#STASHTAGS 31/31

We are here --- I am excited. This project turned out to be so much more than just a fun way to use up stash materials. I learned about me and I learned some new techniques. Let's look at today's tag then I'll be posting about the November version of #stashtags.

Materials -
-cream cardstock tag base.
- simple rose watercolor print from a card top.
- pink letters
- this is the only one with a message on the back - it reads  "deep emotional words often go too long unspoken" ----  its from a mothers day card I sent my mom years ago when things were still quite stormy between us. I am so thrilled this is not the case any longer.
- the hanger is some ribbon Mom gave me from her stash (fitting I thought)

Its a reminder that healing relationships are never too far gone to keep trying - even if the only part you can manage to actually do is secretly Hope and pray.

Now for November ---

It will still be a #stashtags project over at instagram.

I am calling it Heartfelt Thankgivings - since we celebrate Thanksgiving this month.

I will still be making the tags each day. Still decorating them - simply as I like or with a theme if it fits the day. I have based my chosen themes using Ann Voskamp's Joy Dare prompts (you can find a printout for the year here.)

Some I have decided on --- for instance one of the days the prompt is three things government - I'll be looking for a US, state, or local government employee and hand them a decorated tag - thanking them for being someone I am grateful for. Maybe even a little note on the back. I'll blog the reactions here - with the rundown on the tags.

So here is the plan for me - I have my calendar marked. Tonight I will make the November 1 Tag and give it tomorrow sometime - the tags will be heartshaped and embellished. I'll decide who to "target" and in the morning I will instagram and facebook the tag and the theme - after I have given it - I will blog the tag and theme and reaction(s). and yes - in my mind some days there will me more than one tag.


You never know - maybe being nice and recognizing people as blessings can start a NICE revolution.

Please let me know if you are playing along.

Here is my list. and some ideas.

1. food - grocery store or fast food
2. clothing - store or someone who's outfit is inspiring
3.  starts with N -
4. gathered - a farmer or gardener or group of people we gather with
5. small as an acorn -
6. government - I'm thinking a post office worker or local government or local state college employee
7. from my window - maybe a different fast food person - or even my neighbor across the street
8. salty, sweet, or sipped - I do hope there is a waiter bringing me a margarita for this one.
9. harvest - farmers market person maybe
10 Bible or church - pastor - pianist - ss teacher - the lady who types the bulletin
11. Remembering - a veteran or a teacher from you childhood
12 Noon - lunch involved
13 behind a door - somewhere I am going into
14 Silent
15 golden
16. Grace
17 Laughter - not posting here, but I KNOW who gets this one
18 shared
19 Autumn
20 tradition - honor someone who has a recognized tradition with you - aka we always have donuts at the lake for Christmas - let them know how special that has been.
21 family - multiples here
22 grateful - this is a random category - just pick someone to encourage
23 Christ - some one you KNOW Christ put in you life
24 Humble
25 Ugly but beautiful - I will recognize some of my cancer caregivers or other survivors here
26 preparing - this would be an awesome day to recognize special teachers for preparing each lesson
27 held
28 community - maybe a police officer or fire fighter
29 red
30 astonishing - that person who has the "you wont believe this but ......." effect in your life.

Just ideas --- come on let's start a NICE movement. Even if you don't play along - please let me know your thoughts about this little project.



Have a great day.

What if I die?

I know. That's a creepy post title. And, I wish I could take credit for it. But I stole it from Mary over at the green paper blog. Mary collects and shares vintage ephemera and scans of her things. It is a beautiful blog for us paper hoarders.

There you go - I said it. I am a hoarder. I collect stuffs. If you read through MaggieGrace from the beginning, you will spot the "i really need to get rid of stash stuff and use what I have and quit collecting and and and" pattern.

Well, without the actual cost of some serious couch sessions with a qualified therapist I may never get well. Just joking. In the last 18 months there have been some major changes in my life that have made me really pay attention to things. (cancer is a fine perspective builder)

Then reading Mary's post yesterday really resonated in my soul. Go on - click over and read what I'm speaking of.

I have stuffs. Lot's of stuffs. And I KNOW my girls will not hesitate to chunk it in the dumpster if I were to die. Hopefully some of you crafty friends will show up to rescue some of it. There's a list of names and numbers if you want to sign up for a phone call "just in case."

I'm getting ready for a Market and I went and grabbed a box of "GOOD STUFF" last night. I took a really deep breath and jumped in.



The results of using the "one of a kinds" out that box were wonderful. See the oriental girl in the center - thats a bookmark. The heavy textured paper in the background - a composition book sized piece was right there in the "nice papers" stack. Some stamps I was saving - a piece of Chinese Joss Paper - a textured die cut.

And then it all sang. See!!!

Now I was off and running - On the next one I determined to use all "one piece left" of my paper stash. I love this one. Let me repeat --- I love this one.

Now for a huge thank you to my buddy Tipper. Tipper blogs over at The Blind Pig and the Acorn and she is just a super nice lady. I love it when you meet a blogger friend in a "for real" setting and they are just as nice or even nicer than you expected.

Well several weekends ago, we took a little trip to the John C. Campbell fall festival and I took some stainless flatware to Tipper's daughter. She has been making rings and since I don't use the stainless for my bracelets and pendants, I was looking for a way to use the ones I had accumulated. Yesterday the most perfect and wonderful spoon ring showed up on my doorstep.  I love it. It fits my index finger perfectly and has a wonderful reminder on it.

A "D" - Now I know there is no obvious reason for me to wear a "D" monogram, but Tipper chose it as a reminder to me. See the "D" stands for "daring" and she wants to remind me to be daring enough to go for the kind of life I want to have.

Thank you Tipper and Chitter. I love it.

I am blessed - I am loved - I am sure of both those things in my life.

WIP's

I've got several things started. I've got a list of items that people want. I've got a list of "house" things I want to do. So the next couple of weeks are gonna be WIP finishes.

I AM ALSO NOT ADDING TO THE STASH. Hoarding a kidney stone and all that other crap in my studio is bad enough, so this project will be my focus one for right now. (the afghan I spoke of yesterday is the travel project, so I kinda don't count it.)

The great big bag of yarn that the Easter Bunny brought also included these..........


A big pile of granny squares. I am not adding to the stash.... repeat.... I am not adding to the stash. So I grabbed a vinyl tablecloth and flipped it over, to make a tacky (as in sticky) design surface and went to the front porch on Sunday evening. In the sun. Yummy. I arranged these in a random (kinda) pattern.

The problem with these is that they came with lots and lots of tails.

Have I mentioned that I hate to weave in tails? I hate it enough that I always weave mine in as I go, because I can tolerate one at a time much better than bunches of them. But after I spread these out, I sat in the porch glider and proceeded to turn those tails into this..........

A little pile of ends. I am about a third of the way finished. I will be making a small "baby" sized granny blanket out of these and three skeins of worsted weight yarn from the same bag. The blanket will go with our church mission team to Mexico. No stash hoarding. I'll be updating you as I get closer to finishing this.

Also on the target list is my quilt square for the Georgia Theatre Project and Soccer Senior Recognition night materials.

Have a wonderful wonderful day.

Happy October

An antiques store find. Scanned for you. Had to have it. Going to print these and use some for soldered pendants.

I will also be emailing this to a lady that this reminds me of.

Went by Tuesday Morning at lunch. They had a huge stack of cardstock in 12x12 and 8.5x11 sizes for 1.99 per pack. A great buy. Yes, I stocked up.

Tonight we will be watching a GPB broadcast (see Danielsville info) tonight at the high school media center. Our softball girls have just been ranked (tied with another school) as one of the number one academic teams in the nation by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. (we are listed as Madison County High School). For those of you who have athletes in your home, you know what a challenge it is to keep up with practices, games, and schoolwork. We are so very proud of our girls. This is the 2nd year they have been ranked. (#3 last year) They finished their regular season play last night - record 22-1 - Region play begins Monday - hopefully we will advance to state.

I'll have a crochet project on the hook - I really, really don't sit still well.

After that - a little time in the studio.

Have a great afternoon.

Sneak peek -- and thank you......

Not revealing who this is for. Definitely a reader. And this is definitely a project that requires full attention. Counted cross stitch on 28 count white linen over two threads. An adaptation of a needlepoint project and using things I already had. Unlike crochet - this one stays beside my chair and is better for those evenings when I can sit still. (that happens a lot - you know)

This has become a way of life - the using what I have thing. Is my stash any smaller - technically yes - but visibly - not in the least? As I move things into the studio and put them away - I really am enjoying rediscovery of some things I purchased. I do have some CIP work to accomplish and several other gifties to get together. But I am still ahead for Christmas.

The graduate picked out her bedding last night so now I can plan the remainder of this dorm room decor. We will be meeting with Emily and her family next week - maybe over home made ice cream - to decide who will bring what.

The softball princess had her first followup today - we still have the pins in her thumb and no cast, but she has been allowed to throw the ball some. Not catch the ball or swing a bat - and definitely no running, but it is enough to allow her to be a little involved and that makes her feel better. The pins come out on July 15th - then two more weeks in a removable cast.

I came home last night to find this package on the kitchen counter. Fun - and yes - I added it to the stash. I am quite sure this patterned tyvek will resurface in the future.

What was in it???

A pay it forward goodie from Suzanne. Look a the beauty in that box. A bracelet and earrings in green - my favorite color.

The clasp on the bracelet is fabulous. There are even tiny grapes on the toggle. The earrings are made from those same green crystals - beautiful - I am so pleased with this. Love- love- love. You can see more of Suzannes work at her etsy shop.

We have softball concession duty tonight. The heat and humidity are horrible and I'll be flippin burgers - fun fun fun. See ya'll tomorrow.

Have a wonderful evening.

Paying it forward

Hey everyone - Wednesday after a long Tuesday. I have been feeling icky for several days - but last night, one of those migraines that requires the phrase "stop the car I'm gonne puke" took hold of me. And while I never actually threw up - I prayed and begged God to please let me so I would feel better. Thank you for lovely prescription drugs that will take care of those headaches.





Soccer season has started - last night's game was almost two hours from home. Molly scored the only goal - from her midfield position - GO MOLLY. I did get a few rows done early on the pink blanket.





Back in July - I posted a pay it forward challenge . Suzanne from the JuneAugust blog was one of the commentors on that post. Well I am finally mailing her materials.





I had this light and lofty yarn - one skein only - in the stash and decided to use it. I love the colors. I made a beanie hat - of course - cause I have been the queen of beanie hats. This stuff is a nightmare to work with - the thick and fuzzy bits make it hard to see what you are doing. I used much profanity in public while making the hat AND I had yarn remaining. That would never be used unless I simply buckled down and used it.



Here is the second half of the gift.






Wish I had made this first. There was NO cursing. The neckwarmer/cowl/cervical collar was easy to finish. Double crochet around the previous rows post. So Miss Suzanne has on the way a lovely hat and neckwarmer set. Lucky for her - she lives in Canada - and in my impression it gets cold.






Look at the close up -are these colors wonderful or what. I had the best time playing in the buttons too. Vintage coat buttons sewn on with wonderful heavy cotton upholstery button thread. Honestly - I almost kept this for myself.






As everyone who knows me can vouch for - I love a pretty package. I have posted gift packing and tagging ideas over at CIP and I used one of my favorites for this package. Old pattern paper and lace. The really pretty tag was a gift from JenB.

This lovely will be going in the mail this afernoon.

Tonight is church - then a little decorating for the winter wonderland next weekend. The man is supposed to hang ceiling in the studio (that is what Iwant for Valentines day.)

MaryAnn asked what I was going to call the studio - I have referred to it verbally as MaggieGrace World all along - but do any of you have ideas. The blog and the soon to be opened etsy shop both go by MaggieGraceCreates - I am open for suggestions. Please throw your ideas in or simply vote if you agree with the direction I am off on.

Have a wonderful day.

More collage pages

Now that I know she has her package, I will share more of these pages. I was inspired by the lovelies over at Secret Leaves. The covers of this are from a thrifted book I destroyed for its pages for my homeshow booth. I drilled holes and used books rings from the office supply store to bind it.

Have I mentioned that I LOVE office supply stores almost as much as junk stores and thrift stores. (another post).

Anyway, MaryAnn has inspired me so much. Not only is she creative - unbelievably creative - She is kind and generous. I wanted to give back to her and I wanted it to be more than just stuff. (although there was stuff in the package too.)

She has sent me things all along and I wanted to use some of the supplies in an art project for her. I do hope you can spot some of those supplies as you pore over these.

The way cool part of this project - I did not purchase a single item for it. The page blanks are cut from cream colored card stock. Various ephemera from all over the world - thank you swap partners and generous friends. I did go through all of my e6000 adhesive. The fortunes are directly related to 5 ingredient shrimp (my favorite).
This page has my favorite quote right now on it. The quote is typed on the stripe across the middle of the page. The heart is a stitched piece inspired by Rebecca Sower. Note shapes were punched from scrap card stock.

Another fun page. The quote here is stylus printed into a small piece of copper flashing. The pocket is made from a doiley laced to a piece of card stock. This was fun to work on. That is almost the last bit of one of my favorite metallic ribbons. I think I have 4 inches left of it.

I have a hard time using up the last bit of something. I don't really know why. With this project, I refused to allow that part to me to censor my materials. If it was the last one and I wanted to use it - I did. It was an exercise for me to operate this way. To lose the idea that a better project may come along later. It was an incredibly fun project to work on. I was able to focus completely on sending positive thoughts to a very good friend. (I always try to send positive vibes across the universe when I know who the recipient will be.) And for the very first time I will say that this project is ART and not craft. That is entirely new for me.

Enjoy yourself today. Do something that makes you happy. Give yourself the gift of satisfaction in some way. You are entirely worth happiness, satisfaction, peace and harmony.

Have a wonderful day.

Don't Look Mary ...

I am moving the picture to the bottom of this post so that my new friend Mary can choose if she wants the surprise spoiled.



In an earlier post, I gave a WIP shot of some orange trim that I worked on in the hospital with Abby the other night. Thank you all for making your comments on that one. There will be more trims in varied color, length, and pattern forthcoming. There will also be vintage button cards and the trims for sale as well. Anyway Mary is playing in the Pay it Forward handmade gift with me and although this is not part of it, she will be receving a handmade from me.



I have one more slot in the PIF group of mine.



Mary expressed interest in trimming pillow cases in the trim, so I am sending her some. Highly technical way of measuring, I crocheted the first length long enough to encircle one of my pillowcases. 42 inches allows for a little cross over. Made a second length and then remembering how Charles' grandmother made up her summer bed, I made a medallion to go in the center of a folded down sheet. This will be in today's outgoing mail to Mary.

I handwashed the trim and starched and ironed it. Left it flat to dry completely and wrapped around card stock with another of those wonderful vintage images. The medallion is drymounted onto the card stock using just starch. that way there will be no residue left after it is removed and sewn on.

I started another length of green last night and I have an idea for how to use it. This particular pattern looks like rick rack to me and I will treat it that way. I am thinking on creating different lengths like 6,12,18,24,36,42 inches and then anything longer making that a custom order. Any ideas or input there?

I will more than likely make a few sets of pillow cases. Then for my booth display, do a doll bed set with a medallion and a trimmed pillow case. (I have the doll bed from my childhood.)

My girls go back to school on Thursday and since sports workouts and parent meetings have started, the crazy lifestyle returns. At least this year they will both go to the same school, this will be easier - they can ride together.

Here is hoping you all have a wonderful afternoon. I will be sitting with my crocheting in a volleyball parent meeting - hope your evening is more pleasant than all that.

It's what I do

Maybe it's just me, but I cannot seem to get the d(*& pictures to load in the order I want. But here goes.

Everybody has something that they do. Abby plays ball. Molly plays ball and creates art. Daddy lives the ball thing vicariously. I create. I sew. Glue. Crochet. Paint. Etc. I just wish that everyone at my house realized that this is just as important to me as the things they do.


(Vintage button and trim notecards.) The idea is that the buttons are part of the gift. They are basted on and will easily remove.

If the girls need equipment - it is immediately taken care of. I have been trying to impart this idea to the person in charge of renovating my barn. This is handled in spurts.

Seems he would rather watch practice than work on this project. But -- and yes this is an ugly statement -- if you are at practice and your child gets hurt you need to determine the extent of the injury.

Abby got hurt last night - not serious it has now been determined - but she self medicated from another persons stash with Aleve. She had already had Advil before practice. The amount of medicine was not dangerous - but Dad should have been in charge of medication - HE WAS RIGHT THERE.

Anyway - finished practice - called home - emergency room visit required. Round up the insurance card - go get it from friends Mom - they took her to the beach with them. Arrive at emergency room. Two and a half hours later - Just a badass bruise on the inside of her left elbow.

The really hysterical part of the night was the exchange between the sisters as Abby arrived home. She made the high school softball team and they were practicing diving for ground balls. This is how she banged the elbow on the ground. But she was covered in Georgia red clay from forehead to toes. She gets out of the truck with elbow in an ice pack and Molly meets her at the door. First words out of Molly's mouth --- "YOU HAVE MY SHIRT ON. MOM LOOK WHAT SHE DID TO MY SHIRT. OOO THAT'S NASTY."

Of course I grabbed a project to take in -



This is what a mild emergency room visit looks like to a crafter. I started this trim when we got there and crocheted 40 inches of it. Yes - as the lady beside me said - That is sewing thread - it is that size and the lovely salmon color. This was one of the spools from the Birthday trip. The book is one that my mom gave me and this is so simple to do. Once you get the rythm of the patten, you can rock on easily. I will call this finished when I empty the spool and then wash and starch this. It is the 2nd pattern shown on the page in the picture and to me it looks like rickrack.


I have made several of these note cards. The images are from Dover. The buttons have been thrifted, gifted, found and I love to pour them out and match up several for a card. Maybe the shoppers at the festival will like the finished products as well.




How about some feedback from you peeps? Do you like these? How about the crochet trim? Should I try to package it and sell some or should I incorporate it into another of my creations? Is the lace packaging from yesterday's post appropriate? I can sell a toilet with the best of them, but I kind of freak about marketing my handmade and vintage items.

I sure do wish that MaggieGrace Studio was nearing completion.

Hope you guys have a wonderful weekend.

Note - the cards are all made with items I already had.

Will the lovely owner of the JUNEAUGUST blog please email me at teresahome@juno.com. You will be receiving a PAY it FORWARD handmade gift from me and I want to get to know you a little better.

Monday - Monday

Doesn't look like much does it? 2x4 frame structure - blue construction foam insulation - drywall screws. What it is - the back wall of the studio (barn) This is where we started on Saturday morning after a really long Friday night. Sometime after midnight we hear a firetruck come by the house. Then another and another and another. They didn't go very far, so we knew that one of our neighbors had a problem. Seems one of our farmer neighbors baled and put up hay too quickly and the internal heat had caused a barn full of hay to go up in flames. Firetrucks went back and forth all night to get more water. They saved most of the barn structure but lost vehicles and all the hay and a tractor and other equipment. As of this morning that pile of hay is still smoldering and covering the area with smoke.

Still tired, we started on Saturday putting windows in. I bought these at a salvage palce because they were the size we needed. Three windows already framed. Should be a piece of cake right? Wrong. This required the big Sawzall. Lots of drill power. The siding is old and had to be reattached outside in more than one place. Some of the siding is metal - some really thick wood. Anyway after a really long day ......

We arrive here . Three new windows, a wall of insulation and tape, and a tiny bit of wiring. The storm door is waiting for its new structure and outlet boxes are where I think I want them. (don't ask - I have change my mind about that more than once) There is a pile of storage pieces waiting to move into the new home. For you really observant people - the center window is different. They only had two alike but the center one was the same dimensions. The little extra light these let in is wonderful. No need to clean them yet, more construction occurring. But this is progress and I desperately needed to see progress.
Another of the finds from my birthday outing. Why am I attracted to the "end lots"? These are bobbins off some machine. Tiny cotton threads. I have not even started sorting this out, but I love those little tapered bobbins that I can see in there. The cotton content will allow these to be crocheted into tiny embellishements and/or hankie, blanket and pillowcase trims.

I have a couple more things to share from that trek - then we must be off to more MaggieGrace goodies.

Note - I am participating in the Pay it Forward challenge. I do hope I can get three of you to sign up. Go one post back to play.

I have also accepted a challenge from MaryAnn to submit artwork to a magazine. I am terrified that my work won't be up to the quality of what they expect, but I think I am going with a Cloth Paper Scissors challenge.

I hope all of you are having a wonderful Monday.

Pay it forward

I got this from Ann-Margaret - also saw it on MaryAnn's blog - I think it's a wonderful idea.

“PAY IT FORWARD. The first three people that leave a comment and pledge to pay it forward to three others on their blog will receive a handmade gift from me within one year (July 20, 2008) of this posting. I will read your blog and get the essence of who you are to come up with an idea.”