2018 ... you're flying by!

Where is this year going?!  I decided to post today, after what I thought was a couple months, only to find that it has been 9 months since my last post!  It does seem as I age, time flies a lot faster than it did in the past!   This year brought a lot of new paper crafting projects and not so many bear making projects.  I've been making a lot of paper flowers, first by inking or water coloring white mixed media paper and then die cutting and shaping.  I've been making cards and canvases and enjoying the process.  Here are a few of my latest "projects"!  The first two photos show the white watercolor or mixed media paper after I've painted or stained it with ink, then after I have die cut into flowers and shapes.  The other photos are my finished pieces!

I really hope to make another bear soon!
With hugs and many blessings,
Janice

Christmas Eve "Mom Visit"!

It seems every year something happens to remind me that Mom is still with me.  It is usually not a gentle reminder but a bold "look, Janice, I'm here with you"!  As many of you know, Mom passed away on Christmas Eve in 2009.  Each year, the reminders of her being close mean so much to me.  Not a day goes by that I don't think about her but Christmas is always flooded with her memories.  This year was no different.

On Christmas Eve Day, I was running last minute errands and texting a friend who sent some lovely Christmas gifts to me.  I had just finished one of my errands and went to my car to travel on to the next.   While sitting there, getting situated, I set my phone down.  I snapped my seat belt, put on some new music and reached for my phone to put it back in my purse.  As I looked down at the phone, in the text line it said "Mom".  I did not text Mom's name, I did not say "Mom" for the microphone to pick up.  There was absolutely no reason that the word "Mom" should have been in the text line, except that Mom was with me.   I took a screenshot of the text because I wanted to save it as a reminder!  I still tear up thinking about it.  How she finds a way to make it clear that she's with me, I don't understand but I am so grateful.

I guess I don't need to say "Wish you Were Here, Mom" because she is here.  She is always in my heart, always in my memory, and on Christmas Eve Day, somehow, she finds a way to let me know that she is indeed with me!

Have a blessed 2018!
Hugs,
Janice