For the Love of Teal and Copper

I am going through a “phase.” An obsession with all things Teal and Copper! I can’t seem to NOT use them…even on VALENTINES (which everyone KNOWS should be Red, Black, Pink and White). Ok…so I have never felt that I had to stick to the “rules” when it comes to art…so really no surprise there – right?!?! LOL

Anywhooo…thought I would share a few projects with you. I did a little video – so you can hear me ramble on about the “story” behind the art….here it is.

I do feel totally blessed to have had a “Jammy Jane” (the name I called my grandmother when I was in a “I can’t say things right” phase when I was 2 – and the name stuck). She always seemed to know when I needed some extra loving – or when I needed a kick in the pants! I miss her – a LOT.

When I was in a “I don’t FEEL like it” phase, clearly a kick in the pants is what was called for…but she just loved on me and shared the phrase “Actions Precede Attitudes.” Now let me be clear – there was NEVER anything fake about Jammy Jane….she wasn’t a “fake it ‘til you make it” kind of gal. Oh no…honest and real are just two of her character traits….but she also knew that we don’t always have the luxury of wallowing in self pity! (She would have pronounced it WAH-ler-ing). She would say – “you may not FEEL like smiling…but do it anyway. You may not FEEL like being kind…but do it anyway. You may not FEEL like being outgoing…but do it anyway – and just watch and see what happens to your attitude!” She was right…by behaving the way I should – the attitudes would follow. Smart lady!

Playing in my art journal seemed like a way to capture one of those long ago conversations….a good reminder that while I may not FEEL like being strong…I can choose to ACT strong and wait and see if the attitude shows up. I believe it will.

For those of you that know about the guys in my life – you know that we have been facing some tough days recently….so thought I would share an update with you.

Royce is doing really well! He is getting stronger every day. I love seeing his “spark” returning. He still is on a LOT of medication…and it does wear on him…but we continue to just take it a day at the time…and are grateful for the progress. He has been having a hard time hearing out of one ear so he went to the ENT Doc – and that doctor feels that he may have some nerve damage from some of the transplant meds. We are believing that “this too shall pass” and that his hearing will be restored. It is driving him a bit batty because it is messing with his balance and as he says “makes watching TV a chore” as he has to continually turn his head towards a different part of the “surround sound” depending on where the audio is coming from…poor guy!

We got some bad news about my Dad today. He has had his first round of chemo, and whatever result the doctors were hoping and expecting just wasn’t there. They are sending him to see another doctor this week for a second opinion…but said that the cancer was accelerating and that they didn’t believe there was a good prognosis. I am not a “polly anna” – but I just have a hard time believing that things could change that dramatically in a week. They had told us that if this particular round of chemo didn’t do what they thought – that there was a different more aggressive treatment that could be pursued…and now a week later they are saying that he is in final stages?!?!? I wish I had been there to ask a few more questions…but am unshaken in my belief that God not only CAN…but WILL heal him. Will keep you up to speed as we learn more. Thank you for your prayers on his behalf. They mean a LOT to us.

Product List:

Pearl Turquoise Acrylic Paint: Lumiere

Pearl White Acrylic Paint: Lumiere

Adirondack Copper Dabber: Ranger

Embossing Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Embossing Pad

Verdigris Embossing Enamel: Ranger

Embossing/Glitter Tray

Carribean Blue Glimmer Mist: Tattered Angels

Patina Glimmer Mist: Tattered Angels

Walnut Distress Ink: Tim Holtz/Ranger Ink

Damask Sticker: Heidi Swapp

White Flowers: Prima and I Am Roses

Book Plate: Tim Holtz Idealogy

Steampunk Debutante Paper: Graphic 45

If you would like me to email you a copy of the Letter from God that my doctor gave me, please leave me a comment with an email and I will be happy to send it to you!

Hugs to you all…and Happy Valentines Day!