Veni, Vidi, Legi (I Came, I Saw, I Read)

 

I love Journals and I love Lists. The journal pictured above is my Book List. When I find a book or series that grips me, I snap a shot of the cover and write the title and author's name and why I like the book(s) with a short synopsis. I just added my most recent reads to my journal. They are Circe and The Song of Achilles, both by Madeline Miller. I've always been interested in Greek mythology, and Miller writes in the first person, giving life and perspective to these mythical gods and demi-gods. She brings their stories to life. I can't wait to see if she's writing another one.

Of course, I had to cover my composition book so it reflected the pages in side. I gave my cover a door with a peek-hole into other worlds, which is exactly the kind of journal this is. Other pages include books from Anne McCaffrey, Fern Michaels, Carl Hiaasen and more. Lately, I've been reading cozy mysteries, like the Donut Shop mysteries and the Deepwood Witches mysteries.

What do you like to read? Do you carve out some time in your busy days to relax and live a different life through the books you read? This is a habit I'm trying for my whole health plan, under Personal Development. My previous post describes my whole health plan for the new year...

Back on Track and Crafting Again

 Hello, crafters! I've been busy this new year. I have a habit of naming my years as January 1st comes around. The last few I have named the Year of Ruthlessness, aspiring towards decluttering and organization of home and health. This year I changed it to The Year of Whole Health. 

Whole Health means taking care of all aspects of my life: Moving my body, Food and Drink, Professional services, Personal Development, Surroundings, Spirituality, Relaxation and recharging and Circle of support and socialization, When I say WHOLE health, I mean it! LOL

I'd already started the year by covering a few of these goals, like mindful meditation, deep breathing and sleep therapy. when it comes to my surroundings, I get overwhelmed and frustrated because I'm storing lots of leftovers from my mom's and grandma's houses for my sister. My livable basement has become unlivable with a maze of bins, boxes and furniture. I'm waiting for my sister to make some decisions. Why doesn't she have all this stuff?..because her house and garage are full of the rest of the things she couldn't let go of. 

My plan is to inventory, research and try to sell the collectibles, trading cards, and Star Trek memorabilia that mom accumulated the last 20 years. I am trying to make myself comfortable in my surroundings, Which brings us to today's project pictured above. I inherited a small wooden bookcase from gram's house, but it was in bad shape with scratches and discoloration on the wood sides and top. 

I decided not to wait until better weather to sand and paint or varnish it, so I did the next best thing. Using spray adhesive, I covered the bookcase with some faded tie-dye material from my sewing stash. (think of it as wallpaper made of cloth)  Then I brought it upstairs and put it in my bedroom. I think it looks great and fits in well next to my bed. 

It's sitting on a wooden console table Ik rescued from a neighbor. Not only does this free find give my new boocase the perfect height, but there's room under the table for my extra blankets and a small bin or two. PLUS my basement is just a tiny bit less cluttered! Win, win, don't you think?

How have you started your new year? I found my Fitbit and am spinning again; am looking into taking an art class; and have had three doctor appts. this month with another four in February. Whole Health!! Hope your year is full of happiness and good heath...

Adding Pages to my Coloring Book

I had been very busy during the holidays, but still had time to doodle. I have over 70 pages if I want to publish my own coloring book. The one above was inspired by my daughter's fascination with mushrooms. It's funny, back in the 70's, mushrooms were in all the stores, on TV and popular in the crafting world. I guess if you wait long enough, everything old is new again!

Above, I've drawn an asymetrical look at the world. How would you color it?

To end this post, I created a yummy coloring page. You are welcome to print and color ny or all of these pages. Just let me know if you enjoyed it!!

 

Thinking Ahead in the New Year

 

I was thinking...

...since my Christmas crafts aren't packed away for the year, and I plan on actively signing up for a craft fair or two, that I should continue creating crafts that I'd like to sell in the Fall. So saying, I've inventoried, packed and labeled the bulk of my holiday craft items from this year and last. I'm going to build up my inventory and have enough items to make a good profit. And if I don't sell it all, I will use it through the years. It's a win-win situation!

So my project today is still Christmas-themed. I pulled out another thrift store find, a holiday card holder in the shape of a wreath. I sanded the rusted metal until it (almost) shone, and have it a new shiny copper color. Next I used designer paper leftover from a project I made a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...

I adhered the paper to a stiff backing and then glued it to my card holder. A small bow and a red ribbon finishes it off. An easy upcycle that I can safely wrap and put away for next year. Besides altering thrift finds, I have a list of craft ideas that will help decrease my stash of craft supplies by making things from scratch.

My blog will see all kinds of projects, as my card stash has practically disappeared, I have a new sewing machine with which to play, and plenty of things to alter. So please visit often. You never know what will show up here! LOL

Happy New Year - As Time Goes By wall clock

 

Cheers and Jeers to 2023, a year filled with obstacles, opportunities, good news, bad news, loses, gains, failures and triumphs...all in 365 days!! LOL However bad the bad experiences were, my survival rate is still 100%, so I'm happy to wish you all a Happy New Year.

Today's make is very fitting for the passing of the old and arrival of the new--a clock! It is a gift for the owner of (you guessed it) a Nothing Bundt Cake bakery. My daughter has worked at the store for two years, after five years at another location. She loves where she is now, and has made assistant manager as well.

While thrifting, I had found this empty round Pottery Barn box that had originally held dessert plates. When I saw this box, I knew it would make an awesome clock. I dug out a package of clock workings and drilled a hole in the cover of the box. I pulled photos of the bundts that this bakery sells and adhered them to the clock's face with Mod Podge, including the NBC logo. My daughter asked that I blur the owners names and location. I sealed it all with more Mod Podge and it is keeping time accurately (yay, me). Finally, I adhered a 3M Velcro fastener to the back from which to hang the clock.

Challenges I am Entering:

The Crafty Addicts - Anything Goes

A Perfect Time to Craft - Anything Goes

Classic Design - Anything Goes

Morgan's Artworld - Anything Goes