a Mingle giveaway

a giveaway

sorry Zoe, not for you...

but just maybe my lucky dog will get to pick the winner,  

and just maybe I can get some cool ideas 

for Zoe's 12th birthday celebration

which is tonight.

 Stampington sent me an extra copy of their new wonderful magazine

so I could give one away to a lucky reader - maybe you.

 I have to say they have outdone themselves

with beautiful articles and delicious photos

like we have come to expect from all their publications.

  all you have to do to be entered into the drawing

is to leave a comment here

with a special entertaining tip

that helps you have wonderful gatherings - 

any simple advice will do.

I will go first...

my favorite appetizer is so simple and always gets ravs.

just pour mango chutney over a log of cream cheese

and top with almonds.

serve with crackers.

p.s. - extras are really good over pasta believe it or not.

so leave a comment

for a chance to win a wonderfully inspired magazine.

You have until Monday the 10th 

and Zoe will pick the winner Tuesday morning

 and tell you what we did to celebrate her special day.

so check back and have a great week!

charmed

you ought to be charmed with it...

just chuckling over this sentence...
sometimes it is so helpful to just cut out phrases
and match each with a piece of art
that expresses the same sentiment.
charmed is not a word that we use much in current english.
it means unusually lucky or happy.
I will take that any day please.

this newest small joint compound piece began with these steps.

I am just loving working with these 6" squares.
small can be good.
how about you, what size are you working with?

a Sunday blessing

let go and let God...

sometimes I just need a reminder to do my part

and then release it.

my husband playing basketball in the 80's -

photo taken by my beloved mom.

a Breath of Country Air

a breath of country air would do me good, I fancy.

here's another mini joint compound piece with its inspired wording.

I don't know why -

but these random cuttings from old books are just giving me the giggles...

and one can never have too many giggles.

here is the piece after the first layer...

and all the way back to the beginning.
fighting a migraine today and need another giggle.
do you have one for me?

mingle

don't you love that word?

mingle, mingle, mingle...

i could say it over and over.

and it's also the name of Stampington's new magazine.

So click on the photo to see more about the magazine,

and stop by in early October 

to win a chance to get a free copy sent to you from me.

as Zoe's birthday is October 4, 

I just might let her do the picking of the winner.

won't she be thrilled?

a Sunday Blessing - my little green friend

can you see him?

my little green friend 

has insisted on making his home

in and on our hose carrier.

he has lived here for months 

and guess what happens

whenever I want to water?

he goes around and around and around

and he holds on for dear life

and refuses to let go.

it is a froggy merry go round.

just love that persistence...

he is my hero.

he refuses to be bullied

and intimidated.

he refuses to relinquish his beautiful home

with its hollow plastic center and awesome aqua color.

I am so careful not to squish him 

and fearful as 

he is often napping between the hose coils.

The Lord is my rock, my fortress
and my deliverer;
my God is my rock,
in whom I take refuge.
Psalm 18:2
may I be reminded of my little green friend
and cling to my rock, my fortress
with the same fierceness
and determination that he shows.

a sensible arrangement

this newest piece,

a very sensible arrangement,

is finished I do believe...

and I love remembering how it started -

with creamy joint compound,

and then it came alive with 
paint, paper, stamps, glitter, an upholstery tack,

and a line from an old book that just seemed to fit -

"A very sensible arrangement, I should think."

yes I should think so.