The Oxford Book of American Verse

Greetings friends,

I thought it was about time I get to creating another post. I wasn't sure what to post about and while looking for something else in my basement I came across this:

I have no idea where I got it. Maybe a find at the Goodwill Store or a yard sale. Maybe a left-over from my mother-in-law. She loved poetry too. All I know is finding this little book has been a joy. The first page reads:

The Oxford Book of American Verse

"Chosen and with Introduction by F.O. Matthiessen"

New York

Oxford University Press

The Copyright is 1950 and this book is a third printing dated 1952.

The Table of Contents contains a list of 50 poets including the likes of Conrad Aiken, John Peale Bishop, E.E. Cummings, Emily Dickinson, T.S. Eliot, Robert Frost, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Edgar Allen Poe, Carl Sandburgh and many I admit never having heard of. Of course I skipped straight to Emily Dickinson, one of my favorite poets.

'I felt a cleavage in my mind'
I felt a cleavage in my mind
As if my brain had split,
I tried to match it, seam by seam,
But could not make them fit.

The thought behind I strove to join
Unto the thought before,
But sequence ravelled out of reach
Like balls upon a floor.

I have felt exactly the same way before and I'm sure my Bobbie has. Oh and I must share this that Emily penned as I found it rather humorous.

'Faith is a fine invention'
Faith is a fine invention
For gentlemen who see,
But microscopes are prudent
In an emergency!

'Tis true, 'tis true; ah but faith and a good prayer do help too.

So since we are on the subject of poetry how about this. Leave a comment and tell me who your favorite poet is. I'll see if I can find a passage for you from my book.

Oh and don't forget to enter my giveaway, then you'll be reading some of my poetry too. Not nearly as good as the poets in my book but I hope you won't be too disappointed. My giveaway deadline is August 31st. Please comment for the giveaway on that post and tell me who your favorite poet is on this post. Fun! Fun!

Many Blessings,

Tess

It's Giveaway Time...

I made this just for you. Isn't it pretty?

A mixed media collage painting on an 8X10 Artist's Canvas Panel

sealed with Mod Podge. I love this fabric so much that I just had to share

it before it's all used up. With fall soon to be upon us and then the cold winter months

ahead I thought just about anyone could use a bit of flower power for indoor inspiration.

I think this painting would look great in a 60's themed room or a teen room or...

I love the vibrant colors in this painting. It reminds me of the 60's,

"Peace, Love and Rock and Roll".

It reminds me of sunshine, bright and crisp, with not a cloud in the sky.

It reminds me of friends, of you...

Remember the post about the Moving Sale I went to? I decided I should share some of my thrifty buys along with the painting. I'll include these elegant pieces of lace pictured below.

Bits and pieces in pretty shades of cream, pinks, peach and lavender.

And these bits of lace trim too. These pictures are scans and the first scan with all of this pretty white lace was awful.I placed a large piece of black lace over the white pieces and it worked wonders. New thing learned, for me anyway.

And I wish you could feel these silky soft ribbons. Again in wonderful pinks and lavenders. There are a few pieces of silver and gold trim too.

I wish to send all of this and more to one of my friends, new or old.

Remember the saying:

One is silver and the other is gold.

I don't want to show everything here. A nice surprise for the winner of this

giveaway will be the little extras I will send.

I just ask one thing of you. I ask that you go to my Associated Content page and read a few of my poems. Pick a favorite and then leave a comment here

and tell me why it is your favorite.

Deadline will be midnight on Monday, August 31st.

I will pick a winner on Tuesday, September 1st.

Don't forget to leave me a way to contact you.

Many Blessings,

Tess

New ATC's

~~~



Enjoy a Creative Day...

Tess

P.S. Click on the title to read my article "Making ATC's from Scraps" on AC.

Remember Abby? Her Lesson is A Good One

Greetings all,

I would like you to meet Abby. She is a shy little girl from a poor family. Abby is smart and understands many big words.

Abby learned a very important lesson when she was very young.

Abby loves dragonflies.

And she loves playing dress up too.

Sometimes she gets into her moms make-up.

Abby is often sad when others make fun of her torn and tattered clothes. Sometimes people will use words they think she does not understand, but she does. She knows they don't really mean the awful things they say.

Abby knows her freckled made-up face, her best clothes and shoes and a beautiful crown will always put a smile back on her face.

Abby came to me in a dream. She was inspired by a poem I had written...

This is a mixed media collage painting created on a board roughly 24"x10"x3/8". I used acrylic paint, fabric, tissue paper, an iron on dragonfly, computer generated words, magazine clippings, buttons, twine, Sobo Craft and Fabric Glue and Mod Podge to create Abby's Lesson. I adhered words and phrases cut from an old children's book to the sides all the way around.

Abby is my first attempt at creating a real looking face. I don't know how artists create such beautiful faces. Her nose gave me so much trouble. Her face is so dirty because of all of the erasing and doing over. I wanted her to have a dirty freckled face and I guess she definitely got one. In my original sketch she had pigtails. I tried, I really did, but the pig tails idea was just not working. I like how the twine gives her hair a bit of a messed up stringy look.

It doesn't matter if a little girl comes from a poor family or a rich family. When she's all dressed up she can still feel like a little Princess.

I hope you enjoyed meeting Abby as much as I enjoyed creating her.

Oh, and a big thank you to my granddaughter for helping me find just the right crown for Abby.

Have a great week and remember to

USE KIND WORDS,

Tess

JCLT Moving Sale

The Junction City Little Theater is moving from one location to another after 60 years. They had a moving sale this past Saturday and I was up bright and early to be there. I was interested in the crafting supplies and boy did I ever score. I was able to buy entire boxes full of some really neat stuff.

Beads, vintage jewelry, lace, ribbons, trims and odds-n-ends called to me.

"Take us home, take us home".

And some of the most decadant, shimmery fabric I have ever seen. True magic woven in every strand. I so hope Raven will want to be a gypsy for Halloween this year. Can you just see the costume begging to be assembled?

I had so much fun trying on all of the neat vintage hats and brought a few home with me along with a pretty vintage handbag. I even snagged a couple vintage fur collars and a silly Halloween purse for Raven. She'll love it.

And this sad looking little critter was once a cute animal that became part of someones fur stoll I believe. Anyway I couldn't resist bringing it home to hubby. He has named it Spanky and is having fun teasing the cats with it. One hisses, one backs up and stares and one could care less. I'm sure she thinks just another cousin in the house. LOL! Hubby thinks Spanky will become part of his Golden Eagle regalia costume at some point. The guys like hanging them from belts or pouchs. Better than the dumpster I say and a cheap costume addition at just $3.00.

So I have lots of sorting and organizing ahead of me. I've already gone through

and bagged up the box of beads and such. I've started on a second box now too. I'm separating into gallon size baggies. Easier to see what's there in clear baggies.

You all have a great week now and find time to be creative too. I've been working on a few new ATC's, touching up Abby's Lesson and adding the final touches to the piece I made with Raven. I love the groovy 60's vibe it gives off.

Peace,
Tess