Do & Don't

.Do see Dreamgirls!

Every once in a while a movie comes out that I know I must see. Sometimes it feels so personal that I actually kind of want to see it alone. I mentioned this movie to Steve a few days ago and he didn't know anything about it. (Apparently it wasn't covered on ESPN or in the Sports section of our newspaper.) Then I got it in my head to go see it yesterday afternoon since I'd taken the day off and Steve had to work. I asked if he minded and he didn't.

I was prepared for it not to live up to the hype - but it did. And true to other theaters I've read about, people applauded after Effie's big emotional number and also at the end of the film. You don't see that every day. And this was a half-filled theater at the 1:00 matinee. (Love $5 movies!)

Forgive me for adding to the hype but I must. I cried during the movie and even teared up in the car on the way home, thinking about it. I downloaded music from iTunes last night. I know part of the big draw for me was seeing Jennifer Hudson be so successful. On a side note, my blog stats shot way up the day the movie opened and I see a bunch of hits on my 04-27-04 entry where I wrote about her getting voted off American Idol. Don't view that entry in Firefox, it's better in IE.

The other thing I love about this movie is they got every single detail just right. As someone who paid attention to music during that era, it was fascinating! I mean, I don't know about the facts of the movie - being "loosely" based on The Supremes, but the look was absolutely perfect. The casting was perfect. Eddie Murphy was the coolest!

I told Steve if he found himself wanting to see it, I'd gladly see it again. He told me the reverse was true, if I wanted to see it again, he'd be glad to go. I'm thinking there may be another viewing in my near future - like this weekend, even. I've never said that before. (Except I did sit through back-to-back showings of To Sir with Love in 1967 when we lived in Ridgewood, New Jersey.) I don't want to water down my current love of the movie though so I'm not sure. I don't know if it works like that or not.

So that's my "do" - see Dreamgirls.

My don't? Don't ever watch the movie About Schmidt. We watched the DVD recently and we've never seen a more boring movie. I admit to putting it on our Netflix queue because the movie's claim to fame is Kathy Bates' flash of nudity. I love her and she's very brave for doing that - but I seriously regret losing those 2 hours of my life forever.

The plaza in which I saw Dreamgirls houses a Michael's so I stopped in afterwards to browse. And walked out with $94 worth of picture frames. And that's at half price. I knew I was in trouble when I hit the frame department and realized I needed a cart. Can't wait to get busy and fill those puppies up!

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Tree Cake

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When I was looking online for a cake recipe last week, for a little something different to take to Steve's cousin's house on Christmas Eve, this is what I threatened Jen that I would make. Thank goodness she offered the use of her checkerboard pans because I knew when it came right down to it, I'd probably have lost interest in making this labor intensive cake. Directions are here for the overly ambitious. (Amy, I'm looking at you!)

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Looking for Proof and Creativity

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The new page of Mandalas is up on the new & improved Pine Tree Designs website. I suck at thinking of creative names for these designs (framed pieces and cards). Please - I'm open to any and all suggestions. I swear I proofed this thing 100 times and checked and rechecked the shopping cart but please let me know if you find anything amiss.

I've decided to take Friday off, for a long unfettered four-day weekend. Yep, we began our new pay year recently and those vacation and personal days are burning a hole in my pocket! I'm looking forward to getting caught up, reorganized - maybe catching Dreamgirls. And eating healthy. After these last couple of weeks, I'd give my left one for a bran muffin or rice cake! Speaking of bran, the new (to me) All Bran Snack Bites are pretty darn good. Very brown sugary/cinnamony, so I think they could be healthier but it's a delicious way to start your morning with bran. I'm eating them and a smoothie every morning. I used to make myself a smoothie every morning for breakfast for years but not in a long while. I'm trying to stay away from my only fast food addiction - Dunkin Donuts Smoothies. I love all the flavors. I call them Crackberry Smoothies because they are so addictive. So I'm back to making my own with frozen strawberries, half a banana, yogurt and Splenda. Good stuff. And way cheaper, of course.

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Sage Hearts

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5" x 5" Card

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Mom's Mandala

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This is the Mandala I made for Mom for Christmas. I had a clear vision and high hopes for this piece and I'll admit (with all modesty) that it turned out even better!

12" x 12"

The hummingbird is a fairly expensive bead from Just Nan. I call $6.50 for a tiny bead expensive anyway. The dragonflies are buttons of which I cut the shanks off - from one of the Jesse James collections.

Man, do I love making these things!

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I had to wake Simon up this morning! This is a far cry from Christmas mornings when he was a little one, that's for sure. I made something similar to this Christmas Crescent Ring for breakfast - made individual triangles, rather than a ring. A woman at work made these for our Friday Breakfast treat a couple of weeks ago. I woke Simon up so we could eat and open presents because Steve had to skidaddle over to his mom's with his compressor to see if he could clear her drains. His sister had called us 8:45 to say the tub and sinks were backed up! Steve was able to blow out the clog fortunately.

Btw, we had that roaring fire channel playing on the TV while opening presents. High def rocks.

Simon gave me a tart warmer, tart and tealights - all in a new variation of the Yankee Candle scent he and I love most - MacIntosh. This new variation is MacIntosh & Peach!

I gave him cash, gift cards from Starbucks and Blockbuster and candy in his stocking. I had wanted to give him a gift instead of cash, like I did last year but he was unable to think of anything he wanted and I couldn't come up with anything either. He's looking to get his summer car fixed so he really wanted cash this year anyway. But the thing that kills me is this weekend he asked me, "How come you didn't ask me what I wanted for Christmas?" I about fell over because I very clearly asked him at least twice. But unlike his procrastinating ways, I asked him weeks ago so of course he doesn't remember. Errgh.

Speaking of food - Steve's aunt and uncle gave me Rachael Ray's 30 Minute Meals book. I get just about all my new recipes online these days so it's cool to get an actual cookbook. Gretchen gave me a subscription to Cooking Light magazine. I used to subscribe a few years ago so it will be good to get back to that. I've sort of lost interest in cooking the last couple of years as Simon will gladly tell you. Feels like the old Stefani is ready for a comeback.

And I received other lovely gifts. I've mentioned my family makes charitable contributions and exchange small gifts. This less frenzied Christmas is so nice - both in preparation and on the day itself. It feels good all the way around.

We enjoyed each other's company eating a fabulous ham, au gratin potatoes, a delicious green salad provided by Gretchen with a terrific touch I'd not heard of before - sweetened walnuts, pecans and almond. My Baked Parsnips were actually quite good and enjoyed by all (except Simon and Paul, who at least tried them). We enjoyed my raggedy ol' checkerboard cake I dragged over there and Mom's delicious Dump Cake, with ice cream.

And we missed Nick, who is spending Christmas in Iraq. Please continue to keep a good thought for him.

From Mom and Dad's house, Simon went to his girlfriend's house. Steve was at his mom's so I had the house to myself, always enjoyable. Naturally I took the requisite nap on the couch with Reggi behind my legs and Verona on my hip, at one point.

Time to work on the Pine Tree Designs website I promised to have reopened tomorrow. It won't be 100% complete. I'll send an announcement email out in a week or so when it's totally done. (For now. Always a work in progress of course.)

I love spending time with my family and I love my alone time too. Hope whatever holiday you celebrate was enjoyable for you.

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Peppermint Cake

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This is the 3 layer checkerboard peppermint cake I made to take to Steve's cousin's for dinner tonight. I borrowed the checkerboard cake pans from Jen. She told me she's used it once in 30 years. When she brought it in to work for me, I told her she could make a fortune on eBay with this! The box is in mint condition and so "retro". I should take a picture of the box but the camera is all the way in the other room. Sorry.

I used a white cake mix, flavoring the entire thing peppermint, tinting half pink and leaving half white. See below for how these pans work. You place the plastic form in one cake pan, pour dark/light/dark in the rings. You take the plastic form out, wash it, dry it, repeat. You take the plastic form out, wash it, dry it and pour light/dark/light. Bake the layers and assemble in an alternating fashion.

The cake mix really didn't make enough to fill the 3rd pan properly. And it tasted funny. Shit. Now what? So I dumped it down the sink and washed & dried the pans. No way in hell was I going to a grocery store today so I did what I should have done in the first place - made a delicious cake from scratch!

So it's not picture perfect. It was actually quite delicious. But I have to confess, I didn't even think of this until I was eating a slice tonight. So unaccustomed am I to making layer cakes, I neglected to spread frosting between the layers! Luckily it held together beautifully.

Mom, Dad and Gretchen - FYI - there is, as you can see, half a cake left. So instead of the almond pastry thing I said I'd bring over on Christmas, I'm regifting this cake for us to eat. And what we don't eat, I'll take to work on Tuesday. Along with every other employee in the building trying to unload leftovers. (I'm still bringing the vegetable, Baked Parsnips. After I bought the parsnips, I learned Gretchen doesn't like parsnips but she's willing to give this variety a try.)

Happy Christmas to all and to all, a good-night!
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Bits of This & That

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Happy anniversary to me! It was one year ago today I got rid of my skanky gall bladder.

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Friday morning I mailed the last of my holiday cards. I know! Before Christmas! It just might be a personal best record for me. I made 104 cards, which includes 12 spares for my inventory. I work production style but this year I accidentally got smart. I finished up half the batch, sorted my mail merged envelopes by state and mailed that first batch to the people who live the furthest away. Then I finished the second half up for the locals. I'll post a picture of the card next week.

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This is pretty darn funny. Bev linked to it the other day. It's pretty long so I almost didn't read it but I'm glad I stuck it out. That place is now on my to-do list next time I'm in Manhattan.

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My head literally did a double take last night when I heard a commercial for Living with Ed on HGTV. Ed Begley, Jr, the Greenest Guy in Hollywood, is what I think they called him. I loved him for years on St. Elsewhere and most recently in his recurring role on Six Feet Under. I've known for years he's an environmentalist in a really big way. This show was made for me! My Tivo is ready to go!

Ed and Rachelle give us a glimpse into their environmentally friendly home, including organic vegetables in the yard, solar panels on the roof and the All-American white picket fence...made out of recycled milk cartons.

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Speaking of Six Feet Under, Steve and I recently watched the final season on DVD. We used to love the series but the last season, as is often the case, wasn't very good. We knew that one of the main characters, Nate, dies near the end of the series - it was in the newspaper back when it aired. But the episodes leading up to that were so bad (boring and depressing as shit) that I found myself saying, "Jeez, c'mon & die already - get this over with."

Then he died. And I spent the final 3 episodes crying my eyes out. It was so wrenching and emotional and real - I totally loved it. I try to work on stitching some cards while watching TV but quickly had to give that up; couldn't see my work through my tears. I tried to not make noise but finally couldn't keep it in - sniffling and sobbing on the couch. At one point, Simon came home and walked into the room.

Simon: What's wrong, Mom?

Stefani: N-n-n-nate died!

Steve, quickly reassuring Simon: On TV. She's been like this for an hour.

Simon: Oh. (recognizing familiarity)

Stefani: Simon, c-c-an you please get me a K-k-k-leenex?

And dutifully he did.

That was one episode. The next night we're watching another one and Simon happens to call me while it was on.

"Hi Mom, what you are doing?"

"Watching Six Feet Under, trying to work up another good cry."

"Oh, okay. I'm on dinner break. Have a good night."

Business as usual around here.

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Friday

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I found these pictures on my camera the other day. I hardly ever do that - forget I've taken pictures. But these were taken at the height of the November craft show season so I guess it's understandable. Thanks to the genius counseling of my new friend Karen of The Gem Garden, I'm now offering these gift sets. The sign next to them says the sticky note pads are $3.50 and the pins are $3.00 - buy both and get the gift box and gift card free. They sold well so I'll be making more of those.

When Karen suggested I sell my pins in these little organza bags, I was thrilled. I've seen them in packaging catalogs for years and was dying to buy them. I love little bags and boxes! I bought a gross in a dozen assorted colors - they work perfectly and seemed to go well.

It's funny the way it worked out, Karen and I had a lot of time to talk at a Thursday show. Friday morning I phoned my order in to a local packaging company, who was kind enough to let me pick it up that afternoon. I hustled to get everything packaged the way I wanted for the Saturday show. So I've really only offered these items packaged this way at that last show of the season but I sold enough to know it's the right thing to do.

The other interesting thing is - see those gift tags in the boxes in the top picture? That Friday night I whipped up about a dozen of about 3 or 4 different styles. What I didn't use in the gift boxes, I sold separately for 40 cents each. I sold out of them almost immediately - they went like hotcakes! So I'll definitely be offering those from now on.

If you've been to my Pine Tree Designs website lately you'll see the site is undergoing a major re-org with the grand unveiling 12/26/06. I've been taking my laptop to work every day and working on the site during my lunch hour. As I see these photos and write this entry, I'm reminded of how much more work I have to do. Oh well. It will re-open 12/26, and I'll add more over time. I want to keep it fresh by adding new stuff periodically anyway.

Join the Pine Tree Designs Mailing List.

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Next New Thing

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This is the 9" x 11" box (and fabric postcards) Teri made with the mandala she bought from me. Isn't it the coolest? We're currently in discussions to collaborate on these boxes. These are those paper mache boxes you see in all the craft stores. She's checking out sources and sizes and figuring out how to line the boxes. She's a SAHM in CA, caring for her 3 year old. She also sells dolls, bears and clocks.

Stay tuned!
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Christmas Tunes

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(Click image to enlarge.)

I downloaded a bunch of iTunes the other day, making myself this Christmas CD. You'll notice that two of my favorite songs are each on their twice, by different artists.

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WIP

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My lack of posting can only mean one thing. I haven't been crafting this week. The usual reason applies - been working many hours at the day job. I feel pretty burned out this morning but I'll still go in early but not tomorrow. Tomorrow's Friday, always a good day anyway.

In spite of putting in 12 hours yesterday, I cut most of the components for this year's Holiday Card. I don't have a final count yet but I send a card to each of my customers and that list is growing by leaps and bounds with my craft show involvement this year. Still, I think I can get them all made this weekend. I have no plans other than grocery shopping.

Team Hoyt

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Maybe you've seen this about Team Hoyt. Watch it again.

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New Mandala

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7" Diameter. This one is a custom order. She's going to inlay it in the top of fabric box she's making, I believe she said. There are Swarovski crystals in the centers of those green flowers. I used beautiful pearlescent green/red petite seed beads on the points of the spirelli and also in the centers of the red flowers on the green points. I told the customer I just couldn't stop myself with the bling!

Click on the image to see it up close. Please ignore my dirty scanner bed - who knew??

A couple of people explained to me that putting my text name on a photo like that isn't much of a deterrent because it's so easily eliminated. I actually wondered about that as I was doing it. I have very limited Photoshop type experience but I've done a tiny bit of cloning so I understand how easy it is. They both suggested looking into watermarking my pieces. Still not 100% safe but I will probably look into it. Thanks Ann & Bonnie.
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Testing

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I have another entry almost finished but wanted to test this photo with my name on it. I had email from a new Flickr friend asking me how she could prevent people from copying her photos to their computers. I'd attempted this feature once before, putting my name on something, not quite successfully as I recall. Today I was reinstalling my printer software and decided to check out PhotoImpression that comes with it, which I had not installed when I first got the printer.

Ann, I know you originally set up something on my Pine Tree Designs website that prompted a message to pop up when someone attempted to save any of the photos. I told her about that too. (I haven't been using that feature as I've added new stuff over the years because I always feel like I'm in a hurry, trying to get the website updated. Sorry! Nice of me to announce that to the world here, isn't it?)

I was telling this Flickr friend that someone stealing my images isn't something I ever worried about back in the day. But now that my designs are originals that I'm selling, I care. I'm glad she emailed me, prompting me to take action myself.

I'm open to ideas and suggestions.

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