Rhinestone Armadillo

L'Herbier des Fées

L'Herbier des Fées

 

The version on the tablet eBook looks amazing.  However, I am just not a real 'gadget person'.  Also, I tend to prefer a book in my hands and on my shelf, not on a device.

For heaven's sake, I don't even text.  I have a plain Jane cell phone, not an iPhone.  Am I just a total Luddite?  How heavily invested are you guys in technology?  I fear that someday real soon I'm going to fall far so behind I'm not going to be able to catch up. 

Here's the rub, though---I don't want to keep up.  Maybe it's because I'm not tech savvy, but it seems like as soon as you learn how to use one device or program, it becomes obsolete or fantastically upgraded and you have to sink more time into learning the next new thing.  I loathe time spent learning these sorts of things.  They are uninteresting to me and I don't enjoy the process.  Hmmm.....maybe I'll be living in a cave soon and gnawing on bones and reading-gasp!-newspapers.

Mama & Violet Day

Adam and Violet have "Daddy Daughter Dates", and Violet and I have "Mama & Violet Days".  I especially want to be sure to keep up with these once there is a new baby in the house.  I'm guessing it's pretty hard to be 3 1/2 and have a new baby show up and disrupt your life. I'll try to spend a little solo time every day reading with her, or just snuggling a bit. However, maybe these Mama/daughter days will be a little extra special something for Violet to look forward to.

We went to Braum's for breakfast.  If you're in a hurry and don't want to eat a heart attack breakfast you might give the oatmeal a try.  It was a healthier choice than the usual fare.  I saw people eating ICE CREAM before 9:00 am.  Ah, Texas. 

We went to Story Time at the library.  Unfortunately, we had to stop by and talk to the children's librarian.  Violet (gasp!) drew in two of her books, so we had to go 'confess' and pay for the books.  "Henry in Love" is her current favorite, and she gave it some good scribbles.  Oh, for shame. 

She also wrote in this one.  I was frustrated with her about the first book, and she proudly showed me this one, saying, "I colored this one, too!"  So---we had to have a long talk about how we take care of our books.  From now on, she will also not have access to the books directly.  She'll have to ask for a story, and I will get it for her, we'll read it, then I'll put it back in her library bag--out of her reach.

The library was more fun after our confession, since they were celebrating Cinco de Mayo.  There were great books and songs and dances, followed by a PINATA!!!!!  It sure is fun to whack a little unicorn with a stick until candy rains out.

We stopped by to see our dear friend Marcia who is forever embarassing us with too many gifts.  Do you hear us, Marcia??? You're spoiling us!  And we're running out of room.  Violet is quite enamoured of her new fairy purse.

Violet has been into my lotion lately.  She really, really likes lip gloss and scented lotion.  So, I decided it was time for her first Bath & Bodyworks trip.  There are always great printable coupons online, by the way.  We both liked "Pink Chiffon" the best, and got a little lotion for her and a spray for me.  We also picked up a few of those antibacterial hand gels.

She rode the horses.  She got on, was terrified and begged to get off, then immediately wanted back on.  The music was pretty loud, and it lurched into motion, so I can see why it might have been a bit startling.

A tiny ice cream cone is never a bad way to end the day.

I love you, my little girl!

January days

I love watching the sun rise.  It's amazing to me how many different mornings you can witness.  There's just our meadow, the sun, and weather, but it can change so much.

I like looking at fog.  At first, everything is a big blur, then the scene slowly starts taking shape.

Adam tried to teach Violet to play dominoes this weekend.  She's not ready yet.  They're red...can you even see them on the table?  I found several red vintage sets for Adam for Christmas.

Tilapia with garlic butter sauce and parsley, tomatoes, broccoli, and sweet potato fries with Srirachi mayo.  (Just mix Srirachi hot sauce into mayo to taste)

Adam took the last week off work to get some things done in the studio.  The poor guy spent days cutting up nasty insulation.  Fiberglass is so itchy and gross...it gets everywhere, no matter how careful you are.  He had to cut all those strips by hand using a machete.  People usually use box cutters, but this stuff is super thick, so he found that a sharp machete made it go quicker.

This is looking into the guest room/bedroom.  Adam did all the stud work himself, too.  (Insert stud jokes here.)

See the beams?  In this room, I stained all of them by hand with a mix of stains to give them a distressed, Mexican-type of look.  We've started hanging drywall, and I am smushing joint compound into all the screw holes and seams.  It's tedious, but I'm glad we're making progress.

We're having a cozy day reading in front of the fire.

I'm so happy Violet likes books.  If she hadn't been a reader, I'd have chewed my nails for years.  I can't wait until we can start on chapter books.  I want to put together a Mother Daughter Book Club.  I think it would be fun to choose a different book every month, then take turns hosting.  We could do appropriate activities to go along with the books.  A croquet game for Alice in Wonderland, Halloween costume party for Harry Potter, etc.

I'm done!

I'm done!

Is it readable?  Does it have a workable plot?  Who cares?  I'm DONE!

Now I want to sit on the couch and eat macaroni and cheese and not type another word until December, at the very least.

High Autumn

I thought I'd check in and say hello.  It's day 18 and I'm up to 43,000 words.  My goal is 50,000, so I think I'll make it.  However, I'm only a little past half done with the novel.  Eeeeek!

It's High Autumn! I like these days between Halloween and Thanksgiving. A peaceful drift of chilliness and leaves, and lots of warm food and drinks.

I like to drag out all my autumn-colored accessories.

I made most of these with floral leaves, hot glue, and bits and bobs found in the woods.

I like vintage mixed with kitschy mixed with all out junk.  As long as they're in a pleasing shape and color palette, I'm not too picky about the origin.


These little kitties were an estate sale treasure.  The kitty head goes through your earlobe, then the body attaches behind and slightly swings.  It looks like they're really peeking through your ear.  Violet's a fan of them.  I thought they might make cute sweater clips, too.

Violet visited family in Austin, and had a ball at Zilker Park.  Adam and I both played there as children, too.  She got to ride the kiddie train with her grandparents!  She's been passing out tickets at home, then coming around to collect them.  She calls it playing 'Ticket Man'.

This is such a great scent from Bath and Body Works.  I wish they still made it.  It always reminds me of my friend Brandi.  We both started wearing it the same fall one year, and the smell zaps me back to what was going on in our lives then.  Do your perfumes do that for you?  By the way, thanks for the Mackie, Jill!!!!  Faithful reader Jill bought a huge bottle of Mackie (my favorite perfume), but was reminded too much of her grandmother's perfume to wear it.  She was lovely to pack it off to me---thanks!    Are you saying I smell like a granny, by the way?

Before I started the novel, I'd been reading a LOT.  I am on a 'reading ban' during November, since it's my favorite time-waster.  I got in a bunch of cozy and spooky reading during October.  Great illustrations never hurt, either.

I'm swiftly becoming an Angela Carter fan.  I usually prefer longer works, but having an almost-3 year old has made me appreciate the short story form more than ever.

I picked up Beautiful Creatures but haven't started it yet.  Have any of you read it?  Would you care to offer a quick review?  The Merck Manual is terrifying any time of year.

My Memaw sent Violet an adorable Turkey Day dress.  I love gross-grain ribbon.

I found this at a thrift shop. I liked the huge round hippy handles.

I put lots of pins and flowers on things to keep Violet entertained in lines.  She thinks it's fun to open the old Avon owl and sniff the stinky ghost of perfume.

I haven't been playing harp much this month, but I look forward to getting back to it.  I always seem to run out of time.  I want more hours!

I made a commissioned Disney suitcase.  A woman is giving suitcases to her 3 children from Christmas, along with a trip to Disneyland.  Those are going to be some happy kids, huh?

I also made myself a decoupage hard shelled laptop case.

I used images from some of my favorite books about legends, fairies, and obscure myths.

I lined the bottom with foam, then covered it by hand sewing velvet around it.

bottom

side--I like the disappearing path and, for some reason-those 2 blackberries.

handle

All right, I'd best get back to writing.  I look forward to getting back on the blog horse in December.   Bye bye, everyone!

Wicked Witch Bookmark

 
 I'm digging these Wicked Witch bookmarks from My Bookmark on Etsy.

What's new, cupcake?

My friend Marica gave me a great cupcake cook book for my birthday.

Cockroaches!  Made from caramels!

 
 Broccolli

 

Yarn

faux Chinese food with chocolate 'soy sauce'

Violet wants the ducks. Maybe when it's not 107 degrees outside.  It's just too hot to bake.  Did I tell you that the water coming out of the 'cold' tap isn't cold anymore?  It's warm.  All the time.  Adam doesn't even use hot water when he showers....he just turns on the 'cold' spigot.

SOA Project--Get a stack of books ready

One of the greatest pleasures of summer is spending long, lazy hours in a hammock, at the beach, or on a comfy couch in the conditioned air reading a book.  Or a bazillion books, if I had my way.

  
Get thee to a book store or the library and get a good, fat stack of books to read. 

Now, I know I'm preaching to the choir here.  Most of you readers that I know are huge book worms.  However, in case there are one or two non-readers out there, give books another chance this summer.

Did you love summer reading programs at the library?  I sure did.  I was the kid who wanted to win the prize for reading the most books.  That is, if the prize was more books.  And maybe a shiny ribbon.  I was pretty motivated by shiny ribbons.

 

Is there anything better than a leisurely chunk of afternoon where all you have to do is lie down with a glass of lemonade and read a book?  Those hours seem more plentiful in the summer.  At least they are in my life.

Here's a stack I've been working on.  I like that you can flip through poetry books as the mood strikes you.  You can always find something that strikes a chord if you're a patient enough flipper.  "Man in the Woods" was a fast read.  In college, I liked "Endless Love", also by Scott Spencer.  It's been a long time since I've read it, though. 

 I've heard rave reviews about "The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet", but I just can't through it.  It's too much of a slog for me.  By the third time I was trying to pick it up again, I decided it was three strikes and you're out, Mr. Mitchell.  I read for pleasure, primarily.  I don't want a literary version of broccoli.  No offense, broccoli.  I'm a big fan of you.

 
To me, children's literature is the book version of comfort food.  I threw a whole armful in my book bag at the library. I'm also revisiting some old favorites. 

I would have balked at re-reading books up until a few years ago.  Lately, though, I really like going back through stories I loved.  I often like them even more the second time.

 
 A stack of non-fiction is a must.  I recommend several volumes with coffee-table appeal.  It's so inspiring to browse through a richly photographed book.

After every chapter or two of fiction, I like to switch to a lookie bookie.  It flips a different switch on in my brain.  Also, I find that changing subject matter to visual images and non fiction allows me to concentrate better on my novel when I get back to it. 

 
I just finished 'The Girl Who Played With Fire".  Those Steig Larsson novels are addictive.  "Geek Love" is on the Re-Read List.  That's one of my all-time favorite books.  Not for the faint of heart, though.  You might save it for some Halloween reading.
 
(from DecorPad)

Isn't this a dreamy reading nook?  I want one nestled into a window some day.

SOA Bonus points:  Fashion yourself some sort of book nook or fun reading area.

 
Surely we all have a window somewhere that would be a good candidate.  Pop a thrift store bench underneath, and cover it with something comfy.  Instant nook!

 
 (from Temporary Nest) 
  This is pretty straightforward.  It looks peaceful and easy to replicate.
 
Now, if I'm going to be dreaming, I might as well be picky.  This is awfully special, no? I can never get enough of those sliding library ladders.

So off with you - go fetch a stack of books and dive in!

Placemats Tutorial completed, thanks to SOA!!!!

Summer of Awesomeness project completed - Get Motivated!

DECOUPAGED PLACEMAT TUTORIAL BELOW

(Note---spellcheck kept trying to get me to change 'placemat' to 'placenta'.  Now that would be a whole different project altogether, now wouldn't it?)

Thanks to a much-needed kick in the pants from Bettina, I got motivated to finish my placemats I'd started months ago.  Do you have lots of projects languishing on all surfaces of your house?  If your house is perfect and organized, just don't tell me.

I bought a set of 4 placemats for $3.00 at Goodwill.  They weren't hideous, just kind of blah.  They came in a nice, sturdy storage box, too.

  
The cork backs are good for our glass table since they glide instead of scratch.

 
I've been saving this copy of "Meet the Woodland Folk" for a family project.  We all really like the books.  Did you ever read them?  I didn't find the Woodland Folk series until I was an adult, but I am crazy about the detailed illustrations and happy forest creatures.  Thanks, Tony Wolf---you've made the world a nicer place.  I wish I could go give him a hug and make him some cookies.  Richard Scarry, too.

 TUTORIAL: 

(I am going to make this one super duper EASY-you can even do it with mild heat stroke!)

SUPPLIES:

• 4 placemats (or more if you're one of those crafty Mormon/Catholic/hippy families)
• A book that you don't mind cutting up that is the same height (or very close) as your placemats
• Plain old school glue
• scissors
• Our Beloved Mod Podge
  
  1.  Cut the pages of the book to fit the edge of the placemat.  The placemat was curved, so I stuck it top of the page, and traced the edge of the placemat.  That's the hardest part!

   2.  Now just have fun picking out images to go on each placemat. (This is optional--->) I overlapped 2 pages for each placemat.  To make it look slightly more 'decoupaged', I cut a few shapes out to make them overlap the next page a little more gracefully.

3.  Apply school glue smoothly to the back of the book pages.  Carefully place the page on the placemat, aligning edges.  Working fairly quickly, smooth out any air bubbles or excess glue, working from the center out to the edge of the paper.  Some people use a little brayer? (I think that's the word) or a small rolling pin.  You can also use your fingers.  However, try to be careful not to get glue on the front of the book pages.  Some printing inks will run if you get glue on them then push your finger over the surface.  You can always test a scrap page of the book first.

4.  Let the school glue dry, then coat the top with 2-5 layers of Mod Podge, depending on how glossy and well-protected you want it.  If you have energetic children that like to stab things with forks, put lots of coats on.  If you have mild, calm children, or adults in your home, then 2 coats should be fine.

That's it!  Clean them with a damp dishtowel or sponge (soft side), and don't scrub really hard.

 
I let everyone in my house pick out their favorite images.  Adam chose the spring party and the Oak Tree Terrace. (Click on any photo for a larger image in another screen.)

 
I liked the fireflies and the fawn poking its head into the fiber-crafty mousehouse.  (In the story, he and his sister are cold, so the mice knit them scarves.  I know, I could puke from the cuteness.)

 
Violet likes all things water-related, so she chose these. In the upper left, check out the team of bees pulling a beetle on a pea-ski!

 
This one will be for a guest.  Or a future little Irrgang if we have one. I like how the animals are making a meal out of just a kernel of corn.  They look so excited!

Did I mention the handy storage box?  I like placemats, and have several sets, so I like to store them neatly.   Send me photos of any of your SOA projects and I'll be happy to post them.

Alice in Wonderland items in Etsy shop

All these items are up in my Etsy shop today. Click on any image to see a larger version.

Alice and Cheshire Cat Bracelet

Alice, March Hare, & Mad Hatter Bracelet

 
  Alice in Wonderland suitcase (more photos below)

 
 Alice in Wonderland train case (more photos below)

 
suitcase side

 
suitcase back

suitcase side

suitcase bottom

suitcase top

suitcase interior 1

suitcase interior 2

 
 train case top

train case bottom

train case back

train case side 1 

train case side 2

train case open

train case tray

train case interior