And Time Passes By....

Sorry I haven't had a chance to doing anything to my blog in months! I have been a busy bee with the new house and moving and simply trying to find anything packed in boxes.

I have finally settled into my home and slowly trying to find time to unpack everything. There never seems to be enough time to do anything. Every time you look around you see something that needs to be done or in my case purchased!

We spent about 3-4 weeks tearing out all the flooring, putting in 20" tile and carpet made from recycled bottles. We have fresh paint over every surface and we just ordered new wood blinds. I can't wait to have everything done and post before and after pictures. The change is pretty awesome.

My biggest thorn in my side right now is my craft room. Before I basically used all of my kitchen and living room of my one bedroom apartment to run my business. Finally I have my own room. But the big question is - where do I begin!? Most of my pottery and paints are still in boxes - no wait - take that back! ALL of my pottery and paints are still in boxes. I did manage however to make it down to the only Ikea in the Phoenix area and purchase a large storage unit with cubby holes to store my pottery. I am on the hunt to find boxes to slide into them. Why are these boxes so darn costly? Serious, Ikea wanted $16 for one straw basket. Sadly my brain is so fried from the moving, packing, unpacking and of course 120 degree heat in Phoenix it simply won't work.

I have been checking out a few craft blogs to hope spur my inspiration. I came across one yesterday that is just too darn cute is www.houseofsmiths.blogspot.com. You should check it out if you get a chance. Their style is not quite like mine - but it sure has a lot of ideas that I can jump off of to help get my house out of the white box look it currently is in.

I another one I came across is www.remodelaholic.com. There is a lot of guest posts of remodels and home projects by average people that is getting me inspired. Hopefully I can get out of my non-crafting state and get back into gear. A crafter has to start thinking about the holidays months before they arrive.

Peace, Love & Painting!

One Item to check Off My New Years List!

It is only four months into the New Year and I am able to cross off one of the items on my New Years…buying a house. This week I will be opening escrow on my very first home! Hooray!

My boyfriend and I looked at 100 or more homes and they all were overpriced, too old, or snatched up so quickly by other buyers we didn’t get a fighting chance. We finally agreed on a home in pretty Glendale Arizona. (p.s the car in the driveway is the former tenant.)

It is a foreclosure so there will be a lot to fix up in the next month. Floors, paint, doors, fixtures, landscaping, cleaning - you name it, it has to be scrubbed to death or replaced. I will be sure to photograph and blog our progress and how things come along. I am super scared but super excited.

If anyone has any tips for painting, flooring, cleaning etc - please share! I love to hear creative new ideas.

Featured Seller: PhenomeGNOME

Now that I have been the whole home buying process for the last couple months I am starting to notice little things I want for my home. I came across Etsy Seller PhenomeGNOME and the stuff listed in there shop is too darn cute to pass up!

I love love love these two baby mermaid statues.


This castle is too sweet for words! I would love to have a little garden to tuck this among the green and flowers.
Not only are they too darn cute for words, but the way PhenomeGNOME takes photos with each piece set in a garden helps you imagine what your piece would be like in your front yard. It gives a magical feel to each piece.

PhenomeGNOME has a wide variety of fairies, funny gnomes and pet memorials. You won’t resist anyone of PhenomeGNOME’s piece for your spring time garden. I can’t wait to purchase the two baby mermaid statues as soon as my home closes escrow. I just wish I could have the same garden as featured in the pictures. So beautiful! Green doesn’t grow very well here in Phoenix and mermaids don't belong among cactus.

Check out PhenomeGNOME Etsy shop at PhenomeGNOME.etsy.com

Featured Seller: LOVER DOVERS CLOTHING

I came across this ADORABLE Esty shop this morning that I had to share! Lover Dovers Clothings has to be the cutest and most afforable aprons I have ever seen. Plus she is from my home town of Los Angeles California!

These aprons would be perfect for any cooking diva or even for a housewarming gift.

Check out a few of my favorite designs from Lover Dovers!

I LOVE LOVE this I Love Lucy inspired design!

This Snow White Inspired child's apron has to be hands down the CUTEST thing I have ever seen. It makes me want to have a little girl just so I could dress her up in it!

This reminds me of a candy striper or an old fashioned candy maker. It's so FRESH!

Here is another retro number with sweet cherries on the front. So cute!

I am not sure how many more times I can say adorable or cute about Lover Dovers Clothing. You have to check out her Etsy shop! http://www.loverdoversclothing.etsy.com/

Featured Seller: PeaceCraneGreetings

Ancient Japanese legend says that if you fold a 1,000 paper cranes will be granted a wish by crane. A crane is Japans most mystical or holy creatures that can live a 1,000 years that can grant long life or happiness. They can also be a symbol for honor and loyalty

Etsy seller PeaceCraneGreetings makes adorable little cranes made of rice paper that comes in a sweet little box. Each box has a greeting perfect for sisters, husbands, partners, mothers - anyone! This is that perfect little something that can make a person smile on a random day. No need to wait for a special occasion. For the price of a burger and fries you can make someone in your life smile.

Here are a few of my favorites.

To purchase visit: peacecranegreetings.etsy.com

Valentine's Day Mugs & Coasters Still Available

There is only 10 days left until Valentine's Day so their is plenty of time to purchase a handpainted mug or coasters for your favorite person!

Easy PayPal options and super fast shipping via USPS. Buy now at www.thepaintinglibra.etsy.com

Congrats J. Welge!

Congrats to Ms J. Welge! She was the coaster give-a-way today! All she had to do was become a fan of The Painting Libra on facebook and badda bing! She won a free set of coasters!

She picked out the Kissing the War Goodbye coasters - perfect for Valentines Day!

Thank you to everyone who became a fan on Facebook. Don't worry if you didn't win, there is a ton of coasters for $10 on www.thepaintinglibra.etsy.com!