BELIEVE

THANKS

2010-02-25T14:26:00.004-07:00

I recently submitted our Thank you picture to the Gratitude Project and wanted to share our experience. My daughter had a slumber party for her 8th Birthday. So we had all the kids and their friends make our letters and we headed to the park for a photos shoot. I am pleased that the kids were all so excited to be a part of this, it is important that they support the soldiers, even if they don't understand or support the war. We had a lot of re-takes, keeping 6 kids in sync for a picture is harder than you think. I think it turned out nice and the kids were having fun, being silly. I know we are part of something much bigger and that makes me feel good! Please show your support anyway you can too. It will bring happiness to you and the soldiers!
February 13th, 2010 Eve, Devon, Lorraine, Max, Kaitlyn and Zane.

Thank a Soldier

2010-01-24T11:24:00.006-07:00

Today I want to post about something that is dear to my heart...Thank A Soldier. There are many different opinions about war and people's beliefs during wartime, but no matter what your feelings are about war & wartime one thing must ALWAYS be clear, your support for the troops. This is not just for the soldiers of the USA, but ALL soldiers in every country. The least we can do as civilians and as kindred spirits is show our appreciation for the soldiers that give up their freedoms for ours. They are doing a campaign right now through the 28th of February to memorialize our thank you's called the The Gratitude Project.

If you have a moment stop by and show your support, maybe even submit a photo, just let them know they are not forgotten or condemned for what they do, but praised for their courage and thanked for the sacrifices.

If you think you'll make a difference and Thank a Soldier let me know, I am interested in your entries and unique ways we can come up with to thank them. I will be posting my submission soon, stay tuned...

GO...BE...CREATE...BELIEVE!!!

2010-01-23T11:17:00.009-07:00

So I 've been feeling like lately I have no *purpose*...what will I bring to this life...leave this life when I am gone?

Yes, I have 4 beautiful children that I have instilled with love, compassion, empathy and good morals that we pray, will give them all a purposeful life!

But as a single person, WHAT am I going to do that is Spectacular, Phenomenal, Fabulous?!?

I have dreams of becoming an accomplished artist and be well known in the Arts community, but is it enough? Is what I create the things that people want? Is how I feel about art how they will feel about it? I often have the horrible *what if's* in my head that are always negative and make me second guess my work...I'm not good enough to BE an artist!

I find myself always derailing my create time by puttering in the studio, organizing and re-organizing ribbons and papers and stickers and such...only to sabotage my time so I won't create, then I feel guilty for NOT creating, WHY do I do this???

So as fate would have it...blog hopping I came across this awesome video at Whatever, the fun and very colorful blog I now love.

I think it's a sign...I will get over my issues and CREATE art, but more importantly, I will BELIEVE it is worth it! And as for my purpose, well right now my purpose it to make MYSELF happy...then maybe I can make others happy. I'll keep dreaming of that famous Artist I want to become...but first, I need to take baby steps...won't you baby step with me?

If any of you have had struggles and triumphs to achieve with your art, please share the love, I have a felling a LOT of us have the terrible *What if's* that keep us from our creating!

GO...BE...CREATE...BELIEVE!!!

~a peek at my ever changing studio~

p.s. I was looking for the *What ifs* poem and found this on youtube, Shel wrote *Boy named Sue* for Johnny Cash, they sing a cute duet and Shel sings a song about a father and a son.

Birthdays ROCK!!!

2009-12-18T14:14:00.006-07:00

I have so much I wanna share...first, I celebrated my 29th Birthday (for the 9th time) on Wednesday and was so overwhelmed by my family & friends...they all made me feel sooo special. I got everything that I wished for...

Gwen Stefani's perfume Harajuku Lovers *G*

Ooo and the website is fun too..go play!

She looks so cute in my perfume bottle collection...I'll post pics later after I dust o_O

These Adorable deer earrings from BeeLoveLee.

She has sooo many cute lil bags, I'm especially fond of the hedgehog on the faux boiu background...

too cute!!!

Thanx for making me feel like a PRINCESS!

*kisses*

...the lucky 3...

2009-10-24T23:00:00.007-07:00

It is time to draw are 3 lucky winners for the Halloween giveaways...yeah!!!

I rounded up a few of the usual suspects...but wait, they don't seem very menacing...

ahhh...that's better...now let's set the mood...

...What a host of gloomy recollections will ever and anon be awakened in the mind of genius and imaginative contemplation, especially of a genius doomed to the everlasting and eternal, and continual, and, as one might say, the -continued -yes, the continued and continuous, bitter, harassing, disturbing, and, if I may be allowed the expression, the very disturbing influence of the serene, and godlike, and heavenly, and exalted, and elevated, and purifying effect of what may be rightly termed the most enviable, the most truly enviable -nay! the most benignly beautiful, the most deliciously ethereal, and, as it were, the most pretty (if I may use so bold an expression) thing (pardon me, gentle reader!) in the world -but I am always led away by my feelings. In such a mind, I repeat, what a host of recollections are stirred up by a trifle!... Excerpt from A Predicament ~Edgar Allan Poe (to continue reading go here).
...enough stalling...head roll please (get it, head roll instead of drum roll)...

The owl earrings go to Jaime from A Forest Frolic...thanx for the twitter follow, by the way, ❤❤❤love your stuff ❤❤❤

my little goblin reaches in for lucky #2...

...and the Batty necklace goes to Kristal @ Bella Grace!!!

reaching in for lucky #3...

the cat ornament goes to PIXIE
I'm glad I got your name off the tag before it caught on fire!!!

So there are the lucky 3...thanx ladies...I hope you like your goodies!!!

A Fanciful Twist Halloween party...

2009-10-17T12:31:00.015-07:00

~~~I've had lots of comments on the skeleton riding the bicycle, the cemetery, the spiderwebs and this creepy critter living in the webs.
They are pictures from a Halloween Train ride in Nevada City, CA. We have family in Northern California and went there a few years back. It is a fun ride, if your in the area, check it out...It's spooktacular~~~

***all other pics are from our house, or past Halloweens***

Greetings fellow trickters...

I am a bit late to the party, blame the evil Strept O. Coccus

He does look quite menacing huh?!? I will not surrender, I have a party to attend {cough cough}

A windy tale
the west winds blow,
in this heat of hell
no one would know,
the wicked hour
be upon us soon
in 13 risings, 13 moons
we will be witches
and pirates
and sinners
and saints,
too bad 'tis only for one day!

~the Wicked Witch Rowan Willow

{me, Max & Eve}

{Eve, Zane & Max}

{SpiderMax}
...you're never too old to dress up...

{Paige}

~The tragedy of Macbeth~

Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn, and cauldron bubble.

Round about the cauldron go;
In the poison'd entrails throw.
Toad, that under cold stone
Days and nights has thirty-one
Swelter'd venom sleeping got,
Boil thou first i' the charmed pot.

Fillet of a fenny snake,
In the cauldron boil and bake;
Eye of newt and toe of frog,
Wool of bat and tongue of dog,
Adder's fork and blind-worm's sting,
Lizard's leg and owlet's wing,
For a charm of powerful trouble,
Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.

Scale of dragon, tooth of wolf,
Witches' mummy, maw and gulf
Of the ravin'd salt-sea shark,
Root of hemlock digg'd i' the dark,
Liver of blaspheming Jew,
Gall of goat, and slips of yew
Silver'd in the moon's eclipse,

Nose of Turk and Tartar's lips,
Finger of birth-strangled babe
Ditch-deliver'd by a drab,
Make the gruel thick and slab:
Add thereto a tiger's chaudron,
For the ingredients of our cauldron.

~play by William Shakespeare~
~photos by Rowan Willow~

In celebration of the most wonderful holiday Halloween, I am having 3 giveaways. All are handmade by me.

An adorable pair of owl earrings...
\

A Batty necklace...

and a Cat ornament...
{very hard to get a pic of}

All you have to do is add a comment to this post.
If you would like a second chance to win, you can follow me on twitter, then tweet the giveaway on your twitter.
If you like your odds to be even better you can sign up for my mailing list, just send me an email at taleah@me.com with your info and keep your eyes out for specials coming in the near future.

I will pick the winners next Sat. the 24th so you can wear your festive jewelry on Halloween.

Make sure to check back soon...
I will be posting more pictures of my Haunted House...
but first, I must battle this infection...before I end up like him!!!

Tea Party with Alice and the Mad Hatter!

2009-09-18T10:17:00.010-07:00

I am so excited...the High School where my oldest daughter was inducted into the Thespian Society is performing one of our favorites Alice in Wonderland!

We have also been invited to attend a special tea party with the cast. We get to decorate tea cups, have a bite to eat, meet and get our picture made with our favorite character...hmmm I wonder who we'll choose?!? I can't wait, I miss the days of my daughters performances, she is such a joy to watch! I'll post more after the Tea Party!!!

Vacation ~July 2009

2009-08-15T14:19:00.002-07:00

I love smilebox... please enjoy our lil' scrapbook!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Pomegranate petals, pink tomatoes & a pretty new blog!

2009-07-09T01:16:00.007-07:00

I've been a busy girl setting up my "new & improved" blog, twitter & tumblr. I learned a lot, and got frustrated a little (ok...a LOT), but I think the hard work was well worth it! I couldn't have done it without Shabby blogs, they make so many cute templates it was hard choosing. Go check them out if you've yearned for a new look, they won't disappoint. What do you think?
Now...off to dreamland...zzzzz

Freedom...fireworks...food...freinds...ahhh the 4th of July is awesome!

2009-07-03T22:46:00.011-07:00

I watched the flag

 Pass by one day,

 It fluttered in the breeze.

  A young Marine

 Saluted it,  

And then he stood at ease.

  I looked at

 Him in uniform

 So young, so tall, so proud,

 With hair cut square

 And eyes alert

 He'd stand out in any crowd.

  I thought how many men

 Like him  

Had fallen through the years.

 How many died on foreign

 Soil

 How many mothers' tears?

  How many pilots' planes

 Shot down?

 How many died at sea

 How many foxholes were soldiers'

 Graves?

 No, freedom isn't free

  I heard the sound of Taps

 One night,  

When everything was still,

 I listened to the bugler

  Play

 And felt a sudden chill.

  I wondered just how many times

  That Taps had meant 'Amen,'   

When a flag had draped a  

Coffin.

 Of a brother or a friend.

I thought of all the

 Children,

 Of the mothers and the wives,

 Of fathers, sons and  

Husbands

 With interrupted lives.

  I  Thought about a graveyard 

At the bottom of the sea   

Of unmarked graves in  

Arlington.

 No, freedom isn't free.  

 Enjoy Your Freedom  

& God Bless Our Troops 

We're taking a trip back in time...back to the Ice Age!

2009-07-03T10:41:00.002-07:00

Happy Father's Day to my hunny!

2009-06-21T12:15:00.001-07:00

Make a Smilebox greeting

I'll tumble for you

2009-05-21T12:23:00.004-07:00

So I am now a Tumblr...go see what I think is cool!
www.rowanwillow.tumblr.com

My Mother's Day Makeover

2009-05-13T11:15:00.006-07:00

I am so blessed with a beautiful daughter that is so sweet. She gave me a makeover, straightened/ styled my hair and took me and her lil sister Eve for a pedicure.

At one point both my daughters were putting make-up on me. I have to admit it was a bit more make-up than I usually wear but I felt B-E-A-utiful!

Here we are all dolled up ready to go out to dinner with the boys...TGIFridays was yummy! I had a great day with my family and feel very blessed to be their mother. Even if I'm dreading summer and bored, fighting kids!

Thank you so much for all of your thoughts and prayers. I really do believe they have helped me and given me strength in these trying times. I have a small growth on the wall of my atrium and a PFO in my heart (here is a link for more info). I am getting a second opinion, and seeing what my options are. Thankfully, it is not as detrimental as initially believed to be. I am making several changes and trying to get back to "Rowan Willow" (my muse), how I miss her! I will try and post more often and I am working on my previously owed swaps and some new pieces...stay tuned...I love all my bloggy buddies!

Calling ALL good thoughts and prayers...

2009-01-17T11:52:00.002-07:00

I have recently found out I have a density on the back of my heart, possibly a myxoma (tumor). I am having surgery next Thursday to confirm or deny this. I need all the good thoughts and prayers you can offer. I am at my wits end with ALL my health problems. I am continuing to stay positive and have faith that I will be OK. I have to be, I have 4 kids , 3 who really need me!

I am not taking on any new commitments at this time. I still owe several swaps and I feel terrible about that. I would love to join the One World One Heart event. I made so many neat friends last year but I just don't have it in me this year. I hope to be returning to the creative community soon...How I miss it. I am feeling so depressed and overwhelmed right now, I hope you all understand. Thanks for listening and really, I am going to KEEP ON KEEPIN' ON!!!

Birthday greetings!

2008-12-15T12:13:00.021-07:00

I have to share with you all the most amazing Birthday party I went to last night...mine (& my hunnies, his is the 19th). It was a SpongeBob Squarepants party, an undersea adventure. My 3 youngest kids (9,6 & 4) have been spending the last couple of weekends with Grandma preparing for the party...now I know why... See the shark?!?
No detail was missed. I entered Grandmas house to be engulfed with the waves and bubbles of the ocean and a giant squidapus (that's what the kids called it). I was offered an *ocean water* drink. It was riesling wine (my fav) and pineapple juice...yummy! They had made up some outdoor games which were supposed to be played during the day. We had another party to go to earlier, so it was dark when we arrived. I thought it was better in the dark anyway, it was deep in the dark ocean!

We followed the painted fish to SpongeBobs house...he wasn't home but we had to *search* for his babies...kitchen sponges, and yes, they were square!
There were killers whales and sharks trying to eat us and the babies. The kids had the best time trying to eat us and *swimming* around us. They all painted and helped create their cardboard costumes.

Mean shark...look at those teeth!

Is that Shamu??? Another shark too...aaahhhhh!!! They were trying to eat me , Grandma, and Scoutie (the dog).

Here they are all the ocean creatures swimming in the ocean waves...Max

Eve...

Zane...

My mother joined us too. Here we are getting ready to eat sushi, even the new plates Grandma Karen got were called tidal (and 50% off at Pier One, score Grandma Karen)! Look up at the top of the pictures and you can see the bubbles above us. I look like a drunk holding the bottle, I was making my *ocean water* right before Nathan took the picture.

To finish off the meal we had a DeLiCiOuS pineapple upside down Birthday cake...mmmmm The kids were so proud of themselves, they helped Grandma cook it and I heard they were eager spoon/bowl lickers!

Max helped me put in the candles...

The kids also made homemade, hand cranked banana ice cream....yuuummmm

We are so blessed to have such a wonderful Family!

Happy Birthday to US...

I can't thank Karen and the kids enough and I will never forget this birthday party. It will go down in our family history of GR8 parties, second only to Zane's awesome army party...or Eve's Princess for a day party...

I'm Back!

2008-12-12T06:37:00.004-07:00

I am back and feeling pretty awful for neglecting my poor blog. It has been a rough couple of months but I should have at least popped in to say hello. I am at a turning point with my health problems and I have had to accept the fact that I will have a different life than I had imagined having 20 years ago. I think that has been the hardest part, and it has caused me a great deal of depression. I quit taking the morphine cuz it was making me a zombie. So now my pain is another issue. It takes my half the day to get moving now. I get up every morning around 5 or 6 from the pain, that makes for Loooonnnggggg days! This is a total switch for me, before I would stay up pretty late 12 or later, and get up around 9. Anyhoo, I am not blogging to complain...I am dealing with everything much better now....I'm blogging cuz it makes me feel good. I love making friends and meeting artists in this great big blogosphere!

In honor of my return to bloglandia, I have joined a blog party, It's on my Birthday, December 15th, I had to join! It looks really fun, go check it out.

A Pretty Little Christmas Blog Party

So I am off to putter in my NEW studio!!! Yes, I said my NEW studio...eeekkkk I am so excited, now if I could only get upstairs and unpack it ALL...uuggg! My house has a loft and previously when my oldest lived with us my boys shared a room in the loft. When Paige moved out the boys got her room and we made the loft a playroom. Well, they never kept it clean so I said "Now it's MY playroom". I have trouble getting up the stairs some days, but it gets me moving whether I like it or not (the master bedroom is downstairs, I never thought when we bought our house that it was going to be so handy, funny how things like that work out :0)
Here I am in my front room ...uh um... I mean old studio. Sadly my stuff kept spreading and I was taking up the entire front room, not good with Christmas right around the corner. I'll post pictures of the new studio soon :0)

It sure feels good to be back, If you drop by, please leave me a message ✿

Mini vacation...

2008-08-05T01:28:00.004-07:00

We had the opportunity to spend the weekend at one of the valleys hotels (The Pointe Hilton) with a water park. Nathan's mom got us the suite room which came with 4 passes to the pool park. We had so much fun playing and swimming. Man, my kids are fishes I tell ya.

Zane is able to swim on his own and with his goggles was off adventuring, some of his hockey buddies were even there. Eve was still pretty nervous about her skills and eventually lost the floaties and swim board and was having a blast...*mom watch this...Mom look at me...Did you see me swim?!?* She was all over the pool too.
Max (4) is still not self sufficient and stuck with mom, dad or grandma, but by the end of yesterday was feeling brave enough to just swim with his board...no floaties, I was a nervous wreck at that point. I was on him like stink on poo! We all had a blast and came home a little burned and a LOT tired!

One of the most beautiful things about the desert we dwell in is the sunsets...breathtaking...and this one is mediocre at best.

Believe...

2008-08-01T13:56:00.003-07:00

If you have been following me for awhile you know how I have made 2008 my *believe* year. I am constantly having to remind myself to *just believe* and I recently discovered "The Secret", If you haven't heard of it click on the banner at the top to read a little about the idea. Anyhoo I had this in my inbox and HAD to post it. I *believe* it is a good thing! Oh and check out my new logo....eeee squeals of joy...I love it!!!

Ask, Believe, Receive - just three simple steps to create what you want. However, very often the second step, believe, can be the most difficult one. And yet it is the greatest step you will ever take. When you masterbelieving, you have mastered your life.

To master believing, all you have to do is tip the balance of your thoughts, words, and actions, from 'not believing' to believing. The ONLY thing that can ever get in the way of manifesting what you want, is having more thoughts of 'not believing', speaking more words of 'not believing', and taking more actions of 'not believing', than you are of believing. Base the majority of your thoughts, words, and actions in believing, and the law of attraction must obey you.

Believing contains no doubt. Believing does not waiver. Believing is absolute faith. Believing remains steadfast despite what is happening in the outside world.

Jewels Of the Sea Swap...yippeeeh I'm sooo lucky!!!

2008-07-27T01:00:00.026-07:00

First I want to share my pendants I received from the *Jewels of the Sea Swap* hosted by sweet Heather @ The Speckled Egg. (FYI I am trying to use a new picture editor picnik, so we might experience some technical difficulties...stay tuned)

Heather added a lil bag of goodies to make your own pendant and Jenny @Fated Follies Studio made ATC's for every participant, that's 35 ATC's...WOW...Thanx ladies

I cannot tell you how lucky I feel to have received such lovely pendants, I love them all and hope the recipients of my pendants are happy and feel lucky too. Another delight was the packaging some of the gals used, a real treat to see.

Tonya made pendants she called "Sea Goddess", they are stunning with sterling silver and gemstones, and swarovski crystal.

I think the most interesting pendant I received from Bambi Doe, a sea urchin adorned with beads holding a secret surprise...inside

Why hello there...Who is this lil surprise?!?

Leslie Patton had a beautiful tag that held her pretty pendant, I love the starfish.

Michelle @ hold dear made pretty soldered glass pendants that are

as cute from the back as they are from the front...I like that... so if I'm feeling indecisive...flexible...everchanging...it fits my moods...
I am in a delightful conundrum...which side first...How do I choose?!?

Julie of CupcakeDD made an adorable altered domino with the tiniest lil red rhinestone, I love it!

And last but certainly not least is this dainty lil pendant from Diane Glass. It is simplicity at it finest. I love the *mosaic* shell bead and that rhinestone dangler...beautiful!

I thought I'd share the pendants I created for the swap. I used sea glass I found on my vacation, glass beads, pearls and copper charms. The moon charms signify the relationship between the earth, moon and tides. I like the fact that the ocean can take a piece of harsh broken glass and over time with the waves of the sea can turn that piece of glass into a beautiful smooth stone.

I have sooo much more to share...stay tuned...Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives...well mine anyway!

I've been sick and when I'm sick I like a lot of Chowder...

2008-07-08T23:24:00.005-07:00

Not THAT chowder...THIS Chowder. It is one of my favs now...It's super de duperdy nonsensical sillyness. If you need a good giggle and are a *Big kid*, here's what you need...If you just want to hear the best love song ever...forward to the 3 minute mark at the end...ENJOY

Happy 4th of July!!!

2008-07-04T13:41:00.004-07:00

I wanted to wish you all a happy 4th of July.

We are going up to Prescott, AZ., it's about 15 degree cooler and up in the pinetrees, really a nice place. I hope you and your families enjoy the day and the weekend.

I'd love to hear how you spent yours...

The Soiree of the Century...

2008-06-28T22:11:00.012-07:00

OK maybe not the Century, but the Month at least!!!

Vanessa @ A Fanciful Twist's 200th blog PAARRTTEEEYYY is happening today...what a delight to the eyes and soul...she is soo FuN!!! I'm arriving late...as usual, but the festivities are still happening I hear. I've been so excited all week. I have a new friend who wanted to make her appearance at the soiree, so without further ado...Miss Tery (mystery)

I know...I told her it wasn't very lady-like but she wanted to show off her velvet mary~janes

Oh and you gotta meet her lil friend...Tweet

yummmiiieee...they brought yummie ummie cuppies with cream cheese frosting...

Then the word got out, you know how one person tells another and before you know it *everybody* wants to come...that's why Charlie the Gnome is here...he heard it through the grapevine

Xanadu....Xannnaddduuuu

2008-06-27T16:02:00.002-07:00

Xanadu was a dream come true for me!!!

I was obsessed with Olivia Newton John & Rollerskating

I can remember watching this every-time it came on HBO and putting on my twirliest skirt, my skates with glittery blue shoelaces and giant fuzzy bells, and skancin' or danting=skating+dancing!

I thought for sure when I got married we would be roller-skating down the aisle and off into the sunset!

Busy Bee is ME....

2008-06-24T23:58:00.012-07:00

So I have LOTs to tell ya...first I want to share my latest obsession...dress forms
My mom got me one for my birthday back in December and now I can't get enough of them. I was eye'n this in a catalog my mom gets, so imagine my surprise when I got a fairly large package...and in it was this beauty...yeah ME...THANX mom!

On to business. *FINALLY* got my PIF done and sent, these are made from an old Indian Sari fabric pillow cover that has seen better days. I loved that pillow, & now it has been given a second life as these lil creatures...

I have been catching up on all my swappy goodies. Made my chunky pages. The theme was they had to be *stamped*. I had to do a variation on 3 of them due to foreign customs, they couldn't have the feather on them, so instead they got a vintage millinery flower.

I've been working on my pendants for the "Jewel's of the Sea Swap", lots of broken glass...UGH!

My pendants are going to be very interesting...stay tuned...oh and those monkey's in the barrel were NO HELP...checky monkeys!!!

I'm also getting ready for A Fanciful Twist's soiree...we are very excited...I have a couple of special guests making their debut at the event. She makes the best cuppies with cream cheese frosting...mmmmm

My Rowan print has found a nice spot to hang out...she's content *looking down* on all the action ~for now {see my other dress form in the corner...I love this lil corner}

Oh and of course the kids are keeping me busy...all 3 of them think they are the director...giving orders...summertime FUN!

I've got lots of other goodies in the mail to share...I'm saving them for another post...til then...

Whatchu been up to???

A very Merry Unbirthday to me...to who!?!...to me...O you...& you...who me!?!..yes YOU!!!!!

2008-06-17T11:45:00.007-07:00

The lovely and very talented artist Vanessa Valencia @ A Fanciful Twist is having a party...do stop by I'm sure it will be fun...her blog always is!

Father's Day, flare-ups, & Swapping Goodness...Oh my!

2008-06-15T14:46:00.010-07:00

It has been a very interesting weekend around here. As many of you know today is Father's Day. I woke up this morning with a migraine and my hunny had to take Zane to hockey practice on his own. In my headache fog, I forgot to wish him a Happy Father's day, make him breakfast in bed, and shower him in gifts. What a BAD mommy! I feel awful, so I was thinking I would make him an amazing meal and surprise him when he gets home...O yeah...I have no Van...drats! So instead I will scavenge in the freezer for a less then mediocre "gourmet meal" of frozen fish and veggies. The kids have been busy making him cards and stuff but Zane is probably still unaware it's Father's Day and being a big stinker I'm sure. He is at that awkward age when he doesn't want to show his sensitive sweet side or any public signs of affection, is constantly arguing about any and everything and thinks he is all knowing and almighty...Yeah...good times! So I'm sure Nathan is having a GREAT day...now I am feeling terribly guilty!

On a lighter note...I have some swappy goodness to share. I have been busy...made 24 inchies (my first attempts),they are headed off to Trixie and Donna

Also made some yummy lotions that remind me of summer for the "Not to Shabby Summer Swap" for Genevieve,

there is also a cute lil wreath and some mini magnets I made for her.

I got lots of goodies too...more chunky book pages from Jackie& Sandra

Some amazing handmade cards from Samantha

And yet another lovely chunky page from Anne in Australia

WOW...Look at all these goodies...THANK YOU ladies!

Well I'm off to scavenge through the freezer. I hope you all have a lovely Fathers Day...and don't forget to tell your daddies how great they are...I better before I am also a BAD daughter!

My nights...

2008-06-10T11:37:00.004-07:00

Awww my nights. That is when me and my muse get to play. Being the mother to 4 kids (one grown and away, 3 at home, here to stay), my days are full of to-do's and errands, and motherly love. OK it's occasionally replaced with the over stressed mommy who needs that "Calgon take me away" moment to be real. Even more so, I await the nights for my "ME time". I am a mother first, artist second...or third...or maybe even forth. I rarely make it through the day and into the night, sheer exhaustion takes over and I can only dream of creating. Enter my muse, she is a schizophrenic who whispers at the oddest hours, and delights me with such wondrous ideas...always wanting to play. Her name is Rowan Willow Nightwind, the alter, over-active ego of an artist. If she's lucky I will play, play away the hours into the night. See with Rowan there are no clocks or kids or chores, just sweet "ME time". I can create and play all night...play...play...play away the night and sleep all through the day...yeah right (those days are gone along with my single life)! Remember those kids and errands and chores...they're still there, and the kids seem to be fueled by my weakness, like Superman around Kyrptonite, paralyzed and powerless. I am the walking dead, defenseless to these little people running the show. Oh how could I be so senseless and waste my sweet slumber time to create art...the very art that keeps me awake on all the other nights, exhausted left only to dream of it, the same art that puts a smile on the receivers face and in my heart, the same art that I look at in sheer amazement that it has made it, it IS created, it IS ART!

Awww...who needs sleep anyway!

The postman always rings twice...

2008-06-04T14:37:00.012-07:00

I guess you can say I keep my postal gal busy, I had 5 goodies in the mail Monday. I was one happy girl! I recieved some of my chunky book pages from Linda & Vickie

Lilla sent me a lovely care package full of vintage lace and pictures...

My lovely print of Rowan from Marisa...see previous post...

And my vintage items swap from Lori full of lots of neat finds.

Rowan by Marisa @ Elegant Snobbery

2008-06-04T03:13:00.004-07:00

This is a print from the lovely and talented Marisa at Elegant Snobbery. Her name is Rowan...my muse...I had to bring her home! Isn't she lovely?!?

To Twitter or not to Twitter?!?

2008-06-04T00:59:00.003-07:00

Are you a Twitter~er? I'm now a Twit...is that what you would call one that Twitters?!? I'm learning the ropes...bear with me. I need some "twit" friends, are you a "twit"? Help me out :0/

Business in THE Bag...

2008-05-29T09:43:00.005-07:00

I am in the process of having my business logo re-designed by the lovely and talented Roxie @ Business in THE Bag Even better she's having a contest to win a $25 gift certificate...wowee! If you are in need of business cards, a new logo or a blog banner head on over to her site. She also has a sister site where she sells the cutest "candylights", you gotta go see these...Jorabeels!

Thanx Roxie...I can't wait to see my new logo!

Vintage Item swap for Cindy

2008-05-26T22:43:00.002-07:00

Vintage Item swap for Cindy, originally uploaded by Rowan Willow.

Vintage swap ready to go off to Indiana

Memorial Day THANK YOU's

2008-05-26T11:33:00.005-07:00

THANK YOU
THANK YOU
THANK YOU
To all who have served our country and lost their lives...

THANK YOU
THANK YOU
THANK YOU
For the freedoms you have given us...

THANK YOU
THANK YOU
THANK YOU
Even though our THANK YOU's will Never be enough!

What a day!

2008-05-24T14:27:00.005-07:00

Yesterday was quite an amazing day. I spent the first day of summer break with my kids and a few of their friends. We had a blast playing. Then I went thrifting and found lots of awesome goodies. Some Marie Antoinette pictures...

mirrored tray, some miniatures, a fan, oval frame...

atlas books, old and new, bingo game, storybook with neat illustrations...

crepe paper, funky yarn, beadstring...

And I had a package in the mail too...

Fairy crafts to make and sew for my little fairy, a fairy cookbook for yummy treats...

and for mommy a world guide to gnomes, fairies, elves and other little people & Victorian Trading Co. catalog...

On a lighter note...

2008-05-22T16:47:00.007-07:00

Look what came in the mail today...perfect to follow my last post...don't you think!?!

This is a lil piece of art I bought from Catherine @ Art from the Heart

I LoVe IT!!! Thank you Catherine :0)

The Grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love, and something to HOPE for.
~Allan K. Chalmers

Today's a different blog entry...

2008-05-22T11:45:00.010-07:00

Well today I am blogging for a different reason. Some of you might know about my health problems. I suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, liver disease degenerative disc disease (back) and spondylosis of my neck. I have spent the last 3-4 years of my life trying to feel normal again, I have recently come to the conclusion that this is not going to happan and my definition of "normal" has changed. I have a blogland friend Denise at Couture de Papier who has been brave enough to share her story. Stop by her blog and see her "therapy" and say HI! This inspired me to share mine and hopefully "enlighten" some who are still in the dark.

It is sad for me to find people who have the disease, but sadder is the fact that so many peoples don't believe IT IS A DISEASE. In the past so many Doctors used it as a "wastebasket" illness. What I mean by this is they didn't want to investigate the causes of the illnesses or couldn't find the reasons for the illness, or insurance companies wouldn't cover the tests or treatments for a misunderstood undocumented medical illness such as fibro (what we call it for short). I was one of these patients.

I was probably ill for many years but was unaware due to the fact that our bodies are such incredible machines. I had been pregnant or breast feeding my babies for 7 years and my body was working for them. Once I stopped breast feeding Max (actually he weened himself at 13 months, broke my heart) my body fell apart. My body was shutting down on me. I was a wreck and just figured I was exhausted from being a mom of 4 (15, 5, 3 and 14 months), I felt crummy all the time, migraines almost every day, depression (worse than usual), chronic fatigue, you name it, I felt it. I can remember the exact day my life changed completely. It was the 4th of July, we had gone to a Carnival type celebration up north a few hours away from home. We spent the afternoon and evening there for the fireworks. It was no different than a typical day for me & my body, I felt crummy, even more so from walking all over and chasing the kids around. I began to get a migraine, but I didn't want to ruin the good times so I stuck it out. The following morning I was in excruciating pain from head to toe, even my fingers hurt, I felt like I had been run over by a truck. I knew I needed to find out what was wrong with me, I could not live like this and take care of my family.

Fibro is a very mysterious disease and mimics several other illness but has no definitive test to determine if you have it. It is very hard to get a "official" medical diagnosis. After a few tests turned up negative and there was no evidence of other diseases, I was given an unofficial diagnosis of "well it must be fibromyalgia", I was told "go home, change my diet and lifestyle and come back in a year". Of course I was not having that, see this Dr. was not interested in me or finding an answer to my problems so he just "tossed me into that wastebasket". Several Dr.s later I was referred to a Rheumatologist who ran a lot more tests and seemed genuinely interested in my ailments, finding an answer and treating me. He discovered that I have Rheumatoid Arthritis (an inflammatory disease that "attacks" your own healthy cells). Fibromyalgia is usually a post-traumatic disease, meaning it is triggered by an event or illness. Several people who have car accident or similar traumatic events later acquire fibro. I had Rheumatoid that triggered my fibro. So not only did every joint in my body hurt, every muscle ached too. I remember calling my hunny and saying sort of gleefully (not that I had it, but that I had FINALLY after almost a year had an answer and a diagnosis) "I have Rheumatoid Arthritis!". He said "why do you sound happy about that, it's horrible and untreatable" I replied "I am just glad I have answer, it's not all in my head!" We could now treat the disease...I thought. I have tried several different medications for my rheumatoid arthritis with not much help, I have liver disease also (not from alcohol), so I am very limited to what I can take. Your liver filters everything that goes into your body and mine couldn't handle most of the medications. I am nearing the end of my rope as far as current treatments available, however, there are a lot of new treatments on the horizon, so we will see.

The medical community finally "recognizes" the Disease Fibromyalgia and there are some medications available. Insurance companies are recognizing it too, some will cover these medications. There is still a lot of medical research to be done and now there are even some support groups that use a wide range of alternative therapies (acupressure, acupuncture, massage, aromatherapy, herbal & nutrition aids...etc.) Convincing our family and friends is what is still a problem. Many think "it's all in out heads" or "they are just lazy", I've heard several other statements that are all untrue. These words can hurt as bad as the disease. Support and understanding is what people who suffer from fibro need the most. I hope none of you ever have fibro or know someone who does, but if you do, PLEASE extend your heart and hand and be understanding. I was heartbroken to hear of Denises' so called friends who had abandoned her at her darkest hour. I am very fortunate to have an amazing lover who is very understanding and sympathetic to my illness and limitations. I am blessed with a family that is supportive and understanding too. I could not imagine having to go through this alone.

Frida Kahlo was thought to suffered from Fibromyalgia, among other things. It was a driving factor in a lot of he artwork. After a bus accident at the age of 18 she endeared more than 30 subsequent operations to her spine to try and alleviate her pain (and this was in the 1920's and 1930's when surgeries were barbaric compared to todays standards). Many of her works reflects the pain and anguish she suffered, not only from her physical ailments but from her broken heart caused by her unfaithful husband. Frida painted, that was her therapy, her outlet, her voice. Art guided her through her pain and anguish. During periods of immobilization in a plaster corset, she used a special easel with a mirror that attached to the canopy of her bed so that she could focus on herself. She said she painted herself so much because that was who she knew best. I am inspired by her courage and the courage of Denise and others who suffer from fibromyalgia. I hope and pray that Fibromyalgia and other chronic diseases can be treated into remission without detrimental effects on the mind, spirit and soul. I believe the expression of oneself, be it through art, cooking, singing, volunteering, dancing, what ever brings you joy, is the best medicine of all. So self medicate...paint, cook, sing, volunteer, dance...you will feel better for it!

Mother's Day~Part II

2008-05-18T12:50:00.008-07:00

What a beautiful day I spent with my mother. We met for lunch and had some delicious food and cocktails and then headed off to see the new Narnia movie. I can't even begin to tell you what these epic tales of fantasy and fiction do to my muse. I want to create and "become a part of that world". I thought the film was magnificent, the cinematography, the scenery, the costumes, the actors and actresses (the youngest, Lucy reminds us all of my Evie), I loved all 140 minutes of it. I can't wait til the next comes out. Here is a wonderful site, NarniaWeb, dedicated to the movies, characters and other fun stuff associated with Narnia. I do feel my muse has been teased...stay tuned! Unfortunately, all goods thing must come to an end...I became ill after the movie with a migraine, cold sweats, nausea & vomiting that continued all through the night until dawn. YUCK...I do hate when that happens! I prefer to remember the day as It began, NOT ended... and Prince Caspian (Ben Barnes), I will see you in my dreams!

toadstool swap

2008-05-14T12:03:00.003-07:00

I LoVe mushrooms...so I signed up for a fun swap from LucyKateCrafts

A bitter sweet Mother's Day!

2008-05-12T20:20:00.003-07:00

I will not complain, overall my day was wonderful. I started with breakfast in bed from my love, handmade goodies from my little gnomes and fairy and a picnic at the park. I do feel sad tho...my oldest naughty fairy called and didn't even say happy Mother's day...or come to the picnic...boo hoo. I had a mis-understanding with my mom about the picnic, therefor she showed up 3 hours earlier than us. Needless to say she went home and filled her day other ways. I felt awful for the mis-understanding and invited her to a movie and "girls only" day out on Saturday as a late Mothers day gift to her. I think in the end it will be nicer, she wasn't looking forward to sweating at the park anyway. I am so very blessed to be a mother, and to have a loving mother and mother-in-law.

I can only believe that God has smiled on me far more than I feel worthy, none the less, I am beyond thankful :0)

I'm a swap-bot junkie!

2008-05-03T00:33:00.006-07:00

I love to do swaps...I love to get mail...I love opening the mail and "seeing" what someone made for ME...I love giving goodies...I LoVe it ALL! If you haven't swapped before I suggest you give it a try..If you have swapped your probably hooked like me. I have sooo much fun with it. I have been busy getting stuff ready to send, I have swaps and PIF I'm sending out...It just makes me HaPpY...{{grins}} These are some of my swap goodies I'm giving...An orange and pink "whimsy jar" filled with goodies (more pics on my Flickr page), A bead fairy, and a Fairy dotee.

Yup It's official...I'm CrAzY!!!

2008-04-29T20:41:00.003-07:00

So I finally got my gear and I'm starting lessons on Sunday. I am sooo nervous...but very excited too! I've been wanting to do this for awhile and hey, I'm not getting any younger, so what the heck, now I'm doing it. Say a lil' prayer I stay in one piece. I'll keep ya posted :0)

Busy...Busy...Busy...That's me!

2008-04-21T11:35:00.013-07:00

Ya know when your sick and everything gets put off and sometimes is forgotten...

...like chores, errands to run and important calls to make...well I kinda forgot ALL of them and today and yesterday have been spent catching up and TCB (taking care of business). I had to start by cleaning and getting the "germs" outta here...I spent a lot of time on my lil area in the bedroom and I rearranged my dresser "junque"...I love the way it looks now...especially at night...romantic...huh!?! So now I've got some more chores to catch up on, lots of errands to run and a few more calls to make. Being sick makes for busy work when you're feeling better...Oh well...I'd rather be busy and tired then Sick and in bed!

Good intentions turned to...bronchitis!?!

2008-04-19T14:53:00.007-07:00

I am so sick of getting sick, it puts such a damper on things. I am finally feeling better after 7 days and hope to get wack to bork...I mean back to work :0) Here's to antibiotics and hopes to feeling better...stay tuned! Here is me Simpsonized...wanna see you as a Simpson? go here and have fun!

Lil Crepe paper Lovelies

2008-04-13T01:09:00.002-07:00

I've been seeing cute little crepe paper "goodies" everywhere. Soo when I was getting my birthday decorations out and ready for my kids party I decided to try and make a couple lil lovelies of my own...I'm hooked. I love the way they look and you could make them for just about anything. I made a Hello Kitty one to put on my daughters present, and another "Just Married" one with vintage lace, and a "celebration" one with a lil mirror on it...too cute. I'll be making more and listing them on etsy this week. I have some really neat ideas for Halloween Stuff (it's never to early to think about Halloween)!

One Hundred Wishes

2008-04-13T00:58:00.003-07:00

I love this place...One Hundred Wishes I decided to get a few lil things at her shop, since I've been ogling them for quite awhile, and I received my "goodies" yesterday! WOW...she sure does make you feel special. I felt like a little princess at her birthday party. I was so excited and she even threw in some "sweet" extras! Andrea has done an amazing job with her online shop. I will be shopping there again...soon...real soon! I need to get me some "WiSH" tickets and gold Tinsel.

Creative Souls & GROOVY clothes!

2008-04-06T19:50:00.009-07:00

I was recently invited to join an online community started by my friend Izabella. I love being able to meet and be inspired by new artists. It is also a great networking opportunity, I need all the help I can get. I am not being as productive as I would like to be, but right now I'm focusing on other areas of my life that need help...like my health. I am hoping to create later tonight, and I've set up a schedule for myself so I can try and get in a couple of nights of "creation" time a week. I need to get in the habit of setting up my shop by devoting time to it like a job. I need to take pictures, add items, design layouts for the many different pages of my site. So I figure if I set a schedule and work on all of these areas for 2-3 hours a day a couple of days a week, soon I'll be done. I know it sounds like it would be easy to do, but for me it's NOT! I have to juggle my time between 3 kids, my hunny and chores, and I babysit another lil boy 2 days a week. I hardly have time for them, much less ME. I usually feel so crummy by the time evening comes that I can't even do all that I NEED to do. OK enough whining... that took a turn I wasn't expecting. Bottom line is I am treating it as a JOB. A job that I have to work on 10-15 hours a week. A job that If I want it to be successful, I need to make time for it...RIGHT! So here goes...

I found another pic of me and My HIP mom ~circa 1972

Canopy beds, groovy wallpaper and curlers...what memories are made of

2008-03-28T10:50:00.006-07:00

I found this old pic of me and my daddy. I had the coolest room. Look at that wallpaper, what I would give to have some of that to craft with today, and that bed was so fairy-tale-ish...I felt like a princess! Does anyone remember those pink foamy curlers? This pictures brings back fond childhood memories...

Summer Swap

2008-03-25T11:53:00.002-07:00

I signed up for a Not to Shabby Summer Swap hosted by Roxi and her cousin Adrienne. I can't wait, I have the perfect "goodies" to make for this.

Easter was...well...nice?!?

2008-03-24T21:01:00.006-07:00

I hope everyone had a nice Easter. Mine was...well...um...nice. I don't want to complain, but I'm gonna. I was a mess, woke up with a major "flare" (my body hurt from head to toe, literally),I hadn't finished the backyard cleaning up for the egg hunt, I hadn't finished my shopping for Dinner and was running out of time (thank goodness they were both late). Finally Grandma & Bambi arrived and played with the kids. I was so unprepared they dyed the Easter eggs as I cooked dinner. Then as my asparagus steamed, my last item to cook, I snuck off to my bedroom to take a short rest...only to discover my bedroom was under an inch of water!!! I was beyond upset (thank goodness we have tile on the entire downstairs area of our house, where my room is). Originally we thought my youngest clogged the toilet, he was saying he had a BIG poop...EEEWWW toilet water all over my room. Well, as we were frantically trying to get the water off the floor, Nathan discovers the water dripping out of the cabinets in the bathroom...the drawers were FULL of water too. What had happened was my lil guy was washing up when Grandma showed up...he was soo excited he "FORGOT" to shut it off...when dinner was almost ready he was washing up again and discovered his water mess...turned it off and didn't tell anyone...enter mommy...UUUGGGHHH!!! There we were, ready to eat, and this! Dinner was cold, I was cranky and in pain, and my room was still not done under my bed (a canopy bed in the middle of the room). Happy Easter, wasn't the way I saw it. At least it wasn't toilet water.

2008-03-22T09:49:00.002-07:00

Happy Easter!

I hope you all have a blessed day with your family and loved ones.

We will be spending the day with my mom, Bambi & Grandma Karen doing fun easter stuff, hunting eggs, playing games and eating yummy food. I can't wait, my mom makes THE BEST banana pudding with vanilla cookies (she makes her own pudding, with LOTs o' butter). Karen is a wonderful cook and I'm hoping she has some good eats to bring...Happy Easter!

"Creating Depression"

2008-03-17T11:37:00.002-07:00

I have been sooo bad about my blog and creating lately...I guess I've been depressed. Sometimes that little monster of self-doubt creeps in and tells you "your not an artist...this is no good...who do you think will like this...no one will buy that...what are you, crazy". I have to constantly fight off that lil monster...I'm sure I'm not alone in my thoughts. I need to "BELIEVE" in me...my art...my creating time as therapy. I have done some creating. I made some cute felt goodies, a lil bag and a checkbook cover. I added some more goodies to a painting I'm doing, and I am constantly having new IDEAS of things to make...I just get lost in the self-doubt, lack of time, and unorganized mess I always feel my workspace is in (it's not really that bad, but I always find myself re-arranging and cleaning and NOT CREATING)...why do I do that?!?

My kids were on spring break last week, so that was keeping me very busy, and very frustrated by the end...3 kids home all day eventually start arguing...fighting and well driving Mommy nutty. I am soo glad they are back today...except I forgot it's St. Patrick's day and they didn't wear their green...ooops...pinch, pinch, pinch!

I need to snap out of it and get busy CREATING! I got some polymer and paper clay and wanted to try my luck at doll making...and I could always "materialize" my crafty ideas I have when I laying in bed or driving about. I will BELIEVE...and it will be done~sounds great to me!

I've been tagged!

2008-03-02T20:11:00.002-07:00

I got tagged by Sandi @ The Victorian Gypsy. I am supposed to list 7 weird or random things about me. This outta be easy...I'm pretty weird...

I like body piercing and tattoos
this is courtesy of my hunny...when I concentrate my tongue is always moving. My oldest daughter would always say when I was yelling at her, she could only watch my tongue move about my mouth, so it must happen when I'm angry too.
I'm very gassy and I think it's funny :0)
I can stick my fist in my mouth (I was dared in High School, and yes, It fit, I have a big mouth)!
I can speak alf-alfa. My mom and her sister made it up when they were kids, you would kinda add a alfa at the end of each syllable...so Hi, how are you? is hilfi, howlfow arelfar youlfo? Dildfid youlfo gelfet thalfat??? Just don't try to say truck. It's really funny when me, my mom and my oldest daughter (who we taught, it has become a family tradition to teach it to the kids) get into a conversation...my other kids laugh in confusion.
I like to be silly and make my kids laugh by doing stupid things, or saying weird stuff, like when we have spaghetti and meatballs, I will say, very loud and raspy, MEEEAAATBALLS, almost like Yoda on crack!
When we get older & retire, we want to travel the world in an RV and square-dance. When I told Nathan I wanted to be an old square-dancing couple he said he wanted to do that too...I think that's weird, I can't wait to have matching outfits and twirl around singing silly songs :0)

Wow, that was harder than I thought it would be, there are just some things people DON'T want to, or need to know...like #3, but if you know me...you KNOW! So I guess I need to tag 7 more lucky bloggers to do the same...Nature Girl, Pam Aries, Stacey Z, Ninnie, Colleen @Frosting and Sparkles, Stacey Alexander, and Ladybug. Have fun ladies...let me know when you've answered so I can read about your weirdness :0)

SICK!!!

2008-02-20T14:34:00.004-07:00

I hate being sick, but what I hate more is when my lil gnomes and fairy are sick! It's been quite a week...or two. Me & Max are still sick. He has double ear infections, and I have the never-ending head cold. I thought I was doing better yesterday, but woke today feeling "big-headed" again. Needless to say I haven't been creating, shoot, I haven't even been doing my chores. I am sllooowwly adding products to my new website. Go check it out at www.aleahstreasures.com, so far only some jewelry has been added. I am going to keep added my stuff and other "fun finds", so come back often, and shop!

One World~One Heart Giveaway WINNERS

2008-02-14T23:25:00.002-07:00

I had all the names printed out, cut up and put in an old hat and had my little gnomes draw the winners...And they are (drum roll please)...MOLLY JEAN & OTTILIAS VERANDA!

This is sooo cool.

2008-02-13T10:52:00.000-07:00

I came across this blog-hopping and I had to add it.

Wow~almost 100

2008-02-10T18:02:00.000-07:00

I can't believe i've almost got 100 signed up for my giveaway...if so, I'll have 2 "mystery lots". Here is another "peek" at my giveaway...

My Best customer

2008-02-10T03:12:00.000-07:00

Tonight I made a lil gift for my best customer, who just happens to be my best friend, who also happens to be my mother! I can't thank her enough for her support and inspiration! She has been such a BIG help and I wouldn't be where I am with out her...SO Mom...Thank you and I LOVE YOU!

What a deal!

2008-02-10T00:43:00.000-07:00

I went thriftin' friday and found lots of goodies, but by best deal was these cute coffee/tea mugs. They were marked .50 cents each (originally I had only 3), I went to pay and she said these are buy 4 get~4 free, so of course I got 5 more, then she charged me only .80 cents... a dime a mug! I have one at my workbench that I forgot to picture. The little green guy holds a stick of butter, his head comes off and he's perfect for butterin' corn on the cob. Aren't they cute?

Lil Lovelies

2008-02-09T14:59:00.000-07:00

I made some Valentines cards last night and listed them in my etsy shop. I was up WAY too late...after I added my stuff to etsy I started blog-hopping and well, ya know, I was up even later. I need to get some work done now, so I can play later :0) I want to add an etsy link and pics to my blog...maybe I can figure it out...

Pay it forward

2008-02-08T20:24:00.000-07:00

This is an idea Charlotte Kemsley started at thatcharlottekemsley

She has invited everyone to take part in this Pay It Forward.

I was blog-hopping, which has been my obsession since I heard about One World~One Heart giveaway event, and I came across a "pay it forward" giveaway. I've been wanting to get involved and here is the perfect opportunity. So the first 3 people to leave a comment on this post will receive something I create, I only ask that you re-pay me by adding the above info about Charlotte, and her brilliant idea & to "pay it forward" on your blog. Fair enough...hmmm what should I create...

REDO

2008-02-08T11:59:00.000-07:00

Well I've been busy redoing my workspace so I haven't created much. I did list some of my items on Etsy. I already sold some of my tags, woo hoo, my 1st Etsy sell. So now I have a clean, organized workspace, no reason to not create. My reason for the overhaul was that I wanted my sewing machine out, and accessible. I have some really cute vintage fabric I want to use, for what, I'm not sure yet!?!

I do have a sneak peek at my "Mystical Mystery" prize...Hope you like!

Craft Swap???

2008-02-07T17:34:00.000-07:00

Well I'm having sooo much fun blog-hoppping and making new friends. I am curious about craft swaps. Are there "craft clubs"? Any info would be appreciated. I would love to be involved in a swap. I don't even know how to do an ATC exchange! I'm a newbie to ALL this blog & web craft stuff, several of the blogs I've been to have all sorts of fun things to do, I just don't know HOW to get involved.

Nancy Malay's AWESOME giveaway

2008-02-04T22:32:00.000-07:00

I've been seeing this all over the blogs and finally went and signed up for it. You should too~Go~NOW. She has beautiful easter stuff as well as all sorts of holiday "Goodies". You won't regret it, I only regret not signing up for it sooner!

I'm a rock star!

2008-02-04T01:18:00.001-07:00

So I found this blog-hopping and thought it was fun...here it is~get your rock band album In case your wondering about mine, here is the info. Blish was a writer for Star Trek in the 60's, my quote ending was from Woody Allen, and I lucked out and got a cool train scene. They all melded together nicely, I envision an old B&W movie scene and when the train roars by the hats go flying.

That ME!

2008-02-03T12:40:00.001-07:00

My littlest stinker (3) took this wonderful pic of me...future photographer??? Hmmm maybe not!!!. It's funny tho, here he is with my other stinker, we were at big brothers hockey practice (he is on the green team, The Shamrocks)

project completed

2008-02-03T11:36:00.000-07:00

So I finished my altered art project I started awhile ago. It is so darn cute...I love it...I don't know if I can sell it tho...it took lots of love to create, I had beaded all the leaves and some of the flowers. Of course it is made using recycled materials. Some beautiful danish woodcut fabric, old flowers and fake tree remennants, and a picture from one of my favorite fairy painters, Warwick Goble. Of course it has one of my beloved "BELIEVE" signs...that seems to be my mantra for 2008. What do yo think?

One World~One Heart Giveaway

2008-02-02T12:56:00.000-07:00

Ok...I guess I need to get my booty off the computer and get busy. I am going to offer a "Mystical Mystery" giveaway, promised to be full of goodies. I will add a altered frame (like one below), some gemstone jewelry, glittery gift tags, notecards...who knows, you won't be disappointed tho. Leave me a comment and I'll pick a winner on February 14th, posting the winner on the 15th. Ohhhh this is soo fun!!!

Now if I could quit blog hopping and get busy...

Spreadin' the love :0)

Book at top~Here is one of the great giveaways featured in the One world ~One heart giveaway An Altered art book from one of the very crafty artist named Catherine Matthews-Scanlon

FYI

2008-02-01T14:21:00.000-07:00

Egad...I need to get busy on adding goodies to my site! I didn't realize how quickly this One world~One heart annual blog event/giveaway would take off...how exciting This sounds really fun and is sooo exciting...I could spend ALL day on the internet, jumping from blog to blog to blog...oooh and maybe I'll win something. I am going to gather some of my goodies and list them. Any way back to the FYI...my hunny just switched my website over to a new system (joomla was being hacked to much), so keep checkin back, i'll be adding stuff often, I SHOULD be doing that right now, but I'm having way too much fun, maybe I'll make a freind or two (the reason for the event...right?)

Hmmm...some thought on our thoughts

2008-02-01T10:13:00.000-07:00

So...I haven't been on in a while again, but I am hopeful for a productive weekend. It has been a busy week and I've been feeling crummy. I did make some super cute tags with botanicals and old fashioned ladies on them. I am hoping to get them, and a lot of other stuff, on my website to sell. I also started a fun blog motivator called "Thing-a-day", the idea is to create or be artistic or cook a new dish, basically anything you can do, and to do it daily. Kinda like how I started this blog out to be, only the daily thing trips me up, life gets busy with kids. here is where it is at....

www.thing-a-day.com

So the thought thing is from my aunt, she sent this neat email about negative & positive thoughts. I took out the good stuff, so here is the gist of it...We are told to write down our goals...WHY? Written goals produce visible thoughts. Thoughts produce actions. Actions produce results. Your thoughts determine who you are, what you do, and what you have. Choose wisely. The you that peoples see is a collection of all of your thoughts up to this moment. You are what you think about...so why not think positively! The beautiful doll in the pic was given to me on my 3rd birthday from my sweet aunt. She made the clothes for her 33 years ago. I have asked her to do a craft swap, I'll make her some jewelry in return for a new outfit for my doll, I'm excited to see what she'll make!?!?

What a fun weekend.

2008-01-28T12:50:00.000-07:00

My sweet, little great niece had her 1st birthday party Saturday. I got to see lots of family and friends and had a great time. Sunday, we went to a new restaurant my neice works at, Bar Louie, and had some good food for free! They were doing a mock service to get ready for their opening night...which is today.

I did get some craft time in, I made some cute frames. I also went and bought some new gemstones and beads with a gift certificate I had from christmas. I need to get busy and make some more jewelry!

MRI results

2008-01-28T12:44:00.000-07:00

Well, my results came back, and they were ok. I have some protruding disks and nerve stuff and some arthritic damage, but there are no signs of MS, which is what I was afraid of. I am going to a neurologist to get some more tests run. After that, I will see a spine specialist to see if we can get the back stuff taken care of. I am just SOOO relieved it isn't MS. I just need to find out what is causing my arm numbness, and dizzy spells...ugh.

Amy Butler designs...not gonna happen

2008-01-23T00:36:00.000-07:00

I did get a reply from some of Amy's "people", and they said no. For good reasons, and I totally understand, but I had to ask and try, nothing ventured, nothing gained...right. I am on my own trying to get the "look" I want for the website and on designing my new logo. I am hopeful it turns out to be a positive experience. I am gonna have to learn to use my fireworks program (similar to photoshop). Of course, Nathan has been doing all the "behind the scenes stuff", and if I need help with anything, all I have to do is ask :0)

WOW...what a weekend!

2008-01-23T00:22:00.000-07:00

I spent the last few days with pain and numbness in both of my arms...scary stuff. I was at the urgent care on Sat. and they weren't to concerned. Sent me home with orders to see my DR on monday to do some nerve and neurological tests. Monday, I called and my DR couldn't get me in until Thursday, I was very anxious and worried so I went to the ER. They didn't seem to concerned either. What a frustrating experience. I did get an MRI on monday, and I will find out the results of that on Thursday. I'll keep posting...

So, not much in the way of creating happened. I did sew some more beads onto that fabric for my altered art project and pillow. Today I painted and decorated a couple of picture frames. Also, I ordered some cute vintage fabric (pic) to try and incorporate into my logo / design for the business...I can't wait for it to arrive.

tonite turned into today...

2008-01-17T22:40:00.000-07:00

I never made it back yesterday. I did get creative and start an altered art project. it is using some vintage danish woodcut fabric and a mirror and fairies and a wooden "believe" sign I got on clearance for 50 cents (i bought 6 of them). It will be so cute when I'm done. I think I'm gonna add some beads to the fabric. I also want to make a pillow out of it, I found some tassels on clearance too. I went to Michael's today, wow did I find some neat stuff. I got the cutest mini book from my new favorite designer, Amy Butler. I am gonna make it my "Dreaming" of my successful business full of positive things about me and stuff. Speaking of Amy Butler, I got up the nerve to ask her if I could use some of here fabric designs on my website and for my logo. I am hoping it is ok. It has the retro modern 70s look I want, and the colors are perfect. I'll keep ya posted on that...

Then tonite I spent some time with my oldest kiddo, Paige. She took me out to eat at Paradise Bakery, mmmm I love that place. Then I took her to Barnes & Noble, I love this place too. I found so many cool books, and calendars for cheap (75% off). I think I'll get a glass of wine and relax with a few of my new books...maybe I'll finish one of these?...probably not.

I had a great day!

daily???

2008-01-16T11:56:00.000-07:00

ok so maybe the "daily blog" wasn't such a good idea, well it was a good IDEA, just not very feasible in my world. I have neglected to post for a few days, but I haven't been "creating" anyway, so nothing lost. I am hopeful to do some today...maybe later. I'll check back tonite...

lovin' lampworking

2008-01-13T20:52:00.000-07:00

Today we went to my new friend Adiels, and had a BBQ. It was a really fun day, good korean bbq meat called bugogi and kim chee with rice mmmmm...it was yummy, then she gave me a lesson about lampworking, thats making beads with a torch (if you didn't know). I nervously attempted the craft and made 2 beads, the first she said I was a natural, then I tried some more advanced techniques and added stringers and fritz, this is little pieces of glass, like sand, that you roll the bead in and it adds color and texture, not so good, anyway I ended up "fixing it in the flame and made a barrel bead. They are in the kiln and won't be ready til tomorrow. I can't wait to see them. I asked her to show me how she makes her mermaid tails, and she showed me (pics), then I asked if I could buy it and she said she would give it to me...WOW, she also made me a phone charm inspired by butterflies (we both luv butterflies), she is SO Sweet!!! Here is her website, I think it's a little outdated (she's a busy mom of 2) but you can see her beautiful stuff, and her adorable daughter, Ava. www.dewdropglassstudio.com

I had so much FUN, as we were leaving my oldest son says "how come we are the only ones that were there?" he was thinking it was a b-day party or something, we don't get out and socialize with other adults unless it's a party...it was cute, they all had fun playing. Look out Nathan, I might ask for a lampworking set-up now...hehehe

THANKS ADIEL & BRIAN...your home is beautiful!

Cleaning up

2008-01-12T18:36:00.000-07:00

Today I had all intentions of "creating", but it is dinner time and I still haven't done anything. I spent most of my day getting my workspace organized. I cleaned up the x-mas crafts, set up my new toys (I got a rolling mill and torch), reading instruction manuals (so I don't blow up the garage) and the usual tending to the kids every 15 min.. I am hoping to get an evening session in when all little heads are in bed (I have to hammer and bang metal tho, we'll see). This is my workspace, it's a work in progress. I want to add some more shelves and I got some wooden dowels to hang my many ribbon spools from. I suppose it will always need some tweeking, as I am always adding more clutter, and learning new things to do. It is nice to have a spot, I commandeered a section of the front room. It works well for me, for now, someday I will have my own craft ROOM. I need to set-up my polisher, tumbler and soldering station in the garage...that will be a major undertaking tho...maybe next weekend.

TTFN

The Daily blog

2008-01-11T18:23:00.000-07:00

I am wanting to be more creative, so I thought if I have to think about writing a blog I should have something to blog about...right?! I am going to try and blog daily, even if it is only a "creative thought", at least I am journaling my ideas, maybe that way they will not be forgotten. So here goes, my first blog is a success...it's been written...and maybe will be read...no matter, the point is "IT" is written!