A Big Mix Of Subjects

 Lots to share for this week so I'll just begin - with this birthday card for a friend:

 Products: lg white notecard; blue, green, yellow, pink cardstock; patterned paper; happy birthday/balloons die set (Our Daily Bread Designs); Spellbinders die cut machine; Versafine Onyx Black in; Versamark ink (Tsukineko); floral stamp (Magenta); assorted rhinestones.

 Linking with the Simon Wednesday Challenge (Anything Goes).

For T Stands For Tuesday I have a few pics from a local winery friends and I visited earlier this month- Black River Farms Winery:

                                                      the tasting bar

                                                      I liked this sign

                                upper level tasting room for private parties

                                  one corner of the vineyard

me and hubby on left along with the friends we go to the beach with for a week every August. The wine was OK but a bit sweet (even the dry ones) and to me local state wines around our area just don't have the depth and richness I enjoy. We had a fun time tho and the owners were really nice, giving us a tour and talk about their equipment and process. Speaking of friends,  Tuesday will be busy for me as I am hosting lunch for my BFFS since elementary(primary) school. Guaranteed fun and lots of laughs!

 I have one more Halloween themed journal page (part of my October calendar journal):

 My page was painted after watching the Art Sherpa You Tube video "Day and Night Cats Willow Tree".  I took the main ideas but changed it a bit :)  Joining Moo Mania and More (theme is Halloween) and Paint Party Friday.

 Going off the art track here- just for a bit , and then I'll end with another journal page.

 This is my cleaned up main art table:

 I am continuing the clean up, clean out, letting go, and purging... and not just things.
Last Friday morning I made the decision to let go of a relationship that was no longer serving me. It has taken me a long time to acknowledge this and although my most supportive tribe has known it quite awhile I had to come to this myself. I was continually compromising over and over again, accepting constant excuses for disappointing behaviors with no apologies. I now realize looking back that this person is  turning a blind eye as to how their actions have affected all of their relationships in one way or another. Although it wasn't easy because there were good times too I know in my heart I made the right decision. Another life lesson that will only help me grow. You know that adage-people come into your life- for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.
 Thanks for listening and now I really would love to hear from you- have you ever had to let go of a friendship that was no longer serving you? How did you handle it? How did you feel afterwards?

 And here is another journal page:

 Background is a combination of Distress Oxide and Distress inks and stencils. Acrylic paint spatters. Silhouette wildflowers stencil (Magenta), Mosaic layering stencil (Tim Holtz), bird stencil (Stencil Girl), circle stamps (Ellen Hutson), stitches stamps (Whimsy stamps), bee stamp (Magenta), Stickles glitter glue.
 Joining Art Journal Journey (thank you Elke for hosting your theme of "Landscapes of the Soul" this month!); Mix It Monthly (autumn); the Simon Monday Challenge (All creatures Great and Small); Try It on Tuesday (Circles), and Paint Party Friday! Talk about serendipity-I didn't know this page would link to so many challenges when I made it over the weekend:)

 Will be around to see what you all are up to - the best part of blogging to me is the connecting!
Leaving you with some words of wisdom...

" Buddhism teaches that joy and happiness arise from letting go. Please sit down and take inventory of your life. There are things you've been hanging on to that really are not useful and deprive you of your freedom. Find the courage to let them go."        Thich Nhat Hanh