an army of flowers

That's what I promised Patrick. A whole army. This was after I went a little bit crazy in the fabric section of Walmart last night. He said I had to "use every inch" of fabric to make flowers, and "they had better sell". (so tell all your friends!)

So this morning I added some items to my Etsy shop and today will be spent making more! Check out this cuteness...

A big thank you to my models (an an apology to my husband who I'm sure will not approve). Love, love, love.

miss now mrs.

I would like to say that I officially have changed my name (and residency)! I finally feel like I'm married (only kidding). But seriously, what a relief to have this process over with.

I was told several times of a service at www.missnowmrs.com which I can sort of say I looked into. But basically I'm stubborn and I wanted to do it on my own. It only took a cool 68 days, but it's almost done! I have a new social security card, a new license (finally!), a military ID, health insurance and car insurance that all believe I'm married. Oh, and my bank account knows, I'm just waiting on the new card (we already got the checks with both our names - oh the excitement married life brings). The only thing left is my passport, and that can wait til we have an international trip planned, which I already know won't be for a long, long time.

Check out my driver's license, new state and new name (I promise it's there, but I just don't want all my info out there for the world to see...)

roses are red...

These flowers are blue! After being inspired by my bff Carly, and being obsessed with Emerson Made, I have actually made something pretty!

So far I only have grey organza and navy tulle, but hopefully soon I can get more fabric to make lots of different color flowers, and put them on things like necklaces and headbands!

I can't wait to add them to my Etsy shop!

PS: I actually used a needle and thread on these. I don't think I've done that since home ec. class in 7th grade. Family and friends can definitely attest to that. Especially last year when getting ready for the USMC birthday ball my dress ripped and I had no idea what to do. My first thought was "Where can I go buy another dress!?" Then, my wonderful husband (then fiance) then pulled out HIS sewing kit and stitched it right up! God bless the military for teaching him how to sew (and iron)!

let's be honest...

The first of my 2 confessions: The dogs don't get a break from the camera for very long. As you know from previous posts, I have been molding them into artists! Here are some pictures of the process...

Jack ready to go with the towels, paint and canvas (and his raccoon)

Jack says "ok Mom, let's do this" Jack trying to get cleaned up before going back insideI don't have pictures of Winston in the process because he's always running around instead of being my shadow (like Jack) until it's time to paint.

But this is a funny picture of him sniffing around the deck (probably looking for Mr. Lizard)My second confession is that I apparently have no clue how to use the self timer on Pat's camera. Check out the following attempts...

trying to get set up

adjusting... getting the dogs in position... Jack bumped the camera take 1take 2
take 3 and take 4

I have the best boys don't I?! I heart them.

fish are friends not food

As promised, a few shots of our 46 gallon bow front tank :)

our hammer coral and an orange mushroom

Dude, our cinnamon clown in the xenia he's hosted Bubba, our snowflake moray eel and a feather duster and torch coral the whole tank in the daylight bulb - from left to right:

Gobes, yellow head sleeper goby

Elvis

Fred, Clarkii clown fish

Dude

bottom right corner: Bubba

and a forest of pulsing xenia taking over the tank

the whole tank under actinic lighting

it's not easy being green

It's also not east being unemployed. I find myself outside with the dogs a lot. And since they don't like to pose for pictures too much, I have to look for other subjects while they are running around like mad men.

Enter Mr. Lizard. When I let the dogs out the other morning he scurried across the deck and right up the column and just sat there watching me watch him. Thankfully he hung out while I ran inside to get my camera.

It wasn't long after my lizard friend had run off to bask in the sun somewhere quieter (and with less of a threat of being squashed by passing dogs) that I stumbled across the following odd site. This is a tree in our backyard. For as long as we've lived here I have never seen flowers on any of the handful of trees that are growing out of the sand.

Low and behold, one bright red flower, shining out all alone. I really appreciated this spot of color in the sea of green leaves; it made me smile. But was gone the next day...

we're in business!

So after what could be the beginnings of a quarter life crisis, I broke down and my poor husband called me right in the middle of it all.

He's so wonderful. Even though talking to him only made me slightly more hysterical, everything he said I knew was true and truly did make me feel better. I only cried more because I realized how lucky I am to have him.

I am especially lucky because despite what concerns he may have about this idea (which he has not voiced) he is supporting me whole heartedly.

I have officially opened my own Etsy shop! It's called J&W gallery (can you guess why?) and it's very, very new. And there's nothing really on it. But I did manage to make some art and put up my first listing! Very exciting things. You can check it out here. There's also a cute little etsy button permanently on the right side of this blog that will take you right to it.

And for those that don't love the French language like I do, fait a la main means hand made.

And for your viewing pleasure, and a little thanks to my man, here's yet another photo from our engagement shoot back in May from Melissa.