I'm Sorry......You Want Them How Tall?

I once made a life-sized Uncle Sam.....and he created a nice conversation starter for folks as they were stopping by our booth at a craft show. He sold, and went to live with a wonderful gal who tells me continuing stories of how he fits into her family (let's just say Sam is one of the family and has been on many fun-filled adventures!!)

Recently, I got a call from a frequent client asking if I could make 2 life-sized beauties.....a mammy and a witch. Seems he has a collection of every shape and size mammy.... some old, some new, some small......and now one BIG!!!! Life-size big!!!

My client LOVES to decorate for Halloween!!! Apparently he removes everything from his home and re-does the entire house in spooky decor!!! Doesn't that sound just wonderful!!! This haunting broad will fit in just perfectly!!!

What d'ya think? I'll deliver them tomorrow and I simply can't wait to see how they look in his wonderfully prim home!!! I'll let ya know!!!

I'm thinking my next life-sized beauty may be a snowman or a santa or a scarecrow or a ..........You'll just have to come to "A Simple Country Gathering" show to see!!!

Have a great weekend!!
Stace

Who Ya Gonna Call?

Ghostbusters? Um......No!!! I was gonna kinda sorta maybe perhaps.....call on y'all for a lil' help!!!

So here's my dilemma....... after months of eavesdropping on various blogs and forums, and continuing on my quest to pinch those pennies.....I decided to try and make my own laundry detergent. I bought the ingredients, got the recipe from the Duggar family website (HERE), and whipped up a batch. I was a little concerned about the texture.....it was quite gloppy, however, I hoped it would dissolve further in the wash.

My first load was my son's sheets.....which happen to be navy blue. I smooched the globs against the side of the tub and tried to break it up as much as possible.....however....they were a bit streaked with white "left overs".

Today, I added the second rinse cycle to the washing machine......and it worked wonderfully!!! However......am I really saving money if I need to run the second rinse cycle?????

So my question is......did I do something wrong? I absolutely LOVE the scent (I added NO additional essential oils), I think my whites are actually much brighter, so I'm hoping this will work........ I just don't want to have to always run the extra cycle....to save money on detergent!!

Can anyone help????? Are my vast cooking skills simply also affecting my ability to make laundry detergent?????? Any tips will be greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks!!!
Stace

My Eyes Are Bleeding, and My Head Just Exploded!!!

Yes, that's right dear friends, it is state sales tax return day!!! So here's how it goes.......

Rick reminds me for about a month that it is getting time to do state sales taxes. I procrastinate as long as possible get right on with gathering the needed forms!!!

I soon realize that the deadline is really getting close so I decide that indeed I will do the taxes return.....tomorrow.

Finally, a few weeks later I gather sales slips and such to pretend to accomplish the task. Here is where things always start to head south!!! I can NEVER remember where the tax forms are......I mean.....I put them away each time, however that's 6 months ago!!! C'mon........I can't remember what I came into the room for most times, so to remember something from 6 months ago is asking tooooooo much!!!! ! It never fails.......they are always packed away with last years income taxes!!! I'm sure when I put them there I think, "I'll put them here so I remember where they are!!".....only I don't!!!! I'm going to remember from now on though!! I made a mental note on it this time sooooooo......I'm sure it's all good!!

After a few hours of hunting I found the forms, gathered all necessary slips, and then realized that there is a postcard on my frig stating that forms are no longer needed.......efiling is now required!!! Oh that's right!!! I put it there so I'd remember!! Anyway.....this should be great!!!! This should be easy!!! What government run organization isn't easy to deal with right!!!!

I go to the website after hunting through tons of papers because the state of Ohio doesn't feel it necessary to include a website on a postcard telling you that you must now efile!! Who'd of thought a website would be necessary information for efiling!!! I log on.......no password......I register......it says I'm already a client......except I have no username or password!!! UGH!!!!!!

So this is how my day has gone!!! My eyes began to bleed half way through trying to get registered, and my head blew completely off my shoulders by the time I made it through the return.......it's alright though!!! Taxes are paid and I've got lots of hot melt glue and duct tape!!! I should be good as new by the time it's time to file again in December!!!!

Happy hump day!!
Stacey

Happy July 4th!!!

May you be blessed with family, friends and a great hot dog w/ grilled onions
on this most grand day as we celebrate the freedoms earned for us by our fore-fathers!!

May God bless America!!

The Humble Arts

Here is a peek at my latest creations........

This funny lil hanging angel is just so prim and fun!!

Nothing says prim more so than a crow.....this dude is a make-do upon an olde bed spring and holds a ripe strawberry in his beak.

"God Bless America"
This Uncle Sam is a great summertime or anytime Americana decoration

tee hee hee!!!
An Americana Pig!!!

I love how simple and prim this stocking came out!!!
We must remember that we are "blessed"!!

Check out the newest issue of the Humble Arts first thing tomorrow morning to see these and more wonderful offerings created by some amazing artists!

WoWee WOW WOW!!!

Hello......my name is Stacey........and I am a terrible blogger!!! Goodness!!!!

First, in my defense your honor, is the fact that someone keeps putting the clock on fast forward!! Who in the world keeps doing that? I mean c'mon.......24 hours seems like a reasonable amount of time to get things done before it's a new day right? Ummmmmmm...... not so much some days. And........for some reason........I also seem to require a few hours of sleep!!! I know!!! It must be old age!!!

Second point in why I should not be sent to the firing range........I've been working really hard!!! It's true!!! I even broke a finger nail working sooooo hard AND I have terrible hang nails....and they're the kind that hurt!!! We were hired to do the landscaping for the condo association in town.......that's 22 units of pure hell!!!! Whose idea was it to landscape anyway? Oh alright........it looks really nice.........you can see your hard work at the end of the day.....but I HATE landscaping!!! I've decided I love weeds!!! Those people are nuts!! Weeds are NOT ugly.....they are God's gift to the black thumb population!!! That's why I also re did all of our own landscaping!!! I made room for more weeds.....or at least that's the way it looks!!! Did I mention that I HATE to do landscaping?

Third and final point in my defense.........I just learned on the news that they have discovered a way to grow diamonds in a lab quite quickly. I didn't listen to all the particulars, but I mean how hard can it be right!!! I'm thinking I'll whip up a batch and pay each of you off give you each one!! The only thing I need.......anyone know where I can get diamond seeds? Note to self........check ebay!!! So you see......I'm not all that guilty right? (answer no for diamonds......or yes for the guilt trip to continue)

So you see......you've all been in my thoughts and prayers daily. I truly have missed y'all!! We've still got a tight schedule, so I won't promise to be here often, but I'll try to do better than once a month!! Wishing you all wonderful summer memories, and blessings upon you and your family!!

Until next time, big hugs!!
Stacey

June 1st

We proudly announce the update of......




The Humble Arts!!!



The offerings are absolutely amazing.....
you'll want one of each!!! Check it out now!!!



Stace