Cake Day for Penny at Joyworks Today!

Today we Celebrated our Fabulous Penny's Birthday at Joyworks! It was a festive occaission and her gifts gave glimpses of warmer Spring days ahead! Lovely blooms and blossoms adorned her luncheon -Provided by Clarice (Thanks again Boss for all you do!)

Jana jazzed up a clock face that Penny had admired! Too cute~

Penny got TWO crowns today, one I had made her (wearing in some of the shots) and a DARLING mini crown from Jana, "Penny's Crown" -of course, decorated with Pennies.  Too clever Jana girl!! Oh, and Jana attached a little tag, "For the Queen of Cents"

I don't know where our dear Jana comes up with some of these things,,,,,,Very clever indeed!!!

As mentioned, tons of Spring flowers and greens in various vessels....Lovely!

And Sweets for our sweet Pen!!

And, speaking of sweets our dessert maker extrodinaire Jill made the most wonderful cupcakes! For Christmas she scored the Martha Stewart Cupcake Cookbook from Kay and this delightful cupcake stand.

Penny got to pick her "cupcake choice" and chose Boston Creme!

Oooooooooh La La!!!

Thanks Jill, your desserts are always a BIG Treat!

Hope you made a fantastic Wish for the New Year Penny Girl!!!

One World One Heart Event-entries extended till Feb 8th!

Okay,,,I'm going to post about this ONCE more on this blog and then let it go.

Do you Blog???
If you are at all interested in viewing about 800 blogs (to date) and IF you have a blog you can enter to win at 800 and counting sites! Now, for me,,it is not all about the "freebies" it is about finding and exploring new blogs worlwide,,,,these are some of the best of the best craft women/artisans.....So, you can enter to win,,,,or just see what is out there in blogging/art/crafting land!!  I won't mention this event again,,,,other than to say it closes in Mid Feb,,,,so  you have some time to view AND if you have a blog to look around, by all means DO!!

If you do NOT,,,,but are curious, as I have met some lovely folks  in blogland, I have expanded my followings on my other blog--http://Bungalowbling.blogspot.com,,,,but my interests and followings may be different than yours! Still,,,,if interested check out some new sites I added to that blog's followings. Just food and creative places for thought.

Again, whether there are 800 or 1000 sites by the time this event "closes" and posts  entries can be made,,,,IF you have a blog at least check out the event!!! Very fun!!! If you follow me, you can still go to the event post on my site an enter to win my little giveaway,,,,,without being a blogger!

Fun event,,,,check it out if you can!!!

Shell

Busy day and Great Giveaways!!! Check this out!

I had a VERY productive Monday!! I got some cleaning and organizing done and worked in the Craft room for a while.

BUT,,,,,listen up, this is an awesome event! And Dozens  and Dozes of giveaways- new crafters and blogs to check out!!!!

A couple of my links posted their creative contributions and involvements in an event that was going to be taking place,  called "One World One Heart"  and after I read their posts and saw their giveaways, I HAD to take part! This event is sponsored by Lisa of "A Whimsical Bohemian."
Last year, there were almost 100 folks Worldwide who had giveaways on their blogs. This is the 4th year and I too, have a  little giveaway that can be found on my other blog- BungalowBling-http://Bungalowbling.blogspot.com  (or you can just go to my sidebar here and click on that link). Anyway, I had fun making my Giveaway "Box" but it should be lots of fun to see ALL the entries  and Giveaways and I wanted to make sure all of you know about it. So you TOO could visit/comment and potentially WIN.

 All you have to do is leave a comment on the entries site to be entered in their Giveaway,,,,,that's it....nothing else. You don't have to have a blog, but you DO need to leave them a way to contact you, like your email. But it's just a chance to check out new blogs/artisans and maybe get some fun little item!!! If there were almost 100 last year, there will probably be more THIS YEAR. So,,,,,,go to my other blog  ( click on BungalowBling (enter mine first if you wish) AND you WILL get her site link there, I promise!!) Since for some reason I cannot get the link to post here???? Maybe too many entries going on, or my computer ignorance is rearing it's ugly head again.......Have fun! Good luck! This event runs through Feb 15th~ So you have LOTS of time to visit ALL the sites.....

Have fun and good luck!!!
Shell

Junkin' in January!

The weather this week has been awesome-considering we live in Washington State and it IS January! I was driving home today from the Grocery store and saw some Estate Sale signs! Come on! In January? Well, my little Ford took me to a house about 2 blocks from mine here in the Historical District and I found a wonderful glass "orb" for lack of a better word,,,,for 3 bucks, that, and aVintage tin I found earlier this week will be awesome in my craft studio~ Basement and studio from the dark ages being my projects this year!!!

Happy Hunting~ Stay warm and dry and hopefully, like us, you're seeing those darling little buds of life indicating spring and warmer days ahead in YOUR gardens and yards!!!

Oh, longer days and the hope they offer us!!

Shell

Penny & Bill- doing okay & My take on Cell Phones and Texting

First and foremost, Our dear Penny's (newest and loved addition to Joywork's) hubby Bill, is in the Hospital for testing following chest pains. He appears to have great care and was a smart man for acknowledging the chest pains and getting medical help. I spent a couple of hours with them in the hospital today, he's scheduled for more testing tomorrow, an Angioplasty (sp?) I think, and my thoughts and prayers are with him/them. Spirits were good but it's still a scare! They are utmost on my mind!

Okay,,,,back on my soapbox! Put your cell phone, your texting device down and live in the moment. I have BIG opinions on cell phones and texting, so listen up and if you delete me from your "favs" whatever-YOU need to hear this and if you are of the same mind, please paste/copy/forward this message on to others you love!!!

1) It has been determined that texting while driving is the equivalent to having 4 cocktails/drinks. (Do you text while there are other loved ones in the car?) HANG UP and DRIVE!!!!

2) It has been determined that even if using a EAR Piece while driving your vision/brain decreases the radius of site by at LEAST 20%.......That means that even though you have no device in your hand, your BRAIN decreases your view of vision to perform driving/talking into a handfree device by 20%. Who/WHAT is NOT in your line of vision while you are talking????

3) And, on a personal note, It was NEVER determined if my Husband Karl's deadly accident back in 94 was due to the fact that he was on his cell phone to me-while driving home.Police and cell phone records have since become more accurate, but I will never know,,,,,,,,,,,,nonetheless, he died.

So,,,I guess you could say I have emotional  issues with people talking on cell phones but please-read on.


Today I visited a shop in downtown Everett (after ordering lunch to take to Penny at the hospital) of a merchant friend I've known for years. Her shops-J. Matheson have descreet signs posted on both her shop doors, about shutting off or leaving the shop if you get a cell phone call-to make the experience relaxing and pleasant for all  concerned.

  Now, I haven't been in Judy's gorgeous tasteful shops for a while, but had previously witnessed her policy with a customer. And, last weekend at Joyworks she came to mind-when I had at least two people "texting" while I was checking the women's orders out at the counter and at least two people speaking quite animated and loudly into their phones with the callers, again while they were directly in front of me checking out.

I'm going to sound like an old fart-and you know what? I don't care!! Unless it is an emergency- TAKE YOUR CALL outside!! Frankly, I don't want to hear about the kids fighting, I don't want to hear about your marital spats or the lists your spouse gives you for the hardware or grocery store. Live and act in the moment-with the person and situation that is directly in front of you!!!!

I'm not speaking for the "Management" at Joyworks. This is MY message and my beliefs. I will abide and act accordingly to our store's policies. It is NOT my place to instill or act on my personal beliefs in the workplace. Therefore,  I'm speaking as any individual  in a public workplace and I'm sure that my opinion doesn't differ from others-at the grocers, the hardware store, the "clerk" at the Mall, that tries to make your shopping experience or your retail therapy fun/relaxing/theraputic in it's own right!!WHO IS serving you, how are they serving you and what on the electronic device (if NOT an emergency) can't wait until AFTER you have a pleasant personal encounter with your "service person"??? Think about it!!

Of course it's not limited to Retail interactions. I've cried "foul" with my own son and friends when we've all been seated for a meal at home/ movie theatre/playing a game, whatever. "Talk to them Later!"

We ALL need to interact face to face. Whether it is the woman at the fast food counter that is being ignored, the family that is in the room with us, the friends that are all PRESENT and yet ignored/discounted because of course, the test message or the cell phone is MUCH more important than what is going on directly in front of us!!!

THINK about it!! Safety (not while driving) -Courtesy (interact and acknowledge those in your daily presence) and Live/breathe/touch engage with those in your current sphere. THAT is living. I hope you implement these practices yourself in the New Year and teach your kids and remind other family members as well. Safety is at stake while driving and  interpersonal relationships will grow and be much healthier without an electronic device trying to emulate or demonstrate  emotions.

Be safe, be in the moment and advise others of their actions!!!

Shell


I

Dazzled Recluse

Only a month until Valentines Day! I LOVE Valentines Day! The romance, the hearts, the flowers, the sparkle, and particularly the Victorian Graphics and Images. For several years I have scouted the Antique stores for Vintage and Antique Cards and Stickers used them in altered crafts/cards. I LOVE the hunt!

I love make copies of the old ones (No copyrights and the images are fun to share with others) Sometimes I  embellish them a bit. Ribbons, glitter, lace, you name it!

Handmade card made today! I love the old graphics!If you can't read the sentiment well, it says:

Love Lane

Feb 14th

Dear Love,

I pray accept this gift

of mine

With all

Good Wishes,

Valentine

1900's Valentines, Embellished

Crafting kits for V-Day @ Joyworks

I have to confess. This week I am FINALLY taking down Christmas,,,We had Chelsea, my son's girlfriend here until Monday. And, most of our holiday gatherings occured on New Years Day, or later. So, not much time or effort given to put it away before hand. And, after participating in the Palour Tour this year, and spending quite some time getting "this old house" ready for said event,,,it's taking time to put it down. So as I write in the office where much that remains to be boxed up surrounds me. I pinkie swear that I will get it ALL put away by the end of the coming week!!!
                                                                                   Embellished Peat Pots, I've made for several years.


Needless to say, between packing up Christmas, working on Valentine's ( I know, I know) I have a big HUGE mess,,,,but I'll get it together soon! And it was SO nice to take a break from organizing, putting away, cleaning from guest and gatherings and HIDE out in the basement with my glue gun, glitter and avoid other obligations for a while!

Back to Joyworks tomorrow and find out about the Gift Show in Atlanta! Monday,,,,ugh,,,back to packing up santas, snowmen and the like! Hey, at LEAST I took down the lights out front!

Electronic and Computer Challenges -I want to scream!

Okay,,,,so here's my day (After a nice morning at the hair salon and getting a FREE vacuum at the local hardware store because I spent so G-Darn much money there this last year on their "rewards" program (can you say gallons and gallons of Benjamin Moore Paints for "This Old House" Exterior ??)

Anyway, I came home and started spiffing things up in the craft room-new cabinet and all and organizing my crafting tools in the bazillion DEEP new drawers, starting a few Valentine items for Joyworks and/or Etsy and:

A) I could not-did not (will not?) find the cord for my battery charger for my camera to take any friggen pictures of the new cabinet. Frustration #1....I have the actual battery charger but NO CORD to plug it in to charge. Where in the world did I put it??????????????

B) Then,,,,my printer was acting weird and I asked Andy to help and low and behold,,,,,,,all the graphics I found/bought are trapped somewhere because the Printer is NOT allowing me to access my files/download/print. Thank you SO much HP!

COME ON!!! So,,,I have no artwork to modify/alter-No printing of text to do, Obviously NO pics here of my new work station, but that is the least of my concerns.

I think there is a reason why Clarice still has us using receipt books WITH carbon paper/hand writing everything at Joyworks. And, going to pick up actual photos somewhere instead of having them "virtually" delivered sounds pretty good right now!

Okay,,,,,here's a scream and I'm sure you're glad it IS "Virtual" instead of live!!! I'm hating technology right now!!!!!! "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!"

Shell

New workspace for the craftroom today!!!!

I picked up some wonderfulfloral wall panels in "Annies" yesterday and noticed that a work counter/desk that I had been looking at was now GONE! I'd been vacillating between THAT one and a handmade piece I'd seen in an Antique store in Monroe. The piece Mary had had in Annies was Stainless-but it lacked any storage space. I liked the thought of a stainless top-for glue gun/paint, etc. because it would be easy to clean....BUT I loved the one I had seen out at M&M Antiques in Monroe because it had a bazillion drawers, was handmade and had a drop leaf feature on one side.

Well, since Mary sold her piece at Annies, I called M&M and the other piece I was looking at had been reduced to HALF what they wanted for it originally!!! Score!!!I gave them my CC# and Andrew, Chelsea and I headed there late this afternoon to pick it up in his Explorer. (aka the Exploder)

I'll show some pictures soon-it is NOT a gorgeous piece of furniture, but as mentioned, was handmade out of hardwoods on casters and is PERFECT for holding tons of supplies with a large tabletop!

My New Years resolution/vision is to get that craft room so G-Darn cute I can invite ANY and all of you (Y'all) to partake in creative endeavors there!!!

Exciting new addition,,,,,now, how do I partition or curtain off the OTHER half of the unfinished basement????????

Happy New Year and happy Crafting!
Shell