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

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During the month of March, I’m making projects with yo-yos.  This week…yo-yo holiday decorations. 

I made the Easter eggs with flannel.

 

I used cotton fabric to make the pumpkin.

 

The Christmas trees are flannel.  I think I’ll change out the button toppers for pom-poms.

Daily Inspiration

 

It’s spring fever.  That is what the name of it is.  And when you’ve got it, you want – oh, you don’t quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!

Mark Twain

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I love books and magazines and coffee and beautiful bookish things, so I love Barnes & Noble.

Barnes & Noble had its start in 1873 when Charles Barnes began a book printing business in Wheaton, Illinois; but it was his son, William, who opened the first bookstore in New York City with G. Clifford Noble in 1917.

When I walk into a Barnes & Noble store, I experience pure delight.  You’ve got to love that.

Daily Inspiration

 

The worth of a book is to be measured by what you can carry away from it.

James Bryce

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This was the week of yo-yos and paper.  For my Wednesday “Try Me” projects in March, I’m making things from fabric yo-yos.  This is what a yo-yo looks like.

This week, I made yo-yo bouquets.

 

I also participated in TWO card clubs.  Here’s what I made:

Imagine all the possibilities with this simple yet versatile layout.

This card sports pretty flowers and a clover.

Here’s an adorable bunny party favor.

And last, a stunning paper flower.

Daily Inspiration

 

 Never have a companion that casts you in shade.

Baltasar Gracian

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Sometimes, when I issue myself a challenge on my blog, I actually accomplish it.  Sometimes, I don’t…but, it’s worth a try.  Let’s see how many of my closets I can get done this year.

I have seven closets…

Pantry – Entryway - Hallway – Daughter’s Room – Linen – Master Bedroom – Craft Room

First up, my pantry.  This closet is actually “done,” it just needs a little tidying up.  It’s painted a pretty blue.  One thing I want to do is pay attention to all the items that are in there that don’t belong there.  If they’re in the pantry and they don’t belong in the pantry, they don’t have a home.  So I’ll need to address that.  I’ll get to work on this and report back in April.

Daily Inspiration

 

Home is the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in.

Robert Frost

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The American Book Review published a list, 100 Best First Lines from Novels.  Here are my 5 favorites from the ones that made the list:

1.  It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair. – Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities (1859)

2.  Ships at a distance have every man’s wish on board. – Zora Neale Hurston, Their Eyes Were Watching God (1937)

3.  I had the story, bit by bit, from various people, and, as generally happens in such cases, each time it was a different story. – Edith Wharton, Ethan Frome (1911)

4.  A story has no beginning or end; arbitrarily one chooses that moment of experience from which to look back or from which to look ahead. – Graham Greene, The End of the Affair (1951)

5.  He was born with a gift of laughter and a sense that the world was mad. – Raphael Sabatini, Scaramouche (1921)

Do you have any favorite first lines?

Daily Inspiration

 

What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet or excite you.

Books help us understand who we are and how we are to behave.  They show us what community and friendship mean; they show us how to live and die.

Anne Lamott

My hope is that I’ll relax and be able to decide if this is a book that I want to take time to work through and that it will give you the opportunity to see if it would be helpful for you. 

I was looking for something to fill the time between the How to Paint a Girl and How to Paint an Owl  E-Courses…enter, The Right-Brain Business Plan.

I have owned this book for a while and have made every excuse imaginable not to read it.  Why?  It’s not the “right-brain” part.  I love living in my right-brain.  It’s the “business plan” part. 

Here are the reasons for that:

Reason #1 – I love my creative life.  Generally, when something becomes “work,” it’s ruined.  It’s no longer fun, free and creative; it’s deadlines, obligations and pressure.  Do I want to do anything like that to something I love so dearly?  NO!

Reason #2 – I don’t consider myself good at business.  I’ve failed more than once, and now I have a script written in my head that says, “You’re no good at business. Don’t even try it.  You’ll fail…guaranteed.”

But, here’s the truth:

Truth #1 – Reading and working through a book doesn’t mean anything.  I don’t have to change a thing.

Truth #2 – Just because I’ve failed at something once, twice or more times than that, it doesn’t mean I’ll always fail.  Plus, failure isn’t always a bad thing.  Sometimes “failure” is just “learning.”

I’m still not enthusiastic.  So to calm myself, I’m just going to READ the book.  I’ll share a brief overview of the chapters.  My hope is that I’ll relax and be able to decide if this is a book that I want to take time to work through, and that it gives you the opportunity to see if it would be helpful to you.

Here’s what I read this week:

Chapter 1 – Starting from the Top

This chapter covers the process used in the Right-Brain Business Plan and the structure of the plan.

Favorite Quote – ” Just as the how is as important as the what, the being is as important as the doing.”

Chapter 2 – Crafting Your Business Vision and Values

The first step, exploring your business vision, values and voice.

Favorite Quote – “If your vision is the big picture you’re painting, and your values are the colorful paints, then your voice is like the beautiful brushstroke you use to bring your vision to life.”

Chapter 3 – Painting Your Business Landscape

Where does your business fit in with your industry?

Favorite Quote – “It’s your love of what you do that drives you.  When it comes to crafting a business plan, though, you must also ensure that your passions intersect with what people are willing to pay for.”

Daily Inspiration

 

A business that makes nothing but money is a poor business.

Henry Ford

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If I died today, what would I wish I’d taken care of?  Every Thursday in 2012, I’m taking a look at that question.  This month, I’m thinking about estate planning tasks.  This is a huge topic, so I’m starting by listing out all the things that “ideally” should be done, so I have an idea of what I need to do and what I need to gather together.  Laws are different in every state, so my husband and I plan to visit an estate planning attorney to make sure we’re doing what we need to do; but I thought preparing my “lists” would be a good first step…something to get my mind in the game.  I’ve made three separate lists – Important Documents, Business Documents and finally, Personal Documents.  If you notice I missed something, please let me know in the “Comments.”  These posts are not authoritative, rather they are like one friend talking to another, sharing plans.

List of friends (off-line and online) – Who should be contacted in the event of your death.

List of organizations in which you have membership – Other members may want to know and the organization may provide special death benefits, services or assistance.

Care instructions for pets - Who will assume responsibility for your pets?  You’ll also want to list the name of your veterinarian and any other important information.  This is a decision that involves you speaking with the person, family or group you want to take your pet.

Heirloom Album – A list and/or pictures of family heirlooms and the stories behind them.

List of valuables – Do you own valuable items that your heirs may not know are valuable?  I thought about this with regards to jewelry.  Most of my jewelry is costume jewelry, but I do have some “real” pieces.  A list of the “real” items could be helpful.

Letter of instruction - This will have any information you want your heirs to know and instructions for them to follow, such as  funeral wishes, the location of key papers, the location of keys, etc.  Many of the items above, could be listed in this letter of instruction.

I am completely overwhelmed by these three lists…but one step at a time.  Every task that’s completed will be helpful and make things easier “if I die today.”

Daily Inspiration

 

Jean Cocteau

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During the month of March, I’m making projects with yo-yos.  This week…a yo-yo bouquet.  I LOVED making this.  I think it is so bright and cheerful.

I like to make all my yo-yos first.  That way, I can lay them out and play with different color combinations.  These yo-yos are made of flannel.

I used buttons for the flower centers in this bouquet.  I started another bouquet and made covered buttons for the flower centers.  It was fun to make the covered buttons. 

With a piece of fabric and these four pieces, you can make a button that perfectly compliments your project.

Daily Inspiration

 

Beauty is in the heart of the beholder.

H. G. Wells

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Don’t you love it when you find a new product that works.  Here are three I’m currently enjoying.

Booda Butter

I love the consistency and smell of Booda Butter.  Since it is thick, I like to use it mainly for hands, knees and elbows; but, according to Booda Organics, there are 50 ways to use Booda Butter.  I also love their lip balm.

Funny Story:  The first tin of Booda Butter I purchased was taken over by my husband.  He put it on the table by our couch, and we ran to the grocery store.  When we returned, the tin was on the floor, flattened, with many teeth marks in it.  Apparently, Booda Butter tastes awesome.  We don’t know if there was one, two or three culprits.  No one had any ill effects, but we no longer leave the tin of Booda Butter at “Greyhound” level.

Aura Cacia Skin Care Oil

Aura Cacia makes pure essential oils and skin care products.  The only product I have tried is the Sweet Almond Oil.  My skin is dry, and I love the way skin care oil makes my skin feel.  I would love to try the Jojoba Oil because it closely resembles the skin’s own natural emollients, but it is more costly than the Sweet Almond Oil, so I usually tell myself, “I’ll get it next time.”  I would like to learn more about Aromatherapy.  The Aura Cacia website looks like an excellent reference.  If you know about Aromatherapy, I’d love to hear your recommendations of books, websites…any resources you’ve found helpful.

Pacifica Color Quench Lip Tints

I wish that I liked to wear lipstick.  I love the romance and glamour of it, but I just don’t use it.  I love lip balm though, so the closest I’ll ever come is lip tint.  Pacifica’s new Color Quench Lip Tints are beautiful, creamy and taste good..  I’ve got the Guava Berry, but I want to try them all.

Daily Inspiration

 

Plans to protect air and water, wilderness and wildlife are in fact plans to protect man.

Stewart Udall

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During the month of March, I’m playing with yo-yos for my “Try This” posts.  So, my work this week involved making yo-yos…and yo-yos…and yo-yos.  One of the cool things about making yo-yos is you can  make them anywhere as long as you have your fabric circles, a needle, thread and small scissors.  Check back every Wednesday in March to see some of the things you can make with yo-yos.

 

Another yo-yo bonus…they look beautiful in a clear container.

I also made two new flowers to add to my collection.

Daily Inspiration

 

He who is outside his door has the hardest part of his journey behind him.

Dutch Proverb