cold brain, warm heart

         

LoVe

 

     is irresistibe.

     is a renewable energy source of vast potential.

     is not always easy.

     makes a house a home and a place a community.

     takes you into uncharted territory.

     makes you want to leave the world better than you found it.

     isn't blind. It sees everything.

     will find a way.

     is all you need.

 This quote was laying on my kitchen counter when I came home last night. I don't know where it came from, but I took it as a sign to post it. I think it's beautiful. I'll have to ask who left it there... I don't think I've had a remarkable thought in my brain all week. January does that to me. When I've thought about what I should write on my overdue blog, all I get is this (.....?.....) Yep, that about sums up my brain wave activity lately.

 I just want to hibernate. Bears are smarter than us. Get fat, go to sleep for the winter, have babies while you sleep, wake up in the spring- skinny. Yes, bears are very smart.

But I've kept working, along with taking care of three sick kids.. multiple schools, multiple germs. Hurry spring. I want to see butterflies.

So on my self-made heart art assignment, here's what I've come up with. And what we've done with our week ( again) at home. (I'll list heart art on Etsy tonight.)

    One thrift shop bowl I painted red and filled with my homemade fabric scrap hearts.

       I stitched  warm and wooly hearts. Inspired by magazines with those heart-shaped sugar cookies with the raspberry fillling... yum. I am a sucker for magazines with flowers and pretty cookies in January.   And woven paper heart ornaments, brought home from school by my kids... yummy, too.

 

I've been experimenting with my new wood burning tools

  It's harder than I thought it would be, kinda like learning to drive a stick shift- just gotta give it the right amount of pressure.

    I also tried to burn down my studio and the house.... Yes, follow the directions and do not leave lit candles unattended people! Just after checking on dinner, I walked back in to see shooting flames right below the lampshade. YIKES!

I am obviously desperate for a little excitement.

 It was also very, very foggy for a few days here. And I really missed the sun, so I pulled out our summertime Mr. Sun folk art piece and put him in the hallway; it wasn't enough...      Images of beautiful, light-filled cathedrals with stained glass windows kept coming to mind... so I made this piece of collage art on wood.

    Old jewelry pieces, batik fabric, polka dots, and green things growing are some of my favorite materials to work with.

   

But on most days the skies are brilliant blue in Utah winter, and I'm so glad. I've lived in other places with grey winter skies, and I think it's soooo depressing.

 It's been so cold here; the last snowstorm stayed on the trees for days.

   Look at this photo I took of my back yard at dust. No flash, and look at all the lights- anyone got any ideas about this photo- Traci?

And in between my creative spurts of energy, we studied for and won the class spelling bee, and then made it to the fourth round school-wide finals. Yay, Jesse!     We finished our science fair project too...

Winston is good for lots of things- he was even a very willing science fair experimentor- running timed races for treats.The conclusion: he likes bacon treats over chicken or beef treats ;-) And he says he'll be a science fair experiment aannyytimmme...

 

Just look at these two ridiculous haircuts. I'm not happy to have spent seventy-five dollars for this--

    Greta looks like she stuck her paw in a light socket, and Winston

     looks like a pig. Oink. The vet says he's gained four pounds this winter. Double Oink.

Been sprucing up around the house with a few heart items too, repainted a dark shelf white. Yes, I like to paint furniture in my kitchen, doesn't everyone?

         

And buying little things like this for a January picker-upper. Antique quilt heart art, from our towns' best gift shop- Just a Bed of Roses, thanks Brenda!

 

I'm liking it on my dining room hutch.

   

And why stop at the furniture-- today I decorated the old earlobes with hearts I made last February.

 

And added a wild thrift shop shirt. Yes, sometimes I find some great clothes there too- (now my high fashion secrets are out!)

Well, I guess that about wraps up the week here-- thrilling, I know... but hey, it's been January all week. 

Hope you're all doing well, and staying well and warm!!

Lots of love,

xoxoxo Kelly 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

Comments

[traci]

holy moly girl, you've been busy!!! wow. i love the piece that you put the vintage jewelry on. that is beautiful. hearts are definately on your mind. poor little puppies - they need a little extra fur to keep them warm. our wired haired terrier (growing up) only had on black spot on his side. they are so cute. were you catching the snowflakes in your outdoor snow picture. it looks pretty. i wore your pin the other day and i got tons of compliments. yep, my friend kelly is very talented.

[Deb]

You've been busy Kelly! Congratulations to your son on winning the spelling bee - that's great. Love all your Valentine inspired crafts and your heart shaped bowl! And lucky Winston at ONLY gaining 4 pounds this winter :-)

[Cherry Tree Lane]

I love all your thoughts on love. It DOES make a house a home. You are so right.

[Ainsley]

HEY MOM!!! That was me who left the quote ripped out from a magazine...I liked the little baby on it and I told Sophey you would too...And I really liked the quote and wanted it for MY HOUSE!!! So I hope you didn't throw it away :) I especially like the part that says 'all you need is love' because it reminds my of my dear sweet little sis. Oh and can I borrow those earrings???

[thepainted fern]

You have been very busy...for January!!!I can't seem to get anything done,must be like those bears in winter!Love all your felt hearts...

Jocelyn

[Maria]

Lovely post! Your pooches are adorable.