More ATCs and Lollypops...

 This Halloween Lollypop is made using a sports bar round coaster as the backing which I colored using a lovely purple Distress Stain.  A layer of gold tulle with gold glitter to the edges.  A cardstock pleated center with a fun ribbon bat.  This one is utilizing a drinking straw for the handle.  Off in the mail it went...

 This is a Fall ATC that I made for a friend's mother.  It is off to Texas.

 My friend Joy made me this ATC after I sent her one of mine.  The detail and colors are spectacular in person.  Thank you Joy.  It is truly beautiful.  Can you believe this is her very first ever attempt at an ATC?

 Lunch with some friends and these Lollypops are what I gave along with chocolates inside the cute purchased pumpkin bags.  Ladies can never have too much chocolate!

For the base of these I used a CD and covered it with some Halloween Tissue paper I received as part of a gift.  Again with the cardstock pleated centerpiece.  Finished with a button tied with the same purple yarn I used to tie the bag closed.  The handle this time is one of those plastic stir sticks.  Quick and easy and fun to make.  I think they would be a cute bouquet displaying several in a vase, pumpkin or gourd. 
Hmmm...I am thinking of lots of possibilities with these Lollypops for holidays and birthdays and anniversarys and celebrations of any kind.  They are also lightweight and easy to mail in a bubble pack envelope. 
Getting my costume ready for Saturday.  I will be hosting the local Chamber Visitor Center so it will be simple and easy to still function.  In the past I have been a mime while working as it is work friendly...and if you know me and my love of talking (and I have been told zillions of times that I am too loud!) then you can appreciate my ability to act like a mime and not speak...for an entire day!
Happy Haunting...

I Do Believe...

I Do Believe...

I believe in all the magic and wonder of Santa

I believe in this season of joy

Now I shall be in the studio completing last minutes

Remember my mantra this year...

"Not everything needs to get done"

This is how I am reducing a lot of stress!

I am truly enjoying the sights, lights and sounds of this

Holiday Season.

I wish for each of you joy and peace.

I Do Believe...

Wishing You...

Wishing you each a very calm and peaceful week.
Take time to enjoy the beautiful sights, lights and sounds of this
Holiday Season.
Createology is busy in the studio making last minute gifts...
Wrapping gifts for those on the list...
Writing thank you cards...
Enjoying and staying in the moment.
Peace, Love and Joy...

More Wool Flowers...

Here we are at the end of another week. What I like to refer to as Finish it Friday.
My studio and I have been busy this week making more wool flowers. I love the feel of the wool.

The warmth of the wool. The textures in the fabrics. Of course I added lace just because I like the open airy look of lace.

This one I added a blue felt leaf and I like the dimension it adds. The buttons also give a personality to each flower. This particular button is a polymer clay button I bought along the way and had in my button jar. It has a lot of texture to it.

I try not to pick favorites however I am thinking this little green number just might be my favorite out of this garden of wool flowers.

This is merely the latest crop of wool flowers in my studio garden.

I feel warm and cozy surrounded by these. That is a good thing since we are having very cold winter weather. And tons of rain from La Nina. Now I must put on my rain boots and join the crowds shopping as the holidays are here and I am just not finished with my list.

Have a warm and wonderful day. What are you doing in your studio? Making any gifts?

Happy Holly Jolly Joy to you...

Following My Own Words...

As I read my very own recent post I realize it is so easy to say, "relax and enjoy the season". Fortunately I am following my own words and I truly am relaxing and enjoying this wonderful magical holiday season. I took some overview photos yesterday at my very favorite place to go.

This is the conservatory at High Hand Nursery in Loomis California. It is a wonderful place to visit and have breakfast, lunch or dinner. Shop for plants, accessories or fine gallery art pieces.

I was enjoying a very nice long relaxing lunch with my dear girlfriends. We were also exchanging our holiday gifts with one another. No rush, no pressure, no stress...just geniune friendship and laughter and sharing.

This is a large pointsettia blossom that sat on our table in this tiny little pot. I was entranced by the beauty of this simple blossom. The decorated trees in the previous photos are redwoods and are so beautiful with the simple red ornaments and small white twinkle lights adorning them. The hanging pointsettias are huge and so amazing.

So, do I naturally not have stress in this hectic time of the year? No.

I am truly working at being able to enjoy.

Am I behind on everything including personal and holiday? Yes.

However, I am finding it isn't the end of the earth if something is not getting done and must wait until another day, week or month.

I am enjoying my family, friends, and everything involving Christmas.

I do hope you are enjoying your favorites things too.

B R E A T H E and enjoy...

One Simple Decoration...

One simple decoration.

Brings joy and peace to this holiday season.

The angel is a metal yard stake that I simply did not want to set outside to rust.

Her metal post is way too boring so I merely took some graduated sizes of ornaments and stacked them on the metal post.

Now it is sitting in a lovely large vase in the dining room.

I not only love the simplicity of this decoration I love the jewel toned colors and the shimmery silvery color of the angel as she watches over us.

I like to think this angel is reminding us to stay calm and enjoy this holiday season for all the reasons it truly represents and not the commercial overdone frenzy and stress we sometimes get caught up in.

May each of you take time to relax and enjoy the simple things.

Happy Holidays...

Quick Christmas Doily...

This is a quick and easy Christmas doily.

Size is approximately 14 inches in diameter.

I used a fun Christmas fabric, felt for the backing, fusible fleece interfacing to give it substance and a fun flirty ribbon ruffle.

You can machine stitch all layers together.

I choose to handstitch the ruffle on just so the back stayed smooth.

This makes a nice protector for any holiday table.

This could be used for a centerpiece with a lovely clear glass vase or candlestick.

How would you use something like this?

Happy Holiday Creating...

Mailable Holiday Gifts...

Here is a very simple gift that is mailable and unique. It is also very affordable as most of the items were purchased at the local dollar (dollar twenty-nine) store. Items used:
flat canvas board, scrapbook paper, lots of glue or gel medium, felt or foam oversize flat ornaments, buttons and thread, ribbon, blank cards with envelope, paper punches if desired and more glue. Absolutely every piece of the 12" x 12" scrap book paper is used on this project.

Have fun with the colors and embellishments. This set I used pink buttons with green thread to enhance the colors in the paper. The card is adorned with the scraps of paper, the envelope is lined with the scrap of paper and a punched recycled Christmas card circle embellishes the card.

This set is soft in colors of white, green and light blue. All of this mails easily in a padded envelope. As you can see the choices of colors and style combinations are endless. The canvas is hung by a ribbon which is glued to the back and then covered with holiday stickers.

Here is another option and design. I love the punched out hearts on the card as they mimic the point on the felt ornament. The photos do not accurately show the glitter which is part of the paper. You could also add glitter to this project if desired.

One more to show. This paper and foam snowflake are so perfect together. Even the ribbon hanger has snowflakes printed on it. This set might be my favorite.

I hope this is something you try making. It is easy to do. You will need a lot of glue or gel medium and there will be drying time. I didn't rush this as I wanted to be certain nothing sticks during mailing.

As I select each set for mailing to family and friends I shall personalize the back with their names and the date.

Is this something you think you might like to make? Can you imagine other holidays or celebrations using this technique?

Happy Holiday Creating...

Monday Monday...

Let me see what this week holds in store for me.
I still await the arrival of my new monitor.
I continue to use Mr. C's notebook computer.
Sunday was a wonderfully rainy day with lots of water falling and filling the water table of Mother Earth.
Our pond is full to overflowing.
I made an interesting dinner...We had a friend join us...Life is good!
Progress has been made on a project and I shall share photos soon.
Saturday was a small craft fair and I was able to purchase a couple of gifts for the holidays.
I hope to have a super productive week. It is up to me and I know I can achieve my goals.
What are you working on? Do you make certain you do something just for yourself each day?
May you each have a wonderful week ahead.
Happy creating...

Finished Fabrics...

It is hard for me to realize that two months ago to the day I took these photos. I have already shared a sneak peak on this blog to allow your minds to be curious. Now I can honestly say my girlfriend/creative Saucy Chick Lorraine and I have completed this project. Well almost.

Each year we participate in a wonderful small boutique that is held at a local elementary school. Whatever gets sold we automatically donate 50% to the school for the kids and their programs. We always laugh when we are making items for this sale as we know the prices must be super affordable and therefore we mostly donate our time, materials and just know we are helping the kids. LOL Sometimes we say, "let's just make this and put a couple of dollar bills in the package and sell it for 50 cents". It makes us happy to do this and I believe this is at least our fifth year of participating.

So here are some photos of the finished DECORATIVE TOWELS.

Super cute chicken fabric. This would be great in a kitchen. Good hostess gift for that dinner invitation you accepted. Notice the button detail in the top corner of each towel.

This is some fabulous chili pepper fabric and the photo really does not show it as vibrant as the colors are in person.

Ahhh...the sports theme fabric. This would make a great hand towel even for the college dorm.

Here it is shown hanging on the towel rod. Think coach, golf player, car buff, teams...

With each towl we have added a fun item such as a tiny basketball ball, a small kitchen whisk, a small bottle of hot sauce with the chili peppers. You get the idea.

All in all we are making 31 of these assorted fabric adorned towels. Hopefully they will sell out at the school sale. It is always held for two days in early December. The kids get first pick on a Friday to purchase holiday gifts for family or friends. Then it is open to the public on Saturday. We Saucy Chicks usually purchase items late on Saturday just before pick up time. We want the classes who have made things (i.e. bookmarks, cards, frames, etcetera) know that they made sales as well.

We still need to complete 11 towels and package them however we know we will get them done in time now that we have completed 20. It feels so good to get something accomplished.

I hope this gives an idea or two for you to make for your gift giving. We have sewn the fabric but if you do not sew there are wonderful iron on ways or even washable glues on the market.

Happy creating...

Wrapping tip...

Here is my handy wrapping tip for this busy holiday season.

As you are wrapping presents and you are in a hurry and you still want to be safe...

Measure your paper around your gift and then fold the paper. Instead of grabbing the scissors and cutting the fold line or worse yet opening the scissors and sliding them down the fold line reach for your painting pallet knife and slide it down the fold line. The pallet knife is actually safer and it is offset so you can see what you are doing. I found it quite by accident and am really happy with using this method.

After 40 plus years I still bear a nasty scar from using the open scissor method which slid right through my hand between my thumb and forefinger.

Yes, you can go to the store and purchase a new fangled tool made by Scotch to slice your paper but who has time?

Let's use what we have and be safe all at the same time.

I hope this little handy tip will help you get those gifts wrapped safely.

There are those who love to wrap presents and make it quite a creative experience and there are those who will do most anything to not wrap gifts. I fall into the first category and learned how from my mom who was brilliant at making a gift look like a very special present made just for the recipient. It takes lots of time but with shortcuts like the pallet knife great wrapped packages are doable.

Merry Christmas to everyone and happy gift wrapping.

Tested Breathing...

It is a fine Monday morning and Christmas is quickly approaching.
Yesterday I was able to actually test my last posting about breathing during this busy time of year. I drove myself and a couple of girlfriends "down the hill" in the rain to meet up with my sister and her girlfriend. We meet at a shopping mecca across from the huge Galleria mall. There was lots of traffic. There were gobs of shoppers and very long lines in each store, however lots of registers running so the lines actually moved along quite quickly. We dig through the clearance bins at Michaels craft store and we always love using our 40% off coupon. My sister is the best at bargain finding. I always buy things that I have no thought or purpose for at the time but eventually I am able to utilize them for some project or another. We had a very tedious "glitch" at the checkout register and my patience was really tested. I was overcharged for several items and not very happy but took a deep breath and smiled. I was able to gather my patience and persevere enough to pay for my stash and leave that store with my goodies which turned out to be not so bargain but that I bought anyway.
I enjoyed watching all the people who were trying to buy gifts for others. There was a male high school teacher who was shopping for his class and I found that quite amazing that he would be thinking of his students for the holidays. There was also a young mom who was party shopping for her two kids school parties...first grade and fifth grade...what a job she had to do at this busy time of year.
We girls opted for lunch at PF Changs and we got there early enough to beat the crowd that was lined up when we were leaving. We charmed our waitress and left her an extra large tip because we exchanged our gifts and took extra time at our table. It was the perfect time to relax and breathe during a very hectic day. I am so proud of my sister because she made each of us a wonderful gift that I shall photo and share soon.
On to more shopping in the rain and lots more people and very crowded stores. Each of us were able to get exactly what we wanted or needed and we had coupons for everything. We had a great day and a safe drive "back up the hill".
I saw holiday decorations and noted the ones I really liked...I am an old fashioned green and red traditional theme...but I saw new twists that looked great like plaid ornaments.
I stayed focused on just what I needed so I didn't get frustrated and overloaded with all that is out there.
I enjoyed some beautiful Christmas music that was playing very quietly in the background beyond the crazy crowds.
But most of all I enjoyed time with family and friends and the joy of sharing.

What is your favorite part of this season? What type of gifts do you like to receive?

Take time to breathe...

As the holiday season is here and people are rushing to accomplish all that is expected of them I do hope everyone takes time to breathe.

This year I am not doing much of what is "expected" for the holidays.

I am not putting up a tree with all the decorations and the frustration and hassle that goes with getting out all the boxes stored away. It is something I cannot actually do by myself and there is no one else that wishes to deal with it so therefore I am taking this holiday season off. I have no family or friends to miss any of it as they are not able to visit this year. I certainly will not miss the incredible mess it leaves when the time comes to take the tree down and store away all the decorations once again. Of course again a job I cannot do by myself.

Instead...I am enjoying this holiday season so much more than I ever expected to be doing. I am thrilled when I see a decoration since I am not surrounded by them at home. I smile when I see a child with their eyes wide open looking at the wonder of Santa and of course the presents.
I hear the Christmas music and it makes me stop and listen.

I am enjoying wrapping gifts for my chosen friends and family to receive. This year we have opted for fewer gifts and requested everyone not to spend money they might not have but to buy food and utilities for their family.

Hand addressing handmade and some purchased Christmas cards is a relaxing task and a wonderful way to think of each recipient as I cross off their names on the list. I get out last years cards and letters and reread them as I do my addressing. It is a reminder of the year we have just experienced.

So for those of you who are feeling stressed and harried and rushed, please take time to breathe and realize you can do less and still enjoy more.

Good Information re Gemstones...

Good day bloggers.

If you are unaware of this website http://www.firemountaingems.com/ then welcome. You have just reached your bonanza for beads, ready made gifts, and all sorts of invaluable information about beading and jewelry making.

I have been a customer of Fire Mountain for many years and I am not part of their staff however I love their service and products. So I want to share it with all of you.

They just recently did an article on Gemstone Enhancement Guide and it is very interesting. It may help you while you are shopping so that you can be more informed and not buy something that isn't what you really want. You can check it out here http://www.firemountaingems.com/encyclobeadia/beading_resources.asp?docid=GMSTNNHNCMNTGD&WT.fmg_linksection=621VJ91C8E0M&WT.mc_id=NL091201

I know this link seems long and tedious but the article is short and easy to read. I actually printed it out (just two short pages) and I will keep it in my 3-ring binder to refer to when my memory fails me and I need a refresher.

I have been busy in the studio and here is a gift I made myself (photo above top). The beads are vintage garnets from my girlfriend who is a January baby. Various beads and components from Fire Mountian Gems. And the focal bead is a signed KLEW (Karen Lewis) polymer bead I purchased at her studio in Tehachapi http://www.klewexpressions.com/. I so appreciate the time and talent KLEW put into such a beautiful bead. My girlfriend and I met Karen while we were at her studio and she was so nice and interesting and really spent time with us. I do apologize for the lighting and you all know I am not a professional photographer.

I hope this blog has been interesting and worth your time to read as I know so well that all of you are busy and have plenty to do in this month of overload and holiday happiness.

Happy Holiday Shopping...

Happy Holiday Shopping can be a wonderful thing or it can be very frightening to many. Let's keep it very simple this year. I myself am not out doing the "Black Friday" crazy shopping frenzy at the stores which opened at pre-dawn hours.

Usually I am gathering gifts all year long as I see them for friends and family. It is what I have always done and it works well for me. Then of course I also buy last minute gifts that strike my fancy for someone.

This year our family is being extra cautious and careful as the urge to overspend is all too dangerous and none of us can well afford to do so. As a result many of our gifts are from the heart and are handmade. For those that do not sew or bead or craft they make something related to food or creativity in the kitchen. We luckily have lots of talent in our family and it comes from many generations back. Thank you Grandma and Mom for being so creative.

So for today I wanted to share with you a wonderful etsy shop that has unique items that are very affordable and fun to give. I have purchased from this very talented lady and I was extremely pleased with my items and with her customer service. Then my daughter bought from her also and she was very pleased. Therefore it is my pleasure to introduce you to
http://www.etsy.com/shop/mouserkinsmagic for possibly your simplest shopping solutions. The photo above is one of Jennifer Nillson's wonderful drawings. Please visit her shop to see if there is something there for your gift list. You might use them as tags, special inserts to cards and letters mailing to out-of-area friends and family, or merely as stocking stuffers.

May your holiday shopping be serene this season.

Please let me know if you visit this link and if this post has been helpful for you.

Vacation Holiday...

Well, after two years of planning Dear Hubby and I are off on vacation holiday.
We will return mid October.
This same time last year we cancelled this trip due to the US dollar being weakened against the Euro. Guess what! It has happened to us again however we are not going to cancel this year. We are going and we are going to enjoy our trip to the fullest. We live only once and this is it.
As we explore and enjoy I am on a mission to also design my newest line of jewelry for "Adorn Me!" which I shall be debuting after our return. I am going to absorb the sights, sounds, smells, tastes and general ambience of each of the places we shall visit.
I shall eat Gelato and savor each tasty tiny spoonful. DH will love all of the food as he is much more adventuresome than I. I will eat paninis and pasta and pizza. I shall try squid with ink however I am not so anxious to do so. I will enjoy every piazza, every fountain, every statue , duomo and every musuem. I shall truly enjoy the people as I love to just watch them no matter where I am. I do not speak the language however I have tried to be familiar with some of the words and sayings.
My bags are packed, I'm ready to go...leaving on a jet plane.
I shall miss checking each of your blogs daily as I have come to do. This trip is a no computer, no "in touch" media time for us to relax and rejuvenate ourselves.
Be safe, be well and be creative.
Ciao

Happy Memorial Weekend...

Meet Bella and Ginger who are the cutest Beagles ever. Very sweet and loving. I am posting this pic to show all of us how to relax and enjoy our holiday weekend. Bella and Ginger certainly know how to snuggle up in cozy style.
I have been working in the yard and it seems like I never make any progress. I have plants that don't belong at all (some would call them weeds) and need to be plucked and disposed of. I have plants that have struggled through the harsh winter and need lots of pampering and pruning. We now have lots of warm days and the watering system is not happy as of yet so lots of hand watering to do which I thoroughly enjoy. Mr. Hubby built all of the drip system irrigation and every year it is very labor intensive for him to turn it on and bleed it and get all the dirt and bugs and debris out of the lines. And of course Murphy is always making a recurring visit with his law so that things do not go well or smoothly. I just get the hose and hand sprinkler nozzles and spend time enjoying the beauty of it all. Of course I do not like bugs and for some reason this year have accumulated the most mosquito bites ever. I seem to be covered and of course they drive me crazy and keep me awake at night.
I wish a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend for everyone. Maybe some time to do your favorite activity, get together with friends, have a BBQ or just relax.