I've been crafting!

Just a few of the pillows I've been working on lately.

I have decided I need to just get over being in love with all the linens and quilts I have stashed away and just start cutting and sewing. This is what I came up with. I found out I like working on impulse.

Sometimes I tend to over think a project.

I pad cover

This past weekend my friend planned a "Craftynoon" get together.

We gathered at her house around 2:00 Sat and began to craft what ever we felt like working on. 3 of us lasted until midnight.

Here are a few of the things I just came up with.

Tote made from a vintage pillow case and tablecloth.





Tote from a feed sack, ticking and some new fabric for the liner.

I really like what I made on the spur of the moment. Now to just get more professional images so I can put them in my Etsy shop.
Maybe this weekend...

Death and Life

Among the obvious death lying all about me in the fields there are signs of new life.
Corn stalks left behind with last falls harvest
Fields waiting for a new season

A mean looking cultivating machine

waiting to be put to work

A tractor who has been idle for to many months

Broken earth

being made ready for new life

Soon

Scarry Mom faces get you pretty far

Last night this is what I saw in my rear view mirror as I pulled into a gas station to fill up.

My first thought was...

"I need to get out of his way so he can get to who ever his is pulling over."

Then I thought...

"Maybe he is pulling me over. I better pull up in a parking space instead at a pump."

Sure enough he was walking toward me. I opened the door with what I am sure was a very confused look.

He says. "Mam, (Mam- really, when did I get old?) I am pulling you over because your plates are expired. Can I see your registration please?"

Ghrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK, in 2 seconds several emotions ran through me.

1st-I can't believe Miranda didn't renew her license when she was home at Christmas like we told her to!!!!!!!

2nd-I have no idea where or if she has this stuff in the glove compartment like she should. What do I do if I can't find it.

3rd-God please I can't afford what this is going to cost me

and 4th- because I was headed to the laundry, the car was full of dirty clothes. I worried, this guy is going to think I'm a homeless person living in my car.

After a very angry, frustrated expression crosses my face, I reach for the glove compartment and begin to explain or actually start babbling...

"I have no idea, this is my daughters car. I am driving it because my car has been over heating and she is away at college." Then with a very stern, irritated look I said, "I can't believe my daughter didn't get the plates renewd when we told her to!"

He says "You can just give me your license."

As he looks at my license he kinda chuckles.

I say as I look down embarrassed " Yeah, I worked for the Sheriff's dept. for 9 Months earlier this year."

He says, "Yeah, it's OK you are only getting a warning." He knew my name also because he is related to my husband's family . He pointed out who he was and went to check my stats. When he came back I thanked him and asked how we would get the license renewed if my daughter is out of state. He was very kind and gave me instructions.

I'm not sure if it is because of who I was

or

because of the Very Angry Mom face that convinced him I wasn't lying.

I am just grateful he had mercy on me. I have been driving this car for the past month and had no idea the license was expired. I had my husband call the daughter when I got home to get the ball rolling. She told him she would call me the next day when I cooled down. Lol, I must really be scarry.

Old, Chippy, Neglected...I'm in love

Isn't this door wonderful?

I drive by this old abandoned house almost every day and I want to save this beautiful old blue door. The details are so nice. The blue is perfect. I found the owners name but haven't had the nerve to call.

There are signs posted

Keep Out

but, I have been married to my husband to long.

I ignored them and took a peek inside.

I feel sorry for this old house.

Am I the only person that would feel sorry for a building?

I just wonder who has lived there, why doesn't anyone still live there.

It is small but apartments are small.

It is to far gone now.

I'd just like to have the door.

Maybe I'll call this weekend.

2 more days to register for my drawing. I'm giving away a book and a CD. Check out last post and comment there about The Civil Wars videos and you can have a chance to win.

Celebrating with a Give Away!

We got internet at our house today!

I can not tell you how excited I am so I will show you by having a giveaway.

While I have had so much (Free) time while being without the internet in my off hours, I have been reading.

I have been reading some of the many books I have on my shelf's and I just finished a book I purchased at our library sale. It was published in 1987. I was drawn into the story right away. It feels a lot like some of the classics I have read and the story line was new and different than what I have read before. I really liked Joe and his Grandfather. There are lots of story lines to keep you wanting more. I'm not a good reviewer so I copied this from a web review.

"The River in Winter is the story of 17 year old Joe Weatherfields attempt to find love, mercy, and redemption in a world charged with the moral wreckage of family decisions made long before he was born. His search carries him from Massachusetts to Florida and finally to Dunmocks Head, Maine, where he rediscovers his long-estranged grandfather and quickly becomes involved in a kidnapping, a murder, and a long-buried scandal all of which leads him to the hard irredeemable lesson that the innocent are often as guilty as the damned."

I also read a book I found in my Grandmothers house published in 1880!

Surprisingly I also enjoyed it. You can find this book and read it on line. I'm going to try another one of his now that I have internet access at home.

Now on to some music. I have discovered my newest favorite band, The Civil Wars. I purchased their CD, Barton Hollow at Target on Tuesday and it is hard for me not to listen to it over and over. It is indy-folk and I love the feel of their songs. I chose to share this video because it is powerful. It speaks about how sometimes a couple will not like each other even though they do love each other. If you like this, check out some of their other videos on You Tube




So now for the giveaway.

Post a comment about the video or about your favorite song by The Civil Wars by Feb. 24th and I will draw a name from the comments and I will send you my copy of "The River in Winter" and a new (not my!) CD of The Civil Wars~Barton Hollow! Sorry, I can't part with my copy of The Day of Fate ;)

I can't wait to hear what you think of my new favorite band!

Finally Crafting Again!

Hello all! I can not believe it has been so long since I have updated.

I now have another new job. This one is full time with benefits! I am happier now and my schedule is settling down so I can be creative again.

I'm not sure where I saw a post about old Readers Digest books but seeing all those cool covers made me NEED to go find myself a collection!

Aren't these yummy?

I know the people in the 2nd hand store thought I was crazy. I kept taking off the dust covers and looking at the book and picking or putting back. I could care less what the books were about, I just wanted the beautiful covers to display or use for art.

I did find out that if you like these florally wall paper type you have to find books published before the early 60's. The later ones are more modern or (gasp) plain!

I got mine for .25 each.

Some of them have pretty illustrations you can use too but not to much.

I'm starting a mixed media project and am digging into the stash I bought last summer. Look at these beautiful women. I can not wait to use them. I'll be scanning them first because I want to be able to use the images again.

I also love the backs. Look at the cool type styles, post marks and stamps.

It's hard to believe the post office may become a thing of the past.

I know many of you are saying "Oh, they will save it". But I didn't think I would see the need for a Portrait Photographer and actual hard copy images become less wanted. Images on our phones and computers are more common which leaves photographers a hard time to make a living selling our images. People don't understand paying for our creativity.
Sorry I got on my soapbox but it is hard to see your livelihood dissolve with technology. I'm just glad I enjoyed reading historical stories and have seen this happen over and over and can change and move on. Which is why I am taking an on line art course to get back on track.

This one cracks me up. How short can we be?

I bought myself an online class with Jennifer Rizzo with my Christmas money.

http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/

It is called Creatively Made. I am slowly moving along. The following is my attempt to do the 1st project. A mixed media journal. I choose to pick my theme as "Trust Your Journey" because a friend gave me a bracelet with this on it to remind us of the crazy journey we have been on the last year and how we have persevered.

I put this pocket watch fob on to see how it would look and it got stuck. So...it became my clasp. I was lucky to find a cool cufflink to put on the back cover to attach the chain to.

As in everything I do, everything just seems to fall into place.

Inside pages I'll add thoughts and artwork to.

I got some of my grandmothers old school books. This is an illustrations from one of them. It reminds me of her. And we have come across several photos of the cows they had when my Mom was a child. They took a lot of photos of their animals. Cows, pigs, horses and chickens. They put the kids with them I guess to make it legit, LOL! On one, my Aunt is in front of a cow, the name Maggie is on the bottom. I asked my other Aunt who this child Maggie was? She laughed and said "That is the cow!" I guess they figured everyone (even 89 years later) would know who the child was.

Anyway, I had to add this since I am living in her home and this is part of my journey.

More awesome illustrations from books and music magizines I have from her. All of these are from the late 1800's. My heart just skips a beat when I think about the fact that my ephermia is personal stuff from my history.

Inside back cover

Back cover

The cufflink closure.

Well I think I made up for the 1 month lack of post in this one post.

I hope you stayed with me.

Have a great week and I will try to post next Sat. after my Etsy team meeting. I'll be jazzed up then.

Looking forward and a prayer

Source: jameipangilinan.tumblr.com via Meghan on Pinterest

I have been thinking of my post for the New Year. I was going to review the word I had last year and pick a new one but after reading cityfarmers wonderful post I decided I wanted to stop thinking, talking, analyzing what is happening and just be. Wait on God. I am going to use some of her prayer because it is also the desire of my heart. I don't think she will mind.
http://www.savvycityfarmer.com/2011/12/new-year-old-prayer.html

Father God, sweep the dust out of my vessel. Clear out the cobwebs in my heart.

Help me to trust in your goodness.

Pour your Spirit into me.
Restore to me the joy of my salvation.

My eyes looks to YOU rather than the Future.
It is unknown and murky.

Renew my youth (Passion for life) like that of the eagle.
Help me to just live in the moment you have blessed me with.
Your love endures forever!


As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.

I wish you all a new year focused on God's faithfulness and our graditude for all He does for us.