my mothers daughter

I've Started A New Blog

2008-10-15T21:29:00.002-05:00

I'm not deleting this blog, I just won't be using is any longer. But, I've created another blog, and since I'm terrible at coming up with names it's just MJB Creations
I hope to see you there.

Thanks,
MaryB

Close it - or revamp it?

2008-09-30T17:51:00.004-05:00

I've decided I either need to close up my blog or do a total revamping. I haven't posted anything since my Aunt passed away.

Now I'm back to give the sad news, that my sister Linda lost her battle with lung cancer. She passed away on September 23rd.
I was able to be with her the last two and 1/2 weeks. She was a pillar of strength, and is sadly missed by all. Thank You everyone who had posted the ribbon on their blogs, and kept her in your prayers.

What I have Learned From A Beautiful Woman

2008-04-26T20:16:00.002-05:00

This is a picture of my Aunt Audrey (my mothers sister). Sadly, she passed away on April 15th. However she left behind so many fond memories for many, many people. She had a lovely smile and like my sister said, a twinkle in her eye. She truly had a heart of gold.
I learned many things from my Aunt. I guess we all have a favorite Aunt or Uncle, and Aunt Audrey was my favorite for the things she taught me.
She was the "cool" Aunt who would take us silly teenagers for a ride in her volkswagon and we would sing the latest songs. She would sing right along.
When we would get home she would sit with us and spread out a jigsaw puzzle on her coffee table and help us put it together, even if it took the entire weekend.
She taught me how to make my own taffy, by having a taffy pulling contest with my cousins and some other children from the neighborhood.
When I was a teenager, every summer I would beg to come visit with Aunt Audrey for the summer. She has two daughters and we always hung around together, with my Aunt making us homemade bread, and telling us that it's best when it's hot out of the oven, and with plenty of butter. Luckily there was enough left over for my Uncles dinner.
Way back when it was cool to wear patches on your jeans, she would let us go through her material and show us how to sew on our own patches. My one cousin and myself had so much fun doing that, we put patches where there weren't even any holes.
We used to have scrabble game marathons, the game Boggle marathons, little did we know she was teaching us spelling, all awhile we thought we were just playing a game.
She often called me her third daughter (because they couldn't get rid of me.).. I was most honored to call her my second Mom.
She will always remain in my heart, but I will miss our phone calls and short visits. But I know heaven is having a scrabble marathon right now.
Goodbye Aunt Audrey, I love you!

Very Quick Update

2008-02-12T22:49:00.002-05:00

I'm so sorry that I've slacked off in the updating department of this blog. I promise to update just as soon as I can.
My Mom is still here visiting with me, and I've been helping her learn to create some jewelry. Everyone is healthy and fine.
I've been trying to get around to blogs, but haven't been able to post on many, I'm sorry! Every time I type on the keypad my Mom wants to know who I'm talking to. LOL

No Peeking Until Christmas

2007-12-07T09:31:00.000-05:00

Ha...thank heavens the person that I've made this for doesn't read my blog, or if she does, I'm not aware of it.

This necklace is made with a gunmetal chain and for the life of me I don't know what Pure Allure is calling these stones, other then 30x40 mm & 8 mm Ovl/Rnd Blk Pcso. So there ya have it, unless your lucky enough to buy straight from a bead shop, your stuck using what the craft store sells.

Anyway, it's one Christmas gift done, and now I'm getting more requests from family members, they are just like me and waiting until the last minute (isn't that right Mom?).

We had snow the day before yesterday, and our Christmas tree is up, so I guess Christmas is on it's way. I better hurry and catch up with the holiday season.

Copper Love

2007-12-02T21:34:00.000-05:00

I truly love working with copper wire, well actually any wire. I've been experimenting with oxidizing wire. I really liked doing it, but boy did it stink up the house. All oxidizing will now be done in the garage or even outside.

I was reading one of my Step by Step Wire magazines and was intrigued by this one coil that was handmade, and added to a necklace. When I went home and decided to try it, I made the entire necklace with the coiled links.

I've now put it on Etsy, that makes a whole 2 items for me. I guess as the holidays slow down, I'll be adding more, or at least hope to be able to. The important thing to me is to have fun doing it, and I do.

We've been having ugly, rainy, cold weather today. I hope the new week brings some sunshine. If anyone has any extra Christmas spirit to share, could you please sprinkle my blog with it, I need to at least start with some shopping somewhere, sometime. I'm sure I'll get everything done just in time for Old Saint Nick to be visiting our house ;)

Busy Doing What?

2007-11-30T18:36:00.000-05:00

Sorry, I don't have any pictures for this post, but I've been busy but I haven't figured out whats keeping me busy other then the normal work schedule. I guess stuff just happens.
Thanks for the compliments on my jewelry. I have another necklace and earring set made, but I still need to take pictures. I take all my pictures in the spare bedroom where there is natural light (not that it helps my photography skills any). It's dark right now, and I'd have to turn on the ceiling light which gives a terrible glare. Hopefully pictures tomorrow.

**Good News** My stepdaughter is getting married after being with her fiance' for almost 19 years now. She emailed me about a month ago and told me the news, and also had a few questions for me. I was busting at the seams, I couldn't tell anyone, because she hadn't told any of the other parents yet. It really made her Dad (Mr. R) happy, because now he wants to be a pappy. We are so over being grandparents to puppy dogs...LOL
My son also announced to me on the phone last week that he and his wife will be trying to start a family after the first of the year.....I'm getting Grammy-itis. It's going to be an exciting next couple of years around here.

I have not decorated for the holidays yet, and I'm not really in the mood to either. I would love to have someone come in and decorate my house for the holidays. It's something that I've always disliked. I have no idea why either. However, I don't really mind doing all the shopping, as long as I get help doing the wrapping, but I don't...LOL I'm sure once there are little ones back in the house I will have a whole different outlook on Christmas and the decorations. I'm not a total Humbug though, I love Christmas music, and it's been playing on my radio in my work vehicle since early November, and I also sing along with the kids while driving. (Ok, maybe I'm just a big kid myself.)
Well, I'm sure that's more then enough random babbling for one post. I hope everyone has a great weekend.

Work Space Challenge

2007-11-16T17:57:00.000-05:00

While reading a few blogs, I saw that Margo has a work space challenge going on. Jamie, of Simply Me Art showed her work space also. Well of course I took on this challenge because I just recently cleaned up my little corner of the kitchen table (my workspace). Yes, I actually have a craft room that is wall to wall cupboards, but that is basically for storage because there is no place to work...I kid you not. When I get company I just close that door, they just wouldn't understand.
Here is a picture of some jewelry supplies that I must get busy working on. It's a basket I got at auction, I know it has to weigh at least 20 lbs....that's a lot of jewelry if I would ever get busy with it.

But, that's not all of the supplies, I also have a roll away three drawer cart full of jewelry supplies in the craft room. I was going through some last night and decided that I must have at least a kings ransom that went directly to Fire Mountain Gems. I need to quit buying and start making!
This picture is of the actual place that I sit at the kitchen table and make up whatever comes to mind at that time. I think I work here because it's the best light in the house, and I also always have a HUGE cup of tea sitting in front of me. I scatter things all over the table until I'm done, then I haul "most" of it back to the craft room.

You can always find a few jewelry magazines on my kitchen table. I claim that is my "perch", when friends drop over, that's where I entertain them. My entire family entertains guests at their kitchen table. There is a saying that my Aunt always uses. "Kitchen friends are the best".

This next picture is what I actually created today. Today was a holiday for me from work, so when I woke up, I didn't even check my email I went directly for the tea and then started creating. This will be going up in my Etsy shop, just as soon as I open it. It's created, but I need to write up descriptions, figure out postage prices....and prices of what I'm creating.

The simplicity of this set is what I like. Everything is sterling silver, except the pale blue tear shaped glass pearls. I think this would be really pretty with a little black dress, or even with jeans, depending on where you are going. I also think it covers all ages, with the exception of little ones.
Have a great Weekend everyone! **Edit** I've opened my Etsy shop with 1 item. I hope to be busy creating more. I've never sold my jewelry, I've always given it as gifts..(keeping my fingers crossed).

No Puppies For Amber

2007-11-12T20:51:00.000-05:00

Poor Amber isn't going to have any puppies. She had what is called a "phantom pregnancy". I had never heard of it until my sister in law was telling me a story about it. Quite frankly, it just didn't make sense to me and it sounded like a tall tale. I called the vet and also looked up phantom pregnancy on google. Click here to read the article that I read.
It's just so bizarre, she acted and and felt like she was pregnant, even producing milk. We now will be having both dogs spayed and neutered, so she won't have to ever go through something like this ever again.
On a lighter note, I've opened an Etsy store, and will be offering jewelry that I will be making and also sharing some of my estate treasures. I won't put a link to it yet, because I need to get cracking on making some jewelry that isn't gifts. Jackie of Inspiration Creation made my store Banner, biz cards, stationary, address stickers, she did an awesome job and now I'm trying to talk her into opening an Etsy for herself and offer this service to others. Stop by her blog and give her a nudge, she really did a great job. She also "always" creates my blog banners. Thanks so much Jackie.
Sorry, no pictures tonight, I've been shopping for supplies to create, and don't have anything created yet.
I'll try to remedy that before the end of this week. Have a great week everyone.

Still Waiting For Puppies

2007-11-06T10:10:00.000-05:00

Poor Amber is still a lady in waiting...waiting to have her puppies that is. I sure hope I was wrong on the dates. If she doesn't deliver her puppies by tomorrow, I'll be taking her to the vets.
She was just so uncomfortable last night, and we thought it would be any time now. I've made her up a comfortable whelping box, well not even a box. We got a dog play area from my son, and set it up in a corner of the living room, FIRST we lined the floor with heavy plastic then several old mattress pads, then we put her crate in there with a nice blanket and then covered with towels for privacy.
I shouldn't even admit this, but last night I crawled in this cramped area with her and sang to her "hush little baby, don't say a word, Daddy's gonna buy you a mocking bird", and I rubbed her belly for her. We/well, just I do.. sing that song to her and she goes right off to sleep, but not last night. This morning she's not eating and doesn't want to be very sociable, so here's hoping to puppies soon.

No Halloween Puppies Yet

2007-11-02T08:53:00.000-05:00

Sorry no pictures to this post, but the mother to be dog is feeling a little testy. We had originally thought that we would have puppies on either Halloween night or at the latest November 4th. It looks like Momma to be is hanging in there for the 4th.
Mr. R keeps telling me that dogs know what to do, she will do everything herself. I'm so nervous that the poor girl will be in too much pain, or worse, something go wrong. I've got a friend on standby that knows the dog birthing process. Why don't they make epidurals for dogs?
I've been keeping busy by putting together some bits and pieces of jewelry, but nothing totally finished yet.

Spoons and Puppy Update

2007-10-25T17:50:00.001-05:00

I posted months ago when I purchased some old silverware from my favorite Yard Sale Store. Mr R. and myself decided last week to try and make a spoon bracelet. We've learned a few things along the way. Silverware gets very hot when trying to drill through it, it also will get very hot when you're polishing it with your dremel tool, and the dremel tool will eat away your fingernail polish (mine, not Mr. R's).
On this bracelet I've used magnetized clasps, and I found out by wearing it last night that I don't like them, they will pick up any piece of metal that's lying around. From now on, I will use the lobster claw clasps. Also, the bracelet is too big for me, but I can always snip the sterling silver wire and make myself another one. The bead is called fresh ocean Jasper. I just might have to make more of these to possibly sell or even as Christmas gifts.

Well, the update on our dog Amber is, she's definitely pregnant. We should have some Halloween puppies, or at the latest November 5th.

First Wire Wrapped Pendant

2007-09-30T15:24:00.001-05:00

Several months ago, I ordered Preston Ruethers wire wrapping DVD's. Now I'm really a visual person, but I just cannot sit down to watch a dvd and follow him step by step in front of my tv. So, I've watched his dvd's and retained as much as I possibly could. Then I found a tutorial online with step by step pictures...LOL. I think for my first try I did ok, but I need more and more practice. I've never worked with square wire and it sure is different from regular round wire.

I think I'll always be addicted to wire and metals and beads, I just wish I'd finally find what truly makes me happiest, although I bore easily, maybe I'll always switch back and forth from one to the other.

Oh My!

2007-10-14T15:11:00.000-05:00

This is Amber,she is a Cockapoo, she has been with us for a little over a year now. We rescued her from a home that was about to surrender her to our local shelter. When we went to meet her, she just wanted us to love her in the most tear jerking way. While we were there, we witnessed her biting into the owners ankle (which she's never done here), so we think she was probably abused in that home. She was just a tiny pup when we got her. She is now about 1-1/2 yrs. old.

This is Corky, he is an Eski-poo, I purchased him in May of 2007, so he is just now a little over 7 months old, and very full of himself. I barely had time to snap this picture before he was off and running again. He is very outspoken and often talks back to me. He likes to think he's the boss around here, but we all know that Amber is the boss.
WELL......here is where the story gets quite interesting. Back in late August when we left for the labor day weekend, we put both dogs in the kennel at our groomers. We had to take Corky to the vets for shots, so there would be no kennel cough issues. While we were there I asked the vet when I could possibly have him neutered, she said bring him back when he's nine months old, and then jokingly told us that she didn't think we had much to worry about after examining him, well...you know where.
After picking up the dogs from the kennel after our long weekend away, Mr. R let them out back in the fenced in yard, and when I looked out, they were doing what dogs do naturally, I screamed for Mr. R and he went out and scared them. Omgosh....I was in shock....a puppy doing that??? The next day after browsing around a few blogs I went out into the living room, and YES there they were again in the same compromising position. Accccck!!!! So, I marked those dates on my calendar.....and we think we might be having puppies around Halloween time. I'm so nervous, I don't know nuffin' about birthin' no puppies, but Mr. R say's they know what to do themselves.
I keep having nightmares of Bob Barker standing there saying "have your pets spayed or neutered".....but...but.. we were planning on it!!!
I have been educating myself with what information I can find on the internet about raising tiny puppies, and what signs of trouble to look for in the mother during the birthing process. I'm so nervous. If she only has 3 puppies they are already spoken for. If she has more, my daughter in law said she probably won't be able to resist. I'll keep you updated.

Wednesday Already?

2007-10-10T09:57:00.000-05:00

Since I had off work Monday, this week is flying by. Not that I'm complaining mind you. I always welcome weekends. Because, we all know that all good procrastinators are always busy on the weekend from putting off what they should have done all week long...
Am I the only blogger that doesn't decorate for Halloween? I haven't decorated for Halloween since my son was young, and we live on a main highway, so we never get any little trick-or-treaters.
While I should have been doing laundry on my day off on Monday, I decided to try to make a spoon ring. Why?? I guess because in my younger years in the 70's my mother would have shot me if I took her silverware and said "Look Ma...a ring"....lol
Today my mother anticipates me showing her the unexpected, especially since she knows I'm not using any of her household items.
I had to get Mr R's help with bending the spoon, because I used a silver plated spoon instead of sterling silver, I didn't want to use up a nice pretty sterling one on my first try. I think next I'll try a bracelet.

Where Have I been?

2007-10-07T13:41:00.000-05:00

Could someone tell me where all of my time goes? For some reason it doesn't seem to last as long as it did when I was younger..ha!

We had family/company this weekend, and I actually cooked a few meals for them. They came to visit from Virginia for the National Apple Harvest they have here every year. I don't go to it anymore, I just think most things are over priced and it's not the artists/and or crafters fault when they have to pay a certain percentage of what they sell to those who hold the Festival. Ok, I'm over that already.
Last week before company arrived I tried playing with more sterling silver wire again. This time trying a pattern for a breast cancer awareness pendant that I saw on wire-sculpture
Mine didn't quite turn out like theirs did, I think I was trying to be too quick and got a little "jerky" with the wire instead of going with the flow, so to say... But, I'm still playing with wire and beads, I'm enjoying it, and trying different things, and learning along the way.

I think I've mentioned in a previous post that we've been trying to get my mother to move in with us. So far from talking to everyone, I think this is the option she is going to choose. It will be great having her here, but that leaves us to finding contractors for the addition we will need, finding all new Dr.'s, banks, etc..for my Mom, plus we've told her that we will come down (phila.) and move her up here. This will be a huge step for her, as she's had her own house for more then 40 some years, so if there is some hesitation I certainly understand it.
I have off work tomorrow, I'm hoping to at least get a list started as far as what I need to get done....such the procrastinator I am.

Today Is Amy Day

2007-09-27T19:52:00.000-05:00

I have a very special person in my life that I've never met, she is another blogger, and I fell in love with her blog and her bubbly personality. She also has an Etsy Store, sells on Ebay, and also has her own website/store. She is just a super woman, wife, mother, daughter and lets not forget those businesses she has. Her name is Amy and into her life came an obstacle named Breast Cancer. She has been through a lot in these last few months and she only has one more chemo treatment to go. If you can find a minute, please stop over at Four Sisters In A Cottage
and leave a short message for Amy, she really misses the blog world and being slowed down by the cancer treatments. But, you all watch and see, once she's had her last treatment and she's well rested, there will be no stopping her.
Amy if you get a chance to read this, Great Big Huge Hugs filled with strength coming your way.

I Caught A Baby Bumble Bee....

2007-09-23T16:51:00.000-05:00

You can tell that school is back in session, I'm singing children's tunes again. Before I went to a Basket Bingo (didn't win) on Saturday, I sat down with my Summer Issue of Step by Step wire magazine. I tried my best to make a bumble bee pin that Dale Cougar had published in this issue. She gave step by step instructions, about 1/2 way through making the bee, I realized I'm doing everything backwards according to the pictures...Well....Duh...I'm left handed, so I had to make a few minor reversal changes.

This wasn't my first time working with wire, but it was the first time working with such fine wire that was dead soft.

**Note** I apologize for taking yucky pictures, and I'll take all hints and tips on taking a photo of jewelry.

**Note** I'll also take all hints and tips in working with wire. I've ordered the kit for wire-sculpture in jewelry, they sure do make it look easy on dvd.

Well, here are a few pictures of my little bee. Please look at Dales sight for some lovely jewelry.

Edit A Necklace For Linda

2007-09-15T19:56:00.000-05:00

**Edit**

I couldn't really decide what I wanted to add to the necklace when I posted it, I was just happy to have the chain part finished. I thought maybe a rhinestone or two, then thought that the chain may be too bulky to handle something as dainty as rhinestones. I had a vintage necklace that I purchased from Ebay several years ago. It reminds me some what of a rosary (honest Mom it's not). So I added some between the links and also with the pendant and at the top near the closure. I promise, I'm finished with this piece now. Thank you everyone for the very kind compliments.

It all started when I found the magazine Step by Step Wire Jewelry - Summer Preview issue. They were working with wrought iron wire in 16 gauge wire. The style of the necklace was great, but just not my sisters style. On hand I already had a crystal dangle that I wanted to use in it. Then I wanted the Patron Saint for cancer patients, well I had no idea who that was, so I put in a call to my mother, who had the information right away. Saint Peregrine is that patron saint for cancer patients. Ok, I had the name of the saint, the picture, the wire and the crystal dangle. You would think I would jump right on that project right??? Wrong, that was clear back in Spring, I could come up with a million excuses, but the simple truth is, I'm a procrastinator. Yesterday, someone gave me the inspiration to get moving on that project. (You know who you are). I felt like I needed to get it done as soon as possible while the vision was still there.

Little did I know that the wire would be coated with what I would officially call "gunk", and the article claimed that it was easy to work with, well they may have been right, if I had followed the project that they were showing. I had the hair brained idea to make my own chain, which required two different sized links. Ha...this is where ingenuity kicked in, I didn't want round chain links, I wanted oblong for one of them...so out to the garage I went and found some type of tool that I have no idea what it's use is for, then proceeded to wrap the wire around it, then I had to pull it off of the tool in order to cut it into individual links. My hands hurt so bad from cutting that wire, it was not quite as easy to work with as they claimed, but I finally had step one completed...Ahhhh, then to hammer all of the links, then to make round jump rings, more wire wound around a wooden spoon handle, then more cutting. I finally got finished with everything just this evening.

I'm liking the way it turned out, but to me it just needs a kick of bling, whats jewelry without some bling right? I added a few charms I had, I'm wondering now what a few rhinestones would look like here and there.

Visit From Mom & Sisters

2007-09-14T12:00:00.000-05:00

This past weekend, my two sisters and Mom came to visit. We went to a "feed" at the local fire company, there were plenty of steaks to go around and also plenty of gambling going on. I indulged in a little of each. I didn't win anything, and they were calling out names every 15 minutes from 3:00 - 7:00 pm. Nope, I'm not a gambler.

I did manage to get pictures of my mother and one sister. I'm not sure where my oldest sister was every time I had the camera out. I also took my Mom to visit a Seniors retirement Village. You purchase the cottage (very nice), and then should you ever need a nursing home, the price that you paid for your cottage gets transferred over to the nursing home. Yes, you do lose your money, but we want her taken care of NOW when she is living, not share 200.00 after she is gone, although I was kidding around with her and told her she had to live 50 more years in order for her to use up my share of my inheritance...LOL

We gave her another option: To come live with Mr. R and myself, and we would have a sun room built onto the back of the house, it could be her very own little living room, with fresh country air year round. She's back in Philly now thinking about selling her house, and hopefully thinking over her options. I would love to be able to have my mother here. I'm the only child that moved away from the Phila. area waaaay back in 1979. So having my mother near would be wonderful. Here is a picture of my beautiful Mom (yes, she likes gambling also)!!

Here is a picture of my sister Linda that has lung cancer. she is doing quite well, even though she is receiving chemo treatments right now, she feels fine most of the time until it's chemo week. I love her dearly and she really is a pillar of strength. My eldest sister (no ages revealed) Judy was also along for the visit. She goes with my sister Linda to her chemo appointments, if she can't make it, then my Mom goes. I feel horrible about not getting Judy's picture, I need to put a longer strap on my camera and carry it around my neck.

It was a very nice weekend with just Mom and the girls. Mr. R waits on my Mom, so you know we ALL took advantage of that...LOL My youngest sister Tina wasn't able to be with us, she had a bachelorette party to attend.

Well, I wish my family were better about taking pictures, maybe I could show you all of us. But, I guess I'll just have to post them as I get them. There is rarely a picture of me, and I must say that I plan it that way most of the time. Have a great weekend!

Middle Name Game

2007-09-12T07:48:00.000-05:00

I was tagged by Carole for the name game.
Here are the rules for those that choose to follow them, since I am late getting to this:Players, you must list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of your middle name.If you don’t have a middle name, use the middle name you would have liked to have had.When you are tagged you need to write your own blog post containing your own middle name game facts.At the end of your blog post, you need to choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag.Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.
Here goes for my middle name: JOLENE

J - Jewelry hoarder
O - Outgoing
L - Living and loving life (how's that for using the letter L)
E - Envious of people with amazing strength in times of despair
N - Name dead (I'm horrible at remembering names), something I try to change daily.
E - Energetic when the shopping bug hits.

All the blogs I visit have already been tagged and have played along. I might have to go back up and change the letter L to read Lazy with deadlines. If your reading this and haven't been tagged by the name game, leave me a message so I can visit you.

Good Friends, Good Books, Good Times

2007-09-06T09:54:00.000-05:00

It's here....it's here! I preorderd my Belle Armoire Jewelry book from Stampington.com, and I got it yesterday. I'm in heaven, everything inside this book is beautiful, and so are the women that have created the contents.

I got another great surprise in the mail yesterday also. Jamie of Simply Me Art sent me one of her beautiful new t-shirts. It has the logo of her Etsy shop on it. Everyone just has to watch her blog, she started out just months ago, and is now selling on Etsy and also Ebay, and now her own t-shirt line....You Go Girl....you deserve all the limelight.

It came wrapped in this pretty package with a vintage rhinestone on it. (wooohoo)!!

I contained myself just long enough to take the above picture, then I opened the package. This is such a great idea, and so so cute to add to my wardrobe.

Over Labor Day weekend we always go to Knoebels Park in Elysburg, PA. Since I was bored pretty much for most of the ride, I decided to take a few pictures. This picture is of the Susquehanna river, isn't it a beautiful looking day out. We didn't need the car's a/c, it was great weather for traveling.

It was even a little cooler once we hit the mountains in Elysburg, but still a very beautiful day. When we took kids to the park this sign is when they started getting excited, however my son is now 33 and seeks his excitement elsewhere...lol

I found these two just clowning around. The shorter haired clown would be Mr. R., the one with the hat is too lazycrazy to get up and move around much.

This is a pic of moi and the Kozmo dude, who also doesn't move from year to year.

This amusement park is very nice and quaint, they don't charge you to get in, you can and will eat all day long, and the prices of the tickets are much much cheaper then a nearby amusement park in Hershey, PA that I won't mention. *snicker*

The entertainment (free by the way) that was there the two days we were, was a Country band. I'm not one much for country, but I can listen to some of it, if it doesn't get too twangy on me. However, Mr. R fell in love with the singer "Sug'r Bear", so being the wonderful accommodating person that I am to him, I did my best to get a close up shot of her. FYI: Mr R. falls in love with all women that are 1. younger then him 2. nice looking 3. has a great singing voice 4. has great mammary glands.....and to imagine that I only fit into the patterns of #1&2

On the way out of the park at closing (10pm) that night, I decided to stop and get a piece of my favorite love....and sorry, I don't share....now just what are you thinking???? I meant my cotton candy...LOL

Bad Bad Blogger

2007-08-27T18:38:00.000-05:00

I've been a very bad blogger, but if I told you that nothing was really worth blogging, that would make me a good blogger right?? I don't think anyone would be too excited with me telling tales of cobwebs and such in the rooms that I've been cleaning. Oh, I did go to work to see how many students I have to transport so far this year.....only 1......that will change I'm sure, and now I don't have to drive that student until Sept 4th....Now that was good, I now have an extra week to clean before my mother and two older sisters come to visit, the very same week I start back to work. Seeee.....borrrrring!!!

BUT, on Saturday I got some very good mail. Yes that's right from the mailman even, it wasn't an email, but real, honest to the touch postal service mail. I received very nice mail from Julie H. She was in my/our charm swap, and her charms got lost by either the Australian or the US Postal system, according to both Postal services, they are in transit. I felt bad that Julie had gone to all that work, and they never made it here, so I made 3 sets of charms that everyone received and included one of my sets to replace Julies lost ones. I then sent her every ones charms so she would be included in the swap. Look at the beautiful piece of art she sent me.

Click on the picture to make it larger, it's beautiful, I just keep picking it up and finding something new every time. Julie also sent along an extra she had of the long lost charms.

She also sent along a charm that she had made for me.

Thank You so much Julie, and especially Thank You for not getting discouraged during the charm swap.

I've Become An Auction Junkie

2007-08-18T16:53:00.000-05:00

It all started when I decided to go to an Auction with my friend who has a thrift store. But, it's official, I'm now addicted to these auctions.

Seriously, you can find everything from food to furniture, and many other things that you could probably live without, if you hadn't seen them go so cheaply at the auction.

Vintage costume jewelry has always been an addiction of mine, but it's so much easier now at Auction. Sometimes you get to learn a little bit of history behind the jewelry, like what their favorites were, in this particular bowl of beauties, this woman liked to collect cameo's and she also had quite a few "mother" pins...so, I'm just assuming that her children liked to give her jewelry as gifts.

The person that these belonged to was obviously fond of doves, and they all came in the same box lot.

I did find out after the auction, from the auctioneer, that the woman that owned all of these brass curtain findings, made her living by making drapes and reupholstering. I plan on using some of them to make jewelry, and possibly rust some up for an assemblage. Imagine the gentleman bidding against me wanted them for their weight in brass. Brass and copper rates are very high at the junk yards now. I couldn't let that happen, so yes...I paid more then I originally wanted to for these, but I'm glad that I got them.

This tiny little teacup was in the same box with all of the doves. Maybe I'll turn it into a pin cushion, or even better yet, learn how to sip my tea like a lady, instead of gulping it out of a huge mug for the instant caffeine fix.

I think this vintage flannel and the cards would be great made into a soldered charm for an expecting mother to be. Too cute!
So, I guess with all the cute things I find and all the interesting facts that come with them, my addiction isn't so bad, well not to me anyway. Mr.R keeps asking me where I'm going to keep all this stuff, I'm tempted to tell him , downstairs along with all of his collections.

What A Weekend & Buttons

2007-08-05T15:48:00.000-05:00

Yesterday a friend asked if I would go with her to an outside Estate Auction, and you know I just hated to leave my DIY week in progress...heeheee!

Wow, I think maybe I should have stayed at home in the a/c. The weather was to be somewhat cooler and in the 80's, but it turned out to be humid and in the mid 90's. By the time the auction started at 9am, I was hoping they were fast talking auctioneers, and they were. But, I still ended up purchasing things on a whim, why I asked myself later, when it was time to drag it all across a big field and pack it in my friends truck. She purchased so much that I had to call Mr. R and ask him to bring our vehicle to the site to load some boxes in. She had all the huge old rusty wagon wheels & such on her truck. I purchased some old bottles, magazines, silverware and some vintage sewing things...that's it. I'm hoping the next Estate Auction will be in November and I'll need gloves...lol

Mrs. G. over at Life at Number 17 had a giveaway, and I won......Yippeee!!! So, I had some mail goodies this week. Here is what I received from Mrs. G.

Many books that I'm looking forward to reading, and a Statesboro Magazine. Plus in a huge box a garden stone making kit. Thank You very much!!

Does anyone else sort their buttons by colors? Someone save me from what I think is turning into an OCD problem. I got some buttons at several of the auctions and decided to waste some time (take a break from DIY week), and sort my buttons by color, I naturally went with the white ones first. When I stopped, I looked at my hands....gross.....buttons are almost as dirty as money, but I truly love both...haha. Well, I had the brainstorm to cut off all the threads and wash my buttons....yes....wash my buttons. I put them in a colander and ran some soapy water over them.

They look, much much better now. Please someone else tell me that they do this also, or I'm stopping at the white ones for fear that I'll become compulsive with buttons...(rolling eyes)