Shell in Snohomish

Again,,,,,,,,,,,,,Please be Advised,,,,,,,,,

2010-02-22T21:27:00.000-08:00

Thank you for the responses and Emails,,,,,,,,,I don't think that I will post on THIS blog anymore. Please post or comment on my other two blogs"

http://bungalowbling.blogspot.com/
Which will serve as both my general blog and crafting blog

Or::
If interested, you may link to my memoir/life blog at:
http://willowbrooklane.blogspot.com/
Your choice! Or you can follow both...........This is my memoir, to family, friends, community. If you'd like to follow, you are welcome!

Shell

Major blog Change,,,,,,,,But I think it's right! Please read on!

2010-02-17T19:17:00.000-08:00

Hi!

I had several people that during the One World One Heart Event truly explored all 3 of my blogs and emailed me. Did you know, I actually have 3 blogs? Well, I started one a while back while musing and journaling I guess, called "Willowbrook Lane." There is actually only ONE post on that site to date,,,,,,but it's a site I've decided to develop. Starting with my childhood and growing up in rural King and Snohomish County,,,,,or in my case, for the majority of my memories: Alderwood Manor, WA. It's part of my family story. And as some of you that know a bit about me,,,,,,it's a LONG and involved story, involving my adoption, my mother's immigration, family secrets, legacies and such.

Therefore, I made a decision. My heart, my stories, my history is important to me. You need not follow, but you are welcome to do so if you would like! It IS an interesting story, I think. One of change,courage, adveristy, romance, strength, growth, spirit and much more.

That said, here's the deal. I'm going to gradually eliminate "ShellinSnohomish"- My blog about life and times here and now,,,,BUT I'm going to incorporate ALL the activities, events, the friends, the community, my Joyworks happenings& coworkers/pics and ties onto my BungalowBling Blog. I KNOW its a mouthfull!!! Sorry! http://bungalowbling.blogspot.com/

And, I'm going to give new life to my http://willowbrooklane.blogspot.com/
because I'm interested in writing about my childhood, my amazing and mysterious heritage and the community that I was brought up in. Life in the PNW,,,,,,Families from Germany, Ireland, Holland and the likes.......I'm excited to write about it, but it may not interest you in the least....Okay,,,,,and I may even write about former marriages/divorce/widowhood and relationships........

So,,,,,You are welcome to "follow" either blog in the future if so inclined. Thanks to those encouraged me to share more of my family and community histories. I think I needed the "nudge."

And, as said my major blog will continue as "Bungalowbling." But again, you are welcome to follow my personal history blog as well.

Life changes, WE change or grow and I know this is the direction I want to go! If you follow this blog and not "BungalowBling",,,,,,,,I'd love for you to follow there!Or Check up on future posts, that I hope will be of intrigue on http://willowbrooklane.blogspot.com/

Hugs and love thanks for your patience AND Insight!! I'm excited about the changes!!!

Shell

Wowza,,,two more Prizes from OWOH!

2010-02-16T17:59:00.000-08:00

Hi all,

I posted yesterday that I had won 3 drawings in the One World One Heart Giveaway. But I was mistaken, I won 2 more,,,,for a total of 5! Wow!

Martha from Toronto gave me a prize just for visiting her other blog (because I don't think any of the others did) and commenting on her darling kids! I saw her pics of working in her classroom and told her I'd love to help IF I lived nearby.
I don't care if she sends me a handmade print with all those little hands stamped in Paint,,,,,,I feel so honored. Martha's blog is lovely,,stop by and see her if you can at http://m-isfor-martha.blogspot.com/
Too fun! Thanks Martha!!!!!

I also got an email message this morning from the lovely Ann, from Scotland!!! I loved her blog, and I'm glad I found it! Ann is sending me an altered dominio for a key fob or necklace.......Too fun! Her creations are great and so fun to have a new crafting friend in Scotland!! Stop by Ann's fun blog (and I SO need to ask her the meaning of the blogs name,,,,I KNOW what haggis IS!) http://ann-icklehaggiscraftspot.com/

Thanks again! Shoot too fun!
Shell

Oh,,,,and if you don't know Karen Valentine,,you SHOULD!!! She is posting a lovely giveaway over at her Desert Cottage blog in recognition of 500 followers!!! 500 in her first year! Karen is lovely, her blog is lovely, her home is divine and she has a heart of gold! Stop by and peruse her lovely blog and say "hi" to enter!! I will post a link in my sidebar that you can click on to visit!

Happy Fat Tuesday!

Shell

I WON, I Won, I won! Goodies times Three!!!!

2010-02-15T20:53:00.000-08:00

Wowza! I had a great time participating in the One World, One Heart blog event and Giveaway sponsored by Lisa Swiftka! This was her 4th year of doing this event,,,,,and my first real giveaway over on my other blog "Bungalow Bling."

Although the participants numbered over 1000 and the giveaways were incredible,,,,I had a hard time with folks either stopping in MY blog giveaway or others and just basically saying while visiting other blogs, "Pick ME, Pick ME" and leaving their blognames to enter. I think what the coordinator/hostess of this event was basically attempting to do was to truly encourage people to travel around the globe and meet new and interesting people, see new blogs, new creations and say hi and leave a comment that was truly directed towards the giver or in reference toward their blogs!

In all honesty, I found blogs whose nature of their blogs or the giveaway just truly didn't suit me. And I'm sure there were those that looked at my little giveaway and blog and thought, "No thanks." That's okay.......I didn't want to enter blog giveaways that didn't interest me anymore than I'm sure there were those that past on my giveaway and moved on to something that did inspire or move them.

That all said, I met a LOT of wonderful bloggers around the world. It was fun to see artists in Europe, South America, Asia participate and visit a little corner of their map and see their creativity AND their reaching out to others. What fun!

As a result of the event I've already formed new bonds and friendships with fellow bloggers near AND far!
I'd highly recommend the event for anyone NEXT year, if you missed it!!!

Also, I was privledged to win 3 giveaways as a result of the event!

1) A book from RavenousReader- a blog dedicated primarily to reviewing books.......and as most of you who know me, I read about 100 books of various genres a year,,,,,so this is a great treat/prize! I'm now following the blog to read books of the reviewer's! (If an avid reader, check out my Safari bookshelf on my other blog, http://bungalowbling.blogspot.com/ to see what I've been reading, I should actually add that list/shelf to this blog as well!

2) I also won a lovely pair of earrings hand crafted by Nancy Markosky,,,,of http://otbaglady.blogspot.com/
Nancy is a quiet Marvel.....She works with special needs kids, a Christian, wife, mom, artist and dog lover. I've gotten to know a BIT about her by visiting her blog during the event, and perusing it a bit more after my winnings, but I truly look forward to learning more about her through her posts. She seems a dear,,,stop by her blog and say hi!

3) And Finally, and happily, a giveaway/prize from the lovely Jill Cooper of http://untietheribbons.blogspot.com/
Jill surprised me with an awesome handmade pin/brooche which will be SO fun to sport on a sweater or Jacket!!! This woman is crafter extrodinaire! And I was SOoooooooo glad to find her site! I'll be following up on Jill's activities and I'm sure she and I will share some laughs and smiles in the future!

And my own Contribution, my little mixed media box was won. The winner of my giveaway was posted right next to my blogger/facebook friend Lori Anderson! But I stuck to the random counter and it went to Beth (aka Elizabeth) Holcombe,,of Words and Whimsies,,,,which was rather ironic. . .

Just like Googling for a website, during the OWOH the color would change in Lisa's sidebar AFTER you had visited/commented......and well, at the beginning of the event I could tell WHERE I had been because the color(s) of the posts change. Well, for me a day or two into posting that color definition went away and I could NOT tell where I'd been and where I had NOT been,,,,,

So,, I scolled Way down and I'm sure I missed some awesome sites. Nonethelesss, Beth stopped by my site on HER journey and said hello and low and behold she was the random winner. Well,,,,,when I looked at her site it was awesome! She is SO creative!!! I love her goodies!

And, when I looked in her blogs that she followed my dear and lovely Lulu from Coastal Sisters was in HER blog list!!! So,,,,,,I'm SO glad I found her blog and so glad that I saw her lovely creations,,,if she had NOT won, I would have missed her,,,,,,at least in the immediate future! So, congrats Beth,,,,,,,,,and so glad we found each other in this crazy and wonderful blogland!!!

Hugs to all and if you didn't participate this year as a blogger,,,,,seriously consider it next year! It was a fabulous event!!!!I'm excited to watch and follow and participate with all my new blogger friends,,,and thanks for the goodies!

Shell!

Really fun day w/Beth in Snohomish!!!

2010-02-12T20:46:00.000-08:00

This was the first time Beth and I (from the famed Salvage Studios and her awesome co-publication of the book of same name) had met face to face! I had followed her blog and she made regular comments to me on my blog or through emails,,,and it was just SO fun to finally connect!! I'd love to do so with more of my Blogging friends, but
Beth doesn't live far away, so this was an easy (and fun) connection! I had never made it to the Studio in Edmonds,,,although Jana (Joyworks) sung her praises long before I had the opportunity to read her blog or know of her abilities....but I just kinda followed Beth's blog and knew that I wanted to meet her. She's a take charge- why not kind of gal, so I KNEW I'd enjoy meeting her! And she is delightful, articulate, knows her own mind/direction, and I SO enjoyed giving her a view of my little world of Snohomish!

So, hopefully, today ,she got a "bigger" taste of Snohomish ,,the shops, the vendors and I think we both had an awesome lunch at Collectors Choice,,,,,,She had the "Timilicious" Special created by a mutual friend of ours, Timi (of "Come Junk with ME" fame),,,,,,,AKA Timi's fave creation ala John- Collector's proprietor and illustrious owner. I had the Halibut, salad and Salmon chowder,,,,,,,Hope Beth enjoyed our lunch faire as much as I did!!! Yumm!

Fun day,,,,fun to meet Beth in the "flesh" although we have many blogland and local connections. I'm looking forward to getting to know each other better in the future!!!Gotta love this Blog Venue,,you never know who you will meet or connect with!

Hugs to Beth for getting to know her better and all of hers, hairballs and otherwise! And to ALL!.Love to you and all of yours! A loving Valentines Day,,,,,,whomever,wherever and however you find it! Romantic love is great and be thankful IF you have it, but friends and family are consistent themes in our lives!!

Shell

Looking forward to spending some time w/Beth from Salvadge Studios!

2010-02-11T19:51:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow, I am meeting up with the Fabulous Beth,, from Salvage Studio. She co-wrote the book about re-purposing items into something new and spectacular!!

We're "doin" Snohomish,,,,starting, of course, at my beloved Joyworks a 10:00am and visiting shops around town and we'll settle in for lunch at any one of our wonderful cafes/bistros!

I've always love Beths' posts and her whole philosophy on making something NEW and unique out of something you have........

Hopefully, I'll get some fun photos and memories of our day tomorrow!!

Shell.

Soup, Shepards Pie, a dog that was "ackking" all day! Andrew and Red Cross

2010-02-10T20:12:00.000-08:00

Soooo, I woke to the sound of my Golden Retriever Kodi, "hacking up a hairball", or rather a grass ball, in the hallway at around 6:30am. He's never gotten sick and I cleaned up the mess,,,,,grass and all. (Dogs eat grass when they don't feel well.) Then, he "lost his breakfast" and well, the morning was just NOT fun and he concerned me greatly! I called the VET and they asked me if he was lethargic and if he wasn't drinking water....Well, the "Code Man" aka Kodi, was interactive and drinking water and so, I just monitored his actions per the Vet..

At noon, I got a call from Senator Patty Murray's office,,,,(I'm bi-partisan but I've always admired her work), I met her personally at a fundraiser for her back in the late 80's when she was running for the Senate. I truly admire her work with Veterans (Such as my son), Healthcare (I'm paying a King's Randsom for private healthcare and basically get nothing) the Economy, local jobs, local transit alternatives, banks- both local small banks and bailout's for larger banks by the
Feds, you name it,,,,her phone call, aka, " Town meeting" was awesome and she actually offered a lot of insight. While she was answering my personal question (regarding long term care and services for our Vets)- my Kodi love, started to vomit (sorry) and actually produced a portion of a black dress sock,,as Patti was personally talking to ME (and a group listening to the forum via their phones...,,,,,,,,,Well I don't know whether to be most thankful for Patty for her polictical actions or Kodi for "hacking up" part of a sock! I'm sure there is a metaphor here. I'm somewhat at a loss.,,,,,Kod's timing was impecible, and well,,,,,,,was it TRULY because he had a sock to "hack up" or whether he was not totally in line with her political rhetoric or her ideals....I'll never truly know!

I was thinking afterwards, ("Excuse me Ms. Murray, but my dog was hacking up a sock while you offered me your introspect and actions towards Veterans benefits".....Should I take that as affimative and devoted actions from YOU or should my dogs actions be reflective of our whole political system??? Just curious,,,,,,,,,)
It's been a dogs day,,and I DO truly appreciate our local Advocates participation for reform! In retrospect,,,,I wish i would have asked ALSO - about the importance of Animals effectiveness in healthcare issues! ......For a LOT of us, they ARE our therapy,,,,and their presence influences many~ whether hospital patients, nursing homes, and even inmates training dogs and the reformation process.. Private organizations training dogs for therapy, companionship OR sniffing out bombs and other threats....Our furry friends DO a lot and are also capable of a reformation for others...... Hairballs (swallowed socks and ALL),,,,,,they are great therapy and an important part of our daily lives! Give a "furry friend thanks for cheering the elderly on, for providing comfort to the wounded, for sitting steadfast by the ill, affirmed, disabled or dying. Unconditional love and affection....There IS a rainbow bridge for our furry companions giving them Carte Blanche in the kingdom of Heaven!

And, I thank Patty for her political involvement and concern,,,and maybe just a bit for helping my dog wretch!!!

And thanks to the Powers that Be for leaving me with a healthy, exuberant Retriever once again! ( I bought about 60$ worth of dog toys today to appease him and the black lab, and throw away all the severed socks and shredded toys,,least I could do since I didn't have a Vet bill in the multiple hundreds!!! And, for their cohorts sevice to others!

That said,,,,,
Son Andrew (former Marine and two tour Iraq Veterean) made an awesome Shepards Pie tonight which I supplemented with organic veggie soup. He announced that he has decided to involve himself with the American Red Cross, in whatever capacity they deem worthy! I couldn't be more proud!

Love to you all and BIG hugs human AND furry friends!!!
Shell,,,,,

Happy Cake Day for Clarice Today and Great night at Annies swap!

2010-02-09T17:40:00.000-08:00

You ever have one of those days where it's just So much fun that you think that LIFE is too good? Well, Today was one of those days!

We all got together for Clarice's belated Birthday celebration. Gorgeous weather again and tons of fun and yummy food!

And,,,,,I managed to get this ONE photo of Clarice at the party loaded and then Andy tried to help me figure out the program/transfer of the new camera and it isn't, so far, as easy as the last.......maybe tonight he will help me figure it out so I can post the rest of Clarice's Party pictures. Which are at LEAST

Safely ensconsed in my camera!

We had a great lunch and Jill made awesome Citrus Cupcakes from the "Martha" cupcake book! Dang, I hate it when I have camera problems,,,,,,,but come back and I'll either post them here,,,or at a NEW post!

Annie's function was awesome last night and Jana (see Joyworks Blog) took some awesome pics,,,okay, I am camera illiterate,,,,,,,my batteries were dead AFTER Clarice's party. We had awesome food, desserts, and I came home with some lovely items from Annie and her partner Mary~ The giveaways/swaps were awesome! Thanks to ALL the gals involved,,,,,I can't wait for our NEXT one at Penny's home!

I'm telling you though,,,,,it was sunny and delightfully warm considering it's Feb (Sorry, friends on the East Coast) and it was one of those days where upon arriving home after festivities you just said, "Wow." Annie inspired me to make a few changes to my decor and I actually got my BUTT going and did some organizing and clean up in the craft room, a bit of garden clean up and tweaked a few items in my home! Thanks Annie,,,,,You're the best and I love you madly! Well and Mary is no slouch either and I'm trying to figure out how to acquire one of her Grandaughters,,,,since she now has 3,,,,,,,could they miss just one????

Lovely day ladies,,,,,,and I love you all! (Hope to have Andy help me figure out this new camera format and post more of Clarice's pics of her party tonight,,,,,,,I'm plying him with food, no more than you'd do with a 4 year old!!! "Eat your carrots and I'll take you to Enchanted village." Only now it's more like, "Help me with the computer/painting/yardwork and I'll cook you a meal that doesn't come out of the box/freezer/can!"

Hopefully more pics soon! (I'm pulling out the BIG guns for dinner!)

Shell

Gorgeous day and thinking about friends on the East Coast!

2010-02-06T20:26:00.000-08:00

Well, today at Joyworks we had the doors open for quite a while,,,,,In February??

We had a Citywide Antique Sale in little historic Snohomish and eventually the sidewalks and shops were swollen with customers. Everyone ( here in Washington) seemed to have a smile on their face, because as us natives KNOW, this is extrodinary weather for us, this time of year. The bulbs are bulbing,,the trees are starting to gorge with potential blossoms and I KID YOU NOT,,,,I killed a misquito on my sitting porch! Accck!

Nonetheless, a gorgeous day for Feb. And I couldn't NOT think about my friends and their families on the East Coast. My son's gf Chelsea and her family in Virginia and Lulu and all her lovelies,,,,including her little pooches trying to make their way in the drifts! Amazing! Hope all are safe, warm and well fed!

Andy, my son, COOKED dinner for ME tonight and delivered from his stove in his little home in the back! Nice treat and for a change,,,I even handed him HIS dirty dishes to take home. (Okay, I provided the Tomato, the Avocado and Onion,,but hey! This was a first, HE cooked for me!)

Nice day,,other than worrying about loved ones on the other coastline!! Stay warm and safe my dears!

Shell

Fancy meeting YOU here! (Fun Day!)

2010-02-03T15:51:00.000-08:00

Wow, today went fast!!! Penny and I had a girl date. We headed to Calico Corners to peruse the yummy fabrics and trims. (Penny had a Chamber connection that she needed to make and I was on the prowl for fabrics for a chair I'm going to have recovered.) Great success there for us both!

We putzed around Mill Creek for a bit and then headed to lunch at L' Artisan ,,,,oooh la la! Wonderful lunch and desserts! Guilty pleasures.

Then swinging back into town we stopped at Annie's (Honest, it was a Chamber mission as well) and ran into a sucession of friends and neighbors there! My dear Kelly stopped in too. I've decided that Annie should just host a luncheon in the shop once a week so we can dine while we drop our cash!!! I'm thinking Annie had a pretty good day too!

Shell

Woof and Roof(s) and Poofs-blog of note Today! Check it out!

2010-02-02T19:23:00.000-08:00

Woofs:
Today is the Kodman's, aka Kodi/Kodiak/""THE CODEMEISTER, CODERAMMA, CODEALICIOUS,,,BUT I DIGRESS,,,,,,,The Codeman's" Birthday! He is 5! I think that equates to 35 in dog years.......I sang "Happy Birthday" to him several times today, he didn't seem too impressed,,,,what, my voice??? He's the first purebred I've ever owned and it was fun finding out when his birthday was! ( He was supposed to be a companion/therapy dog, but flunked out of the program because he was too ADD,,,,they originally wanted 750 for him,,,,but he'd been "marked down" to 500!) So,,,I got a fixed, purebred 2 yo Golden with all of his shots and tests at a discount!!! The "Codeman" is also known as my "Markdown dog." Love him to pieces!!!!

He was truly impressed today by the can of food that he split with Shadow my female lab ---80/20 though!

Roofs:

Oh great, leak in my house earlier this year and I've got folks writing a bida for me through today. We're talking:
A) My house
B) The Back house/rental where son Andrew and roomie Frank live
C) the detached garage in the alley

Good news is even though I had a leak MY house/the front house isn't the worst.
The bad news is the Back house rental is worse
And,,my old detached garage seems to be okay!!!

Ka-Ching,,,,,love these old homes! (Maybe I shouldn't have stopped by Johanna's today to order a string of Pearls for V-Day for myself, since the dogs dont have the means or technology to go out any buy me anything!!! They should KNOW these things!)

Still having camera problems,,,ok shut up, go figure, I bought a new camera today since the old one (ABOUT A YEAR OLD @#$@#$@!!!!) wasnt' working and the memory card I bought YESTERDAY doesn't fit in the G-Darn NEW camera.....
(Clenching Jaw) I WILL get it figured out, I am NOT an old fart and can contiunue to learn new things!!!

Blog of note today: YOU NEED TO Check This OUT!!!!!
http://wizardofoncewas.blogspot.com/2010/01/wizard-is-flyin-high.html
She has the most amazing pillows on her One World One Heart Giveaway!!! I love them. Check them out and.......IF you blog you can enter and some of these posts you don't even need to have a BLOG,,,,like my little giveaway on Bungalow Bling
http://bungalowbling.blogspot.com/
Many of these sites you can just post your email addy to enter to win. It has been extended,,,and there are almost 1000 participants,,,check it out!

Shell

Cake Day for Penny at Joyworks Today!

2010-01-28T16:41:00.000-08:00

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!

2010-01-27T20:05:00.000-08:00

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!

2010-01-25T18:37:00.000-08:00

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!

2010-01-22T19:47:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-20T19:30:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-15T19:35:00.000-08:00

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!

2010-01-07T17:34:00.000-08:00

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!!!!

2010-01-06T19:04:00.000-08:00

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

A Happy New Year to All! Absent for a bit!

2009-12-28T19:44:00.000-08:00

Hope you all had a great Christmas! Mine was a bit unconventional this year with no family at home, BUT as mentioned before, I have the BEST friends in the whole world! I have always felt blessed with good friends, but this year, I felt especially blessed!

I heard from friends I hadn't heard from in years, and I had invites galore from co-workers and neighbors. I got surprise phone calls (my old friend Mary and my New friend Lulu) AND goodies and handmade gifts (Thanks Deb for the wonderful embellished monogrammed coaster AND, your beautiful PINK Jam)galore! Thank you one and all, it truly was Golden!

My son Andrew got back today from Virginia (and none the worse from the roll over accident) and we have Chelsea (his gf) coming in on New Years Eve for two weeks, and a housefull for a Ham dinner here on New Years Day!

My best to ALL of you for a wonderful beginning to the new year! 2010??? Geesh! I doubt I'll blog until around the 12th, when Chelsea heads back East ....

Hugs and Love and a VERY Happy NEW YEAR to you all!

Shell

Thanking God, they are OK! Tell someone you love them!

2009-12-22T19:35:00.000-08:00

My son Andrew called me today from Virginia, initially asking if I was "okay"-was I feeling better after being sneezy/wheezy feverish the last couple of days?

At any rate, Andrew finally related that he and his girlfriend Chelsea, were in a serious accident earlier this week. They "rolled" in the car and the car was totalled.. But,they were both OKAY!

Now, this is the kid/young man that had TWO tours in the Marines in Iraq. This is the guy that had to hang up the phone one time urgently because they were under mortar fire...."Mom, I gotta go." Click......

I know that he was in danger then, but I also know the dangers of automobile accidents, having been widowed (my husband, Karl, the pilot) coming home after flying in his little plane to meet his fate (our fate?) on a busy stretch of Highway 9 near the Arlington airport.

So today, I reiterate, an important reminder to me primarily from the loss of my husband, and apparently as well from my son after we spoke about the incident today, that I truly believe it is SO important to tell the people you love and care for that you DO love and care for them. It sounds so simple, and yet, my husband Karl's last words to me on the phone prior to the accident, was that he loved me. And I try and tell folks in my life that I LOVE THEM,,,,,even though it's awkward for some. I think it's important. I don't want to hold back, I want NO regrets!

So,,,,Love and I DO mean love to YOU and yours, thanks for being part of my life and have a wonderful holiday, a joy filled new year! And, I hope you take the time to tell someone, if not all the people in your life what they mean to you!

Shell

Sick and Tired of being sick and tired!

2009-12-21T17:31:00.000-08:00

Ugggh,

Saturday at Joyworks I think I sneezed more in 8 hours than I ever have in my life. (Allergies,, , at least I thought!)

Then I woke up around 4:00am Sunday morning from some bizarre fever dreams and realized it WASN'T allegies after all. I've been "one" with either the bed or the couch for the last two days and I truly am SICK and TIRED of being sick and tired. There are only SO many books you can read after your nap(s) and only so many Hallmark movies you can watch (and I don't advise it, If you were/are as plugged up as I am anyway and THEN crying at the end- either happy OR sad tears...just something you might want to consider)

I wanted to attend a concert tonight at Belle Chapel-the Historic Church/turned Wedding Chapel, where I used to help out my friend Laura when she owned it. Now owned by a lovey family that have the equivalent talents and cute factor of the "Von Trapp Family Singers" aka Sound of Music Family. The St Marie's are SO talented and their son Andrew who is truly a self-taught piano virtuoso married his sweetheart and my family friend Lauren. (They, the newlywed couple, not the whole rest of the family, live in Nashville now and are as pianist and vocalist repectively,pursuing their musical and vocal dreams.

So here I sit-the perfect candidate for either a Cold or Flu commercial and stew!

Hot bath, warm tea and bed for me! Stay healthy all!

Shell

Parlour Tour AND Joyworks Party!

2009-12-14T09:42:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was Hopping! Woke up to snow gently falling and thinking, OH NO!
Day of the Parlour Tour AND the Joyworks Christmas Party in the evening.
Fortunately the flakes were few and everything went off without a hitch!

My dear friends Zoe and Kelly helped me welcome the masses (not sure of the counts, probably a couple hundred or so people) some of whom I knew and many out of towners. It was fun to see what people commented on-a little bit of everything! It was a busy 4 hours!

Ahhhh, A breather, a glass of wine with Jana and THEN on to the Joyworks party which was a blast! Kay's home was wonderful, everything so special!
We feasted on Cornish game hens (whose glaze set the smoke detector off at one point, but no harm done.) It just added to the fun when the smoke detector went off! Dinner was awesome!

We played our usual dice game and for a while everyone played "nice" and then the "stealing" began! All is fair in Love and Dice! I managed to hold on to Jana's, and I think Kay cheated because she "hid" her gift from our gaze! (Sneaky!) Jana said Amy would probably go for mine, and she did, because of the polka dot paperchain I put on the outside! Amy got a little "bonus" too, in the sweatshirt "extrodinaire" that we keep embellishing and passing off to some unsuspecting coworker! Enjoy Amy,,,would be cute with Tights and boots on YOU!! : )

Clarice gave us all wonderful goodie bags with treasures old and new! "Lots of 30's" in there too for our 30th year....30 nickels, 30 dollars, and her original receipt books and dough art! Not to mention an old Beanie baby for all! Too fun!

We all chipped in and bought Clarice a pearl embellished long chain and earrings to commemorate the year and a new handbag!

And we finished off the evening with Jill's wonderful almond/cranberry/pair torte and a peppermint cordial from Sandi!!! Wowza!

Fun night ladies! Thanks to all! Here's a quick Slideshow of the Eve

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Pics of House Slideshow and Comments

2009-12-12T19:53:00.000-08:00

Last night (Friday) was the Parlour Tour Preview. It's an opportunity for all of us involved in the Tour (Selling the Tickets, helping out, Shops like Joyworks, etc, and extended members of the Historical Society to Preview the Homes actually on the Tour on Sunday. This, followed by a Social Event after the Preview for all of us......

It was a FANTASTIC evening! The homes were over the top in their decorations, their archetecture, everything! The wrap up at Karen and Warner's house was fantastic and the food was great! I did NOT take my camera on the preview for various reasons, but I would HIGHLY recommend anyone interested in visting the various homes,,,it was extrordinary, and my dear friend and co-worker Penny was instrumental in lining up the participants.

If you can, visit ALL the homes. And, if I get links to the others I will most definetly post them in the near future!

I think my house was the smallest on the Tour. But here is a slideshow of my little 90 yo bungalow. I'm sorry but some of the pics got cropped, even though I submitted them in their full format,,,,,,but at least you get the idea, and I hope you enjoy! Happy Holidays and I will post more pics of the actual tour, if warranted, after tomorrow,,,,,and Jana and I, I am sure will both have pics/blogs of our extravaganza Joyworks company party tomorrow night!!!

Again, the pics were "chopped" a bit, but I hope you enjoy the slideshow of my little house!!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Hope you enjoy!
Hugs,
Shell

White Trash Christmas and Aloha!

2009-12-09T18:54:00.000-08:00

I had to post my SPAM "Chirstmas Tree" from last year on my header. . . it just makes me laugh! Last year, my wonderful articulate, tasteful friend Zoe and I hosted an ornament swap party at my house. Now I KNEW going into this that everything she does is meticulous and gorgeous.......So I decided that I'd "carve" a Spam Christmas tree for an appetizer for our functions,,,,,complete with green olives with the red centers, or COURSE! I also had a can of spray cheese on hand to totally send her over the edge,,,,,but the Tree did the trick! Merely for the shock value, mind you! But it was good for laughs at the party!!! Now if you WANT to create your own:

TWO Cans of Spam-stack together and hold in place with a toothpick
A jar of Green olives With the Pimentos!-Cut in half and adhered with MORE toothpicks!
Serve with Saltines,,,,,,(No gourmet crackers were harmed in this preparations!

"Bone Appetite"
Shell

(almost ready for the Palour Tour on Sunday, although it would be a BIG help if it wasn't so friggen cold that I don't want to leave the comfort of my down throw and brave the elements!!) Oh,,,,,and NOW they are talkin' SNOW?????????

Baby it's COLD outside!

2009-12-04T18:35:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I'm sitting in my house wearing long johns under my clothes top AND bottom and the thickest socks I own. It's so chilly sitting here in the office my fingers feel like popcicles ready to break.. Oh YEAH and trying to craft in my studio (in the old drafty basement today was a challenge, although I got a few things done).

The house is getting there for the Parlour Tour. I'm just tweaking this and that and so I finally had time to do some crafting and finish a crown I'd promised for my dear friend Lulu for her new turquoise decor on the landing of her gorgeous old home. She hasn't seen it yet, but here it is... I had it almost done, but it wasn't quite what I wanted and then it came to me during one of my many hormonal/insomniac epiphanies at about 3:00am,,,,,anyone else familiar with those??? Anyone? So I took one of my vintage Ballerinas that I use on cake toppers and birthday hats and cut her in two!!! I then proceeded to sculp a mermaid tail out of paper clay/glue/glitter,,,voila! She looks a bit like Bette Midler though with that red hair!!!

So,anyway,,,I worked down in the basement for a couple of hours after I thought I could tolerate getting by with my space heater down there and when I came up to check on some guys doing yard cleanup for me, I found a package!!! Lulu's sister Lisa, sent me the CUTEST Mermaid pic for my hot pink and green bathroom! The pictures don't do it justice, because I kept getting glare off my light fixture,,,but I LOVE IT!

I tried to buy one from the Coastal sisters shop but everytime I tried to talk to her about doing custom colors and size for me and/or payment, she ignored me!How rude-NOT! So,,,I thought I might not ever get one of her darlin' Sea Maidens and then today...TA DA,,,,I got a box in the post that she drew the cutest Mermaid on, I think I may have to cut THAT out and put it down in the studio....Too cute!!!

(You can go to CoastalSisters.com to see more of Lisa's and Lulu's lovely creations-artwork, blog banners, faux cakes, gorgeous jewelry, and more!) Thanks Lisa, SO MUCH!

And Lulu your aqua crown will go in the mail on Monday!!!

The warm Southern climate sounds pretty darn good, Ya'll!!
Hugs and love,

Shell

Owwwwwwww!

2009-11-30T17:31:00.000-08:00

Okay, this is SO not fun! I'm having major problems with my left shoulder. HOW do you decorate/craft/FUNCTION when you can't move an arm??? Well, I'm here to tell you you DON'T function well. AND,,, you don't get much done!
Swell, less than two weeks to the Parlour Tour and I am seriously dysfunctional. Couldn't find a new massage therapist that would take me today and my previous "miracle worker" left her profession to have and raise and infant (the NERVE!)

So, here I sit and can't even type without pain....Ack! Okay, tomorrow is a new day. . .

Shell

(Me and my shoulder are going to try and scramble up an easy dinner for my Monday Nite Madness for Andrew and roomie Frank. The are So going to do the dishes!)

Amazing Little Mouse,,,,Clarice you might want to skip this one....

2009-11-24T17:57:00.000-08:00

When my mother passed away almost two years ago, I "inherited" her Kitty,"Tuxie." She's a slight little Tuxedo-the runt of the litter of a ferral momma kitty, more skittish than any cat I've ever had,but finally adjusted to sharing her lair with a HUGE Golden Retriever (Kodi) and a Black lab that loves her to pieces, amazingly. Tuxie, was also a fierce hunter-always bringing my Mom "presents." Lovely.

When she first came to live in my household however, she must have protested the move and the other occupants (human AND animal) so her hunting stopped for quite some time. But once she adapted to the new environment (and ME) she started bringing me "presents" in ernest, much to my dismay!

Now, being an animal lover, and also knowing the nature of cats, I had a hard time with this. I know she was trying to please, but OH, how my heart wrenched for those cute little birds. The other varmits,,,not so much, but still!

And then ....On Sunday night I went to bed and the Golden (hey, I'm single, okay??) weasled his usual way onto the bed, but when I looked for my Black Lab she was MIA and there was activity under my bedskirt. I didn't think too much about it but it was a bit odd for Shadow to be under there. So,,,,when I got up, She-Shadow the Lab, was still under the bedskirt and I heard squeaks which I originally qualified as a dog toy! BUT after a brief investigation I discovered Shadow was sharing this skirted enclosure with none less than a mouse!!!

I rallied the "troops" from the back cottage (aka my Son Andy and roomie Frank) and Frank captured the mouse and although I shuddered, he showed it to me in a box and it truly was a cute little thing. I told him to take it outside and "set it free" IF it survived. (I'll pause here to say that the mouse showed NO battle scars, but it was WET-it appeared Shadow, in her interest may have lavished it with doggie kisses (her tongue)but hadn't apparently harmed it.

So, Frank took the mouse out and as I was leaving on an errand he was sitting on the lawn and rubbing the little creature and I inquired as to whether or not he was doing "mousy" CPR...... Well, eventually he left the mouse alone,and told me he thought it would survive.......

Okay,,,,,Day two, or I'll say Morning two, I kid you NOT-I'm watching the Today Show and Tuxie (the huntress) comes in to the livingroom and starts acting strange and before I know it, she's chasing a MOUSE around the room- Again!!!! I go get Andrew in the backhouse and he comes and rescues the thing from behind my bedroom door! It is STILL apparently okay. Come ON!!!

Andrew takes the mouse and releases it in the Alley, apparently unscathed. Well, I NEVER!!! This brings a whole new meaning to the term "Mighty Mouse." And although I'd prefer that these escapades never happend,,,,I'm rooting for that little creature of God!

Shell

Reflections post AND Slideshow

2009-11-14T22:05:00.000-08:00

I have a "Reflections post" about life and times at Joyworks, but also, scroll down to previous post for the slideshow of our Gala-30th Anniversary and stay tuned to http://Joyworks-Shopgirl.blogspot.com for the Professional/real deal photos!!

Shell

Reflections on Joyworks

2009-11-14T20:29:00.000-08:00

Today, Saturday, all of us working and fellow employees that stopped by, had reflections on our Celebration last night. Lots of smiles and recollections about the Event and towards our wonderful customers, our fellow coworkers and our beloved boss/friend/counselor, muse-TRULY-although she waves the praise in various directions, Clarice.

Clarice always contributes the sucess of the shop to the whole team, and I suppose that IS and always has been true. But without her creative nature, her business sense/cents, Joyworks would NOT be what it is today. And as I've said before, we are NOT just coworkers-we are a fantastic family of women that love and respect each other. We respect our differences-the efficient and neat and the creative and messy. We support each other in spite of those differences and the bond to one another is strong.

I have to take a moment to recognize Gordy-Clarice's wonderful husband who although, not part of the selling team has been instrumental (out of public view for the most part). Gordy climbs the high ladders and changes our bulbs, hauls stuff to recycling, mows around the shop, drives in on Snowy days to pick Clarice up, helps with our annual inventory and ALWAYS has a joke or a story. And,,,,a quick kiss goodbye for his wife. What a love story! (P.S. Gordy,,,,no coat for the wife THIS Year! just a hint!)

Jana and I were closing the shop up tonight (I was punch drunk from lack of sleep-okay STILL am, but I like to write,talk, so you can tell me, just shut up Shell at any time!) And I suppose Jana punch drunk too, but she's a bit younger and her focus is always on "what's next?") Anyway, She said, something to the effect that she didn't know how to elaborate/pontificate on the Celebration last night, laughed and said, "Shell, I'll just send them to your site and YOU write about it." Well, big job, because I can't say enough about our store, the crew, the WONDERFUL cutomers and again, Clarice, who started it all. But, I will pontificate briefly on HOW I ended up at Joyworks,,,,and lead you to the present. And yes, it has been a "Present."

I've lived in Snohomish about as long as Joyworks has been in existence. Although, as I recall I think I first stumbled into the store some 10 years after they opened here in town. Although living in town, I commuted to various stores and positions while working for Nordstrom. (I started as Employee 2950, in 1974). Eventually I worked into Buying and Management and then left the company in the late 80's and worked in Advertising (While Jana was apparently working just a few blocks away from me in Bellevue.)

Anyway, I stumbled into this DARLING shop one day in my home town. (I had done most of my shopping in Malls or big Cities prior to this) And low and behold, I came across this unique shop AND one of my Classmates from High School worked there. Well, I shopped for a few years, was burning out on the stress of corporate life and my friend, fellow Classmate "Debbie McIntyre" aka Deb Wood said, "we need some help on weekends, why don't you ask Clarice for a job?"

Well, now, again, I worked for some high rollers and Fortune 500 companies and all I thought was,,,,Will she want me? Because I knew that this WAS THE PLACE I REALLY WANTED to work. I wanted the position SO bad and I was So nervous (I used to sign regular orders with the likes of Boeing, Microsoft, etc. in advertising) I was so NERVOUS about getting this position at JOYWORKS and really, really wanted to work there. I presented my resume. And they all kind of laughed. (Did anyone else EVER do that??)

But I got the job. No,,,,I got the family. I got the friends. I got the hometown community involvement that I had never had previously. I got the surrogate families, the counselors, and yep,,,the best friends and coworkers you could ask for!!

And,,,,some 10 years later I still have it! Silly? Lord no. I couldn't be prouder to be involved with a group of women and work in our great little community and have our "regulars" our "semi-regulars" and our "annual" shoppers.

It's not called Joyworks without reason. We gain great Joy from our customers, our coworkers and environment.

So, now you have heard MY Joyworks Story...And I KNOW there are many to be told. I wish all my coworkers would post theirs, I'm sure there is a lot to be shared.

That said, I have to say that all of us missed "our" Jill last night. She SHOULD have been there, but was actually diagnosed and has been extremely ill with the swine flu. She did SO much to help get the shop ready for the event and thanks go out to her sister Chris, who drove up from Oregon to help us last night. "Thanks Chris, you are a trooper!"

And as mentioned, all the former (not oldies but goodies and dear) employees that were in attendence,,,,,Cass, Deb, Cathy, Rita "Sal", Janie dear,, Deborah Nash, Chris M. It was SO AWESOME to have you all there,,we need to all get together more often!!

Special Thanks to: Kelly Rae Roberts for her appearance last night, Wendy Perez for her WONDERFUL appetizers and deserts-you were FLAWLESS GF!!
Elise Marie Photography who will portray the event RIGHT (excuse my novice pics) and I'll humbly shove my camera back into my purse! Peterb>b>, our sign maker extrodinaire, for donating all his cute little signs to our event........

I'm sure ALL of us Joyworks Gals want to thank EACH and every person that stopped by, but the list,,,,thank heavens would be endless. So THANK YOU to all that helped, all that participated, all that were there in spirit and all that will continue to make Joyworks the BEST EVER!

Hugs,
Shell
(Clarice, Jana, Amy, Kay, Jill,Sandi, Luanne, Moi, Rita, Penny, et. al)
Love to you all! Thanks for sharing our Celebration~~

Slideshow and a word on our 30th Anniversary Party Tonight!

2009-11-14T00:39:00.000-08:00
We had an AWESOME time tonight at the Joyworks 30th Anniversary,,,,,It's late, I'm tired and I'll just leave you with the slideshow and save any additional commentary for tomorrow night or Sunday morning. Hey,,,,,I'm an novice at the photograpy and the posting, but I hope you enjoy! It was SO FUN to see everyone,,,,all our great customers, "shop" neighbors and most of all, all our old,,well I don't mean OLD, but fellow co workers that came!!

Jana had a photographer there, so I'm sure her pics will be much better than mine,,,,,but I thought I'd share a bit of tonight! Hope you enjoy!!

Shell
Make a Smilebox slideshow

Glittering my heart out!

2009-11-11T18:47:00.000-08:00
I've been working on my own little giveaway at the Joyworks Anniversary Gala/extravaganza/party/soiree on Friday night.

Just a little something something to give people who attend our event. Forget my studio in the basement-this is ALL OUT crafting wars and I will take NO prisoners. I'm folding/glue gunning/pasting/glittering via my coffee table. You try and make 100 of something for a giveaway and the craft studio just doesn't cut it, at least not mine. I can go down there and make a few things,,,,,you know, a crown a birthday box, even a dozen or so Christmas decorations and that's fine. But when your thinking/doing in mass quantities, at least in MY studio,,,,,that is not so fun. I glued/glittered/punched while watching the Today Show and Ellen and then again Oprah later on......maybe I need a TV in my Studio downstairs,,,or then again, I cannot imagine trying to DO 100 or so things again for anything.....Thank you Lord that we, at Joyworks wont have another milestone or mega event for a while!!!

Shell

Lots of Tears today and some gratitude

2009-11-06T18:13:00.000-08:00
Any of you that follow my blog or talk to me much, know that I have a new "long distance" dear bestest friend and fellow blogger, Lulu. Her hubby aka "The Commander," Rick is just short of retirement from the Army. Well, Lulu emailed me this week to ask for some cooking tips for my White Chicken Chili, because she doesn't do much cooking,,,,the Commander does. But she wanted to surprise him with it when he came home from training some troops in Texas.......yep Texas.

Now here's the clincher,,,,,Rick (aka the Commander) had a rough flight getting there, including a flat tire delay on the airplane and then arriving to no heat in his accomodations......His dear wife, (Lulu) concerned about his mood after such a scenario wanted to cook for him when he came home. (I told her to put on a cute apron and he'd be "toast" anyway, even if the White Chicken Chili was a disaster) And that I'd "talk" her through it while making.

I "spaced." Okay,,,,didn't think of Rick being at the scene of the Shootings,,,,didn't think of Lulu wringing her hands/heart......And then it dawned on me this morning that HE WAS THERE!!! I hadn't spoken or emailed her since the Chili overview and then today I thought, OMG ,,,,,,,,Lulu's hubby was/is there!!!

I felt SO deeply for those families and commrades in Texas. Nothing like sending your son (Mine) off to Iraq in the Marines a couple times to bond you with those that serve and those that love those who serve......

And now this,,,,,senseless, unreal and to think that I had a link to someone there. Rick (Lulu's hubby extrodinaire) is okay..and I give thanks for that. My heart goes out to ALL those families and friends affected by this horrific event.

I watched this story today, and part of the memorial for our fallen Police officer in Seattle,and thought of of the woman that was memorialized today in Snohomish for her community and youth service.

I think it's important that we take every opportunity to those that serve our Country, our Cities and our communities and the families behind these individuals.

Hugs, and take time to thank a service man or woman, a soldier or a community leader today!
Shell

Again, saying thanks that Lulu's hubby is SAFE!!!

Workin' my buns off!!

2009-11-04T19:45:00.000-08:00
I have taken on another position/profession. (Would this be the second OR third with my crafting? --

Working as a Commercial Real Estate assistant to my dear friend Laura -helping with Market analysis and sales.. I will initially be focusing on two larger buildings/sites she has in the works and helping target investors/and potential tennants. ...I worked in corporate Advertising and Marketing for years,,,,,,,apparently I need to get back in the saddle to help bring the right businesses into our community.....I LIKE this business plan and think it makes great sense for us in Snohomish.That is my primary reason for helping to market, show and promote these properties- I believe in the vision and think it will be very beneficial to our community.

So that said, I'm juggling Commercial Real Estate, my job at Joyworks on the weekends and Crafting WHEN it fits in,,,,,,,an interesting mix! Cerebral, Social and Creativie,,,life is good!! I just need to learn how to make time for all the various aspects!!

Ready for the Masses tomorrow!!

2009-10-30T20:17:00.000-07:00

My son Andy carved one of the pumpkins,,,,oooh, scarey scarey Devil! And I bought about a hundred bucks worth of candy for the little gremlins.....I mean dears! So we are set!

If you live OR work in Snohomish and you want to stop by for something other than a sweet treat, come on in for a cup/bowl of White Chicken Chili, Spiced Cider (or as my kids used to call it "Spiced Spider") and all the acoutrements,,,albeit casual because of the trick or treat crowd!!!

Hope everyone has a Spooktacular Halloween!!

Shell

Wow! This has been a REALLY special month.....

2009-10-28T19:22:00.000-07:00
Okay, so here's the deal, I figure the payback for my month of extravagance and indulgence means I need to:

A) Work on Taxes
B) Schedule at least one Root Canal an perhaps a deep gum scraping.......
C) Clean out the fridge and closets/ especially those caverns that have remained the same for 10 years or more.....
D) Think of all the other mundane and anxiety producing tasks that I have put off or have "filed" away.

Because-This has been SUCH a great Month! Birthday gatherings/ visits-Shopping trips, times spent with Old and New friends. I mean I am feeling guilty because of all the joy in my life. Ever feel that way? It's like you are on cloud nine and stop and think, "Okay, this is really really good, but if it's this good now, what is going to befall me in the near future??? Silly, I know. And Hey!, I'm an optimist,,,,but I think we've all felt that way when life just felt SO good!!

I got a belated birthday present from my bestest new long distance friend and blogging dear, Lulu today! She is a whoot and a love and she and I relate SO well,,,,,,I think her friendship may be my "bestest" present this year,,,This whole blogging thing and meeting like minds,,,,,It's amazing! So anyway, today I got such an awesome package from her,,,after she has been SO sick and taking care of family and her Craft orders and all......She is amazing!!!! There are pictures above of some of her hand crafted items and her "Marie" faux cupcakes, I will be showcase soon, because where in the heck and WHAT in the heck did I do with all my footed cake plates??? And she sent me awesomely scented candles and the cutest "Cake Day" (that's what I am calling Birthdays from here out!) 3-D Birthday card- which features tons of active Cats and dogs,,,,,which of course we both have and probably started our bond in the first place!
Well,,,,a "Luluism," She's been busy as a cat in a litterbox!! Thank you my dear, SO much, from the bottom of my heart!

Now again today, I was REALLY REALLY bad!! I went to Molbaks----SO much more than a nursery and as those of you that live close you'll be nodding your heads,,,,,,,It's a GOOD and BAD place.....There is SO much eye candy and Kelly and I made a good dent (after breaking for a while in the FABULOUS Cafe' for Quiche and Salad that was to DIE for!!! I'm not showing all our "loot," as mine is going to be on the home tour but I took a fun pic of Kell-Bell in her Elfin hat and of our Polka Dot Trees,,,,,,,,I am SO going OVER the TOP this year!!!

Wonderful mixed media bannerr from Lulu! (I LOVE CROWS!)
Again,,,,,the wonderful package from Lulu w/ all her goodies and a day with Kell,,,,,,I don't think life gets much better,,,,,,,,Hope you enjoy the pics!!!

Kell Bell sporting her Elfin hat,,,,,,,,how CUTE!! And here are the cute pom-pom trees she and I bought!

I absolutely LOVE this "Paris" Banner Lulu made me! And the Candles she sent took me "back" to Europe!!

I love this banner on my French cabinet!!!

Life is Good, and I'm so BLESSED to have such good friends!
Shell

Monday Nite Madness at Moms! Too funny!

2009-10-26T21:57:00.000-07:00

Well, as some of you may, or may not know, my Son Andrew and his friend/roomie have moved into my little rental cottage in back.

They both come "up front" to my house periodically for various finds/favors and FOOD!! So,,,a couple of weeks ago I decided to create an event that I would HOPE would put a damper on their attempting to forrage through my kitchn or expecting regular meals from moi,,,,,,SO, I told them we would have "Monday nite Madness/Mayhem" at "Moms." I would provide them dinner and they MAY get a cooking lesson or two in the works,,,,they clean up and take the "hounds for a walk.

It's worked well,,,,,for the most part. Although they still pop over to my house for TP, a pan, my pepper mill, etc. ,,,,,But they are learning. . .

Here are some fun pics of the "manly men" helping and learning in the kitchen,,,enjoying the "fruits" of the labor and some doggie play time..How CUTE do they look in their aprons??? Only REAL men can wear ruffles and florals and still get the job done!!!

Funky Junk Finds

2009-10-26T10:44:00.000-07:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

As you can tell, if you watch the slideshow, I really had FUN shopping at Funky Junk and in Sumner! Thanks again, in part to Dani who taught me how to bargain a bit! And thanks to the helpers on the bus freeing our hands so we could peruse further and faster!

I'd love to see what some of the other bus gang found! The bounty was plentiful!

I didn't buy much in Sumner, other than a few vintage Christmas finds and some lovely papers and ribbons at a GREAT Stamping store called "paper Muse." What a gorgeous shop! It's probably a GOOD thing that it's not closer to home, I could do some serious damage in there, baby! I think by the time I was done in there, I'd pretty well reached sensory overload!!!

Dani's wonderful Chocolate Chip cookies helped with my stamina though, mid afternoon!

Time to put some of these new goodies to good use!! The way it is raining here today, it's a good day to hunker down and GLITTER!!!

Slideshow of our Funky Junk Bus trip Today

2009-10-24T19:46:00.000-07:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

I had an awesome time today on Timi's "Come Junk with us" Bus to Puyallup
(for out of Staters that is pronounced "pew" "al" "up." Where we hit the Funky Junk extravaganza in the morning and then headed to Sumner, WA after lunch. It was SUCH a beautiful day! The weather and colors were gorgeous and Mt. Ranier was spectacular enroute!

Timi did an awesome job! We had prizes and discounts and wonderful goodies and Starbucks coffee and gifts and maps and "helpers" to take our buys to the bus for us, and, and, and.........I cannot truly give her enough praise for her organizational and yet FUN aspects of our trip!

We all were 30 something in number and her hubby Jay followed along with a truck for major puchases.......

The vendors and booths at Funky Junk were awesome! Good prices, great selection, gave us LOTS of discounts and freebies!!!

I found SOooooooo many fun things that I will post about that entirely separately tomorrow or Monday. But it was truly a Banner day at the Show and in the cute little town of Sumner! They rolled out the red carpet for "Timi and her girls."

I hope you enjoy(ed) the slideshow and think about "Junkin'" on Timi's buses in the future!!

Shell

(PS...I just have to say that I had a lovely day exploring it all with my friend Dani. And I'm Annie "left" the Cherub lamps for me-because she knew I would like them. And I don't know who bought all the Madonnas Annie, you or Mary, but I SO need to buy one from you Girls to keep that dang Jehovah Witness lady off my porch!!! Those Snohomish Girls,,,,,gotta love em! Where's my Madonna? We can negotiate,,,,,my Angel lamps for a Madonna!)

Is there such a thing as a Burlap Headache???

2009-10-20T19:32:00.000-07:00
I'm headed to the Funky Junk Show this Saturday via Timi's, "Junk Sisters" Bus-Girlfriend and shopping extravaganza and I've been crafting a little "freebie" to put in her gift bags for the "JUNK Queens."

I won't disclose my little gift, other than to say that it involves burlap, of which I cut QUITE a bit today! And I've had a sinus headache ever since,,,I'm thinkin' it's all the fibers from the burlap. Ackk! Okay,,but they WILL be funky, and hopefully fun!

I'm still tweaking a crown for Anita (almost done, promise!) Working on some Christmas crafts, ordered name tags graphics for the "bus," nametags,FINISHED "the pink bus" for breast cancer auction, yadda, yadda! Busy day, but I'd like to think I'm making SOME headway!!!

Enjoy your week! Hugs,
Shell

A few more Joyworks Party Pics

2009-10-15T17:44:00.000-07:00

A few more Party Pics,,,,,,,,

I had to laugh at this picture, Jill, usually THE MOST photogenic of all us us looks like she's struggling to decide how much pumpkin roll each of us gets. Rita, looking on, looks quite concerned about portion control......

For God sake, would someone PLEASE tell me to push my glasses up! These aren't readers Shell, they are PROGRESSIVE!!! I need to work on the old Lady factor if I'm going to remain 50!

Fun Day! I'll spare you all some of the other photos,,,,,and you'll Thank me!

Shell

Fantastic Party at Joyworks Today!!

2009-10-15T16:58:00.000-07:00

Rita (from Joyworks)and I share a "Birthday Week." Mine is the 14th and her's is the 21st, we're born exactly a week apart, And, amazingly we're both STILL 50! So, for the last several years, we've been blessed to share our Joyworks party. And what an extravaganza it was THIS year! My heavens!

Lunch (Always a treat from Clarice) was an awesome "build your own Taco Salad". And Jill, our in-house pastry chef made a wonderful Pumpkin cheesecake Roll for dessert. YUMMY!!!

The gifts and flowers were gorgeous (you GUYS!!!!) Jana made me the "Studio" sign above and I LOVE IT!! Now I have to fix up the studio to live up to the signage!!

Sandy made me a darling little spiral notebook with a darling angel on the front and lots of fun papers and little "catch all" envelopes inside! Waaaaay Cute.

Now Jill, We all know that she is the organizer, the wonderful baker and so much more, but her Sweater Squash that she made me is just too darn cute! And her little sweater pumpkins!! Darlin'! I think she may have found a new crating niche'!

All the gifts were SO lovely and SO thoughtful but most of all, it was a great day to spend with some of the Best Gals I know!!!

Love and Hugs and thanks SO much you guys from Me AND RITA!

Shell

PS,,,,I know our dear Luanne doesn't read blogs so much, but you were dearly missed today and are in our hearts, thoughts and Prayers.

PPSS,,,Thanks to all my wonderful other friends for making yesterday so incredible-wonderful phone calls from near and far, visits, hugs and cards, dinners and deserts! Even a bottle of wine from Thomas at the Gas Station! Geesh! I don't mean to gush but, I am SO blessed!

Tomorrow is MY cake day ,,,,,as my dear Lulu would say!

2009-10-13T19:10:00.000-07:00
Hi all! Tomorrow, Wednesday is my Birthday, or "Cake day" as my dear friend Lulu would call it. It's not a "notable" year,,,,,,,I'm not 50, I'm not 60 , I'm somewhere in between, and that is OK!!!!

So, If you live in the area, you can stop by at 7:30pm and have either a drink, or a yummy dessert at Collector's Choice here in Snohomish! My treat! It's my Birthday and I get to do what I want!!!

Or,Thursday, Rita Sima, one of my Joyworks partner's and I will have our joint party, complements of Clarice, and the Joyworks gals for the both of us. (Our birthday's are a week apart to the YEAR and I'll have you know we'll both be 50 AGAIN!! (We're going to KEEP doing it until we get it right! Or, I guess, till we turn 60!!)

Hugs and loves, truly to all my Joyworks and Snohomish friends, and IF you want to stop by Collectors Choice tomorrow around 7:30, I'm springing for a drink or dessert!

Shell (Dang, hot flashes, insomnian and joint pains,,,,am I REALLY 53???)

BDay Lunch with the Alligator Hunter, Helen

2009-10-12T18:31:00.001-07:00
Today I had lunch with my dear friend Zoe, (former coworker at Nordstrom and mom's helper) and all of our dear friend, the wonderful Helen.

Zoe and I took Helen out to lunch at the lovely Cabbage Patch restaraunt, to celebrate her 90th birthday. Oh my Lord (or in Lulu and friend's case, My Lawd)She is a whoot! She's 4ft somethin' now and cute as a bugs ear. A Catholic by birth and bestest friend to my mother "Lynn" who was a professed athiest -although I will attest to the fact that her "tune" changed and I prayed with her in the last hours of her life....... and I WILL attest that I never knew anyone more charitable, more forgiving, accepting and loving to ALL and I mean ALL, than my mother......

So, Helen,Child Alligator Huntress in the depression in the Everglades, God bless her, had her biggest concern today in talking in her afterlife with my mother about THEIR soap, Guiding Light and it being cancelled, and Helen didn't really know who was with whom at the end and she didn't have my mom around anymore,- a friendship that formed, no less, in their 80's,in the Foyer at Safeway. Yeah, they were cute together. I don't know who took it harder when my mother died at 90, me or Helen.

Helen was just plain upset that mom would leave her, I mean the NERVE of my mother...
Mom was there today too, I just felt it. And I held back the tears and felt the love of one woman for another. And Helen was SO sure she'd get to see and talk to Mom again soon.

I left laughing and hugging dear little Helen.

I've got SO many good friends,neighbors and coworkers that I love like family, I feel truly blessed. And, I have such a strong connection to this community. Today though,I gave myself a mental kick in the behind to spend more time with Helen, to learn as much as I can about what she has learned from life. To try and apply those lessons a bit more to my own. And to "see" her and my mom laughing together someday (not YET, Helen said) in the afterlife.

We all need to stop and spend time with our elders. Listen to their stories, their truths, their insights. I think it makes us better people. And, if we're lucky, our children, grandchildren and the likes will maybe take time to listen to us.

Hugs to you and yours, especially those that just WISH we would listen to their stories,,,,,,,
Shell

A "Golden" kind of a Day!

2009-10-06T17:27:00.001-07:00

This is my favorite time of year, and it was truly a "Golden" Day, in more ways than one! Once again, the day was gorgeous. As I ran around town I saw bushes and trees that have burst forth in color from the crisp morning and evening air and although distressing the plants, provides such wonderful colors! Indeed, Golden and spectacular!

It was also "Golden" because my Golden Retriever Kodi went to the vet today, a new office here in Snohomish. I'd heard wonderful things about this guy and because my previous Vet retired and the clinic was further away, I thought I'd try this new one to treat "The Code Man's" hotspots. (He's a purebred and doesn't want to talk about the unsightly bare spot above his "exit only" sign,,,,,aka his rump! So we went and saw the new vet and Kodi fell in love. And well, I did too, I mean in an animal lover kind of a way. This guy HAS Golden's and Kodi couldn't stop wagging, even when he got his cortisone shot-he wagged the whole time and gave appreciative sniffs on the way out. BIG fun! Man, I wish I got that excited when I went to the doc!!!

This afternoon while headed for the grocery store (And I've commented before that my car has a mind of it's own and doesn't always drive me directly there) I stopped at Kusler's Pharmacy and Gifts where I also used to work PT to see my dear friend Zoe (who herself is pretty Golden, come to think of it!) And low and behold, Janet (Kusler) and her partner Mary Pat have two new Golden Retriever pups that were up in the offices in their Kennel (of which they will be outgrowing VERY soon) and I had a love fest with these adorable new golden fluff balls.

And, in closing, shortly before this post I enjoyed several more flocks of Canadian Geese winging their way across the Golden Sky.

I think before the night is through I may just need to get out the glitter and well, spread a little more gold!!!

Although tomorrow may have to be a "Black" kind of a Day, because my Black Lab Shadow was pretty bent when she had to stay home while Kodi got a car ride and his breath smelled of doggie treats when we got back home!

Hugs and love,
Shell

Coastal Sister's Giveaway, Ends at 7:00pm tonight!

2009-10-04T09:18:00.000-07:00
Stop by today and comment on my friend Lulu's blog to enter to win one of her GORGEOUS faux Cakes!!! Contest ends at 7:00pm East Coast time, so enter soon!

Hugs,
Shell

http://coastalsistersnews.blogspot.com/2009/09/winner-and-another-new-giveaway.html

Timi's Bus,Funky Junk Show & Save your Ta-Tas Event

2009-09-25T19:35:00.000-07:00
Okay- so here is the scoop as I understand it! Timi is running another busload of gals to a FUNKY JUNK event being held in Sumner on the 24th of October. You can click on her "Come Junk with US" Icon in my sidebar.

Funky Junk is being held on the 24th of October in Sumner, WA. It is a wonderful event filled with Antiques, Flea Market Finds and handcrafts. socializing, splended eats and well, SHOPPING!! I was unable to attend last time, but my good friend Deb Bock of Garden Party was kind enough to take some of my items and display and sell them in her booth. GREAT SUCESS, as my son would say. I will specifically post a Funky Junk link and Deb's link in my sidebar as well tomorrow. (I'm not so swift on the links, but I'm learning!!!!)

Funky Junk is having an Auction as well, on the 23rd of October (Eve of event) with proceeds going to "Save your Ta-Tas." Breast Cancer awareness. Most of us know survivors/sufferers and unfortunately victims of this disease. This is such a GOOD cause and so important, I will be donating time and merch for this event!

Check out the sidebar for Timi's FUN and Fantastic Magical Extravaganza BUS and plan to have a GREAT "girl time." Make your reservations to save,,and I'll have follow up links soon for Funky Junk sisters and Save your Ta-Tas info.

Please feel free to contact me/Timi/or Funky Junk Sisters about any donations for the auction. We will make sure it is forwarded properly!

Hugs,
Shell

( I will donate in memory of my friend Wendy, who lost the battle, and to ALL my survivor friends and co-workers! Love you DEARLY!!!)

What a glorious day!

2009-09-23T19:26:00.000-07:00

You know how sometimes you have a "day" that you didn't expect? A day that was full of surprises and gifts of all sorts? A day where the sun was shining the sky was full of birds and balloons? Today was one of those days!!!

I awakened to the sound of Canadian Geese sharing their migration song as they flapped and honkend their way across the sky. They are glorious and I look forward to their song every year!

I started early in my studio and finished a crown, that I hope is what Jana had in mind for a topper for our first "tree" of the season. I had great fun making it! I also worked on a bit of "kitchy" Christmas items, that I will post soon and also worked on finishing up a "Boo!" banner, that I hope will work either in Joyworks or for Deb and the Funky Junk Gals.

But,,,,,,,BUT, the best thing was coming home on a beautiful day after crafting and glittering and finding a package from my dear new friend Lulu- of Coastal Sisters-whom I know many of you have gotten to know a bit as well. Well, we did a swap because neither of us wanted to charge the other for the things we wanted! Lovely earrings for a dear friend of mine Rebecca, who is TOTALLY into mermaids, and I made Lulu a crown for her guest room. Instead of swapping "coinage" we swapped, what "wompum?" Isn't that what the native Americans did? Anyway, it was more like, I'll give you mine if you give me yours!!! Well, I love her to pieces, and apparently it's mutual, because I got the most fun stuff EVER today! Jewelry, jewelry and MORE jewelry along with a wonderful Rose pin and a bar of french milled soap packaged so beautifully that I don't know when I'll open it.

Oh yeah,,,,pssst Gifts for Jana and Clarice! I'll bring them in to the show tomorrow!!!

I'm hoping to get Lulu (Coastalsisters) to come and visit us all soon! She's thinking about it! Send her YOUR best invite if your a local!!I want her to feel welcome in Washington!!

Shortly before posting this, the night sky held two hot air balloons, perusing our little community! Ahhhh! Life is good, Enjoy!!

Savoring the day, friends and life, Hope you did too!

Wonderful Wedding in Spite of the Weather!!

2009-09-20T07:45:00.000-07:00

Yesterday afternoon one of my son Andrew's lifelong friends Nathaniel married a wonderful young lady by the name of Meaghan.

There wedding was held at Tazier Farms in Stanwood. The setting was gorgeous, in fact everything and everyone was. Only problem-we had a brief stint of TRUE Washington weather! The ceremony, held outside was a bit soggy, but lovely. Truly I don't know if I have ever seen a more beautiful bride!!

I sat next to my dear neighbors Bill and Barbara Bates. They are such a delight and have been married for over 50 years. Afterwards we made our way to the dining tent and had a truly wonderful dinner.

I didn't cry during the wedding but when various family members got up and gave toasts I lost it! Truly dear!

And although I made the "kids" a cake topper,which was displayed, they had opted for pie from Snohomish Pie company. I wondered how that was all going to go with berry filling and all, but they opted out of the usual "feeding" routine! Thank heavens!

I'll post a few photos above, but please feel free to visit my facebook site for a slideshow!

Crowns for friends far and near!

2009-09-17T20:01:00.000-07:00

Here kitty kitty! Tubby where are you?

2009-09-15T18:03:00.000-07:00
My son Andy was off work today and we spent the majority of the afternoon (I'd planned on working in the studio) in search of his roommates cat-Tubby,who has recently left the confines of an apartment and has been missing on and off, even prior to the guys moving to my little cottage in back. Apparently Frank (Andy's roomie) saw his former next door neighbor feeding his cat and has subsequently said that he took said cat (Tubby) to a shelter. What the???

So. Frank being out of town,,Andy and I went to local shelters in search of Tubby (Hey, I am a sucker for animals, so everything else went the wayside.) No Tubby and a hefty donation to PAWS, the non-kill shelter and I found myself back home early evening, angry/frustrated and saddened. If I ever win the lottery, I'm buying a remote property and adopting them ALL!!

Accccckkkkkk I have so much to do in the studio! I have to make a Bday crown TOMMORROW for a birthday THURSDAY, finish a crown for a dear friend (you know who are and whom I love) finish my giveaway prize for the lovely Anita and, and, and!!!!
Show in a couple of weeks, Vendor display the whole month of November. This ALL started with one cake topper!

I made a decision last week, now that I have my house back to myself to move my "studio" back home soon,,,so I can work at whatever hours I want. It's tough when you get creative or inspired at 10:00pm and the glue gun, paper, whatever are 6 blocks away! I have my space back, so back home I come!!! After I finish,,,,,,x,y and z and maybe I can do a, b and c while I'm enroute!!!

Fall is here My somewhat "famous" White Chicken Chili Recipe.....

2009-09-14T18:28:00.000-07:00
This morning was one of those "could go either way" kind of days in Washington. Although the weatherman said it wasn't going to rain, it looked pretty "iffy" to me. So, I decided to make soup, I love soup. Below is my recipe for White Chicken Chili.

I once made my White Chicken Chili for about 50 members of a sailing club for my dear friend Laura and her group. Originally I got it from another friend after she had served it, so it's not officially mine, other than that I added Garbanzo Beans to the mix for a twist. Laura called it "Shells famous White Chicken Chili" in her sailing news letter, so I'll take partial credit!

Great for a Crisp Day!! ( I make this on Halloween night and invite friends to stop in and have a bowl) You are welcome to stop by too!!! Or serve it for your own crowd anytime!

I am not an exacting Chef, I think part of the fun is making it a bit different each time!

Tablespoon or so cooking oil.
1 large onion /diced.
1 or 2 green peppers.
Garlic to taste: I use about 4 large segments smashed to smithereens.

Cook above until very lightly browned in a large soup pot. Then add:

3-4 cans Great Northern Beans (un-drained)
1 can Garbanzo Beans (drain these)
2 cans Chicken broth
approx 3 cups chopped cooked boneless chicken (I just use breasts, but your call And sometimes I cheat and just buy the pre-cooked Deli breasts or a whole deli chicken-a bit more $$$ but a time saver!)
1 small can green chilies
about 1/4 teaspoon Chili powder (your call, how spicy do YOU and your family like it?)
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves (Weird huh? But it adds a certain something!)
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
1/4 teaspoon pepper (white if you have it, otherwise fresh ground black works fine)

Simmer for about 3 hours.

HERE IS the Killer-it tastes fine without this BUT, prior to serving add 3 cups shredded Monterrey Jack Cheese. (I know, I know, but this truly makes it!)

Serve with Corn chips/salsa/ sour cream, whatevva!! But tasty just on it's own!

My family (and friends) fav! Bon Appetite!

Shell

Celebrated 9-9-9 in Snohomish Today!

2009-09-09T17:39:00.000-07:00

I really planned on getting a lot done today! But, instead, I had a lot of FUN!! My dear friend Laura called me to go have lunch and we had a great time catching up -since we see each other often 2 weeks was a LONG time!!

After lunch, I THOUGHT I was headed for the grocery store, but instead the car just headed down the hill to Annie's on First. That darned car! I swear it has a mind of it's own!
Well, I always, always always find something at Annie's. She and Mary have "my number," I swear!! I found a couple of fun birds (shown in the picture above)- a quail and a pheasant, I think. But they look really fun with a vase I found at an estate sale and some vintage Italian candlesticks I bought awhile back. I think it all looks pretty cute on the runner I found at Pier 1 a couple weeks ago! I'm liking it all on my dining table! Annie and Mary always have fun new stuff!! (AnniesinSnohomish.blogspot.com)

Before I left, I ran into the wonderful Penny, our newest addition to the Joyworks crew doing her Historical society duties-for the home Tour (Sept 20th). After giving Eddie, Annies adorable Yorkie his due, I headed a few doors down to.......

see Kimberly at Faded Elegance. (Hey, I was having a good hair day and sporting my new Tribal sweater, a girl has to take advantage!) Kimberly is having an even on the 19th, "Girls night Out, complete with massages and chocolate martinis! I'm going to try and swing in, if the wedding I have up north on Saturday doesn't run too late!
(For details on Kimberly's event, go to Fadedelegancestyle.blogspot.com!

Okay,,,time to make dinner for the guys! I've been trying to take advantage of the Farmer's Market here on Thursdays and use that to help create dinner for my son Andy and his roomie Frank, while incorporating a cooking lesson or two into the mix. Frank leaves for biz tomorrow though in Oregon, so we're doing something impromptu tonight. (Okay, the salad will be fresh and we'll make our own garlic bread, but the Entree' is Stouffers, can you BEAT the price/prep on their lasagna?)

Happy 9-9-9! Hugs
Shell

Sunday, Empty Nest Contest, etc.

2009-09-06T18:39:00.000-07:00
I tried to post last nite repeatedly, but I could never actually send my post. My computer/internet/blogspot whatever just froze at the final sending!

Anyway, I drew a name out of a bowl (no hat was handy) and the lovely Anita of castlescrownscottage.blogspot.com won the drawing for my empty nest giveaway!!!!

Anita's blog is lovely. She's a Franchophile of sorts, teaches French, is finishing her Master's degree and has a gorgeous blog complete with beautiful graphics/pics/music and muse! I highly recommend you stopping by to see it for yourself!!!

As for the prize, I'm still comprising it, because, if any of you have actually been following my activities of late, it's been a bit hectic around here!! So Anita, my dear, it will arrive shortly.

I haven't been able to even get to the studio with Andy moving/cleaning the back cottage/his having transmission troubles (me no car for 4 days) So,,,,enough already back to the workshop tomorrow to finish some projects and fulfill orders, finish gifts and giveaways for friends !

Bring on the Rain,,,,,I'm ready to settle in and Glitter to my hearts content!!!

Hugs and thanks to all that commented. I'll have another giveaway in Late October or early November,,,,,,Angel related!

Shell

Feathering His Nest!

2009-09-03T19:07:00.000-07:00
Well, we got the house back in shape today and Andy is moving his things into his new home! It's CLEAN and tidy and except for some of the pink paint, ready to go! (Real men can live with a bit of pink for a bit!)

It's fun to watch him move things in that were just previously in storage when he moved home. In spite of his former Marine status, he really does have an "eye" for design/color/form.

And,,,slowly but surely, I'm getting my space back!!! Not quite ready to do my "naked" dance....but getting close!! (There are certain things you can ONLY do when you KNOW you are alone!)

Shell

I'm exhausticated!!!

2009-09-02T17:29:00.000-07:00
Not my usual Blog post....

Andy and I spent the last 8 hours hauling/bagging, cleaning and shaking our heads at the absolute chaos/filth in my rental cottage in back. I cannot imagine that anyone could be that dirty or live in that mess! And she'd only been there 6 months.

I'll spare you all the details...because it wasn't pretty. Let's just say we found drug paraphernalia and it wasn't for Marijuana. Thankfully they weren't actually "cooking" the stuff back there, smoking it and apparently "shooting" the stuff. You give someone a break because they are down in their luck and you can be taken advantage of,,as I was in this case. But I haven't/won't harden my heart, because I think there are STILL people that need a hand up. That said, I'll be a little less naive the next time about the legalities of things. But for now, I don't have to worry because THIS time it will be my son and his good friend.

Where did my happy little community go? WAIT, I think we reclaimed it.I'm feeling the weight lifting. I love this town and I love my neighborhood. And although feeling violated and used, I feel extreme relief that this negativity is gone.

Tired mentally and physically, but by tomorrow night, Andy and I will have it clean as a whistle and bright and shiny. No more tenants,,,,just Andy and Frank. Thank you Jesus.

Shell

PS,,,,Sorry, this isn't a very upbeat post. And I AM an UPbeat person as most of you know. But sometimes you have to live with the hand you've been dealt.

Empty Nest and Giveaway!!!

2009-08-28T19:29:00.001-07:00

My darling, sweet, protective, artistic, former Marine has been living with me for about the last six months. I love him dearly. He left home all too early the first time at the age of 18 after joining the Marine Corps. I thought I was going to lose my mind! You love them, you raise them, you nuture them, you try instill in them good values and life skills, and then poof! They leave you. They are gone!! One day they are your precious child and the next they are literally taken away by a Marine recruiter to serve their country.

I cannot lie. I wanted to inflict bodily harm on the recruiter, who literally took my son away. No matter where my pride and patriotism stood, I could not fathom someone taking my boy-child away to potentially be killed in the line of duty. And serve and fight he did. Two tours in Iraq when my world seemed to stop and I felt as helpless as a human being could in protecting their child from harm.

Fast forward. He came home safe. He came home unscathed. I thanked God and breathed for the first time in 4 years. I AM so proud of what he did. I AM SO proud to call him my son. A patriot, a servant to his country and my flesh and blood.

Now, that said, and as you can see, I love this young man with all my heart and soul, he's been living with me again. I've loved it. I've re-adapted. I look at the "Shotgun News" magazine on the coffee table placed atop my Romantic Homes.
I've overlooked the milk carton on the kitchen counter, the multitude of towels on the bathroom floor, the guestroom looking like it was hit by a tornado ,,,because you love them, and you are SO relieved that they are happy and healthy and home. You take a deep breath, and step over said-clutter.

I have SO enjoyed having him home. His letting his proverbial hair down and spending this brief time with me. I wouldn't trade this time for anything!!!!!! And yet, I am SO doing the party dance to have my space back and let HIM create his own!! It's only a door away,,,he's moving with his bud Frankie to my cottage behind me and starting back to college next month,,,,SO,,,he get's his space and I get mine back! Thank you Lord!! Bring on the party dance!!!

If you've made it this far in my ranting, please share your "emtpy nest" story. It can be one of having an empty nest, leaving the nest, what you think you'll feel WHEN your nest is empty, or having said nest full again. I'll be giving away a "nest related prize" next friday. Just post your story to my comments to enter and I'll create a random drawing.

Next week, I'll begin "re-feathering" my next with new decor and insights!

Hugs,
Shell

The following photos can also be deleted from Blogger. This will remove them from all the posts where they appear. Please check any that you wish to delete.
(It may take up to 24 hours for them to be removed).

The ADD thang,,,,,,,Artists Delusional Denial.....

2009-08-26T19:13:00.000-07:00

Today was one of THOSE days! I worked on a bunch of stuff, including setting up and Etsy account, working a a crown for my dear new friend Lulu, working on some Halloween items-such as a "Boo!" Banner, and some Christmas houses- but I finished NOTHING! Nadda, nix, no. I looked around the studio at the various projects I had going and thought if anyone walked in it would look like I was on some designer class of pharmacuticals,,,

There was glitter and paper and ribbon and tinsel and paint and brushes everywhere!!!! Ackkk! I think some of it is good,,I think some of it has potential,,,and I think some of it will end up in the trash heap......It was one of those weird days.

Last night was great fun. I made dinner for Andy's buddy and future housemate. Dinner was good- I made them Steak Oscar (Steak with crab and Hollandaise) with sides of baked potatoes and broccolli and mixed green salad. I used the good china. The pic above is of Frank enjoying his meal wearing the crown Chelsea (my son Andy's GF and I made LAST week-tongue in cheek for Andrew's 25th) Heavy on Camo with a bit of bling to make it funny. My camera was dead when we went to show Andy in the crown,,,,but at least we got Frank!!! "Bon Fete Francious!"

Fall is approaching

2009-08-21T17:53:00.000-07:00

This week when I popped in to Joyworks, the girls were changing the displays to reflect a more Autumnal theme. Then again, I was jazzing up some witches hats for Halloween to sell, so I guess we all thinking along the same lines.

THEN, this morning, while heading for my workshop I walked through my first spiderweb or the season (great) and tonight, while feeding the hounds in the mudroom I heard the first honking of geese preparing themselves for their upcoming migration.

We have TRULY had Summer in Washington this year, complete with a run on AC units and heat index warnings. I started to feel like I was living in another State. The grey, cooler day today was a reminder that my feet are still planted on Snohomish terra firma.

That said, I had a lot of fun making the Witches Hats shown above. This is my model and Muse, Marla, she is much more photogenic than I am and always a good sport. You can see individual photos at my other blog, which just shows my custom crafting items.

Looking forward to a fun weekend working at Joyworks and seeing all the new displays and arrivals!!!

Hugs,
Shell

Busy Day!!!

2009-08-18T17:22:00.000-07:00

Here are a few projects that I completed today- this and that.

This morning I ordered a few more (we'll leave it at that) things for several projects. I screwed up on one order (ordering an inch of some Vintage garland) and had to call the Vendor and change it. I'd done business with her before and thought the prices and selection on her craft stuff was great!!!! We had a nice chat while correcting my order and I just wanted to share her website.

It's called Silver Crow Creations or http://SilverCrowCreations.com
Annie is a great gal and she and her husband work out of their home (a remodeled church in PA.) She has TONS of :

Dresden
German Buillion Threads (in awesome colors)
Vintage hard to finds
Rubber Stamps
Oh man, there site is huge, but the findings are great and so are her prices. I could keep her to myself,,,but I know as a small business they are struggling too! So check it out!! (I'm not getting anything for this, but I'd love it if you told her I sent you, just to know "we ARE all in this together.)

Hugs,
Shell

New sidebar slideshow!

2009-08-16T00:08:00.001-07:00
Although the photos are far from perfect, I had fun doing my first slideshow for this site AND my other site http://BungalowBling.blogspot.com

Go to the sidebar at left and click on PLAY to see some fun photos of family/crafts/events and my animal housemates!!!! YOU may be amongst the photos!!

Not quite accurate on the photos zoom/clarity or editing, but I had fun anyway, and am learning!!!

Hugs,
Shell

Photos,,,,please enlarge!!

2009-08-13T20:55:00.000-07:00
I'm still trying to get all this blogger technology down......I hope that you can click on any of my photos/images as I can to get "the bigger picture." Please click with you mouse on any of my images and they should refine/enlarge........

Hopefully, if you are new to blogging,,,,,,,this will work on other blogsites as well,,,,so you get the "big picture!"

Shell

Jill's 50th,,,,,,Part Deux

2009-08-13T20:30:00.000-07:00

So, Jill arrived at her 50th party, to a beautiful venue and a lovely meal consisting of:
Various appetizers
Shrimp Coctails
Herb Seasoned Chicken Skewers (Sandi)
Home made to die for rolls (Luanne)
Seasoned Spinach and strawberry Salad (ala Clarice)
Pasta Salad (Moi)
And Glorious Fruit and dip from Kay,,

It was awesome!

We had a brief respite while Jill opened her gifts (Including both thongs and pink "big girl panties" from an anonymous giver........)

We had great laughs and then as our food SLIGHTLY settled, Amy brought out cupcakes extrodinare from our friend Lisa at "New York Cupcakes" Redmond, WA AND homemade coconut ice cream Created by Rita using Jill's mother's recipe. completed with toasted fresh coconut,,,,,,,,,OMG,,,,,I think we were all in a coma, when all was said and eaten/done!!!! I tried to Blog a bit when I came home,,,,but come on!!! This was Uber extravaganza!!!!!!!!!

Enjoy the photos!
Hugs,
Shell

Jill's 50th,,,,,Part 1

2009-08-13T16:28:00.000-07:00

Last evening, we had a wonderful party hosted by Clarice (my boss from Joyworks) at her lovely home and garden in Lake Stevens. To say Clarice is a wonderful gardener, is an understatement! And, it spite of our inclement (HOT HOT HOT) weather here in the PNW, her yard looks spectacular!!!!

Jana, her daughter and partner in design, along with our beloved Sandi, created the perfect setting for our coworker Jill's 50th birthday. It was a spread right out of Romantic Homes or Country living!

Now, one thing I have to clarify, before I reveal pictures of the setting is that we say "boss," we say "coworker," but I know that my fellow shopworkers would be the first to tell you that we have a much deeper commitment and friendship than strictly work. Prior to my Joyworks days I worked with a lot of women, in a lot of places. I've never worked with such lovely women!! We are different in many ways, but the mix works well!! No one leaves,,,and if they do, they come back!!

With that in mind,,,,there is nothing like a Joyworks party,,,and Jill, usually orchestrates the gatherings we DO have, so I think we all tried to make it extra special for her 50th,,,,,even if she DOES say "brick brack."

Jill loves animal prints, so we created items with that in mind and added touches of pink. I made her a cake topper and a crown that matched the theme. Here's the scene,,,,next post will be the event itself!!

My kids,,,,,and my Kids

2009-08-11T22:26:00.000-07:00
Andrew was at work tonite,,,and his "bestest" childhood friend,Erick, aka my "other son," stopped by tonite to tell me he proposed last night.........I laughed and cried,,,,,,,,,This is my "babies" bestest. i wish him and Jessica the best. They have been together a long time, and yet I've known Erick for years.

May God Bless their future and their union....And protect and strengthen my Erick boy in his union......

Shell

Good Lord, I'm Blind!!! But I look Hot!!!

2009-08-10T21:15:00.000-07:00
I got new "Ferragamo" glasses today, they help with Near/Far sightedness, I guess, and my astignatism,,,,,,,I could have gone to Italy at the cost of these babies, and they make me feel like I'm on another planet......I think people pay good money for drugs that make them feel like this,,,,,,,,,,,

But I think I look hot,,and that is all that matters, right? I'll get back to you on that!!!

Hang in there,
Shell

Annie's Fun Event Last Night

2009-08-09T09:56:00.000-07:00

Last Evening, Annie's on First (Annie & Mary) hosted "Hot Blogust Nites." Although NOT hot (Thank God) it was a very fun evening!! Annie's invited bloggers to come to our little town and give us all an opportunity to put a face to the name.

Gals came up from Oregon and Rene' (Mary Jane's Farm) made her way from Idaho. Rene' had a "badge emergency," so Jana and I fixed her up!! Timi, from "Jesus Loves Casseroles" had a darling badge,,,,
I wore one I made for my crafting site, "BungalowBling."

All the shops had yummy treats, offered discounts, and Annie's had free drawings!

All the shops were dressed up in their finest and I managed to (once again) help stimulate our local economy!!

Let's do it again soon! So fun to meet all of you here in our town!

Hugs,
Shell

Hot Bloggist Nites,,,,tomorrow in Snohomish!!

2009-08-07T18:34:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow/Saturday in Snohomish Annies on First is sponsoring "Hot Bloggist Nights." I have some stuff in Joyworks that I've crafted and will add a few things tomorrow....before the event.

It should be fun to put some faces with the (bloggers) names. Looking forward to it and some cooler temps! I think we may still be in Washington after all!!!

Hugs,
Shell

Great Day for a wedding!!!

2009-08-02T19:14:00.000-07:00

Today I helped friends set up for a wedding at Hidden Meadows here in Snohomish. It's a lovely venue and I truly wish I would have taken more pictures, BUT I WAS TOO BUSY!!!! I helped with flower arrangements/tulle/table set up etc. I had an hour to come home and shower change, eat and put my "face" on.!!

The event was spectacular and the weather held at about 93.....Are you KIDDING ME?? Where do we live now???

My "date" was my friend Laura since her hubby didn't attend. She also helped set up today. Here's a pic of the ceremony and the bride and groom singing a duet,,,,,,,and a pic of my bestest bud Laura and I prior to heading home,,,,,,,,,

Lovely day but a lot of work and a LOT of heat!!!!!!!!

Hugs,
Shell

Miles's Service and I want Darlene to adopt me...

2009-07-30T20:00:00.000-07:00
I spent this morning at my friend Darlene's finalizing a "Celebration of life" service and obit for our mutual friend, Miles.

Darlene lives on multiple acres, with a view of the Snohomish Valley, a comfy and beautiful home, and gardens/ landscaping extrodinaire. (Featured in various magazines and newspaper spreads) Complete with a pool, designer chickens, and a Golden Retriever to match my own.......

It was a reflective and enjoyable morning,,,,replete of the HOT day in store for us once again.

On reflection, I think I want Darlene to adopt me,,,with her gardens, pets, wonderful abode and oh yeah, the AC and the pool!

Take care Washingtonians in the heat,,,,,,And the REST of you pray for our usual onslaught of rain!!!!!!!

Hydrangea request for Locals- Wedding This Sunday......

2009-07-28T20:46:00.000-07:00
I'm attending a wedding for a couple-Lauren and Andrew and we're short a few Hydrangeas for their wedding (50 tables and white/blue/purple hydrangea's with hot pink roses). So,,,if you are a local as a gift to them I will most certainly pay for blooms,,,,,,,Call or email me........

Shell
Shelly39WA@aol.com or Call me (and then print and eat the number,,,,,,,,)
(360-563-1002)

Really Hot

2009-07-28T18:52:00.000-07:00

I worked in the studio as much as I could today,,,,,but I went to have my eyes (head?) examined and left there with them dialated......so not so much of an opportunity to go back and do detail work......Damn, it's 95 somethin' and there is "Air" there and none at home....
Commiserating with the animals---oh swell my cat Holly is between the monitor and the keyboard,,,,,,,Nothing like cat hair/heat!!

We're going to break record tomorrow or Thurs,,,,,,,,,I'm going to come and see some of you back East, if this keeps up!!!

Shell

Lost a dear friend today......

2009-07-26T19:27:00.000-07:00

Hi,

I got a call today from my friend Annie to let me know we had a mutual friend here in our small community (of Snohomish, WA) had passed away. That's two friends in two weeks for me. One suddenly(heart attack) and one all too fast (Lymphoma). They were both a great asset to this small, historic community. My friend Miles, whom passed away this morning was a true artisan. He was re-using old woods LONG before it was popular. He'd go to an auction or an old building that was being torn down and buy boards/doors/ hardware and turn it into something unique and spectacular. ("Shell, this wood came from a bordello/inn/house/tavern in......." "It's heart pine/mahogany/oak/ old growth cedar."

Miles was funny though- He didn't do well with timetables and you could tell him you wanted this and that and he would take it upon himself to create something in HIS mind's eye----not yours. And, at his own pace, not YOURS!! Andy he ALWAYS had money problems..his mind was never on the bottom line. I have to say that there were people in this community that kept him solvent because of his artistic endeavors and community involvement. They accepted his non payment of Rent/Leases. I'll leave that anonymous, but I KNOW who you WERE/ARE and what you did for him. My God Bless you for your generosities.....

Miles was gay, he was agnostic-denied the total existence of any after life. He was a great historian and had a firm knowledge of architecture and culture. He had an incredible intelligence, a love for classical music and looked like he was either Einstein's or Mark Twain's double with his unruly ringlets and large proboscis (nose.)

He used to bring my mother flowers. And he and she (in her late 80's and 90's) would laugh and share their memories of lives in San Francisco. The affinity and the bond was unusual and yet strong.

He got sick SO fast. I tried to spend time with him and let him know how much he was loved-by me, yes, but also all the members of the community. This is a hard post,,,,but all I can say is what I've learned from this IS let the people that touch your life KNOW how MUCH they mean to you,,,It's corny, but after being suddenly widowed at the age of 37, I'm a firm believer in just letting someone know you care,,,,,you love, and that life is brief.

Sounds like a country song,,,,but let someone KNOW how much they mean to you,,NOW. For yourself those you love and admire.

Hugs,,and admiration to all of YOU that I have gotten to know,love and appreciate.

Shell

Arghhhhhh, computer froze while posting!!

2009-07-25T00:00:00.000-07:00

Here is one of the other photos I wanted to share of my new cabinet for clip art and Dresden in my workshop/studio. I love it!! I have thing organized a lot better now............

My fun new cabinet didin't make it in the last photos........

2009-07-24T22:00:00.000-07:00

More where Blogger's Create

2009-07-24T21:09:00.001-07:00
Here is my fun new cabinet where I Store my dresden and clip art,,,,,,,,,I love it!!!

Wowza! What a week!!!

2009-07-24T20:43:00.000-07:00

Here are pictures from my workshop, it's not fancy and I am constantly moving things around! Someday, maybe I will have a cover spread in a magazine,,or not. This is me, and what I do,,,,,and it keeps evolving. The biggest change I will most likely make in the near future is being in a permanent or semi-permanent location close by. I LOVE my space and I am delighted to use it, especially that it is pro gratis from my leasing friend. BUT IF I move again soon, I WILL lease a space that I can be in for at least 6 months..

So, here are a few shots of my workshop for "Where Bloggers Create." I am certainly not book or photo worthy,,,,,but it IS where I do what I do.......

One of my racks is an old shoe rack that I repainted and use to hold Vintage Crepe paper/fabric garlands and Cricut supplies,,,,,,I bought it at an estate sale and painted it light green.....It is awesome for holding and SEEING things!!

The most important tools that I have are my "Cans of air" for blowing excess glitter off of pieces and Wax paper which is great for glittering and painting.

I have a lot of materials and equipment, but my "mini" glue gun is my best friend and I LOVE ribbon and Vintage papers-Wallpapers, Dresden/German scrap and old sheet music........

I keep evolving and moving my crafting supplies around and learning new techniques!!
It's finding yourself,,,,and what makes you happy that counts!!!

Fantastic Find Today.........

2009-07-20T21:14:00.000-07:00
There is an Antique Store in Monroe (WA State) on their old Main street (Geesh, I just dug through my purse for the name and my receipt) where I ALWAYS find something when I visit. I am SO going to have to post the store name,,,,,,,

At any rate, I went to Ben Franklin out there (Monroe) to buy a few supplies and decided to cruise down "Old Main" and take the backroad home. I found the MOST awesome cabinet for storing graphics and papers for my crafting!!! I have to go back and get it because I had compost bags in my car.........Ugggh!!

Pics and explitives to follow! It is SO cute!!

And, as I may have lost my creative space this week (due to either the selling or leasing of my pro gratis location) of which I am SO delighted for my benefactor/
Benefactriss??? and best friend sitting on a HUGE building, and alas no income as a result of her generosity towards MOI.... I have been looking for another location.......stay tuned, I have at least a month to move........
Shell

Want a widget/blinkie designer for an event!!

2009-07-13T19:28:00.000-07:00
Howdy all,

Hope all are well and using their creative forces for the good of all womankind!!

I want to do an event in August or Sept with Angels.......I have collected Angels/Cherubs for some time and want someone to make me a widget/blinkie/ whatever to promote such event,,,,,,,,,anyone interested or inclined contact me!!

Thanks,
Shell

Enjoy your day!!

Before Shots,,,,,,,,,,

2009-07-09T22:43:00.000-07:00

We are repainting the house. My son Andrew has it all sanded and power washed (big job on an almost 100 yo house!) The front sitting porch is already primard and today he started with the new siding color! I am SO excited, but it's going to be a long and tedious job to do TWO houses (my rental in back) the double detatched garage and all the fencing/arbor!!

Here a a few "before" shots and I'll gladly share the "afters" as they become available!!

New friends, new opportunities?

2009-07-06T19:18:00.000-07:00

I have met such wonderful people (primarily women, but a few awesome artistic or insightful men as well) since I started blogging. It's awesome the people you meet!!!

It is also enchanting to step into someone else's life through the doors of their blogs- Their creativity shines and you get to know someone across the globe that you would never have met otherwise or perhaps even someone a "few doors away" that you were unaware of!! I love the support in creativy and the support in everyday trials and frustrations that face us all!!

I had a friend stop by my new studio today to "see" what I was doing and what she could look for in her treasure hunting to help my newfound passions. It's great fun to see people that care about you and want to help in whatever way they can in your creative endeavors!! I'll take all the help I can get!!

I also had a toothless lady that opened the door to my here to date isolated workshop and asked what I did and I froze initially; then I thought of the old saying that God/Jesus may approach us in a way that is foreign or uncomfortable to us and see how we'd react in that situation.

She scared me by her arrival as I work alone/have no line phone or Cell (I know, I know,,,but I had one for years in outside sales and I LOVE the solitude for the most part) I said I did cake toppers-Mostly for weddings (didn't want to encourage her too much and elaborate or show her more as she stood in the entry to my creative cave) and she then informed me her daughter did cake decorating and did I have a business card??

I informed her the cards were on order (which they are since my new endeavor is so well, new) and she said she'd stop back in, if it was okay....

Now you have to understand, this woman had very few teeth, was in her late 60's or 70's wearing several layers of clothing and a head scarf that reminded me of some gypsy ancestry I have to claim in Ireland..Nonetheless, I regrouped after her inquiry and all of a sudden it turned into a potential business opportunity.......

I don't know if she'll be back-she may be transient. I don't know if I'll every meet her daughter or whether my cake toppers would suit her business,,,,,,,But all I can say is that years ago when I worked at Nordstrom some of my best customers could NOT have been judged by their appearances,,,,,Only by the roll of cash they had shoved in their jeans.........

Thanks to friends old and new and potential outcomes big and small!!
Hugs,
Shell

Cause to Celebrate!! (Long post, but I hope informative!)

2009-07-03T17:56:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

I don't "Do Halloween." I get about 600 kids in my neighborhood and do very little decorating for that- just spend a bazillion on Candy-maybe dress up the dogs and me......

I don't "DO the 4th, or other Patriotic holidays-decoration wise." Other than that I flew a flag when my son was in Iraq, holiday or no. When he was stationed in Iraq, I tied yellow ribbons on the plum tree in front of the house. I "Do" Christmas-big time and Easter as well, but I couldn't be Prouder than on the 4th!

My son Andrew dropped out of college and joined the Marines at the age of 18, shortly after 911. He believed in what he was doing and wanted to fight terrorism. I wasn't sure I believed in the conflict, BUT I believed in my son, with all my heart and soul. I supported him in his every action, was SO proud of him and his fellow commrades. The hardest thing I ever went through was the day the recruiter picked him up and took my Boy, my best friend, and yes, my baby-away. To make a soldier out of him.

Andy (and consequently, I ) did two tours in Iraq. I've never done anything harder. You hold your breath every day. You say prayers and wish that no young woman or man in ANY conflict should have to sacrifice or risk their life. But he did. And they did.

Not just my son. My brother (10 years older) was a draftee in the Army in 1965. Serving in a war without conviction, but obligation. He came home, after serving in "The Big Red One"-the Armies largest and most promenant fighting squad- with 2 bronze stars and a silver star and he never talked about it- from the moment he stepped on terra firma in the US of A. Until my son, his nephew was headed for Iraq. He just said to be safe.

My dad fought in the "WWII." Seeing action in Pearl Harbor on the USS Missiouri.
He survived as well, serving 22 years in the Navy.

And my Grandfather fought in the trenches in WWI. His homeland, under seige. His family had lived there for Centuries. Although fighting as well in a war he didn't believe in FOR the Germans-because he was one. All the while my Grandmother taking in Frenchmen and hiding them in the farmhouse to keep them safe. . .

Little known facts: My son, in the Marines made less than minimum wage. He had to purchase some of the gear/supplies/uniform requirements he needed out of his income to be prepared to go fight for his Country. (Camel Packs to withstand the heat and stay hydrated, for one)

My brother, in Viet Nam wrote home requesting gun oil because our Military did not supply them with adequate lubricants to keep their guns from jamming and blowing up in their faces...My mother and I went to a surplus store to get the gun oil for him and his platoon.......

My Brother was awarded for his service the benefits of the GI Bill, which allowed him to get an education and a small housing allowance. That covered a couple of years of college and housing. But he went on (thanks to a 4pt GPA)to get his Masters and Doctorate-thanks to private funding Grants-NOT the military.

What bothered me for some time after Andy's deployment were the recruiting "Ads" for our young men and women offering educational opportunities and a good future for joining a "Service." Which was decieving-there were basically NO educational benefits prior to what is being currently implemented as a result of a Virginia Senator (forgive my ignorance on his name) that was finally implemented by the Federal government- that, as of next month/THIS August all military personnel serving as a result of 911 or thereafter, are entitled to at least SOME benefits-based on their hours of service-which offers college educational benefits/housing and a small stipend for those who have served their country.

Tomorrow, as you watch the Roman candles and the Fireworks displays, give thanks that we live in a Country that is Free. That acknowledges our family, friends and neighbors for the INDEPENDENCE their service has given YOU. KNOW that Freedom isn't free-there is a great cost paid by all. And most of all, those that fought and served to give you the life you have. America may not be perfect (I've seen and experienced it first hand) but we live in the greatest place on earth. Free to Speak, Free to Dream, Free to Pray and Free to Live our lives as we see fit!!

Getting off of my soap box now, to make room for a Veteran or two.........

Have a great 4th!
Shell

We celebrated Amy's Birthday today!!

2009-07-02T19:50:00.000-07:00

Today, we Celebrated Amy's "30 something" birthday. As always, it was very fun, lunch was great and the dessert-(Jills awesome fresh picked Raspberry and Almond creation) was incredible.

What is more incredible, is that I work with such an awesome group of ladies! We are a diverse group-from the neat and tidy to the mildly disoriented creative types. It's so fun to see what everyone adds to the mix!!

I feel truly blessed, and have for some time to work with such an awesome group!!!
That's why we never leave,,,,or if we do, we COME BACK!!! Again, and again.

Stop by Joyworks blog,,,,,and see what Jana and the crew are up to. It's a delightful store and you'll never see another like it!!
http://joyworks-shopgirl.blogspot.com/

Love my Joyworks Gals!!
Shell

Shell in Snohomish: Meet Marla, it's her Re-Birthday!!

2009-06-29T20:56:00.000-07:00
Shell in Snohomish: Meet Marla, it's her Re-Birthday!!

Meet Marla, it's her Re-Birthday!!

2009-06-29T18:38:00.000-07:00

I had a fun and busy day! I made some Birthday hats (See http://Bungalowbling.blogspot.com ) for all of them, but I set up a fun display using an old spiral staircase plant stand I had, but hadn't used for a while. I added some tulle I had on hand and set up the hats.

Then I added "Marla," she's my new "roomie" Mannequin Head at the shop. I named her "Marla" after Marla Maples, since my new studio is on Maple street! Marla comes from a company in Port Townsends who restore and handpaint mannequins. She's a "Landfill Lady," although I keep wanting to call her a "Dumster Diva"--Has that phrase actually been coined yet? Because I know (and love) a few of you that THAT may apply to! You go girls!!! I've got your back,,,,,or your ankles! (I'll hold, you dive!!

I also went to Annie's on First today and bought a few vintage flowers for a project (top secret) that I'm working on and some really fun burlap bags to store my larger stemmed pics I use for crafting....too cute!! I never get out of Annie's without something!!

Busy and fun day! Marla and Me are calling it a nite!!
Hugs,
Shell

Hoping to get it all together soon!

2009-06-26T22:01:00.000-07:00

The new blog is coming along with my crafting stuff. I'm getting help with a header for this one, some horns and whistles for the new site and working out ALL my kinks, I hope!! I get impatient studying the blog how-tos, so hopefully, I'll get it all worked out soon!

New shop is great, loving it! No interruptions and lots of space. It's cozy now, but still could use some decorating, after all, we're talking a light industrial building. But it's clean and fresh and I'm blessed to be there and I can actually FIND my stuff!!

Here's a couple of little boxes that I made this week for Birthdays. I worked on some other stuff too,,,,but it's top secret! (Hmmmmm who IS having Birthdays soon?)

Have a good weekend! Hugs,
Shell

Working in the New Studio and Lovin' it!

2009-06-25T18:55:00.001-07:00

I worked for about 5 hours today in my new studio and it was awesome to have room to work in and see all the stuff I have to work with!! And I haven't even gotten into my sewing stuff yet!!

Couple of the crowns and a Bday box are a secret (For friends/coworkers having Bdays) So no pics yet of that, Or the studio, which is a work in progress,,,,,,

Here are some lovelies in my garden, the Calla Lillies are my favs!!

I feel like a piece of my youth died today with the deaths of both Farrah and Michael Jackson. I used to love Charlies Angels in High School! And although not a big Michael Jackson fan, he was still apart of my youth and young adult life! My wishes to them and their families!!

Hugs to all,
Shell

Have the key, movin' in!

2009-06-23T18:26:00.000-07:00

I woke up at 4:30 this morning! Does that give you any indication as to how my mind is spinning?

I bought plants for the planters by 8:00am and started moving my stuff in! Holy Smokes, I'm going to have lots of room! Even for friends to drop by and craft, do a few workshops at night and hooked up the espresso machine! I am SO there baby!!

Here are a few photos of the empty site,,,,and hopefully soon I'll have made it a bit more cozy, inspiring and inviting! I've already been told I'm going to have an open house to show off the new space,,jeesh! Now I have to move/ make it cozy, craft AND entertain!! Life is rough, eh?

Anyone have any good ideas to do with all my PAPER? I've go card stock, poster board, vintage sheet music, scraps, etc. etc, etc. Still not sure how I'm going to store them and yet have "eye" contact for ideas!! Lemme know if you have ideas!!!

And, I am REALLY excited to have a place where I can start Sewing again!! I used to make everything. For me, and for others. Suits, Wedding Dresses, curtains/pillows/Quilt, you name it, So I'll have room to do those things as well! Score! Life IS Good!!

Shell

I'm Getting a NEW workshop

2009-06-21T18:42:00.000-07:00
I am SO excited-I am getting a New Workshop. About 4 blocks from my house in my BF's building. I'm going to have a drafting table and my own entrance in her light industrial building.

For those of you that know me, and those of you that don't, I'm not a particularly religious person. I have however, always thought of myself as spiritual and truly believe that things happen in this life for a reason. As of late, when working on custom Wedding Cake toppers I have asked for spiritual guidance in creating pieces that express the couples love and devotion for each other. I truly wanted to be in touch with their personalities and their commitment to each other. Because marriage and commitment should be sacred.

And I've gone on to craft other items and wondered if this was what I should be doing, or whether my time and my dollars would be better spent elsewhere. But ironically-one thing lead to another. I got requests, I got inspiration and all the while thinking that if this is a path I'm meant to take, it would happen.

So now, I'm looking at doing some classes and although I longed for a working space, my home wasn't really and option (Small and on a City lot with my little rental in back) and I have supplies and samples of new techniques EVERYwhere. . And today, my dearest friend offered me a space, close by and free of charge. I'm thinking that this is something I am really meant to pursue. Wowza. . Life is good. . New blog in the works http://bungalowbling.blogspot.com, new camera for future projects and NOW a workshop.

I feel truly Blessed,
Shell

New blog site, rough, but need help/comments!

2009-06-20T20:33:00.000-07:00
Hi!

Shell here. Im keeping my main blog, http://ShellinSnohomish as my most active comment and posting blog, BUT- I'm starting to sell more custom pieces! I've sold at the shop where I work, (Joyworks aka http://Joyworks.com.blogspot) and at Funky Junk Sisters Event and am starting to take on some more custom orders for cake toppers for birthdays and weddings! (Did I mention I do things other than weddings??? ) It's exciting and yet overwhelming! I'm getting requests now from folks I don't even know who found me and even had a business proprosal today! Fun and exciting stuff!! ( I MAY lose some weight I'm to jazzed up to eat much! I eat sleep and drink glitter-literally!)

So, I created a ROUGH,,,,and I mean ROUGH new blog that shows some of the things I've created and hopefully giving people ideas so that I can make items for special events/personalities/themes to suit them! My new blog is...."tada".........Bungalow Bling (http://BungalowBling.blogspot.com) I thought it appropriate because everything (and everyone) is covered in glitter,,,,,ask my son the former Marine about that,,,or the poor animals!(One of my cats had glitter on her nose this week! ) And of course, I live in this cute little Bungalow house in the Historical District of Snohomish. Hence,,,,,Bungalow Bling. I'm liking the name,,,,,,this Bungalow has never been "traditional," I've always done my own thing! But the "bones" are strong,,,,as I hope any future endeavors I have will be.

I'm going to have a new header soon, both here and there! And get some tech support to make my blogging entries a bit better and easier. (I get so frustrated trying to create a nice looking blog and hey-I took classes in College for programming,,,,,okay, so that WAS a while ago! ) My "helper" has family issues, so I'll gladly wait for her awesome creativity and computer savvy!

I'd love any comments or suggestions for my new blog. I DID buy a new camera so my future pictures should be lot clearer. But fire away,,,,I'd love some more insight/ Comments!

Hugs,
Shell

Where Women Create

2009-06-18T19:59:00.000-07:00

We sold the original book, Where Women Create at Joyworks, where I work. Now one Blogger is posting and event to share creative environs. I responded and laughed, because all MY crafting stuff is all over the dining room table and my breakfast nook right now because my office/crafting area is occupied by my home-again 24 year old son.

Andy, my former Marine and 2 time Vet in the Iraq War is back home. I love him to pieces. Although I've called him "Hurricane Andrew" for years, you can't currently see the influence of the Marine Corps on his domestic domain. But, as I formerly shared, I'll gladly put up with the mess, until he gets his own place and returns to College this Fall, it's great to have him home.

So, the Creative space is more than a bit jumbled-my breakfast Nook, the diningroom table, and when I'm testing new materials and new techniques, the coffee table isn't even immune.

But I'll dream and plan for the space and wish all the while that he was still home. Creating HIS Chaos.

Shell

My Critters

2009-06-16T09:11:00.000-07:00

Here are some of my babies

Deb loaded down with her goodies and mine!

2009-06-12T11:39:00.000-07:00

Deb's on the road to the Funky Junk Show in Puyallup loaded down with so many incredible goodies!! Today is her second trip loaded to the max (table strapped to the top)!

She took some of my boxes and crowns to sell. I hope they find some good homes too!!

Good luck Deb!

I'm sure she'll have good pics to share next week. She's incredible! Be sure to look on her blog soon. http://gardenpartydecor.blogspot.com/

Crown Day today!

2009-06-10T10:57:00.000-07:00

Vintage Bella Studio declared today Crown Day! Too fun! I'm putting a couple of older pics up here because I had lots of hits from others on her site,,,,,,DO check out the Blog at Vintage Bella Studio today, it's tons of fun!

Happy crafting! Glitteringly yours,

Shell

Crowns and Boxes for Deb's Funky Junk Show....

2009-06-09T18:34:00.000-07:00

My friend Deb called me this morning and asked if I wanted to provide her with some things for "Funky Junk" in Puyallup this weekend! So, of course, I've been going nuts with the glitter and the glue gun creating things. I have started some more boxes and toppers, which I hope to have done for the show. Here are a couple of "funky" and fun crowns I made I'm sending with her as well!

Deb brought me some fun vintage pieces to incorporate into some of my little projects and I'm really excited to finish them! (Already Started!)

I think I have a new disease,,,,,that's a good thing, I think. Although my house may never look the same. Got Glitter?

Hugs,

Shell

Sweet 16 Crown and fun at Molbak's Nursery!!

2009-06-08T19:15:00.001-07:00

I had a great afternoon with my friend Laura. We had lunch at OUR favorite-Taco Time,,,,,too funny, but we both love it there. Then we went to Molbak's and I found a great topiary obelisk for my perennial Nastursium. Laura's daughter will be 16 tomorrow and had a pre-celebratory occaission of getting her driver's licence today. So after we got home, I made Jessie, Laura's daughter a quick Sweet 16 crown. They were out for the evening so I left it in their Smith brother's milk box on the porch! Hope she gets it before the milkman comes!!!

Prayers and well wishes going out today for Rita (whom I ran into at the grocery store) and my friend and Icon in the community Miles. Thinking a lot about both of them.

Hugs and good wishes for all!

Shell

What a GREAT week!!!

2009-06-05T17:02:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I finished a cake topper for our wedding display at Joyworks. I had a lot of fun making it! Hopefully it will find a good "home."

Today I went to a bazillion garage sales, or so it seemed around Snohomish and found some awesome finds to repurpose and craft with ,,,,,,,,,,,I'm so excited with my finds! A TON of great ribbons for 2Bucks!! A Singer pedal sewing machine base. etc. etc. And Cathy, a gal from our family owned hardware store, Mc Daniels had an awesome barn sale and I came home from there with a iron base from and old pedal Singer sewing machine that my son Andrew and I are going to turn into a table, probably with mosiacs/bits and pieces. And Cathy presented me with a beautiful bouquet of her Pink Peonies that smell like HEAVEN! My Favorites!!

But I think the most fun was finding out about new "cubbies" of homes in Snohomish and meeting some new folks! Sans makeup I got quite a few inquiries-"you look SO familiar" if I mentioned Joyworks they went, "OH YEAH! I love that store!" Okay, I'll "represent" better next time!!! Geesh, you can't even garage sale!

Camera fav's?

2009-06-02T20:29:00.000-07:00
Hey Gals,

I'm thinking of buying a new video camera for all the fine detail I've been working on lately,,,,,I would really love any input on cameras YOU have that you are pleased with or someone you know that may have some input! Thanks! Appreciate any and all comments!!
Shell

Daisy's Topper

2009-06-02T18:23:00.000-07:00

Wowza! How hot can it get for the 1st part of June??? I couldn't take the heat outside this afternoon, so I finished a wedding cake topper for Deb Bock to give to her nephew and his wife Daisy,,,,,,so of course the topper had to have a lot of daisies on it!! I still need to add a banner at the top for the bride and groom at Deb's request,,,but,,,I kept looking at this one and thinking of the old song, "Daisy, daisy, give me your answer true." Of course I'm sure she's heard THAT one!!

Okay,,,,,out to water those thirsty flowers, right after I wake Andy up to mow!

Hugs and Take care,
Shell

P.S. Thoughts and prayers for my friend Miles and my dear friend and co-worker Rita-who I "want back" with all her stories and laughter!

Brides, Queens and Junkers!

2009-05-29T14:52:00.000-07:00

It was a busy week! I worked in the yard quite a bit and finished a couple of crafting projects.

The pitcher above is one of my favorite's from Joyworks which I knocked off the fridge, so I filled it with a fun ground cover and let it brighten the garden a bit.

I also went out to Cobweb Antiques in Monroe, which is always a treasure hunt! I found this cute wicker rolling cart and had to have it- it was ALMOST half the asking price!

She's having a sale on starting the 4th,so worth the hunting, if so inclined.

I finished Meaghan and Nathaniels cake topper for their wedding in September-fun colors-Chocolate brown and green! Hope they like it!

I recently bought the Crowns and Tiara book we've been selling at Joyworks. And one of the blogs I visit is having a crown site so,,,,,one thing lead to another and I tried my hand at my first crown/tiara. It was tons of fun and I started playing around a bit with wire in the process. I'm already thinking about the next one!

Happy Spring!
Shell