A long forgotten Art Craft of Madagascar is being brought to light by Mr. Peers – a British art historian and Mr. Godley – an American fashion designer. Along with a million or so Spiders they have created an unforgettable cloth textile to share with the world.

More info below...
http://ladywillowtreehouse.wordpress.com/2009/09/24/11-foot-cloth-from-golden-orb-spider-silk/

NOTE - need to copy & paste URL above. Patience please. In the process of learning how to use HTML for live links. /;)

A young wife sat on a sofa drinking iced tea, visiting with her Mother. As they talked about life, marriage, the responsibilities of life and obligations of adulthood, the mother turned a clear, sober glance upon her daughter.

'Don't forget your Sisters,' she advised. They'll be more important as you get older. No matter how much you love your husband and the children, you are still going to need Sisters. Remember to go places and do things with them.'

'Remember that means ALL women, girlfriends, daughters, and women relatives too. 'You'll need them, Women always do.'

What a funny piece of advice!' the young woman thought. Haven't I just gotten married, just joined the couple-world? I'm now a grownup! Surely my husband and the family we may start will be all I need to make my life worthwhile!'

But she listened to her Mother. She kept contact with her Sisters and made more women friends each year. As the years tumbled by, she gradually came to understand that her Mom really knew what she was talking about. Time and nature work their changes and their mysteries upon a woman. Sisters are the mainstays of her life.

After more than 50 years of living in this world, here is what I've learned:

THIS SAYS IT ALL:
Time passes. Life happens.
Distance separates. Children grow up.
Jobs come and go. Love waxes and wanes.
Men don't do what they're supposed to do.
Hearts break. Parents die.
Colleagues forget favors. Careers end.

BUT.........
Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how many miles are between you. A girlfriend is never farther away than needing her can reach.

When you have to walk that lonesome valley by yourself, the women in your life will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on, praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the valley's end.

Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk beside you...Or come in and carry you out.

Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters, daughters-in- law, sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers, Grandmothers, aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended family, all bless our life!

The world wouldn't be the same without women, and neither would I. When we began this adventure called womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we would need each other.

Friend shared this with me today - good reminder to reduce daily stress...

One day I was in a taxi headed for the air port. We were in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a Parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his Brakes, skidded, and missed the car by inches!

The other driver whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My Driver just smiled and waved at the guy. He was really Friendly. So I asked, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined Your car and sent us to the hospital!'

This is when he Taught me 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.'

He said many people are like garbage trucks. They run around Full of Frustration, Anger, and Disappointment. As their Garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it - and sometimes it's on you. Don't take it personally.

Smile, wave, wish them well, move on, and don't spread it to others at work, home, or on the streets.

Successful people do not let garbage take Over their day.. Life's too short to wake up with regrets, So...Love the people who treat you right. Forgive the ones who don't.

Life is 10% what you make it - 90% how you take it!

Have a garbage-free day!

This Altered scrapbooking project shows you how to revamp an old ring binder into a beautiful birthday card organizer.

Write everyone's birthday dates into the corresponding months and slip a card into place.

Start by covering the folder with the scrapbooking paper. Glue into place and trim any edges with a sharp blade.

If the inside of your folder has writing on it, re-cover the inside too.

Cover the joints with a satin ribbon as shown.
NOTE: Copy paste the URL below for step by step pics and other scrapbook tips ...

http://www.craftbits.com/viewProject.do?projectID=2599

Create a title block for the front, this one was torn paper and scrapbooking sticker letters which were used to create the title.

The title block was embellished with a butterfly stamp.

You can decorate your folder to suit your own style using materials you have.

The spine of the folder was finished off with knots of ribbon by cutting 20 small lengths of ribbon and knotting them around the ribbon as shown in the photo.

To create the inside files cut heavyweight scrapbooking paper or cardstock down to the same size as your folder, but allow a 3 1/2 inches in the length.

Fold the 3 1/2 inched up to create the pocket for your cards as shown in the picture.

You can vary the size of your pockets depending on the file you as using.