Favorite Cat Toy

Do you know what it's like to be woken up at 5:00 am to the sound of a plastic stick being slapped against a wooden floor? This is one of Honey Bunny's favorite toys. Every morning she will drag either this stick (which is longer than her so she steps on it causing it to smack the floor) with a feather on the end or a wet toy mouse and toss them on our heads. Your first instinct is to throw whatever has landed on your head off the bed. Honey Bunny thinks we are playing fetch so will keep bringing the toy to us (our heads) until we get out of bed.
Photo of my back up hiking boots that I'm breaking in for trip.

TP Attack

Since Purrcy won't let Honey Bunny Scooter beat the heck out of him anymore she had to find a new source of all her kitten aggression. She discovered the toilet paper and has shown it no mercy. I know there are cats that like to play with TP but Honey Bunny is the first cat that I've ever had that has display that talent.

Cornflakes Card Swap

Today is my Cornflake's (card swap) monthly meeting. I'm on a clean and simple kick so I CASE (copy and steal exactly)this card design from Simplicity (see my blog roll) who is the Queen of CAS (clean and simple).

Christmas Gifts

I decided to mail out some of my Christmas presents super early. Since I'm going to the post office every week mailing off care packages and forwarding on his online orders (he's ordering computer things that can't be shipped to a APO) so thought I would be proactive and get a jump start on my holiday mailing. Wish I could show you a photo of the cute gift inside but my BFF reads my blog. I made a quick gift tag from a snowman stamp I picked up at one of the used rubber stamp flea market for just 20 cents. It's from an old Stampin Up set but for two dimes who could pass it up?

Creative Work by This Into That

As I was going through my daily blog roll reading (I wonder if there is a word for those who only ready blogs?) and came across a photo of an artist who does some very funny and creative work with books. It's just a crack up the book titles and vintage accessories he puts together. There is never a shortage of old books at the auction houses and some times huge lots are thrown away because none of the book dealers want them. I was super surprised to find out that the artist lives in the Bay Area. I plan to take a field trip to his studio up in Berkeley. Here's the link www.thisintothat.com

In Mint Condition

Many of the countries I go to will take US currency but only if it's in mint condition and less than five years old. I've learned from experience that finding new bills is not easy so you have to start collecting early. It's only at Christmas time do the banks have new money. Right now I'm on the hunt for 20's which after visiting 5 banks isn't looking to good.

Mom Daughter Night

Tonight is Mother Daughter night. My daughter, her roommate along with her mom and me will be going to see "Wicked" up in San Francisco. The moms are driving up early to take the girls out to dinner then to the show. My hubby didn't want to go because he didn't like the book when he was forced to listen to it on the long trip driving my daughter back home from Seattle.

Engraved Copper Printing Blocks

I've been looking at these copper engraved printing blocks for the past month at the auction house and finally bid on them this past weekend. I have no idea on how these work or what type of ink to use, so if you know please shoot me an email. Most of the images are in the style of Japanese wood block prints. They are all mounted on wood with tiny nails holding them down. I've done a Internet search on how use them but I must not know the correct terminology to find a helpful site.

Card Catalog Drawers

I almost missed this at the auction house. It was on a top shelf on top of some other things of a tall wire rack cart, way above what I could see even on my tippy toes. I happened to look up when I was on the other side of the room (not something I normally do since I'm focusing on what's in front of me) when I saw them. I made a metal note to go back and check it out. Well, I totally forgot about it (hubby was with me and I was being rushed) but all the way home, I kept thinking there was something I was suppose to go back and go look at. It wasn't until I printed out the auction catalog several hours later I remember seeing some card catalog drawers. Usually you see large library card catalog drawers which is too big for most studios and the drawers are to narrow for anything but index cards. I was bidding against another person and she turned to her husband and said I was nuts to spend so much on those silly little drawers. I can only guess she's not a crafter otherwise she would see how cool they really are. I'm going to keep one and store all my A2 cards and sample cards, which fit perfectly. I plan to sell off the other two in my booths at Cranberry Hill and Cottage Crafts.

Vintage Oak Watch Makers Chest

Is this cool or what? It's an old watch maker's cabinet. I think it would be perfect for someone who makes jewelry. The drawers all have dividers for those little parts. It's in good shape, with just a few nicks but it only adds to it's charm. It's small enough to fit on any work table, unlike my full size printer's cabinet. I will be taking it into my booth at Cranberry Hill later this week.

Auction Week

It's been a really busy weekend, helping some friends out at two different craft fairs, selling our honey and going to the auction house.

I decided to go to the auction instead of doing absentee bids since there were some really cool stuff and I wanted to know what it sold for if I didn't get it.

I bid on this vintage cashier for a artist friend who will turn all the keys into jewelry and other wearable alter art. It weighs a tons so I'm hoping I don't have to move it more than once. Because it's in good condition, I was bidding against another dealer. I finally got it for $150.00, which is a little more than I like to spend on something that I know is going to be dismantled into little parts.