~ Happy Mother's Day ~

Happy Mother's Day!

I have a smile on my face as I reflect on the sweet, sweet

memories of times shared with Mom, Dad and my siblings in days of old.

I am grateful for times shared with my own family

(thank you for the roses and wonderful home cooked meal today!)

as well as those shared with my father and siblings as we visit Mom

and reminisce and share good times.

My mother is one of a kind.

A superior cook.

A kind and compassionate woman.

A wonderful singer ~ such an angelic voice.

An excellent caretaker.

Housekeeper extraordinaire.

Loyal, loving, doting and devoted wife.

Best mom in every aspect.

A true friend.

Alzheimer's has taken its toll on Mom.

But her sweet, genteel spirit is still present.

I so miss being able to share a laugh

or tender moment with her as we used to on a daily basis.

Now, as we visit, those laughs are few and far between.

But when they do occur, they are so very special.

Have a beautiful week and share a smile or two!

~ Petticoats on the Prairie ~

Petticoats on the Prairie was such a great show!

The Rodeo Queens rustled up some

great vendors for the event. 

.

"Under the Big Top"

was the theme, and

I jumped at the opportunity to

create a zany hat

for the top hat contest.

It was great to reconnect with old friends and finally

meet friends from blogland ~

Karla, Beth, Deb and Cat Daddy, Troy,

to name a few.

So glad y'all made the trip!

Karla and Beth

taught classes at the mixed media art retreat,

Paper Cowgirl,

which took place the same weekend

in Waxahachie, Texas.

Friday night was preview night.

Ladies from Paper Cowgirl,

showed up to gather

earlybird treasures.

The show continued all day Saturday.

Waxahachie's

historic Chautauqua auditorium

provided the finest venue.

It was great to "get back out there" and

share a fun weekend with my eldest daughter,

friends old and new,

~ and cheerful crowds ~

out and about for a

fun-filled shopping adventure!

~ Realllly Big Show! ~

Gearing up for a really big vintage and crafts show and sale in Waxahachie, Texas.

 A little less than two years ago I closed two antiques business to help care for Mom.

  Her Alzheimer's disease has progressed to the point of private caretaking in a facility equipped to fully handle her care.  I've been slowly creating, crafting and regaining my mojo.  What better opportunity than this to jump right in!

Cindy Mayfield, Paper Cowgirl Queen, is heading up a

mixed media artist extravaganza of classes and fun

and has coordinated with the Rodeo Queens to present

this vintage and juried crafters show.

You can sign up for gorgeous classes at the Paper Cowgirl website. 

Check it out!

Ya don't want to miss it! 

I'll be posting photos soon of a sampling of my

creations and vintage wares, and I am going to be in

good company of other creative vendors! 

 It will be a beautiful and grand time!

~ Back in the Saddle Again ~

Save these dates in March!

I am so excited to be a part of the Cowgirls and Petticoats roundup

March 14-17!

I will be a vendor at the

PETTICOATS ON THE PRAIRIE

SHOPPING EXTRAVAGANZA

on

Saturday, March 17,

in

WAXAHACHIE, TEXAS,

at the historic circa 1902 octagonal

Chautauqua building.

The shopping extravaganza is a part of the

whole

PAPER COWGIRL

experience.

Paper Cowgirl is a creative mixed media art event, with

a variety of classes being taught during that March weekend.

Check out the website and sign up for a class or two

and then saddle up for a grand shopping experience!

I will post more details as they become available.

This event is sure to be a great one!

See you there!

~ Merry Christmas! ~

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

~ Happy Thanksgiving! ~

Wishing a happy Thanksgiving to all!

~ Summertime ~

This summer has been extraordinarily hot and oppressive.

Much time spent indoors, practicing digital artistry.

There have been many distractions.

Take this pup, for instance.

Really, very sweet.

Always happy.

And smiling.  Such a great buddy.

Special thanks to Auntie Christina for the beautiful

photos of our Penny!  ;-).

Oddly enough, even with the scorching heat,

beauty prevails.  These photos were taken a couple

of weeks ago.  The temps were in excess

of 100 degrees,  yet crepe myrtles,

periwinkles, and even wisteria vine

 presented with abundant blooms.

With Mom's continuing downward spiral with

Alzheimer's, it is at times difficult to focus on the beauty

that each day has to offer.

These unseasonable blooms...

rich, momentous views of thriving beauty,

quietly provide pleasantry.

A reminder to look above, see the beauty,

and appreciate perseverance in

even the most daunting circumstances.

With every visit with Mom,

her beauty shines forth,

and her fleeting smiles

feed the soul.

May you find peace in the beauty that is to behold.

~ Zippity Do Da! ~

 Whatcha been doin'?

Much of this and more of that?

Summer is in full swing.

And super hot!

Makes ya just wanna dance.

...only in the shade.

Y'all dancin' around much lately?

I so enjoy dancing about learning

new PhotoShop steps.

Been involved in extracurricular

activities which have precluded

blogging and art projects in

practically any form.

Checking in, though, to

share a little

dance step or two

with each of you.

Put a little jazz in your step!

~ Happy Mother's Day! ~

Happy Mother's Day!

And have a beautiful week.

I love you, Mom!

~ KEEP THE GRAY? ~

It's raining again.  And that's okay.

We need it.

We are thankful for it.

But the days needn't be all gray.

Infuse color into your days.

Literally.

And figuratively.

It isn't always black and white.

Sometimes...

you have to add color.

A lot.

Or a little.

And some sunshine and ice cream too.

Have a beautiful week!

~ Roses Redux ~

Just happened to find time for

Photoshop play this week.

Subject - roses and iris -

from MIL's garden.

This collage culminated from the original image,

as seen below, and adding various

layers and opacities of other images.

Soft, foggy, scripted overlay.

Addition of cooling turquoise filter, affecting

both image color and background.

Bump up the intensity of the filter

ups the hue and saturation.

A background for other collages

created with overlays and

an uncharted pressing of keys

until I "happened upon" this final product.

These roses and irises have such a divine aroma,

and their beauty is unsurpassed.

Thank you for sharing this journey

in digital design.

Trial and error is the method of learning

that has proven most effective.  Though time

consuming, it is by doing

that learning takes place.

Classes?  Perhaps so

There is so much to learn.

~ Aubergine Dreams ~

Photoshop painting...

Layer upon layer...

Frolicking fish...

Filigree frames.

Chasing bees in the house,

 boat ride on the lake with fishing Mr.,

visits with Mom, lunch with Dad,

band concert.

Variety.

~Fifi and Fiona~

Anne Lorys,

at Fiona and Twig,

 has a lovely peek of the latest issue of

 "Romantic County" magazine

and her photographic contribution therein.

Plus, a fabo giveaway!

Click the image above to

join the giveaway contest for

your chance to win

a copy of "Romantic Prairie Style",

autographed by Fifi O'Neill,

in addition to the latest issue of

 "Romantic Country" magazine.

Kudos to both ladies

for such beautiful work!

HaPpY SpRiNG!

It's been a while since posting.  Still trying to find the "ZaNy"

day by day.  For Mom's best interest and in order to

meet her every need, we have moved her to a

private care facility, with loving, attentive caregivers

and lovely gardens and a miniature pony.

I have had a hard time adjusting to the transition of

the mother/daughter dynamics as affected by this change.

She is still the most wonderful lady in the world without a doubt.

We still love, laugh and share sweet and zany moments.

Just on a smaller scale.  And different.

Though our love grows stronger every day.

The image above is my first attempt to delve

back into art with the usual sunny disposition,

 which has been absent here and there.

Images from Itkupilli are fabulous!

I have begun to dabble in PhotoShop a tad.

Self instruction is slow, but doable.

Testy, but fun!

Trying digital collage will be just the activity to

get back into the swing of things.

With the added bonus of no glue goo!

Have a beautiful week!

~ FLy mE To ThE MoOn ~

Fly me to the Moon.

And let me create to my content.

Let me wear a hat.

Or maybe something else like that...

Using collage sheets from

Inka, at Altered Artifacts,

I was challenged to create

with a steampunk style.

It was fun to find an artsy moment.

My caretaking responsibilities have grown

as my mother moves further into

late stage Alzheimer's.

The profound sadness of slowly losing our

angelic matriarch is overwhelming,

and yet we continue to

share blissful moments

of sweetness mixed with many

happy memories of times past.

I have struggled with reawakening my

creative muse as well as whether or not

to reopen my Etsy shoppe.

I have decided to give both a slow go

as I continue to primarily

 focus on my own family

and my parents' needs.

I am working in bits of creative time

and still enjoy reading your blogs as

well as exploring new artistic avenues.

Pat Winters has published a

new magazine,

"Crazy Quilt Gatherings",

which is gorgeous and filled

with beautiful handiwork,

tutorials, shopping opportunities,

free images and much more!

A fabulous read indeed!

You can preview and order it here.

Check it out and refresh your creative muse!

Have a great week!