Valentine’s Day

“It’s not enough to have lived. We should be determined to live for something. May I suggest that it be creating joy for others, sharing what we have for the betterment of personkind, bringing hope to the lost and love to the lonely.”

~Leo F. Buscaglia
1924-1998

Leo Buscaglia taught a course at USC about Love.  He was the love teacher and wrote many great books about the subject.  Many of which I have read.  I loved his outlook, his passion and his drive to teach the world how to truly love.  You can learn more about Leo here. 

He created a foundation, the Felice Foundation.  Felice (pronounced Feh-LEE-Chay) is an Italian word for peace and joy.  You can learn more about this foundation to give special aid and attention to those who have dedicated themselves to the betterment of personkind through the dynamics of helping one another.  What a wonderful legacy to a wonderful man. 

“Only when we give joyfully, without hesitation or thought of gain, can we truly know what love means.”

~Leo Buscaglia

Who better to honor on Valentine’s Day than the man who taught us all how to love. 

And since it is Valentine’s Day, I received one of my Etsy purchases from sewsewsuckurtoe. 

It is not the greatest picture of my finger cuffs, but you can see a better one in her Etsy shop.  She makes them from fabric and tiny seed beads.  They are the coolest and feel like a dream.  Such tiny work and done so well. 

Now go buy yourself chocolates and flowers and enjoy! 

The Century Mark & A Giveaway!

“A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg

even though he knows that you are slightly cracked”

Bernard Meltzer

I have hit that illustrious 100th post.  I actually hit it about 2 days ago, but noticed it today.  Wow, 100 bits of inspiration {cough}…100 bits of revelation {choke}…100 tidbits of wisdom {gasp}.  Along the way I have made lots of new friends, received encouragement, wisdom and lots of laughs!  I want to thank each and every one of you.  Whether you lurk or you post thanks for stopping by. So what illuminating bit of wisdom does the 100th post warrant?  How do I condense the first 100 into a nugget you can take with you?  I can get that down to just one sentence, but it is not original and I believe someone came up with it first:

Just DO it! 

Blog, craft, inspire, daydream, believe, wish, love, laugh…whatever you feel like doing, just do it!  It is never acceptable to say “I won’t,” but to think “how can I?” 

I believe a giveaway is in order, so here goes:

If you post a comment on this thread by the 3rd of December (eek, December already?) and tell me something new that you have either have done or want to do and you are in the drawing. 

You and I will discuss  your likes from all of the items from the vast pool of craftiness that is Cindy is Crafty and one of them will be yours.  Keep in mind that it may not be exactly the same due to fabrics, buttons, etc. 

There you go!  By the time I get to 200, I might rethink this concept.  Hey, I am new and first 100 post giddy right now…take advantage of it!

And lastly, here is a recipe that I made this morning to take to a friend today.  It is a holiday favorite of my friends and I and soon, I hope, yours too!

Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball

1 pkg. 8oz. cream cheese
1/2 cup butter
1/4 tsp. vanilla
2 Tbs. brown sugar
3/4 cup confectioners sugar
3/4 cup mini chocolate chips
3/4 cup finely chopped pecans (I use walnuts, like in the cookies)
Graham Crackers or Ginger Snaps

Beat softened cream cheese, butter, & vanilla until creamy. Slowly add sugars until blended. Stir in chocolate chips. Place mixture onto a piece of plastic wrap and form into a ball. Refrigerate for 2 hours. Roll ball in pecans (or walnuts). Serve with graham crackers (or ginger snaps).

It tastes like chocolate chip cookie dough!

And, Christy, here is your sneak peek of your item for our December swap.

Thanks for spending time with me every so often!

Day 5 Progress (2 Days to go)

Here is where I stand at day 5:

1. Finish brooches
2. Coffee cozies (cut fronts, sew, and sew buttons to close)
3. Crocheted flower brooches(starchand sew on buttons/pinbacks)
4. Journals
5. Totes (May not make them as I am working on another item) I decided to not make the totes.  See new item below.
6. Button push pins

Here are the cup cozie fronts all cut and ready to be pinned and sewed. 

Today will be spent sewing these together, turning/pressing, and sewing the outside stitches.  Buttons will probably wait for Friday evening after dinner/movie with my friend Brenda.  We are hitting an early movie and then a bite to eat. 

I also worked on some booth and show prep items.  Using Heidi’s inspiration, I made a banner for my booth.  She blogged about the process and where she found the circle letters.  You can find them here courtesy of Allsorts.  I used Word and formatted the picture to 4″ then printed and cut the letters.  This was the first banner I have made.  Heidi, I will save the crepe borders, etc for another time.

Behind the banner are my thrifted drapes from the Goodwill in the craft room.  Not the greatest pic of them, but there nonetheless!

I purchased brown paper lunch bags and used my $1 stamp from Michaels to stamp on them.  The stamp I purchased said thanks and thank you in several different types of fonts.  I punched two holes at the top of the bag in the center side by side to thread through some of the raffia ribbon I cut into lengths to make a bow.  Quick, simple and easy!

Here is the long teased about substitution for the tote bags.  I made some necktie scarves.  It is super easy.  You buy a thrifted tie, sew a buttonhole on the front, make the opening about 17.5″ to 18″ (depending on your preference), sew on a vintage button and sew up the end that you cut off. 

My other passion is scarves.  I have a ton of them and add them often to my outfits to give them a bit of jazz.  So this will be a new addition to my obsession.  The brown/white one is for me.  I loved the tie when I first found it and had my eye on it all along. 

Since it is my nature to try new things, I was reading on swap-bot about a pendant swap.  In her description of the swap she mentioned that she glued the images to dominoes.  I had bought a jar of various colored dominoes a while back.  I didn’t know what to do with them or why I was buying them, but now I do. 

First, drill a hole in the domino.  Then, mod podge an image to the front (I used an image from this scrapbook paper), print some of your favorite quotes very small (8 font) and mod podge them to the back.  Sand the edges a bit on the picture side, mod podge again to seal the picture/quote to the front and back (make sure you go over the sides, too), add a bale made out of twisting sterling silver wire or use a couple of jump rings and you’re done.  It still needs a bit of tweaking, but I really like how they turned out.  They are super easy and the longest part was waiting for the mod podge to dry.   

Lesson learned in this process is to make sure you know how wide you need the opening so you don’t have to go back later and try to make it larger as the chain doesn’t fit.  I placed them on a tag that I embellished for a couple of quick gifts for friends.  My friends love it when I am “perfecting” a craft as they get lots of freebies! 

That is what I am doing here.  Hope your week is going well!  I think I might take a break to buy some marked down Halloween candy.  Ah…crafting through the sugar rush, it doesn’t get any better than that!

IT IS RAINING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We have been in the midst of a great drought here in central Virginia. Today we finally have some significant rain on its way. As I type I can hear the thunder off in the distance. Oh Glory, I might go play in the puddles! That is after the lighting and thunder stops.

Thanks God, for the lovely rain! We needed it as the plants and trees were so dry. Now go and wash away all the barren and make it all green again. Replenish the lakes and increase our water supplies. Thanks for the lovely rain drops.

Have to scoot as the lightning is really close now!  EEK!

Halloween Came Early to My Home!

I received this great postcard from my Swap-bot Halloween postcard swap.  It was created by WillowsMarika from Hungary.  It is a paper postcard and made a flawless trip across the miles. 

I love the texture of this card, the technique of it and that she (it appears) cut out the Halloween from a newspaper.  There is also a picture in the upper left of a bat that didn’t photograph too well. 

This is the back of the card.  The box on the right was put there by me.  I don’t have a photo editor sophisticated enough to blur my address.  I love the quotes she put on the back appropriately themed for Halloween, huh?  The parts with the quotes and the address part are sheets of paper that it appears she burned the edges and then added to the card.  The spiders are all hand applied, too.  I guess the blue label is Air Mail in Hungarian? 

I love this card and will give it a place of honor for the holiday and show it to all of my artsy friends, too. I want to figure out what she placed on this card to give it the texture.  Does anyone know what the medium may be? 

Now a little tease for my Sweet Sister Swap Partner Christy.  I wonder what it could be?  Of course, I know what it became, but Christy doesn’t.  I am pleased with this one.  After she receives it I can show you the finished product.  We don’t swap until the 20th so be patient.  It is worth the wait! 

And lastly, I went to check out some new (to me, that is) thrift shops in town.  I went to Family Thrift Center and Love of Jesus Thrift both located on Midlothian Turnpike.  Both are worth the drive, but please be aware of your surroundings if you visit either. 

At Love of Jesus, I purchased some medium treat bags for my friend’s shop to use as small bags for purchases.  They are really cute with snowmen pictures.  I also found a set of a man’s burgandy silk scarf with fringe and 3 pocket inserts in the original box from a shop in Newport News.  It appears to be from the 50’s and one of the inserts has Merry Christmas on one side and Happy New Year on the other.  It is attached to a card from the dry cleaner that provided it and I am going to consign them.  I also got a large package of tissue paper for the same shop and a few Babar cards for the images for card making.  All for the grand total of $4.34.  Nothing was marked and I had no idea how much they were.  I thought if it rang up too much I could do that embarrassing supermarket checkout moment of I don’t have enough money.  I didn’t have to it was 4 dollars and 34 cents!

At Family Thrift, I got a large bag of ric rack, seam binding, cording, etc for $1.98, a canvas tote to embellish for $1.98,  a yard of quilted backing, a large bag of fabrics (4-5 yards or more) for $2.98, 2 6-packs of styrofoam balls, and some fabric baseballs (small circles in fabric for collages) for 45 cents.    I found these in the bag of seam bindings, etc.

They also have a metal piece that I assume keeps it in the stuffed animal that you make with it.  Can anyone use 6 pairs of eyes to use with your softies and want to do a reciprocal supply swap?  If so, leave a comment and I will send them your way.  If no one does they might be cute for an eyeball ball for Halloween.  I have some styrofoam balls that I am saving for some Christmas ornaments. 

If you are interested in visiting either thrift and you are in the area here are the addresses:

Family Thrift Center

5432 Midlothian Turnpike

Richmond, VA 23225

(804) 231-1737

 

Love of Jesus Thrift

5503 Midlothian Turnpike

Richmond, VA 23225

(804) 230-4144

 

I will definitely be back to both.  The Family Thrift Center is the same company that runs Fan Tastic Thrift in the Fan, but I believe that Family Thrift is much better stocked and not so crowded. 

 

Hope you enjoy the rest of your day!

9/11

Images courtesy of Spell with Flickr.

I thought on this day of rememberance that this song seemed appropriate. They left us too soon, left so many behind, left so much more to accomplish. Bless all of the heroes of 9/11 and all of the loved ones and friends they left behind.

Tears In Heaven
Artist: Eric Clapton
Tears In Heaven Lyrics print version

Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven
Will it be the same
If I saw you in heaven
I must be strong, and carry on
Cause I know I don’t belong
Here in heaven

Would you hold my hand
If I saw you in heaven
Would you help me stand
If I saw you in heaven
I’ll find my way, through night and day
Cause I know I just can’t stay
Here in heaven

Time can bring you down
Time can bend your knee
Time can break your heart
Have you begging please
Begging please

Beyond the door
There’s peace I’m sure.
And I know there’ll be no more…
Tears in heaven

Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven
Will it be the same
If I saw you in heaven
I must be strong, and carry on
Cause I know I don’t belong
Here in heaven

And this is one of my favorite Bible verses that has gotten me through many a rough patch:

“To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.”—Isaiah 61:3.

God bless us all!

Tree Frog in Dutch Gap

I took this picture of the frog in Dutch Gap here in Chesterfield County. It is my favorite place to wander when I am feeling a bit stressed or just want to get out and “breathe” a bit. It is teaming with animals, birds and all types of critters. I take my 35mm camera and take a whole roll (or sometimes 2) of film.

I spent 5 minutes inching up on this tree frog so I would not spook him this past fall. After spending all that time and shooting about 5 pictures of him as I inched the lens closer and closer, I noticed he didn’t even flinch. I believe he was dead, but didn’t poke him to find out. After I finished taking my pictures I moved on to the next subject.

Here are a few quotes that I feel correspond with this picture:

Learn to pause … or nothing worthwhile will catch up to you.
~Doug King

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.
~Dr. Suess

So live that you wouldn’t be ashamed to sell the family parrot to the town gossip.
~Will Rogers

We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do.
~Mother Tesesa

What are your favorite quotes? Leave a comment and share your favorite with me.

Quiet, Lazy Weekend

 The weather today was glorious and I had to get out and enjoy it.  There is nothing I love more than driving with the windows down.  I love the smell of the air and the wind at my side.  It went down to 60 degrees last night and will be the same tonight.  Time to turn off the air, open the windows, and crank up the ceiling fan to pull in that glorious first tease of fall.

I took the above pitcure a while ago in Williamsburg.  It is a picture of bird calls.  I love taking photos in black and white as it makes for a more dramatic statement.  It makes you see the picture and I especially like taking black and white pictures at the beach when I go.  It is the perfect setting.

I am working on a birthday surprise for a friend and will post the pics when it is completed.  Should be one more day.  I had to head out today to hunt for some more fabric.  I believe I found the right one.  But you will have to wait to see if you agree.

 Now for some inspiration:

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

~Max Ehrmann
Copyright 1952.

Have a great rest of your long weekend!

Candle In The Wind

It is hard to believe it has been 10 years since she passed.  It is hard, too, believing she is no longer with us.  I thought it was fitting to remember her as I like to remember her.  

Dancing with John Travolta at the White House:

 

And in the words of her son, Prince Harry:

William and I can separate life into two parts. There were those years when we were blessed with the physical presence beside us of both our mother and father. And then there are the 10 years since our mother’s death. When she was alive we completely took for granted her unrivalled love of life, laughter, fun and folly. She was our guardian, friend and protector. She never once allowed her unfaltering love for us to go unspoken or undemonstrated. She will always be remembered for her amazing public work. But behind the media glare, to us, just two loving children, she was quite simply the best mother in the world. We would say that wouldn’t we. But we miss her. She kissed us last thing at night. Her beaming smile greeted us from school. She laughed hysterically and uncontrollably when sharing something silly she might have said or done that day. She encouraged us when we were nervous or unsure. She — like our father — was determined to provide us with a stable and secure childhood. To lose a parent so suddenly at such a young age — as others have experienced — is indescribably shocking and sad. It was an event which changed our lives forever, as it must have done for everyone who lost someone that night. But what is far more important to us now, and into the future, is that we remember our mother as she would have wished to be remembered — as she was: fun-loving, generous, down-to-earth, entirely genuine. We both think of her every day. We speak about her and laugh together at all the memories. Put simply, she made us, and so many other people, happy. May this be the way that she is remembered.

I will not forget seeing this image atop her casket on the day they laid her to rest:

 

Rest in Peace. 

Lemony Fresh Scent!

Life has blessed me with a big lemon lately and I am trying to be positive about it.  On the 16th I was downsized from my job.  I had been there for a whopping 4 months and 12 days.  I was understandably stunned, but am determined to turn this around! 

As is always my plan, I am throwing some humor at the situation.  Here are some lemony fresh quotations:

 When life hands you a lemon, say, “oh yeah, I like lemons. What else ya got?” -Henry Rollins

 When life hands you lemons, stick ’em in your bra. Can’t hurt, might help, ya never know!

-Birthday Card

And always remember…. when life hands you lemons, ask for Tequila and Salt and call me over!

If life gives you a lemon, sit down and eat the d*** lemon
-friend

if life hands you lemons, chuck them at the person next to you.

If life hands you lemons you hand them back to life and say i dont want your god d**** lemons!

“Practice pitching. When life hands you lemons you’ll have good aim and free ammunition.”

“When life hands you lemons, find a kid with a paper cut.”

And my favorite sweet recipe!

 Lemon Bars

• 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour

• 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 1 cup butter, melted
• 4 eggs
• 2 cups white sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 5/8 cup lemon juice

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9×13 inch pan.
2. In a medium bowl, stir together 2 cups flour and confectioners’ sugar. Blend in the melted butter. Press into the bottom of the prepared pan.
3. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until golden. In a large bowl, beat eggs until light. Combine the sugar, baking powder and 1/4 cup of flour so there will be no flour lumps. Stir the sugar mixture into the eggs. Finally, stir in the lemon juice. Pour over the prepared crust and return to the oven.
4. Bake for an additional 30 minutes or until bars are set. Allow to cool completely before cutting into bars.