Projects and Purchases

Where have I been?  Here are a few pictures of my spoils from the last month or weekend.  I made a quick trip to Washington D.C. in January and spent the weekend with my CE friend, Megan.  I met her daughter, Daisy for the first time and spent time with her wise Mom, Darlene.  It was a great time that included lots of shopping, both old and new.  We lucked out because the DC Flea was at the Dulles Expo, which is where I found these treasures.  We also headed over to Luckett's and the Cottage in Leesburg, VA.  On Saturday night we had a fabulous dinner with Amy P and Pam K - it was good to catch up with both of them.  Amy is stylin' in her new red coat - so very Amy.

 I finally finished this project of my Mom as the May Queen back in the 1930's.  It started with a wooden chopping board.  The comb I found in her stuff - new but still hers.  I added some sparkle/glitter to the picture and on the back is a picture of her mother and sisters, before the event.  It was such an honor for her - I love the memory.

Joann's on Katy Freeway has these jumbo paper mache letters, I covered one in vintage white and mother of pearl buttons for a wedding gift.  The two wooden pieces I found at an estate sale yesterday.

 Yesterday, I went to Urban Market and found a few treasures:  A round brush that you can use as a card or picture holder - really unusual.  I found the photo at an estate sale, it looks like my mother's family and I loved the frame.  The three religious pieces from my favorite vendor, Joyce Shilling - I've gotten alot of wooden santos from her.  The wooden shoe forms were 3/$10 - I know, can you believe it!  The milk glass hobnail lamp will be used as a doll body, I think.  I found a great large ledger book at an estate sale and the linens at UM.

I'm hard on myself at times, for collecting all this stuff, but yesterday, I worked on two projects.  Upcycling a Monopoly game by making a box, found on Pinterest.   The other is a hotel key board.  I've made a habit of saving hotel keys the past few years and wanted a cool way to display them, when my friend, Cindy, not only found a good example.  It's taken me a while, but after spray painting the gold hooks a hammered color and installing, and adding locations in the tabs, I'll hopefully finish it tonight.  Cindy surprised me a couple months ago by having her hubs make the board for me - I have the best friends, I tell ya.  So kind.



Planning

I am loving this week, working two days and then off for six...  Its surprising but as you get older, you (meaning I) have less interest in work and want to be at the nest, crafting and just hanging out with the puppies.  But it costs money to run the show so - I've been going off to work for 36 years, since 7-7-75.  If I had stayed with the same company, oh, never mind - if wishes were horses, beggars would ride.  I'm listening to my music set on YouTube, drinking coffee from my new Anthro mug and planning for 2012.  

I love planning trips.  I used to do it quite a bit in my thirties.  I'd search B&Bs and plot a course... through Connecticut or up the coast in California.  Be wary of the map (no Garman for me) - quaint towns will draw you in and take you off course, such as in Solvang, CA on my way to the Hearst Castle, a place I have yet to visit.  Anyway, I'm looking at the possibilities in 2012 of where I want to go, events I want to attend and how I want to spend my vacation.  I learned a long time ago that things don't just happen, you have to make them happen - you have to plan it and make your own excitement.  When my sister died, her two daughters were down about their birthdays so we packed up and went to DisneyWorld.  No, it doesn't make the grief go away but we made a great memory, instead of sitting home moping.  You have to make your own happiness.  So, here are my plans for 2012 and what I'm considering.

Most of the scrapbook/craft events have gone by the wayside, Creative Escape, Inspired, Silver Bella, Scrap etc.   I did attend The Creative Connection last year and fell in love so I will be attending 2012 - whereever it may be.  Thanks to Lisa and Michelle, we went to Junk Bonanza that week also and it was awesomeness.  The junk I love, inside and the prices were low.  Those 2012 dates are September 13-15.  Done.  Here's what I made with the $4 cake pans I bought there...

I was watching HGTV the other day - (Property Brothers is my favorite) and they showed Ocean Park, Maine.  It looked idyllic, I've never been to Maine and I think this is the year I should go... I may have to skip Destin in the summer but I'm thinking July or August would be a great time to get out of the Texas heat.  Now to fine suitable lodging... Anyone want to join me?
But what craft events can I attend?  If I had jumped on the $228 CO airfare I found last month, I would be going to Kaari Meng's event The Art of Craft in January, with Charlotte Lyons and Pam Garrison, not to mention Anna Corba.  Maybe even play with some of Charlotte's new fabrics from Blend or just see The French General store.  I would love that.
I could go to Atlanta in June for Haven, a new event by DIY-home decor bloggers.  I haven't moved into furniture refinishing, although I dream about it. 
I've also wanted to go to Portland so maybe I should consider Art & Soul?  I have the choice of Virginia, Vegas or Portland.  Two years ago they had some amazing teachers, now I'm thinking I would like to go to Pups on Wheels or a Lisa Kaus class - she is so kind and generous (learned that at Silver Bella 2010).  Speaking of kind and generous souls, I'd love to find out where Cathe Holden is teaching this year.  Met her at TCC and she embodies what I love about this craft world - she shares her projects for free, people.  And its so cool because the universe is giving back to her.  Unlike some, who want to charge $1.99 for a 3 inch printable...   Okay, that was mean, sorry.
If Cathe isn't home in Petaluma... you could attend Art is You or on the East coast.  In its 2nd or 3rd year, it looks like a good event.  Would love to take a Dee Foust class. 
I'll be checking Mary Engelbreit's blog for announcements of a 2012 event, either the small workshops she held in 2011 or large event like her 2010 workshop, which was a blast and where I met Kim Auman, a local crafter who ended up being my roomie at TCC.
I'm hoping to go to some awesome places for work this year - namely Aberdeen, Scotland and Australia in addition to London.  A small group will be going to Paris for a week in April for a flea market site-seeing tour.  I'm working on the finances because I definitely want to fit that in.  Interested?  Shoot me an email and I can hook you up.  Ali Edwards and Karen Russell are going to Ireland, which would be awesome - I just really want to go to Paris....  The other French alternative is Kaari Meng's Chateau July trip, something she's done for a few years.  Its sold out for two weeks, so they've added a third week.  Lucky you.
This week I'm headed out for a couple days of free-styling in Louisiana, inspired by Mary Ann Moss.  It's not Budapest or Mexico but baby steps... This old girl has to get her grove back.  Photos when I return.
And speaking of making it happen, I'm thinking we need to plan a reunion event... for the fantastic women I've met over the years:  Jeanne K and that entire Chicago gang - Kathleen, Melissa, Cathy D, Nan or my favorite Canadians Charleen and Heather or Megan and Mel and what about the Louisiana girls - Heather, Cori, Angel. Or Silver Bella glittergirls Debe, Julia, Linda and Virginia.  Tell me.  Where can we meet and how can we make it happen?  Hmmmm, let's think about it.

Five Things

You may not know that I

1) never went to college

2) deeply wish that I had had a baby,

3) wanted to be a singer,

4) sponsored a foreign exchange student,

5) cuss like a sailor.

I am really pretty knowledgeable about

1) how to make a good time

in a bad situation,

2) how to make a good meal,

3) how to help others,

4) getting it done/carrying the load

5) traveling domestically and internationally.

 

I know nothing about

1) motorcycles,

2) pools or how to clean them,

3) skiing or snow,

4) mountains -

I've been in the South all my life,

5) knitting.

And I believe

1) things happen for a reason

and its our purpose to figure out

why they are in front of us,

2) if you don't learn it now, it will come back around,

3) I am not in charge

4) you get what you give,

5) in miracles.

 

Your turn.

(in the comments or FB

if you don't have a blog)

Score! Black Friday Finds

I love a day at home puttering, cleaning and just hanging out - drinking coffee; alternating between naps, crafting and cleaning out cupboards - doing that deep cleaning that you don't get a chance to do during the week.  But after a while its time to get out and do something = shop.  I headed out Friday around 4 and found all/most of what I've been looking for.  My first stop was Texas Art Asylum, which is a fun, funky place on the edge of downtown.  Ramona and Jennifer opened this place a little over a year ago and its so much fun to sift through all of the odd junk they collect.  It's a place for artists and they have a good eye on finding just the little bits you'll need - now and later for stash.  And the supply constantly changes, which is fun.  Right now everything under $5 is 50% off - which was everything I bought - the rulers, black bolt of thread, little bottles (the real deal, not a Tim Holtz repro).  I'm going to use the thread as a photo holder and I've looked all over for a pic of Jenni Bowlin's sample... can't find it.  Oh well.  One of the rulers says A Housewife will go out of her way for a yardstick.  Wah?  My last pic from there were to the two casters/wheels.  Take a look at my Pinterest board - Mamie Jane did something awesome with them.  She is my latest inspiration (all over my pinterest) - awesomesauce that girl.

Whenever I go to TAA, I usually stop at Salvation Army on Washington, which is where I found the Setwell pant hangers for $1.50.  Yes, Setwell are  vintage finest.  Yeah!  I can hang my piano paper collages and Charlotte Lyon's banner.  Oh, wait.  I have to finish them!  Next I made my way down Yale with one stop at RF Antiques and then over to Heights Blvd. for August Antiques.  I have a secret crush on the owner, shhhh - don't tell anyone.  They have book room(s) and religious room(s) that are like no other.  Seriously.  And I finally found my scoop!  back in the back of the second shop in a corner, covered by farm utensils.  I was so happy with finding it and then the price - $10 (including a black door knob). It is going to be the background for a vinette (inside).  When H and I went to Waco a couple weeks ago, they were marked $30 at an antique store along the way - and the guy would not negotiate even though we had our arms full of stuff.

Another project - creating the photo holders shown on the current Somerset Life issue.  RF sold me the door knobs for $2 each (not $25/2 at Adkins Architecture.  I was so pissed when she told me the price at AA, I left them on the counter.  Tacky, I know but I couldn't help it.  They had BINS of them upstairs - bins - in bad condition - $25/2 - givemeabreak.)  RF is having a sale til 12/31 - 50% off everything and she showed me her back garage with has a ton of furniture.  I also got the two little candy dishes - they will look cool holding white buttons or tidbits.

A couple of Saturdays ago, I made my way in time to The Guild on Dunlavy and found three things in the Half-Off Room.  I found a Pottery Barn candlestick with nice lines, a cutting board and ah, something else that I can't remember now...The candlestick was gunked out with wax but after a good cleaning and a bit of sanding, here is how I'm going to use it.  I was planning on spray painting with hammered or pewter color but I may leave it.  I bought a ton of cake pans at Junk Bonanza in September - all different sizes for $4 each. 

And then finally, here is a sneak of a current project, that is going to be a wedding gift.  It is so yummy - I am having fun working on it but I will say, it is alot of work!  So many cool buttons in my stash - I love looking at them.  Oops, I see a hole!  I'm going to use the ivory tone/tone ribbon I got at Crafty Scrapper around the edges - yummy!  How can I get back there to get more?

Two last bits.  You know about Pinterest, I assume?  But of course.  If you don't, its such a great inspiration place just remember to pin what inspires you!  I forgot and wasted good time looking for it.  And secondly, Shopgoodwill.com.  I think I've told you about it before - I've found all kinds of goodies on there.  Mostly quilts - for $5 plus $15 or so shipping.  Yummy, beautiful soft quilts that a grandma has made and her family has dumped off at goodwill.  She'll be happy to know you're enjoying it. 

A Memory without a Photo?

I read this post this morning at Cathy Zielski's blog and immediately reminded me of a scenario I have been playing over in my head the past few days.  I'm trying to learn to let go (still) on several levels of taking care of my mother and also of pressuring my siblings to help out.  It all started a few weeks ago, when my fabulous former neighbor, H stood in my foyer and told me how she realized her parents had to write the last chapter in their lives, that it wasn't up to her to script it as she saw fit.  Those words hit me right between the eyes, as a year after placing my Mom into a nursing home has come to pass.  There's alot of pride and self-worth received from taking care of someone.  Sorry, I digress.

So I'm trying to visit my Mom more out of desire than guilt or pressure or "because I should" or because if I don't, they won't take good care of her... (hello, where's your faith?) And in doing so, I can listen to her and she has basically lost most of her ability to think or reason.  Her mind is blank and yet, we can have the sweetest visits.  It usually involves getting her ready for bed and when you take her shirt off (she gets confused on how to do it), she fights like crazy and even slaps you a bit.  Last Sunday I felt so bad as I tugged on her head and neck while trying to remove it.  So I threw the shirt away because the damn neck was too small.  Once we get through the whole changing chore and sit back down on the bed is the sweet time. I bought her some uber soft pajamas with puppies on them and she loves them. seriously.  And so we spend a little time looking at some photos on the wall and go over (several times) who the people are.  One is of my puppy, Grace that my mother totally adored.  My mother has never liked dogs but Grace was her companion for the five years she lived with me.  She snuck food to her all day long and at night, Grace slept with Mom.  It was so cute.  Doesn't remember a thing about Grace.  I usually brush her hair a bit and she loves it and I rubbed her neck slow and smooth and she really enjoyed that.  It was so pure. And sometimes I lay on her bed and she brushes my hair with her hand and quietly I cry (with my face turned away).  I don't know why, I just do - the whole thing is so overwhelming.  And she screws her face up a bit and sort of cries and I soothe her and tell her it will all be okay.  She is so appreciative of the visit and tells me so.  several times.  And then we recite the Our Father and Hail Mary, sometimes twice and I think she likes that she can remember the words. I truly feel His presence in the room. And after several hugs and I love yous, I go back home.  to Grace. 

Without a picture, it is a very good memory that I want to keep for a long time.  I was never close to my mother and this time is so healing.  Thank you for sharing my memory with me. 

Urban Market

Want to see what I found last week at Urban Market?  When I saw this... I thought about it for a bit and then grabbed it!  Surveyors pole.  Half off.  Its like 15' long.  Wanted one, ever since I saw it on the cover of Holly Becker's book, Decor8.  I can say Holly Becker, like I know her because I met her at The Creative Connection and I know she totally remembers me.  out of the 2,000 people that came up to her there.  For reals.  Say hi to Junior, who's rocking the survey stick. 

And I saw these kissing dutch kids and went back to get them and couldn't find the booth.  How silly - the place (UM) is not very big but I just didn't see them.  I thought they were cute and I love all things Dutch, including my old company.

This lady always has cool ironstone and I loved this display.  

I did land at Kay's booth (again) -she has a shop at Memorial Antiques near the old Academy on Katy Freeway.  Last time I picked up some black globes and large acorns from her.  This time some 4" printers blocks.  And when I professed my love for them, she seemed to think they should all go home with me and not her.   And so for $30, they were mine.  There are tons... and the font is cool.  Looks like another mirror is in my future.  Did I tell you what happened to the last one?  In May I hauled it to Inspired in Charlotte, NC and when the sweet client gave me the cash, I put it in my pocket.  or so I thought.  It fell out.  Some wait staff at that hotel was very happy that weekend.  I wasn't.  Still haven't figured out my lesson... 

Several projects are in the hopper... I've finally figured out a project for all my hotel keys!  I hope I can pull it off - combination of this design and a few modifications in my head.  My dear friend, Cindy's husband, Greg made THAT board for me - is that too kind!  I was so thrilled.  Oheeee.  I've also been making banners out of piano roll paper.  I was trying to figure out what to do with it... I guess you could always cover something with it but I like using it as the foundation for a wall hanging.  I've made but not finished a Christmas hanging and a pink/girl hanging.  And then finally, I spotted this box at Goodwill for $3.  It screamed for maps and I used an 8x8 page of Lille from 7Gypsies along with several embellies, like a flinch card, lace, dennison label, slide negative (thanks to Cathe Holden's TCC class - very cute idea - you remove the negative and replace it with a mini vintage photo).

I hope you have a good Sunday and a great week!  Next week - can you say, ROAD TRIP...Waco for Debby Schuh's classes at Crop, Paper, Scissors and perhaps a stop in at The Craft Scrapper in Waxahachie.  Yes! I have seen these books (Grace Notes totally speaks to me) and they are faaaa-buuuuu-lous!

Google Reader & Tortilla Soup

While at TCC, a couple of the girls mentioned they weren't familiar with Google Reader and we ran out of time so I didn't get a chance to demonstrate.  You may find it helpful, I do.  Google Reader is a great way to have all the blogs you read in one spot AND it shows when there is a new post.  The only down side is when you get behind and you see there are 150 posts open.  I know, its stupid to allow blog posts to make you feel guilty, but what the hey, I haven't quite exorcised that Catholic guilt.  Here is a great Youtube video that explains how to set it up.  I've been using Google Reader for a couple of years now and I've pared my list of blogs down to 60, give or take.  
Two tricks of interest:  in the right hand corner is a button "Show:  Expanded or List".  I use Expanded.  And if you want to know how many subscribers a blog has, click on show details.  Its staggering to see how many some of the very popular blogs have. I don't know if that differs from followers.  And I tried to post a list of the blogs I follow but wasted an hour trying to figure it out.  Here are my top fifteen favorites:  Ali Edwards, Creative Chaos, Dooce, Karen Russell, Scrap Scene, Inspireco, Funky Junk Interiors, Just Beachy, Just Something I Made (Cathe Holden), Mustard Seed Creations, Nester, susie Harris, One Lucky Day, Thirty Decor Chick and Holly Matthis. 

Last night we had craft day at my house and I served this soup. There was a restaurant in the 1980s and 1990s on the west side of Houston called Rotissiere for Beef & Bird and the owner, Joe Mannke served this soup.  Our local paper posts recipes on Wednesday and I have had it for 20 years and its a family favorite.  I hope you enjoy it.


Tortilla Soup
from Joe Mannke's Rotissiere for Beef & Bird
2 to 4 T. butter

1/4 c oil
1/2 to 1 large onion, chopped
1 fresh jalapeño, seeded and chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
3 large carrots, diced
6 ribs celery, diced
1.5 lb. raw chicken meat, diced
1 t. each: ground cumin, chili powder, salt and lemon pepper
1/2 c all-purpose flour
1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes
4 (10 1/2-ounce) cans chicken broth or equivalent homemade stock

Heat butter and oil in large dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion, jalapeño, garlic, carrots, celery and chicken; simmer 5 minutes. Stir in cumin, chili powder, salt, lemon pepper, pepper sauce and flour. Add tomatoes and chicken broth; stir well and simmer 1 hour.


You can garnish it with cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips or avocado.
Makes 6 to 8 servings.  Final Note - if you like spicy, give it three shakes of tabasco when it is simmering - I'm not into spicy food.