Going Somewhere?

If you are planning a vacation soon, then you might want one of these on your luggage!  I guarantee you'll spot it in the crowd with a piece of happy artwork on it!  Be looking for these at the Apple Annie show this weekend and then my ETSY shop next week!

It's That Time Again

Maybe it's the strangely warm temperatures in Georgia, or maybe it's my crazy busy artsy schedule, but I am freaking out a tinge that it's time to pull down the red Rubbermaids from the attic!  Our daughter Mailey was chomping at the bit to get down the carolers before Thanksgiving.  So we did.  And it was kind of fun to get them out so early to enjoy their silly little singing faces.  No sooner had the turkey filled our bellies was she bugging us to get out the tree.  So we did.  And then last night as a family we decorated the beautifully flocked tree.  We turned on the Christmas music loud and sang and ooooed and ahhhed over the ornaments.  Just like a sappy Hallmark commercial....seriously.   It was time to place the angel on the tree and I quickly ran to get Cherish, you know the new angel I made for our tree this year?  Well let me tell ya, my kids went crazy!  NO! Mom they said, we always use Grandmother's angel...and Mailey remembered it was her year to gently place it into position.  I have to admit I do love her shining face looking out over our Christmas tree.

The kids were just so....happy.....all Thanksgiving break.  I know, no school can do that for a kid.  But there's something else in the air at our house.  I can't quite pin it down, and neither can Billy.  But we like it.  And the joy especially Mailey has right now about decorating and Christmas, well I can only describe it as MAGICAL.  Because that's what it is.  And it's contagious, this magic she is spreading.

Speaking of like, here is the #1 ornament of conversation at our house.  And the family voted favorite.  The stories we have about this man, well it brings back many happy memories....... 

 My mother-in-law surprised me with this squealing cute ornament this year.  Am I a lucky gal or what?

Yep, we are all happy campers here at the Horne house.  I'm hoping you've had a moment to do a little decorating as well.  We are hosting the family Christmas this year in our little bungalow, so I'll be going ALL out with the decorating.  Just as soon as the show this weekend is over and my house is no longer a giant art studio. 

All smiles....sending your way some puffy hearts and hoping to hear about your favorite ornaments soon!

Hope and Hearts

"hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul, and sings the tune-without the words, and never stops at all"   -Emily Dickinson

Hope has been sitting heavy on my heart lately.  And it's a huge span of hopes that lay in my heart.  Hope that my father will heal quickly, hope that my work will be well received at upcoming shows, hope that friendships can heal, hope that my children will stay well and so very happy, hope that this Christmas season will be a little less stressful than the last, like I said....there is a wide range of expectations to be fulfilled right now.  But the one constant in all this my strong belief that my heart will know when the expectations are too high, or whether they need to be let go. 

So, how well do you know your heart these days?

PS  Would you like a print of this sweet painting?  Then head over here....where you can find one.

Notes on Being Thankful

According to Webster thankful means:  
1:  concisous of benefit received 
2:  expressive of thanks 
3:  well pleased

Where to start really.  There are many things to be thankful for in our lives.  I love the defnition #1:  concious benefit received.  So many of us are really not concious of the things in our lives we should be most thankful for.  There are obvious things like a home, food on the table, job etc.  But the talents, gifts and smalls benefits we receive on a daily basis are not always so easily recognized.  Or perhaps one feels ashamed to be thankful for a blessing of good fortune.  So here are some pictures of things I am most thankful to have in my life.  I am aware of the small things to be thankful for these days.  It's all those little things that add up to make a more fulfilling and whole life.  And what makes my heart so very full. 

  family:  Mailey and William are pictured, but there are many in my heart

 gift of creativity and teaching

  four legged children (who bring me such joy)

 this amazing man

 gift of words....and how I can use them to remind others

Like I said, these are just a few things I am most thankful for right now.  I hope on this day of Thanksgiving you've taken the time to look around and notice the obvious and not so obvious elements in your life that make life whole.   And make your heart so very full as well.  xo  J



New Toys....I Mean Tools

I love a new hammer.  Can't have enough shiny pliers for every jewelry making job, and my new Dremel tool, well let's just say we have a relationship that's a little unorthodoxed.  But the newest toys...I mean tools, in the toy... I mean tool box, are amazing!!  This is my new punch tool for those copper blanks I love to use:

And finally I broke down and purchased a multi tasking texture hammer.  It has like 10 different texture blanks.  And yep, I've been hammering away this morning, trying each out.

I think my favorite though is the one above with the little square grid.  I love the way the darkening catches as much or as little of the squares as you want.  Ooooweeee...this is going to open up a new avenue for me. 
Oh, and should you feel the need to add these toys to your box, you can find them in the lovely Hodgpodgerie's etsy shop.

The Shape of Love

Friday afternoon Mailey came running up the hill, bounded into the house and said, "MOM, I found something for you!!"  "What is it Mailey?"  "Look it's a heart shaped leaf!"  "OH MY!"  Love really does come in all shapes and sizes, doesn't it?

Bracelet Love

Just sending you a little bracelet love this morning.  I've had these copper bangles in my drawer of tricks since taking an enameling class over a year ago.  They obviously never got enameled.  They were waiting to become little words of encouragement instead.  Oh they make me so happy!

If you are around the Altanta area, come on to exit 93 Shallowford Road off I-85.  It's St. Pius Catholic High School's Holiday Marketplace today from 9-3PM.  Me, and ALL my little baubles are there waiting to meet you!  Have a lovely weekend in case I don't see you!