What's in a name?

Juliet:"What's in a name? That which we call a rose - by any other name would smell as sweet."Romeo and Juliet

My good friend Julie suggested I talk about some necklaces I made for our little group. It all started with five or six of us several years ago as a bible study/fellowship. It became oh so much more than that over the years. Although I moved from California almost 4 years ago, I still consider myself a part of this group - actually there are 2 of us who live in another state now, and others have since joined.

A few years ago someone in the group suggested that on January 1st, instead of making a resolution, we would all "name the year" - in other words, describe in one word what we each want the year to look like. Hopefully, as the year unfolds, each will incorporate that word into their prayer life and grow...

This year I created a necklace for each woman, with their word on one side and "2009" on the reverse - a tangible reminder of what they set forth to accomplish. I presented these to each friend (one had to be sent off) when I was down in California for a visit last month.

These necklaces are made from small rectangular pieces of glass I cut on my wonderful glass cutting grid. I then printed out the words for front & back and cut them to the size of the glass. All this is copper taped & soldered together and a ring is attached for a chain and presto - a token of friendship and love...

One of the words chosen was "zoe" which was a mystery to me, I must admit. As I was soon to find out, it is a Greek word that translates to "life abundant", and Julie claimed it for her year after hearing Pastor Ron speak about it. Pretty sweet, don't you think? Some other words were wholeness, push, stability, fulfillment, and serenity. I just goes to show you how different each woman's journey is...

Okay, I am sure you are all wondering what my necklace said.....GROW. I wanted 2009 to be a year in which I grew as a wife, mom, grandma, friend, sister and daughter, but mostly I wanted to grow in my spiritual life - if I accomplish that, the rest will follow, right?

Beginning this journey into the world of "the blog" is one way I have grown, and I am glad you stopped by to see what I am up to in my wee attic....

Greetings....

My first post ever - I am so excited! How quickly life can change. This morning a friend of mine suggested I start a blog, and voila! Up until now I have watched from afar - my first obsession was with my daughter Jaime's blog which she wrote as she and her husband traveled the world for a year. I felt as though I went right along with her, as she wrote stories and posted beautiful pictures and delicious recipes. Lately I have enjoyed the blogs of some of my creative friends, but never dreamed I would have anything new and different to offer the world....


My desire and sole purpose for this blog is to share design ideas - along with that I may take you on a little side adventure into my past - but all of it will hopefully end up in a project of some sort. I love gleaning ideas from magazines, catalogues and even a few how-to television shows, but mostly I learn from the amazing friends I have gathered throughout the years. I have had the honor and privilege to know some of the most creative women on this earth, and I hope to continue learning from these friends who have made homemaking a fine art. You know who you are....


First things first - my family! Here's to the folks who have always believed in me. They have put up with my obsessive behaviors and my thrown -together dinners, just so I could finish up a project or two - "just one more stitch..." comes to mind. My husband Dennis, the true artist in the family, (no one can do crown moulding like Mr. Johnson) my kids, Jaime and Dusty, who are inspirations no matter what they choose to do, their soul mates, Jacob (who knows everything there is to know about computers) and Aleah (who is the fine artist I aspire to be) - and of course the grand kids, Karise (my budding little artist & pen pal) and Dres the Magnificent!



Last, but not least, is my faithful companion Monkey, who I love dearly. I forgive you with all my heart for being too afraid of the stairs to come up with me into my attic....

More to come...thanks for stopping by!

PammyJ