Did You Know....

....you can recycle infant car seats?  Yep, it's true.  I just read it over at The Snyder 5.  Molly Snyder does a regular post on recycling "cans" and "can'ts" and she just posted about this great company called Baby Earth that will accept all kinds of baby items like strollers, high chairs, and car seats and will recycle them.  It's free and you get a $5 gift certificate to Baby Earth.  They carry all kinds of eco and organic baby items.  Wow...this is really exciting!

image source

...that aprons are really big right now?  I posted about the adorable ones Starla had made.  And her and I have been adding all sorts of  "stuff" to our pile-to-keep at Ruth's Room to turn into too stinkin' cute aprons.  And....Disney over at Ruffles and Stuff just posted a tutorial on how to make an apron from a t-shirt.  Way Cute!  I love aprons and I think they add a bit of femininity and nostalgia that is so needed in this day and age.

image source

...Piper, the daughter of one of my besties had a well-written Letter to the Editor published in our local newspaper?   This girl is a testament to what a loving, stable, God-fearing, Christian family can accomplish if they set their minds to it.  Piper is a college freshman who was recently told by her Public Speaking teacher that she COULD NOT give a persuasive speech against abortion, although someone else in the class is being allowed to give a speech on the benefits of assisted suicide.  Piper decided to change the topic of her speech to the benefits of adoption.  And then she wrote this letter to our local paper.  Way to go, Piper!  You make us all proud.

image source

...that I'm so appreciative of all of you that read my ramblings and say prayers for me and my family and leave comments of encouragement and support on this blog?  You are all such a blessing and I thank God each day for those of you that have made me feel extra special.  I pray for blessings of heaven to rain down on each of you.

image source

I Am Surrounded By Geniuses

I don't know how I got so blessed...but God's ways are not my ways so who am I to try to figure it out?

I have to start by saying...it feels like  have been away forever!  You know I was busy for awhile helping Starla put together the fashion show for Ruth's Room (still waiting on the pics for that, ugh!)  Then I was attacked by a cold/flu bug that still has its little germs in me and while I was fighting that I had a dental emergency that required me to take antibiotics.  Which caused me to break out!  After spending $94 on them!  Now on a 2nd antibiotic and doing well.  The sun has been shining all week and I have been enjoying the time spent with BunBun.  Next big project?  The annual AWANA yard sale that I am spearheading.
Anyway...back to being blessed.

I've told you all about Gail and her amazing shoe-painting talent.  And I've told you about Roger and his amazing air-brush painting talent.  And now comes Starla and her amazing refashioned apron-making talent.

Gail recently bought a book/magazine called "Altered Couture." 

She brought it to Ruth's Room and we all oohed and aahed over the different projects.  Starla recently borrowed Gail's book and refashioned some military shirts into some adorable aprons.  Go check out her blog, ReFashioned Threads, and see for yourself.  And these amazing aprons are for sale! 

...now if I can just get some of this talent that surrounds me to rub off on me somehow....

Spring Flowers

Remember when I posted the tutorial for my fabric flowers and then I posted pics of the Bean and the flower headbands I made?  Well I have made another flower and turned it into a bracelet for Starla this time. 

I made this one really full; I used 8 circles of each size!  That's a total of 24 layers of fabric.  In the center is a 3-dimensional silver heart pendent (sorry I didn't get a better pic) that was from a bag of broken jewelry from my aunt.

Here is a pic of the back (another less-than-perfect pic).  I sewed the completed flower onto a length of black organza ribbon I had left over from some past project.  Evelyn, Starla's daughter, now wants one.  They are so easy to make!  I'm having tons of fun making them.  Have you tried one yet?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Even though Spring is still a ways off, the weather around here hasn't been too horrible.  With these fabric flowers though, I can make sure Spring is with me everywhere I go.  I was browsing around Artfire recently and come across some other lovely fabric flower creations I'd like to share with you.

First I would like to tell you about Tiffani at Cutienessers.  I did a search for fabric flowers and her shop was the first one I stopped by. 

I fell in love with her Cranberry Burgundy red fabric flower hair clip.  It's only $5!

And I'm dying over these stinkin' cute Ava mary jane baby shoe!  How cute would these be on Bean's feet when she takes her first steps?

What mom wouldn't be thrilled to get this adorable little Purple and green flower on stretchy lace headband for their new baby princess?

If you're dying for Spring to arrive, and can't wait another minute, head over to Cutienessers and order up yourself some Spring flowers.

Next I'd like to let you know about Khalliah Design.  While doing my fabric flower search at Artfire, I also found Caroline and her lovely creations.  As soon as I saw this gorgeous Set of 2 beige blossoms bobby pins, I knew I had to find out more about this artisan.

I'm also loving the rich colors of this Handmade orange and black blossom barrette and brooch.  Wouldn't this be perfect in your hair for a sunset barbecue or as a brooch for that special evening out?

You can also find some fabulous handcrafted jewelry made by Caroline.  My favorite are these unique

Emerald quartz earrings.  Aren't they fantastic?  And, my favorite color is green...perfect!

Go visit Khalliah Design and check out all the other wonderful pieces of jewelry and Spring flower finery and find that perfect item to make Spring arrive just a little bit early.

Shine

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

Philippians 2:12-18 (New International Version)

On Friday, (January 29, 2010) I had the opportunity to travel to Willits, California with my BFF Starla and three other women from my church family.  Melodee, the pastor's wife, Michelle, Pastor and Melodee's daughter, and Sandy, the church secretary. 

We hit the road about noon and arrived at our motel a couple of hours later.  Then we headed about 30 minutes further south so we could stop by Mendocino Barkery, the pet shop of Starla's uncle and then Walmart.  We exchanged cell numbers and then went our separate ways.  Starla and I headed off to look for dice for Bunco Night, (can you believe there was not one set of dice in this store?!?) and the fabric department.  Starla was looking for some very specific fabric for one of her book purses. We finally got someone to help us ( a very nice gentleman) and then we were on our way.

We were all starving by this time and had a couple of hours before we needed to back to Willits for the start of the Women's Advance Ministries conference.  We drove across the parking lot to Applebee's and headed in for some really good food.  I won't bore you with the details of what we had, but it was delicious. 

Left to right are Starla, Melodee, Michelle, Sandy, and yours truly.

(Seriously...why do people let me go out in public looking this way?)  I see a diet and lots of exercise in the future. Ha!

After dinner we headed back to Willits and Agape Bible Church.  After checking in we found our seats and settled in.  The first real treat of the evening was The Beaudettes.  These ladies are just too funny as they use the tunes of popular songs with changed words.  We loved them and were laughing till we cried.  Next up was the sweet Peggy Roloff. 

 She is an amazing woman and I feel blessed that I was able to hear her share her story.  She told us that the conference would be focusing on hope.  She shared a small portion of her history of getting married, having expectations of what family life would be like, and those expectations almost always are not what God deems is best for us.  The conference ended for the night with a yummy dessert of snicker-doodle stars with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, and a cherry on top.

Back at the motel, Michelle decided that she was going to use her flat iron on the bush that grows on top of my head...some people call it hair.  So while that heated up, we all got into our pj's and made the calls home to talk to hubbies.  Since the next day was Melodee's birthday, Starla gave her the gift she had been working on.  Melodee's favorite book is Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers so Starla made her a book purse using that book.

 It's a gorgeous purse and Melodee loved it.  I would also include pictures of the before and after of my hair, but Starla used her camera to take those so I don't have them. But if you really want to see the change...head over to Starla's and see for yourself.   Let me say...Flat Irons Are a Gift From God!  All I could say was "Wow" and "Oh my goodness."  Yeah, my life has changed.  Anyway...

The next morning I touched up my hair, we all got dressed and ready to go and headed to Starbuck's...yum.  Breakfast was being served at the conference, free of charge.  Then into the conference for three more sessions of worship songs, special music, and Peggy.  I wish I could tell you all I learned, but I'm still processing it and I think it will come out in other posts as that process takes place.

After the lunch break, and before the sessions started up again, we headed over to another part of the church where the Ministry Faire was taking place.  This was an area set up where various churches could display/inform others how their church ministers to others.  We did a display about Ruth's Room which Starla took down before I could snap a picture.

Since our display was right next to Ron and Peggy Roloff's I got a chance to talk to this amazing man.  He actually had lived just a few miles from there as a child.  He lived with an abusive uncle and when he finally got out of that situation he was badly malnourished.  God made a way for him to attend church and he accepted the gift of salvation through Jesus when he was 8 or 9.  Ron and Peggy have had many trials in their life, but they have such sweet spirits.  I really don't think they have ever met a stranger.

As the day ended, we headed out to the car to see this.

Another reminder that God is who He says He is and He always keeps His promises.  After stopping at Safeway for gas, we headed home.  I was home by 8:00 that night and was greeted by my sweet hubby telling me I am beautiful.....only because of God.  It was a great weekend.

All Kinds of Fun

I have many things to talk about today....in no particular order.  None of them really warrant their own post, (ok, who am I kidding?  I could write a whole post on one of these people/issues but...never mind) and so I thought I would just sort of lump them together.

~~I'd like you to meet Mabel.  She has recently started an online shop with her very dear friend Millie.  Their little shop is called Millie and Mabel's Fantastic Finds.  They specialize in vintage items and one-of-a-kind creations made from repurposed materials.  If you happen to stop by their little shop on the corner, please let them know I sent you.

~~Johnny Depp has just signed on to make a Pirates 4 movie...alas, Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightly feel it is beneath them to appear in another Pirate movie.  Oh well, more of Capt. Jack Sparrow on the screen I say.  Johnny also recently announced he will appear in a Lone Ranger movie as Tonto.  Up next though is Alice in Wonderland in which Johnny portrays the Mad Hatter.  It opens March 5....yippppeeeee!  What is your favorite Johnny Depp role?  I can't really say I have a fave...although I can tell you, Willy Wonka is my least fave.  It does grow on me the more I watch it, but I think Gene Wilder will always be my favorite Willy Wonka. For a slide show of Johnny (swoon) you can go here.

Beyond cool.

~~For a great run down of all the ways to eat hot dogs, head over to Starla's and read Hot Diggity.  I promise you will laugh.

~~And if you haven't yet entered my giveaway for an adorable, on-of-a-kind, out of this world, bra purse...Whatcha' waitin' for?

Wear it Again

Yesterday Starla and I spent most of the day trying to get one item listed on etsy.  The short of it is....pictures needed resizing...blah blah blah.  Here is the one item we got listed; a green velvet dress.  After the fiasco of trying to get that listed and hearing stories from Garrett (her adorable 3 year old) about Fred the Flug/Slug, we were ready to come up with a different plan.  Starla then listed a couple pair of vintage pants on her blog.  The model is her wonderful daughter, Evelyn.  Then, after doing duty at Ruth's Room, locking both sets of my sister's keys in her car, and picking up my granddaughter, we called it a day, or so I thought.

At about 9:30 pm Starla calls me and we decide to start a blog solely for maketing our vintage finds.  What to call it?  We tossed out several, some were already taken, by people who decide to take a great name and then blog once a year and a half ago.  Then we played with some name generators and got a serious case of the giggles when we got names like gouyat rhoyou and shayrta treanosiuy.  So....finaly we decied on Edith and Marjorie.  Our alter egos, our inner old ladies, our vintage gurus. 

Stay tuned for that unveiling!

Sunday Scriptures...and Some Other Stuff

+ +One of the things I really want to accomplish this year is to draw closer to GOD.  Many of you are making the same commitment.  I don't like to use the word "resolutions" because even though I am "resolving" to change something, I think of it as something that may or may not happen.  If I tell myself I am going to do it, then I feel better about it. 

Being in the center of GOD's will is part of drawing closer to Him.  I would like to share a few points of my pastor's sermon from this morning.  His sermon was titled "Thy Will Be Done in 2K10."  The scripture for this sermon is The Lord's Prayer.  Many of us have said this prayer many times, but have we really thought about the words we are saying.  "Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.  Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven."  We all know that GOD is the final authority in heaven.  HE should also be the final authority in our lives.  By seeking to be in GOD's will we are asking to be molded and shaped into what He wants us to be.  We are saying, "Lord, regardless of any pain and suffering, I want to follow the plan you have for me."  We are also saying, " Father, no matter where you lead me, I will follow."  As we pray these things, we can rest assured that we will be blessed and we will glorify the name of Christ.  Sometimes we have to go through things that are no fun and require sleepless nights.  But we can rest assured that as we follow His plan and speak His words, He will be glorified and we will be lifted up to the Father. 

"So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;

It shall not return to Me void,

But it shall accomplish what I please,

And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."

~Isaiah 55:11

 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.  The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’  And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’  I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted"

~Luke 18:10-14

A quote from Oswald Chambers that I think goes well with finding and doing GOD's will :

A saint's life is in the hands of God as a bow and arrow in the hands of an archer. God is aiming at something the saint cannot see; He stretches and strains, and every now and again the saint says, I cannot stand any more. But God does not heed; He goes on stretching until His purpose is in sight, then He lets fly.

+ + Over at ReFashioned Threads, Starla is hosting a terrific giveaway!  It is for one of her t-shirt throws and each of her followers will contribute the shirts.  Go check it out and if you aren't already a follower, become one so you can get in on this fantastic chance for a one-of-a-kind blanket/throw!

+ + If you haven't noticed, there is a poll to the right of this post.  I would really appreciate it if you would take a minute and answer it for me.  I really want to accomplish more with this blog and I need your help to do so.  So take a sec and answer it, k?

Happy New Year & Giveaway Update

Happy 2010!  How is it possible that it is 2010 already?  Weren't we all just worrying about the Y2K bug not too long ago?  Time marches on, I guess.

Last night BunBun and I hosted the appetizer portion of our church's progressive dinner.  It was a wet and stormy night, but there were still plenty of people who stopped by to taste the goodies.  (Thanks Lee's and Dunker's for your help!)  Then it was off to the Teasley's (Starla and Garry's) for all kinds of yummy soups.  We sampled Clam Chowder, Split Pea, Hearty Hamburger Soup, and Arron Lee provided a Seafood and Tomato Bisque.  We all piled into our cars as all the kids went whooping it up into the empty streets (aren't other people's kids hilarious?) and headed off to the Walters' home.  Imagine BunBun and my surprise when we pulled up in front of the house my best friend lived in during high school?  (Cue Wayne's World do-do-do- do music and Garth and Wayne doing the squiggly line dream sequence thingy)

Many, many, many nights and days were spent here hanging out with my friend and her boyfriend.  Anyway, we had delicious spaghetti and french bread in Jim and Kathy's lovely home before heading off to the church for dessert.
We finished off the night eating dessert and laughing with friends.  Then we gathered together and prayed out the old year and prayed in the new.  It was a great time.  As a side note, coffee, sparkling cider chocolate, and other gooey desserts CAN give you some sort of hangover.  I'm definitely feeling icky today.

Before I get to the giveaway, I just want to mention a little bit of fame that came our way a couple days ago.  Starla is the director of an outreach program at our church called Ruth's Room.  Our local NBC affiliate, KIEM TV has a weekly spot on the newscast called Spirit of the Northcoast.  It highlights local people that help others,provide services, etc. for the county.  Well, Ruth's Room was blessed to be chosen as this past week's spot.  A lovely new reporter named Ramona came down and interviewed Starla and some other volunteers (yours truly included) for the spot.  It was fun and we hope it will help us reach more people.  We have saved approximately 60 tons of clothing and household items from the landfill in the nearly 3 years we have been open.  Here is the link to the broadcast.

And now.....for the giveaway.  I will be posting it in a couple days, but I wanted to give you a little preview of what it will include.  There will be a couple's devotional book written by James Dobson, some candles, and a large monogram of the winning person's choice.  I'm going to make one of my initial to demonstrate before I post it.  Hope you will all enter and spread the word to your friends and readers as well. 

On this day, 147 years ago, President Abraham Lincold signedthe Emancipation Proclamation.

Now I'm off to help BunBun take down the Christmas tree and get started on that monogram.

Monogram Me!

According to Merriam Webster's Online Dictionary, a monogram is defined as "a sign of identity usually formed of the combined initials of a name."    For the last several years, monograms have been popping up all over the place.  They have always been popular on shirts, handkerchiefs, and stationery.  However, now they can be found on purses, jewelry, shoes, and as art.

 When I got married last year I started my own little obsession with monograms.   I took the last name of Rose a year and a half ago and so I have been on the look out for that unique "R" that may be lurking here or there.  When I got married, Starla made our cake for us (THANKS!)  and the top was a monogram "R" in the center with a  "K" on one side for BunBun whose name happens to be Ken and a "C" for me on the other side.   I don't have many in my collection yet.  In fact, I have 3 to date.  One is a silver Christmas ornament decked out with rhinestones, one is a black and white graphic magnetic "R" I picked up at Tar-zhay for $1 and the other is a wooden R I found and covered with Wallies from the Dollar Tree.

So I thought I would take a look around Etsy and Artfire and see what other artisans and craftisans were doing in the way of initials and monograms.  Here are a few that I found.

YellowDogStudio over at Etsy is one of the first places I stopped.  This studio focuses on reclaimed, recycled, and restored items.  In the shop owner's words, "The material I use is reclaimed, recycled from a previous life or discarded and heading for the landfill. Very little goes to waste as smaller and smaller projects are created to minimize the waste."  This is something I believe in as well.  I especially liked the "R" that this shop offered.  It's made from aged cedar and reclaimed plywood.  It is a white "R" on  a black background and would fit perfectly in my primitive decorating scheme.  Go check it out for yourself!


Inspirations by Faith is another Etsy shop I found.  This shop owner offers more than just monograms and there were lots of items in the shop I liked.  But what really caught my eye?  This wood plaque that is customizeable to your specific intial.  Faith Morgan, the shop owner, has elevated a lowly letter to a work of art with the use of aged-looking background paper and the right paints.  The lovely ribbon hanger gives it the perfect touch of class.  Faith also promises a quick turnaround time once you have placed your order.  I have already added this shop to my favorites.  Make sure you do the same.
 
themixshop over at Artfire is stocked full of fabulous finds.  Eclectic and vintage items are this shop's specialty.  I found lots to like here.  What I fell in love with were these adorable tiny initial charm necklaces.  While not vintage, they have the vintage look to them and they would look great with tee shirt and jeans or dressed up for a night on the town. Go take a look and I'll bet you find something you love at themixshop.
 
Kountry Girl Boutique is an Artfire studio whose owner lives in Florida and loves polka dots.  (My kind of girl!)  Everything in this studio is adorable and perfect for the initial/monogram lover.  I especially like the Intial with Scroll Door Sign.  The black with ivory scroll design is simple yet classy.  Your choice of paint color for the initial lets you make sure it fits in with your decor.  The letter"P" featured in this example is a lovely mint green and I do love green.  Head on over and check this studio out today!
 
Affordable Cake Toppers   is one of the last Artfire studios I stopped by.  If I didn't have an uber-talented friend like Starla, I would have headed here to get the top for my wedding cake.  These toppers are classy and lightweight.  The aren't made from plastic or wood.  They are metal and the prongs used to attach to your cake can be removed.  Once the prongs are removed you can display your new monogram in your home.  Three styles of monograms are available from this shop based in Michigan.  There is the plain metal, the vintage with crystals and the custom with crystals.  They are all gorgeous and would fit perfectly for a special anniversary cake as well.  My personal favorite is, of course, the vintage with crystals.  It just exudes elegance and class.  This is definitely one shop you want to visit if you will be needing a cake topper in the future.
 
I'm in love with monograms.  I put them on my Christmas wish list and I have been busily making initial Christmas ornaments.  (THAT post to follow soon!)  If you don't yet have a love/obsession/addiction with monograms, I hope by stopping by these shops and studios will at least spark an interest for you.  They are a simple, classic, artsy way to add a little personal touch to your home.

A Tutorial...Sort of

So, as you may or may not know, Starla and I just completed a 3-day craft show in Eureka at the Runeberg Lodge.  While we didn't do as well as we had hoped, (still trying to come up with the secret to success) we did make some new friends and won some great items. 

One of the new friends we made is Naomi of Merchant of Venus.  She is a hometown girl who makes wonderful and fun knitted items.  Go check out her Etsy shop and give her some love.

One of the new items Starla and I featured at this show was our Rebuttoned Flowers.  They went over fairly well and we sold several.  Here is the tutorial on how to make them.  Starla did a wonderful job of explaining the whole thing.

If you think you can't come up with one of these on your own, try it.  If it still doesn't come out the way you like, give either of us a holler and we will be happy to send one your way at a deal you can't beat.

At the End of the Day....

What really matters is that you have done the right thing and brought glory to GOD.  I'm still recovering from a marathon week of crafting and preparing for more upcoming craft sales.  Refashioned Threads creator, Starla, and I are partners in this new craft adventure I'm on.  Many of you already know this. Right now, I'm too tired to analyze today's experiences or post pics.  I do promise to do so by Monday afternoon.  I do know that I'm following God's plan and that's all that matters.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:17

You Look Beat, Cindi

That's what Starla just said. And even though I haven't looked in a mirror for the last several hours, I'm sure she's right.  We have been at this "Nightmare Before the Craft Show," since about 9 am.  Tomorrow is the big day.  Our first show of the holiday season.  We also just found out we got accepted to a juried show in Redding, California next weekend.  It will be held at Simpson College. (Sorry there are no links, but I'm tired and will have to add them later.)  I'm sitting in Starla's craft room and she is busily ironing on the back of a t-shirt.  We put Tally's Place & ReFashioned Threads on the  back of two shirts, one for me and one for her.  I'm so excited that I'm beginning to ramble.  So for now I'll say goodnight and I'll be back tomorrow to update you on the success of tomorrow's show.  If you're in Fortuna, stop by the Vets' Building and see us.

Only 3 Days LEFT!!!

Oh. My. Goodness.  There are only 3 days left until the craft fair.  Am I ready?   Do I have enough items to sell?  Do I have items people want to buy?  What have I gotten myself into?  UGH!  These are all questions that I'm sure have answers, but I'm just too busy to think about them right now.  Ok, maybe I will think about them for just a minute. 

Am I ready?  I think so.  Starla and I have done lots of research, planning, and crafting.  I'm sure there are still a few bugs to work out, but overall, I think we are better prepared than the last time.

Do I have enough items to sell? I don't know if you can ever have enough.  We want our space to look full and I don't think we have so many items that it will look too full.

Do I have items people want to buy? If I saw the items I have made at a craft fair, I would want to buy them.  This is of course after I thought, "I could make that myself."

What have I gotten myself into?  Well, I couldn't ask for a better business partner or a better friend.  Even if this craft business thing turns into a total bust, WHICH IT WON'T, I will be a better person than I was before Starla became my partner in crime.  I have learned from her and have laughed more since she came into my life.  What more could I ask for?

So while I'm still thinking and feeling like UGH! I'm excited for what this weekend holds.  If you are a local, stop by and see what Starla and I have come up with.  Say hi and tell us what you think.  Hope to see you there.

Holiday Craft Fair

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Fortuna Veterans' Building

Main Street, Fortuna, CA

9 AM - 5 PM

A Little.....

Today I spent the day at Starla's.  We have a craft show coming up in less than a week at the Fortuna Veterans' Building.  So while she worked on a book purse and some sexy kilt-inspired Christmas stockings, I did research on steampunk.  If you haven't heard of steampunk fashion, you need to investigate.  It's fantastic!  It basically started out as a sub-genre of science fiction, but it is more than that.  Look for yourself.  Anyway, we have decided to include some steampunk items (like these) in our repertoire.  That's how we spent the morning.  And drinking cranberry-chocolate coffee.  Then after lunch we set to work making these adorable little wooden block phrases (which I don't have a picture of...sorry).  I promise to post pics soon.  They are blocks of wood, each with one letter on it. They say things like, "A Little (on one block) S-M-I-L-E. So cute!  We made these and drank more coffee.  This time Pumplin Spice Latte's from Jitterbean courtesy of Rosie and Chris. We finshed up a little before 10 pm. And here I am making sure I get a post written today.  I'm tired and excited.  I really felt the creativity kick in today....or the caffeine.

Fortuna's Apple Harvest Festival

It's that time of year again.  Fortuna's Apple Harvest Festival will take place Saturday, October 3rd in Fortuna, Ca.  I'm so excited to say that for the first time ever I will be taking part in the craft show taking place in downtown Fortuna on Main Street.  Starla and I will be selling our hand-crafted goodies for all to enjoy.  We've been busy putting in late nights to get lots of lovlies ready for all of you.  We are really excited as sometimes the creative juices are flowing so fast and free we have a hard time turning it off at night so we can sleep!  We will be selling LITTLE GIRL TUTUS, (they are adorable, by the way), Starla's gorgeous  BOOK PURSES, my HOLIDAY PENNANT BANNERS,  and LOTS OF OTHER STUFF.  The festival  is a time for the community to come together to celebrate the harvest of apples from Clendenan's, a local apple orchard (96 12th St., Fortuna).  It's also really the start of the holiday craft fair season.  It's always fun to see people after the summer, catch up, and see what other crafters have been up to.  Tractors pulling hay wagons ferry people from one location to another (for free!) since there are different types of activities in different locations around town.  I'm looking forward to seeing old friends and maybe making some new ones.  I hope you will be able to stop by the Apple Harvest Festival and enjoy some of Clendenan's cider.  Look for Starla and me on Main Street in downtown Fortuna. 

 If you stop by and mention this blog post, you will be receiving a special free gift from me! 

See ya there, Saturday, October 3rd!

a-crafting we will go....

so...aside from the D-R-A-M-A that took place this weekend, it was a good few days. now i'm about to head downstairs to sit with BunBun and watch t.v. and craft. what will i be crafting you ask? a cute little bird ornament made from felt. i'm making him/her ( i haven't decided which yet) for a swap on swap-bot. if it turns out well, i will post a tutorial. if it doesn't turn out well, i'll be posting pics of a craft disaster. haha. and what will BunBun and i be watching for our viewing pleasure? A docu-drama called "Manson" on the History channel. Doesn't that give you the warm fuzzies? Well, i'm off.... hope little birdie turns out well.

oh and P.S. if you haven't checked out Starla's blog ReFashioned Threads yet, go do it... NOW! she is hosting a fun giveaway.

Starla Has a Blog!!!

Yeah for one of my besties, Starla! She just started a blog yesterday and i'm so excited for her and you! For her, 'cause i've been encouraging her to do it for awhile & for you cause she is giving away one of her gorgeous hand-crafted cards. Her blog is called ReFashioned Threads and you really must go check it out. Her post about her card giveaway is here. Go check out her blog and tell her I sent you.

my birthday purse

when you get to be my age, birthdays are not that big a deal. i mean i don't care how old i am, because i feel very young and better than i did when i was younger emotionally and mentally. you just don't do the big celebrations, and family and friends usually call or send a card with their birthday wishes. my daughters and my mom had lunch with me on my b-day at our favorite restaurant, Hunan, in Fortuna and it was nice to be able to just sit and talk with them and not feel the rush of life. my mom gave me this adorable vintage winnie-the-pooh book ( I ADORE pooh!) and i brought my grandbaby home to spend the night with her oma and opa. it was a nice day and we loved having a little one all night even though we were exhausted the next day. so....imagine my surprise when i showed up at Ruth's Room yesterday morning ready to sort through the bags of donations and Starla (grace and beauty abound in her) had a birthday package for me. let me just say that Starla is one of the most amazing people i know and i love her more than i can say. i have been trying to get her to open an etsy shop or an artfire studio and she is just about ready so when she does, you know i will be sounding the trumpet. okay, back to the package. so i opened the first one and it was a book that my Nana had owned waaaaaaay back, probably before i was born. the cover had been replaced and blinged up by Starla. i thought "oh that is soo sweet" but there was more! I opened the second package to find a book purse! made by Starla! with the cover of my Nana's book! it is adorable, gorgeous and perfect! Starla took something that i didn't know existed and made it into a double treasure. something made by her from something that will remind me of the awesome faith and strength of my Nana every time i use it. Starla, I love you and can't thank you enough...xxxooo p.s. Starls's creations are called "Refashioned Threads." you can see the name stitched on the inside of my purse in the second photo. and that eiffel tower print on the inside, BEAUTIFUL. i used to dream of going to paris....still maybe someday.

my "new" lamp

i recently picked up this old goose-neck lamp for the unheard of price of $0.00 and just couldn't pass it up. i had a vision of a white lamp perched on my desk so i could craft at night without having to use the overhead light. BunBun said he would sand it and paint it for me if i paid him a $1, so of course i quickly counted out some change (mostly pennies) and placed them in his hot little hands. i think it turned out quite well and i have already used it many times. oh, and by the way, don't you think BunBun is rather handsome? and he didn't really make me pay him a dollar, he does things for me cause i'm the spoiled queen.