closing out the old year

It has been a rather lovely second to the last day of 2011.  This year has brought many changes for me within myself and am looking eagerly towards a new year to continue this incredible life.

Today's project was a very warm and toasty pair of slippers.  Adapted from Simplicity 2278. Made from scraps. Up-cycled jeans on the bottom and fleece on the inside with a vintage flannel snowman print to keep my tootsies warm.

Spend some time each day on your Hearts Desire.

2011

Well here we are the day after Christmas and all is fairly quiet. At this very moment the drum set that Seth got from Santa is not occupied (of course until someone walks by it in the living room).  Preparations are being made to move it to his bedroom where it will be less of a temptation from the other family members. Just imagine animal on the Muppet's with a very concentrated face and you have Seth at the drums. Total joy to watch. Our Christmas this year was very quiet and I loved every second of it. Our Christmas Musical at church was on the 18th and Christmas with my family was on the 20th due to R.j. and Lauren being in town from Washington. This made my sister so very happy to have her son and girlfriend home and their new wee bun in the oven. It also made for a quit Keeley Christmas as we were home just us 7 for Christmas eve and Christmas day. Just what this mama needed.

I have decided to continue in the coming years  the development of myself for the betterment of my family. I realized that I have spent far too long in the service of others or worried about their thoughts of my service and not focused at all on my family and what I should be doing. Part of this comes from a deep desire to please all people and the fact that I am a Renaissance Soul. Side note get the book The Renaissance Soul by Margaret Lobenstine a great read for those f you who are like me with more then one passion in life. This book helped tremendously along with books from Eckheart Tolla. I do feel the ability to focus daily on what I am supposed to be doing and not just what others want me to do and be.

The quiet has been interpreted by a drum solo by the 15 year old. : D

Changes have been made in the household as well and decided that this mama needed a space to call her own. Very hard to come by in a home that is only 1800 square feet and 7 people. Rooms are small and most spaces must multi task. I did however make the decision that the multi task room of school, craft, office, computer room become just mom's craft room. I have however allowed the computer to stay and will create a small office on the wall above it. Mostly it is my room to do as I please and allow my Renaissance Soul flourish here. The school room is being redirected to another space and a huge project to be handled in January.

I am looking forward to my garden. It does not help that their is no snow to speak of here on the 26 th of December in the middle of Michigan. All I can see is grass and dirt just waiting to be worked in the lack of snow makes the desire to be in the garden greater. Big plans this year for the garden as the seed packets keep arriving every month from Mike the Gardener.

Keep your desire

Hi my name is Kim and I am addicted to Pinterest !!!

So here we are the 12 th of November and we are gearing up for the holidays. I actually have my first Gift to give on Monday night so I am blindly searching ideas for a gift to make. The problem is I have a bazillion ideas running through my head and am trying to narrow it down. The person inside who is always concerned about what people think or will they like it is on full alert. I must kick these thoughts out and let the artist have supreme authority. I really need to have my idea book beside me at all time as I get ideas all of the time. Fellow artists understand completely. I suppose that older moms get this too. I end up with ideas, ideas, ideas and never go back to them. Sometimes I forget or I just forget the idea book. Hummmm new accessory idea (  a book on a rope to hang about the neck, bedazzled of course ) Our little book club, Friends through the pages is a complete joy in my life and everything I wanted and desired for it. That is where I shall give my first holiday gift of the 2011 season. I am so very excited. The children have decided on the Christmas theme for decorating. A red and white Scandinavian look. Of course I LOVE this as red is by far my favorite color. Seth says when asked his favorite color that it is " all the colors of the rainbow " ahhhh I have created another artist.          

 I formulated a plan this morning on revamping the space within our house. I think this mamma is on her way to her own crafting space. Yahoo. I feel at 46 years old and the mommy of 5 I finally deserve it. The hubby has the garage so no worries there. Fair is fair. Pictures to follow.

Some summer projects.

 One of my favorite crochet pieces.

 A awesome necklace. Yes I am dreaming of the many color combinations to make next.

 Close up of silk scarf and ribbon belt addition.

What to do with a dress that you love but does not love your size anymore. I loved this little denim dress. I just could not get rid of it so I reinvented it to a dress that not only fits but is a unique one of a kind summer frock. I love how it turned out. The slip showing at the bottom has nothing to do with the dress at all but after all the pictures we took just to get it right, we just had to deal with it. A fashion designer I am but am not a fashion model.

moments

Learning to live this daily.  When you dance you are not trying to get someplace on the dance floor. It's about enjoying each step along the way.

A new thought

I am hoping that it is never too late to learn and or teach. It is the middle of August and am prepping for a new school year with the kids. This fall I have 2 collage students, a Senior, a Sophomore and a ( worried chuckle) Kindergartner. As I sat with the kids this week chatting about school and education I began to feel a bit at ease about this adventure that I must embark upon again, teaching a child to read. I was feeling a bit nervous and worried that maybe I could not do this again. The building of a good foundation for each child is of most importance. I often sell myself short when it comes to my abilities and how I see myself. All I really had to do was just look at my 4 other children and know that I never laid my ability down. My husband and myself have been the best first and continuing teachers for our children. I find it interesting that now in my 40's I am finally figuring out who I am. My hearts desire is to not only continue to learn and grow myself but to teach my children to know themselves NOW. Education is not just teaching our children the basic things such as reading and math. It also includes teaching and training them to know themselves. To know the value that they each posses just because the are and to never let anyone or thing take that away from them. It does not really matter how we educate ( home, public, private)  what matters is that we allow our children to know the real value that they each have just because they are living breathing child of God. I am looking forward to a new year where each day is a new adventure fulfilling My Hearts Desire. My prayer for you is that you have the ability to do the same no matter what that desire is.