Remembering P. MaGee and Beebs

Sometimes, out of nowhere, I get trapped in the memory of loss. Today I was transported back to September 1, 2011 at the moment my beloved Babie was taking her last breaths. It's very painful even now and I've done a lot of grieving over the last two years. September and October are difficult months for me because they mark both the life and death of three of my dearest.

Two days from today, September 22, will mark the 9 year anniversary of Patches' departure. My brother will be gone for 19 years in October. I'm not sure where all the time goes, but I do know that in those moments, no time has passed.

To those of you who have or are struggling with the loss of a pet, please know that you are not alone. My cats and pigs are my children. I've heard many times, "It's just a cat." When those words are being spoken by the ones you go to for comfort in your time of need, it is very hurtful. They aren't "its" and especially aren't "just" anything. They are members of our families. Many times they are the ones who comfort us when we need it most. Each and every baby out there, whether they be furry, scaly, or feathered, deserves to be loved like they're the center of someone's world. So when you're feeling sad, like I am today, and that there was more you could have or should have done, remember that you only feel that way because you cared enough to give them your everything. Although it hurts when they're gone, it's completely worth it for all of the times like these:

Working Wednesday

I finally got around to creating a design for Spoonflower and I'm really excited! I'm going to order a swatch today and hopefully all looks good so that I can put it up for sale! I needed a little break from sewing candy corns, but I wanted to keep with the theme. In college, I learned Photoshop, but not Illustrator. I bought a book on it from the same series anyway and it has been packed up since we moved from Richfield two years ago- so I've turned to online tutorials. Who needs college classes when there's Internet?! Anyway, I'm pretty stoked on figuring out all the things that frustrated me and finding ways around problems that still plague me.

A whole new batch ready to be pinned, embroidered, sewn, and stuffed.

I think I'll need another tote!

Ghostie Girl, Puking Pumpkin, + Candy Corn Ornaments

Two months of Halloween started on September 2. I'm still getting around to unpacking and placing all... several boxes. Luckily, BJ doesn't think there's too much- or maybe he's just saying that to make me not feel like a hoarder. So much to do, so little time. 

In case you didn't know, September is National Mushroom Month, so eat your fungi! I know I will! :)

Thriftcation Summer Recap

I've been really bad at actually posting all of the things I plan to post. The last time I accomplished a post it was still snowing... I can't believe that it is already September. This summer I've had some pretty great thrift scores, didn't do nearly enough garage sale-ing, and spent countless hours cleaning up after my inappropriate eliminator. 

First off, Johnstock was something. It was beautiful out and I was having fun until a few hours in. Then it started torrentially down-pouring with strong winds. It was insanity! I was a first timer and made classic rookie mistakes. BJ, my mom, and I stood for a half hour or more with our hands in the air holding the tent down and releasing the pooling water from the fabric that wasn't keeping us dry. It was freezing and wet and I'm very cat-like in that I hate being wet. BJ ran to target and got me a towel, but it was honestly a losing battle. Everything was soaked. Luckily some of my stuff works for outdoors, but my poor terrariums were wet and steamy and my business cards were totaled. I'm glad for the experience though because now I know what to do differently next time. I had a wonderful booth neighbor who was awesome and helpful and had a cat themed shirt that I had to get.  Meownisota? Uh, yes please!!! Also, the match to the hot air balloon we got back in February was still at Rewind, so BJ picked it up for me!

My paternal grandmother passed away and we made the drive down for the funeral. My family and I must have radar for thrift stores because we found one in the tiny town of Lake Benton. I scored two bowls, a creamer, and a white cat for my (overgrown) collection all for under $9. I think it is officially my new favorite thrift store, but is also more than 3 hours away. *Edit: The big bowl is resting in pieces in the dumpster thanks to my butter fingers and a moldy potato that made its way into a vase. I loved you for the short time I had you!

It was a really terrible spring with all the snow and cold weather. We ended up throwing a lot more plants than usual at the Depot. One of these beautiful petunias was headed for the dumpster in the sky until I saved it. Now the loopers are eating them. They were gorgeous while they lasted! 

Arc's Value Village was kind to me on a few occasions this season. I found a cute little double seater for Penelope, an adorable little box for her to keep her keepsakes, NOS tart molds, a pastry cutter, syrup pourer, egg Jell-O mold (I plan to attempt vegan hard boiled eggs with tofu and Vegg), and another white cat for my collection. This one holds all of my lucky pennies that I seem to be finding everywhere! On this trip, I also found a Xyron creative station with a sticker roll inside! It look a lot of cleaning up to get it working again, but I figured it out. Such a great deal!

Penny really needs a friend.

I found these so cute already glued vintage puzzles at the garbage bag sale that I look forward to every year. Now I just need to get them framed and find a bare spot on a wall! I also found a handmade crocheted blanket, fleece for the piggies, and a cool springy candle holder for the balcony.

The Uptown Art Fair was awesome this year. It was the first time I've ever gone and not been near heat exhaustion! We got a couple of great prints. The artist of the drive in print had so many wonderful scenes to choose from that it was a hard decision. We got one last year of a skeleton playing chess with a bunny in a graveyard. The artist of the Jack print also had other lovable Disney characters, including Zero, but I had to pick Jack because I think he just speaks to my sensibilities the best.

I have a lot of projects in the works. I'm going to attempt a strip quilt. Since Halloween is my favorite and my best, that is my inspiration. I have a new machine named Doris. I'll have to remember to get a picture and post about her!

I found this fabric at Crafty Planet and plan to make a bag out of it. Thanks for all the inspiration, Heidi Kenney!

One of the projects that I've actually finished is a seat cushion. I found this chevron fabric in the remnants pile at Joann's during their Labor Day weekend sale! It was the first time I've sewn in a zipper. I'm happy with how it turned out! (Sorry for the poor lighting...)

BJ and I went on a vacation which I titled Roadside America Thriftcation of Mostly Southwest Minnesota. It was heavy on the roadside, not so much on the thrift. Small towns close up shop way too early, I have no idea how they ever have any customers! BJ had never been to any of the Laura Ingalls sites or any other of the interesting places in my neck of the woods. Going as an adult is quite a different experience than as a child. We went to the Sod House on the Prairie in Sanborn and the museum in Walnut Grove. I had planned the dugout site into the itinerary, but decided against it because I didn't want to pay $5 to look at prairie grass and possibly get chiggers, which I have heard are bad this year. I am severally allergic to bug bites- I always get the most disgusting looking welts and whatnots. I still got some visiting this place that have yet to disappear. It was a really hot week and the inside of the sod house was really cool. Smart design!

We attempted to go to Old Stone face in Pipestone, but were running late in the day and it was closing in 15 minutes by the time we got there. We got to see the Three Maidens and the gargoyles in the Masonic building downtown, but the thrift stores were closed as well. At least we got to hit up my favorite thrift store 15 minutes before closing time! 

I passed up the snowflake dish just like I did last time. Regretting it again. I might have to make a trip over there sometime because I'm sure it will still be there! Now I only need the yellow and green mixing bowls and I'll have the whole collection! My mom thinks I have a problem, but I think Pyrex is so necessary. 

On our journey back from the southwest part of the state, we went through New Ulm. This was the best part of our trip. We went to the Wanda Gag house. She is the author of Millions of Cats. The house has seven different types of windows and doors. I loved the two little doors leading to small rooms in the attic and the door to the attic is kind of hidden. It was just so fun. We went to all three of the thrift stores there, but there was nothing of great interest. Of course we brought our own food since vegan eating tends to be hard in meat and potato towns, so we had a picnic. I watched the Glockenspiel, but BJ didn't get that there were moving parts so he thought it was stupid to go look at a clock playing music. His loss.

We also went to visit Hermann the German. It was a very windy day and I was wearing a dress. I didn't have the guts or the pants to climb all the way to the top. BJ said he felt like he was going to get blown over, so I'm just going to tell myself any person in her right mind would have made the same decision. The only thing holding me back from believing that is the fact that there were young girls who made it to the top when I didn't. Maybe some other day when I don't have to worry that everyone is looking at my Spanx... Hermann has to worry about that everyday!

I wanted to get free root beer at Soderlund's Pharmacy in St Peter, but it was closed. It closes at 2pm on Saturdays. Seriously, how do people live in small towns? Smart planning, I guess. The only places that were open in most of these towns were bars. Bar hopping is not my kind of fun, unfortunately. Luckily the baseball cows in Le Seur were free and never closed.

Don't fear, I did get root beer. We stopped at the candy store in Jordan which was thankfully open. We even found some vegan candies!

Our journey brought us back to Minneapolis. We visited Minne the Lake Creature at Nokomis and the elf door at Harriet. I left a little mushroom for the elf. Someone took it already.

Please excuse the poor lighting of the terrible phone photo. If you know me, you know that I'm one of the people who lines up for the 50% off sale at Arc's. Lucky for me, I have the member card so it was open to me on Sunday, too! I got everything I was looking for. I found a cute green daisy Pyrex with a lid(!), a sheet for my rag rug I plan on making (but I still need more),  a couple of Halloween goodies, the cushion for my project above, and a couple of unexpected finds. The adorable little dish girl is something from my childhood that I saw out of the corner of my eye and I was so excited to pick her up! This long post wrapping up my summer brings us to present day. I'm getting ready for my upcoming craft show in Redwood on September 28. I promise that I'll post more on it a the days to follow.

I hope to see you there! :)

May Day

"It's still winter? Mail me somewhere warm!"

Today is the first of May and it is snowing. I have been a busy busy bee preparing for Johnstock which is only a month away! In addition to crazy crafting, I have (barely) started working my seasonal job merchandising annuals. Due to the relentless-never ending-perpetual-life draining-soul sucking winter, we are behind in our season. No body really wants to buy little beauties on a day that six inches of snow accumulates, which feels like nearly everyday for the entire month of April. After a week a wonderful weather, winter has reared its ugly head yet again. The last two days have been spent putting everything from the freshly stocked tables back onto carts and dragging them tirelessly into the store. If winter had a face, I'd punch it. Just this week my ears got sunburned and frost bite. >_<

During my hiatus, I've been on many great adventures. I've had some really great thrifting trips and hit major scores at garage sales! I think I've officially become known as the cat lady to one of the cashiers at Arc's. If it has a cat on it and it's cheap, I'll probably buy it. I found these cute nesting plates there. Cat party!!!

I went there with my mom this past weekend and found a shelf that I didn't even know I needed. I'm planning to refurb it using Vaseline to keep the adorable appliques intact.

There is a little boy walking a chicken. How could I say no?

I've been trying to limit myself to purchasing only things that I need for projects and such. I found a nice frame sans glass and a huge, cheap cork board which I cut to fit the frame. I'll be using it at my craft fair booth!

On my most wonderful garage sale expedition, I found two Pyrex dishes for only a dollar a piece! EEK! I also picked up a macramé plant hanger and a bamboo wind chime with a Buddha. They will be enchanting editions to my balcony!

That little plant behind them is Iron Cross Oxalis and was planted only two weeks ago! It looks like a four-leaf clover. Hopefully it will bring some luck to the unpleasant spring. 

Another great find was framed plastic hot air balloons at Rewind that I found while in the area dropping off my Johnstock booth fee. It is a great little shop and I can't wait to visit the location on Lyndale once the weather is nice enough for walking around!

We made it to Art in Bloom at MIA, despite the crazy schedules, which was fun. My favorite was the arrangement inspired by a painting of a tornado.

Speaking of enchanting and the pussy willows in that arrangement, I was wonderstruck to find a weeping pussy willow at the Depot and snatched it up! The little fuzzy catkins have already gone yellow and given way to leaves. I'm crossing my fingers that it will survive well in a large pot until I'm able to have a yard to plant it in permanently! The care card says it grants wishes, so I think I'll wish for 70 and sunny!

We made a homemade vegan meatless lovers pizza with pickles based on this recipe only with whole wheat flour instead of 00 because I didn't have any, but it was good! Pickles + pizza= a party in the mouth!

Well, that's all for now. Here's a little peak at what I'll have for sale at my booth! Johnstock will be held on Saturday June 1 from 10am-6pm at the 2800 block of Johnson St NE in Minneapolis. Pencil it in, it should be a fun time!

Big Things Poppin!

Things have been busy around here lately. I'm currently preparing for my first craft fair! I'll be at Johnstock on June 1, 2013 in NE Minneapolis. When it gets closer, I'll repost the details. I'm really excited about putting together all the things for my booth! The theme is Fungus- Savory to Psychedelic. Here's a little preview of what to expect for sale.

Last week I had training for my live plant merchandising job. Growing up, my mom always had a ton of flowers and our backyard looked like something out of a Better Homes and Garden magazine. I've inherited the flower bug and can't wait to get around all those little beauties! Something else I've been obsessing on is Betty Goes Vegan.

 I put myself on the wait list so I could check it out from the library. When I couldn't stop thinking about it, I went to preview it at Barnes and Noble. I left without it, but I clearly couldn't wait because I was thinking about this book daily. Since I had gift cards for Amazon, I decided to buy it- the shipping was amazingly fast and I spent the next two days paging through all the recipes and marked just about every page!  It was embarrassing how excited I was when the mailman handed me that package. This is my bedside book! Before I bought it, I tried out the recipe for hollandaise sauce from their blog. The mushroom benedict that I had at Pizza Luce was begging to be replicated at home. I've never had "real" hollandaise sauce, so I can't vouch for it's authenticity, but I can tell you that it is so delicious it has become part of the weekly rotation! Licking the plate, pot, spoon, everything clean type good. Who doesn't love breakfast for dinner?

We dubbed this past Saturday BBC America day because the new season of Doctor Who and the new series Orphan Black premiered. Do you remember your first Doctor? Mine was Season 2 Episode 7 "The Idiot's Lantern" with David Tennant as The Doctor. "HUNGRY!!! FEED ME!!!" To celebrate, we had Strawberry Quinoa Porridge from Betty Goes Vegan for breakfast. I didn't feel like making crumpets, so we just had English muffins instead.

For dinner we had bangers and mash in a homemade onion gravy. The bangers were Field Roast apple & sage sausages.

On Saturday, our Society6 order finally came! It was held hostage for several days somewhere between the transfer from DHL to USPS and possibly held in mail jail here at the apartment complex. Either way, the tracking system said it was delivered three days before it was actually delivered and it took a total of eleven days to arrive. I ordered the book from Amazon the previous Thursday and received it on Monday. BJ made an order from Vegan Essentials on Sunday and it was delivered on Tuesday. Every time I got a delivery I thought it would be Society6 and was shocked to get something else! The products are really great, but I think they should just use USPS as the shipper instead of going through DHL who ultimately hands it off to USPS for delivery anyway. BJ got a zip up hoodie. They run small, so if you decide to order one, you may want to size up.

I got a canvas tote. It is much larger than I had expected. Overall, I'm happy with the quality of everything!

On Wednesday we got to take a trip down to Mankato to see Redman in concert. In true rapper style, he was late to start his set and we had to endure a few acts beforehand that I couldn't hear above the mediocre beats, but I don't think I missed much in the way of substance. There was one guy I liked called Rakomaye. 

Since it was a Redman concert at the Red Sky Lounge on the Wednesday that the Supreme Court was hearing DOMA, I felt it was only appropriate to wear my Red Keds! No freedom 'til we're equal!

I'm off to play The Heist on repeat and be inspired.