Calamity Kim

After spending the day Saturday at Vanessa's Mad Tea Party
I find that all the colors have changed.
Perhaps it's just lingering effects of the tea or the possibly the sweetness of the treats?
The colors were intense!
Like I have never dreamed possible!
After I woke up yesterday morning my head was still full of visions of Wonderland.
Alice and friends, they certainly are entertaining!
I went to our Surface Design Groups play day and made some more coffee filter roses.
I had steeped my filters in some Cherry tea and they came out a nice shade of pinkish sterling.
Well, that's how I would describe it anyway.
I still haven't finished them,
 for they require some leaves and a bit of contrast around the edge of the petals,
 but I wanted to share them with you on this fine Monday (ugh!) morning.
I felt tired and weary all day yesterday. I think I was so excited and charged up from the Mad Tea Party that I must have just worn myself out!
Today I have lots to do and finish and mail and I must get going...I will resist saying "I'm late! I'm Late! For a very important date!" Oh, dear, I said it didn't I?
I'm almost back to normal!
 Whatever that is- right?
 I have a bit of the odd-fellow about the tilt of my head, sparkles in my eyes~
the flip of my skirts! Many people say it's because I hang out with wee fae folk.
I have been able to see them since I was just a girl and I really thought it was no big deal.
Then I found out that other people couldn't see them.
I was a bit surprised by that!
 I thought they were the strange ones!- but, indeed, it was I  who was a bit different!
 I am often asked about my unusual talent for finding faeries and I happened to run across a gorgeous Pop up book that should help you to find them yourselves.

Published by Frederick Warne & Co it uses Cicely Mary Barker's lovely faerie illustrations to show us where to look to find the little sprites! ( ISBN 978-0-72325-890-2)
It gives lots of information on faerie appearance and dress, hiding places and what they love to eat.
You know they love to hide in tree stumps and in treetops, too!
Of course they live in flower gardens. Did you ever stop to look?
It's important to sit very still and don't wear any perfumes or bright colors if you want to be successful at catching a glimpse of a flower faerie.
I have a photograph of one spotted just last Saturday at another tea party in SC. Isn't she lovely?!
 Notice how her wings help keep her camouflaged in the flora.
They're tricky and hard to spot, those pixies!
Fairy Mushroom rings are a great way to find them- just look for a circle of toadstools in the grass and come back when the moon is full and you will most certainly find faeries dancing about!

Well, I hope that helps you. Please let me know if you are successful at finding some faeries and please, whatever you do- do not try to capture them and keep them prisoner like you do those lightening bugs. Faeries will weaken and die in captivity- they must be free to fly and ride butterflies and sparkle and shine.

 

Taking pictures is better and doesn't harm them-Old fashioned cameras work fine but but the photo might be blurred- they move so fast digital is really the only way to go.

So good luck and thanks for stopping by!

Love & Stitches,

Calamity Kim

A Mad Tea Party! Hostessed by Fanciful Twist

They all were so excited! Vanessa had invited them to a Mad Tea Party!
It had been an all together boring and rather lackluster Summer so far and a Tea Party
 was just a wonderful and whimsical idea
 to beat the heat and have some fun!
There were plenty of nice nibbles on the table already
 but someone said they heard there would be Carrot cake later.
Everyone knew Carrot cake was the White Rabbits favorite!
The Gnome had composed a special new song just for the occasion.
 The notes floated from his pipe clear and strong and the little birds in the trees sang along!
The tiny Gnomes brought mushrooms for soup.
But Gnome Bear just wanted some raspberries and bread.
The Chef was cooking as fast as he could
 and Eloise was fussing with the waitress who had a bit of a 'tude!
 She always got grumpy when folks were hungry!
A mermaid flew up from the lake-
 so quickly I almost didn't get a picture to take!
She said hello and then goodbye-
 I'd love to stay but I really must fly!
Moth girl was in love with her crown.
But Bunny Girl just wanted the witches gorgeous Gown!
The Witch was distracted by the green in the trees!
 Never before had she seen such a color,
 for usually they were all brown and gold and falling off and old.
The mutant only came because he heard there was cake-
He was first in line! going to get the first plate!
The birds thought that the mutant was really quite vain! In fact his boldness was plain!
 They would beat him to the carrot cake crumbs!
 It would be in their bellies before he could say yum!
Calamity Kim was there too- so happy to be having some fun! She wouldn't let the
squabbles make her come undone!
Little red and her wolf sat and giggled as Walter the Farting dog
 chimed in with his booming butt bongo beat!
Rufus wondered how long this day was going to be.
 He might need a nap up under the tree.
What about Stuart?
 And Pinky and The Brain?
 Did you call them?
 Are they going to come?
 Does it seem like rain?
This cheese is perfection- aged to a ripe delicacy!
You guys just behave-
and settle down a bit-
 I'm going to go check on the cake and then I'll come back and sit...
 I don't know what's keeping Alice and the Hatter or even the White rabbit for that matter!
They said they would be here!
 A promise was made!
 I better call them,
maybe they're stuck in the glade...
or sleeping in the shade...

Finally!
They came!
 Alice had to babysit that piggy baby,again!
So the rest of the gang had already left,
having eaten their fill and wished me their best!
Tea and carrot cake, what a delight!
We feel ten pounds heavier but will sleep well tonight!
 Thank you all for coming and helping us party,
 Walter sends his apologies for being so farty!
The piglet is snoring and Alice looks tired,
 The Mad Hatter is running around with the dormouse,
 both completely wired!
The tea had some gunpowder and ginseng too,
 quite frankly, I think they are worse than baboons at the Zoo!
 So Vanessa, Dear Vanessa and Mr Lovee,too-
 Thank you for inviting us to play along with you!
 The Gnomes and the elves are so very happy
and I think Chef has a crush- he's gone quite sappy!
 Eloise stopped fussing for a sec and he said
something Swedish and started kissing her neck!
 Moth Girl was shocked and headed for home,
The witch had told her the crown was only cheap chrome!
 All in all it was a wonderful day,
 here at my home where Calamity stays...
Love & stitches, Kim

cake faerie

cake faerie, originally uploaded by calamity kim.

Everyone here at Calamity Cottage is getting ready for the Big Mad Tea Party that Vanessa is hostessing on Saturday.
The faeries are helping me bake cakes and pies and whip the cream and sugar the violets and with all this glitter being sprinkled around~I sure am glad it's non-toxic!
I am working on a mask and my outfit today and hopefully can get Fred to stop laughing long enough to snap a few pictures.

If you have time and inspiration then stop by Vanessa's Blog and read all about the party and post something of your own tomorrow~ Look at all the Blogs that will be participating on her sidebar!!!! This should be amazing and loads of fun!
I know it's difficult to play along with a virtual game but sometimes just the thought of being transported to faerie filled Wonderland is enough to beat the blues created by the current realities of gas prices and war without end.
At least it helps me.
Beat the Blues...
I am compelled to see Wanted as soon as possible since it has my guy, McAvoy and looks to be right up my Matrix loving alley, so I better get busy!!!
Y'all have a nice morning!
xxxooo
Love & Stitches,
Calamity Kim

afraid

afraid, originally uploaded by calamity kim.

This is my first time using the quilting foot to quilt. The feed dogs are down and ready.
A sudden push of adrenaline courses through my veins.
I get up and run.
Flight or Sew.
I practiced.
I am afraid to relinquish control to my untrained and unsteady hands.
Will I ruin it?
Maybe I should make a sandwich.
Peanut butter courage.
Maybe I'll get the mail.
I sit and stare.
I can always do it by hand.
what if? I mess it up?
ruin it?
make a mistake?
What am I afraid of? I ask myself, turning off the radio, so I can hear myself answer.
Fear
I am not afraid, little red yells to the wolf waiting in the rose bushes...
This is worse than a blank page.
I have never felt afraid to sew before.
This machine it goes too fast.
what if?
well here goes nothing!

By Sawyer's Nana

By Sawyer's Nana, originally uploaded by calamity kim.

Look what Sawyer's Nana did using my technique!
I am so proud! This will rock in redwork!
Let me know if you make one- I would love to show it off here!
argggggghhhhh!!!

How to Use a photo to get an embroidery design the Calamity Kim Way

easy peasey, originally uploaded by calamity kim.

This pictures shows how simple it is to go from Photograph to finished embroidery
1. Print photo
2. Trace over the outlines with a small tip sharpie on acetate
3. Scan and then print
4. Adjust size by increasing or decreasing in size with either Photoshop, Corel, Flickr or your scanner settings. Print out smaller size.
5. Use light source to trace on to fabric. I used a mechanical pencil to get a small, fine line.
6. Embroider and applique fabric.
It is helpful to also use freezer paper for the applique and you can print the design directly on to a sheet cut to 8 1/2 x 11". Then cut out pieces you want to applique (like dress and hat and purse) then iron on to the reverse side of fabric and use your fingers to fold over a 1/4 scant edge. Keep it on freezer paper until you are almost finished appliqueing it down. Then pull off freezer paper and finish stitching.
Tadah!
Now I have to take a break and make dinner!
Love & Stitches,
Calamity Kim

This photo shows the Holly Hobbie lightbox I use to trace on to fabric. I found it on eBay several years ago.

Always put your embroidery face down on a fluffy towel before ironing so that it doesn't flatten your embroidery.
 It will get all those wrinkles out!
The photo that I used belongs to Lynn of Eggmoney at Flickr. It's her daughter, "Petunia."

She's got the car keys and she's ready to go to town!

Click on the picture to go to the Flickr set for more pictures of this embroidery in progress.

red & aqua disappearing 9 patch

red & aqua disappearing 9 patch, originally uploaded by calamity kim.

Remember this?
This picture is from a year ago.
Time sure does fly...

god is an astronaut

god is an astronaut, originally uploaded by Salva López.

I just had to share this beautiful cloud from Flickr.
I am sewing ~ fast and furious like to get some things finished and in the mail! I also have a swap to mail and quilts and aprons to finish!
But- I think I found a good purse handle last night at Joann's Craft store so I am going to try to finish that as well. I added to the Monday Bag post last night- just in case you missed it- I finished part of the roof.
Off to make yoyo's and watch DVR'd Quilting Arts show (it's on PBS on Tuesday morning here)
Be back later, y'all.
xxxooo
Love & Stitches,
Calamity Kim

rattlesnake blocks

rattlesnake blocks, originally uploaded by Suburban Cowgirl.

ohhhhhhhhhh
I want to make one of these!

For the love of triangles!

For the love of triangles!, originally uploaded by krom_mama.

little triangles of heaven
mosaic put together by Sarah

my favorite

my favorite , originally uploaded by calamity kim.

lets name him Earl

Cutie Pie Bułeczka

Cutie Pie Bułeczka, originally uploaded by pyza*.

I have fallen deeply in love with these small critters!
Hunka Munka burnin love!
I am sewing the walls on the house purse. Let these little guys keep you busy until I have some pictures of my own.
sadly without hamsters...
or gerbils....
or mice....
just fabric gnomes and mushrooms.
*sigh*

My little star Piórko

My little star Piórko, originally uploaded by pyza*.

maybe a hamster in your banister?

"I, Piórko, like Cheese!"

"I, Piórko, like Cheese!", originally uploaded by pyza*.

is there a mouse in your house?

The Game

The Game, originally uploaded by calamity kim.

There is a game going round Flickr....
Copy the answers to these questions in Flickr's search bar and then copy the url of a photo from the resulting first page. Then go to Big Huge Labs and make a mosaic.
Looks like some fun to me!

What are the questions??? Oh, yeah: What is your first name? Kimberly 2. What is your favorite food? Pasta 3. What high school did you go to ? Sarasota High 4. What is your favorite color? Aqua 5. Who is your celebrity crush? John Cusack 6. Favorite drink? Sweet tea 7. Dream vacation? Hawaii 8. Favorite dessert? Crème Brule 9. What you want to be when you grow up? Artist 10. What do you love most in life? Time to create 11. One Word to describe you. Imaginative 12. Your flickr name. calamitykim c'mon! It's fun!

Monday Inspired me to Make a Gnome House Bag

monday, originally uploaded by calamity kim.

This is the start of something good- Bag Week here at Calamity Kim.
This page from my purse calendar is inspiring enough to make me want to make one of my own...maybe with yoyo shingles... what do ya think?
Sound fun?
Let's go get started!!

***This article has been edited several times to add the house bag as it progressed!****

Monday's Bag Looks Like a House,
It's big enough for a brush or comb...
and maybe a wallet, pen and pad to call it home.

***** later, after running errands and getting some chores done I sat down and drafted a simple house bag pattern.

Here are the front and back sides and the ends.

I scanned them and stored them in Flickr.
 Then I went and stitched them to a backing fabric and layered some cotton batting in between leave the bottom open for turning.
after I trimmed the seam I turned them inside out and pushed the corners out nice and sharp and then ironed them down smooth.
Then I cut some chipboard (cereal boxes work great) to the same size as the sides and bottom except I trimmed about 1/4" off each side.
I am starting to get a bit sleepy tired so I am going to stop now and pick this back up in the morning.
 I think the windows and door fabric is by Michael Miller but I will check tomorrow.
I am going to make red and white polka dot yoyo's for the roof shingles..
I think...
I do have some fabric that looks like pinkish shingles..
.I really think the yoyo's would be so cute though.
 I will continue this post tomorrow with dimensions for you to make your own little Gnome House purse...
I wonder where those magnetic latches are that I bought for bags a few years ago...
I wonder if I can make a bag a day?
 I bet by Friday it's gonna be a tote bag!...
.g'night sweet sisters in calamity...
 the sandman is on his way..
Do you think it should be a different bag each day or a different house?
I could make a red riding hood house bag and a Hansel & Gretel witches house bag and a Chicken House for you Baba Yaga lovers out there...

OK, so it's Tuesday, 6:12 pm and I am stuck on the roof.
I cut the pattern and layered it with batting and stitched it and trimmed the seams.
Making sure to cut in to the dip where the scallops meet so that it won't pucker when I turn it inside out.
It looks OK but I need a handle. Thinking.... Thunk.... Thinking.....
apparently I am smitten with the tortoise shell plastic and only like the clear acrylic enough to buy one set.
I could use wooden beads or fabric or maybe some chain with fabric or maybe...
Maybe I'll just run real quick over to Joann's and she what's available...
 I know I need to make some red & white yoyo's too..
Because there aren't any in my little storage drawer... Fred says to go buy a "cheap purse" and use the handle...Oh, so sweet yet so wrong. I want to make one. The perfect one... what is it? wood? wood grain fabric? I can't see it. Maybe if I just shut my eyes for a second... any ideas? Maybe this is a good time to say that a house purse a day is ambitious! very, very ambitious! Maybe a house purse every other day! sheesch! I will be back. k

So I bought several kinds of bamboo handles and then made some tabs to install the handle.
I did bend a needle stitching the tabs on because I went through the cardboard. Now I am going to hand stitch the roof panels together.
After I hand stitched all the openings closed I then stitched them together. Then I sewed one edge to the top edge of one side.
That way it is secure but can be opened wide!
 To carry pixie dust and marshmallow treats and paper dolls.
I stitched down a velvet ribbon to use as a tie- it wraps around the butterfly and holds the roof down nicely. This bag won't hold a ton of Benjamin's but it would be great for a light day.
So, I am still in the designing stages on how to make it really strong without being too heavy-
Amanda and Cheryl both have suggested that plastic canvas so I will get out my bike and ride over to the store tomorrow to get some.
I have several more House bag designs written down and the next one is going to be in Honor of Frieda Kahlo and the paper doll and apron I did for the newest edition of Cloth Paper Scissors magazine which should be out at the newstand any day now.  
I am going to still add some red and white polka dot yoyo's to this roof...but technically it is finished.
 The Frieda bag will be her Blue House, of course! with some skeleton beads for the handle...and who knows what other Frieda-ish things I can come up with! So come back real soon- I might be finishing something else real quick!
 

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.

Cooking With Calamity.... Banana Cheesecake

banana cheesecake - Upload a Document to Scribd

Read this document on Scribd: banana cheesecake

Just testing something....click where it says iPaper and you can choose to print this PDF or not- we just had some and it's kind of tart and not as tasty as I had hoped. That yogurt cheese takes some getting used to...maybe cream cheese would be better...I know not as healthy, but, really, this was kind of a calamity in my mouth!

the heat has melted my energy core to naught but a trickle...

Good Morning little Calamities!
I am feeling something akin to excitement...is that it? It's been a while since I have actually felt like sharing anything here, maybe it's some sort of Summer Doldrums? Maybe I am just saving all my creative juiciness for  real world activities?
That sounds strange to say, especially coming from me, a self confessed computer obsessed Blogaholic.
Yes, I admit it.
I am Calamity Kim and I am addicted to cyber-everything.
I have recently been feeling weird though about Blogging and I guess it's because I have some people who read me and never comment and it bums me out. I don't know what to think.
It really is the biggest downside to this whole Blogging thing in my humble opinion.
I have always just typed away and said and shared whatever I pleased and felt like if anyone loved it they would say so, but it gets to me sometimes when I see the other girls with 50 or 100 comments and I feel like I am a failure.
There must be something missing or lacking and then I write about it and get your loving words of reassurance but still it haunts.
It nags.
It eats away at my Blogesteem.
So, I crawl away and set up my sheet tent in the playroom and drag my books, scissors, glue and needle and thread into it and don't come out to play.
I shut down.
I go read books.
I stop taking pictures.
Am I pouting?
Maybe.I am not sure what to make of it.I love my Blog ordinarily, so maybe this is just a minor tiff.
Maybe I will bake some cookies and set out the pot of tea and welcome you into the tent.
Scoot over, you're crowding!
dang, it!
well. there goes the center pole!
Now there isn't enough room and the tent has collapsed!
I guess I will have to come out and play after all...
My friend Amanda took some time off from Blogging and today she said that she might make something to wear to Vanessa's Blog Party. It might help her find the Joy in Blogging that she once had.
What Blog party said I???
This Tea Party hosted by A Fanciful Twist  says her.
Oh.
Sniff...hangs wringing...sniffle snuffle...should I?
Can I?
Could I?
I have so much to do already.
So much to finish.
So much sketched and planned and halfheartedly attempted....
But oh, the thought of making a mask and glitter and sparklies...oh, my.
I want to make a fabulous something with ruffles and lace and flounces and trims and maybe I can get it done and pictures taken and blogged here by the 28th of June...
But first, I want to share this bit of inspiration.
I saw this book on someones Blog and then followed the links to Etsy where I emailed and asked if she would order one for me.

So in love with the embroidery and applique and I must say that it is the finest applique quilting with children and a town and trees that I have ever seen.

It's a Japanese Book written in Japanese and so I can only look at the pictures and imagine what it says.
But It made me think a lot about how to do it myself.
I want to grow and become better with my needlearts.
So, I borrowed a picture of Lynn's daughter from Flickr. We will call her Petunia. I printed the picture out and then traced it with a sharpie on a piece of clear acetate. Then I scanned it and saved it as a PDF document. Then I found this site called scribd.com and entered my email address and name and password and instantly had an account that I could upload a document or PDF to.
Now, this excites me! I can link to it and you can copy it and I don't have to load it into Typepad or hassle with any of the side bar stuff.
Bingo it's done!
Oh, speaking of Bingo I need to make my Bingo Quilt card (with 25 different squares) for the game they will be playing over at the Flickr Group 6-12" mini quilts swap... which is where I am going to use the Petunia embroidery as a center panel for the little quiltie for Lynn. I started another quilt but it is rather too large for this swap but I will finish it anyway.
See, so much to do!
So , many doll quilts and aprons to finish and start and I am just covered up with wips!
Did I mention that Carol won the copy of the Studios Issue?
For those of you who still want one I think that they are still at Barnes & Noble or you might be able to order them at the Quilting Arts Website.

So, I once again will beg your indulgence as I slip off to the treehouse or tent sanctuary...it's hot and bright and I seek quiet coolness and serenity...even if I alienate you with my fickle posting and batherings.. it seems to be necessary in order to get things done...to finish what I have started and get out from under this growing pile of unloved bits of fabric and patchwork...I will be back soon.

Maybe we could get together and discuss what kind of party dress to make for Vanessa's Tea party??? Masks? Should I shop for new shoes????

Pass that glitter will ya?

Love & Stitches,

calamity kim

I have been so busy!

, originally uploaded by calamity kim.

I want to share this project with you but I think I will save it for when I make another. I would love to make lots of them and sell them in my Etsy shop. I used my fabric dress form as a mold to create the basic structure with paper mache and then I covered it with knitting instructions, pages of sheet music and Diary of an Edwardian Lady images of flowers and birds and nature.
I am trying to construct some wings to help elaborate on this theme of Garden Faerie Knitting.
I made this for my friend Deborah who owns Picasso Moon Knit Shop here in Sarasota.
She is going to be selling her fabulous yarns at Convergence Fiber Arts Conference next week in Tampa. I hope that she has room to use this as a display for knitted scarves and scarf pins at the show.

I had to take a break and eat some cake!

I had to take a break and eat some cake!, originally uploaded by calamity kim.

The Mojito cupcakes turned out good. I wouldn't give them to kids, though. They are minty and lime and sweet and different. Fred said they might be an acquired taste.

I have heard so much great stuff about the drink- that it's light and refreshing and when I found Mojito Mix at Home Goods I thought I'd give it a try.
(I went to the liquor store for the first time since our wedding- almost 5 years ago.) Turns out they were right.
Light and refreshing.
Turns out I missed the warning on the side of the box.
They will sneak up on you like ninjas and kick your a** if you drink more than one.

So I had two sips and The Mr finished 2 drinks.

Whew!

I used rum extract in the cupcakes and maybe that's why I got a little headache. Not used to artificial flavoring. Not Used to alcohol either.

hic.

Here, you wanna try one? Let me go get the pitcher.

Here, try a cupcake, too.

They are a nice change from my usual cupcake, which is "none lately".
Why did I quit making them, anyway?
They are fun, portable and filling if you eat about 6.
Oh, that's right, they're fattening and just empty calories.
Well, whatever!
It's called cupcake courage and I'm having another before I call any Dad that I might know.

Huh?
Is your ice melting?
Here let me get you some more.
You know what they say about Mojitos, don't ya?

3 a day keeps the psychiatrist away!! If you drank three, you'd have nothing to complain about, that's for sure!

s'cuz me while I go check the oven.

I smell smoke!

oh, the calamity!

I promise I won't cut anything, or try to operate any machinery until I take a nap and sober up!

teehee

the recipe link is on the next post... you'll have to investigate it for yourself.

I have ninjas and fires to handle.

morning light

morning light, originally uploaded by calamity kim.

red and aqua make me happy

Learning, Sharing, Giving and Caring

Good Morning Little Readers in Calamity, how are you today?
I have a few things to share and something I'd like to giveaway so grab a cup of coffee or maybe a glass of ice cold sweet tea and gather round.
First I want to show the Hand Stitched ATC I received from Melinda in the Flickr Group Stitched by hand ATC Swaps

I really love it and she totally captured the Fairytale theme with her embroidery of Rapunzel in her tower. She gave it a nice pocket on the back side for her hang tag and included a cool post card of a white squirrel- they originated in Marionville, Missouri.
I love doing swaps and especially love it when I receive something as well done as this tiny treasure.
I made my first sewn ATC for this challenge. I have made a few paper collaged ones before but here is what I gave to Fiber_Addict

I hope she likes it.
 I am going to make some more but not until I finish a few other projects simmering on the back burner.
 So, I was going to show some books I recently picked up.
I haven't started this yet, as I am still reading The Host by Stephanie Meyer a chapter at a time.
 It looks good though.
It might have been a decision influenced by Project Runway or just the interesting cicada buttons on this jacket that guided my purchase of this book by Claire B Shaeffer.

It has some wonderful finishing tecniques that will come in handy when I finally get around to sewing up some corsets and bloomers for my Etsy shop. (I have plans!)
I used my Joann's coupon on this book for 40% off. I love the collages inside and found it inspiring to see the different works by fellow bloggers on paper. Tangible. Dig it.
I stopped by the Goodwill Bookstore the other day where many books are 1.99 or 2.99 and I found this book filled with some good old Firefox home cooking!
y'all reckon you want some of that there rhubarb cobbler?
You know Tasha Tudor, don't ya? My first cookbook was called Kim's Cookbook and it was illustrated by Tasha Tudor. I wish I still had it.
She was a very creative and  a multifaceted artist working in paint, fabric and clay. Her humble hands could create a pompom owl or plant bulbs or knead bread all in the same afternoon. She collected antique clothing before it was in vogue and lived a simple hardworking life. I admire her so much.
When I opened this giant book of shells I knew it would provide a perfect
backdrop for some mermaid paperdolls.
she looks LOST doesn't she?
So leave a comment and I will have Troy do a drawing on Wed to giveaway( Carol you won!) a copy of this magazine from Cloth Paper Scissors with my article on collage aprons inside.
Every time we go to Barnes & Noble I buy more.
 It's delightful to see it on the magazine stand. I am proud, I must say.

We are grilling steaks and having baked potatoes and I am using a friends (thank you hunny bunny) recommended recipe for Mojito Cupcakes. I'll let ya know how they turn out.
Happy Father's Day.
 Happy sewing and Crafting and Cooking and Gardening and all the things you love doing!
 Hope you have a delightful day.
 Love & Stitches,
Calamity Kim

ice cream dolls-group #1

ice cream dolls-group #1, originally uploaded by sewingstars.

is it too hot outside? need an ice cream to cool you off? I really love the sad little guy! He must be melting!

all together

all together, originally uploaded by calamity kim.

I am supposed to be working on aprons but I just had to start a small quilt for Lynn of Eggmoney and this exceeded the limits of the 6-12" swap parameters. So I need to make another smaller one but I really like how this shines.
I used photos from her Flickr account of sky, crabapples, eggs and a chick and printed them on fabric sheets (Colorfast sew-in by June Taylor) and then patchworked them with quilt fabrics of blue sky, batik, wood grain, black & white checks, stripes, toile, chicken wire, pebbles, corn, rulers, chicks by Moda and some wee play red flowers.
Next to the quilting area!

home

home, originally uploaded by calamity kim.

I am sewing.
but my mind wanders


just getting started in a new quilt.

peek-a-boo

peek-a-boo, originally uploaded by calamity kim.

There's that fabric I was looking for! Right in front of my eyes!

bawk

bawk, originally uploaded by calamity kim.

I said, Raise your hand if you love chickens!

fairy flutterby

fairy flutterby, originally uploaded by calamity kim.

waking up
drinking coffee
I wander in to the small office filled with book cases and my beloved computer and printer named George and scanner named Gerard and sit down.
I start the machine and it hums to life.
Clicking to Flickr I start my day.
I check comments then wander to emails then think of what lies ahead.
If I print my photos and get started I will have a plan for the morning.
Sew much to do, so much to finish.
The faerie glimmers and catches my eye.
My imagination stirs.
Fingers tingle with anticipation.
Let the magic begin.

The Chicken and the Quilt

The Chicken and the Quilt, originally uploaded by lucyellen06.

Some images just take me back home.
Like this one from Lucinda.
I love her chicken pictures! and her quilts are lovely!

What's in your Bag?

Father's Day is almost here! What are you getting for your dear old Dad? I have to go get a gift card or something. I will be blogging later today or maybe tomorrow! I have so much to do today!

almost a dozen

almost a dozen, originally uploaded by calamity kim.

a vision of loveliness

with lace and tea dyed cheesecloth

with lace and tea dyed cheesecloth, originally uploaded by calamity kim.

not painted yet

a paper bee on a wire inserted as petals were " being "added.

a paper bee on a wire inserted as petals were " being "added. , originally uploaded by calamity kim.

bee happy

tea dyed coffee filters with dabs of red and somewhat burned at the edges

a paper rose faerie

a paper rose faerie, originally uploaded by calamity kim.

I had to do it.
Down in the laboratory I did some cross pollination and discovered a whole new hybrid tea rose/faerie flower. Isn't she lovely?

Today is A Blank Page

, originally uploaded by 'Playingwithbrushes'.

Fill it up!

Blank Page

, originally uploaded by 'Playingwithbrushes'.

I love these pages for collage uploaded to Flickr by Playingwithbrushes.

Today is a BLANK Page

, originally uploaded by 'Playingwithbrushes'.

What will you fill it with?
Will you write all over the page with abandon? Not stopping to think it through.
Or will you plan your thoughts and arrange your composition and then make a copy of the original and practice on it until your image is perfect, only then allowing yourself to go forth with the designing process?
How do you Create?
It doesn't matter really as long as you FILL THE PAGE and in doing so, complete another day.
If you journaled EVERY DAY OF YOUR LIFE wouldn't that be something wonderful to be discovered once you are gone away with the Reaper so Grim?
Do Blogs stay forever in the ethereal internet or do they delete and disappear into a distant and faded memory?
Put your hand to paper my friends and leave something behind.

Another Paper Doll Party , and fun was had by all!

Good Morning Calamities!
I don't know about you, but I had a really nice and relaxing weekend!
Saturday I made chicken enchiladas and we watched a marathon of CSI that was saved in the DVR. Then yesterday some friends came over and we had another paper doll party!

We used some Catherine Moore stamps and some templates for mermaids found

here at The Enchanted Gallery.

She has 3 different templates that are free and usable with her angel policy.

You can sell items made with her stamps and templates but you may not sell her stamps and it's nice to give credit for the source if you do use the templates.

The face used for the mermaid is from her sheet of rubber unmounted stamps that Laura had purchased. She found the Enchanted Gallery by Googling mermaid stamp. I need to read the wealth of information she shares about stamping on dominoes and making buttons with her molds. If you have a minute to browse her site for the images of the finished buttons made with her push molds ~ it's worth the time.

Beautiful is the only word to describe them. I want them all! Next I'll be making buttons for heaven's sake! Where does it all end??

I am in love with all of the stamps and molds created by Kimberly Crick. I must finish some more aprons to make some stamp money!

The umbrella is one of Catherine Moore's stamps. I didn't even use the newest ones I bought recently. I still have everything out though.

Like some of my stamps and paper.

In fact Fred will be eating on the sofa or at his desk until I get the Craft Bomb

that exploded off the dining room table.

Thank goodness he is so patient with me!

It's messier than fabric I think, to cut paper.

I can't seem to do both in the same day, either. It's one or the other.

I did get the bird paper doll set from Invoke Arts.
 It came unmounted and Laura shared her supplies to adhere foam and then we tried some re-tack glue stuff and mine worked fine until I washed the ink from the stamps and the rubber separated from the foam and then the foam wouldn't come off the acrylic stamp block. Oh, the calamity!
Don't your fingers itch to get in there and start cutting and embossing and punching holes?
I am really in love with these paper dolls and it is so much fun.
First paper doll parties I ever had in my whole life! It's never too late to have a happy childhood!
Next time I'm making cupcakes! Hear that girls? How about Carrot cake cupcakes? Or maybe the s'mores cupcakes? what's your preference?
 I am making her into a wearable by adding a pin back.

Ain't she cute?

Do any of y'all want some calamity seeds? Should I do some for the Etsy shop?

All right, I have to git!

I really need to finish Deb's apron! I'll condense all the paper doll stuff down to one small 4' table and maybe sneak over later and make some more girls.

Or Moore Girls. get it?

Oh, I crack myself up!

Have a Happy Monday!

Love & Stitches,

Calamity Kim

Top 10 Most Interesting Pictures From My Flickr Account

I posted this picture of FiFi's kitchen from a magazine layout on Nov 16, 2006 and it has been viewed 3,372 times and is my most "interesting" picture.
 That seems somehow ironic to me. I didn't take the photograph, nor is it in my home.
 I have 8,198 pictures in Flickr that have been viewed 78,175 times.
This is listed as second most interesting.
 I did take the picture but it features the doll quilt I received
in the last Doll Quilt Swap and was made by Christie of Pigeon Pair in Australia.
Third interesting is another photo of FiFi's kitchen from a different mag article.
It has 1,650 views since Nov 27, 06.
4th in interestingness is the red work embroidery details of a doll quilt I made last year in May.
 I used a pattern from Vicki at Pattern Bee that so perfectly shows Alice and her friends having tea. Finally something that everyone finds interesting and is one of my creations!
5th is my sewing room before we painted and put in a new floor. It has been viewed 1,103 times.
#6 is yoyo's that I made and made into a garland.
#7 returns us to FiFi's house with her lovely backyard deck.
 I can't blame anyone- I would be so happy to just be a periwinkle planted in her flower bed so that I could live out my life in glorious shabby chic heaven.
#8 is this all wool fantasy flower garden pincushion that I made (and later sold on Etsy). It looks almost like a chair but has a white trellis in the center covered with flowers and vines all painstakingly cut from felt and hand sewn on. I could see it in my mind and had to make it. I love wool felt very much and enjoy making pincushions, though I haven't made one in a while.
#9 is the yoyo garland in action with some cute paper houses on our mantle.
Last but not least is the Giving Tree pincushion I made for a swap.
 It is also made from wool felt and has shrinky dink gnome pins that I also made.
 So there are my top 10 most Interesting Photos from Flickr.
 It sort of surprises me that I have so many pictures- I think it's because with digital you can just click away! Someday I will go through and sort them out and remove some- I couldn't possibly need all of them! But as long as Flickr has no limits them neither do I!
I am really enjoying the doll quilt swap discussions- I don't usually participate, but have made some friends there and it's fun to chat or stop by and leave comments.
 It's a lot more fun than my Doll Quilt Group which someone asked if it was dead.
 That kind of hurt my feelings but didn't surprise me.
I get all caught up and excited about things and then just slowly fade away. It's not that my interest is waining but that I have just gotten caught up in something else!
I love to make aprons, dolls, pincushions, doll quilts, pies, and paper dolls.
If you visit my pictures on Flickr through those links provided,  feel free to leave a comment or look in my other Groups and Explore.
In fact if you do a search in Flickr (using the search bar) you can find pictures tagged with just about everything possible.
Have fun and don't get lost...sometimes I set the stove timer so that I will be reminded when an hour is up just so that I can avoid spending hours and hours on there.
Oh, that's not quite true. I usually shut off the timer and go back for just one more!
Flickr also has an Explore category and it has some of the most interestingly beautiful and haunting photos I have ever seen. Try it. You'll like it.
have a happy Saturday!
love & stitches,
calamity kim

making paper roses from coffee filters

I am going to try this again. I just wrote a whole post and then as I hit save I must have been really in delete and I was amazed as it completely disappeared.
I didn't have the energy to write it again, in fact, I almost cried. Then I went to my emails and read what Christina wrote on my last post and felt so happy that I decided to give it one more try.
Yesterday my friends Cheryl and Laura came over and we spent several hours together making paper roses from Martha Stewart's tutorial. Here is the link.
These roses require cone coffee filters and in the above picture I first tea dyed the filters with some raspberry Bavarian tea.
They smell great!
The white one hasn't been watercolored yet
and the one
on the right has some fabric petals.
.
Cheryl made the one near the bottom and the one on the top I made but
added more petals than the directions required.
Big fat full blown roses!
Who wouldn't love a dozen?
Forgive my dreamy photos- I put them in Flickr's edit program to adjust because I took them early,
 before Mr Coffee had a chance to force Mr Sandman
 to vacate my sleep filled eyes.
 I woke up thinking about roses!
This is a fun project and worth the time, but make sure you have several hours dedicated to just this.  Once I had made my 4th one I settled into an almost zen like  state of contentment as I added each petal and twirled them in my hands.
 Enjoy it, don't rush and  just try to get finished.
 Appreciate  the flower.

(I made a paper clay head over styrofoam ball on a wire stem and after painting it it became the center of this rose. I was going for a Alice in Wonderland thing- like the tiger lilies- but he is kinda weird and worm looking. It was fun, anyway.)
They are amazing after they dry and  the more you make the more convincing they are  grouped together in a vase.
It does become somewhat tedious to paint each petal and it is alarming how they droop as they get saturated with water- but we used a heat gun to dry them quickly and a bamboo skewer helps roll the petal edges down so that it looks real.
I am going to try some chalks on the edges of the next petals after I cut them from the tea dyed filters but before I make the rose with them.
 I am also going to use some walnut ink around the edges to see how that looks.
 The possibilities are endless for creating special themed roses and last year I made a Little Prince Rose (from planet B612) and it combined fabrics, tulle, lace and petals cut from pages of the book.

I have to get to the post office and then I will be working on more roses and aprons and smocks. Let me know if you make any roses yourself and thank you for stopping by. Love & Stitches, Calamity Kim

something to say

Good Morning little Calamities!
For the first time in a long time I woke up and sat down here with my cup of coffee and after reading emails and checking Flickr and  I felt as if I had something to say.

I don't know how  Natalie has Blogged for 6 years- sometimes I think that my low self esteem causes me to think my Blog is no good and that no one cares and why should I even write anything anyway...
Sometimes I get moody and bummed out and just don't want to talk to anyone.
It doesn't matter how many nice and positive emails I receive, I just don't believe it.
I just don't realize that it is all true
Why would anyone care about me?
Or the stuff I make?
I have not had an actual true best friend since my first marriage ended and I lost touch with my friend Sharon.
I still love her and miss her friendship but am aware that people change and so much time has passed we can never go back to those good old/bad old days.
I never really met anyone else that clicked with me as well as Sharon did until I met Amanda at Flickr and we really became good friends. Then I met her in person and now sometimes I feel grief in my heart that I can't spend time with her in real life.

The same thing happens when I go read other Blogs- I love these women and can so relate to them that I feel pain at not having them be next door to go sit in their kitchen and have coffee or sit and quietly embroider with.

People who are not online don't understand this. They look at you with one raised eyebrow (picture Jack Nicholson) and say sure...OK, right...while quickly dialing for the men in white coats to come and take you away.

I love it that I can go over to Flickr and comment on Group activities and photos and get actual conversation with other quilty ladies and it makes me feel happy and like I have friends.

They understand me.

I also think that last year when I did the Atomic Holiday Bazaar show (which I found out about because Amanda told me, even though she lives in SC and the show is here in Sarasota) I was there for a reason.
I think it was to meet Barb and Cheryl.
They have become my friends along with Laura and Betsy and Deb and now, my life has changed again.
I suddenly have things to do and places to go that I didn't have before.
You may have thought I was some kind of big fancy pants jet setter but I am really very quiet-stay-at-homish-making-stuff-kind-of girl.
Give me the opportunity to go to the opera or stay at home in my jammies and sew and you should know by now which one I would pick.
Simple.
That doesn't mean that I don't have a complex personality with all the usual Artistic Quirks and Crazies.
I am by no means ready to cut off an ear and mail it to an unrequited love but I am a wee bit overcome with passion for my new friends and we are getting together again today to work on some paper roses.
I am demonstrating at the next Guild meeting and I enacted the Craft Phone Tree and called "the girls" to come and help me make examples.

Right before I dialed Cheryl, I said to husband - look out! I am starting the phone tree- it's just like in Practical Magic.
I hope they all show up with brooms!
 How funny would that be!

On Sunday we are getting together for more Paper doll fun- I ordered some more stamps from Catherine Moore and they came in 3 days! I am ready for more giggling!
So I had fun making the tiny wee aprons for Maria and Molly and then yesterday, obsessed with chicks I took a photo of Natalie's chick Betty and using the magic of the computer and some acetate I made a little Chicken paper doll.
I also want to make some embroideries with it and made several sizes of the image.

I am trying to find some paper that I can print on to make the iron on transfers- you know like the old Vogart company used to make?

I can't find that kind of paper and have no idea about what kind of ink you would use and even if I can't do it I would still like to know what it is.

Do you know? Not T-shirt transfer paper. Embroidery pattern transfer Paper.

Anyway, I just want to say thank you.
Thank you for being my Friends.
That was what I wanted to write about.
I am deleting the one email account and will just be using the calamitykimdolls@yahoo account and when I was clearing the 56 pages of emails yesterday I felt like such a bad friend that I couldn't have taken a minute to write you all back.
 I do read your comments and I do enjoy them and I feel happy that you come here and spend a little time with me each day.
 I could sit here for hours and answer them all and then not sew and have anything to write about. It's a tough decision to make and believe me, I'd rather split myself in two and have one read and write here all day and the other go make stuff- but I can't.
So, please know that I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the love.

There have been times in my life when I was so isolated by my job or situation that I didn't have time for friendships or kept people at arm's length and it was not happy.

 I think as an Artist you need to have a place to show your work and get feedback.

I think it has become very important for me to be able to share my work here and get that feedback.
Typepad made some changes to the way you can write your posts and that threw me for a loop-I couldn't write.
 I didn't want to try.
 I liked it the old way.
why do they have to constantly change everything?
 It is hard to keep doing chin ups when they keep raising the bar!
 But life is change.

Some days I think I suck and it all sucks and the world is shit and I am filled with despair over the way things continue to go directly to hell in a handbasket, but then I will get that one little email with someone saying that they like me or my work or how my words ring true and brighten their day and I am content.

I lift my eyes to the sky and say a prayer of thankfulness.
Hopefully no birds will by flying by.
Your Ever Crafty Friend,
Love & Stitches,
Calamity Kim

Scary Cat

chicken run!

Wee Aprons for Crumbcrunchers

for Maria, originally uploaded by calamity kim.

I had to make a little something for Maria, Natalie's daughter ( of Chicken Blog) to celebrate their new chicks: Lola, Betty and Pipi.
I am so happy and excited for her because I know it really made her happy to gets some more chickens to raise.
I get to pretend that they are my chicks when I go visit her blog and see how much they are growing.
I stole  borrowed one of her photos and printed it out on fabric and stitched it to the front of this cute little scalloped edge apron.
The pattern is by Katie Organ of The Paisley Pincushion on Ebay. I would provide a link to eBay ( but many months from now when it doesn't work anymore I will have to keep finding a new link, so please, ) if you are interested in Katie's patterns (and she has a bunch of really cute ones for aprons and jackets and night gowns) go to ebay and search for The Paisley Pincushion or here is the link to her website which also sells the patterns.
The apron pattern came with sizes from doll to mama and I want to make them all!
I did change it just a bit by adding a ruffle at the bottom and lining it also. and the applique is all calamity.
The pattern has really nice hidden pockets and I think it will be great as Maria grows up.
I am trying to get Debra S's smock done and Jennifer Infinity Monkeys done and Smoochie lips finished too.
It feels good to finish up long harbored projects.
But for today I finished this and another small wee one for Molly, Amy Lyon's daughter. It was a good day sewing.

Here is Molly's apron

I made it with some Guess How Much I love you bunny fabric and tulle in the bottom under the scallop hem.It is pink and happy and sweet, just like her! I can't wait to see pictures with them wearing these little aprons.
Tomorrow- More Aprons and then Thursday- some paper roses! Ya'll come back when you get time!
Love & Stitches,
Calamity Kim

tagged, *sigh*, again! such unimportant calamitous trivia

I am going to attempt to do a meme because Karen, whom I adore, has tagged me and I don't want to disappoint her.
I am not as confident that it will be funny or interesting but it is 6 Unimportant Things About ME.
As if there were anything that is Important.
Really.

I am, believe it or not, quite shy, until I get to know you.
 Stop laughing.
Really, I am shy!
I do well in crowds when I put on my bluff and bluster but really, the true Kim is not as loud or over the top.
 She is a very quiet little girl who sits in the back of the room and dreads being called upon because she just might not have the right answer.
 I have been wearing glasses since the 3rd grade when my math teacher Mrs Mann moved me to the front row, for squinting and declared me blind as a bat and dumb as dirt all in the same sentence.

What can I say?
I became class clown and entertained the other kids by dancing on tables so they wouldn't make fun of my skinny legs, braces and now, glasses! 4 eyes, brace face, peg legs, you know, all that
.
Contributing to that was the Army which had us relocating every 3 years and hello, class, this is Kim Snider, please welcome her with rhymes like: Snider, spider, drinks apple cider!

So, that helped form my ridiculous and often misunderstood personality.

Here are 6 more forgettable things to promptly discard:

1. I love to ride my bike.
It is pink and has a wicker basket. Sometimes I hear the music from Wizard of Oz in my mind when I am riding and it makes me grin like an idiot. I am sure the drivers swerving to avoid me think I am a lunatic, just released from Arkham.But don't care because it makes me happy and I can't seem to stop grinning.

 

2. The older I get, the curlier my hair is.
In fact, my gray hairs are quite curly and crazy and I have a difficult time straightening them with gels, irons and products.
 The air gets quite blue at times as I burn myself trying to tame these wild hairs.
Why won't they behave?!
I have a double cowlick also that will never allow me to have bangs, which of course, I really want.
*sigh*
3. Someone recently said I was bossy but I am not! I only put my hands on my hips to make a point! 4. I have hundreds of glow in the dark stars on my bedroom ceiling. I went to an Observatory when I was in the 4th grade in NJ and fell in love with the night sky. I find it very comforting to look up at them until the sandman comes to take me away to the Land of Nod. 5. I love hats, but do not wear them. I love shoes but I do not buy them. I love clothes but don't care to dress up. I am happiest in shorts, tank top, no bra and barefoot. I think bras are horrible and cruel and should only be worn with a garter belt and hose to seduce and then promptly be removed. I love the costuming aspects of hats and clothing but am not formally trained in design. I have doll clothes and handmade Barbie clothes on tiny metal hangers in my sewing room. I collect tiny porcelain shoes. I love shoes and slippers made from paper. I have a gold Mary Poppins Hat pin from the 60's that I keep in my jewelery box and cherish.
  6. I think I have bad luck.
I am not really superstitious, not with a neighborhood full of black cats and cracks in all the sidewalks, but sometimes I think there is a jinx on me!
Just last week we got a call from the fraud dept at the bank and for the second time, my debit card has been ripped off and the numbers used to make a new card and someone in Spain had a glorious time spending all the money in our account and I choked down the bile rising from my seething stomach as she explained the situation to me over the phone. Apparently Sweetbay grocery stores are wireless and they were hacked and it was a whole bunch of people's info that was stolen and used.
Still, it makes me angry and it is just wrong.
 Evil.
That people commit crimes like that because they can and don't care who they hurt.
 To have it happen again,( the first time was TJ Maxx), is very upsetting.
 I think I am going back to cash.
Remember that?
 I never carry any, but I am going to start.
 And I am going to start walking around ladders and I promise to be very careful with mirrors from now on.
Oh, the Calamity.
 Now, I need to pick 6 people to carry on this nonsense.
 How about I just not inflict that upon anyone else and say if you want to do it you can, and then link back here and post these rules and have fun.

The rules:

1. Link back to the person that tagged you.

2. Post these rules on your blog.

3.Share six unimportant things about yourself.

4.Tag six people at the end of your entry.

 I think meme's are like chain letters in a way.
 I usually don't do them but thought I would humor Karen  who tagged me. Because I love her. But I just don't get it. I usually rebel at rules.
 What is the appeal for the meme?
Something to Blog about?
Well, lately I have been having a difficult time sitting down long enough to write- in fact I just spent 2 1/2  hours doing this.
 I could have been sewing.
Then I would really have something to Blog about.
*sigh*