my dearest...

today when I got home, my sweet husband gave me this

he knows how much I love Gerber Daisies

~xo (especially to my sweets)

a few last thoughts on la petite maison blanc...

I know... it is a lot to take in, but it really was amazing! There was so much that happened that I had to chunk it out so that I could share it all. There was just no way to fit it into just one, two or even three bloggings. These are my final thoughts, and photos of that wonderful event.

(i promise!)

The three muses: Pam Garrison, Teresa McFayden, and Amy Hanna

My canvas house swap partner (Nancy Anicich) and I The canvas she made for me

I got to meet Jenny Doh! Pinch me!

I caved and bought a piece from Amy Hanna! I love it!!! (the photo does not do it justice!) I only wish I could have gotten them all. The hardest part is deciding which one...

Dinner at Cheesecake Factory (clockwise starting in far left corner ~ Cheryl, Suzanne, Natalie, Jessi, Heather, Jenny, Joanna, and me) It was sooooo good!!!

Like we didn't see enough of each other... is that possible??!! We (a few of us die-hards) drove out to Temeclua to this sweet barn sale called La Maison Rustique. The ladies were all so sweet, they had treats out for us (cookies, pastries, and mimosas! yummy!!!) and it was quite the reception! My little antique-r Anna joined in on the fun too... she got a handful (or two) of vintage cracker jack toys. Thank you to the lovely Linda, Sherry, Joy, Rita and all the ladies who were so hospitable to our little gaggle of girls that day!

It was a bittersweet day, it was still full of good friends and fun surprises, but in the end, everyone went back to their little nook in the world. Until next time ladies...

~xo

a spring maiden's crown

Stephanie Mayor made this crown for me in the Spring Maiden Crown Swap hosted by Bryanna Lenan for Kim's event. There are no words to describe the beauty but I do have to say that Stephanie told me that she has never made anything like it before. This girl should go into business... It is beautiful! Thanks Stephanie!!! AND thanks Bryanna for hosting! (by the way, Bryanna has a cute account of how the swap went down on her blog, it is true, I did squeal when I found out that this crown was mine!)

the front

the back

the happiest girl in all the land

~xo

artists, friends, and a little white house

After an event such as the Paris reception we had the highest hopes for the following day and they were met and surpassed with exceeding standards. Kim outdid her self again with her La Petit Maison. From the minute we entered the building, we were transported to another time and place where we left the business of the world at the door, only the softness of creams and whites surrounded us and we had no place to be except with good friends. It was just what I needed.

checking in, getting our table number and giddy to see what lies ahead

Up the stairs we went, finding hints of what was to come

When we walked in to our main crafting room, this is what we found

my seat

ceiling adornments

Kristen Robinson's vintage chandelier

the room was abuzz with excitement and everyone was impressed with the fantastic decor.

I love this shot, i think Kim got it... look at all the cameras out and where am i headed you ask? shopping, of course...

We made garland with Pam Garrison, creative house canvases with Amy Hanna, and Milagros with Teresa McFayden. I was a happy girl for sure!

me, Jenny, Teresa and Joanna

my Milagro

me and Jenny crafting away

my table Natalie, Jenny, Cheryl, Jessi, me and Joanna

The crown swap, oh the crowns!

I will have to post a really good close up of the crown I received coming up soon, it is just stunning!!!

More on this later.

~xo

i love paris in the springtime...

this past weekend was a whirl. my sweet girlfriend Joanna Lewis flew in from Texas for a visit and with the ever so talented Miss Jenny Morgan, we attended La Petit Maison. This amazing event was hosted by non-other than the fabulous Kim Caldwell, who arranged a wonderful reception for all the ladies attending the event on Saturday. We met at Paris to the Moon on Friday night before the big day and even got to do a make and take with the amazing Candice Carpenter. The evening was wonderful!

the shop front all adorned with Easter bliss

just some of the goodies inside...

The make and take with Candice Carpenter... she's amazing!

Joanna and Candice

the traveling team ~ Jenny, me, Joanna

~xo

shaking off the dust...

Gosh, where to begin... I feel like I need to explain. I have not hosted any swaps, taught any classes, spent much time outside my home and am getting emails from girlfriends asking me if they are doing something wrong when they sign on to my blog because they keep getting my Feb 1 post and nothing else.

I have really neglected my entire life excepting my husband and children (thank goodness I have at least my priorities somewhat in the correct order!) In January we had a flood in our main hallway upstairs. We had no idea how much damage it caused. We had industrial fans and dehumidifiers, estimators, insurance agents, construction workers, drywallers, carpet installers, tile and wood floor installer (who was also our), baseboard painter and installer, painters (my husband and I), electrician (my DH who isn't really an electrician but did a wonderful job and fortunately didn't set off so much as a spark), tile remover (also my DH... what a handy guy!), etc... Thank God for insurance!

We were told we needed to replace the flooring throughout the entire house minus our kitchen area. It was like moving out and starting over without being able to move our stuff out completely. We were like gypsies moving from room to room.

Since we needed new flooring, we decided we should paint before it came in, and since we were going to paint, we thought, we may as well get new baseboards, and since we were getting new baseboards, we decided to get new light fixtures as well, and since we got new light fixtures, we thought new bathroom accessories and bathmats and shower curtains were essential as well as new bathroom mirrors, and since... it can get really out of hand.

One of my girlfriends said it was like the children's story "If You Give A Mouse A Cookie"

She was so right.

Well, now it is almost April and we are just getting started putting our home back together. I never had any idea that so much dust could ever be produced! It was so bad I had to throw out our couch covers and start fresh but it is nice being able to see my floors again and beginning to have some sort of organization back in our lives.

Here are some before and in the process photos:

Once the house is back together again, I promise to post some photos of a clean, organized and newly decorated home. Knowing that people live here, I wonder if that will ever happen??!!

Here's hoping!!

~xo