Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving Funny


Have a blessed day!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Wisdom from the Aged



When I was younger I was afraid of the elderly. I have no idea why. Maybe it was from not being around grandparents and those that were much older than my parents. I never got comfortable around those much older than me until I met my husband and spent time with his grandparents.


Since then I have developed and appreciation and, dare I say, love for the elderly. Not in the way that would lead me to work in a nursing home, but I love to talk to them, loving their perspective on things. I love the fact that they rarely mince words. I don't know if it comes from their lack of inhibitions, feeling life is too short, or a little dementia in some rare cases. However, when I meet an elderly person, I love to talk to them.


I believe we can learn a lot from the elderly. They have seen so much. Just think of how the world was just 75 years ago and all the advances, changes, wars, and wonders that have occurred. Someone who has seen all of that, lived through raising a family, jobs, life, death has to have more wisdom than me. I feel I'm much wiser than I was 20 years ago so I KNOW they have to have wisdom I would love to have.



This brings me to my encounter today in the post office. I entered the post office behind a very elderly gentleman. Kind face, larger than necessary dentures and slightly stooped. He smiled with those glassy, watery eyes and offered for me to go ahead of him. "Ladies first" he told me. I declined since I had a few international packages to mail, but he insisted.



He then began telling me "ladies first" is what his mother taught him. "She taught me a lot of things" he said and then chuckled to himself, seeming to think fondly of her. The slight gleam in his eye gave me the impression that maybe she wasn't quite the saint I would picture teaching her son chivalry. "Good things I'd imagine" I quipped back fishing for a little more. "Oh, yes," he said thinking and remembering.

Then came the gem of wisdom I always look for. He then added "She also taught me 'It's better to watch women wiggle, than to hear them rattle' ".


I laughed out loud, really loud, and had to cover my mouth. I absolutely love that! He didn't say much more, but I believe that was enough wisdom for me today.


Oh, and btw..when we got to the front of the line, HE went first.


I love old people!

Monday, November 23, 2009

Christmas Tradition

This movie has become one of our family's favorite Christmas traditions. Unfortunately last year our VCR (yes, we still have one) ate our VHS tape of the movie. I am so excited that I received a new DVD copy in the mail today. Just in time for the holidays!
This movie is true to the Muppet's genre of bad puns, bad jokes and completely unexpected humor. It follows the Christmas Carol story through the narration of Gonzo (the one with the long nose) as Charles Dickens. Kermit, of course is Bob Crachet and Michael Kaine is Ebenezer Scrooge.
I am practicing some restraint, however and won't watch it till after thanksgiving. But I can't wait!

Saturday, November 21, 2009

A Visit from Jack Frost



My latest treasury was inspired by the crisp and cold weather that we almost never have here in Houston. We can dream though, can't we?

Friday, November 20, 2009

Fabulous Friday Find

This is a little item that caught my eye this week. It is too cute and I have added it to my list for christmas. Hopefully my family will be quicker than you.

You can see from the pics it's a cute little snap purse. It's a little bigger than a change purse and you can find lots of others at antiquebasketlady.etsy.com


Thursday, November 12, 2009

I've Already Made My New Years Resolution

...and it's to focus on my metalsmithing skills.

While I love the jewelry with charms, lockets, and vintage jewels. I have decided to focus on my sterling designs.
So, while Christmas Shopping is getting into full swing, I have put lots of my items on sale. I have reduced all of my "whimsical collection" by 20%. I have marked down my "jewel collection" and have made the jewel earrings two for $20. AND, if you spend over $50 you get free shipping in the U.S.



None of these items (unless I currently have them made) will be duplicated. So, once they are sold out, I won't be making more.


I will have a HUGE de-stash at the first of the year and my shop will become solely metalsmithed items.


No, I won't sell as much but I get such a reward making something from scratch and it's time I focused on that.

So...good deals are to be had while they are there.


Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Saying Thank You Doesn't Seem Enough

How do you say "thank you" to someone who has left their family behind for you? How do you say "thank you" to someone who has feared for their lives daily for you? How do you say "thank you" to someone who has lost a limb for you? How do you say "thank you" to someone who has seen a friend die for you? How do you say "thank you" to someone who sufferes from depression and PTSD for you? How do you say "thank you"?

I have no answers but my heart is full of "thank you" even though it will never be adequate for what has been done for me.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

A Good Laugh



I love Christopher Walken.... OH, OH, OH!! rofl!

Temptation and Addiction

I heard an interesting quote today that said "your addictions teach you that you will never have enough of what you don't need". When it comes to fabric, I am afraid that completely applies to me.

For those of you who know me, or know my shops, or just take a look around here on my blog, you can see I make jewelry. I am not one that sews or even likes sewing. I have, on occasion, and only because of desperation or boredom unpacked my sewing machine to dabble or create something only to, in VERY short order, pack it away again out of disgust at my abominable sewing skills.

That being said, I have a weakness that you would not expect. I absolutely LOVE gorgeous fabrics. Fabrics of all textures, colors, patterns, I just want to have it dreaming (though as previously explained not likely) to create something wonderful.

There are so many shops on Etsy that have gorgeous fabrics and, yesterday, I came across another. I must say it is good that I just paid my etsy bill or I would have purchased way too much of this fabric! However, I am still contemplating purchasing some and, once again, being deluded into thinking I can complete a project.

The shop is: MaterialGal and here is only a small sampling of Stephanie's fabrics.











These are all fat quater collections she has put together for a project called "Scarf Along" that is going on at another blog.
Julie from JoysHope.com is being kind to many out there like me who for some reason feel the need to sew but lack the necessary skills. She is taking some brave souls by the hand and leading them through a journey of sewing-self-discovery.
So, there you have it. They have made it very easy for us. Perfect little gorgous bundles of fabric that are impossible to resist, and someone kind enough to guide us in a sewing journey.
If you are a reluctant sewer like me I encourage you to take the plunge and join in! Click on the pictures above and they will take you to Stephanie's MaterialGal shop to get your fabric. Then go to JoysHope.com and follow along. I am still on the fence about joining in, but keep an eye out, you never know.. I just might surprise myself.

Friday, November 6, 2009

Fangs are the new Black (Jacob Black that is)

A fun treasury celebrating the new movie coming up. I haven't read the books but my daughters are so excited!

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Romantic Treasury

I snagged a treasury at the last minute yesterday. See the title? When it came up I had no idea what I was going to do. I thought that would be good for whatever theme I wanted. I built it off of a few things in my favorites and some of my facebook fans and then went from there. Nothing like a mental challenge to get the creative juices flowing!