Endless Whimsy

Introducing (In Utero)

2011-08-14T16:06:00.001-04:00

Baby Boy - due Sept 27:

I am alive

2011-06-12T16:24:00.003-04:00

yes, I am - and I hope to actually keep up with the blog from now until my Due Date!!!!! Things have been up and down and up and down and blogging definitely took a back seat - I apologize. I don't think I'll be making any clay sculptures until after the baby arrives and I get into a routine. But until then it's all kitty games and baby prep...

The clay has a mind of its own

2010-10-30T16:23:00.001-04:00

This is the shape the clay wanted to be. Usually the sitting kitty sculpture is a little thinner but this ball of clay felt like being fat. I think I really like this sculpture perhaps I can make a mold of it.

-- Posted from my iPhone

Bird house!

2010-09-13T21:14:00.001-04:00

The bird house I made to put the letters to my father in

-- Posted from my iPhone

The healing process

2010-08-23T19:35:00.005-04:00

Hello everyone, I've been working hard to sort through my thoughts this summer. It's been busy so I haven't had as much time as I'd like.

I finally had the courage to purchase some mason stains. Red, Yellow, Green and Blue. Here is my first attempt at creating some new colors - too light, but I can always add stain. My ratio was 10 tsp to 1/4 tsp. I used the teaspoon increment because my clear glaze is already mixed and I have a lot of it so I went with that - and added the stain to little glass phials with small amounts of the glaze in it.

I also had time to make two coil tea cups along with two of my petal saucers. I let them sit for a couple days while I waited for some inspiration on the design. I had the idea for a family tree for my sister as we are both still in grieving/healing modes but I thought that would be a little difficult. But I loved the tree motif so I went with it.

Then I knew I wanted to paint a phrase on the cup. Something motivational for me and my sister. I stewed over that for a day or two as well. And then it came to me, "let the breeze guide you". It summed up all I was feeling that day because as I was glazing I heard the neighbor's child playing outside saying "grampy, grampy" and that just started a flood of emotions that needed to come out.

It's all good. . .

2010-07-19T10:18:00.000-04:00

I write like
David Foster Wallace

I Write Like by Mémoires, Mac journal software. Analyze your writing!

Almost ready

2010-06-18T19:32:00.002-04:00

Hi Folks,

I've been crocheting and the time spent just zoning out and looking at thread has been very therapeutic. I am almost ready to begin finishing orders for Etsy, then begin making sculptures again! - I have to finish helping my mother move nearer to me through the end of this month - but this is a fun and happy photo to tide you over....

Update

2010-06-14T22:01:00.003-04:00

Hello Everyone, I'm sure you're wondering what's up with Renovia - well, here it is:

My mother is buying a place in the town where I'm living so I'm trying to get her packed and ready to move by the end of the month. School is finishing up. I spent the weekend by my mom, my sister and her son packing - it was nice, but hard work.

I haven't been doing any claying, but I have been crocheting. It's been my savior - just to focus on some nice colors on a comfy couch. As soon as my mom gets moved, I plan on (and can hardly wait to) starting up the clay again.

Babette blanket

2010-05-18T21:33:00.001-04:00

I've been able to start crocheting again. It's been theraputic for me. I haven't claued yet though. Here's my minimal progress on the blanket

-- Posted from my iPhone

Hello All

2010-05-06T23:37:00.002-04:00

I'm alive, some days I'm well, and others not so much. I have some pictures that need uploading and hopefully I'll get to them this weekend.

Currently I'm up home, my grandmother's committal service is tomorrow. I am going to that and spending the rest of the weekend with my mom.

I purchased the Osho Zen Tarot cards/book set on the recommendation of my acupuncturist. So far I've been utterly delighted at how they work. They are beautiful, easy to decipher and I highly recommend them.

We're having a couple of minor issues at school (no one can be happy all the time right?) but thankfully they are not TOO bad.

I just wanted to send a shout out to my friends, especially Mei and Katie whom I haven't had too much time to talk with as of late!

Curio cabinet

2010-04-28T15:27:00.000-04:00

I wanted to share my curio cabinet with you. The books are from the 30s they are Mathematics for mechanics and a book about air compressors. The sculpture was made by Mitsy from ArtMind in honor of my gram. The vase was grams

-- Posted from my iPhone

Bento #3

2010-04-27T19:25:00.002-04:00

With a hot dog and mac n cheese (yeah, not so healthy), lots of veggies, cheese, olives and fruit

My Second Bento

2010-04-26T21:31:00.001-04:00

Art, at night, with food. Getting ready for the next school day. It's ok with me!

I'm doing a bit better

2010-04-25T15:36:00.002-04:00

today I've been very relaxed. I'm trying to be 'slow'. I made lunches for myself and my husband tomorrow - they're in bento boxes. it's my new thing. i hope i can keep it up. i really need to eat better and more 'slow'

Hello Everyone

2010-04-20T21:42:00.003-04:00

Hi Everyone,

This year has been INCREDIBLY hard and I finally have some time to myself since ten days ago.

I'll start from the beginning:

In November my parents came for Thanksgiving and stayed a week and a half. Then my father's mother died, I missed 4 days of work as well as being so very sick at the same time. I would have been home sick the entire week if I hadn't been up in the 'county'.

Then I was sick through December and January, I was better then got sick again in February. I saw my parents for Christmas (a week) and again for almost a week in February.

I was very busy in March rehearsing for the musical at my school and my parents came to my production - it was then that I noticed my dad's health really fading.

To celebrate my new found freedom from the musical being finished, my husband and I bought a new iMac on a Thursday, then on Easter Sunday our water heater let go. On Friday I took a personal day to purchase my new car. Then on Saturday my mother called to tell me my father had died.

I didn't even hear the phone ring, but as soon as my husband came into the room I looked up and asked, "did dad die" . . . .I had been preparing for this for so long, and I think I held myself together very well - for my mother.

I got on the ONE bus that went to the county and inevitably there's a whole side story for that: the bus driver was a country singer selling his CDs on the bus - Archie Rivers. It was incredible. I nice bright spot in my 5+hour journey.

I have had a couple of minor breakdowns but I think I'm handling it pretty well. I'm sure there will be up days and down days.

My birthday was on April 14, the day of the funeral for my father. At first I was hesitant about having it, but then I decided that what's best for the family is best for me and that I would always celebrate my father's life on my birthday .

I'm so very glad that I learned how to operate carpentry machines and built my own step stool. I'm happy that I learned why manhole covers are round, I'm glad he told me to write all my words with the same slant. I'm glad I learned how to speak French from him. I'm glad I taught him how to use a computer, and he taught me how to enjoy solving crossword puzzles. I'm so glad that he was able to dance with me at my wedding.

I'm so glad for so many things, but most of all I'm just glad that he was able to be a part of my life for 32 years. He loved me and I loved him - I know he died with his dignity and without suffering. And I know that he's in a much better place now - I love you Dad!

New toy

2010-03-30T21:13:00.001-04:00

Stoli has a new 27 inch Mac to play with!!!

-- Posted from my iPhone

Back to normal

2010-03-28T12:10:00.001-04:00

Life is starting to get back to normal. Love to spend time with my kitties

-- Posted from my iPhone

I love shirts like these

2010-03-27T22:04:00.001-04:00

With bright colors and whimsical prints

-- Posted from my iPhone

I put this puppy together

2010-02-27T21:53:00.001-05:00

Took a little while but all's well

-- Posted from my iPhone

CAUGHT red-pawed

2010-02-10T21:16:00.001-05:00

Finding a snack I suppose

-- Posted from my iPhone

Happy birthday stoli

2010-02-02T17:55:00.001-05:00

I love you! Happy Fourth bday

-- Posted from my iPhone

Really large sculpture TOO, Two

2010-01-31T12:41:00.001-05:00

-- Posted from my iPhone

Waiting to dry

2010-01-06T20:12:00.001-05:00

A huge sculpture as a trial !!! Want one?

-- Posted from my iPhone

Stoli's favorite toy

2009-12-30T20:49:00.001-05:00

We call it "the mouse fragment". He's had it for over a year. He climbed in the back of a drawer to get it out

-- Posted from my iPhone

New curio cabinet

2009-12-13T15:37:00.000-05:00

Complete with ears

-- Posted from my iPhone

Luxors new seat

2009-12-12T21:36:00.001-05:00

-- Posted from my iPhone

new electrolux commercial

2009-12-05T07:40:00.002-05:00

anyone notice the bad editing on the new electrolux commercial? you know, the brand that has kelly dancing around flinging things and magically making everything land in order? Well, she spins around and slaps a plate making three mini pizzas fly in the air and magically land on her kids plates, well in the next shot she's doing something else and the pizzas are face down on the counter and the kids are picking them up.....hmmmmmmmmmmmm

can someone say oops!

Tree

2009-12-04T09:52:00.001-05:00

Think someones been sleeping at the top of the tree?

-- Posted from my iPhone

In Memory, Margaret "Nodie" McKinney

2009-12-02T19:34:00.002-05:00

My grandmother passed away November 30, 2009. She was 96! She was born on November 24th 1913 and "Nodie" comes from her name, Renovia. Nodie was easy to say. She wasn't allowed to be baptized as "Renovia" because it was considered a 'dog's' name and she was baptized Margaret Mary. It's my understanding that Catholics used to have to have a Saint's name to be baptized.

I'm named after my grandmother, and that's not all we have in common. She played piano and saxophone and LOVED music. I have followed in her footsteps to become a music teacher. I remember the first and only time she played the piano for me - it was all from memory and it was a rag.

I will always remember my gram for sitting me on her lap and rocking me, sing/saying the poem "Three Little Kittens". She also loved BRIGHT colors. One of the last times she came to my house she was wearing this outrageous hot pink hat and mittens.

She was a quiet and humble woman who had a great sense of humor. She gave birth to my father in her home because the closest hospital was in Canada and she wanted him to be born an American citizen.

I love you Gram!

Obituary from the Bangor Daily News:

Margaret McKinney "Nodie"

MADAWASKA - Margaret "Nodie" McKinney, 96, passed away Nov. 30, 2009, at a Madawaska health care facility. She was born Nov. 24, 1913, in Chipman, New Brunswick, the daughter of Lemuel and Edith (McKillian) Bourgeois. Nodie had a passion for music and in her earlier years, she was a member of the only all women orchestra in Maine. Her favorite instrument was the saxophone. Later in life she enjoyed working with needlepoint. She was also a member of Daughters of Isabella and a communicant of St. Thomas Aquinas Church, where she sang in the choir. Nodie is survived by one daughter, Dacia Lea Paradis of Wells; two sons, Wendell McKinney and his wife, Gayle, of Easton and Ricky McKinney of Madawaska; five grandchildren, Stephanie, Lee Anne, Kevin, Clayton and Renovia; two great-grandchildren; and one sister, Monica Martin of Edmundston, New Brunswick. She was predeceased by her husband, Edgar McKinney, in 1987; and by one grandson, Chad Paradis. Friends and family may call 8 a.m. until the time of service Wednesday, Dec. 2, at Daigle Funeral Home, where a funeral service will begin 10 a.m. Interment will be held later this spring at the parish cemetery. Donations may be made to St. Thomas Aquinas Church for Masses to be said in memory of Margaret.

Poutine!

2009-12-02T18:43:00.000-05:00

After my gram's funeral!

-- Posted from my iPhone

Long time no Blog!

2009-11-22T10:44:00.002-05:00

Hey there, I have had a sort of successful first glaze firing. Everything came out excellent. One piece had two TINY cracks in them. BUT when I cleared the digital read-out it told me the thermocouple failed. So now I have to figure out what happened. This is only my third firing in this kiln.

Anywho.

Can you guess who this gift is for?

Here are some other custom sculptures that I'm shipping tomorrow. 16 in all. Notice the NEW Fat Cat sculpture!

ok, colors again

2009-11-11T12:47:00.000-05:00

what about now:

Which ones....

Idle

2009-11-11T09:27:00.001-05:00

-- Posted from my iPhone

kiln!

2009-11-10T19:46:00.001-05:00

Tomorrow my kiln gets it's electricity!

Then on Fri/Sat I'll fire my first load! I can hardly wait - to all of you who are patiently waiting for your porcelain/earthenware pieces: They're coming~

Hopefully I won't have any explosions.

*crosses fingers*

what colors would you choose?

2009-11-09T21:02:00.003-05:00

I'm getting ready to order some pigments to glaze some sculptures and magnets in - but I'm going to only let myself purchase a couple. What colors do you like the best?

Sunday Comics with Stoli and Luxor

2009-11-08T00:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Saturday

2009-11-07T07:29:00.001-05:00

Here is my Christmas present to myself. Early? Yes. Needed? YES. Now I can get all these orders finished!

-- Posted from my iPhone

Creative juices

2009-11-05T21:00:00.001-05:00

Flowing again

-- Posted from my iPhone

Sunday Comics with Stoli and Luxor

2009-11-01T11:06:00.000-05:00

Good catch

2009-10-15T21:18:00.001-04:00

-- Posted from my iPhone

Happy 3rd Gotcha Day Luxor

2009-10-14T01:00:00.000-04:00

I know that his birthday is actually 6.6.6 but his gotcha day is important too. We went to a cat show hoping to meet up with some breeders I met online. My husband and I both agreed we weren't coming home with a cat. Well he held this little kitty and loved him!!!! We had to take him home!

-- Posted from my iPhone

Yea!

2009-10-13T18:59:00.002-04:00

Things have been looking up and up for me, I'm starting to feel better. I am only behind on one polymer order. Unfortunately I'm still behind on porcelain orders, but I can't control that because of kiln issues.

So yes, I'm feeling better - I'm crossing my fingers that there are sleep-full nights, slow motion days, and full slow breaths moments. None of this dizzy, stuffy, nauseating feelings please, no thanks!

Sunday Comics with Stoli and Luxor

2009-10-11T14:35:00.001-04:00

Spoke too soon

2009-10-07T01:45:00.000-04:00

My digestive is better but my upper respiratory stuff is NOT. I'm up at 1:47am -can't breathe. Hot stuffy feverish god help me.

-- Posted from my iPhone

Acupuncture

2009-10-06T19:58:00.002-04:00

So,

I started acupuncture last week and I've had two sessions. So far things have been great, I haven't been so hungry because I've been eating more 'good' fats and protein and veggies. I feel great, now I just gotta keep going and get the anxiety and allergies in order...I think this diet thing is supposed to be helping that though. That's FINE! I'll take feeling good before I get rid of the anxiety and allergies!

So I've been cookin' up a storm and I gotta tell you: I can't stand difficult recipes - so these are great:

1. Roasted Red Pepper Soup
in a nutshell, it's veggies roasted in a pan, add stock and red peppers, cook and puree. Then a dab of marscapone cheese in your bowl of soup.

2. Butternut Squash Soup
in a nutshell, roast apples, garlic, butternut squash and sweet potato, puree and eat.

3. Italian Wedding Soup
in a nutshell, make meat balls (small) boil them in chicken stock and add a little TINY pasta then a pound of kale

4. Spicy Portuguese Sausage Soup
in a nutshell, saute onion and garlic, then add some potatoes, add chicken broth, boil some diced Portuguese sausage, then add kale

5. Crustless Quiche
saute a little bit of hamburg with onion and garlic - really, not very much at all. Put it in the bottom of a pie plate. Scramble six eggs with hoisin (sp?) chili sauce, Parmesan and milk. Toss in diced Swiss cheese. Pour over beef...cook!

These have all been AMAZING and I wouldn't be telling you about them if I didn't think they were YUMMY!

Sunday Comics with Stoli and Luxor

2009-10-04T08:50:00.002-04:00

Click to Biggify!

$100 to HART!

2009-10-03T19:21:00.002-04:00

From Daisy and Endless Whimsy!

A day in the life of me!

2009-09-30T08:30:00.000-04:00

Not that you all want to know - but face it, you're curious

Disclaimer: I KNOW my life isn't as hectic as some of you but it's got to rank right up there:

MONDAY! (most)
5:30am alarm and shower
5:40am breakfast and dress
6:00am gather stuff for school
6:15am leave for school
6:35am arrive and set up for day
7:00am plan for the day OR already teaching
8:00am-2:30pm teaching
2:30pm-3:40pm meetings or auditions
3:40pm-4:10pm travel time
4:15pm Wescustago Youth Choral rehearsals (I'm a conductor of a choir and an assistant)
8:30pm leave to go home
9:05pm home
9:15pm read Endless Whimsy convos and answer
9:20pm start packing any orders ready to ship OR make orders that aren't porcelain
10:15pm stop Endless Whimsy stuff and sit down to relax
11:00pm bed time

Tuesday
you really don't want to see Tuesday....

All I have to say is - Monday is my hardest day, the other days are basically working from 7am to 6pm.....no wonder I'm behind on orders...

I'm sorry!

2009-09-29T14:02:00.000-04:00

Thanks for the help boys. You're sitting on my computer and my packing materials

-- Posted from my iPhone

Mancat Monday

2009-09-28T22:01:00.000-04:00

-- Posted from my iPhone

Sunday Comics With Stoli and Luxor

2009-09-27T11:46:00.012-04:00

Click to biggify!

Trying and TIred

2009-09-26T06:57:00.002-04:00

I'm trying out McLinky finally, I read that it helps bloggers connect with each other, and you can meet new people. Perhaps that will happen to me! Meanwhile, I'm going back to bed.....

Day seven

2009-09-20T16:18:00.002-04:00

Poor radtech. They will get an earfull. My husband HAD to get an iPhone cover that wasn't overly expensive. So he purchased one for $15 (plus shipping) from radtech. And on the seventh day, you can see it's falling apart. All this iPod has done is go from car seat to desk to table. No dropping or anything. Note to self don't purchase iPhone cars from radtech.

-- Posted from my iPhone

Chamilia and Troll beads

2009-09-19T13:46:00.001-04:00

Note to self and others. Troll beads DO fit on Chamilia bangles. I just purchased a bangle and brought my Troll beads along to see if they fit. Sure do. I'm glad too because the bangle is way better than link bracelet any day.

-- Posted from my iPhone

Cat that LOVES running water

2009-09-16T15:56:00.002-04:00

Luxor

2009-09-14T09:52:00.001-04:00

He just loves to talk

-- Posted from my iPhone

Sunday Comics with Stoli and Luxor

2009-09-13T10:17:00.002-04:00

How to take plasticizer out of polymer clay, tutorial

2009-09-12T08:40:00.002-04:00

Lately, when I've been purchasing my Studio Sculpey clay - the clay has been so soft it's not at all workable out of the package. You can see in the picture below - on the left is a normal piece of clay just out of the package. On the right is a piece of polymer clay right out of the package, it has WAY too much plasticizer in it.

Just lightly pressing my thumb into that clay on the right made this imprint.

So, to make it workable I set out a couple sheets of white paper, no words please unless you want them in your clay! I then pressed more sheets of white paper on top of the sticky polymer. You can set a heavy book on them if you like, but you have to be careful plasticizer doesn't bleed into the book cover. For my clay, I didn't want it to get too dry, so I just left the paper on it without any weight.

After about 5 minutes, this is what the paper looked like. I thought the clay was still too wet so I pressed it into the paper again and left it for another 5 minutes.

I can tell the clay is a little drier now because when I press my thumb into the clay, it doesn't leave as big an imprint and the clay has little cracks in it. Don't worry, it's not TOO dry because when you start kneading and working the clay again the plasticizer from the inside of the clay will work through evenly.

It's unfortunately that many readily available brands are so inconsistent with the amount of plasticizer placed in the polymer clay, but rest assured that you can make it work for you!

Stoli and the iPhone

2009-09-09T07:33:00.001-04:00

Poor poor Luxor

2009-09-08T17:44:00.001-04:00

Luxor didn't want to get in the carrier so he got left inside.

-- Posted from my iPhone

AUCTION!

2009-09-08T09:09:00.002-04:00

UPDATE!!!!! I forgot to tell you that this is all going in a cat bed for the auction. So a bed is included too!

So as part of my effort to contribute to HART, I decided that I'd put some of the 10% from the shop towards a 'cat-themed' basket for their "Litterbox Ball & Auction".

Here are some of the goodies:

and a porcelain sculpture from ME and a catnip toy from Jake & Micah!

FUNDRAISER

2009-09-07T09:07:00.003-04:00

Here are the 25 cans that I'm going to take up to HART along with $100 dollars!!!!

I'm Balanced

2009-09-06T08:59:00.004-04:00

I treated myself to an ArtMind mini-feeling....it's beautiful. If you haven't purchased one for yourself, you really have to. It's TOTALLY worth it.

1. THE PACKAGE (I edited out the addresses)

2. Opened up the package - look at all the detail!

3. A gift! and magnets!

4. The sculptures! Yes, two - one is for someone other than me.

5. Postcards - for someone! And my sculpture...look at that happy girl!

6. CHOCOLATE!

7. Balanced - just not balancing yet. There's special poster tape to put on the bottom and I was super worried it wouldn't balance but it held it like a ROCK when I tried it, just don't let your cats play with it ;-P

Yea for geekiness

2009-09-05T21:32:00.002-04:00

Now I can blog from my iPhone.
As you can see it's bed time for me and stoli

-- Posted from my iPhone

Happy Magnets

2009-09-05T07:10:00.003-04:00

This week I received my happy magnets from ArtMind! Look how cute they are! The happy girl wasn't so happy when I opened up the package. But look at the happy colors - and I also got some pigments to try out in my glazes!!!!!!

OUCHIE

2009-09-03T11:47:00.001-04:00

Shame on you Stoli

The Daisy Process

2009-09-02T11:40:00.002-04:00

Here are a few snapshots of sending off Daisy sculptures:

Jury Duty

2009-09-01T21:38:00.001-04:00

We'll here's my check (for one day of work) the rest of the money will be coming........I'm In The Money!

WE DID IT!

2009-08-31T16:50:00.003-04:00

We reached the goal of 25 sculptures sold for Daisy's Curly Fundraiser! That's $100 and 25 cans of food! Look for some photos soon of the sculptures AND the food!

Thank you to everyone who helped make this happen! I was really exciting! I hope you enjoyed it, I mailed 15 boxes today!

If you didn't get a Daisy sculpture, no worries - I'll just take a little break while the stores restock pink! And in the mean time, I'll get a Harley Spy Cat sculpture going. If you are still interested in participating you can let me know via a comment so I know whether or not to keep stocking up......

Sunday Comics with Stoli and Luxor

2009-08-30T05:55:00.002-04:00

Last Nostalgia Saturday - for a while at least

2009-08-29T08:38:00.003-04:00

Here's my last Nostalgia Saturday for a while, I'm extremely busy with the Daisy fundraiser and school is starting.....

Here is a photo of a crochet project from a late 70s magazine. It has a resemblance to Kathy Merrick's Babette Blanket:

Now onto the other stuff -

the Daisy fundraiser is 7 SEVEN sculptures away from our goal! It's a modest goal, I hope to offer another fundraiser with a Harley sculpture after school get's going.

FUNDRAISER!!!!

2009-08-25T06:30:00.009-04:00

Daisy the Curly Cat and Endless Whimsy are teaming up for a FUN fundraiser. Together we are raising monies for the Homeless Animal Rescue Team in Cumberland, Maine . For every special, numbered! sculpture purchased, Endless Whimsy and Daisy the Curly Cat will donate $4 and a can of food! We'll be updating everyone soon on how much is raised. We think the fundraiser will go for a month, but maybe more depending on how many people want sculptures!

Your Help Please

2009-08-24T08:01:00.003-04:00

I am in the market to purchase small kiln. Here are the four I'm looking at - I have no idea about which brands are better than others I'm just wondering WHY there is such a HUGE price difference?

Sunday Comics with Stoli & Luxor

2009-08-23T00:11:00.004-04:00

Nostalgia Saturday

2009-08-22T11:12:00.002-04:00

Feature Friday: LittleStudioJewels

2009-08-21T10:03:00.001-04:00

Meghann from Little Studio Jewels
How did you get started:

I always loved art, but photography really held me captive. When going on a cross-Canada drive when I was 13, my mom got me a basic point and shoot and a roll of film for each week. I took some of the most amazing photos and I was hooked!

For my jewelry making, during high school, I could never find jewelry I liked at the quality I wanted, with a decent price tag. I made my own instead! When I became sick with fibromyalgia and had to quit my job, I needed something to keep me occupied, and my arts came back to me. I haven't looked back since and it has been a great experience to run my own business doing something I love.

What are your inspirations?

My husband, my dog, my family and friends are all inspirational. My husband works so hard to get the things he wants and needs and it shows me that if I work hard, I can do the same. My dog keeps things simple, and I think we all need to take a page from her. Play, eat, sleep, work, everything is just simple - no dramas or manipulations, it is wonderful. My family and friends are all great for different reasons and they keep me happy and sane. I am also inspired by nature, and my Celtic heritage. They both transcend time!

What are your favorite pieces?

I am currently working on my new collection, called NeoAmour, which means new love. I am taking powerful women from history and creating pieces inspired by them. It is fabulous - I get to make jewelry to satisfy my inner artist, and I get to satisfy my inner nerd by researching great women! Here are some of my favorites: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15301910
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28568467
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25758133

Are you affiliated with any charities?

I help many animal organizations, as I give 10% of my total sales to a different charity each month. Some months I help people charities, but I love my animal ones too! Here is a list of charities I help:
Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation
Rescue 100 - an organization devoted to rescuing 100 horses found perilously ill in Alberta in 2008 and seized by the local SPCA
The Arthritis Society of Canada
The Country Cat Sanctuary - A local No Kill Sanctuary for rescued and abandoned cats
National ME/FM Network Canada - an organization devoted to helping improve the lives of those with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) and Fibromyalgia (FM)
Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada
Hearts on Noses - a sanctuary helping abandoned and abused mini pigs in BC
Rideau Valley Wildlife Society
Epic Farms in Alabama
National Wildlife Federation
Lanark Animal Welfare Society

SALES AND SPECIALS
I am having a sale the last week of August and also for one day on my birthday, September the 10 - everything is 20% off!

Featured Items: BLACK

2009-08-20T13:58:00.002-04:00

Endless Whimsy featured on Moderncat

2009-08-19T05:57:00.003-04:00

Hop on over to check out this GREAT blog:

Nostalgia Saturday

2009-08-15T07:35:00.003-04:00

Sorry I didn't get a Nostalgia Saturday post up last week, but here it is for this week! $50-$60 a week, that sounds like a lot for 1952. Anyone know how much that would be today?

Train meets Train:

2009-08-12T06:53:00.001-04:00

taken by SavvyCatDotNet

And in case you didn't see: I've updated my shop to show Opposites Attract -

Doily 2

2009-08-11T06:58:00.003-04:00

"kitty talk" by delsie rhoades:

Custom Order progess:

2009-08-09T19:42:00.003-04:00

Here are some completed custom orders. I was SO worried that the glaze would run, I had tried dipping them to get a really clean line of glaze on the bottom.

REENA

CHLOE (so you can see the line)

CHLOE in the catnap pose - this is the first one done in this pose!

PIXEL

Newsletter Tutorial

2009-08-09T10:25:00.001-04:00

I figured I should probably have this tutorial on my blog as well as the Sellers Assissting Sellers blog, as I wrote it:

***

Newsletters can be a great tool to get information out to your customers. They are cheap to produce and keep your customers informed. Be careful! You don't want to send out too many, people hate spam, once a month is usually OK. Use your newsletter as an occasional tool to offer great deals to your subscribers or let them be the first to know of a new product.

If you know how to use a web page editor like iWeb or Dreamweaver or other WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) editor then you can send out a web newsletter! Hooray!

I'll walk you through the process of Google Docs, putting a form on your blog, newsletter design, importing subscribers addresses and sending the newsletter.

Google Docs & Blog

1. Add a Google Form to your blog or website. Sign up with Google Docs (it's free) and click “New” and “Form”

2. Title the Form, Edit the “Name” field, Change the word “Name” to Email and DELETE the “untitled question” at the bottom of the form. Click DONE!

3. Go to “More Actions” and click “Embed”. Then copy this code into an HTML/Javascript widget on your blog or website (usually found in 'settings or layout').

iframe ------------------------->

Result:
You can tweak the settings and placement and confirmation message within Google Docs.

Design your Newsletter

In your web site editor, design a page exactly the way you would like it to look if you were to receive it in an email. Be sure to include your banner, a click to view online link, an unsubscribe link and copyright. Name your page “newsletter” and upload it to your webserver. It's ok if it doesn't link to other pages within your site.

Import your subscribers addresses

Go to Google Docs and copy any emails of subscribers and import them into your address book under a group called “YOURSHOPNAME”. Don't forget to check your email preferences to be sure Group Emails do not display individual emails but keeps them private.

Send your Newsletter

1. open up the online version of your newsletter (http://www.example.com/newsletter.html) in SAFARI.

2. Go to the File menu in Safari and click Mail Contents of this page. It will open up a new email within your computers default mail program.

3. Address the email to the “YOURSHOPNAME” group. Check to make sure everything looks the way you'd like, a trial run to yourself isn't a bad idea.

SEND!

tomorrow' jury

2009-08-09T08:03:00.002-04:00

I'm going back to jury duty tomorrow. But I think I'll know the results of the kiln firing today. I tried a new method - dipping the kitties in wax, then in the glaze. I hope it makes for a nice finish of the clear glaze. I'm worried that it will be on too thick. I've spent SO long painting them to look like other people's cats - I'd hate for something to go wrong with them.

Shirataki Noodles

2009-08-05T10:47:00.002-04:00

I hope I like tofu.

I was reading about these tofu noodles as a great and nutritious substitute for pasta. I figured, if they are THAT good for me, I better try them. I'll let you know how they taste. In the meantime, you can check them out online at www.house-foods.com

An excerpt:

LOW CARB - only 3g of carbs per serving
LOW CALORIE - 20 calories per 4 oz serving
NO CHOLESTEROL
NO SUGAR
GLUTEN-FREE
DAIRY-FREE
CONTAINS 10% CALCIUM
VEGAN

front page!

2009-08-04T10:51:00.001-04:00

I guess this is God's way of thanking me for jury duty yesterday. Thanks Stubborndog!

Note for PussDaddy

2009-08-04T07:12:00.000-04:00

I can't seem to read your blog without my browser crashing. Have you heard any other people having these problems?

How To Picot - Featured on Totally Tutorials!

2009-08-03T17:29:00.003-04:00

The tutorial I made for the picot stitch is featured on Totally Tutorials!

Sweet Irie~

2009-08-02T08:18:00.000-04:00

I just received the most fun package from Michele from Sweet Irie! She graciously offered to do an exchange for winning the giveaway. I received two cute mini key fobs (one, two) and a lanyard for my school id. And here's my most favorite, a wallet. I don't like to keep my cards in sleeves so I end up shoving them in my pockets and then I don't know what pants they are in when I need them again. This is seeming like the perfect solution - instead of shoving them loosely into my pockets, I shove them loosely into this wallet pocket!

Nostalgia Saturday

2009-08-01T13:22:00.002-04:00

Small Scare with Luxor Yesterday

2009-07-31T07:22:00.003-04:00

I was in a funk all day yesterday - so I decided to try to take a nap. I noticed Luxor was really grooming his self for a while, so I looked up and he had blood on his chest and leg. Not a lot, but enough to make me freak out (which isn't very much anyway). So I checked him all over, no cuts. I checked Stoli, no cuts. They hadn't been fighting. His lip looked pink. I let him be, Anthony and I watched him grooming later in the day and it happened again. We cleaned it up right away so the blood didn't get on his fur and make him groom harder. It still looked like his lip but I noticed his tongue was red too.

We called his vet, they weren't too worried, they said cats sometimes scratch themselves if their claws are sharp. Luxor HATES when we clip his nails, and I waited too long - I clipped them yesterday. All of them.

I went to bed and it happened again, his fur was wet he was grooming so much. I washed him down and then dried him then played with him to get his mind off of grooming. I had nightmares all night and all day I got all queasy thinking about the blood.

I would be REALLY worried if something else was wrong with him. But he's eating well, playing hard, sleeping normally, litter box is normal, and only grooming a little more than normal - because of the blood.

Crossing my fingers:

IT"S FINISHED!

2009-07-29T12:38:00.003-04:00

doily - done. After countless hours of stretching, it's complete. I spent most of yesterday stretching it. For my first doily, I'm proud. I think gram would have been proud too.

ChocoDot

2009-07-28T09:49:00.003-04:00

is featured on Shop by Hand

Nostalgia Saturday

2009-07-27T07:59:00.003-04:00

well sort of, I have been going through my grandmothers vintage crochet books (I'm so lucky to have them!) and some of the ads in them are PRICELESS. I decided to have Nostalgia Saturday be a tribute to this old, and sometimes sexist ads. Hopefully I'm not breaking any rules.

So for today: a preview.

Most ads will be from "The WorkBasket", Volume 17, No. 6, 1952

experiments

2009-07-24T19:53:00.003-04:00

experiments:

I made some test tiles to see what happened when I mixed glazes. Here's my favorite concoction. The middle is a combination of 'seaweed' and 'textured blue'. I LOVE IT.

Summery Tomato Salad

2009-07-22T17:19:00.004-04:00

YUM~

2 pints grape tomatoes
1 bunch of green onions (just the greens), coarsely chopped
1 package of small mozzarella balls, drained
Extra Virgin Olive Oil, enough to lightly coat
Salt and pepper to taste
Orange zest, about a whole orange worth
Optional: a dash of balsamic vinegar

Luxor photo session

2009-07-21T21:24:00.001-04:00

Well hello there, I see you have a camera - did you know I'm a model? I can be a great model if you just touch up my make up a little.

If you take a closer look you can see I have just a few blemishes. Not many people notice them, but as a model you have to be sure you are always ready for photo sessions.

I see here you have a little bit of make ups here, I'll direct you how to put it on me.

See here, this is how I pucker for my lips paint.

Here I am readying my eyes for the makeups.

How do I look? Am I ready? Do you like my smile? I have a few missing teeths because I runs into stuff when I play and I used to chew on lots of stuff I wasn't supposed to. That doesn't make me less pretty right?

Ok, I'm all pretty! photo time! What? you've been taking pictures all this time? This isn't a reality show!

Home For Sale: Northern Maine!

2009-07-21T17:30:00.001-04:00

If you're looking for a home - here's one for you!

A 2470 sq. ft. farm house from 1870, 5.5 acres, 3 car garage, 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, workshop, HUGE wrap-around porch, bonus room above garage (35x45!!!) renovations include new kitchen and family room and a POND! Click on the photo to be taken directly to the listing!

I'd love to help get this sold for my parents! I want them to live closer to me!

Ahhh, relief

2009-07-20T20:35:00.003-04:00

Here are the final products minus the dog (that's a secret).

1. July, 2. ChocoDot, 3. Train, 4/5. Newlyweds, 5. Doc, 6. Taji

6. Doc, 7. Taji, 8. Mr. Moo, 9. L'Amour, 10. Ginger Tabby, 11. Siamese, 12. Tuxedo Girl (Sweet Irie)

9. L'Amour, 10. Ginger Tabby, 11. Siamese, 12. Tuxedo Girl (Sweet Irie), 13. Birman, 14. Calico, 15. Dilute Calico

Box of Toys!

2009-07-20T12:55:00.001-04:00