Mini Van Mama

It's official I'm a Mini Van Mama!
I actually really like it even though I'll never look cool rocking out in the car again :)
Thanks to those who helped it happen.

Hearts

The kids painted and then we collage cardboard hearts to give to friends and family.

British Invasion

Great British Actors on American TV

Hugh Laurie















Kevin McKidd










Tim Roth








Damian Lewis
















Minnie Driver and Eddie Izzard












Rufus Sewell










Sophia Myles

New Series 'Circles'

I've been working on a new series of embroidered work, here are some examples. More to come!
They are also featured on my flickr site.

Like a Flower Bending Towards the Sun

Happy New Year

tis' the season to be jolly

Christmas is in the the air here and I've got the pictures to prove it!

Giveaway popularity

I have seen several blogging giveaways lately and think it is a great idea.
So I have decided to do one myself. I would like to pick randomly from comment makers a chance to win a set of handmade cards, nothing fancy, but a chance to get a little something to make the season bright.
Once the winner is chosen we'll email for address info. Nov 21st midnight deadline

AND THE WINNER IS DEB!

First Snow

Our Countdown to Snow

Etsy Mud Team MUG SWAP

So one of the cool things about being part of the Etsy Mud Team is taking part in the Mug Swap.
Here are pictures of the mug I sent and the mug I received.

Embroidery

I've been experimenting with the art of embroidery. I guess it started with my grandmother teaching me to hand sew and mend-first pull about an arms length of thread off the spool make a knot or three stitches together to hold the thread in place, then you are ready to go.
I remember as a teenager sewing random patches and then buttons and cleverly disguising holes with decorative stitches and ribbons.
In the last year or so I've started collecting hoops and 'painting' with thread. Here are some examples.

at it again

I had planned on keeping updated on my blog since I'm always willing to share my thought and doings.
Right now my focus is motherhood, sewing and my ceramic class.
I've been focusing on adding more to my etsy shop to display of my work, it's a lot of fun being part of the handmade movement. I'm trying my best to give handmade or second hand gifts this year for the holidays and I encourage you to do the same. It a great deal of fun to find just the right thing for those special people in your life and help the world by limiting consumption i.e. saving the earth!
I've had a blast keep track of an inspiring blogger, you might enjoy her blog too. I ordered the creative family book with great ideas of drawing closer as a family and sharing the the joys of discovery and art. http://www.soulemama.com

May you have many happy moments as fall begins. The changing of the leaves is a beautiful sight.

And did I mention my flickr site, it's my photo site. http://www.flickr.com/photos/artsyann/
If you want to see pics of the kids you have to sign up and get approved as a friend or family member for the safety of the children.

stuff going on

Eli is in preschool, Isabelle is talking up a storm and Derek is still trucking along in law school and I am managing our etsy shops and we have a new line of magnets that are super fun in Derek's shop.
magneticpersonality.etsy.com and artsyann.etsy.com
We are starting to gear up for the holidays with cards and gifts.

Albums that I have listened to more that 20 times in my life
and those who introduced them


Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots-The Flaming Lips(Derek)
Moondance-Van Morrison(Jay)
Hot Rocks-The Rolling Stones(Jimmy)
3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days in the life of...-Arrested Development(Michael)
Too Many Good Songs to Pick from several albums-Ween(Eric)
Bossanova, Come on Pilgrim, Surfer Rosa, Trompe le Monde & Doolittle-The Pixies(Meg)
Last Splash-The Breeders(Meg)
Flood, Lincoln, Here come the ABCs&123s-They Might Be Giants(Kate)
Nothing's Shocking-Jane's Addiction(Meg)
Rush of Blood to the Head-Coldplay(Derek)
Trainspotting Soundtrack
The Day the Country Died-Subhumans(Meg)
Cheshire Cat & Dude Ranch-Blink 182(Sarah)
Perfect Teeth-Unrest(John)
Something to Write Home About-The Get Up Kids(Ben)
The Best of Simon & Garfunkle-(Bonner Springs Library)
Bob Dylan Greatest Hits
The Blue and Red Albums-The Beatles and the Doors, Procol Harem (Dad)
Fleetwood Mac Greatest Hits(Matt)
Metallica-Metallica(Mtv)
The Good the Bad the Argyle-The Bouncing Souls(Tom)
BoogadaBoogdaBoogada-Screeching Weasel(Meg)
KongoShock(Wade)

that's all I can think of for now

if you're wondering I don't listen to a lot of these bands now, but I needed to make a record
for myself

My sister makes cool stuff happen aka event manager

My sister played a major part in putting this great cd together. I'm sure the event will be great too, so if you happen to be in Delaware you should go!
http://www.winterthur.org/calendar/gardenfair_cd.asp?sub=gardenfair_cd

back to the swing of things

We've been to almost both costs and a mid west trip. First to Utah's Bear Lake, a trip to my home state of Delaware and then to Kansas. And many fun trips to Gran and Pa's(Derek's folks). So that's why I've been so 'speechless' these last few months.
But as adventures unfold I'll try to post interesting tidbits to the blog universe.
I'm finally back to throwing pots after a three year break. It feels good to be back and I'm looking forward to some new projects and techniques I've never done before.
I've continued with my crafting and am now 'managing' Derek's online shop as well.
Eli starts preschool this month and Isabelle is growing not only in size but also increasing in brightness.

This is one great girl

In the follow picture is me and my friend Melissa, she was my roommate in 1999 and was a great example to me as I first joined the church. Now it's many years later and we both have two cutie pies. This is the first time we've seen eachother in years and it was a joyous occation to catch up. So Melissa when you read this please know that I was so glad to see you again!

Robot Magnets at Comic Book Store

This is totally cool, Derek's Magnetic Robots are currently being sold at Time Warp Comics in Boulder, CO. They also have an awesome collection of new and vintage comics. Not that I spend a ton of time in comic shops anymore (yes in high school I had been in a few) but I was impressed with not only the comic book collection but the toys and memorabilia. So check out www.time-warp.com and request the robot magnets if you are interested or just to see what they have to offer.

To all my PA friends

Since I can't be there with you in Pennsylvania I hope you will take the oppertunity to vote Obama today!

day dreams

So back in the day I used to throw pots and then skateboard, I still have clay on my Element board from skating right after class. Boy I want to throw a pot so bad, so what holding me up? Maybe it's fear of taking the risk of it not working out, anxiety about not remembering how to do it. Is it like riding a bike?
I'm not saying that I don't love my dear little ones, but I wonder if they suffer because their mom isn't developing her talents and just going through the motions. I really enjoy our little adventures. Hanging at Gran and Pa's in the forest, walks around this town, crafts and music time. Have I said too much yet?
So how do I create my own adventures without neglecting my family? These are the many questions I ask myself. The mountain are right there and I don't even know what to do with them.
Ramble Ramble Ramble

So to end this post I encourage all of you to keep your dreams alive even if you have to wait a while to make it happen while working on the greates job ever, mommyhood!

more photos......why not

so yet another site where I reveal more about myself and my surrounds and my stuff.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/artsyann/

One Year Ago

so it's my sweet
little girl's first birthday!













This is me at one month and Isabelle at four.

The Old and the New

So I was trying to think about my life soundtrack.
I thought listing the different bands I used to listen to and the ones I listen to now might be interesting, to me at least!

*= went to show

Old School












Operation Ivy
Pixies
Dead Kennedys
The Beatles
They Might Be Giants*
Frank Black*
Bouncing Souls*
Minor Threat
Nirvana
Fleetwood Mac
Subhumans*
Metallica
The Queers* my first show
Green Day
Screeching Weasel
Dead Milkmen
The Breeders
Citizen Fish*
Blink 182*
Kongo Shock*
The Rolling Stones*
The Misfits*
The Clash
Arrested Developement
Ween*
Cat Stevens
de la sul
Jane's Addiction
Train Spotting Soundtrack
Dave Matthews Band
Van Morrison
Retarded French Kiss(wade and chris version)*
Led Zepplin
Rollins Band*
Black Flag
NOFX



New School
After the Get Up Kids Show


Simon and Garfunkle
The Get Up Kids*
They Might Be Giants*
Coldplay
Selected Ween*
Dave Matthews Band
Rod Stewart*
Cat Stevens
The Rolling Stones*
The Breeders*
The Strokes
Raffi
New Amsterdams
Some Pixies
The Beatles
John Denver
The Flaming Lips
Bishop Allen song
Kimya Dawson

There's more but I can't think of them all


Update, I really like Coconut Records as of Jan 2009

Girl's Night Out

The hubby and kids are down with his folks and I have spent the weekend alone. After getting stuff done on list, I went to the movies with my neighbor friend, she's more friend than neighbor. We saw Penelope which was a delightful film and then we hung out at her home. The best part was sharing a little bit about my beliefs about God and families. I was reinvigorated about spiritual things and feel a little closer to my Heavenly Father, so thanks friend for hanging out with me.

childhood friend

This sweet little rabbit was made for me by dear Aunt Chris when I was a wee baby. I made Isabelle a similar one, I love that handmade has gone generation to generation.

Rec Center

Ok, so I'm not one to actually exercise but I just joined the Rec Center through the college. It has a children's center that will have the children for two hours and Derek and I played racket ball, my first time. So I guess we had a date and the children had a fun time at the center. So I may get this baby fat off before summer, Isabelle turns one next month!

i'll do my best to stay away from junk food

Juno

Did I mention that I really liked that Juno movie? Well it sure was super.

S.O.G.

S.O.G. stands for Sweet Old Grandmother

My G-Mom has been such a great supporter in my life and can you believe it she's 91 years old! Boy I love that lady.

One of those question things

Ok I don't usually do these sort of things but I'm bored so there:

The official rules: After you read mine, copy and paste the list into your comment and replace my answers with yours...AS YOU WOULD HAVE ANSWERED THEM AS A HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR. You only get ONE WORD to respond.

Your Shoes: chucks
Your Hair: shaved
Worst Fear: moving
The Gym: avoided
Your Greatest Talent: art
Your Parents: frustrating
Your Favorite Food: junk
Your Greatest Fault: anger
Your Friends: Courtney
The Opposite Sex: distracting
What You Want to Be In 10 Years: famous
Your Means of Transportation: friends
The Name of Your Current Crush: jeff
Your Grades: unacceptable
Something You Wish You Could Do: sing
Your Favorite Fast Food Chain: mcdonalds
Something Your Parents Won't Let You Do: nothing
How Many Boyfriends or Girlfriends You've Had: toomany
Someone Who Has a Crush On You: ?
Your Favorite Subject: ceramics
A Prized Possession: OperationIvyJacket
Something Your Parents Won't Let You Have: stability
A Favorite Celebrity of the Opposite Sex: HenryRollins
Your Wardrobe: punk
What You're Looking Forward To: leaving

PS High School was not a good time for me.

Great New Etsy Site

We just started a new etsy site for Derek's work, check back often to see new work.
MagneticPersonality.etsy.com