Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

I wish all of you new adventures, wonderous journies, lots of love and happiness, pure faith and joy, in this new year!

hugs- Lee

I'm In Love....

Somerset in Love, that is!

This issue containing my first published work is now available! It is beautifully done, with lots of inspiring and pretty layouts for you to drool over (thank you Amanda Belle Nolan). I had an amazing time being a part of Marilyn Healey's brainchild. This magazine features two groups of books, as Marilyn had a red group and a pink group going. Mine was part of the pink group.

The two pages below are from my book. We each filled out a questionnaire about the how and why's of the project. You can read about each artist's inspiration and ideas in their chapter.

As you may notice, my style is distinctly different from many of the players in the group. I struggled with feeling like I was a big enough "player" to be included with these amazing gals. When I saw the images being included, and which one of mine had been picked, I had an anxiety attack over my style and "fitting-in"-ness. Marilyn assured me that she invited me because she liked my style. I can only hope to keep growing as an artist, and to be invited to play along in another fat book group.

This is a page from Kristen Robinson's book for the artists to sign in. I made Love Potion #9 bottle for each member of the group, so I'm assuming that's my tag it's attached to! These were made from tiny bottles, filled with some mica flakes.

This is from Kristen's book. I started out with some cabinet cards, and just got carried away with the idea of love driving her crazy. We've all experienced that, right? Imagine my horror when I received the next book, and it was more pink and fluff than I'd done! I thought "oh no, I'm totally on the wrong path!" But Kristen loved it, and totally "got" it.

This is from Laura Bray's book. It is a two page spread based on champagne- the nectar of love! I was a little disappointed in the photograph of this layout, because it doesn't do it justice.

The interesting thing about this is the dress and champagne are 3-D. Check out my photos and you can see the difference.

This is half of a two page spread in Heather Bluhm's book. This side is done on white corduroy, which made for some interesting texture. It was made to look like a page from a child's scrapbook. The other half was a woman holding her dog, with lots of layers of fabric and a small message pocket.

I hope you enjoy the pictures! Go to Stampington to order yourself a copy.

Hugs- Lee

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

to my dearest sister, and Irish twin, Christine!! I have never known what it is to be alone. We have always been thick as thieves. Thanks for everything you do for me, and with me.

Love, Lee

The Best Part of Baking Cookies

Is Licking The BOWL!!

hugs- Lee

Don't Get Me Started

My kids are STILL sick. that's all I'm sayin' on that subject.

Anyhow- those of you who know me, know I love finding little bits of things that I love, that I think other people will love. I go on the hunt at flea markets, and especially eBay.

I'm not one of those people who will keep bidding up and up and get caught up in the game. I bid what I'm willing to spend, and that's it. The kicker is the shipping, which often can add a hefty amount to the bottom line (hello you eBayers- and you know who I'm talking about- how about making your shipping prices REAL...). I will not buy an item whose shipping is too high. I know that is part of the game- cheap price + higher shipping = less $ to eBay... I just don't feel like playing.

Anyhoooooooooooooow- my most recent fetish is mercury glass beads. They are so pretty! Not my usual style- BUT- I seem to have a knack for what people are looking for. I listed them yesterday and have sold 8 sets of them already. Woo Hoo.

the small pale pink are SOLD OUT- thanks** I still have medium pale pink.

Wouldn't you have bought these too?

Hugs- Lee

P.S. I have sold over 20 sets of these in 2 DAYS so far. If you're interested, go see LolliShops!!

A Little Glittery Goodness

Being surrounded by boys, I don't get to indulge myself in glittery, pretty, pink things very often. In addition, my littlest one's hands find it hard to stay away from most things in the house, making decorating difficult (my tree is pretty bare on the bottom).

So when Sadie proposed a contest to review one of the shops on LolliShops, I jumped! What better chance to browse around the site and look at some goodies. At stake here is an amazing basket of goodies from Sadie, and I cannot pass up the chance to win something.

That being said, I typed in German glass glitter into the search engine on the site and found this:

Lately I just LOVE all things tags... and Katie's Rose Cottage has a few to choose from.

Katie's wares are all beautifully photographed, with great prices. She has an assortment of soldered charms available, and a lovely snowman. Please go visit Katie's Rose Cottage and pick up some Christmas gifts.

Your Spiritual Number is Eight

You bring inspiration and success into people's lives. You understand how the world works, and you have a knack for money. Right now, your life is all about goals and progress. This is nothing new though - you're always moving forward. You have a lot of perspective in life. You are able to remove your emotions and see the big picture. You usually bet right in life. You have are intuitive and win often.

What's" Your Spiritual Number?

Please Go Vote For Me!

The rusty challenge is finished and there are lots of fun entries. Please go check the site out and vote for me!

Again, thanks to Kim for all of her work. She has a shop, as well as the Paper and Digital Arts site. Go check them both out.

In My World... Altered Tin

This tin was done for a rusty challenge over at Paper Digital Arts and Images, the "child" of Kim Newberg. I rusted an Altoid tin, and then used it to create a sort of memory box. Requirements for the challenge were to use rusty nails, bottle caps, soda pop tops and something else- maybe paper clips? The title had to start with In My World. The piece also had to include a distressed piece of paper (any kind of paper) and an image from the collage sheets that Kim sent us (for free, I might add).

As you can see, the bottle cap I used was spray painted gold, and put behind the lovely photo to act as a frame. It represents and wonderful time in someone's life, perhaps mementos from a dance, or wedding. The title had to be In My World. The lyrics on the distressed music sheet are "there's a place that I see, when the days fades away." I added a string of pearls, a Victorian glove charm, and some old buttons too.

This is a wonderful site, with tons of free graphics for your art. You do need to be a member, but membership is free!! There is also plenty of friendship and chit chat on the message board. Go check her out and sign up for a membership!!

Hugs- Lee

Update

First child has been feverish and has had a GI bug since Friday. We missed a schoolmate's birthday party because of it... :-(

Second child is better, but still gunky. No fever though, at least not right this minute.

I attempted, UNDERLINE attempted, to go grocery shopping this morning. Let's just say it's a good think I know where the restroom is...

I've had enough. Did anyone mail the Calgon yet?

Pin and Blue Christmas Ornaments

I went to the local thrift store the other day and bought some old, glass ornaments. Two dozen blue glass balls and one dozen pink glass balls came home with me- all for $3. They also had purple ones, but I passed on them.

Blue and pink are not my usual colors, but they sure are popular these days. I thought I'd try my hand at foofing them up for Twigs and Feathers, over at LolliShops. It's so hard to put my vision into reality at times. Plus, there are times when I think "I need to go buy X Y or Z." Well, that kind of defeats the process, right?

Anyway, I did break down and buy some vintage, mercury glass bead garlands on eBay. I ended up cutting (GASP- I know) the stand apart and using the beads as eggs on the one ornament.

Tell me what you think of them. Oh, BTW, these aren't the greatest pictures... shiny things are hard to photograph.




Hugs- Lee

Happy Friday

Someone, anyone, send me some Calgon, 'cause Momma needs to be taken away!

Hubby's work has taken him out of town during the week for about the past 3 months. Momma is tired of running the show and taking care of sick kids. Not to mention the fact that I've had to call out of work 3 times and am gonna get dinged for it.

First child sick all last week, and came home sick from school today. Second child is REALLY sick, feverish, gunky, grumpy, and not eating or drinking much. Only one wet diaper today and I'm becoming concerned. I'm getting little sips in now and again, but nothing major.

It's freezing here. Send hot chocolate, please.

xoxo- Lee

Yippee!! LolliShops is SWEET

Tammy and I are knocking 'em dead, selling our pins, tags and mixed media supplies on LolliShops.

If there's something you're interested in, hurry on over!

hugs- Lee

Happy Advent

The word Advent comes from the Latin adventus, which means "coming." In the Roman Catholic Church, it is the name of the four week season which begins with the first evening prayer of the Sunday which is closest to or November 30 (Feast Day of St. Andrew) and ends with the first evening prayer on Christmas Day. The meaning of this season is both to commemorate the Incarnation of Jesus and to celebrate the eventual Second Coming.

The Advent wreath is a circle holding four candles. Generally the color of all four candles is purple (although it is an increasing practice for the third candle to be pink or rose). These candles are lit in a special sequence during worship services on the four Sundays of Advent. A candle is lighted on the first Sunday of Advent, and on each successive Sunday an additional candle is lit. In recent years it has become customary to have a larger white candle in the center of the Advent wreath. This is often called the "Christ candle" and is lit at the Christmas Eve services and on Christmas Day.

However you and your family celebrate, our family is wishing you a wonderful holiday season! God Bless!

Start Your LolliShopping!

Yeah! It's finally happened- LolliShops is up and running. Sadie, goddess that she is, has been burning the midnight oil with the programmers to get this new site off the ground. Congratulations!

If you're not familiar with it, LolliShops is a juried arts and crafts, mechandise, full o' bling and glitter site. That means that all vendors- including us- had to be approved to list our wares.

Tammy and I have changed our main store on this site to Twigs & Feathers, to avoid confusion with another store owner. Please show your support for all of us artisans out there, and go do some shopping!

HUGS- Lee

Happy Thanksgiving

Many thanks to all of my family and friends, for making this year wonderful!

hugs- Lee

Dreams

My dream of being published is coming true (as I've already mentioned here, just a few times...LOL). Click on the link ad you'll see a few chapters previewed, like mine above.

You can go there and pre-order one of these magazines. There will only be one printing, and I only get one copy for me! Maybe I should order a few more!!

hugs- Lee

Christmas Tags

Get them while they're hot, gals!! Tammy has been outdoing herself and making gorgeous tags. Some are very Victorian, with beautiful angels and birds to brighten up your holidays packages.

Others are extra-Christmasy, with tons of glitter and fun in familiar shapes.

I haven't gotten good pictures of mine yet, but I'll try soon. (she puts me to shame...)

If you have a a theme or color scheme you'd be interested in, please email me or Tammy.

hugs- Lee

For Jim

Do not go gentle into that good night,

Old age should burn and rave at close of day;

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,

Because their words had forked no lightning they

Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright

Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,

And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,

Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight

Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,

Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.

Do not go gentle into that good night.

Rage, rage against the dying of the light. (Dylan Thomas)

For my uncle, who fought so hard and gallantly,

To stay for a short while longer.

Who is loved and missed.

Who was remembered yesterday by family and friends.

His freedom from pain is well earned. We, who are left behind, find sorrow in our hearts.

But he is full of eternal happiness and love.

"As virtuous men pass mildly away,
And whisper to their souls to go,
Whilst some of their sad friends do say,
"Now his breath goes," and some say, "No."

John Donne's poem "A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning"

Crafting Frenzy

A friend at work is having a Tastefully Simple party, and she asked if I wanted to bring some of the creations to sell- well, of course!

So I had to bust out the supplies and start making more stuff.

I have work area in the basement, but it doesn't have near enough counter space. So I've been using the kitchen counter. It's easier to be upstairs with the kids too. Otherwise, they come doen to the basement, which usually isn't a problem, but they like to get into my crafting supplies.

I've been making a ton of Christmas and general gift tags. I've been using up some of my supplies that have been hanging around. I also treated myself to the boxed set of glitters from Martha Stewart. They're awesome! You can see them in the back of the photo.

I've also made 8 more rose pins. They were really fun- and each one is a little different!

I'll be scanning some of the tags later to show you. The weather is rainy and gloomy here- not the best for shooting pictures outside in the light.

Today is the memorial service for my uncle. The family is getting together to celebrate his life. I'm still having trouble wrapping my head around the idea that he is gone.

Have a good weekend- hugs- Lee