If you want to see more Wordless Wednesday go to http://www.wordlesswednesday.com
There is some really fun stuff.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Wordless Wednesday: Goofballs
If you want to see more Wordless Wednesday go to http://www.wordlesswednesday.com
There is some really fun stuff.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Crafty Tuesday... A day early
So this past weekend we had two birthday parties to attend. The first was for a three-year-old girly-girl and the second was for a four-year-old princess with more than a splash of tomboy thrown in the mix.
For the girly-girl I repurposed an old cigar box. I painted it pink and decoupaged a bird that I designed on to the top. Next I used dimensional paint to add yellow polka dots and trimmed the edge with a pink boa (that I hope won't shed too much. I decked out the inside with paper and ribbon to cover the cigar motif. I used a round bead and a ribbon loop for a closure. I was pretty happy with how it turned out.
For my tomboy I used an un-finished box from Michael's. Apparently cigar boxes are becoming harder to get hold of. I painted it metallic purple. I only did one coat so it looked more like stain. I added a cutesy caterpillar made from paper scraps, a pipe cleaner for a stick, a bead for a nose and, of course, some googly eyes. I trimmed the top with some white, fuzzy fiber that I made a chain out of (don't know what else to call it). My son then decided we should add some beads so we did. I left the inside of this one plain since it was clean of any advertising.
Both girls seemed happy with these and I had fun making them. Next it's on to some more decoupaged frames for a friend. Man, I love glue! :)
Hope some of you are out there being crafty as well.
For the girly-girl I repurposed an old cigar box. I painted it pink and decoupaged a bird that I designed on to the top. Next I used dimensional paint to add yellow polka dots and trimmed the edge with a pink boa (that I hope won't shed too much. I decked out the inside with paper and ribbon to cover the cigar motif. I used a round bead and a ribbon loop for a closure. I was pretty happy with how it turned out.
For my tomboy I used an un-finished box from Michael's. Apparently cigar boxes are becoming harder to get hold of. I painted it metallic purple. I only did one coat so it looked more like stain. I added a cutesy caterpillar made from paper scraps, a pipe cleaner for a stick, a bead for a nose and, of course, some googly eyes. I trimmed the top with some white, fuzzy fiber that I made a chain out of (don't know what else to call it). My son then decided we should add some beads so we did. I left the inside of this one plain since it was clean of any advertising.
Both girls seemed happy with these and I had fun making them. Next it's on to some more decoupaged frames for a friend. Man, I love glue! :)
Hope some of you are out there being crafty as well.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Change Your Life Thursday
So... I'm still working on figuring out what it is I should be doing with my life. This past week I had some very telling reactions to a couple of different events.
First: I was having a terrible day. I can't pinpoint any one thing that was irritating me. I was just in a bad mood. I went through most of the day in that mood. I knew I couldn't have been too much fun for ANYONE to be around. Finally, we got the kids to bed and I could think. I sat down, still in a foul mood, and began working on a birthday present for a friend. I was painting and gluing. Everything got better. I didn't become 'perky' by any means but I felt way better.
Second: My friend Jen is finishing up a degree in nursing. As a part of one of her classes she needs to work on a community development type project. She's thinking of setting up a story time for a group of families who are refugees from Burma. She asked for my help. The ideas for that have been flowing ever since. She still needs to get it approved but if she does we'll be on our way.
I guess that I have learned that, yes, I truly do love making things and that I have a real passion for sharing stories and art with others. Now I just have to figure out how to make all of that relatively lucrative for me. It still feels like a pretty big step for me. Like I may be narrowing in on a direction.
How are the rest of you doing?
First: I was having a terrible day. I can't pinpoint any one thing that was irritating me. I was just in a bad mood. I went through most of the day in that mood. I knew I couldn't have been too much fun for ANYONE to be around. Finally, we got the kids to bed and I could think. I sat down, still in a foul mood, and began working on a birthday present for a friend. I was painting and gluing. Everything got better. I didn't become 'perky' by any means but I felt way better.
Second: My friend Jen is finishing up a degree in nursing. As a part of one of her classes she needs to work on a community development type project. She's thinking of setting up a story time for a group of families who are refugees from Burma. She asked for my help. The ideas for that have been flowing ever since. She still needs to get it approved but if she does we'll be on our way.
I guess that I have learned that, yes, I truly do love making things and that I have a real passion for sharing stories and art with others. Now I just have to figure out how to make all of that relatively lucrative for me. It still feels like a pretty big step for me. Like I may be narrowing in on a direction.
How are the rest of you doing?
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Wordless Wednesday: The Artists in the House
I know that one picture is worth a thousand words but I like to talk... A LOT.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Books I LOVE
I am a reader. I always have been. I was that kid that got in trouble for having the lights on after bed time. I used to walk to the local library in Elyria and scour the shelves. I loved the Boxcar Children, Paddington, Snowbound with Betsy and, for whatever reason, Art Linkletter's Kids' Say the Darndest Things series.
I still love books and have started a couple different book clubs. Last I knew the one I started at the University of Mississippi was still up and running. I have one now on FaceBook if you're interested. Just look up 'Our Very Own Book Club'.
Anyway, here is a list of some of my current and all-time favorites.
I still love books and have started a couple different book clubs. Last I knew the one I started at the University of Mississippi was still up and running. I have one now on FaceBook if you're interested. Just look up 'Our Very Own Book Club'.
Anyway, here is a list of some of my current and all-time favorites.
Geek Love by Katherine Dunn: This one is not for the feint of heart. It's about a couple who decide to create their own freak show by doing WHATEVER they can to give birth to natural born freaks. Let's just say that Olympia, the narrator, is one of their more normal children and she is a bald, albino, hunchback dwarf.
Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins: This epic tale is one I need to read again soon. One man finds the elixir of eternal life. This is his journey and the journey for his one true love.
Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson: This is a kids book and is a new favorite. It's the prequel to Peter Pan. Peter starts off the story as an orphan who is being put on a ship with a few other orphans. He has no idea what the reason is. You learn how Peter comes to find Neverland, how he learns to fly and even how Captain Hook becomes Captain Hook. It's the first in a series and I hope to read the rest soon.
Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff Christ's Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore: Anyone who knows me knows that this is one of my all time favorites. In this one Biff, best friend to Joshua (Jesus), is brought back to write his version of things that happened. This one is laugh out-loud funny. You find out what happens in all those years the bible misses. By the end, whatever your thoughts on who Jesus of Nazareth was I think you'll hope he really did have a friend like this. Also my favorite Mary Magdeline interpretation.
Prom Dates from Hell by Rosemary Clement Moore: I started reading this series because the author comes into the Barnes and Noble I work at. I absolutely ADORE it. It's about a girl who wants to ignore the fact that she's psychic but when she starts getting wierd visions she knows she has to act... Even if that means going to the dreaded prom. It sort of makes me think of Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Heathers (Mean Girls for those of you to young to remember Heathers). I read Twilight and didn't care for it. I thought that what's her name was a bit winey and helpless. None of that in here. Much stronger female lead. It restored my faith in good teen fiction!
I guess that's enough of my ranting for now. Maybe I have inspired you to read something new or re-read something old.
If you love books don't forget to share your love by donating books to organizations that can get them into the hands of kids and teens. Some young people never ever own a book!
Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins: This epic tale is one I need to read again soon. One man finds the elixir of eternal life. This is his journey and the journey for his one true love.
Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson: This is a kids book and is a new favorite. It's the prequel to Peter Pan. Peter starts off the story as an orphan who is being put on a ship with a few other orphans. He has no idea what the reason is. You learn how Peter comes to find Neverland, how he learns to fly and even how Captain Hook becomes Captain Hook. It's the first in a series and I hope to read the rest soon.
Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff Christ's Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore: Anyone who knows me knows that this is one of my all time favorites. In this one Biff, best friend to Joshua (Jesus), is brought back to write his version of things that happened. This one is laugh out-loud funny. You find out what happens in all those years the bible misses. By the end, whatever your thoughts on who Jesus of Nazareth was I think you'll hope he really did have a friend like this. Also my favorite Mary Magdeline interpretation.
Prom Dates from Hell by Rosemary Clement Moore: I started reading this series because the author comes into the Barnes and Noble I work at. I absolutely ADORE it. It's about a girl who wants to ignore the fact that she's psychic but when she starts getting wierd visions she knows she has to act... Even if that means going to the dreaded prom. It sort of makes me think of Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Heathers (Mean Girls for those of you to young to remember Heathers). I read Twilight and didn't care for it. I thought that what's her name was a bit winey and helpless. None of that in here. Much stronger female lead. It restored my faith in good teen fiction!
I guess that's enough of my ranting for now. Maybe I have inspired you to read something new or re-read something old.
If you love books don't forget to share your love by donating books to organizations that can get them into the hands of kids and teens. Some young people never ever own a book!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Change your Life Thursday
1) Lose 20 lbs. ( I know it should be more but you gotta start somewhere)
2) Focus on my craft business and get it running
3) Apply to school
4) Blog
5) Organize my craft crap
6) Get my novel completely fleshed out
7) Do more things for myself
8) Go to church more
SO, it's been a week since I posted my list of things I want to work on in the next year. I've worked on some things and ignored others. I promised I'd keep ya updated so here we go.
I've been thinking a lot about my crafting. I'm reading a book called "Crafty Superstar" on my breaks at work. I'm finding it really motivating and full of some great ideas. I would have NEVER thought about astro-turf as a table covering for a craft fair. It's got me thinking outside the box a bit.
After talking to my friend Heather I started a FaceBook group called 'Craft-Tacular'. I'm hoping that it will draw a group of crafters that will help keep me motivated as well as teach me a few things. And, yes, I know it's a crappy name but it's all I could come up with! :) If you're interested look it up!
I'm not 100% sure that school is REALLY what's right for me but I am looking into it. I'm reading "What Color Is Your Parachute 2010" that I checked out from the library. I'm trying to complete the workbook portion to maybe give me a bit of a direction at least. There's not been anything too surprising but it's got me thinking in directions that I hadn't thought about before. For example, teaching is something that pops up every now and again. I don't think I'm cut out to be a traditional teacher but I could teach small groups some craft techinques or even host craft parties.
Then there's blogging... Welp, if you care to peruse through my archives you will see that I have been doing just that. It's become a lot less stressful not worrying about having photos involved every time and just writing about whatever. I hope somebody's enjoying it.
As for doing things for myself... Welp, I went to Dallas the other night to hang out with the hubby who was at a conference. It was great. While he was busy I showered, watched tv, read... I even took my book down to the bar and sat with a Stella (that's a delicious beer in case you're wondering) and read. When he was done we ate and had a few drinks. It was heaven.
Not much in the way of the other things. I'm trying to drink more water and be more conscious of the things I eat and I have THOUGHT about what I'm going to do with my craft supplies but for the first week I think I did pretty good.
How did you do?
2) Focus on my craft business and get it running
3) Apply to school
4) Blog
5) Organize my craft crap
6) Get my novel completely fleshed out
7) Do more things for myself
8) Go to church more
SO, it's been a week since I posted my list of things I want to work on in the next year. I've worked on some things and ignored others. I promised I'd keep ya updated so here we go.
I've been thinking a lot about my crafting. I'm reading a book called "Crafty Superstar" on my breaks at work. I'm finding it really motivating and full of some great ideas. I would have NEVER thought about astro-turf as a table covering for a craft fair. It's got me thinking outside the box a bit.
After talking to my friend Heather I started a FaceBook group called 'Craft-Tacular'. I'm hoping that it will draw a group of crafters that will help keep me motivated as well as teach me a few things. And, yes, I know it's a crappy name but it's all I could come up with! :) If you're interested look it up!
I'm not 100% sure that school is REALLY what's right for me but I am looking into it. I'm reading "What Color Is Your Parachute 2010" that I checked out from the library. I'm trying to complete the workbook portion to maybe give me a bit of a direction at least. There's not been anything too surprising but it's got me thinking in directions that I hadn't thought about before. For example, teaching is something that pops up every now and again. I don't think I'm cut out to be a traditional teacher but I could teach small groups some craft techinques or even host craft parties.
Then there's blogging... Welp, if you care to peruse through my archives you will see that I have been doing just that. It's become a lot less stressful not worrying about having photos involved every time and just writing about whatever. I hope somebody's enjoying it.
As for doing things for myself... Welp, I went to Dallas the other night to hang out with the hubby who was at a conference. It was great. While he was busy I showered, watched tv, read... I even took my book down to the bar and sat with a Stella (that's a delicious beer in case you're wondering) and read. When he was done we ate and had a few drinks. It was heaven.
Not much in the way of the other things. I'm trying to drink more water and be more conscious of the things I eat and I have THOUGHT about what I'm going to do with my craft supplies but for the first week I think I did pretty good.
How did you do?
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
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