Amazing Grace

Grace Georgina McNicholas: 

The woman that looks amazing even when she's mugging for the camera, finds beautiful things in the most unlikely of places, brings joy and energy everywhere she goes, loves God and prays for celebrities, and, most importantly (not really), saves me from ALL KINDS of design and fashion mistakes ahead of time but never says a negative word if the mistake is already made.

Grace, we're so glad you were born. Have the happiest of birthdays, dear friend!

-Alissa

Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

I Can Be Art Teacher Barbie via Amazon

As you may have already noticed, Grace has been a bit quiet on the blog as of late. She recently started a full-time teaching job at a new school (get it, girl!), and so, has understandably decided to take a little break from Swings & Arrows while she gets her bearings. Grace may pop back in occasionally to regale us with one of her trademark finds and treasures, but never fear! Swings & Arrows will carry on in her absence. Alissa and I will continue to keep the blog light burning until she returns.


- Cathleen

Birthday Books!

This week we have two big birthdays to celebrate! Both of my blog cohorts—that's right, Grace AND Alissa—are turning one year older on Thursday and Friday respectively, so I thought I'd do a literary version of my birthday post from last year for the two of them. So without further ado, here are the books I would gift to you guys if we actually gave gifts to each other!

For Grace: 

With everything you juggle, from raising two awesome kids to teaching art to going for your masters while selling things that you find/make online all while pursuing your own unique interests, you prove again and again that moms can do it all. 

Because of your entrepreneurial spirit (I am always amazed at your successful money making schemes) and boundless creativity, I thought you might enjoy Mom Inc. by Meg Mateo Ilasco and Cat Seto. It's a practical guide to doing what you love while working from home. 

For Alissa: 

Though I haven't known you as long as I've known Grace, I do know that you're ultra creative and passionate about slowing down and appreciating the beauty in life —something I have always admired about you. 

Because I know you love to cook (you made some seriously delicious Rice Krispie treats when I saw you last) and spend quality time with your sweet family, I thought you might like Dinner: A Love Story. This cookbook was written by Jenny Rosenstrach

and along with featuring delicious recipes, the book emphasizes the importance of coming together to share a meal and strengthen those all-important family bonds.

Happy birthday, you guys!! I'm really happy to have friends like you in my life!

Love, Cathleen

[glitter birthday banner via Confetti Design Shop on Etsy]

Searching...

So, I’m still on the search for a great cake for a certain little girl’s birthday that is (rapidly) approaching but luckily I’ve located the perfect cake plate.

Enter Jadeite:

Jadeite Cake Stand

There might not be a cake to go on it, but this baby is so pretty that I think my little birthday girl would totally understand... Right?

Happy Weekend, Friends!

-Alissa

PS A huge congratulations to Grace who is finishing up another year of amazing hard work and dedication with her Week of the Arts. Way to go, Grace!

Weekend Work

Hello All! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. 

Mine was fabulous! 

We dog-sat an adorable dachshund named Lily which we were so sad to return to its owners on Sunday. 

As far as art goes, well, number one, one of my dining room chairs broke.

Rest in peace dining room chair.

Now I'm left with the obnoxious problem of a dining room table with 3 chairs and no dollars to buy a new set. I am also super duper picky about what I want for my DR. 

I got my current set at an estate sale years ago and loved the dramatic scroll arms. I also got it for a price I'd rather not disclose because it was so good I turn red just thinking of all the dough I saved. 

Now I am stuck with the dilemma of what to buy to replace it. Any ideas? I like farmhouse tables, but I think they are way too mainstream now. 

The second art-related thing I did this weekend was decorate Clementine's chalk bin. I used an old coffee can (the metal kind) and first painted it white. Then I free-hand cut open and closed circles and Mod Podge-d them on. To seal it, I sprayed it with polyurethane. 

What do you think? 

Front.

Back.

You better like it because now I'm in a full-fledged competition with the That's My Letter blog lady. That's one chalk bin I'm not embarrassed to have on my front porch all day and all night. 

See you Thursday!

- Grace