Art Journal Fridays--Layers of Blessings

It is amazing how a simple day can be filled with happiness and memory making. It was Saturday, November 10th, and the weather here in the Ozarks was absolutely gorgeous and perfect--sun was shining all day! (And I'm descended from sun goddesses, I'm pretty sure, so that was extra special to me.) I slept late (well, 7 am...late for me!). I got up, exercised, had my favorite coffee, and got ready to go out and celebrate all day.

First we went to Michaels--all of us together, and I got a few extra art supplies that day, for my birthday. Earlier they had given me a telescope--I am a nut when it comes to studying the stars and the universe, and I've never had my own telescope before!

My daughter snapped this photo of my husband and I as we were about to enjoy our delicious, expensive lunch!

Then, we strolled through Barnes & Noble, and got a few more goodies--I almost bought this huge book on the universe...but instead, I got "Doodle Stitching!"

I'm still adding layers and some writing to this page.

My art journal page here started out just to be some pages layered and layered with pretty papers, doodling, stamps, and even a yarn flower I made. It was just right to put this little Instagram phone pic here, representing a simple day, layered and layered with the goodness that comes with turning 52!

Eat, Write, Dream, Stitch

All I Want To Do for Christmas...

Christmas 1963: My big sister and me and our dog Susie. My mother forced me to wear footie pj's even though we lived in California, by the ocean!

 This year I am having a Christmas staycation--and I can't wait! With a few extra days to get the chores done and finish the shopping, I can finally get to do some of the things I love! No rushing to the airport, worrying about lines, or what to do with the cats! Although we will be out on Christmas day--I will have some peaceful days in my crafty corner...a day at the movies to see Les Mis...and of course, my favorite day-after-Christmas shopping! So here are some of my plans, in pictures.

I want to make more fabric ATCs--like this one I made for my soul sister Jan!

This angel was trapped in a hoop for years! I'm going to finish her up to live her life as a doll.

Preparing this altered book to be an art journal for next year.

Enjoying the flowers on my greenhouse.

I plan to stop and smell the Christmas cactus!

Enjoy my Christmas trees.

Watch a lot of sunsets--like this one from a week ago.

Craft with my kitties. Hello Joseph!

Dream of summer vacay--and try to duplicate these colors from this photo my friend Mary took of St. Thomas!

Oh yeh--watchin' my stories and old movies too!

A nice lunch out one day!

Roasting a turkey. Yum!

Finish the butterfly scarf! That's right!

So, maybe I should stop, while I'm ahead! I have a lot to do and a lot to enjoy. I hope you are keeping up with this busy time of year, and remembering to take care of yourself, live in the moment and be thankful for it, pay it forward, and be nice to everyone around you, because we never know the road someone else may be traveling. Be a blessing and enjoy your blessings! Oooh...I got so preachy! But this is the season of magic...grab it!

Eat, Write, Dream, Stitch, Celebrate!

WOYWW #184 - The Most Wonderful Time of Year

Happy What's-On-Your-Workdesk-Wednesday to all the lovely creative souls across the planet who link up and look up the beautiful spaces where the magic is created!

Look at me on the bottom of the list! Last, but not least I hope...I keep hearing them play that Andy Williams song on the radio and TV..."It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year." Can you hear me singing? We miss our dear Andy so much--his Moon River Theatre is about an hour from where I live. But his music lives on!

So, naughty me, all fancy, I have the stack of c-s'd trees by my sewing machine, ready to finish--so I fanned them out to look good in the picture! So wrong, but so right. It's because I'm so busy all around the house, my desk is a wreck, and although I have much going on, it's like I have nothing to show for it! I took a crazy "overhead" picture of my main worktable, and a few closeups. 

Crafty hugs to you if you happen by my little corner! I hope you stay well, happy, busy, and get everything you want for Christmas! Cheers!

Eat, Write, Dream, and Stitch Merry.

I am still stitching up pocket kitties.

We have two big trees, and several little ones around the house--this is the tree on my Greenhouse, and it always has a theme...last year it was Harry Potter...this year it is Nutcrackers!

Sunday Threads

Perfect love casts out fear.

1 John 4:18

Art Journal Fridays--Stitching in My Journal

People paint, doodle, draw, giggle, stamp, and simply write in their art journals. I embroider in mine sometimes.
There are as many things to love about art journaling as there are moons around Saturn. Having a place to try out new ideas and techniques is just one of my many favorite things. That includes when I sit down with a little piece of felt, cut it into a heart shape and try out some doodle embroidery. I wanted to see how this little bird would turn out, before I actually embroidered her on a piece of clothing. So, I couldn't think of any better place to stash this sample than my art journal! I added the word "simplify" and made a page out of some of my favorite little beliefs. I love to look at it now!

I was also playing with how I draw letters, as usual.

And now I have an adjoining page ready for some more journaling!

Eat, Write, Dream, Stitch away the day...

WOYWW #183--Christmas in Stitches

December What's-On-Your-Workdesk-Wednesdays will no doubt show how many of our work tables have turned into Santa's workshops! Oh the joy of seeing beautiful Christmas cards being created, special Christmas crafts to share and always a delightful surprise or two at the limitless imaginations out there! (I also adore super-neat spaces, and super messy spaces!)

Lovely Mrs. Dunnit hosts all the fun right here.

And just a reminder that Mrs. Dunnit posts in real-time in the U.K., so unless the Americans want to stay up all night, you'll be further down the list--so be sure and visit all around the list to have the most fun and travel desks from around the globe!

My sewing machine plopped in the middle of my craft table.

So yes, I am consumed, for a few days, with making these adorable button trees and turning them into Christmas cards. I am in a hurry, because they've got to go in the mail soon! Time is not my friend--but my DMC floss, aida cloth, sewing machine, and Downton Abby episodes are my friends. I'll have these whipped up and ready to go in no time! Stitchy hugs to you from the beautiful springtime-in-December Ozarks!
(can you see me holding up my Tinkerbell coffeemug for a toast?)

Eat, Write, Dream, and Stitch something magical.
 

  

Stitching Christmas Cards

 Find a fun, fast and easy pattern, and you can stitch a Christmas card that can serve as an ornament, a little wall hanging, or simply a treasure.

 This time of year I love to go through my Christmas books, magazines and patterns. When I found a little button tree it inspired me to create this version. I had to drop everything and try it out. It didn't take long, and that's when I decided to play around with the sewing machine and make it into a little Christmas card complete with a ribbon handle, so it can hang around the house anywhere as a decoration. 

I am stitching mine on oatmeal aida cloth, and each card features a different colored star from sparkly DMC floss, and different colors flower pots--I just pick the colors I like! I have had these miniature buttons forever, so it's nice to find a project for them.


You don't have to worry about measuring, or making it perfect--this is "rustic" so once your creative stitching is finished, cut two squares of fabric with the pinking shears to frame your stitching, wrong sides facing together, and stitch the cardstock portion to the back, then center your Christmas stitching to the front and sew all three layers together around the edges, leaving your rough pinked edge, and don't forget your little ribbon hanger. Easy peezy!

Pick out some pretty card stock for the back.

 In the past few days--and this is in my spare time mind you--I've made about five of these! They are for family and a few close friends, because I don't have that much spare time. But these do stitch up quickly while you're watching Downton Abby!

Eat candy, Write to Santa, Dream of sugarplums, Stitch a Christmas tree.