Artist Trading Cards

I made the deadline!  

My Artist Trading Cards are in the mail today to Switzerland, UK, W. Australia, Canada, California, NY, Illinois, and Texas.

The July/August theme:  "A Walk in Woodland".

Beautiful Sunday Night

Out back right now!  Saturn and Jupiter clearly in view to the right of the moon.  What an amazing universe.

You can just see the top of my mountain in the bottom right corner.

Sunday Lunch

Late lunch on the patio at BWW where Jake enjoyed some chicken and exchanged kisses with this darling Yorkie.

Knees not screaming anymore ~ some pain still, but 4 more days of prednisone that I hope will take care of that.  Great to be out for a bit.

Journal Love

Gorgeous wrapped journals 

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I confess!  I'm a journal junkie!

I LOVE journals of all kinds, but especially the handmade artsy ones.  Received this 5x7 beauty in the mail today from Canada, handmade with love by Susanne Skene!  It looked so beautiful in its outer wrap ~ I hated to open it.  But the many amazing pages inside made me glad I did.  The additional little 3x3 journal is precious!!

Susanne, you rock!!  Your journals are smile makers!

Journal with ribbon closure.

5x7 handmade journal ~ "Pathways"

 A few inside pages.

 A few inside pages.

 3x3 art journal

My big bowl of little handmade art journals.

Sweet Autumn Clematis

My Sweet Autumn Clematis is blooming right now.  This mass of fragrant, petite, white flowers brings beauty to this wet gloomy Saturday.

Journal Spread

Journaling is a good way to release feelings.  Felt relief today, but was still holding on to some anxiety about starting the prednisone in the morning.  Art helps.  This journal spread came to be this evening.

Orthopedic Appointment

 Diagnosis:  Severe arthritis flare up.  No surgery!  Prednisone for 6 days and 6 weeks of physical therapy.  As soon as this prednisone kicks in, the pain should leave.

Relieved to have an answer for these weeks of pain.

After knee Xrays.  Waiting  to see the Dr.

Throwback Thursday

Throwback Thursday - October, 1992
University of Toledo
Tom DiDonato, Kevin Odey, and Casey.  Casey started out at UT, but transferred to Mount Union shortly after.
High school friends, these three are still the best of friends and get together as often as they can.
We had some great times at my house with "my boys".  Precious memories.

National Dog Day

JAKE

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It's National Dog Day!

Celebrate your pup with extra love today.

Staying Positive

Knees still screaming, but it is almost Friday.  The A/C decided to stop working and it has been very uncomfortable in here all day.  They are coming tomorrow to fix it. 

So, I am trying hard to be bright, happy, and positive.  This lovely stained glass tree in my studio window makes me happy.

Evening Sky

Pretty August evening sky.

Journal Jam #15

My journal spread today for Journal Jam online with Effy Wild.

Journal Fun

Journal fun this afternoon online with Seth Apter.

Rain and Pain

The rain came down HARD this morning. Today starts week 2 of awful knee pain. Orthopedic Dr. appointment is Friday! My knees feel like the ground that was just beat with the hard rain!
Arthritis is the devil.

Happy Mail

Two sweet "thinking of you" packages arrived in the mail today.  Rubber stamps of things I love from my dear friend in Ohio, Holly Hoff.  Religious post cards and doxie notecard from my sweet thoughtful sister Patty, also in Ohio.
Big smiles and a thankful heart to both of you.
♥♥

Throwback Thursday

Throwback Thursday
November 30, 1974 ~ Casey at just a little over 1 year old.
This is one of my favorite photos of Casey as a little guy. Those precious years went by SO fast. He may be a grown man now, but he will always be my baby.

My Boy

Jake doesn't like to have his picture taken.  He always turns or runs away as soon as he sees my phone aimed at him.  

Today, he looked so cute, I aimed, and he stayed put.  Didn't blink an eye.  Good boy!

Fresh Air

It was a beautiful afternoon to sit outside.  I have been inside with knee issues since Friday, so I really enjoyed being out.

Precious Young Deer

This evening.  She was so close to the car ~ one jump and she would have been in my lap.

Itty Bitty #1

Itty Bitty #1

Happy to have finished my first Itty Bitty little work of art with fabric, beads, and stitching.  Fun to create and relaxing.  It is 3"x5".  Moving on to #2.

Online classes with Kelli May-Krenz 

Comment from Kelli, the instructor, left on my facebook posting:

Kelli May-Krenz This is beautiful my friend. You have used so many wonderful fabrics and fun bits. Loving your French knots they look like a patch of roses, the gold hatching is lovely. You did such a way gorgeous piece of art. I am so impressed with your use of itty bitty bits. love love love. Thank you for sharing my friend - this is very inspiring. xoox

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Jennifer!!

Hey Birthday Girl!  We are thinking of you today and sending love, with wishes for a joyful day and a wonderful year to come.

Assumption

Today is the Feast of The Assumption of Mary into Heaven.

"Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.  Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.  Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.  Amen."

Lunch

My friend Mary and I shared a delicious Grace’s Place pizza for lunch today. Two of her three loves, Josephine and Laila, were eyeing the pizza box before we had a chance to eat. Balsac was nowhere to be found.

Lost in the Clouds

 Huge puffy white clouds late this afternoon.

The Tomato Garden

 Look who I caught in the tomato garden this morning! Sorry, sweetie, I had to send you back to the woods. You can have almost anything, but NOT the tomatoes! You need to stay below the retaining wall!

This. Is. My. Heart.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Josh!!

Hoping you find some time to celebrate! You deserve it.