Creativity, Crafts, Books, Movies, Greyhounds & Favorite Things

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Here she is, my Make Every Minute Count Art Doll…

Today is the day when the Blogville Ladies Crochet Society shows off their August project…the Amigurumi Beach Pebble.  

You can check out the Society’s creations here and get the instructions for September’s project…a Granny Squares Pillow!

Daily Inspiration

 History is philosophy teaching by examples.

Thucydides

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Back in May, I ran a series of five questions that were meant to get you (and me) thinking about memorabilia and hopefully identifying some of the special treasures.  When I originally posted these questions, I didn’t answer them, but now I am.  Here’s the fifth (and final) question:

Think of 5 favorite people in your life; what is a special thing that represents each person for you?

1.  My Daughter – Toma

Toma was my daughter’s favorite stuffed animal.  She loved Doberman Pinschers and always wanted a stuffie that was sitting in this position.  To me, Toma symbolizes many aspects of her childhood.

2.  Mom – Pinkie & The Blue Boy

My mother kept these in her curio cabinet.  I always thought they were beautiful, and I was proud of my mom for having such good taste.  She gave them to me because I loved them so much.

3.  Betty – Jewelry Box

Betty was a family friend who influenced my life in a profound way.  I wrote a tribute to her here.  I don’t have many “things” from Betty, but I do have this jewelry box.  I bought it at our church rummage sale.  I don’t remember if it was Betty’s or if she just sold it to me, but I’ve always associated it with her.

4.  Ellen – ?

I’m still working on this one.  Ellen is my best friend.  We met in kindergarten.  The first thing that came to mind was a little leather souvenir.  When we were in grade school, Ellen and I wanted to trade something.  The little leather souvenir was what Ellen gave me in the trade.  The problem is, I may have given it back to her. Ellen…I think you need to buy me something really fabulous to remember you by.  See me for ideas.

5.  Dorothy – Avon Egg Box

Like Betty, Dorothy was very influential in my life.  I wrote a tribute to her here.  She was an Avon Lady, and I would help her visit customers and sort and package her orders.  This egg is from Avon and one of my favorite things.

Daily Inspiration

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In August, my “Try This” posts all feature some things you can do with thrift store finds.

Have you ever stumbled upon a beautiful textile in a thrift or antique store and been tempted to purchase it, but then, what would you do with it?  Frame it!  Not only will you find lovely old doilies, handkerchiefs and linens in thrift stores, but also old (and new) frames.

These little doilies were made by my Grandma.  The idea for this project came to mind while I was thinking about what to do with some of my “unusual” family heirlooms.

Daily Inspiration

The most precious gift we can offer anyone is our attention.

Thich Nhat Hanh

About the photo (taken on August 26)…I took this photo in the garden of the Oliver Mansion where I volunteer as a docent.  All the roses were gone, except for this lovely little show-off.  It was leaning over to the path, sharing its beauty.

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Amy, Miura (green coat) & Zonda (red coat) at the Reindog Parade 

For my “Love This” posts in August, my friend, Amy, has been sharing some of her favorite things.  Thank you, Amy, for sharing a few of your best finds.  I certainly want to try several of them.  Without further ado, here is the final installment of “Amy’s Faves”…four of her favorite Greyhound/pet faves.

Nite Ize S-Biners

Amy loves these Nite Ize S-Biners to attach tags to dog collars. They are inexpensive (six for less than $5 on Amazon), sturdy, and you can color coordinate to seasonally changing collars. 

LuckyPet Classic Jewelry Tags

These beautiful tags come in different sizes and fun colors! red, pink, purple, blue, black, yellow, white and sky blue.  Amy’s hounds wear the small size (the flower measures 1-1/8″ H x 1-1/8″ W).  She loves them because they’re pretty, and each dog has their own special symbol.  Miura has the red heart, Zonda has the blue flower, and Eva has the green clover.  An extra bonus, you can add Owner Alert for a $9.95 one-time-fee per household.  Along with your phone number, the tag also has a 1-800 number where several additional phone numbers are kept on file.  If your pet is reported to the 1-800 number and you don’t answer when they call, the service calls all your numbers, in rotation, until they reach someone, 24-hours a day.  You can call and change your listed numbers at any time, which is great if you’re traveling or change vets.  Before Amy ordered the tags, she called the 1-800 number at 2 am to make sure someone answered.  They did.  As I mentioned, Amy checks things out.

Eva modeling both the Nite Ize clip and her LuckyPet tag

Camco Drinking Water Hose

I did not know this…If you fill a kiddie pool or ever let your dogs drink out of a hose, you could expose them to things they’d be better off not to drink. The water that comes out of a regular garden hose often has lead and other chemicals that seep into the water from the materials the hose is made of, especially if the hose sets in the sun.  You can help keep your dogs (and kids) safe by using a BPA and lead-free garden hose.  The Camco Drinking Water Hose (50′) is a great pick and available for under $35 on Amazon.

Zonda & Miura…Santa’s Helpers

Gini’s  Greyhound Fashions Santa’s Helper Coats

For the last two years, our houndies have walked in the Reindog Holiday Parade with Amy’s houndies who always wear their Santa’s Helper coats.  For the last two years, I’ve been jealous because Miura and Zonda look ADORABLE.  Amy loves these coats.  In her words, “Great rear coverage and a snuggly turtleneck make them winners.” AND the girls always get stopped for compliments when they’re wearing them on walks.  I have witnessed this first-hand.   

Last year, Amy and her husband met their sweet Eva at the Reindog Parade when she was brought by Allies for Greyhounds of West Michigan (our Greyhound group) as a possible foster.  Well, they took Eva as a foster and promptly failed fostering…Eva had her forever home!  Eva needed a Santa coat and Gini of Gini’s Greyhound Fashions, came through with a beautiful blue one. 

Amy was a little concerned over featuring a winter item when it’s still warm, but as she pointed out “people who make dog coats to your specific measurements get really busy as soon as it gets cold, so if you need something, order now!”  I agree, and I’m working with Gini to get our Santa’s Helper coats ordered.  The Lohmeyer hounds will be turning up in style for this year’s Reindog Parade!

Daily Inspiration

A friend is the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out.

Grace Pulpit

About the photo (taken on August 26)…I took this photo on the grounds of the Oliver Mansion where I volunteer as a docent.  There’s such a calming beauty to huge old trees.  I like to ponder all the years they have seen.

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Here’s what’s going on in my studio…

My “Try This” posts for August feature ideas from thrift store finds.  This week, I made a candy dish from a candlestick and a wooden bowl.

This was the last week of Artful Gathering classes, so I am finishing up my Make Every Minute Count Art Doll.  I just need to finish the wings and assemble her.  You can check out the finished result on Friday (I hope).

I also finished up my August project for the Blogsville Ladies Crochet Society…an Amigurumi Beach Pebble.  I’ll post a picture on Friday.

This is the last week for The August Break 2012, sponsored by Susannah Conway.  Here’s what The August Break 2012 is all about:

How it works: you simply share one photo (or more!) each day on your blog – Monday to Friday, or every day. Or whenever you feel moved to share. Using any camera – DSLR, compact, Polaroid, Holga, iPhone (my choice), Instax, film or digital – with or without words – anything goes! – for the whole of August. No pressure – just looking at August through your camera lens as a way to be more present this summer. And to have a little break from the pressures and expectations of regular blogging.

There are NO RULES, people! Just sunshine (hopefully) + a bit of fun. And lots of lovely photos to look at and new blogs to discover.

I use photos I’ve taken every day for my “Daily Inspiration” segment, but they are not always taken that day or that week.  To challenge myself for The August Break 2012, all my “Daily Inspiration” photos for August will be taken within a day or two of when they appear.  I’ll also include a line or two about the photograph.

Daily Inspiration

Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability.

Sam Keen 

About the photo (taken on August 26)…I took this photo in the garden of the Oliver Mansion where I volunteer as a docent.  Still beautiful and full of blooms, you can see that things are starting to fade.  Autumn will be upon us before we know it.

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Yesterday, the hubby and I went to the Michiana Renaissance Festival.  This was my first Renaissance Festival.

The fesitval was held on Kamm Island in Mishawaka, Indiana.  It was a small festival, only in its second year.  While I am completely at home cavorting with pirates, fairies, trolls, knights, wenches and Vikings, my husband, not so much.  So, I knew I didn’t have much time.

We walked around and looked at the vendors, listened to a few performances and enjoyed a beautiful, sunny day.

My favorite part of the day was listening to a story by Patrice Blackbottle. 

She told the tale of the Fae and a quest for a star.

At the end of the tale, we each received a special star and blessing.

I would definitely attend another Renaissance Festival, but next time I need to go with one of my magical, fairy friends and not a man who the entire time looked like he was going to (1) bolt and run or (2) grab a sword from a passing pirate and run me through.  Live and learn.

Daily Inspiration

Fairy tales are more than true; not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.

G. K. Chesterton

About the photo (taken on August 25)…This was taken at the Michiana Renaissance Festival on Kamm Island in Mishawaka, Indiana.  It was a lovely, sunny day and this bench was available to sit and look out at the St. Joseph River.

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Ann, at Harvest Moon by Hand, recently posted about favorite villains.  That got me thinking…who are my favorite villains?  Here are my top five:

1.  Animated Villain – Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty)

She’s just so angry and vengeful.  Plus, she can turn into a dragon!  I’m really looking forward to the upcoming movie Maleficent with Angelina Jolie.

2.  Fantasy Villain – Wicked Witch of the West (The Wizard of Oz)

The Wicked Witch of the West, as played by Margaret Hamilton, is so iconic.

3.  Psycho Villain – John Doe (Seven)

Calm, calculating, intelligent and completely mad, Kevin Spacey played John Doe to terrifying perfection.

4.  Mob Villain – Tommy DeVito (Goodfellas)

No one plays unhinged and unpredictable like Joe Pesci as Tommy DeVito in Goodfellas.

5.  Horror Villain – Pennywise the Clown (It)

Watching and reading horror doesn’t usually “stick” with me, but Pennywise did and totally creeped me out.

Who are your favorite villains?

Daily Inspiration

Nothing is more dangerous than an idea when it is the only one you have.

Emile Chartier

About the photo (taken on August 25)…I had a fun adventure on Saturday along the banks of the St. Joseph River in Mishawaka, Indiana.  I’ll tell you about it tomorrow.  This is a view from Kamm Island.

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Today is the last day of Artful Gathering classes.  I’m furiously working to finish the Make Every Minute Count Art Doll with Cat Kerr.  I’ve enjoyed these classes because each one had techniques and used products that were new to me.  The classes were very do-able but you came away from them feeling like you learned something.  Here’s what I have done:

The body with the centerpiece.

The wings.  I cut them out of metal and hammered them.  Next, I need to add a patina to the metal and add the resin paper accents.  All of this is new to me.

The skirt.  I need to add more embellishments to the bottom and put it on the base.

Next week, I’ll have a finished Make Every Minute Count Art Doll and then, back to my Mixed Devotions Bottles.

Daily Inspiration

  anything or anyone
that does not bring you alive
is too small for you

David Whyte

About the photo (taken on August 24)…I realized I hadn’t taken a hound picture in quite awhile.  Casper said if he didn’t have to get up, I could take his picture.

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Back in May, I ran a series of five questions that were meant to get you (and me) thinking about memorabilia and hopefully identifying some of the special treasures.  When I originally posted these questions, I didn’t answer them, but now I am.  Here’s the fourth question:

Think of 5 favorite events or periods in your life; what 5 special things represent those times?

1.  Charlotte’s Web

(Becoming a Lifelong Reader) Charlotte’s Web is the book I credit with making me a lifelong reader.  My 3rd grade teacher read aloud a chapter every day, and I was captivated by the story.  I loved it so much, my mom bought me a copy of the book that I still own.

2.  Ardmore Award

(School Years)  I went to a small elementary school and it was a good experience with many happy memories.  The Ardmore Award was given to one girl and one boy of the graduating 6th grade class.  I won and was honored to receive it.  Since I’m allergic to competition, it’s one of my only awards.

3.  Frog Trinket Box

(Motherhood)  My daughter’s dad bought this for me in the hospital gift shop when she was born.  I collect frogs, so it was a perfect little gift.

4.  Kuwait Medal

(Hardest Thing I Ever Did) – Five months after my daughter was born, I was sent to Saudi Arabia for the Persian Gulf War.  Leaving her was the hardest thing I ever had to do, but as is so often true, many good things came from it.  The thing I’m most thankful for, the relationship that was forged between my daughter and her dad.

5.  Mission Bell

(Marriage) – My husband and I met and married in California.  Much of our courtship and honeymoon centered around a portion of the California Mission Trail (El Camino Real – The Royal Road).  The idea of placing the Mission Bell Guideposts as markers along the highway and in front of each Mission came about in 1906.  This is a souvenir and a sweet reminder of a romantic time.

Daily Inspiration

There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.

Alfred Wainwright

About the photo (taken August 23)…Last night, I went to the movie theatre to see Singin’ In The Rain.  I’d never seen this movie, let alone on the big screen.  It was a delight.

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In August, my “Try This” posts are going to feature some things you can do with thrift store finds.

Combining thrift store finds can be a fun way to create something entirely new.  For instance, I’m combining a candlestick and a wooden bowl to make a candy dish.

I love Martha Stewart’s paints.  For this project, I’m using a metallic paint in Sterling.

I started by lightly sanding the bowl to give the paint something to grab on to.

This is one coat of the paint.  I could have easily stopped here as one coat gave it a tarnished silver look, but I wanted to see what the paint looked like with several coats, so I added two more coats.

If you want the base and bowl joined together permanently, use a strong multi-surface glue.  If you want the bond to be temporary, use an adhesive putty.  Super simple and very inexpensive.

Daily Inspiration

You have to have an idea of what you are going to do, but it should be a vague idea.

Pablo Picasso

About the photo (taken August 19)…I took this photo outside the Sunrise Cafe in Lafayette, Indiana, a diner we often go to when I visit my daughter.  The flowers were so lovely, I couldn’t resist taking a photo.