Saturday, December 24, 2011

Old City Bar

I’ve loved the Trans-Siberian Orchestra for years and have listened to their Christmas Eve and Other Stories CD every Christmas season for many years. For some reason today on my way home from visiting with my step-father in North Carolina, this song really touched me like it never had before – maybe I was paying closer attention to the words or maybe because it's Christmas Eve. Please enjoy this performance by  Bart Shatto here .  The words are below. He may be a little out there but his voice is wonderful!


In an old city bar
That is never too far
From the places that gather
The dreams that have been


In the safety of night
With its old neon light
It beckons to strangers
And they always come in


And the snow it was falling
The neon was calling
The music was low
And the night
Christmas Eve


And here was the danger
That even with strangers
Inside of this night
It’s easier to believe


Then the door opened wide
And a child came inside
That no one in the bar
Had seen there before


And he asked did we know
That outside in the snow
That someone was lost
Standing outside our door


Then the bartender gazed
Through the smoke and the haze
Through the window and ice
To a corner street light


Where standing alone
By a broken pay phone
Was a girl the child said
Could no longer get home


And the snow it was falling
The neon was calling
The bartender turned
And said, not that I care
But how would you know this?
The child said I’ve noticed
If one could be home
They’d be already there


Then the bartender came out from behind the bar
And in all of his life he was never that far

And he did something else that he thought no one saw
When he took all the cash from the register drawer


Then he followed the child to the girl across the street
And we watched from the bar as they started to speak
Then he called for a cab and he said J.F.K.
Put the girl in the cab and the cab drove away
And we saw in his hand
That the cash was all gone
From the light that she had
Wished upon


If you want to arrange it
This world you can change it
If we could somehow make this
Christmas thing last

By helping a neighbor
Or even a stranger
And to know who needs help
You need only just ask


Then he looked for the child
But the child wasn’t there
Just the wind and the snow
Waltzing dreams through the air


So he walked back inside
Somehow different I think
For the rest of the night
No one paid for a drink


And the cynics will say
That some neighborhood kid
Wandered in on some bums
In the world where they hid


But they weren’t there
So they couldn’t see
By an old neon star
On that night, Christmas Eve


When the snow it was falling
The neon was calling
And in case you should wonder
In case you should care


Why we’re on our own
Never went home
On that night of all nights
We were already there


Then all at once inside that night
He saw it all so clear
The answer that he sought so long
Had always been so near

It’s every gift that someone gives
Expecting nothing back
It’s every kindness that we do
Each simple little act


Sunday, November 20, 2011

Coloring Outside the Lines

I'm encouraging everyone to color outside the lines this holiday season.  There are so many people in need, hurting financially or emotionally.  Think about helping your favorite charity...or giving to a local family who needs groceries or clothing...or giving to your favorite person's favorite charity in their name.  There are so many wonderful organizations out there.  Rather than loading your grandkids up with toys they probably already have, contribute to a local humane society in their name and send them a card showing the dog or cat you supported...or go out to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary - they do amazing work and have wonderful stories you can share...go out to Heifer International and buy a bee hive or flock of chickens or any of the many options they have so that a family will be able to support themselves - and send them a card from HI telling how that gift is helping a child just like themselves...go out to Charity Water - 100% of your donation goes towards helping communities have access to clean water...go to The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee - any child would love 'adopting' an elephant.

Do you have a friend who is hurting in some way?  Do you know an elderly person who has no family nearby?  Bake them something, take them a homemade meal, make them a beautiful card, welcome them to your home for a celebration...make them feel special and loved.

Just color outside the lines this year.  I'll be coloring outside the lines on this blog for a few months.  My computer is dying a slow death and I'm unable to download pictures right now so as much as I'd like to share pictures with you - it will have to wait until after the first of the year when I start looking for a new computer! 

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and a safe and peaceful holiday season. 



Friday, October 21, 2011

Country Living Fair South 2011

I braved the very chilly weather and went to the Country Living Fair at Stone Mountain, GA bright and early this morning.  It was as fabulous as it was last year!  Right across from the entrance was Earth Angels and there was eye candy galore.  Such creative artists and art - enough to make your mouth water.  Then on to the other 150 or so booths back along the trails under the trees...French Laundry Home, Mill Branch Bar Soap Company (with the most fragrant olive oil soaps and creams you can imagine - Ginger Lime was the one I bought), Au Gres Sheep Shoppe, Barn Trash, Serious Whimsey, Farmhouse 1807, Necessary Excess, Sassy Trash, Splinters and Rags, Three Birds Studio, With Heart and Hand, just to name a few.  Oh and of course the food booths - the best of which was Annie's Baking - breads and goodies like you wouldn't believe.  One booth - I can't remember the name - had wonderful crafting goodies.  I found two clergy collars and they will be turned into crowns.  If you live anywhere near Atlanta, there are still two days of the Fair left - do go - you'll love it.  I'm already going to start putting my pennies away for next year!

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Was It A Bird...Or Is It A.....Frog???

Jack and I have multiple bird feeders in the front yard - in fact our front yard is mainly birdseed "grass"  LOL.  We love to watch them feed - even the squirrels keep us entertained.  Yesterday we were standing out on the driveway and along the herb garden in front of the house is a small fence covered with Carolina Jessamine - so pretty in the spring with all of the tiny yellow flowers blooming.  I saw something on top of one of the fence posts and thought - DARN THOSE BIRDS - if you know what I mean.  LOL  As I got closer I realized it was the most beautiful tiny frog - black and white.  It looked like a primitive crackled frog and it was just sitting on that tiny little fencepost with it's front feet crossed like it was praying.  Since I can always use an extra prayer or two I imagined it was deep in meditation.  I'm not sure how exactly he hopped up there or when he left, but it was a special beautiful piece of nature that made my day.

Enjoy!

Monday, September 19, 2011

Quick and Easy Bean Soup

Here is a quick and easy bean soup.  This makes two good sized bowls so increase ingredients as needed.  I served it tonight with cornbread and YUM!  It was so good.  I'm really glad soup weather is here again!

1 15 oz. can navy beans (I use Eden organic - they are the only brand I can find who has a BPA free can lining)
onion (as much as you like - I used 1/3 of a very large Vidalia)
2 medium carrots
1 stalk celery
2 garlic cloves
4 slices Canadian bacon (or ham if you'd rather)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup chicken broth

Dice onion, carrots, celery, and Canadian bacon approximately the same size.  Heat olive oil in medium saucepan.  Add onion, carrots, garlic cloves (whole) and celery and saute until tender (about 10 or so minutes).  Remove the garlic cloves.  Add Canadian bacon, drained and rinsed navy beans, and chicken broth and stir well.  Let simmer another 10 minutes or so.  Enjoy!

And don't forget to put those onion skins, carrot peels, etc. in your compost pile - now is the time to start one for spring planting. 

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Flat Betty and the Halloween Ball

You asked for it... you got it (and Georgina won her in the giveaway)...another installment of the Flat Betty Tales.


Now Tweed Town was having it’s annual Halloween Ball at the Jim Bob Yoder VFW Hall and Flat Betty was determined to be the belle of the ball. You see there was a prize for the best-dressed couple and she just knew she and Bubba could win. Flat Betty and her best friend Georgina had gone shopping and found the most perfect outfit with just a dab of glitter that wouldn’t be too shocking if Betty happened to run into Rev. Flugle from The Holiness Church of the Sacred Glade on the way to the ball.

Flat Betty was at work at the Ding Dong Dinner Diner the night before the ball and who waltzed in but Mary Lou, her old high school rival. “Oh Betty”, said Mary Lou. “I found the most bee-u-tiful costume for the ball. No one will ever recognize me and I’ll win the best dressed prize for sure honey!” Flat Betty just stood there with her mouth hanging open because she hadn’t realized that it was a costume ball. On her next break she tried to call Georgina.

Flat Betty and Bubba were double dating with Georgina and Honey Hunk (as Georgina liked to call her boyfriend, Elmer Clyde Diggins) and Georgina could surely come up with SOMETHING. Georgina’s mother, Verbena, answered and hysterically told Flat Betty that Georgina and Honey Hunk had eloped to Las Vegas the night before.

When Flat Betty went home that night she thought and thought until her hair positively frizzed. Then she went out to her mother Maude’s big vegetable garden and picked a beautiful pumpkin. Why I’ll just carve that sucker out and wear it – it IS a Halloween Ball after all. And surely no one will guess who I am.

What she hadn’t counted on was how yucky that punkin was even though she dried it off inside…and also that once on her head, she couldn’t get it off! And I do believe Flat Betty would have won the prize that night but her hair (which stuck out the top of the pumpkin despite everything she did to stuff it back inside) gave her away.

MORAL OF THE STORY: Thinkin’ too much can be bad for your hairdo


Wednesday, August 31, 2011

How I Spent My Summer Vacation - Day #1

It’s day #1 of a long needed vacation from work and days two through eight will be spent at home but thankfully so. Now on to the exciting tale of my first day. Most of you know of the every other week treks I make to North Carolina to check on and do for my stepfather. It’s about a six hour round trip drive (not counting the times when he has doctors appointments which are at least 45 minutes away from his home). In any event, I left this morning at the crack o’ dawn so I could get to the other side of Atlanta before the rush hour really began. As I drove into the driveway and saw that the shade on the door was still down and the door locked, I began to worry a tad. He’s usually always up before 9am. Luckily the sliding glass door was partially open (there is a cat door in the sliding screen door for Miss Kitty who is a whole other story) so I was able to get in. I quietly tiptoed to his bedroom door watching the sheets to be sure he was still breathing (thank you God!)…he is 87 after all. While he slept I gathered up the bills, bank statement, and checkbook and had them almost done when he awoke. On to the pillbox and refills while he drank his coffee. Oh wait – I promised exciting didn’t I?

Frank’s little house is very compact – a tiny kitchen/dining/living room, two small bedrooms, and a bathroom. One of the bedrooms is used for storage – it used to be where my mother kept all of her yarns and threads – she was a weaver. In any event, while I was at the kitchen table I kept getting this faint whiff of something not too pleasant. When I went into the spare room there was a horrible over-whelming smell and I thought Miss Kitty had either deposited a gift or brought in a gift (which she does on an almost daily basis). Ole Frank said “Oh yes, I’ve been smelling that but didn’t see anything.”

OK, hold your breath (I certainly was by that time or at least breathing through my mouth) here comes the exciting part. On the wall shelves where extra canned goods, etc. were stored….well…..have you ever smelled or seen a bag of potatoes that was mostly juice? I thought I was going to pass out from the smell! Finally got that sucker into a big garbage bag – not very gracefully either…then had to scrub the wall and floor where they had dripped, clean off cans where they had run, WASH bottles of BOOST that had been dripped upon.

Oh no, we aren’t to the exciting part yet….really! These shelves are the rubber coated wire type and Frank had put a very thin piece of some type of wood over the top one – I guess so things wouldn’t fall through. Well I knew that lovely potato juice would have soaked it through and it needed to go. So off that shelf came everything (along with a bag of flour that, shall we say, was beginning to look like it was inside out. Not sure what was happening with that but it went in the garbage bag with the potatoes) and I lifted up that thin piece of wood – are you ready? Really ready? For the exciting part?

Can you say maggots? Ewwwwwwwwww ewwwwwwwww ewwwwwwwwwww! I’m telling you I nearly died, very vocally, as I ran through that tiny house to get that thing out of the house and onto the garbage pile. And then I had to clean the ones that were on the wire shelf off – ewwwwwwwwww ewwwwwwwww ewwwwwwwwwww. I don't DO maggots - I don't even want to LOOK AT maggots!  Anything not in a can is banned from that room!

Now tell me – could I have had a more perfect vacation day? Bwahahahahahahahahaha!


Saturday, August 27, 2011

Another Flat Betty Tale - Only This Time You Can Win Her!

Lucky #4 - Georgina - has won Flat Betty.  And I've emailed you Georgina.  Congratulations!

Y'all remember the Flat Betty tales don't you?
Flat Betty & the Snowball 
Flat Betty & Pressley 
Flat Betty & the Fourth of July Parade 
Flat Betty Plays Bingo

Welllllll - so many of you had asked for more tales that I'm working on another one.  This one will be my giveaway #4 and the only hint I'm giving you is....Autumn.  You'll receive Flat Betty as well as a teeny storybook with her story.

One comment per person please.  I'll draw a winner on Saturday, September 3rd (yup, I know it isn't still August then but what can I say - I must have started a week late on the giveaways LOL).  Good luck!

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Giveaway #3 - Got the Blues?

Gee I'm feeling kinda lonesome!  I guess that six months of non-blogging during my big work project took it's toll LOL  Well it was a 50/50 draw and Debby, you are the winner of the pillow.  I'll be emailing you for your snail mail addy.  Congratulations!

Oh dear, my camera or my printer download program - one of them, isn't working right.  Instead of pictures I'm getting something else (DCPs?) and can't download a picture.  So I'm using the one from when we had the "braiding around rug hooking" class here with Kris McDermett and I made the pillow.  Not a great picture of the pillow (or me on the left LOL) but enough that you can at least see the pillow. 

The pillow is hooked with hand-dyed wool in yellows, blues, and greens.  And yes it is as bright as it looks LOL.  Around the edge is a braid of hand-dyed wool in blues and greens.  And then around the outside edge of the braid there are tied lengths of a wonderful Italian wool roving yarn in various shades of blue.  This was the most wonderful yarn to use for many things and I bought many color combinations of it.  Unfortunately it isn't made anymore so I hoard it to use for very special things. 

What you won't see in the picture is that the very center of the pillow is loaded with all types and sizes and colors of beads.  So that will have to be the surprise when the winner receives it LOL 

Leave a comment (one per person please) and I'll draw for a winner on Saturday, August 27th.  Good luck!

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Giveaway #2 - Things That Feed Your Soul

Sorry gang - I spent all day yesterday shopping with my granddaughter for goodies for her sorority house room  - it was so much fun to be able to spend a day and a half with her!  So I never once thought about drawing for the giveaway last night.  But today that wonderful generator has, for the second week in a row, chosen #3 so I'll be emailing you today for your mailing address.  Congratulations!

A little bit of this and a little bit of that - bits of things that feed my soul went into this altered art piece.  For the background, a piece of wet-felted wool in a rusty red color.  Then a little texture with linen thread stitch stripes.  All manner of goodies then had to be sewn on - a vintage picture of women friends who look like they were having a really good time; a quilted cotton cloth tag (an extra I had from a class) topped with a wool flower and two very old hook-and-eyes; a piece of Dupioni silk outlined with wool roving and topped with a teeny wood bird and a very interesting metal thingamaboby - not a key but must have turned or opened something or other LOL; then a different color Dupioni silk that had been felted right into the wool, outlined with tiny rusty bells and topped with a cloth patch that says Oh Happy Day!, and a glass pendant.  And of course some wood beads hanging from the bottom to give it more interest.  All of this wired to a crape myrtle stick with copper wire.  It's about 12" X 12".


Leave a message and on Saturday evening, August 20th, I'll choose a winner.  Good luck!

Sunday, August 7, 2011

August Giveaway #1 - Let's Get This Party Started

Taaaaaaaaadaaaaaaaaaaaaa - the random number generator has come up with #3 Are you curious about me? so I'll be emailing you for your snail mail addy.  Congratulations!

And hey, I haven't seen pictures of my followers for days - and now that I think about it haven't seen them on any blogs I've read either - is something going on with blogger that I don't know about???

Now that my work life six month project from you know where has slowed down, and my brain has VERY slowly returned so that I may actually have more than one brain cell left - I'm back to reading blogs and hopefully blogging myself.  So let's get this party started with the first of four giveaways during August.



This is a little altered art goodie that says "I Can't Wait To See What Will Happen Next".  Now I did have this little goodie hanging on the outside of my cubicle at work...but based on the last project have decided it's time to take it down and part with it.  Why tempt fate, right?  I still can't wait to see what will happen next - in my personal life and at home - but work is another matter LOLOLOL  This is made from wood, paper, wire, buttons, and a little mushroom bird.

I will draw from the comments (one per person please) on Saturday evening, August 13th.  Good luck!

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Headlights? We Don't Need No Stinkin' Headlights!

I think the picture says it all!


One night, Kitty Boy, (who had been in the garage during an earlier storm) decided to spend the night (unbeknownst to us).  Kitty Boy is our feral who now thinks he owns us.  And he decided a little midnight snack was in order.  Hmmm, I don't know what that wood thing is on top but bet I can open that bag anyhow!



Enjoy!

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

The Gospel Train and No Apology

I was going to apologize for being away for so long without blogging but then….I’ve been on a project at work since January and for the past few months have been working mostly 7 days a week many many hours a day…so no apology. Just the hope that things will slow down soon so I can get back to it and to reading all those wonderful blogs I’ve been missing.


Now for  the Gospel Train   Barbara Crafton is an Episcopalian minister and I’ve been reading her books for years. She has a website called The Geranium Farm and also a free subscription email called The Almost Daily eMo which I love. She is a wonderful writer and her eMos make you laugh, cry, and think. I just loved today’s eMo and had to share it with you. Enjoy!


Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Our World Our Art 2012

Many of you have participated in or known about One World One Heart which took place for the past five years.  Loads of wonderful creative artists participated and it was really fun getting to know new bloggers every year.  This was the last year for that event that was hosted by Lisa Swifka.

But early next year, 2012, a brand new event will begin - Our World Our Art.  Yes, it may seem early to be talking about a 2012 event, but..........this will give people who are amazingly artistic (and you know who you are SF!!!) time to begin a blog.  Having an active blog is one of the requirements for being a part of Our World Our Art.  Being willing to share yourself and your artistic passion with the world is another.  This event will also allow people to link to your Etsy shop or other online shop if you sell your work.

Anyway, to get on the newsletter list (I just received the first one today and there will be a few more prior to the event), just go to Lisa's blog and look at the right hand column.  There is a sign-up for the OWOA newsletter there.  The newsletter will explain the event in much more detail so that you can be READY TO HAVE FUN in early 2012!

Here is hoping you have a wonderful week!

Monday, March 28, 2011

Peachy Keen

Since I’m a Gawga peach (well not really but I’ve lived here for almost 42 years so that counts)…here is what my yard boy – better known as Jack – did a week ago.  We went to our local nursery to get some dirt – and of course couldn’t resist a few plants too.  He always goes for the big stuff so of course he was looking for another tree to plant in our already over-crowded front yard.  But hey, he’s the yard boy so he’s in charge LOL  We saw these pretty little dwarf Bonfire Patio Peach trees.  Gorgeous bright pink flowers.  So we add one to the mix and go to load up the truck.  And being a truck, and since it’s my truck and I drive when we go anywhere in it, and since my legs are short and I have to pull the bench seat up so the passenger’s knees are at their chin…there was no chance Jack was going to hold that peach tree on his lap.  So off comes his shirt and he buttons it around the peach tree – looks like some weird kind of scarecrow!  But by gosh, most of the flowers are still on that tree when we arrive home.  I just couldn’t pass up a before and after picture of this trip!




Now the tag on this peach says “Pinkish-white flowers in spring.  Delicious white fleshed freestone fruit in late summer.  Prized for its beautiful burgundy leaves and compact growth habit.”  But when I went on the internet to look up a little more information – every single reference said “inedible hard fruit”.  Anyone know the scoop on these trees?  If you do, please share it with me.  Have a peachy week!

Thursday, March 17, 2011

This, That, and The Other Thing

Just a little of this, that, and the other thing for today.  First of all I had to show you these great little (actually over 2 inches in diameter) clay tags that I found from the Freckled Laundry    They will make gift packages just that much more special!

Second, spring has sprung here in Georgia and we are supposed to have gorgeous weather all weekend - in the 70's.  Too bad I'll be inside working on work stuff most of it.  But I know I won't be able to resist getting outdoors a little anyway.  These are my Carolina jessamine and pansies blooming in front of my front porch in my herb garden.  My thyme stayed green all winter even with the out of character snowfall we had.  And some of the other herbs are starting to poke through and grow.  The Carolina jessamine is even more beautiful this week with nearly all the blooms open - the picture was from a week ago or so.

Oh, and the ornamental cabbage forest is growing ever taller and now blooming.  Not as many pink thingys on the trunks but still very interesting.  I think I'll let it keep going for awhile longer.

Now for a very funny story.  My nearly 21 year old granddaughter and I were riding down to a nearby town to see family a few weeks ago.  She turned to me and said, "Grammy, what is Grampy's middle name?"  I said, "Russell", which set her to laughing her head off and then I joined in.  All these years with his pet sitting business and I never realized that his name is Jack Russell!  Haaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!  Of course when we mentioned it to him he didn't think it was quite as funny as we did LOL

And last - I keep The Republic of Tea  in business.  They have flavored and non-flavored teas and there are so many good ones!  I'm trying a new one tonight - Pineapple Ginger green tea.  Oh my gosh, it tastes like you're eating pineapple - yum!  Another favorite is Strawberry Chocolate rooibos - it's like drinking dessert.  But it only comes out from January through March or so and then not until the next year.  So I ordered in bulk this year LOLOLOL  I never used to drink tea very much because of the caffeine, but now I have it for breakfast, lunch, and usually in the evenings.  I never liked green tea either but now prefer it to black tea.  Green is better for you anyway and the rooibus (red tea) is an herb so no caffeine.   And nope, they aren't paying me to advertise LOL 

Friday, March 4, 2011

I found a new blog today  Wind and Honey  that has a wonderful post about creativity and giving back to others.  Not only is Elizabeth a talented artist but she also has a great way with words.

I've always volunteered from the time I was in my early twenties until about five or so years ago...one project in particular totally burned me out and I decided to take a breather.  Although I do support several organizations with monetary gifts when I can, the hands-on volunteering came to a halt.  I was getting older and I didn't have as much energy and...well...that was my excuse anyhow.  Anyone who volunteers knows in their heart that the pure act of helping someone brings you energy - energy to your spirit which then will energize your body.

Elizabeth got me thinking today.  When I retire in about three years, I hope to get back to the hands on volunteerism.  I have thought about it now and again.  What will I do?  Who will I volunteer with?  How and who will I be able to help?  But I never thought about helping in the best way possible.  Taking the best things about myself and passing them on to others.  Using my best capabilities to creatively help others.  I think it's time to start a positive list - all the things that embody my spirit that I think might be worth teaching or using in some way to help others.  Maybe by the time I retire I'll actually have a plan of action?  Thanks Elizabeth!

Sunday, February 20, 2011

A Splendiferous Forest of...Well Come and See

We all know I’m not much of a gardener. No matter how much I try, my black thumb always seems to get in the way. I keep trying though most of the time I leave it to my garden boy, Jack. He loves the challenge of bringing dead plants back to life LOL Or leaving them to grow and grow and grow through bad weather, winter, and sweltering heat until they are so scraggly that I can no longer stand it and pull them up by their roots. Oh yes, I admit it, I’ve ripped those suckers right outta the ground and thrown hidden them wrapped in paper in the garbage. You see, if I put them into the pile of leaves and branches waiting to go to the dump, he might retrieve them for another go around.


So late in the fall we planted some already overly large ornamental cabbage in a large metal washtub next to our garage. They were green and purple and lovely, as long as you kept the bottom leaves trimmed. Then came the first frosts, the ice storm, some snow, and even though I would eyeball them when I’d pull in the driveway, I never yanked them out. A couple of months ago I noticed the stalks (yes they were getting just a wee bit horribly straggly) had tiny pink somethings on them. Our first warm day made those somethings burst out all over and now we have a wonderful forest of ornamental cabbage. Tiny little, dare I say, cabbage trees? It’s like a little fairy forest and makes me want to set up a tiny fairy house with a glistening glass pathway.



So just maybe I won’t be yanking this time – maybe I’ll just let them keep growing and see what happens in this splendiferous forest.


Friday, February 18, 2011

OWOH 2011 TA DAAAAHHHHHH Time!

OK it's TA DAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH time!  Here are the three winners of the One World One Heart 2011 giveaway prizes:

Diane from little purple room who won The Book of Grace
Wendy from BLISS ANGELS who won Queen of the World Crown
JoAnne from Vintage Dragonfly who won Soul

I will be emailing all of the winners shortly.  Congratulations and I hope you'll come back and visit often!


Saturday, February 12, 2011

Fishbone Studio

I have been wanting to stop by this pottery studio every time I go past it - which is every month or two on my way back from North Carolina.  Today I listened to my inner voice (which kept saying "you know you are missing out on something wonderful if you keep passing it by - go in, go innnnnnnnn").  So I parked the car, went through the cute little white gate down the steps to the cute little house, and opened the door to folkart splendor!  The first thing I saw, besides all the wonderful pottery, was this huge dog taking a very nice nap in the sun on the couch.  When Betty Wassmer came out to greet me, she told me they had gone to this farm without any intention of bringing a puppy home, and this beautiful Great Pyrenees was the result LOL  Up off the couch to sniff me and then right back up there to finish her nap with one eye open on me LOL  She was a real sweetie!  Here is what a Great Pyrenees looks like but this one isn't quite as pretty as the one I met today.


But back to the pottery.  It's a wonder I didn't drool all over the floor!  It was wonderful - colorful, fanciful, full of flowers, and birds and other motifs.  Some mosaics, some jugheads, flower pots, plates - I could have looked and shopped all day.  I'll take one of everything please LOL    I did do a little Christmas shopping (yep, gonna start early this year) and bought a cute little three story polka dot house that I can put a candle inside of for myself.  Betty showed me some of the new jugheads and other things that she is working on.  If you ever get to Blue Ridge, Georgia, you MUST go and see Fishbone Studio at 425 West First Street.  It's the street that runs parallel to the main street in Blue Ridge, on the west side of the railroad tracks.  You can see some of the wonderful pottery here Fishbone Studio   Blue Ridge is a charming little town filled with great places to eat and wonderful antique shops too.

Lunch with two good friends and pottery to boot - what a delightful Saturday this has been!

Sunday, January 30, 2011

One World One Heart 2011 Is Here!

One World One Heart begins today and I’m participating. Just click on the OWOH 2011 button at the right to find out all about it! Year before last when I ran across it on the internet, I was amazed. Blog after blog where excitement and creativity was shining. I met some wonderful blogger friends and I can’t wait to get out there and see who is participating this year – read new blogs and meet new friends.

For me, creating is to my soul what food and water is to my body. I MUST think it, touch it, do it, and revel in the happiness it brings to me. I’ve always crafted one thing or another. I especially love wool, primitives, sparkle, and color – what a combination, eh? My creations and my house are eclectic. But I believe that if you put your heart into your creations – it will show!

Now for the really exciting part! Leave a comment on this blog post between now and February 17th 5:00PM EST. Later that evening I will be randomly drawing three of those comments and those three people will win one of three handmade creations. Only one comment per person will be counted. Please be sure when you leave your comment that there is a way I can get in touch with you.

My first giveaway is SOUL - a shadowbox. This was made using vintage book pages, a special rust paint solution, and beads, beads, beads. The bottle inside is also vintage and filled with soul – German glass glitter. Thanks to Julie Haymaker Thompson who came and taught a class at my home and showed us how to make wonderful shadowboxes and fantastic jewelry! She is one of the really special bloggers I met at last year’s OWOH and if you ever get a chance to take one of her classes, DO IT! She’s so much fun and so knowledgeable.


My second giveaway is THE BOOK OF GRACE. This is a completely hand sewn wool book containing altered art pages. Each page has a pocket with a special tag inside. On the front of the book is a wool sunflower with a beaded center.  It may be displayed on an easel or you may open it and it stands on it’s own.






My third giveaway is QUEEN OF THE WORLD CROWN (NOTE:  Doll is not included). This is made of a vintage clerical collar, vintage lace band and trim, pearl and cord trim, wire with mother-of-pearl flat beads hanging down, and a wool flower with a button center.


So good luck and I hope you’ll come back and visit often.







Monday, January 24, 2011

God's Garden Must Be Beautiful

God Looked around the garden,
and found an empty space.
He looked down upon the earth,
and saw your tired face.

He put his arms around you,
and lifted you to rest.
God's garden must be beautiful
for he only takes the best.

He knew you were weary,
and knew you were in pain.
He knew that you might never,
be well on earth again.

He saw the roads were getting rough,
and the hills were hard to climb.
So he closed your weary eyelids,
and whispered peace be thine.

Author unknown.

About 36 years ago I met my best friend Kathy.  I was a recent divorcee and had been moving into an apartment - 'friends' who promised to help didn't show up, my son had an ear infection, and I moved boxes all day in my old Ford Pinto.  My last trip was my son's crib that I had taken apart and put into the back of the car.  I cried all the way from the house to my apartment.  As I was pulling into a parking space, Kathy was pulling in the one next to me, getting home from work.  She came over when she saw I was crying and helped me carry that crib upstairs to the apartment.  She helped me put it together and then stayed and we talked for hours.  Meanwhile her husband, Bud, brought us frozen daiquiris and food.  And Kathy and I have been best friends ever since.

Saturday afternoon, Bud passed away unexpectedly.  They say friendship is a sheltering tree.  I hope that I'll be able to be her sheltering tree in the months to come.  Prayers for Kathy and her two grown sons would be appreciated. 






Thursday, January 13, 2011

The Giveaway Box

FINALLY, Mya is going to get the wool box that she won in my last giveaway!   I have to admit that I'd like to keep it for myself but it was made especially for her so away it will fly next week.   Mya, if you see this, keep in mind that it's much prettier in real life - my digital camera leaves a little to be desired when it comes to taking pictures - OK, OK, it's probably me and not the camera LOL

Inside is beautifully spot dyed wool
 
Front panel has beaded rolled wool worms
Little bird is cotton with beaded paper wings and crown,
wire legs, and is holding a rolled wool worm;
top panel hangs over a little for easy opening
 
Back panel has couched wool roving
with beaded wool center
Side panel with beaded rayon ribbon leaves
and beaded wool pennies

 
Side panel with shirred wool worms

I hope you enjoy it Mya!