Mourning and Celebration

My father went in for hip replacement surgery the Monday before the Thursday that I had my heart surgery. His surgery went very well, and from the hospital he went to rehabilitation. Being a stubborn 89 year old man, he decided to go home early. He did many things he was not supposed to, such as climbing upstairs to get into bed instead of sleeping in the bed that was set up for him downstairs. On about the third night that he had been home he fell down the stairs and could not be resuscitated for a long time. It turned out that he had had a very bad heard attack and a small stroke. Later testing showed that he had many health issues that we were not aware of and that quickly brought on his death. Needless to say my father's death has been a huge source of pain for all of us. However, his life is also a celebration. As much as I will miss him I am so glad that he did not suffer with illness for a long time. He lived to be 89 years old in very good health, his hip only bothering him for the last year. He had a life rich in love, belief, value and life experience. He was a very generous man. He will always be with me and I will always love him.

I've had an idea for a contest, but I want to hear from some of you whether you think I am crazy. I think that I have been writing about sadness so much lately, because that's what's been happening in my life. I want to turn things around a little.

 In the late 1800s, early 1900s women wore mourning clothing in black. Many of them were quite beautiful. I thought that it would be fun to have a contest in which contestants would make up a "celebration shawl" instead of mourning clothes.  It could be made of any kind of fiber material, fabric, felted cloth, paper mached, etc. It has to be life size, and it has to have a "life celebration" theme. As with the last contest, you would take 3 very good pictures of your shawl and send them to me.

There would be 2 rewards, 2 lace shawls that I have made. One shawl made of black lace, and one made with white lace.

Before starting this contest I want to hear what you think and I want some questions. Does this make sense? Am I crazy? Please be honest. If I don't hear anything I will get the point!
Love and Hugs, Cameron

A STRANGE CONTEST IS COMING WATCH FOR IT!!!

Playing With Mixed Media

 

I can't believe that it has been 3 weeks since my surgery, but in this instance I am so happy that time has gone by quickly. Thank you for you positive thoughts, prayers, cards and gifts. 

Prior to surgery I knew that I wouldn't be doing any felting for a while due to restrictions on pulling, twisting, weight carrying limitations, etc. So  I decided that I would gather up a few old materials and get back into making a few journals- my old materials being some old papers I had made a while back, and some journal covers that I made last Christmas. I also went on line and started buying a few paints and inks and other this and that's. I decided that I "deserved" a few treats since I was going to suffer an operation.

 I have many great materials that lend themselves to making mixed media collage journals, but I find that I am not very good at putting those together. I wish that I had the talent of my blogger buddy Sue, Heloise.

As soon as I got home I began trying to use my paints, but I was so weak that I could only stay out of bed for a short time. I pushed myself too hard many times and ended up exhausted. All I was trying to do was paint a piece of paper. I will never take my health for granted again! I did notice that each day my strength grew, and my endurance lengthened. This is still lengthening. The painting is fun and has turned out to be a good way to spend time while recuperating.

  

My paper

Journal cover

With this blog I mainly want to say hello. My painted papers aren't that much to see, just something to do until I can get back to felting, but I  want to touch bases with my blogger buddies and say thanks for being there.

Love and Hugs, Cameron