New Skin

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I haven't written for a year. It's been a tiring year. A year of waiting. Lots of waiting. Holding it together. In retrospect, 2014 hasn't been a great year. Like any year, it's had its "high points." But I think, all-in-all, I'm ready to put it behind me and live 2015 the way I want to live it.

I thought about changing the "skin" of my blog, but I didn't. I like the way it looks just fine.

Maybe, in 2015 I'll put up a new "portrait." I like this skin I have just fine, but a new view can make a difference.

Getting Crafty, Maybe?

Mary A. Ramsey-- someone whom I see more on Facebook than in real life, but someone I do admire for her energy and vision-- put up a fun repost the other day.

Quote:  "I will make something for the first ten people who comment on this post with something along the lines of "Yes, I want in." A 'like' alone is not enough. It will be delivered unto you by the end of the year.

You must in turn post this as your status update and make something for the first ten people who comment they want in on your status.

The rules are simple: it has to be made by you, and the recipient must receive it before 2014 ends.

It sounds fun, so I put in my "I'm in," comment.  I'm surprised;  I'm the only "I'm in," comment.  Maybe the other interested folks have private messaged her.  She is C R E A T I V E.  She acts.  She sings.  She directs.  She up-cycles.  She makes STUFF.  She crafts business plans.  She is the Interim Director at JA (you know, teaching young people to bring a business plan together from product conception to getting you to buy it?)  She also cooks. And that is just what I know about her.

So, as I said, I'm surprised that no one else has chimed in.  I'm excited!

Ah, but to get, I must, in turn, give.

Maybe THAT is the deterrent.

Not here.

Y'all, if you haven't noticed, I'm pretty crafty, too.

Thus, the purpose of this post connected to my FB repost:  the rules don't specify if the giver or the receiver has the greater say in the crafted gift. Maybe it's all on my part; I can chose how to spend my time and energy; I can have a single-day craft-tan-aganza; I can tailor my gifts to what I know about the respondents; obviously, delivery methods will count towards limitations.

Then again, I think those who will respond to my repost should have a good idea of what I can do:  crochet & knit (short projects,) needlework (cross-stitch preferable, needlepoint under duress,) scrapbookking (is too a word,) up-cycling (like candles,) simple beading, simpler sewing, glue ANYTHING.  Oh, and cooking.  There's probably a few other things I can do (oh, I can write, duh,) but I don't see them spread out on my craft table to be done or put away.

A few photos, if you're curious....

Not much, but there you go.

Friday Favorites: MY Space

No, not that one.  I'm pretty much settled in to FaceBook, and use Google for everything else except social-networking.

And Netflix.  Learned the hard way that Google + Silverlight + Netflix = Really Pissed Off MacBook

I'm crowing about a space in my house that is all my own.  It's only about 21 square feet, but it's all I actively need.  I'm rather efficient and effective at storing my "raw materials."

Ta-Da!!

I can thank Hazel for my little area to craft & sew & blog & scrapbook & correspond.

Until early December, the area off the kitchen (aka "breakfast nook") was used as our dining space.  Hazel had her dining room suite in here.  The hutch held all of her wonderful stuff, but we would only eat every now and then at the table.  Sometimes one of us would use it as work space (craft, computer, homework,) but it wasn't ideal for that.

Fun, but not ideal.

The room that most would consider a "formal dining room" we used as a "library."  Lots of lovely bookshelves filled with books.  Since there was no other furniture in the room, I'd set up a table to do some sewing & crafting. Again, useful, but not ideal.  We couldn't enjoy the view of the books and nicknacks.  My work table in the middle gave me room, but no access to electrical outlets for things like my sewing machine or glue guns;  using extension cords or moving the table to the only accessible wall outlet created a walking hazard.  That room also got blinding morning sunlight; in the evening, the overhead lights were too dim.  (Sorry, no photo.)

The more Hazel thought about our spaces, especially with the kids over here and playing all over the floors, as well as a place for the Christmas tree..... Well, Carl had mentioned that the previous homeowners had used the tiled "breakfast nook" as a play area for their toddler.

One of Hazel's passions is rearranging furniture and updating accessories.

Thus, one morning, she, Zoe (in the mold of her grandmother,) Carl and I moved it all around.  Moving things isn't half hard when you have sturdy backs and uncarpeted floors.  We got all but the reloading of nicknacks done before I had to leave to get the kids after school.

I got home late and was very surprised to see the work table up and in position.  (Didn't I fold it up and store it in the garage???)  Carl told me it was his mom's idea to create a work space for me.

I LOVE IT!  I can store stuff.  I can work on stuff.  I can have a kid (or two) beside me as I work.  Or at least do "my thing" in the same room as they are doing "their things."  It's wonderful.  Although I have had "my stuff" with me wherever I've moved, it's been years and years since I've have a space to call "MINE."

Thanks, Mama Hazel.