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

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Unfortunately, a broken fuel pump on my vehicle caused my plans to change this weekend.  The day didn’t go to waste though.  I FINALLY installed my closet system…well, sort of.  I’m notorious for thinking through an organizational project and then purchasing the wrong things.  For instance, see those nice long 70″ shelf bracket supports…I initially purchase 48″ shelf bracket supports!  I’ve learned to buy the bare minimum and add from there.

I’m thinking I’ll add three more shelves.  I’ll only add one at a time because as stated above, I’m horrible with this particular step in the planning process.  I also add a few more totes.

If you recall my original post on this project.  The closet isn’t the only area that needs attention.  I do believe it is an important part though.  Not only will it be my primary storage area, it will help me set limits on what I can have and keep and that’s very important for a little hoarder like me.  A big improvement over what I started with, wouldn’t you say!

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This is one of the best books on cleaning and organizing that I know.  Why?  Because it really helped me.  Marla, aka The FlyLady, takes you baby step by baby step through the process of cleaning and organizing your home.  This was the book that made the difference for me.  I don’t work the plan perfectly, but the plan keeps me on track.  Following the steps in this book makes dealing with the clutter and chaos in your home do-able.

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Sunset Boulevard is described as a noir-comic classic, but it is recognized as so much more.  It is a film of depth, desperation, pathos and richness.  Set in 1950’s Hollywood, the story revolves around the iconic Norma Desmond, played by Gloria Swanson, an aging star of the silent film era who is looking to make a comeback, and her reluctant young lover played by William Holden.  Sunset Boulevard takes a look at the Hollywood movie machine, youth, stardom and tragic romance all set in a black comedy.  Sunset Boulevard is perfection in film.

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Inspiration:

FreshStyle (Summer 2011 – Southern Lady Special) – Pg 95 (Note to Self)

 

 

Supplies:

Frame

Decorative paper

Scissors (I used a paper cutter)

Dry-erase pen (not shown)

 

1.  Take the frame apart.  Use the paper insert or the glass as a template to cut the correct size from your decorative paper.

2.  Put the paper in the frame and re-assemble the frame.  That’s it!  You have a super cute, perfectly coordinated  dry-erase board for your home or office.

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A Post by Freedom and Casper (Nikki’s still too shy to blog)

We like it that our mom blogs.  We’ve made new friends and gotten some treats and collars that she probably would have put off buying if it weren’t for her blog.  We also like to go in her “blogging” room when she’s typing and take nice naps.  Monday, we got a whole new reason to be glad that our mom blogs…presents!

First, a package from Greenies®.  Mom wrote that Greenies® were one of our favorite things, and the folks at Greenies® read her post and emailed her about sending US a present.  It took mom FOREVER to send them our address, but the folks at Greenies® didn’t hold her against us and sent two packages of Large Greenies®, one for each of us.  Because mom was so slow about giving Greenies® our information, we got a whole new dog in between time!  Sheesh!  We’ll share with Nikki (mom assured us).

See, we shared.

Next, a package from Patchwork Pet.  Mom’s favorite blog, Tales and Tails (“Hi, Lilac, Blueberry, Bunny and Morgan!”), had a picture caption contest, and mom won!  You can check it out here and here.  For winning, the nice folks at Patchwork Pet sent us a box with three stuffed animals (one for each of us…they knew we had a new sister).  The toys are AWESOME.  We like them all, but the giant caterpillar is our super favorite.

Casper:  How did I get the littlest toy?

Freedom:  The caterpillar is mine.

Casper: No, the caterpillar is mine.

Nikki:  I like the lamb.

Freedom:  I said, the caterpillar is mine.

Casper:  No, I said, the caterpillar is mine.

Nikki:  I’m staying out of this.

If you want to connect with the nice folks that sent us these presents, here are the links to the Facebook pages of Greenies® and Patchwork Pet.

Also, our mom wants us to tell you that she doesn’t recommend things so she’ll get free stuff, but when free stuff happens, it is AWESOME.  Thanks, Greenies® and Patchwork Pet.  We love all our presents.

Sincerely,

Freedom, Casper and Nikki

August’s 4 Faves all come from my friends.  Check out what they like.

My friends, Sherry and Julie, share their favorite things this week.  The first three are Sherry’s favorites and the last one is Julie’s favorite.

Urban Decay Eyeshadow

Sherry is a big fan of Urban Decay cosmetics, but the eyeshadows are a particular favorite.  Why?  They’re richly pigmented, smooth to the touch and easy to blend.  Eyeshadow perfection in Sherry’s book.

Hanes Underwear

In Sherry’s words, “They come in all kinds of styles, they’re cheap and they don’t ride up.”  What more could you want from a pair of underpants?

The Yum Yum Shoppe

Inexpensive, quality products…that’s what Sherry likes about The Yum Yum Shoppe.  Two of her favorites are the Pretty Skin Facial Serum and the Lemon Drop Cocoa Butter Sugar Scrub.

Keurig Brewing System

Julie suggested this, but I should have stolen it because we both LOVE the Keurig.  Keurig Brewing Systems brew a perfect cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate.  K-Cups come in over 200 varieties…now that’s a perfect cup.

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I signed up for the Make Art a Part (of Your Life) e-course by Kaitlyn Webb Patience, author of the blog isavirtue.  The course is divided into 10 sections.  The “creation” section is divided into 8 weeks, each week offering an opportunity to try your hand at a different theme or art form.  My plan is to show you some of the projects that I create during the next 8 weeks and post thoughts I have about the subjects that Kaitlyn introduces.

I’m taking this course because I was intrigued with Kaitlyn’s mix of fine art and crafts.  I feel intimidated by the world of fine art and comfortable in the world of crafts.  I want to bring those two worlds closer together because I believe one will inform the other.  I also appreciate Kaitlyn’s encouraging us to make art a part of every aspect of our lives.  I’ve always appreciated beautiful things, and I know what I like.  I am very eclectic and sometimes quirky and whimsical in my tastes.  I love color.  I want to encourage and develop this sense of continual learning and appreciation because I think it is vital to a healthy and vibrant life.

If you’d like to participate in this e-course, you may register at any time.  Once registered, you’ll have access to the full course for one year.  You can complete it at your own pace.  The cost is $45.00 and you can sign up here.

Last week, I announced my first give-away, a copy of Patti Digh’s book, Four Word Self Help: Simple Wisdom For Complex Lives.  And the winner is…Judy Jones!  Congratulations, Judy, and thank you for commenting.

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This is NOT a new project I’m starting…whew!  I have been thinking a lot about it though.  I’ve been pleased with my progress on simplifying and decluttering my life and home this year, but this is the elephant in the room that I haven’t been dealing with.

This may be part of a regular feature on What Remains Now in 2012.  I am curious, what do YOU do with all your photos, memorabilia and collections?  OR, maybe I should say, if you had everything done the way you wanted, what does that look like?  Let me hear from you.  What are your best ideas?  You don’t have to have done them, I’m just interested in gathering your thoughts.

Also, today (August 7, 2011) is the last day to “enter” to win an autographed copy of Patti Digh’s book, Four Word Self Help: Simple Wisdom For Complex Lives.  All you have to do is comment on this or any other post by midnight (EST).  I’ll announce the winner tomorrow.

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Until I visited Galveston, Texas, I had never heard of the 1900 Galveston Hurricane that ranks as the #1 deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history.  Erik Larson’s book, Isaac’s Storm, traces the storm from its beginning and puts you right in the middle of 1900 Galveston, Texas, before, during and after the hurricane.  Isaac Cline, the senior U.S. Weather Bureau official in Galveston at the time, is the central character that ties together this book’s fascinating perspectives…scientific, historical and human, and you’ll learn something about all three by the end.

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Tess is a stunning, tragic, emotional and unforgettable film.  Based on the Thomas Hardy book, Tess of the D’Urbervilles, the film compassionately captures this complex, doomed heroine.  The music and cinematography are haunting and suit the mood of the story.  The movie fully captures the unfolding of Tess’ tragic life and faithfully represents the pacing and scope of this classic story.