoy your snowy day!

Why is March Mad?

noreply@blogger.com (Cindi) — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 03:29:00 +0000

What is the Madness of March? I'm not sure....maybe someone could fill me in! It's quite possible that the term means the looney mad, not the angry mad. In that case I can relate. I have a show in 5 days and I am beginning to feel a bit crazy. Like, why am I writing in my blog when I could be making a cross? Oh well....chalk it up to madness ;) so funny!
Speaking of the show... details would probably be necessary so that you can save the date and come out to visit me!

What: 2008 March Madness Arts & Crafts Show
When: Satuday March 8, 2008 9am - 4pm
Where: Guyer High School Corinth, Tx (map in link)

You will find me in booth #119 and I would love to see you. In fact...if you print this post and bring it to me, I will give you 25% off one item....I must be MAD!!!!
Esty Dallas will be represented on Saturday by Rustique Art and four other Esty Dallas Team members. While shopping be on the look out for the following Esty Dallas members.... Menagerie #81, TP Design #3, Treasured Trinkets #35 and Cherry's Creations #99
Stop by and tell them hello and how you found them. We love to talk about Esty Dallas and all of our wonderful artistic friends.

See you Saturday!

Favorite Things

noreply@blogger.com (Cindi) — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 16:11:00 +0000

This will probably be a weekly post.... don't you find when you tell people your favorite things, they in turn will tell you theirs? See if you can relate.....

Favorite smells: Coffee (Beans or Brewed)

Bacon (cooking not raw...dah!)

Matches (struck and blown out)

Vanilla Extract

Roses

Fresh herbs from the garden

Rain

Favorite cookie: Oreos

Homemade Chocolate Chip

Favorite dessert: Homemade Pies

Favorite food: My Guacamole & chips

Pizza (sausage, mushroom, onion, black olives, spinach, tomatoes)

Hamburger (mustard, lettuce, tomato, dill pickles)

Favorite day: Sunday

Favorite book: Redeeming Love, Francine Rivers

Favorite movie: It's a Wonderful Life

Favorite song: Say it Sooner, The Almost

Have I stirred some memories of your favorite things?

A SPUD-tacular Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Cindi) — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 05:01:00 +0000

Today was craft day with my babies and although we were missing Will terribly, we managed to have a terrific time. Of course there was the usual mess we always seem to make after craft time....today we made Joseph's Coat of Many Colors with little bits of colored tissue paper. Our Joseph puppet looked very stellar in his fine coat. Doesn't she strike a pretty pose?

Haven opted out of the craft today and made most of the opportunity by playing with Thomas and his train buddies without interruption. He was so quiet...had to check on him a couple of times to make sure he was still in the room.

He really was happier than he looks.....I think he was in thinking mode. I wonder about what?
Park was in high gear today and ready to do anything....after he colored Joseph's face to match his coat he moved on to more creative means of entertainment.... What a ham! Reminds me of another little guy that I am very fond of.....hmmm!

We ate some lunch at such time that I over heard Haley say that Grandma makes the best grilled cheese sandwiches in the world.....and later recanted her statement as she said that her mommy makes the best! Little stinker...

Then it was onto more scientific matters....time to experiment with potatoes. I must be missing my elementary school days...this experiment was always my favorite.....placing potatoes in water and waiting for roots to grow and then the vine begins to grow on top. I explained to the little ones that they would be able to pick their potato and name it after we made it comfortable in it's new home.....a very large mason jar! Thanks Mom for all those homemade pickles, we have found a way to recycle the jars....

Potato project No.1 After explaining to them that the toothpicks didn't hurt the spuds as we pushed them into the sides, we positioned each spud lovingly into the jar and filled with water. I then told them what they could expect to see in a few weeks. That we had to be patient and once the roots begin to grow and leaves appear, we will add food coloring to the water to see if it will change the color of the leaves. They will remain in Grandma's windowsill and I will photograph any changes. When they return in a couple of weeks, we might have something to talk about.

Next came the naming of these pampered potatoes...see photos for proof!

Park & Blue

Haven & Jack

Haley & Grace

Then it was outside for some sunshine, basketball and truck driving!

Divine Inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (Cindi) — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 22:01:00 +0000

Why is it that whenever I am under pressure to meet a deadline I seem to dream up the most unusual creations. Do other people go through this phenomenon? It doesn't matter how much time I've had to chew on a particular project...It always goes the way of...procrastination! and as the deadline begins to loom in the horizon my sleep becomes deprived because my mind races with thoughts of colors and dimensions.

Here's the scoop...A couple of weeks ago, more like three or four weeks ago, I was approached by a staff member at my church. She was in charge of creating a "retreat like" atmosphere within our chapel. Our church hosts a conference each year called C3 where pastors from all over converge on our church to be fed with all types of tidbits ranging from, how to begin a church all the way to children's activities and other various topics of being a creative church in today's world. So, the "retreat" was to be equipped with massage therapists and small quiet areas for journaling, prayer, reading and relaxation. It was called the relaxation zone....the person in charge of pulling it all together ask me and several other artists if they would like to display some of their artwork in this area. Wow! What an honor...I said, YES!!!! I would love to do that. It was explained to me how she envisioned the "zone" would look and asked if I had some really large designs. I told her that I didn't have anything as large as she was requesting, but that I would make a couple of designs. No sooner did I walk outside did I start to doubt my ability to create something.....anything! And why? You would think that I would know by know that if God gave me this gift and He presents an opportunity to use that gift, then He would provide the idea to create a design. But noooooooo! Doubt leads to procrastination and that leads to panic and that leads to "oh my goodness, I have only one day left" and then......it happens!

It's like a little drip landing on the stillness of the water. Even the smallest of drops will cause a ripple that spreads out and as it expands little tidal waves wash over my brain. And thoughts begin to appear out of no where. It's as if God says, "have you thought of this?"

......plink.....ripple.....waves.....an idea begins to emerge and then I rush to my workroom to make this image in my head that I really can't explain because it's not really clear to me even, but yet my hands know what to do. Then there is the "wow" moment that follows after all of the ripples fade away and the design is complete.

Divine Inspiration? Ya think?