Tag...YOU'RE IT!

 Little Miss Yvonne just tagged me...and since I'm giving myself a little break this morning before I go up to the studio and paint, I thought this would be perfect timing to play along....

1. Total amount of music files on your computer:  none....this computer is too old and slow to bother    

 

2. The last CD you bought was:... The Cure, "The Cure"

3. What is the song you last listened to before reading this message?  "Medulla" by Bjork...it was playing on the Direct T.V. music channel

4. Write down 5 songs you often listen to or that mean a lot to you:  "Waltz across America" by the Cowboy Junkies; "12 Gracious Melodies" by Stone Temple Pilots; "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" by Wilco; "Fumbling Towards Ectasy", By Sarah McLachlan; "Once Blue" by Once Blue. (I wrote down Cd's....I like all of the songs on these) 

5. Who are you going to pass this stick to? (3 persons) and why?  I'm Tagging Melissa...'cuz she loves her Ipod and Amanda & Rowena...'cuz I'm curious!    

  

                                         

Hope posted some pics. of her pages for the Journal....and they are awesome! Give them a looksie!

posted by: sweetpeas at January 31, 2005 14:14 | link | comments (9) |

I'm an Auntie again! 

Welcome Emma....our little Georgian Peach....3 weeks early, and in an ice storm of course! They had to go by ambulance as they could not get out of the driveway! But everyone is doing great and now Sammy has a little sister!

I love 'ya Sis...can't wait to come in March!

posted by: sweetpeas at January 30, 2005 12:09 | link | comments (11) |
family & friends

giftylicious goodnes!

I can't wait for the DESTRESSING to begin!

Oh My gifty goodnes! Look what I got in the mail last week! I did not want to touch my gifties until I took a picture of them...but I just couldn't help getting in to the Sweet Tarts (pic. not shown here). I finally get to use one of the face masks...and I can't wait to sit by the fire and read my new book this winter! Thanks Shelagh for such a thoughtful package!

And yet more Homemeade Christmas gifts for the Mothers and Grandmothers...

 

We filled them with little gifts.

Have you all heard the GREAT news? Dawn won the Best Blog Awards for the cooking category! Congratulations Dawn! You deserve it!

I will try to be able to work on the Collective Souls Blog this weekend! I have no idea why most of you can't log in...and I'm sorry! I think what I'll try to do is resend the invitations and we'll take it from there! I wish I could do it sooner, but am too busy with work! On the happy side...I sent the journal off to Hope yesterday! I can't wait to see what she comes up with!

I tried to post a comment today on three different blogs, and had no luck! So Leslie, Dawn and Cassi....I'll try again tomorrow!

The computer Gods are not looking down upon me this week! BLAH!

I came upon 2 great stories today...both wonderful bits of writing that will take you there with them...Amanda opens herself up to us, and takes us back to her memories of fear. Rowena shares a wonderful weekend morning at a local cafe, while her and her Hubby take an "art challenge". I so enjoyed both of them, and I know you will too!

I'm not sure if I told you, but I have started recently to spend ever other Monday morning with my Memere. She lives about 40 minutes away and I leave early in the morning so that I'm there for coffee...and well usually something sweet. This past Monday I taught her how to knit. Somthing she did as a little girl, and unfortunately had not enjoyed. But I think I may have her hooked! She started a scarf for one of my nephews and she was talking about the new knitting needles and yarn she was going to buy! I remember growing up she was always the one to teach us to craft and sew, so now it's my turn!

After Memere's I head to my friend Judy's where we either snowshoe or knit. We make lunch, maybe drink some wine or tea. This Monday we decided to crochet flowers. I have never crocheted (sp?)...and let's just say my lopsided flower was not very impressive...but it was good for giggles. Anyhoo, I'm not ready to give up yet!

Hope you all have a great week....we'll try to fix the blog this weekend...Please do a dance and chant to the Computer Gods for me!

~HUGS~

posted by: sweetpeas at January 26, 2005 23:42 | link | comments (14) |
nothing much

MAILING ORDER:

Well Girly Girls, Jon picked your names from a pretty antique yellowware bowl (my passion) and I've posted the mailing lineup here. After this, you'll be able to find any new info. on the Collective Souls Journal at that site. I must say I am anxiuos to have this site back to normal so I can rant and rave about everyday things!

I'm keeping this short and sweet as the Patriots are on, and this game determines whether they go to the Super Bowl or not! Hubby keeps yelling at the T.V. from the living room....and I can't take it...I must go watch!

~HUGS~

posted by: sweetpeas at January 24, 2005 00:07 | link | comments (6) |

Inspiration....

 

Here is a sneak preview of a page I did! Hopefully it will get your creative juices flowing! (I am so buying myself a scanner tomorrow!!) I used some of my photography, one of my watercolor pieces and lots of fun cuts from my paper collection. Remember....ANYTHING goes!

We have had a great response girls! As of this morning we have 15 participants. UPDATE: We are at 19 as of Saturday morning! As a surprise I added 3 new girls to the mix...they are all gals that I thought would give an interesting twist to the journal. Please welcome Amanda, Karen & Jill!

I will open a Flicker Account this week, so we can all go in and post pictures when we want!

I also wanted to mention my wonderful Gifty from Shelagh! I have been so behind as of late, I just haven't had time to post the picture of it! I will, I will! I just wanted to get the ball rolling on our Journal! She sent me so many cool little goodies...it's hard to mention them all, that's why I really want to post a pic. of it all! But just to give you an idea, she sent me a great book, face masks, teas and well more, more, more! I felt so darn lucky! Thankyou Leslie for putting the Gifty together! LOL!

Will be in touch! Only 2 more days left!

posted by: sweetpeas at January 21, 2005 14:35 | link | comments (12) |
artsy fartsy, collective souls

Collective Souls...a journal's journey

 Calling all creative souls....

What's this you ask? Well it's an invitation to partake in a journal program I am putting together....otherwise known as a "Round Robin". This is the first journal called "Believe".

My goal is this: Anyone who participates in the Collective Souls journal will eventually have their own journal, full of original art, photos, writings & recipes. I'm hoping it will bring us all together in a more personal and textural way.

How do I plan on accomplishing this? After each journal is finished, I will literally have Jon pick a name from a hat....(well probably a pretty bowl) and that person will be the new owner of that journal. It will always be a surprise...and we wont know until AFTER the journal is done.

*PLEASE NOTE: for now, this will be invitation only. ANYONE who is currently one of my links to the left can participate. If you are new to this blog, still feel free to sign up, as I may eventually start a new round of journals. But for now, we'll keep it simple. 

You don't have to be an artist to participate!!! A recipe, poem, photo etc. on a pretty piece of card stock will give the journals wonderful variety!!

Your pages could be wild and full of color...or just simple and light!

ANYTHING goes! COLLAGE PAPERS NEW & OLD, ILLOS, FABRICS, FIBERS, BUTTONS, BEADS, BAUBLES, CHARMS, POCKETS WITH SECRET NOTES, PAINT, CHARCOAL, INKS, DYES, BRANCHES, PRESSED FLOWERS, PHOTOS STORIES, POEMS, PHRASES, RECIPES & MORE!!

How will this work?

1. Well first...you need to sign up!! You can comment, but most importantly you must email me with your name, blog name, and mailing address by Sunday Jan. 23rd.

2. After the sign up due date, I will throw all of your names into a bowl & have Jon pick out your names one by one...and this will determine the order in which the journal will be passed around. I will have the journal sent back to me a few times so I can check on it's stability and progress. I will be sure to email you all with the order in which the journal will be sent...and the address of whom you're sending it to.

3. You can make up to 2 pages....(4 sides) to put in the journal. If you just want to make one side of a page, don't fret....I'm sure someone will take it upon themselves along the way to decorate the other side!

4. The page size for this first journal will be 9 X 6 inches. (9" tall X 6" wide) You should give yourself about an inch (a little under is fine) for the binding. Please make sure that you sign your name and blog name clearly someplace on your page. The page should have a base of cardstock...so it will hold up and can withstand lots of looking!

5. For now the journal will have ring binders, but when the piece is done, I will be sure to bind it with something pretty before I send it off to it's new owner.

6. You should have the journal in your posession NO MORE the 3 weeks from the date you receive it. Let's please stick to this! I will always give you the page size of each journal beforehand, so if you are inspired to do so, you can work on your pages at any time. This may also help keep it moving along.

6. As soon as that journal is done, I will make a new one, and I will have Jon pick your names again, to determine the mailing order. I'd like to keep it different, and always with the element of surprise.

7. I hope that along the way you will feel free to post about the progress of the journal! Hope made us a this adorable button!! This button will link us to another page with all of these directions and progress of the journal as it travels along to each of us.

8. If you need to drop out of the program, I'll understand...and I'm sure there will be new bloggers along the way to replace you. BUT...please be honest with yourself before you start the Collective Souls Journal program! If you are the type of person that signs up for this type of thing, but can't seem to ever find the time to get to the post office...is this really for you? This is a long term commitment until everyone has received a journal of their own.

THANKYOU Hope & Kathleen for all of your ideas and emails!!

This is a work in progress....please feel free to give advice, ask questions etc.!!! I hope I've made everything clear, but I'm sure I didn't!! hahaha!

Can't wait to hear from you all!!

posted by: sweetpeas at January 17, 2005 12:41 | link | comments (18) |
inspiration for you, artsy fartsy, collective souls

Family Day

Well our last Christmas Sunday was just lovely here at The Plenty To Do Farm...lots of good food, conversation and outdoor activity! After opening gifts we stuffed ourselves with Turkey pot pie, salmon pie, hot crab dip & more. We finally had a REAL snow storm here in Maine...with big fluffy snow that actually added up to something! So out come the cross country skiis, snowshoes and sled.

My sister Marissa really liked her knitted goodies!

The lining came out much better the second time around. Marissa and Beth will be "testing" these for wear & tear as they may come up for sale next year.

OH! But the real model looks so much better!

My little Sis Marissa

Quite the flashy girl! 

Dad with his oldest and youngest....

Who are these good lookin' people anyway?

Modeling my new pink vest and my pretty new scarf I bought from Giao.

(my favorite combination) (what a poser)

And little Gabe was bundled up....he only fussed when we would stop.

 

He's quite the outdoorsman!

Afterwards we came back to the house, drank rich hot chocalate and ate peanutbutter cake. Needless to say I was in bed & snoring by 8:00! We had a great day, and I wish we all had the time to do it more often!

Well I'm off early this morning to go and visit my grandparents as they were not feeling well enough to come yesterday. At noon I plan on meeting my bestest friend Judy back here at the house for more snowshoeing and some knitting. Last night she made us homemade "garlicky chicken soup." Sounds YUMM....I'll let you know for sure.

I still have a few more gifts to post....but I think I'll save it for another day...I've got to get on the road!

Will be sure to catch up with you all this week!

LOL

 

posted by: sweetpeas at January 10, 2005 12:15 | link | comments (17) |
knitting away the time

Give her some LOVE!

Last time I looked, Dawn from My Life with Garlic was running third  (Is now in first) in the Best of Blog Award finals!  They made the voting proccess much easier...it's fast and simple! Voting ends Jan. 17th. She is our own little Garlic Goddess girls....PLEASE go vote and show her some love!

I'm adding a few more to the list this week! Ani found my blog recently....and this crafty New Yorker is a sweetie! (She just posted a link to a key lime tart recipe) (they look sinful!) (I want one NOW!)

Then via Kathleen I found Cassi....oh how I LOVE all the vintage goodies she shares! Is it just me or does Kathleen just draw good talented souls right to her like a magnet? When someone comments on Kathleen's site, I usually check them out! (I'm nosey, so what?)

Also, I'm adding my Gifty partner, Shelagh, quite frankly her vibrant art brightens my day...if you need an instant "day brightener"....she's your girl!

I'm excited about a new project I will slowly be working on....but I think I might keep it to myself for a while...though I want to say THANKYOU Hope & Yvonne for helping! You 2 will need a lot of patience to pull this one off! (I'm just a dumb-ass sometimes) heehee.

Other news around The Plenty To Do Farm is that I have officially thrown my back out! I truly think it's from all of that high powered knitting I did for gifts....oh and I still have 3 more things to make for THIS Sunday's Christmas! I went to knit last night and I had this lovely burning sensation shoot up the right side of my back and directly to my neck. I've had a migraine for over a week...and it doesn't do much for the appetite. LET IT END! I wanted to post yesterday...and after firing off an email, I realized I just couldn't sit at this computer without being in agony! Speaking of...I think we'll keep this post short and sweet!

~HUGS~

posted by: sweetpeas at January 06, 2005 13:30 | link | comments (11) |

more Christmas goodness!

Another Christmas morning, spent happily at Jon's Mom's house. As usual, Mum-z and Greg went WAY over the top! We got our Home Depot Gift cards....so of course I was not expecting the big fat T.J. Maxx gift card from Greg, but I should've known, they just can't help themselves! Clothes, socks, a weed wacker and more. We love it all and all of us kids are terribly spoiled!  THANKYOU!

Beth's kids showed up Oh-So ready to tear open their gifts, what a riot! Honestly! I'd say the gem of the day was Connor's remote controled Hummer that Uncles Jon, Sean and Marc took outside to play. Boys will be boys no matter the age!

I get to show you a few more of the presents we made...

A scarf and pocketbook for Beth

Well Jon didn't make these, but the endless hours of sitting in front of the T.V. listening to the clickety-click of my needles should count for something.

My first attempt at  lining a pocketbook. Hopefully I'll get better with practice.

And for the Lawyer of the family....

This is on Greg's liscence plate....hope he can use it in his new office space.

I have to show you all the adorable gift darling Hope sent me! It's from Anthropology...she's such a little devil! I'm going to save it for the new room and put a photo of Jon & I in it. (I'm thinking black and white would look cool.) I LOVE it Hope! Thankyou!

Isn't it just so cool???

Hoping you all had a great New years! We went to Jon's Dad's place for a FAB dinner and cocktails. Beth and the kids came over, and I gave them their presents then. (No, I didn't make things for the kids...good 'ole fashion toys for all of my little buggers.) But we had a great time, and only being a few miles from the house kept us safe and out of trouble. We were in bed by 10:00....so we really did stay out of trouble. Bethie had bought Raspberry Stoli for Cosmos...(we call them little nasties)...but we were good and never broke into it. Saving the Stolis for next weekend, who knows? Could be trouble.

Can anyone tell me if the link buttons I put up are working? I keep getting X-boxes. This computer is old & slow, I can only get dial up here, so I'm hoping that's the reason. Please let me know!

Have a great week! LOL

posted by: sweetpeas at January 02, 2005 20:49 | link | comments (14) |
artsy fartsy, knitting away the time