ALTERED EXPRESSIONS

May she rest in peace.

2011-07-23T02:25:00.000-07:00

Betty Louise Bell-Miller died Friday, July 22, 2011, after a valiant battle with cancer. She passed away at home with the unstoppable love, support, and care of her husband, Gerald Miller, who was a great comfort to her both in sickness and in health. Betty was a long-time resident of the stateline area. She was a quilter, a gardener, an interior designer, an artist, a reader, a seamstress, a needleworker and a blogger. She will be greatly missed as a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, a feisty ally and a generous friend. She will not be forgotten.
Betty will be sadly missed by her loving husband, Gerald, her daughter, Vicki, her son Michael, 8 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, her step-son Gerald jr. and his family, and her half-brothers and sisters, Karen, Karla, Steven and Robert.
As an only child, Betty is preceeded in death by her mother, Eliza Beth Sitone', and her father, Theron Glen Bell.
A memorial service will be held on Wed, July 27, 2011, at 11 a.m. to celebrate her life.

Betty has requested that the following quote be etched upon her grave marker:

"Hope" is the thing with feathers—
That perches in the soul—
And sings the tune without the words—
And never stops—at all—

And sweetest—in the Gale—is heard—
And sore must be the storm—
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm—

I've heard it in the chillest land—
And on the strangest Sea—
Yet, never, in Extremity,
It asked a crumb—of Me.

Sorry, Health problems Be with you soon.!

2011-06-28T16:06:00.000-07:00

getting old!!!

matchbox doll and French themed arch!

2011-05-28T06:32:00.000-07:00

Ocean ATC cards!!!

2011-05-26T07:05:00.001-07:00

These are ATC cards for the sap"Ocean" at Roses at my table group, this is done using the RAIL method, with beeswax, text, seahells, the saying says:'A woman's heart is a deep ocean of secrets"

RAIL Project!!

2011-05-20T04:17:00.000-07:00

This is a 6 x 12 piece done on canvas board, This was the RAIL project for this month on Roses At My Table, It was so fun to do, the process is really something , I enjoyed every minute.

Little fold out book!! Noooooooo!!!!

2011-05-19T04:50:00.001-07:00

2 x 2 fold out book.
I have been informed that this is not a fold out book, so we will call it a 2 x 2 book that folds out.

Wild and untamed journal page!! woodburned box!

2011-05-16T05:41:00.001-07:00

The journal page prompt is Wild and untamed. The woodburned box was a gift from my daughter, every inch is covered in beautiful woodburned design, this is all freehand work. She has done entire scenes on wood and portraits of people.

Arch! My daughters zentangle shoes and tote!!

2011-05-14T05:30:00.000-07:00

The arch is watercolored , with added various other elements.

The shoes and tote anre Zentangles by my daughter. Sooooo cute!!! What a great idea!!

Configuration box leftovers! My crab apple tree!!

2011-05-12T08:25:00.000-07:00

Mounted on a 6 x12 canvas board-5 boxes and lots of ephemera!!
A picture of my crab apple tree.

Configuration leftover box! Matchbox doll!

2011-05-10T11:47:00.000-07:00

The box is 2 x 2 inches and covered with music paper. The doll is for a challenge on Roses At my table group.

Tutorial for Matchbox dolls!

2011-05-07T06:34:00.000-07:00

The first thing you are going to do is paint your matchbox inside and out with paint to match your image,allow to dry.A piece of coordinating paper in bottom of box and wrap the outside, you are going to have to score to get the proper fold, dry. When you print your image , print 2 about 7 inches high. Cut off head about 3/4 of the size of the inside of the matchbox.
This would be a good time to decorate your girls' hair, jewels,necklace etc.
Cut 2 rest of bodies.
Cut off 2 the length of the matchbox.
The top is layered with pop dots to give it dimension. Glue to top of matchbox, add flowers ,lace . Pop dot the two skirts together and add a piece of cardstock to glue on back. Add lace, ribbon,Add a hanger on the back.I added wings and blue stickles to decorate them

The other is done almost the same way but the opening in the box is in the stomach area, which I used as a nest with eggs,moss and a bird. She has wings and a birdhouse by her shoulder.
The images are here for you to use(if you choose.
If this is not clear enough ,just ask and I will help in any way I can. Happy Mother's DayHave a great day!!

Gather your supplies!

2011-05-06T05:54:00.000-07:00

On Monday I will put up the tutorial for the matchbox dolls, in the meantime, you might want to collect your supplies: small matchbox--girl image app. 6 inches-tissue paper or flowered napkin to cover matchbox- If you have a theme , gather what you will need to put in the matchbox,for instance if you choose to make a sewing doll then you would put sewing notions in your open box,a thimble,buttons,Needle and thread,etc. Two layers of cardstock for the doll, A ribbon hanger on the back. You will use decoupage Or because I am cheap, I mix elmers and water in equal amounts for decoupage.

configuration box!Sewing1

2011-05-04T14:35:00.000-07:00

This is one of Tim Holtz configuration boxes. I chose the layout and made my theme sewing.It was a lot of fun to do,all the books and bolts are hand made.Hope you love it!!

Matchbox dolls!!

2011-05-04T04:46:00.000-07:00

I have shown these before, but with special interest have put them up again. i will be doing a tutorial on one of these soon.

Journal pages-open and close

2011-05-02T05:30:00.000-07:00

Lots of crackle paste!!
The sayings are perfect for this piece!

Arch for challenge!

2011-04-29T07:01:00.000-07:00

Music tags!!

2011-04-29T04:53:00.000-07:00

Tags for swap, music is the theme!

Art revisited!!

2011-04-27T08:04:00.001-07:00

Top is fairy theater -puppet fairies made from a cigar box.

Next is Marie theater in theater.

Grandma and grandpa 16 x24, my aunts and uncles on the sides and me in the corner.

Marie done in the KC Willis style.

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“Hope is the thing with feathers, that perches in the soul, and sings the tune without words, and never stops at all.”
Emily Dickinson quotes (American Poet who has been called the New England mystic, 1830-1886)

Altered Book!!

2011-04-27T07:45:00.001-07:00

Cowgirl Tag book!

2011-04-26T14:00:00.001-07:00

12 pages!!

Tim Holtz Configuration box.

2011-04-24T04:46:00.000-07:00

Here is the finished produst!

i AM NOT BOUND................

2011-04-22T14:57:00.000-07:00

"I am not bound for any public place, but for ground of my own where I have planted vines and orchard trees, and in the heat of the day climbed up into the healing shadow of the woods. Better than any argument is to rise at dawn and pick dew-wet red berries in a cup."
- Wendell Berry

She art girl!!

2011-04-22T06:39:00.000-07:00

ATC paper doll!!

2011-04-22T05:18:00.000-07:00

ATC doll for swap,

Cherry Blossom Paper doll!!

2011-04-20T09:05:00.000-07:00

Paper doll for swap!!

AnoTHer she art girl!!

2011-04-19T10:42:00.000-07:00

Fun project!!
She art workshop />

She Art Girl!!

2011-04-19T05:06:00.000-07:00

First she art girl from class, love her and loved the class!!!

Spring!!A Tribute!!!

2011-04-13T07:53:00.000-07:00

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rain by Shel silverstein

I opened my eyes
And looked up at the rain,
And it dripped in my head
And flowed into my brain,
And all that I hear as I lie in my bed
Is the slishity-slosh of the rain in my head.

I step very softly,
I walk very slow,
I can't do a handstand--
I might overflow,
So pardon the wild crazy thing I just said--
I'm just not the same since there's rain in my head.

Inchies for swap!! Configuration Box #1

2011-04-07T06:29:00.001-07:00

These are the inchies for the swap at Roses At My table. testing!!!
Here is the first configuration box, Fun to do.

FRANK "N BRIDE

2011-04-05T14:00:00.000-07:00

This is paper dolls for the paper doll swap at Roses At my table group.Mr.and Mrs Frank n' bride.

John and Josephine!!

2011-04-02T06:26:00.000-07:00

dotee doll!

2011-03-26T09:20:00.001-07:00

altered wig head

2011-03-26T08:06:00.001-07:00

post

2011-03-26T07:56:00.000-07:00

Day and night journal page!!Couple swap!!

2011-03-21T07:07:00.001-07:00

The couple paper doll swap is a couple swapped as a couple, this one is Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy(Pride and Prejudice) I am hostimg this swap At Roses at my table group.

paper doll and dotee doll!! Doll Art Journal pages!!

2011-03-19T07:20:00.000-07:00

The female paper doll I made as a mate for a male doll I received in a swap at Roses At My Table, the male doll was made by JoAnn. The dotee doll Just another doll. Love these little dolls. Try it you will like it.

"Spring" ATC

2011-03-15T13:44:00.000-07:00

Mardi Gras Mask!Dotee doll!

2011-03-11T05:56:00.001-08:00

Mardi gras Mask!!

2011-03-11T05:53:00.000-08:00

Tag swap!!Spring fairy! ATC fairy-fold up

2011-03-07T04:00:00.000-08:00

Front and back of tags for tag swap, the theme is "Flowers" , the group, Roses at my Table.

"California Dreaming" journal travel spread

2011-02-27T08:57:00.001-08:00

Gothic arch challenge-butterflies!ATC card!Spring!

2011-02-25T06:42:00.000-08:00

The top picture is the gothic arch challenge-butterflies-the next two are some ATC's just for the fun of it, calling them pretty girls. The next is a cabinet Jerry built for 12 bins to try to organize my art studio. This is 6 ft long and about 40 high. It is on casters. He did such a lovely job and it matches all the other open bookcases in the room. He is such a good man.

Gothic arch challenge/>
Wanted to use my background to do some ATC cards this is the first.

"Zelda" the Palm Reader

2011-02-24T11:37:00.000-08:00

February!! I want to be here!

2011-02-20T05:38:00.001-08:00

The Beach*************
we walked along the beach, crashing waves
thundered in our ears and a light, salted mist,
dampened our lips.

The sun began to set and the voice of the beach,
traveled across the ocean waves.

'I am the beach, and here you shall find peace.
I am the beach, here you shall find love.

In this domain, my beach, the answers you
search for, could very well be found here.
For at this beach, there is much,
that has been revealed.

The sparkled, white grains of sand, that blanket
this beach, has been a bed of comfort, to many.

Pause, as you come upon this beach, and listen
to the symphony of waves and the chorus of
birds, singing their song, as they glide in the wind.

Feel the power of this beach, as it seems to
renew your inner being. You need not question
the beach and its mystical powers. For as
millions before you have found, the beach...
and its magical transference to one...have
existed, since the beginning of time.

Be not troubled, for the beach is close at
hand. You need only to deliver your strife,
to the tranquility of the beach and it shall
be exercised from you.

When you go from this beach...leave with
the peace that you have found here.'
Joe Fazio

Meghann's first altered art piece!!!

2011-02-19T12:42:00.000-08:00

Meghann is my grandaughter.Isn't it beautiful! A sweet little note in the envelope. The girl in the picture is me when I was a child. Meghann has 3 small children, their pictures are on the blog around Christmas.

Picture composition!

2011-02-16T13:35:00.001-08:00

She is standing outside the frame with her basket of flowers spilling out on the flagstones, who is going to answer the door? She has an envelope in her hand that looks like "Valentines Day". Is the person beyond the door the gift giver, is she there to thank him for the card and the basket?Does he know that she is out there? This is a story that only you have the answer to. make it what you will. Are you a romantic?

Winner of 400th post Giveaway!!Sherri Auld

2011-02-14T13:17:00.000-08:00

Did a random number and you were it!! Send me your address and I will get this off to you. Congratulations! I hope you enjoy this piece and have a nice place for it. Hugs Betty

Stencil challenge for AB group

2011-02-13T05:16:00.001-08:00

It was a fun piece to do, all the background pieces are from a fabric catalogue.

Guess what?

2011-02-11T06:02:00.000-08:00

Hey ,is this a paper doll or what???

"Emma"has a friend"Lilly"

2011-02-09T08:03:00.000-08:00

New doll "Emma" she is 9 inches tall.She is one of a kind from her boots to her hat.
Lilly has a dress made of napkins, hand made paper roses.

"Green Paper piece"

2011-02-07T14:59:00.000-08:00

Here is my green paper challenge piece.
Green Paper

Background technique!!

2011-02-06T08:42:00.000-08:00

One piece of 8 1/2 x 11 chipboard or cardboard, cover with your choice of images, text, music, napkins, cover entire surface, while wet add strips of white tissue using your decoupage ( in my case I use elmers diluted half with water). While wet add watercolor or thinned down acrylic all over in areas, I used prang cranberry, blue, yellow, and green. While wet add gold leaf(mine is faux and brush in with your brush. Allow to dry and then cut in desired sizes for inchies, twinchies, Atc, or 4 x 4's.I have used this for a lot of stuff and Like it a lot. You don't have to add the gold but I think it is a nice touch, you could also use a large face image and let it fall where it may when you cut.I like the use of the tissue paper overlay as it gives it a smokey look.
The top picture is all the cuts I got from the sheet-4 2 x 2, 4 stack 2 x 2.7 inchies, and 6 ATC cards. Just though you might like to see the outcome.

Elizabeth!! Coming soon!New background technique!

2011-02-06T06:10:00.001-08:00

New background technique later today or tomorrow. Make background on standard size chipboard , cut into 2 inch squares and make your twinchies!!

How about twinchies???

2011-02-05T06:06:00.001-08:00

Two inch square, chipboard with copper foil, collage work,stamping and images.

Valentines for the gr. grandaughters!

2011-02-04T10:06:00.000-08:00

They are 2 sided, so cute!! Rhonda from etsy pattern. I love them , hope the girls will like them. The boys get sponge bob coloring valentine.They all get 2.00 too.

Inchies"Vanity fair"

2011-02-01T15:23:00.000-08:00

Italian dipping sauce-Bagna cauda

2011-01-31T10:02:00.000-08:00

Bagna Cauda recipe.............
1 stick of butter- 2 T good olive oil-i can of anchovies, 1 tablespoon of chopped fine garlic. Heat and stir until anchovies are mashed, serve with crusty Italian bread and Napa cabbage. Very good with raw vegetables too. My granmma made this for us when I was a child and all my family really loves it!!

"Jennifer"

2011-01-28T06:53:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Etsy's Rhonda.

Just Reflecting!

2011-01-26T04:08:00.000-08:00

Periodically I put this up on the blog, usually when I am feeling that even though I do a lot of good in my relationships with people, I am not always given that in return. Should I expect it? Oprah says, you do good you get back good. I would never pass up a phone call because I would be afraid that someone would need my assistance, my words of encouragement, my comfort. People call and they say "Are you busy" No matter what I am working on or doing, I would put it down for my family or a friend. Sometimes I say it "Not too busy for you" I am not trying to sound like some saint, I do not enjoy insulting people or making them feel bad about themselves, I say you stand on your own merit, everyone does some things better than others but everyone has their niche in life. There are people that excel at being a great mother, that yell a lot but have shining clean and well taken care of children. That takes time to say "I love you" and teaches them the important things in life. I believe that teaching a child to respect his possessions is high on the list of things a Mom should do. Well here it is, this wise piece that was written(not by me):

I no longer place much importance on an exalted love for everyone and everything. It isn't likely or even practical that each of us will be able to truly love everyone else. There are simply too many human failings of the heart to allow it. I do believe kindness and compassion are always possible, even when love isn't, and that they spring from courage and are not quite, though almost, the same thing. Kindness refers to the little things, small everyday gestures - being good, and a help to those near to us, in our varied circles, even extending that to those we may not know personally, but to whom we reach out when they need a hand to steady, or a word to comfort. Compassion is larger than kindness. One can be kind, lacking understanding.
Compassion is a way of understanding, of putting oneself in the position of another, of walking the mile in their shoes. Compassion evokes generosity of spirit and encourages universality while recognizing individuality. It allows true forgiveness of terrible human failings and outrages that would seem unforgivable almost as easily as smaller transgressions of a moral code."
I wish I had written this because it says everything that I feel about human relationships. Sometimes, nothing is enough for some people and the smallest thing is a mountain for others.
Thanks to Sara Fishburn, which I did not ask permission but hope that she is not offended by my placement of her words on my blog.

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I found this piece and wanted to share it with you:
As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed to ever let us down, probably will. You'll have your heart broken and you'll break others' hearts. You'll fight with your best friend or maybe even fall in love with them, and you'll cry because time is flying by. So take too many pictures, laugh too much, forgive freely, and love like you've never been hurt. Life comes with no guarantees, no time outs, no second chances. you just have to live life to the fullest, tell someone what they mean to you and tell someone off, speak out, dance in the pouring rain, hold someone's hand, comfort a friend, fall asleep watching the sun come up, stay up late, be a flirt, and smile until your face hurts. Don't be afraid to take chances or fall in love and most of all, live in the moment because every second you spend angry or upset is a second of happiness you can never get back.

This was a comfort to me today,when I am feeling sad. But tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it. I will awake refreshed and see things thru new eyes.

Sexiest man of the year, Jeffery Dean Morgan

2011-01-25T14:49:00.001-08:00

This is a man!!! Here is another picture, Izzy's love in Gray's Anatomy. Danny. He is of scottish descent. love those Scotsman.

Dollhouse Bookcase for Children!

2011-01-24T13:46:00.001-08:00

Handmade books, about 100 for this bookcase. Going to add a bench.

Make do heart!!!

2011-01-23T04:28:00.001-08:00

This is a piece for a new project in the subscription group at Roses At My Table. For a small fee per year you can do a lovely project like this once a month with video lessons and different ideas on how to finish your project. This is my rendition of the class project. The pearl brooch is temporary- I have ordered a vintage pocket watch for this but it is going to take a while for it to arrive. This was a lot of fun to do and I really am happy with the outcome.

400 posts Giveaway!!

2011-01-21T03:50:00.001-08:00

8 X 10 Wall Hanging with vintage book and image, fabric layering and saying fitting to the piece, the accents are flowers, jewelry, charms and pearls. Also a packet of ephemera charms and ribbon.Leave a comment to be included in the drawing with your blog address or e-mail address so I can reach you, The drawing ends Valentines Day, February 14.
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The blog has been a wonderful journey for me, In the time I have been doing this, about 4 years. I have shared with whoever was looking and listening. The writings , poetry and artwork come from my heart and the experiences I have had in my life. Lots of things, the front porch article, the picnic article, I hope that while this is in it's 400 posts you would take some time to go back and read and look at all this has been to me and hopefully you too. I have tried to share methods for things I have learned on my own. I hope these have been useful to you. I know we don't always have an abundance of money for out art projects so the majority of my methods are inexpensive. I love poetry and have put in my favorites or excerpts from them for your enjoyment. I have met some wonderful artists and seen some art that was mind boggling. I am a novice in comparison to some of these talents. I love what I do and love knowing I can add to this everyday. So my only message on this 400 post day is if and when you have time come and visit -go back and back and back and share this journey with me. Hugs to you all Betty

New Doll- Sarah!!!

2011-01-19T05:54:00.000-08:00

Mounted on background. paper doll with ribbons and fabric accents.

Work in progress- faux raku thrown pot

2011-01-18T04:32:00.000-08:00

i painted this pot with random orange peel spray paint, when dry sprayed a coat of sand tectured paint over it for texture. Added some pieces of cheescloth and other bits of paper. allow to dry. Paint the whole piece with black acrylic. let dry thoroughly. Start the layering of stewaret gill paints all metallic type paints, dark gold, afterglow, verdigris, opal and excelcius. i will continue to add until it looks right to me.

New Love ATC cards!

2011-01-18T04:23:00.000-08:00

Made thes cards for a swap on Roses At My Table group. The theme is love , the background is a new technique, pictures do not do it justice.

Ribs and sauerkraut!!

2011-01-16T05:26:00.000-08:00

Wow! was it good or what?? 13 x 9 pan, layer (cut apart) ribs first(seasoned ) then potatoes(unpeeled and chopped in med. pieces (salt and Pepper) then sauerkraut(drained) I small can chicken broth. cover tightly with foil and bake 1 1/2 hour at 350.

New years child paper doll! "Janie"

2011-01-14T10:16:00.001-08:00

New paper doll"Tessie" steam punk jewelry box

2011-01-13T06:30:00.001-08:00

Juat playing around. Jewelry box is for my grandaughter , her birthday is coming up. holds a mommy necklace with her 3 childrens names and birthstones. Had it made on etsy.
The "Tessie" doll started out as a blank, I did her hairsyle , her makeup, her shoes, everything about her has been done from scratch. I loved the addition of the boa and the feather, wanted a long cigarette holder but just couldn't fit it in. Hop you like her. She is one funtime gal.

Pictures of faux raku pot

2011-01-10T07:23:00.001-08:00

Journal page!paper roses!!

2011-01-09T16:44:00.001-08:00

Journal page for Colors. My attempt at paper roses, I think they are cute and will be useful.

Playing with Stewart Gill paints!!Still working on it!!

2011-01-07T15:06:00.000-08:00

I had this paper Mache jar that was in a shed for a long time, used paints to emulate a raku finish.

My fairy name!!New diffuser bottle!!

2011-01-02T04:57:00.001-08:00

My fairy is Meadow Elffly
She is cheerful and friendly.
She lives in fields where wild flowers and poppies grow.
She is only seen at midday under a quiet, cloudless sky.
She wears a skirt made of red petals and has transparent green wings like a cicada.
Get your own fairy name from the Fairy Name Generator!

"Love" tags

2010-12-31T06:19:00.001-08:00

Front and back of tags for swap!!

Another treasure box, Journal page

2010-12-27T04:50:00.001-08:00

The journal page is doors and windows, The garden box was a gift for my daughter for Christmas, inside and out, the 2 small boxes were gifts of jewelry for grandaughters. The diffuser bottles are from my group Roses at my table--a new project every month for a small fee, the boxes were nov., the bottles Dec. You can even download the videos as part of this and save it so you can do it later or refresh your memory on the process.

Another Treasure box and new journal page!!!

2010-12-27T04:23:00.000-08:00

Another treasure box and journal page!!

2010-12-27T04:21:00.001-08:00

A Collection of my favorite Christmas Poems! My Christmas card to you!!

2010-12-21T07:32:00.000-08:00

When I was about 10 years old a man that did chores for my Mother gave me a book of Longfellow poetry, I have always loved his poems since, i lost track of the book many years ago and have looked on ebay and in flea markets and antique stores for the book, The inscription read "This Book belongs to Fred S. Fleming" So keep your eyes open.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882)
Christmas Bells

I HEARD the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said;
"For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men."

this poem by Longfellow was written during the civil war.
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Sharing my favorites with you today!
The Road not Taken
Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference?

..................................................
TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
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Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

Twas the Night before Christmas Poem

Twas the night before Christmas Poem also called “A Visit from St. Nicholas"

Clement Clarke Moore (1779 - 1863) wrote the poem Twas the night before Christmas also called “A Visit from St. Nicholas" in 1822. It is now the tradition in many American families to read the poem every Christmas Eve.

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Amazing Peace: A Christmas Poem

By Maya Angelou

Thunder rumbles in the mountain passes
And lightning rattles the eaves of our houses.
Flood waters await us in our avenues.

Snow falls upon snow, falls upon snow to avalanche
Over unprotected villages.
The sky slips low and grey and threatening.

We question ourselves.
What have we done to so affront nature?
We worry God.
Are you there? Are you there really?
Does the covenant you made with us still hold?

Into this climate of fear and apprehension, Christmas enters,
Streaming lights of joy, ringing bells of hope
And singing carols of forgiveness high up in the bright air.
The world is encouraged to come away from rancor,
Come the way of friendship.

It is the Glad Season.
Thunder ebbs to silence and lightning sleeps quietly in the corner.
Flood waters recede into memory.
Snow becomes a yielding cushion to aid us
As we make our way to higher ground.

Hope is born again in the faces of children
It rides on the shoulders of our aged as they walk into their sunsets.
Hope spreads around the earth. Brightening all things,
Even hate which crouches breeding in dark corridors.

In our joy, we think we hear a whisper.
At first it is too soft. Then only half heard.
We listen carefully as it gathers strength.
We hear a sweetness.
The word is Peace.
It is loud now. It is louder.
Louder than the explosion of bombs.

We tremble at the sound. We are thrilled by its presence.
It is what we have hungered for.
Not just the absence of war. But, true Peace.
A harmony of spirit, a comfort of courtesies.
Security for our beloveds and their beloveds.

We clap hands and welcome the Peace of Christmas.
We beckon this good season to wait a while with us.
We, Baptist and Buddhist, Methodist and Muslim, say come.
Peace.

Come and fill us and our world with your majesty.
We, the Jew and the Jainist, the Catholic and the Confucian,
implore you to stay awhile with us
so we may learn by your shimmering light
how to look beyond complexion and see community.

It is Christmas time, a halting of hate time.
On this platform of peace, we can create a language
to translate ourselves to ourselves and to each other.
At this Holy Instant, we celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ

Into the great religions of the world.
We jubilate the precious advent of trust.
We shout with glorious tongues the coming of hope.
All the earth’s tribes loosen their voices to celebrate the promise of
Peace.

We, Angels and Mortals, Believers and Nonbelievers,
Look heavenward and speak the word aloud.
Peace.

We look at our world and speak the word aloud.
Peace.

We look at each other, then into ourselves,
And we say without shyness or apology or hesitation:

Peace, My Brother.
Peace, My Sister.
Peace, My Soul

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Gift boxes!!

2010-12-19T11:45:00.001-08:00

Gift box for my grandaughter and grandson's wife both hold jewelry. the small one is 4 X 3, the other is 6 x4.

Anastasia-great grandaughter!!All Three!!

2010-12-17T10:52:00.001-08:00

Pictures of Anna in her tutu and the Christmas pictures of all three, Trentyn, Dominic and Anna, The boys are so handsome and really a couple of characters. She is laying on a quilt that I made. So sweet!!!

Paper Art Dolls!!

2010-12-15T09:01:00.000-08:00

This is Camille, I made her for a sample doll for a paper doll swap on Roses at my table group.The top on is Aggie, she looks like an Aggie to me.Forgot her hair so here in another picture,Here is Sara , the ballerina.

Merry Christmas from my house to yours!!!!

2010-12-14T03:48:00.000-08:00

I sent Jerry outside to take this picture, it was very cold 10 below but the picture turned out fine. Happy Holidays!!!

Antique baby dress wall hanging!!

2010-12-11T08:00:00.000-08:00

Had this little dress- had some holes and wear, so made this little wall hanging for my great grandaughter Anastasia. Has a gold hook hanger and a branch from an apple tree.

New project! tiny things

2010-12-09T09:46:00.000-08:00

Bought some punchout furniture and worked on it. Fun, not done yet but a good start. These pieces are going to go in my Mercantile store(that I haven't made yet)

Merry Christmas!! Believe in the Magic!!!domino pendants!!

2010-12-08T17:46:00.001-08:00

Don't know how good the pictures are---This is crackle accent and a brass key, there is a poem and gold leaf on the back.

"Christmas Wishes "room box

2010-11-29T12:02:00.001-08:00

Found a frame 12 x 15- my husband buit a 3inch deep box around the back, layered images with foam to bring forward. Saw a similiar in Somerset magazine.So much fun to do this box, might buy a light for it.

Memory box!!

2010-11-23T05:48:00.001-08:00

This is a Memory box I made with the RAIL group at Roses at my table. Zinnia is a wonderful teacher and the class is a lot of fun to do.Very clear instruction and ideas to make it your own. It is for my niece and has 3 file folders and going to hold a journal (matching and a calender) Putting a couple of drawer sachets in it for a lovely scent.

Thanksgiving and the Opening of the Christmas Village!!

2010-11-23T04:35:00.001-08:00

The village is about 7 ft by 7 ft. Doors cover it when not in season. The snow has to be changed every 3 or 4 years. What a job, the street lights were bought when I started about 15 years ago and have never been replaced , they light every year and a bulb has never burned out.I can't add any more to it except for trees, add trees every year.

Happy Thanksgiving!! roasting chesnuts!

2010-11-23T03:40:00.000-08:00

How to roast chesnuts, put oven on 425 wash and dry chesnuts, cut a cross in the flat side of each chesnut thru to the nut. put in baking pan and roast for 20 minutes. peel while warm. Yummy!
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Thanksgiving

The year has turned its circle,

The seasons come and go.'

The harvest all is gathered in

And chilly north winds blow.

Orchards have shared their treasures,

The fields, their yellow grain,

So open wide the doorway~

Thanksgiving comes again
Can't wait to start the dinner, all the supplies are in so nothing to do but cook , Love the smells and the process of adding all those wonderful herbs and spices, basting the turkey and making that wonderful gravy, Even the mashed potatoes are a special with their sour cream, heavy cream, butter and Salt and pepper. This year we have apple caramel salad, butterscoth pies, pumpkin pie, apple pie, and banana split cake for dessert. Sides are sweet potato casserole, scalloped corn, green bean casserole, creamed onions, sausage and herb stuffing and lots of condiments and appetizers, Can't wait for Wednesday to come, the Turkey is thawing in the fridge. I started cooking Thankgiving when I was 26 and have only went other places, maybe 7 or 8 times since. love it!! This is the day to open the Christmas Village also!

Tag swap!!Journal spread-Opposites

2010-11-05T06:20:00.001-07:00

These are my tags for a Roses swap, they have opening doors for the Angels theme and the back is finished.
The journal spread is "Opposites" Summer- Winter- Hot -cold.

Dominos!!

2010-10-31T04:33:00.000-07:00

Three of these have a bail. Small but will work I think.

Halloween journal page!! November AB challenge page!!

2010-10-29T14:11:00.001-07:00

Picture is a little shaky, normal for Halloween, can't wait to see all the wee ones and their sweet costumes.

A Few Thoughts this windy morning!!

2010-10-28T05:08:00.000-07:00

I think if all the politicians would give the money that they have spent on their campaigns to the deficit it would have helped immensely, I really don't understand why you would spend that kind of money for a post that doesn't pay that much, I read a woman spent 13 million of her own money. I guess I'm missing something here.
So excited, Project Runway finale tonight. Can't wait, Hope anyone wins except Gretchen, what an arrogant, no talent woman. Think Mondo will win , but I believe Michael C. was more talented than Andie or Gretchen.
Have you got involved in "The Big C"? Such a great show, on Showtime. Parenthood is one of my favorites too, How about "little People, big world" Am fascinated with Hoarders, I never saw so many stubborn people.
Reading Debbie Macombers Blossom Street series in the family room and 44 Scotland street series on the exercise bike. Crocheting socks on the side, hopefully for presents. The dominos are going to be key rings for gifts.
I hate to think of Oprah being gone, did you see the program about the couple losing their 3 children and lo and behold they had triplets a year or so later. i will miss her sorely, I don't always watch but I know she's there.
Be talking, got to go to the doctor at 10. So off to get ready.

October!!

2010-10-24T18:05:00.000-07:00

This is a Terry redlin print.

October

My ornaments are fruits; my garments leaves,
Woven like cloth of gold, and crimson dyed;
I do no boast the harvesting of sheaves,
O'er orchards and o'er vineyards I preside.
Though on the frigid Scorpion I ride,
The dreamy air is full, and overflows
With tender memories of the summer-tide,
And mingled voices of the doves and crows.

A Tribute to "Time" Today is my Birthday!!

2010-10-23T15:31:00.000-07:00

"Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity." - Henry Van Dyke (1852-1933)

*****
Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.
Carl Sandburg (1878 - 1967)
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The Future is something which everyone reaches at the rate of sixty minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever he is. ~C.S. Lewis
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Time is a brisk wind, for each hour it brings something new... but who can understand and measure its sharp breath, its mystery and its design? ~Paracelsus
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The time you think you're missing, misses you too. ~Ymber Delecto
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What then is time? If no one asks me, I know what it is. If I wish to explain it to him who asks, I do not know. ~Saint Augustine

*****

2010-10-23T15:29:00.000-07:00

Want to do domino art?? Don't have any?

2010-10-22T05:30:00.000-07:00

Have your man or someone cut some 1/8 inch luan 1 x 2 and there you go sand and finish to your liking.The saying is"Necessity is the Mother of Invention!!!"

--Journal pages!!! Coffee and Tea cards!!

2010-10-19T13:26:00.000-07:00

Some journal pages I did for a project-- The subject"Inside -Outside"
3 coffee cards and 3 tea cards- lace on tea card-coffee is coffee stained canvas and real coffee grounds. These are a ATC swap for Roses at my Table.

Bread pudding!! Yummy!

2010-10-12T05:14:00.000-07:00

I love bread pudding and here is a quick and easy recipe:
I loaf of cinnamon , raisin bread, 3 eggs, enough milk or half and half to soak the bread, 1/2 cup sugar, chopped small one apple. Mix all together . spray your baking pan and bake for 40 min. at 350. I always put mine in another larger pan with a couple inches of water.

Halloween Accordion Books!!

2010-10-10T04:43:00.000-07:00

I made these for my g. granddaughters, they are 5 and 7, will ship them off tomorrow, also a packet of images, ribbons and tags to make their own tags.Hope they will like them.