A (9"X6") $ store Composition notebook I covered with paper, washi tape, fabric, a pearl swirl, lace & hearts. The canvas heart was zig-zag stitched around the edge and 'frayed' and distress inked~
Please don't get me wrong! I loved the snow as a child. There were several years I remember when my dad would 'flood' a portion of our large side yard and make us a skating pond! In Michigan it would often last all winter long. And so did the snow, piled high in the neighborhood yards till Spring~
And I loved 'snow fort' building (remember filling old sand buckets? how many times!?! 100's of buckets of snow and hours of play...)
Then moving to CO just before turning 12 gave me an even greater appreciation for all that cold fluffy white stuff! We moved to Colorado Springs, which sits near the bottom of Pikes Peak. To see that Rocky Mountain range covered in the silvery-white frostiness convinced me of it's grandeur~
And the Autumn season is unmatched in Michigan I think. The beauty of it all is incredible!
You could plan a vacation just around those colors~
So, where is this going? Oh yes, 'Letting Autumn In.' : )
I'm on a 'learning curve' right now; after my recent losses, and much prayer and study - - and one of the things I am consciously trying to do differently is to live in the present; in the 'here and now' and enjoy where I am. I used to grumble about Fall, because I knew winter was coming. "I hate being cold! No garage to park in and our winters here are so long! Getting up when it's dark and cold, coming home from work when it's dark and cold . . .BRRR . . ." just a brief sample~
BUT this year, this 'here and now', I don't want to be that way : ) I want to TRULY 'Let Autumn In' and enjoy all it has to offer.
Letting Autumn in doesn't mean "Horrors No! Winter is coming!" It means: One of the most glorious times of the year has arrived~ and I will, this time (and henceforth ever ever : ) offer Thanks for all I have and all God has done for me. : )
A photo book (maybe about 6X7"?)I made quite some time ago, using absolutely all scrap bin stuff! (except for the front and back covers which I believe are (click >) 7Gypsies. The heart is canvas and stenciled w/Gesso medium. Lots of paper scraps and a bit of string, eyelets, ribbon and lace. The image is from (>) Maja Design papers
I'm just at that vulnerable place we all find ourselves - maybe only a few times in life; but I'm learning to give-way~
Wishing you a wonderful week-end! As for me, I'll be raking leaves . . . : ) and hopefully some crafting!
Karen O
Your composition book is just beautiful and so are the cards. Love that you stenciled the heart. Looks so pretty, dear Karen.
ReplyDeleteYou got the right attitude. Yes, let Autumn in:)
Have a great weekend.
Hugs,
Marie
Marie I thank you for the visit and kind comments~ your gentle spirit is always encouraging! Hope your week-end is wonderful~ Karen
DeleteWhat lovely pieces, Karen. I know what you mean about the cold weather. I grew up in NY and even as a child hated fall because it meant winter was on its way. Labor Day meant the end of beach season and the long cold winter ahead. So I followed my parents to FL when they retired, where I loved the gorgeous weather and raised my kids. It ultimately got too crowded, I got tired of the sameness of the weather all year, my kids were on their own, and I took a job transfer to NC, where I then met my husband (after 28 years of being single!). Some of the locals refer to my kind as half-backs because we left the north, moved to FL, and then moved halfway back to the north, stopping here. Though winter is still my least favorite season, I make the most of it. Time to stay indoors, more creative time, and an excuse to not have to do yard work. Our winters are short and mild, and if we get three inches of snow more than once I consider it a "bad" winter! Life is what you make it, and my life this month is gorgeous autumn leaves, which I had been away from far too long. Maybe soon I'll be in the right frame of mind to do some snowflake or ice skating art! Have a great day! Hugs, Sue
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing a bit of your story Sue~ Wow I had no idea. And I appreciate your visit and comment too! I wonder sometimes if I would like the 'half-back' life!?! : ) But there may be little chance of that, as my daughters and their families live in Montana! and I miss them so much, if I ever move it would probably be there! We will see. Thanks friend, Karen
DeleteI have to admit, I really don't have a favourite season, each one is so special in their own way, and I enjoy them all. I love the collages you showed in this post, especially the first one on the notebook
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Liz for taking time to stop in today, and comment~ I like your outlook Liz! and hope to find the very best of each and every season; and just enjoy! Have a blessed week-end, Karen
DeleteDear Karen, your words about living in the here and now, touch me very much , and I`m sure they are so importent for us all to understand, and live by !
ReplyDeleteI like you, hate the cold, and windy autum and winter days, but they are luckily not allone standing, as we both also so enjoy the gorgeous autumn nature, and the beauty about snowy days , and even a grey and cold day like here, today, can be beautiful, when having finished the chores, and sitting here, war, and cosy writing you and studying your wonderful creations.
Your beautiful art pieces touch me, too, with your romantic, lovely shabby style, which I love.
The book covers are both so adorable, and takes me back in time so lovely, and the card with your mothers family with the banner below and the family on top of the written book page, also is wonderful, dear Karen.
Thank you, and hugs
from Dorthe
I am blessed by your visits Dorthe, whenever you stop in! Always so kind and generous with you time and words~ Thank you so much for your dear friendship. Hope you have a wonderful week-end. Blessings, Karen
DeleteOh Karen, I feel your heart in your posts, you have a lovely way with words and expressing yourself. I too grew up in Michigan moved away when my hubby joined the Air Force. We go home in the fall when we can just to enjoy those beautiful leaves. Yes the thoughts of fall coming does bring woes of what is to come with winter but we do have to enjoy what God has blessed us with now and put all other things aside. Such a Gorgeous part of the country you live in now, but I do know that winters can be long and very snowy.
ReplyDeleteYour creations are just Beautiful, lovely use of laces and pearls in the first, lovely vintage look! Your mother's family picture is framed just lovely and the use of the text is so neat. Beautiful job done on that photo book too, love the lacey look you gave to the heart and that little envelope is too cute, great embellishing all around! Have a wonderful weekend!
Connie I thank you so much! for visiting today and leaving me such an encouraging comment! You're a peach: ) I hope your weekend is lovely~ Karen
DeleteHi Karen, What a stunningly gorgeous composition book, and I love the treatments you have done on your family photos. I so enjoyed your post!
ReplyDeleteHi Karen,
For me, Summer is always so busy and full with after-school swims in the ocean, which we love. The evening time goes and it's harder to sit down and create, especially when it's hot. I love Winter, as I can spend more time crafting. Our seasons are very mild here and we hardly notice Autumn. I love to visit colder places in Autumn to be among Autumn leaves and colours again.
I could not conceive of a Winter as hard as yours in the States. Snow in Australia is limited to a few places, and apart from the Snowy Mountains, mostly it doesn't lie around long. I have been in a one-off 'snowstorm' for one afternoon at Christmas one year, which was ridiculously weird for us when I lived in Canberra, which rarely even has snow in Winter!
I think I would burrow into my craft and enjoy that if I had your Winter. Whatever the season is, it's better not to fight it because you'll exhaust yourself swimming against the tide. Better to flow with it and find the part you can love. Just think of all those snowy neutrals you can use in your artworks...
Winter is like grief; it's the weather that carves a hole in the soul so the joy has a place to fill when it comes. It's what makes Spring so wonderful and new.
Hugs to you,
Jesse
Jesse I was so happy to see you visited and commented! I can only imagine the beauty of Australia~ All the films and photo's I've seen are amazing!!
DeleteAnd thank you for the encouragement too~ "Going with the flow of the season" : ) Karen
This is such a good and thoughtful post Karen! I recognized myself at the "grumbling" part. The mild temps have made things easier so far I admit. But I am going to prepare to enjoy the cold more when it comes. I spent a moment flipping through the recent shares of your art. SO very beautiful. I admire your talent. It is also so much to my taste. You left such lovely words for me about my blog and shop post. Thank you! It's so much appreciated. Blessings for November!
ReplyDeleteOh Jacqueline thanks so much! I appreciate you taking time to look at some of my work~ Your blog is truly (and sincerely) a place I find so restful and peaceful; and so inspiring too! It's a great place to 'get away'. Yes, the cold the cold... I think God is preparing my heart and spirit to enjoy (as you said) the cold weather when it comes. We are 'blessed in the west' and I want to reflect that! Have a great week and I wish your shoppe Every Success! ~Karen
DeleteFabulous vintage design and textures.
ReplyDeleteHugs Diane
Thank you Diane! So nice to hear your comment today~ Have a great week! (like your wintery card w/the bird house: ) Karen
DeleteA late but very grateful "thank you" for your visit and sweet comment on my blog dear friend. It made my day. And I love your composition book...wow!!
ReplyDeleteAbby
Thanks Abby, you have been an inspiration to me for so long~ Have a blessed week, Karen
DeleteGorgeous work dear Karen! Your altered journal is absolutely fabulous, so beautiful! And I love how you adorned your mom and her family with autumnal beauty. I love Autumn, like you say I think it's a glorious season. And you know, winter has its charms as well. Hot coco or tea, curled up with a book and a blanket, candle light making it all cozy. And when we're lucky, a lovely fireplace ;) Hugs to you, xx
ReplyDeleteWen I appreciate you so much! You often bring to mind such comforting thoughts : ) and your comments inspire and encourage. See you @ SNT's soon! Karen
Deletelove this style :)
ReplyDeleteYou're a sweetie Connie; appreciate you browsing thru~~Karen
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