Sunday Links No. 17 - Leaf Portraits, Bug Spray & Chalkboards

I lucked out today, in addition to it being a wonderful Mother's Day it is also my 14th wedding anniversary! Talk about being spoiled.

These chalkboards are beautiful to look at and the quotes are inspirational - double-win.

A photo challenge with some extra cool prizes from A Beautiful Mess. Count me in.

Justina's leaf portraits are stunning, especially when she converts them to black and white.

A natural, do-it-yourself bug spray. This is necessary for all of the backyard campfires I have planned for this year.

We do our best to label watch and eat food that has been through minimal processing, but this movie trailer shows how hard it is. 80% of the food in our grocery stores has added sugar.

Looking for more links to visit? Find some here.

I Love Being a Mommy Because of...

I love being a mommy because of:
Kisses & Hugs
Story Time
Nurturing
Adventures
Laughter
Discovering
Learning
Love

Happy Mother's Day this weekend to all you moms out there. 

Pattern

I have wanted to open an Etsy shop for a very long time. The shop is even ready to go, with no items listed...yet.

It has been agonizing for me to find that ONE thing I want to sell. Just a few small weeks ago I came to a realization, I don't have to sell ONE thing. I can sell as many different creations as I can dream up. And so I will.

My other hang-up has been brainstorming ideas that have never, ever been done before. Another thing I have had to let go. I am putting my own unique "Harmony" into my creations and that makes them original in their own right.

I know I am on the right path with one of my products, I have made 7 of them in the past week. I am passionate and on a roll. I dug out my vintage book of crochet stitches and I am using them to make my own patterns. My shop is going to open in 8 days - May 15th. That is scary to write, but now I have to do it because there it is!

The pictures is my response to the prompt pattern over on the Focus on Everyday blog. Click here to see the pictures from the other contributors.

Sunday Links No. 16 - Patchwork Kites, Glorifying Busy & Avocado Salad

It's a super rainy weekend in my neck of the woods. April held up it's end of the bargain and brought on the rain and May has delivered on the flowers, but can I get some sunshine too please?

Here are the links that caught my eye on the internet this week:

Let's go fly a kite! But I refuse to fly another kite unless it is this one.

I love potatoe salads and this recipe resembles my family recipe. I'm all for changing it up and adding in the avocado. But I use dill pickles in my salad and that isn't going to change.

Improve your body image by getting naked!

I am going to stop glorifying BUSY.

Don't be perfect, just be good.

So enamored with my friend Chris' new magazine Adore Chroma (you can get the first issue here). This is his second magazine, his first one is Adore Noire (dedicated to fine art Black & White photography).

Want some more? Keep reading here.

Happy Saturday

A very happy Saturday to everyone!

The birthday celebration was fun; lots of love and laughs.

The hand-painted mugs were a hit. I don't envy his decision on which one to use first this morning! I used this tutorial from A Beautiful Mess. In their comment section there are mixed reactions to the success of this DIY project but I had no problems.

 The requested cake was fruit cocktail upside down cake. I had never made it before (and honestly didn't think I would like it) but it was good. I found my inspiration on Pinterest, there wasn't a lot to choose from but it was enough. It really is no different than pineapple upside down cake - I haven't made that before either. The birthday boy pronounced that it was just as good as mom used to make (yay?).

 Everyone enjoyed the party.

We ended the evening with a family game of basketball.

Make it a great weekend!

Another Happy Birthday!

 It's Jeremy's birthday today. He told us he didn't want a celebration but we are doing it anyway. (And I know he is going to love it). Nothing too elaborate: the boys, me, cake and some handmade presents. I'll share more about those after he opens them.

On his birthday, I want him to know:

• He is the best dad! They boys adore him, look up to him and respect him.
• He keeps us all well fed. He puts time and love into all the dinners he makes for us.
• He makes me laugh every day. Sometimes I don't even know what he is laughing at (and sometimes it is at his own jokes) but his laugh is so infectious I have to giggle too.
• We're a great team. We balance each other out and get the things done that need to be done and still make time to have fun.
• I love him!

Happy Birthday Baby!

Seeing Beauty No. 3 - My Living Room

I've given you a little tour of my yard and my basement and my quest to see beauty in my surroundings and in the things I already own. I was planning on seeing beauty in my kitchen next but then I soaked up the view in the below picture and knew my living room had to be next on the list.

I love the collection of mementos and pictures above our fireplace. I eventually want to fill the entire space with frames full of memories and art.

This little fairy has been in my home in one place or another for over 15 years. Her bowl broke this year during the Christmas decorating frenzy. She is sitting on old science book set set my husband has had since he was a boy.

A little side table full of odds and ends. My dancing lady needs a repair, a project that is in the queue. If you look closely you can see some of the fossils that make up our fireplace wall (hint, there is a shell to the right of the dancing ladies raised arms).

I love to craft with buttons but I haven't in a long time. It has a lot to do with this little frame I made. I need to buy more buttons so the container can stay full and my crafting craving can be fulfilled.

I love all of the light that floods this room during the day. I am even more grateful when I can work from home and sit on the couch answering my e-mails. Don't worry about the smoke detectors, it was battery changing day and they are reinstalled.

Made crafts and purchased crafts can be found in little corners of the living room.

Is there an area of your house that you can look at with fresh eyes to see the beauty that is already there?

Sunday Links No. 15 - Photo Backdrops, Ducks & Ice Pops

Last week I had a mini-photo shoot with my neighbour's Indian Runner Ducks. SO cute.

I am dreaming about our lake vacation and homemade popsicles. These ones to be precise.

Adding video to your Project Life albums is not only possible, it is a must.

10 photo background ideas for your crafts and projects.

I am going to play around with this edging pattern to create some headbands (more stock for my future Etsy shop).

Pinterest has launched Guided Search, you can watch the video to see what it is all about. The reason I love this video is watching people use Pinterest to actually complete the projects they pin! I can definitely get better at that.

Want more? You can browse more Sunday Links here.