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

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!

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!

A Basket "full" of Babies

In the past few weeks I've not been doing much beading...it's the time of year for taxes...which I'm not done with yet...and I've had several other "irons in the fire"...one is this basket "full" of babies...they are all (except the blue one with the peyote face") about 3" tall...and ready to bead...why?...you ask...did I make all these babies...I think it's because I'm a trifle "OCD"...and once I get something in my head it's hard to steer me the other way...ha...I think there are over 75 babies of different colors...it takes me about 45 min to an hour to complete one from cutting out to sewing my initials into the bottom of the stuffed baby...my Valentine Babies were made from two of the patterns seen here...there are 7 different patterns all together...and I tried to make about 4 per color...obviously not all colors have each of the 7 patterns...but...I was so involved with other things that beading was just not formost in my mind...and this I could do while watching TV at night with my husband...they reside in this little basket...at least til I decide what to do with them and how to bead them...
And what else has been going on down here in Cocoa Beach? BEAUTIFUL WEATHER this weekend...and a few of the days in the past month...have had some rain...but like much of the southeast...we're in drought mode (folks can only water their lawns on certain days of the week)...so the rain...though it cuts into my golf...is sorely needed...
One discovery I made...I'm not a "candidate" for Lyrica for my fibromyalgia...not because I can't get it...but because I tried it...was on it for 3 weeks and gained 10 lbs. was dizzy and my balance was terrible...and found it hard to breathe...plus my darling husband couldn't sleep...snoring...so yesterday was the first day without it...and I already feel better...back to Advil...
I've been teaching the new Weight Management Classes at Curves...they have revamped their Weight Management System...and now it's so much easier to follow...plus...you can join the class whether you belong to Curves or not...as long as you buy the book...which is reasonable...so that has taken up some of my time with preparing to teach...and then the acutal teaching...
I've got a "call" out to the ladies at Curves...and anyone else who would like to join us...to have a walking group...(strength in numbers...I knew darn good and well I would do better having someone to walk with...I got the April 2008 Prevention Magazine...and in it was an article on how to train for half and whole marathons...anyone who has known me for very long knows I DON'T run...but this training is for walking them...now whether I'll ever do a whole marathon remains to be seen...I would give that about a 2% chance of happening...ha...but if I can get a group together that wants to train for the half one...or even just wants to join a walking group without doing any events...I might do a half one...we'll see...with the fibromyalgia I'll just have to take it a day at a time...but we're going to give it our best shot...not only will we feel better for the exercise...a lot of half and whole marathons are in neat places...like New York City, Philadelphia, Las Vegas...so...this will be a "traveling" group as well...wish us luck!
Other than that...mostly I've been trying to make it through the first (an last) three weeks of Lyrica...working on taxes...making the little babies you saw at the beginning of this post...and playing golf...about a week or so ago I shot the BEST I've ever shot on 18 holes...hooray...it was a 79...though highly unusual...was lots of fun while playing...and made me feel wonderful when I saw the final score...since that time I'm back to my regular mid to high 80's...but every once in a while "everything goes just right"...all the stars are in alignment so to speak...my girlfriend and I are going to play in the Scrambles at the beginning of May for the Little League...we did it last year and had a lot of fun...
The biggest and most important thing I've been doing lately...getting ready for the 2009 "Pink Ribbon Turtles" Project...this year I'm inviting artists from every medium...there are 5 different projects to choose from...and I already know we'll do better this year than we've ever done before! PLEASE go to www.atawhisper.com/prt.htm to find out all of the information about this year's turtles...
Have a blessed Easter!

"Pinot Noir"

Hi all...during the past week I have had the flu and my dad has been in the hospital.

Not being able to visit him, and really not being able to go much of anywhere, I've been working on a doll and finished her last night...her name is "PinotNoir"...her face is the foil cap from a bottle of wine from the "FritzWinery"...

http://www.fritzwinery.com/Fritz/index.jsp

...out of California..my dad found out about this wine from my aunt and has a couple of cases sent to the house each year to give as gifts and use on special occasions...the reason it's unique and fun for him to get this wine is because his last name(my maiden name) is FRITZ! Pretty cool...huh...

So...I saved the foil cap when we opened a bottle a while back and have been thinking of this doll for a while...she is shaped like...a bottle of wine ofcourse...her face has the Fritz Winery label...and her body is a grape orchard with some puffly clouds in the sky...she stands about 6.5"...I thinkI might bring her up to the hospital for my dad...who is doing better...they are taking him to a rehab hospital til he gets his strength back...he'strying not to get discouraged...maybe a little "Pinot Noir" will cheer him up!

Hope you have a lovely day!

"Turtle Princess"

Here's my little blue "Turtle Princess"...she is about 3" tall and has a skirt of turtles to help her navigate when she is swimming in the ocean...

OK...yes...I've gone nuts with the tiny dolls...ha...they are just too fun...but...I do have a few coming up that are bigger than the little 3" beauties I've been making...

I sent "Wrapped in Love" out to one of the ladies in our "Spread the Love" swap in my online beadwork group...her three sisters said a tearful goodbye...but just know that she is going to a great home and will be loved...

A gorgeous day here in Cocoa Beach...played 9 holes of golf this morning...took a picture of a winged visitor that has been frequenting the ponds lately...a lovely swan...

...it was hard to get close since he/she was out in the middle of the pond...and my zoom only zooms so far...but I got a pretty good one...don't want to get too close to the water's edge...might be a gator lurking about...we've seen some 10-12 footers in the past month...don't want to be "LUNCH"!

Well...off to sew one of the new dollies...have 4 in the works...and of course the February turtle for the Beaded Journal Project...

Hope your day is all you wished for...and more!

Meet "Eedie"

My Grandma Edith...my father's mother...loved elephants...and aquas and blues...so this little gal...Eedie...is named for her...another of my "little" dolls...she stands about 3" tall...

I'm working on 4 more dolls...they are a little larger...but not much...I find the little ones fun because they come to life quickly...

Hope you are having a lovely day!

"Oceana"

My newest baby...her name is Oceana...she stands about 3"...her hair is made of variegated embroidery thread...and she was fun fun fun to make...

Also...here is a little bead I found...and was THRILLED to find...in the "bead soup" at my local bead shop...the bead is made of wood with a hole from top to bottom and stands about 1/2 inch tall...I had three of them about 20 years ago...used one on a vest I made for a friend of mine...and one on a doll...but don't know what I did with the third one...I've been looking for some for a long time...so if anyone knows where I could get some more I'd like to hear from you!

It's COLD here in Florida today...and too windy to play any golf...oh shucks...guess I'll have to do some beadwork...haha!

Have a grand day!

"Love is a Rose"

The three LOVEly sisters have a fourth sister! Her name is "Love is a Rose" She stands not quite 3" and wears a jacket of roses with butterflies in her hair...she was so fun to work on...and I got to use my "pinks and reds" hank of beads I found a few weeks ago...

If you haven't bought your Valentine's Cards I have some postcards available on my etsy site... http://www.atawhisper.etsy.com/ ...with all four of the LOVEly Ladies...

Three LOVEly Ladies

I had so much fun with the two little dolls I made for the BAD "Spread the Love" Valentine's Swap/Bead-a-long that I had to make another...her name is "Wrapped in Love"...here she is alone (front and back) and with her sisters..."Red is for Love" and "Love is a Wild Thing"...

Happy New Year! 2009

Happy New Year...can't believe it's 2009!
I remember when I was little thinking...man I'm going to be old when it turns 2000...and now I'm even older! Ha...Have many blessings...a wonderful husband...4 beautiful grandchildren...a roof over my head...and a loving and forgiving Lord...
Above you see my January entry in the Calendar Challenge for BAD (Beaded Art Dolls)...her name is Snowflake...and below...two little Valentine Pixies...the first is named "Red is for Love"...and her pink sister is named "Love is a Wild Thing"...they are not quite 3 inches in height...and one of them will be sent to another beader in the "Spread the Love" Valentine Swap on BAD...just love making the dolls...they all have their own personality...

So...Happy 2009 to you...may your year be blessed!

Piggy-Back Shuttle Landing

On Friday, December 12th, 2008 the shuttle came into Cape Canaveral Air Station on the back of a 727. These images were taken at 7th Street South in Cocoa Beach as the 727 flew down the beach for all to witness. A very very cool site to see! Here's a video with about 9 slides in a row of it passing while I stood on the beach ramp at 7th Street.

Christmas is approaching fast...I lit candle 11 this evening...that means only 11 days til Christmas...and I've been working hard to get the tree up and the presents wrapped and the cards sent...one of this year's Christmas Cards will include my "Flip Flop Tree"...which is our 2nd tree each year...I made it to make my husband laugh the year we were married...he loves it...

Here is my Beaded Art Doll for December...and ornament named "Glisten".

Doesn't she have a sweet face?
And this year's Christmas ornaments for the 4 grandchildren? A Christmas tree!

I still have a lot to do...have my Beaded Journal Project to finish...and have a lovely Round Robin Doll to work on...but I'm still getting out to play a little golf every few days...today shot a 43 on 9 holes...found some really "old-fashioned" clubs at the Thrift Shop for $1.00...old wooden woods...really old...and about 5 different putters!!!...and a leather bag...all for $1.00...I was amazed...the head on the 7 wood isn't much bigger than the ball! But I shot a really great tee shot on a long par three with it today...

The 2008 "Pink Ribbon Turtles" Drawings have been completed. "Ling" was won by Joan M. in Cocoa Beach, FL. I was very happy to find out that she was one of my mother's good friends. She was excited to win.

"Jewels of the Sea" was won by Anne H. of Edmond, OK. She was thrilled to hear the news.

"Kameko" was won by Beverly M. of White Pine, TN. Bev was also happy when she heard the news.

We don't have a final tally of donations to be sent to the American Cancer Society, but know it will be well over $800. With the economy the way it is...we are very pleased with this number. I will announce a final amount once I know it. I'm still waiting for a couple of "snail mail" checks to come from people that simply wanted to donate and not get tickets. Thank you to everyone who donated this year. Congratulations to our winners. Thank you to the 7 wonderful beadwork artists that made this year's turtles a reality.

We are working on plans for next year's project, and will announce our plans once they are confirmed. Anyone who is a beadwork artist is certainly invited to join us!

I reckon that's about all the news today...if I don't get to post again between now and Christmas I wish you a safe and happy holiday season!