Saturday, November 26, 2011

Ready, Set, Advent.........

What Is Advent? The word means coming or arrival...it's Latin. Go figure! :) It basically means that God came to Earth as Jesus and as such it changed the world. So it's something we CeLeBraTE and REJOICE!!!! It's a time of Prayer and meditation, contemplation and waiting. Waiting for the day our Savior comes and rejoicing in it.  It always starts on a Sunday. This year it's November 27.

It's a countdown from the first day of Advent to Christmas. One day at a time. Week by week. And each week we light a candle at church before Mass starts. But you can also have one in your home. Advent candle 1 (purple - representing HOPE) is light on November 27th. Then candle 2 (purple - representing LOVE) on December 4. Candle 3 (pink - representing LOVE) on December 11 and the last one on December 18th (Purple - representing PEACE). During the great countdown, we are doing some things to PREPARE for the coming of Christ.

We thank God for the coming of Christ, we celebrate His arrival (Christmas), pray and prepare (through the sacrament of Confession) for Christmas...the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ.

Advent is not a new thing. It's been around since the 4th Century France started by some monks. They used the 6 weeks before Christmas as a penitential and devotional time. Later in Rome began a 3-6 week fast and regularly going to church before Christmas. The way Advent is practiced today came from Pope Gregory I. He set it at 4 weeks long. And he wrote "litu bergical" materials for liturgical use during that time. In the 10th Century saw the special practices and prayers. And finally the liturgical color...purple (the Catholic church has lots of colors for lots of things...but that's another blog). It gained a resurgence  in the 20th Century and the Eastern Orthodox prepare via the Nativity Fast.

So keep your focus on the real PRESENT OF CHRISTMAS--------JESUS......Ready Set Advent.

Here's a link to DIY your own Advent Wreath. http://catholicism.about.com/od/adventactivities/ss/Make_Adv_Wreath_7.htm

Friday, November 25, 2011

It's Getting to Look Alot Like Christmas!



Well at least it is in my shop! I have been adding more. Here's a selection of just the Christmas items. Speaking of Christmas...my OFG Team is doing a sale...search OFG Team on Etsy and put in OFGthanksyou2011 in the coupon code for 10% or more off (depending on the shop).
It's not looking like Christmas at my house yet. I generally put the tree up the day after Thanksgiving but my daughter is at her future in laws this weekend so we wont' be putting it up until Monday night! :(  But I'll get my Christmas tree decorating fix tonight because my son is continuing the tradition at his house with his son. You gotta love traditions!

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!  Today I am thankful  to God for the following...my top 10:
1) my parents, in their 80's I'm so fortunate to still have them.
2) the love of my family, especially my husband, children and grandson
3) my friends who make my life so full of laughter and fun
4) retirement...it was worth working all those years...going straight to work after high school.
5) my God given talents. They bring me such joy.
6) my health
7) that my grandparents chose to take the chance on coming to America to find the American dream
8) that I finally got the last of the wallpaper down in this house this year! wooo hooo
9) my kitties...I have 2 of the best girls in the world
10) that I have a roof over my head, food in my belly and clothes on my body....I pray for all those who do not have that...........


So what are YOU thankful for today?

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the ACEO above is no longer available.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Are you on Pinterest?


I love Pinterest.com . It's a cool new social network which allows you to organize and make bulletin boards of cool things you find on the internet.  It's nice to be able to see at a glance all the things you bookmark.

On my page I have 18 boards one is for religious icons, one of china painting, others are: painting instructions, cool craft ideas, jewelry, hats, recipes, you name it I have it.  Many of the bookmarks are of  DIY things I would like to do in the future and some things I'd like to do around the house. The hat board are hats I'd like to buy at some point.

I love herbs and I tried doing an herb garden at some point but wasn't very successful.  Next year I plan to try again so I have an herb board! Recently I began making greeting cards so I've made a board of cool card ideas.

If you aren't on pinterest, you need to check it out. And when you do, follow me and I'll follow you!

Follow Me on Pinterest


Sunday, November 20, 2011

OOO Baby It's Cold Outside!

What happened to summer? I know it's not politically correct to wish for global warming but today I could use just a bit.

Summer is my favorite time of year. Maybe it's because I was born in summer. Or maybe it's just because I'm an informal kind of girl and summer is all about informal, flip flops and shorts....but whatever the reason, I just wish I could have summer year round. How about you?

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The watercolor ACEO shown above is available in my ArtfulPurpose shop on Etsy. Here's the link:
Beach Walk

Saturday, November 19, 2011

It's Been A While....

,,,but I'm back. I am sorry I have been remiss at my blogging. LOL. Lots have been going on in my life. My beautiful daughter Jackie is getting married in January. I have been doing my Mother of the Bride duties running here and there with her. I painted 51 tea caddies and 6 teapots for her tea party bridal shower. Here's a photo of her at the shower with the little veil her maid of honor made her.


 I've also been preparing for 2 craft shows one of which is this weekend. It's a home show.I'd like to thank all my friends who have come to the 3 day show and supported us. It means a lot to me. No matter if you bought something of mine or not, just your smiling faces and compliments are a huge pick me up!  It's so tiring to be on one's feet for long days.

I have got to say my craft show buddies have done a wonderful job. Marie has the most adorable prim things. Patricia (another porcelain artist) has lovely unusual lustered ornaments. Allison's florals are top knotch. Tisha's watercolors are beautiful and her knitting is awesome. I bought the cutest little grey hat (and you know how I love hats) but that's another story.

After the craft show I will have lots of new pieces in my Etsy shop. Right now it's on "vacation" status until after this show. I want to wish all of you a Blessed Thanksgiving. And speaking of giving thanks I'd like to leave you with a prayer I found on Catholic.org:

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
We praise you and give you glory:
We bless you for calling us to be your holy people.

Remain in our hearts,
And guide us in our love and service.
Help us to let our light shine before others
And lead them to the way of faith.

Holy Trinity of love,
We praise you now and for ever.

Amen!
-----------See You SOON!

A Day in the Past

Facebook reminded me that  8 years ago I was at the coliseum in Rome. The most amazing observation I made was that it was so quiet. People s...