ZZZZZ-ZZZZZ

Sleeping is what I am trying hard NOT to do! As I type this, I am waiting for my young daughter to get home from her job, and it is past midnight. She has college classes early tomorrow, and I get up at 6:oo- so we are both going to have bags under our eyes!

(Ok, so she's younger and I am probably the only one going to have bags under my eyes...come to think of it, I have bags under my eyes even when I do get enough sleep...)

I have heard a trade secret of models is to use Preperation H on the eye bags, and yes, I have tried it. Does it work? I have no idea, but at least the area under my eyes doesn't itch-

Having four teens at home, you can lose a lot of sleep waiting up for them , but I guess I signed up for it when I decided it would be nice to have some children.

( I just had no idea my hair would be decorated in silver from all the gray hairs the excitement of raising them has caused-including a few bald spots where I have pulled my hair out on more than one occasion!)

Well, Hubby and I will survive these years... Actually, he is snoring away, perfectly at peace while I am doing the "mom" thing and waiting until our daughter walks in the door. After all, isn't that we moms do best...worry?

Hubby is kind enough to let me do all the worrying for the both of us-

(What a guy! )

Working My Fingers Off!

After being in a semi comatose state after eating on Thanksgiving, I have found it a bit hard to get back to the designing table- but I know I must so I have been snipping and sewing and painting, etc. a big part of the day today.

I am working on a full Little Women set since I just sold another set for the second time. Of course every time I make something, it always looks different, since patterns are something I don't use in my art form. ( I guess I don't like someone telling me what to do...not even a pattern! LOL)

Anyway, it has been a productive day since I have the Little Women set done, (almost!) and I also just finished a Cleopatra. I decided to do an Oscar Wilde, too. He is almost done, except he has no face yet!

I have a pile of papers with the intended projects I will be doing. I like to have my ideas a few ahead... so I can ponder how I want to do it.

Don't you love creating? I do! I feel like most everyone has something that is an outlet of sorts for them- I would venture to say everyone has an artistic talent of sorts. The trick is finding what it is for some, but it is there- dormant or not!

Well, it's back to work for me. I will be posting my new creations this weekend so keep an eye out...I have several more ideas brewing and I'd better get them started before my thoughts fizzle! (Having teenagers does that to you!)

Counting My Blessings

This being the Thanksgiving season, I wanted to list some things I personally am thankful for.

No matter how hard we think we have it, I know there are so many more that have much harder things to deal with. So where I am at in life, I am content.

I am thankful for :

1. God- He has helped me through so much, I can't begin to say.

2. My husband and kids...sounds cliche, but I am blessed with a good husband... and four kids who aren't perfect but I am thankful I have them!

3. Freedom- we live in a country that allows us to live in freedom- and while I am at it, I am very thankful for those who sacrfice every day to protect that privilege that we don't always appreciate fully.

4. The little treasures found in daily life..Every day has them, if we really look for them.

It can be that phone call we got from someone, a dollar we found on the floor at Wal-mart, a pair of warm socks we just put on, a delicious meal, an unexpected compliment, or the fun of going to a store and finding a supply of new and exciting materials to work with. The list could be a mile long if we try.

I am thankful for so many things, I really could never list them...

Do I have days that are hard? Oh yes! Do I grumble? Yes, I have to admit- I do sometimes...and that is when I have to kick myself and remember what my hubby always is saying..."In a hundred years will it really matter?" 9 times out of 10, he is right.

(The trouble with pity parties is that the only one who wants to show up is oneself...and it isn't much of a party!)

My prayer is for all of you to have the best of what really counts in this life. May God bless you

and have a happy Thanksgiving!

Food Talk

I love to cook, and I like watching people eat what I cook....of course being in a house where 5 others live, it isn't easy to make a meal without someone not being happy with what I make...

"What do you mean you don't like boiled snails with onion sauce??? I slaved over this meal and you'd better eat it or do without!"

I am a self taught cook, my mom didn't let me in the kitchen much except to wash dishes..HA!

Before I got married, my soon to be mother in law told me one day that of all five of her kids, that my soon to be husband was the pickiest of all eaters. Great. And I was marrying him and really hadn't cooked much. Boy was he in for a treat!

I went through my share of total cooking disasters too before I got to where I am now...

Like the time I made oatmeal cookies and it called for 2 cups of flour. I ended up putting like 4 cups by mistake and the cookies were so hard they could have easily been used as coasters. (I tried to hide my folly by putting a bunch in brother's coat pocket...but got found out!)

Or the time I made a cranberry pecan pie and took it to a big family reunion... and realized too late I had forgotten to add the sugar. You should have seen the faces of those who tried some! I kept quiet on who brought it.....

I tried one day to make Hubby some chicken and dumplings from scratch. Fine...the recipe said to boil a whole chicken until done then drop the dumpling dough into the boiling broth, keeping the lid on for 20 minutes. They didn't tell me I had to remove the skin and the bones first...Instead of chicken and dumplings , I had chicken and dumpings with lots of skin and floating bones. I haven't really tried chicken and dumplings since- but maybe I will someday!

I am happy to report that today I am (I say this in all modesty) a good cook- as well I should be. After all, if you cook for 20 years nearly 6 to seven days a week, you will get good at it eventually! It's just not cheap to take out 6 people to eat! ( In case you are wondering though, I do get taken out often and if I were to tell Hubby I couldn't cook that night, he'd be the first to say, " well let's go get something then! ")

My final blurb on all this is that I would venture to say that most anyone could cook if they practiced hard enough. If you can read, you can follow a recipe. And don't worry if you set the smoke alarm off or something. Some of the greatest inventions came out of mistakes and disasters!

Telling on Myself

We've all had them...those moments when we wish the ground would open up and swallow us because we are so embarrassed....Trust me, I have had so many I can't count. But that being said, I also have a good sense of humor and I am my own biggest mocker, so I keep busy shaking my head at myself.

Take the time when I was at my mother- in- law's house at a big family dinner...my then five year old daughter piped up out of the blue and said, "Grandma, guess what? My mom thinks you're bossy!" It was quiet for a few minutes, but luckily my mother in law didn't appear too angry. She said, "Well, she's right!" I still felt embarrassed, mostly because I knew I had said that a time or two to Hubby, and most likely had been overheard by little ears! (Lesson learned, though !) :)

Or take the time I went to a public restroom in a nice, swank department store...I left it, walked though the entire store, only to have a red faced customer tell me I had tucked the entire back end of my dress in my panty hose... (I bet THAT was a scary sight..) Oh well, you just untuck it and go on !

And a while back, I went to a big performance talent show to see my niece play piano...I dressed up in this lovely new suit I had just bought...my first time wearing it, and I felt swank and posh in it, too! I went in to sit down, and when I did- the whole skirt ripped up the entire back...I kid you not...and I have no idea why, unless it's because I had only paid 19.99 for it? Hmmm, sometimes you do get what you pay for.....How did I get out of there without frightening the crowd, you ask? I borrowed my niece's jacket and tied it around my waist, holding on to my skirt so it wouldn't fall off- needless to say, I did get some funny looks!

I guess I love funny things, and when I do have a blooper moment, it makes life all the more richer to me. Even if the joke's on me! I could write a book on those kinds of moments ,as I am sure we all could. My view is that life is often too serious enough without the more lighthearted moments. Enjoy them, and share them with others because laughter really is the best medicine!

What Do You Listen To?

When I am working on a project, I can't really stand silence. Perhaps it is because having four teens in the house has conditioned me to think that if all is silent, someone is up to something ...





Well, at any rate, I like a bit of inspiration going while I am designing. I invested in a portable DVD player some time ago, and now I don't know what I'd do without it! I watch old t.v. shows on it, such as I Love Lucy and old black and white movies. My latest thing is listening to Andrea Bocelli sing in his latest concert on DVD...I have to tell you, I am in sheer creative heaven listening to it! (Although I have no idea what he is singing about for the most part, I could care less...he sings so beautifully you can feel almost what he is singing!)





What do you listen to when you are doing something?

Sorry about the Gap!

I see it has been a few days since I blogged...I have been super busy with custom orders lately. I keep waiting for someone to ask me to make a replica of their mother in law- or something bizarre like that!

Yesterday was really zany... I woke up to find several sales, several to be done custom orders, and while that was going on, my sweet hubby asked if I would mind baking a couple of home made pumpkin pies for his work luncheon today. (Now I know Wal-mart has them for 5 dollars, but they just don't taste like homemade...) so, I did that while doing everything else.

Wouldn't you know, my teen daughter who goes to college 20 minutes from here called saying she had forgotten her wallet and had no lunch and had to go to work and could I make her one and drive it all the way to where she works? Of course not, what are moms for? (cough)

So I dropped what I was doing and on the way thought I had better call her when I get there...so, I pick up my cell phone only to hear it beep it's last, it was out of power. No problem, I will use the trusty charger in my car...oops, it was the wrong charger. Now I have no phone to call her and tell her to come out and get her lunch.

I had to get to her work place ( a nice department store) and wander around the entire floor two times in my lovely old orange sweater and non fixed hair looking like a woman who had no fashion taste and had no idea where I was. (and the sad thing was, I have no fashion taste and was sort of lost!)

All's well that ends well though...and humor helps! I found her, gave her the food, got home and baked the pies , made dinner, finished the orders, and got everything sent off this morning.

Just remember, the most important thing you can do on a day where everything is bonkers, is too laugh at yourself. It really does help!

Cleopatra, Queen of the Nile

Writing a Note

I know I am going to sound out of date to many people, especially in this day and age of modern technology...but I have a thing for writing notes to people.

Not necessarily long pages blabbing about all the dull details of my life and putting someone in a coma reading them, but just short little snippets that might be a bit interesting . To me there is something really personable about handwriting a note or short letter to someone I haven't seen in a while.

Let's be honest- when we go to our mailbox every day, we are sort of wishing for something out of the ordinary to appear in our mail. A note or card from someone sure beats getting a bill from the gas company, or a junk mail flier promising we are a winner in the Hootchie Kootchie sweepstakes- that is, if we order 10, 000 magazines first! The days of a personal , handwritten note in the mail are dwindling, and that makes me feel sort of sad.

I have two people that I write on a regular basis...and for a couple of reasons.They are not the least bit likely to use the computer in any way, shape or form since they are in their upper 80's . One has really bad hearing, so calling on the phone is out, unless I were to scream, (literally!) the whole time. The second reason is they never get "good" mail and since they live alone, a card seems to really brighten their day. That's a good reason to write anyone!

Why not think of a person or two that you think could use a funny card, a short note asking how they are, or just a bit of telling them about what you are up to these days. I promise it will be more than well received, you will really make their day by giving them a happy mailbox!

Be an "angel" and send someone a letter or note to make their day!

Look at these!

Ok, I went on another virtual window shopping trip on Etsy. (We ought to be glad Etsy is online, your feet would be throbbing if you actually walked to all those shops!) There are so many wonderful things to discover, you could shop every day and not find it all!

But, at any rate, I like sharing some of my finds with others...just in case you see something that tickles your fancy and it compels you to purchase (you know what I mean, we've all seen things that say "buy me, buy me!")

But enough prattle... on to the good stuff!


Look at this Christmas light centerpiece from Maggiemags- http://maggiemags.etsy.com/



Isn't it pretty? I thought so!




For something fun and completely unique and affordable, you should look at Sock Monkey Cards http://www.sockmonkeycards.etsy.com/
These cards are sure to make someone in your life chuckle, and that's a good thing!


You must check out Tiptopapplesauce at http://www.tiptopapplesauce.etsy.com/ , especially if you have younger kids in your life that you need to buy for this upcoming season! You will be a big hit if you get them a hat like this!






With winter coming, I can't but help but think how nice it is to not only find something that looks beautiful, but will keep one toasty when the winter winds pick up!This knitted hood- sweater
piece is gorgeous...and it looks so toasty too! You can find it at jmaccknits http://www.jmaccknits.etsy.com/





These items are just a very small sampling of what these shops have to offer, so make sure you take some time out to visit them... and get ready to hear the words, "Buy me! Buy me!" reverberating in your head as you shop!

Guess Who?

I added these characters to my repertoire today, can you guess who they are?

Give up?



1. Sophie. Blanche, Dorothy, and Rose from Golden Girls

2. Lucille Ball- who else would it be?

3. Bette Davis

4. Marylin Monroe

New characters added all the time! http://www.uneekdolldesigns.etsy.com

White Squirrel

I played hooky from my home duties the other day. My husband got up to go to work and he told me he had a day long business trip and would I like to go along? I knew I had a lot of work to do, but I thought being spontaneous is a lot more fun- so I went!



We drove to the place he had to do his business with, and I sat in a basically empty room for a total of 3 hours while he fulfilled his mission there. I read , wrote notes to a couple of people, did a puzzle or two, read some more...and admittedly listened to the talking going on out in the office by the door. (I learned someone was getting married, and someone else wished they weren't, or at least that's what it sounded like....ha!)



I ate lunch out with hubby, and on the way back, he stopped and got us ice cream. But, besides the fact that it was nice to be good company ( at least I tried to be!) to him on another wise dull trip, I found the highlight for me was passing through a certain small town called Olney. As we drove through it, hubby pointed out a white squirrel running along the grass in a park. I was thrilled, I have never seen one before!



They are very rare indeed, but for this small town in Illinois, they are known as the town of the white squirrels, and so it is! It really was a hgihlight for me!



Here is what they look like:



Aren't they the cutest??? Well, it made my day, I can tell you! Life sure has it's little treasures!

Pink Santa?

That's what I thought when I got a request from a customer to do this project for them. Now that I look at them, pink isn't so bad on Santa and his wife!

I guess if you want him in a different color, don't be shy about it, just ask!

http://www.uneekdolldesigns.etsy.com

Ok, Now I have Been Tagged...Trying to Figure it Out!

7 Facts About Me- Uneekdolldesigns.etsy.com
So I was tagged by LeakyMouth.etsy.com and I have to mention 7 facts that can be weird or whatever you want to call it- it's just facts about me! Then tag 7 other's to do the same.Here's the rules:Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog.~ Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.~ Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their name as well as links to their blog.~ Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Fact 1. My favorite meal is soup beans and cornbread- I LOVE them , but don't eat them often since no one in the family does but me...:(

Fact 2. I have over 3oo unread books in my personal library and have a goal of reading them all before I pass away.

Fact 3. I am double jointed.

Fact 4. I like to listen to Roy Rogers and Johnny Cash sing .

Fact 5. I didn't get my ears pierced until Iwas 26.

Fact 6. I like being around people who laugh a lot, and I like playing jokes on family members and friends.

Fact 7. I sang in a traveling choir when in college.



Ok, now I am supposed to tag some others so here goes!

http://bling-kin-eck.blogspot.com/

http://mybloggingworld.blogspot.com/

http://tiltcreations.blogspot.com/

http://vintagesnapsandscraps.blogspot.com/

http://justjaynes.blogspot.com/

http://circlesareforever.blogspot.com/

http://bathbodycandle.blogspot.com/2008/11/berry-creek-candles-choose-any-item.html

Stuff You Can Buy For Christmas!

I couldn't help myself, I had to shop browse today... ( OK. , no one made me do it, I wanted to!) and I found some really cute items that just may be the ticket if you are stumped for what to get your Aunt's third cousin on your Uncle Herbert's side, someone you really do like, or someone you are trying to butter up to get on their good side!

This is a super cute shoulder bag from Amarie http://www.amarie.etsy.com/

(It sort of has an Audrey Hepburn feel to it, don't you think?

Hand carved wooden owl- Sandra has an absolutely gorgeous selection of carved wood creatures ... this shop is a must see! http://www.sandrahealy.etsy.com/

This pendant is the cutest, and I bet you could give it to a lot of people on your list and they'd love it! Visit http://www.fashioncandy.etsy.com/ to see it and tons more ideas!

Isn't this a pretty scarf? It sure isn't your typical knitted muffler, this one will really catch the eye! Find it at Touch of May http://www.dreamsofmay.etsy.com/

Now before you start licking the computer monitor, this is not a real cupcake, but, it is soap.

Yes, raspberry vanilla cupcake soap. Can you imagine trying to take a shower with it and not eating it because it smells so good? (Then you would truly be "foaming at the mouth!")

Find this at Lily Bay Soap at http://www.lilybaysoap.etsy.com/

I guess that's enough shopping for now. Stay tuned for more goodies to come! (And make it a point to visit these shops...there's some terrific finds to be had!)

Two Movie Stars Are In My Shop

I love the old movies and shows...and here are two of my faves from the the olden days of yore!






Audrey Hepburn






Lucille Ball


I have a list of more to create, so stay tuned!

Meet Bev Morgan

Bev Morgan is an artist I met through the connections on Flickr. She is a delightful lady and I find myself looking at her photostream regularly just to admire her lovely watercolor paintings!

I interviewed Bev recently and asked her some questions about her work as an artist:

"What type of art work have you been involved in?"

I started teaching elementary school right out of
Teachers' College and remained in that profession until I
took early retirement nine years ago. During those
teaching years I taught all the grades, and after obtaining
my Art Specialist taught art on rotary from grade one to
eight. Because art was gradually being cut from the curriculum, I then obtained my Library specialist and worked as teacher librarian until retirement.

"What started you in watercolors?"

I have always been involved in art in one way or
another, but did not start painting in watercolour until
about 15 years ago. I took a series of classes with
Phillipine born Canadian artist, Art Cunanan. I admired
his work so much and especially his ability to capture
light in his paintings, that I fell in love with the medium
and consequently began to paint exclusively in watercolour.
I still take courses, some still with Art Cunanan, since
there is always something to learn, and I am never disappointed.

"What are your favorite subjects to paint?"

I love to paint flowers. I am not a gardener, so most
of them are from other people's gardens, from our Royal Botanical Gardens or from the wild. I also love scenery, especially the rolling hills of England and the rugged Ontario north country. I would like to paint more interiors, portraits and still life, since all of these subjects are of great interest to me. I am inspired by light and shape. I seem to see these two elements first and try to emphasize them in my paintings.

"What venues have you displayed your paintings in?"
I show my work on a very regular basis either with a
group or on my own. I belong to three art groups who
sponsor shows throughout the year, and I show with three
other artists, we call ourselves "Watermarks", in art galleries, libraries and museums throughout Southern Ontario. I have two shows coming up this month in which I was invited to participate. One is in Oakville, Ontario, and the other in Vaughan, Ontario. There will be approximately 45 -60 artists in each show. I always seem to be struggling to decide what to show and where.

"Do you sell your works, and if so, where?"

Naturally, my work is for sale and can be purchased at
any of the shows I mentioned above. I also sell from my
home, through flickr, and more recently through the Red
Bubble site. If anyone on flickr is interested, they can
reach me through my flickr site and e-mail http://www.blogger.com/www.flickr.com/photos/bevmor/

Be sure and check out Bev's work on Flickr, it is a real treat for the eyes!