Sunday, November 6, 2011

Boot Scootin' Christmas!

(Scroll down one post for my Necklace Giveaway if you missed it!)

I found a couple Dozen or so of these fun Vintage Christmas Santa Boots last year when I was in "Walnut, Iowa" with some of my Silver Bella Co-horts. (Lulu, Kim, Jessi and Cheryl) when we were "junkin' and Antiquing. Here's this years take on the handful or so I have left.........

Vintage elements and, added a bit of Sheet Music this year..........

These 3 are in Joyworks and I'll probably have a few more at Second Saturdayz in Seattle in December...

Speaking of Joyworks and "Silver Bella?" We've been Hoppin' in Joyworks and there are So many fun things to come and see,,,,,,,including TONS of cute clothes and Home & Holiday decor!

Working on these boots? Made me think of ALL the wonderful women I met at Silver Bella  in Omaha last November! Most importantly "my Lulu." Ya'll would LOVE her if you haven't yet met her! And all the other GREAT and talented women I had the opportunity to meet..........It was amazing!

In my wildest dreams, I'd love to have an opportunity to meet all the wonderful women I've met in "Blogland." Each one has a Story.....We need a "Super Bella" or something like that,,,,,,,where we can ALL get together!

Hope you had a GREAT weekend!
Hugs, Love and a Boot Scootin' "Bus on the Cheek!"
Shell


Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Giveaway Time! Custom Lace Necklace........

I've made quite a few of these for custom orders and shows in the last year or so.......I use as many Vintage materials as I can get my hands on.....along with a few new/quality supplies. Here's a chance to get  one of your own in Custom Colors.......Hopefully, a FUN and romantic addition to your Holiday wardrobe!

 Other Examples:

(Pinks and Black)

Browns, Greens, Neutrals.



Coral, browns and Cremes

I will create a One of a Kind Necklace based on your color choice(s) for your size....
(smaller if you're petite, larger, if you're well, like My height...5' 10".)

Just leave a comment on This post to Enter,,,,,,, Post the giveaway on your blog or sidebar to Enter twice.

I will draw a name on November 15th....
One point for comment, One point for posting on your Blog......

Hugs, Love and hope your Fall is starting out well!
Big Bus on the Cheek for all my followers and YES, I AM catching up, bit by Bit!
Shell

Love my Blog Friends!


Tuesday, November 1, 2011

"Foil Goils" .....Too fun to make! (And a soup recipe!)

So,,,,a couple of months ago? I found these old spun-cotton heads (in a bag with some kind of creepy rubber ones) for a Buck, and I've been dying to use them! Add some foils from the dollar store, some vintage pipe cleaners and,,,,,,,here are the "Foil 'Goils'"!

Too fun to make! I've made bunnies and dolls before and I'm sure you know what I mean, that when you start working on them, they take on a life and personality of their own.......

These gals are KIND of like their Vintage cousins from Japan in the 50's and 60's-and although they all have wings, or at least a halo of sorts,,,,they're a bit more "glam!"


Blondes, redheads, brunettes,,,,,some a bit THICKER, some a bit more petite! All have Vintage "accessories." They're all glammed up for the Holidays at any rate! I think I'll keep One,,,,,,and sell the rest! Do you see a "Fave" and if so, what would you name her??

Halloween Re-cap and scroll down for the Scoop,,,,,err Soup!

I was GOING to take pics last nite of the Thousands,,,,,okay not thousands but at least 600 or so Trick or Treaters,,,,and my camera wasn't charged. (Note to self, do NOT leave camera plugged into the puter!)
But yes, my Friend/Neighbor Kelly and I gave out Candy to the Masses.......you cannot even BELIEVE this little Historical  (Hysterical ?) community on Halloween!

So Kelly? She's a Vegetarian........and so I attempted to duplicate a recipe that Deb Bock (Garden Party Blog Fame and dear friend) had up in Mt Vernon a couple 6 weeks ago or so......And Shut UP!
My soup turned out GREAT! So here's the dealy-0.

Vegetable Peanut Soup

Stuff you need:
Half a Large Onion/Diced
Olive Oil
3 cans Vegetable Broth
One bag Frozen Cauliflower (is that spelled right, because it sure looks wrong)
One can Garbanzo Beans (Or Chick peas, depending on where you live)
3/4 Cups Creamy Peanut Butter
One Bag Frozen  Mixed Carrots, Peas and Corn
Sea Salt
Fresh Ground Pepper
Cumin
Red Crushed Peppers
Powdered Clove

(1/2 Cup Half and Half Optional)

Okay,,,,,,So,,,,Easy Peasy!

In a Large Soup Pot
Brown Diced, Onion in Olive Oil and a couple pinches of Sea Salt

When Browned, Pour in the Vegetable Stock/Cover
Bring to a Boil

Once Boiling, Add Cauliflower
Continue Boiling until Cauliflower becomes Soft enough to:
Use an Emersion Blendor/ Potato Masher or Wisk and break Cauliflower into small pieces.

( I used a  large wisk, which worked just fine after cooking the Califlower about 6 minutes or so past the "normal" stove top cooking time.)

Add all Remaining Ingridents EXCEPT Frozen Mixed Veggies and Half and Half!

So:
Your adding....

 Garbanzo Beans undrained
Peanut Butter
1/2 teaspon of Cumin
1/8 teaspon of Ground Clove
appx 1/4 Teaspoon of Crushed Red Pepper
(for starters, you can taste it after it simmers for a while and add more, if you'd like)

Simmer for about an hour.
(Taste and see if you want more Bite and add a bit more Crushed red pepper if desired.)
Increase Heat to Medium
Add Frozen Veggies and  *Half and Half
Cook for about 20 Minutes and Serve.

* About the Half and Half,,,,,,I think next time I make this I'm going to leave it out. Truly, between the pureed Cauliflower and the peanut butter, it's pretty creamy as it is........

I served this with Corn Bread Muffins. 

If you try it, let me know what you think!

Hope you had a GREAT Halloween and are having a good week!
Hugs, Love and a "hearty warm" BUS on the Cheek!
Shell







Sunday, October 30, 2011

Not Really a Red and Green kinda Gal......

I LOVE making goodies and decorating for Christmas! But I don't " DO" too much in the traditional colorway. I love the neutrals, with bits of Silver and Golds. And I simply LOVE the pastels!

So again, when I saw the darling wreath in "Matthew Mead's" Holiday Mag,,,I had to make one,,,,or three......

I added a bit or turquoise tissue flecked with silver (From Caspari) And a chunk of  thick pink satin ribbon bow.

Thought these might be fun to make in a "Beachy" theme too, with creme/turquoise and Shells.....Now if I could just find a place that sells the Styro wreaths at a  decent price,,,,,,,T

I'm adding some new "Events" links to my Sidebar. If you've got something going on, Virtual or otherwise, let me know, I'll be glad to add!

Have a GREAT sunday! If you're local, stop by Joyworks, we're getting the Holiday "Bling" on!
Hugs, Love and a Bus!
Shell

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

When the "tough get's goin', " Create!

So Today? I made Bird Ornaments.......

And,,,,I think the words I used were appropro..........
"Believe" in Change......


"Rejoice"........


"Faith"........

My Joyworks "gang" gifted me with over $150 dollars in Craft Gift Cards for my Birthday! They were perfect gifts,,,,because well, we all need supplies,,,,,

I picked up Michael Mead's Holiday Magazine .....and let me tell you,,,,,it is FANTASTIC! The best idea magazine I've bought in a LONG time. (Shout out to Amy Power's whom I met last November at Silver Bella,,,,,she's got a 4 page spread in there too! YGG!)

Anyway, I just kind of used the Bird Template that they used for a Card and modified it into an Ornament.....
There are 100's of Ideas in the Magazine,,,,,some you could make "as is," or put YOUR own spin on it! "Traditional" items, as well as many NEW twists! I highly recommend this Issue! You'll go back to it again and again for inspiration!


Again, I cannot begin to say how blessed I feel by friends right now. I'm embarrased to say how many friends jumped to my rescue in SO many ways and I thank you ALL from the bottom of my heart.  It means more than I can ever say......

I like to think I'm strong.....can handle it ALL myself. I guess the one thing I've learned as of late,,,,that I truly, am NOT all by myself. And I feel SO blessed! And yes, I'll get through all of "this" and once again, I'll grow stronger. I've survived Divorce, widowhood, 2 Tours of my son in Iraq. I've faced financial hardships before....I changed careers, returned to College late in life,,,,,,,and? I've cleaned up Cat puke!
I'm basically strong and some days I don't WANNA BE!
(Insert the "I Will Survive" song here!)

I was hurt, deceived and angry,,,,and yet now my heart overflows with gratitude and love. Thank you. I'm putting this all to rest and moving on. I've "flushed" the proverbial 'Pity Pot' and I'm looking towards the future! And I'm Excited,,,,,about Change, new projects, new goals.

( I have to share the "Pity Pot" reference with you........When I was widowed, back in 1994,,,I connected with a lot of more "mature" widows and widowers." One 80's something woman listened to my story and tears and told me, "It's OKAY to sit on the "Pity Pot" once in a while, as long as you remember to FLUSH when you're through!") Words to live by, I'm sure. We cry, rave, rant and then,,we just need to MOVE on!

Ohhhhhhh, SUCH Big hugs and Love to you all. I cannot believe the support! You are all the Bestest!
And oh yeah.... I haven't given one in a while,,,,You get A big old noisey "Bus" on the Cheek!

Shell

Thanks




Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Friendship,,,,,and Lessons

I just have to say, I've never felt more loved, cared for in my life!

I'm going to be okay....at least for a while. I can get into retirement accounts.......an although I'll be Taxed/penalized.....I can restore funds to live/operate on. I cannot even BEGIN to mention friends that called or emailed me with financial help. I'm overwhelmed. And,,,I'm truly, truly blessed!

Several friends offered Monies,,,,,several offered to "Push" orders for custom goods.......Several just offered emotional help and suggestions.

Again, I'm going to be "OK." I've made some plans. I'm excited about them. First of all, I'm going to move into my "little Back Cottage." I'll fix it up! Then I'll rent out my larger home........AND,,,,,,,,have a NEW studio built above my existing garage. With TONS of natural light! ........It'll take some time,,,,and monies, but, I truly "feel" like I need to continue on this "Artistic" dream.

I'll downsize,,,,,but it'll be worth it. I'll keep ya'll posted. Again,,,,,,thanks for the messages of support. I had a meltdown.......but I'm going to be OKAY......Because, truly? I have all of YOU for support!

Oh,,,,,the Biggest, Bestest, Hugs and Love,,,,,,I cannot imagine my life without all of YOU!
Bus on the Cheek!
Shell

Monday, October 24, 2011

Here's the Deal..........My Blog maybe shut down for a while...........

My renter is Waaaaaaaaaaay far behind. That is my monthly income for the most part.  I make a Bit , working at Joyworks,,,,,,,,,,,and while my crafting/Shows have grown-I'm tapped. And my renter/tennant has not paid me what he owe,,,,,,,for Months, and months.

So? Just want to let you all know,,,,,,,,I'll post again WHEN I can...........Frankie owes mes for several Months.......and I may soon lose my phone/internet service for a while.

Just found out from a Friend...He's been payin' for a Healthclub membership........And I'm thinkin' a Game Console......And i'm in over draft...........Well you cut some people slack,,,,and have patience.....Until the screw you!

Not taking it anymore! Calling in the "Chips, Cards and BS..........
"Ugly Post" but Thanks if you have my Back!
Shell