Category Archives: Craft

On a Small Business Saturday | 2019

23 Saturday Nov 2019

Posted by in 80s, Art, Craft, Holiday Celebrations, Holiday Crafts, Memories

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First stop for my Small Business Saturday was Verona Coffee. On Main Street in Collinsville.  I just recently learned they have board games that their customers may play while there. Pretty cool, I think.

Verona Coffee Logo

Then I headed over to Will and Co to meet with the owner, Ardis. What an a-Mazing human being she is. We had some business to discuss. Keep watch for an upcoming label.

Will and Co_Logo with Wedding Dress

She needed to make a swing over to Office Depot to pick up a banner for Will and Co’s Black Friday Sale, (featuring Bridal Dresses, Formal/Party Dresses and Children’s Dresses priced to move. Btw… due to an error on the banner, you will be able to get a Wedding Dress for not just $79 but…, $75).

ALL Wedding Dresses for $75.


So I had time to swing by the St. Clair Antique Mall, on Salem Place in Fairview Heights, IL,  as I am on the search for a certain something as a Christmas gift for someone. While there, I overheard a man asking one of the people working if there was a Model Train store in the area. One person referenced about one in Belleville, but it had closed, and then said he may need to go over to St. Louis.

I recalled there was a place that dealt with cars, and maybe trains in Collinsville, IL. (If I missed you, I am sorry, I didn’t find your name via quick Google search.) However, I did locate and informed the man of K-10’s Model Trains in Maryville, IL, so I hope you got a new customer today. He and his wife were in the area for the day doing holiday shopping from Mt. Vernon, IL.

k-10s Model Trains

Later today after returning home I was sifting through the day’s mail. A new catalog caught my eye. Hammacher Schlemmer | Guaranteeing the Best, the Only, and the Unexpected for 171 years. I don’t know anything about them, but I figured I would definitely take a look. Or maybe I’ll just hear what you have to say.

Hammacher Schlemmer_Tag Line

I open to the first page to see kids on a large keyboard mat. Immediately the movie “Big” comes to mind, bringing a smile at the thought of the “Chopsticks” scene.

Then I see “The Hammacher Schlemmer Classic FAO Schwarts Train.” And I think to myself…., I bet that guy I came across earlier today would be taking a closer look at that.

FAO Schwarts Train

I also figure some of my video game friends would be drawn to a Classic Mini Arcade, including Pac Man

Image result for pac man GIF

and Galaga.

Image result for galaga Gifs

And for my laser printing geek friends there is… “The Word’s Slimmest 3D Printing Pen.” And personally, I may further research on “The Thousand Points of Light,”  a rainbow of colors (or white) fiber optic tree. Because…, well…, has anyone seen my Mama’s place for the Holidays? Anyway, I will look some more later.

btw…

Those Formal / Party Dresses for Will and Co’s Black Friday sale?

All Adult Size Dresses: $29 – $49

All Children’s Dresses: $10

If you know anyone who could use a fancy dress for the holidays or events, you might want to pass this info along.

Will & Co. is located at the O’Fallon Plaza on the border of O’Fallon and Fairview Heights, on the corner next to where Dandy Inn use to be.

Contributing to the NeighborHood

20 Saturday Oct 2018

Posted by in Art, Craft, Memories, Outdoor accents, Personal Musings, Seasons, Thinks, Uncategorized

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Value for the senses. Audio. Sound. Such as Corinthian Bells, by QMT Windchimes.  A business in the USA that has mastered a niche in audio excellence.

When neighbors tell you they like days they can open their windows and listen to your wind chimes hum, or they love walking by and hearing the chimes sing.

Note:  The main purpose of the video is to hear the tone or otherwise audio value. This business has mastered attending to detail.  Listen. Apologies for the wind distorted mic audio throughout.

 

They have nice songs in gentle breezes, too.

Making fond memories. That makes me smile.

Sounds that make people smile.

Others.

Ocean waves.

Here’s a cool little tidbit I just stumbled upon regarding ocean waves: https://indianapublicmedia.org/amomentofscience/ocean-sounds/

Back to task. Other sounds that triggers a fondness.

Crackling wood in a fire.

Ohhhh, a Harley-Davidson.

For those who would like to venture further down the Harley path on this mazewalk…
I found this:

What gives a Harley-Davidson motorcycle its distinctive sound?

 

But, what I wanted to do is ask you…

What are some of your favorite sounds?

What other businesses are excellent in a niche sound?

#Commerce #Community

 

80s Big Hair Alternative

02 Tuesday Jan 2018

Posted by in Art, Craft, Memories, Music, Personal Musings, Pictures, summer, Uncategorized

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Maze Walking

Photo Group Theme of the Week – Spirals

Spirals.

Spirals.

Oh, Spiiirals!

Rummage through vanity.

Wow! I forgot I had so many.

Flashback to Late 80s…

When you had to create big hair by way of a tall ponytail because even though your hair was long, it was….

thin,

and baby fine,

and straight-ish.
Hey Daddio!  So glad you had connections to a Spring Maker. Thanks!!!

Summer Road Trip from hometown Collinsville, Illinois (#justeastofthegatewaytothewest) up to Door County, Wisconsin with my “Little Sister” Barbi.

Family and Fun.

Driving my 1990 Red Geo PRISM, 5-speed, hatchback.

A tower — 6+ inches in color coordinated ponytail holders.

Ponytail sticking through the opening of the sunroof.
Beastie Boys and Violent Femmes cycling in the cassette player.

Suntea

Tollways

Road Construction

Good Times

Any memories or thoughts spurred? Maze Walk with me. Share in comments below.

 

Hot Toddy with Rosemary in a Mason Jar

01 Monday Jan 2018

Posted by in Art, Craft, Food, Herbs, Holiday Celebrations, Memories, Personal Musings, Photos, Uncategorized, winter

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Last Night was New Year’s Eve.

I decided to make a Hot Toddy.

I grew up making it with Honey, Lemon Juice, Whiskey / Bourbon and Hot Water.

I didn’t grow up knowing what the best Bourbon is.

I’m sure it makes a difference.

While recently in Seattle having a very special Family Gathering, I was introduced to a yummy Hot Toddy.

That one included a Cinnamon Stick and Whole Cloves.

As I said, it was yummy, and it was crafted by my “Little Sister” Barbi‘s beau as I was also introduced to him for the first time.

It was also made with Tequila at my sister’s suggestion, but that is not of matter here.

It is New Year’s Eve and my son just went out in the single digit cold to meet some friends.

So I decide I’m going to make a Hot Toddy for myself.

I scraped some crystallized honey from the bottle. It isn’t that old, but where it resides on the kitchen counter can get pretty chilly when it is so cold outside.

You should feel the air when I open the kitchen cabinets along the outer wall when it’s cold outside.

But I digress.

Honey.

Water boiling.

Bourbon

I have a few cinnamon sticks but they are part of the decor in a very cool shaped bottle so I stoop to the powdered cinnamon I have in the cabinet.

I have also run out of Whole Cloves so Ground Cloves it is.

I do have some dried lemon zest, grated by my son during another culinary journey.

Note: I am not a foodie by any means. No. No culinary genius. I wish I was.

Because… Yum.

Add the hot water.

I’m missing the visual of the floating Cinnamon Stick.

Hmmmm. Rosemary.

Boots on. Scarf, over head, covering ears. Scissors. Flashlight.

Remember, it’s dark out.

Find the Rosemary and snip a sprig.

Snip another after quick consideration.

I didn’t want to have to bundle back up to get more.

Snip a couple sprigs of Thyme as I am walking back to get inside. (See one of my very first blogs, that happens to be about Thyme, here.)

Sprig of Rosemary in the jar.

I opted not to use the “thyme” this “time” in the Hot Toddy but instead use it for something else, though a few leaflets did drop into my drink.

The powdery spice and the semi congealed honey are settled at the bottom, slightly stirred by Rosemary sprig recently submerged which results in looking more like a specimen jar from a swamp or otherwise murky waters. hahaha

Hot Toddy w Rosemary on Cutting Board 01b

It tasted pretty darn good, though.

And then my son returns home, shivering and with painfully cold hands requiring a hot chocolate to warm both inside and out.

I just recently learned that what we call hot chocolate in the states is not truly hot chocolate.

I checked on Hot Toddy with Rosemary today.

I found this Yummy Recipe via Instructables.

Hot Toddy Recipe

It includes Ginger.

I’m out of Ginger.

Add to Shopping List:  Ginger Root.

Look further into Instructables. Looks promising.

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Enchanted Journey in a Midwest City

04 Thursday Feb 2016

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Always before, I was with my children.  Amazing as those times were, I was busy being a parent. And I didn’t have a camera.

I gave myself a personal day to play, paint brush in one hand and camera in the other.  I pondered posting of this magnificent, somewhat hidden treasure.  But then I realized I don’t have a big enough following to worry about what I like to think of as a secret in the city. City Museum, St. Louis, MO.  They craft and make with donated items, re-purposing at the very core in oh so cool ways.

Anyway, a couple weeks ago I got word that they were repainting rollers they re-purposed to the likes of spindles along stairway and balcony railings.  Art Deco painting. Yeah, baby!  And they were opening it to the public, via paid general admission, during an announced date and time. Yes! Yes! Yes! However, being the responsible adult I generally am,  duty called and the moment was lost. The first time for them to be repainted in 20 years. So when I heard there was to be another session, I informed my client I would not be working that day, no matter what. I am soooooo glad I took my camera. (If you haven’t guessed, there are some pictures.)  The rollers got me there, but then……

Did I mention the caves and 10-story high slides, and constructs of wire and other mediums forming human habitrails throughout?  Yes, any time you see a big spiraling wire structure, people are able to travel through such, sometimes several stories above ground.

I didn’t even go to the outdoor MonstroCity, though you can see snippets of such through a couple windows. Next time.

But until then, I hope you enjoy the pictures. (Categories:  The Rollers, Wired Up, Caves, Eclectic Assortment)

(Click on images to enlarge)

The Rollers

 

Wired Up

Caves

10-story high slides.

Eclectic Assortment

 

Posted by | Filed under Art, Craft, Painting, Photos, Pictures, Uncategorized

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Arachnicide

19 Friday Oct 2012

Posted by in Craft, Holiday Celebrations, Holiday Crafts

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Missing.  I check again, searching through boxes and crates. It isn’t here.  My mind whirls searching for an answer and with a sudden realization panic and fear rise within as I rush out the door. “Oh god, please, no. Please, no.”  So well camouflaged during yesterday evening’s photo shoot for Spider Craft, it was left behind.

Heart racing, I return to its last known location.  Too late….

Repulsed by the sight, I turn away, my stomach woozy.  Limbs mangled and torn, its skull cracked and mere particles of brain matter remain.

RIP Cami Spider

Yes, there was a savage killer on the loose.  Could this be the Zombie Apocalypse?

RIP little Cami Spider.

Spider Craft

19 Friday Oct 2012

Posted by in Craft, Holiday Celebrations, Holiday Crafts, Pictures

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As a little girl, I was mesmerized by the craft of the spider.  From the eaves of the cottage, the spider would weave its masterful web directly across from my bedroom window of the attic.  I carry that fascination and admiration still today.  It should then be of no surprise that I enjoyed the Second Grade Halloween craft brought in by one of the room mother’s at school so many, many,………many years ago.

  • One peanut in the shell.
  • One long black pipe stem cleaner cut into 8 equal sections.
  • Punch holes in sides of peanut shell with a yarn needle where legs are to go.
  • Insert pipe cleaner sections into holes.
  • Dot a couple eyes with a black marker.
  • Bend pipe cleaners to shape legs.

Fast-forward numerous years. Stumble upon ‘bumpy’ pipe stem cleaners (aka bumpy chenille stems).  Second Grade crafted spider whirls to the forefront of my mind’s creative processing.  Evolution.

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