For my gals in Texas

They say everything in Texas is big. Well I have two blog pals with BIG Hearts. They are so talented and just sweethearts.
The first is for Cindy. We have never met, but as she says we were separated at birth. She has been so encouraging and supportive with my mom. Hopefully we will meet one day.

Next is Tina. We have met and she is so durn (as they say in TX) cute. Loads of fun. A cowgirl through and through. She too has been supportive this past year.
Thanks girls for all your blessings. Hope you enjoy. Click on pics to see details.

Merry Christmas

May you be surrounded by those you love.
Happy Holidays from my family to yours

Pretty Little Christmas Party

Heather is hosting a Christmas Blog Party. So come on in and take a look. Last summer when I liquidated my mother's house I took some of her Christmas decorations. That was a crazy time and I was in such a hurry that I was just throwing things in boxes. When I opened them up yesterday I was surprised to find what I had brought back with me. I chose this year to decorate with her treasures. She loved cross stitch and Santa's.

These are some of her tree ornaments. As a child I always loved these. A few of them are ones her and my dad had when they first got married in 1942.





These two little elf's she had made out of felt. I always played with then. I remember a train of some kind that she put them on,but who knows what happened to that.


This is the angle that was always on the tree and the little dwarfs. Poor little guys have seen better days.
This was so much fun decorating with these memories from my past.
The rest of the pictures are all from my stash of treasures I have collected over the years. I have boxes and boxes of Christmas decorations. My taste has changed so much in the last couple of years. I have really simplified and now only choose to put out what reflects my current enjoyment.



Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful,safe and happy holidays.

Fun with Foam Core

I'm loving working with foam core. This first one is for my very dear friend Tracey for Christmas. The frame is foam core covered with pages from an old book then painted over. The heart is grunge board with a rust treatment applied to it. Click on the pic for a closer view.
This one is also a foam core board. The rust technique has been applied to the whole thing. The key hole is grunge board that has been rusted. Mica is used over the image.
Foam core is fun stuff. Try it you just might like it.
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I'm moving slow

I think I still have a Thanksgiving hangover. I wish I had not eaten all that pie. I'm having a hard time getting geared up for Christmas. My beautiful dog daughter and I have just been hanging out.

Happy Thanksgiving

May you be surrounded by all that you are Thankful for.

Third Times a Charm

Class with Julie at Frenzy Stamper. Pewter wrapped base with loads of embellishments added. I ended up stringing all three of my charms on one chain. I like the impact of all three together with just one chain.

I Carry Your Heart

I carry your heart i carry it in my heart. I have always loved this poem by e.e.cummings. I was making this for my daughter. But during the process I kept thinking of my mom. How the roles have reversed and I'm now her parent. Taking care of her needs. Trying to understand what is going on in her mind, even thought she has no clue. During my last visit she kept telling me "you look just like my daughter" It was a heart breaker. It is very difficult at times to morn someone while they are still living. That is what I feel like I'm doing. Not only does she not remember people and places, but she has lost expression in her face. She just seemed so flat. Most of time there was just a blank stare. For the most part she is healthy. She is not in pain. But, is it painful for her not to remember? No one knows that answer. I will always carry her heart and deep down I know she is carrying mine.
I did give this to my daughter and she was very touched by it. My hope is I will always remember who she is. I will always carry her heart in mine.
Trying to use what I have on hand. The image is from a kit I purchased from Carol. The background and butterfly are waxed. Mica is used over the top.

Heart

Last Saturday I took this class from the oh so talented Julie, at Frenzy Stamper. The base of the heart is out of foam core. A rust treatment has been added. 5 different flowers,each with it own technique. If you ever have a chance to take a class with Julie, don't pass it up she is a wonderful.
I was not going to bore you with anymore pics of my daughter from Scottsdale Fashion Week. But I couldn't resist this one. She has been photographed more than I care to think and I have seen darn near all of them. This one, I have to say is one of my favorite. It is shots like this that I say Wow, maybe there is a future for you in modeling.

Scottsdale Fashion Week

If you are local or going to be in the area this weekend, take in Scottsdale Fashion week. There are several shows going on at the same time. So you are sure to find something that is your style.
These photos were taking by the AZ Republic and yes that is my daughter. Maybe I'll see your there.

Just for Fun

My daughter (left) and her BFF waiting for their dates to homecoming. These two are tons of fun.
Cross your Heart Bracelet from Julie's class here. The charm is mica with a metal heart.

Necklace I made using Julie's techniques. The charm is mica with copper sandwiched between.
My version of Tammy's cone people.

Happy Halloween

Hope your weekend is full of treats

Who is Uncle Sid?

Who is Uncle Sid? When my children were at that ugly middle school age. 11-14 They hated each other. I mean truly hated each other. They fought non stop, not just verbally but physically . I cried myself to sleep many a night thinking I had done something wrong. I was the reason they hated each other. I have one brother 10 years older than me, so I was not used to this type of behavior. My husband who is the oldest of 4, all within 6 years of each other. Would just say oh they will grow out of it.
Any way, one summer we drove 17 hours to see grandma. We were not in the car long when the fighting started. Now hubby who is usually very calm about things pulled the car over and told them that he used to have another brother Sid. Sid was the trouble maker and during a car trip Sid would not behave. So his dad pulled the car over and told Sid to get out and they left him along side the road. And they have never seen him since. My kids were old enough to know that their dad was always making up stories. So they were not real quick to believe this story. But as the trip went on hubby told more stories about how bad Sid was. By the time we got to Grandma's there was some question that the story might be true. They ran to Grandma and told her the whole story. She of course was horrified that her son could have painted such a terrible picture of her and assured her darling grandchildren that the story was not true. However by the end of the week of these little darlings fighting she was totally on board with the Uncle Sid story. Hubby's other siblings have been told the story. He is now referred to as" Poor Uncle Sid."When someone does something everyone will say look what happened to Poor Uncle Sid.

On a side note. My kids are now 18 and 16 and very good friends. Hopefully they won't be in therapy to many years.

What's in Your Closet?

It's a party. But beware anything goes and anyone is invited.
You will have to get past the guard crow. Not to worry he lets anyone in. And I mean anyone.
Come on, you won't be alone. I know there will be someone there from you past. (Click on pics for more detail)
There is room for one more.
See anyone you know?
Remember her? Oh you must have one of those Aunts in one of your closets. I have a couple.
How about Uncle Sid? Remind me later when we are alone I will tell you the Uncle Sid stories.
Come now and find your family. You must have one or two of them rattling around in your closet. Do you keep them in the closet or do you let them out for the world to judge? Don't be shy we all have them. Some just more than others.When you leave close the door. I don't want them running off with one of your family members
Go out the way you came. The backdoor is bolted.
Wave to little fat bat boy when you leave. And don't take his candy.

Scrap Challenge

Remember this assortment of fabrics from the scrap challenge. 10 different fabrics,turn them into something fabulous. I kicked around a few different ideas. But in the end I knew I had to do something with bees wax. DUH!!!!! kind of a no brainer. If you don't know by know I love bees wax.


So here she is in all her glory. Even a little crown to top her off. Leaf shapes were cut and hand sewn then dipped in wax. Applied to a mannequin that also has a wax treatment on it. Click on the pics to see a larger view.
The brown leaf really took on a leather look when dipped in the wax

Perfect Pearls was added to the leaves to give them shine and glimmer. Here is the flickr group of everyone work