December thoughts

It seems the Holidays are arriving not matter how long I try to prolong them...Don't you wish the whole month of January could be Christmas too. To just enjoy what we hurried to achieve and visit with friends and family. Keep playing the music and have all the decorations for a whole other month. We keep up our decorations for most of January because we just love the feeling and with all the work to make it special, well we just like to make it last as long as possible. That means you will never, ever see our tree out of the house by New Years Day...I cry when I see the sad little trees out for the trash as soon as Christmas is over. My camera is being different right now so I will share some past photos with you all. The snowman picture is so special because the girls were out to play one time and the next thing you know, they ran in the house so excited to show us their very own snowman. HOW ever did they roll those big snow balls???? Who know they could do it without Mama??

This was last years Christmas Pageant, one of our girls is the angel in the middle and the other girl is standing in the second to last row in the back next to the boy w/the tie (white shirt/red skirt). This is last years, since this year I forgot our camera....Olivia was Mary this time and Cassidy was singing w/an ensemble (oh well, I have no clue if that is the proper spelling!). They are not always willing to go through practices and be in front of people....is it so bad to bribe your kids w/cash to be in your church play?? (please, only mothers of small children who want their kids to be in their church play can comment on that)

Have you all been super busy? Of course! This is my first Christmas season working like this in many years, so my time is limited even more. I did not do any December crafts, or even cookies yet. I miss it all but you can only do so much. I will have to stay up late at night to achieve anything but I am not motivated enough lately. I need to visit my crafting bloggie friends this year and enjoy what you all have made, that is fun too!

Hope you are all staying healthy and taking time to enjoy all the magic of Christmas, as well as pondering the meaning of that wonderful baby that was born so long ago to give hope to a dying world. We are experiencing some difficult financial situations (who is not in the world at this time) but their is still so much to be thankful for. So I am taking one day at a time....and listening to lots of pretty music, trying to spread Christmas cheer in words and prayers. For many, this is a season different than others, with only memories of loved ones who have passed one...Hugs to you all, Wishing God's blessings too!
Carol

A New Look...at last

Hello all and welcome to my blog. I am so excited to have you see a new look just in time for the Christmas season! Thanks for my friend Jules at Whimsical Notations. For helping me to finally, after one year of blogging, come up with a new look (I will worry about the other seasons later) Jules thanks so much for all your help and kindness and especially your time. I could not ever do it without you. I still have so much to learn and hope to one day come up w/my own banner and how to create it all, I am sure with friends like you all, that will one day happen. But for now I am JUST SO THRILLED TO HAVE A WONDERFUL NEW LOOK!!!!!!! It is like getting a gift for me, that is how special it is. She did such a great job. And,
It has encouraged me to keep blogging when I can at a time when I feel like quitting for lack of time. One whole year at this, wow. I shall have to do something to celebrate soon!
hugs and blessings my friends,
Carol

Happy Thanksgiving....giving thanks/Stocking Swap

Happy Thanksgiving to all. I cannot believe I am finally on here, tonight of all things. I recently emailed another blogger friend Thanksgiving wishes and then it came to my mind that it was a lovely new friend from another country and this is a holiday not celebrated by all. No matter, always a good time to give thanks for all that we have and all that we have need not be ALL there is to have, Amen? I am so thankful for a full belly today and mostly the opportunity to have a blessed meal w/family when so many families are torn apart by divorce, illness, or many miles in between. We are not perfect, but we are a family. I am also thankful to know that I have developed friends on-line that even while I do not have much time now to post, they drop by and leave a message. Friends. Who could ever have too many?? And LOVE, who could ever have too much??
Speaking of FRIENDS....one of my newer friends and swap partners had sent me her package from the "Vintage Christmas Stocking Swap". She sent a lovely green satin stocking w/velvet trim on top, very pretty.

Filled to the top w/these lovely goodies. Just look at the fun stuff, from trims to ornaments to candy and collage images.

A great hand made sparkly tag, OKAY, I will try not to pout!!! i promise

And, then this super great canvas w/images of some of my girls (minus the grown-up girl) transposed....how cool is that, my girls could not believe their eyes. You are so talented Jullie, thanks again for this fun swap!! and another friendship.

You can visit Jullie here at Whimsical Notations . You may have already been there for a visit. She is a doll and so gracious. I have emailed her about her blog and she has offered advice and help to update my own blog. It always amazes me how helpful some of my wonderful friends out there in bloggie land have been, without you help I would be lost in this new world. AND speaking of new world...I really need an update as I have been sooo very busy I just realized that it has been a year since I have found my own little space here and met some of you. I am giving thanks for this new world of inspiration and friends.
Great big super hugs to you all, and may you experience some true blessings today and every day,
Carol

Fall Winnings & More

However does time pass so quickly? I will never understand. Expectations must be lowered sometimes and as much as I wish to be here to update more, reality is not cooperating with this idea. The dreamer says...."i can visit friends and update at least once a week. Along with that, I will sign up for many more Christmas Swaps, since that is my favorite season, full of wonder and magic and hope". Oh yes, that part is surely the "dreamer" because reality says that with kids, a home, work, church...and more, I am just only going to be able to do what I can. After recently completing 2 swaps I learned that I have much more going on this year than last! And it does not take much to just be swamped w/stuff to do. Sadly crafting takes that last spot in life and I just could not sign up for another swap while in the midst of completing others. But here is what is new lately. A great package arrived in October and I am just now posting a big hug and "thank-you" to Julie, you can find her here at CUPCAKEDD
I won this fall surprise box on her blog and it was wrapped so nicely, a cute vintage dolly (in orange outfit for fall!!), pumpkin spice tea, a pumpkin scented candle, this great book below
And this GREAT altered art cupcake collage made by Julie too! It is so different and cool looking, a nice addition to my fall decorating...oh, so Sparkly!! Thanks again Julie, nice work and wonderful surprises!
Oh Yeah! Here was our newest little "trick-or-treat" doggie...She decided she would be a "lady-bug"....silly doggie, we knew it was you!!

Then, to throw in some Christmas sparkle. Some pics of the ornaments for the "star ornament swap" that Lenna had HERE on her blog. We created 5 star ornaments and sent them off, awaiting my 5 stars in return, soon to come.
I decided to make some cardboard stars and coat them w/pretty polka-dot tissue paper, then added an image from "Delicate Beauty" images collection. A ribbon cut-out of the word "Noel" was applied to each onto more paper and a border of glitter. What is Christmas w/out a bell...one was added to each w/a tiny star brad at the top. Then some glass glitter to sparkle the edges of the star, completed w/a ribbon on top to hang from a tree! Wow, this was fun!

Thanks to all who stop by. I can remember stopping by some bloggie friends and wondering when they would post again after a bit of an absence, and I was happy when they came back...I guess that is me now at times, but please visit again, I shall return....hugs, Carol

Vintage Halloween Swap

Hello and happy "fall". I took a couple photos of some fall decorating outdoors. There is always so much to do, especially when you luv to decorate for every season, especially my favorites, fall and winter!
I have new "eyes" to see with when I go to yard sales now. I think ahead of crafts & projects...like the black lace below that came in handy over an old radio cabinet. I would have looked it before and no known what to do, but now with "craft swaps" and other projects my imagination goes with me, lol. The season for yard sales is winding down around this part of the country as colder weather is around the corner and by the end of October, they are over. Our whole family enjoys uncovering so many hidden treasures...practical and not-so-practical! Finding sales that are the home of other crafters unloading their overflowing supplies at a bargain price really make for FUN!!
Speaking of crafting fun, I finished up the "Very Vintage Halloween Swap" held here.
Heidi was such a gracious host and has a beautiful blog to see! We are posting for the 8th (me ahead for once). With photos of what we got and sent. I had the pleasure of once again swapping with Lisa, you can find her Here. She has done numerous swaps and is quite talented, so I knew it would be great. Here was her package to me:

She had great packaging too, with cute images and fun papers, including a glittery sack. It included candles, candy in a dish and a cool altered journal.
Here is another close-up of the journal. The charms & beads are embedded in some cool black molding paste and the vintage images are neat too! Thanks Lisa!
I sometimes use this time to experiment and so I did! I made a paperclay pumpkin head and decorated a round box w/paint and images, inside and out...hoping to come up with a vintage feel.

I attached the pumpkin and then painted the inside w/a star & crackle paint and then a Halloween image was added. I also liked trying out browns & some blue.

I also decided to ad this little box hanging collage...I had a plastic lid that I wanted to use w/a stamped image of trees and added chip board images and some a collage image then wrapped it in some sparkly gold chenille, tied off w/a black plaid ribbon, I like the black plaid for Halloween decor!

I believe it is time to go, I lasted here this long w/an un-cooperative "mouse", seems the ball beneath is not moving where it should and everything has taken me much longer...with every click! Hope to visit again soon. Work and life are very fast paced aren't they? Not much blog time but I miss you all.
hugs, Carol

Some Fall Swaps

Just a quick post to show you some fun stuff from recent swaps. My new friend Kathy (greekchic50) as part of a "fall tussie mussie swap" sent me lots of great craft supplies (ledger pages, vintage scraps, old photos/postcards,seam binding!!) along with a cool Halloween Tussie. Her packaging was wonderful too.
I really like the black plaid cone very much, but the best part is the flower that she attached, it is soft and velvety and colorful. Thanks again Kathy. You are very creative!

What I sent to Kathy in return...worked on a couple Halloween tags and added in some ribbon and craft stuff.
My cone had feather trim on top....the fluffier the better, right?! I luv the purple paper I purchased for this because the web is made out of sparkly silver glitter.
And, as part of the "Lollishops Guild", we had opportunity to join a secret buddy swap, you only revealed who you were when they opened their package...I, however, like to know in advance about my swap partners so I can get an idea of their likes & dislikes, and to get to know them in general! I received this great handmade Santa ornament & snowman pin from Susan at Lob Lolly Studio She does not have a blog but (I do not know alot about flickr accounts) I hope you can see her here.
I wanted you to see some of the detail of the Santa's face and the holly surrounding the face w/beads imbedded all around it. So special, as well as the colors of the snowman pin. She also does great work.
And then this is what I shipped to Andrea (Popalicious), I don't think she has a blog either, but if I find some blogs out there I will pass them onto you! We were to send or make something or send in something worth $10/dollar or more. I am getting into fall w/the "halloween crafts". I love visiting blogs w/their fall photos or crafts on them. There are so many of you to see now, I wish I had time for all of you to visit each day. or even week for that matter now.
HAPPY FALL to you my friends. This is still how I am feeling:

The winds of change are calling
I can here them say my name
but I don't want to listen
I wish for things to stay the same.

Hey, I know it's a process. The girls are in school all day & I am workin 3 days, as you know the story from another post. But I took one of my walks yesterday morning and saw a Momma out on her driveway playing ball with her little "babe". I wished it was me again. I let a few tears fall but not too many because they might not stop at that moment.

Moving On, for now

Fall is on it's way, I heard it's cool whisper the other day.....the sounds of autumn danced inside my ears.
It has been awhile my creative and lovely friends, since I have written. Still walking through major life changes. Sometimes I am accepting-walking one foot in front the other-and other moments if I take the time to even dream of holding the hands of my girls when babies or visit how things change and time moves on I fear that I could drown in that river of my tears. How did all the yesterdays get so far beyond my reach? Yes, my girls are still yet little, but not as little as they once were and how fast time marches on. My oldest will be 24 this month, I think of this too as the youngest attends 1st grade all day.

Above, the 2 youngest on their first day back at school. That same day I started my first 3-day work week. Too nervous and busy to cry over life's changes. I am also working on a few more "swaps", fall & Halloween. I had to, in my feelings of sadness, do something to brighten things up. SO, a couple weeks ago it was that time for a trip to the beauty salon...a rare treat. And decided for a change, my hair was growing out its long ago last cut and shoulder length for sure....I braved a shorter cut, for now anyways. Tried out my $5/yard sale tri-pod w/my camera to give you a view of my hair cut.

I was "pony-tail" girl (and "pony-tail" girls, you know who you are) so often and as you can see, that is not happenin w/this "DO"....which causes me to be w/a style most days. (sometimes I miss "pony-tail" girl when I have my busy schedule). Below is a photo of what my lovely & generous friend Kathy from Country-Chintz sent me for our "Pinkeep" swap that Viv hosted at www.vivs-whimsy.blogspot.com

As you can see, if I was a gambling gal, this could be called a "jackpot"...for she sent me such lovely things I could not fit them in a photo if I pulled out all the great tags/etc...that came along with the Beautiful Pinkeep she made me!! Thanks Kathy for your wonderful surprise package full of tags/magnet/trims/images/altered journal/paper weight, etc... And, I made another great friend along the way, two gifts in one!!!

Here is what I made. A rose-bud pinkeep w/a strawberry cushion.

I leave you with a bit of our summer fun. A day 2/the 2 littler ones at mini-golf. (yes, finding the "teen" these days is like "where's waldo".)

Well, now that I have waited out a long time of hoping blogger would save this, since I kept getting some message of "unable to contact blogger" and not being able to save this...I am now able to save and finishing up a long night. I leave you w/a smiling photo of the littles, wishing you a pleasant night where-ever you are. It is now way past midnight and my brain and my fingers & typing are not cooperating very well. At least we have a "free Monday" tomorrow...zzzz And thanks to all who left comments to my last post (and any posts for that matter!, but especially the last one)...off to sleep, hugs & blessings to you all,
Carol

Life Changes

Hello all, I am sneaking in some more blog time before another week passes. It was recently my aunt's b-day and I had nothing to give so I decided I would try a small wall hanging. I am sure that when others look at something like this they never know how long it takes for a mind like mine to create...I have to look over all kinds of stuff to get it right and lack quick decision making skills. (if anyone has tips on that subject, please don't hold back, as that is quite my downfall in every area of life!) Not only that but by the time I finish any project, even a seemingly simple card, I have half of my craft stash all over 2 tables!!

The letter "B" for my aunt's name, she loves the color purple and green and flowers and butterflies...."family heirlooms" for her love of family.

The little "pink" symbol fairy girl for her commitment to a "cure" (as her mom, my mom-mom died of cancer), the word "hope" to remember not to give up on anything!

A home-made birthday cake pieced together with paper, string candles & glitter. "Love" because I love her lots. The definition of "family" because family is #1.

Below you will find a rare photo of the "teen" without the phone stuck to her body and somehow away from the computer! A friend and her daughters came to visit unexpectedly, her baby is soooo cute and cuddly. I had 2 surprise visits that day.
"Life changes" is the title of this post because I it changing quickly and I am not a willing person to change although I live in total chaos most of the time, does that make sense? I am changing, getting older and it is like someone just flicked that switch. Being active is important to me, I walk miles, work-out, even ride bike w/my honey a couple times a week, but that does not let you skip the aging process. The "teen" was giving me tips on dealing w/monthly problems and I nearly walked out of the room sobbing due to the changes life is bringing me. I am going the other direction now and have not wanted to tell others much as then they will somehow know I am getting older too...LOL, I guess. I have secretly, well not so secretly, wanted to keep adding to our family up until..well even now. I don't want school to arrive & the tiniest to go a full day now to 1st grade. I want all the fun times back when we could play and go to playgrounds and take naps & walks together and they would come up w/the greatest things and (sorry for all the "ands") they think you are the bestest momma ever. So many changes. Add to that 2 job possibilities: a cleaning job of apartments when people move out and an office/assistant job. Both part-time. Since I did not hear back about the first I am leaning (falling) towards the other. 3 days/week, one of those chance of a life-time jobs, yet I am having trouble imagining it again after all of these years of no set schedule. It would entail dropping DH off at work, getting kids to school, dog walked, & me to work...then reverse that at the end of the day until we ever get another car. AND wondering if this brain of mine if capable of tasks involved that used to come easier long ago (the cleaning job would be a "no brainer" you see) (boy I make myself sound sooo old) When I get stressed in the slightest I cannot think well at all. Actually this has been inevitable as surviving in this day w/out another income is increasingly harder than before. We have managed just barely for so long and sacrificed so much. Hand-me-downs & yard sales & thrift shops have been a way of life. Yet all this time you gain a great appreciation for ever little thing that comes by and faith gets you through. DH has not always had steady work along the way either since if depends on jobs being there. He does not work at a steady income job, or set hours. I suppose too, I have wanted to keep the option open to keep the littler 2 girls home and maybe home school next year & working outside the home would not allow for that.
Well, next week I go again to the one job to go over some things that they do (a broker for Life/health insurance out of his home). I am so a wreck and not gaining the peace I should be looking for. I just want to hold onto life as I have known it for the last 6 or 7 years, but that has been hard worrying over money issues at times and you cannot have things both ways, unless you play the lotto & win (which I don't) or are related to a generous millionaire (which I am not). Now that I have shared my burden with you all, there is another waiting to hear my heart at any time, day or night....time for prayer isn't it?! hugs/carol