‘Whistle While You Work”

sweetsurprisefeb2016Last week, I was in the store with Leao and the boys and I came across this kettle. I immediately was drawn to the color and design. I walked over and picked it up and Leao came over and said, “Let me buy it for you.” I immediately said no. So off we went. A few days later I kept thinking about it but didn’t go back.

Well yesterday, after a long day of orthodontist appointments and book club meetings, the boys and I came home to find Leao home from work. We began putting our stuff away and gettting settled in and as I walked through the kitchen, I saw this beauty on my stovetop.  I was so thrilled. I immediately picked it up and discovered something I didn’t before, the words on the spout, “Whistle While you work”.  (think Snow White and the Dwarfs) Oh my goodness that is so cute.

Leao knows I love all things tea and I expecially love whistling tea kettles. It is so stinkin’ cute I can’t stop looking at it. It even comes with it’s own oven mit (see top left photo) to prevent burns when handling it. I keep putting the mitt on the counter nex to the stove when I make tea so I won’t forget.

I love it so much and I love that he knew it was still on my mind and got it for me. Love that guy.

Happy tea time my friends!

Belinda

Valentine’s Decor for the craft room

valentine-decor2I snagged this cute pillow at Target to put on my reading nook chair. It’s perfect for Valentine’s day but I think I will keep it for a while because if goes really nice with my chair.

valentine-decor1Yes that is a sign of a booklover – a pile of books hanging out. They make me happy even though they should be on a shelf.

Are you putting any Valentine’s or Love-themed items up in your home?

Belinda

30 Day Coloring Challenge #4 – Day 1

challenge_graphic-June-650Do you remember the coloring challenge I participated in last year?  Well if you do, it’s back!! Kathy at The Daily Marker is at it again. She hosted it three times last year and each time, I try to complete it.

The Challenge begins today, February 1st and ends on March 1st.  All I have to do is spend a minimum of 5 minutes and color each day then share what I am creating. They don’t have to be finished cards or projects, just coloring. I like this because for me it takes the pressure off and let’s me play. So on some days I might have something complete and on others you will just see what I’m playing with. I will mostly be using my Copics, but I will also use my watercolor paint, watercolor pencils and distress markers from time to time. I hope by blogging and putting my stuff on Instagram, I will stay honest to the task.

To find out more if you would like to participate you should click here.

I do notice a lot of people completing projects already on day one but I am not going to let that discourage me from joining in.  Today I had every intention of spending a fair amount of time coloring however, some work and an extremely long phone call robbed me of the opportunity to stay with it long.

day1a

Today, in honor of Black History Month, I chose to use a coloring book that my friend, Kathryn gave me for the boys.  She thought it would be both fun and educational. I love it because rarely do you see a coloring book about slavery. It seems now it is all the craze to have “adult” coloring books. I have had this for years now and many others. So perhaps I can use this challenge to actually color up the pages in the many in my possession!

I recently bought some more Prismacolor pencils that were on sale. They are the scholar version which is probably a bit lower grade quality but it had so many more colors, I thought I would give them a go. I am noticing that the colors are not very vibrant but I will keep playing around with them a bit to see what I can do. Perhaps the muted colors match the solemn topic.

day1b

I selected the page with Harriet Tubman and started coloring her up. I often find myself taking so much time to pick which color combinations to use but I am trying not to let that hold me up so today I picked more plain colors to fit the setting. I was not able to complete it and I must go make some dinner but maybe before bed I squeeze in a little more time to complete this page.  It’s quite relaxing because you focus on what you are doing rather than letting your brain run wild. I hope you will join in the fun. Let me know what your coloring?

 

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Happy coloring and I will see you tomorrow!

Belinda

Annual Girlfriend Craft Retreat!

Hello my people! I hope you all had a great weekend and for those on the East Coast, I wish you well and hope you find a way past all the snow that came down.
craftretreat2016Each year, as many of you know, I go away with my crafty girlfriends for four days of fun.  It is usually up in Jackson, New Hampshire at the prettiest Inn. But this year, I have a scheduling conflict and will be in New Jersey at my best friend’s wedding. So I quickly reached out to my friend Ashley and we decided to room together for the annual event that takes place in Sturbridge, MA.  Six of us met at the hotel and had so much fun.

craftretreat2016b

We went out to the see the movie, “Sisters” on Thursday night and then off to dinner.

craftretreat2016eWe ate two times at the most delicious restaurant and then the rest of the meals were included with our craft retreat.

craftretreat2016c

There are so many reasons why I stick to my annual retreat. For one, I believe it’s important for moms to have ‘away time’ to recharge. Just as professors have sabbaticals, all moms should have creative retreats.   I also find that time away crafting and laughing, resets my creative mojo. There’s something about the act of being around so much creative talent and having no one else but myself to care for that re-ignites my creative spark.

craftretreat2016d

Ideas start flow more easily. I get inspired to try new techniques. For example, I often shy away from putting clouds on my cards for silly reasons but this weekend, instead of creating them with distress ink pads, I tried something new – I used a template I cut out myself and my Copic markers to create the effect on this card and I really like the results.craftretreat2016f

Crafting truly heals my soul and this retreat was no exception. I left with some completed craft projects and a sense of delight at all the possibilities.

craftretreat2016hIt was a fun weekend. Just what the doctor’s order for all moms!! I say moms but you don’t need to be a mom to benefit from a retreat with friends, you just have to have the courage to make the reservation! I will be back this week with some other fun posts so stop on by!

Have a blessed day friends!

 Belinda

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