my mother would be so proud . . .

(but she doesn't even know I have a blog!)

I'd like to thank the academy (also known as Lola)--truly,
it's an honor and delight to be called "brilliant" rather than
"doofus." But I'll answer to either.

And now, for your consideration, seven more bloggerish
people you surely would enjoy visiting:

rhonda stamps
Collage Contessa
Tipper
Angie and her artful life
bumblebee bags
Jan and her quirks of art
Christie's Creations

And now the rules according to Lola, who, I think, makes
them up as she goes (my kind of gal!):

1.The winner can put the logo on their blog.
2. Link to the person you received your award from.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Put links of those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message on the blogs you've nominated.
6. Write an acceptance speech in the style of the Academy Awards, thanking every body's mother, father, sister, brother, aunties and uncles and the kitchen staff at your favorite restaurant!

my favorite paintbrush

I see the moon and the moon sees me . . .

. . . God bless the moon, and God bless me.
-------nursery rhyme







Here's my offering for this week's challenge at Altered Pages.
For some reason, the look on that little girl's face makes me
giggle!

I have enough background left for a couple ATCs and a twinchie,
a couple of inchies, too, so will post those later in hopes of
a little trade. (Jan?? anyone?)

Wish I had some pics Rhonda's surprise party to post, but alas,
no. We got her, though! :)

flashback!

So we bought some
new conditioner,
and today when
I was washing my
hair, I had a
major Kiddle Kologne
flashback. Does
anyone else still
have theirs? I
do--they're in a shoebox in my old closet at my mom and
dad's, and they STILL SMELL! (The dolls, not my parents.)

Which I know, because I took them out and
played with them the last time I was there.

Look, I'm easily amused, okay?

big quilt!

This is such a pretty quilt! Mine this last week were teeny tiny, but this is a real live big quilt--go see how gorgeous!

Dear Daughter's Dolly

The head and hands were a set, but she pierced the lady's ear for her, made her a body from model magic, and dressed her in leftover batik and lace. Then the girl took pics and said, "Put these on your thing."

So here they are.

Isn't she grand?

hope rising (Out of the Box!)

This is my entry for the challenge at altered pages. They said to think out of the box, and Pandora immediately came to mind. Then, since hope is what is left, that makes me think of Emily Dickinson:

Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all,

And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.

I've heard it in the chilliest land
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.

After our little photo session and returning Miss Hope to the art room, I found Chester the World's Greatest Dog (who is really a cat) reposing in the posing spot.



It was getting late, however, and all he had in mind was a good sleep.

sharing

Here is a cute little bamboo pendant charm that needs a good home. The love stamp is a gel transfer image, the rub-ons are Basic Grey Flourishes, and the beads are glass strung on leather. I went through a fit of pendant making (it was fun, I just couldn't stop!), and inspired by Tipper, who shares on a regular basis, will now be sharing the love. Puppy love, in this case. Just leave me a comment, and we'll randomly choose a lucky new owner for this Golden Lab. Or Golden Retriever. Or whatever he is.
Will post new said owner the first of the month.

At home we have dial-up, because that's pretty much all we can get where we live, but today I'm at our shop (sports cards and memorabilia) playing on our fast
computer, and it is like MAGIC! It's AMAZING! It's FUN instead of frustrating!

Now if you'll excuse me, I have some serious blog snooping to do. Don't be surprised if I leave
a comment for YOU! :)

three things . . .

CC made this collage just for me! That's a big happy. It's hanging in the living room right now.
Christie sent me these goodies for participating in her card challenge, how sweet was that? She even made me a card!
And I found this amazing skirt for my daughter at a thrift store. She wasn't even with me at the time, but I knew she'd have a fit over it. The girl has a style . . .

black raspberry jam!

Here it is, the results of berry picking. One batch
has a cup of sour cherries in it, too. They both
turned out pretty yum, thanks to some fine fruit.
Or berries. Technically, berries aren't fruit, but
whatever--you know what I'm saying.

A very generous couple from church has invited us to
come pick for the last several years, but last year,
we planted our own cherry trees and raspberries.
One of the trees didn't make it, so we replanted this
spring.

We had a grand total of two cherries, which we picked
and ate BEFORE the birds got them. Our apple trees,
however, are full, full this year, as are the wild
plums, blackberries, and mulberries. Which means
we'll have plenty of jam and jelly this year. This
is an exciting thing, since last year the weather
was so strange, and frosty at the wrong times, that
there were no mulberries, apples, or cherries anywhere
in this area. Not so bad for us, but pretty heinous
for the orchard owners. Probably not so great for
the wild things, either.

Happy Independence Day!