I'm still here!!

My computer is still acting possessed by a demon. I rarely even have the courage to try any more. But I do miss you all so. So here I am, trying again.

I hope this contraption will let me finish this post and save it. I'm hoping for a new computer for Christmas.....

I received my 5X5 Winter Themed Swap items and they are all so lovely.

They arrived in this lovely pouch. I want to add a satiny braided strap to it and turn it into a little carry bag. Purse just does not seem to be the right term.

Jillayne included this lovely little embroidered heart in her card to me and I just love it. I have decided to place it on my Christmas tree this year. Wouldn't

it make a lovely ornament?This is the 5X5 Jillayne made. I love the snowman ribbon. So whimsical. The colors are perfect too.

This one was made by Marie of Trash to Treasures. I don't know about trash but if she made this from scraps all I can say is wow. It really is a treasure.

This one came unsigned. I love how this little gal seems to be blanketed by snow. Very pretty!!
This pretty felted piece was created by Appleshoe of Nuthatch. I love how it feels. You can't see it here but the bird has a dark beaded eye. Love it!!

This quilted and embroidered bird came to me from Lucilla Rossouw. The birds eye is a shiny red bead. I love the use of buttons for the corners. Lovely piece isn't it?

I wish to thank all of the wonderful creative people that entered this swap and to thank Jillayne for putting it together. What a wonderful way to begin the holiday season a little bit ahead of schedule. Thank You to you all.

I apologize for just disappearing like I did. I have been working hard at my rehab, going 5 days a week. My knees are so much more flexible now. I am still losing weight and struggling with the chocolate cravings. I joined a holiday hold out at the fitness center to help make me accountable to someone for my goals. One goal is to keep my weight going downward during the holiday season and to not miss many days of rehab. I have found I enjoy the elliptical machine.

Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be Safe,

Tess

P.S. Yes Cinda, My lovely tweet arrived and I have placed it in a pretty bird cage on my buffet for all to see. I love it. Thank you....

5X5 No.3

Greetings my dear blog friends.

I have been so absent lately; I do apologize. The heat here has been so unbearable. Last week we had above 100 degrees with heat indexes in the 105+ range every day. My computer just happens to be in the hottest room in the house. I hate the hot humid heat we have here. Absolutely hate it. But what can I say except; "hey it's Kansas-just wait a while". We finally had some rain last Friday and a few sprinkles yesterday. Today the high was in the 80's. So much better. I haven't been doing much but sitting and feeling sorry for myself. And trying to stay cool.

And as you know when it rains it pours. I'm not referring to the wet stuff here either. With those high 100+ temps Bobbie called us last week to tell us the power kept going off and on in the trailer. Well of course we had her check the neighbors. Yep, they were all out for about 3 hours. She stayed home though. Then the next day she calls to tell us the power keeps going out every time she uses her dryer. She said it would go out and they would flip the breaker back on and it would stay on for 10 minutes or so and then go out again. I tell her it's the extreme heat and to turn off all lights and other appliances before using the dryer. It works for a bit but then power is out again. So we tell her to check the breakers. She does and power comes back on. She gives up on the laundry for the night and all seems well. Then the next day she calls and says "Mom, the AC is blowing hot air". It's over 100 degrees outside and now the *&#@ AC is on the fritz. We just had it fixed a few months ago. So I tell her to get the big fans out and on and hubby says to call the repair man. Nothing more could go wrong, right? Wrong!! Next Bobbie calls to tell us she has no hot water. What?? "It's ok mom, we don't need hot water right now; It's too hot for hot showers anyway", she says.

There is a happy ending to this down-pour. The repair man comes and figures out that the fuse box the trailer is hooked into is fried a bit inside. Bobbie said he showed her and it was all melty inside. He replaced it and everything was working great. She had a cooler trailer and hot water within 30 minutes. I called the trailer court manager and let them know what happened and they are going to pay the repair bill. WooHoo!! Alls well that ends well. :)

I have been working on my 5X5's for the swap I joined over at A Fine Seam. They are coming along nicely. Here is my 5X5

No. 3

Don't look for No.2 because I did not post it. Let's just say it is very similar to No. 1 and leave it at that. We don't want to give away all of the surprise for the swap participants now do we?! I love this one so much I almost want to keep it for myself. I have a cutter pen and am finding I really like it. The birds and such are cut out from used greeting cards. I love recycling. When mom moved to the new house she gave me all of the cards she's been saving over the years for my art. (Wasn't that sweet of her? ~ Thanks mom!! XOXO)

Visit Jillayne's blog post here to find a list of blogs that joined in the swap. They are all making such pretty 5X5's. I am calling my series Winter Song. And I may make more than 5 as I have a bird cutout that I want to make for myself. I also want to make one for a special friend or two. Plus I have an idea to expand on the concept. But with my up and down moodyness lately. And my crafty/writers/artsy block getting in the way a lot also, well who knows. I did write my idea down though. I just hope I can find it again (the scrap of paper I wrote it on). I have also found my hubby works as a muse. He has a keen eye too. I love that he indulges my artsy side. Oh, and I've tore and cut watercolor paper and painted and smeared colors all over and now I've sewn them together to make a little art journal. It is now ready to be used and I hate the center pages. Hate them!!! The colors turned out ugly together so I think I will start there, in the middle. Besides, who says you have to create in order? Not me, nope, I tend to do things all chaotic like. Works for me!! Sometimes drives me nutty too. LOL!!

Well that's about it for now. Oh, I almost forgot...Go on over to Monday's Child and see the pretty prompt pic and just maybe it might give you an idea for a poem or a story. If it does be sure to share by adding yourself to Mr. Linky on her blog. Have Fun! I hope your days are cooler and mine stay that way too (or warmer if you are in a cooler climate).

Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be You,

Tess

5X5

Winter Song - Almost Finished

This is for a 5X5 mixed media swap.

We are to make 5 - 5X5's with a Christmas or Winter theme.

I will get 5 in return. I started this and then hit a "block". It was as if what I wanted to do with it just left me. Last night I picked up this one and another that I'm working on just like it and Bam! I got a lot done on both and am still not finished. Soon though as I wrote down what else I want to do. Then I will be on the lookout for more winter birds. I used a song page from an old hymnal I found at the Goodwill. I love how the song title fits in with the theme of my 5X5. Question: Should I leave the tail feathers as is or cut them off? I like as is but wonder. The 5 swap items are meant to be strung together and hung on the wall. So what do you all think?

Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be You,

Tess