Its All Good

Kenny Olson Cartel (KOC) - "Up All Night"

2012-01-18T10:22:00.000-05:00

Yeah, well it may be Kenny's Cartel, but thats "OUR" son John (a.k.a. The Wolf) rocking the place! Yep that handsome and talented bassist there....

Cards 'n Boxes

2012-01-09T17:32:00.002-05:00

I started with this card for my friend Cathy, It's her birthday this weekend and I wanted to make her a card. Thanks to my UK buddy Sarah I agreed to try to keep my resolution and try to do a card a week. This card I used scraps (part of my UIU pledge) from the recipe book I made our daughter. The stamp is from Art Impressions and is part of their Girlfriend series. Inside it says "Dance like nobody's watching....that can have you committed". I had to make the card a tad larger as the stamp is quite long and better suited to an A7 card. So I made a matching envelope for it.

Then there is this, my A2 box die (Accucut). I decorated the top and made 6 cards for the inside. I will be sending this to Cathy also. After she uses the cards inside, she can use the box to wrap a gift for someone else. Using some Sizzix dies I cut a heart out of chipboard, added seam binding bow, some lace trimmed ribbon, wild Orchid Craft flowers (thanks Sarah), a few odd bits from me stash, and a digital image from iralamijashop

Inside there are some cards, a couple birthday, and the rest general so she can use them for "just because" reasons, when she needs one. Here a couple more of the Art Impression Girlfriend line, and the boxer one from Custer's Last Stamp (a Michigan company).

Now I happened to have this Box No 13 (Accucut) cut out and sitting around. I thought why not do that up also? I painted it pink, added a frame using my nestabilities, Some WOC flowers, a seam binding bow, a sweet image from iralamijashop and some tiny hearts I glittered with some "Martha". I reduced the image, mounted it on white card stock, trimmed with my postal cut scissors to make a sweetheart gift box.

So here is this weeks installment. Next week, I will really have to try. I have orders for charms that have to happen....but two weeks in a row, and this week 7 cards and two boxes, maybe I should have spaced them out?

Card Challenge

2012-01-01T11:58:00.000-05:00

So using some collage sheets from etsy, I made some cards. A couple of Easter and Valentine.

My friend Sarah challenged me to make some cards.....

One of my New Years resolutions is to use what I have.....

I used my new Jenny Bowlin punch, some nestabilities, WOC flowers (thanks Sarah),

I used my Crafty Secrets CD and printed some of the papers, some seam binding,

I hope to continue making cards and will try to keep my resolutions.

I've Been Busy....

2011-11-06T16:54:00.002-05:00

Yes big tray of "Christmas Charms" that will be for sale soon. See I have been making circle charms too!!! Fun fun and some more to come, I have a few ideas on the burner that I am working on too.

My Accucut Entry.

2011-10-22T15:01:00.005-04:00

I have decided to enter the Accucut Halloween Challenge. I purchased their Frames die and decided to make some Halloween Ornaments with them. Also used were Tim Holtz's banner die, bat, and skull dies. Martha Stewart black and silver glitter add the "bling". The images are from Daniel Torrente for Stampotique, I used colored pencils for them.

After hanging around in my craft room for two weeks trying to decide just how to display them for the video, I had an idea. I had just been to a friends home for a jewelry party. Linda is one of those people with fabulous taste and great ideas for display. She has a tree that stays up all year long. She decorates it for every season and holiday, but Halloween is her favorite.

This year it must have been fate, because her tree is all in black and white with glittered skulls. The minute I saw it I knew these ornaments would be a perfect fit. I would let her have them if she would let me use her wonderful tree as the backdrop.

Linda lives in Romeo, MI. On the famous "Tillson St." They do a fabulous Halloween display every year. They block off the street for that night. Good thing too because getting anywhere near it that night takes considerable patience. In fact the week before it is busy with people coming from all over to see the displays. I feel lucky to know someone on the street, and I attend her Halloween preview night. Her home is decked out and everyone on the street comes by for treats, topped off by the walk to see everyone's displays.

If you want to see the tree, and better Pictures of the ornaments please check out my YouTube video here . I think these die cuts would be fun to make Christmas tags, and sweet Christmas ornaments too. Maybe make some of my sweet puppies?

And the Winner is.....

2011-10-15T19:29:00.002-04:00

Brigitte Yeranossian

Yes Bridgette your number was picked!!!! Yeahhhhhhh! Also Deb from Crittersgrandma won the spiderweb charm!

Halloween Giveaway

2011-10-08T09:49:00.005-04:00

Yes, I was toying with the idea and nudged on by Sarah to do this. I am having a giveaway. I have been making and decorating these large matchbox die cut I have. I have the die and thought they would make fun trick or treat surprise boxes. Inside I place some candy and one of my soldered charm necklaces.

So here is your chance to win one. Just leave a comment and a way to contact you on this post. No hoops to jump through, you are not required to "follow" here, on twitter, or facebook (although it would be nice), you do not have to post on your blog (again nice but not required), surrender your first-born, bow, scrape, or kneel. Just a comment.......

Here is the whole view...... I will choose a winner October 14th (my sisters birthday, so I may let her pick). Have fun and Happy Hauntings......

P.S. I can die cut these boxes for you out of lightweight chipboard for a small fee, contact me for details.

Tricks and Treats....or Birthday?

2011-10-04T03:09:00.004-04:00

I played with some of my Stampotique Stamps. I have this large matchbox die and these images by Daniel Torrente fit nicely. I thought, hmmm, what a nice "treat" box it would make. Some yummy chocolate candies and perhaps a charm or necklace I made? The banner necklace with little creepy dollies on one side, "boo" on the other, or a "little coffined Charlotte" ? I think I will send this little treat box to a "Ghoul-friend" . Maybe a Halloween treat, or a Happy Birthday Gift box for a Scary Birthday? Lots of potential here.

This was a lot of fun and my brain is already swimming with Christmas ideas for this box. For now though I will make a few more, I have quite a few Stampotique stamps and can't wait to try them on these boxes.

I was just thinking, maybe it's time for a giveaway? I wonder if anyone would be interested in winning a surprise? One of my charms in a treat box like this? What do you think?

Scary Good Charms!!

2011-10-02T13:28:00.002-04:00

Here are some of my latest Halloween Charms. My Tombstones, frightful Coffined Charlotte's, and some scary little shadowbox Goulie's!!! You can find them at a couple local shops, and soon on my blog shoppe.

Flea Market Sunday!

2011-09-18T16:00:00.010-04:00

Getting toward the end of the season for the flea market. I did manage to find these cool knife rests in these boxes. They were my best find for the day.

This was my small grouping I found.

Sweet depression glass sugar and creamer, some gold trim, and duck-bill pliers...

In a bag of jewelry pieces I found some silver-plated pieces.....

Can you believe this fabulous reproduction pendulum clock for only $25.00 (It chimes too)...

Found these beautiful chalk-ware busts and a sweet pie bird....

Cute little bird bookends...

Flea Market and Antique Show

2011-09-11T14:54:00.015-04:00

Hanging with my "Gnomies".... Ah, no. I found these vintage Gnome picks for cakes(?) or cupcakes(?) and had to get them. I have two daughters. My eldest Steph has a sort of love/hate thing for gnomes. (With her sister it's squirrels) So I tease her by presenting them to her (when I find them cheap enough) here and there as a gag. She has been really studying hard, and stressed out with going back to school full time and trying to fit her dog rescue work in. I plan to surprise her with "Gnome" cupcakes, and two bottles of her favorite wine from Wolcotts Winery (In Michigan). We came across a fellow selling what had to be the biggest lot of cigar boxes I have ever seen. I picked out six of them. It was hard because they we all so pretty and well made. I love storing my beads and trinkets in them. (I also found some lace and fabric coasters later at the Antique show. I was looking for things to add to a fabric journal I am planning. There were no trims or lace at the flea market). Someone was there selling off an estate. I was lucky to find these item there for a great price. I have another one of those small lady planters in pink. A Goebel/Hummel type box(I do not think its a Hummel? not sure), a painted plate, a Royal Dalton cup and saucer, and a pretty dresser box. Another find was a neat tin cupboard with drawers for storing goodies or maybe trims in.

I saw this old time foiled and framed blessing picture. It reminds me of the one that hung at my grandmothers on her back porch. Hers was smaller. When she moved it was given to me. It fell apart when we moved and was lost. Seeing this brought that memory back, of sitting with her on her back porch watching Lawrence Welk .

At the antique show I found this beautiful Madonna Statue (she has glass eyes). I love religious icons, mostly the older ones. She's about 20" tall, has a few chips, looks like a couple small repairs, and is missing her crown, but I love her sweet face. After a little haggling, she came home with us.

The other thing we found was new caster wheels for my dress-form (new "old" ones that is, they look like the type that are already on it), and Steve found a locomotive he really liked. It was a lot of walking but fun and a nice day for it too! Of course I had to pass on my frozen custard I had been looking forward too all week. I had spent my allowance on my treasures. I had a great day with Steve, and I think I covered my walking for the week.

My Rainy Day

2011-09-08T16:58:00.006-04:00

Many had Monday off for Labor day, but not I. I never have, you see I do the payroll for a company and it has to be done and sent out Tuesday morning. Also it's month end and when a lot of reports are done and sales accounted for, so I work. No biggie because I get today off. Yeah and a good thing too. It's rainy and cool. Perfect for doing things at home, and making soup.

What else to do? How about working on my friends journal book? I am making two pages for hers, and she for mine. We started these last year and they are incomplete. She called me and asked if i would consider doing a couple pages. I chose Halloween. It's one of my favorites.I love the colors, and imagery. It's candy day for the kids, and "eye" candy day for me! I am using a couple digital sheets I bought from Seneca Pond Scraps, here is a picture of the work in process.

In a somewhat premature "ta-da" here is my dress-form the one I posted about below. She has her cage back. Yes, a little bent (it was much worse), but re-welded and re-attached. You see the new finial, and I decided to stained her. She had a lot of marks, and although I repaired the neck. replacing the material and cap, it just didn't look right. The staining pulls it together and makes it all look original. Yet it has worn and used feel to her I really like. Fits with her rusty, bent cage.

Here she is from the side. I still need to cut the pipe down, or adjust it, since she's a bit too tall. We are scouting for new wheels for the base, since two appear to be bent. For now though I am considering her done.

She is very cool, a thinner compliment to my other dress-form. I will bring her upstairs and use her to display my work. Steve also surprised me by making a finial for my other form with a brass doorknob, but I will share that another time.

More goodness

2011-09-03T14:42:00.012-04:00

Sooooo, if your saw my post below you know I stumbled on a couple dress forms at a sale last weekend. I managed to repair the one (her neck was torn and the block, and batting gone from her neck) and let Terri have her, she was picked up Tuesday. I have to say I did a great job (Terri could not tell wear I had done the repairs, and I foolishly did not take any photos, duh!)

On Monday the lady I bought them from called me (I had given her my number when I wasn't sure I was going to buy the other dress form, which of course I finally did). She had another one!! Oh yeah with the cage. She was not in great shape but was I interested in her? Of course, so we arranged to meet and after hemming and hawing I decided to take her. She was in bad shape, her cage was bent and needed attention (Stevens friend welds and is repairing it for me,Thanks John!), and she had no neck, well she had most of the base but the material was gone and someone had mercilessly duct taped her neck and arms up. Have you ever tried to get duct tape sticky gooey gunk off? No fun.

I spent quite a lot of time online checking and calling trying to find replacement parts (she needs a new cap and finial), but she is old and most are not made in the U.S. anymore. I talked to a real nice guy named Joe at "Manne-King" and he explained how they come assembled. How the cages and arm covers are made to specifics for that model. Yeah you can possibly get someone to make theses pieces for me but the cost would be dear and to be honest you would be better off buying a new one. I suggested to him there may be a market for parts and he said he will definitely consider doing that. He did carry some neck blocks and finials though. However he did not have my size. I thanked him and continued looking.

So I was surprised to get a call from him Wednesday saying while cleaning in the back storage they found a cap and finial that had been damaged. They replaced it but if I wanted the damaged one (and if it fit) he would sell it to me at a discount. So I measured, and it looks like a fit! He is sending it to me. It should arrive this week (along with her repaired cage). I cannot wait to put her together.

Again I didn't take any before photos (duh, what's wrong with me?) to focused I guess to think about it. Anyway I cleaned her up as best I could fixed and recovered her neck. Even after staining the cloth, it was a bit too bright next to the older tape stained fabric, so I played with inks and stains. You really can't tell, well maybe if you studied her up close for a bit, but overall not bad.

Not too shabby a repair job. the hardest part was finding the right weight of muslin and matching the color. You can still see the tape on the cap. But that will be gone soon!

I was chatting with my friend yesterday and we are seriously thinking about doing a material collage, smash/vintage journal exchange. We had both bought the book "Layered, Tattered, and Stitches" (okay she says I am a bad influence. I bought the book and another and showed them to her. So she ordered them too) and were so admiring all the lovely collage pieces in it, and were getting inspired and fired up about trying some of the ideas, but with our own spin.

Today Steve and I decided to check out a couple garage sales and a local collector/flea market sale near our home. I found a very cool reproduction radio/stereo. It is very 40's and works, not bad for $4.00. Then I saw these below in a bag. They were all separately tagged, so I was looking through the bag when the vendor looked at me and said "you want the bag, take it all for $10.00". Well, hello, and yeah! They are great pieces and these buckles are sizable. I keep thinking how cool one would be, say on a vintage collage journal? Hmmmmmmm......

I will be hard pressed to use the others. I will have to put them aside for my own projects (my journal cover), but what a great find. It made my day!

***Guess what arrived today? Yep, the cap and finial, and they fit!!!! (4:55pm)

Lady Luck and "the Ladies"

2011-08-30T10:00:00.003-04:00

This last weekend I was lucky (and I mean lucky) to be in the right place at the right time. My youngest was in town and wanted to hit a couple Flea Markets and perhaps a garage sale while she was down form College for the weekend watching her sisters pets. Steph and her husband Pat had to go to Ohio for a family wedding on Pat's side. Kim and her Boyfriend Mike came down to House/Dog sit for them. We arrived late as the one Flea Market, had changed their day and was not open. We stopped had breakfast, and went to another. Usually when you arrive late at these things everything has been "picked" over and there isn't a lot left to see, but we arrived just as a vendor arrived late. I was there as she took this off her truck, and I was so excited! I just had to bring her home with me, meet Aunt "B" (that's what I am calling her for now, although I was calling her Bertha initially), Isn't she FABULOUS! She's a "full-figured gal" (ah-hem like Moi') and has all her original parts!

Here she is sporting on of my new necklaces, and "wish-bottle" charm in green.....

Here's a closer look at the charm...

Here my other lady, a smaller petite short form ( my sweet hubby mounted her on a pole and stand for me, as she was only the torso), she is sporting the teal charm and necklace I made...

Here's the charm up close, I experimented with looping wire (a pain in the butt!) to hang a plethora of yummy goodness from.......

Oh, and behind my new lady was this young gal picture below... I was sooo tempted to keep her too, but I am going to be generous and let Terri have her. (she has silently envied me my other gals upstairs, I have two short torso gals, and said she wanted one) She had some issues with her neck but between my sweet hubby and I we fixed her up good as new. LOVE, love the brass plates on her arms!

Better come get her soon Terri, or she may wind up staying! (heh heh)

Yeah, isn't it always the way? You go expecting nothing and come home with wonderful finds!!!

P.S. I also managed to find one of Stephs "Josef Birthday Girl statuettes" for her, and a pretty hand painted vase! Kim found some trims, a steamer, and a couple records.

More of my Creations!

2011-08-27T09:00:00.005-04:00

I've been busy. Working, and "working". I have been making my coffin shadowbox charms and re-cycling old glass bead jewelry into charms necklaces. Each has a swivel clasp that allows you to swap out the charms.

I have been a bit hesitant to post them, wanting to keep a lid on them till I had stocked the local shop(s) I have been selling them at. I haven't had a chance to even list any in my blog shop. Each little "coffin" house a little body or some sweet paper roses. I have made these in three sizes and some have had a black patina on them.

No two chains are alike as I use old pieces that I take apart and put together. Normally I had ball chains for my smaller charms but these little shadowboxes looked to out of place on them. Now I can layer different charms and chains.

I have also made sweet house charms, but I will have to post those another time. Hopefully I will be able to stock my shop next week with some of these!

Where Bloggers Create

2011-07-14T20:33:00.002-04:00

Not much has changed in my room. Just "more", which leads to think they need to start a new version for people like me called "Where Bloggers Horde" .....

Please check out all the wonderful places, these talented people have shared, there are some very creative people, and some fun and wonderful ideas!!

http://mydesertcottage.blogspot.com/

I want to point out that it is also "Pink Saturday" and with my "Pink" room it can't get much more pink than that!

New charms!!

2011-06-29T18:14:00.003-04:00

Vintage mother-of-pearl buttons, bits of fabric, fragments from mirrors.......

Some soldered beading, a bit of black patina, singled out under beveled glass. These are my latest creations. Working on chains and necklaces to hang these lovelies from. They are my latest little shadowbox charms.....

Sweet Shabby card with Embellies I Made

2011-06-24T12:10:00.003-04:00

Here is a card I made with one of the clay embellishments I made. Having a lot of fun. The paper is from paper paisley and so very shabby chic and I love , love, love the colors!

Here is another view, these are a very nice, not heavy and add a great dimensional touch.

I made some glassine bags to put the rest of them in. I plan to make a few more cards with these, and this lovely paper line.

New Charms, Fun Stuff

2011-06-19T12:50:00.008-04:00

So I have started making some shadowbox charms to sell. Playing with different types of solders, and techniques, and cutting my own glass! I want to offer more unique shapes, so that meant trying my hand with a glass cutter (not as easy as one might think). Here you see I played with house shapes, cage/arch shapes, etc.

These take up a lot more solder and time to make than the traditional squares or rectangles, but they are fun. The flying bird moves in the arch/cage charm, I used a birds-nest paper in the background, with mica accents.

I have re-purposed an old glass pearl necklace and hand-looped them together, adding a little vintage rhinestone "bling" to the swivel clasp. You can change out the pendants! I did one in silver and one in gold and silver tones.

A few little embellishments made to add to cards, journals whatever, then made the glassine little bags for them.

Another view of embellishments and a couple small shadowboxes with little stars, the small flying bird with a bit of beading.

this is what I did between breaks, while we painted our dining-room, front room and TV room. Now we are waiting for the carpet and upholstered furniture to dry (everything steam cleaned yesterday), so we can put everything back in place. Next the upstairs hall and stairway!

Scrapbook Man Video

2011-06-14T06:43:00.002-04:00

Something Splendid Special Guest from Collin Kartchner on Vimeo.

Had to share this little spot I saw on "Dear Lizzies" blog. My favorite part is the "plate he had removed from his head to add to a scrapbook page" Honestly I DO NOT scrapbook, but it did make me chuckle!

Bound for Scotland!

2011-06-03T13:51:00.007-04:00

Finally I have the package ready to send to my friend Sarah, in Scotland. Amongst all the goodies I will be sending over (cut chipboard pieces, papers, floral sprays, and her ribbon order) this banner I made for her. We had said we wanted to to a banner swap. We were shooting for last Christmas, but with work and the holidays it was put off. I made up my mind though that before I sent her this package, which I have had here accumulating items, I would get the banner done. Yeah!! It's done! I kept is purposely simple, and although her favorite color is green, I didn't know where she would be keeping it.

Sarah is really into the "shabby chic" style right now and that narrowed it down. I used vintage music papers to cover the stars, then using an old (yellowed and a bit brittle in spots) receipt book I made the rosettes. I then cut out letters and added black glitter. I added silver glitter to the medallions in the centers, some vintage seam binding bows and ties and there you have it. I think she would be able to use it anywhere in her home or crafty cottage.

I also made her one of my mice. Here is the "Wee Little Scottish Mouse" I made for her. Sitting on a pincushion, holding her small baton, or sceptre. Perhaps she needs a wee hat? I really like the sporran I put together, using a bit of leather, and some recycled jewelry bits.

I hope to have this package mailed out next week. I was shooting for this week, but wanted to make sure all the glued bits on the banner were dry before packing it up. Now I have to figure out how to get "all" this into one box.

Presenting the Great Boo-dini!

2011-05-20T16:42:00.004-04:00

(Drum-roll please......) Ladies and Gents I give you the "Great Boo-dini"! Master escape artist extraordinaire!

Okay , this is Bailey (a.k.a. Boo). Today I took Bail's, Cookie, and Bunny to my daughters for grooming. I do the grooming, Steph supplies lunch and her three dogs, that I also groom. Being a good "doggie" mom I have seat belt harnesses for my dogs. They lock the dog in the seat so that if I have to stop suddenly, or gosh forbid have an accident, they are safe and won't risk being flung about. Dogs left loose in a car with no protection (especially these little ones) risk broken limbs, torn muscles, or worse (broken backs and necks).

After grooming my dogs are ready to go home. So I carefully adjust the harnesses and lock them down and head out. As I pull out of my daughters sub I look back and see Bailey standing there, happy as clam, NO harness! So I pull over. Okay maybe I need to tighten the straps, he was groomed. I do all that lock him in and we are off again.

About three miles later I feel a wet nose touch my arm, yep, it's Boo and once more he has shed his harness. So I pull over. Get out, tighten the straps, stick my fingers to make sure they are not too tight, and off we go.

I am just going to tell you this happened "twice" more before we got home, I was ready to krazy glue the darn thing on him! I didn't even remove that much hair?

He was just so stinkin proud of himself every time he did it too!

Here is our other Yorkie the "Cookie" (little monster). Steve was complaining about her hair in her face, so today she got her bangs cut so you can really see her eyes. Her fur is more thin and wiry that Baileys so all she has done is wash, brush, bum and "lady" parts trimmed, paws, eyes and ears. (she managed to stay in her harness!)

On a sadder note. I was asked by my daughter to groom a dog who would be going up for adoption. A Llaso male about 3 years (?) old who was adopted by a woman who did not want to see him put down. She took him to a groomer, whom he bit and the woman became afraid to handle him. This in turn let this dominant little dog really get out of control.

She gave them to Harley's Haven and my daughter was fostering him. She really had not had any issues with him (other than having to correct him a couple times), that is until today.

She brought him out to be groomed and I don't know what happened to this dog in his short life but apparently this triggered something in him. He went "crazy". I mean "C-R-A-Z-Y", biting tearing, clawing crazy. Thank goodness she had bite proof gloves on.

All I know is that he was fine, letting me pet him. I turned on my razor (with the guard on it. I do this to see if they are okay with the sound, then with the guard on I touch them with it to see how they react to the vibration, before attempting any cut). He seemed okay. Then all Steph did was touch the long hair on the one side of his face, and BAM! Crazy, violent dog. Foaming, biting and snarling.

The thing was this was not a "fear"based reaction. Even after holding him and getting him calm, all she had to do was try to touch him and the crazy started again. He bit her "leather padded" protection gloves so hard he broke a blood vessel in her finger and shook her up. This grooming was not going to happen.

The real problem was that after this, he was taken for an assessment and it was decided that he be put down. They could not guarantee that this behavior could be corrected. Poor "fozzie" was too great a liability to ever be adopted out. So he was euthanized. I felt so bad. Steph was clearly shaken and upset, all she said was "its too bad people do this to animals, let their bad behavior take over until they cannot be helped". I felt awful. They have worked with some pretty messed up animals, most can be corrected and placed, but this was the first time they had to accept that this would not be the case.

A Christening Card for Logan

2011-05-18T17:28:00.005-04:00

It was the baptism for my latest "great-nephew" this weekend. I made this card to send as we could not attend. I did not pay very close attention to the invite. Most, well "all" of the baptism's I've attended were in the afternoon, after mass. This was at 9:00am in the morning, before mass? It's a fair distance from us so we made our apologies and did not attend. It was raining all weekend, and the thought of driving early in the morning in the rain was a bit much.

Let's see that makes me a Great Aunt now of "eight" nephews and only one niece! I haven't even seen the niece as she is in Florida. What's with all the boys??? I don't mind boys, but I would really like to make a frilly girl card. Hmmmm, with 3 brothers and 3 sisters, and Steve comes from a family of 6 you would think the odds of a girl here and there would be better.

I used my christening stamp from Lily of the Valley. The paper is Debbie Mumm.

Friday Fun

2011-05-14T20:07:00.006-04:00

So off to Terri's (after a few errands) for a "creative" day. We both purchased the TH die of the little town. Gosh its a lot smaller than I anticipated. Terri was going to do a "Tim Holtz" inspired town. Since I am not as organized as her I decided to go what I could easily get my hands on. at the time it was some "shabby chic" paper and trims. I had not seen the dies up close yet so I guess-timated at the dimensions and printed up some images I had to use. Throwing some bits and bobs into a couple bags I headed over.

Here is my finished town, I used jump rings I made with wire to bind the houses together.

Here it is laid flat..... sorry the flash totally washes out the glitter. Its been rainy and overcast all day so no natural light for a good photo.

After finishing the little TH "town" we made a tag. I decided to use the papers left over from the our first project to make this.....

Terri contributed the sweet trimming along the bottom, the pretty blue flowers, and the cool little sequins that look like mini rosettes on my mini banner. It was fun, we even managed to steal away for a "frozen custard", which was just what I needed. It was a rough week at work. Business is not good, and the downtown here has been all torn up.

I have some of my charms in a local shop here, but with the construction company botching things up there has been no way to get to the shops. The shop owners are understandably upset. They (The construction company) was supposed to only tear up one side on the street at a time. Instead they took out "all" the sidewalks downtown. You cannot get near a shop without going way out of your way. I won't even begin to tell you what a nightmare it is trying to get home from work every night.

So nothing is selling there, and to make matters worse she had to use the money she did have to pay her rent, so she could not pay me yet for the pieces she did sell! I may have to pull my charms out and try another place, since she just informed me that she was told that now they don't expect to be by the July 1st deadline. Mix in trouble with where my husband works, our dehumidifier breaking down, and unexpected bills and well I was not really in the mood to create.

I have to thank Terri for being so supportive and getting me out of my funk, long enough to have a little fun. Now please head over to her blog TerrisBloomingIdeas and check out her town and tag.

Mothers Day Weekend

2011-05-09T03:27:00.011-04:00

It was a busy productive weekend. Spent Friday packing our freezer. The nearby IGA had their semi-annual meat sale. Time to stock up. Started off at 8:00am, and finished wrapping up and packing up around 3:30! After cleaning up a shower and off to see our son, John, play at the Magic Bag in dowtown Ferndale. He was sitting on on the first two bands and playing with his band "The Infatuations". They won the Vitamin Water "Peoples Choice Award" this year (at the Detroit Music awards). It was a nice evening out with our daughter Steph, and son-in-law Pat. Saturday a set of stamps I had ordered from My Favorite Things arrived. After some light housecleaning I made a few cards with them. The set I purchased came with the die to cut out the typewriter and the paper. I used my Stampin Up background stamp, and some vintage seam binding to make the bows. These stamps included some clever saying, my favorite being "don't make me use ALL CAPS!"

Later I had to fill some soldered charm orders I received. No, not for all of these, but if I am going to solder, well I might as well do a few extra. I had done some "lock and key" charms and which were a big hit. This time I played with some small bevels, clear baubles, and added a few vintage glass crystals to some of them.

My husband and my children surprised me at work Friday. My cubicle is right next to the delivery door for the office. So often I am the one to sign and recieve incoming packages and registgered materials that arrive. When our Fed-Ex delivery lady showed up I jokingly saw the long bax and said "You shouldn't have". She laughed and said "Sure", and when I looked down I saw my name was on the box! Inside was two dozen lovely Carnations and a vase. I love Carnations and getting them at work was a nice surprise. I knew that although the card read "From Steven, and the children" my daughter Steph had masterminded this. She is so good that way and knows how special getting flowers sent makes me feel. It was nice of her to organize this and for my children and Steve to think of this... On Sunday morning Steve gave me this card. Love it! I am always telling them I am the Queen. The card he gave me says "Mothers Day, is a chance for us to treat you like a Queen!", inside it says "Yeah, like a Queen with lazy subjects who don't listen!" Hmmmm, I wondered if someone hadn't been spying on me, because this was so something I would say! Ha Ha

Mothers Day was so nice. We went to Steph and Pat's home, John joined us, and later Kimberly joined us via Skype from Kalamazoo (where she attends college). We had grilled burgers and wine. We also got to enjoy their 1st anniversary cake (provided by the company that made their wedding cake, as part of their wedding package).

It was a relaxing day, the weather was lovely, the food good, and what better company than ones family.

Scrap-a-lopes!

2011-04-24T08:55:00.006-04:00

Yesterday I was lucky enough to catch my friend Sarah (3dogsand2kids on YouTube) on Ustream showing how she makes her "scrap-a-lopes". These are the cutest custom envies that you can make for almost any size cards. Many times I make a 3", 4", or 5" card and no envie.

Now thanks to Sarah, I can use up all those pieces of scrap paper, and those "off" papers that come in the large packs that you had no use for.

My little 4" tent cards fit perfectly in these. I had not used them because I just had no envelopes that fit. There are other templates out there but this one was just so cute (and easy).

Please visit Sarahs blog "The Handmade Card" and you can find out how to make them!

Welcome "Bunny"

2011-04-05T05:37:00.005-04:00

We have been busy here, work, family and life in general. We have recently been involved with a "Dog" rescue. Our eldest daughter Stephanie has worked with various companies regarding dog care, and boarding has been involved with the rescue "Harley's Haven" out of Clawson, MI. Both she and Robin have been helping rescue dogs from precarious situations. Whether it's a family that is no longer able to care for a pet, or an animal suffering abuse at the hands of careless owner. They offer to come take the animal and help find a home for them. They make sure they see a vet, have all their shots and are "neutered or spayed" before they are placed. Hoping to stop some of the accidental or careless breeding of unwanted animals. It was only a matter of time before she "sucked" us in to help. It seems there is a big lack of Foster families willing to care for an animal while they wait for a "Fur-ever home". So we agreed to help with the small breed dogs. We started with Bella, a sweet terrier (actually one of my Yorkie's offspring) who's family could not give her the time she needed. She was only with us two weeks, but she did so well and is now at "home" in a family that loves her. Next is "Pepper", a Chihuahua mix abandoned outside in January with her sister (who recently was placed), left to fend for themselves, it is no wonder she is so fearful of people. She is doing so much better now, although she still gets spooked at loud noises or quick movements. She still seems afraid that she will not have food, we work with her to try to help her understand she is safe now. There is plenty of food, and a warm place of her own. She loves us, especially my husband Steve. Having been initially befriended by a man, she seems to trust men more easily. Although she and I have become good friends. She seems to look at me with her sad lonely eyes with such longing. I pet her and tell her how sweet she is and that she is safe. I hope we will be able to find a home for her soon, she deserves to feel special and loved (although Terri keeps saying she has "adopted" us). I have my Yorkie's, Bailey and Cookie. They are such sweet dogs and have for the most part, been very good about sharing their space. We did have a young male Dachshund named Gus, though for two weeks that Bailey was not happy about. He was a good puppy just rowdy and was getting on Boos nerves. He went to his new home last Friday. Which brings us to "Bunny". She is a little (and I mean little, she weighs only 1 1/2 pounds) Maltese mix. When she was rescued she was having hypoglycemic seizures from the lack of proper nutrition. Her sister was dead, and her two brothers, Cotton and Scruffy (available for adoption, go to Facebook - Harley's haven in Clawson to see them) the more dominant puppies were undernourished, but in much better shape. Robin nursed her back to a state where she still has to be watched, but able to be placed with us. She is learning to eat little meals and regulate her blood sugar on her own. These little babies need to eat more often as their fast metabolisms burn through calories quickly. Puppies need so much more during their early months until they reach their adult weight. Bunny was lucky. She was able to make a comeback with minimal damage, although its still early to tell if her early malnutrition will have any long term effect. Stephanie knew placing her with us she would be safe and well cared for, she also knew "Bunny" would have a "Fur-ever" home. Yeah, I am a sucker for this little gal. She is so feisty and thinks she is 50lbs of Doberman instead of a fluffy speck of a puppy. She doesn't walk or run, she "hops", and loves to play. So much energy. I know Boo and Cookie get a bit annoyed with her boundless energy, but they are patient with her. When she gets to be too much they jump up on the registers or couch and watch her as she bounces and jumps trying to get them to play.

She is so sweet and tiny. We have to be careful not to let her get on anything she could jump down and hurt herself. Many of these fine boned, little "toy or teacup" type dogs are easily broken. Careless breeding has lead to so many flaws and problems with these tiny breeds. Bunny will require a bit more care when it comes to that. My Bailey (Boo) who is 9 lbs of Yorkie has had to have knee surgery for slipping off a stair last year. Steph knows of a small dog who broke his back jumping off a couch. So we will have our work cut out for us.

Still it's hard not to love this cute sweet face.

1st Anniversary

2011-03-13T00:00:00.001-05:00

Today March 13th is the "first" Wedding Anniversary of our daughter Stephanie and her husband Pat (Pasquale). Boy has time flown by for us. I cannot believe it. So when they asked us to watch Tillie (one of their four dogs, who doesn't get along with other people. They have someone staying to take care of the others) so they could go away for the night we of course said yes.

So while Tillie runs around with Bailey, Cookie, and the two foster dogs we are caring for, I am keeping busy. Tonight I finished these soldered charms.....

While I was working away, I thought wouldn't it be nice to take the few photos I had from the wedding and make something for Steph and Pat as a keepsake for their Anniversary. I do not have many photos from the wedding, you see the photographer "lost" them. (Audible gasp)

Yeah, I know we were all devastated when we were finally told. While the photographer apologized and offered to re-shoot Pat & Steph in their wedding attire, it hardly made up for losing all the memories. So I decided to touch up the few bad photos I had taken, and some that were "found" of the reception, make Steph a charm bracelet, and Pat a key chain.

I am going to place them in the box I decorated tomorrow when they come to get Tillie. I am going to make dinner for them, and although it is little compensation for not having a Wedding photo album, it will be something to look at and reminisce.

P.S. I was so happy to find a photo of her dancing with her father (the father and daughter dance) , she was hugging her Dad, and the tears were about to fall. Of all my wedding photos I cherish the photo with my father, I am so glad she has that.

OWOH WINNINGS!!!

2011-02-26T13:59:00.002-05:00

I was very fortunate to win these incredible items this year at the 2011 OWOH Blog event hosted by Lisa Swifka. My first was from "CreativeBlessingsofJoy", Jules made the sweetest "gift", see the lovely card. Well she also included these little "extras"! Some pretty glitter, a punch, and some fun embellishments for scrapping!

Also there was this small matted sentiment card ( just precious) and the prize, a wonderful handmade baby shoe pin cushion! So Vintage, and I can't tell you how much I love it! Then I won this fantastic hand embroidered felt heart from Susan at "ThreadsofInspiration". So very nicely made and simple, yet so very pretty. I again thank Lisa Swifka, and to all the participating Bloggers, as well as all the other winners out there. Thank you again Jules and Susan for these "made for the heart" items.

Fun with Stamps

2011-02-24T23:17:00.005-05:00

I purchased quite a few of the Kraftin Kimmie Stamps. This "sweet" gal is Olivia Orange, one of a series of Fruity Cuties! After visiting the Kraftin Kimmie Blog, I decided to try the Kraftin Kimmie Challenge.

They have some really fantastic cards to see, and those are just the "examples". It's very inspiring to see the beautiful cards that everyone makes. I wanted to see if perhaps I could do the challenge. I decided to use my Cricut, and the preserves cartridge to make an orange for the background circle. I think the trickiest part was cutting her out. She has such a tiny neck. Not to bad for a first attempt.

Winner OWOH!!!

2011-02-18T08:23:00.002-05:00

The winner of the OWOH giveaway is.....

Linda, of Charmed Victorian!

I then decided to have a drawing from those that decided to follow my blog....

So, Helen , of A Midsummers Night's Dreamer you also get to choose!

Thank you to everyone who visited my blog and left such nice comments! I wish I could give everyone something. I have visited some very lovely blogs, and am still sifting through many new ones. Thank you Lisa Swifka for being the amazing Hostess of these events!

OWOH Giveaway!

2011-02-11T23:43:00.000-05:00

Oh MY Goodness! I am sooooo very late. Sorry but I hope you can forgive me. I am offering one of my handmade soldered charms for the OWOH Giveaway hosted by Lisa Swifka. Please leave a comment on on Feb 17th I will randomly draw a name for a chance to win!

I am supposed to introduce myself? Hmmm, well my name is on the blog and if you are browsing my blog then you will at least know what I am thinking. I know this is supposed to be about "blog" promotion, because with all the blogs I visit (an I favor quite a few, so many in fact I never seem to have time to attend my own as often as I should) I do not feel I "know" the people behind them. I may learn a little about what they like to do, how they feel about some things, and yes I dearly love the ones with eye candy. Truth is, you may visit here thanks to OWOH, but there are so many wonderful blogs out there, many much more entertaining than mine (I am not being humble here, its a fact) I really do appreciate you stopping in, and leaving a comment (it's okay to just say hi). Be sure you leave me an email so I can contact the winner of my offering for this event.

Happy Valentines Day....

2011-02-11T22:44:00.006-05:00

How about some "Scary Love" Valentines? I was asked by a young lady from Youtube to stamp out some out some of the images I purchased from Stampotique. I am a big fan of their stamps and have promoted them to many of my friends and the Art Group I was part of. I had sent a few to another Youtube-r named Lollyrot who this young lady follows.

When she found out that I had done this for Lolly, she asked if I could do this for her. My initial reaction was, lets say not enthusiastic. I did not want to start making this a habit, but she was very young (14 or 15) and well she could not afford to purchase them.

So while I had them out I decided to play myself. I decided to also send this young lady some chipboard hearts and stars to play with. As I was cutting them out I thought wouldn't it be fun to make some "Creepy Love" Valentines.....

I colored the images with my Prismacolor pencils, and added glossy accents to their eyes. I used some holographic glitter here and there to add a little sparkle to them, as well as Stickle buttons!

I stamped a Tim Holtz Valentine Ticket, scanned it and shrunk it, and coated it with glossy accents to make the "Love" token in the right hand corner. I used Utee and glittered two small punched hearts....

The hearts were sprayed with Russet Red and Jolly Roger Red sprays from Lindy's Stamp gang, then edged with black ink.

I stamped the heart with the "heads" background stamp from Stampotique, embossed them and put a sash of glittery ribbon across it. The rosettes were made with red crepe paper, tipped with black ink and black Stickles. Happy Valentines day!!! If you like these images be sure to visit Stampotique, the artists are Daniel Torrente and Jill Penney!! Tell them I sent you.

Yeah!!! They Arrived!!

2011-02-11T16:15:00.003-05:00

My friend Sarah (3dogsand2kids on Youtube) and "TheHandmadeCard" blog from the UK introduced me to "Folksy". It's the UK equivalent of Etsy. She sells her lovely handmade cards there. Well I was perusing Folksy one day I came across a sweet shop names "Spots&stripes1984" and Emma.

Emma Witwicki makes some of the neatest jewelry you will see. She makes rings that she stamps song lyrics on, and well as some very cute charms. I emailed her inquiring about having the rings made with our names on them. She was very sweet and after several emails discussing the details I decided to order them.

They arrived today!! So I loaded the pics, but they are not in the right order....

That said, here is the smaller of the two bands with my children's names on them. My Son-in-law's name(married to my eldest Stephanie) is inside the band (with room for more, when John, and Kim settle down "wink")

Here is the larger band with Steven and my name inside are the names of our "fur" babies, Bailey and Cookie! They arrived in the the sweetest little box on a bed of wool. I was a bit concerned with her mailing them. It can be a gamble sometimes (I recently had a package mailed to the UK go missing). I LOVE them! Please visit her shop, and if you are looking for that special something to give, why not consider something like these!!! Thanks again Emma!

Keeping busy.

2011-02-06T16:00:00.002-05:00

Well we are finally digging out of the snow from last Wednesday. Yuck, what a mess, and if that wasn't enough we got sleet on top of that.

I played with some new(er) dies I have had but just now found time to try. The cupcake box was fun. I went to Terri's Friday. I cut one for her and myself an we decorated them. We also made fabric flowers (sorry forgot to take pictures), so I got to play with "fire". I also made two cards using dies, and stamps from Papertrey ink. I also used a embossing folder from Sizzix to make "shabby chic" couple of cards. Wow the green really looks bright in the photo, but it's actually a muted green from Stampin up. The paper is from DCWV Linens & Lace collection. It was fun, and I had a very difficult time trying to decide on a sentiment, which is why they are blank for now. I want to make cupcakes now so I can place one in the box to give to my daughter Steph.

I'm Back....

2011-01-06T04:11:00.003-05:00

Here are some easel cards I made. Terri and I got together to "play" last week and I started these cards using my Greeting Farms and Lilly of the Valley stamps. They are not finished I still want to dress them up with some embellishments. These three below are from Lilly of the Valley. Here are my Greeting Farm cards....

Terri and I also challenged ourself to use our Cricut Cartridges. We had to use "Wild Card & Straight from the Nest". This was my card. Terri of course blew right by me, and created I think, four cards with a lot more detail. Still I was happy with what I came up with.

On another note.....

I was recently told my hours at work would be cut. I keep hearing on the news about the economy getting better, but it's not true. I do not know is anyone else listens to Coasttocoastam on the radio or visit their site, but those who do and heard Gerald Celente this morning know that it is going to get worse. Food is going to get very expensive, jobs wil continue to leave the U.S., Students cannot find work and cannot pay their loans (but thanks to Mr Bush cannot file bankruptcy or get any release), and big companies continue to sell us out. What I did not know was that the Senate are getting ready to pass a bill (#510) which will kill off the small farmer! The people pushing it? The big food conglomerates (Kraft, etc). Yeah it's going to get ugly.

I guess I will be planting a garden this year....

Card Making...

2010-12-19T09:48:00.004-05:00

Spent last night making a few "last-minute" Christmas cards. These are a bit "sweeter" than my previous version posted below. I bought a few new Christmas stamps this year and had to make a few cards to justify their purchase, heh heh..... I am not known for being a person who "likes" syrupy sweet images, not a big fan of "cutesy", so it comes as a surprise to many of my crafty friends that I really like the House Mouse stamps, from Stampabilities. They are so sweet, they are hard to resist, especially ones like the two huddled below waiting for Santa. Then I found the, dare I say, a cute little elf from Stampendous. Complete with sentiment for the inside. I also played with my Gypsy for the first time and cut the Santa out from Winter Frolic. I have to say it would have used more paper and time if I had not had the Gypsy to help separate the many pieces...... The background paper for the Santa cards and the Elf cards, courtesy of my daughter Kim. She is a "Free-gan" so reuse and recycle are her goals in life. She found a stack of scrapbooking papers thrown out and collected them for me. Some Imaginess, Basic Grey that would have cost quite a bit. She gave me them back in July. Now going to good use this year on my cards. (thanks hon). See below the sentiment for the Elf card "Have your Elf a Merry Little Christmas"! I used one of my dies to cut the cards and the envelopes for these sweet little cards.

Here is my Santa i cut using my Cricut Gypsy! I have found that the cheaper paper packs from Joanns and Michaels cut so much nicer on my Cricut! I used my embossing folder on the snow, more paper from my "Kim" stash, a punch from Fiskars, and the sentiment is from My Pink Stamper............ For all my friends out there, yes, of course I glittered and stickled, but I did show amazing restraint. Everyone knows the answer when they ask "What does this card need?" my answer is "Bling"! I do love the sparkle.

Holiday tinkering....

2010-12-01T03:05:00.014-05:00

Okay not your average Christmas card, but a lot of fun. I love humorous card, and adore these stamps by Stampotique artists Daniel Torrente and Jill Penney. One flaw is that they are "long" which does not lend them to the smaller cards easily. this image (Noelle) is one I am using for my cards this year. They also had the phrase stamp. The problem was making it fit. I decided to make the words look like ornaments by punching each out with a circle punch and adding a stickles top to them. Now I am going to "tame" them down by changing the "d" word to "darn" for most of the ones I will send out. However those that truly know me, and can tolerate my dry, sometimes sarcastic humor will laugh and know right away who sent the card before they even open it. I told my friend Linda, I was in a "cranky" state of mind when I decided to make these cards, but that isn't really true. I think they are funny, and to be honest who doesn't occasionally feel a bit "Scrooge-like" running around for the holidays. I played with my sewing machine and added some stitching, they are distressed and made to look a bit battered. It matches the rough and gritty feel of these images. They are so neat, I have a wish list for more of them!

Inside I used a sentiment from Stampotique (bla bla) and one from Archivers ($1.99 stamp Merry Christmas). I love it, I think I will make some birthday and other cards like this. It made me chuckle, I am notorious for "skimming" sentiments when I get a card. They can be a bit syrupy for me at times. Being a "get to the point" kinda gal, I think this reflects that feeling as well as my sometime off-beat humor.

What else have i been doing? Well, I am still soldering away here. Have been lucky enough to have a few orders for some vintage Santa charms. Also playing with some ideas of my own. Feeling in a festive mood I sent a few out to some of my fellow "Bloggers" (you know who you are) who still visit my blog. I should have taken some pics of them to share with you here, but hopefully they will like them and perhaps share them with you. the truth is it doesn't matter as long as it brings a smile to their face. After all who doesn't like getting a nice surprise in the mail?

I will share the one charm I made for Suzi blu. She has been trying her hand at soldering. (I had also made her a bracelet a few years ago when her beloved cat "Pooh" past away). I decided I would include her in my list of people to surprise. Using a couple images(and for her charm only) of her work, I decided to make a shadowbox. I added some little glitter stars and dots that float around inside. Although I know I posted that these are a pain (and they are). I think I am starting to get the hang of them. It was fun, and I hope she likes it.

On the back I placed another of Suzi's artwork. I added a bit of "bling" with glitter and a beaded accent in pink and pearl.

After a rough Thanksgiving (our daughters car broke down the day before, in Kalamazoo. My husband and son had to drive up and tow the car home that night. then my husbands truck broke down while towing, and well from there it doesn't get better.... we are fine now, broke, but okay. I am ready for an "uneventful" Christmas.

Banner Day!

2010-11-20T10:38:00.002-05:00

Yesterday my friend Terri (terrisbloomingideas.blogspot.com) came over for some creative fun. She had cut out these cute banner shapes for us. She wanted to do them last week, but obligations and time did not allow us to make them. So we were going to work on them here at my house.

We started the day cutting some shapes from some dies I had, for future projects Terri is working on. While I decided to cut a set of the little pennants (Terri had brought along her die) for Vicky, who was going to stop in to pick up an order from Terri. She had been feeling a little frazzled lately and I thought she could have a set at home to work on when she felt up to it. When Vicky arrived she pulled up a chair to visit for a couple minutes, after seeing the little kit we had prepared for her, decided to play along. What fun! We bought out the glimmer mists, beads, glitter, and ribbon.

Soon we were all laughing and having fun. My sweet husband was home (plant shut down for the week), and he surprised us with pizza for lunch, and kept hot coffee ready. I love when things seem to come together, I could not have planned a better day.

Huge Tag Die!

2010-11-17T20:43:00.003-05:00

Okay, while perusing Ebay one night, I came across a die for tags. I put a bid on it on an impulse , then fretted because I should have read the dimensions. The tags are 10" x 4", I immediately panicked, what was I thinking?

A couple of days ago I was on Skype with my friend Sarah, from Scotland, we joked as I showed her the die that had just arrived. She said she would be checking my blog to see what I would do with it. Well I cut a couple of them out. As I worked with them a few ideas came to mind, they would make a great mini album if I stacked them and edged them with a die, or maybe make a door-hanger (like the do not disturb kind). For now though I thought I would just make a "large" tag, and play with my new edge dies from Sizzix and Tim Holtz.

I have to share with you there is something about Tim Holtz dies that do not like me. I have had issues with his flourish die, and now these. They stick something fierce on chipboard. So after many disparaging remarks made under my breath, I managed to get the snowflake die to cut and not shred my paper.

Using the Ella Blue paper collection, and some Sizzix snowflake dies (which worked very well), They are still not complete, I think I want to add a couple more things before considering them finished. I just couldn't wait to post them though.

Shadow box Charms

2010-10-31T17:33:00.005-04:00

Okay these are officially a pain the butt! First getting them to stay together to foil, (yeah those little hearts are stuffed and stitched!) then of course the paper shifts, and to top it off the glitter on the back does a weird funky thing (on one of them). I was asked by my daughter to make one. I did two, just in case. I am glad I did, since I don't think there will be a third! LOL!

Charms

2010-10-28T18:10:00.002-04:00

I have not been very active on my blog. Well it all started with a soldered charm I made for my friend Linda. She celebrates Halloween and decks out her home every year. I am always invited to the "open house" held by the people on her block, they go all out for this holiday. so as a token of appreciation I try to make or bring a little something as a thank you. This year it was a coffin shaped charm with her initial "L" in drippy red glitter, and some scary little clown children on the back (I should have asked, it seems Linda has a real aversion to clowns, who knew?)

From there it has snowballed to making them for friends of Linda's and mine. I have to tell you working with the lead-free solder is a pain, but I am having a lot of fun. I have been fortunate enough to sell a few of them, and have had interest from a local store. I just wanted to share what I have been up to. I feel so neglectful but with work I do not get much time to get online it seems.

Well I hope you like them!

****Check out my blog shoppe (upper right hand corner button) for charms and prices.

PeTiTe GhOuL Pt. 2

2010-10-11T19:10:00.005-04:00

Finished!!! Just applied the beeswax and buffed the finish out. It is dark in my room but any brighter and the shine causes glare. I will take a photo during the day!

A "blurry" close up of her face. I really need to take photos in the "daylight".

One more of her, again please excuse the lighting, wanted to grab a photo before bed. Below her another painting waiting for the finishing touches....

PeTiTe "GhOuL"

2010-10-07T21:02:00.004-04:00

I have taken Ms Suzi-blu's Mermaid class. I took her first class a couple years ago, as well as others, and really enjoy them. I have not posted my Mermaid drawings, but I have a couple ready to start. However, soon it will be Halloween and I have been inspired to create a "PeTiTe GhOuL" for the occasion. My other Halloween Kitte Girl sold and I was asked to create another painting for the Holiday. I am also a big fan of Tim Burton, and found myself creating what looks like a hybrid of Suzi/Tim type character. I love her. Here you see the beginnings. She has been transferred to the wood and her face has been started.....

A couple layers done....and some black glitter and she is off to a great start. Yes several more layers to go, and then to paint the trim. I gave her pale skin a greenish/gray hue, and she has "pumpkin" orange eyes. Little skull earrings and some spiderweb (complete with spiders) trim.

I will be working on her tomorrow, so much more to do yet. Things to add, and painting the trim. It is hard to get a good photo because the trim at the top does not allow the piece to lay flat so scanning it is difficult. I will take better photos when she is done. Then you can see the sparkly glitter on her dress!

Cold and Wet Days...

2010-10-03T18:29:00.007-04:00

It was cold and damp out today. Steve went to our son's to work on his truck, which left me to putter around the house on my own. Stephanie was off to a baby shower with her in-laws, and Kim away at school in Kalamazoo. My friends busy with their family, so I was on my own. So I made these cards. I have to make some for our Art Group meeting this month, and with all the baby showers I have coming up, I decided to make cards that could be used for showers or baby birthdays. I cut, punched, colored and glittered. They are almost finished. I had a chance to play with my copic markers. I have been buying a few here and there. They are a lot of fun.

My son received these wonderful copics from a friend. He gave them to me today since I have started buying a few myself, and well, don't have that many. He is a wonderful artist and can draw, but prefers his music (for now). So he decided to let me play with them a while....lucky me.

So although the weather was dreary Saturday and overcast today, I did manage to accomplish few things here at home. Time is slipping away. It seems to speed up the end of summer, and gather steam thru the Holiday season. Too fast, too fast. Although I look forward to getting together with family, the thought of snow and winter makes me wish for it all to slow down.

Flea Market Finds.

2010-09-26T12:33:00.020-04:00

Yes we have a "bonanza" today!!! Scored these lovely vintage flowers. Bought the whole lot. She had saved these from hats. She wanted to find someone who will put them to good use, enter me....

Lovely old velvets and organza flowers......

Love the soft colors and the fine stamens on these flowers.

Sweet fabric lily-of-the-valley...

More sweet flowers...

A big bag of bits.........

Found two cute suitcases.....

Steve found this cute bank for me. He liked that it had the lock. It was sweet that he saw this and bought it for me.....

Found the plastic Infant of Prague. The vendor and I had a laugh over the fact that the bottom said $2.00 but she told me $1.00.

Aren't these sweet? The fellow selling them did not want to take them back home, so he made an offer I could not refuse......

Found three cute tiny "yorkie" china figures to add to my shelf...

I found this second pair of tiny "yorkie" china figures also!

Those who know me, well they know I collect birds. Not just any, I prefer the shiny Japanese ones. However today I found this cool Chicken pitcher for next to nothing so he had to come home with me.

This is why my chicken pitcher is on the table...no room! I need a new cabinet?

Found these chenille spreads for $2.00. They are for crafting (have a couple small rips). I want to make a couple of cute pillows, or some baby things?

This adorable chair for just a couple dollars will look cute at my desk...

Of Course I found this "fabulous" Bling Ring and well, who could resist this......

(It was in the bags of Jewelry) All in all a fun morning, and I wasn't really looking. It was fun seeing all the people selling stuff, and then we stopped for some fresh produce. The air was crisp but refreshing and what fun we had looking over all these fun finds.

Tako-Tsubo

2010-09-17T07:07:00.007-04:00

Tako-Tsubo Syndrome

About 70-80% of cases of Tako-tsubo Syndrome (TTS) occur in post-menopausal women under some form of extreme, exceptional and prolonged mental stress,... with no good way out, no relief and often feeling deep resentment (such as the loss of a dear one...)
(Note: a word of caution... , in a minority of patients, less than 20% the stress is physical such as massive trauma, surgery or severe pain, or other type of stress. In very rare cases, no "cause" can be found.
a diagnosis of tako-tsubo syndrome can only be made after excluding:
coronary artery disease (especially proximal left main or left anterior coronary artery stenosis),
acute coronary syndrome,
acute myocardial infarction,
myocarditis, pericarditis, aortic dissections and so forth...

And that leads to the good news, Folks! If this syndrome is recognized, over 95% of patients pull through that fairly easily (with most of the time complete recovery of the electrocardiographic changes and recovery of the cardiac shape and function. This may take a few weeks)

On Sunday I experienced this syndrome first hand. I can honestly say I did not feel stressed at the time. In fact I was quite happy having sold a few of my stamps I no longer used or wanted (there are still a few available in my blog shop). At first I thought I was having on of my stomach flare ups, but it got a bit worse so we were off to urgent care. They gave me something for the stomach pain and I actually felt better. The doctor seemed a bit concerned and ran some blood-work for my heart, but sent me home saying he would call if it was anything serious.

Well next morning I still had not heard anything so off to work I went. When I got home I was greeted by phone calls telling me to go to emergency. Thats when they told me that my heart enzymes were elevated. Well several tests, and a heart cath later they pronounce I had "tako-tsubo" or as they called it "broken heart syndrome".

Since this condition is totally recoverable they are treating me with drug therapy and monitoring my heart. I was relieved to know I do not have coronary artery disease or any blockages. It was fascinating to see the heart. During the cath you are totally awake and you get to see exactly what they are doing (it was completely pain-FREE, trust me I would tell you if it hurt). It actually made me feel good to know I would recover and that for the most part I was heart healthy.

So what triggered it? They feel stress was the trigger, I don't know because I truly did not feel I was stressed at the time, until my stomach acted up. The more I rad up on this condition they do mention something about possible pathogens that can trigger an episode. Who knows. I am just happy to be home and recovering.

These flowers arrived Thursday from Vicky and Mike, I feel very blessed to have such good friends.....

Here are the lovely roses that my good friend Terri and her husband Chip brought by when I came home from the hospital. I am very lucky to have such dear friends.

I am feeling much better, and recovering nicely. My puppies missed me. They even managed to share Bailey's bed.

Fun Friday......

2010-08-21T22:18:00.002-04:00

Spent the day with Terri Friday. Played with my "new" stamps, copic markers, colored pencils, glitter, ribbon, punches, and paper. These cards were simple and sweet. It was a nice day out, and Terri and I even managed to go out for "ice cream"!

Fun Fabric Binder for Kim

2010-08-15T07:46:00.005-04:00

I have been neglectful of my blog, again. It's summer and I have been busy about the house. We painted the porch steps, had garage sales, cleaned off porches, and various yard work projects.

I have also been busy trying some new things. I was looking for a project to work on while sitting on the front porch, or watching the new series Pillars of the Earth. I had seen the video by Teesha Moore where she had made these wonderful fabric journals, and fell in love with the idea.

Gathering up some fabric, I started making the little "pillows" as Teesha calls them. They were each stuffed and sewn, then carefully edged with cotton thread. Making the stitches small, varying thread colors and patterns to make each one different. Like Teesha said, I was not all "matchy poo". It did not matter that some were a bit smaller, not quite straight, or that the tread colors changed randomly. The result is a fun and funky folder.

I made this for our youngest daughter Kim. She is a bit of a free spirit and I know she will love the bright colors. She loves Teeshas' work and I thought it would be a nice surprise for her as she starts college in Kalamazoo next week.

It's finished and ready for her, decorated with some vintage buttons and colorful fibers.

Here is the inside. I found these bright colored rings for the binder. You can see all the "quilting". I tried to vary and make patterns for each piece. It was all bound with a pretty blue thread.

She can use it for a journal by adding sketch paper to it, or some watercolor paper. She can use it for school, either way she will have something from me with her and remind her that we are thinking of her while she is away at school.

Tempting Tags

2010-07-11T18:16:00.003-04:00

I am a member of a small group of ladies who gather every now and then to exchange our Artwork, share information, and enjoy a meal together. We will discuss what's new in our lives and some new project we would like to try.

Last month we did pages for a Glamorous "Star" book. We each picked a Movie Star form the vintage movies who for us portrayed true Glamour and Style. We had a lot of fun and the pages were outstanding. Then we decided this month to do a tag exchange. We did not designate a subject, just one challenge. We had to use the newspaper put out by Donna Salazar somewhere on the tag. Donna Salazar is known for making flowers with this particular paper. So she put out a "Artist's newsletter" on the paper she uses to make her paper flowers. We each bought one and had two months to figure out where or how to use it on our tags.

Kim used it on the lovely flowers she made for her Ginger Rogers tag, as did Vicki on her vintage lady tag. Nancy used it on the background of her masculine tag, and Terri her butterfly wings. I used it for the leaves on my tag (The bottom tag, but you cannot see them in the picture)which was the simplest one of the group this time. It was a lot of fun, and these ladies are just so creative and talented.

Having been in a few exchange groups and clubs in the past, I had been left a bit discouraged. People did not follow thru, or applied very little time or effort to their projects. I almost gave up, but then decided to find "like minded" people to start our own group. It has been fun and never a disappointment. I feel so lucky to be a part of this and know these talented ladies.

We are going to take a small break for summer, as vacations, graduations, and the nice weather make us all long to be outside. Our next meeting we will be exchanging cards, for now though I have these lovely tags to admire and inspire me. Thanks ladies!

Where Bloggers Create

2010-06-22T06:55:00.000-04:00

Here is my post showing my "new" and improved Craft Studio. I now have much more room, and my dear Husband made me a table where I and my friends can gather and create! I hope you enjoy the little video. Hope you enjoyed seeing my creative space, please leave a comment and be sure to visit all the other (I think there are over 500!) creative people listed at "My Desert Cottage". Thank You Karen for hostess-ing this event again, and for letting me participate!

Scraps of My Life Mini Swap

2010-06-22T06:45:00.003-04:00

Finished this mini for Scraps of My Life swap. The theme was "Butterflies, Buttons, and Bows". Joyce, the lady I was chosen to make it for likes "purple, or red and black" and gave me shabby chic, or grunge as the style she liked. I had a lot of fun. finding that I had a beautiful black velvet butterfly I went with the grunge, black and red. She also shared that she really (like myself) does not scrapbook but prefers to journal in them.

It's on it's way to her, and I hope she likes it. Now off to finish another for my Friend overseas (it's almost ready to send Sarah!)

Where Bloggers Create II

2010-06-17T04:29:00.002-04:00

Yeah! It's that time again. I participated in this last year after I had just re-decorated and re-organized my small craft room. This year I have just moved to a larger room (to accommodate my ever-increasing "stuff"). I cannot wait to share where I create, and to visit other Blogs to see theirs! Please join me on Saturday June 19th for a tour of some very creative and inspirational places where very talented people create their art. It is a feast for the eyes, and will inspire you with ideas for your own personal creative area. You can find the list of participants "here" at the site of our Hostess for the event. Have fun, hope to "see" you there, and hopefully here where I will have pictures of my new space!

A Giveaway to Enter!

2010-06-08T16:48:00.004-04:00

A Sweet lady is having her first giveaway! Check out http://bochscreations.blogspot.com/ for a chance to win a gift certificate.

Still moving....

2010-06-03T04:11:00.003-04:00

I am still "moving" the craft room. Taking this time to sort and put together things that I am ready to part with. So much I will never have the time to use. I have decided to make up little gatherings of items to sell off. Perhaps there are some bits you have been looking for? Like old photo frames, bits of fabric, jewelry or lace? I have a small, but steadily growing pile to sort and move along. I am also participating in a mini - album swap. I will be making a mini scrapbook/journal for someone. This swap, hosted by Julie (scraps of my life), has a ning group too. She wanted some things for a giveaway for her first swap. I decided to donate two small "mini-bit kit" as I called them. They have some nice chipboard shapes for the cover/pages, some shapes, one of my handmade flowers, some fibers, coin envies, bling, chipboard flourishes, and a tag. Not a complete mini kit but a good start.

This move is taking a while, and these stops to cut chipboard, working, and such are making it seem longer. I am almost there though. Most of the large pieces have been moved. Steve is making me a work table this weekend, it's coming together, just seems to be taking a lot longer than the time it took last February when I did the other room.

Still I am excited because I will now not only have room to create, but one that will also allow me to have friends over too. My other room was nice but too small for more than one person to comfortably work in. Hopefully I won't outgrow this new room as quickly (or at all!) as I did the other. I cannot wait to take photos and show it to all of you.

Well back to work, I have a mess to clean up, a room to finish, and a mini to work on. I had better get busy.

Thanks Terri

2010-05-29T00:14:00.004-04:00

So today I went to my friend and fellow "enabler" Terri's to pick up some more Sizzix items we had ordered. We got these great big shot rolling cases for a great price, and a few other items, cartridges, stamps and such. I got to see Terri's new Cricut Expressions, very nice (I En-Abel-ed here). She is such a great friend and it is funny how we almost always like the same things.

I could not stay for our usual creative Friday this week. I had to rush home and prepare for a dinner tomorrow. We are celebrating my husbands, and my son-in-laws birthdays! We are also going to Flint to see our son John's band Season's of Eden. Pat's (my son-in-law) birthday is tomorrow and he wanted to go, and heck I enjoy seeing my son do what he loves. The music is good, and I love that we all go together. Even though we are the oldest "groupies" he has, ha ha.

So when I got home I went back to the moving and re-organizing of my craft room. I was supposed to go to my daughters house today, but after a hard, hot day of work my daughter asked if we could just go out to see the new "Sex in the City 2" movie. It was so nice, we had the theater all to ourselves! and the movie was great. I loved the series, and the movie did not disappoint. Steph and I have been die hard Sex in the City fans from the start. We left the theater feeling good and finalizing plans for tomorrows bar-b-que.

So after having dinner with Steve I went back to work on the craft room project. Steve helped me move the big Expidit shelves to the new room, but first I had to empty them. Well anyone who has ever moved anything knows that the mess will get worse before it gets better, right? Oh, and I have managed to make quite the mess. Tired and hot I decided to shower and go to bed. As usual I could not fall asleep so I decided to check my email. There was one from Terri. Did I check the bag with the brown paper in it? Terri had given me some brown packing paper from the orders ( I use them for glimmer misting liners) in a bag that I carefully taken upstairs and set in the mess that I made.

No, I hadn't. So I went to check and what I found made me laugh. See the stamp in the picture below? Look familiar? Ha! I love it. It's the name of my blog, yeah! How cool. I don't know where she found this but it was so nice of her to get this for me. What a great surprise ending to a nice day. Thanks Terri!

Yeah and see all the "stuff" its resting on? Well that's just some of the stuff off that shelf unit.

This moving could take a while.....

Moving... to a new Room!

2010-05-24T19:42:00.004-04:00

In my previous post I mentioned that our daughter is going to be attending college in Kalamazoo this year. They were lucky enough to get a place to rent early so they (her and the roommate) had time to find work for the fall. She has a babysitting position for now, but has been scrambling to fill out applications for part-time work while she lives out there. With her blessing I have decided to make her room, which is considerably larger my new craft room. It did not take long for my little 8x10 room to get packed with things. I added a Cricut, an Accucut, and plethora of Sizzix dies and have no where to turn. This move will give me room to have a guest or two over to visit and create! I wanted to paint the room a soft beige, but to my surprise my husband said he thought it would be too boring and liked this light pink when I showed him my second choice.

I have been keeping busy while Steve was painting the bedroom. Even my desk gets a coat or two. I have the floor yet to scrub down and windows to wash. It will be a job. Then I will restore the room I use now, for Kim when she returns. While I wait, I make flowers and finish swap projects. The other batch of flowers went so fast it was like I had been standing still. Time to make more......

Here is another photo of finished flowers. To the left upper corner are the smaller ones and the "new" lollypop flowers!

I hope to have these packaged up and ready for the shop this weekend. I have already sold and sent a few on their way. Spent the last couple days getting them all ready. I even had fun with the paper from the "glimmer" misting and used that to make some metallic looking flowers that are too cool. You can spot them because they look like they have been made from old metal.

These above are the larger flowers. I did mostly spring/summer colors.

I need to get cracking though, if I am going to be in that "new" craft room. It will be a time to purge and reorganize as well. With me luck!

Empty Nest?

2010-05-18T03:38:00.004-04:00

Our youngest has just moved to Kalamazoo to attend college there. She left early to find a job and get settled for the summer/fall season. It wasn't like she was home much, whether it was out at a friends, work, or at school. I won't miss telling her "constantly" to pick up her things, or clean her pet rabbits cage, but I guess we were not entirely ready for her to go so far from home. I wanted her to be more prepared, save more, get the job first, and then move, but that's a cautious parent talking. Not her, she wanted to go now. I know it sounded exciting and seeing her friends go off to college has made the last two years going to college from home seem rather dull. I hope it goes as well as she "plans" it will. As for Steven and I, it 's hard. Silly really, since it wasn't like we were that involved in her daily life. I guess it was passing by her room, sort of empty, and well "clean" for once. We plan to paint it this weekend. I will be moving her things to the slightly smaller room across the hall. I had always planned to make that room she had my craft/sewing room when she left. We had been talking about it for some time, but it feels bittersweet now. She wanted me to switch the rooms before but I wanted to wait, again maybe because a part of me associated this with her leaving home. It has been over 30 years since Steve and I have lived "alone" and the house seems way too large, and a bit too empty right now. This year has been so busy everything changing, some good, some not-so-good, but it seems it is all happening too fast sometimes. I barely recuperate from Steph's wedding, losing my uncle, finding out my youngest brother and his family is moving to Indiana in June, to this. I know life is all about change, but lately it feels like I cannot catch my breath it has been happening so much, so fast.... For now I just want it to slow for a bit, and the only change I want to deal with for a while is what color to paint her old bedroom, but that may take me a little time.

Where is the time going?

2010-05-09T21:29:00.007-04:00

I have been away, busy. Not always with things I enjoy but the tedious stuff of life. Spring cleaning, work, and some commitments I made and am trying to wrap up. I don't know about you but time seems to slip away so fast and the weekends fly by. I feel as though I am not accomplishing much these days, I am moving slower? I don't know. I have been making these paper flowers. It is relaxing and fun, and even decided to enter a paper flower swap. I had to package them up and get them off this week. So here is a picture of them ready to go: I even decorated the card stock holder so that they can reuse them for a tag. I only needed to make 18, but got a little carried away so I have a few extra. Perhaps I will use them for a RAK? Perhaps offer them in my shop? I have to finish the smaller ones I have started. Looking at these should make me feel productive, yet there is so much more I want to get done. Summer is almost here and my spring cleaning isn't done:( Heck most of it hasn't started as I need it to warm up here in Michigan so I can power wash the house and the get to the windows. It has been quiet on the blog front. I expect it has to do with the nice weather (elsewhere), or perhaps the bad weather but I wanted to check in and share.

It's Open!

2010-04-26T13:17:00.003-04:00

Yes I have finally set it up and am ready to run.... Well, not that far, I am still "in process" of listing items. I will have kits for mini's (like the picture above), as well as some vintage items, and objects for your altered art projects, etc. So take a peek by clicking on the upper right hand icon. It will take you to my "shop". Check back often as many of these items are one of a kind!

Bottle Swap Mini

2010-04-22T07:14:00.001-04:00

I participated in a "Bottle Swap". Where your assigned a partner and fill a 2 liter bottle with goodies to mail out to them. I was very lucky to get a very gernerous partner (Bona @ livelovescrap on Youtube) and she gave me a "mini album" kit in the bottle she sent me. I finished putting it together and wanted to share it with you. These "mini" scrapbooks are so much fun!

Really?

2010-04-22T06:22:00.004-04:00

Okay this is not a photo of "our" garage roof, but close enough to help give you an idea of what I came home to Tuesday. You see as I mentioned in the previous post, the church next door is expanding their parking lot. They hired a company to demolish the old house they had used for their youth classes.

This house sat right behind our garage, oh, about 4 feet away. Although they were careful it seems while they were pulling down the one wall it "snapped" in two and the wall fell on our garage.

My daughter heard it from inside our house (the garage is not attached, and a good 10 feet from the back porch). She called me at work, while I was trying to install and learn our new payroll program. I had her send me a photo on her camera, showing me how it had crushed the right corner of the garage roof.

Since nothing was "exposed" I did not rush home. I had to get the new program in and done so that the employees could get paid, and really what could I do. I called our insurance and waited for them to send someone out to access the damage. When I finally arrived home the workers came to me and explained what had happened.

They apologized and the owner of the company called and assured us they would make good on the repairs. So they had their builder over stripping the shingles and repairing the roof. Just one more thing going on here.

Can You Believe?

2010-04-19T18:51:00.003-04:00

I have been away so long. I am afraid I have been so busy that I have neglected you you my blog. There has been so much I waned to say. Things that have made the last few weeks tense, exciting, sad, and frustrating. I have not written because by the end of day I am so tired that writing about the events seems too daunting a task.

My daughter came back from her honeymoon and has settled in with her husband Pat. They came over two weekends ago with news about their wedding photos. It seems the photographer "lost" them all! Yes the story is that she had not bothered to download them from her camera. She attended an art show and left her bag in the office where someone had "stolen" the disc with their pictures on it. Yeah, right. Like any photographer would carry some one's photos for over two weeks and then the only thing that was stolen was the disc? Steph cried, I was so upset. We have been calling anyone that attended and asking them to share photos they took. My employer in the meantime had announced two days before the wedding that he was changing payroll software programs and that he was ending our 401(k).

I have been sick with a cold since two weeks before the wedding, and just when I thought I was getting better, It made a return appearance. I still have the cough, but am much better.

Our youngest daughter has decided to move out. She wants to go to Kalamazoo College and plans on moving down there this summer. She has been looking for work and has an interview this week. Of course I am worried, I don't know how much we will be able to help. Its a good two hour ride from our house.

The church next door has decided to expand their parking by tearing down the house that backs up to ours, so they have been banging and making a mess all weekend. Work has been slow for Steven and myself so we plan to use this time to do some projects around the house. I want to do all my spring cleaning, so we are tackling a room or two each weekend. I want to paint a couple of the too.

I have been keeping myself busy. I made two mini albums, and I don't scrapbook. I am fascinated with them because they are more like altered art books than the typical scrapbooks and I love that. I also make these pretty paper flowers and have been having fun with sizzix dies, and all the possibilities!

I am going to be better about posting, I do miss my blog friends and although I have not posted I am here, lurking and checking out other blogs. I want to share with you soon some of the fun things I have been up to.

My Mariposa Mini Album

2010-04-05T06:06:00.009-04:00

So it's been a while since I last posted. Recuperating from the wedding, dog sitting while they went on their honeymoon, and being sick with a cold, not once but twice, back to back.

I thought I would share a "mini" scrapbook album I did a month or so ago. I swore I wouldn't scrapbook, I don't even like to have my picture taken, a trait shared by my children, yet I love these little altered albums.

I am feeling much better and should be back to posting now that things have settled down. I hope you enjoy seeing this video. I bought the mini kit from a YouTube video I saw by RoseS915. For those who want to try making one of these type scrapbooks and do not want to have to invest in all the supplies this is the economical way to go.

I will be putting together a couple of my own. I think it will be a great way to share and use up the many "extras" I have collected.

Giveaway!!!!

2010-03-27T23:19:00.001-04:00

In Joy Stamping is having a giveaway on her blog! She makes the most wonderful Mini albums.

Please visit and watch her Youtube Videos. She does lovely work!

The New Mr. & Mrs.

2010-03-15T03:51:00.005-04:00

Yes! It is official. Our lovely daughter Stephanie and her "husband" Pat married this weekend! (Please excuse the crappy photo, it was the best my pitiful camera could manage). It was a lovely ceremony in a historic church located in downtown Detroit. The weather was lousy, rainy and overcast, but it didn't dampen the joy and excitement for this couple.

The reception was wonderful, good friends and family came together to help celebrate and make this day one they would remember forever as they begin their life together. I could not have been more aware of just how fast time flies and before me where there was my daughter, my first born, our little girl, was a now a beautiful married woman.

I want to thank everyone who came, and made this wedding such a wonderful and memorable day for our family.

She is Home...

2010-03-10T08:48:00.006-05:00

Yesterday, the world lost a dear lady, and blogger, and I, among many lost a dear friend. Renee (Circling My Head) was welcomed home in heaven yesterday. She had bravely battled cancer for years. She lost her dear nephew, Sheldon to cancer last year, and her loving mother just last month.

Her sister Jacquie, Sheldon's mother, has also been touched by this brutal disease. I cannot convey how much I will miss her sweet comments, and the little chats we had. I can't help feeling how unfair that one family should suffer so much loss and pain, and that we should lose such a loving soul so soon.

I pray God grant her the peace and comfort in heaven she was denied here on earth. I know she is among his angels, Sheldon, Daisy, and Renee all watching over her family from above. My deepest condolences for her family in this time of loss.

OWOH Winnings!!!! Part 2

2010-02-28T08:58:00.015-05:00

Wow here is a bracelet I won from Carol Ann in Australia! Not only did she send this gorgeous beaded bracelet (did you notice the lovely heart in the dangle?). Not only did she send me my winnings in a cute handmade box, and the lovely handmade card, but she sent the neat tea towel with the Kiwi's for Steph and Pat, as a wedding gift! How sweet is she! She included a card with a picture of these neat little birds along with it. I cannot wait until Steph come over so I can give it to her. Please visit her blog and Etsy Shoppe Here!

She was very excited when I told her that Carol Ann had thought of her.

Here is it, isn't it lovely? I just love the little heart. Thank You Carol Ann!

Here is another little winning from Michelle at Nook and Cranny Gifts! I was so happy to win this. I plan on putting it on Bailey once he has healed and is better from his surgery. It is so darn cute! I have three yorkie's so I may need to order one for each of the girls too. Thank You Michelle!

and now for something completely different.....

Presenting the band my son John is in......

Seasons of Eden

(he is the handsome bass player to the right)

Last night was their CD Release performance. We sat through two other bands, Half Light, an up and coming band we really enjoyed. Then Downtown Brown, this was the band John started with years ago. He joined them for this performance and pops in and out playing with them.

Currently though he is playing with Seasons of Eden. They have been played on 89X (88.7 fm) and are developing quite a following.

Here is a photo of John, I managed to fight the crowd to get........

It was a great turnout, my sisters came , Kim's family Joseph (husband), Sarah, and Joey. My sister Cheryl, her son Ernie and stepson Evan. My daughters Kim and Steph and her fiance Pat. As well as so many of Johns friends that I haven't seen since high school. I think we took up a whole corner of the room. It was so nice to be there for him with all these people there to support them!

OWOH Winnings!!!!!

2010-02-22T18:50:00.006-05:00

I have been M.I.A. these days, preparing for the wedding, working, and then my Yorkie Bailey had his surgery last Friday. He tore the ligament in his left knee and well we have been waiting for the last couple weeks to see if he would need the surgery. He did and so he went in. He is doing better, but would not look at me for most of the day when he came home. They shaved him all kinds of crazy ways so After he heals we will need to do some repair work on his hair. For now he needs to rest.

However I had to share with you some things I was lucky enough to win. I was very busy this year and did not get to visit many of the blogs in the OWOH giveaway this year. I hopped around when I got a moment (which was only twice as I recall) but managed to land on some pretty amazing blogs. My list of favorites is getting long. Coming home in the horrible winter storm today was scary as the roads were slick with snow and slush. However, when I finally got home look at what was waiting for me.....

Yummy Art supplies all the way from Sherry in England! Love the vellum, although I have admired it I have never played with it. It is very cool because it is silk screen printed. My daughter would like a scrapbook of her wedding and this will be perfect for it! Thank You Sherry!!! You have to visit her blog, she is working on some very neat tags, you can visit her here http://sherrysimpleblog.blogspot.com/ .....

I also received this cutie domino magnet she made. He is so cool I wondered if she drew this? I have him here in my art room on my magnifying light. He can keep me company.

I also received another package from Ohio. I won this fabulous enameled heart bracelet from Cheryl Strait. You must visit her blog and see her wonderful work for yourself. Her blog http://cherylstrait.wordpress.com/ She is so talented, and well, I was so darn lucky! Thank You Cheryl!!

Excuse the blurry photo, I was trying to take the photo and pose, not necessarily a good idea. I love it fits nicely and looks great on! I love it!

I have been so fortunate to visit these ladies wonderful blogs and win. I will be back after things slow down (the wedding is in a few weeks now) to visit more of the blogs, and of course to check in with Cheryl and Sherry!

And the Winner is......

2010-02-15T17:28:00.005-05:00

Oh I almost forgot. I have to pick a "Winner" for the OWOH Giveaway. I have been busy, busy with wedding prep, my daughter will be getting married March 13th, only a month away! I regret to say I did not have time to visit all the wonderful blogs but hope to get a chance after all the celebrating is done.

So I went to the "random generator" and put in 1 thru 254 (thanks for all the lovely comments, I wanted you all to win :( ) and it came up with...................

I mean what were the chances of number 2 coming up, and it being a good friend Nancy? I could almost hear my husband (and hers) saying "It's rigged". Nope I would have to pick another. So I asked for a second number and it gave me Number 192. So Debbi at

http://thewickerpatio.blogspot.com/

you will also get a print as soon as you send me your info. I want to thank all of you for the lovely comments and apologize for not being able to give you all something. This was wonderful. Thank You Ms. Swifka for hosting another great event, and giving me so many wonderful blogs to visit!

OWOH Giveaway!

2010-02-06T20:05:00.000-05:00

I have decided (I know a bit last minute) to join in the "One World One Heart Giveaway" again this year. Busy with our daughters wedding, I have not had time to really plan for this. Yet I wanted to give something, so I am offering one of my prints. Each is printed on archival paper and enhanced with a bit of "bling" in the form of Swarovski Crystals. All you need do is leave a comment, and an e-mail or link to you blog (which would be even better) so I may reach you if I draw your name. Now remember you must abide by the rules and have a blog to enter. You can leave a comment from now until February 15th for a chance to win!

I will try to load a better picture later so that you can see more of the detail in these prints. Be sure to click on the link in the sidebar to join with me in visiting some super blogs.

(These prints are of my original artwork. The winner will receive the print carefully packed and wrapped to insure it arrives in pristine condition.)

Sorry I have been busy....

2010-02-06T09:05:00.005-05:00

I won't go into all the details, but I wanted to explain why I have been M.I.A. on my blog of late. In fact I have not even been online in a while. You see we had a little wedding favor mishap. Our favors which my daughter wanted, are to be hankies, with their Monogram, along with a poem bookmark. Great idea. We knew someone who does embroidery and after pricing around, well when this person offered to do them as a gift, we jumped at the chance. I delivered the hankies the 5th of December, along with all the thread and the design. Well they were supposed to have been done by now. Only they are not, and what was done is unusable!

Which brings me to now, upset bride, angry and stressed mother and no usable favors for the wedding in March! What to do? Well I did what I really wanted to do in the first place. After calling numerous places, talking to a plethora of embroidery places and representatives, I bought a machine. I guess if you want a job done right you have to do it yourself. Not that there are not wonderful and reliable people and places out there, it is just to buy them done would have cost me almost as much as the machine.

So I went on the hunt for a good (inexpensive) machine. There are some that are down right cheap (about $350) but by the time you buy all the "add on's" to do what you need you are spending as much as the big name machines. Finally I lucked into finding a Viking dealer who had a "re-pack". A Used machine with a warranty and classes. The lady, Michelle, has received my nomination for sainthood. She has been working with me, setting up the machine, even loaning me a hoop and downloading letters to make this work for me.

I set up shop in the dining area for now, and yesterday on my first day I finished the first five dozen. My daughter was ironing and folding the finished hankies and it looks as though I will be busy for a while working on them each day.

My husband has been a champ, helping by making dinner, and coffee, not to mention being very supportive.

As for my daughter, she has been right there with me. She is determined to help out and is right there working with me. She felt bad about the whole thing, even though none of it is her fault. As for me well it is also a sewing machine so I am going to craigslist my older machine and learn to have some fun with this new one.

Here are some already pressed and packed to go! They are turning out lovely! If a do a few dozen each night I should polish them off quickly.

As for the ones that were ruined? Well the person in question is family, so I guess I will have to write them off to a very, very expensive lesson. I am actually more hurt that this person would do this to us on such an important occasion, but then I guess perhaps I just think and feel differently than her. I never really was interested in learning or having a machine that does this, but I am now thinking of all the possibilities. I know so many people having babies and grand-babies, and who knows perhaps it will be me soon? What wonderful things I cold make for them.

So if you see that I haven't posted lately just know I am just focusing on this, and will be back in plenty of time for the giveaway!!!

P.S. Please stop by as Terri's blog. She just had surgery and is home recuperating. I am sure she would love to hear from all of you! http://terrisbloomingideas.blogspot.com/

Pendant Swap

2010-01-21T21:11:00.004-05:00

This is a charm for Terri Frias. She is a member of the Marie Group and it was a swap I joined. I cannot wait for her to see it. I made two of them and could not decide which one to send. My friend Terri G. liked this one the best so off it went.

It has a vintage crystal and an iridescent bead hanging from it. At the top I soldered on a finding, the back has a crown and some music paper. I added a pale teal blue bow and strung it on some white seam binding and more blue ribbon. I "borrowed" a scrap of the fabric from my daughters wedding dress she is having made. This teal fabric will be the sash on her dress. I decorated the chocolate colored linen box with a Marie image and more ribbon.

I hope she likes it as much as I liked making it for her.

Good Food Michigan!

2010-01-19T19:12:00.006-05:00

I would like to take a moment to share a new blog with you. If you like good food and would like some great recipes then please take a moment to visit http://goodfoodmichigan.blogspot.com/

Let's give a warm welcome to Barbara and Valerie. They has started this wonderful blog to share their passion for using Michigan produce in good home cooking. Check out the recipe for the Crust-less Pumpkin Pie, or the Maurice Salad. There are also helpful hints for cooking and baking. For those of us who need some inspiration, and those that want to share their favorite recipes this blog has a lot to offer.

The Invitations

2010-01-15T20:59:00.002-05:00

Here they are all done, whew! It has been a rough week. My youngest daughter Kim, my eldest Stephanie (the Bride), and I spent all week, working on the design, layout, fonts for the invitation. Then I had them printed and spent endless hours cutting, gluing, and putting them together.

We placed Swarovski crystals on the top and bottom one by one. This picture does not due them justice they are stunning in person. These are the colors in her wedding. Cream, Pale Turquoise, and Black. She wanted a Vintage 1930 - 40's feel, so we used a Deco frame for the Announcement. The swirl pattern is repeated on the RSVP, Accommodation, and Reception cards on the bottom. All the Envelopes are sealed and stamped with Wedding cake postage.

I will get them out Monday. I have the labels to finish yet. Almost there. Now to start the favors......

The Shower!

2010-01-10T19:07:00.009-05:00

Saturday was the day....my daughters wedding shower. She is getting married in March, the thirteenth to be exact. Angie, Pasqual's mother and I had it at a local Italian restaurant. They are friends of the owner and we had it before their regular business hours. The had this at the front door........ Angie, Joann, Rose and many of Pat's (Pasqual) family helped to decorate the tables. Angie and her family made the lovely centerpieces for the table.... The head table was decorated with these candles Angie bought and each table had a mixing bowl with some goodies. Everyone received and apron, dishtowel, and a spatula these were the favors I made up. The person with the wooden handle on their spatula won the centerpiece. A photo of the couple graced the center table.....all was ready. Steph and Pat had a great time. They received such lovely things for their new life together, the food was great (we had a choice of salmon and chicken piccante), "huge" cupcakes for dessert , and the company was wonderful. I will share some photos another time. We took so many. Pat's family was so warm and friendly, making everyone feel welcome and like family. My good friends came, sisters, cousins, and in-laws were there to share in their special day. It won't be long now. Today we went for a dress fitting. It should be ready by next week. I will finish the invitations this week then they will be off. I have to shop for shoes, dress and complete the favors. Time is moving so fast now, hardly time to think or do anything that is not "wedding" related. Which is why I haven't been around to post of late. Soon though, soon it is moving fast, gathering speed and before we know it the day will be here. If this shower is any indication then I am confident the Wedding will be wonderful! Congratulations Stephanie and Pat!

Collage Camp Special Offer....

2009-12-29T02:56:00.004-05:00

KC Willis and her Collage Camp! Love it. I bought the DVD, and she has just announced she is having a "special"! You can take Collage Camp for only $75, instead of the usual $95. Not only that you can also buy her classes on DVD, and she is currently offering her three follow up classes for only $35.00! A real bargain.

I love her DVD, K C shares all her knowledge on gathering materials, composition and collage. When you finish you have lovely heirloom pieces to enjoy and share. I have found they have several applications. Don't take my worked for it, just visit her at the Lipstick Ranch, or here at the Camp and check out the slide show to see:

http://collagecamp.ning.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network

Now run, don't walk to the Camp and take advantage of her generous offer. I guarantee you won't be disappointed!

Don't Walk......

2009-12-28T04:42:00.002-05:00

Can I just say that this is my "Favorite" Sesame Street song. I loved it when it first aired and stumbled on it on YouTube. Enjoy!

Hear, Speak, and See.......

2009-12-25T22:46:00.006-05:00

This Christmas was quiet, and while I missed the old, I made the most of the new. Our son John showed up unexpectedly Thursday night, after work. He wanted to spend time with us is what he said. It was good to see him. He did his laundry and we visited, talked about Stephen Kings new book (John and I both love them) and watched Harry Potter. Kim was home from work at 6:00, and visited with us before leaving for her boyfriends. Steph and Pat called and asked us to come over Pat's parents, but I had already showered and reserved Harry Potter so we chose to stay home.

Christmas morning was quiet and we slept in. Kim received a re-built bike from Mike, and they took a ride (yes, in the rain). I made a breakfast for us then Steph and Pat came over and we opened our gifts. There wasn't much to open, but everyone was happy and seemed pleased with what they received. Steve and I though received the best gift of the lot. You see they had all met and had photos taken. Yes even Pat, Stephs fiance joined in (I will post that one later). I think it was great that they did this for us. I also like that they really hammed it up this time and had fun. The photo above is one of my favorites. Let me introduce you: John, hear no evil (he is the bass player in a rock band called "Seasons of Eden" look for their CD, and on the RIF), Then there is Kimberly, our youngest, speak no evil (my hippie, go green, save the planet, peace child), and Stephanie our oldest, see no evil (our own "Dog Whisperer" and animal rights champion).

This is the second time, the last was over five years ago, that they have done this. The first time I cried. You see, my children are like me, I don't like to take pictures. I do not photograph well and frankly I have yet to see any pictures of me I care for. It seems my children feel the same way (except for Kim, who seems to actually like's having her photo taken. She doesn't mind and always looks good in them). Although they always look good in their pictures, we all share an aversion to picture taking. Since I feel this way I have always respected my children's right to just say no.

The fact that they went and spent a day posing, picking out frames and then presenting us with these pictures mean more than words can say.

John and Steph like to wear black, that one in the middle, well not as much (she says she did not get the memo). I like the contrast, and can't help thinking what beautiful people they are, inside and out.

The photographer who took the pictures is a friend of my son's who will be taking Stephs wedding photos. She did a great job.

It is Just Different......

2009-12-22T20:39:00.003-05:00

No, this isn't my home. Although I have a fireplace, this is very decorated and well. my home isn't. To be honest time is flying by. I do not "feel" the Christmas season. Perhaps it is because the children are older, and wrapped up in their own things. Maybe it is the poor economy and the way everyone has been snapping, impatient, and worried. The thought of losing ones job, home, and all that it entails can be overwhelming. Even more so this time of the year when we expect and want to feel more jovial and giving. It isn't the gift giving I am talking of, although for some thatmay be a factor. For me it has been the gift of time. It is as though we have all become afraid to celebrate, or spend time together just having fun lest we be thought of as spendthrifts and foolish, Yes things are bad, but they have been bad before. The media has pounded in the fact that it is because we, the American public, have not been thrifty enough. we want. we spend. (Yeah, that same media that tells you that you need that big TV, vacation to the Bahamas, and blames the lack of "spending" for the poor economy and the public facing the loss of their jobs and homes) which is not entirely true. Many have saved, but watched Wall Street steal it with Congress's blessing and get bonuses and a bail out to boot. Many pay their bills on time and their mortgages, only to lose money because banks dumped homes and the value of their property drop, and raised their rates. Believe me I have tried to get in the spirit, but it has been tense here. My position is tenuous, my daughter is only working one day a week, and I have a wedding this March to prepare for. There will be no Christmas morning of unwrapping presents here. My eldest will be with her fiances family, my youngest will be with her friend as they leave to spend the day his family. I hope to see my son at Steve's family dinner later Christmas day. It will be quiet, and that's okay. Still I cannot help missing having my family together. It cannot be helped as we know, things change. I will keep hoping things will improve and that the people in our government will stop fiddling with my future and the future of my children. I have stopped watching the news. They show so much despair and need at this time. Charities are feeling it too, after all it is hard to give when you don't know if you will need that extra to live on yourself. It will be quiet here this year, and I will just ride the waves, and hope for better times ahead. I know many have posted cheerful things on their blogs, and that for them it may be better, or perhaps they are just trying, like myself, to maintain some sort of peace or joy in their own way. I don't mean to sound melancholy, but as my friend Terri would say "It is what it is". It's not that I am really sad, but not exactly happy either. It just does not feel like a holiday for lack of a better reason. I am truly grateful for what I do have. It's just been a lot happening lately, as I said things change, and I guess they are just changing too fast for me lately. I suppose I could put on a happy face here speak of all thing merry and bright, but it is not how I feel right now, and I want be able to just say it. I will be fine, It will be okay, it is just...... different, and somedays different isn't easy. I do want to wish all a Happy Holiday, and let's all make a wish for a better New Year.

Can You Hear Me Now?

2009-12-15T02:58:00.003-05:00

Okay our cell phone contract is now up. We have been loyal AT&T customers since Cingular, almost ten years. Now I am ready for a change. It seems they have become a bit arrogant. As I mention we have been loyal customers for a long time, so when my daughters phone stopped working instead of offering to help they instead wanted to charge us to replace it. Of course that was when we found out the "new" phone we had bought her was actually a rebuild.

My friend has Verizon, her phone broke and they just replaced it, no questions asked, no insurance (did I mention we had been paying insurance on my daughters phone?). My oldest daughter has Verizon, she likes it, despite the fact that she gets poor reception in her home(?). My son had Verizon, he hated them? He has T-Mobile. He loves it.

So I have been doing the research and I have checked many of them out, their plans, customer service, etc. We have had a great offer from Sprint, but they have had a bad rap for service, and quality. I wonder, because I do not know anyone with this service I can ask. My son said he was really not impressed with T-Mobile the first year and had coverage issues, but they have greatly improved in the last couple years. Hmmmm

What do I like about T-Mobile? Well for one, "no contract". Yeah I have to buy my phone, but I do not have to worry about being "stuck" in a plan I hate or cannot afford. Still I worry about reception. I do not want to buy phones then hate it.

Sprint has offered everything we want, it is a two year plan however, still much less money and the texting my daughter wants.....but again I know no one that has Sprint that can tell me if they are happy with their plan.

I have been upset with AT&T. I have had issues with them "adding" things to our bill (they for several months allowed a ring tone company or companies to add charges to our bill. I keep having to call and get the charges off since we never have signed up for anything. We had the text, data plan options blocked since the onset, and that took four calls). They offer nothing really affordable. The problem is I have been with them for a while. At one time I had their service for my home, Internet, and cell. They offered me a great deal to bundle. That lasted one month before they decided they were losing to much money and jacked up the plan price. Instead of the 20% off they promised they lowered it to $3.00 off a month. Needless to say I no longer have them for my home and Internet. Now I need to address my cell bill.

My friend has a "go" phone and she just buys so many minutes each year. She does not use her phone as much as our family does. It might work for me, and maybe my husband, but not for our daughter. I would get a plan just for her but it actually would be more expensive to do that. She is in school full time and working part time. She cannot afford a plan of her own but can pay her part of a family plan. I need to find a solution that will work for all of us.

What I can tell you is that I talked to a Rep from AT&T. I told him that I had up until the last few years been happy with them (not their pricing or adding those charges), but noticed in the last two years we have had several dropped calls and no signal. He said "Well cell phones are constantly upgrading and your phones are old and out of date."

I thought about this, then I said to him "Really? Because we resigned only two years ago and so you are telling me that your company sold me phones that they knew would be out of date in less than a year then committed me to a two year contract knowing that there would be trouble, drop calls, not get a signal, etc.?"

Of course he stumbled around saying how things are always changing, blah, blah, blah. All he did was validate any suspicions I had that they change signals, and such every so often to get you to change phones or services. It is all a game to generate sales and upgrades. Yeah, I know I am probably stating the obvious to many. Which brings me back to what to do.

I will be making the trips to all these stores and checking them out, but I would appreciate any help or info anyone could share with me. Suggestions, warnings, or better plans out there? I have time but want to do something soon and many have holiday offers, no activation fee, phone deals,etc. I do not need texting, but of course my daughter wants it, and has offered to pay for it (with what I do not know). I would like the max minutes for the buck of course, but most important is customer service (I want to be treated as though my business is important, which sadly AT&T has not done), and call quality. We will be checking out a couple options this weekend and hope to be able to make a choice next month. I would feel so much better if I knew someone who had a Sprint plan and what they liked/dislike about them.

Yes there are other choices, PCMetro, Nextell (I beleive they just merged with Sprint), and I am sure there are others but I think I will stick to the bigger names as I like that they offer nationwide service, and some of the smaller ones do not offer this. My brother had Nextell, and my sister but he left for AT&T when he could not get service in Indiana (he travels for work). My sister left them too, for better service and prices (she lives up north).

What to do, what to do........

We Interrupt this Blog for an Important Message...

2009-12-08T00:00:00.003-05:00

Why Helloooo there, I have a message for you. Happy Birthday to You........... who? Why you of course.... Happy Birthday, to you......mmmmm, yeah babe............. Are you taking this all in? Happy Birthday dear Debra................. let's bring it home now....... ..............Ha-p-p-y B-ir-th-day to you! Yeah you guessed right hon I am all yours...... Behold these perfect plastic pectorals, the way the light shines off my washboard ab's, and these glistening guns. Hey, I know you may have wanted one of the Chippendale men on your birthday, or that guy from the movie "The Mummy", Oded Fehr, but this is all your going to get for a dollar babe, so deal!

29 Days.......

2009-11-23T04:12:00.006-05:00

29 Days.Org I heard about this from my friend Vicky. I love hearing about the results Cami experienced and thought it might be something I would try. I believe I am up to doing this, 29 gifts in 29 days. It changed Cami, and through giving even the smallest of things she was able to find peace, joy, some relief from her illness, it also changed her perspective on life.

Why not join me during this season known for celebrating and giving to experience the joy in touching someones life. Although my family has had to cut back and give up we still have so much we can share. I just love the thought that it might make a difference in some way for someone, including myself.

Comforter Thoughts.....

2009-11-19T03:39:00.009-05:00

Here in Michigan it has been unseasonably warm, some call this our "Indian Summer". The days have been sunny and on the warm side for November. Our nights however are on the cool side. Like every family we need to save where we can. We have had our share of pay cuts, benefits reduced, taxes increase, and try to watch our pennies like many. One of the things we did is install a programmable thermostat. It works by regulating the heat, we can have our heat lowered for the hours we are at work, go up just before we get home, and lower again automatically just before we go to bed. We both prefer to have it on the cooler side when we sleep, and it does help reduce our heating bill saving us money.

Still as we get older it seems we feel the cold a little more acutely. To compensate I bought a down comforter for our bed, which keeps us nice and toasty while we sleep. I love to snuggle into bed under it's fluffy fullness and drift off to sleep warm and toasty despite the dropping temperature and cold weather outside.

So where am I going with this story? I guess it has to do with this last Tuesday night. I had gone to bed as usual, it was cold out, but it didn't matter I was all warm and toasty as I drifted off to sleep....but around 1:00am I woke up. I was soooooo cold my teeth were chattering. I was freezing. Was the heat off completely? Oh my goodness I was cold. It was then I realized that I had no blankets over me. What the heck, where were they?

I reach next to me and there was the edge of the comforter, there was Steve, all nice and warm sound asleep. I sat up and saw that he had managed to pull the entire comforter around himself.

My husband moves around when he sleeps and when he turns over to his side he holds onto the comforter and pulls it over. This is not the first time he has done this however when I mention these things he just dismisses it saying I am "imagining" it. Since I leave before he gets up for work he thinks I must be making this up.

This time I was cold and wide awake so I decided I needed to prove my point, taking my camera I took a couple pictures to show him. I started with a picture of my side of the bed, you can see that the comforter has been pulled to one side.....

In this photo (below) you can see his head peeking out at the top of the comforter. Doesn't he look all snug and warm? Notice the way the comforter has draped down the side (his side), of the bed, puddling as it touches the floor......he looks so nice and warm here doesn't he?

After dinner last night I mentioned I had some photos I wanted him to see. We sat on the sofa and I showed him these photos. At first he laughed and said "I can't believe you took photo's". Well we have had this discussion in the past, and you always deny it. You will say to me your making that up, I don't do that. So I wanted proof Here it is Hon, the proof in pictures, what do you say now? "It's not my fault you did not buy a large enough comforter for the bed." "What? How would that have made a difference?" "Well, for one thing if I did roll over and pull them with me you would still be covered now wouldn't you?" "I think your missing the point here dear, I don't think a large comforter would help. It would just be more that you took from me and had on the floor. " "I don't pull the blanket over, I always pull them up from the bottom." I think the photo's show that you don't do that. I think it is pretty clear that when you roll over you are pulling them with you. "Well I can't help it if you let me take them, maybe you need to get your own comforter?" Hmmmm, okay, you do know that it is these kinds of things that get people on the 11:00 news right? "Wife strangles husband with comforter after she nearly freezes to death." "Are you going to delete those pictures?" Not yet, I may need them for the trial......

About a Blog Shop

2009-11-11T18:11:00.005-05:00

I started cleaning and sorting things in my craft room and realize I just have too much in my little room. It is time to "purge" and regroup. I am thinking I would like to open a "blog shop" and hopefully find that someone is interested in a few items. Most of them will be for altered art, some things will be flea market finds. I have a lot of old vintage jewelry pieces and parts. Old watches that can be used for parts, old keys, and bits that need to go. I have more than I need and perhaps you may find a thing or two that you have been looking for? I started with grouping earrings into bags. I separated them into hoops, plastic, and metal. Here is an example, I have a bag with all manner of hooped earrings....... Here are a couple mixed bags of things to add to the list..... I still don't know if it was a good idea to sort these or not. I thought I sorting them by color might be easier? Or do you think I should just sell mixed bags? Any Ideas? I will either start a shop or list them on Etsy? I am not sure, yet I like the idea of giving people who stop in at my blog first chance at anything they see. I would add more things as I continue to "purge" from my vast collection. I had been busy with my daughters shower invitations. I would like to do this before I start on the wedding invitations. If only there were more hours in the day.

My Marie Painting

2009-11-02T03:40:00.005-05:00

Here is a photo of my latest painting...My Marie. I took Suzi Blu's "Petite Marie" class. We were to paint one of Suzi's "Petite Dolls" in the form of Marie Antionette. I had purchased a blank wood cupboard door at a garage sale this summer. It became the perfect canvas for her, complete with frame. This first photo was taken without a flash in the evening.... You see the colors appear much more rich and you do not get the reflection of the sparkle from the gold, mica flakes, and rhinestones. Below is a photo with flash.... Much paler yet the same painting.

I plan to take a photo in the daylight, which may give a more accurate reflection of the piece. There are many layers to this painting, collage, modeling paste, etc. She is a rather large approx 16x20". I have to add the hanger to the back of frame yet before I list her for sale.

13 Days of Halloween Finale!

2009-11-01T10:53:00.003-05:00

On the last day of my swap....... It was Halloween, and my swap partner gave to me....the cutest little handmade paper mache pumpkin with a little witch inside! A neat paper flower made from pattern paper, cool. She also made sure I stayed warm handing out candy with a fuzzy brown scarf(which I love!!!).

Here is the whole collection! 13 Days and many Halloween favors....

This swap was a lot of fun, I want to thank Renee, Chateau of Remnants for all her hard work! I now have a lot of additions to add to my Halloween decor! Also shout out to Harley of Koalafuzz, for hosting! Thank You ladies for making this a ghoulishly clever Halloween!.

My Tricks and Treats.....

2009-10-31T09:19:00.012-04:00

Below are pictures of Treat's, and my trick (yeah it was a little cockroach that runs across the floor and two glowing eyes). I guess I misunderstood about the trick. When I opened my package I thought "Were the tricks to be handmade too?" Oh dear, and no way to contact the receiver to let them know...... I am looking for them today, and hopefully they were not too disappointed.

Here I have laid out my Trick, and my Treats for the swap. It was hard not having a gauge for how much, but I knew the "Treats" were supposed to be handmade.

Cute "Pouting Little Witch Skull", one of these was a "Treat" for someone!

Here are some of the Banners I made for my swaps! One of these was included in the "Treat" package!

Here is the Journal I made for one of the "Treat" packages!

I hope everyone enjoyed their swaps, and for the person who received my "Trick", I honestly thought it was supposed to be a "trick". I hope you all had a Happy Halloween and fun with your "Treats & Tricks"! I have shown what I received in the post below.......

Trick or Treat Reveal!

2009-10-30T08:06:00.001-04:00

I participated in a 'Trick or Treat Swap" hosted by Christine Edwards. We were to send in two "treat" packages and one "trick"! In exchange she would swap them out for other tricks & treats. Today we are to post them and hop from blog to blog to reveal what you received and to find out who you received them from! I do not know who made my gifts, I hope they will stop in today and reveal themselves. I want to thank them for their Halloween Creativity and work. Please hop over to Christine's site and check out the other players blogs to see what I made, for them!

Here is my first "Treat". A cool skull with his companion a black crow. He is on a pedestal and is sporting a ruffled collar atop a pumpkin! From his glittery eyes, to the crackle finish a true Halloween Treat! What a gruesome addition to my Halloween collection!

My second "Treat" a sweet Trick or Treat gift bag, a small flip scrapbook, a decorated box with some Halloween confetti, a small "Treats" banner. Very cute.

Here was my "Trick". A very cool "preserved" skull. on the bottom of this glittery ghoul were many little eye's staring up at me. How creepy & cool. Lovin' the glittery goodness, what a clever idea.

Why?

2009-10-26T05:30:00.013-04:00

As you may have read on a previous post, I have been participating in swaps. I join via someones post on a blog, or a group I have joined. They call out for players. They all have their own set of guidelines, requirements, and "deadlines". Many people who sign up are familiar to me. I have been in other swaps, or see their names in posts on blogs. For the most part it has been fun, there have been disappointments, surprises, and even my first experience with someone who "flaked" on a swap leaving me empty handed. So where am I going with this post? Well I am truly and sincerely interested in why it is that a handful of people are being "allowed" to ruin this form of art sharing for the many? Yes, for it has reached a point in my short experience in this medium where I am really thinking of withdrawing and no longer joining or participating in swaps. For now the good still outweighs the bad, yet all it takes is one really bad experience that has required all your focus for a few weeks to get in the way of any enjoyment. For me joining a swap is a commitment, a contract. You have read and agreed to follow all the rules and deadlines. We are adults and should know if we are capable before we sign on. We should know for the most part what is going on in our life and barring a "coma" know that we have to fulfill our end of the swap, and take this part very seriously. You should also commit to doing your "best" work. The minute I sign on I start gathering, researching, and preparing. after all as I have heard it said on numerous occasions "life happens", and for most of us, it happens most often as we get close to the deadlines. So why is it that the same people are constantly late? Why do they sign up for every swap that catches their attention, knowing they cannot possibly fulfill the requirements, or even finished the ones they have started? Why? Another thing I ponder is why for some Communication is so darn difficult? Is it too much to ask for your partners, hostess, people who receive a giveaway, or gift, to drop you a line and let you know what's going on? I am not talking about e-mails that give excuses, or those that blatantly lie (i.e. "It's in the mail", when the truth is it isn't even started), but a simple, "Got your tag", "package received", "Tags sent", "Yes I am still in it", "My arm fell off and I may be a day late if I cannot get it sewn back on in time", etc. When I sent our a "Swap" or "Giveaway" I want to know your received it. It would be nice to know that it did not arrive damaged. Not to sit and wonder "did it arrive? did they even like it?Perhaps to some it doesn't matter, after all for them once sent, soon forgotten. I find this attitude so inconsiderate and hurtful. It is like being taken for granted, and who likes that? I am genuinely upset and cannot understand the lack of simple courtesies that seems to have disappeared from our behaviour. Is it because we are allowed such anonymity online? Do we think it no longer matters? Do you think no one remembers when you flake, are constantly late, or do rushed tacky work? Still another big problem is the partner, or participant you have to chase down like a fugitive to get your response, item, or even an excuse. The time it takes from my life cannot be replaced with a simple "oh I am so sorry". It takes away from any enjoyment, or fun that the whole experience could have been, if not for the one (or two) careless, inconsiderate, people who feel they have the right to blow you off, make you wait, wondering if you are okay, if you forgot, or are in that "coma". For goodness sake have you no conscious? Perhaps what worries me the most is that I have seen this type of behaviour ruin swaps at local shops. Sure you may get some new people to join when you vacate, or get tossed out, but how long before the turnover takes it effect. Eventually people lose interest and nothing, I mean nothing, helps discourage and destroy like unfulfilled promises, poor workmanship, or lack of gratitude. Now this lackadaisical attitude has become more and more common to online swaps. I have learned though. I now have to consider carefully each swap. Do they "screen" their sign-ups? Check them out? Their work? Do they have references to other swaps they have been in? I am even more impressed when they actually contact you to ask about a person's participation. I have pondered hosting, and thanks to my experiences have filtered it down to how I would run a swap. I would not allow those with reputations for dragging their butt's, or flaking to join. I would insist that all items come to me, so that I could evaluate them. Those not meeting guidelines, or time restraints would be sent back with a note reminding the participant of what was expected. While sending them out to each player seems better because it takes this burden off the hostess, it allows those stragglers, flakers, and just plain dippy-doodle heads to collect the hard work of others with no repercussion for their bad behaviour. Then you have to address those who somehow read the directions and send in something so totally off the mark as to leave you saying WTH? You know who you are. You not only are late but send in something that looks as though you waited till the night before you sent it to even make it. You plaster a piece of paper, slap on a print you hurriedly colored or glitter glued, and send it out. Do you think that we cannot tell? Are you really suffering under the delusion that this is your best work? I have to say how many times I sit here looking at a piece I received thinking "Really? you had four weeks and this is the best you could do?". For all the people out there saying "you have to accept there are all levels and some are beginners, blah blah blah." and to you I say "how long do you get to claim that title?" (I know someone who has been saying this is new to me I am just a beginner, for two YEARS). For the most part this statement of mine is for those who have been in the game a bit, or the ones who have received your work a couple weeks ago, (because like me you are early as opposed to waiting until the last minute), and see from your work what is expected and still hand in crap. Yeah, you heard me, crap. You should be ashamed to have harmed a tree making it. So the gloves are off, and I am going to say it and "Shame the devil" so to speak. I am going to refer to a recent swap for this example. Terri's Alice tag swap. Yet as sad as that experience was, the La Vintage one Terri was in was a real head trip. First you have a hostess that changes the rules daily (maybe she took the whole crazy Alice thing literally?), and the tags, Oy. I am thankful I pulled out after the date changed the second time, but back to Terri's swap.... For one thing Terri clearly stated right from the start "MAT board" as a base, not cardstock, not cereal box, not whatever your little heart desires, etc. Second she was very clear about "embellishment", yes this was the reason she wanted "MAT board", because it holds "more" embellishment better. Then I remember, but for those who wish to read it for themselves they should refer to the sign up post, you were to be people who "took pride" in "doing good work". Yet some chose not to use Mat board, other's felt two little sequins were more than enough embellishment on a digital art print-out, another stuck a b&w print on a tag and some glitter glue, etc. A couple were late, and one, Deb McNutt who signed up for the white rabbit still hasn't sent hers and the mail out date was October 5th! * this is the third swap I have been in with her and the third time she was over 3 weeks late! I don't get it. I hear people grumble about todays children, employer's, and government. How they do not follow directions, follow through on their promises, and commitments, do their best work, or just plain tell the truth. Yet feel it is okay to not follow directions, ditch deadlines, hand in less than acceptable work. Why? How can you criticize the poor scruples, lack of discipline, double talk from others and then do the same? Sure a country will not fail, a child will not become a delinquent, and no one will die, but this is your REPUTATION at stake here. You are an example to others, and is this the one you want to set? After all it isn't the thing itself that is important but the intention and truth behind it! Are you reading this thinking, oh she is taking this all too seriously. I would answer, it depends. Yes, it depends what you consider serious? I take giving my word seriously. I think that if I sign up for something I have made a contract, a commitment. It isn't an arbitrary agreement where I later get to decide to change my mind and do what I want. Many may say "It's only a tag, or just paper". Is that how you want me to think about your work? Is that how you feel about mine? I would like to think there is a mutual appreciation for the work that we do. A persons art should inspire, not aggravate and exacerbate. Your work should make one think "Oh this is cool". You should have a hard time using that tag on a package, not thinking, good lord I can't use this, people will think I did it. I want people to see my name on a list and want to sign up because they know they will get a well made piece of art, and that it will be on time! I do not think it is unreasonable to expect the same. I also want to admonish hostesses who do not call these individuals out when they do this. We do no service to fellow swappers by letting participants go along doing as they please. When I have a hostess (fan swap) tell me she is "being nice and patient" with a swap partner because she does nice work, (even thought she is over a month late), I have to be nice or she may not send it to me", I cringe. Really? is anything she does so worth having to babysit, cajole, and wait until such a time as she sees fit to do her part? NO! She should have been chewed out and as far as I am concerned not allowed to sign up anywhere until her obligations were filled. (Yeah Deb I mean you). Instead this person was and is signed up for numerous other swaps while making everyone wait. I was recently floored to learn that the hostess of a swap in an Alice group knows of this persons flagrant disregard for deadlines, as well as the person who runs the site and still allow her to sign up for more!!! Come on ladies grow a couple! Maybe this behavior would stop if people like this knew they risked getting the boot? Maybe not, but is would sure make life easier for the rest of us. In this time of the world where Wall Street Tycoons, Bankers, Politicians, and various others think the rules do not apply to them, do we want to allow and encourage this even in these small parts of our lives? Do we teach our children and future CEO's, Public Servants, that it is okay not to do what you say? I hear so many whining about the next generation wanting everything for nothing, not knowing what it is like to wait, not have good work ethics, and then you come to where "adults" who supposedly know better are, and it hits you, that's where it comes from. From you and me, from people who tolerate abuses, poor quality, and a sense of entitlement where rules do not apply to them. I spoke today with Terri, who was a bit shocked when she received e-mails telling her it was no big deal. So then these people feel it is okay to allow this from swappers???? Perhaps you think your work does not rate enough for a return swap? Comments like "your beautiful tag makes up for a person's flaking? Is she like the town savant? We let her run amok (I am finding many, many, many, swappers with the same issue with her, yet NO ONE seems to have the guts to take a stand). Where are the keepers of these sites? what happened to statements like "Flakers, non-communication, and constant tardiness will get you expelled from the group?" Was that an empty threat? Shouldn't she and others who do this be told "Sorry we see you signed on for yet another swap. We know you have yet to fulfill your obligation on other swaps so we must exempt you from further participation until you have fulfilled these promises.". Was that so hard? Of course to do any good you have to mean it, you must stay the course. When I hear statements like "oh we know, and I don't want to be her partner, (what the heck let some other poor unsuspecting fool get flaked on) make me want to reach through this screen and give you a little wake-up tap on your head." I cannot believe we have all become so apathetic that we would just let people walk all over us. That a your word means nothing, and crime does pay, because no one wants to be the one to take a stand. When did swapping become the "politically correct" zone where gosh forbid we follow through with rules, and deadlines because, oh dear, we might hurt this persons feelings?They may be forced to act like an adult and , dare I say it, take responsibility for their actions! It isn't just this one person there are others. Will you just stand there and let it happen? I suppose now that I have had this "soap-box" moment I may find myself the one shut out. Maybe people will be afraid to swap with me. I have had to chase down a swap partner when after a month she did not fill her end of the swap, and like Deb, lied and said it was sent. I am not afraid to email people and nudge them along. I am also not afraid to say "no" enough is enough. I do not want it happening to me, and knowing that a person like this is, and has been doing this I certainly want to warn people ahead of time to watch out when they see a name on a swap. I started out asking, why? I think I have just answered my own question. I think I now know why they do it.... Because they can.......... they know you will let them. ______________________________________________________ ****Update**** I want to Thank Rebecca. She has a Mail Art Group and is the first hostess I know of that has drawn a clear and definate line with regards to lateness and flakers. She is the first (that I am aware of) that has actually enforced those guidelines! Thank You Rebecca! You have restored my faith and give me hope that perhaps, there will be a safe place to swap. Not that this will prevent all future flakes, but maybe it will happen less often!

The Wedding Dress

2009-10-21T16:33:00.008-04:00

Here is my daughter Stephanie trying a wedding dress. My youngest Kimberly (maid of honor) helped get her in and out of them. Kim is my hippie earth child. she is so different than her older sister, but it was so nice seeing them together. Steph is only having Kim and her future sister-in-law stand up. I am happy she asked Kim and her brother John to be in her wedding. (the woman in the blue sweater reflected in the mirror is Stephanie's future Mother-in-law)

Here is Steph trying one of many dresses. I am sorry again for the poor quality of the picture. Not the dress she wants, but we had to see what was available. You cannot tell by this photo but she is a tiny thing and pretty much whatever we found would need altering. You can barely see all the "clips" holding the dress on her in back. She was a good sport about trying on dresses but nothing made her feel like it was "The Dress". So we kept looking.

This is the dress my daughter wants for her wedding. She has been carrying a photo of the dress around for over a year (image below). The fact is we just cannot spend $3000.00+ on a dress. We talked to a local dressmaker who had a similar dress pattern and are having a dress made. It will be very close, but much more affordable. We found the fabric and are looking for the buckles. She is happy to get a dress like she wants and even happier to give work to a local dressmaker.

We did try on a dress similar to this one (image below) at another bridal salon and she was stunning in it. Unfortunately we were not allowed to take a photo of her in the dress. It was so close except for the sash. We almost bought this dress but when we found a dress could be made for her for considerably less, because we won't be paying for alterations. (I was told just hemming this dress would cost $120.00!)

I have to tell you that it pulls on your heart to see your daughter try on dresses. While Steph and her fiance' Pat have been living together for the last couple years, and just bought a home together, it made it real for me. She won't be my little girl anymore, soon she will be Mrs. Marchionda. Life seems to go so slow then suddenly you are there.

A Wicked Swap!

2009-10-20T17:00:00.002-04:00

It arrived Today!

The last of my Halloween Swaps.....Wicked! My partner Kristen, who recently opened her own Etsy shop, http://crepeconfectionary.etsy.com/ , sent me this very large box. I was in the front room watching "Fearless Vampire Killers", a funny Roman Polanski movie, when it arrived. My three Yorkie's, Bailey, Nuala, and Cookie were sitting with me and were all excited to see what came.

When I opened it up this is what a found....... Isn't this the coolest box to receive a swap in? Seriously she made this huge coffin and now my head is swimming with ideas (I want to make a skelly, or a corpse for it...maybe a corpse bride?)

I opened it to find......... This little box lost it's head in transit (don't worry he pulled himself together later, oop's I have it on backwards, yikes!) Next there were two cute Halloween hangers/ornaments. I do not have a tree but they will be sweet hanging from my mantle won't they? Maybe I should get a tree for them?

I really thought this was so neat. It has a spinner that allows you to countdown the 31 days of October! Bailey could not resist helping me. He loves to open gifts. He is very gentle but loves grabbing a bit of the paper and ripping until its all off. He insisted (constant whining until I let him help) on helping me unwrap my items. The package he unwrapped is a portrait Kristen framed for me. It is a holograph and I love it. I have a picture of it toward the bottom of this post, but need to take a close up of it. It is unfortunate that I did not get a good photo of it. I will try tomorrow when I have more daylight.

Then there was this ..... All right, I love sparkly glitter and these are going to fun to put on my door for the holiday! It says "Beware" "Knock if you Dare".... Here was a little "reading material" that Kristen included for me.... Inside was a Halloween Vignette. There is a clever little witch in a pumpkin patch, perhaps casting a Halloween spell? Ahh fully restored (I am so glad someone has thier head on straight now). This fella stores another surprise..... Yummy little jelly pumpkins! Here it is all together, look the photo of our "instant relative" is here for you to see. See the neat ribbon Kristen made? I will wear it this Halloween, it will look very nice on my orange and black striped shawl I made. Oh and there is also a cute "pumpkin" sucker/wand for me too!

So my Halloween Swaps are complete. Now to decorate with all my new items I have received. Thanks again ladies, Kristen (my wicked partner), Renee (watch my sidebar as I reveal all 13 gifts, one each day), Christine (and my secret trick or treater's, to be continued on the 30th), and Shannon (Sinister and Sweet partner)! Now don't forget to check in each day and look to the right in the sidebar to see what Renee has sent me. There are 13 gifts, one for each day from the 19th to Halloween! Come join me as I unveil each one!

13 Days of Halloween Begins Today!!!!

2009-10-19T20:14:00.005-04:00

Here is a picture of the packages that arrived for me from Renee, Chateau of Remnants. Each day now I will open one of these lovelies and post it here on my sidebar for you to enjoy along with me. I will post it all together at the end on Halloween! For now lets have some fun and see what Treats or Tricks Renee has in store for me. If you want to see what I sent her just click on the right sidebar picture and you will be transported to her site! Don't forget to check each day to see what new surprise I unwrap!

So Far Today.....

2009-10-11T18:15:00.006-04:00

As you can see I am again behind. Not like me at all. This is Nancy VanHoose's giveaway package waiting to go out to her. It was supposed to be mailed out Thursday! Yet here it sits. Why? Well I have been running since Wednesday and have just now settled down for a few minutes. I will mail it out tomorrow! Then maybe I need to take a break and get some things done that have been waiting.....

My big box of cabinet cards. Some are just frames. Perhaps it is time to put a few up for sale?

I found this "Betsy McCall" doll. Love that she is jointed like this at the knees. Her head and eyes were a mess. I was convinced I could fix her, so armed with patience, a craft knife, glue, and rubber bands I worked on her. It is tricky work as being jointed there are bands connecting her inside. Now she can open and shut her eyes, and her head is all in one piece. She has the sweetest little smile and the cutest little sandals on. I reapplied her wig, dressed her and now she sits, on my shelf with another find, a porcelain Shirley Temple doll (she is about 5" tall).

I just wanted to share a few things. I have not done much lately. Been so busy with the "wedding". We are having the dress made. Its a bit of a long story, but I will save it for my next post.

Look at What Arrived....

2009-10-08T02:56:00.006-04:00

Isn't this altered piece wonderful? Yes, it is. I was so lucky to win Sandi's (Wayside Treasures) giveaway. She has a shop where she sells these lovely pieces. The pictures do not do justice to these lovely works of altered art. When I first held it and could look at it up close I was truly impressed with Sandi's work. Her attention to detail and impecable work are evident. Trust me when I tell you that the photos do not do justice to them. When I won, Sandi instructed me to visit her shop to pick one of her items for my prize. My first impression when I saw this bottle in her shop was that it was like one of the smaller bottles I have been lucky enough to find, but this bottle is much larger. I have altered a few smaller bottles for a Halloween Swaps. Of course they were not as decorated as sweetly as the one's Sandi makes. I look at it now and have to admit how much I love the patina, the cloudy areas formed over time on these bottles. Sandi has managed to pair this with an assortment of aged papers, soft seam binding, bits of jewelry and lace. If you would like to purchase one of these wonderful treasures for yourself, take a moment to hop over to Sandi's blob and visit her shop Wayside Treasures. I believe she is having a sale right now also!

Where do I start?

2009-09-30T16:10:00.012-04:00

I am so far behind.....I think I'm winning! Have you ever heard this? You let one thing go, and suddenly you have this giant pile of things you have not addressed. I want to say it has been crazy busy here, emphasis on the "crazy" part. My eldest is getting married and suddenly this sweet girl I knew has become the wedding crazy train! Wedding this, and wedding that, then why not buy a house and decide to move in one week also. While painting rooms (her father) and stripping wallpaper(me), packing and unpacking. Stop to go look at flowers (all day Wed and Fri), stop to try on dresses (all day Sat). To top it off I somehow became the designated chauffeur? It took me less than a week to start hating the word "wedding". You see she just got engaged the end of August and before we could draw our breath they decided on March, 2010, yeah 6 months from now. Which is fine if you plan on eloping, but a pain for wedding planning. Then throw in everyone involved and all the different stuff going on in my life, and well, I am lucky if I remember my name (although I sometimes would like to forget it and where I live). My youngest is in College and working now part time, our son John is also moving into his own place. My husband had to pick up Johns car last Friday, and put a new radiator in it for him, since he is working crazy hours and cannot make time to do it. This is in between been running to our daughters to paint on the weekends. Then we can start helping John paint the new place he is renting, and move him in. I started a sewing class on Thursdays (Steph and I had planned on doing this before the big wedding plans) and I am behind there too. I need to clean MY house and get painting and windows done here, but my life is not my own right now. Of course it was at this time I was signed up for 4 Halloween swaps, the Alice swap, the fan swap. Then my brother passed away last month, and we have been cleaning up and taking care of that. Yesterday was his 54th birthday and my sister and I spent it picking out his headstone. Which has been difficult for us to say the least. I feel bad for my sister too, because her daughter is getting married in 2011. Perhaps seeing her Aunt lose her mind will help her to decide to elope? So for those of you so patiently waiting for me to post I apologize. I did not mean to neglect or ignore. Some I think I did email or mention but to be honest I just cannot remember so I will start here...... Lori Anderson from Pretty Things sent me this fabulous charm pendant. I had made my charms for the swap and she asked about them. I sent her one and look at what she sent me. She put it together and it is so pretty. I am so flattered and thrilled to have some of her work. Again Thank You Lori.... Then there was Sweet Sweet Renee of The Chateau de Remnants. She sent me this wonderful "Pick-me-up" package after my brother passed. I love the hankie, all the little bits and the lovely card. (I had to put some things in the little bag so I could re-create the package for the photo). You were so kind to send me this. I Thank You! To Joy Northrup or Joy to the Blog, for the lovely card and wonderful ATC she sent when I guess correctly on her blog. She had a piercing on the little bump in her ear . Joy has been doing a lot of "extra" work in movies around Michigan. I am going to be looking for her now! Joy Thank you for the lovely ATC. (I kept the card and envie, it was very nice,and the ATC has been on my mobile over my computer) Then I have to mention that I have received 3 of my tags so far from Terri's (Terri's Blooming Ideas) Alice Swap. The Red Queen is mine, the Sassy Cheshire Cat is from Terri (ps thanks for adding the extra bling I requested, you spoil me), the Caterpillar is from Becky Loyall (Whimsical Musings), and last but not least is the Queen of Hearts from Rebecca Allinson (Sugar and Spice Confections). FINALLY! Today I received more "Good Stuff", My 13 Days of Halloween exchange arrived today!!!!! All these goodies are for ME!!!!! I can't open them until October 19th, then one a day until the big day HALLOWEEN!!!!! From my swap partner Renee of The Chateau of Remnants. It will be hard... but I can do it. Of course I will have to keep an eye on Bailey, my Yorkie, he loves to open presents, yeah he might do something bad, yeah I don't know about him, he is sneaky ... I will have to watch him. (Hey that's my story and I am sticking to it). So this catches me up for now. I want to say a big thank you, I have been very fortunate to have met some great people through this blog, and through theirs. Please bare with me for the next few months. You may want to start looking for me on the 11:00 news....... I'll be the crazy one throwing cupcakes from the top of the church, or perhaps doing a Thelma minus Louise in the wedding limo. Oh and no, I did not forget......Steven (drum roll here) pick a name out of the hat for the winner of my Blog-a-versary please.......... That would be "Nancy VanHoose". Yep Nancy I will be putting together some alterable goodies for you. Thanks to all my commenter's, to those who chose to follow (please stick around) I appreciate your comments and especially your company.

Really? Has it Been Two Years Already???

2009-09-26T20:51:00.000-04:00

Oh My Goodness! I almost did it again. I almost let this month pass without celebrating my two year "Blog-aversary". I never did celebrate my one year did I? No, I missed it. What to do, what to do....? I thought a giveaway might be nice, but what to give? Hmmmm, are you up for a surprise? How about a grab bag of arsty supply goodies(bits and pieces for altered art), a painting (from my Artfire store), or some great flea market find(some linens, some buttons, maybe a collectible)? Well I'll tell you what, why not post a comment for a chance to win, and mention which of these ideas you would like. If you are a follower you get two shots at a chance. No you don't have to share this giveaway info on your blog, but I hope you will. I won't make you follow me on twitter, face-book, or rub your tummy while patting your head, after all I don't want this be a job, just a fun chance to win.I will draw a winning name on September 30th, and post the winner and the "prize" then.

Sinister and Sweet Swap Goodies!!!!

2009-09-23T19:28:00.008-04:00

Dear Shannon (supermergentroidgal) was my partner for the Year of Color, Sinister and Sweet Swap. We had to cover five areas, Something Sinister (a lovely file box with the neatest raven decoration in it!), Something crafted (the lovely little decoupaged tray!), Something thrifted (Do you see the lovely vintage bling, music paper, and trim?), Something for the home (the very cool candle), and something sweet!(see my name spelled out with pretty bling and all the goodies in the little pail? Oh and did I mention the "dove" milk chocolates? No? that's because I am not sharing those)

Just behold my bounty of Halloween inspired loveliness!

Let's not forget to mention all the neat black and white ribbon wrapping all these goodies! I will be recycling these!

Shannon did a wonderful job, everything was a delight. Love these flowers and leaves.

This has to be my favorite. I love birds (ravens!) and this is so cool I think I may leave it up all year!

Thank You Shannon!!!! I am sorry I took so long to post. I have been running about with my daughter moving, helping her with her wedding things, my son moving, and all the swaps I had intended to post Monday. I am up late tonight because I just could not make you wait any longer. I will take some better photos for the flickr group.

Goodnight Sweet Prince....

2009-09-21T03:36:00.007-04:00

I have just read that Sheldon has lost his battle with cancer last Friday. I had not checked my friend Renee's blog (Circling My Head) since last Wed. I knew his time was close, yet I had hoped and prayed for a miracle. I had also prayed for peace and the end of his suffering. Renee said Sheldon was a Warrior, he was. Such bravery from one so young shames me, but also inspires me. As the sun goes down on one precious life I am left with hope and a sense that he is at peace and now can take his place among God's most beloved Angels. God Bless you Renee, Jacquie, and your family. May Sheldon's love give you strength now in this hour of sorrow.

Please join me in sending condolences to Renee and her family. Jacquie still faces a long hard battle with cancer, and both she and Renee can use our prayers and love at this time.

Tags for Terri's Alice Swap, done!

2009-09-19T15:09:00.011-04:00

My good friend Terri (Terri's Blooming Ideas) decided to have an "Alice in Wonderland Tag Swap" She was inspired by a tag swap started by Le-Vintage. She put the call out for ten players, oh boy did it filled up fast. She called me and asked "So what character would you like Deb?". Of course I said "The Red Queen". Thinking of course of the Queen of Hearts. It was only later after talking to Terri again I realize she had two people signed up for the Queen. How could this be? Well silly me, I just assumed there was only one "Red Queen" the Queen of Hearts, not so. As many know there is only one Red Queen, a Chess piece in "Through the Looking Glass". Well I had to shift gears in thinking. Terri was gracious enough to offer to let me pick another character, but I was determined to work it out. There aren't many good pictures of the Red Queen, most are of the Queen of Hearts. Tim Burton's Queen is a blend of the two characters. I looked, searched and then finally one day I stumbled on a drawing/painting by the Character Designer, Michael Kutsche. Unlike the Queen of Hearts in the first Alice which was a playing card who ran about saying "Off with her head", the Red Queen is more reserved, prudish and a bit of a snob. True, like the Queen of Hearts, she has a bit of a temper but she prefers to change the subject or make a more dismissive remark. She was trying to teach Alice how to be a Queen. So there it was my Red Queen. I had to photoshop her and then find a background. I used a computer wallpaper, altered it a bit and there it was. Since Terri had allowed another swapper to make her tag in the shape of a heart (It was to be Rebbecca, the Queen of Hearts Tag) I thought why not make one in the shape of a Chess piece? I researched the book and found the perfect quote for her too! It was from a conversation between Alice, The White Queen and The red Queen. The Red Queen asks Alice for the French translation for "Fiddle-dee-dee" When Alice tells her she does not know, since it is not English the Red Queen mocks her. She says to the Red Queen 'I'll make a bargain with you, if you can tell me what language it is I will translate it to French". To which the Red Queen Replies 'Queens Never Bargain!" Yes! Queens never bargain, that's going to be my new motto. I love the image of this Queen who looks clearly annoyed and very stern. It was fun but a challenge to make the tag work. Using red Velvet ribbon, sequins, gold papers, rhinestones, vintage red rose foil scrap, glitter and such I think they really reflect the Red Queen in all her magisterial authority. Here is a better picture of them, and a glimpse of the back. I plan to mail them out as soon I hear that others are doing so. A lot of work went into these tags and being a little gun-shy lately. I just want to know that I can expect a tag in return. I decorated the backs too! Nice red roses on paper. You can see her rhinestone earrings quite clearly in this photo. I was lucky enough to have stumbled on the gold tassels at the store in the clearance isle some time ago. They had a little gold bell and a pearl on them. Now that I have wet your appetite, I want you to know I worked on these tags with Terri yesterday and got to see her Cheshire Cat Tags, they are over-the-top crazy good! Of course Terri never does anything halfway. Her work is always lovely and so detailed. If the rest of the tags are even half as good this is going to one terrific swap! I think there will be a lot of people sorry they did not get in on this one!