She Twinkles

The Help

2012-02-17T09:48:00.000-05:00

I need your help, I can't do this on my own.

1.) I want to learn how to cook good food for my family. I can cook - how many dishes? Let's list them, then count.
Decent fried chicken
Real mashed potatoes
Stir Fry
Bisquick cheeseburger pie (which doesn't always turn out well)
Hashbrowns
Cinnamon rolls from a can
Pico de gallo
Seven things I can make. I know that I should plan meals. I should make a grocery list every week or two. Tell me something I don't know.

2.) I want to sew my own clothes. My wardrobe is Worn. The. F. OUT. I'm serious, the F-ing kind of serious. Here's what I want to sew, it's a $60 dress from Modcloth. How could I spend $60 on something to wear when $60 will pay for a week's worth of well planned meals? How could I spend $60 on a dress? I've always had wardrobe guilt. It's shows.

Oh, that's tiny.

And also as well, it's hard to find time for shopping when you work and raise children, but you probably knew that. Now, tell me something I don't know.

3.) I want time to do something I enjoy, but I need to figure out just what exactly I still enjoy. Let's list what I've enjoyed before, then count.
Pottery
Embroidery
Music
Reading
Four things. Here's what I have to work with: I have a pottery wheel in my kitchen and 25 lbs. of clay. I have twenty-some-odd pots sitting at the clay studio waiting to be glazed. I have a plethora of material, inspiration, floss, threads, needles, and hoops. I have access to the internet everywhere I go and an iPod. I take the kids to the library about every two weeks. ..........I have every opportunity to do just exactly what I enjoy. Tell me something I don't know.

This is getting pitiful. I asked Lynden to "tell me something I don't know" a few days ago. He gave me the funniest look and pondered for a second. Then he said, "Daddy makes ninjas." Well said, little man. They both asked me last night what soap is made of. They both decided they had better ask their Daddy. He knows most things. No, everything, I was informed. I'm glad of that. But, I need to know better. I need to do better for myself to be better for them. And it shows.

Now, tell me something I don't know.

Lots of Love Here.

2012-02-15T10:43:00.000-05:00

"My boy said, "Mama, you are beautiful." I said, "You are beautiful, too. A handsome boy."
"You are beautiful. Daddy has a mama? You have a mama?"
"Yes. And you have two," I said.
"Sometimes my forget your other name," my boy said.
"What other name?"
"Mama."
"I love when you call me mama," I said.
"I know. My love you."

PizzaHeart is always better than PizzaHut.

My girl lost her first tooth on Sunday. It was terrifying and so exciting for her, for all of us. The tooth fairy brought her four quarters and a melty bead butterfly kit. She is so proud.

Stay Tuned

2012-02-08T10:46:00.001-05:00

I am downloading Instagram (it's free? I didn't know or I would have done it sooner) and a post will follow.

Play On

2012-01-24T10:09:00.000-05:00

I had a smattering of thought towards creating a blog for our family where he and I could post tidbits of our daily life, collections, musings, and what-nots. Too self congratulatory, he said. I agree, although it's pretty much what I do here. I used to keep a notebook in my purse; I had always kept a diary which has proved to be pretty haunting and disturbing in most cases. Keeping a book in my purse meant that I would write when I was pissed off or unduly sad. The blog keeps me from telling the whole truth, which would inevitably embarrasses me in the end or even days later. I kept a journal when I visited Disney World with my aunt and my cousins during high school. Every entry was about how hot it was and just how sweaty I got. It was a good trip, I think. At least I'll always remember it was hot in Florida.

Five days a week I sit at a desk and I work. I am unfulfilled and stifled, he is too, you are as well (probably - admit it). I am undoubtedly pessimistic at times and self reflective and self absorbed ... and I really like reading personal blogs, comment threads, finding your Flickr stream, snooping on Facebook and wishing my life looked as good on the screen as yours does. And hey, my life looks alright on this screen. The journals, the diary with the lock easily broken into, the moleskines they help me stop and take note, albeit of some unnecessary negative things, but if I'm not recounting these days I am just rolling through them in my pessimistic way, overlooking the good and missing the point of things.

And so, here is one thing I did this weekend, which may lead me to remember the other great things I did this weekend that I may have put aside and let get eaten up by the monotony of this Tuesday.

Hey Betsy, remember when you napped on the couch while the kids watched Shelley Duvall's Rockin' Rhyme? Saturday you got the house all clean and it felt really good, then you hung out with friends in your awesome kitchen, in the beautiful home you and your husband have made. On Sunday, you guys went to the Peddler's Mall in town and bought your brother and his fiance their first ever piece of furniture, the cutest yellow formica table and four chairs. You saw your niece and nephew and you missed them, realized you don't see them enough and they are growing up. Then you brought home this kitchen stool/seat that had been in your parents' garage for a few years. You bought it at the Peddler's Mall and never had a place to put it. Now you do. The seat was busted, so you covered it with a place mat. Funny story about the place mat: Kale picked a few "grab bags" wrapped as presents at the Peddler's Mall at Christmas time (wow, you guys love the Peddler's Mall). When they were opened, you were surprised to find a box of past-date saltines and 100 calorie popcorn bags. How disappointing. Later, Genevieve broke open the boxes and there inside were two gifts wrapped in patterned place mats - Brandy's self titled cd and a praise song compilation. What a Christmas miracle!

So, we had a great weekend. I brought this stool home and covered it, which full-circled a good memory about Christmas, made me realize our love for the Peddler's Mall, and brings up all kinds of good.

If not here, where? If not now, when? When am I going to stop dawdling and get on with the good?

Oh, Wednesday

2012-01-18T14:34:00.000-05:00

Did I play this weekend? I did attempt some new embroidery stitches and it was frustrating. But Genevieve wanted to work along with me and that was nice. She doesn't stay long, but she knows what she's doing and I'm proud of her little stitches. (And she is too, which is the best feeling to see on her little face.)

Otherwise, in all honesty, I had a pretty tough weekend. It was increasingly hard to settle, to stop and complete anything, to enjoy a moment or find some sort of fulfillment.

So, I'm going to try again.

It Will Be Different

2012-01-13T15:27:00.000-05:00

Last night, Lynden asked me to play with him and I said: "Uh, I don't know. I don't play very well."

What the hell is wrong with me?

This weekend something will be different, there will be a few changes, a reasonable makeover in the home. I realized that I don't play well because I don't play.

Ever. At all. At any time. Never do.

This weekend I will play and the kids will see me do it. They'll see me do more than move this pile of dirty stuff over to there, put these clean dishes away and pile up those dirty ones, move this box to that corner and get sweaty while vacuuming. They'll see me play. I'll play with the sewing machine, make notes for myself, hang up a bulletin board in my craft space. I'll play with new embroidery stitches because I've got a new project on deck and I need to relearn and teach myself new tricks. They'll see me play at my pottery wheel or see that I am going out to play at the pottery studio because I've had pots down there for a month just sitting. We'll play at the library, where I'll find books on sewing clothes and new throwing techniques.

Don't get me wrong. I play, I toddle this toy around and make it talk and I rock that baby doll to sleep and change its diaper, but I don't do it with any zeal. I've got no zest for play, because I've forgotten how. (Boo hoo.)

Fat Day

2012-01-10T16:04:00.000-05:00

This particular day has been a fat day - I feel fat because my clothes don't fit well. I didn't feel fat yesterday, but I did feel pretty shabby. My tights had a hole in the toe, my skirt static clung to my thighs all day, and I think I wore the same shirt multiple days. Today I just want to take my pants off completely. This has led me to realize that I am starving in several areas of my life. My waistline may ever expand and contract, but I am continuing to lose some serious soul weight.

WARNING: the inevitable resolution list to follow.

I need to feed my EGO.
I need to feed my CREATIVITY.
I need to feed my SENSE OF HUMOR.
I need to feed my (I will stop with the "I need to feed my")

All together now: Betsy, you need to take care of yourself!

HEY 20 Twelve!

2012-01-06T11:05:00.002-05:00

Let's ramble. So, in retrospect 2011 wasn't all that bad.
We were looking for a friend in February and found this girl on a cold, rainy day. She now weighs fifty pounds and is highly allergic to fleas. She says "outside" and "groan," and sighs often, which are three things I've taught her well. I never wanted a dog, but I must admit, she is 2011's best addition. (Second place goes to Turtledy the turtle, who delights me.)

I'll be brief. At the onslaught of 2011, I took myself off some medication that wasn't suited for me. It was simultaneously the best and worst thing I've ever done. I think in a way I took a leap of faith. I am better for it. We started taking trips to museums, to local attactions, slept in a wig-wam, spotted all kinds of dinosaurs.

People turned five years old. Three years old, 27, 28, and we celebrated

We bought a house.

This summer, I think we'll swim outside instead.

She wanted to ride a train, so we did and we met the Easter Bunny.

I'm so much better than I was at the beginning of 2011. I'm not sad to see the year go, I'm not certain that I made the most of it, but I think I did the best I could with the pieces. Seeing these pictures shows me that there was so much good during those 12 months that I shouldn't give credit to regret for having any part of this year. We managed well. We came out on top of a season that sought to destroy us, where instead it molded and shaped us into something stronger. I can be very proud of that.

I am really excited to be the best I can be this year.

Happy Happy Joy Joy

2011-12-05T11:09:00.000-05:00

When there isn't much to say (post), I'm probably doing just fine, better in fact than you may expect. I feel like I have been holding tight to the good and dismissing the bad (brushing it off, shooing it away, giving it the finger), which has ultimately been the best approach to tidying up what had become a messy situation. When you make a mess, you clean it up. Look how neat and tidy and content we are getting ready for our first family portrait. This is our favorite of the set.

Weekends have become safe havens again, as they were when I was younger. Something about a family nightly preparing for school and work is humbling, tender, and exhausting. It feels so good to be together on the weekend, whether there are a million things to do outside of the house or nothing at all. We paint, we cut and glue and tape, we clean up, we help each other, we laugh, play, nourish and teach each other. Some kind of magical balance is being struck and I'm so grateful. I hope I am working hard enough on grace for it to show in my actions, my words, my expressions.

"Are you happy with us now?" - Lynden, age 3

Yes, baby. I'm incredibly happy with you, happier than I've ever let myself be by myself. I'm sorry it's so hard to show sometimes.

I'm sure that a blog that has a handful of readers can be personal at times. You don't mind, do you?

I Voted (for my favorite clown)!

2011-11-08T09:55:00.000-05:00

Happy Election Day, friends. I'm putting in my full 7.5, but I voted for this guy last night.

I have lots of things on my mind and I want to share them.

1. Christmas - I'm thinking that in the next two weeks, a little cleaning and organizing must take place. I have lots of kids clothes that may find a new home, as well as some toys and dvds. Gotta get the gift giving on a roll this year and I have a head start with a secret project that may bring in some extra dough.

2. Pottery - I've been beating my head against my wheel, however I've been doing it with some satisfaction. I can't get these hands to do what they know how to do. It will happen. Making pots is a little like my life.

3. Sewing - I want to learn how to sew...clothes. Like real honest to gosh clothes.

4. Budgeting - I think I may actually have a plan. An actual plan with numbers and discipline and cooperation on all parts.

5. Chores - We started a chore list, a little reorganization of the responsibilities in the house. I let go of dishes for a whole three days last week and it only took me three days to catch up! But, I didn't have to do any of the laundry and that was simply fantastic. My 5 year old is working for an allowance by learning her responsibilities and I'm very proud of her. She's gracious and happy (so far) to do what she needs to do and she's learning thankfulness in the process. I understand my role in teaching her and praising her and I hope to make the most of the next few weeks.

6. Grace. Gratitude. Guidance. I'm working on it. I must say, it might be showing.

And So It Goes, Another Month Gone

2011-10-31T10:30:00.000-04:00

Adios, October! (Sayonara, August and September, you sucked too.)

I don't think that life is ever going to slow down to a pace so that I can catch up, but it slowed down and we at least ran side by side this weekend. Halloween was indeed celebrated with Frankenstein, a Butterfly, and the Rocketeer (plus Mimmy and Papaw at Mr. Gatti's). Then on to a party for the adults with a Hole-In-One, Lucille Bluth (me), the Rocketeer, the Queen of Hearts, and others. Somehow, the house got a spit-shine clear down to dusting the living room, thirteen + hours of sleep, and two homerun homecooked dinners. Thanks, Life. No really, I mean it.

Thanks for letting me roll with it for a change. I'm ready to wear my coat and face the winter with all the things I'm thankful for tucked under my wing, like a football and I'm going in for the goal.

Somtimes I blog. Sometimes.

2011-10-27T10:46:00.000-04:00

I do think that I'd be pleased as punch if I did more blogging, if I posted links to articles that struck my vitals and let loose the commentary. It's not going to happen.

I clicked a link that my friend linked and it linked me to an article about how to clean your house (not shiny sparkle clean, more of a whitewash functional clean). Something I'm personally working on right now is not cleaning. My daughter is five years old and learning to write. (She can read now and it is truly outrageously amazing.) In her journal with monkeys on it, I found the words "clean house up." Where did she see this list in order to copy it? Did she ask me to spell it for her? Has she already caught on to the mania that is my daily routine of getting nearly all of the dishes done (but not all), rounding up the dirties behind the bathroom door (but missing the inevitable next pair thrown down), organizing school stuff, setting out shoes, picking out outfits, straightening the rug (to have it slung askew by the dog shortly thereafter), wiping down the sink, switching out towels, collecting stray drinking glasses full of lukewarm water, general tidying, sweating, huffing, puffing, and sad face? My son says, "Why you not have a happy face?" as he hands me another empty, dirty cup.

I'm trying to be gracious and give everybody a break and STOP CLEANING. It is never complete, it is never clean enough, it is never going to be and it will never make me happy. Last night, I could have done a few loads of laundry, washed the other half of the dishes and cleared the table. What I did, however, was eat the last of the fritos, the chex mix, a sandwich, and watched five episodes of Breaking Bad. Breaking Bad is a 48 minute show. I drank wine and went to bed at midnight with headache, a creepy gluttony feeling and indigestion.

I think I should have cleaned.

2011-10-18T11:42:00.000-04:00

Sigh of Relief.

2011-09-28T11:14:00.000-04:00

Words are hard for me to find sometimes. If you could hear the dialogue in my head, it wouldn't make any sense to you.

In the summer, time is not kind. Time is sticky and heavy, hangs around in the corners and lunges at you when you walk by.

But in the fall, time falls lazily to the ground and mounds up in heaps. And scatters.

Skidaddle, Time! Don't bother me.

It's been a very tough twenty 'leven. But I have much to thankful for and much to look forward to.

Hey, Remember When...

2011-09-20T14:54:00.001-04:00

It's great fun to say "hey, remember when ..." and then spout off something that happened 10 minutes ago or even last year that was memorable and not at all lost.

Hey, remember when I used to make awesome stuff and I was really proud of it and even semi-successful at selling it?

I can still do that stuff.

I think I'll start tonight, even it's just a little at a time. I promise to list everything I make in SaysYou (hey, remember when I had an Etsy shop with renewed listings?) and blog about it here.

The One Where I Act Like I Care About Appearances

2011-09-13T10:02:00.000-04:00

All Images courtesy Trashy Diva Clothing

Sometimes people who write blogs do this.

Start Typing

2011-09-09T09:58:00.000-04:00

I'm just going to start typing and let some stream of consciousness happen, because I am stifled and suppressed and in need of some form of clarity. I used to pray for clarity and understanding, to at least let go and accept my fate with the certainty that everything was in capable hands. I don't do that so often anymore and I think it has caused a whole mess of trouble mainly because I didn't let go of anything nor did I actually give anything proper consideration. It's easy to let everything (and I mean everything, literally and figuratively) pile up on top of your head until you can't carry on. If I ever felt I was an example of composure, I was wrong, but my heart was in the right place - I was trying. I need to start trying again.

A list of things I love:
coffee with real sugar and powedered creamer
a little coffee for my daughter, with lots of milk
Zelda - the game he wanted me to love and our sweet puppy that taught me patience in new ways
my husband and his committment to us, to me, to what we have and dream of
when my son picks me to sleep by him and I can count the I Love You's he says
Tink - because she was mine, but she is ours and she is all feline
our house - it fell from the sky and made us welcome
Autumn and how the sky changes and I can breathe again
Halloween with these people, my family - my Frankenstein and his mini me and the butterfly
a simple routine -
making it work -
and enjoying it as we should, as we deserve to, and have the right to do so.
I should be so lucky.

Damn Skippy.

Goings On

2011-09-02T09:45:00.000-04:00

Homeowners.

2011-08-23T14:43:00.000-04:00

A clean slate cannot stay in a clean state for long. The Murphy Oil Soap on the stovetop proves to you that the hardwood was clean and shiny, but the McD's cups and gatorade prove there have been lots of sweaty, long, hot days of hard work, cluttered surfaces, an empty fridge, and bad attitudes. I see the light at the end of the tunnel (the 30 year tunnel) and of course I see blooming gardens, fresh painted rooms, new living room furniture, a comfortable basement, a deck across the back, walking the dog in the park, and so forth and some such. It's going to take a long time.

In the meantime, that little bug needs a place close to this little flower, don't you think?

Clean Slate

2011-08-16T10:31:00.003-04:00

That floor smells sweet like Murphy Oil Soap. I will use those tattered curtains to pattern a new pair. Before you know it, those walls will be painted green. That unblemished sunlit wall will be hung a flutter with frames filled with photos of us... for years and years to come. We bought a house.

Therapy

2011-08-09T10:44:00.001-04:00

Twenty Ate

2011-07-15T15:13:00.001-04:00

hey, I'm twenty eight.

i love my life.

Something Old Into Something New

2011-07-06T11:31:00.000-04:00

I'll start today.

Use It, Don't Lose It.

2011-07-05T11:43:00.001-04:00

Say it, don't spray it. Today I will make some changes and it will be good.
"Cease endlessly striving for what you would like to do and learn to love what must be done." - Goethe

On Saturday morning, I had the house to myself for three hours. What did I do? I dusted and rearranged our bookshelf (ahhhhhhhhhhhh!) and I watched whatever I wanted on Netflix (ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh!). When Kale got up, I took a nap. Then I made sure the house was tidy (surprise!) and I spent the rest of the day in a pool. I took note of simple pleasures and the sweet guarantees of routine and I kept my head on pretty straight. Today I will remember to keep noticing.

My Ladybug

2011-06-13T10:34:00.000-04:00

On my seventh or eighth birthday, my big present was a dollhouse. My uncle Frank built it and my family furnished it over the course of many more birthdays. It was always a treat to go to Versailles to visit the dollhouse shop and pick out a few little things. My "bug," Genevieve, will turn five this month. I am so fulfilled to connect with her through passing this house down. I had big plans to refurbish, paint and electrify it, but she spotted it in the basement and I couldn't hold out any longer. There are lots of legs broken off tables, some pieces have already been destroyed by little brother "bug" or Zelda, but it's easy to let go. This is a much loved bunch of goodies and I'm glad to share it with her.

We went to The Great American Dollhouse Museum in Danville KY as a birthday treat for her. It was a lot of fun for all four of us to explore the tiny houses. Vivi chose a new couch, a bathroom set, a new bed, and a new family to celebrate her new ownership. Over the next few years, we'll make great additions to the house. I have two wings to give her and I am so excited to fill them up with her.

Custom Order

2011-06-10T21:19:00.000-04:00

2011-06-08T16:08:00.000-04:00

"Let Me Show You My Boat."

2011-06-07T11:06:00.002-04:00

Let me tell you about my day job.

I'm a secretary.

I log entries into a database. When I've added the whole pile of paperwork, I make one half of an X on two copies. On one, black, on the other, red. When the paperwork is processed, I complete the entry in the database and complete the X, only on the red copy. Then I file the paperwork. I do this all day. Occasionally, I answer the phone. I also set up "high level" meetings, once a month in the summer, once a week in the winter. I listen to Pandora. My stations are "Folked Up," "Radio Radio," "Radio Betsee" and "Jazz Hands." I usually run out of my month of free listening minutes.

I have a much cherished degree in Art Education. See how I capitalized it? It means a lot to me, but doesn't mean much in the real world. If I had the time, I could become an excellent potter. When I went to college, I wanted to be a painter. (I haven't painted in so many years.) Then I thought about majoring in English. (I'm four credits short of a minor degree in writing.) I graduated a capable art teacher. (I quit three months into my first school year.) I think I should have majored in ceramics and cared for the notion that a master's degree is valuable. I guess I could be teaching people how to throw pottery, but I don't think you need a master's degree to do that ... or to do much of anything. I'm a secretary, an assistant to people who went to school longer, make more money, and are less talented at things I consider valuable to the quality of this life.

I don't really get to do what I want to do, what I think I could be considerably more successful doing, what would actually expand my mind and my existence. I have some free time, but I don't have many options for changing the grand scheme of things. And while I know this is not limited to just my predicament, I sure do feel alone in it. Buried in bills, buried in responsibilities, buried in expectations, buried in wishes and wants.

Do you feel equipped to succeed in life without really trying? Did anyone ever teach you to really try?

Uphill.

2011-06-01T15:30:00.001-04:00

I want to:
make SaysYou something more, something BIG
focus on something, anything other than this day job
weed the flower bed, plant my peony
not fall into the habit of making lists about what I wish I was doing

I stumbled up on this wreath on Spearmint Decor and now I'm feeling ready to face the blazing heat and make my house pretty. That would mean powerwashing and painting, weeding and planting, mowing and sweeping. But, first we must tackle the basement, which has been tackled (and tackled again) to ward off any more black widows and the rising humidity levels in the house. I can do it. And maybe I'll treat myself afterwards, it's been a long time since I've really bought myself anything that I've wanted. It would be a treat to have a lovely wreath for the front door. I can accept that treats come after hard work; I love to clean, get sweaty and really polish something up, arrange the belongings we've aquired and look at them all spruced and fluffed and lovely. I haven't done that in a while. I'm able to get a room or two spit shined, but there's never time to waller around in how good it looks before it's all crapped up again. It would be good to get the outside of the house looking as pretty as the inside sometimes looks.
To end on a positive note (if this tends on the negative side), I am only hoping to be more productive, to feel more alive and fulfilled than I do during the 7.5 hours I sit at my desk during the day. I can do it, if I try. I can be who I want to be.

Birthday Season

2011-05-27T11:08:00.001-04:00

An easy trip to the Dollar Tree resulted in a full days work in the kids' room decorating for our May and June babies who will be 3 and 5 years old this year. Our recent trip to Dinosaur World sparked a great interest and we found plenty of stuff to create a jungle in their bedroom. I pinned felt dinosaur sillouettes to the curtain, we strung table fringe on the underside of the top bunk and stuck tropical flowers in the railing. Vivi now has a volcano at the foot of her bed, made from a couple of stacked baskets, balloon weights, and curly ribbon. I made palm trees from pool noodles, yarn and palm leaves. Kale created the dinosaurs with two dinosaur hats, cardboard, spray paint and duct tape. We followed the Kentucky Derby this year with the request that we bring in stickhorses for our kids at daycare. In an evening, we created two unique stickhorses; Lynden's is blue, Vivi's is red. Kale drew a pattern for the head, cut the lauan and broomsticks at the kitchen table, I wove the horses' manes, Kale attached the foam ears and reins. We have two beautiful stickhorses to keep forever. The daycare suggested we stuff a sock and put it on a broom stick. PFFFT!

So Far, So-So-So Good

2011-05-18T14:39:00.004-04:00

We've had one deliriously decent Spring weekend in Kentucky. We hopped on it and took a vacation, two hours down the parkway to Cave City. The weather was so nice, I said multiple times that it felt like we truly had escaped. The four of us (five - including our puppy, Zelda) can now say that we have slept in a wigwam. It was delightful. Very quaint, but kitschy accomodations and lord knows this family loves kitsch.

Our mutt, Zelda. Somehow, I have grown to love dogs.

When I was young, my family vacationed in the Mammoth Cave area. I remember it as well as any other beach vacation. We played miniature golf at a location with horrifying hillbilly fiberglass dogs (which I found resurrected in a couple of local junk shops this time), hiked through the caves and visited Guntown Mountain. It was incredible to jump in the van and take my own family there. Countless times I have driven past the Guntown Mountain sign and the giant dinosaur, "You Just Missed Us!" at Dinosaur World, on my way back and forth from college.
I'm so happy to be all grown up.

Now We're Getting Somewhere

2011-04-28T11:14:00.002-04:00

In the new craft room, I have room for my sewing machine, thus the curtains continue!

Modern Dining

2011-04-28T10:22:00.003-04:00

Our small, cozy house is just the right size for us to share. Our "dining room" has served as such, but also a computer room, a junk depository, a pass-thru, a music room/sitting room, and now a craft room. We attempted to make the wet, gray basement a craft haven, but it was more a craft dungeon and when I found a spider and asked, "what kind of spider is black with red on it?," we decided it is time to face the facts and make the spare room something useful. The bushel baskets are perfect for storing everything. What is safe for the kids is within reach and accessible. I'm going to start posting their creations here. Vivi's "rocket ship" has found a new home with Aunt Cindy.

The Wedding

2011-04-20T10:22:00.003-04:00

In no particular order, our wedding:

Photo credits: Kirsten Shreiber Watson

Decorating the Gymnasium

2011-04-12T11:38:00.001-04:00

Dad pushing the helium tank amidst the balloon arch platform and the thirteen bushel basket/maypole centerpieces.

Each balloon is attached to an upended party favor box with an "N" paper coaster glued to it. It is weighted by a little tub of play-doh.

Kale engineered the whole thing. His mock up of the centerpieces was made of paper plates, playdough and yarn. I tied together some 300 handkerchiefs collected from family, friends and ebay.

I spent a lot of time ordering too much stuff online - big balloons, ebayed handkerchiefs, bushel baskets, noisemakers, bird whistles. Man it was fun...well, it should have been. The truth is, it cost a lot, was stressful, became a source of contention between us (mostly a stuggle between myself and some other part of myself that doesn't get out much), and took up a lot of valued space in my brain. I got lost in it all even though I thought I was avoiding some of the more stressful parts of the planning. I didn't have bridesmaids, thus I neglected to involve my dear friends. I was unsure of having a shower, thus I didn't fully appreciate what a bridal shower should be. I was stressed and I was faltering. Life has a way of happening to you while you're busy making other plans.

The reason our wedding was beautiful - the thought and care my husband put into the details, the work and care our family did the days before and afterwards, the friends who came and shared in our joy, our little wedding party of littles who stole the show.

The School

2011-04-12T11:16:00.009-04:00

One Sunday in September we ventured out looking for something new in town. I drove us out to one of those motherload junk houses, where you can find just about anything, whether it's a pink Colt 45 ceramic ashtray (like the one that holds my jewelry) or the Ghostbuster's ambulance (that Kale had when he was little). I had been there before and I had neglected to take my one true love to such a fantastic place. It is now one of our favorites. On the way out, I took us to the Old Bridgeport School, an abandoned school house turned antique mall. The school was built in 1941 and my father attened elementary school there. Old stuff is our bread and butter, I'm very fortunate to have found someone who shares the same distinct passion for other people's junk. As I recall, we bought some Star Wars and Strawberry Shortcake candy molds that day. But, the point of this is the way the gymnasium grabbed us both by the neck and slapped us around a bit, woke us up - this is it! This is where you will be married.

We walked in and it hit me and I said it out loud, "I wish we could have our wedding here." He said he knew exactly what I thinking. Maybe we could? We inquired. Yes, we could. And everything started to fall into place...

My Flowers

2011-04-05T11:19:00.005-04:00

My wedding bouquet was created by DK Designs, which I found on Etsy. Each petal, leaf, stamen was hand formed in craft clay and made just. for. me. I'm a lucky lady. Kale's boutonniere is an orange ranunculous. I chose these glorious pale yellow peonies.

I'll share more of our wedding details soon.

Lookey!

2011-03-29T13:31:00.004-04:00

I don't think I cussed once.

I am so proud.

2011-03-10T10:35:00.004-05:00

"Lent is a call to weep for what we could have been and are not. Lent is the grace to grieve for what we should have done and did not. Lent is the opportunity to change what we ought to change but have not. Lent is not about penance. Lent is about becoming, doing and changing whatever it is that is blocking the fullness of life in us right now." - SJC

I have never observed Lent, didn't know what is was until a few years ago, and upon learning about giving up sweets or coca-cola for Jesus it just didn't click. But, a call to weep, the gift of grace, an opportunity, becoming, doing, and changing whatever is it that is blocking the fullness of life, does click. A big, CLAH-CHUNK kind of click. If I need to wear a rubber band or a shock collar, give up soda or red meat to start knocking down the wall between me and the fullness, I will.

I picked up a needle and thread for the first time in many, many dull months. I didn't follow through for very long, instead I reverted back to the same old gritty ache of procrastination, regret, and pity for myself. Sometimes (most times) making something is an exercise in self discipline, in achievement, in loving myself and pride and I nearly never follow through. Why is that? Why do I set aside the things I love for all the mediocrity I despise? I nearly always follow through in punishing myself, even if it is punishment through simple avoidance. It's so easy to avoid good things for yourself, things that are whole and healthy, and that leads to utter avoidance of good things for others - something I'm very, very guilty of. If I had been using my hands to make something positive, would my words all these months have followed suit? Would my deeds, my thoughts, my actions, my outcomes? Yes, I think so. And for that I am grieving, low to the ground, quietly, reverently ... and considering what I can do to change all this.

Best Bets: A Needle is a Needle

2011-02-23T09:19:00.004-05:00

A needle is a needle, unless it’s a sharp, or a tapestry needle, intended for beading, curved for quilting, triangular, made for yarn, twin pointed, too thick or too small, too big or too thin. You may be embroidering with a milliner’s needle, which is intended for hat making, but if it’s doing the trick – a needle is a needle. So, I say, young apprentice, pick up a pack of “embroidery” needles. But, for goodness sake, LOOK at the needles in the package. First, you must peer into your sewing future: will you be able to find this needle if it slips off the thread and into the couch? Before it snags your sleeve and stabs you in the night, consider a thicker needle, a needle that may guide itself through taught linen, but not starched canvas. Or choose a needle with a larger eye that won’t require you don a monocle to thread it. Whilst scanning the needles available to you, “embroidery” might not be emblazoned on the package. It’s okay to pick up a pack of needles because they look like they’d be happy in your sewing box. My skill level will dictate the information here, thus the brevity of this tutorial. There are many different types of needles for general sewing, darning, leatherwork, beadwork, repair, quilting, milliner’s work, etc., each in a variety of sizes. The most valuable thing I learned while taking a closer look is the higher the number, the finer the needle. For basic embroidery, the kind my hands can teach you, here’s the skinny (the long and short of it, the point):

• Embroidery/Crewel Embroidery/Crewel needles have a long, lean eye which makes threading easier when using multiple strands of thread, as we ‘broiderers often do.

• Chenille Chenille needles have a large, visible eye and are used in the art of crewel embroidery and ribbon embroidery, which is of course thicker than thread or floss. Chenille needles have a heavier “weight” to them, as Tapestry/Cross Stitch needles do, but they have a sharp point. I find them easier to hold, less likely to prick, and sturdier in my clumsy hands.

• Tapestry/Cross Stitch Tapestry/Cross Stitch needles have a large, visible eye and a blunt round point designed for the use in needlepoint, petit point, counted cross stitch and plastic canvas work.

Dot

2011-02-08T10:01:00.001-05:00

Getting Crafty This Year?

2011-02-02T08:35:00.005-05:00

Vandaveer

2011-01-27T09:05:00.001-05:00

That'll do for today.

Mental Jitters

2011-01-26T08:57:00.004-05:00

I'm trying to decide if I am allowed to drink coffee. May I eat popcorn everyday? Is it okay if I don't put the laundry away? Can I wear chucks to work? After another year passes, just how much more is my face going to change? If I revive my passion for stickers will anyone see something is amiss? Would that make things better? What if I never used my hands again, made constant reference to the beautiful things I once made, and sank slowly into a green sofa would anyone come looking? I'm drinking hot chocolate instead. Crafty Supermarket, Cincinnati's premiere craft market, will be May 7th this year. We juried into the first event, were engaged at the second, were married on the date of the third, and hopefully this fourth event, we'll be there with bells on. Who's going to hold me accountable?

She-Ra Gets a Make-over

2011-01-25T08:56:00.015-05:00

Angella Double Trouble Frosta

Castaspella

HeMan

Sweet Bee

Peek A Blue

Catra

Glimmer

Bow

Flutterina

SheRa

Tink

2011-01-10T09:17:00.003-05:00

Last night I found myself alone on the couch with The Love Bug noisily buzzing in the background and a book on my lap, lots of thoughts meandering and forming into lists. It was welcome. However, the same thoughts now formed in lists are not welcome this Monday morning. Lists tend to either overwhelm me or push me on track. I'm not sure what will come of today. I neglected to put on socks, there's a dusting of snow. Enough. Two big things to do this week. Just be, most importantly, and then create a project for the book proposal. From there the next book endeavor is to flesh out another project. It will be good for me to do whether the book becomes reality or not. Soon, pictures of She-Ra.

Another One.

2011-01-03T09:40:00.012-05:00

I haven't embroidered in over eight months.

I changed my name.

I renewed.

I worked with my hands in new ways.

I celebrated another year with them.

I captured a lot of love with a lens.

be Betsy

capture more love

celebrate one more day

embroider everyday

learn to sew

love this

Stinky Pete.

2010-12-28T10:56:00.003-05:00

Christmas felt like Christmas, felt like true family, a new start, the beginning of something unknown. I'm glad 2010 is over. There hasn't been a year I've been sad to see pass. A list: 1) Be Betsy again. 2) * see number 1

Wake Up.

2010-12-13T10:01:00.004-05:00

I woke up to three inches of snow and a sick husband, whom I took care of dutifully with wifely type care. I didn't call in, instead I swept snow off the car, which is a new step towards responsibility. And in the back of my head, creeping towards the front, is the fact that I don't feel like it's Christmas. I want to go home and snuggle this day, read a book and drink coffee, get jittery and clean the house. There's time for that tonight. We'll wrap presents and fold laundry.

SaysYou is up and running, I have new hearts and requests for quirky customs. On the forefront for 2011 - a book by Betsy Bailey Nickens. With luck (which seems to abound, but I rarely take the time to notice), a publisher will pick up the proposal and I'll be authoring a book including 20 or more embroidery projects. I'll read this a few more times and maybe it will sink in to reality.

Happy Christmas. Let's hope it's a good one.

Back to Life, Back to Reality

2010-12-07T09:38:00.004-05:00

Is there time to shop for Christmas? Is there time to embroider? No, not really.

Are there words to describe the month of November? No, absolutley not enough.

Coroline Jones

2010-10-05T11:05:00.002-04:00

For my Vivi

This Must Be the Place.

2010-09-07T09:09:00.003-04:00

I am learning that there is more in this world than just me. There are bobots and fart houses and sock hands.

But, there is still time for me. There's time for me to be quiet.

I am the best I can be when I realize they need me to be this.

365 Ways to be Jealous

2010-08-18T08:42:00.003-04:00

Oh, how I wish I could sew. This is inspiring me today while simultaneously breeding envy in my heart. I'm jealous of people who do things I don't do. I'm sure I could do it, but do I have the gumption? 365 days, 365 dollars, 365 old dresses into new dresses. I hate shopping. My clothes are falling apart. I hate most things I see in stores and nothing fits to suit me. Do you think I will stop complaining and do something about it?

2010-08-04T10:45:00.002-04:00

Dear Coat,

We will meet again soon.

Love, Betsy

I said you'll do to the dress. And then I smiled really big and thought about ties and suspenders, dresses with bows, and little cabby hats, handkerchiefs and my new name, leaves and coats and snow and Christmas and being a wife and what it will be like to call those babies my children sans the step.

For You to Know

2010-07-09T08:59:00.005-04:00

This is what had made me sad today:
http://www.habitblog.com/habit/
And I am not sure why. Maybe it's that I never use my camera enough to suit my tendencies to want to remember, to need to remember because my brain is always full of what is not important.
So, I want to take pictures of the small things that should be large in my days. I'll start later with the rain that finally eased my tired mind. And I'll make the rain nice in my mind with a picture.

On the Homefront.

2010-07-06T08:49:00.002-04:00

Embroidery has officially taken a seat on the back burner. I'm attempting a crochet pattern that is out of this world...something special for Vivi.

The past three months has yielded a lot of this type of thing -

4! 2! 26! and 27 (on July 8th!) Wham Bam.
...

The Pirate and the Princess are really into Elvira these days. I firmly believe it's harmless when it all goes over their heads.

Also, this was a wedding, but the salad days didn't last very long.

...

I enjoyed my very own trip to the Newport Aquarium.

Giant sea turtles and glowing jellyfish galore.

Believe it or not, summer is very hard for me. There's something about less clothes, more sweat, sunburns, bugs, and hot cars that just gets to me. Grilling, swimming, long days, and fireworks just don't cut the steaming hot mustard that is summer. However, birthdays, dress up and special trips are pretty awesome, I must say.

2010-06-17T14:18:00.003-04:00

Why do people love summer? Is there really so much more fun during these three hellish months? When the humidity is so stifling that the children won't leave the porch (neither will I, for I am plastered to the patio chair), is the sunshine worth it? Are the 35 mosquito bites I received while the kids played in the pool something I should have rejoiced in? Have you never been burned by a seatbelt? And what about sweating...indoors?

I've never liked it, even when it meant I didn't have to go to school.

2010-06-10T10:38:00.002-04:00

The date approaches.

Birthdays.

2010-06-04T10:13:00.003-04:00

The men in my life.

Happy Summer.

2010-06-01T10:45:00.002-04:00

Things I'm excited about:

Embracing sweat. It's time to get used to the fact that I will always sweat more than the general population.
Embracing shorts. Embracing my physical state of being.
Sprinklers and kids in swimsuits.
An organized pantry, organized by the dude of the house.
Summer projects. A basement comfortable enough to be the next best space in our house.
Social existence. We've been couped up too long.
Pool time.
A second air conditioner - I told him we'd need it. Creating an art space for the kiddos.
Birthdays. New glasses.
Wedding planning. The grill. Losing weight.
The zoo, the aquarium, kids museums, at least one road trip.

I'm taking a break from embroidery.

A Seven Page List

2010-05-26T12:02:00.004-04:00

Today, Why don't you:
take a walk, take your camera
>organize the pantry
embroider
fix dollhouse furniture
go to the park
do an art project with the kids
go thru stuff in the basement
take a Goodwill trip
plan dinner, invite friends
sit on the front porch
plant a garden
listen to albums
make wedding decisions
read a book
invite cousins over to play
>go swim, take dinner
have a drink and sit down
call a friend
>rearrange furniture, move it back
change out a picture in a frame
buy a new shirt
paint my toenails
make the bed
>open the blinds
drive somewhere
bake something and share it
look at a book
>think about an art class you might teach
create a monthly budget
get cable
weed the flower bed
sweep the porch
change out some decorations
make another list
organize something
>go to the Peddler's Mall
go to the library
window shop
go to Bowling Green
go to Pop's Resale
visit Nanny
get a tattoo
buy flowers
get an indoor plant
read outside
slow down
>look out the window for a while
be quiet
do your nails
color your hair
try new make-up
>work out
>be nice
>wash the sheets
upload music
set up craft space
read another book
find a recipe
go swimming again
>get sweaty, take a shower
look thru art text books
speed up
power wash the house
paint the shutters
finish the porch
make a huge payment on the credit card
organize Christmas stuff
>visit mom and dad
make something
help make magnonauts
apply for a craft fair
go away for a weekend
>sit under a tree
>take the day off
paint the bathroom
buy a new pair of shoes
>read a book to the kids
take the kids to a museum
>go to a show or concert
>organize the kitchen
play every Wii game
play every Super NES game
>consolodate something
>take some pictures
>wear a dress
play a game
have a game night
go somewhere new
smell the roses
hold hands
talk to each other
go to a movie
have mom and dad over for dinner

I don't know whether to speed up or slow down.

2010-05-26T08:54:00.001-04:00

And then there was

2010-05-20T11:19:00.002-04:00

While reading my previous posts, I realized that production has slowed in both my craft endeavors and my home life. A list:

More Netflix. All day, every day I will tout the virtues of the Netflix.
The garden must be sprung. It's spring and there is no garden.
The things that I eat and do reflect poorly on my health and sanity. Time to start talking with the man in the mirror. Tell him to make a change.

Yes, Even I have Dreamed of a Wedding.

2010-05-20T10:36:00.002-04:00

Not my dress, but I sure do like it.
Cheap flower arrangements are the prettiest.

Candy is fun.

A little bit of me all over the place.

There, that's all you get. No more, the rest you'll have to wait for.

Things I Love SO MUCH.

2010-05-13T09:35:00.006-04:00

Lynden is the most joyful little dude I've ever met. He's funny and smart and in the habit of throwing himself on the floor but not making much of a fuss when he doesn't get what he wants, which is nearly always "tandy" (candy). Or "chocate milk!"

Vivi is in the stage of throwing absolute fits, prompted by anything but mostly access to candy, not getting amovie she wants, and when Betsy reads James and the Giant Peach instead of Daddy. This little lady is much braver than I was at her age, but just as emotional. I love it. "SO MUCH!" as Genevieve says.

Vivi loves to sew with me, she likes the shish shwoop of the needle coming up and going down. When she lays her head on my shoulder to watch, I'm the happiest couch potato on the planet. And when that little dude dances to funk music, my heart goes crazy. I'm lucky. I'm lucky SO MUCH that I have these little people in my life.

And then there's this guy. My best friend. He makes me laugh. And all kinds of other good stuff. And then there's this that relieves my need to create. That's very important.

I was going to list stuff I hate, like slurping from a water fountain, having a desk by the bathroom at work, humidity, folding laundry...but then I remembered. I love a lot of things SO MUCH more than I hate a lot of things. That's important, too.

2010-05-04T10:55:00.002-04:00

It's time to kick it back into high gear. I took a two week break from sewing and I'm ready to start a few new things. First off, I have two pieces to make for friends at work, and a few to add to my dwindling collection for a small show at Redtree in Cincinnati next week. I don't think I'm going to bust my butt for this one, but take good stuff that I'm proud of. I'll be attempting to sell the rest of the buttons with badge reels and pin backs at work, although they haven't sold well there. I will be getting my email contact list together to thank those who signed up, gave compliments, gave suggestions and are interested in updates. Hopefully some of those folks are visiting the blog, because I certainly feel a little lonely here shedding light on my work and talking about myself. I read blogs because I'm interested in the people who write them. It's terribly voyeuristic of us to expect such insight, but it is also fun to find people you relate to and admire for their handiwork and lifestyle. I really would like to be one of those people and I don't know if that's vain or not. But, at any rate, this is a productive little venture for me and whether anyone reads my lines or not, it keeps me on track in this SaysYou endeavor. I've come a long way and I'm getting somewhere with it and I'm proud of that! What saysyou?

I like lists.

2010-05-03T11:45:00.002-04:00

Things I don't like: (because today is a pretty awful day)

I don't like brushing my teeth.
Ketchup and mustard on plates in the sink.
Watching or hearing anyone chew, drink, or hack it.
Smelling chewing gum.
Dirty carpet.
Messes.
Long finger nails or acrylic nails - especially toenails. Give me a friggin' break.
High heels are an abomination of the female species.
Back seat drivers.
Humidity and subsequent wet hair.
Cat pee.
Once it's sandal season, I don't want socks anywhere near my feet.
Wet feet in the grass.
More than one person talking at a time.
At one time, I loved to sleep all day. Now I can not stand it.

I'm engaged :)

2010-04-21T12:13:00.001-04:00

Betrothed.

In the Trees.

2010-04-20T09:52:00.004-04:00

The Gaslight Bed and Breakfast, just around the corner from the Clifton Cultural Arts Center was fantastic. I felt so grown up and fancy. We had the "Swiss Family Robinson" room at the tip top of the house, which was higher than any other building on the street and we were truly in the trees. The owners are fabulous people, we spent a lot of time talking with Maria, who is so very nice and hospitable. We had a great time.

Interesting terrifying tid-bit: Jeffery Daumer's brother used to live in an apartment in the house before the ultimate remodel. From what we heard, he remained in the house for an hour while oblivious that the entire house was being utterly destroyed by fire. Sheesh.

Fabricate is a locally owned and managed store and gallery in a vintage furniture store called Red Polly. ...Talk about the perfect place for me. Our new friend, Chris, asked me about consigning my work with her store in November. Finally I got to meet her and I left several of my pieces there to be sold! Wow, what a weekend.

Chris and I have the same purse purchased from Etsy.

Isn't it cute? Makes me want to overhaul Frankfort with cute-itude. Lord knows we need it.

More tomorrow. I want to say hello and thank you to all of the incredible people and peers I met at Crafty Supermarket. I've really never felt so graciously accepted. I'm truly lucky to be involved in such an awesome movement - the handmade sweep of the nation.

Here's What Most of You Missed (No, I'm not Bitter)

2010-04-19T09:42:00.007-04:00

SaysYou at Crafty Supermarket!

Yes, it went very well for us.

And my table was super cute.

My new stuff was way well received. My favorite part was meeting new people who appreciate handmade crafts.

Thanks to Lori Brown, our friend from last year, who came to say hi and buy two pieces! She said too many nice things. Her work is incredible. We have a mini gallery now of her work.

A very cool Mom stopped to say that her four year old son loves hobos and octopi. It was too funny, he loves hobo culture, wants to have cigarettes in case he meets one someday because she let him hear Big Rock Candy Mountain. That's just about the best thing I've ever heard.

More tomorrow, like where we stayed and where to find my work in Cinci.

2010-04-13T09:53:00.003-04:00

Crafty Supermarket will be on the first floor of the Clifton Cultural Arts Center, where 50 craft vendors, DJ and food vendors will be rocking out all day on April 17. (Enter at the main entrance which is on McAlpin Avenue, facing the Fairview German School.)
The CCAC is on the corner of Clifton and McAlpin avenues in the Gaslight District. Check out the CCAC site for detailed directions. There’s free parking directly behind the center, and plenty of street parking in the neighborhood.

I'm not kidding, this is a craft fair like you've never been to before and you won't find anything like it in Kentucky because it's actually cool. There won't be a drift wood birdhouse or a primitive country style candle warmer in sight and I can't tell you how happy that makes me. No one I know showed up to the last one, so get yer butt on the road. Buy my stuff and support your friend and her fledgling craft business. Did I tell you I'm writing a book, for goodness sakes? You are not involved in this yet, so you can't say you knew me when! HA!

Whims and Whimsies

2010-04-12T08:36:00.003-04:00

A little more info on the cryptic previous post: I've been commissioned to write an instructional book on hand embroidered monograms! It will be a craft kit with a small book including 12 or so how-to projects, sections on tools and techniques. Supplies for two small projects, including crosstitch will be included.
The book should have a format like this book, which was published/packaged by the company, Quirk Packaging. Keep in mind that I don't know if I'm committed to this yet.
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Miss-Woollys-Mini-Cross-Stitch/Eliza-Edwards/e/9781435115538/?itm=1&USRI=miss+woolly

And so, I'm in the throws of overhauling the pieces I've presented at previous craft shows, which in my humble opinion weren't that well conceived or finished, but they're looking good now. I'm making an attempt to do more buttons, as well.

I made dinner last night and the dish was a success. We call it "Chicken Tuxedo."

So. Uh.

2010-04-09T13:06:00.002-04:00

I don't have to wait to share this, 'cause I don't think I can.

I'm in the process of signing on for a book deal. Author. Embroidery Kit.

These things are on my mind

2010-04-08T10:00:00.003-04:00

1) Family and worms!

2) DesMONNNNNNNNNNNNNNND!

3) The WeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeekEnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnD!!

4) Tonight, tommorrow and the promise of yet another day with the people I love, have grown to love, have just met and love, and will love forever.

And What Is More...

2010-03-29T09:41:00.003-04:00

While I am feeling a little glum today, there are a lot of things to look forward to and to look back on and smile. This weekend, we picked up the pace we were running at (before work flew off the deep end) and completely overhauled the garage. It had become an ant colony and I'm sure that every ant in the neighborhood was born, either resides in or visits often. We took two TWO truck loads of trash to the dump, which was stress relieving and disgusting. Throwing that blankety blank trash into the huge dumpsters from the back of the truck in the rain was an oh-so-lovely thing to do on a Sunday morning with sore backs and legs from lifting and dragging boxes all day on Saturday. Boxes of glassware had to be unwrapped and brought into the house to be cleaned of the dirt and bugs that had made their homes in the damp moldy newspaper. Oh, we had such a good time! And now my kitchen is stacked high with old dishes, some of which I will be keeping, but so much will be sent to the far ends of wherever will have them. But, it was a lovely day Saturday and we had a pretty good time. I like working with my partner and best friend.

I also picked out a lot of pretty house dresses, gave some coats to my little friend Joey, and made an attempt at washing what seemed salvageable. They'll need a good dosing of bleach before I'll ever consider wearing any of them.

What I'm looking foward to is actually a good bit of hard work. It is very satifying to complete a job that needs to be done, like cleaning out this garage. Next up, the yard. We plan to cultivate something besides overgrown bushes and weeds. We'll build a fantastic little garden house out of the unused doors (landlord willing), plant a bradford pear and a vegetable garden. Gotta power wash the house, put up a fence, paint the shutters and doors, refinish the front porche, buy a grill and some patio furniture, take up a second job, sell our souls, and take the bus.

I just realized I typed "refinish the front porche." Now, the back porche is another matter.

You Betta Werk.

2010-03-29T09:18:00.002-04:00

Time to make. Stuff. For the Craft Fair. That is in three weeks.

Currently, I have everything that I had at the last in November, minus a few things that people actually bought on Etsy. But I would like to take significantly more things and better things than I have presented before. I've completed few, which I've shown you, but just five more detailed embroideries could take three weeks. It might be worthwhile to revisit some of my older completed designs and spruce them up. I'm feeling discouraged, however. I just wonder if this is worth my time. I may end up making crap for myself and letting people just look at it, because that is all they seem to want to do.

Consideration.

2010-03-25T08:57:00.003-04:00

What's this? Lung Love?

As promised.

I've had a lot of time for thinking lately, but I haven't come to any conclusions.

Old + New is always good.

2010-03-23T08:15:00.007-04:00

Reinhold the Big Mouth Bass

Beautiful Vintage Button Collection

I'm pretty proud to have completed several embroideries in two weeks. Reinhold the Big Mouth Bass is one of a series of constellations I've begun. Needless to say, he's not your typical stellar set of stars, but constellations never really look like what they say they are. And why shouldn't the less than pretty beasts of the earth be represented in the Heavens?

The collection of white vintage buttons, as well as the bronze colored buttons were bracelets given to me by a very dear friend. They belonged to her mother, who was an incredible woman from all that I've heard. I wanted to give the buttons new life. What do you think?

The jellyfish is completed and I've started next level Lung Love. SaysYou is currently in "vacation mode" and I won't be updating or selling for several weeks. The slight stress of preparing for CraftySupermarket is starting to get to us. With all that goes on at work, it is very hard to make time for much of anything. Did I show you what Kale is working on? Visit magnonauts.blogspot.com and take a look at this

When the big stress of work is finally dead and gone for the year, we'll be taking a trip to Cincinnati and hopefully taking a nice long weekend.

2010-03-18T16:09:00.001-04:00

Jellyfish

2010-03-18T13:28:00.004-04:00

Jellyfish. Working on it today.

Looks a bit like this jellyfish by Mr. Charley Harper, who's work is greatly influencing my current style which is certainly a tribute and not meant to infringe on any copyright laws (I've tried to contact his estate in control of his work).

It's beautiful outside today and it is a wonder how much better that makes everything.

Banana Party!!

2010-03-17T09:22:00.003-04:00

CraftySupermarket

2010-03-15T10:58:00.001-04:00

Will I see you there?

2010-03-10T10:36:00.001-05:00

I love when I get emails from Cheap C1alis.

"whitt les exopl asm exact s knowi ng hush mince d slack er caval la cheru blike scout ed washe rwome n recog niser cocha irman trans migra te swerv e monot heism chipp er copar cenar y forec astin g joind er polit icall y syncy tium folio se fishe ry inocu lator sylla bic lingu istic al inter dicti on placa rd subst itute d outpe rform s legis lator s nobod y studi er thyme ctomi se prase sideb ands linna eus esuri ency jiggi ng unpoe ticis ed antit rades water front peris talsi s false ness antip yrine repla yed miser icord e pruri go listl essly washe rwome n commo nalit y bread baske ts justi fiabl e nexus es vapor ising maxim ise contr aster flank ed plant agene t snowb alls tampi ng fairw eathe r chipp er pitch y entry ist cloth esmen recyc le schiz opod porti onise sawbi ll popis hly vapor ising stout est joint er gloom disor ganiz ed bearb aitin g excel sior pecul ates disor ganiz ed extol cutta ck extol nosey hyste rotom y inclo se scept ic squin t lobat e serry ing mocke ry rebs feare d loath ing ginge r plagi oclas e whizz ed moles tatio n growe"

Tom Petty said it, I repeated it.

2010-03-03T09:59:00.002-05:00

New item in the shop. I hope this one does well. I don't see why it won't.

New business card.

The waiting is the hardest part.

Things are good.

2010-03-02T14:05:00.002-05:00

Collaborative work with a little bird named Genevieve.

Our house produces super icicles.

I still make buttons.

Catch You on the Flip

2010-02-22T13:10:00.002-05:00

The Things I've Done That You Didn't Know About

2010-02-19T10:51:00.006-05:00

BOOST : ego, inspiration, productivity.

Ta-da!

15 minutes and no sales.

2010-02-16T10:21:00.004-05:00

From The State Journal, Frankfort KY

Etsy.com inspires Betsy to get crafty

By Keren Henderson

Etsy.com - the largest online marketplace for buying and selling handmade items - is a world of artistic inspiration.
The site worked its magic on Frankfort’s Betsy Bailey.
Betsy, 26, who works for the Legislative Research Commission, graduated with a bachelor’s in art education but set aside her artistic pursuits after signing on with the state.
Betsy recently rediscovered embroidery – a childhood hobby – and is selling hand-stitched wall decorations through Etsy.
She describes her designs as “pure, unadulterated hand embroidery and all the little tugs and knots and love that go along with a needle and thread and a vision.”
She started on notepaper, stitching initials and birds as Christmas gifts using a box of embroidery floss her mother gave her.
“That’s the cool thing about embroidery floss – it never gets old,” she explains.
Now, most of her designs go straight from her imagination to the fabric of 6-inch wall hoops. She sells traditional initials, but most of her designs are anything but.
“It’s a traditional craft done in a whimsical way,” she says.
She credits her boyfriend, Kale Nickens, with the “quirky stuff.”

Kale comes up with the design ideas, Betsy sketches them on fabric with water-soluble ink, then the stitching begins.
She explains how her octopus designs came about.
“I was doodling my ever present swirlys and circles and happened upon an octopus. Kale added the face and accessories and we developed a series of characters.”
She sold three of the four, but “OldManPus” is still for sale – on clearance for $10. The name pretty much describes him – he’s an Octopus with bushy eyebrows, a cane and a pipe.
Then there’s the “Nesting Pests” series – “an ever expanding group of Matryoshka nesting dolls with a bit of a twist.”
The Russian stacking dolls are designed to look like classic monsters and include: Franky, Wolfie and Bitey.
But the most unique series is probably “Organic Fruits” designed by Kale.
Etsy has millions of products, but no one else is selling embroidered organs that look like fruits with faces.
Designs take anywhere from one to five hours to stitch, Betsy says. Since she started, she has learned several tricks to produce higher quality work.
She’s sold about 15 wall decorations on Etsy, and has also made sales at craft fairs.
“I get a really good response to the buttons and pins at the fairs,” Betsy says.
The fabric buttons are decorated with initials and other designs.
To take a look at Betsy and Kale’s latest designs, go to saysyou.etsy.com.

2010-02-09T09:41:00.001-05:00

Having the blues is like wearing a really heavy coat, saggy pants and a hat pulled down low.

Beans and Cornbread.

2010-02-04T13:08:00.003-05:00

This is why I'm happy today:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fM9jT2eM6KQ
It was a deal sealer. I have met my match.

He knew exactly what I was talking about when I brought it up.

I've met my beans.

Discombobulation.

2010-02-03T15:39:00.001-05:00

to explain what happened on LOST last night.

(photo credit unknown)

Considerable Expansion.

2010-01-25T09:57:00.000-05:00

It's time. I know I've been saying this for a while.

Working on a very handsome fox and turtle. Thinking about my camera. Thinking about the basement and what a horrible mess it is. Wondering why I pay dollars for toast every morning in the cafeteria. So happy that Pandora is playing a little Pedro the Lion for me this morning. Remembering when Joey and I used to go to concerts. Remembering how cute it was to find my baby boy laying on the table with his hand in the fishbowl. And how wonderful it was to spend time with my baby girl watching Golden Girls and napping on a blanket bed on the floor.

I'm going to make considerable progress for the fox and turtle today. For the fox and the turtle and all that they deserve to be. Did you know that I love embroidery? I really, really do.

Did you know that my life is blessed and wonderful? I hope that yours is, too. Let's be happy together today. We are very lucky.

Kroger is able to add donations for Haiti on your checkout bill. Help make good in this world.

The Deal.

2010-01-13T12:26:00.003-05:00

Here it is: I watched an instructional video on line shading needlepoint. INSPIRED! I started brainstorming new shop banner designs. INSPIRED! I decided not to let my boyfriend do all the creative work for SaysYou. INSPIRED! I received Charley Harper (An Illustrated Life). DOUBLE INSPIRED! I got a bag from TippiThai. INSPIRED! I suddenly started feeling like a mother. TRIPLE DOUBLE DOG INSPIRED! I ate fruit for breakfast and a sandwich for lunch. BRING IT ON! I hope you're inspired, too. I am waiting for Ray Lamontagne's first album to arrive on my doorstep. Kale just got a recording of what his band has been doing. I embroidered a shirt for my future brother-in-law. I got Golden Girls, Season 3, back from my friend. It's crazy how such tiny things make the most difference to the grand scheme of things. Like how Ryan Adam's Oh My God Whatever, Ect. just started playing on Pandora. You need to come sit with me right now. Good things are happening all around me. Tonight I'm setting up my embroidery space. Tomorrow I'm starting a new project. INSPIRED!!!

I Have Some Things to Say.

2010-01-06T10:48:00.004-05:00

I pulled a ton of photos from late 2008 through 2009 to have printed. I'll share some of the happiest memories with you. Looking at these pictures reminds me of the true and serious blessings of 2009, which were trying at times, but incredibly rewarding and enriching. I'm a lucky girl.

And now for something completely different. Well, not so different for me:

A list of things I must accomplish this year:

Maintain health. Stop getting sick and learn how to eat.
Maintain balance. Stop being overwhelmed and frustrated.
Be nice. Be sweet. Get over it.
Be productive.

And with that, I've nearly summed up the issues and joys of 2009. Twenty ten will be a good one and I'm sure of that.

Nothing to Say Today.

2010-01-04T09:52:00.000-05:00

2009-12-29T11:25:00.003-05:00

For the first time in at least two months, I scanned several of the design blogs I previously read everyday before I was obsessed with catching up on LOST in anticipation of the sixth season. By the middle of season one, I knew that my day to day and my netflix instant play would be forever changed. I guess it's back to reality now that the holidays are nearly over and I've got nothing to watch until February and even then it's only one episode per week. I don't know if I can stand it.

Maybe I'll catch up with The Office. While I'm at the office. Dunder Mifflin, this is Pam.

We've moved, we've settled, and as of today there is a mile long list of projects at the house to complete in the new year. Number One on my list, however, is to revamp SaysYou completely. I'm very tired of being a shop that sits in the shadow of the popular shops, the ones that do uninspiring crosstitch and napkins with hoops stuck to them. I don't mean to offend, dear reader, but I'm just not all that impressed. Whimsical? No. Original? Not really. Pretty? Not for me.

I have a severe case of procrastin-itis and I admit that I haven't had the gumption to follow through. My circle cutting skills are less than sub par, although I doodle nearly perfect circles during every mandatory staff meeting. I still tie knots. I still burn myself with the hot glue. I've never figured out how to ship my shit and everthing I took to Crafty Supermarket is in the box I took it in. But, I've been busy, you see. Busy with other things than what I really would rather be doing. I've been making other plans, but life has been happening to me.

Then there's this business called streptococcal bacteria. I think my throat is just angry at me.

I have a long list of things to do in 2010 and you probably don't want to hear about each one. I'll spare you the heartache you'll feel for me as I try to rifle through this mess. It's going to be a big big glorious year.

See ya, 2009. You were alright while you lasted.

Happy Holly Days.

2009-12-21T09:42:00.003-05:00

Merry mustaches.

Looking forward to making some incredible holiday goodies, hopefully finishing seven more embroideries, painting 18 hoops and ultimately completing the whole she-bang, but that will require a mega trip to the grocery, a trip to Lexington for hoops and a whole lotta energy that I just do not have in great quantities these days. I need to wrap a few more things, too.

I promise to wash my hands thoroughly and not cough on anything.

2009-12-11T09:13:00.007-05:00

Christmas time is here

Happiness and cheer

Fun for all the children call

Their Favorite time of year

Snowflakes in the air

Carols everywhere

Olden times and ancient rhymes

of love and dreams to share

Sleigh bells in the air

Beauty everywhere

Yuletide by the fireside

And joyful memories there

Christmas time is here

Families drawing near

Oh, that we could always see

Such spirit through the year...

(Mr. Vince Guaraldi - Lyrics)

Merry Christmas!

2009-11-18T09:35:00.002-05:00

I just realized there has been no time to appreciate this:

Or this:

2009-11-16T09:42:00.002-05:00

(Sorry I can't give credit for this photo, but I love it.)

So, you see I have this issue. An issue of too much to do and too little time or perhaps too much time and too much to do. I tend to work on a self imposed tighter schedule, where procrastination has forced me into extreme productivity, but that's not the case here. We've been working steadily and seriously and there are just a few days left until the move, but I want it done now. I want the time to fly.

We need to re-carpet the kids' bedroom and I need to hang blinds and curtains. They need bed frames and toy storage solutions. We need a bedframe and a bigger mattress. I want blinds in our bedroom. I need blinds in our kitchen so we're not exposed in our underwear to the world . I need to get rid of a formal dining table and four chairs. We need to re-finish a mantle and paint the bathroom. I need water pressure. We need to finish the basement. We need to clean out the garage. I wish I had time to plant bulbs, clean out the car, mop the floor, clean my current house, and get ready for Crafty Supermarket on Saturday.

However, none of this has to be completed before we move in, except for the blinds in the kitchen and the re-carpeting. Thank God. There is time and I'm glad of that. I just wish it was over in an instant.