Hope & Healing for Haiti

I see so many other wonderful Bloggers have tapped into their hearts & have been donating their purchases to Help for Haiti.

These examples are the beauty I speak of when I often share about how my blogging sisters teach me so much about stretching ourselves.... sometimes outside of our comfort zones to make a difference. Especially in such dire times in the economy as these...

Haiti needs any & all help. Yet... I thought "How could I possibly help? Im only one person" but if we all felt that way, where would Haiti or any of us be? I do believe God blessed each of us & hasnt left anyone out with a variety of talents, & treasures...I cant help feeling He gave us these personal gifts to share them..at times like these...We cannot take our blessing, of talents time, & whatever treasures we have been given and run..never looking back. I know I cant.

So, Ive created this Valentines Day inspired package to sell. I LOVE Deb Richies designs, she & Terrye French designs just speak to & touch my spirit... I painted Debs adoreable love struck sheep on a piece of osnaburg fabric, & sewed some fun black & white gingham, some red & white fabric surrounding the pillow. Its Bright & very chubby! Just click on the photo for a better look see.

I had a blast painting the empty mayo jar lid & added yummy Hershey Kisses, some pretty wrapped white & milk chocolate to sweeten the pot ...Then added a black n white stamped heart on a round tag snuggled inside of a bright red & white torn piece of fabric which adds a little pop.

I included 4 delicious smelling large soy tarts I purchased & am *LOVING* from Brandy Annes Candles, they are all primitive inspired & make my home smell so warm & inviting...mmmm.

I am going to offer this package WITH shipping & handling in the USA only INCLUDED for $30.00.

My husband & I will match that purchase price & hopefully "we" can make a difference & send it to an orphanage from Haiti who I found from Cookies blog "Curds n Whey"
$60.00! Together We Can...
I understand they donate 100% to Haiti. THATS what Im talking about.

If anyones interested please feel free to drop me an email at my address posted below this entry. Together "We" can touch people who absolutely need to feel touched...loved & not forgotten. I cannot even wrap my thoughts around what they are experiencing.

My life is an open book, its no newsflash that my drug addiction robbed me of everything decent, & beautiful, I was a taker the entire I was so sick so many years ago, it just feels so good to be able to finally give back what was so freely given to me...HOPE!

So Id like to introduce yall to my new hoopty "Leapin LuLu!!!"

Shes a wonderful Nissan my husband picked up & have been working diligently on with a literal mechanical autopsy, she has all new insides...we will be re- painting her white & will also be adding some wild flames on her hood!
She may not have "Hemme" but shes got onions...hence her name Leaping...LuLu! Its been awhile since Ive driven a 5 speed..poor Maxine had only 2...front & back!

But shes heading towards much needed retirement after being very loyal & good to us...but we needed her to "dependably" drive us farther than a couple of towns...
Now we can make that long awaited trip to Jersey to steal..I mean stalk..I mean see....yeah thats what I meant "see" our beautiful Grand daughter Natalie Jo.

God I miss her so much it makes my heart literally ache. We try to stay very connected & send her little gifts, clothes. goodies,& surprizes, I mean This Grammie thing is all new to me...Im thanking God for the second chance to make up where I know I failed, & fell short as a Mom some times...by being the best Grammie I can be...
My husband & I have literally turned into Grand Parent IDIOTS!

We talk about this baby girl & bore people to pieces, AND force them to look at our pictures of her.... but ya know what? WE DONT CARE!!!! LOL
We have made promises to her Mom & Dad not to pierce, tattoo or by her anything leather until after shes 21!!!!! a-hem... The promise of "no leather jackets" may or may not be broken....The jurys still out on that one.

I included my husbands latest Jewelery Box that he recently woodburned. It can also easily hold cigars & diddies... Its beautiful & felted black inside.
He felt easily inspired after our date to the Bike Show we went to a couple of weeks ago.
It is such a rush to sit at our dining room tables some weekends & listen to loud old classic rock or Country..thats right, were out of the country music closet! LOL, share pots of flavored coffee, share lunch & I paint while he burns...beyond our wildest dreams.

I hope you enjoy the photos, I couldnt help but include me & Opie...we were taking our quiet time walk together...Im still trying to get used to these new BiYocals Im sportin & high steppin with..it is good to see again. All gifts that we sometimes take for granted.

I am finally Cyber safe from spyware, adware and virus safe with the newest & best Norton on the market...Im not takin any chances after the horrible "Crash of 09" LOL

So today Im spending time on my Christmas Easter Bunny Challenge Im participating in with some amazing women who belong to the awesome "Cloth Doll Artistry"

I am also busy making some prim & vintage spring & Valentine themed hearts...stacked with a variety of fun embellishments, even making a couple of lapel pins...

Grilled Chicken breast, baked potato & salad for dinner, yup even in the rain we grill....Im doing good on my new healthy eating, Lost 6 lbs in 16 days. YAY me!

Thoughts of peace, creativity & plenty for all of us today..May we ALL walk in the beauty God blessed us with.
scaredykat449@yahoo.com

Simple Times...Simple Joys

I just love this "Kim Klassen" design I painted on some canvas duck cloth.

Ok keep scrolling...down...a little more...THERE!

Im working on a couple more of her designs...They are so relaxing & fun to paint. The prep work for the duck cloth however is quite the process...but I love to learn.

And during the evenings while watching T.V. Im stitching this fabulous but large cross stitch piece I found in my "Country Cross stitch" magazine. The tiny stitching is also good threapy for my thumb I had reconstructive surgery & another for a bone infection last Oct. so my PTherapist should be delighted Im in screaming pain after an hour of stitching! LOL.

I finally bought much needed new glasses last week, I call em my "Bi-Yocals" I didnt spend the extra $100.00 for progressive where ya cant see the line... these were expensive enough...Laura Ashley frames for me???? I wasnt looking for designer names but these were awfully cute. I was being picky since theyre gonna be on my mug for awhile...but learning to live my life with split screen is undoubtedly a challenge. Im high stepping & tripping all over the place. Yup...still.

So I thought I was seeing things when my little buddy scared the...well you know....when I caught him staring at me while chopping salad for dinner the other evening.
ok now were scrolling back up...LOL

He was just watching me, I went right up to the window & he didnt move...soI asked him to smile... snapped this picture of him. These squirrels are such a delight for the hubs & I. We fattened em up for this cold winter..theyre HUGEOLA! trying to scoot their chubby little fannies up the trees...they probably all suffer from diabetes from obesity...good thing they dont smoke...at least I dont think they do.

Maybe he was just eyeing the monster apple peach pie I had coolin on our stove.

So I just thought Id stop by & share a couple of my projects, & what warms my heart....

I want to share how appreciate I am for some of you who have been posting my blog on your side bars...Im still trying to figure out how to add the Blog Follower thingy on the side of mine...if anyone has any easy instructions, Id sure be grateful...

Im still tickled I finally learned how to post pictures from my new camera. Quite by accident & after many tears..the Lord sure works in mysterious ways doesnt He? Evidently He wanted me to practice patience, perserverance, & learn not to "ever" give up... no matter what I do.

So Im going to believe Him. I have come to Him in prayers asking that He help me rebuild some of the old friends Ive made & have lost since not being here... & making new ones since Ive been back.

Some folks utilize their blogs for marketing, show casing their beautiful homes, or journaling...a variety of different reasons, but I use it for that amazing gift of feeling "connected" to some real kindred spirits...to express my love for recovery while being clean & sober, to share our love for God, to be inspired while surfing to some of your blogs, passions & homes.

SO when I wasnt able to participate any longer, I felt a void in my spirit, that was great.

Although I wasnt seen here posting, it didnt mean I wasnt trying desperatley to find the solution I needed to post pictures & share little parts of my life with all of you.

I dont have a large magazine perfect or magazine worthy primitive home....Im not published myself in terms of my doll making or painting, but I do come here for encouragement, inspiration in believing that some of you who "are" very successful, that it couldnt happen to me too "if" that happens to be Gods will for my life. I dont want anything that God doesnt want for me...
Successful Blogging.....Its important, but its not everything.
Friendship & Family is everything to me.
Making a house into a home is important...
My relationship with God, & improving my life in sobriety is everything to me...
but it all has to begin somewhere.

So when I whine or complain about not being an exciting or flashy blogger...its not because Im trying to compete...Im only trying to learn, grow, push myself towards being the best I can be... I missed being a part of this community where I feel appreciated, encouraged, inspired & motivated. So I thank those of you who "get" me.

I thank those of you who generously share my blog on your side bar...I appreciate that you know youre not "yet" on mine because Im selfish or greedy, but Im learning...& Ive done some amazing things thru small steps already..dont give up on me..Ill bet it wont be long before you all see your blogs boldly & proudly sitting on the side of mine...under my own header..... Screaming that THESE...
are

My Favorite Kindred Spirits.

The Bike Show

So Ronnie & I enjoyed quite a morning yesterday at a very over priced but so worth the splurge Bike Show in the Hartford Expo center.
We were just needing to get out of the house & do more than groceries, errands or work...so we went out to breakfast first....then off to Harley Heaven.We even saw a couple of very SAWEET Indians....
This sweet lil thang "Miss Valerie" who was a Playboy Centerfold held my husbands attention as she autographed a garage poster for our son & his garage...I told my hubs..."you take away those inplants, her tight lil body, her gorgeous tan, smile & long blond hair...& ya got me!
She was actually standing on a crate WITH platform boots..she was a lil one...(in heighth)
I took a picture of the sign that I would lOVE to buy for my sons garage...it fits him to a tee! Im sure he would agree. So would his boyz...
I was doin a little of my own silent drooling..there were a whole lot of MCs supporting this show, (The Hells Angels) & more, lotsa big intentionally bald... or unbald... hairy boys sportin skull caps, pony tails, leathers, chaps, colors, & ink...lots of tribal ink....yum! (insert chuckle) I have my own hands full with my own middle aged hottie...but rather than feel insecure or jealousy...I just took a lil eye vaca of my own while he was in his own Fantasy Island!

Being at the show however inspired Ronnie to sketch a bike to burn...he had purchased a nice piece of wood, its actually a box, kinda like a cigar box...but wooden, & now he has a vision to begin his own project. The rough sketch is awesome, I cant wait till he completes it. He even said hed keep it for himself which is rare, no matter what he burns, someone always scoops it up & buys it...

I hope no one was offended by the sign I posted...but Im not going to pretend Im someone Im not. I "am" a child of God with a mouth(Im workin on) and sense of humor I hope isnt stripped completely.
Im excited to post some pictures of the cool "EGG" sign I painted from a Kim Klassen pattern. Its hanging in my kitchen & I might even paint one advertising Black Wool for sale...I lOVE all of her Shaker inspired primitive art work.
So thanks for spending some time at the Bike Show with us...Hubs & I bought a couple of over priced shirts but it was soo worth it. We had a ball. Its so important to make & keep dates with your spouse.

Some of my Creations from 2009

I had a ball painting this large tote bag with a design from Shari Reiner, the other side is loaded with her funky angels as well. It was sold immediately at my home show.

I thought some aged primitive stuffed stars with a variety of sayings would be cute, they sold well. I added some sweet anne, berries, baby breath, and status tucked inside of each. I stuffed them with rags, polyfill & sawdust, to add a great smell then brushed them lightly with some cinnamon.

My Santa was a doll I designed myself, he has a sweet old face with great big eyes. He sold the day after my show, someone called & asked if he was still available...The prim angels in the basket advertising that "Angels Gather Here" also sold well/ I painted their little eyes & they had twigs & cinnamon sticks for arms and legs. I included some old keys hanging from their necks, some had little charms encouraging, "strength, hope, and faith"

I painted my pickle jar with a design from "Barb Jones" who I also adore, but didnt like the first bow & removed it & added a plaid homespun, torn piece of fabric, and it sold right away.

I added a glass voltive with a tea light on top, they look so pretty lit up in the evenings. Another Barb Jones design was a pillow below with a snowman celebrating "Oh Tannenbaum" her snowfolk are the sweetest & so much fun to paint. I was secretly happy he didnt sell, so he sits on my sofa, embracing winter.

I found the pattern for Black Sheep Wool Co. from one of my favorite magazines "Create & Decorate" I am so sorry I cant think off hand what the artists name is, I will find out & make sure to let you know.

And of course my other absolute favorite is "Renee Mullins" on the last pillow. I have learned so much from these wonderful women artists & was completely knocked out with excitement when Renee added one of my pillows I had painted with her design to her website, where she encourages others to "Show Us Your Work" Shes a kind woman who I follow on Facebook. "Hi Renee"

So many of these women who do what they do...just dont realize how they inspire so many others to pick up a brush, a needle, a piece of fabric and go for it. Embracing the journey rather than the destination.

I dont ever want to forget these women... or take what they do or who they are for granted. Some dont even know how they touch us with their art, their voices, their own personal journeys. I think its so important to celebrate each other. Tell each other while were here..what they do for us....what we do for each other.
I remember finding my dear friend Stacey "The Goode Wife" on a private forum, I was so stinkin brand new, open naive, unprepared for all the "crazy" that happens when you put yourself out there.
I remember the first time I began this blog...she was the first person to see it..I was such a wreck, had only been on line for less that a month or 2, and as busy as she was, always made time to celebrate whatever I did...if it was good, bad or indifferent, she was my best supporter and still is.
Another s/hero in my life is "Pam" from "Soft in the Head".....This woman is a published designer...making time in her hysterically busy life of order filling, designing & full filling her several titles of wife, Mother, Grandie, daughter, etc... to make sure she always brightens my week by encouraging me...Thanks Pam...you are indeed a Softee...

"Peanut" from "CountryFolk Keepsake" is another of my kindred spirit sisters...This woman is certifiably sweet, & I wished I lived closer cuz Id be her number one stalker(shed need a restraining order to keep my away)....Cookie, from "Curds N Whey" just lifts me with her creativity, beautiful spirit and love for Harleys & Christ...
Then there are others who just sooth my soul & ignite my own creativity with their blogs.
So thank you ladies for all of your gifts of time, never giving up on who I am, what Im trying to do...you will always be a part of me. I dont mean to imply I want or would ever try & "copy" your work...but absolutely try to emulate your contagious passion, your gifts of inspiration, your beautiful feminine energy that surrounds you & touches so many. Yeah...That I could only hope to incorporate into my own spirit.
So back downstairs to finish the apple/peach pie I promised my poor husband who complained last night that this house has no "goodies" in it.....yeah, all 219 lbs of him whittling away close to nothing! LOL. & then off to make cheeseburg casserole, salad and italian bread for this cold New England weather dipping in the single digits...I think I should try to sew my lil chubby squirrels some sweaters & bloomers...poor lil guys!

Happy New Year!!!!

Happy New Year.....
We were so thrilled that Matt, Nicole, Mikey, & Enola were able to come share the brand new year with us.
We opened presents, although Enola wasnt much interested in her new doll or accesories for said doll...she sure gave us a run for our money trying to keep Opies old chewed balls and chippies out of her hands! LOL
We ate spinach stuffed shells, chicken parmesean stuffed with mushrooms, eggplant & peppers..., salad, garlic bread, pumpkin pie from Nicole & vanilla ice cream...YUM!

Then we played Wii Bowling...I was beat 2 out of 3 games by Nicole...shes all of 90 adoreable lbs...I think I was hustled. There WILL be a WII match!

The snow is falling outside this Saturday morning, Ronnies out sanding, blowing & plowing, the house is quiet, clean & Im going to enjoy finishing up creating some cute sculpted sunflowers I had going on, they have pouty little faces, & have sticks for stems I found outside,& felted leaves.

Beside the obvious gift of beautiful friendships,....

I have finally been blessed with figuring out how to post these pictures from my Kodak Gallery.
FINALLY!!!!!
Im sure its not the correct way, but I found it by mistake...thru editing & taking out red eyes! I dont really care, I just am shivering with excitement that I can begin posting pictures on Facebook & here on my blog.

Im getting back into creating & designing full time.

I feel so sad that because of my computer problems that I wasnt able to stay in the loop with my networking/blogging sisters...I have missed them all so much.

I pray that I can rebuild my network again. Sometimes the network here has kept me going in some dark times. The void in my life had been large. SOooo if anyone from our doll making community does stop by...I sure would appreciate your comments & help me get the word out that Im back and Im alive.....
I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend, and is blessed with an abundance of blessings, healing, peace..... and plenty. I know I am...I was promised & I just feel it!!!!!