Japanese Sweet Shop

At Recess~

noreply@blogger.com (Annette) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 13:35:00 +0000

.

I miss my girls on Flickr and Etsy so much!

This weekend, a group I've been working with and I will launch an important website.

But I am beside myself with excitement to think about when I can return to my other life of adventures in cuteness!

I hope you're all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed as always, and swimming in cuteness 24 hours a day!

Mwah!

Ah-choo!

noreply@blogger.com (Annette) — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 16:43:00 +0000

.

We're living in a dustbowl. ( * o * )

Even though it looks as if not much progress has been made, progress really has been made! The dust is oh so challenging, but the end product will be so worth it. Fortunately, all dollies and treasures are not sneezing though, because they're safely in hiding.

This photo shows all the walls that were moved for one bedroom, bathroom and the laundry room. We just ordered the stair balusters and contemporary doors. I'm so excited that this bathroom will have a checkerboard pattern of black and white shiny marble (or is it granite?), which has always been one of my favorites.

The two photos below are of my sister's house, who used our contractor/team before us. We've been waiting for them for quite a while. They moved a tiny bathroom in her foyer to open it up. Brett also does beautiful woodwork, which she was able to take advantage of. She had a big space at the end of a hallway, which was perfect for the cushioned bench he built for her.

Nothing will be better than to escape all this chaos and get back to making everything frivolous!

I hope all of you are up to something fun and cheerful. Mwah!

Demolition Eve

noreply@blogger.com (Annette) — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 05:25:00 +0000

.

Bright and early tomorrow morning, the second phase of our remodeling begins. It's so disruptive, and such a mess, but envisioning the "after" will put any woman in a good mood!

I "paced" a lot today, wondering if I had everything ready to go. But my way of pacing is often fiddling with fabric, pens, or whatever I can find. This little bunny was born today, and her bright lime green felt has her named "Margarita."

She's about 3" tall, and has a cloth face with painted eyes.

Sweet dreams!

Happiness Is Mending

noreply@blogger.com (Annette) — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 06:36:00 +0000

.

Obviously, I am lying.... happiness is being all FINISHED mending!

I've always taken hemming/mending to our seamstress, but since I've promised my husband to not spend extra money right now, I was procrastinating hemming a pair of his pants for about 3 weeks.... when I realized he couldn't be wearing corduroys this spring, I knew I better get them done. They are cute pants so they were fun to look at, at least. This designer uses colorful contrast trim, and as his linings too. He's unbelievably expensive, but I got these with a great discount.

Seriously, the only wife and mom tasks I wanna do are the creative ones. Look at these party favors by Bekah ("fullofbliss" on Flickr). Valentines for her kids' classes.... aren't they unbelievable! Make sure to look closely, at all the details. Look at the little bears' feet, notice how all the bunnies are accessorized differently, and see how those iPods are actually boxes of conversation hearts. Bekah is so cute!

I recall being on auto-pilot when I had assignments like this with my own kids, just loved it! Costumes, treatbags, party invitations, posters, science projects--they'd just go to bed because I'd inevitably go overboard and need to stay up till 2 AM to finish. I can't imagine ever rising to the level of Bekah's creations, but it got me thinking about not letting myself be so selfish about hemming a pair of pants. When my husband drops everything to help me with something, I need to show a better attitude I think!

So here's to being happy to do all the boring things we need to do as wives and mothers.

Cheers!

Representing No One

noreply@blogger.com (Annette) — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 23:40:00 +0000

.

***To everyone that visits my blog sometimes, you'll probably notice that what I wrote today hardly sounds like me. Since I've been nicknamed "Sunshine" for many years (for my cheerfulness and silliness), please forgive my uncharacteristic anger today. I'm still Sunshine, but today I'm feeling more like a mother just trying to protect her cubs.

--------------------------

It isn't often that I find a day in which I'm inspired to create nothing. Nothing. I don't even remember the last day I felt like this actually.

First of all, Bush couldn't have left soon enough. And like so many others, I am thrilled about the freshness of our new President and all the excitement of repairing so many outrageous failures these last few years. Psst, I admit I was secretly hoping for Hillary, though. :o)

Now, almost overnight it seems, all my liberal and conservative loved ones nationwide feel disillusioned by their "party". When has that ever happened?

A while back, I was delighted to receive the stimulus check from Bush. That's nice, I thought at the time, and didn't think much more about it.

But later, I realized it had successfully stimulated nothing. Just another Bush failure. Then I began to consider our economy more deeply.

Next, when the first "bailout" package was proposed, I actually spent long hours in organized efforts to oppose it, since various business people I knew gave outstanding arguments against it (more often than not). Actually, I was first convinced when DH, who's been in the automotive industry for nearly 40 years, remarked to me that one of the biggest solicitors for government funds was GM, a company he fully knew had been mismanaged and faltering for years. He told me that any government funding they received would simply delay their likely dissolution only, and would hardly "save" their corporation like everyone was being led to believe. Darling Mister explained that before GM even sees a dime on any of their vehicles sold, thousands of dollars first go to retired executive pensions, the UAW, etc. Dang, that certainly would be wasted government funding then. The other automakers have similar pension, etc. requirements also, but GM was notoriously in the red the deepest. Now I see why DH was rather ticked about these CEO's flying in on their fancy carbon tootsie-print flyers. Thankfully, he doesn't work for GM.

At any rate, none of that mattered in the end, because, just like the BILLIONS that simply vanished for Katrina aid (can you imagine?), countless companies and banks cannot account for again, BILLIONS received from Uncle Sam (ultimately YOU and I, of course). So did Bush's bailout #1 help our failing economy? No.

So now we are supposed to be pacified again? With our so-called representatives passing an even more astronomical "bailout"? A "bailout" that is literally a jumbled mess? A bailout that has so many components that aren't related to creating jobs? Just how foolish can we be? Millions of dollars designated for one of my very favorite museums, the Smithsonian? I am hugely supportive of the arts, but jobs are what we need! J-O-B-S. I'm no economist, and I'm no mathamatician. But why would we throw more money at a problem that other money we threw at it didn't help? And why would we toss this second wave of hard-earned money without the proper oversight to protect it? Especially since we released Bailout #1 with virtually no accountability measures, resulting in the billions just "lost"?

Can you imagine other countries laughing out loud at our bumbling Congress, a Congress that can't even make sure this damn "stimulus" is read and understood before it's presented?

Yeah, we need to do something. Yeah, any fool would realize we do need a stimulus. How about $200B for immediate relief now, and see how it goes? This is beyond insulting to our intelligence, and very troubling to the future of our precious children.

With one of the most promising Presidents to ever be elected in our nation's history, I never believed that I could care less about that whole event now. Both parties have shown themselves to be bickering, manipulative, double-speaking, greedy, and 100% phony "representatives" of us, We The People. I don't know enough about our two-party system to understand how, but I think our citizens would do better to start their own party and just tell all of Washington to f*** off.

I'm signing off before I start swearing 10 words for every 1 that's meaningful. Then I'm going to find some kind of happy photo to add later hopefully.

XOXO
Annette

Your Inbox Is Empty

noreply@blogger.com (Annette) — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 05:25:00 +0000

.

Have you ever personally received this message? Maybe I'm naive, but I can't imagine anyone receiving that message. Ever. I surely never have!

It's just so difficult to keep up with regular mail, e-mail, phonecalls, you know what I mean. But my mom regularly receives this message, just ticks me off, hee hee. This illustrates the degree of organization in her life. If it was medically possible, my darling mother would possess a severe allergy to clutter. Any kind of clutter, even e-mail. You know how parodies about people often highlight familiar sentences like John McCain was constantly saying "My friends"? For my mother, it would be "Well just get rid of it!" So funny.

This is on my mind tonight because I'm currently quite behind on paperwork and correspondence. Makes my high-strung self even more high-strung, don't like that. It's about the only thing on my to-do list for tomorrow, so tomorrow will be a wonderful day!

For now though, sorry I don't have any show 'n tells for myself lately, but I will again soon~

In the meantime, here is the cutest little wall-hanging she made? Those "sweaters" are really small. When she first showed it to me, I actually laughed. It just struck me as so funny, but funny like adorable.

Now we're nearing about 1 1/2 months until my mom and dad come home, halfway there!

Roses Are Red, Violets are Blue....

noreply@blogger.com (Annette) — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 06:25:00 +0000

.

this poor dolly needed something pretty for her head!

This otherwise beautiful dolly had an exceedingly unattractive hat on her pretty little head. It even had shirring like the lining of a coffin, ick! At any rate, I'm a snail as a seamstress (thanks Mom, my constant-do-over trait comes from you, lol).

Finally, I think her new winter hat came out sassy and cute. There is permanent gathering at the back of her neck like a ruffle (forgot to snap photo). I cut the mink trim from a vintage coat I bought years ago, and I have used almost every last piece of it! I bet I've put the stuff on 50 projects by now. Off topic: real fur is so astonishingly gorgeous, but I am so sad how it's harvested. It's heartbreaking. Please think twice about buying new.

Also bright red are enormous fire engines.

Last night, I came home about 10:30 and when I pulled in the garage, I smelled a pungent burnt smell either in the garage or very near outside. DH stepped outside and agreed it was signifcant, but we couldn't find anything. He was hesitant for us to call 911 because we couldn't see anything and it was late for sirens to be sounding. I'd never forgive myself to ignore something like that so we compromised. I called the police and asked for a squad car to check it. About FOUR minutes later, DH peeks out the front door, "yup, here comes the big dogs." So loud! So bright! So flashing!

Meanwhile, I'm happily married, but I still have eyes, lol. These three guys were darling! And men in uniform are just cool. It didn't hurt that they were so considerate and thorough. And 4 minutes, impressive!

I digress. All was well, and we woke up with our house intact.

Digressing further, this morning's news reported that Denny's was serving Grand Slam breakfasts free till 2PM, nationwide. My oldest son burns major calories, besides the fact that he hunts for "free". Lord knows where he got that from because my husband says I hunt for the retail price. :o)

I knew Matt would be in class so I texted him. "Thanks Mom! I was already there with about half the team." (college baseball)

At 1PM, I get another text: "Hi Mom! I just had my 2nd Grand Slam breakfast!" OMG. I feel guilty that he sniped another, but I couldn't help laughing at his glee.

My other grown bundle of joy sent me this e-mail:

"Mom, I thought you'd like

this."

Short and to the point, hee hee, but I'll take thoughtfulness in any form. This video is only 30 seconds and he was very right that I'd like it.

Change the batteries in your smoke detectors regularly. :o)

Apropos Vintage

noreply@blogger.com (Annette) — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 06:33:00 +0000

.

This is just so "me". Anyone would know that I was meant to find this at an estate sales a while back. I've loved ribbons and baubles for as long as I can remember, and I think this is the most cool sales sample ever.

What's the best thing about a blog? For me, it's all the reminiscing and pondering I do. When I ran into this old Teen magazine today, I vividly remembered how my sister and I would be sooooo excited to receive this magazine every month when we were teenagers. To read the dating advice and makeup tips in these old periodicals now, my very un-teenager self realizes that it was the most worthless advice ever, lol. On the other hand, the positivity of the magazine for me was definitely how it fueled my hyper imagination during those years, and all my restless dreaming, dreaming about fashion, style, pretty things and boys, boys, boys. :o)

She's so pretty on this cover, but do you think that wherever she is now, that she lets her eyebrows grow a few extra strands again? Wow, we butchered them in those days!

On the inside of this issue, look. I found Delta Burke. Isn't that a sweet bio underneath her picture? For some reason, she seems like a very kind person.

Now this last picture of the day.... it only lets me reminisce about the last 24 hours! I can barely peel potatoes, ha ha, but look how cool the blob of melted chocolate landed on this cracker I made? How very gourmet of me! I think I'll even show DH. On second thought, I better not, I don't want to blow my cover as the worst cook he's ever met, hee hee. Seriously, DH is every girl's dream to happily take over in that department. Please don't think I'm mean about it, because he actually finds it relaxing (can you imagine?) and he is very, very good at it. It's pretty sad when your kids' faces light up when they know HE'S cooking.

If you click on the pic, you can read how silly that cracker concoction came to be born.

I hope you make something adorable this weekend, even if it's a snowman in your front yard.

Why Kids Are So Cute

noreply@blogger.com (Annette) — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 07:06:00 +0000

.

I miss the days when my sons were little and scampering all over.... when they would come out with the cutest mispronounciations and mixed-up phrases.

My twin sister's kids are quite a few years behind mine, and she told me that her son came home from school last week and told her that they watched "The Obligation" at school that day. So she asked Tanner what the movie was about, and he said, "Mom.... the obligation.... you know, President Obama?" Ah-ha, the Inauguration. He's such a bright-eyed and bushy-tailed sweet little boy. Yeah, I miss that adorable interaction.

Two things I'll never forget of my own kids were when my oldest son somehow realized that the Easter Bunny wasn't real, and he was quite upset about it. But just a moment later--and I can still even remember the exact spot I was in at our old house--he immediately thought to ask if Santa wasn't real either. I gave him the bad news and he said, "That is such a rip-off!" Some kids kind of shrug it off, some kids react otherwise, but Matt genuinely felt cheated. I guess that's how much fun we had kept Christmas for him. :o)

And then, when Ben was about 3 or 4 years old, I told both of the boys that we had to get in the bedroom because there was a tornado warning. Suddenly Ben came running down the hallway with saltines and a flashlight! That is what he thought were good choices for supplies for the occasion, it was so adorable.

Tonight my mom sold such a precious little sweater she knit for Blythe, that I just had to display it here. I want to keep all of them that she knits! The bottom photo is one that she just finished for Petite Blythe, which is even smaller:

Now it's your turn to take something in your house, even if it's something you're about to throw away, and turn into into something cool!

A New Post!

noreply@blogger.com (Annette) — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 05:53:00 +0000

.

Wow, it's been almost two weeks.

At this very moment:

1. I've just about caught myself on everything finally, and I've also made some new things.
2. There are warm fuzzies all over the place from sweet messages from cyberspace.
3. It's one month down, two to go, until my parents return from Arizona~~~~
4. And there is a huge pile of snow outside!

Nighty-night.... and for sweet dreams tonight:

5. Feast your eyes on this work of art by Bekah (she's also fullofbliss on Flickr). This would out-shine just about every other piece of fiber art I've ever seen, it's amazing!

All You Need Is Cute

noreply@blogger.com (Annette) — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 05:26:00 +0000

.

You know the Beatles song that goes, "Love, love, love.... love is all you need."

If you replaced every time they said "love" with "cute", I'd agree with the song! Not really of course, but it's such a nice mental picture I think.

Btw, if you don't know already, my dog is like my third baby, and that puppy on the right has the exact passiveness of mine, whenever I have to do something to her she doesn't like. She is just the sweetest little dog I have ever known.

See you soon!

Netty's Been Knitting

noreply@blogger.com (Annette) — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 06:53:00 +0000

I am so crazy about the little sweaters my mom (Netty) knits. I think she gets annoyed that I want to keep them all! Lately she's also been felting them slightly, so they look a little fuzzy too.... they're just a couple inches big, so cute....

It's nice to go to bed for once after watching some good news on TV for a change. The pilot that brought that plane down today in New York is such a stud. What a miracle, too, that he didn't hit the bridge, that those ferries were so readily available, etc. I just know DH would have the same skill and cool-headed reflexes in that emergency; he's proven it more than once to me. He's considered renewing his pilot's license before, and it would be great if he'd do that some day in the near future.

Sweet dreams of cute sweaters and other treasures to you~

Hand-Me-Downs

noreply@blogger.com (Annette) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0000

.

I never thought I'd inherit a hand-me-down from my kids. When I was gathering some clothes for Goodwill that no longer fit my sons, I spied this chocolate brown shirt with turquoise pin-stripes (a little difficult to see, it also has nice turquoise snaps down the front). I also spied a turquoise shirt with a cool quilt-stitched beautiful inset applique. I stitched the inset to the back of the brown shirt I liked, and cut out that section so it was now exposed on the brown shirt instead.

For the front of the brown shirt, I cut up a few circles of the same turquoise shirt (I love working with that Modal), felted some green leaves from an old cable cashmere sweater, and added some curly pinky/orange yarn. 45 minutes later and here's my "new" shirt!

I was also tagged today, to list 16 things about myself:

#1 I'm complicated--or maybe everyone is--and think I've been misunderstood a lot in the past.

#2 As a child vacationing in Colorado during several summers, my eyes would sometimes be almost swollen closed from mosquito bites. But a spider bite I got a few years ago was one of the worst things ever.

#3 I could watch "The Sound of Music" over and over. When Maria turns the drapes into cute matching outfits for the kids, and when Scarlett (GWTW) makes her dress also from the drapes, that would've been me I think!

#4 I freak at the mention of eating "contests" like Chubby Bunny, etc. Isn't carefully cutting up our toddlers' food, and promoting the awareness of the Heimlich maneuver ironic, when we "entertain" by cramming food down as fast as we can? Besides, my husband's relative died when he didn't get to a hospital in time after a peanut-eating contest. He didn't choke, but his body couldn't handle so many to digest at once. Cringe. Other than that, I really, really love games, lol.

#5 Even though I was never a Girl Scout, I'm hyper-prepared about certain things. I have things like my we're-all-sleeping-in-the-basement-tonight-cuz-a-tornado-might-be-coming set-up, and "the" bucket in my car at all times. One of my friends would tease me about this. Until last year. We were in Florida, and HER niece was getting sick in my car one night, but my car was nice and fresh the next morning!
My friend proudly showed me the bucket she bought a few days later.

#6 I have that sensory disorder or something. If I have a hair inside my shirt, I can't concentrate till it's gone, and I've had to leave the room from people smacking. And sticky door handles, even my kids know to just be quiet and make them be gone. I'm sure there are hundreds more. I don't like taking pills, but I wish there were a pill for that.

#7 I think the world would be a better place if everyone were a waitress for 6 months, and then a secretary for another 6 months.

#8 I'd like to not go back to more formality per se, but more formal gestures. Like the popularity of small dinner parties for 8, never visiting someone's house empty-handed, the art of conversation, and lots of handwritten letters and cards. I still try to do them when I can even if someone thinks it's stupid.

#9 "Planet Earth" is one of the best series ever made, who'd have believed that a show about nature could be so riveting. My sports- and music-obsessed sons even watch. I wish someone would've warned me about the baby penguin chicks getting lost from their moms.... I had to fast-forward.

#10 My boys' father is a respected friend, and it really hasn't come easy, don't think that. If I hear someone bashing their ex, I'm always praying that they do it in private, because their kids can't NOT be affected by their hero villifying their other hero.

#11 And when I was dating as a single mom years ago, I paid close attention to how they treated the waitress, how they spoke of their mother, and especially how they treated my kids. DH could win Stepfather Of The Year award, so I think my criteria paid off. Mwah!

#12 Even though my house isn't spotless, I can't clean anything without being thorough.

#13 I've learned that everyone's had a unique journey, and it's important to know that each person is passionate about their convictions for very important reasons.

#14 I've never ever heard someone say, "Wow, she has the most beautiful mouse-y brown hair!" Yeah. I dye it.

#15 When no one's looking, I might be watching "The Real Housewives" or siphoning all the Luckies out of the box and leaving all the Charms.

#16 Well, going back to #1, I guess I can't easily give short answers because I like to explain myself!

Nighty-night~

Curtain Call

noreply@blogger.com (Annette) — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 07:01:00 +0000

.

Here are three of the girls taking a bow before they leave to meet their new moms:

I know this picture looks kind of silly, just like the poor darlings all fell over sick or something, but they just wanted to rest on the bed of hearts, no worries! I know some shoppers like to see the backs (me for one, lol), and how they're finished, too.

Among much of my stash, I've accumulated quite a collection of ribbons and trims through the years, and I thought these might be good choices for new pins and/or dolls, in consideration of all the pinks and reds of the season.

Isn't life events through the course of a day strange sometimes.... today I learned that a good friend's son just became a father today, so she's a grandmother for the first time. Oh, that newborn delicate smell and tender skin.... I'm so happy for her.

But on this same day, I learned that another friend's husband died after such a horrendous bout with cancer. It was one of the worst ordeals I've ever known. They are both wonderful people, and I just can't imagine what her mind is doing as she puts her head on the pillow tonight. She is first in my prayers, and I hope I can hug her very soon.

It Can't Be :o(

noreply@blogger.com (Annette) — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 05:01:00 +0000

.

....time for Matt and Ben to return to college again.

I'm all warm and fuzzy in the heart to see them as such fine young men, but boy do I miss them terribly at times. I know, all parents love their children, and most of us probably want our kids to be smart, talented and nice-looking. But the older you get, the more thrilling it is to hear someone tell you, "I can't believe that Matt helped me with this ______", or "Ben just went out of his way to spend time with ______ when everyone else ignored them." It's them thinking about others that makes me melt.

On a lighter note, do you know how much extra $$$ I have to spend, with all those groceries I do not have to buy for the next couple months??? Yeehaw, I feel like I just got another big raise as Domestic Executive at home! Cool, huh.

Here's something that I've been working on that's warm and fuzzy too. Little girl brooches, just a little taller than 2", and they're fashioned after old ones manufactured in Japan more than half a century ago. After finishing three of them today, I again felt such admiration for their handiwork during those years--with so many of our modern conveniences, tools and supplies--supplies and tools that they surely did not have at their disposal. It's quite remarkable. Today, we have all these wonderful helpers to work with, and I still reject 75% of the finished product, lol, because I don't feel they passed inspection! Their workplaces and factories were so rudimentary, it's just so intriguing. I would love, love, love to take a time machine back to be with them while they made their own tiny doll brooches. And find out for what occasions they were worn, and by who.... women or little girls, for instance?

Meanwhile, here's my take on them (and an actual completed one instead of the many-boo-boo'd Miss Experiment from a couple days back). And they're in my shop tonight:

A Karma Prize?

noreply@blogger.com (Annette) — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 04:36:00 +0000

.

Do you think it's possible, lol?

Even though I'm a Christian, I still believe in karma, soooo... do you think that karma can return to you in prize form?

I just had a blog giveaway that I had so much fun with, and since I stumbled upon a great contest on someone else's blog, I wondered if maybe good karma can come back to me for sending Renee that box of stuff, so now it can be my turn to win a prize? Truth is, I never win anything. :o)

But that's just fine. I'll keep joining the fun, and heck, if my life-long losing streak continues, ha ha, I'll still believe in karma (the good kind!), and I'll still post the banner of this beautiful new shop:

To complete the rules for this contest, it was easy to find several things I really like about the shop! I LOVE the curtain opening on the homepage, awesome! For user friendliness and ease of shopping, I really like that the photos are clear/large enough to have an idea of what the items are without needing to go into any particular listing only to find that it's not something you'd collect. But the best part to me is, the most beautifully charming creations made with accessories like vintage Japan little pottery girls! Yummy, yummy, they will satisfy your appetite for cute!

Best wishes for your new site Cathy~

P.S. Click

HERE to go see the treasures for yourself!

Prototype Proliferation

noreply@blogger.com (Annette) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 04:09:00 +0000

.

Here's my latest "baby":

But she's like me and stuffed with many many flaws!!

Still, if you know me well, you know that I have made hundreds of prototypes for different stuff 30+ years now, so I am getting better at easing up on my perfectionism. Maybe the prototype compulsions are diminishing.

Otherwise I wouldn't be able to reveal this doll's blond "locks" just yet, since they look more like a fuzzy set of headphones, don't they. I wouldn't let you see her hastily painted face, and I definitely wouldn't admit what I used for the white sections of her eyes--because I didn't want to wait overnight for my regular paint to dry properly (hint: we used it to correct mistakes when typing years ago... what's a typewriter? asks some obnoxious 20-year-old reading this, just so they can make me feel old. Just kidding!)

Make that New Year's Resolution to pitch all those prototypes of your own self that especially we women keep working on over and over. Do that Pretty Woman thing and go to Neiman Marcus with no make-up and cheap t-shirt like I do sometimes. But make sure you go to the cosmetic counters and other departments and enlist their help to really annoy them! Nordstrom's much more professional staff puts them to shame anyway, love them.

The Reliability Of Technology - Not!

noreply@blogger.com (Annette) — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 07:04:00 +0000

The best thing to do sometimes? Take your cue from the family pet and just go to bed!

My sewing machine wouldn't loop the bobbin thread. Keep in mind this is the sewing machine that I bought recently because I didn't think my other was reliable!
My computer has molasses running through the bandwidth today, grrrrr.
And finally, what should be a no-brainer. I'm unable to add more links (friends) to my blog here...

With my frustration causing me to mentally swear like a madwoman, I feel this furball literally crowding me out of my chair. Always perpetuating her spoiled attitude, I just put the camera way above my head and took this picture of her taking over my space... again. :o)

Simply Better Than Getting A Splinter Out!

noreply@blogger.com (Annette) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 04:30:00 +0000

First of all a warning to you: Just in case you're easily grossed out, lol, do not scroll down to look at the disgusting job I had today!

Disgusting, but sometimes disgusting turns into clean and nice. :o)

We have a really nice finished bathroom in our basement, and we have lots of company coming for Christmas, so I decided I had to make sure it was in proper working order, because we've not used it whatsoever since moving in. I cleaned everything well, but just double-checked all drains, etc. The bathtub was hopeless! I've unclogged drains before (even 2-foot hairballs, ewwwwwwwww), but I was getting nowhere with this one.

Always hesitant to bug my hubby for help around the house if I can figure it out myself because he works so many hours, I went to my trusty www.doityourself.com. It is the best site ever! There are the most helpful (usually) guys on there, and they offer help for everything, it's wonderful. It is really amazing, check it out sometime. In no time at all, someone told me how to undo that drain plug, but..... this is what was in there! My husband figures that some carpenter cleaned out his drywall mud in that tub, and didn't rinse it properly. Start to finish, I think it took me 2 hours, yes 2 hours!

Meanwhile, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

I want to especially thank everyone so sweeeeet about my recent worrying about my son, Ben. I am so relieved it is pretty much all resolved, and now I guess he can go back to being a 19-year-old that doesn't need his mom for anything. :o)

Please see my Etsy shop and Flickr for new dolls I've been working on. I have a really bad self-criticism always going on, and I actually think some of my creations are cute for once~

Many thanks to all the darlings, who know who they are, for supporting my stuff as well!

Best wishes to you for 2009~

Poetic Justice

noreply@blogger.com (Annette) — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 05:50:00 +0000

Yeah, it's kind of like poetic justice or something--that with my writing contest, the winner would be someone special....

No one to vote for, no other stories to read, boo hoo.... but it's still okay! Renee (Reyney) deserves a gift more than anyone.

See? Someone that's one of the hardest working people I know, always doing stuff for others, has one of the most sacrificial/dedicated vocations, besides being just plain cute.... sometimes these characteristics magically come back with some kind of love. Hugs to you Renee!

Rather, there's a bucket of babies on its way too!

(It'll be sent soon after Christmas, and I'll post pics here of what is sent.)

Freedom

noreply@blogger.com (Annette) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:35:00 +0000

I know we live in a "free" country, but our own personal freedom is so interesting from person to person.

For me, it's all the bills paid (hate owing anybody), all correspondence, shipping and phonecalls caught up, food in the fridge for any unexpected visits by enormous kids, and certainly all the dishes and laundry clean.

Psst, if your house is spotless, you ain't no artist, hee hee. That's my own personal joke, probably the only one that thinks it's hilarious!

Anyway, tonight I am pretty free! Maybe I'm at 95% of the above criteria, but that's free enough, lol.

Speaking of which, my honey faithfully watches CSI every week, when I'm probably doing my own thing. But I always hear the most awesome tracks at the end of that show, and I like how they vary them from genre to genre. If Ben is home, I can ask, "Who is that singing?", and he'll know immediately, new artist or not. Since he's not home right now, I googled the song they played last night and just love it.

Hereit is if you have a chance to listen. The lyrics are really cool, and it gave me goosebumps, because he sings about the underprivileged challenges for some kids growing up, something many of us will never have the faintest idea about.

---------------------------

Everything I have, everything I own
All my mistakes man you already know
I wanna be free, I wanna be free (Konvict)

From Senegal West Africa,
To St. Louis, Missouri
Thanks to Catherine Dana
For giving my pops his glory
He came down with his drum
And a dream to change the world
In a free uplifting world
And that's all he ever want
Mom came a little after
Gave birth to my brother
then all of the pressure
Made em' fight one another
See, the pain would never last
Did the best with what they had
He knew the world was out for grabs
And he searched to find his

Freedom, Freedom, Freedom, (Oh)Freedom
Everything I have, everything I own
All my mistakes man, you already know
I wanna be free, I wanna be free
So I search to find my(find my)..
..Freedom, Freedom, Freedom, Freedom
Everything I have, everything I own
All my mistakes girl, you already know
I wanna be free, I wanna be free, yeah

As a kid I never knew
I'd have to hustle just to make it through
So I found myself skipping school
Cause' the girls don't think I'm cool
And because of that I didn't care
Whether or not I went to jail
I just wanna be treated fair
Cause thats all I ever knew
Tellin' me I need to slow down
Cause everybody in the whole town
Cause they know how I get down
Foreigner from another town
Can you believe we still around?
After so many hit the ground
And we ain't gon stop now
Until we get that

Freedom,(ooohh) Freedom,(oohhh) Freedom, (oh)Freedom
Everything I have,(have) everything I own, (own)
All my mistakes man you already know (yea)
I wanna be free, (free)I wanna be free (free)
won't stop till i find
my freedom, my Freedom,(Freedom) my Freedom, (Freedom) (oh) Freedom
Everything I have, everything I own
All my mistakes girl, you already know
I wanna be free, I wanna be free, yeah
If you wanna be free, and the land is drug-free
put your hands up, (ay)put your hands up (ay)
If you wanna be free, from all your misery
put your hands up, (ay) put your hands up
If you wanna be free, with plenty money (ay)
put your hands up, put your hands up
If you wanna be free, just praise G-O-D put your hands (ay)up, put your hands up (ay)

Freedom, (ohh)Freedom(Freedom), Freedom, (ooh)Freedom
Everything I have, everything I own
All my mistakes girl you already know
I wanna be free(wanna be free)

----------------------

So now I wish I was also free from needing to do anymore Christmas shopping. What on earth do you get 19- and 21-year-old young guys that don't really want anything (except maybe a new car?) anyway?

Why, thank you for asking!

What you do is you march right over to Etsy vintage to insideously train them to love vintage!

Matt and Ben often get together with lots of friends to play Nertz Solitaire (or Peanuts). You MUST play it sometime; even if you hate cards, you'll find it addictive. My mom and sister notice my pathetically compulsive, game-playing competitiveness while I play, I'm the sorest loser you'll ever meet. Nobody gets that about me.

Anywho, what would catch my eye at Etsy vintage? Why, a darling green metal card shuffler! It's so cute, and so cool. Sorry for the un-crisp pic!

I Spy......

noreply@blogger.com (Annette) — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 06:12:00 +0000

all my missing stuff!!

Here is just one lost item that I found today! This particular item is what I used for a "catch-all" at our previous house; I hadn't seen it since.... and that equates to almost 7 months.

All these missing things were driving me crazy. The most painful would have to be one of my favorite Christmas decorations--a dolly-size vintage Japan fireplace. Well it was in this same box, oh happy day.

We have a fairly organized house, and somehow there were 3 other BIG moving boxes, still sealed, sitting by all our Christmas decorations. Surely it wasn't a coincidence that I had quiet time and prayer today, which I've completely blown off lately. We all run ourselves ragged and I'm sure God was showing me that slowing down will always make our lives better.

Two other wonderful surprises were even more amazing! I received the most fabulous, wonderful, creative, darling and colorful package from Linda of Felted Folksies fame! Her packages are the most spectacular because her little chenille darlings are about as cute as they come. I never like the "new" or reproduction chenille products, only vintage. Well her creations have changed all that! Please check out my Flickr page (today) for the prettiest vignette starring her sweet babies.

As if it couldn't get any better, it really did! Jana Maresh e-mailed a photo of my newest baby, Little Cupcake Girl! I've never been lucky enough to find a vintage cupcake pincushion, but Jana's creations are super duper sweet! She worked very long and extremely hard at perfecting them; that's obvious. I'll be very sad if I can't buy another one in the future, they're just like feeling cheated that you only ate one cupcake. Who wants only one cupcake? Again, check out my Flickr page for the picture she sent.

Dolly friends are the only friends to have!

A reminder: Please send me your stories for the contest no later than a week from today (Monday) by midnight, so we can vote!!

Felt The Fun

noreply@blogger.com (Annette) — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 07:08:00 +0000

I am so proud of my mom (and dad of course!), but she has a flair for beautiful and detailed work no matter what she's making. Every since I was small, I can't remember a time when she didn't want something "just so."

Hey, I wonder if that's where I get my habits of crooked artwork on walls just bugging me to pieces??? Ha, honestly there's a mile-long list beyond that: one stray hair hanging over someone's eyes, a kid's nose that desperately needs a Kleenex, sticky kitchen cabinet handles, misspellings.... actually, I better stop or I won't be able to go to sleep, lol.

Regardless, my mom made the most beautiful fiber art today. Here's the little piece, it's even 3-D, with real pine cones that are only about 1/3" long.

I'm proud of her because she doesn't want to grow older and boring, or older and cranky. She chooses to be a very positive and fun person.

To be fair, my father is just as much fun. He's a better sport about getting teased than just about anyone I know, and he's always wanting to know what his kids and grandkids are up to. The worst thing about him? If you try to stump him--about a historical date, a geographical location, the spelling of a word, you w-i-l-l not win. It's uncanny. My latest "pop quiz" was, where is Belize (I have a friend from there), and how to spell poinsettia. If it wasn't so funny, I'd be so annoyed!

The bucket of vintageness below is some of the prize that will be sent to the person with the most votes for their story: a cute preview for you!

I know this is a busy season, and several friends have written saying they're working on it, but I hope a few of you still write in. Just a paragraph even, I'd love to hear from you~

Sweet dreams!

Peace of Mom

noreply@blogger.com (Annette) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 06:57:00 +0000

For those who know my mom, she's always making something, it's hilarious how she just can't sit still....

Well, she often makes small things like I do, though, and I might be stealing this miniature sweater she made: the little wooly tree is only about an inch tall, and I love how she designed it~

What to buy for a couple you hardly know? When we visited, they had the most unbelievably beautiful Christmas decorated home I may have ever been to in my life, so I settled on this below. The picture's not that great, because the tiny ornaments are quite colorful, and the whole sign is much bigger than it looks (a bugger to package for shipping). It was fantasticly vintage looking, and I thought you wouldn't have to be a vintage lover to appreciate it hopefully (just in case they're not). Almost wanted to buy one for myself....

Ho, ho, ho!

Life In Pictures

noreply@blogger.com (Annette) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 06:39:00 +0000

Ever since I learned to read, I always gravitated to books with pictures. I just had to be looking at photos and illustrations related to what I was reading. So, how perfect that the first story I received for this contest arrived with the cutest photo!

Here is Collector Story #1:

"One of my relatives has been a doll collector for as long as I could remember. She collects vintage dolls, mostly hard plastic from the 1950's. I would always tease her and call her the crazy doll lady! I never ever liked anything she bought! Until one day, she showed me an Asian doll on a stand. It was kinda like the Bradley dolls I remember my grandmother having, but this one was special. She had the most beautiful painted face, and the biggest head I have ever seen. She's wearing a pink kimono and a little bouquet of velvet flowers. I fell in love. AND it became my quest to find her lots and lots of friends. I have since learned so much about these kinds of dolls and the rest is history.

I'll attach a pic of that special dolly...."

To my blog readers, sorry the photo's not bigger--that's my fault, not the author's. I forgot how to download it properly, and I'll try to fix it later. Anyway, I hope you can see how cute the doll is. She has those way-too-cute vintage flowers that I wish I could sew onto every single thing i wear.

Lastly, because I have so many friends here that appreciate clothing details as much as I do, here's a Christmas vest I swiped from my sister because the feltwork appliques are just too cute!