It's a blustery day out Piglet!

I received a call an hour or so ago from my brother. In St. Louis. Where the tornadoes ripped through. He's fine, and so is the family. RELIEF!

The weather has been interesting here, balmy and gorgeous one day and blustery and blowing another day. It seems that I've been the same. Some days calm and peaceful and other days storms rage inside. (And I must admit this whole post was inspired by my friend on her blog.. her last post). Nevertheless, this has been a long time coming.

Aunt Sue (the baby)
Aunt Carol (the big sister)
Mom (my mom!)

I've been blogging for a number of years now. Different names, different hosting sites. Different writing styles. All the while I've been writing these posts to family far and near so they could "keep up" with us even though we don't get to see each other often. Because, in truth, they are always as near as my heart and my prayers. I miss them VERY Much. This weekend I get to see my mom. FINALLY. It's been a long two years... give or take. Long story behind all this, but God is always at work and I'm so very grateful. Then in a few months I head north and see my aunt and uncle. Our mutual trip to a state park was just too much for them, and so we're trying this new approach. And just a week or so later my other aunt will be down here for a family reunion and I'll even see my cousin. I can't even remember the last time I saw her!

Meanwhile, life changed so much last year as Chronic Fatigue took such a huge toll, along with a previously unknown case of mono. YIKES! I'm learning to live a different way, trust God in different areas, and enjoy each moment more. Usually. Not always. But I'm trying.



"For to such belongs the kingdom of God."
an assemblage completed in November 2010
(still for sale)



Previously this blog consumed me. Hours a day of writing. I wanted so badly to be heard. To be noticed. To be listened to. Now I'm happy to live and learn from God. I still enjoy creating, but am creating more at home and not as much for sale. Although the sale will still happen in November, Lord willing.



Josh... learning so much from God.
I'm just excited to watch him grow.



Aaron...enjoying a bit of free time.



I think what I'm learning is to learn to live life HERE. At Home. Not online. As the time approaches that my boys both  graduate college, same school year!, I'm realizing that time with family is more fleeting than I realized. And, while our oldest is nearby, and will probably stay nearby, our second hopes to end up in Africa. As in across the ocean, south of the equator, far away. And, that's as it should be. As I seem to have always known it would be. The Lord had called him, from the womb. And, truth be told the Lord has called each of us to something... some to be saved, some not, some to serve over seas, some to be served, He has a purpose for each of us. I want to fulfill the purpose He has for me.



At the birth of Canaan. Such a blessing!



So, I'm living life. Searching for his will. Learning to love my husband more. Enjoy my kids more. And not to worry so much about what everyone thinks. It's all learning and sanctification and I thank God for the process.

Shalom!

Long time, no posting!

Greetings Dear Family and Friends,

I know it's been a LONG time since I last posted. So much has happened. Where to begin?

Perhaps at the beginning. For a number of months I had been tired. SOOOO tired. I kept attributing this to schedules, pressures, lack of sleep. Just before our 25th anniversary I made a promise to go to the doctor and track down what was going on as soon as we got back from our trip. Which I did.

I did this however after I experienced something we thought might be a heart attack. At this point and time the doctors are still following through, but rather than heart issues it appears that I have some other stuff going on. All this to say that the tired feeling was real and for a reason. Anemia was one of the culprits, and we're working on that. But, the other culprit or culprits are still being tracked down. I have a large positive score for Epstein Barr and they are saying such things as: may have had a recent bout of mono, may be prone to chronic mono, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, etc. In other words, we're just not sure.

On the good side, I am learning to take care of myself physically. That's not always easy for moms as they want to be and do and take care of everything and everyone themselves. However, this body is the Lord's temple and I have not been caring for it, and need to do so. So, on top of continuing to follow through with the doctors I am losing weight. To date it's just over 8 lbs. in 3 weeks. Not bad, but not great, but progress. I'm balancing what I eat and how much I eat. Good news is NO DIABETES! I am quite grateful!

So, blogging may be scarce.

Of course, add to that our crazy summer, another birth this past Saturday, and upcoming birth that looks to be early and you might have an idea of my life.

On to other good news. I recently filled an order for 8 necklaces... all domino necklaces and were to be the "BFF" variety ... it was a lot of fun. But, on top of the ladies liking these two of them wore them while shopping and a store owner saw them and is interested in my work. We'll see what happens with that.

I hope you are all doing well and having a great summer. I still get on and check blogs, just not as frequently because I need more sleep and that means less time for other things. So, feel free to drop a comment, send an email or just check in. I hope that by the end of July (and the end of my tests) that I am more rested, and ready to hop back in to the blogging world on a more regular basis.

Love to you all! May God bless each and everyone of you.
Shalom,
Kim

We're ba-aaack!

Sorry for the "radio silence" but I hate to announce to the Internet world that we're leaving on a trip. Dear and I traveled, sans children, to Sanibel Island, FL where we had a little R&R in celebration of our anniversary.

Many many wonderful highlights of the trip will follow... but I want to have the pictures to go with the narrative, so you all have to wait.

In other news, Senior Son is completing his web page project for his computer class and .... drum roll...
it's a Whimsy and The Word web page... yep... no Etsy, no ArtFire (although I'll still list at ArtFire), but my very own web page.  How cool is that. Of course, he still has to get a server going, and get the page finished, and the kinks worked out, and I have to figure out paypall ... but hey... I can dream.

In the meantime you can still purchase from my other blog located at WhimsyandTheWord.blogspot.com, or use my Etsy or ArtFire links on the sidebar. And, as always I'm quite happy to work on special orders... currently I'm working on a mini-collage that will be divided 8 ways into friendship necklaces... when the friends are all together the necklaces can be placed together to complete the collage. Pretty cool, eh? I thought so. Occasionally I have a good idea.

Anyway... I'm doing things in this order:

1. finishing the photos and narrative for Senior Son's web project... I have to finish today.
2. writing a birth story... finish by Wed.
3. teaching a childbirth class for a couple for whom I'll be the doula.. class is tonight
4. working on plans for an art project for my last art class of the year
5. attending the funeral of my friend's mom
6. beginning the last month of "Starting Points" teaching
7. finishing Denise's necklace... (Hi Denise...I'm starting over because I was inspired today!)
8. Packing up the prizes and necklace and sending them to Denise
9. praying for my boys and their finals this week
10. attending Bible study
11. viewing "Around the World in 80 Days" in play form, about an hour from here, with our co-op
12. having our last academic co-op (next week is something special)
13. Other things... eat, cook, clean, laundry, etc.

Oh... and my anniversary gifts as if the trip weren't enough? A CD that Dear compiled for me and put our pics on the front, a poem he wrote (framed... twice... one for up front and one for wherever), and a Cherry Red Chevy S10 truck to replace Bluebell who has gone to live with dear friends since I think we all despaired of me EVER learning to drive a stick shift. Pictures will follow. New truck... Cherry Baby... as in "Sherry Baby"... as in the song... Dear helped me on this one. If something else comes to us we'll rename her. She's really really pretty and she has an ah-ooga horn! She seats four so our whole family can cram in there... if the boys aren't home.

Oh, and finally... Young Man added another cert to his pilot's license AND has a paid internship in VA this summer working as an airplane tech/mechanic. How cool is that? Although, I will miss him a whole whole lot. At least we get him for about 2 weeks before he has to head East.

Blessings,
Kim

Giveaway... change in plans

Okay all, this is making me sad, sad, sad. But, I've had exactly one comment on my contest. One. That's it.

So, I'm opening this up for one more week. That's it... Till April 22. Prizes leave this house on Friday, April 23.

So, here's the deal:

• leave a comment here and mention your favorite thing on this blog
• become a follower and leave a comment to let me know
• bring a new follower, they leave a comment and share that YOU brought them here, you BOTH get entered
• visit my Whimsy and The Word blog and become a follower
• bring a new follower to Whimsy and the Word, have them leave a comment and mention this contest and YOUR name, and you BOTH get entered.

EASY as pie. Lots of ways to get more than one entry.

~Now, perhaps the problem is this: You haven't seen what you're going to get. So, here's another change, I'm picking out a necklace for the winner...And there are at least two other gifts as well.

• "A Bit of Charm"copper necklace, "The Miss Emily" on a 22 inch copper ball chain, embellished with a lovely antique button. The back reads "Contemplate" in lovely coppery glitter.

• The Plain Princess... an altered notebook. 4.5 inches tall and 3.25 inches wide. The front and back have lovely paper cut outs dating from the early 1900s and late 1800s, layered with trim, scrap papers and coated in glitter. All sealed with a matte sealer to keep it fresh and lovely.

• "Fairy Tales in Glass"... DREAM... altered bottle with an excellent reproduction of a vintage postcard, layered on top of ledger paper from the late 1800's. covered with beeswax, embellished with vintage buttons, a lovely crystal, the tag "Dream"and all tied up with a gorgeous coppery rose bow.

All told this prize package is worth almost $40.00.

So, please please please share this with your friends. If you or someone else uses my button and blogs about the contest that will be another entry! (Just be sure and tell me so I know.)

Contest is open now... and closes next Thursday.

One more note... besides Peggy, because she already entered... open to US residents only... shipping and handling gets really intense otherwise... sorry lovely ladies... maybe in the future I'll be able to do this. But, I am keeping Peggy in the drawing... only fair since I added this later. No worries.

Blessings, Kim
p.s. Denise wins something no matter what... she's the only who posted to date. So, Denise, email me and we'll work out what kind of necklace you want... then I won't send it till next week in case you win this version of the contest as well.

Still alive and kickin'

But boy have I been uber busy!!! Times 10!!!

Somehow, as things have a way of doing in my life things got rearranged until on Saturday I had two jewelry booths and a childbirth expo. Now, granted, one of the booths is AT the expo, but still.

So, here's how it works.

Today: get up, clean the upstairs, work on art, eat, teach worldview, work on art, deliver math papers, work on art.

Friday: get up, work at co-op, eat, drive one booth's worth over to Magpie Market, set that up, come home, deliever Wee One to a sleepover, eat dinner, meet Dear at Senior Son's Honor Society initiataion (WAY TO GO SON!), come home, work on art. Complete the ten minute talk/testimony I am to give on husband-led childbirth. SLEEP.

Saturday: get up, finish pricing or working, load car, get to church, set up booth, set up expo, prepare.

Oh, and did I mention I go on call for a birth starting tomorrow? I actually told the mom to tell her baby to wait till after 5 p.m. on Saturday. Seriously!!!

But, I'm quite excited about this expo. The dream began almost three years ago as three of us from our church talked about a birthing ministry. Two of us have completed our doula certifications, and one may yet do so. One of us, NOT me, has plans to complete her CBE certification, and then mabye... later... maybe... if my hubby says yes, I can recertify through Apple Tree ministries for my CBE. But, to jump back to Saturday. We are hosting the FIRST EVER Indiana Christian Childbirth Expo. We will have speakers, vendors, giveaways, birthing plan station, ask a doula station, lending/browsing library, hands on materials to help explain the process and even a coloring corner for the kids. Oh, and of course nothing happens at church without food. Yes, food. And the cost? FREE FREE ABSOLUTELY FREE!

We've invited doctors, nurses, midwives, doulas, expecting moms. We've run it on two radio stations and posted flyers everywhere while handing out personal invites to those we meet around town. Here's hoping for a wonderful turn out and a God honoring day.

Blessings, Kim

New Items Listed

You're welcome to visit my other blog... my "blogfolio" at Whimsy and The Word to see my latest listings. These are all listed on ArtFire. Or, simply click on the links to the right of this page and you'll be taken to the ArtFire site (or try my Etsy site for my "Bit of Charm" necklaces... I happily make special orders, just ask.)

"Old Style Romance" $30

                                              

"Imagine"   $20

Blessings, Kim

~Ode to Bluebell~

This is Bluebell.

She was lonely and covered in snow.

Today she was not covered in snow.

She was not lonely.

She was jumping around the parking lot at church.

Today I learned, sort of, to drive a stick shift.

Bluebell really wants to go to a big auction or a great garage sale.

But only if there is easy parking that doesn't require hills or backing up.

Isn't she pretty?

I tried to find another photo.

I have no idea where it is.

Bluebell... you are going to have so much fun this summer.

Once I learn how to let the clutch out.

SLOWLY!

Blessings, Kim

p.s. if you want to see some cool photos of my art and craft work jump over to

http://whimsyandtheword.blogspot.com/.

bookmark it.

become a follower.

find some cool art.

comment.

you get the idea :~)

Please visit the new blog site!

I've put in hours and hours of reshooting all my pieces. Not done yet, but getting close. As I upgrade the photos I also upgrade the photos on my online sites. However, I am including all information for each piece right in one place at "Whimsy and The Word." Stop on by... you might find something you really like!
Blessings, Kim

~Grand Opening of the New Blog~

In keeping with my move to making my art more easily found, more easily marketed and more easily seen... I have decided to begin a blogfolio of my artwork. If you jump over to the other site you'll note I give Kara the credit for this idea.

While some who read here may enjoy my art, that is not the main purpose of this blog. I will still post photos here, but probably not as many or with the total story for each. All my art will still be available via my Etsy or ArtFire stores, and also you can simply email me and ask me to make something. (This works over on the online sites as well...)

Currently the photos are not yet posted as I am re-shooting every piece in order to provide the best pictures possible. I've been learning more about how to shoot the pieces and my sweet Dear gave me a new camera for Christmas... so now I'll put both the knowledge and the camera to good use.

I'll still be posting here, and also on my doula site, but will now be posting my art at my other site... http://whimsyandtheword.blogspot.com/.

Blessings!
Kim

I'm baaaack! (and a special offer at the end!)

Nope, I didn't fall off the face of the earth, just had to dig and shovel and dig and shovel and drive and drive and dig and shovel. Nope, I won't leave you with that...

Mr. Snowman, aka "Frosty", continued to have modifications made day by day. Yes, Dear and I have warped humors. I'll spare you from the "tipsy snowman" photos we made... hey, when you come out and your snowman is upright but just barely the photo begs for a "tipsy"sort of focus.

And the snow kept coming. So much in fact that Frosty himself decided to pitch in and help with the snow removal.

But, as you know all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy... well, it makes all of us a bit crazed. So, sledding and snowboarding down the front hill were the next orders of the day.

And of course, if you're messing with the snowman you'd best include him in your Superbowl wishes... and yes, he PROUDLY wore the blue shirt of the Colts. Poor poor colts! See the ball? I think he was ready to help out Manning if he could!

Dear gave him some tips on proper etiquette for a Colts fan.

Poor Frosty... he was so sad!

Now, for all who have read this far... THANKS for your patience! If you really want a thank you then simply join as a Facebook group member to "Whimsy and The Word" and you will qualify for a 20% discount on all pre-made items in either of my online art shops... (see the sidebars). That's right... all you need do is join my FB group and you're set to go. Is there a catch? Well, this only runs through Friday night, so hurry.

Happy Snow Day!
Kim

Latest Creations

It's been a bleak and weary number of days, but last week I was struck by the creating muse and grabbed some vintage dominoes, paper, glitter stickers, beads, linen cord and buttons and went to work.

"Bubbly Love"

First try... ah, not so great. I didn't like the bubbles in the finish. I used a glue that said it could be used as a sealant. I don't think so. As a matter of fact? I KNOW it's not so. Not unless I want to pop every bubble with a pin. Ah well... live and learn.

"Bliss"

Second try... THIS I LOVE!!! This time around I simply used "Modpodge." Much nicer finish. Oh, and the edges, which I didn't show, are wrapped in copper. Really fun .

Third try... well, it's not done yet. I'll be adding a bit more to this third one and it will have a sort of fairy face on it. Guess you'll just have to wait and see. I think these will go up on my ArtFire shop.

Then, I made this button necklace a while back. It had issues. The buttons liked to flip and the dangle liked to come off. So... I let it sit a while. (I was mad at it and it was getting a time out!) Just this week I took it apart, started over and remade it. Now it hangs beautifully and nothing is coming off!

"Beautiful Buttons"

Hope you enjoyed these peeks. I've several more pieces in progress, but they just aren't done yet.

Blessings,
Kim

With a little push...

I managed to clean my "studio."

HA! Bet you all thought I was going to say I finished my exam. Nope, not yet, but I'm aiming that way.

Some friends are coming over, some who have NOT seen our house before, or my "studio." That always makes me laugh to say "studio" because for real? NOT!

We have a nice sized raise ranch style house. We have a nice sized basement, an "L" shape comprises the finished area. The unfinished area holds: my "pantry" (large metal shelves to hold my dry goods, canned goods, boxed goods, extra pans, paper goods, etc.) a washer/dryer, storage, hanging racks, a storage closet, NEW water heater, furnace and a "dorm fridge" which holds soft drinks and bottled water.

The "L" shaped area holds: craft storage, craft storage, art storage, art storage, shelves of stuff, weight bench, Pilate's equipment, antique rockers, wall to wall book shelves, doll house, large TV for games, videos, etc. and two computer desks... oh and a file cabinet and more shelves for homeschooling books, supplies, curriculum, etc. As you can see.... A LOT. Next to the fish tank I have my vintage enamel topped table set up, and next to that in a recessed area in the wall I have some book and board bookcases using baskets to keep supplies sorted. Tonight I emptied each and every basket, wooden box, sewing drawer and enameled pan in order to sort, organize and clean up. If someone wants to look at my work area I'd rather them study what I have made or am making rather than to study my HUGE PILE O' MESS! Oh yes! The last 6 buying trips I have just dumped bags, bins and boxes on the floor and left them. I have walked around, worked around, piled around and all but lived around those piles.

Today they are gone! I have only three teeny tiny piles on the floor: one for a friend to sort through, one for gifting and one large enamel ware basin which I have yet to decide on (it's holding my knitting and a piece in progress at the moment).

And yes, I said the last 6 buying trips. Although I have quite a bit here I don't necessarily have all I need for what I'm working on at the moment. So, this past weekend my dearest sweetie took me to a large antique/collectibles show in order to fill up a bit. I spent just about what I had budgeted, but HALF of that was for Christmas presents for the kids and my sweet in-laws supplied funding for a portion of the rest. (It was my birthday gift from them.) THANK YOU!

I found BUTTONS and BUTTONS and BUTTONS and ... well, more stuff. I can't list the presents because the kids read this. But, I did find two mini lanterns... pencil sharpeners which the girls loved, a mini photo in a metal frame circa 1857, a vintage shoe buckle all sparkly with rhinestones, vintage leather baby shoes (was looking for those for my next piece), post cards (of course!), and... well, hmmm, that's about it. I know I know.. but that's really all. I think...

Seriously, the last button man about put me into button overdrive. I spent over $50 on his buttons and that was AFTER he marked a $55 button card down to less than half-price, sold me 12 bake lite buttons for less than the first 6 cost and generally made me giggly and happy like a little kid when mom hands him a dollar as the good humor man drives up. Yes... as a good as ice cream on a hot summer day. I have christened this man the "button king"... maybe I should call him the "button emperor." I have never met anyone more knowledgeable about buttons. I am so glad I did my homework! (Thanks April for telling me any number of times to "look it up in a book" because I did and I knew more about the buttons than I had before. ) He made a profit, but I spent less, CONSIDERABLY less, than I might have. And now I hope to complete more of what I have been working on. When I do you'll see pictures here.

Speaking of which... I'm still trying to learn about generating traffic... both here and at ArtFire and Etsy. If you all have any good advice I'd love to hear it. But, in the meantime I'm reading blogs and not being so all-fired stuck on myself. I'm enjoying reading others' posts and I'm trying to step outside of my little world I had built.

Well, those are all things a little push will do. Now if I would only take that test...

Blessings, Kim

You should've taken pictures!

Famous last words. A year ago I carried a camera everywhere for the blog. I drove my family absolutely batty. In truth I often heard, "You can't blog this." AH....

Yesterday MMH and I tackled the beginning of some projects. It all revolved around this old crumbling velvet, metal work covered incredible photo album. SERIOUSLY NEAT! About 2/3 of the way through she says, "You should've taken pictures." DRATS! And I even have a new camera.

Well, here it goes without the pictures.

1. unwrap 85 layers of paper from the album
2. reconsider for the 100th time if you're really going to take this baby apart
3. take a big breath
4. hold it
5. pull on the metal
6. BE CAREFUL... turns out the metal work is all held on with spikes and finishing nails. OUCH!
7. Now comes the next tough part... how do I carefully take each page out so I can use it for a wall hanging?
8. scissors
9. different scissors
10. start cutting
11. breathe
12. breathe more
13. call MMH
14. don't look
15. don't listen to the RRRRRIIIIPPPPING noise of the paper
16. breathe
17. slowly take the photos out of the pages (did I mention there were also some really cool photos?)
18. pull out ALL the valentine postcards from the card catalog where they are stored
19. keep watching MMH do her work
20. go to bed and dream about the blasted book
21. get up and look at it several times in the night
22. get MMH to help finish "destroying" ahem... "altering" it this morning
23. throw away 84 layers of paper
24. use last layer to wrap the covers... I'm saving the velvet for my bottles and collage pieces
25. put it away
26. leave everything on the floor
27. question my sanity
28. postpone creating one more day

Yes, I should have taken pictures because this was a seriously cool item. MMH found it for me at "Yellow Moon" and kept telling me to get it. OVER AND OVER AND OVER. And I didn't listen. And the sales lady wrote up the whole sale. And I changed my mind. And she wrote it again. (And I added another item. And apologised.) And MMH helped me with the vision for what this could be ... the parts more than the sum of the whole.

And now I simply don't want to do it. Silly me. It's not a "poor me" pity party. It's an "I'm too pathetic for words" laugh at me party. So, laugh along and maybe I'll actually get the pieces together tomorrow. Cause, on top of all this I have a special piece I want to make for someone as a surprise.

We'll see.

And, at least I finally shoveled the walk, and read many many chapters of the book I'm teaching next week, and did the dishes, and went to the library, and post office and met Senior Son at the pizza restaurant for dinner. AND?

He gave me the first chapter of the book he's writing. Can't wait till I have it all. It's part of a trilogy and I continue to be ever so excited to see him growing, maturing and having VISION for his future. God is so wonderful!

Shalom, Kim

"Put My Tears in Your Bottle"

This is my latest piece.

8You have taken account of my wanderings;
Put my tears in Your bottle,
are they not in Your book?
Psalm 56:8

It was created both suddenly AND over time. I continue to wrestle with whether or not God wants me to "do art." Each time I go to Him in prayer the answers come differently. This time the answer came in the form of this piece.

I had been grappling with an idea for a piece centered around a vintage baby bonnet. No matter what I did I could not make the piece work. I went to God asking again, "Am I supposed to be doing art?" I also spoke with Marta and listened carefully as she talked about her husband's art and how and why he created it. She is a quiet encouragement to me every time I talk to her. She has a great deal of wisdom, not of her own, but God's wisdom, ready to share.

Upon arriving home I walked to the piece and it "made itself" ... actually, of course, the Lord showed me what to do and what it was saying. It's a new kind of piece for me. It's monochromatic and NOT full of either the bold or muted Victorian colors I often employ. The pieces at first glance may not seem to tell the story, but as you spend time with the piece and meditate on Psalm 56:8 you may begin to see what I am saying.

There are many different eras in each life... plenty and want, joy and sorrow, pride and humility, you get the picture. In the end the important thing is that God has known us and walked with us throughout our life, that He is the ONE who simplifies, purifies, glorifies our life.

If He is the one who saves our tears in a bottle then we know our tears are important and are part of what He declares should be in our life.

For further meditation you can jump over to Biblegateway to see the commentary.

Blessings, Kim
"Put Your Tears in My Bottle" is being listed at ArtFire for $65. Please stop by if you're interested in purchasing it. I have items on both Etsy and ArtFire with links on the sidebar of the blog.

Whimsy and The Word is now on ArtFire

Hi All,

Well, I'm at it again. Never one to let things sit for long (unless it's painting projects, sewing or math to grade) I've gone and found a new online venue for my art.

ArtFire is a wonderful site for new artists and very very easy to use as well. Please stop over and see my items. Or, if you want, just look to the side for a quick peek. This system even allows you to buy from one site never leaving another... of course I won't always have just two items for sale, so you may still want to check out the new shop, but for now... have at it. These bottles have never been listed before and are the foundation of my "Core of Faith" series. You've seen them here on the blog before as "The King of Kings" and "All That Leads a Heart to Knowing."

Blessings,

Kim

Newish Items in Etsy

This piece has been around for a while, but it's listed and seems very appropriate right now after all the snow storms. Vintage satin and eyelet, vintage bottle, encaustic wax, shoe buckle from the 20's, and more. All lovingly created to remind you of the beauty of the winter landscape.

One of "Fairy Tales in Glass" collection. Vintage jewelery, and paper, reproduction of a postcard from 1910, ribbon and pure beeswax. Shares loving thoughts of the first bloom of love between these two.

Another of "Fairy Tales in Glass" also using a vintage bottle and vintage ledger paper, antique buttons, and a nice reproduction of a vintage photo. Enhanced with a vintage piece of crystal and a sweet ribbon tie. "Dream" tells of a time before marriage when a young woman dreams of the man who is to be her husband.

This is the back of a double-sided necklace. The next photo shows the front. I think this is my favorite so far other than the one I made for myself using a vintage postcard of cows in a stream. There are others available on the etsy site.

Just thought I'd highlight a few items in my etsy shop. Hope you enjoy them, feel free to visit my site using the button on the side. There are more items for sale as well, and I've been gathering new "stuff" such as vintage celluloid, vintage boxes, antique and vintage linens and laces and hope to be creating more soon in a whole new line.

I have a few auctions to attend this week, and then hope to finish several doll clothing assemblages. Picture a pink doll dress, hand crocheted lace, vintage photo, lace wings and more... it's going to be lovely. And, once I find "just the right 'box'" I can complete the next one which uses a vintage baby bonnet, antique silver spoon, celluloid pin, etc. It should be quite exquisite!

Hope you enjoy!
Blessings, Kim

p.s. are you keeping track? about 30 posts, give or take, till the big contest!

How do you like it?

Welcome to my new look. I've been playing with this idea for a while. You know, if you've followed any of my blogs for the last 5 years, that I can't leave my blog alone. Sooner or later I need a new name, new theme, new host site, something. I've wanted to change the look to fit my art and this seems to capture it pretty well. As a matter of fact the picture in the header is one I used for my new necklaces on Etsy.

There may be more changes in store. I have yet to decide. I want a place where I can feature my artwork and talk about it more. That and auctions, antique markets, etc. Funny thing is a friend of mine just started a second blog for that very purpose. I don't want to look like a copycat so I'll hold off and we'll see what's what here.

Currently I'm in a bit of a holding pattern art wise. I don't want to spend too much money if there's not a market for my art, and yet I don't want to be afraid to try new things. I have a project which I hope will come to fruit by next fall. I'm very excited about it, but it's going to stretch me. I'll have to learn to solder, and I'll have to be looking for certain pieces of metal and I'll also have to do a Bible study. Doesn't that make you curious? Well, I won't be telling.

In the meantime I have more charms to make for necklaces, a large collage on canvas, and am hoping to do some assemblage, or "3D collage", in some beautiful old wooden drawers and boxes that I have waiting.

Of course, this is all presuming I find any kind of a market for my items. The Etsy shop is just not generating the visits and I'm still trying to work on that. My memory boxes at "Lola Rue" downtown are not moving fast, although I have sold a few. And, I have one gallery in Nashville that may be interested in my bottles, but the consignment is high... 60/40 and I don't want to price myself out of the market when the economy is so bad. Guess I need to keep praying and to trust that if my art voice is going to be heard that God will do the guiding... it's to His glory, and not to my own and I must remember that.

Meanwhile, please be in prayer for JoAnnA and her husband Ron. They've been experiencing some pretty hard trials and now Ron is headed back to the hospital for complications from his brain surgery.

Blessings, and Happy 2010. I'll be writing more now that the break is over.
Shalom,
Kim

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

Welcome, come in, don't stay outside where it's cold. I'll be happy to take your coat. I'll just put it back in my bedroom... oh, you can't look there... still pretty messy. But, please have a seat in the living room with me and we can chat.

I'd offer some cookies, I had a bunch baked, but I guess some little elf must have eaten them all... Can I brew you a cup of tea? Offer you a plate of yummy fruit?

As you came in you probably noticed all the vintage touches in the entryway. Mama Magpie has been teaching me about some of these items. She also helped me to rekindle my interest in vintage items. Much of what you'll see is from my Gram, she was very special to me!

I was able to purchase this cute little feather tree from a friend of Mama Magpie. The decorations on it are ones I didn't sell at the show. I NEVER thought I'd have a pink and blue themed tree!

This is the whole glass front buffet. I know... a buffet in the entryway? It works. Doesn't it look sweet against the pale blue walls?

These sweet little candles came from Gram years and years ago. Mr. Deer is a bit melty... I guess I shouldn't have stored him a hot attic! Poor fellow!

Not all the Shiny Brites go on the tree. Besides, Mr. Bluebird needs a nest and with all his glitter don't you think this is just the perfect place for him to rest?

Now, if you turn this way you'll see my vase of "Christmas flowers"... so nice, you never need to water them!

I liked them so much I made some more. Cheery! (And Shiny... if it can't be glittery then shiny's a pretty good substitute.)

Oh, did you think I was done with the ornaments? Sorry... 'fraid not. This is part of a vintage silver tea service from the Illinois Central Railroad. Grandpa worked for them for years and when the service closed employees were given remembrances.

And here are some sweet angels, also from Gram. The squirrel... AHEM.. was a Christmas gift from my oldest son. It's to memorialize a "special event"with a stubborn squirrel. And no, I did NOT kill him, nor did I hit him with the snowball. I merely startled him... it was his fault his leg was stuck in the "squirrel proof" (HA!) feeder and he broke his leg. As if I needed any help remembering. Oh my... where was I? Oh yes, Christmas decorations...

At the other end of this half-wall is the first of my many nativity scenes. This particular ornament is from Dear's Grammie.

Before we have a seat why don't you step into the dining room? Another find from Mama Magpie... a reminder to be joyful during this season. Don't you love all that glitter?!

Here's our advent tree. Each day a new ornament goes up, accompanied by appropriate scripture. A family in our church started this tradition and many families are now using it and it's updated versions. Sorry it's a bit out of date... took this picture a few days ago.

As you walk through the doorway look up and you'll see these sweet swallows made by Mama Magpie. Years ago I lived in Washington state where we had a barn on our property. It was FULL Of barn swallows and I've loved swallows ever since. Wasn't Mama Magpie sweet to remember? Also, tucked in the beak of one bird is an envelope in which I found my gift for that year. Each bird is adorned with a word for the season: hope, joy, love, bliss, etc. An incredible gift from an incredible friend!

If you step back towards the living room you'll be able to see the first of many nativities. I have a thing for them. I guess I get so tired of people missing the reason for this special time of year that I more than make up for this. At last count, including Nativity music boxes, ornaments and pillows I believe we have more than 15 sets in one form or another. There's another done on "letter blocks" just next to this set... sadly I'm not such a great photographer and blurs seemed to be all I could shoot!

On a lower shelf is this this little placard I made for Gram years ago when she was still alive. It came back to me when she passed away. It's a sweet reminder of the true meaning of Christmas, and also a sweet reminder of a special woman who was influential in my spiritual life.

Same shelf, other end. It's not all vintage here. Don't forget my love of cows. This is "Moodolph."

Now, if you'll just turn back towards the living room you'll see the rest. The olive wood nativity is from Grammie and Grampie... it was their wedding gift to us from their last trip to Israel. The music boxes are from my mom. The Precious Moments nativity was given to me by a special aunt... a piece each year. You can see it took a few years to build it up! The tree ornaments are vintage Shiny brites, indents, polish, Czech and German glass, a few "fillers" of modern balls... hadn't yet started collecting, and also some family prizes. The banner over the tree didn't sell at Art and Soul, but Dear was glad and asked that we keep it.

Perhaps you'd like to pull up a pillow and rest. Yes, that one, don't you love the needlework?

It reminds me of one final Christmas tradition in our "decorating"... the decorating of our souls. Every year we work on memorizing the Luke 2 Christmas story. Want to join in?

"And it came to pass in those days... " Well, trust me, it's a sweet tradition, just look up Luke 2 and see if this story isn't one of the best ever told. I think so because it's gift given to me by the King of Kings. I pray you receive a gift from Him as well this Christmas season.

Shalom!
Kim

for more tours of homes just visit "The Nester."