Tip of a Hat

Here are some pics of the wonderful things that my swap partner, Michelle of Faerie Dust Dreams sent to me for the Halloween Hat Swap hosted by Speckled Egg. The box arrived today and in it was a colorful, full-sized hat with so many interesting and fun trinkets sewn all around the brim. Ribbons and a hand sewn vintage image on a paper rosette complete the look. Such attention to detail! And if that wasn't enough, Michelle added a little box filled with Halloween ribbons, bottle caps, tiny pinecones, buttons, and other holiday trinkets. Even the outside of the box was special. She's such a talented lady! Visit her online store to see more of her beautiful creations. Thanks Michelle!

Busy Week

It's been a busy week, and I haven't gotten anything done. I've just enjoyed having my girls home from school for fall break-- we have the best time just hanging out. My youngest daughter also turned 13 this week, and it feels like we've had a celebration for 4 solid days. She had a pedicure, had her ears pierced, and then bought mascara. What a way to usher in her teens, although, I must admit, I was just not really ready for mascara yet. But I'm still holding out on getting her a cell phone, even though she's the "ONLY one" [insert deep sigh and rolling eyes] in the whole world who doesn't have one.

And I"ve also enjoyed some of our fall flowers. The pink one was a plant that someone gave me a couple of years ago. She called it a Confederate Rose, and it just never looked well after my "brown thumb" had its way with it. We thought it was dead, given that it was also run over by my kids in a golf cart, and I think it was "trimmed" by the tractor once or twice. And then there's my over-zealous husband and his plant fertilizer, and this extreme drought that Georgia is experiencing. (I did put one of my tomato baskets around it, just in case.)

But here it is--we were so excited this week to see its first bloom. And the same friend also gave us these yellow flowers. I have no idea what they're called, but they don't seem to mind tractors, droughts, golf carts, husbands, or brown thumbs.

Is That a 9 or a g?

Am I the only one who gets just a bit nervous when posting a message or filling out some online form, and then at the end, you have to try to figure out those funky letters which are supposed to weed out "robots." I'm sure I spend waaaay too much time studying those odd looking letters or numbers, and hesitate just a bit too long when it's time to click the "next" button. What if I'm wrong---is that a "t" or a really tall "r"? And if I can't quite figure out if it's a 9 or a lower case "g," will I be sent directly to robot purgatory or added to some robot watch list?! When I do get it wrong, I feel just a little chastised as an entire set of NEW characters appears. Maybe some Big Brother robot is snickering, "Here, dummy, try these." I know it's not rocket science, but as I move my mouse to click "next," I can't help imagining the old robot from Lost in Space warning, "Danger Will Robinson. . . I think that was a 9!!"

One More

Here's a peek at an item I've been working on which will be available later this month at Ye Old Hags Haunt. My daughter is home from college this weekend, so I'm sure I'll have plenty of laundry to keep me entertained.

The Newbies

New things available at Glitter and Grunge October 1. Check out all of the other artists too. Wonderful things available.

Vintage Book Swap

Finally, finally a chance to catch up and show the wonderful books I received from my swap partner Blondie. She, by the way, did a great job picking the books for me. Such great illustrations which remind me of some of the books I read when I was a little girl. And the little pouch that Blondie sent was just precious. Here's several pics of the package before, and after. (I almost tore into the package before I remembered I wanted to take some pics for show and tell.) And the very best part of the swap was getting to know such a generous, genuine person! Thanks so much Blondie.

Jackie O

Here's my latest for The Primitive Gathering. Check it out on October 1, and stop in and sign up for the October Gift Away. Win cool stuff!

"Mom, Can I Vacuum Glass?"

"Mom, can I vacuum glass?" That was the ominous text message on my cell phone. The phrase ‘Ignorance is bliss" takes on a whole new meaning when your filet mignon is interrupted by a message like that. Sadly, I guess history set precedent early on, when Alexander G. Bell summoned Watson for an eerily similar reason.

Anyway, to back up a bit; my husband and I were on a rare night out and we’d left our 15 year old in charge of her younger sister, who is almost a teenager herself. It was only for a couple of hours, and they are both fairly responsible, so a few hours away from home didn’t seem too foreboding. Until blissful ignorance was replaced with an odd curiosity and then, indigestion.

I quickly excused myself to get the full story: "Where and how much?! What??! Is there any blood involved? Put on your shoes, get the dog out, shut the door, and I’ll take care of it when I get home."

The evening wasn’t a total wash however. I suppose the fact that the culprits exhibited some responsibilty by consulting the "experts" instead of diving into cover-up mode was a plus--and I now have one less picture frame to dust.

Going once, going twice. . .

I hope by now you've heard about the silent auction for little Ava Grace. It's already generated some very generous bids, so hurry over and get in on the bidding! Here's a peek of a sweet, sweet primitive-style painting by Suzanne of Pear Tree Primitives. Or go directly to this link to see all of the items up for bid.

Also be sure to check out The Primitive Gathering for the October Gift-Away to celebrate six months as a gathering . Registration is October 1-13. And while you're there, check out all of the wonderful things for sale by all the artists. Winners will be posted October 15.

Oh, Technology

So, technology has finally come through. After years of achingly long wait times with dial-up, we finally were given access to DSL. I think our little family felt like our predecessors when electricity came. Wow--we are finally in the 21st century. Until nature decided to have the upper hand.

It's been over a month since our DSL, unbeknownst to us, was struck by lightning. It didn't quite completely fry the cable, but just singed it enough to make us all slightly crazy. There was no rhyme nor reason to our internet connection. I'd be working on something online, just about ready to send my attachments along their merry little virtual way, when, as if some devious little gremlin flipped a switch, the connection would go down. After weeks of threatening, cajoling, and coaxing I'd had enough. Deadlines were fast approaching, so the phone tech was summoned, and I awaited anxiously for the ominous diagnosis. It was not a fatal wound, but open-cable surgery was required. Five hours and a trenched yard and driveway later, the ailing internet line was pronounced healed. I quickly sent out my images (and barely met my deadlines), and then leisurely caught up on some emails and blog surfing. Life was good again--until the next day. As I was checking emails, suddenly, it was as if the roto-rooter job had never occurred. I tried to convince myself that it would jumpstart soon enough. Finally after another week of dealing with the on-again, off-again misery, Dr. Phone Tech was summoned a second time. After several hours they found the real problem, which had been in the line up the street! And, as of today, it appears finally cured. I hope they took that little gremlin too.