Eye Candy by Kristal

Shop Eye Candy Originals

2006-05-04T01:08:00.000-07:00

www.shopeyecandyoriginals.com

As some of you know, I have launched a new Online Store for Collage Artists. I am still in the process of adding products to the store. I will be adding more German gold dresdens, handmade nut cups & candy cups, candy cones, collage sheets, collage papers, and more goodies!
Check it out and let me know what you think!

Blessings,
K

After the Storm

2006-04-13T10:47:00.000-07:00

Well my it has been quite a while since I have blogged--things are just beginning to slow down enough for me to catch my breath.
As most of you know, Jasper's pre-op was a couple of weeks ago. He was going to have his rib cartilage split so it would re-grow forming a hard surface over his heart--as his heart has no hard bone to cover it--it is just under the skin--so he has to wear a man-made hard chest protector under his clothes and not participate in sports, etc.
Well the cardiac surgeon came in and told us that Jasper would be a forever surgery kid. What? He said Jasper will be a person who will need constant heart repair, and putting a bone over his heart will just cause problems for the heart surgeon. By creating a bone to protect his heart, it will need to be split for future heart surgeries, and the surgeon doens't want to deal with that. I understand his position.
So Jasper will have to be forever careful--avoiding sports, rough activity, etc; Yes this is hard--little boys are never careful!
However, we know and believe God has a plan--and we continue to stand by our little man & believe he will indeed continue to triumph.
Thank you to all of my DEAR KINDRED SPIRITS for your prayers--we aren't out of the woods yet--but at least we have a light in the darkness--and it's in my little boy's prayers and heart shining brightly.

Sincerly,
K

The Piece of Bubblegum Broke My Heart

2006-02-16T21:55:00.000-08:00

Well when it rains, it pours--so much has been going on---but a piece of bubblegum broke my little boy's heart this week--well actually his teacher did.
Amazing the effect a little piece of bubblegum can have.
Jasper had a playdate before school on Monday--he goes to the afternoon kindergarten class--well before his little playdate left, I gave them Double Bubble Gum--Jasper's favorite--I completely forgot Jasper still had it in his mouth when I dropped him off at school.
Jasper came home and said he didn't want to be in that "class" anymore--and then I read the note. Apparently, the teacher thought Jasper stole that piece of gum from her 100 bag--and accused him in front of the entire class--so some of the children kept calling Jasper a liar and a stealer--to make matters worse the teacher counted the gum out in front of all the children--and then had the teacher assistant count it out.
I went to the school of course--the teacher didn't apologize--she said it was her right. I guess so--and it's my right to put my child in a class where he can be helped and not hurt.
Jasper was so embarassed that he didn't want to go to his Valentine's party the next day--and so he missed his first Valentine School experience--he sadly put away his little valentines and sucker and present for his teacher. He cried and said it was the worst Valentine's Day in the world. and My HEART broke all over a piece of penny bubblegum that WAS NOT taken from the gum bag--when the teacher assistant counted it she came up with 100 pieces--Well I'm glad the pieces were all there, because his teacher was the FIRST person to break my child's heart into 100 pieces---
Isn't it amazing what one small act can do?

A Home for the Homeless

2006-01-24T23:13:00.000-08:00

My dear son Jasper.... we were on the way to the children hospital a couple of months ago and we saw a homeless man--and my husband stopped to give the man a sandwich from Subway that we had just ordered. We didn't think too much about it and went on our way. Well Jasper sure did. He asked us about it, and we explained it to him.
Then he saw the children on TV--the ones who live in the third world countries and live in poor houses with cardboard on the sides with the swollen little tummies. Jasper cried--and asked me about those children. We talked about it and I could tell he was so sad about those children.
He has mentioned the homeless man many times--just the other day he said mama aren't you glad we live in a house? I had totally forgotten the man, and was like yes hunny. He said I can't quit thinking about that man who doesn't have a house--I wish he could stay with us. We talked about how we couldn't just ask strangers to live with us, etc; and then we talked about when you think of someone, it's because God has laid them on your heart and you should pray for them.
Then Jasper and I got on the subject of mansions--and we talked about the mansion we would have when we went to live in Heaven.
Jasper is so glad that everyone will have a mansion to live in, even those little children and homeless men.
What a blessing my son has been to me--and I know he shall have a big mansion waiting for him in heaven because he has such a pure heart and sweet spirit.

Will you always be here, mama?

2006-01-15T16:58:00.000-08:00

Life is GREAT! I have two precious boys, Jonas 3.5 months old, and Jasper 6 years old. I can't tell you how sweet and true they are! It's like having my heart walking around outside of my body!
Jasper is getting ready for his constructive breastbone surgery, and I guess he's really beginning to think about it. I can tell he is really worried, because he has asked me questions like will I die mama? Will I wake up and they have me strapped to the bed mama? How long will I have to stay in the hospital mama?
What I wasn't prepared for was the subject of death. Jasper came one night to my art room, from his bed. He said that he couldn't sleep because he was worried about losing me.
To make a long story short, he wanted to tell me that he didn't want to go anywhere without me because he wanted to make sure nothing would happen to me. He said he didnt want any other mother, if I died. He just wanted me and maybe if we stayed together always, and he didn't go away anywhere, then nothing would happen to me without him there.
Sigh---my precious little boy is worried for his mama--now isn't this a change in the usual me worrying for him?
I don't know...but in that instant, I realized that no one will ever love me like my little Pan will...It was the most special feeling I've ever had.

Blessings for My Boys

2006-01-10T01:37:00.000-08:00

God has truly blessed me with the healing of my baby boy Jonas! We went to the eye doctor and I was told that Jonas did have vision, he just has a syndrome in which he chooses not to use it--and that it could clear up in weeks, months, and rare cases years.
Well guess what? I guess God didn't read that report, because 2 days later, my baby's eyes opened--and began looking and responding!!! He laughed and smiled at me and my son Jasper while we were on the plane heading for my parents house in Florida. What a TRUE miracle! I can't even begin to describe what I felt like---it was like a fog had been lifted from his little life and mine too!
THANK you to all of my kindred spirits who have been praying for my little ones. It is a prayer answered.
My son Jasper is to have surgery this month or next to construct him a breastbone over his heart--we are awaiting the call of the surgeon.
I am making it a goal to write atleast weekly on the blog now--so stay tuned!

Love is Blind

2005-12-02T11:56:00.000-08:00

Well as you know my sweet baby boy Jonas is now 10 weeks--what a doll he is. I have been concerned about his vision for a little while now, but everyone said he was just too little to visually track.
I took him to the doctor for his two month shots--the next round. While there, she checked his vision upon my request. At first she thought Jonas might be blind, because he wasn't picking up light or registering. Also because Baby Jonas depends on sound to turn his head.
She told me that he has tortellectomy. A problem that he does't turn his head, and will require physical therapy. I've already been doing the excercises with him; I can handle this.
His brother Jasper started worrying about Baby Jonas at the appt. so he started waving a music box in front of his eyes, well Jonas tracked it somewhat. So now the doctor thinks Jonas might just be visually immature and not be able to see well at all, but she doesn't think he is blind.
We have an appointment Monday to verify this. Please pray for my sweet baby boy that he can see--even if he needs baby glasses to do so. I want all good things for my son--and to visually delight in the world is a good thing.

K

Thanksgiving and Thankstaking

2005-11-20T01:50:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is here again--happy Thanksgiving to all of you. I was just sitting here thinking that Thanksgiving isn't a major holiday, but what an important one it is and should be--much more than we think of it to be. Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for the blessings you have been given.
Well my Maker has truly given me so many blessings, and I've taken them with a thankful heart. Thanksgiving is a sort of spirit that lives at my house. Everyday I live with a Tiny Tim, and I am truly thankful for each day that is uneventful and joyous.
Your heart is so thankful when you know that your life can be snatched out from under you any second, but a day passes and it isn't. Instead it is filled with joy and blessings. Now how could my heart not sing my thanks and praises to my Heavenly Father?
I am thanking and praising him for the good works he has set forth in my life, and forthe ones that he is still completing, and for giving me one more day of joy to hold my sweet little ones and love on them.
Here's to all of you who have lost and continue to live and love, to those who hang in the balance and focus on the present joy instead of the possible strife, and to those who are going through hell, but just keep going. Thank God even if you don't feel like thanking him--keep thanking him and soon you will be taking in those blessings he has stored up for you.

K

Life After the Storm

2005-11-14T14:55:00.000-08:00

Life has been treating me good--actually I feel blessed to be living a pretty good life. Yes there are many days when I am raking and scraping just like everyone else. Someone wrote me and told me I looked very distinguished in my photo---ha ha! I had to laugh at that, because I'm just a Thrifty Artsy Chik--living a regular normal life, that is joyous--because everyday I thank the Maker for the life he gives me.
Yes, I shop at thrift stores, love bargains, & deprive myself of things I would like so my children can have the things they need & desire.
Just yesterday, I was down to my last penny, and needed to get some gas and formula, and what do you know? I made just enough with a special art order for those purchases--exactly enough--down to the penny...now isn't that awesome? That's a GREAT life when you know the Maker is looking out for you and you may be small on this earth, but you are big to him.
So yes I'm whistling in my little beret, kissing my baby on my hip, and playing cars on the floor with my son. Life is GREAT, and I wouldn't give it up for anything in the world.
Praise your Maker today, and shake what ya' mama gave ya, and put some JOY in your heart!!!

Smile!

2005-11-02T09:42:00.000-08:00

Jasper did so awesome with his surgery! It was about a 2 hour surgery, and he was a little freaked out when he came out of his anesthesia. The breathing tube that they put down his nose and throat, caused some bleeding, so he was pretty upset about that. Plus they had to cut his gums, and he realized his mouth was bleeding...but once he got over that, he has just beamed that his teeth look like "real boy" teeth. He was embarassed before. He said the kids at school said, he has new teeth! He was so proud and smiling up a storm!
WHEW! I am so glad that one is over! They are looking to do another surgery soon. Because his heart is unprotected, they will go in and splice his rib cage, and pull the rib cartilage together, so it will "grow" him a covering over his heart. This is GREAT! So then he will not have to wear a chest protector every day, like he does now. He is a little embarassed that he has to wear one, so we put it under his clothes, but it sure is not comfortable! BLESS his heart, thinks are looking up for him, but this surgery will be a BIG one and will be really rough on him. He's NOT looking forward to that long hospital stay! Neither am I!
Baby Jonas is almost 6 weeks, and has started to realize that he can cry and be held. He loves to be carried around all day! Nothing slow about that boy! He is a doll. Jasper heard him cooing/fussing yesterday, and said in a serious tone, I can't understand what he is saying, can you? When he gets older, we will be able to understand him, but right now I just can't figure it out! Ha ha!
That reminds me...about 2 weeks ago, he saw the Lunesta commercial advertising a pill that will help you sleep through the night. I could see the wheels turning and he said, "that's what baby Jonas needs" so he can "sleep through the night!"

Blessings,
K

Praying and Creating

2005-10-30T10:40:00.000-08:00

Okay I have been home all week with a five year old on antibiotics--because of his tooth. The doctors were afraid for him to go to school because of germs getting in his mouth on his unprotected tooth, and in the unfortunate event that someone bumped little pan's tooth. So I have been home all week watching my little man like a hawk to make sure he doesn't eat anything that's not super soft, that he doesn't jump, run, or do anything else dangerous.
Okay girls...that is rough right there--Little boys are born with a dangerous streak I think. They must come out of the womb saying boom boom zoom zoom!! We have made it though and tomorrow is his surgery. Please remember him! As much as Jasper has been under anesthesia, it puts him at a higher risk each time he goes under.
When I have something on my mind like this, I start trying new things in my art studio when all is quite at night. My newest is encaustic painting--I'm not good enough yet to do anything great but look for upcoming auctions with xerographs, light boxes, and encaustic collage. I'm even learning how to make my own canvases.
I made my own collage box and it's up on ebay right now, but the pics just don't do it justice. It's amazing in person...
I guess I should really be taking some photography classes, because every new patron emails me to tell me that the artwork is MUCH better than the pics. I think they are trying to tell me something. I know I stink at taking pictures though, and I'm even a scrapbooker!
Hope all of you are well and enjoying life--remember to take a break, breathe and create something beautiful--even if it's just a smile on someone else...the best kind of creation ever!
Blessings,
K

The Tooth and Nothin' but the Tooth....

2005-10-26T11:20:00.000-07:00

Jasper will be having surgery on the 31'st of this month. For most parents, a dental surgery is no big deal, for us it's a little more. Because of Jasper's heart conditions, he takes medicines that cause his teeth to decay and never solidify. His teeth are very "soft" and have to be capped--sometimes the capping gets too heavy and the tooth must be removed or re-capped due to more decay. This is the case with Mr. Jasper. So what's the big deal?
Because of his cardiac, he must have a cardiologist on board for the surgery, meaning he is admitted to the children's hospital and goes general anesthesia! So please pray for my little man this upcoming Monday that everything goes well. We are praying and believing it will be a piece of cake!
Jasper HATES any surgeries, of course, so pray for courage for his little spirit!As I just sit here typing this, he just came up to me and handed me a VERY heavy white cap that fell off of his tooth, so I am off to call the doctor, as we can't get any infection in the bloodstream.
We already did that once, and it entailed 6 weeks in the hospital for BE antibiotics. Yuck!
Thanks for all of your prayers--will update soon!

Blessings,
K

I am Woman...hear me snore!

2005-10-18T20:23:00.000-07:00

Okay having my new sweet baby boy Jonas is the best thing that has ever happened--since Jasper....but man what a journey it's been this far!
I developed a terrible infection from my C-section and had to be admitted to the hosital for 5 days just 2 weeks after Jonas' birth. Let me tell you being in a hospital without your children for 5 days is no fun! It broke my heart to be without my baby and not be able to nurse!
Well I recovered from that, and then came home--and my milk dried up from the antibiotics and the hospital stay...sigh...I feel so sad to feed my baby formula---but I just remind myself that at least he is eating! I am so blessed and have decided not to let these little "upsets" get under my skin!
Sleep?? What's that? Will someone please remind me? Lol!
I have finally relisted some new artwork under Ebay again! It was two weeks--that's like a lifetime for me! So check out my new artwork for this new mommy!
I will be posting some new artwork in the months to come that will be on a more personal level, and will also be trying out some of my Mixed Media class projects out on my loyal ebay fans! Let me know what you think!

Thanks for all of your support!

Blessings, K

My Most Beautiful Creation Ever!!

2005-09-23T22:44:00.000-07:00

Jonas Leo, arrived two days ago by C-section here on Whidbey Island! My second and last beautiful baby boy is here! Jasper is delighted that he is now a BIG brother!
Jonas is now at home--already! I am in absolute awe--that I was able to bring my baby boy home so soon! As you know, Jasper wasn't able to come home until he was almost 4 months old---so this is like a dream to me!!!!!!
I'll write again later...but right now I have two precious boys to love on & thank the creator for.

Artsy Fartsy Mother of a Peter Pan Boy

2005-09-01T08:26:00.000-07:00

Okay I admit it, I'm an Artsy Fartsy kind of gal. Yes, I'm from the South--just for any of "ya'll" that haven't caught that already! lol
Just to let you know how Artsy...my son and I are working with alcohol inks. He just insisted on making some dominoe art. So I have the fan going (wouldn't want to choke my poor little man out) and he's dropping the inks away. He stops and says, "you know what this ink smells like? It smells like the pad that they use to wipe your arm with.... before they give you a shot!"
Poor Jasper has been in the hospital too much and in my art studio just enough! The latter is very good for his creative nature--but the first? Something he would rather be without.
He told me the other day that he wanted to be a "normal boy" one who doesn't have to endure heart surgeries and take alot of medicines every day. I definitly know my little boy is a Peter Pan. Full of imagination, some fear, and wildly in love with never growing up.
He reminded me so much of Pan that I remembered how wonderful it is the have that unreveling imagination and spirit of play. That's how we artists survive outside of Neverland--we create our own "fantasy" world within our "work" each day.
Blessings,
Kristal

Off and Running

2005-08-17T08:51:00.000-07:00

Well as some of my friends and devoted patrons know, I am expecting...a new little baby boy will come in the next four weeks, if not sooner. My son who is 5 and just starting kindergarten this year has been concerned about the baby's heart. Jonas, our baby, had to have the special screenings to ensure that he didn't have a defect like Jasper did at birth.
Jasper has been praying daily for his little brother that nothing is wrong with his heart, and that "the doctors willnot have to cut the baby open". Jasper, enduring 16 surgeries and preparing for additional heart surgeries, has such compassion for his little unborn brother.
We went to the specialist and they performed an ultrasound and confirmed that the baby, Jonas, is fine--we asked them to take pictures of the baby's heart so we could show them to Jasper. Jasper was ELATED!
So we wanted to share our wonderful news with you and the miracles that God has been working in our lives!
So as you are viewing my artwork on Ebay under thescb, remember a pregnant artist who is an insomniac is working on your art! ha ha ha

Eye Candy by Kristal

2005-01-24T01:44:00.000-08:00

Hi! This page is a nice little blog about me and my artsy adventures!
I absolutely LOVE to scrapbook & work in the mixed media format. I have been scrapbooking for about three years and love designing my own elements and papers both digitally and traditionally. I started scrapbooking after my son was born to record his life. My beautiful son Jasper is five; but when he was born, he had to stay in the hospital for 3.5 months before we could bring him home the first time. He was born with Pentalogy of Cantrell, an extremely rare upper midline disorder.
Sixteen surgeries later and Jasper is a smart blooming little boy!
I didn't know about scrapbooking until Jasper was two--boy did I lose out on a lot! I felt so overwhelmed that I simply cried thinking about how much was lost.
When I remarried, my husband Peter encouraged me to take a rest from teaching and stay at home to nurture myself. It has been wonderful to stay at home, spend time with my precious family, and create art! After being a full time working single mom for three years, and a son with so many medical problems, going to school at night to get my masters; this rest was soo appreciated.
Now I enjoy dabbling in other mixed media projects since I am caught up on scrapping--I'm simply waiting for an event to happen to record it--ha ha. I like to do ATC's, Assemblages, cards, purses/bags, and much more! If you can glue it, or collage it, then I'm doing it!
So thank you for letting me tell you a little about me. I hope that you do the same. God bless you!
And remember that no matter what you are going through in life, it is a gift. A gift from God, and although at the time we can't see the gift, it is there. Life is so much sweeter after the darkness.