First Watercolor

I did a project for a Christmas present for my daughter which involved a water color of a sailboat and a light house. So I needed to practice. This sailboat is my practice and I rather like how it turned out. I actually enjoyed the process of watercolor, so I think I will be doing more of it.  I used the Derwent Inktense watercolor pencils, and I really like how they work out. It was a lot of fun.
I'll be posting the finished project that I did for my daughter soon.

Merry Christmas 2011

Tonight as we think of family and loved ones far and near, let us remember the true reason for the season and God's wonderful gift of love.

"Up North" Altered Book Page

This is one of my latest pages. I really like it.We purchased some property on a lake up North and this page reminds me of that spot. Just brings a smile to my face.

And here is a favorite ornament. I purchased this ornament through a missionary organization that helps to provide employment for women in Thailand so that they can provide for their families and stay out of prostitution. I love that it is a symbol for peace.

Priceless Possibilities - Altered Book Journal Page

This is a page I just made last week. Sometimes the page just seems to come together and that was what happened with this one.  The small quote within the circle says, "Every day we live is a priceless gift of God, loaded with possibilities to learn something new, to gain fresh insights."

I have had several things that have happened over the last little while that have brought home to me the idea that each day is a gift. A good friend of mine has been been battling breast cancer. She is on the upswing and I am continually praying that she has defeated this thing for good. Another friend and neighbor of ours who is only 49 has just been diagnosed with stage four sarcoma. He is just recovering from surgery and soon will be starting chemo. He has a young son who is only 6. Wow - praying hard for his complete healing, too.

Our church has just gone through a major upheaval. It is hard when people you love and care about are torn asunder by difficult things. Just one more thing to point out that we can take nothing for granted.

We can all use a reminder to treasure each day and its possibilities for the gift it is and thank God for it. I'm taking time this weekend to reflect on all of my blessings.

I'm linking up with Art Journal Every DayArt Journal Every Day  over at Balzer Designs with Julie Fei-Fan Balzer. Lots of yummy pages linked up there, so take some time to check it out.

A Smattering of Altered Book Pages & Pink Saturday

Today, in honor of Pink Saturday, I am posting a few altered book pages. I don't know whether they are actually complete - when do you know?

"Remember"

"Choose Gifts"

"The Birthday Fairy"

They are all pages that lend themselves to Christmas. Remember wonderful times with family is a very important part of Christmas for us. Choosing gifts is a special part of Christmas for us, too, because I think most of us show our love by giving gifts. It is really fun to try to find that perfect gift for someone that fits them and their personalities. Watching the smile on their faces when they open them is really awesome!

And last, but not least, is celebrating the reason for the season, Jesus' Birthday. It is often difficult to keep that in mind with all the hustle and bustle and the bombardment from media to buy! buy! buy! But this year, I am trying to focus more on the reason for the season.

I am linking up to Beverly over at How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday. Take time today to go over and visit Beverly and the wonderful bloggers who post to celebrate Pink!

"Live Your Life" Altered Book Page

Here is one of my most recent finished pages.  I started the background for this page a long time ago. Then I made the paper doll, actually while we were on our boat. I had taken a few supplies - just enough to get by with, and did a lot of playing. My family was quite patient with me taking up so much of the precious space available. I just recently felt this page coming together and I am pretty happy with how it turned out. I really like these bright happy colors.

The handwritten quote along the side of the page reads "Laugh as much as you breathe and love as long as you live.... Live, Laugh, Love" I really liked this quote. I am very thankful for the laughter and love in my life!

Last Rose of Summer - Pink Saturday

Below is a picture of our last little surviving rose from Summer. It is from my Fairy rose bush which often has the first blooms of summer and the last. She is a wonderful rose - requires almost no care and produces bountifully all season long.

Photograph by Jessie Leng - An Organized Madness Photography

Head over to visit Beverly at How Sweet the Sound and visit the other wonderful pink posts today.

http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/

Guest Blogger Today at Balzer Designs

Today I am so thankful to be featured on Julie Fei-Fan Balzer's blog as a guest blogger talking about altering my books and art journaling. I was just floored to even be asked. She is such a fabulous artist, so creative and full of energy. If you have been reading my blog for a while, you know that she is one of my art heroes! You can find the post here: Art Journaling Every Day - Altering a Book 

Here is the finished page that I submitted:

The Elf King

She hosts a monthly Art Journal Every Day blog party where people post there art journal pages. It is a great treat to visit the blogs to see all the creativity out there. Be sure to visit Julie's blog and get inspired!

I am also linking up with Beverly for Pink Saturday over at How Sweet the Sound. Stop over there and enjoy all the pink posts this weekend.

Attitude of Gratitude #5: Autumn Walks

Life's been pretty busy lately, but I want to add one more thing I am especially grateful for - and that is the priviledge of going for walks on a beautiful Michigan Autumn day. These are some shots of the beautiful wooded area around Long Lake at Michakewa Shores.

And finding weird piles of mushrooms that look like marshmellows!

Isn't God's creation fantastic! These are from the wooded trails across from our property.

http://precociouspaper.blogspot.com/

Attitude of Gratitude #4 - My Students

I am really enjoying all of my students this year. I am thankful for the opportunity to teach at a Christian School and I love the elementary age! We have a good time. These pictures were taken after we won the door decorating contest. The prize was a pinata.  Since I have grades 2 through 6, it was a pretty good prize - they all got candy.

Gratitude - #3

I'm thankful for old friends - Say what you want about aging, it's still the only way to have old friends. ~Robert Brault

I so enjoyed my high school reunion last year! Getting together with old friends was a true joy!

Attitude of Gratitude - Days 1 and 2

I have just started the Attitude of Gratitude Challenge and I'm already one day behind! But I am starting, nonetheless!

First and foremost I am grateful for the family the Lord has blessed me with. This was taken at my best friend's daughter's wedding. We so very seldom get a picture taken with all of us together.

And I am grateful for our place up on Long Lake - many wonderful times there and many memories to come. It is absolutely beautiful and one of God's most beautiful creations!

If you would like to join in the Attitude of Gratitude challenge, you can stop over at Perfectly Precious and join in the fun.

Attitude of Gratitude Challenge

Autumn and Homecoming

Jess and her friends before homecoming.

Her sister did her hair.

Jess and her friend, Brigette.

I'm linking up with Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday. Pay her a visit and see all the wonderful Pinks that are being shared.

Rosie the Riveter - Happy Halloween

One of my daughters is attending a Halloween party as Rosie the Riveter, and after researching to help her with her costume, I found out some interesting things about the model for the famous recruiting poster. Her name was Geraldine Hoff Doyle and was from near Ann Arbor, MI.  She only worked in the plant for 2 weeks. I found only one place that had the original photo of her working in the plant which prompted her use as the poster girl.  The poster, which was done by J. Howard Miller., became an iconic symbol for women in the workforce. She only died last year - Dec. 26, 2010, at the age of 86. She was married for 66 years and had 5 children, 18 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren. Quite an accomplishment, I'd say!

Here are some pictures.

lhttp://www.bestcelebrity.net/rosie-the-riveter-geraldine-hoff-doyle-dead-at-86-photos.html

 This is the original photo that was the inspiration for the poster.

http://www.dnadropbox.com/2010/12/30/iconic-face-of-rosie-the-riveter-poster-dies/

I just thought you might want to know!

Attitude of Gratitude Challenge for November

I stumbled upon a blog today where a blogger at Perfectly Precocious is challenging us to An Attitude of Gratitude which is to blog about what we are grateful for each day in the month of November. This just struck me as something that would be a blessing in my life to stop and think each day of something special that I am thankful for. So with fear and trepidation, I am joining her challenge. I am not always successful at doing something every day, but I am going to give it a try. You can join her, too.  I'd love it if you would take the challenge and hold me accountable! Blessings to all!

http://precociouspaper.blogspot.com/2011/10/attitude-of-gratitude-2011.html