Matchbox Swap 2001 - May - Music

Here's what I came up with for Matchbox Swap 2001's May theme:  Music

Here's what was inside:

The domino has 4/4 - get it?  4/4 time?

And the key? Music key? Get it?  Get it?

Like someone else said, it was hard to come up with music-themed things!

Tee's Whimsy Pocket Challenge

My trading partner was Tiffany, The Cranky Queen.

Her Royal Crankiness

Here are the gifties that came inside the pouch

Don't forget the Door Tag Challenge!

I'm going back to Kentucky to visit my family and attend my daughter's wedding this Saturday.  I made this door tag for the newlyweds.

You have until June 6 to post a link to the photo of your door tag for the Door Tag Challenge.  I will be putting together a prize package of all kinds of odds and ends from my studio (AKA Command Central).  One lucky person will receive the package! 

Don't forget to post your link here.

We Want to Know

1.} What must you do before you go to bed at night?

Remember to take my last pill and overnight insulin

2.} What is one thing you must snack on at the theater?

 POPCORN – drenched in butter. It is dark in the theater and no one can see me eating it, so it doesn’t count, right?

3.} Before going on vacation what must you do?

Check my travel list and be sure I have someone to check on the cats.

4.} What is one thing you must do every day?

 Check my email.

5.} Is there something you do that must be done in a particular order?

Put my cell phone on the charger, then put a clothes pin on my purse strap so that I remember that the phone is not in my purse, and I don’t leave my phone behind.

52 Starlets Art Challenge

I'm sorry I missed Week one of the 52 Starlets Arts Challenge (Maureen O'Sullivan); but I'll catch up after I'm back from my trip.

This week's starlet is Clara Bow, who had an extremely successful silent career.  Her acting talents may have been questionable; but she had IT and that's all she needed.

Clara had a major role in the 1927 film Wings, which won the 1929 Academy Award for the best film.

Clara Bow, appearing in Wings

I wonder what Marie Antoinette would have thought of Clara...

Blogger Problems Again

Blogger is not allowing me to make comments on other blogs.  Sometimes it works; but usually, the throws me back to the sign in screen and I don't get any farther.  Sorry everyone! Hope this gets fixed soon!

I'm a Ginger Gem!

for this mixed media collage

I received my Whimsy Pouch from the Cranky Queen!

Look what came in the mail today!  The Cranky Queen made my pouch with a gorgeous peacock on it (and on the back, too!)  What a luxurous bag!  But (as they say on TV) that's not all!  Wait, there's more!

Look at all of those goodies she included!  Just amazing!  Tiff: Thank you so much!  I really appreciate your generosity and I love my bag!

Monday Recipe - Fruit and Nut Granola Bars

Reading labels can be a depressing thing for diabetics!  The granola bars that are generally available usually have sugar in them, and a lot of other carbs as well.  Here is a recipe I came up with that is not as sweet as the bars you usually find.  I do NOT add the Splenda or sugar listed in the ingredients to my bars; but if you have a bit of a sweet tooth, you will probably want to.

Fruit and Nut Granola Bars

3 tbsp. butter

1/3 cup peanut butter

1 ripe banana
1/2 cup Splenda (or sweetening of your choice, if desired)

1 cup assorted dried fruits, chopped fine
   (cranberries, prunes, apricots, figs, dates, raisins)

2 eggs

1-1/2 cups dry oatmeal, or Muesli*, or a combination

1/2 cup chopped nuts, your choice (nuts, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds)

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F.  Melt butter in a large saucepot under very low heat.  Use some of the butter to coat a 1/3 cup measuring cup, and then pour butter back into the saucepot.  Measure peanut butter into the 1/3 cup measure and pour in with the butter (it will not stick as much to the cup).  Stir until peanut butter is melted and smooth.  Remove from heat.  Add mashed banana and Spenda, if using, and mix well.  Add dried fruits and nuts and eggs.  Mix very well.  Add oatmeal and nuts and stir until everything is mixed very well.  Pour into an 8" or 9" square pan.  Bake from 20 to 25 minutes, or until light brown on top.  Let mixture cool in pan and then cut into bars.

*I used Dorset Muesli, found in Krogers' natural food section.  You can use any muesli you like. Dorset muesli is not overly sweet, which is what I liked about it.  You could also just use oatmeal, if you like, or maybe some flavored oatmeal packets you have on hand to add additional flavor.  I used the Dorset Muesli with the pineapple and papaya (pictured below), which added a couple of different fruits to the bars.   Let me know if you come up with a yummy version!

Ready to Bake

Done!

Monthly Themed ATC - Summer Fun

I started by affixing Glorious Brayered Paper to a piece of cardstock and then running it through the Big Shot in an embossing folder.  The blue 'water' effect is from a product that is new to me:  Scribbles 3D paint.  The paint comes in a lot of colors and finishes and is meant to be used on fabric; but can also be used on a variety of surfaces.  It is quite thick and holds its shape while it's drying.  I think it's a lot like Liquid Pearls - but a lot less expensive.  The normal price for one ounce is $1.19.  Jo Ann's was having a sale - 50% off - so I bought several colors and am quite happy.  It does take a while to dry, though - at least overnight.  The sun was also made with Scribbles 3D Paint. It looks better in person, because of the gold shine.

Blue Monday and Ruby Tuesday - Lunch at a new restaurant

Chepes is a new Mexican Grill that is close to the bead shop where I took my beading class recently.

 I loved the cheerful decorations.

While I was waiting for my food, I ran out and got my camera to take photos.  Actually got a photo of myself taking the photo!  LOL!

More cute decorations

These plates were in my booth

And here was the best part!  The food was excellent!  The salsa was made with fire-roasted tomatoes and served hot.  Very diffeerent and delicioso!

Double-Sided Pendant

I used the Duchess pattern to make a pendant.  I experimented using size 3 Austrian crystal instead of Swarovski crystal.  It's a different look; but still very striking, I think.

This is the backside of the pendant; but it could just as easily be the front.  It's a different flower-like look.

My First Bead Class in a Looooooooong Time!

Last Saturday, I took a bead class for the first time in a few years.  The class was taught by Sue Snell at The Beed Hive in Marietta.  I have never taken a class with Sue before and I was so glad I chose her class! She was an excellent teacher with a lot of patience and the ability to explain the procedures very clearly.  The class she taught was for a bracelet called the Duchess.  Check out this link to see what the finished bracelet looks like.  Check out the photo of the Empress bracelet, above the photo of the Duchess.  I will be taking the Empress class in a few weeks.

This is Sue

 

This is Beth.  There was a third student, Janet; but somehow I didn't get her picture!

This is Janet's work.  She chose beautiful green crystals.

These are the two motifs I finished in class.  The bracelet contains about 8 motifs (depending upon wrist size).  The motifs are connected together to form a really gorgeous bracelet!

Since I will be attending my daughter's wedding Saturday, I decided to take the two motifs I finished, created a third motif, and connected them together to make a necklace to wear to the wedding.

What's rocking your world this Friday?

1.  Too much to do and too little time!

I'm leaving next Thursday to visit my family in Kentucky and won't be back for about a week. All of the sudden things are closing in on me!  Too much to do!

  1.  PACK!
  2.  Arrange for someone to come in to feed the cats.
  3.  Finish up craft projects that are due.
  4.  Make a faux-veil for my daughter to wear at her bachelorette party
  5.  Make flower hats for my granddaughters
  6.  Get together all of the things I told people I was going to bring up with me. (And REMEMBER them!)
  7.  I scheduled a bead class tomorrow - and have a shower to attend on Sunday, so my weekend is somewhat shot.
  8.  Frame the painting that I am giving Suzanne.
  9.  Make crazy baby gift for my niece.
10.  Find something to wear for the wedding.

2.  Skype has come into our lives!

I had my first calls with one of my daughters on Skype this week.  IT WAS AMAZING!  I felt like someone who was discovering the phone for the first time!  I could see both of my granddaughters, who I have not seen since Christmas.  They are getting so big! It was to nice to talk face to face.  Just gotta remember to look into the camera.  After the first call, Lily told her Mom that she likes talking this way much better than talking on the phone because "Grandma seems more real."  I'm not sure how to take that! LOL!

OK - I'm sorry; but this is a shorter page than I'd like to write; but as I said, THERE'S SO MUCH TO DO!  I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!

3.  Oh, how could I forget!  My grandson, Mason, turns 3 today!  Happy birthday, Mason!  See you next week!

Friday Fill-Ins

This one was harder than usual!

1. I see so much that needs to be done, and not enough time to do it!

2. When I itch, I scratch.

3. They begin talking about the next presidential elections much too soon.

4. Children grow up so many years earlier than they used to.

5. This I know: I will never grow up.

6. Leftovers from Texas Roadhouse for dinner.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to finishing up some craft projects; tomorrow my plans include taking a beading class; and Sunday, I want to go to Tess's baby shower.

Get to Know You Wednesday

Tee finds the neatest things in Blogworld!  Check out Get to Know You Wednesday.  If you don't have time to click to any of the other links, be sure to look at the host's post.  It's a scream!

{1} If you could choose a Super Power, what would it be?

                    To fly!

{2} What would be your first frivolous purchase if you were awarded a million dollars, tomorrow?

                    The things that come to mind first are not frivolous.  The first frivolous thing I thought of was a full-time, live-in physical trainer - must be male, well built, single, and a good cook, too. Come to think of it, maybe that's NOT so frivolous!

{3} What would be the hardest current luxury for you to give up?

                  Hands down - my 'puter!

{4} If you were given a choice between being given great wisdom and great wealth, which would you choose?

                 Great Wisdom

{5} If you were to be stranded on a deserted island for 100 days what 5 THINGS would you pack?

                Food, Clothes, Linens, Toiletries
                      and a snakebite kit

The Cranky Queen is having a giveaway!

Tiff, the fabulous Cranky Queen, is having a giveaway!  You can check it out here:

To enter the giveaway, all you have to do is leave a comment - and tell her a chicken story.  I had a fantastic chicken story, as I had a chicken on the top of my wedding cake!  Check out the comments on her blog for all of the details.  But I did say I had the picture to prove it, and here it is:

Actually, this photo was taken on our first anniversary, when we thawed out the top of our wedding cake and had a little party with our friends.

Tiff and I are partners in Tee's Whimsy Pocket swap.  I CAN'T WAIT to show you the Whimsy Pocket I made for her!

A New Obsession!

Les at Harmony Lane just posted a great new idea - using teacup templates to create our own teacups.  What a great challenge and swap idea!  Check out her idea here

Tuesday Senior Citizens' Day Thrift Store Finds

Another great day today! I thought I'd show a few things I bought that are not necessarily alterable, but nice, nonetheless.  Top, left to right:  a nice package of tassels, a vintage frame, and a large roll of lace with most of it there!  Front row left:  Chinese Textile Design book - all in color; a cheese board that matches a chip and dip set I already have!  I love when that happens!  Far right: four coasters that could be altered...but they're so pretty already!

In the bottom picture, in the back is a tiny porcelain vase with porcelain raised flowers.  I'm going to use these for calla lilies if my friend brings me some this year.  In the front:  two amazing Deco-type pins. 

Blissfull ATC Swap - May - Let's Go to the Movies!

The theme of this month's Blissfull ATC Swap is "Let's Go to the Movies."  It's no secret that I've always had a 'thing' for Tommy Lee Jones.  In this fantasy card, I am starring with the incomparable Mr. Jones on the silver screen.  I envisioned this as a silent film because of the clothing Mr. Jones was wearing in this scene.  The words below the picture are the subtitles that always accompanied silent films.   This still, which is photoshopped, was from a film he made early in his career where he starred as Howard Hughes. Ahhh! Be still, my heart!

Did you ever get unexpected mail?

There was a package in the mailbox today from England. I wasn't expecting anything!  'Oh no,' I thought, 'Did I forget a swap?'  I unwrapped it and here's what I found!  Lovely tags from Liz!  Completely unexpected!  I saw some tags she made that were similar to this and I told her how much I liked them - and here they are - in my hot little hand!  Thank you, Liz!  I love, love, LOVE them!  I will treasure these tags!

Recipe Monday: Chicken Salad with Maple Dressing

This was a recipe I developed several years ago.  My sister-in-law, Margaret, summers in Vermont and on the way home, she always brought me a bottle of real Vermont maple syrup.  I used it to flavor the dressing and it was so good!  But when I became diabetic, I thought I would have to forget about this dish.  Then, one day, I remembered that I had a bottle of maple flavoring that I had once used in a cinnamon roll recipe!  I substituted it in the recipe, and it's as delicious as I remember it being - with no added sweetener!

Chicken Salad with Maple Dressing (makes one serving.)

1 cup cooked chicken chunks

1/2 to 1 apple, chopped (I like to leave the skin on)

1/3 cup chopped celery

3 tbsp. chopped pecans

1/4 cup low fat mayonnaise

1/4 tsp. maple flavoring

Put chopped ingredients in mixing bowl.  Stir flavoring into mayonnaise and fold into the chopped ingredients.  Chill and serve.

Blue Monday - Cincinnati's Union Terminal

When I was a little girl, I remember my Mom taking my Grandma there to catch a train to Toledo to visit relatives. The vast rotunda at the entrance and the beautiful mosaics all along the walls took my breath away. 

The Union Terminal has been turned into a museum.  The rotunda is still there, but the beautiful mosaic wall murals have been moved to the Greater Cincinnati International Airport.

I will be visiting the area in a couple of weeks!  Can't wait!

One of the beautiful mosaic Rotunda murals, celebrating Cincinnati's commerce.

 

This picture shows how the flat mosaic murals looked in the waiting area.  The floors are marble and rumbled constantly as the trains arrived and departed.

The rotunda looks the same today as it did many years ago.  It is lined around the top with mosaic murals.  But the rumbling is gone.  The doorways lead to several museums and an Omnimax theater.