My Son Andrew in South Africa Again

March 1, 2011 - This is week five of Andrew's six week internship. He still doesn't have word yet about being hired. We are STILL hoping and praying that this results in his dream career! The first photo is Andrew in action. The second is his "hut" or living quarters. It is like a studio apartment inside minus a kitchen. The third photo is of the plains at the wildlife reserve.

The link directly below will take you to the Wildlife Film Academy website. Please select video number 3 (Andrew Juhl) for his short 5 minute film from when he went to The Film Academy two years ago.

http://www.wildlifefilmacademy.com/videos.php

Andrew's Wildlife Film Academy is also below as well as his morning commute last week:

http://vimeo.com/20369018

Antique Secretary Desk Re-Fab(ulous)!

I know this is selfish because I haven't been on here in forever, but I wanted to post my latest project. I found an antique secretary's desk for $30 bucks at a garage sale. I refinished her in a creamy-dreamy white and now she's a beauty of a Re-Fab(ulous) Secretary Desk!

My Devotions are in the Wrong Place

I started this blog about eight months ago with trepidation. I had just stumbled upon blogs a short time before starting and I thought they were a great place to share some junky ideas and projects. I had no idea where to start. I've posted some photos, shared a vacation, shared a few ideas, and shared the passing of my Wonderful Father-in-Law.

I've smiled from ear to ear when I read the sweet comments left by some of my "followers" or others in Blog-Land. Or, maybe you lifted me up during our family's loss in November. I mean, who doesn't like positive feedback or to be lifted up during a time of need?

My blog is "under construction" right now. I've tired of my "wallpaper" and my layout. I've tired of the fonts and the colors. I thought that by changing things around with a fresh new look I'd be more inspired to blog daily or at least more often.

But the truth is, I've devoted WAY too much TIME to Blog-Land. My Bible and daily devotions sit in the same place day-after-day while I spend my quiet time in the morning following my blog list that I turn to for inspiration. Where can one get BETTER inspiration than our Bible? I have totally prioritized my list of "to-do"s wrong. I am feeling a bit ashamed.

I have been CHOOSING to pick-up my laptop instead of my Bible. I mean, it is really a choice we make, isn't it? There's this women in my head that speaks rather LOUDLY to me when I reach for my laptop - she says: "Only you can make that choice - it's your Bible or your laptop". Most mornings I consiously CHOOSE to ignore both her and my Bible. My Bible sits there, loyal, faithful and quietly waiting for me. It hasn't given up on me - yet.

I have made the decision (with the help of the woman who speaks loudly in my head) to step away from Blog-Land for awhile. I might be back. I might not. I have more important priorities in my life that need my attention and I need to get back to my basics - My Bible. After all, for us believers, isn't that what Life is all about - leading a life a Faith, Hope and Love? They can all be found in my Bible, and that's where you can now find me each morning - with my Bible and a cup of tea, searching and yearning for the right inspiration for me.

Thanks for your friendship, inspiration and your kindness.

Sue

Under Construction!!

This page is DEFINITELY under CoNsTrUcTiOn! Get-outta my way - I'm on a mission. I've got to make some changes and I'm starting here. I've got too many pans in the fire, so it may take me a little while, so PLEASE bare/bear (never sure on which spelling) with me. Hold on 'cause this might be a bumpy ride!

Sue

Salt of the Earth Pink Tree

This tree is in my booth at the Calico Craft Mall. I had it there for Christmas, but planned on leaving it in my booth for Valentine's Day. I made up a dozen or so ornies by putting fake snow in salt shakers and then putting part of a scripture verse on them regarding the "Salt of the Earth". I've sold four or five and had some left so why not see if I can push them for other times of the year.

The owner of the booth asked to put in in the front window to go with her Pink and Red theme. Well, since I have a LOT of pink in my booth, she took about 10-12 of my items for her front of store/window display. What a compliment, but now I've got to get busy making and painting more pink stuff for my own booth! What a problem to have, eh?

Peace on Earth Good Will Toward Men

I wanted to wish all of my virtual friends a very Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year too. Thank you, gals, for all of your ideas, inspiration, camaraderie, uplifting words and prayers. I couldn't imagine a year without all of you wonderful women and your very unique personalities and ideas.

Thank-you so much and God Bless you during this CHRISTmas season. Peace on Earth Good Will toward men.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them,

Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Luke 2:8-14

Sue

I've Been Featured in the Front Window!

I've made it to the front page of sorts! I've had three of my items displayed in the front window at the Calico Craft Mall that I have a tiny booth in. The JOY sign, the tree in a Red Barrel left/below the sign, and the large Lathe Star to the right and below are all mine. Woohoo!

This "JOY" window is something that I think I subconsciously overpriced so that I'll have to keep it!

My favorite Christmas "Cloche"! I found an adorable pink cardboard house (brand new but I really loved it), attached it to a vintage silver-plated tray, added some vintage bottle brushes that I bleached to a paler shade of green, glued lots of "snow" to the tray and then covered with a huge glass dome-type cloche that I found at GoodWill. Oh, yea, I wired vintage glass white beads in three different sizes together to form a snowman. I made three, sprayed with adhesive spray, rolled them in snow and glitter, and wala - I had a snowman family. It's rather difficult to see them, but they are in the lower left area beneath the trees. Hopefully this will sell as well, but if it doesn't, gosh, I just might have to keep it for myself! I was in the shop the other day and overheard two little boys with their mother. One said "Wow, that's a really big Snow Globe"! I hadn't looked at it like a snow globe before, but it sure does look like one.

These were fast sellers and I didn't make enough, of course. I found some antique lathe strips at the local flea market and assembled five together to form a star.

I even remembered to keep one for myself!

I made the mistake of taking pictures at the shop and the lighting was horrendous! This is my Shabby Chic Pink Christmas tree in an enamelware bucket. Honestly, there are many pink accents including pink miniature lights, a large pink bow, vintage pink glass ornaments, pink beaded garland, pink star, and pink-n-white pinwheel ornaments (new). I've also wired ice-looking picks to many of the branches for some extra shimmer.