Friends Are Blessings...

 Some people are true angels here on earth.  After my beloved Sasha BooBoo kitty had to go to heaven the loviest lady got busy and made me some wonderful gifts that I shall treasure forever.  These gifts came all the way from AUSTRALIA from Judy of Fabrications blog. 
This adorable wall hanging is a kitty angel.  This is bringing me Joy Joy Joy. 

 Judy even backed it with kitty fabric.  And do you see the wire hanger shaped like a kitty head.  So very clever.

 Included is a wonderful fabric tray.  I can honestly say I am so making these for some upcoming gifts.
Do you see the cat card, cat charms, angel and heart buttons, bookmark, cat note pad, tiny cupcake tote and beautiful beaded flower?  Miss Judy was so very generous.  I am truly touched. 

 And included are some articles, patterns and a scone recipe.  Plus a birthday card. 

Judy is such a dear and she really helped me deal with my huge loss and sadness.  Thank you my dear friend.  You are a blessing indeed. 
Thank you to all my commenting followers.  You did a great job sharing your stories of shopping...or NOT!  I do enjoy each of your comments and always look forward to reading them. 
Nothing creative from me as I am spending my time handwriting my Christmas cards and hand addressing each and every one of them.  In this day of technology I just really enjoy the time and effort I spend on each holiday card I mail.  Do you still hand address your cards or letters?
Jingle Bell Joys...

Blogging Friends Mean So Much...

 Do you recognize this handsome fellow?  He is Taggart of Glencoe.  Corgi of Cuteness!  You can follow his antics Tuesdays with Tag.  I was very happy to retrieve my mail one day last week and find Tag had sent me his photo.  Now I can smile each and every time I see that adorable face.  Actually Tag didn't send me the package...his loving mum sent it to me.  Now I know you all follow this gifted lady...Donna of Brynwood Needleworks.  I am so happy to call her my friend here in Blogland. 

This lovely ATC is what Donna created and sent to me.  Thank you dear friend.  Donna makes the most elegant and graceful stitched things.  Her signature logo is acorns so every detail in this ATC has acorns.  The fabric she quilted so beautifully, the focal bubble with the acorn lad, ruched seam binding ending with a lovely silver acorn charm and the sentiment to Count Your Blessings.  This is such a beautiful work of art and I cherish it.  So much kindness and love all in the size of a playing card is truly amazing. I am so very grateful and I am counting my blessings to share Donna as my friend. 
Here in America we are full of or Thanksgiving feast yet I shall continue to be thankful for all that I am able to enjoy...family, friends and so much more.  
Are you a "Black Friday" shopper?  Do you wait in long lines for a special deal?  Are you a marathon shopper with a list of places and items?  Not me.  I prefer to shop when it is less crowded.  I also do my shopping and creating all year long for the gifts I give.  I like to put lots of thought and time into what I give and therefore enjoy it anytime of the year as I see and put together ideas for the people on my lists.  Yes, I do have those last minute things I must get but I still don't like crowds so I prefer to shop anytime (other than) to avoid "Black Friday".  "Shop til you drop" is not for me...
Lots of boutiques this weekend...I may try to attend some of my favorites. 
Stay warm and safe as you rush quickly into this busy hectic time of year...

Counting My Blessings...

This is the time of year that so many of us here in the US have much to be thankful for. 
We celebrate Thanksgiving with copious amounts of turkey, gravy, rolls, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, cranberry relishes, pumpkin pie, apple pie, pecan pie and lots of whipped topping...just to name a few dishes. 
We spend time with family and friends around large tables and in front of televisions watching the Macy's Day Parade and yards of football.  Sometimes a nap is in order...too much food I'm sure.
This is a great time to reflect on all that we are thankful for.  My list is long and I am truly grateful for so much.  I will keep my thoughts to myself at this time and know that I am sincerely fortunate for so many things and people in my life. 
A very Happy Thanksgiving to all my US blogging friends...

Discovery & Autumn Decor...

 Continuing in my Discovery Journal with Roni of Ink Stains I am pleased with these two pages.  This time I did not concentrate on some new undiscovered technique.  I merely selected two pieces of cardstock.  This top photo is really poor as it does not show the cloud themed blues in the paper. 

 This blue cardstock is just a great shade of true blue.  I added some direct inking from the stamp pad.  Both of these pages really take me more into the "discovery" angle of this journal.  I discovered it is very difficult for me to focus.  I am always doing too many things at once and these pages really brought that forth.  I "discovered" some old stamps I forgot I owned so I used them and that was fun...mouse and butterfly and dragonfly.  I used a playing card to represent my favorite number...5.  Mostly this exercise got me to thinking and I do believe that is a huge part of my "Discovery Journal" that I am making.  As the days fly past so quickly what is it that truly makes me happy and what is it that I still wish to do?  Ahhh...discovery...

 I am not one for decorating my home even though I love how others go all out.  Mr. C is a year round Bah Humbug and does not enjoy any holidays so I keep it to a minimum.  Many years I don't put out anything.  This year I wanted to visit with my little treasures I keep in a box.  So many of my things have a very sentimental value to me and I treasure them.  The black with orange cat is something my Grandma crocheted and made decades ago and I just keep it because she made it.  There is a skull ring that Mr. C found in the desert many years ago when he took me for a dirt bike ride to an old abandoned talc mine.  We both laugh every time we see this ring.  It brings back memories of a great weekend together...and he almost bounced me off that darned motorcyle (I was much younger and lighter back in the day).  :o)

Here are my Halloween treasures...some old some not.  Many of these are just small momentos of years past but I like them and they each have a wonderful memory for me.  When I keep my treasures small and in one area it isn't so bad for Mr. C and that way I can still enjoy them too. 
I think this is why I truly love to see and enjoy all the fabulous decorating so many of you do and then share through blogging.  I never really cared much for Halloween as it was SCARY to me.  Now I see that it is so many more things...glamorous, funny, glittery, themed i.e. fairies or wonderful witches.  I am entranced just looking at all the amazing things you each make and decorate with.  Thank you for sharing such wonder.
Our weather is gorgeous...some sunshine, some cooler temperatures, some refreshing rain, some glorious colors emerging on shrubs, vines and trees...all giving infinite inspiration and I am truly grateful.
May you each enjoy much creativity in this the Autumn of the year...

Grateful for Electricity Power...

How grateful I am for electricity.

Without power the house got down to 41 degrees indoors...upstairs.

Without power my beloved 17 year old kitty shivers until I hold her in my arms.

Without power it is very dark.

Without power is how many people must live.

I am so very grateful for the power I have and that it is restored.

Four days and nights without...yet I am fortunate.

I have a home.

I have warm clothes.

I have food.

I have so much to be thankful for.
You can be certain I will be donating many items of need to those without.

I am grateful.

Thank you for each of your well wishes.

I am blessed.

Before Power & After Power...

First and foremost I wish to thank my wonderful blog family who all wished us safe and warm during the last storm. We finally got power Monday about 3 pm. Now we are having another storm warning however I am confidently using all the power I need. Computers are on, lights, heaters, vacuum cleaner, washing machine, and we are very content and happy.

Here are a few photos of what was on my work table when the power went out:
The red is a piece of white watercolor paper that I painted red for a project. In doing the two step paint process I used my handy Lysol cleaning cloths and therefore got some extra fun red to work with in future projects. I just let them dry completely which took a while.

On the opposite end of my huge table (Mr. C made it bigger than 4' x 8' and I love it!) are these wonderful wool fabric pieces. I am using them and will show finished projects soon. Working on Christmas gifts.

On one side of my work table is this fun jumble of items. Hardanger cloth, fabric scraps, dryer cloths, paper scraps, buttons, tape transfers, string, ribbon...all the things I love to use in my crafting. I think you can guess these will end up being tags. I will also machine stitch and hand stitch before they are completed.

For now I am trying to catch up on needed household chores before I get too much involved in the studio.

It is so wonderful to have power and water and conveniences we take for granted each and every day. I am truly grateful.

May each of you be safe, warm and happily creating your art.

P.S. I am trying to also sneak in time to catch up on all of your blogs I missed.

Happy creating...

Quick Thankful Gift...

This is a very quick and simple thank you or thinking of you gift. I recycle the cardboard from sewing trim packages. Then cut wrapping paper to fit and glue to the cardboard.

Here they are glued and trimmed. I also punch a hole in the top center to add a ribbon or strip of fabric. At this point you could use them for tags or bookmarks.

Here I have stamped a message onto muslin strips and ripped them into squares with the edges left raggedy. I use very strong double stick tape to adhere the fabric to the backs of the "tags". I have left a little room for a pocket to fit in a colored pencil.

Here is the front of the tag which I have sewn a fun turkey button with sheer polka dot ribbon and a piece of wool felt together. Then I glue the entire piece to the tag. A strip of the torn muslin is added to the punched hole for additional embellishment.

Very quick and simple. Now I shall enclose these with a yummy See's chocolate bar which I purchased from the Chamber as a fund raiser and wrap them together in a cellophane bag. Tied with a piece of twine and a simple hand punched tag to add the recipient's name and your gift is complete.

Now that was quick and simple wasn't it?

I am very grateful for having the time to spend in my studio making things for my friends and family. Somehow this month of November brings out the theme of being grateful and I really do reflect on all of the many things I am thankful and grateful for in my life.

May you have a month of lovely thankful days.

Happy creating...

Thank You Received...

Back in September I posted about this Saucy Chick. One of my wonderful blog followers Diane commented if she could purchase one of these for her elementary school library so the students could have a prop for their "chicken unit" studies. I replied she could not purchase one however I would be happy to mail her the Saucy Chick for the students which I did.
Several weeks later I get a large envelope in my mailbox. Surprised I opened it to find all of this:

Photos of each of the classes enjoying reading time with Miss Saucy Chick. They all attend Grant Park Elementary School and are Pre K, Kindergarten and 1st Grade. Super cute aren't they!

Each student signed the card and I am in love with all of this effort that was taken to thank me. Miss Siebert even made this card and I was overwhelmed with her talents. The photo above shows the back of the Saucy Chick exactly as she was made with the fabrics. I thought how super cute and special is this. Then I turned the folder over and...

Here is the front of the chick exactly as she was sewn. I cannot believe how clever Miss Siebert made this from construction paper and some tape she even marked with chicken feet scratches all over. Very well done!

Please visit Diane and her "Lace Loving Librarian" blog which is linked with her name above. Her tatting talents are amazing.

Thank you Diane and all the students and Miss Siebert at Grant Park Elementary for such a wonderful and heartwarming thank you card. I shall cherish it forever. Those who know me know how much this card means to me. I used to be an elementary school teacher's aide when my daughter was little and I adore children and their enormous curiousity for learning.

To this day I love doing things for our local elementary school and I have adopted a class each year in a very depressed area of California that I donate supplies to. It is my tiny way of helping little ones have a chance at life with tools they can utilize throughout life and the challenges life brings.

November is upon us and it is always a month of Thanksgiving and gratitude. I have so much to be grateful for and I am very thankful.

Please share something you are grateful for.

Happy creating...

Surprise Package...

As I set out today to run some routine errands I thought I might check my post office box at the local branch. To my surprise I had this package to pick up. A package I was not expecting is always wonderful to receive. This one came all the way from England in the UK. Wow now that is a far piece from here. Please be certain to check out Sherry (yes it is spelled exactly like mine!) and her super blog. She had said a short time ago that I was selected to win soap and a magnet she bought on her recent trip to Greece. Wonderful...but then I forgot to think of a package arriving.

Inside the box was the fun fabric wrapped bundle. I unwound the fabric and could not believe it is almost 5 yards of one continuous strip. I already have ideas for this cheerful fabric. Olive Oil soap that smells divine. A magnet of what looks to be a treasure of Greek icons. A mica butterfly charm and a handmade tag that Sherry made was attached to the bundle with some polka dot ribbon I love.

Now isn't this the best surprise for a Saturday filled with chores and errands? I am so very blessed. Thank you sincerely Sherry.

Don't you love to get surprise packages in the mail? In fact I just sent a couple of packages out this past week to unsuspecting recipients just to brighten their day when they get them.

I have never done a formal giveaway just because I like the element of surprise instead. I just don't think I could stand to pick one of many that take the time to enter for a giveaway. LOL

My followers are adding up and I am so amazed at how blogging has increased my world. I just might one day email and ask for your mailing address and send a surprise your way. Thank you everyone for spending time with me and my blog. I read every comment and find them to be not only interesting but many times thought provoking for me. I hope to continue my life journey and always be a better person through learning and listening and experiencing.

Happy Haunting October. Please think pink for all women and men as breast cancer awareness is also this month.

Happy Creating...

Mail Art by Roben-Marie...

I truly feel so very blessed to be a part of this amazing blogland with so many creative and generous people. Today as I collected my mail I was so surprised. Of course I got the expected bills and magazines and even a small package Mr. C had ordered for car parts. However at the very bottom of the stack was this beautiful mail art from Roben-Marie Smith. Please click today's title to link to her fabulous site. Roben-Marie is not only very artistic she is also extremely generous with her talents and tutorials. You will be happy you checked out her blog if you aren't already following. This is the back of the mail art folder and I especially love the heart as it is very dimensional! The colors and textures are what make this art so special.

Inside the folder was this very creative and sweet note. YES...I love my mail art!!

Roben-Marie also included two very beautiful cards in a clear protective sleeve. These are not only beautiful but they are words to live by...Believe and Love.

Thank you so very much for this very special mail art that is bringing a smile to my face and a song to my heart.

Wouldn't all of our mail be so much more pleasant to receive and open if it were so artistically created? I wonder if the mail delivery persons enjoy these pieces as they go about their daily deliveries. I know our mail lady, Cynthia, really loves to see these.

Happy creating...

Thankful Thursday and beyond...

I would like to be here where this photo was taken however I am not. So I am thankful for where I am at this time. Today is sunny even though we have snow on the ground. I have beautiful Spring daffodils cheering me up even though they are so very confused and many of them are struggling to keep their happy blossoms from being mired in the wet soggy muddy ground.
I am thankful for finding and being a part of this blog community. I am thankful for the many friends I have found and follow and who follow me in this journey. We all share something and support one another no matter what our paths are...artistic mediums...or genres. We are all equal on this blog planet. No one is too old or too young to communicate and share. We support one another and encourage those who are struggling or doubting their abilities. We praise and applaud those who are radiant with success, internal or external. We learn from one another. We share with one another. We teach one another.
It truly is amazing the volume of knowledge and generosity there is here in blog land. People really give and give and give.
I feel so blessed to be a part of this journey in blogging and openly sharing my artistic adventures. It helps me to plan a project and then follow up with making my committments by putting it out there for others to read. The support from others is very helpful. Sometimes just a tiny push is all we need to complete something. Or sometimes just saying something is the impetus for doing something.
I am going to continue this wonderful journey and continue learning every day and continue to pursue my creative pursuits as long as possible.
My most sincere and heartfelt thank you to each of you for being a part of my journey.
Life is good and I am so very fortunate to be part of it.

P.S. What do you like about blogging?