Polka Dot Rose Frame

Happy Monday to you! I cant stay long as I have some homework to get to but I did want to share with you the frame I created last night. A little different but cheery. Have a blessed week!

Frustrated!

Im about to share some information with you that could be classified as "TMI", too much information. But I have to share...

So my dog Mandy has this little problem...she...likes to eat my underwear. Why? I dont know but I wish I did. She has done this ever since Max and I have been together. And gosh darn if it isnt usually my best or favorite pair of undies. Does she eat Max's underoos? Oh no, just mine.

For those of you that dont know Mandy, she's...sensitive. Or maybe spoiled is more like it. We've figured out that she does NOT like to be left...for any period of time. If you leave her, you better pin her up or you'll likely pay for it. If we dont pin her up or put her outside, the bedroom door is shut or all undies are placed up high.

So tonight, after spending some time on the computer and getting rather sleepy, I headed for bed. After I turned on the light I stopped dead in my tracks. 1...2...3...4 pairs of underware, laying on the floor, eaten. Ohhhh I was mad. Two of the four were salvaged from a previous ransacking-no loss there, the third wasnt pretty but salvageable, and the fourth...well the fourth makes me the maddest of all. Just a couple of weeks ago I cleaned out my sock and underwear drawers. I pitched a ton of things that I no longer wear or that did not *ahem* fit. Now, Im particular about my undies and what I like so when I finally found "the ones" I picked up several pairs. To my horror, Fruit of the Loom apparently has discontinued this style. But why?! Needless to say, Mandy has eaten all of them. So anyway, as I was cleaning out my drawers, I found one pair that I had forgotten about which was completely untouched by Mandy dog. You would have thought I had just struck gold or something! So guess which pair was number 4...yeah.

So why did Mandy eat my underwear since I was home all evening with her? Simple. I didnt share my pizza crusts with her. She has developed this bad habit where she thinks she gets to lick every dish when we're done with it. Im trying to stop that so when I was done with my pizza tonight, I threw away the crusts. Now mind you, I did give her two bites but she knew there were more that I wasnt giving her...hence the reason for eating my underwear. She was mad at me. That's what she does. If she's mad at you she will find something of yours and eat it. So she received a spankin' and was told that she couldnt sleep in bed with us tonight. Take THAT Miss Mandy. *hmph*

Floral Frame

Happy Monday! I'm actually suppose to be working on homework but felt that I should stop in and say hello first. So real quick, I'd like to show you my latest frame creation. Isn't the vintage picture just the sweetest? If you like it, you can pick it up here from The Feathered Nest (she has the most wonderful blog!). And if you like the frame, you can find it listed here on my Etsy shop.




Have a great week!

Free Sample!

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Celebrate!

Last week I brought you all up to speed on the "word" craze that seems to be going around. After much thought about what the new year will bring for me, I have decided that CELEBRATE will be my word for 2008.

cel·e·brate
1. to observe (a day) or commemorate (an event) with ceremonies or festivities
2. to make known publicly; proclaim
3. to praise widely or to present to widespread and favorable public notice, as through newspapers or novels I made this little reminder last night and it is currently sitting on the window ledge in the office, right in front of my computer. So when I'm bogged down with school work, I can look at my word and remember that I'll be celebrating in just a few short months! I can celebrate each time I have a new sale on Etsy! Or I can celebrate when I have been blessed enough to have something to share with each of you on my new found blog. Each day we are showered with blessings. Why not take a time out to celebrate how fortunate we are?!

Open for Business!

Hello my friends! I'm sorry if I've left you hanging the past few days. I've been creating, really, just nothing I am able to post yet. Secret gifts...the best kind! ;) Plus, school is in full swing so from here to May, I may be a little hit and miss from time to time.

Ahem! I have an announcement to make...drum roll please, cue the lights...I officially have an Etsy shop! How exciting huh?! You may have one of the following responses, "What the heck is Etsy?" or "Duh, where have you been?!" For those of you who don't know Etsy, let me explain.

Etsy is a website, much in the way of eBay, only much, much better and cooler. Items for sale on Etsy are not bid on, you simply purchase them for the price listed. And the best part of all...everything is HANDMADE!! Or if its not handmade, its something you can buy to use to make something handmade. Isn't it great?! Anyone that knows me knows that I am a huge promoter for handmade items and will happily pay more just because its handmade. I am so excited to see my small dream come to fruition.

Now, let me first say that as of right this very minute, there's only one item listed. :) I have to start somewhere right?! But don't worry, I'm sure the virtual shelves will fill up in no time. I have to say, I was so excited when I opened the account, then I was bursting at the seems when I found out how to use Photo Shop to create my Twin Sisters banner, and now I'm ecstatic that I finally have something listed and can tell you all about it! So spread the Etsy bug and tell all of your friends! What are you waiting for, go buy something handmade!!

http://www.jillfrancine.etsy.com/

The "Word"

Have you been reading about picking your "word" for 2008 as much as I have? I've seen it mentioned on several blogs that I frequent and I must say, it's really had me thinking. It appears to have started with Alie Edwards, though I have no idea if this is her genuine idea or if she was inspired by someone else. Instead of making resolutions, which we all know how easy those are to bend, break, and forget, you choose a word to live by throughout the year. So, I've been thinking about what my word should be and I cant seem to settle on just one, or at least cant find "the" one. You can read about Alie's word here, see a giant list she compiled from her readers' words here as well as what to do once you've found your word here. Check out the list and maybe some inspiring words will be your "word" for 2008. If you decide to join in on this craze, let us know what your word is and what it means to you.

Out Sick

What is with this sickness Ive had lately?! Is anyone else experiencing what Ive had? Please, someone say its not just me. Unfortunately, I think the holidays are to blame. It all started with my face breaking out. Yep, zits. Big ugly ones. Ugly enough to make my husband say 'ugh, your face DOES look bad!' Thanks honey. No, that's not really a sickness, but its the start of several weeks of feeling down right cruddy. Then, after we returned from the bowl game I came down with the flu, the cold type flu. I "thought" I was over that then I started to come down with something else, except I just couldn't put my finger on it. Then, on NYeve, I started to loose my voice and then it went ka-put all together. Once my voice came back (three days later) a cold set in. Not just any cold, but a cold with the works. You know the kind; aches, sneezing, coughing, runny yet stuffy nose. Can someone please explain to me how your nose can be stuffed up, unable to breathe, yet constantly drip? What's going on in there?! Like little cold bugs are having a party in my nose, taking up all the breathing room and spilling their drinks. Ugh, so frustrating. So add to all that the itchy eyes, sinus pressure, headaches, lack of sleep, the list goes on. Oh boy I love this time of year. I usually only get this crud once a season so lets hope this is IT! The good news is that after those single digit degree days we had last week, today and yesterday were in the mid 60s! People were on the golf course I tell ya, in January, in Indiana!! No wonder Im sick... Anywho, I just wanted to drop in and explain why Ive been MIA for the past few days. I do have some exciting news to share with you later this week. I'm not sure when yet, as school started today, ack!! So once I get a few minor details squared away, its "extra, extra, read all about it!" See ya then!

How Sweet It Is!

Two cha-cha-chilly days in a row! Wow, it was like 6 degrees when I went in to work this morning but it warmed up to a balmy 25 by time the day was through. They're saying its going to be in the 50s this weekend. Only in Indiana...

***
So I had one lonely little frame left that was all primed and ready to be altered. It was just staring at me, begging me to make it beautiful. So, I clothed her in Melissa Frances paper, sprinkled on a little glitter, tied a few ribbons around, and named her "sweet".

Cat Walk

I dont really have anything to share with you today other than this silly picture of my cat. Since we've moved into our new home, she has really taken a liking to the cat walk that takes you from room to room up stairs. She jumps up, and walks along the railing! So today, I caught her in the act.

She is so weird!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone! May the coming year bring you plenty of blessings and good health.

Speaking of health, I have a whisper of a voice today. After being sick for a few days, I was finally feeling about 85% better yesterday and able to go out and ring in the new year. Apparently I rang a little too much because I lost my voice while the night was still young. Ah well, I'm sure it'll return soon enough.

Its beginning to look at a lot like Christmas...just a week late! The snow hit again last night and I cant tell if its still snowing or just blowing around. Either way, its pretty. Great day for staying inside by the fire.

***
I wanted to show you this little dress that I made (when I say "I", I really mean my mom!) for my friend's daughter. She was having a "Fifi" poodle party so I just had to make her something with a poodle on it. The outside is a very soft pink chenille and the inside is a flannel animal print. I love how the chenille peeks out underneath the animal print and the satin ribbon around the openings added a nice touch as well. The poodle was ironed on to the pocket prior to sewing to the dress. Thanks mom for fixing what started out to be a disaster! I have some chenille left over and I really cant wait to use it on something. Im hoping to make a pillow out of the large pieces and maybe some paper crafting out of the scraps. Im really excited about that! ;)

***
I said I would share with you some of my Christmas presents so I thought I would first start with the book, Coming Home by Gooseberry Patch. My m.i.l. gave me a similar book last year and I really, really loved it! So you can imagine how thrilled I was to receive this year's version.

If you'd like to purchase this book, you can buy it here for a fraction of the retail price. I buy and sell all of my text books from here and the Gooseberry book I'm showing you, sells for as low as $13. Last year's book, Let's Get Together, sells for as low as $12. I HIGHLY recommend both books. I'll be bringing you some sneak peaks from both so stay tuned!
***
That about wraps it up for me today. I look forward to sharing with you over the course of the new year! Until next time...

Christmas Rewind

*sigh* Christmas is over. Each year the anticipation of Christmas is great yet there is a sigh of relief when it has come to a close. I like to think that the Christmas spirit lasts well into the new year, but the realization that the "deadline" of Christmas is over is a relief. All that running around and stressing over projects finally took its toll on me. I've been sick the past few days, I'm just plain run down. Oddly enough, as I've sat here, mostly in my own company, I find myself asking, what can I do...what can I make? Ugh, cant you just be still?! My body has had enough so I haven't created anything new for the past few days. But, there are still a few things from just before Christmas that I can show you. So here's a recap of what I was doing just hours before the big day...yes...merely hours before. :)
***

I already showed you the glitzy Ts I made for my mom to give my nieces, I also made them these little monogram necklaces. I found a bag of various sized wood squares at Michaels that I thought would be perfect for these, and they really were. They're thin and just the right size for little girls. All I did was adhere the paper to the wood chip, sand, seal, add the monogram, seal again, and then add a jewel with a bejeweler gun (more on that later because I think its my new favorite thing!) to the front and a button on the back. Then Max drilled little holes in them for me so that I could loop a jump ring through. For the actual necklace part, I just cut three coordinating ribbons and tied each end to a closure. Tying the ribbons was by far the hardest part. I really dislike dealing with teeny tiny things.

***

I think I mentioned in a previous post that I had another tutu to make for my niece. Actually, I made it for my brother to give to her, from his daughter. Sydney is definitely a purple girl so picking the supplies for this ensemble was easy. She's into anything and everything girly and is also taking dance lessons, which is why her shirt says "Dance". She totally loved it and watching her put it on Christmas night was such a hoot! What is it about dressing up that makes little girls so happy?

***

Ahh, more glass blocks! This is the one I made for my mom. I found the metal star (which I totally love!) at Target for just a couple bucks and then the floral stem, which I found at Hobby Lobby, was all one piece just bent to fit. Mom loves red and loves poinsettias so I thought this was "her". At least I hope so. I have another one "in progress" for another special lady so I hope to have that one finished soon. It's a belated Christmas gift as well. I still have quite the stash of these glass blocks and I'm really itching to do some shabby chic ones for regular every day use. We'll see...

***

So I think that's it as far as projects go. Max and I had a very nice Christmas this year and there are a few things I'd like to share with you. But, I'll save that for next time. ;)

Hail Purdue!

On December 26 we headed to Detroit MI for the Motor City Bowl to watch Purdue play against Central Michigan. We had played them earlier in the year so this was a rematch. Still exhausted from the holidays, we were in the parking lot by 6:15 to jump on the bus. 5+ hours later, we arrived in Detroit. The game was at 7:30 and it turned out to be a real nail bitter. I'll save you the details (that's what ESPN is for!) but I will say that we won by a field goal with 2 seconds remaining on the clock. Wshew, that was a close one!

Here's Max and I as we entered the stadium.
The ever popular Purdue Marching Band.
Coach Tiller accepting the trophy.
After each win, the team sings the Purdue fight song to their fans.

Boiler Up!

After Christmas

'Twas the week after Christmas, and all through the house
Nothing would fit me, not even a blouse.

The cookies I'd nibbled, the eggnog I'd taste
At the holiday parties had gone to my waist.

When I got on the scales there arose such a number!
When I walked to the store (less a walk than a lumber).

I'd remember the marvelous meals I'd prepared;
The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rared,

The wine and the rum balls, the bread and the cheese
And the way I'd never said, "No thank you, please."

As I dressed myself in my husband's old shirt
And prepared once again to do battle with dirt

I said to myself, as I only can
"You can't spend a winter disguised as a man!"

So away with the last of the sour cream dip,
Get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip

Every last bit of food that I like must be banished
Till all the additional ounces have vanished.

I won't have a cookie - not even a lick.
I'll want only to chew on a long celery stick.

I won't have hot biscuits, or corn bread, or pie,
I'll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.

I'm hungry, I'm lonesome, and life is a bore
But isn't that what January is for?

Unable to giggle, no longer a riot.
Happy New Year to all and to all a good diet!

~Author Unknown~

Santa's Workshop

Being one of Santa's elves is really, really hard work! What have I been up to you ask? Well, let me just jump right in and show you! Last time we met I mentioned the long list I needed to tackle and this is it. 15, count 'em, 15 customized frames. Now, to be fair, I've really had about two months to get these done, but did I get them done early so that I wouldn't have to stress? Ohhh no, that would not be my style. I work best under pressure...or so I tell myself.






I started and finished my Christmas cards just last night. That's right, just 5 days before Christmas. Can you say last minute? So, I made all 24 of them last night and shipped them out first thing this morning. They really aren't what I wanted but I didn't have time to be picky. I picked up the colored cardstock yesterday, printed out some sheet music on plain old office cardstock, and punched those out with my giga scalloped square. Its hard to tell in the pic, but they're dusted with clear glitter. In fact, I think my entire house and car is now "dusted" with clear glitter. Then, they're all topped off with a green button. Some were rather large so I pray that they stay attached to the card and that they go through the mail system without any hiccups.
Backing up to earlier in the week, we had our office Christmas lunch carry-in. I threw together some punch and brought these little sweet treats. My mom gets most of the credit for these though. She made the puffs and filling, all I did was re-fluff the filling and fill them. She makes these every year for Christmas and even though they're not my absolute favorite, it's just not Christmas without them.
I've already shown you the cards I made for my mom, well I also made her 50 of these little Christmas tags. Ive had these foam stamps for years. Since Ive never been a stamper I didn't really know what to do with them. Well now I know! They've each been stamped and colored by hand, all 50 of them. I just used some cardstock scraps I had left over from my wedding invitations and punched them with a giga scalloped square. Sure beats the ones you get at the store!
Remember the tutu I posted a few days back? I made another one for my sister to give to a lady she works with. I said I would wrap it all up for her and deliver it to where she works, but I had to warn her that I vowed to use newspaper to wrap all of my gifts this year. She wasn't so sure about that but I stuck to my guns and this is how it turned out. Who can beat free wrapping paper?!
I also made these cute little t-shirts for my mom to give my nieces for Christmas this year. 7 of them, all sparkly and cute, just like their personalities.
And did I mention that in between all these "little" projects over the past two weeks that I also had finals to study for and take? Oh yeah, lets test Jill to the max. But the semester is over so at least I don't have to worry about that anymore. So today, yes today, was the first day for Christmas shopping. *gasp* I know, its crazy. So now Im home from shopping, thought I would stop in for a quick hello, and now its time to get back at it. I have presents to wrap (in newspaper!), a house to clean, another tutu to make (a purple one this time!), some monogram necklaces to make and maybe a few other crafts if I have "time". I guess I'll sleep when Im dead.

Best of luck to those of you with projects to finish over the next couple of days. Warm wishes!