Spring Colors

Okay, maybe spring has not completely sprung just yet {low 30s for Dallas today} but we can still enjoy the colors that spring has to offer.  You can find spring colors anywhere...even in your own home; just take the time to look.  Where are your spring colors?

Here is a spring poem written by a child...it's simple, and honest.

Spring is here,

Spring is here,

Goodbye snow,

Flowers grow.

Birds and bees,

Leaves on trees,

Spring is here,

Spring is here.

Spring colors on my music

Spring colors in my book

Spring colors on my coffee

Spring colors on my food...

I made fish tacos the past two days.  I tried it with tilapia and then catfish...definitely liked tilapia better.  Here's the recipe...let me know I you decide to try it!

-blacked tilapia

-diced organic tomato

-julienne red cabbage

-organic avocado 

-chopped cilantro 

-creme fraiche

-white corn tortillas

-blue corn chips

-lime and orange to garnish

These coffee stickers were from a place I used to frequent back in 2004 called Diedrich Coffee 

{it was a small chain} and they truly believed in the art of coffee.  Not only was their selection of coffee from all over the world, it was a wonderful place to sit and read for hours on end. Sadly, they were bought by Green Mountain in 2006 and all stores were either re-branded or closed down.  I was so happy to have saved this bit of ephemera.

Cat Postcard

Happy Easter!!
Browsing the antique stores here in town last weekend, I came across a vintage postcard from the 1950s.  I was able to scan it and create my own fun postcard to give to friends and family.

Look at the artistic detail and thought that was put into creating this masterpiece.  And I LOVE the name of the airline!  Air travel like this is a thing of the past.  But this piece of unique nostalgia is a reminder of how it used to be.   

I created a vintage look to the back of the card with a Western font.

Then I decorated a glassine bag with stamps and washi tape.  I think it makes a great gift in of itself!  Perhaps for a going away party or a honeymoon?  What do you think?

Have a blessed week,

Chris

Calling Cards

Calling cards were first introduced in France in the early 1800’s and caught on throughout Europe and America as an important social craze. The height of the popularity of the calling card era coincides with the reign of the Victorian Era.


I created this replica of Baby's First Steps once used as the perfect gift for any parent or guardian who wished to preserve the memory of their baby's growth and progress. 



I made the sleeve from a glassine bag and added the stamps and ornaments myself.



I also created one for baby's first tooth.  



And on the back, there's a spot for baby's name and date of the event.  Enjoy!

Magnolia Market/Cotton Palace B&B

It was such a joy to spend some time in Waco, TX this past week, {less than a two hour drive for me} before the Spring Breakers arrived.  

I spent all of Thursday {March 8th} at the Magnolia Market, which has been put on the international map.  Despite its commercial success, I was perfectly content just people watching while sitting on a beanbag chair at the main lawn.  I also made it through the Silos Bakery {there was a line out the door} and enjoyed a Food Truck hamburger.  If you ever decide to visit, I would suggest going on a weekday off-season {It's still crowded then}. 

I had spent some time in Waco in the past and the city has really turned around for the better...it's not perfect but it has a lot of potential. Enjoy!

These old silos are the landmark here at the market.

The temperature was a perfect 73 degrees F.

The popular Silos bakery with all of JoAnn's original recipes.

At the bakery, I got the last Lemon Lavender and a Carrot Cake!

*  *  *

I arrived at the Cotton Palace Bed and Breakfast located on Austin Street about a mile from the Magnolia Market and walking distance to the antique stores. 

Cotton was king in this part of Texas back in the 1800s. When Stephen F. Austin led the first Anglo-American settlers into Texas including areas along the Brazos River, they brought with them their strong agricultural tradition based on cotton-growing.

This charming house is over 100 years old and still retains that vintage but modern Victorian charm.

The Cotton Palace B&B, 1910 Austin Street, Waco, TX.

I stayed in Mae's Attic and got the entire third floor to myself!

 Reading nook #1

 Reading nook #2

 Reading nook #3

Enjoying my cupcake all by myself on the living room sofa before writing a journal entry {Don't forget to write in your journals!}

This rabbit was my favorite piece in the house...I was fascinated by it for some reason.

The house did not have resident cat but one of the antique shops did!  He sat at the door greeting the customers as they walked in.

                      Have a blessed weekend!

Spring has Sprung

The 'ol cliche?  Well, perhaps, but I believe it's still a good line especially when the weather is severe clear and 70 degrees!  It's no doubt, much of the lower forty-eight experienced a brutal winter, even in the south.  Record lows were broken as was snow and ice.
{But do not fret!}
Warmer temps are on the horizon and many {perhaps you} will be taking some much needed vacay or at least some time to enjoy the outdoors.

Here are a few of my favorite items that I dusted off and prepared for travel...perhaps they will give you some ideas on what to take for your journey...

-Gingham shirt, baby blue
-Lace-up sandals, tan
-Skinny jeans, white
-Adjustable belt, navy
-Ivy-league cap, tan
-Favorite magazine
-Favorite book
-Bookmark
-Reading glasses

Vacation {or just time to yourself} is a great way to reflect on the past season. Ask yourself these questions for journaling ideas...

-What did you like{or dislike}about winter?
-Did you try anything new?
-What did you struggle with the most?
-Did you commit a random act of kindness?
-How can you better yourself?

Don't forget, no one is perfect {and we don't have to be}.
Just remember to always do your best...to me, that's success.

Packed and ready to go!  Where will your journey take you?

Happy New Year and New Piece

Happy New Year everyone!

It's been six months since I moved to Dallas and I'm just now starting to feel "settled in"...at least enough to begin working on paper crafting, photography, and even pleasure reading (which I haven't had time to do in years!)
I hope you all are having a great 2018 and with you many blessings.

I put together this vintage-inspired postcard scanned from the actual postcard I have here at home. There is no date but I gather it was from the 1940s or perhaps 1950s. (Rue, maybe you can confirm this?)

It was a challenge to get the back of the postcard lined correctly in the printer.

Then I included a glassine bag, added washi tape and twine, then stamped and added lace and a quote.

The cats were worn out after chasing every piece of string

Meow!

We Go Where the Wind Takes Us

A new home...{A new life}

You never know where life will take you.  We can make all kinds of plans...{we plan, and plan, and plan} and many times, the outcome is nothing like we expected.  

As for me, I have retired from teaching and now working for American 
Airlines.  And I have moved to the Dallas area {Addison,TX} as of July 12th.  This happened so quickly, that I am still doggie-paddeling just to keep afloat.  After months of reflecting, this was the right move for me at this juncture in my life.  I feel extremely blessed to be here and couldn't be happier!

I have NEVER had a place this modern in my life!  I had to scramble to find the first available unit within a 25 mile radius of my new work.  But I managed to find a safe and quiet area to live and make it my own. {If you have any ideas on how to make a modern structure look classic I am open to suggestions} I still want to keep that "French bistro" look.

 Fancy bar! What would you put in that space above the cabinets?

 Fancy kitchen

Moving can be stressful...luckily, for me, it was only a four-hour drive from Houston.  Here are a few things to keep in mind when you feel overwhelmed and when life pulls you in every direction:

~Don't strive for perfection...{we are not perfect beings by any means}...do what you need to do to acclimate to your new life-style...change address, find the grocery store, and slowly explore your new surroundings.

~Don't "freak out"...remind yourself that YOU are in control of you.

~It's okay to say, "no".  That is my biggest fault is trying to please everyone.  It's okay if you don't feel like going to that restaurant tonight.

The cats appear to have warmed up to their new place.

MEOW!

Snail Mail

 Snail mail has lost its way in the past years.  Many of us sit at our computers or devices to say a simple "hello...how are you".  For centuries, our universal mail system has strengthened the bonds of friendship, family, and community. Our system has encouraged civil discourse, disseminated information, and bolstered the national economy {both as the hub of a vital industry and as a trusted courier of the nation’s and world’s business}.  

 A home-made card or telegram is a fun and creative way to honor and show someone you value them.  You can pick up card stock, envelopes, decorative tape, and string in the dollar bins, or at least on sale at your local craft store. {Even cheaper for teachers like me!}

I printed the text using a typewriter font, which you can download for free, on rough newsprint paper {purchased in the dollar bin}. 

Then, I used double-sided tape to adhere after using the end of the table to create the rough edges.  

Then, I used a black marker to forge a burnt look.

From there, you can go crazy with stamps and stickers and tailor your creation to the person you are sending.  

 Always remember to add love to your project...your recipient will remember that for years to come.

 Use a pre-printed ephemera sheet and glue it to the front of your blank card stock.

Tie with rustic string for that old look.

 Your loved-ones will remember and cherish the time you put in.  I always say, that the best expression of love is time.  When you give someone your time, you are giving them a portion of your life...we can always make more money, more food, or buy a store-bought card...but time can't be bought...it is our most precious gift.