You Are Not Alone

As 2009 winds down I find myself reflecting over the events of the past year. It has been a year of trials to be sure, but trials with a purpose that have brought about significant changes and set me on a path that will lead me even closer to being the person I know I was created to be. As difficult as the year has been I believe it has been one of the most significant in my life to date and I count the blessings that have come from it as I look back.

Tops on my list is the many friends that I have made and grown closer to. Friends that I see in my daily life and really dear friends that I have met online, some I have met face to face and others I only hope to some day. I have both been encouraged by and had the opportunity to encourage and many days of just hanging out, drinking coffee, virtual or real, and sharing life.

One friend and very talented artist, Sue Simpson, I have known online for some time has been mourning the loss of her mom these past few months. Especially difficult through the holidays, but in spite of her grief she has taken the time to write me words of encouragement that I will forever cherish and I've asked her permission to share this story with you.

"I took a walk on the beach once when I was feeling confused and alone. We live within walking distance to a beach I grew up playing on. It is rock instead of sand. Sand is when the tide is out. As I entered the beach area talking to God about my dilemma, I looked down to find a white rock, all by itself among the gray and black ones. I thought to myself, this is how I am feeling, alone. I looked a few inches further and there was another white rock. This one was a little bit bigger than the first, Jesus said, see here I am, always with you. Then another white rock, this one bigger than the rest. This is your family, our community, those who love you and whom I love. You my friend are never alone. Times will feel lonely, but you are not alone. Times may feel confusing, did I do the right thing? I will be beside you to guide you. Times will feel joyful, I will share in that joy and times may feel like a very doubtful future but I am here with you and will guide you along the way.


I kept those rocks for a long time. I am sure they are here in my studio, somewhere. Although that first rock looked like the only, lonely white rock.....it was within company of others. And most importantly not alone but with Jesus near by."

Sue has had a year of trials herself and these words were not lightly written. She has weathered many losses this year and I admire her for being able to reach out and share these words with me in the midst of her own pain. Be sure to take a peek at her blog and leave her a note and check out her etsy shop, Earthtone Studios, to see her beautiful work.

Inspired by Sue, I've titled this piece "You Are Not Alone". It is the first in a series of encaustic collage works done on salvaged antique board and wood scraps. I'm not quite sure how I want to mount it for display so I will be hanging on to it for a while but be sure to stop by OPF Studio at Etsy for more encaustic works.

Voyage of Discovery

The voyage of discovery lies not in finding new landscapes,
but in having new eyes....Marcel Proust.

On Day 21 of my 31 Days of Art Challenge to myself I've managed to list exactly two-thirds of what I had challenged myself to do, but through the lenses of new eyes today I see this not as a failure but part of many successes I can look back at for the year 2009.

My world, when looked at through these new eyes, becomes a cornucopia of discoveries that have been made about myself this year. Of who I am, where I've come from, and more importantly, where I am going and who I was meant to be.

I'll sit down in a few days and make a list of all these discoveries and I will celebrate the New Year, not with regrets for where I have been or the things I have failed to do, but with gratitude for the voyage that I am on. I will look at the accomplishments and give myself credit for the strength that it took to begin and stay on this journey and I will begin to look at the steps I will take in the future.

I will remember not to get overwhelmed with the big picture, but take each step and appreciate it as it comes.

The wax & wire brooch above, "Voyage of Discovery", was my Secret Santa gift to Jeanette Blix Ryan of Jeannette Blix Metal and Wire Jewelry. The Secret Santa exchange was hosted by Molly Alexander of Beautifully Broken Me. Molly is revealing each of the Secret Santas on her blog so be sure to stop by and see all the wonderful pieces that were made.

My Secret Santa was Jan Thomason of The Polka Dot Barn. Jan is a very talented paper artist, selling her work at two sites online. She was challenged to create outside of her normal media with this swap and she rose to the occasion brilliantly!

First of all I received the package in the mail and right away could tell that there was more then just a piece of jewelry inside. It was all I could do not to rip into all of these pretty little packages as soon as I opened the box, but I managed to contain myself while I looked for my camera and all the while my excitement grew.

I was spoiled with all kinds of great items that I will be able to use in my own work and ideas have been bouncing around my head for many of these items already. But as good as all that was, the real treasure was in the package with the pretty red bow in the center of the box.


Jan was able to translate her artistic style from paper to jewelry with ease, creating this mixed media necklace from many vintage items, including this center pendant she created from copper that has been etched with a hand design and combined with several pieces of vintage jewelry forming a mini wearable art sculpture. I love the center with the rhinestones lined up under a silver rectangle with what looks like shell or glass flakes under resin.

She has also combined many other pieces, each with some personal touch, the stamped scrabble tile dangle, the hand rolled polymer bead with the copper coil dangling off of it. There is even a couple of tiny images on paper dangling with a key. My pictures do not do her work justice, but you can see how much of herself she has put into the necklace and I am very grateful to be the lucky one to receive Jan's work ~ Thanks Jan!

Whistle While You Work

♪♫ Whistle While You Work♫♪

Worked the part-time frame job 2 days in a row and it has been busy as can be with Christmas fast approaching and last minute purchases being made. So many people this time of year lose site of what it is all about. And I know I am no exception. When money is tight, stores are crowded, you can't find what you need...well you know.

I decided today in the midst of all the running around the store and taking care of customers that the best course of action was to whistle. If only I knew how!

And here is the last of the Christmas Swap posts, but by far not the least!

♫♪ On the last Day of Christmas Lorraine George gave to me♪♫

This beautiful snowflake fabric ornament to hang on my tree! Simply cool and wintery in color and composition, Lorraines ornament is so soft to the touch I had to look at it a few times thinking she might have sent an authentic vintage ornament along. The fabrics she chose to use are wonderful and she has layered them one on top of another for a much appreciated homespun tactile touch to my tree! I love the blues and greens of the ribbon dangles that make me think of the snowflake in motion. Well done Lorraine! I love every inch of it!

Day 12 - Over The River and Through The Woods

Life has a way of getting away from us doesn't it? I seem to be in a season where I am just continuously amazed at how fast time slips by. It really started to hit me when my youngest daughter graduated from high school. This year she turned 20.

This month I went back home to see my grandmother who just went to live in a nursing home. I was forewarned that she would most likely not know me. She was so cute when I bent down to hug her and she took my head between her hands smiling with delight. I thought for a moment she was going to say my name but when I asked if she knew me she just shook her head and said "no" still smiling wide.


Somehow that wasn't as hard as walking through her house this weekend after most of the furniture and belongings had already been moved. So many memories, especially this time of year, as all of our Christmas Eves as a child were spent gathering with the cousins at Gramma and Papa's house. Our little box of toys was still sitting in the bottom of the hall closet and I couldn't bear to pull it out and look inside out of fear of not being able to regain my composure.

Funny, I haven't been there in years, letting the length of the trip and the obligations of life get in the way of the important stuff, but walking in the door I felt like it was only a few days that had passed. In the cold winter chill the yard looked barren, but in my mind I could still see the flowers Gramma planted there every year and our lawn chairs all lined up waiting to watch the fireworks on the Fourth of July.

How poignant, this reminder is, to really pay attention to the important stuff during this Christmas season. Its not about the gifts or the decorations or the food. Its about the relationships. Take the time to really notice and connect with the ones you have been blessed with and maybe even reach out to someone who hasn't been as blessed as you. What we share of our hearts lasts much longer then anything we could put under the tree.

And speaking of being blessed.....

♫ ♪ On The 12th Day of Christmas Lou McCulloch gave to me♫ ♪

This little altered baking tin is no longer used for baking sweets but still being used to dish it up! I love the pretty red & green patina Lou has given it. Not sure if she used copper patina or paint or inks? Whatever her technique she has managed to make it look genuine, which is honestly something I am drawn to. That look of one layer of paint peeking out behind another. Layers of color, a collage of patina, rust and paint! And the little tintype that I think must be a replica is just as convincing in looking like the real thing. I am so excited to have this ornament to hang on my tree and around my studio in the years to come. Sweet indeed Lou!

What Day Is It and Who's Counting Anyway?

So I was a day behind in my posts and now 4 days behind. I've just come off of 3 more "body in motion" days. Taking care of all the important stuff, working the new part time job, doctors visits, morning coffee with very dear friends, and yes that was one of the most important.

Some days it is tempting, when the schedule begins to get tight and things like announcing a 31 day blog challenge get behind on only the 10th day into it, to cancel the things that aren't absolutely necessary. But coffee with friends, especially in the midst of the difficult seasons of life, can be the most necessary and vital appointment on the schedule.

Its nice to sit down and share your secrets, hopes, dreams, disappointments with a few very close women who will laugh, cry, encourage and pray with me. A place to regain perspective and set back out with a renewed ability to handle life and remember what the true purpose in it all is anyway.

And speaking of a few good friends ~

♫ ♪ on the 11th Day of Christmas Deryn Mentock gave to me ♫ ♪

Deryn is the ring leader of our annual Christmas swap. I'm really not sure how long I have known her or exactly where we first met online, but I am privileged to know her and have met her in person recently in person. Deryn is a true giver and puts her entire heart into her work. Take a look at the brilliant way that Deryn wrapped her gift. Using a luxurious purpley blue jeweled length of ribbon stitched around to form a little bag and then, just for the sake of torturing those of us that Deryn knew would not behave ourselves and wait until Day 11 to open the gift, she stitched the gift inside!

Ah, clever girl that she is. I really had no intention of peeking. I'm a big girl and I happen to love the anticipation of waiting and wondering what is inside such a pretty package. But the fact that this was the first present to arrive in the mail, and close to two weeks ahead of all of the rest at that, and the fact that it contained something that I knew was hand crafted by the very talented Deryn Mentock was a very powerful allurement!

Well I did manage to wait, but ONLY because of the stitching that held it all in place, and it was well worth it. Deryn has once again outdone herself creating this very tiny reliquary containing a nativity scene made from genuine vintage and antique elements, including antique bible text, postcard, scripture and many vintage elements that invite the viewer to look deeper and more carefully with each tiny detail. Oh my pictures do not do this little shrine justice. You really do need to read Deryns post and visit her etsy shop to fully appreciate how talented she is, but I warn you, you will wind up wanting one of everything for yourself!