Halloween Charm Exchange

It's that time of year....

Time to celebrate HALLOWEEN!!!!

This year, I joined about 15 other creative women (and men?) in a Halloween charm swap.

Hostess: Thespa McLaughlin

I've seen a couple of the charms from Lexi, Ginger, Kathy, and can I just say... WOW! This is gonna be a GREAT exchange!!! Angie has kept hers a secret...and that's good, cause I like secrets!

There will be a blog hop to share the "treats" on October 30 ... so stay tuned.

We were given the option of making 15 identical charms or 3 sets of 5 charms. I made mine all the same.

Here's a peek at my creation...

WARNING:

WARNING, WILL ROBINSON....

STOP READING...

DO NOT SCROLL DOWN

if you DO NOT WANT TO SEE!!!!


secret.....secret.....secret...

do not peek!!!

do not scroll......

do not continue reading....


blah....

blah....

blah.....


empty space....

empty space....

empty space....


WHEW!!! ok....keep reading....

 

All cozy in their little glassine, sewn-shut envelopes and adorned with a little witches hairpin.

(note: I sewed these on my new circa 1939 Singer featherweight sewing machine...I LOVE that little machine!!! I would have never known about these if it wasn't for Ruth Rae telling me all about them. Thanks, Ruth! It only sews straight stitches or crazy crooked stitches in this case - this was its maiden journey with me at the helm, but I can see this little machine going places with me...)

I didn't do a tutorial, but just know, these are the swivel sections of a vintage wooden ruler, dissassembled, cut and sanded down; wire wrapped with beads, chain, black tulle, stamped mother-of-pearl bead, and then just a bit of soldering to hold it all in place!

Add a couple of jump rings and it's ready for your charm bracelet.

Perfect little vintage witch adornment...

I cannot wait to see ALL the goodness to hit my mailbox next week.....

'tis near Halloween..... I'm joining in the Halloween fun here... ALSO BE SURE TO READ THE PREVIOUS POST FOR THE E-BOOK GIVEAWAY!!!

Sailing Through September

photo credit: Hopemore Studio

As some of you may know, I was in California all last week with Phillip. A quick trip down to work a bit in the park on some enhancements. My first time "behind the scenes" after hours. Quite different than a "day at the Happiest Place on Earth" during the day.

So quiet. And, well, kind of surreal, actually, being able to drive our daily driver car onto the streets...who knew? Duh, how else do things get done in the night? Magic? I guess I just never thought much about THAT part.

We played a bit, shopping and visiting with our friends.

We laughed that it was raining in CA..seems we always get rained on in CA.

We drove through the smoke-zones...been doing that a lot lately, it seems. Smoke in Central Oregon. Smoke here at home.  Smoke in No. CA...My heart goes out to all those firefighters.

We woke up to a smoke alarm in the hotel...strike that! We woke up to the maintenance personnel removing tile in the room right next door to our room...As we were about to leave, the smoke alarm started wailing away...we grabbed our things and when we opened the door, the hallway was full of smoke... GREAT! MORE SMOKE! But not fire smoke...soldering smoke...lots of it! Obviously they were working on the bathroom...tile...plumbing...hmmmm.

****

While we were on the road, my blog friend, Angie, of Hopemore Studio blogged about some little sailboats she created... and gave me a shout-out of thanks for advice and ideas... BUT don't let her fool you, she is a woman of many talents!!!

A couple of months ago, she surprised me with the most darling little boat...

complete with a Rand McNally map section of Grants Pass, Oregon...Josephine County.

Using this map, I can almost see my house!

The little guy in the boat, is adorable. I saw him a few years ago in a Stampington publication and have loved him ever since...How intuitive Angie was to select him for my boat! He's a bit upside-down in this photo, but who hasn't had one of those days??? (I raise my hand here...my Monday after being gone for a week?)

Any way, back to Angie...she has an Etsy Shop where she sells her adorable creations...her polymer slides are gorgeous!!! The perfect amount of vintage!

I just love blogging for fun! I have met some very creative and fun women via blogging. And always enjoy exchanging little "gifts" back and forth... Thanks, Angie!

Did YOU Hear Me Scream????

Yeah, you read that right.

Did YOU hear me scream in your part of the country?

It was 7:18 tonight. I was sitting in my chair, surfing my favorite blogs while waiting for a movie that Phillip was watching to end - so we could watch the recorded episode of Survivor - and there were my boys.

Well, my boys in my vintage window....

I screamed, and it wasn't even a scary part of the movie!!!!

"I've been featured!!! Over at Gail's blog, My Repurposed Life!!!"

I have to be VERY honest here, 'cause I was taught to be honest. Gail sent me a comment the other day, but I didn't put two-and-two together when she said she'll be "catching" me this week. Duh, me...

Thanks, GAIL!!! I get it now....but only AFTER I screamed with excitement!!!

*******

More good news came today....

I got the official word that another project of mine is officially being featured in this years issue of Somerset HOME magazine - Volume 6. It will hit newsstands in August.

As I really, really, really enjoy surprises, I will give only a sneak peek here.

As you all know, I love ALL things vintage, rusty and perfect for the home - inside or out!

*******

That brings me to my NEXT exciting news.

Six days ago, I played this April Fool's joke on Phillip, and that opened up a whole can of discussion. So, yesterday, I took the plunge - more like a baby-toe dip in the BIG POOL of retail sales....

I've officially leased a 4' x 4' space at a local crafters outlet/gift shoppe, Savannah Faire/Fiona Bean. My good-best friend, Ginger, and I are BOTH dipping our baby-toes!!! My move-in date is set for NEXT Saturday, the 16th, and hers is at the end of the month. We will be neighbors with opportunity for expansion late May or early June.

Talk about getting no sleep or being able to concentrate at work today....I even went shopping for "ideas" and ended up with a whole cache cart of good things....

Stay tuned for photos chronicling the little space - BIG ideas adventure.

*******

On another happy note, a few weeks ago, I participated in the Road to the Final Tchotchke swap over at Beauty in the Attempt. The idea behind the swap was very fun. Post a photo of some home decor item you either don't love or use anymore and have others that love it, want it, or need it comment. On designated day/time, have a random draw and whoever wins, gets the goods!

Well, as it was, I had ONE comment and ONE winner! Man, was Jenny, over at Crossing the Bugger-Dixon Line, LUCKY! lol....

At any rate, Jenny commented that the garden-themed item I offered up for grabs would be perfect for her little guys upcoming April Showers birthday party...hmmmm. Based on that comment, I KNEW I had so much more to share....perfect for a party! I SO loved giving parties for my guys when they were little.

She was SO delighted with the extras I sent and she posted VERY, VERY kind words on her blog...WARNING: her blog has some really cute party ideas....REALLY!

*******

On a FINAL note for the night...

We are STILL looking for at least THREE more participants for my Celebrate AMERICA home decor swap.

I've seen some of the ideas...and you still have a TON of time to play. That was the point. Start early enough to not be stressed!!!! Who needs stress? Let's just wrap the houses in RED, WHITE and BLUE.....

Cheers!

A "YOU-NIQUE" Sneak Peek.....

Just a sneak peek of a project of mine being featured 

in the APRIL 2011 issue of 

Somerset Memories.

To say I'm excited, would be an understatement.

 This project is SO personal to me.

ALL about my THREE SCHIEFER boys.

Brothers.

Life's Journey. 

Days we'll never forget.

Ain't that the truth....?

ETA:

I almost forgot, o.k. I didn't forget really, 
I just didn't have the time to share...

...BUT I did, I swear, give GREAT THANKS immediately 

to 

John of Meyer Imports

for featuring a My Secret Valentine swap project 

I created last year for my blog friend, Angie.

Angie, at Hopemore Studio is VERY, VERY creative 

and it has been fun getting to know her online this last year.

While your over visiting her blog, cause I just know you're curious,

be sure to visit her Etsy store too!!!

Be sure to visit Meyer Imports too. 

They have a fun blog and great store for all things glittery...

Cheers!

Gears are in Motion.....

For a long, long, long time, I have dreamed of combining my love of treasure hunting and crafting. You know, it's all the rage everywhere you read and look online. Repurposing, recycling, renewing. AKA: thinking GREEN!

Ok, so actually, I'm all for the "idea" of green, but I wonder just how green some of the advertised "green" really is. I won't go into it here. I just know that in order to recycle my glass bottles, they "request" they be rinsed out. I get my water from my well, so that means I'm running the well pump - using electricity, and then draining the dirty water into my septic tank, that ultimately fills up and then needs to be pumped by the big truck, that needs to drive out here to the country, using diesel gas, etc.... So, I'd rather recycle my mayo, pickle and jelly jars into other useful somethings. Say, casual drinking glasses, candle holders, pen/pencil holders, flower vases...Oh, you get the idea. Just open any country, cottage, home decor magazine and you'll see them!



Here is just one of my doings. An empty, single-serving Margarita bottle that a dear friend of mine, drank and just knew I would "love" to alter. I've altered a few of these bottles, filled them with bird seed and gifted them.

Back to the gears. I have decided to post on another blog and offer some of my MANY previous and future finds - "as found" and "re-purposed". I am also considering taking up shop at the Grants Pass local crafters store - Savannah Faire.

I know, I know. The economy. Well, I think that even though we're all shopping a little more frugally, I don't think any of us will ever be able to STOP shopping. So, maybe by offering some fun, re-thunk home and garden decor at a reasonable price, it will be a win-win for me and others - in blog land and locally.

I'd also like to give back to my community through this endeavor. My plan is to donate part of each sale to various charitable organizations. Like I said, a win-win.

Here is a sneek-peek at my new logo. The background color is a facsimile of kraft paper(brown paper bag) which it will be printed on. I'm hoping to get my "sister" blog up and running soon with the first few items offered up.

Here is a happy, happy me in my element....! Thanks, Phillip for the photo! I love you! xxx ooo

Knock, Knock....

Really. Who's There??? I can hear you breathing. I thought I may have even heard a chuckle or two. Sometimes, I think I can even hear you commenting....

I read a blog yesterday http://whenmonkeysflyinkc.blogspot.com/that was wondering who was reading her blog. I keep wondering the same thing. I know someone is. That "someone(s)" are sure to let me know when I've not posted anything new to read and see. So where are the comments? Huh? COMMENT ALREADY!!! Inquiring minds want to know.....well, at least I'd like to know....LOL

So anyways, even if you don't want to comment, here are some more interesting and not-so-interesting things to grace your monitor.

As you already know, I love to collect. OK, maybe that's an understatement, but I thought I'd share a few of the items found on my recent "collecting" trips....



Here we have a couple of vintage clipboards. They are just waiting patiently to be repurposed into some sort of artwork. I especially like the laminated wooden strip board. You don't see those at the office supply stores! The scrabble tiles are part of a huge scrabble tile collection that I love to practice my spelling with. Actually, I think I spell pretty good - most of the time. The one I have trouble with these days - remember, I'm 40 now! - is math. I've been using my trusty adding machine for so long, that the abacus part of my brain is on pause! Last in this vignette, is a ruler I found at the local Y-swap meet. For you Southern Oregon locals, notice the Jacksonville address and the AREA CODE? 503??? How long ago was that? (click on photo for a closer view)



Now here are some of my other quasi-vintage finds. The suitcase is a little worn, but I LOVE the patina. I couldn't resist these baby shoes. INSERT STORY HERE: For some reason, I cannot resist baby shoes. Maybe it's because anything miniature is too too cute or maybe it's because I still have my baby shoes - AND they aren't covered in bronze! But, anyway, I seem to have a knack for finding little shoes. This pair I bought, but I regulary find "single" little shoes here and there. Not while shopping, but in random places - gutters, sidewalks, parks, etc....I even found a little boys leather boot when I lived in Washington state over Thanksgiving weekend floating in the grocery store parking lot. Yes, floating in the water from the torrential downpour that happens there 9 months of the year. So, I have a fairly good sized collection of little person shoes. Someday, I plan to make an area in my yard/garden with a sign "Garden of Lost SOLES". Little shoes look so, so cute with miniature plants growing in them. END OF STORY!

Well, I leave you for now. I'll continue tomorrow with a few more collected items. Until then.....

The Secret's In The Sauce

Go ahead. Check it out!