Day 3 finally arrived....and it was worth the wait.

Superlatives fail me in this swap. Each artist has given a real piece of themselves.

Just look at this soldered pendant...it's beautiful! Kathy Strittmater did an amazing job. Everything about it, from the way it was presented and wrapped, to it's weight and it's silver shininess makes me feel special. Thank you Kathy, I'll always treasure it.

A Treasure and a Joy

For the heart that finds joy in small things,
Each day is a wonderful gift.

My gift...for Day 5

Here's my offering to the Be My Valentine group. I hope it brings a spot of brightness to your day.

It is so dreary and snowy here. My gift from Lelainia (which I can't share yet!!) brought me a greatly needed bit of cheer. Thanks Lelainia!

Moving right along...To Day 4!

Nope, no Day 3 yet from Kathy...It's stuck in the mail somewhere. I'm sure it will arrive soon!

I still got to open Day 4 today from Ruth O'Connor.

Look at this!! I put a loonie in the photo to give you an idea of scale...it's a diminutive treasure!!

It was delicious opening the bag, slipping out the tissue wrapped package; then untying the ribbon that holds the book closed and slowly, slowly flipping through the pages. The details, oh my! The binding is beaded, and the covers are little tags. The artwork is so sweet. Thank you Ruth! It will be treasured !

Be My Valentine...from Feb 1st

Wow. The talent of people, and their generosity at sharing their gifts never ceases to amaze me. Cece Grimes made a very special heart necklace from copper. It is etched, with a beautiful patina, and strung on a unique copper chain. I have not taken it off! LOL

It received many compliments at the book class I did at the library.

I Love it!

And here they are...

The top pic is Josh's and my books....the second one is Lana's. She added buttons to her binding...crafty girl!!! The third shot is a close up of the binding.

And, last but not least, here's a shot of a VERY happy crafter, who learned that perfection is highly over rated, and that it is possible to do something brand new, and come away with a beautiful, lovingly hand-made creation in just two hours.

What a wonderful way to spend an afternoon!

Oh, and next week we're doing another book, small enough to tuck in our purse (or pocket), and we are going to finish off with a potluck dinner at my house! Anyone else want to come?

Sew busy!

The final step involves doing a woven, hand-sewn stitch that connects all the signatures together. It makes a nice design on the spine of the book, and is a very simple in and out technique.

It is a great quiet activity to do while visiting or listening to music or a book on CD. (I find I always remember things better when my hands are busy as I listen. Maybe that's why Jesus taught, not just sitting in a synagogue, but out fishing, walking, and ministering with his disciples. Hmmmm...what could we take from that lesson today?)

I know I will think of the conversation we had yesterdy each time I pick up my finished book!

Sharing the joy.

I LOVE to learn, and when I find something that I have longed to do, and I discover that it's not as difficult as I had imagined, well, I just HAVE to share!

That's how I came to be teaching a book-binding course at our local library. I chose a project that looks fabulous and complicated when complete, yet it's SO simple to do! Even my youngest participant who was 7 years old had no problem. The age range from 7 to 70-something worked out just fine!!

Here are some snippets from the two hour class.

Me and my helper Josh...AKA PHAP-boy.

Here they are all together..

well, there are three that have not yet arrived, and I opened two.

I love looking at them. They are beautiful bundles of possibilities!!

So far...

So far I've received 7 gifts in the Be My Valentine swap. The mail up here in Northern Alberta, Canada is slow.....after all it is the middle of winter and those dogs get tired out pulling the big sled's. LOL! (kidding!)

I get a happy on just seeing them sitting in my front entry, and I put them on a mirror, so it actually looks like I have twice as many! LOL

Aren't they beautiful? The roses are from my sweet, sweet brother-in-law, who not only drove the three hours in from further up North to bring my Dad for his tests this week, but took the time to buy me flowers. He gets the credit for making me smile on a really hard day. Thanks Randy!

I've had such an outpouring of love from my dear friends and family. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, and my Dad was diagnosed with lung cancer, all in one week. You really find out who the angels are in your life when people pour into you when you feel all dried up and empty.
I received a freezer FULL of meals, prepared and delivered to my house by my sweet friend Karyn, flowers from not only Randy but also Pat, e-mails, phone calls, offers of help and many hugs, and last but not least, Ground Hogs Day cupcakes! (Oh yes, Ground Hogs Day is VERY big up here in the frozen North!! We all wait with bated breath to see if the critter will see his shadow and foretell 6 MORE, LONG, COLD weeks of winter or if we'll have an early spring...more later on the Big Party!)

I am rich!!! No money could buy the comfort these blessing bring. I thank all of you from the bottom of my heart. It is filled to overflowing with your love!

February 2nd!

I had a wonderful reason to be excited this morning...it's day two of the Be My Valentine swap, and I have a gift to open!! It is a beautiful heart from Crystal Neubauer


Mine is different from the one on the Be My Valentine site, but I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!

It is a wire heart with a ceramic doll arm, on a shipping tag backing, and has a quote from the book of Isaiah.

The long arm of His love is NOT too short to reach me! It's not too short for any of us.
I needed to remember that this week.

Thank you so much Crystal! I will cherish it as a reminder of how close we are to His touch.

" Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save..." Isaiah 59:1


I may not have been able to open a gift on day 1, because the post office is SO slow, but it will soon arrive, and I'll have a day where I can open 2!!!

Valentine Swap

The Valentine swap I am in is so much fun! From the moment I got an invitation to join from Lelainia, I've been plotting what to make, how to put it together, how to wrap it.

Well, that part is all behind me. I mailed all the gifts off today. And now...on top of the fun of planning and executing MY gifts, I get to sit back and wait for all the gifts from the other artists to arrive. The anticipation is delicious!
Then, starting February 1st, I will open one gift per day, and end on Valentines day opening two gifts.

It's a big JOY to me to be included in this swap. Dawn has done some other swaps with these artists, and they are so gifted. I hope I can bring some little joy to their day on February 5th with my gift.

Ah, Valentines Day is indeed good for the heart!

Forgetful...

I keep making things and forgetting to take photos of them before I give them away!! I made a really cool grunge-y envelope book for my niece for Christmas, and I made a hand bound book for my sister... and a charm for Dawn that I forgot about till I saw it on her charm bracelet yesterday. * I made ornaments from old family photos for all my family members for Christmas.
Do you see photos of these projects here? No!
Why not?
Is it because I don't have a camera? No....but I tend to have a favorite subject (named Liam) and I tend to forget all other subjects.

But who could blame me?? Isn't he just too cute?? Those cheeks make me just want to kiss them! If it weren't so snowy here I'd just hop in the van and drive out to their house for a snuggle. He is just learning to sit up on his own. (he's SO smart!) LOL

sigh

I know it's pathetic, but I bet all the grandmas out there can relate.

(Nessa took this picture, but I'm stickin' by my excuse!)

* I was not a part of this swap, but I feel honoured to add a charm to amazing bracelet from all these talented artists.

Taffy

This is little Taffy the Miniature Lop. He is too cute! We acquired him from a family nearby. We don't intend to keep him permanently, just till our friends from up north come down at the end of the month to take him home to add to their huge menagerie.

But he IS so lovable and cuddly and funny. Much nicer than the usual bunnies around here (the ones under the beds and sofas, if you get my drift).

Oh, don't worry Mikayla, I promise not to keep him!

Sweet n' juicy

Mmmmmm! My father-in-law brought us a huge bag of apples from his friends orchard in Creston. They are almost too pretty to eat, and make my kitchen smell heavenly. I have big plans for them. Apple sauce and apple-crisp and apple muffins. And of course, one a day to eat our of hand. Delightful!

Three Beautiful Things

1. Liam, sleepy and slow and cuddly in my arms today. Cute as a button. NOW I know what that means.

2. On the way into McDonald's today to meet Jeanette, Daniel and I had to go back to the van to grab something so the boys went ahead. A family met us as we walked across the parking lot and the Mom stopped us and asked "Are those your two boys?" I said yes, and she smiled and said "They are such gentlemen. They held both doors for our family".

3. Josh's 13th birthday and all he wanted to do was go see "Eragon" with his family. He was more than happy with the simple gifts he got, and then with a visit to the second hand bookstore and the new box of pencils from The Paint Spot before the movie. Life is rich.

Sad Truths; Lost Opportunity

There's nothing sadder than realizing their are windows of influence into our children's lives, and if those windows are missed, it the opportunity to make a difference slips by unnoticed,(..."like old, unwanted memories...") then we may have lost forever the way into that room of their heart. That particular shaft of sunlight may never illuminate the Childs soul. Darkness may remain in that little recess of his being. Then we face regretting forever our procrastination, the business of life that kept us focused on the mundane rather than the eternal.

I feel this way today. Regretful over something I thought I had all the time in the world for. How could I not have realized? This meant so much to me, yet I failed to pass the torch. Is it really too late?

The missed JOY in question here is the soulful, mellow, comforting music of James Taylor. I have a new DVD. James Taylor Live at the Beacon Theater. I love it. It makes me sing. Literally. In front of my children's friends. While on the treadmill. It's. That. Good.

And afterwards, in that glow zone that happens after a particularly spiritual experience, as I may have... ahem, verbally gushed just a little teeny bit, Josh, who will be 13 in two short days, said, (and I am still reeling!) "Ya, he has a good voice, but he's not my thing. I don't really like his style".

How could I have let this happen? How did I not see this coming? Why???!

James Taylor has been probably my all time favorite artist since I was not too much older than Josh. Well, OK, I was 16, it was 1977 and I was making my first purchase from Columbia Records, the mail in record club. Buy 3 albums (that would be uh, vinyl...LP's) over the course of the next two years and get 12 FREE selections. Wow! I still can't believe the magic of that offer.

My purchases till this time had been mostly of the K-Tel variety. Juke Box Jive, and Music Machine. Anyone else remember those? Where else could you get Elton John, Kenny Rogers, and Marvin Gaye all on the same disc? The "20 Original Hits" list on each of these amazing albums sounds like kind of a schizo iPod play list of somebody's Grandma. (Uh, that would be,uh....me).

But I digress. So back to summer of '77, all my friends are listening to heavy metal or hard rock and I am perusing the Columbia Records mail out ad, because finally, it is within my grasp to be cool. All I have to do is lick 12 of these nasty tasting little stamps, stick them on the enclosed application form, in the proper little pre-measured squares, slap a stamp on it, wait 4 to 6 weeks and BLAM!...just like that, baby, I'm cool!

But what to pick?? How cool can I be if I don't even recognize most of the bands? Oh no! I'll forever be stuck in the endless spinning of my little portable record player (no, I didn't have a "turn table" like my big brothers cool friends) listening to great selections like Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr's "You Don't Have to be a Star Baby (To Be In My Show)". No offense guys, wonderful human beings? Sure. Cool? Uh...No.

But then it happened. I found one that I was sure would elevate my cool quotient. "JT" Wow! Jethro Tull! Now that would be cool! This was happenin'! Lick. Stick. Slap. Wait; wait; wait.....wait. Nothing like 70's technology.

It arrived. JT. James Taylor?? Who?

I gave it a spin. His rich, intimate voice drew me in, and has had powers to soothe and connect with me to this day.

But somehow along the way, when it was most important, when those little musical taste cells were multiplying like cookie crumbs on the carpet, I missed planting this amazing, glorious seed into the little garden of my Middle Child's brain. Or opening that window and letting in that brilliant shaft of light to flood over his spirit, or....* insert your own metaphor here*.

I refuse to give in to despair though. I firmly believe there is always hope. As I checked out James' (you don't mind if I call him that, do you?) new album my 11 year old just walked in and said, "Oh, he has a very professional website".

"All we need is "A Little More Time With You", James. .... la la, la la....Sorry Jethro.

HaPpy NeW YeAR!

There are so many things I want this year. I want to "become". I want to "be", and to experience joy in that, rather than be judged for what I "do".

What do you want for 2007? More stuff? More accolades? More toys? I don't think those things are really too important on your list either. Have you made a list? Care to share it here? I'd love to read your top 10 hopes for the next chapter in your life.

Here are10 (or so) of mine:

I want to not worry...about a few things that have been unsettled since about June...things I have no control over, that affect my family, friends and community of faith. I want to deal with it and let it go.

I want to not feel pressured to keep secrets to cover other's hurtful actions and questionable decisions. If I wouldn't do it myself, why should I cover for someone who feels it's justifiable, but who insists that others who are effected should not know about it.

I want to continue to put my wonderful husband first on my calendar. He literally lays down his life for us each and every day, and does it with a humble, happy attitude, so when he comes home from working a 12 hour shift, I will be here for him as often as I can. Most things that need doing can be done in the daytime while he's working. If others think that he demands it, or expects me to have no life, I'll tell them to give their head a shake (in a nice Christian way LOL). I love honouring him, he adores spending time with me, and I with him.

I don't want to ask more than my son and daughter-in-law can give. They are busy, giving, unselfish and wonderful. They have a life to build, and a little boy to raise up, and I want to enjoy watching them do it, and help out when I am asked.

I want to feel healthy, and to be able to keep up to my kids and my grandson. I don't want to put on any more weight, but I don't want to obsess about my weight.

I want to base my education on my own passions, interests and my unique mission.

I want to Carpe all my Diems!! I want to spend my life, not hoard it as if waiting for it to magically increase in power and importance. If I don't enjoy today, there is no opportunity to take back the time.

I want to sit by the lake and watch dragonflies race in the sunlight, to hear the loons and coyotes call when daylight fades. I want to smell the rain coming from the west, and hear the aspens shake their leaves as the storm rolls in. I want to be amazed again at the fireflies, and feel my heart race at the energy unleashed by an electrical storm as I lie, dry and warm with Daniel, in the tent.
I want to taste the best meal in the world; fresh caught fish cooked on my Dad's camp stove and served sizzling hot from my Mom's covered enamel dish.
I want to travel back in time, down the roads of my childhood to that little lake known only to my family, to stand on the dock and see that God is good.

I want to experience the miraculous, each and every time I open my heart and soul.

I want to be a friend, meet needs, make a difference. I want to Love.


My hope is that you will seek what you truly need, and find what you truly want.

Huh??

This is a label from the back of my new candle holder plate. In case you can't read it, it says "Always place away from flammable materials"....like say, candles?

OK, I get being cautious, but is this intentionally schizophrenic, or just plain dense? Or is it a bad attempt at irony? Or is it an "Engrish" thing? You tell me.

Another Paige in my book of blessings

My niece, Paige, who is Studying at the Alberta College of Art and Design has always given me amazing gifts. They are always wonderous, original, and highly coveted. This year she is in studying pottery and glass blowing..Hooray for me!! She gave me three fabulous pieces of glass ware...a smallish vase (shown with marbles in it), a beautiful paper weight that looks like ink swirling through water, and an aqua blue/white swirly clear glass water picture (too big for the light box...I'll try to get a decent photo later). I am estatic! Thank you Paige!!

More Talent

Josh made me a beautiful little book for Christmas. It has polymer clay covers, embossed and with my initials, and a bead charm dangly. It was just the perfect size for some of my Christmas stamps. I aged the pages a little, and added two soldered charms I made. It is so precious!

Little House on my prairie.

Oooohh...I LOVE this little house Dawn made me for Christmas!! It has buttons AND birds, two of my favorite things. Thank you Dawn! I will keep it up all year. Isn't it dear??

The pen is prettier than the sword...

I have been soldering a lot...I made Christmas gifts, and a charm bracelet for myself from the fantastic directions on the "Simply Charming" blog. Ruth Rae shared such precise how-to's that I was able to put one together in an hour or so! Don't you LOVE talented, generous and gifted people? Thank you Ruth! (who has no idea who I am)

I also made a pen from the directions in Sally Jean's new book, which is so full of inspiration it makes my head spin!

Phapboy built a light box for small object photo-shoots and did some wonderful pictures for me. I think he did a marvelous job!

Ghost of Christmas Past

We went to see A Christmas Carol at the Citadel last night. The boys and I had a wonderful time...too bad Dad had to work.

That Scrooge had it pretty good, what with getting a chance to make things right and all. The scenes with the Spirit of Christmas past made me think of the Christmases that I had as a child. One word...CHAOS! Crazy, crazy, chaos. Picture six kids, and often various cousins, in pajamas, ripping and tearing and shouting and laughing and generally going berserk all at the same time. My Lord, if my boys acted like that I'd go back to bed and pull the covers over my ears!
But it was always a fantastic day, no squabbles or cats on fire or crazy aunts,...well, maybe one or two...but all in all we spent the day enjoying our blessings. That's me on the right...wondering what on earth I'm supposed to do with an ironing board and iron??? (still wondering)

You know, I don't think I'd change a thing!

Christmas Calm

It really feels like Christmas this year. We haven't had a White Christmas for SO long! I've been making gifts, and decorating. Josh has been lighting candles every evening and *GASP* the coffee table (formerly known as the big mess in front of the sofa) has been clean for TWO WEEKS!! And no, Vanessa, I didn't say it took two weeks to clean it (haha very funny)...its actually taken what...two YEARS to get it to stay clean for more than a day! Here is a photo...though it's more a candle scape.

Silent Night....

Birthday Party

Dec 6th is Mr Wonderful's birthday. We had a nice night away, just the two of us, and then a dinner with the kids the next night. Good food, wonderful company, and lots of laughs, mostly at poor Liam's expense. But he's just too darn CUTE, and when we put him in the little Speedo that once upon a time belonged to his Daddy, well, we just couldn't stop laughing. He was a good sport and he loves to make us happy, and of course I took pictures...

More than one poet in this family!!

I always get a chuckle when I read Laid-Off Dad and his recent post about the revival of the humble Haiku led me back to junior high (aaaaaiiiiii!!!) and inspired me to try this subtle art form once again. So little says so much....

Haikus are so hip
Iambic Pentameter's
A thing of the past.

COPYRIGHT PROTECTED BY ARLENE P TRAVNIK

What a team!!

Then I thought, why not pair the understated art of Haiku with the diminutive art of the ATC, or Artist Trading Card? Voila! A match made in Heaven!

Yes, Haiku and ATC's do in fact go together like piss n' vinegar, and once I started I couldn't stop!

The cold weather inspired me...

Some Haikus are moody and sad...as are some ATC's

Actually, I think the cold weather may have addled my brain...but my creativity was off like a runaway snowball....rolling down hill... on a crowded playground!

Oh oh!

It turns out that Haikus and snowmen go together like piss n' vinegar...or would that be like twig and berries?

Hope you're lucky enough to be snowed in like me. Have fun!!

Why DO we want to be parents?

I was asked that question recently on a home education site I frequent. Here is my answer, though I didn't mention the obvious reason...we parent in order to become Grandparents of course!

Hi Emma,

You asked some thought provoking questions.

>>>This idea also brings to my mind the questions of why do I want to be a
parent? If it is to magnify my own glory, then raising a "difficult" child
would certainly burst that bubble. >>>

I think all children are "difficult". It might help to remember that raising a child, like getting or facilitating a
good education, is a very difficult thing to do, even in the best of
circumstances. It's not easy to be a parent, there are always issues and
difficulties, at every stage of development.
Why do it? Because we are made ( I believe) in God's image, and God is
love, so we have this huge capacity to love beyond any difficulty. We are
created to love. That is what any child needs, and the joy of sharing love
surpasses ANYTHING that happens along the way. We will deal with the
difficulties through loving. I don't believe any parent could imagine or
understand the depth of love that we are capable of until we hold a small
hand, and realize the sincerity of trust that a little person places in us.
I believe it causes us to rise to the occasion and emulate our heavenly
Father. It's just natural! The fact that a child is difficult does not
diminish that love.

arlene

Because I know you are going to ask...

The black and white photos are done by the very talented Kristi Larson of Blue Frame Photographics. Are they not beautiful?

My little boy's little boy

Here are two little boys, both so dear to my heart.

Busy Learning

I have been enjoying learning alongside my boys. I have been so busy with that, that I haven't had much time for blogging! But I could combine the two! I could blog about our adventures in learning!
Here is my check list for the next few days ...

___ I made each of my kids laugh today.

___ I found a way to get one of my kids to say “That was so much fun!”

___ We read aloud and I heard the words I read, and noticed one great simile and one great word pair.

___ We followed one rabbit trail today (someone brought up a subject that made me stop what I was doing to go do a google search, to look for a movie or book on the topic, to talk about it and follow it up with a plan of some kind).

___ I hugged each of my kids.

___ I listened to one child tell me a long story about something important to him.

___ I learned how to do something today that one of my kids taught me.

___ I read a blog or book or magazine about relaxed schooling.

___ I didn’t do one thing that I hate to do.

___ I didn’t make my kids do _________ today.

___ I did one thing that made me supremely happy today.