Time Warp In The Bookstore

I'm not sure what I was thinking. I did my grocery shopping first and then stopped by the bookstore to "run in and run out". I was going to make it a quick trip. I knew which book I wanted and the general area of where it was located. Of course, when I got to the craft section, I was overwhelmed with all the books. It was like the shelves of fantastic crafting books went on for miles. Sewing, knitting, bookmaking, soap making, crafty business starting, embroidery, crocheting, quilting, paper making and the list goes on. I think I was in there for an hour looking at books, meanwhile, my groceries were melting in the car. I justified it by telling myself that it is rather chilly outside and the groceries will be fine. I think I could have stayed in there for at least another hour or even longer. I found so many great books and ended up with a different book than I went in there for in the first place.

I have added even more books to my list:

Chicks With Sticks- can't go wrong with your everyday knitting book!

Stencil Me In- I almost got this one. There are fantastic stencil patterns included. WONDERFUL book, I will certainly go back soon and get this one.

Handmade Nation- O.K., well I almost got this one too. I decided not to because I wanted to see the film first before I got the book, not sure why because I will probably go back and get the book before I see the film. This lady goes all over the U.S to film a documentary on crafty people. The crafty people she features in her movie are in this book. It is really fantastic. She has a blog...which makes it even more fantastic and goes along with my theme of the weekend, books and blogs. Check it out!

Indie Publishing: How to design and produce your own book- hey sis, I am thinking that we both need this book. You study up in the mountains and I will study up in the city...we will collaborate and make our own crafty book to blog about! Deal???

Simply Sublime Bags- a girl can NEVER have too many bags and there are sure a lot of cute ones in this book!

Simple Sewing- there are a lot of very sweet sewing projects in this book and the pictures are fabulous.

I also checked out Anna Maria Horner's book Seams To Me. I just about cried because the colors and pictures in this book are breathtaking! I love her.

The Domino Book of Decorating was just brilliant...I was tempted to purchase it but I settled for the magazine since mine has not come in the mail yet.

So, I ended up with the Domino magazine (as mentioned above) and The Crafter's Companion. I decided on The Crafter's Companion because (go figure) it kept with the theme of my weekend (I am such a cheese ball). It is a book about crafty people with links to their websites/blogs! Gotta love it! If Jeff were home he would be laughing at me. :-)

Well I am off to make cornbread and chili for my guests who will be arriving in about an hour! Im sooooo excited!

**So, moral of the day....go book shopping first, then go get your groceries.***

News Flash!

Eeeeeeeeeekkkkkkkkkkkkk!!



Harry Potter is back on the big screen....this July. I can't wait!

The Post Christmas Sniffles

Well, I finally got it. The dreaded cold that has been going around at work that I have been trying oh so hard to not be subjected to. I guess it was inevitable working in a hospital and all. So, all jacked up on Tylenol Cold Daytime, I managed to get the house in order for a visit from my sister, brother-in-law, and niece and finished up some last minute Christmas projects for those I have not celebrated with yet. After that, I spent most of the day surfing the net for Christmas decorating ideas for next year and also for crafty blogs that I have not read yet. So, this is the blog roll for today:

happylovesrosie (it may take it a minute to load)

greenkitchen

artsycraftybabe

pyrexlove (I am freaking out over this blog!! I saw a TON of this Pyrex at an antique store with my mother last weekend.)

posy (I want to LIVE in her house!)

lenacorwin

I also pillaged my book self for crafty books and happened across Vintage Style by Cath Kidston. I completely forgot that I had this book! It is great. I think my grandmother may have given it to me years ago. It has given me so many new and fresh ideas.

Books I can't wait to purchase..some of which I just discovered today:

Anna Maria Horner-Seams To Me

Jane Brocket-The Gentle Art of Domesticity

Alicia Paulson-Stitched In Time

Lena Corwin-Printing By Hand

Deborah Needleman-Domino The Book Of Decorating

Sometimes it is nice to be a bit under the weather. It gives me an excuse to be lazy and lay about all day. I often times find myself buzzing around going 90 miles a minute. Even though my nose is stuffy, my eyes are watery, and my head is pounding....I guess it could be worse and really it is not so bad.


Oh, I almost forgot, here are some of the Christmas goodies I made that I was not able to post until after Christmas:

Oil Cloth placemats for my mother:

Recipe card holders with my favorite recipes for my Aunt. It was her hostess gift since we spent Christmas Eve at her house.

Oh, and during the Christmas crafting, I got hungry. I owe my brother-in-law more of his favorite candy...I ate it in the midst of gift wrapping. Since he won't be arriving until tomorrow evening, I think that gives me plenty of time to stock up. Oh was it tasty! I now know why it is his favorite.

Since I have been crafting so much, I guess I felt like I could not stop. So, after Christmas day festivities with my parents, I came home and recovered the kitchen table chairs with left some of the oil cloth I had left over. I love it!

Before:








After:

This Christmas was very special indeed. Everyone was so generous, I was just not expecting that for some reason. So much thought and effort was put into everything.

Cheers!

Happy Holidays!!

Such a wonderful day!

Wishing everyone the very happiest holiday season!

The Eve Of Christmas Eve Surprise

This afternoon I received a mysterious text message from Jeff. It said "look on the coat rack when you get home...I'll give you a hint, it is not a coat."

The drive home was rather exciting. I was wondering what it could possibly be. When I walked through the front door I saw this!!!

It is funny because I just saw a yarn ball wreath the other day and wanted one. Now I have one!!

I am off to make Spinach Artichoke Dip for tomorrow evenings festivities!

Cheers!

Oh, The Weather Outside Is Frightful!

On this fabulous winter evening I am doing fabulous winter things! It is so cold outside...a bone chilling 28 degrees and dropping! We may even get sleet. I never thought I would be so excited about sleet but, the thought of going to work late tomorrow sounds fantastic! I would do anything to stay cozied up in my bed.

Well...I guess for those of you that live in the northern states, 28 degrees may not be very cold to you but, right here deep in the heart of Texas, that is dang cold! I can't believe I just said dang. So, back to the fabulous winter things I am doing....there is a hot pot of chili on the stove, The Holiday is playing (for about the hundredth time since November) in my DVD player and the surround sound is echoing throughout the house so I can hear the dialogue in every room, packages are being wrapped...

...tags are being made (out of shrinky dinks this year, I am obsessed with shrinky dinks) and placed on packages in preparation for Christmas Eve festivities...

...and I found the elves that I lost yesterday! One of them popped by today for a bit of after work chit chat. This little elf helped by wrapping the soaps that I made. What a fantastic job she did!

There is still more to complete but...maybe I am really starting to see the light. I know I already said that several posts ago. I seriously don't know what I was seeing because I was in total darkness. But this time, 2 days before Christmas, there is light. I go with my bad self!

Cheers!!!

Where Are All The Elves.....

...when I need them??? I think they are all drinking spiked egg nog and eating chocolate truffles while frolicking in the snow. This has been quite the weekend of Christmas crafting of production! If I worked like this all the time I would have a ton of stuff in my Etsy store. Hmmm, New Year's resolution maybe??? I feel like my little fingers are going to fall off! I finally finished up the project I was working on for my mama. She reads this so I can't say what it is or post pictures yet, but I will after she receives it! Come to think of it, I can't really say what I have been working on because for those who do read this little blog, it will spoil all the fun. Geez! All this hard work and I can't say anything about it. Well, since my niece can't type or even understand the concept of google....I can post the rest of the felt food, I introduce you to penne and bow tie pasta!

On Saturday, a friend of mine came over for some crafting (and wine :-)). I had so much fun! It was nice to actually craft with someone, a real person, and not Ziggy, Cedella, Millie, Luna, and Chica. Well, they can't craft, they are pets but you know what I mean. Man, if only my pets could craft, they could be my elves! I would have my own little sweat shop! O.k., I am going to reel myself back in and finish this blog and stop talking crazy.

I also made Jeff take a picture with me of the 2 of us together. I bet you can imagine how that went. At least he was a good sport and did it. Speaking of sports, ladies, never take a picture with your man when the game is on. If your camera is like mine, you will get 3 quick shots in a row on the timer. So, the first picture is Jeff looking at the T.V., the next picture are Jeff's eyes halfway between the T.V. and the camera, and the last is Jeff looking at the camera. Well, at least I got one good shot!

Happy crafting and Happy Holidays!

Let The Christmas Crafting Continue...Follow Up...

Hello all! The soap I made yesterday turned out very well. To me, there is something so satisfying about making something yourself. Of, course, I kept a bar of soap for myself! I made the soap for Jeff's grandmother, aunt's, and mother. They don't know about my blog so the Christmas surprise is not ruined. :-) I purchase my glycerin and other soap/bath essential supplies from, From Nature With Love. It's a great company with great customer service. Their prices are fairly reasonable too! (Just a side note, my brother-in-law made that cutting board and I love it!)

I chopped the block of soap up after I pulled it out of the mold and was able to get as much as I needed out of this mold.

I have also been working on some tissue holders for them. I purchased some tissues today for the holders and was able to cross that project off my list. I am getting so close to seeing the light! But, there seems to be so much more to do!

I went to a Christmas party this afternoon that was rather lovely. Great food, friends, and wine! But, while I was gone, this picture appeared on my camera. I am pretty sure Jeff took it because I know I didn't and I don't think my dogs have the ability to take pictures (and not to mention don't have imposable thumbs). My pets are so spoiled and lazy!

If you can see, the center piece decoration has glass Christmas ornaments in it. My mom gave me this center piece and this year I decided to jazz it up by adding the ornaments. Cedella, the kitty to the right, is obsessed with shiny objects and kept knocking them out of the center piece. So, I got smart and hot glued them to it. Ha! She has not broken a glass ball since!

Cheers!

Let The Christmas Crafting Continue!

The countdown is on! There are only 12 days until Christmas. For some reason that makes me want to bust out and sing the 12 days of Christmas. Well, anyhoo, I will spare you all of that. Today I have been working on finishing up some Christmas projects. Several years ago I made soap for gifts. I had some glycerin and a rather fantastic soap mold so, I thought why not make soap again this year?

So, I got out the mold and lined it with freezer paper:

I don't have a double boiler....ah, if only Jeff read this he would have the perfect Christmas gift idea for me...so I just made one out of some kitchen items I have. You can't go wrong with a big pot and a Pyrex bowl.

I chopped up some cocoa butter glycerin and avocado and cucumber glycerin that I had so it would melt easier and put it in the boiler.

I am a fan of lavender and usually have a ton of lavender buds and lavender essential oil laying around so that is what I went with for the scent of this soap.

My favorite part of making soap is poring it into the mold. I got this mold from Southern Belle Soap Company some years ago. I don't think think they are in business anymore which is disappointing.

My house smells so good, like an English garden. That will only last so long though, the dogs need a bath :-). Tomorrow the soap should be ready for me to cut into bars.

Cheers!

Dominick The Christmas Donkey....Am I The Only One That Finds This Hilarious??

Tis' The Season

I have had quite a productive weekend! Most importantly, I got some Christmas shopping done! I do not feel quite as stressed. I am hoping to have everything finished up by next weekend. It seems that people get so stressed out around the Holidays and it just should not be that way so, I am determined not to be running around like crazy the day before Christmas Eve.

While I was out shopping, I could not resist my favorite chocolate candy....OH, how I could not resist it. To me, there is nothing better than chocolate and hazelnuts.

This weekend I also finished decorating the house. My parents got me luminarias while they were in Santa Fe. I love them!

I was able to get all of the inside decorating done too! It is awful cheerful around here! Jeff is kind of a bah humbug, the thinks Christmas is a "Hallmark Holiday", but how can he think that when the house is all decked out? Ha! I think he really truly does like the holidays, he just acts like he does not. :-)

I also made some more ornaments for the tree

I finished up the Christmas tree sugar cookie ornaments.

While I was looking through Etsy, I came across the cutest pine cone ornaments with felt balls on them. I just had to have one for myself. I had pine cones and I also had some roving so I went to town!

I finished up some of the felt play food that I have been making for Violet.

Some Ravioli, too cute!

And... a little fettuccine

Now, I need to make some meatballs to finish it off!

Cheers!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Every Thanksgiving I wake up and watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Thank you Mama, I get it from her. In fact, I am certain it is one of the first things my sister did when she woke up this morning too (that is if she gets that TV channel, ha only kidding sis). Our Thanksgivings were usually spent at our grandparents farm in Cleburne. We would wake up and watch the parade while my grandmother and mother would prepare breakfast. I think breakfast was probably the best thing about going to the farm. My grandmother would always make the most extravagant breakfast meal. Then, a few hours later, we would have lunch. After that, she would start cooking dinner. So, needless to say, she certainly did not mess around when it came to making Thanksgiving dinner. Good times.

In memory of the old farm days, I made breakfast this morning while watching the parade. I thought it would be fun to make piggies in a blanket. It was nothing in comparison to the farm breakfast, but I had fun doing it. Jeff even watched the parade. I was surprised because he does not really get into holidays and stuff. I guess I am finally rubbing off on him after all these years.














So, to continue in the spirit of baking, I also made these pumpkin cookies. I was inspired by Amy Karol. The recipe is fabulous! I have never tasted a more fabulous cookie. This one, I think I may make every year. I bet that darn squirrel would like it. Maybe I will leave a few out for him. I guess it is kinda like leaving cookies out for Santa except the squirrel does not leave gifts when he visits.

It was fun to make the cookies and it was even more fun to bust out the Kitchen Aid mixer. It has been a while since I have baked.

After breakfast, a few mimosas, and cookie making, we went out to our friends house. This year was her first year to cook Thanksgiving for her family and her husbands family. Might I say, she did a fantastic job! The house was decorated for Fall, it looked beautiful. The food was delicious and I certainly ate too much of it. We had a great time. It was a perfect substitute because my parents and grandparents are in Santa Fe so, we did not do anything this year as a family. My mom called me to tell me that it was snowing in Santa Fe. Oh, I am so jealous.

Happy Thanksgiving to all and I hope many happy memories are made!

Cheers!

He Did It!

Those are the feet of my hairstylist, Ale. Next to his feet are Jeff's dreads. After a solid 8 years, Jeff finally decided to cut his hair. So, I guess I have to share Ale now :-) Might I say he did a fabulous job.

O.K., This Is It...

I know, I know. I have already posted 2 blogs today but, I just had one more thing to say. Isn't this magazine fabulous?!?!?!

The end! Cheers!

Ah, The Smell Of Pinon

On Friday, Jeff and I had a party on the patio. We got the chimnea crankin' and threw a few steaks on the barbie. I also threw on the barbie rosemary and red pepper sweet potato wedges and a mix of onions and green bell peppers seasoned with salt, pepper, and cumin. The cumin was a nice touch. It was mighty chilly out Friday night but, that chimnea kept us awfully warm. It was fun to sit by the fire outside. Oh, and that wonderful smell of pinon. I am a bit jealous to be quite frank, my parents are in Santa Fe right now. Maybe on Friday I was channeling the Santa Fe Gods. Who knows. But boy, do I wish I were there. Oh, the beauty and calmness of it all. Someday, I will be snuggled up all cozy in my adobe house, next to my pinon burning fire. One can dream right?

I realized today that I forgot the mention the cutest Christmas accessory ever! I purchased it over here a few weeks ago. I can't wait to wear it. I will probably wear it on Christmas Eve at work. I imagine it will brighten up the patients day. They always comment on my rings, so I think this one will be a hit.

I got alot done working on various projects today. I spent most of the day cutting fabric. I forgot how time consuming it is! But, since I prepped today, I can spend the next several days making my Christmas cookie ornaments.

I also worked on a a felt clutch for my Etsy site. I love the colors, I think it looks a bit Vintage, even though it is not. I used some 100% wool felt that I had and fabric from Anna Maria Horner's line.

I was busy but still did not get enough done! It is full speed ahead in order to get everything done by deadline!

Cheers!

Spotted!!

Oh, how I have been waiting for this moment. Caught in the act! My little plump furry Nemesis munching away on my pumpkin! This is the third pumpkin he has munched on in the past month. Here is the story of how it all unfolded. Today, I have been working on Christmas projects. My sewing table faces a window with a view of my front yard and porch. As I was working, I caught a glimpse of him out of the corner of my eye as he was carefully running up to my front porch. I quickly and quietly grabbed my camera and tip toed up to my front porch window to observe him. He must have dined on my front porch for at least 5 minutes if not longer. I now know his secret strategy!

He creeps up the stairs quietly and cautiously.

When all is safe, he runs up to pillage the mother load.

He grabs a bit of the pumpkin off.

He runs to the end of the porch with pumpkin in tow.

He savors the pumpkin at the end of the porch because it seems like a good quick getaway if need be.

That little bit is not enough so, he goes back for a bit more. He runs back to the end of the porch to eat what he has pillaged. He repeats this several times.

He becomes increasingly brave and greedy. He begins to linger on the pumpkin eating as much as he can.

He continues to gorge himself and periodically looks around for imminent danger.

Then, being the klutz I am, accidentally tapped the camera on the window, and he ran away.

Cheers!