Sea-farers

We are taking another trip to California in a few days--

this time, to celebrate my dad's 70th birthday,

as well as squeeze in some Disneyland time for the kids.

As much as we are all looking forward to that,

it will also be the nicest time weather-wise

here in Yachats, when we are gone.

The California girl in me is a little bummed

by the lack of summer, I'll admit--

summer heat--but we still have tons of fun by the ocean,

even if it's really too cold to be in it per se.

Well, correction. Not the kids.

I think it could be literally ice-cold and they'd still get in.

But first, before we even get to the water,

there is rock climbing...

(this kid is part mountain goat.)

Walking the balance beam...

...and a general running amok ;)

Then came the wading in.

(I don't know how they did it! Freezing I tell you!)

They were all quite delighted with the surf.

Liam was especially dazzled by it.

Addie made a drawing of me--

is there anything better than a portrait done of yourself

which includes a huge smile?! Lol.

It hasn't been exactly warm enough to go swimming

for my taste, but it's still pretty darn gorgeous here.

I'll take that.

Vintage kitschy wreath...this is how I did it.

I love the blatant misleading-ness of this post title.

As if I did anything, really.

Lol!

But that's kind of where I am at this point

in my crafting life.

I can't sew (though I want to learn so badly!)

Heck, even if I could, it would be hard to find the time.

What I DO have is a love of vintage...and maybe 5 minutes.

Therefore I am an "upcycler," in the very barest sense of the word.

Nonetheless, I am happy with my wreath!

I found just the vintage wreath at the thrift store 

the other day.

1 buck. That's how I roll.

I loved the fabrics on it :)

So colorful and fun.

I knew it had to have a flag banner on it,

to up the happy quotient, so I made one

using more old fabrics.

Then I added this little guy on there,

which is a page from an old cloth baby book

that I put into a badge,

and glued on some ribbon.

This is already hanging on the ugly wood panel walls

in the kids room that I need to paint, lol.

I'm finding all kinds of fun things for the kids' bedroom

lately--I'll have to share soon!

In the meantime I'll do some more upcycling,

and pretend it's "real" crafting

like some insanely talented ladies I know do

(I'm looking at you, Cameron, Laura, and Kitty).

Happy Trails!