MONSTER HANDS TREATS

OK, wish I had a picture of these, but you'll just have to trust me that they are the COOLEST Halloween Treat ever!

And so simple to make...you can do it with your kids too!

You'll Need:

Plastic Gloves

(like the Dentist/Doctor/Salon type WITHOUT the powdery stuff)

Candy Corn

(preferably with the black tips)

Bags of Popcorn

Cheap Orange and/or Black Ribbon

All you do is put a candy corn in each finger tip of the glove. Then stuff the fingers and entire glove with popcorn, (don't over stuff, the fingers should be able to droop a bit) and leave room at the wristlet part.

Tie closed at wrist with ribbon!

The hands are all tinted, bumpy and lumpy, with spooky nails!

I'm telling you...you will LOVE it!

Great for parties, classroom treats, or just in a bowl for your family!

OK GO MAKE SOME!

OLD FRIENDS...NEW THINGS

"Purple Passion" Bible Keepers n Bookmarks can be found here! http://www.artnjoy.etsy.com
OK I have to admit, I started forgetting an old friend that had always helped me out in the past and somehow gave me some peace and wisdom.
Then one evening, after a long spent day, I lay in bed, feeling...well, not so good. Somewhat sad and anxious, a bit shaken over our financial plight and how we would now get by on one very meager salary. Thankful that my husband finally scored a job at a local factory, but after me being laid off from my PT job...I wondered how we were ever going to make it. What about the winter boots my kids would need? And the list went on...though I won't bore you with it here.
I have always prayed and I have always believed that God would see me through anything as He has shown me many blessings in the past. However, that night, things seemed dim. God seemed distant.
Anyhoo, I turned my head to see, on the second shelf of my nightstand, my old friend. Wisened, Hopeful, Full of Light, but not quite shining...being surrounded by papers, books, debris that distracts. But there it was.....waiting.
I reached for it, bit's of scraps stuck out all over. I let it open to one that guided me. "You will pray to him, and he will hear you, and you will fulfill your vows. What you decide on willbe done, and light will shine on your ways." JOB 22:27
I opened to another scrap. "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." LUKE 11:9
I continued...the words were sing song, lifting my heart, giving me strength and light, moving me on. Another day would come. I pray once again. And am able to sleep.
The next day, I decided to replace those scraps, with Bible Keepers. Surely, my old friend deserved better than willy nilly scraps sticking out all over! I made them slightly smaller than the average bookmark so that I could use several at once without my Bible becoming too cumbersome.
I also, cleared out the clutter on my nightstand, so that I could remember that my old friend was always nearby. Ready to give me strength, wisdom and light my way. Only now, it looked much prettier!
I enjoyed making my Bible Keepers so much, that I continued making more in different designs. They are available at my shop ArtnJoy on etsy, if you would like to take a peek! http://www.artnjoy.etsy.com
Have a blessed weekend...full of light

Lighting My Way

"Lighting My Way" D. Altaville 2009

OK so son #1 has been up at college for two weeks now and I guess I'm slowly adjusting.

He however, seems to be doing just fine, as far as I can tell from his vids and emails, most of which his sister receives.

The one that I did get, was in response to some questions I had for the ole wise boy.
Stupid Mommy, I asked what he was eating...curious about the range of fare available at the cafeteria. His reply was...I'm old enough to take care of myself! Do I really have to list what I'm eating for breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday!

(Well, no...not exactly (:)

The other two are off to a great start in school as well.

Though, since turning seven in July, the little guy seems to be getting an attitude that's too big for his pants.

(is there something in the water?)

He is by far my most persistent and stubborn child.

I decided to entertain him recently with a "photo walk" where we could take photos together, since he was dying to use the digi camera (afterall he is seven now, he explained).

The little bugger was quite an inspiration and I remembered how much I loved exploring photography.

Sooo... I have a new shop on etsy called Velocity Joy featuring my recent explorations.

Since I was laid off from my job a few weeks ago I'm hoping maybe this will bring in some spare change since we are back to struggling once again. Though I know God will see us through this, and light our way somehow. Anyhooo...

If you have a moment...take a peek....

http://www.velocityjoy.etsy.com

Big BlueJude Hugs and Blessings to all!

HOW STUPID Am I....

Geez, Ok so #1 son got into college and all was covered...so I thought. Of course there are book expenses, BUT did you know there is also insurance and all these hidden costs??
PLUS the dorm neccessities of which follow for those of you who are as stupid as I am at the moment. (I'm sure thre are not many!)
Towels Crate
Desk Lamp Laundry Bag
Trash Basket Bathroom Caddy
Underbed Storage Extra Little Bins?
-----------------------------------------------------------
Hair Brush Deodorant
Shampoo Razors
Shower gel Q Tips
Toothpaste Laundry detergent
Toothbrush Hangars
-------------------------------------------------------------
2 Pairs of Jeans
Sneakers
Underwear
Socks
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AND GOD KNOWS what else I'm forgetting! Oh yes, a laptop case for sure!!
And Believe it or not I even thought of Chip Clips...don't ask me why!
Of course I will go to the dollar store and The Marts..but still it is all adding
up beyond my control!!
AND I was having such a good Monday! (A rarity! (:)
Anyone who can help please (as food stamps don not cover this!) please send to teh #1 Son College Fundraiser via PayPAl at bluejude126@yahoo.com
OH and did I mention...I started doing some art again. Hmph..gotta get the release somehow I guess. Soon I'll share. Thanks all for letting me vent and bore you to death!
BlueJude hugs!

GOOD NEWS...

OK heres some good news! My wonerful oldest son, got all his college apps in- on his own...applied to like 6 colleges- got accepted to them all, as well as some scholarship money....AND the final result is- he is going to a college in upstate NY which offered him mucho scholarship money for all 4 years! And with grants and aid he got it all covered! I am so proud of him!! He really is one terriffic kid!!
My biggest prayer now is that God provides us with all we need so that we can continue living in this house for another year- as this is my daughters last year of H.S. (I'm actally applying for state mortgage assistance AGAIN- praying it will go through this time round now that hub has some kind of job)
AND with Jesse going off to college it will be a MAJOR adjustment for his 2 siblings so I don't want to have to disrupt their world even further. (Of course its gonna tug at my heartstrings too!) I know its gonna break the little guys heart too.
It seems, My hubs job is only 28 hours a week during the first three months training period. SO I am still sending out an SOS for any contributions while we get through this and play catch- up and try and get a foothold on things.
My son knows I cant get him any elaborate graduation gift, but I sure would like to give him SOMETHING, he worked hard for this and he certainly deserves it-but we have no extra funds right now. We are having a small barbecue with family and friends cause at least my food stamps will cover that! (:
SO any help at all is much appreciated via Paypal to bluejude126@yahoo.com
AND all prayers are welcome. The power of prayer is mighty. Thanks for any help you can give us. Hope everyone is off to a wonderful summer and hope to catch up with all soon!
Big bluejude hugs!

Hangin In There...

"Deadly Mystery" by Darcy Altaville

This is the first journal page I have done in a very long time. Not my finest work, but pretty much makes a statement about how I'm feeling about our state of affairs around here. You can read the post below for more details on that.

It surely is a mystery to me how we will get through it all, but God works in mysterious ways too, and I am keepin the faith that He will keep His lovin hand upon this family and see us through, comin out on top.

It's the only thing that gets me through the day. That and a cuddle and a giggle from the little guy and joshin around with my banshee teens, and of course a good ole hubby hug.

Thank You to my two blogging buddies who have stopped by my etsy shop to make a purchase.

Beleive me...every LITTLE BIT helps at this point.

We are down to the wire!!

Anyone who can find it in their hearts to make a small donation to help out the family fund can do so via PayPal to bluejude126@yahoo.com

Thank you so much!!

Have a blessed and creative weekend all!

Desperate But Still Here

I miss blogging and speaking with you all. However, the summer was spent mostly hanging around and being busy with the kids, especially the little guy who is a handful but so adorable. As you know they are the light of my life. So there wasn't much time for blogging. Nor was I in the mood much for blogging with the way things are going.
You see, our finacial situation is absolutely DIRE right now and we are trying to stay one step ahead of foreclosure. My hubby has been fortuante enough to get a bit of work here and there with local laborers and I still have my Sales job though I couldn't work it much over the summer and the income just is not enough.
Believe me, we have looked for more work and continue to do so. I tried getting public assistance, but was turned down. I don't understand teh system at all! Last year they gave us emergency food stmaps and now this year they are ssaying we are not applicable. Our income is less now then it was last year! Go figure.
And of course our heat and electric and water has gone up, like everything else. SO I'm doing a lot of praying, especially that we make it through the winter. Some heat is a neccesity after all. (:
As is food and water.
Funny, we're not materialistic people, and we're basically good people, with three great kind kids. And I'm sure that the economy is taking it's toll on others out there as well.
I hate to write such a down post but wanted to let you all know where I'm at, why I haven't been blogging - never mind creating. It's all I can do to just keep putting one foot in front of the other each day and not be overcome by fear but try and walk in faith.
AND I hate to do this, really I do, but if any of you are so inclined for a bluejude print, NOW would be a great time to stop by my ETSY shop. As EVERY little bit would help to at least keep food on the table and the neccesary bills paid. PLEASE DO NOT go to my Cafe Press Shop as I have not been able to pay the fees but for some reason its still up.
Also taking any donations in my paypal if anyone is so inclined. At this point anything as small as $10.00 is a huge help. I know how incredibly awful that must sound but that's how desperate I am right now. Also all prayers and blessings are welcome and appreciated. Thanks so much for your understanding while reading this desperate post.
Still keepin the faith...and tring to stay hopeful. Miss you all and hope everyone is well.
Big BlueJude Hugs!