It's time for the first Giveaway of the new year.Holy Smokes 2010!! I made this little felt book a while back.Inspired by the lovely Mary Oliver poem"One".This little felt book measures 9" x 3" and it was created using felt,premium paper,stickers,Dresden trim,ribbon and more....So what you have to do for this little giveaway is really quite simple...Just share with me you "motto" for this upcoming year.Last year my motto was the first line in my favorite poem "The Journey" By Mary Oliver...The line reads..."One day you finally knew,what you had to do,and began".I think I must have said that to myself a thousand times.More of a confirmation,that I was doing what I new all along was the right path to follow.And so here I am today, on my creative journey,at last.I have arrived.

And now 2010,my motto arrived a couple of weeks ago when a lovely new friend named Renee from http://circlingmyhead.blogspot.com/ said to me

"Fear is not a good place to live darling. You can't live there, because fear will steal some piece of you everyday.

Don't let it."

Love Renee xoxoxo

December 16, 2009 10:17 AM

When my husband became sick, my attitude towards many things changed...I began to appreciate things more deeply,every breathe,every hug,every laugh,every taste,every ounce of love.For this change I am ever so grateful....But "Fear" also carefully placed itself at my side,it stuck to me like glue.I now fear loss,I fear for my children,I fear missed opportunities,I fear the collapse of my mind and body,I fear pain,
I fear the words,"If I had only..." and so many more.
So thank you Renee..this year I choose to put "Fear" where it belongs...not at my side,but behind me.







"One" by Mary Oliver
The mosquito is so small it takes almost nothing to ruin it.Each leaf, the same.
And the black ant, hurrying.So many lives, so many fortunes!
Every morning, I walk softly and with forward glances
down to the ponds and through the pinewoods.
Mushrooms, even, have but a brief hour before
the slug creeps to the feast,before the pine needles hustle down under
the bundles of harsh, beneficent rain.How many, how many, how many
make up a world! And then I think of that old idea: the singular and the eternal.
One cup, in which everything is swirled back to the color of the
sea and sky. Imagine it! A shining cup, surely! In the moment in
which there is no wind over your shoulder, you stare down into it,
and there you are, your own darling face, your own eyes.And then the
wind, not thinking of you, just passes by, touching the ant, the mosquito,
the leaf, and you know what else! How blue is the sea, how blue is the
sky, how blue and tiny and redeemable everything is, even you,even your
eyes, even your imagination.

As always,thank you so much for stopping by

It was hard for me to get a good photo of this one.

This mini shadow box named "2" measures 5"x5"


Inspired by the beautiful poem "Two" by Ramona Thompson
"Let's be Just us Just this,
So wonderful ,No more No less
Forever together Hearts united Pulses pounding
Falling fast, Kissing slow, Hands exploring
Future's bright With us
Perfectly complete
Perfectly whole Never apart
So close In love In life Forever together
Wonderful dreaming Come true
Now that In love In life We are Forever mine Forever yours
Just me Just you Just we Just two."


It was created using ephemera,metal doo-dads,transparency,stamping,stickers,glitter and more.

As always,thank you so much for stopping by.

Sometimes I feel as though everyone can see right through me.Open and with no where to hide,my fears,my insecurities,all of me,right there,for everyone to see..Sometimes,I don't even like what I see.But at the end of the day,this is the real me and what I don't like,is looked upon as a opportunity,a chance to change and grow.I have so many lessons yet to learn. I am ready and eager.

How Wonderful!I am full of gratitude.My Holiday Season has been full of joy and warmth and family and love.Each moment a memory,each breath a blessing,each hug a treasure,each smile a warm cozy blanket.

Dear friends,from the bottom of my heart,I pray that Grace has blessed you with another moment,I hope that you have created memories that make you smile so hard.. it hurts.That you were surrounded by those that love you and that you love.Every second,a blessing.Every inch of happiness,a treasure.

Blessings to you on this Holiday Season.

(photo by Alicia Bell)

These few days off I have realized something.My need is great to create.I am eager to get my hands dirty and dig deep inside my soul for something new.My head is spinning with ideas and I am excited to get back to creating.Tonight I will be starting up again on Ebay.I have had a few wonderful moments to sneak away and create.This new block is called "Memories".Made with a wooden block,phone book papers,ephemera,swarovski crystals,rusty nick-nacks and doo-dads.

Thank you friends for stopping by today.
Warmest Regards,Cat

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone that has taken the time to come and visit me in Blog world.This is my 101 post and this journey has taken me on many new and exciting roads,meeting new people and making new friends.I am so thankful for this experience.Thank you and God Bless.




Another little felt Creation...I had so much fun with this little bird,she sang to me and kept my spirit high.





Have a Wonderful Holiday Everyone.Treasure your Family and Friends.This time will soon be ahead of us.Lets make sure we enjoy every minute of it.Warmest Regards,Cat

Creating has been on hold for a while.With the mad rush of "Christmas to-do's" coming to a close, I've started to get that itch again..I have so many ideas in my head and I just hope I came make them all come to life.I have been fiddling around with felt again.In the past I created some felt books,but yesterday I had some time to create a ACEO.I am learning new stitches and I think soon enough I'll get the hang of it."Create" was made using two squares of felt,wool,trim,beads,embroidery floss,nest image and leaf charm.

Such a hectic time of year..I'm doing my best not to get caught up in the whirlwind.




"Remember to breathe",I keep telling myself..

"soak up the calmness in the wind,..and be at peace."

"All of life's problems bleed away
When I get grounded in the water."
Raymond A Foss

I have been working on a lot of Gratitude Journals lately.Plenty of requests coming in and for this, I too am Grateful.The first one will be listed tonight on Ebay and the other two are custom.

I have been neglecting my
ACEO's!
(Art, Card, Editions, and
Originals)

It's been some time since
I created some,but last
night
I was on a roll,starting
new
ones and
finishing up
some that kept yelling at
from the corner of my
eye.I was motivated
by some kind words shared my way by a loyal
customer.She told me she displays the ACEO's she purchased from me in shadow boxes.I so wish I could see them displayed.But anyway,here is "Forever in my heart"#288,"Sweet"
#289,"The Sweet life"
#290,and "Merry"#291.
Also I have some new
wooden Ornies for Xmas.
These will be appearing on Ebay and Etsy.Thanks
for stopping by.Warmest
Regards,Cat

"Young cat, if you keep your eyes open enough, oh, the stuff you would learn! The most wonderful stuff!"

Dr. Seuss

Why is everyone in such a rush?....My twelve year old is eager to become a grown-up,but deep down I am not the only one that wishes for her to enjoy her youth,to love her home and be grateful.She too,though she may not say it out loud,..is happy to day dream,happy to play and run and draw.She too is happy to find feathers in the clouds,cuddle next to mommy,tickle and annoy her little brother. Though she may not say it out loud,she too,is in no rush to grow up.Take your time little one.

A new Altered Mini block,going up tonight on Ebay."Under the Mistletoe" measures approx. 5" and was assembled using a 1"x1" wooden block,premium papers,beads,wire and floral findings.