Life Happens...

How could it possibly have been this long since I've posted??? There has just been too much going on and some things had to give–this blog was one of those things. And it all comes under the heading "life happens and we go on." As requested, I'll try to give a brief update and then hopefully I'll be able to do some posting soon.
We've had company a couple of times—my two grandchildren from Alabama were here for a month. We had lots of fun together and talked and laughed. I showed them my early Zentangles and they were as fascinated as I am so we did that too. Our friends from Bakersfield (CA) have been here twice. It's so nice to have some time to visit. Debbie, her friend Vicki (also from CA) and I (yes, we had fun with Debbie, Vicki and Vicki!) hit a couple of quilt shops in the OKC area and went for tea at Inspirations Teahouse & Gifts in Edmond. Grand fun!!! They got as far as Dallas on the way home--Lloyd (my best friend since 6th grade) ended up in a Dallas hospital and we almost lost him. He's still not out of the woods but is slowly improving. With another 6 to 8 weeks in the Dallas/Ft Worth area expected, I'll be making some trips south.
As we all know, everything changes and my job with Business Connections is ever-evolving so that is always interesting and too-often challenging.
In mid-August, my darling hubby had a stroke and that really took over my life! He is doing much better. He is now very careful about his blood pressure and not over-tiring himself; either one will set off an episode of dizziness and his left eye going off to the left corner.
I went for my annual eye exam and was looking forward to new glasses--there was less change than in previous years. Due to family history, I made sure to have the glaucoma range-of-vision test and we discovered that I have lost more than 1/3 of my range of vision in my right eye (of course, that's the "good" one), getting very close to 1/2. I've had the opportunity to meet more outstanding eye specialists than I had ever expected (or wanted) to but so far, no one can figure out what is happening or why. They all say my eye is very healthy and they are puzzled. We are now waiting for a three month follow up to measure speed of change. This is the hard part... along with paying the doctor bills.

Now for good news... I am now a Certified Zentangle Teacher and plan to teach it as a stress management tool for some people (and just plain fun too)—since I got started, I do not need blood pressure medication! Even with all the crud above, my bp is good.
I have been creating some unique Zentangle-inspired art cards and I have been encouraged by some artist friends (thanks to all) to take them to a couple of art gallery gift shops. My final packaging is almost ready (just a "detail" label to make) and then I'll be taking them to the galleries they've recommended.
Debbie (CA) and I co-authored an appendix on grammar and punctuation for a textbook on teaching for teachers; it is being printed now--my first time to be published. Very exciting!
I've been asked to be honorary Mother of the Bride for Kelsee, a daughter of my heart... is that cool or what?!?!
Our families are doing well and so are we. Thank you to so many who have asked how and where I was.

My Etsy Store is Now Open

Well, this has been one of my goals for a while and I have now posted my first project (the Garden Serenity Apron) on my Etsy store, A Richer Life at Etsy: Garden Serenity Apron. Whoever purchases the apron will also get some added goodies (in this case the oven mitts and hot pad) as a thankyou surprise.

For anyone not familiar with Etsy, it is an online store; you cannot post anything that is not homemade, so this is where you can get some top quality items and support independent crafters and artists. You can find my Etsy store by going to http://www.richerlife.etsy.com/ or by clicking on the Etsy button to the right. I am going to be posting a wide range of things on my store and am very excited about this! In the very near future, I will have some of my greeting cards, lunch totes, coffee cozies, aprons, children's clothes and clothes for 18" dolls (American Girle, Goetz, etc.). The children and doll clothes and most of the aprons will be my own patterns so I've been having fun doing this.

My Serenity Garden Apron Set

Well, I'm ready to start posting beginning items to my Etsy store this weekend. The first item that I'll be setting up is my Serenity Garden Apron set. The apron is a medium size and it has a matching set of oven mitts and a hot pad holder. I just fell in love with this fabric line and some of the sentiments on it...

"Nurture your garden, nurture your soul."

"Serenity... A cup of tea in the garden."

... and so many more.

I like pockets big enough to hold what I try to put in them so I make them nice and full.

Carolina Elizabeth designed the original oven mitt pattern and then I adjusted (very typical) it to use piping, one of my great loves. They are smaller than most oven mitts but very flexible—that means that they will work well in the microwave as well as in a conventional oven. I find that the standard size mitt is just too big for my comfort level pulling stuff out of the microwave. The hot pad holder is 6" square and just a nice place to put a hot dish.

An interesting week...

Well, it's been an interesting week, to say the least!
Saturday was the Deluxe independent crafters show at the state fairgrounds. I was able to go and was very excited to meet the girls from SheezKrafty and see their beautiful work... even spent a little money! I had fallen in love with their switchplates on their blog and like them even more in the real world!

Sunday was Mother's Day and I got a wonderful gift in hearing that my two grandchildren in Alabama will be here for the month of June. Now that is a gift! And we got to talk to the kids! I also heard from our kids, grandkids and greatgrand kids in South OKC. All in all, a wonderful day!

Monday night (of course with lots of work to do) my computer started acting up. It looked and acted like the left arrow key was stuck so I ran to the closest Wal-Mart and picked up a new wireless keyboard & mouse set. Got home... set it up... still a problem. The only way to shut it down was power then I couldn't get anything so into the shop the computer went. I got it back and was able to set it up last night.

About 10 minutes after turning it on, we took a power hit and it burned out the CPU. Yup, it's been a grand week! I hadn't really planned on a new computer but looks like the good Lord had other plans for me.

Well, as you can see, I'm up and running again and hope to put up some new items soon.

Photos from the Land Run re-enactment

Well, here are two proud great-grandmas! These photos were taken after Mackenzie's class did their re-enactment to celebrate the Oklahoma Land Run. All the kids in the class had their lunches and most had a blanket and they started off from the start line to select and stake their "claim" (in this case it was the "plot" they were going to eat their lunch). Madison (pink gingham outfit) is in pre-K this year and so her class did not run but we all trooped around the entire schoolyard, each of the grades in order. Then each grade lined up and ran to stake their lunch space. A lot of great fun and a wonderful way to teach state history. Mackenzie's dress, apron/pinafore and bonnet were made from reproduction patterns and fabrics. It was not the bright cheery prints and colors that she usually wears but was very typical of the children's clothes at the time. Last year many of the kids were in costume but this year, Mackenzie was the only one in full costume. A couple of the kids had on cowboy hats and neckerchiefs but that was about the extent of it. I was very proud that she would want to wear her outfit when the others were not costumed. We sure had fun and it was great that Janis and I were able to join Kenzie, Maddie, little sister Kenadie and momma Anna for a fun lunch outing--such a great break from the office!

Good morning!

Spring is here! and hear! I hear some birds singing and other chirping; the wind (ever-present in Oklahoma) is blowing so I hear the leaves rustling; it rained last night, I went to the car and a gust of wind emptied the rain from the leaves... on me. So I changed. But it is so nice out and we really have needed the rain so I just can't bring myself to complain. I love it when it has the decency to do the raining at night!

I've been working on many projects but my camera gave up on me so I haven't been able to show you anything recently. One of the things I can show you is two more of the zentangles I've done... I am having so MUCH fun doing these. I hope you enjoy. Have a good day, y'all!

My Flirty Apron Swap package arrived!

I had the MOST fun Thursday! My apron arrived from my mystery partner in the Flirty Vintage Linen Apron Swap! I am attaching the photos that Kathy had on her blog of the apron I received ( thatallisongirl.blogspot.com) . The print has some purple in the flower petals since Kathy knew my favorite color is purple. She said that she searched for purple coordinating fabric but ended up using the blue gingham and it is so perfect! The little red hearts are buttons that are tied on with yellow floss--this is an embellisment I would not have thought of but it just completes and adds to the overall apron. It is beautifully made and fits to perfection--I am just so lucky. In the swap we also included a "vintage" recipe and I'm going to try out two of the ones that she sent, hopefully this weekend. I also received as a goodie and beautiful embroidered hand towel in the package... Kathy, it was wonderful and I love it!

Yesterday was the kids' school re-enactment of the Oklahoma Land Run. They all lined up and ran to stake their spot for our picnic lunch. Both Mackenzie and Madison had on their costumes–not many other costumes this year and no one else had "full dress". The others were just something like a hat and neckerchief; I was very proud that the girls wore their dresses when it made them "different." I'll be getting photos from Mom and post them right away--we all had fun and I enjoyed a break from the office to have lunch with them.

A few weeks ago, on the PAKART Alaska blog (http://pakartalaska.blogspot.com/, I saw a zentangle for the first time... and fell in love with it. I've been doing those and, golly gee whillikers, it makes me feel artistic! I've always wanted to do something graphic and can't draw a decent stick figure... seriously. But this I can do... it's like doodling on steroids. I think I'm even going to take their train-the-trainer session to learn how to teach this. Here is a zentangle that I have done; I've titled this one "Heart of My Hearts."

I have also been busy making some aprons and oven mitts to put on my Etsy site--almost ready now and I'll be showing those soon. I had to make the time to work on these around some marketing consulting work I'm doing--a great way to keep my hand in the marketing.

Could you use a good hand cream?

I've never had much use for hand creams or lotions—they always just sat on my hands without soaking in and left a film that I couldn't stand the feel of. Well, I had a friend ask me to try some and I fell in love with it and now I make my own! This is the only hand lotion that helps my hairdresser's hands not just survive but actually feel better and improve.

It's about as easy to make as could be... here are the original directions:

1 bottle of Baby Lotion

1 tube of Creamy Petroleum Jelly

1 bottle of Vitamin E Lotion

Put all of the ingredients together in a mixing bowl and whip on high with electric mixer about 3 to 5 minutes. Cover bowl and put in refrigerator AT LEAST overnight--24 hours is recommended*. Put into containers; can be stored at room temperature.
*the lotion must be refrigerated to keep it emulsified or it will separate at room temperature.

I buy my supplies at the local Dollar Tree—total cost = $3.00
Last time I couldn't find the Vitamin E Lotion at the dollar store and I was making a double batch so I used one bottle of Aloe Vera Lotion and one bottle of a moisture-bead type lotion. Everyone was very happy with the results... very light, pleasant scent.

I hope you enjoy this lotion if you try it. I've begun to just use it as a body lotion during our very dry winter.

Oh, I've been so busy!

Well, the last week has been pretty crazy for me. At work the monthly reports were due--that's always a major undertaking but we got them completed and submitted by deadline.

I finished the period costume (Little House-type dress, pinafore and sun bonnet) for Mackenzie's part in the Oklahoma Land Run celebration at ther school. We'll be

taking pictures of her in it in a week or two and I'll show them them.


Thursday I had oral surgery. It went really well but I still hurt when I laugh or smile! We had Easter brunch with the kids, grands and great-grands--LOTS of joy and laughter so I left there pretty sore. Sometimes I think it was a contest to make me laugh and watch me grab my cheek.

I've been participating in the Flirty Vintage Linen Apron Swap so that has been another project I finished as well as an apron for the organizer. The yellow, blue and green apron is for my secret swap partner. The package will include an apron (this is my own design), a pair of hot pad holders and a feedsack towel with some of the key fabric design appliqued on one corner. The vintage linen that I used was a tablecloth from the 20's (handmade); hemmed the center that had embroidery and pulled-thread work and made a food cover—we used to use these to cover food to keep off flies (before air conditioning and closed houses). The last thing in the package will be a "vintage" recipe--I am putting a family favorite for "end-of-the-money-but-not-end-of-the-month" timing, Bean Cups. This has been so much fun to put together.


I also made an apron and hot pad set for the swap organizer—that's the pink, white and black set.

Silk Quilt in progress... any words of wisdom?

I am working on a silk quilt for a friend who can't have most fabrics against her skin. I've always been a cotton-kind of gal so working with silk is TOTALLY new to me. We were able to get some recycled (we both like that idea) white bridal kimono silk--it's gorgeous! Hopefully, you can see some of the beautiful weaves in the silk. Then we picked up some grabbag packs of colored silk.

I'm using silk thread and a fine needle. Because it is a lightweight silk, I've stabilized it using a fusible sheerweight interfacing after trying many different kinds, weights, applications, etc. I'm satisfied with the "hand"--plenty soft and flexible but will stand up to usage.

Here is where I could use words of wisdom from anyone, especially any quilters who have worked on silk quilts. I've had a silk batt on order and it's ready for me to pick up. I would welcome any do's or don't's on quilting with a silk batt. I've heard it's fantastic but I'll admit that this project intimidates me more than any other I can think of.

I'm also trying to decide on what to use for the backing. I am concerned about lengths of silk holding up to use, especially the lightweight. I found a really nice feeling silky polyester but she can't have any polyester against her skin so that's out. Anyone have any suggestions... information on what NOT to do can be just as helpful too...

Update on the "Abby Hat"

Hello! I've had a number of people ask me how the contest went and how much the hat earned. We couldn't have it in the contest and in the Silent Auction so I entered the contest and won the Grand Prize! It is a VIP dinner to the Castle Falls restaurant--we haven't had the opportunity to try it but I've heard it is the most excellent German food around so we're looking forward to trying it.
I made a second Abby Hat. It's a smaller size and has a glitter leopard-print chiffon band. Both hats are posted for sale in my Etsy Store and all proceeds from their sale will go the the Abby Jones Medical Trust Fund. To check them out, go to http://richerlife.etsy.com. Hope everyone out there has a wonderful day!

My Duck Week Hat for Abby...

OK, I've just plain had fun with this!

First, I crocheted a basic hat. The brim can be rolled or open or partially rolled. I haven't decided which way I like it best yet. It's pretty comfortable—more than I was expecting it to be.

My Duck Week t-shirt is orange and they are using a Dr. Sueuss theme so this one is "Horton Hears A Quack." It has blue flowers and white daisies.

I used a silky-feel orange fabric and serged it with royal blue. There are blue, white and orange daisies and it is couched down with royal blue sheer ribbon.

The Hats Off To Abby Hat contest is for most unique hat... I'm just going for fun. I may add some mini-signs that have "quack" on them just to add to the theme. I've had a couple people tell me they think my hat will win. Whether it does or not, I'm going to donate it to the Silent Auction to help raise money as long as I get to wear it in the contest.

Oh, did I mention the hat is crocheted plastic shopping bags! It's my
classy trashy hat.

Support Abby Jones and her family, please.

There is a precious little girl, Abby Jones, who is a walking smile and a walking miracle! You can read her story at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/abbyjones. She was born June 13, 2003, and within a year had undergone 3 heart surgeries and it was two years before she reached 20 pounds. She needs a kidney transplant among other things. The Jones family lives in Piedmont, Oklahoma and were blessed by the kids of the school system selecting Abby for their annual Duck Week fundraising program. The final "event" is being hosted by family and friends on Sunday, March 29th, 2009, 5 to 7 p.m., at Castle Falls (820 N MacArthur, Oklahoma City OK). Tickets are only $5 and include a baked potato bar with homemade chili and toppings, salad and desserts. There will be a silent auction with many items (some of them are really great! There is also a raffle for an opportunity to win an 8-day vacation and many other prizes--all put together by friends! There will be a a Hat Contest (optional) and music solos and more! Please come join the celebration of Abby's life and help us raise money to get the medical help she needs.

If you do not live in the Oklahoma City area, please check out Abby's story on the Caring Bridge (when it asks for the website name, enter "abbyjones") and pray for this wonderful child.

Do you believe in random acts of kindness?

If you do, I invite you to check out the Secret Angel Network: http://www.secretangelnetwork.com/.
This is their brief description of the network:

We are an online community of ordinary people who choose to do
extraordinary things. We believe that every day, we have an opportunity to bring
a little joy, love and happiness into this world. We do so by creating special
moments for people around us. We call these moments Do Unto Other moments or a
DUO. The term DUO fits well as both the agent and the recipient are really
receiving a blessing. We can help create these moments for family members,
friends or even strangers. We operate in secret so as to place the emphasis on
the recipient, not ourselves.

Receiving a DUO card is such a wonderful surprise and when you have the honor of giving one, it's even more fun to do it in secret.

Bright & fun baby quilt

This was a baby quilt made for a friend's first child. The baby room was decorated tropical fish. I thought that the squiggly lines looked a little waves. The quilting in the outside border was a scroll that made waves.

Lucky she wanted bright colors, isn't it?

This is one of the few baby quilts I've made that wasn't flannel.

A new "sign" for my board...

For many years I had bulletin board with signs—different sayings that help me keep focused, on track, make me laugh... things that helped me get through. I don't always have a physical board going these days but I still see many of the signs in my mind.

Well, today I went to church and heard some powerful teaching and preaching and
I have to share this with you. Three points just really hit home for me
today—one think to think on and two visuals to help me focus:

1) God has forgiven my sins of the past. If I can't get past my past, then it is
my own voice I'm listening to, not the voice/word of God... just get over it.

2) God wants to give us grace abudantly... Romans 5:17: "For if, by the trespass
of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who
receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign
in life through the one man, Jesus Christ."

Each day he will give us the grace we need in abundance, all we need and more. If we need a bucket of grace, he will give us a bushel; if we need a truck-load, he will give us a houseful. We just have to be open to receive it. Matthew 6:34 "Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself..."

3) John 10:28-29 "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, Who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand." Here is the visual reminder that's going up on my board:
I write my name on a number 10 envelope [I can drop it, tear it, burn it, shred it...you get the picture].

Now I put that in a manilla envelope, seal it and write "Jesus" on it... "no one can snatch them out of my hand." Now I am protected... it's sealed, "I" won't fall out. Even better, it was a bubble-wrap envelope, symbolizing the protection I get when I am in Jesus.

Next step, I stopped by the Post Office and picked up one of the Express Mail envelopes. I put the manilla envelope inside the express envelope and wrote "God" on the outside... "No one can snatch them out of my Father's hand." ... I am on the express line to God, and it's a Tyvek envelope—no one can tear it; I am safe enclosed in Him.

I never thought I would be witnessing in the blog but I just have to share this because it spoke so strongly to my heart... thank you, Pastor Tommy for these great words!

God bless all who took the time to read this message.

Kids in "Little House" dress & pinafore sets

These are my oh-so-beautiful great-granddaughters. I made "Little House" dress and pinafore sets for them. The dresses were all gingham and both dresses and pinafores used some old traditional patterns from that time.

This year I will be working to complete dresses and bonnets for the two older girls to wear to the Oklahoma Land Run programs (see list of UFO's) and I am anxious to see how they are going to like them. I really enjoy using period patterns and often juxtapose the very traditional patterns with contemporary fabrics. That's what the girls are used to... My only concern is how them will like the more drab fabrics/colors that were available to them for daily wear dresses... I'll keep you posted on how they are coming along.

Oh, I found a new site!

This is SheezKrafty...and She Writes! This site features re-purposed jewelry and these two young ladies do some beautiful work. But it's not their jewelry that really caught my eye most—I absolutely fell in love with the Switchplates... these are just two of them.

Check out their site at http://sheezkrafty.blogspot.com/

One of my works in progress...

This is the "Fractured Rainbows" quilt that I am making for our daughter Tammy. I've had the blocks made and sewn together for quite a while but it took a lot of time to find the right border fabric. I had two different ones and Tammy and I both agree that the rainbow of dots is the one to finish it off... now it's ready to put together then quilt. All I have to do is find the time and finish the projects that are above it on the "gotta get this done" list.

I want to brag on Carolina Elizabeth...

This is a closeup of the top pendant of a necklace that Carolina Elizabeth made for me.

This is hand-painted and the colors and detail just amaze me every time I am priviledged to wear it (not to mention the compliments).

Now that you've seen that, let me show you the necklace...

The silver bezzels were made by Carolina as well as the S-hook closure.

The lower pendant is a forget-me-not... this has been my favorite flower since I was a child growing up in Alaska (FYI, it's the state flower) and it is part of the logo she designed for me for my RicherLife greeting cards.

Let me put the exquisite detail of this necklace in proportion for you.

That is my thumb you see in this photo. Now you can appreciate the detail that you see in the first photo! If you would like to see more of her work, check out her blog: http://carolinaelizabeth-art.blogspot.com/

(this photo is larger than actual size)