Our future home...

First bit of news...we found a house and are in the process of  buying it! I am so excited!! See...there goes my exclamations all over the place. I finally will get to really add my own mark after moving all these years...that is what has me sooo excited!

As I mentioned in my last post we were leaving to Colorado Springs to look at this house and it is perfect for our family.

 5 bedrooms, 4 baths, upstairs, main living area and downstairs. My husband loves that downstairs is the rec room, or shall we say big screen t.v. and surround sound! lol.  I am happy I will still have my own office and finally a guest room after the last several years of not having one! Enough space and places for my dining room table and kitchen table.

Being that we are to move every 4 years, ( but in reality we have been moving every 2 1/2 years) I really am looking forward to being able to plant some roots and make this ours!

Soon to be our new home!!

Already we have decided changes on the front.  A different door color, stain for the patio and driveway, house numbers, changing the hardware, landscaping, paint for the house....and this is just for the front.  I feel very motivated to do the work and can't wait to see the end results.

  As we move in and make all these changes, I will be blogging all the work from front to back as we add, enhance and decorate every 3000 sq. foot of it.  Having a big family a cozy little cottage would not suffice us, but I do have big plans to make this house be just that...a very cozy cottage.  It is not that old of a home and sometimes with newer homes you lose some of the nostalgic feel you can find in older homes.  I know though that I will be able to bring my "Whimsy French Cottage" style I am longing to have and that just makes me happy! 

 I can't say enough about the area we will live in.  It is stunningly beautiful!!  I told my husband that the neighborhood and the surrounding area feels like out of the movies.  There are trees, luscious green manicured lawns, beautiful vibrant flowers, even saw a squirrel crossing the street.  We in fact have already met the neighboring family on the right side of us and can tell we could be great friends.  Where I live now I too have been blessed to have great neighbors and friends surrounding us and wish I could take them with me. 

 There are however several things I will miss about NM. Big open blue skies, gorgeous sunsets, great weather, hot air balloons in the morning, Hatch green chilies...(in fact stocking up on fresh roasted ones in my freezer), having close amazing friends and the beautiful Sandia mountains.  I won't however miss the blowing dirt, strong winds at times, the long distance drive to any shopping area from where we live, different colors of tumbleweeds, sagebrush, graveled front/back yards and I have never been a big fan of Southwest decorating.  Not that it isn't beautiful, just not for me. 

Where we live now. 

 It is a gorgeous house, but not our dream home.

Early morning at the Albuquerque

 Hot Air Balloon Festival!

A unique hot air balloon at the Balloon Festival.

Lot's and lots of sagebrush and tumbleweeds!

Fountains at the Albuquerque Temple...Beautiful!

Amazing NM sunsets!

Yummy green chile! 

We will be stopping and eating here

in Santa Fe on our way to Colorado!

Mr. Wonderful and I have already decided on some of the new changes to come for our new home.  First on the list scrape popcorn ceilings...(this home was built in 1998 and I have no idea why this was done?) gorgeous mahogany wood floors...we are going to do the laminate because of all our children and traffic, but hard to tell the difference.  Of course lots and lots of paint.  I will be showing every step as we do all these projects. 

I am currently working away on finishing many projects now to go into our new home...yet I will only be able to get so much done being that we have less than 32 days to move!  This really is a dream come true for our family and I finally get to use my creative abilities in so many ways.  Can't wait to show you all what I am envisioning.

So the next part of this post is letting all of you know that I will have another amazing Whimsy Spotlight
tomorrow...the very talented artist Janet Hill of Janet Hill Studios! 

So many beautiful paintings!

Don't miss the opportunity to see her spotlight and enter to win an 11x14 print of your choosing in her Etsy....this time there will be 2 winners!!!  Look for it early Wednesday! 

I also will be temporarily ending my Spotlights the end of September and taking a break until I get a little more settled in our new home.  So much to do and especially moving at such a busy time of the year with all the holidays coming up.  Stay with me...I promise so much more to see!!  I hope everyone had a wonderful Labor day and a great week ahead!

Hugs to you friends,

1,2,3...In Love With Numbers

I am in love with numbers!  Did I really say that, being that I never loved math?  It is true...I do love them.

I have been thinking of adding some whimsical numbers to my barstools for months.  One of my projects that has been swimming around in my head...finally happy that I have done it, because I am loving these very Whimsy barstools now! 

I don't have a before picture of the barstools as unpainted.  I bought these back in Ohio for a great deal.  I painted them turquoise to add a fun pop of color.  I had been thinking for a while that I wanted to add another detail and I knew numbers were the way to go. 

 So happy with how they turned out.  Here is a little tutorial on how it was done.  It only took me about 2 hours to do all three!  Why did I wait so long?

Started off painting them turquoise.

Printed the font I wanted from Word. 

 I used Modern No. 20 sized at 400.  

Cut it down and then had to

 find my center on the stool.

Measured the width and then the

length and made an x.

Using carbon paper, I cut that down to the same size and then taped it on my center marking.

Outlined the number with pencil

and the carbon left a transfer.

Now the fun begins!

I used a fine tip black paint pen to outline it. 

You have to be careful not to press to

much paint out or you will have a blob!

Once outlined, I fill in with a thicker brush with black acrylic paint. I used a thin brush

 to add back in detail or outline. 

Done and Whimsy!  I love how much fun they add to my kitchen!  I still need to distress the edges on the stools and spray with a matte acrylic paint.  Wasn't that hard...and as I said, "I am in love with numbers".

I am joining in on the fun and linking this post with  Kimba@SoftPlacetoLand ,Gina@TheShabbyChicCottage,

 and Julia@HookedonHouses.  Make sure to visit each one and see all the great things everyone has been working on!

Before I go, I wanted to tell you about a great deal I came across today!

I had to go to Lowes and buy a lampshade I was needing.  On my way to the lighting I happen to be walking by the wall paper and blind area.  I saw some wall paper on sale at an unbelievable price!  It is the kind you can paint and there was a variety of styles.  I have been wanting to buy some that looks like tiles for a while now.  I found 2 different style of tiles and ended up buying them both.  They were only $3.50-$3.62 a roll, marked down from $14.00!!  I figured it was worth getting both for the price and I am sure I will find many projects to use them for.

Wanted to let you all know encase you were wanting some wall paper!  Go soon or it might all be gone!  They were just starting to mark it down today.  I use mine for framing pictures, covers on books, gift wrap, a door I am making faux tiles on, you can do a tile ceiling...oh and of course wall paper. lol. Would love to know if you get some for your self. Here are the one's I bought...

I am leaving for Colorado Springs tomorrow to check out some houses.  One in particular is standing out to us right now and we might even do a lease to buy.  Excited if that happens...I could really make it my own!  That means so many more projects to share with you all!! I will be creating my Whimsy French Cottage style....can't wait.  Will update next week on what we are doing.

Thank you friends!

Hugs,

Gold Canyon Winner...And Keeping It Real.

 I do have a Winner for the Gold Canyon giveaway  from Jodi!  Again, Thank you Jodi for letting me share with everyone how wonderful you and Gold Canyon are!

It always makes me happy to see comments on my Spotlights that say, "What a great company! Thanks for introducing!"  That is my main goal in the end.  To share something I know and have found to be extra special with you all. It really puts a smile on my face to see comments like that.

The winner for the $25 gift certificate is...Valarie with "All The Pieces of Me"!!

Thank you to all who entered.  I do have so much more ahead and wish that everyone of my readers could win something from here!  On that note as well...I am sorry to say the planned Spotlight this week has been moved toward the end of this month.  I do however have another fabulous Spotlight next week...and will have it on time for Wednesday.  Speaking of that, I want to share with you all some thoughts I have been having and "keeping it real".

I feel there has been so much going on in the last couple of months I have had a hard time keeping up with my posting here.  My Spotlights are something I want to put my heart and soul into and really show you these amazing women.  Sometimes in doing this it can take hours between collecting information and editing until I am happy with the post to publish.  I never just want to post...to post.  It is important to me that everything I put on my blog is with sincerity and shows you my best. 

With school just starting back, finally having my husband home (as of this last weekend) and trying to get ready for our move...it has been hard to find the time in my day to sit down and write. 

I love having my blog and as I have said before, it has brought so much happiness and joy with all of the friendships I have made.  No...I am not thinking of stopping.  I just want you all to know that if I am not posting regularly or showing as much as I would like to...it is for a temporary time until I get things a little more balanced.

I know I have read many posts in the time I have been blogging that have felt this same sentiment of trying to "find  balance".  We as women have so much on our plates and sometimes forget we are not superwomen, but human.  There is only so much we can get done in a day, no matter how much we would like to accomplish.  Please tell me I am not alone? 

 It frustrates me when all I really want to do is sit down at my computer and share projects, ideas and release thoughts yet...kids are calling me, phones are ringing, errands and appointments have to be done, chores, dinner...you all know what it takes to keep it together.  Sometimes I feel a little selfish that I don't want to do any of that but just be right here.  I have never been one to sit still for any length of time for I never have wanted "idle hands". Too many creative ideas running through my head.  I guess sitting at the keyboard and typing is still not idle. lol.

Just know those of you who follow and read...I really am grateful.  You all inspire me in so many ways!  Every now and then I notice I lose a follower and at times it has hurt my feelings.  I know, why should it matter.  I think it is a feeling of rejection like maybe I am not interesting enough, or I offended someone...which would never be my intention.  I really do strive to do the best I can and just hope that you are here with me because I can bring you inspiration as well. 

O.k. I will step off of the soap box for now and am working on a few more posts to show you all what I have been occupying my time with!

Thank you to all who are my friends, it really does mean so much!

Hugs and love,

Adding some "light" to your life...Gold Canyon!

This weeks Whimsy Spotlight will add some "light" to your life just as I said! It is all about candles and so much more...Gold Canyon. I know many of you have heard or know of this great company! If you haven't...your in luck. By the time you see all that I am going to show you, you will be excited to buy some of these products for yourself or give as a gift to someone special.

I have said how much "I love scents" and that just as colors, patterns, paint, and furniture is important in decorating...so is scents and lighting in your home ! Now when I say lighting, candles might not be the first thing to come to mind. Along with lamps, chandeliers, and electrical lighting...candles are a great way to create the atmosphere for any event. I light all my candles before dinner parties, holidays, or just because I want to have a warm, golden glow throughout my home. Always giving me the ambiance and lighting I love!

I have always been very choosy when buying candles. Gold Canyon candles are one of my favorites. They are made by the highest quality standards and use the finest essential oils...which fills the air with the most amazing smells!

I was happy to see that connecting with an old friend from High School, (yes via FB) that not only could I keep up to date with this friend, but any of my Gold Canyon needs were now at the touch of my keyboard.

Let me introduce, Jodi Cleer. An Independent Charter Distributor for Gold Canyon. She is of course an amazing women and has done so much with her business in the time that she has been with this wonderful company!

Here is a little about Jodi and her incredible journey with Gold Canyon!

Jodi began her Gold Canyon career in January 2003 after meeting a Demonstrator in a doctor’s waiting room. Jodi was not a traditional candle buyer, but saw the opportunity that Gold Canyon could provide for her and her family. After being a part of other Direct Sales companies Jodi finally found the perfect fit in Gold Canyon. In November of 2007 Jodi became a Director and she is not stopping there. She is personally driven by the incentives that Gold Canyon offers and has in fact earned every trip ever offered. This year has been monumental for Jodi and her husband Jim and 3 beautiful girls. They have purchased their DREAM HOME courtesy of hard work, a strong will to succeed, and Gold Canyon!!

Not only purchasing her Dream Home, she has taken many exotic trips through the opportunities Gold Canyon has given her. Here are some of the trips she has taken: Caribbean cruise, Cancun(twice), Italy, UK, Disney World. How great is that? You can clearly see she is very determined, a hard worker and the best benefit of all is she can still be right there for her family! That truly is a great company!

Here Jodi is with the founders of
Gold Canyon Convention 2009.

She is 3rd in the Nation for Frontline Promotions!!
That is a great accomplishment!

As Jodi has stated here "I love my Gold Canyon business because my family always comes first. Try finding a job like that in corporate America. " This seems to be a great opportunity for many! There is much more information on her website for any of you who might be interested in having your own Gold Canyon business as well.

There is so many candles to choose from! Gold Canyon offers many different lines so there is something for everyone. Another great thing about this company...they even have bath, cleaning and home products as well. Again using the highest quality standards and ingredients with amazing scents in every product. That is hard to find!

The Inspiration line.
Tranquil Mist( Individuality )

Gold Canyons signature line, Heritage.
Many scents to choose from.

Who wouldn't want to smell "Strudel and Spice"
from the baking line? Mmmm...

Boutique Chic~White Sage & Rose Noir

Many sizes to choose from in the Pillar Series.

Comforts of Home~Warm Welcome...this candle
would make you and your guest feel just that!


Scent Pods and Warmers.

Fire Starters will make your fires burn a little more fragrantly!

Diffusers in many scents, comes with pretty appliques.

Homeology~A natural way to clean.
Plant based glass cleaner.

Even something to make your car smell great!

For the body, Emerge.
Nourish your skin with Botanical nutrients.

As you can see...so much to choose from! Still even more to look at on Jodi's website. Before you click over there, I want to let you know that Jodi is of course going to give my readers something wonderful as each of my Whimsy Spotlights do!

One Whimsy reader is going to win a $25 gift certificate to spend on anything of their liking with Jodi at Gold Canyon!! That is right...You get to choose any of these great products up to $25 all for one lucky winner!! I'm sure you all know how to enter by now...if not here are the ways!

1. Check out Jodi's business Gold Canyon and then return here and leave a comment on one or more of your favorite things. You can enter more than once by doing the following.

2.You know I love my Whimsy Followers! Another entry for you if you follow! Scroll back up a ways and you will see Whimsy followers on the side, click add and then leave me another comment. (If you already are, please leave another comment as a entry)

3. Grabbing my cute button, makes me feel loved! (again if you already have this, let me know in a separate entry)

4. Blog, FB or tweet about this post. (separate entry for each thing)

Please make separate comments for each entry being that I am going to use random.org for the giveaway! Make sure I have your info. if you win.

You have until Monday, August 31st at midnight Pacific time to enter. I will have the winner announced on Tuesday September 1st. This is opened to US and Canada only.

Can't wait to see who the winner is!
Have a fabulous weekend!!
Hugs to you all,

Winner of House of 3!

For those that have tried my Strawberry Lemonade...I hope you enjoyed it as much as we do! Thank you to all those that stopped by and visited and entered the wonderful giveaway for House of 3! It is such an amazing business and whenever you need great vinyl wall art, blog backgrounds, fonts, or any whimsical designs...you know where to go.

A lot can change in just a couple of days.

My grandfather passed away on Sunday. I do know that he is in a better place. I have had a mixture of emotions and will have to share in another post more about this.

We finally have orders from the Air Force to move (yay!). The house hunting is on! Excited to start a new chapter in beautiful Colorado!!

My Aunt is coming for a day to see me and my family...haven't seen her in 16 years! Making some yummy chicken enchiladas (only Hatch green chili will do!), black beans and rice, and my favorite...guacamole for dinner tonight. Dinner is planned and I have to get done with this post and start cooking! :)

Mr. Wonderful will finally be back home on Friday after being gone for the last month (happy dance!). We are going to see " The Travelers Wife", when he gets back...I hope it is good! Our family will be celebrating another birthday this month for our son The Artist on the 29th...these kids are growing so fast!

There is also a winner for the $25 giveaway for Digital Kits!! So, without carrying on any longer..............

The Winner is, Traci from It's My Life!!!

I am so happy for you! Traci had 7 entries!! I know she really wanted this! I am excited for her to pick her fabulous designs and enjoy creating!! I will send you the code you will need to start shopping with Traci...have fun!!

I just want to tell you all from my heart, all of my friends here mean soo much! I am grateful for each and everyone of you...even those that visit and I have yet to meet. Reading your comments or following along with me on my blog always adds a smile to my face and brings happiness to my day! Thank you...you all are wonderful!!

I know this post is short and the next Whimsy Spotlight has yet to be revealed. I will be posting a day late this week due to so many of those events I shared with you up above. I know once I have my husband back home this weekend, I will have a little more time to show many projects I have been working on. I am sure the next several weeks will go fast as we prepare to get things ready for our move. Thank you for being understanding on my late Spotlights. Make sure to come back by tomorrow to see who could be adding some "LIGHT" to your life, you don't want to miss out!

Have a blessed day and hugs to you!

House of 3!

I know my Whimsy Spotlight has been a little delayed this week. So much going on with kids back to school and trying to find the time to work on the things I would like to. So please forgive the delay, we will now have our regularly scheduled program...

As the saying goes, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." Well I definitely feel I have been given my share of lemons in the last couple of days. So... taking these lemons and am doing just that!

I am even going to share my very delicious Strawberry Lemonade recipe with you! You might just think it is the best you've ever tasted ( just my personal opinion.) It is a recipe I have been making for friends and family for the last 18 years. No matter the occasion, it is always right. Here is my secret recipe...shhh...O.K. I guess it won't be secret anymore...just enjoy! :)

Can't wait to hear if you liked it. What do you think of my fun and cute frame around this yummy recipe? Well...I thought it would make the recipe extra special by adding a very whimsy frame. I bet you want a cute frame like this too. The"Whimsy Spotlight" this week is all about these whimsical frames, and many beautiful designs from creative blog couture, unique jeweled wall art, fun fonts to unique digital scrapbooking kits. Still there is more to see. The House of 3 has it all!

I am going to tell you though...be prepared to fall.in.love! The first time I layed eyes on these whimsical designs I was smitten! ♥♥♥ This unique business is all about Inspiring, Creating and falling in Love with design. In fact, this is their motto...Inspire. Create. Love. Simply said and true!

However, there is nothing simple about these many wonderful,and intricate details in every design. I could look at all the House of 3 designs for hours, imagining the possibilities of what I could create. I have been soo excited to share with all of you these very talented and creative designers behind this fabulous company! You definitely will see why it is called the House of 3 and having these 3 beautiful, creative minds make for amazing designs! There is so much I could say about each one, that honestly...I would have a post at least an hour long. In order to give you the shorter version, you must go here to read more about these very gifted women! Make sure to click on their names below and visit their wonderful blogs!

Heidi Swapp

Heidi is a passionate scrapbooker who,
loves to share her ideas in many ways!

Rhonna Farr
Rhonna wants you to, "enjoy the process" of creating.

Janet Hopkins

Janet found an artist inside her through scrapbooking.

So, I am ready to show you all what House of 3 is all about! It was really hard not to show you everything...again we might be here for hours. I love all of the designs. Let's start with...House Adornments.

I am loving these chandeliers!

I so want to do this in my next house! I will be writing "reminders", scriptures or quotes for the day and little love notes to Mr. Wonderful...

Frames of many styles and sizes!

This is such an easy and beautiful look!

The whimsical look of the vinyl with real accessories...how fun!

You have to look twice to realize this lamp is not real.

Monogrammed letters are very in...love the jeweled art around it!

Just one of the great backgrounds that you can use to add whimsy to your blog!

For any of you looking to add change to your blog, add some fun or just starting a blog there is so many styles to choose from and the prices so affordable!

Another favorite one...

These fonts are wonderful! Remember these are not just for scrapbooks, but for many artistic uses. I would use these to add to containers in my craft room or print and frame them! As I said, "the possibilities...endless!"

I am in love with this set...I could use these monograms in so many ways!

Many calenders to choose from too!

I am telling you...they have everything! Here is just one of there invitations kit.

Love unique, whimsical cards...
easy to create with card kits!

Another thing I love about House of 3...
they show you many tutorials!

Is this not the cutest idea?! You can design a book for
yourself or a friend as a house warming gift!

Who doesn't love a fabulous magnetic board?!

It really is Inspire. Create. Love!

I think you all can see why I am smitten! So many beautiful designs to look at and the creativity is unlimited!! That very cute frame around my yummy recipe up there...I purchased it, and within minutes I had it to create with. Many of their designs are downloadable after you purchase them, some will come by mail. I can't say enough about this wonderful company and it's talented designers!

I am excited every time I buy something and think how I am going to use it. Again, the prices are soo affordable which means....you get a lot of whimsy for your money!!

Speaking of affordable....The House of 3 is going to give you all %10 off of there wall art! Just type in the code at checkout~whimsy10winner. I know you all have already thought of where you want to put those fabulous chandeliers! They also are going to give one lucky winner up to $25 to pick what they want on Digital kits! I know...very exciting!! I wish I could win!!! So many things to choose from...here are the details for entering.

1. Go visit House of 3 and then return here and leave a comment on one or more of your favorite things. You can enter more than once by doing the following.

2.You know I love my Whimsy Followers! Another entry for you if you follow! Scroll back up a ways and you will see Whimsy followers on the side, click add and then leave me another comment. (If you already are, please leave another comment as a entry)

3. Grabbing my cute button, makes me feel loved! (again if you already have this, let me know in a separate entry)

4. Blog, FB or tweet about this post. (separate entry for each thing)

5. Stop by and visit the House of 3 blog and leave them a nice comment to say let them know how much you love their designs! Gives you another entry~just make sure to come back and let me know!

Please make separate comments for each entry being that I am going to use random.org for the giveaway! Make sure I have your info. if you win. You have until Monday, August 24th at noon Pacific time to enter. I was a little late on this spotlight, so I will have the winner announced on Tuesday August 25th. This is opened to US residents only.

Good luck!! Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Hugs to you,