Happy Thanksgiving!

   

Thanks!

I just want to thank all of you who visit my blog and leave comments.  Even if it's just to say "hello", I always love hearing from you!  It means so much to me that you would take time from your busy lives to pay me a quick call.  I have thought so many times about shutting down my blog because it's hard to post more than once a week, but I get inspired and invigorated by your wonderful support.  Thanks again!!!

By the way, I'd like to congratulate my friend Nancy Maxwell James on her fabulous article in the recent issue of Legacy Magazine, and Linda Harre on her incredibly gorgeous cover piece. Way to go girlfriends!  If you all haven't looked at Legacy lately, you MUST get this issue (Dec/Jan 2007).  It has to be one of the very best yet.  xoxo

"Mini" Art Squared

Here is my contribution a 100 squares collage swap I'm participating in. The squares are all collaged on a watercolor paper base (cardstock works just as well).   This was actually quite fun, if you don't have a deadline!! xoxo

Happy Birthday Audrey!!!

I'd like to take some time out to send BIG Happy Birthday hugs and best wishes to my buddy Audrey Hernandez in Florida.  Most of you are familiar with Audrey's extraodinary talent, but what you may not know is that she is one of the kindest, smartest and most generous people I know!...and she has a cute little boy to boot!! So head on over to her blog and send her your best wishes!

mmmmmwahhhh - I'm blowing kisses your way Audrey! Enjoy your day and thanks for being my friend....xoxo

Faux Family Ancestor Project

This project was coordinated by the lovely Laura Duet.  Laura invited several of her art friends to create a faux family ancestor album.  She gave each of us a photo from her wonderful vintage collection, and an album page.  We each decorated the page and created a short bio for our "relative" on the back.  As you can see, my lovely lady had a forlorn look so I was hard pressed to create a believable background.  After contemplating her haunting disposition, I named her Margaret Alice Ratcliffe and began creating her story.

Margaret Alice Ratcliffe, daughter of Sir John Ratcliffe and the Lady Anne Harrison, was born and raised in Gloucester County.  At the age of 18 she left the familiar English countryside for France , where she trained for a nursing position with the Red Cross. While working in a military hospital in Lyon, she was approached by one of her patients, a widower by the name of Captain John G. Percy, and was persuaded by Captain Percy to accompany him back to America to work as governess and tutor to his three young daughters. After arriving in America, and overcoming a prolonged illness, Margaret found that she enjoyed spending time with the Percy girls…and their father.  After several months, the Captain proposed to Margaret and they were immediately married.  Unfortunately, their happiness was short-lived. While on a transatlantic voyage to meet Margaret's parents in England, the ship the Percy family was traveling on was mistakenly targeted by the German Navy and sank.  Margaret and the First Officer's wife were the only two survivors.  After a short rehabilitation she was able to safely return to England , but was never heard from again.

Cabinet Card

     My first attempt at an altered cabinet card.  I was supposed to have this done in time for Christine's swap (sorry Christine!), but was once again laid up with a horrible cold and fever so I had to pass. I decided to finish it up today since it was half-way completed anyway. xoxo

Amazing Grace...

The recent violent attacks in our schools makes me so sad. The one that really did me in was the massacre that took place in that quaint little Amish schoolhouse.  I can't listen to anymore stories about this one.  Why would anyone want to hurt (let alone murder) those sweet little girls?  And why shoot them BEFORE he shot himself...I mean, any kind of shooting is tragic but if he had a death wish why did he have to drag innocent children down with him? I am absolutely devastated by this tragedy, yet am in awe of the love and mercy these victim's families have shown.  They put their entire trust in God and and have continued on with their lives believing that everything will (ultimately) be okay.  They have totally forgiven this man and his family.  I mean, totally -- like wiped the slate clean.  WOW.  What a testimony.  Now how many of us could REALLY do that for someone who has hurt us?  They're showing the whole world how they walk their talk.  In my heart I believe they made a bigger statement with their grace and quiet strength than this madman did with his gun.  If there's one thing I learned is that forgiveness is a gift that when received is not to be kept, but to be given again and again; it's the ultimate blessing.  But you can't give it until you receive it...think about that...wowzers...

On a lighter note I made these postcards for a swap hosted by the lovely Angie Hall Haviland.  I've never altered a postcard before so this was a unique challenge. The hardest part was deciding whether to alter the front side (with the picture) or the back side (with the writing)...seems everyone did something different, and I chose to try both!