Searching For Christmas Inspiration

With the fear of hurricane in a couple other states, here in N.W. Ohio it is just a lovely fall day....
      I have been working or should I say enjoying creating the start of some Christmas ornaments from the Jeanne d Ark paper I shared with you I recently purchased... They will adorn the sweet little tree I have placed in our living room the past couple years... I do change the decorations every year... Today I have made some envelopes from the paper and added a 4 x 6 vintage french lady image... I also  printed a couple french paper cones to be placed together... later this afternoon.
     I do think this means I am well on my road to recovery... I shared the results on my Facebook but have not shared here with my blogging friends... I WILL NOT have to have any other further treatment such as radiation or chemo.. They said the cancer was all contained and they got it all... I did have a complete hysterectomy and lymph nodes removed and it was a very hard surgery and I developed pneumonia but I am now moving around pretty well and can feel Gods healing hands taking place....
     Design Millenium.com   The two above pics are from this site... I so love the dried fruit and the fall looking tree in the country style... I always have my decorating done the first week of November ... as many do ... this would be great for Thanksgiving and change over for Christmas... The second pic is so clever for lack of space or funds...
    I have another site to share with you on my next post or so also...as I get further along with my creating I will share...
    Wanted to thank everyone for the well wishes and prayers... I still have a ways to go as I am about half way there... and it feels wonderful to be getting stronger.

Beautiful Antique French Gift Wrap

My blogger friend Sandi http://waysidetreasures-sandi.blogspot.com had posted a picture if this lovely wrap on her Facebook and I instantly fell in love and splurged big time and ordered a roll to use for my main Christmas decorating and tree ornaments... I change every year by creating ... now I am thinking of ways to use this wrap... coming to mind of course is packages... cones.... and possible envelopes filled with vintage images of altered art... Should receive the roll in the next couple days and hopefully it will get some creative desires going as I haven't been able to complete anything since surgery... Desires to clean house are there but my mind has different ideas than my body so I am still in prayer and wishes for strength to come soon... Any suggestions you may have for ways to use this lovely paper would be greatly appreciated....

     I LOOK TO GOD FOR...   Sometimes when heartache and sorrows come my way, And I feel like I have no strength to live another day...
I look to God for guidance.. To help me through it all... To pick me up off the ground And stand me straight and tall.. I look to God for patience.. To help give things time; To somehow show me the answers ..That alone I could not find...   I look to God for reassurance ..To let me know it's okay; And to give me the strength I need to live another day...   Julie Hess

Promises Of Tomorrow

The sun is shinning and a very gentle breeze is blowing with promises for me that I will soon be returning to my daily chores in a week or so and a very lovely day ahead... I plan on relaxing and totally enjoying the offerings that today is promising to bring....I have been home a week now from the 4 day surgery and hospital stay... Staples were removed on Thursday and also they took away my oxygen tanks... 2 very positives... Still no final tests results at appointment so most likely this coming week.  Everyday is getting better and I am so thankful..
   I haven't left too many comments but I have been keeping up with my favorite blogs as I recover... Life hands us many opportunities and many unwanted moments... My past couple months have been with little desires or wants... only to feel well again. Not much is important if you aren't well enough to enjoy... and everyday is filled with worry and pain... I am feeling so much better I feel like I have hit the lottery of LIFE and just want to enjoy the moments... It is wonderful... Just wanted to share and thanks for all the prayers and well wishes.... Many I keep up on Face book with... Today I am feeling so blessed.....

Not What I Was Looking Forward To

Much of this summer has not been as I would have envisioned I would like it to be.  We always look forward for winter's brisk winds and deep chills to come to a  end and the soft lovely blooms of spring to appear of which they did come early spring.... Then with summer came weeks upon weeks without rain causing crop losses and and gardens , yards, and planting in general not to thrive and produce.... Efforts for making our yards the lovely place to be failed... especially in our area and other states... For myself .. the last month and a half has been spent in doctor's offices and much testing ... I have to admit I have not been able to focus on much and miss doing so... Maybe fall will be kinder... I have surgery this coming Wednesday morning and hopefully start a recovery period.... Although it is wonderful to have shelter, our home means much more than that.. it is like one big delicious cupcake... the cake being the foundation and the frosting being the accessories we love.  whatever your choice of accessories to make ourselves feel comfortable.. We don't want to have to be a guest to feel pampered.. Our memories should always be like our home is a special retreat..  Whether you are a trend setter or a collector, it is ideal to use things in a romantic re-use. beautiful baubles, gems, china ect. need not necessary be put away.... just re-arranged to another spot... It's every bit as wonderful as purchasing something new... Bits and pieces can become statement makers... In my eyes,  if you have objects tucked away in every place possible you need to  shop your home and not travel out to make other purchases... Putting your objects on display and using them only makes common sense... Perfume bottles, shakers, and china are always wonderful and can take center stage, when clustered and elevated in unique ways... Objects like cake stands can display and also be used for holding keys or mails or other trinkets.Always consider using antique and vintage jewelry to adorn mirrors, pictures and bottles ect.  It is certainly one of my favorite things to do... We should always design and display with objects that move us.. even if it isn't trendy or the choice of others... Our homes are meant for our enjoyment and comfort and I certainly know my longing will be to get back in my home next weekend after my hospital stay.. My famous words whenever we go somewhere to Tom is " can we go home now" and I know I will be begging next week... I may be missing for a time in blog land as I recover... sending best wishes to all.