Monday, May 25, 2009

My Favorite Place in Texas

I like to say that although I wasn't born in Texas, I got here as fast as I could. Truthfully, the only reason I was born elsewhere was because my father was in the Air Force. He and my mother were born and raised here, so Texas has always been home (although I claim Colorado as well -- shoot, it's just too pretty not to!).

So I've been to all parts of Texas, and they are as different as night and day. Texas is the only state I know of that has fertile river valleys, coastline, desert mountains, rolling hills, huge towering forests, high plains, big cities, quaint towns, and everything in between. I love the coast, especially Mustang Island and North Padre Island. I also love the forests of East Texas. But my number one favorite place in Texas is anywhere you find wildflowers.


How can you not love the bluebonnets that greet us each Spring!

Friday, May 22, 2009

Etsy Front Page and a New Product!

A couple of days ago, I received a message from Jennifer of JenniferABoston and The Crafty Dragonfly. She wanted to tell me that one of my items was on the Front Page of Etsy! Of course, I clicked over there as quickly as possible, but sadly, I missed it. (Thanks, Jennifer!)

Here's the featured item, a silk/bamboo wave patterned scarf (chosen because of its "eco" tag by Etsy Admin):


Great news -- the scarf received 9 new hearts and The Lavender Lizard received 6 new hearts! (Hearts are a way to mark favorite items or sellers.)

Over at The Lavender Ladybug, I received a request to crochet a tooth/molar motif. Here's what I came up with:



Marnie of AdornWithAAndM used the motifs to create a new product -- the Tooth Fairy Pillow Clip. I think they are adorable!


Marnie had previously requested chili peppers from me for her kitchen. The chili peppers inspired me to create paisley motifs (my favorite design element, ever), which I paired with small round dots:

I'm currently adding these in several colors at The Lavender Ladybug. As always, if you different idea for a motif or color, please contact me. I ♥ special orders!


Coming up next, crocheted borders for embellishing scrapbook pages! Stay tuned!

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

The Accidental Gardener and the Return of Boomer

I wish I spent more time gardening, as I really do enjoy it. But I've let the yard go and do it's own thing. Luckily, some things still bloom whether I pay attention to them or not.

Here's a lily that originally came from my parents' home in Dallas:


They have been uprooted and moved a couple of times, and I'm always happy to see them bloom each spring.

This is a blue plumbago that I thought I lost a couple of winters ago:


Now it's bigger than ever!

We used to have a wild rabbit that visited us nearly every day at dinner time 2 summers ago. We named him Boomer (short for Boomerang because he always came back). DS2 and DS3 were outside a couple of days ago looking for bugs (for an icky school project), and DS3 ran in to tell me that Boomer was back.

Well, there was a bunny in the backyard, and he does look like Boomer, but given his size (he could fit in the palm of my hand!) there's no way this is the original Boomer! Maybe he's Boomer's great grandson. Either way, he's adorable and he posed for me in the blue plumbago:


Welcome back, Boomer!

Friday, May 8, 2009

A Great Week with My Sons!

I just have to share the week I had with my sons! First of all, everyone is healthy again (yay!). Secondly, it wasn't the swine flu (super yay!).

I was lucky enough to go to the district-wide GT field trip for 6th graders with DS2 called Nature Venture. I went last year with DS1, so I knew what to expect, namely bugs, humidity, and hot weather. This year, though, I tagged along with DS2 to the snake and lizard exhibition (note: if you're squeamish about snakes, you might want to stop reading here, and for goodness sake, skip the photos).

I, however, adore lizards and think snakes are pretty cool.

This is a corn snake modeled by DS2:


And here's a ball python:


But the most impressive by far, is Strider, the 11-ft. long, 100 lb. albino Burmese python:


I'd like to get a snake for a pet, but I'm not sure about the feeding part. (The Burmese eats 3 bunnies every 10 days. Ugh.) A huge thanks to the Reptile Man for sharing his wonderful pets with us!

Last night, DS1 was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society, and DH and I couldn't be prouder. He looked so handsome all dressed up! Here he is getting his certificate from the principal:


And here he is on the right, with 2 of his best friends (Congratulations, guys!)


I'm very proud of all of my sons! Each one is exceptional, and I love that I am lucky enough to be their Mother! Happy (early) Mother's Day to my mom, and all of the other moms out there! You have the hardest (and most rewarding) job in the world!

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Attn: Scrapbookers!

Back in March, I received an Alchemy request from Pam, the owner of a cool site called Kraft Girl Kits. She requested orange and yellow flowers from The Lavender Ladybug to add to her May scrapbooking kit.

Needless to say, I was soooo excited!

Well, May is here and so is the kit! Here's a photo of the items included in the kit:


I really like the Gallery at Kraft Girl Kits, where designers take the current kit and each create scrapbook pages or cards. Be sure to check out the projects -- you will be inspired, no doubt. For a sneak peak at the Gallery, here is my favorite project (it's titled Proof You Are Mine, and it was designed by Danielle Holsapple):


It's so sweet, and I'm reminded of the 4 baby boy bracelets I still have. See, they really are all mine.

So if you scrapbook or paper craft, please check out Kraft Girl Kits! Monthly subscriptions are available as are some previous month's kits, and the 2008 kits are now 40% off.

Thanks, Pam! I'm so happy to be a part of the May kit!