Resolutions

New Year's Eve has always been a time for looking back to the past, and more importantly, forward to the coming year. It's a time to reflect on the changes we want (or need) to make and resolve to follow through on those changes.

'resolution' n. The state or quality of being resolute; firm determination. A resolving to do something.

I usually make at least a couple of them as the new year approaches. These are just informal, in my head, resolutions. Made with good intentions, but usually easy to accomplish so there's no disappointment.

Over the years, I have found a better way that gives better results and makes more sense to me.
As the calendar turns every new month all year long, I always ask myself 'what' I am going to accomplish this next month that is 'extra'....extra something. Something healthier like less cookies, pop or chips. Something financial like less paid-per-views or to visit the public library more than Borders. Something exciting like a date with hubby, a fun trip or interviewing for Survivors or Amazing Race...lol Something challenging artistically and that list could be anything....something for ME time.

In general, I plan to do more in 2008 than I did in 2007, and make this next year more productive, profitable, and memorable for me on a variety of fronts.

Gearing up for New Years!

I used to hate the lull between Christmas and New Years...the quiet after the storm. But now I love this brief break from family activities, gobs of rich food and the general hurry up, get there or get that done.

I never realized it, but I really do like New Years.



When I was young and pre-21, the closest thing to a full fledge adult party were the trips we made many years in a row to Pasadena for the Rose Parade. First we stopped at the salvation army to pick up an old couch. We arrive well before dark to find a great spot along the route to park our couch, sleeping bags and coolers on the curb. This would save our spot throughout the night. Church & Youth groups from all over S. Calif would come in buses and livestock trucks covered in banners. These would drive the route all night long and you could jump on for a ride up and down the 5 mile party zone all night long. All the great car clubs gathered to 'cruise' and show off...that was a parade in itslf! 12:00 would come, but the party wasn't over till the sun came up. Back at the ol' couch we would bundle up and wait for the best parade ever.




I'm sure things are different now, but back then...it was the best Youth Rally and most memorable way to celebrate the New Year other than the thrill to be 'in' the parade!

p.s. I think Angela Cartwright was 'in'....riding on a Lost in Space float with Will and the others. That would have been around 1971-72'ish I believe...correct me if you see this, Angela.

I would like to wish you all the Merriest of Christmases
and the Happiest of New Years!
Thank you for visiting me here and being so kind and wonderful and supportive.
Enjoy the Holiday!!!!

BRRRRR!

Honey, it's cold outside! Just the kind of weather we should be getting, so I can't complain. At least we aren't getting the ice-storms and the power outages that others near here are getting.
I would go nuts!
It's been a while since posting...would that be considered 'naughty'?? Hope not.
I've been enjoying all the great blogs out there of people sharing all their collections of Christmas decorations and 'Hand-dids', so I am going to share a couple and maybe I will get more in the Holiday spirit. I can't show projects I have been making for gifts...someone might peek!


These are some fun paper icicles covered on in mica that look pretty realistic, but primitive. The paper comes from the paper coiled rope that comes net wrapped and is like tissue paper thightly twisted. I cut them in different lengths and dip in white glue that gives them almost a translucent look when dried, then I brush with another layer and roll in mica. They are simple and give the tree a vintage look. Below are a few pics to share.

MatchBox Necklaces

Now these are addicting!!
I think they might just fit pretty good in a few stockings!
It was fun embossing in the clay and doing the old finish on them.

Coffee Filter Angel

I've been wanting to do something with the coffee filters I'd been saving since they were talked about on a couple of forums last month...so when my son said he needed an angel for the top of his new Christmas tree that he and the boys were going to set up for the first time...I said, "Let me make it!"
I stamped old words and memories, three crowns for the three kings and other Christmas stamps all around the filters. I used a muslin body and lots of lace and tulle and she came together in less than an hour. I used two little dolls with the boys names on the front to make it personal,James called them,"chocolate boys". Then I attached her with wire from her halo to an old bedspring that fits nicely on top of the tree...wish the pictures were better!

Black Pete..Naughty or Nice????

A sinister assistant called Black Pete proceeded Sinterklaas in the Holland tradition to seek out the naughty boys and girls who would not receive gifts. Black Pete, to the delight of all the American children, was left behind in Holland by Sinterklaas. By the late 1600s and through out the 1700s Sinterklaas would be known as Sancte Clause who would arrive on Christmas eve, December 24.
It was not until the 1800s that the Santa as we know him today started to emerge. Writers and artist depicted a lovable jolly fellow, small in size with a giving heart. On Christmas eve he would ride in a magnificent sleigh pulled by eight reindeer over the treetops and roofs. He dropped gifts down the chimneys of good boys and girls.

Sinterklaas

The Feast of Sinterklaas, or St. Nicholas, is an annual event which has been uniquely Dutch and Flemish for centuries. St. Nicholas' Feast Day, December 6th, is observed in most Roman Catholic countries primarily as a feast for small children. But it is only in the Low Countries - especially in the Netherlands - that the eve of his feast day (December 5th) is celebrated nationwide by young and old, christian and non-christian, and without any religious overtones.

Tradition demands that all packages be camouflaged in some imaginative way, and that every gift be accompanied by a fitting poem. This is the essence of Sinterklaas: lots of fun on a day when people are not only allowed, but expected, to make fun of each other in a friendly way. Children, parents, teachers, employers and employees, friends and co-workers tease each other and make fun of each others' habits and mannerisms.
Another part of the fun is how presents are hidden or disguised. Recipients often have to go on a treasure hunt all over the house, aided by hints, to look for them. They must be prepared to dig their gifts out of the potato bin, to find them in a jello pudding, in a glove filled with wet sand, in some crazy dummy or doll. Working hard for your presents and working even harder to think up other peoples' presents and get them ready is what the fun is all about.

On the day of the 5th, most places of business close a bit earlier than normal. The Dutch head home to a table laden with the same traditional sweets and baked goods eaten for St. Nicholas as shown in the 17th-century paintings of the Old Masters. Large chocolate letters - the first initial of each person present - serve as place settings. They share the table along with large gingerbread men and women known as "lovers". A basket filled with mysterious packages stands close by and scissors are at hand. Early in the evening sweets are eaten while those gathered take turns unwrapping their gifts and reading their poems out loud so that everyone can enjoy the impact of the surprise. The emphasis is on originality and personal effort (HandMade) rather than the commercial value of the gift, which is one reason why Sinterklaas is such a delightful event for young and old alike.

It were the Dutch settlers who brought St. Nicholas over to
New Amsterdam...the USA.

Holtz has made my Holiday!!

Tim Holtz is such a sweetie!
I have been playing while gathering supplies so I can join Tim on his "Twelve Days of Christmas" that he is having on his blog. Not only is he doing step by step tutorials for 12 days...he is also giving a huge prize 'blog candy' each day!! My new GrungeBoard supplies should arrive on Monday according to UPS tracking and then I can follow along and PLAY!! Click on his link over on the left column to go and see his blog.
Below are some tags I made with the supplies I have on hand.