Lucky Me ~

Hello sweet readers. I have a present to give away, and I've included one of Star's lucky kitty whiskers, a very long, tipped, curvy strand left on my art table this week.  I've heard that it is lucky to find a kitty whisker....

I was creating madly tonight, trying to counter-balance a busy week.  I had to put on roller skates just to keep up...

....powered by tiny jet propulsion engines, so I could fly by at warp speed, faster and faster, from task to task.  If I stopped for a minute (like in a meeting) ...

....my eyes would get heavy, and sleep would beckon seductively, but then...off I go again!  You know, some days are just like that. 

I guess that's why art is such a sweet refuge.  I am lost in the process of cutting, layering, finding odds and ends to add, each one taking me deeper into the process, and just that much further away from a busy day. 

My art is very reflective of my mood, and when I need the most restoration, I find myself picking very natural colors and items.  Restful tone on tone, ivory, tan, wheat, sepia, brown, and finally... black.  Material of varying textures, ages, some fragile - 100 years old, some new, and then tiny bits of the slightest color...

 

Or a graphic element... sharp, clear, positioned next to a torn slip of lace and a clothespin adorned with tarnished, rough, glass glitter..

Old wallpaper, old lace.  I found myself wishing for a pressed pansy bloom, but this little Victorian scrap will have to do. 

A script from an old autograph album, dated over 100 years ago, penned on a Christmas Eve, from Ellen to her friend Mary. 

Where coins wold have rested in the cover of this book, circles of paper and paint lathered on, shimmering pearl in the afternoon light. 

 

A jumble of paper sizes, paint and pretties to whisk the cobwebs away. 

 

A tiny scrap of decadent fringe, remnants from the footstool blogged about here, a smooth bone button and a length of waxed thread.  Wide silk ribbon in the softest green.

I would love to package this book up for you and send it winging its way to your home.  Tell me first, how was your week and why do you feel lucky today? 

Sweet Star, who was the gentle donor of the long, elegant whisker, used as an embellishment for the cover, will select a name this Sunday from those of you who have offered a kind comment below, and, with the help of her faithful servant (me), package it up for some lucky reader.  

“May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the hollow of his hand.” ~ Irish Blessing

 

Eileen

 

  

Comments

[Jen Day~sugaredsongbird]

While I may not be lucky enough to be in on time for this gift, I do still appreciate the beauty of the offer (as kitty whiskers are a lucky find indeed!) I myself have been blessed (what luck!) with a very understanding and loving husband who has been running the household these past few weeks while I have been extending my hours away from home. I am also very lucky to have a day of rest today to spend with my God and my family!

[Deb]

I just found your blog via Flickr. What a beautiful journal. Writing in it is sure to make words flow poetically from anyone's pen. And I also LOVE the crocheted washclothes, what a great way to put beauty into everyday life. I feel lucky this week because spring is finally here and the long dark days of winter are once again behind me. I feel lucky because even though I am a victim of our current economic situation, I still have my health, my family, my home, and now the gift of time thanks to unemployment!

[Susan Elliott]

I feel particularly lucky this week and more purposeful than ever in helping those who are not. My cousin, who is my age, died this week from complications relating to alcoholism. He died alone with no one to attend his funeral but his family. He was in despair for most of his life, unable to conquer his disease and his feelings of unworthiness. It made me so sad to think that I am indeed, so very lucky, and he was not. Lucky because I have enough positive energy to light up a whole stadium if I needed to...Lucky because I have lots of friends and relatives who I receive so much strength from...the contrast for me was particularly striking this week.

Your book is beautiful and I would be honored to win it.

[kristi]

Eileen -
I just happened to find your blog on another artist's website. Your creativity is very inspiring and your book is beautiful. I have had a wild week of great and good. We spent the first of it sick with fevers, but recuperated enough to eat green pancakes and hunt for leprechauns and glitter the next day with my little ones. Whenever I feel a little down in the dumps, I remind myself of all the things I have been blessed with, especially in these bad times -- a job, a caring and funny husband, two sweet little girls, spring (finally!), and our health. Thank you for such a great opportunity to win your beautiful book! Happy spring to you!

[Lana]

Lucky? I suppose you could call it that ~ I'll add "blessed" to it as well. My sister was released from the hospital this week after a week-long stay. We are blessed that she is home and doing much better. I have my family here (or near) and am blessed to see them or talk to them fairly often. Though construction work is slow for my husband right now, we have been blessed for jobs that seem to appear out of nowhere when we need them. I could go on and on... but the sun is shining, the birds are singing, the daffodils are blooming, Pierre is crowing, and the outdoors is calling my name...

[Rebecca]

This has been a good week. I found your blog through links at another site. Love reading all the past posts and looking at your inspiring artwork. Spring is here so that means we are a wee bit closer to actual sunny weather instead of the liquid sunshine we seem to have here in Seattle.

[Becky Caldwell]

Oh how lovely Eileen...

Honestly, I have had a really tough week. My aunt was diagnosed with cancer, my parents are losing their home do to this horrible economy and many more things have seemed to strike at me this week but amidst it all I feel lucky that I am alive, that I am here, that I have family and friends, that birds chirp outside my window every morning. I am lucky even though I am sad....

[miesmama]

Hi Eileen,
What a beautiful book you've made, a masterpiece indeed! I've had a fairly typical mom-of-two little ones week, driving them to school, girl scouts, doctors appointments, reading books, helping with science fair projects.....
but, also, I've had time for a little creativity, and daydreaming about Spring and warmer weather. I feel lucky everyday, to have two wonderful kids and for us all to be healthy! ♥

[jennifer]

I just love your posts and this is one of my favorites so far! How generous of you to give away such a treasure! XOXO Jennifer

[Arlene]

Lovely absolutely lovely.
My week has not included roller skates - thank goodness. I have those weeks.
My week has been a week of refreshing. BUSY but refreshing, much creating in my magic room has happened.
I have also spent time with sweet grands. Thanks for sharing...your blog and book.
p.s. I found you thru Year of Color, so happy for the discovery of you....lucky me to find lucky you.

[fitty]

Eileen, even I am not Irish, I do want to win this! so beautifully done!

My week was so far so good and to say I am lucky was understatement.. my parents are gone for a holiday, I was asked to take care of the house, their maid, (yes we have maids) and was given cash of $200 bucks for shopping as a gift!.. gosh.. how thoughtful parents I are.. dad was telling me to do what ever I want to do with that cash.. best thing he said is to keep for emergency.. awww.. I am still touch with what my parents just did.. I love them to pieces.. and I can't wait for them to come back home.. :-)

Am wishing you a good weekend!

[Diane Knott]

Oh my, Eileen! Who wouldn't want to win this!
Being Irish, born on St. Paddy's Day...Hope it makes me the lucky one! Your book is so beautiful!
Diane

[Jeanne]

I can't believe that you are giving away such a beautiful creation! You already know how much I admire your work...this would be the biggest treat. I feel lucky today because I have the opportunity to stay home with my children and homeschool them. This is something that I NEVER thought I would do and I am so glad I am doing it.

[Charlene]

I love your book. It turned out so pretty. Please put my name in the drawing so Star can pull it out!

Why do I feel lucky? Because, I have my health, my husband, my friends & my family. I am lucky to have a beautiful home & enjoy the life I choose to have. I don't know that this is luck... I think maybe more of a blessing. Thanks for having the giveaway.

[Tina]

Oh Eileen - What a beautiful book. I love the colors and stuff you have used for it.
My week have been very busy creating bears. I was so lucky I had the opportunity to have a few days of from work to work on my bears for upcoming shows and everything went right and some beautiful little ones was born. The sun is shining and spring is on its way. I also feel so lucky to have found your blog which I so enjoy to follow.
Tina
I would love to be entered in your giveaway.

[Susie Mitchell]

Oh Eileen, What a beautiful book! For me, I find that every week...is a fantastic mix of good, bad...joyful, sad...relaxed and fast paced...LIFE! Every week...in fact every day, I find new things to learn...to treasure. I discover new paths...some that lead me through sorrow...some that are filled with light and keep me smiling long after I have reached the end of that road and started down another. I make new friends near home and online. The past week was just such a week for me. Warm sunshine on my back...a few drops of rain on my head...past sorrow touching my heart strings...but, the hope of new joys overshadowing that. My week was blessed...filled with friends and easy days...the wonder of wildflowers just starting to bloom...creating new looks for my home...new designs on canvas and found treasures...only a tinge of sadness and stress on the anniversary of a past heartache. There are so many things in my life that are wonderful...I am blessed, fortunate, lucky...to have a new home...just one year ago, I moved into the most beautiful little cottage because I was chosen as part of a grant program to my community. I am lucky...I have no close family left...but, I am blessed with wonderful friends...some I've loved since childhood. I don't live in abundance...but, I am blessed, fortunate, lucky...to always have enough. I am a decorative artist...sometimes, writer, poet, composer of songs...lover of nature, simple beautiful things...completely addicted to life. I am blessed...lucky to be able to enjoy those things. I am blessed...lucky...to have found your blog...for I always enjoy slipping over here when you update. The simple elegance I find here makes my day better.
Please enter me in your giveaway. I agree...it is indeed lucky to find a kitty whisker!
Blessings, Susie

[Julie Loeschke]

First of all, I'm so glad to have found your beautiful blog! This week has been kind of stressful. My husband and I had to travel out of town for a medical consultation about his skin cancer, BUT we feel lucky because the cancer has not spread and will only require surgery in a couple of weeks! Prayers answered! (We're not Irish, but my DH does have red hair! :)

[Tami]

Eileen~

What wonderful treasure between the pages of your book! Absolutely beautiful!!!
I have pretty much laid around all week due to a sinus infection. I am lucky to have such a wonderful loving husband who understands when I am not feeling well and would do anything for me. That our anniversary was yesterday....married fourteen wonderful years. That Christ has died so we all may live......what a wonderful sacrifice!! That I have blog friends that are such wonderful inspiration.

[Dawn @ The Feathered Nest]

Oh Eileen, this book is BEAUTIFUL!!! I've had a wonderful week!! And why am I lucky?? I've been blessed to be married 28 years this Saturday to an amazing husband and father of our five precious sons....and also that I'm waiting any day now for our first granddaughter to be born!!! How lucky is THAT?! Plus...the blessings of so many wonderful friends that I've met by having my blog ~ life. is. good......xxoo, Dawn

[ldh]

I love what you have created, especially the way you used the natural, restful shades. I too, have had a busy week along with trying to finish up several projects. I did enjoy spending Tuesday evening with my mom, sister and brother along with our spouses celebrating my mom's St. Patrick's Day birthday. Yep, she was born March 17 and is as delighted as a leprechaun to be wearing of the green.