Dear Friends:
This is my son, Richard, and my oldest child, Maria. They.are.my. LIFE.
I love them more than anything.
I have 2 more too!
They all fill my life with joy and are the "wings beneath my wings".
I know I don't share personal pics much on my blog(s) because I'm a typical "overprotective" parent...but this picture made me so happy I had to share.
xo lia
Dear Friends~
"Art is the only way to run away without leaving home."
by Twyla Tharp
Dear Friends~
My dining room table is still cleared off....art junk is almost all moved to my downstairs studio. Next week, I intend to do a "walk-through" and take pics of my little nook for you all to see. I love sharing my space and recording it here as well. After the "crash", I realized that having this blog is a way of keeping a record of all these photos as well as the journalling. It's also made me see, once again, how I have a hard time merging my art with my family doings (at least sharing them online). I do this mostly to protect their privacy, but in doing so, I didn't have all my family pics backed up on flickr. I have a pro account, so I could have done that...anyhow, I've learned my lesson and I'm backing things up like a crazy person hence forth. To clarify, I didn't lose all my family photos, but I did lose a large amount of them. I take a gagillion pics of my kids, although you would not know that by looking at my blog... Anyhow, I got sidetracked here....I wanted to share this beautiful piece above that my Mom gave me several years ago. "She" is named "Andrea" (the inscription is underneath) and she is handpainted. I don't bring her "out" of the china cabinet often as I fear that my lacrosse playing son, (aka. "don't throw that ball in this house) will somehow cross paths with her. So, last night, I put her back in the china cabinet...which means YES, my SON is home!!!!!!! 
There is really so much I'd like to share on this blog...for there is so much that inspires me, just around my house alone. I am hoping to do more of that this summer. I have lots of little projects under wraps right now, but you will be the first to see/hear of them as they are completed. One of the biggies is working on my kids books this summer. If you've been reading my blog for a while, you know that I've wanted to do this so much and that I have a hard time "arting" up their photos and including them in my work. I recently purchased a lovely book that is going to help me do that. "The Art of Personal Imagery: Expressing Your Life Through Collage
by Corey Moortgat". So far, I've been devouring every page, words of advice, teaching and treasure that this book has. I cannot say enough about it..only that I am kicking myself for not buying it sooner! Sometimes the thing we need to read the most is the one we avoid. Ok, so that's my speal for today. lol. love you all. Have a great weekend everyone! I have a full house once again. Here are my oldest babies, my greatest inspiration. xoxo lia
it's official....my dining room table is cleared off...news at 11.
studio update soon.
L.
I took this picture this morning of my favorite old white leather chair in my room(that my husband hates..lol). I try to cover it with blankets and quilts to hide it's supposed ugliness from him. I love this square afghan. I got it from a dear woman who sells vintage linens and such on ebay. Anyhoo, I though it was neat how the sun was streaking in through the blinds. My camera skills are not great, but I do like to stop and take a picture of something when it inspires me (much to my children's chagrin), but I digress.
The last few days I've been feeling kind of "eh" which a few of my blog sista's picked up on right away (thank you for your kind words, you all warm my heart!) But, anyhoo, I think it's because I feel guilty about not having all my present shopping done and the days are ticking away! I've been helping my son with his college aps and we've had a miriad of other life things going on that have pulled me away from my shopping chore. I say chore, not cause I don't like shopping for people, I do, but I don't like to go "out" shopping much. I have a hard time making decisions on what to buy and I worry about them liking, etc. etc. This is not a good thing, especially since I also need a few things for the holidays myself that I've put off doing. I guess you know why I have time to craft in the day, cause I'm not out shopping! So, I had a little "pity party" this morning and invited my husband to attend. He was very understanding as always (except about the ugly white chair and anything clutterful in the house) but I must say he is a good egg. He told me he'd help on the weekend and reminded me that I turned down an offer to go with him earlier in the week. You see, I love shopping with my husband although he does not volunteer to do so often, but he is on a mission when he shops. He's in and out of a store with what he wants in before I can say, "look over here at this cute....". I, on the other hand, get mesmerized and go around in circles not only wondering what to buy but how I can alter, craft or make something else with it. Yes, the creative mind does not turn off, it's kind of a mixed blessing. So, where was I? Oh yeah, I decided after my appt. to go get a few gifts out of the way at a local outlet. I bought my yearly "christmas/holiday" top. No, not the christmas tree sweater. I usually get a nice top to go with my "staple" black slacks that I can wear to a christmas party or new years thing. It's usually something I would not "normally" buy, you know, not practical category. I'm mainly a jeans and plain top girl. So this is what I bought. 
I've wanted a top like this for a while, but avoided since it looks maternity like and I'm worried about it making me look like bertha butt, but I liked it's flowing soft material and the nice rich red color. So, there it is, one thing out of the way, my "holiday" top.
Now I'm off to make my list and check it twice and get organized with my gift giving. I did also buy some pretty sparkly glitter gift card holders and envelopes. So, wish me luck and I'll be back soon. I'm going to work on Maria's book again later tonight and I have a sewing project up my sleeve so check back with me. Hope you all are having a wonderful week and getting creative with what you have and what you love! xxoo Lia
