My Life in Pictures

Share the Joy

My middle name is Joy. I have been collecting Joy decorations for many years. Hope you enjoy this slide show of some of my favorites.  

Merry Christmas Stocking

My Diva art group had a stocking swap this year. We could buy a stocking, make a stocking, or alter a stocking. My good friend Andi, from West Virginia, was my partner. We were also to stuff the stocking with special gifts. I choose to alter a ready made velvet stocking for Andi in the colors of Winter White. I added a small touch of embroidery, a vintage hankie, a vintage necklace, an assortment of fabrics, a hand made flower, various trims, beads and buttons. Every stitch was sewn with love for this dear friend. 

 
 





 

Memories and Manipulations

My friend DJ Pettitt is teaching an "Online Image Editing Workshop". You can read more about it and sign up for it here, http://www.djpettitt.com/online.html 

Registration closes and classes begin January 4th.

Justin's Christmas Stocking

When I was 9 years old, my mother taught me how to embroider. Needlework has been a love of mine ever since. You have seen me post several of my pieces here. When my first son was born, in 1978, I started on a 17", crewel Christmas stocking for him. I'm not sure how long it took me to complete it. I do know it was finished before my second son was born, 2 years later. Then I started on his. Going through my Christmas things this year, I found Justin's. A little moth eaten, but still intact.  Before I hand it over to him, I thought I would share this labor of love. Don't look to close at the stitches, after all, I was a new mother. Notice the French Knots and how many I had to do. I don't think I would have the energy to complete this project today.

The Kiss

I was talking with a friend today about how seeing a painting can stir your soul. I felt this way when I laid eyes on the beautiful piece, "The Kiss" by Gustav Klimt. While in Vienna, Austria, I visited the Österreichische Galerie Belvedere museum, which is housed in the Belvedere palace. I was lucky enough to see 7 of Klimt's paintings, but none more striking than "The Kiss". This life size masterpiece, measuring close to 6 Ft X 6 Ft, is breathtaking beautiful. Standing just inches away, viewing his brushstrokes, definitely stirred my soul. A memory etched in my mind forever. I did not want to leave this beauty that hung before me. I could feel the love and energy he was trying to portray with this piece. The models for this painting was Klimt himself and his beloved Emilie Floge.

Collaborative Steampunk

This piece started out as my demo for a class I was teaching. I took it to my weekend diva bash and some of my friends added to it. I finished it off and now have a wonderful piece of steampunk art. I think I'll frame it.

Diva Bash at Kari's

12 diva's met for a weekend of fun, laughter and friendship.

Mushrooms on Parade

 

Mushrooms have always fascinated me. Everytime I see one, I snap a photo. My collection keeps growing. Here are just a few. Enjoy!

Our Waterfall

One thing I am thankful for today. I live in a beautiful location in Fayetteville, TN. Being a nature lover, I am in heaven surrounded by God's greatest gifts.
We hiked to our gorgeous waterfall today. So worth the hard and dangerous climb . It's beauty is breathtaking.

Happy Thanksgiving

While walking the streets of Paris, I ran across this American store selling Louisiana cuisine. It had such a great name, I had to snap a photo.

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.  It turns what we have into enough, and more.  It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity.  It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.  Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow".    ~Melody Beattie~