Do You Need A Wishing Jar?

This is such an adorable commercial that I viewed on one of my loyal follower's blog, Melissa of "My Whimsical Wishes." So, I thought I would share it with you. She has come up with the idea of making a "Wishing Jar." It inspires me to want to make one of them. What a neat idea, Melissa! Hmmmm....what kind of jar do I want to hold some of those special wishes for my life?

Watch it here: GE General Electric Wind Energy Commercial

I really like this idea of having a wishing jar. "Sometimes it feels good to just write down the things in life you wish you had. Whether it's something tangible like a new car, or something you want to accomplish in your life. It doesn't matter just think about it, write it down, and maybe just maybe if you put your dreams out into the universe they may come true...," says Melissa.

Love this...

Tag, You're It !....

Oh My, I have been Tagged!
My dear friend and artist extraordinaire,
Terri, of Blooming Ideas,

was given this award, and then passed it on to me.

Thank you so much, Terri.
You are too sweet!

I believe it works like this.
I am to follow a few rules
&
Here are the award rules:

List 7 things that you "Love,"
and then pass this award on to
7 Bloggers that you love!
Be sure to tag them,
and let them know they have won.

You can copy the picture of the award
and put it on your sideboard
Letting the whole world know.....
you are KREATIV!

The Seven Things I LOVE are:
1. Chuck, my husband of 42 years!
2. My children, Brad, Amy & their spouses
3. My grandchildren, Ethan & Lauren
4. My artistic friends, Deb, Terri, Vikki & Kim
5. Music (especially easy listening)
6. Nature (forget winter)
7. The sun at the seashore

My seven tagged Bloggers are:

Forever Jann
Becky Royall, Whymsical Musings
Heather Robinson, Creative Solace
Melissa, My Whimsical Wishes

Gossamer Creations
Abigail Folk & Kage Harp, Rusted Wings
iTkUpilli

I would most definitely tag Terri once more, and Deb again. And, not forgetting Angela Harris, Carol Wingert's Place, Healing Expressions, Maygreen Fairies, Paper Whimsy, Gail Schmidt of Shabby Cottage, Vintage Flair, and everyone from my blog list. Seven is just not enough! After the One World One Heart Giveaway, I have viewed hundreds of some of the most brilliant and inspirational blogs that I ever discovered. So, for me, to receive this award is an honor.

Thank you again, Terri, for tagging me. You're a dear sweet friend, and I am feeling quite humble that you passed this on to me.

Hugs, Nancy

Excited About Tomorrow

Check out my finished digital collage created during Lesson One of Creative Workshops. I love the misty ghost image of the horse and lady as shown in this photo. And the sparkles! Love those.... I have played for hours since our first class, and have experimented with what I can do and can't do with all those tools on the left side of the Photoshop Elements page. Especially, the "can't do" part that seems to occur whether I want it to or not. Yesterday, I ended up with photos that were completely black and white. It took me quite some time to figure out what I did to do that! Can't wait for tomorrow's class to start again.

First Attempt at Digital Collage

Yesterday I started a digital collage class through Creative Workshops, hosted by Gail Schmidt. Oh my goodness.....I was a basket case yesterday. First of all, I could not find my pictures for class, the volume was turned down on my computer, so I thought the video for the workshop was messed up. The phone was ringing off the hook with one problem after another. It's a good thing, I had some time to "rewind," get some sleep, and push myself into the unknown world of Photoshop Elements this morning. Gail is just a peach, answering all of my crazy questions, and I am quite proud of my first attempt. I guess if you are learning, there is some amount of frustration. There is still time to join all of us! Classes began February 24th.

Victorian Style Chalkboards

You just have to check out these fabulous chalkboards from Spell It Out Designs. I missed out for their amazing giveaway, but still wanted to share. The drawing is today. Wouldn't they be so sweet for jotting quick phone messages, or to decorate your craft room? Or, they might even bring new meaning to the refrigerator magnet!


Click link to be whisked away to Spell It Out Designs blog giveaway post to find out how you can purchase one of your own!

Thanks, Heidi, of My Hiding Place in Cyberspace, for sharing!

My Sincere Gratitude

I was one of the lucky ones to win a prize during the "One World-One Heart Giveaway." Thank you so much, Inka Heaton, from Inkaland in Idaho, for this gorgeous "Captured Fairy" necklace charm. She is delicately handcrafted in a miniature bottle hanging from a black satin rope, and labeled so. What an awesome present to hang around my neck. She is my creative spirit!



Photo from The Magical World of Lisa Jane, "Enchanted Childhood."

Life Is Art

"Art is the one form of communication with which you can not argue...ever. No matter what the medium, art just is. You might not like a piece, you might not agree with what a piece stands for, but the work of art itself doesn't care how you feel...it simply exists in all its glory broadcasting its own personal message to everyone who sees it." words by Georgiann Carlson

"Art can help us find our way, if we choose to look...because the one thing that art does extremely well is expand our vision...to open our minds...give us hope and show us very clearly just what it is that we have to lose."

Check out this artistic video. It is just too beautiful not to share!

And the Winner Is....

I am honored that so many of you have stopped by my blog and left such beautiful comments. I tried to visit all of the wonderful bloggers that participated, but it was challenging. I am truly glad I joined in this fabulous event and giveaway, and will be looking forward to next year's caravan. I have added so many amazing artists to my favorite links and added myself to countless blogs. This was one of the highlights of my year! Thank you for sharing all your brilliant artwork.

And now, for the winner of my hand knitted mittens...

Congratulations to Anji Gallanos!! of Juneau, Alaska.
I will contact you soon for your delivery information.
Hugs,
Nancy

Deadline for One World One Heart Giveaway

I will be cutting off sign-up for the One World One Heart giveaway at 12:00 o'clock Midnight tonight, so I will have time to post and contact the winner. I will be out of town over the weekend, so your package will be leaving my home by the first of next week. Sorry for this short notice! I can't wait to see who wins.

Hope you are the lucky winner!

Altered Valentines

Did you know that valentine greeting cards date back to the late 1800's? Here are my contribution for today's special "one-of-a-kind" dimensional valentine greeting card. During the One World-One Heart event, I found this gorgeous web-site called Outsider-Artists. You can easily order downloadable sheets of these amazing winged sweethearts by visiting one talented gal, Becky Loyall from Whymsical Musings.







Happy Valentine's Day!

Love Letter Tin

Making this romantic Valentine tin, inspired me to post this sweet love letter written by Ronald Regan to his wife, Nancy. I have a few classic "love notes" and a heart-shaped ring from my youth that now have a place to rest. These nostalgic images can be downloaded from Lisa Vollrath's "Original Printable Holiday Collection." Enjoy!

Nancy

Aboard Air Force One

March 4, 1983

Dear First Lady,

I know tradition has it that on this morning I place cards, Happy Anniversary cards, on your breakfast tray. But things are somewhat mixed up. I substituted a gift and delivered it a few weeks ago.

Still this is the day, the day that marks 31 years of such happiness as comes to few men. I told you once that it was like an adolescent's dream of what marriage should be like. That hasn't changed.

You know I love the ranch but these last two days made it plain I only love it when you are there. Come to think of it, that's true of every place & every time. When you aren't there I'm no place, just lost in time & space.

I more than love you, I'm not whole without you. You are life itself to me. When you are gone, I'm waiting for you to return so I can start living again.

Happy Anniversary and thank you for 31 wonderful years.

I love you.

Your Grateful Husband

Snow Queen Paper Snow Globe

Lately, I have been concentrating on exploring artwork with shaped pages and three-dimensional objects. I now use more fibers and embellishments than I have ever used before. Sometimes I even focus on the edge of my project. This "Snow Queen" was a free downloaded image from Dover. I used paint, colored pencils, and extra thick glitter snow on the rounded edge and extravagant feathers. Endless possibilities.... saved treasures waiting to emerge with deep personal meaning. I am hoping this Queen will wave her wand to make all this cold and snow go somewhere other than here!

Cupid's True Love

For me, the month of February truly celebrates the season of love, one of the most enchanting times of my heart. This is my latest journal page.


Do you know the make-believe story of Cupid? It was said that once you were shot with an arrow from Cupid's bow, you would fall in love with the next person you met. Sometimes, Cupid would toy with others affections by matching up couples with opposite qualities just to see what would happen. One day, Cupid was given a dose of his own medicine and would soon learn his lesson about true love.

A certain king and queen had a daughter with the most astonishing beauty named Psyche. When news spread of her beauty, Cupid's mother, Venus, felt threatened. She felt she must seek out her competitor and put her in her place by ordering Cupid to find Psyche, pierce her with his arrow, and make her fall in love with the most hideous monster he could find. Cupid obeyed his mother and set out to find Psyche. Once Cupid found Psyche, he was so overcome by her beauty that he accidentally pierced his own body with his arrow and fell madly in love with Psyche.

It was thought that her beauty was so great that she was not meant for just any ordinary man. Psyche was moved to live in a castle on an isolated mountain. Cupid only visited her under the darkness of night, and insists that she never be able to look upon his face in daylight. While back at her palace, stories began to surface that Psyche had finally married. For fear that she had indeed married a monster, one night Psyche held a lamp over Cupid's face. Startled to see who he was, Psyche also accidentally pricks herself with one of Cupid's arrows and falls deeply in love with Cupid. Cupid leaps from a window, flies away from Psyche and goes into hiding from being seen. After searching for Cupid far and wide, she beseeches the help of Cupid's mother, to help find her true love.

Psyche goes through many ridiculous tests of faith, trying to please Venus so that she and Cupid could be united and live happily for all eternity. After successfully completing every impossible test put before her by Venus, Cupid finally comes to the aid of Psyche. Cupid's wish is granted and the two have a baby girl named Delight. Cupid and his love, Psyche, finally live happily ever after.

I Have OWOH Disorder

Okay, I am also seriously out of control. Really, I probably shouldn't be allowed near my computer until this thing is over. Is anyone else obsessively visiting every single site on the "One World One Heart" besides me?

I haven't even visited my normal blogs for nearly a week, and even canceled an appointment so I could hit some more sites. The first day, I was up to 2:00 a.m. The second day I practically spent the entire day goofing off! Luckily, my boss at work is my husband!! He wanted to know today if I was "on strike."

Anyway, do you think Miss Lisa Swifka, has some type of support group set up for those of us who have developed a OWOH disorder??

I can't even begin to tell you how much I have enjoyed this event! I have met some very sweet people all over the world with heartfelt stories and stunning blogs. Oh, I think I don't want this to ever end.....but, I need to finish my "Snow Globe" project for Saturday. That should be enough to make me rise up and make something extra special from my overload of internet inspiration. AFTER I check out a couple more blogs......

One World-One Heart Giveaway

I hereby announce my very first giveaway in the third annual "One World~One Heart Giveaway." This event enables bloggers the world over an opportunity to meet new friends...AND you might even win a gorgeous handmade gift!

To learn more, and to see a list of the participating blogs with their links, just click here. You may even want to do a giveaway on your own blog too! Whether you want to do a giveaway or just enter to win as you pop from blog to blog entering drawings, you undoubtedly will come across some very cool blogs that you might never have happened to come across otherwise.

And for My Giveaway.....

To enter my drawing you must be an active blogger. All you need to do is leave a comment on this post. Please be sure to include your email address. The drawing is February 12th. I will contact you via e-mail and post the winner on my blog. If you want to know even more about this event, click here. There are a lot of very generous people with great blogs to share, and many wonderful items being offered!

I would like to give away a pair of hand-knitted "Bella's Mittens" as pictured here. They are completely washable made with Plymouth Yarn, the "Encore Colors" in the shade "Faded Blue." They are 75% acrylic and 25% wool. Now, all you have to do is add a comment with your email address to this post. Thanks for all your heartfelt comments! I sincerely appreciate them.

Things I Love About Winter

As the snow fell outside my window this afternoon, I spotted these precious doves huddled together on a branch which holds four bird feeders in our back yard. The snow has not stopped since 10:00 o'clock this morning. Right now, we are experiencing 17 degrees, but actually feels more like 3 degrees. I started my art journal today for Terri, and almost finished the background. I am still gathering images, and color ideas. I guess, it's a perfect opportunity to create some art! Winter in Michigan this year has been brutal. I just want to see some sunshine and a little less snowflakes.

Bella's Mittens

These absolutely gorgeous mittens, as worn by Kristen Stewart in the movie "Twilight," and designed by the talented and generous Marielle Henault, are becoming my most recent obsession. This is a photo of my dear daughter, Amy wearing them! I'm in love with these mittens. Wow, and they fit my hands too! It's a great pattern; quick, easy, and elegant (yet somewhat of a challenge for me). Thank you, Marielle, for making it available to all knitters for free! Please go to my favorite links, and hit "Subliminal Rabbit." On her December 29, 2008 post, near the bottom, you can download this beautiful mitten pattern.

Am I Really A Jackie?

My friend, Deb, from "It's All Good," posted a neat personality quiz this morning. Of course, I have to do whatever Deb does (as I once quoted), so here are my results of the personality quiz. It's kind of fun, yet a little spooky.

Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...

You Are a Jackie!

You are a Jackie. "I do everything the right way."

Jackies are realistic, conscientious, and principled. They strive to live up to their high ideals.

How to Get Along with Me

* Take your share of the responsibility so I don't end up with all the work.

* Acknowledge my achievements.

* I'm hard on myself. Reassure me that I'm fine the way I am.

* Tell me that you value my advice.

* Be fair and considerate, as I am.

* Apologize if you have been unthoughtful. It will help me to forgive.

* Gently encourage me to lighten up and to laugh at myself when I get uptight, but hear my worries first.

What I Like About Being a Jackie

* Being self-disciplined and able to accomplish a great deal

* Working hard to make the world a better place

* Having high standards and ethics; not compromising myself

* Being reasonable, responsible, and dedicated in everything I do

* Being able to put facts together, coming to good understandings, and figuring out wise solutions

* Being the best I can be and bringing out the best in other people

What's Hard About Being a Jackie

* Being disappointed with myself or others when my expectations are not met

* Feeling burdened by too much responsibility

* Thinking that what I do is never good enough

* Not being appreciated for what I do for people

* Being upset because others aren't trying as hard as I am

* Obsessing about what I did or what I should do

* Being tense, anxious, and taking things too seriously

Jackies as Children Often

* Criticize themselves in anticipation of criticism from others

* Refrain from doing things that they think might not come out perfect

* Focus on living up to the expectations of their parents and teachers

* Are very responsible; may assume the role of parent

* Hold back negative emotions ("good children aren't angry")

Jackies as Parents

* Teach their children responsibility and strong moral values

* Are consistent and fair

* Discipline firmly

Take Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz at HelloQuizzy

Ravelry Knitting

Joining Ravelry is amazing and it's free! I have been checking out some of the most gorgeous knitting projects, plus there are patterns for most of them. In between my other art projects, I have been knitting these microfiber dishcloths. I stumbled into one of our local knitting stores called Skeins on Main, where there was a bargain bin. Naturally, I grabbed enough for three dishcloths. This lovely luxury yarn is a blend of 65% cotton and 35% microfiber called Jo Sharp Aran Cotton. It feels wonderful as you are handknitting a project. My all time favorite dishcloth pattern was graciously shared by Homespun Living.

My other project that has been seriously frustrating me is a pair of mittens. I finally completed my first error free right hand. I now have four (yes four!!) right hands done, all different colors, all different sizes. Maybe I need another hand? But, for crying out loud, my brain had turned to mush and needed a break from the mittens for a day. Now, I have one left hand to go. I can't wait to show you in a few days. They are an amazing pair of mittens.

Nan

A Colorful New Year

Wow...another year! 2008 has been full in so many ways. 2009 promises to be another year with so many more colorful adventures. I'm excited to see what comes, and to share it here with you. Some of us think of "out with the old and in with the new." Some of us may think of New Year's Resolutions. Some may think of change. And some like me, well they just may think of all the things that they wanted to do and time just has a way of slipping away. I want to thank all of you who have stopped by this past six months to visit my little blog, whether you have commented or not. I sincerely appreciate all of you. I intend to approach this new year feeling fresh and full of new found energy.

Happy New Year!

Hugs, Nancy