at Cath and Jim's - night before we left

Heart fabric

This must have been created just for me!
Ah - the possibilities.
I found it by accident at equilter, one of my favorite places to buy fabric.

Puppy puppy puppy

5 more days till road trip with this precious cargo

I knew her when

This is a story written by one of my former students. She is currently in 2nd grade and well on her way to being a very accomplished story teller. I promise to forward any congratulatory comments to her.
I added the graphic, just for the sake of visualization.

The Opposite Zebra

By Caroline McS.

Hello my name is… Well… You could say… White
stripes… But some people call me… Whitey… Oh and some
people call me… Stripes… Ok ok my real name is Kelly. I
don’t really care what I am called. Did you know I am a
black zebra with white stripes? I know that sounds
impossible but it happened so. You may think I am
popular. But you’re wrong. I am actually made fun of. I
am the opposite of all the normal zebras.
I would like to tell you how my mom died. The story of
how my mom died by Kelly. It was a hot summer day
when smoke filled the air then BAM! Fire shined in my
mom’s eyes and she gathered her children and ran. The
fire traveled quickly behind. At last she made a help
signal. An eagle swooped us up and carried us to fire free
land. My mother’s tail was on fire. She ran to cool it off.
But the fire got bigger. Then it was over she put her head
down and died. The End.
My eyes hurt from crying. I was miserable. I stood up
and wabboled. I didn’t want to move but I knew I had to.
I walked forward and fell face first. I banged my head in
the silky grass. I thought in my head bummer. I got up
and you know what? I fell again but this time I fell
sideways I rolled and ran into a tree. A short furry tree.
I looked up and screeched! I had ran into a lion. But it
was asleep. I ran and ran but I stepped on a twig. The
lion woke up. He stared at me for a long time. I knew he
was trying to figure out if I was grass or an all you can
eat buffet. I also knew if I ran I would give away the
blendness. Then I would be an all you can eat buffet.
Finally the lion walked away. I started running again. I
found a nice cave it looked like no one lived in it. I curled
up in a ball and went to sleep.
I had a horrible dream. I dreamed I was being tossed up
like a pancake and salt was being put on me. I woke up
and that was happening! A bear was tossing me in the
air like a pancake and pouring buckets of stolen salt on
me. I jumped up and ran for my life. I went back into the
woods. I turned right and sat down. It was getting dark.
But before I went to sleep, I wished on the brightest star I
saw. I said “I wish My life was easier”. A little 1 foot
angel zebra came floating up. I rubbed my eyes and
stared again. The angel zebra was still there. She said you
have wished upon the right star. She snapped her fingers
and twirled. Then she vanished. I rubbed my eyes and
curled my legs and closed my eyes. I fell asleep.
In the morning there was a zebra that looked exactly like
me. The angel zebra appeared. She said, “Your wish has
been granted”. The two of us zebras went back to our
herd. We showed up and everybody started laughing. I
felt stronger with a friend. I started to ignore them. It
was working! Everybody started getting bored of
laughing and left. We went to the pond and the hippos
started laughing. I started to ignore them. After a while
they got bored and left. But my fight to be treated like
everyone else was not over. We walked over to the
flamingo’s bay. They pointed their feet and laughed.
These were the last animals I had to go thru. But they
were the hardest. I held my head high and flicked my tail
down. I sat there ignoring them. I sat there until it was
down to two flamingos. One of them left. It was down to
one. I started to lose hope. I put my head down and
started to cry. My friend stood in front of me protecting
me. I felt greatful for her. I stood on my feet. My feet
wabboled but I did not dare fall. I put my head high
again. I straightened my legs and flicked my tail down. I
made my chest look bold. Finally the flamingo nodded her
head and left. I felt good. I finally could live without
being laughed at. I smiled at my new friend and said
thank you. I looked up and smiled. I closed my eyes and
said thank you.
THE END

Cool new discovery

One of my challenges has been to learn Photoshop. Just can't seem to get the hang of it. The abundant tutorials I start never quite seem to address my issues, but here's something totally new - no layers in Adobe Photoshop Express! adobephotoshopexpress
btw - it's free
I already learned how to do one thing - sketch a photo - would be so fun to embroider a 'sketched' photo.
Off to new learning adventures....

Obama buds for this Obamamama

I think I qualify as a techie and here I am doing my little part to help Obama.
You can order buds for your ipod ipodbuds to advertise your favorite candidate, or if you'd like to support Obama I'll share as I had to buy a pack of 10 and I don't even dare to think who Rod might be supporting...
first 9 to contact me - I'll send you a pair.



I discovered this lucky find at coolstuff!.
I also found a great b'day present for Rod there, but I'm not telling what that is. Hold on to your pocketbooks:-) Be sure to check out the architecture and the gadgets.

A submission from Robin

Knowing your love for Hearts, I wanted to share this pic with you! I was making shakers one day last year, looked down on my desk
And found this Magical Heart. It just happened naturally! I had to take a picture!!
Robin

Every girl needs red shoes, especially our new granddaughter!

and look, they even have hearts!

one more heart

now that you're in on one of my obsessions - here's another one:


This is part of the poster created by several artists to advertise an auction for artsurvive a free arts program for kids facing challenges. The portion in the lower left hand corner was done by JaneLaFazio. It sold for $450 and all the money went to Arts-A Reason to Survive.

Mail Art

Another new delight: post card art.
Can I really call mine art - I think so.
Some recents attempts:






Here's a great site if you want to see some really clever mail art:
mailart

heart walk

One of the many things my dear friend Sherry and I have in common is our love of all things hearts. I'm guessing mine started with my cherished time at Immaculate Heart High School way back when. I'm not sure of hers,but we've traded many hearty things over the years.
With my newly acquired talent for discovering meaningful (to me) blogs, many by artists, I found KelliRaeRoberts, also a heart lover. She takes many fun photos of hearts wherever she finds them. She led me to this book: (why didn't I think of that?!) heart stones by josie iselin.
I've since rebegun my hobby of collecting rocks shaped like hearts and am amazed, when taking my daily walk, how many little holes in the concrete are shaped like hearts. Next time you're walking - take a look and see if you don't spy a heart and think of me.

Happy St. Patty's Day

It's very odd to not be in a classroom sharing the legend of Finn McCoul on this day.
This blessing on you all:

May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.
May all life's passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours!

Eye To Eye: Shea Megale (CBS News)

Not as a fear, but as an opportunity

Shea Megale, on the CBS evening news last night, with her CCI pup, Mercer. She's written a book with Mercer as the star.

Observing

Grand Prairie, Texas at first light. Photo by Linda Crawford

This is from my daily post from Daybook, Faithstreams Community Daybook

Paying attention is to be present.

Otherwise, the only thing we're present to is the internal dialogue in our mind, which is usually dragging us somewhere into the past, or somewhere into the future, or laying a grid on top of what's actually happening.

So to really be present in the moment is what paying attention is all about.

I think it's the most important aspect of what we can learn to do with our minds, and how we can learn to be peaceful and joyful and have great relationships.

—Joan Borysenko
New Morning Treasury

Eckhart Tolle could not have said it better himself.

two things I love

Look how these changed with photoshop express




Wow - putting a border around these, an application from Easy Frame, sure makes it look better.



this quote and my sweet peas

An inspiring 10 minutes!

Perfect Wyanne

She was great visiting Jane's kindergarten class today. What fun! The kids were terrific listeners.

this morning's critter

On my shirt this morning. Should I worry? My EnV phone sure does take great pictures though.

26 years later

26 years ago, my talented friend, Sherry embroidered these overalls for Michael. My friend Joanne, a longtime overall wearer ( no one ever looked cuter in them) just had a new baby grandson. I wanted to carry on the tradition. What fun I had doing these. Welcome PCK, Patrick Chad Krenkler.

Eckhart Toole

Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have.


I was extremely grateful to Carol for giving me The Power of Now. I found it to be life-changing.
I'm in the middle of The New Earth, given to me by Rose, which is an extension of The Power of Now, changing our lives collectively. Over 250,000 people have signed up for the Oprah/Tolle webinar beginning tomorrow night.TolleWebinar I hope for more understanding. I hope some of you will join me on this journey.

New Wyanne pics

This is her very relaxed sib Winslow, living in Ohio.


These are from puppy play yesterday.
I love the one where the older lights are checking out the newbie black.

A mystery

Where do you suppose this funny little bee came from?
I found it on my sleeve when I was sitting in the kitchen with Wyanne at 5 this morning.
I know ladybugs are good luck, what about bees?

He got to sweeten my just starting to bloom sweet peas. Can't wait for
Rose to be in a regular room so I can fill it with sweet peas!

The Awakening

these meaningful thoughts come via Robin M. and her mom, Brenda J.
Robin and I had a chance meeting in a fabric store, brought together by Wyanne.
I consider everyone of you who reads this blog a friend and so I hope you will take time to read this to the end.
It's certainly timely as we wait in prayer for Rose to awaken.

THE AWAKENING

A time comes in your life when you finally get it -- when, in the

midst of all your fears and insanity, you stop dead in your tracks and

somewhere the voice inside your head cries out "ENOUGH!"

Enough fighting and crying or struggling to hold on. And,

like a child quieting down after a blind tantrum, your sobs begin to

subside, you shudder once or twice, you blink back your tears and begin

to look at the world through new eyes. This is your awakening.

You realize it's time to stop hoping and waiting for something

to change or for happiness, safety, and security to come

galloping over the next horizon.

You come to terms with the fact that you are neither Prince

Charming nor Cinderella. And that, in the real world, there aren't

always fairy-tale endings (or beginnings, for that matter). And that any

guarantee of "happily ever after" must begin with you -- and in the

process, a sense of serenity is born of acceptance.

You awaken to the fact that you are not perfect and that not

everyone will always love, appreciate, or approve of who or what you

are...and that's OK. They are entitled to their own views and opinions.

And you learn the importance of loving and championing

yourself -- and in the process, a sense of new-found confidence is

born of self-approval. You stop complaining and blaming other people for

the things they did to you (or didn't do for you) and you learn that the

only thing you can really count on is the unexpected.

You learn that people don't always say what they mean or

mean what they say, and that not everyone will always be there for you,

and that it's not always about you.

So you learn to stand on your own and to take care of yourself --

and in the process, a sense of safety and security is born of self-reliance.

You stop judging and pointing fingers and you begin to

accept people as they are and overlook their shortcomings and human

frailties -- and in the process, a sense of peace and contentment is

born of forgiveness.

You realize that much of the way you view yourself and

the world around you is as a result of all the messages and opinions

that have been ingrained into your psyche.

And you begin to sift through all the junk you've been fed about

how you should behave, how you should look, how much you should

weigh, what you should wear, what you should do for a living, how

much money you should make, what you should drive, how and where

you should live, who you should marry, the importance of having and

raising children, and what you owe your parents, family, and friends.

You learn to open up to new worlds and different points of view. And

you begin reassessing and redefining who you are and what you really stand for.

You learn the difference between wanting and needing and you

begin to discard the doctrines and values you've outgrown, or should

never have bought into to begin with -- .and in the process, you

learn to go with your instincts.

You learn that it is truly in giving that we receive. And that there is

power and glory in creating and contributing and you stop maneuvering

through life merely as a "consumer" looking for your next fix.

You learn that principles such as honesty and integrity are

not the outdated ideals of a bygone era but the mortar that holds

together the foundation upon which you must build a life.

You learn that you don't know everything, it's not your job

to save the world and that you can't teach a pig to sing.

You learn to distinguish between guilt and responsibility

and the importance of setting boundaries and learning to say NO.

You learn that the only cross to bear is the one you choose

to carry and that martyrs get burned at the stake.

Then you learn about love. How to love, how much to give in

love, when to stop giving and when to walk away.

You learn to look at relationships as they really are and

not as you would have them be.

You stop trying to control people, situations, and outcomes.

And you learn that alone does not mean lonely.

You also stop working so hard at putting your feelings

aside, smoothing things over and ignoring your needs.

You learn that feelings of entitlement are perfectly OK, and

that it is your right to want things and to ask for the things you want

-- and that sometimes it is necessary to make demands.

You come to the realization that you deserve to be treated with

love, kindness, sensitivity, and respect -- and you won't settle for less.

And you learn that your body really is your temple. And you

begin to care for it and treat it with respect. You begin to eat a

balanced diet, drink more water, and take more time to exercise.

You learn that being tired fuels doubt, fear, and

uncertainty and so you take more time to rest.

And, just as food fuels the body, laughter fuels our soul.

So you take more time to laugh and to play.

You learn that, for the most part, you get in life what you believe

you deserve -- and that much of life truly is a self-fulfilling prophecy.

You learn that anything worth achieving is worth working for

and that wishing for something to happen is different from working

toward making it happen.

More importantly, you learn that in order to achieve success

you need direction, discipline, and perseverance.

You also learn that no one can do it all alone -- and that

it's OK to risk asking for help.

You learn the only thing you must truly fear is the greatest

robber baron of all: FEAR itself.

You learn to step right into and through your fears because

you know that whatever happens you can handle it and to give in to fear

is to give away the right to live life on your own terms. And you learn

to fight for your life and not to squander it living under a cloud of

impending doom.

You learn that life isn't always fair, you don't always get

what you think you deserve, and that bad things sometimes happen to

unsuspecting, good people. On these occasions you learn to not

personalize things. You learn that God isn't punishing you or failing

to answer your prayers. It's just life happening.

And you learn to deal with evil in its most primal state – the ego.

You learn that negative feelings such as anger, envy, and

resentment must be understood and redirected or they will suffocate the

life out of you and poison the universe that surrounds you.

You learn to admit when you are wrong and to build bridges

instead of walls.

You learn to be thankful and to take comfort in many of the

simple things we take for granted, things that millions of people upon

the earth can only dream about: a full refrigerator, clean running

water, a soft warm bed, a long hot shower.

Slowly, you begin to take responsibility for yourself by

yourself and you make yourself a promise to never betray yourself and to

never, ever settle for less than your heart's desire.

And you hang a wind chime outside your window so you can

listen to the wind. And you make it a point to keep smiling, to keep

trusting, and to stay open to every wonderful possibility.

Finally, with courage in your heart and God by your side,

you take a stand, you take a deep breath, and you begin to design as

best you can the life you want to live.

~ Author ~

~ Virginia Marie Swift ~

two great movies!

I'm definitely not up on the latest movies, but I've seen two that made me laugh and cry and that's about all I can ask of a movie.
Oh, and the music is still going around in my head.
Waitress and The Bucket List.
Let me know if you agree.

My sweet husband

Look how cute he looks, singing his heart out, to bring joy on Valentine's day.

It's been a long time

Politics is not in my vocabulary. It's been a long time since I even gave more than a passing glance to who was running, but Obama has touched me, so I've actually donated to his campaign. Who'd have thought???

This prayer takes me back

This prayer takes me back to a time in my life when I actually did have a day for laundry, cleaning, grocery shopping. Ironing and mending didn't take up whole days, but certainly there was a time when women did spend their days doing that instead of driving kids around. I think we should all take a moment to honor those women who went before us.


Monday - Wash Day:
Lord, help me wash away all my selfishness and vanity so I may serve you with perfect humility through the week ahead.

Tuesday - Ironing Day:
Dear Lord, help me iron out all the wrinkles of prejudice I have collected through the years so that I may see the beauty in others.

Wednesday - Mending Day:
God, help me mend my ways so I will not set a bad example for others.

Thursday - Cleaning Day:
Lord, help me to dust out all the many faults I have been hiding in the secret corners of my heart.

Friday - Shopping Day:
O God, give me the grace to shop wisely so I may purchase eternal happiness for myself and all others in need of love.

Saturday - Cooking Day:
Help me, my Lord, to brew a big kettle of neighborly love and serve it with clean, sweet bread of human kindness.

Sunday - The Lord's Day:
O God, I have prepared my house for you. Please come into my heart as my honored guest so I may spend the day and the rest of my life in Your presence.
—Author Unknown
"A Little Prayer for Every Day"
New Morning Treasury
This comes fromfaithstreams
along with this first light photo from St.Kitts. Can't wait to see my own first light in St. Kitts.

The Importance of CREATIVITY

from Artella comes this article:
studies, including one in December 2007, by The University of Texas at Austin, have proven that people who regularly engage in creative acts are healthier and feel better. Why is this so? Here's a report from Artella's Creative Surge General with reminders for all of us!

The Top 5 Ways Creativity Is Good For Your Heart
Creativity is relaxing. When we engage both our mind and body in something that we enjoy, our bodies release powerful hormones that relax us, undoing all kinds of damage caused by stress in day -to-day life.


Creativity is a healthy distraction. There is no better way to forget our troubles, challenges, and pain than to get involved in meaningful creative projects. A creative project is a great way to focus on what IS working in your life, rather than what isn't.


Creativity gets our heart pumping. From the adrenaline that gets going when we're happily engaged, to the often quite physical nature of art, creativity gets our insides moving and shaking. Painting, sculpting, writing (especially via longhand), and running around town looking for "art junk" at flea markets is GREAT exercise. :-)


Creativity gives our self-esteem a boost. Endless studies have been done on the effects of positive self esteem on general health. When we create something that we're proud of, we get a huge psychological boost that has endless rewards. Think of the small child who shows off a drawing and says "Look what I did!" We all need a healthy dose of that kind of pride!


Creativity offers great opportunities for connection with others. You share your art or writing with someone else and it sparks a meaningful conversation . . . you post your work in an online contest and others comment on it . . . you collaborate on a creative project to create something from two heads instead of one . . . you donate your work for a charitable cause that makes a difference to others. These are just a few examples of many the kinds of connections that creativity can provide. They all remind us that we are not alone on this planet, or in our pursuits of creativity. Connection with others makes us healthier and happier, and truly part of the fabric of the world.

thinking Embroidery

Jane,
Thank you for bringing me back to embroidery. Have many samples around my house from years and years ago, but would never have gotten back to it if it weren't for your art quilt class.
This is from aimeeray.
She has many more pieces on her site.