52 projects...week 45...Diane's challenge~

http://52paintedhouseprojects.blogspot.com/

nov. 30

if ever there has been a challenge

that stumped me

made me want to throw my hands up

and wave my white rag

surrender myself to the creative gods 

well this was it

i commend

a thousand times over

EVERY

jewelry maker

for i am not one

remember awhile back

i shared with you all that

Diane

was hosting a

challenge

and little ol me said to myself

and to each of you

oh i think this sounded like great fun

a challenge that would incorporate

brass bits

creating a piece from such

and i had my grandmothers crystals and pearls

and had thought what better way

than to recreate a piece from these

Diane

WOW

this

WAS

a

CHALLENGE

through this process

 i have gained a far greater respect

for each who can create such gorgeous pieces

working with enormous amounts of patience

taking bits and bobs

and

turning them into

magnificent pieces

for people to treasure

and wear

thank you so

for creating such a wonderful challenge

2 artists~

nov. 29

yes

 fancy mail

came our way

from a giveaway
 to a purchase

elizabeth

who paints with grace and beauty

ever so sweet moments she captures upon each page



had

 hosted a giveaway

she asked us to share our dreams...

if nothing could stand in your way

what would you be

i thought this was a clever idea to go about discovering more about ourselves and eachother

so my dream i sent forth

and in honor of her friend

mary beth maziarz

birthday

a giveaway was celebrated

these l♥vely gifts came my way

just in the nick of time

when all was going haywire last week

twas a sweet surprise to lift ones spirit

thank you so

my dear sweet friend

for hosting this wonderful giveaway

if you are at all interested

in Elizabeth's work

you can find her also
 here do stop over and pay her a visit

i know you will be pleasantly surprised

then i simply

 could

 NOT

resist

the thought behind such

and the creations that were stemming

from the beautiful mind

of

Amalia

she writes

After dark, comes light

After silence, voices speak

After grief, enters life

~A.K~

My dedication for the grieving victims of Mentawa
 - Merapi disasters.

her very first drawing she presented to us

BE STILL MY HEART

though i found it was meant for me

i missed the opportunity

 a very dear friend

has it residing within their home

i missed and i missed

and knew when it was meant to be it would be

well little ladies and gentlemen

yes oh yes

the moment was right

my breath was taken

at the sight of one of her

masterpieces

a mere glimpse for you

as to what had arrived

oh just wait till you see

so tender

delicate

 

are the images she creates

i have not stumbled upon another

quite like

Amalia

sigh

i will treasue this piece always 
not just for her mere beauty 
but  for all she stands for

thank you so



 

Fallen Heroes Procession~

nov. 29

1 year ago

i wrote these words

We went to

 Honor

those who have fallen

Nine days ago

We lost 4 Police Officers

9 children

   spouses and loved ones

 NEVER HAD A CHANCE

TO SAY GOODBYE

i had posted this last year

then removed it

so many people had such terrible views

why these ones who had fallen

were getting so much attention

it bothered me then

and as i sit here this day

their ignorant words bother me still

 

if you were to die

would you not want to be honored

would you not want to be remembered

i think this is something each of us can only hope will be

when our days have come to an end here

reguardless of hero or citizen

were are human

no person deserves to have their life taken

by someone who mind is not so right

yes, people die everday

this will always be

yes,

we have loved one fighting and losing their lives at war

this will always be

people die

and

people forget

that is the sad part

why is it wrong to try to change our world

and the ways it once was

if the tables were turned

and it was their loved one whos life was taken

would they not be filled with overwhelming emotions

seeing a community

people

people whom they have never met

come to pay their respects

show they care

but this day

wasn't so

people complained all over the internet news and world

even my own grandfather spoke his words to me

he couldn't believe i was taking our littles down

 to stand with others

when people die everyday

and nothing like this is ever done

why are they any different

no different they are

but we

 as individuals are

and can be

we can put forth the effort and show that we care

stand side by side

and maybe just maybe

this would come to be more

those who put their lives in danger day after day

and

by chance they encounter a fatal gunshot

or a horrific crime

WE

SHOULD

HONOR

and not

turn our heads

bicker about such

i rarely rant upon this space

but 1 year has passed

and guilty i have always felt

for taking this post down

my

 FATHER

a police officer for a few years

then

served our country for 23 years

shot four different times in the vietnam war

he is here

he is living

an angel was on his side

if these had been my father or loved one

i would have felt only unconditional love

to each that has fallen

this could be

if people

 stopped complaining

and

took a stand to make a change

that morning as i stood there

along the street

holding hands with my littles

tears falling from my eyes

i was proud to be apart of our community

a community who showed they

CARED

life has changed

life always will

and

i can only continue

to hope for such goodness to come

for people to put aside their difference

reguardless of right or wrong

color or religion

and

stand united

just because

 its not the way it has always been

doesn't mean it can be

NOW

...stop for a moment...

put yourself in one of those cars

what would you be feeling

as you rode along

street after street

seeing hundreds of people line the way

people

ONLY TRYING TO HELP EASE YOUR PAIN

~Gone but not Forgotten~

there are no words greater to share with one

so all  i can simply say is

Thank You

 to each who who stands before us

to protect

and

serve our country

a wee little village~

nov. 28

two weeks ago

 the holiday festivities

 began

the wee little elves began working their magic

 houses were built

the reigndeer even got some red and green hair

a gift from one wee little

i learned long ago

perfection

IS

that of what a little creates

so a village is set

all ready to go



each in our home

has unwillingly captured one wee littles bug

so try as we might

to get into the holiday cheer

i still fear

we are a little ways away

the decor came down

but the uummpphh

to get going is lagging behind

but hey a village was made

and the paper chains have begun

so a start we have started

and i know we will finish here

hopefully one day soon

my etsy 20 percent off~

nov. 26

now till monday

~ a way to say thank you for all you have given~

all calming chains are 20 percent off



i have already adjusted the price

regular 21.00

sale 16.80

there are not loops to jump through

coupons or codes

http://www.etsy.com/shop/tofallorstumbleupon

why you may ask



because i like you!!!

so a gift you could give to a friend or yourself

a mindful piece

to be with them each day

but hurry i say

cause what is there is what i have

no more waiting to be

thank you

for all your

wonderful loving and encouraging

words

these last few days

and always

~happy friday...for once i really am saying...TGIF~

blessing this day~

“Not what we say about our blessings,

 but how we use them,

 is the true measure of our thanksgiving.”

W. T. Purkiser



am i sane~

nov. 24

...am i sane...

i am starting to woner if i am sane

maybe just maybe

 because i am so far past already losing my sanity

insanity has been

 i think

and simply brought me back

full circle

to being sane

once more

can this make any sense at all

mind you all...i am joking

no need to worry

...i haven't gone off my rocker quite yet...

but if i may

let me paint my picture for you

SATURDAY

*remember it started snowing!

*around 3:00 am i heard a loud noise

i ran into the room

as i thought one may have fallen off the bed

*everyone sound asleep...in beds

*i look out the kitchen window...nothing to be seen

*i sit down and share with you all for the day

*get all ready to head up to the mountains

*husband leaves to auto part store

*husband returns home

*husbands comes inside to share such news

yes this is one of our cars

that became a victim of the most silliest of crimes

so innocent he was

just sitting outdoors

doors even unlocked

case someone felt the need to help themselves

yet these smart criminals

did not even stop to think

all they had to do was open the door

and reach in for the stereo

this i was not going to bother to share...

i was able to move past it

shaking my head

SUNDAY

*1:00 am one little rises

with a body that is roasting

on fire

103 temp

burning up was he

*our day was spent watching the snow

snuggled up as a family

quietly in our home

i think this was a silent way of preparing us for what was to come

MONDAY

*one little wakes still with a temp

*the roads lay frosty and glazed with sheets of ice

*one husband makes his way to work

*our truck realizes its on its last leg

*the wind kicks up

*the temp begins to drop

*the mail man comes with letters to give

*my grandfathers documents are all safely at hand

*yet as i start looking at these pieces

my heart begins to sink a bit

each piece has a different birth date

so i am keeping my faith that a birth certificate

 they still will provide

*one little so so sad he can not go out into the snow

*one older one sweetest that can be

goes outdoors to brave the colder weather

and make a friend for thee

*husband returns home to tell the truck kept dying  for he needs to buy an alternater

*7:30pm husband and wee little

fall asleep on the couch

*one older had been begging me all day

to get out in the snow and play with him

*two beautiful angels were made

*a mama and son spent some quality time together

now at this point you may be saying

well this isn't so bad

oh please do keep on reading my friends

for my adventure

is really going to turn

*we come inside and calls i've missed

*i call my sister to hear her say

she has lost power from the winds

 that came our way

adn could you please look up online

the signs and symptoms of a blood clot please

*long story short

doctor tells her its her choice to go in to the er

she could wait and see

 if her blood pressure gets higher

*now its 9:oopm

19 degrees outside

snowing

icy roads

winds 25 miles per hour

*she chooses to wait and see what happens

*one little wakes up crying

fever has hit 103 degrees once more

*care to one little

*and off to bed i finally go

TUESDAY

*5:30 am i start to wake my l♥ve

for i know he will need an early start

to make it into work

*one husband walks outside to start his truck

*one husband comes back into the garage

 to visit with me for a minute

*we together hear

OUR TRUCK START IDLING HIGH

WE HEAR OUR TRUCK POP INTO GEAR

down comes two coffee cups

out we run

to see right before our very eyes

OUR TRUCK IN REVERSE

DRIVING OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY

BARELY MISSING A CAR DRIVING BY

 HEADING STRAIGHT INTO

OUR NEIGHBORS HOUSE

BY FATE

IT VEARS A LITTLE TO THE RIGHT

THE BACK TIRES HOP UP

ONTO THEIR  ROCKERY

AND TAKES DOWN THEIR FENCE

ONE TRUCK BECOMES STUCK

*one husband is able to get inside

and drive our wild naughty truck back home

*two people

husband and wife

just stare at eachother in disbelief

*they both just start laughing uncontrollably

THIS IS NO JOKE EITHER

OR STORY MADE UP

this is just a mere glimpse

 of

my reality

my life

*one husband gets calmed down,

cleaned up and heads off to work

*one little rises with hopes of a fever finally broke

*one sister calls

and says she needs to go in to the e.r

*so off i go gathering our things

and bundling my littles

*we hop in the car
 and i ask them to please be very quiet
as their mama really has not much experience
driving in the snow

and her tires are those

meant for racing not snow playing

* i pick up my sister

*give my l♥ve a call

to ask him to come get the boys on his way home

*one l♥ve comes by the hospital

*three boys safely return home

*one sister is discharged with flying stars

*one mama makes her way slowly back home

*8:00pm she calls her parents and reports all is well

and she makes the smarta** remark of what else could go on

*she says her goodnights to the men in her house

*she crawls into her nice warm soft bed

*one little comes in who needs a cuddle

*two have quietly dozed off to sleep

*"mama" she hears..."i'm gonna frow up"

before i can even think

i throw back our covers and hold up my little

all over my bed it goes

*two others hear me yell

*cleaned up we all get

and try once more to lay down quietly

and go to bed

* two more times through the night this did occur

*one little is finally sleeping as i type

*one husband has safely arrived at work

*and me i sit here hoping and wishing for nothing more

so as for this coming holiday

really i have no idea where we will be

do i feel bad

NO

just tired

i sit and am thankful

that though a car has been broken into

it is still here

though a truck mindlessly ran off

and destructed a fence

no one was hurt all can be fixed

one trip to the er

just reassured us all is alright

one little sick

well really it could be far worse

to the urgent care we will go

and i am sure

 in a day or so he will be on the mend

i sit and am thankful that we have a vehicles, we have family around us, littles we l♥ve,
for we could be without any of this
and what excitement would that be for one
so today and always
i am blessed and thankful for all that i have

~i wish you all a wonderful holiday ahead~

and to all who have joined my swap
please be a bit patient
 as i gather everyones info and match up partners...
there will be a little delay
but don't let that stop you from creating or gathering...
hopefully an email i will send by the end of this day

52 projects...week 44~

http://52paintedhouseprojects.blogspot.com/

 

~mystical mask making~

i had this crazy idea of having a mask exchange

which as you now know

has come and gone

the days leading up to it

i started thinking

"have i lost my mind"

"this is crazy"

i really had no idea of how to do such

then it came to me

in the wee early hours one  morning

i had an old karma card book

 i had been using for random projects

so out came the pages

of a scorpio

{mothermoons astrological sign}

and into some coffee

i layered and layered

and then let it dry



i often think of mothermoon

and the scenes she shared from last winter

it reminds me always of narnia

ice queen in mind

out came the glitter

thee eyes

what to do with ones eyes

a little nature came into play

silver ferns for a delicate flair

little tiny beads wanted to stay

placed around the edges

and over the eyes they carefeully lay

error on my behalf

i got so excited about this here piece

i forgot to take a full shot picture

of her all complete

but fear not

if at all interested

mothermoon

posted about it

here

now an

ice queen

couldn't go out into the land

 without one of these in her hand

i had my doubts along the way

especially when no others but two were wanting to play

but i have to say

i without a doubt l♥ved

making this mask for mothermoon

so much so

that i indeed will create more

oh a just a friendly reminder

TODAY

is the

 last day

to sign up for the 

CELEBRATE THE SEASON SWAPS

there are four different swaps to be had

3 gifts to give...yule~holiday card...

ornament exchange...book exchange

pick one...two..three..or all four

what ever you wish