My First Ever ATC's!

I have made my first ATC's (Artist Trading Cards) Ever! I had so much fun! I started by making digital collages, then embellished them after printing them on Water Color Art Paper. They are all Marie Anotinette Inspired. I have several more started, but I wanted to show these off. They aren't as beautiful as most I have seen, but I think they truned out great with my limited abilities...LOL! Here they are...

My Vintage Marie Antoinette Inspired Charm Bracelet

I made this bracelet last night for a demo for a Marie Inspired Charm Bracelet Round Robin in the Marie Antoinette Mail Art Group I belong too. I haven't made a bracelet in so long it is unbelievable! If you are interested in creating outside the box, this is the group for you. You can click on the picture and it will take you to the group.

The base bracelet is antiqued bronze base metal with a toggle clasp closure. I used Japenese Tensha Beads and Poly Clay Roses for my focal beads. I also used some pearlized pink Czech glass beads, pale yellow vintage lucite, and glass imitation pearls. I have several charms, coins with Marie on them, hearts, Eiffel Towers, Keys, and a Fleur di Lis. I accented with Swarovski Crystals.

This is a fun and reasonably priced project too!

My First ever Blog Banner

Here is my feeble attempt to make a blog banner. I was inspired by Barbara at Village Bunty. I would still like to take a class, cause my PSP and I struggle ALOT! Take alook and see what you think. I an totally opened for suggestions. Thanks and happy blogging! Becs

Merci Bu Coup Ingrid!

Look at all the amazing french inspired goodies I received from Ingrid! I was so excited and amazed at the detail and packaging. Ingrid sent me tons of french cards and ephemera (Some I suspect she made herself), Lotsa Dresden foil trims, crowns, wings and other goodies, paper millinery flowers and velvet leaves, buttons, charms and mirrors, french ribbon, Victorian lace, french book pages, Oh My Gosh! There was so much packed in the envelop! I am gonna have so much fun using these items in my new Marie Antoinette Mail Art Group! Ingrid even made the card of Marie up in the corner. I Love it All Ingrid! Thank you so much! If any of you would like to venture over and check out this group, just click on the picture and it will take you there. I will be making an altered book for a round robin, an altered shoe for a swap, my first ever ATC cards, post cards and a CUPCAKE! Who Knew???

Now I have lotsa of goodies to help make my book cover! I better get busy! Thanks again Ingrid!

Check out this Amazing Group!

I am sure most of you have heard of Marie Antoinette. I had heard of her before, but never really considered her to be an art style. Oh My Gosh! She is so popular, and so FUN! I was invited to a Ning group called Marie Antoinette Mail Art. It is an awesome group, and if you like creative swaps and working outside your comfort zones, check this place out! And what a great group of artists!

Here are some pictures of the Marie art made by some of the members. Click on the photos and they will take you to their pages.

This shoe was made by Cassandra

This shoe was made by Rebecca

And this box was made by Bobbi

Help Support our Troops!!!

By clicking on the link below, you can be a part of our Support the Troops Day on March 21, 2009. Mimi's Rose Chenille Boutique is sponsoring this event and gives complete details on her blog.

She explains how you can send items to the soldiers and a list of their needs. I am sure many of you have a loved one or know someone with a loved one that is serving our great country. Join with us in prayer for these soldiers. I have one name that comes to mind who is about to deply soon. His name is "Jeff" and I pray that the Lord keep him safe in his arms and give him the wisdom, courage, skills, and faith to carry him through this time in his life and bring him home safely to his family. If you have names you would like to add to the list, you are welcome to leave a first name here and we can continue to pray for the brave children of God! Just add names below, if you don't know anyone, please help us pray for the ones listed and all the others unknown to us. Praise God for these troops!

1. Jeff
2. Rod

Recovering from Atlanta! What a ride!

I am home from my awesome trip! I was able to get out of bed yesterday....and back in bed today. Why is it we get sick when we return from an awesome trip? Or is it just me? LOL

We arrived in Atlanta on Tuesday evening and began working on setting up our prayer room for the conference. It was so cool because most of the women in attendance had NO IDEA how elaborate our room was going to be. It was truly a place for people to meet God!

The plane trip was insane! You should have seen the security guard at the Fresno airport on Tuesday morning. When six of us ladies checked in 13 40-50 lb suitcases. This did not count our two carry-ons a piece! LOL The guard asked us, "What in the world is going on in Atlanta?" It was too cute!

Then, when we arrived in Atlanta, we had arrangements with a pastor from a local church help pick us up. He brought two other men, a 15 passenger van and a covered pickup just to get us to the hotel. The funny thing is, is that they actually thougth it was out clothes (for four days)...

I can imagine what the airline security thought when they scanned some of those suticases. We had silf greenery, flameless candles, ceramic pillar candle sticks, statues, lamps, pvc pipe and connectors, glue gun, steel rods, several pairs of scissors, a hack saw, a hammer, duct tape, double sides tape, masking tape, glue sticks, twine, fabric, table linens, chair covers, baskets, bottles, kleenex, pencils, programs, pashminas, pillows, 7 sheet size paintings, a huge glass bowl and plate, boxes, etc...

Then.....when we arrived we had another pastor pick up a huge order from Lowes for us that included pvc pipe in 7 and 8 foot lengths, concrete forms, plywood, etc....Can you just see the wheels turning in all their heads?

Well, about 10 hours later, this is what our room looked like:

This is the Olive Press

This is the Olive Tree

This is the Jewish Chuppah a place for comminuion

This is the gate

This is Anna the prophetess and Lisa (the artist of all these paintings)

The Gate represents entering in

The Olive Tree reperesents asking

The Olive Press represents the making

The The Lamb and the table represents remembering and restoration

The Golden Bowl in the center table reperesents future prayers

This prayer room was opened 24 hours each day for people to come in a seek time with the Lord. We were there with many other volunteers to offer prayer and support to those coming in. It was truly a life changing experience for many many women. God is Good!!!

This was the view outside my room at the Omni located in downtown Atlanta at the CNN Center and Olympic Park.

This is our group and then my sister and my heart sister

ATLANTA BOUND!!!

I am so excted! We are leaving at 3 am to catch a plane to Atlanta, Georgia in the morning. We (8) of us women of Family Worship Center, Exeter, Ca. will be traveling to the National Conference for Four Square Women. Not only are we attending this awesome event, we are blessed to be setting up the prayer room and ministering to over a thousand women from all over the nation!

For the last two weeks we have been printing, cutting, painting, packing, packing an more packing...LOL for the trip. We are taking almost everything with us to decorate and set up the room, with the exception of the PVC Pipe stands that we had someone we don't even know, pick them up for us in Georgia! Can you believe it?

Let's see, we have weighed our bags at least ten times each and are wondering what they will think when they see what all is in our bags...Pray that God gives us favor to get everything through that we need. Pray for our Pastor Debby as well since she will be one of the story tellers at the conference. She has an amazing story to tell! I will talk to you all when I get back! Becs

Momma's New Home...

That's my momma, the one in the front in the light blue coat and the white hair. She is 83 and has Dementia/Alzheimers disease. We have been caring for her as most of you know for the last 5 years with this disease. This past year has been a tremendous struggle, If it wasn't for the wonderful ladies pictured with my mom (and a few others not pictured) we would not have been able to care for mom the past two years. These ladies work at PADS (Porterville Adult Day Services). They provide services during the day Mon-Fri. They were wonderful! But, we could no longer care for mom in our home. Her safety and happiness was being compromised. On Feb. 3, we took mom to her new home. It is a wonderful little facility in Shafter, Ca. It is a combination skilled nursing facility and Dementia unit. On the Dementia side (where mom lives) it is set up similar to a home. They eat family style at a dining table. They have a living room, a kitchen and an outside courtyard. They have activities, music, parties and have free reign in there little area. All the patients in there are at about the same level as mom and they are like a big family.

We have not been able to visit yet,a s they are bonding with her. However, the first day she was there and in the first ten minutes she met "Bud" and they have been fast friends since! They report she is happy, sleeping well and eating well. PRAISE GOD!!!! God has truly blessed us in this. We had no idea what to do, and God just opened doors for this to happen. We were at the end of our rope and felt helpless and hopeless. We look forward to visiting our mom in another week or so. I am glad He has provided a place for her to be safe and happy in her last days/years on earth.

Once, we got past the feelings of failure, guilt, grief and dispair, and realized that we were no longer equipped to care for her here at home, we are finally peaceful and thankful that God ALWAYS provides.

"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" 2 Corinthians 9:15

Valentine Tags - Free Shipping!

I have some really cute Valentine Tag sets on my website and in my Etsy store. I am offering free shipping on all Valentine Tags. Here is a preview of some of the designs. JUst click on the pictures and go directly to my website or click on the Etsy link above.

My Awesome Swap Gifts From BHV Group!

My Beadhive Group partners really spoiled me! Just look at all the cool goodies I recieved from my beading sisters...

From Gina....(She made the Lampwork beads and the earrings!) Look at the details! Gina is AMAZING! You can find her work at her Etsy shop GMD Lampwork

And these awesome goodies came from Monica! She is a jewelry designer too.

And these fantastic beads and findings came from Diane!!! Thanks so much!

Aren't they all great! Thanks girls!!!!

AWESOME! I received another blog award!

I am very honored to be chosen by Graceful Rose for this award! (Thanks again, Janet)

Here's the story behind this award: The authors say that blogs who receive this award are exceedingly charming. This blog invests in the PROXIMITY in space, time and relationships. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that even more friendships are propagated. So, now it's time for me to pass on this award and 'propagate' some friendships !

Creative Life Diary

Katie's Rose Cottage

Victoria Rose Cottage

Cottage Violets

Many Shades of Wyldemor

Mrs. Charlotte's Boutique

Rose Cottage Candy Shop

Javabead Fire and Glass Designs

Here are some of the blogs I visit regularly and always enjoy reading. Each blog is unique and well worth a visit.

Note to recipients: now that you've received this award, you may post it onto your blog, include the story behind it and pass it on to eight other blogs!

GoodBye 2008...HELLO 2009!!!

Hey everyone! Just popping in to say I hope you all are having a safe and joyous New Year celebration! Whether at home with family, or out and about, let's take some time to reflect on all our blessings of 2008 and prepare for all the blessings to come in the following year! God Bless you all...aaannnnddddd.....

Christmas is Past and a New Year is Coming!!!!

I finally downloaded my pictures from last week! Do you see that cutee patootie Christmas shadow box on the mantel there? That is the one that I won from Bobbie, Creative Life Diary! http://creativelifediary.com/

She is a Lollishop vendor and makes the cutest shadow boxes and paper art!!!! I just love it! We have it on our mantel with our topiary tree that we decorate for every holiday. (Next it will have hearts all over it...LOL)

This and our Joy tree were the only things we decorated this year. We are remodeling and between that and the changes in our mom's behavior, we did not do much. Any significant change affects our mom right now....Here is our little Joy Tree...I just love these ornaments!

That's our glitter church village with our praising snowman! Aren't they adorable??? We (my sister and I) have an enormous snowman collection that we add to every year. Our praising snowman was added this year as well as the vintage one with the top hat and candy cane on the mantel. Do you have a favorite at Christmas that you collect every year? What are they? Share some pictures....

Here is a picture of my sister and our niece (Angie) watching a movie last weekend. My sister is gonna kill me when she sees this! LOL. Aren't they both pretty???

Here is my latest of me and my baby boy Kody....he is such a character and I am hiding back there behind him....

You Got It!!! It's Friday Flea Market Time!

Here are some cool bangle bracelets made of Resin with Swarovski Crystal insets. There are many widths and colors to choose from. All are under $17.00! Here are a few to look at. They can be found at my website at:

http://www.rebeccarosedesigns.com/category_31/Bangle-Bracelets.htm

Or you can click on the pictures below to go directly to that item.

Raggedy Anne - An Old Time Friend!

Do you have a favorite doll? One that will always bring a smile to your face? Mine fond memories are of one of my dolls that my mom made for me. She was a Raggedy Ann doll. Unfortunately she was ruined and I no longer have her. But thanks to a wonderful site on Lollishops (Bowls n Annies) I ordered some patterns and will be making a new one to replace the old.

I did make some altered art journals with the tried and true Queen Annie. They are for sale on my website, and you can check them out by clicking on the picture.

It's Friday Flea Market Time!

I have some great tag sets for just $4.50 for a set of four. Click on the pictures to go to my website.

Pink tags of Hope

I finally got some pictures and listings of my new tags. My favorite, Hope! We can all benefit from Hope and Joy in our lives. I often have to remind myself that having hope is an activation of my faith. It is an action word. I have to exercise it. I have to choose it. I have to believe in it. With hope comes joy...

Look What I Won!!! Isn't it Awesome?

Look at what I won. It is adorable and I can't wait to get it. Bobbi from Creative Life Diary made it. She has give aways all the time. Go to her blog and check it out. http://creativelifediary.typepad.com/my_weblog/ She also has a website where she sells awesome goodies like this one....It will be worth the visit! http://creativelifediary.com/

Thanks Bobbi....Becs

Are You Finished With Your Christmas Shopping???

Is anyone done with shopping? Have you even started yet? I talked to a friend of mine yesterday and she was wrapping the last present and putting it under the tree...."It's not even Thanksgiving!" I told her....She said she is already done....I HAVEN'T EVEN STARTED YET! Oh my gosh!

Am I the only one that enjoys the hustle and bustle of last minute shopping? My sister and I love to do our shopping after Thanksgiving....I think it must be a tradition or something. I remember when I was a little girl, My dad and I would go out on Christmas Eve afternoon and buy something for my mom. I always helped him pick it out. I am the youngest of four girls and ten years are between me and the next sister....so I was not only the baby, but kinda of a second family for my parents. All my sisters were out of the house married or in college when I was young.

I remember one year I wanted to go cut a fresh tree instead of getting one already cut at the tree farm. So against my dad's better judgement, he gave in....we found the biggest, fullest tree and cut it down and brought it home....When dad tried to put it in the tree stand the trunk was too wide. So he tried to shimmy it down at the base, and when he did, the tree fell into three pieces! LOL.....he was so disappointed, but I think those were my favorite trees of all time! I had three instea of one! I think it was the excitement of getting it, cutting it and everything else. Once we got all the trimmings on it and turned the naked side to the corner....no one could even tell.. (Except my sisters who were quick to point it out and give dad a bad time about!...LOL)

As I am sitting here, I realized that today is the 7th anniversary of my dad's passing...God is so good! He is flooding my heart with fond memories of my dad today. Thank You Lord! God knows the desires of our hearts and today He is showing me just how much.

Well for those of you that need to get some shopping done, don't forget about all the wonderful online shopping opportunities. Just scroll down on the right side of my blog here to get started....Happy shopping! Becs