LOVE IS IN THE AIR!

Today is a special day to share Love and Friendship and I must say I am completely surrounded by both!

My dear husband, who NEVER forgets any special day, gave me this card! The picture on the card reminds both of us of the fun we have with our precious pets...the hours of laughter and the mounds of memories we have shared as we watch their daily interactions. How often we interact in much the same way...playful fussing, flirting and snuggling.













And he gave me a dozen chocolate covered strawberries from SnowBall Ice Cream Shoppe! Our son, Brett, gave me a lovely floral piece he made.

I simply had to share....















Of course, the Wonderful taste of the strawberries I can only say is FABULOUSLY DELICIOUS!!















Then, when he returned from the mailbox there was a "special" package for me from my INchie Divas.


Look at these BEAUTIFUL creations!




Jane Eileen hosted this swap for me because I wasn't able to use my hand following surgery. Her clever packaging brought a smile right away.....NO calories in this treat...ONLY Love and Friendship!








I can look at these bits of eye candy anytime with no fear of adding pounds to my figure! Of course, my heart is growing emincely as I feel the creative love and energy these Divas put into each of the tiny inch by inch works of art!

I, also, participated in a Valentine card swap hosted by Heather Simpson-Blumm. Look at these lovely cards I recieved. My studio is overflowing with Valentine greetings!

Don't you just love this "The Day of LOVE"?






























HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY, DEAR FRIENDS!!!

and.....Thank You for visiting my blog!

Here is where the beautifully delicious strawberries were created.

The Lovely floral is an original creation from Willow Brook Home.


Please visit Jane and Heather, you will enjoy their fun and creative posts.

Trying to Decide?

For those of you who have been contemplating Tracie and my class, I wanted to share some class photos with you. The majority of the students had never painted and none had painted birds. This class is one where you will learn a technique that will enable you to paint whatever you desire. We will also be teaching some unique distressing techniques.












Aren't these beautiful? YOU and paint like this also!
























Don't forget to leave a comment to be eligible for the drawing this month!

FEBRUARY'S GIVEAWAY

..... is a fiber fused journal. This is a one-of-a-kind fiber fused journal. It is created from snippets and bits fused together to form a unique fabric in shades of purple and teal. The lining is a lavender cotton. There is a deep blue ribbon for marking the page and one for tying the journal closed. A beautiful flower in shades of yellow, lavender and blue accents the front cover. It measures 8"x10".
















Please be sure to leave a comment so you will be eligible to win.

Visit often and remember to comment on each new post as your name will be placed in the monthly drawing every time you make a comment on a new post(only one comment per post please.)

Please be sure to send me your email address so I will be able to contact you if you should win. Email addresses do not publish on the blog if you use the blogger box to identify yourself rather than anonymous. If you must post as anonymous PLEASE send me a private email so I know how to contact you if you should be the winner. If you have already posted as "anonymous" then PLEASE send me an email with contact information

Details of monthly drawings are on January 24, 2009 post.

Visit WillowBrook Home....

For ANOTHER chance to be a winner! Brett is having a monthly drawing for a lovely item from the store.

In December he will also be giving away a $100 gift certificate good for merchandise in his store. Details are on Willow Brook Home's blog.

WINNER OF THE 100TH POST DRAWING IS..........

Lena S!!

Lena has won the packet of Vintage papers, music, album page, pressed floral from my garden and silk flowers.




Congratulations for winning the 100th post drawing. Lena's name will be placed in the drawing for the GRAND PRIZE in December.


Please retun to the blog tomorrow to see the February prize.

100th Post Giveaway Announcement

I am doing a giveaway in honor of my 100th post. And YOU could be the winner! Just leave a comment and I will place your name in a jar. On February 1st a name will be drawn from the jar and that Lucky Person will win a prize!

The gift is a packet of vintage papers, music sheet, album page, pressed florals from my garden, silk flowers and small floral & miscellaneous shapes for you to use in your artwork. Here is a peek at what you will be eligible to win:




DRAWINGS AT THE BEGINNING OF EVERY MONTH!!!!


Then, IF YOU WANT TO CONTINUE TO BE ELIGIBLE TO WIN SOME FUN ITEMS....visit my blog on a regular basis and leave a comment on each post. Every time you visit a post and leave a comment I will place your name in a jar.(Only one comment per post, please) The more posts you comment on the more chances you have to be a winner. On the first day of EVERY month I will draw a name and that Lucky Person will win a prize.

The prizes will be different each month.

Possible prizes you may win are:

Vintage Papers
Original artwork I create
Fiber fused fabric I create
Original patterns for various items
Packaged fibers
Book or magazine
Miscellaneous fabrics
Miscellaneous ephemera items
And much more.

In December I will draw a name from all those who have visited my blog all year and left a comment at least once every month.

Every time you leave a comment on a post your name will be placed in the drawing.

The more times you visit thoughout the year the more chances you have to be the big winner!

I am excited to hear from all of you and to see who the lucky winner of the first drawing will be!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

January 22, 1966


Forty-three (43) years ago today I married my high school sweetheart. My, how time passes!

I remember our meeting so vividly. We were in the school cafeteria when I first saw him. After that day we both sat in the same place everyday stealing glances and smiling shyly. Finally, after a couple of weeks a mutual friend introduced us. I was 15, a junior, and he was 17, a senior.

After our first date where we went sleigh riding, there were several more dates over the course of 3 years then we married.

Sometimes as I remember those days I think.."My! How young we were." Now 43 years later I think..."My! How old we are and how many years have passed....OH, so quickly!"

I would guess many would ask, "How have you made it last?" My reply would be, "With a lot of hard work, being friends, and knowing that love changes with the years. It grows from passion to a soft gentle understanding"

I tell everyone that we have grown up together. We were such kids when we married....18 and 21.

There were tough times and good times; sad times and happy times; quiet times and noisy times; lonely times and times together; angry times and laughing times. I could go on and on as I think we have faced every trial a married couple could face. But the one thing we were both committed to was making it work and not giving up. Making it work was hardwork sometimes and at other times very easy.

We have always been able to talk to each other. Our life goals have remained focused on the same dreams and throughout the years we have worked to accomplish those dreams.

My dear husband was in the military for 40 years and fought in 2 wars so as you can imagine we spent some stressful times apart. Thankfully he returned safely home. And the last time he went to war he served beside our middle son. What a sad time that was...having my husband and son in harms way yet bittersweet knowing they had one another.

He has now retired and I am hoping to join him soon. Then, finally we will be able to travel to those far away places, build more dreams and enjoy our final years together.

My anniversary message to him is:

"Thank you for loving me...in good and bad times. Thank you for sharing all these years with me. Thank you for being the father of our children. You have always been a wonderful role model for them. I am proud of our very loving and responsible sons. While we faced some tough times throughout the years we have emerged stronger and loved more. Thank you for always supporting me in pursuing my dreams and making many of them realities.

I Love you, my darling husband."

Making Valentines

Yesterday, I started trying to do a little bit of artwork. It is difficult since I can't use scissors yet. I have given it a couple of tries but just am not able to squeeze the scissors.




Prior to my surgery I had signed up for a swap of Valentine cards and needed to get them complete. After a little struggle I finally finished them. I am still unable to work on anything too small due to lack of using the fingers. I love creating with silk flowers so it seemed appropriate to use them in the cards. Here is the result:













Once the outsides were completed I worked on the insides. The lace and buttons are vintage. I bought the lace at a flea market last summer and purchased the buttons from a vendor at International Quilt Houston in November. The hearts are cut from fabric and attached with a fusible web. Printed the wording for the cards on the computer. Stamped the heart and lips on the envelope with a stamp I purchased for $1.00 on clearance.














Here they are ready to mail:






Simple and fun! Hope everyone likes them!

Sharing Nature Gathered Challenges

During the past few months I have had the privilege to be part of a collaborative art group where we do a monthly challenge creation. Each month has a theme for the inspiration we use to create our works.

I thought I would share some of the works that I have created during these challenges.

December's theme for our challenge was "Reptiles and Amphibians". I created a fiber fused chameleon that I have named --- "Hidden".



November's theme for our challenge was "Fauna". My inspiration was a very grumpy cat that frequents our pasture and yard -- "Lost Kitty". This was painted on fabric with dried lavender and yarn felted into the painting.



October's theme for the challenge was "Field Notes". As I searched for inspiration I spotted several empty bird nests and realized that with winter on the way the tiny birds were beginning to fly south...I would miss them terribly. Appropriately this is "Notes of the Empty Nest". This has a fiber fused background with painted overlay, real twig and nest.




September's challenge was "Flora" Using pressed flowers and foliage I created the fused picture "Flowers from My Garden".



August's challenge was "Entomology" so using silk flowers and pressed leaves I created the field of flowers with a dragonfly. This piece is has no name. Perhaps by the time it goes on display for our art show in Vancouver, Washington I will have a name for it.




July, our first month of the challenge, began the adventure by using the theme, "Birds". My creation is a painting of a vermilion flycatcher on canvas which I fondly refer to as "Early Morning Song".



To see the beautiful works of the artists in our monthly challenge group please visit our collaborative blog - Nature Gathered.

Our monthly challenge will continue through June 2009 so please continue to check Nature Gathered as each artist posts a creation. In August 2009 the original works will be on display at Sixth Street Gallery in Vancouver, Washington.

Word for 2009

On Sue Bleiweis' Yahoo Group for Fibre & Stitch there has been a lot of discussion regarding a word to challenge ourselves with for 2009. After giving this much thought I have decided that I need to have two words - CREATE and BLOG. I just couldn't give one up for the other.

I want to be able to create every day and to blog at least once a week. I tend to let other things in my life interfere with my achieving both on a regular basis.

Webster's Unabridged Dictionary defines Create as:

"...to cause to come into being, as something unique that would not naturally evolve or that is not ordinary processes;....to evolve from one's own thought or imagination, as a work of art;....to cause to happen; bring about;...."

Of course, the word Blog is not found in my edition of Webster because blogging is an activity that has come about in more recent times. Thus, I offer my own definition:

"Sharing thoughts, ideas, creations and feelings via the internet. Keeping in contact with cyber friends and meeting new friends through words, pictures and sharing images of creative projects."

What will be your Word for 2009?

Please share your word with others through the use of your blog or email.

Visit Fibre & Stitch, the on line zine for creative ideas.

STITCHES REMOVED

....today.

I have always been able to tolerate a lot of pain but this ordeal with my hand has been the pits! Today was no exception. I felt like such a wimp today when the nurse was removing the 8 stitches in my hand. The pain was excruciating!

As the tears rolled down my cheeks I apologized to the nurse for being a baby and she said, "I was in the operating room and knowing what was done I can really understand why you have the pain."

I was so happy to get the ordeal over. Now I have a brace that I will wear for 4-6 weeks. I can move my fingers now so hopefully I will be able to do some art in a few days.

Tonight I have taken a pain pill and am going to settle down and read a book or catch up on some magazines.

Thanks for all the emails with kind thoughts. I really appreciate hearing from you.

SIX DAYS HAVE PASSED

It will be a week tomorrow since the surgery on my hand. I never realized how much I would be handicapped without the use of my right hand. I can't open anything,can't fix my hair, can hardly put on my clothes and worst of all I am unable to do any art. Tuesday I get the stitches out and hopefully will go to a brace but the doc tells me no repetitive motion (whatever that means) for 4-6 weeks. For right now I am not to even use my fingers.

My dear husband tried to curl my hair but failed miserably. He has otherwise been taking very good care of me. It is the pits not to be able to do the smallest things.....like butter my toast.

I am so anxious to get back to work and back to creating. My mind has been going wild with ideas and I want to get started doing something.

THANKS to Tracie for taking care of class proposals....See why I love my dear daughter-in-law?

THANKS to Jane Eileen and Susan Moore for keeping our INchie group creating those marvelous one inch pieces of art - I have the GREATEST Yahoo group!!! Love you all!!

WELCOME 2009

As 2009 begins I remember all the wonderful times for years gone by ....and dream of new memories yet to be.



When I was a child I believed in the power of dreams, the fun fairies have everyday and always wished on the first star I saw as the sun closed its eyes at the end of the day.

Those things have never changed for me....I am still following my dreams and as many have come true I seem to find new ones to guide my way. The fairies found in my garden give me joy whenever I feel sad. And I still wish upon the star.....

I hope I always hold to these childhood beliefs as I look forward to 2009 with dreams,fun and wishes within my heart.

May all of you have a BLESSED and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Time is Drawing Near........

..... for you to sign up for a Fabulous trip to Orvieto, Italy with Tracie and me. If you have been thinking about accompanying us on the Adventure the time to add your name to the list is here. We have fun, excitement and artful experiences planned and would love to have you share time with us in this captivating part of the world.

This will be a small group so we will be able to share many experiences together. Tracie and I will be showing you how to create a memorable journal using finds from the local landscape such as; florals, foods, soil and other unique items. We will be showing you how to relive this experience through looking and feeling the adventure captured on each page of your journal.

Not only will you be creating a artful journal based on the natural surroundings but you will be learning to cook as only the Italians can, as well visiting the local vineyards and tasting the wines.















Sunsets will captivate you and the sunrises will fill your heart with anticipation of the day's adventure.

Please visit Adventures in Italy for the details on this trip. Once you have decided to join us you will become part of our group that shares the excitement and planning for this ....a spectacular adventure.

We would love to begin the new year spending time with you, our friend.

If you should have any questions please contact Bill and Kristin, Tracie or my. We look forward to planning this trip with you.

MY CHRISTMAS WISH

Each year Christmas has a special meaning for me. Not only is it the day to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, but it signifies a new beginning. I always have special memories from the year gone by and This, the Blessed Day, reminds me how precious each moment is. It gives me joy as I look forward to the new year that I will be sharing with family and friends.

I especially love this time of year as my family gathers together sharing fun and laughter and building memories that will last each of us a lifetime.

Tracie shared a Christmas poem and asked if each of us had one to share....here is mine:

Christ was born today to give us hope and joy, as
Heavens rang with songs of love.
Remembering all the moments
I have shared filled with
Special friends and loved ones dear..
Time, that while it is now past..lives in
Memories that gave me strength
And happiness forever in my heart...
Savor the moments and cherish the memories.



My Wish for each of you is that you, too, will Savor the Moments and Cherish the Memories!

Winter's Bitter Greeting

The wind is blowing wildly
And a chill is in the air.

A quilt of snow is everywhere
Covering the earth as gently as a mother covers her child.

White is the color seen from my window
Except for tiny specks of black peeking at me.

I hear a small chirp as the birds anxiously wait
For me to sprinkle seeds atop the snow.

As I enter the door into my house
I hear a sweet song of thanks.

A smile comes across my face
And a warm feeling enriches my heart and soul.

The small gift is appreciated by both the bird and myself.

No Pictures Just Words

Well, today I am home recovering from having a bone graft on my lower left jaw. The past year or so I have had a lot of pain in the area and kept telling myself if was just an ear ache. But when I had my dental checkup and the dentist did an x-ray he said something was going on with the bone. He sent me to a Periodontist who said I had some infection in the bone.

So yesterday I went to have the area treated. The bone area was like a sponge so the Doc had to cut out the bad bone and build it back with some kind of cement stuff. It was the pits getting it done but I can say that I am happy it is over and I am on the mend.

After a restless night last night and a pain pill every 3-4 hours I feel much better today. My dear husband took good care of me last night.

I am hoping that now I can get back to my artwork and get some things done around the house. Of course, it will be a week or so before I can get those things accomplished but it is great to have this behind me. I was dreading the whole procedure and wish I could say it wasn't as bad as I thought - but I can't- It was the pits!

In about a week I will get the stitches out and then I am sure I can say "It is better now!"

Thanks to my family and friends for all the kind words and thought! I cherish each of you!

Have a great weekend!

Marylin

Winter's Arrival

When I awoke this morning Winter greeted me with a lovely soft blanket of snow. The ground was wearing a silky white gown and the trees swayed in the breeze. It was a beautiful sight to see as the sun began to peek over the horizon.








Wind of the North,
Wind of the Norland snows,
Wind of the winnowed skies, and sharp, clear stars,
Blow cold and keen across the naked hills,
And crisp the lowland pools with crystal films,
And blur the casement squares with glittering ice.......

Charles Henry Luders

ThanksGiving

(Picture is copyright of isccharger on flicker)

ThanksGiving, a special day for giving thanks.

I am:

Thankful for the family that surrounds me with love...

Thankful for the friends that show they care...

Thankful for a country where I am free to express myself...
Religiously, Educationally, Verbally, Artistically,Emotionally, Politically, and Spiritually..

Thankful for the time I share with those around me...

Thankful for the beauty in the world...

Thankful for the experiences I have every day...

Thankful that life has led me down the path that has put me where I am today..

Thankful that everyday gives I have an opportunity to see the sunrise, the sunset, the moon and the stars...

Thankful for small simple gifts that life gives me every each day...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING ON THIS SPECIAL DAY OF THANKS

Nature Gathered October Challenge

Here is the piece I completed for the October challenge of the Nature Gathered Group.
It is constructed of fiberfusion and I have painted it.

I loved doing this piece and I saw the perfect poem right after I completed the artwork. How timely was that?

Thought I would share it with you, my friends.



Title: Notes of the Empy Nest



The birds of the forest are calling for thee,
And the shades and the glades are lonely;
Summer is there with her blossoms fair,
And you are absent only,
No bird that nests in the green-wood tree,
But sighs to greet you and kiss you,
all the violets yearn for your safe return,
But most of all I miss you.
Harry B. Smith

The Dream IS Within Your Grasp.....

While looking at the WONDERFUL brochure about Orvieto, Italy I have fallen in love with this quaint and picturesque village. What a ROMANTIC and ARTISTIC adventure to ponder as I dream of the experience that lay ahead.







DEPOSTION is a beautiful marble sculpture created by Ippolito Acalza and dates to 1579. What details and OH, how it has survived the passage of time. I can hardly believe I will stand close to it and observe it's beauty first hand.









The Renaissance cloister of S. Glovanni church founded in the year 900 then was rebuilt at the turn of the 17th century. WOW! I have only dreamed of seeing this timeless beauty close up.











The senic view of the this BEAUTIFUL and CAPTIVATING village where art abounds and creativity is felt in every breath. I can hardly wait to watch the sunrise and sunset surround each structure with a colorful glow.




Tracie Lyn and I are planning a nonconventional journal class for our students. We want them to capture the surroundings in a way that will continue to remind them of the fun and excitement of walking the enchanting streets of Orvieto. We plan to show how to incorporate the botanicals and other elements available into a journal filled with memories of a time with friends whose talents and creativity come together in a place where the greatest of past artists also gathered and created.

We would LOVE to have you join us on the FANTASTIC journey! It will be time to go before we know it so if you are thinking about going please contact Kirstin and Bill for the details. You will be traveling and creating with friends so this is a GREAT opportunity to see Italy in a way you would not see it on an ordinary trip. This experience is planned with the creative soul in mind.

PLEASE PLAN TO JOIN US!!!

Getting Ready for ArtFiber Fest

Getting ready for ArtFiber Fest has been a lot of fun. I have spent many hours creating away in my studio.




This is the pin cushion for the swap. Very serious little guy is keeping a quiet watch over me as I prepare for the trip to Port Townsend.















Next I started working on the plushy swap. Making these little octopi for the plushy swap has made me laugh during the entire process.



As each one was created it seemed to be watching me making the rest of its friends. They look so angry that I can't stop laughing everytime I look at them.




I gave Tracie hers and she,too, says she laughs everytime she looks at that angry little face. I hope that each person in our plushy swap has has much joy with these little ones as I have had.