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

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If you’re like me, sorting through your heirlooms, photos and memorabilia can start to feel overwhelming.  So many wonderful things packed full of memories.  How do you decide which things are really important and bring you the most joy?

This month, I’m posing a different question every week, to get you (and me) thinking about what’s most important.  Why does it even matter?  For me…It may help me let go of things that really don’t have much significance to me or my loved ones.  It may help me decide which items I want to pull out of the box, photo album, drawer or closet so I can put them on display, to be enjoyed and talked about.  It may help me identify items whose significance (or even value) I haven’t shared with loved ones.

These questions were inspired by my friend, Amy, and conversations she shared with me.

This week’s question is:

What 5 special things would you grab in a fire?

I don’t have my answers to these questions yet, but they sure are making me think.

Daily Inspiration

 

The Possible’s slow fuse is lit
By the Imagination.

Emily Dickinson

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This month, I’m playing with my newest craft gadget…the Flower Loom.  I always find it interesting to see how different materials can change the same pattern.  Here are what different  yarns and ribbon look like using the exact same loom.

These three flowers were made using Super Bulky #6 yarn.

 

This flower was made using Bulky #5 yarn.

This flower was made using Fine #2 yarn.

This flower was made using ribbon.

I had varying degrees of success with the centers.  The wonderful thing…they can always be covered up.

Daily Inspiration

 

 We cannot live only for ourselves.  A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men.

Herman Melville

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Recently, I needed more business cards.  I wanted to get some of the mini cards too.  I decided to try Moo.  I placed my order, and when I received my cards I was extremely impressed with the quality of the cards…except for one thing; I hadn’t cropped the image for my business cards correctly.  I was sick over this…what a waste of money.  I knew it was my responsibility to get my image right, but I was also disappointed that it hadn’t been caught in production.  Not all of us are savvy with this type of thing.  I decided to contact Moo, explain my situation and “take” on the matter, and see if they would redo my order at no additional charge to me.  Guess what?  They agreed without question. 

See my mistake…the little white lines on the corner of the bottom card.

They corrected my image, reprinted my cards and got the new cards to me quickly.  Not only am I wowed by my beautiful cards and stickers; I’m immensely impressed with their customer care.

I ordered traditional business cards with my name and email printed on the back.  They’re printed on a thick cardstock.  I think they feel expensive.

This is the same card, front and back.

I also ordered these little mini cards.  They are adorable and practical.  A fun, memorable way to pass on my website information.

I ordered stickers, mainly to see what they were all about.  I used some of them on the bottoms of the yarn vases I have for sale.

Moo also offers Printfinity, a technology that allows you to have a different image on every card in your pack.  How cool is that for photographers!

Quality product, superior customer care…I’m a happy camper.

Note:  All my Moo links are affiliate links.  I’m not “savvy” with that either, but what I believe it means is if you click on one of my Moo links and place an order, I get a commission.

Daily Inspiration

 

Wisdom is knowing what to do next; virtue is doing it.

David Star Jordan, The Philosophy of Despair

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Here’s what’s been happening in my studio:

I gave in an got a new craft gadget…the Flower Loom.  I’ll be playing with this during May’s “Try This” posts.

 

I worked on my owls…part of what I’m learning in my How to Paint an Owl E-Course.

You may remember that I’m participating in the 2012 Creative Color Challenge , but I’ve gotten a bit behind.  Time to play catch-up.  Each month, I’m making a yarn vase for the challenge.  March’s  color palette was Tranquil Blues.

I decided to try something different for this vase.  Instead of flowers, I decided to add some beading.

Daily Inspiration

 

 Everything that is new or uncommon raises a pleasure in the imagination, because it fills the soul with an agreeable surprise, gratifies its curiosity, and gives it an idea of which it was not before possessed.

Joseph Addison

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Last Friday, we traveled to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania to attend Greyhounds in Gettysburg.  We were honored to have a special guest go with us…Flat Max of Max The Quilt Cat.

 

“No, Flat Max.  I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to drive.  Thank you, though.”

 

“See how comfy it is riding with greyhounds.  They’re very cat-like in their appreciation of a good nap.”

 

When we arrived at the hotel, Flat Max had a few concerns.

“Of course you get to sleep on the bed.  You’re a kitty and kitties always get the best sleeping accommodations.”

 

Flat Max was still getting to know us.  He was a little concerned about our style.  He showed me his stylish rain coat.

 

Imagine his delight when he saw my coat.  All fears were put to rest.  Flat Max knew he was in good hands.

 

Flat Max was ready to go.

 

Saturday, we went shopping at The Outlet Shoppes at Gettysburg where the Greyhounds in Gettysburg vendors were located.

“Be careful, Flat Max!  That’s pretty high up.”

 

That evening, we took Flat Max to The Dobbin House. 

 

The Dobbin House is the oldest building in Gettysburg.

 

“No, Flat Max; that’s not The Dobbin House.  We’re going inside to eat.” 

Sunday, we drove around portions of the Gettysburg battlefield.

 

Flat Max enjoyed looking at the cannons.

 

And, the long lines of snake rail fences.

 

Flat Max and I were both overwhelmed with the privilege of standing on this hallowed ground where the fate of the United States was secured through the sacrifice of so many.  May God Bless America.

We had a great time traveling with Flat Max.  I hope he’ll join us on future travels.

Daily Inspiration

 

 With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation’s wounds.

Abraham Lincoln

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Last weekend, we loaded up the houndies and went to Greyhounds in Gettysburg. We had a GREYT time.  Shopping is one of my favorite things to do, particularly from small businesses, artists and craftsmen.  Greyhounds in Gettysburg didn’t disappoint.  Here are my new treasures:

I told myself, “No new collars on this trip.”  Then, I saw these three collars from 2 Hounds Design.  DOH!

Because it was a little chilly, my husband couldn’t resist getting the houndies their first sweaters.  These beauties are from Houndstown.

A little something me…a one-of-a-kind ring from Beth Wade Design.  This is my first Beth Wade piece.  It won’t be my last.

I love coin jewelry, so I had to have this Irish coin.  What makes it extra special…it’s from my birth year.  This lovely piece is from Feathered Gems Jewelry.  A little history about the famous greyhound on the coin…

“Master McGrath (pronounced McGraw) was an Irish coursing greyhound.  He won the Waterloo cup, the biggest coursing event in the British Isles, three time, in 1868, 1869 and 1871, something no courser had ever done before.  His wins over famous British dogs made him an Irish national hero.  Songs and poetry were written in his honor, pubs were named after him, and he was immortalized on the new Irish Free State sixpence in 1928.  In 1938, the country’s name changed to the Republic of Ireland, but Master McGrath remained on the coins until 1969 when the sixpence was made obsolete by a currency change.”

Information provided by Feathered Gems Jewelry

How fun is this.  A little green greyhound charm from Clay Greys.  Clay Greys doesn’t only do greyhounds.  They do a variety of pets and custom orders.

A few of the purchases were practical, like these  lights for when we’re out after dark.

And these poo bags.

Freedom, Casper & Nikki’s favorites…the complimentary toys and treats we received with our registration packets.  Go figure.

Daily Inspiration

 

There’s a great power in words, if you don’t hitch too many of them together.

Josh Billings

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This was the final week of Juliette Crane’s How to Paint an Owl E-course.  Last week (Week 4), I didn’t get any painting done because I was preparing for Greyhounds in Gettysburg.  Week 4 was about putting your owl into a scene.  This week (Week 5), was a review along with information about top coats.

 This was another week with very little painting, but I did play around a bit.

Note:  If you want to see what the owls looked like “before,” click here.

 

 

 

 

My goal the next few weeks…finish all my How to Paint a Girl and How to Paint an Owl paintings.

Daily Inspiration

 

Humor does not diminish the pain – it makes the space around it get bigger.

Allen Klein

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Sorting through your heirlooms, photos and memorabilia can start to feel overwhelming.  My friend, Amy, told me about a conversation she had with her husband and some questions they asked each other.  I thought the questions were brilliant and could be very informative and helpful in putting your “stuff” in perspective.

So, this month’s “If I Died Today” posts are inspired by my friend, Amy.  Each week, I’ll post a different question to get you thinking.  This week’s question is:

If I died today, what 5 things would you want to keep to remember me by and why?

Ask this question to the special people in your life.  The answers might surprise you.

Daily Inspiration

 

We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are.

Anais Nin

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I’ve had my eye on this Flower Loom for the last couple months, because I LOVE making flowers.  It comes with six different shaped looms and a pattern sheet with a variety of projects.  This is the basic idea:

Select a loom and set it on the base.

Tie a knot in the end of the yarn and thread it through the hole on the edge of the base.

Wind the yarn around the pegs.

After winding the yarn around all the pegs, cut the yarn and tie the end to the other end of the yarn.

Thread the tapestry needle with a separate strand of yarn and darn the center.

Remove the loom from the base.  Tie, trim and hide the ends of the yarn.

Carefully remove the flower from the loom.  Oh boy, I’m going to have fun with this!

Daily Inspiration

Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul.

Luther Burbank

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Freedom, Casper and Nikki here, reporting on our latest Greyhound adventure.  Friday, we left for…GREYHOUNDS IN GETTYSBURG!

After looking at the photos our mom gave us to work with, we’d like to start with a disclaimer and a request.

Disclaimer:  We had a lot more fun and the pups and people we met were much lovelier than our mom’s pictures reflect.

Request:  Would someone please tell our mom that just because you have a “point and shoot” camera, it doesn’t mean that you point the camera willy nilly and shoot crazy pictures…sheesh!

That said, we loaded into the Greyhound-mobile and took off on Friday morning…Gettysburg or bust!

First, we checked into our hotel, the 1863 Inn of Gettysburg.

Freedom:  Casper, get off the beds so mom and dad can spread them around the room.

Casper:  They only brought three beds for all of us!

Nikki:  Casper is a bed hog.

Then, we went to the Kickoff Meet & Greet and Dinner sponsored by Battlefield Harley-Davidson.

Freedom:  Yes, that is Casper checking out the scene from UNDER me.  Little brothers can be so trying.

Casper:  That was just the best way to see what was going on!  The sun was at a weird angle!

Nikki:  Casper was scared.

Saturday, we headed off to The Outlet Shoppes at Gettysburg to meet new friends and shop!  Mom is going to show you all the things we got when she posts on Saturday.  A little preview…since it was a bit chilly, we all got sweaters right away.

Freedom:  I’ll assume that I don’t have to explain why I got the American flag.

Casper:  I got the Union Jack…DECCY! (If you don’t know my cousin and mate Declan…check out his blog here and my plans to visit him here).

Nikki:  I’m a pirate.

Amidst all the shopping, here are some of the new friends we met:

Freedom:  This is Lexie.  She had a sweet ride.

Casper:  Did mom use some sort of blue filter on this picture?

Nikki:  I want a sweet ride like Lexie’s.

Freedom:  This is Caveman.  Caveman had a sweet ride like Lexie.

Casper:  This is Caveman’s sister, Tinkerbell.  She was very glamorous.

Nikki:  I want a sweet ride like Caveman and Tinkerbell.

Freedom:  Clooney was stylin’ but it was cold, so he needed the help of an extra blankie.

Casper:  Take that George!  I think you have some competition.

Nikki:  I want to be carried in a blankie like Clooney.

Freedom:  Craigie, Emma and Junior looked marvelous!

Casper:  I like this pack idea better…two boys and one girl!

Nikki:  Casper is not telling the truth.  He likes being the only boy.  That way, he can imagine himself “the ladies’ man.”

Freedom:  There was a parade and contests too, but because our mom didn’t pay attention to the time, we missed all of it.  Afterward, we did get to see some of the participants.  This is Gypsy, aka Scarlett O’Hara.  In real life, Gypsy works with heart patients.

Casper:  Gypsy, you’re beautiful.

Nikki:  See, I told you Casper likes being the only boy.

Freedom:  This is Roger.  He won the “Best Civil War Theme.”

Casper:  Roger!  Being in the Costume Contest was either very tiring or Roger passed out from the excitement of winning!

Nikki:  Congratulations, Roger.

We also want to mention that every pup pictured was a rescue dog.  We think that’s awesome.  Tune in on Saturday to see what our mom bought and again on Sunday for a special treat.

Daily Inspiration

 

Dogs’ lives are too short.  Their only fault, really.

Agnes Sligh Turnbull