Artfull Living

Over a year....

2011-07-28T08:52:00.001-07:00

I can't believe it's been over a year since I last posted on this blog.....well I can really....I turned my attention to another blog....Mimzies Wimzs...I got so caught up in that blog that I lost track of this one.....time just passed by and well here I am back.
I had high adventures for that one but it didn't pan out.
Not sure if I'll keep this one or the other one.....this I'll have to think about.

I see I lost all but 2 of my followers....not surprising...but maybe I can boost that back up.

Life does keep us busy but I still think of my blog friends.

Happy Day♥

What's new....

2010-06-12T10:43:00.001-07:00

I forgot to post this gift from my DIL....she made this hat for me and my son made the hat stand with his own two hands...it's the hat from "Alice in Wonderland".....the Treasure Cat hat...right down to the hat pins too.

Love homemade gifts!

Working on a few items of my own...a mini page album hosted by Bona on her blog "Keep On Scrappin" . It's called the "Le Romantique" mini album using Graphic 45 paper from that collection...each one of us has a different page and we have to make 8 pages total and when we get all seven other pages back we can make our own mini album....cool. My page is called "DayDreams"...I'll show you the completed page when done. I just made the beaded stick pins for the flowers for those pages....turned out great.

Life is always getting in the way of creating but that's what makes each day interesting...don't you think?
Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Work in progress and finished pieces....

2010-06-03T12:12:00.001-07:00

This firs photo is a work in progress.....I've had this dress form for ages and decided to do something with it...so stay tuned for more progress photos.....

Here are some of my beaded stick pins I just finished making....I love the way they turned out.....

I have been busy....now I'm off to work on the dress form....have a wonderful day!

Latest creation....

2010-06-02T09:32:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd share what I've been up to lately.....made this mini photo album for my DIL for Mother's Day....I know a bit late but we have a family tradition now that Mother's Day is for Robin and we get together with her mom and celebrate Mother's Day all together later in the month...works out great!
So this is the cover.......wish the colors turned out better...anyways...the letters used to spell her name are fancy metal....the paper flower I made and there is some Prima bling on the the end and I put a strip of fiber and bead trim on the other end.here are the first two pages...oh did I say this is made from paper bags......yep!

Each bag has two tags that pull out for pictures and journaling....the tabs on all the pages and the flaps in the middle have tabs that remove and on the back of each one there is a journal stamp.

The page on the left has a frame and the circle pulls out for another picture and journaling as you can see in the picture below....

The color of these pages are so vibrant but I had to take these fast and they don't show up very well....any hoo...on the left side of this page I made another flower and you can't see very well but there is a beaded stick pin I made just for this book....I'll post more of them later!

The end.....

Great week....

2010-05-16T18:49:00.000-07:00

Had a great week last week......so much going on!

We had our annual garage sale at our church. Bryan and I worked there Thursday and Friday...got some good finds, as you can see from the pics below.....

The first is a ceramic kiln and all these molds...take a guess to how much I paid.....nope...only $30.00 for the lot...the kiln is in perfect condition!

Next are two boxes of glass mounts...these I got for free...perfect for stamping needs and other projects.....my mind is spinning!

This was an unbelievable find....don't know where it came from but it just appeared on the "Office Supply" table.....this is perfect for reaching those hard to get areas of scrapbooking....I saw a gal use one in a YouTube video for her mini albums....only $2.00....a lot more if I bought it from Office Depot....even with hubby's discount....lol!

My new sewing table....Bryan's been looking at Joann's sewing table for me....I know have a 2x3 work surface....not a whole lot of room.....so you see the extension on the end.....loving it.....and well this was a steel too.....if I tell you the price or should I say no price you will want to say "Shut the Front Door"....hee hee!

I'm so blessed by the finds.....can't wait to get everything organized again....does that ever happen....lol!

So on to the rest of the weekend.....Friday night we went to a Middle Eastern dinner and entertainment show.....there was a magic show and live music...we had a great time.
Then Saturday morning I had a seminar on "How to Study Your Bible With Purpose"....learned so much my head is still trying to process it all....but I don't look at reading and studying the bible the same way anymore....I even got to show hubby part of the application on a couple of verses and he was WOWED!!!
Ok, so that brings us to Saturday night....attended a wonderful Christian concert by a group from the 70's called "Love Song" they were awesome!
Well, that's it for now.....off to work on the art room organization.....endless task!!

Woo Hoo lots going on....

2010-05-11T09:18:00.001-07:00

Busy, busy, busy.....yes I've been creating too....woo hoo!
I've rediscovered my paper and rubber stamps again.
I've made several cards and sent them out as RAK's (Random Acts of Kindness) to different friends who needed uplifting and they worked....I forgot how important and special a little love sent in the form of a card and mean to some people.

I've gone a step further and created this shoe for a Mother's Day gift for a friend...she loved it!
I got the inspiration from this blog...Artful Afirmations...Terri has a video tutorial on how to make this elegant shoe!

It's all created out of paper....even the rose is paper....love it!

It's hard to see on the black but there is a heal to this shoe too....oh it's not paper but a water bottle lid trimmed with ribbon and a paper circle on the bottom. One of the Sunday School teachers thought it was a magnet......not a bad idea....that will be the one I make for me!

Here's the tag I made for the inside, wrote a little note on the back and also tucked in a nice piece of chocolate for her too....a gal always needs chocolate!

Have a wonderful day!

Beautiful gift.....

2010-04-13T15:26:00.000-07:00

I sure got a mail shocker last week.....I wasn't expecting anything and when hubby brought this package to me he gave me this look like what did you order now...lol!
Well, I've been a good girl and I knew it wasn't anything I ordered so I looked and saw it was from my dear friend Janet who lives across the pond. Anything she sends I know is going to be wonderful and it is!
Janet is such an amazing sewing artist!

This is the back side so you can see they are both functional....how did she know my decor was black and red.....hee hee!
Thank you Janet, you always surprise me with such love works of art full of love!

What I've been up to.....

2010-04-13T15:03:00.000-07:00

Well, here we go again...it's been so long since I last posted....I haven't fallen off the face of the earth but I have been quite busy. Not in the creative way as of yet, but busy none the less.
First, hubby has had an exceptional amount of time off....hours cut back so he's used sick time and vacation time....nice but when he's off it's hubby time all the way! Second, our house guest has moved out and is on his own again, so I have my craft room back.
I've been cleaning and rearranging...still not finished but it's getting there. I'm thinking of putting some of my not used stuff on Ebay and putting things on Etsy too...perhaps I can set up a blog just for selling.....not sure just yet, but I'm looking forward to creating again. Take a look at the room so far, it's a lot better than it was a week ago. I have lost a chunk of space with the twin bed being in there now but I'll make it work for me....the dogs love it, they can sleep while mama is busy creating....lol!We moved a dresser in the closet so I lost a couple of carts for storage.....I guess it really is time for getting rid of some stuff. I have a big storage bin downstairs full of memory stuff to put up for sale....need to make some money to buy more stuff....ahahaha...not!

Pretty raw right now but it's getting there....by the weekend I should have all put back together and playing again!

I learned something new this weekend...

2010-03-30T12:38:00.000-07:00

I learned that my camera takes videos....go figure only had the thing 4 years...check this out my first video.....the whole family went hiking in the gully to see a waterfall....only Robin, Violet and I didn't make the clime to the waterfall....but I took this neat video....

Where has the time gone....

2010-03-22T20:41:00.000-07:00

Where has the time gone I ask......is it just me or is everyone experiencing the same thing.....the days are wizzing by so fast! I can't believe Easter is in two weeks...before you know it the kids will be out of school and summer will be here!

I do have to share a few photos of the fun day hubby and I had at the beach last week....and the lot of shells we found!

The tide was so far in almost to the road....

They had a surfing competition that day and this was the compete to see who would be in the finals that weekend!

Check out the waves....I turned around and got hit smack up the whole front of me from a nice salty wave...lol! I dried off pretty quick...sun was warm and hot that day!

Our haul of shells for the couple of hours walking on the shore....nice treasures I'd say.

We gathers some pretty amazing pieces.....a lot that we don't normally get on this side of the ocean....figured they washed in form the huge waves caused by the earthquake in Hatti. The ones in the upper left are Mother of Pearl shells....the crusty brown stuff is flaking off and revealing the beautiful luster underneath!

They will look nice a glass bowl on the fireplace or in the downstairs bathroom....perhaps both, there certainly is plenty to do both.

Enjoyed every moment!

Frustrating week.....

2010-03-12T09:35:00.000-08:00

I've had one of those weeks where no matter what you touch or what you try your hand at creating....it just turns to junk....nothing is working this week not even my puter......anyone else having the same week.....LOL!

Well it's Friday and the weekend looks promising......suppose to be sunny and warm....so looking forward to that.....spring is in the air....I saw my first humming bird yesterday....beautiful red all over and looking for food.....woo hoo!

recovering from a broken toe

2010-03-10T09:25:00.000-08:00

Who would think that breaking a baby toe could hurt so much? You realize that it does have a purpose too...lol!

Well, that's what I have been doing for the past week and a half.....that's what I get for chasing my little stubborn dog...hee hee!

I'm so over it now and ready to get going again....maybe next week I can start walking....hmmm seems like every time I set out to walk everyday that something gets in the way.

I've had fun viewing all the blogs and discovering new ones as well....lots and lots of ideas swimming in my head.....now to put them into creations is another story for another day!

Enjoy your week!

Happy March 1st

2010-03-01T16:55:00.000-08:00

ENJOY!!!

small project

2010-02-28T20:28:00.000-08:00

I came across these 4 squares of fabric while I was sewing up the quilt tops for the nursing home ministry and thought they would make nice coasters for my kitchen table.

This red fabric looks so vintage and the fancy stitching adds the perfect touch....they're just plain black on the back.

Beautiful Sunday....

2010-02-28T20:15:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone had a good day.....all is well on this side of the country....so glad no tsunami in Hawaii.

The rain stopped today and the sun was bright!

Had a bit of an accident late yesterday.....I broke my baby toe.....ouch!!!!

Earthquakes..Rain...Tsunamies

2010-02-27T14:15:00.000-08:00

What a Saturday.....woke up to rain, rain...rain all day...now there is a tsunami watch on the coast....water is receding as I'm typing.

With the 8.8 quake in Chili and 6.9 quake in Okinawa yesterday...it's not hard to believe bible prophesy!

Praying for the people in Chili as well as Haiti and Hawaii.

My grandsons best friend is living in Hawaii now so I'm a little anxious to hear from his grandma tomorrow!

Wow, I'm watching a live feed from ABC in Hawaii and it's showing lots of rock in the ocean..which means the water is receding more rapidly and a tsunami is on the way....amazing!

A day spent well....

2010-02-19T09:03:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday I went and spent the day with Robin and the two babies....Robin's mom was there visiting too....here are some pics of the drive up there and the girls....

The first few pics are of my drive up there...see the snow in the mountains....that's as close as I get anymore...lol!

This is "Big Bear" mountain....

Yes, I took these pics while I was driving

Look how green everything is!

This is another set of mountains to the right, it's a place called "Idyllwild"....artsy tourist town!

This is called "Gilmans Pass" just before I get to their house...it's beautiful!

Check out the pony tail on Clover....too darn cute!

And little Violet with her monkey hair, just like her daddy when he was her age....it's wild and sticking up all over!

Here's my baby, Aaron at about a month old....monkey hair too...tho I think my mom smoothed it down with baby oil first...she was big on putting that on his hair back in the 70's and making that peak in the middle of his head.....his first mohawk...lol!

it's out of the box.....

2010-02-19T07:42:00.000-08:00

I finally got it set up and ready for use.....my friend Terry came over and set it all up for me.....turns out it's was easy but when you don't know what your doing and it's a foreign object better let an expert do it!

It's only been over a year sitting in the box....I had to either give it away, which I tried and no taker, sell it...I offered it to my DIl's mom for $50.00 but never heard if she wanted it so I decided I guess I need to pull it out and figure out how to use it....now I've had several offers to buy it....isn't that how it goes....:-D

It came with several different feet but have no clue what they are for just yet....I need to find the video on it and watch it again....that might help....hee hee but at least I can use it now!

New family member.....

2010-02-19T07:34:00.000-08:00

I don't think I introduced you our new member of the family yet.....

Meet Sugar our new Bichon

We adopted her last Thursday and she is so adorable...she loves to be held like a baby and carried around! She puts her paws around your neck and snuggles her head right into your neck. She loves to be touched and oh I saved the best for last.....she barks like a Basset Hound....yep, she was raised with them and that's her bark....we crack up every time!

Here's the two girls getting ready for bed....Sugar has done exactly what I was hoping she would do......mellow Shayla out and as Martha would say "That's a good thing"!

Hope your day is as beautiful as these flowers are!

2010-02-16T15:47:00.001-08:00

Comfort Doll Project lives!

2010-02-10T08:21:00.000-08:00

I'm so pleased to post that the "Comfort Doll" project lives on.

Pat Winter who use to head up this project for the past couple of years has retired and passed it along to Brenda Hutchings.

Thank you Brenda for stepping up and taking on this adventure....it's a big commitment but you have a lot of supporters behind you!

If you care to contribute any dolls to this project simply click on the button on the sidebar or on Brendas name in this post and it will take you to the new blog!

Now, I can design another doll and get them ready to send on their way!

New Blogger in town.......

2010-02-09T08:29:00.000-08:00

There's a new blogger in town, Debbie and I'd like to you go visit her here....she is have a wonderful giveaway to kick off her new adventure in blog land!

So go say hi and leave a comment of support and this will enter you in the drawing!

Look at all those wonderful goodies.....enjoy the blog ride!

Alone time....

2010-02-06T20:58:00.000-08:00

Shayla and I have the house to ourselves this weekend...she's keeping mama warm at night snuggling up to my back like daddy usually does...it's better...she doesn't snore...lol!

Hubby and Broc went to the men's retreat with the church....will be back Sunday afternoon.

It has been raining all night and day....the trees love it, the flowers love it and I love it!

My friend Dalana and her two daughters came by for a visit...that was enjoyable...watched Narnia and now I'm headed to bed to watch the second Narnia "Prince Caspian"....I like this one better!

I'll share a little project with you on Monday...just in time for Valentines Day!

Have yourselves a nice Sunday!

So much catching up to do...

2010-02-05T08:49:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it's February already....where is this year going already...before you know it the holidays will be upon us again...lol...not that fast yet!

I finally found my cord for my camera so I can share some pictures....enjoy!

Above are the simple quilt tops that I sewed for the Nursing Home ministry through the Dorcus Circle at church.

This is my birthday present from Robin and Aaron...Robin hand crocheted this for me...hot pink and black...I love it..with you could see the ruffle around the edges...it's beautiful. I snuggle up with this one and the heart one Janet sent me last year...keeps me toasty warm!

I now have a nice work station down stairs...this is the sewing machine my neighbor gave me and this is where I put the quilt tops together....I found this computer desk at the Goodwill for $5.00...can't beat that price!

The above is my latest fabrics I got for projects...the first two fabrics are for my new living room curtains...they will be double sided so I can use one side all year and the other will be for Christmas as it has holly leaves on it...I designed the pattern, hubby drew it out on cardboard and I have the template....I will be working on them this weekend while hubby is on a men's retreat this weekend...the whole house to myself and of course Miss Shayla!

The next set of fabrics are for a table topper...I purchased the solid bird fabric first and then came across the panel this week at Wallmart of all places...the pictures don't do this fabric justice to the vibrancy of the colors...I'm excited to get this done too!

That's it for now....have a blessed weekend!

Just for you.....

2010-01-31T12:28:00.000-08:00

Here it is the end of January already and so much has happened and life is on a roll again.

I've got some pictures to post later today of what I've been working on an I'll share how my days are being spent....hope you all have a wonderful Sunday...enjoy the rose I picked for you today...

Blessings....

2010-01-18T13:38:00.000-08:00

Thank you everyone for your warm comments on our new addition to the family...Violet...she is a doll got to see her and hold here yesterday...here are some pics

Look at that head of hair and those long fingers....she looks just like Daddy!

While I was holding here and looking at here she made faces just like Aaron did when he was a baby...funny how moms never forget those things....what a blessing!

Thank You God for my wonderful family!

WOO HOO I'M A GRANDMA AGAIN....

2010-01-15T07:03:00.000-08:00

Welcome, Violet Rae to the family....6lbs 4oz 19 1/2" long

After almost 24 hours in the hospital, Mama and baby are doing fine....what a beautiful blessing!

Grandma again

2010-01-14T14:34:00.000-08:00

Robin went in the hospital this morning to be induced....looks like a new baby Sager to arrive soon!

A new mug rug

2010-01-12T09:21:00.000-08:00

Here's my new mug rug I made last night while waiting for hubby to get home from the "Men's Worship" night at church.

I had to retire my snowman one I made a couple of years back as a challenge on the F.A.T. group.

It's done in my fave colors, purple and the flowers are all hand crocheted....it looks lovely with my purple coffee mug sitting on it...lol!

Beautiful creations

2010-01-11T09:30:00.000-08:00

It's been a yucky week.....sick and couldn't do anything...no energy and still not over it but I'm sick of being sick...lol, ok enough complaining!

I want to show you a couple of creations my grand children made a couple of weeks a go when they spent the night.....

This is called "Beauty on the Beach"....Evelyn made this one...you can see the colored glue melted all over the piece....she has quite the imagination!

This one Caleb did and I think it's called "Warrior Man".....not sure!

I love their imaginations when putting these together....they had a ball...Papa just pulled out all the driftwood (4 boxes) and shells (8-10 boxes) and let them go! They first picked out their faces and painted them, then started to create from there.

Need some creative ideas.....

2010-01-06T11:19:00.000-08:00

If your looking for some new creative ideas, check out the tutorials I have on the sidebar....I add new ones all the time...they are quick and easy projects!

Happy creating in 2010!

Roses in January....

2010-01-05T13:23:00.000-08:00

I opened my blinds on the back porch and this is what I found....my mini rose plants are in bloom....beautiful red roses in January....can't beat that and the 70 degree weather we're having!

this is the planter full of roses....there are yellow and white rose plants in there too but not in bloom at this time....go figure .99 store plants to keep blooming all year...I love it!

New fun stuff.....

2010-01-04T19:48:00.000-08:00

This is a new tea I won at the New Years Eve party hubby and I went to....we played the game "Apples to Apples" and I won the first prize.....it's Citron Preserve tea from Korea....it's so soothing on the throat!

I was blessed by my neighbor with this sewing machine. I've been wanting a smaller light weight sewing machine that just has basic stitches on it for classes and such.....what a nice surprise!

Look at this haul....hubby came home this morning from Joann's and said they clearancing out some fat quarters at .50....well better yet they were .25 and with the Joann's employee discount...I got 80 fat quarters for $18.40....not bad!

I might have to have a giveaway here soon....I'm almost at 200 posts!

Now I'm off to make some more citron tea and snuggle on the couch....seems I'm finally getting a sinus infection or head cold...not quite sure which..but I feel real yucky!

Christmas past and A Happy New Year!!

2010-01-02T09:13:00.000-08:00

I can 't believe it 's 2010 already..... my computer has been down for the past few days so I didn't get to wish you all a Happy New Year!

I have some pictures from Christmas to share:

The scene is set....packages under the tree, fire in the fireplace and the smell of fresh coffee.....but where is everyone?

Shayla was the first to dig in....she found all her presents and enjoyed opening each one!

I think hubby liked his new lap quilt.....hee hee!

Broc liked his prezzies as well....looking stylish there bud with your new hat!

My girlfriend and her daughters surprised me with a cake and presents for my birthday....I like having cake before breakfast....especially if it Tiramisu....my fave!

Another successful Christmas....everyone enjoyed their gifts....I made Robin a quilted table runner, 8 coasters and 2 hot pads....this is the fabric I used

Of course the picture doesn't do the fabric justice, but what I did was but a thick piece of batting between the layers but before I put the back piece on I stitched along each line where there was CQ stitching...kinda like stitch in the ditch type and it made it look hand quilted....she loved it!

Aaron got a digital photo frame, which he liked as well....so hoping he didn't get one already....yeah!

Mama and babies all resting....can't believe a new grand baby in just a couple of weeks.....woo hoo!

Even Shayla has tuckerd out from all the days fun and excitement....she's all cozy in her new blanket too!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2009-12-24T14:26:00.000-08:00

Have a wonderful Christmas.....make lasting memories!

May you have Love, Joy and Peace in your hearts and in your homes!

Love and Hugs!

Noel

Winding down...

2009-12-21T07:02:00.000-08:00

Winding down with the last of the Christmas gifts today and shopping. Tomorrow is baking, cleaning and wrapping....Wednesday is meeting with some friends and Thursday will be preparing for Christmas dinner and last minute crazy forgotten things!

Enjoy the final stretch as you all prepare for Fridays Festivities!

Sending you all BIG HUGS....we all need one!

Sad News...

2009-12-16T11:10:00.000-08:00

My heart is sadden to find out that the "Comfort Doll Project" is closing!

This was not an easy decision I'm sure but life changes and as I have always believed...everything is for a season and this season is up!

I have had a vision of my own regarding something similar to this project and have prayed about it and and am leaving it in the Lords hands to open doors here in my own town.

A BIG THANK YOU to Pat, for your vision and passion for making this possible!

I consider myself truly blessed for being a part of this wonderful adventure!

Busy..busy...busy...

2009-12-13T18:11:00.000-08:00

Sewing along to Christmas music....getting things done but they are slow going...some not cooperating....but none the less moving right along and singing as I go....I can't post pics just yet....they can't be seen till Christmas for some peeps!

Hope you enjoyed your weekend and keeping busy!

HUGS!!!

The Christmas Ornie is done....

2009-12-12T12:06:00.000-08:00

She now awaits her shadow box, so she can hang on the wall.

That will be worked on later today.

I think I may just make some smaller ones next year to hang on the tree and the smallest one I can make into a pin.....I have this pattern in four different sizes this is the next to the biggest size measuring 7 x8.

The face is made out of air drying clay and painted with H2O's...I just love how they sparkle!

New project....

2009-11-28T11:02:00.000-08:00

I came across this tree that I made last year for something I don't remember but obviously it didn't happen so I thought I'd use it for something different this year......can you guess what it's going to be......let me give you a hint...I've already glued the face on it.....lol!

It's been raining all night and now it's pouring out with thunder now and then......love this weathere..don't get it too often at this time of year but it's a welcome and a good day to stay in and work on some projcets or Christmas gifts.........ONLY 27 MORE DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS FOLKS!!!!

Recooping.....

2009-11-27T15:24:00.000-08:00

We had a great Thanksgiving and birthday celebration.....

The table was set with vintage tableware passed down from Robin's Grand...the lovely lady sitting at the table....

This is a thanksgiving pumpkin I made for Robin the night before....she liked it and it goes well with her home decore.....

The birthday girl when we arrived.....she just came back from a walk.

Check out the birthday outfit....Robin and her mom made it from a onesie....too darn cute!

Look baby #2 almost here......January 27th is her due date!

A very blessed day!

Thanks and Giving Day!

2009-11-26T08:26:00.000-08:00

To everyone who celebrates Thanksgiving Day........

May your turkeys be stuffed, your potatoes and gravy have no lumps and your biscuits are plump!

Give thanks for all you have and the things you don't have!

Blessings to you and yours!

Fast little project

2009-11-23T06:29:00.000-08:00

My first attempt at making a fabric bowl.....

It turned out so darn cute....with flaws I might add but without it wouldn't be handmade...lol!

As you can see from the next two pictures it's reversible....

The finished size measures 5 1/2" across and 2" deep....cute as can be.

Total time for this project, from start to finish was about little over an hour.

I have more circles in various sizes cut out to make more....what a great gift to take to someones house for the holidays, fill it with some candy or put a small plant in it! A larger one can be used on your holiday table for warm biscuits....yum!

If your interested in making one yourself..check out the two tutorials I posted on the side bar from other blogs.

~HAPPY TURKEY WEEK~

Great Entertainment......

2009-11-23T06:05:00.000-08:00

I thought I'd share some pictures of our entertainment at our desert night.....let me introduce to you "Bing & his Maranatha band of Merry Mood Makers" quote right from the program.....

The first song was "Mele-Kalikimaka"

The second song was "Feliz-Navadad"

The next song was "Christmas in Kilarney"

And the last song we all sang "Joy To The World"

This last picture is of some of our youth girls that attended attended the celebration.....they also host three tables themselves....what a beautiful bunch of young girls who love the Lord!

Holiday Celebration pics...

2009-11-22T15:26:00.000-08:00

The first picture is our special speaker....she'e from South Africa and she shared so many wonderful details about the customs from her native land....one think I didn't know was that it's summer there on Christmas and most of the people spend it at the beach...how wonderful!
The first picture under this one is a picture of my table I hosted.
Everything on the table other than the glassware I created....the gifts were a small loaf crock with homemade Pumpkin bread and each was tied with a small stuffed stocking ornament. Also, at each place setting was a card with a different country telling of how they celebrated Christmas. I also punched out each of those snowflakes you see on the table....thought it would be a nice tough.

Sorry, that some of the pictures are blurry....I didn't take them, I had someone else do it for me but you can get the feel for each table....the theme was "Christmas Around The World"

You could theme your table for a particular country, as there was one set with a China, Aftica, Mexico, Paris theme!

We had wonderful entertainment and the deserts were grand!

I"m almost done....

2009-11-14T07:12:00.000-08:00

What a week...finished the coasters, placemats and now on to the napkins today....looking to see how to decorate the napkin rings....so much to do and lovin each minute....I always work better under pressure!

I'll have some pics to show you on Monday!

So until then......

Almost that time.....

2009-11-12T11:19:00.000-08:00

Two weeks from today is Turkey day....it's approaching fast hope everyone's preparations are going well!

It's back....

2009-11-08T18:15:00.000-08:00

I got my laptop back today....lots of pics to download and share....see you all tomorrow!

Fun night

2009-11-06T08:54:00.000-08:00

I made my first quilt top last night...well not just one but two. I didn't' bring my camera with me but next week I will...it was a simple square block and fleece backing....but I learned how to sew the rows together properly.....big accomplishment for me...lol!
I also started my placemats and coasters for the "Woman's Holiday" desert night at church on the 20th of this month...I'm hosting a table so I have to bring everything.
Pics to follow....but for today I'm off to spend it with hubby and the grand kids!
I have a very busy weekend too..."Prayer Walk" in the morning, lunch with my friend Dalana, then prepare for my Sunday School class.
Have a wonderful weekend!

Busy Blessed Week and Weekend.....

2009-11-02T13:09:00.000-08:00

I have had one of the most blessed weeks.....first a friend of mine who's grandson we have been praying for that he would turn his life over to God and get off drugs has and I got to met him and his fiance' on Wednesday.....had a great time talking, sharing and encouraging them in the Lord!
I also, got a call from hubby saying that he had Thursday off as a vacation day....wow 3 days off again together. As I was getting ready to go with hubby on Thursday to do some errands, I was digging in my drawer for some socks and put my hand on my anniversary ring I lost at the laundry place two months ago...God is so good.....how do you know it wasn't there to begin with.....let me tell you I pulled everything out and put it back piece by piece and it wasn't there.....I was in shock and started to shake...I turned around to show hubby and we both got so excited and praised the Lord for the miracle!
It gets getter.....I got a call soon after that from a friend telling me that anther lady here in the complex who was diagnosed with a second bout with cancer went to her doctor on Wednesday to find out when her treatments were to begin again and the doctor took more x-rays...only to find out that the spots were gone and she is cancer free.............another miracle and answered prayer....my God is an awesome God, who reigns from Heaven above!
Friday, went to bible study and Saturday we had the Harvest Festival...over 1,300 kids were there and it was a warm fall night.....great turn out.
Ok I'll finish now...but I could go on and on....HUGS!!

Happy Harvest/Halloween Everyone......

2009-10-31T10:20:00.000-07:00

Tonight is our Harvest Celebration at church and this is the candy that we have to give away.....60 grocery bags full...all donated by the church! We've been doing this for 25 years and it's great for the community.

Hope your day is filled with Treats!!!!

New project started....

2009-10-27T13:36:00.000-07:00

Well, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and give Crazy Quilting a try!
It's going to be a CQ book.
The white cloth on the left is actually a fabric page, it's double sided with batting in the middle and it measures aprox. 5x5, so I thought it would be a great start...not too big and not too small and it can double as a journal....on the back side of the CQ page I can write a little something!

It's been over 25 years since I attempted to do any CQ.....so if you have any suggestions please feel free to leave a comment!

I'll post a picture when finished.

Yummy treats....

2009-10-26T14:52:00.001-07:00

Thought I'd surprise my DH with a batch of bite size Hershey's Ultimate Chocolate Brownies.....they have mini Kisses and Semi Sweet Chocolate Chunks in them.......

that should keep him happy while I'm at discipleship class tonight!

Halloween Decorations....

2009-10-26T08:38:00.000-07:00

I've been enjoying other blogs that share their home holiday decorating and thought I'd share my simple home decorations with you.....mind you they are minimal...we don't go all out like we use to when the grandkids use to come over...but none the less it's nice and cozy....we live in a 2 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath, 2 car garage with a very private patio...which I enjoy every day!

This is the right side of the living room as you walk in the front door.....behind the couch is the fireplace.
The Jack pumpkins, my hubby did last year and if you look on the shelf, you can see a pumpkin luminary on the left and a ghost and pumpkin candy dish I painted on the right.

This next picture is of the downstairs bathroom door and entry way....I repainted the canvas painting...it had "Happy Haunting" on it and I wanted to be able to leave it up through Thanksgiving so I painted over the letters.....the moon I did years ago, I use to Tole paint and this is one of them....all done in a technique known as "Pen & Ink"....everything is put in with a black fine pen and then you color in with acrylic paint.

Here's a closer look.....

This is the front door....another painting a did years ago.....

Shelf on the right as you walk into the living room...if you look closely you can see another painting I did behind the pumpkin man....it's a little shack done with the "Pen & Ink" technique only this is when I switched to oil paint instead of acrylic paints....easier to work with! I also painted the scarecrow and the ghost....all done in acrylic paint.

This is the downstairs bathroom....ahahaha...I just noticed the Christmas table cloth....oh well pretty soon I won't have to worry about it....it's almost that time of year again...lol!
I did paint the pumpkins on the tin the flowers are in.

This is the dining area looking straight from the living room and just to the left is the kitchen.
The flower arrangement on the table I made years ago and the large wooden pumpkin on the table in the back I painted as well....it was suppose to be different...each panel was to have a halloween scene on them but it was tooo much work so I decided to just paint it orange.

Hope you enjoyed my little modest decorations!

Hello.......

2009-10-23T07:53:00.000-07:00

It's Friday and my honey has two days off so I'm going to leave you with a poem by Helen Steiner Rice

Someone Cares
Someone cares and always will,
The world forgets but God loves you still,
You cannot go beyond His love
No matter what you're guilty of-
For God forgives until the end,
He is your faithful, loyal friend,
And though you try to hind your face
There is no shelter any place
That can escape His watchful eye,
For on the earth and in the sky
He's ever present and always there
To take you in His tender care
And bind the wounds and mend the breaks
When all the world around forsakes.....
Someone cares and loves you still
And God is the someone who always will.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Busy day.....

2009-10-22T22:43:00.000-07:00

I tried to post this last night but Blogger wouldn't let it post so here it is a day late.....
This morning took hubby to the dentist to have a crown and an abscessed, cracked tooth removed...he's been on antibiotics for the past 1o days...poor baby...they had to dig out the roots.....what a trooper he went to work and is doing well.....should be home soon!

On Tuesday, I received this lovely birds nest necklace in the mail from a sweet friend Maggie....

Dolls shipped....

2009-10-21T14:30:00.000-07:00

This batch of comfort dolls are finished, prayed over and on their way to Pat Winter as we speak.

As you can see I made the faces work....all I did was pull out my nifty drafting stencil and make the circles smaller and they fit.....easy peasy!

Quiet Sunday....

2009-10-18T16:31:00.001-07:00

I'm loving the quiet today.....Sunday School was good.....the story was on John the Baptist baptizing Jesus....then they say a movie on it so they got the visual effect with the story!

Bryan's working and I'm catching up on blogs and facebook posts.
Getting ready to put jammies on, make a pot of hot tea, put on a movie and curl up with Shayla on the couch and wait for papa to come home!

First I want to show you what I made the other day....
I made little mummy pumpkins....not my idea...I saw a big one done like it at Michaels the other week and picked up a couple of small ones to try on my own....

I made two and gave one to my neighbor.....she loved it!

Fab Frday.....

2009-10-17T12:05:00.001-07:00

Friday was a wonderful day.....first I had lunch with a couple of friends.....catch up on each others lives before Ida leaves for 3 months to Australia!
It's great to sit and talk, laugh and share!

When I got home my friend, Dalana called and said she got off work early and was on her way over for a quick visit...we've both been so busy lately we haven't had a chance to sit and chat either....so while I was waiting I got to talk to my granddaughter Evelyn, my grandson Caleb and got to hear Clover crying in the phone.....she was not have a good moment...lol!
My grandson and I talked Bible for about 45 minutes........his mind is so curious and wants to know so much....what a blessed time...one I cherish!

Have a great weekend!

Offline for a couple of days...

2009-10-14T20:07:00.000-07:00

Hubby's taking my laptop into work tomorrow to practice how to run a pc check on it....I've been saving files to my external hard drive for a couple of hours...now ready to save my favorites list...I can't loose that...lol!
Be Back soon!

Beautiful gift....

2009-10-14T14:24:00.000-07:00

My friend Charris gifted me with this beautiful glass beaded bracelet this weekend...I love it!

Almost ready to go....

2009-10-13T09:19:00.000-07:00

It rained all night and it's still drizzling...woo hoo...no sun and damp...not good for the joints but I
got the fabric stamped, cut out and sewn on the comfort dolls...now all I need to do is sew on the metal hearts and they are ready to go.....progress.....gotta love it! I'll finish tonight and post a pic before I send them on to Pat...but first I must get ready to go to the dentist....yuck!

May your day be filled with many blessings from our heavenly Father!

Old project....New project

2009-10-10T16:13:00.000-07:00

I was going through the art room last week and came across this project I did a couple of years ago.....I've never used it....I think I set it aside to give away as a gift and never did......so out it came and soon to be used.

If your wondering what it is....it's a birthday book and it fits in the tin with cards....clever idea!

This is what the inside looks like....it has the old library cards for each month that you date stamp with the persons name. Each cards has a folded ribbon stapled to it for easy pull out!

Here are the dividers that go inside so you can put the number of cards needed for each birthday that month.

Here are some cards that I've made that I put inside....looks like I will need to make more stamps if I'm going to use my little birthday tin!

Now, that is the old project and here's my idea for a new one....I found an extra tin tucked away on a shelf and using the divider idea what about a recipe box?
Any suggestions????

Busy day.....

2009-10-10T08:26:00.000-07:00

I was going through my stash of fabric and found these chicken prints....what do you know...the colors match my kitchen....also my dil's mom loves chickens too....hmmmmm...maybe she would like a wall hanging for her kitchen too!

These prints are for coasters she asked me to make for her....she just moved into a new house last week and won't they be a nice house warming gift.

This fabric came from M & L Fabrics warehouse in Cerittos....can you guess what they are for....no...it's going to be a pillowcase for Bryan....he love Santas and last year for Christmas I made him one using the same Santa face fabric only it has a red background and this is black!

This fabric is for my fall placemats....both came from JoAnn's. This picture doesn't do them justice....they have beautiful lush autumn colors with a bit of gold throughout....the bottom piece already has the panels on there so not much guess work on my part....guess the side pieces will become coasters....oh I like that idea.
If your asking why so many coasters....that's because I have a glass table top and they are a must...besides they are a nice accent with the placemats!

Yesterday was 50% off at JoAnn's and I bought this charm pack to make what else...coasters.
Sorry the pic is so dark...the colors are pink and brown...with 10 different designs..3 each design...so that's 15 coasters.
I have a box of coasters that I've made for gifts. I tie 4 with a ribbon and when I visit friends , I'll grab one or two sets put in a nice little bag with note card and off I go!

Looks like I will be a busy sewer this week and this is only some of the projects that need to be completed.

Wonderful mail while on vacation.....

2009-10-05T22:52:00.000-07:00

I received two packages last week while I was on vacation and they were both filled with wonderful surprises.
The first one was from my dear friend Janet, in England. This was her first beaded doll and from what she said her last....it's not her thing.....I don't know why...it's so beautifully done and it certainly doesn't look like a first timer did this work!

I'm so amazed every time I pick her up and look at her....Janet...I'm honored to have her....she now hangs from a shelf right above my computer desk so I can admire her every day!!

This is the piece of fabric the doll was wrapped in....oh, I have ideas for this.....castles in the clouds.....fun fabric!

I've already put this lovely to use...it goes with me every where....fits a small not pad and pen as well as a few other goodies....a perfect little quilted bag for tucking in those little projects while at the doctors office or for a ride in the car.....love it!!
Check out Janet's blog for more of these cute bags!

Now for the tear jerker gift......this is Janet's specialty.....her fabric post cards....this is an album of them with pictures from my blog.....these are just a few of them! Each one is in a clear plastic photo holder and on the back of each fabric postcard she has written something about each one.
I can't even express how in awe I am at this beautiful memorable work of art!!

My mom and dad's wedding picture

My Mom when she was in her 2o's

Clover blowing kisses

Evelyn and Clover

Caleb's water Baptism

the last page in the album.....beautiful!!

The following gifts are from Carol....she is a new online friend....I sent her some comfort dolls and patterns and as a thank you she sent me these gifts.

This is a healing doll that Carol makes....the bottom is home grown lavender that she grows herself.....she smells wonderful! I haven't named her but she too hangs from the shelf above my computer table! Carol also tucked in a large sprig of lavender to boot....I may have to stuff a small doll with it and hang it in my car....I love the smell of lavender!!

This lovely work of art is a magnet that is hand painted by a friend of Carols.....it's painted on a piece of shale....this picture doesn't do it justice! It's now on my refrigerator for everyone to see and admire!

I'm am truly blessed by these generous ladies.....thank you for

your beautiful gifts!

Somewhere over the rainbow.....

2009-10-03T09:15:00.001-07:00

The other day out of the blue we had a bit of a fall sprinkle.....hubby came rushing through the door and said "Honey you have to come and see this....it's a double rainbow!

You can barely make it out but just above this one is the remains of another one...by the time I went back in to get my camera it was pretty much gone.....it was a lovely sight!

My condo is the one on the left the picture below

These next two pictures are breathtaking....they are the final glimmers of the sun setting for the day.......what magnificent blend of colors!!

What a perfect ending to a wonderful day!

Last bloom of the year......

2009-10-03T08:50:00.000-07:00

What a beautiful way to start the week off......this lovely bird of paradise plant sits just outside my garage door....lovely!

Back from vacation.....

2009-10-02T18:20:00.000-07:00

Oh I'm a bad girl...I forgot to post that I was going on vacation for a week+.....but I'm back and have lots to share!
I've missed being on the computer and visiting my blog friends....lots to catch up on!
There just isn't enough hours in a day to get all the things done that need to be done...oh well there's always tomorrow or not.

Oxymorons....

2009-09-21T14:08:00.000-07:00

I'm sure you all know what an oxymoron is......those terms that are

self-contradicting like......

Jumbo shrimp
Freezer burn
Genuine imitation
Deafening silence

Well here's one that I read today that really gripped or should I say, more like stabbed my heart.....

Unforgiving Christian

God's word says if you don't forgive others then your heavenly Father will not forgive you!

I'll be honest, it's a struggle for me......sometimes I don't want to forgive the other person....but I know I have to or I won't be forgiven for the hurts I've caused others. I don't intentionally set out to hurt someone but sometimes the way I say things or react to others have hurt them and/or myself.

It's only by His strength and His power that I am able to do this!

So the word for this week is "FORGIVE"!

Just a friendly reminder......

2009-09-21T11:24:00.000-07:00

Three months from Friday........
ahaahaa...oh, I mean hohohohohohoho

Busy day...

2009-09-21T11:02:00.001-07:00

Today is a day to complete things I've put off for.....oh gosh like days/weeks...any one else like that or am I in this boat alone......ahaha...I don't' think so.

I'm writing a letter for a class action lawsuit against T-Mobile for charging for early termination fees....against the law as of last year!

Cancel an automatic deduction for an orphanage in South America and putting the money somewhere else....things like that!

Almost finished.....but I had to take time to post to my blog....and visit some of my favorite blogs as well....I don't always post on them but I visit regularly...gotta keep up on them as well as facebook....that's a subject all in itself.....lol!

Next I'm off to the post office, pay a couple of bills and then gather my things for class tonight!

Happy Monday to you all!

Woo Hoo it's finished....

2009-09-21T10:51:00.000-07:00

Friday I finished the freefrom beaded bracelet I started for my DIL's mom.

I started this quite a while ago but my muse took a vacation and I couldn't get motivated to finish it....so I forced myself to sit on Friday and do it! I'm glad I did...it turned out better then the pictures look.
I was so hoping to do one in another color but she wanted green just like my first one I did...this one is not as wide...mine is more like a cuff this is more like a bracelet...just need to put a big snap on it and off it goes.

I think my next one will be in blues...to go with my blue jeans...my basic attire...lol!

Heart broken.....

2009-09-13T18:03:00.000-07:00

I lost my gold diamond 10 year anniversary ring.....it's gone.....it was in one of my robe pockets and we did laundry on Tuesday...discovered it missing on Wednesday, went back.....not there, nor did anyone turn it in.
I remember so clearly the last time I had it and I told myself that I had to remember to take it out of my pocket and put it on my dresser in the spot were it belongs....I didn't!
Told hubby and he was more concern about me then the ring.....I love him for that!
I've prayed that God would let me find it but if not someone needed it more than me....you just never now!

Productive time and not.....

2009-09-13T17:52:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I forgot to post the picture of the faces I stamped on the last post....that's me...so here they are....now all painted and cut out...that was productive......BUT.......

now they don't fit the doll forms.....just slightly tooo big....unproductive side to it!
Oh well...back to the sewing machine to make slightly larger forms to fit the faces or come up with a different face????

Faces....

2009-09-10T08:44:00.000-07:00

I managed to stamp out the faces for the comfort dolls...now to paint them with watercolor pencils, attach them to the dolls, embellish and send them on their way.....wow, now that I see it in print....I still have a lot to do.......better get myself in gear.....see you all later.
Hope your all have a productive day!

New discoveries....

2009-09-09T12:25:00.000-07:00

The weather has broken....no more temps in the 100's....well, at least for a few days that is.

I took advantage of the cool weather on Labor Day and decided to clean the upstairs....found my old hp photo scanner....only 6 years old and never used......what can I say...I'm electronic challenged.
I pulled out the disc to install it on my laptop and it said only compatible with Windows XP....I have Vista.....no compatible......:(
I didn't stop there tho....I tried three times to install it and on the third time it worked.....after a short prayer....hee hee!
I then scanned in over 200 photos....some so old the photos were fading...from the Polaroid era...some of you remember those days....lol!
It was great....about a week ago I decided to go through the couple of boxes....we're talking under the bed storage boxes full of photos and condense them down...how many of you have tons of photos like me....come on tell the truth?
Anyways I narrowed it down to one of these boxes and then had hubby sit down the other night and go through them again to narrow even more....we did...now I only have three plastic shoe boxes full of photos....soon to be down to two....whoo hoo!!
Now to figure out how to burn them on Cd's.....another electronic challenge for another day!!

I'll leave you with a pic of Fred and Wilma!!

Comfort.....

2009-09-05T20:42:00.000-07:00

What do you think of when I say the word "comfort"?
To me I think of a nice warm blanked when I'm cold....a gentile squeeze of my hand from my hubby, of a smile from a friend, a hot cup of orange spice tea on a cold day or a good bowl of soup...I could go on and on....but do you think of a doll????

I just read an email from a sweet online friend of mine in Arizona. We haven't spoken in a while. She wanted to see how I was doing and to let me know that she was sending a comfort doll that I had sent her to a gal in Georgia, who has cancer along with other infirmities. I was pleased and sad at the same time for this woman and it got me to remembering a similar instance with another friend just last year.

A friend from the doll club I was attending last year had a friend who she had not spoken to in a while and when she had she found out that she was dying of cancer so she asked me if she could buy one of my comfort dolls so she could send it to her friend.....well, I said no, but that I would send the doll directly to this lady along with a card in her name and a little story about the doll.
Pat, later told me that her friend just loved the doll and it never left her until she died shortly afterward.....her daughter now has the doll!

I now think of my little hand held dolls as comfort!!! They are made with love, packed with hugs and prayed over before they leave, whether going to Pat Winter's Comfort Doll project, a special friend or to a complete stranger!

When I was making the latest batch of dolls, you can see them in an earlier post, I asked the Lord to bless me with a ministry using these dolls for His glory....so we will see if it's His will for me to do so, but in the mean time I will keep making them and giving them away to whoever needs one!

Holiday Wishes......

2009-09-04T19:55:00.000-07:00

May you all have a safe fun holiday weekend shared with family and friends!

I'm wilted.....

2009-09-04T19:40:00.000-07:00

I don't know about the rest of the country but it's been so darn HOT here the past two weeks....in the 100's!
Not complaining too much, cuz you know what's just around the corner.....that I'm looking forward to!
I did manage to get some fabric coasters made this week! The upper left and the lower right are a set of eight and the other two are a set of four!

I have one other set to make for my dil's mother....she likes roosters and then I can get started on the setting of eight, placemats, napkins coasters, for the Ladies Christmas luncheon that will be here in a couple of months.
I'm excited that I can participate in hosting a table this year!

Not a wasted week.....

2009-08-28T15:15:00.001-07:00

I'm so glad I was able to accomplish making, sewing and stuffing these dolls this week. If your wondering what they're for....they are the new bunch of Comfort Dolls that will be going to Pat Winter in September....well, at least a dozen of them will be going!

I like to keep some on hand to give away as gifts when someone needs a hug!

PS....in case you may not know it....... less then 4 months and it's Christmas!!!!!

A new venture.....

2009-08-28T15:05:00.001-07:00

I jumped in head first....I'm now on Facebook....yep, I know...what am I thinking...another thing to keep up with....but I like it!

I like the fact that I can keep up with the family clear across the country without being on the phone.....I'm not a phone person...never was!

Also, there are a lot of people from church on there and I don't always get a chance to chat with them and keep up on their lives with us having three different services....it's great!

So, if your on facebook, let's be friends!!

I'm getting so bad at posting.....

2009-08-17T21:40:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's been so long since I last posted AGAIN!!!!

Oh, that sounds too much like my Catholic school days of confession......LOL!

Anyways, it's been a very busy summer with so much going on and now that summer is almost over.....back to classes and bible study.....yippee!

I did manage to bead a new fish.....I think my fish are swimming away....I had over 20 but last count I only have 18 now.......hopefully they found a good home to stay in.....well here is my latest addition!

I made this one a little fatter then the others....instead of starting with 16 or 18 beads, I used 36 beads to start with. It makes a much bigger belly...I used sequins on the tail this time....it gives it a different look. The actual color of the fish is a pinkish brown color!

I also made this cap....what ya think...not bat for a baby hat!

Well, that's it for now.....I do have to get a move on the design for the next set of "Comfort Dolls" that I'll be sending out the end of September!

Finished up a week of VBS!!

2009-08-03T21:47:00.001-07:00

My first time with VBS....Vacation Bible School...school no way...it was way more fun then a barrel of monkeys I'd say.......yet exhausting!!!

This is what I did all last week...Monday - Friday from 5 pm to 9pm!

The picture below was my crew....there's me, Brianna, Lissette, Andres, Jazmin and Collin, in the front...I had a good crew!

The theme was called "Crocodile Dock." This was our Swamp Stomp and Firefly Finale...all that means is we started in this room with singing, learning about God and we ended in this room every night with singing and reviewing what we learned!

There were Gator Games, Bible Bayou, Crawfish Crafts, Dockside Drive-In and Snack Shack....I couldn't believe how much fun this was!
This picture below was on the last night in Bible Bayou...it was the parting of the Red Sea by Moses.....they did a great job they had water sounds, fans to move the plastic with the fish and oh yeah....they squirted us with water as we passed by.....somehow I don't thing the Israelites were laughing like we did when they actually went through the water...but then again it was VBS!!!

Looks like I will be signing up again for another adventure of VBS next year!

More fun time....

2009-08-03T21:22:00.000-07:00

Saturday, the day after Comic Con, DH and I went up to spend the day with the Aaron, Robin and Clover! We haven't seen them in awhile do it was fun!

I can't believe she is pulling herself up on her feet and she's cutting two teeth....oh how time flies!

Little miss independent....picking up her cookies and eating them all on her own!!!

She does that so well...even with her eyes closed.....:)
All tuckered out from too much fun!!
What a sweetheart!!

My Hero!!!

2009-08-03T14:07:00.000-07:00

My HERO.....hee hee!

These pictures I took while I was driving home and leaving downtown....have to drive down Harbor Blvd...this was a cruse ship in dock....wow it's a big one!!
Hmmmmm....I wonder if they are here for the Comic Con show...LOL!!!

I see the "Star of India" ship was in port too!
This one I snuck in as I was waiting for the airport traffic to get through the light so I could make my turn to get on the freeway and go home!!
This is the harbor in front of Lindbergh Field, downtown.

What a beautiful view!

Sorry it's been so long.....have lots to share!!!!

2009-08-03T12:59:00.000-07:00

Oh there is so much to share with you...it's been a very busy couple of weeks!

I'll start with the Comic Con pics....here's where it started, downtown San Diego.

I'm on top of the Hilton Hotel just across the street....my sweet friend Dalana, works there and she was the one who got us our free tickets!!

The pictures below I took during our lunch break...if you look through the psalm trees you can see the Coronado bridge. Just to the left of this picture is the Hard Rock Cafe...it was packed.

The pic below is Bryan, there were lots of street vendors promoting something or another....hmmmm I wonder what that character gave him now...lol!

Oh he's looking at us, I better not throw away what he gave Bryan....

Lots and lots of people dressed up for the show!

This picture below was a chalk drawing for a new picture by Disney...it's going to be their version of Men in Black only more geared for kids....see the hand at the bottom right.....weird!

Ok, now the rest are from the show itself....big Star Wars promotion going on...I won't bore you with all the pics just a few....my grandson Caleb loves Star Wars!!

This is one of the "Transformer" robots for the movie....
And as you can see plenty more people in dress....

This is Bryan next to a wax figure of Wolverine....pretty cool!

It was the promotion of the new LA Wax Museum figures on display!

Well, that's all....it was an experience but one I don't care to do again!

I was never one to get into comics and besides the comics that they have out now are so DARK, GRUESOME, AND PORNOGRAPHIC!

This is definitely not a place I would bring children, but there were a lot there!

In the main hall, I was shocked to see all the disgusting display of filth that is out there for kids and adults to view and read!

There was one table called "Suicide Girls".....need I say more!

It really opened my eyes to a whole dark world I never knew existed anymore!!

Some of these people really get into the lives in these comics....they live it out....how sad is that!!

I'll tell you what....give me a good bible hero any day...at least I know they were real and a good example to live by!!

Are you ready.....

2009-07-21T11:19:00.001-07:00

Did you know that the solar eclipse that will take place tomorrow....visible only in India, China....is the second in a set of three eclipses to take place in on month.....the first was July 7, lunar eclipse, the one tomorrow, solar eclipse and on August 6, another lunar eclipse.....interesting!

It will be the longest one in this century.....it will not happen again until 2132.....now that's a long time!

It will be interesting to see just what, if anything happens...they are predicting earthquakes and perhaps volcano's erupting...but again we will see!

Look what I received.....

2009-07-21T10:48:00.000-07:00

Bryan and I were gifted a couple of tickets to the Comic Con show this weekend....never been but I'm sure it will be interesting.

From what I've been told it's not just comics...the tv and movie studios are there as well...If anything, we'll have lots of laughs at people watching.....I'll take lots of pics to post and share with you this weekend!

OH IT"S HOT....HOT....HOT!!!!

2009-07-20T11:35:00.000-07:00

It's been in the 100's the past month and it's getting to me......how's the rest of the country fairing this weather.....are you all HOT too?

Hope you're all staying cool....I think today I'll just have to jump in the pool now that it's been redone!!

This is a sunset at the North Pole.....looks good but way to cold...I'll stick with my heat....LOL!!!!

A Saturday Drive.....

2009-07-12T17:04:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd share our Saturday drive down the coast.....the first pic is the beach scene as we are driving from Carlsbad down the 101 to Leucadia.....yes I snapped this pic as I was driving....Bryan reminds me of my dad when taking pics it takes forever and you done passed the point before he snaps....hee hee!!

The next three we arrive at our favorite spot, Pannikin to have coffee for Bryan, Tea for me and a piece of pastry.....they always have the best homemade pies and pastries around.....

This is the coaster going by across the street as we sit and enjoy the scenery....

The picture below I took as we were walking back to our car...they are stamped into the sidewalk every few feet.....cool!
This we are on our way back down the coast....more pics taken while I was driving......bad me I know!!! I just wanted you to see what I see as I'm driving.

This pic is what you see as you are coming around a bin.....nice view even if they are a bit blurry....lol!

That's it....we didn't go to the beach today and walk around....we didn't have time we just snuck away for an hour or so to get coffee.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!!!

Progress....

2009-07-10T08:12:00.001-07:00

Here's a progress photo of the freeform bracelet I'm making...I start at one end work some and then start the other end...work some and then join the two together.....this pic is not great but you get the jist....I should have it finished by this weekend....perhaps tonight!!

Stay tuned for the finished piece.....now what's next...hmmmm?

Have a blessed day!!!

Newest project....

2009-07-09T09:54:00.001-07:00

This is the latest project that I started a week ago...it's another freefrom bracelet.....this is no for me, it's for my DIL's mother....Dawn!

She say mine at my son's graduation party and she asked for it in greens.....it's not quite as wide as mine but then again I'm not finished....I start with basic peyote stitch for the clasp area....which I will put a snap on it when finished, then build from there.....I'm liking how this one is starting out so far.....more progress pics to come....who knows, the next one may be it completed.....since I quit my job, I have some more free time.....woo hoo!!

Please click on it to get a closer look at it!!

Don't Look Back......

2009-07-06T16:37:00.000-07:00

That was the theme of our Woman's Retreat last weekend....Oh what a great time we all had....this is our guest speaker, Cathy Dickinson, she's the Pastors wife of Calvary El Cajon......my head is still swimming from her wonderful teachings........

These next three pictures are of the view from outside our room....there were six women to a room....great fun....I enjoyed sitting outside at night watching the ducks swim all around the pond!

The next two pictures are pics of different hot springs you pass as you walk along the paths to get to the meeting room......it was way too hot for me!! Some even had steam rising off them.....the Sunday we left it was 105 degrees there.........the evenings didn't cool down much either......

There was a nice size swimming pool and a spa pool...most of the ladies went in those.....the water left your skin so soft....love those minerals...but stinky...LOL!

I thought this rock was great.....it was along the path as well.....just to remind you to smile I guess.....

This was a water fall.....the dove is the symbol of all Calvary churches and I think that's a hot spring as well....there were so many of them tucked in here and there along the paths and up the hills as well....
This is the beach were the duck like to gather.....again it's right off the path too......

Well that's it for pics....it was a wonderful weekend....great worship, teaching and fellowship!!!

Happy 4th Weekend......

2009-07-05T07:25:00.000-07:00

Celebration of our "Freedom" should be celebrated every day and not just once a year...........SO HAPPY 4TH AND THE REST OF 2009!!!!!

I have so much to catch up on here.....I'll be back after church to post pics and tell you what's been happening.

My First Day of Work......

2009-06-22T17:14:00.000-07:00

Oh, my first day of work. It's a very interesting job!

It's called "The Organizers" and we are an accounting company that handles the financial payments for those on SSI (Social Security) and SSA (Disability), who have mental handicaps in one way or another!

There is a high volume of calls and they are very, very interesting...so I got a good taste of what I am up against day to day!

The gals are all wonderful and it's a good place to work!

So I'm there to stay as long as the Lord wants me!!

As, Janet commented, I probably will have less time to chat....not so...I went through internet withdrawals today......I couldn't' want to get home to check emails and update my blog to let you all know what's going on......thank you all for your well wishes!!!

I Got The Job!!!!!

2009-06-21T15:44:00.000-07:00

Not quite 9 to 5 but close.......I start Monday and I work 9 to 4 Monday through Thursday and I have Fridays off.....woooo hooo three day weekend!!

Also, I can dress in jeans....I will have more to tell you after I start!

This truly was a job dropped from heaven!!!

I'm off for an interview.....

2009-06-18T07:59:00.000-07:00

I have an interview this morning. Just popped in to say Hi and wish you all a wonderful Thursday....tomorrow starts the weekend....woo hoo!

I'll tell you all about this job when I get back later today!

What a view.....

2009-06-14T19:08:00.000-07:00

When I opened my back patio window yesterday, this is what I saw.........

I laughed so hard, I called Bryan to come and see this too....we both laughed!
Looks like the doll had a hard week and needed a rest......LOL!

It reminded me to rest....so I did today. After I came home from Sunday School at 2 pm...I had a little lunch talked about the morning with Broc and then Shayla and I trotted upstairs and took an almost three hour nap........oh that felt good!!!!

Hope your weekend was a good one, filled with many adventures!

A New Blessing......

2009-06-13T19:04:00.000-07:00

Congratulations Aaron and Robin, we share in your happy news and may the Lord keep you and bless you with another healthy baby!

I can't wait to hear how Caleb and Evelyn take the news....I know they are going to be just as excited as we are!!

Call for Artists.....

2009-06-12T12:45:00.000-07:00

Are you ready for Part II....Monica Magness is at it again, another Pink Artist Drawing. Any of you not familiar with the Pink Artist project from last year go head over to Monica's blog and check it out.

It was a blessing to be able to participate in that project and I signed up to participate again this year.

If you want to get involved and be a participant click on the button to the right or on Monica's name above and it will take you to her blog.

All the proceeds go to breast cancer research.

I can't wait to see who donates what....I have a few ideas swimming around in my head.

Also, I have to say that Sandy over at Art Tea Life designed the graphic button for part 2........big thanks to Sandy for a great job.