New color....

Is it too RED? I thought it might be good for the holidays....and then I added snow. While I was adding the snow, I saw a really cute little animated reindeer for my blog....and one of those little holiday trees that countdown the days until Christmas. (I haven't put the tree on the blog yet...I do have some restraint left.)

All I wanted was a different blog background for Thanksgiving...somewhere I went wrong.

Aggravation......

 Have you ever used a modern convenience that didn't work well?  Like those hooks that are not supposed to damage your wall and paint and plaster? Do they work for you? I've used them several times, following the directions just as they said......did it work?  NO! And this time I'm aggravated .
I wanted to hang a bat from the ceiling above my fireplace mantle for Halloween. So I cleaned off the ceiling as the directions said, stuck the hook and hung my bat. I loved it.  However, Halloween is now over and the bat can't stay there forever, so I took him down and then pulled the little thingy on the hook gently but firmly......and pulled a small chunk out of my ceiling. I can't tell you what I said...it's not very nice.  Accurate...but not nice. Let me know if you use those hooks and they work...maybe I'm an idiot and it's user error.....:(

Happy Birthday.....

 To me.   Today is my birthday....I'm sixty-four years old. I don't feel that old....I think I'm still in my fifties...maybe even forties.
  To make it feel better...I need to think of it in terms of things I like.

                              A. 64 Doughnuts from Spunky Dunkers
                              B. 64 Sheets of Bo Bunny Double Dots Paper
                              C. 64 Memory Box Dies
                              D. 64 Bottles of  Dr. Pepper
                              E. 64 Brand new, pretty colored tee shirts
                              F. 64 Books from the library
                              G. 64 Books from Barnes & Noble
                              H. 64 Mary Engelbreit posters
                              I.  64  People signed up for my Sampler Class at CraftFancy
                              J.  64 Paper piecing projects with lots of little pieces

                              K. 64 Gallons of gas for the car (Just threw in something practical
                                     to see if you were paying attention)
                              L.  64 Songs on the radio that I pretend I know the words to
                              M. 64 Slices of French Silk pie
                              N.  64 Holidays
                              O.  64 Love birds (Maybe not all at once)
                              P.   64 Pinterest pins
                              Q.  64 Etsy sales (You gotta dream)
                              R.  64  Antique shows
                              S.  64  Craft Fairs
                              T.  64  Trade shows
                              U. 64   Birthday parties (Other peoples)
                              V. 64   Bolts of fabric
                              W.64   TJMaxx stores
                              X. 64   Giraffes 
                              Y. 64    Bunnies
                               Z.   I saved the best for last......64 Family and Friends.
 .

       Maybe it's not so bad to be Sixty-Four! :):):)
                             
                        

One Year................

        It's been one year since Jim died.  I used to measure the year like everyone else.....from January to December. Now I measure it from September 29 to the next September 29. The same amount of time in both measurings, but a world of difference to me.
       Some of this year went by so quickly that it made my head spin. Some of this year went by so slowly that I thought it would never end. I'm not sure which was worse.
       Jennifer and I went to the cemetery today. We brought some purple flowers (Jim's favorite color).... and a tiny pumpkin to celebrate the coming Halloween. We sat in the sunshine and talked...we remembered things, laughed at some things we remembered and we cried a little too.
       I've still got so many things to ask him, and so many things to tell him. I guess I still can do those things...it's just not the same without his response. I miss him.....a lot.

The Witch's Tea Sampler at Craft Fancy....

I'm done with the Sampler Class for September....the theme was Halloween, "The Witches' Tea". I believe that I cut 39 kits...maybe 40....all done in white and black spider web paper, and trimmed in purple and black.

 I've been seeing little silver candelabra with black candles in my sleep...along with tiny purple cakes decorated with silver dots and a shiny black spider. There are also bottles of "Witch Water" and "Vampire Blood"....because, of course, you need a variety of yummy things to serve at a Tea Party thrown by Witches.  And don't forget the black hat trimmed with purple tulle...every witch needs to be properly dressed at a Tea.

 Right in the center of the Sampler is the invitation to the Witches' Tea. The invitation is cream colored, matted with purple, black and a shiny black oval Tiffany frame. It says,   

                                        "On All Hallow's Eve
                                      At the stroke of midnight
                                     Your presence is required
                                         At the Witches' Tea.
                                      There will be ample
                                          broom parking.

 You must have an invitation to attend the tea, after all, you can't just crash a party...it just isn't done....you might be turned into a toad. (Did you notice the "Required" in the invitation...if a Witch wants you at her Tea Party....you better be there!)

PS I'll post a photo of the Sampler,  as soon as I get my camera and card to work.

No Photos.. No Camera...Be Prepared For Whining

Okay....the gods of photography are definitely not with me. I can't use the camera card in the computer...and now my camera is doing odd things. It takes photos when you press the button to open the lens...NOT when you press the "Take a picture" button. (I know...my technology knowledge is amazing  you...isn't it? :) )   So, not only can I not put my photos into the computer...I can't even take any now.  There must be some residual full moon going on here.    My whine is over.

Hmmm...Still No Photos.....

I did buy a card reader for my camera card....but still nothing comes up on my computer for it. So....I am still photoless.
Sigh.....I'll keep trying.......I have things to show you.

CRAFT FANCY'S FABULOUS FALL SALE!!!!

To Welcome Fall, we are having a Fabulous Fall Sale Event this Saturday, September 14. We will have tons of items on SALE Saturday ONLY... Tim Holtz Stamps & Dies up to 50% off Spellbinders Dies & Embossing Folders up to 50% off Select 12x12 Collection Kits  50% off Select 6x6 Pads 50% off American Crafts Thickers & Punches 50% off Fiskars Punches 50% off Select MFT Die-Namics 50% off There will also be Quarter Paper and $1 Embellishments along with tons of other merchandise Clearanced out.  Be sure to stop by early for the BEST selection.

I Want Photos....

 My computer has decided NOT to allow me to show photos...so I'm going to buy a card reader today . I will show photos if it kills me....or the computer.  :)

Craft Fancy At Scrapbook Expo........

      Come see Craft Fancy at The Scrapbook Expo at Pheasant Run in St. Charles, Illinois....this weekend. We've got gorgeous Memory Box Dies, lots of new paper and too many wonderful things to list.  If you come to see us....maybe I won't buy it all before you get there....I'll save some for you.  :)

I Have New Windows...or...A New Outlook On Life!

    My new windows came! No more pushing the loft window back into it's frame at night before I go to bed. No worrying that a wind storm will push the window inside. No more hearing outside conversations that sound like they're inside my house.
     It took the workmen from Illinois Energy 8-9 hours to install my 6 windows and the sliding glass patio doors....they were wonderful.  When they left at the end of the day I was excited to try cleaning the windows (That was probably the first time you've ever heard that from me)..so I remembered the installers instructions, carefully unlocked the window, opened it about 5-6 inches, released the latch...and tilted the window down. I cleaned the bottom window.... then cleaned the top window(You have to have the bottom window open to open the top window) and closed it. When I went to close the bottom window....it came out of the left side window frame. Sigh....the windows were in for an hour and I've already messed them up. I couldn't let it hang down because I was afraid it would fall off....so I pushed it into the frame. Then it wouldn't close.  I looked at it for a while and then called the company.  After a little phone tag....I talked to the owner who tried to tell me over the phone how to fix the window...then he gave up (I was not taking instruction well) and came to my house (A 45 minute trip), fixed the window, took pictures of my new windows and doors and generally calmed me down. He's a very nice man.
     The next day I cleaned the rest of the windows with no problem. Then I realized that I needed window coverings.( I don't generally streak through my house, but you never know. )  I remembered that my real estate agent, Linda told me about paper shades as temporary window coverings.    After a trip to Home Depot, I bought a pack of 6 paper pleated window shades that stick to the window frame. Yes, yes, I know...but I was optimistic.
I put them up that evening...they looked good...perfect for a month or two (Or 12) until I figure out what I want on the windows.  In about two hours,  most of them were on the floor....so I went in search of thumbtacks. No one sells thumbtacks any more. I had to buy pushpins...I guess they're the new thumbtack.  At least I got a package that had all colors of pushpins...I used all the white ones to hold up the shades. Now I need a bulletin board to use the other colors....but I have pretty windows!

 New windows are going in.......!

 The picture is a little dark...but this is my bedroom. It looks a lot different than in this picture... now that there is actually a bed in it. At night from my two windows, I can see trees, the moon and the stars (When they're out and we're not having another storm).
  My house tour is almost over..I've only got a few small rooms left to show you....but next Thursday...my new windows will be installed. And then the tour might start over.

The New House Tour Continues....

 The master bath...my bath....I guess I'm the Master of the house now. :)  This room has two doors going in to it...the hallway door and the door to my bedroom. I can get lost just going through all the doors!  I've got bright golden yellow towels now....and I'm looking for a Mary Engelbreit poster in bright colors to frame and hang in here. I want shelves too...in black or black/brown.

House Tour....Loft

 These are the shelves in the upstairs loft....I love them...even if I do need a ladder to get to the top of them. The photo below is the view from the south facing window in the loft. Under all the snow is a pond.

The Living Room

   My living room...with sliding glass doors and another window overlooking the air conditioner,  my patio, two forsythia bushes, the neighbors across the way and the pond. I was so happy when I thought of having a  fireplace again...I love the warm feel of them. When the inspector came to check the house...he checked the fireplace. He turned on the gas starter, stood there and talked to me for a second and then bent down with the lighter to start it. Whooooossshh.... I think he waited too long. We were all lucky not to be barbecued on the spot. No one was hurt...but I'm thinking twice about ever starting the fireplace again. At least without the fire department waiting out in front.
   The railing at the bottom of the photo is at the entrance of the house. There's a tile entry at the front door which leads to two steps down for the living room and to the left...two steps down to the dining room. The room looks small in the photo...but I have an 89 inch sofa, two end tables, a sofa table with the television on it, a small cabinet in the corner and my grandfather clock....and it doesn't feel crowded at all. I'm looking for white shelving units for the back wall...they'll hold my television and give me extra storage...and I'm looking for a rug....and maybe a new couch....and either art for over the fireplace or a mirror. But that's all.....:)

House Tour...Dining Room

        This room, which is larger than it looks...is my dining room. It's where I hold State Dinners, Conventions and Debutante Balls.  Actually, it just about holds my table, chairs and the china cabinet. That's okay, I haven't held a State Dinner in ages. At the right, you can see the counter that passes through to the kitchen. The light fixture is nice, but I need something with a little more light than it gives. To the left of the photo (That you can't really see) is the window with paper covering it...when I'm feeling really fancy...I fold the bottom of the paper up gracefully and hold the sides with potato chip bag clips :)......I'm not putting up window coverings until I get the new windows.

I'm Home.....

    In April...on Easter Sunday... I moved into my new townhouse.  It's the first time in my life that I've ever had to live by myself. Exciting...yes! Scary...yes to that too....but I'm getting used to it.
    My townhouse is small but comfortable...and do I ever have plans for it. It was a flip and the man doing it has done a good job...but there are still things I'd like to change.  I've ordered new windows (Because the windows that are here are falling out) and a new set of sliding glass doors. The doors are the ones with blinds in between the layers of glass. A little more expensive but since my sliding doors directly face the curve of the street....it will save all of my neighbors the horror of seeing me standing in the kitchen every morning with mismatched pajamas, bleary eyes and messy hair. I am no style icon.
    I've got a list of other things that I'd like to do to my new house. Every room that I walk into has a future list. The kitchen has probably the most things:
                 *A  backsplash...maybe penny tile or subway tile or beadboard (I love beadboard!)
                 * I want the ugly light fixture taken down (I call it the coffin light, because it looks for all the world like a black and white coffin attached to the ceiling . ) I'd like can lights in the ceiling instead.
                 *Oh...and I need to have someone come in and attach the cabinets more securely...one of them is coming away from the wall. Of course it was the cabinet with all my cookbooks and heaviest serving bowls....all of that stuff is temporarily crammed into assorted areas.
                 *There's a closet under the stairs that I want to turn into a pantry/storage area. I'd like to paint it a clean, bright white (It's white now, but not clean or bright), put new white shelves up on one wall and push a small white dresser up close under the stairs. I can still store big containers behind the dresser and put canvas bins on the top of the dresser to store more stuff and I'll have the dresser drawers for...um...even more stuff. What a great plan...now I just have to DO it.
                  My new  kitchen.....

It's Been A While.....

It's been a while since I've posted anything on my blog...I've been busy. Fixing up my house to sell it, selling my home, packing, moving to my daughter's house, looking for a new home, getting frustrated, being overwhelmed,  finding a new home, moving, unpacking,  being excited about new things, being afraid of new things, looking forward, looking backward, crying because I was looking backward, crying because looking forward meant losing what I left behind. Trying to be me, trying to be a better me,  being mean, being angry, being sorry, being kind, not being sure about anything, disappointing people I love and people I like, disappointing myself, surprising myself, terrifying myself .   Life has been hectic..but I think it's calming down...I hope so.  We can all use a rest from me.

How The Vanilla Turned Out......

 

A while ago I showed you the start of my homemade vanilla....I started it on August 2nd...here is a photo of how it turned out before I put ribbon and tags on it and gave it as Christmas gifts.You can see the actual jars (With the old vanilla beans) that I made it in, behind the full bottles. I took all the used vanilla beans, put them into a jar, added more vodka and started a new batch of vanilla. It's an addiction. :)

I made the vanilla from two different kinds of vanilla beans....Mexican and Madagascar Beans. I think that I prefer the Mexican because it's a softer, slightly sweeter scent. I haven't baked with it yet and I haven't heard if anyone has tried it and liked it yet....but I'm hoping it turned out well. It smells great!

Love Cards...

    Valentine's Day is the next holiday coming up.....lots of hearts, candy and love....with a little bit of houndstooth check thrown in.  :)

Now...On to Valentine's Day....

All the Christmas and New Year creativity is packed away until 12 months from now, so on to Valentine's Day!

 Here is a super fluffy, frilly, feminine card...perfect for someone's special Valentine.