my introduction

There's a challenge at OpenSky to create a quick introduction for others involved in the project. I thought you might like to see too.



That bump bump bump you hear in the middle is Alfredo running through the house to find me. When he did, he stood there listening quietly and at the end said "Who are you talking to, Amy?"

week in review....and something new

Alfredo's family (whom we really consider our own) arrived on Wednesday morning after flying all night. I had assumed that Wednesday would be a quiet day for them, resting and visiting.

I couldn't have been more wrong. Even though nobody was able to sleep on the plane through the night, not even 3 year old Joel, they were ready to hit the town the very moment they arrived.

If I gave you a play-by-play of the week, you'd be exhausted just reading it. Trust me. We stayed plenty busy. It's hard to believe it was just 3 days...we packed so much in there. In between all the touristy things we did, we prepared feasts of meals and talked about all sorts of things.

One thing we talked about was the idea that they would move here, to Virginia. The idea is still in the preliminary stages but it just makes so much sense to all of us. If it were to happen, Alfredo would have all of his family, including us, as part of his daily life. He'd have the structure of our daily life yet his father and family would be very much a part of his life.

There are all sorts of details and complications to work through. Unfortunately for us, if it doesn't work out, Alfredo will be bound for California in December. And we will wait as patiently as we can for the time when he would return to us in late spring. It breaks my heart to even think of it. Instead, I'm doing two things...I'm working hard to make this new plan work out, for everyone to be here. Secondly, I'm treasuring these moments with Alfredo, taking extra time to cuddle and read stories and play, and being grateful for the gift of this time with him.

Halloween night was wet and cold and our little Rhino loved trick or treating. After the 10th house, he declared that he had enough candy. We returned home and he happily shared his bounty with us as we watched television and, on occasion, handed out candy to sopping wet vampires and ghouls and Hannah Montanas.

Yesterday and today I have playing a bit with a new-to-me fabulous crafting material. I made the bird and nest in the piece pictured out of it and I'm already dreaming up new and fun ways to use it.

Best of all, I'm so excited to share it with you through my new OpenSky store, hopefully this week.

good gracious me

My guests are gone. My house is a wreck. And this is literally the first time I've rested in three days.

p.s. My washing machine broke at the worst time a washing machine could possibly break. Let's just say it involves poo-poo and a car seat cover and leave it at that.

the open sky project

Many months ago I was asked to be a part of something very exciting. It's taken lots of work and now I can finally make an announcement about it.

It all started as an idea of John Caplan. He had spent the day with his son discovering magic shops in NYC. These places were little gems of shops, sometimes hidden deep within secret buildings of the city. What struck John was the enthusiasm of these shopkeepers...the excitement of sharing their passion with others. John left thinking that his usual shopping experiences today significantly lacked that kind of connection. He immediately started dreaming of a way to re-create what he'd experienced that day.

What if he found other people who were as excited about their passions as those magic shopkeepers? And what if he asked those enthusiastic people to host a little shop in his project?

His team contacted me and asked if I would set up a shop that shared the craft supplies and other things that I love. I was immediately intrigued by this idea. I started making a wish list (that went on forever!) of all the things I love. That was so much fun! The team has been working hard to find as many of those as they could. It wasn't as easy as we'd hoped but we haven't given up. And we've discovered so many new things along the way to share.

Would you like to see? Click here.

We're steadily working to fill the shop with wonderful things so be sure to stop back by regularly. And we're going to add fun project ideas and other exciting stuff (including video!). Stay tuned.

In the meantime, enjoy FREE OVERNIGHT SHIPPING! today and tomorrow. Isn't that exciting?

Shop your passion!

house-work

I'm back from a wonderful crafting weekend at Charlotte's. We had such a wonderful time being spoiled with gourmet food prepared lovingly by her friend Suzanne and crafting elbow to elbow. It was perfect and we all agreed we'd come back again for the next event she plans. I hope you'll join us too...
My house is definitely a work-in-progress. I love it so much though and can't wait to jump on it again. But alas, I have to wait...

I've shifted gears to getting the house ready for our important house guests. I'm so excited and nervous and eager. More than anything I want them to feel comfortable and welcome and loved. I have to remember that maybe a stack of junk on the counter isn't as important as me feeling relaxed, rested and calm.

So while I'm running around cleaning up, Alfredo is adding his own touches to the decor...
Unfortunately, this little miss has a broken arm now. She's just not meant to be wrangling pigs...
not at her age.

Although I was disappointed I couldn't be sore with him. I had after all placed her well within his reach and had even photographed what he'd arranged. So how could I scold him when he came to me with one of her arms in his little hand saying "Amy, your little girl doesn't work anymore so we have to throw her away!"

Oh dear.

I hope you're having a marvelous Monday, my friends.

fierce lion/tiger

We're having a lot of fun with face paint this afternoon.

Alfredo went to the doctor today and got his flu shot. When he woke up from his nap, he needed a treat and the face paint seemed like just the thing. Can you believe how realistic his roar is?

pretty pumpkins

So, it's not like I don't have a million and one things to do to get ready for our guests next week. But last night I decided that I needed to make those pumpkins from Olive Juice's kit.



And I'm so glad I did.


Alfredo was my big helper, filling each empty pumpkin with beans. It's amazing how they came alive as they plumped up. We used 10 bags of beans for these 5 pumpkins. 4 of these are from the kit and one is made using a scrap of velveteen I found. And when I was at the pumpkin patch the other day, I looked down to see a whole bunch of pumpkin stems. I asked someone if I could have them and the look on her face was priceless. (Preserved stems came with the kit but I needed one more the extra that I made)

I relocated the Halloween tree and put these beauties in the wheelbarrow instead. Aren't they luscious?

Meanwhile, I better get cleaning. Can you spot the toy car under the sofa? They are everywhere!

halloween swap

I participated in a really fun swap...a vintage black and white themed halloween swap. And just wait until you see the fabulous treats we received. I didn't have a feather tree so I took some pussywillow branches in a bucket and put them in a wheelbarrow...very impromptu but I think it looks rather whimsical.
Here's the tiny ornament I made...after I received everyone's goodies I realized it was a bit too small...oh well.

From Barb

From Sarah

From Jenny

From Connie

From Crystal

From Natalea

From Heather

From Maija

From Michele

From Mel

Can you get over how fabulous these are? We keep going in there and visiting with them. So, look at me...I'm getting all spooky widdit.

new specs

I just picked up my new specs. Alfredo said "Now you look like Mrs. Powers!" I'm not sure what he meant by that. I think it's because the lady putting the glasses on my face said "Here you are, Mrs. Powers."

So here I am, Mrs. Powers...



I just found out last night that Alfredo's father, grandparents and uncle (who is only 3!) are coming to visit in just two short weeks. I have so much to do to get ready...first order of business is to get the guest room ready. It is in a sad state presently. Remember way back when I was cleaning, sorting, and stashing and trashing stuff from my craft studio? Well, I used the guest room as a dump. And I never really finished clearing it out. I was telling my friend Lorraine yesterday that there was all sorts of pretty debris left behind there and we decided that "Pretty Debris" would be a great title to a story or a blog.

Anyway, here's to cleaning up messes!

p.s. I should clarify that I really am Mrs. Powers...Amy Powers! It's just that he's never called me that, of course.

a splurge

While in LA last month, I splurged, rather impulsively, on these two appliqued and embroidered tea towels. I just fell head over heels for them. Maybe you can see why.



just look at that teacup perched on her bottom precariously...
and her painted toenail!
And I love this happy birthday girl...



It was definitely a splurge and I'm thinking they will be a waste as tea towels. Instead, I'm going to figure out a way to frame them. They make me so happy!