Gratitude, Etc.

  I want to open this post with my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for your thoughtful expressions of condolences on the passing of my brother, for sharing your own personal and sad losses, and for your support from near or far. You have lifted my spirits more than you'll ever know.Thank you.


  Any of you watch the Superbowl game? Not a football fan myself but I did watch with hubby while doing some crossword puzzles. Congrats to the winning team - the Philadelphia Eagles!!

                                                           Cheers!
 Lifting a glass to share with the T Stands For Tuesday peeps. Actually that was hubby's choice of beverage. Mine was a glass of merlot ;)

 Yesterday was dark and grey with a mix of snow and rain-kinda like this journal page:

 Well, at least it looked like the grey background which was a deli paper gel plate print I glued to the page. I added the magazine pic, cardinal sticker, some washi tape and the stamped sentiment (Hero Arts). If I'm not pushing the envelope too far I'd like to join Art Journal Journey hosted this month by Rike with the theme of "animals A - Z".

 a Valentine tag:

 I made several of these to send out with cards to some of my friends. I love Valentine's Day, which also happens to be our son's birthday!
 Products: tag (Recollections); felt heart (Celebrate It! Michaels); baker's twine; metallic sewing thread; black Micron#1 pen.
 Linking to Tag Tuesday (have a heart); the Simon Monday Challenge ( Love is in the Air);  the Simon Says Stamp Blog Work It Wednesday Challenge (love); and Try It On Tuesday (love is in the air).

 These are my completed January calendar spreads:

 I've been able to keep up so far even adding a bit of color to the blocks by drawing or stamping or adding stickers :) And I'm working well ahead making the art  pages on the right side pages for each week- I think I'm up to the end of May!

 Linking my post also to Paint Party Friday! It's a very welcoming , varied group of artists and such a treat to visit and get to know their styles etc. Do have a look and please join in. Speaking of Paint Party Friday, one of the regular participants, the lovely Gillena Cox asked me if I wanted to trade ATCs with her. But of course! Now, I only wish I could have hand delivered them as she lives on the island of Trinidad:) This is what I received:

 Along with the two beautiful ATCs on the lower left I received a postcard made by her and a card showing her book (yes, she has published a book-Pink Crush!) and of course I always keep postage stamps for collage:) Thank you Gillena, and thanks to Kristin and Eva our Paint Party Friday hosts for bringing us together!

"Friendship is a bond of love, a medal of trust, a shoulder in sadness, a hand in darkness, something that doesn't cost, and a jewel never to be lost."  unknown