Advent Update

A little update since I haven't posted in a long time.  I have been making beads, but I am not ready to open my shop yet.  Maybe in February, maybe just for First Communion rosaries.  There are a lot of ifs, because of God's plans, not mine.  Trusting in Him, one day at time.

Here's what mostly been going on:

Faustina is almost a year old! She is healthy and happy and just perfect. She's into the stage of exploration, which is what she's doing in this picture: climbing into the cupboard.  She goes around the house, exploring the day away. When she's been gone for quite some time, she'll come back to find me and let me know she's done with a big fake pout. Or maybe that's sign she's ready to nurse. She's so stinking cute, but notice the path of wreckage.

Homeschooling is in full tilt. Serious learning going on!

My seven year old, going on seventeen. Look at that faux mustache! I looked up to see this one morning after he had juice. It was quite the scare. I guess it's a reminder to enjoy the days of childhood before it's too late.

My favorite advent activity: making the wreath. This year, we gathered moss and cypress branches to decorate the wreath. I don't know if this one will last any longer than last year's, but I did use some wet paper towels and a plastic bag to keep the moisture in.  One of these years, I'm going to get really good at making wreaths. It's fun trying, though. I had enough left overs to make a hanging wreath for the front door. My thought was to make it an Advent wreath, but it hasn't gotten there yet. Maybe a felt candle every week of Advent? I need some felting supplies.

 Someone made a YouTube video of my old photo of my rosary with Immaculee Ilibagiza saying the rosary of the Seven Sorrows of Mary.  I wish they would have asked permission, but it is a nice prayer tool.  I have gotten some requests about the rosary. I do not have the same beads. My new black rose beads are actually better, but I am not selling these right now. Probably not until the summer.

Happy Advent to you and your family!

Divine Mercy Jewelry and Other Things

 My beautiful friend came over to pick up a rosary and she kindly posed for me with my new jewelry. 

Divine Mercy Necklace

Divine Mercy Bracelet to match necklace

Here's a close up of the kaleidoscope bead out of the rays I used on my Divine Mercy Jesus bead and I used this bead on the jewelry and the chaplet below.  The kaleidoscope bracelet has quickly turned into my favorite bracelet that matches with everything. I may have enough beads to put this in my shop. I will be putting all the other things in my shop this summer sometime.  Email me if you want something sooner. 

Divine Mercy Chaplet with all Handmade beads and Divine Mercy Jesus

Divine Mercy Chaplet Centerpiece

Divine Mercy Bracelet

Kaleidoscope Bracelet Handmade beads

This kaleidoscope bracelet has quickly turned into my favorite bracelet that matches with everything. I may have enough beads to put this in my shop.

 I will be putting all the other things in my shop this summer sometime.  Email me if you want something sooner. Enjoy the fleeting summer days!

My Baby's Feet

Faustina has found her feet. I love when babies do this.

I am out of baby feet beads, but we having lots of fun with real baby feet over here! 

Faustina is developing beautiful and is doing well. 

Kaliedoscope Fun

June has been a nice, laid back month and I've had some time to have fun with kaleidoscope beads. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with these yet...probably bracelet and necklace beads.

Divine Mercy Bead

centerpiece beads and Pater beads

Let's see, where did I start with this bead...

after I had my inspiration ready, a rough sketch and a bunch of mixed clay ready to use, I started making the eyes. 

I kept working on the face, agonizing over the facial hair.  I never realized how little I knew about the placement of men's facial hair! Here's the finished face.  You can also see the heart and hand in this photo.

Then I put together the rays. Here is the red ray...

Fast forward a few steps..working on the halo.

 Fast forward super speed...finished cane:

I had some problems with the consistency of the clay on the lower half of the cane and much of it was lost. However, the most important part remained and I even made some square beads by slicing off the sides. The smaller squares are for rosary beads, the larger ones are for bracelets.

My next post will be on the meaningful imaginary in the Divine Mercy Jesus bead.

My Almost 6 Month Old

support sitting!

I can't believe I'm even typing these words, "almost 6 months old"! Has it really been a month since my last post! Where did May go?? 

Well, for us, we had a wonderful visit from Minnesota family, a baptism, and we just finished up with a visit from my husband's parents.  The fun never stops! and somehow neither does the dirty laundry or the dirty kitchen even when we're having fun. That's just not right.

Check out my Ann Burt retablos! I know, I need to rearrange them, but aren't the neat? The kids love them too. Here's a link: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Art4thesoul

Faustina had her first meal in May and many more since. She enjoys everything I've given her so far except for French onion soup. I am laughing as I recall her face. Babies make the cutest looks of disgust. They also make the cutest pouty faces.

eating her avo

Speaking of food, my oldest son has hit some sort of magical time where he suddenly likes everything I cook! Well, almost everything.  He now whoops in approval of what I am cooking and during dinner, he showers me with compliments.  It's an amazing transformation. I've waiting 5 and a half LONG years for this day.  I'm still in disbelief.  It's not like I've changed anything about what we are eating. He's always hungry too. I guess he's going through a growth spurt.   I am so happy about this, I feel like doing this:

I've been working a new bead. I hope it turns out so I show you...I've only been working on it for a month-almost. It's almost done if I could only find the time to work on it!

But life with the kids is the most important and I'm trying to enjoy it amid the busy. Such a balance! I try to take my cues from these silly guys who always know how to enjoy life:

 Eric and Faustina play the piano whenever she is upset and it always calms her down. She loves music!

May Flower

Analee's always picking flowers for others. I love little girls!

Faustina is almost 5 months old and I don't take nearly enough pictures of her! So here are a few from today.

I am truly grateful this is out of focus! Trust me. The airbrush look is much better than the real life one.

My little May Flower is so kissable. Look at that face!

Quick Update

Quick update while I am making First Communion gifts....

First Communions are underway, which means I am b.u.s.y.  Making lots of these! Thank goodness for my husband who is Mr. Mom these days.

her pouts are so dang cute

Even homeschooling for me:

Thank goodness for the best baby on earth. She sleeps! on her own! all night! and I had nothing to do with it.  Look at this angel:

The weather is so beautiful. I love love love Virginia! I have started exercises by pushing three kids in a stroller around the track near our house. I create quite the scene. And I've gotten a lot of comments like: wow, what a workout! Oh yeah, putting all the rest to shame with my mommy muscles. not really.  You should see my beet red face by the end.

We attending the Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation of my midwife and her family yesterday. It was so special! I just love seeing people come into the church. After Faustina's birth, she asked about why we chose her name. I was able to share a little about St. Faustina's life and Divine Mercy Jesus.  Unknown to me, she did a little research on it and choose Faustina as her confirmation name! God is doing some amazing things with this little one!

Here's the bonnet I found to match her baptismal gown. This lady does beautiful work! I just got this one and another one in the mail today. For some reason, Faustina and bonnets just go together.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/118531278/white-silk-and-lace-baby-bonnet?ref=shop_home_active