{Echo} Week 8 - Juicy

I can hold out for a surprise to the very end. No peeking for me.
I can do it. No problem.
But, lets just say maybe you can't, won't, don't, or all of the above.
I am okay with that.
If you are one of those who like seeing what's coming, what's up ahead....well, I finished a few pieces this weekend.
I love to share, and this is a simple little taste of what you might see
Vendor Night,
Friday, March 5th, Adorn Me! 2010.

"juicy"
(I am constantly amazed with the beauty of a czech glass bead. This one reeks of juicy to me.
Go to Susan or Chrysti's blog for their interpretation of the prompt for Week 8).

"czech princess"

"icicles"

"hearts of carnelian"

"Vintage Bits & More"

"beginnings"

Preparing for Adorn Me! has given my mind license to float and flutter about in the most exciting ways. An idea that has been bouncing back & forth upstairs, for more than one day,
has finally showed itself.
These little packages of "vintage bits & more", will be at my table come Vendor Night.
I have plans for them far beyond the retreat, so I hope you get to come and experience this premiere jewelry affaire called Adorn Me! 2010.
Oh, yes, don't forget to look for the newest of the Stampington publications, Jewelry Affaire, also premiering~this April.
I'll see you there....
"betweens" "endings"

dwell in possibility

"rhinestone dreams"

:quote by emily dickinson:

Over yet (under)stated.
:yes,that's me:
"happy valentine's weekend"

{Echo} Week 7 : Whisper

"whisper"

As I share my interpretation of the echo prompt given to us by Chrysti and Susan for Week 7,
I am reminded of the glory of God revealed to us in the soft whispering flutter of a butterflies wings.
My shot was taken in south Texas during Thanksgiving weekend.
My prompt partner Lani, shares with us the inukshuk, which just so happens to be the emblem for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
Lani says this~
"The inukshuk image was from our course. There's an ancient wall built with rocks from when white folks just arrived in the area. It's part of our morning walk. Someone had taken loose rocks and built inukshuk or inuksuit (plural) which means "in the likeness of a human" in the Inuit language. They are monuments made of stones that are used to say "Someone was here" or "You are on the right path." I love these little figures and wonder about all the various peoples that have lived on this land.
The walls and rocks whisper to me "someone was here" and "you are on the right path."
(texture used: les brumes)
Click on photo to enlarge!

never live faster than your guardian angels can fly

"circle of love"
(earrings made to match "look up")

As I prepare for the class I'll be teaching this weekend, I am reminded of my many blessings. I type out these words, and still have to pinch myself. How did I get here? Teaching? It is said a journey begins with a single step. That is exactly how it begins.
It is just having the courage to take that step.
My one step began almost two years ago. Somewhat before that I do believe,
but not .....really.
If you have a dream. Go for it. I tell you this from experience.
There is never a better time to start than now. Today is now.
I do not have a sugar coated life.
I do have a good life.
I know at any moment that can change.
Thank you for allowing me to be here with you.
More than that....
Thank your for allowing me to be me.
One more quote (in addition to this blog post title) taken from my beautiful 2010 Heart of the Home calendar by Susan Branch.
God respects me when I work,
But He loves me when I sing~

the greatest of these is love

It's easy to love our children. Our grandchildren.
Maybe even our sister or our brother, mother or father. And, course our spouse.
But what about the broken, and the hurting? The sick and the hungry?
What about the fellow you see each morning washing his socks in one of the downtown water fountains? What about the divorced woman next door with the unruly teenagers? Or the guy driving next to you with his windows down playing his radio so loud it hurts YOUR ears and pounds on YOUR chest?

How about the person you see standing next to the sandwich shop
asking for a little change each day?

Or, what about the fellow you've seen huddled under a ragged wool blanket in the doorway of the building that stands next to where you work?

Last October I read a post written by my talented Visual Poetry and Digital Photomanipulation teacher, Susan Tuttle, recounting a recent trip to New York to visit with fellow friend and passionate artist, Susanna Gordan. Susanna had (and has) an ongoing project called, Winged Messengers. I contacted her, and within a couple of weeks a painted brown envelope was delivered to me with 2 messengers inside, AND a beautiful hand-written note explaining the idea and passion behind her pieces of winged art. I was impressed, not only by the (long) hand-written letter, but by the insight she held inside her heart for the winged messengers!
I tucked them safely away in my office till after Thanksgiving, patiently waiting for just the right moment to let them land.
Purposely, I planned to leave the first at a busy street corner of Downtown Houston. I'd put one on a building I pass by many mornings on my way to work. This particular day was December 23rd. I just knew there would be someone who needed to hear this message so lovingly designed and painted by Susanna. Perhaps this could be that unexpected glimmer of hope. Hope long gone. Much needed, especially now, so close to Christmas. So, I left it at what is called the Sweeney Building, now vacant, tenants long gone. The morning was windy, cool, with some light misty rain. I had brought my large roll of heavy duty packing tape, and with a quick hand I taped it to the front door, hoping that whoever needed it on that day would see it.

The message was loud and clear. It was strong and purposeful. It was soft, yet powerful. It was grace revealed.
Love not earned, but freely given.

Later that afternoon, I went outside to see if the messenger was still on the front door. It was gone. I looked frantically on the ground. Checked all neighboring street curbs and gutters. I didn't see it. The wind had been so strong that day.
I prayed it had served its purpose. That it was able to give that someone a small bit of joy and understanding. You are loved. What more is possibly needed?

"look up"
My latest necklace was made using nickel sheet metal, which I etched in the class I taught at Round Top about two weeks ago. I attached and riveted a very special vintage rhinestone brooch and vintage metal stamping to the etched metal. I used matching etched beads, cultured freshwater stick pearls, sari silk-wrapped beads, added glass crystal rondells, then wire wrapped it with oxidized sterling silver wire.
The soft dangle was made using vintage rhinestone,
tied with a small piece of matching sari silk.
On February 1, my radio station, KSBJ (yes, it is mine, along with thousands of others who joyfully support it) will dedicate a full day raising funds for Haiti.
It is called Heart for Haiti
Pairing with KSBJ,
I will auction off this piece. Bidding will begin at $75.
If you would like to participate, PLEASE leave a comment, with your bid on this post. The bidding will end on Sunday, February 7th at 12 noon CST.
I will send an invoice to the winner, and once I receive payment, will send a donation to Samaritan's Purse in your name, and the necklace will be mailed to you.
I will send a copy of the receipt for your donation back to you.

Thanks for caring.

{Echo} Week 6: Face

Lani and I are sharing our sixth bi-weekly prompt
with Susan and Chrysti -- face.

Lani explains her interpretation: Edward came down this morning with these miniature daffodils and there was never a more beautiful or welcome face as that of these little flowers in the middle of all our snow and ice! Oh, I agree.
What could be more welcoming than the bright yellow face of a daffodil?

Daffodils have their own little special place buried way down deep in my memory of memories. When I was growing up, my grandmother (Josie) had the most beautiful creamy white daffodils magically appear each Spring in her front yard. They lined up, like a row of soldiers, straight and narrow down the front of the large wooden house where my mother lived as a girl.

On occasion, I was even allowed to pick one...or maybe two!

My contribution is a photo of our beautiful grandson, who will be one in just a few short weeks.
He is growing so fast.
My husband and I travel to see him at least weekly. Grandparents are meant to be a part of their grand children's life. I do know that so very well.

Be sure and visit the Flickr group for more beautiful diptychs.
You will enjoy!
(texture used: les brumes, click on photo to enlarge =)