Fab Find

Here's a quick peek at a recent cool find I had at my last thrift store stop.

Can't wait to show you what I'm going to do with it!  

I've got a couple of very busy weeks coming up - so I fear you won't see a transformation real soon. But, I promise I'll show you as soon as I get it done.  In the meantime....I'm actually living up to my year-to-clear promise from the first of the year and having a garage sale next weekend!  Unfortunately, I haven't been able to make as much headway as I would have liked to by this time, but, none-the-less, it's progress - and it feels good!

The Secrets of Pronoia

I don't know about you - but I can definitely have days where I feel like nothing.....I mean NOTHING seems to be going my way. It's like the whole world has gotten together the night before and planned how they can send as much trouble as possible to me. And by the way, the whole world always seems very pleased and proud of the success of their little Ann-project.

So I struggle and struggle, and somehow I succeed in making it through the the-whole-world-is-against-me-days, but I know there's always the possibility of another one just around the corner.

But the other day, I ran across this article  - wow - now whether I'm having a the-whole-world-is-against-me-day or just a normal, standard day - I plan to remember this article and the wisdom of it's words.

Now, keep in mind - and depending on your current mood - it can actually come across a little sickening - but I still think it's definitely worth thinking about.  It reminds me of something I heard once about miracles - and how they happen constantly around us but we become immune to them. For example, if we saw someone parting a sea of water many times a day for 100 years, we wouldn't think it was a miracle anymore....just something else in our otherwise mundane day. See what I mean?

Well head on over and read it for yourself and see what you think...

Porkchopsh and Appleshause

I created a new Etsy treasury last night. I thought it was funny and so darn clever!


Remember the 1971 episode of The Brady Bunch - where Peter was walking around trying to talk like Humphrey Bogart?  (Well shoot, some of you probably weren't around in 1971 - but obviously, I was!)

It went like this:

Carol (to Mike): "Guess who's coming to dinner?"
Mike: "A psychiatrist, I hope."
Carol (as Peter walks in): "I think it's Humphrey Bogart."
Peter tells Mike: "We're having 'porkchopsh and appleshaush." 
Mike: "There's only one Humphrey Bogart. Doubt there'll ever be another one."


Now here's the REALLY funny part!  About an hour after I created the treasury - I realized that instead of featuring "porkchops", I featured "pancakes"! What a goof!

A Trip to Michaels

I live a little less than an hour away from the nearest Michaels store.

It's probably a good thing- because I can tend to spend too much money when I go there. But last weekend I needed to get some special clasps to make my bag charms and needed to make the trip.

Here we go. Oh wait - did I forget to mention that in the midwest there are two seasons?  Winter and Road Construction.

So, of course, less than 10 minutes into the trip and we're stopped in construction.  I'm trying to be patient.  After all, if we want good roads, there has to be road construction. Right?

But we're not moving at all. I mean...at all.

Even Charlotte says "come on - let's get moving"!

Finally - yay! Traffic is moving!

We're on our way again - hang on!

After dealing with more construction the entire trip - we arrive safely at Michaels. I pop in the store anxious to find the product I'm in search of.

What?  They don't have anything like it? But I swear I got my previous purchase here....probably 2 years ago. They don't still stock it?

Sigh. Guess I'll have to settle for something that I could have also gotten a mile away from home.

Well, as long as I'm in the neighborhood.....guess I should make a quick stop at Savers (thrift shop). After all, they may have some wool.....

Score! A great wool blanket and a nice gray sweater later, I'm back on the road.

Oh wait - I forgot to mention my other purchase! Another fun score! But I'll tell you more about that later...

Escape

Today I didn't feel like being in reality.

That's ok - because first I spent a little time daydreaming here...

then had fun putzing here...

and then grabbed a little bite to eat here.

Then I woke up.

[All great photos above were taken from fellow Etsy sellers and are not my own. Clicking on each photo will take you to their individual listing. Check out their fun shops!]

Wise Words

Some days are a struggle. Some days I feel overwhelmed, unproductive, and like I'm running in last place of a race that can't be won.

So when those nasty days creep up on me, I will try to remember this quote from George Eliot:

It's never too late to be what you might have been.   

George Eliot

I think it's a good one!

The Twelve Steps

I'm not in recovery. But I work at a world-wide known chemical dependency center. But anyone who knows recovery at all, knows about the Twelve Steps.

One of my friends, Jill Kelly, writes a great blog called The Sober Truth: The Makings of an Honest Woman. The other day, she posted a newly created version of the Twelve Steps written by another friend of mine, Beth Easter. I thought they were wonderful and wanted to share with you.

May you find some wisdom in the words. I know I do. In fact, I better head over and read them again - I think I need to work toward some tranquillity today.  :-)

Taken from uncyclopedia.

The Women I Came From

I'm very fortunate. I had a loving mother and grandmother. I cherish them and the memories of who they were. I also know that I am the person I am today because of them.

My grandma - she was an amazing, talented, beautiful woman with unbelievable strength. She hated having her picture taken and would just croak if she knew her photo was on the internet! :-)

Next, enter my mom. She was extremely talented as well, kind to everyone she ever met, and had admirable faith. She was one of the hardest working people I've ever known. 

I thank them for being who they were and trying to instill in me just a few of their wonderful strengths. My heart misses them both every day.

Welcome Glow

Sometimes when life seems quite chaotic and busy, it's fun to enjoy some of the simple pleasures of life. For me, sometimes just the glow of a candle makes me feel comfy and cozy.

What makes you feel all cozy and happy?

Found Items

Cleaning, cleaning. It's such a good feeling to go through items that I haven't used (or seen!) in years - but it's also a little embarrassing. I've found things that I barely remember that I have. Or even worse...that I don't remember ever having in the first place! (I guess that's what happens when you're a thrift store/garage sale gal that's not kept on a strong leash!) :-)  Let me tell you - it looks like I'm moving in or moving out right now - but as my mom always said - it's got to get worse before it gets better.

However, I did just run across some heart ornaments that I made several years back. They are made from old salvaged rag rugs. (At least I remember making them!)

I had inherited some wonderful rag rugs from my mom and grandma and there were a few that were pretty worn in spots. No worries, I was able to use the areas still in tact and make these little hearts. I also made several pillows in the same way.

So I decided that why not put the hearts in my Etsy shop - heck, there's no law that says it only has to be recycled wool!

My goodness...I wonder what I'll find when cleaning tonight!

Chaos

Remember I told you waaaay earlier this year, that this is my year-to-clear in my overly stuffed house?  Well, I am finally getting around to working on that promise to myself.

The work is slow because it takes me so long to go through everything - and believe-you-me (where DID that saying come from??) I do have a-lot-to-clear - but I'm making progress.

In the meantime, my head - and my house - are living just like this.....

From medicinethink.com.

......in chaos!

So hang in there with me, I've been terrible about getting out any good blog posts about wool or anything else creative - but I assure you I haven't forgotten about you - I've just been a little preoccupied. 

Good Read

I love to read. I know I won't live long enough to read all the yummy books that I'm drawn to. However, in our wild, busy, frantic world, I sometimes actually feel guilty if I take the time to relax and read a good book. How crazy is that?

Recently one of my co-workers shared this book with me. It is such a sweet, homey, and entertaining story. If you like a great feel-good story with incredibly written words of wisdom, I encourage you to check it out.

Invention Success

So pleased to report that my new wool reversible pin cushion has already sold! One of my best customers has purchased it for a head start on her Christmas shopping!  :-)

Hope you have a grand Friday!

The Wool Invention of the Century

You know it. We all have it. We come up with something in our head that we think is going to be IT!

I had a brief glimpse of that success last night when I finished a new pin cushion. Ok. So it's not really an "invention" - but I thought it was pretty clever at the moment.

By accident, I came up with....ta da.......the reversible pin cushion!

You can use it one way...

Or turn it upside down and use it the other way...

After my initial stardom excitement settled, I realized that it's probably been done hundreds of times - not to mention - it's certainly not anything that would be required in every home - but I still kind of like it. I'm going to play with adding more petals to my next one.

I posted it for sale on Etsy today. Let's see how fast it takes the whole-wide-world to find this wonderful, facinating, new creation!  Ha!  :-)

Art Medley Boxes

Remember a little while back I told you about the Art Medley that I was participating in?

It has been on display as a few different locations through the summer - and will soon be split up and each individual box will be delivered to it's new owner.

Last week,  I took a quick trip to a local art gallery where the display was located. I was finally able to see all of the wonderfully creative and unique ideas that the various artists provided. It was great fun, very inspiring, and a delight to be a part of.

Can you see my little wool peep peeking out of her box?  :-)

(I think she was having a great time - and loved being a part of the medley!)

Here is a close-up look at just a few more of the wonderful Art Medley boxes.

A unique yarn box...

A wonderful miniature yo-yo quilt...

Fun variety of boxes with a cool one on top that included a partially knitted article...

This one appeared to be a un-assembled photo that was then stitched in place...

Love the wool, hooked star and the fun and playful tiles...

This one was an amazing quilted piece... (I have to admit that I think this was perhaps my favorite!)

A classy little painting...

A very interesting view of our favorite bed-time prayer...

An incredible hand-made ceramic tile...

What fun - a playful collage...

A very cool work with homemade paper...

Some wildly great metal work...

A wide view of more great pieces...

And more great pieces!

Thanks for looking - I hope you enjoyed your little gallery tour of an Art Medley!