What Difference Do It Make

I just received Ron and Denver's new book

"What Difference Do It Make".

I couldn't wait to get started reading it.

They feel like my old friends. This book is about

not only what has happened in their lives since

"Same Kind of Different As Me" was published

but how the first book has impacted

other people's live.

If you have read "What Difference Do It Make"

please, feel free to post your comments.

I look forward to reading them.

Come back soon.

Same Kind of Different As Me

I have just finished reading the

most wonderful book. It is a true story.

It is easy to read and hard to find a

place to put it down. It had me in holding my

breath, anxiously awaiting the next turn of events,

and sometimes it would leave me in tears.

Denver Moore is a modern-day slave that

finds himself homeless in Ft. Worth.

Ron Hall is a wealthy art dealer also in Ft Worth.

Deborah, Ron's wife, is not so impressed with

all the material things but is moved with

compassion to touch those who,

by bad choices or bad circumstances,

are homeless and rejected by society.

To quote Barbara Bush " Denver Moore and

Ron Hall's story is one that moved me

to tears. The friendship that forms

between these two men at a time when

both where in great need is an inspiration to all

of us to be more compassionate to everyone

we come in contact with.

This is a truly wonderful book."

One of My Favorite Blogs

One of my favorite blogs is

Diane Knott's Musings.

She is a wonderful artist, photographer,

and full of creativity. Diane has this awesome

Valentine Give Away Contest!

To see the complete project and more details

on how to enter and win, visit her blog listed

in the side bar.

I would love to be the winner
of these beautiful pieces. Thanks, Diane!

Jacqueline Gnott's Watercolor DVD "Ruffles"

I recently purchased a watercolor

instructional DVD from Jacqueline Gnott.

She is an incredible atrist.

I love her soft difused backgrounds and

then the intricate details of her flowers.

Here is my finished piece.

My "Ruffles" in progress.

Her reference photo is shown

right below my watercolor.

Thanks Jacqueline.

Photoshop Class

I am taking an online class to learn Photoshop.

www.djpettitt.com/online.html

It is a stretch. I am learning to use layers,

brushes, filters, blur tools and lots and

lots of other cool applications. This is my second project.

The Ornament Exchange

Over 15 years of ornaments,

12 new handmade ones each year.

Each one is different.

Each one wonderful in their own way.

Some painstakingly ornate,

some lovingly hand stitched,

some rustic country, some shabby chic,

some painted with great detail,some with treasures from the past,

and some with spiritual meaning.

They were made using wood,

fabric, sticks, wire, buttons, old lace,

spoons, nails, teabags, clothespins,

and anything else that looked like it

wanted to be an ornament.

But all made with a ton of love by and
for each member of the group.

I think that it is safe to say that as
each member made their 12 ornaments
for the exchange it was with those other
members in mind-thinking of them,
praying for them, remembering past gatherings.

What precious times we have shared!

This wonderful collection ornaments

is a lot like each one of us-

all different and each one unique, beautiful,

charming, funny, special, detailed, rustic,

and handmade by our Creator

to be a blessing to others!

Christmas Ornament Exchange

For over a decade I have been part

of an ornament exchange group.

There are 12 of us, crafty creative friends.

Some have been in the group the entire time

and some have moved or left for other reasons.

When that happens there is someone

anxiously waiting to be part of the group.

Every year each one makes 12 ornaments. This is mine for this year.

In case you would like to make your own

peppermint ornament here are a few instructions.

I used a spice jar lid to make my circle.

Then I added a small ruffled

"fan" shape at both ends. I cut my pattern out of card stock and
then transferred the design to thin wood.

I had some scraps of thin birch or ash

cabinet grade plywood.

This was perfect for my project. Next, I cut out my shapes using a band saw.
It has been awhile since I have cut
crafty little shapes with this saw. Here is my stack of blank ornaments.
I drilled a hole for the hanger and
then sanded front and back.

I softly rounded of the front edges.

All the ornaments were base coated in

white acrylic. Using graphite paper,

I transferred the swirls to the ornament.

2 coats of red.
I floated a dusty blue around the

edges to give it some dimension.

And I added a few white highlights

to make it look like cellophane.

The exchange is Thursday night (tomorrow).
This is supposed to be the last one.
We will gather and eat, laugh, tell stories,
reminisce, ooh and ahh over all the ornaments.
We each get one each of all the ornaments.
12 new ornaments!
We have meet long enough to that I have well over
100 handcrafted ornaments made by precious friends.
What great memories!

Oh yes! I almost forgot to tell you.
On the back of my ornament I wrote,

"JESUS, sweetest name I know!"

Remember that Jesus is
the reason for the season!