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1/25/2015

Grow Your Blog Party




I'd like to welcome all of you who are stopping by for the Grow Your Blog Party and say Hello to
friends who have been around for a while.  My name is CatieAn.  I am married for 43 years to John
and we have a beautiful family of four married children and 7 precious grandchildren.



                                    We live in the Pacific Northwest of the United States.
                                
                                                We are both retired and love the leisure of our lives.
                                               I was a Pediatric Oncology and Intensive care Nurse
                                           John was a Cardiovascular technician in the Heart Cath Lab.


I originally started blogging in 2007 when I had to retire early for medical purposes.  I was looking for kindred spirits that shared values and similar interests.  It is also a way to chronicle my life from time to time and share with others. We all have so much to give to each other through common interests and just life in general. I cherish the friends I have made through blogging and hold them dear in my heart.

                              I hope you find something that draws you in and brings you back. 

                 I love to decorate my house, inside and out.  I repurpose, upcycle, love collecting junk and stuff.  I am into buttons and fabric, mannequin heads, Victorian arts and crafts, hearts, hands and crafting in general.
                                                                           
                                                                   I love to make art:

(water color)

                                                                           assemblage








                                                                        portrait drawing
(pencil, charcoal, pastel)
                                                                              
                                                                            sewing


                                                                            collage



                                  
                                                               I also love photography:








We put in an in ground pool last year and love to share it with our family and friends and all the neighbor children.  I love decorating  and making our yard a fun place to hang out.






For the past 8 years, I host 10-15 children once a week.  We cook, sew, create art, learn manners and have a great time hanging out.  John and I see it as a personal ministry to give back to those in our community.  There is no fee.  We provide all the supplies needed and parents take turns sharing snacks.  The first group of kids I started with are now graduating seniors.  They bless are lives in many ways.






I am going to give away two gifts to two visitors.  I will draw the names randomly on Feb. 15th.  You do not have to have a blog to participate and you can live any where in the world.  I just need a physical address when I draw your name so please make sure I have a way to contact you, should you win.   I have repurposed these vintage tins and vintage doll parts:



Please stay awhile, look around, enjoy yourself. Hopefully you will find something that interests you  and you will  come back soon.

             If you see something you want to pin, you have my permission as long as you give   me credit.  If you have any questions about anything please email me and I will be happy to       answer  them. catiean@aol.com.

To follow the Blog Party Hosted by Vicki @ 2 Bagsful click the banner.  There are over 400 international blogs participating. Vicki has spent countless hours putting this event together once again.  She is an amazing artist and philanthropist and her fiber art is just too delicious.
                                                                 
                                                                        Have FUN.
2 Bags Full




67 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog, your pictures and home look stunning!

Mokki said...

Its a lovely idea to host a day for the children. I bet you have a lot of fun doing it.

Anonymous said...

Hello Catiean, Welcome to the Grow Your blog party :D
What you do in hosting the children each week is really beneficial to the community. I wish I could do something like that too.
Hope you'll have many new friends and followers this coming week. Huge hugs from Singapore

Marrianna said...

Wow, CatieAn, I think this is the first time I have really, I mean really, looked at the variety of your artwork. Everything is so wonderful. It is also nice to see the photo of you and your husband. I hope you gain new followeers as you have a lot to offer on your blog.

Blessings, Marrianna

Marilyn said...

I loved seeing all the different things you do and hosting the children is wonderful. Thanks for the opportunity to meet you and to enter your draw.

Lupe Meter said...

Hello CatieAn! Nice to meet you! Oh my, you are so creative! You also keep very busy from the looks of things. I am sure you are a blessing to all those kids whom you share the love of art with...how awesome is that! Please include me in your drawing: Lupe Meter http://gesmpccorner.blogspot.com

Love your blog! :)

Cathy said...

Love your art! It's so creative, colorful and fun. And I love, love, love it that you host art-oriented classes for kids! What a wonderful thing to do!
Cathy
CraftyCat

Shauna said...

Your work is lovely, I very much admire your work with the children, it will mean so much to them.

Unknown said...

wow! you do so much! lol... love what you do for the kids! that's amazing! hope you'll stop by and visit me as well! have a great weekend!

Shauna said...

Oops forgot to say I'm one of Vicki's helpers checking all the links. Have a great day.

aspiritofsimplicity said...

Hi CatieAn,
I am visiting from the grow your blog party. It looks like your family has lots of fun together!!

Dreaming of Vintage said...

Hi CatieAn! It's nice to meet you! I enjoyed your blog, you create such lovely things!

Cozy Expressions said...

Blog hopping with “Grow Your Blog”. Its so great to meet you. Wishing you the best!! and I am a new follower!!

Jeanne said...

Hello Catie Ann! I am stopping in from GYB and am also a nurse. I worked many years in Pediatrics before I went back to school and became a nurse practitioner. I am loving that you are still working with kids in your home, and what a wonderful ministry this is. I am also a grandma, in fact, I just had a brand new little granddaughter who is 2 months old. I have two other grandchildren too, one is 24 and the other is 12, so it would seem I have a new grandchild every 12 years. They are such blessings in my life. I also love photography and traveling. I am going to sign up to follow you and hope that you will stop in a visit me at Butterfly Tales. Will look forward to getting to know you.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

You have a WONDERFUL blog. I so enjoyed the visit, especially the assemblages, something I'm just now dabbling with. Your paintings are fantastic, and your helping the young must make you AND the kids feel special.

Loved the visit, since this is my first time at GYB. http://alteredbooklover.blogspot.com/2015/01/grow-your-blog-blog-hop-event.html

Jade said...

Nice portraits and good on you for being a volunteer this year!! Thanks for checking my link :) Happy hopping

Sarah Huizenga said...

What a lovely space you have here.

Sue Kosec said...

Catiean ... you and your husband have a place in Heaven already. Hosting those children is wonderful and I'm proud of you.

I've become a Follower and hope that you might want to do the same when you get over to SuZeQ Creations.

Hugs!
SuZeQ

Eugenia Maru http://lulurulitos.blogspot.com said...

Hola! yo también vengo de Haz crecer tu blog y me ha gustado mucho el tuyo. Me hice tu seguidora y espero venir seguido.
Me ha encantado todo lo que haces y lo que tienes.
Un saludo grande desde Chile
Maru

Ah, me inscribo para el concurso. Mi correo es menteenlaluna@gmail.com

Veronica Roth said...

Hello fellow North West artist and junk collector, it's so lovely to meet you via the GYB hop. I know what you mean about family. I started with three children and now, somehow, they've multiplied to nine!!! But I love it as much as you do. Off now to figure out how to follow you so I can get to know you better. X

Shirlee Fassell said...

Love your assemblages! Great party thanks for helping host.

Stephanie said...

Hello CatieAn! Your blog and creations are beautiful, just beautiful! Your vintage tin dolls are darling and so unique! I haven't seen anything quite like them :)

I am so glad I came across your little corner in the blogging community and am a happy new follower. Hugs to you! Stephanie - The Enchanting Rose

Thearica said...

I love teaching children the art of sewing and crafting... and sometimes they teach me different and easier ways to go about it. lol

You have a beautiful family!

SUGAR MOON said...

You are a very interesting lady. I enjoyed your blog. Am following and will be back.

Maggie said...

So glad you stopped by in Normandy because I've now found a new blog to follow full of my favourite things!
Maggie

Unknown said...

Hopping by from the GYB party. I did scroll through your blog and enjoyed several of your other posts. I joined your site. Diane from section 1 afocusedjourney.blogspot.com

Asia King (aka Joanna K) said...

Hello CatieAn!

I found you through Grow Your Blog event. I enjoyed reading about you and your blog :). You are one versatile crafter - love your makes! What a wonderfully big family you have - it must be very busy at your home during holidays :). I would like to wish you every success in your blogging adventure. You have a new follower now, too! :)

Have a happy GYB! Hugs, Asia

If you'd like to visit me back and find out more about my blog Under a Creative Spell, that would be fab!

chasing the sun said...

Pretty blog..I love your assemblages :-)
I am now following you!
Have a good week!
http://lisacomperry.blogspot.com

Jennifer Pearson Vanier said...

Greetings from Canada! Thank you for dropping by my blog and for your kind words. I have enjoyed your blog post too and getting to know you. You look to enjoy lots of creative outlets and also I love what you are doing with young people. A blessing indeed!
I love your lace mannequin.

Quirky Homemaker said...

Your portraits are so good! You have a lovely family and I love that you teach kids once a week. Kids need art and creativity. Nice to meet you through the GYB hop! Following you on Pinterest now. Have a great week!

Sylvia said...

Hi Catie An, thanks for stopping by my blog. I have enjoyed looking at all your great photo's. I am now following you.
Sylvia - A Grandma's Blessings

MartiDIY said...

What a wonderful life you have! I love what you are doing with the neighborhood children. You are such a talented artist too. I wish I could draw like that.

Debby said...

I am here for the party but oh my gosh I love your blog. It is so wonderful that you do the art activitity for the children. You are very generous.
You have a beautiful family. But my dear it was hard to find you in the family picture as you look so young.
I looked for an etsy shop but didn't see one. Your creations with the tins is something I have been looking for. Two years ago at the Country Living Fair saw similar items. I thought I would go back later. I never could find them. I posted about them, hoping someone would know who made them. No luck. I love yours. I signed up to follow of course. I am not in this group but I am having a giveaway. Come visit and sign up.

~JarieLyn~ said...

Hi, I'm not participating in the party but I am here via the blog party. I love your blog and I think it is so amazing that you host children to learn crafts and different things. I'm a follower now. Can't wait to browse your blog and see some more wonderful art.

Beth in NEPA said...

I enjoyed my visit to your blog. I think the hosting of those young folks is such a wonderful thing to do. They will always remember that I am sure!

Cheeky Rose Boutique said...

Greetings! I am a retired nurse and dollmaker. What a sweet giveaway! Please stop by and say hello!

Magpie's Mumblings said...

I've enjoyed my visit - thank you for the invitation! Bless you and your husband for caring about young people and providing them with such an inspiration. Enjoy the party!

creations.1 said...

Such a creative , caring and sharing lady!! Loved your post - and what a beautiful family photo! Thanks for coming by my blog. Have a wonderful week - Kerrie B at Channelbank Creations

Laura Quaglia (Fun With This and That) said...

You sure do allot of different craft. I also like to try everything. Your project are great.
Have a great GROW YOUR BLOG
Laura

My Painted Garden said...

Hi CatieAn - so nice to meet you and visit your fabulous blog. I really enjoyed looking around and look forward to following you. Loved reading about the classes you and your husband host - what a wonderful act of kindness for the community.

Blessings, Erin

Anitha said...

Hi Catie, so glad to know you through GYB party. You have a lovely blog and all your creations are amazing. Loved your painting and drawings so much. Looking forward to read more of your posts in free time. Cheers:)

Carol D. said...

Visiting from GYB and now a new follower. Great family picture. Stunning portraits and many other great things. Look forward to seeing future projects.

Hettienne Grobler said...

Thank you for your warm words on my blog. I admire your painting and drawing skills! Wow! Those portraits are beautiful. I am now a follower and look forward to learning from you as well! Blessings Hettienne

Judys Lace Creations said...

Lovely to meet up with you CatieAn.What a great thing to do with the kids.Art is just sooo good for children.How wonderful that you do this for free. * years is a long time to be doing this full-on type of work with kids.Good on you!
Loved looking at your blog.I think we have lots in common.I'm now a follower.
Judy xx

duchess_declutter said...

Hi CatieAn - thanks for dropping by my blog - yours is very colourful and creative! cheers Wendy

duchess_declutter said...

........... and I'm a new follower too!

Boud said...

Thanks so much for stopping by Field and Fen, and I'm glad you enjoyed it. I've signed up to follow you, too, since your blog is so HAPPY! full of activity and just enjoyment, thanks so much for it.

Tamara said...

Hi CatieAn,
It's so nice to meet you.. You have a lovely blog andy our artwork is so creative. I really like the altered tins. How kind and generous of you to host the community children. You will always be remembered and have enriched their lives in such a special way. Thank you for the sweet comment and it's a blessing to have you following along with me! <3

Have a wonderful week and I hope you enjoy the party.

Tamara

Anonymous said...

You are very creative and loved the heart sculpts you did. It was nice to meet you and enjoyed my visit.

Julie's Lifestyle said...

Hi CatieAn, I'm visiting through GYB event. I love your blog and your creations. I'm now following via google friend connect. I do hope that we can become blog friends. I have a giveaway on my blog too at Julie's Lifestyle. I look forward to being friends.
Julie at Julie's Lifestyle

Shroo said...

I L*O*V*E* that your life is so full of colour! It seems that you add extra joy and arty awesomeness to pretty much every aspect of your life! You're a complete legend! I stand in awe and am REALLY glad that you found my blog. I'm sorry it took me so long to find time to have a PROPER read through yours. I still have so much more to enjoy, but honestly - it's been an awesome visit today! i look forward to your future fabulous posts - big hugs from Shroo:)xx

Lorraine said...

Catiean your art is both beautiful and quirky and I mean that in the best way. I'll be coming back to see more!

Unknown said...

What a nice site you have! Love your diversity. I remember when I was in grade school, there was a neighborhood house that did an after school club once a week. I have very fond memories of that time. You are a blessing to those kids and they will remember you forever. :)
craftyccain@gmail.com

Linda aka Crafty Gardener said...

Hello, I'm visiting from the Grow your blog event ... so many wonderful sites to see and new friends to meet.

DeborahRead.com said...

Lovely work

Sandi said...

Wow! What a lot of things you do. I love the idea that you have the children come in once a week. Found you through GYB and am a new follower. Thanks for visiting me.
Sandi
www.thevictoriangypsy.blogspot.com

Carole @ From My Carolina Home said...

You are a very talented lady! Thank you for the introduction and a look at your beautiful work.

deborah lyn said...

Hi CatieAn - Love your name:) I'm so happy to meet you and to enjoy your blog! I'm your new follower too! best, deborah
http://deborahstanleyinspirations.blogspot.com/

Wilma said...

Hello CatieAn,
I'm visiting from the GYBP.
I so much enjoyed to read your posts and see your photo's.
Your art is beautiful, especially the portraits. I love your style of writing. It makes me smile.
So fun to see your studio, it's a very interesting space, so much to see and enjoy.
I am following now and will be back.
I'm from the Netherlands and I pretty much like a lot of the same things you do.
I'd love it if you would visit me at my place.
Blessings to you, I hope you will feel better very soon.
Wilma. Shabby Royale.

Lija Broka said...

Hope you are enjoying the party! I think what you are doing with the kids is great. And hope you have many more years to share with the blogging world and people in general. Please don't enter me for your giveaway (the are definitely unique but too fragile for my constant moving houses), but if you have a moment come by my giveaway.

Patty Antle said...

I enjoyed meeting you. I am a retired nurse too. We have much in common. I will be following you. :)

Fil said...

Hi CatieAn - I am vey belatedly visiting from the GYB party - thank you so much for visiting mine ... it's been lovely to come here and get to know you and to read some of your other blogs... Like you I'd love to paint and went to an acrylics class a few weeks ago - just a one off - it was such fun... And also like you I have recently stopped taking steroids after nearly 2 years on them... It's six months since the last one and my skin is only now starting to return to normal ... they're monsters ... and there's times when I'm still thinking they made life so easy, but it's really not worth it.
Looking forward to reading more about you in the coming months.
Fil
Fil’s Place - Old songs and Memories

Angela Perez said...

Hello, its a pleasure knowing you and what you do. I started following you.

Thistle Cove Farm said...

Hello, I am visiting via Vicki's GYBP and enjoying my visit. Your have a Lovely family the the work of your hands and heart is also beautiful. Very nice indeed.

Tammy said...

We have similar interests, I would love it if you came to visit my blog .. i haven't had to many increases to my followers but it has been fun seeing what everyone does. You seem to be a wonderful person and I love your personal ministry working with children. That is amazing! And about your moon face, people can be so cruel, I find that it is often recognizable when someone has this and my first and only reaction would be compassion because I know that something serious is going on. So hang in there and karma .. you know what they say ... she may regret her unkind words. I also wanted to say that I thought your tulip painting was beautiful for someone that doesn't paint, it should be no surprise given that you are an artist that you could also paint well. Anyway .. nice to meet you. Love your blog! Tammy :)

Monique (A Half-Baked Notion) said...

Hi CatieAn! I am making belated GYB visits after 2 weeks of illness. I admire your art forms especially since they are different from my own (vive la différence) and love how re-purposing helps both things and people have a new life :)

Art and Sand said...

It was fun to read more about you and your family.

I really need to consider teaching a craft class to kids. I do miss teaching, but I love being retired more!