Annabelle

My daughter, Janine, is holding her sweet Annabelle. This little ball of fluff with floppy puppy ears, comes with a sweet personality and a wolfie smell.  At least I imagine that's what wolves smell like, I've never actually sniffed one.  It's a wild sort of scent and it doesn't mix very well with a queasy stomach.  Believe me I know! I've had the flu.  One whiff of wolfie and I lose my cookies.

Annabelle knows how to sit and lay on command now.  She's learning how to walk on a leash, how to potty outside, and to understand what the command come means.  She's a joy, but a lot of work for Janine.  Luckily, Janine doesn't mind the work.  Having Annabelle is a dream come true for her.  She's wanted a dog since she was a toddler.  Back then she pulled a rock around pretending it was a puppy.  It actually looked sort  of pathetic.  Like we were torturing the poor child by tying a rope to a rock and saying There. Be happy. That's as close as you're going to get to a doggie. 

Ready for Action!

My nieces, Krista, Natalie, and Kjersten dressed for church.  Just kidding.  They're going snowmobiling!  This is, of course, in Minnesota.

Princess and Pirate Birthday Parties

Birthday party themes have been on my mind again so I've been busy designing some cute ideas for princess parties and pirate parties. These seem to be popular themes with kids ages 4 to 12 years old. I came up with a fabulous princess cake design and of course a magical wand. Every princess should have one of these for sure! I've been designing birthday invitations, goodie bag favours like stickers, magnets and buttons. For the pirates I created cool invitations, along with buttons and stickers too. Below you'll see some of my creations, for more come by my store Designs by Shell to see other ideas.





This Princess Button I received a TBA for on Jan. 11th (Todays Best Award)

A couple of the Pirate Designs

Matthew's Winter Camping out east

Our oldest son joined a Apalachian Mountaining Climbing club.  This was his first weekend camping with them.  He has a very warm sleeping bag and they don't have to worry about mosquitoes!

Matthew is preparing himself for climbing steeper mountains.  He's in good shape, it's a matter of learning to get used to the equipment and different climbing conditions.  I have faith in him, but I'm still a mother and mother's always worry, don't they?  Well, I do.

Motivation

A New Year has begun! Here we are in 2011, what does this year hold for us we all wonder! Are you one of those people who like to make resolutions? I prefer to set goals and make plans rather than do the resolution thing. It is good to take note and review what you want your year to look like and then begin moving in that direction. We all need a little motivation and encouragement and that's what pushed me to write a lens on 'Motivational Office Products and Sayings' and then design some motivational posters, mugs and business cards to go along with it! I also found these really neat posters on Amazon, where you can purchase a whole set! Here are some of the ones I've been creating, you can view other motivational items in my store. Designs by Shell

Back to Business

As we are approaching the new year you’ll want to be sure you’re stocked up with business cards to market your business. Maybe you need a fresh design or a new slogan to brighten up your cards. I’ve been working on some pretty unique designs for business cards so perhaps there’s something that’ll work for your specific type of business. Come have a look!

Above are some designs featuring shaded globes in different colours and different views. Some hexagon designs and some interesting link designs.

Come by my store to view more of my designs! Happy New Year to all of my blog followers and readers!  Let’s make 2011 a fantastic year! Designs by Shell

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Nutcracker rehearsal by Ballet Indiana

 It was a lot of fun watching Ballet Indiana rehearse the Nutcracker. They were all so graceful and smoothe.  But, the real impressive thing about this school is that their classes are strictly training.  Any practicing for the Nutcracker Ballet was done outside of  regular class time.





"We love our home, our students and what is happening here.  We have a healthy environment-- the parents share their talents—we respect them they respect us." 
 Keith Martin

  Look how symetrical their formation is!  They did not pose for this picture I took it as they practiced.  They moved with grace and their formations were very pleasing to the eye.  Of course the music for the Nutcracker is great to listen to as well. 

"We’re primarily a professional Ballet School. B.J.’s background and my background are purely classical dance . We don’t integrate it with the jazz and things like that or other forms of dance. We’ll do that in the summer intensive, but during the year it’s strictly the ballet technique, the pointe technique…

We’ve had very high training and we both love what we do so, therefore, we are not frustrated teachers. And so we are able to pass down to students what we have learned and we continue to learn as well through our students."

    B.J. Martin played the role of Nutcracker.  The soldiers pictured here are boys from Delaware Elementary School, a Title I school in Evansville.  What a wonderful opportunity for those boys.
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

     

 

 Kelly Hutchins made the main character, Clara's, dress. She, as well as a couple other mothers, were happy to sew to help out.  This was Ballet Indiana's first public performance. 

 

Kelly has worked as a professional fashion designer; a job that has taken her around the world. She is pictured here adjusting the dress for Clara.  (My first news article was about the opening of Hooray! a children's store owned by Kelly and located downtown Newburgh.