Saturday, August 30, 2008

What Dogs Can Teach Us



I got this list in an email this week. Our dog Snooky was happy to illustrate some of these points.


* When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
* Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
* Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.


* Take naps.


* Stretch before rising.
* Run, romp, and play daily.
* Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
* Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
* On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
* On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
* When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

She shows delight in her daily backrub, rubbing against the couch and then lying down and rolling around on the living room floor.

* Be loyal. Don't try to be something you're not.
* Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
* Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.
* If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
* When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them
gently.
* Be always grateful for each new day.

Snooky with our son Johnathan shortly after we first got her.


Whenever I get up from the chair in front of my craft table, guess who takes over?


Ever loyal, waiting in front of the bedroom door for my husband to come out.

Friday, August 29, 2008

Fingerprint Friday - Visiting Montana



There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that says:

I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know it's true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of God

Where do you see God's fingerprints? In nature? kids? animals? They are all around us!

Thank you to Pampering Beki for hosting this each week! Everyone is welcome to join. To see how to join, as well as find links to other Fingerprint Friday posts, visit Pampering Beki's blog.

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My son and daughter-in-law recently took a trip to Montana in the Glacier National Park area. Here are a few of their spectacular photos that show the majesty of God's creation. Look at that amazing sky!!! Hopefully I'll get there one day.


Thursday, August 28, 2008

Starting my Christmas list





At the top of my Christmas gift list are these beautiful soaps by Gingerbells Bath Shop on etsy.

I love the little flowers and "icing." She says her many years' experience with polymer clay comes in handy when creating the pretty embellishments on top of the soap.



This relaxing herbal and mineral foot soak bag has such a cute name: "No More Tired Toes." Sounds heavenly!

Her shop (website) has listings for a variety of soaps, candles, lip balms, gift sets, foot soaks and teas. Get your shopping done early! To visit her bath shop, click on any picture below or GingerbellsBathShop.etsy.com at the bottom.


She also has a gift shop with lovely jewelry, Christmas ornaments and more:
Gingerbells Gifts.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Day Brighteners

"The most wasted of all days is that on which one has not laughed." - Sebastien-Roch Nicolas De Chamfort

Me first...No, ME first!


Bet you can't do this!


Newborn sweetness



...and the mouse is missing!


Catchin' a ride


Which fork do I use first?

Friday, August 22, 2008

Fingerprint Friday

There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that says:

I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know it's true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of God

Where do you see God's fingerprints? In nature? kids? animals? They are all around us!

Thank you to Pampering Beki for hosting this each week! Everyone is welcome to join. To see how to join, as well as find links to other Fingerprint Friday posts, visit Pampering Beki's blog.

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I work at a large health services company with over 1000 employees, and we have GARDENERS who keep everything looking pristine. Wish I had one at home! LOL

There are many beautiful flowers greeting everyone who comes up the steps to the front entrance - such a pretty reminder of God's love for us. Here's a small section of the impatiens that I think are particularly lovely. There was a monarch butterfly visiting the flowers but she was very shy and every time I tried to snap her picture, she would flutter away, so imagine her just out of camera range.

Monday, August 18, 2008

Featured Etsy Artists - yay for clay!

Here are some more fabulous polymer clay creations found on Etsy.com.

I love the happy colors of this one of a kind pillbox made by Bead Worx...



This "Aunt Hildy" pin by Stonebrash makes me smile!

Click here to read about the real Aunt Hildy who is 99 years young!



These blue bird earrings by Wumpus are adorable!



Click on any photo below to visit the artist's etsy shop...





Sunday, August 17, 2008

My Treasury made the Front Page of Etsy!

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Big smile}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}



I looked at my Treasury West about 10 a.m. today and found out from the comments it had been on the Etsy FRONT PAGE about 5 a.m.!!!! It's a huge honor to be chosen for the Front Page and I'm sad that I missed it, but very very excited!!

Treasury and Treasury West are places any registered user can go on Etsy, and choose 12 items from other shops to feature, which can be favorite things or things that go with a certain theme or color scheme. I always try to put pretty colors together like this turquoise and green group of sprouts and leaves which I called "Up from the Earth."

You can see the photo in a little larger size on my flickr page.

Friday, August 15, 2008

Fingerprint Friday

There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that says:

I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know it's true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of God

Where do you see God's fingerprints? In nature? kids? animals? They are all around us!

Thank you to Pampering Beki for hosting this each week! If you'd like to join in as well as find links to other Fingerprint Friday posts, visit Pampering Beki's blog.

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My "Fingerprint" today is this precious photo which came in an email, which explained that a lady came home from work one evening to find this little fawn which had followed her dog into the house through the doggie door. How would you like to find this on your couch? I would. :)

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Day brighteners

These sweet photos were in an email I got earlier this week. I hope they bring you a smile.

Smile quotes:

"A smile is a curve that sets everything straight."~Phyllis Diller

"Count your nights by stars, not shadows; count your life with smiles, not tears.”~Italian Proverb







Sunday, August 10, 2008

Polymer Clay Tutorial - how to transfer an image onto polymer clay



Hot off the press! Carol of Beautiful Details on Etsy has just made a video on YouTube showing how to transfer an image onto polymer clay.

Some preliminary steps:

1. Use translucent polymer clay.
2. Photocopy your image with a color laser or toner printer. It cannot be inkjet! You can get copies made at Kinkos of whatever image you are using (if you plan to sell your creations, make sure you are using copyright free images).
3. If your image has text on it, you need to copy it on “mirror image” so when you transfer it, the text will read the right way and not be backwards.

The video shows Carol positioning the image on the clay, burnishing and spraying with water over and over, till all the paper comes away. (She is working with the clay on a glass tile.)

Watch Carol on YouTube!

Pictured here are some pretty pieces she made with postage stamp images.


Be sure to visit her etsy shop: Beautiful Details - handmade and vintage coastal decor

Saturday, August 09, 2008

A story to lift your spirit

I subscribe to OurPrayer newsletter from Guideposts Magazine. This story really touched my heart and I wanted to share it with you.

~*~*~*~*~*~


An old violin maker was once seen struggling up a mountainside.

"Where are you going?" a friend asked.

"To the timberline," he answered. "I need some wood for a violin."

"But you have fine trees all around you. Why must you go so far to get wood?"

"Ah," said the violin maker, "because the wood up there is the most resonant of all. The trees on the timberline have struggled all their lives, fighting a never-ending battle with the winds. As a result, they are of rare quality, strong and full of character. Violins made of their wood produce the most beautiful music in the world."

When you face some difficult task, ask God for strength to meet the test. Out of wind-whipped souls comes some of the most beautiful music in the world.

— Fred Bauer

Friday, August 08, 2008

Fingerprint Friday

There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that says:

I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know it's true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of God

Where do you see God's fingerprints? In nature? kids? animals? They are all around us!

If you'd like to join in as well as find links to other Fingerprint Friday posts, visit Pampering Beki's blog.

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My Fingerprint of God's creation today is simple and sweet -- a pretty daisy, one of many blooming along our driveway.

Thursday, August 07, 2008

Walldancers


One of the nicest people on etsy is Keri Joy of kerijoy.etsy.com who makes fabulous Walldancers out of polymer clay. These are wonderful "Gals" to hang on your wall, and her designs encompass Babes, Mermaids, Angels and Fairies. I actually first discovered her on ebay several years ago and have the utmost admiration for her talent and tenacity.

She has an amazing story of not giving up even during challenging circumstances of serious illness.

In her words...
====================================
About The ‘Gals’ & Me:
I began the "Wall Dancers" in February 2003. After 15 years of being a Senior Designer, I lost my "passion" for my art. Just when I said "No Mas!" and "I knew' where my life was going (silly me!) - Our Higher Power decided to display a sense of humor and I've been 'along for the ride' ever since! I was diagnosed with Lyme Disease in February 2002 that kept me literally bed-bound. It's been a 6-year tough battle but my ‘choice’ was not to take the victim role. The first dolls were actually made in bed with me in my jammies! I was told by all of my doctors that "these were impossible to do" and still to this day they still wonder 'how I do it.' ~smiling~ You just have met the "Rainman-Of-ETSY!"

For as bad as we think 'we may have it' the reality is there are always people who are truly in worse shape then us and after that reality check, you find yourself thankful for what you do have. I feel that "everything does happen for a reason' and I 'accept' that I am 'supposed' to be on this journey. I have learned many lessons and have met some of the greatest people on this adventure so I enjoy my 'ride' with a smile.
====================================
Click any photo below to visit her shop.

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Perfectly Imperfect



Something I've struggled with my whole life is trying to be perfect, and I've always been very hard on myself when I didn't do things perfectly. I've come to accept that it's impossible to be perfect till we die and go to Heaven, and that I'm not a bad person if I'm not perfect. I can do things with excellence and try my best, but at some point I have to relax, have a sense of humor, and accept myself as I am.

The flower pictured here is one of the first things I ever made with clay. I still love the colors but it's very thick and heavy compared to what I make now. And here is an angel I made while taking a stained glass class around 1995.

While I was taking the class, a friend was kind enough to lend me some of his tools so I could work on some projects at home. One day I was filling him in on my progress, and complaining about how difficult it was to cut the pieces of glass and how crooked all my edges were. He had a lot of wisdom, having worked with stained glass for over 20 years. He said, "Just think how beautiful it will look, when it's hanging in the window, with the light shining through it."

After trying for two years, I concluded that stained glass art was not for me. If I wasn't cutting my fingers, I was burning myself with the hot solder, and no matter how much I practiced, it never got any easier. Then I discovered clay and it was so much fun! But of course, my perfectionism set in quickly. I kept pointing out uneven places and fingerprints and other imperfections to my friends, but they all said, "That's what makes it look handmade instead of stamped out perfectly by a machine!"

My friends helped me to realize that my art didn't have to be perfect to be beautiful -- and what my friend said about the light shining through is a metaphor for ME too. I have value and beauty and can let God's light shine through me, even if I'm a work in progress with many flaws. :)

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Here are some quotes I found about perfectionism that I really like:

Certain flaws are necessary for the whole. It would seem strange if old friends lacked certain quirks.--Goethe

No one is perfect. That's why pencils have erasers.--Author Unknown

The closest to perfection a person ever comes is when he fills out a job application form.--Stanley J. Randall

It is reasonable to have perfection in our eye that we may always advance toward it, though we know it can never be reached.--Samuel Johnson

A man would do nothing, if he waited until he could do it so well that no one would find fault with what he has done.--John Henry Cardinal Newman

Saturday, August 02, 2008

Featured Etsy Artists

It's fun and amazing to look at the wide variety of other polymer clay artists' creations! Here are a few of my favorites from three Etsy shops.

Here is a beautifully decorated little jar from ArzuMusa, great for storing herbs and spices and other kinds of dry foodstuffs. It will certainly attract attention on your kitchen shelf.



Here is a wonderful bunny from Folk Art from the Heart.



This colorful jewelry box is from the shop of Cookies Creations.



Visit their shops by clicking on any photo below.





Friday, August 01, 2008

Fingerprint Friday Flowers

There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that says:

I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know it's true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of God

Where do you see God's fingerprints? In nature? kids? animals? They are all around us!

If you'd like to join in as well as find links to other Fingerprint Friday posts, visit Pampering Beki's blog.

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Our neighbors down the road have these spectacular black-eyed susans and irises blooming along their driveway, and I just had to stop and snap a couple of photos. They are one of God's many love letters to us!