Thursday, December 31, 2009

Mojo.

This is our Mojo Jar.  It lives on the window sill above our kitchen sink.  It's full of random little bits that we've had or found that have significance in our life.


All the stuff.
 
Each little thing has a story, but don't worry I won't bore you with all of them.

Fairy Thimble.

I picked this up one day while walking my dog.  I had just browsed through my first copy of Found Magazine and was determined to find something to send in.  All I had to do was look down.  Try it, you may find something wonderful.

These are my favorites, all in one picture.

Strange combination, huh?  A spent bullet, a button and baby teeth.

The baby teeth are from our pets.  They were the first animals that Dillon and I raised from birth.  Of course we'd both had pets before but these were our first as a family, so we're a bit sentimental.  The larger one being from our dog, Tequila.  It makes me laugh whenever I see it because he had the worst breath when he was getting his adult teeth but he was too cute to push away.  You just had to suffer.  The smaller one is from one of our kitties, either Chunk or Princess Franki.  We aren't quite sure, as they were both teething at the same time.  It's sharp as hell too.  I found it the hard way, in the bottom of my foot, ouch!

As for the bullet and the button, they are a pair and have a very interesting story behind them.  It starts in Las Vegas, Nevada.  We were in an area of the dessert where people often go shooting.  Lots of people bring stuff out there to use as targets.  On this particular occasion there was a mannequin that had been outfitted with a wig and some rather frightening make-up.  Picture Divine mixed with Lady Gaga, it was terrifying.  After shooting it a few times we went to prop it back up.  Upon closer inspection we realized it was dressed in a Postal workers uniform.  After our nervous laughter, Dillon decided that this was too good an opprtunity to pass up.  He needed it.  He took the destroyed one from the mannequin and the bonus one (with considerably less damage) that was laying nearby.  After putting it on, he realized that there was something in the front pocket.  It was the bullet, it had been shot into the shirt but didn't go all the way through.  Isn't that nuts?  The button is from the first shirt on the mannequin, it was hanging on by a thread- literally. 

Dillon going postal.

(And yes, he did wear it for pretty much the rest of the day.)
He had decided then and there that he had just found that year's Halloween costume.  Conveniently, it was already shot up so all he had to do was add fake blood.


Anyways, long story short, may you have good Mojo for 2010.  Wishing you and yours a very happy New Year.  Have fun and be safe out there!

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Mail Fix.

The other day I mentioned my mail obsession.  Well, to keep this good thing going requires I have a healthy intake of stamps on a regular basis.  When I was out and about last week I picked up a little Christmas present for myself.  The man working the counter the day I purchased these became visibly upset when I asked for 10 cent stamps.  He said, "Don't have 'em!"  To which I replied, "Oh ok, like your particular drawer/ mail center is out of them or the post office in general doesn't make 10 cent stamps?"  He just repeated himself, which didn't really clear anything up for me.  However, it was Monday during the week of Christmas so rather than experience a total meltdown from the guy and possibly "line rage" from my fellow customers I admitted defeat and walked out with 5 cent stamps.

Little lovelies about to settle into their new home in my address book.

The mention of little lovelies brings to mind some ATCs that I've received but not yet shared with you guys.

The first, Diamonds, comes from brendagrace in Australia.

Hardly as pretty as in real life.  I used this photo to capture the shimmer in the corner, can you see it?  Since Dillon picked this card I'm going to frame it for his desk, as a friend for another vintage lady that already lives there.

Lady at the Opera comes from mrsb007 in Illinois.

mmmm, texture.

Thank you ladies for your gorgeous cards.

P.S.- Ol' Bessie update!
I took her into the doctor and she's going to be ok.  Jim at Parkside Sewing (is the best!) had her purring within seconds.  He took one look and said "Oh!  No biggie, it's just threaded wrong."  Now I feel a little less guilty about the cheap thread I had in there.  I spent 15 minutes and learned a wealth of information.  I'm going to schedule a lesson with him and pretty soon I'll be a sewing guru (according to Jim.)  Maybe I'll be able to snag a few photos of my new hero and his shop, it's very quaint.  It has the most awesome wall of old school aviation photos and memorabilia (his mother in law was a airplane pilot in the 1930s!  Yes, I only spent 15 minutes in there and know this.)

Much better, no?

A big thumbs up to Jim at Parkside Sewing!

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Tuesday is for Teaser!

As promised, a giveaway teaser!

This little jar of whimsies will be in the ATC Kit Giveaway.
I love little doodads on my cards, don't you?

And this is for all of the stitchy folks out there.

A teaser for the embroidery giveaway.


Speaking of giveaways, look what I received from the lovely Floresita at Feeling Stitchy.


I was one of ten surprise winners in her giveaway a few weeks ago.  I wish I'd had the patience to take a picture before I opened it, it was wrapped so nicely.  However, I was like, "Accckkkkk, a present!!!" and promptly tore into it before I thought to grab a my camera.  What can I say?  It was Christmas time and my inner child was craving that tearing paper sound.  I feel so lucky!  A big thank you to the awesome folks at Feeling Stitchy!

Monday, December 28, 2009

My Crafty Man.

I spent at least an hour of Christmas Eve watching Dillon torture poor ol' Bessie.  I'll be honest, I was terrified the whole time.

It all started when I set up the sewing machine to stitch a little something up.  It was meant to be a really quick project, 10 minutes max.  The kind of thing that takes you longer to set up then it does to actually stitch.  Upon hearing that I had not yet taken advantage of some of then fancy stitches I have, Dillon insisted upon showing me.  Not that he knew how to do it really, but he'd been shown by the man he purchased it from.  Gotta love him for trying!  Admittedly, my hubby is a genius and a whiz with machinery so I trusted him.  For some reason, after hearing about how crafty his Mom is, I just figured maybe he'd played around with one as a kid.  It wasn't until after he'd started that he casually mentioned he'd never used a sewing machine before.  Great.
 
This happened.  A lot.

Yes, the manual was consulted.  Several times.

The end result.  Lovely isn't it? 
 Needless to say, I never got around to stitching up that one little thing.  Such is life.  And I heard some noises that I don't think are good to be coming from a sewing machine.  I'm hoping that it was just the thread that I had loaded in there in a pinch.  I know, shame on me, cheap thread is the worst for ol' Bessie.  I went to the craft store to get some nice, high quality thread and I'm hoping that makes her all better.  I've been too frightened to fire her back up since then, but that's on my list for the beginning of this week.  After all that Bessie has been through this holiday, I'm going to do something nice for her, I'm getting her some ink.  I can't wait to pick up some paint pens and give her a tattoo!

Sunday, December 27, 2009

It really works!

Some of you guys may have noticed the button that I added recently.

I joined Postcrossing a few weeks ago because I am a huge mail enthusiast.  (I have a stamp habit that some would say is worse than crack, lol.)  Well, I'm pleased to announce that it really works!  I received my first card this past week, just in time for a holiday surprise.  I thought it was super ironic my first card came from New York State, as that is where I'm from. 


The following ones are the ones I've sent out so far.
 To the Netherlands.

To Finland.
 
To Portugal.
 
To Germany.
 
This last one is from one of my favorite places in the whole world- Bodie, California.  It's a ghost town located outside of Yosmite, near Mono Lake and Mammoth, CA.  Dillon and I have been there so many times, but as soon as we leave I just can't wait to go back.  For some reason I feel a huge connection to the place, I would love to live closer so I could go all of the time.  I read every book about it I can get my hands on!  I'll have many more posts about Bodie to come, as I am starting a painting series based on some photos Dillon took.  A few stitched pieces too!

Friday, December 25, 2009

Snapshot Friday!

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas...

Happy Holidays to all!

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Tarjetas.

Local

Newspaper and junk mail on Bristol.
This one stems from a desire to have our household only eat food from within 100 miles of us.  We are lucky enough to live in an area where there are tons of options for locally grown, (award winning) organic food.  However, with the lifestyle we lead now, it's not always possible to eat this way 100% of the time.  Someday though...


The Dude Abides

Paper clippings, embroidery floss and coaster on Bristol.
In case you guys haven't noticed, I'm a huge fan of the Coen brothers.  The Big Lebowski is one of the best movies.  Ever.


Oh, Christmas Tree.

Paper, glitter, metallic embroidery floss, plastic charm and beads on Bristol.
I had to get a Christmas one in there.  I love how the beads look on this one.

Thanks for looking.
May you have a warm holiday surrounded by those you love!

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Christmas Stitchery!

Hey boys and girls!  Sorry it's been so long since I've said hi.  I don't want you to think that I've forgot about you though.  Earlier this week I went shopping for some extra goodies for the ATC kit giveaway and I've been stitching like crazy for the hand-embroidered piece.  Don't worry- I'll post some teaser picks for those of you who just can't wait to see.

This year I stitched up a few of my Christmas cards.  Of course, it was meant to be one those projects I slowly worked on all year so that I could have tons of them but, yeah, that didn't happen.  There's always next year.  I've been such a naughty crafter.  Anyways, onto the holiday cuteness.

I couldn't get good pictures this time around.  So, the green looks totally different in all of them.  This first one is probably the most representational of the true color of the card-stock.


 
 
 
 
I covered the backs to hide the stitches.
 
 
 
 

I used some Sublime Stitching patterns to make these bad boys.  Giggly Mama has some super cute, crayon tinted ones she made using the same patterns.  Check them out here!  We even used the same set up for our penguins, great minds think alike!  Got to give her props on her tinting, she said it was the first time she'd ever tried it.  Well, you'd never know, because they look great.

Thanks for looking and have a great day!

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Tunes.

Some of the musical gems found in the box of 45s from the other day.  It appears that someone cleaned out a bar's jukebox, because there is quite a bit of variety.  Motley Crue, INXS, Bad Company, Edie Money, Billy Joel, Heart- the gang's all there.  Don't worry Def Leppard, Foreigner, and ZZ Top make appearances too.  There's a few classics, like Patsy Cline and Hank Williams, Sr.

These are a few of my favorites.


 

And what jukebox would be complete without this one?


Even a little holiday music.  For those patrons enjoying too much of the spirits and longing for the good ol' days.


Hope you all enjoy a wonderful weekend!


Friday, December 18, 2009

Snapshot Friday!

Tis' the season for a Christmas photo!  I gather that this is holiday photo based on the cards displayed in the background as well as the red & green wrapping paper on the floor.  Ok, so they're not all bundled up for snowy weather, but maybe it was taken here in CA.

This gorgeous gal looks pumped about whatever tape she's about to play.  Aside from having a lovely lady, this photo is also awesome for the following reasons:
*the satin dress on the girl about to rock out
*the Macrame vest
* Girl wearing said vest is also hold a Chicago record
* the fake mantle with "Home Sweet Home" sign

Thanks for looking!

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Mail Call!

Recent trades I've received.  The mail was good to me this week.

The following two are from Cardhappy2009 in Illinois.  Thanks Lori!

Saint


Kiss your favorite Beatle

The lips on top move!


The next two came to me from kcluveda in Louisiana.  Thanks Eda!

Cats and Kittens 2


Measure Up


Lovely aren't they?  Be sure to check these ladies out.  Maybe they have something that would be perfect for trading with you.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

The Mother Lode.

A friend recently gave Dillon a box filled with 45s.  Knowing my tendency to hoard crafting supplies Dillon passed the box along to me.  Why?  Because it was covered with a ridiculous amount stamps.  Some of my friendly neighbors to the North may recognize some of these gems.

Check it out.  There are tons.
(Click on any image to see it larger.)

 
 
 
I think the ones with the funky shapes are amazing!  I've never seen stamps like that.  Am I just sheltered when it comes to the world of stamps or are these as unusual as I think they are?

Aaaaccckkkk, I LOVE THEM! 

 

I told you there was a lot!  Any favorites?