Happy Mother's Day and Mug Shot Necklaces

    A belated Happy Mother's Day to all the females in my life and on our planet. I am thankful to all my "Mothers" - Women (both family & friends) that have nurtured and taught me by example how to be a good person. Even though the world is full of creepy stuff, with each other's help we can live happy, fulfilled lives together. XO
    Oh, I started to post these fun necklaces and realized I should be posting some flowery things...Oh Well.

Children and Adult Kerchief Pattern

A good fellow from church asked me if I could make some "bibs" for the special needs kids that are in his class at the school where he teaches. He said that the kids do not like the word "bib" as they are not babies. There is also a great need for these KERCHIEFS in elderly care facilities too. So I made a pattern from the sample that he gave me. Here it is: 1. Take a page from your local newspaper and unfold it. From one corner, measure and mark 20" to each side.

2. Then fold the two 20" marks together and draw a line that is 90 degrees from the marks to the folded end. Mark and cut along this line. This will give you a triangle with two sides that are 20" with the longest end measuring 28 1/2" long.

3. Cut one piece of cotton fabric.
4. And cut one piece of terry cloth fabric. (The terry cloth will absorb spills and an occasional drool) I was able to cut 8 triangles out of a beach towel that was on clearance for the terry cloth fabric. It was much cheaper that buying the fabric by the yard.
5. With right sides together, sew a 1/2" seam all the way around leaving a opening of about 8".

6. Cut off the corners and turn the kerchief right side out.

7. Top stitch 1/8" to 1/4" all the way around the kerchief. (strait stitch or any decorative stitch)

8. Cut 3" of Velcro and sew onto the kerchief so that it is adjustable and easy to take on and off.
The Kerchief is reversible. I tried to find basic colors that were not gender specific. I think that this is a fabulous service project that you can work on alone, as a family or use as a beginner sewing project. It's also fun to hang out with girl friends and sit, sew and visit for a good cause. I know that you will have no problem finding a facility that needs these kerchiefs desperately. If you don't know of one, I'd be glad to help you get them where they need to be.

Free Children's Bow Tie Pattern

For my Nephew's wedding in two weeks, my sister wanted all the little boys to wear bow ties. They are hard to find, topping that with needing 8 and in a certain color to match the little girl's dresses proved hard to do. So I looked online for patterns. Some were just too time consuming and I didn't want to order one, so I measured one of my glamson's ties and made up this pattern. I have used so many patterns that fabulous bloggers have shared, so it was time again to reciprocate... Here's my pattern for you to use and/or modify: (Oops! I acidentally put 5"x10" pieces in #1 of the instructions. It should be 5x7 1/2")

My Glamsons all LOVE to wear bow ties. I think they got it from their Glampa... (along with their ears.)

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.)

New Shoes!!!

Well, you know how it is: shopping can be sometimes fun or frustrating. Yesterday it was FABULOUS! After my doctor appointment and waiting for my car's oil change, I thought I would visit a few of my old favorites in my old side of town. My first stop: Nordstroms Rack. I got these wonderful Naughty Monkey shoes for $29. I looked up the designer on the Internet and now this brand is my new favorite! I love, love, love them, and they are comfortable too! (not to mention that the price was a quarter of what they are selling them for online.)

Then, I took some of my better cast off clothes that my girls wouldn't be caught dead in to A Second Look. It has been two years since I have traded clothes there and they still had a $86 check waiting for me! I got these never used Etienne Aigner boot/shoes for $8.95!

And I could not pass these Wild Rose tweed boots up (also never used) for $12.95! I think they might look great with this blouse and blazer below. The teals are slightly off but with jeans or a skirt in between I think it might work. I will of course have to consult with my fashionita daughters for a go ahead.

Now back to real life and cleaning the kitchen... but thanks for letting me brag-share!

My NEW LOOK!

Well, for a long time now, my family has complained about my comfortable, all I wear when I am home- "house dress". I have looked at every store trying to find more fashionable attire to strut my stuff in and everything is made for 80 year old grandmothers. (I did find a leopard print caftan, but it's too hot for the summer). ANYWAY, I got to thinking..."SCRUBS"!!!! I would not have to even change to go to the store because people would think that I was just coming home from work AND that I was probably SMART! So two of my daughters bought me some Scrubs for Mother's Day. I can't wait to try them out!

Now all I need are some white tennis shoes!

I got 6 inches cut off of my hair!!!!!!!

So here it is, the new hair style! I have been thinking about doing this for a year now and I took the plunge today. I just hope that I can style it the way my darling hairdresser did. She also said that I can do a lot of fun stuff to it, sure hope so because it will take a long time to grow back. and I just realized my self portrait is outdated, studio here I come!

Everyones Blogging!

Well, my middle daughter Kelli finally made her blog! I told her it was a requirement to have a blog especially if you have children. She is expecting her very first baby in July. We are all so excited. So check out her blog once in a while. Kelli is an amazingly talented girl. She makes these wedding cake toppers out of Fimo Clay. She sculpts the couples clothes in the same fashion as the brides and grooms original outfits. She also adds such wonderful detail, I can't wait for you to get to know her!

My Kentucky Derby Hat Swap ...

Since I live in the Grand Canyon State of ARIZONA, I decided to go Cowgirl Fabulous! I covered an office box with retro western fabric, and I glued a Tupperware bowl open side down to make a "hat holder"
Here is the finished box and tag the goes with it.
And here is the hat! First, I glittered the brim of the Cowgirl hat, then I made a bow out of ivory netting and weaved in some copper conch's. The grand finale is the crown with "Genuine Fools Gold Nuggets" that I glued on to add a touch of Cowgirl Fabulousness Class!!!! (ha-ha)
I sure hope my "partner" enjoys wearing it. "YE HAAAAAA !!!!!"

Thank You Dillards Clearence Sales!

Yesterday, I went to Dillards with my girls for their bi-annual Shoe clearance. Twice a year the store discounts their out of season shoes 75%. Then a little while after that they take of more and more %'s. I got 4 pair of shoes for $49 as Dillards was taking another 30% off!

So today,I added those shoes to my collection. I LOVE shoes! They always fit and even when you don't look so good, your shoes can make you feel like you look FABULOUS!

So in trying to stay "age-appropriate" and still trying to be "hip" I have quite a few pair of leopard shoes, all kinds of bling and some really cute "if I were not dressing somewhat conservatively, I might look like one of "those fancy ladies".....

Anyway, I like to keep my FABULOUS shoes in see-through containers and then I lake photos of them and tape the photo on the outside of the box. This way I never forget I own that wonderful pair that just goes FABULOUSLY with an outfit. Yeah for Shoes!!!!

Carma's Nursery

Chelsea and Dusty did such an amazing job in putting together their first born's nursery. They were given the crib by fabulous friend Sandy and the changing table by fabulous sister Hilari. Dusy painted them. He did such a good job that if you touch them, you would think that the crib and changing table are brand new! I made the curtains with Dingle Balls of course!

Chelsea found baskets and empellished them to coordinate the color scheme and She painted the frames, some new and some old cast offs. (I always seem to have a stash that the girls pick through.) ((I'm getting better at not buying every frame that is super discounted just because I can see a vision of it's purpose...I think I need therapy))

anyway, back to the nursary-

OG (Grandma Burke) made the bumper pad while Chelsea covered 32 buttons with coordinating fabric that she then attached to hold the batting in place. Unfortunatly, the rails of the crib cover all but a few. (Another lesson learned)

And a look into Carma's closet. Only the 0-3 months are hung so that NO FROCK is left unworn. That would indeed be sad. GREAT Job Chelsea and Dusty! FABULOUS work on creating that cute little Carma for Glamma Fabulous to adore!!!

Carma's FABULOUS Shoes

Baby Carma is wearing her "Skull Cap-like a Cholo". Isn't She "Da Bomb"!!!

EVERY fashionalble girl need shoes, a lot of shoes to go with all her FABULOUS outfits.

The Nursery will be unvieled tomorrow...

More Roosters!!!

Since I have been on the subject of Roosters lately, I thought that I'd share some older paintings that I've done of our feathery friend. I know of at least 4 more paintings that I've done of roosters, so now I'm going to look back into my files and count them. (There just might be more)

Funny, how you sometimes don't realize that you tend to choose the same or similar subjects or styles in clothing sometimes till someone points it out to you. I can't tell you how many black skirts I have owned over the years. I know that I own probably at least 8 right now and they all have wonderful subtle and sometimes not so subtle qualities about them...Just like Roosters!