The Blackberry Briar

Catching Up and The May Primitive Gathering

Good Morning Everyone.  It seems like it has been an eternity since I have been able to post on my blog.   I want to Thank so many of you who took the time to write your sympathies for my kitty.  I deeply appreciated every word.

Gosh, so much is going on.  My Gram turned 85!!!  She is just so beautiful and such a real life doll.  Here we are with her.  4 Generations!   We celebrated at a Brunch and had such a nice time.

Last weekend I did a local annual Spring show which is always so much fun and very busy.   I prepared for that and brought only candles this time, no dollies......I didn't have time for dollies.  Wish I had a picture to share.  I must remember my camera next time.

This weekend is another EXCITING show that I am doing at my sisters house.  It is her annual Breast Cancer Charity Event.   This is the third year that it will take place.  I am so excited about it.  I will keep you posted and try to include some pictures.

Please meet Ms. Blue Bird.   I have been working on her for an eternity.  Picking her up and putting her back down.   I finally finished her up and she is up for sale on The Primitive Gathering today for the 15th release.  I am including one of my Locally Famous Room Sprays FREE with her purchase.  You choose the scent.   Please take a moment to visit all the other very talented artists page as well.

Well, that is all for now.  Please Live, Love and Laugh like today is the biggest party of your life.  Celebrate and be joyful for each and everything.  Life is just way to short not to.   

Oh My Darling Clementine

A Dolly named Clementine. 

I will Miss You Forever

I Love You with all My Heart and Will Miss You Forever.

Dear Lord, please open your gates
and call St. Francis
to come escort this beloved companion
across the Rainbow Bridge.

Assign her to a place of honor,
for she has been a faithful servant
and has always done her best to please me.

Bless the hands that send her to you,
for they are doing so in love and compassion,
freeing her from pain and suffering.

Grant me the strength not to dwell on my loss.
Help me remember the details of her life
with the love she has shown me.
And grant me the courage to honor her
by sharing those memories with others.

Let her remember me as well
and let her know that I will always love her.
And when it's my time to pass over into your paradise,
please allow her to accompany those
who will bring me home.

Thank you, Lord,
for the gift of her companionship
and for the time we've had together.

And thank you, Lord,
for granting me the strength
to give her to you now.

Amen.

Holy Earthquake!

Here in the Midwest is the last place I would ever expect to feel an earthquake.   Strange, but true at about 4:40 this morning was my first experience with one.   I sat up straight out of Bed hearing two antique dressers rattling away in my bedroom.   Now, at first I thought it was the wind, because the wind here is vicious and is enough to blow the house down at times.  I realized though that it was calm as can be outside.......So then my mind wandered to ghosts.  It was the only explanation,  :0) until I turned on the news and realized that there was an 5.4 earthquake in Southern Illinois that was felt as far as 450 miles away.   They said that there are no mountains here to absorb the shock and that is why it traveled so far.   So, at least I know that it isn't ghosts!  Although, I am not so sure that I am comfortable with an earthquake either!  I thought they only happened in California.

Here is a painting that I bought on Etsy.  My very first Etsy purchase.  :0)   I bought it from the talented Heather from AudreyEclectic   Check out her shop on Etsy and see all the other great items she has for sale.   I LOVE this wonderful girl and her dolly.  The greens are just perfect to coordinate with my newly painted living room.   Thank you Heather!   

I am working on some new things, but I have to admit that I have lost my muse somewhere.....along with my daughters library book (which is a whole other story).   I must find her again soon...she must be feeling lonely, because I sure am without her. 

Just Monkeying Around

I have been monkeying around for a couple weeks now.  :0)   Trying to get my house painted, which has been a project that I am soooo excited about.

This monkey girl will be available for sale on the upcoming release of The Primitive Gathering this month on the 15th.

It is also the One Year Anniversary and there will be some fun giveaways!  Please don't miss out and head on over for this months fun.  You can click HERE to see the prizes being given away.

My Dolls

A big Thanks to Lori at FaerieWindow for hosting this wonderful event!  ***Sorry for the technical Difficulties******

I have so many photos, and LOTS of dollies.   Please be patient and don't get bored.  Some of the dolls are made by friends, some dolls are antique and some were made by me and never were adopted.   They live here happily amongst a lot of friends.   Can you tell I Love Dolls???  :0)   I didn't get to show pictures of everything, some is packed away because we are in the midst of painting.   Hope you enjoy your visit.

 

 

 

Progress in the "Studio"

Spring Break has come to end for this year.  Last week, we enjoyed some quality family time.  We went to the zoo and got together for play dates.  The kids and I had so much fun exploring.   The only thing that could have been better was the weather......We did have our first Thunder Storm this morning, which is a sign of spring and with Rain means NO SNOW!!  LOL

I managed to get some arms done for Gabrielle.  She just needs a dress now.  Hopefully soon.   I surely didn't have much time last week for dollies.

This little gal has been around for a couple of years.  I decided to give her face a makeover and I am pleased with how she turned out.

I hope that her new Mama will love her as much as I do.  :0)

Oh My!! I am sooo excited!  These "walls" are the start to my brand new very own Studio!!!  Thanks to my Dad, My Brother, Brother in Law, my Husband and My Father In Law for lending a helping hand and making the dream a reality!  I am so excited just thinking about all of my supplies located in one space!!  I will keep you posted on the progress.

Spritual Growth

The past few weeks I have been digging into my soul and working on my spirituality of just "Being".  I am reading the Book by Eckhart Tolle "Awakening Your Lifes Purpose".  It is a very deep book, but I believe that I was meant to read it.   So often lately, I have felt empty and unsatisfied, which is far from the truth in my life.  I am blessed and grateful.  This book shows you how material things and "form" and living with thoughts of the Past and Future can affect your daily JOY or lack there of in life.  I believe I am on the right track to finding that in my life again, by living in the Present Moment and taking it for what it is and enjoying today.

 

I want to thank Nancy Malay for awarding me with the You Make My Day Award!  I am giving this award to everyone that stops by to read my blog and supports my art.  It is and you are all TRULY BLESSINGS in my life. 

Suzanne from Painter of The Past also tagged me to write a six word Meme.   Wow this is a hard one.  There are rules here and I am a rule breaker....I have tried so hard to come up with one and I am still looking.   I have found a perfect one, but it is 10 words.  What a good challenging way to read positive thoughts everyday though!  I will post mine once I come up with it I promise.

Oh, and I have not forgotten about my 100th post giveaway!   I am so sorry for the delay.  I have been so busy that I haven't had time but I will be finishing up the dolly soon and announcing the winner.  I promise.  Have a wonderful day!   

Happy Easter!

Wishing you and yours a Blessed Easter Day!  May it be filled with Family, Fun and Joyful Thoughts!

Busy Making Candles

Please meet Gabrielle, she is a Grasshopper that I am working on.  Hope to have her finished by the weekend.

I am also working so hard on my new Spring Candle Scents....

Apple Tango, Beachside, Lavender Love and Bliss......I hope to have some candles listed in my Etsy Shop soon along with some new art.

Hope everyone is doing well.