splendid things

Melting

2011-06-03T11:52:00.000-05:00

Otherwise known as "Summertime in Arkansas".

Why is it when I think back to my youth (which was spent in the Natural State), I do not remember the uncomfortableness of summer. I just remember playing.

Could it be I no longer spend my days tearing through the protected green canopy of the woods behind my house and the fact that kiddie pools are not a one size fits all. Could it be ....... Global Warming?

These are the days I save the hot water for the laundry and indulge myself in tepid baths. The days when I wish my favorite shaved ice vendor would set up in the parking lot. I promise I can keep you in business. Jumbo vanilla with cream please.

So now I have finish said tepid bath and am lying here under the fan waiting for it to feel cool enough to go to sleep. And for Ben to quit snoring.

Tomorrow I shall don my flowy sundress, pin up my hair, and head to Walmart right after I drop off the kids and by a mini fan to keep under my desk. I will venture out to claim my manna of flavored ice. I will not melt away this summer.

lemonade

2011-06-01T20:42:00.000-05:00

You know the old saying about lemons and lemonade.
There's been lots of lemanade making lately.

Sometimes it's sweet and good. Sometimes is just too sour.
But you drink it anyway and keep trying to make a more palatable concoction.

I am learning to juggle the lemons.
And grasping tightly to any sugar rations that pass my way.

A Little Giddy

2010-02-18T09:29:00.006-06:00

I must say I am terribly giddy.

Or at least I was yesterday.
Maybe only a little today but giddy all the same.

Yesterday I spoke with EllynAnne!

Yes that EllynAnne! (as if we knew any other).

Ok here's the back story.

Lately I have been doing some of the event scheduling at the library (hopefully that will become a permanent position). And I thought what a great idea it would be if EllynAnne could come for an author talk. I love her books and the idea that a simple piece of cloth like a apron or table linens can hold so much history and memories.

So there are some ideas in the works. Some ideas that are bigger than I even thought about at the beginning of my inquiry. But I am excited all the same. Oh yeah and giddy!

Mi CASA Chair

2009-11-08T13:37:00.008-06:00

Last month was CASA's Festival of Chairs. This is my third year to revitalize and donate a chair for the charity's live and silent auction.

I was very excited because this year my chair made it into the live auction!

Too bad I forgot to snap some before pics but I started out with two identical black chairs. I picked them up at a local flea market and immediately removed the horseshoes someone had screwed onto the backs. YeeHaw!

I spray painted the chairs white and decoupaged pieces of book pages to the backs, legs and interesting features of the chairs.

Then globbed (yes that's a technical term) on a water based stain I like to refer to as "liquid dirt" giving it an antiqued feel.

After removing the seats I measured and cut (ok so Ben really did the cutting) a new base that attached the two chairs to each other creating a bench. I shaped an extra thick cushion to fit in the chair backs (managed the actually cut my big toe with a pair of really sharp Fiskars... don't ask. lol) and covered it with a slightly stretchy linen-look fabric.

Next came the lettering which was done with black acrylic paint.

Here we have the "Live, Laugh, Loveseat".

This was the chair, or bench if you will, on display at a local restaurant, Mike's Place, for a couple of weeks before the auction.

I was excited that the chair went $275! And I loved hearing the whispers before the auction got on its way about my chair. Can't wait for next year's. I know some people who better get their chairs ready so they can finally come with me :P

Cause now I'm Back, From outerspace!

2009-11-07T13:16:00.003-06:00

It's been a while hasn't it friends.
My world has been shaking like a snow globe in the hands of a two year old since we last spoke.
I'll catch you up eventually, but just to say I am feeling like the old me. Or rather a new me with old tendencies :)
Look for new soon!
Looks for new fun stuff soon too!

Summertime and the livin' is easy.....

2009-05-25T21:26:00.002-05:00

I can't wait till summer.

I won't have the time crunch of dropping the kids off at school and can ride my sweet bike to work. She still need some racks and baskets.

But know we are in a quandary. We are starting to look for a new house. Ben and I are at odds as to what we want. We both agree on more space, that extra bathroom would be awesome. But I would like to stay here in Old Town. He's looking at things farther out. I love being close to everything and able to ride my sweet bike to work and walk the kids to school and such. The thought of having to drive into town for all that just doesn't set me at ease. I love the old houses around here. He wants something he wont have to fix.

So keep us in mind while we look into this new shall we say "adventure".

Giveaway Grapevine

2009-05-22T17:07:00.002-05:00

Just to pass on some yummy fiber goodness to all you yarn-a-holics out there.

My good friend Cyndi, The Twisted Purl, is having an awesome handspun yarn giveaway.

Hurry on over to sign up :)

From my front porch

2009-05-20T17:02:00.004-05:00

I don't know if you can classify it as a porch actually. It's a bit more than a stoop though. The late afternoon sun is shining through the trees. Right now it's hit an open patch on out catalpa tree and it is rather bright, but I am not really complaining. After having weather that basically consisted of a month and a half of straight rain, I'll take a bit of bright sunlight. Just gives me a good reason to put on the Audrey shades.

For the past couple of days I have been watching a momma bird tend to a baby in our front yard. I first caught site of her feeding him in our high grass. The ground has been too saturated to mow until of late. I could see the baby stretching his neck up like they do and the momma fluttered about with bugs and worms and such.

As Ben started to mow yesterday, I ran out quickly to do a spot check of where I had last seen the mother and child but they had moved on. As I set here typing (on my new laptop which I can take outside... LOVE IT!) I can see them over in the still higher grass of the drainage ditch. He's fuzzy with feathers but likes to spread his wings. I wondered if they lost their nest somewhere in the rain storms we have had.

My nicco hydrangea is sporting many beautiful bloom heads. I am still waiting on the blushing bride. I guess she's just shy ;) I have a new climbing rose that has just started to bloom.

Today was the first day I have had off since last Wednesday. Working a full weekend makes for a rather long discouraging work week. And these days at home on nice sunny days make me miss being home all the time. Getting to be in my house alone and enjoying my clothes line. Sunny days are made for laundry. At least in my book. :)

But I am looking forward to my 3 day weekend. Its Riverfest weekend in Little Rock and Saturday will mark 11 years of wedded bliss.

As the sun dips lower, it highlights the bugs darting to and from and the birds are taking advantage of it. Guess its suppertime for all.

Throwing the towel in

2009-05-11T19:10:00.006-05:00

Yes you read that correct.I have officially thrown the towel in when it comes to crafting as a business. Well at least on any kind of regular schedule.

I want my crafting to become fun again. But I will still be here showing off my creations to anyone who cares to see my irregularly scheduled programming. I enjoyed blogging and I so enjoy creating and crafting, and as I keep saying I want it to be "FUN" again... not a chore, like cleaning the toilet. Which I need to get to as well :)

Speaking of towels, I have this crazy urge to crochet dishcloths and even edgings for my dishtowels. The fabulous EllynAnne always talks about how housewives used to make their "tools" for housework pretty so that even when doing the dirtiest of jobs could be enjoyable. I finally finished a project in my Tuesday night Yarn-A-Holics group that meets at the library. The comment was made one night that they had never seen me finish a project. I was like welcome to my crocheting life. HAHA.

But I did finish this dishcloth and I absolutely love it! I think the "yarn" may actually be butcher's string. I got it in a grab bag of things from Savers.

Speaking of Savers, my mom and I had the best Mother's Day on Sunday. We were given the chance to head out on the cloudy, drizzly day and hit the antique malls and flea markets. I don't think she and I have really done this since I was in high school or college. OK maybe we did it once or twice in San Antonio but we never were completely on own own.

But we hit some places in North Little Rock, Savers and Hidden treasures and then just worked our way back to Conway.

I have made a vow to buy all my bed linens from thrift stores. I rarely pay more that $6 for my queen sized sheets and they are already super soft and in the unique retro and vintage prints that i adore anyway. Why pay $40 for a sheet set?

I did pick up a potato masher for Ben :)

But my big find was so super cool.

Look at this canister set!

The colors, the cute retro pseudo-Dutch design, and they all nestle together on a lazy susan to boot!I think I am going to clean off the top of the fridge so it will have a prime spot for showing off, yet not take up valuable counter space. I.E. not be covered with the mounds of paper clutter that is drawn into my house like a black hole vortex!

I know it says its for flour and sugar and tea and coffee but those are just suggestions don't you think.

What a great spot for my granola storage! Which by the way my family ate in less than 3 days!

So while I won't be actively pursuing a crafting career, I'm still here making stuff and thrifting when I get the chance. And if there is something you see that you think you might want just ask. You never know with me ;)

Ready, Set, Toooooooooooad!!!!

2009-05-01T20:31:00.005-05:00

It's Toad Suck Daze in these parts.

Toad Suck is a yearly festival in Conway.

Something to do with the history of the Arkansas River and the sailors that used to drink so much they swelled like toads when they docked here.

Anyway we have a big 3 day hoopla of

toad races

(Luke won his!)

music,

craft booths, carny rides,

and fried food on a stick.

What more could you ask for?

Oh yeah!

There's Stuck on a Truck!!!

Check out the webcam to see how the contestants are fairing so far.

The rain about did us in this year. Saturday turned out to be a total wash out. They completely cancelled it and we were so looking forward to seeing Robert Randolph last night and David was really upset that his music group from school didn't get to preform :(

I feel so sorry for the vendors. I heard through my friend Chris who has a booth there that she had a ton of water in her booth but that she fared better than some who had completely lost their tents.

It's Sunday today and the last day of the festivities and I believe the last little rain cloud is passing now. Hopefully we can get a tad bit more of the toady experience in before the day is over.

Yummy Crunchy Goodness

2009-04-30T20:38:00.003-05:00

Today I made granola. Can we just say YUM!

Back when I was just a mother of 2 and led the leisurely life of a military wife, I used to make it alot.

These days I am more and more freaked out by the things that are in our prepared foods. I compulsively read the labels and more times than not leave the store without much food. So I look for non high fructose corn syrup and items that have the fewest unpronounceable ingredients.

So I am making granola again. Here's the recipe.....

Wow, ever notice how brown granola is?

4 cups old fashion oats

1 1/2 cups nuts ( I mixed almonds and pecans)

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup veg oil

1/4 cup honey

1 teaspoon vanilla

Coffee break. More brown :)

Mix the oats, nuts, brown sugar and salt together.

Warm the oil and honey and whisk in the vanilla.

Pour this over the oat mixture.

Spread over a lightly oiled pan ( I used a couple of 13 x 9 metal cake pans )

Bake for 40 minutes at 300 degrees, stirring every 10 minutes.

Let cool.

You can add 1 1/2 cups of dried fruit after it has cooled. I left mine plain since folks in this house have such varied tastes. Its a very versatile recipe. You can also do some googling and come up with recipes that used other ingredients such as molasses and wheat germ. But this one was closet to what I had in my pantry.

I enjoyed mine with golden raisins and Stoneyfield Organic Vanilla Yogurt.

Sometimes life comes at you fast......

2009-04-27T16:51:00.010-05:00

No its not an insurance commercial. It's an explanation.

Where to begin?

You may have noticed my absence as of late. If there is anyone left out there reading.

Hellooooooooo?

Ever realize that the world is just spinning and somewhere back there you forgot to keep up? That's the revelation I came up with this past month. And the result was a sad one yet relieving one. I have left the Shoppes on Woodlawn.

I simply didn't have time to devote to making my little area what it needed to be. And the pressure to get new aprons and signs and any of my other creations in there just took the fun out of why I loved doing it in the first place.

So I guess I am back to being a hobbyist. I plan to keep up with Etsy, but when i feel up to it .

And I am also involved in some local trunk shows traveling to different Conway schools that feature Arkansas artist that sell on Etsy (AREtsy). And I am always up for the custom job.... when and if I have the time.

I plan to make some things for myself and family, who have been greatly neglected in these past 2 years of my crafting. I want my sewing and crochet and what ever else I decided to dive into to become fun again.

The Library has been a great place to work as well. Although these pretty spring days have made me miss my "housewife" status.

I really, really miss hanging my clothes out to dry. Who would have thought I would miss laundry ;)

But I have started a group that meats at the Library. We are called the Yarn-a-holics. It's a non bias yarn lovers group. If you crochet, knit, spin, weave...... then we are the support group for you. Everyone has been so very supportive of it. We have had close to 20 people every week since we started at the end of March.

So while giving up the Shoppes was a tad depressing, I feel like it has released me to create in many more ways. So hopefully I'll be here more often showing you my new creations. Thanks for all your support :)

My Favorite Apron

2009-03-30T18:49:00.004-05:00

At the moment that is. But I do believe that this one will always be in my Top 5. I mean, come on, how can you pick just one apron.

"Out With the Wash" started life as a pillowcase I picked up a Savers, a North Little Rock thrift store, and one of my favorites at that (once again its hard to pick just one of those as well ). If you've read around here before you know I love taking vintage linens and using them in my aprons.

The pillowcase looked to be either homemade or home-embellished. It came simply with the orange shorts sewn on it. I believe it was a part of a "his and hers" set. The "hers" version may have feature something looking more like bloomers. But alas she was not at Savers :(

I added white rickrack to the former boxer shorts to girly them up a bit. The flower was made from some of the left over pillowcase with a vintage button in the center. Not only does it help in making the shorts more feminine but it hides a stain that I couldn't get to come out. So moral of that tip is when you can't "shout it out"..... cover it with a cute embellishment.

Bias tape made easy and neat finishing of the sides as well as the ties. And I finished it off with one of my name tags.

As you can tell this is my laundry apron for the most part but the pocket is great for holding all the things we seem to pick up and accumulate through out the day.

Check out EllynAnne's The Fabulous Not-A-Contest Giveaway for your chance to win some awesome vintage goodies.

Feather Your Nest

2009-03-29T18:50:00.003-05:00

Or rather your jewelry box with these whimsical crocheted creations.

Crocheted nest rings with colored eggs.

And a fancy lavender nest and eggs bracelet

All available on Etsy.

Act fast and receive in time to wear for Easter.

Silence WhipperSnapper

2009-03-18T21:54:00.004-05:00

Anyone name that movie quote?

But these are some great whipper snappers. Lemon whipper snapper cookies that is.

You know me and my love of easy recipes. This one takes the cake, or rather cake mix. lol. Sorry for the bad jokes today, I must be tired.

Once again only 3 ingredients!

1 lemon cake mix

2 cups of whipped desert topping (aka. cool whip)

1 egg

oh yeah and a bit of powdered sugar..... so ok 4 ingredients.

Work the mix, topping and egg together. I say work because it does take some to get them all into each other. A pastry cutter might do a better job or even an electric mixer but I never use those. Too many things to clean up.

Next roll them into balls, dusting you hands with the powdered sugar. This helps some but all in all it's a sticky mess!

Place them on a greased cookie sheet and bake for 10-12 min at 350.

After they come out let them set a minute before you put them on a rack to cool. Then dust some more with powdered sugar if you want.

They taste like a lemon bar but are way easier to throw together.

I first heard about this in one of the Joanne Fluke bakery murder mysteries I've been addicted to. I can't remember which one right now. But apparently its one of those ancient recipes that everyone forgot about because I found a bunch of versions on the web.

One of Mrs. Fluke's characters talked about experimenting with different flavors of cake mix and I thought about the different flavors of cool whip that are out there too.

If you give this a try and change it up let me know how it all turns out.

Here's to late night baking.

Cheers!

Green Day

2009-03-17T07:18:00.001-05:00

Jeanetta vs. the Volcano

2009-03-13T07:08:00.005-05:00

This past Monday Luke turned 5.I really can't believe it.

We had his party the Saturday before and he asked for a volcano cake.

Specifically a volcano cake that would erupt orange juice. I opted for a colored egg white and sugar mixture with the magic ingredient..... dry ice.

Very imaginative child.

Luke's favorite show right now is "Ace of Cakes".

And I have to pretty much say it's one of mine too.

But I feel like I at least lived up to the Legend of Duff in my child's eyes.

Take a look

2009-03-09T21:05:00.003-05:00

I added some new pages to my website, www.JeanettaDarley.com .

Under the Portfolio section you will find two new pages for your viewing pleasure. Both are picture galleries with one being of my murals works and the other a collection of my more straight forward fine art pieces.

I wish I had more time to devote to increasing more fine art. But since I have commandeered the dining room table already with sewing, and have built myself a little crocheting nest next to the couch in the living room, I just don't think Ben will approve of another corner of the house being taken over by yet another one of my messy hobbies.

The weather has been so grand lately I could take my painting outside. But alas I hear there is a down turn later this week.

Spring will get here soon, I am sure of it.

The Farm Chicks

2009-03-01T09:34:00.002-06:00

If you love surprises then head over to The Farm Chicks.

They are offering a giveaway but its all a mystery.

Brrrrrrbrrrrbrrrrr

2009-02-28T18:02:00.007-06:00

Spring thou are a heartless tease!

It's snowing here. After such beautiful weather, most of which I spent looking dreamily out the glass doors of the library, winter so vehemently reminds me that it's still February.

Snow is still a new wonder to my kids. Last March when we got such a huge snowfall was the first time they had ever seen snow. So even though it had just started and the ground was entirely too warm for it to collect, they donned their puffy coats to go out and play. A futile hunt for gloves resulted in the use of socks to cover and protect little hands.

And what does one require when you finally return from the almost-maybe-possibly -if-it-keeps-up-till-Monday-we-might-get-a-day-off-winter-wonderland outside....... hot chocolate of course.

Today I had a mix, but about a month ago I didn't and made it from scratch and the pictures you see here are from that time. I had always meant to share them with you but it turned warm and not such hot cocoa weather.

Hope you are all warm and cozy :)

Spring is in the air

2009-02-27T07:11:00.004-06:00

At least it is at the Shoppes on Woodlawn.

Thursday morning I took in some of my newest handmade aprons. All of my new aprons are made from vintage linens. They embody two of my favorite things. Aprons and old sheets. :)

I would have loved to have kept them for myself but alas that defeats the purpose. :)

So....... "How Does Your Garden Grow"?

I have been dreaming of this aprons since I got the pillowcases it was made from. And I have had then for so long I can't begin to to tell you where they came from.

The skirt is very full and would make a lovely Easter dinner hostess apron or even donned over a flowy petticoat style skirt for you Easter outfit.

"In Full Bloom" for spring. Made from vintage napkins and rows of layered eyelet lace, this apron is pleated on the side which gives it a slight a-line appearance.

This "Delicate Flower" is perfect for your Easter brunch. made from gauze-like handkerchiefs that give the apron a petal effect.

"Springtime Memories" makes use of the only salvageable corner of a delicate vintage handkerchief. The apron's body was formerly an eyelet edged pillowcase.

I organized my wall very well to show off my aprons more. When I knew I was going to have to more from the parlor of the Shoppes, I had hoped to have enough floor space for a rolling clothes rack. If I couldn't have three dress forms then I figured hangers would be great for showing off my aprons.

Even though the rack wasn't feasible I think the hangers work very nicely.

Everything looks nicer to me. Did i just spring clean my area at the Shoppes? :) Maybe that can carry over to the house.

I am really ready for the cold weather to just move on out. It was already 80 degrees the other day in San Antonio.

But here in Arkansas winter is psyching us out again. A chilly rain has fallen tonight to remind me that its still February.

New Apron on Etsy

2009-02-23T17:55:00.003-06:00

I know I said it was new even though it may look familiar to you. Well at least its new to Etsy.

This was one of the aprons I sent off to Stampington for the new Apron-ology publication. I found out last month that neither of the aprons ( scroll down for pics)I sent had been accepted. :(

I ordered a copy anyway.

It came on Saturday and is very good. I recommend picking up or ordering a copy if you get the chance.

Today I received a package from Stampington. I was a bit sad to open it. But surprised that only one apron was in the envelope. There was a very nice note thanking me for my submissions of course and saying that my other entry was being considered for a sister publication. That really cheered me up :)

So maybe I'll get in there anyway.

Everything's coming up cupcakes

2009-02-08T19:03:00.007-06:00

My Etsy shop is resembling something more like a bake shoppe these days. I just wanted to show you some of the recent confections.

These first two were custom orders.

One a personalised birthday cupcake, with pearly sprinkles no less!

The other is a remake of a cupcake I made earlier called "Tiny Dancer". Everytime I think of this one I always have the Elton John song running through my head.

"Hold me closer tiny dancer..."

These other two I have had in my head for some time. Just like the Little House on the Cupcake's, even birds want to live in the sweetest spot. Both of these "Feather Your Nest" 's are listed on Etsy.

One in pink and one in blue. Both have a twig and leaf design on the bottom of the cupcake and pearls for eggs.

And speaking of sweet confections, I would like to mention a series of books I have become hooked one.

Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swensen Murder Mysteries.

Hannah owns a cookie shoppe and has an unfortunate knack of stumbling upon murder victims. And the added bonus of each book is that they are chocked full of recipes. I've been dying to get down to trying some of them but that requires time and a clean kitchen to start with. So for now I am just dreaming of them and sticking with my own easiest peanut butter cookie recipe.

In fact, I think I will take some of the dough out of the freezer and bake up a batch right now.

Good Night all!

Shoppe Love

2009-02-06T22:29:00.005-06:00

Or do you just love to shop?

The weather started to turn a few degrees warmer for First Thursday this week. So hopefully it was some great shopping inducing weather too.

Penelope in her Valentine Day finest.

"Home Is Where The Heart Is"

Layered ruffled apron in red and white with red satin waist band and ties."Love Birds"

"Queen Of Hearts"

Gathered half apron.

"Sweatheart"

Flat front apron with rounded edge and wide eyelet lace.

Apron Love

2009-01-27T16:16:00.003-06:00

A special offer for all you local readers out there.

It's a Valentine Special!

Print out this coupon and stop by the Shoppes on Woodlawn and pick up a great deal on my Valentine and everyday aprons.

Remember, I'm at the top of the stairs now. So treat your mom, treat your sister or friend, or treat yourself this Valentine's Day.

Movin' on up

2009-01-07T20:43:00.003-06:00

Well up the stairs that is.

Today I went to the shop to arrange my new space.

I have a perfectly lovely wall space at the top of the stairs.

Originally I had hoped for a bit more floorspace so that I could have placed a rolling rack for my aprons but I really like what I was able to do with the wall.

I found this old green window screen in my attic and it works perfect for displaying my aprons.

I have enough area for my shoppe girl Penelope. I don't believe you have been formally introduced before.

Say hello to the nice people Penelope.

Farmgirls love fresh eggs.
These are a couple of my "Farmgirl" aprons. They personify what I like to call the "Farmgirl Philosophy". Every "Farmgirl" apron is made from vintage or reclaimed fabric, usually from bed or table linens. The whole idea of using what you have and giving old items a new purpose.

I hope to find this move to be very pleasing. The space is much more manageable for the time I have to offer to my crafting these days.
Ya'll come on up and see me sometime!

Be Your Own Contractor

2009-01-07T07:53:00.002-06:00

That's the newest fad in getting a new house right.

Who knows anymore right? :)

But you can still live out your dream of custom home ownership......

Just maybe on a smaller scale.

Introducing

Customised Little House on the Cupcake.

Just like my regular personalised cupcakes, you get to choose the colors you would like and what you would like the tag to say.

I thought they would be great for a house warming gift or just a memento of your own special abode. You could even put your street address on the tag.

I've even had a few customers say they used them with their Christmas villages. Wouldn't that be adorable. A whole neighborhood living on cupcakes. Definitely no sub-prime mortgages there.

Cloud '09

2009-01-05T22:29:00.005-06:00

Hello all. Happy New Year 2009!

I was just thinking back over the past year as to what an example of extremes it was. 2008 didn't start out so well....

Many family issues.

Job uncertainties.

Still owning a home in San Antonio.

Gas prices were unbelievable!

And the economy just sucking in general.

But I must say that God is good and the year rounded itself out really well.

Gas dropped.

I found a job out side the home that I really enjoy.

aaaaaaand ......

We sold the house in San Antonio!!!

At the moment I am in sewing machine limbo. I need a new one. My whole life I have sewed on an old Kenmore that's older than I am. She needs some TLC but I don't have the time to wait around for that. So I need to go test drive some new ones.

But there is a problem in that I can't find a moment to start the research. Yeah I know I work in a library but its not like they have a bank of sewing machines you can sign up for like you do a computer. :)

But I have a great friends. Great friends with perfectly good sewing machines they have never used. Who are willing to contribute to my cause while I work my way out of limbo.

I'm experiencing a limbo of another sort as well. If you have read Jerusalem's post then you know that we no longer have the parlor room at the Shoppes on Woodlawn. I am moving my aprons and signs to a smaller area upstairs. So you will just have to walk a little bit more to get my goodies. :)

Goodwill toward men

2008-12-24T16:22:00.003-06:00

Merry Christmas!

It's in the air!!

2008-12-10T08:00:00.004-06:00

Yes Christmas is getting closer and closer! And have I done any shopping?

NO!!!!!!!!

As usual I plan to make alot of the gifts I give. But as usual I am terribly behind.

You may have noticed I have my Christmas playlist up right now. Its been my "jolly inspiration" lately. I also crank it up really loud to roll the kids out of bed in the morning.

I had a craft fair here in Conway this past weekend and it went great. My first customers were some great ladies who knew me from The Shoppes. They were surprised to find out I lived in Conway and glad that they could get me here locally. Their enthusiasm really encouraged me because i had been feeling very very very overwhelmed lately. With working 30 hours at the library, it hasn't left much time for sewing or crafting or cleaning.

Still available in the Etsy shop are the Gingerbread House versions of the "Little House on the Cupcake" series.

I am so tickled that these have been so popular. Because they just make me so giddy to finish them.

Ok well off o the library. Have a great day!

ummmm Hi

2008-12-02T06:56:00.004-06:00

Hey there. Almost like I fell off the face of the earth huh? No not that, just things happen so quickly around here sometimes.

You know... kids, sewing, the holidays, a new job, crocheting cupcakes, laundry.....

Yes I did say a new JOB. Like many of us crafty mommas out there I have entered the work force. I just sort of sped up the inevitable seeing that my youngest will be in full time school next year.

Before I tell you where my new employment is let me preface it with something. Jerusalem and I have mentioned before that we have some sort of mind link. Almost as if we are on some parallel course sometimes through no intentional effort of our own we do the same things. Come up with the same idea at the very same time, have conversations without uttering a word, showing up dressed the same, and now......... Yes I work for my local public library. Yes it gets spooky sometimes.

I am enjoying it but with working 30 hours a week I am finding it really difficult to do all the things I love like sewing and crochet and painting and crafting. Especially for this Christmas season. First Thursday is this week and I have a craft fair here in Conway on Saturday. So yes I am feeling a bit stressed out about things. I love making these pretty things. I'm just trying to adjust my life to my new schedule.

But here are some lovely little pieces to be seen at the craft fair this Saturday and Etsy

I'm sick

2008-11-11T08:46:00.003-06:00

Don't worry.

It's nothing contagious.

Just a serious case of home-owner-itis.

At the end of last week, we realised that the outtake pipe on our washing machine has been leaking water into the wall. Apparently its been doing this for a while. How did i come to that conclusion you might ask?

Take a look at the floor in the boys room which is on the other side of said leaky wall.

This area is under their bunk bends and dresser so i never noticed it. Recently i had been finding damp things in this area but attributed it to dropped water bottles or cups of water.

But no.

Now we have a small scale model of the Rocky Mountains in my boys' room.

I was even more discourage because i had spent the last weekend tackling a huge amount of laundry that had accumulated do to my fervently crafting activities as of late. I thought i was doing really good. And I was making things worse.

Ben did fix the washing machine this Sunday. Apparently there was some blockage in the outtake pipe and when the washing machine would drain the water would just spew out the top.

Oh and did i mention that it has weakened the floor in the utility room and the hot water tank is sinking? Yeah it just gets better doesn't it.

But on a brighter note. I got a mention on the Farm Chicks blog. How shocked was I on that!

And I will have pics of my goodies that are headed to the Vinyard Church Holiday Bazaar this weekend as well as the Hillcrest Holiday Open House.

Crisp and clean

2008-11-05T08:53:00.004-06:00

Just like the fall.

Jerusalem and I weren't quite ready for the explosion that is Christmas in the Shoppes.

So we opted to delay its set up for a couple of weeks and enjoy the wonderfulness that is Fall.

The muted pallet may seem strange for our little room that is usually alive with color, but its suiting our moods right now.

I have a few craft fairs I am gearing up for. One will be in Little Rock on the 15th and the other will be here in Conway on the 6th of December. I'll get more info out to you soon and hope that you can stop by.And if you are one of those frugal types that like to buy after the fact and save for next year, stop by the shoppe soon because all of our Halloween is 75% off. How can you beat that deal?

A Day Out With..

2008-11-03T19:09:00.006-06:00

... my family.Oh and Thomas the Tank Engine too.

Weekend before last we traveled to Rusk, Tx with my parents for the Thomas experience.If you are unfamiliar with A Day Out With Thomas here it is in a nut shell.

They hook a life size Thomas the Train up to a line of coaches and take you for a 30 minutes ride.

There are also other attractions and fun things to do while you wait for your scheduled ride. There are tables after tables of toy trainsStorytelling and sing a longsMeeting Sir Topham Hatt And of course bubblesWhen David and Phoebe were younger we had taken a DOWT in Austin. While it was in the nice downtown district once you got on for you ride you were chugging through the slums of Austin. Not the most aesthetically pleasing. This Time in Rusk was great. We got a nice ride through the hills and forest of the East Texas Piney Woods. The colors weren't quite as out as they have been here but it was still very enjoyable to look at out your window.

But this time was really for Luke.

Here he is with his ticket to ride.Thrilled as you can see.

Mom and I got a lot of great pics and these are only a few. I'll try to post more later.

Treats

2008-10-28T18:40:00.003-05:00

Luke's class is having a little Halloween party tomorrow and I signed up for the treat bags. I've come to really like this as a party favor because of the fun things I brainstorm to make.

These are much like the treat bags I made for Phoebe's class last year. Only with a different theme.

I sewed the bags up with some thrifted orange fabric. And broke out a toy I've been too scared to try using after I've had it for over a year. Its a stencil making kit basically and I can't quit thinking of my options for Christmas now.

These little pins are a version of the tags i use for my aprons and cupcakes.

And the ghosty-pops are too cute. They are simple, simple, simple.

Take your everyday lollipop... i used chocolate centered Dum-Dums. Wrap the round part with a coffee filter. I used two mainly because i could see the wrapper threw it but then the double layer gave it such a flounciness. And you know that's what 3 and 4 year olds look for in their ghosty-pops. Tie the next up with some ribbon or yarn. Then dot on some eyes and a mouth.

I've added in some fun little glow things from the dollar store too. But definitely be on the look out for the Christmas themed ones in the next few weeks.

It's just too easy

2008-10-22T15:55:00.002-05:00

God makes it way to easy to get awesome photographs at this time of year.

Oh Great Pumpkin Where Art Thou

2008-10-21T08:53:00.004-05:00

Yes and that is one of my favorite movies too.

Its pumpkin patch time. Every where on blogland they are rolling out. And I absolutely love it!!

I'm such a Fall girl. Other people find great inspiration in Spring and Christmas time but for me theor is nothing like Fall. The juxtopotion of the cooler temps with warm colors popping out everywhere just makes me giddy.

Sunday after church we took the kids to agreat little pumpkin farm in Greenbrier called the Johnston Pumpkin Farm. Its a great little pumpkin patch with pumpkins still on the vine! Did you know that the true deep orange color isn't achieved until after they have been cut?

Professional Pumpkin Wrangler.

Isn't this the most beautiful turkey. I wish i could have gotten a good shot with out the fencing in front of him.

We brought home over 100 pounds of pumpkins that afternoon! Some for pies, some for just looking pretty, and of course 3 HUGE ones for carving. Hmmm sounds messy doesn't it.

To the fair

2008-10-20T11:36:00.004-05:00

Wow! I guess this was about a month ago.

We all gathered up one afternoon after school and hit the Faulkner County Fair. It's a small fair, nothing like the State Fair or even the Rodeo in San Antonio. Its just enough taste of sawdust to get it out of your system.

Getting lost in the funhouse.

Will Luke ever ride with Phoebe behind the wheel again?

Doesn't look like it.

Sheer terror!

Rockin' and Rollin'

Phoebe loved it.... David? Ummmm not so much.

I love what you're wearing!

Candy apples and my Candy Man.

Home again home again jiggidy jig.

pictures taken by me and my mom.

Our House.....

2008-10-19T20:50:00.004-05:00

.....is a very very very fine house (fine house).

A very fine house indeed, especially when its built upon a cupcake.

Look for these and other very sweet real estate deals in the Etsy shop and the soon to be opening Lollishops.

Yummy made easy

2008-10-17T08:44:00.008-05:00

These are the easiest and quickest cookies I believe I have ever made. my friend Amy made them once when we went over to her house and I almost ate the whole plate.

I would describe them as "if peanut brittle wanted to be a cookie, this is what it would be". There are only 3 ingredients and they are things you probably have in your cupboard right now. How easy is that?

1 cup crunchy peanut butter

1 cup sugar

1 egg

Mix all of these together with a fork. Spoon out the dough and bake at 350 for 12-15 min. Place on a rack to cool.

Isn't that almost too easy. I guess it could be too easy in a bad way as well because you could make them all the time. :) But I figure with the peanut butter and egg they lean to the healthy side. Just a little.

I got to thinking how great these would be is you melted down some chocolate and dipped one side or even drizzled it over the tops of the cookies. Quick and easy for the holidays when we are all trying to come up with ideas for gifts.

Enjoy and don't burn yourself out on them. :)

Get your spook on!

2008-10-10T09:53:00.002-05:00

All Halloween has been reduced in the Etsy shop.

Stop on by for great deals and squeals!

Lucky Penny

2008-10-09T09:15:00.003-05:00

This apron was made upon request for a dear woman named Penny who I have gotten to know through The Shoppes. We bonded over aprons and our passion for the color orange.

She wanted a full length apron with orange in it of course.
I used this fantastic orange and yellow ticking I had been saving in my own personal stash. I hadn't used it yet so it might as well be put to good use for a fellow orange lover.The floral pattern is from an old sheet set I found. Another of my faves that I had been saving for the right project. The retro print is so great and feels so soft. I think it has a very "fall" vibe to it and just perfect for this time of year. Yet the color pallet is still light enough that it could go great in the spring and summer too.The pockets and bib are topped off with a ruffle of an Amy Butler print.

And one of my aprons just isn't complete without a tag. Penny never requested that it say anything specific, but I couldn't think of anything better than putting her name on it. It is sheer Penny!

Aprons on Etsy

2008-10-05T20:03:00.003-05:00

I have new aprons up for your viewing ( and buying... wink wink :) pleasure.

One can never have enough aprons I believe. They are kind of like shoes in that respect. Don't you think?

Don't have a costume for Halloween? Well this apron is perfect for you.

whirlwind

2008-09-29T20:13:00.006-05:00

Wow!

This has defiantly been one super busy week. It actually started last Saturday and Sunday when I did some painting for a friend of mine whose expecting her first baby and moving into a new abode so that they can accommodate their new addition.

Then I spent the week preparing for HarvestFest. Jerusalem and I had a great booth there but true to form I snapped no pictures of it. Just believe me when I say it looked too "us". And I sold a beau coup de aprons! I love it when people love on my aprons. I feel like they are going to good homes. :)

But here is my reasoning for not getting pictures of the booth and if you continue to read on I am sure you will see my reasoning. I still haven't bought a memory stick for my camera. So I have to depend on the internal memory which only holds about 7 pictures. Yes I'm just lazy.

Anyway the high point of HarvestFest for us and especially for Phoebe who got dropped off that afternoon, was the fashion show put on by the Box Turtle that was at 7 that evening. we closed up out booth at 5 so we had plenty of time to pack everything up and move it over to the Shoppe and get back in time to see........

That's right!! Korto from Project Runway!! In case you didn't know she is from Little Rock, AR and has had her designs for sale at the Box Turtle.

She was very inspiring and just the way she seems on the show. She talked about how you should never give up on your dreams because they can come true. Apparently they did because they told us that she did show at Bryant Park!!!! We just have to find out if she wins!!!

Here she is with her models. I was in such a hurry to get pics that I didn't notice what setting I had it on. Not to mention it was a late night to a very long day and I was beginning to sneeze my head off. But we had a great time and I was so thrilled to be able to experience it with Phoebe and Jerusalem. We were about 6 ft from the stage so Phoebe got a great view... as well as us bigger fans. :)

***************

We loaded all of our HarvestFest leftovers ( oh there were plenty..heehee) into the Shoppe for First Thursday coming up on.... well you guessed it Thursday. It looks like Halloween exploded in there. And there is lots of new furniture pieces as well.

These are actually two separate pieces. The top is an old window and some old fencing. It is hangable as well. The table part is made from lore of the same old fencing and some old table legs I had laying around. Both pieces would look great inside or outside your home.

These end tables were distressed a bit and later given an antique glaze. It's hard to tell in the picture but there are little touches of robin's egg blue peeking throw the white.

A House Divided

2008-09-19T08:11:00.009-05:00

Its not divided equally. Not that I really mind or care (sorry Cyndi :). I am fairly neutral in my devotion to either team. As I have said before, football was never really a big deal to me. Sure I went to the games growing up but it was never.... oh for lack of a better word..... a "lifestyle choice" of mine. :)

Ben on the other hand is Crimson through and through. Oh he will root for the Hogs but not when they are playing Alabama. Watching Ben watch Alabama football has been something I've had to condition myself for over these 10 years. While I still find yelling at the tv and throwing things as well not the most civilized of behaviors, I have learned to tune it out and accept it.

He always wants the kids dressed in their Bama gear for this weekend. He even made a point of going through all the laundry to dig out all the shirts so everyone would have an ample supply for the whole weekend.

And since we have moved back to Arkansas, I think he feels the need to flaunt it even more. He has already coached David on his response to the flack he might (ok will) receive today at school. Let's see how did that go?
"All I am saying is 12 National Championships. How many does Arkansas have?"

So I don't fight it. See that way if Alabama wins, I haven't dug a hole for myself. And he's happy. If Arkansas wins, I get to passive-aggressively rub it in. Either way I come out ok. :)

And I am also a product of my environment from the past 10 years. Last year I happened to be at Jerusalem's house while Nathan was watching the game. Ben of course was at home. He really doesn't like mixed company for the game if you know what I mean. Anyway, it was odd hearing someone root against Alabama. I found myself almost insulted by Nathan's outbursts (which I might add are as uncivilized as Ben's).

We toyed with actually going to the game this year, but decided against the cost an would plan for it in 2 years. I think I might have to make a house divided shirt. You know take a Hogs shirt and a Bama one and cut them up the middle and sew the two shirts back together. Maybe I could be the spokesperson for creating harmony in football induced broken homes. I could wear my team pride badges for both teams. If I was at the game that would definitely get me on TV don't you think?

* Just to mention TV, our own little Phoebe was picked to be in a group of 3rd graders to have breakfast with THV 11 weatherman Tom this morning at her school. I had to get her there at 4:50am. Yeah I'm draggin already. But if you caught the show from 5-8 you might of seen her.

2008-09-19T08:11:00.007-05:00

Nothing like snagging the last piece of cake and left over coffee from this morning.

a fair parade

2008-09-16T18:26:00.002-05:00

Today was the Faulkner County Fair Parade. We live so close to downtown that we always walk. This is a picture of our walk home. The only pictured I managed to take. I took to sneezing my head off this afternoon and was in a benedryl daze during the whole affair.

I have decided that next year I want to have a float. And its going to be an Etsy float. Don't you think that would just be an awesome way to advertise.

I could get Cyndi and Chris and Jerusalem and any other AREtsians in the area and we could have an awesome float getting the word out about handmade artisans.

I think it would totally rock! Or maybe it's just the benedryl talkin'.

what's a witch without her hat

2008-09-12T09:14:00.003-05:00

I've been turning out the Halloween party hats the past couple of days. These will most likely be for my table at HarvestFest in a couple of weeks in Hillcrest. Do drop by if you are in the area.

I'll have more Halloween aprons and such on display there too. I have about 6 of them all waiting patiently for waist bands. Guess I need to run by Hancock's for more bias tape.

On another note...... wish me luck. I sent off a couple of submissions for Stampington's Apron-olgy publication. It's the first time I have done anything like that. The deadline is on the 15th so i got them out by priority yesterday. Yeah just call Mrs. Procrastination. It should probably be my first, middle, and last name.

Would you like to see my submissions?

Well ok since you asked so nicely.

The first one is called "Out With The Wash". It used to be a pillowcase and I rescued it from Savers because I could tell it had very strong aspirations of being an apron.

The second apron is called "Soiree" and has a

print with little girls in frilly dresses and petticoats enjoying a party.

So fingers crossed.

The winner is...

2008-09-08T07:03:00.003-05:00

Dawn!!!

-Beautiful -- and I got here in the nick of time! :)Just in case I finally win one of these contests!

Thanks to all of you that entered. And all of you that mentioned me on your blog. I found some nice new bloggy friends.

Dawn wins the Sis Boom covered composition book

and gets to pick one item from my Etsy shop.

Well I am off to clean today. Yeah. Joy.

Give Away Update

2008-09-05T08:44:00.002-05:00

Just to add a bit of icing to the cake.

If you win the Sis Boom book, you also get to choose an item from my Etsy shop.

So go sign up!

Tricks and Treats

2008-09-04T20:35:00.004-05:00

Jerusalem and I started pulling our tricks out of out witches' hats today. Stop by the Shoppes on Woodlawn and visit the parlor room for lots of treats.

This apron is named "Wickedly Delicious". I am still getting used to a new camera and not to mention the lighting was horrible in the room tonight due to the no sun for 3 days thing we've had going here. So all that made the details really difficult to see, but this apron is made from a black and gray spider web print with black tulle and white jumbo rickrack trim.

As you can tell the Witches hats are back.

"Are you a good witch or a bad witch"

- Glenda the Good Witch from the Wizard of OZ

This apron says "Happy Halloween" and is made from a vintage pillowcase. an Amy Butler print and black jumbo rickrack.

Let your true colors show through this Halloween.

This is an awesome Alexander Henry print. I absolutely love it! Its aptly named "Trick-R-Treat" and has black rickrack trim.

Its football season in case you haven't noticed and here is our Razorback corner. Wooo GO HOGS!

Please drop by and visit us at the shop. We have a guest book and would love to hear from you.

Dont forget to sign up for the giveaway!

Today for me, Tomorrow for you

2008-09-02T22:25:00.006-05:00

Today I got something for me.

And tomorrow ..... ok not really tomorrow. But there is something for you.

Last week I won a giveaway from Jennifer at Sis Boom Day Dreams. I know many of you are familiar with Jennifer's wonderful fabrics and designer items she makes from them. I think she has a dream job. A Sis Boom Day Dream job. Sorry for the horrible pun. I think it would be so awesome to design my own fabric. That way my creations would be just what I am looking for.

But I digress...... on to the "for you" part. I got to pick from a bevy of beautiful books that were covered in Sis Boom fabrics. And boy was it a hard choice. You can ask Jennifer. I took forever.

I got to choose two books. One for me and one to give away.... that's the "for you" part in case your keeping track.

They arrived today. I didn't realize until I opened them that they were removable covers for composition books. So once you fill this one up you can grab another and keep on writing in super chic fashion.

And while it was a hard choice deciding which book to keep, I went with my signature color.... green in the Casey Scroll print.

So I am offering this lovely blue on blue Molly print book to you.

Simply leave a comment here and I will choose a winner on .... oh ...... let's say Monday. Its a crazy week with First Thursday and all coming up and having a three day weekend makes for a short week. That's always hard when your crunching to get things done.

Also you can earn a second entry by mentioning my giveaway on your own blog. Many will enter but only one will win. Haha.... a little cereal box humor there.

So get those comments humming.

****Give Away Update****

Not only do you get the lovely book but you get to pick one item from my Etsy shop as your very own.

GO TEAM GO!

2008-08-29T08:07:00.006-05:00

WE'VE GOT SPIRIT!

YES WE DO!

WE'VE GOT SPIRIT!

HOW 'BOUT YOU?!

It's that time of year again. School starts and so do the football games and eventually basketball and all other kinds of athletic things that I have never been more than an observer of.

David wanted to sign up for the football leagues.

I wasn't exactly thrilled about this. He had been in basketball before and I like the less contact aspect of that sport. After this summer I was even convinced that swimming would be the right sport....... no contact there. See where I am going with this?

But he really wanted to do this, so I said ok.

We've been to 3 practices so far. I think Ben is actually more excited than anyone else. Wait maybe excited isn't the right word. Thrilled? Or maybe beside himself with giddiness. No David's team isnt the Air Force. Its and old jersey of Ben's fromhis military days.

Apparently David has been made a running back. What ever that means, like I said my only knowledge of the sport is that you have to get the ball to end zone.

I am happy about the fact that everyone takes this very seriously. I'm not saying it's all "winning is everything" but they sure don't have the we're-all- winners-this-is-just-for-fun attitude. It's like for real.

So in the "spirit" of the season. Haha, get that? I have added some new items to the etsy shop.

Team Pride Badges.

Your choice of 2 colors of crepe paper, gold or silver glitter, and the wording you would like in the center. You can also personalise them for individual players and their numbers. Great for pep rallies and tailgate parties too.

This one was made for the upcoming Razorback Tailgate Game.

Wooooo Pig Sooooie!

Go Hogs Go!

If you have noticed the music on the side bar you must realize that we are a house divided. Ben, being an Alabama native, is Roll Tide Roll through and through. I being an Arkansan naturally root for the Razorbacks, well as much as I actually root for any sporting event. So i had to represent both fight songs. But you can see which one is first and is longer. ;)

*Also, a funny little side note. Cyndi's son Drew is also in the football league. David and Drew are on different teams though. But guess who their first games are against........

That's right, each other.

So for amusing banter and trash talk I am sure you will want to keep up with mine and Cyndi's blog over the next couple of months. :) But of course we will both be sporting our Team Pride Badges for our boys.

feeling a little wicked

2008-08-28T13:15:00.004-05:00

I'm so proud of me.
I have started my Halloween fancies and actually gotten them into the Etsy shop.

one week down

2008-08-25T19:32:00.004-05:00

The first week of school has come and gone.

I must say I am excited to have my house back.

I walked the kids to school everyday except one morning that it rained.

The weather has been unseasonably cool for August in Arkansas.

But you aren't finding me complaining.

The first morning with everyone gone, even Luke has PK every morning, I wasn't quite sure what to do. The house was so quiet. After 2 and a half months of everyone here everyday, it was quite an adjustment. But I quickly turned on some Burn Notice episodes online and got to work on some much needed crafting.

This past Saturday Jerusalem and I joined Cyndi for a show. We threw ( and yes practically last minute) together our wares for The Great Escape. Sort of a spa day for women that benefits the women shelter.

Let me tell you we were a crafting trifecta.

Most of the booths were businesses or product demonstrations. We were one of maybe four booths selling gift type items and the only one entirely handmade! As usual I fell short on the picture front and only snapped a quick one before things got busy. I know you other girls got some shots so hopefully you'll get them up too.

I am officially in Halloween mode for the Shoppe and Etsy. The next First Thursday will kick our bevy of holiday goodness. Really I cant wait to get to started. While it gets very stressful I am usually bursting with ideas and love the inspiration that flies around. So stay tuned and if I can get back into a good computer groove I'll try to keep you in the know. :)

before you have your coffee

2008-08-15T07:31:00.002-05:00

somethings just shouldn't happen before you have had your coffee.
like having the whole huge container of coffee slipp off the edge of the counter, your still asleep hands unable to stop the wreckage, and it completely empty itself onto the floor of the kitchen.
you better believe i scooped most of it up and put it back in the container. so if visiting friends reading this would prefer to not drink my coffee for a few weeks and bring their own i wont be offended.

let the countdown commence

2008-08-11T14:16:00.006-05:00

7 days

One week till I get my house back. School starts next Monday and I couldn't be happier. Ben actually started back today which in a way is a bummer because now its just me and the kids for a week.

Our last month or so of vacation has been rather eventful. Heck the last week has been a whirlwind of bike wrecks, getting ready for First Thursday, and a triathlon.

So yes last week was First Thursday down in dear ole Hillcrest. So there was the normal hysteria that comes with that. The kitchen table was a mountain of glitter and fabric for weeks.

The Shoppes on Woodlawn where Jerusalem and I have our little space was celebrating their 5th anniversary. So we took off with a Happy Birthday theme to knock you socks off. Check out Jerusalem's post for more on the event and pictures.

So yes I mentioned a bike wreck. Ben has always been into cycling. This summer he deiced he wanted to do a triathlon. So he has been training at the pool and running and even got a new mountain bike. He left out Tuesday morning for Mt. Nebo around Morrilton, AR. I get a call from him about 4 hours later saying he's had a fall on the bike and needs me to see where the VA hospital is in Little Rock. He had flipped over the handle bars and banged up his right side shoulder, elbow and ribs and he was having trouble breathing.

Yeah not at all what you wanted to hear, right?

Luckily after spending the whole day at the ER they said nothing was broken and gave him some meds that helped relieve the pain and made breathing easier. It sure took care of that first triathlon he was supposed to do on Sunday though.

But we did have success in a triathlon this weekend.

NOOOO not me you silly people. :)

David and Phoebe participated in the Conway Kids Triathlon.

I was so proud of them for doing this and it turned out to be awesome weather right after some scorching heat we'd been having.

So now we are getting ready for school mode. Got the supplies today. Wasn't a pretty sight as I was having a huge allergy fit. Yeah I could tell my feeble attempts at covering the items from my spray wasn't going over well with the other back to school shoppers.

Looks like summer vacation is nearing an end. Hopefully I will be around here more.

me dot com

2008-07-26T21:57:00.004-05:00

After much tinkering and a lot of help from my fairy html-mother, I am proud to announce

JeanettaDarley.com

officially open!

a good year for plums

2008-07-16T08:50:00.007-05:00

Wasn't that a book or a movie or something?

I have to brag on my mom today. While visiting her sister in Salado, AR (pronounced with 2 short a's instead of the long second a like the TX town), a neighbor said they could help themselves to the abundance their plum trees had produced. They simply didn't have the time to pick them.

Mom told me she wished she'd had a big ladder so that she cold reach those on the top but they gathered as many as they could from the lower branches and the ground.

She brought them home and did something she hadn't done since the night before I was born. She made plum jelly.

Didn't they turn out just beautiful. I had my first taste of it this morning on my toast. Plum jelly or jam happens to be my most favorite.

I am really inspired by this. With the rising cost of groceries, the thought of canning and freezing foods has become appealing. I know that it would be terribly time consuming but that's probably why we are in some of the predicaments we are in these days. We don't take the time with anything anymore.

Like many others out there in blogland this summer, I am finding it harder and harder to actually come to blogland. Even reading other's ramblings and leaving comments. Somehow I feel like this is a good thing.

How I love thee.....

2008-07-10T20:27:00.004-05:00

Oh cabinet doors...... let me count the ways. Count two, because there are 2 sides to this screen.
This side displays a collection of vintage architectural items. I decoupaged pages from the works of Ralph Waldo Emerson onto the back of three cabinet doors. Then painted a blue border around each one. To give the items on the right and left side more emphasis I framed them out in rust red blocks. After that i used my favorite product of which I refer to as "liquid dirt". Its a water based stain and makes things look so old and vintage-y.

The reverse side uses the front side of the cabinet doors as you can see the detailing. The leaves were cut from the same book of Emmerson. Some were tinted green and others left plain until wiped with "liquid dirt".

I love how it turned out. Absolutely love it. It was commissioned for a client of Jerusalem's. And i actually get to keep it around my house for a while till the future owners return from Mexico.

I went by Habitat today and scored a huge amount of new cabinet doors. you can bet there will be some of these in the shops soon.

glorious fourth

2008-07-03T23:16:00.003-05:00

There's nothing like a Sousa march to get you all patriotic. If you are reading this in bloglines of something similar hop on over to the real deal and check out my music.

Don't the shoppe girls look ready for the Forth. I told Jerusalem i wish we could make them look like they were standing ready to pledge allegiance to the flag.

Today was First Thursday and we gave the room a little fluff. I'll put more pics up from it later....... maybe...... hopefully. ;)

Hope you all have a great holiday!

glitter & grunge

2008-07-01T10:18:00.003-05:00

I've been so excited about this since Claire contacted me about joining a co-op of artist she is part of called Glitter & Grunge. I felt so honored.... like...... "me? really?"

But on my page you can see some of my things from Etsy listed and a couple of G&G exclusive items.

*****************************

I had a pretty good birthday week. I say week because it did sort of drag out from Monday, my actual birthday, to Friday when we had a bunch of folks over. We strung up lights outside and i made a huge vat of sangria and Ben made his standard hot wings. Then everyone else just brought some side dishes or appetizers. There was so much good food.

i got 2 items off my Etsy wish list.

Thanks Jeru and Cyndi. And the funniest book from Kim.

But like the doof that I am there are no pics of that evening because my batteries had lost their charge. I do believe that Jerusalem snapped a few but we'll have to wait and see. :)

the double 3

2008-06-23T18:23:00.001-05:00

yep its official. today i am 33.

new wall hangings

2008-06-22T11:57:00.004-05:00

I did these for the same lady that the sweet tooth wall hangings were done for. She like those so much that she wanted me to paint some princess themed ones for her granddaughters' room.
I paint these on the back of vinyl flooring. Just the way you do floor coverings. There are grommets in the corners so all you have to do is tack a couple of small nails in the wall and away you go.
I'm thinking this is a great way to make portable murals. Must think more about that........

this one time at craft camp.....

2008-06-20T09:52:00.003-05:00

ok so i never went to camp.

never.

not even church camp.

ok so one summer i went to a day camp a local church was sponsoring but i think that's about as close as i ever got.

as a family we always went camping but i don't think that's really the same thing.

well her majesty of craftiness, jerusalem, is putting together a camp that i think i could get into.

Introducing Camp STORIA

What it is

A password protected blog that will feature fun vintage inspired craft projects (beyond Popsicle sticks we promise) downloads, recipes and entertaining ideas for you, all centered around a specific holiday/seasonal related theme.

Who it is it for

Anyone who wants to add a little more crafty fun to their life!

When it is

Our first session - Camp OLD GLORY starts June 24 and runs through July 10.Our second session Camp BEACH BUM will start July 24 and run through August 10.

What does it cost

$ 15 for 6 crafts and bonus downloads per session.

for more info on how to join all this fun check out the camp counselors post here.

i also hear she has the best model too...... very very pretty.

victorious!!!!!!!!

2008-06-18T23:44:00.003-05:00

I have wrestled all day long with msn messenger. it just would not sign in. i was trying everything...... all the little help topics.

see i feel rather lost with out messenger. it tells me when i have messages and lets me chat with my peeps throughout the day. and it was driving me crazy that i couldn't get it to work. finally at about 15 till midnight here i fix it. would you believe it was the date set wrong on my computer. go figure. i have no idea how it got set a month ahead.

but either way messenger is back and all is right in the the world.... well a least in my little world.

on tuesday night cyndi and i went to a yarn night i guess you might say at a lovely little shop in russelville, ar. knit 2 together is a great little yarn shop and they were interested in looking at cyndi's wonderful hand dyed and hand spun creations. i toted some of my crocheted concoctions to show as well.

we had a great time with one of the owners stephanie and a great group of ladies just sitting around taking and fashioning our yarns into all kinds of what-have-you's. cyndi brought her wheel and mesmerised everyone as usual as she turned out a skein of handspun.

now you may notice a certain lack of actual pictures from the night. that's because mine and cynci's brains must be made of yarn because we both forgot to charge our cameras.

they don't have a website yet. we need to get them blogging don't we cyndi? lets just threaten to smack 'em. :)

wish list for 33

2008-06-16T05:11:00.005-05:00

fyi for those interested.........

all the pics will link to a description.

you know just in case you felt like shopping for ummm..... you know..... something special....... for someone.....who has a birthday coming up....... like maybe next monday.

or something.

*****addendum******

......something like books are nice too.

49 sensational skirts

the apron book

alabama stitch book

check out this chick

2008-06-12T07:07:00.003-05:00

isn't is the cutest.

and check out the cool chick that made it.

lindsey

the farrier's daughter

slap on a badge

2008-06-12T06:25:00.004-05:00

show your pride this 4th.

these paper badges are great for wearing to summer parties, just pin them on and go.

or you can use them to decorate a package.

or use them as purely decoration around you house. just pin the back to a ribbon and hang them on the wall or even decorate a festive bouquet by sliding a floral pic through the back of the closed pin.

really the possibilities are endless.

find them here.

8

2008-06-07T07:55:00.003-05:00

sorry its a day late little girl. i love you and have fun on your trip.

too busy for words.

2008-06-07T07:10:00.003-05:00

its the truth. my summer has started out with a whirlwind. so many projects. you know that old saying "when it rains it pours".

i'm trying to stay very scheduled this summer. its easy for me to work more during the summer because with ben's job i have a built in childcare. so any one needing in-home projects let me know.... murals, painting techniques. :)

last week was crazy for jerusalem and i both as i was doing some wall hangings to go into a job she was designing. i even did some straight forward painting while we were at the house and the scheduled painter couldn't make it.

and how crazy are we that this project was the same week as first thursday.

now i could have started those wall hangings the week before but we had phoebe's birthday party last sat so i was cleaning all week. that went great! i tried my hand at cake pops.

and then the kids still had school monday and tuesday to make up for snow days. we are real sticklers for that. with ben teaching in the public school system you know and all. plus hello it free child care! and as i tell the kids...... "its your job, you go to school"

and i have gotten a couple of custom jobs through etsy that i am just tickled with. also there is an apron swap on the apronista that i am a week late getting out. sorry maren. :(

so yeah all of that to say summer is off with a bang!

i usually never do these but i must be bored

2008-05-31T17:49:00.003-05:00

1. Flying Jeanetta, 2. there's" nothing better than summer, 3. in the journey, 4. Verde no Aquarius, 5. bokeh & bubbles, 6. AKIBA Scenario, 7. Boat, 8. mango cheesecake, 9. La Luna, 10. Love, 11. fiery mum, 12. Stockings

the concept:

a. type your answer to each of the questions below into flickr search.

b. using only the first page, pick an image.

c. copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd's mosaic maker.

the questions:

1. what is your first name?

2. what is your favorite food?

3. what high school did you go to?

4. what is your favorite color?

5. who is your celebrity crush?

6. favorite drink?

7. dream vacation?

8. favorite dessert?

9. what you want to be when you grow up?

10. what do you love most in life?

11. one word to describe you.

12. your flickr name.

my answers

1. jeanetta..... see this is what you get when you have a name like mine. most of the pics that came up were actually related to me. but i chose one i like that wasnt.

2. chocolate

3. searcy high

4. green

5. johnny depp

6. coffee...... big shocker i know

7. italy

8. cheesecake

9. audrey hepburn

10. a cool breeze

11. loyal

12. jeanetta darley..... i didnt have much choice on this one lol. this is a pic that jerusalem took of the ragamuffin stocking i made for the shoppe this past chritsmas

made the mosaic here for free and i didnt even have to register

and i found this from kristy at vintage pleasures. check hers out.

smart girls ride bikes.

2008-05-29T21:31:00.003-05:00

she's called the scholar.

isn't she lovely.

i've wanted a retro styled bike since i saw catherine's electra amsterdam.

i thought hey i want a bike that looks that cool! i could get in shape and save gas. lots of benefits here. ben rides so he thought it was a good idea too and we planned on one for mother's day.

i bought one on ebay but in a very disappointing deal it fell through. I don't like talking about it.

so my search continued for the perfect bike.

i wanted one that didnt look like a modern bike but wasn't overly i'm a reproduction retro bike. did that make sense?

and i just fell in love with the sixthreezero's womens scholar.

so when she gets here i will be sure to show you all have cool we look together.

treats

2008-05-28T09:23:00.003-05:00

for me!!!!!

maren over on the apronista networking site rounded us up for a ric rac apron swap. and i got mine yesterday from christie.

i love it!

the colors the style everything i love it!

also ........

last time my brother in law kenny was here he noticed a few pieces from the golden butterfly corelle/pyrex patern that i have. he said that he used to have some that he had gotten from his mom but that he had given them away. i was crushed then.

but apparent the trickle down theory does work because it got back to his mom how much i loved the stuff and she sent me some of the pieces she still had.

aren't they great!!!! i just love them.

oh, say, can you see....

2008-05-28T08:52:00.004-05:00

the fireworks?

this girl has some mad drivin skills. or rather good timing. we just made it onto the broadway st bridge in little rock on sunday for the fireworks. if we'd been 4 cars back a huge building would have blocked the view and we would of had 5 very disappointed children with messy melted ice cream cones to sit and listen to as it took us an hour to get back to the house.

this past weekend was riverfest in little rock. a 3 day outdoor concert event. ben and i got buttons and took the kids to the opening night on friday. it was their first concert. they thought shooter jennings was too loud. but they rather enjoyed sawyer brown, who was replacing merle haggard at the last minute due to health issues. and he was on my list of old country singers i needed to hurry up and see before they died.

but how can you not enjoy sawyer brown. i had seen him once in high school and he likes to move around on the stage if you aren't familiar with him. well its been a few years since their star search glory days and he doesn't move quite as much as he use too but it was still a great show.

the plan was to set out the concerts on saturday and return sunday night for zz top. but we got to thinking that that crowd might not be the best for the kids. so i took one for the team and handed my button over to nathan and held up with jerusalem and the kids at her house.

ben called me towards the end of the concert rejoicing over the fact that we had not brought the kids. apparently nathan even had a few skirmishes with some unruly female concert goers. but he was determine and and plowed right through. lol. it wasn't his first rodeo.

lots of new things in etsy

2008-05-23T11:43:00.004-05:00

someone must a lit a fire under my behind because i got to listing on etsy.

10

2008-05-23T11:39:00.002-05:00

i love you ben! xoxo

why do the kids in that pic look so young to me? it doesnt seem like we should have aged this much in ten years. but i guess having 3 kids will do that to you.

elation!

2008-05-22T19:35:00.000-05:00

he got the job!!!!

3 and 4

2008-05-21T22:05:00.005-05:00

do you think it means something?

************************************

dropped in on the shoppe in hillcrest today to add some patriotic flare.

badges are on sale right now for $5....reg. $8

prayers vs luck

2008-05-20T16:50:00.003-05:00

can you believe we found another one?! and in about the same place. ben found this one with in the week after i found mine. should we head to vegas or what? actually i'm saving this luck for tomorrow. saving my luck and asking for prayers. ben has an interview tomorrow. some of you may or may not know if you just started reading lately but in february ben was told he would not be asked back for next year because of budget cuts. here's the whole story.
anyway tomorrow he interviews for a different position but whats great is that its at the same campus. so i am just asking for you prayers tomorrow evening around 5.

also i just have to say things finally feel lighter this afternoon. a cloud has been lifted and some tension released and it all makes me feel more relaxed than i have felt in over 2 months. xoxoxoxo to everyone.

upgraded to terminal

2008-05-16T07:25:00.005-05:00

remember when i said i had a sickness? well this week it felt like it was full blown.

its nearing the end of school and they are trying to make it fun for the kids. on thursday they had a sock hop scheduled and today was dress like a book character day. so this week was pretty much like dangling a steak in front of a lion. so many costumes so little time.

the sock hop was easy for david. he wanted an elvis look. we aimed for the jailhouse rock period with a black t and a black jacket of mine with a collar we could flip up. i wanted to get him some faux black all stars from walmart but they didn't have his size. so see i did compromise my idea just a bit. and then i cut out a guitar shape from poster board and wrote "elvis " on it. for that authentic look, ya know.

phoebe of course needed a poodle skirt. so we took the left over fabric from the pjs and made a simple circle skit. it took some finagling. with the waist band because i cut the inside circle to big. i had bought hot pink netting for a cancan but that just didn't materialise, nor did the actual poodle make it on the skirt. but i did get a pink "p" on her shirt ala lavern and shirly style.

then yesterday i knew i needed to get start on their costumes for today. but i hung out with cyndi all morning then remembered i needed to finish up some burp cloths for a friend who was picking them up on friday. so the book character costumes were put on hold for a bit. then there was actually making it to the sock hop and a boy scouts pack meeting.... that always takes waaaaaaay toooooo looooong. sheesh. so it was almost nine before i could get back to the projects including the burp cloths. so thanks to lots of grumbling and 27 dresses and all the special features i was able to knock out a knights costume and one purple crayon.

phoebe had the easy one this time. she was harold and the purple crayon. one big crayon out of poster board coming up. oh you say you cant find any purple poster board? well you've got paint. tada.

know david i think just wanted to be a knight. but the rules said it couldn't be from tv or movies and no superheroes and i took that to mean no action figures. so he had been reading a book called the castle in the attic. and guess what!! it had a knight in it. a silver knight. oh you say you cant find silver poster board? well you've got tin foil. tada....... ugg 2 am.

you might say why go to all this trouble. but i can't not do it. maybe its the years in the theatre costume department, maybe its the artist, maybe its the show-off in me. haha. i guess in a way i am hoping this will be what my kids really remember me for. maybe in years when i'm long gone and they think back they wont remember so much that mom yelled alot, that mom was kind of grouchy, that she wasn't that great at keeping the house clean or had an unhealthy addiction to coffee, fabric, and retro dinnerware.

first thursday last week

2008-05-09T08:15:00.004-05:00

yeah really behind on the pics aren't i. thanks the stephanie for reminding me i have yet to post the pictures of the shoppe from out last first thursday fluffing.
these are some pillows that flew out of the shoppe that evening with kim and her friend. hey kim send me a pic of it in its new habitat if you get the chance.
more signs.

the middle pillow is a combination of vintage linens. the green scroll-like print is so soft from washing its almost like silk.
more aprons, badges and jerusalem's crowns.

and alot of the mother's day items are on sale at the shoppe right now. up to 50% off on some items. so stop on by the shoppes on woodlawn for mom.

lucky to be me

2008-05-07T18:22:00.002-05:00

phoebe and jill

2008-05-07T17:48:00.008-05:00

yes i know i am so behind on posting and loading up pics!

there is toad suck to still talk about. but if you want one take on it check out cyndi's blog. and its has almost been a week since first thurs and i haven't shown the you the cuteness that is... or was..maybe ...hopefully....please sell it all!!!!!

but here is what i did on tuesday. i went on a field trip with phoebe to the heifer ranch just outside of conway in perryville. this is an incredible organization. they send farm animals to impoverished parts of the world to help better families lives. i'm giving an extremely poor explanation of what they do but check it out and read more.

but it was a great day, sort of cloudy and overcast but nice and cool.

a great day for a hayride and checking out the animals.

and the global village they have set up.

and here's jill.

and here is phoebe milking jill. yes phoebe milked a goat while we were there.

if you get the chance to stop by here its a great place with the nicest volunteers. thanks joyce...our fearless leader.

shop n' sip

2008-04-30T07:06:00.003-05:00

wow its coming around again. is it just me or are those first thursdays getting closer and closer together. sometimes i feel like i barely have time to get the house all cleaned up from the last one before the new one i coming on.

but looks like the weather promises to be nice unlike the last months.

lets see whats in store from me......

new aprons, new signs, mothers day badges

and whatever i can figure out to finish up before then.

if you are in the little rock area, drop on by tomorrow... that would be thursday.... the first one. the shoppes on woodlawn are located at 4523 woodlawn in historic hillcrest district of little rock, ar. come enjoy complimentary food, wine, beer, and music starts at 5:30 and goes to 9.

its a sickness

2008-04-27T20:46:00.003-05:00

really and truly it is. when you work in the costume department of the theatre in college for 5 years. you cant help it. anything that calls for a dress-up day or a costume contest makes my eyes glaze over and i start reeling with ideas.
phoebe's brownie troop was involved in a city wide mother/daughter pj dance party on saturday. once she and i heard there would be prizes for pajamas well we both started dreaming big. we had first heard about it months ago so our plans were becoming grandious. i envisioned matching ruffles circa 1950's-60's style outfits. well you know how the best laid plans go. well come the day of and we still had nothing. so we headed to walmart early on saturday and started yest another last minute mommy project.
after wearing a path between her dept and mine. we opted for hot pink tank tops and some black pj pants for me and phoebe would wear her black leggings. we also got some black fabric with pink polka dots to jazz up our ensembles a bit.

i used the fabric to make little poofy cap sleeves on the tanks and made a head scarf for phoebe and a tie for me.
the dance party was fun too. here she is bustin a move to the chacha slide. i have come to believe its the macerena of the next genereation.

we decorated pillowcases.
joined in a congo line that got a bit out of hand.
and won for our matching pajamas!!!! we were the matching marvels in case you can't read what the trophy says. phoebe was ecstatic about that.
and i must admit that i felt a bit proud too. my degree in theatre and all those many hours spent in the costume shop do come to good use now and then.

word to your mother......

2008-04-22T13:03:00.005-05:00

mother earth that is.

ok you can all laugh at my lame attempt to be hip. go head knock yourself out.

i just thought i would share some of the darley's new grooves for becoming eco friendly.

we have chosen alternate modes of transportation.

using human power to do our laundry

buying toys made from natural biodegradable products. see eventually they just break down and return to nature and you dont have to see them anymore.

and reaching out to those in the natural world. (can you see luke's new friend the woolly worm?)

ok ok OK!

those pics were taken this past weekend at the ozark folk center in mountain view, ar.

but here are a couple of things i have made myself proud by doing my part to be more eco-conscious.

you all know i love my clothes line. i can get 5 loads done in no time flat. especially on these windy days we've been having.

these are all thrifted sheets, another eco friendly activity. some of them have already crossed over into their new lives as aprons. more on that later.

but here is what i am proud of the most. i know i kept saying i was going to make my own but i never did. so i figured buying them would be the next best thing.

only a buck each and they are great bags. the can hold soooo much. probably like 2-3 times as much as the plastic ones and they are sturdy, sit nicely and have really long handles you can even carry on your shoulder. i think i have about 5 now and i can get all of our groceries into them! i used to come home with at least 10-15 of the plastic bags. and when you go to the store every week you can image how they build up. also the bags are made from recycled plastic bottles.

and here's a word about my actual mother and father. not only is today earth day but its my mom and dad's anniversary. i'm terrible in that i can never remember how long they have been married. late sixties i know that. see horrible. bad daughter! lol.

these are my favorite pictures from their wedding. my mom actually made her own going away dress. and i used to wear it in high school.

happy anniversary mom and dad. i love you guys.

for this

2008-04-14T19:44:00.003-05:00

we pondered long and hard when we moved into our house last summer what the lone little tree was in the front yard. and to my surprise last week i realised. a pink dogwood!
i do not believe i have ever seen one with this deep pink of a hue.
this is what i am enjoying most about being back in arkansas. the nature.... the land. its been harder than i expected moving back here. for years i talked and dreamed of coming back to arkansas. so much so that those in texas asked "why?"
true there were friends and family here but i truly believe i had to come back for this. to actually see seasons change. for leaves to turn orange and red and the hills to be alive with colors. for the chance of snow.... well at least a better chance than south texas ( even though i barley survived the temps this winter).
so even though things aren't what i had built up in those 10 years of being away. even though i have come to really really miss alot of things in san antonio. even through the troubles with jobs and family crises, i am becoming more at home at home.

yeah for becky

2008-04-13T06:31:00.003-05:00

during spring break my friend becky hired me to help her revamp some furniture pieces. it was a fun day to say the least ending with the best margaritas from browning's mexican restaurant. what was that bartender's name again. lol

here's the before. see even the cat thought it needed some sprucing up.

and the after.

i was drooling over her milkglass collection. and that's not all of it either!

but we had a great day. and i am sending her a big "you go girl!" welcome to the mommy club. :)

i heart my new old sweater

2008-04-12T15:48:00.003-05:00

my mom gave me this sweater. it as lovely shade of green but had developed two hole. and right in the boob area too. heehee. it was a bit big on me but after accidentally washing and drying the cashmere sweater it fits great! i love three quarter sleeves anyway. :)

a while back i had won a giveaway from meg at brassy apple (formerly creative outlet designs). i won a package of her fabric scarps that she uses to make her awesome shaggy jeans. and it was just what i needed to upcycle the sweater.

she has a contribution in the current issue of make it mine showing a knit top she embellished. i love the bird themes and thought i would put one into the redesign of the sweater.

i added some vintage buttons i picked up from jennifer's antiques here in conway. i really love the way it looks and have been wearing it non stop.

new!

2008-04-12T15:32:00.003-05:00

here's the new buffet. lu and jessica were selling it at the shoppe and the minute it came in i started drooling over it. i even dragged jerusalem in to look at is squealing "it's so me!!"
as you can see, i placed my $7 mirror find over it and love it too. like i said i didn't think it was making it to the shoppe.
i love the green chairs in front of it too. those were thrifted ages ago for mere pennies. its amazing what a can of kilz spray paint (on sale too :) ) and a bit o' sandpaper can do. the green and the black just pop. I hope to replace the faux hydrangeas int he toile vases with real ones as soon as mine start blooming. and would love to ad some black open shelves above the buffet. but all in due time

fly robin fly

2008-04-09T16:54:00.003-05:00

this afternoon i had an unexpected house guest. and if you thought the house was a wreck before you should have seen the after.

let me start from the beginning. we have a small cabinet outside on the carport near our door that we keep shoes in. well back a few month ago we discovered a nest had been built in it. we removed all the shoes and forbade the children from messing with it. there were even occasions when the momma bird would be making such a racket outside that i would have to look and find that the door had been pushed to. so i would go out and open the door a bit and prop it open.
well recently we assumed that the eggs had hatched because the momma and daddy birds seemed to be coming in and out with bugs and other birdy treats feeding the babies. the other day i heard to faint chirp, chirp, chirping of a chorus of babies birds.
then yesterday my carport began swarming with birds. flopping up and down. i couldn't figure it out until i realised these birds were the babies being scooted out of the nest. time to spread your wings and fly.
and fly they did. but not very successfully. because as i opened the door one flew right in! my mom ducked as the bid careened into the kitchen and under the edge of the lower cabinets.
ok i figured i'll just scoop him up and set him back outside. well that little bugger scurried along the edge and in between my stove and cabinets!
i live in an older house whose kitchen has been cut up in places to accommodate newer appliances so the cabinets are open to the stove's edge and there is an area under the cabinets that is open on that side as well. (yikes i just realised how yucky these areas look, cant believe i am showing this :P ) i was terrified he would go under that area and remain there and die and start to smell and we would have to cut the cabinets out to get to him........ oh hey i might get new cabinets that way, maybe its not such a bad idea..... never mind... anyway.
i slid a piece of cardboard in trying to block off the under cabinet tunnel. this made him move behind the stove. great i thought and its gas. i didn't want to have to think about having to disconnect all that stuff. but he obviously didn't like that are and quickly found his way behind the fridge. ( ugg dirty there too ).
so i began to pull on the fridge... ugg my back is killing me for it! and we proceed to do-si-do back and forth from one side of the fridge and stove to the back. the refrigerator is right beside the carport door so i opened it a bit in hope she would see the bright sunlight and hear his momma calling. and eventually he did and out he went. all this commotion happened right at around 3 so mom took luke to get the other kids. that and the fact that i was expounding my vocabulary trying to remove this bird and hoping it would go some place i couldn't get him out of. thanks mom.
oooh and to top off the day on the way to the chinese restaurant we had some kamikaze raccoon... i'm talking big sucker!.. jump in front of the van. ben was talking about some house or something and i screamed "racooooooon!" but it was too late. ka-thunk! he said he saw it running off in the rear view mirror so maybe he was ok. yeah right.
just way to much one on one contact with nature today

look whose in thspot light!

2008-04-08T15:52:00.002-05:00

it's me!!!
i feel so very honored than Denise, a fellow member of the Arkansas Etsy street team, asked to spotlight me on her blog. she took what i gave her and made me sound so professional!
i may make her my permanent PR person. :)
so take a look.

boogity boogity boogity lets go thrifting

2008-04-06T13:31:00.004-05:00

after getting up super early to drive ben to the airport yesterday, i hit all the garage sales i could to kill time while waiting for the shoppes to open. i zig zagged all over little rock following yard sale signs this way and that.

this was my first find at a church rummage sale. is aw the desk as i was driving by and literally raced to it after barely parking. i love the criss cross details of the legs. after i went in i found the little box. all quite a deal for $15. now just what color should i paint them? hmmmm....

i drove around to more but never found anything that peaked my interest for the right price. until i happened upon this.
clearly it needed work and the tag said "make me an offer".
so i asked if she would take $5 and we agreed upon $7. can you believe it?!
yeah i know its broken but its a clean break and i figure i can just glue it back in. i'm beginning to feel quite attached to it so it may never see the shoppe.
then i ran by the good ole habitat for humanity re-store. when i walked in they all but shoved a printer on me. they needed the floor space so all of their computer items were free. so i snagged a scanner printer combo much like my hp one i have now. we'll see how it works. if not i'll pass it on . hey its free!
i did come across some small find i felt i just couldn't leave there. i see a bookcase in the future for the bit of scalloped molding and how could i pass up that yellow cabinet door? and the small white one was just too cute.so this is what happens when everyone leaves me for the weekend. i did buy a new piece from lu at the shoppe and will be picking that up on monday when i go to get ben. see what happens when he leaves me out of the nascar races. boogity boogity boogity lets go thrifting!

oh what a night!

2008-04-04T07:17:00.006-05:00

the thunder was so loud that even this seasoned arkansas storm watcher was jumping out of her seat. the tornado sirens even went off but i don't think that there were actually any here in conway but they have been reported in other areas. once again our water level has risen in the yard. good thing that the house not on a slab.

we were planning on head to the shoppe for first thursday shop-n-sip. ben has been working on a storage trunk for the shop. but he decided that it needed tweaking and since i didn't relish the idea of taking 3 kids during a rain storm where they couldn't run around outside we opted out.

but the trunk looks awesome don't you think. i'll take it on saturday. i painted it a very pale blue and the inside is lined with more of those pages from shakespeare.

yesterday i ordered myself a twin. did you know you can do that? yep and they are on sale too. so i bit the bullet and put in my order. this one is staying home with me. she wont be a shop girl. i was watching you've got mail last night and have aspirations of making myself dresses like the one that meg ryan wore at the end. and of course i have sketches and sketches of more fitted apron ideas i have been dying to try out as well.

i am really bad about this but i have had 2 people award me with awards. a loooooong time ago nikki awarded me with "you inspire me" award. and cecile handed me the "you make my day" award. and i am send the whole i'm rubber you glue response to both of them because these awards are mutual. :)

when i was trying to decide who i wanted to give these awards out to i found that alot of people were crossing over so i am combining the awards.

1. catherine at red shoes blog, i feel a kinship with her. i love her furniture and designs and she can always make me laugh and smile about the craziness if life.

2. laurie at charming designs, i am in love with her birds. every one she makes just evokes that squealing gush of excitement.

3. stephanie at chasing threads, she makes the most beautiful quilts and applique and embroidered items. and i an envious of her rainbow supply of thread.

4. eren at this vintage chica, we share an understanding and love of funky green coffee cups and how one can never have too many.

5. cyndi at the twisted purl, its all about the yarn!

ok so off the finish cleaning. there's a piece of furniture in it for me waiting at the shoppe in hillcrest

waterworld

2008-04-02T20:39:00.004-05:00

if the old saying is true that "april showers bring may flowers" then we will be reenacting the story of the great flood with the kid's swing set playing the part of the ark. good thing noah..... ahhhh, i mean ben made it look a boat because if we get anymore rain we may have to float away in it.

we had a very nice spring break. it was sunny the weather was perfect. we got to do some great little around here things and jobs around the house. then it turned cold on friday and it started raining... again.

but spring break was nice and relaxing. so nice that i didn't even care to blog about it or even care to take pictures. so i got out today during a brief sunny spell and waded through the swamp to snap some shots of our veggie garden. i wish i had been as resourceful as eren from the vintage chica with her garden. next year definately using the bifold doors, but of course ben did all of this and i read her post after the fact but still next year, yes definitely next year.

and i finally hopefully am getting my dream flowers. i planted 2 hydrangea bushes. one blue and one white. and a rose bush and wisteria vine. i let luke pick out which rose bush we would get and he chose a peachy orange one. he was extremely tickled by the name...... disneyland rose. we'll have to see if it can transform the backyard from seaworld to the magic kingdom. haha .... yeah i know, lame joke.

I'm going to be very lonely this weekend. jerusalem has left for alaska today and will be gone for a week. ben leaves on saturday for a nascar race in ft worth... which i am a little sore about the fact that i wasn't invited to go... went round and round about that one... missy i know you can feel my pain on this one. and cyndi is going on a women's retreat with church.

speaking of my fellow yarn-a-holic.... we dyed our hearts out today and you can see our efforts over at the twisted purl.

i am beginning to get my bloggy grove back. hopefully i will have more tidbits of useless antidotes for you. tata

we hippity hopped our hearts out

2008-03-24T09:14:00.008-05:00

(all pics by my mom)

i hope everyone had a fantastic easter holiday. ours started our spring break. in fact the kids had friday off so it seems like we have been on vacation for a while now already.

our easter was rather low key. i haven't mentioned it to you all yet but we've had more family distress. my mom's mom fell last weekend and broke her hip. she will be 84 this week and suffers from extreme dementia. so that made this past week in the hospital rather difficult for my mom and her sister with whom my grandmother lives.

so with all of that our easter was as i said "low key".

we haven't had good luck with easters in the past few years. last year we were traveling back from alabama after my husbands grandfather had passed away. and the year before that i was way too involved with a children's easter drama at school that had been left to me, so we had no real time for ding eggs and such.

but we did get to the dying this year.

and after realising that showing up "on time" to easter sunday service at our church does not guarantee you a seat we headed to moms for lunch.

not your typical easter feast but we were all happy and there was very little stress. i think i like those kind of holiday dinners better.

the kids feasted on tacos and the adults had an awesome pot of black eyed peas and ham hock with cornbread.

and later came the egg hunt. my mom has a small front yard area at her apartment, so we opted four using that and the garage. although we did make the rule that no real eggs were to be hidden in the garage. i thought i was being rather smart in that thought. and we only couldn't find one real egg so yes mom was really thankful that they were all outside.

and that was easter. like i said its spring break so who knows when and if i'll be back much this week. so everyone enjoy spring!

birthday badges

2008-03-19T11:13:00.004-05:00

i have some new items in the shop. badges for your birthday! great for the birthday girl or boy at their party, office, or school. fun for all ages.

all nest and eggs are on sale too!

you will be taking your life into your own hands

2008-03-17T08:44:00.003-05:00

....if you even think about pinching me today.

but lucky for you i am wearing green but yes its just one of those mornings.

i was so frustrated sewing these cute little aprons that i almost put the words "bite me" on the tags. but as you can see i went with a more approachable name. although i think some with edgier tags would be a hoot!

and i wasn't cranky because this was a difficult design or anything. its my sewing machine. its old, really old..... like my mom got it from dad when they first got married. so sometimes its just doesn't want to sew right. the threads will wad up on the underneath side or the bobbin will become tangled and just freeze it up.

i know i should take it in for some fine tuning but i am afraid of how long it will be out of commission.

but eventually it rights itself for a while.

i will be adding these and some other springy little peg aprons to the etsy shop and the hillcrest store.

last minute mommy

2008-03-13T12:09:00.003-05:00

i'm horrible at reading the notes my kids bring home from school. usually i ask them or they tell me and i never really look at the note. with luke its even worse because he only goes on tuesdays and thursdays so i am never looking in his bag until i have to get it ready for the next time he goes to school.

this morning i open his bag and read the note.

"Green Day Thursday........ Wear green and bring 8 green things to share"

first i am all like thinking "wow green day is playing at lukes mother's day out?! thats some rather forward thinking baptist there!" then i realise this is their way of celebrating st patrick's day since its on monday and the next tuesday would be past it.

might i mention its 15 minutes before we have to be there too.

so i quickly change lukes shirt to the solid green t shirt i had to dig out of somewhere because he would not be satisfied with the green and white striped polo that was neatly hanging in his closet.

"its green day mom. not green and white day!"

oh silly me.

then what 8 things could i gather together. my first thought was 8 green legos, but then i realized the "to share" part and thought hmmm better not.

buttons?

no i am rather partial to my green buttons.

make something real quick?

are you kidding you have less that 15 min!

then inspiration hit........

lots o' little paper mache eggs left over......

so i mixed up some green paint, blew them dry with the hair dryer, and sharpied a "good luck" and a shamrock doodle on them and called them done.

i am marketing them as "good luck eggs". kind of like that sneaky way of having green. you remember the old game. you'd have just a tiny bit of green somewhere on you so when you were pinched for not having any you'd whip it out and say...

"hahahahaha i have green!! now i get to pinch you 10 times!!"

so that was my green things on the fly. enjoy.

and for those of you who have the leisurely pleasure of not needing anything st patrick-y until the actually day, dont forget "good luck eggs".