wild colored sprinkles of me...

I'm moving.....

2010-08-25T15:47:00.002-04:00

or at least going to try something different...maybe I'll do better at this one:
http://lori-spills.tumblr.com

wish me luck!

Top 10 art projects/scrapbook pages/etc from 2009

2010-01-01T12:50:00.005-05:00

My roomies from SISiversary

A canvas for my classroom

for The Creative Type

for Kiddie Lit

me and Steph

art journal page (took a couple classes from
Dina Wakley---she rocks!)

for Theatre Love Challenges

Self Portrait art day with Orlando buds

randoms

for Scrapgal's Metamorphosis challenge

2009.....where did you go?

2009-12-28T20:34:00.004-05:00

I've been terrible about keeping up with this...ugh.
I found a couple of fun apps on Facebook as a kind of "year in review"---both in pictures and in status updates.

I PROMISE to try and update more often....PROMISE!! xo

all in all...

2009-10-20T22:31:00.004-04:00

i think it's a good weekend when most of the time you look like this:

don't we just look soooo happy to be together?

we were!!!

more deets later.....

be inspired...

2009-10-05T20:52:00.005-04:00

Our latest challenge is up over at Kiddie Lit! We're being inspired by Alice in Wonderland this month. Come join us!!

Here's my layout:

Other updates on me:

-school is going well....if we can all stay healthy!!

--Looking forward to seeing my nephew and sister and bro-in-law this weekend. Who am I kidding? Looking forward to seeing my nephew, everyone else is just a bonus! :)

The whole fam is headed up to Atlanta for Jackson's FIRST birthday! ...and to see their beautiful new house!

--Can't wait to spend a few days with this girl...chillin', laughing, crafting...ahhhh...yay! and as a bonus...this girl's joining in on some of the fun, too!

2009-09-23T12:00:00.002-04:00

COME PLAY WITH US!!
This weekend, over at scrapgal.com, is our Fall Haul Online Crop. We'll have games, inspiration, challenges, and prizes galore!
Find info here!

here i am!!!

2009-09-07T17:47:00.004-04:00

I should be ashamed of myself...but alas, I'm really not...just busy!!
I could try to fit in all of what has transpired over the last few months, but forget it!
here are the highlights:
--in June, I got to go to Nashville/Franklin to hang with a huge fun bunch of crazy artsy gals...pics here.
--in July, i continued to work part time for dad at Northwestern Mutual and helped out part time at the Sylvan up in Palm Harbor, my sweet niece turned 2!!!, and I got to go to CHA's (Craft and Hobby Association) big trade show with my girls from my design team at scrapgal.com...come see us...we are a HOOT! We giggled A LOT and got to see lots of pretty new scrappy things.
--Then, in August,....and sort of partly in July as well..... I got a new job!! woohoo! I am now working back at Northside Christian School in St. Pete. I really never thought I'd be in the classroom again, but God likes to pretend He doesn't hear me when I tell him what my plans are. I am teaching the Yearbook/Journalism classes (2 middle school, 2 high school) and supervising 2 high school study halls. The kids have been great so far and I'm looking forward to helping create a fantastic yearbook!
--I'm also teaching part time at the Sylvan in St. Pete and apartment hunting so I can get out of Dad's house. :)
So, here we are in September! I am happy, enjoying catching up with old friends from St. Pete, making new ones, loving living so close to Kennedy(and my sister, of course:) ) and trying to get my body accustomed to getting up at 6:30 am....especially since I think that time of the morning is just unnecessary. coffee sometimes helps.
Things I'm looking forward to:
--Dad's birthday coming up
--going to see my sister and her family in their new digs in Atlanta, and celebrating my nephew's FIRST birthday! wowzas!
--going to see this fab girl...cannot wait! we are kindred spirits, i've decided.
--finding a new place to live
--cooler weather
--holidays coming up and lots of fun family time

Ok, so I may or may not get better at this....but thanks for reading anyway! xo

oh dear.....

2009-08-04T19:40:00.001-04:00

apparently, unbeknownst to me, I took a summer hiatus from blogging.
I promise I'll try harder....
I'll be back soon with updates!!

hey, artsy peeps....

2009-05-14T10:45:00.002-04:00

We gotta crop happening this weekend! Join us May 15th and 16th from 7pm-Midnight EST. Loads of challenges, games and chattin. Check out our Crop Forum for full details!

Creating...

2009-05-03T13:26:00.006-04:00

Yesterday was National Scrapbooking Day, which means lots of challenges, prizes, etc all around the web!
Here's a couple of pages I did for NSD:

I also told you about being on the Design Team for the new Challenge Blog: Kiddie Lit: Inspiration Between the Pages---all inspired by Children's Literature! Our first Challenge is inspired by The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Here's mine:

COME PLAY WITH US!!

Here are my two May Design Team pages for Scrapgal:

When you don't have a job, you gotta find something to do with all your time! ;P

slogger=blogging slacker....

2009-04-24T10:35:00.004-04:00

yep, that's me...so sorry! here's what's up:
--new artwork!! go and see!

--job hunting SUCKS!! seriously...BUT I do have a second interview on Monday---keep praying!!

--lots of fun stuff going on at scrapgal! come play with us!

--I just made the design team for a new challenge blog! So excited! The challenges are all based on children's literature! Here's my submission for the design team, inspired by The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams

Challenges will be posted on the 1st and 15th of each month....first one will be up on May 1st!!!!

--If I had the money, I'd totally be taking this class:

check it out if you want some super cool advice about making your blog bigger and better!

--my niece and nephew are growing and learning and still the cutest kids I've ever seen...no bias here. :)

that's it for now!
xo

April?!! already?!!!

2009-04-01T22:29:00.003-04:00

first of all: new art work is up!

So, I've decided, I FREAKIN LOVE wedding receptions! I think I have also realized why I do: you can dance your butt off and no one cares! It's not like you're at a club where you are being judged on how you dance, or trying to pick up somebody....you can just let loose! (the free booze and free meal doesn't hurt either) AND just about everyone is happy....you all just witnessed a great event together and everyone is in a good mood. SIGH...love it!
The reason I say all of this is because my roomies and I attended a friend's wedding last Sunday. It was a small wedding, and boy did we have fun!
My cute roomies:

My roommate Carolyne and I worked together for years at Sylvan...she was a bridesmaid:

this is my evidence that Adam did really dance at the wedding...he looks very happy about it:

NOW, for a twist....the four...yeah, that's right FOUR single ladies lined up for the bouquet toss...notice how all three of them have hands up...ready to catch...mine are down by my side...

but guess who caught that sucker one-handed! (dad would be so proud)
this would be much more exciting for me if I were actually dating someone...or had had a date in the past year.....oh well.....

no news yet on a job...still looking...keep praying...xo

oh dear.....

2009-03-15T11:25:00.003-04:00

I have been neglecting my blog, I know!
So, here are some things I've been up to:
--lots of new art work!
--affirmation! and let's face it, who doesn't need a little affirmation!? My friend Tammy and I have started this blog to continue to encourage one another, as we are both going through some transitions...
--Friday was my last day with Sylvan. They decided not to offer me a permanent position, so I'm back to the job search! I have been praying for clarity and for whatever the next step might be, so I feel peaceful about it, just anxious for what comes next!
Thanks for your prayers and support! xo

Self-Portraits

2009-02-22T16:17:00.003-05:00

Had a great day with friends yesterday at a self-portrait art party! good food, good peeps, and got to paint on my canvases...here's what I came up with:
Pieces of ME:

Also added more stuff to flickr from our online crop at scrapgal.com this weekend!
Hope everyone is having a terrific weekend! xo

new stuff added!

2009-02-08T11:23:00.001-05:00

been creating a bit this weekend...new stuff added to my flickr!

back to the daily grind...

2009-02-06T12:15:00.002-05:00

well, as most of you know. I was laid off in December. I've been job hunting for over 2 months now and have a few leads. Our Sylvan centers in the Orlando area have been taken back over by the corporation, and I am happy to say, I am now back to work! I started back Tuesday as the Interim Center Director of the Lake Mary center. This is good for now, but I am still praying for clarity as I seek the next step in my career path. The job I have now is a "temporary full time" position, so there are no benefits nor long term security. For now, it's good to know I'll be getting a paycheck, but am still pursuing some other options. Thanks for your support and prayers! xo

Friday Fill in...

2009-01-30T10:12:00.002-05:00

So, totally just found these today: Friday fill-in!

1. I'd really like a job right now.

2. "I'm okay!" is the word you'd most often hear me say if I stubbed my toe.

3. Possession is the act of having and owning property.

4.I kinda dig Captain Jack Sparrow.

5. Marshmallows and fire go together like macaroni and cheese.

6. The wait goes on and on.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to my friend Sarah coming, tomorrow my plans include sleeping late and Sunday, I want to read a book!

come on...do it too...you know you want to....and link me up if you do! xo

updates

2009-01-26T11:53:00.009-05:00

As a reminder, my friend Tammy and I are participating in a challenge over at the Art Slam blog. They are doing something called Team Diptych, where you and a partner team up to create a daily piece of art.
Let's catch up, shall we?:
Jan 12 water (mine's on top)

Jan 13 new (mine's on bottom)

Jan 14 chaos (mine's on bottom)

Jan 15 food

Jan 16 technology (mine's on bottom)

Jan 17 love (mine on top)

Jan 18 vibe

Jan 19 present (mine on top)

Jan 20 music (mine on left)

more later...

Random things about Lori...

2009-01-14T15:36:00.002-05:00

Ok, so I've seen this several times...thought it was fun...if you read it and want to do it too...knock yourself out! and link me back up to ya so I can find out stuff about you too! ;)

1. My biggest fear is falling down a flight of stairs and knocking my teeth out.

2. I think my niece and nephew are the cutest kids I've ever seen.

3. I think I am much more athletic than I actually am...my endeavors usually don't end well...

4. I LOVE being in, near, or on water....like seriously could live on a boat...or by the ocean...or a lake...

5. I lived in the former Soviet Union for 2 years and taught missionary kids.

6. I like myself better at 35 than I ever did in my 20's.

7. I feel old sometimes...like when the students I taught when they were in 8th grade are getting married....not to mention the ones I taught in high school!

8. I am a nomad...I've lived in 12 different apartments/houses since graduating from college...and I HATE the process of moving!

9. I am a total clutz...like can't walk across an empty room without tripping or running into something...but I've never broken a bone.

10. I am a total clutz...but can easily follow choreography in an aerobics class, or dance class, or in a line dance, or twirl a rifle or flag or baseball bat or putt putt golf club....

11. Belly laughs are my favorite thing in the world.

12. My sisters and I can COMMAND the dance floor at weddings...or in the kitchen...or yeah, just about anywhere...we break it DOWN!

13. My ipod has everything from hymns to Def Leppard to Broadway to Journey to Pink to Michael Buble...eclectic, much?

14. In 1999, I took a group of teenagers to NYC for a week....we had a BLAST! until we had to spend 7 hours on the plane on the runway...and then spend the night in O'Hare....

15. I love ellipses...

16. My favorite words include: whimsy, sassy, catastrophe, apropos, vivacious, conglomeration, cacophony, and winsome...

17. I sometimes wish I lived in the 30s and 40s, just because they wore such fabulous clothes...and hats!

18. I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up...

I may think of more later...but that'll do for now...;)

finally feel like creatin again.....

2009-01-12T20:41:00.002-05:00

check it out here:
Lori's flickr stuff

more art slam...

2009-01-11T19:58:00.003-05:00

This week's (see former post for more info):

Jan 8th Faith

Jan 9th Touch

Jan 10th Book

Jan 11th Ignite

2009-01-07T14:15:00.005-05:00

So, my friend Tammy and I are participating in a challenge over at the Art Slam blog. They are doing something called Team Diptych, where you and a partner team up to create a daily piece of art. Tammy and I have a list we're working on...here are our first 3 days:
Day 1: Blue (Tammy's on the left, mine on the right)

Day 2: Think (Tammy's on the left, mine on the right)

Day 3: Green (Mine on the left, Tammy's on the right)

you can check them all out here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/artslam/

yay!

wish me luck...

2009-01-04T20:20:00.005-05:00

My online class starts tomorrow....it's one I'm taking to help with motivation, but it's creative too...pretty cool huh?

My battle with weight has been a long one. Started in college, got worse after mom died. Thyroid disease doesn't help....nor does depression, or poor self-esteem...
Done just about everything....Weight Watchers (3 or 4 times, maybe), Jenny Craig, High Protein/Low Carb, Vegan, no dairy, Slim Fast, should I go on? Also done Jazzercise, Curves, the gym, videos, walking outside.......just can't seem to stick to anything for longer than a few months.
In 2008 I worked with a Dr.'s program: virtually no carbs, weekly B12 shots, appetite suppressant, etc. and was fairly successful....down 35 lbs. I've kept off 30....and need to lose another 30+....
SOOOOO....here we go again! I love that this class lets me have a creative outlet, inspiration, a support group and motivation all in one....PLUS, I know I'm the most successful when I feel GOOD about me, when I'm loving toward myself, and remember all the positive things about me....and love all of who I am and am becoming.
I'm excited! :)

12/31 POTD

2008-12-31T18:27:00.002-05:00

What a way to end 2008...sunset in Crystal River...

12/30 POTD

2008-12-30T22:22:00.001-05:00

Crystal River....

My Top 10 Faves I've Created in 2008:

2008-12-29T14:49:00.003-05:00

12/29 POTD

2008-12-29T14:08:00.001-05:00

Holiday and Birthday cards make me smile!

12/28 POTD

2008-12-28T21:31:00.002-05:00

had brunch with a great group of pals today...was given these beautiful hand-painted ornaments:

12/27 POTD

2008-12-27T22:43:00.001-05:00

kisses...

12/26 POTD

2008-12-27T13:22:00.002-05:00

my niece gets cuter every day!

12/25 POTD

2008-12-25T21:53:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas, everybody!!
a Christmas manicure...

12/24 POTD

2008-12-25T21:46:00.002-05:00

Twas the night before Christmas...

spending Christmas at the river with friends...

12/23 POTD

2008-12-23T11:07:00.002-05:00

older? yes...wiser? maybe.... thanks to my sweet roommates...this is what I woke up to!

12/22 POTD

2008-12-22T20:13:00.002-05:00

just me....

12/21 POTD

2008-12-22T12:42:00.002-05:00

art journal-y goodness...

12/20 POTD

2008-12-20T22:03:00.001-05:00

sometimes a girl's gotta paint...

12/19 POTD

2008-12-19T22:42:00.002-05:00

mixing icing for cookies...

here we are getting ready to decorate!

the finished products:

12/18 POTD

2008-12-18T18:25:00.002-05:00

I've been down today...went to the park with my roommate and the 2 yr old...sometimes you just need to swing, and slide, and climb some stuff. We walked down by the lake and just sat and looked and enjoyed the breeze...I feel better! :)

12/17 POTD

2008-12-17T16:18:00.003-05:00

This is Elizabeth...you guys know I moved in with my friend and her family...this is her two year old....she thinks she's a princess....she likes to do art with me...:)

12/16 POTD

2008-12-16T23:30:00.001-05:00

these are our crazy white girl dancing faces.....

12/15 POTD

2008-12-16T23:25:00.002-05:00

Had a great weekend in Chicago! The whole family was there and we did "early Christmas"...such fun...such laughs...such blessings...

12/14 POTD

2008-12-14T14:28:00.002-05:00

Sisters' Christmas Slippers!

12/13 POTD

2008-12-13T22:20:00.002-05:00

how can she not make you smile!?

12/12 POTD

2008-12-13T12:11:00.005-05:00

Family Christmas in Chicago (a little early) :)

POTD 12/11

2008-12-13T12:08:00.001-05:00

packing for Chicago...

POTD 12/10

2008-12-10T17:42:00.003-05:00

time to read, relax in the car, feel the breeze while waiting to pick up a friend at the dr's office

12/9 POTD

2008-12-09T21:58:00.001-05:00

loving my glitzy slippers....

December 8th POTD

2008-12-08T21:13:00.004-05:00

Getting the tour of the Ocala countryside...

December 7th POTD

2008-12-08T09:53:00.002-05:00

I love the little church steeple peeking above the trees...

December 6th POTD

2008-12-06T22:19:00.002-05:00

Still hanging at Tammy's....her niece joined us for some fun today!

December 5th POTD

2008-12-05T20:28:00.002-05:00

meet Saint Nick Gray....I'm over at Tammy Gray's, keeping her company, doing some art, chillin out....Nick keeps staring at me like this...

You don't want to miss this....

2008-12-05T13:11:00.002-05:00

We are having an Online Crop over at Scrapgal Tonight and Saturday 7-12midnight (eastern). We will have tutorials, games, challenges, inspiration galore!! Wreaths, advent calendars, ornaments, you name it, we're gonna make it!! Plus games and challenges, and prizes--Gift Cards where you pick out the perfect prize! Make sure you come over and register (it's free) and then go to the forums and find the Crop forum.
Stuff's happening all night both nights, including just chats, if you just want to pop over and say hi!

POTD Dec 4th

2008-12-04T12:34:00.001-05:00

So, here's my art space:

I have one wall in the office and I've filled it up nicely...yes, it's a mess, but a neat space is the sign of a dull mind. :D

December 3 POTD

2008-12-03T19:38:00.002-05:00

Shocker of all shockers: my clean room...ta da!!!!!

December 2 POTD (Picture of the Day)

2008-12-02T22:19:00.002-05:00

December....

2008-12-02T14:32:00.003-05:00

...is not off to a great start.
I was laid off yesterday after 5 plus years of devoted service to this company...no severance, no nothing, just, "we can't afford our salaried employees, so we've eliminated your position". I just got a promotion 2 months ago, so this was quite a shock! I know God has a plan and that I'll be ok, but....it sure is a lot to process! My housemate and former work partner was told the same thing...so at least we're in it together!
I appreciate your thoughts and prayers.

In other news, I am trying to do a photo of the day each day in December.
Here's Dec 1...
this is how we coped at my house, we ordered Chinese, drank wine, and played Wii. :)

be thankful...

2008-11-27T12:17:00.001-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
I am so blessed....and so thankful....
Enjoy your loved ones today...

Check it out!

2008-11-24T07:51:00.003-05:00

Need a great gift idea? Check this out...

PLUS......

Please join us for our 12 Days of Christmas Contest December 11-22nd. Each of these days, the design team will be posting a fabulous holiday challenge or inspiration. Complete a challenge or lift the inspiration and you will earn points. Each project you post in the gallery will earn you 5 points. There will be a favorite project chosen from the gallery submissions for each of the 12 challenges. If your project is chosen as a favorite, you will earn 10 points. You will have until December 31 to complete and post projects in the gallery. The winner will receive a Making Memories Embelishment Center-Ribbon Box.

AND....
We are having an online crop December 5-6....lots of cool projects, games, chats, tutorials, etc. And GREAT prizes, too! www.scrapgal.com
Come join us!!

some Monday fun...

2008-11-17T19:18:00.007-05:00

I got this from D'Blogala's blog...You’re supposed to bold the things you’ve done...I surprised myself!
I couldn't figure out how to bold, so the ones that are italicized I haven't done!
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band(well, sang anyway)
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland(hopefully Disney World counts)
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelos David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit(sort of)
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

So many of these I’d love to do (kissing in the rain and all the traveling ones)and some NOT (broken a bone, killing and preparing an animal for eating)...this list really made me think...and be kinda proud of things I have done...What have YOU done?

a haiku....

2008-10-27T15:25:00.001-04:00

moving really stinks
procrastinating doesn't help
I'm still not done...

guess what!??

2008-10-21T21:59:00.003-04:00

hooray!!! I made my very first design team!! now, for most of you, this means nothing, but basically I get to help motivate and gather peeps for the Scrapgal site, publish my art in their newsletter, come up with crazy ideas and games and such....so excited to be a part of it!!
Go check it out!

love these lyrics...

2008-10-13T18:31:00.003-04:00

I am fan of The Weepies and this song is by Deb Talan before she was part of The Weepies, I think.
Big Strong Girl
It's not now or never.
It's not black, and it's not white.
Anything worth anything takes more than a few days
and a long, long night.

Don't push so hard against the world, no, no.
You can't do it all alone, and if you could
would you really want to?
Even though you're a big strong girl
come on, come on, lay it down.
The best made plans are your open hands.

Rest your head.
You've got two pillows to choose from
in a queen-sized bed.
Hold out for the moon
but don't expect connection any time soon.

Feel the light caress your fingertips.
You have just begun, the word has only left your lips.
Maybe in time, you will find
your arms are wrapped around the sun
you're wrapped around the sun.

Scrapped it this weekend:

seriously....

2008-10-11T23:53:00.002-04:00

no, seriously...

how can you not just want to kiss those cheeks like crazy!!???

didn't think it would be this soon, but....

2008-10-09T22:27:00.003-04:00

HE's HERE!!!
Jackson Pablo was born last night and I am an aunt again!!! And he's perfect:

Les and Dad got up there today, but I'm going to wait a week or so b/c I only have a few vacation days left. I'm dying to kiss those cheeks though!
Everyone is doing great!

never were there such devoted sisters....

2008-10-07T19:53:00.003-04:00

I love my sisters! Spent the weekend in Chicago again, with two baby showers for Jackson...who is set to arrive in the next month!!! WOOWWWWEEE! Too much good food, Target shopping to help Lisa stock up for the incoming, and oh so many laughs....always a good time!

Lisa is supposed to be off her feet....yeah right...we tried to get her to ride in the Target cart...no way...

In other news....I am now officially the District Education Consultant for the Orlando District of Sylvan Learning Center. Woohoo! Sounds a lot fancier than it is...basically I'm now traveling to all the centers to make sure educational quality is where it should be.

That's all for now...:)

So, here's something you don't see everyday....

2008-10-01T23:04:00.003-04:00

I was driving thru Dunkin Donuts today to get some coffee and...

this guy and 3 of his friends are walking through the DD parking lot and heading to Tire Kingdom.
Things that make you go hmmmmmmm...

love this...

2008-09-17T21:18:00.004-04:00

"I am one of the searchers. There are, I believe, millions of us. We are not unhappy, but neither are we really content. We continue to explore life, hoping to uncover its ultimate secret. We continue to explore ourselves, hoping to understand. We like to walk along the beach, we are drawn by the ocean, taken by its power, its unceasing motion, its mystery and unspeakable beauty. We like forests and mountains, deserts and hidden rivers, and the lonely cities as well. Our sadness is as much a part of our lives as is our laughter. To share our sadness with one we love is perhaps as great a joy as we can know - unless it be to share our laughter.
We searchers are ambitious only for life itself, for everything beautiful it can provide. Most of all we love and want to be loved. We want to live in a relationship that will not impede our wandering, nor prevent our search, nor lock us in prison walls; that will take us for what little we have to give. We do not want to prove ourselves to another or compete for love.
For wanderers, dreamers, and lovers, for lonely men and women who dare to ask of life everything good and beautiful. It is for those who are too gentle to live among wolves."
~James Kavanaugh

I saw this on someone else's blog and loved it....always like finding new quotes...

Warning..I'm catching up, so this is a long one!!

2008-09-15T15:20:00.006-04:00

All right, once again, I've gotten behind.
So, in the past 3 weeks....
I went to Chicago to see Lisa...who is a very cute pregnant sister with my other sister, Leslie, and my too cute for words niece, Kennedy.

Good times were had by all, especially my brother-in-law, Pablo, who is completely enamored with Kennedy and is going to be such a great daddy.

This past weekend, my friend Jana and I drove to Tallahassee for a college reunion of sorts, with folks who were involved with the Baptist Campus Ministries.
Big thanks to my good friend, Sarah, who worked her butt off planning all of this! I am bummed that I don't have very many pictures, but I'm taking it as a sign that I was too busy catching up with old friends to get out the camera!! :)
Jana and I also drove around campus to see all the new buildings, etc.
Here's my dorm from my freshman year...good old Gilchrist...(which now probably has a/c)

I am still working on all kinds of art projects, from scrapbooking layouts to nursery wall hangings....here are a couple I made for Sarah as a thank-you for the reunion....these are her two cute kids:

I also recently took an online class at SIStv called, "Happiness is...."
We created a mini book; here's the cover

you can see the rest of it here:
http://www.scrapinstyletv.com/portfolio/view_layout.php?layout_id=128868

Whew! I think that's it....I promise, I am trying to post more regularly!! :)

finally......

2008-08-24T15:50:00.002-04:00

there it is ......the sun!! had to take advantage and soak it up a bit! forgive my lily white skin...but what can you do? so glad...just a little sunshine can lift my spirits....so thankful!
( I also don't know why this is underlined....can't figure out how to fix it)

RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY!!!!!

2008-08-22T17:34:00.002-04:00

Four days of straight rain, wind, flooding.....ugh! Really puts me in a grumpy mood...
I have a lot to be grateful for: no flooding, leaking, power outages in my apartment.....unfortunately not the same at work. But, so many others in the area have lost so much....pray for those who are dealing with so much damage!
Enough already!!!!
Let the sun shine in....

Sunday art

2008-08-17T16:15:00.003-04:00

So, I've been working feverishly today, as one never quite knows when inspiration will hit....
Here are 2 of the pieces I've done today...and if you don't mind me saying...I kinda love them!!:)

=

2008-08-16T21:51:00.004-04:00

Gold Card Blog Award!!!

Some cool news to share, I was given an award....I would Like to thank Tracy P for my Gold Card blog award.

The Rules of this award are as follows:

1 Only 5 people allowed.

2. 4 have to be dedicated followers of your blog

3. One has to be someone new or recently new to your blog and live in another part of the world.

4. you must link back to whoever gave you the award.

So, unfortunately because I SUCK at blogging....I don't even have 4 dedicated followers...

So I would like to send this award to...
1. Judean
2 Chezalicious
3. Kristine

Yep, that's all I've got....so sad....maybe next week I'll be better!!!
;)
L

My mosaic of me

2008-08-01T21:56:00.004-04:00

I saw this on emily's blog, which linked to this blog. Do it! It's fun....go to mosaic maker.

Here´s how you do it...

Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr search, using only the first page, choose your favorite image, copy and paste each of the URL’s into the mosaic maker (3 columns, 4 rows).

The questions:
1. What is your first name? (Lori)
2. What is your favorite food? (Italian)
3. What high school did you attend? (Northside Christian)
4. What is your favorite color? (Apple Green)
5. Who is your celebrity crush? (Christian Bale)
6. Favorite drink? (margarita)
7. Dream vacation? (Greek Islands)
8. Favorite dessert? (Caramel sundae)
9. What do you want to be when you grow up? (Adventurer)
10.What do you love most in life? (Laughter)
11. One word to describe you. (Genuine)
12. Your Flickr name. (lorwilb)

Here are the links to the photos in my mosaic above:

1. For Lori, 2. Biella Mountains and a Sunny Field, 3. Untitled, 4. apple green afternoon, 5. Forearm, 6. Centro de una margarita / Daisy center macro, 7. Pontikonisi, Corfu, 8. Pure Beauty :p, 9. london kew gardens, 10. Holly up on Poppy, 11. 畫荷 Writing Her a Poem, 12. Wilb - dozing

my new car!!!

2008-08-01T18:47:00.002-04:00

here are pics!

she/he doesn't have a name yet....give me some suggestions! :)

Good weekends!

2008-07-29T22:01:00.000-04:00

I have had TWO good weekends in a row!! Although, really, now, how can a weekend not be good!!:)
The weekend of the 21st, my sister, niece, two aunts, and five cousins all spent the weekend at the beach.....we missed my other sister, who is preggo and not allowed to travel right now...but had so much fun just relaxing!

Then, this past weekend, I headed home to St. Pete for my niece, Kennedy's, first birthday.

Got to spend some time with Dad, played and laughed with my niece and sister and bro-in-law...plus all the party guests, and....FINALLY got a new car!!! It's beautiful and I love it (pics soon).
All in all, quite a nice way to end July!

I suck at blogging!!

2008-07-12T19:08:00.000-04:00

Ok, so seriously...I feel like a blogging failure!! I'm gonna TRY to be better...but no promises...

Things I am loving right now:

-my niece, who is too stinkin' cute for her own good!!:)

-my sisters, who always make me laugh, and who I wish I could see more often!

-SIStv and the fab gals over there who always keep me laughing
-drinking Mike's hard lemonade and chatting with Chez

-that I've lost almost 40 lbs! It's hard to keep doing, but the results are encouraging!

-making art...

-that I feel more -me- than I have in a long time

Life's pretty good right now....and I am thankful.

RAKs

2008-05-31T08:14:00.000-04:00

So, I've recently discovered the world of RAKs---random acts of kindness. Here's the latest one that I am SO excited about: http://pamelasworldofscrap.blogspot.com/
Pamela's giving away Elsie's recipe box!!! Woohoo!

Mother's Day

2008-05-11T13:05:00.001-04:00

my latest fave

2008-04-28T00:14:00.000-04:00

So, I worked on some more art journal pages this weekend, and I think this is my favorite...

since the last time...

2008-04-26T15:14:00.000-04:00

Hi all! Yes, I know it has been too long! I am going to TRY to commit to posting at least once a week. Things are going well and I've found some FUN art challenges online to spur me on to more creative doings. I am posting a few of my faves, but check out the links under Arty Challenges for more info. Until next time...

journal date

2008-02-24T16:32:00.000-05:00

So, I have been taking part in an art journaling workshop online and am loving it. We get a new "assignment" each day for 21 days and are posting messages and uploading our pages as a community.
One of our assignments this weekend was to go on a journal date...to wherever, but we needed to create a page to let the others feel like they were with us. I really enjoyed myself. I went to Books-A-Million, grabbed some books to peruse and sat in the cafe with a lemon poppyseed muffin and earl grey tea. It was wonderful!
I am learning to be ok by myself in a situation like this, I don't have to have someone to talk to or eat with, just enjoying my own company is nice. Now, bookstores have always been a place for me to do this, so I was kind of "safe" with my location, but I know I could do it for a meal in a restaurant or elsewhere. Now that I think about it, I go to the movies alone, sit in the park alone and read, so I am definitely more comfortable with my own company than I used to be. Yay me!

search for me

2008-02-11T21:56:00.000-05:00

procrastination

2008-02-10T21:03:00.000-05:00

so, i started this blog to give myself a place to spill. and then i ignored it. procrastination seems to be my sworn enemy. i have good intentions, great plans, then don't do anything. ugh! anyway...i'm trying...
i have really been thinking of "being on a journey" a lot lately. one of my favorite quotes talks about happiness being a journey, not a destination. i feel like i have always been waiting for something before starting the next step....waiting for a degree, then a job, then a man, then a marriage, then a family....so my life can actually start. help! this IS my life...now, where i am, what i'm doing, who i am. i am striving to embrace that and be content that i can be and do what God has for me just as i am!!! i am just starting to be okay with the fact that my journey might be by myself...but i am never alone. i have a fantastic family, great friends, and a God of grace who surround me. and that is enough.

The beginning

2008-01-27T18:24:00.000-05:00

Well, here I am finally. I have needed an outlet for myself for a while, whether anyone else reads it or not. I am glad to have a place to question, vent, share....I am searching to find who I really am....and to love that person. I am on a journey...and am learning to embrace that...and let it be enough without worrying about the destination. I have been seeking creativity my entire life and am looking forward to letting this make me accountable...so I have a place to share my art...yes, my art. I am an artist....because God made me that way, and I am made in His image. So, I need to explore my world through things that touch my heart and through using images and words and my hands. I look forward to this journey...

This is my first page of my new art journal. I'm kind of in love with it!!