Finished and Mailed

Whew! I finally finished my Valentine swap package and mailed it off to Bryanna. She requested pastels as her color choice, with lavender being a favorite. She's also a fan of Alice in Wonderland, so I tried to incorporate Alice as a theme. I had fun using a color I don't usually work with and really enjoyed hunting for little treasures to put in the boxes I decorated. I'm looking forward to receiving my package from Bryanna, as she's a wonderful artist and I just love her blog. Check it out: http://www.thecanaryscupcake.blogspot.com/

I need to start posting more! I've won a giveaway from Craftypod ( www.craftypod.com) that I want to show, and I've recently purchased some fun stuff from Etsy I'd like to share. More posting in 2010! I have a goal to have a giveaway too!

Heartfelt

I made these tussies for a Valentine swap last year. I'm so excited about getting started on my crafting for this year's swap. I've got some ideas, but I need to wait until my partner is assigned so I can make everything to her taste and color. When Lori and I wandered the antique shops last week, I was looking for smalls and sewing/crafting items. I found a few things, but I need to go back and really dig around for some "romantic" items for the Valentine theme.

I finally got all the Christmas decorations and supplies put away. It's been so cold I don't really want to keep going up in the storage area so I worked quickly! There's still so many boxes to go through since the move. With all the painting and remodeling going on, it's better to just leave things packed. At least that's what I say until I try to find something.

I'm hoping I don't get called in to work this week so I can really get focused on making things. After all, that is my new year's resolution: get organized and get busy!

New Year, New Swap!

I've signed up for a Valentine swap! I've been so busy and distracted this year with the sale of our house and moving into the new project that I've not been crafting as much as I'd like. I had lots of orders for crowns and wands, so that satisfied my creative urges but I'm ready to try a little something else in between. Go check out Cathy's blog to see if there are any openings left (I posted her button on the right.)

I've been working on organizing my craft room and the addition of a full wall of Ikea cubbies has helped quite a bit. I was pleasantly surprised when my husband volunteered to go pick up the huge Expedit unit. It has five cubbies up and five across - lots of storage. I could easily fill another one, but I'm trying to keep the non-essentials packed up and upstairs so I have some room to move around.

This is my new year's resolution: Get organized and get busy making stuff!

Neighbor Envy

The picture above is from my neighbor Debbie's home. You must visit her blog www.oldblushatelier.blogspot.com. She has the most amazing home, decorated in such elegance and beautiful colors that I can't believe my pitiful little place is just around the bend from hers. When we moved here, I was worried I'd never know the neighbors, since our houses are spaced so widely. It's very rural. Luckily, Debbie's mom and dad are our closest neighbors and came over to introduce themselves right away. They are just the kind of neighbors everyone needs. When I discovered Vi's daughter was Debbie, who is a friend of my best friend Lori, I was thrilled. I had heard about her lovely home, and how nice she was. When Lori told me Debbie was having a tag sale, I got to go over and meet her and her darling husband Alan. They couldn't have been nicer and showed me inside their amazing home. It is my dream home. It is far too elegant for our lifestyle, but it is my dream home. Debbie has such an eye for color and detail, and Alan has done work that is to die for. I hope I can learn from her and when I can finally decorate this humble little house of mine, some of her taste rubs off on me!

I didn't even put up a tree this year, so no holiday pics from me yet. Our house is just not ready for photos! I did put up a little vignette on my dresser of bottle brush trees and some vintage ornaments I received from Laurie (Magpie Ethel) last year. It makes me smile before I turn off the lights every night. Merry Christmas everyone!

Better, No Longer Bitter

O.K. - I'm feeling better about the house. Thanks April and Joyce! I've picked out the paint colors and new carpet. Once I get it cleaned up and painted, I think I'll be better. My husband has outlined all the plans and I think it's going to look pretty good. The best part is that it will be completely paid for and we won't have any mortage payment. Financially, that will ease the pressure and allow for more choices. Less pressure, happier family!

I sent off a new batch of crowns and wands to Janice and that always makes me feel productive. I had to get this bunch made and sent quickly since my "craft cave" had to be packed up. She requested some country themed crowns and wands for a specific event they are attending. I hope Janice and Becky like the gingham and western ones I made. I used vintage wall paper on a couple and they turned out great - very saturated colors.

I started making these wands as a way to uplift Janice's spirit. I can't help but be uplifted and inspired while I'm gluing and glittering away. I think of the smiles on the women who wear these crowns and wave these wands while having fun and building the "Sisterhood," and I can't help but smile myself.

I am Bitter

This is my new crappy house. A modular foreclosure on 2 acres of meh. There will be some MAJOR renovations and additions happening post haste if my darling husband wants to live with a woman not best described as bitter and depressed.

The first thing should be the full length covered front porch with raised flower beds next to new cute stairs. Those wooden trailer steps have got to go immediately! Here in the south, a covered porch is necessary so you can hang boston ferns along the front. I had no idea you could grow those things outdoors until we moved here.

The vinyl siding will be replaced and a carport/garage added. New shutters and gutters. On the inside, lots of paint and new carpet to start. Oh well - I'm just glad we found a home within my daughter's school boundaries. There wasn't much to choose from and we only had 7 days 'till we had to be out of the farm. This new house will do until Chloe's off to college. But after this, the next house better be damned near perfect. I'm trying not to be bitter.

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pots

I found the pictures! These are some photos from my best friend Janice Patterson's "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pots" soy candle parties. She has such an amazing spirit and is one of those people others are just drawn to. As my friend Lori said, "I'd go anywhere and do anything with her 'cause she's just so much fun!" It's true, and I've been lucky enough to have her in my life for the past 29 years. If I ever move back to California, I'm heading to Atascadeo/Paso Robles. She's a forever friend, true as the sky is blue and the most giving person I've ever known. Love you Janice!!