Take a look at my Mother's Day Ideabook over at Houzz if you are looking for some creative gift ideas. I am really excited about all the fun products I discovered! 

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One of the products I featured, was a custom paper portrait from the cute artist, Annie Sklaver. I adore family portraits that are reinvented and Annie's are just the sweetest. Cutting intricate layers of paper, she creates a 3D portrait from your image that she frames in a 9" shadowbox.

To order one of your family, click here to visit her etsy store.

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Maris and I are off to Greensboro later today. She qualified to compete in the NC State Track Meet that is held tomorrow. Think fast Hurdles for her!!

{all images from Annie Sklaver}

Isn't it amazing....the april showers that we endured restlessly, have rewarded our patience with the most amazing May flowers.

I know that these beautiful budding blooms will only be around for a few more days. But here are some fun rooms showing ways that you could enjoy lovely flowers {at their peak!} all year. 

{Gild and Grace}

{martha stewart}

{house and home}

{house to home}

{front and main}

{house to home}

{sumally}

{behangstore}

{M.A.S.H.}

The large scale of these blooms makes this fresh and modern. What do you think? Is it something that appeals to you?

Do you remember going to summer camp and creating string art? I sure do. I haven't dabbled in this craft since my elementary days, but I am reconsidering giving it a go after seeing the beautiful work of Australian artist, Dominique Falla. It's kind of amazing that 2 simple items -- string and nails, can create such stunning works of art.

Dominique has been referred to as the 'tactile topographer' due to her beautiful lettering comprised by a variety of different mediums. She encourages viewers to get close, study the application and touch her artwork. 

Below is Dominique's entry for the Positive Posters competition. 'For too long, people have viewed themselves as separate and I wanted to represent a multitude of individuals using the nails, and then colored string to show how we are all interconnected, and that together, we can make something beautiful.'

{images via Dominique Falla}

There is a new Cafe and Bakery opening in Cherokee next month. The 2 *sassy* local owners asked me to paint their logo on their storefront.

It was perfect painting weather, although a bit windy. The store down the street had their country music cranked between riders, when they would then resume the 'calling' for the mechanical bull riding. {Cherokee is an interesting place, ya'll!}.     

I'll let you locals know when you can take your sassy selves to load up on the goodies when The Sassy Sunflowers is open for business! 

And speaking of sunflowers, I can't wait to get outside this weekend and dig up my flowers! We are dividing our daylilies, hostas, and doghobble, which have turned mammoth, and we are giving them new digs in the back yard along our creek.  

 I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

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UPDATE: THEY ARE NOW OPEN FOR BUSINESS!! You can check them out on Facebook here.