Repeatables

2010-04-07T13:57:00.000-07:00

Is anyone out there still looking for me? I have had my head hidden in a bunch of stuff but I am slowly digging out!~ ( It is past time!)

New Books with Old Materials

2009-12-11T15:39:00.000-08:00

Vertical Storage

2009-12-03T03:57:00.000-08:00

Gayle's saving space in her fridge by going vertical, using canning jars to store leftovers. Check out how she fit the Thanksgiving leftovers into the fridge.

Care Package

2009-11-04T12:15:00.000-08:00

Blocks are a good thing. Pretty blocks that let you spell stuff... now that's downright creative! There's a story that goes with them too. They were a gift to me from Gayle. A "just because" gift when she came over today to bring Emily a H1N1 care package. Thanks for the love and support Gayle! Em can't wait to dive into her new books and the tootsie pops calmed her cough through the kickoff of the Harry Potter movie marathon. Thanks for being so thoughtful!

Love, Suz

Autumn Collections

2009-10-19T20:59:00.001-07:00

Here are some collections Gayle wanted to share. (Photos by Julie Vaught)

1. Globes

2. Scissors

Fresh Salads

2009-07-30T16:56:00.000-07:00

Interesting McDonald's billboard that literally grows by Leo Burnett ad agency, Chicago, Illinois.

2 Good Friends

2009-03-11T10:35:00.000-07:00

Gayle's best friend, Shirley, popped in from California for an overnight visit. Nothing like good friends. Such funny stories and good laughs. They look so innocent.

Suz

Old School Journaling

2009-02-22T06:32:00.000-08:00

While I love blogging, I love journaling too. There's nothing like curling up in bed at the end of the day with pen and journal - no TV, no computers - a steaming cup of tea within reach. (If you like journaling check out gratitude journals)

There is a cozy workshop not too far from where I live, where my friend Pamela van den Berg handcrafts acrylic and wooden pens. We've known each other for several years and I was lucky enough to get a pen she had made from Kingwood for Christmas. The wood grain is beautiful and I was suprised by how lightweight the pen is. It's the perfect fit for my hand. Want to see more of her pens? Visit pensbypam.com.

Suz

1001 Journals

2009-01-24T22:56:00.000-08:00

Art meets journals: http://www.1001journals.com/journals/

Room Redo

2008-11-24T19:09:00.001-08:00

The living room redo. Always something neat to see, pillows to take a nap on.

Free photo book from the Oprah show..

2008-11-14T21:57:00.000-08:00

Hi guys.. this is the real deal. I recorded the Oprah show www.oprah.com
and they are doing a Clean up your mess series.. a wonderful freee offer to viewres from Snapfish.. a FREE bound book of 20 of your digital prints when you connect to Oprah site and then click the Peter Walsh clean up... site + select the free book from snapfish. however, there's a time limit..

in the48 hrs from the show that was aired on Thurs. 11/13 I'm making one of my trip to england.. so go as soon as you get this message if you want to get this free book

Tuesday Early A.M.

2008-10-28T05:22:00.001-07:00

I am going to try this blogging thing again. Eric and Suz are so good to help me with everything. Thanks is not enough!. I have my Halloween spice rack ( Witches Brews) on display and believe I will make a Christmas one.. That may be fun. Any one have any ideas for labels to name what is in the bottles? ie: Crushed red/white peppermint's would be? Like wise green ones? Put the kids to think on that one.

I am off to court to do a support for my dear friend whose Grandson is going before a Judge this A.M with an Assault and Battery on her. Sad kids, sad Grandparents and carefree parents!

I did go vote yesterday.. I bet there will be some terrific lines on Tuesday.

As soon as I learn how I will post pictures of the Living Room. Still just am so pleased with it.

Thanks to Suz and Eric I will now be able to post on my Blog. ( Thank you) Gg

Paper Crafting & Cooking

2008-10-22T12:53:00.000-07:00

I've spent the last couple of days at work immersed in the new book from Paper Crafts magazine, Paper Crafts Gourmet, and oh, it's a "good thing!" It's like a cookbook with paper crafts sprinkled in. Ideas for gifting food, making cards, party decor and a whole lot more. At this point I sound like an infomercial. Geesh! Just browsing the book makes me want to cook! Check out the projects and recipes online.

Love, Suz

Stuffed Mushrooms?

2008-10-20T23:25:00.000-07:00

Check out these cool sewing projects by Luckykate Crafts. Very cute stuff from their "stuffed" mushrooms to the cotton reels. Kind of a cute gallery for inspiration whether you sew, or not.

Suz

ReDo of Front Room

2008-07-29T07:47:00.000-07:00

I broke my mold and actually put color on the wall AND ceiling.. Fancy that. Grandma (AKA Mom) ) did not paint the walls white. Guess you will have to wait for pictures until Suz helps me with that.
Have all the pictures hung and new blinds but need to work on the window covers. I was trying to do everything but the carpet for under $500.00 ( making cents)
Carpet yet to be picked out.
All is well.. Gg

Cleaning Toys: Scuffs

2008-06-15T09:02:00.000-07:00

Cleaning scuffs is easy! Scuffs on vinyl i.e. dolls and MLP 'like' vinyl
(for info on FP Little People click here)

Tools:

* Cotton Balls
* Baking Soda
* Undiluted Cleaner

Lets assume you have cleaned the vinyl and it still has some paint, grease, or some other mark that you want to remove. Dip the cotton ball in the full strength cleaner and then into baking soda. You are using the baking soda as tha abrasive and scrub lightly (apply pressure).

Repeat, and repeat - sometimes the dryer the cotton ball the better the action.

Gayle

Cleaning Toys: Artificial Hair

2008-06-15T09:01:00.001-07:00

Dolls, My Little Pony, FairyTails, and other Artificial Hair

How to Remove Rust in Toy Pony Hair:
Remove head from pony, remove tail hair with needle nose pliers or whatever works for you. Apply undiluted Murphy's Oil Soap (I was able to get a generic brand at my dollar store) apply full strength and work in with your fingers. Let sit for 1-2 minutes. Rinse. Repeat if necessary. This REALLY works on rust! "It's like magic."

General
It is best to shampoo this type of hair with inexpensive shampoo or dish soap like Dawn. Use 1/2 water to 1/2 shampoo and use cool water. Best to never use hot water! When you feel that the hair is clean, rinse with cool water and final rinse with 3/4 water and 1/2 vinegar to remove any traces of soap.

Now is the time to use a fabric softener for a "crème rinse" if "hair" is badly tangled it is helpful to not dilute it but rather use it full strength and have on for a few minutes. If not badly tangled continue using a brush that is generally used for grooming dogs or a "real" brush with the small black plugs on end of bristles. Start brushing out the small and large tangles. Patience is a virtue.

When tangles have been removed, rinse again with clear cool water and style. (Do not use any heat on the 'hair' i.e. curling iron, hair dryer, heat rollers et al) Straws cut in short lengths make great curlers, use Bobbie pins with three larger curlers for longer 'hair'.

Share your tips! (Just comment on this post!)

Gayle

Cleaning Toys: Dolls

2008-06-15T09:00:00.001-07:00

Fisher Price Little People, Chunkies, Armeys (Plastic ONLY!)

Tools:

* Spray furniture cleaner
* Sealable plastic bag

Place toys in plastic bag and spray with furniture polish and seal. Leave for 10 minutes to 10 days! Polish with thin terry cloth. Please share your tips!

Gayle

Fabric Stains

2008-06-15T08:57:00.000-07:00

Cleaning fabric is nothing to be afraid to tackle!

First, let's assume that without removing the stain or dirt, the article will have little if any value. Almost all fabric that has been used should start treatment with a bit of stain removal product on any stains on the fabric. Then dissolve a small amount of a WATER SOFTENER (like Calgon) in a dish pan or bucket of lukewarm water... place the article that you want to treat in that container and using the palms of your hands or a small plunger. Submerge piece. Let soak 15 minutes to 24 hours giving it a "swish" every 15 minutes to 4-5 hours...

By doing this you are removing all the old soap, starch, dirt and other residue left in the fabric over the years.. Now it is time to let running water flow over the piece rinsing all the dirt out. If the stain is still in the fabric...

Share your cleaning tips, just leave a comment.

Gayle