ah ha moment...

Sometimes God closes a door even when we're walking in obedience, but it's only because He has something better in store. Don't become bitter and negative - trust Him to bring the right blessings.♥

This made me think of my mom this morning. She has had a life of pain and many health issues with her RA, and accepted every change and new problem with grace. Very rare to hear her complain about herself... Last year brought her heart surgery and now this last fall and broken hip. While she was devastated, she was able to heal and have good care, and awesome rehab, and Dad was able to have his back surgery and heal and grow stronger...had these events not happened in this order, none of that would be possible. I am beyond proud of her and all she has endured these last 2 months. Her time is winding down in the rehab facility, possibly she will be home Tuesday if all goes well. She is so excited, but she is fearful to...I am as well. She cannot fall again...She relies on her wonderful Ashlee, who has been with her every step of the way...getting her to walk again. While she will be so happy to be home, a part of her will be sad as she has grown to love so many of the people who care for her there. Isn't that a blessing?

Sorry to those who already read this on Facebook, but I felt it to be blog worthy as well.  I have not updated my mom's progress in awhile.  And Dad, he is doing well...so grateful!

out with the old...

So, in some past posts I have shared that I no longer find some of the things I treasured the most...desired any longer.  I spoke of getting rid of some things and sending them to the consignment shop I go to...sending more to Goodwill and thrift shops.  This continues, even more so now...I try to understand this change and I am a bit baffled by it.  So I quit trying to understand it.
My mixed media art began with vintage photographs, always!  There was an image in every piece.  Then as artists, we change a bit and sometimes a photo wasn't always necessary. But I stayed in that mode for about 3 years, by the way, I still enjoy that too.  But as you have seen a new direction has enveloped me.

 Here are a few, just a few...a sampling of what I am selling.  I thought I would always love these photos, and want them around me.  But something has changed, and I know longer want them around me.  Do they represent the past?  Not MY past of course, I don't know these people...but somehow I wonder if my desire to move forward and make some changes to my "self" has prompted me to let someone else love them now.  hmmm, don't know.
The ones that still speak to me are packed up and I will keep them, for now.  I have scanned mostly all of them, if I need them for an art piece I will have them... for now it is just stuff to me.  Things I no longer want to hold on to.
I have been working hard the last few days in my vintage shop, Remember Yesterday.  I am offering sets of 4 mostly, groupings...and for a very good price as well.  I know there are still many collectors out there, and hopefully someone will love them again.
change...is a good thing!

even my surroundings...are changing

This weekend was surprisingly spent, PURGING.  I know... what???  Now we have lived with many treasures surrounding us in our home, for many years.  In fact, it sort of looked like an antique/vintage shop.  And I loved it, and hubby...put up with it.  But you know what, recently I felt suffocated by it.  And I have been knowing this for a long time, it was dusty, too dusty.  I have a good many primitives and cloth type things...you seem to never get them dusted completely.  And when there are too many items, well, my dust cloth kind of just went around....things.
So fast forward to now, and I am not liking this cluttered feeling anymore.  And the primitives just aren't my taste now, I am wanting a much more simplified home.  And so it is...
I just wish I had taken before photos, I was moving to quickly...and didn't think of it.
But here is an example of an old cabinet in my dining room.  

This is where my collection of Union Cases was displayed.  Now these are not going anywhere, but will be packed away...right now, not something I want displayed.  You know, I had a visitor once tell me that she "sensed" a dark, heavy feeling coming from this case...really? I can see that, all these dead folks I do not know, living in my house with me... (but can I tell you, she was a bit crazy...)

I like the after, it is a work in progress.  Looking for just the right things to put in there.  Ahhhhh....

stretching my wings

I feel the need to do something FUN, and different.  I am finding that I love to paint so much more than I thought I would...odd when that happens...but GOOD.  And fitting too, as I am seeking change...  My friend Nancy had shown her work after taking this course The She Art Workshop by Christy Tomlinson, and I was in love with it.  But that happens a lot when seeing Nancy's art, *wink*  I love feminine things, and the vision of She Art, was right up my alley.  And then another friend Debbie told me she was taking the course, so I thought this would be fun to share the journey, even though she is on the other end of the country.
I can't wait to log in and get started...

PONDERING....THINKING....SEEKING CHANGE....

Google image

I find myself seeking change...in myself, my home, my actions, and yes...my art...oh and I forgot my blog....
Soon you will see some changes here, I am hoping to spend a lot more time here, get comfortable here once more...and visit blogs... I have missed it...I find myself, wasting to much time on Facebook, having fun yes, but it is a huge time sucker, and sometimes...I find the interaction...not good for me. Sometimes it is easier to just walk away, or pull back.  I have not decided yet.

What will I do, as I said (hopefully) re-vive my blog, and do what is joyful...create art!  Here is a peek of my work table today!

 I have 2 6 by 6 canvas's I was not happy with...I gessoed and I am creating something new, with Zetti's.  Collage sheets from Paper and Gluestix.  I am excited about these, I know my direction for this project, THAT HELPS.

But first, I made some pasta salad for dinner...Orzo pasta, some bacon, green pepper,onion,celery, shredded cheese...and a concoction for the dressing....be still my heart, I love Louisiana Remoulade sauce.... So while it is "chillin"...let me get back to my art table....