Having and Holding

It's official.......

2008-12-14T05:52:00.001-08:00

Hi, due to time management.......or lack of time I should say. I am now combining my blogs.
So if you want to see/read more about me and my beautiful family you can at helicopterstudios.blogspot.com. See you there................

Im Thinking About Combining my Blogs

2008-11-28T14:18:00.000-08:00

Today is just a message, to friends and family who view this blog on a regular basis...... I am so busy with my work and family time that I am thinking about only keeping up with one blog..... I have my helicopterstudios blog and this one. Just a thought, let me know in the comments what you think. Also, baby L's birthday is coming up and she is crazy about the Wizard of Oz, I just posted some really great finds if you are looking for a cool present for her. Cheers!!

Paper n Stitch Exhibition

2008-11-15T05:21:00.000-08:00

Hello and Good morning!! I am now on line at the papernstitch exhibition that will run through Dec. Please go check out my store over there and click my "heart" on my shop!! This may give me a free month there next month. There is so much really great stuff to see other than me of course. Some of my favs are selflesh, yee-haw industrial and bailydoesn'tbark. So don't wait....... go now!! Check out some great handmade goods, you know Christmas is around the corner... click here now. Don't forget to click on my "heart"!!

Afternoon

2008-11-12T19:26:00.000-08:00

I love capturing those "everyday moments". This was Sunday afternoon in our backyard just enjoying the beautiful weather. L is most likely to run away unlike brother who loves the camera!

Have a Great Weekend!!

2008-11-07T05:54:00.001-08:00

These pictures were taken while visiting a local farm. They are on top of "Hay Mountain".

I Voted!!!!

2008-11-04T08:18:00.001-08:00

Me: Okay, we are here to vote!

K: Is Barack Obama going to be here too?

Me: No, not today.

K: Well, you know my vote doesn't REALLY count.

Me: I know, its all about the experience.

After we voted K walked tall and proud to show off his sticker!!

Discovery Tote Cars

2008-11-03T17:53:00.000-08:00

Kids playing with Discovery Tote Cars. I have been thinking a lot about the gift buying season coming up and have decided to buy only handmade. I think I can find everything for my children on etsy or make it myself. Its the new revolution!!

Happy Halloween

2008-11-01T08:08:00.001-07:00

I hope every one had a great Halloween! We had an excellent night........K was a vampire and L was a mermaid. K was crackin' me up all night, he would tell people he was allergic to nuts and they would seek out something he could have and give him three times as much! Then we went to a house that could not find anything nut free so they gave him money! He ended up with 3 dollars by the end of the night. Great fun. Oh I must say, the pumpkin carving was by Mike.

I left there and went to see the Avett Brothers show with my friend Maura. She scored front row seats and the show was amazing! Whew.......... I am ready for a lazy day today.

Night Vision

2008-10-30T16:58:00.000-07:00

Okay, I was trying to keep this a secret but the cat is out of the bag. I bought a new camera for an early birthday present, I had too! Really, I am going to be published in a book coming out next year and needed a better camera for documenting. The book is called "My Kids with My Crafts", I will give more info on that later. What I really want to talk about is my new camera, I LOVE it! Its a Sony Cyber-Shot H50 with 9.1 mega pixels, huge step up from what I was using. Although, I believe the camera is only part of the "good shot", it is more about the eye that sees the shot. So, with that being said, these pictures were taken at night with a special "night vision" feature on my new camera. The image is very alien-ish, pretty cool.

Pumpkin Patch

2008-10-28T06:15:00.001-07:00

no words..........working on costumes!!!! catch ya later.

Recycled Crayon Leaves

2008-10-20T10:57:00.000-07:00

I saw this project on another blog recently and thought it would be fun. The kiddos loved the grated crayons and couldn't keep their hands out of it. They had alot of fun watching the crayons melt under the warm iron. I decided to try this project at school with my sons Kindergarten class..... things were a bit messy but all in all everyone had fun with the project.

Project: Recycled crayon leaf

Grated crayons, I melted mine by color so they were a large chunk, then grated.

wax paper

scissors

black construction paper

iron, towel

Cut the leaf shape out of the black paper, two sheets together. Then sprinkle the grated crayon on the wax paper, place another wax sheet on top and iron. Then sandwich the wax paper with melted crayons in between the black construction paper. If you hang in a window then you get a beautiful transparency like stained glass.

Warm October Days

2008-10-13T19:14:00.000-07:00

Taken at BurMill Park.....just trying to soak up that warm October sun! Spent the day hiking around Lake Brandt and playing at the playground.

A Little Man and His Little Green

2008-10-12T16:10:00.000-07:00

At the end of the summer Mike put a putting green in for K. It is in the front yard with a cup and a little flag. I made the flag with the request of a K on it. The green is so small we have to cut it with shears, we all take turns so it doesn't take too long. It has become a destination spot in the front yard, sometimes the kids take their little red chairs up there and just sit and put their feet on it. Next? Well, I guess we need a tiny bunker!

LOOK OUT........Project Runway!

2008-10-08T08:10:00.000-07:00

So, by the age of 6, I hope to have her making her own clothes! As smart as she is, I have no doubt that it really could be a possibility. She loves to cut.

First Kindergarten Field Trip

2008-10-07T09:50:00.000-07:00

Not many words needed. Great time, L enjoyed and K loved riding on the bus! I learned we need an "incase of fire" plan. "This is my FIRST field trip ever!!"

Weekend with Dad

2008-10-06T05:31:00.000-07:00

So, I had my art show at the arboretum this weekend, actually on Sunday. Mike, took the kids all day on Sat. and Sun. so I could "make it happen". Maybe, I can get him to write some on this post when he gets home from work. I was so excited that he took some pictures!! Here you go...

Find me this weekend........

2008-10-02T03:42:00.000-07:00

If anyone is around local this weekend you can check out my excellen sewing skills at the Art in the Arboretum, Greensboro.

Playground Fun

2008-09-30T16:21:00.001-07:00

Just some shots at the Sunset Hills playground today after school. Good times.

Working on Letters

2008-09-30T06:38:00.000-07:00

We had a great day today... both kids had dentist appt. today and K got to get out of school early. He talked me into keeping him for the day, not hard. I have been working in my studio so much lately I really need a fun day outside with them. We headed over to the golf course and had a picnic lunch and went on a walk around the course. The kids were rolling down hills and jumping in the bunkers, so much fun (of course no camera). When we got home and cooled down K and L worked on Alphabet identification.

Getting Big........

2008-09-25T05:40:00.001-07:00

Just a quick post, these are some pics I took the other day! Mesa is growing so big! She is turning into a very sweet addition to the family. The kiddos are still trying to overcome the puppy teeth but, we are all reading Puppy School which is a wonderful training guide.

Oak Island 2008

2008-09-21T14:56:00.001-07:00

We are back from our trip and glad to be home, I think even the dogs were excited. Not to say we didn't have an amazing time! I love the "Love Shack" where we stay, it is small and perfect. We have been staying there now for three years, its hard to believe. We always cook and never visit any shops, we just go to the beach everyday and lay in the hammock out back and cook on the grill. This year we did the putt putt golf and played some video games, K got some glow in the dark slime with his winning tickets and L got a "mercoda" which is a harmonica. We had great weather the entire trip, one day was a bit cloudy so we did the putt putt. K totally surprised me with his boogie boarding, he was getting out there and riding the waves!! We usually go to the NC Aquarium, but this year since we had Mesa the eight week old pup, we decided to skip it. Although, on the way out of town, K and Mike toured the North Carolina Battleship, and L and I hung out with the dogs and snacked.

SEE YOU............

2008-09-17T11:12:00.000-07:00

Hey Everybody...............................................
We are soooooo happy because.....................
We are outta here for four days.....................
Hope you monkeys have a great weekend 'cause we
will be in Oak Island, NC hanging on the beach!!!!!

Last Summer----- Family Picture

2008-09-14T21:49:00.000-07:00

The weekends seem to fly by these days since K is in school I just can't get enough of him on his off days! We did alot of hanging around the house this weekend, worked in my studio some. I took alot of video of the kids this weekend and will share at a later date. It is pretty late and wanted to post something. Anyway, the image above is one my sister organized for my whole family last summer at my mom and Bills house. We did the entire family pictures all wearing the same thing. I would typically not do anything this stiff but I did like some of the pictures the guy took. This was one my sis emailed to me so I thought I would share.

Lovies

2008-09-09T04:23:00.001-07:00

We are off to another week at school!! Week three to be specific, I am doing much better, K is getting there. Anyway, I snapped this moment yesterday before he was wisked off to school. L has been missing big brother a little. Although, I think she is enjoying mom to herself even more.

Popppytalk Handmade -- Mixed Tape

2008-09-07T14:23:00.001-07:00

Hi, come see my virtural table at the Poppytalk handmade Market starting Monday Sept. 8th. I am excited to see what kind of response I get there. I have heard wonderful reports about their markets and am very thrilled to be a part of Mixed Tape!!!!!

Puppy Love

2008-09-04T08:43:00.000-07:00

No one can measure the love between a child and their puppy. Mesa has become a sweet addition to the family. The children can't keep their hands off of her. Soon she will be too big to carry, hmm? Sounds familiar. Enjoy the Day!!

First Day of Kindergarten

2008-09-03T05:44:00.000-07:00

It has taken me a week to finally post these first day of school pictures. We had a great first day but, things went down hill after that. Thursday and Friday were very difficult, K didn't want to go and said he cried both days, all day. Well, this week has been a challenge at the start of the day but, when I pick him up he says he had a great day! There is definitely some separation anxiety on both mom and son. I had dad take him on Tues. and Wed. and things were not much different. Hopefully after a month he will get the hang of it.
The first day he came home I noticed he had not eaten any lunch. He told me that everyone around him was eating peanut butter. Although, after talking with Ms. Clark I found out that it was untrue. He is scared in the cafeteria and is worried about his nut allergy. The rest of the week he barely ate a bite of lunch. Until Friday, he ate pizza dippers from the school and said they were great! Hopefully he can not be so afraid, but I am glad he is watching out for himself.

Falling in Love with Mesa

2008-08-28T17:20:00.000-07:00

Sorry I have not posted in a while! This has been a busy week for us, K starting school and taking care of our newest baby. This is Mesa, she is part Australian Shepperd and part German Shepperd, she is six weeks old. The story goes.... K has been wanting a pup for about six months now and started asking to put it on his Christmas list, which is a running tab around here. I am so weak to the thought of adding another dog to our family that when I saw a posting for these pups I inquired. We went to look at them on Sat. and the rest is history. She has been awesome.... a great distraction for missing my little man all day long.

Featured on the Front Page of ETSY!!!!

2008-08-27T08:27:00.000-07:00

Playing with Fire

2008-08-24T14:22:00.001-07:00

Saturday night we stayed up late (kids had taken naps) and built a fire in our fire pit. The night was cool and the marshmellows were burning! We had a great time, I was thinking about going camping sometime soon. K pharsed the night in one grand comment "this has been the best night of my whole life"!

Sweetness

2008-08-22T17:31:00.000-07:00

These were some pictures I took of K and L modeling some of my new Discovery Tote parts. I have a new one called My First Jewelry, you can check it out at my etsy store.

Garden Party Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

2008-08-20T05:14:00.000-07:00

Garden Party Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

I was reading some blogs this morning and came across this one on bloesom kids..... I have read this one in the past and love the sewing treasures. Anyway, I thought it might be fun to enter a chance to win this sweet little dress for my sweet L. Cheers.

Meet Margo

2008-08-17T07:27:00.001-07:00

We dog sat this weekend and this is Margo, she has a brother but he had to go to work with Daddy. L did not like him at all, she didn't really like Margo. I knew she was afraid of other peoples dogs but it was pretty intense when Margo and Paxton arrived on Friday. She was very scared. Margo was sweet and gentle, K of course, claimed her as his own. He walked her and feed her and carried her around most of the time. He really wants a dog for Christmas, he says he wants his "very own pet"!

Patio....Yeah!!!!

2008-08-16T20:54:00.000-07:00

I shot some images of our new patio on Sat. so I could share. We absoultly love it!! Thank you so much to Sherry and Bill for the beautiful patio furniture we love it too.

Oh, to Bake the Cake.....

2008-08-16T20:36:00.000-07:00

The day of Mike's Birthday I had to prepare for a baby shower for my sister. I did not host but helped with the food. Needless to say, I never got around to baking a birthday cake. K told me that it would be his birthday until we made his cake and sang the song and ate cake. I agreed, not intentionally knowing that it would be weeks later that the cake would get baked and eaten. So here we are, on the 15th finally celebrating a proper birthday, cake and all....

Dino Drawing

2008-08-14T12:39:00.001-07:00

This is one of the many drawings from Dinosaur Camp this week. I loved it!! K has been having a terrific time and has been exhausted too! As we speak he is taking a "resty", poor guy... Kindergarten is going to be long in the beginning. I just thought I would share some of his great art work.

What an Excellent Helper!!

2008-08-12T15:24:00.000-07:00

This is the last post of the day. I couldn't resist catching my sweet helper washing dishes. He is such a hard worker. The key is.... make it fun or make it a game and they will help with all the chores. A perfect way to end the day.

Going to Africa

2008-08-12T11:11:00.001-07:00

All of these guys are going to Africa today..... At our house, Africa is over by the map!

Dinosaur Camp

2008-08-12T09:23:00.000-07:00

Today was the second day of Dinosaur Camp for K... He loves it!! We are slowly getting geared up for Kindergarden. Im getting more and more used to the idea. He is very excited about Kindergarden. All I can say is he is going to have the coolest lunch out of all the children. You will see that in a couple of weeks.

Batik with glue

2008-08-12T04:50:00.000-07:00

I wanted to post this so I could do this as a project later on. Cheers

National Night Out

2008-08-08T04:45:00.000-07:00

This is another perfect moment that I forgot my camera and had to use my phone. I kinda like the way it turned out, reminds me of a Polaroid picture. On Tuesday night we went to the neighborhood National Night Out, which is a night for community and safety awareness. They had firetrucks, police cars and treats for everyone. We had a great time talking with neighbors and playing on the fire trucks. Of course, L would not have anything to do with the fire trucks, she said "I am shy of the fireman".

Summer nights

2008-08-04T09:02:00.000-07:00

After an extremely busy weekend.... I did get some studio time on Sunday while Mike took the kiddos to the Y for some swim time. Then we made some grilled chicken with penne and Alfredo sauce, Yum Yum!! Later after the temperature cooled off we did some planting around our new patio while K and L played in the yard with glow sticks! It was a nice way to end the weekend.

Happy BirthWii to Mike!!

2008-08-01T09:44:00.000-07:00

So, as you all might of guessed...he was very surprised and excited. The TV is hot and so is Mike. I just wanted to post a quick snippet of his birthday so far. Catch you up on the days events later tonight.

Paper Armour

2008-07-30T18:06:00.000-07:00

Tonight's update is going to be short. I am trying to keep my momentum up for the next few days. I have Mike's birthday on Friday and Stef's shower on Sat. I am planning to spend some time in the kitchen. So, I worked most of the evening on some sewing projects and the kids came down to make art too. This is the finished product by my nifty little inventor. He first called it a paper dress and soon switch to armour. It is three chalk pastel drawings stapled together into a smock of sorts. I loved how creative he got tonight, his brain thinks very three dimensionally.

Cousins

2008-07-29T13:42:00.001-07:00

Very exciting around the house today! We got a call early morning that cousins were on their way for a short visit. We scurried around until the house was somewhat presentable and waited for their arrival. After they got here K and L ran around showing them the latest and greatest and off to the play set for some swing time. We all soon felt the pain of the heat and hunger. Mexican it was! We all had a great day with our cousins we love so much, oh, not to leave out sweet and sometimes frustrated MeMe.

Spinning Around

2008-07-28T20:20:00.001-07:00

I forgot my camera the other day at Jamestown City Park but, had my camera phone! After a couple of hours I figured out how to retrieve them off my phone. Here they are........sweet smiles that just make a day!

Handmade Books

2008-07-27T14:26:00.001-07:00

These are the beautiful books.... They chose four sheets of paper from my scrapbooking paper. L picked paper that had flowers and K picked clouds, water, grass and map. I thought that was pretty smart, he chose the elements minus fire. I cut them down by four and they punched holes and used embroidery thread for the binding. After, I asked them to write their names on the inside. L decided she wanted to draw a leaf instead and K, well , he wrote his name-backwards-it was amazing! Then I pointed it out to him so he said " Oh, I will write it the other way now" and he did.

Sunday in the Kitchen

2008-07-27T14:11:00.000-07:00

It is Sunday and Dad is at work so we are trying to stay cool inside and out. I filled the pool and we went for a splash in the backyard for most of the day. I, of course, had to get in some studio time so I set the kids up with bookmaking... They did a great job with there books! Then we had a snack of yogurt and homemade granola. Finding out we were now out of granola, L and I whipped up another batch with the request of "extra honey".

Jenga Blocks = Fun

2008-07-27T09:52:00.000-07:00

Friday was beautiful, we decided to met some friends over at Jamestown City Park. Of course, I forgot my camera. The playground is the one that K broke his arm at a couple of years ago and we have not been there since. So, we met our friends there, with a picnic lunch. First we rode the Carousel and then the train and of course lunch. The playground is so much fun now that they can do for themselves more. They have a zip line and three tunnel slides and two moving bridges.

After the long day at the park I decided to go to Goodwill and do a little thrifting. I found a large bag of Jenga blocks for three dollars. The next morning they built castles and made long domino trains. I love a good thrift store find!!

Beans and Magnets

2008-07-24T18:02:00.000-07:00

So today I begin, This is something I have been thinking about for a long time. I thought it served as the perfect opportunity for me to connect with family and journal my daily life at the same time.

Today was a day I had Carly, a friends daughter I keep a couple of days a week. I really wanted some studio time so I set them up with beans and magnets. We play in beans often and I hide washers inside the beans for them to find with magnetic wands. Sometimes K just plays with his trucks and moves beans. L likes to sift the rice out of the beans and fill cups and bowls. The beans held their attention for about 30 min. and I did have time to work. So grateful for any time I can weave in my day.