Allies' Fairyland

Having seen so many beautiful pieces of art that are collages, I decided to sort of give it the old "collage" try....tee hee..get it? collage? college? Yes, I know, get on with it. I am hooked. This collage was sooo much fun! I want to start another one right away! However, decided I would think on it for a while. In Allies' Fairyland she stands in her own magical world, with her wings on her back. They bring her to magical places. The words placed on the frame in the middle say always remember to...and lining her wings...dream, imagine, love, hope, dance....Some "things" that we did as children, we just need to be reminded to keep all those "things" with us once we grow up. The neckline of her dress is lined with a praline colored pieced of lace. A little bluebird flies to new heights as he passes the ferris wheel. Here's hoping that you are remembering to love, imagine, dream and dance....sometime today.

Holding On

Holding on....sometimes to my sanity. That is how it seemed at work today. The ongoing theme inside my head was breathe in, breathe out. If you just stop and concentrate on that for just a moment it really does help. It was not a bad day at work, I could have turned it into one if I had a different attitude. But I chose not to. Yes, I do think we have that much control over ourselves, over our reactions and how we see things. I never used to be able to have that control, my stomach would get all tied up in knots. Sort of got tired of being that way. That feeling will creep up on me every now and then..and I really don't like it! This too shall pass. A thought that can make you stop and look at a situation differently. This too shall pass, this day, this moment, this year or situation. The thing is, do you want it to pass quickly, or is it one of those moments in time when you need to open you eyes and just enjoy the moment..before it does pass.

It was almost like a dream

It was almost like a dream as I jogged up the hill that led to my driveway. How lucky for me that my return home always takes me past such peace and beauty. I truly feel blessed by it and appreciate it every day. Though soon I will be cursing also, as I attempt to drive up our little piece of heaven. Every winter I resolve to put our house up for sale in the spring. Our driveway is very steep and curvy. When we bought our house four years ago we asked the previous owners if they had problems with the driveway in the winter. Oh no, never, just keep it salted. Right! Well, we know keep the "salt" mines in business...we probably help pay for their yearly bonus also. Our friends in the neighborhood have since told us, many a mornings they would drive by and see the previous owners cars parked at the bottom of the driveway after a snowy night. Thus my reason for purchasing a gas guzzling Nissan Xtera last year. No more trudging up the driveway in two feet of snow with my car stuck at the bottom. So much for going green.

Fading

Fall is fading fast...much to my chagrin. It is probably my favorite season, easy to say now being as it is absolutely stunning here. Though each day the bright fall colors are fading and aging. Looking at this during my run this morning..which by the way, ended up being in the pouring down, cold rain, I try to find the beauty in the passing of fall. Has not happened yet for me. Though there is a certain calm to the air that I just don't think I can describe. There are no bright colors or warm sun to expect...just the coolness of the upcoming winter. I say fall is my favorite season..but once my eyes lay upon a sparkly snowfall my appreciation will shift, I am sure. If only for as long as the sparkliness lasts! Fickle me.

After Flight Pendant

I recently started making jewelry out of little prints of my art and photographs. It really is a lot of fun! This bluebird pendant was posted in my etsy shop today. It is made from a print that I had created a limited edition aceo out of. The aceo sold out for the edition! First and only sold out limited edition ever! Well, not ever ever..for me ever. That was quite a while ago this year. Until now the little jpeg has been snoozing on my laptop. Though it is time for little birds to fly south, I awoke these and brought them out of hibernation. I think they are pretty pleased to be up and about again.

And as a little post note..all so distressing readers are cordially invited to my Halloween blog party on http://shabbyaccumulations.blogspot.com/

Strings

She was late for the dance because she was held up by strings....aren't we all sometimes? This little picture of a poor delayed young girl, was created for Illustration Friday.

The Business End of Things..I have been tagged!

tj I have been tagged by my friend Cozy Loft..thanks Cozy!
http://thecozyloft.wordpress.com/.

Ok here goes…

1. Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog - some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blog.
4. Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Here are my 7 random facts:

1. I love buttercream frosting and would consider buying a cake just to eat all the frosting.

2. I am pro-life...

3. I was raised in the Mormon church, however no longer attend.

4. I love the way libraries smell, and also the quietness, and would love to work at one.

5. Have been to the blue grotto in Greece..to this day, the color of the water there is my favorite shade of blue.

6. Joined track for one day in high school. I couldn't breathe when I ran on the practice run, which went right by my house...so I just stopped running and walked home. (Irony...I LOVE to run now...just an added bonus when I get out of breathe on a run!)

7. My second son was born on my 21st birthday.....his dad was also born on his moms' birthday..weird.

Here are my next victims!
1. Kims Art by the Sea http://kimsartbythesea.blogspot.com/

2. Celebrate http://celebratelifecards.blogspot.com/

3.Blaze Danielle http://blazedanielle.wordpress.com/

4. Little Sun http://littlesunii.blogspot.com/

5. Thorngren http://thorngren.blogspot.com/

6. White Iris Designs http://whiteirisdesigns.blogspot.com/

7. SewNanaWher AreYou http://sewnanawhereareyou.blogspot.com/

Colors

Soon we will be seeing this again!

I prefer the trees to look like this though!

Fall is here in upstate NY, and how can you not be totally enthralled by it? It is my favorite time of year, though very fleeting, which dissappoints me! It is especially my favorite time of year to go running. Yesterdays run was so peaceful and beautiful..and contemplative. As I often do when I go out, I thought of things I was thankful for. The obvious..the blue sky, the orange leaves, the fresh crisp air. The not so obvious..having a son who comes to me when he has problems, and can realize when he actually is having problems, and how he continues to amaze me. The fact that I have a steady job, thankful for my sisters' health, regardless of the fact that she doesn't speak to anyone in our family, I am very thankful that she still lives and breathes each day, as we are lucky to have her here. She had a very rare form of cancer in her early twenties, with a poor prognosis. She had one recurrence...but she is here today, fourteen years later. There is something to be said about a spunky spirit!

Garbage Day

So then, I started thinking about my job. I am a nursing supervisor at a hospital, and have been for over a year now. Something always seems to be missing. But that is the price I pay for being in my position. What is missing is the patients, teaching them, feeling like I am helping them. I realize how much they gave to me and how much I needed them. Funny thing I guess. So that is what "ran" through my head yesterday for six miles. A little time to clear some cobwebs.

I could use a few opinions....

A few recent creations!

I think I am finally going to do it! I am going submit a piece of art to be in a juried artshow. There is not much time to do this though..the deadline for receipt of the work is October 17. I am a little nervous about it too, as you have to be accepted. For any of my friendly readers out there, I would love if you shared your opinion about a piece or two of mine to submit. There are links on this blog to my flickr page and my etsy page. A majority of my most recent paintings and photography can be seen on those pages. I have a few ideas of my own, but would value some feedback. So please....share a thought on this with me! Fast!