tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20167696129375838902024-03-14T09:35:38.941-04:00Life On the SeesawMy art, thoughts and opinions, and the occasional soapbox sermon...Beverly Sagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194870571959888759noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016769612937583890.post-32800330152856615732012-10-01T07:00:00.000-04:002012-10-02T09:16:25.139-04:00The Little Woman Who Could<br />
Saw a quote recently: <em>The world needs dreamers and the world needs doers. But above all, the world needs dreamers who do.</em> Sarah Ban Breathnach <br />
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Which got me to thinking: why don't more dreamers become doers? I've known many, MANY folks over the years who dream big dreams: changing careers, leaving an abusive relationship, going back to school, becoming a secret agent and saving the world from the evil villain - well, not so many on that last one. And these dreams aren't always great big dreams. Sometimes they're simple, private dreams: learning to dance, taking art lessons, learning how to program that **bleep** DVR!</div>
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One of the perks of bipolar disorder is having delusions of grandiosity, which was one of the toughest things to reckon with after my diagnosis - you mean, I'm not as fabulous as I always thought I was? Bummer.</div>
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Anyway, a byproduct of those delusions is that I've jumped feet first into so many things I'd never done before, completely believing I could do it. You know, we worry about what people will think - will they like it, will they approve, will I look like an idiot, all sorts of negative things. But, guess what, there's another kind of "what will they think" that can bring you down too. People, esp. other women, can be pretty hateful when you shine. I actually had a "friend" say to me, "Well, it's a good thing you're not a size 8, or I would really hate you!"</div>
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When I was diagnosed with bipolar two years ago and began therapy, I started a therapy journal. One of my spreads was, <em>Whatever happened to Beverly the Magnificent?</em> On that spread I listed things I had done well, just reminding myself that I am competent and talented, that it wasn't all delusions. </div>
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<em>Disclaimer: my purpose with the following is not to impress anyone. Just sharing some first-hand observations.</em><br />
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For instance:<br />
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<li>For an Easter production at my church, I volunteered to turn the sanctuary into the city of Jerusalem! I painted 24 4x8 panels that stretched across the front of the sanctuary, and also built a "mountain" that Abraham and Isaac could walk up. Had I ever done anything like that before? No! But I had no doubt I could do it. And I did! (Wish I had photos to share.) Since then I've painted many murals of all sizes; I'm no longer able to - fibromyalgia is no fan of going up and down on ladders! So now I paint smaller.</li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">When my best friend couldn't afford the wedding cake of her dreams - to serve 300! - I made it for her. And it was gorgeous and delicious! People kept saying, I didn't know you make wedding cakes. And I was thinking, I didn't either!
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Anyway, just a couple of examples. Of course, these were from the "manic" periods! But even during the "depressive" periods, I still had a tendency to jump in where angels fear to tread!</div>
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Do I recommend such reckless behavior? Not really. I've been very fortunate to not have any epic failures, but there certainly have been failures and near-failures. On those occasions when I did succeed at some crazy idea, I believe it was due to confidence as much as any ability. Maybe it was delusional confidence but it worked!</div>
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So, my point is: fake it until you make it. That little voice that keeps saying, You can't... what will people think... this is a stupid idea... <em>that voice is lying to you!</em> (No, I don't hear voices in my head - that's schizophrenia LOL)</div>
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Now before you say, well, she sure thinks she's special! - that's not what this post is about. I'm just trying to say that if you think <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgelKsZ9ZBXzfzbG7vWEOw0YmbImntlTJLg_Zc8yL2HafHIy9RcE19jfKpqesssopK3xF_jt8lzTBpSEDX3OtttEA5KSg99MSWWPLBIZbzrRFWp6SzsnTX6cvdCBe7mazV1-FM6zEsxAC-O/s1600/knew+u+could.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" kea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgelKsZ9ZBXzfzbG7vWEOw0YmbImntlTJLg_Zc8yL2HafHIy9RcE19jfKpqesssopK3xF_jt8lzTBpSEDX3OtttEA5KSg99MSWWPLBIZbzrRFWp6SzsnTX6cvdCBe7mazV1-FM6zEsxAC-O/s200/knew+u+could.jpg" width="200" /></a>you can, you most likely can! So - think you can! Believe you can! And then do it, and prove you can! And to hell with what anyone else thinks! Do you want to wake up one day, look back on your life and say, I wish I had...?</div>
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And now I will take my soapbox and sit down. </div>
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Until next time,</div>
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BeverlyBeverly Sagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194870571959888759noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016769612937583890.post-80842847773150828512012-09-27T11:37:00.002-04:002012-09-27T11:37:15.658-04:00My Declaration of FreedomI hereby proclaim and declare that I have given myself permission to:<br />
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<li>stop using all my time and energy to produce pieces to sell</li>
<li>forget trying to please an unknown buyer</li>
<li>participate in any challenge that strikes my fancy (BTW, I've always wondered where my fancy is located...)</li>
<li>"waste" hours doodling and experimenting and just messing around in my art room</li>
<li>focus on creating and finding my own unique creative voice</li>
<li>get back to having fun with art</li>
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So there you have it. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Detail from <em>The Scream</em>, c. 1893</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">by Edvard Munch</span></td></tr>
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What is it with "should"? I <em>should</em> sell my things. I <em>should</em> do more collage work. I <em>should</em> do more painting. I <em>should </em>do more sewing. My art <em>should</em> be more colorful. It <em>should</em> be more shabby. It <em>should</em> be more like that artist's work. I have come to the conclusion that SHOULD is a 4-letter word. Well, not technically, but you know what I mean.</div>
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All those <em>shoulds</em> weigh me down, burden me and stifle me to the point where I just don't do anything. My two escapes are sleep and the computer. My drugs of choice. <br />
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I've been thinking about and pondering all this for some time now. It was a huge step to release myself from all the shoulds, mine and the ones others impose upon me. But no more! Are you fooled by my bravado? Yeah, I'm not either. This is going to be a real challenge. Hopefully the payoff will be - wait for it - creating! Art that I like, that was fun and interesting to make. Art that has pushed my creative and technical boundaries. Art that I can photograph and share with you here on my blog.<br />
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I saw a quote recently: <em><strong>Make your life an exclamation, not an explanation.</strong></em> Wow, and ouch. So here I go. No more explaining why I didn't, but exclaming my newfound freedom to make art! Hooray for me!<br />
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Until next time,<br />
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Beverly<br />
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Beverly Sagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194870571959888759noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016769612937583890.post-15577655531647993782012-08-25T11:17:00.000-04:002012-08-25T11:17:05.029-04:00TransformersNot the kind they make movies about. My art studio has transformed temporarily into a sewing studio. Once upon a time I had two separate rooms - one for art, and one for sewing. But when my sister & nephew moved in with me last Thanksgiving, I had to squeeze it into one room. Ouch!<br />
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You may or may not know, but I make and sell one-of-a-kind purses, and with fall bazaars looming in the near future, it's sewing time! I move all my artsy stuff to one side of my work area, set up my ironing board next to the cleared workspace, plug in the iron and I'm ready to go.<br />
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The first purse I'm making is in luscious shades of brown and teal, great colors to transition from summer into fall. <br />
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So far I have ironed interfacing and stabilizer to the various pieces. Next I'll sew this to that and that to this. Then more ironing, sewing, ironing, etc.<br />
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I'm a firm believer in ironing at every stage of the sewing together process. I find that pieces line up much more accurately, and the finished project looks much more professional.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My stash of purses that are cut and waiting for me!</td></tr>
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For this purse I want to add some piping trim, but don't have exactly what I want, so it's off to the fabric store. Then home for some sewing!<br />
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Until next time,<br />
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Beverly<br />
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PS: I haven't forgotten I promised some UFO's. They're still coming - soon!<br />
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Beverly Sagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194870571959888759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016769612937583890.post-68638452910767806652012-08-23T07:06:00.000-04:002012-08-23T07:06:42.522-04:00Gypsies, Tramps and ThievesI've had a fascination with gypsies for as long as I remember. Every Halloween, I'd rummage for long, flowing skirts, billowy blouses, colorful scarves, and of course the iconic gold hoop earrings. One year I used Mason jar lids (just the rims) for my earrings - I rocked it!<br />
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Over at <a href="http://www.alphastamps.com/">Alpha Stamps</a>, they're having a Gypsy Fortune Teller swap, which I signed up for. We're using <a href="http://www.alphastamps.com/Themes-Gypsy/c160_1621/p12007/Concertina_Chipboard_Pennants/product_info.html">chipboard pennants</a> and collage sheet images from Alpha Stamps. For probably the first time ever, I've gotten started several weeks before the due date. As opposed to the day before they have to be in the mail. (See previous post <em><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2016769612937583890#editor/target=post;postID=1165944782252012420">God Save the Queen</a></em> - that's me, the Queen of Procrastination.)<br />
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We are to make 3 different pieces and will receive 3 in return from 3 other artists. Yesterday I completed the first one. Actually, the first two, since I'm making a duplicate set for myself. I quite like the way it turned out.<br />
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I've broken down my process, in hopes you're interested:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHsPWfatDNxy7fTopxZhMnL2WhBAwXdBsELg5YXrw72sKaE-5vuKmSodrjKpQzXHY4snWSDP5JAwKVhr7kkpkinu95-tZM7Q9LguIrmxk4VtFK2toyCmfu9-fy4CL6kdtfuAYJGFXtsTrp/s1600/Picture+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHsPWfatDNxy7fTopxZhMnL2WhBAwXdBsELg5YXrw72sKaE-5vuKmSodrjKpQzXHY4snWSDP5JAwKVhr7kkpkinu95-tZM7Q9LguIrmxk4VtFK2toyCmfu9-fy4CL6kdtfuAYJGFXtsTrp/s200/Picture+003.jpg" width="200" yda="true" /></a>I cleared my work table area (see aforementioned previous post) and laid out my chipboard pennants and the papers I plan to use: <a href="http://www.alphastamps.com/Themes-Gypsy/c160_1621/p11989/Weekend_Market_6x6_Paper_Pad/product_info.html">Weekend Market Collection</a> by Bo Bunny in the 6"x6" size. These are beautiful, richly colored, double-sided heavyweight papers, perfect for the gypsy theme. </div>
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I wanted each side of my pieces to be different, so I chose 6 papers. </div>
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First order of business was to cover the chipboard pieces. Using gluestick, I glued the papers to the chipboard and placed them under an old dictionary to dry. Then I trimmed as close to the edges as I could.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCjVDL6viNiEE_c_UwZT8AaBS8EmoiphL7iGANp6OCWJC7Dm_YavolmYS6r1HD0E-k3pxoa1e72kn05aXdoPk1DKL7T97axUFfD8qTTge47BHQp3T5PRHPlnIW-KvVpqPbKxviuCT2I50/s1600/Picture+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCjVDL6viNiEE_c_UwZT8AaBS8EmoiphL7iGANp6OCWJC7Dm_YavolmYS6r1HD0E-k3pxoa1e72kn05aXdoPk1DKL7T97axUFfD8qTTge47BHQp3T5PRHPlnIW-KvVpqPbKxviuCT2I50/s200/Picture+005.jpg" width="200" yda="true" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EV8uw_6FuH-qiYQDnWT4tGDJaVo-XhSepfWqkeJNsp1dV8HfRRVE_6am3m49VunGbS-TDFVUzqnDgfKzy3nKUAp7MbBFY6JZX2QnrX_Z0OBEY_pblqqc80gfyC1kjZppmSqU_-HF-Yo5/s1600/Picture+021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EV8uw_6FuH-qiYQDnWT4tGDJaVo-XhSepfWqkeJNsp1dV8HfRRVE_6am3m49VunGbS-TDFVUzqnDgfKzy3nKUAp7MbBFY6JZX2QnrX_Z0OBEY_pblqqc80gfyC1kjZppmSqU_-HF-Yo5/s200/Picture+021.jpg" width="200" yda="true" /></a>The next step was to sand the edges. My two favorites tools for this are emery boards and the little white sanding blocks used by manicurists. I buy those in quantity at the local beauty supply store - much cheaper than buying one at a time in the department store.</div>
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After sanding, I inked the edges with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Rusty Hinge.</div>
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Now on to the embellishments. I wanted to use some fortune telling spinner games in the background, and found exactly what I wanted on Alpha Stamps' <a href="http://www.alphastamps.com/Themes-Gypsy/c160_1621/p3494/Gypsy_Fortune_Teller_%232/product_info.html">Gypsy Fortune Teller #2</a> collage sheet. These two images are but a small portion of what is included on the entire sheet. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhESFd5JBnj8w_l-ZNGpyWIK3FTNGNJv4yuKSLG8HwMKF0gsFRhyphenhyphenfPGHkGxA21ydL16zUxqQh6IzMBU8P7r2-SBuEbQbKtIzmLPYtkFQkyu79gJ6cdmgy33daqzhFrc6RqaB8G7wTvgNGo/s1600/Picture+024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhESFd5JBnj8w_l-ZNGpyWIK3FTNGNJv4yuKSLG8HwMKF0gsFRhyphenhyphenfPGHkGxA21ydL16zUxqQh6IzMBU8P7r2-SBuEbQbKtIzmLPYtkFQkyu79gJ6cdmgy33daqzhFrc6RqaB8G7wTvgNGo/s200/Picture+024.jpg" width="200" yda="true" /></a>I glued them to plain cardstock, the kind you would use in your printer, to give them stability. Then I inked the edges with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Worn Lipstick. After adding Tim Holtz spinners, I applied foam tape to the backs. The larger one has one layer of foam, while the green one has 2 foam layers. I love using the foam tape to give depth and dimension.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2cJFFqVSOjNEgjys3oglYrsM6-fOz_oa7dPzqsup7ykuq6TbF5GTP98HsQvLLbkXPFd82ufoSuFwhnawZO3KYbu6HcFL3ngrkaqktkDC81GQW-acdqh1anz2IE8IAGDW5kqJKYVAiRRPh/s1600/Picture+025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2cJFFqVSOjNEgjys3oglYrsM6-fOz_oa7dPzqsup7ykuq6TbF5GTP98HsQvLLbkXPFd82ufoSuFwhnawZO3KYbu6HcFL3ngrkaqktkDC81GQW-acdqh1anz2IE8IAGDW5kqJKYVAiRRPh/s200/Picture+025.jpg" width="200" yda="true" /></a>Next, the focal image, this time from Alpha Stamps' <a href="http://www.alphastamps.com/Themes-Gypsy/c160_1621/p11896/Gypsy_Beauty_Collage_Sheet/product_info.html">Gypsy Beauty</a> collage sheet. I cut the gypsy dancer and feather circle from one copy, glued real feathers on the back to peek out from the front, applied foam tape and attached to a second, uncut copy of the image. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoseBug_rTcRh91ZzmLmdxykdd2YYKRFB400v6mR9Sn8C2-AlIhNp2tgn7ZsuzBmLmiwn7hcB8a-Q5vKJ9rlWfb4ZdVkXqiwp6_ISt7PMdwuiUsHUKcyJ23zmY9kbto9X9CZBFTqncF4YV/s1600/Picture+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoseBug_rTcRh91ZzmLmdxykdd2YYKRFB400v6mR9Sn8C2-AlIhNp2tgn7ZsuzBmLmiwn7hcB8a-Q5vKJ9rlWfb4ZdVkXqiwp6_ISt7PMdwuiUsHUKcyJ23zmY9kbto9X9CZBFTqncF4YV/s320/Picture+008.jpg" width="320" yda="true" /></a></div>
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Then I added <a href="http://www.alphastamps.com/Collage_Supplies-Dresden:_Metallic/c4_61/p5403/Thin_Looped_Dresden_Borders/product_info.html">gold Dresden trim</a> (also from Alpha Stamps) around the perimeter as a frame. I used Ranger's <a href="https://secure.alphastamps.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=stickles&osCsid=a6d36fe8c9c1070eb74e21e236fe61df">Stickles in Diamond</a> to highlight the gypsy's scarf, and Stickles in Xmas Red to add a little bling to the "feathers" behind her. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWgwRIRVQZpvhTCZQN4VNO9jp6x7mwENvJqBoEqDnCW8GiAAKtjNYMJXoVPIOlMaNu8OHhvUjPo6zJpW6Mn1byDap0Ll-_c-dRy9T2mytWfFoZaGUTiLOxIlVp_AZQ7we6U3FrVEehNhL2/s1600/Picture+016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWgwRIRVQZpvhTCZQN4VNO9jp6x7mwENvJqBoEqDnCW8GiAAKtjNYMJXoVPIOlMaNu8OHhvUjPo6zJpW6Mn1byDap0Ll-_c-dRy9T2mytWfFoZaGUTiLOxIlVp_AZQ7we6U3FrVEehNhL2/s200/Picture+016.jpg" width="200" yda="true" /></a>After everything was dry, I put 3 layers of foam tape on the back so it would stand above the spinners.</div>
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There were 2 other bits from the <a href="http://www.alphastamps.com/Themes-Gypsy/c160_1621/p3494/Gypsy_Fortune_Teller_%232/product_info.html">Gypsy Fortune Teller #2</a> collage sheet that I used: "Madam Morrow's Fortune Telling Cards" and "The Gipsy Fortune Teller" banner. I applied Distress Crackle Paint in Clear Rock Candy to both and adhered to base when dry. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdaTPpPNpnJNkyb9xsnZtiV63klnS1rKFLYE807GsGb3qCjvlPCXgwpLH-HCEJgZ9otbPodicQPKUk86a1YJ4kvVNOyUkZt__QLA4i2XIMRrSJ_13Dcwn0San_1u1QQrluljWl5XqJ0mK3/s1600/Picture+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdaTPpPNpnJNkyb9xsnZtiV63klnS1rKFLYE807GsGb3qCjvlPCXgwpLH-HCEJgZ9otbPodicQPKUk86a1YJ4kvVNOyUkZt__QLA4i2XIMRrSJ_13Dcwn0San_1u1QQrluljWl5XqJ0mK3/s200/Picture+015.jpg" width="200" yda="true" /></a>The last step was to add the metal coins and <a href="http://www.alphastamps.com/p11958/Violin_Charm/product_info.html?osCsid=a6d36fe8c9c1070eb74e21e236fe61df">violin charm</a> to the bottom left corner, using matte medium. I have found that anything applied with a generous amount of matte medium will NEVER come off!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUFGc48G2QMYJFM1amZatOGXlqUtceFXCL6LVKE1ftHpTSHrd1QnKX4WNZRYxrH4h7kW25DW4lGEu4EN5oi4A2kCdcm4qO1RbpN6DrKTgbKA2HTjJbycG67MPQHEO1RDqqSlTVv-uigdP/s1600/Picture+019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUFGc48G2QMYJFM1amZatOGXlqUtceFXCL6LVKE1ftHpTSHrd1QnKX4WNZRYxrH4h7kW25DW4lGEu4EN5oi4A2kCdcm4qO1RbpN6DrKTgbKA2HTjJbycG67MPQHEO1RDqqSlTVv-uigdP/s200/Picture+019.jpg" width="150" yda="true" /></a></div>
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On the reverse side, I glued a card giving the name of the swap and my personal information, held by a hand-reading chart that I crackled with Ranger's Crackle Accents. The Crackle Accents gives a larger crackle pattern than the Distress Crackle Paint.</div>
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And Voila! The first of 3 Gypsy Fortune Teller pieces!</div>
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<em>A word about the collage sheets: I purchase the collage sheet downloads for 2 simple reasons. First, no shipping costs, and second, I can print out as many copies as I want. Since I like to cut up and layer my images with foam tape, I usually need at least 2 copies, sometimes 3. So the download is much more cost-effective for me.</em></div>
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I hope you like my gypsy art and that my little tutorial has been helpful. Your comments are valued and much appreciated.</div>
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Until next time,</div>
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Beverly</div>
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PS: There may be UFO's next time...</div>
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Beverly Sagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194870571959888759noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016769612937583890.post-11659447822520124202012-08-14T07:00:00.000-04:002012-08-14T07:00:07.254-04:00God Save the Queen!That would be me, the Queen of the Nation of Procrasti. I have "doing it later" down to an art. True, there are many Ladies-in-Waiting, but I reign over them all!<br />
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Whatever.<br />
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You know that place where you just put stuff when you're not sure where it should go? Like mail, toilet paper that hasn't quite made it to the bathroom, those great finds in the clearance aisle... Well, in my world "that place" has been my art work table. <br />
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Over the summer I've participated in a few swaps, so everything that I pulled out for possible use has been in a pile under a notebook. (Next to the toilet paper in photo #1). </div>
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There were road trips to visit family and friends: no time for putting things away! </div>
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There were lazy days of doing absolutely nothing. I call them "mental health days".</div>
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And finally what I'd been dreading all summer: I had to do SOMETHING with these dozens of boxes in my living room, in the corner by the TV, behind the sofa, and any other empty spot I could find. When my sister and nephew moved in with me last Thanksgiving, we cleared out my then art room and sewing room so they would have rooms to sleep in. (A lightbulb moment: people sleep in those rooms, hence the name "bedroom". Aha!)</div>
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Tax records, bank account statements and cancelled checks, receipts - all going back to 1982! Now shredded and hauled away. In addition to all of that, my dad took 11 - that's eleven - banker's boxes full of trash to the dump. There's one very large plastic tub full of items for Goodwill. </div>
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Now I'm down to a mere 8 boxes of "things to keep". But it's all good because they all fit behind the sofa, out of sight, out of mind. (I thought about taking photos, but that could be incriminating.)</div>
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Clearly I have not had opportunity to deal with my art room. However, I have committed to two other swaps, with deadlines rapidly approaching, and the procrastination is just too too tempting when my work space is a disaster. So this morning I dug in. </div>
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There were rub-ons and collage images to file away, little bits of ribbon and other trim, buttons and various trinkets. And we mustn't forget the goodies I've purchased here and there that I simply tossed onto the pile. Okay, onto the floor, too. (See photo #2, above)</div>
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And true to my bipolar nature, while I'm sorting/filing/tidying up, might as well reorganize all my trinkets, charms, jewelry bits, tiny this and tiny that. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2FRsGdwrN_y_sAkdxlaKPB08uoirF3lOQEoTsqgRHo_f6LagtnKYgnz2ZixxmCfJIqlIA8UuaPYDYcpEEl61JKkOEn9Gb-Mk55HTNq3Ale-Gx7-pqvJBGFPWiTkZCdoDtiOP6ZcfBpbz2/s1600/Picture+025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2FRsGdwrN_y_sAkdxlaKPB08uoirF3lOQEoTsqgRHo_f6LagtnKYgnz2ZixxmCfJIqlIA8UuaPYDYcpEEl61JKkOEn9Gb-Mk55HTNq3Ale-Gx7-pqvJBGFPWiTkZCdoDtiOP6ZcfBpbz2/s200/Picture+025.jpg" width="200" /></a> Over the last several years I've amassed a collection of cheap cheap cheap jewelry, purchased with the thought that, "Hey, I could take this apart and use the individual pieces in my collages!" Except, of course, I never got around to actually doing it. They've been shoved into a storage tray, mostly untouched, because when I'm in the throes of creating I can't take time to dismantle these things!</div>
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No longer a problem, my friends - all are now deconstructed and sorted and ready for service.</div>
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Ta-Da! Here's my workspace, all tidied up and ready for my next creating adventure. Note the empty spots where you can actually see the table. And I've set out my basic supplies for my next swap - Gypsy Fortune Tellers, hosted by <a href="http://www.alphastamps.com/">Alpha Stamps</a>. Love me some gypsies!</div>
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I suppose I will have to relinquish my throne, at least temporarily. No procrastinating now, there's art to be made! But it's late. I'll get started tomorrow.</div>
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Until next time,</div>
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Beverly</div>
Beverly Sagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194870571959888759noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016769612937583890.post-20424811564812919842012-08-02T07:00:00.000-04:002012-08-02T07:00:09.914-04:00"Tim-ified" TinAnother swap with the <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AllThingsTim/">All Things Tim</a> Yahoo group. This time we altered an empty mint tin, Tim Holtz style. <br />
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I started by covering the outside with torn pieces of masking tape which I then inked with Black Soot and Aged Mahogany Distress Inks, followed by a couple coats of gloss gel medium. I was aiming for a leather look - not sure I quite achieved that.<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Although we were not required to, I decided to do something special inside. I lined the inside top and bottom with black velvet (from a thrift store shirt). In the bottom I put lilies, a scroll diecut, and a butterfly. Hard to see, but the butterfly has Distress Crackle Paint in Rock Candy. I put several layers of foam tape on the underside of the butterfly so that it seems to float in the space.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAy4sI6DpM2teuRnAVkM1AyQxJIONMXtTXntHJ5AyhyphenhyphenWhschlHM8u52lqGfBVbCjIR3I3miyB6WF1g1QOEKymQPnMhyRgd_JdSd4PYd7SSSStMNyNxTaU-C6le5nSNHN-e5LESwE9l_0vI/s1600/Picture+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAy4sI6DpM2teuRnAVkM1AyQxJIONMXtTXntHJ5AyhyphenhyphenWhschlHM8u52lqGfBVbCjIR3I3miyB6WF1g1QOEKymQPnMhyRgd_JdSd4PYd7SSSStMNyNxTaU-C6le5nSNHN-e5LESwE9l_0vI/s320/Picture+007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Inside the lid I put a single TH Ideology Adage Ticket, also with the Rock Candy crackle, and aged with sepia color ink.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOonLoYJc6x9aU57xdzZG72f8BTEGSMMBOsGAGATDp_HiNcMAm6Uofp7giYt2M1g8OJM5NIwEZWE-pTjK1I7RdtU-HXoGysv3yXvo9fJKiXJFafvk2pFSsDj1w9iQ2vKqVM1D-P4pznfhm/s1600/Picture+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOonLoYJc6x9aU57xdzZG72f8BTEGSMMBOsGAGATDp_HiNcMAm6Uofp7giYt2M1g8OJM5NIwEZWE-pTjK1I7RdtU-HXoGysv3yXvo9fJKiXJFafvk2pFSsDj1w9iQ2vKqVM1D-P4pznfhm/s320/Picture+008.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>On the outside, I used gold Dresden trim around the upper and lower edges and used a gold leafing pen along the lip of the upper section. <br />
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</div>On the top there is a flower, a TH alphabet card, a TH heart charm, and three tiny buttons. I love tiny buttons! I chose the "C" card for Cathy, who will receive this in a few days. It also is covered in the crackle paint and aged with ink.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVoqXu9Xv07ICsInYwmobyXizGZJCHQcQEsE98Sx0S_Ri6h90k2nFreCIhgP2xE7e0y40NQzV0-6QNLhSX9s9Ii_Aw0VD1BAXrFOD_ISyEUew9vXprj1qj5vqiaM3aKi8H4Hyxk6eyzmSM/s1600/Picture+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVoqXu9Xv07ICsInYwmobyXizGZJCHQcQEsE98Sx0S_Ri6h90k2nFreCIhgP2xE7e0y40NQzV0-6QNLhSX9s9Ii_Aw0VD1BAXrFOD_ISyEUew9vXprj1qj5vqiaM3aKi8H4Hyxk6eyzmSM/s320/Picture+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I love how it turned out and hope Cathy loves it too!<br />
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Until next time,<br />
BeverlyBeverly Sagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194870571959888759noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016769612937583890.post-32257613838268980862012-07-31T13:14:00.001-04:002012-07-31T13:14:37.521-04:00When your children are older than you...<div style="text-align: center;">
Yesterday was my older daughter's 40th birthday. In December,</div>
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my younger daughter will turn 35. What I can't wrap my head around</div>
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is this: how can I have children that age when I'm only 35 myself!?!?!</div>
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</div>
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Years ago I heard or read, "The secret to growing old gracefully is to</div>
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pick an age you like and stick with it." So I chose 35. Honestly, in my</div>
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head and in my heart, that's my age. My knees and shoulders would</div>
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argue, but overall I feel 35.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Another quote that resonates with me is, "We don't stop playing</div>
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because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing."</div>
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In my humble opinion a major component of playing is being silly.</div>
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I love being silly. Being silly rocks! Sure, I get strange looks</div>
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from other adults. Whatever.</div>
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</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6M2lBa-KOsrm0HJ9d29eKx0MSW-ODmDZj6xaLE5Wes9ynQU4PQAx8J4y-FH4xEix-_RnDJA1yrFIKhToAyzRqYnK0uSGBpgqzAySxD6qoUmY-3f1BZd8goFpsgBWC-uDv66-8fVjMYk8T/s1600/Picture1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="109" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6M2lBa-KOsrm0HJ9d29eKx0MSW-ODmDZj6xaLE5Wes9ynQU4PQAx8J4y-FH4xEix-_RnDJA1yrFIKhToAyzRqYnK0uSGBpgqzAySxD6qoUmY-3f1BZd8goFpsgBWC-uDv66-8fVjMYk8T/s320/Picture1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Martie being very silly in the photo booth</td></tr>
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</div>
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Recently someone posted this on FB: "How can you become</div>
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old and wise if you were never young and crazy?"</div>
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To which I replied, "Who wants to be 'old and wise'?</div>
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I plan to be young and crazy my entire life!"</div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3gjEwpAMuA4bb6mdLi8SADi79hIUPApGN1kJZgBOlk6Q75mE9xjIws9juOGXnm2LhUNc8p0ZmES0On8VoyWW5FPw7ivDkQlYao4ZIb3t8vWA4FJcH18Fi6XqL77xf8WMvza8EprhY5nr/s1600/Picture2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="108" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3gjEwpAMuA4bb6mdLi8SADi79hIUPApGN1kJZgBOlk6Q75mE9xjIws9juOGXnm2LhUNc8p0ZmES0On8VoyWW5FPw7ivDkQlYao4ZIb3t8vWA4FJcH18Fi6XqL77xf8WMvza8EprhY5nr/s320/Picture2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My daughter, Leslie, and her friend Martie</td></tr>
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</div>
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My daughter Leslie had a terrific party to celebrate the big 40.</div>
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She rented a photo booth, you know, the kind where you</div>
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get inside, pose, and press the button. There was a LOT of silliness</div>
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going on in that photo booth!</div>
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</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaniDgqLHfOBFGsX09GZjIQJLwab7Ru4dtthHp2pwKVSsRt6k6y0F3M7E3IWG-KvMLhb706UGdGBgACjQvolqngdDxfBZcSFG3TFU4MPLLj0ubObGDbjTDMH1nxDj0YADpqmL7oX0INmCF/s1600/Picture3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="108" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaniDgqLHfOBFGsX09GZjIQJLwab7Ru4dtthHp2pwKVSsRt6k6y0F3M7E3IWG-KvMLhb706UGdGBgACjQvolqngdDxfBZcSFG3TFU4MPLLj0ubObGDbjTDMH1nxDj0YADpqmL7oX0INmCF/s320/Picture3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My son-in-law Boo and his brother Alan</td></tr>
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</div>
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I'm guessing that the average "age" of the party guests was about 15.</div>
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The photos I've shown here are only a small sampling. </div>
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One last quote: "How old would you be if you</div>
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didn't know how old you are?"</div>
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<br /></div>
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Today, be silly, be young, and be at least crazy enough to</div>
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make people stare!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Until next time,</div>
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<br /></div>
Beverly<br />
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</div>Beverly Sagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194870571959888759noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016769612937583890.post-54937871357927169222012-07-30T07:00:00.001-04:002012-07-30T07:00:11.320-04:00Don't stand still or you'll get altered too!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Altered art artists will alter most anything that will</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">stay still long enough. The <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AllThingsTim/">All Things Tim</a> - as in Tim Holtz - </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Yahoo group recently hosted an Altered Mousetrap swap.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Yep, that's right - mousetraps!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">We were to start with 2 plain old-fashioned wooden spring-type</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">mousetraps and "Tim-ify" them up. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5TfwoMTjTOWndKitSZ6HhSz4tNJEW4wouEL-unw7iEwfEeyuW7FawYwCHfGht9obz8bLCJHsvleJCbiFugNJzAN4u8DPBsao2-mkbD6wnFDCOtHr2wKnsy5luiDGw7BzSbtcsNSImr1h/s1600/Picture+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5TfwoMTjTOWndKitSZ6HhSz4tNJEW4wouEL-unw7iEwfEeyuW7FawYwCHfGht9obz8bLCJHsvleJCbiFugNJzAN4u8DPBsao2-mkbD6wnFDCOtHr2wKnsy5luiDGw7BzSbtcsNSImr1h/s320/Picture+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here are my completed mousetraps. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zUU-XT7yZiQanSj4KU0r3QBIg70kPomicgRRkwXG5WntcP9i0yUqCHh2PG3l3KgpIIlt_P8McWUeL_cOxiR3BYRlQjEj1VWvUL95psZgVe50QpOVkhIqpIoDOSyntYY00a9mB5tzWSC-/s1600/Picture+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zUU-XT7yZiQanSj4KU0r3QBIg70kPomicgRRkwXG5WntcP9i0yUqCHh2PG3l3KgpIIlt_P8McWUeL_cOxiR3BYRlQjEj1VWvUL95psZgVe50QpOVkhIqpIoDOSyntYY00a9mB5tzWSC-/s320/Picture+009.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I stained the wood with Tim's Adirondack inks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I also used inks to color the metal springs. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT1ocBBDwu6LUV8EQ3Ue0wfk2wbTgerGJUaiEkNd9oURXtd-VQSKLiFKsm7wqVB9vA2A_TK-RsGkSFMouycjusFIMp1VZ1b3sF9cDlPSvW_dOqCwk0wc9S4Umr6zI7WHUL19906OcscCYa/s1600/Picture+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT1ocBBDwu6LUV8EQ3Ue0wfk2wbTgerGJUaiEkNd9oURXtd-VQSKLiFKsm7wqVB9vA2A_TK-RsGkSFMouycjusFIMp1VZ1b3sF9cDlPSvW_dOqCwk0wc9S4Umr6zI7WHUL19906OcscCYa/s320/Picture+010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I used pieces of a Bingo card in the background, and completed them</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">with Tim's tickets, some dimensional flowers, charms and buttons.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvuPPWZLuI-qbVOCwm-K4LFMkS-2rf4pORtSM0BJSOydUPWFrL7MO8cnQ91hUq7ZzttmjyuKfaDsah9sy4H4pDwspkMv-lA0qDiacX0hFxY3uJxg5941sNygONaAmDwBw0UTY2bGiadgCh/s1600/Picture+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvuPPWZLuI-qbVOCwm-K4LFMkS-2rf4pORtSM0BJSOydUPWFrL7MO8cnQ91hUq7ZzttmjyuKfaDsah9sy4H4pDwspkMv-lA0qDiacX0hFxY3uJxg5941sNygONaAmDwBw0UTY2bGiadgCh/s320/Picture+011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I think they turned out really cute!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And there's a bonus: the finished mousetraps make great</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">little noteholders, or key holders, or whatever you can fit</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">underneath that wire holder! With a magnet on the back</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">they will attach to the fridge or a filing cabinet. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Until next time,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Beverly</div>Beverly Sagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194870571959888759noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016769612937583890.post-73034865673551169352012-07-27T07:00:00.000-04:002012-07-27T07:00:07.668-04:00For the Birds...<div style="text-align: center;">A few weeks ago, <a href="http://www.alphastamps.com/">AlphaStamps</a> hosted a blog hop featuring their</div><div style="text-align: center;">design team members. And I was the very lucky winner at</div><div style="text-align: center;">Caroline Ouzts-Hay's blog, <a href="http://cmoh.blogspot.com/2012/06/meet-alpha-stamps-design-team-blog-hop.html">Glitter Tart Designs</a>! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkuh59JsnDoY2Xm7kMFFeZWAqAt5GMymySIgo6BdJiblATBZYUzr9gGhtcujp_kzVzOYFYDaIohnaEmzSydnVR0jhfWsyIDtKqmg58QsJm0pWeu1YJKHj7vO7lMY1bVgCSwFDUMU68kw/s1600/Blog+Hop+giveaway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_lyfggh="5" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkuh59JsnDoY2Xm7kMFFeZWAqAt5GMymySIgo6BdJiblATBZYUzr9gGhtcujp_kzVzOYFYDaIohnaEmzSydnVR0jhfWsyIDtKqmg58QsJm0pWeu1YJKHj7vO7lMY1bVgCSwFDUMU68kw/s320/Blog+Hop+giveaway.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">She sent me an incredible filled-to-the-brim bag of bird-themed</div><div style="text-align: center;">goodies! There was glitter, bird nest fibers, birdhouse chipboard</div><div style="text-align: center;">shapes, pearls, ribbons, collage sheets, text sheets, and more...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8btbMoJWNPApJaCSlmrk_uIQ27nJQgfZWZZ3qj9dL8b9x3VnwB0qo1OjD3R6K7vA3AqF9CdOjnVcN0SaM65z466lWm2OtMWpQIA9ei8NRfn4QWSjZnTVZQeh19TK7fFtcbb3wzE9ykw/s1600/Blog+Hop+Giveaway+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_lyfggh="6" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8btbMoJWNPApJaCSlmrk_uIQ27nJQgfZWZZ3qj9dL8b9x3VnwB0qo1OjD3R6K7vA3AqF9CdOjnVcN0SaM65z466lWm2OtMWpQIA9ei8NRfn4QWSjZnTVZQeh19TK7fFtcbb3wzE9ykw/s320/Blog+Hop+Giveaway+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> ... neatly packaged in an adorable handstamped fabric bag.</div><div style="text-align: center;">That pink bird is absolutely precious!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Perhaps one day soon (more or less) I'll make</div><div style="text-align: center;">my own version of Caroline's enchanting</div><div style="text-align: center;">"Slices of a Birdhouse".</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Nm-qi9MYh5xSoVzr3S5uOVgpeYldQNnhBr9VUfLW2wAJUfRbmxGsMI0yt0UKb71MTReBzyGDD6yiPqKmALd2Rv__t4HbqL8jjH7IMngdmg3IvAoCURcgUgbB_fNY__EElGD20MiRFw/s1600/COHay_BirdHouse8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_lyfggh="2" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Nm-qi9MYh5xSoVzr3S5uOVgpeYldQNnhBr9VUfLW2wAJUfRbmxGsMI0yt0UKb71MTReBzyGDD6yiPqKmALd2Rv__t4HbqL8jjH7IMngdmg3IvAoCURcgUgbB_fNY__EElGD20MiRFw/s320/COHay_BirdHouse8.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Keep your nest snug and dry, and Happy Flying!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Until next time,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Beverly</div>Beverly Sagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194870571959888759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016769612937583890.post-2278177859434468772012-07-24T07:00:00.051-04:002012-07-24T07:00:06.769-04:00In Stitches...<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, I've been keeping myself in stitches - sewing purses! I finally have</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">my Etsy shop open but am still in the process of getting things listed.</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thought I'd share some of what I've been making. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Z9FiF3tssm4V99W5yRDmaq5m5sXoFkqiyh_0UITtImKf0J6lF0lScw6F4MKh-fiqtyA3B6sahFjVFkRpvGlL6VTy96eza-ScOeXmwxXUaV6Y5N5BZ4Aitvw6jmFzliV0cQj1Yfv5FYuA/s1600/Picture+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Z9FiF3tssm4V99W5yRDmaq5m5sXoFkqiyh_0UITtImKf0J6lF0lScw6F4MKh-fiqtyA3B6sahFjVFkRpvGlL6VTy96eza-ScOeXmwxXUaV6Y5N5BZ4Aitvw6jmFzliV0cQj1Yfv5FYuA/s320/Picture+015.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My purses are my own designs and patterns and are all</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">handmade by me. I use only 100% cotton fabrics and the purses</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">can be machine washed and dried. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLx_Z09aV__7xkoBjAGT0DwHBtAl7vqDhSbjdFpUrE7rPFVLyhIeD3EfUpVECuWbdZEqweG1On5jdQ07yHhUKgS4Y7rNsIJCJfSCziDB215FgjBVRDLsM30G4pAjZusqL6Nb7INBULMMr/s1600/Picture+027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLx_Z09aV__7xkoBjAGT0DwHBtAl7vqDhSbjdFpUrE7rPFVLyhIeD3EfUpVECuWbdZEqweG1On5jdQ07yHhUKgS4Y7rNsIJCJfSCziDB215FgjBVRDLsM30G4pAjZusqL6Nb7INBULMMr/s320/Picture+027.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I do use individual fabrics in several different purse designs,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">but I never make 2 purses exactly the same.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You are unique, and your purse should be too!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All purses are fully lined and have 10 interior pockets!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I turned this purse inside out to show the pockets;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">this is one side, with 2 - 2" pockets, 2 - 4" pockets,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and 1 - 5" pocket. The other side is the same,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">for a total of 10 pockets. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBcs1DM7eafUjF9AnQYJ42TPwJpdAiH706xttHhyphenhyphenZbS5M2QJnELJzcXfRDqykdCzhMsT6oulhv9z5aZzSlzReeiNNN0tZfCiLjwpANnYKZZHoKtF2hiygP5EmJgZLgSbQria9MvAoUcUKB/s1600/Picture+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBcs1DM7eafUjF9AnQYJ42TPwJpdAiH706xttHhyphenhyphenZbS5M2QJnELJzcXfRDqykdCzhMsT6oulhv9z5aZzSlzReeiNNN0tZfCiLjwpANnYKZZHoKtF2hiygP5EmJgZLgSbQria9MvAoUcUKB/s320/Picture+006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This owl print is one of my favorites! And you can't go</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">wrong with green, pink and black! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj699eFnTxVymnFOZ-9kn9alw4JAQ3FPPWMEEOw7GikpMxO9iPDyGy-8h0M9iWtdsh_pIRTQonfiBzN5CGUQf0WcwsdozUDRWBPawdUw51LKfB95FBVgJzrHOqITV0PYAA-2IkUdaTTXfVx/s1600/Picture+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj699eFnTxVymnFOZ-9kn9alw4JAQ3FPPWMEEOw7GikpMxO9iPDyGy-8h0M9iWtdsh_pIRTQonfiBzN5CGUQf0WcwsdozUDRWBPawdUw51LKfB95FBVgJzrHOqITV0PYAA-2IkUdaTTXfVx/s320/Picture+009.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I also love the combination of navy, yellow and white,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and the daisy prints work perfectly. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhimJvUkl7M7tkJ_2vC9FfL7sV3D2bVS-urlPY7NnyRiKRLfbF8I2llM5QSky3a4yDMsPL1GaQb6XPymT7j0aM5KzjxXWNqs8zUpsCuMhtdlZCs4fg31JeauGNFnKMIPH6cueo24zaa1XXI/s1600/Picture+016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhimJvUkl7M7tkJ_2vC9FfL7sV3D2bVS-urlPY7NnyRiKRLfbF8I2llM5QSky3a4yDMsPL1GaQb6XPymT7j0aM5KzjxXWNqs8zUpsCuMhtdlZCs4fg31JeauGNFnKMIPH6cueo24zaa1XXI/s320/Picture+016.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Another green, pink and black one, this time with lots of white</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">also. Love the tab with the great big buttons. The buttons are</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">purely decorative; there's actually a magnetic snap underneath. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5glHaSjdMuJJpLhLQlZu9AmEero15Oqz2bvt8mPhnzJcQmUkjTWe-DWjpe0MySVQTSPD0kiKQSDrQE6K79CKddG6B_bStBpOYmArdPKXS6aAAmF70L-yrGoXZB9uQs0wnSry4W7ctgqSp/s1600/Picture+021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5glHaSjdMuJJpLhLQlZu9AmEero15Oqz2bvt8mPhnzJcQmUkjTWe-DWjpe0MySVQTSPD0kiKQSDrQE6K79CKddG6B_bStBpOYmArdPKXS6aAAmF70L-yrGoXZB9uQs0wnSry4W7ctgqSp/s320/Picture+021.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And here are some of the purse-size tissue cozies - aren't</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">they adorable? I make them in fabrics to match</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">my purses, but also make them in lots of other fun prints. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioeQNOtNE9VF5P6XbUaLiDR1A_rS9-g77OSqpkJE7ocPrj26TP2AkGOaAuDoIzcYiZG9lbZb1kZvpq9OC2XmVfRt5iiW7Cs_VxLypmtgYcp8i3KCNAV_hbzJjdGwgqTNkfMH3J3MMamb-H/s1600/Picture+083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioeQNOtNE9VF5P6XbUaLiDR1A_rS9-g77OSqpkJE7ocPrj26TP2AkGOaAuDoIzcYiZG9lbZb1kZvpq9OC2XmVfRt5iiW7Cs_VxLypmtgYcp8i3KCNAV_hbzJjdGwgqTNkfMH3J3MMamb-H/s320/Picture+083.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These drink cozies were born out of the need to protect my fingers!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The paper sleeves on those coffee drinks just don't cut it for</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">my fingertips - these cozies have fleece inside to</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">keep my fingers from burning.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLP-SYwTF749oH-eklBzVLELjzKC4wBSrTpb8TonwC4C8Cb64O9o1MH8BjEfqVguRXHS9lqXi7Hk0YFGejr1WFbIXzshgeDJ8AmSPNiwr0M1OUFPf59sopSAR3Rhd7y-oa56PfqOcH0Rb/s1600/Picture+035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLP-SYwTF749oH-eklBzVLELjzKC4wBSrTpb8TonwC4C8Cb64O9o1MH8BjEfqVguRXHS9lqXi7Hk0YFGejr1WFbIXzshgeDJ8AmSPNiwr0M1OUFPf59sopSAR3Rhd7y-oa56PfqOcH0Rb/s320/Picture+035.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And they work great for cold beverages too. I keep</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">one in my purse to use in restaurants: I love my iced tea</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">but I don't particularly care to have condensation</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">running down my hands and dripping onto my clothes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The cozy absorbs the moisture and keeps my hands and</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">clothes dry. And, like the purses and tissue cozies, they</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">can be tossed in with the laundry.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So that's a sneak peak at what will be in my Etsy shop very soon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I hope you'll check it out!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thanks,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Beverly</div>Beverly Sagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194870571959888759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016769612937583890.post-28414929683539252572012-07-22T15:04:00.000-04:002012-07-22T15:04:00.965-04:00My 15 Minutes of Fame!!!Hello fellow bloggers! I am so honored to report that some of my recent art is being featured on Laura Carson's blog, <a href="http://artfullymusing.blogspot.com/2012/07/wish-you-were-here-postcard-swap-art-by.html">Artfully Musing</a>. I have been a huge fan of Laura and her art for some time and to have something of mine selected by her is really thrilling! So stop by her blog - but plan to spend some time there. You will see some really amazing creations by Laura and you won't want to rush!<br />
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In other news, even though my blog has been laying dormant for quite a while, I have actually been busy making art! I won't try to share it all in one post - you're welcome. Last week I mailed away my Birds in Hats coaster swap sponsored by <a href="http://www.alphastamps.com/">AlphaStamps</a>. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTn9Wxs4d-6CX-eBOiyMht4FcRrlI4acSejFlJk3JEy5wkQvCAdDDrRktfXFeu76rH0WQd5Hu3TEDHqF7Hiqq8D06pUpomAYnkiO7D4APB6u50gDYSgw0SJxVjYwia_iqDj7aVW_4QUaLz/s1600/birds+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTn9Wxs4d-6CX-eBOiyMht4FcRrlI4acSejFlJk3JEy5wkQvCAdDDrRktfXFeu76rH0WQd5Hu3TEDHqF7Hiqq8D06pUpomAYnkiO7D4APB6u50gDYSgw0SJxVjYwia_iqDj7aVW_4QUaLz/s320/birds+1.jpg" width="308" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was so much fun "shopping" for just the right hat for each of these feathered friends.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopG_3VuvAk6MUPPF4w060HrwG5zHWdcWuc4EPpwxOlMmMNxApxPeo48_YCeeEfXibUviqWGsW6reMa8lJZe7lRv3fKe_vxNT9iRThImHoR_7KLuX7pwcWg2vvfZckf-mXPdywfEZgenng/s1600/birds+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopG_3VuvAk6MUPPF4w060HrwG5zHWdcWuc4EPpwxOlMmMNxApxPeo48_YCeeEfXibUviqWGsW6reMa8lJZe7lRv3fKe_vxNT9iRThImHoR_7KLuX7pwcWg2vvfZckf-mXPdywfEZgenng/s320/birds+3.jpg" width="316" /></a></div><br />
The hat below is festooned with tiny flowers which are actually repurposed nail art decals. Gotta love the dollar store!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj78ocRhNvK4B-HxOziePHaaxLeEwRIQHqCJbFCbVJKfUz_w4U_5UWsva9T4F-I2IC3-nGNwMRGC-YJTLLsG44DLnrFyzoByMdCqFPAzyHsgtboln0DNcUdihI21upp_I-e5w5meRDhQQzW/s1600/birds+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj78ocRhNvK4B-HxOziePHaaxLeEwRIQHqCJbFCbVJKfUz_w4U_5UWsva9T4F-I2IC3-nGNwMRGC-YJTLLsG44DLnrFyzoByMdCqFPAzyHsgtboln0DNcUdihI21upp_I-e5w5meRDhQQzW/s320/birds+4.jpg" width="313" /></a></div><br />
And this one I'm keeping for myself:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8BWokWHLYCCLqUJnNInejjYla3CuVFejHgaQuL9AeiT2enkCFFf5ilL3HwIBiDhQfBMX7LO64jlSfpXYc1HEX_e5agTfC-FVe6o7DdJ7F6pl0Qsjb8lE2j5tS49yFD3BazU57siCLYeCN/s1600/birds+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8BWokWHLYCCLqUJnNInejjYla3CuVFejHgaQuL9AeiT2enkCFFf5ilL3HwIBiDhQfBMX7LO64jlSfpXYc1HEX_e5agTfC-FVe6o7DdJ7F6pl0Qsjb8lE2j5tS49yFD3BazU57siCLYeCN/s320/birds+2.jpg" width="311" /></a></div><br />
If you've never visited the AlphaStamps online store, you're in for a real treat. And there is a corresponding <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/alphastamps/">Yahoo group</a> with some wonderful and talented members. Do check them out!<br />
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Thanks to those of you who have not given up on me. I hope you'll begin visiting me here on my blog again!<br />
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BeverlyBeverly Sagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194870571959888759noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016769612937583890.post-80052081083778557402012-04-02T11:00:00.001-04:002012-04-02T11:00:01.111-04:00A Little Mania Can Be a Good ThingI know, I know. You've heard it before, that I'm back, with a renewed commitment to my blog and to posting on a regular basis, blah blah blah... Well, I certainly can't make any guarantees - after all, I could get hit by a bus or be wisked away by a tornado! (Auntie Em! Auntie Em!) But, I'm back. Whatever that means.<br />
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In my last post - almost 4 months ago! - I mentioned that my end of the bipolar seesaw was beginning to rise up into the air. And it is, hallelujah! I told my therapist a couple weeks ago that I feel a manic swing coming on. A little mania can be a good thing - the key word being "little". But this time around I'm on the correct medications and in therapy, and being aware of what's happening and understanding it will hopefully help me tame it and keep it in check.<br />
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So, things at my house have changed a lot in recent months. My sister, Rhonda, and her son, Damon, have moved in with me. And it's good. We laugh a lot, which is healthy for us all. Rhonda cooks and cleans, which I do NOT! I've said for years that I don't need a husband, I need a wife. So now I have one, sort of. <br />
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My nephew Damon is a great kid. Mostly I like him because he laughs at my corny jokes. He's pretty smart, too. Damon attends the School of Engineering, a special high school here where the kids take college classes along with their high school curriculum, and they graduate from high school with a two-year degree in engineering. Pretty cool, huh? And he's also a wicked soccer player!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDl8X4Mf2gBPmHnUhRn_35wZJBd7u2jxYJE1r5oQJHWm-XtGPDM_UOJnwiRDD4zAH_opA5NVK2KbDCdEtXpQw23UJUAz-_cqU-eYbF-9TtRjg1IAESDsWHZc6_n50q3ixn3nXNdL1nQqN/s1600/Picture+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDl8X4Mf2gBPmHnUhRn_35wZJBd7u2jxYJE1r5oQJHWm-XtGPDM_UOJnwiRDD4zAH_opA5NVK2KbDCdEtXpQw23UJUAz-_cqU-eYbF-9TtRjg1IAESDsWHZc6_n50q3ixn3nXNdL1nQqN/s200/Picture+005.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>My all-purpose art/cutting area</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">My former art room is now Rhonda's room, and my former sewing room is now Damon's room. So what happened to all my stuff, you might ask. It's all in my former bedroom! Which actually works out pretty well. I haven't slept in my bed for several years now, thanks to an achy back and joints, sleeping instead in my recliner. So I put the bed in Rhonda's room and have somehow managed to get MOST of my sewing and art stuff into my former bedroom. Cozy, for sure, but it works. (The boxes and boxes of stuff that's left over are behind the sofa, waiting for me to list them on ebay.)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwUWhW4wRrOMTPjnYdKW1YYmQTScaGsHngtOfeKWvsRFh4AoY_cyl1Wm_Y1r3n7B-N5Y4e3ohoMb1-zSqWpF-G9FphDEdEs64DE38UOACmlqH0iMzJwo_Q_wIlnuhWSwk99ik6gbpPZkdU/s1600/Picture+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwUWhW4wRrOMTPjnYdKW1YYmQTScaGsHngtOfeKWvsRFh4AoY_cyl1Wm_Y1r3n7B-N5Y4e3ohoMb1-zSqWpF-G9FphDEdEs64DE38UOACmlqH0iMzJwo_Q_wIlnuhWSwk99ik6gbpPZkdU/s200/Picture+004.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Can you say too much stuff???</em></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6x5lhyphenhyphen8rcn6SIBoU5Po5ca3wyrApaWU6ugXA_3Cj5Tu0X94VRi5tf4pra-DSLnLe5FPSLfF5esXjK1psfMvT0tkTNwE2dSy2S2SDOaSpO8ZJsi7eAPZC8H1WsKF_3tdc8A03NeJif9iv6/s1600/Picture+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6x5lhyphenhyphen8rcn6SIBoU5Po5ca3wyrApaWU6ugXA_3Cj5Tu0X94VRi5tf4pra-DSLnLe5FPSLfF5esXjK1psfMvT0tkTNwE2dSy2S2SDOaSpO8ZJsi7eAPZC8H1WsKF_3tdc8A03NeJif9iv6/s200/Picture+006.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>My sewing station</em></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0ACTjpe5R5ct-tepOfDI6BUTkSjlMxnSIKB08A1EHTXZzuopbM88gVorO6yY2COV-au_ubGKnyZzQ_FjL9D1F2OuCu-2oOLxt3tJLi0rWgU9DMLecXX8szdLZQYbsR5iubXz7JCyC4gn/s1600/Picture+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0ACTjpe5R5ct-tepOfDI6BUTkSjlMxnSIKB08A1EHTXZzuopbM88gVorO6yY2COV-au_ubGKnyZzQ_FjL9D1F2OuCu-2oOLxt3tJLi0rWgU9DMLecXX8szdLZQYbsR5iubXz7JCyC4gn/s200/Picture+003.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>A very small sampling of my stash</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> So what am I working on these days? Purses. LOTS and LOTS of purses. I started making these several years ago and sort of burned out on them. But I wanted to have a booth at a craft fair coming up in April, and heaven knows I have plenty of fabric! So, I sketched out some new ideas, and over the last couple of weeks my rotary cutter and I have become quite intimately reacquainted. In addition to purses, I am making adorable little purse-size-tissue covers and coffee cup cozies.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhalnjAkL6H4iDuFGaKtRRxhg6Pujh7YqZ8VHSPmX-Vl36pHcbkI4-etHJUTR2wlYIMndzmZhmJHeuVTvdFnMmgzjWQiluq2tICTsCxlEv0Z0ODB8Czq1715EKsz3I56vdQ5FPxbb0mxcqA/s1600/Picture+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhalnjAkL6H4iDuFGaKtRRxhg6Pujh7YqZ8VHSPmX-Vl36pHcbkI4-etHJUTR2wlYIMndzmZhmJHeuVTvdFnMmgzjWQiluq2tICTsCxlEv0Z0ODB8Czq1715EKsz3I56vdQ5FPxbb0mxcqA/s200/Picture+014.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnTMdJzrdE_gHOYo2bBURHc9qFD8x_lqjMdr63n0KbnhEmcuqSWMiA45t1uUAvFpnv5zE-SGiKFYp9i5FWfb3FTWuNKbPwe7-fkwaI6IiGVpD4u-dqPDZJ_0dmJ_AQR5tQEkfDWgZkceG/s1600/Picture+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnTMdJzrdE_gHOYo2bBURHc9qFD8x_lqjMdr63n0KbnhEmcuqSWMiA45t1uUAvFpnv5zE-SGiKFYp9i5FWfb3FTWuNKbPwe7-fkwaI6IiGVpD4u-dqPDZJ_0dmJ_AQR5tQEkfDWgZkceG/s200/Picture+010.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Love these fabrics!</em></td></tr>
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">And I've changed my little "business" name from <em>BeBe's Creations</em> to <em>Button Soup Creations</em>. How cute is that? Of course, I had no idea there's a book from days of yore by the same name. Who'd a thunk? And I've decided to open an Etsy shop, which is in the works. See? I told you a little mania can be a good thing!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Until next time,</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Beverly</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.</span></em> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Proverbs 18.10</span></span></div>Beverly Sagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194870571959888759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016769612937583890.post-60927861367310424792011-12-01T14:58:00.004-05:002011-12-01T15:05:57.746-05:00Abducted by aliens; returned home at last<div style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Okay, so it wasn't really aliens. Just been at the "down" end of the seesaw for the last several months. But the tilt is headed in the other direction now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After participating at a few craft/gift fairs this Fall, I have items left over that I really want to sell. So I've put out a flyer inviting folks to come by my house on Saturday to check out my stuff and hopefully BUY! </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgorDauGjkn7C9o8zp4vxY5auTnWN0CP5OCm8BWF57O955jxbRrMam3N0iB-7s25PmfF87tVFJulheLzp0XF6Z2LbHbZCya1misMQz24b0TadBvbLkT4KAX1VCEnqpSCj9NjpsObZ6CKerQ/s1600/princess01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgorDauGjkn7C9o8zp4vxY5auTnWN0CP5OCm8BWF57O955jxbRrMam3N0iB-7s25PmfF87tVFJulheLzp0XF6Z2LbHbZCya1misMQz24b0TadBvbLkT4KAX1VCEnqpSCj9NjpsObZ6CKerQ/s320/princess01.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AyZTdJtdQa5npDgXIpNqwuanxZD6Uqkfyyv4yowuiflsZRVKPs10rflmDlid-mdt-0wIQT7Vm3ENvt2u11PrmlXF_S88mxPHN4YmpFgsPoINNKtLYirX3pY0rbn1yZZpnsaPV-ESMAFF/s1600/princess05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AyZTdJtdQa5npDgXIpNqwuanxZD6Uqkfyyv4yowuiflsZRVKPs10rflmDlid-mdt-0wIQT7Vm3ENvt2u11PrmlXF_S88mxPHN4YmpFgsPoINNKtLYirX3pY0rbn1yZZpnsaPV-ESMAFF/s320/princess05.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3NeHBpWEiuSvvVNNxEDhvD-ONYrRhZz7fsK40TK4gilZ9PDcK5fzhxL857oZldIPZZp-VDT-pJ2Z_uNbSN6ExFUFOsWoMFyYBbLfiktwjU9BG6XpoBaC_UJF4FTX_tiP4CXtF4qYYRf3T/s1600/princess02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3NeHBpWEiuSvvVNNxEDhvD-ONYrRhZz7fsK40TK4gilZ9PDcK5fzhxL857oZldIPZZp-VDT-pJ2Z_uNbSN6ExFUFOsWoMFyYBbLfiktwjU9BG6XpoBaC_UJF4FTX_tiP4CXtF4qYYRf3T/s320/princess02.jpg" width="312" /></a></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyCHNvpmHNsAHuoWXuNAcr8bfd3oNEuKiH-HxZ6KJd8h8Yt2MaO653Gq_Lc36o32oUyouksD52mFD66cHlVRl7otn4gsbgMvFE3ezQZOPJ0Zl96QUYNubsXLNyX4dmV82Qbjbpq2R6FzVH/s1600/princess03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyCHNvpmHNsAHuoWXuNAcr8bfd3oNEuKiH-HxZ6KJd8h8Yt2MaO653Gq_Lc36o32oUyouksD52mFD66cHlVRl7otn4gsbgMvFE3ezQZOPJ0Zl96QUYNubsXLNyX4dmV82Qbjbpq2R6FzVH/s320/princess03.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivhq2UTX0R7lzGJzSn2LSsd-eszEokhTMdvkA9fRdGGspElfjMKQu6mMguRtntGdmP5gs6D-Pbsf8_YwFZm2rhFcWSAvYjCsWgIMY7tVcLPXKh0ENu3_mwBuBKsvi_i4fRTzeHLpd9_KVb/s1600/princess04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivhq2UTX0R7lzGJzSn2LSsd-eszEokhTMdvkA9fRdGGspElfjMKQu6mMguRtntGdmP5gs6D-Pbsf8_YwFZm2rhFcWSAvYjCsWgIMY7tVcLPXKh0ENu3_mwBuBKsvi_i4fRTzeHLpd9_KVb/s320/princess04.jpg" width="310" /></a></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">These are my "Heavenly Princess" canvases, evolved from a class I recently took. </span><a href="http://www.christytomlinson.typepad.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">Christy Tomlinson</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> offers a "SheArt" class, which I took because A) I love her messy and spontaneous style, so different from my own, and B) Christy is just so darn cute! </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Each canvas has "Princess - Daughter of the Heavenly King" somewhere, along with an inspirational saying or Bible verse. No Princes yet, but they're coming!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can see my Vintage canvases </span><a href="http://bes53seesaw.blogspot.com/2011/05/for-mothers.html"><span style="font-size: large;">here</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">, and </span><a href="http://bes53seesaw.blogspot.com/2011/05/vintage-images-make-me-smile.html"><span style="font-size: large;">here</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">, and </span><a href="http://bes53seesaw.blogspot.com/2011/05/sisters-and-aunts.html"><span style="font-size: large;">here</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">, and </span><a href="http://bes53seesaw.blogspot.com/2011/05/be-you-nique.html"><span style="font-size: large;">here</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGvxip9rII35mbxBnpCMbwOeRARxxLl8cw1hxVH6cH7uUaAUGWj3lIE_XyNhk_3JgB2yntgzg-cL1BWymsqj1X_2KRchFlfb36-f33y9Zz62Zlhe6Rn_bP88cQyw6P4pOH8IMgAW8Jy35i/s1600/princess06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGvxip9rII35mbxBnpCMbwOeRARxxLl8cw1hxVH6cH7uUaAUGWj3lIE_XyNhk_3JgB2yntgzg-cL1BWymsqj1X_2KRchFlfb36-f33y9Zz62Zlhe6Rn_bP88cQyw6P4pOH8IMgAW8Jy35i/s320/princess06.jpg" width="319" /></a></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> <img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaBBkwY6fAGHDEzemk4w_x5p7VQ6iQ3qNLoE1tAxm7f5w3bREdOWk_f896p5b6uRyrUIPt2AePybw-YRCSBBx30vWk6ToKU90ovc89phyphenhyphenufD8bSGeenmaq6tf62LcOYvKUeSU9K_Ylf8vT/s320/princess09.jpg" width="240" /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: large;">The canvases shown above are 6x6; those below are 6x8. The sides are finished, so no frame is needed.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeCzCqo0SvGoF692SLYUozi2TRlH8dOYAnNuf2kCQA0ZKCMdQlTgnYvEYKznYX1qkBWG0U-XwJuSv0Mo_UM8jhmrdvWnIF4RT7h4qttOMfQ2YLwWfaiAd9uJ_0iIxJn6eVyzNwgfdSgic7/s1600/princess08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeCzCqo0SvGoF692SLYUozi2TRlH8dOYAnNuf2kCQA0ZKCMdQlTgnYvEYKznYX1qkBWG0U-XwJuSv0Mo_UM8jhmrdvWnIF4RT7h4qttOMfQ2YLwWfaiAd9uJ_0iIxJn6eVyzNwgfdSgic7/s320/princess08.jpg" width="241" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPViSlFyiaD2dKabrerKvmPPYtJwGOiAdLOEUuq3YerW-blksaTw0XwL642FzeD730kA86yTx2r_equs-Xr_RBjFmnxaEeVILgzHm3CKyGskqIHsLxGyF-u8OZEKDeCXe3FXE8V2pb64q3/s1600/princess07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPViSlFyiaD2dKabrerKvmPPYtJwGOiAdLOEUuq3YerW-blksaTw0XwL642FzeD730kA86yTx2r_equs-Xr_RBjFmnxaEeVILgzHm3CKyGskqIHsLxGyF-u8OZEKDeCXe3FXE8V2pb64q3/s320/princess07.jpg" width="243" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The next canvases are 8x10, followed by 6x12.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGS84V_eF8ky7mU4RIQmKteF9c7ttLU7lc0eCJhqxp6cXPD5MDrjs9o1Ey6sXRJ3ue3X4zVb8zgHcrJz4yMqESLKJeJZmuoxUZO5lMHNkCiX6AM-pgjQxO-OnZfiXvEgtTi1vW4Zi6PBK/s1600/princess10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGS84V_eF8ky7mU4RIQmKteF9c7ttLU7lc0eCJhqxp6cXPD5MDrjs9o1Ey6sXRJ3ue3X4zVb8zgHcrJz4yMqESLKJeJZmuoxUZO5lMHNkCiX6AM-pgjQxO-OnZfiXvEgtTi1vW4Zi6PBK/s320/princess10.jpg" width="254" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFsnVqt7jNt1-PqwHK3YxbdxUdIyVN7ibPhFtvbEOb2qewNmscKbAIDP3ZfRl3Nl_Z2sNpzw2AZRpWAOWsg3N16d1HI2zOjw5onjm5o9xwYSll7b8giOwe2-UTNVDfD_aA9I6v_o2AdKHd/s1600/princess11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFsnVqt7jNt1-PqwHK3YxbdxUdIyVN7ibPhFtvbEOb2qewNmscKbAIDP3ZfRl3Nl_Z2sNpzw2AZRpWAOWsg3N16d1HI2zOjw5onjm5o9xwYSll7b8giOwe2-UTNVDfD_aA9I6v_o2AdKHd/s320/princess11.jpg" width="167" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaBBkwY6fAGHDEzemk4w_x5p7VQ6iQ3qNLoE1tAxm7f5w3bREdOWk_f896p5b6uRyrUIPt2AePybw-YRCSBBx30vWk6ToKU90ovc89phyphenhyphenufD8bSGeenmaq6tf62LcOYvKUeSU9K_Ylf8vT/s1600/princess09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaBBkwY6fAGHDEzemk4w_x5p7VQ6iQ3qNLoE1tAxm7f5w3bREdOWk_f896p5b6uRyrUIPt2AePybw-YRCSBBx30vWk6ToKU90ovc89phyphenhyphenufD8bSGeenmaq6tf62LcOYvKUeSU9K_Ylf8vT/s320/princess09.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibK_LCoUIciZVVuboWXJy8rbOhr-kblqgDFUYVEonh3bTHmvTLoeNvIBuNpVZF79kf__kFRpYSrAqmopqGYOvAVICrgliiaUPQ3VphWhh8FGgYusLCnnxO-xSVvRNUHqPojvSZmbjtMl1d/s1600/princess14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibK_LCoUIciZVVuboWXJy8rbOhr-kblqgDFUYVEonh3bTHmvTLoeNvIBuNpVZF79kf__kFRpYSrAqmopqGYOvAVICrgliiaUPQ3VphWhh8FGgYusLCnnxO-xSVvRNUHqPojvSZmbjtMl1d/s320/princess14.jpg" width="162" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiypJyI6nLchVPN1hJ74O3Hx8qfuOFPUrpAXMBc5zu1pccaKaFHzMFkxeJZ4RnfCqiRSgJ81fkso8D7McugbvmVV63vKpU1vUTiwuk5XnE2QnlT-yS50qBn1vWxmsyHfrlzwhPxGR_WSFEY/s1600/princess15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiypJyI6nLchVPN1hJ74O3Hx8qfuOFPUrpAXMBc5zu1pccaKaFHzMFkxeJZ4RnfCqiRSgJ81fkso8D7McugbvmVV63vKpU1vUTiwuk5XnE2QnlT-yS50qBn1vWxmsyHfrlzwhPxGR_WSFEY/s320/princess15.jpg" width="163" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfxE0uxddEQ46xFdJ7Eb1cJOLTNbVn-Bb9tIs-WeAZU7bTfZOYOzy7YmRoFRPJijheWm2P2bHWqDyO3NmUmJolICV4QvpP7UIOad9-St3zHKeXu27mF644bFA8xay8eQKn6kMq5QPU-7P/s1600/princess16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfxE0uxddEQ46xFdJ7Eb1cJOLTNbVn-Bb9tIs-WeAZU7bTfZOYOzy7YmRoFRPJijheWm2P2bHWqDyO3NmUmJolICV4QvpP7UIOad9-St3zHKeXu27mF644bFA8xay8eQKn6kMq5QPU-7P/s320/princess16.jpg" width="160" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQyCKWmoNooN0pA1GOiABq8KeJ4mRI3lRRTr0hSe5A4vUyoeCngWP3DuLMkeSHALqwlHnaUUHpHktcbVhhV5JQMjdoYoOTEVNw3Juv_cF0Sy5ypd2YktcKZn3f4tjzLliHG3VDuasPUhUI/s1600/princess12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQyCKWmoNooN0pA1GOiABq8KeJ4mRI3lRRTr0hSe5A4vUyoeCngWP3DuLMkeSHALqwlHnaUUHpHktcbVhhV5JQMjdoYoOTEVNw3Juv_cF0Sy5ypd2YktcKZn3f4tjzLliHG3VDuasPUhUI/s320/princess12.jpg" width="163" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I also made some wreaths out of pages from old hymnals. I had seen this style of wreath online, but not made from hymnal pages, so I thought, Woo-Hoo! I've come up with something unique! Not so much, it turns out. A friend told me she received the same type wreath, made from hymnal pages, as a gift. Oh poo... </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">But they're very pretty, even if I wasn't the first to think of it! And I really like that they can be used throughout the year.</span><br />
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</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3RKyhBQaxhUMzZrrDxo1IuhT8RI78HlIeundpBoi19YFKEuf9kkd8o755L1SEhkHCqyk3Md3z7J3N7-_9eMrVM3VpYWnYZQpBvl72k6UCUjFAuv-pouYsWhxLKt_N5ggjbvNmAa_O09jv/s1600/wreath1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3RKyhBQaxhUMzZrrDxo1IuhT8RI78HlIeundpBoi19YFKEuf9kkd8o755L1SEhkHCqyk3Md3z7J3N7-_9eMrVM3VpYWnYZQpBvl72k6UCUjFAuv-pouYsWhxLKt_N5ggjbvNmAa_O09jv/s320/wreath1.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPAr50FTZN17Bmr3vaWNXvnGlpRIYd9Ivypywrzm0_Q48ZP8fnjuezWbv2LDZx_WVLY9pA3QI74hfj9TnAWsztletV1fLX88Ss6fBAcXrY9tOtPahhhjARf8o8qlTSOuw3bCvry4g7icsx/s1600/wreath3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPAr50FTZN17Bmr3vaWNXvnGlpRIYd9Ivypywrzm0_Q48ZP8fnjuezWbv2LDZx_WVLY9pA3QI74hfj9TnAWsztletV1fLX88Ss6fBAcXrY9tOtPahhhjARf8o8qlTSOuw3bCvry4g7icsx/s320/wreath3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><rect fillcolor="white [7]" filled="f" id="_x0000_s1025" insetpen="t" o:cliptowrap="t" o:preferrelative="t" strokecolor="black [0]" stroked="f" style="height: 166pt; left: 36pt; mso-wrap-distance-bottom: 2.88pt; mso-wrap-distance-left: 2.88pt; mso-wrap-distance-right: 2.88pt; mso-wrap-distance-top: 2.88pt; position: absolute; top: 45pt; width: 171pt; z-index: 1;"><fill color2="white [7]"></fill><stroke color2="white [7]"><left color2="white [7]" color="black [0]" v:ext="view"></left><top color2="white [7]" color="black [0]" v:ext="view"></top><right color2="white [7]" color="black [0]" v:ext="view"></right><bottom color2="white [7]" color="black [0]" v:ext="view"></bottom><column color2="white [7]" color="black [0]" v:ext="view"></column></stroke><imagedata blacklevel="-1966f" cropleft="12928f" cropright="1977f" gain="74473f" o:title="Picture 022" src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\Owner\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image001.jpg"></imagedata><shadow color="#ccc [4]"></shadow><path o:extrusionok="f"></path><lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"></lock></rect><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwcYp5NRxrKEKt26yaR1y0ciXRZ-l-6koUOKPyl6LYkXA-7u-TOiF0TX_g_hlO-X2F_66HD47Gkr1p_f4HRLH7R6Mi9GEEzhQZU6-lMWVVeI8cNtwPu0GxuKqYQynEn8tRC35VJTDIV8zq/s1600/wreath2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwcYp5NRxrKEKt26yaR1y0ciXRZ-l-6koUOKPyl6LYkXA-7u-TOiF0TX_g_hlO-X2F_66HD47Gkr1p_f4HRLH7R6Mi9GEEzhQZU6-lMWVVeI8cNtwPu0GxuKqYQynEn8tRC35VJTDIV8zq/s320/wreath2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizwGyIWF6sSVhh-WEK-uFLhXhA3m1faR05TaUArR4SjoOp8So_mZUCGfST2HmbUThGU-nilHD1vOjLhIlVgS4y469KDKLoXEjxIYpsIo7ts3HoLlWF1J6jyjWZSecL7cv3vvYf0DEsyg68/s1600/wreath4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizwGyIWF6sSVhh-WEK-uFLhXhA3m1faR05TaUArR4SjoOp8So_mZUCGfST2HmbUThGU-nilHD1vOjLhIlVgS4y469KDKLoXEjxIYpsIo7ts3HoLlWF1J6jyjWZSecL7cv3vvYf0DEsyg68/s320/wreath4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This is a close-up of the paper rose in the center. I said bad words while I was making those roses. Lots of bad words.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, this is just a sampling of the wreaths. There are 12", 17" and 25" diameters, with one or two rows of cones. The color is from spray glitter, which is sealed and will not come off on your clothes, floors, furniture, pets...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Until next time, hope you're enjoying a wonderful life!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Beverly</span>Beverly Sagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194870571959888759noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016769612937583890.post-72350910340843697882011-06-10T13:35:00.000-04:002011-06-10T13:35:02.336-04:00Giveaway winner - I can't find you!I have been unable to find the winner of my giveaway - and it's a great giveaway! The only information I have is "Darrelyn" and a link to her blog. There is no "contact me" button, and no email address on her profile. And, I have tried and tried and tried to leave a comment on her blog, to no avail!<br />
<br />
So, Darrelyn, if you see this, contact me right away! If I have not heard from you by June 20, I will choose another winner. Hope you get this message in time!Beverly Sagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194870571959888759noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016769612937583890.post-6086999021620412682011-06-02T22:03:00.000-04:002011-06-02T22:03:55.024-04:00I'm Back!Just a quick note to everyone to say I'm finally back after my computer had a major hard-drive crash on May 24! Got a lot of catching up to do and some new art to post as soon as I have a chance. Breathe, Beverly, breathe....Beverly Sagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194870571959888759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016769612937583890.post-23541354870362187152011-05-26T09:00:00.001-04:002011-05-26T09:00:12.621-04:00And the Winner Is...<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">...going to be getting a big box of cool stuff in a few days!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So, with a bit of fanfare...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">...and a drumroll, please...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Congratulations</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">to</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">wait for it</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">wait for it</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Darrelyn!!!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'll be getting your goodies box into the mail tomorrow!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you to all who entered. I've enjoyed reading your comments and I hope that you enjoyed</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Giveaway Day 2011!!!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Beverly Sagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194870571959888759noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016769612937583890.post-79706388520977174072011-05-26T00:02:00.001-04:002011-05-26T00:04:23.395-04:00It's Over!!!<div style="text-align: center;">Giveaway Day is now officially closed. I will post the winner,<br />
chosen by Random.org, tomorrow morning at 9:00 EST.<br />
Thanks to everyone who entered and especially to<br />
all the new followers.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Beverly Sagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194870571959888759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016769612937583890.post-9570702921774356792011-05-24T13:13:00.000-04:002011-05-24T13:13:26.000-04:00On the Soapbox Again: Body Image<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">I'm a big girl. I haven't been "pleasantly plump" since high school, and I've been shopping in the plus-size section for about 30 years now. It grieves me to see the term "weight problem". Okay, if you're so heavy it's robbing you of your health and ability to live a relatively normal life, then that's a problem. Aside from that, why can't we just accept that "this is the size I am. I may have been smaller, or even larger, at one time, I may be smaller or larger in the future. But right now, this is me. AND IT'S OKAY."<br />
<br />
My legs are fat and stubby, but they get me from place to place. They ache from fibromyalgia and my left knee is tortured by RA, but these are my legs, and I love them.<br />
<br />
My arms are flabby and the batwings swing back and forth like crazy. But these arms hug my grandchildren and friends, these arms connect to my hands that paint and knit and sew and play the piano and create art... I love these flabby arms.<br />
<br />
My belly and backside make me resemble a gigantic apple. So what? That's the way they are at this point in time. I can't say I love them, but I accept them, and I do not hate them and I do not hate myself because of them!<br />
<br />
Now here's where the fat is a good thing: at age 57 I have no wrinkles on my face. None. not even crow's feet around my eyes. Why? The fat keeps 'em filled out! LOL<br />
<br />
Ladies, I'm not saying you shouldn't try to change your size and shape if you want to. I'm not saying, "Fat is where it's at". What I am saying is don't be ashamed of yourself right now, don't put your life on hold "until I lose [x number of] pounds". I've got news for you, if you cannot or will not feel good about yourself now, you still won't when you've reached your "perfect" weight. You'll just find something else to focus on and be unhappy with.<br />
<br />
I remember sitting by the pool 30 years ago in my black polyester slacks, roasting, and wanting more than anything to be in that pool with my children. So one day I went shopping for a bathing suit. There were only 5 to choose from, 4 dowdy black ones, and 1 bright, shiny blue one. Guess which one I bought? The blue one! It really brought out my eyes. (batting my eyelashes rapidly) And I went to the pool, dropped my cover-up and jumped in with my girls and we had a blast. Oh, that water felt so delicious in the hot sunshine! Oh, the days I had wasted not enjoying this!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">There was no way not to notice the shocked expressions on the faces of the other polyester-clad moms. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">After about 2 weeks, one of those moms showed up in a bathing suit. After another week or so, several more ladies sporting brand new bathing suits jumped into the pool and cavorted about with their children and had FUN! I'd like to think that having one person break the unspoken rule that fat people can't appear in public in a bathing suit was the catalyst for other women to pluck up their courage to come out of the [black polyester pants] closet!<br />
<br />
Be brave ladies! Resist what the media tells you that you should look like. Refuse to accept rudeness from people who think it's okay to disrespect you because you're a woman of size. Love yourself just the way you are!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">I must confess that I have to preach this message to myself from time to time. In the Bible, James 4.7 says, "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." The devil loves it, delights in it, when he can keep us imprisoned in self-hatred. Resist, resist, resist! The scriptures also tell us, in Psalm 139.14 that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made...". I am thankful that what God sees as important, and the only thing He regards as important, is what is inside in our hearts.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">My hope and wish for you all is to learn to love yourself, warts and all, and understand that what is in your heart is what really counts.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div>Beverly Sagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194870571959888759noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016769612937583890.post-51446842934467023932011-05-24T12:29:00.001-04:002011-05-24T12:31:24.059-04:00Giveaway Day, the SequelSo, <a href="http://bes53seesaw.blogspot.com/2011/05/its-here-giveaway-day.html">Giveaway Day</a> is actually 3 days. It closes tomorrow - Wednesday - so if you haven't finished visiting and entering, you better get busy!<br />
<br />
Thank you for so many nice compliments and comments. I really am getting excited to put all the names in the hat and randomly draw out the winner. It could be you!<br />
<br />
PS: several of you left comments but no way to contact you if you're a winner. You may still leave your info in a new post.Beverly Sagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194870571959888759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016769612937583890.post-4614274742550331652011-05-23T06:00:00.002-04:002011-05-23T12:06:49.531-04:00It's Here - Giveaway Day!<div style="text-align: center;">I'm so excited and I hope you are too! Today is the day you could be a winner - on my blog as well as on many, many other blogs participating in Giveaway Day. Click <a href="http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/">here</a> for a list of all participating blogs and shops. You have 3 days to visit and enter, so grab a cuppa and start clicking!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">To enter here at the Seesaw, simply post a comment telling me what you like about my blog and you're entered. It's that simple. <strong>Be sure to leave your email addy so I can contact you should you win.</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And of course, it always makes me do the happy dance when you become a follower!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So what might you win here? Take a look:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1izlZ_6x_FdCk-1ULW8We4by-GG26UFdQqr6wz6KsTBAwWaYYRdl9yW9sCloeqzFjRIwbEypZBHq-sQSEs1gaOT57scrX8TEZgU1ouuTCAYz7iH6OeAgcDId1AhM04780LpHL7hAG7SW/s1600/100_1980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1izlZ_6x_FdCk-1ULW8We4by-GG26UFdQqr6wz6KsTBAwWaYYRdl9yW9sCloeqzFjRIwbEypZBHq-sQSEs1gaOT57scrX8TEZgU1ouuTCAYz7iH6OeAgcDId1AhM04780LpHL7hAG7SW/s400/100_1980.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">And some closer views:</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjW6QPzLIiDwCWRRsdOjSfuHtNuiplLl091FPbW4qllt90_JXqCGYTIdAr0o_uLDzHen1-6QJrr7CWlcqGvlCoUJPejI2eXHuSigvHfl2kMAkR63oJHwZGh7p75YSvBYLwnYymEvHajQsx/s1600/100_1981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjW6QPzLIiDwCWRRsdOjSfuHtNuiplLl091FPbW4qllt90_JXqCGYTIdAr0o_uLDzHen1-6QJrr7CWlcqGvlCoUJPejI2eXHuSigvHfl2kMAkR63oJHwZGh7p75YSvBYLwnYymEvHajQsx/s400/100_1981.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-KdGV6JuPsmrbF94LelIEiMyzAIIHIHlaAb9C4AobRuin6hcooKmZWtzi-Dwvl0IZrz74CaGcZHdf-TShb5x4TZ6gC2pGDH5JqXaKlifT1j8z01B6o_SLJgj8QgKMJPEHy03pbMM2GbBY/s1600/100_1982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-KdGV6JuPsmrbF94LelIEiMyzAIIHIHlaAb9C4AobRuin6hcooKmZWtzi-Dwvl0IZrz74CaGcZHdf-TShb5x4TZ6gC2pGDH5JqXaKlifT1j8z01B6o_SLJgj8QgKMJPEHy03pbMM2GbBY/s400/100_1982.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCli_gXheIqP1TFnJTtCL9pmAoYr-tdGWcMFJfIQCTyAGyyotqJ9lCQt-q_ILCFVpcP9LUCzarnKA2drFlnFa9b5afcbugwdfS2550fEnwWz-T0ZSKckEq9T_AJ_O-YYLcsqHA0yaucFre/s1600/100_1983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCli_gXheIqP1TFnJTtCL9pmAoYr-tdGWcMFJfIQCTyAGyyotqJ9lCQt-q_ILCFVpcP9LUCzarnKA2drFlnFa9b5afcbugwdfS2550fEnwWz-T0ZSKckEq9T_AJ_O-YYLcsqHA0yaucFre/s400/100_1983.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwaQ4RG2E1BAnpPlqRpFw6Qztp49nv7aUWTbMHFGmXEt6NveFTm81uNmEYjoEAlv6z84e9T043EQxC3n5o8JQdZoqebWmkTYUk2VsGX3XBiU2fi_eEblktOG-ndiBK9R8NvPzQ0UBy_E-M/s1600/100_1985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwaQ4RG2E1BAnpPlqRpFw6Qztp49nv7aUWTbMHFGmXEt6NveFTm81uNmEYjoEAlv6z84e9T043EQxC3n5o8JQdZoqebWmkTYUk2VsGX3XBiU2fi_eEblktOG-ndiBK9R8NvPzQ0UBy_E-M/s1600/100_1985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwaQ4RG2E1BAnpPlqRpFw6Qztp49nv7aUWTbMHFGmXEt6NveFTm81uNmEYjoEAlv6z84e9T043EQxC3n5o8JQdZoqebWmkTYUk2VsGX3XBiU2fi_eEblktOG-ndiBK9R8NvPzQ0UBy_E-M/s400/100_1985.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">It's going to require a bit of strategy on my part to fit all this into one priority mail box! But I will, and it will be shipped out to the lucky winner on Friday, May 27. (Sorry, no international shipping)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The giveaway closes at midnight on Wednesday, May 25.</div><div style="text-align: center;">On Thursday, I will announce the winner.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Keeping my fingers crossed for you!<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #cc0000;">PS: If you are the winner and I cannot contact you, that would be so sad! </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #cc0000;">Be sure to leave your email addy or other method of contact.</span></strong></div>Beverly Sagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194870571959888759noreply@blogger.com122tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016769612937583890.post-34507617760972446892011-05-23T00:43:00.000-04:002011-05-23T00:43:07.785-04:00Blessed!Once upon a time in a land far away, there lived an ordinary woman who had a nice career in civil engineering and land surveying. She was very good at her job, and the paycheck was quite handsome.<br />
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One day, this woman realized that this was not what she wanted to do with her life. She didn't want to wake up in her senior years, look back on her life and think, "That's not how I intended it to be! My first love, my real love is music. That's what I want to do!"<br />
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And so, she quit her job (a move she does not recommend unless you have savings to live on for a while, which she did not). After a couple of rough years she found herself living once again in the neighborhood where she grew up. And after floundering about for a few months, she found her first piano student. Within a year, her students numbered over a dozen. <br />
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Fast forward 19 years, more or less. I'm sure you've figured out that the woman in the story is me. Today my students performed in their Spring Recital. As they performed, one by one, I thought about how blessed I am.<br />
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I am blessed because I am able to make a living doing something I truly love to do.<br />
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I am blessed because my students are funny, smart and loving, and because we laugh a lot at lessons and generally have a blast.<br />
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I am blessed when my students laugh at my corny jokes and walk in to their lessons just bursting to tell me a new one.<br />
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I am blessed when the lesson is finished and the student exclaims, "Already?"<br />
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I am blessed by the students who began lessons as young children and are now in high school and still love to play, still enjoy their lessons, and who count me as a special person in their lives.<br />
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I am blessed when former students, now in college or married, attend the recitals and hug me and say how much they've missed me, thank me for teaching them, and tell me they still enjoy playing.<br />
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I am blessed when former students who have gone on to major in music in college, email me to say, "Thank you for making me learn scales and cadences and theory! So many of the other students are struggling because they weren't taught those things."<br />
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I am blessed when parents tell me how they appreciate the way I make lessons enjoyable and how I relate to their children.<br />
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I am blessed when my students sit down at the piano in front of a hundred or so family and friends, and although nervous and scared, they play their pieces and always make me proud!<br />
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I am blessed when, after the recital, students want to have their picture taken with me.<br />
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I am blessed because God has allowed me to learn that a big paycheck does not ensure job satisfaction. Teaching piano is not especially lucrative in dollars and cents, but to me it is fulfillment, and it is joy.<br />
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Some might say I'm lucky or fortunate - I know I am blessed!<br />
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I hope you are blessed in your life too.Beverly Sagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194870571959888759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016769612937583890.post-73100419949830532402011-05-21T23:01:00.000-04:002011-05-21T23:01:49.132-04:00See the Goodies Here!<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Don't forget: Monday, May 23 is Giveaway Day! Dozens of bloggers are participating by giving away handcrafted items and/or supplies! Be sure to visit me on Monday - entering couldn't be easier. Just leave a comment and you're entered! </span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">And to clear up a bit of confusion:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><strong>anyone</strong> can enter the giveaway</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">at any and all of the participating blogs.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">On Monday morning I will post the link to the</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Giveaway Day blog entry </span><span style="color: #cc0000;">where you will find</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">a list and links for all the participating blogs.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">And you can enter to win at all of them!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Please post about my giveaway on your blog!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Link back to this post so everyone can see the photos.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Ever had one of those days that had absolutely no respect or concern for your to-do list? Yeah, that's the day I've had. I promised you photos of my giveaway goodies today, and technically it is still Saturday, so here you go!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPfWFWnNZgNy9iN077YmTj0SWePmy_sOA9hjDW4cQ6-stZOGvrHhRw6w4I3o0Dx_ocI8tmAiDGvIFiSddz46H8utlJC_VgZVpFC41caWy4ueqCiNiu_Xer6WW1Izflcx60JdU5I5F08PPK/s1600/100_1973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPfWFWnNZgNy9iN077YmTj0SWePmy_sOA9hjDW4cQ6-stZOGvrHhRw6w4I3o0Dx_ocI8tmAiDGvIFiSddz46H8utlJC_VgZVpFC41caWy4ueqCiNiu_Xer6WW1Izflcx60JdU5I5F08PPK/s400/100_1973.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">There's so much included, I had to do two separate photo setups!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Here we have some floral rubons, some Nostalgics stickers,</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">a bit of Dresden trim, a box of photo splits...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYSNRq38AK1lhIjCBSI_nulFmf7l8XiOSPgp7_vqtZUtR7Ejjubqual8Kx5xC4yn-U8TGNF2xdi2DlPik7EBCc_ILnkp5el4fKRs-gXvhdBbsVIRV77XUn3dYnhhChyp3FZYG5M6sc4awy/s1600/100_1975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYSNRq38AK1lhIjCBSI_nulFmf7l8XiOSPgp7_vqtZUtR7Ejjubqual8Kx5xC4yn-U8TGNF2xdi2DlPik7EBCc_ILnkp5el4fKRs-gXvhdBbsVIRV77XUn3dYnhhChyp3FZYG5M6sc4awy/s400/100_1975.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...two sets of embossing markers and a set of watercolor crayons...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZekeN6Eo6ktXqyeYwIAGMGnd5bwtGd7JIYI5yOYLz5SelSXu4fJCNhRNQlexFoPj4bgIfcFscOMJPexD1MKyr33WMrG0em5IkJDGGDCtOhgeFR5btm2nw7DlaodhIOFtbC57GW27jdToL/s1600/100_1964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZekeN6Eo6ktXqyeYwIAGMGnd5bwtGd7JIYI5yOYLz5SelSXu4fJCNhRNQlexFoPj4bgIfcFscOMJPexD1MKyr33WMrG0em5IkJDGGDCtOhgeFR5btm2nw7DlaodhIOFtbC57GW27jdToL/s400/100_1964.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...some ribbons, paper measuring tapes,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">a bag of tiny bows and fabric flowers,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">tiny word charms, used postage stamps ...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJ2hxRirH2cq8EnXRnjZBQDZEmFWKzhS7ZJzA81NLu_RAlTTYnOCEskYOc8YnObieigtn9VqMN4Tc3GAREB4GHTmPS61nMeSpQt1r4hNE8-wpGkt4SwqdHT0D34v1NflDVvS59mfwDgUT/s1600/100_1974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJ2hxRirH2cq8EnXRnjZBQDZEmFWKzhS7ZJzA81NLu_RAlTTYnOCEskYOc8YnObieigtn9VqMN4Tc3GAREB4GHTmPS61nMeSpQt1r4hNE8-wpGkt4SwqdHT0D34v1NflDVvS59mfwDgUT/s400/100_1974.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...some plain chipboard shapes and board books to alter...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and much much more!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm very excited about this giveaway!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hmmm, I wonder who will win my big box of stuff...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Beverly Sagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194870571959888759noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016769612937583890.post-60920762774135155242011-05-21T06:49:00.001-04:002011-05-21T07:01:36.601-04:00Who Would Be A Mermaid Fair?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">"Who would be a</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";"> mermaid fair,<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Singing alone,<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> c</span>ombing her hair<br />
Under the sea,<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> i</span>n a golden curl With a comb of pearl,<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> o</span>n a throne?<br />
I would be a mermaid fair;<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I would sing to myself the whole of the day;<br />
With a comb of pearl I would comb my hair;<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>And still as I comb I would sing and say,<br />
'Who is it loves me? who loves not me?' "<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span> </span><a href="http://www.giga-usa.com/quotes/authors/alfred_tennyson_a001.htm"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";"><span style="color: #274f72;">Lord Alfred Tennyson</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">, <i>The Mermaid</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">The Artist Trading Cards Yahoo group recently hosted a Mermaid ATC swap. These were very enjoyable to make, and I hope you will enjoy seeing them!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu4wPFs403a01FG-q_amebcWtT0xrUkztHN5URq0UkdciyO2ghe8fPTayeJVYz3gFRORrJlIdwR_hyPtFAThDTKYlWLgh5X41e62vCrAxOmqQ87tJISmX-g0nkXPE_HyLbZ19IPDSaat_G/s1600/img189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu4wPFs403a01FG-q_amebcWtT0xrUkztHN5URq0UkdciyO2ghe8fPTayeJVYz3gFRORrJlIdwR_hyPtFAThDTKYlWLgh5X41e62vCrAxOmqQ87tJISmX-g0nkXPE_HyLbZ19IPDSaat_G/s400/img189.jpg" width="312" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">It's very difficult to see in the scans, but I handpainted the mermaid on each card,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">as well as a few accents in the images, with metallic watercolors</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">to give them an under-the-sea shimmer.</span></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi288ehFTWNuAt7lIeNH-owjkk2uy5E7sAJubgs8b9vClINrqUnIjbden-2N81dp_6TO3B-2w9V6AWmcHkAjbKLoDLa7miY9oHQEa8TKOuQ1wmLlKcNeDzJ5RO6NK4ZA7rgK5uH5A1zoNsB/s1600/img185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi288ehFTWNuAt7lIeNH-owjkk2uy5E7sAJubgs8b9vClINrqUnIjbden-2N81dp_6TO3B-2w9V6AWmcHkAjbKLoDLa7miY9oHQEa8TKOuQ1wmLlKcNeDzJ5RO6NK4ZA7rgK5uH5A1zoNsB/s400/img185.jpg" width="287" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I also used some decorative buttons that I painted with metallic acrylics</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">and added teeny-tiny beads to the ocean floor.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP4sq9CIlISl1UXAojPRmYjUQB7Ool6avoLtR-ZvJyTPoVR0KGcHg3arPeWPhs0ibCkceDZuDXz4MTXalnCbv68bhPBYss9o3snhf3RrAEANrHatjV4L2J5fcjnRsZi2Ol5FfWW3nLgP2S/s1600/img184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="397" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP4sq9CIlISl1UXAojPRmYjUQB7Ool6avoLtR-ZvJyTPoVR0KGcHg3arPeWPhs0ibCkceDZuDXz4MTXalnCbv68bhPBYss9o3snhf3RrAEANrHatjV4L2J5fcjnRsZi2Ol5FfWW3nLgP2S/s400/img184.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">And for the finishing touch, fibers at the border.</span></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvDI_izzLapueQfIu5BB4dnRLisDxFB8HFFuSPePQLxNWZlK0i9Ubin4VOqxzAeSmoOsr2NUYkpkv6YQoMbcAj1zKkXZu55GdBy73PGuGERJ40BvKyLV2Neq39YhNK9xSv-Z_CLnUXGMdX/s1600/img182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left;"><img border="0" height="400" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvDI_izzLapueQfIu5BB4dnRLisDxFB8HFFuSPePQLxNWZlK0i9Ubin4VOqxzAeSmoOsr2NUYkpkv6YQoMbcAj1zKkXZu55GdBy73PGuGERJ40BvKyLV2Neq39YhNK9xSv-Z_CLnUXGMdX/s400/img182.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This one is my favorite - I'm an avid fan of</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">John Waterhouse's exquisite paintings of beautiful women!</div> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaTOZGwSqGfS8-Yjbb04WlGxgBLFVUE4_zJeKKaSCaw4Z6P7vBFYwiGJ0iW04EpTp06U5300WwDF_225kKnxhHwPmHyfxQDL-Cvt1DBf9J784fsM4oCjYhRRnzmfiIEl71CRq8FAa-GxIa/s1600/img187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right;"><img border="0" height="305" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaTOZGwSqGfS8-Yjbb04WlGxgBLFVUE4_zJeKKaSCaw4Z6P7vBFYwiGJ0iW04EpTp06U5300WwDF_225kKnxhHwPmHyfxQDL-Cvt1DBf9J784fsM4oCjYhRRnzmfiIEl71CRq8FAa-GxIa/s320/img187.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Don't know why, but my scanner just did not like this one!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It isn't actually cut off on the right side, it just appears to be.</div> <br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGJ_SPorWT6UXGxDPaxHy_XfsHevhMw4ixQ1k_fRUU2Eu3WDlALjAN5ut4uJxXYHsg2PE__6qevNA6W31Q72lEZvamgYjugFYOJrm5IY6EdYn6W2-9Ovp1BerlVGi4dZPcGQcu3rouL_c2/s1600/img186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGJ_SPorWT6UXGxDPaxHy_XfsHevhMw4ixQ1k_fRUU2Eu3WDlALjAN5ut4uJxXYHsg2PE__6qevNA6W31Q72lEZvamgYjugFYOJrm5IY6EdYn6W2-9Ovp1BerlVGi4dZPcGQcu3rouL_c2/s400/img186.jpg" width="290" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm curious: do you suppose mermaids use shampoo?</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">That's it for this post! </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Don't forget: May 23 is Giveaway Day!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Click the link in the sidebar for more information.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Beverly Sagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194870571959888759noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016769612937583890.post-40300166885966611582011-05-21T06:20:00.000-04:002011-05-21T06:20:38.757-04:00May 23: May Giveaway Day!No, I didn't fall off the face of the earth. Just got a bit snowed under. But now I'm back. Remember that giveaway I've been promising? Well, here are the details:<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.sewmamasew.com/blog2/may2011/MayGiveawayDay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" class="left" src="http://www.sewmamasew.com/blog2/may2011/MayGiveawayDay.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=17334">Click here!</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><h1 style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">May Giveaway Day!</h1><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">May Giveaway Day is now officially a tradition at <em><a href="http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=17334">Sew,Mama,Sew!</a></em> Mark your calendar for Monday, May 23rd! Anyone with a shop or blog can give something away, and there are loads of folks signed up to give away handmade items, supplies for making your own handmade items, as well as supplies for sewing and knitting! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Why should you participate?</div><ol><li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">You'll be exposed to blogs with great ideas!</div></li>
<li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">You will get directed to shops with wonderful items!</div></li>
<li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">You'll have the opportunity to win a cool prize!</div></li>
<li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">You know exactly when to tune in!</div></li>
</ol><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So come visit me on Monday, May 23 for a chance to win a huge assortment of scrapbooking/collage supplies from me! All you have to do to enter is leave a comment - it's that simple!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Giveaway will close and winner announced on May 25; prizes will be mailed out by May 30. Sorry, no international shipping.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Check out my blog tomorrow and Sunday for pictures of the great items I'm giving away!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Beverly Sagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194870571959888759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016769612937583890.post-34242188375827452992011-05-08T17:44:00.000-04:002011-05-08T17:44:46.053-04:00Happy Mother's Day!<div style="text-align: center;">Definition of "unrealistic": going out for lunch on Mother's Day and expecting to get your food before dinner time. My mom and dad, my two sisters, my nephew and I decided that this year, instead of cooking, we'd go out for Mother's Day. We made reservations at the country club for 1:30. I will give them credit for having our table ready. At 2:50 we received our food. It was very good - but 2:50? Really?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But then, as mothers like to do, my mom quelled our complaints with, "Well just be thankful you got your food. There are starving children all over the world who would wait for days for good food like this!" Okay, she's right, of course. But my sisters and I looked at one another and cracked up. At 57 years old, I'm still my mom's little girl. Life is good!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIjpLhCxkuih-Qlg0KBvw8MdZTAuVaHddyu_LUwm7-Zv7vwFHB-0dAcWA8-8oH8GzwmZPlIzHMBwu69XgtUKXTy0AKJpcyAwP2PniVGPePLcdMrBakHpjvb2HULDPWMil8OcH2Er-pTZo_/s1600/img176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIjpLhCxkuih-Qlg0KBvw8MdZTAuVaHddyu_LUwm7-Zv7vwFHB-0dAcWA8-8oH8GzwmZPlIzHMBwu69XgtUKXTy0AKJpcyAwP2PniVGPePLcdMrBakHpjvb2HULDPWMil8OcH2Er-pTZo_/s400/img176.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is the card I made for her. Which, of course, as the reigning Queen of ProcrastiNation, I finished at 1:30 this morning. There are four - count 'em - four layers of foam taped glory, plus some Ice Stickles to give it a punch of bling.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The image is from <a href="http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/2010/09/gorgeous-morning-glories-instant-art.html">The Graphics Fairy</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hope all of you had a wonderful day!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Beverly Sagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194870571959888759noreply@blogger.com7