31 Days: Day 5 (Beaded Hair Pins)

God blessed me with a little girl. He blessed me with a little boy too, but said boy doesn't let me put cute things in his hair. His loss!

Today's "Be Creative" is a quick lesson on making cute little accessories for yourself , daughter or friend. You will need need:

• wire cutters



• 28 gauge craft or jewelry wire



• small and medium seed beads



• 2 Bobbi pins

First cut about a 12 inch length of jewelry wire. Count out 15 seed beads. Insert wire into the center whole of the beads. (Tip: pour the beads onto a piece of fabric so they don't roll away!) Bring the pieces of wire together and twist to make a loop or "petal." Repeat this process 5 times until you have 5 petals.

Next one end of the remaining wires and insert the medium to large size seed bead. Twist the wire around the other petals to center the bead in the middle of the petals to form a "stamen." Pull with wires taunt and twist several times to secure. Lastly take the remaining wires and insert in the "U" curve of the Bobbi pins. Wrap around the base several times to tightly secure the flower to the pin. Trim any excess wire. Voila! An adorable accessory! These make a great stocking stuffer!

31 Days: Day 4

Tonight is going to be a short one. I'm bleary eyed. Just finished a five mile run. There is a little one in pink feety pajamas still running circles around me way past her bed time. I wish I had her energy.

I want to share with you my Tufted Titmouse. Such a cute little bird. Such a cute little attitude. Kind of like the little one in pink feety pajamas. This was my sketch:

This was the finished watercolor:


A few years ago I was scared to death of watercolor. I swore by oil paint only. Two kids and much less time later. Watercolor is how I role. Much less set up time. Much less drying time. No chance of little fingers wanting to touch an unfinished painting. I hope you are inspired to try something new today!

31 Days: Day 3 Pinterest

I am so slow and late to the Pinterest bandwagon, but I have arrived people!

Add one more addictive online social media outlet to my list. But this one has a really useful purpose. We are moving sometime in the next year (loud sigh), god willing, and I need somewhere to put all these thoughts of how I want to decorate. I mean a new house really is just a blank canvas waiting for me to virtually dress it up! I don't know if this counts as created with my own two hands but it definitely takes a creative vision to decorate a house that doesn't exist yet, don't you agree?

So today I am going to focus on the Master Suite of my imagined not yet mine house:

http://pinterest.com/blueleafdecor/dream-master-suite

What do you think? Love it, hate it? Suggestions?

31 Days: Day 2 Backyard Beauties

Beauty is everywhere. Right in your own backyard. Even if you don't have fancy landscaping and a killer view, it is still there. I have a big old butterfly bush in my yard that I am guessing is as old as the house. It is an all you can eat buffet to an entire neighborhood of bumble bees, butterflies, and moths.
This butterfly was being camera shy but at least it let me get a few shots of its wings.

1. Bush + 1. Camera = being creative Day 2. What ways are you being creative today? Share your links!

31 Days: 31 Ways to be creative!

I am so excited this year to participate in the 31 Days event hosted by The Nester and the Inspired Room. For my "31 Days" posts I am circling around the theme of being creative. Because really at the heart of it, that is what it is all about right?

So everyday this month I will have a post about some creative pursuit of mine. It might be some embroidery from my shop or some photos for "The Daily Pic" or anything else that catches my fancy that day. Just something created by me, with my own two hands. I hope I inspire you to join along!

Today's post is my family pillow from my Etsy shop, Blue Leaf Boutique. It is a favorite of mine, because it is all about those that we love. Those that keep us grounded. Those that give us shelter. Enjoy!

If I knew how to do cartwheels...

If I knew how to do cartwheels, I would have been doing them this week. Because what else was there to do when two talented bloggers who I follow regularly and admire immensely contacted me directly to tell me that they are collaborating on a new site "Sashes to the Merchants" and wanted me and my shop, Blue Leaf Boutique to be a part of it, and the kicker is.... it is just because they love what I do. How often does that happen?


The creative talent, Ellen, behind Handmade Recess and the other creative talent, Jessi, behind Naptime Diaries have created a wonderfully rich and thought provoking site. The site has three principles:

• Provide Biblical Encouragement




• Offer practical help with creative business pursuits




• And build a great community

I am so excited to be a part of it. The fact that I am a busy mom of two small children, starting my own business, and training for a half marathon and still find time to read their posts regularly tells you how rich and worthwhile it is. I hope you all check it out too!

The Daily Pic: A little birdie told me...

My family and I spend Sunday afternoon at my mom's house. She has a spectacular picture window in her family room and just outside there is a large bird feeder. It is great entertainment to watch the birds come in. A purchased a new camera recently and I was able to zoom in pretty closely while staying farther back as to not scare them off. Here are a few of the shots I got.

Also, there are some exciting things happening this fall for me and my Etsy shop Blue Leaf Boutique that I can't wait to share with you soon!