Walkin' in a winter wonderland

Hello all, it is a fantastic day here in Maine. Yesterday was our first snow storm and this morning it is beautiful outside. I've take pictures and if you are on Face book, you can go see them.

Last night I left the front outside light on, turned out the inside lights, and watched the snow fall in the night sky. Amazing is God's artistry. Imagine how much He cares for us seeing as he puts so much into making all those tiny snowflakes. Each flake is an individual and beautiful. He has done the same with us - each an individual and beautiful. Oh but He loves us so very much more than a snowflake. He loves us beyond our understanding and I am very thankful that He does.

As I sit here at the computer and gaze at the sky, I see clouds just zooming by. They are moving quickly and keep making amazing pictures framed by the window. It is sort of like looking into a Kalaidascope. Every changing and always a treat to the eye.

Speaking of ever changing, I have been making Christmas cards for the two Christmas Craft Shows that I will be doing this year. Thanksgiving weekend at the Augusta Civic Center and December 12 & 13 at the Augusta Armory. The ever changing part is that every card that I make is completely different from the last. This is putting my brain to the test as I want each piece of art to be unique. I do not make duplicates.

I have been shopping for Christmas charms, ribbons, bows, and ephemera. It was a bit difficult to think of Christmas when it was warm and it was not easy finding the items that I needed. But now, there is a plethora of what I need and I am on cloud nine.

I have been listening to Christmas music and singing carols. I think that I may even what a Christmas video today to help me get more in the holiday mood. In doing this, sometimes, I also get ideas. If you have any ideas for Christmas cards, please let me know. I am always open to new and unique ideas.

Well, I am off to create. Hmmmmm, what video should I watch?

Have an extra special day. I love you.

Hello, greetings, salutaions

Hi, It has been awhile I have been busy creating for the Christmas shows that I will be participating in and my mind completely forgot about blogging.

Michelle's visit was great. I so enjoyed having her here and we had lots of fun. We went shopping at my favorite store, Goodwill. She found pants for work and jeans and saved a bundle from the prices down in the DC area. Food, we ate such good food and had wonderful conversations while we ate. We thought that she had a car but when she check for the car insurance, it would have cost her $450.00. It was a 2008 Kia. The reason for the high rate was that she lives in an area that has an extremely high vehicle theft rate. I miss her very much. She's thinking of moving back to Maine and that would be great for me. I am leaving it in God's hands. He knows what is best for her and for me.

Autumn is here and the beauty of nature has enveloped me. I have been out and about with my camera and enjoying every minute of it. The cool crisp air is so inviting. I am not a hot weather person. It is raining and cold today but I don't mind - put on warm fuzzy socks and a sweater and I am good to go. The one thing I don't like about the rain is that it will take many of the leaves off the trees.

After many years of taking my diabetes medications, I found that I was taking it wrong. I was told by a doctor that I used to go to to take this medication at lunch and supper. I just found out that I should be taking it at breakfast and supper. I was getting low blood sugars levels in the very early morning from the meds accumulating in my system. My blood sugar levels are much better now.

I have also started to eat healthier. Snacks are almost out of the picture. I do not say no snacks because that sets me up for failure. I do allow an occassional snack or sweet but that is all. Hopefully, this will lead to a healthier body and better control over my diabetes.

Since I am always tired, my doctor is sending me for a sleep study. I am not looking forward to it. I wonder how anyone can sleep with "things" stuck to their head and body and knowing that some one is looking after you. But I will get the questionnaire sent in this week (I have been procrastinating) and go through with it.

There is much to be done to get ready for the two Christmas craft shows. One is during the Thanksgiving weekend show and the other is mid December. That one is called the last minute shopping show. My prayer is that I will do well with both shows.

Have you ever tried to create Christmas items during the hot weather? I could not get into the creative mode. But have been working lots now that the weather is cooler. There is till so much to create so that I will have a surplus of cards and items for both shows.

Some friends are gathering to make cards for Operation Write Home. This used to be called Cards for Heroes. It will be a fun afternoon of creating and fellowshiping. These cards will go to the military over seas so that they have cards to send home and some are send with messages for our heroes to encourage them and let them know that they are loved. If you want more information on Operation Write Home, check out this site: http://www.operationwritehome.org/ Perhaps some of you will make some cards for them also. It must make these heroes very happy.

I am still trying to get organized. The more I try it seems the behinder I get. Any suggestions. I usually am not organized (except when I worked in an office. Then my desk had to be just so.) It has helped going through things; as I am finding stuff that I don't need and I have boxes full to go to Goodwill.

Well, I would enjoy going for a walk in the rain; with an umbrella of course, but duty calls and I must get some work done around the house and more Christmas cards created.

I love you all and my prayer for you is that you will find the peace that goes beyond all expectations. This peace is only available through our Heavenly Father. God bless you all.
ps. How many of you know what bean hole beans are?

Hello, There has been sun for two whole days and I have enjoyed it. However, they say the rain is returning tonight. BLAH

Oh well, we can't change it so just roll with it.

I have come up with the idea of a Challenge as a fund raiser. There is a $5.00 entry fee. This fee will go to the Quirion's who are working with the orphans at the Sara Lee Center in Swaziland, Africa.

This challenge is open to any style of art - quilting, mixed media, collage, paint. You name it and you can enter. It can be a card, a pillow, framed art, let your creative brain lead you to what you will enter. Please be careful not to use words, phrases, or images that would be a copywrite violation.

1. The theme is "The Window of Your Soul".

2. Sign up by July 31, 2009.

3. A low resolution picture of the completed project, no bigger than 4x6 inches, needs to be emailed to me at ibelieve20045@hotmail.com before October 3, 2009.

4. The Winner will be notified on October 11, 2009.

5. The submitted pieces will be judged on creativity, style, neatness, and how well it fits the theme.

6. When submitting your picture, please send a paragraph explaining how your piece fits the theme. How does this reflect "The Window of Your Soul."

7. The entry email also needs to have your name, address, and email address.

8. The size of your piece of art is up to you. Remember though that only a low resolution 4x6 inch picture is what will be entered.

9. You can only submit one entry.

10. Make your check payable to Leadership for Africa and in the memo/subject line of the check write in Quirions. This is so that the money goes to them.

11. When you email to let me know you are entering this challenge; also mail, using the good old US Postal service, your check for the entry fee to:

Patricia Byther

870 China Road

Winslow ME 04901

12. Prizes

First place will win a piece of art created by me. It will be a mixed-media assemblage piece.

Second place will receive two of my mini-art cards.

Third place will receive one mini-art card.

SNOW and CREATING

Once again, it snowed on a Sunday night into Monday morning. As I listened to the news, people were griping about the snow. "It's March already. It shouldn't be snowing." I beg to differ. If you live in Maine, I would have to say, "Get used to it." It can snow into April.

Snow can be a pain in the patooty for some. However, I have been blessed that I am an artist. Since I don't have to travel to work, it is wonderful to stay home and create. My work table faces the big window in the living room. I was able to watch the snow and the birds raiding the feeder. I also get to watch my cats watching the birds.

Perhaps, I should use that as a piece of art. Make it look like a window looking outside with the cats inside. Hmmmm, nice idea. Maybe one day.

I have been creating and using my new Pazzles to make words and die cuts that I normally wouldn't be able to find. Purchasing the Pazzles (an electronic die cutting machine that hooks up the the computer.) has been a wonderful addition to my supplies. It is an expensive tool but it is paying for itself. No longer will I "have" to purchase dies or die cuts. I can make die cuts that can not be found elsewhere. Will I buy dies and stencils for my BigShot (personal die cutting machine)? Yes, because there will be dies and stencils that I enjoy working with. Dreamweaver Stencils and Spellbinder dies are two of my favorites to work with.

Using the Pazzles to create a die cut from a picture was much easier than I thought. Now I can also use my photography to make die cuts. I am having way too much fun.

Enjoy hearing from all of you. Take care of yourself and may God watch over you.

The envelope please.....

....and the winner is Deb Clark!

The winner was chosen by a random pick. So Deb, your card is on it's way.

It feels good to be creating again. I have been working on cards and enjoying the time spent with my treasures. One of the suggestions to get the creative juices flowing again was to stop working on my art and start organizing my supplies. Wow! It didn't take long and I was finding things that I wanted to work with. Now the organizing is put on hold and little pieces of art are being made. Thank you, Charlene, for the idea.

It is beautiful today and I wish I could walk through the woods and take pictures but the snow is too deep. The sky is such a pretty blue and there are some wispy clouds on the horizon. The wind is shaking the trees and snow is falling in which startles the birds resting on the branches. When I was filling the bird feeder, the birds were flying around and I could hear the soft flapping of their wings; such a gentle, peaceful sound. Hearing this has me thinking of how to convert that sound into a piece of art. How would you convert sound into a silent piece of art? And even so that it is silent, it speaks volumes!

Much can be said in silence. There is that quote, "a picture is worth a thousand words." This is one of the things that pleases me about my art. Each person that gazes at my art creates their own words about that piece of art. Some people have told me stories about a piece of art. Isn't it amazing that two people can look at one piece of art and come away with two completely different concepts. Little children are so very good at making stories from my art. Their minds are free. They have no preconceived ideas about what things should or should not be. They just let their thoughts flow and thus create.

Once again I must say good bye and get back to my art. Take care and may God bless you.