October Morning

Soft fuzzy light, a warm cuddle blanket, a cup of tea and thee . . .

Mmmmm . . . I love Autumn.

I have not been sitting around twiddling my thumbs . . .

. . . but I can't tell you when the swelling will go down, and I'll have fingerprints again!

It's kinda cute though, huh?

At a recent baby shower, we were each asked to make a quilt square. Everything was provided, the iron on adhesive was already applied to the back of the myriad fabric options . . . There were embellishments, and embroidery floss . . . the squares were precut to the proper size, and templates were available to trace each person's choice of jungle creature . . . {I kind of have a thing for giraffes.}

The thing was, I couldn't get near the table to make one! Good excuse, eh? A good excuse that was thwarted by my Sister-in-law a couple of weeks later when she showed up on a family outing with all of the supplies that I could possibly need to make a quilt square. Funny girl.

All obstacles removed from my path, this is the result . . . one of the new Grammy's friends will turn this into a wonderful keepsake quilt . . . Nice. :)

. . . and a great idea, don't you think?

A Makeover and Jewelry Props

Before
{. . . and very inexpensive at Marshall's, I must add! $7.99 and 24 inches tall.}

. . . and After

. . . got rid of the funny little bow . . . ground the sharp edges . . . added a nice coat of matte black paint . . . and she's a new . . . er . . . woman!

I'm collecting jewelry props for a couple of upcoming shows.

I'm kind of pleased so far . . . what do you think?

P.S. . . . The minute that I hit publish, Blogger takes it upon itself to reformat my carefully formatted post. Does anyone want to share suggestions with me . . . about how to deal with that?! And Heaven help you if you click on Preview . . . it's all a tossup after that! I have formatted and deleted this post at least five times . . . then finally gave up and accepted the closest option to my plan . . . I'm on the verge of cussing over here, I'm telling you! Help!
Somebody! Help!

Jane Austen

Did you know that I'm a hopeless Janeite?

Did you know that I dragged my sweet husband and son to her home while we were in England!? I know! Darlings, aren't they?!

Did you know that her portrait and a picture of her cottage in Chawton actually hang in my home!!? And that I bought them in the bookshop inside her home?

Did you know that I have only finished three scrapbook projects in my life . . . one for my Mother, a copy of that one for my brother, and "Our Visit to Jane Austen's Home"!?

Yep . . . even bought bookplates, scratched my name onto this one with that pheasant feather quill . . . it came from the gift shop, too . . . told you I was hopeless!

So you'll understand when I tell you how excitedly I read Vic's, Jane Austen Today post, A Virtual Visit to Chawton Cottage. In it she has posted a virtual treasury of links to other blogs, as well as a few on You Tube . . . in case, you, too . . . have an interest verging on obsession . . . :) I especially enjoyed Tony Grant's blog, London Calling {this link will take you directly to his Chawton Cottage post} . . . he visited the house, photographed the interior and the community . . . I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed it . . . especially since, when we were there, I apparently misunderstood the photographic restrictions, and took only one photo inside! Can you believe that!? . . .but it was of her writing table . . .

Okay, so I have confessed . . . Hello. My name is Debbi, and I am a hopeless Janeite.

. . . but there are worse things . . . No?

P.S. I've added a few more photos on this post! Just in case, you know . . .

Cool Photo Textures

Do you love them? I am crazy about the new textures on Picnik. Aren't they just gorgeous?!

The crackling makes the second photo look almost like an old master. But that first one . . .I think I might need that one printed up to use as an artwork . . . hmmm . . . maybe on a canvas?

The floral arrangement accounts for several of those gazillion errands on my list today . . . hunting/gathering . . . sometimes that's my life.

Wanna see the original snapshot?

Original and untouched.

Now what do you think of Picnik?

You might understand my crush. :)

Errand Day

I'm off to run a gazillion errands! Everything from procurement of wonderful tidbits for my classes, to a quick flower order. Before I do one {a flower arrangement} these days, I have to buy oasis and a vase. That's sure a change from the old days! {for the uninitiated . . . I used to have a floral business . . . became allergic to flowers . . . I like to say, "That's one way to know you're not where God wants you to be!"}

I still do the occasional wedding or order, but I really have to like you! :)

Before I set off to accomplish my chores, I want to leave you with a work in progress for my girlfriend, Rhonda . . . It involves this! . . . her Grandmother's Brooch . . . Isn't it gorgeous!?

. . . and these elements, mostly her Grandmother's, as well . . . talk about a Treasure Necklace!

Talk to you later! Maybe I'll have wonderfulness to share!

Much Love!

Soldered Charm Class

Do you love it!? I do! Oh, I do! I can't get enough of it. It's a little bit, you know . . . kind of organic . . .

but it tells a story, and it's warm and embracing . . .

each piece is a miniature work of art . . .

. . . a miniature collage . . .

a memento . . .

a memory . . .

And I will be teaching the class! I'll give the details as soon as they're all ironed out. I am currently in the hunting/gathering stage . . . assembling kits and locating suppliers . . . and I gotta tell you . . . I kind of like it. :)

This much, I know . . . the class will be held at The Empty Nest*, in Oakdale, California . . . the very minute the classroom is ready for occupancy!

This is gonna be a fun new adventure for me! I can't wait!

*Current web presence only on FaceBook