I thought I could...and I did!

I finished my March piece for the TIF challenge in the nick of time! I'm pretty happy with it too, but even happier that I finished it. Don't forget you can click on it to enlarge to see the details.

Now, it's wait til tomorrow to see what the new colours will be!!

Interrupt-itis

Despite numerous interruptions today I managed to get some work done on my TIF block. I'm still not sure that I will make the deadline, but it won't be for lack of trying.

I picked up my new glasses today and eureka! THAT's what things look like without a constant fogginess from the scratches on my old ones. Wow.

TIF progress

I have just four days to complete the March TIF challenge. I think I can, I think I can (which I sure hope isn't going to turn into 'I Thought I Could'!!). I know there it isn't a panic situation if I don't meet the date, but it's something I want to do.

ATC's and Tute

First, Arlee was kind enough to remind me that Kim was the artist that did the CSI garland I pictured yesterday so I am able to give the proper person credit. Thank you.

Today was our monthly CQTeer get-together and our usual exchange of atc's. The picture that shows 3 cards are of the ones I did. The two on theleft of the picture were from downloads I found on the internet...the chickens were from www.bellesprintables.com and I think the 'Easter Greetings' background was from Janet Stauffecher (sp?). The one on the right is my own design...sort of.

The other picture shows the ones I received from Sue and Irene. Pretty, aren't they?

If you're interested, here's a mini-tute on how I did the atc. It started with a piece of cork (actually began life as a placemat) cut to atc size. Then I tore pieces of light-weight brown paper bag to size and crumpled them to give them texture. Then I smucked a couple of brownish colours of ink pads over top (don't you love how technical I'm being with this??). The circle was made with a piece of crumbled (and smoothed) aluminum foil that I dry brushed with copper, gold & a bit of black metallic folk art paint. I then glued the foil to some card stock to give it more 'body' and then used a metal punch to make the circles, which are glued onto the card. Simple...and cheap!!

PSI's

Anyone who has been reading my blog for awhile will remember that I took part in a swap of PSIs (Plus-Size Inchies) awhile ago. These are what I received back and were in the bottom of the treasure box from Arlee. Aren't they great? Our theme was CSI (or Crime Scene Investigation for those who don't happen to watch the tv show).

The picture of the ones mounted as a swag on the fuzzy yarn are the ones I received from someone whose name has escaped from my studio (I know it's here...somewhere...however, if you made this would you mind reminding me of who you are? My brain is going!). Be sure to click on these pictures to enlarge so you can see more detail!

The ones with the purplish cast were made by Midge and came complete with a wonderful story of how they came to be and why they were at the crime scene. What a great imagination!

Next, I showed 6 of the ones Donna made right side up and put three wrong side up so you could see the detail on the back too! These are fun to look at - on either side.

Lastly, a skeleton head by Arlee. Now, this is definitely CSI-ish. She has mounted them on a piece of black mesh which just adds to the ambiance. Way cool!

I've spent today getting some of my 'homework' done for the meeting of the CQTeers tomorrow, which I'll post pictures of later on. I'm sadly behind on my TIF challenge piece and really need to put a push on to finish it by the end of the month. Losing a week hasn't helped me to complete things.

A week? Really?

You mean I've missed a whole week?! Surely not. It went by in a haze...I'd forgotten how miserable a cold can make you feel. All is well now and I'm back to creating full-tilt.

As promised here are the pictures of just some of the wonders that came in that box from Arlee. I'm still blown away by how generous she is! I spread some of the treasures out on my floor (that couldn't be because my work surface is trashed?) and before you have a fit and think we have humungous bugs in our basement, Arlee sent them and isn't it cool? There's bits of her handpainted fabrics in there and some 'bits' she's made which will be added to some of my 'bits'. Ooooh...sounds kinky doesn't it!

Just look at the doll!! AND the purse and matching coin purse, which I have coveted ever since she posted pictures on her blog. Books and buttons, and dragonflies, and fabrics, and ribbons. See the beautiful red feather...I 'see' a doll sporting that! There's handmade beads and some beaded motifs.

And guess what? There's more!! Tomorrow I will show pics of the PSI's (plus-size inchies) swap pieces that came in that box too.

Who needs Christmas when I have a friend like Arlee! Thank you, my friend!!

Guess I didn't run fast enough!

At least not fast enough to escape the germs that are floating around. Both Jack & I have come down with some sort of throat 'thing' so I've been pretty much sitting around today leafing through magazines and feeling somewhat sorry for myself. I know I promised pictures of the treasure trove I got in the mail and was planning to post them now, but...the camera needs recharging first! So...pictures still to come!

Going back to the magazine pile now...

A box full of treasure!

Look at what arrived in the mail today...a wonderful box full of inspiration from Arlee!! I'll be posting pictures later of some of the goodies inside this box. In the meantime, you can imagine how much fun it was for me to see what was inside! Only a kindred soul would understand that the contents made today better than Christmas!! Thank you sooo much Arlee.

New purchase

 Picture shows the great dining room set we picked up for a song at a second hand store. Our son has a dire need for furniture right now and we simply couldn't resist the bargain. It came with six (!) chairs AND the original 'how to care for it' sticker is still on the glass top. The fabric looks brand new and doesn't look too feminine for a bachelor pad. The whole set was cheap enough that he can afford it. Then we were lucky enough to find the placemats (for cheap too). They are leather and suede (not real of course, but they look good). I'd like this set myself!!

Hmmm....a big black blob?

Oh dear. These pictures leave a whole lot to be desired! However, on a day when I've managed to accomplish very little I had to dig through the files to see what I had neglected to post and this was it. These pictures absolutely don't tell much of a story and you will have to use your creative imagination to 'picture' a fleece throw with wine labels (printed off onto fabric) used as a border along the bottom. The main body of the throw is a quilted outline of the Eiffel Tower (which does not show in any pictures!) with some fleur-de-lis thrown in for good measure. I made it as a birthday gift for DS#2's fiance. She's originally from France, hence the French twist on it.

I learned several things today, which is a good thing...right? I didn't know that if you wrapped your head of celery in aluminum foil that it would keep a long time. My celery is forever getting composted because it's gone all mushy and yucky. I also heard (and am about to test) that the Mr. Clean Magic Erasers are good for cleaning tile floors. My kitchen floor is a mess, which isn't unexpected when you consider we put pretty cheap tiles in there when we moved in just to cover up the 70s yuck that was on there. With 8 years of dogs, kids, cats & whatever, the tiles are in bad need of a shine. I wonder...is Mr. Clean as magic as he claims? Stay tuned!

And the winner is.....

....Spokane Gal (Susan)!!!!! Woo hoo!! I think you know my email addy Susan, so just send me your snail mail and I'll get your goodies in the mail to you. Thanks to everyone who left a comment!

I've made a bit of progress on my TIF piece for March, but not as much as I had hoped to. Maybe there will be more tomorrow.

Sure felt sorry for Jack yesterday. After I took his picture in the snow and posted it here, he spent over three hours just clearing the snow from our driveway and then left to do all the others he has to do. He wasn't home til after 6:30 and was pretty much done in. Hauling a snowblower around (plus on and off a trailer) is hard work. Maybe now he'll decide to give up the rest and just do ours. Not likely tho, because he just took on another one.

Enough already!!!

I know it's Sunday and I don't normally post on Sunday, however....this is how much snow fell in the past 24 hours. In one picture you can see the fence that surrounds the dog pen and how much snow is piled outside of it. The dogs think they're in a tunnel when they're out there. Jack, heading out to blow snow, is up to his knees in our back driveway (he's 6'2" so you can get an idea). The other picture is from our front door where the snow is perfectly level from the top step right out to the road. I guess we should be grateful the sun is shining....

March TIF

Today I pieced my block for the March Take It Further Challenge and found a cigarette silk which matches fairly well. Now I'm ready to start embellishing on it and also on the one I'm trading with Doreen. I also spent some time working on the next piece of the Exquisite Corpse challenge, but unfortunately we are not allowed to show what we do. Darn, because I'm pretty excited about this one!!

There's yet another winter storm on it's way. I've had enough and am more than willing to cry uncle. Enough is enough already!!! Of course our local city employees have to choose this winter to go out on strike and leave us with virtually no snowplowing or sidewalk clearing. It's a crap shoot as to whether your boots are high enough to wade through the muck and slush. Driving is lots of fun (NOT) when you're on side streets where only one lane is plowed (and not well at that). Heaven forbid you have to meet a car going the other way. It's snowing right now and by the weather report, it sounds like we're in for about a foot more over tonight and tomorrow.

Please send sun....we're drowning.......

On to the next 500!

Today's picture is a postcard I just finished up. The 'background' is a tea-dyed Swiffer Cloth (used and washed before dyeing). I also tea-dyed the label (sheer accident that was - it fell in the cup while I was brewing the tea!...fortuitous). The label is stitched on with the machine and then I 'painted' it with a bit of matte gel to protect it. Now to see if the post office will actually deliver it!!

FIVE HUNDRED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Who would have ever thought I would make it to 500 posts! Five.....hundred....times....I've written drivel here for all the world to see. AND there are a few people who actually read what I write, which is even more amazing to me. Thank you so very much for your loyalty, your comments and spending time with me. I never would have believed I could have developed such a wonderful group of cyber-friends and I treasure each and every one of you.

So...on to something special to celebrate! I have a goodie bag here full of treasures of varying types just waiting to go to a new home. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post and you will be entered in the draw. My DH will do the draw on March 10th and I will post the winner here. Good luck and can't wait to see who wins! Remember, no comment = no entry!!

Oh yes, picture today is of the finished bears who are now residing at their new home and I have a nice cheque residing in my wallet!

#499!!! and Good Wives????

This is post # 499!

Sorry there isn't a picture today. I am making progress on the bear front, but they look quite geeky at the moment and flatly refused to have their picture taken. So, you'll have to wait to see them.

In the meantime, I was given an exerpt from the 'Housekeeping Monthly' dated 13 May 1955, entitled 'The Good Wife's Guide'. Now I don't know about you but I certainly don't want the word to get around about this!! I quote:

* Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready, on time for his return. This is a way of letting him know that you have been thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home and the prospect of a good meal (especially his favourite dish) is part of the warm welcome needed.

* Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so you'll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh-looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people.

* Be a little gay and a little more interesting for him. His boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it.

* Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives. Gather up schoolbooks, toys, paper, etc. and then run a dustcloth over the tables.

* Over the cooler months of the year you should prepare and light a fire for him to unwind by. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift too. After all, catering for his comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction.

* Prepare the children. Take a few minutes to wash the children's hands and faces, comb their hair and, if necessary, change their clothes. They are little treasures and he would like to see them playing the part. Minimize all noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet.

* Be happy to see him.

* Greet him with a warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to please him.

* Listen to him. You may have a dozen important things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first - remember, his topics of conversation are more important than yours.

* Make the evening his. Never complain if he comes home late or goes out to dinner, or other places of entertainment without you. Instead try to understand his world of strain and pressure and his very real need to be at home and relax.

* Your goal: Try to make sure your home is a place of peace, order and tranquility where your husband can renew himself in body and spirit.

* Don't complain if he's late home for dinner or EVEN IF HE STAYS OUT ALL NIGHT. Count this as minor compared to what he might have gone through that day.

* Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or have him lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him.

* Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low,soothing and pleasant voice.

* Don't ask him questions about his actions or question his judgment or integrity. Remember, he is the master of the house and as such will always exercise his will with fairness and truthfulness. You have no right to question him.

* A good wife always knows her place.

End quote. OK, was this written by a man or what?? We women must make absolutely certain this information does not fall into our mens hands else complete havoc will rule.

It's good for a laugh anyway!

#498 - 4 Things

My friend Arlee of http://arleebarr.squarespace.com/designjournal recently posted a meme which I thought I'd save for a day when I have no pictures to show. So...here goes...

4 THINGS YOU MAY OR MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT ME

- 4 Jobs I've had in my life: 1) secretary in a high school; 2) secretary for an insurance adjuster; 3) teller in a bank; 4) worked with business accounts and trained tellers, also in a bank

- 4 Movies I'd Watch Over and Over Again: 1) Pretty Woman; 2) Lord of the Rings; 3) the Grinch; 4) more recently, The Bucket List

- 4 Places I've Lived: Oh boy, this one is hard when I consider that I haven't moved too far!! 1) a farm outside of a little tiny town called Seagrave in Ontario; 2) another farm south of an even tinier town called Little Britain; 3) a bungalow in the 'huge' metropolis of Little Britain; 3 houses in a larger town called Lindsay after I was married.

- 4 TV Shows I Watch: 1) CSI - the original one; 2) House; 3) Grey's Anatomy; 4) Antiques Roadshow

- 4 Places I've Been: 1) London & the southern part of England; 2) London and some of Scotland; 3) Toronto; 4) Algonquin Park

- 4 People who Email Me Regularly: 1) Phyllis; 2) Jean; 3) Doreen; 4) Andy

- 4 Of My Favourite Foods: 1) CHOCOLATE!!; 2) lasagna; 3) chicken; 4) potatoes

- 4 Places I'd Rather Be Right Now: 1) anywhere where it's sunny and warm and without snow; 2) a bookstore, with lots of money in hand; 3) a good craft shop, with lots of money in hand; 4) see #1

- 4 Things I'm Looking Forward To This Year: 1) complete the TIF challenge; 2) continue to use up my stash; 3) doing more experimental art; 4) doing lots of reading

- 4 of My Favourite Drinks: 1) ice tea; 2) coffee; 3) water; 4) green tea

- 4 Cars I Have Owned: 1) Chrysler Valiant...which cost $300 and was the best car...ever!; 2) Chevy Nova; 3) Toyota Matrix; 4) Toyota Sienna van

There, now you've read all that, consider yourself tagged!!