Our New Neighbors.

Moving from the country to the city may prove to provide us with more wild friends than we might have imagined. It seems that we will be greeted by all sorts of critters on our new acreage. Already we have seen bear, deer, ravens, and this guy:

To see this guy in action, click here.

Love,

Jodi

Read More

Emergency Room Visit.

You may remember from a previous post, that Halis and I are not very good at remaining calm when our baby is sick. Ok, mostly I am not very good at it --- and Halis usually has to console both Isaac and me. So, on Saturday, when I went to go pick Isaac up from an afternoon at his Auntie's house (an unusual venture for both of us) ... and I found him asleep ... with conjunctivitis in both eyes ... I panicked. I even cried. Yes, conjunctivitis is no big deal ... but any illness that Isaac encounters brings back those helpless feelings I endured while waiting for him to come home from Haiti (see that previous post for more info). And I simply don't trust myself to be strong for him ... so I panic ... and hope that someone will come to rescue us both...

But Daddy was away. Auntie had an appointment. Grandma & Grandpa were asleep. And I was too embarrassed to ask anyone else to help me to take him to the emergency room. I knew that he needed treatment because he was miserable. And I knew that I had to suck it up --- get strong --- and take care of my baby. And I did. Mostly. With Meaghan's help :)

Meaghan, Isaac and I went to the emergency room at the Catholic hospital in Bangor. And I was proud of just being able to get there without any significant panic attacks (this can be a problem for me). But when I arrived, I needed help in remembering my name, Isaac's birth date, etc. Meaghan was kind enough to help out when she could.

During the brief insurance interview before treatment, I asked that Isaac's hospital records indicate that we do not want Isaac's immunization information to be shared with the state as we do not immunize Isaac and have been recently battling the state over this. The receptionist agreed to do so ... but with some hesitation. Then, both Meaghan and I noticed that the receptionist was slightly concerned when she asked the one word question, "Mother?", and I replied, "Gisele" (the name of my mother). It turns out she was asking whether I was Isaac's mother. Oops...

Well, I don't know whether you all are seeing where I am going with this yet ... but it turns out that my initial hesitations in responding to questions regarding Isaac's birth date, my name, etc.... and my concern over the state obtaining his records ... as well as my giving my own mother's name when the receptionist asked whether I was Isaac's mother ... seemed to create some concern by the hospital staff as to whether I was really Isaac's Mom. (Perhaps the fact that he looks nothing like me also played a part). While waiting to be seen by the doctor the staff rarely took their eyes off of us ... and the security guard hovered around us. Coincidence? Maybe. But when Meaghan became concerned that we were being watched, I knew that something was up.

After a short wait, Isaac was seen for his conjunctivitis, given meds, and sent on his way. We were asked to stay an extra 20 minutes to be sure that he didn't have a reaction to the medication. During that time, I think all of Isaac's hugs & kisses, and "Mommy, I love you"s gave the staff reason to believe that we were indeed family. What began as concern on their faces, soon turned to smiles. And we all left feeling much better - especially Isaac.

So, I did it! I successfully brought my son to the hospital, calmed his fears, read him some stories, and got him the healing that he needed. I can do this :) I can put aside my adoption PTSD and be the "mother bear" that I need to be in order to do right by my child. He and I will continue to teach one another all that we are capable of. Thank God for Isaac. Thank God for Meaghan. And Thank God for Me. (And a shout out to modern medicine as well!)

Love,

Jodi

Read More

Daddy's New Toy.

What a beauty ... or at least she will be soon. She runs, drives, and was inspected in 2007. A sweet ride for just $200!

And in case you have forgotten just how cool this car is ... check this out :

This should be fun! I can't wait to ride shotgun in my husband's new KITT car. I never thought I would actually think this car was "cool" again ... but the 80's are back ... and everything old is "cool" again :) I might also mention that Halis and I are each going through a premature mid-life crisis ... and are looking to relive some of our youth (cough...cough...).

Hope you feel young & a bit "racey" today ... oh, and speaking of feeling "racey" ... check this out too:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wn3-O17f4tg

Love,
Jodi

Read More

Granny Squares in Need of Assistance.

I inherited these gorgeous, hand-knit granny squares (is that what they are called?). They are lovely, but unfinished. And I do not knit. I wish I did. So, I am posting this photo to ask you all for advice. Can I use them just as they are? Is there someone out there who is willing to knit them together to create a blanket?

I have seen granny squares used in making some very sweet mobiles as well, and am considering that as well.

All advice welcome.

Thank you!
Love,
Jodi

Read More

Lots of love for Mother.....

MD005

Soft purple paper stock with combinations of white and soft pink....so sweet....lots of love on Mother's Day.....I used a much thinner paper stock, so it's easier for me to cut the sides of the card to make the wavy patterns.....using special patterned scissors this wavy cut is easily accomplished in seconds hehehe.....I love the white paper that I used to make the heart shapes for this design because it has a metallic line patterns on it....it shines when reflected on the light...very nice :) For this design I didn't make any wordings/wishes on the inside of the card....so, you can write your own special wishes from the heart to your lovely mother and make her the happiest person in the world on Mother's day :).

Read More

Defending the Rights of Cows.

Scene: driving through the city - on our way to visit Auntie

Isaac: "Mama, where are the cows?"

Mama: "They aren't here babe. We are in the city now. The cows are in the country."

Isaac: "Cows aren't allowed in the city?"

Mama: (stunned that he understand the word 'allowed') "No, Cows aren't allowed in the city. Only in the country. We live in the country."

Isaac: "Mama, I wanna go home now."

Well, I guess if cows can't be in the city - then Isaac doesn' t want to be either. Poor Isaac is going to have to get used to the idea that cows will no longer be part of our everyday lives in the city ... OR ... we will just have to do as Daddy has suggested, and keep our country home as a weekend get-away. Best of both worlds :)

Love,
Jodi

Read More

My Best Friend.

(Here is my best friend - at the mall - trying on bras - outside of the dressing room - trying to be goofy enough to embarass my Mom - which she did - cracking me up with her pink long-johns and commentary...)

I never knew that I wanted or needed a "best friend" until I found Melissa (or rather, she found me). She is my rock, my joy, my soul, my sister. We can stay up all night long - enjoying deep philisophical conversation or we can stay up all night long - making prank commentary online in a Big Brother chat room (hilarious!).

I love you so much Missy. And am thankful for you - everyday. You turn a good life into a great life!

Love,

Jodi

Read More

For a sweet mom.....

MD004

I love these colour combinations....the peach, cream and green colour is so soft and sweet....I also added some wordings inside, simple wishes for your dear mother on Mother's day....that matches the card....in my opinion that is hehehe.........I have always wanted to write something in my handmade cards, but was never really good in doing so....so this is sort of like an attempt to make it happen....some may like it, some may not....the wordings can always be changed according to your request....so it doesn't necessarily need to be the ones that I wrote hehehe...... :) therefore it can be personalized, no problem at all...... :)

Read More

Untuk Ibu tersayang....

MD003

I'm pretty excited today to post this design as this is one of the many designs that I will be making with soft colors combination.....and also because I wanted so badly to use the many coloured buttons I have in my collection....mostly I wanted to use them for flower decorations on cards, so I managed to use them in this design... although I have used buttons before in another one of my flower card designs but that one is a quite tiny button compared to the one I am using in this design....I also made my own wordings inside the card in Malay language...."Selamat Hari Ibu khas buat Ibu tersayang" which simply means....Happy Mother's Day especially for beloved Mother.....hehehe.....and I added some simple decorations of gold dots on it.....Of course the wordings can be changed according to preference.....or if you wish to add more to it to personalize the wordings....it can be done...no problem at all :)

Read More

Isaac Bakes Cakes.

Since watching Max (of Max and Ruby fame) make his own Birthday cake (on our latest Max & Ruby video ) ... my son wants to bake a Birthday cake every day. Every day. Because every day is somebody's birthday after all. And as often as I can, I indulge him in this ... because cake is yummy and baking is fun.

We have now baked many, many cakes and Isaac seems to be understanding the various steps and ingredient mixtures. However, he still is quite confused about what it means to add eggs to the mix:

Silly Mama just says, "Ok Isaac, time to put the eggs in." So, what can I expect of my 3-year old? He simply adds the eggs... shells and all. Funny man. Silly Mama.

Enjoy the day.

Love,

Jodi

Read More

Orangy gold flowers...

MBL070 (NOT AVAILABLE)

Bright orange and gold colour that simply catches your attention right away....it's a combination of ideas I had in my head these past few weeks.... I have been enjoying making flower designs this way, using the same coloured paper from the background and layering it with a contrasting coloured paper to make it stand out. I'm also loving the petite or tiny flowers that matches the big flower at the top....I just got it last month and can't wait to use it for my small projects....it will look cute on them hehehe.... :) This card can be used for any occasion.....and if anyone is interested in this design...I can also change the colours according to your liking....but it has to be any two colour combination that is.... :)

Read More

The New House is Coming Along ...

I am loving the colors! And while I paint, my son bakes. And bakes. And eats. And bakes. Then cooks. And eats. And eats some more. Because that is what Grammies do with their Grandbabies. That ... and my Mom is the cook/baker for my Dad's catering business.

More "New House" photos to come. I hope you all are well.

Love,

Jodi

Read More

Paper Lips popping up! :)

V0od

Finally today I am able to post this design in my blog....after a long time spent figuring out how to do a man's lips popping up in a card! :D hahahaha! This pop up card is a request I received from a good friend of mine who wanted to give this card to his lovely lady hehehehe! I have made a pop up card before using a photo of a woman's lips that I got from the net.....but I never knew how difficult it was for me to find a photo of a man's lips that is suitable....if anybody knows where to get one, please let me know ok? hahahahaha!

So in desperation for a photo of a man's lips, I even tried to take photos of my own lips to use for the card...but it didn't turn out right.....after all I am a woman duhhhhh..... hehehehe! So I decided to make paper lips with a thin mustache on it all by myself.......and I put a heart shape on the lips to show that he is somehow giving his lady love lots of love with his kisses.....ahaks ahaks heheheh........and the card comes with a matching hot red handmade envelope......the design on the card has some similarities from the first one that I made except since this particular card is to be given to a lady...it has to have a feminine touch to it....so I made two flowers with heart shape petals to give a romantic touch and lots of petite size heart shapes scattered around the flowers too....the two flowers of course is kinda symbolic, to represent two people in love hehehehe.....LOL! :)

Read More

Happy Mother's Day...

MD002

MD001

I had problems with my PC recently....maybe it needed some rest or some sort hehehe! Fortunately it is working now and no more problems! Yippee! :) Now I can get some work done.....well today I have a couple of new cards to show here in my blog...and both are for Mother's Day.... :). As we all know, Mother's Day is celebrated around the world every year on various dates according to each country and for Malaysia it will be celebrated on May 11th 2008. Mother's Day has been celebrated for a long time now and stories of how it came about, please see this link here.

I designed these book fold A6 size cards with two flowers that symbolizes a mother and her child.....the bond between the two is very special indeed.....something that I feel between my mom and I.....and so does the rest of us who are fortunate enough to have that kind of bonding....this is the first time I've ever made an A6 size card that's cut this way....usually it's a vertical book fold....but the red + pink design combination is a horizontal one and the brownish design combination is a top fold...and I love them both! :)

Read More

Refreshed & Very Much Alive.

I think that you have to live in a Northern, snowy state like Maine in order to fully appreciate how refreshing Spring is to the body, mind and soul. After months of seeming hibernation, Spring becomes an awakening and a re-birth in every possible way. I find myself wanting to dance, sing, play, make-love, make plans and spend every possible moment outdoors. I want to shed all these layers of clothes ... coats, hats, mittens, sweaters. I dream big, I reminisce, I appreciate. I cleanse my home of winter debris both indoors and out. I open the coop door to release the chickens back out into the natural world. I open my house doors so the earth can breathe life back into our dusty home. I turn the music on just a little bit louder. I contemplate a new haircut and some new clothes. I become hopelessly re-attracted to my husband.

I become fully alive again ... and it feels so good.

There is a time in life for rest and reflection (Winter). But that time is not now. Now is the time for birds to sing and play ... for buds to bloom ... for new life to come into the world ... and for all people to rediscover their beauty, their songs, their joy ...

Happy Spring My Friends!

love,

Jodi

Read More

Tracey, please send me your address :)

All others who participated: if you would like to purchase this set of notecards, please write me at jrenshaw@hotmail.com and I will give you the most incredible deal of your life (just pretend it is, okay?) ... all 8 cards for just $5 plus shipping. That is a 50% discount just for participating in this giveaway. If you haven' t seen the other photo cards in the mix, please see here.

Thank you all !

Love,

Jodi

Read More

One Room Done.

+

=


Translation:
One can of Intense Jade paint plus 2 Dunkin Donuts Flavored Ice Teas equals Isaac's new room is now painted.

Love, Jodi

P.S. The drawing winner will be announced Wed am. Good Luck!

Read More

Mud Season (again).

Mud, Mud, Glorious Mud! I love the smell of it. I love the feel of it. And I absolutely love that its appearance throughout our yard (and state) means that Spring has finally arrived. Soon the flowers will begin to sprout and bloom ... the birds will return to nest ... and the grass will be lush and inviting. Yum! I am so ready for this.

But until the bliss of Spring sets in ... there is "Mud Season". I have now lived in Maine long enough to know that you don't park your car in your dirt driveway during this time ... you never wear nice clothes (as the bottoms of your pants will always be caked in mud) ... and you never let the dogs enter your living areas after they go outdoors to do "their business". These are just a few concessions that we make in order to enjoy the glorious spring, summer and fall seasons here in Maine. (Believe me, we make many more concessions during the winter!).

Thankfully "Mud Season" is a short one. In just a few weeks, we will be tending to our lawns and spring blooms. We will be watching birds settle into their nesting areas. And we will be playing ball in the yard. But until then, Isaac will enjoy every blessed moment of what may turn out to be his favorite season of all!

Wishing you glorious spring blooms, many winged visitors and at least a little bit of mud :)

Love,

Jodi

Read More

Video :: Isaac & Mommy Have a Chat.

The video is dark (sorry) ... as we were lounging in bed, getting ready for "lights out". It was Isaac's Birthday, and I wanted to capture him a bit on that day so that I could share it with him later in life.

Enjoy:

Love,
Jodi

Read More

A cute thank you card.....

SGC005 (SOLD OUT)

A cute customer of mine requested a few of this cute little apple green A7 size card from me recently....she was so in love with the birthday card design I made for my aunt's birthday, that she wanted the same design for her thank you card....except that colors she wished for are apple green and turquoise....this was quite a daunting task as the flowers that I had to do and work with were very petite and quite a struggle to paste on the card......lots of patience needed for this one hehehehe! :) Even though it was difficult to do... I am very happy with how it turned out.... :)

Read More

Half the size....

SGC004

This cute A7 size card is a smaller version of my Valentine card that I made a while back.....this cute card can also be used for other occasions....not necessarily be used only on Valentine's day... :)

Read More

54th Birthday....

HB016

*The buttons on the flowers are out of stock. If you like to order I can replace the buttons with sequins :)

It has been quite a while since I last posted any card designs in my blog....I know..hehe...I have been quite occupied with life and also with my new product that's been selling really well lately since it's first appearance in my blog hehehe...I knew I should try and balance things up and get back to designing cards. And today I'm very happy to be able to post an entry on a card design I made for my dear customer...it's for her mother's 54th birthday...inspired by the pastel colors that I have been working with lately for the beaded bookmarks and also by the craft work I saw at the craft exhibition a few days ago...finally this design came to mind...it's soft and sweet color is very soothing to the eyes..... :) I love the ribbons that I used for this card...I just got them a couple of weeks ago...not knowing yet what to do with them...and now I do hehehe....what's great about it is that it has two different tones and it's color is very soft and sweet. I also was requested by my customer to do wordings for the inside of the card...and I decorated it with tiny punched out flowers...so cute...it's to match the flowers on the front of the card. I love the cute tiny buttons too! :) I wanted to use some other buttons, but they were too big for the flowers....luckily I had these tiny ones available...and they match perfectly well. Hope to be able to post more card designs soon.....I wish I wish hehehehe.....

Read More

A GIVEAWAY!

When one has nothing clever to say, perhaps it is time for a give-away!

Please leave a comment on this post (with your e-mail address) and I will include your name in a drawing to win a set of my CELEBRATION OF SPRING notecards from my Etsy shop.

If you let others know about this giveaway via a link on your blog, I will add your name to the drawing an additional 5 times. Just leave the link to your blog post in the comments section as well.

Thank you all & good luck! The drawing will be held next Tuesday, April 8th.

Happy Spring & Happy April 1st :)

Love,

Jodi

Read More