Monday, July 30, 2007

Views from the Craftroom

Soooo--instead of crafting, I thought I would share some pics of my craft room with you. I don't know why, but it just seemed more fun than sewing! lol I'll show a couple of the ways I have for keeping organized. That seems to be a big one with us crafty types. We have a lot of supplies and usually a limited amount of space. It's nice to have things accessible and not all stuck into tote boxes too, which gets to be a bit of a pain in the rump!

So first off--I recently HAD to do something with my ribbon! It was crazy. I had it all in a tote and it was unwinding and I couldn't ever find the color/size that I wanted. So this is what I did:


I had a dresser that was in Lindsey's room that she outgrew. It was perfect for her baby clothes as it has 2 columns of 7 smaller (18" x 22") drawers. We got her a larger--more MATURE, lol--dresser and I scarfed up that luscious drawered unit for my craft room! Yeah! One of the drawers is now home to my larger ribbon spools. They can all stand on edge and I can see at a glance what is in there! I partitioned off the drawer with low flat boxes (you know, the kind that the Pot of Gold Hershey's candy comes in--which, for some reason I seem to have a LOT of!) so the spools don't run into each other. I also have a little SHARP pair of scissors who "live" in that drawer so I can usually just reach in an cut off as much ribbon as I need. Yeah!



I also found this awesome vintage hinged tin box that is the perfect size to hold spools of ribbon--this is the home of my 1/8" ribbon. I stood all of the spools up on end and pulled a little bit out and closed the lid. Now I just have to pull off as much as I need--easy, peasy.

Here's another nifty little idea that I had. For Mother's Day I asked Joe for one of those nice, big silverware dividers--cuz' I wanted a way to store my stamps and punches. I have a little 2-shelf bookcase unit (vintage of course!) on my crafting table and I just lifted it up off the table a bit with those wood slats that you can see there--and now that silverware thing slides right underneath the bookcase--tucked out of sight! ( It is shown here pulled out so you could get the idea--but it slides totally under the bookcase when I don't need it!)


And it is the perfect organizer for all those little things that get so jumbled up in a box or drawer!!

Well, that's enough for one day. Is this interesting to any of you?? Or BORING!! lol Let me know. If you want, I will share some more in a later posting. Happy Crafting!

Saturday, July 28, 2007

Is One coaster weird??

Oh yeah, we are getting a break in the weather--the temps are still a little high for my taste, but the humidity is at a tolerable 50% instead of 95% like it was a few days ago! I feel like doing the cha-cha! lol

Let's see, not too much new around here. I've been fiddling around with trying to get/keep my craft room organized. I have a pile of de-stash stuff that I'll be listing here and there in my Etsy shop.

Jenn had asked me how I could part with some of the stuff I'm de-stashing--and let me tell you, it's not easy! I think that we, as creators of many things, tend to save things more than most people might--because there really IS a good chance that we will use it for something. That, and being a thrifter/antique store junkie *grin* , I have amassed a rather astonishing amount of really cool stuff. Then, when my Mom passed away (God bless her), I ended up with all of her stuff--and she was even worse than I about saving and thrifting!

So, I am in a position now where I can't possibly use it all, even if I live to be 200 years old! LOL I HAVE to sell some of it or drown in it. I really like to put the kits together, because I still get to make stuff with it AND I destash at the same time--win, win! Here are the destash items and kits that I have available right now in my Etsy shop.


I had an idea to work on some coasters for my shop. I set out to do a cute bird on polka dots--I wanted to do a set of 2 that are the same design, but using a little variation on the coloring. So I did and got my first set made. Then, doing the final ironing, my iron decided to throw up on one of them! ARRGH! I was so darn mad! So, what do we think about listing SINGLE coasters?? lol So anyways, I decided that selling one coaster at a time may be a very good idea. How about just having one for your desk at work? Or one by your computer? Or by your favorite chair? Bedside table? See what I mean?! lol

Here is the one bird coaster that I did make--and it sold right away (so I guess at least some people like to have only one!).
Then this morning I did up a pretty little Shabby Chic one with some vintage chenille and a pretty roses fabric--with a little bit of vintage pink/gold rick rack of course! I really love this one! And doesn't it look pretty with my pretty Birthday teacup sitting on it?!! This one is listed in my Etsy shop!

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Sweltering in MN

OMGosh--it is so hot! groan. We live in MN--it is not supposed to be like this, LOL!!!!! Do I have to move to Alaska? or Siberia? the top of Everest?? Menopausal women cannot handle this sh**! :-) I think we are supposed to get a little cool down tomorrow night--yeah!

It's been too hot to even cook in the house--so tonight I decided to put some Cheddarwurst out on the grill. Seriously people, I am not a good bbq-er. I am really a very good cook indoors, but the grill is not my forte. At all. Well, I put them on the grill, I went in and got my salad all ready, and went out to check on them.... the grill was a blazing inferno and my poor little wurst were burnt to a crisp! Way, way burnt. Into the garbage they went.

I haven't been doing too much lately. I did make up a pretty cute Goody bag with aquas and teals and brown --don't you just love that polka dot bag?? It's listed in my Etsy shop.AND I did up a couple of new cell phone pouches. I've added batting to these so they will protect your phone or other gadgets from getting bumped around. I call this one "Music in the Key of Lime", lol. I really like the bright green with the black and white--pretty striking.


And then I did this one today--"Swirling in the Pink"--a little more subdued!


Sunday, July 22, 2007

Back in Happytown

Hi, I'm happy to tell you that my embarrassing little gloominess is past--and I think that my whininess is too! LOL Thanks for all the hugs and kind words--you gals are the best!

We actually had a weekend with no parties! Yeah! I love going to them and visiting with everyone, but it has been really nice to be home this weekend. Yesterday we rented movies and made brownies and popcorn and lazed around! NICE.

The kids are both home for a few days anyways and I am getting some help taking care of Misty--so that is nice too. She is finally starting to feel better and is getting around a little easier with less pain.

I had the best best best score at Yesterday's Treasures on Friday! I walked in the door and she was sitting there with a big twinkle in her eye "Karennnnn.......I've been waiting for you........" (man, I love it when she says that!!) Then she brings me over to HER behind-the-counter- chair and tells me that I better sit down! lol She pulls a box over in front of me and opens the top.... A box full of vintage trim and laces! Oh my, I thought I had died and gone to heaven. I dug around in there and ended up with a pretty good pile of vintage goodies!! So, I'll be using some in my new crafts, and keep an eye on my shop as I package some up for general sale so others can enjoy crafting with them too.
I was able to get downstairs and work on some new things too! Here is a new Pink is Ducky Goody Bag that I put together. Isn't that fabric cute--repro feedsack in that pretty pink and covered with little ducks! I love it. (Notice the cute laces and trims! these are from that bunch I was talking about!) This is listed in my Etsy shop.

I also made this cute new drawstring bag--the bottom is linen that I recycled from a vintage tablecloth. I really like this soft color palette.

And, last but not least--I've made this little brooch. I call it the Goodness brooch because it's got all the good stuff that I love--yoyo, hand crocheted doily, and a beautiful vintage button!

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Whining: good for the soul.

Oh man, I am down in the dumps today. My legs hurt. I feel fat. I feel invisible. I'm an invisible fat person with bad legs! LOL I've even made a "blue" treasury on Etsy--but hardly anyone is looking at it. I think it is invisible too (hmmm--I wonder if it feels fat?)

There, I feel a little better! Please enjoy my cheerful little bluebird--she's bringing a pretty little balloon to her friends party.

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Some new stuff and HaPpY mAiL!

I've told you before about my favorite 2nd hand furniture shop--Yesterday's Treasures--right? She is the one who will put things aside for me to look at before she will put it out on the floor (sewing stuff-- buttons, fabrics, trims). She doesn't give me a price cut, but she does give me first dibs on it--which I appreciate very much.

She recently surprised me with these awesome--AWESOME--vintage hand embroidered dish towels!! I almost plotzed! These are the most ridiculously great towels EVER! They are unlike anything I've seen before--bold and great, almost folk art looking embroidery and applique. They were a little pricey--but I had to have them! I took one out this morning and sat there with my scissors....oh, it was hard to cut into it! They are not in perfect condition--the white parts do have some discoloration and stains here and there--some fraying here and there--but all in all, pretty good, and the embroidery is still in great shape. When I saw them I thought to myself "these are going to make beautiful bags!!". I finished the apple one this morning--and I LOVE it! It's going to be hard to part with it. I still have a pear one, peach, strawberry, plum, and cherries left to create with.

And, I finished up a couple more bookcovers that had been sitting just waiting for the finishing touches. Here is one I just listed in my Etsy shop this evening--"Coffee and a Good Book" AND I had a wonderful surprise in my mailbox today!!! Yes, Jenn Maruska is trying to spoil me rotten! Yup! I was fortunate enough to be the winner of her Birthday Drawing, yeah! and today I got my package--just a package of sewing goodness!! LOTS of beautiful fabric, and some lace and floss and beautiful buttons and even some Smarties (which I love by the way)---I love it!! Thanks Jenn--you are a doll :-)

Well, Misty--my stepdaughter--is all settled in here, the poor thing. She actually broke her ankle in 2 places and has pins and screws put in there to hold things together. She cannot put any weight AT ALL on her foot, and has to use a walker when she absolutely has to get up (you know, the bathroom). This is pretty tough on a 21 year old! She is bored silly already and it's only been a couple days. It's a bit rough on me too, with my bad knees, running up and down the stairs a hundred times a day!! LOL Maybe I'll lose some weight!! (fingers crossed!) So keep her in you prayers.


Any ideas on fun stuff we can do to stave off the boredom while she is bedridden?? Come on you creative geniuses out there--I need some good suggestions!

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Catching Up

We had another family picnic on Saturday, this one was in honor of my cousin's son, Jim, who is being shipped off to Iraq soon. He's such a gentle person, I am a little worried about him--please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

My cousin's daughter was there too, with her brand new baby boy!! Only one week old (he was born on 7-7-07!) weighing in at a whopping 5lb 3 oz. --people, I've made meatloaves bigger than that!!!! Oooh, I love babies, and he sure is a cutie--I think she was starting to get a little worried that I wasn't going to give him back!! LOL Dumb me forgot the camera again. I'll have to see if someone can send me a picture.

Yesterday we went and picked up my step-daughter (21) from the hospital--she had broken her ankle in 2 places and torn some ligaments--which required surgery. Poor sweety! So, I have a gimpy in the house to take care of for the next month or so. It's interesting, she has a walker and we have a pretty full house, lol, so I've been walking in front of her moving furniture and stuff as we go! Looks like I'm in for some major re-arranging today.

I've gotten a few new things listed in my shop the last few days. Check out this lovely purse I made from some really pretty HEAVY linen I scored at my fav antique shop--
And I got a special order from one of my Flickr friends who wanted a new pouch for her cell phone, so I whipped up a couple different ones for her to choose from--I listed the ones she didn't choose in my Etsy shop
Then! Last, but not least, I did up a girly baseball hat. This one has been sold already, but I think I'll do more. As I was sitting at the picnic on Saturday, I was being blinded half the time by the sun, even though I had my shades on--and I looked over at my brother in his baseball cap, sitting over there all un-blinded and everything and a little lightbulb went off in my head (yup--just like in the cartoons!). Girls need caps. Not ugly beer caps or car caps. CUTE caps!! So I did one up in true Mrs. Kwitty style. What do you think???

Saturday, July 14, 2007

8 Random Things

Our friend, Amy, from Abundant Curiousities, has tagged me with one of those 8 Random Things thingees! I have a hard time with these, as I think you guys already know way more about me than you care to know! LOL So, anyways, here goes nothing...


1) I can fix most things. My Dad was a fix-it kinda guy and taught all us kids to fix stuff. I can fix a toilet or a sink faucet, re-do an electrical outlet, fix a lawnmower, etc. In fact, I will often just take things apart, when they are broken, and fiddle around with it, and usually will end up fixing it! OK--this does NOT include computer stuff! (unfortunately!)

Funny Picture of my Dad

2) I love to fish. I keep a fishing pole in the trunk of my car all year around, just in case an occasion pops up.

Here's my Dad, my little niece, and I after fishing one day.


3) I have hated canteloupe my whole life--I couldn't even stand to have someone eating it near me because the smell would turn my stomach. Now, in the last 6 months, I all of a sudden LOVE it. Yup, I eat it almost every day. Weird huh?



4) I have really scattered musical tastes--and listen to a wide variety of stuff. A while back Jenn asked me what I listen to while crafting (because I had mentioned that I like to listen to loud music and sing along while I craft)--and I kept meaning to jot it down and reply, but I kept spacing it! So I just went and checked (I have one of those 6-pack cd stereos, so this is what is in my 6-pack right now)

***Susan Tedeschi, Hope &Desire (excellent!!!) I love her. I almost always have one of her CD's in the 6 pack (I have 3 different ones!)

***James Taylors Greatest Hits- I just got this about a week ago, it's very good and mellow. He has a really good blues song on there, "Steamroller", that totally kicks butt!

***Audioslave-this one will definitely wake you up! Chris Cornell has one of the best male voices EVER.

***Everlast, Eat at Whitey's--really good mixture of pop, blues, and rap--hard to explain, but it's really good and I'd recommend it for sure!

***John Mayer, Continuum--great! His song "Gravity" is soooo good! Even though I do find it amusing that a young man is singing that, it sounds like it is better suited for a middle aged woman! lol

***Paul Simon, Negotiations and Love Songs--OK--who doesn't love Paul Simon, and this one has all the good songs on it!

5) Even though I have been crafting for a long time--half the time I am still amazed that things turn out when I design a pattern for them! I used to do a lot of dolls, animal and people dolls--and even though I can't draw worth a carp, I would start off with one of my odd drawings and start cutting fabric--and end up with this cutey doll! Shocking! I quit making dolls because there is really no market for them around here--I would bring them to the craft fairs and people loved them, but wouldn't pay for them. They are so time consuming but you can't get paid at all for your time, sadly, so I had to quit and move on to things that were quicker to make. Now that I found Etsy--I may have to go back to them....hmmmm...

One of the Baby Dolls I've made

6) I can't sleep enough!! LOL I snore. I toss and turn a lot and get that restless leg thing. I grind my teeth. I used to have terrible insomnia, but I seem to be better, now that menopause has hit. I have to have fans blowing on me or I won't sleep (I need that white noise and the moving air).

7) I was once in a boat with my exBIL and SIL and their 2 kids, on a really windy day and the lake was all choppy. Another boat came whipping by us and between the choppy waves and the wake the other boat left, our boat capsized. The boat went under water and popped up about 15-20 yards from where we went down. Everyone was in full clothing, as it was a cool fall day. I looked for the kids first thing and saw that they both were in a panic and flailing around--and I grabbed the one that was closest to me and swam her over to the upside down boat and told her to hang on. I then looked and saw that my BIL was trying to keep both his wife and his other daughter above water, and they were both in a full fledge panic! They were grabbing him and almost drowning him too. So, I had to swim back to where they were and they both started clutching at me too! I finally got their other daughter from the back, with my arm around the top of her shoulders, and after much struggling, got her swam over to the boat too. Luckily, at that point, another boater realized what had happened and came by to pick us up. A close call!

8) I get really freaked out sometimes about how fast time goes by--it just seems so crazy!

Well, there you go, how random can you get?? LOL I really can't think of anyone that I know that hasn't been tagged yet (and it gets hard after a while to think of things! lol) BUT, if you want to, please go ahead and write one up!! Let me know so I can go and read it. Bye.

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Exploding Boxes and Happy Dancing

First, the HaPpY DaNcInG!! One of my favorite blog sistahs--JennMaruska--had a birthday a couple days ago!! Yeah, Happy Birthday Jenn!! And she did a drawing for some sewing stuff in honor of her birthday--and guess who won it?? Yup! I'm so excited! Thanks Jenn! I'll be sitting by my mailbox if anyone needs me. :-D






Yup...exploding box--sounds exciting and a little scary doesn't it? LOL Like a dummy, I forgot to take pictures of the exploding box I made for my niece's grad gift, and I had told Ang of Norththreads (where I got the directions) that I'd post pics. Anyways, I made some of that delicious dirt cake to bring to the last picnic we went to, and my niece wanted the recipe...so I swapped with her! She takes pics of the box and sends them to me, and I'll send her the recipe! Win, Win. My box isn't as nice as the ones that Ang makes, but I thought it was pretty good for a novice scrapper like myself :-) Thanks Ang!!

And, just cuz' I love you all so much--here's the Dirt Cake recipe too--now watch out, this is ridiculously fattening and devilishly delicious and kids go nuts for it!!

1 pkg. Oreo cookies (put in a big ziplock and smash!--get the kids involved, they love this part!)

In a mixing bowl cream together:
2- 8 oz. pkgs. cream cheese--softened
1 stick of butter (1/2 cup) softened

Add: 1-1/2 c. powdered sugar
and mix well.

Fold in:
16 oz. Cool Whip (1 large container and 1/2 a regular container)


In separate bowl combine with a whisk:
3 pkg. (3.5 oz. pkg) french vanilla pudding
3-3/4 c. milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Fold the pudding mixture into the cream cheese mixture.

Layer in big bowl or ice cream bucket--pudding, cookies, pudding, cookies!

This would be cute with gummy worms on the top of the "dirt"!!




This is one of my favorite artists--Susan Tedeschi--singing a really great tune

Monday, July 09, 2007

One good thing about summer--it is too hot upstairs, so I am really happy to go down to my basement craft room and work! I've made a bunch of stuff lately--been having a great time. Please don't look at my upstairs though--I keep waiting for the cleaning fairies to come--where the heck are they? LOL I think we are supposed to get a little cool down tomorrow, so I'm going to finally get a little much needed housework done.







Paisley and Dotty Bird Checkbook Wallet


Aqua Feedsack and YoYo Checkbook Wallet


Feedsack Flyer Drawstring Bag with bird applique.


Vintage Romantic Roses Wedding Keepsake Book or Journal.


I had rather nice surprise today too--I was featured in CUTEABLE--as a cute find--check it out!!

Friday, July 06, 2007

Parties Galore

How's everyone doing? It's really something when the 4th of July falls midweek huh?! LOL I've been wandering around Blogland and it looks like everyone had a wonderful time!

Us too--yup! another party. You know, I'm not whining *much*, and I really consider myself blessed to be a part of such a big and loving family--BUT how much potato salad and jello can a person eat before they blow up??! HUH? We have had parties every weekend since Memorial Day, plus our wedding and a mid-week 4th bash! :-D Ok--I'm just joking around here--we've been having a really lovely and fun summer and I've never eaten so well in my whole life!

Now today we have a funeral to go to (I feel so sad and strange about this one--it's for an old friend of mine who I used to spend a lot of time with, but had fallen out of touch with over the last 15 years, and I am feeling guilty and sad that I didn't take the time to keep in touch with him)--and of course there will be eating afterwards--and tomorrow we have a big family BBQ at my Aunt's to celebrate her son's retirement from the Navy! I haven't seen my cousin since he joined the Navy back when he was just out of high school (20 years ago!) He worked his way up to some secret sector of the navy and even my Aunt didn't know where he was most of the time. It has been quite worrisome for her over the years and she is quite relieved to know that he will be done with it now. Next weekend we have a party at my cousin's to send off her son--he is being shipped off to Iraq. I'd appreciate it if you would keep him in your prayers.

I've been trying to get down and get a little *LITTLE* crafting done, but have only managed to get a couple of these little wallets made (I can't help it, I just think they are sooo cute!) They are listed in my Etsy shop if anyone is interested.



Oh, and some more of these bird tags--this batch in a cute purple paper.


I also belong to an Etsy bloggers group and they have challenged us to do a blog entry on the color orange (you know, ETSY orange!). Well...ok. I've discovered something about myself that I didn't even know--I really don't do orange! I looked through months and months of pics to try and find some craft that I made with orange and only found this one needlebook from back in August of last year! I really like all colors--I think they are all pretty in their own way, but I think if I had to pick a color that I like the least, it would have to be orange. I don't even have any orange stuff in my home. Hm. I am going to purposefully make something orange in the near future, just because.


Tuesday, July 03, 2007

This and That--And wedding pics!

Well, it's come and gone. Isn't it funny, those days we wait for and plan for so long, and they are gone in a flash! Thank God for pictures! Here we are, Mark and I, the kids, my best girlfriend and BIL. Remember, the camera adds 50 pounds, but only to women over 40! LOL


I really like this picture of the kids with Father Tony! He has been our Pastor for about 10 years now, and sadly he is being re-located in about a week. We were so happy that we were able to have him do our ceremony before he leaves. Such a kind and warm man, and really has a good rapport with the kids in the parish.




Mark and I went up to the cabin for our mini-honeymoon. We were blessed with beautiful weather and a great big full moon to gaze at while we sat around the campfire. Mark promised me the moon--but I told him to just poke it a couple times for me and let it be!



I did manage to get a couple things finished yesterday too! I whipped up this soft and romantic bag--and was thinking that it would be wonderful to use as a gift bag for a wedding gift or wedding shower gift--don't you think? It's listed in my Etsy shop.

Here's another little cutey I finished up yesterday. I hadn't done a bagkeeper for a while and I had this cute embroidery all stitched up and waiting to be made into something--so here it is. I just love cherries in the kitchen! Such a cheerful and colorful little design, with a retro feel. This too is listed in my Etsy shop.



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