Merry Christmas

I am wishing for you a Christmas full of love, laughter, friends, family, joy....

and some yummy food too of course! :)

I have zillions of cookies just waiting to be devoured. 

We have been baking/decorating machines. Such fun!!

I know for me the last couple of days have flown by. 

So, I am READY for some relaxing & gift giving with my family.

Many Blessings to you all!

XOXO,

Jen

"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given" Isaiah 9:6

Seriously....40?

It is the eve of my 40th birthday.

Seriously..... when did I get this old?

Everyone keeps saying, "It is just a number."

And....today, I AM going to believe them.

It IS just a number - and no where near how I feel inside.

I've been told by someone very wise that her 40s are FABULOUS & 

she has never felt better.

I love that. Simple, but true.

I am going to run into 40 with arms wide open - ready to embrace 

all that GOD has for me!

I am ready for some FABULOUS!  :)

My little "almost 40" fabulous self is hoping that between my birthday and Christmas coming next weekend, I am blessed with a little....

Brave Girls

I have been hinting. :) 

I think every girl needs some restoration....no?

OH, and also some of Myste's GUT ART too.

I'll let you know. :) Until then - BE FABULOUS!

Oh gingerbread...

how I love thee. I am not kidding. I love it. I think I adore it so much because it is one of those things I only have in December. Who busts out a gingerbread cookie in summer? And it's not just the cookies I love....

I do flips when I can put this in my coffee

Of course, I would love a Gingerbread Latte from Starbucks every morning , but MY WORD - I can't do that. Cha-Ching!

Then, at Trader Joe's they have a yummy gingerbread cake I spotted and had to try. I am very "Martha Stewart", but sometimes a box is just fine. :) I mean look at this - YUM!

BUT...the best part of my gingerbread holiday obsession is our annual Gingerbread House Decorating Night. We get together with my BFF and her family every year. It is so much FUN! We don't just throw the candy on there. Oh no..... we (the adults, I mean) are serious! :)

Nilla Wafer Roof

It is just too much fun... listening to Christmas music, laughter, children giggling...and being dead serious about our edible works of art. Art you can actually eat - perfect! I don't eat mine though. It becomes part of the holiday decor. My daughter loves taking little nibbles off of her little masterpiece.

I love this tradition. We will continue it for years to come.
And hopefully add more families to join in. :)

I hope you all are knee deep in tradition, love, joy, gratitude, Christmas music & carols, wrapping, baking, and most of family & friends. 

   XO, 

Jen

Loving imperfection

I really like the way this angel princess is turning out. I am SO loving the bigger canvas size too. The 12 x 12 is really fun to work on. Not too intimidating once I get a background or sketch going.
This was on a canvas I pulled out of my closet...
something I picked up awhile ago at a discount shop. 

So I am glad it is not just collecting dust.
She is not quite finished though. 

Of course I think she needs some words, or quote,
or scripture of some kind.  

Heaven forbid I leave it wordless. :)

Funny thing is....even though I love her - she seems a bit lopsided. 

The right side is bigger. The hair...the face..the wing. 

Hmmm, wonder why I did that?

Maybe in preparation for my need to embrace imperfection. :)

I am planning on hanging this in my daughter's room. 

She will absolutely love it. She is my sweetest fan and at times critic. 

She thinks all the girls I paint are her. They could have blue hair and stripes - it is still her. :) In all reality since I adore painting girls...
my daughter...

my little SugarBean...is one of my greatest inspirations.

Have a WONDERFUL week,

Jen

ETSY love...

I love Etsy. I really do. I could spend hours just looking at all the gorgeous handmade things. Drooling over the beautiful pictures...wishing I was a bit better with my camera (in time!). There is so, so much creativity! 

 Many of my friends and family really don't know about Etsy. They look at me with puzzled eyes."What is that?" they ask. I always tell them they have to check it out and see for themselves all the yummy goodness of handmade. Great gifts too, right! 

Ohhh, if they only knew....

the serious need I have for this, oh my gosh or this for my SugarBean, or some vintage, or spruce up the couch with these... see, it could go on & on if I don't keep it in check! :)

All of this to say....I opened my own Etsy shop! EEEKKK!  

Sadie Lane Studio is open. Big step for me...well, let's say big "baby step." There is a lot to learn about Etsy and I just decided to be fearless & open it. It is hard for me to let go of fear. I like to hold on to it like a parachute while skydiving. The exciting part is that I know the shop will evolve. I like things perfect out of the gate...but, I know I have to practice some patience.

 

 SO...

May your holiday preparations be running smoothly and your creativity soaring! I know with all the shopping, decorating, painting, creating, living, giving, baking, tree finding, party planning, and wrapping (I know there is more!) I have to just stop and remind myself to.....

Big Smiles,

Jen