Taking the Leap

It's been a little over a week since my weight-loss surgery.  I'm proud to report that I've lost 31 pounds since I started this journey!

I don't have any problems to report. I've kept everything down. Only a very mild feeling of nausea or heartburn (not sure which, actually). But I CAN see a difference in my ankles and hands – and my husband says he can already see a difference in my face.

Both my husband and I are elated at the positive experience so far and the cheerful support of friends and family.

Building My Wings

In place of my bad lifestyle habit of late-night snacking, you will now find me in my studio working on a project or reading.

This week I made this jewelry as an auction item for the upcoming Mozart, Merlot and Mums event benefitting Kevin's Community Center.

Lots of antiqued copper, Czech glass a couple of charms, seafoam green pearls and some leaf beads.  I call it 'Verdigris'.

Last night I was feeling inspired by a stamp I just purchased on the way home from the appt. with my Dr.  It's a quote from the verse of 'She' by Kobi Yamada.  Here is more of the text in order to put the quote into context.  (P.S. it is a major pet peeve of mine when no attribution is given for a quote on a stamp!!)

She must be something special. She is. Celebrate HER. 

She loved life and it loved her back. Celebrate her PASSION. 

She listened to her heart above all the other voices. Celebrate her WISDOM. 

She pursued big dreams instead of small realities. Celebrate her PRIORITIES. 

She saw every ending as a new begininning. Celbrate her RESILIENCY. 

She discovered her real measurements had nothing to do with numbers or statistics. Celebrate her SELF- ESTEEM. 

She was kind loving and patient…with herself. Celebrate her TENDERNES. 

She woke up one day and threw away all her excuses. Celebrate her ACCOUNTABILITY. 

She realized that she was missing a great deal by being sensible. Celebrate her SPIRIT. 

She turned her cant's into cans ahd her dreams into plans. Celebrate her GOALS. 

She ignored people who said it couldn't be done. Celebrate her INDEPENDENCE. 

She had a way of turning obstacles into opportunities. Celebrate her MAGIC. 

She went out on a limb, had it break off behind her and discovered she could FLY. Celebrate her FAITH. 

She discovered that she was the one she'd been waiting for. Celebrate her SELF-RESILIENCE. 

She added so much beauty to being human. Celebrate her PRESENCE. 

She walked in when everyone else walked out. Celebrate her FRIENDSHIP. 

She just had this way of brightening the day. Celebrate her RADIANCE. 

She made the whole world feel like home. Celebrate her WARMTH. 

She decided to enjoy more and endure less. Celebrate her CHOICES. 

She decided to start living the life she'd imagined. Celebrate her FREEDOM. 

She colored her thoughts with the brightest hues. Celebrate her OPTIMISM. 

She was an artist and her life was her canvas. Celebrate her BRILLIANCE. 

She ran ahead where there were no paths. Celebrate her BRAVERY. 

She crossed borders recklessly, refusing to recognize limits, saying bonjour and buon giornos as though she owned both France and Italy and the day itself. Celebrate her JOIE DE VIVRE. 

She held her head high and looked the world straight in the eye. Celebrate her STRENGTH. 

She not only saw a light at the end of the tunnel, she became that light for others. Celebrate her COMPASSION. 

She designed a life she loved. Celebrate her JOY. 

She took the leap and built her wings on the way down. Celebrate her DARING. 

She said bye-bye to unhealthy relationships. Celebrate her HAPPINESS. 

She remained true to herself. Celebrate her AUTHENTICITY. 

She made the world a better place. CELEBRATE HER.

— Kobi Yamada

And here is what I made:

I started by collaging book pages onto a piece of cardstock with gel medium.

I put several colors of watercolor paints in purple, teal, seafoam green and edged it with brown.

I did the same with a small tag and stamped the image from Stampers Anonymous with the ladies' face.

Then I took a clear acrylic 'coaster' piece and covered the back of it with Marshmallow Glimmer Mist.  I heat set this.  Then I stamped the sentiment with Stazon onto the front.

Embellished and voila.  I'm ready to fly.

(I was going to abandon this, but Brianna has claimed it!)

On the Weigh Down

I've decided to use this handmade 'Hardware Journal' that I made in a workshop with Thomas Ashman in August at the CREATE retreat in New Jersey, for my art journaling as I make these wonderful, healthy changes in my life. 

Hopefully lots of positive affirmations will fill the pages. 

So watch this space.  I'm becoming a LOT more prolific in my art-making these days!

Off to the pool.  Enjoy these waning summer days…