How to Get to Art @ The Mill

This is a video for how to get to 

Art @ The Mill

from Hwy 140, where Waze gets wonky.

TO get to this point, take I-575 north.

Take exit 16

Stay to the right when the exit splits

Turn left onto 140 at the bottom of the exit ramp

Turn right at the dead end (by the gas station)

That's where this video takes over.

What I Learned From Yarn

There's something really, truly relaxing to me about yarn.

I'm not certain if it's the feeling of the yarn gliding through my fingers, or the fact that it takes only a tiny amount of time to make something really cute with yarn, or if it's some more transcendental connection I have to sheep - but whatever it is - I really dig yarn.

Occasionally I will knit or crochet something.  Usually something small.  I tend to grip needles and hooks way too tightly and my hands end up going to sleep, so, usually I stick to other yarn-using activities.

Like pom poms.

Or wreaths.

I first started my yarn adoration in 1985 when a college friend (and fellow fraternity little sister), Michelle, taught me to knit.  We had been cast as jury members in the school's production of Inherit the Wind.  The production was done in the round, so most of us weren't able to leave our places at all during the show.  The two of us were elderly women who sat in seats and knitted, commenting from time-to-time on the happenings of the trial which was the play.  So, you can imagine, after many weeks of practice and several weeks of performances, I had quite a number of knitting hours under my belt.

I share my somewhat-lengthy yarn adoration period with you so that you might better feel the idiocy in what I did today.

After nearly 30 years of loving yarn, I still took a skein of yarn, rooted around in the center of it for the loose end and decided not to ball the yarn.  Again - as thousands of times before - I somehow thought that the outcome would be different.  That I'd somehow mange to use the entire skein, pulling from the inside without getting it all knotted.

Of course - as usual - I was wrong.  About 30 minutes into my pom pom making frenzy, I was faced with an ugly, knotted, tangled, twisted mess.

Without hesitation, frustration or even a sigh, I slowly began un-knotting, un-tangling and un-twisting as I wind the remaining yarn into a ball.


This is more than an hour into the balling.

Necklaces for Christmas!

I mentioned in a previous post that I participated in the It's Just Emmy Christmas Exchange recently.  The ice was to make something that the recipient would be able to replicate and give out as Christmas gifts.

One of the items I made is what I'll probably be giving a lot of this year:  Necklaces!

This one contains a lyric from my very favorite Christmas carol.


It's pretty easy to make.  Here's the step-by-step:

1.  Select a Pendant Tray at your local craft store.  I chose these 1" round ones by Bottle Cap Company that I purchased at Archiver's (full disclosure, I work at Archiver's).  I particularly liked that I could get the matching cabochons or photo seals, which makes it much easier than having to use UTEE or Glossy Accents to seal the image.

2.  Find, create or purchase an image you want to use.  I created this one.  Print it at the appropriate size.  In this case, it was 1" circular, which was available as a "Collage" option at the Archiver's Memory Lab.  So, I got 15 of these on a 4x6" print for less than 30 cents.

3.  Punch or cut out the image to the appropriate size.  I used my 1" circular punch.  Although, the picture above is misleading, I actually use my punches upside down, so I can easily center the image.  

4.  I used Ranger Glossy Accents to secure the image to the pendant tray and then again on top of the image to secure the cabochon.  Glossy Accents dries completely clear very quickly.  I usually make sure to press down really, really hard on the cabochon to make sure that there are no air bubbles caught underneath.  

5.  I secured a chain for the necklace.  I prefer to wear mine long.  So, I purchased these Tim Holtz Idea-ology ball chains that are 36" long.  I trimmed it to 25" and added a closure.  

Another Awesome Exchange

I did it again.

I signed up for another "swap."

I'm obsessed.  It's possibly an illness.  But it's all for a good cause.

This one was the It's Just Emmy Christmas Exchange, aka #ijechristmasexchange.  It cost $5 to participate and all of that money goes to help a family adopt a child.  You can read all about it on her blog.  She hasn't announced another exchange yet, possibly because she just brought home her sweet new baby girl, Georgia.

The idea for this exchange was to make something that your buddy could replicate and give out as Christmas gifts.

I was indecisive.

I like to make things - all kinds of things.  So, I made as many as I could in the time I had.

In the end, I included 3 homemade items, plus handmade pom pons (just for fun) and a little something extra, a Basic Grey 25th & Pine Capture book with embellies so my buddy could have a December Daily.

I'll detail how I created each of the other gifts in separate posts, so I can be detailed.  And include pictures.  And have a little more time.  

Gift 1.  Snowman Candy Bar.   

This isn't a picture of the one I sent.  I forgot to take a picture of it.  This is another (slightly different) version.  

Gift 2.  Christmas Necklace.   

This is just the beginnings of the necklace.  I mailed off the exchange before taking a picture of the finished product.  I'll be recreating this necklace again tomorrow and I'll post pictures along with a tutorial.  

A sneak peek of the graphic I used in the necklace.  I created this using Rhonna Designs app.  

Gift 3.  Wall Art. 

I created the chalk art print using the Rhonna Designs app and printed it at 8x8" where I work, Archiver's.  The wooden plaque is stained with Pewter Distress Stain.  Below it you can see a little corner of the wall art I created using a photo of my sweet grand baby.  

Mugswap2013

I did something really fun.

Really, it's kind of ridiculous how much fun it was.

I was part of #Mugswap2013 hosted by A Cuppa Kim.

The way this works, in case you don't know, is that we all pretty much throw our names in a virtual hat and each of us is given the name of someone that we should send a mug.  Folks were asked to provide a little basic info about themselves, their Instagram name, blog address, etc.  Until your mug arrives, you have no idea who is your sender!  You only know who you are sending to!

The person I was assigned to send a mug only said that she was a pretty happy person and would love anything.  Her Instagram account had 0 posted pictures and her blog was mainly posts about running times and workouts.

I initially set out to find a great Runner's Mug!  But, despite hours and hours of online shopping, I really couldn't find anything that seemed special.

See, not special.

So, I hit the streets!

I tried Anthropologie, World Market, TJ Max, Marshall's, Specialty Gift Shops, Art Galleries...  The hunt was a blast!  I found a whole bunch of lovely mugs... but not THE mug.

See... lovely.

In the last moments before I had to pick up Baby Girl from school, I drove to the Square in Marietta to see if there was a quaint gift shop that might have a great mug.  I noticed Dupree's, the antique shop.  There is never parking on the Square in Marietta.  Never.  But, just as I rolled around, the spot directly in front on Dupree's opened up.  Not only that, but I was actually able to successfully parallel park my gargantuan "mini" van in the spot with only one smooth move.  I don't really believe in "signs" - as in signs from "fate" that something was meant to be... but if I did, I'd say this was a sign!

See, there's a shot from inside the front door of Dupree's 

looking upon my van.  Could NOT have been closer!

I had a great time looking through all of the cool stuff the shop had to offer -- it's a big shop!  But I knew I'd found the mug when I stumbled upon this beauty.

I know, I know, some folks think she's creepy, but I think she's lovely!  And, to top it all off, I fell in love with a vintage tin that I snagged to pack her in.

So, I wrapped her in tissue and nestled her amongst hand-made pompoms and tucked her into the tin.

I put the tin in a large box that was mostly-filled with halfway blown up balloons and added a few Kind Bars, a gourmet chocolate bar and some other goodies.

I couldn't bear to leave the box unadorned... Then, off she went on her journey to Florida.

I started stalking the mail carrier.  Waiting for my mug.  I had so much fun on my journey to find the perfect mug for my partner I had forgotten to wonder what I'd be receiving... until the giving was over!

Days and days and days passed and still no mug.  And then, one day, a sweet e-mail from a stranger who hadn't heard from me that I'd received my mug.  She'd shipped it a while back and received confirmation of delivery.  I searched the house - interrogated the kids and hubby.  No one had seen a box come to the door.  Until.... my hubby checked the mail box.  There, shoved inside, was a box.  It had been there for several days as the postal carrier shoved mail in around it.  I'd never considered that the carrier would shove it in my mail box... I'd expected it to come to the door!  Not to mention, I didn't realize that no one was checking mail.

I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW EXCITED I WAS!!!

I anxiously opened the box and the perfect mug was nestled in a blanket of bubble wrap.

Isn't she perfect?  

A sweet note by e-mail from her sender said that she hoped it represented my love of comics and being a mom.  I don't know if she spent as much time pouring over my blog, Instagram, Pinterest, etc. as I did over my partner's, but she nailed me.  And, each day I've enjoyed a special cup of coffee and remember that somewhere out there is someone I've never met who - at least for a moment - totally got me.  It was a pretty cool day!

As of yet, I haven't heard back from my mug's intended recipient.  I hope both she and the mug are safe and so happy together there hasn't been time for a note in return!  But probably she's just busy training for her next marathon and being a mom to a cute bunch of kiddos and that's okay!

Plate Licking

Tonight I made a meal I found on Pinterest:  BBQ Pot Roast with Cheddar Grits.

It was a HUGE success.

At least for me and the hubby.  Baby Girl did not care for it, but, then again, it wasn't chicken nuggets and pizza.  What does she know.  She's 11.

Here is the original recipe from Plain Chicken   I changed a few things and omitted a couple things to make it a little more "clean" and Gluten Free.  So, below is the recipe as I prepared it.  Next time I'll take pictures and update this post.

BBQ Pot Roast over Cheddar Grits

The Roast

2 tsp Goya Adobo (I use Goya brand because it doesn't have MSG)

1/2 tsp pepper

1 (3-4 lb.) boneless beef roast (mine was a grass-fed bottom round)

1 (12 oz) can coke

1 (12 oz) bottle chili sauce

2 Tbsp worcestershire sauce

2 tsp Sriracha

Coat the roast with a good sprinkling of Adobo and black pepper. Place roast in slow cooker.  Combine coke, chili sauce, worcestershire and Sriracha; pour over roast. Cover and cook on high 5-6 hours or on low 8-9 hours.

Remove roast from slow cooker, reserving juices; keep roast warm. Pour Juices into a pan and reduce until it thickens a bit.  Pour thickened juices into a gravy separator (if you don't have one, just skim any fat off the top of the juices and use those - it's just adding a little moisture and flavor)

The Grits

1 cup quick cook grits (not instant)

2 cups chicken broth

1 cup water

1/2 - 2/3 c Half and Half or Heavy Cream

1 1/2 - 2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (buy good cheese and shred it yourself, the pre-shredded cheese is just nasty!)

Bring Broth, water and salt to a rolling boil, add grits and stir.  Cover and cook on medium for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.  (at this point I also stirred in cream, then added the cheese) and continued to cook for about 4 more minutes on med.

Place grits in the bottom of a shallow bowl, top with beef and pour reserved juices over top.  Serve hot!

Very Quick and Easy Hydrangea Wreath Tutorial

The hydrangea wreath I mentioned in my last post was so super east to make, that I went out today, bought the supplies and made an additional one to give to my mother-in-law.  It took me 41 minutes from the very start to completion (yes, I actually timed it!). The total cost was around $31, because the hydrangea "bushes" were on sale 60% off at Joann's and I was able to use a 50% off coupon for both the ribbon and the wreath form.

I have to give credit to V & Co. Blog for the original idea and general instructions that I followed on my first wreath.  I tweaked them just a little for the second wreath, so here's the instructions for that.

Here's the finished product, so you know what we're aiming for!

Supplies:

• 5-6 hydrangea "bushes" from the silk flower section of your local craft store

• 14" grapevine wreath

• 2 yd satin ribbon

• wire cutters

• scissors

• hot glue gun and about 4 glue sticks

These are the "bushes" I bought.  They were originally $9.99, each.  I used 5 on the first wreath and 6 on the second one.  I have no idea why I needed more for the second one!

Here's the grapevine wreath.  I had a difficult time finding a 14" wreath.  But the 12 looked too small and the 18 too big, so I hunted until I found one.  If you like a bigger wreath, get a bigger one and a couple more bushes!

The supplies.  You'll notice I use a "low temp" hot glue gun.  I am far too clumsy to use a hot melt one!  I only needed to burn myself once to realize that I shouldn't be allowed to wield a hot melt gun.  I've never had any problems with the glue not holding or anything like that!

Using wire cutters, snip each bloom leaving about 2" of stem.  You need enough to get it to stick into the wreath, but not so much that it protrudes too far out the back.  

Begin arranging the blooms in the wreath, poking them in through the woven grapevine.  Don't glue them in yet.  I found that I needed to do some rearranging after I got the blooms all in.  Pay special attention to the inner and outer edges.  The wreath won't look lush and full if you don't cover all of the visible grapevine.
  

Once you have everything as you like it, flip the wreath over and begin glueing from the back.  I use a LOT of glue.  I mean a LOT.  It's an issue I'm addressing and trying to overcome.  You may not need as much!

See all of that glue?

After you glue all of the stems that you can see (and you probably won't be able to see them all from the back, that's okay) flip the wreath back over and give each bloom a gentle tug.  If the bloom moves, dig down under the petals and find where the stem meets the wreath and glue it.  

Once all the blooms are secure, loop a ribbon through it.  I simply glued the edges together and pushed the seam to the back.  Then tie a bow and you're ready to hang it!

Please let me see your creations!

I. Am. Not. A. Crafter.

I like to create things.  Not like in the science lab - although, truth be know, I was a Chem major...  but that's not what I'm talking about here.  I'm talking about that kind of creation that some might call "Crafting."

Blech.

I don't like that word.  crafting.  Crayons, Elmer's Glue, Macaroni and tempera paint... that's the stuff of crafting.  Oh - and that weird plastic "canvas" that you can weave yarn through to make tissue covers... those are crafts.

My creations are of wool roving, comic book pages, discarded wood, yarn, flowers (fake and real), beautiful papers, and a whole lot of hot glue.  But, whether you call it craft, art, or simply creation - I like to make stuff.   Weird stuff, cool stuff, pretty stuff... just about any stuff.

You see, that's my difficulty.  I like to make just about ANYTHING.  I've discovered that I tend to pick up a new medium, play around with it for a while, make a few things and then move on to something else.  This means that I end up with a of of random pieces of stuff:  hand-made pompoms, needle-felted flowers, skeins of yarn half-used in knitting,  loads of gorgeous papers, metal keys, jump rings.... you get the picture.  

I've finally found something to do with all those weird little left-over bits.

Wreaths!

This one is a straw form wrapped with black and white yarn.  I added the beautiful woll pompoms that I made in my pompom-making frenzy in mid-2012.  

The close-up is not only a little blurry (sorry) but it's also a little pollen-covered.  I'd just pulled it in after having on the front door throughout pollen season.  If you haven't lived through Spring in Georgia, then you may not realize that it "pollens" here like it snows in Minnesota.  We get a nice, thick, even covering of yellow dust on everything.

Here's the newest wreath.  The only "left-over" thing about this wreath, however, is the grapevine wreath form.  I've had it for years.  The flowers, however, were just Hydrangea "bushes" from JoAnn's.  60% off this week.  I just wanted some hydrangeas - and every attempt I've made to plant them has failed miserably! 

In case you want to make one like this - it's super simple.  Really.  I might not even mind if you called it just a "craft!" It was so easy, in fact, that I ended up making a second one for my Mother-in-law.   I followed some of the ideas at the V. and Co blog, but if you want to know exactly how I did it, check out my tutorial here.  I got the flowers on sale at 60% off and used a coupon for 50% off one item for the ribbon at Joann's then purchased the grapevine wreath from Michael's using a 50% off coupon.  So, all told I spent $31 for this beautiful wreath!

I like it!

It's Not Just About My Kid Singing... Really... It's Not

For World Church Day, on November 11, Baby Girl sang with the Young Musicians at FBCW.  There's also a pretty moving message from an Egyptian pastor on the Persecuted Church which is definitely worth listening to.  But seriously, isn't she so super cute?!?

Click Here to see.

Fall Festival Basket

Each year our school hosts a Fall Festival.  Each class is asked to donate a basket for a raffle - and this year our classroom parents were so super generous in their donations, that , coupled with some great coupons that I found, netted a HUGE basket valued at more than $220!

and... here's a close up!

It's difficult to get a concept of just how large this basket is -- but for reference, it's sitting in a large Rubbermaid storage tub and, while sitting on my table, the top nearly reaches the lighting fixture on my ceiling.

If you're interested, it'll be available at the Fall Festival at Carmel Elementary on October 20 from 1-5 p.m.

Hopefully, The Force *IS* With Him - and Brings Him Home!

I realize that this is a most unlikely way to find a lost dog, but I thought, what the heck - I have space and a little time - I'll let the world - or at least the small portion of the world who reads my blog - know about my dear, sweet dog Obi, who is currently missing. 

Our sweet, slightly hyper, 3-year-old yellow lab mix dog got lost on Sunday evening 3/18/12 at Rope Mill Park in Woodstock, GA. He's very friendly, up-to-date on shots, and micro-chipped. Please don't be afraid to approach him. He answers to the name "Obi" and is very sweet and friendly. If anyone sees him, please call Lorraine at (404) 580-3800, Jimmy at (404) 580-9663, Michael at (404) 863-3811 or Joey at (404) 863-5611.

You can also take him to any local vet or Animal Shelter. They will scan him and be able to retrieve our contact information from that. Please spread the word.  

He's a very strong and physically-fit dog, so he could have traveled miles and miles by now. Our fear at this point is that someone has found him and doesn't think he has a home, so we're trying to spread the word.

In Defense of STOP KONY 2012

Recently I've become a part of a global movement called STOP KONY 2012.  I'd love you to learn about it, watch the video and join the movement.  But, today's blog post is a response to the criticism of the movement.

While the Invisible Children organization has made and official response, which I link to below, here’s my not-so-humble response:

While I can appreciate what this blogger has to say, the truth, when you really get down to the bare facts are, that we - and other countries - have stood by while horrific regimes of rebels and governments have enslaved, mutilated and murdered their people.  Like the Kony 2012 documentarians and the Invisible Children organization, I have become fed-up with the inaction of our government and other well-meaning humanitarian groups.  While we sit back and wait for someone to come up with a perfect plan - a “clean” way to rid this world of such atrocious evil - the same evil we all agree needs to stop - continues to steal, rape and mutilate innocent children and kill their parents.  This is not an issue new to me just in the past three days since the launch of the KONY 2012 campaign.  This is not a sudden occurrence, it's just a campaign that has recently launched.  We've waited around long enough for the non-existent "perfect plan" while thousands of men, women and children have been brutally victimized.

I absolutely agree that it is critical to investigate a group or a cause before jumping both feet onto a bandwagon.  But while it is irresponsible to blindly forward campaign propaganda (like from the KONY 2012 folks), it is also ill-advised to simply Google the cause and forward the negative opinion of the first few bloggers that come up.  Every cause will have its opponents - and it’s critical that they do.  It’s important to call into question the motives and actions of any groups seeking support.   I have seen this link (above) and links to other blogs where the same verbiage - almost exactly verbatim - has been posted.  There are a few people out there who have basically sought to undermine this cause - and they are gaining momentum. 

The Invisible Children organization may not be perfect and may not have the perfect plan, but they are motivating an entire world and putting the face of evil in front of the people of the world in a way that no one has before. Yes, they spend a large portion of their money on travel and film costs - they are documentary filmmaker - that's what they do and they don't hide that. They do not claim to be a relief organization.

What is a reasonable marketing budget for a campaign that has reached millions of people across diverse geographic, political, age and economic lines?  For instance, their entire budget is dwarfed by the political budgets of any presidential candidate, who consider a campaigns successful if they manage to motivate a mere 20% of the US registered to voters.

The Invisible Children organization revenue from 2011 was just under half of what Mitt Romney and the Super Pacs supporting him have already spent on his campaign. Both of these are marketing campaigns, and one has had a mammoth impact globally in just three days. I can't see how that's an unreasonable expenditure.

An additional criticism has been that their tactics are to work with the Ugandan Military, which is, itself, wrought with accusations of gross human rights violations.  It was not the Invisible Children organization, but rather, President Barack Obama who deployed combat-equipped team of U.S. military personnel to Uganda with the express purpose to, “act as advisors to partner forces that have the goal of removing from the battlefield Joseph Kony and other senior leadership of the LRA.” according to the October 14, 2011 letter he issued to the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

I think it’s important to continue to look at the KONY 2012 campaign and make certain that they are not found to be acting in unethical and illegal manners.  I think it’s important to continue to dialog about this movement.  But I’m not willing to throw out the whole campaign because some professor wrote a blog post and says that they spend a lot of money doing exactly what they say they do, rather than what he wishes they did.  The KONY 2012 goal, as stated on in their official response to criticism is: 

Invisible Children, in its statement, clarifies that the groups has a three-pronged mission:
1.  Document and make the world aware of the LRA. This includes making documentary films and touring these films around the world so that they are seen for free by millions of people.
2.  Channeling the energy and awareness from informed viewers of IC films into large scale advocacy campaigns that have mobilized the international community to stop the LRA and protect civilians.
3. Operate programs on the ground in the LRA-affected areas to provide protection, rehabilitation and development assistance.

So, after my thorough and ongoing research, I have personally decided that unless evidence changes, I fully support the Invisible Children organization in its efforts to STOP KONY 2012, because I think that the time for politics and bickering is over and it’s time for the people of the world to call for the end to this atrocity... and then move right on to the next atrocity, until the children of the world can sleep safely without the constant terror of abduction and enslavement. 

Click Here to read the Invisible Children Official Response to Criticism

Click Here for the Letter from President Barack Obama to the House of Representatives

Verb - It's What's Happening

Ridiculous Fun for a Great Reason

So, I've decided to drag my family - kicking and screaming, if necessary - into an era of whimsy and happiness. 

In an effort to expedite the fun and whimsy, we've re-painted my drab walls a fluffy light yellow color known as "Winter Wheat,"  we've purchased a light blue sofa so enormous nearly everyone we know can sit on it simultaneously.

See how enormous that sofa is?  Tonight's fun had Jimmy and I plus three teens sprawled out watching Dr. Who and iCarly...

We've also rediscovered some of our favorite "Outsider Art" that we'd collected early in our married life but for some reason tucked away for years.  I think we subconsciously knew we'd need a season of un-fun in order to appreciate this new season of whimsy and happiness. 

See.  Whimsical.  We got this awesome rooster at an antique and oddities store in Chattanooga.  He's cool.

I just love this little guy.  He makes me smile!

 

Ok, admittedly, these guys tend to disturb some folks, but they make *me* happy.  I know, I embrace my strangeness.  These are by an artist named Todd Marone.  He does some really interesting stuff.  We were lucky enough to find these paintings on eBay pretty early in his career, so they were affordable. 


Another part of our formerly fun and soon-to-be-newly-whimsical-and-happical life is that we're doing a show!  Yes, you heard correctly!  A show, as in theater!  As in doing something that is actual real-life fun!  Huzzah!

On Friday and Saturday, July 22 and 23, Jimmy and I, along with a bunch of our goofy friends will be producing Death By Chocolate, a murder-mystery dinner show.  AND - not only will it be ridiculously funny, it's a fundraiser for an amazing ministry we're a part of:  Forever Fed, Inc. which is a mobile food ministry dedicated to feeding the hungry in North Georgia. 

Forever Fed isn't just a soup kitchen where folks line up hours in advance for an opportunity to have some stuff plopped on a plate as they pass by (not to dog on those ministries - people need food...).  But, Forever Fed takes the food TO THE HUNGRY - in places where there are concentrations of hungry folks.  And, the meals are GOOD!  Yum-O!  Last week alone Forever Fed provided 1045 meals.  That's amazing!  And it's all done by these awesome volunteers who have a huge heart to share the love of our amazing God though feeding folks who otherwise wouldn't have a healthy meal.

Here we are standing in front of the truck during one of the school breaks, making healthy lunches for the kids in a local apartment complex where they often don't have enough to eat.  On this day we probably provided close to 100 lunches (each of which had enough food for 2 days).

So, head on over to this page to buy your tickets to see our show!  Not only will you have a ridiculously fun time and a great meal, but you can take a stab (pun intended) at making me break character -- now it's worth the $35 just for that, right???