Tell me Thursday - Project Kitty, Rescued

If you have reading my blog lately you know my daughter loves to craft, paint, color, and more. I'm a little bit to blame for it because I would rather create then clean or exercise or make dinner. She seems to be falling into that pattern. So when we head off to the craft store together I find it difficult to tell her she can't get anything. On Tuesday I said yes to this Kitty paint and grow kit that she found on clearance. Why was it on clearance? Well the cat was broken into four pieces and the paint was dried out. My daughter didn't care, she just saw the potential. And for $2.00, could I say no?

Can you see the cracks? The big one in the front goes right down though the right eye and into the whiskers. With the paint on you can hardly tell. We just had to include a new first step of gluing the Kitty back together. She insisted that the eyes be pink (her most favorite color) and we only had a washable brown paint to replace the black, so it looks a little muddy. But for the work of a 3 1/2 year old I thought it turned out great.

The second part of the project was to plant the grass seeds in the plastic container provided. This was actually the much less of a mess part. Once we got it all together we put the bag on top and put it in a sunny window still. The seeds are only two days old and have a few more days before they sprout but I included a photo anyway. So in the end the little container goes right inside the Kitty and she as a cute decoration for her room.

So if you see a project like this on clearance, go ahead and rescue it. My daughter just thought it was a puzzle we had to put back together and we saved a good $4 over the regular price.

Wordless Wedensday - Project Kitty

Come back tomorrow for Tell Me Thursday to find out how it turned out!

Monday - a few things to celebrate.

I just realized that my last post "My Sweet Young Artist" was my 100th post. I really thought that I would be on my 200th by now, but I really haven't gotten going into a rhythm with my blogging yet and it always seems to get knocked way down on the to do list. I actually have some good ideas for post, but by the time I get to them the energy is gone. I seems to be an unfortunate side effect to being the mother of a preschooler and someone trying to lose weight and get in shape. I spend most of preschool time working out or doing chores. By the time I get to working and promoting my shop I'm tired and she is wanting my attention. It has not helped that we just when through flu season. It hit us hard this year because it was her first year in preschool. But I should celebrate my accomplishment and not dwell on what I had hope would be. You know those expectations can lead us to unhappiness if we let them, but only if we let them.

So lots of positive things to celebrate this Monday.

First of all, last week my online friend Leah of Michon Jewelry Blog and Michon Handcrafted Jewelry featured me on her blog. I was so wonderful of her and I really appreciated it. You can find the feature on my LJDesignPhoto shop here. I was part of her new feature where you recommend an etsy artist you admire. I recommended Valerie of Valeries Gallery and she posted Valerie's interview today. Valerie knits and felts things, but my favorite pieces of hers are her bowls. She make wonderful felted bowls and I have the pleasure of owning one.

Michon Jewelry Blog via kwout

I'd also like to mention that I have been working the last two and a half months to lose weight and get in to shape. I joined Weight Watchers and have been working out at least four times a week. I have lost 15 lbs and am now training for my first 5K. I'm really not a big fan of running, but it really feels good after my work out to have pushed myself so hard. My goal is still another 15 lbs away, I'm just so happy to be healthier. I really want to improve my health for my daughters sake and to give her a positive influence of eating right and exercise.

I'm not really a fan of this photo, but it was taken a couple weeks ago when I was down 12 lbs, but I wanted to post something to show my progress. I really hate to put up an older "fat" photo, but know I really am making progress and in a few weeks I will post another photo, maybe one of those classic, with my fat jeans on, images. LOL

And don't forget that this is my 101th post. And that I had 5 etsy sales last week. And that tonight is Mom's Night Out. I'm sure, I'm forgetting a couple of things.

So what are you celebrating this Monday (because everyday should have a positive edge to it)?

My Sweet Young Artist

Mother's are always proud of their children and I am no exception. I feel lucky to have a daughter who's interests, at three and a half, include dance, reading, singing, music, animals, and most of all art. She loves to draw, paint, sticker, cut, work with clay, sew (little kid kits), beading, and just about any medium that allows her to create something. We have to create something new each day. Most days include a variety of mediums with many things created.

She recently made a large step in her drawing. She is no longer just scribbling, but actually trying to make things, from movie characters, to food (pancakes with a pat of butter on top), people and more. One of her favorite subjects is the family. Anther favorite is the large box that Daddy recently gave her. She has had lots of fun decorating it inside and out.

I have to say I am amazed how quickly she went from scribbling to creating figures and more. She has also started to write her name and has about three letter down (they are just never in the right order). I just had to share as a proud mother.

The Family with hair.

Monsters Inc.

Pinky Dinky Doo

A puppy dog and more

Tell me Thursday - Spring Emerging

Yesterday was the warmest day of the this year and every plant and tree seemed to be taking advantage of the warmth and sun. The buds on our cherry tree are half out and I can't wait till it is full bloom. It is wonderful that spring is in the air and all the great things that come with it. One of my favorites this year is the park, now that my daughter is almost 4 and can really take advantage of it. Spring is one of the best times to go to our local park, not too hot or too cold. Wonderful.

So, Yesterday I just wanted to be outside and while I was out in the yard I noticed the way the sun was shining on the birch tree buds. The buds are just coming out and look a bit like pussy willows. I took a few pictures of other plants, but these were my favorites. I only posted one of the birch tree, but I had two outtakes I like too. So today I'm posting those today.

I hope you have enjoyed my photos and are enjoying the start of spring.

Wordless Wedensday - Spring Emerging

Treasury Snapshot: Photography, decay, and old things

I haven't had the time to snag a treasury on Etsy in a while, so I was completely surprised when I got one. Didn't even have a title in mind and just put whatever (actually "Random but fun"). I thought I would feature members of my Etsy team POE (Photographers of Etsy) and found these great images as I seached. Thank you to all the talented artist for making it so easy. Also, thank you to Tina of Pfeiffer Photos for featuring this Treasury and some of my work on her blog.

The Front Page &Treasuries

On the Front Page of ETsy tonight!!!, originally uploaded by ljdesignphoto.

I was on the front page of Etsy last night for about 40 minutes. I didn't actually see it until the last 15 minutes and according to the Heart-o-matic on Craft Cult, in just that time I had 60 page views. Thank you so much Michon!

If you like treasuries come and visit the one I curated. Just a day and a half to go: http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=45644