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!

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!

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!

Pearl

Well...I sat and thought about a name for this little turtle and no matter how many I made up she kept putting the name "Pearl" in my mind...so I reckon this is "Pearl"...probably because the center piece is mother of pearl (dyed blue)...and she has pearls on her feet, head and tail...whatever her reasons...she just wasn't going to let me name her anything else...she is the February entry for the Beaded Journal Project...she was finished in time...I'm just slow with her debut...
This little fella and his friend always seem to know when I'm playing the River Course when golfing...they seem to pop up everytime I am on #5...so I always try to have something for them...they come pretty close...but I don't get too close to them...they are sweet but they are still wild...he's eating a peanut butter cracker...and yes...I used a zoom...
I'm off to get my dad from the rehab place he's been in since his hospital adventure a couple of weeks ago...he will surely be glad to be home...and we'll be happy to have him back in Cocoa Beach! Have a lovely day!

"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!