The Stone Rabbit

Circle Journal Valentines!

 

 

It's hard to believe that two whole years have passed since our Circle Journal group had a Valentines swap!! (You can click HERE for my post about the swap !  :)

 I treasure each and every one of their amazing creations.

I was going to put the Valentines on a tree again this year (one I use at Christmas that as red lights on it), but decided to try them on the vintage fireplace surround that is affixed to the wall in our entry.  

As you can see, Twiggy is putting her "sniff of approval" on the final project!!  Actually, she was pretty interested in the "fire" and the sound the motor makes when I turn on the awesome log set Bonnie gave me for Christmas last year!!

I really like the Valentines displayed this way and the LOVE banner, which was a graphic creation of my blogging friend Nancy of MY CRAFTY LITTLE PAGE.  Also, a couple of the Valentines were created for me by Bonnie . . . my long time buddy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE STONE RABBIT and Twiggy love hanging out by the "fire". . . especially on these cold winter days!

 

 

Of course, the fire doesn't keep Twiggy's interest as long as it does THE STONE RABBIT'S!!  :)

  

 

 

 

Something that will keep YOUR interest is a trip to Beverly's blog HOW SWEET THE SOUND!!  There you will find a large group of other bloggers who are ready with their PINK SATURDAY shares, too!!

HAPPY PINK SATURDAY!!

 

DANA

 

 

 

The Last Easter Tag Arrived. . .and A 5K I'm Looking forward to!!!

 

As Grace of PINK IN THE CITY  put it. . .the "carrier pigeon" finally made it to my house with the tag she created for me for our Circle of Friends Easter Tag Swap!  For some reason, it took this amazing tag over two weeks to travel First Class from NYC to KCMO....but it finally arrived yesterday!  And it was truly worth the wait!

Just look at how awesome it is!!  Grace chose incredible Easter images and arranged them atop a lovely yellow background to which she had added a great variety of trim and embellishments!

 

The tag was inside this darling envelope and  she had attached  another sweet tag  to it with a tiny clothes pin!!

 

 

I'm so happy to have all of my tags!  THE STONE RABBIT wanted to pose with the entire collection today. . .he gets just as excited about them as I do!!  :)

 

This is something else I'm getting excited about. . .the upcoming Kansas City Express Mother's Day 5K Run/Walk for Women!!

I registered for it tonight.  If you live in the area and are interested in participating in one of the most fun and awesome and uplifting events. . .well. . .here's the LINK to register!!!  :)

This year, the shirts they will give out are PINK!!!  Each participant also gets a pewter charm, tons of yummy food after the run/walk AND if you're new to the run, you get a TIARA!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the third year I've done this run.  The photo below is from the first year.   As you can tell..there are THOUSANDS of girls and women in these events!!!

 

Where else you can go to find such darling porta potties?

I took this photo last year right before the run started.  I was about a fourth of the way back in the crowd...so you can imagine how packed it was with runners/walkers cuz all you can see ahead of me were runners and walkers!

 

 

My niece took this "lovely" shot of me with her phone camera!!! ha ha  Yes, I know, I look like a dufus doing the old "thumbs up"!  I think I was "winded" and wanted her to know I was OK, but just couldn't get the words out!

 

 

Following the run, folks could pose in front of an offical event backdrop and hold up a sign that said why they decided to run in this Mother's Day Event.   I asked someone to take this with my camera as we waited in line for the "backdrop" pose.

It was really inspiring to read many of the other "reasons" that fellow runners/walkers were holding! 

I can't think of a better way to kick off Mother's Day than to gather with thousands of other females and celebrate life!!  This year will be a bit more special because two of my newer running friends have also signed up to do this!  They'd better be ready for a good time. . .and lots of pictures!

 

 

 

And speaking of a good time. . .you will have just that when you visit Beverly's blog, HOW SWEET THE SOUND!!  Once there, you will find lots of other bloggers who have gathered to share their PINKS with you this weekend!!

Happy PINK Saturday!!

DANA

Pink Saturday Easter Memories. . . and two more tags arrive!!

This is a two part post this weekend!!  I'm late getting it on Beverly's blog because TypePad wasn't cooperating with me last night!  Anyway...it seems to be working this morning...so better late than never!! 

FIRST...Easter just came and went in a flash this year!!  

Heck....many of the Easters in recent years have come and gone just as fast!  I realize it the most when I look back at the thousands of photos we have taken of those special days and events and am just weak. . . seeing the changes that have taken place with our precious grand kiddos. . .in what does seem like the blink of an eye.

Just a year ago, our youngest Grand Boy was barely three months old.    Then he was content to snuggle and snooze as his big sister and brother ran around, snatching up the eggs in our front yard.

 

 

 

 

This year was a different story!!!

He's now a "toddler"!!  Yes,  he TODDLES!  I can't believe it when I watch him "toddle" around.  

He was so adorable as he steadied himself and enjoyed his first egg that the Easter Bunny had filled with Cheerios!!

Here he is. . .carefully squatting and balancing to snag his second Easter Egg. . . just as his big sister zipped by in her quest for more oval loot!!

 

 

Oh yes!!  The Grand Girl and one of her buddies simultaneously spotted the yellow egg in the tree!!!

What to do??? 

Well.....you JUMP for it!!  During the process of "jumping for it". . .the yellow egg fell out of the tree!!  :) 

My hubby was taking these photos. . .so I don't know who actually ended up with that egg!

 

This is her two years ago.   And just like this year, she was on a run to nab those colored eggs!!

 

Grand Boy #1 really had the knack of collecting and piling Easter loot in his basket!

 

 

Two years ago, this same sweet bunny, was happy to add eggs to his basket one at a time!  He was in no hurry to see how many he could get. . .he was thrilled with just a few then!   He took his time and savoured the experience!

 

 

Thought I'd toss in a little  "action photo" of the egg hunt!!  

 

 

 SECOND...I have to say that I'm loving the experience I'm having with our Circle Journal Easter Tag Swap!

I was so happy to receive two more tags this week!!!

 

 

Shelia of NOTESONGS created this little PINK beauty!!  She adorned the front with a wonderful handstitched bunny and soft ruffled trim!!

 

 

On the back of the tag she displayed the reason for the season!  

Thank you, Shelia.   I love your tag!!!

 I was so happy to find Jeanne's (BACKYARD NEIGHBOR) sweet tag in our mail box, too! 

She chose a vintage postcard as her inspiration for the front, then she surrounded it with old trim!

 

 

The back of the tag also features a vintage postcard image. . . LOVE the painting bunny...and how the trim from the front is seen on the back, too!

Thank you, Jeanne, for such a wonderful creation!

Here are seven of my eight tags!!  I will be so happy to receive the last one. . .then my Easter Garland will be complete!!

This has been another wonderful swap experience with such a great and creative group!

You can click  HERE to see details about the other tags. . .and the ones I made.

 

 

 

 

 

Please visit our hostess Beverly at HOW SWEET THE SOUND!   You will find a huge group of other bloggers who have PINKS to share with you this weekend, too!

DANA

We Gather Together. . .

 

"We Gather Together" is the theme of Pink Saturday this weekend.  Of course the first thoughts that popped into my mind were about gathering for Thanksgiving next week.

 

We have had the blessing of being able to "give thanks" with our family over the last several years.  This year, we get to celebrate our newest Grand Boy's first Thanksgiving and that will make it an even better day!

A fond memory I have from last year was putting the Grand Girl in charge of making place mats for our dinner table.

 

She also set our Thanksgiving table!!!  I feel her job would rival the best  tablescape artist!!!

 

While the turkey was cooking and the two grands were watching the Macy's Thanksgiving parade with their mom and my hubby, my  son and I went to a nearby park to do our own version of a Turkey Trot 5K run.  

The weather was gorgeous that day, and because I was dealing with an injured hamstring, we ended up run/walking. . . and talking. . alone!   It was so much fun!    

The next day, we drove to the tree farm where our two families had tagged our trees the month before.  Here our son is cutting down one of the trees, while my hubby "assists". . .and the Grand Girl looks on . . .

 

and Grand Boy #1 hangs out in his stroller and munches on a candy cane given to him by Santa!!  

Grand Boy #2 would be born a month later!!   It will be so much fun to see him in the family photo with the Tree Farm Santa this year!!

 

Early this week, I finished my last journal in the Circle Journal Project that nine other ladies and I have been participating in since January.  

Each of us chose a "theme" for our journal, designed the covers and the first two page layout. . . then we mailed them off to the person next on our list, where they completed their interpretation of the theme. .. then mailed the journal on to the next person on the list.  Over the year. . .the journals have been passed around the country. . and are now arriving  back to their homes . . . .completed!!

My last journal belonged to Kay Ellen of KAY ELLEN DESIGNS.  She selected the theme "Travels by the Sea".

 

In my two page layout, I chose to provide an opportunity for the members of the Circle Journal to "Gather by the Sea".  We were all there. . .in our very vintage bathing suits. . . looking oh so festive and cute as we shared stories of the sea.

 

  Being a midwestern girl, I had very few sea stories, so I was content to listen and learn!!  I shared a few lake and creek stories, but they weren't as neat as the sea stories.  :)

 

My layout also included a charm bracelet, of sorts, that contained items that could have been "Gathered from the Sea". . .or at least have a nautical look!!  My interpretation was loose!!  :)

I used a copy of the "By the Beautiful Sea" sheet music and cover as my background.   Actually, that was my inspiration for how the layout evolved.

Items to embellish the pages were gathered at local flea markets . . . the doily, the chain, the ric rac.  My friend Bonnie donated the starfish earrings (you see on the page on the left) and a little "sea angel" that dangled from the bracelet.  The buttons came from my mom's button tin. .. and  the little beads were found here and there.  They reminded me of "sea glass" found along the beach!!

Oh. . . and the brown ruffle along the bottom of this page. . .a coffee filter that I cut into a strip and gathered on the sewing machine. . . giving a "sandy" spot for the bathing beauties to stand!

 

 

THE STONE RABBIT has really enjoyed this Journey of Journals with me.   I'm pretty sure he has posed with each one before I passed them on.  

It felt good, in a way, to be putting it in the mail. . . knowing I'd completed nearly year long project.   However, I will certainly miss the monthly challenges of trying to come up with my interpretation of a new theme. . . in a new shape and size of journal! 

Please visit Beverly of HOW SWEET THE SOUND.  She is our faithful hostess who always provides us the spot to share our PINKS or special themes.   For that, we thank you so very much, Beverly!!

 

Happy Pink Saturday!

 

DANA

Circle Journal Part 9. . . Fall Foliage. . .a 5K!!!

 

Does it seem to you, like it does to me, that as soon as Labor Day comes and goes, we have somehow hopped on the train that takes us full speed into the holidays!  It certainly does to me!  

I am sure that my involvement in fall sales adds to the "fullness" of this time of year. On top of my sales, and all of the fun activities there are in which to participate , I also added another "to do" to my "to do list". . . . and that was being a part of a wonderful Circle Journal Group with nine other ladies around the USA!  I have to say, being involved in this project, has been one of the best experiences EVER!

I was so wrapped up with sales on this, the 9th journal to complete, that I was realllllly late getting it finished.  However, this week. . .I did it and today, I'd like to share that with you!

This is Nancy's journal (of My Crafty Little Page).  The theme she selected for it was "Wise Words".

I have to confess that when she announced that theme about a year ago, that I was sure it would be an easy one for me interpret in my allotted two-page spread.  Of course, I was wrong.  When I would have the time to put my brain into "focus on the journal mode" I just didn't have any creative approaches to my blank pages.  All of the other Circle Journal ladies, who had contributed to Nancy's book ahead of me, had done such a great job. . .and me. . .all I could do was stare at the pages that were telling me to "do something."

 

 

So, I guess that's when the wise words of "the hardest part is taking the first step" came to be included in Nancy's journal.  As everyone knows, some times all it takes is just "doing something" to get started, then the rest falls in place.  That saying also applied to when I started running two years ago.  Once I started easing into the "training" part of preparing my body to handle running a 5K, the rest followed!  That photo represents one of the best times in my life.  I was crushed in a crowd of several thousand folks, along with my son and my niece, as we made our way to the Starting Line of the 5K run of the Kansas City Marathon!!  It was the first such event for me and my niece. . . and my boy, who is a real runner, having participated in marathons. . . stayed by my side every step of the way that day!

 

I wanted to do the lettering by hand instead of the computer, but I quickly realized that is not my strength!!  I do love "playing" with different styles of fonts. . .and perhaps this experience will make me spend some time practicing!

 

 

This saying probably means the most to me right now.  This has been an extrememly challenging year for our family. . .one of those blocks of times when you just don't think you can handle "more" and then "more" happens and you just "keep on keeping on".  Of course, I should have added "the Lord doesn't give you more than you can handle". . .because I truly believe that.  OK, Nancy, you can squeeze that on one of those pages, too, for me!  :)   One final note about this, is that the support and prayers we received from family, close friends AND blogging friends were (and continue to be) so very, very appreciated.

 

Before it was all over, I had a lot of "wise words" that meant a great deal to me personally, most of which were pretty serious, but because I ran outo room, I had to select the ones that really meant the most to me right now.  I also wanted to add some humorous "wise words" because finding humor when times are bleak, can really serve to help pull you through. . . thus the section about the beaters!!  :)

I added the cowgirl picture, because Nancy is a Texan and a cowgirl at heart and because it reminded me of our Circle Journal group of friends and my real life friends!

This week, I found a old hankie at our local antique mall. . .and I used parts of it to trim the sides of my pages. . .and then I glued some of the little flowers around that were also on the hankie.

In the photo above, you'll see an old TWA button and on the photo below is an old turquiose button.  They both came from mom's button tin.  :)

 

Little Twiggy is showing you how full Nancy's book now looks!  Only one more person has to complete their pages. . .then it will be returned to Nancy. . .looking totally different than when she mailed it off so many months ago!

 

Here it is, Nancy. . . all packed and ready to go to Kay Ellen's house!!  I added one of my favorite ribbons for you. . .I think those are some very "Wise Words", too!!

 

Now for the theme of this week's Pink Saturday. . . Fall Flowers and Foliage!

We were fearful that our extremely hot and and dry summer would affect the beauty of our trees in the fall. . .but the experts were wrong!!  Our trees have been magnicent!!!  

This is our neighbor's tree. . .right across the street from our house!!

 

I took this photo a few days ago when I was out for a walk. . .a wonderful yellow umbrella!!

 

Last Sunday, my husband and I drove through the park of our local Bass Pro and I took this yummy fall picture.

Do you see the "trail" to the right of the street?

 

Here is the trail as it continues around the park area a few days later.  I was running on it. . .and it felt so great!!  What a lovely place to exercise or just relax and take in the joys of the fall.

Actually, I decided to run the trail instead of the streets around our neighborhood where you'll usually see me trotting around, for a change of scenery.  I'm gearing up to run in the 5K of the Kansas City Marathon again!  This will be my third time!

In fact, this is what I will be seeing early in the morning. . .the gorgeous skyline of KC. . .

 

 

as I meet up with about 11,000 other runners and walkers to participate in  either the 5K, the half marathon or the full marathon! 

 

 

 One day, I hope to run/walk the half marathon there. . .maybe next fall I will be able to do that!  :)  But this year, I'm doing the 5K again and am danged thrilled that I can! 

Here I am on the "home stretch" last year.  I was pretty danged pooped by that point because my pace was faster than what I normally run at when I just go out and run around the neighborhood. . . it turned out to be my fastest 5K run EVER.

I was in good shape, for me, last year. . .better than this year...because I had to lay off for two months while my broken hand healed.  So, this year, my goal isn't to run faster than I did last year. . .my goal is just to run and not have to walk.  BUT if I need to walk, I will . . .I'm flexible!  :)

 

Here's  my boy. . .crossing the finish line after he completed running the half marathon last year!!   

 

Little Twiggy and THE STONE RABBIT  are helping me get my running shoes and socks all ready for in the morning!!  They are big supporters for me!!

 

In fact, it was THE STONE RABBIT who pointed out that I had my favorite running socks on the wrong feet!  I asked him how he knew that. . .and he pointed out the R and L!  I've been wearing that brand of socks for two years. . .and NEVER noticed the R and L until he told me!!  :)  Maybe that's why my toes would feel funny on some runs and not on others!!!  :)  I'm very careful now! 

 

There you have it. . .my extra long PINK SATURDAY post!

I hope you've had a good week, that you are having the chance to do something creative and that you can get out and enjoy this amazing time of the year.

I also hope you have the chance to visit our hostess, Beverly of HOW SWEET THE SOUND, because there you will find a long list of bloggers who have great things to share with you this weekend!!!

Happy Pink Saturday!

DANA

Circle Journal. . . Part VIII . . .wow. . . we're almost done!!!

 

Our Circle Journal Journey has been such a fun experience!!   

THE STONE RABBIT has enjoyed seeing all of the journals arrive over the last few months.  Here he's showing you how gorgeous LaVerne's (of Riverside Studios) journal cover looks!!  She entitled it "Gift of the Sea".

Now being a Mid-Westerner and not having much sea experience, I had to put on my thinking cap to come up with my two page addition to her journal.

So, one mild evening, I sat out on our patio and closed my eyes and pretended to be on a beach somewhere.  I could feel the breezes blowing over me. . . and hear the sea gulls flying around (actually, the birds were really the Martins that live in birdhouses in our neighbor's yard, but I pretended they were gorgeous sea gulls) and I imagined how I might react to actually being in that setting.

 

  I listed the words that came to mind. . . and that's how my pages began.

Since I've always loved mermaids . . .well,  I added them to the mix, too.

 

The little dangle in the upper left of this page is made from an old sea shell earring found at a flea market and some "pearls" that were in my mother's button tin.

I also added burlap ribbon to the sides of each page.

The shells on the "dangle" and the cut outs are PINKISH. . . right?  :)

In the upper right corner of the page is a buckle, also from my mom's button tin.  I put some jute strings through it and added some sparkly  to it, too.  The sparkles from the stones and the blue glitter on the water aren't showing up very well on my photos, but in "real life" you can see the bling!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Look, LaVerne!!!  See how FULL your journal looks now?  

 

I'm not kidding when I said how much THE STONE RABBIT is loving the journals.  In fact, he was so taken by La Verne's theme of the sea,  he went to a local flea market and bought this necklace to send to her!!  He was soooooo excited when he found it because, not only is it made of tiny little shells, but it was on sale for 80% off!!!!!

Yep, another "Gift from the Sea"!!!

 

 

 

 

Well, here's where you can go to find "gifts of PINK"!!!  Our hostess, Beverly of HOW SWEET THE SOUND, has arranged for a huge group of bloggers to share their Pinks with you again this week!!!

OH. . .and Beverly and her sweet husband are celebrating their 42 anniversary next week!! Isn't that wonderful?  Happy Anniversary !!!!

DANA

The Journey of the Journals Continues. . . Circle Journal Part VII

 In January, our Circle Journal Group of ten started the journey of turning our blank journals into real treasures.  We each picked a theme for our own journal, decorated the front and back pages and a two page spread that was our interpretation of that theme.  Then, we put them in the mail and eagerly awaited the arrival of another journal.   We had a month to complete two pages in that journal. . .our interpretation of that particular theme. . .then we mailed it off and eagerly awaited our next project!!

As of this month. . .we have worked on 7 of the 10 journals!!! It has truly been an honor to be a part of this group.  I have come to know and appreciate my fellow journal gals as we shared pictures of our work and watched the journals come to life with each new addition.

This month, I so enjoyed completing two pages in Shelia's (Note Songs) journal, which she had entitled "By Hand".

 

 

THE STONE RABBIT has really enjoyed this journal process as much as I have.  He is truly impressed with the creativity and talent of my fellow journal friends !   Shelia, he wanted you to see how much your journal has grown since you mailed it off in January!!!

 

 

 

Here are my two pages. . .yes, I chose PINK for the background color!!!

It's hard to tell from this picture, but there are ten hands on those two pages. . . one for each of us participating in this project.  There are also pictures of vintage state postcards. . . representing each of the states in which our Circle Journal Friends live.

 

My interpretation of Sheila's theme focused on how we ten created these journals "by hand". . .yep, by our own little hands over the course of  ten months!!  

 

 

Each hand holds the title to their journal theme.  I also added a little personalized bling to each wrist . 

So on this page, starting in the upper right corner is Kathy's hand (The Writer's Reverie)  and her theme "Of Seeds and Stars". Appropriately, her bracelet is made of sparkling stars.

In the middle is Grace's hand, holding her theme of "Marie Antoinette".  Because Grace's blog is entitled "Pink in the City" I gave her a bracelet made of PINK stones.

On the left, wearing that black splint, is me!!  I broke a bone in my left hand in May and had to wear a black splint for two months. . .which made creating pages in circle journals very challenging!!  Anyway, I put some PINK bling on my splint!!  My theme is "Knowing Me, Knowing You".

 

 

On the bottom right of the page is Nancy's hand.  Her blog is My Crafty Little Page.  Being the Longhorn fan that she is, I have her making the Longhorn sign .  She's holding her journal theme of "Wise Words".  Her bracelet is a "lone star" hanging from an orange Texas Longhorns ribbon.

On the left is Kay Ellen's hand, with her journal theme of "Travels by the Sea".  Her theme makes me think "tropical thoughts", so I adorned her hand with some bright colored flowers.  Her blog is Kay Ellen Designs.

 

This is the opposite page.

 

On this page you can see Beverly's hand (How Sweet the Sound).  Her journal theme is entitled "Christmas Past", so I gave her a candy cane charm bracelet!!  And next to Beverly is her close friend, and fellow North Carolinian, Jeanne (Backyard Neighbor).  She chose "HA" as her theme. . .and it was truly a perfect pick for this fun-loving lady!!  Because she lives close to ruby mines, she is sporting a lovely bracelet of rubies!!  :)

 

 

Susan  (Blackberry Creek) selected "Heart to Heart" for her theme, so  I picked a blingy heart bracelet for her hand!

 

On the bottom are two more Texans!  First, on the left is LaVerne (Riverside Studios) with her theme of "Gifts from the Sea".  She's wearing a bracelet made from the finest pearls . . .a "gift from the sea"!!

Finally, on the bottom right is Sheila's dainty hand!!  She wanted us to include this particular hand image within our two page spread. . . so I think that's really why my layout evolved as it did!  Anyway, it was her theme "BY HAND" that led to what you're seeing on this post today!

 

Because Shelia loves music, her bracelet is made up of little "notes" I created for her!!

Working on these journals has given me a lot of enjoyment . . .and guess what. . . LaVerne's came in the mail this week. . .so I have more fun in store!!

And speaking of fun. . .that's what you will have when you head over to Beverly's blog, HOW SWEET THE SOUND.  She'll have a whole lot of other bloggers who are ready to share their Pink Saturday PINKS with you this weekend!

Happy Pink Saturday!

 

DANA

Circle Journal. . .Part VI. . Susan's "Heart to Heart"

 

When we started our Circle Journal Journey in the freezing days of January I couldn't imagine that in the horrible heat of this July,  I'd be putting my 6th journal in the mail!!

This has truly been a challenging, yet fun event to be a part of.

My latest journal belongs to Susan of Blackberry Creek  and her theme of "Heart to Heart".

Susan wanted us to include a heart within the design of our two page addition . . .the rest was totally up to us.

You can see that Susan included plenty of PINKS in her journal design!

I chose to approach my layout by having vintage friends share "Heart to Heart" thoughts.

 

The "friends" were found on vintage sewing pattern packages. 

If you look closely, you can see a little heart pin on the white skirt of the "friend" on the left side.  I found it at one of my favorite flea markets recently and knew it needed to be added to Susan's journal.

 

 

At first, I had the "friends" sharing serious and profound thoughts. . .but that just wasn't fun. . . so I switched the direction a bit.  :)

 

 

 I used vintage advertising pictures of things "fashionable friends" would love. . .shoes, cologne, soap, nail polish and garters. . .to fill in the spaces.

I added a few sparkles here and there, plus an old garter I found in my mom's button box.  The pearls on the garter also came from the flea market I just mentioned.

 

 

 "Fashionable Friends" love hair clippies, too! I put a little bling on this one.

 

 

Susan, THE STONE RABBIT wanted you to see just how very full your journal is lookiing!!!  

 

 

 

And speaking of "full". . .just go over to Beverly's blog, HOW SWEET THE SOUND.  It will be FULL of other bloggers who are ready to share their PINKS with you this weekend!!!

 

HAPPY PINK SATURDAY. . .and stay cool and safe.  I just heard on the news that our area (Kansas City, MO) has now had 27 days in a row of temperatures OVER 90.  I believe it was 105 yesterday. . .and is supposed to be over 100 starting tomorrow. . . until next weekend.   I'd better appreciate and enjoy our "cool" day today. . .it's only supposed to hit 99!!!

 

DANA

Circle Journal. . .Part V. . .Jeanne's "HA" has a bit of PINK!

 

The first of May, I received Jeanne's journal (of Backyard Neighbor)  from Grace (of Pink in the City).  

The theme of Grace's journal was "Marie Antoinette", so she, in keeping with that theme of hers, sent me the cutest little Marie postcard that she'd made!!

 

Grace just spoils me so!!  Is it bad of me to say I LOVE IT!!  :)

 

 

 Beneath the tissue was Jeanne's precious journal. . . entitled "HA"!!

 

These last few months have been filled with less than "HA" moments around our household.   Everybody has their HA-less times, but Gadzooks. . .we've sorta had enough already!  So, that being said, I drug my feet on Jeanne's precious journal.

Then, to make matters a tad bit worse, the 22nd of May I tripped on an uneven section of sidewalk. . (yes, while I was jogging) and fractured a little bone in my left hand.  Thankfully, I am right handed, but not having total use of my South Paw made "crafting" a challenge for me. 

So I guess I'm saying, I struggled with trying to come up with the "HA" in my life, then I physically struggled with creating what I finally had in mind .

I decided to reach into my past and share a few "HA" moments. . .times that had been some of my happiest.  Here are my journal pages in the very early stages. . .the idea of a big "H" on one page and a big "A" on the other. . .surrounded by images and text that depicted those special times.

 

 

 

And here they are. . .finally completed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 See the great blank PINK pages Jeanne put in her journal for us to fill with our interpretation of her HA theme?

 

 

An amazing "HA Day" came about a couple of weeks ago when Jeanne was visiting in Kansas City, MO.  I have to add MO because she still refers to it as Kansas at times !!  :)

Anyway, on one of the days she was in town, I kidnapped her and took her to Parkville, MO, for a special outing and time alone with her!!

Here we are after our day of shopping, gabbing, giggling, eating, walking, driving and just plain old having fun!!  It was such a wonderful time spent with one of the finest ladies around.

I was so thrilled to meet little Cheri', the love of Jeanne and Bill's life!  She is such a sweet girl!!!

I will soon post lots of fun photos from our day, but I will leave you with this great teaser of some of the fun we had. . .

 

like this little varment that I captured in one of the stores while we were shopping!! 

OMG. .look at the claws on that little paw!!  

Hey, Jeanne. . .LOOK!!!

 

OK. . .Jeanne wasn't really scared. . .

she's not only funny and happy and generous and kind, but she's also a fantastic actress!!!   See what a great job she did when I said "Look scared"!!!  

And she did!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Speaking of fun. . .you will have lots of that when you visit Beverly of HOW SWEET THE SOUND.  She will have loads of other bloggers with special PINKS to share this weekend!!

 

DANA

Circle Journal. . . Part IV. . .just a bit of PINK!

 

The time is just flying by. . . .I can't believe our Circle Journal group has just finished creating:  our own journal basics and two-page spread (HERE  )  PLUS two pages for three other participants (click  HERE to see  Kathy's of Writer's Reverie) and  (HERE for Grace's of Pink in the City) , and here today...the one I'm sharing NOW. . .   belongs to our very own Queen of Pink. . . Beverly, of How Sweet the Sound!

Just like me, THE STONE RABBIT is a real Christmas nut, so he was super excited when Beverly's journal arrived.  He thought he would "inspire" me if he put on his Santa hat and beard. . .and I do believe he did just that!!

The theme of her journal is CHRISTMAS PAST!  We were to "tell a story, share photos" that represent our Christmas Past.  Since I don't have old photos of my childhood Christmas times, I decided to represent some of my memories through vintage Christmas images.

I started by writing a "story" to Beverly of some of the memories that I cherish of Christmas time and events when I was small.  Of course, being the wordy gal I am, my story was reaching novella length when I realized I needed to "edit". . . a lot, because if I didn't, she would have a journal full of ME and, while I'm sure she would find that fascinating, I'm certain the others, who still needed room to share their own Christmas Pasts would not!  :)

SOOOO. . . I just took a few of the special moments I treasure about Christmas and shared them in  little snippets. . .illustrated, somewhat, by the graphics I'd gathered.

 

 

This process of really thinking about past Christmas times was truly a great journey, Beverly.  I knew I had always loved that season. . . and now I realize it was because my parents seemed to make it so magical for us.  Even though we did not have a lot of material wealth, we were taught to enjoy the spirit of the season through church activities and family time and communtiy events.

Creating with our hands kept us busy and brought us closer as a family unit. . .we prepared special decorations, gifts, and food.  Both of our parents were always "making something". . .so they instilled that "love for creating" through example.  Particpation in programs in school and church was a given.  I count my blessings to have been in that environment during my younger years.

 

I didn't add a lot of "embellishment" to my pages. . .maybe it was the lack of room because of all  of my words.  However, I think I held back because of the simplicity of my pages.  They just represented a really simple and sweet time in my life.  

Of course, I did glitter up the pictures a bit, because my mom (who was way ahead of Martha Stewart in that department) would have liked that.  Also, I added a few old buttons here and there.  They are from her button tin.

 

Then when I took a long, hard look at my pages I realized something HUGE was missing!  I hadn't PINKED them up. . .at all!  SOOOOO. . . 

 

 

I just HAD to put a little PINK sequin on the gift tag I placed on the second page! :)

Working on these individual jounals has been such a great experience.   With no two alike. . .it's a totally new start each time. . . taking me on such a surprise trip from beginning to end.  I am in awe of the creations the other journal members have shared and how incredible each book will be the time they are finished in October!!

 

You will also be on an incredible journey when you visit Beverly's blog, HOW SWEET THE SOUND, this weekend.  There you will find lots of bloggers who are ready to share their PINKS this week.  You never know what you will find. . .just a click away!

 

Happy Pink Saturday!!

 

DANA