Tis the season for giving, wait for it, THANKSgiving.

And so it is time to update our fall decorations...

I placed these beauties in the dining room.  You can probably tell that we've had these candles since long before I was born.

I made these these pictures for a day care lesson I teach every other week.  I didn't have to, but I wanted to because they could easily become part of our Thanksgiving decorations.  In case you cannot tell, each character can be placed around the table together.  Fun!

And I have many things to be thankful for...

I was watching An Affair to Remember the other day and was quite pleased when this young lad made his brief appearance as one of Deborah Kerr's students...

BECAUSE HE LOOKS LIKE MY FRIEND RACHEL MAREK!  Try to deny it.  It's not an exact likeness, but it's there.

And then later that night, I made a fire outside in our fire pot to burn up some dead branches.

And I used a "sepia tone" filter.  Ooo, nice.

Arguably, my number one thanksgiving is my precious Blue Bell.

Here she is doing her morning ritual of stretch crawling to the stairs.

But Blue Bell can be a capital "B" Buttface sometimes...

Of all things for her to get into, she chewed up my crayons.  I was able to salvage about half or so.  But, what the heck?  And she had a pile of chew toys right next to where she chewed them up. ... And, yes, I am aware that I am the childish one with the crayons.

 I am also thankful for the creative nature God has given me.  Shortly before sitting down to write this, I began planning a gift for a relative's of mine birthday.  The fabric below will be a useful tote bag in a few days.

While I was taking the picture of the fabric, Blue Bell was laying by doing what she does best.

This is her favorite chair and only chair she's allowed on.  She made a play for this wingback's neighbor, but I was like, "Uh-uh."  And she was like, "C'mon!"  But I did not waiver. 

 Also, I am thankful to spend time with my god-daughter Adelaide and her brother, Emery, my god-son.  And their mother...

The ginger is Adelaide.  I am her day care teacher sometimes.

I will end today with something I am NOT thankful for.  Earlier today, I was on the roof sweeping off some leaves...  You will not believe how much excrement I found.  And some of it was good sized.  What animal is pooping on our roof?  And people sized?  I can't imagine it's raccoons or possums.  It would have to be some tree climbing animal...  definitely not a squirrel.

I'm not a sicko.  The reason I took pictures is to show my dad later to see if we need to take action to try to get rid of whatever did this.  To help with perspective, the shadow is mine and the rectangular part is slightly larger than the iPhone I was taking the picture with.

AUTUMN BLESSINGS!

And so Autumn has begun!  Since the out of doors is not falling suit, I have taken to decorating the in of doors. 

My little coon dog calmly surveying the back yard amongst noticeably green foliage.

No corner too small for a decoration.

To round out the experience.

Everything is something...

Hello,

Surprisingly, I am not the avid blogger that I set out to be!  ...  There are two lies in that statement.  I am neither surprised, nor did I ever set out to be an avid blogger.  So any shame that you imagine that I feel in the time since my last blog post, you are presuming too much.  But let us leave those false musings behind us and move on.

Whenever I read blogs, I avoid wordy explanations of the authors feelings and mundane actions of the day, so I'll skip that on my part and only say this, I've been alright these couple of months.  I am becoming more busy with volunteering around town, which makes me anxious.  I went to the library for the first time in a long while and am pleased with the books I got.  Also, there is a blanket that is in process for charity, but it's a crochet stitch that I am new too (afghan/tunisian) and I am a little unsatisfied with my mastering of it.  We'll see where that goes.

And now, pictures:

Painted this picture of my mom a few weeks back.  Used a picture of her from last Christmas. 

Blue Bell in a T-shirt.  I need to get a smaller one for her.  She practically walked out of this one.

Blue Bell picture with help from Instagram.

The godkids.  I had just given a doll to Adelaide, which she loved.  Best godmother ever.  And obviously, Emery's happy about something...

Back in East Texas

Hey, I've been out of town.  My second cousin got married in Chicago on July 21st and I drove up to DC to road trip back with sister Whitney and friend Sam.  Instead of going into detail about what occured during my absence, I'll just put up some pictures..

CHICAGO :

The first morning there was rainy.

.

AMERICAN GIRL STORE!

MOLLY!  I even got her a little outfit from here.  But she's not wearing it in this display.

A fountain close to the Art Institute that a lot of kids were running around in.

And sometimes pictures are shown on it!

In the Art Institute.  Nighthawks.

Matisse

Another Matisse

Wrigley Field!

Cubs have some beyond loyal fans.  They played the Astros, the two lowest ranked teams in the National League, and the game was still packed.

My grandfather, Gramps, and his lady friend.

This is a great picture of cousin Sharon and her man, Michael.  Ok, not great.  But the only one I took at the wedding.

Dad and I were sitting next to the emergency exit on the flight back.  Look at all that leg room!

Gregory Peck

The best thing ever in the entire history of the whole universe has happened!  You may ask, "Amy, what so amazing has occurred for you to use such hyperbole?"  If you ask that, you are indeed an idiot and no friend of mine...  Of course, I am talking about the Gregory Peck stamps issued by the United States Postal Service!  Oh, Greg, now you are mine forever.  "But, Amy, the price of stamps is constantly increasing.  Some day they won't be good to mail a letter!"  Wrong!  These are "Forever" stamps!  I can use them whenever I want, even fifty years from now.  As if, I would even use them.  If any person values his or her life, best stay away from my stamps.  It was all I could do not to shout for joy as the kind postal worker handed me this piece of paradise.  First chance I get, this baby's going into a frame.  If only they could fit in my pocket without being ruined.  Oh, well, Gregory Peck's already with me everywhere I go, in my heart.

I could not believe God's grace in this present.  I went into the Postal Office a few days ago to mail a package to my sister Whitney and came out with this little piece of His kingdom.  As soon as I got into the car, I sent this picture to Whitney so the world could know my good fortune in God's goodness!

 

Now for other news.  Regarding my "business," I have been trapped in a few quandaries.  The house is a lot cleaner at the expense of me not making anything for the past few days.  Breaking my last usable sewing needle yesterday did not help- I have new ones and will, fingers crossed, get cracking this afternoon.  And then a couple of days ago the realization came over me that I only half-enjoyed the items I've been making.  Please do not misunderstand, I am proud of how what I have made, but sometimes I look at stores on Etsy that are very successful and more fully realized.  I mean this in the sense that the owners seem to know what they want to make clearly and do so, whereas my status is not so certain.  Soo, this dilemma led me to contemplate if I could make anything what would it be?  What would it be?  What would I want to define me?  What excites my interests?  These questions were not immediately answered, and even now there is not one path that I have discovered but maybe I've found a clue...

 

My BFF posted this picture of her son- my godson- this morning on instagram.  Yay, he's sitting up!  As any good godmother would do, I "liked" it.  Right as I did so, the picture became more clear to my sleepy eyes, and I noticed what he was wearing: a white onesie with a fairy dinosaur followed by a trail of star dust.  You know, typical baby clothing design.  "Amy, how do you know what that is?  It's so obscured by his bad posture."  First off, come on!  He's just learning to sit up, cut him some slack on posture!  Secondly, it's my job to know, I'm the godmother.  Also, I drew the design as a activity at one of Charity's baby showers...  This is all to say, looking at this picture reminded me how much I enjoyed decorating the onesie aaannnndd how much I. LOVE. DINOSAURS.

Proof:

 

In my recent trip to DC, I ventured into the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History expecting nothing more than maybe making the decision to become the jewel thief.  The Hope Diamond will be MINE!  Well, that is until I ventured into the magical room of dinosaur bones.  Good thing it was loud in there with all the people because I definitely shrieked with joy.  The only thing that did not work in my favor in that moment was that I was alone and therefore could not get my picture taken with the T-Rex pretending to have short arms and a mighty roar.  However, my fellow museum visitors were kind to offer disturbed looks as I inexplicably composed dinosaur noises while walking around the exhibit.

More Proof:

I misplaced my favorite painting of Cinjenachel protecting the world from Pacman.  Until I find it, these pictures of her I drew this morning will have to suffice.  Oops, I spelled her name with a "g."  My bad.  I just noticed that.

My last year of high school, I needed a "whimsical" picture for an English project.  Not finding a magazine picture to satisfy my distinguished tastes, during art class one day, I painted one.  It became a "fairy dinosaur" named for my three friends at the art table with me that day: Cinthia, Jennifer, and Rachel.  And thus Cinjenachel.  Saving the details, my fairy dinosaur has remained close to my heart through the years, even as I sometimes neglect her.  However, she and her cohorts may lead to my further satisfaction in creating fun and Amyrific handmade goods.  We shall see, eh?  I'm just thinking over this stuff now...  But what I do know for certain is that I love dinosaurs.  Love 'em, love 'em, love 'em. 

Blue Bell

I am having a huge problem with my dog, Blue Bell.  There is the allowance that she is a dog and does not fully understand what she is doing and why it might be wrong but still...  So, as soon as a wake up, I see Blue Bell curled up on the bed being all super cute.  And then when she realizes it's breakfast time, she gets all excited and stretches and runs around being all super cute.  And then she will follow me around sometimes and chill while other things keep me preoccupied being all super cute.  And so on and so forth.  Finally the point comes where it is taking all of my being to hold in my annoyance.  But even that does not last long and the rage comes out of me, "I get it, Blue Bell.  You are super cute.  Stop beating me over the head with it.  Can you chillax for one moment and stop being so super cute!"  Little buttface that she is, she blatantly does not obey!  What can I do?  Oh, well.

What is with her?  Trying to take a picture of a bag for etsy and she has to get her mug all up in it.  I have had it up to here.

Independence Day

Happy Fourth of July!  I have already had a fun-filled weekend before today and am a bit ashamed to mention my plans for celebrating our country's independence.  But not too many people read this, so here goes.  Like any typical Monday, it is Laundry Day, and the kitchen is a mess.  And maybe later I will ring some bells and shoot off some warning shots in honor of Paul Revere. 

Went to Caddo Lake for a little bit Saturday with Dad and Blue Bell.

Now, I have a concrete goal to work towards instead of meager ones that I fabricate for myself.  And its a small goal, so it suits me fine.  July 26th is the Art Walk in downtown Longview, so I will be there with some original creations in tow to dispense of at a reasonable profit.  When I first got back from Washington, D.C., last Sunday, I had all sorts of ideas for making and selling and what have you, but that was disregarding my other responsibilities.  And hence the kitchen- and the rest of the house for that matter- are in disarray, to say the least.  And this is my life.  Like anybody, I cannot focus on just one thing.  There has to be a balance between everything: cleaning, sewing, crocheting, taking care of Blue Bell, staying connected with friends, going to the gym, and a hundred other little things that add up.  There must be people that can do all this because people do more than this.  Oh, well.  I am in a certain season of my life that is not too exciting, and that is alright.

Redaction

I hate to do this, but I have to redact anything that I have ever said before in my entire life...  Perhaps not so extreme, but I will tread upon a subject that only yesterday I was already cringing at.  But only for a second.  I am not a wizard...  And I move on to explain without using any magical terms. 

The house I live in has four air conditioning units.  I am the sole user of one of these units since I am currently the only occupant of the upper floor in this said house.  This unit cools the room I sleep in, the room I work in, for they are the same room.  And now the room I sweat in.  Sad but true.  I hear the air conditioner, but I do not feel it. 

There are many serious implications for this predicament that I do not wish to go into in print.  But I will tarry for a moment in this realm hoping that it might alleviate my frustration... The long and short of it is that my mom took care of these matters before her death and no matter how hard I try, I cannot seem to manage them now.  Twice the mechanic has come by, working hard, and leaving with the assurance that all was well, and twice have I sat in anticipation to feel a cool, artificial breeze only to be disappointed.  I can imagine what God's intention might be in all of this.  If anything to get me to stop making wizard jokes.  Or to remind me of what I do not fully grasp about my mom's death.  She is gone, but His love did not die with her.  I just want the a/c to work.  I failed my goal to have five complete bags today.  Instead there are just two, and maybe I don't want to finish the others.  

It's Magic!

YES!  After years and years of praying, God has satisfied my greatest prayer and desire!  I am expecting my acceptance letter from Hogwarts any day now because I am in fact a wizard!  Praise Jesus!  You may be thinking to yourself, "This sounds all very well and good.  Of course, God has turned Amy into a wizard.  Nothing could make any greater sense."  Thank you for your faith.  But I will not deny y'all proof of this new season of my life.  Yesterday, I found myself with a dilemma. 

 

Scraps, scraps everywhere.  And this is only the tip of the iceberg!  What's a mere non-magical person to do?  I don't know because I'm a wizard, now.  How would I have handled this before?  I don't care, I'm a wizard.

Higitus Figitus!

SHAZAM! 

And now I have a stockpile of headbands of all shapes and sizes and colors.  That's advanced wizardry right there.  Boom-boom!  Ain't no party like a wizard party because a wizard party don't stop.

 Ok, I'm going to change angles here because the wizard thing is getting a little weird...

The past few days, I've been doing a little bit more than just "scrappy" headbands.  There's more to me than just that.  Well, at least a little bit more.  And that "little bit more" are purses.  Booyah!  I finished making the outer shells to five similar bags yesterday.  As seen below...

If all goes to plan, they will be completed by tomorrow and maybe even make their way to etsy.  Right now, I don't have big plans that I'm acting on, but I do have big plans.  Kind of.  But I'll save those musings for later.

Here I Go Again...

In this moment of time, I am thinking of 'Ol Blue Eyes.

"Here I go again.
I hear those trumpets blow again.
All aglow again,
Taking a chance on love."

Except of course, the reference to love is perhaps not completely appropriate.  For it is not mon amour that I am returning to, Luke Wilson has not been returning my brain waves.  No, but it is an old love: the crick in my hand from a day of crocheting, the frustration of revisiting an unsatisfactory project, accidentally using my hand as a pincushion.  Oh, the glorious memories.  The past few months, I have worked on the odd project here and there...

...but nothing to brag about.  Nothing to build a dream on. 


But I've got responsibilities now!  A little one who relies on me. 

The time for idle thoughts is over.  I am a woman of action now.  "Gee, maybe a blog would be nice to share with what I'm up to to and what I'm making..."  BOOM!  What do we have here, eh?  "Yowzas! My fabric is awfully unorganized.  Maybe I'll take a nap instead..."

KAPOW!

Color Coordinated.

And that's how I roll.  

Of course, this is all to say that I am being proactive in making and selling items.  Look out.