I Love Mod Podge

I absolutely love Mod Podge!!!  It is easy to work with and very versatile.  I would like to show you what I have been working on.  I had a jewelry box circa. 1973 that was pretty drab.  Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture before I started to work on it.  I knew it had potential to be recycled into something else.  Here is what I have done so far....

I am still trying to figure out what to do with the inside.  I want to use it to store some smaller craft items.  Maybe stamping stuff or just miscellaneous tools and things.  Somehow it will be utilized in my craft room.  I like some of the things I did on this and learned what not to do too!  I will post when I finally get it finished!

What's Up Wednesday!!!

Do I have news?! Lots of happenings in my life and online. Blessings are abundant in my life and I am so grateful. Here is a bit of what has been happening...

On Monday, my daughter, Emily, and I auditioned for "My Fair Lady" together. I was keeping my fingers and toes crossed we would both make the show. We got the calls last night and we are in the ensemble together! We did this a couple of years ago at the same theater and it was fun. I can't wait to get started!

Last night, I had a night off from theater since we are finished rehearsing the current show I am in, Fiddler on the Roof, and we have only two more shows this weekend. I decided to start getting the crap...oops!....I mean, Craft room back in order. Over this summer it had become a haven for anything that came under the category of "Where should we put it?". The answer always seemed to be the craft room. I did get a great start...there is now a walkway to my craft table, my beading supplies are all in one spot, fabric scraps are together in one basket and my table has been cleared of miscellaneous paperwork! It is still not pretty but it is a much better work environment.

As I was putting things away, I started to look at the tubs of finished items I have...and I have more than I thought I did! I really need to get to posting these items! I have some cloche hats that need just a little embellishment, scarves, more cotton cloths, and other various crocheted items looking for a new home. My goal is to get photos and postings done by September 1. That gives me almost a month so that seems doable. Plus, I can't sell them if I don't post them.

Another thing that has been occupying my time is Facebook. I truly believe that this can be a great networking tool for sellers on Etsy. I began a thread in the Etsy forums on July 20th asking "Do you need Facebook fans?" I am amazed this thread still has life!!! I just wanted to get over 100 fans for my Etsy shop's facebook fan page. I am quickly coming up on 270 and I have began a group on Facebook called Facebook Fans on Etsy. It has already gotten 101 members! That tells me this is a direction that needs to be explored. If you have any tech savy and would like to help, please let me know!! I could definitely learn from you!

That's a bit of catching up for now...next time I will try and post something lovely with pictures! Don't forget to check back on Friday when I feature one of my Facebook Fans!!!

God bless!

~gloria

Crafty Blogginess!!

A quick post on a site I happened upon today while looking for some sewing assistance. Some of you may already have found this little piece of crafty blogginess. Oh my! I will be back to visit and often!

Check out Craft Gossip.com!! This was too good to keep to myself!

God bless!!

Not Much

I don't have much to say today...I have enjoyed reading and catching up on my bloggy friends' post. I found a tutorial for putting a fabric lining in a crochet bag here. This is something I definitely want to attempt. I love making bags but hate the way they stretch out once you load your wallet, keys, cell, etc into them. This looks like the answer to that problem.

Taking off from work early to take my daughter to the orthodontist. If the appointment goes quickly I might be home by 4:30. That will feel like I have tons of extra time at home. I have my to-do list...laundry is #1...want to tackle it today and not wait until the weekend. This weekend I want to work in my craft room...get my many piles of craft stuff organized and put away!!! Usually when I start going through my various yarns, papers, beads etc I find some inspiration. Who knows what I will come up with!!

Many blessings in my life at the moment...
~flowers at work from my hubby =)
~my daughter...I love her!!
~crafty inspiration...you never know when it will hit you!

God bless!!

Relaxation

What do I do to relax? I get in touch with my creative side, of course! Anything I do crafty is my escape. It started with cross stitch. I could sit for hours and cross stitch...I laughingly called it my therapy! Now, I frequently crochet. I love doing small projects to get the satisfaction of finishing something. I love to bead. Spreading out my bead collection and getting inspired is such a blessing!!

My one other relaxing thing to do is sudoku...I LOVE it! Once I got the hang of it, I was hooked!

Another uplifting thing to I do, especially when life gets chaotic, is count my blessings. It always gives me peace and puts a smile on face!

Have a blessed day!

It Has Been So Long!!

I haven't blogged all week! Work has been busy, busy, busy and by the time I get home I don't even go near the computer! I have missed reading up on all my bloggy friends. I have tons of catching up to do.

First I have to tell you that I don't have pictures of my wonderful costume and wig ~ yet! I am going to get some tonight I promise, cross my heart! The last time I took my camera with me I forgot the memory card and I can't find the cable to connect the camera directly to the computer yada yada yada...anyhow...tonight I will take some with the memory card in the camera. Tomorrow I will post them!

The show has just been wonderful. All three performances went well last weekend and the audiences loved it! I hope that we get a good crowd this weekend. I have missed seeing my cast mates this week. Every night I end up falling asleep on the couch. I might have finally caught up on my rest. I can't wait to do the show again tonight.

Auditions went well but I didn't get the part I wanted. It is actually for the best. I will now have my evenings to work on my crafts and get my shop in tiptop shape for the holiday season that is quickly approaching. I still have a small pile of items in my craft room that I need to get in there. I started a scarf with some of my stash yarn. As I am making it I am thinking of how I can embellish it. The wheels are turning. I also have some paper projects I need to work on and there are three bracelets waiting for a new home! It will be nice to concentrate on my crafts.

Fall has arrived here in Indy. I love the crisp mornings! It puts a spring in your step for sure. The leaves are really showing off their true colors. Each day I notice more and more reds, golds and oranges! I need to get some pumpkins for the porch and put up my Halloween and Harvest decorations.

I am off to catch up on all my bloggy friends...I certainly have missed you all!

Blessings for today...

bloggy friends, of course!

autumn leaves

crisp morning air

God bless!!!

It is Thursday!

Last night was WIG night! What fun! Mine is absolutely beautiful. In a rush to get to the theater last night I forgot my camera. I took pics with my cell phone but didn't save them ~ will I ever get the hang of this new technology? So, I apologize for no pics today. I know you were all looking forward to them. Tonight, I must remember my camera.

We had a live preview audience and the show was a hit! It is so wonderful to hear laughter at jokes we have heard over and over again. It makes everything more exciting! No major snafus ~ when all was said and done it was a solid performance! I hope that word will get out to help with getting more reservations. If you are in the Indianapolis area, please try and make it to the show. Go to the Buck Creek Playhouse web site for ticket information.

No crafting for now...I think the next time I will be able to dedicate anytime to my crafts will be Monday at lunch! I am going to try and get some finished projects in my shop over the weekend.

Blessings are:

Dan - the wig man ~ he makes all of us look fabulous!

Kari Ann - the director ~ she rocks and I am so blessed to call her my friend!

Community theaters - a place for us to play for the love of acting and theater!

God bless!!

Wigs are Coming!

Last night was a very late night and I am exhausted but a good exhausted. Tonight we get the wigs!!! The guy that is styling them works professionally for a dinner theater here in Indy. We are so blessed because we get the benefit of his expertise for free! Best price in the world. All the gals in the show are so excited about the wigs. I know that I can't wait.

Tonight we will also have an audience! Our director and other members of the cast and crew have asked some people to come out tonight (for free) to watch us run through the show. What a night it will be! Wigs, costumes, make-up and an audience! That is the best part of theater ~ a live audience!

Not much time for crafting =( But that is okay. I do have a number of completed items that need to be put in my shop. I just need to get some nice photos and get them posted. I am taking the afternoon off on Friday so I can get caught up on a number of things. Hopefully, there will be time to get some pictures.

I haven't really blogged about my weight loss journey. Yes, it has been a journey. I started at 192 and I am now at 167!! 17 more to go to get to goal! When I started I was extremely "fluffy". I knew I had to do something. I went back to what I know works for me...but with a different attitude. That is the key ATTITUDE. I know this time I am adjusting the way I eat for life. If I go back to old habits and patterns, I will get the same results. Watching carbs has worked best for me and I have eliminated high fructose corn syrup from my diet along with sugar, anything refined like white flour, added flax seed and tons more veggies. I have gone from a very tight size 16 to a comfortable 12 since June 3rd of this year. I am feeling awesome! Getting dressed for work isn't so dreadful any more. The lovely thing that's happening now is I am seeing people that I haven't seen since committing to losing weight and getting healthy. I have had some not recognize me and others that just give me the best compliments! Wait until they see me after the last 17 pounds are gone! I am working toward a size 8 ~ yep, that's right, single digits! Slow and steady and I will get there.

Well, I think I have babbled on enough today. What are my blessings?

My online friends - even though we have never met, it is wonderful to read new posts and see what is happening in their part of the world
My real life friend, Sonja - she is spectacular and I just love her!
Inspirational Quotes - they just inspire me!

God bless you all and thanks for stopping by!!
ps ~ I will try and get some pics of the wigs tonight ;)

Monday, Monday

Ah, the begining of a new week and the start of Autumn! As I was driving to the theater last night I noticed some leaves begining to show their true colors. I am ready for some fresh apple cider! I just love this time of year.

I didn't get as much done as I had hoped over the weekend. The days just flew by. On Sunday, church then to Target for some items I needed for the show. When I got home I decided to relax and sit back and crochet. I finished up some dishcloths and took a refreshing nap! I hadn't done that in a long time!

Thank goodness dinner was in the crockpot cooking all day. I don't think I could have mustered up the energy to prepare anything more difficult that a sandwich! We had chicken and noodles...YUM! It is sort of a cheat way to make it ~ boneless chicken breast and condensed cream of broccoli soup. I had it low carb over cooked cauliflower and was it good! I can't wait for lunch to eat the leftovers =o)~

This week starts crazy rehearsals. We run the eniter show every night until opening night. It is a tough schedule but so worth it in the end...I love it! We ran the show last night with costumes for the first time. All things considered, it went well.

I did manage to get three new items in my shop. Please stop by and check them out. Also, I love comments so let me know you have visited ~ pretty please?!

God bless!!

Oh and blessings..hmmmm

mint green tea - a nice treat this morning
hearts on etsy - you can feel the love
Autumn - I love the changing seasons...life would be boring without them!

Thinking on Thursday About the Weekend

One more day until the weekend. I have got to start planning it out. Thankfully, there is no rehearsal on Friday or Saturday. Saturday night I have committed to working at a different theater running the house. Friday night was supposed to be "me" time but my daughter is not spending the night at her friends. It is time to regroup and reorganize my time. I have a list of things I need to do

Laundry

Clean

Shop for Groceries

Cook Dinner

More Laundry

Church

Then there is the list of things I really, really want to do, really!

Crochet

Sew - try out some new easy tutorials I found online

Work on Some Bracelets

Try some misc. tutorials I found online

Take pictures of items for my shop

Post my items in my shop

Hmmmm! My want to's are much more fun! Friday night was supposed to be a trip to Irish Fest in downtown Indy. Now the dd is going to be home, I will be forgoing the festival. Just as well, I will be able to get done some "have to's" .

Ike Visits Indy!

Who knew that we would have to worry about Ike here in the Midwest? Yesterday the wind was blowing and the rain came down. Chicago has some flooding. Here in Indy we have power outages and limbs down. I am amazed that Ike still had a little kick in his step when he got to Indianapolis.

Sunday was Long Sunday at the theater. We had a costume parade to see how the costume looked under the lighting. Here are some pics.

It was so much fun playing dress up! I was given a beautiful silver dress with gold accents. I didn't get a picture of that one. I promise I will post more in the future. We still haven't worked out wigs and makeup. Once the whole looks is put together we will all look very Victorian.

We were about 2 hours into our marathon and guess what happened? We lost power. It seems that Ike had done a number on the transformers that served the area. Well, the show must go on so we took the shades off the windows and continue rehearsing. Dinner was a pitch in and we were able to keep the hot foods warm in the gas powered oven. No running water (meaning no flushing!) We called it quits around seven since we were losing light. We are hoping power is restored for this evening.

I have heard from one friend who lives in Galveston. She evacuated with her fiance and is waiting for word on their home. I hope they are one of the lucky ones. Keep her in your prayers!

As far as crafting, Saturday I did get a chance to finish a drawstring purse. I did what I typically do. I start off with a pattern then in the middle I get an idea on how to finish it differently. I think it turned out adorable. I got my sixteen yo daughter's seal of approval! I don't have a picture yet. Maybe I can manage to snap a few tonight before I head out the door once again for rehearsal. Two weeks before opening night my life gets just a bit hectic. Once the run starts I will have most of my evenings free during the week, thank goodness!

Blessings for today are:

1. Kate and John are safe from Ike!

2. The wonderful cast and crew of Drood...we made it through a shortened Long Sunday

3. An understanding husband...most of the time!

God bless!!

Oh Happy Day!

Yesterday I told you about my new original design, Patty's Soap Pouch, suggested by my very first Etsy customer, Patty. She has a very lovely shop Scheri.etsy.com I sent her the green one I made yesterday and I whipped up two more last night with some of my favorite cotton yarn. I love these because they work up quickly. I managed to get them both posted in my shop this morning. Guess what?

I sold the green one!!! It was purchased along with two other listings by the same customer! I couldn't believe my eyes! Patty, my Etsy guru, gave me some great tips yesterday and it has paid off!









I still have the lovely bright pinks for sale. I am so excited because this was my original design! Today during lunch I was able to finish another. Someone told me that you could also use this as a cell phone cover....hmmmm, I may have to tweak it a bit to come up with something a little different for that but the wheels are turning. Watch out world, you never know what I will come up with next!

I think I am getting better at the photos. I am learning how to resize, crop etc. Like everything, it takes time and practice!

Well ~ on to today's blessings....
1. Sales!! I feel so validated as a crafter!
2. Beautiful crisp mornings ~ this morning it was cool and it really felt like the start of Autumn!
3. Patty ~ for suggesting the Soap Pouch...and for all the great tips for my etsy shop!

Go out and enjoy this whimsical Wednesday. Celebrate your blessings! God is good indeed!
God Bless!

Sew Fun!

My new goal is to learn how to sew. This is an ability I didn't think I could master. Then I was blessed to receive "The Machine!"

At first, I just stared at it. Hmmmm...what is a crafter to do when presented with such a thing? First, I plugged it in! After sitting idle for ten years before coming into my life, it still works! Okay, now for the next step...threading The Machine. I remember my mother's old sewing machine and the complexity of threading the machine, getting the tension correct, etc. I looked at the manual and thought "could it be THAT easy?" It was!! What next? I would try to sew!

I had some fabric from a decoupage project so I went for it. I set the foot down and push lightly on the pedal and......the needle went up and down but the fabric didn't move. Now, I was challenged to figure this out. I took the manual, went over and over it. After about 45 minutes passed, I finally got it! Change the length of the stitch and VOILA!!!!! I had sewn a straight line.

Now I was motivated with a capital M!!! A couple trips to the fabric store.

It was time to get creative! I found a simple pattern online and I was off. Here is the fruit of my labor. TISSUE COVERS!!!!

All of you sewing experts may not be impressed but I am very impressed with myself! I actually created something with a sewing machine. Now, I was starting to build up some confidence and I found a pattern that was just a bit more complicated. Here is the finished product...A CELL PHONE CASE!!

Now, I will not profess it was easy and everything went perfectly but...I did it!! It is lined with coordinating green fabric. It turned out just a bit bigger than it was supposed to but for my first complex (well, complex for me) pattern, I think it came out looking pretty good. Then inspiration struck and I made a matching tissue cover!

Of course, I had to get a "real" pattern. That chapter won't be written until the weekend. I can't wait to get my machine running again! My mind is full of so many things I want to try. I have a couple of books on hold at the library that might help. I will share my creations as I complete them. Wish me luck!

Remember to count your blessings! God is good indeed!

In the Pink!

My favorite color is....PINK!!! It has been ever since I can remember. Well, except for when I was eleven and I fell in love with orange for about a year. After that, I was in the pink again. I find that when I am shopping I gravitate towards anything pink! I especially love dark pink. I love putting pink in combination with gray and black. Here are some creations in my shop.




The first is my C'est Paris! bracelet. I loved the large focal beads. The Granny Square afghan is just perfect for curling up on the couch with a good book and a cup of tea. I actually love how it turned out. I had some extra yarn (what good crocheter doesn't?) and I found this pattern. Both are in my shop on etsy.




I also have completed the pink and white project I featured in a previous blog. I took pictures last night before running out to the theater for rehearsal. The picture quality isn't the greatest. I hope to take some better pics this weekend so I can get it in the shop. Here is the final product

I am calling this my Go Green ~ In the Pink! tote. I am pleased with the way it turned out. So much so that I have another tote ready to assemble in tan and turquiose. It is roomy enough to grab and go with everything you need for a quick shopping trip. It is 100% cotton which is my yarn of choice. I have some holiday yarn I may use to whip up a Christmas version. Oh, the possibilities are endless. My favorite is the pink!






As any good crocheter knows...you have to have a stash for inspiration. Here is a small bit of my stash in hues that I absolutely love. Of course, there is pink. I also love purple, especially lavendar. I have also combined pink with a sage green and dark tan for a baby blanket. I was inspired by the yarn on the right. It was a great combination for a baby blanket. I love that it was not the traditional pink, blue, yellow combination. I only wish I had snapped a picture of it before giving it away. I am trying to remember to do that so I can keep a visual record of my creations.

Pink truly is my favorite color. I am sure that I will have many more projects In The Pink!

God bless! Remember count your blessings for God is good indeed!

New Project

I have been busy working with a new pattern. Of course I have to put my on spin on it! Here is the work in progress.

I should have it finished and in the shop this weekend. I am calling it my Go Green ~ In the Pink Tote. The different pieces worked up quickly so it may become a favorite pattern (if I can sell it!) I am still considering how to embellish it...I don't know if I like the sample shown with the pattern so I might get creative and do something else. Time will tell. I have crocheted it with 100% cotton yarn. I love working with cotton! I keep trying to pick up other yarns but I always go back to cotton. I love making the cotton sponges and dishcloths. I have about a dozen or so finished and ready for the shop. I may put them in coordinating pairs or a sponge and cloth together.


I will be heading out to the craft stores in search of some buttons. I have bibs that need buttons. There are a number of ladies both at work and church that are expecting and I need to get the bibs complete before the babies begin to arrive! I also want to get some in the shop.


This weekend is also going to be sewing project time!! I think I am ready to try and create some small items. I have found a few ideas online that don't require tons of experience. I figure I will start small and see how I do. If you have any suggestions on easy projects to sew I would appreciate the help. Email me at glorybe1024 @ comcast.net (without the spaces, of course!) There are so many things I want to do...I hope I have enough time this weekend!


Thank goodness we will have a three day weekend!! I am so looking forward to that. I want to get chores etc done by noon on Saturday so that the rest of the time I can spend in my craft room. That means getting up early! I don't mind...I would much rather get the have-to's out of the way then I get to do my want-to's!!!

Tomorrow is Friday! Yippee ~ it seems this week has not moved very quickly. I hope that work will let us out early tomorrow. Usually on three day weekends they let us off around 3pm. It is so nice to get home before the traffic begins to snarl.

Thanks for reading my ramblings....God bless you and yours. Remember to count your blessings today because you are richer than you think! God is good indeed!

Busy, Busy, Busy!

That is how I can sum up my weekend! I must add it was also tons of fun! Let me start with Friday night...I posted more items in my shop. More bracelets =o) Go and take a look! While working in my shop I saw it said "1 sale". Could it be? Did it happen? Oh happy day!!! My first etsy sale!!! Praise the Lord and pass the peanut butter! I now feel validated as a member of etsy! What a wonderful day...my daughter turned 16...I had an item featured in a Treasury...and I made my first sale!!! Talk about motivation to make more items. I have been crocheting up a storm!

On Saturday, I packaged my sale and headed for the post office. It is now on its way to my first customer...here is her shop http://scheri.etsy.com/ I also have a link to the right under "Handmade Links." After the post office, it was off to vocal rehearsal for "The Mystery of Edwin Drood." We were scheduled from 10am to 3pm so I had my lunch packed and I was ready to sing for 5 hours. When our vocal director showed up, she was ill and called rehearsal finished at Noon! Oh! Happy Day!! I was able to get home to help with dinner preparations since my bil and fil were coming over. I was also able to get in some craft time! After dinner, my daughter and I took in a play at another local community theater...Spotlight Players. I loved it, she hated it. Oh well, can't win the all!

Sunday was a crazy day! I had church in the morning...the service was exceptional! I had to sing at an ordination in the afternoon...again it was a wonderful service. Then off to a meeting then rehearsal ~ dance rehearsal! I made it home and fell into bed. I wasn't able to get on the computer at all.

Now, I am at the start of a brand new week and celebrating six months at the best job I have ever had. Blessing are so abundant! God is good, God is good indeed so count your blessings today and everyday...I hope you have a marvelous Monday!

Just Some Thoughts

Last night I decided I wanted to put down the things I have been crocheting, mostly bibs and washcloths, and make something else. I started digging through some patterns I had accumulated when I first started to learn crochet about 5 years ago for some inspiration. I remember how odd the pattern lingo looked to me and that I thought I would never be able to make something from a pattern.

I truly got inspired! You know the old saying "Everything old is new again?" Well, I have so many ideas of things to create there are not enough hours in a day. Some of the things I will be working on are real stash busters! That is a blessing, isn't it? I am a yarn-a-holic. I can't go into ANY store that sells yarn without getting at least one new skein LOL! Any heaven help me if my favorite yarns are on sale...stash overload for sure. I wonder if there is a 12-step program for people with this addiction...Hi, I am Gloria and I am a yarn-a-holic!

I could never give up this addiction...I love looking in my craft closet and seeing my stash. I bought some cloth shelves that hang from the bar and I have my stash divided into color families. I love looking at it for inspiration. I guess that is why I have this addiction. A certain yarn will catch my eye and I see the possibilities for projects. That sort of sums up why I craft and why I love to create. The endless possibilities!

Today is another blessed day! What a gift each day is for us! Count your blessings and you will be amazed at the abundance you have in your life. I always say that as long as my needs are met, I am rich! Make this a wonderful day!

Praise!

I feel thankful and blessed today! I am humbled by all the blessings God has given to me. With such abundance who could be sad. I have a wonderful husband who is the most giving person I have ever known. Is he perfect? No but he is perfect for me. Are there times when I am tested beyond belief? Yes but through faith comes strength.

I love theater...I think I have said that before here on my blog. I have found some of the greatest people through the community theaters around Indianapolis. These people are awesome. More than willing to give you a helping hand when you need it. Sharing the stage with their talent is an honor! Right now, I am rehearsing for The Mystery of Edwin Drood. The show is really going well. I can't wait until we get it put together with music and costumes. I am truly blessed to be a part of the theater community once again!

I am busy crocheting and crafting whenever I can. I am working hard on getting more items in my shop on etsy.com. I am still waiting for my first sale. It will come...I just need to be patient. I am trying to think of ways of promoting my shop. Any ideas would be welcome!!

God is good...God is good indeed! I am constantly in awe of the path He leads me. Somebody once told me "He will not lead you where He cannot keep you." I am reminded of that truth all the time. There have been times when all seemed rather bleak but through it all there was God. I kept my focus on Him and His plan for me and I have always ended up in a much better place than I ever thought I would.

Things I Like To Do!

I love to craft...especially learning new crafts and techniques. I find out all I can by surfing the web and getting books on the subject. That is how I learned to crochet. Reading and lots and lots of practice. I absolutely love creating items with patterns I find or patterns I make up as I go along. I have actually written down a pattern for a dishcloth that I developed! I have been crocheting for almost 5 years. It is like therapy.

I love theater...especially musical theater. It is fun to go and watch a show and even more fun to be a part of a show. I have directed, worked as stage manager and performed in a number of shows. There is nothing like the thrill of stepping on the boards in front of a live audience. I am extremely lucky because in Indianapolis community theater is plentiful.

I love to sing...especially in the church choir. I find worship music to be inspiring. We have a beautiful and talented congregation and two incredible leaders of the music at our church. It is an honor to sing with everyone. Praising God with music is one of the best experiences ever!

There are a few things I like to do...I hope you enjoyed my entry!

Blessings!!