Gifts from the stash.

I've been steady working in the studio. 

Crocheting and working on all kinds of things. 

Some just could not be shared yet. 

(Trying not to spoil the surprises.)

This was one of them. 

Plus posting everyday for Simply Simple September has been easy and fun. 

And has allowed me to take a bit of a break on working up posts.

Way back here I talked about the babies joining our life. 

I also mentioned nothing would have to be purchased. 

Well - so far so good on that. 

I am one blanket behind. Little Eloise Ruth's blanket is NOT finished and she is here. But it is still warm weather, so I'm not panicked. 

I decided to do some words art for a few of our little ones. 

(the decision was made after "stalking" mommies to be pin boards) 

I have 100's of word art images pinned as well. 

And - I happen to have all the stuff to make these

IMAGINE THAT

So for Miss Kris' next new grand baby. 

I grabbed square canvas and painted it pale blue. 

Then cut my letters for an easily recognizable children's prayer

And because this is me - I used my CRICUT and the basic cartridge to cut these - I trimmed the "tails" off some of the letters. 

Mod Podge it all on the canvas and look at it and decide it needs "SOMETHING"

Go dig in the stash

(yes it is a seriously deep stash) 

And find a star shaped ornament.

Add lots of extra fine glitter to the star.

I also added a layer of metallic ModPodge in silver to the canvas. 

Because I like texture and depth. 

Here it is all glued. 

At this point I let it dry

Then Spray it with clear sealer.

An important part of the process in the humid south. 

The ModPodge can get tacky (sticky) in the heat and humidity and the sealer stops that. 

I just use a clear spray paint  top coat for the sealer.

Then pondered how to attach the star. 

A hole drilled in the edge of the canvas with a skewer glued in turned out to work best.

Then I glued the star to the skewer. 

Voila

Cute little boy artwork. 

(I'm kinda fond of texture of my studio siding too)

I also agreed to swap an ATC with Kim over at ArtJoyStuff.

I have not done one of these swaps in ages. 

I dug into a deck of vintage playing cards

and put this little art together. 

Go here to see what I got in return.

Totally different styles. But I think that is what the swapping of art is all about. 

I hope this finds you enjoying a beautiful life. 

Cuffed (again)

IT'S NOT CANCER.... Those words will also echo in my brain. The masses in my lower abdomen are scar tissue and ovarian cysts. Watchful waiting right now - I will be reevaluated in 6 weeks. I have homework to do in the meantime. Decisions about hormones and ovary removal and long term whole body health (I had no idea that hormones could affect dementia and your heart health). So we breathe. On Friday, I have my lithotrypsy and then move on.

Now for fun stuff.

I played in the cuff swap and received beautiful cuffs from my partner. I have sent off her package and I hope it is loved by her as much as I love mine.

In addition to her cuff, I included a Belle Blanc inspired bottle.


Not a vintage bottle, still pretty. I created a "stopper" using rolled up lace. Tied it off with Tulle and a silk flower and bead. The bottle contains a few vintage pearls from a thrifted necklace and some gorgeous german glass glitter. I spritzed everything with some Glimmer Mist in a shell color.

Here is a view of the finished cuff. I crocheted the medallion backing for the cameo. Glued the cameo into place and then hand stitched the creamy glass beading. I folded linen into the cuff and crocheted the tiny ruffles down each side. The lace is vintage and I wove in some silk ribbon that matched the color of the backing. The lace was then stitched to the linen.

The backing is crushed silk in a golden color. I interfaced it for some extra rigidity, but I used a light weight collar interfacing so it is quite comfortable to wear. The buttons are non working, I actually used snaps as the closure. Everything is hand stitched together (no sewing machine was harmed or verbally abused in the construction of this.)

Another view of the parcel.

See that rose medallion. A crochet rose. I love making these and often will do those with a remnant of yarn.

Here is how I used it.

A pretty little package.

Linda - I really hope you are happy with this.

I am having a wonderful, low stress day.

I won't be back here before next week - I'm spending my weekend recuperating.

Enjoy yours.

CUFFED

Don't miss the chance for free goodies. Go to the giveaway post and leave a comment. (That means you too Carrie and MaryAnn)

Now about the title. I signed up for a Victorian Cuff Swap over at Honey Lamb and I. I was partnered with a beautiful and sweet lady named Linda over at Robin's Egg Blues. She sent a sweet sweet email and even asked if I had special requests for my cuff. I browsed thru her place and decided quickly that I was in great hands for my cuff.

Yesterday was a highly stressful day. I left work - then a ballgame - then came home to a PACKAGE (singsong voice) It was not just my one cuff, there were two. Absolutely gorgeous cuffs. I love them both but I do have a favorite.


This one is about 4 inches wide including the stunning tatted trim. I love tatting, can't figure out how to do it. I'll stick to crochet. I have seen these roses popping up everywhere, and gonna learn how to make these. (Shhh. don't tell the other one but this is my favorite) I will wear this a lot.


The image on this one is so soft and vintage looking. Again with the tatting - love love love. I love this one too, but with the long black ribbon ties, I knew I wanted to use it in a different way. I tied it around my book and little notebook and pen, that I keep beside my bed. I always read with a notepad and pen close by, because I collect quotes. From any source. So this beauty will keep my goodies together.

Linda - I love these both and I thank you for your generosity - and the tags you included are stunning too.

I'll post the cuff I am sending her once I know she has received it.

I'm leaving you guys with a couple of side trip links.

I got not so great news yesterday, but I am so so blessed in my life. We have been praying for a young lady from a close by school. She was to be a senior this year, and she was a softball player much like the Princess at our house. Injured in a car accident, her family is fighting a fight I cannot even imagine. Please go over and read her Mom's archives of her recovery (start at the beginning) . Take a tissue with you - especially if you are a parent - Misty has done an amazing job with this blog. God is real - Prayer works - I believe that. Kristen Clack's Story.

Also, my buddy Leandra, posted just the words I needed today. The Madame Queen and her family have become very very special to me, since they came to our church.

My life has challenges. Everyone's does. Try and be kind to people when you meet them. You never what private battle (or public one) they may be fighting.

I have a beautiful life and MY STORY IS NOT OVER. (blatantly stolen quote from Leandra's post)

A-D-D-O-P

Here's the wireless bars commercial photo (completely by accident) . Left to right - Andrea , Tiffany, Suzanne, and Lorraine (no blog). This was taken Saturday night BEFORE the drinking and blog stories and riotous laughter began. Suzanne and her wonderful bartender husband welcomed us into their beautiful home for an evening of food and fun. In the very top left corner you can see the blue ceiling in her kitchen ---- loved that detail.

As a part of conversations during our work time, JennG (no blog) confirmed that she and I have the same mental disorder, only she has a name for it - ADD-OP. We both have creative ADD - start another project - the OP stands for Oh Pretty. So yes I have ADD OhPretty. Thank you Jenn for identifying and diagnosing my problem LOL.

I came back from Macon - rested and inspired. My face hurts from lauging and smiling so much. But I needed to "do" something. So I made quick pendants on Sunday afternoon.

Crocheted with buttons - the burnt orange and brown one is mine -- all mine (I only had one of those buttons)

A soldered "e" charm for a friend's daughter. I made one for Emily's big sis and Miss Emmie wanted one too. Hope she likes it.

Then there is this..... inspired by a bracelet that Carol had on. The bracelet had buttons surrounded by silver mountings. I had this huge black button.

So solder - a few jewelry findings and a lonely orphaned earring and the result is this button pendant. (The button was a vintage coat button that I found in an antique shop. It is huge about 2 inches across) I love this one.

Sorry to do this (Lannae I'll share so don't get too jealous)

I decided that I would use only what I took or received in Macon to finish my projects. So I fondled (carefully unpacked) all my SWAG goodies and added the bits I bought. I stacked them on a tray and this now proudly sits on the dining room reading chair. Last night I tea stained some white bits to use and tonight I will start the process of finishing my pieces.

Til tomorrow.

Have a beautiful day.

FREEBIE FRIDAY SCAN

Right click for your freebie image. A scan of one of my favorite button cards in my stash.

I am such a sucker for vintage graphics and this is one of my favorites. There was one lonely broken button still attached, which I tossed. Kept the card just because I loved it .

Here's how I am using it....

Crocheted flowers ---

Here is the packaging of them and the veneer cards. The flowers to the front and the veneer cards to the back. I saw a brooch the someone made and underneath the pin back there was a little embroidered message. A secret message to the wearer. I loved that idea and that is what I am attempting here - reminding people to look at all angles because beauty IS all around.

One more quickie - a round do dah pendant featuring a vintage daisy trim flower. Wish I had done some of these for Easter. I know some little girls (and some really big ones too) who would enjoy this. In the background. My rose is literally covered with buds. So pretty.

I have a busy weekend - concessions - banquet - shop for the banquet - paint. But not before we go see Reservoir Dogs playing tonite.

Have a beautiful weekend.

Spring Beauty is all around

I love how this community shares and expands. My Google reader log on Monday had some 600 new posts for me to browse. I am fortunate that I can do that while at work. I can also craft and read during slow times. Google Reader makes the blogroll browsing so effortless.


Anyway.


I always check Once Wed. I am not planning a wedding, but so many of the beautiful features can be adapted in many ways. It is a gorgeous, well presented blog and one of my favorites. I followed links and wound up here. This was several days ago. Take off - go see. Then please come back here.

I promptly ordered the wood veneer cards from Lee Valley Hardware. Also ordered some other things. The service was incredible and the prices are very reasonable.

Here is my adaptation for a swap I am in.

Punched with Martha Stewart punches. Then stamped (I have no idea who's stamp this is) I bought it on clearance at Hobby Lobby in torn packaging. I keep them in cd cases and newer ones I have the mfg information but that is new to my organization system.

Just a better view - the stamp says "beauty is all around." I like all of them but I love the green colored ones most and I love how the stamp is so versatile in it's swirly goodness moving around and about the punched images.

Keep an eye out - those positives that did not break in the punch process will appear again.

This is all spread out on my desk at work. Yes, that is a Pooh makeup box in the background. When we were loading stuff for the thrift store, I grabbed this KNOWING that it would be a great box for carrying projects and supplies. It will be joining me at the art workshop in May.

One final "great idea".

I do not have one of those acrylic blocks for stamps. I have used picture frame glass and even the acrylic keychain tag at times. You know I am forever improvising. Well last night I was in the house looking for a way to do the stamping (already in the pjs so not willing to traipse to the studio) and stumbled on this idea. Softball Princess got an ipod nano for Christmas and this was in the box of boxes that we keep. The container it came in. It holds a few stamps on their mylar strip and functions as the block to adhere them to for use. Liking this a lot.

Hope this finds all of you having a wonderful day.

WHY BOTHER WITH THE BOWL????

Okay ladies and gentlemen - most people would consider me to be at least somewhat intelligent. I have had a terrible time with the freakin' blogger picture placement. I do not know why, but I have had a terrible mental block about it. I have a college degree in computer applications - so what was the deal? Be ready to insert your roaring laughter where ever you choose. I have been blogging for over two years now and have NEVER clicked the little tab that says "edit html" on my entry screen . I did that by accident this morning and discovered that I can cut and paste the text and picture code and put those bad boys any where I choose. STOOOOOOOPID - Now I am on a quest to really learn what all that code means -- I see all those pretty blogs out there and I know the secret is locked in all those strange looking codes. Confessions of an html beginner.



On to fun stuff. I got my package yesterday from Raesha's Ribbon Swap. Goodies galore.







I loved all of the different packaging of everyones' ribbon. One even contained my very first incoming MOO card. I just ordered and received my first shipment of those based on my flickr photos - man are they fun.

I do not know who bundled up this little joy. Great presentation. I love that people pay attention to those kinds of details.

What I never expected to get in a ribbon swap ---- beads and buttons - what a wonderful surprise. The wave ribbon pictured here came with fish beads - now how much fun is that.

next - the monsters are at it again - playing with the camera.

Quite obvious - the softball princess loves applesauce. Hence the name of this post - I do not know why she even bothers with the bowl -- she brings the jar, a spoon, and a bowl to the sofa. Her justification - fewer trips to the fridge for refills. Because of this type of eating habit - exhibited by both of them - I buy duplicates of many of their favorites (2 rolls of cookie dough to eaten out of the wrapper with a spoon, etc). Just random babble you probably have no interest in knowing.

Ya'll have a great weekend - my plans include a softball tournament AND worrying about a group of teenagers driving 6 hours alone to the beach on Saturday. Please remember them in your prayers.



See you Monday.

It's how we roll.....

Volleyball season is over. Softball is now in full swing (pun intended). The two sports overlap early in the season, so I haven't watched too much of the softball princess stuff. Saturday morning - at a reasonable hour, I would like to say - we were at the fields in Jefferson, GA. This is like playing at home since it is only about 40 minutes from the house. We played 4 games and went undefeated to win the tournament. Squeaked out that last one in a come from behind win with no time left on the clock and us having our last at bat.

MaggieGrace has been full of the graduating senior - situational I promise. Now you guys have to endure the softball princess and her friends for a while. I did get several rows completed on the dorm room afghan during the day.


These girls (front row left to right - peanut - cort - and abby) are just hanging out after those games in this one. Cort is in her sling, but she was our "base badit" all day.

Proud mama note - these two are friends and are also sharing the same academnic success Abby's big sis. Abby is ranked #1 and Cort#2 in the freshman class.

All lined up for the trophy awards. I cannot say enough about how genuinely nice these ladies are. Competitive - you can't get any more so - but these girls are nice and respectful and polite to everyone they encounter. This is a close knit group and they have a great time together. It helps when we win for there to be more fun and games. The parents also enjoy each others company - a good thing because we spend an enormous amount of time together.

We left at 7:30 Saturday morning and got home at midnight Saturday night. The reason Mount Laundry is so massive. Supporting my kids is so much more important than the housework.

I really want to thank Ann-Margret for her package of goodies. She arranged a private color swap with me. I chose red and white as my colors. I have mailed her package and sadly - I had a brain freeze. I did not take pictures. The rose above is one of my favorites in the package. I have it pinned to the red and white bag she sent. The bag holds my Wednesday night materials for church. The tiny little one inch boxes are my absolute favorite things in the package. There is a Godiva chocolate box full of them.
There is also a dry erase marker - I have just purchased the marker board to use as the backsplash area behnd the cabinet - serendipity there. This was a fun package to receive. I hope she enjoys her package as much as I have this one.

There was also a surprise from the crafty queen of Ohio as well. Ribbon. in a wooden crate. These are a few of my favorite things. Thank you my sweet friend.

Funny stories - Karen over at Junking in Georgia has posted about her NASCAR experience in lower Alabama this weekend. Redneck sports. Well we had a big break and we were close to Commerce, GA on Saturday. The graduating Senior needed prom shoes - which we bought without her there - I like to live dangerously. After some shopping at the outlets, we needed lunch. Arby's won the vote - we go in, place the order, and I take off to the restroom. Bear with me - this is not a TMI post. As I enter the restroom, I see a lady there with teeth in hand (washing them in the bathroom sink) yes teeth in hand. Now there is a Jeff Foxworthy moment - you might be a redneck if "you have ever cleaned your dentures in a public restroom".

Hope ya'll have a great Monday.

ramdom babbling....

Good Tuesday morning all. The school year is winding down. One more soccer game Wednesday night. No more volleyball. One more -surprising - college visit. Converse College has decided that they need Miss Molly as their middle hitter on the volleyball team. We make that surprising trip this weekend. Now we are scurrying around getting things together for NCAA rules. And we thought we were done.

Am I the only one who has problems getting pictures in order on blogger? When these show up in the little "DONE" box they are right. Oh well.

I found an old brass cigarette case in a box at the thrift store. It was nasty, grungy, oxidized and pretty gross. I brought it home anyway. I am familiar with the wonderful product called Brasso and this was one of those things that would respond well to it.

You can see what I am using it for. The front of it (maybe the back) is labelled BRASS No9 and across the bottom it is labelled CHAS T KENNEDY / KOREA. I was pretty happy to pay a quarter for it. You can't even buy a cheap vinyl card folder for that.

My macro shot of the sweetgum blooms. This tree sprouted years ago between two of my barns. It is now a full sized tree. We take the prickly balls in the fall and use them in centerpieces and garlands. I had never noticed the little buds in the spring. But as I started looking at things in that macro mode that is being featured here in blogworld - I found these. Looks almost like broccoli to me.

I also ordered some blogcards for MaggieGraceCreates. There will be moo cards soon, but these will suffice for now. I cannot decide which of my flickr images I want to use. As I tell people about MaggieGrace world, I can hand them a reminder of the web address. Since I often discuss blogging with total strangers, I have only my name and web information and email on the cards. I fold a strip of stickers with the full information on them so I can stick it on the back as needed.

I could not post a photo of the disaster zone I created last night. I am now sorting boxes (and boxes and bags and on and on) of stuff and labelling containers for the studio. Last night I attacked something that won't even be kept at my house. I am sorting Sunday School stickers saved for many years. We reuse these in the nursery and for crafty projects. They were in a huge, jumbled, box. I am sorting them by image type and boxing them up. I'll store them at the church in the resource room. There is also a box of "stuff" that I absolutely know I will never use. This will be leaving my house as quickly as that box is full. Sorting and organizing is grueling work and danm if it don't make a bigger mess than I started with. No wonder I put this off for so long. Come on cheerleaders - keep me motivated.

Have a wonderful day all of you. It sure looks like spring outside - but its COLD here.

eta - what do you think about the changes on the blog. easier or more difficult to read, etc?

Also Raesha is hosting a swap. Ribbons ladies --- ribbons. Drop over and sign up.

Trick or Treat

Last night I helped with a mad scientist costume and a batgirl costume. I am not allowed to preview the pictures until after the contest tonight. We will be having a "Trunk or Treat" at our church. This has become an annual tradition. I will set up all kinds of candles on the tailgate of my truckand a black dress, black hose, and witches hat are my attire of choice. This event is a lot of fun and provides a afer environment for the kids. In listening to the conversation at our parts counter at work, I have discovered many churches do this. After church we will go home and watch Rocky Horror again. (a personal favorite of all of us).

The picture above is from the materials I swapped with Lizzy in the sweet and sinister swap. A cone full of vintage white and black goodies. I made the cone from black card stock and then decorated it. That was the one thing Lizzy said she collected in her informational email to me - vintage sewing notions. Lizzy - I so hope you enjoyed all your stuff.

I also finished hanging all the cork for the design wall in the studio. I got all of the old glaze off the windows and next will be getting the old paint off the windows. Then the new glaze and paint before installing them. I really like seeing things get finished.

Work is crazy - trying to prepare for being gone. 2 weeks from today. And as of today, I have to double the dose of the hormone that has made me so crazy. This is to help prevent excess bleeding during the surgery. I just informed the outside salesman for our store that we are having a good day as long as no one has threatened to kill anyone in the store - that could be worse over the next 2 weeks. lol.

I do hope everyone has a happy trick or treat night.

What a productive weekend...

Yes you heard that correctly. I got a LOT done this weekend. Tomorrow there will be studio news - much has been accomplished there too.

On Friday, I had a MaggieGrace comment that I been left a surprise at my house. This was from my new friend Elizabeth over at The Quiet Life. When I got home that was a bag of paper goodness - handpainted paste papers big pieces, small pieces, some might even say scraps. Just look below.

I dumped them out, poked though them, walked past them, drooled, then decided exactly what I wanted to do first. I needed to thank Elizabeth. By the way she is the photographer who posted a picture of my barn on her Flickr account. We have been conversing online. She even stopped by on Saturday - but mom and I were out and about searching for cork.

Back to the story - I wanted to thank her for her generosity and I knew just the thing.

Meet Kimimela .... (Go see Elizabeth for more info on the name). Named by her new owner.
She is constructed of buttons, beads, and wire. The wings are cut from the paste paper and the face is a partial image from a stamp I love covered by one of those glass bubble things.

I saw a similar item made from metal and such at a gallery in the mountains. This is my adaptation. I copied the wing pattern from a sale ad for a local store (saved it you know). Chose the paper and then dumped out the button jar. It is immensly fun to choose the graduated buttons and beads. A few twirls of wire later and we have several of these.

The bead on the bottom of the yellow one was from a bin at a fabric outlet. They had this huge bin of beaded trim remants and you could stuff a baggie with them - I always scoop through to the bottom and get the loose beads. I have a huge pickle jar of these remants and every now and then I go through and divide out some. It was a really cheap way to get some way cool beadworks materials.

I have collected buttons for years and now I have a great way to use these. Some buttons are vintage - some are not. I will say this was fun and quick to do and I did not have to purchase anything. I will be making them on and off for the next few weeks. These will be gifts, but I can see selling some of these. If you are interested, please just contact me by email.

About the one I made for Elizabeth. This is the small town we live in. She lives near me, but I wasn't sure which house. I know where she attends church and on the way to my church yesterday (early in the morning), I stopped and slid an envelope with her name on it into the split between the doors of her church. I just knew whoever opened the church would hand it to her. It worked - isn't that a fun way to live.

I promise I won't completely wear you out with butterfly pictures, but you will see them here and there.

Now we also worked in the studio - and I had a parent meeting for club volleyball with Miss Molly. She has been eyeing some Manos del Uraguay wool yarn I have in my stash and asked me to make another beanie hat for her. On the way out the door I grabbed that yarn and a hook and when we sat down I started this for her yesterday at around 2 pm. I worked on it through the meeting - a little bit while I waited for the kids to arrive at church - then put the finishing touches on this just before bed last night.

She loves it - I love that I can make something she will wear - I will have to buy some orange toned wool for another one. Miss Abby wants one too in her favorite color. In all honesty, I never tried hats before the brown one this spring - I was always afraid of the increases need to make the crown. But this has to be the easiest thing I have ever made. I adapted from another pattern to make this work. Again - if you are interested in more information - or one of your own - contact me by email.

I can't wait to tell you the story about the studio -- tomorrow -

Have a great day.

Fun pluses to being an adult ....

No this is not an obscene post. This is just a fun celebration of pluses to being the adult in a house.

1. I can eat Hershey Kisses for breakfast and I don't have to ask for permission. (yes I did this morning.)

2. I can have a coke float to go with them if I choose. (same thing - great breakfast today)

3. I don't have to have permission to wear grungy clothes out in public. (will always run into the exboyfriend or the preachers wife when dressed like this - been there done that)

4. A well placed four letter word is completely acceptable (thus allowing me to completely let everyone know to - just staythe h#** away)

5. I can buy junk food along with the nutricious food I intend to feed the children (look for me in the grocery store - I got star crunch - milano cookies - and 10 bottles of coke ---- yup that's me)

6. "Because I said so" is a completely acceptable way to explain something or to end a discussion with anyone.

7. I can blow a vacation day for no reason at all (the best way is to get up and get dressed as if you are going to work - don't tell anyone you are staying home - then go back to step 1, 2 , and 3 for the remainder of the day - that way you can be alone without the other adult at your house deciding to stay home too- and a great time to accomplish #9)

8. You need no chaperone in the liquor store - If step 7 and 1,2, and 3 are not sufficiant for a relaxing day at home.

9. You can rearrange the furniture and nobody has to help (generally on the day off with the results being a broken toe on somebody cause they were not expecting the sofa to be there.)

10. You can tell your high school senior that she absolutely will not be wearing that dress to homecoming - then using #6 as the reason why. (the dress was cut down to here and up to there and gave way too much visual and physical access to body parts I prefer to stay covered if I know about it. - this teary discussion ended with me saying "one day you'll be the adult and you will fully understand.)

Yet another picture of Lizzy's swap goodies. The wall mask - decopage tissue - acrylic paint - spray glitter (of course) and a tiny strip of black rickrack.

Have a great weekend.



edit - 11 years ago today - the "c" word flew through the air and into my brain to live there forever. many of you are reading the most healing of the time here. i am diligently working towards losing all the fear. today i celebrate another new victorious year - and look at the plans for a different life starting 19 days from now - after my surgery i will be free of artificial hormone based drugs. hang on - we all just might enjoy this ride.

So my sister is already at it today ....

Opened the email early this morning and had one from my little sister. Mind you it's before coffee and she sends a thought for the day. The thought ....



Ever wonder why glue doesn't stick to the inside of the bottle?



She knows this will be in the back of my brain all day long. I hate it when she does this. Goes back to high school when we rode together and she would come up with the song of the day or the thought of the day or the word of the day. We would giggle and try to top each other with stupid thought or those songs that get stuck in your head. So every now and then we still do this to each other.



An absoultely useless bit of trivia - we each call the other Sister and our kids each call us Sister. Kinda confusing when we are all together.



I have a good feeling about the Christmas program. I have a wonderful cast and the crew is filling in. A church member has done the drawings for the backdrop and a freestanding piece. I can't wait to see what it all looks like painted and hanging. This play is really cute and funny.



I have been struggling with growing out my hair for many many months. I gave up yesterday. Had it all cut back off. It is amazing how different it looks. (Keep in mind my family has always said I do my hair for shock value) Short and a tad bit spikey. Even the girls agree it was a good decision. The lady waiting with me in the salon was amazed at the difference. Even the guys at work have had nothing negative to say. Some have even been incredibly complimentary. Next step a fun color job.

I spent last night cutting out inspiration photos and gluing them in my latest notebook. A way of organizing the pile of papers on the corner of the island. God I have so much to sort out and go through to get ready to set up in the barn. I have been studying blog posts and flickr pictures for ideas. I wish all this was moving on quicker than it is. I am getting impatient with the entire process. I know I will enjoy having the space just for me. If any of my family/friends are reading, this is a blatant request for Lowes gift cards for Christmas. I can buy my own booze this year.


More MaggieGrace goodies. There will be more of these as well. This was in the remake of the package for Lizzy. Again I used what I had. A thrifted frame, which I tend to buy even if I have no use for them. Some gridded hardware cloth. Spray paint and orange tulle to hang it (a touch of orange was one of the swap requirements). The hanger can be changed as needed. Cut the hardware cloth to fit. Hot glue it in the back of the frame. Spray paint the entire thing your favorite color. (yes, I keep both flat black and gloss black spray paint.) Knot your hanger in place. ( I have made many small versions of these with window screen wire to hang earrings on)

If you look closely you can see the hangars for notes etc. I made beaded drops on eye pins and attached them to the lobster claw clasps that I use for bracelets. The other end is attached to paper clips and a small binder clip for the little composition book. Simply clip the clasp to the grid and you have a quick note hanger. Magnets will hold against this wire backing too. I made several of the beaded hangers as part of the gift as well. I have a huge frame in the barn just waiting for this treatment to make a memo board for me. The picture in it was damaged so I bought it just for the frame.

I hope this post finds you all well. Tonight we buy the homecoming dress for the Senior. Have a wonderful day

Good Morning - World

Good Morning world - that seems funny to say, but I have blog readers from all over the world. It is a beautiful morning - its raining and damp and cool. Why is that beautiful? This is Georgia - southern USA - and we are in desperate need of the rain. I have been standing on the dock this morning, coffee in hand, talking with customers. The hair is wilted - makeup sparse and nobody cares - we are that desperate. Like better than 20" shy for the year.

I saw an interview this morning about the California wildfires - so much devastation. I lift up prayers for all involved. I especially pray for those fighting to get these under control. Vallen, Darla, Jen , Jenny - are you guys close to the fires? Are any of my readers close or have families affected?

The next picture is of one of my favorite ladies and her sister. They are cuddling two of the church babies at the shower last night.

Miss Jane on the left (holding baby Charlie) - Her sister Rea on the right (holding baby Maggie). Miss Jane and Her husband are church members - they are my favorite couple in the church. Miss Jane was a teacher and a reader and a wonderful lady - she has been diagnosed with macular degeneration and is now blind except for huge text and light and dark. Their marriage is absolutely beautiful. Mr Buddy is almost always right by her side. As someone approaches he will say Hello _______ so that Miss Jane can have immediate information about who is there. He has typed labels big enough for her to see on everything in their house. ( She was most upset about having to have help with baking.) When she gets ready to do anything - he lines up the ingredients in the right order - measured and ready. They both sing in the choir - he takes the lyrics of each song and types them in a text she can read and then binds them in a book she can then manage. He fixes her plate. He tells her where the step is. He holds her hand. He calles her the love of his life. She describes the handsome man she married and how miserable hot it was the day of the wedding better than 50 years ago. She still looks at him the same way. They give me and so many others the hope that lasting love and attraction is possible. I love this couple so much and they love every one of us back.

Now for more typical MaggieGrace goodies - Lizzy's first package disappeared in the US Postal system - and if you are a regular reader you know I created a new package. This is one of the items in the new package. (This was for the sweet and sinister swap hosted by Kari over at ArtsyMama) My interpretation of SINISTER. A mixed media collage on a prepared canvas board. Painted flat black. I then painted the witch on the back of a piece of vellum. I tore the witch and witchcraft pages from an old encyclopedia and smacked them together with YES paste. What you can't see in this picture is a trick on the surface of the moon. It is all textured - ribbed - and the black paint has bled through creating "shadows" on the surface. I attached the whole thing to the canvas with acrylic matte medium then covered it with plastic wrap while it dried. The acrylic medium bunches up to create the wrinkles and the slow drying allows the bleeding effect to occur. I learned this trick the hard way on another project - I think it's because the vellum doesn't breathe - but sometimes a mistake turns out to be a happy accident. The letters are stamped onto heavy paper and then a heavy coat of gloss finish painted over everything and sprinkled with my favorite glitter ever. This is glow-in-the-dark glitter. Charges in sunlight or incandescent light. then has that fun glow in the dark look. More tomorrow.

three weeks - right now i am on schedule at work - this is a very good thing.

Have a great day.

A cutie comes to live with me.....

Just look at her. The tag says "good little witch". Isn't she cute. This was my surprise at 11 pm last night when I got home from the volleyball matches. It's a part of my swap package from Lizzy in the artsymama sweet and sinister swap. I am loving this and the rest of it so much. More pictures tomorrow. Of everything but the chocolate. Most of it has already disappeared.
Thank you Lizzy.

The next picture is more than a little eerie. And something you will probably judge me for. (not really)

Our big old yellow and black garden spider. She lives by the dock doors at work. Yesterday the boys partially killed another kind of spider at the counter and we tossed it into the web. I have never watched a spider really attack prey before and it only took seconds for this one to complety disable and wrap the meal in a nice little ready to eat package. It was amazing to watch.

This spider has been by the door for weeks and was tiny when we first noticed her. We are very protective of her - even the pest control man has been warned. She is huge now. There are several more around the building. I also have several at home.

I will be posting more of the collaged pages from the professor's book once she gets her package. for now I leave you with one of the quotes....

The young may know all the rules. But we know the exceptions. anon.

I love the knowledge that I can live in some of these exceptions.

Have a wonderful day.

I have been crowned .....

I had a lovely surprise on the porch yesterday when I came home. A priority mail box from Nerissa. Back in the summer, I participated in the Crown and Tiara swap over at Holly Doodle Designs. My partner has had some health issues and was a little delayed in completing her swap to me. I am so glad she is doing better. Look at the crown that was in the package. Greens and creams and orange - all perfect colors for me. Loving this. I don't have a picture of all the lovelies she included with this but - there was a sceptor - a mini collage pack chok full of goodies - cards - bath salts - and so on. Even better, she included a soldered charm. A huge thank you to Nerissa for all the goodies.

After all that goodness, I was not ready for what my night would bring. Molly had to fill out Wendy's High School Heisman forms online. While she was doing that, we decided to tackle this...............

College propaganda. Lots and lots. She has been tucking it here and there for months. We drug it ALL into the living room and started dividing it into yes/no/maybe. Molly is an artist and I will tell you why she kept all this. (and why I agree with the idea) There is some serious collage material in these stacks. College brochures will give any advertising media a run for their money. There will be fodder for projects in this for a long time. These are well made on fabulous papers with incredible photography and graphic designs. I can see inspirations everywhere. All of the NO materials are being added to the cutting box that we all go to for various projects. (FYI - one of my favorite booklets was from the University of Chicago - the first 1/2 of the booklet was myths and legends of the Chicago area.)

I owe huge apologies to some of you who might be waiting for fun stuff from me. (like birthday gifts) I promise I will get caught back up. Life has attacked again. I also owe apologies to the CIP members - there has not been any fun mail - and I am not even gonna complete the dream list. I am so sorry.

The doll blanket did not place at the fair. Poorly displayed. It does not show well on a flat platform and my vintage bed was not allowed in the display. I will be building a new bed for the habitat auction. Oh well - you learn a tremendous amount from the judges forms. There was not a single negative comment on the construction or the design. Just that it could have been more effectively presented. Had I known that the vintage bed would not be allowed, I would have thrown together a foam core bed for the display - bought lesson. There will be more submitted materials in my future.

I do hope all of you have a wonderful day.