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Monday, September 21, 2015

Farewell Summer...

I love Summer, I would like it to last much longer. I have been trying to ignore the signs of change but it's no use. With the help of several of my friends here in blogland and their beautiful posts of fall colors and decorations. I'm now ready to embrace autumn. But before I do here is my final tribute to Summer. One of my sweet friends, that I met here in the land of blogs, surprised me with a gift that I will treasure.
 
A tea and biscuit celebration in my imaginary beach house.

 
 
I adore the box that this precious mug came packaged inside, it is a perfect place for me to store my seashell garland for just a little while.
 
 
 
Thank you my sweet friend.
You know you have been a blessing and I think of you often.
 


Saturday, July 25, 2015

Butterflies...

I really like butterflies, real, paper, wood, fabric, metal, all types of butterflies.
I didn't realize how much I liked them until one day it dawned on me that I almost always use butterflies in my projects. I then began to include at least one in all my projects as a signature of sorts. 
I like real butterflies also and enjoy watching them flutter around my garden.  So it's no wonder that these butterfly balloons got my attention when I saw them at the grocery store. I thought they were beautiful.
 
 
Two butterfly balloons to carry
love, hugs, and kisses up and away in memory of a loved one.
 

 
A baby butterfly image decoupage on an up-cycled child's chair.
 
 
A white digital butterfly on the back cover of a mini journal.
 

A butterfly background in a pocket watch collage.
 
 
A Monarch butterfly enjoying Thistle growing on our backyard bank.
 
Linking to Pink Saturday. Click here to visit.
 


Friday, July 17, 2015

Sight And Scent Memory Triggers...

Does this happen to you? You see something, a flower, a building, or a bumble bee. You inhale the scent of an aftershave, baking bread, or leather. Immediately it evokes your memory of someone.  It happens to me.
 
 



 
A little digital playing for Emma Keller


Take a stroll through some of the Pink Saturday posts. They might help to stir up some wonderful memories or provide you with inspiration. Click HERE!

Friday, June 19, 2015

Enjoying...

Enjoying the warm weather and flowers. 
Petunias

 

Dahlias
Stella Dora Day Lily
Even as they fade they are beautiful
Not a flower here, but the beautiful leaves of a Brussel Sprot plant.


I think this tiny, delicate, star flower is a weed
A buttery yellow blossom on clover.
  A fading Zinnia
 Pretty pink Rhododendron
  Pretty Pink For Pink Saturday
Visit How Sweet The Sound for more pink

Friday, May 22, 2015

Flowers...Friends...Free...

Happy Pink Saturday Everyone!
Click on the words Pink Saturday and follow the link to Beverly at How Sweet The Sound.
I'm celebrating the day by sharing some lovely flowers from my garden and a link to a new friend who is having a wonderful give-away.

I am happy to learn that our local deer do not like Weigela plants.  Mine is finally bursting with variegated, shades of pink and white, delicate blossoms.
It's beautiful.



If you would like to participate in a monthly give-away you might want to take a few minutes to visit Daryle and Katie at Woodstown Whimsies. Daryle is giving away one of his gorgeous dolls again. This time it's a Primitive Angel. She is adorable.
All of Daryle's dolls have a story to tell. Click here to enter the give-away. And if you have some extra time you might want to look at some of their previous posts where they share the beautiful flowers in their garden.
 
Have a great week and remember to take time to smell the roses.
 

Friday, May 15, 2015

At long last...

Spring took its time arriving here on our little mountain. Winter was long and harsh on us and on our perennial plants. I was so happy to see flowers and colors even the weeds were beautiful to see.





 

 
 
 
 
 
We have started to plant a few annuals and some herbs.
 

 
 

Welcome Spring - Looking forward to Summer
 

 


Wednesday, April 29, 2015

My Shrine Angel Doll

I have decided to name my art doll, Journey.
I've created a few dolls over the years. Usually cloth dolls, like Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls, Holly Hobby dolls, sock dolls, and even button dolls. Making an art doll, a shrine angel, with a paper clay head, and a wood box body was an unexplored journey for me.
If you've been following my blog you know that I took a free class with Daryle Cook at Cloth and Clay Doll Makers. Making my doll was not a smooth journey at all. I wasn't able to find an old box when I began the class. On a trip to the craft store I saw the little row boat. I didn't buy it that day but I kept thinking about it for over a week. Those who know me know that I love beach things. I decided the little row boat would be my body box (shrine).  It took me quite a while to work out the details. What I did find is that I really enjoyed creating the doll head and playing with the paper clay.


 
 
I actually liked his face better before the crackling and antiquing.
 
 



 
He's wearing a black sock cap trimmed with a star fish and a sterling silver hoop earring.
 
 
There is a piece of sheet music on the back of the boat. Bridge Over Troubled Water, written by Paul Simon. Written on the oars (arms), and along the edges of the shelves, and reflected in the letter blocks are lyrics from the 1977 song by Styx, Come Sail Away With Me. Sea shell decorative paper lines the bottom inside of the boat. The treasure chest on the last shelf holds a collection of sea glass. A snippet of music with the lyrics "all your dreams are on their way" is on the lid of the chest. His wings are made with Grunge board and sheet music. The anchor tag has scripture from Isaiah 40:31.
 
Can you find the butterfly in the boat?
 
 
 
This angel was one of the dolls I made several years ago.
I suppose her name would be Miss Liberty.
 
I am on a new journey in my life.
 
Posting with Pink Saturday.


Saturday, April 11, 2015

Art Doll Stories And Messages...

I love on-line art classes.
If you follow me you know that over the years I've taken many classes and have posted what I've learned. My friends also know that I dabble in many different creative genres. My favorite is mixed media art. 
Recently one of my friends, Pam from Cloth To Creation, told me about an amazing doll artist who has posted video classes on how to make " A Shrine Angel Doll." The other amazing thing about the class is that it is free. Those of us who have paid for classes know the more in-depth the class the higher the cost.
The doll artist, Daryle Cook, has created a new site called Cloth And Clay Doll Makers. He has step-by-step videos on how to create the Shrine Angel Doll mentioned above. He also is in the process of creating another free class on making a "Book Faerie." Click on the link to see the trailer about the class.
I'm watching his videos and in the process of making my first mixed media O.O.A.K. art doll. I'm enjoying it very much. Here are a few photos of my progress so far.










I have a long way to go...














Now, if all that giving isn't enough Daryle also has a fantastic monthly "Give-Away." I was so blessed to have won his March treasure. On Good Friday, I received Daryle's "Hope Angel." Click the link to visit Daryle and his wife, Katie, at Woodstown Whimsies to read about his Angel of Hope.  Click here to check out the free video classes and the new Cloth and Clay Doll Makers.

Daryle's Hope Angel in his new home.
Telling a powerful story and a message of hope.


By the way, my dear friend, Pam, has also made a Shrine Angel Doll. Click on her blog link above to see her O.O.A.K. doll story. Here's a clue, she loves birds.

Thank you so much Daryle for the Hope Angel and this wonderful new journey.

I'm linking this post to Pink Saturday. Beverly asked for anything pink or any Spring message. The Angel Doll carries a beautiful, powerful Spring message of hope.