Taking it easy

Just a quick note.  Apparently, I have been walking around with hypothyroidism for quite awhile.  I had a battery of tests done this fall when my blood work showed low thyroid levels.  Well, I have been to the docs a few times since then, and for some reason my tests got overlooked.  When I went to the docs on Monday (he is a wonderful doc, but very busy) and told him how horrible I felt, he rummaged through my file and found the tests results.  Well, he said, no wonder, your uptake scan showed low thyroid function and you need to be on medication.  The good news is, in a few weeks, I should feel like a "new person".  I have felt "in a fog" for the last few months and doc said that is a symptom.  I should start losing weight AND having more energy, hence keeping up with family and able to actually get back to creating consistently.  I have heard that meds can take awhile to adjust but I have had this problem "on and off" for years so I am encouraged!  I learned a big lesson... follow up with your doc because no matter how good they are , they are only human!!:)  Hopefully I will be back to creating in the next few weeks after meds kick in and also I need to make more of an effort to keep my asthma in control..)  Thanks to all who left kind thoughts my way via blog and email.:) 

Radishes: THe curiosity corner

Haven't been doing much blogging here and have to get caught up on emails once again!  I have been "under the weather again" and am struggling to keep up with life.  In the middle of not feeling well, I am in the process of scaling down my creative clutter and moving it into the dining room which is gated.  Ethan is just at a bad age now...not his fault, but I am so scared of the little guy getting a hold of a pair of scissors and really hurting himself.  He already grabbed a pair and cut a piece of his hair before a blink of my eye.  Well, I will take some pics when I finish.  Here are some pictures of my "curiosity corner".   Well, what can I say, I am not happy unless I clutter up a space.  Most of the little knick knacks are presents accompanied with some of my pieces I slapped up.  Well, I know it's not the greatest, but it puts a smile on my face.:)  I am still working on the duct tape snowman tutorial.....I go to the doctors tomorrow and am hoping to feel better soon!:)  Well, off to clean the kitchen!!:)

ROSES: An Unexpected Treasure

My friend Rachel was by the other day to drop off some music for me.  She mentioned that her friend was trying to get rid of some fabric that was handed down from a friend of hers who is downscaling her collection.  Well, yesterday I had the pleasure of sharing company with the gifter of the fabric, my neighbor Connie.  As soon as I walked through her front door, I felt as if I was in primitive "Heaven".  First of all there wasn't an object in the whole house that looked "out of place".  I HAVE to go back and take pics of her house.  She had the most wonderful treasures!  Old suitcases, hats, a jealous collection of little antique mirrors that were to die for,and wonderful pieces of primitve furniture.  Connie is kind of "retiring" herself as she did shows for many years.  She makes the most beautiful wares and now has narrowed down her crafting to making amazing wool purses for an upscale shop.  Anyway, after making me the most wonderful cup of tea, she brought out a huge box.  I took a peek in and got goose bumps.  Now I am by no means an expert in the field of vintage fabric, but all I know is I LOVE this material and can't WAIT to do something with it.  Connie read a note from the woman who gifted her this fabric.  It explained that the fabric was milled in 1925 somewhere in New York.  Connie wasn't sure where she got the fabric but knew this woman was (she guessed) somewhere in her late seventies.  It was such a thrill rummaging through the boxes.  There was a feel of nostalgia that I can't explain as I ran my fingers through the fabric.  I hope you can see just how wonderful this fabric is from the pictures.  I know there is some chiffon, velvet, maybe silk?  Some wonderful sheer cottony type fabric and the COLORS.... wonderful patinas that only come with age.  And oh, two pieces seem to have metal tinsely thread running through them.  Here I am cleaning out my stash.. but this, I couldn't pass up.  I feel I have been gifted with a new treasure AND a new friend...Life is good!:)  OH, and I mentioned I was low on pearl buttons.  She brought out several huge tins of buttons, hands me a big zip-loc and told me to "help myself".  She said it brought her joy knowing she could give these things to some one who would appreciate them.  Needless to say, I felt so "gluttonous" stuffing this bag with such wonderful treasures. Yet, it didn't stop me.:)

Oh, and of course, as I was trying to snap pictures, Ethan broke out in another episode of "table dancing"!!  I also broke out some "paint with water" books this weekend.  He is having so much fun with them.  He took his "masterpieces" off the fridge  to show Ellory's friend ,Mary this evening.  

I PROMISE i will get "back on track" with directions on the duct tape snowgirl and some other goodies.  For now, time to get little guy to bed!!:)

Rubbish: From vacuums to duct tape!!!!

Whew!!  What a day!  Ethan is always insisting on helping me with chores... in his own "style".  From helping in the kitchen...to "feeding" the animals and floor cleaning, by way of "eating" the random cereal on the floor to vacuuming pretty much everything in his path...but with a watchful eye, I let him have a little fun...a few minutes turned into many tantrums when I tried to "take over" .  After an hour of fighting for the vac back...he finally relinquished  and read some of his favorite books and took a nice long nap.  

While Ethan napped, I stole a little time to put the finishing touches on a quick snowman I made basically out of a bottle and duct tape.  I will blog more about that tomorrow.   Now, must get back to chores!!!  

Roses: Valentine Wishes

Happy Valentines Day to all my friends.:) 

 Thanks for the well wishes.  I feel much better this morning and hoping it lasts.  I can't wait to peruse the last few day of posts on my favorite blogs.  Well, I really, really wanted to make some Valentines this year.  If I get some made they WILL be late.  Ellory and I will be making candy today and Ryan made fudge for his girlfriend which is packed up right now with some other little gifts to send off.  AND... some packages are going out to England and FLorida...hint, hint.  And few others in the works... not quite packed up.  It felt good to pack up some stuff. 

  Oh, and some flowers arrived yesterday from my traveling  hubby.  Thanks for the sweetness Tim!  It really brightened our day.  Ellory received the candy heart bouquet and I got the beautiful topiary arrangement.  My pics don't do them justice.  AND speaking of Valentines... please check out "Small Stories Studio" (link is right of this post) for some of the most beautiful Valentine inspired gifts I have ever seen.  I own a few of her pieces and they are AMAZING.. please treat yourself to one, you won't be sorry!:)

  Oh, and Ethan got some balloons which he is crazy about.  I also bought him some plastic Easter eggs and put them in a cartoon.  They are a big hit.  I usually let him "help" in the kitchen.  Yesterday, I had the eggs a little too close to the edge of the counter.  He preceded to "help" by cracking an egg on the floor then ran off with another!  What a mess.  Oh, and the other pictures of Ethan are of the little guy sneaking onto the dining room table with his other "favorite" toy,  a microphone... he LOVES singing!!  

 OH, and thanks to Ruth for the homemade Valentine and lovely linen embroidery and directions from 1965.  It is "started" with some stitches ... can't wait to do something with that.I will post some pics when I create something with it!:)  Oh, and the blue collage picture on this post is almost finished with the help of Ruth.  She suggested I add a "thread" nest and make the girl stick out more.  I added some backings to a few things and really like the way it turned out.  I am not quite finished as I would like to add a little message tucked in the nest.  Thanks again Ruth! 

 Thanks again to all my blogging friends who constantly brighten my day! :) A BIG Valentine hug.:)

"Under the Weather"

I haven't felt up to much the last few days, but hopefully by tomorrow I will have some energy to visit blogs and post!!!:)  Missing Blogland!

Roses: Birthday Boys

I am REALLY behind on posting here.  The good news is...Ethan is FINALLY, after 17 LONG months taking a nap.  People who know me know that Ryan was a 15 minute "catnapper" until one magical day he started taking a 3 hour nap! For Ryan, thankfully, he started napping at around 14 months, which was a blessing since I was pregnant with Ellory and all alone in upstate NY with no help.  Now Ethan at 17 months, has started taking 3+ hour naps in the last few days.  I am getting my house back, I am starting to get caught up on my wash AND I was able to work on TWO pieces today...  AND had a wonderful visit with my "kindred friend" Ruth!! She is an amazingly talented quilter, designer and always gives me that "shot in the arm" when I am about ready to give up! I am going to have to blog more about Ruth in the future AND her Grandma who was an amazingly creative woman.  I am very BLESSED that Ruth and her mum have given me many snippets of her Grandmas vintage trims collection,  among many other little wonderful baubles!:)  I had a blast today and the time went way too fast.  I am sad that we only get to see each other every few months!

AND a very Happy (belated) birthday to my son Ryan who turned 17 on Jan. 25th, To his best friend Keegan who had his "sweet 16" on the same day(right in picture) ... .and to my little guy who turned 17 months old on the same day!  AND I know this may seem weird to some, but Tim's grandma passed away on the same day a few years before Ryan was born.  She was really into numerology so numbers were a huge symbol to her and a big part of her life.  I find it comforting because she  really wanted us to have a baby.  I feel like somehow she is still "looking down"  our family.:)  

Well, I have a few pieces in progress.  I still have work to do but wanted to post a little peek.  Also, I am thinking about making some dolls in the near future as well. who knows??  We'll see if the naps continue......:)