OWOH Winners!

What an exciting journey this has been!  I started blogging last year right at the end of this event....and knew, instantly, that I wouldn't miss the opportunity this year!  What an absolute dream it has been to meet so many talented, spirited individuals....to have more new inspiring Blogs to visit....and have the great beginnings to many more lasting friendships! 

.....And isn't it cool that we'll have the chance to party again next year, afterall?!  I'll be there!

Thank you, thank you, thank you.... to all who've come to my little place in Blogland.....and an extra squeeze to those who come back again :)

Okay....so on to announcing the winners.

I wanted to find a way.....haha...thought I was just going to blurt it out, didn't ya'?!  I'm going to leave you in suspense a tad, but hopefully, I'll entertain you a bit along the way..........well, hear me out :)

So, I wanted to find a way to choose the winners in a different and playful manner...as to match the whole theme of my original OWOH post.....
I decided to employ the help of my trusty Assistant!

Okay, so the look on her face here doesn't look like she was willing, but she really was. Really!  I'm just a bad photographer...haha!

So, my brilliant idea was to cut tiny pieces of paper, write down consequetive numbers from 1 to 271......I know, 271!....blew me away how many that actually is!  I have the hand cramps to prove it :).....fold them into tinier pieces... that is what my helpful Assistant is doing here...

And....

Stuff them into a balloon!  Yes, seriously!  Maggie picked out two colors, cuz there were just too many pieces to shove into 1 balloon....and these were pretty big balloons!

See!

My Assistant loved it when I blew them up and all the little paper bits went swirling around like a little tornado in there!  There you all are!

Now when someone says you live in a bubble, you can tell them you've visited at least :)

So the plan was to pop the balloon over my kid's head with her hands cupped to see if anything fell in....thought she'd like the magical shower of paper dancing around her..... but not one to pass up a chance to do something seemingly daring with something sharp....she decided she was to pop them.

Well, at least I could take pictures this way!  I wasn't sure how I was going to pop and click at the same time anyways :)

So she stood over the table on a step stool with an eager cup awaiting beneath her....

2 loud pops.....271 scattered bits of paper....everywhere.....

Except for in the darn cup!

Oh man, what was I going to do now!  The time, the effort, the hand cramps.... Houston, we have a problem!

But wait, what's this?

My Cherub opens her hand and says, "Look, Mommy!" One stuck to her hand!

...and there on her shoulder...a speck of white....yes! The eagle has landed!

Are you tired of my corniness, yet....sorry.....but, isn't that amazing!  I'm so glad those bits of paper made themselves known, cuz I was about to tell Mags to just pick 2 up from anywhere she liked...haha!

We went back up to the Art room and I happily proceeded to package up my offerings....

Now, those of you who know me or have done trades with me before.......you understand....I do loves me a pretty package :)

As much as I love getting special somethings....I absolutely adore giving them!

I get a kick out of imagining someone's reaction to a bit of sparkle and polish :)

I know, I know....I've stalled long enough!  Those numbers were:

Wow!  If there were only a way of knowing ahead of time I could've stopped at 15....I would have avoided the whole cramping issue entirely ;P

The journals you'll be receiving will be a total surprise, I can't even remember which package is which!  Please enjoy them with my compliments!

Thank you again to you all!  It's because of you that Blogging is my favorite hobby....and why my Hubby yells at me to get some sleep at 1am in the morning :D

I'll be seeing you~

Cam



Endless Possibilities - One World One Heart

Welcome Friends....both Dear and New :)

This post is in celebration of the final One World One Heart Event. If you are unfamiliar with this 2 week Blog Hop of meeting, greeting, giveaways and fun times....please click the above button to see a list of participants and enjoy all that they have prepared for this magnificent soiree'....

As for me, in thinking about this special post and what I would write....I thought it best to introduce to first-time visitors (and re-affirm to my treasured return guests) what resonates with me....

Would it be my love of creating and painting and expressing? Well, sure....that is at my core...

(from a mural I volunteered to paint at my Daughter's preschool)

Is it my love for my family.....those that are patient with my latest hobbies and infatuations? Those amazing individuals that help give my Life meaning and are the essence of all that is good in it?

They are with me in all that I do, yes....

Is it our First Home...which we just now acquired after 11 years of marriage? A place to raise our daughter, to call a safe haven and to inspire great projects in determination and togetherness? Maybe a little.....

I thought long and hard about how lucky I am to even have my list be this long!

But, what kept surfacing....what seemed to be my truth....

Is belief in the Magic all around us in this beautiful, wondrous world!

The Magic that makes it possible for me to have that list above!!

So, how does one go about documenting this....magic? ....and exactly what does it look like?

That's what is so incredible about this concept....and why it is so important to me. I'm sure it is defined differently by as many people that are asked.

Now, where some may find my account contrived and simplistic.....I hope the majority of you will agree that Magic comes when you are open to it.....sometimes, you create it for yourself, and sometimes, it's about seeing it, plain as day right in front of your eyes!

Here's a bit from today :)

I love that an ordinary breakfast can be something fun instead.....

That any open space, no matter where it is, just seems to be made for spontaneous dancing!

(I was dancing, too...behind the camera....heehee)

I love that someone thought a plain wall just wasn't good enough....and made it enchanting!

I'm tickled to live in a world where a neglected sea of dandelions....

....is a dense jungle for an imaginative big cat using "tamo fwahj" She still has trouble with c's and l's :)

....and provides enough blooms for a lovely Fairy Crown.

Where else can a bath towel cape, paper towel roll telescope and plastic bird be all you need for adventure on the high seas?

Or a colander be the perfect pith helmet?

This magic helps Llamas find you!

....and changes old moving boxes into kennels for recuperating pets.

I love that in this world.....words can easily become Love Letters XO

That all it takes to make something extraordinary, is to use real plates and crazy straws :)

I am so thankful to be able to be a part of this Magic...to let the mundane responsibilities of everyday living and the carefree days of childhood cohabit, hobnob and pal around :)

When you live in this kind of world....the possibilities truly are endless!

I'd like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for stopping by today! I count Blogging as one of my absolute favorites...and, well...the people I've met here are the reason why!


Isn't it nice to live in a world where strangers can find kindred spirits and pour out their desires and thoughts...and become strangers no longer....but friends! That is powerful Magic, indeed :)

And, in the nature of things playful and introspective...I want to gift 2 visitors with a hand-embellished journal....from me to you!

This one says, "She was so ridiculous." in the text.

I hope you share and recognize the Magic that is yours...and I look forward to reading all about what your own truths are.....

Thank you to Lisa, a true Whimsical Bohemian, for hosting this grand event! I"m so honored to be a part of it!

Hugs, smiles, and a sprinkling of fairy dust,
Cameron