Pretty, Pretty -- Everywhere

I have lots of friends who are great at blessing others! During this hospital stay, two of my sweet friends found ways to bless me in creative ways. One friend brought me a bouquet of flowers -- but because she knows I like to "spread the love," she took the time to decorate a few empty juice bottles so I could share my flowers! 

Are these not so sweet? I only have one left now because I've distributed two to ladies on the floor that look like they could use a little prettiness to look at. 


And you know, it really helps me to do that. Today I was starting to get warn down -- by the drugs, some side effects, and the sadness that pervades the cancer wing in a hospital. There are sad, sick people all over the place. That takes a toll on a soul's view of the world. So what a blessing it was to change my negative thought pattern and get out and bless someone else. Thank you, Caralyn, for enabling me to do that in such a lovely way!

Another friend who has traveled her own cancer journey read in my journal that I was cold. So when she came to visit me, she brought this beautiful blanket that she made from those little dollar store throws you can buy:

So beautiful, don't you think?!?!?! And so wonderfully cozy! Many, many people have walked into the room and exclaimed at the beauty that Susan has brought to this little space with that blanket, and the lovely quilt (peeking out from under the blanket) she gave me for these hospital stays . Thank you, Susan, for the blessing of your creativity!

Today I felt like exercising my own creativity. I was flipping through my Drawing Lab book for inspiration, and didn't I discover that one of the people that inspires me most these days was a guest artist in the book! I've had the book for almost two years -- how could I not have noticed that before?! I immediately recognized her birds, which are the things that capture my interest most about her work. So once again, I tried my hand at some. I'm happy with the birds that look like they are sitting on tree branches, which are actually the lines from the sewing pattern that is glued to the canvas beneath them (and the canvas is recycled from one of my daughter's paint play days). However, I'm not sure that the collage is finished -- and yet I'm not sure how to complete it. I toyed with putting two more "joy" stamps (top left and bottom middle), but that didn't quite do it for me. 

Any thoughts on what this collage still needs?????