FABRIC COLLAGE SWAP: I GOT IT! I GOT IT!

Greetings, dear readers!

Sorry still so silent...the plague remains a force to be reckoned with here in the Clouse House. I am going on week 2 of being nearly literally bedfast...ack! Would someone just SHOOT ME and put me out of my misery?!? Seriously, I am a far better nurse than patient, as my long suffering Nightingale (aka Hubby Dear) will atest.

However, although I am without camera and proper technology, I was able to scan the wonderful fabric collage sent to me from the amazing Michelle Cummings...behold the red and aqua goodness:

 

I just love the sweet little winged moon face! And the texture and words and vintage buttons are all so wonderfully wonderful! It put a smile on this fevered face...and for that I am grateful! 

I have been vicariously traveling with the lovely Julie Campbell to Carmel-by-the-Sea and adoring the fairy cottages. They put me in mind of the cottages found in England...I had the privilege of traveling there in 1998 and visiting virtually every historical town on the island. I have see Anne Hathaway's cottage at Stratford Upon Avon:

 

The gardens were amazing...I just loved the thatched roof! I have more pics of the inside of her home, Shakespeare's home and lots more...I'll dig them out and get them scanned for your viewing fun and pleasure!

Meanwhile, please say a prayer for puny paula clare...I am utterly sick of being sick!

DRIFTING ALONG WITH THE TUMBLIN TUMBLEWEED...

Greetings, dear reader! I am writing although I am currently down with a plague of some sort...compliments o' the hubs...a little anniversary gift that keeps on giving...fever, bronchitis, pneumonia...and my back is out. Again. So...all in all, life is  shaping up to be quite miserable at this moment...however, while flat on my back, I have the ability to peruse the internet for things I may never have time to otherwise find: 

Behold the fabulous cowboy/cowgirl goods! This lovely Texas candle...

 

And I just love the idea of your own soda bottle labels!

And these cute jars of cowboy cookie mix!

And these happy western paper goods from Etsy shoppes! Just love the banner...why is cowboys and red and aqua seem to go so well together? 

And this little slice o heaven cowgirl luxury...if I had to have a fainting sofa, this is the one for me!

I love ALL of her goods! More when I'm able!

Hugs to ya'll!
Paula Clare

Greetings,dear reader!

My dear friend Sandy over at 521 Lake Street is hosting an Easter tag swap...you simply MUST go check out the adorable images and get details! 

Also, my dear friend (yes, I have LOTS of DEAR friends!) Julie over at A Vintage Chic is hosting a wonderful Domestic Goddess giveaway! Again, go! Go get details!

Isn't this card DREEEEEAMY?! It would be oh so perfectly perfect in my red and aqua kitchen...although the winged Domestic Goddess and I seem to have VERY different results when it comes to cooking! (Proof in the proverbial pudding here)

However I just LOVE Crafty Secrets Domestic Goddess stamp and sticker line:

 Another of Julie's creations...isn't it the most wonderful thing EVER? I just LOVE the color and the dimension she is able to give her pieces...such a talent!

Anyway, in the spirit of domestic bliss, I give you a Dolly Dingle paper doll surprise! This is for you, Julie!

 

Just double click on image and save to print out your own darling Dolly Dingle paperdoll! 

More soon!

Paula Clare

ANOTHER "PEACE" OF ME...

The banner I'm using this month is from a book I created filled with peace quotes...here's one of my faves:

 The left side of the banner is a page from the book...the right side was added to create a blog header. 

Speaking of quotes, I am reminded of one of my favorite cartoons:

The hippie's shirt reads: "You Want A PEACE (sign) of me?" LOL! Maybe it's counselor humor...but I LOVE it!

Which leads me to the purpose of this post: I am creating a new blog. A blog that will deal with another "piece of me." It's called "The Contemporary Monk" and will be full of podcasts, photos and writings from Sister Paula Clare, the Franciscan monk. :-) 

Yes, it's true, I'm a peace loving, tree hugging, animal rights touting hippie and flower child. But a card-carrying monk as well. I have, along with a dear Franciscan brother, founded the Order of Evangelical Franciscan Fellowship. Click on the link to read all about it. 

I wanted my art blog to remain about my art, but that doesn't mean that's all there is to me! My art slops over into my spiritual life which slops over into my vocational life which...well...you get the idea! 

Here's the new blog address: http://www.thecontemporarymonk.blogspot.com

I'm in the process of getting a new computer system, and in the throes of that trying to set up a new website...so please standby! I am also in the process of getting my podcasts transcribed, so those who do not (for whatever reason) have the ability to listen to the "melodic and soothing sounds of Sister Paula Clare" (I suddenly sounded like an NPR commercial!) can read the podcasts as well. I currently have a "test" podcast up if you'd like to check it out. It was created when I was a chaplain for another Franciscan Order.

Anyway, you, my bloggy friends, are the first to know! More info as it develops! 

Hugs,

sr Paula Clare, OEFF

WELCOME TO BLOGDOM!

Greetings, dear readers!

Just a quick note to point you all to Elaine's blog, Honeysuckle Hollow...she's new to blogdom and has been quite a hoot to get to know! I met her at the New Years Eve Craft Along, (she stayed up with me for the entire evening!) and then won the FABulous grand prize giveaway! Behold:

She talks about her wee gnome's first adventure here:

And her papercrafting skills?! Although she SAYS she is a novice, I find it hard to believe when looking at the wonderful banner she made Sandy over at 521 Lake Street. Behold the eye candy:

 You simply MUST go visit! Go! Go now!

More soon!