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Crafts & Swaps

You know that whining wishing I was doing the other day?  I was moaning about an empty mailbox.  Way back in April I received a surprise package from the ever fabulous Kim, and I participated in the button swap.  But since then I haven’t had time to give a swap my full attention ... and so my mailbox has been as dry as a desert, unless you count the bills.  It seems that my friend Rox is a mind reader because the day before that post she packed a little surprise off to me that arrived today.

SOCKS!** Technically she read my mind twice (maybe three times) because I have coveted hand-knit socks since I fell in with all these knitters back in August ‘05 (holy crap! Has it been that long?).  I didn’t want to break down and ask someone to make me socks for two reasons.  The first being: from my vantage, knitters seem to have a love/hate relationship with socks.  I’ve read blogs loving ‘toe-up’, hating ‘Kitchner’ and begging for help ‘turning the heel’.  I’ve no clue what half of this means but they sound like a pain to me.  The second reason is the crap circulation in my legs.  I can’t wear anything that cuts off the circulation so I usually just opt for anklets.  The socks Rox sent are slightly longer than anklets but are not at all tight, and honestly couldn’t fit any better than if I’d shipped her my foot.

She also sent a very neat bracelet that is reminiscent of woven rattan but is acutally super soft, stretchy fabric.

And this nifty book that I should have had two weeks ago when D tossed out his last remaining 80’s concert T-shirts. It is packed with suggestions for re-fabricating old t-shirts into new things (I see a trip to Goodwill in my future). 

Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you!  And my not so lonely anymore mailbox thanks you too!

** Rox, I know you said this is from yarn I sent you a while back ... please, please, please don’t tell me you squandered that $30 skein of Cherry Hill on my feet!!! 

The weekend will be busy as usual: Libby to the vet, continued work on the bathroom and general house keeping.  Toss in the need for some serious yard work, truck cleaning, and a trip to the tile store and you get a crazy weekend.  And that my friends is what lays ahead.  It may not, however, be what happens.  D and I both have some serious diversions drifting around this weekend and it would not be difficult to succumb to the temptation of taking a weekend off.  Hopefully we’ll find a happy medium between assignments and amusements. 

Me, I want to sew, which surprises me given the amount I’ve done recently.  Usually I move in ebbs and flows, but right now I just can’t seem to get enough.  I suspect that much of that encouragement is the advent of ‘homeless crafts’ ... I’m really diggin’ this gifting away of things.  Not to mention the gradual reduction of my stash.  The most recent gift-away hopped a plane this morning bound for Erika at mmmmbrains.* Up next will likely be coasters.  Yes, coasters.  Its an odd project, but a great way to use up the tiny scraps of material that I just cant seem to toss.  I’m also kinda hot to go through a couple of the fabric boxes and eliminate that which will never be used and I hate to not act on that feeling lest it pass me by.

I also want to start breaking down my growing boxes.  Yes, the very ones that I worked so hard to build.  Garden planting did not happen this year due to several unexpected events, and I think the neighbors might be a bit tired of looking at the weedy eyesores.  In a way ripping them out is part of my little project / big project challenge this year.  Right now they are an ‘unfinished object’ as well as one that I haven’t time to care for properly.  Under the ‘finish it or forget it’ rules off they go.  I’ve ordered some blanket flower and vinca seeds (both natives) and plan to scatter them willy-nilly the full length of the bed and let ‘em go.  Toss in a little plumbago, frangipani, and canna and it’ll still look like a weedy eyesore, but with flowers.

D, on the other hand, is being sorely tempted by the computer (ok, I admit it, so am I).  The game we indulge in is offering ‘double xp’ this weekend, ie double points.  Points are good, and we both have characters that are tantalizingly close to level 50 (the highest level) Yes, it should be very interesting to see what is actually accomplished in the next two days.  Oh, and its going to rain and you should be well versed in my ‘Sunday rain rule’ by now - heh.

* Erika has the best darn links around, including this one that I just couldn’t be more enthralled with.

Today has been filled with small, but very pleasant surprises.  Brad started it off by sending me a photo of his son, S, wearing the apron I sent.  The kid’s gonna be a heart breaker!  His little grin planted a bigger one on my face all morning.  What’s more, the apron fits – a miracle!

Then my brother sent me some pics of his recent camping trip to New Mexico, including this one from ‘I don’t know where’ that is just heart-stopping beautiful.

And finally, I got a comment from Erika at mmmm, brains asking to buy a smock for her daughter (another heartbreaker in the making).  ‘Purchase’ of course is out of the question ... I’m so flattered by the request I could pop.  I’ve mentioned, I think, that I’m easily amused?

This post promises to be as wide and varied as my weekend – which means it’s going to be a bit long and a lot scattered.

First: The prize for my ‘100 Things’ name draw.  Brad at Almost Lucid was the winner and as expected was somewhat difficult to craft for.  In the end I settled for a case to store drum sticks in ... or if they wont fit, his wife can pack it with wooden spoons - heh.

But, because I was procrastinating on the decision of what to make him, I first made a smock for his daughter Z, and an apron for his son S.

And then, not wanting to leave anyone out, a tote for his wife, J.

Brad, of course, thinks I’m nuts.  Someday I’ll post a photo of my stash closet and you will all see how much it helps me when you accept a sewn item.  I’m on a strict ‘stash only’ diet, and have been for a while.  My only fabric store purchases have been thread, stabilizer and things from the remnant’s rack (can’t pass up a bargain-heh).  I did fall off of the wagon with my recent purchase from superbuzzy, but I just couldn’t resist that fabric.  Yeah, I’m weak.

I also promised a photo of journals I made for Jae.  She is giving them to friends who participate in wine tastings with her and her hubby.  I will probably bankrupt myself buying the journal inserts for these, I just love ‘em!

Second: Bathroom update.  We installed the remaining cement backer board, and the drywall on Saturday and completed one coat of the water-proofing.  Sunday I applied the second coat.  It goes on Pink Panther Pink, and dries bloody red.  And I thought the bathroom colors were going to be boring - heh.  I’ll probably dry set the floor tiles tonight to get all my cuts figured out, and lay it tomorrow night.  We aren’t doing very well with our schedule, mostly because of drying and curing times.  But, we have tried to do other things (like scrape wallpaper - ugh!) while we wait, so we’re actually ahead in some ways and behind in others.

Third: The open house on Sunday afternoon.  As expected there was tons of food provided by Grandpa’s neighbors.  There was also lots of laughter, and many kind comments.  The only sorrow was as the little old ladies were making their farewells.  They each expressed how much they would miss him, and that they didn’t know how they were going to get by without him (he fixed things, mowed yards, etc) with wavering cracked voices and teary eyes.  It was difficult not to get teary too.  The house is eerily untouched, I don’t think he had moved anything since grandma’s death.  And certainly he did not expect to never return ... there are intentions laying everywhere.  The event itself was far more personal than the church or funeral home would have been, and it was absolutely right in so many ways. 

We were asked to bring photos to the house, and I at least, was shocked at how few current ones I have.  So I took my camera and snapped a few of our dwindling family.

My dad (dad is the oldest son).

My ‘friend’-mom.  (She was trying to get the fan to go - heh).

Unc W and cousin S (middle son)

Unc D and aunt R (youngest son)

D (sorry ladies, no imp this time)

Finally: Mackenzie.  I dropped her off at the vet this morning to get her teeth cleaned and have her hips x-rayed.  She’s been a little mopy lately and more drooly than usual so we suspect a bad tooth.  Since they knock her out for the cleaning we elected to have the x-ray done at the same time.  Due to hip displasia at a very early age she is all plates and screws in her hind quarters; ie. she has a bionic butt and she is therefor an early candidate for arthritis (of the butt - hehe).  The x-ray will tell us if its time to start treating her for that condition.  In any case she’s pissed with me, and delighted with D – who will be rescuing her tonight.  It sucks being the bad guy.

And that’s all the news I have, with exception of receiving a lovely little plant from Greenie (yes she’s blogging again) on Saturday morning.  I have no photo of it yet as I’m waiting for it to right itself, it is still a tad miffed at spending time in a box.  It was all the same a very sweet, and greatly appreciated gesture (many thanks Greenie). 

And many, many thanks to everyone who has offered well wishes and support in the last few months.  Its been rough, and you guys never once failed to be the light at the end of the tunnel.  Thank-you.

Due to some scheduling problems, we didn’t get as much done on the bathroom as we had hoped.  By ‘scheduling problems’ I mean that we didn’t want to seal the floor and curb, and tile the floor prior to my plumber step-brother’s repair of the piping.  The house is plumbed with polybutylene piping, a material that has been balled up in lawsuits for years because of its tendency to leak at the fittings.  I’ve had several leaks in the house but they were all associated with the copper leaders at the valves and not the poly-pipe.  I repaired them to the best of my ability with a compression fitting that clearly stated on the package ‘not for in-wall use’, and they’ve held – some for nearly ten years.  Still, with poly’s reputation, and the dire warning on the fittings I’d rather a pro make it as right as possible (without re-plumbing the whole house) while we have the wall open.

D finished the knee wall, I hung the wall insulation, we installed wallboard where we could and then I set about constructing the curb.  After some discussion the decided on method was to lay two courses of bricks, and then stucco over them.  It took me far longer than it probably should have but we were both pleased with the outcome.  This took us to Saturday afternoon and a natural stopping point to wait for the plumbing to be done.  Certainly there were things we could do; finish the ceiling drywall, remove the toilet, install drywall on the back of the knee wall, remove the wallpaper and prep for the future paint job, etc.  But we were both easily swayed by the lure of other activities and called it quits until ‘J the plumber’ can get by.

D parked himself at the computer and I sat down at the sewing machine.  I was a ‘makin’ fool’ this weekend, completing three journals, two ‘cover-ups’, a tote, and a ‘roll’...most of which I can’t show you yet as they are all ‘promises kept’ (albeit slow promises) and are jetting their way to their new homes as I type.  There is however a straggler, a journal that didn’t make the cut, and that I can share.

It is the latest item that ‘needs a home’ so if it ‘blows your skirt up’ speak up.  It is navy and cream cotton with just a touch of red, and covers a lined journal (readily available from Barnes & Noble).  This one is a considerable improvement over the first round of journals and in my opinion more successful.  Like the little smocks these are a satisfying and quick project, not to mention a great way to consume the stash.  So help me out will ya?  Give this poor little guy a home.  Update:  Donna kindly gave it a home ... thanks Donna.

Ok, maybe this isn’t puppy-kitty cute, but it is ‘awwwwww’ cute.  My step-niece turns three this weekend and I made this little smock so she can start crafting ... hey, its never too early to influence the next generation - heh.  The bias trim is homemade, the process for which was considerably easier than I expected once I got the hang of it.  Though I intended it solely as a ‘cover-up’, how cute would this be with a white turtle neck, and jeans?  You want one for a little friend with a birthday coming up?  Let me know, this was a joy to make!

This morning, with my uncle’s help, I drew the winner for the “100 (more) things...” post prize.  And the winner is: Brad from Almost Lucid! 

When I offered the prize I had no plan for what it might be, other than that I would tailor it to the winner.  Brad’s winning offers an interesting challenge as he is the first guy I’ve sewn for – well, other than costumes for D.  I don’t thing Brad is interested in an Imp costume, but I could be wrong -heh.  I knew when he commented that a sewn object for a guy would be tough, but I figured with a 1 in 7 chance it was more likely I’d be sending something to Australia than to him, so I hadn’t given it much thought .

Masculine sewing isn’t a new challenge for me though.  For the last couple of weeks I’ve been (slowly) working on covered journals for Jae* to give to four couples that participate in wine tasting with her.  I’m happy with the ones I’ve produced so far, but I’m not so sure that they will please the guys.  I’m not a very girly girl, but it is staggering just how much of my stash is floral, or pink, or just wrong for the average guy. 

Most anything sewn that I’ve shown D is responded to with a quick ‘that’s nice’ or ‘you’ve done nice work’, but nothing that would suggest enthusiasm for the actual item.  Most of the craft blogs would seem to support this.  I don’t think I’ve seen anything crafted for a male over 12 years old, with exception of several knitted items.  Knitting it seems is a little more male friendly than sewing; gloves, socks, watch caps ... Brad seems like a watch cap kinda guy, maybe I can bribe a knitter (snigger).  Seriously though, do you craft for your guy, or your guy friends?  And if so, what do you craft?

*If you haven’t seen her Peacock Shawl you should hop right over ... it is positively stunning!

Did you know shower doors could cost $1200?  Well I didn’t.  To say that keeping my jaw off of my chest when the salesman delivered the news took a herculean effort would be an obscene understatement.  Despite my shock, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that they were dang nice shower doors ... though at that price I did think they should be self cleaning.  No, the salesman didn’t think I was funny either.  For now the doors are merely under consideration.  After all, we haven’t been to Home Depot yet; and they get pretty lonely when I haven’t shown up in a week or so.  Seriously.  There are people there who know my name...scary eh? 

Though we both nearly needed resuscitation at Mr Shower Door (yeah, really) we did come away with some very helpful information and if you can afford it I would recommend them on kindness alone.  We also came away with something that is nearly a plan. Our current shower is basically a box with sliding doors and a lower ceiling than the bathroom.  We are going to demolish the entire thing, including the privacy wall and low ceiling.  Then we will install a rubber liner (there isn’t one now, which is part of the problem), and build a half wall where the privacy wall is.  Next, re-tile the floor and walls, install shower doors and a glass panel on the top of the half wall, and replace the shower fixtures.  That is where the budget will scrape bottom so the vanity and mirror will have to wait.  I’m secretly hoping to paint, but don’t tell D. 

I know that my description is hard to visualize but it will have to do for now.  There is no way I’d share a photo without first cleaning and I’m not sure I’ll clean something I’m getting ready to destroy ... but I might.  ‘After’ photos should be much easier to come by.  In any case we may already be in over our heads and we haven’t even started.  I’ll know more Monday after we’ve done some more research, a little sketching and completed a tiling class at a local tile store.  It is going to be another busy weekend.

In more important news, G’pa is improving, though it is a very, very small improvement.  They have turned the respirator down to 40% and anticipate having him off of it by Monday.  They were singing the same tune last Monday so I’m not getting my hopes up too far.  We continue to hold our breath, and my heart freezes in my chest whenever the phone rings at an odd hour.  As it has been all along; only time will tell.  For the record, after all he’s been through in the last month I think he deserves a few more years, don’t you?

And now for something completely frivolous.  I can’t read the directions, I probably can’t duplicate the projects but my gawd, I think I need this book.  How perfect is that little fox?  I really, really wish the library system would start carrying craft books like this ... there are several I’d just like to see.

The Kim Family Auction was wildly successful earning almost $17,000 and getting a nice little write up on the ‘People’ website.  My personal contribution was considerably smaller, and not the $75 I had hoped for, but I believe that every bit helps - even the little ones.  I’m somewhat concerned for the ladies who sponsored the auction, some of the bids were well beyond the listed ‘regular retail’ price of the items and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that they are able to collect it all.  I have no trouble seeing someone getting caught up in the moment of interacting with these ‘internet stars’ and bidding beyond their means.  Hopefully everyone played nice.

I’ve been using the auction site as a list of new web places to visit and it has really been interesting to ‘meet’ these talented folks.  To me there is a hard line between art and craft, and most of these folks are standing firmly on the art side.  Growing up, I think I expected that one day Id be standing there among them.  I took every art class I could and majored in it in college and I learned a lot.  The biggest lesson being that as designers go I was ‘run-of-the-mill’ and ‘mediocre’, as well as being one among many.  Now, don’t go filling my comment box with admonitions about being too hard on myself, that’s not what this is about. 

While still in college I understood that at best I’d be working in an art department, probably in a large company, churning out someone else’s ideas.  One of my first job offers was to be part of an art department made up of only two people and I jumped on it.  As it turned out the man doing the hiring selected his employees based on personality type and not talent.  He believed that people came in two varieties, generative and structural.  Generative folks were creative, head-in-the-clouds types, and the structural ones were, well, anal.  I was considered structural, and I was actually being hired to keep my generative and artistic partner on track.  In addition it wasn’t what anyone would call and art department, it was a glorified sign shop.  I did though learn quite a bit about vinyl lettering, running a plotter, a Mac, and using Illustrator and Quark.  It was not a total loss, but neither was it a healthy, enjoyable environment.

When my dad opened his business and asked me to come and run it with him I fled Georgia, eschewing my so called ‘art’ job for some simple sanity.  Every once in a while I’m asked to do a logo or a brochure, and I do the advertising for the office which amounts to nearly nothing.  I sketch from time to time.  Sometimes I get the urge to paint - odd because I was never a good painter.  Mostly though I appreciate the art of others rather than produce my own.  I do not have the vision necessary to create art, and I accept that.

I’m often proud of the objects that I produce but I would not call them art Some craft is art, and some art is craft.  Visit any local Arts & Crafts show for an example.  Bent copper sprinklers and sun catchers will sit alongside pottery bowls and watercolors.  Leather roses, blue geese, photographs, soaps, lotions, and kettle corn will spread out in every direction and possibly, every vendor there believes he is producing art, even the guy with the leather roses (though, personally the kettle corn comes closer).  The most talented painter at the show could be producing craft if he is just painting what he sees and not capturing the way he sees it.  Art, for me, is about revealing your perspective and emotions to the viewer and not just about reproducing a scene.

Ultimately the conundrum is rather like trees falling in the woods, if no one appreciates what an artist pronounces as art is it still art?  I say no, it is not art simply because the artist says so.  The number of steps, or discoveries made during it’s production are interesting but do not necessarily make it art.  Simply put, I decide what is art for me and you decide what is art for you, which means someone could be looking at a ‘velvet Elvis’ as art.  So be it, prerogative is everything.

At the same time I do not belittle the crafters out there.  Craft provides me the outlet to be creative without the pressure to produce art.  I find pleasure creating something useable from a pile of fabric.  It is enjoyable to figure out a pattern and solve the problems that arise, despite the words that may be falling from my mouth when I encounter them.  I feel accomplished when I finish things, and I do finish things.  I envy those people on that list that see art in everything, and find ways to share it as such, but at heart I am a crafter, and I am content to craft.  It may not be what I set out to do, or seem like an accomplishment to someone standing over my shoulder, but that’s the beauty of craft.  It isn’t about what someone else thinks, it’s about what I gain by crafting.

Which ever you choose, craft or art ... or as in my case, which ever chooses you ... enjoy it.  In the end that is what really matters.

*****

In completely unrelated news, last night while measuring and planning for the great closet adventure this weekend it occurred to me that while I have most of the shelving out I really should paint the closet.  This is why I never get things finished; this ability of mine to turn a fairly straight forward project into a huge remodel.  I ‘need’ to do it right the first time but ‘right’ is often more work than I have energy to complete.  Still, I’m painting the closet this weekend.  Will it be done, shelves hung and organized come Monday morning?  I’m betting not, but we’ll see.  Oh, and while I’m on the subject, is it weird to paint the closet interior white and the room another color? 

Edited to include most recently completed journal.

I’ll be taking a little break through the weekend to give the journals as much exposure as possible.

Sorry for the sudden disappearance, there was an unexpected illness of the sort that any further information would constitute TMI.  And, as such things go, I am behind on the first project of the New Year.  The bidding for the James Kim auction begins today so I’m posting three finished journals and will get the others up as quick as I can.  I’m asking $15 each and I’ll pay your shipping, all proceeds will go to the James Kim Memorial fund. 

Before I share my contribution, let me share a few links.  The first being to Sara+h, who was kind enough to encourage me to particpate and is offering knit flapper hats that are just too cute for words.  She is also down with a cold and I’m sure would appreciate any ‘feel better quick’ thoughts that you might have to spare. 

The next is the link to the Kim Family Auction info page and the actual Ebay auction.  Believe me when I say you owe it to yourself to go and look at the amazing works of art that are being auctioned.  There is some seriously stunning stuff listed, and the talent level is so high I’m glad I’m offering mine on the fringe ... I would be mortified to offer my journals alongside these talented folks - heh.

And finally, before sharing, I’ve a big favor to ask .. I need a little help.  Readership here is pretty small, which is normally just fine by me, but I’d stand a better chance of reaching my goal with a little more traffic.  So, if you’d like to help out, without spending a cent, could you post a link to this entry on your site, and perhaps one to the actual auction as well.  I would really, really appreciate it.

And now, journals.  These are all 4x6 and re-fillable with a journal easily purchased at Barnes and Noble.  If you are interested in having one plese e-mail me or leave me a note in my comments and I’ll contact you.  Thanks so much for looking.

Kimono Journal
Cotton fabric frames a strip of vintage kimono silk. 

Patchwork Journal
Bright cotton patchwork with an exposed ‘serged’ edge.

Butterfly Journal
Stunning cotton fabric with a butterfly and flower motif.

Ole’ Boucle’ Journal
Boucle’ fabric with fringed edges, banded by a pretty garden print.

Garden Gate Journal
Cotton patchwork in vibrant garden colors.

It’s 6pm on a Friday, its dark outside, and I’m still at work, waiting for the worlds longest report to print. It is so large that I’ll need two reams of paper to finish it and must always make sure there is a fresh toner cartridge on hand, just in case. So, since I’ve nothing better to do at this precise moment I thought I’d introduce you to Tilly. My kind step-sister-in-law was kind enough to send me a photo of her today; Tilly is the rag doll I finished up Christmas morning. I think she’s just too darn cute! I am especially fond of her hair which is made from the best ‘hair yarn’ I’ve ever found. It has a little kink to it, and is multi colored—perfect for hair. I’ll be making more of these some day, she was a pleasure to make, and really fun to give!

As for the bear, well no photo’s of him yet. But, I am planning a lion along the same lines for a tiny cousin of mine. His nursery is ‘safari’ themed, and the idea of a ‘lion skin’ security blanket just cracks me up.

I expect that’s it for me until next year. I’m working all weekend, partying Sunday night and sewing on Monday. I wish you all the very best life has to offer in the New Year!

Today was ‘fat envelope day’ here at the Object.  In all there were three holiday cards with wee gifties tucked inside: A holiday magnet from Rox, an ornament from Donni, and another from Cindy, and chocolate from Amysue.  And last week there was one with a key chain from Jae.  It seems that even though the Tribe has ended the spirit lives on, and what a lovely spirit it is.  Thank you ladies for all your thoughtfulness. 

And goodies are rolling in from outside the Tribe as well, Greenie sent me a subscription to Southern Living, and the ever thoughtful Kim sent me a flock of chicks.  Ok, not really, but she did make a donation to Heifer in my name for a flock of chicks ... something I’ve always ‘intended’ to do, and an all together wonderful holiday gift.

D and I went a little nuts this weekend and bought furniture; a sofa(coffee colored), two chairs and an ottoman.  All leather.  Have I mentioned that we have four cats and a dog, all of whom are accustomed to getting on the furniture whenever the mood strikes?  I fear that we have lost our minds, but it is so much nicer than it was.  You can all come to dinner now that the furniture isn’t embarrassing.  Of course, you can’t come tonight as we are putting the old stuff on the curb.  It is too nasty to donate, and to be honest, I am trying to come up with ways to hide it from the neighbors because I know how much worse it is going to look in the sun.  I know we live a little on the messy side, I just don’t want anyone else to know. 

Before the furniture shopping spree, which, by the way, was brought on by two separate killer sales, we went to the “Gemstone, Jewelry & Bead” show that is held in Fort Myers twice a year.  The first time we went it was mostly jewelry we couldn’t afford, this time is was mostly beads and D had a hard time holding me back.  Even he had difficulty resisting all those sparkly things and spend a great deal of time choosing a focal bead, some spacers and a satin chain.  He is going to make me a necklace for Christmas.  How cute is he?

And I found flat square beads with circles punched out of the center and donut shaped flat beads that I plan to use on the cuffs of our new, mod Christmas stockings.  Yeah.  Seven days to Christmas and I got the urge to make hand beaded stockings.  Oh, and the urge to make two polar bear floor thows for my step niece and nephew, plus the covered journals for the James Kim Memorial donation.  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again ... I’m seriously cracked!

The last of the Christmas presents are straggling in (I do most of my shopping online) and I am particularly pleased with today’s arrival.  I made calenders at Qoop (via my Flickr acct).  I cant share the calender, but you can visit my Flickr page and look at the calender set.  Be warned, all the photo’s are of the dog ... cute overload!  This was a last minute idea and not terribly well executed, but you notice that less when it is all printed up and bound.  I’m sure my mom and D will love it, and it is a perfect example of ‘dust free’ Christmas gifts ... use ‘em and loose ‘em. 

I’m in a good place these days and it delights me to tell you that. 

Many crafters are getting together to hold an auction to benefit the Kim family.  With some gentle encouragement from Sarah I will also participate.  However, like Sarah, I missed the sign up deadline, so I will simply offer my items here, with all proceeds going to the James Kim Memorial Fund.  Sarah suggested I make covered journals, similar to the one I sent her in the Pincushion Swap, and I agreed that those may be popular.  So, my goal is to produce five of them between Christmas and New Year’s and offer them for $15 each (shipping is included in that price). The journals that I am using are readily available at Barnes & Noble* - when you need a refill, and hopefully will be a good size (4x6) for notes and sketching. 

Right now color and design is up in the air, as I will be working from my stash, but I will post photos as soon as I have a few made.  When I get the photo’s up I will also re-post the links for the actual auction, as well as Sarah’s site as she will be offering the cutest knit flapper hats you have ever seen!  I encourage everyone to participate, even if you don’t buy something from the auction or me, you can help out by spreading the word.

If you are just dying to get your hands on one I will be happy to accept a ‘pre-order’, just shoot me an e-mail or leave me a note in the comments. Thanks!

*I wanted to shoot for 7 journals, for a $100 donation, but the five I picked up cleaned out my local store - heh. 

I NEED want some of this fabric!  I am all ‘a flutter’ with three of them ... care to guess which?

Yes, that’s right I call the mail lady at work the ‘mail bat’, and to be honest that’s pretty durn nice. She slams, and bangs and huffs and puffs and heaven help you if you cause her to actually get out of the truck and carry something in; she practically launches it from the front door, rather than step inside.

Anyway, despite her never changing attitude, she delivered more good cheer today, and my desk is fairly sagging beneath all of its loveliness. First though, I want to share a better photo of my pincushion from Booga J.

It was a little lost in the group photo I shared previously, and certainly not given its fair due. I’m just in love with it, and am especially fond of the ric-rac peeking out along the first inside edge. Thanks again Booga J.

Now, today’s arrivals. Technically the first item arrived with Saturday’s mail but had to sit, locked in a dark mailbox until today. It’s my OrnaMental swap from the talented Lisa, at Plath’s Adventures! Not one but two ornaments, each equally cute. The beaded star is a little washed out in the sunlight, but just imagine it sparkling from the Christmas tree. The stocking is so cute I want a pair just like it for my boats - heh. The photo just doesn’t share how tiny and perfect it is! And to top off an already wonderful package she included a card (my second of the year) and a packet of Chai Latte ... the woman is a mind reader! I love Chai Latte! Thanks so much Lisa, and a wonderful holiday to you, your hubby and the furry kids!

And lastly (but not leastly) the second hygiene related birthday gift from Rox, man I’ve got to start showering more often-heh. She gave me a gift card for Indigo Wild. I placed my order sometime last week and promptly forgot about it, so imagine my delight when UPS dropped of a divine smelling box with my name on it. And inside? Well, see for yourself:

As my grandmother would have said, “A little dab of everything.” I purposely ordered sample sets, and 1/2 bars so I could try as many things as possible. On top of that they sent a free full bar, and several other samples, each smelling more divine than the next. If you need stocking stuffers this year I highly recommend their small sampler, its very inexpensive and packed with soapy goodness!

On an entirely different subject my pincushion swap partner has received her package so I can reveal to you who this inanely crafty lady is, its Sarah. Go check her out, she is positively amazing, I have no idea when she sleeps!