An Answered Prayer

I was talking with my six-year-old grandson yesterday and we were talking about God and how He gives us good things. My grandson had his Christmas program at his school yesterday and a party afterwards where he got many gifts. (He is the little shepherd on the left at the end.)

Well, as we were talking, he asked, "How does God give us good things?" I said, "We pray to Him and ask Him." Then my grandson said, "Well, I prayed to Him and He didn't answer my prayer." I asked him, "What did you pray for?" He said he lost a toy and prayed that he would find it again. He said that God never let him find it. I asked him what the toy was. He said it was a slinky and he really wanted to find it.

I then said, "Well, what did you get for one of your gifts today?" His eyes got big with a surprised look on his face, and he said, "I got a slinky!" I said, "Well, do you think your prayer was answered?" He said, "Yes, and it was even my favorite color blue!" I told him that sometimes God doesn't answer our prayers the way we think they should be answered. Sometimes the answer comes in another way. That was a great lesson for my grandson and I don't think he will ever forget it. It showed me, too, that God can use lessons like this for all of us. It did my heart good to see my grandson respond the way he did. And just maybe we all can learn something from this, too.

O Holy Night!

Everyone loves this song, including me. And I finally have recorded it! I just thought I'd put on some Christmas songs since I have been singing them quite a bit lately. I put another song (Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas) below this recording, if you want to listen to that one, too. Hope you like them.

I just made a karaoke recording: Mariah Carey - Oh holy night check it out at http://www.karaokeplay.com/recordings/oh-holy-night-4273155.html

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas!

This is my Christmas wish for everyone one my friends this year!

I just made a karaoke recording: Kenny G - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas check it out at http://www.karaokeplay.com/recordings/have-yourself-a-merry-little-4273044.html

Another Video - "Grownup Christmas List

We had our recital today for Music Instruction Studio. It went really well and we had a packed house. One of my students sang this song (which I have sung before) and I love it so much I just had to record it when I got home. She did a beautiful job singing it and it was her first time singing in front of a big crowd. I was so proud of her. I wish I had a video of her singing it--I would put it on here instead of me.

The words to this song are so meaningful and thought-provoking. Hope you enjoy it.

Another Video -

New Video

My husband and I have been having fun recording videos lately. We had a quiet Thanksgiving since my daughter had to work and my grandson was in New York with his father. So, we just played on the computer most of the day with music, and then went out to eat at Cracker Barrel for our Thanksgiving dinner. While there, I saw about 10 friends who were also eating out.

I sang this song in high school many, many years ago and I can't believe that I'm singing it again today. It is one of the most beautiful songs ever written and I recently sang it at a friend's memorial service. The name of the song is "Moon River."

Dust In The Wind

I was thinking about the book of Ecclesiastes and this song came to mind. I don't know if the composer was a Christian, but he was right on with his lyrics. Today, I am thankful that we have more than just this life on earth to live. We have a wonderful heaven waiting for us in the future. But we can't get there unless we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. Below, I have recorded this song so you can listen to it. Just click it on and you will go right to it. Even though this was a popular song in the 80's, I wonder just how many people thought about what it said. Please listen closely to the lyrics.

I just made a karaoke recording: Kansas - Dust In The Wind check it out at http://www.karaokeplay.com/recordings/dust-in-the-wind-3973296.html

My Angel's New Look

I have been making these angels for several years now--I'd say about 12 or more. I like to make changes in them from time to time and I found this beautiful pleated lace. It looked like it would make a pretty skirt and change the look slightly. I don't think I'll ever get tired of making these angels. At one time, I had my whole family involved in making them. But, now I'm the only one who makes them. There will always be angel lovers and I love what they represent. God made His angels to guide and protect us here on earth. And I know for a fact that angels have protected members of my family through their lifetime.

Our Holiday Bazaar was a success!!

Yes, we had a great day at Elmcroft today selling our arts and crafts! Dee Dee sold about 20 dolls, plus lap quilts and snowmen. And I sold my angels, Christmas pins, cards, bags and earrings. By 2 PM, it looked pretty bare around the tables. In fact, we closed up at 4 PM and just then, a lady came in who lived 40 miles away and said she rushed there after she got off work. She had seen the Channel 3 segment yesterday and wanted to purchase some of Dee Dee's dolls. So I took her up to Dee Dee's apartment, and she bought 4 more dolls! I am very happy about everything--it was well worth it!

Dee Dee's Doll Creations

For those of you who saw the television show "Three Plus You" that interviewed Dee Dee about her handmade dolls, please scroll down a couple of blog posts to see pictures of her creations. Our "Holiday Bazaar" is on Thursday at Elmcroft Assisted Living on Gunbarrel Road from 10 AM to 4 PM. Dee Dee will be selling her handmade dolls and snowmen if you would like to purchase them for the Holidays.

Still Crafting Away . . . .

I'm still trying to come up with new items for my upcoming craft shows. My latest is this little muslin bag. These little bags can be used for anything and I found a really good source on Etsy where I can order any quantity I want. I not only use Etsy for selling my "stuff", but I also order many supplies from that website. I can find items that I can't find locally and their prices are almost like wholesale. And I don't have to order 100 of more of anything. This time, I just ordered 25 and it was really reasonable. It's fun to explore Etsy. I have ordered everything from tatting thread, yarn, to unique beads and stones. I never make any money on Etsy, because I spend it on my supplies. But I sure am having fun. If you haven't checked Etsy out, it's fun to explore. I know that many of the other tatters sell on Etsy like I do and Etsy makes it easy. Well, now back to my tatting . . . . . have a nice weekend!!

Christmas is Coming!

At this time of year, our days are getting busier and filled with "extra" things to do, right? I plan to be in a couple of craft shows and the items I have pictured are the things I am creating these days. I love making them! They are stiffened so they look very crisp. If you would like to place an order, you can go to my website at www.lllangel.etsy.com - they sell for $3.95, and include the sweet organza bag! (I have a link to my Etsy in my left-hand side column)

Above is my pink Christmas pin/ornament for those who love pink!

I include a little organza bag with my combination pin/ornament for gift-giving.

The above combination pin/ornament is for those who like wearing wreath pins.

Below is my traditional Christmas tree pin/ornament with red crystals.

Television Interview!!

On Friday, Dee Dee and I were interviewed by the sweet and pretty Julie Edwards of "3 Plus You" on News Channel 3 in Chattanooga. This will probably air in one of their shows next week at 11 a.m.

Dee Dee has Parkinson's, but she doesn't let it stop her from creating and crafting! She is one strong and smart lady.

If you would like to see some of Dee Dee's unique dolls, please scroll down a couple of blogs to look at all the pictures and read the story. This has been so exciting for Dee Dee and me!

We are having an "Elmcroft Holiday Bazaar" on Thursday, November 18th from 10 AM to 4 PM. So, if you are looking for some inexpensive and unique Christmas gifts (including Dee Dee's Dolls), please come by and see us!

My New GIRLFRIEND ART

I have taken a little detour and started painting again. I first started using oils, but they take so long to dry and you know me--I don't have time to watch paint dry. Anyway, I noticed that lots of female art has become popular in the last few years so I thought I'd take a chance and try my hand at it. I love to draw female faces and now am experimenting with different hairstyles and trying to make my ladies look different from each other--and that is hard. I tried to put a whimsical look into the paintings so they are not so serious and will make people smile. I hope I accomplished that. Anyway, I'm having fun doing it. I posted them on Etsy to see what happens.

Dee Dee's Clowns

This past week, my friend Dee Dee Patrick was interviewed by our local newspaper. She has had three clowns purchased by Warner Brothers Studio in California for an upcoming Showtime series called "Shameless." One of the characters in the show collects clowns and Warner Brothers found one of her clowns on my Etsy website (www.lllangel.etsy.com) where I am selling them for her. Below are the three clowns they have purchased, along with the last picture of a clown she has just recently completed. I decided to tell her story and show her pictures on my blog so that you could enjoy them, too! If you have any questions or want more information about her creations, please send me a message on my blog and I will answer any of your questions. We are planning a craft show in November at Elmcroft Assisted Living (which is located on Gunbarrel Road in Chattanooga). If you would like more information on this upcoming show, just comment and I will get back with you.This is the first clown Dee Dee sold to Warner Brothers.
As you can see, every one of Dee Dee's clowns are unique and different. She never duplicates any of her creations. This is another clown she sold to Warner Brothers.
This red clown is a larger one than her other clowns. Here is the third clown Dee Dee sold to Warner Brothers. Aren't they so cute!
Dee Dee has just finished this clown and it is for sale on my Etsy site (www.lllangel.etsy.com)

More of Dee Dee's Creations

These are more of DeeDee's creations. She makes everything from dolls to snowmen to cute pumpkin pins. Just let me know if you are interested in purchasing any of these items, and I will get back with you on it.

Cute Dolls and Other Items

Dee Dee has sold over 20 of her dolls in the past month! We had a craft show at Elmcroft Assisted Living where she lives and, from that, more people have found out about what a variety of dolls she makes!

"Baby Sleeping" Pillow

Yet another item where I added my tatting--this time, to a little "Baby Sleeping" pillow. This is so fun. I just love to find and make things to "dress up" with tatting. However, it's just a few weeks until the weather starts to cool and it will be time to bring out the knitting and crocheting again. I love all the variety of things I can use as my "therapy."

My Box for "Faux Black Vintage Friday"

I am posting this for "Faux Black Vintage Friday" over at Count Your Blessings Blog. Here is my tatted vintage box that I thought turned out pretty well. I don't know how to post a link, so I just posted another blog. Hope this works.

New Little Purse/Bag

I've come up with yet another twist to my tatting. This time, it's a little purse. I've noticed that these little trimmed bags are selling on Etsy. Everyone is looking for something unique and different. The pink heart is made of felt and I've added some sparkle with glitter around it and a shiny stone in the middle of it. I've already sold two of them locally and this is enough to keep me going with it. Hope you like it.

Book Cover Challenge--My Angel Board Book

Okay, I'm back in my altered book mode, if anyone wonders why I'm posting all these non-tatted pictures (actually, there is some tatting on some of these pages). Since all these pictures were in Picturetrail, I didn't know how to take one picture and copy it into my blog. So I did a slideshow of the album of my altered books. Please look for the angel altered board book. It is towards the end of this slideshow. I took a little board book that had a picture of a little girl on the front cover and made an angel out of it. The book opens in the middle like she is spreading her wings. The next picture is the opened book. This is for the "Altered Book Cover Challenge" in one of my responses to my altered book.

My Altered Book of Love--Shared for the Paperie Party!

I wanted to share my "Altered Book of Love" with the "Paperie Party" group, so here it is. I have so many other items I could share--I love creating with paper!

My Friend's Clown Doll

Well, do I have a story to tell! We have a new resident (Dee Dee) at Elmcroft who is very talented in doll making. I talked about her in a previous post and posted some pictures of her dolls. Well, last week I posted one of her clown dolls on my Etsy site to help her sell some of her dolls.

On Wednesday, I received an Etsy message from Warner Brothers in Burbank, CA asking to purchase her clown doll. They want to use it in an upcoming Showtime series called "Shameless" starring William H. Macy. I wasn't sure this was legitimate so I googled "Shameless" and, sure enough, it is true! So, we started conversing back and forth and in the end, they bought her doll to use in the upcoming series! One of their characters collects clowns and they will be featured in the series. And they want to buy more from her, so now she is busy making as many clown dolls as she can! Also, yesterday, we had a vendor show at Elmcroft featuring the arts and crafts of our residents, and she sold over $200 of her dolls in 5 hours! I can tell you that she is now really pumped up over her dolls, and I'm so glad that I have been a part of all this. It sure does my heart good!

I've Been Busy!

Well, it's finally August and maybe we'll see some cooler days in another month. Not lately, though. For the last 3 months, we have been averaging every day in the high 90's and 100's, and it has been pretty miserable. But I am getting to see a little glimpse of fall coming (it's only 94 today!). I am getting into gear to make "stuff" and here are pictures of my first order. I have no idea what my customer is using my little bags for--maybe some nice smelling sachets. They took me awhile, but I enjoy making them so the process was fun. We are also having a vendor show at Elmcroft where I work at the end of the month, so I'm preparing for that as well. I am also traveling to Maine in September, and am really excited about that! I will see my family up there and also visit some favorite places. So, things are looking up around here and my spirits are rising as well.

My New Friend!

As I've told you in the past, I work part time as an Activities Director for a wonderful assisted living home. Two weeks ago, Deedee Parsons moved in. She is a very talented crafter and I am so excited she is with us. She's just like me--she likes lots of arts and crafts and makes many things. She has Parkinson's so at times, it is hard for her to move. But when she is feeling good, she makes wonderful little dolls with various outfits on. No two are alike. I told her that I would help her sell some of them since she only has a small studio apartment and her little dolls are already taking over the place.

She also makes snowmen--but that's for another post. I have posted some pictures of her precious little dolls (they are about 13" tall). They are completely hand and machine stitched by her. All of the hair is completely sewn into the head and not glued.

Hope you enjoy them--and if you are interested in any of them, just let me know. The two that I have posted on here are also for sale on Etsy. I will be sharing more of them with you in the next few days.