If A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words, Then This Award Must Be Worth A Million

Sorry it took me so long to post this dear Sarah, I am at a loss for words over this wonderful award. I've cried, I've smiled and cried some more. This one is a real touchy feely award if you know what I mean, Thank You Dearest Sarah!!

Isn't it BEAUTIFUL! But why is it so beautiful? This award has a history (a special and touching story) all of its own, yes, it's a piece of art, it's inspiring, and it's heartfelt!! It is perception, it's growth, it's personality, it's individualism, it's a bond, it's a warm fuzzy feeling, it's life's ups and downs, it's a connection / bond to others that we meet and greet, it is....

An amazing AWARD indeed and graciously bestowed upon me by Sarah of Cottage Garden Studios. Sarah is an amazing woman, she is a conqueror and passionate soul. If you haven't visited her blog, you must, you will love her journeys.

QUOTED BY SARAH

"This award is not one to be passed on...it is a gift from me to you and I hope you will honor me by taking it! I have been watching you amazing women support up each other and this is my small way of saying thank you! Here is to Renee...Cheers hon!!

The Mental Duck to Mental Swan Award is given to two amazing groups of Bloggers;

1). To Bloggers who encourage and nurture other Bloggers to explore and grow in their creative, spiritual or mental lives.

2). To Bloggers who are blooming and growing creatively, spiritually or mentally in their lives and sharing it on their blog.

Brenda of Wicked Wool Gathering - Brenda is another dear friend that I have watched bloom over the last year. Another wonderful artist whom I adore! Sweet and caring she never fails to send hugs just when you need them!"

I am thrilled to have received this award, I am....beyond words...

Thank You Sarah, I have and will treasure it, I will display it with honor.

Thank you everyone for sharing this honor with me!! Please realize that it has been with you my followers that I have grown and I have learned that we can conquer our hearts desires with passion!! We can breathe life into our creations and each other by living and not letting life pass us by. So please let me bow to each of you and say Thank You for touching my life!!

((Hugs))

Brenda

The End of Spring and Easter Creations...On to Halloween and Christmas, yippeeee.

Here's some yummy Springtime Easter Bunny Rabbit Coasters / Ornies
Now listed in my Etsy Shop.

And here is my grand finale for the Easter / Springtime Season. This large Carrot Stocking measures 23" in length and I am having a terrible time trying to get a decent picture of it because it's so big, ugggg. I'll keep trying, can't take one outside it has been raining for days here.

You can check it out in my Etsy Shop here.

So what's next Halloween and Christmas of coarse, yipppeeee, my favorites!!!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!!

Brenda

A Game Of Photo Tag with Flat Stanley

I've been tagged, photo tagged that is. I was first tagged by Dede of Brightest Blessings Wiccans. So how does it work? Well, you go to your first photo album and pick the tenth picture, post it, and tell about it. Okay sounds easy enough. There's only one problem though my actual photo albums are packed and buried in a closet never to be seen again I'm sure... Lack of storage, don't you just hate it!! Next, my digital photo album, ummm, no that won't work it's filled with pictures you've already seen here or pictures of my grand kids that I can't post here, long story.... So what do I have? Ahhh haaaa, this, lol....

Another good reason why I don't have any pictures to show, lol. Here is just a small grouping of yes, guilty as charged, hanging my head in shame. Rolls of film and disposable cameras still waiting to be developed. Yeah, I save them for several years before they finally get developed. So go ahead pick number 10 and we'll all be surprised to see what it is, lol.

OM, I've been tagged again!! This time by Sarah of Cottage Garden Studios. Now what do I do? Ahhh haaa, I've got it. This time it involves a phone call to my sister. Kim does Becca still have her Flat Stanley Book? Becca, yeah. I need the tenth picture, can you scan and email it to me? After a long conversation of why? It arrives. So what is the story behind Flat Stanley, loads of fun...

Flat Stanley was a school project for my niece Becca several years ago now. Flat Stanley is a real story for children. Long story short, Becca had to make her own Flat Stanley and mail him to someone. The person who received him was to journal information about the weather in their area, their landscape, take a few pictures of the area they live in, etc. But I was living in PA. at the time, she is in NY (we were only about 40 minutes away from each other) so the weather, landscape, etc are basically the same. So now what do I do? I've got it, I'll scrapbook him, lol. I pictured him with the "Welcome To Pennsylvania Sign", pictures with the family, and so on. Everywhere we went Stanley went, people had to think we were totally insane, lol. What I won't do for my niece and nephew. The timing of their project was perfect since it was Christmas time there was plenty of things going on. On this particular page he went to work with me for our company Christmas party, lol, yep. Flat Stanley visited with Santa, danced with a co worker, posed with the tree, presents and snacks and even went for a walk in the country (lol, we taped him to one of landscape pictures hanging in the lunch room for his walk). We had a riot with Flat Stanley, looking back at these pictures, I think he had a lot of fun to, lol.

PS, Becca received an "A" on her school project, "AKA" my "A", lol, I'm still trying to figure out how it was the students class projects. The teacher loved it so much that she put it on display. And my niece still has her Flat Stanley Book that I created for her after all of these years, I'm thrilled to know that I created more than a Flat Stanley Scrapbook, I created a wonderful childhood memory that is still being cherished today!!! Love ya Becca from your auntie Laa Laa!!!

So now I'm suppose to pass it on to 5 other bloggers!! This one touched me more than you know, so I would love to see all of my followers nab this one!! Please do, I would love to hear your stories!!!

Happy Over The Hump Day!!

Brenda

29 Years of Marriage and What do I Get, sheep's Clothing, huh???

Yepper, sheep's clothing, lol. One whole white fleece all 7 pounds 6 ounces of it. Well it will be white. It is in raw form (dirt, hay, etc), so I have to do all of the work but it will be so worth it and I saved a ton of money buying it this way. It even comes with sheep poop, hahaha, I'll save that part and give it to hubby for fertilizer, hubby loves his yard!! I'll be dying some and I think I am going to give spinning a try after it is all cleaned up.

oh yeah, here's a little more, don't worry there is only 4 ounces of grey wool here, for them Witch Sculptures of course. Yeah, this one needs to be cleaned to. It's a good thing my husband loves me and he is so use to the way I buy supplies (huge bulk). If I need one I might as well buy 50 or more because its always cheaper in bulk than when you buy just 1 or 2. Okay, this is my story and I'm sticking to it, lol.


He bought me new curtains for the kitchen. 28 years ago these gifts would have gotten him in the doghouse, now I love getting things for the house, lol.


New rugs for the bathroom. Can you tell I love color!! Not so much on my walls but everywhere else. He bought me more clay, I seem to be going through it like crazy lately. And he took me out to one of the best dinners I have had in a long time (The Texas Road House). OM Goodness was it ever delicious!!! We had a wonderful anniversary!! I feel extremely spoiled especially since all he got was the movie "2012" that he wanted which I enjoyed to, boy did he get ripped.


Here's one of my WIP's


She still needs a lot of work, more paint, fabric, accessories, some hair would probably be nice. She is a challenge piece, can't give away what yet. I only have about two and a half weeks to finish her. With Easter only two weeks away, I have a few things I need to finish for the grand kids so I hope I can get it all done in time.


And I just had to share this!! We found this in our attic when we bought our house in October. Isn't it just screaming Cool Halloween Art all over it. From what I could find on the Internet they quit making this Rattlesnake Beer sometime in 1997. It is from New Orleans, Louisiana.


Oh yeah and still coming in the next day or two. Photo tag not once but twice!!
Have a Great Day!!
Brenda

The Queens of Halloween are Having a Giveaway in Their New Bootique Castle Shop!!!

Just click on the picture to see how you can enter.

This fabulous prize was created by Karen Harper of idrawpix. Karen's work is always amazing although I am still trying to win one on Ebay, lol!! I will have one in my collection you wait and see my pretties!!! This giveaway marks the Halloween Queens Castle Bootique's second month of listings. The Queens are a very diversified and talented group of artists. I love all of their work and hope to own some of it to!! So what are you waiting for, someone to bite you, flap on over and enter now, time is running out!!

Also it appears my dear friend Dede has photo tagged me, hmmmmm, fun, will have to see what I have in my album or at least an album I can get to, lol, number ten you say.....So coming soon...

Along with a few more goodies.....

Have a great day and be sure to bring your broom with you next time, I'm working on Halloween!!!

Brenda

Did you say Easter Basket Giveaway? The Magical Holiday Artists are Hopping Into Spring in a Magical Way X 2...

OM Gosh, just look at all of these fabulous Easter / Spring TREATS!!!

All of these amazing, wonderful and beautiful items were created by some of our team members, how awesome is THAT!! Want a chance to win, hop on over to the Magical Holiday Artists Blog by clicking on either of the pictures above and you'll be on your way...Whooo hoooo Spring is coming!!!

GOOD LUCK

and

Happy Monday Everyone, all Mondays should be like this!!!

Brenda

I'm In The Spotlight, oooo I Feel Like Royalty

I've been picked to be in the Because We Believe Artists Spotlight!!! Happy Dancing!!! Yep, that's me the one in the blue jeans and sweatshirt on the Red Carpet, lol. Do you think Joan Rivers is going to have a field day with my outfit, "The Worse Dressed", hahahaha. You can see it here. Thank you everyone for your wonderful support.

WIP

Here's a pic of my latest work in progress an Old World Santa Ornament. I'm really happy with the way he's turning out. I just need to find the perfect fabric now to make his hat. I'm leaning towards a hunter green velour type of fabric, what do you think??? Now you have to realize that I am NO SEWER, little things here or there but nothing to say I sew but I have a terrible fetish for fabric, lol. So once I walk into the fabric store it is going to be "Game On" for me, I could end up with 5 different fabrics to make one hat, yikkkessss, I'm scared.

Happy Friday Everyone and I hope you all have a great weekend!! Thank you for sharing in my happy dance too!!!

Brenda

For Renee and The Memory of Mothers Everywhere Including My Own.

The passing of Renee has been a tremendous loss to the blogging world. She touched so many of us. When I first discovered her blog I instantly started reliving our journey during my Mother's cancer. She lived exactly one month from the day she was diagnosed. After she passed I wrote this in memory of a wonderful Mother although I think it fits well for anyone who has lost someone special in their life. I think this is a good time to share it with all of you with so many sharing the sadness of Renee's passing and the family and friends she leaves behind.

Walking The Threshold Of Life

By Brenda LaBell

As we walk through the threshold of life, we often forget about the things that are important. We only get one chance to walk through that threshold and be sure we do it right. So remember that life can be too short, too hectic, too fast paced and sometimes unforgiving. Make the effort to spend time with your loved ones. Don't let them slip away without sharing their laughter, their sorrow, their likes, their dislikes, and to grasp onto everything they represent for this is what you are left with when the threshold of destiny comes upon you.

As we sit here just a short time after your passing, Mother, we gaze to wonder if we did everything we could to hold your memories with us forever. You were fifty-four years young to us, but in your threshold of life you had reached old age. During your last weeks of life there was so much to say, but none of us could. How do you tell the ones you love good-bye? But somehow you did with the little things you said. Such as, "I'll miss you", "I love you", and by telling us not to cry. You faced it so bravely Mother, and mothers don't leave their children, or so we think. Our hearts are forever filled with your memories, your love you gave unconditionally, and you will by missed.

As each of us continue our walk through the threshold of life, we can only hope we do it right, for we each only get one walk, and our destiny is not yet foretold. You were the best Mother, Grandmother, and Wife. You really did put everyone before yourself. You gave us so much. You often asked..."What am I here for?" Well, now we know and we only hope you know it too. You were an important person in each of our lives. You listened, you cared, you loved us, and you gave us all of the things we needed to carry on without you. Stand proud for you did a great job! You touched so many lives in such a short time. You won't be forgotten or unspoken of. You will live on in each of us through our thoughts and our stories.

With all our love...

God Bless You Mom

Patricia Anne Cram

March 19, 1944 - June 5, 1998

Your Loving Family

Miss You Mom

It's so hard to lose the ones we love, family and friends. My thoughts and prayers are with each of you as your heart aches for the loss of Renee. "The Power Of Renee" will live on through each of you.

((Hugs To All Of You))

An Irish Blessing

Mr. Leprechaun is finished and now listed on Ebay

He is my very first full bodied sculpture and I am thrilled with how he turned out. Sure hope you all love him too.

I love birthdays!! The more you have, the longer you live!!

Well yesterday (Saturday) was my 40 ish birthday and it was awesome. I did some shopping, of coarse it included art supplies, much more fun than buying clothes well at least to me it is, lol. Of coarse I couldn't come home until I had some new yarn too, you can't ever have enough yarn, giggle, giggle, snort... I went to three craft stores and I was in my glory!!! And very achey and breaky today though, the "ish" part of my birthday definetly shows more each year but it really is just a number. I bought some polymer clay, a couple of cones, a new crochet pattern book (yes, I already have probably a couple hundred books, but whats one more that I don't use but have to have, hehehehehehe), took a couple of those free patterns of coarse too. Did you know they have a free crochet pattern out there for snuggies, oh yeah had to have that one. Bought a couple of Artsy things for the grand kids to and some other misc. art supplies. Had some birthday cake, spent some time with my grand kids, hubby and son. What a fantastic day, now back to the real world, laundry, dishes, etc. But for one day I did nothing but what I wanted to do, no housework, what a life, I could get use to that very easily, lol.

Well back to creating those Easter Bunnies.

Sure hope you had a great weekend too!!

Brenda

Have You Met Herman????

No Not That Herman...

This Herman or Should I Say Hermans






Be sure to grab a piece as your reading today, it has a sugar and cinnamon topping, yummy!!


Dede, Brightest Blessings Wiccans


the sweetheart and dear friend that she is sent me a starter batch, yum, yum, yum. I have heard this delicious bread called by many names, starter bread, friendship bread, but my favorite name for it is Herman, because you have to feed him, lol. Although my grand daughter all of 4 years old was not at all impressed by the fact that it was Herman, she wanted to know why it wasn't a girl???? So I told her next time we will make a girl and I asked what will you name your girl bread? She said Rosie, so our next batch will be Rosie, she is sitting on my counter (naughty girl for sitting on my counter) and on day six I will feed Rosie, hehehehehe. From the mouths of babes......


Thank You Dede, it is scrumptious!!!



I have finally finished my commissioned elephant, yipppeee, so he or she is off to their new home today. Sure hope he likes him it is for his step daughter. I will know tonight...

WIP

Oooops, he's looking a little out of focus in this photo, he must be nipping on that green beer already. Yes, I said him.

Mr Leprechaun is coming along. He still needs a hat, some grass on his base, etc. I was hoping he would be done by today but that doesn't look to promising. Sure hope he's finished in time to list him, ughhhhh.

Have A Stupendous Weekend Everyone!!!

Brenda

Looky Looky, for me awww shucks......

I am honored, thrilled, overjoyed and most of all loving this award!!! How could you not love an award that is this beautiful and Springtime Fresh!!

It is awarded to bloggers whose positiveness and creativity inspires others in the blog world. Wow, how flattering is that!!

My Sunshine Award was presented to me by Kathy from Calkat The Jewelry Junkie!! I adore her, her blog and her artwork and jewelry is amazing!!! By the way I will be doing a little shopping with you very soon, lol!!!

The Rules for accepting this award are:

1). Place the Award on your blog or within your post.

2). Pass the Award on to 12 Sunny bloggers.

3). Link to the nominees within your post.

4). Let them know they received this Award by commenting on their blog.

and

5). Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this Award.

Now, I'm a firm believer that some rules were meant to be broken and I think this one is a sure fit and this is why.... I know some of you are Award Free Zones and I totally respect that and understand your reasoning. So if I nominate you please know that if you are an Award Free Zone do not feel that you are obligated but I want you all to know how you've inspired me in my art, the blog world and my life.

Bloggers Who Inspire Me (I don't have many followers but the ones that do are some of the best people I have ever met!!!)

So My Nominees Are: All of My Followers and here's just a few reasons why!! They are people that are positive, inspiring, sincere, supportive, they always make time for others, they are really good people and true friends!! 12 will be my short list.

1). Kathy, Calkat The Jewelry Junkie: Of course this is coming right back at you girl!!

2). Sarah, Cottage Garden Studios

3). Dede, Brightest Blessings Wiccans

4). Sherry, Byrum Art

5). Becca, Magikal Seasons

6). Laura, Cobblestone Creations

7). Lisa, Pearl Avenue Studios

8). Caroline, Carolines Crafts

9). Josie, Skeleton In My Closet: I know you are an Award Free Zone, but I really want you to know that you are all of these things to me too, thank you!!!

10). Robert, Halloween Fanatic

11). Jeanne, Wild Woods Art Studio / The Candy Corn Chronicles

12). Jeannine, By Way Of Salem

Okay, that's enough before you all get a fat head, lol.

Thank You Kathy And To All Of You That Inspire Me!!

((Hugs))

Brenda