A New Etsy Find

Recently, I came across this lovely picture from an Etsy shop, At Close Range. It certainly has a magical quality to it. Most of the items in this Etsy shop are quite different from this photo and truly unique. Turn any portrait of your child into a fantasy. Portraits mainly inspired by nature, your little one can be magically transformed into a fairy twirling through the air or sporting butterfly wings on a cluster of daisies. I think any of these portraits would make a wonderful gift for a friend.

Confessions of a neurotic mother...or am I just a bit of a perfectionist?

I keep saying to myself that my mom didn't go through this for me. I consider my mother one of the best mothers of all time, however, I continually think about the fact that things were different back then. Yes, you hear that all of the time, I know, but I can't help but to think it is true.

It is my belief that today's mothers are faced with pressure and choices more frequently than our mothers. Why do I think this? Our mothers did not have the Internet to deal with. They didn't have to check e-mails daily in addition to child rearing. Pressure was not placed on them to blog every little milestone of their pregnancy with photos and links. I find myself getting a little jittery and itchy when I'm sent a blog like this because I did not do one for my son. Then, irrationally I begin to think that I'm not as great of a mom because I didn't not blog my child's conception through child birth. Hell, my mother didn't bother to finish my baby book and till this day she laughs it off, "Ha ha ha, you were the third one. If you couldn't get up and get your own bottle you went thirsty."

She has unknowingly scarred me due to an unfinished baby book. I find myself obsessing to be sure that every nook and cranny of his baby book is complete! I do not want my son to have an unfinished baby book. This has sent me into a frenzy of scrap booking and photo sessions to be recorded and reminisced for years to come.

Did my mother send out Christmas cards depicting a studio portrait of us? Umm no, she didn't even get to the sending part. Ironically though I am reminded at each holiday, by my mother, to be sure his picture is taken and that his outfit is perfect.

Does she have any idea what it was like for me to find the perfect p.j.'s for this picture, and a snowy enough snow globe? Oh, and did I mention that I brought our 6 lb. Chihuahua, Lola, to this photo shoot. I'm sure you are so surprised to find that she did not cooperate and therefore is not pictured here. Did I really think that she would look into the snow globe at the same time my 19mth old would? Even if Christian stuck a soggy half eaten Ritz cracker to the side of the globe?

Life sometimes becomes burdened so quickly that you can't help but get caught up in it all. I do know that at the end of the day, what keeps me sane, is knowing that I have something so precious and so amazing. No matter how many great tasks I accomplish... I am still loved unconditionally, clinged to in scary moments, and kissed upon asking, by my angel, my son.

More creative crafting...

I was so happy to finish a name banner for a friend's baby. It turned out super cute! I also enjoyed putting it all together with it's custom name tag, personalized onesie, name banner, and handmade ballet slippers from an Etsy shop. It looked so pretty wrapped! I know my friend will love it. Handmade items are treasures to savor for many years to come.

For Detailed Oriented People

Wouldn't it be lovely to just wrap a present and stick a store bought bow on top? I certainly do not know what that feels like. Nor do I know what it feels like to just buy a regular gift at the mall or store. I am speaking directly to crafters and anal retentive people!

I decided recently that I wanted to make individual paper or tissue flowers for each package. Furthermore, I decided to use buttons and glue to adorn my packages. Lastly, I made a few presents this year as well and I am still not done! I made that banner for my little niece and I am hoping they like it. I also bought quite a few handmade items from Etsy shops for as many people as I could. I LOVE handmade items. It is so personal and so unique in giftng to someone a handmade gift.

Isn't it Ironic?

WARNING: For those of you stuck, at home in a snow storm, without power, you might not want to read this.

Ironically, my husband, my son, and myself drove 1 hr 45 min. SOUTH to Mt. Dora, Florida to let our son play in the snow. We waited in a 45 minute line, circled around the park, in 80 degree weather, for one chance to slide down a hill. Was it snow? Not really, more like a huge mound of ice. Was it fun? My husband and 19 month old thought so. I only wished it would have lasted longer, but not long enough to shovel it off of our car or sidewalk.

Oh and did I forget to mention? Yes my husband is wearing a short sleeved Hawaiian shirt.

always inspired: Birthday Wishes for my Punkin Wunkin

Birthday wishes for my punkin wunkin

My wish for you, son...


My wishes for you, my dear son, are so grand; I could fill the sea with blown out candles. Candle by candle, wish by wish, I dream of great things for you, as I imagine any mother does. Can I take you to the French country side to live, or a quaint cottage by the sea, filling your life and soul with simplicity? Can I follow you always, ever so closely, throughout your life to guard you from harm? How many pony rides and cotton candies will ever be enough for me to take pleasure in when I see that smile on your dear face? Will you run so freely, often enough, through a childhood filled with green fields and perfect skies? Can I fill each holiday with enough traditions to make you so proud year after year? Can I teach you so much and so often about the love of God‘s grace, right here, right now, all around you? Will you and I make the world around us more delightful, with each passing day? I promise, I will…


Love always and with all my heart,
Mom

A Compton Christmas

Guiltily blogging away today when I should have been straightening my toy cluttered home led to my latest inspiration. I read some amazing blogs today! Belle and Boo...oh I am so jealous! This Etsy shop has captured the glimmer of childhood in every print! I especially loved the Tooth Fairy pillows! Seriously, it was like I was on a rampage. One amazing blog led me to the next and the next after that. I stumbled in a daze upon French boutiques and vintage finds galore. I was hooked!

Further reading and clicking led me to my bff, Marie Antoinette. Here, I found the most amazing Marie Antoinette book made by four ladies across the globe. I'm still anxious to find where this book ended up. Each participated in making four pages. This is a must read blog for only serious M.A. fans. Scroll almost all the way down twinklepink's blog to find the AMAZING Marie Antoinette book.

Here I lead you to my slightly pathetic but adorably glittered red Merry Christmas toille ornament. I'm proud of its imperfections because it is shabby chic. I've definitely got the shabby part down pat. The C is for Compton. Making this little ornament today made me so excited and I felt like such a great mom. Why? I am hoping one day my son admires this little handmade treasure from his mommy, but he won't. Who am I fooling? He is a boy and his wife one day will take a look at my little ornament and she will decide it won't be good or grand enough for her tree. Sorry for the rambling... I love it, and my husband pretends to, and that is all that matters.

It's 5:00 somewhere!

I've heard this saying, "It's 5:00 somewhere," quite often lately. Most recently, I spoke with a woman yesterday that sets her clock 15 minutes before 5:00 to guarantee that it is in fact time, somewhere in the world, for her evening beverage.

Myself, I'm not a big drinker by any means. I think the last time I drank an alcoholic beverage was on my anniversary, October 19th. Carraba's makes the BEST apple martinis! As of late, I only drink them there. With a 19 month old son in tote, you can imagine how seldom I sip a beverage. However, I do have a guilty pleasure, which leads me to wonder if I can substitue icecream as my indulgence. I hardly ever buy icecream because I would wonder at 9:00 a.m...

"Can I actually eat icecream this early and not feel guilty?"
"Sure I can."

There is no better way to start your day than with Eddy's Slowchurned Double Fudge Brownie icecream. Did I mention that it's light? Then, I find myself wondering if exercise will allow me to indulge once again in the gallon of heaven, oh...let's say around 3:00, when my son is napping?

Needless to say, this gallon of icecream has only been in my freezer for LESS than 24 hours. I've found myself going there four times now within this time frame. You cannot watch Emmit and Otter's Jug Band Christmas without icecream. Can you? Well, I can't.

My newest card collection, Marie Antoinette

Recently I became very excited when I found some extraordinary pictures of Marie Antoinette. Immediately I knew what I would do with them...turn them into a card collection for obsessed fans like myself. I say obsessed in a good way. Many misconceptions continue to hang over this Queen like a rain cloud, even some 200 or more years later.

I've taken it upon myself, as did her biographers who actually delved painstakingly into researching years of French history and historical facts surrounding the queeen, to mend her reputation. Now, to my point... I made these note cards with her misconceived reputation in mind. Each card displays the untruth on the cover. Open to the inside to discover the real truth based on historical fact, not fiction. Slowly, on a very small scale and with a hint of glitter, we will begin to shed light on the true woman behind the crown. An extremely devoted mother and wife, willing to sacrifice her own happiness and life, for France.

I am BFF with Marie Antoinette

Yes mademoiselle you read the title correctly. I am best friends with Marie Antoinette's ghost. How is that you ask? Well, I have taken it upon myself to read several books about the last queen of France which I thoroughly enjoyed. Little tidbits of M.A. knowledge fill my head continually popping out of my mouth in conversation with friends. Conversation goes something like this: "Hmmmm... wow orange is such a bright color," says a friend.
"Did you know that Marie Antoinette hated orange?
She refused to allow orange into any decor." I say.

As you can imagine my friends are tired of hearing facts about this misunderstood Queen. Do they think I am crazy, of course they do, but this is something they find unique about me.

M.A. has sent me into a reading frenzy about French History. Napoleon and Josephine became a recent reading subject of mine. I love any connections to M.A. in the past or future. French culture has become an obsession of mine and all things French. Ratatouille is a new favorite movie. The Collection, the story of a young french seamstress working in the world of haute couture fashion for Chanel during World War I is a current read, and yes there are M.A. references throughout this intriguing book. Am I crazy? maybe, but I am certainly crazy in love with all things French.

French Inspiration, American Made

Inspiration can certainly spring up from anywhere. Recently, I found myself planning a party around an invitation. Have you ever done that? I seem to do this often. My son's 1st birthday theme was completely created because of an outfit he received at Christmas. I would stop at nothing to be sure that it was a sailboat party, even if I couldn't find many decorations. I made my own.

I am throwing a surprise birthday bash in honour of a friend's 30th. Pink and black and Parisian...the theme. Searching one of my favorite stationary shops at http://www.etsy.com/ revealed numerous pink and black cards. The owner of http://www.VanessaCavacoDesigns.etsy.com/ was highly accommodating and created a beautiful invitation to suit my theme. Oooh la la note cards adorned with the Eiffel Tower became my custom invitation.
Needless to say, the compliments arrived upon guests receiving their invitations in a tres chic hot pink envelope. I can't wait for my friend to finally see them. In addition, a photographer/friend of mine, with a lot of artistic taste and talent, transformed a picture of her into pink, black, and very nostalgic comic strip like. Wait until she sees it all! I think she will be so pleased with her magnifique party!
Please take a look at my latest onesie for my shop at etsy, http://www.hjcompton270.etsy.com/ I think you will see where the inspiration came from for this onesie.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7580681

Inspired today by a new found Etsy shop....Natural Historie

Inspired today as I am everyday by the many amazing creative talents that have found their home in Etsy. Today, one shop in particular, is the source of my inspiration. http://www.naturalhistorie.etsy.com/ What I found even more amazing is the fact that the owner of this shop is a college student. Her words are perfectly chosen, choices flawless, products delightful and perfectly unique, and her blog is splendid--what a joy to read. Reflected in her writings and works is a wisdom that could only come from age. She must be an old soul.

Here in this place is where my new inspiration has led me and where many more will find their way. Excitement fills me as I anticipate my next blog for then I will have found my next creative inspiration.