Goodbye Christmas, Goodbye 2010

The holidays and 2010 fade away...

Write it on your heart

that every day is the best day in the year.

He is rich who owns the day, and no one owns the day

who allows it to be invaded with fret and anxiety.

Finish every day and be done with it.

You have done what you could.

Some blunders and absurdities, no doubt crept in.

Forget them as soon as you can, tomorrow is a new day;

begin it well and serenely, with too high a spirit

to be cumbered with your old nonsense.

This new day is too dear,

with its hopes and invitations,

to waste a moment on the yesterdays.

ralph waldo emerson

Happy Earth Day! ReUSE, Reduce, Recycle! My DH is a Genius- Yay Yay Yay, the Futon Revisited

Originally Posted December 2007 but in honor of Earth Day I thought I would bump this up.  Try using new eyes to see things differently before you throw things away and fill up the landfills even more.  This was a simple wood futon destined for the trash heap.  As we were getting ready to load it up for the dumpster, I stopped my dh and look what we have instead?  An awesome shelf system just the perfect size for my favorite hobby stamping and paper crafts.  Thanks everyone and please enjoy this repost...

I am soooo excited I don't know what to do. This has been the bestest Christmas EVER that I have had in a long long time. I know I am a total dork because I am happy happy (did I say happy) over shelves. First I got my library shelves for the living room for Christmas, so unexpected and wonderful. Then, as if that weren't enough I got 4 count them 4 new CUSTOM made shelving units for (you'll never guess) STAMPERS. Remember the "guess what this is going to be" post? Well they are finished and attached to my wall!! Here are the before and after pictures:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

We recycled an old futon that we were going to just ship off to either goodwill or the trash. We have been cleaning the garage and I got to looking at the futon with my stampers eye. You know if it can be used for stamping or embellished or glittered we always have to keep our eye out for these things. So my genius DH figured out what to do to and did it for me right away. All we did was get some 1x2's, cut the 2 long pieces of the futon (the seat and the back) in half, added ends, nailed the 1x2 shelves to the existing slats of the futon (the stamps are sitting on the added new 1x2 pieces), cleaned them up and walla WE'VE GOT THE CUSTOM SHELVES OF THE CENTURY and we did it by re-purposing a found object. Which to me makes them even more special because they didn't cost me anything and we saved a tree or two. I wanted to take a picture with them empty so you can see the shelves better. I will take more pics when I have them all filled up (that shouldn't take me too long hahaha). Aren't they great? Now off to do more organizing...I get that way this time of year....I told ya'. skipping off whistling happy tunes..no whining even...

and some more after pix click here <----

~best,
misspriss

Happy Thanksgiving Day - An Iriquois Address

Greetings to the Natural World.

The People

Today we have gathered and we see that the cycles of life continue. We have been given the duty to live in balance and harmony with each other and all living things. So now, we bring our minds together as one as we give greetings and thanks to each other as people.

Now our minds are one.

The Earth Mother

We are all thankful to our Mother, the Earth, for she gives us all that we need for life. She supports our feet as we walk about upon her. It gives us joy that she continues to care for us as she has from the beginning of time. To our mother, we send greetings and thanks.

Now our minds are one.

The Waters

We give thanks to all the waters of the world for quenching our thirst and providing us with strength. Water is life. We know its power in many forms-waterfalls and rain, mists and streams, rivers and oceans. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the spirit of Water.

Now our minds are one.

The Fish

We turn our minds to the all the Fish life in the water. They were instructed to cleanse and purify the water. They also give themselves to us as food. We are grateful that we can still find pure water. So, we turn now to the Fish and send our greetings and thanks.

Now our minds are one.

The Plants

Now we turn toward the vast fields of Plant life. As far as the eye can see, the Plants grow, working many wonders. They sustain many life forms. With our minds gathered together, we give thanks and look forward to seeing Plant life for many generations to come.

Now our minds are one.

The Food Plants

With one mind, we turn to honor and thank all the Food Plants we harvest from the garden. Since the beginning of time, the grains, vegetables, beans and berries have helped the people survive. Many other living things draw strength from them too. We gather all the Plant Foods together as one and send them a greeting of thanks.

Now our minds are one.

The Medicine Herbs

Now we turn to all the Medicine herbs of the world. From the beginning they were instructed to take away sickness. They are always waiting and ready to heal us. We are happy there are still among us those special few who remember how to use these plants for healing. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the Medicines and to the keepers of the Medicines.

Now our minds are one.

The Animals

We gather our minds together to send greetings and thanks to all the Animal life in the world. They have many things to teach us as people. We are honored by them when they give up their lives so we may use their bodies as food for our people. We see them near our homes and in the deep forests. We are glad they are still here and we hope that it will always be so.

Now our minds are one.

The Trees

We now turn our thoughts to the Trees. The Earth has many families of Trees who have their own instructions and uses. Some provide us with shelter and shade, others with fruit, beauty and other useful things. Many people of the world use a Tree as a symbol of peace and strength. With one mind, we greet and thank the Tree life.

Now our minds are one.

The Birds

We put our minds together as one and thank all the Birds who move and fly about over our heads. The Creator gave them beautiful songs. Each day they remind us to enjoy and appreciate life. The Eagle was chosen to be their leader. To all the Birds-from the smallest to the largest-we send our joyful greetings and thanks.

Now our minds are one.

The Four Winds

We are all thankful to the powers we know as the Four Winds. We hear their voices in the moving air as they refresh us and purify the air we breathe. They help us to bring the change of seasons. From the four directions they come, bringing us messages and giving us strength. With one mind, we send our greetings and thanks to the Four Winds.

Now our minds are one.

The Thunderers

Now we turn to the west where our grandfathers, the Thunder Beings, live. With lightning and thundering voices, they bring with them the water that renews life. We are thankful that they keep those evil things made by Okwiseres underground. We bring our minds together as one to send greetings and thanks to our Grandfathers, the Thunderers.

Now our minds are one.

The Sun

We now send greetings and thanks to our eldest Brother, the Sun. Each day without fail he travels the sky from east to west, bringing the light of a new day. He is the source of all the fires of life. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Brother, the Sun.

Now our minds are one.

Grandmother Moon

We put our minds together to give thanks to our oldest Grandmother, the Moon, who lights the night-time sky. She is the leader of woman all over the world, and she governs the movement of the ocean tides. By her changing face we measure time, and it is the Moon who watches over the arrival of children here on Earth. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Grandmother, the Moon.

Now our minds are one.

The Stars

We give thanks to the Stars who are spread across the sky like jewelry. We see them in the night, helping the Moon to light the darkness and bringing dew to the gardens and growing things. When we travel at night, they guide us home. With our minds gathered together as one, we send greetings and thanks to the Stars.

Now our minds are one.

The Enlightened Teachers

We gather our minds to greet and thank the enlightened Teachers who have come to help throughout the ages. When we forget how to live in harmony, they remind us of the way we were instructed to live as people. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to these caring teachers.

Now our minds are one.

The Creator

Now we turn our thoughts to the creator, or Great Spirit, and send greetings and thanks for all the gifts of Creation. Everything we need to live a good life is here on this Mother Earth. For all the love that is still around us, we gather our minds together as one and send our choicest words of greetings and thanks to the Creator.

Now our minds are one.

Closing Words

We have now arrived at the place where we end our words. Of all the things we have named, it was not our intention to leave anything out. If something was forgotten, we leave it to each individual to send such greetings and thanks in their own way.

Now our minds are one.

ohenton kariwahtekwen - iroquois thanksgiving address

Happy Mother's Day!

Angel of God,

my guardian dear,

to whom God's love commits me here,

ever this day,

be at my side

to light and guard,

to rule and guide.

catholic - prayer to the guardian angel

I don't know of a better guardian angel than a Mother~~

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY EVERYONE!

Happy Easter the After Party

I haven't been able to blog much lately. I sure do miss it and my crafty shtuff. If I ever get this chronic insomnia figured out MAYBE I would have my energy back. Oh well... I have so many SPRING photos to share. OMG just the cutest. This Easter it was just a small gathering with hubby, my youngest daughter and pets. Oddly no pics of them or me. Just the table, the dog and Mr. Rabbit who came to visit us on Easter (Bunny) day. Too funny Easter Bunny visited us on Easter Sunday.  This year we went with non-traditional items.  Normally, I do ham, scalloped potatoes, the usual suspects...  Every year everybody says we should do lighter menus.  Well, this year I leaned towards that theme.  On the Easter brunch Menu:

Spring Greens Salad w/Shrimp Cocktail garnish 

Choice of Dressing

Steamed Fresh Asparagus Spears (Yummo)

Hard Boiled Eggs

Homemade Cinnamon Rolls (I know odd paring but was yummo anyway)

Fresh Strawberry Wedges

OJ Mimosas

Hot Coffee

Easter Lily (Optional)

Easter Rabbit - Priceless

Killer Dog  =D

Happy Easter

Zoom

Shrimp Cocktail on Ice for the salad

Colored Eggs (I know shock and awe!)

Boring Strawberries but I thought they were cute

My famous homemade cinnamon rolls

Look who stopped over OMG

I'm gonna eat me some Easter Bunny face.  Look at those eyes, they're practically glazed over.  Oddly if I would let him after the bunny.  He always lets them get away.  It is so cute he goes out like a monster and then stops just short of getting them.  And off they hop free.

But I'm really just a Teddy Bear

Happy Easter!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

A simple manger

I add twinkle lights and sparse branches. I put this up every year and just love the simplicity of it.

Wow another Christmas past... I think I say it every year but this was the best Christmas EVER! It seemed as though the universe aligned and everything fell into place nicely. I don't know what it is/was but everything seemed charmed this year for the most part. For one thing no signature burned dish...I didn't burn one dish, which is my signature but not one...now that's a Christmas Miracle in itself, the DH had more Christmas Spirit than any of us (another shocker). Well anyway it's hard to explained but it was magical. Here are some more pics in case anyone wanted to take a peak into my little corner of the world. These pics are from earlier in the day I am going to post more later as the day progressed.

The last ornament went onto the Advent Wreath. Here's my daughter putting up the final ornament today, the angel

I found this little Advent tree at a Fall Festival where I used to live in the Midwest. It is all wood and each ornament is hand carved. I've added a few over the years as I did lose a couple of the originals ornaments. Here it is all filled up for December 25, 2008.

More of my winter decorations, part of my snowman collection. All found at craft fairs over the years. Hand made by artists

My sister made me this snowman. I get him out every year. This is the view from my kitchen window. Look and weep my Chicago friends. Yes, that's still greenery. It's warm here. Well not exactly today but in general.

Winter garland I hung above my kitchen sink. I did blues and whites again this year.

Speaking of my kitchen sink... look what I found when I woke up this a.m. One of my presents from my daughters was fresh herbs (I asked for these I want to start an herb garden this winter. HA! bet ya can't say that if you live in CHICAGO, sorry sissy). How perfect a rosemary shaped like a tree.

I like to hang ornaments from the all of the mirrors in the house from suction cups. I think it's a nice touch and you get double beauty. You see the ornament itself and its reflection. I found this little vintage white wreath over at PAPERTALES (yes it's about the only store I shop at anymore). I knew when I saw it it was going to be one of my mirror ornaments. Isn't it cute?

Here's the little red cardinal... again I found this at PAPERTALES also. Bathroom mirror. He makes me happy.

Here's a few shots of my table. Nothing fancy really. My Grandmother Fanny's white table cloth. My Great Aunt Alice's silverware. My MIL Nanny Marge's dishes. Touches of tradition and memories all present at our Christmas Table. It's these finer details, the traditions that mean the most to me. More than the fancy shmancy anything.

Closeup of one place setting with my mistletoe scented candle

Zero in on the wine glass stem

See it?

My daughter wrapped red and white pipe cleaners around the stems. Isn't that so very CLEVER? Everybody loved it.

....and to all a good night

Happy Christmas Eve!

Wow where does the time go? The holidays snuck up on me again!!. Surprisingly I've actually have gotten more done "in time" than before but it feels like I didn't. I don't know the holidays always make me crazy 1 way or another. Here's more pictures of my holidays. I must say this every year... but this year my tree is the best I've ever had, the house decorations are "just right" with us just putting out our favorite things vs 8 boxes of things. It just feels more simplified and yes how appropriate to close out the year accomplishing the feel of my "word for the year". To simplify simplify simplify. I do believe I've reached it!!! I can move on to a new word and I've already picked it out. I just hope I continue to like the word I've chosen and I don't go flipflopping around again and switching my word a million times like last year.

Anyway, a couple of the new cards I am posting I CASEd from the design team members over at A Muse art stamps. My problem is it's all a blur and I can't remember exactly where I snagged these from. So I apologize for not properly crediting the sketches. I added bling and fur etc hehe but the sketches are not mine. CLICK ON ANY PICTURE TO ENLARGE THEM to see the details better.

This first card was sooooo cute I just had to CASE it. The "design team" members over at A Muse are definitely doing their job because I had to run out and purchase more stamps to do this card.

A couple of techniques of note. I added the oval A Muse creative-candy sticker to the "Peace on Earth" tag. I also stamped the carolers a second time on some music note paper, cut out the sheet music and paper pieced it on top of the carolers so the sheet music looks authentic. Loves: the black kitchen note paper looks like snow falling at night, paper tearing technique makes the white paper look like snow drifts and EVERYTHING else. Oh you can't see it but the front reindeer has a red bling nose.

This next card (BELOW) I CASEd from a card I saw over at my new favoritest store EVER PAPERTALES. OMG Michelle (and everyone else... Diane and all.... I forget everyones names sorry) is such a genius over there and her store just gets better and better. Everytime I go there she has more NEW stuff and of course I h2h it ALL. They are so nice that if I ever want to CASE something on display thye make a photo copy for me. Oh and I've been informed...by the way they are my new REAL friends not VIRTUAL friends any more. I was so excited about this to have new REAL friends. I told her I didnt have any real friends... just virtual ones. Meeting Michelle and crew through blogoland first and then so meeting them IRL I had to actually remember that they're real friends now. hahahaha.

How cute is this? Techniques uses: masking to make the reindeers look layered. Of course, LOTS of glitter. Glitter is my new favoritest tool. LOVES: Toile ribbon (red). Of course I have it in every color. OH I almost forgot I FUN FLOCKED the deer antlers how funny is that.

Next card.... a mix of stamps because I didn't have the A Muse tree lot stamp so I used SU. Note the glitter on the tree. LERVE

IRL - LOVE THIS PICTURE of the bug with the tree on it.

I took all of these pics in a dark room with my night setting and it still looked liked there were lights on. I wanted to get that cool nightime effect. But alas I am NOT A PHOTOGRAPHER.

This is my little 6 in. tree sits in a corner on my counter top right next to my coffee maker. I've had this little guy for years and he brings me happiness year after year. NOTE: mini tree skirt and presents.

Some of my favorite clear fairy ornaments

Fairy number 2

Look at the white spot to the left of the tree.... my daughter says those are angels/spirits whenever you see those little white spots in photos. but look at the next photo of the tree it looks like the Angel spirit moves to the tip of my tree and becomes a glowing star... eerie huh?

See the glow (white spot that moved right) at the tip of my tree? Angel star.

Happy Holidays! Hurry up and go out there and get your last minute stuff done I know I have to. ~later

Frosty Village!

Hi EVERYONE little my little I am getting more holiday decorations up and thought I would share some pictures....Our tree will go up this week. I'm decorating this year but simpler. We debated on putting up a tree or not at all? We decided we are going to put up a tree but just with lights and snowflakes and not pull out all of the ornaments this year. We just want to keep it simple yet tasteful. It's seem like we just got the house together from all of the DYI and to drag out a bunch of boxes to have to put away again. I put out a couple of my snowmen, decorated this shelf and a couple of wooden trees that I placed on my bookcases. Plus, the yard is decorated. I think that is enough. The house looks great though. I can't wait to get the tree up now because I am really getting the Christmas Spirit more now with this project done.

Some pics I use a flash to show details but it isn't that bright IRL and some without the flash. I liked the ones without the flash because that gave at least a little better idea of what it looks like at night. (I'm not a photographer and my little point and shoot is on its last leg. I know I've been complaining about that for at least a year.) The shelf is so cute and turned out so nice. I've been working on this little paper village all weekend. I LERVE GLITTER now. I can't get enough of it. I have lots of glitter in lots of colors from lots of different manufacturers but my favorite is still dazzling diamonds from Stampin Up (I didn't use any with this project, just saying)! Nobody has even come close to how pretty that schtuff is. But anywho. This little village is a Martha Stewart Kit that I had from last year and never got around to making. Out of the box (OOB) it comes with these little white paper houses, with score lines ready to assemble. I've added the glitter to add more sparkle. The little wreaths are stickers. It's super simple yet big effect. I put these on the shelf in my kitchen that runs around the top perimeter of the room. Last year I had my Nativity Scene on this shelf but this year I decided to do Frosty Village.

FULL VIEW



PINK HOUSE

CHURCH SEE MY LITTLE RED VINTAGE TREES

BLUE HOUSE

SEA GREEN HOUSE

CHURCH AGAIN WIDER SHOT

FUSCIA PINK HOUSE WITH RED TREE

CHURCH SCENE NO FLASH (CLOSER TO HOW IT REALLY LOOKS LIGHTWISE)

PINK HOUSE NO FLASH

WIDER VIEW NO FLASH

I wish the pictures did it justice but they don't. It's really really pretty IRL. Enjoy!

Deck the HALLS!! Nahanohedinnit

...or should I say the CHRISTMAS MIRACLE...lemme splain...My DH does NOT take the initiative during the holidays EVER. Been married close to 29 years now and not once in all of that time has he donnered or blixened, comet or cupided anything. Oh yes, he helps after I've dragged the boxes out and gotten the party started. But to actually take it upon himself and do something/anything especially when it comes to the HOLIDAYS. Can you say S C R O O G E (well not that bad but close)? Heck he gives scrooge lessons. ANYWHO. Image then to my surprise when I drove up to this.... the other night and almost missed my house because I couldn't find MY house. Nope drove down this street everyday for years and cannot find the place.... I drove past it. I had to back up. I had to adjust the vision. WHY? Well I didn't recogize this.............. I was so shocked and awed. First I thought what is this "husband swap" because mine ain't here. He gone. After I calmed down I thought where did he get that lawn art because I had never seen skater people in the stores. Yes, trains, snowmen, deer, etc... but skater people. He was batting a thousand now. First the decorations now this? How did he know I liked skater people? Come to find out he and a friend Mikeymike (so-called) freehand drew them on heavy cardboard and cut them out, painted them white to reflect light and affixed them to stakes and walla skater people. Now he's an artist to boot? Where's my husband and what did you do with him? HI-larious. Aren't they just the funniest things you ever saw? The boy skater looks like elmer fudd in a way and the girl really looks like she is moving. It's totally cardboard. I think the long skate blades and the curly front are classic shapes. It's a CHRISTMAS MIRACLE~~

SKATER PEOPLE

ANOTHER


BLURRY OF ELMER FUDD SKATER BUT I LIKED IT BLURRY


BLURRY PIROETTE GIRL SKATER (LIKE THE BLUR)


HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE HO-HO-HO