Susan Boyle

How I loved watching Susan Boyle on You Tube...I bet my husband and I have watched that video at least 50 or more times... I think it is fascinating how confident she was in front of the somewhat scary Simon Cowell - she didn't seem a bit intimidated!

I told my husband what no one would come out and say was because she was not considered beautiful by worldly standards, and was older to boot, well, she couldn't have been any good could she? I cheered for her over and over when I heard her sing... In fact, I even got teary eyed- why? Because she was showing everyone that beauty comes in different packages, and not to judge something because it isn't carried in a pretty and sparkling package.

In honor of Susan, I creatd my own Susan Boyle character miniature. I had a lot of fun making her, and I hope you enjoy her!



P.S. If you haven't heard Paul Potts on Britain's Got Talent, you really should watch it on You Tube.It is very touching too, much a story like Susan Boyle, only I believe Paul was much less sure of himself on stage than Susan!

Some Revamped Nursery Rhymes....

Mary had a little lamb
It's fleece was white as snow
and everywhere that Mary went,
the lamb was sure to go...

It followed her to school one day.
which caused a lot of smiles.
Unfortunately though, it got kicked out-
for leaving "little piles".....



Jack wasn't nimble,
Jack wasn't quick,
He didn't quite jump
oe'r the candlestick...
And as you can see, his clothes tell the tale
of how his stunt really did fail!



Little Miss Muffet sat on her tuffet
eating her bowl of goo,
when along came a spider,
who sat down beside her,
and got squashed by Miss Muffet's shoe!

Books, Books, Books

I love books...all kinds, but especially the classics and well written history. (Not that you couldn't tell that by looking at what I design)- but I can clearly remember how it all started...

I never went to kindergarten, I went straight to first grade. I think I may have been at a slight disdavantage, because I seemed to be of the few who really didn't know much about reading. I remember the teacher on the first day sitting me at a back table, opening a basic reader, pointing to a word and asking me what it was. I stuttered over it and after a few pages of that, she huffed and said basically "you can't read, you are in the "green" group." That somehow seemed an insult the way she said it. It was the lowest group in the class, but I do remember that by the end of that year, I was in the top group, and by second grade when I discovered the school library, well, I went sailing past with flying colors. My favorites were stories like Grimm's Fairy Tales,Wizard of Oz, and Little House on the Prairie.

Snow White and Rose Red:



I fell in love with reading, and have kept it up ever since. I read all the time, and often have several books going at once. I have spent many an hour that way!

Charles Dickens:



About 8 years ago, my hubby gave me part of my dream by buying me about 5 ceiling high oak bookshelves for me to start filling up. He knew I had always wished for a library of my own to have all the books I wished I had read. And as of today, I have over 350 books on the shelves- and have been trying to work my way through them in between the days and happenings of life.

Maybe not everyone likes to read- and there are a lot of books that are, shall we say,"rubbish"? But one can't deny that a well written book is like taking a trip.. you can go places and meet people and learn things you would never dream of! And that's hard to beat! So get to reading!

The Lipstick Factor

I was talking to my sister one day and we were talking about how when money was tight how we hate not buying anything. Cutting back is one thing, but eliminating any luxuries at all is a real bummer.I was told that when people buy something even in the hsrdest of times, it is called the "lipstick factor".

Evidently during the Depression and even the World War II years, many women got tired of cutting back and doing without all the time, so they looked for some small way to compensate by buying a little something to make them feel not so deprived. They would buy something affordable, yet make them feel as if they had splurged-therefore, lipstick was often bought because it was a luxury- but affordable. I like that idea! I do the same thing as a matter of fact!

When I have little money, I don't let it stop me from buying everything cold turkey. I may buy some new fabric, a chocolate bar, some new make up, or even something I have my eye on at Etsy- I just wait till I need a little something special after cutting corners until I start to feel deprived.

Now mind you , a new car , a new leather sofa, diamond necklace, a cruise to Alaska, and a cleaning maid would be nice pick-me-ups ...but certainly not feasible. So, I think of a little something that will feel like a little luxury, but not cause me guilt knowing that my utilities will be cut off because I chose to buy the item over bills that must be paid!

At any rate, my advice to anyone going through a tough financial time is to put the must pay or else items first, and certainly be wise in budgeting...but whenever possible don't forget to treat yourself to a little something now and then!

I'm Back!

For someone who likes to talk as much as I do, I have been sadly neglactful of my blog..shameful, I know.

I guess I just got caught up in all the stuff that is going on lately...Easter happened to fall on my husband's birthday. Since we live in Illinois, we have no friends or close relatives nearby so I made sure I celebrated it with him as big as I could. (He hates being fussed over, but not me! Bring it on, I say! :)

I took him out to eat at a nice restaurant, and I bought him two Star Trek Model kits- a great sacrifice on my part since I really despise science fiction! He loves it, so I humor him! (Sort of like he humors me sometimes by going into fabric and craft stores- even if he could care less!)

We finished the celebration by my grilling marinated ribeyes-with baked potatoes and cherry cheesecake on Sunday after church. I am not an expert griller, but I managed not to burn anything, and even though I smelled like a smoked ham the rest of the day, I was glad everything came out all right!

Now, I can get back to making a few new designs to add to my shop....

To Facebook or Not?

I am not sure how I feel about these socializing websites nowadays...they are great if you want to stay in touch with Uncle Eggbert in Kalamazoo, and chatty Cousin Bertha in Topeka. But I am a private person in some ways...believe it or not! So I am not sure how I feel about it.

I guess Facebook has it's plus side...

You can find friends on there you have always wondered what happened to them, you can talk to relatives that you want to talk to and not have to stay on a phone for two hours listening to them tell about going to the proctologist, you can see who is doing what to whom by reading in on their converstions and postings- (especially handy if you work for the National Enquirer... ) You can even see how much weight people you haven't seen in forever have gained, and how old everyone looks, which either makes you feel worse about yourself in comparison...or better!

But, on the negative side...

People can see what you are saying to someone else, and certain information should just not be posted in a public forum, if you know what I mean. And really, what is the deal about posting daily snippets about every move you are making that day? Who really cares if you are thawing out a roast for dinner, are now going to the bathroom to read the newspaper while you sit, or are filing your taxes... or that your dog just barfed on the couch?

I am amazed at the info that people post on their pages ...romantic, mushy endearments to each other , gripes about their boss, the color of the boxers their hubby is wearing that day...all fodder for nosy people (like myself) to read and draw conclusions from, speculate upon, and make smart comments on...Not a good idea if you ask me.

My bottom line is this...I am very careful what info I divulge to such a wide audience....and I post only the pictures that make me look as if time has hardly touched me.(If only I could just find one!)..and I don't add people whom I really don't want to connect to. Someday I would like to just get off of Facebook- but for now it is a good tool to use to spy on my teenage daughter-at least until she reads this blog!

You MUST buy some of these!!!

My sister told me about this shop on Etsy where this wonderful crafter named Mary Ellen makes the most DARLING crocheted eggs (and the price is outrageously reasonable!) So, being one to never pass up a chance to peek at something that sounds that good, I did!



And these are soooooo darling, I just had to share! Mary Ellen makes these little crocheted eggs in the prettiest shades of crochet thread, and they are just the size of a regular egg!



How does she do it? I don't know, but every artist has their secrets and their talents, and these eggs are a must have! I bought some for my mother and she just called this morning gushing over them, she was thrilled!And I was feeling so nice I even bought some for my mother- in -law...which judging from my mother's reaction to them, she will LOVE them too!

Go check out Mary Ellen's shop and get some of these for yourself and anyone whose good side you want to get on, before it's too late!

http://www.maryellenscrafts.etsy.com