90 Degrees Outside!!! 90Followers Inside!!!

In celebration of 90 followers, I am having a giveaway!!

All photos for this post

 were taken by my lovely

daughter Jessica.  Thank you

Sweetie!  You know I am

slow and old in this category.

If only, Polaroids could be

uploaded!

No ifs, ands or butts!!

I looked high and low

to find something

you would like.

I found an

Easy Bead and Wire Necklace Kit

from Annie’s Hook & Needle

The Kit contains an instruction Booklet for

Knitting or Crochet

All materials to complete the necklace.

Some of the beads look like freshwater pearls

in a gold color.

Others look like semiprecious stones.

The kit is unopened, so I can’t really see the beads to give an accurate description.

They look to be fall colors,

golds,  greens, pink and purple.

How do I WIN you ask?

No need to fix your hair.

Or even drop me line.

Just leave a comment,

On Wednesday, August 4th

at 9:00 p.m. I will pick  a

WINNER!!

That will give Rufus something

to sing about.

Love to all!

Debbie

Believe

Cindy over at I Owe It All To Him

 is having another Linky party

.  She has asked each of us to post our favorite word. 

 My favorite word would have to be believe.

  Believe in a God that is greater

 than anything you can imagine.

  Believe in yourself when

 it would be easier to give up. 

 Believe in others,

 you may need them to believe

 in you one day.

Believe is an action word,

 it requires endurance,

 it requires thought

and often requires perseverance.

The word believe brings this song to mind.

Many nights we've prayed

With no proof anyone could hear

In our hearts a hopeful song

We barely understood

Now we are not afraid

Although we know there's much to fear

We were moving mountains long

Before we knew we could

There can be miracles, when you believe

Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill

Who knows what miracles you can achieve

When you believe, somehow you will

You will when you believe

In this time of fear

When prayers so often prove(s) in vain

Hope seems like the summer birds

Too swiftly flown away

Yet now I'm standing here

My heart's so full I can't explain

Seeking faith and speaking words

I never thought I'd say

There can be miracles, when you believe

Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill

Who knows what miracles you can achieve

When you believe, somehow you will

You will when you believe

They don't (always happen) when you ask

And it's easy to give in to your fears

But when you're blinded by your pain

Can't see your way straight through the rain

(A small but )still resilient voice

Says (hope is very near)

There can be miracles

When you believe

(Lord, when you believe)

Though hope is frail

It's hard to kill

Who knows what miracles,you can achieve

When you believe, somehow you will

somehow you will

You will when you believe

You will when you

You will when you believe

Just believe...in your heart

Just believe

You will when you believe~

 

Believe

 

 

Love to all,

Debbie

Bottles, Buttons and a Eastern Hognose Snake

I have had quite a day!  I received a call from our local County Judge-Exec’s office.  They were asking local artist to contribute to a basket that is headed to our State Fair.  We discussed what I would like to contribute.  We decided on one of my decorative soldered bottles.  I have been lazy and had no inventory here, so I had to get busy.  I created two, so they could pick which one they wanted.
.

I had another phone call,  a friend asking if she could bring me some sewing supplies that had been her mother’s.  Of course I was overjoyed, that’s like someone asking, if I would like a piece of cake!!!  She brought a large old sewing basket full of buttons, hem tape and other notions.  I had so much fun going through the basket.  The hem tape was from the 60’s and 70’s mostly and the colors were great.  Such beautiful muted pinks and blues.  There was one brown moiré ribbon, that almost made me swoon.  I really do get too emotional over sewing supplies don’t I.
Now for the real excitement, the snake!  Snakes give me the creeps.  I was being a good blogger and was outside taking pictures of my bottles.  My 2 dogs were outside with me, along with my DH.  You have met Rufus (the dog) on a previous post.  In the past few days Rufus has killed 2 baby rabbits and 2 baby birds.  When he started growling, I thought he had his eye on another  rabbit.  I turned around to tell him, “No!” when, I saw the snake. There I was barefoot, (it is Kentucky you know), trying to keep Rufus away from the snake. I was grabbing the bottles, the camera and trying to get us all in the house.  My husband is against killing a snake.  He says, “good snakes are good to have around, they keep the bad snakes away”.  I am of the theory the only good snake is a dead one. 
(I once went out the back door and was surprised by a huge snake laying on the lounge chair.  I not only killed that snake, I killed the lounge chair with it.)
Getting back to the snake tonight, my DH grabbed a shovel and was going to coax the snake to be on his way.  Well, this snake wasn’t going anywhere and it struck at my DH.  I then shouted, “Kill it! It’s mean!”.  The snake then struck again!  So, my hero then decided, it had to go and killed it.   I had recently purchased a book on Kentucky snakes, I brought it out so we could make an identification.  It was an Eastern Hognose Snake.  Notice I said, was.  Now it fits my definition of a good snake.  Good and Dead!
I think I will wear my shoes the next time I go outside.
Love to all,
Debbie

The Giveaway Winner Is.......

I will have another giveaway

 when I reach 90 followers. 

 I will post the prize for that,

 in the next day or two. 

 I want to say I appreciate each

 of you for reading my blog

 and leaving your comments.

  I have made friends,

 found Sisters at heart

 and kindred spirits

 among the bloggers

 I have met each day.

  Bloggers that freely share

 their knowledge,

 their inspiration and talents

 with all of us.

 Thank you to each and every one of you.

  You make me a better person

 for knowing

 and becoming friends with you. 

Now for the Winner!!!!!

DeeDee from deedeescraftspot!

Congratulations!  

DeeDee send me an email

 with your address

 and I will mail you out your goodies.

Thank you to every one

 who participated

 by answering the questions

 to the Contest Game.

The correct answers were:

1.First Blog entry..

April 30, 2010

2.How could I leave...

The Cowboy Boots behind.

3.I tried to take a photo of a...

 cob web that wouldn't show up.

4.The find that had something to say...

"When I am no longer able to create

 something I'll be done for."

5.Dog's name...

Rufus, my boy to the world.

  I will have another giveaway

 when I reach 90 followers!

Love to all,

Debbie

Don't Forget The Giveaway!

Don't forget the Give Away

find post here.

Giveaway and ATC Swap

Don't forget about the  giveaway.

You don't have to post it on your

blog, just become a follower and

answer 5 questions

 about previous posts.

I was in a giveaway like this

once before, where we did a

game and I liked it!  Not as

easy as, just commenting you

 would like to win, but I hope

 it is fun for you!

I have added an email button

to make emailing me easier.

I also swapped ATCs with Mya.

Since Wendy and I started the

 ATC blog late in the month, we

each swapped with an additional

participant.

Mya's ATC arrived in a cute little

envelope.

Mya had a humorous take on the theme Sisters.

I love it, sure does bring a smile to your face.

The backside of Mya's ATC

I also swapped with Donna.  We had decided to

do this before the ATC Swap group was formed.

(Donna is now a participant in the swap and will be

swapping in the August swap.)

She said it was to remind me of my

Florida friend. 

(It reminds me she does beautiful work.)

Do you see all the beads and pearls,

abalone shell cabochons on a

fabric background with decorative

stitching.

The back of her ATC, see, what I mean

even the back is professional.

This was not all she sent,

A postcard, yellow rick rack, tags and

hearts to use on my ATC's.

(How did Donna know the ATCs I sent Mollye

and Mya had hearts on them?)

Maybe along with being a top-notch

needle worker she is psychic too!

I also swapped with my "Sister Magpie",

Mary Ann.  I haven't sent Mary Ann

hers yet, but this beauty tells me I

had better send a good one!

Mary Ann had stitched some beads on the ATC,

but they didn't survive the trip.

Canada is a long way from Kentucky. 

I love how she used the soft flower and the

metal mesh together.

There is also a lot of decorative stitching

on this piece.

I am like a kid getting all this fun mail!

Don't forget the Giveaway!

Love to you all!

Debbie

First ATC Swap and Giveaway

My July ATC Swap

arrived in the mail!

Mizmollye was one of my partners,

I love the intensity of this ATC,

it takes you in and grips you in it's hold.

Thank you Mollye for joining in our Swap

and most of all for being a friend.

The Swap is located on my other blog ,

 Blissfull ATC Swap.

We have had a great deal of
 interest in the ATCs.

Today, I was at Hobby Lobby

 to purchase some blank ATCs

and happened to notice there

was a book on making them.

I'm sorry I didn't write the author's

name down or even the title.

But, having a book and supplies there,

lets you know ATCs are popular!

Now for the Giveaway!

You will receive.

A key chain that will slide onto
 your wrist when your hands are full.
 I made this.

I also created this soldered mirror
 with a  freshwater pearl charm.
 For your purse with a toile bag to hold it.

Now this can't take credit for but,

I did find it recently.

A "Cameo Creation"

"Lady Sheffield"

by Thomas Gainsborough,

in a Rococo style shabby frame.

And an Eiffel tower magnet seen in group shot.

And for the rules.

You must be a follower.

You will have to answer

 the following questions.

All answers may be found in past posts.

1. 
   
    Date of my first blog entry.
2. 
   
   How could I leave the ________behind?   In a May post.
3. 
   
   Also, in a May post.  What did I try to take a photo of, to post but, could not get to show up?
4. 
   
   The find that will have something to say.  What did it say? (Found in another post.)
5. 
   
   I have 2 dogs,  one of them I did a post on,  What is his name?

Do not leave the anwers here.

Email the answers to me.

I will pick a winner on Sunday night

July 25th.

Good Luck!

Love to all,

Debbie

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas!

  July 19th,

 is that too early

 to decorate for Christmas?

 Cathy was having a giveaway.

                                                          

      A Christmas in July giveaway.

                                                            

 You guessed it! I won!

This is her Candy Cane Shelf Pillow.

  If you will remember,

 I had a flooded basement

 earlier this year and I lost

 some of my Christmas decorations,

 so this pillow is welcome.

  I have been so lucky!

Cathy has the cutest patterns and kits.

http://cathspennies.blogspot.com/

And best of all she is having a SALE!!

No need to get your red pencil,

 out of the glove box,

to mark down the price,

 before you take it in the house!

I would love to make the

"Oh! Snowy Night"

for a snowman
 lover friend of mine.

And speaking of Giveaways,

 tomorrow I will announce my first

GIVEAWAY!!!!

I have been so blessed by all of you

 it is time for me to give

back to you.

Love to all of you,

Debbie

Favorite Bible Verse

Cindy over at I Owe It All To Him is having a link party. 

 She asked each of us to post our favorite bible verse.

  How do you pick 1 verse?

 

There are many verses that have spoken to me,

 I'm not sure which spoke the loudest or rang the truest. 

 I believe the verse that comes to mind, most often is:

Psalm 19:14

"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.  KJV

How often do I say things or think things,

 that really are not in the best interest of anyone. 

 I can be quick to judge or make a decision,

 to speak out, when I know deep inside that,

 this is wrong. 

 Yes, I need to watch my words and think

 on the good in others. 

That is certainly the way

 I want others to see me.

Love to all,

Debbie

The Blissfull Artist Trading Card (ATC) Swap is Beginning

My friend Wendy and I have started an Artist Trading Card (ATC) Swap Blog.

Blissfull ATC SWAP to be exact.

Please visit us, you may want to get involved.

This Swap Blog came from Wendy posting she

had created some ATC's and wanted to swap

with someone.  I had been interested in making

ATC's, but had never made one.  I left a comment

on her blog post, Yes, I would swap with her

but, it would be the first one I had ever made.

From that one comment left on a blog,

a friendship was made and now a new blog

has been born!

Isn't it amazing, the friendships made with our blog

posts and comments.

If any of you are only reading blogs and not writing,

take a chance a blog is very easy to set up.

But, no one will want to read what I write.

YES THEY WILL!

You are reading this aren't you?   I am a housewife,

with 2 lovely daughters and 2 dogs. What did I have

to say, that any one would want to read?

But since I started writing this blog, I have made friends

in Canada, Germany, England, Australia and who

knows where else. 

From one simple comment.........

I hope you will start writing your own blog today,

I can't wait to read what you have to say!

Love,

Debbie

We Have A Blog For The ATC Swap

Due to so many of you commenting and asking questions, Wendy and I have set up a blog devoted to the Swap!

http://blissfullatcswap.blogspot.com/

Please refer to previous post for more info!
http://mosaicmagpie.blogspot.com/2010/07/my-first-atc-swap.html

My First ATC Swap

Hey! We have had so much interest in the ATC Swap we have set up a blog for all the activity!
Blissfull ATC Swap is where you can leave your comment and we will add you to the list.  The first month's theme is Sisters.  Please, read PS at the bottom of this post if you even think you might be interested.


I have been intrigued by ATC's (Artist Trading Cards) for sometime now.  I had not created any because,  I was so concerned about the details of making one.  Do you ever get like that, so worried about doing something wrong you just don't do anything at all?  I had seen several blog posts about the ATC's and wanted to learn more.
  One day my friend Wendy  from Bliss Angels did a post saying she had 6 ATC's she would like to trade.  I left a comment and told Wendy I had never created an ATC,  but if she was willing to accept my first attempt, I would trade with her.  Wendy graciously agreed.
 My first thought was, now what?   I don't know how to make an ATC!  I did a little online research and found Art In Your Pocket a great site that has all the particulars.  There really are no rules other than size and writing the info on the back.  Scrappers,  painters,  doodlers,  needleworkers,  mixed media and about anyone else can make these.  Make an ATC with your logo, point of view or tell the world what you think, anything goes.  After seeing the examples on Art In Your Pocket, I sat down and got to work.

These ATC's are so much fun to make.  Very little time involved as the size is so small.  There are people that use playing cards as a base for their ATC's.  If you have been told you are not playing with a full deck of cards, this may be the place to use those cards.

Here  is the ATC Wendy created and wanted to swap,

Here is My First ATC, that I traded with Wendy.

The inspiraton for my ATC comes from Susan Lenz.  Her art work is very thought provoking.  Please, visit her blog,  she has just created her own website for museums and galleries to see her work.  She does grave rubbing quilts amoung  other things.  I remember grave rubbings from the 70's, Susan gives them a new twist.

So, the inspiration was there.  I visited a local cemetary,  asked permission to do a couple of rubbings and you see the result above. 

I am now going to swap my next ATC with  Donna from Brynwood Needleworks.  Donna is in league all her own when it comes to needlework.  I will be so excited to see her ATC.  Donna knows this will be my 2nd attempt and that's okay with her.  I love my blogging friends and sisters. 

Please think about creating some of these fun little projects.  Wendy would like to start a swap on a regular basis.  Visit her blog and leave a comment that you will join us.  Maybe some of you Bloggerette Sorority sisters would like to get involved!  This is going to be fun!

Debbie

PS

I have recieved several emails from people that were like me and thought about making an ATC, but just weren't sure about the process.  This was my reply to one of them, maybe it will answer some of your questions as well.  Please, feel free to contact Wendy or myself with any questions you have.

Love,

Debbie

Hey ----,

I was just like you, where do I begin? People usually collect the ATC's and keep them in a book, box or displayed in a frame. They are handled, but not anymore than a greeting card or treasured photo. So, I am thinking White Glue like Elmers or Glue Sticks, double stick tape, rubber cement, I think about anything that holds well. The size is 2 !/2" x 3 1/2", a playing card is that size, so you can use that for a base. Then just add stuff to the top. The first month's Theme is Sisters, so think of something that means Sister to you. Could be a picture of a nun, a poem you have written, a photo of two girls playing or even a picture of your sister. Then doodle on it, or add lace, or rick rack, candy wrappers, anything goes. If, I asked my 2 daughters to make one based on sisters (with the way they fight) we may end up with devil horns or a big X over the face.


I think that was the hardest part, when I started, was thinking what will I put on it?  After I realized it didn't matter, it was whatever I wanted to say, I could then make one. They are so small it really doesn't take much time and you really can't put that much on it anyway. Sign the back of your ATC, date it and title it.  If you would like to include a list of materials used you may.  After you make it pop it in the mail to your swap partner, of the month and wait to see what they send you.  Regular postage will usually cover it. (That is the main reason we are keeping it to the States only for now.)  You will have their email address to converse with them about addresses and any other questions you may have for each other.  ----, I so hope you will join us. If you have any other questions feel free to ask!
Debbie
Here is the link http://blissfullatcswap.blogspot.com/

The Priceless Gift

Today I recieved my package from Marie's Giveaway in the mail. Don't you love to get mail that has postage stamps on it instead of being run through a postage meter.  Marie sent this package from Germany, so  these are stamps we don't see everyday. 

Carefully, I opened the envelope and this is what I saw.

Top left is the sweetest pocket with a wire handle embellished with ribbon and pearls.

A vintage Bingo Card. Skeleton Key, Old photos, A Ledger sheet,

A Feather, old optical lens, microscope slide charm, ribbon ,silk flower,

The other side of the slide pendant,

And this stack of letters written in German and tied with a vintage piece of lace.

I have a German friend and I will have her read the letters to me.

In my thank you to Marie, I told her my father's parents were both from Germany. As I was opening this gift I could feel the presence of my Grandmother with me. It was if she wanted me to see more than what was in front of me.  In the photos I wondered what kind of  life these people had.  In the letters I thought of my Grandmother leaving Germany and writing home to a dear friend she was missing.  My Grandmother has been gone for more than 20 years, but for a while today she was at my side and my heart was filled with her presence and love.  The Grandmother that taught me to knit as I sat facing her, because I am left handed and  could mock the movement of her hands.  Whose knitting needles and knitting patterns (written in her hand) are in my workroom.  She was here and we shared the treasures Marie had so loving sent my way.

Thank you Marie for a gift that was indeed priceless.

Debbie