Tricia's Krafty Korner

(For the record, I can't stand when people misspell words on purpose to make them cuter, I mean kuter. A few true examples ~ Kidz Kutz and Kids Kamp. Funny how it usually involves children. Aren't we trying to get them to spell correctly with the miles of spelling lists?)


On to the craft! Once you stop laughing your ars off because you know (and I know) this may be my lone craft --> you will run to Target and Staples as you still have time to create this thoughtful Christmas gift.


1. To start, I collect quotes. Not sure if there is a formal name for this but let's go with "quote collector." Even if you are not, it is easy to go online and find quotes to your heart's content. Type up a list of at least 52 quotes...one per week. I went overboard in case a few blow away or it is an especially challenging week in need of inspiration. I covered many topics and the authors ranged from Jackie Kennedy and Forrest Gump to Albert Einstein and Tennyson. I included the thoughtful, fashionable, philosophical, and hysterical. Take your list to Staples and make copies. Find the perfect color of paper ~ ivory for me!


2. Next, head to Target and buy clear jars. I chose a square utility jar with a lid. You can be creative here...utilitarian, fancy, or unique -- the choice is all yours!


3. Then, grab your shears! I used a straight edge and a pinking shear for variety. Cut your quotes into strips like fortune cookies and fold in half. Place in the jar.


4. Finally, wrap around a ribbon and a gift tag and viola! A simple, thoughtful gift that will last all year long!! Don't forget to make one for me. You know I love quotes. ;)


In closing, a quick quiz...nothing to do with the kraft.


Who did my dear husband hang out with today? (answer at end)
A.Sarah Jessica Parker
B.Tyra Banks
C. Magic Johnson
D.All of the Above


Who did I hang out with today?
A. Grace & Henry
B. Emma & William
C. Their little friends
D. All of the Above


Hope you have found the holiday spirit sister! I am STILL laughing about "Follie" #2 and can't wait for #3. btw I thought the misspell was on purpose perhaps. And, hope our lovely mother has a fabulous birthday!! I know she'll love the gifts her daughters bought her. (I hope you saved your receipt)


Tricia


(both answers are D - Mr.B had charity day at work - fun!)

FOLLY#2

I think it is becoming pretty evident that I have been slightly off center lately.  It happens but all you can do is work toward getting back on track.  I just don't love that it comes at a time of year that should be jolly.  I did attend a festive event last week that always makes me smile.  But this year I stepped away with something probably not appreciated by all, or anyone for that matter. 

Every year since Jack was a baby we attend a tree lighting ceremony in a little town next to ours.  The highlight is the music.  The performances by middle school and high school students change every year, are usually super casual but really festive.  We love it!  This year Jack's 6th grade band performed as well as the high school chorale.  The festivities take place in the town's catch all building which is used for little league basketball, aerobic classes and most of all the police station.  The building used to be a high school.  At first blush, it comes off as a crusty old building.  But when I sat in the auditorium waiting for the performances to begin, I noticed a couple of things.  High above on the ceiling were original schoolhouse light fixtures: flush mounts above the balcony and then several pendants on chains.  It was neat coming across a vintage fixture that I just love.  The other neat thing in the auditorium were the seats.  I know, strange.  The seats were wood, trimmed in metal.  And the school "monogram" if you will was embossed on the end of each row.  How cool ~ who does that anymore? 

Alright, onto the good stuff.  As promised, here is the next folly in line (BTW sister, were you going to tell me that I spelled "folly" wrong in the first one).

Folly #2  It is still early in December (2009) and I am determined to be on my shopping game.  Especially after smooshing my Christmas tree.  So I head to Target over lunch on a mission and with a list.  So much to buy ... teachers, parents, nieces, nephews, etc.  The store is packed but I am focused.  Much success.  So I check-out, leave the store and push my mother load of gifts thru the parking lot. 

Again, it is very cold, slight rain and the parking lot is full.  Due to the crowds, I had to park really far away.  I get to my car and open my trunk which is of course packed with stuff.  So I literally almost crawl into my trunk to move stuff around to make room for new stuff.  Success again, everything should fit.  So without looking I reach for my buggy handle ~ no handle.  Sh**, I just knew my buggy plowed into the neighbors car.  Immediatley I think of my options: leave a note or flee the scene.  So I turn to access the damage ... No buggy!  Where the hell is my buggy.  I look around ... there she be ... she let loose and was flying about mach 90 down the middle of the driveway with my mother load of gifts.  Heading straight toward the store.  I ran like never before!

Stayed tuned ... one more folly to come!
Tracy

old high school auditorium seat

'tis the Season to be Kind to Others

Ok Sister...now that I have stopped laughing at your folly, it is time to get down to some serious business. No jokes. Since I don't have a soapbox, I will stand on the empty ornament box next to my beautiful Christmas tree. Now, I am going to warn you to keep reading until the very end, where it will (hopefully) make sense.


With Christmas in the air, I have been pondering about the Christ part of it a lot lately. Not so much about Christmas being the birthday of Jesus, but that catchy saying, "What would Jesus do?" or WWJD for short. I feel like people all around me ~ strangers and acquaintances alike ~ seem to be behaving badly. Horribly if truth be told.


Here is perfect example. While enjoying breakfast at the diner this morning, the "balloon man" stopped by and offered to make those twisty balloon animals for my four children! After choosing their animals and balloon colors, my kiddies waited politely and patiently for their finished products. (here we go) The family sitting next to us was leaving, but noticed the "balloon man" and his desirable goods. Instead of waiting politely and patiently, they went to the owner of the diner and demanded immediate balloons. The owner approached the "balloon man" and demanded he give OUR balloon animals to the other family. The smart "balloon man" held his ground and refused not once, but twice, and the owner stomped off. (true) As a parent, I wonder if teaching your children to make demands and recieve immediate gratification is the way to go.


Another classic example...my dear friend K and I compared similar stories of almost being run down by automobiles while we were walking in CROSSWALKS. Lately, drivers seem to think they have the right of way at all times, regardless of what the law says. Forget about the law, how about decency, manners, and kindness? BTW I am going to toot my own horn --> I always stop my minivan for walkers, joggers, bikers, etc. even if there are no white lines in sight. Where is everyone driving so quickly that one can't pause for a moment?? Even when I was driving to the hospital to have a baby (4x), there was no plowing over folks in crosswalks.


As a football wife & mother, you know we could write an entire blog about adults and children behaving poorly at practices and games. I heard about a coach who called a second grader a "cheater" during a game. 40 yr old man vs. 7 year old girl. Nice. And, the teammate who made it a point to tell my daughter that she actually came in first & Grace was second - while the electronic system registered my daughter as first. Really?! Who cares. What happened to sportsmanship? That's something I want my children to come first in.


Now it's time to get back to the Christmas & Jesus part. I wish everyone would think a little more about others when choosing what to say and how to act; hence the, what would Jesus do? Would Jesus demand balloon sheep from another family? Would Jesus run over pedestrians in crosswalks?? Would He call a little girl a cheater??? I know the answer and you do too. Tomorrow I am going to try extra hard to think about others and treat everyone with kindness and care. Maybe you can do the same. And, with a little grace, maybe it will be contagious and the world will be a better place. 'tis the season.


Tricia

Emma's Balloon Bunny

FOLLIE#1

Happy Saturday Sister!  It is almost 6:30 pm and I am still in my pajamas.  OMG.  I haven't quite found my inner Christmas spirit yet.  Usually after Thanksgiving I play Christmas music 24/7.  I am still listening to Taylor Swift's Speak Now CD over and over.  My house looks like a tornado ripped thru it about two times.  And did I mention I'm addicted to the Yahtzee app (you really should check it out). 

Tomorrow we are scheduled to cut down a Christmas tree.  That's right, directly from the tree farm.  Last year we found a new, rustic location that had the most amazing selection and did not have all the commercial hoop-la.  As I wrap my mind around decorating the house and trying to get in the Christmas spirit, it has brought back an interesting memory of the weeks leading up to Christmas 2009.  Ah, just when the stress level is high, could these events possibly have pushed me over the top?

Follie #1  We packed up the kids and headed to the tree farm.  It was a very cold day that included heavy, wet snow.  In order to find the perfect tree, we had to make our way thru ruts of mud.  The kids were cold.  I of course had to get the perfect photo ~ finding the tree, cutting down the tree and then walking the tree to the car.  Somewhere in between I recall a mini snowball fight.  I believe someone even launched one at the photographer (i.e. me).  After hunting around a bit, success, there "she" was ... Christmas Tree 2009.  What a beauty.  We tie her onto the car and make our way home.  Due to the wet snow, the tree had to sit outside of the house to dry off.  Day progresses. 

I round up the kids for basketball practice.  We all pile into the car.  I open the garage door and back out over what feels like a speed bump.  Keep going down the driveway but something isn't right.  Pull back up the driveway.  Get out of the car.  The tree!  I just ran over our freshly cut beautiful tree.   Not only did I run it over but I then proceeded to drag it back up the driveway.  Green needles smeared into asphalt. 

Dare I sign my name (maybe someone will think this craziness belongs to you).  Ok, as told by yours truly,
Tracy

But wait!  Stay tuned ... one might think it not possible but yes, two more follies to come!
 

tree farm 2009

 

Photo Friday No. 3

Ready for Preschool

New Jersey

new favorite app for the iPad - addicted!
Pennsylvania

"20x200: It's Art for Everyone"

The above title pretty much sums up the philosophy of my favorite, new website 20x200. It is the brainchild of Jen Bekman, who opened her own art gallery in NYC in 2003. (field trip anyone??) Then, in 2007, she came up with a most ingenious equation -->


(limited editions x low prices) + the Internet = ART FOR EVERYONE!!!


Ms. Bekman decided to use the Internet to bring together people who want to sell their art with people who want to buy art. Simple! She offers art prints and photographs that span anyone's interest spectrum. By providing many ways to browse art...by price, subject, color, artist, etc., Ms. Bekman makes it super easy for the novice and the pro. There are usually three sizes and prices available for each piece of art. Originals are available by inquiry. All art is accompanied by a numbered certificate of authenticity that is signed by the artist. (personally, I always tape this on the back of the framed piece for safekeeping)


I am truly addicted to this little corner of art heaven. Become an art addict and subscribe to her newsletter. A couple times a week, a new artist and piece of artwork pops into my inbox!! Check this out ~~~ the below photograph (by Christian Chaize) from the 20x200 site was spied by me, in the current issue of Elle Decor, hanging in someone's fabulous home. It can hang in your home too!


OK here is your homework. Pick out a piece of artwork you LoVE, spend $20.00, and become an art collector. If you need some inexpensive framing tips, Ms. Bekman has a great video clip that takes you through the easy steps. I can't wait to see what you choose! Maybe you'll share it here...


tb


Response to DUDS: not sure where to start. I know exactly what pair of pants you are talking about - I had the same pair 12 years ago. They did swoosh. Wonder if the pink umbrella was perhaps Kate's? Was it tiny? We should probably go shopping...you may need some serious intervention. Wonder if you are a hoarder. Strongly believe T still has the original Preppy Handbook in her basement. It may be worth a dig.

DUDS

So much to say today!  There was a monsoon blowing thru.  In two ways: 7 year old throwing up and a heck of a rain storm.  

We made it thru the night last night without throwing up all over the bed (thank goodness because that would require me to clean the bedding immediately).  He was home from school today with T&T.  Playing computer games ~ my instructions were to work on challenge words for Friday's spelling test.  Mission was accomplished.

So I get ready for work this morning.  Sometimes I get dressed, look in the mirror, and say to myself, what was I thinking.  But the schedule is tight, down to the minute, and there is no time to change.  So I just have to go with it.  Today's outfit was simply bad and old.  Since I am a bit of a pack-rat (not quite a hoarder) I have a very old pair of pants from Abercrombie & Fitch.  These probably go back 12+ years.  I know, why do I still have them?  They are black and grey plaid, lined wool, somewhat of a skinny peg leg.  These were toally out of style for probably 10 of the 12 years.  When you walk, they make that swooshing old lady sound.  Did I mention they didn't fit for years?  Well, they fit now and the skinny leg is in!  Score one for me.  To complete the outfit, I added an old but simple black knit sweater from the Gap.  Thru on some pearls to help spruce it up (that didn't help at all).  Can you picture this sister?

Then we go downstairs and get ready to leave.  It is now pouring sheets of rain outside.  I realize my umbrella is in M's van.  Dig thru the vintage lockers for anything that resesmbles an umbrealla ~ score again!  It is pink and has a ruffle.  Leave for work.

Get to work, still pouring, get out of car with pink ruffle umbrella.  It fits nicely over just my head (kind of like a bowl and I am thinking this is perfect ~ do we really need excess umbrella?).  I made my way thru the parking lot holding my small shopping bag from The Pearl Street Market (don't we just love that market ~ think lobster egg rolls).  This bag holds my "stuff" that I just need to take between home and work every day.  The edges of the bag are ripping.  I mend them with scotch tape.  The tape wasn't holding because of the rain.  Co-worker L.G. always asks why I don't get a new bag.  I probably have 3 large shopping bags at home that hold about 90 other shopping bags (again, pack-rat but not hoarder).  I guess because that would require me to go thru the stuff that is actually in the bag and deal with it.  Better left untouched for now.

Get into office building ~ bottom of hair is wet.  Hmm.  Do you think anyone saw me walking into the building with my bad outfit, pink ruffle umbrella and torn shopping bag?  I see my options as this:  a.) get my fashion act together and spend some time planning outfits b.) hope a bag full of hand me downs ends up on my doorstep that include labels like Tory Burch, Banana Republic, J. Crew, BCBG, Tory Burch, J. Crew (wink, wink sister).

P.S. I want everything on your Wrap It Up list.  Especially the preppy handbook (new and old).  How did I possibly get rid of mine from the 7th/8th grade ~ that was only about 28 years ago.  T must have thrown it out!  Darn her.

Yours Truly,
a soggy, unstyled for the day T

did I mention the boots?  just kidding, maybe?