Beginnings of a collage inspired by a Sermon.....

I have really wanted to try something new lately..... I love fabric (have way to much), love vintage, love coffee stains and I love sewing. All of this also equals a love for KC Willis and her art. I ordered a series of her CD's to watch (I would rather watch a good art video than a half decent movie) and loved the way she layered materials and textures to create a wonderful collage. Saturday, I coffee soaked some more material and ribbon anticipating all of the wonderful layers I could create. By Sunday morning they were completely dry, ready for some layering that afternoon. Our message from Church Sunday, was from Mark 9. Verse Mark 9:24 really grab my attention.... "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" How many times do we say that we believe but yet we have that little bit of doubt in the back of mind? Jesus goes on to remind us that "This kind can come out only by prayer." In verse 23 "Everything is possible for him who believes." My prayer this week is for the Lord to help me overcome any doubt and unbelief that I have and for HIM to help me to meet my full potential that He has waiting for me.
The Healing of a Boy with an Evil Spirit
14When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them.
15As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.
16"What are you arguing with them about?" he asked.
17A man in the crowd answered, "Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech.
18Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not."
19"O unbelieving generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me."
20So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.
21Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has he been like this?"
"From childhood," he answered.
22"It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us."
23" 'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes."
24Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"
25When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the evil spirit. "You deaf and mute spirit," he said, "I command you, come out of him and never enter him again."
26The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, "He's dead."
27But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.
28After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, "Why couldn't we drive it out?"
29He replied, "This kind can come out only by prayer"

A Splendid Adventure in My Creative World...

I knew the moment I came down the road.... This is the HOUSE where Mary lives! Have you ever felt a bond with a blogging friend so strong that you felt you had to meet her? Well, that is the way it was for me and my two blogging sisters Mary (A Splendid Adventure http://asplendidadventure.blogspot.com/ ) and Bev (My Creative World http://dreamsofpurelove.blogspot.com/). Bev was visiting Mary and to kill two birds with one stone, we decided to get together! I love old restored homes, so of course I had to go and meet them at Mary's house. (Note~ We had been talking and blogging for the past two years....No Fear)
Getting out of my car, I seen the beautiful, big front porch screen door open. Out of the house running and screaming (as best as we can at the age) Mary and Bev run out to greet me. Arms open wide, huge smiles and love surrounding them. Yes, they are crazy, fantastic sisters and I fit in right with them. Of course the day was extremely short with my visit. The girls served me a unbelievable lunch, we toured the house over and over again and we walked the grounds. The day could not have been any grander. And to show what a small world we live in~ My son knows Mary's new daughter-in-love and we know the family!
I know this will be the first of many visits for us, I have found two kindred spirits. I hope you enjoy my tour of Mary's house, believe me the pictures do not do it justice. It is a treasure among treasures as well as my friendship with Mary and Bev!

A Splendid Adventure happens when the hearts of friends come together in My Creative World.

E adams

Please read this and call someone....

Grandma Moon at her 85th Birthday Party (She is now 92) at our old house!
This is my family, my sister's family and my mother and father.Grandma Moon

This has been one of the hardest weeks for me in a very long time....
Monday or Tuesday is my treatment (It really doesn't matter, I am too tired to go anywhere and my nurse comes here) and I lost my calendar.
This post is really not to complain about being so tired,
but to tell you about my week and why I am so exhausted....
We just had to put my grandmother, who is a great, great grandmother, into a nursing home. She is 92 years young and in great shape and mental mind~ The problem... She broke her foot and she needs therapy! It is amazing how a nursing home can not only age the person going into it, but the person's family members.
No, Grandma Moon did not want to go in.
No, she is not happy there.
And No, SHE says SHE IS NOT GOING TO STAY!
This week for the first time in my life (I will be 49 years young this year) I raised my voice to my grandmother and told her to behave! It killed me and just remembering that afternoon emotionally drains me!
What I NEED TO TELL each and every one of you right now~
allow NOTHING to come in between you and your loved ones!
At the age of 30, when I was taken to my knees with death at my front door, I learned how to value each and every day. You surround yourself with the ones you love, with positive words and feelings and you allow your days to go GREAT no matter what!

That is what FREE CHOICE is ~

And that is what GOD gives us,

The gift of FREE CHOICE!
Basically this is the way that I explained it to Grandmother...

.
#1 ~ Each morning when I get out of bed, not matter how I feel, I choose to feel GREAT! I wake up Praising God for another day in this world with a smile on my face with the ones that I love.
#2 ~ I choose to ignore the people who want to bring me into their conflict or bring me down.

If I have to I don't go around them. And that includes family members.
#3 ~ I choose to always go out of my way to say thank you to everyone for everything. If others considers that "sucking up" well, that is their problem not mine.
#4 ~ I choose to love all people because that is what God tells me to do. Now, I can ignore them if they want to cause conflict and such but I still can love them. If they choose to change and be happy, I am there waiting.
#5 ~ I choose to use my time wisely, helping others.
#6 ~ I choose to do the right things, never hurting others or doing it on the back of others. Sometimes doing the right thing even means hurting me, but that is the example I have to set for my child.
#7 ~ I choose to always, ALWAYS tell the people that I love that I REALLY DO LOVE them and show them in the process! You never know what the next moment might bring and I might not be here to tell them and I sure do want them to know!
#8 ~ I choose not to drink because my grandfather (who everyone said was an incredibly, awesome, talented man) chose to drink, make bad decisions for his family, left my grandmother and family because of it and worse of all~ he died from it........ I never was able to get to know him and I sometimes wonder if that is where I get some of my ability to work with my hands so well.
I threw #8 in for some reason..... I guess because he is so much still a part of us and that was 47 years ago.

Here is a picture of a Bulletin Board I made for her

room hoping that it would make her feel better:

Here is also a short story that I wrote about her.
*When I was younger, I loved going to Grandma's house to stay. I would pick daffodils by the armfuls, run into the house and eagerly give these to her as though she had never received any before. Sunday lunch was on the table, ready for anyone that would enter the door. If we were lucky, my uncle would have raided the closest blackberry field for fresh blackberries and we would be treated to one of her yummy blackberry pies. Sunday afternoons would find us on the porch in rocking chairs until I would be bored stiff. More than likely, I would then choose to climb the highest of pecan trees only to get stuck and have to find my own way down (even if that meant breaking a bone). Sometimes we were lucky to play ball with our uncles, although they would usually loose our precious softballs in the nearby woods! Summers~ Oh the hot summers complete with watermelons and grandma's fresh homemade churned ice-cream! Grandma gave me so much~ the love of gardening, the excitement of summers, and the shoulder to cry on that many times I didn't deserve. At times she was the one that I ran to when I was upset or just needed to be hugged and comforted. She never really sided with me, but she never sided against me. She was just there to listen, to comfort~ I loved her for that! *Now that I am a grown woman, I admire my Grandma in so many different ways. I see a woman that stood where so many other women fell. I learn more about her everyday. I see a woman who raised four children by herself. I see a woman who made a path for other women in her day. I see a woman who took care of others and now others are taking care of her. I see a woman that is so loved even though she constantly speaks her mind. I see a woman of strength, of heart, of determination!

I see a woman that I dearly love with all my heart~

My Grandma!

Call someone now and tell them

You Love and Appreciate Them!

It will make Them feel good and Yourself!

If you have a few minutes and an extra card to send to her~

Just tell her that you are a friend from blogland!

Thank you so very much

Marion Moon

Park Place Nursing Facility

1865 Bold Springs Road

Monroe, Georgia 30655

The Prom, Sassy Designs, Visit from a Kindred Spirit...

Over the last couple of days I have found a dear E-bay/Etsy friend Dee from Sassy Designs http://sassy1520.blogspot.com/ here at Blogland. This makes me extremely happy not only for myself, but for all of you! Her God given talent amazes me, I am constantly astounded by her creations, And her HEART shows through in everything she does. Please visit her blog, tell her hello for me and enjoy her designs!

Also, The day before yesterday I had a WODERFFUL surprise visit from a dear sweet friend from Lawrenceville, Emily! Emily is a kindred spirit. We can go without seeing each other for years, then see each other and it was like yesterday...... We love each other dearly! I promised her that I would post a picture of a piece I made for my my baby girl Whitney, to show her precious baby girl, Jessie. Jessie will be attending Prom this spring! How exciting for Mom and Jessie! By the way, the piece shown above, is featured with my Whitney as the fairy in her "Princess" dress!

Have a Great Time Jessie at your Prom!!!

Posting from the HEART!

The greatest benefit you have as a blogger is all of the opportunities you have to go into the homes of other bloggers and get ideas they are sharing. I have been so blessed by other women that have answered questions I have so freely asked about their pictures. In return, they also have so graciously given me the answers.
I have taken their recommendations and advice on subjects with the upmost seriousness knowing that as mothers, wives, sisters and daughters we have the experiences, well, let's say that some professionals can't exactly speak from the heart on, only from the head.

Today, I post this post to say

I love you and thank you to all

the girls who post with their hearts.

You ARE AWESOME Women & Teachers!

God Bless You All!

*Thanks to The Farm Chicks for suggesting Cath Kidston linens!! I love them!

(Picture Above)

"Shining Star" turns 21 today....

Still dressing up as an Indian Princess...

With her cousin Lauren at a cowgirl party dressed as an Indian Princess....

With her best friend Emily dressed once again as an Indian Princess....

Playing at home in the garden...

Whitney turns 21 today!

The day she was born, her daddy and I called her our "Shining Star".

We have always told her that she had a little Cherokee Indian heritage

and so she went with it!

She also proved to be a "Shining Star"!

We are so proud of her and the 21 years that she

has already lived out loud and bold!

Whit, stay courageous, confident and in God's will!

Happy Birthday Darling Baby Girl!!!!

It's His Birthday....

Today I can shout across the land....

I love this man and today is a day that WE celebrate Him coming into the world.

God gave us the most gentle of giants, with a heart of gold

and the wisdom that we should all listen to.

He is loved by many, children adore him and age seems to avoid him.

How did I become so lucky to get him?

Well, it was not by luck...

See, God knew that I was going to NEED him, to care for me,

to encourage me, and most of all to love me unconditionally!

God had Reid planned for me all the time.

From the time that we both were born,

God had a plan..........

Reid and Yvette.....

Together as one!

Praise God for HIS great plan!

Happy Birthday Sweetheart!

Baby Emma is finally here...

Emma Katrice

She is finally here... All 7 lbs. 12 ozs. 20-1/2 inches of her!

She is so beautiful and sweet and she is our Princess!

Emma is a very special baby~ She still has two Great, Great Grandparents living!

We can't wait to get that picture taken!!!

Emma with her Great Grandparents Shumate, Chase (my son) and Daniel!Chase and Daniel grew up together like brothers,

so Emma will be very special to Chase!

This was a good day!

January 30, 2009

Chatter Knob Hanger to Encourage ME....

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Be joyful always;

pray continually;

give thanks in all circumstances,

for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

I am using this verse as my verse this year to lean on.

For me, It seems to fit well with everything that is going on around us.

ATC Valentine & Directions...

This is the Valentine that I gave my Sweetheart last year! It is an Altered Art Trading Card. To make it, I scanned one of my vintage bingo cards and made it into a smaller scale to fit onto my ATC (altered art trading card). I then copied it onto a khaki colored paper, cut and sanded the sides and then I inked the sides to make it look even older. I then took two old pictures of us growing up dressed as sailors which was a perfect fit together (how amazing that we were always a perfect fit together). I ran them through photoshop to scale them to size and clean them up. I then copied them to a matte photo paper and then cut them out just like you would a paper doll. I decided to use Pop dots to make the photos pop up. I then made a ticket that said, "You won my Heart" on my computer using printshop. I attached the ticket and the jewels. Used a little more inking for aging and put an eyelet in the side to add some more bling. Before I added the bling, I decided to coat the card with a coat of beeswax for more aging. I allowed some of the beeswax to bead for effects. For more color I wanted to use red beads, heart and dice to finish off my project! To say the least ~ Reid loved it! But being Reid~ He loves everything I do! I am so blessed to have such a wonderful Valentine!

Target to Family Heirloom.....

I was so incredibly blessed by a knock on the door a few days ago by my sister's Mother-In-Love! In hand, she carried a jewelry box and a plastic bag full of old vintage jewelry! To some I am sure it would be considered junk, but to me it was a treasure chest of gold and jewels. She could not have given me a better gift! Vintage jewelry is the one thing that I search low and high for in flea markets and antique stores. First of all it has to be reasonably priced so that I can use it in my art. But you know, Sister's Mother-In-Love is so in touch with God why should I be surprised that if she had this and knew I needed it, her love for me would not send her right over with it! That is just the kind of person she is! She has a very kind heart and is always looking out for the needs of others. Wanting to do what God wants her to do.... to serve HIM. Anyway.... the only way that I can thank her is to take the pieces and make a family heirloom from them. So here we are..... From a simple Target glittered deer to a Festive family heirloom!! I hope she enjoys it! I will be making several and letting her choose one and my two nieces.

College Professors???

My daughter, Whitney, is a Junior at Auburn University majoring in Public Relations. Her experience at Auburn has overall been incredible. She is a member of the ZTA sorority and served as the Chaplain of all of the sororities at Auburn this year. She loves serving the Lord, painting and her job ~ working in the local coffee house. If she is not working there, she is studying or socializing there!
Lately, she allowed one of her favorite professors to break her down. Somehow she always gets to know her professors personally, therefore getting called out in class. One day during class it became painful......
It really bothers me when anyone breaks down the dreams of any young person. I have always been of the belief that we should teach them that they God has incredible opportunities waiting for them, the doors are open wide for them to walk through. All they have to do is walk through and take the opportunities that God has for them. God is going to provide all things. If there are valleys ~ these are teaching lessons that God is going to build them up for even greater things! In other words ~ In all things, good and bad, God is always looking out for their benefit! Let Him do the work, just keep walking to HIM!!! DREAM BIG FOR HIM!!
This is her post~

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Unrealistic Dreams.
Kind of an oxymoron, huh? Aren't the purpose of dreams to think of the unrealistic... something you think could never happen unless there was an intervention of One greater than yourself? Well, I had a teacher shoot down my dream/goals for after I graduate. For those of you that don't know, my mom and I are planning to own an art store.... 1/3 art gallery, 1/3 art workroom - playroom - place where we can have great artists come in and teach classes, and 1/3 coffee shop. My teacher pretty much said it was unrealistic. She gave me all of the possibilities in which it would fail as well as suggested to me all of the issues we would face as owners... we would have to be accountants, managers, trainers, secretaries, and janitors all in one.
All I can say is, I've dreamed of nothing less than the impossible because I know that our God has greater power than I do. He can take care of the parking issues and the money that we will need to start it and the people who will enter into a shop that glorifies Him. I also know that the moment we stop using the store as a vessel to proclaim His name, He could take it away with a snap of His huge hand. He won't allow the economy to keep people from a time of leisure and relaxation. We want this to be a home for community, a place of comfort where artists can release the stress of life and leave their worries or proclaim their praises on a canvas. I'm excited to see what will come out of it... and even though it broke my heart that one of my favorite teachers this semester said this, it encouraged me to start now. I'm not exactly sure where to start or how to start... I just know that I need to start. I'm thankful for her. She has only pushed me to prove that He is able; and with Him, I am able as well.
It's been really difficult being in this major (Public Relations). The more I delve further into the core of it, I realize that no matter what, I will always be dealing with PR. Everyone will if you encounter 'the public'. I highly doubt I will be acting in the role of crisis management or anything of the sort. It would be cool to do something with PR and I admire those who do. However, it seems like a nasty world of who's who and networking... but not much in a genuine sense. That bothers me. One of the reasons I hate going to football games is because I feel like I'm wasting 7 hours of my life (with tailgating and getting dressed up and such) when I can be doing something productive... like creating something for someone or inspiring someone. Not so I can get recognition or move up higher in rankings... but because I sincerely care about people and want them to see just how special and precious they are. I feel useless when I'm not helping others. If any of you know a job in PR where I can make a living by helping others through inspiration, creation, and art - please let me know. One and half years to go before graduation. And I have no clue as to what I will do.

TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK AND VISIT WHIT~

http://www.boundbythelove.blogspot.com/

The Vintage Moth...

Visiting friends blogs this morning, I came upon this wonderful blog, The Vintage Moth! http://thevintagemoth.blogspot.com/ The creator, Abbie, has devoted her blog to providing mixed media and collage artists original, OOAK (one of a kind) images. The antique/vintage images she has collected and created are incredible! And what is so amazing she provides them to all of us FREE! What is even more amazing.... She does this daily! Many Thanks to Abbie!!!

Ironing....

I guess I am one of those old fashioned girls or maybe my mother just taught me well, I'm not sure.... but I love to iron!!! Ironing for me is an escape, a time to think! My mind seems to wander and ponder over things! I seem to use my iron as a way to mesmerize my way to a place that allows my mind to go one on one with God to find HIM! We talk about things I am doing, how my daily life is going and if I am treating others well. I sing praise and worship, and sometimes going back to sing my old childhood favorites that I would sing in the pews with my mother and father. My Sunday School teacher's wife reminded us the other Sunday that we should find JOY in doing all things and that included ironing our clothes. She is so right!! My mother use to say when she ironed her sheets that when she ironed out a wrinkle, she ironed our a problem. Maybe that is some of the problem of our younger generation~ they are not slowing down long enough to find the JOY in doing the small things liking ironing! Slow down ~ Find the JOY in ironing your families clothes. It is a gift for you, for your family and a gift to God!

I love my husband and the love letter....

Cofer Brothers today ~ started 1919 by Reid Cofer and his brother
I am so glad that I waited for "The One" that God had planned for me! He blesses me everyday in every way! From the moment I wake up until the time my head my hits the pillow he makes sure that my every need is taken care of. After being married to him for 25 years, he still surprises me constantly in ways that attract me to him! Last night he gifted me this beautiful love letter that his grandfather had given his grandmother in 1922. At the time she was living in Monroe going to school (where we are now living and where I was born) and he was trying to start a business with his brother in Tucker (Cofer Brothers). He shared his love for her and how he was trying so hard to start the business for them. It was a wonderful love letter. I will cherish it forever. I know you are asking why it took him so long to give it to me..... Well, he found it as he was looking for a couple of small diamonds (that belong to his grandmother) we had put away in the safe for our children when they decided to get married, hoping they would want to use them for sentimental reasons. Yes, we have a son considering his bride! He has had an excellent role model in his dad! She will be a lucky woman if he follows his daddy's lead! I truly believe that God has that special someone for everyone that will bring them that cup of coffee with the right amount of cream and sugar in the morning. You just have to have patience and wait on God.......... I love you Reid! (Yes, My husband was named after his grandfather that also waited for his wonderful bride~ Belle)

Blessings from Above...

~Blessings~

Is it not amazing how God sends people in our lives daily to bless us with their gifts?
Well, recently I had two people shower me with their gifts.

The First is Jamie. Jamie help me design CopperTone Blog for our rental home on St. George Island. She did a wonderful job, going way beyond what I imagined my blog could ever be! In return I created her a piece ~ Rose Cottage! It went in the mail yesterday! I hope she enjoys it as much as I enjoy my blog.

The other is my Aunt Betty. She has blessed me over and over with treasures from her home. The other day she sent over a bag of vintage material and squares of material that had been quilted. You can't imagine the excitement that I felt.

The piece above is the first piece that I have made from the vintage material. It is quite fitting as it does remind me of her. Every 4th of July she makes fresh squeezed lemonade for our family gathering (which is quite large). She serves it in a very large cooler and she stands over with a large ladle serving it. She is quite a sight! Oh my Aunt Betty, How I do love her so very much! And the memories Aunt Betty and Uncle Charles have given me are priceless!! Everyone should be blessed with a family like mine!