Say it's MY BIRTHDAY!!!

It's my birthday too yeah! :)

There are two things I look forward to every year on my birthday:
1. My mom baking me a birthday cake. (I don't fancy who needs store bought!)
2. Hanging out with friends eating good food and getting a little tipsy all on the account of that hot summer day in July 21 years ago. Sike, I'm really 25 :). OMG, my I am a quarter of a century!

Time really does fly, and it's amazing how things change so quickly. It always baffles me how in a year's time I'm in a complete different stage of my life. I think it's fantastic and I must say I feel truly blessed to see another year that will bring many more wonderful changes and surprises.

Today I plan on staying in my PJ's all day relaxing, crafting as usual, catch some flicks and then a nice dinner with my family. I'm not sure what else they have planned for me but honestly, just being home with the family is enough for me :)

Cheers to another year old.



smiles

QuellyRue

…do not let yourself be bothered with the inconsequential. one only has so much time in this world, so devote it to the work and the people most important to you…to those you love and things that matter…

-louis l’amour, ride the river

Ode to my sweet tooth

Looks delish...eh? Sometimes you just have to indulge!

Happy Friday folks!!

smiles

QuellyRue

Spotted on Etsy: Perfect Pins by LittleMommaErin

Check out these Text Abbreviation Magnets, from Erin's Etsy shop Perfect Pins by LittleMommaErin.

Here is a blurb from Erin's Etsy profile, please stop by and check out her amazing shop, Perfect Pins by LittleMommaErin, and get to know her a bit more:

I am a stay at home mom (trust me, you'll probably see my little punk rocker son in some of my pictures) who works from home, so I decided to start an Etsy page to rekindle the artist in me. I went to the Cleveland Institute of art for 2 years a while back, but had to quit because it was too expensive. I would have graduated as a Fibers Major there. So, I figured why not do what I love, and make a little money at the same time. I have realized that just because I didn't finish school doesn't mean I cant make things and sell them successfully. I'm really excited to be making things again, and even more so to be sharing what I make with others!

smiles

QuellyRue

Craft For A Cause: Autism Awareness Jewelry

Puzzle Piece Jewelry makes beautiful jewelry, from stone, Swarovski crystal, glass seed beads, shell, wood and other materials. She also make Autism Awareness jewelry and items to help spread Autism Awareness in a beautiful way.

Puzzle Piece Jewelry is donating a portion of the proceeds to the National Autism Association.

Go here to shop and view more of her jewelry collection.

To find out more about the National Autism Association, please go to http://www.nationalautismassociation.org/

smiles

QuellyRue

Spotted on Etsy: Changing Realities Art Gallery

I am so happy to have stumbled upon these original pen & ink, stylized landscape drawings by Lawrie Dignan on Etsy. His work is amazing and speaks for itself.

Here is a blurb from Lawrie Dignan's Etsy profile, please stop by and check out his amazing shop, Changingrealities, and get to know him a bit more:

Born in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada Lawrie is a self-taught artist whose unique drawing style has developed through his years working as a technical draftsman in British Columbia’s civil service. In 1987, life experiences caused the artist to focus inward, seeking ways of self expression. From this point on, his own style of pointillism and line drawing has been developing. His years spent as a technical draftsman has strongly influenced the stylization of his landscape works. The contrast of natural and technical is very apparent in Dignans’ pieces. The subject matter is derived in part from photographs, natural landscapes and life experience which are then rendered into his own stylized reflections. The pen and ink pieces become a filtration of those influences and like the artist, express a freedom and emotion that is orderly and controlled. Trees take on an architectural essence while the organic forms merge effortlessly with the hard-edged elements on the paper surface.

...I love it!

smiles

QuellyRue

Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters

What happens when you mix two beautiful daughters, one handsome prince, and a marriage proposal? Well, if one is selfish, self-centered, and spoiled, and the other is kind, loving, and sweet, then you get the heartwarming fairytale by John Steptoe, Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters. He credits an African folktale with inspiring this original version of a Cinderella-esque story. Steptoe's illustrations compliment the tale at every turn, defining setting, expanding characterization, and adding depth to the text; they are indeed worthy of the Caldecott Honor Book Medal which graces the cover. Pages of stunning paintings capture the very essence of the story's Zimbabwean ancestors and the landscape they inhabited.

In this typical fast-paced fairytale where evil is punished and good is rewarded, readers meet Manyara and Nyasha, two sisters of unsurpassed beauty, who are summoned to the city in order to appear before the unmarried prince. Little girls everywhere will identify with the kind and patient Nyasha and delight at the fate that the "evil" sister, Manyara, eventually meets.

Children of all ages will thoroughly enjoy a read-aloud of this fairytale. The vivid use of language and exquisite illustrations, such as the scene in which Nyasha meets the king, are sure to entertain even the most discriminating audience, from the youngest listener to the transitional reader. Complete with a surprise ending, a touch of magic, and a moral message, Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters is a wonderful story and makes and excellent comparison to more traditional versions of Cinderella.

This is my favorite childrens book, and is a must read for all children.

smiles

QuellyRue