Finally.........

I'm figuring it all out, finally!  After 6 weeks of 4 extra people in our home, 3 of those being 5 and under....I'm rediscovering my creative time.  It is so nice!  I'm so enjoying the creative process of my altered book through the Book of Days.  Once you get past the nerves of what you are actually doing to a old book, you can really begin to have fun.


My cover, when I thought of my word for the year Peace, I knew I needed to have it on my cover.  This magazine clipping seemed to fit perfectly.  I've always found Peace at the ocean, it takes me to a quiet place and helps center me.  All the hearts are torn from pieces a magazine, inked, and covered in a crackle medium so it looks like broken glass.  The image of the woman on the front is covered in rock candy crackle.....Now let me pass on some advice....IF you do this do NOT put it on a vintage piece you care about.  The crackle turned so fine that it actually started to flake off the image so I had to go back on cover it with liquid glass which was a life saver.  I also took pieces of sea glass and shells from my times at the beach, then attatched them with liquid glass.  The spine is some beautiful gold wrapping paper crinkled and inked brown.  The shell photos were found off the internet. 

Inside the cover of this book are three names, two cousins and then my Great Grandmother.  Pretty awesome!  I printed off copies of original photos of my family members and put them next to their names.  Background is created with a walnut spray with a tree mask from Tattered Angels.

Things to remember to do in 2012, this page really speaks for itself.

It's a start and makes me pretty happy!  I was also gifted a place in Melody Ross's Body Restoration.  I am enjoying it and taking it slow just like I did with Soul Restoration.  I am more likely to stick with the program in the long run if I do.

10 Things

Really?  The tenth of the month already?  I swear time seems to be going by faster these days so in the effort to slow down I have decided to start my year by posting a few favorite things about December......  

My wonderful fun finds from an Antique Show....an old suitcase that is being used to store my Grandbabies toys, a wooden tool chest, a wooden turquoise tray and a Teddy Bear

 

Christmas flowers, they were a gift that helped me to slow down to enjoy their beauty and to remember spring is on its way.  

New ornament in memory of my Mom

Nicole and the babies, that are living with us know.  Aren't they all beautiful?   

Happy face because of the perfect gift!!  This was great!!  We had a girls day out with some friends at an antique show.  My daughter found this beautiful sweater she wanted and took me to see it.  By the time we got to the booth, it was gone.  She just didn't know I was the one who purchased it...lol, with a little help from my girlfriend and the sales lady! 

Morning winter sunrises that take your breath away and help you to remember who is in control.

 

A little bit of quiet time.  Finally found something to keep the little ones busy while we make dinner.

Lazy afternoon naps with special furry friends

Papa and baby Sage getting to know each other.

This Beautiful Book, it was my Great Grandmother's and was given to her for Christmas 1914...almost 100 years old.  I've joined the Book of Days and I am so excited to alter this.  It has been falling apart for years and can't wait to make it into something wonderful.

 Welcome 2012 please be kind to me!! 

   

Merry Christmas

This is what our mantle and Christmas tree looked like on Christmas Eve.  Yes, our house is full this Christmas.  My second oldest daughter and her babies have come to stay with us awhile, filling my floor with little feet.  I had forgotten about the sound of pitter pattering little feet........or footfalls as my children use to call them.  Today they are quietly playing with the toys they opened up last night with no arguing.  Today we will watch movies, color in color books, read stories and take naps for sure.   

I want nothing but the best for each and everyone of you that have come here today.  May the peace, comfort, joy and hope you seek be found this day.  Thank you for supporting me this year as I find a new sense of balance and peace!

Thank you Jesus for being my reason for the season and showing me that the simplest of gifts can mean the most.  You have answered an important prayer for me this Christmas and I am eternally grateful to you for loving me so much to work out every detail.  Merry Christmas everyone, may you see the miracles He has for you today!!

Peace in the midst of the storm

Have you ever just felt in your heart that something was going to happen but there was really no explaining why you felt that way?  I've been in that place for months.  After several losses this fall my family is facing yet another one, my wonderful husband was laid off.  No, we didn't see this coming, far from it actually.  In the midst of this happening I am away from home.  

Over a month ago I booked a flight to Omaha, Nebraska to come sort through my Mom's things.  The trip was a special gift from my beautiful Step Mom, she is so awesome!  I will be forever grateful to her and my friends for pushing me to do this.  I didn't want to go, didn't want to be away from my family especially the last week of school before winter break.  For my kids it seems to always be the worst...hard days getting out of bed, finals and the lack of motivation to do any school work at all.  I'll be honest that I have been suffering from lack of motivation to, so I have been able to feel there frustration.  

I flew in almost a week ago, spent the afternoon with my Dad, Jay and my nephew Brayden(he has turned into a nice young man!).  I asked my Dad what he wanted to accomplish in the days that I was here.  Go through Mom's stuff and decide where her things should go.  I tell you what, somethings have been easier than others!  My heart pulls to things that she had already gifted, maybe out of my own selfish reasons of wanting to pass them onto my own children.  

One brother Jason lives here in NE with his beautiful wife Jessica and my brother Jonathan, my niece Myriah and her son Tanner flew in on Saturday.  The weekend was then filled with sorting and tears.  I don't know what I was expecting but it wasn't this.  I didn't figure for the first time in my life I would actually feel, really feel like the big sister.  People were looking to me for the answers, hope I have made the right ones.  I will share my treasures with you when I get home, right now I need to keep them in my heart for just a bit longer.     

It amazes me the journey that has been opened up to me this year.  Learning, creating and believing in myself more than ever before.  I can feel my world changing and for the first time in my life I am NOT scared but joyful for it.  A little nervous but a good nervous!!  Hold on world and watch out cause here I come.....forever changed.  I like to think of life as a storm....sometimes raging, sometimes calm but refreshing.  Even in the midst of it there is always some type of peace.....have you noticed that?  Have you ever taken the time in the midst of your storm to see life?  It gives you a better perspective, try it.

Adjustments

It has been just over a month since my Mom's death and I'm not crying so much anymore.  I expected her to call on Thanksgiving, for us to catch up and go over what the kids wanted for Christmas.  It seems like life has been full of adjustments the last few months and this is just one of them. I am finding my peace in my art as always.  I've never had to push through somethings but that has helped me through my pain. I know I'm not at the end of it but at least I'm having more good days than bad.

The beginning of the month our oldest dog Arthur had a stroke.  It hit us all hard but especially my son.  I still expect to see him running around the backyard, doing his morning exercise routine.  Again more adjustments for us and our other pets.  It was a beautiful fall day when we had to put him to sleep.  We gave him a grave under one of the new trees growing in our yard, right outside my son's window so he can see him and think of wonderful memories.  I am so glad I took these pictures the days after his stroke.  You are missed Arthur!  RIP 1998 - 2011

I am taking a trip to Nebraska to see my Dad and brothers.  A celebration of my Mom's life and sorting through things that need to be divided between all of us.  I will be here as often as I can.  Please be patient with me.

Things learned

My Mom has been a regular reader of my blog and it used to bother me.  Then I realized that all she wanted was a connection, which was hard being hundreds of miles away from each other.  I have always been terrible about calling and checking in with my parents.  With my blog at least they know I am still alive, except when I go MIA like the last few months.

I have been blessed in my life in having two sets of parents.  My Mom and Dad divorced when I was three, then my Step Dad married my Mom and adopted me when I was 5.  I only call him my Step Dad so as to not confuse others when I am talking about family.  He is my Daddy and always will be.  I never had contact with my Dad until my early 30's.  When I met him it was like part of who had been lost was found.  I was given an inner confidence that day by God, something I had prayed for and that had come to pass.

Fast forward 15 years later, I sit here and look back over my life.  I can see what each set of parents has taught me, individually as well as a whole.

*Love without regret*Love when you don't want to*Love when all you want to do is give up and give in*Love when there is so much pain-you feel as if it is going to break you*Stand strong*Stand for what you believe in*Acceptance regardless of what is seen because you may not know the whole story*Peace, that in time you will somehow at least understand each other even if you don't agree*That being angry is okay-work out what you need. We are going to be here when you are ready*We will give you the space you need, always remember we love you.*

My Step Dad is an example of what love is all about.  Seeing past all the bad and loving because it is the right thing.  He showed a strength to me that I couldn't really understand until I had been married 15 years.....you give up part of yourself but you gain others.  My parents complete each other, constant companions(I'm sure driving each other crazy at times) and each others care giver.

Our lives changed this week as my Mom's body just couldn't take anymore of this life.  She went to a place of peace, with no pain and she is now surrounded by the ones that have gone before her. Despite everything, I will always miss and love her.  We will all be okay Mom, trust that God has a plan just like He always has.

Congradulations!!

I am sorry it has taken me a few more days to post the winner of the give aways.  I have gotten caught up in organizing a few things in my garage before the weather gets any colder.  Thank you my friends for taking part in celebrating my birthday last month. 

I gave everyone a number and put all those numbers into the random generator.  I'm happy to announce that Judy, from Just a Simple gal will receive the book Art Saves and Georgie Horn, from Puddin'n Pie will receive the Tag Birthday Book that I made.  Please email me your addresses so I can get these things out to you.  Enjoy!! 

What do you love about fall?  Do you have any special things you do with your family this time of year?  Come back tomorrow and I'll share some of my favorites!