Fabric Canvas Wall Art

Wow!  What a rush!  Who knew that a fairytale would be so busy?  Without the seven dwarfs to help with chores, the servants to cook and clean, or king daddy's trust fund to ease one's labor duties, life is full of rewarding responsibilities.  Matt and I celebrated our one year anniversary in June, and my fairytale continues.  We experienced many changes since we met; Matt has moved to Lubbock (temporarily), we moved into a new home, and our children continue to grow and develop into the unique individuals that make them divine!

My time is quite limited now that I'm working in a completely new profession, but this Thanksgiving break gave me the respite I needed to jump start some creativity.  Aesthetic design within my home is vital to my zen, but my pocketbook is equally important.  This juxtaposition leads me to create with prudence.  One of my projects that I recently completed is a fabric-canvas wall art that optimizes the appearance of previously drab, boring wall.  This was super easy and super CHEAP to do!  Check it out:

1. I bought individual wood frame strips that snap together from Hobby Lobby in order to make my own canvas frame- much cheaper than covering an existing canvas.  I wanted three large frames 24" by 36" so I purchased six 24" pieces and six 36" pieces.

• $1.69 for a 24" strip
• $3.99 for a 36" strip
• 6 x $1.69= $10.14
• 6 x $3.99= $23. 94
• Total = 34.08

2. I purchased the fabric at Joanne's during a 30% off sale and spent around $25 (I threw away the receipt and don't remember exactly), and with a little guidance from an old friend (thanks Kelly Duriex) I found the perfect sixties floral print!

3. I snapped together the wood strips to make three frames. 

4. I cut the fabric around each frame, leaving about two inches extra on each side.

5. Finally, I used a staple gun to staple the the fabric to the backside of the frame.  

Voila`!  I have fantastic, colorful wall art from fabric specifically chosen to match my sitting room design.  And the crux is the entire thing cost less than $60!  These days, you can't buy one large piece of wall art for under $60, let alone three!

Greta's Parade

Today was the first day of my biking adventures! Of course, Greta (my bike) wasn't ready for the road until equipped with basket and bell, which I purchased this week, making it vintage fab for a sunny, Saturday morning!

The morning began when I met Natalie for a Fuzzy breakfast taco, complete with a Fuzzy driver.  After our breakfast, we hit the trail!  I was a bit nervous about riding on the main streets for the first time, so Natalie followed behind me in her Tahoe.  Can you imagine?  Natalie is coasting behind me with her hazards flashing, while I leisurely ride down Broadway Avenue!  

As we approach the corner of Broadway and Avenue Q, we see a horse parade!  I'm not kidding, either!  Today is the annual Cowboy Symposium festival, and a horse parade through downtown is part of the festivities!  We watched the cowboys, buggies and stagecoaches stride down the street.  Incredible.  

After watching for a few minutes, we decided to continue on towards the Downtown Art Market.  This event is once a month at the Tornado Gallery on Buddy Holly Ave and it's definitely one of the coolest events this city has!  It reminds me of the outdoor markets in Europe, where vendors bring all their different goods.  Flowers, vegetables, folk art,  jewelry, and much more are on display and for sale.  I went first to the Therapy booth, products made by my sweet friend Marci Gutheil and her sister, Val.  The booth is filled with wonderful creations like felt flower hair pens, floral satches, jewelry and dresses.  Across from Therapy, I found a children's clothing booth that had a bright red poodle skirt calling Madilyn's name.  Madi wears her black poodle skirt EVERYWHERE, so I thought I should encourage her collection. I saw many friends, old and new, and enjoyed visiting with them all.  Next, I purchased fresh garden flowers that looked mighty nice in my pretty, little wicker basket.  After all this fun, it was time to return home.  I loaded my basket, hopped on Greta, and rode through the red brick downtown streets toward home.

Ok, maybe not home, just Fuzzy's.  This first trip I parked my car at Fuzzy's and rode the bike downtown.  Natalie had to go on to work, so I made the trip back on my own and I was feeling confident about my new found hobby.  Until I see the parade.  ANOTHER parade!  This time it was some sort of Mexican parade, I think celebrating Mexican Independence.  Well, I start trying to figure out how I'm going to cross the street and get back over to Fuzzy's, when I see the low-rider boys.  Let me explain.

While at Fuzzy's Taco shop earlier in the morning, a group of Hispanic guys in a low rider pull up to the restaurant.  Natalie and I were sitting on the patio, and I guess we looked friendly, so they said hello.  They also watched our comedic show in the parking lot, as I clumsily learned to steer my bike, as Nat laughed hysterically.  So, what are the odds these same guys are in the parade and happen to be right in front of me as I come to the parade route?  Likely, because they were, and they asked me to join the parade!  

"Get in front of us!  Come on, just do it!  Get in front of us!" They shouted. 

"I can't!" I replied, but quickly decided it was the only way to get back over to my car.  I thought for a moment and I did what any sensible person would do.  

                               I joined the Mexican parade.

What a morning!  What a beautiful morning; the sun shining on my face, the wind blowing through my hair (what's left of it) and candy falling into my basket as I rode in a parade.  This I know: Greta and I are going to be great friends.

~Truly, Cinderella

Simplicity

SIMPLIFY: verb.  Make (something) easier to do or understand

After my stint in Europe, I came to the realization that my life, like most Americans, is entirely too complex.  It begins with the Joneses.  We are all so busy working: to make more money: to buy more stuff: so that when we drive our new cars, and park in our large custom designed homes,  and sleep in our king size foam mattresses we can feel good about ourselves and our lives.  The same applies to our children. We have them involved in numerous activities each semester, not usually giving them the chance to master one, but hoping they try everything so they will be the ultimate "best at everything, well-rounded" individual.  As mothers we drive big SUV's just in case we might take the entire soccer team for ice cream after practice.  Sure, it comes in handy in such instances, but be honest: how often does this really happen?  We are using fuel unnecessarily, and unhealthily for the sake of what?  Convenience?   Or dare I say it.... Pride?  Especially in my neck of the woods, or shall I say, flatlands.  West Texas is king of BIG.  We like our vehicles, our homes, our serving sizes, and even our hair-big!  It's in our blood.  Maybe it's because we have the space to do it.  Or maybe it's leftover from the frontier mentality: settle, conquer, and tame the land- in large proportions.  

I think we've lost sight of what's important, and what truly brings success.  And what about our universities?  Think about college football.  The bigger the stadium, the better the recruits.  And better recruits means more attendance at games, earning more money for the University.  But where does all this money go? Is it funded back into professor's salaries, or better classrooms?   Is our goal to truly nurture and educate the mind, body and spirit?  Or is it to build bigger stadiums?  As one professor once told me,  having a liberal arts degree in today's America, just means that you have learned a little about all disciplines in order to conduct a conversation at a cocktail party.  Is this really what we want of our future?  Exhausted, over-worked, over-weight individuals who know nothing of true realities, but enough of something to converse at a cocktail party?

Ok, ok, I haven't gone completely leftist rogue, but I do see the world much differently.  And I plan to change my life for the simple.  I began this transformation in Stockholm.  The first step for me, was the haircut.  Any woman can attest a change in life results in a change of hairstyle.  I chopped mine off, almost pixie style, and I absolutely love it!  I must admit, I was a bit nervous cutting off a 12 inch ponytail, but I have no regrets.  It takes all of 10 minutes to style my classic, chic hair, which leaves time to do more important things.

My second step in achieving simplicity is to buy a bike.  I know it will be difficult to commute on a bike in my area, but there are places I can ride instead of drive.  Starbucks, the grocery store, the drugstore, a best friend's home, and the park are all in biking distance.  Therefore I save fuel, and get much needed exercise.  

My new bike!  

Another change for the better:  my youngest daughter has chosen to attend the school a block from our home.  She is very excited to walk to school daily, as am I.  We will save gas, and enjoy our leisurely walks together every morning.  Dinnertime has always been important to our family, so instead of running all over town in the evenings, we are choosing to cook our family dinner's at home.  We spend quality time together, while learning to make some amazing cuisine. 

I'm looking forward to the exciting school year in front of us, and now I must tend to the chore of downsizing.  I will rid my garage of stuff!  Simplistic living, fairy-tale style!

Truly,

Cinderella

Goodbye Stockholm

Thank goodness my commitment to my new husband is stronger than to my blog! 

I've been a busy lady these last few months.  I finished planning our wedding, went to Florida for our honeymoon, and packed Matt for his extended trip to Sweden.  Two weeks later, Bella and I joined him.  What a whirlwind!

We have been here for nearly a month and tomorrow Bella and I head back home, leaving Matt here to work for awhile.  We have had a lovely time and I'm absolutely heartbroken to leave him here alone. Even the weather is SAD.  It's rained all day, and Matthew said Stockholm is crying because it's sad to see me go.  I'm feeling gloomy, too.  This has been the most amazing experience; the people are genuine, the food exquisite, and the history rich and abundant.  European culture suites me, and this visit has confirmed my desire to travel. 

We are going to dine in the area of Ostermalm this last evening.   This part of Stockholm is my favorite; fine restaurants, many stylish boutiques and salons, breath-taking architecture, and beautiful people.  Shopping is different here as they don't have the typical American malls, the boutiques are much more quaint.  Also, the shops  (most everything, but the restaurants) close by 6:00.   Overall, I think this is good, because emphasis is not on dirty materialism, (though they have their share, too) but on family and relationships.  However, when you want to try something on at H&M at closing time, it can be quite frustrating.  I was standing outside the dressing room door and the sales clerk told me it was time to close and I had to leave.  Now that doesn't happen in the USA: they will let you try it on because they want the sale...the almighty dollar prevails. 

About family, their maternity leave is rather impressive, unbelievable actually!  The women get a year of maternity leave and the men have six months!  Yep, that's right, the men have paternity leave!  It's so sweet to see the many dads pushing the strollers around the parks and in the grocery markets.  It's obvious the men bond on a much deeper level with their children because of this time.  In fact, while dining over at Matt's colleague's house one night we discussed this very subject.  I told him we did not have time off like that in the States and he asked "how could the father's bond with their children?"and I told him they don't.  It's just not the same as here in Sweden.

And we mustn't forget about holiday!  I don't know how these people get any work done, because they take so much vacation time!  It's remarkable.  I'm talking a month at a time of PAID vacation!  And the bizarre thing is they vacation during the summer when they actually have nice weather!  They leave Stockholm in droves to visit other countries!  Makes more sense to me to stay here when the weather is nice, and take holiday in January when it's so dark and cold.  I don't get it.

However, all this time off comes with a price.  They pay the highest taxes of all: up to 59%!  As one girl told me, "you can't get rich in this country," and I believe she's right!  They do have an excellent public transportation system, which most people take full advantage of,  wonderful museums, free childcare, including meals while the children are at school, and free to low-cost health care.  Back in Texas we would consider this a socialist country, and say it like a cuss word, but after spending a little time here I see the perks of the system.  I think it can be summed up best by saying there is are pros and cons to anything, and everything can't be all bad.  

One last thing, most everyone here speaks English, fluently!  As Americans, we have failed in this area.  Children at a young age are taught to speak English in Sweden, which makes sense considering a child can learn at a much faster pace.  Our children should be taught a foreign language in school, the most practical choice for us being Spanish.  While being here, I've picked up a few Swedish words, like Tack(thank you), Hej, Hej(hello) och(and) rea(sale) mat(food), etc.  I wish I had more time to learn more! 

The rain continues, and sadly we only have one umbrella.  We can take the Metro to T-Central and stop in at Ahlens to pick another one up before heading to dinner.  I hate to leave this city, and more importantly, I hate leaving my forever.  I don't think I can stand going home without him.  Love and kisses darling, missing you already.

Farewell Stockholm and until next time,

Adjo.

Truly, Cinderella

A view of the rain from Matt's Apartment

Another Cute Invitation

Blessed. 

The Lord has blessed me with the most wonderful friends and I'm honored and grateful to have these beautiful women in my life.  In fact, they have been hard at work preparing to throw my showers next weekend, and I just can't wait!   In keeping with my vintage theme, Tiffany hand made the most adorable invitations, each one being different. 

My apologies for the glare on the pic, but you can still see the gorgeous work of Tiffany Norris.  She did an excellent job on the invitations!  They are perfect! 

~Truly, Cinderella

The Invitations

Now that the invitations have been sent,  I must share them with you.  The talented Mrs. Lindsey Jones Overman created all aspects of the invitation, informational info, and RSVP with the simple request the design be inspired by The Little Chapel, with a touch of vintage. 

 

Our venue is absolutely divine; literally, breathtaking.  I fell in love with this historic chapel, from the stained glass windows and wooden pews, to the archway and lanterns hanging from above.   In fact, I asked Lindsey to showcase the lanterns on the invitations, and she did precisely that.

Matt and I really like that our invitations are unique, and they were half the price of traditional invitations.  Lindsey sent the finished design to a local print shop and we had them printed without all the extra overhead.  Perfect!  

Remember those talented friends; oftentimes they are pleased to showcase their work.  They are usually happy to help, especially if you're willing to lend a hand when they're in need. 

~Truly, Cinderella

Flat Belly Diet

Though it's probably going to take a knife, an operating table, and a experienced plastic surgeon in order for me to have a flat belly, the diet is definitely working!  http://flatbellydiet.prevention.com/  I have lost a total of ten pounds, and after fifteen more, I will reach my goal weight!  Everything fits better, some clothes are too big, and as Mickey D would say, "I'm lovin it!" 

Zumba is also amazing!  If you're like me, working out has always been a chore; a necessary evil.  But now I've finally found something I love!   In fact, I like it so much I attend at least three classes per week, and some weeks I attend four.  Zumba is my crack and those fantastic instructors are my dealers!  I'm telling you, if you haven't been to Studio 57 http://www.studio57fitness.com/, then GO!   Bren, Karen, Josh, Hillary, or one of the other wonderful teachers will have you shaking your booty and jiggling your jiggle right off!  Well, at least, the bad jiggle. :)

After much thought, I may just Zumba down the isle, and have brown rice and tomatoes served at the reception!  Go Zumba!  And Happy Flat Belly dieting.

~Truly, Cinderella