RIP Computer...

Last week my computer died. My computer tech told me this is the second time in 10 years that he has not been able to retrieve files from a hard drive. To make things worse, I felt impressed to copy my photos onto cd's like I have in the past before I had the computer fixed. (and all those times I didn't lose anything) so I brushed off the impression and there you go. LUCKILY, I have this fabulous blog that I've uploaded highlights of the last year's family events and artsy/craftsy projects. I'm using my laptop now, but when I buy a new computer, I'm going to also get one of those nifty external hard drives to save my "stuff" on. Lesson learned...

"clink...click...clunk....clink......"

This morning as Daisy and I were eating breakfast, I hear "clink...click...clunk....clink......." So I go into the TV room, look around and everything looks fine. Wait, there are a few ornaments on the ground. We are constantly telling the little glamchildren to "look, don't touch" the Christmas tree ornaments, so I just thought my cute little Daisy was just too tempted while watching Nick Jr. Then, I look over at Cosmo's log that he sits on and no Cosmo. (He's been investigating the house so I just thought he was "around"...) Then I just happened to look up at the tree, and there is Cosmo. He had crawled up through the branches with no where else to go but down. (and I think he was a little scared) So poor Cosmo is in "time out". He is now in his parent's room enjoying the heat lamp. The branches on the Christmas tree were easily bent back to shape and all is well.

Last night the power went off....

Last night while a huge storm was passing through the valley, the power went off. Good thing I had just purchased these reading glassed that have lights built in that turn on in an emergency!!!

Catching Up, Black Friday...

After Thanksgiving dinner, my girls talked me into going with them to the mall at midnight. We were crushed in a mad mob of people all going through the only two doors that were opened at the strike of 12. I got in the "costumer service" line while they scratched their way to the shops for fabulous deals. About an hour and a half latter they joined me in line. The line got progressively thicker as the rest of the mob did the same thing. I felt a little comforted that one of the security guards stood around my place in line. People were starting to get a little "ugly"... After completing that task, we then camped outside of the Old Navy store. We were just a few people behind when the last free Wi games were handed out. bummer....

Then we drove to the Walmart by Anthem. I stood in the toy aisle for 45 minutes ready to grab the assigned merchandise that I was instructed to get. The stacks literally flew down to nothing in 2 minutes. It was getting "uglier". Then I went to stand in line to pay for all these great buys and when I let two of my daughters in with me, (I was already pushing two carts full of their stuff) when the people behind me started calling me the "B" word.)

Did I mention that we actually had a really fun time?!!! Will I go next year? I'm still on the fence about that.

Catching Up, Thanksgiving...

We spend Thanksgiving day at Glampa Fabulous's mother's house. Her name is "Grandma GREAT!" (with explanation mark) It has been tradition for the grand & great-grand children to decorate gingerbread houses during the day while final preparation is being done to the Thanksgiving Feast. Look how original and cute the houses are that my daughter Hilari made for her boys out of gram crackers! If you are not decorating and filling your own belly with candy, Grandma GREAT! provides other options to fill the day like highly competitive ping pong games or acquiring a few bruises while jumping and sliding in the inflatable playground.

Grandma GREAT!'s back yard is a fabulous playground in itself with a trampoline,

Swing sets and jungle gyms,

and room to explore....

But the main attraction is still the FOOD. Glampa's side of the family are all about gourmet enticements all the way. (that's where my daughters learned how to cook, thank heavens they had lots of people around to learn from. They still call up their Dad or Grandma GREAT! for hints to make the perfect gravy, 7 minute icing or fried chicken soaked in buttermilk)

I didn't get the chance to photograph all the people who were eating inside, but there are a lot of us and it is always a lot of fun at Grandma GREAT!'s house.

Bethlehem Costumes Finished!

So I FINALLY finished sewing my "Bethlehem Costumes". I ended up sewing 32! The tips of my fingers are dry and jabbed with tiny pin holes, but it was worth it. I can't wait to see all of my family dressed up in them! And all those extra kits flew out the door. But before I can put my sewing machine away, I need to make a bed skirt out of this material...

and sew one additional Christmas Boot Stocking for Baby Pearl. Then the Bernina will have a rest (at least for a couple weeks )...

Bethlehem Costumes and Instructions

So our church is having "A Night in Bethlehem" family party where there will be "shops" that feature all things in the time when Christ was born. (Glampa Fabulous and I will be running a pottery shop where everyone can roll some clay and inscribe their names in Hebrew and make ornaments for their trees at home.) And of course there will be a nativity scene and a musical program about the birth of Jesus Christ. Above are some of the costumes I have made for me, Glampa and the Glamchildren.

And here is a pile of costumes waiting to be sewn...
I went to Home Fabrics and Rugs when they had their $1 sale this last Tuesday and bought over 120 yards of fabric!!! I was able to cut out 83 outfits consisting of a tunic, long vest and a belt. I needed 27 outfits for just my family and the rest went to friends. (I do have a few "outfits" pictured above if any of you want one ((already cut out, but you have to sew them))...first come, first served.)

I researched costume patterns and put together these instructions that I thought I'd pass on to you. The first sheet contains a simple tunic and vest guidelines that you measure to the people in your family. Below are a few non-sewing ideas that I found.
On Christmas Eve, we have the glamkids dress up and Glampa reads from Luke about the Savior's birth. This year I'll have these "fancy" costumes, but it is just as meaningful to just read the story without the costumes as a family. It is also fun to tell the kids to go put together outfits and props from around the house. It's cute to see a child wrapped in a sheet or towel and caring a perfume bottle as one of the three kings, or pinning a paper tail and ears on to be a donkey... Hope these instructions can be of use to you!

I almost forgot, above are a few "head hole" ideas. Just remember to cut small, then cut the opening larger if you need to. (mistake made, lesson learned already.)

Fabulous Finds!

Last week I stopped by my favorite secondhand shops at Cactus and Cave Creek Rd's. and went into a shop that I had never been to before....(it's small and I guess that's why) anyway, I got these two jackets and two pair of shoes for $4 a piece !!!!!

AND all the pieces had never been worn before! Not only were the deals wonderful but the shop is run by volunteers and all the money (except for rent and utilities) goes to the Halo Animal Rescue fund. Their website is http://www.halorescue.org/. I will definitely be going back. (the blue tweed jacket's sleeves are too short, so I thought I'd find some wonderful shear fabric, tear the hem edge and add a ruffle to each sleeve. Maybe make a fabric flower of the same fabric for the lapel..... I'll "show and tell" when I'm finished.)

A Bling Bracelet to Die For!!!

So I have been collecting broken vintage and new jewelry for a while and finally felt like I had enough to make this bracelet. I started off with an empty tape tube. I cut a piece out so that it was a standard bracelet size, taped it back together and then wrapped it with black ribbon. I glued the outside of the bracelet and ribbon so that there would not be a "give" when I glued the "bling" on.

I used E6000 glue. Some of the jewels were my Grandmother Bochman's and some were $1 store and thrift store finds. A few of the jewels are from the bridal section at Hobby Lobby when they were 1/2 off. This bracelet is HEAVY!!! But I LOVE it and can't wait to wear it.

Fabric Flower Pins

Last Friday my good friend Marilyn had a few of us over to lunch and do some hand sewing while we caught up. All the other gals are wiz's at quilting (in fact a few of them teach at The Quilted Apple in Phoenix) Anyway, I haven't caught on, so I made these fabric flower pins. I wore the black one to church on Sunday. I LOVE the neutral colored one with the pearls. I also just LOVE it when I finish a craft on the same day that I start one!

Halloween Night

The Glamchildren are trying hard to be patient with all of our picture taking. Candy is waiting!!!

Our littlest glamchild: Piglet

a Leopard Cat, a Princess and Pooh...
a Witch,
Buzz LightYear,

Harry Potter,

a Lady Pirate,

a Mountain Man...

Albert Einstein and...

and a Scary Dead Rocker. Happy Halloween 2009!!!

Troop Beverly Kills! My Roller Derby Team...

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Halloween Party 2009

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Halloween Story #6 "Small Tales in the Cemetery"

Small Tales in the Cemetery starts with my perusing the Internet for Halloween decoration ideas. I found this idea using plastic pink flamingos, so then I found a site to buy them and lo and behold, they actually sell more colors than pink! I bought a pair of black ones and within a couple days they were in a box on my front porch. I painted the beaks and eyes black and proceeded to paint flamingo skeletons on each side. My family brought it to my attention that Gnomes, plastic squirrels and other plastic yard ornaments could be altered the same way! So that will be a story for next year.

Glamson Slade always likes to help me decorate and he willingly obliged by pouring red paint on the underside of a worn out black bird.

This small tale starts on one side of the entry way with a group of birds waiting to peck someone...and ends on the other side of the entry way with the vulture eating one of those birds. Yuck!
And the last small tale is one of imprisonment. This unlucky lady has been locked in her chair for centuries.

and the gate keeper holds the keys. He also has been waiting a very long time.
Happy Haunting!

Halloween Story #5 "Visit The Wicked Museum"

Take time to visit The Wicked Museum. The gallery has a collection of objects of the people from the great land of OZ. Notes of interest include The Wicked Witch of the West's personal belongings. Her broom is parked by a display that features a cherished baby photo, her black pointy hat given to her by her friend Galinda long before the terrible days. Also shown are her boots worn over the years. (I took a black and white photo of myself as a baby and tinted the skin green. The boots were my Great Great Grandmothers.)Elphaba's (known later as the Wicked Witch of the West) belongings were donated by The Historical Society of OZ.Below is an old childhood art project.
These small boots were worn by Elphaba when she was a very small child. (originally my Great Grandmothers. Isn't that fabulous that my Grandmother saved them?!)

A keepsake photo that Galinda gave Elphaba while at Chiz University.

Galinda (Glinda the Good Witch) belongings were donated by The Junior League of OZ.

Glalinda's party dress was bought by my daughter for a prom years ago. I'm glad she kept it.

fun stuff...