bucket or basket…

Kind of like paper or plastic, huh?  I used to think of myself as completely sentimental…a traditionalist.  I thought that starting certain traditions surrounding holidays when the kids were babies would prove to be the most beautiful way to celebrate, and in some ways it is. 

However, this year instead of pulling out the Easter Baskets that the kids have used every year, I decided to try out a new craft project.  This one hit me one day while I was at Hobby Lobby and saw these colorful buckets calling screaming my name….saying, “Paint me!”

With the kiddos still being young, the pink/blue thing works at our house. 

  

One thing I have to mention…my son is 3 and my husband kindly asked me if I would remove the ribbons from his bucket before he uses it.  I laughed, and then agreed. 

THE Bunny!

My kids were in a little fashion show this weekend. 

The local department store had their own version of the Easter Bunny within the store for photo-ops.  My kids were still in their show clothes for this picture.  My son was less than enthusiastic about modeling in front of others, so by the time I got him lined up to walk across the stage, I had promised him half the mall!

After my husband and looked at each other and both said, “Whew…he did it!”, we got them undressed and headed off to put quarters into every machine we could find. 

Then, my son reminded me that we didn’t get to see the Easter bunny.  I reminded him that we DID see the Easter Bunny, and tried to jog his memory by showing him the picture that I had taken.  After going back and forth a bit about us sitting in his lap, talking to him, and coloring with him, my son was still upset and not pleased with my answers.  He started to tear up and said, “But mom, I want to see THE Easter Bunny…the REAL one.”  I knew exactly what he was talking about (and obviously, so did he).  So off we went…to see THE bunny…and to get another picture. 

Don't trip!

I am having trouble finding my floor and all my furniture this week... I have been painting 18 bulleting boards for a cheerleading squad. Painting the boards wasn't the problem, drying them was. They are 20 X 24 boards so they are pretty big. Thought these pictures easily summed up my life this week. I think that I told my kids and my husband to make sure that they walked very carefully around the boards at least 100 times!

Hippity-Hoppity

Easter is on it's way!! Where have I been? I really did not think about it being here in just two weeks. Oh well, no big deal, decorations and new dresses are not what EASTER is about.

I did manage to get some of my bunnies out of storage and they have found new homes atop my furniture. I have a fascination with rabbits/bunnies anyway so many of them were already out, but I let them "hop" over to a new location for Spring.

So... here is your 10 cent tour!

Here is the talented handywork of Kari and Kijsa.

This is upstairs in between the kids rooms...notice the bunny lamp...told you I liked them!

My daughter's room already had bunnies in it, but here is her Easter tree.

Here is her bed with bunnies.

My poor dining room table...I tried! I couldn't find my Spring table runner ANYWHERE! So, I left the zebra print. Haven't you heard of the Zebra Bunny? I thought so!

Of course, the bunny plate made it back out this year.

Close-up of the Zebra Bunnies

Happy little bunny candle holder.

HAPPY EASTER!

Your Prayers Are Needed!

I have a very specific calling today to pray for this beautiful family. Please join me in lifting them up as their son Stellan is in the fight for his life. As you read McKMama's story of what is happening, I hope you will also see what a mighty God she believes in.

"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." II Corinthians 4:17

Painting Pillows (part 2)

Recently, I had the pleasure of painting some pillows for a couple of fun little girls. Their mom has GREAT taste in decor and has decorated their rooms in bright, fun colors. Makes me think that has something to do with why they are such happy children. She sent me a couple of pictures to get get colors from and then I grabbed my brush and got to it!

I love how bold and simple this one is.

Here is a close up.

This one makes me feel like I am at Seaside, HHI, or Kiawah Island riding a bike. It also reminds me that it won't be long before the Farmer's Market opens!! I must have been thinking about all those things while I was painting.

I love the fact that this mom let me use my creativity and didn't tell me what she wanted. I do love direction on projects, but I have so much more fun when I get to dream and paint what I love! ENJOY!

"Rock" Monster

I am working on getting some pictures posted of things that I have painted this week. They should be on here tomorrow. Until then... here is a little bit from my "Guitar Hero"! * Make sure to scroll down and turn my music off before you view the video.

Pillow Parade

The ever talented, sister duo, Kari & Kijsa, have invited bloggers to join in their Pillow Parade! This works out GREAT for me, because you see...I have a HUGE pillow fetish...they are everywhere! So, here are some pictures of what makes the tushy "cushy" at our house.

I'll start with some that I have painted

For the sports fan

personalized Christmas

Bunnies are not just for Easter!

cute little punkin'

V'day or everyday

made out of vintage buttons

artichokes...my other fetish

did these for my son

a great needlepoint

bought a few stems with big flowers, took off the flower and hot glued it on!

"Board" Out of My Mind!

I have a friend who is getting married next month and I was trying to decide what to give her as a shower gift. Normally, I would stick to the registry.... because honestly, that is what they really want, right? Well... often times I go to a baby shower, bridal shower or birthday party and I feel like the recipient is sometimes disappointed in my gift because secretly, they were hoping that just maybe, I would have painted them something.

You see, I am just now understanding (gaining confidence) that people are okay with me giving them something I created...or they act like it. I just didn't want to be that friend or mom that always gives away something I made, in hopes that after I leave, the recipient doesn't say, "Gee, that was nice of Amy, but where am I gonna put that?"

I enjoy creating things for people and feeling like I am giving them something that they know I put time/love into and that I chose that specifically for them.

Anyway...here is my wedding gift. See what you think. I'll let you know how it goes over!

God Made Dirt...

...and DIRT don't hurt!

AHHH...I am loving the sunshine and warmer weather! We literally stayed outside ALL day yesterday. After kindly, yet forcefully telling the kiddos to "Go play!" yesterday, this is what they got themselves into.

After the recent ice storm, we had some trees to fall on the property. My husband was waiting until the weather warmed up a tad to go out and finish chopping it down. The kids liked climbing on it so much, they wanted us to keep it. Hmmmm..... NO!

Can I tell you that I was a wee bit jealous? Oh, to be covered in "yuck" and not care. I was reminded yesterday of what childhood should be like...this!

We have way to many things these days that consume our time. All it took was a yard full of small children, a few buckets, and some dirt to bring back the word "simplify" into my vocabulary.

The kids raced with bucket out of the playhouse and we to the very back of our property where an old barn stands. There, is where they stayed all day. Digging, giggling, singing, chasing, and at one point, they even used the word CLEANING. What? I did notice sticks in piles!

Their day ended with a good ol' trip around the yard in a red bucket attached to a lawn mower. Does it get any better?? I know they had to have been uncomfortable bouncing all around, but no one complained... all we heard was the laughter as they bounced about the yard. Or, maybe it was the exhaust and fumes from the lawn mower that caused them to get all "giddy". Too bad we couldn't have just filled up that red bucket with some soap and water and hosed them all down. Just be glad that I don't have a picture of the bathtub water to attach to this post. YUCK!