Sunday, November 30, 2008

Embrace the Face..














Here I am again....last minute.... ... today is the last day for this month's face challenge at Embrace the Face, which is to include "lace" in our submission....

The topic should have been a beautiful one to inspire something special. But, motivation was lacking ..... the days went by while I was enjoying myself doing other things.... ...... and here it is already November 30.

I couldn't really make lace look like lace on paper.... so, I gave her a "lacy look" cowl on her sweater. Guess it'll do for now....










I was enamoured of pink hair from making some little tree angels....and decided to give her some too....














....and, just because I want to make sure I have some actual lace somewhere on this page.... here is a pin doll face I recently made for a swap on a doll making group.

Friday, November 28, 2008

Frugal Friday...

Lots of people are out there spending....big sales today....but, hopefully this year the spending has been carefully calculated. If you don't need it, or can't really afford it....don't buy it. That's not only me giving my opinion... but several economists monitoring the current situation (including Susan Orman, who seems to be a fav among many women even if her voice and manner drive me crazy) She does have some good advice. Spending next month's mortgage payment on something trivial is not a great idea.











Any day is a good day to throw out some simple money saving tips, no? You would be amazed at how much money you can save over the span of several years if you really want to do it... how about baking your own yummy muffins? ... or even the occasional loaf of bread? .... the difference is pennies to dollars over store bought even with the cost of baking factored in... (and what store bought baking tastes anything like home made?) Plus, you know exactly what is in them and whose clean (instead of grubby) hands touched the batter....ick.... just thinking of what goes on in kitchens makes my hair curl...believe me I know... been there....













short story.... When we first decided to buy a house, we tried to save enough for a down payment but, didn't seem to be having much luck growing our bank account. We just weren't budget making people ... as a matter of fact, I've never quite been able to figure out how people decide in advance how much they are going to spend on each category and then try to stick with that. Makes no sense to me at all....... at least until after a person finds out how much they DO spend on each...if you see my point. Anyway, Mr. BumbleVee decided to see where our $$$ were going and why we couldn't save. He handed me a piece of paper and said "let's keep track of every dime". We did. What a shocker!!! I mean, we kept track of every muffin, every cup of coffee, every time we got soup and a sandwich for lunches .... we each frittered away just over $200 per month. (and that was over 20 years ago) That did it. It meant that we should have been able to add $400 + to the bank account monthly. So.... we "changed our evil ways" the very next day. Within a year we easily had enough to start looking... then, we got really silly and each got a second job so that we could double up on mortgage payments and pay that down sooner because mortgage rates had jumped to 11% by that time and we refused to pay more than the house was worth in interest. We bought at the worst possible time it would seem.... but, years later it got even worse...and I did lose a lakeshore property whose rate climbed to 21%.... so...been there too... ..of course, nowadays they insist that can't happen again.... we'll see won't we? ... good luck to those with rates at 4% if that happens.....













I still find myself looking for bargains...(actually, that's a habit older than the down payment days) .... using coupons... getting rain checks... stocking up on sale items... planning meals around what's on sale at the grocery store... we eat really well and yet our grocery bill is probably less than half of what most people spend.











..freezing "plan overs" for lunches. It's easy and tidy.. less mess and more 'fridge room. Instead of putting what's left in the 'fridge for ...whenever.... put it in lunch sized containers. The guys at work started calling them "envy lunches".... they drool and ask what's for lunch when they smell the aroma in the microwave area. Four of them have begun packing up some plan-overs of their own... comparing lunches at noon...

okay...this is probably going a bit too far...but, it's hard to break some old habits..(when I left home I quite literally had nothing so had to make do.. .. there were days when there was no food in the cupboard) .. why not re-use plastic bags from everything? especially if the container they line is hidden under a sink? No point in tossing it in the garbage empty is there?...and no point spending money for plastic bags either. Keeping an eye on spending now means that later, when I see something I really want.... I buy it.














Purex was on sale half price yesterday...look at my pretty liner... ...oh, and... don't drive off to the store every other day for bargains either...even if gas has gone down ... don't waste it...there isn't enough to last many more years and they are miles from a viable hybrid that is affordable... and even then... your electricity will skyrocket because you will have to plug them in to recharge.... arrgghhhh.... what else can we save a few pennies on?

a few blogs lately have been querying ways in which people are cutting back or how to save anything in such unstable times.... my suggestion is to first find out how much you spend and what you spend it on... I bet you will be surprised ......

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Christmas Cactus...











Last year my cactus was only a year old and even though it had several blooms the day I bought it.... when it reached the anniversary... only 3 blooms appeared. I did get some great shots of those flowers though and was thrilled that it had survived the year as I haven't really been able to keep one alive in the past. My sister has several and they are ancient, huge and have zillions of blooms...(not only at Christmas but it seems to me whenever I go there).... maybe not zillions...but you know what I mean...she has the greenest thumb I've ever seen. Or, it could be that she treats them a lot better.... actually adds new dirt and re-pots them sort of regularly...... my guys usually just live in the pot in which they appear....forever...... or, til they die. Tsk, shame on me....











About a month ago I noticed some tiny buds forming at most of the tips! That was pretty exciting for me and I wanted to do the right thing. It says in the info that they flower because of the reduced light and heat at this time of year...so I wanted to make sure "my guy" knew what time of year it was even though it lives in artificial light and heat. I moved it to the cooler, darker room... my craft room. The curtains are usually closed and lights off in there....











Now, it's back where I can admire the blooms...and if they fall off...well, c'est la vie. I am enjoying them for now...










AND.... this I can't believe. My Hoya got a new leaf! A real shocker because I definitely mistreated this poor little guy. It began as a cutting from an ancient Hoya my brother had.... and he had miles of it all around a window...that always bloomed and smelled so wonderful. For several years it was a bright, healthy green... but, to my disappointment, never did flower. One summer, early in the morning on a nice day, I decided to really dust and wash all my plants. Took them outside onto the sunny patio......you can see it already can't you? ..... sigh.....yes, I kind of "forgot" them for a few hours and the day turned into a blistering one. Ohhhh...my poor plants. I'm sure what happened to my Hoya was the equivalent of a severe sun burn. The leaves went all pale and dry looking...it never actually recovered. It never died...but never did grow another leaf. One spring, years after my cruelty, it sprouted a little stem thingy and all of a sudden a flower bunch appeared. Imagine my surprise. Every spring it flowers... and sometimes even twice a year I get that beautiful scent and a little flower bunch...always on the same stalk..which is now about 2 inches long. It just begins at the end of that stalk every time. I talk to it and tell it what an amazing little guy it is ... to sprout such a beautiful bloom after my cruel treatment. And, now... a leaf. Wow... I can't understand it or figure out why... but, I hope it continues .. Maybe I should break down and re-pot it...

This is really weird::: I looked back to check when my cactus bloomed last year and guess what? It was right now. Exactly to the day! I joked about it being the Thanksgiving Cactus for the American bloggers.... how amazing is that?

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

honestly........

My angels all look like tarts or little minxes... hahahhahah











.....guess I better look for a picture of an innocent.... a cute little baby or something....










and.... guess I can forget the eyelashes.... although I love for all my girls to have them.... Probably because mine are pretty much invisible I think.....

back to the old drawing board.........

Monday, November 24, 2008

little angels...














a bear and doll making buddy came to play on the weekend and we decided to make angel ornaments. We covered some pretty small buttons ( only 1 1/8 inch) with crepe/satin.... crepe side out. She has only done a couple of faces...but, look at this sweet little gal... what a great job.. and on such a tiny surface.

We wondered when we began if we would be able to get any detail at all...but...... were very happy with the results. They turned out great.

Watercolour pencils worked beautifully on the fabric...but.... the Pigma pens definitely needed a very light hand, with very little hesitation, as it seemed there could be a tendency to bleed if a person dawdled mid stroke.

Some little Ecru doilies... coaster size.... should make cute dresses. We may or may not add some trim to them.... A piece of thin gold wire makes a perfect halo....














Hair is Tibetan Lamb.... a bit tricky to work with once it is cut from the hide... but, this piece of hide was stiff and bulky...which would have made it unwieldy on a tiny button.... so, cut it off we did.. ...got some sticky fingers, but managed to get it glued on neatly. Now... some backing and a "neck/body" to hold on her dress... perhaps something for little arms.....I have a vision of mine holding a mini music sheet or a tiny candle..or... .....

Now, I want to make more little faces... using some pale shell pink covering this time... and as you can see, mine is not very "angelic"...must try for something more cherubic.....

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Princess Tatiana...











Tatiana couldn't believe her eyes when she saw the lacy little bejeweled sleigh ....














... a special "something" that actually measures up to her rather royal standards.....

Thursday, November 20, 2008

gifts under $10 .....

..... more or less how it went all the time in the "olden days" as the nephews laughingly call them. Cheeks!.... There were set limits on the amount of money spent... mostly because we didn't have much to spend. As a matter of fact, some years we didn't have any. Although we did eventually get clever and figure out a few money making projects. I think my penurious nature began when I was about....oh..... about 7 years old. ... honestly.











In my searching the other day, I found some under $10 goodies.... already 50% off in November... well... my bargain hunting side is completely satisfied. I now have this dainty Victorian ride for a little lady bear.....










gorgeous, pastel boxes of individually wrapped soaps... ..










a few new soft coloured sparkly tree ornaments and Sugar Plum scented candles....











oh,.................uhm.... well, we had to test the actual chocolates to determine if this was a decent little giftie...........










Wednesday, November 19, 2008

I got a Persimmon....

A gift from a guy who grew some in his garden this year.... he must have brought them inside a while ago...becuz.... it snowed last week...and again today a bit more...so, I doubt they are still attached to anything outside.... ..










I've never had one before.... hmmm...second confession in as many days...hahahha... oh, well.... perhaps in some respects I've lived a sheltered life... or, maybe I've just been too cheap to bother with them at the grocery store... I assure you... ya can't fool me with much.













Orange is a colour that I don't usually care for.....but this is not really orange...it's.... ...well, it's Persimmon isn't it?!

Poor little Gerber...looks like he feels a bit uncomfortable holding somebody's head......

Same pattern.... different fabric... stuffed softer too...and yet... looks a bit larger .... perfect. I like the heads of baby-type bears to be larger..... although with the tiny "test eyes" (and a test eye for the nose too) he is not quite as baby like... just wanted to post a pic of the persimmon and the fabric...... nothing is set yet.......

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

true confession...

okay...... hands up if you actually thought you were going to see a juicy tidbit.











....

nyehhh! .... I was merely going to 'fess up to never having made Matrimony Cake...or Matrimonial cake or sometimes just called date squares. I wonder why they were called that in the first place?

November seems to be a month when I like to do some major cleaning and sorting (recipes come under that heading)... .... same thing happens in the late spring. By the time it is any closer to the festive season...(or, to summer in the other instance) I want to be ready to do fun stuff; sometimes on short notice.

We are only 5 weeks away now...acckkk! Keep moving...................











especially if you are crafting....and keep the fur out of the kitchen........










It's the perfect time to begin testing new recipes for Christmas giving. Date squares won't be on the list of gifts...too crummy and too soft and sticky... yummy, yes, but...not in the gifting department. I just happened to find the recipe in the "to try" pile that I save for years ... and years more... til I decide, hmmmm.... I'll never make this...and finally give it the heave ho.













Yesterday I made some squares... exactly the taste I remember from years ago when our neighbour used to make them. The poor Ross's were up against it trying to make little ladies out of total tomboys. It must have been a good laugh watching grubby fingered kids, trying their level best to sip tea daintily from a real, flowery tea cup and to not get crumbs all over the crocheted tablecloth in their dining room. Oh, well, once we figured out we were really girls... and later, women... we did scrub up pretty good.....










...I even learned to bake and discovered that I love it.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

relaxing, fun day....

The day has morphed into a lovely sunny, mild one.....

I'm probably having way too much fun playing with toys and "stuff"... .. ..





















biscotti is baking while I am playing with dogs...















hahahha....I once taught a golden lab to do this trick in two days......

what a clever doggie.....















6 more ready to go..... the little fishy with the sexy lips didn't make the cut this year.... I thought she was so cute I decided to let her hang out in a chair with some bears til next year.... she is made of rose petal soft velvets ....

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

The "best before" date.... December 24 ....











Yikes!! is it that close already? I bought some egg whites today and that was the "best before" date stamped on the top of the container.

Not that there are any deadlines, or promised gifts or commissions... it just seems... soon.

Funny how it goes isn't it? At the end of the summery days there is a sort of laziness... almost a "waiting for something" kind of feeling .... which I guess is the cooler weather.... then... there is some cooler weather, although this year was one of the lovely falls... warm til very late. Then, all of a sudden it dropped from +15 to minus something one day last week and we had a light snow overnight. That did it. Reminded me what time of year it is.











The snow melted almost right away on the streets, and finally on the patio furniture, but there is still an inch or so on shady areas of the lawn... it might be there til spring now. We moved the patio furniture inside over the weekend and did the last of the yard tidying... ready to batten down hatches if need be 'til spring. Even with the warm, sunny daytime highs... the sun is so low in the sky it never touches those areas of shade behind the house or the big spruce tree out front again for months. Lovely new clean snow will fall on top and there will be layer upon layer .....some years more than others, but the last few years certainly have not been what it was 4-10 years ago here. I used to shovel a lot more snow than I have the past three years. There used to be piles at the side of the driveway that were getting too high to toss any more snow on. It would just slide or roll off and back onto the drive unless I could manage to throw it high enough to go over the pile... Definitely not complaining about not having to shovel that anymore...just saying....










Not only is there Christmas "stuff" in all the stores already....but, it's also already 40% off!! How I love a bargain. It seems they barely got it unpacked and onto shelves before some "manager" came along with his sale signs. The perfect time to shop. Selection and quality at peak... none of it has been rummaged through or broken.










Found some cute little baubles with the thinnest of gold thread wrapped around and around and finished with sparkle dust. Perfect for using with the huge goblets I also found (if I can find candles the right size!) The inside base is open though, and votives are tooooo small. They would fall right in and melting wax would be everywhere.....I want some with an outside shell that will stay intact during burning. Must be something in between a votive and a thick pillar.... my mission now is to find some. Candle shops, here I come.

Christmas shoe boxes are in at Safeway ... time to drag out the tote bins full of goodies and get my assembly line in action. I love stuffing the boxes with fun and useful things for the little kids. Last year regular sized spiral notebooks didn't fit into the length of the box... they must have made them just that extra 1/4 inch longer this year...they fit perfectly! Good... because I still have about 20 from two years ago....we had to buy new smaller notebooks last year and wonder what to do with the previous books. This year I am ready to go... just need some more hard candies... my fav are the Werther's as they are so sparkly. I think gold, sparkly wrappers are fun to see when a box is opened.











Maybe the kids even save them like we did as kids.. (not Werther's, but any pretty sparkly wrappers we found) ... and use them for little dangly ball earrings or thread a few and make a necklace... ....

Friday, November 7, 2008

Tuscan Peasant Bread....











with apricots, cranberries and Muesli

























Here is the recipe if you'd like to try baking one yourself... ...or two......

Saturday, November 1, 2008

forget-me-nots











same frames for the other prints I got from Susan.... further along the same side of the room.... above the barrister bookcase... the one nicknamed the "bearister" bookcase because it is loaded with bears.....