SOARFUL CHALLENGE AND BACK AMONGST THE LIVING

I know I am just under the wire on this challenge.  I have had the images printed and blocked out in my mind since Monday.  BBBBBut...... I have been under the weather with a darn virus (I guess, but when you don't have health insurance you don't run to the doctor).  I feel better today than yesterday, so maybe I am over the worst. 
I found a new blog challenge called Soarful Challenge.  http://jeanette-soartfulchallenges.blogspot.com/2011/07/early-architecture.html
Now for the challenge:  here is the image we had to work with.

The image originally came from Karen at the Graphics Fairy.  If you have never prowled thru her blog I have a button on the right side near the bottom. I added an image from the BBC~UK~DRWHO called weeping angel. I think she is just covering her eyes.  The background image is from Gail Schmidt at Shabby Cottage Studios (her old blog) which has some great images for free.  She has moved to a new blog and site, so you should NOT wait to check out her old one because it could go away any time. Here is a link to her old site ~   http://shabbycottagestudio.blogspot.com/     There are some great freebies there and her collage sheets are well worth buying. Anyway, here is my entry to the challenge.  I call it "Come out, come out! where ever you are".

I have to admit all those arches and such look like great hiding places.  This is my first time with Soarful challenge and I will be back.  This was fun, I just wish I had felt better.
God Bless all of you.
Mary

FINALLY FIRST LAVENDER SACHETS FINISHED

Well, I finally finished a project today. I have spent 2 weeks trying to find fabrics, embellishments, stuffing, etc, etc, sewing machine, etc, etc.  My stuff is so disorganized til I could pull my hair out.  Part, no most of the problem is me - I am totally unorganized. Part of the problem is my husband helped me move stuff around after we got married.  He has NO clue about crafters, crafting, sewing etc., etc.  For my birthday Don gave me a huge sack of fresh lavender we ordered off EBAY.  It was just what I wanted, so I could go back to sewing and making pretties with lavender in them.  I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel and one of these days will take pictures of my craft room and sewing room.  It has been a journey trying to get organized where it is easier to craft and not work so hard to start crafting.  I will keep you posted on the organizing part. 

 I am pleased with the results so far.  I am happy to back at the sewing machine again. Don worries I am working too much, housecleaning, moving boxes and furniture. He does not realize yet that sitting at the sewing machine is very relaxing to me.  Making the roses, ruffling lace and eyelet, stuffing the pillows - all of it is relaxation to me. For me the listing of the items is the hard work.  Trying to decide what to say, etc., etc.
These three are just the tip of the iceburg. I have atleast a dozen more layed out ready to match up the embellishments.  That's the fun part. I have tons of vintage images I have bought on cd and collected from lots of sources.  My mother got me started on that part. I found a little journal that she had pasted Christmas cards in. It was in the cedar chest. My mother has been gone 5 yrs and she was 87 when she died.  She put her age in the book as 9 years old when she made up her little scrapbook.  I will try to photograph it one of these days.  That book started me on my collection of Christmas cards and greeting cards, pictures etc.  I would not trade any of them for anything.    Oh yes, the sisters image on the pink sachet is from Gail Schmidt at Shabby Cottage Studios. Thank you for such a pretty picture.  Want to make sure she gets credit for such a pretty picture/           

Mother instilled an appreciation of fancy things. She loved frilly, lacey things with roses and flowers on it. I am just carrying one the tradition. Both of my grandmothers felt the same love for fancy things.
Well, our weather has really cooled off and I am enjoying every bit of it. I know summer  and hot weather will come again next year, but, I am going to enjoy this cool weather no matter what the heating bills are later on.  I guess this is all for today. I hope all of you have a nice end of the month. I don't really celebrate halloween any more, it has gotten too witchy and dark.  I love fall decorations, the leaves and fall colors. Not long and the holidays will be upon us. I look forward to that.  It is my favorite time of the year.
May God Bless each and every one of you.
Mary

MIND WIDE OPEN AND CHANGES IN LIFE

The weather changes constantly, the news changes by the moment, and life changes without warning. A lady, that I will most likely never meet, had a life changing moment recently. Gail (of the Mind Wide Open blog) had such a moment recently when her father became ill and made a trip to the hospital. When one arrives at a certain age and realizes that parents grow old and one day will cease to exist, that person also in the same instant usually realizes that they also have a 'certain life span' . Jane Fonda (who I really do not like {Vietnam and all those memories}) once said (after her father, Henry Fonda, died) that when your last parent dies, you realize you are next. She was right. I have buried both of my parents and am still trying to come to grips with that particular reality.
For the last 2 years, Gail has run her Mind Wide Open blog with its monthly challenges. I have entered a few, not as many as I wished to. She has provided some truely thought provoking images to play with and inspired some equally thought provoking entries. If you have never been there and watched the entries, go and have a look before they pass into computer ether space. She has run one of best challenges I have watched on line. She has pushed my limits in art and crafting into areas I didn't even know existed 2 years ago. I don't even remember how I came across her MWO blog. I thankful that I did. I pray for Gail to have the strength to face the future. We all have to walk that path sooner or later, sometimes with warning and some times not. It is never easy, either way. I hope that she will be able to treasure and save all the moments she has left to her so they can give her comfort later
I will miss the challenges and the images each month. I will miss you, Gail.
May God's love and grace be with you.
Mary