We're ba-aaack!

Sorry for the "radio silence" but I hate to announce to the Internet world that we're leaving on a trip. Dear and I traveled, sans children, to Sanibel Island, FL where we had a little R&R in celebration of our anniversary.

Many many wonderful highlights of the trip will follow... but I want to have the pictures to go with the narrative, so you all have to wait.

In other news, Senior Son is completing his web page project for his computer class and .... drum roll...
it's a Whimsy and The Word web page... yep... no Etsy, no ArtFire (although I'll still list at ArtFire), but my very own web page.  How cool is that. Of course, he still has to get a server going, and get the page finished, and the kinks worked out, and I have to figure out paypall ... but hey... I can dream.

In the meantime you can still purchase from my other blog located at WhimsyandTheWord.blogspot.com, or use my Etsy or ArtFire links on the sidebar. And, as always I'm quite happy to work on special orders... currently I'm working on a mini-collage that will be divided 8 ways into friendship necklaces... when the friends are all together the necklaces can be placed together to complete the collage. Pretty cool, eh? I thought so. Occasionally I have a good idea.

Anyway... I'm doing things in this order:

1. finishing the photos and narrative for Senior Son's web project... I have to finish today.
2. writing a birth story... finish by Wed.
3. teaching a childbirth class for a couple for whom I'll be the doula.. class is tonight
4. working on plans for an art project for my last art class of the year
5. attending the funeral of my friend's mom
6. beginning the last month of "Starting Points" teaching
7. finishing Denise's necklace... (Hi Denise...I'm starting over because I was inspired today!)
8. Packing up the prizes and necklace and sending them to Denise
9. praying for my boys and their finals this week
10. attending Bible study
11. viewing "Around the World in 80 Days" in play form, about an hour from here, with our co-op
12. having our last academic co-op (next week is something special)
13. Other things... eat, cook, clean, laundry, etc.

Oh... and my anniversary gifts as if the trip weren't enough? A CD that Dear compiled for me and put our pics on the front, a poem he wrote (framed... twice... one for up front and one for wherever), and a Cherry Red Chevy S10 truck to replace Bluebell who has gone to live with dear friends since I think we all despaired of me EVER learning to drive a stick shift. Pictures will follow. New truck... Cherry Baby... as in "Sherry Baby"... as in the song... Dear helped me on this one. If something else comes to us we'll rename her. She's really really pretty and she has an ah-ooga horn! She seats four so our whole family can cram in there... if the boys aren't home.

Oh, and finally... Young Man added another cert to his pilot's license AND has a paid internship in VA this summer working as an airplane tech/mechanic. How cool is that? Although, I will miss him a whole whole lot. At least we get him for about 2 weeks before he has to head East.

Blessings,
Kim

Please visit the new blog site!

I've put in hours and hours of reshooting all my pieces. Not done yet, but getting close. As I upgrade the photos I also upgrade the photos on my online sites. However, I am including all information for each piece right in one place at "Whimsy and The Word." Stop on by... you might find something you really like!
Blessings, Kim

~Grand Opening of the New Blog~

In keeping with my move to making my art more easily found, more easily marketed and more easily seen... I have decided to begin a blogfolio of my artwork. If you jump over to the other site you'll note I give Kara the credit for this idea.

While some who read here may enjoy my art, that is not the main purpose of this blog. I will still post photos here, but probably not as many or with the total story for each. All my art will still be available via my Etsy or ArtFire stores, and also you can simply email me and ask me to make something. (This works over on the online sites as well...)

Currently the photos are not yet posted as I am re-shooting every piece in order to provide the best pictures possible. I've been learning more about how to shoot the pieces and my sweet Dear gave me a new camera for Christmas... so now I'll put both the knowledge and the camera to good use.

I'll still be posting here, and also on my doula site, but will now be posting my art at my other site... http://whimsyandtheword.blogspot.com/.

Blessings!
Kim

I'm baaaack! (and a special offer at the end!)

Nope, I didn't fall off the face of the earth, just had to dig and shovel and dig and shovel and drive and drive and dig and shovel. Nope, I won't leave you with that...

Mr. Snowman, aka "Frosty", continued to have modifications made day by day. Yes, Dear and I have warped humors. I'll spare you from the "tipsy snowman" photos we made... hey, when you come out and your snowman is upright but just barely the photo begs for a "tipsy"sort of focus.

And the snow kept coming. So much in fact that Frosty himself decided to pitch in and help with the snow removal.

But, as you know all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy... well, it makes all of us a bit crazed. So, sledding and snowboarding down the front hill were the next orders of the day.

And of course, if you're messing with the snowman you'd best include him in your Superbowl wishes... and yes, he PROUDLY wore the blue shirt of the Colts. Poor poor colts! See the ball? I think he was ready to help out Manning if he could!

Dear gave him some tips on proper etiquette for a Colts fan.

Poor Frosty... he was so sad!

Now, for all who have read this far... THANKS for your patience! If you really want a thank you then simply join as a Facebook group member to "Whimsy and The Word" and you will qualify for a 20% discount on all pre-made items in either of my online art shops... (see the sidebars). That's right... all you need do is join my FB group and you're set to go. Is there a catch? Well, this only runs through Friday night, so hurry.

Happy Snow Day!
Kim

One-and-a-half years and counting

Yep... that's how long I've been working on my doula certification. I could have been done quite a while ago. That is, I could have been done had I not been procrastinating and wallowing in all my "poor me" phases.

So, here it is. I talked to my doula friend last night and she said, "Just do it." Doesn't she sound like a Nike commercial? Funny thing is that I've been trained through ASPO/Lamaze as an CBE (childbirth educator) and physiology was a HUGE part of that training as well. I've been teaching childbirth classes for about 18.5 years and attending births since before I had children. But somehow I got it in my head that I just couldn't pass this test (series of tests). And... here is where you will laugh... it's an open book, untimed test. Yep... that's right. So, I just need to get it done.

After that it's just one short unit about being a doula... I've been reading reams on the how to's, I've set up my doula blog and I already have clients calling from church and a few from another website in which I take part. You'd think I'd do this already.

So, here's my latest contest. Everyone make/post a guess on when I will actually finish my physiology tests. If anyone gets it just right, to the day, I'll send them one pack of my "Simple Faith" note cards as seen on my Etsy shop.

Maybe that will kick me into gear and I'll get going. Off to be ready for the day. I'm on call today as a back up, I have a meeting with a new client (a dear friend), and of course homeschooling as well.

Blessings,
Kim

Newish Items in Etsy

This piece has been around for a while, but it's listed and seems very appropriate right now after all the snow storms. Vintage satin and eyelet, vintage bottle, encaustic wax, shoe buckle from the 20's, and more. All lovingly created to remind you of the beauty of the winter landscape.

One of "Fairy Tales in Glass" collection. Vintage jewelery, and paper, reproduction of a postcard from 1910, ribbon and pure beeswax. Shares loving thoughts of the first bloom of love between these two.

Another of "Fairy Tales in Glass" also using a vintage bottle and vintage ledger paper, antique buttons, and a nice reproduction of a vintage photo. Enhanced with a vintage piece of crystal and a sweet ribbon tie. "Dream" tells of a time before marriage when a young woman dreams of the man who is to be her husband.

This is the back of a double-sided necklace. The next photo shows the front. I think this is my favorite so far other than the one I made for myself using a vintage postcard of cows in a stream. There are others available on the etsy site.

Just thought I'd highlight a few items in my etsy shop. Hope you enjoy them, feel free to visit my site using the button on the side. There are more items for sale as well, and I've been gathering new "stuff" such as vintage celluloid, vintage boxes, antique and vintage linens and laces and hope to be creating more soon in a whole new line.

I have a few auctions to attend this week, and then hope to finish several doll clothing assemblages. Picture a pink doll dress, hand crocheted lace, vintage photo, lace wings and more... it's going to be lovely. And, once I find "just the right 'box'" I can complete the next one which uses a vintage baby bonnet, antique silver spoon, celluloid pin, etc. It should be quite exquisite!

Hope you enjoy!
Blessings, Kim

p.s. are you keeping track? about 30 posts, give or take, till the big contest!

35 to go...

35 what? to go to where? why?

Well, 35 more posts till I reach 100. Why is that special? I may just do a giveaway. Actually, I will do a giveaway. Now the clue is that it will be SOMETHING from my Etsy shop OR it will be a gift certificate for some unknown, as yet, amount. How's that?

So, here's the deal. WHEN that post comes, I will let you know how the contest works, and what to look for in my shop. But the clue is that you will have to go to my shop. And, if you put a link to my blog on your blogroll I'll enter you twice.

I know... this is WAY early... but I want to build the excitement. And frankly, I'd like for someone to visit my shop. So.... keep watching. I'll let you know when the day arrives. And, folks? I've got three auctions coming up so hopefully I'll come up with some beautiful things to turn into artful creations. Keep watching...

Shalom,
Kim

The Twelve (or more) Days of Christmas

Well, our Christmas break began with wondering if Young Man would EVER EVER get home. He did. Finally.

As per our tradition we open our gifts to each other over a period of days BEFORE Christmas. Perhaps this sounds silly, but for us it allows time to enjoy gifts, to not have the "gimme more gifts" syndrome and for Christmas to focus on... well, Christ, of course.

Our first gift from Senior Son was small and squishy. Dear opened it and we saw SS's grade sheet from this semester. A perfect string of A's and to boot his writing teacher has talked to him about getting his writing published in the school journal. Too cool!

On Christmas Day we began with a leisurely breakfast of strata and coffee cake and fruit. Mostly a tradition, although I've been told they want sticky buns (monkey bread) rather than my coffee cake. Boo hoo! Our day was spent as a family and it was very sweet. Later we went to Bob's house for dinner. He supplied the food and Senior Son cooked an incredible meal: roast leg of lamb Greek style (1/2 c. of minced garlic for 13 lbs. of meat!), Italian green beans and garlic/ranch mashed potatoes. Bob supplied a nice bottle of Soft Red from a local winery and I brought desserts.

Senior Son and Bob discuss the roast.


Very simple ingredients to dress up these legs of lamb. (We didn't tell Wee One it was lamb... just a roast. We thought she might get upset. Later after she ate the meal and liked it Bob started chanting "Baa baa black sheep." Followed by, "I LOVE lamb!" That Bob! He has in interesting sense of humor! :~)


Does it really call for 1/2 cup of garlic? Bob thinks so!

And here he goes... For those who might have wondered... YES, he really did cook the entire meal! And set the table.

This was where it got interesting. You see you have to "make the meat happy" as Emeril would say... that is... you have to rub the garlic, oregano and oil all over the roasts. YUMMO! (to quote another TV cook)

And here we all are: Left to right: MMH, Wee One, Young Man, Dear, Bob's Friend (what IS his name?!), Senior Son and Bob.

Now, for those who know Bob you know that you can't always understand him the first time. But, when I asked what I could bring he said, clear as a bell, "Mincemeat." Drats! I understood it. No excuses. I tried again... "Hey Bob, for those who don't want mincemeat, how about another option?" Again, clear as a bell, "PUMPKIN." Yep, Bob LOVES his pie. So, then I just told him I'd also bring something chocolate for those of us who don't enjoy pie. Let's just say we all had a feast. Our family, Bob, and his friend who was visiting and later on Ben joined us for dessert.

Over the next few days we all tried to relax while getting ready for the next round. Monday found us traveling 2 hours south to Dear's folks where we met up with his siblings and their families. Dear's folks recently downsized to a 3 bedroom condo from their home of over 40 years. So, you can imagine our surprise when they managed to have all 8 grandkids, one foreign exchange student, Martha and her husband and two dogs spend the nights there. WOW! Dear and I, and his brother and his wife were booked at a nearby hotel. YEAH! I hear the kids were up LATE playing games each night. Glad to see them enjoy each other so much as the ages range from 10-28!
Left to right: John, Becca, Sarah, MMH, Senior Son, Young Man, InSeop. Front Row: Wee One with Buddy, Stephen

Hmmm... there was more to this post. Where did it go?
Let's see... New Year's Eve with The Moore's ... which meant lots of food and Texas Hold 'em Poker (it's a tradition), Laura beat us all. But David won twice in a rematch on Saturday night.

New Year's Day... Donut Day here... it's the one day a year I make donuts from scratch... we're not talking fried biscuits folks! Word has gotten out and there were 11 kids at our breakfast table and 5 plates/orders to deliver around town.

Sunday found me with a bad back, pleurisy, and missed church.

Monday found me at the doctor's office as Dear and Wee One were worried. Home with meds. Guess who's allergic to them? A dose of Benadryl found my hands back to normal, my neck stopped itching and my lips settled down also. Now better and the girls are back to school. Boys are on break till next week.

How was your Christmas break?

Blessings, Kim

p.s. please take a peek at my Etsy listings. I have some new ones up and am happy to do special orders. Also, for those in town I don't charge shipping.

Fun finds at local sales...

Okay, for those who know me REALLY well you know that I am getting quite hooked on things vintage, specifically, Shiny Brite Christmas ornaments, table cloths from the 40s and 50s, vintage kitchen/tea towels, old silver, post cards from the EARLY 1900s, photo folders, and other things as they intrigue me. Currently I have a desire to find some McCoy pottery... but I'm picky, and cheap. We'll see.

So, went garage saling for two weekends and hit the local shop as well. I found some fun things. Take a peek.. this past weekend was the BEST and I am so happy with what I found.

The hankies are mine... either from childhood or from Gram. But, the silver pieces were a dollar each. Well, not the cracker server. But isn't it cute? Can you see it with Ritz? Or pieces to sell at the art show?


The broach was all I found at this sale I went to WAY out in the country... but for only $2 I was fairly pleased. Can't figure if it will end up as art, or on my coat collar. What do you think?





The games pieces I have looked at while shopping at the shop nearby for several months. The price came WAY down and I was sold. They will definitely become altered art projects of some sort. The red Bingo cards will be great wall hanging backgrounds for Christmas and Valentine's Day.

Next are things from this weekend, some free, some cheap at sales and two from the local shop. (Yes, I went again. I wanted to look at a $12.50 "Tom Thumb" typewriter for an art project. Glad I looked... it won't work, but the one for 50 cents from the garage sale will work. YEAH!)

The first of three boxes of stuff. It had treasures in it. It also had "treasures" in it. Ah well...

Shiny brites anyone? Each of the tissue wrapped pieces is an ornament. I've not even unwrapped them all yet. I want to wait till I can sit and enjoy what I find. Or laugh. Whichever.

These are some of the "treasures". I guess they'll just go right into my garage sale. Or to Etsy.

See those bent spoons in the front? Joe of Joe and Joella made two of them for me, and gave me one he had previously made. You drill a hole in the bowl of the spoon, hang them from they wall, and voila, a vintage hanger. Tea towel and vintage napkins just 10 cents each. Ditto for the wheelbarrow and cow bell.


What do you think of the gorgeous lantern for the picnic table? Someone was trying to tell me how to get it shiny again. NOT! I LOVE the patina, age, whatever.

I know I spent a LOT on these, but they are PERFECT in my new yellow kitchen. So sweet sitting up by the sink.

And these little lovebirds look fab on the dining table. They're right next to blue ball jars full of buttons and vintage silver flatware. Cute!


These cloths should have cost a LOT more. But SCORE! Just $1 a piece. One will replace what's been my favorite on the table so I can cut that one up to make curtains for the kitchen.



This is for April. I called and asked. Perfect color for her vintage kitchen.


She might want these also. We'll see... What do you think? If not her then it's the garage sale or Etsy.


And a few more boxes of ornaments.Not Shiny Brites... so they're up for grabs. Any takers?




This is the top of the bottom tin from the picture just above this one. Isn't it sweet? I love the colors.


And finally, what started it all. I needed a typewriter. I was up for hours in the night for an idea for an altered art project.


This is the inside. It's perfect. Even still works. If I get brave enough to make this project I'll show you all here.

Okay, that's enough photos for now. More later...
Shalom,
Kim

What did I do all day?

I feel like for the past two days I have been covered in glue and surrounded by flowers, glitter, faux jewels and paper. Oh... I have. Over on Etsy I received ONE, yes, count them it ONE, order for note cards. And, to be honest, that was from my mom. I received the order in oh December or January and just got around to completing it yesterday. She needed it for next week. Yes, sometimes I do my best work when I procrastinate.

However, once all the paper, buttons, flowers, brads, rhinestones, glue sticks, paper pads and cut outs were ALL over two whole card tables, the floor and the desks... well, I just kept going. So, hopefully in the next 24-48 hours I'll photograph the completed projects and put them up on my Etsy for sale. (Look for them on Saturday.)

You may wonder what my girls were up to while I was wasting my time busily working, and I'll be happy to tell you. This week the girls had their first ever experiences with standardized testing. I never did this with the boys, just felt confident I guess. But I'm feeling frustrated and thinking perhaps I'm not keeping up, so this is going to be my "wake up" call. (I hope it's not my "get out of Dodge" call... ) Anyway, they had testing from 8:45-11:30 each day and a friend was kind enough to bring them home so I didn't see them till noon. Now, Monday was chock full of things to do, and Tuesday... well, it's a blur. But yesterday I got everything out and set to work. Not only did I complete my mom's order and a small wall hanging, but in addition I also completed a paper frame and 3 sets of note cards. Plus dishes have been done, food cooked and the house "picked up." OH, and the ironing was finished as well. Scary... my ironing has been up to date for the past 4 weeks or so! Anyway, today I just kept on working and that's when I finished the rest of the projects. It feels so good to have things accomplished. Not only that, but when I was done and put away the various things I had been using the craft supplies looked neater than they had for some time. Of course the floor needs to be vacuumed, but with everyone in bed I hardly think now is the time.

Well, tomorrow is the presbytery meeting and we're headed off to the worship service. So, we have to be up early to complete our school work before co-op, which will start late to allow us time to worship. I think that part of the joy of homeschooling is being able to flex the schedule to fit in important things like extra worship services. And paper art. Or not...

Well, in two minutes it's tomorrow, so I had best sign off.
Shalom, Kim