So, how was your Thanksgiving? Ours was lovely. Small, intimate, and low-fuss. Just what I needed. We ate a quiet dinner, then in the evening time my sister and her family joined us for dessert and a viewing of the classic "Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory." Love that movie! It's truly one of my all-time favorites.
Today I thought I'd share an art piece I created this past summer for a group of my friends that I adore. These are the ladies that are there for me always, and they are awesome! This piece was created on a chipboard background that I added an easel back to so it can stand on its own. I used Hero Arts' Friends Definition as the background, then added a variety of papers and embellishments from my stash. The stamp is THIS one from River City Rubber Works, aptly called "Five Girlfriends." It's made from an old photo that bears an uncanny resemblance to the five of us. It was lots of fun to make and it warms my heart every time I look at it and think how grateful I am for good girlfriends who are there for me in good times AND in bad, and tell it to me straight. They're the greatest.
So I hope you all don't spend too much money out there today on "black Friday." Let's all try to keep the true spirit of the holiday in our minds and in our hearts, and keep those credit cards in our wallets and don't over-do it. As is pondered at the end of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, "Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store... Maybe Christmas, perhaps means a little bit more." I wish you peace and sensible living on this day and always.
For these things I am truly thankful:
1. Rich, my eternal sweetie. I love you forever!
2. Stephanie & David, my babies, my precious children, my very life.
3. My savior, Jesus Christ, who did everything for all humankind that we cannot do for ourselves.
4. My country. God bless the USA!
5. My warm and cozy (albeit temporary) home, where I share love and good times with my family who is always there for me!
6. Time. I have learned that time is a gift, and the gift of tomorrow is a wonderful thing. We get to learn and grow (and hopefully improve ourselves) every day. I pray for lots of tomorrows.
7. My extended family and friends. In good ways (and sometimes not-so-good ways) I learn from you all every day. We grow together, or we grow apart, and sometimes a little of both. I hope you all know that I strive always to do my best in my own way.
8. Food to eat and clothes to wear, and yes, my favorite spot in the corner of the sofa by the lamp where I love to curl up and read.
9. An active and creative mind. I love to think, and I love to make things. All kinds of things. It keeps me alive. Never stop learning. Never.
10. My grandmothers, both of whom are still living. How I love your example, and the way you show love to me. It's amazing. I also love that my children have the blessing of knowing their great-grandmothers into their young adulthood.
11. A dependable car.
12. Music. It feeds my soul! Especially music played by my boy David. How I will miss that daily treasure when he moves away!
13. Peace and quiet. I strive to get a little of that every day. Clears the cobwebs from my mind, and allows me to search my soul. It's a good thing.
14. Employment, and the ability (and blessing) Rich and I have of providing for ourselves and living within our means, and doing it in an honest way.
15. Going to bed each night with a clear conscience - or trying to. Peace. It's what I strive for.
Well, that's a pretty good starter list. I think I'll go put my head on my pillow in my warm and cozy bed and think of some more. And I will say a special prayer tonight for those who are alone or lonely. And for my Steph, enduring her first Utah winter. Be warm, my baby!
Happy Thanksgiving. Don't make it all about the food or the football. Focus on the truly important things. Life is such a blessing! Oh - I just thought of #16 and #17 for my list: sunshine and fresh air.
Good night! Happy long weekend! Love your life!
"If the only prayer you said in your whole life was 'thank you,' that would suffice." —Meister Eckhart
I have got to get over my fear of cameras and learn to take my own pictures! If it wasn't for my sweet hubby, none of my work would be photographed at all. Thanks Rich for helping me!
So, nothing like being about three weeks late on this: here is my Halloween card that features the candy corn template from my October 25 post. I printed the template onto white, orange and yellow cardstock, cut it out, inked the edges wit
h Tim Holtz Antique Linen Distress Ink, wrapped it with some twine, popped it onto some awesome black brocade paper from my stash, and added a little bling to up the fun factor. The BOO stamp is my design from THIS clear set (get it HERE as a wood or cling rubber stamp). Anyhoo, I made a few of these and gave them to some of my gals. Oh, and on the inside of the card I stamped THIS sentiment (pictured at right).
It's been (and continues to be) a crazy year, and there are many things I hope and plan to do that aren't getting done. I still plan to make a large candy corn pillow using a large version of the template. Maybe I will make a few of them and give them as gifts next fall. My favorite aunt Julie has a birthday at the beginning of October and I know she''d love one. I'll add it to my list....... Next year will be better! (I hope)
So, it's raining here, and windy. Typical for this time of year. My driveway and lawn and backyard are buried in leaves. Time to get out the rake! Oh, what fun. But I love the fall. It feels great.
Have a nice day!
"Even if something is left undone, everyone must take some time to sit still and watch the leaves turn." —Elizabeth Lawrence
It's the week of Thanksgiving. One of my favorites of the year. Of the many things I am thankful for in my life, one of the biggest is my friends. Oh, what would I do without my friends? They listen to me, they give me great advice, they care about me, they worry about me, and they are there for me in too many ways to mention. And it's so great to have different circles of friends, and different kinds of friends. It really helps to make my life complete. I love you, my friends!
Here's a simple "friends" card (photo is a little blurry - sorry about that), built with Memory Box papers, a big metal "f" from my stash, some mini staples, and that's about it.
Time to run. Make it a great day!
"And a youth said, speak to us of friendship.
And he answered, saying, your friend is your needs answered.
He is your field which you sow with love and reap with thanksgiving.
And he is your board and your fireside.
For you come to him with your hunger, and you seek him for peace."
—Kahlil Gibran
Rich and I just got home from David's jazz choir concert at Sac State. What amazingly talented young people - such good music, performed so well! David had two solos and he did a great job. He looks so comfortable and confident up there on the stage (not to mention really good looking too!). Got it on video; can't wait to watch it and show it to Steph when she comes home next month!
One of my favorite tunes of the night was an arrangement of "Four" by Miles Davis. This is a great jazz standard, and the words have great positive meaning, so I thought I would share them:
Of the wonderful things that you get out life there are four.
And they may not be many, but nobody needs anymore.
Of the many facts making the list of life, TRUTH takes the lead,
And to relax knowing the gist of life, it's TRUTH you need.
Then the second is HONOR, and HAPPINESS makes number three.
When you put them together you'll know what the last one must be.
So baby, TRUTH, HONOR, and HAPPINESS, and one thing more:
Meaning only wonderful, wonderful LOVE that makes it four.
Of the wonderful things that you get out life there are four.
And they may not be many, but nobody needs anymore.
Of the many facts making the list of life, TRUTH takes the lead,
And to relax knowing the gist of life, it's TRUTH you need.
Then the second is HONOR, and HAPPINESS makes number three.
When you put them together you'll know what the last one must be.
So baby, TRUTH, HONOR, and HAPPINESS, and one thing more:
Meaning LOVE, and that's the real score and more than enough
When times are tough and poor.
They may not comprise a lot, Still you only got those four,
And there ain't no more.
If you want to hear Miles himself play this sweet tune, go HERE.
So that's it for tonight. I've been working extra long hours helping with the Stampin' Treasures Going Out of Business Sale, and I am tuckered. Another big day tomorrow. Good night!
"Brief is life but love is long." —Alfred Lord Tennyson
It's starting to happen, as it does every year. Ready or not, the Christmas Spirit starts to have its effect on me. Sometime around mid-November (that would be now), and lasting through the start of the new year, there's just this feeling. Extra emotions. Lots of thinking about the world and how to make it better. Wanting to make everything good and beautiful. Striving to be more loving, caring and considerate of my family, friends and those around me. And I know that most everyone feels this same way at this time of year... and how great would it be if we all felt this way ALL the time, and acted on these good feelings ALL the time. Setting aside the commercial commotion and the junk mail, and just being happy, and kind, and patient, and all the good things. Hmmmm, what a world that would be! Heav
en.
So, in that vein, I thought I'd share another Christmas card today. Another non-traditional color scheme: purple, white, and shades of green. So rich and refreshing! This one incorporates my "Peace on Earth" design from THIS clear set (you can also get it HERE individually as a wood or cling rubber stamp). I used a Hero Arts card, some Memory Box paper & jewels, lovely Versamagic chalk ink in a color called Purple Hydrangea, and some delicious green velvet ribbon that I picked up last year in my travels. The background on the card (Hero Arts Branch Background cling stamp) is stamped in Hero Arts Snow Chalk Ink (kinda hard to see in the photo, but it's nice & white IRL). Put it all together with a tape runner and some foam dimensionals, and viola! It's Christmas.
"Peace on earth will come to stay when we live Christmas every day." —Helen Steiner Rice
Just one last thing I wanted to say tonight: being a mom is hard. REALLY HARD! The older they get, good grief & holy smokes. I love them so much and I want them to stay sweet and pure and innocent and good forever. Is that an impossible dream? I do believe it is. If you thought potty training was tough, just you wait. Oh, my. That's all. Good night.................
"Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body." —Elizabeth Stone
"When you have brought up your kids, there are memories you store directly in your tear ducts." —Robert Brault
Today I thought I'd share an art piece I created this past summer for a group of my friends that I adore. These are the ladies that are there for me always, and they are awesome! This piece was created on a chipboard background that I added an easel back to so it can stand on its own. I used Hero Arts' Friends Definition as the background, then added a variety of papers and embellishments from my stash. The stamp is THIS one from River City Rubber Works, aptly called "Five Girlfriends." It's made from an old photo that bears an uncanny resemblance to the five of us. It was lots of fun to make and it warms my heart every time I look at it and think how grateful I am for good girlfriends who are there for me in good times AND in bad, and tell it to me straight. They're the greatest.
