Calamity Kim

my, my, it's a beautiful world

On this, the last day of February 2007,  I am taking some time to make some banana bread for Fred to treat himself with when he gets home( cause I will be gone to the quilt guild meeting).

I am posting the recipe, just because it is the most consistently wonderful recipe I have ever used! Usually I change them a bit, or don't use one at all! This is delicious, though and I think the secret is making sure all ingredients are left out to be room temp and in the sour cream! Yes, sour cream in banana bread doesn't sound good but it is! It must not be left out !!

It adds a creamy, nice, dense, wonderful, cake-like texture. I always have very black bananas because I will only eat them when they are still very greenish yellow.

Take out the stick of butter and the two eggs  when you wake up or start the coffee  in the morning and by the time you read your emails,  feed the kids and get them off to school/daycare or walk the dog/read a few blogs  they will be room temp and ready to rock!   

You will need:  To turn the oven on to 350

To make one loaf you will need:   1 stick butter
                                                           1 cup sugar
                                                           2 large eggs
                                                           1 1/2 unbleached flour
                                                           1 tsp fresh baking soda
                                                           1 tsp salt
                                                           1 cup mashed very ripe bananas (about 3)
                                                           1/2 cup sour cream
                                                           1 tsp vanilla
                                                           1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans( if you want)

Put the butter and sugar in a bowl and using the mixer, cream this together for a few minutes until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and beat some more. Use a spatula to scrap the sides and get it all nice and fluffy and pretty and light yellow. In another bowl mix or sift together the flour, baking soda and salt. One time I just dumped the dry stuff into the wet stuff and after I baked it I got a big mouthful of baking soda, so I urge you to either learn from my mistake or suffer the yuck! I slowly put the dry into the wet butter mixture and then after it is combined I put the bananas in the empty flour bowl and beat them really well with the same mixer attachments, then I add them to the butter & flour mixture and then the sour cream and vanilla. It doesn't have to be beaten much, just combined really and then I put it in a sprayed bread pan and I always put that on a cookie sheet in case the baking soda has a volcano like affect!! (hahaha- it's happened and that burnt smell is not good!)

Oh, if you like nuts then of course add them before you put it in the pan. I set the timer and bake it for 1 hour and 10 minutes.

You can use the old toothpick test but wait until the buzzer goes off because you don't want to lose all the heat by opening the oven door and checking it all the time! Be patient.
Let it bake.
Go vacuum or fold laundry or read a magazine or something.

I put mine on a wire rack, in the pan, to cool for about 10 minutes and then usually can't resist testing it! So delicious with butter or peanut butter!
This is such a treat and only takes about 1o minutes prep time. Of course, you will have to walk the dog twice to burn it off! It's also LOST MENU appropriate. I think Jack or Locke could help you dig a hole to make an underground oven like the Indians used...it's possible...how else can you make pineapple upside down cake? Or coconut cream pie (made from boars milk? are there any cows on the island? maybe there's some powdered milk in the hatch?) I bet Hurley has some hidden somewhere....

                                                          

NEW JAPANESE IMPORTS at fredflare.com

NEW JAPANESE IMPORTS at fredflare.com, originally uploaded by fred flare.

do you ever just go over to fredflare.com and faint from all the cuteness?
please, someone, i must have that sewing kit for my very own!!!
and the rubber stamp mushrooms.....merci!!!

Lost Wednesday

The Venice Quilt Guild classes are held at the Venice Community Center and what a nice place to learn! All of the quilts pictured are by Nancy Prince, who was teaching Thread Painting.
I walked over to the library next door at lunch and checked out several books including The Little Prince and saw the most beautiful and big as a salad bowl hibiscus blooming!

I had my trusty Canon Power Shot S2IS (for Jenny, who asked) and took some pictures of the circus trains in the children's section and then of course I documented Nancy Prince's Lovely quilts.

She was an excellent teacher, very sweet, funny, informative and charming. She had everything we could possibly want or need to complete the class and then go on to construct more thread painted pictures of our own.
Her work sort of reminded me of a Charles Wysocki painting but in fabric.

I had fun learning a new technique and even though I have a less expensive (down right cheap) Brother machine that doesn't even lower it's feed dogs, I could do the thread painting just fine!
I do think the beast needs some oil though!

I learned from my neighboring class-mate about a woman in the guild who makes miniatures for doll houses and am calling her today and about a yarn shop in downtown Venice where they will teach me to knit!

Am I a happy crafter? Do you need to ask? Yes!(The first sunset quilt is Nancy's class example the second picture  is mine, with the Sulky still attached. Tomorrow I will wash it off and show you  how it looks and perhaps explain the process a bit- she has written a book and I urge you to go to her website and purchase it if you want to learn how to do this fabulous technique).

I am going down around 3 this afternoon and hopefully I will be knit-knowledge-full when I get back here tomorrow!
Tonight is our meeting and after seeing more of Nancy's quilts I will be pushing the hemi to get home before LOST starts!
Our project during the class yesterday was a Floridian Sunset with a thread painted palm tree and the entire time I kept seeing a plane crash on mine! Nancy giggled with me when I told her and said she is a fan of the show too!

I have posted a lot of pictures from yesterday at Flickr in the set titled Nancy Prince Quilt Class (duh)  and invite you to click over (using the link on the sidebar) and see them.

I am just loading a few here but I will have more tomorrow plus some show N tell which is always fun!!!

I have some cool miniature doll house books to share and a valentines swap from Brina and that Marie inspired Louis Bear so check back before Friday for more sewing, crafty goodness!!!

Today was spent getting the oil changed in the big red Durango and I started reading John Updikes' Witches of Eastwick while waiting. I wish I could create some thunderstorms! I like they way he turns a phrase and the last of his books I read was Run, rabbit, run. Then I went to the car wash and grocery store and wandered the library searching for The Little Prince- they have a copy at the Venice Library and I shall be right there tomorrow taking a thread painting class from Nancy Prince. I went by the Scandinavian Store in Gulf Gate and found some amazing little gnomes and cards by Patience Brewster and Elsa Beskow (Swedish) and Stephen Mackey (British) . It is crammed full of delightfull Norse  and Finnish  and  Swedish  Trolls, Gnomes, candles, foods, candies,  kitchen ware and  jewelry! I will go back with my camera and  beg the owner to let me take pictures!  She had a few paper mache items by Bethany Lowe- maybe because they are vintage looking? I don't know- everything else in the store looks like it is imported. I love the illustrations by Carl Larsson and they have some groovy  trays with his lovely paintings on them. These illustrations pictured are by Stephen Mackey. I will be back tomorrow with details and pictures from the class!

Wave of the future

Hello everyone! I just want to start by saying that I appreciate all your comments and thank you for taking time to leave them! ******I know I cruise blogs and skim a lot and sometimes don't comment- if there are a lot, I often don't know what to contribute, but the ones who only have a few-it's  easy to just say something sweet before moving to the next. ***I read fewer novels now that I read blogs so frequently! It seems that my time is divided between The Land of Blog and my Chores and My Art. *****************************************************

I was thinking about the Softie Awards last night, listening to Fred's soft snoring and an idea popped into my head!***

I am going to get started on this project today and then I will be listing some more things over at Etsy.******** I walked Sadie Mae yesterday in the warm sunshine and then gave her a bath when we got home.***
It takes me about an hour to do the whole wash and dry.*** She is such a sweet dog- she will stand patiently while I scrub her and rinse with cold hose water!*** I think she loves it!***
Then I dry her with towels and then the hair dryer- she gets that look on her face and you can tell she is getting the goose bumps fuzzy feeling you get at the hairdressers.*** {You know, when someone else is brushing your hair? I wonder why beauticians don't be quiet more often and let us enjoy the relaxation it provides.}***

So are you enjoying the tunes? I visited a blog this morning that had the radio set up and thought I'd give it a whirl- you can turn down the volume if you don't like it. I chose the Van Morrison station, LOL, cause I'm like Donnie & Marie: a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll!*****

I went to the Goodwill bookstore yesterday and have a few pictures to share. It's like going to a library, everyone there is quiet. ***Nose down in books, absorbed by the images contained there. I like to sit on the floor in the craft section and go through them.****

Sometimes I find a treasure.***

Then there is the old/rare room. I always find something in there! This was the first "Books Only" Goodwill in the US and now, because of it's success, they are opening more across the country. I saw the newest Charles Frazier book for only 7.99, but passed on it.****

I did get another fairy tale book because of the elegant illustrations  ...Cinderella dressed for the King's Court. Another Velveteen Rabbit book with gorgeous illustrations. I have two cute little Grandsons (Austin 2 1/2  & Hayden 10 mos) and another new one on the way!!

I have a future library in mind for all the grandchildren and have been collecting children's books for many years. I also picked up a 1952 Atlas with vivid colors (for only 2.99) to be used in some collage.
I was hoping to find a copy of The Little Prince but didn't.
I will have to extend my search to the Internet where I can have the images in an instant.
Research.
I love the Internet and couldn't function quite the same without it.
I can save time and find what I want in a split second.
I do like to browse my favorite shops though...but I hadn't been to the GW Bookstore in months.
It will probably be months again before I go...I get the itch to go see what I can find and then it is satisfied.
I am trying to use my public Library more often, because I fear someday that they will start to close and be no more.
Like relics of the past, they are becoming of no use, being replaced by the information highway we all travel.
As long as we support our local libraries and visit them often then hopefully they won't die.
So pack up the kids, if you have them and grab a tote bag and go visit your local library.
Hahaha.
This message brought to you by.... Sorry....I just love books and the feel of them and the places they take me. Just like the Land of Blog....I travel around and make new friends  and invite them back to visit me! It is quite wonderful and who could have imagined 10 or 20 years ago that this would have happened?****

Hit Refresh for a new Banner

The Alice Thimble Cupboard has been added to the Christian Carlos Fund Site, click here to visit. I am excited to be able to contribute to this worthy cause and hope you all will stop by Ebay when the bidding starts and do what ya can. I will keep you updated or you can also bookmark the link above and check back on your own.

I just got the mail and was so excited to find an Ikea Catalog from that sweet sistah Barb!!!! Yippee!!! I can browse and see what all the damn fuss is about!!! Thank you so very much! You are a kind, sweet, dear woman!

Last night as I experienced another annoying bout of InSoMnIa...you know the kind...where you just lay there and try, try, try to go to sleep, but still can't....so if you are like me, you just free associate things and let your mind drift and wander where it will. Most nights I drink a cup of Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime.
Not last night.
I laid there and looked up at the glow in the dark stars that make a milky way galaxy on my ceiling and thought about all the things I want to make and put in my small ETSY shop. Like Mutant Veggie People, chenille aprons, baby quilts, fake cakes, purses, tote bags, paper dolls....so many things...I almost got up and wrote them down...but afraid to wake Fred and Sadie...I just rolled around for awhile and then finally fell into the black sleep of Tylenol pm.
This morning we got up at 6:30 am and I have been in front of the computer all morning! Played with several new banners and then decided to post a fast one and run back to the sewing room and try to be productive.
I have several mutants but need to find the disk that I wrote their story on and print some copies to go with them- should anyone want to purchase them.
I have one fake cake but no really great photos to list with so maybe later I can set up the tripod and get some good ones.
I am working on the Marie A bear which is starting to look a lot more like Louis 
!!! I will try harder to be more focused and work this like a job...most days I just float, glitter and fly....
First I am going to curl up with a cup of hot tea and this Ikea dream book and well, ...dream! Happy Lost Wed!!!!

You won't find it there

I belong to 2 Quilt Guilds: The Friendship Knot Quilters Guild of Sarasota and The Venice Quilt Guild. They both have quilt shows every two years and this year is the Sarasota Guild's turn.
The show will be March 9th & 10th in case any of you are visiting and will be held near the Van Wezel at the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium.
There will be over 200 quilts in the show with lots of small quilts to bid on in a silent auction.
We also have a boutique, a merchants mall and a lovely raffle quilt. I am volunteering to sell raffle tickets on Saturday morning! I will be taking pictures of course and submitting them here for you all to see and attend the show virtually.
I am still searching for my camera disk that I used last night at the meeting- i took it out and Fred popped it in his computer and said- here lets look and then I had it in my hand and as I laid it down I said to myself: "you'll never find it there!".
So guess what- today I can't find it!!!!I have walked the house, looking everywhere and nothing....maybe it is with Fred?
He cleared his computer junk off the piano where he had been copying cd's to put in windows media player  ( a very sweet thing to do for me. When I first saw him copying all my music, I have to admit, I was worried it was a sign of the end- I just knew he was going to throw me out!? Not that he has any reason to- I just immediately suspect the worst! I am not used to someone being that nice to me- and thoughtful, did I mention thoughtful?  How low does my self esteem go? Pretty low! LOL!!!) I am listening to my play list of Dave Mathews and Colin Hay but it isn't soothing my ruffled feathers due to complete memory loss and failure.
I play that "last time I saw it game" and nothing! I laid it somewhere unusual and when I do find it I will go, oh yeah, that's where I put it! Ok- I just called Fred and he said he found it on the dresser and moved it to the top of the laptop and when I lifted the lid  (without wearing my glasses) It slid to the back onto the desk and I saw another disk sitting beside the laptop and thought that was it! At least I haven't  totally lost my mind!!! He moved it!!
The pictures I wanted to show were of the quilts made with the Celebrate The Spirit of Sisterhood, A Common Thread competition using the shows theme. We got to vote on our favorite and the one that best displayed the theme. We also had a show n tell, which is usually a high-light of every meeting! There was a quilt that was appliqued that took the creator 3 years to finish!
It was splendidly awesome! You know that applique is French for "really hard to do", right?
So for now, I  can't find my pictures, but when I do I will add them to this post. Be patient. I am addled apparently.
We did enjoy some Heroes last night though, there was some plot progression that was way cool! PETER PETRELLI IS PISSED!!!!! Did you see his face? Did you see him do something suprising !! YeeHaw!!! WOW!!! Maybe next week we can get some answers from Claire's Father! I saw in the credits were Stan Lee was going to be in the episode and I said what if he is Linderman? Fred said cool idea but then there he was- driving the bus that Hiro was getting on!
Maybe Linderman will be someone like Rutger Hauer or Clancey Brown! That would be sweet!
I think Linderman is Claire's Dad's boss. He is the puppetmaster pullin that guys strings and I just can't wait for them to show him!
Ok, I am going to put forth a more extensive search for the disk- it has to be here somewhere! A post without pictures is like a leopard without spots- just another cat.

So I hope I didn't ruin that post so terribly that you are all just sitting there shaking your heads. Sorry. Somedays are like that! I invite you to use the link for Flickr and see more of the quilts from last night with some explanations and details. Also- if you click on any of my pictures on my blog they should pop up and give you a larger pictures- better details!

Please don't feed the bears

They're already stuffed! I used to cut out wooden signs and paint 3ft bears standing there holding the sign that read: Please don't feed the bears..they're already stuffed...Bad joke, I know, but appropriate for a bear shop or room filled with your collection! I am working on a new bear  and have stuffed him and sewn his  openings. I was inspired by the Marie Antoinette movie and am using teal/mint velvet and silk, and brocade...I am trying to recreate a ship hat- sort of like the one in a brief scene in the movie. I can see it in my head and will be pulling out the cream colored feathers and  making silk flowers and tea-dying some lace....I am moving slow..enjoying Fred being home for a three day weekend...baking banana  bread  and  curled up on the couch in "compie pants"  like polar fleece...warm and soft watching the History Channel, cartoons and Sci Fi! Tonight is the Sarasota Quilt Guild Meeting with a presentation by Nancy Prince. Next week I am taking a class with her, as she will also be with the Venice Guild. I am excited about learning how to thread paint  and may employ it on future bears. I am so excited to be sewing bears again and am going to try some needle felting soon- maybe to enhance their features...take a look at  the fabulous nimbleknots bears by Jennifer Stanfield. She just started her blog and is doing great! I love her absolutely adorable little bears and she even has a doll house in progress (like me) on her dining room table! LOL! The Craft Table as Fred calls it as he heads toward the living room, plate in hand, Charlie Brown music playing as he walks , head down and laughing! Maybe someday I will finish that doll house! I'll keep ya posted! Have a nice Monday and I'll be back with some pictures from the guild meeting tomorrow!

A cupboard a day keeps the blues at bay

I have been Spring Cleaning all week and the house smells lovely! Bees Wax furniture polish and the floor has been mopped and smells great! The bathrooms are clean and I started dusting! (You can click on the pictures for a bigger view!)
Fred is very consistent and good about changing the ac filter and thankfully we have both been well this winter.
We both are allergic to dust (and omg the oak pollen) and I started noticing that when he came home from work he would come in the door and sneeze a few times! This is a clue that it's time to dust!
So, I can't just dust, I have to take everything off the surface, dust, wash and dry the item and put it back.
Like when I was a kid and Mom would make me put everything back~ I always rebelled and shuffled it around, and I still do that, I move it around and arrange it, usually with a theme.
I love my kitchen cupboard that Fred bought me for our first Christmas together. I will pass it along to Lexi someday, but until then, I love to change it around and clean it out.
Between heart day and shamrock day I just went with a pink flamingo  and Alice theme. Some silk cherry blossom branches  from Persnickety Cat & Co.
I wish I could paint the cupboard a nice off white and do the backboards  aqua and pink with polka dots and then sand it and wax it, but my brother is a furniture re-finisher and hates it when I "ruin" perfectly good wood with paint...so  someday I am going to refinish it and lighten it up a bit but for now it gives a great  backdrop for my milk glass and anything light really  stands out.
I do dream of a Fifi or Every Day Is A Holiday Jenny Look.
I am not whining, just saying, that if there wasn't a boy in the house, it would be free reign with the pink and aquas and buttery yellows and roses and shabby dabby do!! I have to get back to my chores but I just wanted to show of my cupboard and help you all "think Spring".
I saw the snow on the weather channel and couldn't believe it! Hope it thaws soon!   

Yesterday was a tough one- cold again, had to brave the grocery store~thank goodness no one talked to me~in and out like a ghost...grabbed the sauerkraut and rye to use in Reuben's with the leftover corned beef I made the other night.

Then this happened: The Reuben's caused methane gas to form in My sweet husbands bowels. Why do some foods cause the most heinous, fowl smelling odors to emit from Fred's ass? Like onions?

I was nearly knocked out the last time he ate onions and I swore, never again...as much as I love me some Vidalia's~ it is NEVER going to happen again!

Even though I think my sense of smell is somewhat diminished from all those Marlboro's ( been clean for almost 4 years!).

I still am horrified by the toxic gas from his ass!

He says mine could be of use to our country~weaponised flatulence!

It could literally drop a man to his knees!

But Fred has something wrong with his body chemistry, like onions turn to sulphur or just give him a deviled egg- my God, That could take out a garbage man at 20 paces!

So the delicious Ruben's that I made had the same affect on him~ I nearly died from the stench.

Why is it so funny?

He stood in front of the fan(which I must have to cool the hot flashes, even when it's winter) and let the fart smell blow on me.

That is cruel. Just cruel and unusual punishment.

I swore to get up and go sleep in the guest bedroom if he didn't stop.

I think he was still giggling as I drifted off.

I dreamed about riding in a go-cart over fabric canopies to the elaborate, vintage KFC that I could just see off in the distance.....What the....????

OK, sorry to go all trailer park on ya and talk about farts, but my God, yesterday was tough! Then this morning he ripped his jeans off like the HULK as he was trying to get dressed and I guess they didn't fit so he pitched a fit and I heard the sound of fabric ripping and tearing and then he came charging into the office and threw them away in the big trash can.

Now I don't mind adding some nice jean material to my stash ( and Jude, I call it stash because sometimes I have to hide mine and claim innocence if it is indeed found)(I never saw that! where did it come from? It's not mine!)

But, when it is in a fit of anger that it gets torn from his body then I feel guilty.

Too many sammies? Too many ice creams? Too many carbs?

I can't make him walk with me.

I can't make him exercise and I don't know how else to help him loose weight.

When I give him salad he is catching the poop train express within 30 minutes!

I could eat salad every night and it wouldn't bother me.

I think his digestive system is a lot different than mine though!

I have tried many diets including the Fit for your blood type, South Beach, Atkins, Somersizing, Detox...nothing works...he gains weight on my diets!

I have taken a perfectly good man and in less than 4 years turned him into the Hulk! Now, he never yells or gets mad at me-maybe the dog, but never me.

When he gets annoyed he starts vacuuming or cleaning out the shed. He doesn't yell. He doesn't drink. He is not abusive. He is a very nice man. Very nice.

That's what makes the ripping and tearing even more upsetting. There are times when I put on a pair of pants and they don't fit and I cry or just throw them across the room. I wish I had the strength to rip them off of my body! That would be awesome!

He just came home with 3 new pair of pants from the army/navy store. He quietly changed into them and then went back to work. He is normally very quiet and  very much in control.

Maybe the sauerkraut gave him  a  bad mood to go along with the bad smell! LOL!! OK, enough of that, I just thought it was funny and out of character and really, he will be laughing about it later!

For The MILF  portion of our program I have not lost a pound/haven't gained a pound. I am the same- but holding is good! I haven't walked this last week due to the bad weather and we did have brownies for my birthday. The walking will resume when it warms up and hopefully we can take advantage of his free membership with the YMCA for county employees- if I can just talk him into it! In the meantime I will get out some exercise videos and try that! It is windy and the temp is supposed to drop down into the 30's. That's the same as below zero for us Floridians! I dare not complain when some of you have feet of snow to deal with! I will leave you with a new bear picture...I need some eyes...I can't go forward without eyes....I have looked through all my beads and buttons and they are either the wrong size or color! Oh, drats, I have to go to the store!!! Have a nice day people and stay warm and happy! If anyone watched Grey's Anatomy and would like to tell me why they feel it's necessary to make me cry each week or if they:

1. Actually think I would believe they would have Meredith die

2. Actually think that was a great, suspenseful storyline-is it sweeps week?

3. Actually think I will get over this anytime soon?

I would rather be held in a small padded room filled with the funk of forty thousand Freddie farts than to have to go through that episode ever again.

moodbarometer

moodbarometer, originally uploaded by calamity kim.

Come over to Flickr and get yourself a vintage Mood Barometer! Just click on All Sizes and print this baby out and then trim carefully and attach the pointer to the center and let her spin!! How's your mood today?

the deleted

So, I just wrote this long, wonderful story about my Grandma, Hattie Mae and it had bits about books and crafts and Amy Sedaris and poison peanutbutter, then I put my pictures in and it was LOVELY. Then I went to PREVIEW for some reason and then.....It was gone.
I forgot to save it first.
I could cry.
Stupid
stupid mistake
I have done it before.
why can't I learn.

well, I just don't have the energy to go back and rewrite it all! Fred always says to write it in word and then copy and paste. When will I ever learn?Sorry kids. I have to go sew. Get some joy back. That was craptastic, let me tell ya.....Maybe that was meant to be a lesson- this old crafty brain gets all full of stuff and it forgets simple stuff like save and then preview! Usually I just hit save and post it! Oh well, it is so gray and gloomy outside! My mood has been affected! I will post bright and early tomorrow with the teal velvet bear.....Marie A. has inspired me so completely to pull out all my silks and velvets and ribbons and vintage flowers from hats.....pearls...lace....organza...tulle.....ahhhh and those cakes!!!!!

shoes and candy

It's Raining, It's pouring, The old Man is snoring...

Well, just as I was about to jump in the car and go the sky turned black, the thunder pealed and the rain came down! The wind is howling! It is a glorious Florida storm! Did you know Tampa was the lightning capital of the world?
Oh, yeah! Sadie is afraid and has gotten up under my chair as close to me as possible! I decided to wait it out, Marie will still be there...one time I did wait too long and Nemo was sold out, but I found it at another store....

So I thought about what I would want if I could have anything in the world and it would probably be either a doll from Akira Blount or a doll from Shelley Thornton. Since I will never be able to afford one, and am only dreaming, it doesn't matter if I can't choose just one...I love them all and I know you, too, will fall in love with their work.
Last year Akira came out with a DVD and I bought it- and have watched it several times. I haven't tried to make a doll like hers yet but someday I would like to.
I love the simple yet detailed aspect of both of these ladies work.
They both are incredibly gifted sewers- tailors if you will. The clothes and themes are imaginative and well thought out and painstakingly executed out of just the right materials.
I have had the pleasure and honor of meeting Akira at a Southern Highlands Handicraft Art  show when I lived in Asheville.
I just stood there in awe. She has been featured in several books ( check out Susanna Oroyan's series on doll making) and I wish she would get a catalog of her works published- in big glorious glossies!!!

Ahhh, and just that quick the thunder has moved on...the rain has stopped...the sky lightened up and the sun is shining again! Ahhh, such is Florida! Gotta Go!!!! Enjoy these pictures and please go see these fine artist's websites....and dream with me....

Treasure!

I became obsessed with Barb's dog Casper and had to print his picture on to fabric and embroider on it...then I had an idea for an apron, or maybe that came first and then I made the pictures into pockets...I could see her walking along, Casper running ahead, her bent to pick up a bit of this, flotsam, jetsam, sea shells, beach glass....

So, today, as I was casually waiting for the mail-girl, I was not stalking, shut-up! I received this box full of love! I am thrilled beyond contentment. Thank you Barb for your thoughtfulness. You have paid attention! My heart collection has a lovely pink quartz addition! A lovely painted rock- fit fer a cowgirl!! Yee Haw!!!! A box full of wise words of comfort and joy...delightful moo cards of some of her pictures- but of my favorite things! Like a sock monkey and a gnome!! Made into magnets I might add!!!Absolutely wonderful!

After two weeks of waiting for her to get my package I was so happy she received it yesterday- I had no idea this was coming and it is a very sweet surprise! Thank you , Thank you, Thank you!There is a vintage sewing book and  lovely stickers for scrapbooking too! 

wee faeries in marie antoinette gowns....

Sometimes I see the most wonderful things. It makes me feels so happy and delighted! Just to know that these sweet faeries exist in someones imagination does me a world of good! The artist's name is Stéphanie and she is French. She has a blog in English and in French. I am so in love with her work! I just can't get over how simple yet expressive their little faces are! Just delightful! Inspiring on a Tuesday Morning!! As Fred kissed me goodbye and I opened one eye (still in bed!) to peek at a new day, I saw a bit of sun shining in the window!

I am driven by light that's for sure, because I feel energized and full of ambition when the sun is out, but let it be cloudy for a few days and it just sucks all the joy from life!!

So this is the first image that I saw, over at Flickr, and I raced over here to post before I get started on  a project of my own.

I did make some brownies to help Fred with his Monday Blues and we watched Heroes last night. I am on the edge of my seat with that show! I can't imagine what will happen next!

Just like Lost! The best shows are unpredictable and yet have a coherent storyline...I hate it when they seem to not add up- like the writers just don't know what else to do.

Like Alias...wtf happened? The first year was excellent and then that stupid Rambaldi artifact crap....poor Jen. I did love it, but anyway, so it goes!

I do want to say thank you to Barb and Amanda for "singing" birthday wishes in my email box!You guys are wonderful and make me smile! Thank you.

Barb, I am so glad you got your apron- I was beginning to have my doubts, it was taking so long!

I must get dressed and go make my purchase of the Marie Antoinette!!!! Let Them Eat Cake!!!!!! yahoo! Giddy Up!!! Happy Daygo!!!! as one of my nephews used to say!

This is from Vintage Workshop  They have wonderful e-cards and use awesome vintage images...mosey on over and join up and get you some!!!

Monday Morning.....

After a weekend with overcast skies, rain, coolness, and the leaves all falling off the maple tree out back, I know it's winter.
I know I shouldn't complain.
I would rather have snow than rain any day!!!!
I dry Sadie's paws each and every time she comes back in but she still manages to mess up the floors- not that I care but it does bother Super Fred, so I add that to the list of Monday Morning chores. I walk through the house turning on lights. It's dark and dreary. Bleah! I need some sunshine! I use the reveal bulbs in most of the lamps so that it is a brighter, happier light.
Maybe I will just get a shower and start my day! I forgot to do the MILF POST on FRIDAY so here it is on Monday- I weigh 177! I have lost 10 lbs altogether since we started! That is good! This is where I usually plateau and then get discouraged and slowly gain back the ten lbs. Imagine 2 bags o sugah!!!!
That is alot really when you think about it like that!
The big question is whether or not I splurge on some cake for the non Birthday that is tomorrow?
We aren't celebrating- I think we should just acknowledge it every 5 years since I will be 46 and that isn't as fun as 45 or 50!!
I don't feel any different. I don't feel any older.
I just am a bit grayer. But I have been going gray since I was 21.
So no big deal.
Birthday parties are for kids.
I do what I want all year and get what I want whenever.
I can't have my kids  or grandkids with me so I am just not doing anything!
Maybe next year.
I am going to get Marie Antoinette and rock out to that one!
I do have another grocery store drama- remember the not so nice gay guy story? Well, on Friday when I was at Publix I had on a better outfit, and my hair was actually blow-dried and down and I might have had a little make up on and this old guy was hitting on me in the meat department!!!(how appropriate!!)
He came up as I was looking at the pot roast and offered to come over and cook it for me- musta just gotten his Viagra refilled!!!
I had to giggle and say that I wasn't so sure my husband would like that and he actually said"What he doesn't know won't hurt him" Yikes!!!!
I said thanks for the offer and wheeled my buggy away as fast as I could- I caught this eavesdropping 80 year old's eyes as I sped away and she actually gave me the wiggle eyebrows! Oh boy!!! Living in the land of the dead and dying sure has it's moments! At least he had some vinegar left in him!!! Ya gotta admire his spunk! He was large and round and maybe 65...
Those old guys just love me!!! LOL!!!!  I just wanted to post about my fat ass for Lotta so she wouldn't take me off her list o Future MILF's....
I wanted to post about these Zombie Valentines that Amanda showed me. I cracked up!!

Gonna go turn on some more lights and work on that doll house some more! Maybe More Monday Misery Later...Cake pictures from Pink Cake Box over at Flickr- she makes the most wonderful, dreamy, whimsical cakes! Too pretty to eat!!!

Our house is a very fine house...

I went to Ace for some Jamaican Aqua and Steamed Shrimp and after a conversation with the dude behind me about my husband"will need a drink" after he starts gluing the shingles on, I came home and started priming the small trim for the windows and doors.

The doll house has been sitting on the Dining room table for a month now.

I guess I was ready to start the next step.

I am going to paint the outside aqua and the inside pink.

So I will be focused on that for a few days and tomorrow will start a new bear also.

Here are a few pictures of the inside of my real house, since I don't have any sunshine to take new ones of the doll house...my beach bedroom and my sewing room... 

Early Morning Inspiration

I have posted before about Jude and her quilt but I have since been reading her blog regularly, you might say I was hooked! I  am so intrigued with this quilt and this process she is sharing.  I had to post about it again.
Here's the story: Jude is making a quilt for Walter(not his real name) who is family and has bought a new house and it is beside a river.
Walter is a botanist and a backyard gardener.
She is creating this wondrous quilt  by hand, square by square, layer upon layer, steeped in symbolism and meaning.
It will have another quilt that attaches to it , covering the lava,  that can be removed  as  needed.
It has a forest/woodland theme on one side and a water/lava theme on the other. The pictures I posted in January showed the hole she quilted in and the hands .
I love all the applique and then the stars with needle sculpted faces and the trees-or moss men, as she calls them.
She started the blog to journal the process, like a video diary.
I love that she takes me to Never land, Narnia, Oz, Wonderland  and  The Secret Garden.
I love the why- the meaning of the stitches or hidden layers  and what inspired them. I want to make some fabric rocks to send her.
I want to applaud!
I want to watch!!
I want to sit by the fire and sip tea and touch this beautiful-quilt story-love-letter.
I want to send an email to Lark Books so that they can send someone over to sign this great book deal with her!!
I would love to see a book of this with the finished quilt at the end.
For now I will just happily go along for the ride (she quilts on the train).
I will add her to my sidebar and  visit as often as possible.
Especially on the days where I don't feel much  of the muse...for Jude  has much spirit to share.

It's Saturday!!
Cartoon Day!
Chores around the house Day!!
Before I go do some chores I thought I'd just mention someone that inspires me: Mimi Kirchner. She makes the most wonderful dolls. And Robots. And fabric postcards. I just got a set of her newest set of house cards from Etsy. So if you don't know Mimi then go check her out. You won't be disappointed!

Have a fun day! I will try to post some more later of those irons in the fire....

There are some days when I think I'm going to die from an overdose of satisfaction. Salvador Dali

Today I received a wonderful box full of goodies from Leeanne( of dirtnap design fame) and was so very happy when i pulled this doll from the wrappings! She is so very sweet and just what a wonderful addition to my little dolls here at the "cottage".  I almost swooned and hit the floor over the charming charm bracelet created from loads of tiny vintage crackerjack prizes. I will treasure this and the delightful tinkle it makes every time I wear it!  I love the vintage little wooden gnome sewing helper and simply cannot believe that she gifted me with this !!! i have never seen another one like it and will always smile every time I see it! Thank you so much!! I also got a fabulous vintage sock monkey & animal book and a groovy Japanese craft book! The candy was sweet and the fabric Divine! The hand-made valentines were over the top and the yo yo flower was just too much! I am so spoiled rotten! THANK YOU LEEANNE!!!!!! You rock!!

Betz White is going to be on Marth Stewart's show tomorrow! With her recycled wool sweater cupcake pincushions! I will be glued to the screen! Check it!!!!

Let's see if this works. Click here

Alice's Thimble Cupboard

This is a small cupboard that I have been working on for quite some time! So glad to have her finished...There are more pictures of her on Flickr too!
I bought some wooden cupboards from Michael's and then drilled a hole and used wood glue to secure a dowel. Then I glued on a styrofoam ball and used paper clay to create a head and face. Then It dried for a while. I painted it but didn't like the face so I decoupaged some pages from Alice in Wonderland on it. Then I felt no inspiration but continued to layer paint on the wooden cupboard- thinking about shabby chic style something. This morning as I looked around the sewing room my gaze fell upon her and I knew what I wanted to do! So now here she is! Sometimes I have to wait until I feel like it and then the dolls just speak to me! Maybe I've had too much of the Mad Hatter's Insani-tea!!!! Her tea cup hat is vintage and says made in japan on the bottom. Her flowers came from an old hat with net tulle. There is a bit of deer moss in the tea cup and a tiny, wee mouse and a pearl for decoration. Inside there is a red glittered hanging heart and a few shelves for your favorite thimbles...or teeny tiny doodahs!

Recycle coolness found!!! I love the idea of using my old clothes for something else. I never do, I just save them! But I found this swell idea over at Cut Out + Keep and I think I might give her a go!
Then after I finish that I'd like to make some of these except using some of those coffee cans I can't seem to throw away!
Then maybe I will have another cup of tea and attempt one of these to put some light on the subject of making more things.
I need to get back to sewing and making and doing.
I watched the news this morning and got a chill after seeing the predicted temperatures for today! Please stay warm everyone! Good knitting and quilting weather though! It keeps your fingers flying!

Started ETSY!!!!!!!

I did it!
I really did it!
I started an ETSY Shop!!!
Right here: go see
I am sort of proud of myself.
I put this little bear named Miss Adora Belle in as my first item.

another Bear is born

Here is the Make Do Bear for The Valentine Swap. I must hurry and get it in the mail!

Hopefully she will fall in love with it!

I hope she likes Red & Aqua!!

Leeanne tagged me for some weirdness and at first I wasn't sure what to say then I asked Fred and he said oh, no, nothing good can come from this. I urged him, OK, just one weird thing. He finally caved in with the remark that I thrive in chaos so much so that I abhor any sort of direction or organization to the point that if a project requires directions then I won't do it. I won't start or ever even finish it. He must be talking about the Doll house. I know I have to prime the small parts after he completed everything else, but I am not ready yet. I'll do it when I am. It's fine just sitting there. starring at me. waiting.

6, er, 10 weird things about me:

1. I have a brown dot in exactly the same spot as my Dad on my forehead, between my eyes and I am afraid it will someday start to grow and be one of those big moles ya see with the hairs growing out of them! (yikes!) I have a small brown mole on my upper lip, sorta like a beauty mark (or so I tell myself) and when I worked for a dermatologist there was a patient in for mole removal and when she saw mine she asked why I didn't get it removed and I said because it didn't bother me, but ever since I have wondered if it bothered other people. I even made sure Fred was aware of it when we started dating: Me: um, did you notice this(pointing) Him: yeah, I think it's cute. Me: um, you don't mind? Him: nope, not at all. Me: wanna kiss it? Him: sure, laughing...

2. I had surgery on my left foot when I was 22 to correct my third toe which was longer than my other toes,(just like my Dad and my brother) and caused me (and them) to have a callous that has a core in the center that was very painful. My foot is fine now and My brother won't get the surgery( big chicken) and limps a little because of his. The Dr said the bones rubbed together inside and it causes the callous.

3. Everyone in my family is left handed except for me. Dad, Sister, Brother, Aunt, Grandma, Grandpa.

4.  I love famous quotations and have a blank journal that I write them in, but I never can remember them well enough to quote them during a conversation.

5. When I was growing up, my Mom was so frugal that she would dry out paper towels to reuse and save foil and saran wrap. She made us save slivers of soap to keep in a jar and use for shampoo. She grew up during the Depression and must have the freezer and cupboard and fridge full of food or she gets anxious! I never buy frozen food and hate it. I won't buy any canned vegetables, only fresh and hate them cooked too much. I like them steamed al dente. So my freezer and cupboard are empty except for ice trays and tea & coffee. I never stock piled for the millennium. But, I am a pack rat and have to ask Fred for permission to throw some stuff away- like rubber bands, newspapers, tiny mystery screws or nails...I have saved small things like springs and bits of wire for years thinking that I might use them in a project. Once I do begin to throw stuff away, however, I could throw everything away and know that I will never miss (or ever think about) it.

6. I love zombie movies. Like Shaun of the Dead. 28 Days Later - I will discuss for hours on end the what-where-why-when-who & how of  Zombies. But I hate movies  like Texas Chainsaw Massacre- like gross, violent, stupid, gore stuff.

7. My hair started turning gray after I had Troy when I was 21. I colored it black for 22 years. Then it got so white that my roots looked like a stripe when it started to grow out. If you hold my hair up the underneath part is still dark brown. I am letting it grow to my but and haven't had it cut at a salon in 3 years. The last chick who cut it was a biker babe, as I found while she incessantly cut and talked and she used that razor ratchet thing and cut it to flip out on the ends, which was in style and I hated it so much I swore never again would I let anyone else cut my hair. The last time it was this long (lower middle of my back) I got a perm and then looked like Rosanne-Rosanna Danna! I cut it to about 2 inches long!
In the 80's I had a purple cellophane put on it and had a tail.(didn't everyone?)

8. I hate overhead lights.

9. As a child I had invisible elf friends. No, really. I would accuse my Mom and Dad of stepping on them and cry because they were hurt.(very delusional)

10. I prefer records to cd's and wish they still made them. I love album covers and inserts and listening to them scratch and warble. My brother collects records and has thousands of them. I don't have that many but  I  might  have  that compulsion if I hadn't gotten the fabric  gene.  You know- where you simply must buy it because you  may never find it again?  My brother  and son  buy records  so that other people can't- even if they already have it. My  brother's guest room has so many records that you can't walk in there.  There  is a  path like  in the center  that you  have to navigate and then turn around and walk back out!!!  My fabric stash isn't this bad but it could be someday!!

OK!! So that is 10 weird things about me! I could go on and on but then all the mystery would be revealed and there is no fun in that!!! I would have tagged Amanda, Carol, Jenny, and Barb but I think they have already been tagged so if you want to list yer weirdness then go right a head!!

We spent all weekend watching Carnivale and I haven't made anything since last Wed so today I am going to try to be productive! Happy Monday people!!!

Well, We are done watching two complete seasons of Carnivale. I will have to digest this for a while, before I can really discuss it! I did love the costumes and sets. They were very authentic and well researched. You could tell the lace was hand tatted and vintage and the dresses were silk...saw some burn out velvets and lovely painted crackle effects on the caravans... Oh to be a gypsy traveling along in a real wooden caravan...wonder if I could modify it for my computer hook up?
Hope you are all having a nice weekend! Back to work tomorrow- not even started with the ETSY Shop...lost some time but needed to get immersed in another time and place even if only for a few days...too bad there wasn't a third season...

sewing room

Just in case you thought your sewing room was a mess... check out this girl's Grandma's sewing room chaos......

Carnivale of Chaos

It's ten am again and I am still on my first cuppa joe! We stayed up till 2 am watching- well finishing, the first season of Carnivale. I'M HOOKED!!!!!! I don't think we have ever stayed up that late. (really, we are old)  When I was young I always stayed up till 2am. It was easy! I could hoot with the owls and it didn't phase me! Now I want to go to bed at 10 thirty or 11! Does this mean I'm old?! I will wake naturally at 6:00 if I I go to bed at 10. Oh wait, just the fact that I am even discussing my bedtime means I'm old. Oops! Sorry! I do live in Florida...where old age is rampant! Whatever.

I am not sure if Blockbuster has the second season of Carnivale and I may need a shout out from anyone who has seen it because Fred was shaking his head and saying, how could they just end it that way and as I explained the concept of cliffhanger, he muttered, why do you do this to me, and went to sleep!

                                I like quirky and apocalyptic and I do love Clancey Brown- ever since Highlander...Love the big throw downs between good & evil- like The Stand. That was a great book and never has been righteously captured in film. Whatever. I need to know if Jonesy saves Sophie from the fire? Uh, what's the Mexican Myth bout the tree drawn on the boy? is it the tree of knowledge? Help me out peeps!!

It is Sat and I am going to try to stay of of here and go sew! Yesterday's mail brought new issues of Cutting Edge and Ready Made and the BH&G Quilts Mag I adore came the day before that- will try to take some pictures and post. Meanwhile here is my sewing room in all it's glorified Chaos! Something you won't ever see on those big name blogs. Just take a walk through the gutter with the Kimber for a moment if you will, before you run for your life back over to the neat & tidy, pretty little blogs!  Oh am I bitter and sour in the morning after? No, chuckle, just need a little sunshine and finished projects to launch in the ETSY thing that's happening this weekend! Hopefully! If I get a move on!! Giddy Up! Yee Haw!!! Oh, yeah- and I weighed again today and I have lost one more pound! Maybe yesterday I just didn't weigh at the right time? Maybe- anyway- I feel a lot better and my pants are loose!! I have wiggle room! And those  granny panties are up under my arm pits! LOL!!!!

Friday WIP

I was showing these pictures to Amanda...it is a jean skirt I started last year and never finished! i wanted to wear it to Marie Antoinette but I never finished it and then I never saw the movie! Now it will be out on my birthday!! Yippee! and maybe I can indeed get a second chance! I will try, that's all I can say! I recommend this Book by Rosemary Eichorn called Fabric Collage if it's something you feel like trying! I got her book years ago from Malaprop's in Asheville! I loved to walk there from my apartment on Cherry Street, past the lovely Catholic Church and Civic Center and Library....From Malaprop's I'd usually walk down to The Earth Guild and then over to Lexington Ave for some Fun at The Mast General Store and the LOFT (lost objects found treasure). I miss Asheville and it's funk. Back to the sewing room- it's raining and gray and a nice day to play!!

Thursday and Friday Blend

Today started off late.
We got up late.
Then after some coffee and aspirin I consolidated bills, vacuumed the house, did dishes, put on beef for stew, made brownies, washed Sadie, dried Sadie(!) and then started some laundry.
Whew! I wanted to go for a walk but now it is 6:05 and getting dark and today has been so windy!!
I expected it to pick up a cow or maybe a senior citizen on their bikes  and I would see them sailing over my rooftop any minute!!
I have been itching to finish some more bears and get my Etsy thing together but today just doesn't look like that kind of day.
Sometimes it just gets away from you no matter how hard you try!!
I am buried in swaps and then along comes the announcement from Sarah  that Whip Ups has some Softie awards going on and then I checked  Whiplash and they have a recycle theme for Feb!!
I think there are some awfully busy days ahead!!!!
Giddy up Cow Girls and get busy!!!

Today was earlier but still later than normal.
Finally Friday!!!! So I  am blending posts now...

I was thinking about pictures for the above post and saved this as a draft. After Earl & The Office & Grey's Anatomy & Carnivale, I was too tired last night to add any! Today is  also a weigh in day today and Groundhog Day!!

If I were ever asked to list a few of the weird things about myself one would surely be the fact that I love Bill Murray and collect his movies! Sometimes I force the family to watch his movies in marathons. The movie Groundhog Day always makes me smile.  There is something about his manner. Like Robin Williams, I enjoy him sad and dry witted with a smirk. Anyway, I found this to make and do today ( Thank you Green Kitchen!!) and might even get the cupboard decorated for some Valentines Merriment!! More Bear Make do's are coming out of Calamity Kim's Toy Factory and Super Fred is helping me launch a shop over at ETSY thanks to much enthusiastic encouragement by Amanda from The Button Box!!! So it's busy, busy, busy!!!!!! Last night there were terrible storms and much needed rain but we had no property damage! Thank goodness! I know it's bad when my Mom and Daughter Lexi both call to see if we are OK!!! I haven't seen morning news since Monday and am generally out of touch anyway! I am glad the wind has died down and it's still. Hate the sunless grayness though!!! It just isn't any fun without some sunshine!!! Makes me want to go take a nap!!!

Concerning The MILF League of weight loss ladies : maybe next week will be better for me! I will promise to kick it back in to gear!! I am the same as last week. Haven't lost any but haven't gained any either!! I haven't walked as much due to the weather and I made chili and beef stew- when it's cold outside I just can't eat cold food, like salad! It will hopefully warm back up and be hot and sunny and I can walk and eat salad and get back on track! This is a life change after all and I did bake some brownies for Super Fred who has had a difficult week! I do reward with food- just like my Mama before me! LOL! I promise- I will try harder!  This paper doll went with 2 others to Bambi for her paper doll swap! Whew! Almost done with all swap things!! Yeah Haw!!!