What to do After Christmas?

After Christmas is time to take a breath. Or be sick for 3 days. But now I am ready to resume life, preparing for 2011. Putting away the decor, a bit of dusting and vacuuming away the traces, to town for a movie and resupplying the kitchen. Maybe a little spending of my Christmas pocket money?

Merry Christmas

Christmas Eve 11:30 a.m. Preparations almost complete. Listening to Laura's 2009 Christmas Mix CD; weeping 'cause I miss my Dad and who knows why else. Gotta get a grip. Perhaps a wee bit of dip and potato chips?

Yes. No.

Crafting? Yes. Preparing house for Christmas Eve party? Ahh, no.

It's Christmas Week!

It's Christmas Week. Don't we wait all year for Christmas? My tree is up...

plus a little sparkly tree in the foyer...

Bob's stocking is hung whilst the snowmen cheer me on...

Ah, that lovely old pressed paper from a bye-gone era...

and my little Santa dome. Fudge anyone?

Back and Ready to Go

I'm just back from visiting my good friends in the Santa Cruz mountains. Above is my hostess, Ellen, mixing up a lemon drop cocktail. We enjoyed a different concoction every evening. Yum.

Here I am with Linda in front of our favorite restaurant in Carmel Village, Casanova's. We lunch here every time I visit, and never grow tired of the food and atmosphere. After our delicious lunch we always stroll the enticing shops. Occasionally we buy, as did Linda on a previous visit; that luscious coat.

Susie and I were BFF's our freshman year of high school. Then we went our separate ways through the rest of the teen and adult years. A few years back during planning for our 40th high school reunion, she found me again. Now she is in my heart always and forever. We took this pic on a stroll along the Capitola cliffs, watching the pelicans and beachcombers below.

Of course I did a bit of shopping while in the shopping mecca of CA. And I couldn't wait to get to my studio to put some of it to use. Here is taffeta from Ellen's mother's stash, a clipping from a 1945 magazine and various bibs and bobs. I don't want to leave my studio but life calls...

A Little Traveling Music

As you read this, I will be visiting friends and having lots of non-computer fun. You know, eating, drinking, laughing, walking, shopping and more eating and drinking. My bag is packed and ready to go.

While gifts for my special friends were sent in advance, traveling with me will be a little something I created for each of them. For my hostess, I've made this nutcracker medallion to hang on her tree.

For my former riding-buddy and now book club buddy, a bookmark that should appeal to her sense of whimsy. I am not a cookie cutter crafter. Each thing I make is targeted for the recipient. I hope they like these little tokens. I'll be back with stories in a few days.

Modern Friends

Eight years ago I moved from my home state to Gig Harbor, WA: Leaving behind my friends, but not my family as they all moved with me. Really, that part was incredibly fortunate. Still I miss my friends. I don't make friends easily so here I am, all of these years later, with few local friends. I treasure and have kept my best friendships from "home". Keeping in touch on-line, along with one or two trips a year back to CA, has allowed these friendships to remain strong. But I've met a new kind of friend, too. Thanks to blogging, I have connected with some fun and talented gals. This photo celebrates the old, traditional style friends as well as the new modern life friends. My "old" horse-back-riding buddy has become my good private reading club buddy. We exchange books a number of times throughout each year. This stack is about 12 books high and half of them are from her. My "new" friend, Karla, created that darling little White Christmas box on top of the book stack. My old friends have a lifetime place in my heart. My modern friends inspire me, and make me laugh and show me that change can be good.

A Bit of Fun

I have had so little time in the studio. Life as an adult comes with responsibilities. Sigh. So I stole an hour yesterday to cut, pleat and glue this large medallion; following the directions in the latest Better Homes & Garden (for the most part). It is my prototype as I plan to make more. Like today if people would just leave me alone (brattish lament).

And these little plaques are invitations for a family tradition: Open House here on Christmas Eve for Bob's family. I've been longing to use my mica flakes...which are now everywhere in the studio. My heart wants to cut, stamp, glitter, glue, emboss, be-ribbon...and more glitter.

I Never Expected...

I knew I wanted to display my vintage glass ornaments in 2 large hurricane vases on a shelf over my TV, as usual. Then I saw a HGTV show on "The Best and Worst" Christmas decorating ideas and they said to display in groups of 3, or 5...odd numbers. OK, well I do have a nice trifle bowl that I could place between the vases. However, I have no ornaments to fill it with. And I haven't found new ornaments with the patina I want, yet I was willing to shop!

But I couldn't shop today because I needed to escort Hubby to an appointment, and Mom asked for my help to bring all of her Christmas decor up from downstairs. I'm happy to help out as these 2 people are at the top of my most important list. While helping Mom load box after box of ornaments into bags for the trip upstairs, I spied 3 new looking Shiny Brite boxes. And these, Mom didn't even want to use. I made a curious move toward the boxes, with Mom hovering, and they were full of pristine "indent" ornaments in lovely muted colors that Mom has treasured for decades. Drool. We then moved on to a tub full of decor Mom no longer uses that she offered to me. Digging a bit, I spied 3 boxes of vintage delights. HA! These Mom had bought on eBay (I probably bought them for her as she is computer phobic) so she was not sentimentally attached. Still, I knew it was hard for her to let them go. I promised they would have a very good home in my glass vessels. Finding exactly what I wanted in Mom's storage room; I never expected.

Busy Around Here

Though my blog has been idle, that doesn't mean I have been. Lots going on 'round here, and all good stuff. Plus the holidays just add to an already active pace (well, as active as I get). Betwixt chores and obligations, I've been electronically shopping for craft stuff. I am fascinated by vintage clown images at the moment. Today I took a few minutes to cobble together a little card to cheer my friend Josef.

Josef's creativity is in the arena of life. His is full of challenges. Yet he never gives up; just looks at things differently and comes up with something to get the job done. And he keeps smiling.

Thanks and Giving

I hope all of my friends have a family-filled, peaceful and bountiful Thanksgiving Day. Looking at my blog last year at this time, I seemed to have accomplished so much more...of everything. This year even my husband is pitching in to help me as I feel "not up to the task". Still, I am counting my blessings as I have so much to be grateful for.

When I'm not cooking and cleaning or keeping the wood stove burning, I have dabbled in a bit of decorating. Ah, the mix of Napoleon, turkeys and snowmen. Eclectic or a mess? As long as it sparkles it makes me smile. Happy Thanksgiving to you.

Note to Self: Enjoy Own Party

One of my favorite magazines is House Beautiful. In the latest issue they asked well known decorators and party planners for their hosting "must do's". I read them all, agreed with most, and started thinking about my own upcoming party; Thanksgiving Dinner for my family. The experience of hosting a dinner party can overwhelm me. My mantra from now 'til then is Simplify and Enjoy. While I chant these words quietly to myself, I shall compile lists to help me keep my head on straight.

One: Have a stiff drink before guests arrive (try it, you'll like it).

Two: Greet every guest at the door and offer them a beverage immediately. Along with nibbles to keep them occupied while you either a) finish getting dressed! or b) continue on with the last minute cooking c)which must be minimal because you are enjoying your own party...remember?

Three: Keep in mind that guests will care more about feeling welcome and having fun than they will remember the food or how clean your house is.

A Man and His Dog

Duke has turned into a bit of a "problem child". Due to health issues, not attitude. This week the issue is a urinary tract infection. And let me tell you, in a dog, that can be a real problem!

We were relieved to learn that it is only an infection, and not organ failure or worse. So, a celebration was in order. Man and dog style.

'Bye to Halloween

Christmas, anyone?

Dracula: the book review

For some of her friends, Laura has organized an Internet reading club. I give her credit as it is like trying to herd cats to get agreement on what to read, then to review it, each in her/his own fashion. For October Laura proposed that we each pick any spooky book (or movie) of our choosing. Well, for me, it was pretty easy. Oh, yes, I've read all of the early Anne Rice (before she went complete off her nut), but Bram Stoker's Dracula is the epitome of Victorian terror.

It was written in 1897. In a few words, Mr. Stoker can convey chilling detail that vividly brings characters to life. For example, one of my favorite passages from Jonathan Harker's journal: "As I leaned from my window my eye was caught by something moving a story below me....What I saw was the Count's head coming out from his window....My very feelings changed to repulsion and terror when I saw the whole man slowly emerge from the window and begin to crawl down the castle wall, face down with his cloak spreading out around him like great wings...I saw the fingers and toes grasp the corners of the stones, moving downwards with considerable speed, just as a lizard moves along a wall." Goosebumps. Ultimately I abandoned my 3rd reading of this book because 1) I was having bad dreams and 2) overall the prose is too labyrinthine to hold my interest. Still, it's a heck of a ride.

Candy Tree

Seems everybody loves Halloween, so why not just have some fun?

My friend SueAnn showed us a faux black tree last year; I was filled with envy. Then I found one on sale at Borders Books (a book store??) so now I have my very own.

Garrett brought home a pocket full of Halloween candy on Saturday. YES! That's what I want to do with my little tree: decorate it with candy. And tulle, and crepe paper, and glitter, and some Martha Stewart scary borders. Today I finally had some free time to get it done. I know there is only a little bit of candy on it. I was not gonna pay $12 for an assortment of the cute stuff that no one will eat. I made do with Garrett's confiscated stash and some mini chocolate bars that shall be eaten.

The Witch Has Me Spellbound

This witch (from Tim Holtz stamps) has me spellbound. That smile! That tooth! Those googly eyes! My sister thinks I have nothing better to do with my time that drink espresso and craft. Dang, I hate it when she's right. So, for Sissy, a little witchy corsage.

My friend Ellen went to pick-up her new rat, Atticus (hey, don't shoot the messenger) only to come home with 2 adopted brother kittens, too. This makes, ah, 5 indoor cats and, well, I think there's about 4 outdoor cats. So, really, she needs an intervention before she turns into one of those ladies.

To break the spell, I got out my needle and thread for a 100% fabric doo-hicky. Eh, not edgy enough for me at this time of the year. Back to the sewing notions.

Uber Over

Two in my series on early Holiday Commercialism, the too often told story. Still, I do swoon over some of the swag. For example, this "gingerbread house" from MacKenzie-Childs is uber fun and fantastic at $9,500. Say WHAT? I mean, come on, how hard could that be to make? Seriously, somebody make one on the cheap because I love it!

Next we have vignettes from Pottery Barn's latest catalog. Oh, sure, Christmas is nigh upon us so BUY STUFF NOW. Good idea for a table scape, though, huh?

And these warm scenes of frosty candlelit spaces just makes me want to light a fire. Which I actually did in our wood stove, because it is cold here today.

While I do like Pottery Barn's aesthetic, and in particular that deer pillow (it has some snowy sparkles on the tree), and those rustic/shimmery votive holders, I realize it is the promise of warm memories that draws me in. These merchandisers are selling feelings, not just dry goods. So what I really want are happy times with my family and friends filled with laughter, board games, delicious food and hugs all 'round.

Feeling Not Orange & Black

I turned the feather rosette into a head for this Skelly stamp. Again...Tim Holtz rocks. That Witch Hazel stamp is his, too, though the Dia de los Muertos skull stamp is from a little shop in Santa Fe. I have reason to be steeping myself in all things Tim. I have signed up to go on his crafting cruise next September in the Caribbean. Hubby will come along to read, eat, drink and be merry. I'll do my share of eating, drinking and merrying, too. Our first cruise.

Just for Fun

Just for fun today I did some crafting with odds and ends. I find that I don't throw away those bits of tulle, small scraps of paper, bibs & bobs left over from finished projects. Instead they form a mosaic of stuff at the upper edge of my craft table. While I'm working out what to do on a new piece, I sift through these little items for filling-in. Today I used that scrap of black netting on the "Witch Way" tag. Plus that polka dot cupcake wrapper has been hanging around for a couple of weeks. I don't know what the rosette with skull will turn into. For now, I just HAD to use the feather gift-wrap paper for something.

Two items I use in crafting that are new to me are waxed paper and Gem-Tac. The wax paper I use in lieu of a Tim Holtz-type craft mat. This serves as good protection of my table top from ink and glue, and when I blend inks onto paper it is the perfect sliding surface. The Gem-Tac I used for the 1st time today in place of a glue-gun. I bought it specifically for attaching jewelry and stones to projects, but it is tacky enough and dries fast enough to replace hot glue. Yeah!

Lost Hours

Today I leafed through the latest Somerset Holidays & Celebrations, and quickly came upon a prize ribbon project that prompted me to get to the studio. Well, I tried this way, that way, this size, that size, but the project just wasn't working for me. One hour "lost". I really want to work with fabrics now, though usually paper is my thing, and I don't have much fabric on hand. So I stamped some coffee dyed muslin, cut it into strips along with some tulle strips, hot glue gun, another of my knock-off Tim Holtz rosettes, a witch die-cut and the second hour "lost". Wonder how much time I can lose tomorrow?

Cost Benefit Ratio

If you know me, you probably know that I've fallen hard for all things Tim Holtz. This "made me" purchase a die cut machine a few months ago, so that I could make use of Tim's newly released die shapes in his Alteration line. (machine $70, each die shape $10-$15). I have been very selective with my die purchases because I don't want a lot of stuff I don't use in my studio, not to mention the expense. Well, yes, Tim keeps coming up with NEW products that I think I must have. One of these heart throbs is a rosette die shape, for only $20! Meh, I could do that and the rosettes are really cool. As I added this item to my shopping cart I read the small print to discover that I would also need to purchase, for $10, a pair of long cutting pads AND a platform extender, for another $10, so that all of the above would work in my die cut machine. With shipping it would come to $50 so that I could easily create rosettes. Cost Benefit Ratio; $50 vs spending 5 minutes each to cut and pleat by hand (see above). Easy decision.

Happy 23

Today is my 23rd wedding anniversary. Whew! There were times...well, no point in rehashing what if's, hey? OK, gals, you know it isn't always easy living with a man. Living with ANYONE would be a challenge for me (maybe I should look at that the other way 'round?) But here we are, 23 years, and I think it's gonna work.

Bob buys me the most romantic cards, with sentimental yet appropriate words that seem to be written for the two of us. I always get teary-eyed, and of course I save these cards for they are precious and given with love. As for the cards I make for Bob, well, that's not the way I roll. This year I made him a little hanging "card" using that great photo from our vacation. He can tack this up on the bulletin board in his office and think back over the years. TWENTY-THREE.

Soup Season

I have been making soups recently. This is tomato, one of my favorites. I think I've posted the recipe in the past. Very simple with a can of crushed tomatoes, sauteed onion (carrots if you want), big spoonful of sun dried tomatoes, splash of balsamic and, important, 1/4 tsp of baking soda. I think this neutralizes the acidic nature of the tomatoes. Lastly a bit of cream. I have also been making foccacia with store bought pizza dough. This is so delicious, to me, because I rarely eat any baked goods now. I like olive oil, S&P, sauteed onion, goat cheese, basil and walnuts on mine. I have just enough left for lunch today. MMMM.