Calamity Kim

Lurking In The Shadows

Earlier in the year there was a National De-Lurker Week. It involved putting up invitations to you readers who visit but fail to comment. In a kind and loving way, I would like to revisit that invitation and let you know that it is ok to leave a comment on my Blog. Any time. Even if you don't like what I am rattling on about. If you are new to Blogs and are scared or afraid, then let me assure you that it is a wonderful thing for us to know that there is someone out there who shares commonalities. I have a penchant for: doll houses, quilts, coffee, dogs, babies, the beach and  cupcakes. and aprons...
 

So welcome to Calamity Kim if this is your first visit.
I made this little kitty from Hillary's pattern.
Everyone else who has been visiting or are my Blogging Buddies- I thank you for all your kindness and participation. On the 22nd  my Blog will be a year old and I am thinking about doing another giveaway. (I still have one thing left to make for my 6 month blog a versary party that I never finished and sent. I don't know what's wrong with me, some kind of CRS Disease.) Other projects pop up and take presidence and I clean up my sewing room and find random things started, half finished, buried under fabric and glitter and tulle....oh, my...anyway...

Stop lurking.
Introduce yourself.
Leave a comment and a blog or email address.
Next week The 22nd is my Blog 1 Year Anniversary so come back and see what's going on. Spread the word and Pass the cupcakes! I jumped the gun, as usual! Here's a link to my first post. I have progressed fairly well in my computer skills. I wasn't sure I could even do this. I think its fun to go back and look at the early stuff. Anyway- Mark your calenders. There will be prizes and festivities! Oct 22.

Congratulations!

The numbers have been chosen. The winners are getting emails. I am sorting out the prizes! You will have to go to the end of the string of cupcake pictures to find out who has won....because it's more fun that way....that's why!!! Today is gorgeous, btw, and I am dashing back over to the beloved Post Office after yesterday's nightmare of a line out the door prompted me to abandon the plan and return earlier today. Just seems senseless to waste 30 minutes in that line....so here is a peek...

And before you go all crazy counting to find out who you are, ya need to know that I put all of the comments in a file on my email site and added a few who were unable to comment on the blog but left emails- so you will have a different number than the comment order on the blog. It was the only way I could figure out how to keep them all together. 71 isn't too hard to manage. Maybe when a year has gone by I will have more. But small and cozy is good, right?

These beauties are blooming in the back and I just discovered them! They bloom for a few weeks then it's a whole another year to wait...I love the iridescent translucent shimmer in the petals. I love this shade of pink too!    ***I am doing another Garage sale this weekend with my Brother and then I will be back to sewing. I miss it and it hasn't quite been a week....I was so happy to participate in the doll quilt swap and would love to do another if anyone else knows of any going on then please let me know.***

My other great love- aprons has a new Blog site devoted to it- you need to go check it out! The creator's are: Deanna of Domestic Chicky and Eren of Vintage Chica and it is called The Apronista. Please go give them some Land of Blog Love and support and check out their creative aprons.***

Speaking of creative I just saw where Mary Jane Butters is publishing another fabulous book- Mary Jane's Stitching Room this one specializes in sewing, crocheting and embroidery- maybe some tatting too I am not sure. It will be out this month and you can check it out on her site here.

I can't wait to get it! I have her first book and just love it. Her last magazine was all about aprons and using men's shirts and then several patterns you could order. Which, I did but haven't gone to the copy shop to enlarge them 4oo% yet...maybe soon... There is a pattern for repurposing a man's shirt into an apron that I just saw on a blog last night...Ifound it again- it's here Aunt Georgia's House, but it was cool and I think there are so many possiblities with altering favorite dresses into aprons, or smocks. Check out Tie One ON. For May/June's Challenge theme- it's pocket I think! And the RickRack Aprons should be up soon! ...maybe there will be some time set aside for this in the weeks ahead! We shall see, eh?
Last night I finally rented Night at The Museum and it was sweet- and entertaining on the level with old Disney that we grew up watching (Apple Dumpling Gang) and worth renting. Robin Williams and Ben Stiller must have been on their meds cause they were great in their parts and I cracked up over a tiny Owen Wilson Cowboy- "Jedadia". He was awesome! It had a happy ending and then we were blown away by Heroes! Wow. All I can say is : didn't see that coming! Wow! I wish we could fast forward to next Monday! Adam, where is that remote?

Go down to the last post for prize winners.....

Cup Cake 8 14 22 48 51 56

Cup Cake 23.5.06, originally uploaded by hippie2006.

Today is the day! I can't believe it...The time has flown by and it's here! If you happened to mention a preference to a certain prize then that is what you got , but some of you didn't so I am emailing in order to decide who gets what...this is tricky bidness, for I want everyone to be happy.  drum roll please.......................................................

Lucette   ( visualisepeace@yahoo.ca)

Angela ( www.countrycellar.blogspot.com )

Karen  ( http://misseskwitty.blogspot.com/ )

Carolina  ( neovamp )

Wende  ( http://evidently.org )

and Jenny  (  http://meadowroseswines.blogspot.com/  ) 

For everyone who didn't win but were kind enough to leave a comment, I thank you. Maybe next time...and know that I have been in your shoes because I have thrown my name in many hats and haven't won yet...keep trying is all I can say! For those of you who did win...you are lucky dawgs!!!!! Thanks for celebrating with me! Now go make cupcakes...I am really wanting some for breakfast!

SIGN UP ON THIS POST

I said today was the day.
What's that?
You can't see too well?
Well, come a little bit closer...

If you click on the pictures they open up a bit bigger...
Close enough?
Can you see OK?
First of all There will be 6 prizes- one isn't quite finished- but trust me, you will love her... what? Oh, well, it's a bipolar Becky of course- you know those make do, pin cushions I love to make....

I finished the bunting- and am very happy with it! One side is chenille and the other has some of my favorite things...cupcakes, holly hobbie, Smokey the bear, vintage embroidery....

and a rose made from paper and lace and some fabric

and a doll and a doll size mini quilt

and a crown to wear on your own special days!
6 Prizes!
6 chances to win!
The 6th month blogaversary Celebration starts now!!!
I need you to sign up with your full name and blog if you have one.
If you don't have a blog, it's OK....If you've been lurking- decloak now!
It's your time to say hello and introduce yourself.
I will leave this open for you all to add your name to the drawing which will be on May 1st.
Now officially I started this blog on Oct 22nd, but I think 13 days is long enough to hold the door open for ya.
That may be too long....but in case some people who usually read me are out of town, sick or recuperating from surgery
(Hi Amanda! Hope you are feeling better day by day!) then it should be long enough for everyone!

If the number gets crazy I may have to ask Vickie and Grace to borrow their number spinner doohickey thingamajig that they used on their doll quilt giveaway.....

we shall see...
I will be adding pictures of some cupcakes and some special Gnome & Fairy Sugar Cookies I will be making...

we will have arts & crafts projects to do together and please feel free to link to this post and grab any pictures to use to spread the word....

I didn't make a button....Phyllis from Shabby in the City made me one!!! Thank you so much Phyllis!!! Ya hoo! I am going to add it to the end of this post and you can add it to your blog with a link...she also pointed out that on the Blogger (!@#$%^&*) when I post a comment it doesn't show this as my Blog...I am not sure how to fix that but I will give it a go- short of starting a Blog on Blogger just to direct people here! seems crazy! anyway...I seem to be running at full speed and need to finish the Becky pincushion and then bake and type up some recipes and make pdf's and oh my!!!
There will be new stuff (like an art apron and some more bunting and another mini quilt going in the Etsy shop on Saturday at NOON....Put it on yer calendar....Be there or be square! tee hee....OK....I am running back to my sewing room to finish and you guys start lining up and putting your name in the hat....remember- full name...Get started! YEE HAW!!!!!!    oh, the Calamity!!!!!!!

or this size:

Party Planning

Yesterday from 8:30 till 6pm I was in the sweat shop, er, sewing room, making and doing all day. My left hand holding the ruler, right hand using rotary cutter to slash and trim.
Trying to be aware of where my fingers are.
I don't do ANYTHING in a small way.
I have to do it big.
Cutting out 600 triangles...
So, fueled by Columbian Coffee and an ego the size of Texas, I cut out triangles for bunting.
I am hooked.
I have loved the look, seen in some catalogs and magazines and Flickr too.

Our Grandsons:  Austin & Hayden have just moved into one room- with a new set of bunk beds and the nursery room is going to get a fresh coat of paint and I am going to make gender appropriate bunting  after the ultra sound reveals  some pertinent info on Thursday ( fingers still crossed for a girl).
I could make some  Army  style bunting too-  red & white & green with camo.
Some Superman and Batman fabrics would make great- "you're my hero" bunting and lets not forget robots and space men for those astro obsessed little boys.

I used chenille for the backing so that these first sets would not only be shabby and nursery appropriate but I am convincing myself to cut up and use the chenille bedspreads I bought on eBay and have been reluctant to use.
They are mostly all cutters, with slight damage or wear..when the tufts of chenille are gone, it's just fabric...As I cut, my mind drifts to what ifs.....what if I make some and take it to the local baby shops...what if I make some with a beach theme for Garden Argosy?
What if I donate some to the Par Tea Planners Mother's Day Giveaway...what if I give some away on my own Blog a versary...what if I host this giveaway and nobody comes. What IF I  really only have 10 readers and my Blog is really a "Slog", the new term for blogs that suck.
It's difficult to tell how many of you are out there when so few comment, and I am not up for begging for comments anymore.
I don't understand what makes people want to comment or how some people get so many, but I am just happy to have a blog and if you care to share then feel free to do so.
I have been trying hard to stay caught up on housework and sewing and that is my blog time.
Fred and I discussed going to bed at 9 and getting up at 6 every morning since most of our "shows" are ending for the season.
It's easier than ever to turn off the TV and live in ignorant bliss when the horrible things that people do are  all that is on.
It makes me feel as if there really is no limit to the blackness of some soul's when I hear about the murder, rape and violence committed daily to other innocent people.
My blog is not a Thinking Blog by any means.
I will only encourage you to float, flutter and  fantasize  about cupcakes, fairies, fabric and crafts.

Going no deeper than the  fat quarters folded  and sorted by theme on my  fabric bookcase, I will try to entertain you and  create a safe haven where ugly, nasty & bad behavior is not allowed.
If I don't talk about it- it's not because my head is buried in the sand it's because I like to feed my soul with those happy, pleasant thoughts that will be conducive to creating lovely and beautiful treasures to enhance your lives, not sad reminders of the helplessness and chaos of our world.
I am Calamity Fluff.
Calamity Cotton Candy.
Calamity Crafts. When spilled paint and glitter are non toxic to your soul and artistic ambition.

Last night, as Fred came home and I was sewing away, I proudly held up some pennants and said look! I haven't stopped for 9 hours (neither had he) and he chuckled and said "what is this"?
  Bunting says I. 
It's for my blog party.
To which he just shakes his head and says that's nice honey.
He doesn't know the many and various celebrations that can be further enhanced by a little bunting.
So, I took a moment to enlighten him.
Bad day at the office- Bunting!
Good day at school?- Bunting!
Cupcake Friday?- Bunting!
Got a raise? Gold Star? Straight A's? Sold something on Etsy?- Bunting!
You can celebrate anything.

Not just Birthdays or Hallmark Holidays.
How about saying this is because I love you and I am glad you are in my life?
So then he gives me a big hug and says will you please make some coffee and I say sure and wander off into the kitchen.

Warning: Diet Update:

I went to the grocery store on Sunday and we are back on salad and fresh veggies and lean meats and no sauce or gravy.
I had to try to limit our portions for a week so that we could both see what we should be eating. The Lean Cuisine worked! blech!
Increasing our exercise by daily walks and much smaller portions should help. This middle age is rough but we are healthy and if we get control over it sometime soon then we won't be stroking out or having a heart attack!

Blog A Versary:

I am planning on starting the Blog Party on Wed.
I will have pictures of the giveaway items and you guys can start leaving your names.
I will ask that you all add me to your sidebar if you participate.
This will help increase my readers and that would be a good thing.
Thank you very sweetly to those of you (about 19) who have me already listed on your blog.
I do indeed appreciate it!
I have this whole concept of the Blog Community and it is about sharing, kindness and trust. It was slightly altered last weekend when I stumble upon my first nude blog and after recovering ( she was at least 87 and very nasty and nekkid) I realized how naive I am.
I just had no clue.
I am such a foolish woman.
I almost unplugged the computer and tossed it in the lake.
Then I had to regroup and hope that was just a freak occurrence.
Why do some people have to spoil everything? Back to human nature. Inescapable. Even in Blogland.....

So hip hip Hooray for 6 months of Calamity and I can promise- only happy, happy, joy, joy and never any geriatric nudity on this blog (not even if you call it art) Go forth and celebrate the cupcake! Make a bunting!! Hang a balloon! Write a note! Pick a flower! It doesn't have to cost anything and might make this world a better place- if everyone is kind and sweet and loving toward everyone else (even the bad bloggers and blog stalkers and lurkers and unthinking blogs stuffed with fluff)

Wip