Carmen Leigh

The "Lavelle Luxe" Bracelet

 

I wanted to share this beautiful bracelet that I made recently using a "treasured" box of rhinestone jewelry from my husband's wonderful grandma.  She gave me this box about two years ago, and I have been afraid to touch its contents.  Beautiful rhinestone necklaces and earrings.....what to do?

Well, i had seen a few of these bracelets here and there on the internet and I knew that I needed to take a leap of faith!  So with my jewelry tools and trusty e6000, I went for it!

All I can say is that I wear this almost everyday, with shorts, jeans, flip flops, etc.  It makes me happy to know that I am carrying her with me everyday.  It is a showstopper!!!

And by the way, she loves it!  Scott's dad called last week to let me know that she loved the pictures!

I love you, Verna Lavelle Donowho!

Guess we are both tickled pink!

My Crazy, Imperfect World!!!!!

This is a very RARE look at my studio....CLEAN!!!!

What can I say, I am imperfect and extremely disorganized when I create.  I dream of having a workspace that is as beautiful as the photos in my favorite magazines.  

But I wonder how many of those artists worked for DAYS to clean and pick things up off the floor, prior to their photo shoots?

 

I have discovered many things the last few days. 

1) I actually have a floor in my studio. (underneath the silver trays of rhinestone jewels and vintage beads)

2)  There is a HUGE worktable in the middle of my studio.

3)  I really do have all of those pieces to my Dremel, that I may or may not have falsely accused my better half of losing. (Sorry Babe)

4) I Love my family of Boys for having patience with their crazy, imperfect, artsy mom.  (Sorry for the "ouchies" stepping on stray pieces of silver wire. Mommy needs to vacuum a little more often.) 

 

 

I Have Great Faith In Fools; 
"Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring." 
— Marilyn Monroe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Warrenton, Baby!!!!!

 
  


I am just a teensy bit late..... since my Warrenton trip was a whole month ago!  But I wanted to share a quick pic of a few of my crazy treasures and a pic of one of my best friends in the whole world!

Lee Ann was such a trooper tromping through Warrenton in the heat!  She has been junking with me enough to know to just roll with the "Carmen Crazy".  She never says, "And what are you going to do with that?" She trusts in my insanity!  

Love you Lee Ann!!!! 

 

Stay tuned for peeks of the craziness that I have been creating from my treasures!

 

Can't wait 'til Fall!!!!!!

This little light of mine.......

My little guy, "aka the monster" gave me the most perfect moment of inspiration last week.  He was sitting at the kitchen table eating his lunch after a long morning of preschool, telling me about his day.  All of sudden, he bursts out in " This little light of mine..... I'm going to let it shine..., Do you know this song, Mommy?"

This simple little children's song was telling me to stop doubting myself and practice what I tell my children everyday. BE YOURSELF and appreciate the gifts that we have been given.

So, this is me, believing in the talent that the Lord has given me.  No more "hiding under a bushel".

Thank you "Logan Monster" giving Mommy a nudge!
 
 
 

 

Creativity, Crayons and Coughs

Today, I am home with my little guy who is a little under the weather.  So I am hoping to be creative in some capacity!  Jewelry, Painting, or just plain Crayons????

Will let ya know when monster and I decide........

Quiet and Prayers

Right now it is perfectly "still" in my house, which is a rare occasion with all the men and doggies in my life.  My Sweet Husband took my little monster on errands and my pre-teen is still asleep.  So, I think I should put something on my neglected blog and make a promise to myself to post more often this month.

So quickly, (while it is still quiet) I want to share a few of my favorite things.

  My Kindle.... words fail me to describe how much I love this thing!  I have always been a voracious reader, my mother used to take my books away so that I would spend time with the family, true story whether mom will admit it or not.  My Sweet Husband bought this wonderful item for me for my birthday last year and it changed my life!  Books at the touch of my fingertips, absolute HEAVEN!  

Copic Markers.... love!

Just a peek at my FAVORITE birthday present this year from Sweet Husband!  It makes me smile everyday!

My boys on my birthday!  Love how they are holding hands!

I love to Doodle!  Need to do this more often because it makes me happy!

Lovin' my tricked out Target boots!  (My fingers were killing me after sewing through leather, ouch!)

So just a few things I love, and yes, it is still quiet!

Now for my last favorite thing of the day, my little sister Katrina.  I would like to ask for prayers for my little sister who has a challenge ahead of her the next few months.  I love you Katrina!!!!

 

 

Hello Strangers!

 

The summer has been crazy busy!

Eclipse Premiere

Vacation to Colorado (bonus of a small person with a stomach virus, poor thing!)

School Registration, Supply and School Shopping for

7th grader with HUGE feet and new Braces!

A few Girl's Nights with my Bud's

(We just saw EAT PRAY LOVE, last night!  ViVa Francisco! Les and Tanya!)

Making A Little Bit of New Jewelry.

Need to Redecorate Good Night Moon Room to an Iron Man Room for the little guy.

Cats and Dogs was a pretty decent movie, really.

My 22nd Wedding Anniversary to my Sweetie is this week!  (yes, we were married as toddlers!)

My 41st Birthday is looming its ugly head next week!

Looking forward to being more focused and creative this Fall!

The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. ALOUD. - Coco Chanel

(my new mantra)

The Ring in the Picture is for my Little Sis!  Love the 70's pic of us!

Queen of Procrastination!

I have officially crowned myself the Queen of Procrastination!

Seriously, it is my "gift".

The last few weeks have flown by and I feel like I am spinning in a vortex of chaos!  Whew!

So, this post is going to be a quick "visual recap" of my life.  I hope to be back in a few days to post my completed "40 squares" and some details on my first trunk show the 17th!

 ! 

Beautiful Vintage Sign at Homestead in Fredricksburg, Texas.

Rusty Yumminess!  Again, at Homestead.

Love!

My oldest at a beautiful church in Fredricksburg.

My youngest, wow... this pic says it all!

My studio.  Be amazed, it is clean!

Alice in wonderland Bunko Night!

(see my little stinker in the corner?)

How cute are they?

Confused?  This is Flood Barrier Science Fair Project that was due today.  This has been the main reason for my procrastination.  Why do they always wait to the last minute?  

(In case you are wondering, the metal barrier was the most effective.)

And last but not least, another peek into my rarely clean studio.  This is where I should be right now working on some jewelry magic.  

But alas, it is time to jump in the "Mom Mobile" and pick up my oldest man from Basketball practice!

See you soon!     

     

 

I'm late! For a Stitching Date!

  

        

This week has been full of craziness, so I have fallen behind in posting my squares for 39 Squares.

I am excited about how the piece is starting to come together.  Lots of Madness!  

So this week I am thinking about adding some Alice in Wonderland Madness squares, stay tuned!

Wild Things and LOTS of Caffeine!

Lots of Wild Things going on today!

My little guy has enjoyed the "dirt" and sunshine for the last few days.  The weather

has been BEAUTIFUL! (that is for my husband who is freezing in WV!)

So excited about "Wild Things" DVD release yesterday.  I love this book and cannot wait to see the movie.  Maybe after American Idol?

I painted the plate for my oldest, when he was 5 years old. We read this book EVERY night, he would almost beg me NOT to read it. 

The message of the book is so special to me, as the mom of two boys.  I always tell them I will love them forever, no matter what.  

They are my miracles and I am the mommy who loves them most of all!

Lastly, today involved a LOT of caffeine.

So my square of the day is my handy dandy Starbucks Cup with floating coffee beans!

Love my White Chocolate Mocha (non-fat milk, no whip)