Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Something Snappy

Something Snappy


I am SOOO happy!!! I just found out I won the Manor Hall Soap Gift Bag in the Something Snappy Birthday Bash!!! What a wonderful way to brighten up the day!!!

Friday, December 12, 2008

Something Snappy Birthday Bash Giveways!

From December 7th through 21st Dianne, formerly a chef and currently a freelance photographer, is having a GIVEAWAY EVERY DAY!! Great Blog! Click the link below to enter her daily giveaway and learn about her!

http://somethingsnappee.blogspot.com/2008/12/birthday-bash-day-1-flip-video.html

Creativity..

This is a copy of an email I sent an Etsy jewelry artist I REALLY liked! She has great designs! Simple and STUNNING! I am posting the email as well as a link to her store on etsy. I am always amazed at what kinds of insights I can have when I am writing. This one really just started out as a quick "love your stuff" and turned into a long missive....

Kaskaad's etsy shop: Kaskaad: Beautiful Beads, Simple Designs.
Link: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5035970

The email I sent her:

I have to tell you I am absolutely enthralled by your beautiful creations! I love your use of crystal and other components. They complement each other to make a beautiful and unique statement! I am sure you are very successful in selling your wonderful jewelry. I cannot imagine anyone not liking it!! Your work is a wonderful inspiration to me. When I am in a more stable financial position I will be adding some of your wares to my jewelry collection!

Some people do not understand why one jewelry maker would want to purchase a piece of jewelry from another artist, when they could perhaps make something themselves. I think it is of the utmost value to support one another, and applaud one another.

At this time I am not selling anything as I try to put some kind of organization (organized mess) and order to my sometimes chaotic and cluttered home and life. I find it interesting that the state of my home often reflects the state of my mind. I am going through a divorce, and am finally at the point where I am trying to re-form the house into something I want to live in, with my eldely roommate and my 9 year old daughter. Something that will inspire all of our creativity and bring us joy.

In my marraige of 22 years my art was not appreciated or even allowed at some points. This was going on for at least the last 9 to 10 years of the marraige, which I did not see at the time. It has taken the past 2 years of having him out of the house for me to even begin to unlock my creativity again. As I rediscover my creative side and add more joy to my life, I look forward to creating beautiful things and having them bless other people as well as myself, as I am sure your pieces do.

Thank you for listening (reading?) I really do absolutely LOVE your creations! I wish you the best of success. Thank you for the joy and inspiration your work has given me. One day I will own some of it so it can inspire me in person! Keep on creating! Fran

The Giveaway: Sarahs Sky Etsy Giveaway

The Giveaway: Sarahs Sky Etsy Giveaway

The Giveaway is a blog that lists contests and giveaways from Etsy and Mommy. The Sarahs Sky Giveaway is for a stunning stained glass necklace. The designer combines simple glass forms with intricate metal and findings to create a simply stunning combination! By commenting on this blog you will be entered into a giveaway for one of her dazzling necklaces! Click the link above for entry page. Good Luck!

Transformational Self Portrait Art Therapy | Transformation of Self

Transformational Self Portrait Art Therapy | Transformation of Self

I LIKE this idea. Using art, specifically a form of self portrait, to help us get through a change, to help us change in a positive manner.

Here are the first 2 paragraphs from the link, to get you started.

"This activity is based on the idea of transformational therapy and art therapy for life changes. People tend to go through many changes and transformations in life. These changes can really run the gamut, but it’s important to reflect on our experiences and how they affect one’s self…whether it be our self-esteem or self-image, our self-confidence or self-doubt, our mental and emotional health, etc."

"Think of an experience or event from your past that still has a negative impact on your life today. It could be something big or small, recent or long ago. Think about what happened, how the event(s) played out, and how it affects you today. Feel free to write your thoughts down if you want. Now think about what you would like to change about yourself as a result of that negative experience. It could be a transformation related to your self-esteem, self-confidence, mental/emotional state, etc."

Check out the web site. I will post my journey here, when I get started and as I go along... Fran

Art Therapy | Expressive Arts Therapy

Art Therapy | Expressive Arts Therapy

A website devoted to Art Therapy. Instructions, ideas, how and why it works, quotes, videos and more. I have always believed Art was important to healing, yet I guess I didn't believe it enough to pursue that aspect actively, which I now plan on doing.

If you are at all curious about Art Therapy, this is a good place to get started, or just find out about it.

journals � curiously crafty.

journals � curiously crafty.

Very cool pictures and descriptions for making books and journals. It's actually the best and simplest tutorial I have seen for making hand bound books!

Art Junk Girl~: Collage, Interrupted.

Art Junk Girl~: Collage, Interrupted.

I LOVE this lady's blog! She works like I do, and gives me the inspiration and helps me to accept, that it's ok to just create for the sake of creating, being more concerned with the process than the final product. Art Journaling.... Art Therapy.... Not everything has to be "for sale" or even for anyone elses eyes!

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Impossible Tex-Mex Pie Recipes - Impossible Main Dish Bisquick Pies Recipes

Impossible Tex-Mex Pie Recipes - Impossible Main Dish Bisquick Pies Recipes

This is another Impossible Pie I would like to try...

Impossible Cheeseburger Pie Recipes - Impossible Main Dish Pies Entrees Baking Mix Pies Recipes

Impossible Cheeseburger Pie Recipes - Impossible Main Dish Pies Entrees Baking Mix Pies Recipes

I made an impossible pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving today, which turned out really well. This impossible cheeseburger pie looks REALLY good too. I don't really even have very many leftovers, so I won't have to look for recipes for that. One day of sandwhiches is about all that is left...

It was a good Thanksgiving, the best one I've had since before my dad got sick. My 18 year old son came over, and my roommate's grandchildren, along with my daughter, of course. My ex even had a plate of food when he came to pick her up for his visit. It was a good day.


Thank you Lord...

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Comfort Doll Project

Comfort Doll Project
Click on the link above to be brought to a project that collects handmade dolls, less than 6" long, to be sent to women's shelters. The founder had never heard of any similar project for battered women's shelters, and there has been a good response. A small piece of beauty and comfort for a woman who has more than likely lost much, if not everything.

Artists In Canada Visual Artist Directory - Canadian Artists Tutorials for Artists

Artists In Canada Visual Artist Directory - Canadian Artists Tutorials for Artists

Lots of great tutorials from Canadian Artists!!

Rolling Dog Ranch Animal Sanctuary

Rolling Dog Ranch Animal Sanctuary

I just found this site on someone else's blog. They take care of disabled animals on a large Montana ranch. I was just talking to a very close friend of mine about animals today. She was explaining about being very black and white about how animals in general and pets in particular should be treated. I am glad there are people like my friend, and the people who run this and other animal sanctuaries, who are black and white, and outspoken about how animals should be treated....animals can't speak for themselves, and sometimes it's easier to forget about them amid all the other problems we have.

I especially like her reply when someone at work told her "there had to be a line somewhere" when referring to the amount of money one would spend on a pet .... "Why?"

Fran's Life Goes On...the rename

I decided to rename my blog. I don't know who I am blogging to...it doesn't really matter. I want to be known for what I create in life, and my divorce is only a very small part of that. My divorce will end, since it cannot live past my own life. There are more important things in my life, like my children, who will live on past my divorce, and hopefully both live long and productive lives. If they both live to be 100, they will have to outlive me....I doubt I will make it to 135, which is how old I would have to live to outlive them both living to be 100!

So, my life DOES go on....in spite of my own dire predictions that it would not go on if my marraige ended. The only thing my marraige is still alive in is legality. He hasn't lived here for 2-1/2 years, and is not contributing financially to our well being. I am happier than I had been with him for many years. I can only expect my happiness to increase as time goes on.

Time really does heal. I experienced many losses in a short period of time, and I hurt so bad I couldn't imagine healing, and yet I am healing. The main thing I can say about that is healing takes time, and time takes time. It just can't be rushed, or ignored. When I tried to do either of those things in the past, it only postponed the time needed, it didn't shorten it. Like not letting a wound heal properly, the partially knitted skin will rip open easily, then taking even longer to heal, potentially leaving a bigger scar. Or maybe you only let the surface heal and an abscess develops beneath. Perhaps that is what has happened to people who seem very bitter.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Update.....

As I said earlier, the endless divorce is still endless, and I am still not divorced. My lawyer bill is growing, my son is now 18, but he does want a mother now, so that is an improvement. My daughter is 9 and is a constant joy.

My soon to be ex is doing much better than he was. He is in treatment for his addictions, which makes him much easier to get along with. It's funny that we are getting along better now than we have in years.

His off again on again girlfriend is on again. She seems to show back up everytime Jim and I are getting along, like she is afraid we might get back together again or something. Not really sure what to think about her. She's nice enough, and no longer tears my soul apart, since I really have no desire left to remain married to Jim, no matter how well we get along.

I can't help wondering what would have happened if he had went into treatment 2 years ago, instead of moving in with an AA buddy and taking up with that buddy's neice. We had a good marraige once, but then some people tell me what I thought was good wasn't even that good.

I have to trust God and the Spirit to guide me. I know they are in charge and have a plan, even if I don't always understand it. I never thought I could survive alone, and I have and am. I am stronger and happier now than I have been in a very long time. There is hope.

xo


xo, originally uploaded by jdyf333.

This is cool...we should never forget it, even when it doesn't always go right...


My endless divorce is still endless..... I keep thinking I see and end in sight, and then it gets put off more. I think Jim is finally seeing that it needs to happen. He says he is getting the paperwork together he needs.... I hope he really is... I am soooo very tired of it.

Moment


Moment, originally uploaded by rosethistleartworks.

This artist has wonderful talent and is inspiring to the world. How can anyone feel depressed when looking at such beautiful art?

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

The Dilemma of Obedience, VerseVisions Art; 1 Samuel 3:15

This beautiful piece of art reminds me that God is in charge of everything, including my "endless divorce", which will end, in His time.