Growl and BRRR and Hugs For A Friend

My Ranger Distress Inks seem to be hiding extremely well. I had asked DH to keep an eye out while he was working in the craft room yesterday, but he thought he was looking for bottles, not the small metal trays I have them stored in. By the time we got the container straightened out, he said he had indeed seen them, but couldn't remember exactly which bin they were in. They're small, and basically he ended up in the same problem I had - seen them but can't find them a second time. 

I enjoy using Ranger Distress Ink pads. Their light coloration allows
for some really fun blending. 

I went down to the craft room early this morning to take a quick look in the one bin that was more likely to have the inks, and every bin has a "No" sticker on it, yet both DH and I are sure we came across the darned things in one of them. *sigh* Finding my inks, which is REALLY important, will be more of a hunt than I really wanted. But I'll have to buckle down and search. I need the colors. 

Although I think I liked my first fitness tracker
better, this is my new replacement. The
Letscom Fitness Tracker was a little bit
less expensive. The screen is B/W only,
and it is a different company - EXCEPT,
it really seems that almost all of these
trackers actually come from the same
manufacturer. Se we'll see how this one lasts. 

I got my new fitness tracker yesterday. I guess I had decided to go lower key than the fancy one I thought I had ordered. I'm actually just fine with it, but it's only for walking, running and biking. Still, that's 90%+ of what I do, and it's still waterproof. There are two things it doesn't have that my previous tracker did - it doesn't have a color screen, and it doesn't measure blood pressure. Since the blood pressure was never accurate, I can live with black and white. I'm just happy to have a band around my wrist once again. I missed it. Today will be the first day on the running track with it, as well as the first time to shower with it. Time to break it in. 

I just love this picture of my friend "Poo" and her
hubby Jim. They actually made a really good
couple, and were together for many years before
making it a legal marriage. He was a Vietnam
veteran and she used to work for the City of
San Jose. I know she's going to miss him a lot. 

A dear long-time friend of mine's husband passed away earlier this week. She's going to miss him a lot, and it's not going to be easy for her - being on her own after so many years. He was a veteran and many of his physical problems had been exacerbated by his time in Vietnam. He was a binge on-line buyer, a bit of a hoarder, and also had left no insurance. It's going to be tough for her, but I'm hoping he left something she can resell to fill that money gap. I have no idea about any spousal veterans benefits, but if there is such a thing, I hope she can get some help there too. 

We've had our first snows, although they haven't stayed on
the ground for long. Still, it's biting cold right now and it's
about a month too early for these temps. I'm going to
be bundling up to head for the gym. BRRRR!

On that note, I'm bundling up. Once again it's unseasonably cold out there and it'll be a cold wait while standing outside the gym doors in less than an hour. Eventually I'll be sweating as I work out, but right now it just looks like a cold time in the old town today. Have a great Friday and I'll be back tomorrow. 

Did I Find Enough? Probably Not, But It Is As It Is

Holiday shopping - NOT my favorite thing to do, but I had a single day off yesterday to wrap up the loose ends, so off I went. I wanted one more gift for DH and maybe a stocking stuffer or two. Looking back through my notes (yes, I keep notes on what he mentions during the year), I decided on a set of goggles to help with his snow-blindness while clearing snow from the roof and some new socks for his treadmill days since he's back to inside exercise for the season. 

I ended up with a pair similar to this - same brand,
slightly different look. I think it will do what he wants
it to do, the only question is whether or not it will
fit over his current eyeglasses. We'll see - at least
it gives me a second gift for him. 

I had tried to get goggles for him last year and was quite overwhelmed by the choices, leaving without anything because I had no idea what would or wouldn't work. The darned things are EXPENSIVE and I wanted to get something he would be able to use. Fortunately, this time I had a lovely older salesman who helped me find a set that I think will be really good and will fit over DH's eyeglasses. I guess we'll know for sure when he tries them on, but they are returnable if he doesn't like them. 

From the second floor looking down, the moose
is totally spectacular. I had to take a photo for
my friend Poo, who loves moose. 

The second item required a trip to the mall - something I avoid. It wasn't crowded and I found a parking space right away too. The store I needed was at the far end from where I parked, but that was OK too since I was able to power-walk there and back. I stopped short by the lighted moose, though, and had to share him with all of you. Just look at it! He's 17 feet tall and lit by 36,000 LED lights. He's stunning. I took two pictures to share with all of you, especially my dear friend Poo who adores moose. 

On my way back to my parking space, I passed by him again, this
time at ground level. He's truly impressive - just huge and
so very sparkly! 

After the mall I picked up the ham and the weekly groceries, went home, continued my laundry, and finally, late in the afternoon, Aearwen and I had a nice long chat - almost 1-1/2 hours long! We had to make up for lost time because it was our final convo of 2018. On that note, I need to plug in my moose photos and head out to the gym. All of that ham (along with lots of water because ham is salty) will put on weight that I have to get right back off. Time for a serious swim! Have a glorious Thursday and I'll return tomorrow. 

Wrapping Up - The Best of the Best

I promised scans of the holiday cards I thought were the best I received and here they are. This DOESN'T mean if your card isn't pictured it wasn't great. They were ALL great. But I can only scan and share a few of them, and these six made the cut. So here we go ...

The front of Shruti's card was a reproduction of this wonderful
mandala that she drew. Just look at the wonderful detail! 

I'm starting with the front and back view of my dear friend Shruti's card. She's an amazing artist, has done doodles/zentagles/mandalas for years, free-hand and exacting. This year's card was jaw-dropping. It is one of her own works that she had printed to send to her friends around the world. So beautiful - so detailed.

The back expresses her wish for all of us receiving or viewing
her card. I did erase her personal information (email, website)
to protect her privacy. It's such a joy to be her friend - she's so talented! 

I had to show the back too, because the sentiment was heartfelt and warmed my heart like a warm fire on a cold night. Shruti lives in northern India and we rarely see each other in person. Talking electronically is also a challenge - it's about a 12 hour difference in time zones. But we keep in touch.

Poo's card was embossed metal surrounded by a sparkling field
of silver. Really lovely and, of course, hand-made. She's such
a talented paperworker and artist. 

Next, we have my other conference roomie and a talented friend. This is Poo's card. She lives in northern California. I don't get to see her now because I don't travel to her state and she hasn't come to mine for a while, but for many years we roomed together every year when attending the Bead & Button Show. We've stayed in touch and I'm so very happy we have. Her card is embossed metal colored with alcohol inks. The subtle tones of the color don't come through well on the scan, but you'll get the idea.

I received four cards that featured polar bears this year, but this one from Jenybeth was my favorite. She made this lovely card featuring a polar bear looking up at the sparkling stars in a winter scene. I've known Jenybeth since before she was born and she's grown into a sweet, caring, and very talented woman.

How could I resist? Kaishin's contribution had me laughing as
I added it to my long line of cards. I loved it! 

One of my newer LJ friends had this "ugly sweater" offering and it made me laugh. Anything that can make me laugh when I'm working insane hours has to be acknowledged. I've often wished I had an ugly sweater to celebrate the holidays with, but then again, a garment that can only be worn for a short time seems like such a waste of closet space. Thanks, Kaishin, I really liked your card!

Linda is the proud cat mother of two delightful
ginger cats. The card itself is just perfect, with
the lovely black cat in the foreground and the
cathedral in the back. My animals were always
black, so this was a perfect choice for me. 

To end this art show, a card from another LJ friend, this one in England. Linda and I have never met in person, but if I ever get to her part of the world, I'm certainly going to make the effort. She's a lovely person and usually sends me e-cards. To get a paper card from her as well was a real treat, and, of course, it featured a cat on the cover. She (like so many of my friends) adores cats.

So thank you one and all for making my holiday extra special. I loved each and every card I received, but had to pick and choose which to share with all of you who read my blog. I'm relieved that the holidays are over, but can hardly wait until next year's cards start arriving. Have a wonderful Wednesday!

I Love Workshops and Classes

In a way I'm a perennial student. I love taking classes - classes of all types and in all sorts of subjects. Today, however, is registration for my favorite types of classes - jewelry classes. Bead and Button Show registration opens at noon, Central Standard Time today. Like thousands of other people, I've been perusing the catalog and on-line information trying to narrow down which classes, of the more than 700 offered during the 10-day period of the show, I want to take. It's a combination of interest in the class, time/day it is offered, and dollars available to spend.

I'd like to start my week out by taking this class offered
by Robyn Cornelius called "Lunar Pendant" I actually have
several of her classes on my list for this year. This one
looks like lots of fun. 

Fortunately, we sold the small house. Because I had put thousands of dollars into the maintenance and upkeep of that house, I get a monthly payout from the proceeds which I can use to help pay for my classes. It won't be instant, but by the time I arrive in Milwaukee in June my classes will be paid off.

Michael Thee calls this an "Intertwined Gimmal Ring". He's
wrong - a Gimmal ring is a different style than this. This is
what's called a Russian Wedding Band. It requires exact
precision for each band before they are cut apart, intertwined,
and resoldered. I enjoy the challenge of precision, so I think
I'll try to get this one, even if the name is wrong. 

I like to take metalworking classes because I am an accomplished beader and I want the practice (and playtime) with metal jewelry techniques. I look at the show as a big playground where I go to have fun, but I also want to learn something and/or hone my techniques.

This may end up being a bit of a waste of time, but it
should be fun nonetheless. It's a fold forming class
with the center copper, then enfolding it into a lightweight
silver sheath. She supplies the copper, you have to supply
your own silver. Not a problem, but interesting. It's pretty,
though, and I enjoy playing with fold forming. 

Usually I register at home instead of using my laptop at the shop. I have a more secure connection at home, and I can't be interrupted by phone calls or customer questions. I remember (in the old days) sitting at my computer and messaging back and forth with my friend/roommate Poo while we both waited for registration to open. We became quite expert at getting things done quickly so that we got the classes we wanted. She hasn't attended for several years now (I miss having her as my roomie) so I'll be on my own once again. Considering that I'll be in classes all day for four of the six days I plan to be at the show, being on my own is not a bad thing.

By the end of the week I want something brainless. This
little class on Friday is beads in a backless bezel creating
an ombre effect. I admit to curiosity about how her open bezel
works, and I like the look, so I'll indulge and spend some
time with this project. 

My manager will go in and work the morning shift for me today, so I'll be home until early afternoon which allows me to register for this year's classes. I'll also get my hotel reservations made and pay off my credit card (so that I can load it up once more - LOL). It'll be a busy morning/early afternoon. But first - the gym. Have a great Tuesday.

Friends - The Best Thing About the Internet

Drummerwench is in town for a quick and unexpected visit so we're getting together for a fast breakfast this morning after she drops her husband off at the airport. Her husband is originally from this area and it's been a real joy to have had the chance to get together for a meal the past two years when she's been in town for family events. I'm really delighted that her schedule allowed this, and although I will be tight on time, it's very worth the slight inconvenience to visit with someone who has become a friend over the years.

We'll be meeting at the Colossal Cafe (where Huinare and I went to lunch
when we spent the afternoon together in June). They have wonderful food,
locally sourced whenever possible. 

I love the opportunity to meet my on-line friends and have had that chance many times over the past nineteen years since I first ventured on-line. The various communities of beaders, metal artists, enamelists, authors and gamers I've belonged to and interacted within over the past nineteen years have broadened my horizons and pushed my artistic boundaries. I've traveled to new places and experienced a variety of classes and instructors that I might never have thought about without the input and advise from these fabulous and inventive people.

Here's an older picture of me and my dear friend Shruti at the last
Metal Clay Conference in Illinois. We had such a good time
sharing a room and learning new techniques over that trip. 

So here's a call out to those on-line people who have become dear friends over the years. You know who you are - you're the ones for whom I make my holiday cards each year. You're great roommates like Poo and Shruti - two people who couldn't be more different, but both so very talented, embracing their artistic skills. There are writers like Drummerwench and Huinare, both who will have been in Minnesota this summer - my summer bookends. There are vendors who have become friends like Beki and Betsey, and there are so many others who are yet to be met in person, but whom I know I will enjoy spending time with if/when the opportunity arises.

The internet and on-line communities have broadened my friends to include those from nations I would never have dreamed of having direct contact with. Those friends and communities, in turn, have entertained, entranced, educated, and at times enraged me, all helping to make me a better person, a more well-rounded author, and a more accomplished artist.

So as I begin the quest for the perfect holiday card tomorrow, and meet with my friend for breakfast today, I send out a huge THANK YOU to each and every one of you - my online community of friends and acquaintances. I can't imagine my life without any of you! Happy Tuesday!

You've Got Mail - Acts of Kindness

I got the most beautiful postcard in the mail yesterday. An on-line friend (and totally amazing person) Dawn, had been going on a quick trip to England and Scotland with her husband Bobby. She always asks if people want postcards, and she is totally serious. I have gotten beauties from her vacations in the past. I asked for a postcard with a castle (I know there are a lot of castles in Scotland) and the card she sent me had three! And they are all fantastically beautiful! It made me smile all day.

This lovely picture of Edinburgh Castle is similar to one of the three images on my postcard. Pretty kewl, huh? I also got a marvelous hand-made Easter card from my friend Poo in San Jose, California. My bad that I didn't acknowledge this sooner, but it was a truly lovely and very intricate raised embossed stamp and I just loved it. I know she reads my blog, so (waving and sending kisses towards the west) "Thanks, Poo!".

This isn't the stamp I got, but who can resist a Faberge egg? Isn't it amazing what positive effects a few minutes of kindness can generate? These small things - two pieces of mail from two friends, one who I've known for years, the other who is relatively recent and never met in person - brightened my outlook on life and put a smile on my face. Is there something that you can do today that will allow a smile and a kind thought about you to be carried through the day? Try to send positive thoughts and actions today. The world has so much negativity, don't add to that black pool. Rise above it and prove that Love can indeed move mountains. Have a great Friday!

A Working "Day Off"

We're running our 4-Day End-of-Year sale today.  It's Day 2.  Yesterday was pretty busy and I don't dare leave Chickie and Jim on their own today because Jim isn't up to speed helping customers when they get a lot into the store at a time.  So I'll go in and work.  But I'll go in late - I figure I'll show up around 11 am - and if the pace isn't as busy as yesterday, I probably won't stay.  My usual day off consists of studio time and laundry.  I won't be able to do the laundry until tonight if I have to work all day, I also won't get the grocery shopping finished.  So I'm torn.  I want some serious busy shoppers to be in my store.  I want to have a day that is as busy and filled with happy shoppers as I can.  But I'm also frustrated because I'll have to give up my day off.  I think I'll sit in my little computer area when we are not busy and continue reading Surgical Steel's "King's Surgeon" story.  It's got a lot of chapters and I (might) have a lot of time - a perfect combination. 

Our End-of-Year sale has been popular with our
customers for several years.  Some real bargains are
available and we love to have less to count for inventory.

I will take a bit of time to go to Barnes & Noble Booksellers this morning, though.  I want a screen saver and a cover for my Nook.  I'm just thrilled with this new toy in my life and I want to be able to use it without worrying about scratching it.  It's an amazing tool.  I'm middle aged and I am so amazed at the strides that computers have taken in my lifetime.  I remember my first laptop.  The concept that a computer could be portable, when they had started out taking rooms worth of space, was so amazing to me.  I've had several laptops since then, and numerous desktops, and now I have the Nook - in essence, a tablet computer.  Computers have broadened my life and my group of friends, and given me my entertainment for after-hours also.  I'm not sure who thinks up these developments and makes them happen, but I am really grateful to them. 

I am in love with my new Nook Color.  I am
going to be using this a lot.  Now if I can just
get my art books delivered as e-Books.  Then I
would be totally joyful. 

And shouts go out to Surgical Steel for her birthday, and Poo who is undergoing gall bladder surgery today.  May all go well for both of you, and may your days ahead  be awesome. 

Black Friday and Super Saturday

I have a love/hate relationship with shopping. I really don't enjoy shopping very much. But I don't mind shopping on-line - I just don't really like dealing with the crowds, the wasted time, and the sensory stimulus that shopping at the mall throws at me. So I avoided Black Friday and just started catching up with my Emails and fanfic websites.

I need to get a few things purchased for the holidays. I'm making most of the things that I am sending to my BFF Sharon and my friend Chickie, and if I have time and the ability to whip something out quickly, I may send a little something to my friend Poo and my "sister" Maja, but those two are not "essential". My DH is essential, and he is the only person that I actually will need to do a bit of shopping for.

I think I've pretty well nailed what I will get him for the holidays, though. I'll get some gift cards, and after an extensive search, I think I finally found the perfect woolen fabric for his short cloak that he asked for. Since he doesn't want it lined, it will go together quickly. He wanted it embroidered, but for that he'll have to wait - I'm still working on my own cloak for the embroidery part and that needs to be finished first. But after I get my replacement credit card in the mail next week, I can get the wool ordered from Canada and start working on his cape. I'm pleased that I found the fabric - I've been looking for more than two months for the perfect weave.

Packing? Leaving? AACCKK!!!!

OK, I did a lot on my "day off" yesterday, including cleaning - a lot - because my friend Poo is arriving on Saturday and we leave on Sunday for Bead & Button Show in Milwaukee. I refuse to have my home look like a tornado hit it - just a minor windstorm, please. But that entails dusting, cleaning, etc. And inbetween all of that, I wanted to get my cloak to the point where I could bring it with me to try working on the embroidery. I think what's going to happen instead is I will bring a fabric sample and some sample ribbon, practice the stitch, and figure out the exact design that I want instead of packing the entire cloak. But I would still like to get the sides sewn before I leave, if possible. Tick, tock......



Time is most certainly running out. I haven't even started packing yet and I only have two more nights available. So, tonite I will clean the living room. DH said he would clean the kitchen table (only appropriate since most of the junk on it is his) and do the vaccuuming, at least on the upstairs level. That will leave some work for Friday, but since we also want to mow the lawn at the old house, the time will be more constrained. Then, off to the airport on Saturday to pick her up and then I can start to get excited about our upcoming trip. It's sad when I'm too busy to allow myself time to be excited about an upcoming vacation.

One More Day - AACCKK!!!!

My Holiday cards are almost ready to mail - just less than 12 to go for personal messages and they will be sealed, stamped and mailed. My packages for Sharon, Poo and Maja will be mailed on Wednesday (they would have been mailed today but I forgot their addresses and my Palm at the shop overnight so I don't have the address sheet that I wanted to bring home with me after all - silly me!). At the last minute, we have decided to do an after-Christmas sale, so that's one more thing that I need to get going on. If we're not too busy at the shop today, I can probably get addresses entered into the Email database during the day. And I did find and purchase the single gift I am getting for my DH after a delightful dinner with Michelle (thanks for a fun evening, girlfriend!!) last evening. I'm hanging onto the receipt - this one may end up being returned or exchanged.



So, in my own stumbling way, I guess I'm slowly getting there. But not entirely. Wednesday will be EXTREMELY hectic. I need to get the gift card for my Father-in-law, pick up the Honey Baked Ham (mmmmmmmm - yummy!!), finish and wrap DH's medallion gifts, get the certificates that I am giving him all assembled and packed, and still be at the store no later than 2:30 so that we can do our own gift exchange before we close for Christmas. Just too much to do, but I'll be able to sleep in on Christmas morning. That will be a Christmas gift that I relish receiving :-))

He Likes It!!

OK, my DH is my staunchest supporter and my harshest critic all at the same time. He is the master of the backhanded compliment that can sometimes really floor me and destroy my creativity. So...I was a bit reluctant to show him the finished enameled jewelry items that I had made for my friends for their Holiday gifts. I like them - I think they turned out really nicely...but I was unsure about his reaction. But he liked them - he was very complimentary. Even though he said that he never worried about my beadwork, that anything I made with beads was always excellent. But that in my jewelry, he loved my dancer (see picture below) but was often less than thrilled with my other jewelry/fabrication efforts. So...to have him love my enamel items really thrilled me.



I finished Sharon and Poo's items yesterday, as well as beaded snowflakes for my sister-in-law. I'll try to photo these quickly today or tomorrow so that I can send them on Monday. I have a small assembly job to do this morning for Michelle's gift and Maja's gift. Since I have no idea on where Maja is spending the holidays, I'll send them to her Texas address, but I'm not in a major rush. And then my holiday cards - if I'm really lucky they'll go out on Xmas Day. And I still need to finish up my DH's gifts - but I can do that Tuesday and Wednesday. Whew!! Nothing like cutting it close :-)))