Altered Art and Friendships

Did I ever show you what Becky sent me for Christmas??? Becky is my AZ friend at Heart in my Hand blog.

She sent me a nice surprise box, with this wonderful Cowgirl piece in it. She used Mica, foamboard and other good bits and bob and Rusty goodness that I just adore... I just love it! I have it hanging where I see it everyday! Thanks again Becky!!! YOUR such a sweetie! I'm so glad we got to meet face to face at Mystic Paper.

This is my little thank you note, I sent Becky a couple of weeks ago!

Hope your Tuesday is going well and you join us in Praying for our New President today. Stop and take a moment to Pray for him and as he leads our Nation.

later,t

Black leather and big hearts

On Dec. 6th the Brazos De Dios H.O.G. Chapter of Bryan/College Station gave their 20th toy run. Bikers have big hearts if you didn't know. For months they plan, gather, wrap and organize this event. I was part of it when we lived there. I did my fair share, and saw all those who busted their hiney, opened their wallets and spent countless hours getting this together. We were in town that day, to visit old friend and I had to go by. I'm glad I did. I want to share with you what I got to witness from the outside looking in.

It was great to see everyone again and share some of the excitement:

This is Sally, she was Mrs. Claus this year. Their costumes have a biker flair to them. Sally and her mother made them a couple of years ago...you'll see Santa later..I rode in the truck with Sally in her pickup loaded with stuffed toys to hand out to neighborhood children..

This is Stan and Bonnie, the past Santa & Mrs...they are really good friends and we miss them dearly!

It was great fun to see those folks we don't get to see when we make our hit and run visits..








This is the group at one of the stops. They choose families in need. This year their were 11 families with 71 total folks to buy for. My friend Sue and a couple of others do the shopping..that was my job one year..it's organization at it's fullest to get all these things bought and accounted for with that many people.

As you can see, it's a large group and the rumble of those bikes, sets your hair on end..I love it!



Here is an unsavory fellow all in black...This is Elmer another dear friend and has been the head of the chapter and the toy run for several years, but this year he's just a happy little elf..



The hugs you get are just heart wrenchingly amazing from these kids...

And to see their eyes light up when this comes up to the front steps:

We take small stuffed animals back on the bikes to throw at the kids we pass by on the streets, for all that rumbling in the neighborhoods draws them out to see what's up..

This is Leonard, one of our good friends, taking toys back to his bike for Sue his wife and passenger to toss over..I did that one year, tossed toys while riding behind hub, but I kept bonking him in the head and he made me ride my own bike the next time..

Here is Santa taking a wrapped package up to the house. Several nights after work were spent wrapping up everything for everyone. That is one of the best fellowship times we have, wrapping presents.

Most everyone decorates their bikes for the event:
Faye started out with just one, and now she's got a load, even Santa will envy...






Here is a tinsel wrapped set of ape hangers, that is what those tall handlebars are called in case you didn't know..

The saddle bags and other parts on this bike were all gussied up:

Here is the street in front of an apartment complex:

I stood in the back of a pickup to get the shot, I think it pretty much captures all the riders, that were behind the trucks and trailers..







Here is the street view from that same shot, looking back at the front of the line.

So, you see there are alot of people involved and afterwards there is a party and everyone shares what they saw or the hugs they got...your heart if full and your are happy when you do this, at least hub's and mine were..




With there being alot of riders, there are a lot of safety precautions, they set up with the law enforcement for the route, we have dozens of road guards and a few police/sherriff cars
This is Carolyn and Brett,.As road guards, you have to block of intersections, exits and such so all the riders can stay together.

I rode with hub on this one year, you pretty much don't get to hand out presents or be in the thick of things, so you miss out on alot of it. There are times you get to be near the homes, but not every stop. To me, this is the 'thankless' job, for you are a major part of the thing,but you are more 'behind' the scenes.

It takes everyone doing their part to pull this off. And for it to be going on for the last 20 years, tells you the extent of the commitment of this club. I was excited to be able to share a little bit of this with you and show you some of the hard work put into it. If you see a motorcycle with a stuff animal strapped to it, you can bet they have either been or going to a toy run or ride.

Merry Chirstmas,

tina


(seems Blogger had a brain fart yesterday and posted my Monday's post on Wednesday...sheesh..now I have to find something for Monday...if this is the hardest thing of my day, then I'll be doing good..see ya)

Mail Goodies!!

Went out to the big black mailbox and look what was inside!!! Well, it was all boxed up...and some bills were in there too, and my tax id numberthingy...but this is the fun stuff:

My fren Cindy sent me a B-day prezzie box all loaded up with: an Altered journal, yummy Candle, sassy magnet, note pads all in a very Fallish burlap bag..and a wonderful hand made card too boot!
Thanks so much C for all the goodies!! big hugs~



Then, my other fren..Jan sent this:

She altered an 8x10 Vintage Harley photo..it's a hoot! now I have to find a funky frame for it and it will hang proudly in the shop shack! In case you didn't know, we ride Harleys..he has his and I have my own..Thanks so much JAN!! hugs from your little fren....



Spent alot of time in the studio working on some little shrines getting ready to solder..and added several things to ETSY..so please go check it out!!




Hope your Tuesday is terrific~
t

Monday aftermath..

Ok, as promised to celebrate my Birthday (today) and my Blogaversiry (Saturday 27th) I'm giving away these wonderful prizes~

Blogaversiry prizes:

This is a few goodies left over from vendor night, a small collage, a bag of dominoes, matchboxes,number tiles,threads and a small altered Cabinet Card...

Birthday Give-away:

This one of a kind piece. It's 12x8 and on MFD board, mixed media piece called : Home

To enter in this multi prize giveawy, leave me a comment until Friday at 6 pm. I will assign each comment a number and use one of those random thingys to pick the number, first one picked gets the Blog set, second one picked gets the Bday prize..this is were being #2 is just as good at #1...it's my blog and I can do what I want...right??? So until Friday leave me comments..good luck~

Cindy and I received prezzies for being the hostesses with the mostesses...

Wonderful Phyllis Ann gave us each this wonderful ornie she did up:

Is that not too cute!?? Phyllis Ann is a wonderful painter and we have got her into the 'dark' side now~ she's loving this altered art stuff and it most certainly shows!! Thanks gal!! Loved meeting your smiling face! The ornie has a place of honor in my studio!!!

My AZ friend Becky sent us Via Mail this:

An Altered Bag, boot tag and a comfort doll!! She personalized them for each of us and did a wonderful job!!
See my blog stuff? and the HD stuff?? THAnks Becky for thinking of me!!! They are all in the studio for me to look at and think of YOU!!

And this Doll has on BOOTS!! Becky we soooooo wished you could have come and played with us! Next year (june) OK, be there?? !!! thank you for the goodies, you made me smile!

Again, thanks for the comments and reading my junk all year long, and thank you for joining us for Paper Cowgirl this last weekend! It was great fun!!

happy birthday tooooo meeee...

t

Does he deserve Brownie Points??

You tell me?? this was in my stocking from the hub...the scissors are Physco sized, like 14 inches long!!! skeery..maybe for him??? I hear that skreeching sound from the movie, everytime I look at the things..

So, and E for Effort??? YOu tell Me..