Sunday, October 29, 2006

Let's Iron...


I wonder why I like to iron? I can remember being fascinated with ironing at a very young age. There was something very domestically magical about watching my Mommy iron things and hanging them on hangers or folding them and putting them away or on the hutch or the coffee table.

I can remember one Mother's Day when my sisters and I took everything Mom had set aside to iron out of the closet and drug it into the living room (making a huge mess). While she ate breakfast in bed upstairs, we were downstairs pretending to be housewives and ironed away-trying not to burn ourselves with the heavy iron. Mimicking Mom, we spread the item over the ironing board, sprayed it with the starch (a must!) then applied the hot iron and de-wrinkled to our heart's content.

I still love to iron. Way more than doing dishes. Doing dishes is alright to a degree...but even while you're doing the dishes someone can reach into the drainer and remove your hard work, make it a mess, only to have you repeat it again...over and over. It's too much like an occupation-sort of like peeling potatoes...I can't wait to get to the last potato in the bowl.

I find such peace in ironing. I am ministering to the cloth-removing its wrinkles, then folding it as neat as possible and tucking it into the closet. In my house, I am the only one who messes with the pretty pillowcases, the table cloths, the doilies, the dress shirts after weddings. I do find it very relaxing. Really.

When I was 18 I worked for a small, family-owned bridal gown factory. I started there as a steam-iron operator, the kinds on big springs to make them lighter. It was July. Are you with me? I had a huge fan blowing on me, but talk about perspiration...whew! It was an old wooden building with NO air-conditioning. Only fans. One day, after working on a 100 degree day, I went to a local pub where I knew they kept beer in the freezer so it would develop little ice crystals, and got one bottle. Nothing tasted as good to me as that ice-cold beer full of ice crystals on a hot July day after ironing in 100 degree weather. That was the only time I can ever remember enjoying a cold beer. Just that once.

We had to iron the gowns and hang them on hangers and pull the plastic down over them and put them on a rack. I was in my own corner with no one bothering me. Once in a while, when we got a huge order from J.C.Penney, the owner would help iron and I'd have company across from me for the day.

It's mostly the smell I remember. The new cloth, the starch and the steam of the iron mixed with the old wooden factory and the glue for the beads, the machine oil, the spot remover and the new plastic that went over each dress to protect it.

I eventually worked my way up, learning almost every machine and ended up a spreader of the lovely, expensive fabrics. I never asked to be moved, the owner must have seen something I didn't. I could fill in for anyone who called in sick because I knew every machine. I enjoyed spreading the fabric too, but I did long for my own little corner every now and then.

I had to leave that job because I was pregnant for my first son and had a serious case of toxemia. Then motherhood took over and I chose to become a stay-at-home Mom.

After almost 25 years (Nov. 14th) of marriage, I still find relaxation and a sense of accomplishment in ironing my linens and things and putting them away for the next use. As I iron each piece I recall memories of the loved ones who gave them to me, some still living and some who have passed-on. I iron in my own little corner, with my spray starch and my (much more)lightweight iron.

Today I ironed because of a whim I got to cover my hutch with this rose fabric and cover that with lightweight plastic so my plants can go there for now. And while I was ironing, I thought it would be nice to pay homage to "the ironers" of the world. The recreational ironers...those who find the Zen in the act of ironing. I wish that factory was still around, I just might be tempted to go put in an application.

Friday, October 27, 2006

Fairy Christmas...to be...










Well, I promised the Fairy Christmas scans from a Country Living Christmas Magazine I've had since 2003 and for some reason found it this year. If I could figure out how to put the pictures within my post I would, but since I can't you'll have to simply enjoy their wonderful, colorful, magical goodness without my input.

I went to Wal-Mart for a bit today and did find some yummy ribbon! It so matches my Dining Room, which is the central point of my home and where I do most of my decorating. I cannot wait to get busy for this year. I usually have Thanksgiving here and like to decorate for Christmas by the third week in November so the family can enjoy it.

I have so many ideas from here and I'll be sure to share what I come up with. I have a Home Companion with Fairy ideas in it too...gotta go search my stacks of magazines for it and I'll share it too.

Yes, we each have our own tastes in magazines. I'm a lover of Country Home, Country Living, Home Companion and (why the heck did they stop publishing???) Victoria Magazine. And as for cooks, two of my favorite cooks (mostly because of their next-door neighbor personalities) are Paula Deen and Rachel Ray. Martha and Ina are wonderful cooks, but I don't feel welcome in their world...I feel more like an intruder...why? I'm not sure, but when I watch Paula, she makes me feel like she wants me there. No matter, I make about 5 of Martha's Mile High Lemon Pies a year...soooooooo good! I want to make Ina's coconut cupcakes-they look soooo yummy!! So, I'm not a non-fan of Martha and Ina, I simply feel like I need to be on my best behavior with them, where with Paula...if I slipped and said "aint" I wouldn't have to suck a lemon. I'm sorry...am I being fresh? Who cares what I think??? Just thought I'd share.

I'm going to attempt to cut out a tote this weekend and actually sew it...this will be an effort since I really want to go to an auction, but Lydia is spending the weekend with a friend in Glen Spey (so excited!) and I'll be a free bird. This is not a natural feeling for me, I am always taking care of someone around here and it will be weird to have no one to chat with while Dave's at work. BUT-I may as well get used to it. I just don't like being alone-I've been a busy Mom since I was 19...and I'm almost 45. Every day I've had someone with me. So, this is new-this empty nest thing.

Speaking of Lydia...she cried tonight because we (Dave and I) ate stuffed crabs. "The crabs were probably just swimming along and now they're dead." She didn't make us promise to never eat them again like she did when we ate buffalo. She was out of her mind with that...so we promised and I have never eaten it again. It's too expensive anyway. She's not really an animal activist and she doesn't even know what PETA is...she's just a sensitive little girl who loves animals and who hates that things have to die so we can live. So do I really, but crab tastes good and Dave tried to explain to her that it's really a shell with stuffing and probably imitation crab meat anyway. She's a sweet girl. Really. Lydia also pointed out this morning that the field below us was covered with frost and stated that the Frost Faeries flew over the fields and covered them with frost. Once a faerie lover, always a faerie lover. It's hard to get them out of your system!!!

Well, I'm gonna go do something, maybe cut out my tote or begin work on my newest whim...Kitchen in a Bag...for Christmas...it's a brainstorm, but I thought it would be fun nonetheless...I'll keep ya' posted! x0

I Remembered I Remembered





A loaf of bread, a container of milk, my earring whim.....
I know you get my silly jokes Glenda:)

Introducing, the long awaited Whim Of The Week earrings and pin.
Since I have my pottery obsession and no kiln, the next best thing was polymer clay and a toaster oven. (next time the big oven because some earrings became a litle toasty.)

I had way too much fun making these earrings . Finding different items to add great texture, loved it. The daisy earring design was from part of a rubber stamp and then I hand painted over it. I love to paint small details.

My leaf dude pin was sculpted then hand painted and my WOW is complete!!!

The next WOW I believe, is a purse or tote.
So out of my comfort zone, but I am putting the carving knives down and plugging in my sewing machine, for the weekend anyway:)

Painting Autumn Sights


Having grown up in New England and just moving from Western New York to Charleston, I'm seeing that fall is just a bit different down south.
The Confederate Roses are blooming, along with regular roses, Lantana, Hibiscus, azaleas etc etc etc.

The leaves are definately changing on some trees and plants but the color is more subtle than what I'm used to.

Since I don't have a complaint in the world about being here, I will just have to paint some fall leaves and enjoy everyone's fall posts. Gorgeous pictures Glenda!!

maybe next fall we will head to the mountains, but for now I can't get enough of the beach.

Thursday, October 26, 2006

Outside Sights






The sun went in and out today and there were little drizzly raindrops here and there throughout the day. But after seeing this and enjoying the photos of Alicia's beautiful outdoor pictures, I decided to go outside when the sun was shining and catch my own outdoor photos.

You'll have to bear with me because I'm not sooooo great at this photo thing but I do love color and was looking for the effect of things with sunshine on them...then I just sort of went with it.

In order of the photos:

Much to my delight as I rounded the chicken coop, I spied a beautiful blooming lily who refused to go to sleep for the winter before smiling her sleepy, beautiful yellow smile and promising me another visit next spring. I'm glad I caught her awake in October because when January comes in with it's chill, I'll glance upon this photo of her golden beauty as a reminder of her promise.

The chickens belong to Lydia. They were actually doing (what sounded like) the funky chicken as I approached the coop, but when I got to the chicken wire to click the photo they assumed their domestic behavior and moved their heads about with an "act normal" look on their faces.

The sky/horizon picture reminds me of the CCR song that says, "Doo doo doo lookin' out my back door", since that's just what it is.

The"spray" of oak leaves was just lying on the ground reminding me that Christmas is coming soon and if I intend to make anything, I'd better get a move-on!!

It was a wonderful reason to go outside in the brisk, end of October air and enjoy a couple of things I wouldn't have normally paid so much attention to. Thanks Alicia for the inspiration.

Her talk of faeries reminded me of the faerie houses I made with Jynette and Lydia. We always checked back to see what damage the trolls (disguised as squirrels) did. We've watched the movie "Fairy Tale-A True Story" many times and still enjoy it. We've giggled while imagining faeries, pixies and trolls in and around our home for years. There's a pure, innocent and magic fun to it and the sparkle in the girls' eyes was invigorating.

The day finally came when Lydia asked me if faeries were real...and what could I do? I kept asking her what she thought. But I tried to tell the truth with my eyes (all the while remembering what Tinkerbell said happens when someone says they don't believe in faeries.) How sad! So for Tinkerbell's sake I still believe...and to prove it I think I will decorate with a wonderful Faerie Christmas decor...now that my dining room is turquoise-ish blue and I got those lovely pink bulbs while flea-marketing (I'll try to remember to share scans from the magazine tomorrow)!!! YAY!!! I wonder if I can do it before Thanksgiving??? Maybe if I wish hard enough...and someone spritzes me with faerie dust...

Wednesday, October 25, 2006








Recovery

Rats! I had this whole topic typed out and lost it while uploading photos. I'll try to recover my Recovery post-but I'm sure since it's much later in the evening I'm losing some of my vim.

What a weekend! It's taken me this long to be able to really communicate clearly without my fibro fatigue-I didn't want to ramble on and bore you to death.

Let's see, the birthday party for Lydia was a success. I was informed by several young ladies that they had a great time. They tried to sleep in the living room while watching "The Mummy" but heard noises that kept them awake until 2 a.m. (at which point I got up and told them they must go to sleep!)


Sunday morning it was rise and shine to prepare my house for 2 churches worth of fellowship and friends for our Harvest Party. It was the first one I've done in several years but I do think it was a success. The smiles on everyone's faces and their gracious comments were confirmation that indeed there was a great time had by young and old alike.

We asked everyone to bring a covered dish and drinks for their families. We had lasagna, chicken, chili con carne with rice, shredded cheddar and sour cream, hot dogs, Jiffy corn and Butter cup squash (made by my hubby Dave.) For dessert we had cherry, apple and pumpkin pies, fudgy brownies, apple crisp, 5 dozen apple cider donuts made by a local orchard, smores for the bonfire and ice cream.

Not one crumb was left.

By day, David had 5 rounds of hay rides through the woods and in the field below the house. When dusk arrived the bonfire was lit by the teens (after their football game.) I'm sure that the children that left here all fell asleep in the car on their way home. They sure did play hard!

We had a game for the little ones that required eating a donut hung on the clothesline by a string with your hands behind your back. Pictures above!

The opening picture is what I had displayed on my hutch/sideboard. Milk pumpkins, a hubbard squash, regular pumpkins and little squash that look like pumpkins. They were purchased at Novak's farm a couple of weeks ago. The picture behind the pumpkins (I tried to make it look like it was a farm in the distance) is a paint-by-numbers painting that I forgot I had purchased up the road at a little clutter shop called "Ruth's Place"...someday I'm gonna open one...(*dream*)...

Anyhow-I was playing with the macro option on my camera and thought I'd share it.

As for the WOW...we are winging it this week...due to tired bodies, Helena from her trip and me from having too much fun!!! I am whimming on my studio...since I got the painting finished on Saturday morning...I can go in there and hope to get an epiphany as I wonder where I'm going to put all my "necessaries".

Helena and I have decided to do a "Studio Swap" for November 3rd...we're to pick 10 items from our own studios that we think the other will use. We'll keep you posted!!

Anyone reading our blog is welcome to leave comments...we'd love to know what "whims" you're working on!

X0 Glenda

Tuesday, October 24, 2006



Going Back

This past weekend we went to visit my oldest son Matthew in NC.
He is a Navy Corpsman attached with the Marines and will be leaving for desert training soon, too soon but this is what he feels the need to do, and we are very proud.

13 years ago we used to live an hour away from where Matthew is now stationed, when my husband Matt was a Marine.
This past weekend we went back to that small military town filled with pawn shops and furniture stores, and so many memories. It's hard to believe that it hadn't changed much after all this time.
We went back to our old base housing where we lived for 3 1/2 great years. Where Matthew used to sit up in the tree and read his favorite Hardy Boy books, and Michael started kindergarten and learned how to ride his 2 wheeler. Before Hope even existed.
We went on to our favorite pizza place, still there and still making the best pizza after all of these years.
Next, to Beaufort a quaint little town right on the water where we used to get icecream and watch the wild horses grazing on the island, that is where the pictures were taken. It wasn't planned at all, we were walking along the water and Michael and I started talking about the picture that we had come across a couple weeks ago, so we started looking for the spot.
Matthew refused to salute this time, but they indulged me so I was thrilled.

Heading back to the base, we drove along the coast the way we used to, but this time we were taking Matthew back, the last time, 13 years ago it had been my husband.
I am so thankful and happy that we took this trip back in time, and especially thankful that we had one great weekend before Matthew goes off to his training.

I will now vow to get all of my precious photographs out of the boxes and into albums. This is a yearly pledge for the winter,after my Christmas craziness.One that I never succeed at. This year I will make the time, and check in here with my progress. Memories as special as these can't be kept in an old box under the bed with the dust bunnies......

Monday, October 23, 2006



I've Been Baaaaaaaad

At blogging that is.
Last week was just one of those weeks that got completely away from me so thankfully Glenda stepped up to the keyboard and chatted and shared. Thanks buddy:)

Well I did celebrate my birthday last Tuesday and had quite the fun filled evening. Fried shrimp and hush puppies galore! Not to mention my Boston Cream cake aka Boston Cream Pie. I must be starting 39 off with a shock to the scales.

I wanted to share the gift my Mom sent me, it's my Holly Hobby lunchbox from when I was a little girl. I love vintage illustrations and she decided it was time that I have it back. Inside were some neat little gifts but I would've been beyond thrilled if it had just been my empty Holly Hobby lunchbox.
Thanks Mom:)

Thursday, October 19, 2006

Another Productive Day...

When Helena and I started this blog it was really to get ourselves motivated and psyched about working on our "artistic" whims. It seems like I've been going through a bit of rearrangement on a personal level and with my creativity. While I haven't been "whim-ing" much, I have been in a state of preparing to whim. I'm in the process of simplifying (totally NOT easy!) so I can have only the most basic things to do-and when I accomplish that I will be free to whim whenever I want to. I hope this is not wishful thinking!

There are a plethora of unfinished tasks around here that have been in the "getaroundtuit" phase-waiting for that massive burst of energy to get me moving. Between "life" and this godawful fibromyalgia I've been accomplishing less and less the last couple of years. Dealing with pain each and every day is something I never had to think about and didn't understand. I never gave chronic pain much thought and now I'm forced to take each day as it comes and complete each project in the simplest, yet most efficient way possible. I have also decided that since this can't kill me, I must force myself to finish the things I've started, even if it takes me weeks.

My husband Dave is always telling me to know my limitations-which is very humbling for me. I really don't like limitations! At all!!! But I have to admit I need my energy to go into the necessary and not be stubborn about certain things and how they are done. So-on that note...I won't be making 5 dozen doughnuts for the Harvest Party this Sunday and I will be serving pizza and maybe a store bought cake at Lydia's sleepover party this Saturday night. But, I will get my house in order-just in time-for Sunday's Party.

I worked on my Living Room today and got it dusted and washed and vaccuumed and changed around and things sorted and tossed and put where they belong and even the freshly washed and dried-on-the-line-for-that-wonderful-sunny-day-aroma curtains hung. Yes, it took me most of the day...but that's done! I used to be able to conquer the whole house in one day...but now it's one room. Know my limitations (just reminding myself!)

Thanksgiving is held at my home. It's almost here (about 1 month-I need to count the days!) I have so many things that I want to do before the big feast-lists must be made! I am really a wonderful list-maker! Anyhow, that's my next big thing. I will try to know my limitations and only do what's necessary and not make so many types of dessert this year. Last year we had: 3 pumpkin pies, 2 upside-down apple pies (YUM!), 2 huge pans of bread pudding with two types of sauce, 2 chocolate cream pies, and 3 pecan pies. WHY??? I did have 21 people for dinner and then some more for dessert...but really! I love Thanksgiving though...I'll be sharing lots of recipes and the menu soon...I do have a Thanksgiving menu folder to keep my recipes in order and have planned what I'm making and the grocery list for it all. I've been purchasing things here and there to have ahead of time so the shopping doesn't have to be done all at once. I'm learning!

So today I did accomplish the Living Room and we almost finished my fence today. I'd like to decorate it for the party-and there is a scarecrow woman out there behind the fence who shall soon have a makeover and make her runway debut. I'll be sure to post pictures as soon as it stops raining and we can get out there to get her ready! Only the verticals on one and a half panels to go on the fence. The reason I'm going to really enjoy blogging is that it's keeping me motivated to finish the To-Do List and get the pictures posted to show. And maybe in all my doing I'll reach that point of simplicity I'm working towards!

Wednesday, October 18, 2006


Still Hard at Work

I thought it would be fun to write today's post in a fall color. I hope it goes with our pink background, but I always liked brown and pink together!

What an absolutely fabulous day it was today! My brother Glenn came over early for a cup of coffee and we ended up talking photography. He's quite the naturescape picture taker. He hikes a lot and takes his camera everywhere with him. I'm trying to convince him to make them into cards or calendars or do something with them to share with other people who love the great outdoors as much as he does. Our Dad was a photographer and I do believe my sister Angie and my brother Glenn inherited his eye for a good shot.


After my brother left, I got a visit from my friend Beth whose sons helped me work on my fence a little. They are hard workers and I sure do appreciate their help. After I fed them lunch they traipsed into the woods and cut saplings and branches to make what I call the "verticals" of my twig fence. When I first put the fence in about 8 years ago, I used saplings for the "horizontals" as well. I made a "panel" of two horizontals with 9 or 10 verticals and then screwed the panel to the fence posts. When a vertical or horizontal rotted out, it was not as easy to replace it as it would seem.

I got a brainstorm one day while visiting an artist up near Narrowsburg, NY while he was giving us a tour of his homestead. He had a wild garden outside of one small barn that had the neatest fence around it. Well, I tried to remember that fence as best I could so I could replicate it when I got home. It just made better sense than my fence. Twigs are still the main source, but I am now using 1" x 2" pine boards for the horizontals. I screw them to the fence posts, front and back, and slip the vertical twigs inbetween them.

Observe the picture of what we accomplished this afternoon in a few hours. I stained the nice boards with watered-down black acrylic paint to make them look weathered. We drilled guide holes in them to keep them from splitting and then we cut them to length and screwed them to the posts. I must say, it goes faster than building the panels and will be easier to replace any part of the fence.

I intend to fence in an entire section of yard now that my children are older and making that section-"mine" to use as a visiting garden and a sitting garden. The pool is nearby and there is plenty of place to play in the rest of the yard for any kids who come for a visit. I've been wanting to do this for years and am determined to get it finished.

Please, please forgive the messy, weedy garden. I promise that it'll look better come spring...I gave up on weeding after it got hot outside (after I got back from Illinois) and it shows! I have some pictures of how pretty it was early this summer behind my broken down twig fence. Alas, next year it'll be grande and primitive!

I am going to put more bulbs into the ground this fall in front of the fence. Last year the deer made a salad with the tulips I have behind the fence. Maybe if it's near the house they'll think twice-but somehow I doubt it! They were the prettiest shade of purple too and they knew when they were the sweetest. Sort of like raccoons know when corn on the cob is ready...they show no mercy!

Still no time for the jewelry whim...I guess my whim is the fence and yard done for the Harvest Party! Oh yes, I did spend time preparing the walls of my studio for paint and they're ready. I'll paint tomorrow morning if no one comes to visit...if they do, they'll have to stand in my hall and talk to me!

Now if I could only figure out this blog html so I can slip pictures inbetween the text near what I'm talking about I'd be very, very happy!

Monday, October 16, 2006

Sitting Up With The Birthday Girl

Lydia asked if she could stay awake until her birthday. At first I said no and then I thought what the heck??? Why not? She's homeschooled and she can sleep in. We are hosting an Egyptian-themed overnight party this Saturday night. She started a hieroglyphics poster today and we want to make some favors during the week too. So much for the whim!

We're also preparing a Harvest Party Fellowship for our church this Sunday afternoon. We've done this in the past when I was much younger and without fibromyalgia kicking my butt...so I'm moving slow this week. Lydia is a big help though and we should be able to pull it off! I shall take and post lots of pictures of each event to share in the fun and if I can figure out how to make a pyramid cake I'll be sure and share a picture of that! We want to make scarab candies somehow-maybe chocolate molds. This will require a trip to AC Moore. One year we held a birthday party for her with a Pirate theme...lots of fun! I'm sure we'll get a kick out of anyone who comes dressed up.

I took some time to start a Harvest Setting on my hutch/sideboard. As soon as I get it the way I want it I'll post a picture of that too. I think I'm way too much of a perfectionist though-I won't like it until I feeeeeeeeeeeeeeeel it-do you know what I'm talking about? I think I should have been a window decorator or museum curator-ooh la la-that's what I'm talkin' about!

Helena...down there in South Carolina...Happiest of Birthdays to you 7 minutes early! Hugs and All That!!! X0

Sunday, October 15, 2006





Sunday, That’s My Fun-Day!!

Helena and I have decided that we will extend last week’s Whim of jewelry making. She has quite a few pieces to finish and I’ve been so dang busy that I couldn’t get a whim in edgewise! I did manage to do lots of other things though. I baked 12 loaves of bread with a friend on Tuesday. I started painting my kitchen. I am working like crazy to finish some orders. And finally…FINALLY (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) I can upload or download or install anything I want to right here from home!! I cannot express my joy! It was really NOT FUN to have to drive to the Westfall, PA K-Mart with my laptop every time I wanted to look at my favorite blogs or pay bills or read my email! Yes, I'll admit I'm addicted to the binary code! I never thought it would be such a necessary thing in my life. But I managed to survive without its convenience for a whole month. I can say that after not having it, I truly appreciate having it so handy now.

Today, I went with a friend of ours to a flea market in Matamoras, PA and then to an out of the way antique shop. I’ve posted some photos of my neato finds! I wish the photos were pleasantly situated and taken during the day, but I’ll try to make the settings more eye-candy-ish in the future. You’ll get the gist though!

Here’s a rundown of my flea-marketing venture this morning:

First I found an old Adirondack style nut holder that holds the cracker and picks. I didn’t post a picture of it since it’s not greatly decorative, it just reminded me of my Grandparents and I miss them so-that I thought it would be neat to have one in my own home at holiday time and my kids can crack nuts with it like we did when we were taking our holiday at our Grandma and Grandpa's house! Nostalgia!! There was a little wooden hammer with theirs though-I'll have to keep looking!

Then I found the pretty green-rimmed rose bowl and the crocheted rose doily under it. I got the embroidered Holly Hobbie stitchery at the same booth later on (I tried to forget about it but couldn’t and had to go back.) I then ventured over to a lady’s booth with tarps on the ground marked with different price ranges. I got the little blue flower dish, and a Stangl dish (not shown) for 50 cents each. I picked up a couple of books too. Then as I neared the back of the tarp, on the ground, there they were!!! THE most deliciously pink shabby Christmas bulbs! I asked her how much and to my utter astonishment, she told me 50 cents. I asked if they were 50 cents each and she said, “No, 50 cents for the whole box.” I sort of shrieked, “50 CENTS???” And she calmly answered the affirmative, I think all the while wondering if I’d just been stung by a bee. I told her that I wanted them and I secretly felt sooooooo like that was my deal of the summer and tried to quickly pay her before she realized what a mistake she had just made! I have decided that I want a white fake tree for Christmas this year…with pink and blue and silver and who knows what else…but this is the start of a beautiful relationship! I am thrilled to the MAX!!! Only those you who have ever had a decorative-vision-come-true can share in the glorious exhilaration I feel!

Oh yes, I got the pretty pink and white china pot with the lid from her $1 tarp. I was looking for some retro-type items, but my hands were full at this point and I made my way to the car to unload my lovely booty!

We then went on to the antique shop and I saw so many wonderful things. When I saw the violet cup and saucer I thought of my sister Angie in Illinois who is going to be opening a coffee shop and antique/collectible shop called “Wild Violets”…so this should give her some incentive! We (Angie and I) purchased a building in Bushnell, Illinois this summer…I’ll do a post on it sometime soon. It’s a good investment, but it needs a lot of work! Anyhow-she’ll love it and I’ll love giving it to her!

The little straw bag in the photo is something I got at a rummage sale at the Dutch Reform Church on Main Street here in Port Jervis,NY. Not sure why I bought it, but I do think it's cute and a bit rosy! I'll find a use for it-even if I put some yummy soaps in it for Christmas and give it to someone! Can you possible beat the price...I think I paid all of a quarter for it! Gotta love rummage sales!!! I'm going to have to have a thrift store fix very, very soon. Since the price of gas has dropped to $2.15 in Montague, NJ, I can almost justify the 15 mile drive to Middletown, NY.

I’ll stop rambling on and give you the WOW updates for October 15th through Oct 21st 2006…

WOW: MORE JEWELRY-make some!!! Then wear it!!!
WOW Color: the most wonderful shade of milky pink
WOW Song: Two of Us by the Beatles
WOW Word of the Week: exhilaration: liveliness, high spirits (this is also something we should exercise this week…as in the act of…as in “the sunny side of life”-it’s very contagious and may actually cheer up another’s world where there may otherwise be cloudy skies!)

I would like to mention that Alicia of Posie Gets Cozy (Google it since I have no clue how to put a link in here yet-but I’ll try) was spotted adding the WOW Word of the Week (though I’m sure she didn’t know it) to her post on October 11th, 2006. Here’s a link that might work: http://rosylittlethings.typepad.com/ (you can copy and paste it.) Her blog is one of my all-time favs…if you haven’t seen it, please do so!

I have to add that we would like to know if you're reading our Whim of the Week...please, please comment and let us know! And...if you know how to make it so I can put pictures in my text where ever I'd like...puhleeez send an email to whimoftheweek@hotmail.com and explain it to me...I don't like them all at the top of the post! I do have some html knowledge, but can't seem to figure it out on my own!

Glenda

Wednesday, October 11, 2006


My Latest Obsession

I am a wood carver. I can be found at many times with wood chips and paint on my outfit and stuck in my hair.
I see Santas everywhere, in driftwood, sticks, fallen logs and Cypress Knees....
Until recently, I think way too much about pottery and how I would love a kiln of my very own.
I would make jewelry, platters, bowls, wall art. I would sell all of my pieces and make this investment so worthwhile... That's what I tell my husband as his eyes glaze over because half of our 2 car garage is full of wood items that I was supposed to paint and sell before my wood carved Santa obsession took over 7 years ago. I will get to it at some point. I was actually out there digging through a box yesterday so my daughter could make wooden beads into flower fairy heads. That's why I moved it all from Buffalo to Charleston, I knew I would use it again. We all know as soon as we get rid of something in our treasure trove we will need it and have to go out and buy more.
I try not to buy supplies, I really do. I am reformed and proud of it, which takes me back to my pottery obsession.
I don't know how long I will beable to browse online and not buy the gorgeous earrings or the bowls painted in the beautiful blue glazes that remind me of the ocean. One only has so much willpower.
Not that I know how to create pottery. I have watched "Ghost" and Demi Moore seemed to have mastered it just fine. One of my boys owned a pottery wheel years ago and I'm sure I could've made amazing pieces if it hadn't run out of batteries every 20 minutes, and didn't we need a kiln even then?
I think today I will look for a class in my sweet little southern town and also check prices on kilns, and ofcourse carve Santas to help pay for it.

Monday, October 09, 2006


Monday, Monday-Can't Trust That Day

Sitting down to my laptop for the moment before I begin my daily list. I’ve already had moments of insanity to start my day. I must admit that my house is not the set of “Leave it to Beaver”…at times it’s more like “Viva La Bam” or some other reality show without the yucky stuff…I’m talkin’ crazy house with mad, crazy scenarios!!!!!!!!!

Upon entering my 20 yr. old son’s room, he informs me that he has to be at work…umm…NOW!!!!! So the adrenaline begins to rush through my veins…because he’s not as worried about hurrying as I am. As I’m trying to rush him and we finally get in the car, he casually informs me that he cannot find his wallet, which, by the way, contains all the money he’s saving for his own car. GREAT!!! Another surge of early-morning adrenaline! I begin backtracking through his busy day yesterday. The last time he saw it was when he put gas in my husband’s truck in the afternoon. Usually (yes, this has happened before) we end up finding it right away, so I’m not worried-yet. After I dropped him off I went to look in my husband’s truck at the plant. No wallet. I call Dave to see if he found it and brought it inside with him. No again! Dang!! I think an early Christmas present will be a chain wallet like the truckers use…I hope to God when he finally marries and has kids he won’t come home to his wife and inform her he has lost them. She’ll have to keep them tied to him by his belt loops!

While all this is happening…I’m hoping and praying that I won’t run out of gas. I’m driving a ’93 Town and Country Minivan at the moment…well-it’s nice inside…leather interior-which I think smells so wonderful every time I get in it. It is old, but we bought it from an elderly woman who never beat on it of course. Alas, it does have some problems…my gas gauge doesn’t work AND the brakes (ABS) decide to stop working whenever they want to. I’m used to it now and have to really push hard with both feet when this happens. I’m told it’s the “Master Cylinder”…which means nothing to me, except that it sounds
like the sinister villain in a kid’s movie. Of course, no one carries it because they don’t even make them anymore. So, here’s the catch…do we go to the junkyard and get one from another car hoping it isn’t there because the sinister “Master Cylinder” quit on them too OR do we contact a dealer and hope it doesn’t cost a fortune-like more than what the dang car is worth???? Oh, I’d love the luxury of a new car, but the stinkin’ payments keep me far away! I live 70 miles or so north of NYC…the cost of insurance alone is criminal! Insurance-full coverage on a new car- is criminally insane!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Back to this morning…Well, so I’m having a Niagara Falls-worth of adrenaline rushes this morning…and I didn’t even get to sit with my morning coffee and wake up. Rush to get my son to work, stress about his missing wallet full of money (why isn’t it in the bank in his account?????) and the most icky of all is…THE GAS!!! I’m happy to report that I didn’t run out, I had to drive to Pennsylvania to get $10 worth. For some reason, I don’t mind getting out of the car in my husband’s huge flannel shirt and my sweats and pumping gas in public, but to walk the streets with a gas can dressed like that is just mortifying to me. Yes, I’ll admit I have vanity and pride and some more of the stuff the Bible informs me is wrong. So, while I’m pumping gas at Turkey Hill, I keep telling myself that Mother Teresa wouldn’t give a hoot what she looked like so I shouldn’t even bother to worry about what anyone is thinking about this orange-haired lady pumping gas in her pajamas.

It’s only 9 a.m. and already I feel as if I have been running from tigers in the jungle! Can I get a witness?????

As far as the day goes…I do want to work on my kitchen paint for a bit…I have decided that Jade Green is NOT the color for the kitchen. When I get it all together (yeah right!) I will share a “before and after” photo and you will see that my Kitchen and Dining Room are really all just one huge room! Yesterday I had a brainstorm equivalent to marriage in the Bible-are you ready? A loud voice from Heaven said to me, “and the two shall become one”. Not really, but those are the words I thought! My wonderful epiphany was…here goes…why have I always tried to keep them separate rooms when really they are one huge room with a counter top between them? In days past, there was a large, built-in cabinet, floor to ceiling, which blocked the view to the DR…but I took that out long ago to open it up yet, all the while keeping them separate in my mind…and always painting them two different colors…(I know my sentences run-on-a terrible fault I have-it’s more like thinking while writing.) Anyway…I’ve decided to go for it and paint the kitchen turquoise and hope it works since it’s one huge room anyway…the windows and décor can match and it really will be simpler.

As far as the WOW goes…I have some jewelry pieces in mind…maybe a broche or a pin or something to stick on a hat…we shall see! I’ve got ideas-sort of-jewelry-making is not quite my forte but I’ll give it a shot! I’ve only got public embarrassment to look forward to! You wouldn’t laugh at a stressed-out lady pumping gas in her PJ’s – would you???

And as I get ready to upload this post at 8:25 this evening...it turned out that my son Jordan found his wallet IN HIS ROOM IN ANOTHER PAIR OF PANTS!!! I am thankful for that. I did paint quite a bit as my whim led me to. I got company for awhile and continued painting-how rude! This happens to me quite a bit as you will see over time, visitors and interruptions-it's a wonder I can get anything done at all! But I just keep on keepin' on!

I did manage to take a couple of pics for play and to try to learn how to post pictures-so here goes!


I can't see the photo here-remember this is a test...so bear with me. I took some close-ups of my hydrangea I picked from my tree to dry.

Here's a picture of an old paint-by-numbers I bought long ago and forgot about and found again in my basement recently...it really looks nice in my DR and I'll get or make a frame for it and hang it for autumn. I had to stick this crow in it-he's sitting on the handle of a basket on my Kitchen table...I love playing with the camera! I hope this works!

Helena's Whim Of The Week Musings

This is how the whim of the week came about for me......
I'm turning 39 in exactly 8 days and I'm having a midlife crisis of sorts.
I could call it coming to a "crossroads," but the term midlife crisis makes me laugh,
and I like to see the look on my husband's face-not that he believes me.
Don't worry, there are no cabana boys, convertibles, or enhancement surgeries in my future.
I find myself being drawn to different design styles and colors lately and feel a strong pull to follow that direction.
I have been very "cottagey" the past few years. Not to say that I don't swoon at the sight of chippy paint and white distressed furniture, but lately I have been drawn to "funky" more and more, such as fused glass, pottery, retro fabrics, outsider art and the list goes on and on.
Countless times lately Glenda and I have been finishing eachothers sentences about our emerging style and color changes, and this is where this blog was born and our upcoming website.
If only I could talk her into moving south and opening up a brick and mortar shop in Charleston with me. (hint hint) For now this will have to do and we'll just take it from here.
So, we raise our glasses to this new venture full of inspiration and excitement, knowing that
at times when the well is running dry, we will give eachother a nudge, and hopefully anyone else out there who needs one.
For now, I need to head to my studio, I feel a whim coming on and I have jewelry to create.
Until next time, stay inspired and thanks for reading~Helena

Sunday, October 08, 2006

Glenda’s Take on Whim of the Week.

Whim- Webster’s Dictionary defines it as “a sudden fancy” and “a capricious idea or desire”. That’s us!!! Capricious…tending to change abruptly and without apparent reason; erratic; flighty; showing wit or fancifulness. Now, I like the definition of capricious-except for the erratic and flighty part. I don’t think I’m flighty…just looking for a bit of change in scenery with my artwork. I could possibly be erratic and at times secretly eccentric-but I’m definitely NOT flighty!!! Soooooo, after much long-distance conversation, “hemming” and “hawing”, and “should we” or “shouldn’t we”, Helena and I decided on this blog-we just couldn’t help it!!! It’s to be used as a sort of open challenge for us to get us out of our media rut and “whim out” wherever/when ever we want to AND we thought that perhaps someone else might be a little interested in doing the same.

There are several things we thought we could accomplish here:

1. To challenge each other to go with our whims. We want to have the fantastic luxury of deciding what “we” want to create-not what we think others expect us to produce. After years of making items for the extreme grungy primitive niche I really want to move on to other things. Don’t get me wrong-I enjoy creating my grimm dolls-it’s just that-well, for Heaven’s sake-I don’t even decorate my house with those darker grungy colors anymore! I’ve taken a more colorful approach in my *ahem* old age! My DR is now a turquoise color-I’m in the middle of painting my kitchen “Jade White” (Gliddon-not sure if I like it in the kitchen yet-stay tuned). Not what you’d consider grimm or grungy (unless you imagine a zombie glowing in the moonlight-which my wild imagination very well can!) Alas…there are ever so many more things I’d love to give my stiff fingers license to stitch up and paint and glue and draw…until the day they can’t do it anymore (God forbid!)
2. We want to broaden our horizons to try some media we’ve never worked in-and possibly publicly embarrass ourselves with the results.
3. We thought it might be fun to share our whims with anyone out in blog world who is also a fellow/kindred “whimster” and would like to join our weekly attempts at public embarrassment (see #2).
4. We would also like to get our homes once and for all in the décor and order we like (at the moment) and (speaking for myself anyway…) keep it that way (um…yeah-right). As far as my studio…I’d like to get that organized and workable.
5. We must also be a couple of show-offs because we want to dazzle you with pictures of our houses and stuff and purchases and colors and handmade items and where ever our capriciousness takes us! (Again-#2).
6. We will also be setting up a website in order to sell some of the items we felt the whim to make in case anyone has a whim to have one of their own products of our whim. (Get used to the word “whim”-you’ll be seeing it quite a bit here!)

Oh yes, we are full of whims! We want to share every one of them-books, music, color, gardens, cooking, words-well, wherever the heck our whims take us.

And so without further ado…here is the launch of what we hope will be a fun and productive journey-Whim Of The Week!!! Fellow Whimsters…let the games begin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Whim Of The Week (to save time from here on in I shall, at times, call it by it’s acronym-WOW.)

This will be the weekly format-to fill you in on what the Whim of the Week-and all it’s sister whims are:

Whim Of The Week: The whim for the week of October 8th through October 14th is: JEWELRY…use whatever media you like-any way, any how…just make a piece of jewelry…this oughtta be good! When it’s done, we’ll get it on Flickr and share it with the world! Now to figure out how to get pictures on this page!

WOW Color of the Week: Aqua

WOW Song of the Week: How to Save a Life/The Fray

WOW Word of the Week: Capricious…feel it, embrace it-I know this is very hard for you “Type A” people out there…but just for a week…use it…it’s all about expanding those creative boundaries! SMILE

Pictures to come!