Christmas is just looming around the corner and I feel so ill-prepared for all the crafts I want to complete before Santa's sleigh arrives on Christmas morning! From the baking, that is an entire day, to sending out Christmas cards to making all the crafts I have on my lists, there is hardly enough hours in a day.
The construction of the bathroom and laundry room are coming to a close therefore I might be able to get back to my craft area before December 1. I wanted to do a quick update and let those few followers know that I will complete and post photos as they become available! Stay tuned..I have some darling things in the works... until later keep calm and craft on..
Toodles
Lola

Too Long Gone..

Its been too long gone for me! But when autumn comes around in the midwest, one, or at least this one, MUST enjoy the weather before the snow falls. This, like many others is my favorite time of year..coolness in the air, apples, pumpkins, trick or treat and of course the great colors of autumn. Although I have been doing misc.. craft projects, I have not taken any photos..just because I have been lazy. I have knit some adorable baby hats, constructed some shoes made of card stock and done an album or two. Truth be told, after work and swimming, I must make myself craft. Although I have been toying with the idea of Etsy and putting some of my items up for sale I just don't know. It is one thing to give the items as gifts, show them to friends and family, but you enter a whole new realm when someone has to pay for your work. I know some of my stuff is unique, but I am still not convinced that someone else could just as easily do it too! I have had a lot of people telling me lately that I am wasting my time as a para and I should do something more or on a larger scale with my crafting. I guess I still think of myself as a "crafter" and not an "artist". If I could make the leap I could probably take more chances with my craft. Perhaps a book, or at home classes, but in this economy it seems as though it would not fly. Also I am all over the road when I craft and I should narrow the focus to specialize..but I just do not think that will happen because I LOVE some many forms of art! It kinda sounds as though I am talking myself out of it before I even attempt...so sad! I need to give myself a pep talk about creativity, imagination and ability..all the qualities that make up a good artist! I know if someone else was complaining as I am, I would be the first to tell them to tap into their creativity, give it a try.
This seems like the rantings of a nutty craftster who needs to make a decision and stick to it....but that means I have to put my big girl panties on and just jump in ..its not like I don't have support from my wonderful family..they are always telling me to "go for it" with my crafting!!

On a side note I went to the Scrapbook and Rubber stamp show at the State Fair grounds..boo, hiss,hiss........I will not go to that again! I paid $7 to get in to see maybe twenty five at the most, rubber stamp companies. To make matters worse most of the Make and Takes cost $$$. C'mon, they did not mention that on the website..I thought the admission was to pay for the freebies. But I was wrong. Two places were free and GREAT projects: Archivers were there and they were doing a Tim Holtz (that wonderful guy) Christmas tag as well as a store from Ohio doing trading cards. The rest not too much to write about. Glad I went by myself and did not have to feel bad about someone else having to pay for such a poor show.

As the laundry room is being demoed behind me, I should check to see if the boys (thank you Terry, Vance, Mark and Chris and Ski) need anything..a bit of guilt as they seek and destroy while I just sit and type. So off I go and later to a Polish dinner with hubbie and son.

Toodles
Lola

Scrapfest 2010

Let's just talk about creative energy and the people who give it off! I went to Scrapfest this past weekend with three terrific friends and had a blast! I always talk about how I am a person who gets energy from other people and this weekend was no exception. I took a album class from Tim Holtz ....the crafting guru himself! I have admired him for years and was super excited to take a class from him. Believe me when I say he did not disappoint. He is patient, organized, cute, witty and very easy to learn from. He is very humble and never says no to a photo or autograph. I even stole a shot with the king himself!

I also had photos taken with GDC Heidi and Melody, Fancy Pants reps, and David from Doodlebug. I snagged a photo with the Glue Gal and her darling apron as well!



I also took a few shots of items I thought were sweet and fun to recreate at the end of the page!

I did not purchase a great deal because there were so many Make and Takes that even for me it was a bit overwhelming. Overall, it was a blast and some new ideas, new techniques and creative connections were made!

Now all I have to decide is if I want participate in a craft show I was invited to be part of....more on that later...MORE PHOTOS to come later too....

Tootles,
Lola

Bittersweet Journeys

After delivering my two wonderful daughters to college, I must admit that there is no place like home! Although the home may never be the same now that the girls are venturing off on their own, it will take some getting used to....but my home none the less! I have always believed that Glinda wanted Dorothy to know that looking elsewhere for happiness outside your own backyard may be acceptable for a while, but eventually you must be true to who you are and where you come from. That is the message I sent with my girls as they started a journey where others may not accept, understand or appreciate all of their talents and treasures. I wanted them to understand that you must be who you are and not sacrifice that for anyone or anything. I, myself, have had ups and downs with people , but can always reflect back to the fact that I was not being true to who I really am! Although I will not be there t0 catch them each time they fall, my hope is that I gave them the tools and ability to pick themselves up, try again and learn from what mistakes they have made! I know that both of them know we are here to encourage, praise and occasionally straighten them out as they journey through this maze called life!
With the girls soaring at college, I get the opportunity to really spend time with Chris..but he is such low maintenance that it will be interesting to see what interests we can share. Also, I am excited to help get him prepared for a better life by starting to workout 3x a week after school . He can be my coach and vice versa! Ski and I have also decided to help him focus on his career interests and narrow the focus for college in two short years. He was excited about Emily's dorm and I think he even sees that he too would like to do this in two short years.
On a crafting note, I have been knitting, stamping and trying to figure out Christmas projects. I have some great ideas but am trying to finish up Fall themed projects such as pumpkins, cards and collages. I can finally clean out the closet that the kids used to use for craft supplies and games and take it over for all my stuff...HIP HIP HURRAY more space to spread out!!
Well, off to the crafting races with only 3 days until I return to school! Although this will be bittersweet without my girls here to listen, laugh and sometimes cry with me..I am up for the new journey with the boys.....
Tootles
Lola

Too Many Ideas..never enough time...

As Dorthy always says.."there's no place like home"....so, we safely returned from our trip to Arizona to drop off our daughter Emmi. It was great family time, beautiful scenery and lots of time to think about things I want to craft! I want to work on altering canvas for the month of December (a Christmas idea), work on having cards for every holiday and birthdays, start working on stamping on blank metal to make ornaments, work on some altered art ideas from things I bought a while ago and knit...and of course Halloween projects are an absolute MUST! I could go on, but it overwhelms me to even type out my ideas, much less do all of them with school lurking around the corner!

As for my vacation crafting plans, I did complete 4 knit washcloths, 4 pumpkins (need to be felted) and 5 coffee cuddle-rs on the trip in the rv..pretty pleased with myself. Photos of them need to be uploaded for you.

As I reflect on what I did and what I want to accomplish I find that if too much time goes by without the creation of something my mood starts to become a bit ugly (just ask that wonderful family of mine). I need the release of creating as well as completing something with my hands on a regular basis or I get frustrated. I need to list my ideas, inventory what I have and what I need and complete a timeline for these crafts. Although I am fully aware that the craft police do not keep a careful watch over me, more realistically I find comfort in being organized even in my processing of my projects..make sense?

As for now I must organize the craft goods I bought as we traveled the Southwest...and make my master list because there will be much happiness in the land when I go to Milwaukee next week and I get to go to HOBBY LOBBY!! I ADORE THAT STORE!! 3 hours to wander and take in all the wonderfulness is just waiting around the corner for me.....I feel like a kid and can hardly wait!

As for now, no more computer, more crafting and organizing..

Toodles,
Lola

Knitting for the RV

As we prepare to take Emily to ASU I have tried to think of things I can do while traveling in the RV, because just sitting without crafting just does not work for me!! As much as I would love to take my altered art or card making (which I have had some good ole' fun doing this week), it just would not be practical..much sadness!
So, I thought that it would be a good time to work towards my favorite season AUTUMN. I always make some sort of pumpkins and hand them out like candy to friends. My tradition is to create a new pumpkin every year and add it to our family's personal pumpkin patch (we have about 12 different ones)I set out. It is so funny that my son Chris is always waiting for me to show him the latest and greatest pumpkin to be added to the patch every year. This year... (drum roll please) knitted and felted pumpkins have made the cut. I will try to just use orange and green yarn on my

stash to create them because that is the fun part. In years past I head to the thrift store and buy old clothes to support how and what I will make the pumpkins out of...so this year that will not be part of my process. Its always hilarious to see how adorable I can make them for a very small amount of $$$$. Also some of my people just can not believe what I come up with..(smile of joy)
I know some of you are thinking "it seems early to be thinking about Fall", but as far as I am concerned, it is NEVER to early to think of pumpkins, apples, falling leaves, cool weather and blue as blue can be skies!
Off I go to hunt for pumpkin patterns and orange and green yarn...wish me luck!

Tootles
P.S. Start thinking about the "treats" you will be creating this year !!
Lola

Successful Crafting..

We had a blast yesterday crafting!! Callie did some beautiful pages of her wedding for her scrapbook. She also made a wonderful homemade wedding cake out of paper that was precious! I really appreciate Callie and her caring heart. She is not as talkative as I am (but then who can be when they can not get a word in hee,hee) but totally has a 6th sense about people and events. She is one of those people who kinda sits back and watches what is going on and then when she needs to will add her opinion. She is also an awesome mom to her son and 2 stepdaughters and (very exciting) is expecting a little one in Feb!! Love it when friends are expecting..showers to plan, crafts to be made and blankets to be knit. I already had 3 baby washcloths and a baby hat knit up for her..which I HAD to give to her because I can NEVER wait for surprises.

Then there was Michelle..who keeps me laughing all the time. She is so talented at card making and so creative that I always have to borrow her stamps, ideas and even paper sometimes. Now this lady is so much fun to be around because she just does not know how funny she REAAALLLY is! She has her own lingo and her tone of voice that just makes me tinkle in my pants from laughing so hard! Emmi had her as a teacher for Robotics and to this day absolutely loves her and her teaching style (although kids loving her as a teacher is no surprise)!

As for me, I did a lot of talking and some card making. Would love to show you photos of the cards (really cute 3x3 cards), but my hubbie took my camera to Camp for the week. Here he is with Chris the morning they left..aren't they cute looking so official! That's all for now ..

Tootles!
Lola

A Craft day....slice of heaven

I have been waiting for another craft day with the gals..and finally it is here. Although I should be getting ready for the Brytowski Family Vacation (think of Griswald's in National Lampoon's Vacation), I needed some emotional release. Some people exercise, some people cook, while others watch movies, my outlet is 100% crafting. When I am creating the stress leaves my body and relaxation just sets in. I also am so excited to see what other people are doing with their creativity..always fun to share ideas. I enjoy preparing the menu too when people come over. I will be serving walking tacos, cherries from the Farmers Market (will post those photos from Saturday later this week), blackberries, Aunt Trudy's snack mix, cookies, cheese and crackers and a variety of beverages. We all just sit around work on our projects, munch, laugh and share ideas..life with good friends is a pleasure everyone should indulge in often! Will let you know about all people are working on later...

Tootles for now....
Lola

P.S. Made the pesto, kinda made up my own recipe and served with whole wheat pasta..yum yum !

Another great yarn adventure

My mom and I went to another great store! Lila and Claudine's in Mahamedi. It has a wonderful vintage feel and so many cute ideas for any knitter from beginner to very advanced! Not only do they have samples for almost all the yarns they carry, they have WONDERFUL gifts..too many to buy! If you force someone to go to this shop who does not knit (you know the husband who really has better things to do) they will find all sorts of neat things to look at..from funky jewelry to cards with cute sayings to bags and bric brac. Not only do they have eye candy, they have comfortable couches and chairs to relax and knit or look at patterns and magazines. But, the best thing about Lila and Claudine's is the owner Kirsten. She is warm, friendly and very helpful when it comes to anything knitting! I highly recommend this shop for fresh ideas, friendly conversation and funky eye candy for the imagination! Here are some photos to entice you to visit this shop:

Here is the photo as you enter the shop This is Kirsten, one of the owners!

This absolutely wonderful knit dress was knit by Kirsten's grandma (either Lila or Claudine) many years ago...stunning and in PERFECT condition!

Eye Candy!

Mpls Farmers Market

Wow! The Minneapolis Farmers Market was packed this morning. Hubbie and I decided to go get some fresh fruit and veggies and left with $100 worth of goods!! But I was so excited that now they have a section set up called 'Artists Alley' in which artists can sell their creative wares. Needless to say I had to stop and chat with a few of the friendly artists to swap ideas and compliments! I loved the lady who had a version of my glass necklaces and the use of Tim Holtz watch parts. She was so pleasant and we swapped ideas, websites and stores we love. Another gal had some fun earrings with charms and buttons (and let's just say it here and now..I LOVE BUTTONS) as well as wire wrapped utensils with buttons. Great colors and very light weight. Of course there were wonderful clothes, garden ornaments and some beautiful fused glass pieces. The flowers were breath taking and the hubbie said we needed to buy some for me...so sweet. Dinner will be fresh brats, salad with all the freshness we can handle and corn on the cob as sweet as candy. Must fly to get ready as my mumma arrives for a week visit to tour knit shops, farmers markets, cutsie shops and catch up on movies. Until later...be creative!
Tootles
P.S. Gonna try to make some homemade pesto this week..will let you know how it goes!

Day One!

You have all been anxiously awaiting the premier of my blog I have been talking about for years now, and (drum roll please) HERE IT IS! Thanks to the artistic talents of my daughter, she has set up this for me, including the creation of the banner! Now sit back and enjoy the ride with meas we venture into the land of creativity, and perhaps a bit of my crazy life as Lola as well.

Tootles!