Gift Wrapping

I love gift wrapping. And one of my staples is having white craft paper on hand. The flourish, then, becomes the ribbon and baubles I add. I think it always makes for a super pretty package.

Here are Jen's journals wrapped and ready to go. I used ribbon from Michael's, a felt/velvet/jewel flower that once decorated a little hand soap, and a postcard that was part of some Yahoo promo package that came to my office.

Giveaway Journals

Jen won my one-year-blogging giveaway and chose Italy as the map she wanted me to craft her journal with. I wound up making three of them. I used bolder paint colors than I usually do for the spines; when I think of Italy I think of colorful window shutters and narrow cobblestone streets, and so I chose colors that departed from the pastels of past journals.

At a thrift store this past weekend I bought a HUGE box of junk that I knew I could use for my crafting. The entire bottom of the box was littered with old postage stamps from different countries, and so I glued a couple of Italy ones on the journal covers.[Click on the pix to see the details]

An Award

Tiffany over at Songbirdtiff gave me the Lemonade Award. This award is given to bloggers who exhibit great gratitude or attitude as determined by their blogging peers. Thank you Tiff for the sweet words. (And please know how much I appreciate you acknowledging my gratitude and attitude. I certainly try on a daily basis to be grateful and to have a good attitude, but often times I fail miserably at both, and so this award is encouragement to not let my steps backward hinder the journey toward being a better person.)

This is why I need a craft room

My little cottage study has become an overgrown "garden" of baubles, ribbons, beads and such. It IS the time to carve out a space for my crafting that will not make our main living area look like a bomb went off in a Michaels.

I have plastic bins on the floor, my charming built-in bookcases are housing tubs of shells instead of reading material, my in-progress ribbon organizing has the study dresser drawer overflowing, and my beautiful maple drop-leaf table might as well be a piece of plywood resting on sawhorses what with all the crap strewn on it.

The migrating of the crafts to the rumpus room begins in earnest this weekend. I want my peaceful study back. My reading chair, once a place to read and relax, is now a perch for when I'm rifling through millinery flowers or thumbing through my craft binders in a mad frenzy to find a particular inspirational picture. Or worse yet, it's a chair where I attempt to read and relax, only to look around me and see all the crafting projects that I need to be working on.

What I've got on my plate

Dawn E. Girl is knee-deep in projects and loving every minute of it!

1) I joined another tag swap. I know . . . what was I thinking???? But this one is a vintage Easter swap. This swap had me at "vintage." This swap is being hosted by Andrea over at Vintage Bella Studio. I will be making and sending 20 tags. With Karla's tag swap — where we made only 6 tags — each one of my tags was different. For this one (20 tags!), I will be making 20 identical ones. I already have an idea . . . one that makes me remember Easters as a little girl when we'd get a pretty new dress and lightweight coat, shiny mary janes, lacy anklet socks, hat, pocketbook and GLOVES.
2) Working on a bridal shower (with my creative co-worker Courtney) for Molly. Can't divulge much here 'cause she reads my blog. But it will be beautiful. I promise.

3) Have a breakfast baby shower next Thursday at work for Andrea. Am working on some hand-crafted decorations that will then be a keepsake for Andrea and the baby girl!

4) And lastly, the biggest project of all, one that I'd like to complete this weekend, is the conversion of the rumpus room into my very own craft room. Harleigh encouraged me this weekend to do this. Love that girl. She said that with her leaving the ol' homestead soon, that I should think of re-jiggering the house a bit to make it more about me. So we devised a plan — what to do with the TV, the furniture, storage solutions. And I think it's gonna work. I already have the Candy Spelling Gift Closet as part of the room, so it should definitely corral my crafting, sewing and gifting stuff into one area (that can be closed off).

All that said, posts to come with lots of pix!

Until I can plant real ones . . .

. . . these silk flowers will have to do. The empty bike basket was just adding to the overall gray and gloom of the barren landscape. It might be borderline tacky to have silk flowers as part of my outdoor "garden," but it makes me think of around-the-corner Springtime and the celebration of Easter every time I pull into my driveway and see the blue bike leaning against the tree.

If there is one thing you treat yourself to this week . . .

. . . make it be the 3D version of Coraline. Magical, dark and visually spectacular beyond any animated movie I've seen. Not for children by any means. The theater was packed full of them and they were more interested in their Skittles.

Don't wait for this one to come out on video. Needs to be seen on the big screen, preferably the 3D version.

2/20/92 — Happy Birthday, dear Harleigh

As a mom, it's hard to NOT think of your birthday as a selfish celebration of the day that you gave me the greatest gift (and the easiest delivery of any baby ever). Happy Birthday, dear Harleigh. Celebrate this day for all that you are. Beautiful on the inside and out, giving, funny (oh, you soooooo get it), faithful, . . . . the list goes on and on.

I love you and I like you. One speaks from a mom's heart, the other speaks from the heart of one human being to another.

Janet Hill . . . when you can't get your hands on an original, notecards will do!

Anyone who frequents Janet Hill Studio — whether it be her blog or her etsy store — knows that when Janet lists one of her paintings, it's snapped up within minutes. Her paintings of interiors are simply dreamy. And her pricing is affordable. I hope one day to own a Janet Hill original. In the meantime I've purchased three of her note cards. Here is the card waiting for me to scribble a thank you note.

Maturing in the Journey

Started this journey with entertaining colleges as far away as Washington state, and a firm stance in what she firmly believed she didn't want.

The road trip over the last few days took us roughly 500 miles away from home. I was praying we'd find THE school. But more than willing to do whatever it takes to help her make one of the most difficult decisions of her life — which in my case meant lots of listening.

But God had a different plan. Instead of it being all about finding the school, it was instead about narrowing it down, about Harleigh looking at the pros and cons of schools faraway, about mother-daughter time that shifted her from daughter to woman. We're heading home this morning with a re-jiggered map of what she wants. (Thank you, God, for leading me to just keep my mouth shut and let her reach her own decisions.) There's a contentment in her that I haven't seen in awhile, a focus (she's a child who thrives on a path) and a renewed faith in her ability to listen to her heart and to God and to believe.

What I got out of this trip was the satisfaction of watching my child go through the decision-making process successfully. She apologized a few too many times for this trip being a "bust." But it was far from that, as she found out. It was necessary for her to move forward. I am so grateful for these three days. Because even though it appeared to result in nothing, it resulted in everything she needed it too.

Road Trip Day 2

Got on the road this morning and headed for College #2. Today's musical selections included Mamma Mia the soundtrack.

Stopped at South of the Border. Can there be any cheaper, more cheesy pit stop than this one? The color scheme alone of the place works you up into a souvenir frenzy. And the build-up to get there, what with all the billboards, has you pulling onto the exit with your head darting back and forth, not sure which way to turn, afraid you'll miss something. There's a hotel, mammoth gift shops, ice cream and coffee shops, a miniature golf course, an antique mall, a carnival. We left with nothing but the Gumby-like image of a giant Pedro burned into our memory.

Stay tuned for tonite's posting. Today was a big step forward in the college-hunting journey.

Day 1 of the road trip

A four-hour trip got us to our first destination. The music selection of the drive was happy-song teen bands. We kicked it off with Backstreet Boys (every road trip we take must start with our theme song "I Want it That Way"), moved on to A-Teens, NSync, then B Witched. Good lordie, this 47-year-old knows way too many words to teen band happy-songs. And my hand movements are wicked good.



Harleigh and I are both in agreement that she will know "her" college when she sees it. I'm a big believer in listening to my heart. And so when we landed in the small town where College No. 1 (sixth on her list) is, our hearts started talking. We listened, but kept shushing the little voice, intent on seeing more. A drive around the campus was all it took for her to know (and me to agree) that this is not where she belongs. Granted, she is going to college to get an education, but if she'll be living at school for four years, then she'll have to be smitten with her surroundings. The school's publication department definitely cherry-picked the best images for their brochure and website. Don't get me wrong, the school is a very good one, and we know people who have gone there and loved it. But the Gahan Girls just didn't get a good vibe, for us anyway.

Harleigh said the whole town made her feel like she was on the set of Napoleon Dynamite. Agreed with her on that. We drove through the school campus a second time (maybe we just caught it on the first pass-through when all the students were taking naps) and it was still lifeless. Neither one of us could picture her here. I could just imagine her coming home for a weekend, ready to return, and crying on my shoulder "please don't send me back there."

We want a town and campus with heart and soul. We'll find it. Today was a bit of a let-down but we made the best of it, talking, laughing and shopping in places they don't have where we live.

Road Trip

Off to look at colleges! Will blog from the road. This is sure to be a Thelma and Louise kinda trip, but without the killing and explosions, Brad Pitt, and the drive off the cliff at the end. In other words, lots of loud singing with the windows rolled down, pit stops at Stuckey's for pecan logs and fountain sodas, and life musings and future dreaming from sunrise until our heads hit the hotel pillows at night.

Here's to finding the right school!

For my girlie for Valentine's Day

I got Harleigh this Old English Sheepdog stuffed animal. Isn't he the cutest? She named him Moses. Uncanny resemblance to our handsome boy.

V Day

For 364 days of the year, I'm pretty darn comfortable being only me. But then today comes and I'm reminded that there isn't someone around to take care of me, to lean on emotionally, to look at me with eyes that soak me in, whose broad chest is there to curl against, to love me like only a good, caring, kind man can. To all of you who have just that . . . kiss him and thank him.

Another beautiful giveaway!

Sonia over at Vintage Rose Designs is having a giveaway. Do stop by, enter, and take a look at her blog! I'm diggin' her projects, and loving her photos!

My Tags Are Here! My Tags Are Here!

Karla's package arrived and I think I squealed with delight when I opened the mailbox. She did a Puppy Love tag swap for Valentine's Day. I believe that she had 65 women participating, each crafting and sending in 6 tags of their own. She then created tag books using all the tags, creating a cover tag of her own design. Here is my tag book in all its glorious heartfelt crafted wonder!!

Here is one from Sheila at Blessed and Distressed. Dontcha just love vintage photos of couples? Add to that vintage lace, buttons, velvet ribbon and glitter . . . love it!

Carla of My Vintage Vignettes made this tag. I love how she fashioned the tambourine with paper-punched hearts under vellum paper. I love how the vellum looks just like the calfskin on a real tambourine. She even hand-sewed on the sequins and beads.

Here's a tag from Sissy! I love the heart charm. And the dog reminds me of Petey from the Little Rascals.

Caitlin at Chaotic Creation created this adorable white poodle tag. I love the page behind it, taken from a French book of some sort. And the second pix shows the back of the tag with the little paw print!!


Kathy in Chicago made this little gem! The cherry theme fits in with the cherry lollipop pop post from a couple days ago.

Mam Mom ♥ Harleigh

My grandmother, Mam Mom, lives in a very active assisted living home where there is a constant variety of activities to engage the folks. Mam Mom is especially fond of the craft projects and made this heart which she mailed to Harleigh in a card. I love how simple it is.

A Giveaway over at A Bushel and a Peck

Check out this super generous giveaway over at Jeanne's blog. She is celebrating her one year anniversary on etsy and the giveaway is gift certificates to her etsy shop! When you read about how grateful she is for all the people in her life who have helped to make her lovely etsy shop a huge success, you'll want to turn around and send HER a gift! Here are two pix of items from her shop!

Valentines at Work for the Girls

This year for all the gals at the office, I tried a new recipe for these flaky biscuit sandwich cookies, with icing centers and sugar sprinkled on top. I nestled a cookie into a glassine sleeve and decorated each one. Put them out this evening for the girls to find tomorrow on their desks. On Valentine's Day everyone deserves to be reminded that they are loved.

Nothing says "love" like a glazed donut

Buy a dozen doughnuts at Krispy Kreme by February 14 and get 12 free Valentine’s Day cards as part of Krispy Kreme’s Share the Love promotion. There’s a free doughnut coupon on the back of each card. Click here for a list of participating stores.

Cherry Pops

These lollipops landed in our office kitchen today. They're from Williams-Sonoma (and not cheap at $12 for the container) and are not only cute but entertaining to eat. If you load one of the cherry pops in each cheek and hide the "stem" under your upper lip, it's way fun to talk and look like a chipmunk. Warning: Eating them this way creates a lot of pooled spit in your mouth. Never been a big fan of pooled spit. But then again, who is??

The Headrest

Don't Want To Say Goodbye

The good news — they've extended the life of our dear, old-fashioned televisions (from a February 19 to a June 19 demise). The bad news is that I'm going to miss having my little black-and-white Zenith TV. It gets only three channels, has no remote control, a crooked antennae that is beyond being helped by sculpted tin foil, and it IS the heart of my kitchen and ken. It's kept me company for more years than I can remember. I'm of the generation that grew up with BW TVs in huge consoles; my Zenith brings back fond memories.

My friend Lisa came to visit me recently and her first comment when she came into the house and into the kitchen was "I can't believe you still have that little crappy TV!" But she said it with endearment, because it is such a part of what makes my home feel comfortable, lived-in, and full of sentimentality.

Honored Beyond Words

Karla, over at Karla's Cottage, who is doing the Puppy Love Tag Swap, did a huge post about all the tags yesterday. And she pictured one of my tags. I was ecstatic. Thank you so much, Karla!

For anyone visiting my blog, here are the links to the tags that I did:

Tag 1: "Check yes or no"
Tag 2: Tru Luv
Tag 3: Dear Diary . . .
Tag 4: Lady and The Tramp
Tag 5: Just A Pretty Puppy Love Tag
Tag 6: Greyfriars' Bobby: A True Story

Why I have a kitchen table in my bedroom

When I turned my kitchen dining area into a kitchen den (ken), the small table and chairs needed a new home. My bedroom is huge, so I moved them there. The working space has proven to be perfect, especially if it's messy (like when it became gift-wrap central at Christmas time), because I can just close the bedroom door to hide it. When Harleigh said she wanted to work on a jigsaw puzzle, the bedroom kitchen came to the rescue! We can sit, turn on the radio, chat, put a puzzle together, and have some good mother-daughter time for the price of a dollar store jigsaw puzzle.

Tagged

I was tagged by Liz over at Gossamer Wings. Here's what ya do. Go to the folder on your computer where you store your pictures and go to picture number 4, then explain it. Here is my fourth picture: one of Gideon at night camping out in the kitchen. This one reminded me of a post that Gretchen (over at Bird Nest Cottage) just wrote about. She showed a picture of her kitchen at night, when it's all clean and the dishwasher is humming. This picture of my kitchen makes me think of the same thing . . . when the house is quiet and peaceful, everything is picked up, the lights and candles create a warm glow.

The second part of the tag is to list 5 of your addictions. I think I'll list my "good" addictions (or at least the ones that lend themselves to pretty pictures!).

Addiction #1:
Vintage linens. Cheap old pillowcases that due to their old age and wear feel like a super high thread count. Tablecloths and napkins. Doilies. Linen kitchen towels (especially the calendar ones). Hobnail bedspreads. Beach towels. Afghans (ripple and grannie squares ones). I really should learn how to quilt because I think I'd love it.

Basically, this addiction falls into the bigger category of going to thrift stores. I'd do it every day if I could. Harleigh will go with me if she is looking for something specific. I, on the other hand, go "just because." She says the smell of thrift stores gives her a headache after awhile. I say that I wish they'd make a Yankee Candle scent from it.

Addiction #2:
TO DO lists. I write out what I have to do, buy, go to, talk about. You name it, it gets jotted down on paper in a list. If my daytimer got stolen, you'd have to sedate me. I honestly think I'd post reward flyers for it on telephone poles and light posts.

Addiction #3:
Seashells. I'd go shelling on Sanibel Island before I'd travel to Europe, visit the Grand Canyon, or go on an African safari (three things I've never done before, but in my book are overrated compared to stooping in the sand, hot sun on my back, sifting through sand and shells). I have jars of shells EVERYWHERE in the house.
Addiction #4:
This is really not an addiction, but more of a habit. And it's not a current addiction (habit), but one that I need to infuse into my daily life. And that is to groom my dog. When we added an Old English Sheepdog into our little family of two, we took on the responsibility of the grooming (well, "we" took it on, but "I'm" the one doing it all). I keep up with it, but not to the degree that I should. I take him to the groomers about once every two months for a bath and a brush-out. But all too often the groomer comments on where the mats seem to form. I should really be on top of these, brushing him before mats even form.

Our groomer, Mr. Ron (a big black man whom Gideon adores. All we have to say is "Mr. Ron" and Gideon cocks his head then runs for the door to the garage, thinking we're heading there.), even sold us one of his grooming tables. He said it probably wasn't a business savvy move on his part, but he really wants us to keep up with the grooming for the simple reason that he loves dogs and I'm sure he's seen his share of dogs coming in his door whose mat situation is borderline cruelty. Gideon loves the grooming table. When I bring out the table, he jumps up on it before I can get even gets the legs locked. (But then again, this is the dog who loves going to the vet!)

Anywho, I'm putting this in writing that I, Dawn Gahan, will, I promise, tackle Gideon's grooming on a twice-a-week basis. Here are two pictures I took this morning. What a huge teddy bear . . . and a good addiction.

Addiction #5:
My mouth guard. I HAVE to sleep with it. If I didn't, from all the teeth grinding I do throughout my sleep, my teeth would be the size of the kernels on those little mini corn-on-the-cobs.

The Splendid Table

I usually try to sleep in on Saturday mornings, at least until 9:00. But on the off chance that I am up at 7AM, I am dialed in to Lynne Rossetto Kasper's The Splendid Table on NPR. I love to bake and cook, I love NPR, and I especially adore the way Ms. Kasper talks about food. Her callers are always delightful, well-spoken people who pose the most interesting questions. And the bottom line is, that even the most basic question is answered by Ms. Kasper with such passion, detail . . and a voice "like butta." The other morning she and a caller had a conversation about the best way to fry chicken; I didn't want it to end.

Tune in if you get a chance. Check your local NPR listing; you may not have to wake up at 7:00 on a Saturday morning to hear!

An Award from RachelJane

I've been meaning to brag a little (heck, why not a lot!) that RachelJane over at Not-So-Plain Jane bestowed upon The Gahan Girls an award. She said the sweetest things about my little man, Gideon. And her comments mean the world to me! Thank you thank you thank you. Stop by her blog; she's 100% real, total BFF kinda gal.

Sweet Cottage Dreams Giveaway

Such an enchanting giveaway that Becky over at Sweet Cottage Dreams is having. Stop by and leave her a comment. The giveaway ends on February 6.

[Photo courtesy of Becky at Sweet Cottage Dreams]