Three Muses - Postage Stamps

I decided to do a montage of stamps and postal marks I have made to use on mail art.   The album background was googled.    It's always such fun to play with stamps!  (The 50 cent stamp to the left of "Urgent" is my daughter.)

Take a Word - Friends

Background and animals are extractions from free wallpapers, and other elements are from April Mouse.   Sorry, I don't know the source of the quote ... but I certainly agree with it!

Susnday Postcard - Dress Form

I had fun with this one.  The dress form is compliments of Cemerony, arms, skirt and diary are googled, and face is one of my sketches.   The humorous quote is by Talullah Bankhead.   Thanks for stopping by!

Three Muses - Architecture

I am so saddened at the passing of so many little country churches.    Long before ornate churches and fancy cathedrals,  many Christians worshiped in these simple little chapels, untrained voices raised in song, and traveling preachers shared the word of God.    They were  often a hub of the community, famous for fried chicken suppers and ice cream socials.   These vignettes are by the very talented photographer, Swainboat, who generously allowed me to use his work.  When I traveled in my work, I frequently passed a little brick chapel beside the highway.  It occasioned me to write this poem.   Thank you for stopping by.

                    THE LITTLE CHAPEL

It's just a little chapel that sits beside the way
But I wonder what it could tell me if it could speak today.
The tower is now empty where the beckoning bell once rang,
And only dusty silence where the little congregation sang.
The windows are now vacant and the pews are long since gone,
But, if I listen, I hear echoes of ice cream socials on the lawn.
I imagine all the faithful who have talked here with their God
While outside their forefathers rested deep beneath  prairie sod.
I see all the bridal couples who have here exchanged their vows,
And think of long-ago sermons soothing furrowed brows.
How many babes were christened, how many old folks laid to rest?
How many Sunday mornings with folks dressed in Sunday best?
I feel God all about me as I stand beside the door
And listen to the voices of those who've passed before.
For one day I'll be like them, when this life has passed me by
And my voice be but an echo to some dreamer such as I.
May I live my life with honor in my short time here on earth,
And touch the lives of others with love, and joy and mirth.
May there always be a moment as day follows busy day
For echoes like the chapel's and what it had to say.

Take a Word - Dream

This was great fun.   Credit to Irene Alexeeva for background, Kubivet for angel and cloud, and Maureen O at Deviant Art for the "sky ship".   Thanks for having a look!

Sunday Postcard - Childhood

I've used my own photo of one of the tulip fields in Oregon, and the child is from a Jesse Wilcox-Smith painting.   Thanks for the challenge, SPA ladies, and thanks to my blog friends for stopping by!

Three Muses - Lock and Key

I loved this partially open door, and couldn't resist hanging a key beside it and putting some little secret-sharers inside.  My little tykes sharing secrets are compliments of Astrid McLean.  Overlay by Skeletal Mess.   I'm glad you stopped by to take a look!

Take a Word - Peacock

I blended the beauty of a pair of peacock feathers with a lovely sketch by John William Waterhouse for this rather sinplistic piece.  I hope you like it.

Sunday Postcard - Steampunk

Here's my steampunk postcard, with the help of Maya at Scrapbookgraphics!   I appreciate your stopping by!

Three Muses - Vintage Style

Elegant ladies in blue are from Tangie Baxter, the background is kaleidoscoped peacock feathers, which seemed appropriate, since I'm sure th ladies are all proud as peacocks!   Thanks for your visit.

Take a Word - Gentleman

Portrait of Henry VIII by Hans Holbein the Younger, lyric with which we're all familiar, credit for drapes to Tangie Baxter at Scrapbookgraphics.   I think if Henry VIII were around today, he'd surely be on a football team somewhere!    Thanks to Mark for a fun challenge, and thanks blog friends for your visit!

Sunday Postcard - Chicken Run

A funny bit of a language barrier.  I grew up on a farm in the Midwest, but I've never heard of a "chicken run".  I had to look it up.  Seems it's the same as what we call a chicken coop or hen house.  It all brought to mind the phrase "a fox in the hen house", and I tried to depict that.  Fence and chicken wire from Holliewood Designs, all else from cybersurfing.  Thanks for stopping by!

Three Muses - Hats & Wings

Wings & Crowns and Hats and Things, Ann says.  I think I've covered the bases here!   Thanks to B. Datema of Scrapbook Graphics for the background, Irene Alexeeva for the tree,  the ostrich was a freebie, and the pigtailed ostrich-walker is a Bev original.   Thanks for stopping by!