Background,Ebay,Giveaway,Tutorial,Inspiration,blah..blah..blah

Happy Wed Everyone!!I have been busy with a little bit of this and a little bit of that lately.I have diligently been trying to create my own banner and background for the blog.I found so many wonderful helpful sites,but the only one I was able to understand was Kevin and Amanda's.They really gave me step by step directions and for a novice like me it was truly helpful.Here is the link,if anyone wants to give it a try.

http://www.kevinandamanda.com/whatsnew/tutorials/how-to-make-a-scrapbook-blog-background.html

I also used a background image from Shadowhouse Creations.Jerry offers tons and tons of freebies..Check him out at.. http://shadowhousecreations.blogspot.com/

I also have some new listings on Ebay.The first is a hanging shadow box named "Journey"..Covered in what else...beeswax of course.


Plus a new melted felt ACEO.I originally had a plan to have a tutorial on my newsletter,however I seem to be having problems with newsletter lately and decided to give you all a sneak peak at the process.

Melt felt with a heat gun,Sew backing,Assemble and Glue.Easy Peasy,Lemon Squeezy!


And now its time for a Giveaway..This little beauty loves to be on stage.Created using Alpha Stamps collage sheets,vintage reprint,crepe,Dresden trim,floral findings,and chain. The base measures approx 3" x 4".


All you have to do is leave me a comment that you are interested,and spread the word around about the giveaway.I will announce the winner on Friday May 7th.


Lastly,Check out what sis made for me..my favorite line,from my favorite quote,"The Journey"(on sidebar)."One Day you finally knew what you had to do,and began." Isn't it lovely,and it offers tons of inspiration in my craft room...Thanks Sis!


As always,thank you so much for stopping by

Grandma's Hands

The other day I read the most amazing story on a wonderful blog..
http://marlenes-musings.blogspot.com/ I couldn't stop thinking about it and just had to share it with you.


GRANDMA'S HANDS


"Have you ever looked at your hands," she asked.. "I mean really looked at your hands?"

I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point she was making.

Grandma smiled and related this story:

"Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace life.

"They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the floor.

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They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As a child, my mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots. They held my husband and wiped my tears when he went off to war.

"They have been dirty, scraped and raw , swollen and bent. They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son. Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone special.

They wrote my letters to him and trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse.

"They have held my children and grandchildren, consoled neighbors, and shook in fists of anger when I didn ' t understand.
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They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my body. They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw. And to this day when not much of anything else of me works real well these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer.

"These hands are the mark of where I ' ve been and the ruggedness of life.

But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out and take when he leads me home. And with my hands He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of Christ."



I will never look at my hands the same again. But I remember God reached out and took my grandma ' s hands and led her home.

When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my children and husband I think of grandma. I know she has been stroked and caressed and held by the hands of God.

I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my face."

-- Author Unknown
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As always,thank you so much for stopping by

Some more Bees Wax comming at ya!

A new Altered Wooden Plaque named "Be". Made with a vintage reprint,ephemera,metal doo-dads and more.Covered in a layer of beeswax.



"Travel" ACEO Art Card


And trying something new on this altered bottle named "Joy"..I got a little wax crazy on this one,mixing in crayon and all kinds of goodies.The bottle is completely covered in a layer of wax.





As always,thank you so much for stopping by

Is this a Joke or What?

There has to be a misalignment in the universe somewhere,or perhaps..I have lost my mind,..then again,it could all be just be a joke...Does that say 300 followers....Cant be..who would want to tune into what I, a mother of two,wife to hubby,lover of texture,in the moment,kinda gal..would want to say anyway.Well whatever the reason..you make me feel loved and I am Thankful.

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But the truth is..you all offer me so much in return..

you take me for a ride..

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..make me laugh..

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..fill me with Joy..

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..and even help me see things more clearly..

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So thank you dear friends,my heart is over flowing.


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As always,thank you so much for stopping by

I'm feeling the L.O.V.E Baby!

Lucky # 1 playing on my way to work this morning."L.O.V.E" by Nat King Cole,making my hips sway in the seat,my fingers tap the steering wheel and all the while,singing as though no one is watching.With overcast skies,my heart feels light, and with my optimism circling around,far off in the distance,I can see there is a small patch of open sky.


I am feeling the "Love" Nat,..yes I am.

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Yesterday while traveling through blog land I came up to my sweet friend Riki's blog..and what a wonderful surprise..She wrote the sweetest,kindest things about...Me! Yup! Me!

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She recently purchased one of my items and was so generous to post about it.After I cried happy happy tears,I put myself together,and cried some more happy tears..Yes,I'm a sap!

Check out the post at Riki's Blog at http://rikijewelry.blogspot.com/2010/04/talented-artist-cat-kerr-i-love-cats.html#comments
Big Hugs to you my friend.

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Then last night I received an email from Dawn at Inspirational wanting to post about my work...Gee..me..I could just squeeze you with Joy!

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Check out this wonderful blog at http://inspirationalcraftblogs.blogspot.com/


Thank you sweet friends for my recent blog awards and shout outs..Each and every one of you make my heart sing,and I am forever grateful..

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As always,thank you so much for stopping by

Sticky Fingers

Caught in the act!!

This little pixie has issues!! Sticky fingers..

She likes to pick up little treasures,here and there,and brings them back to her Nest.

High on her perch..she has no fear..but not any more little pixie...your time is up!

I had fun with this one.Now on Ebay!!
As always,thank you so much for stopping by

New listings for Ebay

I would just like to thank everyone that left a comment in the previous post.Your words mean so much to me and I am grateful.

Some new Listings for Ebay..The first..a paper mache heart,that has been painted and embellished with sequin,floral findings,beads,glitter,a vintage reprint,metal butterfly,swarovski crystal and more.This mini heart measures approx. 2 1/2" but its full to the rim with sisterly love.







"Bloom where you have been Planted" Gratitude Journal.Made with handmade muslin flowers,premium papers and doo-dads.The inside flap has a list of helpful tips on keeping a gratitude journal.






Lastly,a mini metal tin named "Stretch your Wings".This mini tin measures appox. 3 " high and it has been embellished with wooden spool wheels,buttons,vintage reprint,transparency and more.





And Now I would like to thank Brenda from http://wickedwoolgathering.blogspot.com/ for generously giving me a really special award!!


This award is for artist you love...how am I supposed to pick only three..Oh this is hard...Uummmm....still thinking..well...Ughhhh...Ok..ok..I would like to give this award to Shannon from http://gypsymoonart.blogspot.com/ Her Wire work is Amazing!
Julie Ann from http://heavenleighart.blogspot.com/ Her Paintings speak of Love!
and
Dagmar from http://barefootfromheaven.blogspot.com/ Her Photos move my Core!
As always,thank you so much for stopping by

Waiting for the Storm to pass..

Happy Monday Everyone!!The weather here has been absolutely glorious with a breeze that can make your heart sing.We are trying to enjoy the outdoors as much as we can before the Florida heat kicks in and confines us to the AC...But even with this wonderful weather,I must admit I have been out of sorts lately.Cannot seem to define it,but its troubling me.

The other day at my sons baseball game,while my daughter and I sat on the bleachers waiting for the game to start,I couldn't help but notice a mother two rows down,playing with her 6-7 year old.As my daughter read and I fiddled around with my camera,they played "Restaurant". She was the waitress,and he ordered wonderful dishes from his imagination..dishes like,..roast spaghetti,lollipop casserole,cupcake stuffed with brownies...and Mommy wrote down his order in her imaginary pad and yelled them off to the "Chef"..daddy.. of course!
It was sweet and simple and happy..it was exactly what I needed at that moment in time...and as the game rolled on,my thoughts turned to questions..

Why have I been so tense lately?..Why do I feel as though I am running,but never catching up?

Why do I feel as though I am loosing my simple,happy moments with my kids?....I'm always thinking.."There just isn't enough time in the day"...but do I really want more time...why cant I manage the hours I have now without having to-do's running around in my head?...Trust me,..I know what your thinking,..moments like these come and go..I too,know this to be true..I suppose witnessing that sweet taste of happiness made me just not want to miss anymore moments.

Thanks for letting me vent friends..Sometimes you just need to get it out,and wait for the storm to pass...because it always does.

All of the images are from the amazing Ben Heine..check out his work at http://www.flickr.com/photos/benheine/or check out his blog athttp://www.benjaminheine.blogspot.com/
As always,thank you so much for stopping by