Thinning Winter Woods--Nothing Stays the Same Forever

Oh, how we wish things would change; then, oh, how we wish they would stay the same!

Behind my home is a lovely bit of woods--our main reason for purchasing this home. After many, many years of growth, ash bores hit the woods and took their toll. Poor, dead trees are still falling.

A few days ago, when we had a pretty good wind, a couple of thin tree trunks fell onto the power lines and we had to notify DTE. Today a subcontractor for our energy company took them down, and my husband cut the wood and stacked it as well as he could.

This past year I have noticed quite a thinning going on in the woods. Mother Nature must be house cleaning. It hurts to see it. Never before could I have seen a squirrel, like I did today, running along the "creek" about 200 feet behind our property. Saw him right through the woods! Never before could I see homes across the creek and land beyond it. Usually, in the winter, we could see a porch light flicker. In the summer we could see nothing through the thicket.

We were just saying, yesterday morning, that there will be nothing left but cottonwood trees, and that's something I feel ungrateful about but can't help. Cottonwoods make a mess of everything, especially my garden in the spring and early summer. Looks like snow has fallen.

I so wish we could keep everything beyond our property line as it was yesterday, or, at least, as it stands today. But, sadly, or happily, time passes and nothing stays the same forever.

Pleasant dreams of forests, trees, critters, birds and no changes when we don't want them...

Dreamer

Something a Little Different for Me

Trying new things is a lot of fun. I haven't tried knitting any small scarves or neck ornaments until now. This is something new for me, but, from what I understand, highlighting the neck is a big trend right now. We'll have to see how it goes.

I haven't really copied anyone else's work, but I don't know how original I can be when these accent pieces are the trend right now. What's in style is in style, and that's that. You have to set your own trends and come up with fresh ideas. I'll be working on it.

Here is a photo of my very first neck accent piece, just listed on Etsy this evening. I loved making it!

 Pleasant dreams in...

My Dream Garden

New Treasury by Vintage Makeover

Guess what? My Blue Eyes Vintage Button Bracelet has been featured in a lovely treasury titled, "Elegance in Blue Glass, by "Vintage Makeover on Etsy. Check it out. There are some beautiful pieces in this treasury. put together by a shop named

Having just joined Etsy this year, Vintage Makeover could use your support. Their merchandise is pretty low right now, but there are some lovely pieces of jewelry if you'd care to take a peek.

NOTE: Please click on Elegance in Blue Glass, above, to view this treasury and on Vintage Makeover to see their shop.

There have been so many wonderful treasuries and I'm privileged to be a part of them. It's always wonderful to see other artists' work and to see the wonderful treasury themes.

Pleasant dreams of blue glass...

Lady in Blue

Earrings Galore!

I love earrings! I've been working on some simple earring styles and have posted a few for you to see. They're listed in My Dream Garden on Etsy.

My daughter-in-law is encouraging and has such great taste. She made some earrings for me for Christmas. I just love them and suggested she make some up to list in my shop. I'm not very confident that she will, but she'd do a great job! 

Speaking of my Christmas gift, why do people think I don't want anything homemade just because I make it, myself? I hear it all the time and feel "left out" because the rest of my family do get handcrafted gifts.


I took a stab at making some earrings from scratch: I took fine silver .999 wire and twisted and looped it into a curly triangle. The ear wires are also fine silver and hold an iridescent blackish-purple melon bead above the triangle. I'm pretty excited, but I'll have to perfect my techniques before making them for my shop. Anything new can be exciting! (By the way, I haven't photographed them yet.)

"Weather" or Not

Whether or not we want it, bad weather is moving in tomorrow and Wednesday--a foot of snow expected. I guess Michiganders have lived through this enjoyment only eight times since the early 1900's. Thank God for small favors; I don't have to go to work on Wednesday!

People in the UP (upper peninsula of Michigan) get this type of snowfall so much that it's "old hat". They climb up on their roof-tops and sweep off the snow. What wimps we are!

My dad passed away during the blizzard of '78. We could barely make it to the church across the street from the funeral home. We crept an inch at a time for about two miles, to my sister's house, and spent the night there just so we could visit with out-of-town relatives who were stuck here in Michigan. Lined up in a row, we all slept, wall to wall--overflowing from the guest room (big family!) I wouldn't have missed the experience for the world. How often to you get "snowed in" with people you rarely get to see?

In ninth grade we had a very heavy snowfall. Mom said we had to attend school, even though my sister Mary and I knew no one would be there. We dawned "sweater tights," as we called them; cable-stitched, knitted tights and slacks under our skirts. After plowing two blocks through the snow, walking down the middle of the road, lifting our legs a foot high with each step, we finally arrived to empty, dark hallways. School was cancelled. We could have slept in--good, ole' Mom!

So, tomorrow, "weather" or not we like it, we're in for a lot of weather...or not!

Pleasant dreams of snowflakes, white diamonds under street lights, frosted windows, heavy winds, snow plows, salt trucks, accidents...oh, forget it!

Frosty Queen

Valentines Day Hair Accessories Already?

Oh, yeah...Valentines Day will be here before we know it.  I'm usually the last to figure it out.

Headbands are filling my Etsy shop--even baby's and little girl's hair bands. Valentines Day! Time keeps slipping away, does it not?

More to come...

Pleasant dreams of hearts, candy, flowers, cupids, cherubs, perfume, romance...  Nighty, night. Sleep tight.

Queen of Hearts

New Treasuries

Hi, again! Wondrous Strange Designs has included me in two of her treasuries. The first includes my Royal Disc Necklace and the second includes my Peacocks Hiding in the Grass Headband.

Please check out these other wonderful artists. Their work is fabulous! I know. I've visited their shops.


Thanks, D!


Have a wonderful evening!

First of 2011 and Introducing Headbands

Happy New Year to all! This is going to be an amazing year! I can feel it. Of course, I'm not always right, either.


Actually, my phone "up" and "down" arrows aren't working, my TV remote is being temperamental and my blog cursor doesn't want to cooperate. Nevertheless, I feel pretty positive about 2011, strange as it seems.


Check these out:

I've been creating and selling headbands and other hair accessories for a year now and keep getting requests to put them on Etsy. Well, the last two days I have listed a few. Hope they do well. Hope you like them, too! 


Pleasant dreams of new endeavors, resolutions, more time, happiness, peace, profit, love...


Positively Yours

Alone on New Year's Eve

Oh, how I wish my husband wouldn't take assignments on evenings like this. He is part of security at the Red Wings game tonight and truly loves just being there with all the excitement.

That leaves me to catch up on the New Year's Eve blog postings. I have read some wonderful stories and toasts to the New Year. It is now 11:28 pm. I'll turn on the TV in a few minutes and watch "something" drop. It might not even be a ball.

Last year my granddaughter and I watched  a funny movie and got up and danced all around the sofa. It was exhilarating!

Tonight is very different. I'm still a party-er, so it's hard to sit still. But when I read all of those thought-provoking and inspiring posts, I was moved to a place of contentment I wasn't in earlier today.

I have been sick for the last two weeks so we played it by ear as to whether or not we would celebrate New Year's Eve.  Instead Mike and I had lunch together, then came home and I listed some new items in my shop, called my daughter, called my mom, read my friends' blogs and am now finishing up to the sound of fire crackers.

I can't help but wonder what lies ahead in 2011. There have been better and worse years, of course. I feel blessed that we have our health, our church family, our own family, our friends and "my bunco club"friends! I'm especially grateful to have all of you--my online friends and fellow artists.

To you all I toast a great year ahead for each and every one of you. May each of us be blessed with all that we "need" and a little of what we "want".

Pleasant Dreams of new beginnings, of peace, calm, love, less stress, financial security, good health...

Therese

Alphabet Soup Bracelet

So busy making my little ones their Christmas gifts that I haven't had time to list this cute and whimsical bracelet. Perfect for teachers or anyone. Fun, fun, fun!

Hope your Christmas shopping is finishing up and that you have your tree up and decorated. Sure! Tonight's the night.

Pleasant dreams of floating letters...

Gift Certificates Now Available

Christmas shopping made easy in the form of a "no guess" gift. I have listed gift certificates in my Etsy shop. Available in amounts of $15, $25 and $50. Gift certificates can be quickly mailed to you in any amount you desire.

Enjoy Christmas shopping online!

Such yummy scents, you could eat them...Abbey James Co.

Abbey James Co., is one of my favorite Etsy sellers. They have the most fabulous "natural" products. I can attest to the quality of the body butters that feel so good on your skin and the soaps that I've even washed my face with. They don't dry out your skin. My Christmas gift recipients will be getting a small jar of body butter. One of my favs is "Lemon Biscotti". Yummmmm! She hits it just right with the ingredients so that it hints of lemon, but you can smell the sugary sweetness, too.

Click on Abbey James Co., link to shop.

Happy Holidays!

Homemade Christmas and No Time for Business

Greetings! With lots of potential sales just waiting to happen, you keep tripping on those personal projects. You're so busy creating Christmas for your own family and friends that it leaves very little time to attend to business.

The grandchildren's scarves, princess gown and headbands are finished! Yes!!! Hand-warmers for our other granddaughter are in the works. There's an evening bag for my daughter-in-law's birthday, also in December. Then there's the candle holders that I hope I have time to get to. Wonder if I could make a few neck warmers for the kids. Ha! It makes me dizzy thinking about it all.

How's your holiday season going? I know it's the same every year. Seems like you're ahead of the game, one minute, and behind, the next.

Pleasant dreams of swirling Christmas gifts, sugarplums, fairy dust, lit Christmas trees, falling snow that looks like diamonds under the street lights...

Christmas Snow Queen

Kitty-Kat in a Box

Oh, goodness. How my little (old) kitty loves to climb in boxes! Check out this photo of Katydid in a box that was made for two little Christmas trees made in China. What was made in China--trees or Katy? Anyway, she was peeking at my husband over the top of the box with one eye half closed, giving him a chuckle.

Katy tries out every box and bag that comes into the house. There's another cat in our house by the name of Mickey Tettleton, but he gives in to Katy, and she mothers him. Mickey is quite aloof and easy-going, while Katy "rules the roost," as do women in most homes. Do you think Katy's success at laying claim to the box had anything to do with the fact that she, like all women, can entertain several thoughts, simultaneously, whereas guys can handle only what's in front of them at any given time? Sh-h-h-h.

It's 2 am. Pleasant dreams of kitties in boxes...sleeping, sleeping, s-l-e-e-e-ping... Nighty, night. Meow!

Christmas Cat

Little Princess

Oh, my. How much fun I've been having. I can't wait for the little one to see her princess dress on Christmas morning. She just loves "PINK" and princesses and capes and dress-up shoes and dancing around the house. She's just three years old since November, and you couldn't find a "girlie-er" little girl!

"...while visions of sugarplums danced in their heads..."

A purchased  t-shirt dyed pink, decorated with satin ribbons, pink rhinestone straps, pink beads, pink stretchy sequins by the yard, bridal tulle', glitter. It has a shimmery pink skirt and attached bridal tulle'. Then came the headband, which replaces the crown, covered with glitter around a strand of pink rhinestones. Oh, aren't little girls fun to create things for!

Well, off to dreamland. Pleasant dreams of princesses, castles, fairies, Christmas, dancing, sugarplums...

Pink Princess

Chosen for Two More Etsy Treasuries--How Special is That!

I'm happy to have been chosen for two Etsy Treasuries today. Here are the links:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4ce95b660fd68eef16a85039/my-thanksgiving-dessert-with-be
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4ce9c2613ed68eef956e89ea/make-a-wishi-dare-you

Pleasant dreams of holidays, wonderful colors, treasuries, happiness, loveliness...

Therese

Give Thanks

Wow! Christmas music is being played already. I'm having Thanksgiving at my house next week and I just put out the rust-colored candles that smell like pumpkin and the fall leaves decorating the mantle and table. What in the world!

It's too bad that, in today's fast-paced society, we don't even have time to celebrate each individual holiday. How in the world can I savor the flavor of turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, rolls, etc., if I'm looking at Christmas lights and listening to Christmas music?

Thanksgiving is all about "THANKS". It's about thanking the Lord for the bountiful blessings He's given to us. Even though many of us are unemployed, we are among the top 2% of the world in wealth. And, yes, unemployment has touched one of our very own. Nevertheless, thanks is in order. We are having a turkey and all the trimmings. I wish you all the same simple "luxury".

Pilgrims, you started something and we aim to pass it on. Teach your children and grandchildren what Thanksgiving is really about. "Over the river and through the woods, to Grandmother's house we go..."

Pleasant dreams of riding in a horse-drawn sleigh through the fields of snow; of cornstalks in brown fields; of turkey and a big holiday feast; of little ones running around the house; of pumpkin pie that'll knock your socks off...

Happy Thanksgiving, albeit a little early. That's how things go these days!

Turkey Therese
(and don't make fun of me for that one!)

Trojan Horses Prevail

Have you ever messed up so badly as I have today? Lately weird "things" have been happening, involving my computer; I mean happenings that resemble viruses or "Trojan Horses", which our anti-virus program has been supposedly intercepting.

Because of it, I meant to back up my 800 or so photos of family and Etsy things, but, being the procrastinator I am, did not. I couldn't find my flash drive, so I put it off.

Today I had to reinstall everything on my computer, taking it back to "factory condition". I LOST ALL OF IT! Be warned. Never put off backing up your files and don't take it lightly.

Good luck. I'll be trying to have pleasant dreams, but it'll be hard tonight--more light NIGHTMARES!

Dreamer

My Granddaughter's Christmas Eve, Following Halloween!

Oh, don't get me wrong. I know Halloween is just over, but, my goodness. You'd think that Christmas anxiety would leave us alone until at least after Thanksgiving!

There are 45 days left to shop. I plan to make some glass candle holders for my grandchildren. They will hold battery-operated candles that change colors, and come in glass cylinders covered with colored glass pebbles or amber glass stars and moons. I can't wait! The little ones always enjoy what I make them for Christmas.

You should have seen her eyes on Christmas Eve, five years ago, when my oldest granddaughter walked into our family room and spied a little girl--just about the same size as she was--sitting in front of the Christmas tree. I had made her a 4-year-old stuffed doll just her size and placed her in a small chair. Even the grown-ups thought some unknown child was joining our annual celebration as they did a "double take".

As soon as she got her dolly home, she named her, "Hailey Doll". Do you know that she has taken Hailey Doll to bed with her every night for five years? It's true! She said, "Mimi, sometimes I wake up in the morning and I'm laying on the floor on top of Hailey Doll, but I don't remember how I got there." How could you tell she was a heavy sleeper?! 

I love creating, especially for my own kids, but those of us who have businesses to run--full-time or part-time--barely have enough time to keep up our orders and mailing packages, let alone adding to it by making things for our very close family and friends. Nevertheless, I've slowed down those swirling thoughts in my head to try to focus on the important people who are so very dear to me.


I wish you all luck in finding the time to be creative as well as to find the time to shop on Etsy for the rest of your Christmas needs. I'll be there. Will you?

Pleasant dreams of little ones, sugar plums, toys, stockings, knitting, painting, sewing, woodworking and all the other lovely, creative thoughts that are part of your imagination... Good night to all and to all a good night!


Christmas Carol

Halloween Goblins and Ghosts

Ghosts and goblins! Our annual Halloween Party with family and one of my "best-ist" friends ever. Wish there were more photos after dark. It looked w-a-a-y spookier. Lots and lots of candles--even flickering in the doll heads--and scary music. We had so much fun, especially when we drank my sister's potion!

Pleasant dreams of anything but scary faces... Don't worry, be happy!

Halloween Queen