Giving Thanks at Ike's World Challenge Blog

Here in Chicago, we are balanced on the precipice where Autumn's warm days and cool nights are about to shift to cold days and longer, colder nights. And as the seasons start their shifts, I like to pause, look around and really appreciate everything in my life.
There have been a lot of changes this year. My husband's health has deteriorated with the confirmation of his ALS diagnosis. We both lost our jobs and family health insurance. But...
I am thankful for these things which have produced so much good in our lives:
Because Bill was diagnosed with a terminal illness, he receives government disability as well as VA compensation for a 100% service-connected disability.
Because of the compensation, we get to keep our house.
Because of a federal Veteran's Grant, construction is underway to make our house handicapped- accessible.
As veterans with no earned income, we are entitled to free healthcare and equipment such as wheelchairs, braces, glasses and such.
Because I lost my job, I now have the time to take care of Bill, driving him to doctor appointments, running errands and sharing in his bucket list of things he would like to accomplish or do before he can't.
There are just so many blessings for which I am thankful. Family, friends, a car, our new rescue dog, Wilson; my five senses which gives me the ability to see the changes in the season, to hear with delight my newest grandson's first words (uh-oh seems to be popular right now), to taste and smell the food which is also a gift and to touch the comfort around me.
The list is endless, but what I am most thankful for is the gift of 40 years of marriage to my hubby, to be enjoyed more deeply as the rest of time goes by.
I created my card to show how much our rescue dog has changed our lives in a good way. He always seems to know when we need an extra snuggle, and is so excited when we come home from a shopping trip or the show. The Ike's Art image is called Pooch with Leaf.
What are you thankful for?
Whatever it is, you can be thankful that Ike's World Challenge Blog offers the theme of Thanksgiving, where you can link your creative project and get your chance to win some awesome digital images.
Finally, thank you for visiting my blog today! Happy crafting!

Going in Circles at Ike's World Challenge Blog

 The challenge over at Ike's World Challenge blog is "Going in Circles" and I created a piece of altered art. This dog treat container started life (a long time ago) as a Jean Nate dusting powder container that my neighbor had decorated and filled with candy for me at Christmas.

So I painted and Mod Podged, layering with black tissue paper for dimension. Then I dry-brushed gold metallic paint here ad there and my base was ready to add my image. It's called Pooch with Leaf and perfect for my dog treats container. I used my circle cutter and punched out a couple hearts.

Then I framed it with a paper doily I had also brushed with the gold paint. I filled in the punched hearts with same hearts colored red. I added red alphas and my treats container is ready to fill.

p.s. (Did I mention I had some canvas sentiment stickers that I placed artfully on and inside my cover? No to mention some leftover puppy stickers that ring the side of my container. LOL).
So, what do you think of when you hear the words, "Going in Circles"? Let them inspire your crafting this week. and whatever you end up creating, don't forget to link up at Ike's World Challenge blog for your chance to win a gift certificate to the Store.
p.p.s. (This is the lucky dog whose treats will wait for him in my new altered art piece. His name is Bandit).

Challenges I am Entering:

Sisterhood of the Snarky Stampers - Mixed Media

Creative Artiste - Mixed Media

Rhedd's Creative Spirit - Anything Mixed Media Goes
Altered Eclectics - Anything Mixed Media Goes
Wags & Whiskers - Furry Friends

Time Out challenges - Home Sweet Home photo inspiration (To me, Home wouldn't be Sweet without our furry friends. I pulled the black from the color pallette and altered a dusting powder container to hold treats for the puppy)