Friday night BUZZ in the Studio here

I know this might sound gross, however, I confess that at the moment (while typing) I'm eating Milk Chocolate Icing out of a can of Pillsbury Icing. A few yummy spoonfuls really satisfies the chocoalte craving, and I don't have the added calories of cake. (I hear you laughing, just fyi). So I'm fixin' to clean up a little mess from the just finished project, and thought I would (eat my chocolate) and share what's happenin' here.

I just finished putting this latest Journal Book, "Say It In Reds" together. One of my goals for this new year is to do more collage work, adding "Free Style Applique" into the mix. This piece is my first endeavour.

A piece of 12" x 12" piece of patterned paper was my substrate, on which I had already marked quidelines on how it would cover the front of the Composition Book and turn under to the inside. I did two "canvases" with this "red" theme as one book was completed last week and given to a close friend for her birthday. Red is her favorite color and with all the supplies I pulled to design with, it didn't make sense to do only one when I had enough to play and design two. I had a good time doing the collage, however, when I got to the sewing part, I had a BLAST! Maybe it was because I used to sew most of Jessica's and my clothes years ago. Working at the sewing machine on my collages was like coming home. On this collage I also added nail heads after doing the applique.

I'm real particular about the way I do my Books. Here's a pic of the inside front cover. I like my Books to look "finished" and be long lasting. The outside canvases are turned under to the inside and then covered so there are no "raw edges".

I do this on the front AND back cover, then I bind the spine, pulling it all together. I'm really pleased with the way this came out.

Musical entertainment in the studio tonight has been a fun, eclectic mix. I actually started with a CD of Jeff Foxworthy. He had me cryin', I was laughing so hard! Being a True Southerner, I fully relate to his stories and actually think we could be related! Then we went on to Spyro Gyra (awesome jazz), J. Geils Band (Love Stinks), and then the king, B.B.King. Yeah, baby, we're groovin' in here!!

You won't find music played on my blog though. Drives me batty when I go to a blog and the music I'm listenin' to gets interrupted with somebody's play list that starts up as soon as I arrive. Urg. Maybe there's a way to shut that off when I'm blog hoppin'. Because I find it annoying, I am opting out of blasting you with my "play list" here. So, you'll have to google tonight's entertainment.

Tomorrow I am bound and determined to do a scrapbook layout with an adorable pic of my grandson that we got. I am so very thankful that we get pictures and a written update the 1 time a yr that we do from his adoptive family. MK may come have a "scrapbooking play date" with me also tomorrow, so it should be a fun day of creating art.

Be sure to do your own "creative something". I promise, it's good for the soul and warms your heart. Till next time,
;) bj

OttLites Rule!!

I made that comment a couple months ago, sitting around the table with a group of artist friends at Tannery Row in Buford, Ga. Much to my surprise, only one in a group of about 9 knew what I was talking about. Then last week my friend Joni was over and we were back here in the studio. She asked about the one at my work station, and what benefits there were to having it. I explained it all to her. Lo and behold, this week's JoAnn's Sale Paper has them on the front page, and my little brain decided it was time to "point 'em out" in my blog here.

Yes, the fact that JoAnn's has OTTLITES and accessories on sale 50% off IS a big deal, since they are kind of pricy at full retail. And, admittingly, I've had some people tell me that 50% off is still kind of high. I reply that this is one of those times, one of those products, where the "List of Benefits" outweighs the cost by a ton!! So, what's to claim as a benefit?

HIGH DEFINITION Natural Light - if you are working on any kind of art, or craft project, being able to truly see your colors as they really are makes all the difference in the world. The OTTLITE provides this High Definition Natural Light so that regardless of the room lighting overall, you will see TRUE COLORS with whatever medium you are working with. It's like being outside in natural light even though you're inside. Which also means, no Yellowed Hues like you get from regular lighting.
If you are blending paints, if you're coordinating fabrics, or scrapbook papers, if you're selecting beads for a project, whatever, under an OTTLITE the colors are crisp and clear, which makes for easier color choice work on your part.

COOL LIGHT from the Lamp - I remember some years back I had a regular lamp light on my studio desk. It sat close to my work station trying to make the area brighter. I would get so hot; start "glowing", cause that's what we southern gals do. The hogs sweat; we simply "glow". I can tell you here that the more you "glow", the more uncomfortable you get. Things would get so uncomfortable working at my studio desk so as to be downright unbearable, like my clothes were all wet and stuff, and I would have to call it quits even though I really wasn't ready to do that. I had this same problem sitting under the lamp at my sewing machine. It makes things "not fun", and the "not fun" was even worse in the hot summer months (no central air in this house).

I finally took the plunge to get the first OTTLITE, a table top model for the studio work station. The OTTLITE is designed to produce "cool light", so it is not radiating heat down on you while you're working. I very much appreciate this feature!! It's one thing to have a "Private Summer" come along every now and again for a couple minutes. An extended experience is suitable only for a day at the beach or pool, clad only in a bathing suit.

Another big plus for the OTTLITE is that as a "cool" and "natural" light, it is much easier on your eyes, reducing or eliminating eye strain. My next OL purchase is going to be a floor model to put next to the LazyBoy chair in the living room, since that's where I sit when I crochet or do other needle work.

VARIOUS DESK & FLOOR STYLES - Um, yes, I did also add a floor model to put over my sewing machine desk. Then I purchased a little portable OTTLITE that I take to crops, which was one of the best tools I've ever added to the travel kit. Not all crop retreat lighting is of equal value, so better to have my little OL packed and find I don't need it than to leave it home without it. THAT will bring a definite "Oh No!", I guarentee you.

So, the OTTLITE people don't know I've written this little review here. I'm sure they wouldn't mind. But since I've been verbally sharing about this, and I saw them on sale again, I figured I might as well tell the world, well, whatever little part of the world might be reading any of my posts, anyway.

Until another time, do something creatively. It really does soothe the soul, and bring joy to your heart.
bj

Remembering My Mom

Happy Birthday, Mom!!! I Love You!!!
I would be saying that to her today as we celebrated her 77th birthday. Alas, writing about her is all I can do and since I now have a blog, it seems fitting that I should honor my mother's birth date in this way, regardless of how painful it is.

Margorie Vernell Pope was born in Monteverde, Fl on January 24, 1933, the only child of Vernell Leroy Pope and Doris Lenore Griffin. As the family was extremely poor, her baby bed was a discarded chicken wire corn crib (used to feed the pigs). She had one 10 yrs older-half sister, Ruby Marie Pope (whose mother had died in childbirth with younger brother Robert who died 3 days later) and from what I heard growing up, "baby sister" was a nuisance, especially when she wanted to follow teenage sister and a boyfriend around.



Here is a layout I did about 6 yrs ago with the one pic I have of my grandfather and grandmother, and pic of my mother at 1yr,2wks,2days old. Crazy quilts were popular during that time period, although I don't know if they had any. Nonetheless, I wanted to depict the period so I created a crazy quilt with vintage looking Making Memories papers and appropriate stitching.

I know next to nothing about my Grandmother Doris except that she/her family were from Illinois. I wonder all the time how she met my grandfather, since he/his family lived in Central Florida. I know my mother grew up, and also spent most of her adult years, wondering why her mother was so sick (all she remembered of her) and then died shortly after "Little Marjorie" turned 4 yrs old. It would be 30 yrs before she learned that her mother died of malignant brain cancer, this told her while her son, my younger brother laid dying of brain cancer (malignant we later learned).

A step-mother arrived (2nd for Marie) and severe abuse followed. At age 17 Mother took the offer of marriage to William Tobias Howze to get away from home (she told me the whole story many years later when I was 12 and she was fixing to get remarried). At 20 yrs old, fresh out of the Army, and wanting to be like his buddies (per his story to me in the mid/late 80's) he looked for 1st pretty girl who would say yes to his offer of marriage. I did this layout 6 yrs ago about their wedding day, and until 3 1/2 yrs ago I had (and wore until I lost it) the simple gold wedding band her Dad bought for her to wear because her new husband was too poor to buy her a ring. (Have to admit here I stopped scrapbooking the family story, what few pics I have, 6 yrs ago because it was all just too painful. I've yet to be able to go back).



Put two horribly abused kids together as man/wife and what do you get? Horribly abused children, that's what. My mother went from one frying pan to another with marriage to my birth father. I Praise the Lord for the good things in the midst of the bad. Most importantly, Mama came to know and accept Jesus Christ as her Savior and Lord when I was around 5 yrs old. She had to start working outside the home 2 yrs later, and I remember her precious efforts to get herself and us 3 kids ready and fed for the work/school day, then before she left and we did the dishes and walked to school, she would sit down and do morning devotions with us. She loved us and tried to give love in spite of everything.

A second marriage was 'from the frying pan into the fire'. The physical (and other) abuse was horrible; mother and 3 children some how endured. Because of all the beatings my brothers (twin and younger) were terrified of our step-father, so that fateful Saturday I was the one who ran in and rescued my mother as he was strangling her to death. As he charged after me I either thought or actually said, "lay one hand on me and I'll kill you." We survived it though. Then Lance got sick, and Mama had to bury her youngest child.

I was almost 19 before I got to leave home. The Vietnam War was going on and my twin had joined the Air Force to avoid being drafted into the Army. It didn't keep him out of 'Nam, but it did keep him off the front lines. Before I left home, however, I'd taught my mother how to play the organ (she got it after Lance died) and how to crochet. Bless her heart, she had no confidence in herself, but I knew she could do these things if she would just have some patience. My mother, who thought she couldn't do anything, went on to gain real competence (tears here) in playing the organ, doing beautiful needlework (that was unfortunately lost to the family), learn to play (great team mate) Bridge and Pinuckle (sp??), develop friendships, get heavily involved with Women's Group, so much more. THIS was the same Mother who, when I was a Senior in HS, accepting an award that my mother had to stand with me while it was given, stood there (didn't have to say a thing!!)next to me shaking like a leaf blowing in heavy wind!!!

In my early 20's I would go visit my mother who then lived in Texas, where my step-father was transferred to. I loved my mother, and loved spending time with her. Sadly, there are no pictures of the fun things we did, just precious memories. Sometimes she would come to Atlanta to visit me, so I got to have several visits a year with her. Then she got sick. Sclerodermia Grade C; the worst kind. There was no cure back then and still today there is no cure. It is a horrible, painful, Arthritic Auto-Immune Disease that, at the worst level, litterly strangles the life out of someone, hardening not only their layers of skin but all the vital organs as well. Mama was given 2 - 5 yrs to live. I spent Christmas week with her, 1977. Ten weeks later, just after her 45th birthday she died.

I MISS my mother!!! I have spent more of my life without her than I got to spend with her. And, when I came across some pictures (4 yrs ago) that I'd taken during my last visit with her, to my horror there wasn't even one picture of me and my Mom.
I have repeatedly told people, close friends who are blessed to still have their Moms, and others, "regardless of how frustrated you get with your Mom sometimes, Praise God that you still have her. Enjoy her, Honor her, Learn from her, spend time with her, take care of her. She is a rich blessing in your life."

The two most important things I got from my mother, besides the knowing that she did love me and my brothers, was
1) In 1976 my mother drove-by herself-halfway across the U.S., first to my twin in S.C. (bypassing me in Atl to go 1st to her firstborn then back track here) to confess her sins, all the horrible abuse SHE metted out to each of us as children, and on her knees ask for forgiveness. Though I said "I forgive you" at the time, it wasn't until Mother's Day 1985 (7+ yrs after her death) that my heart truly forgave. She didn't know at the time that she was sick, but the courage of her actions and her total humbleness in coming to each of us has had a lasting effect on me. It taught me to (later when I became a Mom) always have the courage to admit my failings to my daughter, and ask for her forgiveness when I have wronged her in some way.
2) Mama handled her disease with dignity and grace. She fought to keep going, with a smile on her face, right up to the very end. I have fought the battle with a related disease for almost 18 yrs now. I Praise God for the advances in modern medicine that allow me to keep going and striving to live a full life. And I hope and pray that I am succeeding in my desire to emulate my Mom.

She waits for me, with both my brothers (both lost to maligant brain cancer)in our Heavenly Home. How I miss you, Mama, even now, after all this time. You lived, not long enough to meet your grandchildren, but long enough to make a difference. Here, so that others may know, I share your story; say again I love you, I miss you horribly, Happy Birthday Mama. I remember and charish you.

Fashion Home - Splashes of sunshine for spring 2010

Fashion Home - Splashes of sunshine for spring 2010

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For The Birds

Morning chore done: Clean out the nesting areas around the house because even though its only January, some of my birds are already giving signs of "decision making" for the upcoming season. And, since my "Petey the Stampin' Up Bird Punch" Review was published the other day on www.PaperCraftersCorner.com, I figured this is the perfect time to share one of my "Bird Stories" that I've written, along with a pic I took mid-December of one of my Male Bluebirds and Female Cardinals sharing the birdie bath out back. I hope you, the reader, enjoy my little story here.

My Birds are Little Pigs

I so enjoy my birds. They are very entertaining and fun to watch. Each one has their own variety of chirps, and even if I don’t actually see one of them, I know who’s “fussing” at the moment just by listening to them. They each have their own mannerisms as well, and sometimes one or another will decide to act up with a “territorial” attitude, and we have a little tiff on our hands.

Hmmm, I can hear your response, especially those of you who have been very close friends for a long, long number of years.

“Brenda, when did you get birds? Where do you keep them in that tiny house? And, what about the cats?!”

OK, here’s the story. I have this non-verbal agreement with my birds.
If you fly over my house and/or yard, you’re in open air space.
If you happen to make a quick pit stop in my yard, you’re just passing through.
If you happen to start showing up on any kind of regular basis anywhere in or around my yard, you’re a frequent visitor.
If you build a nest in one of my trees or on my back porch and settle in with a brood of your own, you’re MY bird.
If you’re a Bluebird couple, and you decide to call my bluebird box your home for a season, you’re MY bird. Hey, and thanks for leaving a filthy mess for me to clean up when you decide to move out.
And, if you eat from my bird feeder out back here, and take your baths in the water I’ve put in the birdbath close by, it’s obvious that I am financially supporting you. That’s right. You’re MY bird.

They say (whoever THEY are) that variety is the spice of life. That certainly is true with my birds. I have them from the tiny Hummingbirds who finally said “Adios” the beginning of October after an extended stay, all the way up to the redheaded woodpecker who loves peanuts. So I’m generous with the variety of food that I put out. I buy the bird food that has it all, something to make everyone happy. From the tiny little seeds that sprout almost immediately after they hit the ground, to sunflower seeds, raisins, red berries, to peanuts.

The little Finches, Wrens, Titmice, and Carolina Chickadees all gather around as soon as “Mom” puts another round of food on the table. They can get downright rowdy, as they elbow each other to see who can eat the most in the shortest amount of time. When the Cardinals step up to the plate, the little ones flutter and get a bit nervous. It’s when one of my Blue jays wants to try getting into the feeder rather than eating on the ground, the little ones jump quickly up onto a tree branch. The Jays, beautiful as they are with all their shades of blue, are quite clumsy and they rock the feeder like it’s out in rough seas. The little ones don’t like that. My Red headed Woodpecker though, he’s real creative, and has a lot of savvy at the feeder. He’ll clamp his feet to the edge, then hang almost at a 45-degree angle while he stretches his neck up to get his beak into the feeder. It’s so funny watching as he wades through the stuff, seed and such flying everywhere onto the ground until he finds a peanut. Then he takes the nut up to a tree branch where he can eat in a comfortable position before he comes back for more.

I do love my birds. They are just one more source of entertainment around here, and their songs of praise to their Creator are such a blessing to enjoy. It’s just that they’re pigs! They’ve made it clear that, if I’m game, they’re more than willing to eat me out of house and home. So I have my birds on a diet. Every third day, I’ll put a bunch more fresh food out. That means they have to eat every crumb before Mom gives them more. I’m just not willing to totally spoil these little “oinkers” around here.

Hey, can I claim them as dependents on my taxes in April??
Brenda Jones

New to my Toolbox here

This is the year I am fully committed to using my great (meaning both really cool AND lots of it) stash here in my studio to create my works of art. That includes scrapbook layouts. I got better about it last year, and am determined even more to "shop from my own store here" in creating layouts for myself and my daughter.
So, this year is even more into asking myself the "do I really need this?" question before spending the money to bring more supplies into this little studio.

What COULD get my money, however, is a tool that will enhance my creating in some way. And yesterday, I spent a bit of money and brought home a particular tool that has been unavailable in my area here for a while. Since I was in Buford (Ga) yesterday I figured why not run into the Michael's store, since I'm passing it anyway and assure myself they still don't have this back in stock. So, in I walked, heading straight to the scrapbooking section and lo and behold, there IT was hanging for purchase. Actually about 6 - 8 of "IT". Yeah baby I grabbed one and headed to the register!!!!

I'm talking about the Martha Stewart Scoring Board. This brand is certainly not the first one on the market. I have friends who own the Scor-It or the Scor-Pal. I have used both (don't own them) however I prefer the MS Scoring Board over the others. Here's why:
1) This is a 12x12 board with scoring lines marked every 1/8" across, meaning I don't have to move my paper around when I'm scoring, which makes the "multiple scoring lines" projects go faster.
2) There's a guide included so I can also scor/make custom envelopes for the many cards I design. I like that extra feature.
3) A little snap closed compartment is part of the board design so I won't loose my bone folder that comes with the board. I can loose something quicker than I can type "I just had _____; where'd it go???"
4) Being a good plastic, this board is much lighter in weight. I REALLY appreciate that. Will make it easier not only to work with here in the studio, but also in carrying elsewhere should I need to.
5) The price point on this is GREAT - Retail is $19.99. Michaels Arts/Crafts Stores are the only place to buy locally at this time, and this week they have MS products 30% off. Sometimes (like I thought I'd do yesterday, not knowing about the MS sale) you can get an even better deal with a 50% off coupon.

I'm glad I didn't buy the first scoring product to hit the market, not that I had the money to. I am excited about my new purchase, and by hanging back and playing with everyone else's toys I got to now have the perfect NEW tool for the toolbox in my studio here.

Have you added a new tool to your crafting/creating art arsonal, or are you thinking about any in particular? Do share; I'd love to know.
Until next time, do something creatively. It's so good for the soul, and brings such JOY to your heart.
BrendaJean

Oops!

Somehow I lost my uploaded image (haven't I made it clear that I'm learning here, LOL?) Gonna try this part again.
bj

Learning Curve; Art is Easier

I did not grow up with computers, and that's a fact. I remember sitting in the office I worked in at Miami-Dade Jr. College, one year out of high school. The typing, office machines, and other such classes my mother forced me to take (in liew of the art classes I wanted to take)in HS paved the way for this first full-time job. The day one of the Dept. Heads came back from a convention and told us about the computers that he saw that would be able to do so much of what we laboriously did by hand, we all let out a collective "Oh NO!!", and saw our jobs disappearing before our eyes. We did NOT want those computers coming into our workplace. No Way!

Fast forward ??? years and here I am on the one in my Art Studio, typing away. Facing the other direction in my studio I create art. Turn around and I can scan it in to a folder on my hard drive, and send it anywhere via the internet. Incredible.
It takes me, however, way longer to figure out how to do something new on the computer than when I'm coming up with a new design with my artwork. So, even though it took way too long to figure it out, I at least now have a "Welcome" note on my blog, and even (finally) figured out how to start a list of blogs/people that inspire me. That's it for today with this machine. I'm done. All the frustration will disappear with a glass of wine and curried chicken for dinner.

I'll close with sharing a Artsy scrapbook layout I actually did this time last year. I pulled it out the other day as part of reflecting on this last year. Unlike trying to figure out how to do anything on this computer, the artistic design flowed freely and easily. I started with raw elements (ie; naked chipboard letters, a very plain piece of 12x12 paper for the base, etc) and using distressing tools, acrylic stamps, stamping ink, various paints/laquers, papers/vellum and a die cut, etc, I created the ART to help "speak" the message.

I hope I succeeded this last year in my various efforts to create a legacy that lasts, with and for my daughter, all the wonderful friends the Lord has seen fit to bless me with, and unknown people who came across my path, or I came across theirs. And I hope and pray to continue this journey, because after all, it is the most important of anything I can do.

Until next time, be creative in some way. It feeds the soul and adds joy to life.
BrendaJean

All Things Artsy

Well, week 1 of the new year/new decade is already coming to a close. It's freezing around here, colder than normal for Atlanta area, and the bit of snow that came down Thursday night is still decorating our little town. I do like looking at it as long as I don't have to deal with ice patches on the roads. Then I freak out.

Finished my first assignment for Paper Crafters' Corner last night and got all the artwork done and pics scanned in, and New Product Review written and all sent to the editor late (really, really late) last night. Ha. I didn't have to be anywhere today so I knew I could pull a late nighter in getting the computer work done and sleep in this morning.

It really is so much fun to open a box and find the new products to "play" with. I liken it to going to a car dealership and taking a new car out for a spin to see how it handles. The box arrived this past Tuesday, late afternoon, and I had just a few days to test out the products, create some projects, write my reviews and submit everything. Whew! But deadlines can be a fun thing.

I can't post any of the specifics right now, however, everything should be web published in the next few days from what I understand. So stay tuned here, and at PaperCraftersCorner.com

Tonight's a "chillaxing night", then back to the design work for some Thanksgiving and Christmas projects. Yeah I know. The holidays are over. Project Designers, however, have to work ahead. So the Christmas holidays aren't over around here until I say their over. LOL

Dinner calls. And, this coming week I also have to figure out how to really do some things here on this blog. It's all so new to me.
BrendaJean

More question legality of Senate healthcare bill (OneNewsNow.com)

Hmmm, I wonder if my (Georgia) State Attorney General will join this fight.
More question legality of Senate healthcare bill (OneNewsNow.com)

UGA, Football, Bowl games, Etc

After having heard something that really disturbed me, last night I did some google searching and learned that Athens-Clarke Co, Ga is NOT in the Top 5 poorest counties in the U.S. It's not even in the Top 100, although four other Ga. counties are. I didn't have time to check and see where the Athens-Clarke Co School System ranked nationally.

Nonetheless, I have to admit that I was stunned to learn about all the Tent Cities within the county. A friend of mine goes to school at UGA (Athens, Ga) and she was telling me about the tent cities up there, also all the Projects. She lives 2 blocks from one of the projects. As her focus is on going into teaching, she's also had opportunities to observe in a number of public school classrooms so she was also telling me about the "student demographics". Sad, very sad.

But why was I so stunned?! I know why. I've not been over to Athens, Ga, however, I've watched many a UGA football game on TV over the years. And I've heard about the town UGA calls home. Don't know if they do it ALL the time (cause I don't watch every game) however, I've seen games where they "show and tell" about the city of Athens and the UGA campus. Georgous ornate and stately homes, wealth, historical landmarks, and an incredible university campus all shown to the world to make one awesome and incredible "wow" statement. Who knew that such opulence takes up a place on the map that, I now know, includes vast numbers of homeless, and people who have formed "cities" within the city as they survive life in tents.

Football is King, as illustrated by all the Bowl games that have been available to watch and enjoy just in the last few days. However, I started wondering. Is there as much focus on helping those who are hurting, those who are homeless, those whe are forced to do without, as is the amount of focus on Foodball? A TON of money is poured out before the king-Football. I don't even want to think about how much money has been poured out all over the country just these last few days for the purpose of king Football. Schools shelled out money for their teams to go play in some bowl somewhere. People who could afford it traveled to go watch their teams. Others went to resturants for Bowl parties, or like me stayed home watching the games on TV. Airlines, Hotels, Resturants, etc all made money off the Bowl games.

Meanwhile, in Athens, Ga and elsewhere too many people struggle to keep warm. Their focus is not on king Football. Having done a lot of tent camping as a child, I know it's not warm. I remember laying on top of layers of cold, crunchy newspapers that was supposed to block out some of the cold, while laying underneath scratchy army blankets, trying to get warm enough to sleep. I can't imagine enduring that as a way of life. My inquiring mind is wanting to know, is there as much focus, as much money poured out to help those on the streets and in the tents as there is for king-football. You know all the WWJD stuff that's been around for some years now? I remember having to ask somebody, "what's WWJD"? What Would Jesus Do. "Oh, I get it". The last few days I've been wondering, What Would Jesus THINK?

First Sunday of 2010

Thank you Hannah, for helping me start this yesterday! You are so very sweet to get me started on this "new venture". I finally realized very late last night what my blog addy is so that I can share it/invite my friends.

Am very short on time at this minute as I have to finish getting ready for church services. I want to come back later this evening and write about something I learned yesterday regarding Clarke Co/Athens, Ga and share how it relates in my mind to UGA Bulldog football.
And, hopefully put up the experimental art (well mine anyway) that Hannah and I had a blast working on together yesterday afternoon.

Day One of a New Adventure

So, here I am with a blog. Finally. After how many yrs of how many pp telling me I should have one? I was excited earlier when Hannah helped me set this up. Now I'm overwhelmed. I'm not even sure what my blog addy is so I could tell my friends I've started a blog. I'm "biting onto a computer here". I'm not a big fan of computers! Why am I doing this???

Well, I finally joined FB, however, one is quite limited to what one is able to write. I write something up, hit the "post to my wall" and get the message, "you are allowed 420 characters and you have xxx number". Oops. Edit down to stay in bounds. Oh my gosh; that rhymes.

There is so very much to say, so very much to write about. My Art; successes/challenges/fun experiences as I grow and expand into the Artist I was created to be. My view of the world; what I've seen and the politics that go with it. Then there's life lessons. Golly bum, for years and years different pp have said, "Brenda, you really should write a book. Your life experiences and testimony would be great encouragement to so many hurting people". How many times have I heard, "you are such an encouragement to me." More times than I can count over the years.

I certainly can't handle several different blogs to cover all these different areas. Right now I'm gonna be doing good to figure all this out and develop this new thing. I hope I'll succeed and that this will grow in a way that brings joy, smiles, encouragement, and fun to others, and glory to my Lord Jesus Christ at the same time. For now, I've stuck my toe in, so here goes.