A Very Merry Christmas!!!!....

I hope you and yours are having a wonderful Christmas Day!!!!!  The boys have been up since 3 and we are tired, but happy:)  Merry Christmas to you all and I thank each and every one of you who make this little square of internet feel like home to me. 

Love, Jamie

"Rock-A-Bye"

Digital collage by Jamie Miller

(image from the FIT images and texture from PlayingwithBrushes)

Bare with me!  I am messing around with the new image settings on Blogger.  I hope you are all taking some time for YOU during this busy, crazy season!!  Love, Jamie

Quotes for Today:

"Stress is not what happens to us. It's our response TO what happens. And RESPONSE is something we can choose."
~Maureen Killoran



“If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.”
~Marcus Aurelius


"Don't sweat the small stuff... and it's all small stuff."
~Richard Carlson, PH.D.

Merry Christmas FIT...Cancelled Surgery and Gingerbread Cookies...

Victorian Scrap from my collection

(This is a .jpeg image)

(This is a .PNG image and if you open it in Photoshop I have erased the background for you:)

Happy Holidays everyone!!  We are all hanging in here.  James and David have both had strep and bronchitis.  It was really dicey with James for about a week, but no hospital trip this time!  And no pneumonia!!!  When the asthma is bad like that it is like having a newborn again.  Up every 3-4 hours for treatments.  I just sleep with him to make it easier.  I have to say that this year has been wonderful for James in terms of the asthma.  We got his eczema under control and it has made a HUGE difference in his symptoms.  He has been healthier this year more than any other year since he was born.  I have to credit his asthma specialist Dr. June Zhang.  She really listens to and loves James.  Thanks Dr. June!!!!

Unfortunately, we had to cancel David's Tymplanoplasty until he clears up and is better.  You can't cough or sneeze during your recovery time and David's cough is terrible right now.  Poor Bunny!  The doctor is thinking maybe the 29th.  At least he won't be in pain on Christmas day so that is a real blessing.  Today I am attempting to make and decorate gingerbread cookies from scratch.  I have never baked a cookie from scratch in my entire life.  The boys will be my helpers and my Mom is here to help too.  So, I will take photos of the mayhem for you:)

EDITED TO ADD:  I made gingerbread cookies!!!  From scratch!!!  I have NEVER baked anything from scratch.  The boys and Mom helped with the mixing and rolling and cutting.  Then after they were all baked we sat down at the table with tons of sprinkles and icing.  SO MUCH FUN!  But, boy am I tired!!  My husband said I only did it so I could decorate them.  He knows me so well;)

The rest of this grouping are postcards from my collection. You know how I can never pass by a bird with out grabbing it! LOL!! I hope you love them! Love, Jamie

Three Muses Challenge...Bottles and Jars...

Digital collage, "ROYGBIV" for The Three Muses by Jamie Miller

I hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend!!!  Love, Jamie

Girl...

Digital Collage by Jamie Miller


My husband asked me when I was going to add the Teletubbies to this piece.  Yes.  He is still breathing:)  So I toned it down with some texture and really like the finished one better.   The first one really was too bright.  Just don't tell him that!  LOL!!!

FIW....And The Saddest Little Gingerbread Houses in the World....LOL!!!...

I know it's Wednesday, but James and I have strep throat!!  Yucky!!  We got antibiotics yesterday.  The doctor was nice enough to give me a script for David too.  Just in case!!!  His surgery is next Tuesday and he can not be sick or they will cancel it.  He is finally getting his eardrum repaired.  Poor Sweetie.  He has really been through it with that for almost a year.  Hopefully this graft will stay put and we can move on with fun things like recess and sports:)

Here are what's left of the gingerbread houses!  Notice the teeth marks.  LOL!!  I am being pretty lax about the boys eating them because I know David is not going to feel like eating it next week.  I think David's would make a good manger scene!!  LOL!!!!!

The FITs for this week are two more of my Seeborn egg prints.  I love them so:)

 

I hope everyone is staying sane over the holiday hoopla and enjoying the good cheer:)  Love, Jamie

Quotes for the Day:

"Why is Christmas just like a day at the office? You do all the work and the fat guy with the suit gets all the credit." 

~Anonymous

"What do you call people who are afraid of Santa Claus? Claustrophobic."

~Anonymous

Fun and Games

Fun and Games, originally uploaded by art-e-ology.

Very late entry to last week's Three Muses Challenge. Thank you Ladies!! Love, Jamie

Three By A Tree FIT...and a Christmas Collage Sheet for You...

I LOVE this image so much.  The children are beautifully decked out in their winter wear and gloves.  The studio background and props are wonderful.  This is the only cabinet card I have that has an entire tree in the studio.  Awesomeness:)

I hope everyone is well and happy.  We are gearing up for the holidays and getting things decorated.  The boys decorated the Christmas tree on Monday.  All the decorations on the tree stop at about the five foot mark because that's how high they could reach.  SOOOOO cute:)   I will add some today while they are at school.  We assembled our gingerbread houses yesterday and they are ready for decorating this afternoon.  I will take pictures, but I have a great tip for making it easier to assemble.  Assemble it on top of a lazy Susan!!! You can get to every side and not disturb the sides you have already put together.  When we were putting the sides of the first house together I asked David to get a soup can from the pantry to help support the side until it dried.  He asked if I wanted chicken noodle or vegetable beef!  LOL!!!!  They keep me on my toes for sure:)

                                                                                     

Edited to Add:  Here are the finished houses:)  They are climbing on the ceiling from all the sugar.  Help!!

"Alexandra"

Digital Piece by Jamie Miller

These are some older FIT images, but since they are Christmas themed I wanted to re-post them for those who are new:)  They make great gift tags!!

Collage Sheet for You:)

Original Images

Quote For Today:

"Christmas - that magic blanket that wraps itself about us, that something so intangible that it is like a fragrance. It may weave a spell of nostalgia. Christmas may be a day of feasting, or of prayer, but always it will be a day of remembrance - -a day in which we think of everything we have ever loved." 

~ Augusta E. Rundel

Thanksgiving Bliss...

My Boys

I hope eveyone had as wonderful a day as we did.  We are so very Thankful for our blessings.  Our first Thanksgiving in our new home.  Perfect!  The boys loved using the formal china and being "grown-up".  They also loved the pie:)   

Quote for Today:

"Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received.  Thankfulness is the natural impluse to express that feeling.   Thanksgiving is the following of that impulse."

~Henry Van Dyke

Three Muses Challenge...Time...

The TimeKeeper by Jamie Miller

(collage on canvas with antique watch parts and antique photo from my personal collection.  Quote written by Me:))

Here is my entry for the Three Muses Challenge.  It is not a new piece, but it is important to me.  I made this for a man named Walter who ran an antique store in town with his wife.  He collected and repaired pocket watches and we loved to talk about them together.  He was the TimeKeeper.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!!...FIT Quickie!!..

I am logging in real fast to post the FIT, will be back later with more.  I am running around like a turkey with my...well, you know;)  Love, Jamie

Ok, I am back.  Wow!  This has been a busy Holiday Season already!  I am hosting the turkey dinner this year and getting everything  together has really has been a job!  I actually had to unpack some of the stuff I needed!  LOL!!  (The invitation to help me unpack is still open, by the way:)  I hope you have a wonderful day with your family and friends.  Be careful in your travels and save room for some punkin pie:)

Love, Jamie

 I have been unpacking some ephemera and thought these mushrooms would be great for Fall.  And they are edible:)

 This is an albumen photo from the civil war era.  These photos are larger than cabinet cards.  Some that I have are 10 by 12.  This photo measures 10 by 6.  I often wonder if during this sitting they had an ambrotype  or tintype image made also.  Their clothing is a wonderful example of late 1850's -1860's fashion.  These six are a brother and his sisters and they all look very serious:)  I love the names on the back of the photo.  You know it always tickles me to find identification on my photos.

 Mother, Molan, Monroe, Martha, Manda and Maria:)  At first I thought the numbers showed where they were sitting.  But I now believe they are to show their birth order from oldest to youngest.  That Martha is a stern looking Gal is she not?  LOL!!

 These two FITS are are from a series of German bird prints.  I can never seem to pass up the blue eggs.  I love the blue eggs the best:)

Quotes for Today:

"We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures."
~Thornton Wilder

"Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving."
~W.T. Purkiser


"May your stuffing be tasty
  May your turkey plump,
  May your potatoes and gravy
  Have nary a lump.
  May your yams be delicious
  And your pies take the prize,
  And may your Thanksgiving dinner
  Stay off your thighs!"
  ~Author Unknown

Three Muses Challenge...Keys...

"The Key To Solace" by Jamie Miller

And The Winner Is......

Sweet Donna from Bluebirdlane!!!!!  Send me your address Sweetie!!  Thank you to each and everyone who make this blog feel like home to me.  I never would have made it to 200  posts without your support and friendship.  Love, Jamie

I love these three Ladies.  I bet they are sisters.  They are perfect for the upcoming winter in their heavy coats and winter hats.  I think the sister on the far left is pregnant and hiding it. It was rare for ladies to be photographed while pregnant in the Victorian times.

Art-e-ology's 200th Post Giveaway!!!!!!...

Dear Sweet Friends,

Well, today is my 200th blogpost!!  I would not have blogged for so long if it had not been for all of you wonderful Friends.  I can't express enough the joy you bring me and how much I love seeing you here. Our blog community has more heart and soul than I ever thought possible from the internet.  So thank you.  Thank you for your kind words.  Thank you for your talent and all you share.  Thank you for the warm shoulder when I need it.  Thank you for letting me have FITs every week:)  Thank you for being such an important part of my life. 

Love, Jamie

Now.  On to the LOOT!!!!  Sorry it's so late in the day.  Today was CRAZY!!!

I am going to let the giveaway run until next Tuesday (November 16th) and the winner will be announced on the Free Image Tuesday post.  So just sign up here on this post and I will use the random number generator to pick the lucky duck:)

First let me post a disclaimer that the photos you are about to see are HORRIBLE!!  I missed the daylight today so please forgive.  Photographer, I am not!  LOL!!!

The Giveaway is 36 antique photographs.  There are tintypes from the civil war era, Carte de Vista photos, cabinet cards and Real Photo Post Cards.  It is a wonderful set for a beginning photo collection.

The Whole Shebang!

Tintypes and Real Photo Post Cards

Cabinet Cards

CDVs

I hope you like it!!  Thank you so much and Good Luck!!!!  Love, Jamie

Today Is Art-e-ology's 199th Post!...Free Image Tuesday and A 200th Post Giveaway!!

I can't believe that I almost missed it!!!!  Long ago, I missed my 100th post and by the time I realized it, it was too late to do anything.  LOL!!  So, in celebration (of me actually getting my act together!) Art-e-ology is having a 200th post Giveaway.  I will post the Giveaway tomorrow (Since it will be the 200th:)  and then anounce the winners at next week's Free Image Tuesday.  I'm so excited!!!  I'm SO excited I didn't miss it a second time:)   

Look at this stunning Beauty!!  She is perfect!

I love this monkey and his toy puppy.  I wish I could have dressed my boys like that.  Right.  I don't think there is enough money in the therapy fund for that!  LOL!!

This Little Angel is perfectly posed and such a cutie.  I love her dress and shoes!

So many lovely Artists have used the FITs in their artwork.  Please let me know when you post a piece because I love to see your beautiful creations.  I am setting up a special post every week to showcase them and show them off.  You can email a link to my email account (askarteology@yahoo.com) or just comment here on the blog with a link.  I have no idea why I haven't been doing this all along!  Foolishness on my part, for sure!! I am so amazed everyday at the wonderful people who we encounter here in Blog World.  I know it has made my life richer in ways I never imagined.  Being absent for the move just highlighted how much I depend on each and everyone of you.  I missed being here and seeing your art.  So, forgive the sloppy hugs and enjoy the new FITs:)  Love, Jamie

Mail Love and Free Image Monday...

Look at the lovely art canvas Sweet Tami Roth created for me!!!! She is participating in the Random Acts of Kindness for 2009 and boy was this a wonderful surprise! I love the vibrant colors and the sweet message. I haven't forgotten about my RAK girl!! We have until Dec. 31st, right? LOL!!!!! Run over to her blog and see all her wonderful creations:)

Inspire by Tami Roth

Ok. On to business.


1. Old house sold. We were on pins and needles towards the end, but it all worked out:)


2. New house almost unpacked. (You will be hearing this for the next year or two! LOL!!)


3. I am blessed. I have the most wonderful blog friends. Thank you each and every one of you. I know my time here has been limited of late, but your comments and emails mean so very much to me. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!


So how about Free Image Monday today and Free Image Tuesday tomorrow? How does that sound? You won't know what to do with yourselves! LOL!! I have some really sweet photos for you. (Don't forget you can access all past FIT images by clicking on the button on my sidebar.)

This is a RPPC (Real Photo Post Card) and I am really in love with the border framing thisLittle Miss. It would make a great Photoshop frame.





Ok. This little Guy is just screaming for a party hat!!! Don't you think? Even though he is wearing a big bow and a dress, he is still all boy! LOL!!

Look at this Sweetie all ready for the cold weather in his peacoat! I cleaned him up a bit, but left the frame shabby for you.

FIW!!!! (Wipes Brow)...I'm Exhausted!...

It's Free Image Wednesday. Yes. I know. I am totally late. Again. Thank you so much for being so patient and sticking with me. Someday soon I will get my stuff together. But, not this week. LOL!!! Oh, the boxes!!! Why don't you all come over and help me unpack? We could get it all banged out in a couple of hours and then we could have a great big 'ole art party. We'd laugh and art and have a wonderful time. We'd stay up late and take a midnight walk to the grave yard and scare the beejebus out of each other:) I wish! How fun would that be?! Here are some pics of the inside of the new house. The old house closes next Tuesday and then we are DONE!!!!!!! Yeah!!!



This week's FIT photos have the theme of affection. All these photos show such great love and affection. Even the beautiful sweetie more interested in loving her stuffed toy than getting a boring picture taken:)

This is Master Karl H. Madison and his Mother. Oh, the baby love and the beautiful pride in Momma's Eyes! This photo was taken on March 26, 1906 in Leetonia, Ohio.

I picked this young couple because they seem very much in love. I love how their head's are leaned in and touching. I bet they are newly married and ready to start their lives together.

Look at this Angel!!! Those pudgy cheeks are begging for kisses! Now she can pat the bunny:)The very ornate wicker chair was a very common studio prop in the early 1900's.

On the back of her photo is this ghostly image. I love finding these because they are like an extra treat:) This image transfer happens when photos are stored stacked on top of each other for long periods of time. I wonder if this was her Mother?


Here are some more gravestone photos. These are from a Church that is only 5 minutes drive from our neighborhood. I spent a cloudy morning there last week and took some photographs.

Nettie J.


Gracy

Rosebud

Sarah A.

Eliza A.

Fannie and Evie

Feel free to use any of the gravestone images in your art also:)

Daily Quotes:

“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.”
~Hindu Prince Gautama Siddharta, the founder of Buddhism, 563-483 B.C.

“The best way to hold a man is in your arms.”
~Mae West