Angel Dotee

Angel Dotee, originally uploaded by laurienuske.

Help! I'm addicted! It all started with Artist Trading Cards, on Swap-Bot. While there, I discovered these little dotee dolls that were being traded, and decided to try one. Well, I'm out of control!! I have made several, have sent them to places all over the world, this one to England, have received them from all over the world, and have signed up for 20 more swaps (only because there is a 20 swap limit at a time..) with themes ranging from Angels to bugs! So what's a dotee? They were created by a woman named, what else, Dot. They are to be 4-6" in height, and must have a hanger and a "tail". You can look at my Flickr pictures for more of ones I've made, and received. But getting me out of my craft room? Good luck! These little gems have me held hostage!! I even started my own dotee group, Dote on Dotee's! Next I think it will have to be Dotee's Anonymous!

Mystery Solved!

Yes, the bag ended up in the pile! Gee, surprise!
Mystery Solved!, originally uploaded by laurienuske.

Notice how Ken mows around the junk pile instead of moving it!?

Hmmmmm...

Hmmmmm..., originally uploaded by laurienuske.

Should I try for the crumbs or would it be better served in my junk pile?

A Beautiful Gift!

There is nothing more special to me than the wonderful friends I have made through this blog. One very special one is Pearl. I have so enjoyed having her as a friend, she adds so much fun to my blog experience, and has become a close friend in my life. Today, I received a wonderful gift from her, a box full of so many beautiful things for my craft room, and to grace my walls. Thank-you Pearl, for these very special touches, your talent is amazing! I love the tags, the plaque, the beautiful box, and the laces, charms, pictures, it will all come in so handy! You are truly loved and appreciated!!

The Chore Begins!

Well that time of year has come again, another of the unfair practices condemned to women. Time to shave off the winter growth, and ready our legs for another long season of razor to skin. (Disclamer: not my leg, not my pedicure.)

I remember well, as a teen-ager, my mother telling me not to shave, after all, "Aunt Betty never did!" Yeah, like I envied her legs.
Remember this!? Oh ugg, the smell! The first time I used this was my last! I thought "Wow! Someone has invented something that takes the pain out of shaving! Well after I burnt my legs off with this skunk oil, I never choose this avenue of torture again. What was left but to cut my legs up with the little one blade razor I "Borrowed" from my father's shaving mug, after all I was doing this behind my mother's back. I'll never forget Dad using his razor the next day, cursing my mother for dulling the blade, and me hiding my little secret while shoving her under the bus. Poor Mom, she didn't have a clue, though I don't know how she missed the smell of Barbersall emanating from my skin. But there are times I wished I had heeded the warning, "you start and you can never stop. You'll have to shave your legs for the rest of your life and that's going to be a very long time". I choose to forgo the warning after being teased endlessly in school. It was worth it to overcome the humiliation, even though I walked through the halls looking like I took knives to my knees.

I guess it could have been worse, we could have had to use one of these! Thank God we have come some way in the battle of the unwanted hair. But please. How about some odor free, burn free Nair? Bring it on!

Around My Yard

The scent from the apple blossoms fills the air around our home

This tree is well over 100 years old, as are the other fruit trees in the yard.

The sea pinks are in full bloom, they are the prettiest little spring flowers .

From the hanging basket.

One Man's Trash...

Our local humane society, for many years, sold Christmas cards, displayed on this rack. When it was no longer needed, it was headed for the dumpster. Well as a crafter, I had different plans, and rescued this for my fabrics! I put all my fat quarters, and fabric less than a yard, into zip lock baggies, and now they are visible on my turn around rack, perfect for quickly finding exactly what I need for my current projects. It fits perfectly in the corner, and I love the awesome convenience! Now I have to get the rest of the fabrics in bins put on. I may need another rack!

It's a Dogs Life

Lucy, watching t.v.

Earthly Arts

These pictures are from my most favorite garden center, Earthly Arts. I get lost here, in the several greenhouses, the outdoor displays, and the thousands of plants, trees, and statuary. This particular greenhouse has the most beautiful displays. The angel on the chair calls to me each time I enter, she sets the stage and the mood for the whole experience. Do you have a favorite garden center?

Meet Mitzy!

She has come around. I can enter my craft room without her fleeing behind the craft bins, I can even pet her now, til she realizes I am then comes the hiss! But they're getting fewer which is good. Tonight, I even got her to purr, which I have never heard her do, even with Mom. Punkin ignores her, Andy tried to get into the covered cat box with her, was that hilarious! He jumped in, you could hear Mitzy hiss, and out he flew! They check eachother out, hissing and growling, then ignore eachother and move on. I think it's going to be fine now, she is a pretty cat and is getting more comfortable with her surroundings. Thanks for all the advice, I appreciate it! I'm glad I didn't give up on her!

Cat Beast

Imagine this:
It's one in the morning, you're sleeping soundly in your room, contently in dreamland. Suddenly, a maintenance man (you live in a senior complex) and an EMS crew complete with stretcher,have joined you in the bedroom. They startle you awake, and you're wondering, "What the Hell! Am I dying?" After realizing you are not, and they stand there dumbfounded, you decide to see what the problem is, and find your cat has played with and triggered the emergency pull cord, and summoned the EMS to your apartment! They tape the cord to the wall, leave you in your embarrassment, and you drift back to dreamland. Two hours later, your door flings open and in they come again! OK, this is a little awkward, .... the problem? They think they taped too tight, and it triggered the alarm again. Or could it be the cat pulled the cord in the bathroom? Hmmmm.
Yes, a true story, it happened to my mother! Well, guess who took the cat!? Am I kidding myself? I must be! Ken said, as long as it doesn't call 911 it's no problem, just didn't have the heart to take it to the humane society. Well, long story short, it's in my craft room, where the litter box and cat food is for her and my other 2 cats. (According to my family, Andy doesn't qualify as such, so I have 1. But to me he's the main man!) Now, this beast, sits on my craft table and growls and hisses at Andy, Punkin, and me! My cats are terrified to go in the room, I'm a little hesitant myself! The cat won't let me near her, she is terrified and terrifying! I think the humane society may be in her future, I don't think this is working out too well! Any suggestions!? HELP!

Happy Mutter's Day!

Happy Mothers Day to all of you, my special extended family! You are all sisters in my heart, and you deserve every special thing this day offers. So from my family to yours, have a very blessed day!

Quick Economy Fix!

Dear Mr. President:

Please find below my suggestion for fixing America's economy.

Instead of giving billions of dollars to companies that will squander
the money on lavish parties and unearned bonuses, use the following
plan. You can call it the Patriotic Retirement Plan. There are about
40 million people in the work force who are 50 years or older. Pay
them $1 million apiece severance for early retirement with the
Following stipulations:

1) They MUST retire. Forty million job openings - Unemployment fixed.

2) They MUST buy a new AMERICAN car. Forty million cars ordered -
Auto Industry fixed.

3) They MUST either buy a house or pay off their mortgage - Housing
Crisis fixed.

It can't get any easier than that!

Oh, and if more money is needed, have all members of Congress pay
their taxes.

Thank you.