things that make me smile

The above painting was created by my friend Abbie and I am just in love with it!  You can't help but smile when you look at it.  My favorite part is Eddy because he looks like he is about to get in trouble. (which is probably very true) See photo below...................

Speaking of trouble....last night Ed got into something and whatever it was caused hives, a freakishly swollen face, and required large amounts of benadryl.

We got Bella's pink desk done for the studio....she now has her own crafting area!

My new favorite thing to make is hoop art!  I made this over the weekend and I am in LOVE....

A little girl who loves to catch BIG fish!

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! I am home today with a child with a nasty rash (heading to doc later) and a dog still covered in hives.  We look a bit freakish at the Harden houshold today.

Have a Great week!

Darby xoxo

A new outlet

Starting Thursday my pillows and some other merchandise will be in a super cute vintage shop in Charleston called Persimmon Lane.  If you are looking for some cool vintage treasures and home goods you need to stop in and check it out!

510 6th Street

Charleston, IL 61920

Have a good week!

Darby

Bella's Birthday Adventure

Saturday my baby girl turned 5!  I'm not sure where the years have gone but it has been a great adventure so far!    Here is a re-cap of all of the weekend activities.

Friday I went with Bella's preschool class to scovill zoo and then surprised her with a trip to the mall to get her ears pierced!  She was a trooper....I was hoping there would be 2 people working to do her earrings at the same time but there was only 1.  There were barely any tears and she is thinking that she is pretty cool with her big-girl earrings.

Pretty Birthday Princess

We got Bella this pool for her birthday.  Jerrod got about 200 gallons in it before he discovered a hole....This equals a really grumpy Daddy!  I came outside just in time to witness the pool massacre.  It was ugly folks...needless to say he headed back to walmart to return this one and try again with another one. 

He also brought Bella home some very pretty flowers!

Bella decided that she wanted to have her big party at school with her friends and do something fun with Jerrod and I on Saturday.  We gave her so many options....The City Museum, Knights Action Park, Fishing at the spillway, and hiking at Fox Ridge....Bella decided she wanted to camp in the back yard.  Really, the back yard?  Saturday morning the weather was not good and we had prepared her that our camping adventure may have to be postponed.  Around 6:00 that evening we went ahead and set up the tent and decided to go for it.  We ended up having a great time!  The storms moved in around 5:00 am Sunday morning and we ended up going to the house. 

I have done A LOT of camping in my life and let me tell you camping in the backyard has some huge advantages to going somewhere else to camp.....weather gets bad you can walk to the house, dog acts ridiculous you can put him in the house, nice bathroom and shower, the list could go on and on!  

This girl was EXCITED!!!

We had such a great weekend with our girl!  I am betting that there are going to be lots of backyard campouts this summer and I can't wait!  

I also want to say Happy Father's Day to my Dad, Jerrod, and Larry!  I hope you all have an amazing day.  We Love you!  5 years ago Bella was born on Fathers Day (what a gift huh?)

Have a great week!

Darby

Moving In!!!

So last week we moved most of my junk treasures into the studio!!!  I can hardly contain my excitement!  I have been dreaming for a work space to call my own for a long time and now I have it!  Of course it is still a work in progress but at least I can be in there working and creating and people can come in and see me!



Here is the front entrance...99% of materials for construction were repurposed

 

I have a fabulous family portrait being painted by my friend Abbie that will be hung on the green door.  Oh and don't listen to the sign on the shelf I do NOT do alterations or weaving....I just liked the sign :)



Got this great little cart from my Dad and Sheri



This little table is getting ready to get a new paint job



My dad built me the fabulous rolling fabric rack and salvaged this old metal desk for me!

Overall I still have work to do but I couldn't be happier with how the space is turning out.  I am working on a work desk for Bella (painting it pink of course) and she will then have her own creative space too!  I will be in there working a few days a week and by appointment if you want to stop in and see me.  John at Yellow dog can show you around if I am not there.  I am in the process of planning an open house too!

I have talked about craft nights before but I would LOVE to have a montly "craft" night to get together, have fun, and create together.  Also thinking about some mommy and me events....the possibilities are endless.  Say tuned for details!

A HUGE thank you to my parents for letting me raid their barns and salvage building materials for this project, to my hottie carpenter that constructed the perfect space for me, and to my friends that continue to support me in all of my adventures....I love you all!

 Darby

Ollie Update

I told you all that I would update about sweet Ollie and I am excited to tell you that this girl kicked surgery bootie!  She is quite a little fighter and is doing great!  Many thanks to all of the people that have prayed for Ollie, her doctors, and her family.  To read the full update check out Annies blog here.  Here is a pic of this strong little rockstar just one day out of major open heart surgery

Thanks again prayer warriors!  God is good!

Darby

Tomorrow is the Big day

Tomorrow at 7:30 sweet little Ollie Faith Reid will undergo her open heart surgery at Barnes hospital in St. Louis.  So I am asking all of you prayer warriors out there to start praying now!  This amazing little girl has touched so many peoples hearts already and I just know that God has big plans for this little lady.

We also need to remember to pray for Dr. Huddleston her surgeon and his team that will be performing the surgery on her tiny little heart. And prayers for Ollie's Mom and Dad, her brother and sister and all of the aunts, uncles, grandma's and grandpa's that will be sitting and waiting in great anticipation to receive word that she has been healed. 

This sweet happy face thanks you too...............

 Thank you all for your prayers.  Tomorrow is a new healthy beginning for this little girl.  I will let you all know  how she is doing!

Darby

Etsy Adventure

While it is obvious that I now have an Etsy shop....(see right side of blog) I haven't really talked about it on here. I have prolonged this venture for quite awhile due to the fear of the unknown.  I am finding that Etsy is absolutely flooded with amazing items and it is hard to stand out and get noticed....this is where you lovely folks chime in and give me some advice.  (feel free to spread the word too)

Thanks for your advice and marketing :)

Darby

Playing at the Pond

Today was such a fun day for the Harden girls.  I surprised her with a picnic and a fishing trip at her Pappy's pond.  We were pumped, first fishing trip of the year and a beautiful day, what more could we ask for?

The thing with my dad's pond is that they have some very spoiled turtles....yes you heard me correctly.  When they go to the pond to feed the fish they feed the turtles worms.  When they hear us on the dock you see the turtles pop up and start swimming over for some treats.  This is super cute and all but when you are trying to fish you have to try not to catch the turtles too.  This little guy stayed with us the entire day...every side of the dock we would move to here would come the turtle begging for a worm. (and if you know me at all you know that I severely overfed this guy...oh how I heart turtles)

He even let me catch him!


Bella's fishing trip was a success!  I think the pictures will speak for themselves.........

She caught this big guy all by herself on her tiny Dora pole!

Oh this girl makes her mamma proud!  I know that I get my love of fishing from my Grandpa, he taught me so much and always took me to his favorite fishing spots.  I know that he was in heaven smiling down on this little gal today.  She had riding lessons before we went fishing and she informed me that she smelled like a horse and a fish....I informed her that it was ok and that's what happens when you are a country girl!  

In the words of Little Big Town:

"I feel no shame i'm proud of where I came from I was born and raised in the boondocks"  

"One thing I know no matter where I go I keep my heart and soul in the boondocks"

"Its where I learned about living, where I learned about love, where I learned about workin hard and having a little was just enough, It's where I learned about Jesus and knowing where I stand, you can take it or leave it but this is me, this is who I am"

 As the summer days are here I can't help but feel the need to jam pack our free days with adventures.....after all kindergarten is just right around the corner and my day off will be spent alone (I know...I need a pity party)  I want her memories to be filled with adventure and fun times and I hope that one day when she has a little girl of her own she takes the memories of her childhood and recreates them with her own children.

Have an adventurous week!

Darby