It's your conscience checking up on you.............

Sooooooooooo.... How did everyone do with their little random acts of kindness this past week? 

I think I did pretty good, though I can't remember exactly. I think maybe I struggled towards the end here, but how timely I am here posting another 15... oh, I'll make it 25,  more good deeds we can do to brighten a persons day!  In doing so, we also make ourselves feel better so it's a win win situation!!

70 Random Acts of Kindness continued...
16. Shovel snow for a neighbor.  it's supposed to s s s s s snow here tomorrow!
17. Cheer  up a friend.    this is a must do
18. Donate blood.        I read on the blood banks sign the other day they need A+ blood!
19. Hug a family member.         easy peasy
20. Smile and say "Hello" to people you don't know.   I do that already. Next!
21. Offer to babysit for free.           thankfully I don't know too many people with babies
22. Offer someone behind you in the grocery check out line to go in front of you.  If they are old I will. :)
23. Pat someone on the back.    how about a slug instead?
24. Volunteer to read to students at school.   my son would die of embarrassment, next!
25.Open the car door for your passenger.   I already do, the dog gets in first. Sigh.
26. Pull out someone’s chair  for them at the dinner table.   oh, now this is a good one. Sure thing....snicker
27. Wash a neighbors vehicle.   next!
28. Take a neighbors newspaper laying out on their driveway to them or leave at their front door. doable
29. Tell the mail carrier thank you for all their work.    Roger Dodger.
30. Let a neighbor know how much you value their friendship.   I really should because they ARE nice.
31. Let a manager know you compliment a sales clerk for their pleasant service.  am I reading this wrong? Why don't I understand it?
32. Give your pocket change to someone who is needing it.  now that is nice
33. Pick up small florist vases at thrift stores or yard sales for about 10 cents and buy wrapped flowers, for a few more dollars, then arrange them in the vases. Get the local phone book, pick a few names and deliver them to their doorstep, early in the morning before everyone is awake.  that's sort of creepy
34.Print up some inspiring signs and post them around town.  any ideas on this one?
35.Leave your change in the soda machine for the next person. It's a nice surprise. I drink "pop"
36. Purchase a meal for a homeless person.   another doable deed
37. If your a boss of a company - allow your employees to leave a half hour early as a surprise.  yeah, right
38. If your a boss - send employees an e-card letting them know how much you appreciate them.  I suppose
39. If you see your neighbor hasn't set his trash can out for that mornings pick-up, wheel it out to the curb yourself.   it's in his garage ~ that would be breaking and entering
40. Add some quarters to a parking meter you notice is getting low.  we don't have no parking meters in these parts

Sorry for the comments, I just couldn't help myself. Plus, maybe it got you to actually READ them!

Now go to your good deeds and report back to me.

Love, Peace, and Hugs all around!

Peggy ~ Goodgosh ~ GG

Mixed media ACEOs

Welcome once again to the miniature world of affordable art.

Today I thought I would show off a few shops on Etsy that create mixed media ACEOs

I look at some of these and think “Oh wow! They are just great!”

I like seeing ones made all different ways. Some of these are a mix of paint and paper, maybe a digital image or two.

buttonempire

harbortagsandpages

                 Some use beeswax. 

glendabaileydesigns

 Sometimes they have sayings or quotes on them.

ravensclawstudio

CranberryCloud

Whether you like simple or more elaborate, birds or fish, you will be sure to find something that appeals to you. You can have fun just looking and seeing all different styles.

DeborahEBurrow

  

srobison

 

(jj)

Before the Antique Show Starts

Do you love going to Antique Shows?  Ever wonder what goes on before the show starts?

Well first you need a big empty room....Like this one at the Exposition Center in Portland, Oregon.....

Next, open up that truck load of wonderful "stuff" you have been saving just to sell at this show....

Now...you get to carry all that wonderful "stuff" to your 10 x 20 foot section of the big empty room.....while several hundred other dealers are also trying to do the same thing as you, at the same time!

be sure to bring in the rugs for the floor, your fake "walls", curtains, table drapes, shelves and any other display items you need....first.....get them up and in place before you bring in your merchandise....this will make things go much smoother...

Since at this particular show you are only allowed to bring your merchandise in and dump it, no opening boxes, no price tags showing, no arranging items...just carry it to your space and dump it on this first day...
your space will now look something like this...

Or this....

Finally everything is loaded into your space.....now you get to leave the show location until the next morning when the show opens...to you the dealer and the customers who are willing to pay the extra money to get in early....while you are trying to empty boxes and  set up your space...this is known as CHAOS!  But hopefully those early lookers will also be buyers....

After several hours of CHAOS your space starts to take shape...

And you can start to relax....the next morning the show opens for the general public and this is when most people see the show....

The "CALM" lasts until Sunday evening when the show is over and all the wonderful "stuff" that did not sell has to be packed back up, carried to the truck and somehow made to fit back into it......because now it has mysteriously expanded and doubled in quantity.....after all dealers are shoppers too!

Until the next show!

VE

http://www.palmerwirfs.com/

I Just Love Moving, Don't You?

Two weeks ago I embarked on one of the biggest moves of my life. I moved from a second floor apartment to a house.

Have you had the fun of packing up and moving your craft room? Oh my gosh! I never knew I could create such a mess all by myself, but I sure did. I also learned that every little scrap of paper, color of paint, ephemera, magazine clipping, etc., etc., is absolutely necessary. I have a lot of really neat stuff! That was the nice surprise. The problem was that I couldn't bring myself to throw any of it away, because it was really neat stuff...LOL.

This is what all that really neat stuff looked like before I moved it.

This is what all that really neat stuff looked like after I moved it. Notice the big improvement? LOL

Okay, it's not that bad now. I assembled white cabinets, fit in all the items and product I need to keep close by or in the house, and they turned out great. All the mess is hidden from view, and I like that.

This is what all that really neat stuff looks like now.

What isn't in the house is now organized on shelving in the garage, so I'm beginning to feel good about this. I think it all may actually work out...oh to be organized! Every crafters dream....:0)

pepper

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BONES	BOO	CANDY
COSTUME	DEVIL	GHOST
GHOULS	PUMPKIN	SCARY
SKELETON	TREAT	WITCH

Useful Links

No lessons this week, I have something in store for you but just haven't had the time to do it, so this week will be a short post of vintage stuff.

 

Do you like to search out thrift shops in areas where you might go on vacation or for a visit?  Try this web site!  Put the zip code in for where you are going and you'll get a list of the thrift shops in the area!  http://www.thethriftshopper.com

 

Thrift shops not your thing?  How about finding flea markets to visit?

http://www.fleamarketlist.com/index.htm

 

Next, I have a web site where you can trade vintage!  How fun is that?

http://swapvintage.com/

 

Here's a web site that makes me drool!  RetroRenovation

Do you love the show American Pickers, here are some links that you might like.  Mike Wolfe  and Frank Fritz!

Snowed in and can't get to the thrift shop?  Try shopping online at Goodwill and check out their auctions!  ShopGoodwillOnline   Um, I never find any paint by numbers under art here, wonder why!

 

And finally, here's an article that was on AOL.  The article is chocked full of links, so don't get lost!  Top 5 Flea Markets in the Country  

 

Enjoy your weekend!

RWS

"A Day In The Life With Jennie"

Some of my cohorts on here have shared a bit about "recycle, reuse, and upcycle".  Well, I found another Etsy artist that takes “old” and makes “new”.  I had seen Jennie’s shop before and thought she had some pretty nice items.  As I read through some descriptions, I was more intrigued.  Naturally, an interview with her was in my future, and I’m happy to say, was in hers as well.  So today, I invite you to come with me on a journey to an Elegant, Eco-Friendly Crochet Boutique, and spend  . . .

A Day in the Life with Jennie, owner of

“SoSoRosey”

Click here to enter sosorosey's shop

Dude:  So Jennie, how long have you been creating handmade products?  I see you have a lot of crochet items – is that your passion?

Pure Happiness Cotton Floral Coaster Set

Jennie:  Everything in sosorosey is crocheted in some form or another- it is definitely my passion!  I’ve been crocheting since I was about 10 years old- I made some killer outfits for my stuffed animals and dolls, lol.  I graduated to blankets and scarves and sweaters over the years, then found my love for crocheting with fabric to make rugs and bowls.  I can’t imagine a day going by where I am not crocheting something and dreaming of the next project!   

Dude:  What inspired you get into this area of crafting?

Jennie:  My grandmother taught me to crochet, and I’ve always loved the feeling of being linked to her in this way.  Crochet caters to my ordered, neurotic side and provides a creative outlet at the same time. 

Dude:  Tell us a little bit about your process for creating.  

Jennie:  Oh my- my work area is all over my house!  Seriously, my fabrics and yarns are more or less centralized in the downstairs guest room, and when I get to choose what I feel like making, I survey my multitude of material choices and just pick what feels right at the time.    

Vintage Inspired Ornament Trio Retro

Custom orders are a bit more involved- and organized, thank goodness.  I love to receive requests from people looking for something special- like rugs, toy baskets, or keepsakes.  My first step is to gather fabrics for the project and share photos with the customer.  We chat back and forth to be sure we’re on the same page, and then the work (fun) really begins.  I love to keep people involved in the whole process, so updating progress photos is a big part of the job, too.

My favorite item is usually whatever I happen to be working on at the time.  I am currently super excited about my Rosey Goes Retro line of vintage inspired Christmas decorations.  Vintage-Inspired-Ornament-Trio-Retro  I’m also pumped up about a stocking stuffer idea that I have in the works for a team challenge.

Upcycled Baby's Heirloom Toy Basket

One of my most inspiring recent projects was a custom toy bucket made to match a baby’s nursery.  It was primarily crafted from customer provided fabrics- the baby’s own receiving blankets, and some of her late grandmother’s gowns.  I felt incredibly honored to bring this idea to life. Upcycled Baby's Heirloom Toy Basket   
                

Dude:  Where do you typically get your supplies?

Jennie:  I have a big weakness for cotton yarns, and I buy them wherever I find them- online, craft stores, Wal*Mart- you name it.  I typically get my packing string and jute twine in hardware stores.  My favorite supply to shop for is fabric, though.  I get that at my AWESOME local thrift shop.  They have the BEST selection of mismatched sheets… I just browse the aisles and try to envision them all cut up and hooked together again. 

Dude:  Where do you get your ideas for your items?

Upcycled Shapely Pencil Pot Burst

Jennie:  I carry a notebook with me wherever I go, and I keep a running list of ideas that I’d like to work on “someday”.  I always try to challenge myself to create new patterns and techniques – some of these turn out pretty well, and others are miserable disasters- I mean, learning experiences.  I’m really fortunate to have some very creative customers; many of my items came about because someone asked “Do you think you could make….?”                Upcycled Shapely Pencil Pot Burst

Dude:  Where do you sell your items?  
     

Jennie:  My work is currently sold in my Etsy shop and in a handmade boutique called The Muse in historic downtown Frederick, Maryland (http://www.shopthemuse.com/).  I’d love to get my goodies in more local shops and galleries – like so many people I just need more time in the day!

Dude:  A little birdie told me that you have had something published.  Can you tell us about that?  What, where, when?  How did you get into that and do you have anything else in the works?

Jennie:  Two of my pillowcase bowls are included in the Lark Books publication Craft Challenge: Pillowcase .  ( http://www.amazon.com/Craft-Challenge-Dozens-Repurpose-Pillowcase/dp/1600594026) That came about purely by happenstance, when I was contacted by one of the editors through Etsy, I don’t have any other publishing gigs in my immediate future, but I’ve learned in this business you never know what is right around the corner J

Dude:  Anything else you'd like us to know?

This is a proud moment   http://thedecoratingdiva.com/eco-friendly-rugs-2009-top-12/  I'm number 5 :)

Dude:  That is totally awesome!  I can understand why that was a proud moment. Congratulations on that Jennnie.

Dude:  Do you have a blog or any other sites that you are involved in that you would like to share with us, and we can link in our article?

Jennie:  I do have a blog where I love to get input on new projects and share new finds.  I also have a vintage shop on Etsy where I stock the shelves with fabulous vintage fabric and other goodies that I find when I’m out searching for crochet material.

http://sosorosey.blogspot.com/  and  http://www.etsy.com/shop/sosorosey

Thanks Jennie.  I have enjoyed getting to know YOU and have loved wandering around in your shop.

Well, I’ve learned so much here once again.  I’m not the “creative” type myself, but after seeing all her fun upcycled items, I’m thinking that I need to find a way to spare some of those old linens and sheets of mine, and see if they too can be “upcycled” into some beautiful handmade works of art!

Have a wonderful weekend, and don't forget to stop back each and every day to see what new, informative and fun things we're up to around here!!!