Vintage Macaroni

2011-05-14T15:21:00.000-07:00

yippee, there's gona be a show..... June 4th

Hope ya''ll can come spend the day at Bluebird farm and Winery.

There will be lot of things to do....a wine tasting, music, antique appraisals, offerings by artisans and of course the beautiful scenery to enjoy.

Chrissy and I have been busy getting goodies completed, working our fingers to the bone and lovin' every minute of it.

Don't forget june 4th at the Bluebird.

2011-02-10T14:20:00.000-08:00

Thank you everyone who participated in the valentine day swap.

I hope it made your last long days of winter seem to pass a little faster. We have 38 days until spring....come on now, we can do that....Really we can.

2011-01-20T06:47:00.000-08:00

The names have been drawn

let your imagination take over

This will be fun...nothing makes me happier than making someone smile. Yesterday I went to Pittsburgh with Chrissy to pick up my glasses and I also picked up a few smile makers to be sent out.

Have you been reading the blogs....about the new products for CHA....Tim Holtz and Wendy Vecchi have really taken it over the top....Exciting stuff....now, we just wait, and i want it all now.

It is suppose to get really cold this weekend so it will be a perfect opportunity to work on my surprise boxes. I think I will dig out the glitter, Oh wait, no need it is always out.

2011-01-07T06:58:00.000-08:00

Lets play make someone happy

Happy January! Well, it is about 90 days to spring....yikes that seems like along time. How about we get creative and make time fly. If you would like to make someones spring come a little faster....how about a valentine surprise. Each person would send out 2 "happy" packages and receive 2 in return. It can be anything you want..use your imagination..card, something pretty to look at, candy, craft, cookies, you know all the needful survival supplies....just something to brighten the day and let it be known spring is on its way.
If you would like to play contact me and I will hook you up with 2 shivering people who will also be playing.....by feburary 14 th we will even have the mailman smiling as he is sloshing his way to your mailbox.
I will be drawing names on january 17 th so let me know as soon as possible. Tell your friends....the more the merrier. I will need your address information, so a little bit of sunshine can be sent your way.
jackie
moonbeam@hughes.net

2010-12-16T14:40:00.000-08:00

O.K. I am hooked on putz houses.....I can't stop making them. Although the tree was decorated, presents bought, and things were reasonalbly neat around here....that didn't stop me. Paper, glitter and paint are scattered all over the table and things will probably stay this way....because I can tell, one or two putz houses is not going to be enough.

2010-11-05T10:00:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately my visit to "the keeping room" was not as wonderful as Staces.....My friend Stella drove down from Akron and I drove to Waynesburg to meet her and go shopping. Now Waynesburg is in the middle of nowhere....and there is NOTHING else to do for at least 26 miles in any direction.The hours were posted on the website and the door.... 11:00-4:00 Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Hanging right above that was a big fat CLOSED sign, to the left was an explanation that shows were too time consuming and the shop would remain unopened until late November. We peeked in the window and wanted in to spend our money, when in the driveway pulled a vehicle, OH BOY, I was positive the owner would not mind walking the few steps from her residence to the little shop and then driving to the bank with all of our money. Nope a quick rebuff and she went on about her day....and ruining ours. hmmmmm think I will just skip it.

2010-10-30T18:23:00.000-07:00

Halloween at the Ludwigs

Last week started out like this....a night of craving "punkins"...O.K. so my kids are 28 and 35 but what the heck....kids are kids no matter what the age on the week of Halloween. They can be mature adults next week. but wait....

tonight........my home was invaded by pirates....and wenches.

i

I am sure it's gona be wild and fun sailing ahead for this evening.

2010-10-10T12:56:00.000-07:00

What a perfect weekend.

Cousins arrived Friday from New Jersey, Missouri, and Kansas for a long overdue visit....I never had a chance to know these wonderful people until a few years back....and now I know I sure missed out. I had the best time and will cherish every moment I did finally get.

This was also the Algonquin Mill festival weekend.....the weather was fabulous, crowds were super and sales really kept you on your toes. My daughter and I have done this show many years and I do believe this was one of the best....after three days of rain the sun came out, lite up all the fall foliage for the opening day.. and that beautiful weather continues the entire three days.....A VERY SUCCESSFUL CRAFT SHOW

THIS IS ONE HAPPY GIRL

2010-09-15T18:03:00.000-07:00

Free images for you

Hope one of these end up in your wonderful projects

ENJOY

2010-09-03T07:05:00.000-07:00

Thank you, Mr.Bird.....the morning glories you left look wonderful as they twist and turn, winding their way to the top of my birdcage. What a beautiful, happy accident.

2010-08-21T16:38:00.000-07:00

Well, Scott's hibiscus finally bloomed....he's been waiting on it and it did not disappoint. All of the flowers look fabulous this year....thanks to our rain barrels......no water shortage here. Now about those weeds.......

2010-07-15T11:44:00.000-07:00

Off to a wedding in Michigan...our niece Kristin, that was here crafting a month ago is having her big day. I am so excited for her and Jim. Family from California and Ohio are meeting up in Michigan to help her celebrate. Should be a good time and it will be wonderful to see everyone.

This is the "gift card holder" I made for them......since I am sure they are......

"the PERFECT PAIR"

2010-07-04T14:58:00.000-07:00

Well lookie -lookie, it looks like an envelope....perhaps a "birthday" envelope. Wonder who it is for??????????????? Lets just hope with the holiday it makes it to her mailbox by Wednesday- because thats "THE DAY"

Of course being the brain child I am, there is a BIG spelling boo-boo on the envelope so consequently I had to carry that theme to the card inside....

Well, heck no, I can't show you the card.....that would sooooo ruin the surprise for

MIZ BIRTHDAY

2010-06-27T17:14:00.000-07:00

My son, Brent , has been absent of late. He had a goal, he had a vision of taking the ugliest truck I had ever seen, and turning it into a silk purse. Well, did he ever, in 90 evenings (he works his "real" job 7 days a week) he made the self imposed deadline and was totally ready for super nationals this past weekend. I am so proud of him and his friend Jeremy, they had a goal, reached it, and surpassed all expectations.

But I am not gona parallel park that thing.

PLAY ON

2010-05-29T12:40:00.000-07:00

I had this glaring white shadow box frame...fortunately, I also had Tim Holtz products....I think I used all of them....just kidding. First I used ginger alcohol ink to change the color of the plastic like frame...then I grudgingly dipped into my new paper... I am a hoarder.... using paper from the lost and found pad I covered the back with music paper, cut out a clock and mounted it grunge board and added a game spinner. found an image I liked of a boy playing the fife....everything was inked with vintage photo and wild honey....my favorites...... I popped them out with doubled sided tape from the home improvement store at different levels sure made nice depth and shadows. A coffee filter sprayed with distress ink and perfect pearl mixture made the very delicate rose for the corner. The font I used for "play on" was tilez. Glossy accents hold the box feet in place on the bottom, I decided to grab my alcohol ink pen and knock back the color a bit on the feet. Digging back into my new papers, this time the retro grunge, cuttlebuged a scalloped hexagon and fan folded a top accent with a bead from an old necklace for the center.

TA-DA

DONE

2010-05-10T06:21:00.000-07:00

The craft-a-Poloza has come to a close....darn, it was fun. Especially sitting back listening to the chatter between the girls. Catching up is always fun but getting the info on Kristin and Jim's up coming wedding was wonderful.

Chrissy and Kristin have turned on the music and grabbed a beverage ....I think we may be able to start crafting now......of course I have worked my poor old fingers to the bone, I gathered all the supplies and prepared snacks..............Oh well, a mothers work is never done. Thank goodness I am here for those two....

as if they would have even missed me

Kristin the "bride-to be" was busy making the flowers out of paper....Looks like it would have been easier if she just had one more hand.....but when it came to a touch of glitter......she turned into missy crafty girl......there is just something about glitter that brings out the creativity.... How much fun were the paper flowers made from the Tim Holtz new tattered floral sizzix die ? I think they turned out wonderful. Placed on the paper cones that will hang on chairs to hold flower petals, they should be stunning. Scott and Kristin were looking kinda hungry waiting for their food at the Normandy Inn, probably famished from all that intense crafting.........but they survived.....it was such a wonderful weekend....too darn bad it only happens once in a blue moon.

2010-05-07T05:47:00.000-07:00

Well, I am ready for the weekend "craft-a-polooza" My niece is coming from Chicago to craft all weekend for her upcoming wedding. Now everyone knows I love to craft and really mess up the house with inks, paints, and most of all glitter.....but this is different Chrissy and I also get to spend time with Kristin.....and we usually don't get to see her. YIPPEE !

I also need to say, although I begged participants of the tussie mussie swap to send me pictures of their creations to post here............they did not. BAD GIRLS. Only one sent a picture and here it is ......how smart....she used a gardening hat. Barb Mariol, you amazed me with the idea, I am sure Bonnie Foit loved it.

2010-05-01T13:40:00.000-07:00

I am back...had a wonderful lunch with the hubby at Donnas Deli...we never need an excuse to go there, but today I had a mission. Maura Arter had drawn Donnas name in the tussie Mussie swap so I had the pleasure of delivering it to her.....It was so gorgeous.....This sweet lady has a definite talent.

Yesterday four of us had a girlfriend day at the bluebird tearoom here in Carrollton. The day could not have been more perfect, warm, sunny and here we were nestled in the trees on the patio. It really is the most charming place, a real must visit.

My new friend Joy Meadows joined us. She had drawn my daughter, Chrissys name, so again I am the person who is delivering this beautiful tussie mussie....I feel like santa. the paper she used was fabulous and the flower is cut with Tim Holtz tattered floral sizzix die.

I, too made a few things for my "girlfriends" Maura sews, and makes the greatest dolls so I themed hers on sewing....ribbons buttons....I also made a dress form and a pin cushion

For Joy I did make a cone and decorated it, even added paper flowers attached to colored pencil "stems"and then since she is an avid stamper, I rounded up some interesting ephemera for her future projects.

Stella .....ooooo Stella...remember when we were in the Tim Holtz class and I was grousing about colors I was not comfortable with and you said....."think outa the box" well, I sure did, certainly not my colors. This scrapbook purse is totally not my usual style but I have to say I had fun doing it ......and I guess you may be right....stepping outa that box can be exciting and it was for my dearest friend.....EVER

I hope the whole swap went as smoothly as the one we had at lunch. Happy May day everyone.

2010-05-01T07:22:00.000-07:00

Wow, this was the tussie mussie I received from Stella Ford.....look and all the little details of things I love. the flowers are real, the candle lights, and the photo on the little book is wonderful and it is all in a charming tin cup. I love this.....those sweet flowers are going in my window box outside my "peek at the world" window beside my favorite chair.

There is a dragonfly cut out of paper and look at those wonderful tiny postcards ( my favorite things in the world) Stella certainly read me right on this one.
more later.....going out to lunch with my honey.

2010-04-25T11:39:00.000-07:00

What a Wonderful Friday.....

3 classes with Tim Holtz in Akron. what a wonderful giving teacher. The team worked like a well oiled machine to make everything go smoothly. Much was easily accomplished in a restricted time frame thanks to fabulous planning. A big thank you to Mario and Darcy for all their help. The first 2 classes were tags mainly to focus on technique....and boy, did we. Little tricks that expand the uses of Ranger products, from distress pads to alcohol ink. All I can say about the new alterations dies from sizzix is WOW. So many applications and they are just perfect.....the texture fades are just awesome. We also put alot of the idea-ology item to work on our projects. Again perfection.Stampers anonymous gave us an atc stamp, I thought that was very generous of Ted. So all in all,not only is Tim a charmer but a "think out side the box kinda designer". If you can, try to squeeze into one of his classes......This man does not disappoint.

2010-04-16T15:46:00.000-07:00

working, working, working, O.K. I admit it............I love making tussie mussies. It is nice to go outside in April in Ohio and absorb some spring and transfer it to art. Hope all my friends are having as much fun as me. Going out to that mailbox is going to be exciting. All participants are to send me pictures before they send them off to the waiting girls so I can post them here. Stay tuned.

2010-03-26T09:45:00.000-07:00

Well, looks like we're going to have a tussie mussie party!

Girls have started to say yes, I will so, do that, so what are you waiting for ?? Come on....... email me and tell me your ready to join us. The more the merrier. It is time to get messy, you know glue, paper, glitter.....our favorite things in the world.

2010-03-25T17:55:00.000-07:00

So how bout we celebrate spring.............yippee

I was thinking maybe a May 1st tussie mussie swap.....you just make one. Make it out of anything you want and any size you want. Fill it with what ever you want, flowers, seeds, candy, tea, just something to brighten someones day and welcome spring. A name will be drawn to see who the lucky recipient of your creation is and then you can wait and see what comes in your mailbox. Sound fun ?????? Let me know by March 31st....dust off you imagination and get busy.

This is the only organized thing in the whole place.

2010-03-20T15:47:00.000-07:00

Chrissy had no idea when she made me this fabulous bag for Christmas two years ago exactly how abused and overfed it would be.

I'm going to get to it. It's just a scary pile. That's all. And none of it is junk mail.

2010-03-10T17:15:00.000-08:00

Hey, is anything in your purse breakable?????

Well, didn't I feel just like the mad hatter? Chrissy and I had just finished lunch at the Cadillac Ranch and jumped in the car to go to the movie....when I realized her purse was under my butt....maybe I should not have had that second beer at lunch...and I bet she was wishing I had not had that BIG hamburger. Oh well, everything survived and Alice in wonderland was so perfect for me......visually outstanding. I am usually way to fidgety for movies but I was sorry to see this one end.

I also got news on my birthday I had won Wendy

Vecchi's blog give away....I never ever win anything....and it was on my birthday ! I don't know if you visit Wendy's site but she is so talented I just love her flair for distress.....be sure and stop by http://studio490art.blogspot.com/ I am sure you will like her and she has a new book out, looks pretty darn good. I am very patiently waiting on my surprise package from her to arrive and I will let you know all about it.

2010-03-08T11:46:00.000-08:00

Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes. I truely do enjoy birthdays....no matter how many I have had. This 60 thing is not as exciting as 16 or 21 was but it is still good.

The other morning I met Stella for breakfast and when I arrived this package was sitting at the table. my photo skills need so work so I will describe it a paper bag....image of an old photographers studio surrounded by vintage text....then grunged "JUST enough and tied shut with string.

Well, I could hardly wait to open it and there was the most beautiful box inside. An antique photo frame surround a image of old books and a lamp. The greeting is embellished with a watch face, key and lock.....as if that isn't enough....there is something inside this treasure.......Isn't this just fabulous????? and just my style.....and not purchased, handmade, we all know how I feel about handmade, and it was handcrafted by Stella. Is she good or what??? It's like I can't wait to see what she is up to, and it is always something wonderful.

Saturday Scott, took me to amish country. We hit a few antique shops and our favorite meat market......then Chrissy,Jim, and my forever best buddy Jodey got together for supper.....we ended up at the Normandy Inn in Minerva....and had the best darn steak ever. Sure don't know what took me so long to get there.....geez, 34 years to find a good place to eat in the neighborhood....o.k. i do live in the boonies....22 miles.

Wednesday Chrissy and I are going to see Alice in Wonderland....I am really taking advantage of this 60th birthday thing, huh?

2010-03-03T12:03:00.000-08:00

woo hoo.....I finally got outa the house and went shopping with my friend Stella....what a feeling...I had just been in here too long. we had breakfast, shopped a bit and then had lunch, shopped a bit more....it was wonderful....and I did not have to cook a thing.

So to celebrate I made you some tags to print out....just double click on the photo, so it is full size and save to your computer then print when ever you want. I hope you like it.
hugs,
jackie

2010-02-28T11:16:00.000-08:00

Thank goodness, March starts tomorrow. First off my birthday is coming up (can we say hip hip hurrah for golden buckeye, 60 years old yuk) and futhermore this whole month has been a big aggravation....all the snow and mess has kept me locked in the house. My hair is so long I can't even see. My cats don't even recognize me.

My internet is almost non existent...I have satellite, Hughesnet to be precise, and it leaves a lot to be desired. Being a country bumpkin...I can only get dial-up or satellite...I am starting to believe dial-up is better. Please verizon bring your lines a bit closer....I just need a bit, its right down the road. With Hughes something has gotten messed up.....there is something called fair access policy and I can see the reason for it.....so no one person hogs up more than their fair share of satellite space....but for 5 years I never went into fair access, now I am there every day! When you are in fair access overload they slow your connection for 24 hours, slow it down so much you can't move on the internet and 3 emails may take over 2 hours to down load. There is no way I am downloading 200mgs a day....no way. So you are still paying for but have no internet to speak of. grrrrrr

Somewhere there is a glitch in the system and it is making me angry. Just maybe they overloaded their satellite with customers.

So I make art.......it does keep me sane, kinda. Yesterday I made a new journal cover. It still need a bit of tweeking (a bit more grunge) and assembled but it is started. Hopefully this weather will break and spring will show up, just in time for a craft show...Keep your fingers crossed.

Lets see, I made art and vented to you....yep, I feel better.

2010-02-25T13:59:00.000-08:00

Look what I captured...... thought just maybe she knew where spring was hiding. Since I am stuck in this house I have been trying a little paint shop work.....more frustration than work, but I did stick that selfish fairy in that mason jar for not sharing spring.
I did get out today to the grocery store yippee..........BIG FUN but if we get the snow we have been promised everyones gona be pretty darn happy mommas got vittles.

2010-02-23T15:46:00.000-08:00

Dolly Kertes and her Carnations yep, along with a wonderful lunch and great conversation last Saturday , Dolly gave me six of these gorgeous hand made and hand painted fabric flowers. She told a charming story about watching her Grandmother make these flowers to put on family graves during the depression. I am so glad she remembered the art and made them again.

Her son-in-law Tom Stevens took the picture, I have been after him to post his nature photographs on a blog for everyone to enjoy......maybe he will find time soon.

2010-02-21T14:57:00.000-08:00

Saturday Lunch with the Kertes girls

Well girls, lunch was fabulous.....in fact it was one of the best days I have had in a very long time.

Food was wonderful and the company was even better. On our way home Scott brought up the fact that it seems like you have always been in our life and he was so right. Thank you.

Tonight is my husbands first night back to work since his heart attack....I really don't think the worry will ever be over, doubt if I will sleep a wink. Oh well, my curtain idea will certainly get worked on this evening.

Some new stuff

2010-02-20T17:25:00.000-08:00

I'm so busy right now being a student teacher that I don't have time to make anything, but I'm all excited about some stuff I got around the turn of the new year, and all that pinky-finger creativity is just welling up because it can't wait for the next seven weeks to be over.

The Children's Guide to Knowledge. It's full of fun images waiting to be parts of future collages. For example, the Chickadees:

And I couldn't wish for a better set of HUGE Alphabet Flash Cards - these are the classroom size ones that are almost as big as a piece of 8.5 x 11 inch paper! And they're in only slightly-yellowed condition, with none of that gross disintegrated paper feel:

The lower-case letters are on the back, but I didn't take a photo of them.
And finally, a photo of the McGuffey Reading Charts Sign that I pilfered from the bookstore in Salem on New Year's Eve when it went out of business. It's huge. It's as wide as a couch cushion, as can be seen here:

Having this sign makes me one of the coolest people ever.

2010-02-19T13:12:00.000-08:00

Today is my cupcakes birthday! Hard to believe she is 28.....and I have enjoyed every single minute. BOY, when they hand you that baby, you don't even know that is your very best friend. Lucky me.....she is a great partner in crime.....superior minds think alike...and if one of us can't think of a way to get in trouble the other one can. So since the weather is still "iffy" we are heading out to the VFW for some eats and more than likely a drink or two...woo-hoo

2010-02-16T11:36:00.000-08:00

Well, I have cleaned up all the valentine makin' mess and scooped up all the leftovers into a box marked valentine supplies for 1011.....maybe we will do it again next year. I hope so.

This week since it is snowing..surprise...and I am moving into week 4 of isolation.... a new bathroom curtain, pops into my head. This idea has been running around in my itty bitty brain, something totally different, it is just going to take some figuring........but I am going to give it a go. It means another big mess...but that is my middle name and anyway who is going to come in MY DRIVE and visit? the abominable snowman???

2010-02-15T08:30:00.000-08:00

Back online........And yes, I paid my bill.....seems there is a limit to the mgbites you can download and some one must be hijacking my satellite signal cause this chick has not been on line to download nutin'..........so I am going to have to block my router.

The swap has come to an end.....and I for one think it was wonderful....

and then....................Angie made and sent these adorable cards.........and then...............she forgot to sign them. What a nut......when you DO good work always make sure you take credit for it!

Look at this spoon lapel pin......where did Bonnie Foit come up with this terrific idea? I would have never thought of that.....it is so unique with a twisted handle and a brass rose....if I can ever get out my driveway (snow) it is going to get shown off all over town. Mary Barnes made a decorative heart hanger from an old technique I had taught her and the forgotten about. Well, being the senile "old thing I am,I went as far as to inquire how it was made....dhhhhhhhhhhhhhh....this was her response,

Now dear Jackie...you taught me the technique, silly girl!

See I guess it is common knowledge, I am silly. I had also forgotten how sweet but honest Mary is.

Cathy Kelly is such a good crafter but she never has time to do art....but when she does, it is so worth it. You really need to make time Cathy, it is good for the soul.

This is an original design from a VERY original girl.....Cindy Kelly....is one of my favorite people in the whole world....I feel like she is one of my own......totally sweet and just a little off center....like me.

As if my buddy, Stella hadn't done enough, she sent this very vintage valentine....so soft and perfect but what was really perfect was the sentiment inside......it just explains friendship perfectly.

Last but not least......my honey bunch gave me a mushy card.....so outa character for him....must have been all of that wonderful care he received from "ME" nurse bad ass.....I do not take any crap.....follow the rules and all will be fine.....

2010-02-11T18:08:00.000-08:00

Did you ever see anything so cute?????
This was in the mailbox yesterday and I have been dying to share it on my blog......and yep, I had no Internet.....again!
Ruby Fisher stitched her way into my heart.....I don't see Ruby to often, in fact hardly at all, but she remains one of my very favorite people and now you can see why. Just a bundle of super sweet talent.
I know these challenges sometimes seem like a lot of work especially when every ones life is so awfully busy, but wow, the way it pushes us. It makes us think, get more creative and work harder....and really it takes me away from the the worries in my everyday life. So thank you friends for the valentine swap, not only am I not getting just bills and junk mail when I see the post lady coming, I am getting a little piece of friends, maybe not seen often but surely not forgotten.

2010-02-07T15:36:00.000-08:00

Boy, talk about snow........about 18 inches.....and yep, then power went out for about 34 hours, there were approx. 6000 people with out power in our area.....what a pain.....keeping all three houses, my son and daughter live on the property as well, from freezing up was a challenge. Well, we survived, and all is well that ends well....since we did not have electricity we also did not have Internet so I did not get to blog...New things....new wonderful valentine from my friend Lois....the most adorable angel stamped on a card and placed on an embossed back piece...and then a touch of sparkle. Thank you much, Lois.Chrissy also received a special valentine wish from our friend Stella....Chrissy has a passion for french inspired things so Stella make her a wonderful book enclosed in a metal case, she made it completely by hand (her patience amazes me) she even went so far as to re size and print some french book pages for the inside.

The book was hidden in a card mounted on Styrofoam with a carved niche to house the book....what a great mind. and just what does this mean ???? it is printed on the inside..."old treaures tell a story"........is she refering to me?????????????? .....and then no words to describe....this rosary...........wow...it that talent or what????
On another note Stella also directed me to a really nice website you might also enjoy....check it out and she is as sweet as she is talented....

http://dianeknottsmusings.blogspot.com/

I am sure you will find things you love and will add it to your favorites. I did.

I will blog as I get valentines so you can join right in.....that is if I have electric we are expecting another storm Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.........fabulous

2010-02-03T14:38:00.000-08:00

Yippee, I was absolutely tickled yesterday to find a wonderful valentine in the mail from Stacey Mc Clure, you can visit her blog at www.tatteredntornprims.blogspot.com/

I ran in the house opened the box to find a carefully wrapped bundle tied with a precious tag....this hand stitched, primitive ornie was inside.....complete with arrow and hat pins....simply adorable.

I was so happy and I wanted to share immediately....took a picture and no Internet.....WHAT????
not fair.....let me explain... We live in the boonies so I have no choice but satellite thru hughes net.....not very reliable....it is at the mercy of weather, clouds, overload, you name it it can stop me.

This afternoon there was another surprise waiting for me.....I just love this game ........

Diane Kertes, a fabulous crafter, she has a real knack for making cards and obviously needlework....did some beautiful stitching too....very primitive cloth hang tag....grunged to perfection..........I love it...........and I love valentines day.

2010-02-01T17:06:00.000-08:00

So where are my valentines????? I am waiting.....anyone who knows Jackie knows I am not the best at waiting. Of course I must be honest, the valentines I made are sitting right here on my island....in a bag .... waiting to go to the post office. hmmmmmmmmmmm maybe everyone knows although I promised myself to mail these on the 1st, I did not follow thru and here they sit. My bad.....tomorrow is a new day and I will be a new Jackie

2010-01-25T17:16:00.000-08:00

What a Mess I have Made

yep, that's my table.....I cannot believe I ended up dragging out every craft item I own to make 12 little valentines...........its the pressure.....these are talented girls the mailman is going to be delivering my creations to so I need to put a little extra effort into them.

Here are the first valentines I have received..........

My friend, Stella hand delivered not one but two gifts.....she had gotten sick before Christmas and actually just recovered completely.....so a holiday present and a valentine came on the same day mixed in with a wonderful visit....

Stella makes the most beautiful rosaries so here is my Christmas gift................it is made with Autumn jasper with sterling silver

What can be said but WOW, I love it.As if that wasn't enough, she had my valentine.....it is a locket that resembles a pocket watch and Stella really thought about me when she was making this beauty.....wrist watch parts, a red rose for valentines day, some snipets of paper inside say "art and soul" and the other says "seize the day" this is just my kind of jewelry.....i LOVE anything unusual. So, Jackie and so thoughtful. Thank you Stella.

This morning my husband had a doctors appointment 3 of the artist participating in this swap work in the office.....so I got a surprise when I got there Karen was ready.....I am not ready with mine but Karen the little over achiever was ready and waiting with envelope in hand...... and it was wonderful......a little teaser....this is the inside of the card..... :O

Now for the gorgeous outside....Karen is, as I am, a Tim Holtz fan so she distress' to perfection.....wasn't the paper heart doily a great idea....and the vintage clip art is right up my alley....

Thank you Karen, sorry my photo is so blurry....I need some lessons from your hubby in the camera department :O)

So thats it for today.....keep checking in , 10 more valentines to be delivered and I will post them as they arrive...I can harly wait.

2010-01-18T15:52:00.000-08:00

Well, I really want to learn psp.....but every time I open it up and try....my eyes glaze over, the brain fills up with pink fluff and I just close up the program. Still, I cannot help but peek at the wonderful psp works by other people, in fact you could say I am obsessed. one spot I adore is Collage Obsession http://collageobsessionchallenge.blogspot.com/ So when they offered a photo of Sarah Bernhardt and a challenge...I thought, I can do it. Wrong again, opened up the program , opened up the file and pink fluff...so there will be no submission of this work to the powers that "can do", not on your life. But if some of my smarter buddies out there want to throw hints my way, on PSP, not on how to vaccum the fluff bunnies outa my head, I would love to listen.

2010-01-17T17:52:00.000-08:00

o.k. I am getting in the spirit of Valentines day....have gathered my supplies....cleared my work space and am getting on the ball tomorrow.....I refuse to be a procrastinator this year there will be NO panic on the 12th on February because I WILL be ready for the postman. REALLY !

We had a wonderful weekend....visits from old and new friends...the kind of people you just enjoy spending time with. Hope we have many more days like that. I am adjusting to the extreme hair color Chrissy left me with, and by adjusting I mean I don't shriek every time I pass a mirror. Now , lets be clear, Jackie Ludwig is no better or younger looking, but glow in the dark hair doesn't catch me off guard any longer. Scott is doing better every single day and this morning we went to breakfast with our kids and then I worked on a few art projects. It just don't get any better than that.

2010-01-14T14:20:00.000-08:00

so.........yep, I am a blonde chick......evidently drinking vodka and cranberry is not the only indulgence of last evening.....maybe a tad too much bleach....
but all in all a really great "girls night in"
Funny used to do girls friday night every week...loved it...need to do that again

guest blogger yet again...

2010-01-13T17:14:00.000-08:00

So mum is not a very good blogger...she calls me a bazillion times with floating little thoughts...BLOG LADY BLOG!!! So we just closed up shop on Chrissy's Salon...we sent the boys over to my little home to watch an 8 hour mini series Into the West...GENIUS...so we had some refreshments (um grey goose not hot cocoa) and ate contraband food my dad cant have but my mum was craving....yes cold lil smokies!!! Hilighting her hair was the task at hand and as I pulled her hair through a cap I thought MWUHAHAHAH I can get back at her yet! While she was lightening I decided to download every song I could think of, and oh what a collection I have. When I create this CD it has a lil of everything...Halleluja Song, Rob Zombie, the Beatles, Paramore, Dr Hook...yes my collection of music is as ADD as i am!!! ...my cocktail could use refreshed...chrissy

OH Whirleygig!! Chrissys Thrilling Thursday

2010-01-08T09:30:00.000-08:00

So heres the story morning glory...jim and i were watching antique road show (yes thats right) and had just finished a wonderful segment on antique whirlygigs...when a whirlygig of sorts took off like a space ship in my tummy!!! I started yacking, which jim was thrilled about since he just cleaned up jetta yack...oh the joy of owning a princess of a cat that hates every food on the planet. Speaking of planets, at this point in my evening i had come to the very plausible conclusion that i had aliens dueling in my tummy. After yacking a few hundred times with pain that was blinding we decided to make the trip to the ER in blizzard like conditions!!! Jim was a superb driver...considering the situation: HORRIFIC roads, a girlfriend flopping around like a fish, while dry heaving, while asking for the window up, down, up ok maybe down. Cut scene to the ER...you can really get some great service if you are the only one out during a blizzard. After a FULL exam (that doctor really owes me dinner and flowers) all my scenarios...appendicitis, being possessed with the need of an exorcism, and my trusty alien theory...it came down to stones!!!! Stonehenge is made of the same size stones that are passing through me...the doctor did not confirm this, but i know what i know what i know. Chrissy!!!

2010-01-08T09:16:00.000-08:00

What is it with terrible road conditions and emergencies??? Last night about 11:00 my daughter , Chrissy, started to vomit.....like 100 times in 15 minutes with severe stomach pain.

off to the hospital, normally a 45 minute trip, but last night a 2 hour drive. It seems after oodles of tests it was a bunch of kidney stones. She came home this morning with prescriptions , so keep your fingers crossed that the worse is over

2010-01-06T16:38:00.000-08:00

Yep, its cold in Ohio. But not this cold....Jim, my daughters boyfriend loves odd ball hats....and this sure hits the mark. Please know this is all yarn and acrylic...no animals were harmed making this lovely headpiece.

Made our trip to Canton without a hitch this morning ...ice, snow,dark of night.....but Scott got a wonderful report......and this was our last visit to the surgeon.....wonderful doctor but the 6:30 a.m. appointments.......... yikes

Next stop.....craft store......hurrah...it has been way too long my friend. it was strange....sparkles & shiny called my name and I followed....hey, it is valentines day we're takin' about, ya know.

I have two favorite shops, @ home in Savannah and the Blissful in Canton and one is closing........snif.....the owner of the Blissful has other interests. My daughter and I are sure gona miss visiting Abby and drooling over the goodies in her wonderful shop. Next week we will have to stop in check out the sale and say our sad goodbyes.

2010-01-04T14:34:00.000-08:00

Thanks for the quick response.......I have heard from several of you guys......about the swap. I will need all names and address' by Jan 14th. that gives everyone a month to get creative. My head is already spinning with ideas.
My crafting has been curtailed by amusing a very bored husband.....and as much as I love him I NEED TO CRAFT so thank goodness for the valentine swap, there can't be any excuses....I gota quit playing cards and dominoes with Scott and get those valentines in the mail.
Wednesday is a Doctor Day for Scott...so it is off to Canton in the snow. I will try to hit all the craft stores and restock supplies. See, I am already excited and feeling better.
Maybe I will get in this crafting mode and be ready to have a spring open house or craft show. Once I get going I am hard to stop.

2009-12-31T14:46:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year everyone.........

Things are doing good here at the Ludwig house, Scott is recovering nicely and everyone else is surviving having a man in the house 24/7

some friends having been inquiring if we are doing another valentine greeting swap....i would love to. so if you are interested in getting creative and sending a little something to some other creative people let me know. It dosen't have to be a card, last year there were cookies and a hand knit heart pin.....put on your thinking caps and tell me your in.....

much hugs

2009-11-26T14:11:00.000-08:00

back to crafting and blogging next week.....my husband has been recovering from bypass surgery, but things are coming along nicely. thank you all for the good wishes.

2009-11-26T14:01:00.000-08:00

well, my family sure has a lot to be thankful this year....nov 15th my husband had a heart attack and on nov.18th he had a quadruple bypass.....he is home now and getting stronger everyday....thanks to all the people that sent good thoughts his way, they all mean the world to us.
so, a bit more playing nurse and it is back to creating .

2009-09-29T05:50:00.000-07:00

working, working, working.........getting ready for the Algonquin mill festival next week. Of course i am a procrastinator and got in the swing real late. But boy, am i swinging...ALL OVER THE HOUSE. the Ludwig house kinda looks like a war happened in here, well the weapons must have been fabric and paint...add 7 cats in the mix and you've got a disaster area. oh well, it will clean up and i love creating things. I love all the work but i especially love crafting up people, i mean dolls.

2009-08-27T18:43:00.000-07:00

it is just HOT....especially when your air conditioner goes poof .....it has been about a week and I have cankles....and my fingers look like Vienna sausages. Fat chicks cannot live without air....so it is shopping for me...and not fun stuff like shoes

(as if they would fit right now)

but a big box with something that will keep me cool. yippee....

Freebie Friday

2009-08-21T13:44:00.000-07:00

This is the first Friday Freebie. I am going to try to post something of interest every Friday from now on, right here on the Vintage Macaroni blog.

This one's from a 50s Steubenville Herald Star. Back then, the Clare's Cafe was a big thing. That was when Amsterdam wasn't little more than a ghost town.

2009-08-18T13:18:00.000-07:00

Finally the very old doors I bought at a garage sale forever ago have a home. I just love them....kinda like me...old ain't always bad.

2009-08-18T11:01:00.000-07:00

so my husband went back to work....it was a fun time having him home for 2 months but back to reality....back to my studio, today the doors are going up and the outside light are to be installed...now Scott's REAL JOB is interfering with my completion plans. since he has gone back to work that means i have to get to work on items for the Algonquin mill.....the fact that it is in mid-October and I am just starting says a lot about how much fun we had together during this lay off.
so last night after he left for work I started working on a collage idea that kept running around in my head all summer.....worked way past my bedtime and boy, this morning i discovered it was the ugliest thing i had ever seen.....so it is back to the drawing board.

2009-08-07T11:02:00.000-07:00

done......2:00 have i said wow today????

now all scott needs to do is install the door and paint

maybe i will move right in

maybe that was his WHOLE idea

2009-08-07T07:14:00.000-07:00

trusses are up and it is only 9:45 , these guys are so focused....

2009-08-07T05:50:00.000-07:00

8:21 a.m. boy are these guys fast.......i can see it coming together.....gona have to have a party....
oh and scott wiggled and jiggled things on the frig until it started working...let hope it holds

2009-08-07T03:40:00.000-07:00

WOW, 6:22.......SOMETHING MUST BE GOIN' RIGHT FOR ME TODAY....

2009-08-05T14:23:00.000-07:00

Well, like Cindy's entry. My yesterday was perfect.....wonderful weather, wonderful company

( thanks Jody )

,and a wonderful visit with old friends......then today it all went to hell in a hand basket...........

#1......builders aren't coming to work on the studio until Friday. guess what I heard it's gona rain!

# 2...... my 3 year old refrigerator went POOP......AGAIN .....this happened under a year ago and was down for 5 weeks and here we go again

#3 We just went grocery shopping .....so everything is being transfered to coolers and we are going 12 miles to get ice. I would use the mini frig Sears gave me for medicine but oh, yeah it never worked....

So its off to call sears again
I had such a wonderful experience last year, I can hardly wait!

Lucky August

2009-08-04T17:37:00.001-07:00

August is a lucky month so far.

Yesterday, what seemed to be a disaster - going to Lawrenceville on Monday and not knowing that all the cool shops on the entire street are closed on Monday - turned into a good day. I found some fabulous stuff at Construction Junction and a new restaurant to boot!

This charming vintage dresser was a steal at $15, and the book cart sitting in front of it - vintage, made of metal, with World Book Encyclopedia printed on the front - was only $5. We found some *free* stuff in someone's trash along Penn Ave., and saw many fabulous things we could not get home, including a vintage white children's picnic table someone was throwing out.

I need a conversion van. One of those ones that can haul either 15 people or mountains of stuff.

My blazer isn't big enough. Especially since my mom never took out the lawn chairs from 4th of July, and all this stuff had to fit in the back yesterday.

For the full version of the story, check out my personal blog over here: Gob Pile.

2009-07-31T09:40:00.000-07:00

well, I have had my share of cooking mishaps.....first when I was about 20 was the dill potato soup made with eagle brand milk, because I did not know the difference between eagle brand and carnation evaporated milk YKKKKKK.........then a few years ago I grabbed the liquid smoke instead of vanilla.....AND I WAS MAKING FRENCH TOAST......this was not a hit.....

now last night I was in the process of making creamed egg for this mornings breakfast. butter, mustard ,salt, pepper, hot sauce, and..........................flour for thickening of course............only I grabbed the powdered sugar.......I stirred and stirred but it just didn't get thick.....thank goodness I tasted BEFORE i added the hard boiled eggs....not that mustard and hot sauce don't JUST taste yummy with sugar...I do believe the eggs would have sent it to the top of the all time awful combo list.

I do believe my husband is taking me out to supper this evening.....

SMART GUY

2009-07-30T09:25:00.000-07:00

so they said my studio would be up on Saturday....now they say they are coming next Wednesday......something about the rain or some other shit.....TOUGHEN UP....a little rain isn't going to hurt ya. I am just no good at this waiting crap......think I will drag out all my art supplies and make a mess everywhere.........

Butterfly Summer

2009-07-14T18:03:00.000-07:00

earlier this summer we had a butterfly that just seemed to love my porch......hung around the better part of the morning.....My son,Brent held it for 20 minutes before it decided to chat up the dog. That seemed to be a preview for the whole summer, I think there has been a record setting amount visit this year...and whew, they don't eat near as much as the dog or the kid.

2009-07-13T19:18:00.000-07:00

never mind...............I forgot to delete the former background dhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

2009-07-13T18:39:00.000-07:00

grrrr......I found this wonderful background paper at the Background Fairy http://www.backgroundfairy.com/ and well I am trying to change the blog look.....not so successfully. A coupla weeks ago I had no problems changing the header and the paper so being the cocky chic I am, I decided to completely change the layout...........hmmmmmmmmmmm maybe not such a fab idea...oh well tomorrow is another day.

2009-07-13T11:36:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Stella

I hope you have a wonderful day.........

I will take you to breakfast soon..shop a bit..and later maybe even lunch,

that ol' building can just wait!

2009-07-10T07:07:00.000-07:00

so....it was me and kid rock this weekend, well, sorta I was there but so was everyone else. My kids took me to post gazzette cause i am a fan....but just let me tell you about the TAILGATING.....Brent and Chrissy have this down to a science. canopy, tables one for food, one for a bar...a kick ass charcoal grill, comfy chairs. we had grilled shrimp, beef mushroom and pepper shiskabobs, marinated pork chops, smoked pulled pork sandwiches, baked pineapple.....and of course icy beverages....with great music.

yes, my little studio may have been put on hold for a day but that's o.k. I wouldn't have missed it. Spending time with my kids and good friends....nutin' beats that.

The Amsterdam Post Office

2009-06-27T17:54:00.000-07:00

Plain Spoke is enveloped, addressed, and ready-to-be-mailed.

And it has been since yesterday. The post office in Amsterdam this morning decided that it was "too close to time to close" to mail them today.

I called and made a complaint about it, and then I wrote a rant, and then I took that rant and polished it into a letter to the editor of the Herald Star.

You can read it here:

WE (DON'T REALLY) WANT YOUR BUSINESS: Taking customers for granted in a sad, bad economy

2009-06-17T17:22:00.000-07:00

well, i think i am finally adjusting to this new schedule of my hubbies.....today i actually worked on some artwork, and i really enjoyed it. i forgot how therapeutic creating is for me. It is a need, if I am not able to get in there and get messy, this is one crabby chick. Nobody wants to see me crabby. Oh, and now that i am adjusting Scott is taking a voluntary lay off, so some younger family guy doesn't have to...Well, now that i am adjusting, he is going to be home all the time..........I am just gona be all screwed up.

Last week, we ordered a small studio for me....HURRAH I am so excited....we have to prepare the site and then they will come and build it...it even has a small covered porch. Now Scott and I can sit and listen to the rain...something we love. Anyone wanting to help move a little dirt just paddle your lil' hush puppies over here, we'll be glad to see ya.

The Stuff of Neglecting the Blog: Grad School, ATCs and a little bitta poetry to boot.

2009-06-11T16:00:00.000-07:00

I've been silent for a while. Maybe that's a little more than understated, but it's the truth, regardless of the reasons. I am, however, unafraid to state them, and even though most of them might seem inconsequential enough to delay my attentiveness to the blog, when added together, the sum of their parts really does make for a mountain of a whole. Conversely, maybe they're all little molehills that make a wonderwerks of a mountain range. Any way that I look at the piled-up to-do-lists, there is just not enough scratching off going on, and that makes me sad. It makes me sad because I love to write, and I just don't have much time for it anymore. I need structure.

So here are the things keeping me away from my Other Mother (Jackie) and my lovely friends (online and off), in no particular order:

1. I have been making things for me lately. I always make a bunch of things I like and then they sell practically before I've finished them, and then I'm left with nothing but the big mess I've made. So a while back, I organized an ATC swap on Facebook, and here are some of the cards I made:

Bird School, 2009

And None of them are Sugary or Spicy, 2009

Family Tree, 2009

I also made a custom stamp out from a lino block so that I could stamp the back of my cards. I forgot to leave a space for my email address, but then I decided that technology has nothing to do with the organicness of creation, that technology's only place is in the meta-discourse that comes afterward, in sharing the photos on flickr and here and there/elsewhere, in using my Nikon D40 to capture (or almost capture) the character of the finished product. No, they're not as nice here as they are in person, but I can assure you that much fun and creative renewal was gained by the simple act of creating to share. Yay.

Custom Stamp, 2009

More ATC goodness here

2. Graduate School. Finishing up the spring semester was great, though I miss going to my Children's Literature class. There was hardly a break before May/Mini-mester began, in which I took a Grammar course and a Philosophical Studies in Education course. Horrifically, I found that my grammar is not and has never been anywhere near perfect. However, I did find my way back to diagramming sentences. Everywhere I go. I can't help myself. I leave Post-it notes everywhere. This one I graciously left for an unknowing server at Applebees in Steubenville:

3. Press/Shop/Etc. We're going to have our shop open again! Yay! (And then I'm going to wait for Jackie to put all her new artsies in her new-but-yet-unpurchased craft building complete with cute porch. Once I'm fairly certain she's got enough stuff in there to fill the walls, I'm going to sneak down there and get it. Or maybe I'll ask her for it.

Amsterdam Press is going to be releasing a bunch of titles this year, and I've got David Beard's book ready for printing. I've just got to print some proofs and get him to OK the final product. I've also almost finished Jendi Reiter's book, Swallow, which was the winner of the Flip Kelly Poetry Prize for 2008. We've got a lot of projects slated, and we're trudging through the pre-press for all of them right now. Trudging, I say, not because it's a grueling task, but because I have almost no time to devote to it until after my Teaching Writing class has ended. The month of July is dedicated to patient writers everywhere, as I catch up on correspondence, acceptance and rejection letters, requests, reviews, and other odds and ends associated with being the most disorganized editor on the planet (or at least in this tiny section of Ohio).

We have had delay after delay in getting the current issue of Plain Spoke out the door. First, I misplaced the contracts. Then it was the computer. After that, the printer ran out of toner and needed a new drum. Then we couldn't get the ink for the Epson, on which we print the covers. The toner and drum had to be ordered by mail because nobody carries it for the Xerox Workcentre M20 around here. The ink for the Epson is the one with the guitars on the box, and for some reason, nobody ever has the light cyan, so we were stumped on that one, too. Finally, I printed page 10 (which means page 47 and pages something else and something else else) the first time with a glaring typo (in which our featured poet "teachers" at such and such school instead of "teaches" and I could have just screamed. Now, the issue is ready to go, but we've got all those envelopes to address. Tomorrow is the day. We're going to get it finished tomorrow.

Here is a sneak peek at the cover:

My grandmother's handbag circa 1969, CMK 2009

Photomanipulation: black and white family photograph, Photoshop CS3

The bench has way too many pieces for me to ever attempt anything that detailed again, but I like the result.

We're painting and transforming here in the Olde Garage. We're going to have designated spaces from now on, and we're going to stop tearing everything apart all of the time. We have decided not to go to Jewett Craft Show this year for reasons that are just too lengthy to fit in this brief update, which is getting too big for its britches already. Suffice it to say that in the end, it's just not worth it. I love that my clientele always consists of the eccentric and charming ladies, young and old, who wear interesting coats and yearn for some unusual, small object, but there are just not enough of them there for us to put so much effort into going back. After something like 20 years of having been a fixture in the elementary school in what used to be a joyous show, the charm has worn off and I realize my - our - time will be best spent focusing on our small enterprises here.

Olde Garage / Life on Europa booth | Jewett, OH, 2008

Not the show it used to be...

But there are plenty of things to be excited about: July is going to be wonderful (except for the Praxis II on July 25), the shop will be open again this summer, and for keeps, and I am almost done with my teaching licensure program. Yay!

I've started working on my Ph.D. applications already.

I am a glutton for anything difficult.

Now for some poetry: A Record of Things, published in The Hiss Quarterly.

Today

2009-06-06T18:40:00.001-07:00

wonderful day, wonderful people.......and KAREN AND TOM look the same as they did 25 years ago......Karens sister, Shelia hosted the party and did a fabulous job.......

and all I can say about Dolly (karens mom) is

I TOTALY ADORE YOU

thank you for including us.

what a sweetie

2009-06-06T08:00:00.000-07:00

This afternoon we are going to celebrate Karen and Tom Stevens 25th anniversary....these are two of the nicest people I have ever met....they just don't come any better.And don't they look pretty spiffy in the wedding photo.....

of course they look just as happy and young 25 years later.

Blanca Medina from http://magicmoonlightstudio.blogspot.com/

has such a lovely a lovely blog and an abundance of talent. The other day I received these beautiful tags in the mail and was thrilled ............soooooo cute. What a wonderful generous gesture, thank you Blanca so very much. Be sure to visit her blog

http://magicmoonlightstudio.blogspot.com/

or her shop http://magicmoonlightstudioshoppe.blogspot.com/

I am sure you will love her work as much as I do.

2009-06-01T11:41:00.000-07:00

sooooooooooo...... someone has informed me that my heritage is french. who'da thunk???? My maiden name was always Jackie Lumbatis

(i was always just a jackie).....now they spring on me a new name

Jacquelyn LamBatise'

whoa whoa......wait a minute...sure sounds fancy. wonder if I would have been more sophisticated and genteel had I known this in my formative years????

maybe instead of rollerskating and swilling beer I would have learned the waltz and sipped on champagne. I really don't know if I would have been different but I think I may start now.....

BREAK OUT THE BREITENBACH(i am fresh outa the bubbly) and crepes

or as Marie said

let them eat cake

summer is finally here

2009-05-22T09:53:00.000-07:00

It is just beautiful here....iris, phlox, and columbine are all showing off this morning. I finally got my porch pots planted and now it is time to sit and enjoy them.

Beeswax had been on my mind...there are two blogs I follow that do wonderful things with it. I felt my projects had been missing a sense of depth and maybe this would help. Dragging out that Ranger melting pot I had purchased a long time ago I popped in some beeswax pellets....and waited....and waited....nutin'.....what the crap???? maybe it was a little ticked I had waited so long to play with it, but it sure wasn't heating up. I asked for advice from Suze Weinberg and got an immediate response....it must be something wrong with the heating element, so I drug out a small old crock pot and it worked. not so easy to work out of but it got the job done. I now see the benefits of the beeswax....a soft glow, dimension, and did I mention I love to smell it.

My daughter Chrissy and I have a friend that is getting married in a wooded setting. Mindy and Dennis wanted some very rustic invitations so Chrissy and I made 30 of them Wednesday night....whew about seven hours. It is very hard for me to do repetition but we hung in there and got them ready to mail. It was a hard night but I really enjoyed working with Chrissy.

well, the weekend is upon us so I better make the cole slaw and pickle some eggs.

2009-05-08T07:46:00.000-07:00

It is a rainy ol'day in Ohio....I have zillion plants to get in the ground but mother nature seems to have it in for me. With my hubbys new schedule me and the kittys have been crafting late at night. I work later than I should and of course I wake up with a super huge mess every morning. Oh well, just means I can get started again right away. I found a funky old dress form the other day, it should make a nice piece to display jewelery and doflinkies for the mill show, and don't worry somewhere in this mess I am sure I have made some. I know she seems to be listing a bit to the starboard side.......maybe she likes margaritas as much as I do.

Last night I worked on a canvas piece, before that darn cat talked me into going to bed. It was fun and yes, I had to drag absolutely everything out as far as supplies go. I need to add some more texture but could not get my melting pot to heat up.....I have had it but never used it, so I went to sleep disappointed. Suze Weinberg and jack and cat curio do such wonderful things with beeswax so I will give it another go today, since there won't be any planting of flowers.

boy , am I a crappy photographer.....suggestions, please

2009-04-23T17:42:00.000-07:00

Had a great day today.....went shopping with Chrissy and Jim....of course I bought something too big to fit in the car.....but I had to have it. Tomorrow sounds like a good day to figure out different hauling methods....I also bought a wonderful old mail cubby....problem????? Well, of course there is a problem, isn't there always. We were in a huge old building and it didn't look BIG but boy, was it BIG when I got it home. Any body who has ever been to my house knows I have a few things tucked in every nook and cranny, so where I thought I was gona put it....not gona work. On the bright side we stopped at wallhouse and had the most fabulous ice cream and coffee....so see no matter how many goof ups you have in a day....butter pecan will make it better. that probably should be on a greeting card.

savannah weekend

2009-03-26T06:44:00.000-07:00

What could possibly be better than a girl weekend......well, having it in Savannah, of course. This city is the most beautiful inspiring place I have ever been. Even on st. Patrick's weekend it has a calming effect on me. This picture was taken in Bonaventure cemetery on Friday the 13th and with my squeamish daughter along for the ride. Everything was going along as planned and then I promptly ran out of gas in the middle of the cemetery. Beat that for a mother daughter memory. shopping was also on the agenda...our favorite shop was @home vintage general, just a wonderful little shop with the nicest proprietress. We gathered a few treasures and then headed to the cotton exchange tavern for a drinky-poo.... or two. Did I mention it was the biggest st. Patricks celebration in the country? The river walk was packed with revelers, some in costume some in hardly anything, certainly a GOOD TIME.

winter, winter go away...jackie wants to go and play

2009-01-30T14:23:00.000-08:00

When you have to rub a dryer sheet on your hair every morning to keep the static from making you look like the bride of Frankenstein......it is January in Ohio.....this does seem to be an extremely long winter. Living way off the road in a wooded area it is usually very quiet in the winter, but Wednesday morning, not so much. During the night we had an ice storm that blanketed everything. Stepping out on the porch with my camera, the sound of trees creaking and falling in the woods followed by ice sliding off the roof and weighed down pine branches. Downright noisy....so after a few quick clicks I retreated to the warm house and snuggled with my cats. This is the 3rd week I have been stranded inside, my poor hubby is walking out the lane to get in the car and head off to drive all day at work (did i mention i am married to the milkman?) Seems like this is a perfect time to get a cup of coffee and get busy on those valentines for the swap....I hear glitter calling me.

2009-01-24T16:10:00.000-08:00

Since Cindy posted a picture of herself in the cutest hat ever, I thought I would share a picture she took of me at her shop open house. I do want to go on record as saying I am much younger and more beautiful in person.......you'll just have to trust me. Now, get to work on your valentine ideas......jackie

lessons Jackie learned in 2008

2009-01-13T15:51:00.000-08:00

I have learned that if you use your laundry room as a emergency hiding place for all of your craft supplies during winter craft shows and the Christmas season every time unannounced visitors are standing on your porch, on or around January12th, the room will finally explode.

I have learned when you buy that small roast, just big enough for two, you will get company at dinner time, and they will be hungry.

I have learned deciding to grow out your hair sounds like an excellent idea, until the 3rd week. It is at this time you find yourself with scissors in front of the mirror. When you are done your hair needs cut shorter than it has ever been and when people look at your bangs they tilt their heads.

I have learned that when buying birdcages begins to be an obsession, you need to join a program. An average size house can only hold so many birdcages.

I have learned to put the double stick tape dispenser up after every use, especially if you have cats.....this is crucial.

I have learned there is not a thing in the world that doesn't need a little glitter.

No, I did not make resolutions for this new year, as I said I have learned my lessons well, and it will be at least sometime in Feburary before I forget them.

Gift O Rama

2008-12-18T15:21:00.001-08:00

I just finished updating my blog with three posts full of the gift-o-rama, and what I got from all my talented artsy friends.

So this little sneak peek should entice you to go check it out.

Jenelle's collage drawer fascinates me. Her art is always done so cleanly and perfect, in horizontal and vertical planes. My own is so slip-shoddy and whimsical, that now that I have one of Jenelle's larger pieces here, it reminds me how different but amazing all of my friends' styles are.

Jenelle's mom Maggie made me a bunch of knitted things that I adore. Here I am in my new hat and scarf:

And Jackie really outdid herself on this book: Its handsewn binding is beautiful. And the glass knob. I LOVE vintage knobbery.

Under the book is a stack of vintage feed sack dish cloths that my mom made me, and a closer look at the scarf from Maggie.

I'm sure this isn't the last that I'll write about the giftorama, but for now, check out my blog for more:

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

2008-12-18T10:25:00.000-08:00

so I suppose you noticed the post was not completed yesterday........well it was all there and somewhere between spell check and publish part of it disappeared.....so as paul harvey says here's the rest of the story. there will be no pictures of the prizes from the gift-o-rama.....photos could not do them justice.....wonderful hand knit items, a glittered branch with sparkling marbles, a vintage winter village, my very own jackieopoly game altered for MY LIFE, naturally there was a queens journal to jot down the comings and goings at court, and the most outrageous trombone decked in beads and baubles......and I opened them all in my very own crown while holding my scepter given to me at the beginning............absolutely over the moon. The talent at that table was amazing and I kept wondering what the hell I was doing there. Cindy managed to give me one of the most memorable Christmas' ever................
thank you my friend
jackie

2008-12-17T11:00:00.000-08:00

O.K. ya know how you build an upcoming event up in you mind and every day it gets bigger and bigger like a giant balloon, the day comes and then **phisf**............ there is a hole in your balloon and all of those expectations start to deflate like the balloon? Well, that gift-o-rama had worked me into to a frenzy, stress, butterflies in stomach kind of anticipation and the December 14th rolled around......friends gathered, glasses were lifted and handcrafted presents were passed out.......my balloon just kept getting bigger and bigger until it carried me over the moon.

New Mixed Media Pendants

2008-12-04T11:28:00.001-08:00

A few months ago, I found a set of 28 flat, screen-painted wood dominoes at Target. For ONE dollar.

I had no idea what I'd end up doing to them, but I knew I had to have them. And they sat around forever. Every time my nephew saw them, he said, "Me want that!" Every time he did, I considered giving them to him, but in the back of my mind, I knew I needed them. And I did. I needed them so I could make these fabulous new necklaces. So after several hours of priming (paint wouldn't stick at first so they had to be sanded and primed) and painting and snipping and glueing and sorting buttons and bingo chips and beading and stringing, here is what happened. A few of my favorites have a close-up shot, but all of these will be appearing in my Etsy Shop tonight. And for only $9 with FREE shipping.

All of the necklaces nested into a velvet-lined box.

Sing: The Chaffinch

Simple Things

Live Well This Life

Mama said there'd be days like this.

Cow Girl

You all missed out on "If you don't have anything nice to say, come sit by me" because I sold that one at Jewett, as well as a couple other ones.

What you need to make your own:
Dremel
Hemp Cording
Old Junk items such as buttons, bits of doilies, lace, bingo chips, etc.
Domino blanks of some sort
Crafter's Pick Ultimate water-based super glue
Beads
Scissors
Old paper goods from which to select cool pictures or images
Sandpaper & Primer (maybe)
Shoe Polish or oil paint
Matte Spray

How to:
Test your dominoes and see if paint sticks. If not, sand them and paint them a base color.
Glue your images to the domino, and let dry.
Glue words, if any, to the domino, and let dry.
Glue junk to the domino, careful not to cover up the spot you want to drill the hole, and let dry.
Optionally, you can stain the necklace at this point with oil paint, shoe polish, or some other grunge-up medium.
Drill a hole in the top middle, or at both top corners with the dremel.
Tie a length of hemp cording into the holes with a slip-knot, and then thread the ties through a bead/group of beads. Tie this off, and then tie the two strands together to form the loop through which your head will go. Be careful not to cut the cording too short to go over your head.
Optionally, you can put jewelry closures on the cording if you want a shorter necklace.

surprise in my mailbox

2008-12-03T17:54:00.000-08:00

Today I had a happy surprise in my mailbox.....usually it is bills and junk mail, but today, an atc.
My new friend Shaun sent me a wonderful very well done card. He had incorporated several different techniques and the colors were fabulous, which is what I always look for first. Then I look to see something that gives me a peek into the personality of the sender. I had no idea a wild west fan was hiding somewhere in there. Now I can go back to the "gift-o-rama" challenge with more insite than I had before. Not that I am changing a THING......ONE MILLION HOURS IS ENOUGH FOR ONE DAMN GIFT............just kidding your worth it, Shaun

snowman pattern

2008-11-25T10:07:00.000-08:00

Well, it is another snowy Ohio day. The days are flying by right into the gift-o-rama exchange....and am I working feverishly on my gifts for my friends ? OH NO, I goofed around today and made a snowman....and yes, of course I know panic will set in and this chick will be frothing at the mouth the very night before I need those gifts. Why can't I stay focused....because I am a flibbertigibbet ! The pattern for the snowman will be for sale on etsy
http://www.jackiesplace.etsy.com/
Yesterday, my friend Stella and I went to Amish country hunting just the right gift for my daughter,Chrissy. I did find some small things but not the "IT" gift.....last year it was an antique dress form and it was perfect. Things were kind of quiet in the usually bustling Berlin, but it was Monday, I suppose. On the way home we made an emergency stop for ice cream and the best coffee at Wallhouse in Sugarcreek, ice cream always consoles a sad shopper, and nothing is as depressing as embarking on a Christmas shopping quest and coming home empty handed.

I loved the clip art shoe Cindy put on the blog...I think everyone ought to use that piece on an A.T.C and send them to ME.....that is a wonderful idea.....she has the whole sheet for sale on her etsy site. http://www.lifeoneuropa.etsy.com/

I hope everyone has a fabulous Thanksgiving and survives black friday.....

Free Collage Image: Vintage Shoe

2008-11-19T20:18:00.001-08:00

I've been scanning vintage shoe images for a Collage Image Set to sell on Etsy, and I decided to offer one of them up here, for free. Consider it an appetizer. It's a nice Mary Jane / Pump from the 1940's, taken from a shoe store ad that ran in an Ohio River Valley newspaper in the 1940's era. The images in the "Dress Ups" set are all from that ad, which was showing the shoe store's Easter collection. To use the image, save it to your computer, click on the image to open up the larger size, and then save, (Right click, Save as:) and then print it. This is a high-resolution .png image, so you can resize it down to whatever size you wish for your collages and art projects using your favorite photo editing software. You can do whatever you like with the image, even use it in craft projects that you intend to sell. The only thing I ask is that you do not include it in image sets that you wish to sell because, well, because that would be a bit dishonest. If you've made something awesome using the image, let me know, and I'll post a link to it from here. Enjoy!

For more images like this one, check out my Collage Set, a .pdf file in two pages (original and in black and white clip art) on Etsy:

Dress Ups Collage Sheet Set: Vintage Shoes

the saga of jackies kitchen

2008-11-16T10:55:00.001-08:00

Today is another stab in kitchen renovation......the infamous 3 year kitchen project, my husband assured me was a "snap". So Sunday dinner preparation is going to be worked around clamps, screwdrivers, and a "big" freaking saw.....he has also assured me the dust catcher on this brand new must have saw is wonderful. Tell me again why I am trusting a man who misled me three years ago when he started this project and why do i see sawdust covering my things in my future? Adding to the confusion are a few pets, did I mention I have nine cats?????? Well, in all actuality they are not all mine, some are left overs from my son and daughter the others just wandered in. Of course they all have different personalities and range in size from very tiny ewok looking to a humongous "Mr. Ears" bull dog / small coffee table type.
It is very hard to concentrate with all the construction but I have to get back to work on gifts for the December "gift-o-rama". There are seven of us, all artsy fartsy types but all very different styles. I am so excited because it has forced us out of our safe little boxes to create something in another area of art. Right now I am fixing my gaze on what I want to make for Shaun. It is sitting here challenging me....in fact I believe it just stuck its tongue out at me, but after befuddeling me for 4 days it is winning this battle. My creative flow seems petrified at the moment....but no fears, Shaun my "pea brain" is just resting on its flat side , I will get up and dance frantically to Dr.Hook"s "mamas got a squeeze box' (thats what is playing) until the pea rolls over and starts working. What a vision.......

Some Christmas Spirit

2008-11-14T20:21:00.001-08:00

We went to the Fort Steuben Mall tonight to set up our Christmas trees for the 1st annual Magical Festival of Trees. They had an empty storefront opened for a tree decorating party, and there were quite a few people scurrying around putting together their trees.

The event is a fundraiser for Big Brother/Big Sister of Jefferson County. The trees will be on display starting Sunday, and the event continues through the day after Thanksgiving.

Mall patrons can wander through the trees and view them. They are all for sale. There is also a voting event. Each vote costs one cent - yes! Only a penny.

I would love for my literary tree to win. Just because nobody gets it.

There are two issues of Plain Spoke back to back for the tree topper. Blue Paper comes down the tree in a cascade like water, and makes a swirly vignette around the bottom of the trunk. And then there are bunches and bunches of literary figures wearing Santa hats and riding around the tree in paper boats.

Pictured here is the Virginia Woolf boat.

She said she would wear the Santa hat herself.

I'll be posting more photos in my blog after Sunday.

happy birthday to you..........

2008-11-14T13:20:00.000-08:00

so I bet she thinks I forgot..........nope, mind like a steel trap, this one! Today I made Cindy a birthday card..... she will probably see it on here before she gets it....so i guess this makes it like a movie trailer....a TEASE....
starting with gold cardstock, it was scored and folded, then with a Tim Holtz timeworks mask and vintage photo ink on a blender tool, I embellished the entire card and envelope. a torn tag was stamped and distressed on the edges with the same vintage photo ink. raffia was tied to the tag and attached with my trusty scotch ATG700 tape gun...........so happy birthday my friend, you continue to astonish and amaze me...........

so here i am....blogging

2008-11-13T12:12:00.000-08:00

from Jackie, the most boring woman in the world this is going to be a stretch. After doing my normal morning chores, most of those revolving around my numerous cats, yes, i am the crazy cat lady. I have decided to put off working on my projects for the 1st annual gift-o-rama, and make an ATC for my new friend Shaun. Being inspired when i found the cutest photo of a little boy I stamped a background, As I was looking at my little boy he was just screaming for wings and a dot of my new fired brick distress stickles on his hat. I was lucky enough to take a class with Tim Holtz and had a cigar band left over from the project we did, so on to the top it went, this was quite an addition, I am horribly selfish with my stash. The edges were distressed with black ink with a blender. Now it is on to the envelope.