Best/ worse/ ? did you learn today #56visit with friends...

Yikes, Lets just pray you won't need the supplies. But glad you are prepared.
keep safe.

Suppose to get some sparatic thunderstorms today and tomorrow.

Betty, I sure hope that feeling subsides. LOL, and I hope the opion doe thrick on your ear ache. You definatley have to let us know if it works. Guess who actually cooked a a chicken! Was nice and good too, if I do say so myself.

Steve said not to worry, he'll be busy inside the house. It is raining there so lol, he won't get sidetracked with outdoor work.

Waving HIya Liz, good to see you popped in, nice to take a break and play on computer.

Howdy to you to Laura! How goes the quilting? You should be nearing springtime right?

Well better get back work.

Sure did get my mind of the weather! Now how can you get my mind from saying I want it, I want it!! LOL Your just to much Betty.

Seed so your getting your rain I sent North? Glad to help. LOL Yes has already hit 3 times could make 4 before this things is over. What a lady she has turned out to be.

Marion, my daughter is in Fort Lauderdale...so yeah, been worrying about all of you.

Anyway, Betty, a couple of questions. When I make my victorian Santas, I make a soft sculpture head face and hands....this is a rotten picture that I am showing you, but I am too lazy to climb up and get him down from his top shelf perch to do another. Of course, he is only about 18 inches tall, and works well for a mantle or top shelf of something. This one is trimmed in rabbit fur on his hood, and I made his bag from the leather of an old purse, also his belt from the same, with a jewel as a buckle. His robe is wine velvet, as is his hood, but it is a sort of paisley velvet.
So my question is, think of a way to perch a soft sculpture head on the body of the one you will make in the workshop, because I want mine this year to be as big as yours. And I can't remember....do you use wood as the base or do you use a tomato cage....anyway, I was thinking that I would do whatever you do in the workshop, but wil use my soft sculpture heads, and maybe hands. I don't do wood crafts as much as I do soft sculpture, but did want this one to stand. so what do you think?
Here is this Santa...the rest have been given away or sold...I also do angels this way, and just soft sculpture in general depending on my mood.
Here are a coupla pictures...then I will tell you about my quilts.

and another view...I know the photos are not so good...but...

and here is his bag made from the purse....

So...I went to a yard sale just around the corner, found a china/hutch thingy with glass doors. I had been looking for something to store my mother/grandmothers quilts in so that they could be displayed and protected. Found this for ...taaa daaaa....$40, and they even delivered and set it up for me. whohoooooo......I love it. took me all week to launder and dry all my quilts, and still this isn't all, but a big number of them. I still have some on beds, and one hanging on a wall rack.....but this way I can rotate and keep them from dust and glare.

Now, back to the Secret Pal thing.
I find myself obsessed with writing DG articles, and have them scheduled already through next June, weekly if not more. I have been pondering an offer from a publishing company to put the collection into a book, and if I do that, I will be glued to the keyboard till I get it done....which is where I spend my time anyway. My desk looks like a jumble of mayhem.

I didn't feel that I could be organized enough to do justice to the SP swap and that would not be fair to anybody. For those of you who are new, we exchange names at the beginning of a 2 month period, with each getting pertinent info about each person. for two months, we were to send only 2 surprise gifts, relating to what the person liked. For instance I remember that Starzz likes elephants, and she received some wonderful elephant gifts...which I loved because I love elephants too, and have hundreds. But the gifts we sent to each other were limited to only about $5 each...and surprisingly enough, you can get great things for that amount. It was fun, but then along came summer and people were busy...so we did not do the exchange over the summer. It takes one person to organize, and keep track of everything, like addresses, etc....and I was the one who did that. I just don't know if I can keep it going along with my writing and the commissioned paintings that I continue to do, since those commissions are huge time consuming projects. So it would not be fair to you if I continued to do it, and then couldn't stay kept up.
I hope it all makes sense. I just don't want to short change all of you, cause it does take some time and coordination.
Whew.....that was the longest couple of posts I have written in awhile...
Liz, Laura.....there is always sunshine under those clouds.

Take care...wishing you well,
Sharon

Sharran, have you been in touch with her? Hope everything is okay down there. We are starting to get stronger bands of rain now so I guess it is going to be long wet night with many thumps and bumps on the roof. I hate that part especially when I can't see what is happening.

She is OK, Marion...just lots of flooding between her and where she needs to go. she has weathered many though, so I try to not worry too much.
you take care, too.

I understand that one also. I was born and raised in Florida so am used to them also. Just never can remember having on hang on this long in the past.

Have a good weekend.

Just got in, will be back to answer all of the posts..omg Shar, love the sculptured Victorian Santa...a 'treasure' to pass on...Can't believe you got that cupboard for so cheap??? Just luck I guess that you arrived at the right time, someone else would have bought it immediately once the sale started....

Have to run, going next door, going to do something that makes me feel bad..Cliff made me the windows for the shed, but he made them much too big and put a shelf, if I leave the shelf once I plant in the planters it will hinder the flowers' beauty..sooo, going to ask if there is any way the shelf can come off and if he can put them through the table saw and make them narrower...yuk..I hate doing this, but if I don't I just won't be satisfied with my project..wish me luck, although you say something to someone with best intention they sometimes can take it wrong, don't want him to think I don't like it, he went way beyond what I asked for but...need the changes, hmmm what to do/?

I suspect Cliff will understand, Betty. He won't mind at all.

The soft sculptured faces are fun to make if you are handy with needle and thread. I always wear my hand out doing them. But fun, and can be made in any size. I do a lot of soft sculptured dolls, too..some quite large.

I'm doing a rain dance for you! After I had surgery we needed rain so bad and I couldn't dance so someone else did a rain dance for me. So I'm doing the rain dance that was for me, for you!

Oh my Betty, that's difficult. I'm sure you will word it just right, and if he didn't expect any changes he should have asked how you wanted it done.

Last 2 days we were at 50 and 60% change of rain, today thru Monday I think we're at 30% chance. I haven't checked recently and it changes all the time anyway.

I have enough for the both of us--trying to send your way!!!

Got back, think it went well, without knowing I compromised...lol.. when I said why I couldn't have the shelf in the bottom they understood, wanted to ask him about making them more narrow but before I got the change I saw all the screws so thought I'd leave it alone, then Bernice thought perhaps if I turned the window frame around that the shelf could be used to put birds nest or something and would protect the actual painting from rain/weather, all Cliff would have to do is take the shelf supports from underneath re re-position them...so while he did that yours truly had coffee and cherry pie..lol

Now I'll get the wood painted, want to add lace and tie back to curtains, need a cat for outside of window looking in and that project except for my attaching them to the shed is done..I'll pick up flowers either tonight or tomorrow for the window boxes..

Anything you would add to the panels??? suggestions please...

It was so hot in their house that I was just sweating, house here is a bit cooler..might put the a/c on...

So all is well in my neighborhood...

Shar, did try to do sculpties but you really I think need a good imagination to create the features..very hard to get them looking like real people...so, it went by the wayside..would love to see more of yours...

Shar, I'm making an armiture (body) using wood, dowling, and clotheshanger for the arms, quite simple..I'm cutting one out this weekend, will post to show you...as well, the girls must attach the santa head I'm sending which is flat to a styro 3" ball which has about 1/8th of the roundness cut off so the flat head can be glued to it, so it would be so easy for you to use same system but doing it your method...could send you the armiture if you want..

Add a vine around the base of the flower pots, like ivy.....as if it will be planted next, maybe roots showing.

Yes, I think I would like to have the body parts, so that I can get an idea for the size of the head. I have tons of old velvet scraps, a rabbit fur jacket, lots of big old costume jewelry, so don't need much else. but the frame work, yes, I do need that. also have some odd leather pieces for gloves. I just have not done the fabric soft sculpture that big for a large Santa, though I did do an old man that was big enough to wear jeans and flannel shirt...all soft sculpture, to use in a sail boat display once. He was pretty neat and the boat store continued to use him for years and changed his clothes to match the season. He was about 5 feet tall.

also did a couple that were an old bride and groom who sat on a bench at displays for a floral arranger. they were pretty fun. Making the expressions is much like working in clay, except it is done with cloth over fiberfill....stretchy cloth, like a sort of knit jersey or soft cotton knit in flesh colors....and a good strong needle and thread. I use dental floss since it does not break and sews through the fiber fill quite smoothly. will have to look for pictures...they were all pretty big, and mostly used for displays in stores or for advertising. It is much like making stuffed animals, but with no pattern, and with nothing but needle and thread sculpting facial features and finger nails and wrinkles.....fun, though.

Smelling swampy/smelling swampy..just after I posted Cathy came over, she's the lady who cuts my grass every Thursday, God bless her, don't know why she does, tell her I like cutting grass but never grass to be cut..so we did have a nice visit, showed her all my lovely gifts I received from Robynsnest for the Christmas in July swap, went out to water and plant the shrubs I bought today and a few perrenials that found their way home when Greg and Noah dropped in to see what my schedule with the boys is this week and find out if I wanted to go up the lakes and spend tomorrow aft. and night up at the cottage, nope, still have ear infection - off balanced and just want to be home..enjoyed today just doing my thing..

Noah went to check out the frogs, lots of music going on in the pond, I thought the water spray feature looked to be slow so while he was here asked if he'd unplug the pump that way if I fell in there would be somebody around, inner area is 5' - while I checked out if there was a blockage, now why wouldn't you as a mother guess that once you are under the pump the kid (39) would plug it in, so hair and clothing all wet, it's time for a bath, shaking my head..do kids ever grow up..Noah thought it was great..all in fun!

What I had planned for this evening guess won't get done, but thats ok..always tomorrow ..

So off for a bath, think I'll bring a few of the boards upstairs, maybe I can relax and get a few of those painted, sure want to see the friendship name/mileage pole come to life...

Shar, will get you the armiture out in the mail, album almost done so will mail them both..love to see some of your creations...

If I don't get back, do have a nice night...

One more quick drop-in....for the past few days I've told neighbors/Greg/Cliff&Bernice the side of my secret garden tht had beautiful lily leaves that made it secluded from next door neighbor along with the trees, anyway all the lily's have been pushed to the ground, I kept saying something has been laying there, can remember at the farm it was moose, anyway everybody said it was Sailor...

Sailor has been acting up during the night, all the outdoor lights when turned on don't show anyone as being out there, but Cliff just called and said he read in the local newspaper that there is a warning for my area, black bears and that they are getting bold, so perhaps my mystery has been solved..not so sure I'll sit in that garden tonight, my secret garden isn't so secret anymore! lol

Shar, did follow some (lol) of your advice, ended up putting a container and vine/flowers to give it a bit of pizzazz, a curtain tie and an edging, it's exactly what was needed...now Houston, we've got a problem...hmmm now the other 2nd panel needs more..lol..so am trying to figure out what to put there..

This is just a fun project, don't want to make it my career...hmmm I'll sleep on it and perhaps it will come to me...

This time I really am calling it a night..

Looks good. Maybe a little dirt spilling out.......maybe some bird seed in the bottom of the cage.....a lady bug on the geranium....

teasing you.
Looks great.

omg Shar, wonderful ideas but do you think I'll get them done this year...

Sleep well, now you've given me all these ideas I doubt I'll sleep, you know me -mind will be working overtime, between painting and the bears!!!!

No bears.
well, maybe teddy bears, think of them instead.

but stay out of your garden,
Nite, now.

since y'all are sooooooooooo creative---i am using the olympics for my classroome theme--would like to buy (inexpensive please!) or make gold/ silver and bronse medal or maybe medals--nothing that could break easily or nothing sharp (i had thought of can lids but too sharp and poking the holes makes sharp spots too)--i haven't looked yet but maybe even some stores have them from people who have olympic parties ??

So far behind in replying. But can't now either. Getting ready to go up north and visit and rock hunt! I am so looking forward to this.

Will probably be back tomorrow.

You all have the day you need!

Vicki

Linda,
I made medals one time for something at school, used the largest buttons I could find, the kind with the little hook on the back. Covered it with wrinkled foil, then spray painted the foil, bronze, gold, whatever.....looped a ribbon through the back loop. Wrinkled foil gives it texture.

You can find big buttons anywhere to buy, but I found some on an old winter coat.
Or.....

You can use heavy cotton cord glued to the front of the button to make a design, let the cord get dry and hard from the glue, then as you cover with the foil, the cord design will show through as it is pressed...sort of intaglio, stands out in relief. or embossing, would be a better word, I guess.

will see if I can find a photo.

i hadn't thought of buttons--good idea and i like how easy to attach the ribbon! i will be on the lookout for huge buttons--and i understand what you mean about the foil giving texture and the cord design for a raised look--very good! i am not in a terrible hurry since i am going to intro the medals in a week or so--building up to that --thanks for such easy ideas and such a quick response!! i might even ask if any of dave's gardeners who sew have huge buttons in their button boxes that they would be willing to share with a wonderful first grade class!!

Couldn't find what I was looking for, but here is something similar using buttons and glue on "jewels"......

And another, thread ends through another bead, then knot the loose ends so it can slide and be adjustable..

thanks--that was so nice of you to get the pics on here!! and i make jewelry and never even thought of looking at those supplies! i have "jewels" like those from old craft ideas too--thanks --an idea to play around in my head with today while i plant the bargains i picked up at lowes!!

A fun thing to do using Picasa...

Roses

Morning, busy painting window frame, laundry, just did groceries, got car wash and vacumed, got my jar 'swap' mailed, hope she likes, know I did and now it's time to get serious work done...looked as though it was going to rain, has cleared up but muggy, guess I'd better put a/c on again..

Going to town I thought Cliff/Bernice's back workshop was onfire...smoke everywhere but it was them doing massing burning, had an entire wheelbarrel of flowers, thought to myself now I'd be making bouquets for the house, went to life them and Berice said, you don't want those girl, full of red bugs, so they will burn them all in hopes of getting rid of them before the attack the entire garden..

Love the medalions Shar..I keep forgetting that you taught and must have had to always be thinking up inovative ideas much as being a Rec. Co-ordinator...now Linda, that would be something they'd probably keep...

Vicki, more rock gardens ??? is that what you are up to today? pick a few for me, could use some...lol..

Well, time to make the bed with freshly dried sheets, have lunch and then git ta work...lol

Will drop in on my next break..

nope--can't keep em--probably a gold winner of the week or something like that--but i'd like to make more than one because i want to be able to have "ties" for the gold--and i won't do like they did our american gymnastics when they tied china!!

I am new to DG and reading some of the threads - I got a kick out of this one. I just retired a few months ago and moved from California to Portland Oregon and loving it. I'm in the process of remodeling a house and when I get settled I may find a little part time job mostly for interest. I left a very corporate and crazy busy stressful job when I retired and I am so much happier now. You all sound so busy and it seems like life is good!

Hello to everyone - I am finally finished reading all weeks' posts. I miss you guys. Had a very busy week and thankfully have been sleeping later several mornings this week and that cuts in to my computer time. I am sure that I missed some things. First off, is Starzz ill? I saw Betty commenting on that and wondered.

Wanted to welcome Crissy and Linda and anyone else who may be new here. Lovely home you have Crissy.

Sharran, wanted to thank you for the times that you did coordinate the Secret Pal Swaps. They were lots of fun. I have too much coming up in the next little while to do the job justice, so will just say not possible now. I hope that we find someone else who has the time to do it. Very exciting about getting your Aunt Bett stories published. So cool. You will have to let us all know when they get ready to be marketed.

Betty, I mentioned to you one time before about getting a joint supplement for Sailor. Not sure if you checked in to it yet or not, but I have a feeling that she might greatly benefit from taking a Glucosemide supplement or there is another pet medication called Rimadyl that might work also. I hate to hear that she is suffering when there might be something that will give her some relief.

Maybe this upcoming week won't be as busy as this last one and I will be able to keep up with the posts. I hope that everyone is having a good Saturday. Take care ladies.

Ruby

Cross posted with you Portland. Welcome aboard. Always good to have new folks here with us. This is a very nice group of women. You will like it here.

Ruby

Helllooo...

Wow, how wonderful to see you Shar! Been a long time, but I know you are enjoying writing. Thats awsom on possible publication!!
Love your victorian santa too, what great ideas you have shared...This project is going to be so much fun. Ive been on the look out for material, found some crushed suede is on sale at joAnnes...now I think there is a goodwill store not too far so hmmm, going to check the purses., cool cool use.
Don't know if you saw I commented on your quilt display, so will say again what a wonderful find and great use. Sure hope Ashly is good.

You too Marion, Hope you are safe and Faye is settling down, geesh she's been back and forth.

It is so icky here, i dare not complain with your weather, just hot and H u m i d here. Was going to start the wood wash today but EWWW out I might wait till it cools down. LOL, just can't make up my mind.

Betty, WOWWIE, the windows are just so Gorgeous. I am smiling thinking about you out there working in your friendship garden. It's so much fun watching it come together as you describe it and create a warm and happy place to gather. How the earache? gone I hope.

Liz...Sure hope to see you come out and play soon. Miss your posts. Big hugs for sure!

Ves, hope you find some good stones.

Crissy, on her vacation about now, wishing her safe travels and good times.

What a great idea with the medals Linda. I'll watch out for large buttons.

Welcome Portland. How nice your remodeling! Will be great to follow along with what you are doing. Pull up a chair and tell us all about it.
LOL, we like pictures too!

Well, Workfront was very busy last week, yes.I am simply thrilled with that. had four projects going simaltaneously! And thank heavens I remembered how to run the envelope program lol...Sending a huge mailing so woohoo, will be busy again next week. Some other projects coming in too. Back to regular hours so will be glad to get home at a reasonalble time.

On home front, Jake jumped right into the routine, and lol, already doing homework immediatley after school. hope that idea doesn't fade, course its just starting. Julia al prepared for her first day of College this Monday. She was really cute as already started reading! She should do real well loves to learn. Breenie starts Wednesday! She is talking about jopining a club. I am hopeful that it will be drama and art, two of her favorites. We tried talking her into colorguard with the band but she doesn't want to commit, oh well, she can twirl her hoola hood and bars for me...I just love watching her do that!

Remeber my telling you my girls helped the young friend? Since then they are are volunteering at the Youth Center. They enjoy this and I am glad that they are putting in time to help the community. They get called when the YS needs extra hands. So far they helped with a mailing...Hhehehe, they were impressed on how quickly the girls got the project done. Beenie was telling me it was so easy since they have have helped me in the past...And the best is that the They are doing an article on how my girls helped a friend! So, I said well I definatley want to know when it comes out!

Spent many hours on the phone with family and friends...Just hope I can help for the good of everyione. Brother, having a hard time at the moment. His woman called me and literally had me shaking with fear. But it turned out she was trying to manipulate him. Grrr, I could just knock her out. Drives me crazy to be pulled into that web. So, I guess today i will find out what the heck happened. They are luck i live so far away because I am about ready to knock their heads together, LOL. whew, good to get that off my chest, thanks for listening.

Well...I guess it is time...If I don't start that wood wash, I won't do it so heavy sigh, I am going to get at it! Once i start won't want to stop until its done. So you all have a good afternoon. Will see you later.

Just popping in before I go out to cut the grass.
I had hurt my back muscles..and it lingered for quite awhile..but I am feeling almost back to normal today.

Sharon..I did one of those collages in Picasa too. This is three photos blended together..

Looks great, Starzz.
Love playing with that program.

someone mentioned quilting and it made a light bulb go off--i quilt but i also buy old, stained, ripped half finished, no backing quilts from garage sales from time to time--i hate the thought of someone doing the work long ago and no one taking care of them--so i just thought that i could maybe use some of it for a santa--it would be a bit different than the victorian ones with the plush and fancy but just a thought--
however--my first one is going to be the plush and fancy!!
sometimes i go a little crazy with cooking and i just did that--thinking ahead to next week and wanting to eat healthy-so i made
brown rice and stir fry veggies,
pasta pesto salad with veggies,
tuna pasta salad with veggies,
hard boiled eggs,
pork tenderloine with veggies
tortilla strips for toppings
bread pudding (not as healthy but ---)
think i got a bit carried away!