January 1, 2012 is nearly here!

I can not believe the new year is right around the corner!  It is amazing to me how swiftly years fly by, yet I honestly feel like I hardly age.  A perk of not having kids, I suppose, is not having their little birthdays to remind me of my own years passing?  I do have 2 younger sisters, who I feel I had a part in raising during my school years.  The older of the two is turning 30 in a few days, and things like that make me 'feel old'.  When I run into acquaintances from my early bagel shop days, and they tell me how their kids (or grandkids) are doing in college, when I remember them as grade schoolers...this makes me 'feel old'.  It is the passing of days for OTHER people that reminds me that I, too, am aging.
But that's no matter, really.  We all age, there is nothing we can do to stop it.  We must simply live our lives as best we can and not get down about the number of years we've  endured thus far.

So, in the spirit of ages, and our aversion to growing old, I made some art last night.  I made it with the intent to send it off to the West Coast as my mail art submission to the Milk Gallery in Sacramento. 
Another blogger has posted about it and I was intrigued.  All pieces must be sent through the mail and ready to display.  And that is where I am running into trouble!
I have made several pieces to send to my mail art friends...though not nearly as many as I had hoped when first joining the mail art group...but I never really tried any 3-D effects. 
Here is what I've done:

I think it's fun and quirky...I really rather enjoy it!  However, the pigtails may be a problem.  I am going to attempt to really secure them and hope for the best, I guess.  This is one of my favorite photos of mine, and I've been wanting to use it as a base for something else, for quite a while.
I'm hoping my friend in Sacramento will be able to go see the show, too!

And in other news...I am eagerly awaiting new years day!  It will be my first day off in 23 days and I'm planning on sleeping with ear plugs and eye mask, in hopes that I will stay in bed later than 5 a.m.!!  Well, I'm hoping to be out quite late/early morning anyway!!
Happy New Year, everyone! 
Perhaps I should consider some resolutions? 
#1: get treadmill to basement so that I might get more running in!

Decisions, Decisions

I have decided to take a couple days off at the end of January to have another 'grand re-opening' of my etsy shop.  The whole month I will work, work, work at creating a whole bunch of new items: journals, quilled things, maybe some new cards.  So, with this re-birth, I have again been considering changing my shop name.
I had picked my original name quickly one morning.  After a lot of stream of conscious brainstorming, I found that each name I liked had already been taken.  I finally got to one that wasn't being used and decided that would be the one.
MyDearest was born from the idea of the greeting of a letter: My Dearest...
Since I was playing with paper, and making cards and homemade paper stationery, I thought it was cute.
But now I'm wondering, again, if I should change it to include my name in someway.  With a last name like Hart, it seems silly to not use it! I like paper hart, but it has been taken by another 'card company'. So, again, after a long list of possibilities, I fell into I Hart Paper.  Is that weird?  Does anyone like that?  Is it better/worse than what I already have? It's more obvious what my products might be, and that could be beneficial in getting noticed more, out there in that giant sea of sellers.
MyDearest is quite vague and...does it seem a little odd?
Of course, if I change it to I Hart Paper, does that tie me into only paper?  If I decide to branch out to bags, again, will that seem odd?
Of course, the spelling would have to be correct to find it, so that may actually make it worse!?
I am kind of just typing to try to work this out for myself...to see if one name makes more sense than the other...if it's worth changing; but, all opinions are welcome.
well, I'll think on it for a week.  that way, if I change it, I have time to get new business cards made!
Oh, and happy Christmas to me...I have sold 7 of my 9 snowflakes at the bakery!! I only wish I had time to make some more. Now with Christmas being over, and all the extra shifts I've been working being over, I may have a little extra time tomorrow!

On to the next big thing

Well, just like every year, after all of the hustle and bustle to get everything ready of Christmas, it seems to end in an instant.
This year there were a couple trips to the hospital to see Dad, I was working both jobs most days, and I was trying to sell some of my handmade snowflakes at a local shop...so, this year I was extra busy.
And the weather did not make getting into the Christmas spirit very easy.  Most days it was unseasonably warm, or rainy...it was easy to forget it was December.  So, I relied on the Internet to do what little shopping I could coax myself into.  I was increasingly frustrated by the traffic at the mall next to where I work.  The convenience of the mall wasn't enough...I didn't step foot in there once!  Hubby drove to the quaint neighboring villages and shopped at the little local shops, but I just didn't have the time to do that.  Luckily, we just buy for each other, and then a swap gift for our Christmas Eve party.
We all managed to get stuff done.  I got to the point where, if it wasn't done by Thursday, I wasn't going to do it at all.

 We ladies dressed up pretty.  We just love our puffy dresses!

A delicious turkey dinner, complete with a farm fresh salad of local greens, roasted Brussels sprouts, homemade cranberry sauce, gratin dauphinoise (or, fancy scalloped potatoes), rolls, gravy, and of course turkey.  We had plum pudding for dessert; and, we brought along freshly baked cranberry walnut bread and a white chocolate brioche, for which I made a yummy whipped vanilla-honey butter.
We swapped gifts, laughed, and talked.  Baby sister sang a beautiful Victorian song while Uncle played along on the piano.  (If she puts it in her blog, I will share a link...I think someone was getting video of it.)  It was a lot of fun.
And just like that it's over.  On to New Year's Eve and the prospects of a better new year.  I am using January to just concentrate on creating new things for my shop, with the hopes that I can re-open in February, all fresh and new. 
We saw Sherlock Holmes last night.  It was in the tiniest theater and it was crowded.  We had to sit too close to the screen and the guy behind hubby was too large in relation to how close the seats where.  The movie was good, but it was very uncomfortable.  I may have to try to see it again.  We didn't stay for the credits like we like to, so I feel like we missed out on the 'end'.  But, my Panang Curry, Thai iced tea, and Tom Ka Kai soup were fabulous!
I hope everyone had a nice Christmas day...whether you celebrated, just had a day off, or even if you had to work.  I ended up just having to work a couple of hours in the morning and was back home by 8am, the way i worked it out, so it was almost like having the day off.  (That's a whole other story I won't bother getting into, though.)
So, here we go...on to the new year...

December=eggnog

My eggnog is a process.  And it needs at least 3 days to 'cure' before it can be consumed.  I think it has something to do with the mellowing out of the brandy and whiskey; but, also the fact that it's made with a dozen raw eggs.  That alcohol has to 'cook' the eggs.  So, each year, I count back from the day I 'need' it, and plan to make it then.  Well, this year, my plans have been thwarted at every turn, causing me to alter them almost daily.  The extra work this past week was one thing, but throw on top of that a family medical issue and I'm just tearing my hair out! 
I don't deal well with this sort of thing. 
It wasn't busy at work today, so I asked to take the afternoon off.  I will not be able to do anything tomorrow, as I will now be working and then going to the hospital to see my dad.  So, I had to do some of tomorrows stuff today, and the rest on Thursday.  That meant I HAD to make eggnog tonight!

This is serious stuff we're talking about!  Here's the kicker: Hubby asks, 'can you make some for [other friends]?'  Well, I can, but I'll have to make extra and that means I need more stuff.
So after one full batch, I made a extra half batch. 
This is serious business, too!  After separating a dozen eggs, I have to cream the yolks with sugar and add milk and heavy cream; whip the whites very stiff; and, then fold the whites into the rest.  THEN, I add the brandy and whiskey.  The first couple years I made this, I didn't have an electric mixer...I had to whip a dozen egg whites BY HAND!!  It takes much less time these days, for sure!
Once the creamy deliciousness is decanted into whatever bottles I can find (I do keep a few bottles specifically for this time of year), I have to 'shake' the bottles each day for 3 days (at least).  It reduces the volume and I actually end up emptying a couple bottles by the 3rd day.
Usually, I fight with myself over just how much to make.  I have made full batches to be left with way too much after Christmas.  I've made half batches after that, only to wish I had made more.  This year was the first time I've made extra.  It's usually too strong for most people, so I have cut the whiskey a bit...just a bit.
Yes, I did just write a whole post about eggnog.  I just love it so!  I even like looking at this picture!  The way the foamy egg whites separate from the thick and creamy yolk mix, and float to the top! Yummy!!  It's really the reason I feel like I have to make so much...I have to make sure I have some for my own enjoyment Christmas Day!

Victorian dress

I thought I'd post some pictures today. 

This is our Victorian Christmas from a few years ago.  The confederate soldier is my brother, and the girl with the grey dress was his girlfriend at the time.  We tend not to get to familiar with his girlfriends, as they change each year.  Of course, I'm pretty sure that was the last time I saw my brother anyway.  I, of course, am hidden behind Gram...I never get a good shot of my dresses!  Hubby's taking the picture, as he hates having his picture taken.

The dress I wore, and am wearing again, and have worn several times for Halloween costumes and also for a different Christmas (our first Victorian inspired Christmas, which was back in 2001 or so, when I made a glorious Beef Wellington). 

I bought this dress at Goodwill for $29.99.  I bought it to actually wear as my wedding dress, but , as we know, plans changed.

The whole thing is just covered in flowery appliques.  (I added the sleeves with some material I found to mimic the dress fabric, and a quick addition of lace trim.)

It does have a long train, so for dress-up, I stitch the train to the back and then I have a maroon colored 'backwards apron' sort of skirt I tie around my waist, making it look as if I have a bustle.

The back had a tear in it when i bought it, so i had to stitch that up many years ago, but you can't see it when the costume is done anyway.

I'm just so in love with this dress! 

I will (hopefully) get a good picture of the finished product this year.

Once again, my hair is at a weird length for this, but I have my fake braids I can pin on.

I had a dream is was snowing

But, it still hasn't.  I think it is because the gentleman on the news reported 'possible dusting' on the coast in a couple days.  This morning, we're easing out of our overnight 'wind advisory' and the ground is wet from rain/dew. 
I'm attempting to keep the little bit of holiday spirit I have in me this year by adding eggnog to my morning coffee, listening to Pandora's 'Swingin' Christmas Radio' station (it's really good...there are some hilarious songs from the '40's thrown in), and looking at all kinds of great stuff on etsy (leg warmers, hats, mittens, penguin prints).  So far, it's mostly just reminding me that the few days just before Christmas Eve are going to be busy!
Our family Christmas (it's just 7 or 8 of us 'kids' getting together) is at Auntie's this year.  We theme or Christmases to make them more interesting, since we don't celebrate for religious reasons.  We celebrate our togetherness.  This year we are 'Victorian'.  We have done this before, and it's great fun for us girls to wear our puffy dresses and braided hair.  We do a $20 limit Yankee Swap, which has varied results.  Some years it seems everyone ends up with a gift perfectly suited for him or her...other years, there's that one gift everyone fights for!
I always bring homemade eggnog.  It is from a recipe Auntie got from a co-worker 15 or so years ago.  I made it that first year, it was a hit (I especially loved it) and I have made it every year since (minus the year we lived on Nantucket).  So, that is on my list, but there is a specific time I must make it...it needs at least 3 days to 'cure' before serving.  I have marked Wednesday on my calendar, as that is the only time I can make it. Monday/Tuesday are out due to work, and Thursday would be too late...it has to be Wednesday...I can't forget! :)
I will also have to find a potato dish to bring.  Having just one dish to make, I like to find something interesting or at least VERY tasty.  And we'll pick up a freshly baked loaf of bread at our friends' bakery...yum!
I did get a swap gift on etsy after all.  I won't be getting the antique knife sharpener that I thought would be cool as a paper-weight or other such do-dad/decor, but that's okay.  I think I've found something equally as cool.  With things like these, if no one else likes it, at least you know YOU will!
OH, and I got all of the gifts I had shipped for Hubby...so no worries there.  He's been wanting a nice 'rocks' glass since he got me a nice one for my birthday several years ago.  He has gotten a few, in the meantime.  The one he first got, chipped.  Then there were a couple others that he liked, but as he used them, wished they were a little heavier.  He likes a nice sturdy, heavy-bottomed glass.  Then he finds a nice one, but it's got a weird pattern or something.  Luckily, he doesn't read my blog, so I can show them off, now:

They're really nice.  They are a little smaller than I imagined, but a good size, I think.  They are definitely heavier than 'today's' glasses, as they are 'vintage'.  I thought the plain 'wheat' design was nice...kind of manly.  This is the shop from where I was going to also get the knife sharpener.  To my surprise, this duo came as a trio.  I am contemplating giving 2 to hubs, and giving the spare to my friend who has started collecting cocktail glasses.

The arrival of gifts has me in higher spirits.  I love giving gifts.  When i can find that 'perfect' gift, I just get so excited wrapping it up and awaiting the reaction from the recipient!  The simple pleasures of life, I suppose.

I was lucky enough to not be needed at the vet Wednesday evening, but I did work from 4:30am to 5:30 pm yesterday, after the day was done.  I tried very hard to stay awake for A Charlie Brown Christmas (I had been saying ' I just want to know when it's on!' and then, there it was!).  I could only listen to it, as I could not keep my eyes open!  I offered to work only the afternoon at the vet today, so I am off until 2pm today.  Then, all day Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday.  I will have to make the most of my afternoons Wednesday-Friday!  I should go pen my list of 'to-do's', I guess!

Hope everyone is keeping up with all of their holiday errands!

oh, that's right...Christmas is coming!

As I've said before, we don't 'celebrate Christmas'...we get to have a day off together and use it as an excuse to buy things.  Each year, we buy less...because there are fewer things that we truly need.  These days our lists include things like new bulkhead door, gutters, new flooring in the dining room, new exhaust for my car...things like that.  But, Hubby does enjoy a nice bottle of Scotch to get him through the cold winter nights.  And his favorite children's book authors seem to still be putting out books (thank you, Graeme Base!), so I do love getting him little things.  And I LOVE wrapping gifts.  Sometimes I come close to just wrapping empty boxes for fun!
However, what just occurred to me is that it's nearly Christmas Eve...the night I get to spend with the few family members I am close to.  The night of our gift swap...for which I need to get a gift!!  I was planning on hitting the antiques mall in town, but I don't know when I will have a chance now!  I have found a couple things on Etsy, but it's getting to the point where I am just nervous it won't arrive in time. I actually ordered a little trinket to go with my swap gift but got a message from the seller that he was refunding my money as he couldn't find the item.  He was very apologetic, and it wasn't that big of a deal for me, but this happened last year, too!  There was a book I ordered and the woman couldn't find it.  So that compounds my fear of trying to order something so late.
I often get so wrapped up in all the day to day that before I know it, a week has passed and I'm still trying to cross things off my list!  I'm sure I'm not the only one, but boy! don't the holidays just seem to speed up time!?
But on to some good news...
I already got one of MY gifts!  And, as excited as I am to get this, I was again touched by how awesome our friends are.  We decided that I should get a treadmill.  But of course do not have hundreds of dollars to spend on something that is not a necessity.  So, I kept checking craigslist until I found 3 that looked good, in my price range.  Hubby called on the first one on my list, and got set to pick it up Monday.  But how do we get a treadmill to our house without a delivery service?  Hubs drives a Scion (the one between the sporty one and the big boxy one) and I drive a Cavalier...neither is going to house a treadmill, even if it does fold down!  So, Hubby posted that he needed a truck the next day, and within minutes our friends were offering their trucks.  I actually had one friend come in to my work and tell me where his truck would be and that he'd just leave the keys in it for us.
Now i know lots of people have friends and family who will do this, but to me it is the speed of it all.  One quick post to facebook, and within minutes someone is there to help.  Of course, I had to help unload it during my lunch break, since the truck he borrowed was our plumber friends giant work truck, and the treadmill is super heavy on just one end, so it's awkward.
Anyway...that means no more excuses for not running, or working out at all, really! 
We have to somehow get it down to the basement.  It will not go around the curve of the stairs so it will have to go in through the bulkhead.  Which wouldn't be a big deal, if not for the fact that our bulkhead door is now a rotted wooden door, covered with a tarp that has been nailed down and secured with several 2x4's (courtesy of the Hurricane Irene scare).    So, for now, until the two of us have more than 10 minutes of  'hi & bye' in one day, it stays in our 'dining room'. 

It didn't have a manual, so i have to get online and find one.  There are so many buttons, I just don't know what to do with them all!  There is an additional part you can get for the heart rate function, but I already have 2 heart rate monitors, I probably don't need another.

I unfolded it and gave it a go today.  (Oh, I actually called my vet job today and they said they could do without me today!!)  I was definitely making it harder than it needed to be...I am very new at this.  I have never even stepped one foot on a treadmill before today!

I decided that I really need to download the manual, because there are several workout programs in the machine, but I don't know how to access them.  So, I struggled a bit trying to figure out why it would speed up and then slow down, but managed to get to a steady jog.  I think it'll do the trick!

Maybe I can lose those pounds by spring, after all!?

And in other news, one of my snowflakes sold the second day they were at the bakery.  At least that's something...some positive feedback.

In the public's eye

Please forgive my picture-taking abilities for this post.  I know they aren't ever as good as other bloggers (I really need to sit down with the manual and practice with that thing!!), but these were taken after my 3 days of quilling-during-every-spare-moment.  Also, the end came an hour after my normal bedtime when I needed to be up at 3:30 the next morning.  They are very dark and I didn't try at all to make them look nice.  They were mostly for reference, but I was so pleased with the snowflakes themselves that I thought I'd show them off.This is the display my friends at the Underground Bakery have let me put up on their pastry case.  They are so nice to do this, too, with it being the holidays and having their gingerbread houses and other such holiday treats already needed space for display.  They encouraged me to make some for the village stroll (it was yesterday).  I had to be somewhere else, so I couldn't go and so don't know if any sold, but just having them out for people to see is a start.

I really liked the variations of the original 6 or so I made.  It goes much faster when I am not coming up with an entirely new pattern with every snowflake.  Though I would like them to be different, they are all similar, to save time, since I was trying to get as many as possible done. 

Things you MUST have to do this quickly: paper shredder, tiny squeeze bottle of glue, very pointy tweezers, and a good movie or music playing in the background! 

I wasn't quite sure how I was going to package them safely for the bakery, but I found some old cello sleeves from my card making days, and that seemed to work fine.  Added some pretty blue cardstock for support, slapped a label on the back and in the end I had seven of my 'larger' ones (4.5-5'') and 2 of the little ones (about 3'').  

These were a couple of my favorites.

So now I am at the beginning of my 2 week stretch, where I will have no time for anything but work.  That's okay, though, who doesn't need the money this time of year, right!? (Or any time of year, for that matter!)  But I am feeling good about my new hobby and think that I can get some stuff in my shop (after the holidays, unfortunately) and be proud of it.  For now, I am happy to have it in a public place for people to actually see up close and personal and maybe get some feedback.

It's like it never happened

Why do I even own a camera?  I am the worst at documenting anything (which is probably why my etsy pictures could use some work...i need some practice!).  I had my little 'party' last night.  Just my sisters, probable future brother-in-law, aunt & uncle, and Hubby & me.  I learned a new card game (Spit) and it was a riot. This is the only picture I got...before anyone got there, so before any food went out...not particularly impressive.










Though I did get the tree decorated, and put out some of my holiday stuff.  The penguin couple goes out every year, no matter how little desire I have to decorate.


Our Ikea ornaments have loops for hanging.  That was not going to work on my 'tree arrangement' of pine babies.  So I had to dig for the package of metal hooks that I knew we had, though, have not used in a long time...

 What a mess!!

We had a little food and some drinks.  I, of course, put together a cheese tray; and, forgot to take a picture...it was not my best effort anyway.  The wedge of brie I got was fairly large, so I baked one with honey and almonds, and the other half with blackberry jam and almonds.  Yum!  I didn't want to be in the kitchen all day preparing, so I just got a few frozen appetizers at Trader Joe's...it worked out okay, though, I think I could've made everything a little hotter...oh well.  No one would ever tell me it was cold, anyway. 
The girls and I like to get dressed pretty, and I have my sequined dress from our Vegas trip that has limited occasions for which it can be worn, so I like to wear that whenever possible.  Of course, I didn't get a shot of the 'finished product', but here's my glamour shot after the hair and jewelry...
...though, this is even before I had my satin flower fascinator on, too!







It was a good time.  For me, at least.
I had taken yesterday and today off as 'vacation' so that I could concentrate on cleaning up my basement and possibly getting some stuff done around the house.  But now I have a 14-day work 'week' ahead of me.  And then it's Christmas Day (yes, I did just say it's 14 days until Christmas).  So, my plans have changed a bit.  Sure, I could still clean the basement today, but I won't.
Tomorrow is our towns Christmas Stroll.  I recently made a collection of 6 paper snowflakes for our friends to hang in their bakery (for which my payment was a paper shredder!!  I love the barter system!).  They are so kind, and didn't 'let' me, so much as 'insist' that I make some to sell there during the stroll.  So, the past couple of days I have been making snowflakes in the early morning hours or just before bed.  Today, with the whole day, I am going to attempt to just make snowflakes until I just can't do it anymore.  The main issue will be getting them sprayed with sealant in time to package for Hubby to bring in Sunday.  I will be gone all day Sunday, so I can't go sell them myself, but they said they'd take care of it, and Hubs will be there hanging out anyway.  I guess I'd better get to work, then!

Time to get festive

My Homemade Tree

Well, Christmas is almost here.  Even if you don't celebrate it as a religious holiday, it's a fact...December 25 is fast approaching.  We have an odd family.  I mean, all families are odd...it's just the nature of family!  But, this time of year is more 'the end of the year' than anything else.  All growing up, Christmas morning was about 30 minutes of 'fun': opening gifts, eating candy, yummy homemade breakfast of some sort; then, everybody got dressed and packed into the car for a 2 hour road trip to Detroit.  Already not fun, but throw in a little sister who gets car sick and now you're talkin' awesome family road trip!  And it's not like Michigan winters were fun to drive around in, and the suburbs of Detroit aren't really a fun destination for youngin's.

But it was Dad's family...the crazy Roman Catholic Polish family that passes 'the body of Christ' to everyone before dinner (Brother and I had never even had our first Communion!).  The family that loves and lives to fight.  Women in the kitchen chatting while the homemade sausage, potatoes, green beans, etc. cook; men in the living room arguing about anything and everything; and, the kids trying to figure out the newest board game grandma has found for us.  Most of my memories are from before my aunts and uncles started having kids...so it was basically me and my brother for 10 years.  Can you imagine being the only 2 kids in a room full of bickering adults on Christmas morning!!??  I ate a lot of snacks that day...but, that was true for most days, to be fair.
When I moved out on my own, I swore I would never travel anywhere on Christmas day.  And it eventually became one of the only 2 days Hubby and I had off together during any given year.  Things change of course. I go out on Christmas day now...to see a movie and get Chinese food.  Christmas Eve is family Christmas: the kids table only...no 'adults'.
Now, Hubby was raised Jewish.  He's not a practicing Jew, but he did have his bar Mitzvah...that was the last day his family went to temple, I guess.  He's not keen on Christmas due to it's being shoved in every one's face starting before Thanksgiving, these days; but, growing up, none of his friends were Jewish...he was always sad that he didn't get a tree to decorate.  He still likes to get a tree.
This year, though...it's unseasonably warm.  It is hard to get into any sort of Christmas spirit.  We decided against a tree.
BUT THEN...
I decided to have the girls over to my place for a little shindig.  I can't have a holiday party without a tree and decked halls!!  So I made a tree.  This is the second year I've done this and I gotta say, I really like it.  I still have to decorate it, but it's just beginnings of pines, growing in my driveway, that I've cut and put in a vessel full of rocks.  You could do this same thing by cutting some branches from any tree!  I really like the way it looks.  The last time I did this, I added some bittersweet branches and other fun stuff...this year, I just couldn't find anything else in the yard.  Must be all the wind we've had this year; everything has blown away.
Anyway, the girls and I used to do a cookie bake every year before Christmas, but each year we realize we aren't really enjoying the baking part as much.  So now we cut to the chase and just have cocktails and gab session.  This way the boys can come, too.  So that's tonight. 
Then after one more day off, my next scheduled day off will be Christmas day...I'm seriously considering wearing my p.j's to the movie that day!!

a full day...i like it!

well, a full day by my book is probably a boring 'what now' kind of day for a normal person. 
I was up early, as usual, and posting oddball random thoughts blogs at 4:30 this morning...not even sure what i was babbling on about.  Then i finished the last 2 of the 6 snowflakes I was making for my friend to hang in her bakery.

 I would've loved to have delivered them today, but I had to spray them with sealant and i didn't want to rush it.  By the time Hubby left for work at 8:30, I had lost my desire to take the run I had been thinking about all morning.  Running was so much easier when I could get up at 5 and be out the door, with the sun already rising, by 5:30!  Having to wait until the buses are out is annoying.  So, instead, I cleaned the kitchen and then ate some lunch while I watched a stupid movie that I can't even remember right now! 
Then, for about 10 minutes, around 2pm, I stared at my running shoes and talked myself in and out of running several times before finally giving in.  I didn't run the full 25 minutes i was out, but alternated 3 minutes of running with a minute of walking.  I wasn't really feeling it, but i was glad I got out to exercise.  Of course, then I came home, and between spraying my snowflakes, trying to watch Footloose(I just couldn't get into it), trying to decide what to buy for christmas gifts, and trying to coordinate a small cocktail party for next weekend, I made rice crispy treats.  And then I ate half of them!!  (it was not a full batch of treats, but still...) 
so, by a 'full day' I mean i spent most of it eating!  Clearly my day off has to be my 'cheat' day b/c it's really all i want to do when i'm home.

Well, i decided to take advantage of having a window in our shed, and took my snowflakes outside to spray.  While i was out there, I glanced at my garden beds.  And I saw green...it was a tiny snow pea plant!

 and over in the other bed...a bunch of giant radishes!!  Crazy weather!













And this was the inside of the really big one on the left! Gross!

don't bother reading this

I just wrote a huge post that got so far off track that I scrapped the whole thing!  Sitting here thinking about an old song I remembered from a tape I had when I was 14, ended with some rant about sex in movies!!  Oh, my!  What I learned from that...I'm getting old!! :)
Some things I'll take from that and pass on to you:
1. If you watched the Muppet Show, growing up, go see the movie!
2. If you lend out your music, be sure to get it back...you may want to listen to it again, even 24 years later!
3. You can find just about anything on Wikipedia
4. Memories are fabulous!  Even things you thought you forgot can somehow turn up in the darkest corners. 
5. Memories of when you were 14 may not give you the same feelings you thought they might...you are not the same person you were when you were 14!
6. It's good to hold onto your memories, but even better to not be the same person you were at 14.  Getting old sucks, but growing up is kind of fun!

There's not really any point to this post...sorry.

more snow, but no snow

I started making my paper snowflakes awhile ago, hoping to get some in my shop for the holidays.  Instead, I had a friend ask for a trio of different sizes for her window.  I gave then to her as a hostess gift when we went over last weekend and she loved them.  She wants me to teach a class at the creative arts center, but I just can't do it.  For one, I am no public speaker.  I am a nervous person by nature, anyway, but put me in front of a group of people and it's adrenaline city (and not in a good way) and I'm a shaky mess for hours.  The real kicker, though, is that she wanted me to teach a children's class!  I am so not a kid person that the thought of it just made me laugh.  My friend says, 'I think you should teach a class for kids at the creative arts center!' My immediate reaction, 'HAHAHAHA! That's a good one!'

Well, the good news was that I finished her snowflakes in a couple of days and was eager to get some in the shop, finally.  Then I got a facebook message on my fan page from another friend.  She wants some to hang in her bakery!!  She's less specific about what she wants, so I'm just making some in all sizes for her to hang.

If I had done this weeks ago, I may have been able to actually SELL some for this winter, but it's coming fast. 
Tomorrow, it's December!  You wouldn't know it by the 50 or so degree weather we've been having here on the Cape, though.  I believe we have had 2 or 3 days of cold weather in November.  I have worn my wool coat once.  Other than that, I have been out in the afternoon, walking dogs wearing short sleeves, or at most, a sweatshirt!


It's not keeping me from listening to Christmas music while I work on snowflakes, though!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm not at work!  This is the first time in 3 years that I have had the holidays off (other than last Thanksgiving when I had to leave town in order to not have to work).  It is the trouble with working with animals...people tend to leave their pets behind on holidays.  I can't quite figure it out, personally, but that is the way it is.  If you are flying, I get that.  Or maybe your family has allergies?  Fine.  But, being the type who would rather get a pet SITTER than lock my dog up in a cage for a week, it is a struggle every year.  But that's not the point...
It's Thanksgiving!  I hope all of you that celebrate, are able to do so with your families (if you wish to do so!) :)

I'm not going to lie, my mind is on last year, when we got to go away for a bit.  This year's holiday has been good, though.  I ended up having today off, as I said. Plus, I got out at noon yesterday, and gave away my shift tomorrow...that's nearly 3 days off! 
And, yesterday was our 11th wedding anniversary.  We did movie and dinner.  We saw the Muppets.  It was so good!  #1 there were very few children in the audience (and it was a small crowd, too, which I like).  Despite the fact that it was raining cats and dogs AND it was opening day, it wasn't crowded...I hate crowded movie theaters...well, I'm not great with crowds at all.  #2 because of the older crowd, everyone was laughing out loud because they 'got' it!  They REMEMBER the Muppet Show.  I felt so nostalgic watching it, that I think I almost cried once or twice!  I know, that's weird...really weird, but it made me long for 'the good old days' when silliness was funny.  I like wholesome hilarity, and often get 'made fun of' for liking jokes about elephants breaking fences and what time one should go to the dentist.  (Again, I'm getting off track)  It was a good movie.  If you watched the Muppet Show, growing up, you may want to see this movie.  I don't like to recommend movies, since every one's tastes are different, so I just say 'I liked it'.
Then dinner at the restaurant I worked at many years ago...where I was working when Jason proposed 13 years ago (yes, we were engaged for 2 years before finally throwing our arms up and saying 'let's just go to Vegas!'  We've actually been together for 16 years altogether.) I like that I can still go there and have people know me...it's the beauty of small town living, I think.  It was the thing I missed most when we moved to Nantucket, and the first thing that hit me when we moved back here.  I, since it's Thanksgiving and all, have to say that I am very thankful for our close-knit 'family' of friends that we have gained along the way, here on Cape Cod. 
Today will be just Hubby and me.  He'll be cooking; I'll be puttering about.  We'll both be drinking beer (from our local brewery, of course) and watching football (GO LIONS!).  It's finally stopped raining, so we can get our walk to the beach, and get coffee and see our friends before they close up at noon.

Tomorrow, I decided it would be fun to pay homage to our trip last year by making tapas and sangria.  We had a great anniversary dinner at Julian Serrano's Tapas restaurant at the Aria in Vegas last year...so memorable, we have thought about it all year long.  A lot of people are surprised that we like Vegas so much, but it really is a great place to experience a lot of great food, by great chefs, all in one place.  I also have fallen in love with cocktail hour...and there are tons of little lounges out there.  It's just a great place to 'hang out'.  (yes, I know, my vocabulary is limited today...'great' is all I can come up with.)

In the evening, we've been invited to a chocolate fondue party.  One of our friends has been seeing a woman for most of this year, and apparently she has done this in the past, so this year we are invited.  They provide the chocolate and wine, and we each bring something to dip.  Fruit? not likely!  I am bringing marshmallows.  How stupid am I, that I couldn't figure out why they were nearly sold out!  I've never been a marshmallows on my sweet potatoes kind of girl, so I couldn't figure it out.  I am also making rice crispy treats, and thought 'is everyone making rice crispy treats for Thanksgiving??'  What I really wanted was the coconut marshmallows, but those I could not find. Maybe I'll try another store before we head out, tomorrow. 
I am also excited to hand off the quilled snowflakes.  I am giving them as a hostess gift.  I'm going to try to see if I can get some feedback as far as 'how much would you pay for these?'  I think they are really pretty, and they're not a quick project, but I'm new to these and need a starting point for pricing.   Of course, I'm nowhere near a position to be able to sell them this year...probably.

This post is much longer than I was expecting.  I'm going to end it with some things I'm thankful for...the little things, of course! Other than my adoring, always supportive and loving husband.
My sisters and aunt (who is more a sister than aunt) and their significant others (for making them happy).
The first sip of eggnog in my morning coffee, while listening to Bing and friends singing Christmas classics, and 'window shopping' online wearing my flannel reindeer jammies.
Old friends, even if I only see them once a year, or may never see again.  New friends...even though some of them I will probably never 'see' at all.  Future friends...I know they're out there!
My best little furry friend, Moxie...and the time I got to spend with my pal Hanzo.
Of course the list goes on, but for me, it's always been the little things that count in life.  The big things are easier to work out, when you have all the little things in place.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! 

an apology. and more pics

I feel like I should apologize for my post last night.  Not that it was bad, or anything like that; but, I have to admit that I was on the phone with my sister as I was trying to finish it before Hubby came home with dinner.  It was abrupt and odd, but perhaps that is my style?
At any rate, I have indeed been working on a small project for a friend.  I had wanted to get some snowflakes done to put in my etsy shop in time for Christmas shoppers.  There were days when I was getting some stuff done, but only little by little; not really hitting high gear at any point.  I was two flakes in, listing them on my facebook page, and getting some positive feedback from my close friends.  With the second one, I had a friend ask what I was doing with these snowflakes...can she buy them somewhere.  I was not ready to list any, b/c I wanted to have at least half a dozen done first, but I said of course I would make one for her.  She asked for a trio, in different sizes, to hang in her window.  So that is what I've been working on.  I have to say, it really made me work to get them done in a timely manner; instead of, 'whenever I get to it'.  I'm happy with the end result.   As I was photographing the finished trio, I noticed the last one I made was off somehow. 

My attempt at some asymmetry was making it lopsided...of course, because snowflakes are always symmetrical, aren't they!?  So, with a quick fix, I'm even more in love with it!

I was toying with adding some silver glitter, but I still just can't decide.  It may be 'too much' for window dressing.  Maybe for a one or two on a tree, but probably not for a window.  Perhaps I'll ask her.
I have a pretty good process in place, too.  I had found a box of white bathroom tiles in our attic when we moved into our house.  I had (a brilliant) idea, when we were doing craft fairs, to use the tiles as price signs.  Using dry erase markers, you can re-use the tiles.  So, now I draw out a general idea of how I want a snowflake and work off that.  Usually I change some things along the way, but it's a great little starting point.

I'm not going to lie, listening to Christmas music is helping, too!

This is the first year in 3 years that I have the holidays off.  Last year, we went to Vegas for Thanksgiving, but I paid the price by having to work Christmas eve, Christmas day, and the day after Christmas at the kennel.  The year before I had to work both holidays, too.  This year, I lucked out and the other girl doesn't mind working. 
Now that we have so much time together next week, we are pretty excited.  Wednesday is our 11th wedding anniversary, so we are going to see the new Muppet movie and go out for dinner at the restaurant I used to work at.  The night he proposed to me, we went in to tell my co-workers, and have a celebratory drink.  The owner of the place opened some champagne and toasted us...it was sweet.
Then, thanksgiving at our house is pre-packaged.  Hubby makes a turkey breast (we never eat any other part), boxed stuffing, instant potatoes, a green bean casserole (of course), canned cranberry sauce for him, and I'll probably make myself some acorn squash this year.  And we usually pick up some sort of pie at our friends' bakery.  It's very low-key.  That way, we can take a long walk in the morning, and then watch the Lions play football.  I'm from Michigan, and always root for my 'home' team, probably more because they are always the underdog and almost never win.  Last year, we watched the game at Lagasse Stadium in the Palazzo.  I put $10 on the Lions to win.  I had to actually repeat myself, as the booking-guy didn't think anyone would expect the Lions to beat the Patriots!  This year, the Lions are starting off as a good team...I'm hoping for some redemption.  They're playing Green Bay, though...too bad my mom's not here, that's always been 'her' team (though, I've never understood why).
Yes, that was a lot more information than anyone probably needed to know, but I think my lack of blogging has caused back up of information I feel the need to purge.

Happy Friday, everyone!!

happy to be busy

I have been posting some snowflakes on my facebook page, as I work on them.  So, my small circle of friends have been very supportive and complimentary.  And, in doing so, a friend of mine has asked for a trio of snowflakes in different sizes.  I have been busy doing that, and feeling good about the time management in making these.



In other news, what is happening to my hair!?

 I think having my hair so short for so long has caused my baby curls to resurface! Not that I'm complaining, i just wish my hair would grow longer instead of bigger.

We're looking forward to our anniversary/Thanksgiving time off.  Especially since I was not going to get a day off at all, due to having to work at the kennel on the holiday, but instead ended getting Thanksgiving off totally, and gave up my Friday at the grocery store, AND i only work until noon on Wednesday!  That's almost 3 days off together!!  It's not a week in Vegas, like last year, but it'll do.

Is everyone ready for Thanksgiving?  Who has to travel with the masses?  Whatever you are doing or going, I hope everyone has a great holiday.

not cool!

I was going about my day today...work, lunch, workout...the usual, no big whoop.  Then, I checked my phone, as I have been forgetting to take it off 'vibrate' when i leave work (subconscious attempt to avoid actual interaction with other human beings?  who can say for sure?) and see that I have missed a call.  I don't recognize the number (an '800' number...probable telemarketer), but they have left a voicemail, which I check.  It's one of my credit card companies calling due to some 'suspicious charges' to my account.  Last time I got a call like this was when Hubby bought his new computer, so it was a random HUGE charge to a card we rarely use.  I had used my credit card for gas back in October, when we were switching our banks over, and I wasn't sure how much money was in each account, yet.  But since then, and I double checked online AND with hubby just to make sure, neither of us had used it.  So I called the number left in the message.  As the automated 'woman' started listing charges, my heart sank and I began to feel ill.  'Five HUNDRED, seventy-nine dollars and twenty-six cents at [an inaudible] beauty salon'!!  $249 and change at a sporting goods store!  and a $3 charge somewhere else (I had a hard time hearing the specifics).  So, I wait, and press whatever number to deny the charges and get transferred to an operator...who is also very hard to understand.  I think she said her name was 'Charming'!?  Anyway, she repeats the charges (I discovered the $3 charge was at a pet store, and was declined), adding another nearly $300 charge to the list!!  Oh, my!!
Well, I give her all my info and she says they are closing the account and rushing new cards at no charge.  Also that I should wait on the line for an automated message with more information (which included the statement that they will inform all credit bureaus that our account was closed due to suspicious activity, so it won't affect our credit.)
I hang up and feel a little better, but then start to worry that the phone call was a scam, and get even MORE freaked out to discover that the number I called is not on my card OR any where on their website!!  What had I done??
So I called the customer service number on my card and explain that I may have done a stupid thing.  The operator (who, again, I couldn't understand what his name was) reassured me that my account had been closed and new cards were on the way. 
What an ordeal!  What if Chase had not called about the charges??  I would've not known until the bill came and then I would've cried for days wondering what to do!  We got very upset with Chase a few years ago, and rarely use that card b/c after never being late on a payment, they jacked our rate from 9% to 15%!!  This doesn't make up for it, but it helps a little.
I hate that this happened...but the bourbon is starting to help :)

In other news, I have been creating again.  I'm not sure any of it will amount to much, but it is nice to have my hobbies back.  I'm slowly incorporating my workouts back into my schedule as well.  I'd love to quit one of my jobs (the vet) by my next birthday, but we shall see.  We always need the money.
So, I've made another snowflake.

 And a new hard cover journal.  It makes me happy to make pretty things again.

Considering a new dog (5month old Cairn terrier) but also feel like if i get another puppy, I would like to choose differently?  Hard to say...if puppies need homes, who am I to turn my nose up at a non-pug!? :)  We're not likely to take it, but a co-worker seems to be in a bind to find homes for 3 from her last litter.  A clear view of how the economy has changed...in 29 years of breeding Cairns, this is the first time she's ever had to find them homes AFTER they've actually been born!

Friday, Friday...

So, because of the crazy schedule at works this week, I essentially got an extra day off. I did an 'overnight' at Trader Joe's to re-set my cheese section in preparation for all the delicious turkeys that were arriving on Wednesday.  That meant, after my longest Tuesday ever (since it spilled over into Wednesday), I left work at 7:45 Wednesday morning, and didn't have to be back until Thursday morning...day off number one was reserved for lounging about, in case I decided I needed to get back some of my lost hours of sleep.  I also got my regularly scheduled day off on Friday (today), which I had planned to use as a studio day...working my little fingers to the bone to try to get some new stuff into my shop (finally).  (side note: I just got my blog issues worked out...it was the new interface-that i hadn't been using-that solved my probs!)
Already (it's about 9 a.m.) I have had breakfast, caught up on emails, worked out for 45minutes (that felt great!), and spent about an hour in the studio.  I have 2 journals that need binding today, and I'm hoping to put together a few cover sets and pages so that I have projects I can stitch together at a moments notice.  I finished a snowflake this morning and I'm really happy with it.  I'd love to get a bunch of those done and in the shop as soon as possible.

What do you think...leave it white or maybe sprinkle it up with some glittery sparkly moon dust?
Okay...I may have to work on adding photos...that's set up differently with the new interface, too...ugh, old dogs HAVE to learn new tricks, these days!!  Which reminds me, I'm trying to figure out how to add a link on my blog to my facebook page.  A friend has been trying to explain it to me, but i'm just not getting it.  So, in the meantime, if you'd like to check it out...it's here (I think).

technology question...i'm full of them!

I feel like i've been left behind.  or that I never got a very important memo about blogging.  or maybe i was at work and missed an important meeting.
Whatever the issue, my blog has suffered. 
For some reason, for months now, I have only been able to publish my posts by saving, and then going to my list of posts and publishing from there.  Also, and a little more annoying, when i try to add a link, I can not hightlight a word or phase to link it to...I have to past the whole link in separately (and I don't like how it looks...it's just not as fun and 'spontaneous'.
Has anyone else had these problems and know how to fix them?  Or has blogger changed and I need some sort of update?  Or am I just destined to live with frustration in blogworld?
(don't even get me started on my issues with Twitter!! I will never figure that out!)

Also, I could get to the end of this and realize that all i had to do was switch to the 'new interface', or whatever that button is that I just clicked!

UPDATE: yep...that, at least, has solved the publishing from the open page problem!  some times I feel so dumb!

how?? why??

How do I get everything done? How do I find time to get back into crafting without giving up something else??

I'd really like to know, because so far, it's not happening for me. In the process of trying to get back into the studio on a regular basis, I have gained 3 more pounds! I haven't worked out in months!!

I want to spend time getting my etsy back on track, but am finding it hard to get into the networking phase. It's time-consuming and not my forte. I finally got my facebook fan page up...and my regular circle of friends 'like' it, but that is all. My twittering seems pointless, as I am hovering around 5 followers (I believe I lost one due to a tweet about not being maternal).

A lot of my frustration, I think, has to do with my lack of physical activity lately. It clears my head and shoots those magical endorphins through my body, and I miss that!

I am so happy to have gotten back into the habit of crafting, though, don't get me wrong. I just wish there was a way to 'have it all'.

So that is my goal: find time for EVERYTHING.

Can I do it? Hard to say, but I won't know until I try, right?

I decided that a good way to avoid that initial 'well, now what do I do' when I sit at my craft table is to do an art mail piece. I have been wanting to get back into that little community (you guys still out there?). Recently I received a piece and thought what a bum I must appear to be, having not sent anything out in a LOOOONNG time. But I think by doing one each time I sit down to work, I kill 2 birds with one stone (art mail, done; inspiration, started) and finding time for everything will definitely call for some multi-tasking!

In the meantime, this is my latest journal:

I think I have finally mastered Coptic binding, and finalized my process for making hard covers.

Also on my list: started adding this new stuff to my shop so people can buy it!!

I've been longing to make some paper, again, too. Just what I need, something else to do! I thought I'd never do it again, but it's calling to me. Oh, paper...why do I love you so??

Jackson, NH...in Black & White

I managed to finally scan some of my photos from our trip up North. It had been MANY years since I even had my hands on my old SLR film camera, but I knew it would be the only thing that could reignite my love of photography. And, while we were up there while the leaves were changing and there were still plenty of colorful leaves to peep, I needed to use black & white film. It is my one true love. I know it's cliche, but if it wasn't for Ansel Adams, I'm not sure I would feel the way I do about photography. There, I said it.

So, anyway, here are a couple of my faves from the trip. OH, a bit of good news, too...having had my camera stashed away for a number of years (I'd say at least 5) I discovered on the way up to New Hampshire that there was a large black blob in my viewfinder. I cleaned my lenses and mirrors and everything I could from the outside, but to no avail...every time I took a picture, I thought, 'well, that could be good; or, it could have a huge black blob in the middle of it.' Getting my pics back I could see that the gunk inside does not affect the film. Yippee!! Also, I still have an unfinished roll in the camera...just like me to get side-tracked! Better get on that!

And...some eye candy...enjoy!

Jackson Falls

A little pond we passed on our walk through the outskirts of town. A tunnel leading 'to the fourth hole' on the golf course. More Jackson Falls. My Ansel Adams inspired trees. (This one I altered in photoshop a bit more. The others I just altered the color a little. I'm not sure how i feel about the black & white film that is processed as color. It seems to turn out a little on the purple side.)

I am always amazed at how black and white photos make me feel...happy. Seems strange, but maybe it's the nostalgia of it?

Baby, it's COLD outside!

I have no idea what the temperature is outside today. I'm not even certain what it is inside, right now; but, I do know that i am in my flannel jammies, big hooded sweatshirt, warm socks, and hand-knit hat. My fingers are like little icicles.

I like the cold, though. My favorite part of fall/winter is the accessories. If I could knit, I believe I would have a different hat/scarf/mitten set for breakfast, lunch and dinner every single day! But, knitting is one of those things I never could get on board with. Maybe because I like shopping for new hats and scarves each year? Hard to say.

I almost convinced myself that I could wear one of those hats that look like sock monkeys.

I said 'no,no,no' to one of those (faux) fur lined 'trapper' type hats, even though, inside, I was screaming, 'omg! yes!!'

Then I thought, 'well, those are a bit over-the-top for me. Maybe just a little pink one with a pom-pom on top?'

I am still just wearing my original collection, right now. (The one a friend made for me years ago, and the one I made from an old sweater, with my old high school berets thrown in for good measure) But I'm ready for a fun new hat this year.

Enter Etsy and the magical knitters that abound there!

This one's ADORABLE! (source: http://www.etsy.com/shop/pixiebell) She has a lot of really cute hats.

This one makes me warmer just looking at it!

(source: http://www.etsy.com/shop/LeNidDuMerleHandKnit) She even has socks in her shop!

This one's super cute, but I'm not sure I'm a 'brimmed hat' kind of girl. (source: http://www.etsy.com/people/MDubDesigns)

Not that i would ever pay $270 for a hat, but OMG how adorable is this one!? (source: http://www.etsy.com/shop/TRAMPmillinery?ref=seller_info)

I could do this all day! But, I have a baby shower to go to in a couple hours and it will take me that long to psych myself up enough to not be tempted to skip it. I hate being torn between loving my pregnant friend and just not being at all maternal!

Art and reality(tv)

Hello. My name is Jen and I'm addicted to reality tv.

It's a sickness, I know, but once I start watching a show, I NEED to see how it ends. This becomes more of a problem when some of these lives go into several seasons!

Last year they put out a new reality show, Work of Art: the Next Great Artist. Hubby is an artist. My whole family is full of artsy people, and I aspire to be like them (artistically speaking). So we gave it a shot. We weren't that impressed at first, but got caught up in it and were actually happy with the guy who ended up winning. This year, we're not sure how much we like it. We have tivoed 4 episodes and have just finally watched the first one. I already know who I like to win: Michelle. All the artist have to do a 'self portrait' to hang (and then they have to take it down when they get booted off the show), and this girl made a giant head out of paper. And then, to add fuel to my fiery love for her, she uses paper in her first challenge and makes a skeleton torso...so cool. SPOILER ALERT....http://www.bravotv.com/work-of-art/season-2/episode-1-kitsch-me-if-you-can

she won with that! I love paper...I love seeing it being used by others!

Anyway, it is amazing how much inspiration/motivation you can get by watching others doing what you want to do. I had already been starting to find a few minutes here and there to get to the studio, but this made me want more. Thursday I got a few HOURS. Today, I got out of work very early and went straight to the studio to work. I started a journal, since one of my goals is to perfect my binding techniques, because I really love journals and love making my own.

I am having fun with quilling, too.

A friend of mine in California works on a charity around Thanksgiving time. There's a fun run (run to feed the hungry) she does, and I guess they do some stuff through the restaurant where her hubby works http://www.luccarestaurant.com/ . And she has asked me if I'd like to donate something for their auction. So I have a few ideas for that. It is nice to have some goals again, and I LOVE giving stuff for charities.

Now I have a couple social engagements this weekend (yes, the WHOLE WEEKEND is booked for me!), and then a crazy schedule for work next week. I've mixed emotions about it. I have to work my 11 hour day at the vet tuesday, sleep a couple hours, then off to work my grocery store job from midnight to 8 wednesday morning. BUT...it, in essence gives me TWO days off. One day to rest...one day to craft!

I really need to carve out some time to see what else is going on out there in the arts/crafts world too! How in the world do you find time to do it all!? I am always amazed by the people who can juggle and make sense of all the elements. Kudos to you!

(boring post without pics...sorry...gotta make dinner! my goodness the day does get away from me quickly!)

all work and no play...

I FINALLY got some work done in my studio today! It seems like forever since I've had time to play with my paper and glue and scissors and such; but, the past couple of days I have carved out a couple hours for myself!

Yesterday I spent more time than I expected with other 'stuff'...wrapping gifts, closing bank accounts, grocery shopping...stuff that's kind of been piling up, just not getting done. Today I was able to make more time, with my 'stuff list' getting smaller. I wanted to scan some of my film camera photos from our recent trip, but I ran out of time. Maybe next week? Seems like I haven't seen Hubby in a long time, with all the work he's been doing and the arrival of his new computer taking him away to his own studio.

But here's what I've been doing...I'm so happy to have been getting some creative things going.

I found some old photos I had taken (really old...I took most of them when I was just 20!!) I thought it would be fun to put some of my quilled pieces into the photos: like this bird at sunset.

I decided to make a tiny journal... and add some quilling to the front cover! I don't know if it's a good idea, since it may not hold up well, but I thought it was super cute!

And that's the bulk of it for now. Time to get some dinner on the table...