Buy Handmade, Buy Recycled, and feel free to not buy :-)

Happy Crazy Shopping Day!

(sorry I missed Thanksgiving, but it was thoroughly enjoyed with friends and family, And I am quite thankful for that.)

Today, I shall be peacefully avoiding the road, the mall, and most other shopping opportunities. I did put up a couple of my recycled bicycle gear ornaments in my Etsy store (http://www.alpinebutterfly.etsy.com) . To see if those look interesting to any one.

Other than that we are going to enjoy Thanksgiving day 2, with the otherside of the family, and perhaps the little one and I can play with a bit of salt dough. Make & bake some ornaments, and just enjoy getting messy.

I hope all of you are enjoying your day, shopping or relaxing, making wish lists, or clipping coupons... and hopefully getting a minute to enjoy the sunshine, each other, and maybe some hot chocolate.

Tina Turner Live in Concert!

Last night I got to go see the Tina Turner concert. WOW! It was a birthday present from my lover. So we borrowed a wheel chair, and headed downtown for the show. Awesome. Who ever thought that we'd be going to a rock & roll concert, staring a grandmother with oh so impressive legs!! And so much energy. And how does she dance in heals for that long!?! She turns 69 tomorrow! ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tina_Turner). Happy Birthday Tina!!

There are not many celebrities who I would take the time to meet. But Tina Turner is a woman who's hand I'd like to shake. I think she's survived, and thrived, and been an inspiration to so many people. Certainly to me. I remeber seeing "What's Love Got to Do With it". as a teenager. It had a profound effect on me as a young woman, her strength, how hard it was to go through a divorce at that time, how hard it is to leave an abusive relationship. How her mother called Ike & told on her! OK, I know it's Hollywood, and that the story was likely up played, downplayed, glamorized, or just twisted around. But I also know, it's a true story for so many women. Something, so many struggle with. So I was in tears as the concert started, happy to be there, happy to see a woman thriving, and happy to be part of a crowd, singing, clapping and dancing along. It was a wonderful gift.

I would also like to thank the Verizon center, for it's help and accommodation's with my wonderful invalid, we were helped in a most kind fashion, from all of the employees we came across. It really helped make the experience a pleasure.

Sewing Nook

Last weekend an auction came to town. This is only my second experience at an auction... but wow are they cool! I kinda got lucky because it was held down at the end of my street, and it was a perfect excuse to spend some time outside, with friends and neighbors.

So I fell in love with a small antique mission desk. It even has a drawer with an ink well, and a writing surface. Sigh, but I couldn't really justify buying it, with out having a use for it. 5 min before the bidding began, I realized it would probably fit perfect in my little closet in the art room upstairs. Sigh... I now had an idea, and a reason!

I won the desk, at $50 (decent deal I think), and the sewing nook was born.

The desk fits perfect!!
I added a peg board, for all the sewing goodies. A really gaudy lamp (you can't see in the photo), won for a $1, so I can see. I put up my crazy heavy thread organizer, and I added a rod for ribbons.


In addition, I used the left overs from my bamboo cutting board, that I cut apart in my last project to create a small shelf, and with the help of a few nails, a bobbin holder (those things always go missing on me).

Finally, I decided to add a pin cushion to the board to try and keep it out of cat reach. I used a couple of eye screws, and picture hanging wire on this old pin cushion, so now I can hang it up.

It's a little tiny space, but it works perfect... got some sewing to do now :-)

As an added bonus, it allows me to close the door on a project for a bit, and even more importantly keep my sneaky cat away from the sewing supplies. He likes to try and steel, and eat pins!! ughhh. And once tried to eat the string right off the sewing machine! Cat safety a definite plus.

Luggage transform

I found this great piece of luggage at a yard sale. 3 dollars for it, and it's 2 matching suitcases!! They are all in pristine condition, have all of their keys, and even still smell like grandma's & grandpa's. I'm always impressed when I see people taking care of things so well.

Only I don't have much use for a make-up case myself. So I decided it needed a new life. I also have this silly phone I'm supposed to keep with me ( I hate it)... but I've been informed it does me no good if it's not charged. Sigh.... picky picky.

So I decided to create a charging station for my PDA, my phone, and my little card reader gadget.


I cut out a bamboo cutting board to fit inside. I then drilled a hole in the back (yeah this made me a little sad) and then put a power cord inside as well as a USB hub. This will allow me to charge the things that need to be charged, and also to have them communicate with my computer when necessary.

The cords all get neatly tucked away on the bottom, along with a few extra accessories. I can easily plug in and charge all, or just one of the devices. I can also easily unplug all of them, to help combat the vampire electricity drainage :-)

This looks way cooler in my art room, than all those cables !!!