Precious Declaration ROCKS!!!!

                                                      (my son on the right)
I'm the biggest fan!! Ok, so I'm also the Mom....but they were really good! It's been awhile since my son has been in a band, "Precious Declaration" is brand new and they had their first gig on Saturday nite at the Powerhouse in Folsom, CA. Somehow my friends and I snagged a personal tour of this huge place (by the sound man),  filled with memorabilia , a maze of inside and outside bars and rooms that went on forever. Very fun! It was great to see my son singing and playing his guitar again. The best part is, I don't have to drag him around the countryside to his band practices like the old days!! I think he was about 10 when he started playing...
 So, here's luck to you Precious Declaration!! Rock on!! Next week: Folsom Hotel.

 Here's to a great Memorial Day!!!

Friday Funny

"And thus, dear students, we have arrived at the formula for understanding women"

Taffeta Flower Tutorial

Ok , forget the manicure, I'm just going to do this!! Here is the tutorial for the taffeta flowers I've been promising forever! I took a free class at a great fabric store called Triad to learn how to make these:

 Once you make the first one, you will see how you can vary the shape and sizes of the petals. So, let's start!
Here is the material list: 30 gauge wire, floral tape, taffeta (must be synthetic, to melt it), stamen for the middle is optional.

Begin by cutting at least 6 petals of each size. Flat end on fold of fabric.



Keep the sizes in separate piles, thru out this process. Now cut the wire in about 6" lengths, we will use one piece to wire each petal, like this:

 The wire is bent over the middle of the flower, then  twisted, tight!( Sorry about the picture)











Finish wiring all petals tightly and set aside in separate size piles. Next we are going to melt the edges of each petal. First spread it open, then (I use a lighter, have at least 3 on hand to switch between them, they get HOT)

When these are all finished, we will start the assembly process. Start with a stamen, (optional) or the smallest petal. Add another small petal. The most important part is to keep all the petals at the same level (were the wire meets the fabric). Keep adding petals, twist the wires together, turn the petals as you add them.

See how the petals are all at the same level? You do not need a gentle hand while doing this. Now just keep going adding larger and larger petals (twisting the wire as you go) until you like the way it looks. There are no rules.









When you add all the petals, twist all the wires together as tight as possible, I use a pliers at this point. Finish with floral tape, starting as close as possible to the top of the bunch, pinch and twisting the tape all the way down to the length you desire.

 Voila! a beautiful flower!

 Now that you made your first flower, you can experiment with the shapes of the petals and the sizes, and color, add wired lace or whatever.
And it would be great if you sent a link with your design, I would love to see them! Have fun!

Linked to Shabby Nest's Frugal Friday. Check it out!

Friday Funny!!

Sharing the fountain

I love my fountain. My dog, Angel, picked it out. My daughter used to walk her down to the shop I worked at, selling fountains, and Angel would go to that fountain and walk in circles in it. So that was the one I chose. Poor Angel is gone now, but that fountain is still loved.
It is loved by hummingbirds:

By little song birds:

 Ice formations in the winter:

And Billee, my cat!

Evolution of a neglected yard

First you buy a new home. Then you spend ALOT of time gardening and create a beautiful space to enjoy.

Then you go to work full time and let the yard go:

Next step, you get too old and tired to do anything about it and hire a landscaper!

Voila! Once again - a beautiful space to enjoy!!! Thank you , Zaharis Landscaping, for all your hard work!! No more hiding places for the skunks and raccoons. It looks like a park, doesn't it? Thank you, thank you!!

Friday Funny - Is this You?

Hope you all have a relaxing weekend!!!!

Let the Landscaping Begin!

Well, today is the day the ripping begins. No more weeds, no more plum tree, hiding spots for the raccoons and skunks, mo more old tools and junk. It also will be VERY BARE for awhile. I ran around taking pics from all angles, picked the last of the roses and lemons.

The back 1/3 of our yard has been a chore for the last 13 years. It was originally an orchard and garden of sorts, neglected from the first home owner. I transformed it into a beautiful oasis (as seen here)  http://do-rahdesigns.blogspot.com/2010/04/dont-let-this-happen-to-you.html  
but then went to work full time and it slowly reverted back to neglect. We decided, since we are getting too old and feeble, to put in sod and be done with it. Here is the view from my little lookout on my patio, were I sit and do all my computer work with my morning coffee, as it looks today:

Tomorrow I will be looking at the fence into my neighbors yard. Not thrilled about that. Well, wish me luck, there is alot of work ahead! Once it's all cleared out we will figure out what to plant against the fences. I'll be back to post the progress pictures as they come. Have a great day!

New from the studio!

I have been sewing alot lately, between fighting off the skunks and raccoons around here! I just listed 2 new bags and a kids tote in my Etsy shop.

                                                             Tapestry shoulder bag

                                                       Pretty little shoulder bag, I love this faux leather trim. And I've been promising to do a tutorial on this great taffeta flower. One of these days........

                                            and this chalk cloth bag that you can write on!


Good night, looking forward to another productive day tomorrow!

A little project for a Sunday afternoon

After the skunk sighting this morning, (see last post) I decided to get some work done. I've been helping my friend redecorate her patio and got the first cushions recovered.

From boring to fun!!! This is going to look great with her new red umbrella. Can't wait to get the rest done! What a difference, don't you think?

Good Skunky, I mean Sunday Morning!

Hope you all woke up to a better sight than THIS, on this fine Sunday morning!! Good thing demolition on this jungle starts next Wednesday. The skunks and raccoons are taking over!!!!

The Perfect Little Black Dress

 So last week my friends and I spent the whole day shopping at the most beautiful outdoor mall called "The fountains".  The sales going on were so incredible!!! I found the perfect little black dress, I've been looking for one for YEARS. It was on sale at SWAK, so I tried it on. Well, the straps need to be taken in, needs to be lengthened, and I need to loose at least 5  10 15 (ok, maybe 7 and a spanx) pounds before it will look good, but its PERFECT!!! Naw, it cost too much for something I have to alter that much.......walked away, purchased a little top I can't wear out of the confines of my own home. But it was a good deal!! Then I found out "the dress" was $10.00 less then marked. Walked away....bought some cute new shoes that would look so good with the perfect black dress.

 Three hours later I was still pondering the dress. Good friends as they are, they made me try it on and model it. We all decided, indeed, it WAS the perfect little black dress..hopefully, someday, I will actually be able to wear it!
Aahhh, what a find! After all these years looking, I found the perfect little black dress!! ( for someone shorter, thinner, with a longer torso, and good alteration skills). WHATEVER!!! the shoes fit! And I found a jar of weird, but delicious mandarin-pumpkin marmalade.

 It was a great day of shopping......

Friday Funny

Advantages of living after 50!

 Someone had to remind me, so I'm reminding you too. Don't laugh.....it is all true....

Perks of reaching 50 or being over 60 and heading towards 70!


01. Kidnappers are not very interested i you.


02.. In a hostage situation you are likely to be released first. 


03. No one expects you t run--anywhere.


04. People call at 9 pm and ask,"did I wake you?"


05. People no longer view you as a hypochondriac.


06. There is nothing left to learn the hard way.


07. Things you buy now won't wear out.


08.  You can eat supper at  4 pm. 


09. You can live without sex but not your glasses.


10. You get into heated arguments about pension plans.


11. You no longer think of speed limits as a challenge.


12. You quit trying to hold your stomach in no matter who walks into the room. 


13. You sing along with elevator music.


14.  Your eyes won't get much worse.


15. Your investment in health insurance is finally beginning to pay off. 


16. Your joints are more accurate meteorologists than the national weather service.


17. Your secrets are safe with your friends because they can't remember them either.


18. Your supply of brain cells is finally down to manageable size. 


19. You can't remember who sent you this list.


20.And you notice these are all in Big Print for your convenience.


Forward this to every one you can remember right now!

Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.

 Have a great weekend, young and old alike!!

Friendship - Priceless!!

-Friends-
Friends smile at you.
They like your face.
They want to be with you
Any old place.

Friends have fun with you.
Friends share
They’re glad when you’re happy---
When you’re sad, they care.

If you’re a friend
Then you care, too.
That’s why your friends
Are glad you’re you!!!     (anonymous)


 I am so blessed, at this stage of my life, to have three wonderful, close, good, beautiful, fun friends!!  Friends to go to Anthropologie with:

Friends to laugh and do nothing with:

       









 Friends to give old Tony Llama boots to:

 Friends for ever:

  Friends thru thick and thin, friends for a lifetime!! I love my friends.....

Just a Mom?!?

   
  JUST A MOM? 

A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk's  office, Was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation. She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.    'What I mean is, ' explained the recorder, 'do you have a job or are you just a ...?' 'Of course I have a job,' snapped the woman.  'I'm a Mom.' 'We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation, 'housewife' covers it,'  Said the recorder emphatically.  I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself In the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall.    The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, Efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like, 'Official Interrogator' or 'Town Registrar.'  'What is your occupation?' she probed. What made me say it?  I do not know..    The words simply popped out. 'I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations.'  The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and Looked up as though she had not heard right.    I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words.. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, In bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.  'Might I ask,' said the clerk with new interest, 'just what you do in your field?'  Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, 'I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn't) In the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out). I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family) And already have four credits (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?) And I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers And the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money.'  There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she Completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.. As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby) in the child development program, Testing out a new vocal pattern.    I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more Distinguished and indispensable to mankind than 'just another Mom.'      Motherhood!    What a glorious career!    Especially when there's a title on the door.  Does this make grandmothers  'Senior Research  Associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations' And great grandmothers  Executive Senior Research Associates?' I think so!!!    I also think it makes Aunts Associate Research Assistants.

Friday Funny!!

Hope this touches you the way it touched me!

 

GOODBYE  MOM

A young man shopping in a supermarket noticed a little old lady following him around. If he stopped, she stopped. Furthermore she kept staring at him.

She finally overtook him at the checkout, and she turned to him and said, "I hope I haven't made you feel ill at ease; it's just that you look

so much like my late son."

He answered, "That's okay."

"I know it's silly, but if you'd call out 'Good bye, Mom' as I leave the store, it would make me feel so happy."

She then went through the checkout, and as she was on her way out of the store, the man called out, "Goodbye, Mom."

The little old lady waved and smiled back at him.

Pleased that he had brought a little sunshine into someone's day, he went to pay for his groceries.

"That comes to $121.85," said the clerk.

"How come so much? I only bought 5 items."

The clerk replied, "Yeah, but your Mother said You'd be paying for her things, too." 
  Bet you thought this was going to be a tear jerker.  

Don't trust Little Old Ladies!!!

Why we Celebrate Mother's Day!! (part two)

This is why!!