Sunday 9/22/19
A quick post of the pumpkin given to me by a friend. This little guy starts my day with a smile. Thank you, Melanie.

3/9/2018 - Necklaces

Necklaces - These 3 necklaces were laying on my desk waiting to be put away.  I began thinking how all of our possessions have a story; i.e., where they came from, why we ended up with them, their value to us, etc.  And, yes, each of these have a story. 
  The first necklace on the left is special to me because a friend gave it to me.  The little hang tag says: Raku Medallions, made by hand with love. Additional information about the process tells how the medallion is fired in an outdoor kiln and left to smolder in a pit with wood shavings.  Not everyone survives their trial by fire.  The ones that do cultivate strength & beauty. 
  This necklace was mailed to me by a  friend who knew I was undergoing treatment for cancer and now lives in Arizona (how we met is another story).  So, the butterfly necklace which is engraved on the back with the words "I am Renewed", represents how I hope to be renewed and transformed into healthy.  Transformed like the butterfly spirit animal who goes from a caterpillar that is only capable of crawling to becoming a butterfly that is capable of taking
flight across seas and continents.
  The middle necklace doesn't have a lot of significance other than I liked the charms and turquoise.  I had some points to spend at the casino gift shop and this is what I chose.
  I made the last necklace at the local library during a workshop where the group made necklaces from polymer clay. Billed as a Diffuser Necklace, these were crafted with the intention of rubbing essential oils on them for aromatherapy enjoyment. A speaker from Young Living Essential Oils was also present to give some basic information on essential oils.
  

Savory Blend

March 5, 2018

I visited with some friends 3/3/18.  We discussed essential oils and spices.  One friend had found a recipe for a seasoning blend in a recent Woman's Day magazine.  We each made a little sample to take home.  I've tried it on a few things and really like it.  Here it is:

Mix together in equal parts:

Dried Oregano               Ground Black Pepper
Onion Powder                Ground Cayenne Pepper
Garlic Powder                Salt
Ground Coriander          Rosemary
Ground Sage                  Ground Turmeric

I plan to look for the article on my next trip to the library.  She mentioned something about a lady saying this blend had helped her loose 60 pounds without making any other changes to her diet.  Sounds pretty "magical" to me and it tastes good, too!

Windmill Bag - 7/17/17

Windmill Bag - Crochet Version
I have knitted a couple Windmill Bags but recently ran across this crocheted version (shown in blue on the right.)  I am using my blog to link to the pattern so I will have it available. My attempts to copy and paste the pattern to a document was not working for me.  Shown on the left is a knitted version of the Windmill bag that I did earlier.  The smaller Windmill bag below is another bag that I knitted.   The pattern for the crocheted version  was found on a Blog entitled " Tales and Yarn"  ......    http://laurielaliberte.blogspot.com/2013/05/don-quixote-eat-your-heart-out-free.html   

4/30/2017 - Profile pictures............Ebay, Artfire, Etsy

4/30/2017 -  I found this picture in an old car magazine and thought it was kind of cool.  I wonder if there is some kind of law prohibiting me from using this as my profile picture?  I see people posting and selling patterns from old magazines (crochet and knit).  There is probably some time restriction.  I tried to research it but the actual law, etc is a little cloudy to me. Since I find myself listing old stuff and a lot of it automobile related, to the left is what may be my new EBay profile pic:  Mona Lisa in auto goggles, driving cap and holding a wrench.

The photo I use for my Atfire site is a picture of my paternal grandmother.  It makes me smile every time I think of her.  I am a charter member of Artfire but thinking of dropping my account ----- nothing ever shows in searches other than if you are already on and using Artfire (most people are not aware of it --- all know about Etsy).  That means I don't sell much there because no one sees it.  Of course, Artfire has options available, if you are willing to PAY MORE, that will put your shop in the search listings more prominently.  My solution ---- I may soon be switching to Etsy.......haven't gotten that done yet. 

I am spending a lot of time recently trying to sell things from the barn........If I made it to 150 years old, it wouldn't be long enough to online sell that stuff!  I have realized Ebay is kind of a hard sell, too.  For example, if you do a search for a vintage dress, Ebay says there are 725,000 listed!  It could be awhile before anyone sees mine!  But, I am learning some tricks to getting your things seen.  Also how important it is not to give up!

On the subject of photos, I have one other photo that I use currently as my avatar on Ebay.   It is an old cabinet photo of a true gypsy, tambourine and all. 

Saturday April 29,2017 Gypsy Cupboard Doll

April 29,2017 - It is a rainy Saturday and I will be going to a crawfish (going, not eating) boil at Mudbugs (even the name is disgusting) this afternoon. They do have other good food so I am happy to go ------ I just don't like crawfish!  Then......

I think I will go to the library and make a copy of this pattern that is sold to someone on EBay.  I listed it because I figured I would never get around to making it but it is sooooo cool!  I can see it being made up as a goddess, a gypsy, or some other character and holding your prized possessions.  I have a couple days to get it done.  The listing (click on the link at left) doesn't go off for a couple more days. 

My last post was the day I went to the gyenocologist.....still no word from that test.  Then, my chemo/blood doctor sent me last SUNDAY (4/22/2017) for a renal Doppler test.  Like it was so urgent he had me go on a SUNDAY!  And.........been a week now and no info on those results.  

4/4/2017 - Tuesday down.....

Today started out with a trip to the Indy gynecologist.  I am still having to go every 3-4 months, ugh. Enough about that.......I was out of there and on my way to lunch at Mudbugs with Randy.   He loves seafood and although I am not much of seafood fan they had a wonderful Cajun flavored pulled pork dip sandwich that I would definitely order again.  And, will have that opportunity because later this month is some kind of a critter/crawdad boil that he has plans to attend.  On the way to the parked car we passed an antique store.  I did a little looking around and found this rather unique piece.  I like odd things but I do not see anything about this that would make me want to have it setting around my place, especially not at $245.  If someone wants buttons, they should buy my button embellished jean blazer below. It has been listed on Ebay, but no takers.  I think I will give it another try. 

So, I ended this day on a happy note.  Now, I just need to get through the long, costly process of having my taxes filed tomorrow.  I think I will end that day with a visit and some shopping at a thrift shop or flea market.