Santa Claus is comin' to town...

Their little tree has been trimmed.

                                            Baby Jesus all set.

Hannah's "It's a Christmas Carol" choir play was a hit!

Happy birthday Jesus candle blown out and gingerbread houses made.

 

Santa List? Check.

1. A Webkinz that is a bunny and it has light blue and light pink spots on it, and a panda bare.
2. A water phroph camra that is as blond as my hair.
3. Pix-oh's
4. A sum-whare that is yellow and it has a light lime green spot on his eye.
5. A white skarf that is realy fuzzy.
6. Some mittens that mach my skarf.
7. A hat with a fuzz ball on top that maches my mittens.
from: Lauren Grace Foster

The elves will understand this...I'm sure of it! Gotta love it.

gobble, gobble

We were Ohio-bound for turkey this year! The girls were smiling from ear to ear looking out the windows of the plane. Lauren said that the last time she flew she saw angels in the clouds. I believe her sweet soul and hoped she saw them again. We landed smoothly into Columbus and headed north to Amish Country (Walnut Creek) where the Foster's live in the peaceful, pretty hills.

We met a "reindeer" along the way and got in the holiday spirit shopping and eating and shopping...and did I say eating?...and eating and... well, let's eat some more.

The girls loved being spoiled by Gramma and Grampa and were surprised with a fun buggy ride by their neighbor amish boy. The chilly air was filled with clippety-clops and apple cider. The next day we headed up to the town Josh & I grew up in and showed the girls our old houses and schools. I don't know how thrilled they were, but it sure was a delight for us to be "home" with our kids. Everything felt so familiar & the same, the only thing that changed so much... was us.

We hiked and played in some of our favorite parks and met up with several dear childhood friends. Distance and time don't touch these forever friendships. We just pick up where we left off and giggle along the way with our kiddos in our hands now.

Here's the whole gang with full bellies from too much goodness. We checked out (and tried not to laugh too hard at our pathetic hairstyles/clothing) a zillion old pictures in albums, played games, let the turkey and sweet potaotes settle in and felt the warmth of family that hadn't been all together in a long time.

   Brothers don't shake hands, brothers gotta hug.

                               Hannah was always the champ!

...our critters and creatures

We have this huge prairie land in our back yard filled with coyote cries, ugly gigantic hogs and moo's from big mama cows and their babies. What an adventure it is to have the girls exposed to so many critters and creatures outside! I think we have had it all... from moles (those pesky things!), squirrels and more squirrels (those pesky things!), fat/green caterpillars, snakes, wild guard dogs, and I often say that we have a wild array of birds in the "bird sanctuary" in our yard too. (Josh likes to take care of our flying furry friends.) Here are a couple cool pictures of some of our jumpers, crawlers and creatures that inhabit our surroundings...

Delicate, sweet Lauren has never been afraid of spiders or any freaky creature of the land! Josh took this awesome picture of her...too cool. (My apologizes to those of you that squirm at the sight of these!)

                    So many frogs...check out this grumpy old man!

Come see me!

Bullard First United Methodist Church

                                                        Family Life Center
                                                    204 S. Rather in Bullard
                                                         Show: 10am-5pm

I will be at this show selling my watercolor/ink illlustrations this Saturday! It is a fine art show honoring the of life artist, Genny Wood, and benefits the Mission House of Bullard. It will be held during Bullard's Red, White and Blue Festival. Returning local artists will be featured as well as new artists as far away as New Mexico. 20% of the proceeds from each sale will benefit the Mission House of Bullard to help those in need, offering a food pantry, a clothes closet, and medical clinic.

Halloween

Traditions. I love them. I love the warm, comfortable and familiar feeling every year remembering them and all the years behind them with family and friends throughout the holidays. They are what is kept all sweet and hidden in our hearts- forever special only to us.

My mom has always enjoyed Halloween in some way or another. Not in a ghost and goblin way of course. (nooo, you didn't see her hiding with a mask on to scare anyone behind the cobwebs or whatever!) She had the house decorated fall-ish, we often did a crafty thing or two, and she always wore some sort of costume on for trick-o-treating. (This year she was "La Nana" with a lovely mustache and mexican hat/poncho...ole!)  It was never just candy that she gave out- she was the "cool" house that gave out yummy Little Debbie cookies that are individually wrapped. And I can't forget her famous homemade chili made every year (that I have gradually grown to like...my taste buds have matured a bit I suppose ;-).


There's been a tradition of having the girls "match" for the past 10 years. The chili was made, the pumpkins were carved by the girls all by themselves this year, and the candy was piled up...and sorted into catagories/traded. (oh c'mon, you remember loving to do that!)

Being "coordinated" as cheerleaders, "The Princess and the Pea", kitty cats, fairies, Dorthy & Toto and this year.... a "98% good witch" and black cat.

"Sally"

I have been painting quite a bit lately getting ready for two shows in November, etc. The other day I was thinking about my girls and their sweet "friends" that they snuggle with, wrap up when its cold in their bedrooms, even celebrate their birthdays.

Hannah has adored "Dee Dee" and "Kitty" since she was about 6 months. Lauren has "Sally" and a zillion others. Sally has been the most special since she was itty bitty. I always want to remember these sweet family members, but I know that time is going way to fast and soon they will not be as important and special as they are right now.

So, here is Sally. I enjoyed every moment of painting her and thinking of my little L.

I'm sure your little one's have blankets and buddies that give them comfort and security. Let me know if you want me to paint them for you so that you can always remember this tender love.  It would be my pleasure.

Yard Sale 2009

I am convinced that our house has magical powers (and perhaps yours does too) because every year the square footage seems to get smaller by stuff in it multiplying. Now, I am not much of a shopper, hoarder, or compulsive really... so how does this happen? Our garage has been packed to the rim these past couple months. I have been my Mom's "personal pushy purger" helping her get ready for her house to be up for sale. Her piles kept piling up with ours.

There really is something about garage sales that's just so much fun to me. No, not the part about getting ready for one but the part of making it fun. Having one and going to one is a bit of a thrill to me to be honest. Not just the challenge of the search, the awesome stuff you can find, but the memories behind it too.

Perhaps it's in my blood. An adventure when we would go to my Grandma's would often be to search out garage sales for big wheels (a big hole in the tire didn't matter!), stuffed animals that were taller than we were, games, etc. It's a memory that will always be cherished about Grandma and Grandpa's house. (She really DID have the coolest stuff...I know my cousins can agree with me :-)

Mom brought over my old (and very cool) Barbie convertible. Whaaat? I said. The dirt that was embedded in the seats when I was 7 was still in it. We can't possibly get rid of THIS! (we didn't)

Big wheels that were outgrown. boo hoo. My babies are growing up. (I know, it is waaaay past time to say goodbye to these!)

I put this one in for you, Steve. I remember your toes sticking through this blanket when you would be snoozing as a small kiddo.

Okay, this one is just for laughs. I used to do this Jane Fonda VCR tape as a teen! The 80's rocked!

Anyone want a kitchen table? Golf cart? Still FOR SALE. (hey, this is cheap advertising)

The girls made some serious cash from donuts, brownies, drinks. It was like they went to Disney or something, they has so much fun. The grandpa's tipped them well....it pays to be CUTE.

rain, rain...go away..

Josh has some leftover wood, enough tools....just a few more things from Lowe's and we can start building the Ark.

No seriously, are we the only one's that are done with the rain? What is up? Does mother nature not know that I am solar-powered?

The rain didn't hold us Foster's back these past few weeks.

So, what do you do on rainy, gloomy weekends?

You do some backyard campin' and have a moist, dripping tent the next day or so.

                You have a cozy fire and eat oooey, gooey cheesy pizza.

You hike at a nearby park with waterproof coats for the bigger raindrops.

You snuggle up, nap and get a good nights rest from the coughs and sneezes lately, too.

Whaaaatcha say? Big garage sale next weekend? (Ooooh yea, we're brave.)

sweet flutters

So, here they are. I told quite a few of you that I would be "unveiling" some of my little projects on the first week of October. Is it really October already? 

Where did these come from you say? Well, here's the thing. I have been so blessed these past 9 years or so doing custom work with murals, canvas, wood, etc. I have been thinking a lot (and praying about) what direction to go with my art, what I want to do, and what can sell? I know that cash is tight for many right now, so I want to keep a lot of my work under $30 but still have a style and "feeling" behind my it.

Here was the question for me...what is it that I like to draw and paint? Well, I don't know! Everything I have done through the years have coordinated with others needs. (Of which I have loved, though!) So, being encouraged and inspired by several books I have been reading I needed to dig deep and see what it is I enjoy.

~I really, really like painting with watercolors. The softness, challenge and look.
~I'm so in love with everything family. Especially two innocent, blonde-headed angels who inspire me daily.
~Butterflies represent so much in my life and I love them. (you already knew that!)
~Have always enjoyed sweet sayings, fonts, and to alter my writing in every which way possible...ever since I was a kid.
~I gravitate towards light/fresh colors, simple shapes and design.
~One of my many big dreams is to someday write and illustrate a children's book.

No mouth. No nose. No arms. I really love what these little one's reflect. Childhood innocence, sweetness and purity. They each have their own personality and I told Josh that they "talk" to me! (Seriously, but don't think I'm weird.) I hope they do the same to you.


They are all "Stacey originals" and can be personalized with a specific haircolor, look, special saying, name, scripture. You name it.

The sizes I have been doing are 5x7 and 8x10. They are all matted. Some are framed with as a 9x13. I'll have about 20 different one's will be up on etsy. com very shortly. (If you haven't been on this site and love anything handmade, are crafty/arty yourself...where have you been? I am personally a tad obsessed with it to be honest.)

Let me know what you think, what you like..whatever. Bring it on! I know you are looking at this...I would really like to hear from you even if I don't know you. (I will be nice, I promise)

Keep coming back! ...more boys, sweet gifts for teachers, grandma's, etc.

Month of October= handpainted furniture.
(My joyfully, patient hubby is probably thinking this furniture will forever take over his garage!)

"Keepin' Austin Weird"

It's been a whole-lotta work, work, work and not a whole-lotta play around here lately- soooooo...Anniversary weekend here we come. We had a blast and really went along with the slogan "Keep Austin Weird". We felt right at home in this very vibrant, eclectic and creative city. The unique arts/music scene was indeed a tad weird but we went along with it and found ourselves...
... individually expressing ourselves at the TX capital building (before reading the sign that said "stay off the tree"- oops)

...enjoying the original arts on the streets

...loved the "urban-chic" restaurants filled with fab live music and very unique (and expensive!) artwork

The famous 6th Street and it's "arts". In fact, it was the Pecan Street Arts festival this weekend. (um, it is true that 6th St. is an experience in itself!)

ate & ate and... geez, there were a ton of restaurants and one-of-a-kind shops

...had a chilly concoction for our overheated bodies (& achy bottoms!) from biking the entire city for 3 hours. Surprisingly beautiful city lake trails and streets...and biked until we couldn't go anymore.

(We actually got very lucky to do this because all the streets were blocked off for a marathon, but they weren't cheering us on because we didn't look as half as exhausted as these runners!)

We would definitely go back.

A city like no other- with a best friend like no other.

loved you yesterday...


love you still...


Always have.

Always will.

Each day a little more.

Happy September 23rd, babe.
XO.

Fairy-land

Lauren's not too wiggly tooth decided to come out while eating an apple this weekend. She was as surprised as we were...and glad that she found it in her apple, rather that swallowing it!

We heard from a special friend that if you put your tooth in the bottom of a glass bowl with water in it, the tooth fairy will have to "dive down" a bit and might leave the color of her wings in the water. Well, this fairy sure took a dip. Pink wings of course...and left some glitter. Uh huh.

Needless to say, fairy-land takes over our home at times these days. Check out the questions above that our little fairy left. She's a girl that knows what she wants...ha-- $100 bucks! (Although not a bit disappointed with $2) I love the sweet, innocent imagination.

They're only little once!

new watercolor class

I have been blessed with some creative souls that have beautifully entered my days these past couple weeks. I started this watercolor class with 6 amazing women yesterday at an "artist retreat" oasis tucked away not too far from our house.

I have so many watercolors (stashed, stacked & needing frames) upstairs from taking from a male artist in town and his male friends; of whom were twice my age for about 3 years. This new class is all ladies with kindred spirits wanting to create and encourage eachother. The instructor is incredible and so experienced. I am inspired and my spirit has been touched. Gimme a paintbrush!


Debbie (www.debbiecannatella.net) is starting us on this piece. Excited because I have never painted glass before.


Here is the first drawing and wash. We plan on painting in many translucent "layers" and beautiful details.

Monogrammed canvas

I finished this last night. It is a fun, whimsy design for a sweet little girls room. The mom is putting her girls together and I coordinated the Pottery Barn daisy bedding with the 24x36 canvas~