LIFE IS GOOD

It has been a very long time since I have posted.  We are settled in Bend' Oregon.   It is hard to believe how the years have flown by.  We have now been here for 7 years!

I lost my mom to heart disease a couple of years ago and it was a rough time for me.   My youngest brother died recently from drug addiction and it was a sad time.  We took his Scottie Jennie home and she and I grieved together.  She is now living in Seattle with two other Scotties and is very happy.

I am loving gardening and my flowers bring me joy.  I am dabbling in making jewelry.  I work with copper and other metals.  I do wire wrapping and hammered metal.  I am also sewing and teaching two of my friends how to sew.  I continue to enjoy my Babylock Ellissimo Gold embroidery machine.  I need to use it more.  I made a self commitment to finish what I had started before I take on a new project.  Here is my latest completed collage quilt.  I also made a collage pillow.  I am normally not a quilter but these collage quilts seem to call to me.

This is 20" x 60".

I will try and be more diligent with my postings.

So Many Changes!

We have moved from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho back to Bend, Oregon.  We feel like we have come home!

Life After Open Heart Surgery

It has now been five weeks since Jim had his aortic valve replaced and he is doing fantastic.  It was a much larger surgery than he anticipated!  I knew that, but ya just can't tell these men!  His valve was almost closed from calcification and now his "bovine" valve is giving him lots of good blood supply.  In six months time his surgeon says he will feel great, maybe be able to ski, and at one year he will be a new man!  I can't wait for him to feel great.  He has that kayak sitting in the garage waiting for him.  It has been a busy time caring for him and making sure all of his needs were met.  It is a great relief to have it over with!

I wanted to share some of our Vow Renewal photos from July 14, 2012.  Four of our five children were able to make it and it was a very special and emotional day for all of us.  I will share some of the photos of the decor as I had a great time preparing it all.

I guess I am going to "toot" my own horn a little!  I have GOTTEN RID of 85 lbs since June of 2011, and maintained the loss for four months now.  I decided to get healthy and it has been the best decision for me.  I eat no processed foods, no sugar, and no flour.  It is hard to imagine anyone can do that, and anyone who knows me would say impossible!  The cravings go away after one to two weeks and Jim has his candy and goodies around and I am fine with it.  I eat more food now than I ever have, it is just all healthy food and lots of it.  Life is good! 

I head to Art and Soul in Portland, Oregon on Wednesday.  I am taking two classes making metal jewelry.  Stay tuned................  Thanks for following me.

My Framed Beeswax Piece

Ona & I created embellished bottles and then when her sister, Jane Salley came for a visit we played with beeswax  collage.  What a great day we had.  I will miss those sisters!

BEESWAX COLLAGE FOR ONA d

This is a beeswax collage I made for my friend Ona d for her birthday.  She is very special and we celebrated her birthday with a group of ladies and lunch.  She liked her gift, but I still owe her a frame.

I enjoyed getting back to my natural art form of collage.  I love working with beeswax; I find it so relaxing and soothing.

More Ice Resin Jewelry