Wow, it has been a long time since I visited here... I decided to make a few changes from dark to bright... to go along with Summer Solstice. So, I am hosting my first Swap this month, and as you can see from the pictures posted, it is a "Dotee Doll" swap. These little darlings are creations from another blog site "Dot's Life and Art" and were introduced to us by Annie from the Netherlands. These sweet little dolls take on personalities of their own and can be very addicting :o)) I am amazed at the myriad of styles that have been popping up in our group...from mermaid and celestial to showgirls and cats! The possibilities are endless and you can't just make one LOL!! I am very happy to be hosting this and look forward to the lovely creations that will come my way! By the way, the ones above are named "Myrtle Mae" and "Starlight". Currently on the homepage of Altered Art of Visions & Dreams is a patriotic "Miss 4th of July" Dotee by Diane. With that said, Happy, though belated, Fourth of July to everyone and I want to give special thanks and prayers to our Armed Service personnel in Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and all around the world. Thank you for standing on the wall for us to keep our country safe and free!!

I've added another Blog-site I hope everyone will visit. It belongs to a fellow "Visions and Dreams" member, Trish, and is very cool! She has featured one of the crows in our Fancy Crow Round Robin...a very fun RR. I have a little break from the timeline of the group right at the moment...I'm waiting for my next crow to fly in. I have gathered from my stash and from the local stores, goodies to use in a friendship card for my dear friend Yvonne. She is already done with my card and it is in the hands of Mr. Postman, so I have another goodie to look forward to receiving. Sometimes it is so hard to be creative or get an idea going as there are so many sad and distressing happenings in our country and around the world. One can only do so much (prayers, meditations and well wishes...supporting special aid organizations), and then you just have to carry on. I guess I am especially thankful for whatever good fortune has come my way, and hope that I have learned lessons from the very difficult times I've experienced. Life is a balancing act and we get to have only "one". Be good to yourselves and those around you.

...also did my first "Mini-Composition Book" swap, so above is my contribution. I experimented (I am such a newbie at this) with a paint on paint stamping technique and pigment ink. The brand of ink I used did have a tendency to smear, so it created a challenge. I see now it can be used better if embossed over or sprayed with a matte sealer (I used that instead). Can't wait to see what wonderful creation I'll receive! The ladies in my group are all so talented and diverse - lots of surprises and imagination!

Also, I was in a "Coaster Swap" and above is my first attempt at creating an OZ-themed coaster...well, this one has ended up in my room "OZ" and works pretty well. The others have gone to swap.

These are the houses I received from Felicia for our "Little House Swap" (Altered Art of Visions and Dreams). The photos don't do justice to her lovely hand drawing and wonderful use of lively and pastel colors. Some of the doors open, too! Great job, Felicia!

It has been a few days since I posted and I hope this finds all who read this doing well. Dixon, CA, is home to the new Sacramento Valley VA National Cemetery; something we were unaware of until it opened last year. After this past Memorial Day weekend, we drove by the cemetery on our way home. My husband and I haven't been down that way in awhile and it struck us so deeply how many more headstones are there. There were about 6 very large American flags put up for this special day; many flowers and people were there to pay their respects. It is a rather stark, treeless cemetery...it hasn't developed the beauty of Arlington National or Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis, MO, but I'm sure there are plans. We both feel honored to have this bittersweet landmark in our home town, and we pray the war will end soon. We both want to express our many thanks to all who have served (I have 4 in my immediate family alone) and those who are still serving our country...those who "stand on the wall" to keep us (USA) safe. May they return safely and may we take care of them and those who have returned, with all the love, caring and medical (ALL fields) assistance they so rightly deserve. God bless all our soldiers.

We just had a nice unexpected visit from a great friend that my husband has known since...well, too long ago to remember. He was working at the University near our home and was heading back home to the Bay Area (where we used to live). Thanks, Dean, for the visit - you and Elizabeth are always welcome here! When are we going fishing??? I was able to get a lot of gardening done today and then off to several stores including the fairly local Michael's where I bought goodies for more projects coming up. I'll be seeing my friend Von next week for the first time in who knows how many years, so good things are happening. Friends are so very important in our lives, especially ones we've kept in touch with forever and those we find again. I feel very fortunate to have had both.