What a Wonderful Weekend For a Wedding

Howdy folks,

It was a very busy week with wind and rain and last minute shopping and prayer that the sun would shine. And shine it did. Saturday was a beautiful day for a wedding. Family arrived, his and hers, from Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Colorado, Ohio, Wisconsin and I'm sure other places too. Oh yes and one very best friend from California. The maid of honor, my mothers best friend from her school days, arrived from California on Thursday to stand beside her lifelong friend on her wedding day. Rosie whisked mom away on Friday and she was not to be seen again until Saturday. Expcept for a chance meeting at of all places, Walmart. Mom said they laughed and off her and Rosie went with Henry waving behind. They've been friends for over 50 years and have gone through a lifetime of sharing memories together, my mom and her best friend. Some living near each other and others from across the country. I remember playing with her children when we were all young. They even managed a trip to London together once. I love that Rosie made it here to make this day even more special for mom. Sadly my entrance photos with my digital turned out horrible. Above is th altar with flowers chosen by mom. They were stay for church services the next day. I must get the 35mm film turned in tomorrow and hoepfully some of those entry pictures turned out ok. Two of my Uncles escorted mom to the front of the church.

Below are Rosie, mom, Henry and Doug standing before the minister. Doug is Henry's son.

And here is a glowing bride with her new mother-in-law and husband. Edith is 93 years young and came all the way from Wisconsin. She said she enjoyed her trip and all of the attention. She is a very sweet lady.

This is the large family Henry married into. My many Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, a few siblings and even a great Aunt and Uncle are in the mix. Not every one is in this photo as some had wandered off or were headed to motel rooms to change. I'd say maybe 3/4's of mny mom's family that was at the wedding are in this photo. But we gathered as many as we could find. I missed the one with Henry's family group so I'll get it from another as we all start snail-mailing and e-mailing photos to each other.

Cutting the cake was fun.

Their first waltz as Mr. and Mrs., they danced to "Tips of my Fingers".

And half way through invited others to join in.

We all had so much fun at the Reception. Mom and Henry belong to several square dance clubs so they chose square dancing as their reception theme. I danced my first beginners square dance with my Uncle from Missouri and a cousin. I have to admit it was a lot of fun. I have two sets of Uncles and an Aunt that square dance and thought it was wonderful when mom announced she was dating and he was into square dancing. Of course she had to learn. :) (Hmmm, and her brother wasn't able to get her to try. LOL)

So this was my show and tell for the weekend. Some family members have headed home, some will be leaving tomorrow or the the next day. Mom is happy, Henry is a great guy, and we all enjoyed seeing family again and meeting new people.

I hope you all had an exciting weekend too or at the least had beautiful weather like we had here. Have a great week and...

Happy Monday,

Tess

My Owl Print Arrived

Hello, Here it is Tuesday the 22nd day of September, Already. My mom is counting down the days to the 26th, her wedding day. There is still much to do to get their new house ready for company and she's informed me she hasn't even bought her new shoes yet. I am amazed at how quickly they have put this all together. They announced their engagement at my granddaughter's birthday party in August with the date set. Bought a house, planned a wedding and reception and moved into the house. Mom still has to finish moving in from her house and get it ready to put on the market but as she says, "That will just have to wait". One day she is calm, cool and collected and the next she is like a brand new bride, hysterical. It's been fun helping her and watching their relationship grow.

Below is a card I won from Gaal Creative. Anne is a wonderful photographer don't you think.
(Thanks Anne, I love it.)



I love owls, they are so regal looking. At least they are to me anyway. I love their big bright eyes too. Plus I am a member of the Owl Patrol in Woodbadge. It's a Boy Scout thing. I plan to frame this instead of using it as a card. It's sooo pretty. You can see more of Anne's photography here and her blog is here. She creates wonderful card designs and scrapbook pages too.


Above is the cardboard insert in the envelope to protect the card. Is this not the coolest idea? I love how she marked the cardboard and added the recycling hint. I can't decide if I want to use it to paint on or to collage on or make a water color painting this size for someone and pass this "stiffener" on. Anne is so clever.

OK, my MRI update. It is normal. No problems in the neck. Now I am scheduled to see a neurologist, but not until October 20th. In the meantime it has gotten somewhat better with the increased dosage of the Mobic and rest. But now I am back to the lower Mobic dosage and working and scouting is back to full swing. We'll see how it goes.

Here's wishing you all have a Happy Tuesday,
Tess

Mod Podge Rocks: My very first giveaway.

I love this blog. There are waayyy cool tutorials listed here. Amy blogs about projects done with blogs she finds on other blogs also and includes links too. And now a giveaway! There will be 5 winners. Check it out...

Mod Podge Rocks: My very first giveaway.

Happy Sunday,
Tess

Fall Foliage

Hello all,

Here it is the middle of September and our grass and trees are still green. We are still having 80+ degree days and some cooler nights. We haven't had nearly as much rain as usual in our area. I accepted an assignment on AC for a fall foliage slide show due the first week of October. I thought for sure we'd have some nice red and orange leaves on the trees by now. Nope, we've got green or yellow and that's about it. I'm going to take a country drive this weekend to see if I can find any colorful branches. I don't want to wish summer away but I don't want to miss my deadline either. So how are the trees in your area? Any pretty fall foliage developing? If you'd be willing to share a pic with me for my slide show I would gladly credit you as the photographer and place a link to your site.

On another subject I did have that MRI done this past Tuesday; no results yet. I still have that pain down the left arm and I've noticed my neck and shoulders are really tense. Some of you have mentioned stress. I have a feeling that may be it. If the MRI turns out ok I may have to see about scheduling a good upper body massage to get the kinks out. A pampering that I really can't afford. What is it grandma used to say, "If it's not one thing it's another". Meaning never a dull moment around here. LOL!

The Gas Company is coming to switch out our gas meter today. They say it's wayyy past due for updating. It's only suppose to take a wee bit of time. It amazes me they can do that without lots of precautions and such. We don't even have to be here when they start. They will come in at noontime and relight our furnace and hot water heater.

You all have a Happy Thursday,

Tess

A Sunday Journal Page and an ER visit

I was so sick last Friday I spent most of the day sleeping. I really can't describe how I felt. Just achy, tired, almost lethargic. I felt much better yesterday and even took my mom shopping for a dress to wear to her wedding.

Then I had a bit of a scare today. I have been experiencing pain off and on in my left arm for some time now. This morning is was there again. That achy feeling down the arm, fingers stiff and pain at the elbow. By mid morning I had pain in my chest and my left jaw hurt and my teeth hurt. I knew I couldn't just ignore it any more. I told hubby I was afraid they would want to cut off my wedding ring. It is too tight but it still can be twirled around on my finger. I was in tears. He realized then something really was wrong. I broke out in tears and off we went to the ER.

OK, technically that was a wrong thing to do. We should have called an ambulance, that would have been the right thing to do. But we didn't and he drove me to the hospital. It is what I wanted and luckily everything turned out ok. Naturally they, the nurses and doctor, took my symptoms seriously and did a full cardiac check. I was hooked up to monitors and had all of these little sticky things placed all over me. I had a chest x-ray and blood work done.

Luckily, thankfully, my heart is ok. While checking me over the doctor was able to determine that poking at my shoulder and along my arm and under my arm made the pain worse. He said with a heart attack the pain is not duplicable. He said he did not think I was having a heart attack and then felt around the back of my neck. Wow did that ever cause some shooting pain. They did the cardiac workup just to be sure. No heart attack. The ER doctor thinks I may have a disc problem in my neck causing the arm pain. The chest pain may have just been muscular. I'm to call my regular physician tomorrow for a follow-up. I have a report from the ER for him. They are recommending an MRI of the neck and shoulder and a stress test also. In the meantime I got two different shots in the buttocks (ouch) and a prescription for Percacet. That stuff sure makes me loopy. I had a scare today, maybe it was a panic attack, or a wake up call to get this arm and shoulder pain checked out. Anyway, I sure am grateful for an understanding husband and a wonderful ER staff at our local hospital. And for answered prayer. We'll see what tomorrow and the next day brings. Take it easy for a few days he said. Doesn't he know I have family arriving in two weeks for my moms wedding? Strange things always seem to happen at the most inopportune time around me. And why did I break down crying thinking they would cut off my wedding ring? The mind does work in strange thoughts sometimes. I was also afraid I maybe had a blocked something or other in my neck. I know the ER doctor and he has a wonderful bedside manner and takes the time to listen and answer. I'm not as scared now, still hurt a bit, and am ready to call the doctor and admit I need to make the time to see him. Sometimes we get so busy taking care of life's everyday chores and others that we don't make the time to take care of ourselves. And that's a bad thing.

Above is a Sunday journal page I tried to post a week ago.

Take care of yourselves and have a great week,

Tess

I Love a Parade...Chapman style!

Hey ya'all, It's 09-09-09! I'll never see that again. I know, I know, what's so special about that? Well, It's just that I deal with dates a lot at work and it was really neat seeing the 09-09-2009. I was hoping for a book 199 page 199 today but it didn't happen. Maybe next time (in another life). LOL!!

I hope ya'all had a wonderful Labor Day weekend. I went over to Chapman to watch the parade and have dinner with mom and her fiancee'. Hee, Hee, doesn't that sound strange? No, not really, he makes her so happy.

I do love a parade, so I see one every chance I get. Chapman is doing so well since the tornado a few years back whipped through there. This year the annual Labor day parade had

Horses

And red tractors

And green tractors

And Little red tractors pulling big red wagons

And a little horse pulling a medium sized green wagon

And parade floats

And Marching bands
And Clowns

And Fancy Cars and Trucks

And even a Hillbilly Hotrod

Oh how I wish I had gotten a picture of the horns on the front. Hilarious!!!

There was so much more I could show and tell about but you'll just have to make it to Chapman next year for all the hometown fun to see it for yourself.

In the meantime stop by my etsy shop if ya' care to shop a bit and see the wonderful original painting I just put up for sale in my shop titled Sunshine Daydream.

Ya' All have a good night now, ya' here!!

:)

Tess

(P.S. I hope this post works as last Sunday I posted a journal page and it went to the previous Tuesdays date so I deleted it. Blogger is weird sometimes but I love it!)

Helen Steiner Rice

One of my favorite poets is Helen Steiner Rice. She was a remarkable woman and her poems, essays and quotes are so cheerful and inspiring. The Home & Holidays website has a great list of Helen Steiner Rice poems. Here is one of my favorites penned by Mrs. Rice (I don't know the title of this poem. Do you?):

Time is not measured
by the years that you live
But by the deeds that you do
and the joy that you give.
And each day as it comes
brings a chance to each one
To love to the fullest,
leaving nothing undone.
That would brighten the life
or lighten the load
Of some weary traveler
lost on life's road.
So what does it matter
how long we may live
If as long as we live
we unselfishly give.

I have found this unselfish/giving attitude among so many wonderful bloggers. I've been prayed for and taught and gifted so much. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. :)

Have a great 3 day weekend and if you are traveling

Godspeed,

Tess

And the Winner Is.....

ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I won a wonderful collection of orange things, an orange kit, from GaucheAlchemy.
This scan is awful. It doesn't show all of the wonderful bright orange colors in the kit. If you go to their site you can see a better pic and you'll want to spend some time there as they are doing kit naming contests and other giveaways. I love these ladies. I am already thinking of the many creative uses these scrumptious pieces of fun stuff are going to have. Do stop by Gauche Alchemy.

Oh an now for my giveaway winner:

Drum Roll Please......

The Excitement Builds....

And the WINNER is:

Lay Hoon.....................................

Congratulations to Lay Hoon of Me Scrap blog. I'll be sending her package out later this week. Do stop by her blog and say Hi sometime. I love her little corner of blogland. She creates such wonderful collages. And the music on her blog is always so gentle and refreshing.

About my poems Lay Hoon said:

I like "Negative Attitudes Suck", because I'm in a down mood since last week. Hope the negative thought will leave me away.

I too hope your negative thoughts leave you dear. Hopefully my brightly painted artwork and the brightly colored ribbons and lace will bring your mood around to a better place. Please send me your snail mail address.

Cheers everyone,

Tess

P.S.

If you didn't win watch for a similar painting going up in my etsy shop soon.

P.S.S.

Did you notice the the little decorated box I was pickimng from is painted and collaged using the same fabric and colors? I love this fabric find and will be so sad when I run out of it. I'll show more of the box and lid when I finish it.

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