Happy Holidays

The holidays are winding down, and I am still moving at the speed of light.  Our newest family member is still giving her mother a lot of challenges, but her mama is strong and loving and keeps right on keeping on!  Christmas had a little more color this year, with a new little one in the crowd.  She's not clear about Christmas, but her presence reminded us of the reason for the season, as they say.

Even Santa was captured by this little imp - see this gorgeous little photo!

Of course, there's no predicting her displeasure, but you sure can tell when she is displeased!

 She did smile for the camera at her buddy Peighton's 2nd birthday party, and all was well!

The Three Ts

Did I tell you that I have the most beautiful granddaughter in the whole world?  Well, let me tell you again!  The littlest Therese is making her mark in this world with enormous energy.  A few glitches with formula, tummy troubles, and sleep times, but she has begun to give in, just a little, to our real-world schedule.  I steal Baby T every chance I get, she is a "snuggle bunny" as my daughter says.

Here She Is!!

So glad to introduce my very first grandchild, Therese Marie Senft.  She was born to my daughter, Therese Anne, and was named after me, as you may have already guessed.  She did not want to make her appearance in a casual, gentle manner, but with great fuss and drama.  This morning, at 5:59am, she was put in my arms, after a C-section to deliver her.  Enjoy the arrival photos!

It's Worth The Wait

My granddaughter is much too comfortable with her mommy, and has decided to not arrive just yet.  We are at the hospital, waiting and watching for forward progress.  Little T is tired and hungry, Big T here is tired and achy, and Baby T is just as cozy as she can be!

Keep us in your prayers, think good thoughts, let's have this baby on Tuesday, today, so that she will be "full of grace" instead of "full of woe", as the old rhyme goes.  Don't remember that?  Here it is...

Monday's child is fair of face
Tuesday's child is full of grace,
Wednesday child is full of woe,
Thursday's child has far to go;
Friday's child is loving and giving,
Saturday's child works hard for a living.
But the child that's born on the Sabbath day
is fair and wise, and good and gay.

I'm a Friday's child, and my daughter is, too.  We don't want to wait until Friday of this week, so....

A Fairy Tale Baby Shower for My Only Girl

I will be taking on the role of Nana any day now - my daughter is expecting a little girl by October 3.  I can hardly wait, I have done nothing but think and plan and anticipate, oh, and rub her belly and talk to Baby T.  Last weekend was the baby shower for Therese, and it was a hit, it was fun, it was beautiful, and her friends and my friends all celebrated and, boy, what a ton of presents!!!  This little girl is spoiled even before she arrives.

A tent full of goodies

Gorgeous cakes by Susan Krumm!!

We painted baby onesies - what fun!

Of course, Amanda had to get the one gift Therese did not want!!

Ladybugs by Kathy Veit for Baby T's room...

We used vintage jars and an antique punchbowl, handmade umbrellas, and fresh flowers from our gardens.  It was all shabby chic, recycled, homemade, handmade, right down to the food and drink!!  I love my girl, and can't wait to be a grandma!!!

Recovery Can Be a Pain

So, hello, all!  It's been 3 weeks since my last post, the day of my jaw surgery, and I am just now feeling like I can share a little bit about it.  Far more pain and discomfort than I anticipated, far more complicated, and I've been home for three weeks instead of two, as a result.  I still can't talk well, still can't chew food - that's a good thing - I've lost about 14 pounds.

Creativity has been a little bit limited by my pain and lack of energy, but, last Friday, my hubby and I took a little road trip to see The Dandy Lion, in New Albany, Indiana.  Ani and Ali Tucker are the artists/owners of this lovely little shop, and they have had some of my artwork and craftwork in their shop since their opening day in August of 2010.  They welcomed us with open arms, showed us around their shop, and we talked about our dreams and schemes - what a wonderful visit!  I'm so grateful for the friends I have "collected" through my art, through etsy, and through blogging!  How else would I get to know so many creative people around the world?

We stopped at a gigantic flea market in southern Ohio on our way home from Indiana, and, while we found some great stuff, it was too hot and I was still too weak to trudge through the hundreds of tents and booths.  Maybe in late September?  You can see a few of the things I scavenged from the stalls at Caesar's Creek. 

Hope you all have a creative and gainful week!  I start back to my dayjob and hope that people won't try to make me talk too much!  Imagine having limited duty because you can't talk!?!?!?!

A New Beginning

It's been a while since I've taken the time to chat.  In that time period, I've found out that I will be a grandmother in October, which means a lovely baby shower to plan in September, and that will be after I have surgery to correct my jaw.  So many years of discomfort that I wasn't even aware of, because it was always painful, now they say they can make it better and make me look better (that's the miracle of it all).  I'm nervous and excited, but definitely not relishing a week or two weeks of not being able to talk, and looking like Goofy or Brutus!

Heading to the hospital in just a few minutes, say a few prayers, and I will try to do before and after shots!!!  We'll see.

Catching up and Out of Breath!!

It has been a long time since I posted any news, not for a lack of news, but a lack of time and focus.  The first news I want to share is that I will be a grandmother for the very first time!  My daughter is expecting a little girl in October, and I am over the moon, waiting to lay my eyes on her!!  I was able to be with her for the first and second sonograms, and it is an amazing thing, to see her developing right before our very eyes; she is moving and turning and even seemed to wave at us a couple of times.  We will be having a baby shower in early September, and I will have to post my pictures from that event - I have all sorts of plans for making it absolutely fantastic.

Well, Honey Grove Botanicals, The Little Black Chair, with a little help from moi, held our second Greenflea event in Gahanna last Saturday. We had wonderful wonderful vendors, again, and the beautiful arts, crafts, and vintage finds were so tempting, I had to buy something!  The next Greenflea will be on August 13 - I will be recovering from jaw surgery, but we will have plenty of great vendors for you to meet.  Mark it down!!!  Enjoy the photos from Saturday!

Success at the first Greenflea

Saturday, June 11, was the debut of the Gahanna Greenflea, and it was a hit!  Great vendors, great products, and great organizer, Jeannine Kern.  Her hubby was hero of the day, and is now an expert tent builder!!  Hooray for Doug Rogers, who helped everyone take down their tents and pack their cars.  It was totally team effort on all sides.  Some of the goodies to be seen included Beaniestalks and her great headbands and hairclips,Arianna with her beautiful furniture, home accents, and painted art, Deb and Doug with their gorgeous antique glassware,dishes, and jewelry, and,oh, so many more beautiful green things!!!

Left my camera at my "day job", and will try to get my phone pix up before too long, but mark your calendars for July 9, our second Greenflea,accompanied by more events in the courtyard and Creekside in Olde Gahanna.  Fun, fun, fun!!!!

GREENFLEA IN OLDE GAHANNA THIS SATURDAY!!!

We have 16 vendors, that's right, 16 green vendors, selling upcycled and recycled items, vintage finds and treasures, and all unique, sustainable crafts and stuff for you to buy.  Follow my link to the Gahanna Greenflea blogspot for more information!

So Many New Things Happening!!

My honey and I went wandering Saturday and found some great garage sales.  The nice thing is that everyone holding a sale in this little community kept their homes and lawns so pretty, and all the items for sale were clean and organized - what a treat!  My guy found a little ole' shopping cart that I have been coveting for a long time, at a great price!  It's mine, mine, mine!!  I found some really cool old suitcases, too, one so very old that the leather on the edges is turning to powder - I love it.

Look at this fabulous, fabulous book - written by Teddy Roosevelt, with scads of great photos of his adventures.  When did he have time to be President?

Then, I am getting ready to do a craft show at Saint Margaret of Cortona, a lovely little church on the outskirts of the northwest side of town, and can't wait to show off my newest gourds - here are a few samples, minus their glossy finish and vintage millinery accents (I'll show them later!).

I hope everyone gets a chance to get out this weekend and see all the new stuff I am making.  Keep creating, and keep in touch!

Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms in Blogland!!

This gorgeous lady is my mother, and, while she claims no special talents, she has been my inspiration, that core of steel in my spine when times are rough and I don't know if I can make it.  She is that inner child with insatiable curiosity that keeps me exploring my world and all the possibilities.  The gift of art may have come from my father, but the determination to pursue it and to share it comes from my mom.  I love her and, as my daughter once said, I don't know how anyone lives without her in their life!!

Spring is Here, Summer is not far behind - are you ready for the Gahanna Greenflea?

Honey Grove Botanicals is featuring a whole bunch of my "stuff" this spring, including handpainted wood baskets, upcycled fabric aprons, and various vintage containers and wire baskets, to go along with some Easter decor as well.  Stop in and see what they are doing, and check out my artwork and collectibles.

 The headbands and hairpins have been a big hit.  Get yours while they are still in stock - I am hurrying to catch up on more of those and some crocheted wire jewelry for the summer.

 My gourd birdhouses are ready to go home to your backyard - the birds are nesting now, so hurry on in!

Here is a shot of the backyard, where we will be holding our very first Gahanna Greenflea market on the second Saturday of the month, starting in June!  I can't wait - the vendors are calling, trying to get a spot before they are gone!  I'll be there, of course!!