Mixed Media....

Mixed Media Art - Lona Gallery

The Pioneer Woman and My Husband.....

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 Reid is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud, never haughty or selfish or rude. Reid does not demand his own way. He is not irritable or touchy. He does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice when others do it wrong. He is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out.  He loves me, he will be loyal to me no matter what the cost. I will always believe in him, always expect the best of him, and always stand my ground in defending him.

Girls, it as simple as this..... 

Take 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 and replace the man you love in certain places. If he fits, then there is a better chance that he is the man God has waiting for you.

From the first time I met Reid on a blind date, I knew that he was the man for me. I actually called my mother and told her that I just went to lunch with the man I was going to marry.

We never knew that my life after the age of 30 would be covered in bad health. We never knew that my bad health would be our walk with the Lord to teach us and others about LOVE! 

Reid has given me story after story of strength, forgiveness, 

romance, passion and love.....

But this one has to be one of the best.......

Each year as soon as the tickets go on sale, Reid purchases our Country Living Fair tickets to Stone Mountain..... Not only that, he always purchases the "early bird" tickets to give me an advantage of seeing everything without the crowds. This is the one time of the year that I am encouraged and inspired by so many artist at one time. It's like a "work function" for me! Reid goes with me knowing that he will be the one waiting in lines, running my errands, my "gofer"........

This year with his new job that has been going incredibly well (It really was a "God Thing"), we decided that Sister would take me...... I appreciated her taking me so much, but it felt "weird" asking her to do some of the things that I would ask Reid to do.  

One of the guest this year was "The Pioneer Woman". I love this lady, her love for her husband and family; and her willingness to make us better cooks! I took my book, hoping for an autograph... The line was too long and I knew that I did not have the strength to stand in it. 

So, home I went without my book being signed.

Returning home, I found Reid with a heart that was sad because he didn't go with me, then he found out my book did not get signed. He really felt bad and it took me the longest time to convince him that it was alright, but next year we will remember the importance of us doing this together.

Weeks and weeks later....... I opened the front door to find a package on the door steps from The Pioneer Woman. It was her new book "DinnerTime"! I immediately called Reid to thank him and he said, "I didn't do it, it must have been Sonya (Sister)". He ask if it had been signed and I said, "I don't think so". That did it, I knew he had done this. So, I looked harder for her autograph..... There it was for me!!!!

I was so excited and then he told me his story.

He felt so bad about me not getting my book signed that he contacted Ree Drummond herself.  He told her the story of us attending the Country Living Fair each year together, my health problems, him being my "gofer" and that this year he didn't get to go with me and he felt bad that my book did not get signed. 

This lady is even

more incredible than I realized...... 

She told Reid that she would send him another book that was autographed..... He offered to pay for it, but she said that your wife has already paid for one so have this one as a gift! WOW!!!!

All of this is just an awesome story of the love and goodness of God and his people! Yes, I knew that Reid was the one that God had on hold for me.  But, I never knew that Reid (my husband) would be the man that he is today!

Life is Good!!!!

I joined the Brave Girls Club http://bravegirlsclub.com/  to help feed my need of being inspired. 

I was inspired by the "Truth Cards" class as I thought of so many fighting Chronic Illness and how these inspiring words may help them in their daily battle. One is now in the process of being packed up and sent out to a beautiful young lady fighting cancer.

 It's not much, but as I have to come to realize fighting my own illness, a mailbox can be your greatest adventure and friend when you are sick. I hope she will be encouraged in just knowing that she has people praying and loving her!

In the studio....

Some of my latest works..... 

Photography by Brooklyn Claudia McDaniel!

You can find her here.....

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Brooklyn-Claudia-Photography/193734098794?pnref=lhc

Fairy Gardens at The Cotton Depot

Blessed with beautiful weather over the weekend to create three more Fairy Gardens for The Cotton Depot! These are the perfect small gardens to help a child's imagination grow.

Think of all the different miniatures you could use in your dish!

 

 Sit a while and smell the flowers!

 

Cheese Graters!

I can't tell you how many times I have sliced my knuckles with a cheese grater and boy, does it hurt afterwards. I have always tried my best to avoid them, but here lately they have captured my heart in a totally different way. Now, Don't get me wrong..... I WILL NOT be grating cheese or anything else with these. I will be Re Purposing them for my pleasure this time. I have found that there is something about a soft candlelight piercing through all the little holes that is so very romantic and soothing.  It is almost like a thousand little stars shining out for me. Can you imagine using multiple graters on tables at a wedding? Beautiful!!!!
I also love using the grater to hold my flowers and then using the handle for a tea towel holder. Just enchanting in the kitchen! Graters can have so many ways to play with them in decorating your home, especially that laid back romantic porch.
Old cheese graters can be found easily at antique stores, goodwill or thrift stores! Go out and buy at least three for a special summer table setting!!!!

Over my blog vacation and a new decorated room....

Yes, I am back!

It feels like forever since I made my last post and I have so much to tell you!

Today's post will be about decorating a new bedroom in my home!

When we built our home, we had a small room in the front (probably most would use for an office) that I felt would have more potential if I put a door in the room entering our master bath. When you look through this door and my master bath/master bedroom door you can see straight through. We have been here seven years and the room has served as everything with the exception of a bedroom. To tell the truth over the last year I have hit the age where sometimes I need to allow my husband a good night's sleep and sleep in another room. This room does it. I can see him.... He can't hear me!

When I decided to decorate this room, I wanted something different from the rest of my house.... Something that showed my love for all things old. Most of the accessories for the room I already owned. The entertainment center came from our beach house and needed a good coat of latte paint. The room is filled with touches of blue glass (which I dearly adore)! The bed coverings are just a mixture of quilts and covers I have used in the past. I did purchase the mantle ($35.00) for my headboard and the lamp on the side table from Hobby Lobby (using 50% off). The shade on the little lamp on the metal table was made using burlap and trim!!! I also made a couple of new art pieces to display in the room! I still want to add a few things to the room.... It will happen when I find the special touches it needs.

So... What is your favorite thing in my new room???

Friendship and the Collage.....

I am a truly blessed woman!

When you look up in a dictionary to see what the definition of a girlfriend is you will find that it usually deals with love between a boy and a girl. So disappointing for one who loves to use quotes and definitions in her work..... I have been married to the same man for almost 29 years and I claim his as my best friend! But there is something about girlfriends.... the bond, the history that seems to be a "happy place" that I enjoy going to. How is it that friends can get together after years and that bond is still there or even stronger because we have been thinking and praying for them over that time?

Friendships for me started in first grade.... Yes, I said first grade! I seem to only have good memories of "the girls", I am sure I experienced bad... but the memory of these times is just not there! Memories of parties, teachers, boys, the ball park, the All Star, Ken's Pizza, driving down Memorial Drive, Winn Dixie parking lot and my favorite~ Playing Girls Basketball!!! Over the last couple of years the "ladies" of South Gwinnett High School Class of 1978 have been getting together every month. We average about 15 at each luncheon, trying to spread the luncheons out between locations and time so all can attend. I am amazed at how this group of girls adds so much to my life! We talk about the present, but so many conversations lead back to the past. Teachers we admired, trouble we got into (including spankings) and wondering about those we no longer have contact with or that have passed on.

I have a group of about 17 girls that I actually attended 1st - 12th grade with. Now that is a true band of girlfriends.... We still know so much about each other, many of our children attending the same school and knowing each other.

When I started working on this piece, of course I had to find the perfect quote.

I loved the quote ~

A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.

But the I found this one....

Like branches of a tree we grow in different directions, yet our toots remain as one. Each of our lives will always be a special part of the others.

I read this quote and knew it had to be the quote for my piece.

If you have old girlfriends that you have not heard from in some time...

Call them, put together a girls date.

You will be so blessed by igniting that part of your heart again!

Some of the girls that I attended 1st - 12th grade with!

ChatterHangers...

Another great class at The Charm House~

ChatterHangers

ChatterHangers are 4" X 4" pieces of art that tell a story. We all had the best time, talking and laughing! When it came time to attach the small jewels and charms, it was very obvious who needed glasses~ Thank goodness for my fancy looking glasses! The next class is this Thursday.... ChatterBoards.