Playing Outside!

This is Jackson, our youngest.  He is almost 21/2 and he's so much fun.  Before you ask....he did have mittens!  He hates them and took them off to drive.  It was a nice sunny and snowy day...perfect for playtime.  All three of them had fun playing on the play set and going down the snow covered slide.

Huh?

what does a chicken say? 

SNOW!!!!

We finally did get our snowstorm!  About 16 inches or more fell in the past 24 hours and we love it!  Our car got stuck in the driveway but we are getting plowed out.  We would play outside and go skating and sliding but it is supposed to be -24 with the wind chill.  And tomorrow shouldn't be much better.  At least it won't melt!

I can just imagine if there was a little birdy family in there they would be cozied up on the couch with a few plaid blankets.  Their little feet would be out and they would be warming up by their little stone fireplace.  I think I'll add a little chimney next year.....

Giveaway!

Go here to enter to win this great valentine pair from johannaparker design: 

http://johannaparkerdesign.blogspot.com/2011/01/double-heart-giveaway.html

it is simple, easy and these could be yours!  

Before and After....

I have been working on 7 dogs today.  I love this black and white one and thought it would be neat to show what these dogs look like before we put the layers of paint on.  

We did get a bit of snow yesterday....about 4 inches.  And, we are supposed to get a BIG storm here on Friday too.  This weekend should be a fun one!
-cortney

Snow Day!

We are supposed to get a snowstorm here on Friday.  I like snow...I really do.  Even though we live WAY up north we haven't had much of the white stuff. Our winters are supposed to be cold and snowy and when I look out into my yard I can still see grass. IT'S JANUARY!  We aren't supposed to have grass..
As the mom of three little kids we have to find active things to do in the winter.  We have about 3 acres here and some of it is an open field with a bit of a slope.  Our kids have always loved to go out and go sliding or snowboarding out there.  The problem is...we just don't have enough snow!  I'm really wishing for a storm so we can do these fun winter things.
1. go sliding!
2. make a snow fort or igloo
3. Skate on our backyard rink
4. go snowshoeing
5. sit by the fire...drink coffee and hot cocoa and watch the flakes dance

But...while I'm waiting for snow I will continue to create snowmen.  I love to make these guys and play with accessories and facial expressions.

 I'm thinking about doing more folk art paintings and mixed media paintings and this has inspired me.  If I can find more time between the kids, the home reno's and my art I will get some paint to canvas soon!

and these great, creative pieces from a fabulous artist Johanna Parker from Johanna Parker Designs.  You can find more of her work here: http://johannaparkerdesign.com/gallery-Christmas-2010.htm

and this cute snowman ornament from folk artist Linda Silverthorne: 

In her artist profile she says:  I love holidays! Vintage inspired, glittery, over the top decorating. Christmas and Halloween are probably my faves. Fun and whimsy are what I try to create with my work. 

Definitely whimsical don't you think?  

Well.....I'm waiting for my snowy weekend.  What is your favorite snowy activity?

Time outdoors.....

We spent a lot of time outside this past weekend.  The weather was nice, 32 degrees or a bit under and little snowflakes that fell all around us.  The kids used their shovels to try to build forts and my husband and I used the big shovels to work on our outdoor ice rink.  We laid down the tarp, made the border out of 2x4 and then filled it with a few batches of water.  It will take about a week of cold temps to get it full enough so we can skate on it!  While we were outside I saw a bunch of birds eating from our newly made pine cone and bacon grease feeders and red squirrels in the trees.  It inspired me to work on our new "woodland" collection of tiny figurines.   Get a sneak peek of them here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Indigotwin/276177064393

Friday Favorites

I'm just loving the combination of red, white and turquoise right now!  This is a stunning piece from CicaleTdesigns on Etsy.  It's so fresh a fun! 

 I'm also loving this sweet little bather from danitashop. Her pieces are so full of whimsey and color.  And this other awesome 

piece of art from Campbell Jane.

I love these folk art styles and these colors.  I'd love to have all of them!!!!

-cortney

Slippery Snails.....

Some of my favorite colors are pink, white, red and turquoise.  I love these especially when they are combined together.  I love polka dots....I love critters.  Yes...I love critters.  I love bugs and snails too.  

Thoughts of love....

Filling the shelves with Valentine items and working on some custom pieces left over from the holiday rush.  We just finished a great, relaxing weekend with the whole family here at home.  We went sliding...built snow forts and had a picnic in the woods.  What could be better?

Cortney