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Crochet Some Fantastic Potholders or Scrubbies!

DIY, craft, crafting, crochetThis morning, several chicken potholders were in one of the features on my Facebook page.  It immediately brought me down memory lane.  My mother had many potholders she had crocheted in her younger years. They were so pretty and so different than the things we see now today.  Some were shaped like flowers with others being square but patterned, others having five sides, etc. They were awesome.  Too pretty to use.  Sad to say the books she used are long gone.  The vintage patterns were always special to me.  It makes me sad to think of all the old pattern books from yesteryear are no longer around.  Continue reading “Crochet Some Fantastic Potholders or Scrubbies!”

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Truth About Minimalism

Just ask yourself these questions:

  • Do I use this piece regularly in daily living? 
  • Do I have more than one of these items?
  • Is there another item that will suit the same purpose just as nicely?
  • Am I hanging onto a particular piece because I may have a use for it some day?
  • Do you need the space for something more useful?
  • Is the item worth the time and effort for storing or cleaning it?
  • Do I keep this item just because I think I have to?

Continue reading “Truth About Minimalism”

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Why Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Born   May 25, 1803     Boston, MA

Died   April 27, 1882 Buried in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery Concord MA

Many probably wonder why I quote Ralph Waldo Emerson at the end of each Blog.  There are few people who have moved me or caused me to think as this man has.   Such common sense and down to earth realism is spoken in his words. Yes, it is written in older English form but reading his text is amazing for me.  Some find it hard to understand and toss great pieces of literature aside.  It is sad what they have lost by doing so.  Emerson’s style creates depth of meaning and a great accuracy in what he relates.  One is spurred to think as they read to ensure understanding is accurate and broaden their personal concepts and ideas.  Use of a dictionary is imperative at times.  One wants to recognize the understanding of unfamiliar words or just how a certain word was used in Emerson’s day. The intensity of his writings is conveyed far more greatly in this manner than in the simplistic language of today’s writings.  Emerson is a profound thinker with so much to tell us about ourselves and the world we live in.  Yes, even after almost a century and a half since his passing, his words ring true for mankind.   Continue reading “Why Ralph Waldo Emerson”

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Living in the Middle of a Salt Marsh

 

If you lived here, would you forget to take a walk?  Well, I did. 

spanish moss, salt marsh, trees

Do not forget to move that body.  Yup, getting so engrossed in painting, making valentines, a bunch of other projects going, plus all the regular housework stuff, I forget to take Little Dog and I out for a walk.  Totally forgot to go enjoy life and keep myself healthy.  It was not until looking back at some pictures from a previous walks that I realized it has been quite some time since we had a jaunt.   Have to rectify this situation immediately,   Continue reading “Living in the Middle of a Salt Marsh”

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Brushes and Brush Strokes

When I started painting, there was no Internet.   Everything I learned was by trial and error or from an occasional book I came across.  I had not a clue what size brush was used for what task or what shape brush was used to create a specific stroke.  It even took quite a while before I came across some of the sizes and shapes I use today. Supplies were not readily available.  There was no JoAnn’s or Michael’s and neither was there a Walmart.  This was the time when downtowns throve with privately owned shops.  The shoe store, drug store, clothing stores, restaurants, bakery, everything was not a chain but personally owned by one of the town’s inhabitants.  It usually passed from parent to child on down through the years.  So shopping was a challenge when you wanted something specific.  No Amazon to fall back on and mail order.   All we had was a small school supply store with a tiny little section of art supplies. Once in a blue moon, we went shopping to the next town which was much larger than the one I was from.  They had a small art supply store there which was a real treat.  In the meantime,  I learned to be creative and make do.

So, I wanted  to share with you some of the fantastic things I have found on the internet which have made my life so much easier giving me  quick references and quick answers.  They are printed out and on my crafting table in direct view.   I love, love, love the Internet. 

 

Continue reading “Brushes and Brush Strokes”

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Terra Cotta Pot Crafting

For a long time now I have wanted to do things with terra cotta pots.  There are some amazing ideas found on Pinterest and other sites on the Internet showing.   Some wild and crazy things to make with colors unbelievable.  There are some functionally practical things for every day use.  At this time, I have opted for a functional practical use.  Why?  Anyone who knows me will tell you how spoiled my Little Dog is.  I am wrapped around his little ‘claw’.  When I saw this idea, he just has to have one.  Though most will not admit it, they too are wrapped around their own ‘Little Dog’s’ claw.   terra cotta pots, DIY, craft project

Little Dog can never have enough treat jars! After all, he has his biscuit treats for when I have to leave the house, his teeth cleaning treats, and his ‘Mommy needs to bribe you to do something’ treats.   He’s 13-years-old and lets now fool ourselves, I am bribing him now not training him!   I do love that Little Dog.   He is my inspiration for this project.  So off we go to create Puppy Treat Jars.

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Preparing for Craft Festivals

The time has come to start deciding what will be necessary to create a mobile store for craft festivals.  One can not just bring a table and flop stuff on top of a barren surface expecting it to appeal to a prospective customer.  They will just keep walking by.   Just as in a department store, one must take care to have appeal and enticement.  craft fair, craft show, craft festival

Knowing the size of your shop will be very important in deciding how many tables you can bring.  Three has worked well for me in the past as they will fit under my EZup awning.  Outside you may get a larger area and will need it, as an awning will be important to keep off the beating sun.  Inside, spots have been a tad smaller and was only able to have a two table configuration.  So check and plan the lay out before you leave home.  Once you arrive at the show, the object will be to set up so you are ready and calm when the first customers arrive.    Continue reading “Preparing for Craft Festivals”

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Better Days Are Coming

Some days are just better than others especially when sinuses go crazy with ringing and clogged ears, pounding headache, facial pain .  Not much progress  has been accomplished thus far today.  Therefore,  I have designated this day as a regroup and reground day.  Need my sinuses cleared out and regain my peace of mind.

Have been doing a lot of thinking and planning lately which is quite daunting.   Cleaning out the house of unnecessary things downsizing to live in a much much smaller home.   Yup from 2,200 square feet of living space, double garage, four bedrooms, two full baths, dining room, breakfast nook, kitchen and living room, back porch, and an acre of lawn care has become quite overwhelming at this stage of life. DIY, Home, Downsizing Downsizing  into a tiny house and a high-top RV  to go to craft shows or just gad about the US seeing the sites.   The bucket list grows daily of all the things to see and do.   So, that’s the plan.

May take a year to get the house sale ready, as it is only myself and I move slow to ensure I am doing things properly.  I will miss Mr. Easter Island Man but will get over it.  I may miss a lot of things but not more than I miss two of my children living up north I have not seen in a very long time.  My children are what give me the greatest pleasure along with my nine grandchildren. Continue reading “Better Days Are Coming”

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Sand Is A Beautiful Thing to Craft

sand sculpture, crafting, artPersonally, I prefer warmer climates and warmer activities than ice hotels and snow sculptures.  I have had my share with freezing temperatures, snow and ice having spent most of my life in Western Massachusetts.  Every chance available the beach is the place to head in the summer months with my favorite beach being Hampton Beach, NH.  The salt air and the crashing waves always gave me such peace within.  The warm sand and bright sunny skies warmed me up heartily.  Unfortunately the event I am about to relate did not come into being until after I left Massachusetts to go south.   Continue reading “Sand Is A Beautiful Thing to Craft”

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Crafting Snow and Ice

snow, ice, crafting, sculptureWow oh Wow what I found yesterday during my travels about the internet.  If it exists, it is there for crafting into different and unusual forms of beauty.  This is exactly what these folks did at the Quebec Ice Hotel in Canada.  You won’t believe your eyes.snow, ice, crafting

I would like to thank Justin and Laren for bring this fantastical place to my attention.  They have actually visited and spent a night in the Ice Hotel!   Just had to share it with everyone as it is so exquisitely crafted!

Continue reading “Crafting Snow and Ice”