My creative blog has seemed to be long forgotten. I have been crafting here and there when the time allows. My latest projects have been for the wedding of my dear cousin & friend (whom I like to call my frusin). There was much to be made for that funderful event. But now that she is all married off, I may just get around to making more things. I know that there are plenty of creative thoughts running around inside my head. I've been drawing up many card ideas and hoping that they will translate well into paper. I am hoping to teach more classes and start saving my pennies for a new camera that will take nicer pictures. I've to my jar, just need the coins.
In August, I made a trip to my friend Steph's home in West Bend and took along a hostess gift for her, forgot to take pictures of it (because I was adding the finishing touches just before I left) I will have to see if she would be willing to take pictures of it for me. I took our old house mounted mailbox and painted it and then painted it some more--added more paint and then another layer--after adding a bit more and some crackle medium, once or twice, it finally turned out just as shabby and chic as I wanted. I added a little silk flowerage and could not be more pleased. I will have to get some photos from her, it just is too cool not to see.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
Creative Flow
Not 100% sure, but I think that I may be heading into a creative wave!!! Sunday, Joanne is hosting an employee scrap of sorts and I can't wait to play. Maybe I will have a ton of items to share. What for up coming classes taught by yours truly : )
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Pipe Cleaners and Wiggly Eyes
I am a saver, a pack rat, a hoarder, and a collector of tidbits do-dads, and bobbles of all types. I think remnants of a past life, a lifetime lived during vary sparse times, must have carried over this must-save-everything-you-never-know-when-you’ll needed-it mentality.
So if I never throw anything away, why is it I can never find what I want, when I need it? I know it has to do with my organizational skills—I really do have these skills, I just use a system that most everyone in the world would never understand. I have friends who are queens of organization. I have discovered that just by hanging out with them, their abilities do not merely rub of on me. I love organization—I need organization—and from time to time I actually do have it and everything is right in the world. I love the look of jars, bins, slots, and order. I get a dreamy look in my eyes ever time I receive e-mail from Ikea. I have baskets and drawers and this and that—but then why does everything always end up in this pile or that pile or that bag over there underneath that stuff there? Why is it so hard for me to maintain?
Is it my scattered personality that has me running in five different directions all at the same time? Is it because I’m normally finishing a project at the last minute? Is it because I really don’t have a space of my own to keep my creative process? Do I thrive on chaos? Is it that the people in my day-to-day life do not find putting things back in their place a priority? Are the little people in my life that I feel I have to stow things away from to blame for the piles that live in my computer/reading/crafting/catch all room?
Do I really want to know the answers to the above questions? Is this blog simply a cry for help? The answer is this, I don’t know, but I really wish I could find those pipe cleaners and wiggly eyes.
So if I never throw anything away, why is it I can never find what I want, when I need it? I know it has to do with my organizational skills—I really do have these skills, I just use a system that most everyone in the world would never understand. I have friends who are queens of organization. I have discovered that just by hanging out with them, their abilities do not merely rub of on me. I love organization—I need organization—and from time to time I actually do have it and everything is right in the world. I love the look of jars, bins, slots, and order. I get a dreamy look in my eyes ever time I receive e-mail from Ikea. I have baskets and drawers and this and that—but then why does everything always end up in this pile or that pile or that bag over there underneath that stuff there? Why is it so hard for me to maintain?
Is it my scattered personality that has me running in five different directions all at the same time? Is it because I’m normally finishing a project at the last minute? Is it because I really don’t have a space of my own to keep my creative process? Do I thrive on chaos? Is it that the people in my day-to-day life do not find putting things back in their place a priority? Are the little people in my life that I feel I have to stow things away from to blame for the piles that live in my computer/reading/crafting/catch all room?
Do I really want to know the answers to the above questions? Is this blog simply a cry for help? The answer is this, I don’t know, but I really wish I could find those pipe cleaners and wiggly eyes.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
So....
I've been trying to think about what to blog about. Nothing seems to come to mind. I've been busy making things here and there, but I have not posted anything because I'm mad at my camera (it just is not taking pictures like I want it to) This loverly thinking pose of the Moon is thanks to my wonderful Frousin. Someday I will have one that takes pictures this nice. Until then, I will be pouting like a two year old.
Friday, January 2, 2009
My Word
There is a word that has been bouncing around in my head that I so badly want to focus a blog on, but I’m just having a hard time making it visible on the computer. I’m not really sure as to why I want to use this word so badly. I’ve been trying for weeks to get it right. My vision and understanding became a little clearer while reading my friends blog http://queenlauraofcastle.blogspot.com/2009/01/my-2009-goalsresolutions.html. (I’ll give you a moment to read her blog)
After reading Laura’s blog, I went straight to her source of inspiration http://aliedwards.typepad.com/_a_/2008/12/one-little-wo-1.html. (Again, go and read the link so you have a better understanding of what I’m trying to do here. If you already went to this link while visiting Laura’s blog, please feel free to re-read Ali’s words or just keep reading mine).
While reading about how one little word can be a powerful thing, I realized that is exactly how I can use this word of mine. This is the single word that I feel sums up what I want for myself in 2009. This is my word: (I’ll give the definition because that seems to be the thing to do)
Wassail (wŏs'əl, wŏ-sāl') n. 1) A salutation or toast given in drinking someone's health or as an expression of goodwill at a festivity. 2) The drink used in such toasting, commonly ale or wine spiced with roasted apples and sugar. 3) A festivity characterized by much drinking.
v., -sailed, -sail·ing, -sails.
v.tr. To drink to the health of; toast.
v.intr. To engage in or drink a wassail.
[Middle English, contraction of wæshæil, be healthy, from Old Norse ves heill : ves, imperative sing. of vera, to be + heill, healthy.]
Wassail? How is this word going to allow me to achieve what I want this year. Does this mean that I am going to spend my year under the influence of this spiced spirit? Does it mean that I’m only going to use Basic Grey’s Wassail line this year? Neither is true—but it might be fun to try, anyone care to join me?
Every year I make a resolution to lose weight. And it seems that every year I end up falling short. Something always happens and I either give up or give in or don’t give a flying fig about it anymore.
My growing wisdom has led me to believe that I am looking at this the wrong way. I do not want to lose weight. I want to gain health. I want to have a life that is fuller and richer than I could ever imagine. I want to celebrate this festivity to the fullest and drink up all it has to offer. I want to become intoxicated by the grand as well as the minute. I want to taste the sweetness of the apples and experience variety, which is the spice of our existence. I want to deliver goodwill to others and hope they partake in a huge mug of wassail along with me.
So with that, I proposes a toast onto to those I know and those I have yet to meet. I raise my cup and simply say “Wassail.”
After reading Laura’s blog, I went straight to her source of inspiration http://aliedwards.typepad.com/_a_/2008/12/one-little-wo-1.html. (Again, go and read the link so you have a better understanding of what I’m trying to do here. If you already went to this link while visiting Laura’s blog, please feel free to re-read Ali’s words or just keep reading mine).
While reading about how one little word can be a powerful thing, I realized that is exactly how I can use this word of mine. This is the single word that I feel sums up what I want for myself in 2009. This is my word: (I’ll give the definition because that seems to be the thing to do)
Wassail (wŏs'əl, wŏ-sāl') n. 1) A salutation or toast given in drinking someone's health or as an expression of goodwill at a festivity. 2) The drink used in such toasting, commonly ale or wine spiced with roasted apples and sugar. 3) A festivity characterized by much drinking.
v., -sailed, -sail·ing, -sails.
v.tr. To drink to the health of; toast.
v.intr. To engage in or drink a wassail.
[Middle English, contraction of wæshæil, be healthy, from Old Norse ves heill : ves, imperative sing. of vera, to be + heill, healthy.]
Wassail? How is this word going to allow me to achieve what I want this year. Does this mean that I am going to spend my year under the influence of this spiced spirit? Does it mean that I’m only going to use Basic Grey’s Wassail line this year? Neither is true—but it might be fun to try, anyone care to join me?
Every year I make a resolution to lose weight. And it seems that every year I end up falling short. Something always happens and I either give up or give in or don’t give a flying fig about it anymore.
My growing wisdom has led me to believe that I am looking at this the wrong way. I do not want to lose weight. I want to gain health. I want to have a life that is fuller and richer than I could ever imagine. I want to celebrate this festivity to the fullest and drink up all it has to offer. I want to become intoxicated by the grand as well as the minute. I want to taste the sweetness of the apples and experience variety, which is the spice of our existence. I want to deliver goodwill to others and hope they partake in a huge mug of wassail along with me.
So with that, I proposes a toast onto to those I know and those I have yet to meet. I raise my cup and simply say “Wassail.”
Monday, December 29, 2008
Something I wrote
I've been feeling a little like I'm at an amusement park lately, with all the holiday festivities a-goin-on that I have not had a chance to tap into my creative writing side & get a blog of all the fun-tastic craft-a-rific things I've been doing. I decided to post a little something I wrote a while back, just an observation piece of sorts that I like to read as a good laugh from time to time. All of the events that you're going to read about are true & I did not change any names to protect anyone. Enjoy.
(Warning--this is a personal matter and if you are at all embarrassed about the topics of womanly adornments, than this piece is not for you and I advice you just not to read it. However if you would like a little giggle, please read on.)
(Disclaimer: some people have reported tinkling, just a little, while reading this)
This story took place in March of 2007.
Yesterday Poppy & I set out on an adventure that made me realize that I'm growing into my wisdom...
A very good friend of ours is throwing a little party and it's an over night event, complete with pool access. So a few weeks ago, we purchased a swimming outfit for little Poppy Moon. Marty has one that still fits and I went to try mine on. Now it's not that it didn't fit exactly, it's just I've had this swimming costume longer than I've had either of my children--and things have changed. I have needed a new suit for a long time--I've been trying to gain support by wearing another one underneath, the straps tangled together to prevent them from falling down, just not very swim-worthy. After showing Adam, I said, "Do you think I could get a new swimmer?" He agreed--it must have been really bad.
So as I said before, Poppy and I sent out on an adventure to buy me new poolwear. I had done a little research on-line so I had some ideas. I went to the first store, picked out the one I saw on the computer. Man, it looked good or as good as it gets when you're a plus sized gal who is not in any sort of shape. The skirt was a little flirty, but didn't scream, I'm a skirt to cover up these scary thighs underneath. The top had a fun design and some support, and oh, my, god--it was like looking at a buffet for infants--if I could have sported a dickey underneath to hide the girls I would have went for it. So I went back to the racks to begin again.
Now I don't watch the news all the time, and I can't remember numbers very well, but I've seen a lot about the huge epidemic of obesity in the US (I'm a statistic, yeah!) And I don't know for sure, but I think that with the increase of waist sizes the average age of life expectancy goes down—so why is it that swimsuit designers (or any clothing designer for that matter) think that if you are over the size 14 that you adore big ass flowers all over the place? The tiny little eye patch suits don't have only flowers as an option--is it that much harder to make big suites without the flowers. And the neck lines--I think they figure, well if we distract from all the other "problem" areas with the tata extravaganza, no one will notice the thunder thighs in the pool.
I just about resorted to wearing a moo-moo into the pool and soaking up all the water so no one could swim. But at long last, I found a due-able suit. A High neckline, a little skirt and not a blasted flower in sight. The price was a bit of sticker shock to Adam--it was on sale honest, and damn it I'm a grown woman with grown woman swimsuit needs that just are not covered with $10 Wal-Mart jobby. The highlight of trying on suit after suit was the little giggle of Poppy as I changed--as though she was remembering the simpler time of her life, eating and sleeping, no complications of what to play with.
Now I tell you this story, not for pity, we've all tried on swim suits and gone through our own adventures--but I tell you to make you laugh, if not at yourself--then by all mean laugh your asses off at me. For a smile truly does keep the insides feeling sunny, even on the darkest of days. And that is how I'm growing in my wisdom.
(Warning--this is a personal matter and if you are at all embarrassed about the topics of womanly adornments, than this piece is not for you and I advice you just not to read it. However if you would like a little giggle, please read on.)
(Disclaimer: some people have reported tinkling, just a little, while reading this)
This story took place in March of 2007.
Yesterday Poppy & I set out on an adventure that made me realize that I'm growing into my wisdom...
A very good friend of ours is throwing a little party and it's an over night event, complete with pool access. So a few weeks ago, we purchased a swimming outfit for little Poppy Moon. Marty has one that still fits and I went to try mine on. Now it's not that it didn't fit exactly, it's just I've had this swimming costume longer than I've had either of my children--and things have changed. I have needed a new suit for a long time--I've been trying to gain support by wearing another one underneath, the straps tangled together to prevent them from falling down, just not very swim-worthy. After showing Adam, I said, "Do you think I could get a new swimmer?" He agreed--it must have been really bad.
So as I said before, Poppy and I sent out on an adventure to buy me new poolwear. I had done a little research on-line so I had some ideas. I went to the first store, picked out the one I saw on the computer. Man, it looked good or as good as it gets when you're a plus sized gal who is not in any sort of shape. The skirt was a little flirty, but didn't scream, I'm a skirt to cover up these scary thighs underneath. The top had a fun design and some support, and oh, my, god--it was like looking at a buffet for infants--if I could have sported a dickey underneath to hide the girls I would have went for it. So I went back to the racks to begin again.
Now I don't watch the news all the time, and I can't remember numbers very well, but I've seen a lot about the huge epidemic of obesity in the US (I'm a statistic, yeah!) And I don't know for sure, but I think that with the increase of waist sizes the average age of life expectancy goes down—so why is it that swimsuit designers (or any clothing designer for that matter) think that if you are over the size 14 that you adore big ass flowers all over the place? The tiny little eye patch suits don't have only flowers as an option--is it that much harder to make big suites without the flowers. And the neck lines--I think they figure, well if we distract from all the other "problem" areas with the tata extravaganza, no one will notice the thunder thighs in the pool.
I just about resorted to wearing a moo-moo into the pool and soaking up all the water so no one could swim. But at long last, I found a due-able suit. A High neckline, a little skirt and not a blasted flower in sight. The price was a bit of sticker shock to Adam--it was on sale honest, and damn it I'm a grown woman with grown woman swimsuit needs that just are not covered with $10 Wal-Mart jobby. The highlight of trying on suit after suit was the little giggle of Poppy as I changed--as though she was remembering the simpler time of her life, eating and sleeping, no complications of what to play with.
Now I tell you this story, not for pity, we've all tried on swim suits and gone through our own adventures--but I tell you to make you laugh, if not at yourself--then by all mean laugh your asses off at me. For a smile truly does keep the insides feeling sunny, even on the darkest of days. And that is how I'm growing in my wisdom.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Just Horsing Around
Neigh….Another Christmas Gift I can check off my to do list (it’s getting shorter! Woot!!!)
I call this little filly Chic—don’t worry Avery; you can name her what ever your little purple lovin’ heart desires. I crafted her from a loverly pair of purple Chic jeans someone had given me a looooong time ago (I think she intended on me wearing them, not hackin’ them up and sending them to pasture). She also has about hmmm let’s say a good skein of yarn in her mane, some fiber fill stuffing her a touch, some rubber bands to hold things in place, and a dowel for clipity-clop-ablity.
All of these things I just had laying around so there was nothing purchased specifically for this gift (that’s the hubs favorite part). I did use some glue dots to hold the mane in place while I stitched it on in a few places with yarn (I bought medium sized glue ones last time and they are just too big for what I normally use them for—oops, so I figured I would not mind wasting them on this project). And her sparkly eyes are larger brads with a marker dot in the middle (still trying to come up with a better idea for the black though)
I did not dream up this wonderful idea on my own (I did of course tweak it a bit)—I found it in a book I’ve had for a number of years (Boredom Busters—it’s a Family Fun Magazine book. Published 2002 by Disney Enterprises ISBN # 078685361). The book is filled with many many great ideas to do and make with/for children. I have used this book time and time again and if it still available, I would highly recommend it for a book to add to your collection (speaking as a crafter, a teacher, and a mum on this one).
Now I just have to figure out how I’m going to wrap her???
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