~Monday~

Can you read it? I made this box a few weeks ago (!) to hold a hopefully inspiration bracelet I was giving to a friend. It says - "A quiet valley with no man's footprints,/An empty garden lit by the moon./Suddenly my dog barks and I know/ A friend with a bottle is knocking at the gate." It's from a thousands year old chinese poet, but still rings true today. Which got me thinking...
...about all the special women in my life, and about how despite our romantic notions of love and marriage, they are the ones that truly hold me up thorugh life's downturns, and are the ones who truly rejoice with me in the happy times. These beautiful flowers are from a friend at work who had noticed I had a rough week. I am glad I took some time to think about the people who make my world.

"Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just,

whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious,

if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise,

think about these things."

~Phil 4:8

My Cup Runneth Over...

Two wonderful honors bestowed upon me! Earlier this month, my application for the Daughters of the American Revolution was approved. I get my national number in October! A friend of mine encouraged me to do it, and I am sure glad she did. I feel like it is a small way that I can honor the sacrifices and courage of my ancestors.

And then this little beauty came along!

Many thanks to LindaJo. Linda pointed out that I have been a little quiet this summer, which is true. She has made me remember how important my bloglife is to me, and what powerful friendships there are out there in blogland! Linda Jo's blog is a must-stop-by, and I am so grateful that she tossed me this joy for my journey!

So here are some other places you must visit - there are so many, it is impossible to choose. Like trying to decide which of your children you like best! But here goes. I will try and point out some new friends that I haven't mentioned before ~

Vintage Flair ~ this woman knocks my socks off, and she does it with kids and a job!
Anahata Katkin ~ words can't describe. Just stop by and you'll see what I mean!
A Cottage Industry ~ the queen of making lemons from lemonade, this lady never stops! There's always something fun goin' on at her place.
Paper Crown Queen ~ the name says it all! Craftiness + history= wow!
Vintage Lilly - she's cute with a capital 'c'!
And of course let's not forget Miss Mendy Texas. You'll feel like you've been hanging out with her at her house each and every time you stop by.
Of course, those are just a few of the lovely ladies that bring inspiration to my day. Here's to you!

~Wednesday~

"Occasionally, her afternoon tea ran right into cocktail hour,

and there was just nothing she could do about it."

~ The Beauty of Summer ~

Went to the Farm Fair this weekend, where summer beauty abounds!Enjoy the beauty of summer in your neck of the woods.

~~ Tuesday~~ or What I've Been Up To

I hate when so much time passes, and I haven't posted or shared. I was determined to this morning, after getting a huge dose of inspiration from the latest issue of Artful Blogging. I haven't decided whether it makes me more inspired, or frustrated when I see the incredible, gorgeous work that everyone is doing out there! I have been fairly diligent with my art journal, as you can see.

This is a clipboard that I did last night...something to liven up the workplace when I go back later in August...

These were really fun! I photoshopped some family pictures, and ironed them on to tea towels for my mom. She really liked them!

More art journal...

So you see, I really have been busy!

Happy Tuesday!

~ Tuesday ~

I made some goodies for a friend yesterday.

It's amazing how a little crafting can soothe the soul.

For the Birds

Last night we got home from a week at the beach. Ahhh...sweet bliss! I had to take a picture of this little (well, actually big!) birdhouse. I love this birdhouse, and every year make sure I take a minute to stop by and look at it. I love it's weathered look, and the fact that it looks so inviting. Even if you're just a bird! Hubby promised to make me one like it if I took a picture of it for him to work off of. I bet he'll be sorry he said that! I promise this week will bring some crafting and inspiration. It's been tooooo long since I've shared! Have a good week ~~~

{ Sunday }

{ Thursday }

This summer I started a 'journal' of sorts - just pasting and cutting and gluing thoughts together. Here is one of the pages, complete with a favorite quote form The Great Gatsby movie (starring Mia Farrow). It was inspired by the book I mentioned a few posts back, Journal Revolution.

One of the things that has really helped me is that I got a girlfriend to go along and try it with me. Then we periodically meet and share some thoughts and ideas. It's really helped me get over the stumbling block of 'working on it later'. I mean, hey! She's gonna wantta see something, you know? It's great to have an art friend!

I got this treat in the mail today. I had put my order in months ago, preparing for the release date. It does not disappoint! It's full of great ideas. And, oh, yeah - still in love with my circle punch! I even went back and got the next size bigger...

Haven't gotten this one yet?? Run, don't walk, to your nearest bookstore. I think it's one of the best ones yet!

This weekend Hubby and the kids are camping. I am going to miss them so much, but am determined to get some crafting and junking done! I'll be sure to share my finds! Have a great weekend ~

And the Winner is...

Karin at Creative Chaos! If you haven't checked out Karin's blog, you have to! It's too cute.

I am on summer break at long last, and this is how I plan to spend it. Well, this and crafting!

100 Posts..Celebrated with a Giveaway!

I can't believe it's been 100 posts and almost a year since I started my little blog. Time sure does fly! I am so thankful for everyone who stops by and reads every now and then, or sends an comment or an email. You all are so inspiring and creative!

I wanted to celebrate 100 posts with something special. As you know, who can think about sumemr reading without recalling Nancy Drew? Stop by and leave a comment between today, and Wednesday, June 11th, and you'll be entered in a random drawing to win this Nancy Drew journal!


I got to do a lot of junkin' this weekend - some of my favorite places that are a few counties away. (Thanks for driving, Honey!) Saw some yummy things, and brought some armloads of treasures home with me! Old photos and prayer cards, vintage dress patterns....ahh, where to begin!

Hope you're having a wonderful weekend - -

Thursday

Things to Do in the Belly of the Whale
by Dan Albergotti

Measure the walls.

Count the ribs.

Notch the long days.

Look up for blue sky through the spout.

Make small fires with the broken hulls of fishing boats.

Practice smoke signals.

Call old friends, and listen for echoes of distant voices.

Organize your calendar.

Dream of the beach.

Look each way for the dim glow of light.

Work on your reports.

Review each of your life's ten million choices.

Endure moments of self-loathing.

Find the evidence of those before you. Destroy it.

Try to be very quiet, and listen for the sound of gears and moving water.

Listen for the sound of your heart.

Be thankful that you are here, swallowed with all hope,

where you can rest and wait.

Be nostalgic.

Think of all the things you did and could have done.

Remember treading water in the center of the still night sea, your toes pointing again and again down, down into the black depths.

I love this poem, for many reasons. Think of a place in your life where you are 'stuck in the belly of the whale' and listen for the sound of your heart.

Juli - Don't Peek!

I made this Nancy Drew journal for my friend, Juli. Jules, you'd better not be peeking!

I used a 7 Gypsies notebook.

There were about a gazillion pages ~ when you start all the cutting and pasting! But I love the way it turned out!

I can't believe it has been almost a year, and 100 posts, since I began my blog. I am celebrating with a fun give-away. Check back soon!

Sunday

I promised I'd be back in short order with an update on the fun things I had sworn that I would do this weekend. So far, I'm sticking with my promise to myself, and to you!

Friday afternoon was my first score; I found hydrangeas and roses, my favorite combination! So of course, I left with those by the armload. They look beautiful next to this old seashore photo I found while junkin' on Saturday, and some old starfish. Just enough to make me dream of summer....ahhhhhh.

I gave in and got a circle puncher, and boy am I glad I did! I've been punchin' like crazy! Not too sure what I'm doing with these yet, but I see some cards and tags in my future!

I wanted to make a hand-made gift for some friends at work who served on my committee this year. There are 9 of them, so it had to be do-able! I think these notepads turned out well.

I found some gorgeous old wedding certificates this weekend to add to my collection, and a whole book of nearly new old paperdolls. How cute are they? The colors are perfect.

Remember the old vintage book holder I told you I found a few weeks back? I'm still giddy over that one! I set it up in the dining room with an old Nancy Drew book. It makes me smile every time I walk by!

Hope you're having a wonderful weekend, and taking some time for yourself ~~~

Thursday

No, I haven't forgotten about you, dear friend! Things have just been very, very busy, and I am too quick to make time for everything but my creative self! A girlfriend and I have been having fun browsing this book. We've given ourselves a homework assignment to complete by Monday. (Gulp!) I am determined to get some crafting/junkin' in this weekend - -for sure. School is out soon, and then...look out!