I Keep Forgetting To Post These Guys!

Well there they are. The beginning of another year may be behind us but we are still chugging along and it seems to be going fine.

Not even sure what this guy on Joshua's shirt is but it totally is the kind of shirt that fits his personality.

And last but not least, we and yes I said we, have started Morgans senior year. Holy S@#% how did that happen? I know they say that life goes by fast but this is crazy, I don't feel like I can keep up with this but I guess I have to accept it, I DON'T WANT TO, but I will.

Well I am off to create some new prints and get everyone off to school so everyone have a great day.

CREATE SOMETHING FABULOUS TODAY!

WELCOME SEPTEMBER!

WELCOME SEPTEMBER! Yes it is true, there is a little bite in the air which can only mean one thing....September is here. I have spent the last two months watching kids slowly get out of bed everyday, but now it is almost time for the craziness of school days to start again. I love this time of the year. I have always thought that I was born in August just so I could be around to enjoy the fall. I LOVE the fall. Everything from cool nights to pumpkins and mums at every turn. I was made for the fall, it inspires me in so many ways.

So here is some of my recent inspirations. I love collage. The layering, the way different images play off one another, I have become totally obsessed. It has this great french market kind of feel that I long to see in real life and I will someday. But for now I will keep creating it.

And hydrangeas have entered my personal gardens in a big way this summer. I added some along the side of the house that are so beautiful. I added a bunch of them to a wreath in the family room that looks terrific.

So what do you think of my new prints. They go along with a bunch of other that can be seen HERE

I have been building a large grouping lately. They have been inspired too by the fact that I want prints for my house that I am just not seeing out there and these Vintage Book Page prints are really a passion of mine.

Well it is time to get the big kids up. The local County Fair started yesterday and they both have jobs there again this year so they need to get to work. Hope you all enjoy my creations and I would love to here what you think!

CREATE SOMETHING FABULOUS TODAY!

NEW FRIENDS ARE RENTING A ROOM!

Well we are so happy to welcome our 6 new friends! We have had these beautiful feathered creatures in a XL tote under the heat lamp for the last couple of weeks. They are Rhode Island Reds. They well be laying brown eggs hopefully starting this summer some time. We are so excited to watch them grow. All of the kids are having a ball with them. The above picture is the day after they came home. They where just 10 days old.

Here they are 18 days old. They have grown so much. It is unbelievable how many feathers have grown in on them. The colors are incredible. They are almost the exact color of Noah's hair. And the best part of it all....I can call myself a farmer now...lol!

CREATE SOMETHING FABULOUS TODAY!

MAPLE SYRUP TAPPING

In our travels this weekend we ended up here at Mapleland Farms. Noah has always wanted to know how the "real" maple syrup process happened. So this year we took him to see. One of the owners took the time to take us out and show the entire process, which the boys loved!

Patrick and I loved the breakfast. I am not a pancake fan but these where incredible.

My DH totally loved them even though he was being watched by that big guy behind him in the blue shirt. They only do this a couple of times in March each year so the place is packed for breakfast.

Logan loved his hot chocolate!

And once again I did not make it into one picture. I swear I have got to get my husband to use the camera once and a while so the boys know there mom was around when they where growing up!

CREATE SOMETHING FABULOUS TODAY!

April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day!

Well as many of you know, Autism is a very big part of our life with our youngest being diagnosed a year ago this past January. He is a JOY to have in our life. We are very, very lucky because we have a wonderful support system that have taught him so much.

When he was first diagnosed, I had such mixed emotions on what was going to happen next. This was not my first major diagnoses. When my oldest was 6 she was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Yup, a lot of why me's where going round and round in my head. So here are the feelings of a mother that was relieved because she finally had some answers, but sadden because all of the sudden she could not picture what life had in store for our family next.....

A child melts down

Sadness hits a mother hard

People don't understand why my child is like this

Everyone stairs when he looses control

Reality hits a mother harder

Gentle hands hold on tight

Everyone wonders how I am holding it together

Right now I don't know

Someday I will be the one that helps him defeat this

So that is my little poem. I would love to know what you think. This challenge for us seemed at first to be the biggest hill I have ever climbed. But then I realized, this might be part of what makes this wonderful little boy so amazing. He is so incredible and loving and I would not change any of this for the world.

CREATE SOMETHING FABULOUS TODAY!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEG!

16, WOW it is incredible that my lovely God Daughter is 16. We had a wonderful Mardi Gras themed cocktail party for her. I know we all say how life goes by so quick, but it amazes me all the time how true that is. This little girl and now young lady by the law of percentages should not even be here today. When her mom was pregnant with her, her mothers water broke at only 23 weeks. They will not help at the hospital until you are 24 weeks because the baby would not be able to survive. A wonderful doc basically lied to the hospital to the staff so they would give her the medication to stop labor. Meg's mom laid in the hospital for 10 weeks until she just couldn't wait anymore and decided to show her beautiful face to the world. Born at just over 3 pounds, and weeks in the NIC U, here she is. A 16 year old healthy, happy and beautiful girl.

The boys and my hubby had a ball!

Wendy and I love any reason to get dressed up and dance!

As the night came to a end it went by all so quick!

CREATE SOMETHING FABULOUS TODAY!

AmyLynn

FABULOUS FINDS FRIDAY!

As you all know on Fridays I pick a product that I actually have used for myself or my family. This week are my most FAVORITE boots from one of my favorite places LL Bean! I purchased this just before all heck broke loose in the Northeast and all we had was snow, snow and more snow. And now of course we have water, water and more water. Well I am lying, some where in between the snow and water is a ton of ice because it has been so cold here. Yup, the perfect winter for a boot purchase.

So what do I think of them? They first off hit the important points when it comes to boots...

1. They are warm

2. My feet are dry

and the most important point of all....

3. I look cute in them!

So this is a big fat OH YEAH! When money is tight like it is at this time in our history, you don't want to waist money. So I think this is well worth the price!

CREATE SOMETHING FABULOUS TODAY!

AmyLynn

SUNDAY FAMILY FUN!

As the crack of the first shovel is heard and the snowball is lobed over home plate, well that is the way to spend our Sunday of family fun. There is nothing better then getting your turn up at bat. I am always the official photographer. But when it is your turn and you don't know if you are going to get wet from snow or smack the snowball hard enough so everyone else does, the thrill

is huge!

Here our the fans waiting for their turn up to bat!

All of this snow arrived this weekend and buried us again after we just got a large amount melted!

Josh makes a great pitcher!

And Mr Noah always gets board between innings!

CREATE SOMETHING FABULOUS TODAY!

AmyLynn

The Butterflies Are Coming North...I Wish!

Well hello world! Yes I wish I was waking up to these lovely little guys flying all around my head, but, I don't think that is going to happen any time soon. So for now, my latest creation can hang on the wall to remind me that all of this snow will someday be gone and will be replaced by lovely, lovely insects and leaves. No I am not a big bug lover. Being the mother of 3 boys, there has been many a bug shoved in my face with the phrase that follows..."see what I caught mom"! No, I don't want to see, but I can't tell them that.

This next lovely Marie is one of many that will be gracing the halls of Winterberry Cottage over the next few days. I have a bunch of new prints I have added this week and these three are a part of that release!

These last two I like because they have pink in them with brown and off white. This is one of my favorite color combinations!

So let me know what you think and remember....

CREATE SOMETHING FABULOUS TODAY!

AMYLYNN

Well, at least the sun came out this Valentines Day. This was this morning just as the sun was coming up at the other end of the pond. I sometimes think Valentines is for so many other things you love beside your other half. I have such passion for so many things in my life including my husband and our section of Earth is one of them. I 110% LOVE it here. The yard makes me truly feel like I am finally at home. We have been here for 4 years now and it seems like that started just 4 days ago. This is the place that all of those things that are important in life can happen. Parties, holidays and many other gatherings. This house is on the piece of land where someday we may meet in-laws and grandchildren.

So why did I choose my backyard to talk about this Valentines Day? That is simple. This is where it is at. If it is true that love is always with you, then this is what love looks like to me. Where I will make memories with the 5 most important people in the world to me. Because lets face it, so many of the things we do are because of how we are raised. And since I choose to raise these four souls here then this is where my heart is. This is where any of them can come home to someday and know that this is total sanctuary. This is where you are loved no matter what and accepted for all of your flaws and triumphs in life.

Love can be romantic, love can be a dream come true. But in this house love is the only thing you should know for sure when you walk in the door or down to the pond. No matter what, love can always be found here. Especially on Valentines Day!

CREATE SOMETHING FABULOUS TODAY!

AmyLynn

Valentines Are on The Way

Well the Valentines are covering the Dinning Room table. Tonight is the night the boys write their names and their friends names on all of the cards. I used to love when I was able to exchange them. I loved making the bag that hung on the front of my desk that all of my friends, including my husband, would put my valentines in. AHHHH, the good old days. Well I went into the boys rooms at school and volunteered today. There, where all of the creative Valentine Holders that the classes created for the upcoming holiday. I actually started to get excited. I love things like this. I love that the fun I had is still there for them to enjoy.

Have you started you Valentines with your kids? I purchased them today and the fun thing I located where cards that had pencils with them. Last year they picked ones with stickers for them to give away with the cards but before they even left the house the stickers where all falling off. Not fun. In fact, the concept that it is not a big deal was totally lost on Noah. He did not agree and found it to be a really big deal!

Well we have to be going to basketball tonight so I better run.

CREATE SOMETHING FABULOUS TODAY!

AmyLynn

THE STUDIO IS BUSY, BUSY, BUSY!!!!

314

Yes, this was Morgans sugars this morning. 314 as a mother totally SUCKS. I know that means she has been snacking and not taking the two seconds to push the buttons for insulin. How hard is it to make the choice to take care if yourself? And I know that it is because she is 17 and doesn't really care about anything but the clothes she is wearing and the big choice between brown or black eye liner. Wow this can be hard to sit back and watch when it comes to her health. Especially when she is not with you all day.

Any who, lets talk about something Happy. The new set of nine flowers are on the way. What a group statement they make. Two of the frames arrived broken so once the new ones are here you will see the picks of this lovely and large grouping that is just fabulous together. This will be so wonderful if you have a large wall that needs something to fill it. One large print can be very expensive, so this is going to be a great alternative for you.

Also on the way are the new Easter prints. How fun and the look of vintage beauties like bunnies and eggs. Lots going on here at the studio this week so I better get back to work. Not to mention all the schedules for the kids this week so I better get back to work!

CREATE SOMETHING FABULOUS TODAY!

AMYLYNN

Semi Formal Time!

Well aren't they just so cute. My Morgan and her date Paul on their way to the Semi Formal. And what a night it was just trying to get there. Yes, another fun weather night here in the Northeast. I am not sure what was worse, the freezing rain, the ice hitting you in the head or the thunder and lightning storm that seemed to come out of no where. We are lucky we did not slip and slide our way from point A to Point B and totally have no control over any of it. Well these two made it there without a problem. But I gained a couple more grey hairs getting them their safe.
Well, off to pick up some great food to cook for the Super Bowl Eat Fest we will be having here. Four kids will want me to make things that they wait for every year at Superbowl time. Off to have a great family day!

CREATE SOMETHING FABULOUS TODAY!

AMYLYNN

Happy Halloween All!

Hi all!

Well another Halloween has come and gone. Can you believe the date on the calendar? I sure can't. So much to do and so much creating ideas in the back of my head. So what is first? Well, I think a combination of things. From items for the Autumn table to all of my plans for holiday decorating. Plus I think I have some fun plans for holiday gift giving on a budget. So stay tuned and follow along for the fun. Turning in early tonight. Ate way to much candy today. In honor of the holiday, here are a couple of my fun Halloween prints!

CREATE SOMETHING FABULOUS TODAY!

WELL I HAVE BEEN WORKING VERY, VERY HARD!

I know that I have said many times before how much I love paper. But I haven't said it today. I really love paper! I started last year with the home dec for the walls and so many more areas that have to start with paper. And these have been very popular. These are now on the site. Check them all out HERE!
These are all made with vintage book pages.

I have used dictionary as well as music to create these beautiful prints. I can't wait to here what everyone thinks. I have been working a while on getting a big collection ready for release. I wanted everyone to have a choice across the board on what they liked.

And I am not done yet. Ask my husband, I have a list a mile long to create and I am having a ball doing it.

For instance this golf guy is perfect for the man in your life. It is so hard to find a present or even a print for a gentleman's office or study that is not girly. With one like this you can like it as well. The vintage papers are beautiful and I know the computer screen doesn't due them justice. The book pages themselves are a warm color from age. Oh and I forgot, during the month of JUNE, when you purchase 4 you will get the 5Th print FREE! So take advantage of that. Plus you only pay shipping on the first one and they are free after that.

So let me know what you all think. I will be adding more all of the time so go and check them out HERE!

CREATE SOMETHING FABULOUS TODAY!