New Show!

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I received word yesterday that I'll be participating in the craft show at Powers Farm Market, on Marsh Road in Pittsford. My first multi-day show - 4 days!! I haven't received the application yet but if I recall correctly from what the organizer told me, one only has to work 4 hours during those 4 days - March 29, 30, 31 and April 1. It's very convenient to where I work too so I can easily stop in on my way home or at lunch to restock.

I didn't get as much done last weekend as I'd hoped. I knew Saturday would be a bit of a lost cause, Pine Tree Designs-wise. I met Lynn & Linda at Craft Company No. 6. Oh! I inquired of a sales associate about the best way to contact the owner to set up an appointment to show her my work. Turns out there's an application on the website - I'll have to go look for that. The owners spend the winter down south but she said it's the perfect time to contact them. I'd love to sell my framed pieces in that store - I think they'd be a good fit - and I'd be sooo proud. They have beautiful pieces, all hand crafted.

Then we went to lunch at Flavors of Asia, I think it was called - then on to Geva Theatre. We saw The Underpants. Not my thing exactly, too slapsticky for lack of a better word. Not physically slapsticky, just too broad, too big. I like my humor more on the subtle side. Lynn and Linda enjoyed it more than I did.

From there I drove out to Steve's brother's house to help celebrate their mom's 80th birthday. It was nice of them to hold dinner until I got there. Chicken, salmon, salad, asparagus and a delicious pie made with cottage cheese and fresh strawberries. It was like a cheesecake in a way - much better than it sounds. A fine time was had by all.

Sunday was to be totally dedicated to Pine Tree Designs but due to various errand running we did, I didn't get down to business until 2:00. I made steady progress but not like I'd hoped.

I'm taking Monday off to put the final polish on my inventory for the Schlegel Road School Craft Show the following Saturday, February 10. Please stop by - looks to be a great show!

1st annual St. Valentine's Day
Fine Art & Craft show featuring over 40 of the best local artisans.

Saturday, February 10th, 10:00 AM until 6:00 PM
1548 Schlegel Rd, Webster, NY

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Projects

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Hi Ida!

There are 100 lady bugs here. Half will become pins, half will decorate Sticky Notes covers. (Those are wire antennae in the lower right corner of the box.)



I'll take these sheets of sunflowers with me to work today to start cutting out on my lunch hour. Half will become pins, half will decorate 3 colors of Sticky Notes covers. Each flower will have a tiny brass bee on it.

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Work was way less sucky yesterday. I even delegated a couple of things - what a concept!

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Check out the website for the February 10, 2007 - 1st Annual St Valentine's Day Fine Art & Craft Show at Schlegel Road School, Webster, NY.

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New Toy!

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My new circle punch system arrived today from EasyCut Craft. I actually ordered it from one of my favorite new vendors, Scrappily Ever After. They provide excellent customer service and charge actual shipping charges. They are in Texas but I swear I usually get my order in just a couple of days, even the small stuff shipped via USPS.

I bought two cartridges - aren't they cool? Each punched circle provides two pieces, the positive and the negative, if you will. These were invented for my embroidered mandalas, I swear! Can't you just see some sweet little embroidery in each of those?

I'd already decided to take Friday afternoon off to work on Pine Tree Designs inventory. Now I have even more to work on - cool!

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The other reason I thought taking half a day on Friday is a good idea is because I figured this week would be a little rough. Our new temp started Monday and I'm very (cautiously) optimistic that she'll be great. But still, there's all that training that needs to be done. This time my AR counterpart can help with that though. Last time she was already out for surgery so I trained the temp alone. In all fairness, both of these temps have been very motivated self-starters, so the training isn't intense or difficult, just time consuming when we're already over-worked.

Did I mention we're also undergoing one of our twice yearly 4-day audits this week?

And I'm dealing with a rude, difficult bastard of a person (outside our company) that I wish I could elaborate on but I can't. I thought I could keep my shit together in dealing with him but he made me so mad today that I lost it. My boss already knew how I felt about the situation but today it became crystal clear because I teared up in his office. Yep, the mortal sin of all females in the workplace. Self-imposed mortal sin. Can I get an amen - don't we HATE when that happens?

Naturally, I instantly felt weak and female and furious at myself. But I remembered what Steve taught me years ago. He's been a people manager for many years and said women shouldn't expect male behavior from themselves - they aren't wired that way. There's no problem with showing an "appropriate" amount of emotion in the workplace. He also said it's not like I do it all the time, so when I do, people know I mean it - this is a serious situation.

So my boss stepped up and said he'd deal with this asshat. I'll do all the work in the background but I won't have to deal with him. I want to do the work. I'll work my butt off to help out our sales rep in this situation. Him I like. And it's the right thing to do. This situation will probably go away in 6 months or so. It's not permanent, so I've been told.

Let's all keep a good thought that Mr. Asshat never Googles my name and finds this entry. I never want him to know he drove me to tears. He gets no power over me.

So anyway. I'll have more stuff to show you later in the week after I've worked with my new punch system some more.

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Schlegel Road & New Stickies!

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The new page of Sticky Notes is up on the Pine Tree Designs website. (Each cover holds a replaceable 3" square 'Post It Note' pad.) Twenty designs to choose from! (These are my favorites of the 50 I made recently. Others can be seen at my 2007 craft shows.)

Speaking of craft shows?

Check out the website for the February 10, 2007 - 1st Annual St Valentine's Day Fine Art & Craft Show at Schlegel Road School, Webster, NY. The organizer promised "high end" crafters - the list looks very promising. I'm very excited.



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Donna Kato

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Donna Kato is pure genius in the polymer clay world. I just spent a bunch of time exploring every inch of her new website. Fantastic! Her clay work inspires me to new heights of paper art.

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For Your Entertainment

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Top Ten Most Polite Ways to Say Your Zipper Is Down......... by David Letterman

10. The cucumber has left the salad.
9. Quasimodo needs to go back in the tower and tend to his bells.
8. You need to bring your tray table to the upright and locked position.
7. Paging Mr. Johnson... Paging Mr. Johnson..
6. Elvis is leaving the building.
5. The Buick is not all the way in the garage.
4. Our next guest is someone who needs no introduction.
3. You've got a security breach at Los Pantalones.
2. Men may be From Mars.....but I can see something that rhymes with Venus.

And the #1 way to tell someone his zipper is unzipped.....

1. I always knew you were crazy, but now I can see your nuts.

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And now for something completely different, The Horizontal Bungee Jump.

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Healing Hands

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I made this for Mary, my massage therapist. I used a tiny punch for those tiny hands - aren't they the cutest?

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Thread Drawer

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For several weeks, I've been obsessed with finding the perfect thread storage container. I've accumulated a fair number of spools of polyester thread that I use for my paper embroidery plus I have a small collection of regular cotton thread and quilting thread from my hand quilting days.

I wanted something large enough to accommodate all of the spools, which are comprised of about 5 different sizes. I wanted something portable because I frequently take stitching to work to work on during my lunch hour. I wanted something clear so I could see all the pretty colors. While I love the look of those wall-mounted holders, I didn't want the thread getting dusty if I could help it. I didn't know if the light would fade it either - there are two big windows in my studio. I had one of those rectangular thread boxes with the posts for the spools but a handful of the posts had broken off and it had seen better days. And it didn't have a handle.

Turns out free supersedes all of the above requirements. I made this yesterday out of stuff I had on hand, foamcore and blue painters tape. It sits in the drawer right next to where I work.

• Accommodates all my thread? No, just the good stuff. The rest is still in that ratty old plastic case.
• Portable? No. Guess I'll just put the spools I'll need that day in my plastic carrying case I use. Which doesn't have a handle either but fits in the black bag I carry to work perfectly.
  
• Clear so I can see the pretty colors? Yes, if the drawer is open. But that's good because there's enough clutter in my studio without One More Thing being out in the open.

I made the thing so the spools all stood upright but found out accidentally that they lay horizontally pretty good if I finagle it just right because the foamcore is just flexible enough.

I admit to only looking in JoAnn's a couple of times at their thread holders. I haven't looked around online at all. So until - or if - I find something better, this will do.

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Fulfillment

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Two more cards from last weekend's craft-a-thon. I get to do another one this weekend so I'm very excited. Lots of ideas in my head, dying to get out.

The organizers of the brand new Webster Schlegel Road Craft Show (Feb 10) were approved by their school board this week so I'll mail my application this weekend. Last weekend I took the Hummingbird Mandala I made for Mom for Christmas, out to her to use as part of her presentation. She showed me another piece she was using, a piece of pottery from another vendor that was just exquisite - fantastic glazing. And the organizers are woodworkers, who do some pretty fine work themselves. Their website is here. They are developing a website for the show too so I'll post that when it's ready. I'll be doing a postcard mailing to my local customers in early February so feel free to email me if you would like to be added to the list.

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I like my accounting job, I really do. It suits me. I've found my niche. But this last year has been one of the most difficult, very uneven in terms of satisfaction, shall we say. I spend a lot of time thinking about that, trying to figure out why that is exactly. I have an extremely heavy workload, as does everyone in the company. It's heavier than it's ever been with no particular end in sight.

In a meeting recently, a co-worker said these words which really struck a chord with me, "I want to feel successful at my job." That's it! I feel like I skim around the surface, trying to keep all the plates spinning. I think I have a reputation of doing a good job, but that's not how I feel on the inside. And I keep thinking everyone will eventually see what's behind the curtain. I don't think anyone would blame me, I think they would think I'm doing the best I can. But I want to feel successful at my job.

This really hit home with me one day this week when I was driving to work and found myself thinking, "I wonder if there will be food at the office today?" I just ate breakfast! I wasn't hungry. So I told myself that today I'd find something else to satisfy me, fill me up, other than food. So I stopped spinning the plates and picked one project to work on. With very few exceptions, that's all I worked on Thursday and Friday and will continue Monday - until it's done, in fact.

Guess what? It feels fantastic! I have more energy and the days (sorta) flew by.

I think I just might be on to something here. I know. Duh.

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Graceful Envelope

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Check this out. A woman introduced herself to me at one of the craft shows at Casa Larga, as a member of the Genesee Valley Calligraphy Guild. I told her I don't do calligraphy but have always found it fascinating. She gave me a card announcing an exhibit they were holding December 1 through January 10. Besides the exhibit, they had Make it & Take it sessions, card making sessions, meet & greet the artists on various days. It was in Penfield, right next to the Wegmans I go to so it was certainly convenient. Time went on and the card sat on my desk. I really intended to go. Just last weekend I threw the card away, telling myself if I really wanted to go, I would have gone by now - the exhibit closed in a couple of days, after all.

I got home from work last night to hear a voice mail from Lisa, the woman who introduced herself to me at the show, wanting to talk to me about joining their guild. Even though I hate going back out after I get home from work, I took this as a definite sign that I was supposed to go to this exhibit. It was the last day of the exhibit - it closed at 9:00. I got there at 7:00.

It was fantastic! I had no idea it would be so artistic. They work the letters into their amazing pieces of art, rather than what I expected, threw a few art elements into the lettered part. I was very impressed.

In poking around their website, I checked out the Graceful Envelope Contest. I love envelope art and have done some with rubber stamps. I was checking out the winners of the 2006 contest and actually had to stop due to inspiration overload. Breathe.

The guild meets once a month and potential members are encouraged to attend a meeting before joining, which is just what I was going to ask to do. The dues are only $20/year and include a newsletter. At each meeting there is a program of interest. They offer workshops.

Think I'll check it out.
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With Teeny Tiny Hearts

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An old favorite combination, green & copper. The copper is metallic paper so it has a soft shine to it. 5" x 5" greeting card made with paper and thread. $6.00 at Pine Tree Designs.

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Purple Sun

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5" Square Greeting Card, $6.00 at Pine Tree Designs.

I don't know if I'll ever become 100% satiated paper-art-wise, but this weekend is the closest I've come in a long time. Other than 2 quick errands Saturday, all I did this weekend was hang out in my studio making stuff. It was heaven.

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New Mandala

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12-1/2" square, framed under glass, made with paper, thread and Swarovsk Crystals. $76.00.

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Knit Buffet

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Knit Buffet by Tigo. Each item contains enough yarn to knit a full scarf or hat, a pair of bamboo knitting needles and instructions.

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New Pages

.The latest new page is up at Pine Tree Designs - Paper Quilts - framed art and cards.

Next up: Florals! I see how few I really have - that I like making and I feel are website-worthy. Yikes. Better get busy.

Why is it that short weeks are sometimes suckier than full weeks? It doesn't make sense and I'm not the only one who feels that way. I'm writing this on my lunch hour and I so don't want to be here. I'm out of here at 4:59 sharp today. Guess I'm just feeling overwhelmed and frustrated with the workload. The good news is my AR counterpart returns on Monday. The poor woman has had 3 surgeries and two deaths in her family this year. Not that it's about me at all, but it is a tiny bit - I figure she was out for about 5 months of the year. We had a temp in since October so that helped.

I won't write about work very much here. Wish I could. I've got stories.

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Chunky Ham Potato Soup

I threw some cannellini beans into my bowl because A) I love the bean, B) eating beans on New Year's Day brings good luck for the year. Steve's a Beanophobic. Weirdo. I cooked the ham bone from Christmas Day in the crockpot the day before, then made this soup yesterday. Simon loved it too, connoisseur of soup, that he is. We ate it all before I could take a picture!

(I only added 2 cups of milk, because I like it thick.)

Chunky Ham Potato Soup

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 medium red potatoes, peeled, cut in small cubes
• 2 cups water
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• ground black pepper
• 3 cups milk
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1 cup cubed cooked ham
• pepper to taste

PREPARATION:

Bring water and 1/4 teaspoon salt to a boil; add potatoes and cook until tender. Drain; reserve 1 cup of cooking liquid (add water to measure 1 cup if necessary).

Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Sauté chopped onion in the hot butter until tender. Add flour to butter and onion mixture; stir until smooth. Season with a little pepper; continue to cook and stir for 1 minute. Gradually add potatoes, reserved 1 cup of cooking liquid, and milk. Stir well; add cheese and ham. Simmer potato ham soup over low heat, stirring frequently, for about 20 minutes.

Chunky potato ham soup serves 6 to 8.
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Happy New Year!

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My usual New Year's Eve story is that we went to bed around 11:00, an hour later than we usually do - woo-hoo!

This year my story is that Steve insisted we stay up until midnight, then promptly fell asleep in his recliner. Erggh. We were watching yet another Law & Order and I was stitching some new cards so at least I was productive and having fun. But I would have been happier to keep our tradition alive of not seeing midnight.

I just can't bring myself to watch any of those New Year's Eve TV shows. For one, I'm so out of the current music loop, the bands do nothing for me. But I sure would have loved to have been at the Springsteen concert that Stephanie writes about. Heck, I got all goosebumpy just reading about it.

We woke up around 7:30 and took Reggi for a walk. It was just starting to drizzle rain but the sun was out - we even saw a double rainbow! We decided to stick it out as long as possible and see how it went. We ended up driving towards the light and ended up in Canandaigua, walking her at Kershaw Park. It was a bit windy but not at all rainy. Even now though, it's so cloudy and dark, you'd think it was dusk.

As "our shows" continue to be reruns during this holiday season, we continue our Netflix movie viewing. We watched Hotel Rwanda, which was very good. Now we're in the middle of Fever Pitch. It's enjoyable.

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