It's February Already

I can't believe we are already into our second month of 2008. The month of Love (roses, valentines and chocolates); celebrating Groundhog Day - let's hope he saw his shadow today, or 6 more weeks of this cold weather. Which can only mean that Spring must be around the corner! Oh yes, least I forget, my older son's birthday is February 17th, he will be 24. You must be thinking, oh how can a mother ever forget the day her child was born. Mea culpa, two years ago, I did completely forget; well, with celebrating Valentine's Day only a few days before, those 3 extra days came faster than expected. An occasion of which he will never let me forget. So, Keith, if I forget again, I did give you a "shout-out" on my blog! Happy Birthday to you!

Lest one think crafters hybernate during these cold winter days, my time has been spent learning Photoshop (I had to buy "Photoshop for Dummies"), now I need the follow-up for the ones who can't even figure out the book for "dummies." Surprise, this weekend I did manage to master the basics of Photoshop, so I have spent the past few days, revamping my whole shop. Who knew your photos had to be 430 pixels? Anyway, the hours of sitting here going blind at my computer, have paid off - my jewelry has a sharpness and clarity I couldn't manage before. Thank you to all who said it looked great this morning; and for the rest of you, please stop by and check my "revamped" shop! Unfortunately I won't be there to greet you. You will notice my avatar has been replaced by a little sign saying "Temporarily closed, on vacation." A much needed vacation I must say.

Tomorrow I am off to Fatima in Portugal, then onto France where we will visit Lourdes, where thousands of miracles have been documented. There has been continual running water in the spot where Mary appeared exactly 100 years ago this week. We will take part in the celebration commerating this occasion. It will be two weeks of a memorable and spiritual journey. I will be sure to take as many pictures as my camera will allow, and when I return shall share them with all of you - the many friends I have made, and not to forget my friends on the "Boomer" chat team!

I would be remiss not to update all of you on the progress of our "Tragedy and Triumph" Quilting Project. If you notice on my "update" post, our list is growing, and there is still room for more who wish to participate. I will give you a brief synopsis of our newest additions: Alisclair.etsy.com is doing two blocks commerating the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institute); which is a charitable team in the UK who donate their time to 24-hour's each day lifesaving at sea. Artmixer.etsy.com will celebrate the "triumph" of Scotland's 1st Parliament, their own Government separate from the United Kingdom. On the other end of the spectrum, Stitchntyme.etsy.com is doing a block on the "tragedies" of the Survivors of Abuse. Ev, from artisanimpact.etsy.com, did her block as a project with her daughter, Elle. They have finished their square and I will post it as soon as I get a picture. AltheaP.etsy.com has completed her block which is a dedicated to the lost of two of her brothers to drug abuse. I am posting the picture of her block which I hope was a healing experience for her to work on this square.










And now I will sign off to finish those last minute details of packing, and will be back with lots of photos and memories of my "spiritual" journey.
Oh yes, while you are waiting for my return and my next update's, please stop by my shop MagdaleneJewels.etsy.com, and view my "revamped" shop.