A Very Special Day....

I should have done an entry about this special day but instead I'll just give you a link to the post I did one year ago today and then you'll understand. Here is the link. Go ahead. Check it out....I'll wait.

Did you see it? Now do you understand why I should have made this a really special post? Plus, Poor Baby....he's sick. He has the ick/crud that's been going around. So instead I'm going to finally show you some things I've made. Don't get too excited....these are ATCs I did earlier but didn't show for various reasons. Now that I haven't made anything for several days, I'm getting desperate for photos to show!!


I did this one as an extra gift for a swap at Create a Connection. It's felt with ribbon, yarn, beads, etc. It's actually a lavender background with sage green embellishments but my scanner doesn't always get the colors right.






This one unfolds.


This one also unfolds and I used Asian newspapers that I saved.

These ATCs have all gone out to swaps and other gifts etc. If you've looked at my flickr account you've probably already seen them.

I have been doing some stuff in the studio but mainly just prep work. I found the Discovery Journal I made when I read "Simple Abundance" the first time. Many of the magazine pictures were falling out....I used rubber cement at the time. So instead of throwing it away, I pulled out all the pictures and am now putting gesso on the pages to cover the residue left by the glue and I'll use the journal for something else. I liked the way some of the pages looked with the residue and would have liked to keep them that way but they were sticking together.

I also tried a couple of background papers yesterday but I'm not thrilled with them. Maybe I can add another layer and then I might like them better.

After reading all your wonderful comments I've decided to just take a break from creating and when it happens, it happens. Fussing and worrying about it won't make it any better so that's all behind me now. I'll still continue to go to the studio each day but if I don't make anything then I won't beat myself up over it.

HB and I are doing the final little bit of painting today. We have just a little bit in the kitchen and then we will be finished with painting. Whew! I'll be happy when it's all behind us. We will call a realtor before too much longer and actually put the house on the market. We're continuing our search for another house, have made a couple of offers but they have either been rejected or someone else was ahead of us. It's a difficult and stressful thing to try and find a house long distance.

I'll do my Finding Water check in either later today or tomorrow.

More Vegas Photos!!

Last weekend when we were in Vegas there were a lot of cameras clicking everywhere we went. No, it wasn't the paparazzi!! It was just all of us snapping photos of each other but sadly the ones I took of HB's son and his fiance didn't come out so I had none of them to show you....until now. Last evening Jr sent over a photo of the four of us taken in their room....so here it is....


l to r: Jr, his fiance, HB and me

Jr is the one who took the photo of the eagles. He lives in MI and has a contracting business. "K" (his fiance....I forgot to get her permission to use her name so I'll just use her initial) is just the best. They make a great couple. We had such a good time with them.

Here is a photo of me and HB when we were at the banquet for the photo contest on Saturday night....



All those lights made me feel like a celebrity! No autographs, please! Actually it's the entrance to The Riviera.

This is a rare occasion! There are not many photos of me in existence and you get two at once!

So nothing that happened in Vegas, stayed in Vegas this time....at least nothing HB and I did! You'll have to check with Jr and K to get their confessions!

The Photo That Should Have Won!!

I got permission from my step-son to put his photo on here so you can see it. This was the reason we went to Las Vegas last weekend. His photo was a finalist in a photography contest and I think it's just amazing. (The date is Jan 6, 2006 when it was taken.)


The photo is clickable but it's very large.


This was taken near his home in Michigan, and he had to wait and wait for just the right sequence of events to happen. This isn't a photo that comes along every day!! How often do you see two eagles take down a Canadian goose....you can see a trail of feathers across the ice....and the one eagle is feasting on the live goose while the other one waits. He said he never saw the second one approach the goose and eat. The photo is called "Dinner For Two" and it is copyrighted so please do not copy it.

Art in the Mail But Not in the Studio!!

Thanks to everyone for your comments yesterday. At least I know I'm not alone in my feelings about this book. There are so many people reading it right now that I thought maybe I was just missing something about it....but I should have just gone with my gut feeling from the beginning.

Once again I had incredible mail! I won one of the runner-up prizes from Lisa's giveaway and it arrived late yesterday afternoon. She also included another surprise....but not for me! She sent a gift to HB!! He was stunned to say the least.

Here is my runner-up prize....


"in our life there is a single color, as on an artist's palette, which provides the meaning of life and art. It is the color of love."

Isn't it beautiful? I love the quote and all the colors. How could anyone have a bad day when they have this to look at?!!

And here is HB's gift....



I wanted to get a photo of HB with his new mug but he had an early morning appointment so I couldn't.

He just can't get over the fact that she sent it to him. But then he doesn't know Lisa!! Even though he hears me talk about her all the time! Poor guy! He has such a difficult time trying to keep everyone straight in his mind. He'll say "is she the one who lives in (fill in the blank)....that's the only way he can remember all of my blogging friends!

I'm still in a rut with my art so if you've sent me something in the past month or so and I haven't sent anything in return don't give up on me. I haven't forgotten anyone but my creativity has decided to take a vacation. I've been sitting in my studio every day but nothing happens! I'm just a blank right now. I don't feel bad or sad or depressed or anything like that but I'm not connecting with my creative side at the moment. We seem to be on different wavelengths right now. But when we make contact again I'll get some things made and sent off. I won't forget!!

Finding Water Week 4...a little bit late!

Since I was gone over the weekend I didn't have a chance to do my "Finding Water" check in and maybe that's a good thing. Lately I've been finding Julia getting on my nerves! And from what I've read on a couple of other blogs, I'm not the only one.

I know she's famous....I know she was married to Martin Scorsese and I'm sure she hob-nobs with a lot of other famous New York people so she doesn't have to keep reminding me every five minutes. She is definitely a name-dropper. I really don't relate to that and I'm sure other people don't either.

What I want from this book is not what I'm getting. In fact, since I've been reading "Finding Water" I have been less creative. I have completely lost my focus and am constantly struggling to come up with ideas. I go to my studio and sit there and stare out the window. Maybe it isn't because of the book but apparently the book isn't helping either.

I do my morning pages (with the exception of the days I was out of town) and yet they don't seem to be doing anything for me. I have an art journal and I've barely made a mark in it....nothing comes to me that I want to put down on paper.

I would be curious to see if anyone else is having the same problem with this book. I almost feel as if I've been ripped off since so much of it is just a re-hash of "The Artist's Way" but I keep reading and hoping that I'm wrong.

So Many Wonderful People....

As I said yesterday in my sleepy, tired post....I have had lots of fun mail recently. While I was in Vegas, the mail piled up on my doorstep!

I had a box of goodies from Tammy. This was part of the swap from Create a Connection. Here's what was waiting for me....


Some rubber stamps....


A peacock feather, a beautiful butterfly, and some pages from old books....a couple have German printing....


Some gift wrap, wallpaper, yarn and beads....there was another organza bag with beads but I forgot to put it in the photograph!

Thanks, Tammy. I'm sure these things will find their way into some collages and ATCs.

I also had another surprise from Pirk....


A pretty freeform crocheted bookmark....in purple!! and a pretty Easter card.

Thanks Pirk! If you haven't visited her blog, you may want to do so now because she is offering a free pattern for a crocheted bag, and has pictures and directions to guide you if you aren't all that comfortable with crochet.

And my last package waiting for me on Sunday was from Teresa.....


Some fun papers, stickers, a cute gift bag/box that I plan to use as a template to make more!!....and a sweet little birdie.

Thanks, Teresa!

Now as if that wasn't enough the mail came yesterday with even more goodies! I got the Easter ATCs from the swap that Sammy did. I think I really lucked out on this one!! Here are the cards I received....


This adorable one from Sammy. I just love the ladybug and the butterfly and the cute pink bunny. There are lots of beads and glittery bits and I think it's just perfect.


These two are from Dotee. They also have lots of beads and glittery things, and of course little birdies!


And these two are from Doreen. You can't tell in the photo but the one on the left has strips of fabric woven for the background! The photos do not do any of these ATCs justice....there is lots of pretty gold stitching on the card to the right. The background fabric is shimmery and very subtle.

Included in my package from Sammy was another surprise!!



This absolutely adorable bunny!! She is so cute. I love bunnies and have a special secret attachment to them so this was just perfect. Thank you, Sammy. She will have a place right here next to my desk so I can see her every day.

Now I must confess to falling down on the job. I also received two postcards earlier and I thought for sure I had posted at least one of them but apparently that only happened in another dimension! So here are postcards I received from Sheila and Kai....



Thank you, Sheila and Kai!! Even if I'm late showing them!!

I think that just about wraps up my mail for the past few days! My mailman is probably wondering what's happened around here! I used to get mostly junk mail and a couple of bills....now I get mail from all over the world!

Sometimes it doesn't feel like much to just say thank you but it comes from my heart. I have not been very creative lately but soon I hope to be getting some things in the mail for everyone who has been so nice to me. I do appreciate all the lovely things that have been sent my way and each day I'm amazed at the generosity of the blogging community. So until I can get some things finished please accept my heartfelt "Thank You."

Sparks Fly in Vegas....

The trip to Vegas was fun....but tiring. It's about a four hour drive from our house. Traffic is always bad going to Vegas on Friday evening, and then it's bad coming back on Sunday so it makes for a long trip.

When we arrived in Vegas on Friday we were booked into a room at The Riviera since that's where HB's son was staying. He was a finalist in a photography contest and the whole thing was being held at that hotel. We went up to our room and were immediately very disappointed. It was not a nice room at all!!

The curtains were hanging off the rod, there was a drawer in the entertainment center that was half hanging off, and the lights on either side of the bed did not work!! HB called down to the front desk and let them know all the problems and they said they couldn't move us to another room unless we wanted a smoking room.

We were sitting there wondering what to do when HB dropped a pen and it went behind the bedside table....when he reached down to pick it up he hit the jumble of plugs back there and sparks flew, and the lights came on!! HB got right back on the phone to the front desk and told them what had happened. They said they would send an electrician up to the room. When he arrived he took a look at the plug-in and the rest of the room and got the manager on the phone and said "These people need another room. This one is in shambles."

Within moments a bellman arrived to gather our things and take us to a mini-suite! If it hadn't been for the electrician we would have had to stay in that crummy room but instead we had a nice spacious room.

Mostly we visited with HB's son and his fiance, and HB's daughter and her family. You won't believe me but we didn't do any gambling on this trip!! We just didn't have much time for that. Friday night was spent with Kris and her husband, Mike and their little girl, Savannah. Then we had breakfast the next morning with them and Kris' son Scott and his girlfriend, Amanda joined us, too. Kris and her family had been in Vegas for a couple of days and were leaving to return home later Saturday morning.


L to R - Mike with Savannah, HB, Kris, Scott, and Amanda....I'm taking the photo.

We met up with HB's son Jr and his fiance, Kathy and spent the rest of the day with them, then went to the banquet for the photographers that night. The next morning we all had breakfast together, then we had to start for home and Jr had to be at the awards ceremony. Unfortunately he didn't win. I'll try to get a copy of his photo for the blog because I thought it was fantastic.

I took some photos of Jr and Kathy but they didn't come out. I'm hoping they have some on their camera and will send them to us.

When I arrived home there was all kinds of mail for me! I'll share that with you tomorrow.

We're home....

We're back home but I'm beat!! I think I'm getting too old for Vegas! HB and I both went to bed early last night....we got home, unpacked the car, had a quick bite to eat, watched a little boob tube and crashed.

This morning I'm moving in slow motion and not getting much accomplished. I did post some Vegas photos on my other blog....there's a link to it in the upper right sidebar. I'll tell you about the trip either later today or tomorrow.

I also had some mail when I got home and I'll show that, too....but right now I'm just saying "Hi! I'm home."

Viva Lost Wages!!

Yesterday was a hectic day for me and for HB, too....we did my favorite thing. I was shopping for clothes!! I am not the stereotypical woman who loves to shop for clothes and lives at the mall. It is, without a doubt, my least favorite thing to do.

But we're leaving later today for....


clickable if you want to see this photo larger


....Las Vegas, or as HB calls it....Lost Wages....and I needed a few things. We'll be returning late Sunday night. We're meeting up with HB's son and his girlfriend, and HB's daughter and her husband....so it's a mini-family reunion.

I plan to take lots of photos while we're there and I'll share them with you when I return....Oops! I just remembered....what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!! Oh, well, I'll sneak some photos out somehow. See ya on Monday! Have a great weekend!!

Drum Roll, Please.....

Today is a big day all over Blogland. It's the day when most of the One World One Heart giveaway winners will be announced....and that's why I'm here right now.

I didn't have an assistant this time as HB was in bed by 9:00 PM last night and up and out of the house before I ever woke up!! So it was just me and the cats and neither one of them wanted to participate! They didn't see any food involved so it was back to napping.

That left just me so I was appointed to be camera woman, chief name draw-er-outer, and announcer! Here is the container I used this time to hold all the tiny slips of paper....



Here is my hand reaching into the container.....I had 64 entries! I put the lid on the container and gave it a good shake to mix all the bits around before I reached in to pick the winner....



And here is the winner!!!!



I think this photo is clickable but in case you can't read it the winner is WINDY ANGELS! Congratulations! I will not be able to mail these out for a few days but rest assured they will be in the mail to you at the beginning of next week.

Being Kind....and A Little Forgetful, Too!

You may notice something new along the right side of my blog. I saw this on Robyn's blog and thought it was such a wonderful idea that I immediately did it here.

This is from the site:

"By posting this badge, I'm declaring that in addition to humour, intelligence, wit, sadness, snarkiness, passion, exuberance, peace, stillness, excitability, anger or any other emotion you may witness on my site:

1) I will never intentionally hurt other people, whether I know them or not, whether they blog or not, whether they're celebrities or not, either through my words or my images. It's just not my style; and

2) I hope that by the time you've clicked away from my site, I've helped in some way to make your day just a little bit better."

Signed,
Janet

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The incomparable Lia sent me a package that arrived yesterday amidst much whooping and hollering and dancing around the room!! She sent me this book....



....it has techniques by Lisa Vollrath and Tim Holtz!!! I was deeply engrossed in it all evening. She also sent along some little bits to use in inchies and this fantastic tag....



In case you aren't able to read it, the text says "try it because"....I think Lia has such a distinctive style and I love it. Thank you, Lia!!

If it wasn't for other people sending me art I wouldn't have anything to show you! I have not been very productive in the studio recently. I'm in one of those lulls where everything I decide to make needs one thing I don't have right now. And my finances are dwindling down this month....too many trips to Michael's and Joann's!! I think I'll give up food and that will free up a lot more cash for me to spend on art supplies! Now my major hurdle will be convincing HB!!

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I got out this morning to run some errands and forgot to take the camera with me and wouldn't you know....there was a spectacular shot of the mountains with huge clouds draping over them, and swirling around them. You could just see the tops of the mountains and the rest was shrouded in clouds....very mystical looking. I carry my camera with me almost all the time but today of all days I left it behind. So I hope your imagination is really good today and you can "see" the mountains hiding in the clouds!

It was one of those moments Julia talks about in "Finding Water"....the things that we usually take for granted but that we need to stop and admire. I admired the view so much I almost ran off the road!!

A Little Monday Morning This and That....

The weekend was beautiful. The weather was just perfect....I'm sorry if you're still dealing with winter where you live. HB and I worked in the yard. He trimmed our grape vines, the apple trees, and I did some research about my agapanthus. A few of them didn't do very good with the very cold snap we had earlier this year. I thought I might try to transplant them to a better location. I just don't have a green thumb when it comes to outside plants. I do great with plants that grow inside but the others don't seem to respond to me!!

I have a spider plant that my Aunt Dotti gave to me back in the early 80's. I have re-started babies from that plant so many times I've lost count. I had several spider plants from those babies that grew to be huge, draping plants....and this was while HB and I were traveling around in our RV!! One of my friends in Colorado ended up with the two biggest plants and the last time I talked with her she said they were still going. That one original spider plant has left babies all across the country! Right now I have one of the babies in our family room.



I have to keep it away from Harley and LuLu because they like to chew on the leaves. Not good! I think this plant might be a great-great-great-great-great-great grandchild of the plant Aunt Dotti gave me!! I know there's been a lot of them.

Over the weekend I also received some fantastic ATCs from the talented Maryellen. She does such amazing artwork.



I don't have a favorite from these because each of them is a different style and all of them are wonderful. Thank you so much, Maryellen. These are great. Oh, and she also sent me some fabulous papers, too. They're so beautiful that I don't want to cut into them!!



This is just a sampling of some of them. I just sit and look at them!!

There's still time to enter the drawing for my giveaway for One World One Heart. The drawing will be on the 21st but I won't be mailing out the package until the 23rd at the very earliest. HB and I are going to Las Vegas that weekend and I may not have time to get to the post office until we return. Be patient with me....I will get it to the winner ASAP!!

Finding Water Week 4

This was a better week for me regarding this book....even with all the other things going on in my life right now.

I enjoyed Julia's reference to "the rim of the glass" and could relate, not to drinking as that's never been a problem but rather for depression which I suffered from when I was younger. I always felt that I was on the edge of a deep dark chasm and one wrong move and I would tumble in. I have since learned that mostly my depression was self-inflicted....me just not being happy with my life the way it was and finally learning to appreciate the things I have and not to worry so much over the other stuff.

The section on "faith" was part of all that, too. In the past I never thought that good things would ever happen for me....I never felt as if I was ever good enough, smart enough, pretty enough, etc. etc. etc. Maybe age has something to do with that because I find I don't dwell on those things anymore. With one exception, and that is my creativity. I still have a problem with that one. I especially liked Julia's quote on page 107 "....we are intended to flower in our art even if our art does not meet with a welcoming reception. We must make art for the sheer sake of making art." That really rang a bell for me. I think that's what I've been trying to do this year by simply creating something each day. It may not be worthy of sharing with you but I still make something every day....or at least work on something each day. I find that I'm happier with the things I finally finish and feel better on the whole since I've been doing this.

The "no regrets" section was interesting because in life I have very few regrets, if any. I've always thought that I've done the best I could do with what I had at any given moment....made the only decisions I could have made (because they were the ones I did make) and the person I am today is a compilation of all those other days that went before. But the part that was tough about this was the comparing myself to others....I still do that even though I know I shouldn't!! I look at other people's art work and think mine doesn't measure up. But the simple truth is, I'm getting a very late start compared to some people and I'm still learning and trying new things. My art is my art and not anyone else's. I can't make things like someone else because I'm not them.

I did morning pages six out of seven days, took a walk on a couple of days, but did not have my artist's date. Unless you want to count browsing around in Barnes & Noble....but I do that on a regular basis!!

Not Again!!

I'm beginning to sound like a broken record....but I'm going to have to take a few days away from blogging. I will continue to check in to see if there are any more entries for my giveaway so be sure to sign up if you haven't already....the post is back a couple on March 10th. And I will, of course, check my emails but I won't be writing anything here or visiting blogs for a few days. Something has come up and HB and I need to have a few days to decide our next move. I'll be back soon.

An Oh-Oh and Some Pretty Colors....

Would you believe I'm still digging out in my studio??! I have to admit that yesterday I played in there more than I worked....and that's ok but today I'm trying to actually find the floor. I know there's one under all that stuff and I'm determined to find it.

While digging around I found a couple of things I thought I'd show you. The first is a box I made for Molly's birthday a couple of years ago....



Do you see anything wrong with it? This is not the box I gave her. I made another one just like it but this time I made the pictures around the bottom small enough so the lid didn't cover half of them!! So this one has never been finished inside....hers has felt inside. I was so happy with the idea and so upset when I realized that when the lid was placed on the box it covered the top half the pictures! Live and learn! I use it in the studio for little odds and ends and as a reminder to always measure correctly when it's something like this!

While rummaging around in the studio I found this....



Molly gave this to me several years ago. It's from a paint company but it must have been for someone special since it has "jewels" on either side and comes in its own gold leatherette case. I just like it because of all the colors. Each little paint strip has a different color on each side so it's doubled what you see here. The date on the front tag says 1966.

I made some art yesterday but won't show you right now. I'm still experimenting with products and techniques so when I have something good I'll share.

Don't forget to sign up for my giveaway if you haven't already done so. Check back a couple of posts and leave a comment to be entered.

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This morning I got back on track and did morning pages, then I walked down to the park and walked twice around the paths. It was a beautiful morning and already the temperature is 80º!!

Simply Finding Water....

Yesterday I said I would be back later with my comments on "Finding Water"....and that didn't happen. Then today being Sunday I usually talk about my past week of "Simple Abundance"....and that hasn't happened either. The past week was just a bit of a blur for me. It whizzed by at lightening speed and here I am at the end, almost ready for next week and I feel that I've let you down.

I think I can safely say I have over-extended myself! Gee, do ya think?! I have been trying to re-read "Simple Abundance" thinking it would give me a new perspective on things but the simple truth is I've read it several times and I think I'm ready to move on to something else.

I signed up for the "Finding Water" group and have not been very good about writing about it for the first couple of weeks. The past week's lessons were particularly difficult for me. And I fell down on my morning pages towards the end of the week. I didn't do my artist's date....actually I forgot all about it! And I did not go for a long walk. So if I were the teacher I would give me a failing grade for this week!

Next week I plan to do better. I will try to come up with something for an artist's date (kind of hard to do around here though 'cause it's just not an exciting town!!) and I will do my pages again each morning and I plan to begin walking at the park closeby since the weather has been so nice. (It was in the 80's today!!) So I hope to be back on track by this time next week.

I saw another quiz thingy that I liked....

Your Dominant Thinking Style: Modifying

Super logical and rational, you consider every fact available to you. You don't make rash decisions and are rarely moved by emotion. You prefer what's known and proven - to the new and untested. You tend to ground those around you and add stability.

What's Your Thinking Style?

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And don't forget to sign up for my giveaway....it's on yesterday's post. Just leave me a comment. I forgot to tell you that the drawing will be on the 21st but I won't mail it out probably until the 26th because HB and I will be out-of-town for a few days. I hope that's not a problem for anyone.

One World One Heart Giveaway....

As usual, I'm late!! Lisa is organizing the One World One Heart giveaway and I've been trying to get something ready for it.

I wanted to do something bigger and better but time did not allow so here is my offering....



These will both go to one winner. Two fabric/felt ATCs embellished with thread, yarn, and beads.

If you would like to win please leave a comment here....and be sure to check back if your email is not public on your blog.

I will add some other goodies to the package when it goes out to the winner.

Art, Mail and A Little Quiz....

Recently I made some cards....not ATCs but cards for the mail! I think everyone has received them so I can show them now.


This one doesn't show up too good since it's on a white cardstock....it's just an image I partially cut out and a small stamp of an Asian coin.


This one is just an image I liked!


This one just had to go to Lia....the Queen of Squares!


And this one just made me think of friends....it's images from several different places.

I like making cards if I have the time. Sometimes I just have to use purchased ones because I either run out of time or ideas!!

Apparently I'm on the right track with doing art. I visited Olivia's blog and saw one of those blog tests....you know how much I love them!! So here it is....

Your Dominant Intelligence is Spatial Intelligence

You've got a good sense of space and how the world around you looks. You can close your eyes and "see" images. You have innate artistic talent. An eye for color and shapes, you're also a natural designer. Since you think in pictures, visual aids and demonstartions help you learn best. You would make a good navigator, sculptor, visual artist, inventor, architect, interior designer, or engineer.

What Kind of Intelligence Do You Have?

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And last but not least, I received another package in the mail yesterday!! This one was from Pirk. She sent me a new little friend to sit by my computer....her name is Sassy and here she is....



As you can see, she's my favorite color....purple....and I just love her hair and her attitude. She is so cute....thanks, Pirk. I love her.

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I will be doing another post later today for Finding Water.

This, That and the Other Thing....

Yesterday I debated about taking a photo of the thermometer on my back patio and posting it here....but I didn't because I didn't want to be that cruel to everyone who is still dealing with winter. We were in the upper 70's and this weekend is supposed to be even warmer!! This is about perfect for me. Goldilocks weather....not too hot and not too cold, it's just right!

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I've been ordering back issues of Cloth Paper Scissors....they're on sale right now for $5.99 an issue so I'm filling in all the earlier issues I missed. I think this is my favorite magazine right now. It seems to have a little bit of everything I like. I would subscribe to it but with everything up in the air about where we will move when we finally find a house, I just thought I would wait.

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Some of you read Crazy Aunt Purl but if you don't, every month she does Hor-o-scopes. They're usually funny and filled with her unique sense of humor. This was my horoscope from her for this month....

VIRGO (August 23 - Sept. 22)
Manners are for rebels. That's why I love me a Virgo. Ya'll have manners but in the STRANGEST and loveliest ways. For example, you can always count on a Virgo to have an opinion. And share it. But a Virgo opinion isn't a character assassination, it's merely fact and logic formed with interest. Ya'll manage to say things that others could never get away with because your manners are on the inside, closest to the heart, and you never desire to hurt folks or drag 'em down. Some signs could take a lesson in this department though I will try to mind my manners and not mention which ones. Interestingly enough, your candor and honesty (which is almost always spot-on) can make people think you have no soft spots of your own. But your ability to see into others with a new light is second to your ability to be wounded deeply by those who can't see you clearly at all. Try to offer forth a little patience with these characters. Not everyone will understand you because you are unique, and different from them, and it might take a while for that to shine out. It's not personal. And they'll get some manners of their own, eventually.

She never fails to make me laugh....or cry sometimes. I thought she had me nailed on this one. I do feel that most of the time people just don't "get" me. I've always been just a little bit on the outside and have done things differently from others. Such is the case now. I know Lisa is doing her One Heart One World giveaway with names due to be drawn on the 21st. I plan to participate in this. Remember I told you after my giveaway in February that I liked it so much I was going to do one every month, if possible. Well, I am going to do one but it won't be for a few more days and my drawing won't be on the 21st. That doesn't give me enough time! So please don't think I'm just going around entering giveaways and not doing one myself. It's coming....so keep checking in.

I made another little Dotee doll yesterday....



It's so hard for me to get a good photo of these! I also made three more ATCs....imagine that!!



I love this face stamp!! Or could you tell!! I stamped it on a magazine picture of some fabric. I like how it came out.



This one was just a bunch of scraps that I put together.



And this one is mostly metallics so it doesn't scan very good. I think I might add some other color to it because I think there's too much metallic right now.

So that's what I did yesterday while also going grocery shopping (ugh) and running to the post office and to Joann's for beads and felt. Oh, and I cleaned out one more drawer in the studio.

Surprise!!

Yesterday was a great mail day! I felt like a very special person when HB brought in not one....not two....but three packages for me!!

After opening the first one I felt terrible! It was this cute box of notecards....



and this fantastic collage....I love her style....



both from Cinda. They were the prizes from one of her recent giveaways. I felt terrible because I had put my name in for the drawing, then had all those days when I wasn't blogging and I didn't even know I had won!! I had not acknowledged my win on her blog and I was totally taken by surprise. Please go visit her blog and sign up for her current giveaway. I'm not putting my name in on this one....I don't want to embarrass myself again! Thank you, Cinda. I sincerely apologize for not responding to your blog announcement of the winners.

Then I opened another surprise package from Lisa to find this lovely doll!



I had a little trouble getting a good photo of her so please excuse the blue plastic background!! She is just beautiful and has lots of beads and little goodies on her bodice and wings, and her skirt is a piece of vintage embroidery that reminds me of my mom. Plus Lisa wrote such a lovely note that I had tears in my eyes when I read it. Thank you, Lisa!!

As if all that wasn't enough I opened another surprise package from Rosemary. She sent me this....



adorable little metal plaque with a vintage bee magnet! Isn't this just the cutest thing you've ever seen?! I love the the image with all the bees. Thank you, Rosemary!!

So Cinda, Lisa and Rosemary made me feel like the Queen Bee for the day! Thanks!

I spent most of my day yesterday "digging out" as Lia calls it. I went through tons of stuff in my studio and threw out four huge trash cans full of junk! Mostly magazine clippings from years back! Most of which I looked at and thought "why did I clip this?"....I have one more storage unit to go through today and then my paper stuff should be more organized.

But in the midst of all the paper flying through the air, I managed to slap some glue on a couple of pieces and come up with a little art. Here's what I did....





I used the same stamp as I used the other day and just tweeked them a bit more. The one has a "gem" in the lower corner and the other one has a leaf stamped and a leaf attached.

Now I'm off to make some more paper disappear. I have to make room in the studio for all my new goodies!