Friday Again! Friendship. Aloha and Featured

Hard to believe it is Friday again. Wow, it turns up quickly! Before I get to the hops for today I just want to give you some quick notes.

1. I have some fun December stuff for you starting tomorrow.  Come back everyday and see what is in store.
2.  Sign up for Secret Santa soon, you only have until Dec. 5th
3. Please check out my giveaways and please follow me. If you have already, then thanks, you are awesome!
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I thought I would start out this week with my Featured Faces. I feature each week two of my followers. Remember if you are featured to grab the awesome blog button of my Grandma. It is over there------>
Thanks for following me!
Featuring: 

Gretchen

MOV or Mother of Brothers

Go by and say hello to each of these ladies and tell them I sent you...of course follow them too. ok? 

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Welcome to this week’s edition of Aloha Friday. In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend.

Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and leave your Aloha Friday post link below.Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

What is you favorite Christmas movie?

My answer: My all time favorite is "It's A Wonderful Life". In fact it is my favorite movie period! 

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Question Of The Week
What are your favorite Social Media Networks?
What do you like most about them?
As you mingle at this week’s Friendship Friday party,
Look for new ways to increase your social connections!

My answer: 

I love Pinterest for all the stuff you can find, do and create. The eclectic-ness of it all intrigues me.

I like Facebook because I can quickly keep in touch with all my family and friends. It also gives me an outlet to be more social in general.

I like Twitter just because it is fun to quickly relay a message to the world about products I like or my quick thoughts.

By far though is right here in Blogger. It give me a place to write my thoughts, my writings/poetry, show off my photography, my art, and of course make new friends!

Have a great weekend and week.

Don't forget to come back daily in December. ;)

Couldn't sleep so I made art!

Last night I could not sleep for the life of me. I had major insomnia! I even tried to crawl under my comfy covers but nooooo!

So, I just decided to stay up. Since it was nice and quiet I decided to  do another piece of artwork. Now I have to admit that I did not take before and after shot of my progress so I will have to walk you briefly through it. I made a choir girl.

I took a plastic soda bottle and cut off the top. I added white lights to the bottle. I then inserted a styrofoam ball that I had painted brown.

At a local thrift store I had found a Santa tissue box cover. After disassembling that, I took what was left and covered the bottle with the material that made it look like a dress.

Santa's "cheeks" became ear muffs that I attached with some gold garland that I also found at the thrift store. 

I made a "song" book for my little choir girl to hold. After everything was dry, I drew a simple face on her.

This is what she looks like. I think she is cute.
~Naila Moon

Would you like to be a Secret Santa?

Hi everyone-

I am putting together a Secret Santa exchange. 

Would you like to participate?

I think it is a fun way to go shopping for a stranger (or someone you know) and them not know it is you!

1-Sign ups begin RIGHT NOW until the 5th of December. 

2-Link up here(in comments) and e-mail me the following if you want to participate: your name, address and likes/dislikes. (only the person I partner you with and myself will have your addres

s)

3-Go shopping! The limit is $5...that's right $5! Hey, you have been wanting to hit the dollar store anyway...right? So be creative! (homemade stuff with the limit is ok too)

4-Mail your gift to arrive on Dec. 15th.

5-When you receive your present, video the opening and post OR take pictures and post to this blog page. Give it a guess who your Secret Santa is. We will reveal that in due time.

Let's have fun shall we? Need some ideas?  I found a Pinner who started a pin board. Find her HERE.

Remember, link up by December 5th!

~Naila Moon

Wordless(ish) Wed. and Vlogging with Mama Kat

Today I am combining a couple of post because it is just easier to do that sometimes. You don't really mind do you? You love me right? hee hee

Today I am going to be connecting to Mama Kat's weekly vlogging. Don't know what vlogging is? Well, it is all my crazy stuff just on video. What? You mean you didn't know I YouTubed? Oh yeah! Hang out for that after the post for Wordless(ish) Wed., you won't want to miss it!

 

So, on to Wordless. I recently won two t-shirts from Disney for their Wreck It Ralph promo. One shirt is for my darling little Grand-daughter but the other one went to my wonderful husband, Mark aka that guy from Chronicles From the Man Cave. (shameless plug)

I think he likes his new shirt. :)

Now, on to that vlog. Today Mama Kat asked us about our job as a teen.

World Vision Blogger Event and Giveaway

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Whether it’s for the tax deduction or the warm fuzzy feeling giving to others generates, most Americans plan to make a charitable donation over the holiday season. In fact, nearly 60 percent of Americans say they’ll donate between Thanksgiving and Christmas, according to a survey reported in the Chronicle of Philanthropy.

With so many worthy causes, it is difficult to know where the gift can best be used. Gifts to the WorldVision Gift Catalog Maximum Impact Fund are used where resources are most desperately needed, to help children and families in struggling communities around the world. With a financial contribution, the gift giver can select one of 36 Maximum Impact items (a few are listed below) that can be given to a loved one and at the same time help a person in need.

Please consider the unique, life-changing items from World Vision’s Gift Catalog as you start, continue or even complete of your holiday shopping. Here are a few suggestions we would like to offer you:

• Artisan Beaded Necklace: This glass-bead necklace is handmade in Thailand and can be worn several different ways — even as a multi-strand bracelet.
• Eco Cold Cup: This popular 16 oz. BPA-free tumbler comes in handy when on the run. Every sip is a reminder of those who’ve been helped.
• Veggie Tales "Incredible Vegetables" DVD: Heroic adventures and veggie fun for the family movie night! This newest Veggie Tale DVD is an action adventure that teaches kids how to conquer fear through a faith-based message.
• Plush toys - Gertie Goat, Chuma Chick and Pallu Pig: Gertie, Chuma and Pallu are available exclusively through World Vision and represent farm animals that are donated to children and families around the world and provide a steady supply of nutritious food and the surplus can be sold for extra income.

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice.

They serve close to 100 million people in nearly 100 countries around the world. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender.

Eight lucky readers will receive one of the following: Artisan Beaded Necklace, Eco Cold Cups, Veggie Tales Incredible Vegetables DVD or a set of plush toys (Gertie Goat, Chuma Chick and Pallu Pig)!

Giveaway ends December 9th at 11:59pm, open to US residents, ages 18+. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck!

Special thank you to Mom Powered Media bloggers for putting this event together.

I got inspired...oh yes, I did!

Today I was totally inspired in so many ways. It started out with having an amazing conversation with my cousin this morning over chat.  I do not get to talk with her a ton but when I do, I love it.

Then over on Monday's Music everyone was playing songs that inspired them (including me). Everyone had different tunes from classic rock to country to gospel.  I was enamored by one in particular called "One Sweet Day". It just spoke to my heart.

The day has been an emotional roller coaster for me but the inspiration just kept on coming.

Tonight, I was inspired to do another painted art piece with found elements.  While you are checking that out listen to this from today.

It started out like this. Just some news paper/

I cut out a green advertisement and painted the  Fall tree with falling leaves. Looks like someone carved their initials in it. hee hee

The angels and falling hearts are found address stickers.  The  tire swing is an old medicine bottle cap. The words are more newspaper as well as the medicine man at the bottom.

Totally finished!

What inspires you? Tell me in comments.

The 4M's-Nov. 26, 2012...Inspirational Songs

Welcome to the last Monday in November! Wow! This week in Monday's Music Moves Me, hosted by Xmas Dolly, we have the theme of songs that inspire us.

Now for me, this is an interesting theme because I think all music inspires us depending on the day, the hour, the week, the month, the year....you get me, right?  So, the thing is to narrow it down to what is inspiring me at the moment. (Even that can change quickly.)

Let's see what I can come up with.

First up: (One of my favorites)



Next: (this one makes me tear up-this clip is where I first heard the song)



Finally: (I sang this to my Mother one year in front of a ton of people)



Make sure to join us the whole month of December for Christmas and holiday songs. I have been told the Big Red Guy is hosting this month. Hmmm...

Day 25...Art vs Craft and my art too! :)

 

 I am getting in a bit late this evening with this post but better late than never right?

Anyway, I have been working very diligently on a piece of art but before I show you the done deal, I want to address something I saw on another bloggers blog today. That is...

Is there really any difference between art and craft. My immediate answer is no there isn't and my research showed that most people see no difference. I mean after all, can't a craft also be seen as art? 

However, upon further research, I found an article that summed it up this way.

1. Art is a form of work that expresses emotions and expressions. Craft is a form of work, which has a physical form just like in moulding and carving.
2. While Craft is quantified, Art seldom is.
3. One can create duplicate craft forms, which is not possible with art.
4. Art forms move people emotionally, whereas crafts attract people.
5. Unlike craft, art is known to come out of the heart and soul. Crafts are a product of the mind.
6. In art, it is the emotions that flow out whereas in craft no emotion is involved.
7. Art comes out from a person’s innate talents whereas craft is the result of experience.

Source

Although, I get the point here it still seems like to me that the difference comes down to the eye of the beholder. There is certainly some things that I would never consider as art but in the art world they are all the rave. 

Anyway, on to my own art project. This took me a few days to gather the materials and to actually do. Materials used: posterboard, acrylics, found tags plastic holly piece, real wood. I give you my advent calendar.

Me beginning my painting

finished with painting the tree and adding tags (each tag has a number on it that will be turned over each day)

added a snowman -yes, I painted him/her too. Tamirisc got the real twigs for me at a local park.

made "presents" to go around the tree-yes, they are painted too

My finished advent calendar for Christmas

So, do you like it? Tell me in comments. I would love to hear from you.

Blogger Blockage

Hello everyone. I have a major blogger blockage and a headache so this will be my post for today. 
I do have a doozy of an art piece to share with you too but that will also wait until tomorrow.
Peace,
~Naila Moon

Friendship/Aloha & Featured Faces Friday...Nov 23rd (UPDATE)

Hello everyone. Are you all in a food stupor? I actually am not but man there is the food left over. We cooked for 6 when there was really only the 2 of us. Anyway, it turns out I am not going Black Friday shopping this year which makes me a little sad but NOT that sad. Sooooo moving on.




Question Of The Week
Do you host a unique meme on your blog?
If so, please tell us about it!
Is there a special meme you like to participate in each week?
Let us know what it is and what makes it special!
Have fun sharing and spotlighting your favorite memes
At this week’s Friendship Friday!

My answer: I was hosting 10 Thoughts Tuesday but abandoned in September. I may return to it come next year.

I participate in a few memes throughout the week and enjoy each one. They are:

Monday-Monday's Music Moves Me hosted by Xmas Dolly

              Music Monday hosted by Java's Lounge

Wednesday-Wordless Wednesday hosted by Royalegacy and Create With Joy (and others)

Thursday-Alphabe Thursday hosted by Jenny Matlock

Friday-I host Featured Faces Friday (this features two of my loyal followers every week)

           Friendship Friday-hosted by Create With Joy

           Aloha Friday-hosted by An Island Life

Saturday-Saturday Centus hosted by Jenny Matlock

In addition I am currently doing Art A Day hosted by Creative Every Day and Join Me At the Game hosted by The Game

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In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So,on Fridays we take it easy on posting, too.Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and leave your Aloha Friday post link below. Also, please consider linking back to this post so that others can join in, too! Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

My question: Many people during this time of year donate to charities. Do you donate to charities if so, which one(s)?

source

My answer: I used to donate to the Salvation Army in the way of toys and cash. I still will drop cash in the kettles when I can. I have also donated to the Relay For Life which funds many cancer groups.

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This week I am featuring two of my followers again. Please click on their photo at the top right, tell them I sent you and by all means follow them.

Becca

John Holton

Those that are followed by all means grab the Featured Faces Follow button and put it on your page. That is my Grandma in case you were wondering. :)

Have a good weekend.

~Naila Moon

Day 22-Happy Thanksgiving/Birthday

First of all Happy Thanksgiving to everyone everywhere...even if you don't celebrate traditionally you can still be thankful for what you have.

Secondly, my dear husband came down with a nasty cold and is now promptly asleep for the 3rd time today. So, guess what I am doing? HA! I am revamping my blog space for Christmas so you may get a sneak peek tonight.  No, I am not going shopping.

Thirdly, today is my Mother's 73rd birthday. She is getting to celebrate it with my brother who lives in Vegas. She has not celebrated her birthday nor Thanksgiving with him since he was in high school. We are talking over 20 years!  Happy Birthday Mom!

With love and peace...
~Naila Moon

Day 21...Communicate Thanks

Today I am most grateful for communication between me and others especially my husband. Sometimes good communication is the key to success of everything.
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I wish you a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving. I hope that you enjoy being with your families and making memories to last.

Peace...
Naila Moon

Wordless(ish) Wed. and Art A Day Update (Day 19 & 20)

Remember I was telling you about how our first Thanksgiving together in 2008 went? No? Well, go HERE then. I'll wait.  So, as you see, it was a comedy of errors.

  

 So, since it is Wordless Wednesday today. I thought I would show you our cooked bird prior to me finding the surprise!

Look how determined I am there! LOL
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I need to get up to date on my Art A Day post so...