Hard to believe but today was Button and Aggie Rose's first birthday. Grandma Karkie never misses a chance to celebrate, so she had party hats for the pups and dished up pretty plates of trout topped with homemade yogurt.
A good, but smelly time was had by all.
My mother in law is so sweet- she says that she loves my blog, but it just doesn't have enough pictures of her Granddog, Button- so Button is going to be a "guest blogger" for his Nana today.
Hi, My name is Button. I am almost a year old. I was born in Lawrence Kansas. My Dad says that makes me a Jayhawk.
My Grandma Karkie and my litter mate sister Agnes Rose still live in Lawrence. Sometimes I take a drive and visit them.
I try to play with my sister Agnes Rose, but sometimes we like different things.
I like to wrestle and play loud and rough with my brother that I live with. His name is Buddy.
Agnes Rose likes to play dress up.
I have a sister that I live with, too. Her name is Maddie and she is very old- she is at least 14. She is sick and I try to take care of her.
I give her kisses.
And sleep next to her- she makes a good pillow.
I went to Dr Rucker last week. My Dad said I had to get fixed. I did not know I was broken.
Nana, thank you for asking for more pictures of me. I hope this is enough until I can see you.
Love, Your Granddog, Button
I fully intend to participate in Karla's Using the Good Stuff challenge.
I've set aside supplies.
And made a book to decorate with them.
My "book" is just different pieces of cardstock, chipboard, photo folders and Bingo cards- but I intend to decorate it with "the good stuff".
Like these images I bought from Tina at Tiny Bear. I always thought that postage made it too expensive to buy from European artists, but it's not.
Both Tina and Dorthe at Den Lille Lade have great supplies and beautiful pieces at very reasonable prices.
So...there you have a start to my supplies for "Using the good Stuff"- but I get distracted so easily.
...like when I saw this beautiful piece of embroidery. I bought it last summer, it has some tears and missing stitches, but it looks so much like the redwork that I like so much. I knew I had to rescue and recycle it- but before I could make that first cut with a scissors, I had to make sure I had a project "worthy" of it. Yesterday I knew how. I started cutting bits of the runner and adding them to a tote bag, patchwork style, along with lace, crochet and scraps of barkcloth. It's not done yet- but I was happy to find a way to use some "good stuff".
And here's another distraction.
I found this in the garbage at work yesterday. It's flooring samples.
It doesn't look like garbage to me...it looks like craft supplies. I already have an idea for these, but just need to find the time- isn't that what we all struggle with?
Maybe I can get this little guy to help.
Look who's staying with us while her Mom is in Disneyworld- it's Button's sister Agnes Rose- but we call her Rosie. I didn't know if Karla would remember to get the pups souvenir tshirts from the Magic Kingdom, so I got them each a new outfit at Target (clearance- 67 cents a piece).
I knit a little red angora scarf for Button- I wonder if Rosie would like one, too- maybe in a deep jewel tone pink.
These two are so cute and sweet - and when they sit on my lap together, they're so cuddly and warm. But I better get up- its my plan to start the New Year with Etsy shop updates.
If I get that done, I'll be back here tomorrow with a preview- if I don't, well, then I'll be in the dog house.
Happy New Year!
My husband talked to his mom this morning and she said "Tell Beth she needs to post on her blog". It has been over a week since I posted. I guess I just haven't had much to say. Usually I don't have any trouble finding something to write about or show. I'll make something, buy something or see something and think- THAT would be a good blog post.
The past week has been spent finishing up on last minute presents- like these cotton dish clothes that I knit. I love the feel of a good cotton yarn. I think that half of the fun of knitting is seeing a pattern develop and the other half is enjoying the texture of the yarn. I've tried knitting with all sorts of weird things- strips of cloth, string, pieces of plastic bags- but if they don't feel good on the needles, a good part of the pleasure of knitting is missing for me.
I finished up a little pillow made from an image printed on fabric, an old damask napkin and some embroidery.
Do you ever start picking up around the house and instead of getting organized, you find yourself playing with things instead...rearranging and fluffing and leaning and draping? That's what happened last week with my knitting needles. I put all the old wooden knitting needles in this violin...thing. I don't know what to call it- it's a violin that's fallen apart and I only have the bottom. I originally was going to use the violin "shell" as a wall pocket, but ended up propping it in with this pitcher and bowl. It looked a little bit monotone- and then the mail came with a package from Claudia with this patchwork heart- and it was just the pop of color the violin needed.
Then I started sorting the rest of my knitting needles- aren't they purty?
On second thought, maybe if you don't have anything to blog about besides your knitting needles, you shouldn't blog at all.
Thanks for all the positive feedback about the Cuttlebug ornament box tags. The same day I posted about them, Mitzi had a similiar post about making tags from boxes- she had originally posted it a year ago, and I'm sure that's where I got the idea. I emailed Mitzi to tell her that I didn't intentionally copy her without giving her credit. I had made the same tags last year, but didn't remember where the idea came from.
Mitzi's reply to my email expressed just how I feel about our blogging world:
I think all these ideas get swished around, and often I wonder if I am the creator or if I'm copying something I saw elsewhere. The whole point of sharing is to inspire someone else to try something similar, so I'm good with that.
Mitzi always has interesting posts about crafts, collectible and combining the two- if you don't already read her blog, check it out.
On a completely different subject, one of many things that's fun about having a little dog is that he can wear clothes- he won't wear a hat- I had to add that digitally- but Button does look ready for a walk in the snow. Button and I both wish you a "Merry Christmas".
This morning, Button and I got up early and before we put on our make-up, we took a picture to email my Mom a card for her birthday.
(Picnik has great tools for digitally applying make-up, and even smoothing out wrinkles- but Button is completely un-retouched)
Happy Birthday Mom! We love you!
My junking mojo isn't completely back, but I did make it to one estate sale that gave me hope and the will to go on...
This velvet fruit covered purse had a lot to do with it. I just couldn't resist.
When was the last time you saw a velvet watermelon?
I love the way the little pearl peas are nestled in a velvet pod.
The sale was full of treasures, too- pretty books, pretty buttons and a tiny celluloid picture mirror.
The rest of the weekend has been a crafting marathon- putting together projects for Karla and my next online workshop/e-zine.
I love putting the projects together, but it's been a challenge for me to remember to stop and take pictures after each step in the project. When I get in the "craft zone", I don't want to have to think too hard. I just glue and cut and play with paper.
Most of the time when I sit down at my craft table, I don't have a plan, I just find some bits and pieces that I think would look good together and start gluing. And as I'm digging through piles of paper, labels, magazines, postcards etc etc- if I find something that seems MORE interesting, I'll start a new project. I think I've got ADD when it comes to crafting, but I'm having fun, and isn't that the point?
So it's good for me to have to focus on finishing projects. These are drawstring bags that could be used for gift bags, or stuffed with a little fiber fill and used as ornaments.
This is a little embossed felt folder that I've used as a book to hold Christmas carols. Wouldn't it be fun to hand these out at a Christmas party, and get everyone singing?
This is a little pixie ornament/decoration that's a snap to make- how about putting one of these on everyone's plate at a holiday dinner? (Of course, you better have some turkey, stuff & potatoes, too)
We've called this crafting a White Christmas, but really not everything is white- a lot of it is the low color, soft sepia tones that we like so much.
I'll have details on sign ups for the class on Wed or Thur.
FOR LEOTA (My Mother In Law)
(Maddie & Button on their dog paw blanket on the couch)
My mother in law, Leota, says she love to read my blog- but it really doesn't have enough pictures of her grand dogs- so this part of my post is for her.
(Button, watching the Chiefs game)
(Button- thinking deep thoughts)
(Buddy- hard to get a good picture of him because his nose is always on the ground, sniffing out dangerous squirrels and rabbits.)
For some reason, this silly little pin cushion has made me very happy. I bought it at an estate sale last week- it was plain felt and bright Christmas red. I soaked it in bleach water until it faded and got kind of fuzzy, and then sewed on the lace, buckle & tape measure.
I realize I spent a lot of time on a quarter pin cushion, but I had fun "altering" it, and it's big enough that so far, I've been able to keep track of it and have always had a needle handy when I needed it.
On the other hand, this has made me sad. It's the cowl neck hood with the ruffled edge that I thought was going to be so pretty, and keep my neck warm this winter.
It's been on the top of my knitting basket every since August, and I've finally come to realize that I have to "frog it". In other words, "rip it, rip it". I've started to pull it apart, and the yarn will live to see another project- hopefully one more successful than a turtleneck for a giraffe.
Even my dogs rejected it as a sleeping bag.
But after all, why would Button want to sleep on an itchy sweater when his big sister is always willing to snuggle with him?
...and the sight of them together brings me back to something that makes me happy.
This weekend will be a junker/antiquer's paradise in Kansas City. Mission Road Antique Mall, where I have my antique booth, is having an open on Saturday, and it's TAX FREE day- they won't be charging tax on your purchases.
I went over there today to add some fall touches to my booth-like this Sherlock Holmes hat. It isn't even old, but it made me laugh.
I also have a slew ( a lot) of vintage hats- not the flowery kind, the velvet kind.
While I was there, I did a little shopping with my camera. Here's French by Design's (Gwen & Teri) booth. I'm guessing Gwen's been doing a little bit of sewing.
Gwen will also be hosting her own antique show this weekend-Bottom's Up, along with Steve Rogers of Prize Antiques. Steve's blog features an interesting interview where he presents the idea that when you're using antiques in your house, you're not so much decorating your house as curating it. That might sound a little bit high brow, but since Steve has three kids under the age of six, you know that his house is anything but stuffy. It's a thoughtful article- check it out.
Meanwhile, at another of my favorite booths, Trish Headly's Collections Rare, I found this huge drapery sample book. I tried to take the picture from far enough away that you could get a perspective on the size but I don't think I did very well- the book is about three feet tall.
Inside are pages full of numbers and next to them are the spots where once were fabric samples.
Something else I'm lusting after- what a great Victorian paisley.
Interesting set of metal canisters.
Cute child's hanger- these are hard to find.
LOVE this chest- I don't even know what style to call it- but it would fit in almost anywhere.
On the other hand, this orange chair wouldn't fit just anywhere, but if it was mine, I'd find a place for it- I think it's awesome. This is Joanna Votilla's booth- she has a great way of combining mid century modern with traditional country antiques- she has a shop in the 45th & Stateline antique district in Kansas City.
Susan Greer Walters, who will also be selling at Bottoms Up, has put together some crazy cool Halloween decorations- these are skeletons in a Mardi Gras parade.
Love her macabre sense of humor.
One more thing that I really like- a PINK celluloid desk set- scissors and letter opener.
My first project for Karla and my Romantic Gothic Ghosts class posts tomorrow. I might be a little nervous about it, but Karla "test drove" it and made a version with a few of her own touches, so I don't think I left anything out. It's a fast project that would be easy to do multiples of and use for party favors or placecards.
There's still plenty of time to sign up for the class- it's in a blog format and the blog will open for at least a year, so you've got a long time to finish your projects. We've added some how to videos- and will probably put together a "blooper" reel for the end of the class. Saying "ribbon roses" while I have a camera pointed at me caused some uncontrollable giggling.
And finally, I have to share one more picture of Button- thank you for indulging me- he got his first haircut. They cut away most of his puppy fur because it had grown out so matted and now he feels just like velvet.
Button and I went to Karla's today to put the finishing touches and make some videos for our Romantic Gothic Ghosts on-line class.
I finished my last project- this mini quilt wallhanging with a coin purse.
Karla and I used our finished projects to create some romantic and spooky decorating vignettes for Halloween- with no orange.
Button and Rosie supervised.
Here's another peek at some of the decorating side of the Romantic Gothic Ghosts class.
The class started yesterday, and will continue to have new projects, crafting tips, decorating ideas and lots of downloadable images through Sep 18. The blog will be available to subscribers for at least a year. The projects are not just for Halloween, but because of their gothic style, they'd make great Halloween decorations that you won't feel like you have to take down on November 1. You can sign up here.
Karla is teaching the first three classes- the projects fit together to make a banner. I finished my first banner piece today.
Of course, I didn't follow the directions exactly- that's what's fun about this class there are so many images and backgrounds that you have a lot of options to "play".
I got this far and knew I needed to add something 3-d on the left side. I looked to my new favorite material-
burlap (and a little tulle)- to make a flower.
On a different crafting note- look what I got in the mail yesterday.
Stamped muslin ribbon from Diane Knott. Diane and her daughter have a fun Etsy shop called Cottage by the Pond. I have a little project in mind for these ribbons...if I can bring myself to unwrap and cut them from their cute clothespin. They seem perfect just the way they are.
