What did I win?

What did I win? Well I won this lovely, sparkley banner from a giveaway at Jillian's pages blogspot. I don't even remember how I happened upon her pages (you will find them listed w/my favorite places to roam) but I am glad I did as I not only won a great prize but also a lovely friend! It has been an experience that is just beyond words since I began blogging such a short time ago..the end of November and here I am w/many new friends and lovely crafts from swaps and here I am creating stuff again. I have gained to much. AND boy is it fun to click on my blog and see my comments from friends when I can remember when I wondered...how will ever get comments/mail if no one knows I even exist?? And, how did I get so addicted to this blogging stuff???

Tagged.....by Jillian of Jillian's pages
"WHY IT IS GREAT TO BE ME".....OR ..REALLY COUNTING MY BLESSINGS....
** images copyright...delicate beauty
My blessings:
God, who so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son so that we may have everlasting life.....and His forgiveness for each terrible sin that I have committed in my life from the past to the future.

Saving grace, again...for where would I be but for his turning me around, my life around and changing me into someone that the old me would not recognize (No he's not finished with me yet)
I know I would not be alive today.

Children...blessings from heaven itself. I wanted boys from the beginning but Got knew I would probably never part from them so he sent me girls..... probably also to give me a taste of what I was like as a teenage girl (ugh...Mercy)

A husband who is, to me, a genious. The guy can fix and create anything that he reads about. He has gone from mechanics/flooring/gunsmithing/blacksmithing/baking artisan sourdough breads/painting...(glad that did not last, he blew my abilities away and I was always the artsy girl) building a huge brick bake oven/some plumbing/electric/woodworking/building speakers/learning a computer from top to bottom without ANY instruction....I mean, you name it, he has done it....I can only claim true fame of birthing a baby, he cannot do that...well he would if he could (well no, he says if men had babies, they would stop after the pain of the first and never have more)...anyway, I love him, he is a great provider. Many things he has done out of necessity, he has had no choice but try to repair most of what we have!

We have a wood/coal burning stove....and that is another piece of heaven..need I say more?

We have a great church and friends.

our family is all healthy....without our health nothing matters.

We have been given an appreciation for little things, when, we at times did not have much. That our faith gets us through!

I have a husband who knows what a mess I can be and....still loves me.

AND, now I am making crafts again, feeling creative and loving that. Looking forward to more swaps and more friends and more bloggie inspiration.

Well I have so many more blessings, that I could go on and one....life is like that when you take the focus off of the negative and start counting, one by one...We have to cherish what we have now don't we. Because things can change in an instant and the life we wake up to each day could be different in a flash.

Good night and God bless you my dears,
I will be back....
Carol

Some more things to share

I am back and picturing pinks/reds and those great colors in between!
I have taken time to fit in Valentine Swap crafting and these colors on the right in the vintage photo are dreamy and romantic don't ya think?! Oh, dear my only trouble w/beginning to craft again by way of "swaps" is that one tends to obsess over all the colors and placement of letters/words/images...and the person who has longed to come out again does so only to spend hours on little details/thinking and then having to stop just when ideas begin flowing like a mighty river. Oh goodness. It is a start anyway and fulfilling to accomplish artwork. hmmm that is what would happen at the couple craft shows I did, my little creations would not stand for just simple, no. They liked being embellished and would cost more than my neighbors tables that held the simple crafts (but none more than $30 if any at that price at all)...they did not like the kind of vintage/whimsical/shabby (Eclectic) stuff me and my husband liked. wow, I find such treasure that I love in all of your little blog spaces!

Oh, and I am leading up to something else, speaking of places..."oh the places you'll go.." I made the mistake of visiting some new friends and linked to a few more and now here I am, sleepy girl, but needing to tell you of 2 new giveaways!!! You will find the link/banner to the home of Nancy Lee Malay on my side bar. Talk about gorgeous and whimsical in one. She is having an Easter basket giveaway, but be sure to check out her awesome site and great creations. I love them all!!!
AND, Sylvia at www.sylviaanderson.blogspot.com is also having a "Valentine Giveaway", but hurry over there and visit her place as she is ending hers soon, last date to sign up 1/31/08! She has nice things too!

Goodness Gracious, look at the time! Oh, Jillian I thought I'd post in response to your lovely "tag" that you passed onto me, but I'm just plain poofed (dd's saying) out and gotta "head em up and move em out" (me that is). I ran out of time!! I promise I will do it soon!
Good night and God bless
Carol

In The Winter We Can Build A Snowman...and stuff!

Hello out there! I am back. Wish I could visit you all daily, but time does not permit. I am making lots of nice friends and getting lovely visitors!! I picked up this little treasure tin box just today from a little shop w/thrifty treasures, isn't it lovely w/pretty colors...seem just made for a valentine!! My one daughter did not spot it yet, good thing as she loves treasure looking boxes!!







And then, I thought I would try out my camera on some other things I have to make me get moving on Valentine's Swap crafts.....
If I gather some lovelies, then I will think of ways to make them work. I actually begin a little craft for my swap partner and trying to make some little things along the way. Craft motivation is on the low end as far as the action part...because when I get all my supplies out and start creating, before I know it and hour went by and someone, or something needs tending to and there it sits!!! How sad! My stuff is all out and I need to go back to it. Don't worry my swap friend, I will not leave you heartless..truly, you package will go out by the date due.


Here are the little ones and I am making the one sister mad (dd12yr.) by not posting a pic of her. I promise I will Maddie!!

These girls had a blast the other night, well guess last week we got a little snow, enough for MR. SNOWMAN. We were in the house and they would not let us look at their surprise and wanted the supplies: Carrot, Hat, Scarf....they found coal out front (we use wood and coal for our heat) and..

There was Mr. Snowman, standing bigger than them, proud little gals had rolled that huge bottom snowball all over the yard, how they did it themselves, goodness knows!!! Bless their hearts...I had to run out w/a plastic bag and my new camera and try a shot!! Needless to say, I had to take my camera back w/in a week and get a whole new one since we could not get our pics off it and onto the PC and then it would not operate correctly at all. I had just got it at Christmas. I have a lot to learn, I am not a camera smarty (cannot even spell genius ??)

Yes, it is still winter!! It is cold, but may you have a warm heart and home.

















Goodnight and God Bless
Carol

"Get yor toys here"

Image copyright "delicate beauty"


Good Morning all!
These little ones remind me of my own. Of course I have four, the older of which I must post about soon too, it is just the youngest two are still at that age of ignorance and bliss!! They are almost 2 years apart yet are asked it they are twins very often. They look abit alike (although as parents, to us they look so individual and different) But they behave with each other in a manner that must be similar to twins. They play and play, defend each other if naughty (as in..."no don't give so & so a spankin or timeout and even have cried if one got in trouble!!). They think of the other if they receive something such as a toy or treat. AND, give hugs and kisses and just have lived in their own little world since babies!!! Everyone says...I cannot wait for school to start, etc...and I say, Oh I hope we have a snow day, or yay a day off. I suppose I would keep them here forever if I could, which means this all must symptoms of my "own disorder".......


OK, here they are, the little rascals. Back to the name of today's title. The little ones wanted to have a yard sale on Saturday. They gathered, on their own, about 7 things, put prices on them (didn't know they were capable) got out little camp chairs and a blanket (it was probably 30 degrees out) and then made their own sign w/a piece of paper glued to foam and were holding it up and it said: "Get yor toys here" LOL!!!

I tried explaining about the weather and winter not being good for yard sales. They would have none of that and replied that Mommy and Aunt Bonnie bought something!! I told them I would buy a toy and then donate that little toy. Then my aunt came by while I was not out there and tried to bargain....she wanted a little bratz doll (ugh!) w/no feet to speak of (you know they have those shoes & feet combo that come off..) that was priced at $5. She asked for $4, stating that it had not feet, and Cassidy (the older and wiser) said "well o.k., you can have it for $4 ......or $5"! OH, the things they do. They wanted to sell more stuff today (a balmy, probably 15 degrees) so I told them to collect some stuff and mommy would see what they have and buy some stuff off of them and donate what I buy so other kids can have toys that may not. So, hopefully this cleaning out project I am trying to do will be catchy!!!

Blessings to you all and have a great and productive day!
Carol

Pass it on....

Photos: copyright Delicate Beauty

Hello my dear friends. Hope all is well in your little space wherever you are. I am recovering from a short incident w/some hip/back issues...and blessed to say it did not last but a week. Of course exercising, taking a walk (kinda) and doing a cleaning job probably did not prove favorable in recovering. Nevertheless, here I be, not gimping around, not flat on my back on the couch in extreme pain like once before 5 years ago. Nothing like a bit of discomfort, pain, illness to remind us of how wonderful it is just to do the little things in life like bend over and pick up another toy left in our path, right??

So, just want to say I enjoy visiting little shops along the way and passing on treasures. Posting a few banners here and there, that are works of art in themselves. And, since I am a slowsky (sp) in my creative endeavors, I might as well post some lovely pictures and work that you all do. For now, I can just post the work I do for swaps which is better than the nothing that I had going for the past years. It is a start.


While I stroll on through the endless inspirational, I take the time to peek into some dreams of others. AND, when I can I pass it on.



I pass it all on because I too have dreams and can share in the joy of others who have taken what they love and began a business where there was nothing, or just a sparkle. AND, you know what? That gives me hope. So, if you see your banner, for your store, or your swap, or your giveaway, it is because I feel the need to pass it on. To say...Hey I was there, go and see what I found. And maybe one day it will be me that you find in another place with my own little banner. Ready to give-away a piece of created art just for you, or to begin a journey of my own little treasures to sell and find their way into your home, hoping you will love them as I do.

To one day do what feels impossible at the moment. To hope and dream.

And,
to pass on the kindness when I can. Kindness that is expressed to me along the way when I am lost and don't understand how this new blogging world all works. To share information, like another shared with me.
Kindness is contagious, isn't it.

Good night once again.
I will visit you all when I can.
Carol

Birthdays, Give-aways, and Swaps..Oh My!

Need I say more? What is a girl to do. I mean, if you see a swap and there is still time to get in, should you not?! Well in the beginning it is difficult to turn down. Especially after all these years of creative hibernation. It is a way to break out of ones shell and be forced to begin and FINISH a project. There is another swap over at Bella Enchanted, you can see my side banner to visit her if there is still time to sign up for "Easter Basket Swap".

Has so much fun been going on for years without me??? I just heard of all this in November, maybe even saw them listed in October and wanted to give it a try and KABOOOM. here I am blogging away and joining swaps and even hoping to host my own some day. (of course, that is, uhmmmm, I have to know more people in bloggie land than about 4 first, right?)

Hey, I actually began to organize a big craft armoir so one day I can find stuff I need for my swaps. The really hard part is once you find all your stuff, figuring out how to organize it....some things I do not know, I suppose some sort by color, type, etc.. I guess it is the scrap papers (that I dearly love) that I am not always sure how to file away, as you know some have many things on them that can be filed in several different categories. But, I must keep trying.

I love to get your comments and visit you also. It is so fun to get mail.


Copyright: Delicate Beauty

While passing through bloggie land, I once again happened upon a dear gal who is not only celebrating a birthday soon, but she wants to share it by giving a gift to a lucky girl. Check out the link below and say "Happy Birthday" to Karen
| eye-dyllic |: My 50th Birthday Surprise Party & GIVEAWAY!

Gotta go and visit my dh for the evening before he is napping on the couch!

Blogging Award -- Me??

Vintage Photos: Copyright Delicate Beauty

I was tagged w/my first award....Oh, I am honored!!
From new friend Catie (Catiean & Co.) She was sure a help to me!!! Well I am to tell you 7 weird or random facts about me. Here goes......

1. My brain decides to take a vacation here and there, unexpectedly, and I end up saying the wrong word for something. At this point my husband and children have probably decided that I just speak a different language, especially the children.
2. I am a messy. I am sad to say it. I am hopeful that one day I can get it even remotely together; however I am telling you this in confidence--Yes, I know who "flylady" is and even purchased one of her timers. I believe it says right on it: "Flylady says....Just 15 minutes". I'm sorry, somewhere along the line I thought you could even break that down to 5 min. here and 5 min. there, in fact...5 min. all over the place when you get right down to it (so that you do a bit of everything and complete nothing) Oh, is that adult ADD when you walk into a room and your brain is scanning everything in sight, at once, without pressing the stop button??? Yep, there is not much absorption in my noggin, it all just bounces around. AND, for any of you gals that are saying "what is a "Flylady?", don't worry about it and get back to your cleaning, you don't want to know.
3. None of the clocks in my house have the correct time on them. I know, I know...weird. The theory behind this? Most of them are 5 minutes fast (some not quite) so that I make it on time with 5 minutes to spare, wherever I go.
4. I too, like another blogger I read, think cereal is a food group in itself, perfect for those "oh, I was supposed to make dinner again?" nights.
5. My third girl was delivered at home, and not by accident. It was a planned home birth w/a midwife and her assistant. Each one living at least 30 min. away, the other further yet. A miracle in itself, as my first was born w/in 4 hours, and my second w/in 1 1/2 hours from first excruciating pain (hospital births)..so I figured w/my third, I might have time to just sneeze her out! But she came w/a slow labor and in time for hubby to come home and midwife too!! Now anyone who was numb for the actual crowning of their lovely child, count your blessings, I cannot describe that one... (yes I had yet another 21 months later, thats another story)
6. I really did not think much of computers...until I found all of you artful bloggers. AND I wondered if I would ever craft much again after all these years. But a banner for my first swap stole my crafting heart and a new hope emerged. I completed my first 2 swaps and got my own little bloggy world.
   
7. Many times I buy something new and it stays in it's package for a bit, so it still can stay new....it's like the fun of buying it, and then holding onto it like a gift. Yes, I do open it and use it. I know people who shop just for the thrill of it and don't use what they got. That's not me.

Well, there. Only now I am so poofed (as my girls say) that I have to add my list of gals to tag another day! As I am still new enough that I have to find 7 gals that are not on someone elses list...
Night Friends, blessings and a safe tomorrow to you

Swaps = Creating Fun

Oh, the joy! I am so happy to be notified that I made it into the "Hippity-Hop Easter Swap" from Bluhm Studios. I was so envious of their 12-day swap, and still admiring the many items that were created for that swap. I just love all the great art work and diversity out there. Time goes by so quickly though! One minute I am figuring out how to post another picture and saying good night and the next thing I know, a few days goes by. That is why I also admire anyone able to keep up w/their posting regularly, as it is hard work. Well, another swap means it is time to get thinking and planning...

Good Night...

Good night all. I am having fun learning new things about this adventure. I was able to copy pictures off of my new disk from E-bay that I bought from a lovely dear named Luella. I will have lotsa fun posting some of the vintage pictures from her disk and doing crafts. AND, I promised her I would mention her on my blog. You can find her link along my side bar w/favorite places to roam. (Delicate Beauty)

I am sure I will have even more fun when I am moving faster with all I am learning.

Good night to all!

Swaps and Give-Away's

O.K., Catie An, with your help, I uploaded my first banner, Yeah! Now I can attempt the swap banners too. So, this is Catie An's banner for her give away, you can check out her site at www.catieanscorner.blogspot.com and not only does she have a wonderful give away but apparently she has a giving heart as she took the time out of her busy day to email me with step-by-step instructions on how to post her cute little banner. How nice is that??!!! I am taking baby steps in this new world, I will keep trying. AND, with every step is a new creative friend for me to meet.

This is a very busy world we live in, and I did not have to tell you that, so I take notice of those helpful little angels along the way. I met 3 others the other day when I was traveling to the gym after picking up my one kindergartner. Someone decided to turn into our lane (we were in the left turn only lane and they were on our right in the straight/right turn lane) and into our moving (thankfully not real fast moving) van, and that became the very first accident I was in...a minor one at that, although it was minutes away from lunch time and more cars are usually coming the other way, but not that day. AND, we only have one car (van) in working order for the last few months, so DH and I take turns all the time. I was able to drive my van away (and had dd checked out just in case, since she bumped her nose). Oh, where was I, right after I pulled over these 3 different cars w/women pulled over and stayed w/us until police came and gave their names/phone numbers on paper as witnesses they took time out of their busy day to help a nervous momma, a big thank you to them!!!! And a big thanks to God watching over us. Good night for now my dears, but I shall return!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Happy New Year to everyone. I made my mental resolutions, of course now they will be on here so I must be faithful to them:

Spend even more time with family---Time is passing to quickly
Begin another phase in crafting after all these years---The swaps got me started
Sell something to help someone in need----Not only for family income but others
Continue to exercise and stay on track----Keep off the 30# lost!
Find more creative blogs and learn from them---So many creative people
Gain more creative blogging friends---You are all so inspiring
Achieve some type of organization---A place for everything?!
Love More---There is always room for that
Paint a room in our house---So much to do here

Well that is all for now, I am sure there is more to do and dream of. We must have goals to keep going. I am so thankful for the health of our family and I know where our strength and hope comes from. Were it not for the saving grace of God in my life I firmly believe I would not be here today. Blessings to all in this New Year!