tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75859021728565498372024-03-18T21:52:03.332-05:00Lettered With LoveCarla Parazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07636496952408881040noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7585902172856549837.post-19220335641760909262012-01-03T09:48:00.000-06:002012-01-03T09:48:53.620-06:00Happy 3rd day of the New Year!Well, happy 2012! Yes, I'm late. Better late than never? Anyhoo, I am hoping to do better this year, especially after the last year we had. <br />
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Don't get me wrong last year had some great moments and it had some really tough moments that led to a lot of really great moments. My faith was increased, my trust in God increased ...hate to say I had to have that tweaked after all His years of faithfulness :( ....my worry decreased, lessons were learned, blessings were enjoyed and in the end, God let me have my husband for at least Christmas of 2011. <br />
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I am looking forward to starting work again in my shop, creating, painting, enjoying the talent God has blessed me with. I am looking forward to sharing with you the things I have done. I am looking forward to seeing what God has instore for our family through the year and how He will lead us and bless us and keep us.<br />
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This week, I am organizing, cleaning, throwing away, simplifying, planning and deciding what is important to do or not do. I am trying to not waste time. It is so precious and I can have a tendency to Facebook, Pinterest, surf the web and before you know it 2-3 hours have passed and I have not done what I wanted to get accomplished. Do you have that problem? We are to redeem our time. This year I have several desires of the heart that I want to work on.<br />
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<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. Keep my tongue.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> 2. Redeem my time.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> 3. Serve the Lord.</span><br />
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I know that last one is pretty broad, but by that I mean be ready to meet needs of others when it is in my power. To do my Bible study/devotiions more consistently~to get to know Him better, to let Him show me His plan for my life. To seek and accomplish through His power changes in my life that I need to work on~physical, mental and spiritual. To make my home a welcoming and happy place to be, first for my family and then for others~~a home open to hospitality.<br />
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WOW! That is a tall order, but if not now, when? <br />
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I so enjoy reading blogs that encourage family, home and godly service. Yes even they can take away time from what I want to accomplish, so I am planning on taking a limited amout of time each day to quickly get inspiration or encouragement from them. I live in a very rural area where there are no women like me who work from home, who have the same belief we should be keepers of home and hearth, so this is my way of seeking like company. <br />
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Hope you have set some reachable goals this year, most importantly to grow closer to the Lord and to make your home happy, healthy, welcoming and lovely. Maybe some of that loveliness will even come from me. God bless and Happy 2012!<br />
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Leaving you in His care,<br />
CarlaCarla Parazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07636496952408881040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7585902172856549837.post-36979231534860873972011-12-24T21:02:00.000-06:002011-12-24T21:02:41.265-06:00ChristmasWhat did Adam say the night before Christmas? "Merry Christmas, Eve!"<br />
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At our Christmas Eve ceremony at church tonight that is what the pastor said. Cute. I did so enjoy the services tonight. I have so much to be thankful for this Christmas. A husband still here, with me and my daughter to share one more Christmas, if we see the morning. Christ could return tonight you know. <br />
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I know it is already Christmas in parts of the world, NORAD has been tracking Santa ever since the clock struck midnight over in New Zealand, I believe that they were the first to see him. I hope that every child in the world gets a gifts from "Santa" tonight. <br />
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The truth is every child was given a gift, over 2000 years ago. A gift, THE Gift, that keeps on giving, as the saying goes. The problem is, so many don't know. The Gift will never, ever wear out, be the wrong size, color, or go out of style. This Gift will always bring joy when sorrow overwhelms, give peace when the world brings trouble. This Gift never gets old. It will always be the right Gift no matter what the age. Young and old alike will enjoy it. The Gift will never have to be exchanged, no one who has ever accepted The Gift has ever been disappointed, it has always lasted through the years.<br />
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The Gift, is Jesus Christ. Saviour of the World. He came as a babe in a manger and He is coming again, returning as the King of Kings. This Christmas look beyond your circumstances. You may have all the money to fulfill every wish your family wants. You may be in dire circumstances right now with little to give. Christmas will come no matter. Christmas is not the gifts, it is not the glitter and lights. Christmas is Jesus. Christmas is salvation. We all can have The Gift, for you see the price has been paid. It is free. What Jesus did on the cross paid for it. This Christmas, get the real gift, it will change your life. <br />
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My family and I wish you the happiest Christmas, the best Christmas you've ever had. God bless you all.<br />
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Leaving you in His care,<br />
CarlaCarla Parazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07636496952408881040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7585902172856549837.post-77664063465003002052011-12-21T14:08:00.000-06:002011-12-21T14:08:59.482-06:00Countdown to ChristmasJust letting you know NOTHING happened today. So far at least. That's a good thing. Now to get some Christmas candy made. Hope the next fews days are fun for you. Take the time to reflect on what the season really is and when you feel overwhelmed realize some of the stuff you can actually let go and forget about, and it will still all be okay. Let this be a time of family, fun, and faith. <br />
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Leaving you in His Care, <br />
CarlaCarla Parazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07636496952408881040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7585902172856549837.post-40843165758083449862011-12-20T19:34:00.002-06:002011-12-20T19:56:57.584-06:00Merry ChristmasSeptember 12 was the last post I made. My hubby had just come home from the hospital and was sitting on the porch on a perfect fall day. We thought we had been through 'the perfect storm.' Little did we know that we were sitting in the 'eye of the storm' waiting for the worst of it to hit.<br />
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He had been home 9 days. The first 5 days he had improved, home health and physical therapy were coming and he was doing his exercises and growing stronger. Then on Sunday, he didn't feel as well. His energy level seemed to drop and breathing got harder. We had no idea we were fixing to go through a month of intense health issues that made us uncertain as to whether my hubby would make it home from the hospital. <br />
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The next Friday morning I had to go and have minor surgery on my arm pit. I got my mother (who is not in the best of health herself) to come sit with him. She could get him what he needed or call 911 if necessary. I had to be at the hospital early to get ready for the surgery. Laying in the bed, it became apparent that something was wrong. They changed my surgery time to later, not a good day to have that done. Finally got into surgery and everything went fine, I was just so much later than my husband was expecting. He called my sister in law, who went with me, once to see what was going on. We finally got home and when we arrived I went in, and my mom said "He's been sitting up in the bed ever since you left." I went into check on my husband and oh my, he was in so much pain and his feet and legs were so swollen. He had gotten up to go to the bathroom as soon as I had left, and then couldn't get back to the bed. He waited and finally eased his way into the hospital bed, but he couldn't get laid down because of the pain. He had been sitting up all the time I was gone, and my mother was in no shape to help. I called home health and the nurse came over. We made the decision to call an ambulance and get him to ER<br />
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That was Sept 17. Over the next month he would be in two hospitals, go through two more surgeries, pneumonia, fluid drained from his lung, a tracheotomy, feeding tubes and not even being awake for a week, plus being on medicines that caused hallucinations and so many other procedures too numerous to name. I cannot describe how overwhelming it was and I wasn't even the patient. For those of you who have gone through it, you understand. I've never really faced having to make decisions for someone elses' life. Making life and death decisions, and each one seems to be making things worse. I was not expecting my hubby to come home. All I can say is, 'it was a faith builder' time in my life. <br />
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I learned that God is all I can trust in. I could not do one thing to change a cell in my husband's body no matter how much I worried, laid awake at night, or cried. It was all up to the Lord. I thank Him for putting Dr. Augi in our lives, for putting the hospital in our lives, the nurses, the tech's, the housekeepers who kept his room clean, in our lives. The perfect people, the perfect hospital, the perfect timing for everything to come together to make it possible for my husband to get healed. <br />
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Although my husband came through this and is in so much better shape than he had been all year, the truth is, it is only temporary. God gave us more time together. I am so thankful for that. But all of us, who go through a life and death situations, or even those of us who haven't YET, are only temporarily healed. Death is coming sooner or later. We will all face it one day and being ready is the most important thing we can do. Yes, we all want to hang on to this life. We want to see our kids grow up and have those wonderful grandchildren. Then we want to see them grow up too! It is a good life, and we can't really imagine heaven being better, but it is and I've made sure that I'm going there one day. I pray that you have too. <br />
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Hubby had a little problem Sunday and spent the night in the hospital, but he got out Monday. We will probably have these 'episodes' off and on through the next few years. I don't know what our future holds, but I know who holds our future. He is there already. He has everything under control, and I don't have to worry. <br />
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I haven't been doing much on Etsy. Hopefully after Christmas, I will get back to it. I've got ideas floating around in my head, and ready to do something creative. We are looking at doing some things together as a family, now that my hubby feels like working in his shop. It's been a long time since he has felt like doing some woodwork. I don't know what we will end up making, but look forward to the time together.<br />
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Christmas will be here in 5 days. Unless God changes the plans we will all be together for another Christmas. We will celebrate the birth of our Savior, the babe in the manger who came to die for the world. How much more could we ask than that? Well, as perfect as that is, God has given us even more....more time together, a gift that cannot be bought. Thank you, Father. You have blessed us abundantly. I am praying your Christmas is special this year. Only you can make it that way. Remember the Reason for <strike>the </strike>ALL Season(s).<br />
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Leaving you in His care,<br />
CarlaCarla Parazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07636496952408881040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7585902172856549837.post-51797422491009655412011-09-12T12:23:00.000-05:002011-09-12T12:23:53.670-05:00Perfect StormAs I sit typing, my husband in on the front porch in a rocking chair. What is unusal about that? It is such a beautiful, early fall day, everyone would love to be on the front porch in a rocking chair. Hummers are flitting around the feeders fighting, (say that 3 times fast) the temperature is perfect, no air or heat needed, sun shine, blue sky-just one of those perfect days. My husband is sitting there, along with his physical therapist, trying to get stronger and get the fluids moving from the lower level of his body. He got out of the hospital a week ago after a three week stay in the hospital. That sure has a way of weakening the body.<br />
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The day I took him to the ER, I had no clue we would be there that long, that I would be wondering whether I would be bringing my husband home or not, that I was told to tell my daughter to spend time with her dad, to call his brothers in to see him, to be going through thoughts in my mind that I never thought about the day before. <br />
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My husband has a myriad of problems. In 2005, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. 2 months later he was diagnosed with kidney cancer. In January of 2006, he had his kidney removed, went through seed implants, radiation therapy, then later in the year, he had his gall bladder out. That is when they discovered he had NASH. A form of cirrhosis of the liver. Since that time he has dealt with the disease as best we can. The liver does not heal, nor is there any medicines that help. It only gets worse. I guess that week in August, everything came together for the 'perfect storm' healthwise.<br />
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He had began retaining fluids in his body cavity, then it went to his feet and legs. He had a parencentasis on Tuesday, went to the ER on Wednesday, stayed in hospital till Friday, came home, went back Saturday to ER, admitted to hospital then stayed there for over 2 weeks growing weaker, having surgery, laying on his back, losing muscle mass and wondering if he would come home. So many things that were wrong just came together at the same time, it was hard to treat one thing without effecting other things. It is a dance, trying to co-ordinated meds, breathing treatments, physical therapy, rest, food, etc that I have tried to come up with organizational sheets to help. This med has to be taken with food, this one needs to be taken an hour before or two-three hours after eating. Use this breathing treatment every six hours and this one if you need extra, and it can be taken every four hours! Getting up through the night when he is on lasix, emptying the urinal and measuring how much he is putting out. Going without sleep all those long nights and coming home to take care of things here when I feel I can leave the hospital has caused me to do something I never used to do. Take a nap in the afternoon when he is napping. Also choosing what is most important to get done and what can be left alone. I am finally getting more sleep the last two nights, thankfully.<br />
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We are still on a journey. Trying to get him back on his feet and strength restored. We have learned if you take your eyes off the Great Physician, you are not looking at the one who does the healing. I am so thankful for all the doctors, nurses, technicians that helped bring him through this, but there is only so much they can do. The Power that raised Jesus from the dead, who called Lazarus from the grave, that same Power still exists and we saw Him at work in restoring my husband to a point he could come home to me and my daughter again. God is still restoring the cells in my husbands body, building, strengthening and filling him with health. Will he be perfect again? No. We are all headed toward the same end, but he has spared his life this time till he determines it is time to take him home and heal him perfectly.<br />
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I am so thankful our prayers were answered, that we have more time with him, even though there is lots of work to do. I have learned that even though God may decided to take my husband home one day, the worries of who will take care of us are unnecessary because the One who has ALWAYS taken care of us will still do that job. I have learned how quickly things can change, so we all need to be ready for our turn, we never know when things will happen in a 'perfect storm' that could change our lives in a day. Hug your family, tell them you love them, be ye kind one to another. Be ready to meet your Maker. That's what is important. <br />
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Leaving you in his care, <br />
CarlaCarla Parazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07636496952408881040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7585902172856549837.post-38350266946806825072011-07-07T09:23:00.001-05:002011-07-07T09:29:59.061-05:00Back Again<div style="text-align: center;">Hi, I've been gone a while, can't believe over a month has passed. So much has been going on and I just haven't had the time to blog. I am trying to recalculate everything and get in charge of what is happening in my life. I have made some decisions. Trying to tie up some loose ends and making a list of what I actually need to strive for. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The last two months have been a whirlwind. I made a decision to do something and once I started, it became apparent it wasn't going to work. I was stressed, getting behind in things that I really should have been doing and taking care of, and just absolutely burning the candle at both ends, which is not good for anyone. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Although I enjoyed so much the creativity of what I was doing, it was also a drain on me physically. I have backed up, taken a good look, talked to my husband and family and have decided to go in a different direction.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I love my home, but I have neglected it lately. I have so much to do anyway and adding an extra obligation, that in my younger days I feel I could have handled, but at this point in life became a little overwhelming. I have things I need to do at home first, get organized, finish some projects in my home, finish some obligations to other people in my business and then take another look at a new direction that we are going to go. Something that will not take away from my time at home as much, that will not cause me to spend a lot of time and money for traveling expenses. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am excited that my creative juices will not be stifled, but that it will be in a more controlled atmosphere. Trying to keep a booth full at a flea market nearly 35 miles away, when most every item you took sold very quickly, was somewhat overwhelming. It was a blessing monetarily, but the Bible says to 'redeem your time' and I wanted to make sure my time was being redeemed properly. God, family and home first......that is my desire. When life is said and done, I want my family to know that they were so important to me that I wanted to create a home environment that was happy, welcoming, godly, refreshing and an oasis in a world that does not always have their best interest at heart. I want to serve others and show them the love of God by my service to them. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I will still create, only I do not want it to be the main thing in my life. I will use it to bless my family and others, but not that the creating becomes the controller.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I wish you all a happy day. It has started out very well here, we had a beautiful rainstorm during the night. There is nothing like being awakened by the rumbling of thunder, lightning and the sound and smell of rain and knowing God has answered prayers..........that in the desert of life, He has made it rain for me! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Leaving you in His Care,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i style="background-color: white; color: magenta; font-family: inherit;">Carla</i><span style="background-color: white; color: magenta; font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div>Carla Parazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07636496952408881040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7585902172856549837.post-20383113192489995512011-05-12T09:45:00.000-05:002011-05-13T15:50:19.714-05:00Re-do's of boo boos<div align="center">Why would anyone think those old plaster, chalky statues and placques were pretty?</div><div align="center">I so wished I had taken a before photo, but I just wasn't thinking that these were going to turn out so pretty! Lesson learned.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Someone gave me a set of 'french looking' and I use that term loosely, gentleman and lady.</div><div align="center">They were the chalky white with bright gold daubs and dabs of paint where they were trying to add an accent to make them look better. NOT!</div><div align="center">No wonder they went out of style.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Here's a photo of the re-do of the boo boos. </div><div align="center">I think they are quite fashionable now. These sold the day I put them in my booth.</div><div align="center">I'm loving these 'tiffany' blue items. I don't know if it is an exact match of the beautiful Tiffany blue boxes and wrappings that you get at the store, but it's close, and actually it is a spray paint from Wal-Mart or your local big box stores that is called Blue Ocean Breeze.</div><div align="center">Whatever, it makes old ugly things, turn into be-ute-ti-ful things.</div><div align="center">I think they would be gorgeous hanging over a master bedroom suite....okay on the wall above the bed! I'd hate for them to come crashing down during the night. What the........?</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoUkoeZsBrFSPrxgcUrUVSuCiztkf75MWT8mMlpbu-s-41hrfBKDrPt3Sg5eYoOdevdPoMxWhVsRoR142RtsN8dI7vL2E9wB5H2vGtZiJ6GjjEBEViO-BHutRXFE4WoqqIbuxTK9Gkvcc/s1600/DSC05204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoUkoeZsBrFSPrxgcUrUVSuCiztkf75MWT8mMlpbu-s-41hrfBKDrPt3Sg5eYoOdevdPoMxWhVsRoR142RtsN8dI7vL2E9wB5H2vGtZiJ6GjjEBEViO-BHutRXFE4WoqqIbuxTK9Gkvcc/s320/DSC05204.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Aren't they adorable!</span><br />
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</tbody></table><div align="center">I also added a few other items to go with them.</div><div align="center">"Always Kiss Me Goodnight",</div><div align="center">a shelf, that was a horrible bright gold, with those cute glass knobs, and a candlestick that turned out so cute. If I were redecorating my bedroom right now, I would have like to keep these things, but ya know, you gotta make a little bit of money back.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">I've got some other items, but I found them all in the old vintage green color and they are so calming. I will post them later. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Hope you are having a great week.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Leaving you in His care, </div><div align="center">Carla</div>Carla Parazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07636496952408881040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7585902172856549837.post-47522329788573702092011-05-02T00:37:00.000-05:002011-05-02T00:37:24.473-05:00Le Table<div align="center">Okay, maybe it's supposed to be La Table.....I do. not. know. but I know I finally got it finished. Well of course, except for that one little knob. I have it, it just wasn't in the shop when I made the photos, so will put it on tomorrow!</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">What ya' think?</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-q00JpvDzd9O7TfB7OiIqyxSjqJG_7PEo3TZOvefHETkiqc6lCRWQzJccLcx4CCUU8xh4MF1KSRDm_UM7POzxnnz_tnoRHIDh0PhQSSuIttPf81zXa1MI8avETO5pGrZlWoxrngzVls/s1600/DSC05122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-q00JpvDzd9O7TfB7OiIqyxSjqJG_7PEo3TZOvefHETkiqc6lCRWQzJccLcx4CCUU8xh4MF1KSRDm_UM7POzxnnz_tnoRHIDh0PhQSSuIttPf81zXa1MI8avETO5pGrZlWoxrngzVls/s320/DSC05122.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Just one of those standard desks. I thought it turned out pretty good, except maybe it looks a little youngish. I was looking for more uh, <strike>old</strike> mature styling. Maybe it's the pink. I like it, but I think next time there will be more white. Anyhoo, this is what I got and it does go well with the frou frou chair. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Here are a few more shots. The drawers are painted inside with a little extra sumpin' sumpin' and a touch of classy (hopin') on the end.</div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Don't know if you can see inside the drawer, it has a fleur di lis inside.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvU4w98XsS3aDen4q4XVZ8KovetT9YWvkNrQZoNR1Tl5nJFXWknNactDQDrwXdI9F2ZPROwrVNlz-oMGsK2dZcrOEBnrV3UNo9Bpb9dmrU9R0FBgjCCW1IV7VYOuo_wilH5IUP_NMeQKc/s1600/DSC05119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvU4w98XsS3aDen4q4XVZ8KovetT9YWvkNrQZoNR1Tl5nJFXWknNactDQDrwXdI9F2ZPROwrVNlz-oMGsK2dZcrOEBnrV3UNo9Bpb9dmrU9R0FBgjCCW1IV7VYOuo_wilH5IUP_NMeQKc/s320/DSC05119.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">....and here's the end. Hope you like it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkDGiZRqTWf3NfQYWwhFVEoDOJ3xI8p0IEh6Yudl0e71Tk2lhugzXOpC_682785VVB-gnD9YT6zMRue-yGnUv7HB2sWaq4li_eP1ngw1XY12EAeygdQdsvl3uV-nYap6iR9fUqKlPh3PU/s1600/DSC05123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkDGiZRqTWf3NfQYWwhFVEoDOJ3xI8p0IEh6Yudl0e71Tk2lhugzXOpC_682785VVB-gnD9YT6zMRue-yGnUv7HB2sWaq4li_eP1ngw1XY12EAeygdQdsvl3uV-nYap6iR9fUqKlPh3PU/s320/DSC05123.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center">I've got two tables (a coffee and an end) that I'm thinkin' bout. Been shabbying up a storm on some items I picked up at an estate sale and some yard sales. What do you do when you want to keep everything yourself? 8D</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Oh yeah, I've got an order for a couple of signs and a dresser! woot! woot! Ex-cite-ted. It's been slow going, but I <strike>think</strike> hope it will pick up.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Well, the water's risin' momma. We are getting rain and more rain. Bless those who have lost so much. I just pray that God spares them more troubles by holding back on this rain. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Hope you all have a great week.</div><div align="center">Leaving you in his care, </div><div align="center"><span style="background-color: white; color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><em>Carla</em></span></div>Carla Parazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07636496952408881040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7585902172856549837.post-29167948129348518422011-04-29T20:48:00.000-05:002011-04-29T20:48:17.181-05:00Ooh La La<div style="text-align: center;">Well, the past month has been just absolutely overwhelming. I mean I feel like I meet myself coming and going. The days have flown by and my house, yard, and shop look like a horde of</div><div style="text-align: center;">frat boys have lived here for that month.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I've got the best intentions. Really, I do.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I start in one room, and then get side tracked to another room. Do I do laundry? Vacuum? Mop floors?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Dust? Pick up the yard, weed-eat, clean windows, whatever it would take to get everything back in order.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Look, I <em><u>know</u></em> I just had the laundry room empty, those books and magazines put up, the dishes done and beds made. What happened?!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This week has been a wearying one. I've taken my mom to a total of 4 doctor visits on three different days. It was going to be 4 different days, until I threw myself on the mercy of one doctors office and got them to let us come by a day early. Anyhoo, went with my husband to a doctors visit too. It's been wild.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Have you ever had to dust your range? Well, I've been throwing quick stuff together to feed my family and lots of left overs heated up in the nuke machine.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">What I really want to do is paint. I've got stuff started and need to finish. I've got ideas rolling through my head and they don't let me sleep at night. Finally, today I finished up one project, well almost. I have to screw the seat down, and it will be finished. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Before...........................<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij6BYBiDTjQYWJASJqLzHUhHQZ43tWeyEz9m6gnF9XNgEV4cW_0dAqg7v_mV9Q5cd6kp9xSEeRnh9Sub-9w14U5VNmT9sTXTSbkqlAVQw0ZyE0GvsgTU6SqUS-pIYfPVce4lYCftN_f6Q/s1600/DSC05101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij6BYBiDTjQYWJASJqLzHUhHQZ43tWeyEz9m6gnF9XNgEV4cW_0dAqg7v_mV9Q5cd6kp9xSEeRnh9Sub-9w14U5VNmT9sTXTSbkqlAVQw0ZyE0GvsgTU6SqUS-pIYfPVce4lYCftN_f6Q/s320/DSC05101.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After..........<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEickrw4R2zOeqF_uEhMHEl2R1p_RX3i8LUvJVO43WNWMwDAkIep2PxQfN-g9BXqpsiLSmR0Lr2NG1eDBQrDpd1ZZZsTeqsVBpxzTcvK7G2K31G-z8hThaDFiMkDDQNfVDvbuWbyCaAynOI/s1600/DSC05114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEickrw4R2zOeqF_uEhMHEl2R1p_RX3i8LUvJVO43WNWMwDAkIep2PxQfN-g9BXqpsiLSmR0Lr2NG1eDBQrDpd1ZZZsTeqsVBpxzTcvK7G2K31G-z8hThaDFiMkDDQNfVDvbuWbyCaAynOI/s320/DSC05114.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's all going to get better. Next week we've only got one doctor visit, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed something will get done around here that make this mess look like a place! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Leaving you in His care, </div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Carla</span></em></div>Carla Parazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07636496952408881040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7585902172856549837.post-65237376120085515922011-04-26T09:55:00.000-05:002011-04-26T09:55:28.775-05:00Praying<div style="text-align: center;">Just a quick note this morning, praying for all those who lost loved ones here in Arkansas last night. Seven people so far, lost their lives. Also, for those who have lost their homes. I know that stuff can be replaced, but it is going to be a whole lotta work. I pray that God will give His peace to the families who have lost someone who can't be replaced and strength and encouragement for those who have a big job ahead. Those of you who have tried to 'redo' a room or whole house know how much work it is. For those who have got to go through the rubble, clean up, rebuild homes and lives....it is going to be a long journey. I ask that you say a prayer too.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We are going to have another round tonight. Pray that the storms are lifted and that everyone is safe. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Leaving you in His Care, </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><em>Carla</em></span></div>Carla Parazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07636496952408881040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7585902172856549837.post-40209690783515519222011-04-20T17:34:00.001-05:002011-04-24T19:38:34.116-05:00Paint Day<div align="center">I did it!</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">I shouldn't have, but I did. I spent the whole day painting, more or less.</div><div align="center">I did not do one load of laundry, I didn't do my breakfast dishes, I didn't vacuum a floor, and Lord knows it needs it!!</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">I painted signs today. Didn't get done near as much as I wanted to, but I did post 3 new ones on my</div><div align="center"> Etsy Shop. Hope you go take a look here <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/72564780/country-cottage-prayers-and-roses-wood">http://www.etsy.com/listing/72564780/country-cottage-prayers-and-roses-wood</a></div><div align="center">I did spend a little time, looking at some other blogs. Seeing what's going on and what's happening in the blogosphere. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Never thought I'd be using the words 'what's happening in the blogosphere" in my lifetime.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">There are some really good blogs out there, but I don't have that much time to spend on mine. I do like to update and show a few things I've got to work on, and who knows one day someone may just check in here and decide they like my work.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpu_2DLhfyI9E_iW6hcxaKKQ0b9iv9C5KjBPsjgW3XgcPOzsohn2p8hfdpMoGFN6WD4Y5UVCNaawwHJgISncMR7xb8Kj_UKubEd6SqVFpeGdJ9TXqDrKGMHJM3iQibz7cR6m3e22uy_VY/s1600/DSC05081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpu_2DLhfyI9E_iW6hcxaKKQ0b9iv9C5KjBPsjgW3XgcPOzsohn2p8hfdpMoGFN6WD4Y5UVCNaawwHJgISncMR7xb8Kj_UKubEd6SqVFpeGdJ9TXqDrKGMHJM3iQibz7cR6m3e22uy_VY/s320/DSC05081.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdRXSmnk7k7tYumpHwf75AmnpjVFSnU7OFe73tDnLO228CZfwPcXnPH3QC3-e0-hHjnhcDThk-EbdJzcnPsor7b4b4bNx3wngJ9wrp14lONjcf1FqCONOky9MZ2j66FTlj497ADMRH5tQ/s1600/DSC05090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdRXSmnk7k7tYumpHwf75AmnpjVFSnU7OFe73tDnLO228CZfwPcXnPH3QC3-e0-hHjnhcDThk-EbdJzcnPsor7b4b4bNx3wngJ9wrp14lONjcf1FqCONOky9MZ2j66FTlj497ADMRH5tQ/s320/DSC05090.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hope you enjoyed taking a peek. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> My 'Baby Love' is home laying on the couch and 'Miss Priss' just called saying she is on the way.....I've got to get some supper on!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Leaving you in His care,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><em>Carla</em></span></div>Carla Parazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07636496952408881040noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7585902172856549837.post-31633587342700458652011-04-13T09:54:00.000-05:002011-04-13T09:54:31.952-05:00When things get in the way.<div align="center">It's been that way lately. It seems everytime I think I'm going to get to the shop to paint,</div><div align="center">'things' happen. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">It's called life.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Right now, family sickness and doctor visits have gotten a little overwhelming, but I know they will smooth out. I'm just trying to hang on!</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">In the meantime, God gives us encouragement through His Word, or other folks, or even in the beauty of His world. Spring is here (and seems like summer on those few 80+ degree days we had) and with that means hummers, flowers and my rosebush!</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">My rose bush is just starting to bloom out. It is amazing the number of buds it has on it. I just wanted to share a few photos of my rosebush, but please don't take note of my back yard that needs mowing. We've got a lot of limbs to pick up, and since I do most of this, it's been slow to get done this year.</div><div align="center">I'm also including a photo of a new sign.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw4hdUi1UlhqL61YCBskcBS3rq8oCPEvMC8987uLCrvMmu4Juf54eW6x7e5rksotb1F_YmWae4ZQYCGCxt8ucMp24pCZKZS0SHWcLlF7fMm6PjU0L5YxcEJiV1ev1P211Xro1zYKDzNmY/s1600/IMG_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw4hdUi1UlhqL61YCBskcBS3rq8oCPEvMC8987uLCrvMmu4Juf54eW6x7e5rksotb1F_YmWae4ZQYCGCxt8ucMp24pCZKZS0SHWcLlF7fMm6PjU0L5YxcEJiV1ev1P211Xro1zYKDzNmY/s320/IMG_0003.JPG" width="320" /></a>"Dream"</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2QrEtoPtGuhSp7p9oi3c0pMEYa5EiHe2OSGvioTjg2tmNAdp2I3Gu_jFxoSw_Ijq4RD03qcb2TlG8Bb6jHUTI_go4CJfx1jb6IV4RzyNkKJ1oKtyew5a-wCOOLdaAsW2pnrH6_WhJTxk/s1600/IMG_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2QrEtoPtGuhSp7p9oi3c0pMEYa5EiHe2OSGvioTjg2tmNAdp2I3Gu_jFxoSw_Ijq4RD03qcb2TlG8Bb6jHUTI_go4CJfx1jb6IV4RzyNkKJ1oKtyew5a-wCOOLdaAsW2pnrH6_WhJTxk/s320/IMG_0004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From the top of the steps looking down.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjAoi52j90ZTU4Sd9Yvmt-6hemauPL9xm6-DYgrLNDIWakJ6HqeqLzkaKmajqH8YkuxgtpJ8ZZMUHEJypKUHRNaM7rc74QJvNm1m8kZx14CUuIw7cYTDklgjUNPOgeIIkwNSE3VINPPtU/s1600/IMG_0005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjAoi52j90ZTU4Sd9Yvmt-6hemauPL9xm6-DYgrLNDIWakJ6HqeqLzkaKmajqH8YkuxgtpJ8ZZMUHEJypKUHRNaM7rc74QJvNm1m8kZx14CUuIw7cYTDklgjUNPOgeIIkwNSE3VINPPtU/s320/IMG_0005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRD-4-xPaCAEIooVLC_sRB2LrxoSoAJ7yO6S3yj-0t0mGtpbFYSrio8K9FQq3Xf42dYXI98SFQePUhc8zp01MXg2RI7j9JYN99yKi7OGQ0D-_BhH4rXTg-Ur4eb1lzMebql-0jLhC93c/s1600/IMG_0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRD-4-xPaCAEIooVLC_sRB2LrxoSoAJ7yO6S3yj-0t0mGtpbFYSrio8K9FQq3Xf42dYXI98SFQePUhc8zp01MXg2RI7j9JYN99yKi7OGQ0D-_BhH4rXTg-Ur4eb1lzMebql-0jLhC93c/s320/IMG_0006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCVAtN51Kvn1GrjDq2X2zHJIqrN2rkEWsWA1ZCyB2ioM2ZLtaPDXydNQm7BcjINbCAgXzgpY4Bb6PV0MaJE9G7AsTTABGsTEQtaJI4LIsQcp8qvfrjWmsnRWBNZFtFRzZWiUid-RjDo7E/s1600/IMG_0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCVAtN51Kvn1GrjDq2X2zHJIqrN2rkEWsWA1ZCyB2ioM2ZLtaPDXydNQm7BcjINbCAgXzgpY4Bb6PV0MaJE9G7AsTTABGsTEQtaJI4LIsQcp8qvfrjWmsnRWBNZFtFRzZWiUid-RjDo7E/s320/IMG_0007.JPG" width="320" /></a>This is huge! We have a 12' goat panel over the handrails on the steps. It goes from the ground, up to the panel and over and back down.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Hm795lf8pSllho-sZSApxKHoARB1bDUFg74-urSbt3xGFeNbGkmLyRI9M7bKHV4vmMUShR-EDlRwArLXSPNHQoUAdxjr624-00emxdAHp-hPDbTIRirb-ISxp4_2qpgksRH27noRLuU/s1600/IMG_0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Hm795lf8pSllho-sZSApxKHoARB1bDUFg74-urSbt3xGFeNbGkmLyRI9M7bKHV4vmMUShR-EDlRwArLXSPNHQoUAdxjr624-00emxdAHp-hPDbTIRirb-ISxp4_2qpgksRH27noRLuU/s320/IMG_0008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmMQtD1Yivejj1WReyNGz4mxCJ0Ra3wNOyMwfr0aJmsGTo456VaOMfZM4QQch-KibVwY9AdLCq6tuRSB9CJlJUDZIL4l5D-W6GGGaE9c3TaS6DsQarmw9L3QsOk-kRdB-wuC-S70AoSw/s1600/IMG_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmMQtD1Yivejj1WReyNGz4mxCJ0Ra3wNOyMwfr0aJmsGTo456VaOMfZM4QQch-KibVwY9AdLCq6tuRSB9CJlJUDZIL4l5D-W6GGGaE9c3TaS6DsQarmw9L3QsOk-kRdB-wuC-S70AoSw/s320/IMG_0009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center">This is an "Old Blush" climbing rose and boy, did it ever!</div><div align="center"> Just envision this lovely hanging over a perfectly painted porch with a white swing. Maybe by the end of summer it will be that way......and maybe by the end of summer the yard will be mowed!</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Leaving you in His care,</div><div align="center"><span style="color: magenta; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><em>Carla</em></span></div>Carla Parazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07636496952408881040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7585902172856549837.post-10832229799724902872011-04-04T08:38:00.001-05:002011-04-04T08:42:01.934-05:00Checking In<div style="text-align: center;">Hi, it's been a week or so......we were in the land of sickness for a few days, but so much better. I've got some new things going on. So will post them this week. It seems that my painting time is being attacked, but not to worry, I WILL be painting. So here is wishes for a great week for you and me. Enjoy this lovely weather, the spring rains and God's goodness! See you soon with new stuff.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Leaving you in His care, </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: magenta; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><em>Carla</em></span></div>Carla Parazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07636496952408881040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7585902172856549837.post-85776851629410279382011-03-23T09:22:00.001-05:002011-03-23T16:25:53.054-05:00A Dream Come True<div style="text-align: center;">It came to mind today. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">A memory. From long, long ago. A dream back then, and it dawned on me, it has come true. </div><div style="text-align: center;">God is so good. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Even in small things like this.<br />
<br />
I must have been 7 or 8. Somewhere in that range. There was a fruit market over on the highway, not far from our house. The people who owned it were very good friends with my mom and dad. They would come over and play Rook. Rook is a card game, and it is still a tradition at our house. Now the grand kids are playing. It's one of those things that when you play, it's war. Your attitude must be in it to win it. Anyway, that's another post....back to Vesta and Irene. Or, as everyone knew them, "Tooter" and Irene. Don't ask. That's just what they called him. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Tooter and Irene had this fruit market, and years ago it was a totally fun place to go. Of course fruits and veggies, but during that time you could also buy fireworks............ALL. YEAR. LONG. Anytime you wanted them, just go pay a nickel for a pack of firecrackers and they were yours!! I told you it was a long time ago....can you believe a nickel, a measly 5 cents? There were bottle rockets, and of course Roman candles. Why they were called Roman candles, I don't know. My dad would hold them up in the air with his hand and shoot them off. SPARKLERS!!!!! I would love to 'write' my name with them in the dark. There wasn't a lot going on in our little town in those days, still hasn't changed that much. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">There were also other souvenirs. Cheap things that were laying on table tops that had been divided up into squares. White tables. I remember it vividly. The tables. Not the souvenirs. The souvenirs were just things that were made of plastic, or maybe a few rocks or blown glass. All sorts of things that anyone passing through during those years would be able to pick up on the cheap. Candies that you can't find anymore. There were lots of tourist that went past on that old highway then. But times change, the interstate came through and the souvenir businesses went by the wayside along those old highways. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">What about the dream? I'm getting there. One of the things that was great about Wallace's Fruit Market was it served Ice Cold Watermelon. It said so on the sign. I loved those signs. I can see the whole watermelon with it's green stripes and the sliced, red watermelon on the sign. The words 'ice cold' were painted in light blue and had what looked like ice or snow painted across the top. It looked so, well, chilled. The sliced watermelon had this wonderful drop of moisture painted on it. It looked real. I wondered 'how did they do that'? Even then, I was noticing lettering and signs and art. Yes, it looked so real and I guess that is why so many people stopped there. That sign made them want that red, ripe, juicy, ice cold slice of watermelon!! By the slice, for a quarter!! I told you it was long, long ago. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Now, here comes the dream part. I told ya we'd get there! The locals and tourists would buy a slice of watermelon and go out and sit on the picnic tables that surrounded this fruit stand. Under the shade in the heat of summer, they sat at these beautiful WHITE picnic tables that had PINK trim painted around the edges of the tables and attached seats. Oh. my. goodness. I thought they were the most beautiful picnic tables I had ever seen. I just knew when I grew up, I was going to have a picnic table like that at my home. White with pink trim. It was just so dreamy. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTtezjErx-lzTR9HAcG5xf7hG5R2wGvPtmyCH2opJmZKSMJJAfJLc9QJgDlV4Yy6HlX4h-psAhueoc_7dyJXjfWBrxYFJ2RZXKcFjao_MX7Y_V7_ds9fQMRA8tiZHekfub3a3-y_KtkrU/s1600/DSC05043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTtezjErx-lzTR9HAcG5xf7hG5R2wGvPtmyCH2opJmZKSMJJAfJLc9QJgDlV4Yy6HlX4h-psAhueoc_7dyJXjfWBrxYFJ2RZXKcFjao_MX7Y_V7_ds9fQMRA8tiZHekfub3a3-y_KtkrU/s320/DSC05043.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Well, today after painting a rocker, two Adirondack chairs, a table, basket and multiple flower pots white and pink, I thought "this is it!" My dream as a little girl has come true. Even though my picnic table is a glass and ironworks type, it has a beautiful white lace tablecloth on it. Pink doily and white and pink candle holders sit on the top. The painted rocker with pink trim and the pink table remind me of that long ago time, when things were simpler, and life's pleasures weren't so expensive. Just a can of paint, maybe two, and a slice of ice cold watermelon. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Leaving you in His care,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: magenta;">Carla</span> </div>Carla Parazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07636496952408881040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7585902172856549837.post-24034405261661272902011-03-19T20:45:00.000-05:002011-03-19T20:45:04.989-05:00My aching backOh my goodness, I forget how old I am! After a wonderful morning going to yard sales with my sweet lil' daughter, we came home and got in the garden picking up rocks AND we, meaning me, my sweet daughter and the love of my life--my wonderful hubby, also put some time in working on our patio getting it ready for that new shabby look. I can't wait and I will be posting a few photos at the end. <br />
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I am new to this shabby world, so just starting out with a few things of my own. I am wanting the light, beautiful, happiness of white and roses and pinks and blues and greens. I'm having trouble deciding what I really want to go with. But, my sweet daughter-in-law Olivia, at <a href="http://www.shabbychictreasures.blogspot.com/">www.shabbychictreasures.blogspot.com</a><br />
has beautiful pinks everywhere, I love it! But I am partial to blue, and hydrangeas, and did I say blue? <br />
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I did find some beautiful pink lace tablecloths today for almost nothing!! So I'm going to do some things with pinks and some with blues. <br />
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Did I say I forgot how old I am......every bone in my body is aching, but it was so worth it. We pulled ivy, then we pulled more ivy, then we took a break and came back and yep, pulled more ivy. It looks soooooo much better! I think it will help with allergies for hubby and daughter getting rid of all the underlying mold and junk, and even better mosquitoes. Those pesky little critters that I think ought to be the state bird of Arkansas. <br />
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Like I said, I'm just starting on my journey through shabby land and so far it is making a difference. It is turning into a happy little world of brightness. I have used the darker colors of red and navy for years and beigy walls and you know the look. It's time to bring out the cheerful look of yesteryear. I remember when I was a girl, and my bedroom with three other sisters had wood floors and blue walls and chenille bedspreads and it was oh so sweet and cheerful. Not much in it, but it was a nice room. Two beds, a big dresser and chest. Maple. Remember the look? Headboard with book shelf. Brass fixtures on the storage pieces. Oh those were the days. <br />
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Although they do beautifully decorated rooms, I'm tired of TV designers telling me what I should like. Been there, done that. Now it's time to return to the simplicity and beauty of my mom's and dad's family home, of love and family dinners. Of warmth and softness and welcomeness. Is that a word?<br />
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This has turned into a long post, so I'll quit and let you see my 'new' patio. It's a start, but when I get my flowers and welcome sign and a nice beautiful tray with teapot and tea cups, it will make anyone feel welcome....at least I hope so. <br />
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I'm linking up for Pink Saturday, this is my first try so please, if I don't do this correctly I will sooner or later get it right. <a href="http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/">http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/</a> Looking forward to meeting you all and looking at your pretties. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQTFlSHUhpsopo16XioraKJVKfKAxpuMr4Ii0mFFriQhyphenhyphenb3eJDyaq6KWsCWlqj4pqRvoLnDVPoz23IxH-soR_jMs1VfW2ykf4Yp0fUjOkX4dHqpkfdKuKlEKNBqTiBF4iVVufJKoOIp8/s1600/DSC05028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQTFlSHUhpsopo16XioraKJVKfKAxpuMr4Ii0mFFriQhyphenhyphenb3eJDyaq6KWsCWlqj4pqRvoLnDVPoz23IxH-soR_jMs1VfW2ykf4Yp0fUjOkX4dHqpkfdKuKlEKNBqTiBF4iVVufJKoOIp8/s320/DSC05028.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTHWm6qcGRCIaxmgtYyKDg4TIxR94qRfV1lQNY8EeduFbvZCVH7-HCT5EFwOXsH9sppLeAy-qBE6xZgjF-G3RV6a_8qIoX1hY1RdDyESAzYM2pilqJZzYnaLSHephS31RdO9K6IWbvNsg/s1600/DSC05027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTHWm6qcGRCIaxmgtYyKDg4TIxR94qRfV1lQNY8EeduFbvZCVH7-HCT5EFwOXsH9sppLeAy-qBE6xZgjF-G3RV6a_8qIoX1hY1RdDyESAzYM2pilqJZzYnaLSHephS31RdO9K6IWbvNsg/s320/DSC05027.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Well I didn't quite get these in order, but you can see some befores and afters and what a difference it is going to be when I get everything changed. All the ivy (whose idea was it to plant some ivy?) is gone although I'm sure there will be little leaves that peak out through the summer. It will get a lovely shot of round-up. The doll was a beautiful bride doll. She had the most gorgeous veil. <br />
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I hope you will hang in there with me as I persue this new decorating style. I will post updates as I go along. <br />
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Did I say I forgot how old I am? I hear a hot shower calling my name.<br />
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Leaving you in His care,<br />
CarlaCarla Parazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07636496952408881040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7585902172856549837.post-23416440725150000842011-03-12T08:01:00.002-06:002011-03-12T08:08:27.468-06:00Good MorningIt's been a few days, so I wanted to show you a few things I've been working on. But before I do that, and I know you don't need a reminder, but please pray for the people in Japan. As you know they are going through such turmoil right now. It is only by God's grace and mercy that we are not going through it. <br />
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I've spent this week, cleaning house and taking my mom to some doctor appointments. Although I still need some more time to finish everything I needed to do like get a garden started, my DH and I got to go yard selling on Friday morning. With the nice weather I thought there would be more than there were, but I did pick up a few items to work on.<br />
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I WISH I had taken a before shot of this one. It was one of those quick paintings that are mass produced in some far off place. It was black with fruit painted in the center, lemons, oranges, canteloupe, grapes. I sanded it down and shabbied it up......sure made a difference. It's bright, happy and hopefully welcoming. Wouldn't it be fun to welome your friends with a beautiful pink rose?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMdMwWMLhS2opjJRzPdA-qpIHJtE0vSc8BxkEXCo_T1_g3gErXQEmX4smMGGSni0ZodN39klAg6LoFnL4tMVQBT1YgUbc_gMMBMn0yTfU5A0JDZ-AHr2ttDpxh3-mHVm1IZMju8lM1HL8/s1600/DSC05001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMdMwWMLhS2opjJRzPdA-qpIHJtE0vSc8BxkEXCo_T1_g3gErXQEmX4smMGGSni0ZodN39klAg6LoFnL4tMVQBT1YgUbc_gMMBMn0yTfU5A0JDZ-AHr2ttDpxh3-mHVm1IZMju8lM1HL8/s320/DSC05001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><atomicelement id="ms__id363">Here's close up..........</atomicelement><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here are a few things that I picked up on the cheap to go into my bedroom I'm redoing.</div> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH0iacEywxwkY8mudszH5Jo-ZXuv6pZ9e2BW2JU3YcSR_c1L2pzjHp_mAM5QzX6D0v-9K66dzHuFMkm1bCTrp5PbihNHMeotm11Sakuuao3athp7HS4-oyyNg1gvdaAfFbXzbH1urZ34M/s1600/DSC05003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH0iacEywxwkY8mudszH5Jo-ZXuv6pZ9e2BW2JU3YcSR_c1L2pzjHp_mAM5QzX6D0v-9K66dzHuFMkm1bCTrp5PbihNHMeotm11Sakuuao3athp7HS4-oyyNg1gvdaAfFbXzbH1urZ34M/s320/DSC05003.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My pretty pink swan, please pretend my walls are white, or a very light celedon green, or even pink....the yellow is going to go very soon. She was just a quarter!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsItnXHDYfPiNtD76wWe2oB4Mn9irOnnGzukylQiMGbOjX4gONoP9EAQsHWy8zLTc0am13H7sVzYiJ8KmCRcM-5VRxhZj5Y_nCCu3bWeRIgMPYzH3t1fm7CsH76BPwvnpBa4Al6lWcg1I/s1600/DSC05004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsItnXHDYfPiNtD76wWe2oB4Mn9irOnnGzukylQiMGbOjX4gONoP9EAQsHWy8zLTc0am13H7sVzYiJ8KmCRcM-5VRxhZj5Y_nCCu3bWeRIgMPYzH3t1fm7CsH76BPwvnpBa4Al6lWcg1I/s320/DSC05004.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A close up...are you imagining white walls?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt9Ym5Oxa_DMEznZrP0U6s-4fOSlJh3eJoEHOklEvN3GknHWd3pln_FwUs9scGm_ZOvdLd1PkueQBUM4aKVMHyVSz4eNG-jJqOACQo_kzb310CaOTA-JkJy03xh63w6NCPRNaTU-Bz37Q/s1600/DSC05002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt9Ym5Oxa_DMEznZrP0U6s-4fOSlJh3eJoEHOklEvN3GknHWd3pln_FwUs9scGm_ZOvdLd1PkueQBUM4aKVMHyVSz4eNG-jJqOACQo_kzb310CaOTA-JkJy03xh63w6NCPRNaTU-Bz37Q/s320/DSC05002.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">got these for 75 cents each<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlpjlFFifuWbHsqzZrwTa-eowH5a8NeY-pyAgCo5vF_vvLIantCooRe5XNALuKIgwkiEOfdjmJj_nlNhwjJskyJf7zFFnz6lWJewWzeXQC01G7IFF4E3Q94X0snLUbOKLWXC67TLkP7LY/s1600/DSC05005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlpjlFFifuWbHsqzZrwTa-eowH5a8NeY-pyAgCo5vF_vvLIantCooRe5XNALuKIgwkiEOfdjmJj_nlNhwjJskyJf7zFFnz6lWJewWzeXQC01G7IFF4E3Q94X0snLUbOKLWXC67TLkP7LY/s320/DSC05005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>...a close up. I don't know what I'm going to do with the gold frames, thinking about turning the gold into silver,what do you think?<br />
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I also picked up a small antique table that I'm going to shabby. <br />
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Hope your day is as beautiful as it is here, and don't forget to be so thankful today.<br />
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Leaving you in His care,<br />
<em><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Carla</span></em><br />
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</div>Carla Parazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07636496952408881040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7585902172856549837.post-41039322868580012002011-03-07T14:39:00.000-06:002011-03-07T14:39:41.744-06:00I'd Rather be PaintingA girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. Today that is cleaning house. I'd rather be painting, but you know when you have to wade through, it's time to do something. Besides, I want my house looking pretty when I add this new sign to my decor. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Iq9jKKyfV1tu1HvSVR2S-fmF6UyZglr6g4FNv1xfY1qGYHqiaUVWdHdHmYS1ZjLu7D8jwCXv6afIXUWzgCRLSnpE8a3HwzsJ-kg-IHC02X_Lcnsf4JOqTR9UT3dDzkM3dc5D2ZS1eWY/s1600/DSC04999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Iq9jKKyfV1tu1HvSVR2S-fmF6UyZglr6g4FNv1xfY1qGYHqiaUVWdHdHmYS1ZjLu7D8jwCXv6afIXUWzgCRLSnpE8a3HwzsJ-kg-IHC02X_Lcnsf4JOqTR9UT3dDzkM3dc5D2ZS1eWY/s320/DSC04999.JPG" width="240" /></a></div> <br />
I'm thinking there are some things I want to change about it, before I add one to my Etsy shop, but I will hang this one on my front porch. I'm so looking forward to spring so that I can shabby up my front porch. It will be so enjoyable sitting there, sipping coffee and listening to the birds singing. <br />
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I'm not going to be able to get into the shop very much this week, but hopefully I will get all this 'have to' stuff done and get back to creating. Carla Parazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07636496952408881040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7585902172856549837.post-45929416516768645332011-03-03T14:28:00.000-06:002011-03-03T14:28:47.400-06:00Got Cottage?<div align="center"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">White, pink, green. Pink, white, green. Green, pink, white. Okay, I added black today!! Needed a change. But I love it. I'm liking all the things that are coming out of the shop. Some of them I am want to keep....but can't do that. Isn't it funny that I've painted literally thousands of signs in my lifetime and I have nada, zilch, zero hanging in my home. I'm going to have to change that.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here's a sampling of some of the new stuff. Enjoy! </span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoD5kpowuoV80Z335pg70ZZzmL2A-kXUM1ssMKzb2_OIJfXh-bePJcxY80CIAp71aQyEEcxipmZTQ3scEUOoTBneQnomR2himgFokBEK_GuQXqEiki6Kn0TB6JRNggBrIdMsv9ngtgnfE/s1600/DSC04993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoD5kpowuoV80Z335pg70ZZzmL2A-kXUM1ssMKzb2_OIJfXh-bePJcxY80CIAp71aQyEEcxipmZTQ3scEUOoTBneQnomR2himgFokBEK_GuQXqEiki6Kn0TB6JRNggBrIdMsv9ngtgnfE/s320/DSC04993.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLR6u_u4u1DZQdHfbDRx-TozqxdXqV8SAN-HCXSBOzVYwVBfEkeAUeFtiytzUyA5bCS3KOjQaeXyqTF_8F2ddSKoIWjFhpH3xBB2PxFSrt9QCYhxgeFMejCD7zWZmL7nRcHsZD7lBnhOs/s1600/DSC04994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLR6u_u4u1DZQdHfbDRx-TozqxdXqV8SAN-HCXSBOzVYwVBfEkeAUeFtiytzUyA5bCS3KOjQaeXyqTF_8F2ddSKoIWjFhpH3xBB2PxFSrt9QCYhxgeFMejCD7zWZmL7nRcHsZD7lBnhOs/s320/DSC04994.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaBF1VLUz9d6PSezzVFiH2T8pcGc9vYZ69Upy0kf4upDgIwUy81y6KBGkMSK1-ccsDmWdJMh09bSUoc1CU6rdzZVm0rWzSopcuEKy2BztmU45k_H9R0v2jQcAyQMhCLVDzN7g0BPSeVVM/s320/DSC04987.JPG" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Leaving you in His care,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Carla</span></em></div>Carla Parazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07636496952408881040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7585902172856549837.post-63338647236400424282011-03-01T21:36:00.002-06:002011-03-03T14:37:07.704-06:00New Items<div align="center"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Just a couple more items for Etsy. </span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkpxW8v_A_RNUIps_jJVLdOddpJe5gXsrcLInDKDxjRTx5sNzAkVxuuTSqf5MtMPJYexjJ7i4oX_WHyS5NWudbOOS-DQ8gcEEZOsf6LbbMX7TFl45f5zRlCMw8DmckRhkNAGJow-i32bQ/s1600/DSC04989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkpxW8v_A_RNUIps_jJVLdOddpJe5gXsrcLInDKDxjRTx5sNzAkVxuuTSqf5MtMPJYexjJ7i4oX_WHyS5NWudbOOS-DQ8gcEEZOsf6LbbMX7TFl45f5zRlCMw8DmckRhkNAGJow-i32bQ/s320/DSC04989.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">A metal distressed hanging flower basket. Painted with pinks and greens. Hydrangea is the main flower with a few roses thrown in for good measure.</span></div><div align="center"><br />
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<div align="center"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiNS9qO-goXGBLFHjWWrcS3emNW5-dZvZd0U_IhhHcp1jn1inXj41ydU0VJLd3WN4JpvHEiRyfOBnPCXpyHYxNLu8WYzAsq2UTLTffLjNlxf3gkrlyP9pvBjAMM7DRjNrLX3MTl0hA5vE/s1600/DSC04982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiNS9qO-goXGBLFHjWWrcS3emNW5-dZvZd0U_IhhHcp1jn1inXj41ydU0VJLd3WN4JpvHEiRyfOBnPCXpyHYxNLu8WYzAsq2UTLTffLjNlxf3gkrlyP9pvBjAMM7DRjNrLX3MTl0hA5vE/s320/DSC04982.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The next item is a rocking horse with pinks and greens. Distressed to look old.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Has the bible verse I Cor 13:13 on the rocker, "and now abideth these three, Faith, Hope and Love, but the greatest of these is Love.</span></div><div align="center"><br />
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<div align="center"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It's been a busy day for painting. I feel like I'm getting some things accomplished. Hope you enjoy!</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Just for good measure, I'm throwing in a photo of a painting I've done that I will also put on the Etsy shop. It's pink andwhite peonies, lace and some china. </span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_ZjPTreMwQaLigPlhXZDLrTL1lIEJ_tfe7Z46FbKhS1M0fZIdm7DpA3aNS03u65o-3StwCixtch3N7gE6FEJVz17aMgE7sL5ren_WjldhejuOa19TWsCFkfW7UlsVN2wAd9BYc2P4pE/s1600/DSC04965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_ZjPTreMwQaLigPlhXZDLrTL1lIEJ_tfe7Z46FbKhS1M0fZIdm7DpA3aNS03u65o-3StwCixtch3N7gE6FEJVz17aMgE7sL5ren_WjldhejuOa19TWsCFkfW7UlsVN2wAd9BYc2P4pE/s320/DSC04965.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">here's a detail of the china and lace.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG50dn-8Rl6IhTGZM8FbXY0MSFyH8m8ESdWAzcoA-8YFdXwZMlj0pCiasJVJltG4_PiGmsV6-afxIFIn_LEwkmIuPfnwqNKckpksRHPeNEYzJUbM_-FcCEgLV9pV62OyL2HukXH03J5So/s1600/DSC04966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG50dn-8Rl6IhTGZM8FbXY0MSFyH8m8ESdWAzcoA-8YFdXwZMlj0pCiasJVJltG4_PiGmsV6-afxIFIn_LEwkmIuPfnwqNKckpksRHPeNEYzJUbM_-FcCEgLV9pV62OyL2HukXH03J5So/s320/DSC04966.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div align="center"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Night,</span></div><div align="center"><em><span style="background-color: white; color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Carla</span></em> </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Carla Parazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07636496952408881040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7585902172856549837.post-39030746610774010812011-03-01T09:09:00.000-06:002011-03-01T09:09:48.351-06:00A day to get paint on me.<div align="center"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Happy March 1st!</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I have got a special item I'm working on in the shop/studio. A rocking horse. A small one. It's about foot high and 2 feet long. It will look great sitting on a table or shelf. I found this little item at a consignment shop and it was reminiscent of the carousel horses that I painted years ago. And I mean YEARS ago!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">So some of you young chics may have not seen them. My mom still has one that my dad built and I painted. I am going to reintroduce them in my Etsy shop. This one is a lot smaller, but is going to be so cute, IMHO.</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I am working as hard as time allows to get things ready. It seems all that time I thought I was going to have when we graduated our daughter from home school, is being filled with some other adventures. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Oh well, it will come about soon....hopefully the anticipation is building, I know it is for me.</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Here is a sweet little birdcage I found yesterday that I am planning on adding to my garden after I do some shabbying to it......wishing you</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> a lovely, shabby spring day!</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLsnGcCirgMAlfmewAC0wzkepb0wd38Ymm6EiHSDrzTy8tcEZu7wJOgaYp5CKszViG-wWyftCBvVDbgnYzZbMYGKXNfKWZ9KQJhHPmSrYFYxmA57qW1BZ7VbW_rMsA-YuQpTH4WO4sEMs/s1600/DSC04956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLsnGcCirgMAlfmewAC0wzkepb0wd38Ymm6EiHSDrzTy8tcEZu7wJOgaYp5CKszViG-wWyftCBvVDbgnYzZbMYGKXNfKWZ9KQJhHPmSrYFYxmA57qW1BZ7VbW_rMsA-YuQpTH4WO4sEMs/s320/DSC04956.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Leaving you in His care,</span></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Carla</span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div>Carla Parazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07636496952408881040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7585902172856549837.post-85893175458657074022011-02-26T19:33:00.000-06:002011-02-26T19:33:09.245-06:00Daffodils Blooming<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I can't believe that we have daffodils, or Easter Flowers as we call them here, blooming already. It's been really cool, but today the sun was beautiful and it warmed up nicely. I guess they decided they would peek out and make an appearance to brighten the day. I also had something bloom out in the studio......</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy2Yd2PbNo1NleRS-vRuYfrJpC8-h2QQqwdiLN57RH2NlNrsMUAwNz0siE_ZXKgIsDZgUiApGSTqOxxOOSGNvn32586SlDOHPyBPdrne0BVgtpdwD8VmbgpQDOMcdDC_ho8Ws0CjbwN0Q/s1600/DSC04952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy2Yd2PbNo1NleRS-vRuYfrJpC8-h2QQqwdiLN57RH2NlNrsMUAwNz0siE_ZXKgIsDZgUiApGSTqOxxOOSGNvn32586SlDOHPyBPdrne0BVgtpdwD8VmbgpQDOMcdDC_ho8Ws0CjbwN0Q/s320/DSC04952.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The rose in the center is actually a cut out rose and it gives the sign dimension, that is why you see the dark shadow on the right side. The sign is antiqued and has greys, greens and pinks. I can tell I'm going to have to get a lot better at photography!</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I am slowly getting my hand loosened up so that my lettering flows. I was so uptight when I first started today, I thought "I'm not going to be able to do this." I finally starting relaxing and getting that old style back. I sure hope you all enjoy seeing this. I will be getting some on Etsy soon.</span> </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_4yCyj4A4aXRXFEbvyAOTwE9iBQEAhFFAbMSXMlPxYljEpGqisUuZi__lqIQ5-LdJGTGeWouNKYvDjlhaTVWNF4hnp9FYvxx1mtrvdcLcttkYnAKOAxjO6RcIKW-rlQkUafkkYwoe-M/s1600/DSC04954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_4yCyj4A4aXRXFEbvyAOTwE9iBQEAhFFAbMSXMlPxYljEpGqisUuZi__lqIQ5-LdJGTGeWouNKYvDjlhaTVWNF4hnp9FYvxx1mtrvdcLcttkYnAKOAxjO6RcIKW-rlQkUafkkYwoe-M/s320/DSC04954.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here's another one. An antiqued grey and green background with white lettering and pink roses. There will be more coming soon so I hope you pass the word along to your friends. </span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Leaving you in His care,</span></div><div align="center"><span style="background-color: white; color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><em>Carla</em></span></div>Carla Parazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07636496952408881040noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7585902172856549837.post-45737566883266489692011-02-25T19:25:00.001-06:002011-02-25T19:29:46.135-06:00Time flies when you're having fun.<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I can't believe how quickly 2 hours can pass. Went out to the shop, or maybe now that I'm being artistic it is a studio, anyway spent a fast 2 hours getting back into painting. Actually it's more or less practicing painting. It seems it's been a while since I picked up a lettering brush, mixed paints and tried to 'blend'. I know it will quickly come back, but I got to thinking how long it had been since I actually did some real art. Months, years? So much has happened in the last 5 years, that the artistic side of me kinda got put on hold. I'm ready to get busy again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Today was a really good day for painting~cold, blustery, overcast. A good day for being inside. I spent the first half of the day catching up on laundry then a quick trip over to the next town. Finally found the time to head out and do a little painting. I love the fragrance of the wood, the paint, the sawdust. Brings back memories. I've gone through thousands of little bottles of craft paint through the years and wore out many, many brushes. I have favorites that I use over and over. Those old brushes that get all out of shape and bristled that look like they are not good for anything, but they are some of my favorites. Just like some of the people I know. They may look old and bristled and worn out, but they are some of my favorites. They still have a lot of good left in them. </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It doesn't seem like I accomplished a lot, but it sure was nice to let that paint flow and swirl. It is amazing how just dabs of dark, medium and light tones and hues turn into something on a piece of art paper, or canvas or board. A little touch here, a dab there. Oh Lord, thank you for <span style="background-color: white;">the</span> beauty you allow us to create although nothing can ever out do a sunset, or a field of flowers or a baby's soft cheek that was made by our Creator. And for us, without the Light there would be nothing but darkness. No beauty in the world. Yes, I can say a great big thank you for the Light of the World, I hope you can too. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Leaving you in His care,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><em>Carla</em></span></div>Carla Parazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07636496952408881040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7585902172856549837.post-32854117255171985052011-02-23T21:11:00.000-06:002011-02-23T21:11:21.801-06:00Painting Hogs<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In my first post, I mentioned painting hogs on cement trucks.....well, today was one of those days. It has been a while since I've done one and I can tell you this chubby, tired, old body could tell it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This concrete company uses a 'Razorback" type hog for it's logo.....I've been painting those hogs for 27 years now. I was 27 year younger and about, well, lets just say a few pounds lighter and not near as jiggly.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I have to put a scaffold up next to the truck and climb up and down an eight foot step ladder, and still I'm reaching way above my head to paint. My neck and shoulders felt like they had been in a sleeper hold by Gorgeous George. You don't remember Gorgeous George? Well, trust me, it was uncomfortable. I hope you can understand why I am so excited about shabby chic signs. No climbing up a ladder hanging onto the side of a cement truck on a narrow scaffold that incidentally my husband fell from several years back leaving a green streak down the side of a building. Thankfully, he was okay, but it was not pleasant. Like I said, love them hogs, but painting sitting down will be a nice change. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'm ready to tie up these last few loose ends and get started doing some things that don't require possible bodily harm. My mind has been churning out ideas and I have pieces of paper laying around everywhere, cause as something comes to mind, I jot it down so I won't forget it. Did I mention I'm getting older?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I've got some work to finish up for a carnival ice cream wagon and doing some organizing in the shop and hopefully I will be ready to start putting these ideas to boards or shutters or <span style="color: black;"> </span>mailboxes or whatever sits still long enough to get some paint on it. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Oh yes, I am ready. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Leaving you in His Care</span>,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Carla </span></div><br />
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Carla Parazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07636496952408881040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7585902172856549837.post-66079604253809905062011-02-22T13:41:00.005-06:002011-02-22T14:49:54.065-06:00Hello and Welcome<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Oh, I am so excited!</span></span></span></span></div><div align="center" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I have spent the morning on the phone, with my sweet neice in Omaha, who has taken time out of her busy schedule homeschooling the 3 of the cutest kids in the world to help an aged, computer illiterate sign painter. She has helped me set up my new blog and my new Etsy shop and I thank her very, very much.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div align="center" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"></div><div align="center" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Have you ever just had a God moment?</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div align="center" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Well, this is one of those moments. Over the last few weeks and months, I have been searching for something new to do (as if I need it, but that is for another blog) to work at home. For the last 27 years I have had a commercial sign shop, a wholesale sign shop, and a wannabe artist that actually sales a painting.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div align="center" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"></div><div align="center" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I've pondered over things to do to change directions, to do something easier on this ol' bod than lifting 4 x 8 sheets of plywood, or working in 100 degree weather on a bright white sign, or traveling 80 miles to paint a hog on a cement truck (that's another blog) not that I will give that up cause I love those 'hog' people, but I just needed something at home, something easier on my aching joints and something that gives me delight and happiness.</span></span></span></span><br />
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Do I want to decorate cakes? Sew clothes? Crochet hats and gloves? Nothing seemed to really fall into place, or seem to give me the direction that I needed. Then I went out to my shop, started painting and wonder of wonders, ideas started flowing from my mind, down through my chubby arm into that paint brush and it was like magic. Well not really, it was that God moment! Do what I'm good at, what He has given me a gift to do! What I have always knew was in me. Thank you Lord, for your special gifts, for the direction in my life, that makes me know this is what I am supposed to do.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div align="center" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"></div><div align="center" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I want to encourage you to wait on the Lord, and he will direct your path. Don't get ahead of God, just wait, and He will give you more than your heats desire, He will give you His desires for your life, which is so much better than what I could ever dream of.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div align="center" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"></div><div align="center" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I am so looking forward to sharing my designs and art with you.</span></span></span></span></div><div align="center" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Beautifully painted and hand-lettered signs.</span></span></span></span></div><div align="center" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Thank you for visiting my blog and thank you Christina for all your help.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div align="center" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Leaving you in His care,</span></span></div><div align="center" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: LucidaGrande;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: large;"><em>Carla</em></span></b></span></div>Carla Parazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07636496952408881040noreply@blogger.com0