Mi Papa

My father underwent a biopsy this morning to determine if the two spots/holes on his spine are cancer. Your prayers are greatly appreciated. I know our heavenly Father will get him through whatever he has to overcome. Our God is an awesome God!

I love you, Dad...
Niecey :D

Martha's Fabrics in Ruidoso, NM

I recently happened upon the most wonderous fabric store I've ever seen. Not your typical fabric store or quilt store, Martha's Fabrics is filled to the brim...literally...with decorator fabrics, quilting fabrics, and everything in between.

Martha has owned a fabric store in Artesia, NM for over 40 years. Her twin daughters, Clarisssa and Cassandra, run the Ruidoso, NM store. Mom visits and helps out the girls as well. They are a truly delightful trio of women. :)

There are gift items galore...jewelry, home decorating, and much more...

In the assortment of rooms there are fabulous fabrics everywhere in creative chaos! This is the Amy Butler Fabric room...

You can find wonderful ribbons, lace, and trims...

...and then more fun fabrics at the next turn!...

There are beautiful buttons - antiques and vintage buttons...

...and then more terrific trims for your fun and funky side!

...and more trims - cordings - and "stuff"!

...and more, more, more!

They have patterns for bags, aprons, pillows, quilts, and jackets.

Martha's Fabric is a unique experience.

Check is out: http://www.marthas-fabrics.com/

Or visit one of their stores:

Ruidoso, NM (575) 630-2231 or Artesia, NM (575) 748-2231

Let your lil' light shine! Hugs, Denise :D

Smiles Every Day :D

My father was recently in the hospital in Georgetown, Texas for a pulmonary embollism. Each day as I drove to the hospital to be with him I passed this funky fence of old bicycles. That little fence brought a smile to my face each and every day. The simple pleasures of life...

My father is in a rehab center now. Thank you, Lord, for your loving care.

Blessings to you and your families, Denise :D

Quilts for the Cabin

Wanted to share some of the quilts that I have made in the past few years. They finally found a home in which to hang...my "lil' cabin in the woods." This first one is a One-Block Wonder quilt using just one fabric to create the kaleidoscope centers of each block. The fabric is a vegetable print...perfect for the kitchen. Yum! It's title is "Mom Always Said To Eat Your Veggies".

I taught this quilt in a class with my dear friend, Karen Odom. Luv ya, Girlfriend! :D

This quilt is a variation of a quilt that was a Row of the Month in the magazine "Quiltmaker". Some of the rows come from their version and the others are my original creations. Each row represents a specific scripture...beginning with the stars God created...the eagles ("...soar on eagle's wings")...the sun and moon...the leaves...the green pastures...log cabin blocks ("as for me and my house we will serve the Lord")...and the trees.

I taught this quilt at a quilting retreat several years ago held at Sacramento Methodist Assembly in the Sacramento Mountains of New Mexico. The retreat was titled "Come To The Mountain."

This last quilt is just a fun scrappy quilt I made a few years ago. The pattern is called "Hugs and Kisses" or "Xs and Os" because the blocks make an "X" (Hug) or an "O" (Kiss). I love scrappy quilts. :)

Whether it's cutting paper or cutting fabric, I love the process of creating something so special. The colors...the textures...the patterns all warm my heart and make me smile.

Create every day!

Hugs, Denise :D

What is Love?

What is Love? That was the title of a chunky book page swap (6" x 6") on ATCS for All - a wonderful websites for swaps. They have all sorts of swaps if you are interested in participating. My favorites are ATCs, chunky book pages, and inchies. For this swap I used a collection of papers and some embellishments that were part of the collection. I also used various stamps, clip art, and embellishments. And of course there's Tim Holtz distressing technique and some of his wonderful idealogy line and stickles.

Love is my furry friends...our cats (L.S. and Laura) and our dogs (Belle, Liberty, and Roxy). They love us unconditional and accept us for who we are - warts and all. Luv those babies!

Love is a kiss - from a friend or a loved one. It warms my heart and fills my soul with love. "Live each day like you mean it."...kiss someone today!

Love is found in all sorts places...often hidden from plain sight. Look for love every day and every where. All God's creature have love to give - even when we are often the most difficult to love.

Love is creating and sharing what I do. Art is a true gift from God. I've been told it's selfish of me to want to spend so much time is my "creative world"...blogging, reading other people's blogs, spending precious moments in my workroom, getting together with friends old and new, taking classes to learn new techniques, or shopping for gotta-have goodies. But I know using God's gift is not selfish and I will not let those negative words poison my passion. "Let what you love be what you do."

Love is everywhere...look for it. "Be happy in the moment."

I just love this little girl...her laughter and glee...her infectious smile.

May God's love warm your heart - heal your hurts - soothe your soul.

You are loved! Hugs, Denise

Amazing Love

Today I had the most awesome opportunity to meet two members of my church (Marion and Jeri) as well as get to know another member (Sara - our Director of Music) much better. Our church, Vista Ysleta Methodist Church, sponsored the Sweet Life Cafe. It was a day spent with women of God as we celebrated the amazing love God has for us. Not greater love is there on earth.
We began the morning by choosing a mug or cup in which to enjoy our tea or coffee as we registered for the day. After everyone was registered, we were instructed to find the other attendees who had a mug or cup like ours. These lovely ladies then became our Sweet Cafe Table Mates for the day. We talked about why we had chosen our particular cup...we like the finer things of life, we enjoy our tea or coffee with the daintiness of a china cup and saucer. :D Because we are just plain classy women!

We participated in numerous games and activities, sang songs of praise and worship, and got to know each other better. For lunch we were served a delicious variety of salads and desserts. We could choose to sit with other women for lunch...so I sat with two of my fellow sopranos in choir - Linda and Mary. Linda had brought her friend from work, Lynne. We had a delightful visit and I learned more about my choir buddies.

This heartwarming day was held in the church's Holy Grounds Cafe. What a treasure women friends are to us. Truly one of God's many gifts to us. Thank you, Lord.

One of the activities we did involved making bags of cinnamon pancake mix to be given to women less fortunate than ourselves. We shared what "spices and ingredients" make our lives rich.

We then wrapped them and tied them with a pretty bow and a special message that we wrote especially to them. I chose a tea towel with birds and birdhouses. My message said, "May this add spice to your life with God's love."

We each prayed over our specially wrapped gift and placed it on the altar. After tomorrow's church service they will be given to someone as a symbol of God's love.

What a day filled with amazing love...the love God has for me...the love my table mates showered upon me...and the love of the special ladies of our church who made the day possible.

May your Valentine's Day be filled with the love of friends and family...and God!

Hugs, Denise

What a Weekend!...What a Blessing!

What a weekend! - - - I recently became the proud owner of a quaint lil' condo in Alto, New Mexico. The adventure of my first weekend spent in the mountains started off with a bit of off-road driving! Even with 4-wheel drive I still manged to slide off the side of the snow-packed road. It had snowed over 20" the two days prior to my arrival. I learned one does not brake when one comes to the top of a hill...
Luckily the snow kept me from sliding all the way down the hill though. After realizing they couldn't tow me out, they brought in the snow plow...
...and the tractor to plow the snow and shovel the snow. They (my 4 knights in shining armour!) managed to push my car down the hill after the snowplow removed the snow and the tractor plowed the ground to make a road. My little dog, Belle, was in my car the entire time...growling and barking at my knights!
From there Paul - the head knight - drove my car the rest of the way to my condo...and I walked. Belle and I were happy to be on solid ground. :D

What a blessing!...Oh, deer! Yes, deer everywhere. They will walk right up to you looking for food. They love apples. It is so peaceful and therapeutic. Thanks, Mom, for making it possible. You are a blessing to your children and grandchildren. I love you!

My sister, Sherri, and her friend from high school, Lisa, were also there for the weekend. Sherri has a condo of her own in Ruidoso, New Mexico. I so enjoy our sister-time!

After a wee bit of shopping we enjoyed a delicious buffet dinner at the Inn of the Mountain Gods casino and resort...

...and played some slot machines. No, we did not win the jackpot. Not even close!

Sunday morning, after a yummy home-style breakfast at a local - and very popular - restuarant, I attended services at this too cute log cabin Methodist church. Friendly folks and a warm welcome! God is good! What a blessing!

Spent the rest of the day hanging quilts and doing a bit of decorating...adding some personal touches to make the place my "nest"! I have named it "Niecey's Nest." When I was a little girl my nickname was Niecey. My dad and oldest brother will still call me that. What a blessing!

My sweet baby Belle found her favorite place to watch her mama at work...

Yes, what a weekend...what a blessing! May we all experience the grace of God and share of ourselves as He has given to us.

Create with your hands what God has created in your heart.

Hugs, Niecey :D

A Dog's Life!

Oh, to live the life of a dog. What a pleasure. Well, if you're a loved-live-in-the-house dog that is! Let me introduce to my three baby girls...

This is Roxy. I acquired this sweet 3 year old Min-Pin from Amy, a friend of my oldest daughter (Jenn). My beautiful baby Penny (also a Min-Pin) had gone to doggy heaven two years ago. After months and months of grieving terribly, I wanted another Min-Pin. But after "pricing" them...I knew they were beyond my doggy budget. (Penny had been a gift to my youngest daughter, Rebekah. When she got married, Penny became my best friend.)
So one day when I was in Austin visiting Jenn, her friend Amy brought Roxy over to visit. Long story short...Amy needed to find a new home for Roxy. I was so excited. Thank you, God! So Roxy and I made the long 8 hour drive back home. She was welcomed by Liberty and Belle. Roxy is my lovey!

This is Belle. She is the Queen Dog...Alpha Bitch...Big Britches of the three. She doesn't know she's the smallest. I acquired Belle from a parent at the school where I work. She was trying to sell the puppies. Again...no doggy-budget! At the end of the day, the sweet mom brought Belle to me and wanted me to have her. Belle is a Dachsund-mix. Belle is my sweetheart.

Meet my beautiful Liberty. Another dog acquired from someone else, Liberty came to live with us when my boyfriend's son, Andres, had to get rid of the wee little puppy he had been given. Liberty, being a Lab and Ridgeback mix, did not stay wee little very long. When Andres could not keep Liberty anymore, I took her in. There was actually a time when she first came to live with us that she could walk under Belle's legs...for a couple of weeks at the longest! Liberty is my precious.

Now why, you ask, am I telling you about my dogs? and how I acquired them? and what kind of dogs they are? Well, some of us are much like these little critters. We came to be where we are in a variety of ways. We may have started out in one place only to find ourselves in another. All the while being loved by many. Sometimes we cause chaos and at other times we are the peace of a gentle snuggle to someone we love. Just like Belle and Roxy and Liberty, we each have our own idiosyncrasies...our lil quirks that make us who we are. Their loyalty and unconditional love are a testament to us all to give of ourselves as they do...expecting nothing in return. (Well, okay...maybe a dog biscuit or treat.) My life has been blessed by these beautiful girls - my Belle, Roxy, and Liberty.

Blessings for a Dog's Life! Hugs to you all. :D

All Things T!m 2010 Calendar Swap

I am participating in a 2010 Calendar Page Swap on the All Things T!m Yahoo group. Each member/participant is making one of the months and I made the cover. We all made 13 to trade and one that the hostess will send to Tim Holtz. (Wow! To think one of my 'artistic creations' will actually be in T!m's home!)
Anyway...these are the 13 for trade...

...and this is the one for T!m. I used the following T!m products and techniques:

* Fired Brick Distress Crackle Paint and Distress Ink on the hand-cut Grungepaper heart.

* Rock Candy Distress Crackle Paint on the tag which was also distressed using Corduroy and Fired Brick Distress Ink.

* Tag was stamped using a stamp from his Stamper's Anonymous collection.

* ATC is stamped using another stamp from his ATC Stamper's Anonymous collection and distressed with Corduroy Distress Ink then edged with Black Diamond Stickles.

* ATC has dots of Tiara Stickles in 3 of the corners.

* Flower is distressed with Rock Candy Distress Stickles.

* The center of the flower is comprised of a washer, brad, and safety pin from his Idea-ology line. (I learned this T!m technique at Creative Escape in AZ in August.)

* 2010 tags were colored with Fired Brick Distress ink and distressed with Black Distress Ink. They dangle freely from the tag which is tied with black tulle.

All papers are by 7 Gypies.

Once the hostess swaps each member's/participant's page, a complete calendar will be returned to us. They will then be bound at the top with the Bind-It-All. What fun it's been! :D

In Our Mother's Memory

With a look of surprise...well, more like glee...my sister, Sherri, accepts the key to the condo she and her husband just purchased in Ruidoso, New Mexico. Our mother loved the mountains and she had a place there that we used to visit for some much-needed R & R.

Here we are - ready to open the front door. Her place is gorgeous...warm and welcoming.

This is her son's, Brett, room decorated in a cowboy theme. Yippee-I-O!

Wow! After a long day of skiing for Sherri or golf for Steve or shopping for both, they can enjoy the jacuzzi in the master bathroom. Now that's the life!

God has blessed our families in so many ways. May you have many wonderful memories, my dear sister and friend. Luv ya!

BTW...I'm currently working on getting a smaller...much smaller...place in the mountains also. :D

Blessings to you all, denise