December Kits are here!!!

Amy and I have really gone all out in creating these December kits for Gauche Alchemy! Each kit is so full of vintage goodies and various holiday ephemera, I can barely stand it--


Adorable felt shapes, holiday advertisements from the 40's and 50's, epoxy letters, vintage-inspired fabrics and handmade fabric buttons. It's certainly our largest kit yet, and quite possibly my favorite!

Here is the original post on the Gauche Alchemy site: December Kit

Please note that there are still 3 of the Cosmo Cricket booklets to give away, so go snatch up your kit today!! Visit our SHOP. Through 12/23/08, take 20% off any one kit in stock or free U.S. shipping (international customers will get an $8 shipping credit). To get this discount, please use the code "HOLIDAY10" in the comment/message box and indicate whether you'd like the free ship or 20% off.

Could it Be??

I think I'm in love...

with all things Hambly!

Would it be wrong to make out with a piece of paper...a softly shimmering, hand screenprinted, luscious piece of paper? Maybe I'll just caress it gently for now.

Papercuts, you know.

Lessons in enough

The hubs has his second job interview at noon today (it's currently 11:58am). More than an interview, it is an audition of sorts-- he is giving a presentation to a class of sixth graders in hopes of landing a job teaching humanities at a fantastic private school. Quite nervous, he is, and doubting his capabilities and talent.

I sit at my desk and send him a silent message (as I often do)..."I love you; you can do this" I repeat in silent meditation over and over in hopes that he will feel my fervent support. But the message I immediately got back was "love is not enough."

If love is indeed insufficient, then what shall I give? Hubs has, during this (too long) period of unemployment, stated that I have not given him the kind of support he requires. But when I earnestly asked what he needed from me, he could not articulate.

So, every day I give all that I can. I get up in the morning before the sun is up, prepare for the day and commute to work. I spend the daylight hours performing my office duties at a job that I enjoy (but does not begin to fulfill my calling in life). I take care of others, and then drive home to care for MY "others", my family. Dinners are prepared, a munchkin gets a bath (if it's a good day), and we try to enjoy a few hours of family life before the cycle starts all over again. I know that we are blessed, and I am so thankful for all we have.

But carrying this all is kind of starting to hurt my shoulders...

I continue to follow this routine daily as my way of showing support and love for my family. I pay every bill (one task among many) so we can have a cozy home, food in our pantry, and so that TQ can have a happy childhood. I may not be the perfect cheerleader, and my support might not be in the form of fresh flowers on the nightstand, or frosted cupcakes on a platter delivered with a smile (although we do make cupcakes from time to time), but it's what I can give. It's my heart in the form of homemade lasagna, or a game of CandyLand, or clean, cool sheets on the bed.

I think it's enough. I hope it's enough.

At least for today.

See, toddler parties CAN be fun!!

This weekend we attended the birthday party of my dear friend Amy's daughter, Jhaleah. The train park was the name of the game, and we enjoyed the fantastic weather and watched the kids run around. Here are some highlights...

~Stefan, Amy, Yasu and our kiddos on the train~

Here's the birthday cutie taking a ride on the carousel with her mom!

I can't believe how big the girls are getting! TQ will be four in a month (no wonder I'm so tired!)

If you love these photos, please visit Liquid Shutter Photography! Anna and Stephen are an amazing team here in Phoenix. Family photos for the holidays??? We had a family photo session with them a couple years ago, and a few of the pics are featured in the "lifestyle" section of their website. New baby, weddings, family photos...they do a fantastic job!

The Accidental Feminist

I know...I know...I am a terrible blogger. Most of you have probably lost hope and moved on to more stylish, fancy blogs with numerous colorful pictures and witty commentary about life and art. Well, I DO have goodies to share--recipes, layouts (gasp!) and some other fun things that I will be sharing in the next few days. In the meantime, read this glaringly honest essay by a woman who is (unfortunately) speaking my language. Well, except we don't have a dog and I certainly don't need extra-small gloves.

READ: The Superheavy

Giveaway!

No, I'm not the personal bestower of these lovely vintage-inspired goodies, but they ARE beautiful nonetheless... click HERE to read all the juicy details of this collection from Webster's Pages and have your chance to win the entire collection!
Go on now...click the link...just don't drool on your keyboard.

For.Ev.eR

Every day has seemingly run into the next, and I hate it when people apologize for being "away" from their blog, because if you're doing it right, most of life happens while your away from your computer. And, believe you me, life is happening...every moment. Children are growing, relationships are evolving and changing (for better and for worse), and I find myself floating in a sea of financial concerns, still-hot afternoons (98 degrees in October!), and muttled personal relationships. But paired with these things are great support of friends and family, the excitement (and work) of a budding new business, and the satisfaction of making a way for myself and remembering that I am an artist EVERDAY, regardless of how many (or few) canvases I may touch on any given day.

Today I take a moment to observe myself, and realize what my subconsious already knows: I am completely capable of rising above the endless run-on sentence that is my life right now and find my way.

And, dare I say, be happy.

Don't leave me now, friends, because great things are afoot.