Wednesday, July 30, 2008

WHAT CANCER CAN'T DO - A VERY SPECIAL CARD

It saddens me.
The number of friends that have recently told me that they or a family member have cancer.
The number of friends that have been living with cancer.
The number of friends that are sick from the poisons that are pumped into their body in an effort to kill their cancer.
The number of friends struggling with the loss of hair, energy and appetite.
The number of friends struggling with their faith.


That's why this card is so important.

Please read what it says.
(It's typed below the photograph of the card - easier to read)
And please remember that all of my work is copyrighted.


IT SAYS:

WHAT CANCER CAN'T DO


It cannot cripple love
It cannot shatter hope
It cannot erode faith
It cannot eat away peace
It cannot destroy confidence
It cannot kill friendship
It cannot shut out memories
It cannot silence courage
It cannot invade the soul
It cannot reduce eternal life
It cannot quench the spirit
It cannot lessen the power of the resurrection

The butterfly is free-standing and is attached to the card at it's center so that the wings can stand up.
The photo of this card totally does not relate the beauty of the card - it is gorgeous in it's presentation and loving in it's written words.

You can see this card and others in different colors and patterns in my Etsy shop and Lollishop.

I love each and every one of you,

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

PROCRASTINATION - IT'S WHO I AM

Hi, y'all! I've missed you! I have been working so hard on different pieces to fill up my Etsy shop that I have hardly looked up this last week. Two weeks? I don't remember!

I wanted to show you a few of the things I've listed in my Etsy store. I have been having so much fun making vintage postcards just a wee bit "more" than they already are! And, I've made some regular tags - so cute!
I have become a huge advocate of gifting through the mail!
Email has become way too big in our lives - we seem to have forgotten snail mail!

That's why I've been working so hard on these tags and some new card designs - wouldn't you love to get a short sweet note on a darling tag or a precious card in the mail between the bills and flyers?
I have had such a good time but have come to realize that I've also been using the creating of these tags to put off some things that I don't want to do! LOL
I have 50 charms to make for a charm exchange for the Art and Soul retreat in October, kits to make to teach two classes at retreats the end of September, ATC's to make, hmmmm, oh, yes, groceries to buy to make meals................yuck. Why is it that Frank the Tank doesn't consider cold cereal, dinner??

I think I'll make a few more *cough*PROCRASTINATION tags. . . .

Some of you have probably already seen the Shoe Shrine below. I've put it in my Etsy store after taking it out for a while. Hurry up - somebody's going to slip in under you and grab it!
I have to tell you one more thing before I go to bed.
You can buy my ATC's, cards and tags in my Etsy shop and I don't charge you postage. That's my gift to you (especially since postage has gone up yet again!).
However, and I say this with a smile on my face while shaking my head, some of my tags are like a dollar, a dollar and a half, and some customers order one tag.
When I do the math I realize that I'm losing money on my tags! What a hoot! When you count the cost of materials for the tags, envelopes, plastic sleeves, the treats I put in with your order, the bubble mailer (bought in bulk), postage (never under a dollar),presentation and my time - cracks me up. Who orders ONE tag?

(Am I the only one that orders tags and cards in bulk? The only one that has a "card" cigar box full of tags and cards I love so I'm always ready for everyone's needs? LOL)

But, let me tell you (back to the one tag customer). It's okay. My art is my ministry and if a customer just wants a single tag and that tag blesses her, praise God. And she'll get the same treats, presentation and attention to detail as the customer that spends $100.00.
God gave me my gift of art and I am simply thrilled to be able to use that gift to bless others.

I love my customers! Precious women; precious, sweet women.

Hmmmmm, I'm tired. I'm going to bed.

Oh, sweet friends, just remember this one wee little thing as you shop at the Polka Dot Barn on Etsy.............
We have two boys in college.

XOXO,

Thursday, July 24, 2008

THERE'S A NEW KID ON THE BLOCK - LOLLISHOPS!!

This new kid on the block is a sweet, whimsy, fru group of shops.

LolliShops is a juried, online selling venue for talented artists, collectors of vintage and art supply vendors. LolliShops will appeal to those who love...

Elegant Whimsy
Romantic Inspirations and
Fanciful Creations. . . . . .and who doesn't love those???

YOU can pre-apply to be a part of LolliShops by visiting their website and looking in the upper right hand corner for the application link. Simply click on it and you're on your way!

Or, if you just want more information, their blog has it and you can link to it from the website.

And, let me tell you just one more little thing..........there's this little contest for the blog that directs the most people to the website.......

Show me the love!!


LOL, Jan

I WON A BLOG CONTEST! . . .NO WAIT! I WON TWO BLOG CONTESTS!!

Hi, you sweet things! You know how fun it is to get art supplies in the mail that you ordered? You open the mailbox and instead of bills and flyers there it is *laying on top of the bills and flyers*, your order - oh, that feeling!
You know what's even better?
When you open the mailbox and there are two prizes that you've won in blog contests and they're really cool prizes! That happened to me this week!
I had posted comments on two blog friend's blogs and later on I find out that I had won not one, but two contests.

Now THAT'S fun!

I wanted to show you what I won - I'm so excited!

First, I won a print of a precious piece of art that my dear friend, Pam Warden, had painted. She is an amazing artist and I encourage you to visit her blog and her etsy store. And see the scripture on her piece? I love that scripture - and then she personalized it with my name! Isn't it wonderful?
The other prize that I won came from a fellow Texan, Amy Huff! She gave me the most incredible necklace. I adore it! It's got the most beautiful pale pink beads and you know how I love pale pink! The whole piece is fabulous. Please be sure and visit her blog and etsy store.
Thanks for sharing in my 'gifts', y'all - I have loved showing them to you!
I hope y'all are having a fabulous day and giving the Lord all of the glory!

XOXO,


Monday, July 21, 2008

IT'S WORTH RE-TELLING. . .OH, YEAH, THIS IS FUNNY! . . .POOR BAXTER. . .

I originally posted this "Poor Baxter" story below earlier this year. But my sister, Jean, emailed me about this picture of Baxter I had sent to her *and others* several days ago. She had never seen a picture of Baxter before and just thought he was the cutest thing.
Well, when I realized that she had never seen a picture of Baxter, I realized that she has not been keeping up with my blog as well as she should *which will be reflected this Christmas* so I sent her the POOR BAXTER story.
Then I re-read it because I've had a hard day and I knew it would make me laugh.
Oh, my gosh, I died - all over again - it's still funny. SO funny!
I decided that I needed to re-post it.
I know some of y'all could use a good gut wrenching laugh - so here it is, for the second time, POOR BAXTER:

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

POOR BAXTER
*disclaimer: this story is a lot like the short stories I used to write in the past......a bit of sick humor........if you have a love of animals that is so strong that it would not allow you to see the humor in a story entitled "Poor Baxter" knowing that Baxter is a family pet, a dog, then don't read this.If however you can appreciate me laughing until my stomach hurt and I couldn't breathe, read on and enjoy yourself......

*do not look at the pictures yet.....first read this:

We own a dog named Baxter.
He was found running around the Office Max parking lot in Kerrville in the middle of the summer about three years ago and a friend picked him up because he had no collar, no tags, and it was over 100 degrees.
To make a long story short we ended up adopting the little dog.

This was Frank the Tank's idea, not mine.
Baxter didn't seem quite right and I couldn't get past the fact the he never closed his mouth and his tongue was about 1/2" too long so you could always see it.
Oh, and he had an underbite.

He looked ridiculous.........he had these Fruit Bat-like ears, too, and he walked like an armadillo (really slow and rocking-like) - he was a goober.
I let Frank keep the little mutt but I got to name him.
Thus, his name "Baxter" *from Anchorman*.

This afternoon I was working in my studio and a friend stopped by - Amanda Jones.
After we finished visiting and she was fixing to walk out the door to the driveway she looked out the window in the door and said to me *as she giggled*,"Baxter looks dead!

"NOW YOU MAY LOOK AT THE PHOTOS BELOW"

I looked out the window and sure enough, Baxter was dead.

You can see by where the truck is parked that Frank evidently hit him when he pulled in to park going his usual 110 miles per hour.

Oh, my gosh, Baxter was dead.
Oh, wait.
No he wasn't.

That's just the way he looks when he sleeps because his mouth never closes, his tongue always sticks out and his underbite shows.
It's quite confusing to visitors, but Baxter was simply napping.

The visual, however, was enough to send Amanda and myself into a fit of giggles.
I couldn't breathe.

Oh, my gosh. We were dyin' here.
Why, we must share this reason for laughter; what with Hillary and Obama duking it out for the presidency we are always looking for reasons to laugh.......what could we do?

Oh, I know what we could do.
We could make Frank think he had run over Baxter and killed him.
Oh, stop it. It was funny.

The problem was that Amanda wouldn't run into the living room where Frank was, yelling, "Frank, Frank, you ran over Baxter and he's dead!!"
Well, I couldn't do it, I'm married to the man.
What could we do????

Oh, I know.
We could prank the boys!
Craig's home for the weekend and he and Clay were both home.............I knew I could handle this because I wouldn't have to look in their faces as I pranked them - I could just yell through Clay's bathroom at them.
And that's what I did."Craig, Blake, Craig, Clay. HURRY!! Baxter's dead!! He's been run over!!!"
Craig comes running.

Amanda and I have taken up our "backs to the room" pose at the door hoping that he would think our shoulders were shaking because we were sobbing....Craig is followed by my mother who is followed by Clay who is followed by Frank.

They all realize that it's a joke after Baxter raises his head and looks at all of us crowded around the window.
"BAXTER! PLAY DEAD!!"

We're all laughing.
Oh, okay, my mother wasn't laughing but I know she thought it was funny because she had a wee bitty grin on her face.

We're all looking out the window at Baxter who is sitting there with his mouth open, his underbite glistening in the sun and his tongue showing about 1/2" too much and we're dying.

In the middle of our laughing Frank says, "Let's shoot him. Make sure he's dead."

We were on the floor.

The End - tell me you laughed................again:)



Please be sure and leave a comment - they're like presents to me!


XOXO,

Thursday, July 17, 2008

A TREASURE AND TAGS

This is pretty exciting for me! I've been picked to be a part of an Etsy member's Treasury! http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=56857 is the link - it's Coconutty's Treasury and I again thank her! I'm honored! Go see her Treasury and see if you can find my piece:)

And I have spent all week on tags. I don't know what it is, y'all, but these vintage postcard tags are callin' to me! I must make them into tags! LOL
I'm making some new ones that I started last night and if my phone stops ringing I
might even have them finished by this evening - and maybe posted tomorrow (can you hear God laughing?)
Here's some new ones I have finished:






So, it's back to work (how can I call what I/we do "work"?? hahaha)
Have a fabulous day and know you're loved!

XOXO,

Jan

Monday, July 14, 2008

THE TEXAS PAPER COWGIRL ART RETREAT! WOOHOO!!

WOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! Finally, an art retreat that's in Texas! I can drive to it!
In my convertible!!
With my top down!!!
I'm so excited about this that I just must blog it!

Ever been to Texas?
Do you live in Texas?
Do you wish you lived in Texas?
Always wanted to visit to Texas?
Wanna learn how to say "y'all" & "fixin" with meaning?
Wanna meet me?
Spend time with me?
Cuz I'll be there

AND I'm teaching a class!! *hands to face screaming*

If you want to come to a really cool, totally fabulous, rockin', amazing, kick your heels up retreat, then go to the blog listed below and you can get all the information you need and get yourself signed up!

A lot of work is going into this retreat, it's being held in a historic Texas town and being put on by two amazing artists, Tina Wright and Cindy Mayfield - go check out their blogs - I'll bet if you don't recognize their names, you'll recognize their blogs! Oh, and the teachers - have I used the word amazing yet???
And, of course, there's vendor night and other goodies - oh, get over to the blog and check it out!!
So, go y'all, visit the blog and sign up! I want you to come! I want to spend time with you! I want you to have FUN with us and take amazing classes! We're going to have a hoot and we want you to be a part of it!

XOXO,

Saturday, July 12, 2008

VINTAGE POSTCARDS MAKE THE SWEETEST TAGS!

Hi, y'all! I've been so excited to finish these tags because I really wanted to show them to you! I have discovered vintage postcards....oh, my gosh, I just love them - especially the ones with birds or roses. I think they're so beautiful - so old, and aged looking with a loveliness that you don't often see.
So I've been scouring junk shops and antique stores for them and have started a nice little collection.
So, that's great.
I have a nice little collection.
Hmmmm, I wonder what I can do with my nice little collection?
I can look at them, show them to visitors, make Frank the Tank look at them {again}, dust them.....WAIT! I know what I can do! I can scan them and make them into tags!
And I can make enough to share with y'all and you can rush over to my etsy store and buy them.

They're small, buy lots.











I have also included some tags that I made, not out of vintage postcards, just out of cardstock or manila tags because I had some ideas.
Thanks for looking! I'm going to get these listed on etsy now and on Monday I'm going to make some grunge pendants - they're so cool!


Have a fabulous Sunday! Rest, worship, spend time with family and friends and shop in my etsy store - LOL.

XOXO,

Sunday, July 6, 2008

AROUND THE RANCH...I JUST WANT TO SHOW YOU A FEW THINGS....

Before I start the short ranch tour, I really want to share with you an exciting new blog that a friend of mine has opened. It's called Pam Warden Art and my friend, Pam, is such a talented artist I would love for you to take a minute and check out her blog! She already has a give-a-way set up - just comment on her post to sign up. And while you're there, check out her precious art! This is the first commercial I've ever done on my blog so go on, go check it out - you'll see that I have great discernment!

The second thing I'm going to tell you before we go on the wee ranch tour is this:
I went to Santa Fe this weekend with my sorority sisters. Everything is stucco.
Everything is brown.
I thought I would lose my mind.
For some reason that just drove me crazy.
I did buy some amazing beads for the grunge necklaces I'm going to be making and that was fun but other than that, give me San Antonio any day. LOL

Okay, so we start the wee ranch tour and of course, all of the pictures are out of order. I still don't get it - how to load them in order - so just pretend that you're at the ranch and not seeing it for the first time....in pictures. First picture...................


hmmmm, I pushed a button and lost the picture of Clay playing B-ball. If you think I'm going to look for it or reload it, you're wrong. Very, very wrong. Use your imagination:)


Clay spends most of his time on our basketball court. I'm not kidding - he lives it - always has. And he's good. Really good. I'm so glad we put the 1/2 court in several years ago - a great investment as most of the kids end up at the Thomason's because of the court, the pasture and the swimming pool.
I've always loved knowing where my boys are!
You know, I feel badly, I really should know this precious baby's name but I don't.
This sweet baby has been hand fed since she was a wee babe and now she thinks that Frank the Tank is her mother.
Isn't that cute?
We have some smaller barns, but this is the big barn.
It's really cool because it's been here since the late 1800's and it's just, well, cool.
Love to go into it. And when the kids were small, they loved to go up into the hay loft.
Frank the Tank and his brother, John, used to have to milk the cows when they were kids. To hear John tell it, it was more like corporal punishment.
Oh, my door wall along one of the pipe fences that runs along the pasture behind my old studio - you remember. The pink barn, two rains that flooded it in the spring of '07. Not a good thing for a paper artist! Anyway, I'm now cozy and all set up at the house in the breezeway. It's my own room - it's just a bit smaller! Anyway, this door wall stays put. I like it.
What you're seeing here (above) is the pool house to the far left and the ranch house as you drive up the lane. You don't really get any definition of the front of the house but that's for the best. The yard man is me and I'm not able to do yard work right now.
That's why my theme for our yard this year is "browns" - everything is in browns. (Get it???)
The barns as you drive up the lane. The pink one is the one in front.
Just kills the guys:)

The gate to the right of the entrance to the ranch. Do you love my pink bicycles?
The fence to the left of the entrance - more pink bicycles (you can't see one:).
Love it.

Oh, yeah, this is great.
Frank the Tank really wanted to build (do you build gardens??) a garden this year. So he took my now plagued chicken exercise yard and made it into his garden. One morning he came into the bedroom carrying one of his prize squash (no) and showed it to me and asked me, "Jan, did you know that squash is a fruit?"

"Why, no Frank, I didn't. You wanna tell me where you learned that??"

"I Googled it."

"You Googled it???" Crack me up! After I stopped giggling I asked him to please not google his okra. He's so funny!
Pretty cardinal in the tree next to the feeder.
An old metal gate leaning up against the house. It has *light blue* dryer lint in the 'brown' leaves for the birds to use to build their nests.
Old gate into the pasture behind our house.
Frank the Tank's tractor that I CAN DRIVE. Oh, yeah. I can drive this baby.

These next three pictures are of some of our hummers. The feeder hangs outside my bedroom window and I can watch these precious babies all day long if I want to! They're so sweet and it's looking like it's time to buy a second feeder! Isn't that great???

Thank you for joining me on this rather long post - but I wanted to give you a taste of what the ranch was like though we just touched on it! It's supposed to be just enough of a tease so that you, my friends (no stalkers)will decide that you just must visit the ranch so we can have some FUN!! woohoo!


xoxo,


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