Bathing Beauty Gothic Arch

The theme this week at the Gothic Arch challenge is Bathing Beauties. This is my first arch! I have plans for at least two others!It is very simple, but I really just wanted to highlight the picture. Enjoy! I hope to post two more this week!

However, I need to pack for our move. Yes, it seems that our house is going through, and we should be closing (I'm guessing here) in about 2-3 weeks!! I can hardly stand my excitement! I'll keep you all posted! I'll post house pictures as soon as it is mine!

Circle of Friends Award

I've been honored by Anne at Gaal Creative with the Circle of Friends Blog Award as a part of her First Blogoversary. '

First, I want to thank Anne. She has been a very valuable member of my blog followers. Rarely does a new post go by without her comments. They mean a great deal to me! Happy Blogoversary, Anne!

On to the award:
To pick up the Circle of Friends Blog Award:

1. Cut and paste the award logo and use it on your own blog.


2. Nominate at least 5 other bloggers you feel have become part of your circle of friends.


3. Link to your nominees within your blog post.


4. Include these instructions on how to pick up the award in your blog post.


5. Link back to the person who gave you the award in your blog post, to show your appreciation.


6. Comment on their blogs to let them know they've received the award.

Here are my nominees for the Circle of Friends Blog Award. These are people that I have met through their blogs and they have become part of my circle of friends! Isn't it amazing what the internet can do to bring people together.

Nancy at The Vintage Papers

Shonna at Twisted Figures

Kimmie at art in redwagons

Bianca at scrapfreakgirl

Tam at Willowing

These women have become very special people in my life! I appreciate each of them!


Also check out these blogs I just recently discovered!
Maggi at Just Add Glitter and Stir

Le Vintage (I'm sorry- I don't know the person who owns this blog- I just found it today!)

Amanda at Maygreen Fairies


Enjoy these fine blogs! =)

Marie Antoinette Arches

Here are my arches for the Marie Antoinette theme I'm hosting at the Gothic Arch Challenge.
She really is an amazing woman- she just grew up as a rock star queen. Who wouldn't have done what she did?

Marshmallows and Gothic Arch-Roses

I'm finally off for the summer which means more time for baking and art! Whoo-hoo! Yesterday, I made homemade marshmallows! They are so yummy! I also made some last week (when I took the pictures) where I had a little sugar fire on the stove, but other than that, I had a blast! You have to cook sugar and corn syrup. Then you mix that hot syrup with unflavored gelatin. You beat it in a stand mixer for 12 minutes and then spread it in a pan. After they set up for 3 hours, you cut them and roll them in powdered surgar! Very yummy, and everyone who tried them is spoiled forever!!!


Also, I'm trying to get caught up on the Gothic Arch Challege. This week's challenge was roses. I'm infatuated by Marie Antoinette- her life. . everything! Naturally, I used her in my arch!

This portrait was critized as it made her look so much less like a queen, but I really love it. I think it shows her human side. She was tired of the court life at Versailles and she wanted to get away. At the Petit Trianon, she could do that. She was highly critized for her spending on the Petit Trianon, but it was her hideaway!

NEWS and new art!

Ok, for my news. . . hold on to your seats. . .my husband and I. . . .are BUYING A HOUSE!!!!!!!! Yes, we found an awesome home about 30 minutes north of where we are currently living. It is a 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom house with a gorgeous pool! We are very excited! We found out yesterday that they accepted our bid! Now, we have lots of other things to do to get the house purchased and our stuff packed to move!!!

I'm very excited. Kevin and I haven't owned a home. We've done an apartment and we lived with his Grandmother at her house for two years. Now, we can live our own lives! I can hardly believe we will be getting this house! Woo-hoo!

As for my new art, I made it as a 'thank you' to our realtor, Toni. She has worked so hard to get us the perfect house. She is a Christian, so she knows exactly where Kevin and I are coming from!! She is truly incredible. I wanted to thank her, and the only way I knew how was to paint! What do you think??

More art

Do you remember my autumn painting? Well, here is Spring. She is part of the series that goes with Autumn. It will be a series of girls in seasons. SPring isn't as good as Autumn, but oh well. She is different!
What do you think? She's be in the works a very long time. I'm glad to see her finally finished!!!

Summer is approaching

Ok, for those of you who don't work in the school system, this means nothing to you! However, I have just finished my school year job yesterday. I will go back in August. Friday, I start my summer school job- which is half days! Days of art and painting, and photography, etc are coming!!! I'm off today and tomorrow- =). I'm off to look at houses this morning and tomorrow to the doctor- he has to check my toe. I had a toenail removed about a month or so ago. He is constantly checking to be sure it is ok. So far so good!

I'm just so glad summer is coming. Even though I have to work summer school (my hubby and I NEED the money however little it may be!), I know I'm only working half days, so I can come home and play: paint, stamp, etc and get things ready to open my Etsy shop! I really hope to get it up and going this summer, but I haven't finished enough pieces yet. Hopefully, I'll get a jump on it this summer. It will be called Purple Starfish Designs! I'm very, very excited!! I just have tons of work to do!!! =)

(What is Etsy, you ask?? It is a website where lots of talented people sell their handmade items or supplies to make handmade items. There are also lots of vintage items for sale as well. Check it out!!! Support the handmade cause!!)

I just bought some new stamps and embellishments at a scrapbook convention, so I am chomping at the bit to get going on cards and other stamped items! Watch out. . .here I come!

I hope everyone is having a good summer even if you have to work! I hope to post more on my blog this summer. I'm also on facebook and trying to understand twitter. We will see! I LOVE SUMMER!