tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16984953695566720892024-03-04T21:57:41.622-08:00One Lady ArtsA Forum for Creative Ladies like myself to belong, share, and be empowered by their Art. One Lady has a lot to give.Jamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11877881145459330386noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1698495369556672089.post-63512591709880638882011-04-14T13:27:00.000-07:002011-04-14T15:23:30.677-07:00G is for Grand!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSfAfk7NsvfG6453ovcc-mg3vH96FyDBsxtN5xLsa06F0T2akBKTNFB-fEbSzGz3wNS88oBGrtRV0YcmNPjd1pQRLxL_TWPKzMAOoajaCqxmCxFj3JBg8rTRCqReIa6qF9xBLzMfQ4h75/s1600/DCP_1350.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSfAfk7NsvfG6453ovcc-mg3vH96FyDBsxtN5xLsa06F0T2akBKTNFB-fEbSzGz3wNS88oBGrtRV0YcmNPjd1pQRLxL_TWPKzMAOoajaCqxmCxFj3JBg8rTRCqReIa6qF9xBLzMfQ4h75/s320/DCP_1350.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595565320866414642" /></a><i>(Grandma Sue & Grandpa Joe at their 50th Anniversary Party)</i><br /><br /><div>Three birthdays draw near in my family, my daughter's (who shares hers with my Mother) and my husband's. I am pausing to reflect on years past and the life I have shared with my own extended family. I have decided that there is nothing more Godly and Grand than family ties. As a child, my fondest memories are of times spent with relatives. Some of my life's "firsts" were those shared with parents and <i>grand</i>parents, and I hope that Sissy and Bubby are forming memories they can treasure like I have. I see my brother and I as children, reflected over the years in our own kids.<div>Some of my earliest memories of my extended family were of Sunday lunches in Tarkio, Missouri, driving to see my great grandparents and waiting for the red barn to appear, signaling our arrival. Grandpa Joe would drive us south in his giant car, and we would be nestled in the backseat watching the fields fly by. I was probably only seven or eight, so my mother would probably be shocked to know that I recall Great Grandma making green beans with bacon, since I really didn't like green beans as a child. I remember sitting near a cracked and worn but lovingly cleaned counter top watching her bustle about and gather food for the table. She wore thick glasses, floral polyester dresses and support hose, but she was beautiful because I loved her so much. She crocheted an afghan for my bed in my favorite colors, and I still have it. Poppy was always there too, as we called my Great Grandpa, a tall figure folded into his comfy recliner chair. He always had a pack of Double mint gum in the bib pocket of his blue pinstriped overalls, and he would gather his grandchildren into his lap so we could seek a piece of gum and stay for a chat. I remember his chuckle was so quiet it would just shake his chest a bit while I sat with him. He would take us outside to feed apples to his horse after lunch.</div><div>My Grandma Sue and Aunt Lois continued family tradition for the next generation, as my large family grows ever larger. My Mom's eight siblings are strewn far and wide across the Midwest, and their families have families now. My Dad's three siblings are close to home in Iowa, though a smaller family they are nonetheless part of my family tradition. I am blessed that I am never short of family to send Christmas cards to, the only trick is keeping up with that many addresses and stamps.</div><div>On my Dad's side of the family, my great grandparents lived in Skidmore, Missouri. I remember dinners there too, usually for annual summer family reunions. My Dad's parents would take us to visit other times too, Grandma and Grandpa Johnson were very involved with my brother and I and our cousins. Many summer days were spent on their acreage playing with my cousins and growing tan and covered in mosquito bites.</div><div>While taking my own children to have photos taken with my nephew T.J. I recalled a similar photo of my cousin Eric and I when we were three. My Aunt Jan still has a hilarious recording of he and I playing and singing. As usual, I was the straight...aptly and primly singing the alphabet, while he sang "Fiddle-dee-dee" over and over endlessly. It wasn't really a song so much as a laughing, mocking interruption that I'm sure was meant to frustrate me. He was my best friend in childhood, once saving me from walking on an injured bare foot by pulling a nail from it, and running to get help. I remember being so scared, but he coolly handled the situation, though I don't think that we were more than five years old. In better times, he and I would squabble over the snacks Grandpa would give us while we watched him stock his delivery truck. He delivered chips for Guy's Foods, which seemed very glamorous from the point of view of a kiddo :) Grandma taught me all she knew about canning and gardening, and I loved picking my way through her garden choosing juicy berries from the raspberry bushes, or watching Mom pick green beans and tomatoes. I loved sitting with Grandma and Aunt Jan at the kitchen table, watching Grandma pin curl her hair and paint her nails, or embroiled in a cup of coffee and a game of Yahtzee.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am so thankful for the loving Grandparents my children have had, and the attention that is lavished upon them. It makes the family circle feel complete. Sissy asks when we will next see "my Nonnie" (my husband's grandmother). Bubby adores talking hunting and cruising Cabela's with Grandpa Bill. I can't get him to stop wearing the camo jacket that Grandpa bought him, even though it's much too small. Sissy loves to help and watch Mom and Nana knit and cook, while Daddy and Bubby 'fix stuff' in Papa's garage. Sissy insists that Grandpa Gary <i>likes</i> to do puzzles and help her play dress-up! Bubby never forgets to complete a visit with Grandma Judy with one of her squeezy, swinging hugs. Sissy and Bubby are both convinced that it is their job to make sure Gramma Jane never runs out of cookies, or her own songs, original stories and artwork for her fridge. When at her closet every morning Sissy asks what I think Gramma would like her to wear, or if Gramma will pick her up from school. My kids are so secure basking in the love of their grandparents, and I know we are blessed by God to have such awesome relatives.</div><div><b>Aren't Grandparents Grand?</b></div></div>Jamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11877881145459330386noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1698495369556672089.post-61705601258396959202011-04-13T13:46:00.000-07:002011-04-13T15:10:49.104-07:00E is for Everything, F is for Family<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjijBo-o7mzVXWM3enEjI1kKXPZ186EdnUTbchVG1z7vVkOAxMwL1d_rsE0sQK21mxwn0jHz5k60G-A4YEuJOU5fnwo-xbCnwnEg-obhvy6aZlW8sKr7t9A4STc8uYIesJod07qm1EjkB4z/s1600/PC240013.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjijBo-o7mzVXWM3enEjI1kKXPZ186EdnUTbchVG1z7vVkOAxMwL1d_rsE0sQK21mxwn0jHz5k60G-A4YEuJOU5fnwo-xbCnwnEg-obhvy6aZlW8sKr7t9A4STc8uYIesJod07qm1EjkB4z/s200/PC240013.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595191796347360514" /></a><br /><br /><div>Dearest readers: it's time to condense. As the bloggers' challenge presses on without me, I feel it is time to catch up by whatever method is available to me. So in that vein, I make a logical conclusion in my head that my Everything is my Family. Hey, it's in alphabetical order.<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The Miller family was founded in 1994. My college sweetheart and I had been together for nearly three years, and (though we had not graduated) it was time for us to forge the love of a lifetime. You know that reference, honey, I love you! On June 18, my <i>Everything</i>-Michael Miller and I, Jami Johnson Miller said "I do."</div><div>We met in September of 1991, my freshman year and his sophomore year at Northwest Missouri State. We were in Graphic Design I together, and the flirtation was very mutual. Ours was a whirlwind romance: He asked me to be his girlfriend on September <b>18</b>th, 1991, he asked me to be his wife on January <b>18</b>th, 1992, he presented me with a ring on March <b>18</b>th, 1992 (yes, that's six short months)...and we were married on June <b>18</b>th, 1994. Next year, we will celebrate <b>18</b> years of marriage....since '<b>18</b>' seems a momentous number in our history I plan to celebrate our love <b>18</b> times bigger than previous years :)</div><div><br /></div><div>Since then, we have lived a life very like most middle class newly marrieds. We lived in a dinky second floor apartment with garage sale furniture</div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0L820eos_r05CzQGd_q0z0d3Rn8sjexr2ZAjD6APsuVDhxdExlYZ65fuxKciTdMX19J6LhYYFcTQrelz6_bLVS2c73AQ9w4fR0iECf2Ofg_nCIMs3NTxxt3ZCetaWzTJqcQLg8eXa77pd/s200/DCP_0172.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595189227087760018" />until we were finished with school (those were blissful days anyway). We went to Italy and Sicily for a month on a work study trip and were in Rome for our first anniversary. We made many wonderful friends on that trip and in college, many of them are still part of our life. Hi Heather, Troy, Janice, Brian, Jen et al! We moved same said shabby furniture to Kansas City in 1997, and then to our first home in Liberty in 1999. We made many more friends when we moved down to Missouri to be closer to Mike's family. We also went to Germany and Paris before we had kids. (That's us on the Eiffel Tower at right.) Hi Becki and Greg :)<div><br /></div><div>The most notable exception to the somewhat common 'story of us' was that we waited for nine years before having children...this was a choice, not a difficulty. We wanted to be ready. Our families were indignant, ha ha ha. I still remember the bone-crushing hug Mike gave me when he came home from work the day in March that we found out we were expecting. I'd been forced to call him at work to tell him before he came home so he would know before the girls at work did. Hi Rheana and Mary :) </div><div>And then there were three! Wesley Christian Miller was born on November 6, 2003. He was the darling red-headed grandchild Gramma Jane foretold, and we love him so much. We marveled that those crazy nurses at the hospital who were actually going to send this tiny baby home with us. What were they thinking? *cue laughter*</div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1OhQ7xnDeUI2ABxr0rH2SdRxfq5MH9TdGKBcfjO_rOgyr9_IAiw5LjdVMxyulCG8ov0k-e9EFBXvjUvUwqWDYHnQfv4WTdnSKGue3nEMw85rZh9M4BoqifFp7LTzlVAFZSXT985apmIaI/s200/sitting+with+corn" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595188296197468850" /><div><br /></div><div>Like most new parents lament, those days flew by so quickly. When Wes was not quite potty-trained, we had barely touched on the discussion of a second child and we were expecting again. There's a tribute to the power of suggestion: That time, God knew we were ready before we did. Keira Noelle Miller was born on April 25th, 2007. She is our little blond angel baby, and she shows us daily that cute has an attitude :)</div><div><br /></div><div>Now as Mike and I watch our little family grow and learn, we are awed and amazed by our fierce love for our children. Wes is now seven, and Keira nearly four years old. They are an extension of my endless love for my husband, who is truly my <b>everything</b>. My family and I are so blessed, and I am so grateful that we are healthy and happy. I have faith that God has a place in Heaven for us that is truly beyond my imagination, but I tell you that <i>I</i> can't imagine that life here on earth gets much better than this.</div></div><div><br /></div>Jamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11877881145459330386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1698495369556672089.post-15541178587959557142011-04-11T14:01:00.000-07:002011-04-11T14:43:21.818-07:00D is for Dance, and dream!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3M7afC6Txkc4c0cDhJkH82uAM3QLNwt9nnsvl3t7ql_3F3D_oNMr6539PwSP7jwuaWrhO9yv8iPUPSRnRPxUNcAIiADEXD7Zvyd9lxXPe9JSrnZEEk3CEZbe9HzyhN-toADZRSYaWBlm/s1600/PB210023.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3M7afC6Txkc4c0cDhJkH82uAM3QLNwt9nnsvl3t7ql_3F3D_oNMr6539PwSP7jwuaWrhO9yv8iPUPSRnRPxUNcAIiADEXD7Zvyd9lxXPe9JSrnZEEk3CEZbe9HzyhN-toADZRSYaWBlm/s320/PB210023.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594442312088971986" /></a><br />I watch my darling 'almost four' year old Sissy daily...she skips, twirls, leaps and dances through her day with abandon. I <i>so</i> delight in her antics. Laughter bubbles out of me as I ask her for the umpteenth time to slow down or walk. But should she? Her enthusiasm is intoxicating. I really adore watching her dance. She hasn't even been enrolled in a class, but she tells me she wants to be a ballerina when she grows up. "You absolutely can be!" I tell her, "you just have to practice."<div>I love her innocent confidence, she makes up stories, sings her own songs and dances the day away. Dream, girl! =)</div><div><br /></div><div>While most of us 'adults' are still designing our dreams, I love to hear children talk about theirs. Most are simply confident that the world is open to whatever possibilities one can imagine. Listening to a child talk about their future with passion is refreshing and inspirational. People around me tell me that working with children is a challenge, and they are not wrong. But I feel that children have a lot to teach us. Jesus tells us to have faith like a child... since having my own children and working as a teacher, now I know why. A child has no doubt that anything is possible. Worldly wisdom may try to teach us that is not so. But I say, listen to the children in your life. Have faith in your dreams and work hard to make them come true. How can you succeed if you don't dance?</div><div><br /></div><div>One Lady</div><div><div><br /></div></div>Jamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11877881145459330386noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1698495369556672089.post-39780568719104530082011-04-11T13:26:00.000-07:002011-04-11T13:59:19.800-07:00C is for Caterpillar :)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFbMx0ItWeQW6aJmv0X8SFOoGMAWtwBGnDcm8XOJYi-KRxh-noZzy-iVSVOTqPGlJOs87y6ODupU0TBVz17tqz7Eott_ZPEHbLAyyeeBdHYsFY5isNRGoVEShl5kRAe4xh8CHwaan4fLLL/s1600/PA240070.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFbMx0ItWeQW6aJmv0X8SFOoGMAWtwBGnDcm8XOJYi-KRxh-noZzy-iVSVOTqPGlJOs87y6ODupU0TBVz17tqz7Eott_ZPEHbLAyyeeBdHYsFY5isNRGoVEShl5kRAe4xh8CHwaan4fLLL/s320/PA240070.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594432921553732914" /></a><br />So, who doesn't love the idea of a butterfly? It's a beautiful creature, an ethereal and wonderful evidence of God at work in our world. I love to use butterfly imagery in my work, and it seems I am not alone. Many published papercrafters use them as well. I am thinking of caterpillars today, because of the absolute joy that my preschool class exhibits every day as they watch the caterpillars in our room build cocoons. The anticipation of butterflies is almost too much for them. We all know the process: egg to caterpillar, caterpillar to chrysalis, and finally the beauty emerges as a flying wonder. The metaphor for an artist is easy to translate.<div><br /><div><br /></div><div>My post is dedicated to caterpillars today because I am focusing on growth. I am doing all in my power to improve myself, feed my soul and grow. Rather than stew in my middle-agedness, that is! It's not easy to feed my creative self and become a butterfly. I think (mostly because I am living it) that this stage of my life as an artist is the hardest. As an art student, my idealism was abundant. As a young married with a future to build, art was an outlet next to my career. Now, as a mother that works part-time and cares for my family, art is simply an escape. My limited time also limits my options to create. I must carve out time to make things, sometimes at the expense of balance in my life. Yes, I am a caterpillar that is currently starving a bit....but one day soon! I have aspirations for butterflyhood :) If you read my post about belatedness, you'll know that I am just talking about patiently waiting for my bliss to come, and making time when I can.</div><div><br /></div><div>I find a little time to create with my kids, make learning crafts with my students, but most importantly I still crochet a bit. I know that summer will help my personal UFO list, and I look <i>mostly</i> forward to getting organized and caught up with the to-do list in my art journal. The process of organizing the mess that is my craft space will push me to complete and create even more! I also plan to add to the list during my clean up, and fill scrapbooks and binders with inspiration for when I DO have time.</div><div>If you too are a caterpillar, may you find some nourishment for your creative soul!</div><div>One Lady</div></div>Jamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11877881145459330386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1698495369556672089.post-46498209865032648722011-04-04T19:32:00.000-07:002011-04-04T20:04:31.192-07:00B is for "Belated Bliss"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwuDDVxlrbASrr5VaJII4mjjeHv9YZ5wTsT1ckQtoJPSJmUn6-wRKqijZ6Te5f8Vbr7VvLgHCiPxTqxq26_QOOeToy1w5BFz5PHsPQgD_pSFzKIJBj9-2FNypoFI1G38mFr8KgZ8tUS_Uj/s1600/5179819738_f152baee6e.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwuDDVxlrbASrr5VaJII4mjjeHv9YZ5wTsT1ckQtoJPSJmUn6-wRKqijZ6Te5f8Vbr7VvLgHCiPxTqxq26_QOOeToy1w5BFz5PHsPQgD_pSFzKIJBj9-2FNypoFI1G38mFr8KgZ8tUS_Uj/s320/5179819738_f152baee6e.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591929608011856114" /></a><br />Yes, it is the second day of the blog challenge for me, though the rest of the challenge is racing on to day four. I will catch up at some point! Procrastination is somewhat of a given in my life. The family and the job come first for me. A laid-back state of "Belated" is just how it is when you are an artist, a mother, a teacher and a blogger!<div>I am very happy to tell you that my list of UFO's has stabilized, since I am not adding any new projects to date. Once I have moved on to the BLISS of summer, I plan to make a healthy dent in the craft room :) I want to make more incheys, like those pictured at left.</div><div><br /></div><div>My artistic inspiration abounds this year, since I will be spending my summer at home with the kiddos: Bubby is aged seven and Sissy is nearly four. Mama-san is planning some home school lessons to keep up our first grade and PreK skills, and those will include some art projects that my boy will like....and some glitter for baby-girl too. We entertain a darling teenaged neighbor that is a budding babysitter, so I hope to add an etsy shop to my tableau while she plays at my house. I would welcome any hints or tips from the pros at this point, I plan to start with crocheted purses with handmade wooden handles. </div><div>Don't miss the next Belated blog post, manana!</div><div>One Lady</div>Jamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11877881145459330386noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1698495369556672089.post-19190998591395097722011-04-01T15:33:00.000-07:002011-04-01T16:37:34.345-07:00A is for "Artistic Ability"<div>I love being creative. I am messy, disorganized, detail-oriented in a maddeningly fantastic way, and I have no handle whatsoever on what I want from my creative endeavors. I just urgently want to create. My varied media include crochet, embroidery, paint, beading, jewelry, paper crafts, baskets, sewing, drawing, floral-arranging, and more.</div><b>My least favorite thing about being creative is my dearest friends saying this unflattering sentence...</b>"you're <i>artsy-fartsy</i>, think of something we can do." <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">As if.</span><div>I forgive you, but I don't like what you are saying to me! Here's why:<div><br /></div><div>As if an inate problem-solving ability and a vastly divergent view of the world makes me silly.</div><div>As if a craft can create itself, and roll off my fingertips with no thoughtful effort. Voila!</div><div>As if I was born with creative ability, and ability cannot be learned or taught.</div><div>As if studying art in many different paints, glues, media and construction techniques makes me able to spontaneously fix anything with enough duct tape and bailing wire.</div><div>At the risk of sounding uppity: Nope, sorry.</div><div>I know that <i>artsy-fartsy</i> is meant to be complimentary, even off-the-cuff comedic. Rather than feeling positive, it feels shallow and prickly with spite.</div><div>Artistic ability is valuable to me for many reasons. I nurtured a love for beautiful things humbly made by hand since I was small. My mother taught me that doing things for myself made me feel accomplished. I love you, Mom.</div><div>I went to college, studied and read voraciously, worked late nights and early mornings for five years, practiced, failed and tried again at being an art student until I could stand among the best of them. Proudly, the people I studied with are the most capable people I know because they don't give up. Beauty cannot be created in one quick try, it is a labor of love. </div><div>Artists (in my meager experience) are skilled thinkers and astute observers who record visually those things that cannot be said by words alone. In fact, I find writing this makes me value more highly an artist's ability to capture nuances that are flatly impossible to express in words.</div><div><br /></div><div>Over the last 20 years, I have met artists and artisans of many skills. I continue to be amazed and inspired at the width and breadth of their combined knowledge and prolific works. My lifelong aspiration is to be counted among their number. They work hard, tirelessly expressing the human condition and creating master works that speak for themselves.</div><div>Forgive me when I say, "I am an artist so keep your flatulent words to yourself, if you please."</div></div>Jamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11877881145459330386noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1698495369556672089.post-33571725531826704362011-04-01T15:03:00.000-07:002011-04-01T15:10:04.345-07:00A-Z Blogging April ChallengeThanks to my friend Misty from <a href="http://encouragingsweetness.blogspot.com">Encouraging Sweetness</a>, for suggesting that I sign up for <a href="http://tossingitout.blogspot.com/2010/03/blog-boggled-blogging-from-to-z-april.html">this challenge</a>. Blogger's Tossing It Out has challenged savvy bloggers to blog daily except Sundays alphabetically for the month of April. That's 26 days (just like a marathon is 26 miles) and I will be working my blogger muscles to the max to keep it running!! Join us for the fun!Jamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11877881145459330386noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1698495369556672089.post-75399185798178828492011-02-25T09:28:00.000-08:002011-02-25T09:44:31.778-08:00February retrospective<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGdFxGpEEBCRKrJIEV9XRIBJ1ErOaZM0rDOWvUFJrjIAq8As-5Y72rd4F2jsJYUDEiDqVpAGacZPcrtuZJVJBqfNvMO9Nkz7IOaxANGcyl0AlHs0KFCuG_ZoGpQbDTeT82lHxGr9hlJXoj/s1600/P1240012.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGdFxGpEEBCRKrJIEV9XRIBJ1ErOaZM0rDOWvUFJrjIAq8As-5Y72rd4F2jsJYUDEiDqVpAGacZPcrtuZJVJBqfNvMO9Nkz7IOaxANGcyl0AlHs0KFCuG_ZoGpQbDTeT82lHxGr9hlJXoj/s400/P1240012.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577681521306591906" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlNs374bgGbrJJ0_LhginV057Lm-9RHat7yjXvFTavhnk3nN3p2qAtmfdOzAeKv3uyEuDf1XpDBoQ7LGOTpFEGkW7a81r-oP_FEZiw9a3hjqVXtE29Su5S6sgfK5wTjHj1tK5m6-M0FQVr/s1600/P1240014.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlNs374bgGbrJJ0_LhginV057Lm-9RHat7yjXvFTavhnk3nN3p2qAtmfdOzAeKv3uyEuDf1XpDBoQ7LGOTpFEGkW7a81r-oP_FEZiw9a3hjqVXtE29Su5S6sgfK5wTjHj1tK5m6-M0FQVr/s400/P1240014.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577681506564076466" /></a>Has it really been six weeks since my last post? Wow, how time gets away.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNJ0Asc5SLBr3P4yCo1P_C-qxgrnbqYAWavOXkAHkjFXH-psxOMu9Rs7fwq7vuzYs7Lln5dtShPqH3UphTysWD3tfO7shu5xYmzvFq1PzLF4ULoSEuZBF0vbgOeOpah6KJvYtJrJI9gmC/s1600/P1240008.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNJ0Asc5SLBr3P4yCo1P_C-qxgrnbqYAWavOXkAHkjFXH-psxOMu9Rs7fwq7vuzYs7Lln5dtShPqH3UphTysWD3tfO7shu5xYmzvFq1PzLF4ULoSEuZBF0vbgOeOpah6KJvYtJrJI9gmC/s400/P1240008.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577681494766944962" /></a><br />February definitely came in with a snowy hurrah, and today as we are marching toward the end of the month, I am languishing indoors to the tune of another snow day. So, without further delay here is a bright pretty thing to look at from the past month....that is not snow white.<div>The lovely Jeannelle (Bella to be sure) hosted a three inchey swap for Valentine's Day, and here is my contribution. </div><div>I used ribbon yarn to weave a large rectangle, ironed on some heavy interfacing pre-cut into hearts, and trimmed the weaving slightly larger around the heart. The result was a puffy little heart that I fused to the red fabric napkin (to which lace was already attached! yay!) and stitched around the edges. I found these darling little red napkins at a local thrift store, and the tattered lace spoke to me.</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>As the day goes on, and my craft area sees the hand of order, I will post some of the eight lovely squares I received. Thanks, ladies! You made Heart Day very heartfelt for me...</div><div><br /></div>Jamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11877881145459330386noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1698495369556672089.post-47230645200210230512011-01-11T16:25:00.000-08:002011-01-11T16:31:40.488-08:00UFO's finally landed!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrG6b4QtMSAQSaiMTxOaRSKpxgLGZNaLOlKD0nhe16wCntJSpokMMmK_ogFufKIhuRN7z-G6E_EpRL2nIOBBY6pJFKCJ8oZ7JiSXY-tR_X7pNqTtN9L5XPJWRKGHklsj4DUBSoUo9zHi7c/s1600/P1020074.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrG6b4QtMSAQSaiMTxOaRSKpxgLGZNaLOlKD0nhe16wCntJSpokMMmK_ogFufKIhuRN7z-G6E_EpRL2nIOBBY6pJFKCJ8oZ7JiSXY-tR_X7pNqTtN9L5XPJWRKGHklsj4DUBSoUo9zHi7c/s400/P1020074.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561089910538055890" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGbtpgwl9ugmH-ihvX7PU4jk8uKAVqNtjENo8rUVTAZ2ZQG5zhUtNvR_1k3fMBf2ghI1JZlVmPx6vMD-LaCJqRG1wOGHcYI9ZCGBV-xCOOWvoAx_ByYee1U0qtEvIve0lyONB_Wbp0cn1/s1600/P1020078.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGbtpgwl9ugmH-ihvX7PU4jk8uKAVqNtjENo8rUVTAZ2ZQG5zhUtNvR_1k3fMBf2ghI1JZlVmPx6vMD-LaCJqRG1wOGHcYI9ZCGBV-xCOOWvoAx_ByYee1U0qtEvIve0lyONB_Wbp0cn1/s400/P1020078.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561089909540367570" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz-fOduniJYCoSExln2weCp-zhyphenhyphenrNEKcsQXTwcff2gIs_U-5ZdgCjrhSJ5WPqI-5f7hjQu_cRJnCAeB_VkICPblqlE3knByewtkGEn9OaoMV2o0hV51rxe23Ot0uRXdBFIAa-jpQMtxX1S/s1600/P1010066.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz-fOduniJYCoSExln2weCp-zhyphenhyphenrNEKcsQXTwcff2gIs_U-5ZdgCjrhSJ5WPqI-5f7hjQu_cRJnCAeB_VkICPblqlE3knByewtkGEn9OaoMV2o0hV51rxe23Ot0uRXdBFIAa-jpQMtxX1S/s400/P1010066.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561089907076640626" /></a><br />Just a peek, I finally finished some of my crocheted purses for Christmas gifts. I have many more like this to line with fabric, but these are done so you must see! The red one is the largest I have made so far, about 14" across the widest part. The tan one is lined in animal print, for a fun/funky look.<div>I am so happy with how they turned out!<br /><div><br /></div></div>Jamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11877881145459330386noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1698495369556672089.post-88700155854683309272010-11-22T13:13:00.000-08:002010-11-22T14:35:41.712-08:00Tribute to my Sweetness friend!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRD8w3CBxbONCDVBB6dCQbgJiL1bge5GViA9RKJx1qMyVFX37EKSXWmrZkCiwSQmK7_Ukj8rSW4-EX2iSj4qt1ZPRyofaEcmHjaC-U1fYCZCyeBYH34yjNG94dH0anMvQhYssv129ynZT/s1600/33892_441758167871_506572871_5246542_5868783_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRD8w3CBxbONCDVBB6dCQbgJiL1bge5GViA9RKJx1qMyVFX37EKSXWmrZkCiwSQmK7_Ukj8rSW4-EX2iSj4qt1ZPRyofaEcmHjaC-U1fYCZCyeBYH34yjNG94dH0anMvQhYssv129ynZT/s400/33892_441758167871_506572871_5246542_5868783_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542506092880613778" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I would like to dedicate my post to a dear friend, Misty Thieman. She is spending her time in blogland Encouraging Sweetness. Her posts are the highlight of my days, and every time I see she has a new one on FB, I rush to read it. I would encourage all of my readers to check out her blog, where reading her sweet humor and articulate writing is a big scoop of ice cream on top of an apple pie. Hers is the only blog that I <b>will</b> find a way to link to...even though I am technically challenged.<div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Normally, my personality is one of kindness and patience...but I have to admit I look like Darth Vader compared to her rose-colored glasses. This is NOT a criticism. It is a delight! Since I know the world at large has a tendency toward cynicism and "me-ism" I find her outlook to be refreshing. Practicing the challenge of finding the good in every day is one that I would love to do daily. Not only for the improvement of my own life, but to pay it forward to others who need it as much as I. Oneladyarts is a venue for me to share a bit of myself with others, but I would say Misty's goal is a bit more far-reaching, and her insight a valuable and profound way to make life happy. God Bless You, Misty! May encouraging sweetness revisit itself on you exponentially.</div><div>Much love,</div><div>Jami</div><div><br /></div>Jamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11877881145459330386noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1698495369556672089.post-91615154867741011832010-11-18T20:47:00.001-08:002010-11-18T20:57:53.115-08:00Waggin' HappiesWow, was Silver Bella a whirlwind of sights and sounds and awesome artists!! I was all eyes and ears to soak it all up, and I had the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">wagging</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">happies</span> to be there. I was honored to meet so many people that had such varied and wide talents. Every room I was in for classes exhibited a bevy of projects that were jaw-dropping. I walked around in a couple of classes, and I admit there were several of the classes where my nose was too intently in my work, but when I did wander I saw some beautiful artworks. My fave classes were with Beth Quinn and Lisa <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Kaus</span>, they seemed right up my alley and very easy to personalize. I didn't finish any of my crafts, but pictures are forthcoming, as soon as I cut loose from the real world I'll get them done and post again.<div>And what made the weekend complete was my new friends, friends that renewed our acquaintance with a warm hug, and the promise of much new inspiration and crafting opportunities to come.<br /><div>Blessings, </div><div>Jami</div></div>Jamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11877881145459330386noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1698495369556672089.post-21033310898599452612010-11-08T20:13:00.000-08:002010-11-08T20:32:41.638-08:00Don't look if you don't want to spoil the surprise :)<div>Here is a preview of my embroidery three-inchey:</div><div>It's a tussy mussy made of lace filled with flowers. One bloom is vintage crochet, one is vintage velvet loopy, and the little leaf is seam binding. The buttons are antique shell buttons, and the bead in the center of the crochet flower is amazonite (jade colored). I also used silk floss, which is luscious to use if you haven't!!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsw_TL8_0_SihefjY7DmC3-HdnnpLbFPx4YrkDYzqIFKGRYLA-cIEhftgcZW4iwV1stjS_5GNv4cOMOe0O528403NJw-EuS6YvPzClkImTw_DNcfrd2xC19dpeFYTtFYiI37ZzYNZQaJj8/s1600/PB070019.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsw_TL8_0_SihefjY7DmC3-HdnnpLbFPx4YrkDYzqIFKGRYLA-cIEhftgcZW4iwV1stjS_5GNv4cOMOe0O528403NJw-EuS6YvPzClkImTw_DNcfrd2xC19dpeFYTtFYiI37ZzYNZQaJj8/s400/PB070019.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537399610456719922" /></a><br />No Peeking Pam! This is definitely a spoiler.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQMC0AfuBQ-cPKORRyuGVL6-T_bA4cHljYyxEp5zGmMt7PPu1jg7OoVVp_Hgj0wMzq2h3Zh_ScU7PUNDvRR4hg1olJjWimqoTYuXj9pj5Klt3VwPuQ6S-24gqrNbHQKgI59GOcMYosuXy/s1600/PB070001.JPG"></a><div>And finally, after many working months, weeks, days and hours...the Bella Bag!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQMC0AfuBQ-cPKORRyuGVL6-T_bA4cHljYyxEp5zGmMt7PPu1jg7OoVVp_Hgj0wMzq2h3Zh_ScU7PUNDvRR4hg1olJjWimqoTYuXj9pj5Klt3VwPuQ6S-24gqrNbHQKgI59GOcMYosuXy/s1600/PB070001.JPG"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQMC0AfuBQ-cPKORRyuGVL6-T_bA4cHljYyxEp5zGmMt7PPu1jg7OoVVp_Hgj0wMzq2h3Zh_ScU7PUNDvRR4hg1olJjWimqoTYuXj9pj5Klt3VwPuQ6S-24gqrNbHQKgI59GOcMYosuXy/s400/PB070001.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537399284921506834" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">She asked for beading, embroidery, ribbon, trims and muchness, and I tried to deliver :)</span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Detail of the flowers. Yes, I seamed the tote from scratch. The liner is felted wool, as are two of the flowers, the ribbons and trims are vintage and the shell buttons antiques too.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQMC0AfuBQ-cPKORRyuGVL6-T_bA4cHljYyxEp5zGmMt7PPu1jg7OoVVp_Hgj0wMzq2h3Zh_ScU7PUNDvRR4hg1olJjWimqoTYuXj9pj5Klt3VwPuQ6S-24gqrNbHQKgI59GOcMYosuXy/s1600/PB070001.JPG"><br /></a></span><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsh4bxL9xmSr-fjdpwmJI6gvvKEbVAT7RbNC-2EbADfXd09C_sHIY8IWSb3m1JI8G3_Ng2bjDyJ53fikRadMBwekS-0-kQ1DRPGxjoooQG5N701yQHNQntaOmE4r75hWOrdDLG_3mz9-6B/s1600/PB070012.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsh4bxL9xmSr-fjdpwmJI6gvvKEbVAT7RbNC-2EbADfXd09C_sHIY8IWSb3m1JI8G3_Ng2bjDyJ53fikRadMBwekS-0-kQ1DRPGxjoooQG5N701yQHNQntaOmE4r75hWOrdDLG_3mz9-6B/s400/PB070012.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537398898270925202" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzbJX5fOEUJkYICG1pckxNW-UU8hnzTmh06slMrMnEkVFPmk00U3-jyRmGDUTZ5KTeXR1hB-YdPJW0wXysJJZOOxOQTK68IAeraUnMhCaIlgs96F9HUuMkVAcEOuPtldloEUZwfLZTT_LW/s1600/PB070006.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzbJX5fOEUJkYICG1pckxNW-UU8hnzTmh06slMrMnEkVFPmk00U3-jyRmGDUTZ5KTeXR1hB-YdPJW0wXysJJZOOxOQTK68IAeraUnMhCaIlgs96F9HUuMkVAcEOuPtldloEUZwfLZTT_LW/s400/PB070006.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537398726674695346" /></a>If you are looking for more details, just ask. I will post some more close-up pics after I finish these swaps...Agh! I still have some embroidery squares to bang out to be ready. Maybe more pictures after the weekend event! There will be so much eye candy I am sure.</div><div>Pray I can sleep in the next day or two,</div><div>Jami</div>Jamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11877881145459330386noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1698495369556672089.post-58417243922322392542010-11-07T11:11:00.000-08:002010-11-07T11:21:52.545-08:00Spoiler Again! Here's the charm bracelet!<div>I even got some good pics outside in the twilight last evening:</div><div>Vintage glass buttons with rhinestones, silver chain and swarovskis. The center medallion is a flower with a glass button and crystals through the center on a pin. Don't peek Miss Rachel :)</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZe6EmEsIgFkRIe4M2RNVqoSEjrg93Pj71lOBLrauCKnuy9jnll5d_snpk9IH37zRPEW84sSCJIcmdwngnMi9OPVw2WHJeewFt7I8-yPT0DnMO3aJdSjbLUVsEwUdLi1KW9X_pgNv0Rbc/s1600/PB050104.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 257px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZe6EmEsIgFkRIe4M2RNVqoSEjrg93Pj71lOBLrauCKnuy9jnll5d_snpk9IH37zRPEW84sSCJIcmdwngnMi9OPVw2WHJeewFt7I8-yPT0DnMO3aJdSjbLUVsEwUdLi1KW9X_pgNv0Rbc/s400/PB050104.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536888083652290434" /></a>Another pic on my arm, so you can see the cuff style. I may shorten it a bit, but I like the effect of the charms hanging on the bottom. Red is her favorite color.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1hRQXu0vdO0mqJnlYuDdC0_TChAo9IhQ1m_AYf7WJSu3IIoreCfCJc-tBkToFAMttv-G3w1eN12RI2HI7yTjcXI73iEFgt7Zo_0y7II1iWPqMLt0YGPnEFccTMffVBG3Y0HIuizs5CFnP/s1600/PB050101.JPG"></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1hRQXu0vdO0mqJnlYuDdC0_TChAo9IhQ1m_AYf7WJSu3IIoreCfCJc-tBkToFAMttv-G3w1eN12RI2HI7yTjcXI73iEFgt7Zo_0y7II1iWPqMLt0YGPnEFccTMffVBG3Y0HIuizs5CFnP/s1600/PB050101.JPG"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1hRQXu0vdO0mqJnlYuDdC0_TChAo9IhQ1m_AYf7WJSu3IIoreCfCJc-tBkToFAMttv-G3w1eN12RI2HI7yTjcXI73iEFgt7Zo_0y7II1iWPqMLt0YGPnEFccTMffVBG3Y0HIuizs5CFnP/s400/PB050101.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536887845108401650" /></a>Yay, only a few stitches left on my bella bag, and one more swap to finish. Keep checking back for more pictures. I'm rocking the card reader now, faithful followers, lol!</div><div>Jami</div>Jamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11877881145459330386noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1698495369556672089.post-75927353464886222262010-11-03T14:44:00.000-07:002010-11-03T15:05:51.009-07:00YEAH, we got Photos People!!<div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Spoiler Alert!!</span></b> If you are in the Twelve Days of Christmas Ornament Swap, Hide your eyes!</div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Spoiler Alert!!</span></b> If you are in the Twelve Days of Christmas Ornament Swap, Hide your eyes!</div><div><br /></div><div>Here is a picture of the assembly line, and yes, I had to make that many: Scroll down to see the rest of the completed ornament.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVFOQteEr6TBp5YNM3Fu0h7zOWL9i7diovS4OPdhgKQBPOLQfs7q7hVukOHghEi0L1bJ6xIyNOzbW84ab6IzDRgXxG8_nFWsmG_kt1HgMZ7Iv8bRerZeSNEWkUV2h6llq9etc6wZn_NodG/s1600/PB030105.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVFOQteEr6TBp5YNM3Fu0h7zOWL9i7diovS4OPdhgKQBPOLQfs7q7hVukOHghEi0L1bJ6xIyNOzbW84ab6IzDRgXxG8_nFWsmG_kt1HgMZ7Iv8bRerZeSNEWkUV2h6llq9etc6wZn_NodG/s400/PB030105.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535446782434395618" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></b></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div>This is my contribution:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUbFQWOAJteetDz0KGoFiaku_5wUFNtKmO4N6d9XJsOsHHkqjyv-5JcCmpIjTYjgvHBpuk2PBYPzU0hBLZZl0D-M5_CDYQm7LwHHUTSEjMiXjU9cwBXo7yQxDV_t9yYoadTaat_U869UFf/s1600/PB030112.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUbFQWOAJteetDz0KGoFiaku_5wUFNtKmO4N6d9XJsOsHHkqjyv-5JcCmpIjTYjgvHBpuk2PBYPzU0hBLZZl0D-M5_CDYQm7LwHHUTSEjMiXjU9cwBXo7yQxDV_t9yYoadTaat_U869UFf/s400/PB030112.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535443284081365618" /></a>My ornament is a pair of silver plated trays, placed together to form a cavity in which I placed a couple of jingle bells. I am so excited that it makes music :) I sealed the turtledove image on the front, ringed it in gold paint, and added a ring of teal glass glitter. There is cotton trim sandwiched between the trays, and the jump rings at top and bottom are drilled through so it can hang from the dyed vintage ribbon at top and the chandelier hangs below. Wheeee, let's hope the silver will patina and it will beautify with age :)</div></div><div>And the back: glittery poinsettias of course.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK9z-BAPYelNue8QJ7D-oIDUqXXxq20p92IrmB6Fdey2pWzoBL_DWv1P37cOdZZ0aNFZGjME5ZDhZcPAWD2OVXv6nusKpnKUcyQ7SkLgE2wUlbLBv2YltZxVPWnMoNjSDa2AFFoLLsfoZR/s400/PB030110.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535445177023465250" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">This one's a bit fuzzy but it was hard to see the gold paint on the silver tray through the lens, so this was the best angle.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">I'd love to know what you think! Jami</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div>Jamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11877881145459330386noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1698495369556672089.post-2660390492071899202010-10-28T18:47:00.000-07:002010-10-28T19:01:06.107-07:00Is creativity a genetic thing?I ask because my son is so into "arts and crafts" as he calls his projects. Even his first grade teacher has to bribe him to practice writing by telling him he can illustrate his work too. It's too cool for words to know that he loves to do the same things I do... God blesses us with amazing kids like him to teach us about ourselves I guess.<div>We are planning his birthday party in two days. He'll be seven, and he wanted to have a costume party with all the trimmings, though his birthday actually falls next week in November. He brought home from school a photocopied picture of a skeleton that can be cut out and reassembled, so I copied it onto cardstock and he was busily cutting it out so it could be built with brads to move at the joints. It was so funny, the picture did not have separate bones at the knee joint, so he carefully trimmed it under the patella (sorry, my physiology class is showing) so he could make the knees "bend" properly. I love my little man, he makes every occasion a special one and he loves to make his crafts his way. He kept coming up with more ideas to use for his party, and we ran out of time to make them all. I say now that I can't wait for his tenth birthday, when he'll prepare for weeks and months in advance for party decorations and games. But, seeing my baby boy grow into such a cool kid makes me selfishly want to keep him six years old for a little while longer. </div><div>Excuse me, but I have some skeletons to make....sniff.</div><div>Count your blessings and kiss your babies,</div><div>Jami</div>Jamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11877881145459330386noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1698495369556672089.post-2547589009158151372010-10-25T17:39:00.000-07:002010-10-25T17:52:26.255-07:00Alas, no photos, *sigh*Well, my lovelies, we have no pictures yet. I have nearly completed two swaps and I'm well on my way through planning the third. I ordered a card reader for my wonderful though AGED camera and I'm not so patiently waiting to receive it via post. I have made some pictures of my final stages of the inspiration box, spoiler soon to come I hope...and my bella bag is two steps from completion. The flowers and a bit o' broidery need sewing on, and the last piece needs securing with the trusty sewing machine. My darling Bella Big Sis Kana, I can't wait for you to see it. If any of my bella sisters have an idea for a cute lil' bit of birthday heaven I could include for Miss Pam...do tell! How cool to celebrate being a year wiser at the quintessential art event.<div><br /></div><div>I also hear from Queen Trip Planner Tabby that I have two new roommates at Silver Bella! Yay, Denise and Anna I am so glad you will be joining the newbie digs :) Better hide those swaps girls, because I am a light sleeper, *laughin' uproariously*</div><div>If the strain doesn't get to me, as soon as the camera card reader arrives be ready for some eye candy, girls. But that's just me tooting my own horn.</div><div><br /></div>Jamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11877881145459330386noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1698495369556672089.post-18216676943447187602010-10-17T12:13:00.000-07:002010-10-17T12:13:00.446-07:00The Inaugural Post<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Hello, darlings. Welcome to my first post to One Lady Arts as a new blogger. Please forgive my foibles and strangely placed items on the page, I am learning as I go!<div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The very first thing I must tell you is I am <i>not</i> supposed to be blogging right now. Shameful, I know, but forbidden fruit is SO sweet. I should be working on my swaps for Silver Bella, but I <i>must</i> have a place to post photos of them for my new friends on the SB network. So here it is, the forum for all things creative and new and old and beautiful! </div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>In the next few posts I make, you will see pictures of my bella bag, my inspiration box, my charm bracelet, my embroidered three inchey, and my twelve days of Christmas ornament sporting two turtledoves. Yes, that's five swaps I need to get done. Alas, they are not completed to show you right now, but won't the suspense be delicious? These objects of art must be done before November 10th, so my inaugural post will be brief so I can get to work. I will be sure to post spoiler alerts for those will be receiving my lovely swaps. Now, to convince the darling husband to purchase another card reader so I can post photos more quickly and we will be underway. Hmmmmm, feminine wiles don't fail me now! </div><div>Happy day to you,</div><div>Jami</div>Jamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11877881145459330386noreply@blogger.com3