The time has come for me to tell everyone about some amazing news. Utterly astounding news to be exact. Ready? I won on the One World One Heart blog event. Now I know that doesn't sound all that wondrous. Let me explain. I won multiple times. Again, not all that uncommon. Let me explain. Following is a list of items, gifts, works of art that are coming my way. Trust me, this is going to be a long posting. (Updates included in black type.)First: I was awarded a magnificent art journal from Shelly at http://shellyraewood.blogspot.com I've never seen with mine own eyes an art journal. I look at the photos in magazines and online and think, "Wow, I could never do something like that". Now I get an opportunity to view one and yeh, even encase some of my randomness in it. I can't wait to see it. Thanks Shelly. Shelly's beautiful journal arrived this week and I am in awe of how gorgeous it is. I don't want to mess it up, but am going to take the plunge and use it for the reason it was created.)Second: I am being honored with a gifting from Jennifer at
http://jenniferconway.blogspot.com/ She picked my number/comment to receive a Scrabble tile with bird artwork pendant, along with a set of tile birdie magnets. I will enjoy wearing the pendant as I adore birds and Scrabble is one of my all-time favorite games. Great pairing of images for your artwork.
Third: Kara from http://motherhenna.com/ has picked me to receive a reading from "Madame Zolda" using cards created by Kara. I have received this enlightening and informative reading from Madame Zolda but am still processing the valuable findings. I may blog about this at a later time when all the pieces come together in my head. Thanks Kara, I will continue to read your information and get back to you, soon I hope.
Fourth: Over at http://atomicwarbride.blogspot.com/ Rita has created Isis the Monster, a fired tile that she absolutely states is going to be mine by virtue of being picked by a random number generator. This lovely "creature" is without a doubt, one of the most "sketchy" items I could have had the pleasure of being gifted with. Isis is a fiery red, one-eyed beauty against a vibrant yellow background. From the photo of Isis it appears she is all sparkly & shimmery. Yummy monster love. Rita, Isis is just "the bomb". ISIS has arrived safe and sound at her new home. And is more spectacular than the blog photo can show. Thanks Rita for sharing ISIS with me.(Now, I said this was going to be a long post, so keep reading as the abundance is not over.)
The date is now February 16th. I'm mosey-ing along checking gmail, going about my average day at the computer when I see an email with the OWOH heading. Huh? I've answered all the emails from the 15th. Still overwhelmed to say the least. When I get this news:
Fifth: Wendy the Gourd Witch will soon be enlivening my domicile. This is a sweet art doll created by Debb, mistress of http://halloweenjinglesbellsboo.blogspot.com With her gourd body and vintage jello mold/tin base, bright orange & black paint, she will fit right in this household. I kid you not! Debb, your art dolls are so much fun and full of quirkiness. Amazing. Let me tell you about Wendy. She's just too damn cute for words. Ok, that doesn't mean I won't come up with something to say anyway. Her precious little face shows all the wrinkles that any self-respecting witch must have to remain a witch in good standing. Her hat is the top of the gourd used for her body, with her stringy hair flying every which way. I love Wendy.Dateline February 17th, 2010: Again with the "just checking my gmail" routine. WHAT? A surprise from another participant in the OWOH event telling me she's sorry that she was a few days late with her notification.
Sixth: (Can you believe this?) The enigmatic Risa is gifting me one of her paintings and a set of greeting cards of her artwork! Her piece is a heart painted with various hues of red and deliciously textured paint. Plus cards I can send to loved ones; that someone else spent hours creating! Yey, I can mail without sitting for hours crafting first! You can find Risa at http://createdbyrisa.com/ I've been back a couple of times already. I got a box full of goodness from Risa today, Feb. 27. Her painting is so cool, although the colors are so HOT! I keep touching it because the texture is scrumptious. Her greeting cards are lovely and I am trying to figure out who's going to get the first one! Thank you Risa for such beautiful art.
And still, there's more. Thank you's from the heart are forthcoming from:http://collagediva.com/ Everyone who commented on her blog gets to download a great collage sheet for personal use. Way cool. Great imagery is always a boon.
While on my magic journey I came across http://stempelchaotin.wordpress.com Sandy from Germany made a collage/mixed media piece with a photo of an elderly woman using a spinning wheel. When I saw the photo, I was reminded of my grandmother who had just passed away. The strength emanating from the woman, the steel backbone, the straight-forward stare, that's what I saw that made me gulp for air. I said as much to Sandy in my comment. Next day, email with attachment of photo for personal use. Yep, I get to work this image into my own art. Then, on my blog, there's a comment from Martha of http://m-is-for-martha.blogspot.com/ telling me to come back and visit her blog for important information. Ok, off I go to see what Martha's up to. Lo and behold! There's a list of folks that have been picked by Martha to receive a "little surprise" from her. These are extra gifts that she wants to give to a select few whose comments tickled her fancy in one way or another. I admit when I was on her blog, snooping around, I read her profile page and found her answer to the random question posed by blogger to be one of the funniest I'd come across. I just couldn't resist referring to it when I posted my comment. In her email to me she stated that she initially thought my comment was Spam! All I did was offer her a shovel. (Read her profile to find out where the shovel comes in). (I corrected her blog address above. Sorry Martha, but whoever Trey is, he hasn't blogged since 2003 and really needs to get busy!)Now that you've probably taken at least one "pee break", refilled your coffee or tea cup and possibly wondered if I'm making all this up, I can unequivocally state I am not. Except for the email from Sandy, you can follow up on each blog site to see for yourselves how true all this is.
I did! A couple of times. Cuz, I didn't believe it either!
I've asked myself, countless times, how did I get so lucky?
I think I have an answer. Albeit a very metaphysical reason. Since last autumn, up until this January, I have gone through a great deal of loss, sadness, and, at times, abject depression. It has literally felt like my little piece of the universe has forsaken me and fallen apart.
When I began to lift my head & straighten my spine, I promised myself I would renew my outlook and get on with my life. I couldn't change occurrences but I could use the lessons from life as catalysts for personal change & growth. PTB (the Powers That Be) must've seen this as worthy of reward for coming out of my funk & cloud of self-pity.
Since the universe can't abide a void, it saw fit to fill up the miserable space I had vacated with something positive and astounding. Art. Art from many people who were willing to share their gifts with a stranger. Never knowing that this was not a gift of a "thing" but the presentation of a key. A key to a gate that was in jeopardy of rusting shut. Becoming overgrown with spiny, thorny vegetation. Maybe kudzu. A strangling, destroying entity.
So, I was given a temporary stroke of luck. A little something from PTB to welcome, and encourage, me back to land of the living. But, obviously, with the caveat that I best get busy and contribute a little beauty and creativity as my way of paying back to the sacred realm of art.
Whew! This post is so long I had to take a "pee break!" I can't wait to get some help with this blog so that I can post pictures of the lovely gifts when they arrive. A friend of a friend is willing to help when we can set up a convenient, mutual time. Which is not going to be soon enough for me! I want to show the respect due to all those amazing and talented people who have shown such generosity. They deserve the kudos.
Thanks for staying up and reading this long winded chapter of my life!
redopal
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