Home Suite Home...

My "Disconnected December" has turned into "Jumbled January".  However FLEXIBILITY is my saviour.  I can adapt to most any situation...
I have not been able to keep up with blogging as well as I would like.  It seems that my desktop computer at home has special programs that the shared traveling laptop does not contain.  Therefore I am at a loss when it comes to sharing personal photos and updates on projects.  So...
Home Suite Home.  Living in Bakersfield while Mr. C helps a dear friend. 
I cannot complain as I have everything I need (minus my computer and programs!) for daily living.  I like to refer to my space as my little "cottage".  This Homewood actually is very nice and they fix breakfast daily and dinner Mon - Thurs.  Hot tea and freshly baked cookies are my favorites every day.  Yes, I will need to get back to WW and Zumba and work it all off!

This is the general comfort area and it is never crowded or noisy.  The staff are super nice and accomodating.  Behind this fireplace is the common eating area.  With multi flat screen TVs and a view of the pool area.  We even have daily newspaper delivery right to our room door.  This life is not bad at all and almost has more ammenities than I have at home.  I did make the mistake of remarking to Mr. C that I really like this cozy living.  His comment was, "Then why do we live in such a large home?"  Oops...what was I thinking?  So of course I had to realize that none of my stuff could possibly fit in this size of living space.   No sewing room with all its fabrics, laces and buttons.  No studio with its amazing array of everything artsy and crafty.  What was I thinking?!!  I guess the simpler life of being taken care of daily got me scattered.  Only having a totally coordinated closet of clothes and shoes is refreshing...but can I accomplish that at home for real?  My current closet might qualify for "hoarder" status but I will never admit to that.  I just can't stand to get rid of perfectly good clothes...even if I feel awful in them.  I think that comes from only having hand-me-downs to wear while growing up.

 I didn't really need this kitchen since the wonderful staff ladies cook for me every day and Mr. C takes me out to eat.  It was nice to have the refrigerator for bottled water and fresh dark chocolate bars.

How can a bedroom this small be functional and comfortable?  Amazing when I come home and see my bedroom that I love and realize it is probably the size of this entire "cottage".  I am convincing myself that my next home will be a cozy cottage.  We will be downsizing for certain.  I also realize I don't have staff to clean and take care of everything for me and I am getting too old and worn out to do a really good job.  Besides my time needs to be spent being creative and playing!

One bathroom for two people?  With only one sink for two people?  How does this work?  Quite well when the two people are not both getting ready at the same time every day. 

Plenty of room in the living room with comfortable seating and fair lighting.  Complete with a desk for that laptop and working.  We did have two flat screen TVs and each one could be watching a different program and that was nice. 
So in reality when did it become a requirement to live in a space that is so huge and have so much to take care of and maintain?  Cozy cottage...cozy cottage...cozy cottage...
Next I will share with you how I never get bored and how I was able to play even while away.
Thank you to those who wondered where I was.  Your care and concern are very much appreciated.
Now I am going to catch up on lots of blogs I missed reading...while doing laundry, grocery shopping, bill paying and all else that needs attention. 
Hooray for rain and a bit of snow for our winter is now behaving properly. It is good to be home!
I am loving all the Valentine Heart projects I am seeing...what are you working on?

Birthday Gifts...

Happy Birthday Sisty.  Mr. C's sister is celebrating a milestone birthday in just a few days and we won't be together to celebrate it.  We live quite a distance apart and this is such a busy time of year.  Independent of Mr. C honoring her day I made Sisty this Origami Pouch in some beautiful fall fabrics with golden highlights shimmering throughout. 

I also put together this necklace and earrings set which utilizes the new acrylic beads that are super lightweight and very popular right now.  I am showing these because Sisty has received them and no surprises will be spoiled. 
My little studio has been quite busy lately as I am certain each of you have been.  This time of year can get so overloaded so easily and so quickly that it is important to stop and take a break from the hectic and just be grateful for even the smallest of things.  I am grateful for having my wonderful sister-in-law in my life.  I am also grateful for my family and my youngest granddaughter who is having a birthday this month.  Happy Birthday Amy.  I have so much to be grateful for and I feel very blessed. 
Now we interrupt this calm to get back to being busy and productive. 
Wonderful week ahead...

Bottlecaps and Baking...

 This is a simple and easy gift item I have been making.  Bottlecap necklaces.  Unfortunately I did not contain my making to the studio and therefore I have glittered my entire kitchen table and subsequent wood flooring.  A tablecloth on the table hides the telltale glitter but what about the floor?  I have tried everything to clean it up.  Well at least it is pretty. 

I made a bunch of these for the upcoming elementary school sale.  My time and supplies are merely my donation as the sale price of the item gets donated to the school for expenses to help the kids. 

 Meanwhile this is my front yard.  A huge irrigation project the county is doing.  There is a 1920s water canal system from the gold rush days and current technology is replacing the old metal water pipe with larger concrete carriers that are dug down deep and tunneled under our road.  This is a very controversial project and my neighbors are mostly against it and make it difficult for the workers.  My husband and I realize progress must happen and we have been very helpful even though it impacts us the most as it is on our property.  Of course the NID (Nevada Irrigation District) does have easements to the canals.  We the property owners really have no say so in the matter.  Some have sued and gotten monetary settlement but that merely delays the project and increases the costs to all of us. 

So I spent a day this week baking four dozen cookies to give to the work crew.  You should have seen their eyes light up when they saw the cookies.  One of the concrete truck drivers took a big bite and immediately said, "These are Snickerdoodles!" and took another bite.  Why yes they are!  My very favorite cookie which I learned to bake when I was very young and visiting a relative in a lovely old two story farm house.  I had given the box to the foreman and he was eating one and all the other work crew were way on the opposite side of a huge dug out hole.  When they saw the cookies they literally came running around the huge hole and all the equipment to get to the cookies all while saying, "Thank you!" to me with big smiles on their faces.  Oh it felt so good to have spent a day baking and making the boys happy. 
I continue to make my lists and check them twice.  It seems that for each item I check off I am adding several more that need attention.  Why is this the way it goes? 
Blissfulling sewing, beading, glittering, gluing and getting ready for the holidays...

Autumn ATCs...

Autumn is that time of year that brings out the warm colors on the color wheel...yellows, browns, oranges, rusts.  The colors that I don't usually prefer.  However when it is Autumn and the leaves on the trees begin to change I find I am really liking these warm colors.  So I made some ATCs.  Silk leaves glittered is focal here.

These are incorporating some local scenes from Gold Country magazine.  I added just a touch of dimension with the rhinestones and silk leaves. 

Some Halloween themed ATCs that were fun to put together. 

 Nothing more than scrapbook papers, fancy smokey tape, ribbon pumpkins and bats and some bling.

Then I packaged each one in an organic waxed baggie and wrapped it with really fun fibers in the Autumn colors.  Now that was a few days spent in my ever so happy studio.  Then the best part was mailing them to some of my faithful followers...just as a thank you for being part of my blogging journey.  Some of you I have no mailing address for so I am carefully collecting those.  You never know when I might want to send you a smile in the mail. 
Happy Haunting and creating...

Inspiration...Hellooo...

My goodness.  I layed out some beads and lace on one of my bead design trays and then set it aside.  I have seen this tray several times over many months and still it sits neglected on a shelf.  No inspiration comes from this.  Never has and probably never will.  I think it is time to put each of these components away and use the board for another layout.  I have much better inspiration in my head with different beads and components.  I think today is the day to clean up this mess and start something new. 
I never like to force an idea.  Actually I have not been making any jewelry for quite some time now.  I really miss playing and producing with my beautiful beads.  This may just be the right time to organize my stash and see what designs come to mind. 
How do you store your beads?  By color? By type? By sizes?  In trays or baggies or drawers?  I have been re-thinking my bead organization.  I would love any suggestions you have to offer. 
This just may be the inspiration I have been searching for.  Thank you.
Awesome October and Happy Haunting...

Memories of Grandma...

This is my maternal Grandmother.  Her name was Dorothy but she liked to be called Dot by her friends. I have shared many times in my posts about how I learned so much from my wonderful talented Grandma. 
My Grandma was more talented than Martha Stewart or anyone else who has so successfully merchandised themselves.  Dot was clever because she had to be.  She was an excellent cook because that is what women did long ago. She sewed.  She ironed.  She washed walls and windows and scrubbed the floors.  I remember a time when I was at her home and I did the dishes.  I was always helping in the kitchen and thought I had done such a good job.  When Grandma went into the kitchen a little later on she called me in and told me I wasn't done.  What?  When I had washed the dishes (and dried them) I hadn't rinsed out the sink when I drained the dishwater.  There was food debris and soap scum and sure enough the sink wasn't clean and shiny until after I cleaned it out.  Thank you Grandmother for teaching me even the tiniest things that really make a difference.   

 Yes, you remember these.  The 1980's (could it have been the 1970's?) fabric and lace photo albums with the "magnetic adhesive" pages.  The ones we now know destroy all photos and papers placed on them.  I made this album for Grandma in her favorite colors.  A few years ago I decided to take the old nasty pages out and replace them with new acid free page protectors that hold a sheet of paper that I can attach photos and papers to.  Now I see that I never finished my job.  I got a good beginning but somewhere along the way I got distracted and never finished. 

 I think this shall become a winter project that I shall finish.  There are bulging envelopes and notes and ephemera just crammed into the album.  I see why the ribbon ties are holding this album closed.  It is truly amazing that this album is still holding together and looks pretty good.

This is the very first page in the album.  I was able to save a note in my Grandma's handwriting...she was left handed...and this is a photo of me with her.  The bags we are holding she made using plastic canvas and yarn.  Mine has my initials and is in my favorite blue colors.  Hers in her favorite fall colors.  I still have my bag and treasure it!  My oh my how young and thin I was so long ago. 
During my daily activities I am reminded of my wonderful Grandma when I see my hands and fingers.  They are just like hers were.  Mine are not as talented but they are very good at so many things thanks to the patience and love my Grandma showed me as she taught me so much.  I always miss her so much. 
Thank you for letting me share a little of my Grandma with you.  There will be lots more sharing as the posts pass along. 
Thank you to Donna of Brynwood Needleworks for hosting Memory Lane Monday.
With my tears of joy I have now I shall go and sip a cup of tea and reflect on how fortunate I am.

Sunflowers Make Me Happy...

I think Sunflowers are a very happy flower and they totally make me smile. 
This little photo is actually cut off the postcard flyer sent out by our local Farmers Market.  I just couldn't resist saving this for future crafting. 
I would love to have them growing in my yard however I don't have enough sunshine for them.  All those lovely tall pine, cedar and oak trees block all sunlight that these gorgeous flowers require. 
Do you prefer the yellow versions or the orange versions or the deep red/maroon sunflowers? 
September surrenders to the coming of Autumn and the leaves are falling.  I have been picking up the very large oak leaves already.  We also have huge Crimson King Maple trees and those leaves are falling too. 
The weather is turning cooler at nights.  Thunderheads form over the mountains but we have had zero rain all summer.  I would welcome a refreshing rainstorm...hold the lightening please as it is so dangerous for creating fires and we are much to dry and wooded for any of those. 
The deer are getting bolder as they need to forage for food.  We have a mother and her twin fawns who have been coming everyday to feed and the littles actually swim in our pond.  I would not have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes.  Yesterday I had to shoo off the father and son who were dining on my poor mock oranges that they strip bare every year.  I do enjoy seeing the deer however they are so voracious and their saliva actually kills many of our plants we have worked so hard to grow.  It is a constant struggle for me...the deer were here first yet our home has been here for at least the 14 years we have lived here.  We have now had many generations of deer who just love our landscaping.  Hmmm...
Maybe I should try growing sunflowers after all and get more birds attracted than deer.  Do you think that would work? 
Happy Sunflower week to all...lots of smiles and happiness...

Another Generous Blogger Friend...

 I have said that August is my birthday month.  Well this must be proof.  When I opened the brown shipping box Mr. C told me these are my gifts he got me.  Hmmm...I don't think so! 

I happened to know this box came from the uber generous Celestina Marie.  Please visit her site http://larearose.blogspot.com/ if you aren't familiar with her blog or her beautiful designs. 

Needless to say Mr. C was simply hoping I would give him credit as he is not good about celebrating birthdays or holidays.  I am totally fine with this as he is very thoughtful and generous throughout the year when least expected.

As for the goodies inside this box!  Look at the dreamy pink French inspired paper, the pink silk petals, the soft pink tulle ribbon and the details on the boxes.  I was giddy like a little princess on her birthday getting ready to open these beautiful presents.

 This feminine gorgeous bottle complete with pink glittered roses and stopper.  Swoon...

 This adorable little birdhouse ornament handpainted by Celestina Marie herself both back and front. 

More swooning...

 Now my photos are out of order however this was an unexpected item she included.  A small very heavy handpainted paperweight book.  The tole painted roses are exquisite.

 And completely over the moon swooning on this piece.  My very own pink with rhinestone bling Eiffel Tower.  It is also a bank and I can put my money in it to take a trip to Paris...Do they make $1000 bills as this bank is tiny and I will need a lot of money?   :o)

 Oh dear...my photos are so out of order however I am very comfortable using blogger as my excuse since I am not familiar with the new version.    I think I am lucky any of my photos actually got onto this post. 

This is the trio of lovelies that Celestina Marie actually offered as a give to celebrate her 38th wedding anniversary.  Go figure...our good fortune due to her good fortune.  I am still convinced that bloggers are the truly most generous giving souls on this planet. 

This spoon is probably my very favorite of her pieces.  I had been coveting these on her etsy shoppe waiting for just the right moment to acquire one.  I am truly blessed as now I do have my very own spoon and it is even more exquisite in person.    I do have some gifts in mind that I shall need to purchase for and these are perfect.  I hope you take a very close look at her shoppe to see what you might fall in love with. 

Thank you so very much Celestina Marie.  I feel so fortunate to be able to share you as my blogger friend.  When I went back to your profile and read your credentials I completely understand how you would be chosen to visit the White House and create ornaments for one of the annual Christmas trees.  Your work is truly special and I am so proud to be the lucky recipient of your generosity. 

I will be thanking you properly very soon my dear.

Happy weekend to all and may you enjoy this end of summer to its fullest...Labor Day is just ahead...

Reversible Tote Bag...

I have not been taking time to be creative what with summer weeds to pull, housecleaning before, during and after company and whatever laziness I am enjoying with the warm summer days I love so very much. So several weeks ago I pulled out some fabrics. This red toile is one of my favorites.

With the weight of the toile I chose this sort of bandana fabric to coordinate. Next I cut out the pieces to make a reversible tote bag. I personally can never have too many tote bags.

Here is the bandana side complete with a pocket that I stuck some white envelopes inside of just to show it is there. This side of the tote is not my favorite however I think it works quite well for those times you might be feeling "down home".

Here is the finished tote with the toile side out. I love this scene of the boys playing and just living life. That is what toile fabric is...scenes of life. I made one of my lace flower pins and added it to the red handle. Of course it is removable if you want to wear it on your lapel or your hair or whatever.

I always enjoy making tote bags and am thinking I shall get out some more fabrics to match up and sew some more bags. My sewing machine is lonely and I am feeling creative.

What goodies are you making or planning for future projects?

Sunshine Summer Smiles to all...

Lace Wrappings...

I was giving a card recently and decided the envelope was far too plain. So I wrapped it in some delicious lace and stitched the sides to hold all in place.

The back flap was now really too plain so I stitched some more lace onto it. Then as a closure I stitched a circle of lace to hold the flap closed by sliding it onto the envelope. No photo of this part but I added a name label to the front with some more lace. No more plain card envelope for this gift.

Now for the gift box. Wrapped it in gold foil paper. Then a sleeve of more delicious lace. And to mate with the card a band of lace to hold it all together.

Oh how can I stop yet? No. More lace. This time I made a lace flower complete with pin back that can be attached to the package and then removed for additional uses by the recipient.

Now you see the package completed with it paper, laces and flower. This is a gift I am proud to give.

What is your favorite style of wrapping a gift?

Happy middle of the week to all...

Celebrations Complete...

Ahh the Grand Lady, Elsbeth, herself. A gathering to celebrate her 90th birthday. It was a wonderful celebration enjoyed by many. The setting was beautiful. The food divine. Red Velvet cake for the finishing touch.

Our table decorations were a welcome addition. Bookmarks and candy for all to take home.

Happy Birthday Elsbeth and may we celebrate many more.

This was also my annual girlfriend road trip and the week passed by so quickly. We leave the husbands and our fur-child kitty cats home and off we go. We spend the week with Elsbeth and have a great time telling stories, playing Scrabble, going out to eat when we aren't eating all of her delicious home cooking and relaxing at the dock on the lake. This year our trip was over July 4th so we enjoyed a huge fireworks show down at the lake and it was spectacular. I saw amazing fireworks I had never seen before and some of them had sound effects like sparklers. I lived many years right near Disneyland so believe me I have seen a lot of fireworks in my day.

It is always so good to be home and in my very own bed. My BooBoo kitty is not letting me out of her sight. I shall be spending my week catching up on laundry, grocery shopping and other assorted household and yard chores.

Most of all I am looking forward to catching up on my favorite blogs and see what each of you have been busy doing. I have sincerely missed you. I had no computer, no internet, no access of any kind for over a week and I truly missed my daily blog perusing. I know I owe some serious thank you notes and will get to them as quickly as I can. I had a stack of mail awaiting my return and fortunately little packages of bliss out-weighed bills. I will need to really use my time management skills wisely this coming week in order to get it all done.

Thank you for all of your comments and emails. I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends. May you have a wonderful week and make all the creative art that makes you happy...

Frozen Charlotte...

A wonderful surprise in my mailbox. I think we all agree that it is so much fun to receive something in the mail. Unexpected, semi-expected or completely expected it all is very exciting. This is the package I received recently. The little box did not give me any clues. I had been notified that I had won a giveaway but was not certain what my gift would be. There were three items and mine was the last name so not to select which one I would receive. Oh goody I love good surprises. Hmmm...
I can't see how a set of wooden stamps could fit in this little box as that is the one item I thought wouldn't be selected 1 or 2. So Mr. C and I sat by the pond and I opened my little box. You would have thought I got stung by another bee from my scream I let out. Mr. C could only sit perplexed.

In this little box was this sweet photo and a handwritten note. A beige cloth bag tied with seam binding and I am so happy. What? How could it be? The exact item I would have chosen was in this little soft pouch. Oh thank you Lynn of Trash to Treasure Art. Thank you so very much!

I think you all follow this super talented lady. She has been published yet again so please go visit her today.

This is a frozen charlotte. She is tiny and precious and so very sweet. Lynn has embellished her with a crown and heart gilded in silver. She is standing on a musical stage within her little glass house surrounded by rhinestones all soldered together to keep her safe.

This photo is not the best and is filled with shadows however Tiny Dancer is shy and she doesn't mind being in the shadows.

I am enchanted with my tiny frozen charlotte doll. Thank you Lynn for sending her to me.

I smile each and everyday when I look at her in her little house.

I have seen many of these little frozen charlotte dolls in lots of crafts and art pieces and have wanted one for so long. My wish has come true.

Happy Summer Weekend to all...and winter for those across the pond...

Rescued Chair...

This little chair was just waiting for me to rescue it. I was at the local Hospice Gift and Thrift and in the parking lot was a bunch of used...very used pieces of furniture. I saw this little chair and heard it calling to me. Sherrrrryyyyyy...
Of course I had to go take a look. And I always give furniture the wiggle test to see if it is too wonky. This little chair was only slightly unsteady. I knew Mr. C could strengthen it for me. The price? No way...$4. So I go inside and tell the clerk I want to buy this chair. She says are you taking it home today? Well of course I am...we have bonded and I can't leave it behind.

This is the label from the underside seat of the chair. It is solid wood and made here in the USA. I am now really bonding with this chair.

Here it is on Mr. C's workbench. All that needs doing is a little wood gluing to the spindle that connects to the chair back. How easy is this? Done and all better. Thank you Mr. C.

Now maybe a coat of white paint. After lots of sanding and priming and painting...

More sanding and painting. Thank you again Mr. C. Of course we had to wait until June for winter to end. I bought little chair in January.

And now little chair is beautiful in her new white coat and she is so happy to reside at the kitchen desk where she can be part of the family every day.

She is a very comfortable little chair and I am so glad she called me over to rescue her.

By-the-way...when I told the clerk that of course I would be taking little chair home with me right then she announced that the price was half the tag price. What?!! Little chair only cost me $2 and I am completely over-the-moon happy with her.

So sometimes being creative and crafty is not about fabric or beads or paper...sometimes it is the act of rescuing a worn out chair that someone disposed of and giving it new life with a fresh coat of paint and lots of love.

What have you been working on lately?