and uh... January excitement :)
The last two weeks I've been cleaning and organizing the house
and dropping off loads of stuff to the thrift store...
and... then going into the thrift store to see what "needs" to be taken home...
'cause that's what I do :)
The yarn is for an afghan I AM going to make this year for THIS HOUSE.
I never finished the last one I started, didn't like it.
I decided a good way to stay organized would be to tape a piece
of yarn to the labels so that I would know the brand if I need more
since I'm making up my own pattern.
I'm thinking of something like this one here.
I spent one nine hour day cleaning my craft room.
It was scary in there...
I should have taken a picture of the before,
but I was too embarrassed,
and I didn't want to scare you. ha ha.
It's nothing fancy and I won't be in the pages of Where Women Create anytime soon...
but this is a happy place for me.
and it feels SO GOOD to be in here when it's really clean.
Not perfect, but much better.
Cute new red wicker baskets courtesy of Michaels after Christmas sale.
(What is that fabric doing hanging down the back...hmmm.)
And cute new fabrics to round out my stash... heaven.
I've started making complete sock monkey outfits.
This is one basket of materials gathered to make a monkey and designer outfit. :)
(I'll show you the finished outfits pretty soon... getting there.)
tabletop inspiration.
shelf top inspiration.
I started prayer art journaling in the mornings too...
I'll tell you more about that later.
Clarity.
I like that.
In other news,
our warm, snowless winter finally ended.
It is FREEZING COLD today!
Soup has been on the menu around here lately.
White chicken chili from a mix last week.
I've never made white chicken chili, so I played it safe with the mix.
It was good.
Too spicy for the kids, but not me.
I like it hot.
And I've been stopping for lunch lately at my favorite fast-food Mexican place.
Heat right now in any form is good.
Lizard art, hot pink cacti, and purple booths:
It is the tackiest, craziest looking place you've ever seen-
and exactly why I like it...
that, and the great add-on bar full of jalapenos, salsas, and killer chipotle salad dressing.
I picked Winston and Greta up from the groomers one day after lunch at the crazy Mexican diner.
And no, he did not have Mexican leftovers- this is his normal,"whoo-hoo I'm going for a ride!" look.
I was so happy when I saw their fur/color coordinatedpolka dot bandanas...
Probably weirdly happy over that.
I hope that's just the designer in me...
Or it's just the weird in me :)
And while were on the subject of weird.
My feet win.
They are homely.
But I would be fine with homely now, if they were just working...
The left one is the normal one-
ya, the one with the big gap and the second toe heading west.
It's inherited
from my Mom's side...
the Warner toe.
(You'll see it everywhere at family reunions- serious :)
Three of our four kids have it too...
Definately a dominant gene.
(Leftover from my monkey ancestors tree-climbing days, I guess ;)
I have been to SIX Dr. appointments (two podiatrists and one chiropractor) in two weeks.
Apparently, I have a predislocated second toe (the bruised one).
I woke up with it like that one day,
without injuring it.
(The bruise is from acupuncture.)
The podiatrists are telling me I will have to have surgery to correct it...
But I'm giving the chiropractor a shot at it for awhile.
If it's not better by March, I'll have the surgery.
It's slowing me down right now,
by evening I am just done
and I've got my feet up.
YUCK.
And that was probably just TMI, but it's life- right?
Except for the bad feet scenario,
I have the best feeling about this year...
I'm not sure why,
But I think it's going to be really great...?!
Mike woke up the other morning feeling just the same
and I'm hearing other people say it too.
Bring on 2012!
I'm excited to grow my business and to grow as a creative person...
I think the vision thing is finally in place for me.
It's about children, gardens, life, creating, spirit, joy...
why did it take so long for me to get it?
S.L.O.W. learner...
How about you?
What are you thinking/ feeling about 2012?
**********************************
Okay, I'm stopping here for now...
It's taking me forever to load photos for some reason,
and I need to get to work.
No Dr. appointments today-
I have the day to spend in my craft room.
(YAY!)
HAve A HappY FRIDAY,
XO!
(P.S. the blog is under construction... I'll have a new one in awhile, but the zinnias are kinda cute for now, aren't they?)

Thought I'd say "Hi!"....Hope you don't need the surgery. A clean art space is the best! Good for you. :)
Posted by: Julie | January 20, 2012 at 11:00 PM
Congrats on the afghan project - I have two that I started several years ago and neither of them are finished. My husband reminds me of that every time he opens the closet door and sees the yarn for them still sitting on the shelf. I can't wait to see sock monkey outfits - Alexa (my six year old) has just discovered the sock monkey and is fascinated by him:) Have a Blessed week.
Posted by: Cassie Shella | January 22, 2012 at 09:15 PM
Hi Kelly
One of my favourite things about your posts is all the fabulous colour ♥
Your studio is amazing - and definitely Where Women Create worthy :-) Love the little mouse xo
Great wool ~ it will make for a fabulous afghan & looking forward to seeing the adorable outfits you're making for your sock monkeys (speaking of socks ... hope your feet are feeling better)
Can't wait to hear more about your prayer art journal too. ♥ Hope you are having a great day. Deb
Posted by: Deb | January 24, 2012 at 01:44 PM
LOVE your art studio! Wish I had one like that, but I actually had to downsize, so now my art space is fighting with my office space. :( Some day...
Hope your toe is better by now!! Hugs... don't let them cut (if you can avoid it.)
Posted by: Maria | February 02, 2012 at 07:52 AM