A Wall Pocket, A Hair Cut and Mail Art

Greetings Friends, Today is the first day I've been able to actually say I almost feel normal. Whatever normal may be, but I feel it. I just might have beat back the bronchitis. I went to Wal Mart today for the weeks groceries and got my hair cut. That salon visit made me feel so pampered. I almost fell asleep at the hair washing station. I've finished 1 antibiotic and the prednisone. I could easily stay on the prednisone to loose my excess weight as it kills my appetite. But that is not a good thing (steroids) and I very much doubt the doctor would be pleased if I suggested it, so I won't. It took me 3 hours to get the hair cut And do the shopping as I was moving rather slowly. (I left hubby at home to nap now that he has bronchitis too.) But I did enjoy being out of the house. The weather is calling for more snow tonight and tomorrow so I wanted to get it done.

Over this past week of being sick I have managed to get my OWOH packages ready but did not get up in time to make it to the post office today so they will go in the mail on Monday. (I had a restless night so hubby let me sleep in.) I also put together a Random Act of Kindness package and it will be going out to a very nice blogger friend. I had so much fun with the OWOH event even though I was sick through much of it. I won a gift too. I'll post picks of it later, maybe tomorrow. But for now I wanted to share the new Wall Pocket I made. I used Mod Podge, denim, paper, ribbon, lace, needle and thread. This is a fun, easy and quick project too. It uses up lots of scraps and can be as decorative or simple as you wish. I've filled the pocket with a few special surprises and am sending it off on it's way. I love giving and receiving R.A.K.'s, don't you?!

I received my newest Somerset Studio magazine in the mail Friday. I love that magazine so much. I really enjoyed For the Love of Mail by Roben-Marie Smith and Collaged Correspondence by Colette Copeland. I can remember a time when my mom and I sent letters to each other written on strange things on purpose. I once sent her a note written on the envelope the cheese comes in for Kraft Macaroni n' Cheese. Who knew then that we were sending each other mail art? Not us, we were just being silly and having fun. The articles inspired me to decorate up a couple of the little packages I will be mailing out. The articles and the fact that the envelopes are recycled. (See below)

I used gesso, paint, paper, mod podge, ink, stamps and those wonderful caran d'ache crayons Tristan sent me to add some color and fun to the envelopes. Lisa Bebi might recognize one of these envelopes, maybe. So next time you are in need of a mailer don't head out to the store, just grab a used one and get to playing. With your imagination and a little bit of tape you'll be reducing, reusing and recycling with an artistic flair.

Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be Yourself,

Tess

My Etsy Shop

Did you know I have an etsy shop? Neither did I, well not until recently anyway.

A while ago I registered on etsy.com to be able to purchase handmade items from wonderful crafters and artists. I had forgotten all about it. I remembered while visiting dj Pettitt's etsy shop ( http://www.djpettitt.etsy.com/ )and thought why not open a shop myself and give it a try. DJ is one of my favorite artists. Her artwork is so inspirational. I am a habitual crafter, I have a need to keep my mind and hands busy. I am always learning or teaching myself new crafting or art skills.

I painted some baby shoes a while back for a craft show here locally and had some left so I've added them to my shop. I got this idea from a craft magazine, several of which I buy regularly.

I like recycling things and altering items. I recently found painting and collaging on old license plates to be a fun and creative outlet. I've painted several of these as gifts (shhh) and decided to add some of them to my shop.

It's been fun coming up with ideas for hangers and embellishments for these car tag wall hangings. Kids love them, at least my granddaughter does.

So if you wish to have a look here's my etsy shop addy:

http://www.tess1960.etsy.com/

We're having Indian Summer weather here, it's been beautiful outside. The temps been in the 70's and the leaves are turning such beautiful colors. I hope you all are enjoying the start of November. The holidays and colder weather will be upon us before we know it. Consider buying handmade or making your holiday gifts yourself this year. Handmade can be lots of fun and most people will appreciate that special personal touch. (Another shameless plug for etsy.com, I love that place.)

Happy day,

Tess

Clothes Shopping for School

Happy Monday, what's left of it anyway.

What a weekend! I took my granddaughter clothes shopping for school. As her mom lost her job and dad is losing 8 hours a week it didn't look as if they were going to be able to do much for her for starting school this year. So....

I picked up Raven on Sunday and took her to Goody's. With a promise of ice cream after she was really good considering I think I had her try on about 50 outfits just to find 5 that fit right. She's a bit chunky in the middle and wide shoulders so the traditional little girls sizes don't fit her any more. We did find one t-shirt dress that fit her comfortably that she loves. It's pink, of course she loves it, pink is her favorite color. Buying from the teen section for an almost 9 year old is like finding a needle in a hay stack. The sizes are cut to be tight fitting or they plunge to her navel. This year there seemed to be more rounded necklines than in past years so those were the ones we picked the most. My granddaughter has short legs so the capri styles fit her as long pants and the longer legged shorts fit her as capri's. I love playing dress up with her and seeing her face light up with the styles she likes and the horrible grimace she makes with the ones she hates. She definitely prefers solid colors on the bottom and bright pinks and blues on top. She was really into the lace and floral this year. In years past she only seemed to want to try on the t-shirts and didn't much care about the comfort factor. So many of the teen t-shirts had lovely designs with glitter and sequins but fit her skin tight. I hated having to say no. We tried finding some like that in the petite women's dept. but no such luck. Nothing that was suitable for a 9 year old anyway. She was easy to steer to other things though, grab a pink top, hey Raven look. Oh grandma that's the one! Yep, easy to steer her mind in another direction. They had all of the shoes on sale so I was able to get her a pair of nice Sketchers for dressier days and a pair of Nike for PE. Oh, I almost forgot, she says it's called gym in her school. I even found a pair of blue jeans, Ashley Judd, that not only fit her waist but weren't miles too long. She didn't like that they weren't all fancy but she did admit they fit so, in the cart they went.

All in all I think we did pretty good. We bought 2 skirts, 3 pairs slacks, 1 pair jeans, 5 tops and 1 dress. Plus the shoes and I only spent $267.00 and some change. We shopped only from the sales racks and discount racks. Usually we have to hit the boys section because of her body shape but we didn't have to this year. My receipt said I saved $126.00. So, if you have a Goody's Store in your area and haven't done your school clothes shopping yet I would suggest you give them a look see. It was well worth it for us this year. I don't think I've ever managed a weeks clothes from one store before. And never this cheap. Oh and today is her birthday, so she is officially 9 now. I've been hearing "Grandma, did you know I'm almost 9 years old?" for months now. I sure do love that child and I hope she doesn't grow up too fast!

Happy Birthday Raven, grandma loves you!!