Chrissie Grace Designs

Some art

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not a lot to say tonite, just wanted to share.  I'm gearing up for 3 weekends in a row full of art shows!

Some Randomness

Thanks toSara I received my first blogger award! 

And thanks to all of you who gave me lots of dishtowel love!

I got 5 emails requesting their very own custom monogrammed dishtowels, and ladies, they are on their way.  If you'd like one, give me a shout-out at gracechrissie@yahoo.com.

It's amazing how many scraps I have!

 

My mom was here this week and we did a run at the Pumpkin Patch.

 

 

 

 

Fun times!  I hope everyone is enjoying their Fall...:)

Jax

Dear World,

 

This is when my Momma first got to see me.  Look at that silly look on her face!

 

When  I got home everyone was loving on me!

 

  i decided very quickly to get as chubby as possible.  Momma keeps threatening to eat me up!

 

i really like these people God put me with...

 

Even though they put me in this basket!

 

My Momma told me I am 3 months old today,

 

and I'm a happy boy!

Scrap Challenge

With deadlines hovering over my head, I did what every sane woman who works from home with four children did.  I sewed.  For fun.

 

I joined the scrap challenge that JC Handmade hosted.  These are the scraps that I got in the mail.

 

I took a few scraps from my fabric collection too, and cut them into one inch strips.  Then I sewed them together.

 

I printed a G out on my computer, cut it out, and pinned it to the fabric strips.  Then I cut it out and sewed onto this dishcloth.  I bought a few dishclothes from the $1 section at Target.

 

I love monogrammed things.  G stands for Grace, of course.

 

Then I used the rest of the fabric strips as a border on the bottom.

 

It turned out pretty cute, but more importantly, it was fun for me.  Check out the flickr group here to see what everyone else made with their scraps.

Some new colors

I love this new color combination!

 

I also love using scraps of paper to make these fun posies.

   

It is meant to be sold at my art shows, but for now it is living in my kitchen.

 

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!

My Dad

 

This is a picture of my father when he was a little boy. 

It will one year this week that he passed away.

 

I found this card he gave me on my birthday a couple of years ago.  It reads:

"I admire and envy you, daughter.  I wish I had your talent, your tenacious nature, your creativity, and your patience.

Heart of my heart,

Love, Dad"

I framed it so I could see it everyday.

In many ways I don't think I've comprehended it.  When I need advice I still pick up the phone to call him.  I have not brought myself to delete his phone number or email address.

I can't believe that he never met Jax.  He wasn't here to see my second book published.  We missed his birthday, and we will miss Thanksgiving again this year with him.  He will not vote in the election this year.  He will not see my nails that I have not bitten.

I am not a crier, but crying today helps.  Remembering his laugh helps.  Being grateful for all that I have helps.  Prayer helps.

I miss him with the dull ache that lies in the base of your throat, burning, stinging.

He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds. 

Psalm 147:3

Some new plaques

Hey y'all!  Want to see what I've been doing this week?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm gearing up for my Fall Art shows that start in two weeks.  Because of the economy I've been a little concerned that people won't want to spend  a lot of money, so I'm trying to stock up on things that cost under $20.  Hence all the plaques!  If you're interested in buying one, shoot me an email at gracechrissie@yahoo.com

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekends!:)

Before and After

I know some of you love a good before and after, like I do.  This one isn't a HUGE before and after, but sometimes it's the subtle changes that make a big difference.  It's my daughter's room.

BEFORE:

 

Unorganized!

 

Messy!

 

Cluttered!

 

The closet was really bad...

So here is the AFTER:

 

Changed some things around, took some art off the walls to simplify a little.  This room used to be my art studio, and unfortunately I trashed the carpets.  It's time for a good steam cleaning!!

 

Much more organized!

I got this idea from Chrissie (great name-huh?:) at Flip Flops and Applesauce.  They are made of Shrinky Dinks!  Hers are much cuter but mine do the job.  Every canvas box has a shrinky dink label.  It really has helped with organization!  By the way, shrinky dink paper is addictive.  We had craft night last Friday and stayed up until 11 making these.  They are really fun.

 

Love this shelf with her knick-knacks.

 

I got the top shelf for $2 at a thrift store last week and I painted it yellow.  All the little figurines on it were mine when I was a little girl.  Does anyone recognize the avon perfume bottle on the top?:)  Mine still smells.  Below it is a piece I bought at a garage sale for $1.  It is in perfect condition.

 

All the flowers you see in the background are handmade.  I cut them out of thin plywood last year, collaged newspaper on the background, and painted them.  I think they add a lot of whimsy to the room.

There's more to her room, but I don't want to overwhelm you with pictures.  I have been so inspired by other crafty stay-at-home mom's blogs that I wanted to share some of the things I've done to our home to make it more beautiful, clean, efficient, and organized.  I've added some of my new favorite decorating blogs to my favorites for daily inspiration.

Also, I want to give a shout out to Lemon Annie, who featured some of my pictures on her blog today.  I was so excited to see she had mentioned me.  I find a lot of inspiration through her.  Go here and check it out!

Gabbi

 

A new "She Said" available here.

Happy October

It's October and I can't believe it!  The weather is slightly fall-ish here, we don't get any changing leaves but a dip in the temperature with beautiful blue skies.  Here's some Fall around our house:

 

Our home is a precious heirloom

where our family dwells together.

The meals we prepare,

and the memories we share

decorate our hearts forever.

 

 

 

 

 

I have a major weakness for peanut M&M's!

 

Another piece inspired by Sara Mincy!

 

And last but not least today...one of my favorite fall recipes.  White bean chicken chili in the crockpot.  Let me know if you try it! 

 

 

15 oz. can Great Northern beans, drained

8 oz. cooked and shredded chicken breasts

1 cup chopped onions

1 1/2 cups chopped yellow, red, or green bell pepper

2 garlic cloves,minced

2 tsp. ground cumin

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. dried oregano

3 1/2 cups chicken broth

sour cream

shredded cheddar cheese

tortilla chips 

 

1.  combine all ingredients except sour cream, cheddar chesse, and chips in crock pot

2.  cover.  cook on low 8 hours or high 4 hours

3.  ladle into bowls and serve with sour cream, cheese, and tortilla chips.

 

YUM YUM!!!!