Happy New Year!

OK...so I'm a little tardy with my Happy New Year wishes...but they are sincere...I wish you every happiness in the coming year.


So why am I so late?


Well...for one thing...I've been trying to clean my house...what an ordeal...I made myself a 12 item list...you know...things like: my closet, under bathroom sink, my dresser drawers, my craft closet...etc...wow...I'm actually almost done...only 4 of the original 12 left...I did my closet yesterday...it's amazing what you can find in a closet...ha...still have a few things that though they ought to be tossed or sold in a yard sale I'm just not ready to part with...but that's alright...you should see the stuff I've either thrown out or is crammed in my garage to wait for the condo association's yearly garage sale...I had even more...but gave it to the local senior community center in their rummage sale...which I was going to participate in...but had grandma duty (what a shame...spend time with the grandkids instead of sitting around in a rummage sale...ha...it was a very easy swap to make)...


Which brings me to the second reason I've not posted...my dear son-in-law had emergency surgery a couple of weeks ago...gave us all a bit of a fright...but he's now home after 10 days in the hospital...and is resting and healing...praise God...


Other than that...well...I've been working on a couple of things...one being a bracelet that will be auctioned on ebay/MissionFish in the fall when we do the "Pink Ribbon Turtles" Project...it's nearly finished...and I really like the way it turned out...I'll post a picture when it's done...

I also finished a piece that I am going to hang in my bedroom above one of my dressers...might also enter it in the contest for the Space Coast Art Festival...which if it wins it will be used as the design for the coming year's festival on the shirts, bags, and promotional posters...that one I can show you...I haven't named it yet...so if you have any ideas I'd love to hear them!

Living on the beach, and a barrier island (ocean on one side and river on the other), we have all manner of aquatic flora and fauna...so I tried to incorporate as much of it all as I could...if you look closely you will see a crab, fish, mermaids, birds, manatee, coral, freshwater pearls, seashells, turtles, and sandollars.  It was fun to make...it's at the framer's now...and is about 14"x15"...I can't wait to hang it up in the bedroom...

I have also finished my January project for the Beaded Journal Project...this year I'm doing feet...inspired by a course I took in reflexology...you've seen the hands I've done...so I'm doing matching feet...

Today is a day of rest...then I will tackle one of the other items on my list...but wanted to stop and share the blessing of my son-in-law recovering nicely from his ordeal...and a few of my newest projects...

Have a happy day!

It's That Time of Year...

...when the world falls in love...every song you hear seems to say...Merry Christmas...may your New Year dreams come true...

Such a great Christmas song...I could sing Christmas songs all day...lalala...

First on my agenda for the day...Santa...yes...I believe...in the magic of Santa...and I hang my stocking every year...but here are a few Santa's (for those of you who are collectors) that I've gotten over the years...three are by Gene Keith...art teacher extroidinaire at Athens Elementary School in Athens, AL...the tall one in the back and the two on either side are ones he carved...I bought the two to the side...the tall one in the back was a gift from him...we'd had a bad ice storm and I brought him part of a persimmon tree that had toppled...he took part of it and made this lovely Santa...you can see a little more of his work at: http://www.athens.edu/college_arts/art/faculty/main.html if you will scroll to the bottom of the page...Thanks, Gene!  Your talent blesses my house each Christmas!

Each year I try to get one new decoration...this year it was this darling Santa Dish...I thought about putting a bright red or white candle in it...but rethought it when I realized I'd have to somehow get it out of the dish when it had all melted down...so am satisfied with the Peppermint Twists from Walgreen's...

I also make Christmas ornaments each year for my darling grandchildren (and a few other folks)...this year the ornament it a spider web and spider...why?  Go and read the story about the Christmas Spider at: http://kraftmstr.com/christmas/books/spider.html  This year I made 7...one for us...one for each of my 4 grandkids...one for my great niece (holy canoli...I'm old enough for a GREAT NIECE!) and one for my godson's beautiful baby girl...hmmmm...I've done palm trees, mermaids, trees, snowmen and a few other things over the years...time to start thinking about what to do for next year...

One of the beadgroups I belong to has been "repurposing" teeny beanie babies (and other small critters)...I've done three...one was the flamingo "Fionna" that was auctioned off on MissionFish for Breast Cancer Research...one was a little pony...who turned out really cute...even if I do say so myself...the success of those two prompted me to find other beanies...naturally I went to Ebay...and found a couple more...Stegosaurous...my favoritest of dinosaurs...was one I got...and he was a challenge...but I think he turned out right cute as well...on his belly I put my initials...something not on the other two because I hadn't thought of simple peyote as a way to make my initials in beads til I started little Steg...don't you just love him???

Speaking of Fionna and the Breast Cancer project...the "Pink Ribbon Turtles" Project for 2009 was able to send $650 to the American Cancer Society for Breast Cancer Research.  The drawing piece, "Friends" went to R. Ericson of Cocoa Beach...only the second time the turtles have stayed in Cocoa Beach...to find out more about the project...and what's in store for 2010 please go to www.atawhisper.com/prt.htm

And last...but most certainly NOT least...RUBY

...my little birthstone dolly came home the other day after traveling down under to Kathleen in Austrailia, up north to Marty in Michigan and out west to Debra in Colorado to be adorned in her brilliant red attire...isn't she just glorious???  Ruby was part of the Birthstone Round Robin that the group Beaded Art Dolls held this year...I was fortunate to be grouped with these three very talented artists...and RUBY just LOVES to show off her outfit...complete with purse...a girl needs a purse...ha...don't you just love her???  Even though she's my birthstone (JULY/RUBY) she is such a perfect color for Christmas she is standing near the Christmas Card basket for all to admire...THANK YOU ladies...can't wait to do another one!  Are you a beadwork artist?  Head to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/beaded_art_dolls/ to find out more about the Beaded Art Dolls group...we have lots of fun...and some of the dolls that are created are amazing!

OK...so that's my epistle for the day...time to have a little lunch and relax a while...

May your holiday season be blessed...which reminds me...here is the beadwork I did for our Christmas card this year...a picture says a thousand words...remember the reason for the season!

Faith, Hope, Peace, Joy and Love

God Bless

2009 "Pink Ribbon Turtles" Project

The 2009 "Pink Ribbon Turtles" Project is Underway!

"Friends"

by Jena Tuntas

This is the 5th year for the "Pink Ribbon Turtles" Project. Founded in 2005 by the artist (above), the project is dedicated to the memory of her mother, Nina Isabelle Etheredge Fritz, longtime educator and community activist in Cocoa Beach, FL, who passed with breast cancer.

Each year a unique bead embroidery design is created, framed in a shadowbox frame and given in a drawing. The design always includes one or more turtles. Each of the turtles has a pink shell, the color of the Breast Cancer Fundraising symbol, the pink ribbon. The artwork is beautifully framed, and offered in a drawing. This year's piece (above) is entitled "Friends" in honor of the friends that help us through the tough times in our lives.

In 2009, for the first time, there will not only be a drawing, but there will be auctions of items handcrafted and donated by artists from around the world. The auctions will begin on October 26th on MissionFish. Below are two of the items that will be auctioned. More will be announced at the time of the auctions.

"Fionna"

Beaded Teeny Beanie Baby

by Jena Tuntas

www.atawhisper.com

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Swimming for Freedom of Fear"

6" x 9"

Bead, machine and ribbon embroidery on cotton

by Karen L. Cohen

www.kcEnamels.com

The drawing date is Monday, November 30th. All profit from the donations for drawing tickets and auctions will be sent to the American Cancer Society for Breast Cancer Research. For more information and to donate for drawing tickets go to www.atawhisper.com/prt.htm and pay through PayPal, or contact me at prt4bcr@mindspring.com if you prefer to pay by check or money order. All checks and money orders should be made payable to the American Cancer Society.

Have a wonderful day!

A Lot is Happening!

Back in June my niece, Lacee (bride in 1st pic) got married...her best friend, Tania (bride in second pic) came from Alabama to be at her wedding...and this past weekend...Lacee got to return the visit! What a great weekend in the DC area. I flew up with my sister and we went to the wedding of her daughter's BFF, Tania. It was a great wedding...and we had a blast. The bride was beautiful...the groom handsome in his dress uniform...they are both chopper pilots for the Army. The reception after was fun...and the cakes amazing...the groom's cake was a helicopter! I'll tell you...the folks on the food network ain't got nothin on the folks that made that cake.

It was great to see my nieces, great niece, nephew-in-law, and friends...so glad we got to go...but it was great to get back home.

Announcing a new design for those who love pirates...the character from my children's book, Shorty, is exploring Florida in his next adventure...and one of the places he goes is Ft. Walton Beach, FL where he attends the "Billy Bowlegs" Celebration..."Billy Bowlegs" was a pirate...in my new design Shorty is decked out as a pirate...complete with sword, parrot and eyepatch...his advice: "Be Who Ye Aaarrrggghhh!". You can find gifts and apparel with this design at www.cafepress.com/atawhisper/6882092 .

I'm working on the 2009 Pink Ribbon Turtles Project, and will be announcing it soon...this year we will have one item for the drawing and a couple more that will be auctioned at ebay...stay tuned for the announcement about when you can get your drawing tickets and where the auction site is.

Hope you are having a lovely September day!

Here is hand #2...what fun this has turned out to be...at first I thought I might do the hands for next year's Beaded Journal Project...but I found out quickly that I enjoyed doing them too much and knew I'd finish before the 2010 BJP ever started...SOOOOOOOO...I decided to modify my hand idea for next year's 2010 BJP...which will start in January...and what will I do??? The feet (foot) of course! I finished sewing on 12 hands and 12 feet to certain fabrics...as you can see (second row the last two feet) are the same material and colors as my first and second hand...and there is a hand to match each of the feet below...(though I've only finished two of the hands)...when I get started on the feet in January 2010...I'll have them all ready to bead...the applique of the foot and five toes has already been accomplished...this is going to be FUN!

There really is a foot/toes on the white one...you just can't see it because it's also white...not sure which had I'll do next...but you can find gifts and apparel with the two hands that have been completed at www.cafepress.com/atawhisper/6858407 ...

Beautiful here in Florida...hope you are having a wonderful day!

Beaded Massage Hands

This is my newest pattern...the hand. Being a Licensed Massage Therpist...my hands are very important...I'm also working on some feet to match...to go along with Reflexology...a specific form of bodywork. You can see the designs at www.cafepress.com/atawhisper . Find something for a therapist you love...

Teea and Sunny

Why did I name this little dolly "Teea"? Well...if you look very carefully at her 'face'...it's the outside of a golf ball that I found on the golf course one day...a yellow one...I was going to try to somehow put a yellow golf tee that I had on her somehow...but the tee is nearly as tall as she is...and I couldn't figure out how to put it on her without making it look like something I just "tacked on at the end"...so in trying to keep with her golfball skin face...I named her "Teea".
It's been a whole year...and it's hard to believe...but here is my final turtle for the Beaded Journal Project...When I thought of the month of August...which is what month this turtle is for...I thought of three things...sunset...sunrise...and sun...thus her name is Sunny...and I think her name fits her just perfectly...I sure had fun with the Beaded Journal Project and will most likely join next year as well...though I believe the next one instead of being from September through August...it will begin at the first of the year and we'll do our work all in the same year.
Want to see the entire year of turtles? On Sunday, August 16th I'll have them all on my website at www.atawhisper.com/BJPTurtles.htm .
Have a fabulous weekend!

A Tad Late

Here he is...his name is "Patriot"...he's my July (a little past due...he was celebrating the 4th of July and partied just a little too much...hahaha) Beaded Journal Project turtle...hard to believe there is only August to go!
Gotta jet out of here...things to do...places to go...people to see...and all that...
Have a lovely day!

Caliopie

Meet Caliopie...her bright colors remind me of the music from a merry-go-round...and she begged me for a meaningful name...don't you just love the colorful waves she is swimming in? Caliopie is my June Beaded Journal Project turtle...a little late...and July is in process...but she'll probably be a little late as well...and of course...thinking already of what the August turtle will look like...then this year of BJP will be over...already...it's hard to believe it's been a year since I started these turtle friends...
I've been working with all of the BJP turtles and have some great designs on my cafepress site...you can get all sorts of lovely gifts there... www.cafepress.com/atawhisper ...so if you have a turtle lover that has a special day coming up...that would be a great place to start looking!
Hope you are having a lovely day!

Way Behind...

OK...so I haven't written in a while...since I wrote last I've been out on the river two more times...once with my darling husband...and once with my eldest grandson...both times were a blast...here's a couple of pictures...they came right up to the boat and let us pat them...that's a flipper/arm reaching up out of the water in the second picture...they have fingernails...or I guess you'd call them "flipper-nails"...

Beadwork has consisted of one completed doll (above)...I loved the matte finished beads in purples and blues with the white stripe...I haven't named her yet...think I might send her to someone...but won't say who in case they are reading...it will be a surprise...and two others that are works in progress...I have yet to make my June or July Beaded Journal Project turtles...I have them cut out and ready to bead...but haven't even begun the beadwork...

Golf has been pretty good...hot as heck out there...but hitting pretty well...chipping pretty well...putting...well...on these greens "REAL" putting is an exercise in futility...we are on temporary greens til the completely revamped old ones have grown all their new and improved grass (drought and salt resistant)...and have been manicured...they say September...but I'll be surprised...still...we have fun when we play and that's really the whole point...did see a Roseatte Spoonbill at hole #6 of the River Course...such an odd little bird...here it is standing next to one of my favorite birds...don't know what kind it is...but love the white body, black legs, and bright yellow feet...like he stepped in a bucket of yellow paint...I think it's some sort of small heron...

I happened upon my daughter and her little girl today at the grocery store...they were on a field trip from the pre-school that my daughter teaches at and her daughter goes to...my daughter didn't acknowledge my presence...but she didn't give me a dirty look either...so that was a blessing...the guy behind the meat counter had the kids completely captivated by showing them how to make meatballs...he made a few...then proceeded to juggle them...the kids thought that was pretty cool...I'm glad I got to watch...I still pray every day that my daughter will have a softening of heart toward me...

Oh...and I turned 54...so we celebrated that a few times...ha...in my family birthdays tend to last a few weeks til everyone has a chance to celebrate...always fun...

Not a lot else going on...walking nearly every day...swimming a few days a week and golfing a few...and trying to stay busy...

God bless...

It's June ALREADY!

I can't believe May has past...during which time my niece graduated from Medical School and we can legitamately call her Doctor Lacee...and my grandson, Logan, turned 7...amazing...still praying that hearts will be softened and we'll all get along again...the month also brought a little bit of a scare with a "shadow/spot" on my mammogram and subsequent biopsy...which "Praise the Lord" was benign...also played in a Scrambles Tournament that is put on every year for the Little League...since my Logan plays in the LL I always try to support...and since I love golf...it was easy and fun to help...played with my dear friend...her son...and a young man from the local high school team...we didn't win...or even come close...but we laughed a lot and had a great time...

Here is my little "golfer doll"...(I haven't named her yet)...her face is the 'skin' of a golf ball I found on the course...someone must have really hit that ball hard to peel off the covering...hahaha...hope they made an eagle! Her hair is...naturally...green...like the grass on the golf course...she is holding a golf ball in her left hand...and once I make one with the polyclay...she will be holding a golf club in her right...ready to play!
Lots going on this month...and can't believe it's already here! We've had a lot of rain...which was sorely needed...but it brings up some interesting 'characters' on the golf course...this gator was at least a 12 footer...don't worry...I zoomed...then cropped...so he looks closer than he really is...the video I took the other day...after all the rain there were several new "ponds"...and in this one there was one of our local Osprey having a grand time playing and bathing in the water...it was fun to watch...but I didn't want to get too close or I would scare him away...

Hooray for yard sales! I was driving home from the grocery store last week and there was a 'yard sale' in the parking lot of the laundrymat...I looked as I drove past...and saw just the very top of this chair...hmmmmmm...I wondered...is that a chair??? I thought about it til I was nearly home...then decided that I'd turn around and go back and look...what could it hurt...right??? Well...by golly it was a chair...and it was only $10...of course it has no cushions...so I'll have to get busy and make some...but there are no cracks or wobbliness...a very sturdy chair...so I'm happy I turned around! Yesterday I saw an end table out in front of an antique store that is made with the same type of curved bamboo...$155...OUCH...needless to say...it's still at the store!

A group of us went on a Kayak Tour last Thursday...(I think I mentioned it before)...we had a great time...saw manatee, bottlenose dolphin and all sorts of birds and fish...we stayed out on the water about 2 hours...and probably would have stayed longer but it started thundering and lightening...TIME TO GET OUT...I am pretty sure I'm going again...not sure when yet...but I really liked it...

Saturday evening was "Hot Night in the City"...which is a fundraiser that is put on each year for the Freedom 7 Sr. Community Center. This year there was something new to add...they sent out word to the community to find 8 folks over 80 years old to honor for the celebration of their life and their service to their communities. One of the 8 was my wonderful father...33 years of service in the school system as a principal...all in the same town...where we've lived since 1961...here is a picture of him receiving his award...

Beading...well...been busy with several things...going to do a Round Robin with some ladies...the theme is "Birthstone"...of which mine is a Ruby...so here is my little doll that will lilterally be sent around the world for other beaders to bead...when she returns home she will be completely beaded...

Also...a swap for "Independence Day"...made the first one and my husband really liked it...so I decided to make two...will swap one and keep one at home...standing on his head in his "Uncle Sam" style hat...he declares his independence...

My son in law just celebrated a birthday...my niece that lives here celebrates hers tomorrow...and my niece...the new doctor...will be getting married Saturday...and I'm sure we will have a wonderful time...who knows what's in store for the rest of the month of June...but whatever it is...I'm sure "It's all good"...

Have a blessed day!

IT'S MAY!

Meet "Belle"...named for my mom...mostly because of the yellow roses in the background...her favorite flower..."Belle" is the May Beaded Journal Project entry for me. Finding just the right color green for the body wasn't easy...since I started doing bead embroidery I've discovered that there are at least a zillion different shades, tints, hues, and finishes of nearly every color...a bit overwhelming at times...but always great once you find just the right one!

On the golf course the other day...hole #2 of the Dolphin Course in Cocoa Beach...we spotted this momma turtle heading back to the pond after laying her eggs...see the sand on her back? She had been digging her nest to lay. The turtles come out this time of year and lay eggs under the trees and shrubbery all around the golf course...then hope that the scrubjays and crows don't come dig them up and eat them before they can mature and hatch...I would venture a guess that the back of this turtle is at least as big as a turkey platter...she was lovely...

At the corner of Brevard and S. 2nd Street here in Cocoa Beach you can sometimes see Manatees...these pictures were taken one afternoon when I had gone down just to see if they were around...and there they were...four adults and a baby...they eat the algae I think...sometimes folks will feed them lettuce or cabbage...which they really aren't supposed to do...but the manatees love it...you can see some of the scars they've received from motor boats...manatees are an protected species...and you aren't allowed to touch or feed them...but they are also very curious...so if you are still and one comes up to you and touches you...it's very special...I'm hoping to go out on a kayak tour in June with some of my friends from Curves...and we're hoping to see manatees and porpoise (dolphins)...I'm sure we'll see plenty of birds and maybe even an alligator! We're using a tour group that leaves each morning Mon-Sat for a 2-2.5 hour kayak tour of the river islands around Cocoa Beach...if you are headed to Cocoa Beach for a vacation you can find out more about the kayak tour at http://www.cocoabeachkayaking.com/ .

At our library we have a "musical season" where every Sunday afternoon for several months there is a concert of some sort...not long ago there was a steel drum band called the "Pan Sharks" that were there...I love steel drums...so naturally had to go to that one...this video is of them playing "Yellow Bird"...which you may recognize as a Harry Belafonte' song from a while back...to see more of the "Pan Sharks" you can go to their website at www.pansharks.com . You may have to turn off the music player to the right before you can hear them play...otherwise you will be hearing two different things at once!

So...that's about it from Cocoa Beach today...the weather is lovely...headed for a swim here shortly...just got back from a 40 minute walk...and if the weather holds I might just head out for a round of 9 holes of golf...hmmmm...at some point I have to go to the grocery store...or maybe we'll just have sandwiches for supper...ha...

I was reading one of Marianne Williamson's recent books...I love her work...it embodies the greatest defining spirit of God...LOVE...two things I read in this particular book were about forgiveness and miracles...Forgivness involves faith in a love that is greater than hate...so true...and a prayer she has for forgiveness...

Dear God, Please forgive me the mistakes in my past. May neither I not anyone else be bound by them...Please God...may I begin again...Amen

...and she gave this as the definition of a miracle: Nothing that happened before this moment has any bearing on what's possible now, except that what you learned from it can be fuel for a magnificent future...

The book is "The Age of Miracles: Embracing the New Midlife" and is an excellent and easy read...a very uplifting book...I'm sure the bookstores have it...and I'll probably go buy one...I found it at the library and have to take it back...but some books are worth reading more than once!

Off for a swim...may you be forgiven as you forgive...and may your day be full of miracles!

March...and twin...

Well...decided to "redo" the curtain swag in my bedroom...which is two really nice shades of blue...and "beachy"...I decided to use the BJP turtle pattern to make the decoration on the swag holders (I am sure there is a word for that I just can't bring it to my brain)...anyway...the things I use now are round...so instead of buying new ones I decided to just cover them...Here is one of the March turtles...it's twin is nearly finished and a mirror opposite of this one...the material for the curtain will be the same you see here...the offwhite with white paisley...I'm just waiting on some blue beads I ran out of and had to order to finish the twin...
So...meet March's turtle(s)...there will be two...haven't named them...but I really like how they turned out...
Off to swim laps...then maybe to the golf course...
Have a happy day!

April

I've changed her name to "Blossom"...she is a turtle that I drew a few years ago...and when it came time for me to do the Beaded Journal Project for April I immediately thought of her...and I'm so tickled that she's come to life in beads...

Yes...I admit I'm a little behind...even though "April" is done...I still haven't even begun the turtle for March...but I'm working on it!