My First Tagging Game

I have been tagged by Dinosaur Toes in this post to play a game.

The rules for this game are-

1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Mention the rules.
3. Tell six quirky yet boring, unspectacular details about yourself.
4. Tag six other bloggers by linking to them.
5. Go to each person's blog and leave a comment that lets them know they've been tagged.

Okay I have done numbers 1 and 2 above now on to number three.

1. I am one of the few women I know who has never dyed her hair.
2. I am a night owl married to a morning person.
3. I suffer from real anxiety when leaving on a trip. Once I am at the destination I am fine.
4. I am a pack rat when it comes to craft supplies, tools and books.
5. I am an oldest daughter who is not bossy.
6. My secret desire is to be able to play poker like the folks in the big time millionaire making tournaments but the reality is I know I would be too easy to read.

I had fun doing this but I really don't know who I should tag. If you would like to play along leave a comment and I will edit this post to include a link to your blog. (Links are good.)

Come on Over

Excuse me but I want to get your attention please. If you are seeing this post in a reader please click on what you need to to come on over to the actual blog. I want to show you something. Go ahead and click I'll wait........






Here now? Good. I want to point out to you the little widget on the right. Do you see it? The followers widget? I am simply amazed and extremely thankful that I have over 40 followers as of today. Thank you each and every one. I have tried to keep track of you and follow or subscribe to your blog feeds when you show up there if I am not reading your blogs already. All you need to do to put your avatar there if you haven't already is choose to follow the blog by clicking on "Follow this Blog".

What really makes me happy about this is that this little piece of code has given me the audience I write for in a visual form. I look over there at those guys and wonder if I will get any comments, will I make someone think in a new way, will my admittedly strange sense of humor (a bit dry I know) make someone smile? Will I be able to share with you a fantastic artist or item and help you discover something you would enjoy having?

The internet can be a big lonely place. You have all made it more friendly and I am grateful. Your avatars are bits of your personalities and I am glad you shared them with me. Thank you.

I Love Baskets!

I love baskets and the thoughts of making one by hand fills me with a sense of admiration for anyone who spends time at this art form. Basketry Botanica is filled with the work of just this type of art. You will find large and very useful egg baskets, tiny basket pendants and even baskets made to go on your walls.

For a bit of background you find the following in the artists profile-

Baskets come from cultures all over the world in an infinite variety of styles and materials, for just as many functions. My baskets are varied, because I am a weaver with enthusiasm for many styles, but a passion for traditional craft with fine craftsmanship. I love to try out many of my own ideas like basketry jewelry, glass-lined wicker vases and wicker lamps, but chances are,I'll turn out something steeped in basketry tradition.

My baskets and other woven items are made in a smoke-free home studio with imported reed and many locally gathered materials. I do have 2 Border Collies named Chloe and Brody and a black cat named Mehitabel who are too manipulative and controlling to evict from the studio. I have taught basket weaving for 13 years and have 27 years of experience creating baskets. Designs available tend to be based in deep American traditions, particularly splint woven baskets inspired by native basket designs. In addition I weave many kinds of ribbed baskets resembling those that came to us from the settlers and natives in and around the Appalachian Mountains. My baskets look authentic, and all are made by me. I work alone at this time - unless the dogs count - they think they're helping and the cat thinks I do everything for her.

See This?

What you see here is my downfall. I love to knit and crochet. I drag my feet when it comes to hiding the ends on things I have finished. It is my least favorite part of the whole process and I do practice and have gotten very good at procrastinating techniques that keep me from getting this done. Things like writing a blog post are a great way to keep from sitting down and getting these things done. Trust me there is some great knitting in that pile.

By the end of the week I want to have these things and more in my new Shop Handmade store. I will check back in on Friday and let you know how much I got done, promise.

Where I Would Like to be Knitting

The other day I ran across a post called Wouldn't You Rather Be Knitting Here? The post had a picture of a beautiful spot in Tennessee that looked so green and peaceful. The blog Knitting Dragonflies is filled with knit, crochet, spinning and other fibery goodness. It is well worth adding to your reading list if you collect blogs to keep track of like I do. Anyway, I left a comment that my two favorite states for beautiful places are Tennessee and Montana.

I figured I should back up the comment with a picture of my own. This was taken in 2003 when we drove on a vacation from Salt Lake City to Calgary, Canada. We took our time and stopped several places. One of our diversions was driving the Going to the Sun Highway in Glacier Park. Every curve in the road brought a new sense of awe.

So what you see here is a stream we stopped to enjoy along that drive and this is one of the places I would rather be knitting. What about you? If you post an I would rather be(knitting, crocheting, painting, beading or whatever) type article let me know. I would love to see it.

Wow!

I went window shopping again this morning. From the back pages of a search on Etsy for etsyloggers team I found the lovely bracelet you see here. It comes from the shop Morning Sky Jewelry and what follows is what she wants you to know about it.

This handmade chainmaille (also known as chainmail) bracelet is handcrafted from 18 gauge copper rings woven in a European 4 in 1 pattern.
The 18 gauge hook clasp is also handcrafted.

This piece, although smooth and flexible, is quite substantial with a bit of weight to it. It has been tumbled to a shiny copper finish which will age over time to a deep rich brown. If you prefer the shiny look it can be polished with a copper cleaner or soaked in ketchup for a few hours and then scrubbed with a soft brush (Yes it really works - I have done it)!

This bracelet measures approximately 7-1/4 inches (18.5cm)in length including the clasp and will fit a 7 inch (17.75)wrist.
It measures approximately 3/4 of an inch (2cm)wide.

This bracelet can be lengthened or shortened upon request. If you need an adjustment made, please allow an additional 2 days for shipping.

This bracelet reminds me of knitting which I do. Can you imagine the skill it takes to do it with copper? To see more of this artists work check out the shop.

Ireland?

Map of Ireland ©Mountain High Maps®, modified by James Martin
More things to make you think. I was wondering why if Ireland's business tax rate is so wonderful it is not recognized as an economic superpower? That is what Mr. McCain says is one of our problems here. It ignores the fact that the tax rate and what you pay after deductions can be vastly different and that a majority of businesses here legitimately pay much less than the 35% rate. Also the last time I checked we were not outsourcing huge amounts of jobs there or having many of our corporations relocating to Ireland.

So John enough with the Ireland stuff. And if I have to hear the work maverick too many more times I will be ill.

Fun Etsybloggers Team Finds

I am a member of the EtsyBloggers Street Team. They are a very busy, very fun bunch of shop owners and bloggers. The membership is global and the fun never ends. You can't join right now but if you love Etsy and have a blog you can get in on the fun starting in February of next year.

You can get an idea of the range of products from these busy bloggers by searching etsybloggers team and then be prepared to be amazed.

I did just such a search this morning and came across this yummy soap from the shop "Spotted Cow Soaps". I have a feeling that if this soap sounds as good to you as it does to me you should act fast before it all sells out!

Happy to You!

This lovely daughter in law is having a birthday!

The Underdog Says

"I love being the underdog. You know, every time that I've gotten ahead, somehow I've messed it up," the Republican candidate said.

This quote is from a CNN article I found just scanning headlines and it got me wondering, as I am apt to do, as I read it. Would winning this election be the ultimate in getting ahead. If so, should we worry that if he is elected that Mr. McCain would "mess it up"?

Honestly the other thing that scares me is the thought of putting Sarah Palin a heartbeat away from the presidency. I have had issues all my life with overly perky, not so intelligent social butterflies.

I am not Joe 6 pack or Joe the plumber or their female equivalents. I am a fairly serious, thinking woman, in her 50's who believes that the Democratic candidates offer a better choice. My choice is for those I believe can think deep thoughts, feel the pain on both sides of a decision, and as Mr. Obama says, work for me tirelessly every day he is in the White House.

This Mama is Magic

In the Baby Friendly Beads shop you will find an assortment of necklaces that please mother and baby. I think the reminder bracelets are a great idea for nursing mothers and wish I had one oh so many years ago when I was a nursing mom. If you aren't a nursing mom but know one I think these would make a fantastic gift!

In the Mama's Magic shop she explores even more creative ideas making beaded bugs and fraternal earrings. What are fraternal earrings you ask? You did ask right? According to Jen who explains it very well I think, "They are not identical but definitely a pair." I just love the idea of jewelry that is fun!

Of course being the featured blogger for the month of October by the EtsyBloggers Street Team you know there has to be a blog involved somewhere. Mama's Magic blog is filled with delightful reading of the family life and creative life of this busy lady.

One woman - two shops - one blog and all interesting.
Follow the links and see for yourself!

The Debate Like a Million Other Bloggers

eloquence-
• noun fluent or persuasive speaking or writing.

— ORIGIN Latin eloquentia, from eloqui ‘speak out’.

John McCain said that Barack Obama was using the eloquence of his words to persuade us. According to my Oxford English dictionary that is what they both were doing and I don't see that as a bad thing. It is what they should both be doing right now to win the hearts and minds of voters.

Here is what I do see and feel free to leave any comments that reasonably discuss this here on this post.

• Barack Obama wants to try to protect 95% of us from paying more taxes.
• JohnMcCain wants to reduce taxes on businesses to encourage growth.

I know these are campaign statements made with the best intentions and sometimes we have to vote on the stated goals knowing that the way government works means that the goals may not be met.

My curiosity leads me to ask this-
Are these the same greedy businesses that caused the Wall Street troubles to overflow to Main Street according to John Mcain? Why would we possibly think that these greedy businesses would trickle down their lower tax benefits to us?

Things that make you go hmmmmmmmmmmmm?

Take A Break

When I want to clear my mind or take a break between tasks there are a couple things I like to do. First of all I am a reader. It is very rare for me not to have 3 or 4 books from the library usually lined up to be read. Second I like to do puzzles. I enjoy many kinds of puzzles from jigsaw ones laid out on the dining room table to software like Zuma and Tetris. My favorite puzzles for some time now have been Sudoku. Sometimes I want to breeze through easy ones and at other times I really want to challenge my thinking skills with something more difficult.

I wanted to share with you where I get my puzzles. Some time ago I discovered the site krazydad.com. The puzzles are printable and donations are accepted. It is has lots of sudoku puzzles, mazes, a puzzle form called slitherlink and more.

This is quite an interesting site with puzzles, a blog, screensavers and a bio of the creator. There is even a fun little tool in his freebies section where you can make your own kaleidoscope.
Here is one I made from a scarf I have available in my shop on Etsy. Take the time to check out this site. I don't think you will be disappointed and you might even find more ways to relax.

See That?

I keep a weather chart on my desktop courtesy of Google. On that chart I track the weather for where I live and the towns that my three married children live in. They are in Utah and I am in Arizona. It is a whole other story about how I spent all my time preparing myself for my kids to move away from me and I ended up moving away from them.Do you see that on Friday all of their towns have snow predicted and where I am will be 90? That is one of the reasons we are down here.