Calamity Kim

Playing With Calamity

Wondering where I have been?

Well, I have been putting a new roof on the doll house. We purchased the Buttercup Model several years ago. It was my Christmas present and Fred began gluing it together in January (2007) and then it sat.

After 6 months or so we worked on it again. Sanding, painting, dreaming, and gluing it began to take shape and I pretended that it was Calamity Kim's Quilt & Pie Shop. Then it sat for long months, gathering dust, waiting for someone to pay attention to it again. Each time I moved the bag of delicate wooden shingles we had initially purchased for the roof they crumbled and broke. They looked so pitiful and the thought of staining them or something made me think it would just be too dark and gloomy.

So several weeks ago I thought about a tin roof made from Arizona Tea cans and asked Fred what he thought and he said it might be cool so we got busy. Now its almost finished.

After washing out the cans and letting them dry his job is to cut them open for me. I made a pattern of a scallop section and use a sharpie to trace around it on the inside of the can. After cutting it out (about 4 from each can) I run it through the cuttlebug to emboss it. Then I fit it to roof and hot glue it down. The tin gets super hot!

I think it will be bright, happy and unique. My goal is to have it finished by this Christmas.

In other areas of the house I am still spinning and crocheting and learning to knit.

The spinning wheel is back in the living room after briefly being stored in the "paper room". I worked on getting it cleaned up and organized last week by buying some white bookcases and plastic storage systems.

My enthusiasm for spinning wool hasn't diminished and I have plans to sell some soon. I just love the whole process and but haven't been able to part with any yet.

A few Art & Craft Shows are coming up and I should be sewing and making paper dolls and getting tote bags ready.

Where has this year gone? I think that it has just gone by so quickly and as I get closer to deadlines, I will be working hard to get ready and not writing as much here. I had intended to Blog more last week but found myself gone most every day.

I snuck up to Tampa with my friends "Cheeko and The Anne" and bought a few things- like these cookie cutters! I can't wait to bake some cookies!

They also have some gnome ornaments made from dye cut thick wool felt and I bought some red paper stars. My plan is to use the small white feather tree with red stars and gnomes and the glass red and white mushroom ornaments that I have.

At Macy's, during my recent quest for new shoes, I found the last Martha Stewart Limited Edition Cakestand and it was marked down to 13.98. So now I am thinking of making a tree stump cake (like a yule log but different) with meringue mushrooms. Maybe I can use some food coloring to make red cap mushrooms. Don't you wish you could come over and spend a day baking with me? I have a new Williams Sonoma acorn pan.

We could laugh and giggle and sing songs and play.

That's after we ran to the grocery store to get the spray oil Pam stuff we'd surely need to make these acorn cakes just fall right outta this pan.

Maybe when the cakes are in the oven we could go plant this amaryllis. Then we could talk about the Tammy Smith piece I just bought from Etsy.

I am in love with her work.It's delicate and whimsical and makes me happy. She is in the new issue of Cloth Paper Scissors and I found her while

Googling "inside a circus tent".  

I have been working on my own new line of dolls called "Circus of Calamity" dolls and hope to introduce some of them to you soon.

I have been go go go lately and it could be the coolness of our recent weather or maybe just trying to do as much as I can each day.

Several recent deaths have made me think again of how short our time is here and how we should make the most of it.

Sometimes life is just difficult and small things like a vase of flowers helps to

make it seem better.

here's a flower for you and you and you too o

oh, and here's a hug!

Have a good day full of wonderful and joyful moments!

xo,

calamity kim

Waiting for my finger to stop bleeding

Just had to stop- pin stuck me, or I stuck myself, and had to let it stop bleeding.
 Went to mailbox.
Junk.
Catalog from Hobby Builders Supply.
That's who I got my doll house kit from, still not finished; will be 3 years this Xmas.
First couple of pages has Halloween and Fall stuff including tiny tombstones for your doll house haunted house.
Excellent.
Then on page 5 above The Buttercup Cottage (mine) are 3 kits that blow me away:
Ernie's Houseboat

Vintage Travel Trailor


and Ernie's Imagination Bus- it will take you anywhere you want to go!
You can of course buy hippie dolls (named Sunshine and River 5 1/2" and 6" tall) and bean bag chairs
to populate your Imagination bus.
I'm pretty sure I have seen it all now!

Really, a vintage travel trailer doll house kit!!!

October is National Doll House Month, in case you didn't know and you can get 15% off if you place your order before Oct 17th.
Just thought I'd give you something to think about in case you are doing any early shopping for the Holidays.
I have a doll house kit that (I picked up at Goodwill for 4.99) it has gables and would be perfect to transform into a haunted house.
Someday.
Someday in a life where I have more time and a place to keep it out of the way yet on display...
The finger is better...back to sewing!

Monday Morning in Calamity Town

Good Morning!
After reading a few of the comments from yesterdays post I just wanted to say thank you- again for the love and encouragement! Now I will make an attempt to write you all back and say thanks or visit your Blogs and maybe add a few of you here to my sidebar.

I had to laugh when I read that Meg had accidentally deleted her only two comments so I went to check out her Blog- she quilts and shows her stash here. Go give her some love, girls! (and Glenn Bliss- if you are reading this- my token male!!) I guess I should say- everyone!!!  Or maybe Guys & Dolls!!! teehee! Whatever, just go say hi and give her a few comments- maybe she won't get as excited as last time and delete them!

So that's the way it works- in case you don't know or feel as though you don't have anything to say...
This is a dialog-Weblogs should have been called convo's like webconversations. That would have more accurately described the process but it is a mouthfull.
When you post and take time to share your stuff it is really wonderful and gratefying to have people stop glideing through and say thank you.
There is an etiquette and a politeness in the Blogesphere when you borrow something or use a tecnique you should give credit.

You link back to them or their Blog or where ever it can be found.
By using Sitemeter or Technorati or Blogger you can see your traffic stats and referals and where people are coming from- then you can also see when people link to you and what they post about you. It all is connected and I sometimes find out who is talking about me that way- like sometimes I am surprised at what I find but always flattered by their praise.

Blogging for me is about sharing my work and getting feedback from you- I really appreciate that- if you think it rocks then I know I am in the right direction. I think that no comments must mean the opposite- that you don't love "it" and that's why you are quiet...I know this might and probably is wrong but it's a feeling I get. I try to ignore it and just Blog away but after almost 2 years of almost daily Blogging what have I accomplished?

Fortune? NO
Fame? Hardly
Friends? Yes!
Yes, I have made friends, but if I don't keep up my end of the emails I see them fade off and disappear..into the misty Blogesphere.
I guess I am just not good at relationships.

Ironically, that's what I think I want the most from this Blog and yet, I can't keep up with them, I get names confused and forget to write...There simply isn't enough time in the day to do all the things I want to!

I forfeited my Blog reading time in order to be more productive and it cost me in readership.

There is always a price.

A few of you said that you don't have anything to offer or that I am so awesome that you couldn't say anything I might be interested in- well- that is simply stinkin thinkin and you kids are wrong! I want to hear it. Even the most mundane or confused word- sometimes I just go to Blogs and leave a "huh?" or a "Love you" and its OK- they don't mind- at least I showed them I was there- and gave em a quick kiss on the cheek. a small pat. even saying "thanks, I needed that" would be great.
I will continue to Blog because it makes me happy, and you know that,

so I guess there really is no reason to say anything else.

Just know that it's a much richer and rewarding experience when we dialog. Who knows, we might end up being best friends

Anyway, Today is Monday and it's a new week

and there is much to do that won't get done if I sit here for hours.

I do want to say thank you for reading me and bookmarking my Blog and adding me to your sidebar so that others will find my glittery sometimes chaotic Blog that is full of aprons, faeries, dolls, quilts and random bits of this and that even if the glitter is spilled and the paint brush got dipped in your coffee cup and the fabric has bolted!
Thanks,
Love & Stitches,
Calamity Kim

Did you know that George Carlin has passed away?
Last week it was Tasha Tudor, now George.
It makes me sad for the world. We had them and now they are gone.

We all die someday.
Still, a moment to remember all the laughter and Joy that these humans shared in their lifetimes.
Thank you Mr Carlin.
Thank you Madame Tudor.
We love you.

Doll House, DeLorean, and Martha Dishes!

I have been buying tiny cupcakes, donuts, cakes and pieces of cake from Grace and will have a fine display in my Doll house, once it's finished. This is  the newest order from Grace- tiny pink cupcakes under a dome. This is how I diet- only fake food in the house!

She also gave me a tiny Halloween pumpkin and picture to hang! I love it! I am almost finished with my Doll House and then you may see it! I am trying to decide about the floor. I was going to paint it in black & white checks, but I am not sure...

Here is a link to Vicki's Blog- Turkey feathers and her Etsy shop. If you like embroidery she also sells vintage patterns here.

I have several things to Blog about, but need to take the pictures. I had a busy weekend. Cleaning all day Saturday- the Casa Chaos was put to order and sparkles and shines. (I over heard the husband muttering under his breath if he was in the right house?) He sold some stuff on eBay and the guy who picked it up came by (with his artist wife) in their DeLorean. She spoke of her past life as a window and display dresser for several large stores- including Macy's. That would have been my dream job!
He graciously let Fred take pictures of his car and here it is!!!
He said a cop pulled him over one time and wanted to know if he'd take him back to 1987. teehee!

Anyway- I have several wonderful swaps to show and more Halloween spooktacular stuff...I went to Macy's and saw the New Martha Stewart line. I bought some cake top stencils for dusting powdered sugar in designs of spider webs and black cats. I fell for the dishtowels too with silhouettes of witches and owls and spooky trees. She has everything from pots & pans, to linen to dinnerware.

The white porcelain is lovely and I will be going back for the cake stands.

  The set of 3 square cake pans would be perfect on the square pedestal too.

I might have to get a second or third job to afford it all though! I think its a good thing I'm on a diet and not baking or else I'd have spent my entire paycheck there!

So, Happy Monday!

Another busy week ahead!

I'll be back soon...ya'll behave!

so sweet it must be bad for ya

Just sittin around, painting on the doll house...eating fried egg sammies with bacon & cheddar and taking pictures and playing with banners...there should be a new one up- if you see the b&w then hit refresh and you know that you can click on my pictures for a larger view, right? I was excited to see that the Little Prince was bought from the Etsy shop and I will be writing about the buyer after I get her permission- it's pretty interesting and I am sure she won't mind but first I should  ask.

The art apron that I sold made it to Rosanna in Italy and I was so relieved that she liked it! She is the collector extraordinare that Jenny blogged about and I was so honored that she wanted one of my pieces.

This Land of Blog is pretty cool- ya never know who is out there reading  or taking a peek at yer stuff! I am happy that I can make things that people love and that gives them joy. That's what makes me happy in return

I hope that the windows and trim will get glued today and then I can paint the outside with primer and then the Jamaican aqua. I am excited about the doll house after buying some wee cakes and treats from Vicki & Grace at Turkeyfeathers...I was wondering if I could make a tiny set of starbucks cups too...just for fun...I am starting on some doll house quilts after being inspired by Hillary and Vicki and Jenny at Allsorts and.... one will be part of the 6 month Blog-a-versary coming soon...

tiny troubles

Yesterday was like a NYC sweatshop except not as dirty or sweaty, and Tony wasn't holding a gun to my head or anything but I was keeping busy with new items listed in The Etsy shop and shopping at the Etsy shop of Vicki & Grace- I was sitting on top of their shop, hitting refresh and I was fast enough on the button to grab a gorgeous chocolate cake and a pineapple upside down cake!! Pictures soon when they arrive...in the meantime, my doll house fever burning red hot, I traveled to Ebay and checked out some other possible additions to the doll house Quilt & Cupcake Shoppe. I was happy to see this: 

But knew I could probably make my own...and is that the sort of thing I really want in the doll house? Will it scare the children?  How about the bears? Won't they feel a wee bit mortified? OK, that's what I thought...moving on, I saw this doll furniture and really wanted it but it is a little high- or maybe it's a good price- 23.99?

Is that reasonable? I haven't a clue- there is some stuff made by Miniature Artists that seem to be a bit expensive- but they are tiny little pieces of art I suppose...and in limited quantities...like these tiny shoes...

Made by: Sylvia Rountree, the Doll's Cobbler and a steal at 18.00 buy it now- well I went back and someone had bought them! Perhaps that was a great price- I said ouch! and looked around to make sure no one was watching...it seemed sinful somehow to be wanting these tiny objects just to strut around in the doll house! Like doll house porn, I went to the next item on the list...unable to stop, my heart pounding deep in my chest...painted furniture...oh, yes! Please! Yes! That's good, really good, oh, I love it! How wonderful...only 10.99- why that's cheap! What a bargain! Once again, someone else snapped it up -I went back and it was gone. How can they decide so quickly?

I won't be changing the doll house furniture like my socks- once I get it furnished I am sure it's going to stay that way for a while...right? Or will it? Maybe the little attic space will be filled with cast off chairs and odds and ends as I find the next best thing to add to the decor- maybe I can add a garage so that I can have a bi-annual garage sale! I already know I must have a yard for the flamingos and clothesline. How else would I be able to display the tiny quilts? My shop is going to have bolts of fabric and a sewing machine and an ironing board and of course the cakes and pies and sweet treats, but it will never, I repeat, NEVER have a vacuum or tiny sponges, dust cloths or cleaning products! That is just going too far! To expect me to clean the doll house?!? What? It will have magic elves for that! No tumbleweeds of dog hair- no bits of fabric( God, the chenille and acrylic fur!) No, that is not going to happen...there will be no dusting in my tiny dream home...where everything is just perfect and happy and beautiful!

Now, I don't know about you, but I have never bought anything from Hong Kong on ebay. I am not sure how long it would take to arrive- it worries me that my tiny package would be lost and I wouldn't ever get to enjoy setting up my kitchen with the fairy kitchen set....me love you.....long time...baby....sweet stuff....cupcake, honey buns...sugar ...oh, yes.....that's right, come to mama.....
Oh, you don't know? You haven't seen? Well, it looks almost like a replica of some fifties Lefton stuff- like faces on the sugar bowls and cups that look like flowers...oh, yeah, it is making me have another hot flash, hang on while I fan myself just a bit! Whew! That's better, can you hear my heart pounding? See that wild, animal look in my eyes...no, I'm not licking my lips, what? No, honey, every thing's alright! ( Super Fred with his sonic ears...I better click over to my emails before he comes in and catches me...that would be really embarrassing...) to get caught lusting over doll house decor...

oh, whew! It's OK...he's not coming....back to the naughty miniatures...oh, did you see that set of cups...like Alice in wonderland with the playing cards holding the tea spoons? Oh, my, yes....