Photoshop brushes by moiEnjoy!

As promised, I am adding some of my Photoshop Brushes for you to download for your own personal use. Some of the brush sets are just spin-offs from the digital collage work I have shown on here before and some are new.

If you use any of them, I would like you to send me a link so I can admire your work and post it on the blog.
Enjoy!

Find Your Wings {Download}	In Life {Download}
These Days {Coming Soon!}	In Your Eyes{Download}

More To Life{Download , Download II}

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Hello

I have been neglecting this place as of late, I know. I have been busy keeping my daughter company and comfortable while she is going through a difficult medication change... Some days are diamonds and some are rocks. The door is sometimes open and sometimes blocked, but I'm learning not to take thing personally at this time of change and have been just going with the flow and offering comfort and support when needed.

I wish I could post in more detail about what is going on with The Girl right now, but at this point in time she isn't ready to share certain aspects of her personal life with all who visit my little corner of blogland; perhaps when she is feeling better she will allow it. I truly believe that talking about her personal experiences with mental health could help others who may be going through something similar or know of someone who is.

I would like to thank you all for you kind words of encouragement you leave behind either in my inbox or in the comment area. I am always amazed at the kindness you readers show -I feel so very lucky. Thank you!

**************

On my down time here at home, I have been finding being creative has been a helpful refuge for me. I've been creating a lot of collage work and making some Photoshop brushes that I hope to share on here tomorrow. Check back if your a Photoshop user, there just might be something in my brushes you might find interesting enough to download and use on your own art collages.

{here is a sneak peek}

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January's Photos of Project 365

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Friday Fill-Ins Kitten and J. Peterman S.M.

Click on the link below if you would like to play along.

And...here we go!

1. Up and about early is hard for me lately.  I wish I could have just one night of uninterrupted sleep.

2. Around here there is a lot of daydreaming going around.

3. Coats and scarves, mittens and boots: are stuffed into my closets and overflowing into the front foyier; next year I will be getting a mitten box for both closets for sure.

4. Hubby worked hard all week.  He is deserving of a nice back rub.

5. I'm thinking about warmer weather and being able to lock away the boots and wool hats and trade them for flip-flops and floppy straw hats.

6. And when the night is cloudy, there is still a light, that shines on me, shine until tomorrow, let it be. I wake up to the sound of music, mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be. ~The Beatles

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a nice evening in with the family, tomorrow my plans include shopping for paint for my kitchen and maybe painting if I catch the mood and Sunday, I want to get up early enough to get the the market and maybe brunch with hubby!
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{smile}it's Friday!

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Running on Empty

I just heard the news that Jackson Browne is coming to town. 

Yay! I have to purchase tickets to this show :)

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Around My City - Creative Graffiti

Downtown Halifax business are getting tired of paying for repairs of buildings being hit by vandalism by graffiti.  Some have decided to hire urban artists to do a graffiti mural on the building hoping it will stop other graffiti artists from painting over the work of the other artist.

This scene was painted the length of the back of a building on Barrington Street in Halifax South End.  I noticed it while going the the neighbouring Tim Hortons Drive-thru.

Click here to see the entire photo of the graffiti artwork.
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... on the bright side

 I've been feeling really disconnected lately. I feel as if I have no idea of my own reality -- if that makes any sense... Possibly these feelings stem from being so worried about my youngest daughter and her situation and feeling like I am so helpless to be able to fix what is wrong.  Mothers are suppose to do that arn't they? They are suppose to make it all better and right now I don't know how to do that.

I'm trying hard to remind myself that that which does not kill us only makes us stronger, and usually I have found that to be true.

On the bright side...
the sun was shining today,
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Unblogable + Friday Fill-Ins 2011-02

Sorry I haven't been around that much these past couple weeks.  We are dealing with some pretty heavy, un-blogable stuff around here lately.  I am usually not one to hold back when It comes to blogging what's going on around here, but this time it concerns sensitive matters of other involved so for now must be kept under blog lock and key.  So for the time being, memes and games and fluff-posts will be popping up here whenever I find the time to sit and blog.

Friday Fill-Ins are perfect for these sorts of times.  Thank you Janet!

And...here we go!

1. Right now I need A little bit of resolve.

2. Herbal tea is what's in my glass.

3. A copy of this letter to Dr. A and B, the school, and the insurance company.

4. Fudge frosting is best with a spoon.

5. The best movie I've seen lately is the book of Eli (haven't seen many movies lately).

6. Fondant I don't like; butter-cream I love.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to anything as long as it's not sitting at home another evening, tomorrow my plans include usual errand running and Sunday, I want to take a little hike with hubby and a camera!
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A Restless Soul

I was laying here in bed in the dark listening to my heart beat - It's 3:18 a.m. Thoughts have been ruminating through my head at light speed, as if caught in a temporal loop with no awareness of their repetitive state. I was repeating spelling every letter in the alphabet, phonetically of course; "A -- a, B -- bee, C -- see (or sea or cee). Last night it was word association: twitter, bird, jay, Murry, pal, friends, introvert, inside my head, song, big wreck...  Totally  f#&*ed up or what!?

Is this my fate? Am I destined to live a life where panic and obsession rule my life? I swear, just when I thought things were going good, "WHAM!" their back again. I hate the feeling of anxiety, but I sometimes think the obsessive thoughts are worse. Obsessions exhaust my mind usually at night when I should be sound asleep. No wonder I am feeling tired, cranky and not rested this past week.

I am trying not to invest too much emotional attention to this matter yet because this might only be a passing phase. (For anyone who has been reading my blog entries over the past year you may recall me being absent for some time due to panic, anxiety, and OCD.) Perhaps my mom was right; she would often tell me I had a restless soul, after many sleepless nights in my teen years were spent cleaning and re sorting my bedroom or stay up until the wee hours clicking away on my old green Hermes typewriter (remember those?).

So here I sit...

Can anyone tell me how do you sooth a "restless soul"?

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This Is Not a Resolution

• have more family gatherings
• start a new hobby or get back into an old hobby
• arrange more girly-girl things with my two daughters
• take a special trip just hubby and me
• make some changes in the blog
• start a p/t job and make some "fun" money
• challenge myself to step outside my box
• make my home more enviro-friendly
• make healthier food choices
• read more books

What are some things you would like to accomplish in 2011?
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From Me To You

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Saturday Night Etsy Finds

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Friday - the swirl on the cupcake

We learned to make a swirl on top of a cup cake this week in our cake decorating class.

Now on to the Friday Fill-Ins hosted by Janet from Fond of Snape Blog
If you would like to play along, just click on the image below.

So...here we go!


1. What in the world was the culprit that triggered this wicked migraine today? 

2. I like organic turkeys that are plump and well fed.

3. Go to a loved one right now and tell them how much you appreciate and cherish them.  (GO! I'll wait for you to get back to read the rest of my fill-ins)

4. After a visit with my doctor this morning, she sent me straight home to bed.

5. I keep on top of my chores around they house especially around the holidays just in case someone unexpectedly stops by for a visit.

6. I stood on the front step tonight, and look up to gaze at the millions of icy flakes falling from the sky.  We are getting snow like it or not.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to staying in my comfy bed trying to get rid of the migraine hangover, tomorrow my plans include some little leftovers of holiday shopping and Sunday, I want to make chocolates and cookies with the family!
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End of the week ramble{Because I need to vent}

Into the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, I am always confounded by the frenzy that is associated with the Christmas holiday. These last few weeks I have been like a sponge, soaking up a lot of the negative energy from other people around me. Everywhere I go, the sights and sounds and smells of Christmas are in the air. I wish people would just slow down just a little and enjoy the holiday season.

This past week flew by, as we prepared for our own holiday time at our house. David and I are hosting this years work party this weekend, either I'm frantically cleaning the house or trying to keep it clean, or baking and preparing a menu for the party. The tree is all decorated with hundreds of glittering white lights and the only the prettiest adornments and raffia bows that hang delicately from every odd branch. I think it is breathtakingly beautiful (but I am just a tad biased).

As we move farther into this holiday season, my only hope is that I will be able to keep my cool and not cave under all the pressure, and to keep a smile on my face even when times get the most hectic.

One other thing happened earlier this week that put us all in a tizzy. My Father-in-law fell ill having a minor stroke and scaring all of us to tears. He is feeling better and stronger every day, but now the life he knows will have to drastically change if he wishes to live the rest of his life healthy and happy --and we want him around for many more years to come-- we are blessed to have him with us. It's times like this I feel blessed to have my friends, my family, this life. There are many twists and turns life tends to throw our way which we must deal with whether we like it or not. We must keep on your toes and be aware of our surrounding because you never know what little surprise life has in store for you.

Are you ready to take on anything? Are you thankful for everyday you have on this earth?
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It's the hap- happiest season of all!

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Finally I have some holiday decorations around the house. Looking forward to cutting down our tree on Sunday and decorating it.  I can't believe how the holiday season has snuck-up on me this year; I still have so much to prepare.  Are you ready for the Holidays?



__________________________________________________ 
 

Friday Fill-Ins #203

Would you like to play along?
Just click on the image below.

So...here we go!

1. I wish you all joy, love and peace this holiday season.

2. "How did I let this holiday season sneak up on me again this year?"...that's what I'm thinking.

3. Please bring a bottle of Pinot Gris  and a couple glasses and join me for sip.


4. Life is so amazing.

5. One of my fondest hopes is for a warm home, loving family and friends and to feel blessed going into the new year ahead.

6. I love getting visits here from all of you, and your positive support and sincere comments you leave behind are appreciated. They really do mean a lot to me, and sometimes they help me through some tough times, and I just wanted to say thank you!!!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing at home, tomorrow my plans include starting and hopefully finishing my holiday shopping and Sunday, I want to enjoy the day with the family wandering through a u-cut tree lot looking for the perfect(for us) tree, then heading off to hubby's uncle and aunties farm for a family gathering!

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

The Icing On The Cake

I've been taking a cake decorating class at my local Michaels Craft store. It's been so much fun but the Cake Boss has nothing to worry about. It will be quite a while before I will be able to learn those fancy flowers and lovely cup cakes I oh so admire on those cake decorating shows on TV (if ever). But I'm have fun anyway and that is all that matters -- right?

The photo collage above are photos taken from our class last night. My cake is the one in the middle and bottom left.

Technology & Miracles

{Screen shot I took from SIL session}

Last night I got to log on to view my SIL's ultrasound session for baby #2.  It blows my mind how advanced technology has gotten since I had my kids.  I wasn't even allowed to have hubby in the room with me when I had an ultrasound for my first two kids.

Last night we were able to watch and listen to everything going on, and if we wanted, we could interact via web cam or chat with the other people logged on as guests.  Too cool!

SIL's last baby was born three years ago and hubby and myself with the aid of my dad, made baby Ella a cradle.  We dressed it with the cutest bedding and the cuddliest blankets - it looked amazing!

 {see post:  The Cradle Will Rock 2}

I am looking for something equally nice to give to SIL and baby #2, but I am having a hard time coming up with ideas.  Maybe you have some?  If you have any ideas for a gift for my new Niece, leave a message with your idea.  We have until mid February to come up with something; who knows, there may be a little surprise gift for the person with the best suggestion.

What have I been up to?

Hello Darlings,

How have you all been? I've been busier than a beaver in a coffee lake. This week I have been doing some heavy duty cleaning and preparing my house for the holiday season. I can't wait to get all my decoration up inside the house as well as finish putting up the lights on the outside of the house. I am also taking a cake decorating course, so that is keeping me on my toes too. I can't wait to actually decorate a cake though, instead of practicing flowers and swirls on parchment.

I have another thing I wanted to share.  I have two new (to me) cameras that I am oh so excited about.  The first one is a Polaroid 215 Land camera made circa 1966.  The other is a Ricohflex VI, circa 1950's.  I think I will wait until after the new year to load the Richo with some film.  120 film is getting more and more expensive to buy here and there isn't a camera shop in this city (that I know of) that still will develop 120 film locally -- it gets a little expensive to sending the film out to be developed.  Perhaps I will look into taking a film developing course after I fishing with the cake decorating.  I did however order some Fuji pack film for the Polaroid and it should be arriving any day now (I love Amazon).  If you have any suggestions for using either camera, I would so appreciate your input and expertise!

I will be back soon, hopefully with some photos from the new Polaroid and my first cake photos.  Until then have a great week and weekend!

I want the stars and the moon - Is that too much to ask for?

Last night I dreamed I climbed a ladder into the night sky, up to the heavens.  My husband David was holding the ladder for me while I climbed higher and higher, a canvas bag swung off my arm.  I picked carefully filling the bag with the only the most beautiful, brilliantly bright stars; one for each of my family members.  Hubby yelled up to me to hurry up, it was time to come back down.  My response was --

"I want the moon too!  Is that too much to ask for?"