C A L G O N ! ! !

Take me away!!! Can you??? Mr. or Mrs. Calgon????

Do you remember those commercials oh so very long ago. The calm, beautiful woman exclaiming Calgon, take me away. Funny how I always think of that phrase in times of desperation. Do you too? Today, my refrigerator is making that noise. I can't imagine you have ever experienced it. It's that noise. It's that humming, shrieking, vibrating...oh so loud...noise. My poor but beautiful and ever so needed refrigerator is just over 2 years old yet every so often it makes a horrible hum. A very ... loud ... hum. Man after fix it man has yet to repair (for good) that loud noise. And it's back!!! Monday...I dream of Monday when the 6th repair man comes to look and hear ...the noise...

So in the mean time...CALGON...are you out there??????

More Studio Pics...

Be still my heart...

My friend Sally came over for a visit today. It's always such a treat to see her and we don't get together often enough.

Today, Sally came bearing some beauties.

Recently, a friend of hers gifted their button collection to Sal. Now it is not that Sally needed the buttons but that Sally has the most amazing collection already. What's a few more buttons between friends??

She was so kind and generous and brought some of the buttons to share with me. She called ahead and asked what I needed and I answered that I needed small buttons. She brought me small buttons, along with some wonderful black buttons in varying sizes and some beautiful trims also.

But did Sally know that these buttons were in that bag of wonders?

Or these?

Or what about these?

Sssshhhh...don't tell her that these trims are waaaay to good to let go...

Gosh I hope she doesn't read this blog and change her mind!!

Thanks Sal...you are the best.

Where is my checkered flag?

I want to wave the checkered flag!

~

I'm done!

January for me, just like many others, means cleaning up the studio and getting ready for a new year, fresh ideas, fresh inspiration and lots of energy! I've spent a bit of time cleaning, dusting, organizing and reorganzing my space and I am finally done. It feels good!

Here is a little peek:

It's all about Chocolate!

Seriously...if everyone would just eat a little more chocolate...life would be so much easier!

Bad hair day? Have some chocolate!

Broke a nail? Have some chocolate!

Fender Bender? Chocolate!!! LOTS of it!!

I pulled this recipe from Better Homes & Gardens magazine in February 2000. I planned on making it someday. A pending lunch with girlfriends is just the occasion...

Life is going to be easy today!!

An Angel For Us

She may be gone from this earth but she is definately not forgotten. Saturday is Brianna's 18th birthday and I will be saying a special prayer for her and especially for her family. Won't you join me?

Brianna's Journey

Wii Update

I have loved reading all your comments and emails and votes of approval. The update is that Mother Nature was watching out for The Moody Boys. The storms over the weekend gave them lots of time to work on their Wii funds. We watched some new movies and had good conversations while we worked. They are now 7 bodies away from getting their paws on the prize. They did an OUTSTANDING job on those bodies. The early ones were a bit lumpy and soft but they learned quickly and I do think they have found a new job....or I have found a new job for them. All in all...it wasn't as bad as they thought it would be and because we did it all together...it was a fun.

Pfatt Marketplace....

releases tomorrow, the 10th. Don't miss it!!

Pfatt Marketplace

Let Them Eat Cake!!

Back in November, when Iva and I went to Silver Bella we each bought a "Let Them Eat Cake" kit from the amazingly talented Jenny and Aaron. We weren't able to get into this class but we definately wanted to make the cake. We each picked up a kit and Iva also got one for her friend, Gina. Early December we got together and created our cakes. Gina is WOW talented and I love her take on the cake. When she pulled out her extra supplies that she brought...black paper, black ribbon, etc....I have to say... I was a little concerned. Maybe she didn't get it...the cake is pink and cream and pale blues...but guess what...she got it better than any of us!!

Her cake turned out fantastic.

She did all kinds of shading around the flowers and the cake. She made little windows in the cake...turning one of the windows into a bird cage. When she took the exact-o to the cake I wanted to scream out "what are you doing". She didn't measure...she didn't even think about it. There was no hesitation...just cut cut cut!!

She knew Exact-O what she was doing!!

Notice the window in the second layer of the cake?

This is Iva's cake. I love the little fringe she put along the bottom. It looks like the cake is sitting on a platter.

The thing they both did is that they both raised the cake itself off of the background, giving it a 3d effect. It is not as noticeable in the picture but it looks incredible.

I had never met Gina before. I only knew of her thru Iva. Gina is so talented and gifted. I am glad I got to meet her and I'm looking forward to getting messy with these girls again.

Look over Gina's shoulder. You can see Brianna watching her Mom have a good time and smiling in approval.

Working off the Wii

A few days after Christmas I found myself at Best Buy exchanging the boys big Christmas gift. A bum guitar in the oh-so-popular with kids...but not so much with parents...Rock Band.



"What do you mean you don't have any and the closest store that has them is San Francisco??"

"That's it" the cashier replies.

"Sorry boys...not driving all the way into the city for a loud...( I think I forgot to mention that in addition to the guitar in Rock Band it also has a set of drums and a microphone)...video game."

Big sad looks and drooopy eyes all get shot my way.

Just then an employee strolls by us with nothing more than a huge load of the ever elusive Wii. Huge gasps come from all around me.

"Mom!! Look...Wii's!!"

"Wow, yeah. Okay boys, let's get a refund and then we will have to check back to see when they get more of the Rock Band."

"We want a Wii" in unison. How do they do that I wonder?

Here we go, I think to myself.

"They are too much money."
"You don't need anymore video games."
"You don't need another game system."
"You can play it at your friends houses."
"They are too much money."

Hhhmmmm...what else can I come up with?

"Oh Mom, Please"
"PLEASE"
"Pleeeeeaaaaaasssssssssssseeeee"

"You don't have enough money. Let's see...you are short about a hundred dollars."

So here comes more pleading and "We Will Work It Off...PROMISE."

After much debate and dismay to my husband...I agree to it. But only under the conditions that they have to work it off and I get to choose what work has to be done.

Big smiles all around and the Wii comes home with us.

So here is the question of the day:

How many doll bodies do they have to stuff to work off $116.72?

In case you were wondering...the Wii sits on the kitchen counter, unopened, until I decide they have stuffed enough. Sometimes video games can be quite productive.