Gettin' Down to the Nitty Gritty

I worked on this piece for HOURS! Photoshop is NOTHING like real photography. Whattup wit dat? This photo is from Canada.

This is from my mom's celebration. Did I tell you the story of when we put them out on the table at my brother's? About an hour after placing them, I went back in to turn some lights on before guests arrived. One lily had jumped out of the vase and was on the floor. Funny thing about that is there was no water on the glass table and the flower on the floor was pretty far away from the table. I took it as a sign that mom was with us. Anyhoo. I did this photo tonight. A lot easier than the previous one, pretty basic stuff in this one. But I adore it. For obvious reasons. Ok, now Georgia is playing on the radio--and Willy Neslon singing it to boot. Now, I KNOW mom is here. Ahah! (Remind me to tell you the story about this song when it played in Canada. Deary me!)

xo
ro

Friday Night and It's Alright

These are from an old album of mom's I've been going through. lol I can smell a teenage girl from afar! Look at all these good looking boys!!! tehe. She always told me she was boy crazy when she was young. Proof! ha. I need to make a photo album for her celebration. Haven't started it yet. Lordy me. But, I do have a stack of photos to begin with. Hmmmm. Bets are on. Will I or won't I?

I've been been busy with this and that, as you know. First of all, a friend's daughter just had a baby and I felt the deep need to make her something especially special. Is that correct grammar? Oh well.

So I've been hunkered down in mom's space to get some things done. What is it with me and trios. Have to admit though, my favorite number is 3. Perhaps, that's it. An ornament within a box, within a box. 3.

Babies are good.

Especially cutesy ones with crowns. In a nest? Even better.

And baby girls? Well, I wouldn't know, now would I? I tried my bestest.

I've had a fat, chunky mocking bird sitting on the pumpkin each morning. Not a great photo, but still, it's sweet.

On my desk, how close can I get and still keep the newish camera in focus??? Scatter brained. Yep. That's me.

The hub just got home so we decided to hit one of our favorite joints. Johnny (of the Cash variety) always looks after us.

Me eating good vittles, hub on crackberry. What's wrong with this pic? lol

And, yes I did, in fact, go and visit the nurses. (Should have taken my camera--next time.) Oh my. What a welcome! Apparently, the electrical power had been off for a bit. And, that 'splains the HOUR it took to go the five miles there! LHM! Here I was thinking it was a Friday rush hour at 3 p.m. Nope. There had been a power outage for all of the city. I must have been at the tail end because all the street lights were working; it was just that people that weren't moving as fast as I would have liked them to after the fact! Yes, I'm still a Northerner at heart, I suppose. I'm not the most patient person behind the wheel, but c'mon. When the light turns green, it means GO!!!!! DAIG! Anyhoo, we were all a tad frazzled by the time I arrived--what with axillary lights and stuff there. How I feel for them. God bless 'em. But, I presented them with wonderful Krispy Kreme donuts to calm them down. Mmmmm.

Mom's memorial card had just arrived today. Very nice, except for the fact that they were obviously printed on a large sheet and perforated. Call me a perfectionist, but daig. If they hadn't been laminated, I would have cut that jagged edge off. Could I have done a better job. Yes. Of course. Will anyone else mind, even notice? Probably not. Me? Yep, I kinda mind. Oy. Still. Beautiful.

Of course, yes, tears rolled. Some had not been there before mom passed on; and what a shock it was to them when they returned . It all happened very quickly.

The photo. Mom. Oh. Priceless. You recognize it, I'm sure. It was taken this summer with the beautiful trumpet vine behind her. They all recognized it off the bat which seemed to bring a deep feeling of satisfaction to each and every one who looked at it and read the verse. Just look at that smile. The happiness. Perfect. They--the nurses and aids--were so genuine in their love and caring for mom. Even brother Jim, one who is quite blunt about people's personalities, said how wonderful these folks were, how genuine, and caring. Oooof. Tears. Rolling down my cheeks.

Ok, funny stuff. Before leaving home for the first post visit, there was one lone purple clematis, full bloom. I knew I had to take it to Ms. Mary, mom's roommate. I came out to the garage, cutters in hand, the memorial card and a fiber bar. Oy. Been eating a lot! Major problem! Trying to cut back, thus the "bar." lol So, I put the memorial card and bar on the roof of the car. I cut the vine with flower. It became quite the challenge putting the vine and other leaves I had cut into the little jar half full of water. I had to laugh. "Momma, are you jealous?" Oh, she'd get an attitude if I talked with her roommates! Bring flowers? I had to sneak them in. lol Anyway, I finally got them poked in, after much fighting! Momma. I said to myself, "Now, if this little bit of water spills, I know it's gonna be you doing the spillin'!" Remember how I said it took me an hour to get to mom's place? Well, going all of 3 miles an hour the entire way, somehow, the jar (which I had propped up very carefully) spilled all over my purse and everywhere else. Do you think I drove off with her memorial card on the roof? Yep. Had a debris field to come back to when I picked up the kid and brought him home from school. Little signs. Guess I'm clinging to anything. I'm sure it's just me--looking for signs from her. Regardless. I'll take them. Missing my mom.

xo ro

Afterglow

I had an inspirational moment tonight and pulled this piece together for my journal. This phrase is oh-so-perfect for mom. She would not have wanted us to be sad. Fersher.

Afterglow? Oh yes.

I wrote on the back "I miss you today but not as much as tomorrow." I somehow feel each day will be a little lonelier without her. I have to say though, I'm really doing ok. Having as much time with her as I did, it's good. Wow. How fortunate am I? Pretty darn fortunate to have her in my life, period.

Getting it "all" done. Perhaps once there's nothing left to do, and once the celebration in her honor is over, it will hit me like a ton of bricks. Probably at the most awkward moment ever. Like when my dad's passing hit me. At the closing for our house in Leesburg before moving to Nashville. Oy. How embarrassing!

I spoke with, well im'd, with my brother Johnny tonight. I have to admit, tears rolled. Talked to him about how it hasn't really hit me yet. I'm thinking once I go back to visit the nursing home, it will. Perhaps that is why I'm avoiding them. Well, not avoiding them, but purposely not visiting yet. Funny, I seem to fight it off every day. Halloween afternoon, it took every thing in my power to stay away from the cupcake shop and buy extra special, spooky cupcakes for them. Everything in my power! Today, I went into town again to check up on the notes I'm having printed. It's right down the road from mom's old place. (Again, the roads were closed off. Daig! Gov. Bredesen was speaking. Lordy have mercy. Haven't been there in months and all of a sudden, it's the hottest thing since sliced bread!) Anyway, I thought about going over. Not quite ready. Not yet. They've been family for the past six months, ya know. Love them.

Saying prayers for a special friend.
Picked up mom's ashes.
Sleeping.
Thinking of food to cook for the celebration.
Present for new baby.
Memorial cards?
Eating too much, but still keeping a close eye out. wink.
Obit sent to The Post. Thanks to my bro Johnny who wrote it. Damn. He's good.
Remembering my friends at Riverside -- some of the best times in my life.
Loving all the memories pouring in.
Feeling the love of my mom, always.
Feeling all your love too.

So many emotions. So much love everywhere. Thank you to the best family ever --the hub, the kid, the teenager, all my brothers, my SILs, nieces, nephews, aunts, cousins. And all of you. Who have become so close, somehow, through this silly blog of mine.

Truly, I am blessed by you all.

xo
ro

Day Two of Journaling

I'm moving along on my newly found project. I did mom's page last night. I took one of her sweaters and copied it onto paper. Then I took a photo of her wearing the sweater and added it.

The front and back covers I made today. My usual style on cardboard with acrylics then distressed. But then I bee's waxed the curtain to the window. Loved how that turned out. You can't see it, but there is also a piece of mica attached for the window.

Finally, I'm becoming motivated with something!

xo
ro

Unenlightenment

I have been so uninspired lately and have been wanting to start journaling or something, anything! I had found this wonderful house cut out and finally, today, I sat down and did my first page.

(WARNING: Rant On.) I have been feeling a lot of resentment towards so much ignorance in America these days; and I don't know where to turn except perhaps paper. It seems we are stepping back in time rather than moving forward and growing as a nation. There is an awful lot of hatred and divide growing here in the US, and I just can't seem to grasp the reasoning--other than the media stirring things up, as usual. I simply cannot understand, for the life of me, why people listen to one idea, or source, and run with it. Ask some questions. Look around and get some answers. For instance, when President Obama spoke to school children on the opening day of school, what kind of message did it send to these kids whose parents kept them home so they wouldn't listen to a message from the President? A speech that clearly--if they had looked into it before reacting--was educational and not political? Is it racism? Is it ignorance? What is it? Isn't this the next generation of Americans? I just don't understand where this country is going with this sort of mentality. And then when a United States Congressman yells out loud "You lie" to the President of the United States during the health care speech to the joint session of Congress, I was mortified. What is going on here? I don't normally rant about this stuff, but it has just been eating me up. Again, perhaps if I start journaling, I won't have to bother you with it. (Rant off.)

Anyhoo, in other stuff about the place, the kid found this old piece of stained glass that apparently I had never finished. It is quite crude and needs a whole lot of fixin' (like this country????--sorry). But I put it in the window anyway. One day.

I did skim through my Apartment Therapy and found some more great ideas, of course. Hangers. Simple hangers.

Perhaps these will inspire me to do something artsy rather than dwell on the unenlightenment of this country.

Ok, I'll shut up now.

xo
ro

Finally Friday

I can't tell you how happy I am that it is finally Friday! Yeaya. (This is the drive to pick the kid up at school.)

I've been busy finishing up duties around the house. Finally finished the invitations for MJ and got them off in the mail. Phew. Finished my Halloween ATC swap.

Made some more charms to give away (these are not for the charm bracelet swap).

And this is the paper pumpkin that I painted and stressed. Love it.

I am still kind of organizing my new space. Found this in Fairhope. An old utensil holder for my tools.

Mwahhaaahaaaaa. And lookie at what else I found. When I read the Baltimorian insignia, I had to have it! I'll do something with it at Halloween.

Tonight, we went to one of our favorite haunts in Franklin, Saffire Restaurant.

It is always soooo good.

I tried their drink of choice, the Saffire martini. Mmmm, made with fresh blueberry-infused vodka. Doesn't get any better! It was like drinking grape juice. Kinda dangerous!

Always start with the Southern Caesar salad. The hub tried their salad with white peach vinaigrette. I think I'll have to go with that one next if it's still on the menu. Oh my. The hub then ordered the prime rib (ew), the kid the chicken fried chicken, and I had the Country Cordon Bleu. It was all most excellent.

Of course, we had to have dessert. We all chose the Kahlua Cake. Yummy indeed.

With all that said, I am stuffed and ready for bed. Sweet dreams.

xo
ro

One World * One Heart

And, they're off! Lisa, a Whimsical Bohemian, is once more hosting her baby "One World, One Heart" giveaway which introduces folks from across the globe to one another. I was a participant last year, and it was great fun and I met a lot of wonderful artsy people. It's an amazing turnout.

Here's the deal. If you comment here on this post, on this one only, you will be entered to receive a little something from me. Last year, I actually pulled three names, while Bella policed the scene. Not quite sure how many I will pull this year.

Again, since I am notoriously a "wait 'til the last minute" kinda gal, it will be a surprise as to what I'll send. I don't believe my recipients have ever been let down though. At least, I hope not.

So, off with you. Sign up here and click on the link (or HERE) to see who else is participating. Maybe even YOU want to get involved and give something away.

The deadline for comments is February 12. And you don't have to be a participant to enter!

Now, shoo!

Finally

I made this piece several years ago for a swap. The theme was a "framed ATC." Well, of course, I couldn't just frame an ATC in any normal way. That was just too easy. So I purchased a paper mache egg and cut the front off. I made the ATC so it was removable from the egg. I kinda liked the piece. I never heard from its recipient. Don't know if she ever got it or not. Tsk tsk.

Regardless, I've had the front piece sitting around for like, well, years. Lord knows I keep just about everything if I think I can use it again. Several weeks ago, I started work on this piece. I had no idea what I was going to do with it. I just started collaging and paper macheing more onto it--old sheet music and pretty papers. Then I painted it. And painted it some more. Then I added leaves to the bottom. As you know, Autumn is my favorite time of year.

Then I found some pewter legs. Ok. I need a faerie peeking up from behind the leaves. Then I found some molds for faces. I made some faces. Painted a few.

I had this resin butterfly that I found at the V&A museum in London (I have since seen them here in the states) and I added that for the body. Eyelash ribbon for hair and a faerie you will see.

Pulled out some old German newspapers from our last visit there (way back in 2006) and found they were from Oktober. Perfect.

I finally finished the piece tonight. Introducing Oktober.

Shhh, don't wake her. I think she's sleeping through September. Wish I could.

The Invitation

This is the sample for my friend to approve for her parent's 50th wedding anniversary invitation that I've been working on. I've noted that I need to get a new trimmer (of course, mine is obsolete and can no longer get blades for it) in order to make the photo a little more straightened.

I wanted to keep the focus on the photo, so on the back of the invitation, easily removed, is a SAVE THE DATE card with all the pertinent info on it. I don't want folks having to jam this pretty photo in their purse in order to find the party!

I've always enjoyed making my own invitations. I see the ones in the stores that are so expensive, and I say "I can do that!" While the paper is still a little pricey, it sure does save printing your own.

A Thank You Box

Ever since visiting our family in San Diego and spending time in their lovely garden, I just can't stop thinking about how tranquil it was. Once I downloaded the photos I took of all the flowers, I knew I had to come up with some type of way to use them in a little thank you gift.

I haven't made one of my boxes in eons. And I had an empty little box with a fold-out booklet tucked inside that I thought perfect for the job. So, this weekend, I've been working on this little project. I finally finished it tonight so it's ready to be popped in the mail tomorrow (along with our taxes to Uncle Sam).

The side says "Always Remember the Beauty of a Garden."

The inside reads, "For there lies peace." Now that I read it on the screen, I feel I should have said, "For there you will find peace." Oh well. Coulda shoulda woulda. Too late now, I suppose.

Each time I look at the photos of the flowers, especially the ones with the fresh rain drops still on the petals, it takes me back to a beautiful secret garden.

Springy Sunday

We had absolutely gorgeous weather here this weekend in Middle Tennessee. Yesterday was in the 60s, not bad; but today was spring at its best--a perfect 70˚ƒ. Doesn't get much better than that. The kid and I, quite ready for spring, put our spinners out a couple of weeks ago. I just love the bright colors.

I did a little walkabout to spy any new buds peeking their heads up from the dirt and found a lovely bunch of croci that apparently have been out all week as some of the flowers are already spent!

Oh, and look at the grape hyacinths pushing their way through! These are some of my all-time favorite miniatures because they actually smell like grape! I love making tiny little bouquets out of these mixed with small bleeding hearts, croci and anything else small in size that I can fill a little bottle with. Just precious.

Yesterday, I went out to visit with Beth and her mom. I took the back route, which Beth told me about, and passed under Natchez Trace. I remember when we first moved here how odd this modern bridge looked out in the middle of the beautiful countryside. One day, I'm going to get on that bridge and let it take me all the way to the end. I'm sure it's a beautiful drive.

The Natchez Trace, a 440-mile-long path extending from Natchez, Mississippi to Nashville, Tennessee, linked the Cumberland, the Tennessee and Mississippi rivers. It was used extensively by Native Americans and early European explorers as both a trade and transit route in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Today, the trail has been commemorated with the 444-mile-long Natchez Trace Parkway which follows the approximate path of the trace. The trail itself has a long and rich history, filled with brave explorers, dastardly outlaws and daring settlers. Parts of the original trail are still accessible.

I made my blueberry muffins as promised for Lottie; and will you just take a look at what a difference 25˚ makes! Okay, think I have my oven figured out, again. My only problem is that I could only get four humongous muffins out of my batter since I used a large pan. Well, it wouldn't be me in there cooking if something didn't go awry! I'll take two muffins short over burnt any day, thank you very much. I kinda wish I had made two batches, because now that I'm talking about them, I'm craving one! Oooof.



Yesterday, I met up with Beth and we headed to Dairy Queen to get Lottie a hot fudge sundae. Seems she's been wanting them since she arrived in rehab. We gladly obliged the request because you know we had a sweet tooth needing some attention also!

After everyone finished their ice creams, we stepped outside for some fresh air. It was just the perfect day; and Lottie kept saying how good it felt to get out. She had more visitors and we sat and talked for a bit until it was about time to head in. We then went through making some peace cranes (which I actually remembered how to make after only a few trial and errors in addition to a hot flash). We could tell Lottie was getting tired, so after her husband arrived, Beth and I hightailed it over to a local antique shop. It was such a fun time. We giggled like two schoolgirls walking about the place. I got more junk than I care to admit to. In fact, it still sits in the car as I am not quite ready to figure out where to put it. It's mostly kitchen stuff. And, yes, I am having more contractors coming in tomorrow to fix the mess the first contractors made. Please give me the strength to see this kitchen through to completion! I stayed up half the night last night worrying about it all, again.


I did take my life into my hands today and entered the mother of all messes to do a couple of ATCs. I had just found some more of my little angel charms and was dying to use them.

I leave you with Bad Bella. She's a tad cranky today. I think she's starting to want to go out.
Grrrrrrrrr. This is what she gets.