Happy Holidays

I hope this find each of you enjoying this holiday season. We have been busy around here. Those last minute orders have all been shipped, the house is decorated, and the shopping is complete!!! Here it is 12:45 AM....and we are leaving at 4:30 for Arkansas!!!! Everything is ready to go....all we have to do is load the vehicle and hit the highway. I am so excited....I will see both of my boys and spend the next week with ALL of my family. I hope each of you have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year.

I'll be back next year with lots of new things to share.

Until then....Happy Holidays!!!
Debbie

Art for Charity

This holiday season would you like to give a gift that could help make a difference in someone's life? I have two Altered Journals and two Vintage Inspired Collages listed on my website as Art for Charity. During the month of December 100% of the net proceeds will benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

Here's one of the Journals.....

To see the other offerings available and additional information, please visit Debbie Overton Designs.

Until next time. . . .Happy Holidays

Debbie

More Christmas Shopping

If you are like me you are still looking for a few great gifts and I have just the places.

Teri Martin...Our Designer can be found online or at 626 San Mateo Avenue, San Bruno, CA 94066 for those of your lucky enough to live in California. Our Designer - Dreaming of weddings and beyond...Distinctive gifts and home accessories that celebrate your lifestyle.

I love the Vintage Santa - Old fashioned Christmas mixed with a pinch of vintage flair best describes this adorable glittered Santa tin filled with Peppermint Bark. Oh how I would love to add this Vintage Santa to my Santa collection.

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Aileen Casillas of Country Bunny Bath & Body - Our bath & body products are for the whole family, made right here in the U.S.A and not tested on animals-AT ALL!!! Our products have the best natural oils and butters derived from vegetables, fruits, seeds and nuts. They do not contain harsh chemicals or oils. We have a variety of scents including a Naturally Unscented line for those sensitive to dyes/perfumes. There is a fabulous assortment of gift sets for any budget!! With Country Bunny Bath & Body, a little goes a long way!!!

While there be sure to click on "Adopt-A-Bunny" and meet Elisabeth Grace. With every Adopt-A-Bunny purchase, Country Bunny will donate the net proceeds to the American Diabetes Association.

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If you happen to be visiting Savannah don't leave without dropping by Savannah Candy or visit them online.

I love their White Chocolate Gophers - A bed of Fancy Pecan pieces, a dollop of their own delectable caramel, and topped with a thick cap of rich chocolate. Gophers come with your choice of chocolate toppings... classic Milk Chocolate, sophisticated Dark Chocolate and delicate White Chocolate. I would go for the White Chocolate!!!

Everyone, especially the kids will love the Chocolate Reindeer Drops - Melt in your mouth chocolate covered Georgia peanuts. The label on the gift tin reads Reindeer Drops, presumably because they look like... well, you get the idea.

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Bruster's Real Ice Cream - Farm-fresh milk and cream with giant chunks of real fruit, nuts, cookies and candies to make absolutely delicious ice cream. We love to go by Bruster's in Brunswick and then head out to Jekyll Island for the afternoon. If you have not visited a Bruster's you must find one today.

My favorites are the Turtle Sundae - Vanilla ice cream smothered with hot fudge, caramel, whipped cream and whole pecans, and their Strawberry Shake - Thick, creamy and real fruit chunks!

Until next time.....Drive through Bruster's for your favorite Ice Cream treat and then log on to the internet and do a little shopping at Our Designer, Country Bunny or Savannah Candy.

Debbie

Christmas ~ This and That

Only a few more days to get those Christmas gifts ordered to insure delivery. And to help you, here are three more Great Places to Christmas Shop.

"Vintage China for the Shabby Dog & Snappy-Happy Delights for their People, too."

The best smelling little shop in South Georgia! Francie's handcrafted candles will make you think you just walked into your local bakery, plus she has oodles of other wonderful treasures.

Artful jewelry & accessories for all of the special moments in life.

If things are anything like they are at my house then you are one busy elf. I am working on orders, planning a Christmas Party for 30-35 teenagers on the 20th, still have some shopping to do, trying to do a few final touches to the Christmas decorating....we didn't pull everything from the attic, actually we have not found all of our Christmas boxes from the move. I decided not to even think about unboxing the 152 Dickens Village Houses and their accesories. Our 8 ft tree has only half the twinkle lights and ornaments that I normal cover it with....some of those boxes are still missing in action. Kaycee decorated most of the tree this year....just like the kids did when they were little....everything is at eye level and pretty much in one spot....I did move a few things around last night as there were no ornaments above 6 ft!!! And I am okay with all of this....as I am enjoying things just as they are.

We will be celebrating Christmas with our Families back in Arkansas and I will get to spend time with my boys!!!! It has been 24 years since I woke up in my parents home on Christmas morning. Steve, Colby, Seth, Kaycee and I will have our own little Christmas there....so things will be different for us this year but the most important thing is that we will all be together for a few days.

Until next time.....Remember the reason for the season!!!

Debbie

Lessons On Life

I have received "Lessons on Life" from several internet friends over the past several weeks. I know many of you have received it too, but for those that have not been lucky enough I hope you enjoy it. The following pictures are of the same place but taken under different seasons!! (be sure to scroll on past the last)

There was a man who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a quest, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away.The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in the fall.When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to describe what they had seen.

The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted.The second son said no it was covered with green buds and full of promise.The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ever seen. The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment. The man then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen but only one season in the tree's life.He told them that you cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the essence of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are up. If you give up when it's winter, you will miss the promise of your spring, the beauty of your summer, fulfillment of your fall.

Moral: Don't let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest. Don't judge life by one difficult season. Persevere through the difficult patches and better times are sure to come some time or later.

Until next time. . . .Enjoy!!!!

Debbie

Etsy ~ Etsy ~ Etsy

Everywhere you visit you see that tiny little word ~ Etsy, pronouced like Betsy without the B!! Etsy is an online marketplace for buying and selling all things handmade. When you buy from an Etsy Shop, you are supporting individual creators of unique one of a kind items. If you are still seeking out some Great Places to Christmas Shop, here are a few Etsy Shops run by some very talented Art Friends.

Tracy Webster ~ Artwerx ~ I enjoy creating mixed-media art because it fits with my personality... a little of this and a little of that. My art changes with my mood - it can be soft & quiet or loud & vibrant. No matter what it is, each piece has a little piece of my heart in it.

Crystal Neubauer ~ Other Peoples Flowers ~ Offering mixed media jewelry & assemblage art along with quality found objects and unique treasures for the artist.

Fran Saperstein ~ Artsy Fran ~ Welcome to ArtsyFran Designs, the studio of Fran Saperstein. I love to use texture to tell a story, so you will see deeply textured artwork that expresses feelings.

Elaine Smith ~ Painted Cottage ~ Each piece is an original, one of a kind art work by Elaine Brady Smith. Many of the pieces contain original vintage papers or vintage images, handmade papers, vintage lace and fabrics, buttons, hand tinted photos and more!!!

Beth Robinson ~ Pumpkin 12 PM ~ A fabulous Fabric Artist whose works are rich with color, texture and details.

Carrie Jones ~ Just Jones In Jewelry ~ A very talented artist creating beautiful one of a kind jewelry.

Pilar Pollock ~ Pilar Pollock ~ A wonderful Mixed Media Artist. You will find Pilar’s creations and writing in many art magazines.

Shari Beaubien ~ Artist Unleashed ~ A wonderful Mixed Media Artist, working in all media... especially paint, collage, assemblage, fabric and fiber.

Amy Huff ~ Pop Ink ~ A Mixed Media Artist, that loves to make jewelry, assemblage and altered art especially pieces with a vintage and romantic feel.

Debra Cooper ~ Little Black Kitty Art ~ A stay at home artist mom and crafter focusing on mixed media artwork and also handmade crafts.

Until next time....I have to run, I have more shopping to do.

Debbie

Lost Comments & More

I have received several emails over the past week to let me know some of you were leaving comments but they are not showing up. Well looks like I may have had my first Beta switch over problem....up until now the switch over has been a breeze.....almost 2 months. All the settings have been checked and I have republished....still they are not there.

Thank you Deborah, Lizzie, Lisa, Sally, Deb, and others that may have left a comment and it is somewhere in cyberspace. I hope some of you will be so inclined to leave me another comment as I do enjoy them.

It has been a busy weekend....Seth is now back in Louisiana, Colby's in Arkansas, Steve's at work, and Kaycee's back to school....and I am just enjoying the quiteness while catching up with emails.

As usual everyone helped to bring the Christmas boxes down from the attic.....and that is it....I have boxes everywhere.....Santas, Snowmen, wreaths, lights and etc scattered all over. I guess they think if they bring it down they have done their part in decorating. Plans for today are to put on some Christmas music and try to bring some order to this mess.

We are having an Arkansas Razorbacks party Saturday.....Arkansas and Florida play in the SEC Championship Saturday at Atlanta's Georgia Dome and we have invited some of our new Georgia friends over for some football, food and fun. Should be fun since many of them will be rooting for Florida....although Kaycee has converted a few at school. In one of her classes the coach calls her Arkansas and the kids like to call the Hogs when she answers a question in class.

Until next time.....It's time to get this house decorated and start thinking about a football party.

Debbie

Happy Thanksgiving

Thank you to all that have emailed or called thanking me for the time and energy I devote to MMCA in order to make it a great place for Mixed Media Collage Artists to share and learn from each other. Because of you the group has grown and is stronger than ever as we begin our 2nd Year.

We celebrated Thanksgiving this past weekend with my parents. My Dad, Mom and Seth drove over to be with us last Thursday. We had 3 wonderful days and enjoyed a delicious meal Saturday night with Turkey, Dressing and all the trimmings. My parents are back in Arkansas. Seth and I are enjoy some time together for a few days. We will meet my parents Saturday half way....Seth will spend a day with them and then it's back to Louisiana Tech until Christmas break. He is counting the days....as our deal was he could not take his car to LA Tech until after the first quarter or we saw grades. So we are looking for grades any day now or at least I am!!!

Please come back soon as I will be posting more Great Places to Christmas Shop within the next couple days.

Until then. . . .I wish each of you a wonderful Thanksgiving and leave you with this adorable photo.

Debbie

More Great Places to Christmas Shop

Everywhere you go "It's beginning to look alot like Christmas"....

I love that song! Here's a few more wonderful women owned businesses sure to help you complete your Christmas list.

Elizabeth's Flowers ~ Flowers are a gift of nature representing beauty, brightness, celebration…the fingerprint of our Creator.

Elizabeth’s Flowers offers pressed flower cards, framed botanical art, journals, and other creations using real pressed flowers on handmade paper.

Small Meadow Press ~ Beautiful and Useful Papers for Everyday Life. Lesley's life-long affection for books, paper and ink combines words and pictures to bring you cards, letter paper, notebooks, garlands and more.

More Great Places to Christmas Shop coming soon.

Until then....hope you will take a few minutes to browse these wonderful online shops and come back in a few days for more.

Debbie

Ribbons, Ribbons & More Ribbons

Oh how I love pretty vintage ribbons....sometimes I want them all neat and grouped by color.....sometimes inspiration comes from having them all jumbled up in a pretty crystal bowl. Either way I am happy....Old ribbons can be hard to find at flea markets and antique shops however you can always find them online. Here are a few of my recent ribbon purchases, some very vintage, some vintage inspired.

Light Pink/Chocolate Reversible Matte Satin from The Ribbon Jar. You will find quality ribbons and trims in fabulous colors. Everything from classic to fun and funky in velvet. That is 25 yds of pure heaven!

French style silk embroidered ribbon ~ soft organza in Light Peach ~ Silk embroidered with lovely spider roses in light ivory, antique white and light peach from Threaditions.

Silk embroidered French Victorian ~ twin daisies in Azalea pink and light pink on Azalea pink ribbon ~ Hand-embellished with Aurora Borealis seed beads from Treaditions.

Silk Bias cut ribbon in Pink Marble Splatter and Herb Garden ~ Rayon in Beach Glass, Meadow, Fruit Punch and Tie Dye ~ Cotton Twill in Spring Blush and Old Rose from Carma. A wonderful selection of fabrics and trims all hand dyed.

A wonderful surprise package of beautiful ribbons and trims Carolyn from Carma included with my recent order.

Can you say Vintage? My friend Debra recently shared a wonderful online source for ribbons, Les' Bon Ribbon. I couldn't resist the Vintage Lime Green/Natural Scalloped, Lemonade Swiss Dots, Cream White/Pale Pink Reversible Woven Dots, Vintage Natural/Pink and the Brown/Pink/Lt Pink/Tan/White Woven Jacquard.

I have been busy creating and you will see many of these ribbons in upcoming projects.

Until then....if you know of a fantastic ribbon source I would love to check them out.

Debbie

Great Places to Shop for Christmas

The Holidays are a time for friends and sharing....so I share with you some of the Best Places to shop for Christmas. Each of these online shops is owned and run by women with a real passion for what they are doing. Sure you can go to a big chain store and find something for everyone....but I think my friends and family deserve things that are as special as they are.

Roxi Designs ~ Vintage Inspired Jewelry & Stationery Designs
Whether you are hanging out poolside or having a night out on the town, Roxi's designs will be sure to compliment you and your own unique style.

Woodruff Designs and Shabby Signs ~ Hand Painted Wood Signs by Heide. The wood has been cut, routered and sanded with care, and all the milling and hand lettering is done by Heidi.

Genuine Bloom Co. ~ Surround yourself with that which inspires and reminds you to follow your dreams. Let everyday objects serve as visual affirmations (much better and prettier than a sticky note stuck to your bathroom mirror). Let the scent of a candle remind you that you are accepting more Love or Bliss into your life. Wear a special handcrafted necklace that speaks to you of the Courage of being True to who you really are. Or as you sleep wear a sleep mask that reminds you that sweet dreams do come true. Whatever you seek find your expression of it at the Genuine Bloom Co.

I'll be back in a few days with more Best Places to Christmas Shop.

Until then....browse these special online shops for someone special or yourself.

Debbie

Plumbago

Photo Credit: Kaycee Dillion

Right after we moved to South Georgia I spotted this pretty like shrub covered in clusters of clear blue flowers. We recently hired a landscaper to work with me in getting my new yard covered in blooming flowers and evergreens. As we began talking about designs I mentioned I wanted something planted around my 911 sign. The pretty white post with the little blue signage sporting our house number needed some color and I knew what I wanted. I described the clear blue flowers....they were in clusters covering the shrub.....before I could finish he told me I was talking about a PLUMBAGO. And he had some small ones left over from a job that he would bring down and plant for me. One of them was a tiny little thing.....but we decided to plant it for the time being. Saturday morning as I was pulling out of my driveway.....I spotted a handful of tiny blue flowers....starting to bloom on the little Plumbago. I can not wait until next spring to see what they have in store for me.
Until next time.....Enjoy the Blooms!
Debbie

I'm On A Journey

Finally....I have found time to create again....I have been on a Journey with my art and am now Traveling in a direction that makes me happy....I have reevaluated my life and my priorities.....I am making time for the people and things that make me happy and it shows in all of my accomplishments. And there is more to come.....in Time.

My latest collages are on 6" x 6" gallery wrap canvas with collage/painted 1.5" depth...ready to hang - no frame needed.

Each mixed media collage goes through 6 to 10 steps from beginning to end. Layer upon layers of acrylics, colored pencils, oil pastels, inks, and embellished with original antique and or vintage papers, photos, snippets of reprinted ephemera, and other elements accumulate to give each piece depth, texture and detail. Each piece is signed and gets a coat of beeswax which adds a soft translucent mellowness.

Journey

Traveling

I have 6 more completed, however I am unable to share them at the moment....they are for a Gallery or publication.

Until next time.....Enjoy the moment, whatever it may be.

Debbie

Thinking of Christmas

I am working on my Best Places to Shop for Christmas Gifts.....I will be listing these places on my blog over the next few weeks.

Are you an Artisan creating unique handcrafted items and sell them from your Website, Blog and/or Etsy Shop?

Do you own a Speciality Shop (Brick & Mortar)?

If your answer is yes and you would like a little free holiday advertising.....

Send me an email (debbieoverton @ debbieoverton.com) with Christmas Shopping in the subject line if you would like for me to consider you as one of the best places to shop for Christmas gifts.

Make sure you include the following information:

• Your Name (First & Last)
• Name of Shop, Website, Blog and/or Etsy Shop
• B & M Shop physical address (I must be able to verify) or
• Link to Website, Blog and/or Etsy Shop (Must be a working link)
• Blurb about your business

Please Note: I may or may not be able to use all of the request for consideration, however all that are verified will be used if at all possible. I will also include a few photos along and will contact you if I need one from you. If you would like to send me your business card, I will be happy to add it with your highlight.

I look forward to hearing from you. Check back often to see if you are one of the featured Best Places to Shop for Christmas.

Don't forget to share my blog link with your friends if they too create unique handcrafted items or own a Speciality Shop.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Debbie

Flea Market Finds

On our drive to Georgia, I spotted so many flea markets and antique shops and was lucky enough to have one of them about 20 minutes from our new home. Needless to say I have made many stops at that shop since our move. On one of my recent stops I found I few things that had my name on them.

This newspaper is The Boston Daily Globe from Wednesday, July 28, 1897. The pages are so brittle on the outside, but inside it is really not too bad.

Here is a 1893, 100 Ft Metallic Tape Measure from The Lufkin Rule Co in great shape and it works.....Yes! It still works....The little winding mechanism works perfectly.

This wonderful stack of antique sheet music is full of the late 1800 and early 1900's, including The Etude, a music magazine dated September 1913. Many of the sheets are extremely worn and torn, but I am already finding they are perfect for my artwork. Lost among the sheets were even some scores of music that had been done by hand.

This little cigar box was found at another Antique Shop that I just happened upon a few weeks ago. It was sitting in the floor under a bookcase and was filled with old bottles. It is very worn, but once I emptied it and picked it up....The rest was history.

I have sad news.....The shop that is so close to me....The one I stop at everytime I go by if they are open....Is going out of business. I was so sadden to hear this....I think of it as loosing a very special friend. I will miss my little stops and it will be hard to drive by, but I will be on the look out for another one just as special as this one.

Until next time....I'm back to my art! Yes, I am creating again and will share with you very soon.

Debbie

Letting Go

The time finally came last Sunday to Let Go. . .As many of you know we moved our middle son, Seth to Louisiana Tech this past weekend. He was ready and we thought we were, but quickly found out driving away from the dorm was one of the hardest things we have ever had to do. It is hard to believe this sweet little curly head boy is now living 13 hrs away and having a blast while I am here trying to adjust to the quietness in the house everyday without him.

After we got everything unloaded and in his dorm room we all went out to have lunch and make that final trip to Wally World for the things we forgot and soon found we needed. Upon our return to the dorm I offered to make his bed and was quickly told, "Mom I have made my own bed for the past 7 years and I can do it now". Can you believe it? He actually admitted he could do something without my help!! We offered to help him unpack some of his things and again with one of the sweetest smiles, he said "I would really like to put my things up myself so that I know where everything is, if it is okay with you Mom". Of course, Steve took that as a sign he was ready for us to leave and let him begin the next step in his life. We all walked to our vehicle together, said our goodbyes with hugs and kisses. As we drove off he said, "Mom I Love You, too" and waved.

It has been five days and I will admit each day gets a little easier. That is until I make a trip to my bathroom mid-morning....He loved to take his shower in our bathroom and would always close the blinds that I had opened earlier that morning after getting dressed, but he never opened them back. It is the little things like the bathroom blinds never closing after I open them, reaching into the cabinet to get a bowl and the only white Fiesta bowl I have being the next one available, that was his favorite bowl to use, no sounds from the TV or video games coming from his room and his door always closed. When it was just the two of us home, he always kept his door open.

Until next time....I will be keeping myself busy!!!

Debbie

Children Inside

I just love it when I run to check the mail and someone has sent me a little surprise. Some call it a RAK (Random Act of Kindness), I call it heaven. Yesterday in my little box was an envelope marked Fragile, Do Not Bend, Handle with Care, Children Inside. Yes, Children Inside.....and sure enough I pulled out a little package all wrapped in pink tissue and tied with a tiny ribbon....there inside were Children much to my delight. My friend Lizzie whom I have met through my website had found this photo and thought they would be perfect to add to all of my adopted children I have rescued from Flea Markets, Antique Shops, Estate Sales, Auctions and some places others dare to tread.

Since my move I have been having art withdrawals....so many other things that seem to always take up my time and the fact that I am having to make do with a temporary studio at the moment does not help. Art is a stress relief for me and I have decided that no matter what I will be making time for me and my art. So what if the floors need to be swept again for the 3rd time today, there are clothes in the dryer from 2 days ago, I still have an oversized 2 car garage filled wall to wall, floor to ceiling with boxes, the art site I run is 6 months behind with updates to the gallery and links pages of the website, my personal website is in need of major attention and dinner will be at the Hooterville Diner again tonight. Starting today I will take time to play with my art supplies, atleast those that I have been able to find and all of my other responsibilities will be taken care of in time, but on my time schedule.

So Lizzie, if by chance you are reading this.....THANK YOU for my precious children. They are now safely tucked away in one of my old sewing machine drawers with many siblings waiting their turn to be featured in one of my upcoming pieces of art.

Thank you for reminding me to remove the things that cause stress and unhappiness and to surround myself with friends and family and the things that truly bring a smile.

Until next time....I will be creating a little art.

Debbie

St. Augustine Beach

We just returned from another 4 day trip down to St. Augustine Beach. Seth, Kaycee and I played in the sand, sun and water; visited the Alligator Farm and shopped, shopped and more shopping. Seth didn't last long on the shopping, he was finished after the first trip with us girls. Steve worked during the day, but was ready to go out for dinner and fun each night. Dinner at Carrabba's Italian Grill was wonderful as usual and the kids enjoyed it as much as we do. Ripley's Believe It or Not was followed by shakes at Steak 'n Shake. They have the best Strawberry shake. Each night we went to the beach to enjoy the cool breeze and quietness you don't find during the day. After a few hours of playing in the water as the tide came in we were ready to shower and call it a night.

The laundry is piled half way up the wall in the laundry room, but will have to wait until tomorrow as a little storm that came through the day we left cleared the electronic control panel of my washing machine. Yes that new washer I had to get following the move due to mine being broke during the move. We have sand everywhere in the house and I tried to keep it in the laundry room, but it seems to be following us through out the house. I can't even get it out of my mouth and I have brushed my teeth so many times the toothbrush is trying to hide!!!

Still need to vacuum the vehicle out, no telling how much sand we have in there and we never once had to come from the beach to the vehicle as we were staying right there with an ocean view.

We had a blast and can't wait for the next trip. Only it will probably be a weekend trip as Kaycee starts to school August 7th. Here's a few of the 257 pictures we took.

Until next time. . . .Enjoy the summer, especially the time with your kids as they grow up way too fast.

Debbie

Boxes, Boxes & More Boxes

I am still lost among boxes as you can see. Yes, I know I have been here almost a month and some of you are thinking what has she been doing all this time. Well I spent the first week here just overwhelmed with boxes and all there was to do. Second week was spent at St. Augustine Beach with me playing in the sand and shopping during the day, while Steve was overseeing a job there. Nights were dinner and sitting on the beach watching the moon come up. Third week I went back to Arkansas to visit with my family, Seth & I had orientation at LA Tech for 3 days and I spend Father's Day weekend with my Dad. The kids and I left Arkansas at 5 AM the Monday afterwards and arrived here at 9:10 PM. The boxes were still here and slowly but surely we are working our way through them.

Breakfast Nook.....I think 2 of those boxes may be empty, but we have run out of room in the garage to put them.

More boxes in the dining room. We actually have a path around the table and it is usually cleared off so we can atleast sit down for a meal every now and then.
Can you believe this is the garage?
Yes, it really is an oversized garage full of boxes and furniture and this and that. The table and chairs you see here belong in the breakfast nook. Hopefully today they will find there way there.
Another view of the boxes in the garage. Once I pull all of the Christmas boxes to the side and we get those in the attic it will help.

Our goal for today is separate the garage boxes into attic, studio and other. Put the attic ones there, studio in my little space while I am waiting on my studio to be built and the OTHER, who knows what they are will be gone through one box at a time.

I also plan to bring out every box in the house that has not been emptied to the garage so that I can arrange furniture and actually place things where I want them. The Great Room, Bathrooms and Kids rooms are very livable, but I need our Bedroom done NOW. We have boxes 2 wide, 3 and 4 stacked running the complete length of one wall. That is 18 feet of boxes!!!!!!!

Until next time.....I am back with the boxes and to think some of you thought I was kidding when I said I had boxes everywhere!!!!!!

Debbie

PS Will post a few pics I took while at the beach soon.

Mother's Day Surprise and More

Mother's Day weekend was full of activities and surprises. Steve flew home and we attended Kaycee's 13th dance recital Saturday night and Baccalaureate Sunday for Seth. Saturday morning as I was busy doing around the house and asking Steve 101 questions about the new house and upcoming move I received one of the biggest surprises I have ever had. Mid-morning I spotted a pretty pink envelope with my name on it. I looked at it for a minute, then slowly picked it up thinking "was I suppose to find this now?" Those of you that know me, also know that the card didn't lay there long. I could tell there was something in it, but didn't open it until I found Steve and asked if I could open it or did I have to wait.

I opened the card to find keys taped to the most beautiful handwritten note. Steve thought he was going to have to pick me up off the floor when I realized that was the key to my new house. You see we were to close on it Tuesday, but he received a call Friday morning and everything was ready, so they asked if he wanted to come by before he flew home for the weekend. He said trying to keep it a surprise was rather difficult as I was asking so many questions about the house, the upcoming closing and the move.

One week from today I will get to use that key to open the door to our home and a new chapter in our life will begin. The movers will be here Wednesday to start packing and plan to have us loaded no later than Saturday and then we are off to Georgia. I will spend Memorial Day getting things ready for delivery on the 30th.

This past weekend we watched as Seth received his High School diploma. He will soon be leaving home for Louisiana Tech majoring in Engineering.

May has been a busy, but wonderful month full of special memories. . . My Birthday, Kaycee's last dance recital here, Seth graduating, and Mother's Day. I can't wait to see what next May brings!

Until next time. . .keep all of us in your thoughts and prayers as we prepare to leave our home of 17 years. We have some wonderful memories here and emotions are running on high.

Debbie

Art is good for the Soul

As I stood in the check out line at our local grocery I was flipping through some of the magazines when a little article caught my attention. After reading it I added "Woman's World" to my basket wanting to share with you what I had just read.

A new Swedish study found that women who viewed and talked about art once a week felt happier--and enjoyed a two-point drop in their blood pressure after four months--while those who talked about their hobbies had no changes!

I have a wonderful art group "Mixed Media Collage Artists" that I have been missing over the past several months. This group is so supportive of each other, sharing their ups and downs, techniques and how to's, but most of all just being there for you when you need them. The artwork in this group is unbelievable.

There are several art magazines published each month and it is such an honor to see my fellow art friends grace so many of the pages. Not only are these girls having their art published, some are writing articles which are just fab. We are not just a group of girls with a little art hobby. We are dedicated to our artwork. Over the past year many have had their first piece of art published, written their first art related article, some had their first gallery showing and some have had their work chosen to travel the world.

With our upcoming move I have not been able to create as most of my art supplies have been packed and ready for the move, and I have had very little time to even visit the forum. However late at night when things are coming to an end, I sometimes find myself visiting our art gallery or scanning some of the member’s art journals. At first I was somewhat jealous that I was not able to create and share. Then as I reflected back on why I started MMCA, I began to have a feeling of calmness because I knew in my heart I did this for all of us to come together and share. There will be times when each of us has other commitments in our life and we won't be able to create and share.

This is my time and I have accepted it for now, but come mid-summer when things are settling some from the move, I plan to let the creative juices flow. I have so many ideas on paper and things I started that I want to finish and share. Until then I will continue to enjoy the artwork my fellow artists are creating while attempting to keep my blood pressure under control.

If you don't have a group of art friends to share with just do a search and you will find 1000's of them. At this time MMCA is not accepting applications for membership. You may however visit our website and enjoy our gallery of artwork and you will find many links to our members websites and blogs.

Until next time enjoy some art this week and be happier!

Debbie

Doors continue to open!!!

Just when I had my mind set for apartment living and not rushing into a new home, God opened another door and I spent Spring Break week house hunting. GP made arrangements for us to work with a wonderful realtor in Brunswick, GA. After several emails and phone calls Bill knew what I was looking for and started sending me houses via email. The 2nd house was as if I had given the contractor my plans. I continued to look at other homes, but kept coming back to Fox Ridge at Satilla Plantation in a little community called Atkinson, just west of Brunswick. On the 4th day, we went back to take another look and spent almost 2 hours there and decided to make an offer. Two hours later, we had made an offer, excepted their counteroffer to include landscaping prior to closing and the bank had approved everything. Closing date will be May 12th and we will move in May 30th. When I left last Sunday they still had to add hardware to the inside doors, place the entertainment center against the wall, install Closet Maid Shelving in all my closets, a few other little things that I requested and do the landscaping. We are in a new subdivision and the first house to be built. Here's a few pics of our new home.

Taupe Siding with Chocolate Brown Door and Shutters.

Everyone wants to know how big the lot is.....My house sits in the middle of a football field. Yes, it is 100 yds deep and a little over 50 yds wide. The street in front of our house is the end zone.

Plans are to build me a studio out among the trees with tons of flowers and little paths leading to it.

Great Room with butter cream walls, white trim, trayed ceiling, 4" Crown Molding, 6" Baseboards and hardwood floors. Entertainment Center to be placed against wall.

Dining Room flows to the right of the Entry and flows into the Great Room making a L-shape.

Tons of cabinet space and I love my stainless steel appliances. Ceramic tile in the kitchen, breakfast nook, laundry room and bathrooms.

My kitchen and breakfast nook look into our back yard. I can already picture the flowers and paths and my English Swing out there.

In case you want to know more. . . 3 bedrooms with the Master having a trayed ceiling. Creamy carpet in all the bedrooms. Everything is painted a buttery cream with white trim. Master Bath has a Juccuzi and oversized shower. Tons of closet space. Steve said our closet is big enough for my studio until we get the studio built. I don't agree, but it is a huge walk in. Big linen closet in the hall next to the guest bath. Nice laundry room off the kitchen with storage cabinets. Oversized 2 car garage with a storage room off the garage almost half the size of the garage.

I have already started picking out window treatments and making a list of things I want when we get there. Our new living room furniture I ordered 6 weeks ago was delivered Friday and I can't wait to get it in my new Great Room.

Spring Break was not all house hunting. Seth, Kaycee and I had a wonderful week with Steve and spent Saturday at Jeykll Island which is less than 30 minutes from our new home. Within a hours drive you can be in Savannah, Jacksonville or at one of the many beaches along the Atlantic Ocean.

I have a new home and can't wait to move, however I still have a few weeks left here and need to get a few things finished because our home is to be put on the market later this week.

Until next time. . . .Send positive thoughts that I will get through the next couple months.

Debbie

A New Chapter Begins

Today a new chapter begins here in our home. We are relocating to the Georgia coast. Pretend you are visiting me in Georgia and as we sit on our deck and sip iced tea this is the peaceful view we have. Yes this is what I will be looking out to each and every day come June.

It is so true, when you least expect it, things will happen. Steve has received many job calls over our 7 years asking him if he would be interested in a position here or there, but when he got the most recent call it was a total shock as he had never even completed an application. It was a once in a life time opportunity, not only a job that he has been working towards for 25+ years, but a chance to secure a better future for our children and their future families, and our retirement. The kids think a company truck for business and personal use was pretty good too.

For several months Steve has been talking with Georgia Pacific / Koch Industries after receiving an unexpected phone call inquiring if he would be interested in overseeing the East Coast mills. He was flown out the week after Thanksgiving to interview for a corporate management position to oversee their plants in FL and south GA. He is now the southeast area electronics manager.

Steve started his new job today, and the kids and I have plans to move the first of June. We have an apartment in the Walden Shores area in north Brunswick, GA, around an hours drive south of Savannah. Seth, Kaycee and I will spend Spring Break there. We have made arrangements for Kaycee to shadow one of the students there in the high school while there. Apartment living will be a change for all of us, but we didn't want to rush the house hunting. We want to be able to really check out the area(s) and find the perfect home for us.

I originally planned to stay here until Kaycee graduated next year, but she is ready to move. She has been checking out the school online and it looks like she won't have any problems transferring. She actually has 4 credits more right now than they require, so all she really would have to take next year is English 12, 2nd yr of Spanish, and Georgia history. and would still be able to graduate with honors. She wanted to go with Steve, but that didn't happen, as he will have to travel several nights a week and she is not staying by herself in a new town. She keeps reminding us that she will be 17 in April, going off to college in another year, and we will be living in a gated community with security code entrance!!! Still it did not happen.

Seth has been looking at Louisiana Tech, UA at Fort Smith, Arkansas Tech and GA Tech. He is going into Engineering so any of the schools would be good, but GA would be better, closer to Mom!!!

As most of you know, Colby now lives in Little Rock and seems to be excited about the move also. He said now he has a place to come for vacation, this coming from our oldest workaholic that hates the beach!!! According to Kaycee, she has checked out the distance to everything, we are 6 minutes from the beach, 10 to the mall, 8 to the high school and only 3 hrs to Disney! Tell me she doesn't have her priorities right!!

We have tons of things to do over the next several months including all the Senior activities, dance recital, Beta Club convention, National Honors activities, declutter a house that we have lived in since 1989, do a few things to the house before we put it on the market, and etc, then be ready for the movers the last week of May to load us up.

As for Debbie Overton Designs, I will not be adding anything new or making any major changes to the website for several months. I have many ideas that I want to share, but they will all have to wait until we make the move and I get things settled.

If any of you find that you don't have enough to do, just let me know as my to do list consist of many pages and growing as I type this.

Please keep all of us and our families in your thoughts and prayers as we make this major relocation in our lives.

Debbie, Steve, Seth & Kaycee