Confirmation

Recently, while typing a comment on someone's blog, the spell checking program didn't like the word macchiatos. Even as I type this, it is helpfully suggesting I replace the word with psychiatrist.

wha....... psychiatrist? !

Which simply confirms my long-held belief...

(source)

...a good cup of coffee (or tea!) is therapy to body, mind & soul.

Seven - count 'em - seven little known things

I have been tagged. In a shameless knock-off of David Letterman's nightly countdowns, here is my "Top 7" countdown list of little-known facts about me:

• #7. My big toe is over 1/2" longer than the rest of my toes, which are quite petite. The contrast was striking when I was younger, and I was called "Monkey Feet" whenever I wore sandals in grade school.

• #6. While eating oyster stew made from canned oysters, I found a pearl. Seriously! My father/brothers hunted birds and I was accustomed to finding buckshot in meat, so I put it on the side of my plate without a second thought. When my dad asked what I found, I replied, "Oh, just a BB." Duh! I was only in 3rd grade, so I am cutting myself some slack on this one (but the phrase "oyster shooters" suddenly takes on a whole new meaning.) Unfortunately, I soon lost my tiny pearl in the green shag carpet in my bedroom, and it has never been seen since. Who know what lurks in shag carpeting?
  

• #5. I began a green M&M collection when I was in Junior High. Since everyone in the 70's knew green M&M's made you...well, you know what they were said to do. (If you don't know, go ask someone who was a teen in the 70's). I decided I would save mine. My brother, 8 years older, ate my entire collection (several hundred) when he was home for a visit. Apparently he either didn't know of their fabled effects, or he had need of them. He didn't mention how 3-year-old M&M's tasted. So much for saving for the future.

• #4. While in high school, people frequently told me I looked like Kimberly (Dana Plato) on the popular TV show, Different Strokes. "Wha-choo talkin' 'bout?"
  

• #3. I'm 5' 4" tall. My handsome husband is 6'8" tall. I could stand under his outstretched arm with room to spare. I've always suspected the women's basketball team at my alma mater resented that I hooked one of the tall basketball players on campus. There were looks directed my way that could not be construed as friendly.
  

• #2. As a child, I had a re-occurring nightmare about falling off a cliff. Since I lived in very flat Minnesota, it was an irrational fear. When I visited the aforementioned tall handsome fellow--now my fiance'--shortly after he moved to Idaho, he was eager to show me the beauty of the area. He drove up an extremely narrow 'goat trail' near Lolo Pass in Montana with a fantastic view of the mountains. I was speechless with terror. The view from my passenger window was straight down, and I was convinced my nightmare was becoming reality! I'm sure the dents left from my death grip on the door's armrest are still visible. (In his defense, he was not aware of my childhood fear.)
  

• 1. In 1988 I drew one of the rare and much-coveted moose hunting tags in Idaho. My husband was excited and acted as my guide. It snowed heavily during the hunt and, as a result, I was not able to knock down a moose. However, I did become knocked up...we embraced our first baby 9 months later. (Green M&M's not required.)

There you have it - seven things. Who do you have to thank for this? So glad you asked - Deborah at StarryDeborah wanted you to know these obscure tidbits about me.

Now I get to name names and have them search the dusty corners of their brain for personal trivia. First, here are the rules:

1. Link your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

So,
Heidi @ Paper Filigree with a Pedigree, who creates exquisite paper filigree art.


Michelle @ My Bella Colle, a new blog friend and collage artist.

Ruth Welter @ Artful Creations, a talented painter whose work I've admired for years.

Life in Red Shoes, a blogging friend who I don't think has been tagged before.

Suzanne @ At Home with the Farmer's Wife, a bright spot in my day and certain to have amusing things to share.


I don't have any others since many that I visit regularly have already done this. If you are reading and want to do it, consider yourself 'tagged'. And if you were tagged and don't want to participate, I TOTALLY understand. Have fun and thanks for reading!

Paper Filigree Exhibit

A talented paper filigree artist, Ann Martin, is featured in an exhibit now showing at the Brandywine River Museum in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvannia.

"The Spirit is Quilling: Rolled-Paper Filigree"
runs from May 24 - June 15, 2008.

Ann has a fresh, crisp style which embraces Thoreau's famous philosophy: simplify, simplify. Her work demonstrates an array of artistic paper filigree techniques in her signature style that avoids the fussy frills often associated with paper filigree. I have been an admirer for years, as well as having the privilege of her warm friendship and helpful critique of my own work.

I encourage anyone in the area to visit this unique exhibit, running concurrently with "Beyond Content: Decorative Wooden Boxes." The paper filigree exhibit also features two antique paper filigree tea caddies on loan from another museum. I hear the colors on these 1700's pieces are quite remarkable for their age. What a wonderful opportunity to view some historic art pieces!

The Brandywine River Museum is located on US Route 1, not far from Wilmington, Delaware. (click for map and directions) It is open daily, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

I'd love to attend, but Pennsylvania is a tad distant for a weekend jaunt from Idaho.
If you do see the exhibit, please share a comment here and tell me about it!

A warm welcome to all the visitors from various quilling groups that I see are popping in to read. Don't be shy....say 'hi'! (click on 'comments' below any post for the comment box)

overheard at the dinner table on Monday

Favorite Son: I am not eating these tough, chewy sausage casings.

Forbearing Mother: That's fine, son.

[turns to hubby]

Adoring Wife: Honey, do you think the chickens would find the sausage casings digestible?

Hubby: [pausing between bites] I don't care what they find digestible, as long as they keep pooping out eggs!

[prolonged pause in conversation]

Young Daughter [disbelieving voice]: What did Daddy just say!??

*********************

Yes, we just acquired a dozen laying hens...oh the joy of fresh eggs!

My First Etsy Treasury!

Until now, I have resisted 'treasury fever' at Etsy. But this morning I was in the right place at the right time, and I got one! Click on the pic above to see it all.

This is a selection of tea-time lovelies, mostly from my new team -- Cottage Style Street Team.
Find more tea-licious cottage/vintage goodness at Etsy by typing CSSTeam in the search box.

I'd appreciate any 'love' given to these tea-time treasures. Stop on by and leave a friendly comment!

And don't forget to search Esty for my other awesome team... SHEteam...loads of talented ladies with a wonderful selection of hand-made, quality gifts and items. Check out the thumbnails on the right side bar! ------>

EDIT 5/26/08: Well- it has expired - short-lived but exciting. I made it to the first page, and was within 6 from the top before sliding back to #10 position. Still, not bad for my first treasury. Thanks to everyone who came, clicked and commented! If I do another, my goal will be to get picked for Etsy front page...who DOESN'T want that honor for his/her treasury?!

Fab "Cottage Style" Giveaways!

"vintage rose frame" by Paula Bauer
some papers dyed with wine, others muted with tea before roses were created and mounted on the hand-sponged frame, then sealed with an ambering sealer.

If you love cottage style or vintage treats, you need to visit my two newest blog friends.

Lori at Faerie Window is participating in the 'Cottage Charm Giveaway'. Stop in to say hi!

Sadie Lou at Sadie Lou Who is celebrating her one-year anniversary at Etsy with a give-away. Pop in and comment to sign up!

Tell both these ladies that 'GemStateMom' sent ya!

Vintage Father's Day card

My dear friend and fellow paper filigree artist, Heidi Bishop, once created a card featuring a filigree fly fishing lure. I had to try my hand at it, and created this thank you card. Don't you think it would make an excellent Father's Day card?

The small piece of paper with vintage fishing logos/labels seemed the perfect thing to pair with the lure.

I found a photo of a Royal Coachman Bucktail lure (photo source)
Creating the hook was time consuming and the entire fly took a good deal of fussing and precision. You can see my duplication efforts below...remember that I was working totally with paper and glue! It required some very, very fine fringing.









The most difficult part was creating the cursive lettering though...was nearly tearing my hair out to get the curves and sizing even and to get the paper to hold its shape long enough to get it mounted!

However, the resulting masculine paper filigree card was worth the effort.

Few guys get excited over floral cards, but boy-howdy do eyes light up when they spy anything to do with angling. And when they discover it's created from paper by lil' ol' you, it might leave them slack-jawed and speechless!

May 2008 Quilling Club Projects

At the May meeting we will focus on two techniques: ASL (alternate side looping) and Wheatears.

ASL is often used for flowers and leaves, and we will make a few of those as we learn the technique. But with Father's Day arriving before our June club meeting, I needed to demonstrate how ASL can be used for something masculine!


The Father's Day card features paper from Flair Designs. It was a real challenge to fit the featured technique into the design, but I finally hit upon flames around the 'grilled' bratwurst, with little ruffled ends often found on old-fashioned sausages and franks.

The bratwurst was made from sandpaper - another hat-tip to dads. Through trial and error, I discovered sandpaper does not accept a stamped design easily; so we'll use a cri-cut word like 'Dad,' a fitting title like 'Grill-meister' or your own pet name for the father you are celebrating.

The second card is actually a money-folder and features the hot color combo of red/black/gray -- a popular wedding pick this season. It is also perfect for graduates of Moscow High School (school colors: red and black). But it is versatile enough to use for any occasion! The artsy design on front is created with the wheatear technique and solid rolls.

Class date is May 19 at 6:30 to 8 pm. Mark it on your calendars and come join the fun! Bring the usual quilling tools, glue, and scissors. I''ll provide background papers and card blanks. Quilling strips required are red, yellow, orange, tan and brown. There will be multi-color packs available if you need them.

As always we'll have a lot a fun, a little giveaway, and loads of tips and hints to share.

Be sure to call Karen at Paper Pals soon to register! 883-4287 (procrastination carries the risk of class postponement or cancellation.)

If you are interested in a purchasing a class kit ($10+shipping) or just the instructional handouts ($4 via email), please contact me at gemstatequilling[at]verizon[dot]net