I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas. Here in Kentucky it was cold but woke up to a beautiful snow. It is still snowing a little now and then and still cold, BUT the perfect time to start letting all my creative ideas get going. This year I already have lots of ideas running through my brain!!! Went to fabulous Antiques Market in Atlanta over the holidays and bought some wonderful vintage ribbons in every shade of sherbets imaginable. NOT sure what to do with it but it made me feel happy. Maybe tags for my paintings, maybe for collages, who know maybe some new jewelry ideas will pop into my head.

I have so many new ideas I want to try. Finished a 8' x 8' Barn Quilt for the cutest gentleman for his wife's surprise for Christmas. She is a master quilter and has always wanted one. I was very honored to be able to do it for him AND complete it by Christmas. It was a little stressful trying to get it completed - went to Atlanta to visit my mother who is not doing well during the time I had allowed for painting. BUT I did get get it finished and in plenty of time. I hope to have a photo of it hanging on their barn to post soon.

Now that I have my work schedule figured out and finally in some type of routine- I plan on getting LOTS done this year !!!

It has been a LONG year, lots of heartaches in our family. We have lost a horse this year and also our family dog, Chloe that we have had for many years. We have seen my mother decline rapidly over the past year and is continue to decline.

We also have had a very exciting year with the addition of our new granddaughter - Lila. She is absolutely perfect and beautiful. I am sure there will be lots of stories that will include her also in the near future.

Thank you for all my followers this year and I hope that this next year will be more exciting than ever. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL

PEACE

PEACE.

it does not mean to be in a place

where there is no noise, trouble

or hard work. it means to be in

the midst of those things and still

be calm in your heart.

(unknown)

TIME

Time is long for those that MOURN

Time is short for those who LAUGH

but for those that LOVE time is an eternity......

yew dell gardens

" ... you have SO MANY extraordinary gifts; how can you expect to lead an ordinary life?"

- from the movie LITTLE WOMEN

LIFE

" Design your life first, then make your business fit your life"

Latest Art Commission

"I've learned that people will forget

what you said, people will forget

what you did, but people will never

forget how you made them feel."

MAYA ANGELOU

This week at work I worked with a mentally and physically challenged woman. I think this is the FIRST time that I really felt like I was doing what I was suppose to be doing. She thanked me in her way - very childlike - BUT I really should have thanked her for the privilege to help her. What a wonderful feeling it gave me - and her MOM was an incredible women. Thank you GOD, for letting me meet these two amazing women. I hope that our paths will cross again!!!

BOOKSTORE

Does anyone else get their inspiration at the bookstore? I can wander around for hours, looking at magazines and books for all my art ideas!!! I have found great inspiration in looking through the gardening magazines, Somerset Studio magazines and decorating magazines. I find flowers, children and animals that are screaming to be painted. The colors in the magazines and the beautiful photographs are also a source in inspiration. SOOOO after an evening of cruising the bookstore - I AM READY -to get to painting.

Prayers

Do you ever wonder why you are in a certain place at a certain time. Do you wonder why God has called you to do the things he does. I KNOW we are not to question the situations that he puts before us - but I still tend to struggle with God in the WHYS??? This week all I know is that I have put my WHYS? aside and asked HOW! I have hit my knees in prayer more this week than I ever have. Asking HOW!!! I know that he doesn't give us more than we can handle, but this time i'm not as sure that I am this strong, but I ALSO know through him all things are possible. SO I pray that he gives me the words, strength and courage to face this day!!!

Hand Dyed Silk Ribbon

I am posting a link to a flower shop that I ordered the most BEAUTIFUL ribbon for the sweater set that I am knitting for my grandbaby. Check it out - they were delightful to work with and I received the ribbon -as promised- and it is GORGEOUS!!!

Double Blessing Tuesday

At church this Sunday , I learned that Tuesdays are considered Double blessing days, because God blessed his creation twice that day. Well, yesterday was a double blessing day for me. Since I have just finished my last commission and have NO shows scheduled in the near future.I was wondering where any art income would come from.WELL - I no longer need to wonder - I received 2 art commissions yesterday. That is the good news - the bad news is they both want them done mid- August. I guess I know what I am going to be doing the next 6 weeks. I will have a good buddy being my company as I do these. My great dog, Pudgy, a pug, had to have emergency exploratory surgery today and will be out of commission for the next 2 weeks or more. He decided something made of rubber was smart to eat and it block his intestines. I thank God that I got him to the emergency hospital before it was too late, which I almost didn't do. He hadn't been feeling well and I thought he would just get over it. NEXT time I will listen to what he is trying to tell me. So as I work on these commissions that I was blessed with, I will be accompanied by my best friend that I also have been blessed with. Be sure to give your pet an EXTRA hug today - because things can go bad really quickly. Cherish those friendships with your pets, friends and family. AND REMEMBER - Double Blessing Tuesday. Be aware of those blessings - they are a gift! JoAnna

Baby Girl!!!

Well, my art inspiration has changed quite a bit in the past week. I have learned recently that I am going to become a grandma of a baby girl come November. SO I may not be painting as much as I thought, may switch my gears a little and get a little more interested (AGAIN) in fiber arts. The knitting needles are flying and I am going over all my smocking patterns. There is so MUCH to do and SO little time.... I am going to slow down and soak it ALL in. Can't wait to be holding this beautiful gift from God and just to smell the wonderful baby smell!!! I have started knitting the CUTEST!!! sweater outfit that I could find. It is in the most wonderful color of lavender. It will be tied with these wonderful Hand dyed silk ribbons. Did I mention I plan on spoiling this baby a little??? I had to order the yarn and ribbon from out of state and would love to pass on the links to both of these stores. They have been great to deal with and have shipped everything just as promised. Well - I better get to knitting , I am burning daylight. Until next time .... JoAnna

art art art

Great day in my studio. I actually accomplished A LOT.Several collages finshed, commission varnished and ready to deliver. NEW? commission a possibility and

even started on a painting for me. This is a first!!! If only every day in the studio was this productive. Wish I could paint all night but I have to work (my paying) job tomorrow. Can't wait to get back in the studio, hopefully my summer will be super productive!!!

j.jackson

Antiquing

OKAY - After several HOURS of cruising the Peddlers mall and a few antique stores I found a FEW? treasures for my newest projects. Old stamps, some Old patterns and also some old store ledgers. Let the Fun begin!!!

j.jackson

Collaging

Well, I completed 2 small collaging projects last night using old photos and memorabilia from my parents. One was my moms prom photo, she is now 86 years old. It was lots of fun and I think I learned a lot. The main thing I learned is to lay it all out BEFORE you start gluing down. It kept me up WAY TOO late but I Loved it. Once it is dry I will post pictures.

j.jackson

Call for Collaging Workshops!

Anyone has any good ideas or suggestions for collaging/mixed media journals , books or workshops , please let me know. I am in the process of experimenting with this and it is at this point a little TOO organized looking.

thanks, j.jackson