DAYS 5 - 6 - 7

And a puppy shot - Poca "helps" load the dishwasher. I don't allow her anywhere near when we unload. We are having a terrible time with biting, chewing, all that puppy stuff. She constantly gets a whack with the newspaper and hears the words "bad dog" - and just so you know we are equally aquainted with "good dog". I had forgotten just how demanding getting to a well trained puppy really is. Please don't look too closely at that damaged floor - the kitchen in the 130 year old farmhouse is going to be our last big expense and we just are not ready to go there.

Now for the USE WHAT I HAVE weekend accomplishments. I finished these up - yes they are drying on a really ornate silver plate tray. I needed a large flat suface and that was the first one I found. Anybody else guilty of that?

After I cut out all those oval birds I was left with this detritus.

Still very pretty scraps don't you think. Well being the true scrap saver, I could not just dump these.

So I dug in the stash and found these springy bright solid cardstocks, a Martha Stewart lace edge punch, and came up with these larger gift enclosures. Liking the look of these a lot and I like the size these finished. They are not fold overs, just flats with room for a short message on them.

Well all that trimming left me with this little pile of scraps again. Still very pretty. Again the scrap saver in me couldn't dump them.

This time I pulled neutral card stock - being a paper whore, I have plenty of card stock - and my sizzix tag die and made these small gift tags.

So from 20 misprinted images I got 60 various sized gift tags. I think this qualifies for turning lemons into lemonade.

I have been gathering up composition books at various locations with the intention of making those covered journals. Again this month's USE WHAT I HAVE focus is a good thing for me. It has forced me to really buckle down and get some things made. I pulled a dozen of those compostion books out and some scrap book papers (remember I got a huge variety of papers to pick from) I went through the stacks and just pulled some I liked. I trimmed them and using YES! Paste covered the fronts.

That was Sunday afternoon. I let them dry overnite and then yesterday I started digging in the stash for embellishments. That stash digging is so much fun. I mixed and mached and finished 3 journals.

Two Christmas ones. The Santa was an embossed sticker. The Christmas tree one is (guilty of saving what people might say is trash again) a recycled Christmas card that was a perfect color coordinator.

My favorite one so far is this one. A postcard (I save way too much crap). I added the little rhinstone "blings" to the card and punched a few birds.



I learned a lot about me with the projects.

I really hate to toss anything I deem to be "pretty"

I have a problem USING things I buy to use. Not sure what that is about. I found myself thinking "if I use it then I won't have to use in the future." Weird.

No matter how hard I try, I cannot force myself to do lots of layers and really over the top "froufrou" items. I am drawn to well placed and more simple designs. I hope customers at this Artists Market are drawn to this look as well.

I LOVE MY STUDIO.

I have a beautiful life -

You all have a fabulous day.

Day 4 --

I left this drying last night in MaggieGraceWorld.

A cute little bird tag - actually not all that little - it is a 4x4 inch square. The bird image is a scan that I printed by accident onto textured sticker paper. I actually printed several of these onto sticker paper accidentally - I was in a hurry and forgot to reload the printer. I had no idea what I was going to do with them, so I piled them into the stash and promptly forgot about them. Last night I decided to try and see if I liked bigger tags made for the Show. I do like these, so I'll be making a bunch of them to use up all these misprinted images.





I was in the studio a LONG time last night. Like 2+ hours.

I have been working in this little area and frustrated by the space issue. So I started last night on one end of this counter and cleaned and put away all the sh*& I had piled on it. I cleaned and tossed and put away papers and items that should have been done as I went. Guilty - making stuff is so much more fun than cleaning up. That is, until it becomes a source of frustration. Then it requires a concentrated effort to fix before I can relax.

Look what the end result was --- room to work --- YAY. The coffee can is a catch all for the crap I have no idea what to do with. All of the white backsplash area is dry erase board so I can make notes - etc - let me tell you how handy that is I can write measurements or lists or brainstorms easily. Love it. I also kept a long skinny leftover of the material and use it to make to do lists or shopping list stuff on - a true piece of junk that has turned out to be very handy.

Another handy feature is the ruler countertop edging. Love it too.

Now here's the list I promised

Yes there's a lot on there -- some will be edited off I'm sure.

I have a beautiful and busy life.

Have a great weekend.

Day three - and a midlife crisis announcement

I got an email asking for a picture of the studio exterior. Now for you ladies who crave your own space, think outside the box. This building was open to critters. It literally was a barn. I have done nothing to change the exterior character. And it was HARD WORK putting it into shape for a sudio. I fight spiders and other little critters constantly. I have not seen Mr Black Snake in a long long time - a good sign that the critters he would eat are gone too. The step at the door is a slab of granite that used to be part of a set of steps on the house. We did away with that porch and kept the slabs of granite. The light by the door is a solar light from Big Lots and puts out just enough light to keep me from breaking my fool neck when I come in late at night. The chunk of wood on the ground below the flag is waiting to find out where it is going to live. And the shutter in the right hand corner is scavenged and has hung on my kitchen porch for years.

All this to say - I love having my own space.


The next phase of the studio renovation is to make that shed to the right a covered lounge area. I'm patient - it will take time and WORK but when I get it finished it will be great.

I spent a LONG LONG time working in the studio last night. - I cut papers for altered composition books. (College Girl came in and begged for one - just how am I going to build inventory when she keeps taking stuff.) These fall colors are just my speed.

I glued the leave punches to the tags -- love how these turned out. I also have a maple leaf shape - more of these to come. I spend a ton of time digging out cream colored paper to make a bunch of these.

Does anyone else get that giddy feeling when you put something together and you realize it just "sings"? These are so simple in their appearance and I adore that.

I also completed one of the Halloween cards. More of these tonight.

Does anyone have items I can look for in my stash for you?

NOW MIDLIFE CRISIS ALERT (MCA).

I have always said I would plan my midlife crisis. Well here ya go. In addition to planning my own, I have recruited an accomplice - actually make that plural.

Margaret convinced me to start boot camp. Thank you my wonderful friend. As I am becoming stronger and have more stamina, I am remembering how a "fit" person spends time. It is not watching TV. I am out and about doing physical things. It is fun.

I saw an article about a place in Southern Living magazine. I mentioned it to Margaret. She looked at the website and shared it with her daughter Elizabeth. Elizabeth talked to the Softball Princess. (the girls are the same age and play softball together for the high school) Now it's a girls trip. No boys allowed. I am glad the girls want to play too.

We are going for a weekend trip to the Len Foote Hike Inn. A no vehicle access lodge in the Amicalola Falls State Park - an easy to moderate 5 mile hike into the inn carrying your personal items - spend the night and hike back out. Now I have a goal - a something to do.

Upon hearing this Midlife Crisis Announcement (MCA), Local Best Friend literally laughed out loud. Yes, he hurt my feelings. But then he decided it did sound like something we would do.

Seems the beginning of my midlife crisis involves getting healthy.

Aerial view picture of the lodge stolen from here.

I have a beautiful life.

I know I said I would post a list for the art show - well that list is at home in the studio - get it tomorrow - sorry.

Have a wonderful day.

Day Two ....

This is not my work, but I am so freakin in lust with this young mans jewelry - unfortunately with the economy and the construction industry where it is, I cannot afford to purchase any. Maybe the universe will bless me and allow me to win St.Joushua's giveaway. Of course you all can enter to win too. Just click the link and enter yourself. But know I already crossed my fingers that this one is mine.

Good morning - even the Man at my Address is getting into the USE WHAT WE HAVE mode. He has a few vacation days to burn before their fiscal year ends at work, so he was home yesterday and he worked on the entryway to MaggieGraceWorld. I do have a few new readers - thank you for visiting - so here is a recap of the studio

It is a 120+ year old building on our property. Was a cotton storage house. The Man stored his stuff in there for many years, but only for storage, not a work space. This is close to the house, so electrical was readily available. In the summer of 2006, I gave you all the first glimpse of the way it was. I vowed to not go into debt for this project and to be patient while it was being worked on. I have saved, thrifted, scavenged, sweated, cussed, cried, and celebrated this project. Once the interior was workable, I moved some of my stuff in. (Some still remains in the house tucked into various corners)

This little area has been unfinished and a "sore spot" for me for the longest. It is not weather tight and I bought a few sheets of hardy board months ago to clad it. (the original door closes over this area, so from the road you have no idea what is in this barn unless I am in there working)

The windows came from my Nannys house when she replaced her windows with nice insulated ones. The door came from the Man's brother, when they added onto a house. It allows light in and keeps big critters out.

Well the Man covered all this yesterday. I now have some little areas that still need attention inside, but this was the last BIG project. I am so happy with how this turned out. Some paint and art for these walls - YES!!!!!

Oh and I have not gone into one penny of debt for this space. No, it is not one of those very very pretty spaces in someones home. I adore Dawn's space and Alice's too. However, this space is mine and I love working in here and not having to clean it all up if I am in the middle of a project.

Quite frankly - I would do some things differently if I had lots of time and money - but every day I count my blessings that I have this kind of space. I also count my blessings that my family and friends support my creative spirit and indulge me with goodies and time to feed that part of my spirit.

Now for todays USE WHAT I HAVE. Last night - late - I punched circles. I stamped and embossed (the little oak leaf in green on the green is my favorite) these little giftie tags. The punched oak leaves will be glued to the ivory circles. Tonight I'll be adding ties to these and packaging them in assortments of 10 to a pack.

You know guys - I have a beautiful life.

Have a wonderful day.

eta: I will publish the most definitely way too long and overly ambitious product list tomorrow. The short list is - a few framed wall art pieces - (go here to see one of them) - lots of soldered charms - some bottle cap charms - spoon handle bracelets - crochet scarves - collaged spoon pendants - some vintage paper cones and "hopefully" some vinatage paper wreaths. Lots of gift tags and cards.

Day one -

I cleaned in the studio last night after workout. I laid out a few things that I found and knew I need to use. These little tags are the result of my morning trek out there - I made four "BOO" sets and will continue to assemble them into cards tonight.

USED FROM MY STUFF -- ghost paper (most likely a giftie from MaryAnn) , a martha stewart glue pad, various size alpha stamps, my Sizzix tag die, and some wonderful black glitter "sugar coating".

This next qualifies for using what I have, but I finished it over the weekend. Another kitchen towel. I found a stack of these towels that I bought at the dollar store on clearance a long long time ago. Buttons thrifted from somewhere and vintage floss from Grandma Simpson's stash. These will travel with me to ball games as my portable project.

I was going to make a black crochet pendant, but the thrifted crochet cotton is dry rotted - that will be tossed. Oh well -

Thanks to those playing along -- comment anytime this month to jump in and play.

I have a beautiful life.

USING WHAT WE GOT....

Thirty days hath September. There is a whole poem of this but for now I am focusing on just this one month. Time for stash busting 101 again. Here are my guidelines just for me.

1. Everyday will find me with at least 15 minutes in the studio - or working on studio stuff. (I had to add this because softball princess has two out of town tournaments this month - I'll pack a huge bag to work on. )

2. I will use only what I have on hand right now. No new purchases for the month.

3. All of my creations will go toward inventory for the art show.

4. If you join me - there will be a link on the side bar to your blog. Leave all the info in the comments.

5. Now for the fun part - we all got stuff - but occasionally we come upon something we either need - or need to get rid of. Leave a comment here with wish lists and/or giveaway notes and lets see if we can give our extras and unwanteds a new home. I, for instance, have a ton of old dictionary pages - I'll send 20 of those pages to the first person who leaves a comment requesting them. I would love to have a few old buttons over 1.5 inches in diameter to make pendants with. (does that make sense?) -

6. I'll post creations and supply pictures as we go. I love to see the progress we make on clearing out some stash. Personally - my first project will be a ton of tags from the scrap paper bins.

NOTE THESE ARE MY GUIDELINES FOR MYSELF ONLY.



I'll be updating the sidebar this morning and through out the month. I may also move wish lists and giveaway notes to my post.

Wanna play??????

These are scans that are clickable for you guys. The newspaper clipping was stuck in a freebie book I got off the last chance table at the thrift store. Nixon had phliebitis --- history lesson without a pop quiz.



I have a beautiful life ---

Have one yourself - okay.

maggiegraceworld

maggiegraceworld
Originally uploaded by maggiegracecreates

As you can see from this picture of ONE WALL in the studio, I got stuff. I also got more stuff on all those other walls. (and several other undisclosed locations). I am also getting ready for the art show in November.

Time to hunker down and really focus on inventory and stash reduction. The stash reduction comittment happens routinely and here we go again.

September has 30 days. Even I can focus on not purchasing ANYTHING for 30 days and USE ONLY WHAT I HAVE ALREADY in my possesion for that amount of time.

Come back Monday to see my plan of attack for 30 days of USE WHAT I HAVE. If you want to play along too, I'll have a list on the sidebar of all us "collectors" so we can take off and encourage each other.

THE CHALLENGE STARTS TUESDAY SEPT FIRST -

Go ahead - make you plans - comment here or on Mondays post. You know you NEED to play along.

Have a great weekend.

I got an award

From JulieAnn over at Kitchen Floor Creations - I am flattered. She is a creative soul like many of us.

Anyway I am supposed to list 5 things I enjoy doing -- don't worry, this has been censored. And add 5 people of my own to give this too.

1. I make things. All kinds of things. It makes me happy.

2. I like to cook - I cannot believe that I just put this on the list, but I do enjoy cooking and as I get my kitchen arranged like I want it there will be even more enjoyment of this activity. I especially enjoy trying out new recipes and finding that low fat and calorie foods do not have to be low taste foods.

3. Relax with a Margarita (or sweet tea) and music to fit my mood.

4. Support my girls. I don't love softball, but I do love watching Abby play softball.

5. I enjoy my job - weird huh - but my current job is the most fun place I have ever worked. Yes we have bad days - but the good ones far outweight the bad ones.

Now five people -

Lannae - jewelry designer - love her stuff - can't wait to see what she brings to art market in November.

MaryAnn - one of my very first cyber friends. Generous - kind - creative - witty. Love this lady.

Karen -Junking in Georgia - I really want to spend time at the mountain house with her. Look back at all her gorgeous pictures.

Vallen - the Queen herself - colorful - fun - inspiration - and she is a crafting and cooking machine.

Carrie - a voracious reader - a new mother - and in my opinion has a way cool job. Love this girl. Add to that she is creative too.
_________________________________________________________________

Now from my world -

Puppy needs to figure out how to keep her yarn ball a little neater when she is crocheting. When we got up this morning - she had it strung all over the room. I'll have to work on this.

My house is almost primed. Yes - he may finish is by cold weather.

ALL CAPS AS A SHOUTING CELEBRATION PHRASE ------ A TEENAGER NOTICED MY WEIGHT LOSS AT CHURCH LAST NIGHT. I was frustrated that I can't see it myself, so I needed this boost. Then I went home and tried on clothes that I had outgrown. I have some favorites that are classic cut pants and skirts that I kept because I wanted to be able to wear them again. I can tell that I will get back into them now. MOTIVATION....... Thank you Katie.

Got a phone call early this morning - seems puppy decided to play the escape and chase me game with the Man at my Address. He was not having a good day.

I hope all of you have a good day - guess what -- I have a beautiful life.

Its such a hard life

Being a dog at our house. Poca (also known as monster dog) is all puppy. Grabbing skirts, pants legs, shoe strings, the sofa skirt, hands, fingers, whatever - she is chewing her way into the dog from H*&& description. We swat her, distract her, try to bribe her - all of the normal training tricks - with minimal success at this point. Still we spoil her.

I got out of the shower this morning to find this .......


Yup - Monster Dog is in the bed (my bed) with the Man at My Address. I did crop this picture to protect you guys from the visual I get every morning.

Last night I got home to find that she had shredded the paper training paper into quarter sized bits of confetti.

This morning she learned how to push the screen door open and then play a rousing game of chase with three teenagers and one cussing mom. This was not a one time occurance either. We chased the little sucker twice. I broke a sweat before I left for work today.

About work - My friend Lannae called on Monday and had a kitchen faucet leak. We looked at faucets on the phone and online - and ordered her a new one. She and Will picked it up yesterday.

Seems Will had the impression that I was a teacher as my job - that was way too funny. But I told her to bring bread and that we would feed the animals out back.

Photo below - stolen from Lannae's blog.

Will said over and over "I just don't know about this" as we fed the critters. This is Mama Goat - yes that is a pipe taped to her horns. She pokes her head through the fence and gets caught, so we tape that on there to keep that from happening. I love taking kids out back to see the animals - Earl the donkey always talks to us - and I am glad Will came to see me.

I hope Lannae likes her new faucet - it looks great on her granite.

Ya'll have a wonderful day.

Dish washing (drying) made pretty

I have no idea where I found the line drawing. We call them "snake doctors" here (Tipper is that an appalachian phrase too?) I had the Martha Stewart dish towel in my stash - so I went looking for floss and such. The line drawing had the body filled in with floss - I originally intended to use buttons from the stash - then while I was digging, I found these red orangy beads. Loving how this one turned out. I did manage to spill tea on it on while I was working at the ball field. I'll wash it and iron it tonight -

There will be more of these for sure - what cha think?

I spent the entire afternoon yesterday cleaning in MaggieGraceWorld. I managed to clear one work surface - two more to go. It was nice to get back in there and work - more of that to come.

That pup is growing - she is funny but not yet super loveable. Damn that puppy nipping. We are working on the biting and chewing - the sofa, the chair, my arms, my toes. Yesterday she spent a load of time outdoors and she comes and goes in and out of the studio and the house. It was such a nice day that I had the door open and she would slip in and startle me with a nip of my foot, then when I would jump she thought we were playing.

I hope all of you have a wonderful day - I got workout - then more house and studio cleaning.

I'm from earth - how about you.

I parked beside this truck yesterday. Beat up and battered, but the handpainted lettering was still visible. I fell for the the location - TAMPA.USA.EARTH. Yes it was that green. I am betting this person was a little eccentric.

Certainly looks like MaggieGrace is doing nothing. I am slowly building inventory - but the puppy, working out, and the highschool softball stuff have put a damper on things. I'll get back on track eventually.

Have a great weekend everyone. I'll be at the Leadoff Classic Softball Tournament - Danielsville Georgia USA Earth

eta: this is post 800 for me ----- wow may need to plan a giveaway. look next week

this picture ain't me

2 women running from mad cows at Campo Imperatore
Originally uploaded by fonsico

Neither of these women is me. I swiped this off flicker. As always - follow the links to the original owner.

These women are smiling as they run.

Me - I am the one gritting my teeth. Oh and bitching. Whining - that too. I HATE TO RUN. I would rather lift weights any day than set off to run.

No matter that my running is more of a run/walk/try to catch my breath/almost puke thing. It does make me feel good to complete the distance set forth.

Runners high - never been there - probably never will - I'll just listen to other runners describe it and live vicariously.

I may hate every second of it ( I do hate every second of it), but every workout finds me able to go a little farther before I have to walk and catch my breath. Every workout brings me a little closer to a 13 minute mile. My legs do not scream nearly as loud later that night and the next day. I can see improvements in my stamina, strength, and running distance. Being slightly competitive in my nature - that gives me the encouragement to continue. Dropping a pants size ain't too bad either.

I was talking to the teenagers who frequent my vehicle and home about discipline. About the sense of accomplishment that comes from completing a task you hate. About how turning into the driveway to boot camp is actually the worst part of a workout for me. About allowing your brain to give you excuses and listening to them. About silencing the inner naysayer that often screams louder than the encourager is capable of.

The outcome of that little chat with three teen girls who are all athletes. Because I am old and fat, there was no way I just knew all those things (you know how stupid parents are - insert eye rolling here). But the Softball Princess was listening, because later (when her friends were not around) she let me know how proud she was that I have decided to do this, and that I am doing this in a healthy manner instead of simply starving myself to death.

Healthy eating == same price as unhealthy eating

Bootcamp workout == 5.00 per visit

Feeling a healthy response to the efforts == so worth it

Having your 16 year old recognize the effort and praise you == priceless and the best encouragement ever.

Look for me - I am bitching, moaning, complaining and whining - but by God I am running. Don't tell me you don't have time - if I can find the time in my lifestyle you can too.

Have a wonderful day.

Going on at my house.....

The puppy's name is Pocahoma (Poca for short). It is the name Softball Princess coach calls her - so basically the dog's name is a softball inside joke. It is a curb setter breed - a mix of chow and other critters - the black on its tongue and curled up tail give it away. Also incredibly laid back in temperament so far - it just wants to chew on every thing. Also the big dog - Licorice - hates it. We have decided it is just so hard to be a dog at our house - this one has simply moved from place to place napping most of the time. While we are gone (and at night) - it has a crate - but if we are home it has free rein of the house.

Now for MaggieGrace goodness - this pissed me off. I glued the paper I wanted over the heart and look what happened. The red off the heart bled through. Now I will have to regroup. It will be okay, I just have to figure out what to do. I'm thinking another layer of music will be the fix.


Now - College Girl had her last teenage birthday on Saturday. We all went to dinner at one of our favorite places. I cannot for the life of me get blogger to cooperate on these pictures - soory what you see is what you get.


Dessert - brownies and ice cream. The boy had steak - and in a vote of what we as a family call weird - he uses honey mustard dressing as steak sauce.

A seriously good shot of the sisters - Abby's hair is getting darker every trip to the salon. It is a gorgeous deep red this time.

Now for fun and games - I had to perform a miracle repair on the tiara. But Sam wore it gracefully.

The birthday girl had her turn too.

She's off this week to her first full week back in class. (PS - i really like this picture)

Hope you guys have a great monday. You know - I really do have a beautiful life.

Happy Friday

I started my day with this on the cd player in the car. Toss in a litle Fogerty, some Stevie Ray Vaughn, and Norah Jones. Add in a little button clicking on the cd changer and add in Hard Sun by Eddie Vader (thank you JenB) and some Jonatha Brooks.

Its Friday. College Girl turns 19 tomorrow. We got a new puppy (see yesterdays post) Low key day at work. No softball this weekend. I got weight watcher points left for some margaritas or a couple glasses of wine.

Look out porch swing - here I come.

Have a great weekend all.

An adorable interruption

This little lady came to visit with us last night. Abandoned at our church - a very sick momma dog and 4 pups. The Softball Princess looked at me with those big pleading eyes and sweet little bit here got in my car. She is smart - and already follows the Softball Princess everywhere. Daddy has already said - don't name that dog. But she slept in the house last night and she is locked in the bathroom as we speak.




Now that we have College Girl moved back to the dorms for the fall, I was able to get out to MaggieGrace World last night. I started gathering bits for a piece of collage art. This one will have the phrase on it that titled a previous post.

I have a beautiful life.....

We went to eat at Zebs BarBQue and I was distracted by thoughts of this artwork - so I rushed home and started gathering - mostly to keep from losing the idea.

All the bits are stacked on an old broiler pan that we found in the old house at my inlaws.

The crochet doiley is a purchase item that I tea stained. I made the crochet rose. That gaudy red heart will get a coat of sheet music and fun embellishments. The whole thing will be against a backdrop cut from a player piano roll.

This should be fun to assemble - I'll glue down the backing tonight and possibly get a layer of paper on that heart.

Have a great afternoon.

Anybody near Athens Georgia need a puppy??????

She's back...

The College Girl is back on campus. Seems getting her back to school has been technically more difficult than getting her in last fall. She has a new admissions person - who apparently is an idiot. We checked all the boxes - but the scholarship monies were not dispersed correctly - then the rest of the stuff just has not been smooth at all - she was supposed to have a voucher on her loans for books - not done. I may get to drive back to school this afternoon - to deal with all this. AAAACK!!!!!!! eta - all worked out - thanks to Sandra in financial aid.





Moving her back was so much different yesterday. It was just not emotional at all. We had a great time setting up her room with one exeption. The shower in the bathroom was nauseatingly filthy. Mold - OMG - it came off the walls and floor in chunks - kid you not - chunks. I scrubbed the shower myself using 3 cans of foaming bubbles - followed by a wipedown of undiluted liquid bleach. Gross ---





Now after a day off - I came in to find this note on my desk








Any note starting with horse hooves and ending with ky jelly requires explanation. Turns out a coworker was researching liquid glycerin and it is used in all the things listed. But you do have to admit this list is a little scary to find on your desk. LOL -- comments appreciated --





A little updated photo. Please ignore the squinty eyes - we were looking directly into the sun when this was taken. After boot camp on Monday - it was 101 degrees when the workout started (in the sun on the football field). I have lost 23 pounds - and one pants size - about a third of the way to goal. Hot sweaty and gross.

Left to right - Becky - me - Margaret. The three of us spend a lot of time together - our girls are softball players.

I will say - yesterday - I could tell a huge difference in my strength and stamina while we were moving College Girl in. It is not easy - but as long as I can see improvement in some area, I can keep going. Even if it being able to do one more situp - or one more push up - or one extra press - or ten extra feet in a sprint - it serves as reward for making the effort to keep it up. The hardest part for me is turning in the driveway to the school. I will be posting sporatic pictures every now and then just to see if you can tell a difference.

This was taken earlier this spring -

Those are some good looking young ladies - wish mom was tall and thin like them. I can see some differences in my face and neck so far --

Have a great evening.

I have a beautiful life but.........

WHERE THE HELL IS MY GLUE GUN??????

I have looked and looked. The glue gun and the glue sticks are in a black shoe box. I cannot find them. Checked the studio, the cars, the tool boxes, the pile of crap in the dining room and I cannot find it at all. It will surface.


It is a good Monday. The universe left me a love note in the parking lot at work. It somehow formed from a muddy footprint. Cool ---- I love seeing these random hearts and as long as the camera is handy - I will be sharing these with you.

This is finally happening at my house.

He started EARLY Saturday morning. When I found out how early he planned to be there, I jokingly said "if you are coming that early, you better bring coffee." Damned if he didn't. Knocked on the door before 7am - coffee in hand. Apparently I have done a better job training the painter than I have the man at my address. He got a coat of primer on this side of my house. Looks great too.

About the title of the post. Keep an eye out, I'll be using part of the phrase in a collage project very very soon.

Have a wonderful day

See I do still make things

The beginning of another doiley blanket. This one already has an owner - although we don't yet know her name. We just found out that a friend is having a girl. 3d ultrasound video is amazing. Dad is a hunter so the color name of this yarn is particularly appropriate - it is Baby Bee sweet Delight Print in color name Pink Camo Too! How cute is that.

This is a new pattern for me - I like it so far - we will see how it comes out.

Softball opener for the fall school season is tomorrow. Pictures - practice - 2 games - dinner -----

ALL DAY.

Have a great one.

i dreamed in blog post format

yes you read that right. - last night, i dreamed in blog post format. specifically in google reader format. I could see all these little images and words - really weird - my list of things to get done in that format.

what was on the list - funny my brain even categorized them as wip and completed and to be done posts. posting to maggiegrace was not on the list. but here i am. LOL

I KID YOU NOT. TOPICS ---

getting softball princess ready for back to school. (she started today)

getting college freshman ready for back to school.

workouts

housework - i have scaled mount laundry and survived

parent volunteering for school softball duties - like cleaning concessions stand, field house, stocking said things.

add those duties to a full time job - the result - no significant maggiegrace time

I obviously have a serious blog addiction problem -- lol


I even see inspiration details in stupid stuff.


My boss makes starbursts of his cigarette butts out back - I find that more than a little OCD - he says he does this at home too. Even more crazy - I found it blog worthy - that is scary. I may need an intervention myself. Go ahead and laugh.

but now that we have had our fun ---- how cute is this.


Buttons ----- printed on a gift bag. ADORABLE. I was at dollar tree yesterday getting stuff for concessions and work. I saw these hanging in the gift bags. HAD TO HAVE THEM and I bought everyone in the store (6). I try to keep a good stock of quick gift bags and these are so cute - versatile too. I have to go to the other side of town today and I'll be checking there for more of these.

Hope you have a wonderful day -- I may be a bit sporadic until the college girl is settled in her dorm room. Please don't abandon me - I promise I'll be back.