Mama didn't raise no fool

My mom holding me

I know some people consider Mother's Day to be a greeting card holiday but I LOVE Mother's Day partly because I am a mother and receive recognition on this day but also because I acknowledge the privilege and sacrifice it takes to be a good mother and love to recognize my own mother on this day. Mother's Day is a day I share with many amazing mothers, here are a few I would like to honor.

My mom

First and foremost my own mother who represents the epitome of self sacrifice to me. My mother bore 5 children  which is a feat in and of itself (she was told she would never have any),

Me and my siblings :)

but not only did she raise and single-handedly home-school us all she also took us to Africa while answering the call God had laid on her heart/life to minister there.(I know you are all saying WOW! so I will give you a moment). Later on in my life when my mother was faced with adversity she faced them with forgiveness, Christ-like love, determination and became a force to be reckoned with almost over night. She later became the most amazing, involved, hard working and nurturing single mother this world has to offer. I strive to reach out and connect with my children the way my mother has with each and everyone of hers. :)

My mom's mom Marg

Grandma Pat

Next up my grandmas, although they have both passed away I consider them both very positive and loving influences in my life.Many cherished memories I carry from my childhood involve both of them and looking back it is wild to see how they both relayed there love to me in two different and unique ways.I miss them very much and to steal a Jimmy Eat World lyric I often find myself wondering "What would you think of me now, so lucky, so strong, so proud? I never said thank you for that."

Lastly I have A LOT of girlfriends who are awesome mothers and could devote many paragraphs to listing there names, you know who you are ;) but I wanna focus on one of my best friends my sister Bethany. 

Me and my big sister Bethany

At the age of 5 my sister was diagnosed with cancer 

My sister after her chemotherapy

and I'll skip over the bravery and courage to the happy ending where God miraculously healed her(1 less kidney but a walking miracle) throughout her life she has accomplished so many cool things(landing a great husband graduating with a masters degree, practicing in family counseling and serving in her local church as a deaconess) but she had a desire to have a baby and the doctors said they just didn't know if it was even possible because of the radiation exposure and physical toll it would take on her body in general. She risked herself and her health. The Lord blessed us with my nephew Zion Jeremiah Rain. I am proud to share this day with her and know I could never understand the physical sacrifice she endured.

Me and my nephew Zion(at his dedication)

So I am blessed and honored today to share this day with Mothers everywhere.

This is what my family gave me for Mother's Day...

Long story behind my tattoo inspiration :)

And some not so permanent flowers as well.(Ephraim planted them for me with help from my...MOM)

My mother got me this

I collect peapod decor because of my last name these are a salt and pepper shaker :)

And in keeping with the "Flowers theme" this is one of the gifts I gave my mom this Mother's Day

My 1st cross-stitch with "dried flower" frame accents

Although my tattoo is not a ode to my mother here are a few tattoos that are the classic "Mom Heart" with a twist. 

Becky Decoupage

Well here's to exploring a new frontier...Decoupage. I just finished a new project and that was to decorate over some absolutely horrible decorations I bought 4 years ago on a whim from Hobby Lobby.Almost every time since they have been purchased and Ive walked passed them I have cringed(which is a lot because they are on my way to the bathroom).

So I decided to take charge, take a chance and do something about it :) I dove right into the exciting world of decoupage.

Step one: Find a theme or get inspired and chose your creative direction
Step two: Chose a object you want to decoupage
Step Three: Cut out designs or images
Step Four: Attach with adhesive to objects surface
Step Five:Use Mod Podge(or what ever brand or homemade decoupaging paste your going to use and layer coats
Results (drum roll please)

I am partial to the 2 containing my ultrasound pictures and sons 1st foot prints

Peacock,stamps,birdcages,birds and dandelions(a few of my favorite things)

Old school cameras and a gold fish :)

Decoupage is the art of decorating a object by gluing paper cut outs to it in combination with special painting effects.Here is some sweet examples from the net

Love the lock and key detail and I also used music sheet backgrounds

Considering decoupaging my bathroom ceiling when I get better

Love the road map theme and the vintage phone as well

So neat concept decoupage blew my mind

By definition I have technically done this before as a textured wall covering for my kitchen...

My kitchen wall

but I haven't used it as a cover-up operation or to decorate the home per say so the idea was a little intimidating. With decoupage the possibilitys are endless, you can use anything from gift wrapping to matchbook and almost all surfaces are decoupagable :)

shoes

bangles

necklaces

serving tray(its the little things)

Russian Nesting Dolls

So this is my very 1st post for my very first blog and I am really excited :)Here goes nothing.

Russian Nesting Doll Painting

So I recently attended a Silent Art Auction at a faith-based Drug Rehabilitation Center and immediately fell in love with a piece done by a local artist and personal friend of mine of a Russian Nesting Doll. I was lucky enough to win said painting and brought it home where I am sure you will all agree...It belonged.

I think she looks lonely however and have been searching for a set of actual dolls to display near by ;) In my Ebay/Etsy/Craigslist/Google search I found some really clever versions. Here are a few:

For those of you who dont know what these unique dolls are here is some quick information.Russian Nesting Dolls or matryoshkas consists of a set of wooden figure which separates, top from bottom, to reveal a smaller figure of the same sort inside, which has, in turn, another figure inside of it, and so on. The number of nested figures is traditionally at least five.

Some other Matryoshka thing I fell in love with were...Tattoos

Fabric

and a pocket watch.I am unsure where this new collection will take me but it appears the "sky's the limit"

Thanks for reading and I hope to share many more things I've fell in love with, moments and stories with you all.