Check out ♥ HARTS ♥

Just a reminder that tonight is the April release of the Humble Arts - lots of awesome and unique one of a kinds to be had there!

A thank-you from a Friend!

I love how the Lord sheds His Grace on you - exactly when you need it.

I had no sooner posted the previous entry about sisters than I given an award that thanked me for being a friend! This was presented by a dear new friend and sister, Karen of Prairie River Primitives and I just want to say thank you, sister for sending a spot of sunshine! I think your timing is inspired.
I want to pass it on to some very special friends - some have blogs and some do not, but they are as close to sisters as I could ever hope for!
Goob, CountryFolk Keepsakes
Jinxie, CoolJinx - Nostalgic FolkArt by Carol Roll
Patty, Tails from the DogPatch
Janet, Beecharmers Cottage
Blondie, Vintage Primitives
Bee, Pond Creek Primitives
Susan, PrimandProper Folk

I've mentioned in previous emails that growing up, I was the youngest of 3 and the only girl. I never had a sister but always wanted one. The sisterly bond that my 2 cousins shared was clearly evident and I wanted to have that unique bond. As I grew up, my friends became my sisters and although I loved them and shared everything with them, I knew in my heart it just wasn't the same as the blood-bond.
My heart is grieving today from terribly sad news we received in our TDIPT ebay group. A sister to us and a blood sister to Lynn Staynoff of 2Stitchen passed away over the weekend unexpectedly. We are grieving with Lynn in the loss of her sister, Sue Zalik and are holding her so close in our prayers.
My mind has been wandering to so many thoughts and memories in my life. I lost my mom at an early age and wish I could have known her as a grown woman instead of through the eyes and desires of a very young girl. Everyone that knew my mom has continually said what a gentle and loving heart she had to everyone around her.
Lynn and Sue were close - I think as close as 2 sisters could be. They always talked about sharing projects or going shopping and having lunch - just spending time together. Their work is impeccable and beautiful and we have all lost a wonderfully talented artisan friend and special sister.
As we somberly contemplate the loss that we share, we also share in group prayer for the family. I pray that God gives a comfort and peace beyond measure during these days - may His arms surround and lift up your entire family.
I'm so very sorry.

~ Chigger and Jellie ~

Meet Chigger, my newest Flowerhead Dolly
She's the sweetest thing, right down to her belly button peeking out of her jacket.
Add her best friend, Jellie and you have a combination guaranteed to steal your heart. (at least, they sure stole mine!)
Chiggs and Jellie will be featured on the April 1st release of the Humble Arts. I hope you like these 2 :)

TaG - You're It!

Miss Flora of Bone Head Studio fame has tagged me to explain how my blog name came about.
Instead, I'll share how I got my nickname Cookie.
When I first began creating and selling, I belonged to an ebay group that had about 70 members, including Teresa Baker /Dolls of Yore. Now, anyone who has been around T for long knows that she has a way of coming up with a nicname to tag on you without even trying.
One day a lady in the group was talking about how she lived close to a cemetary and how she'd taken photos in a "haunted" house. She explained the photographs were full of orbs and she even posted them to show everyone in the group. One thing led to another and it became quite an excited conversation, what with everyone sharing their experiences on the paranormal and how they either have or would like to go on excursions to find ghosts.
I said to just count on me staying home - there was no way you would find me spending a night alone in a haunted house or catch me out intentionally looking for ghosts. I was a big skirdy cat my whole life, scared of monsters under my bed ... basically a cookie butt about most things that stay in the dark to scare you!
That's all it took for T - she zereod in on that one immediately and I've been known as Cookie ever since!

5 Things About Me

I was tagged by Kat - that Crazy Mama (yup, JJ Cale was singing about her!) of Katerpillars No More and Sherrie - Symple Times to name
5 revealing things about me - now, if you know me at all, I'm sure most of these things won't come as much of a shocking revelation but here goes:
1. I'm pathetically incessantly LATE - my life is spent playing Beat the Clock and as I get older, it gets WORSE!
2. My brothers picked on me constantly growing up - don't they look so sympathetic in the photo? Seriously- I knew they loved me, but I think they woke up every morning just to torment me! My greatest "equalizer tool"? It was: "daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad - the boys are picking on me again!" I have to say, it made me tough and I grew up always defending the underdog.
3. I was very inquisitive as a youngun and once when I was around 3, I found a caterpillar and didn't know what it was - so I picked it up and bit it in half! UGH... I have never forgotten that whole experience!
4. I'm addicted to movies and can lose myself in a good flick very easily. I fully understand why folks flocked to them during the depression - just to escape the harsh realities of the times.
5. I'm scared of the dark and growing up, would NEVER walk right up to the edge of my bed because I just knew the monster underneath would reach out and pull me under. I would get a running start and leap about 5 feet out so no one could touch me. Michael Jordan had nuttin' on me when I was a youngun!

Ok, thats my 5 - I'll have to tag 5 other good folk when I have a bit more time but today is my hubs 51st birthday and he has been hollaring at me to "git off that computer so we can go riding!"

See ya in the funny papers!

6 Word Memoir

Seems I have some catching up to do... and friends, I promise to get to all the things I need to get to - this weekend!

I have been tagged by a couple of very dear friends - Blondie of Vintage Primitives and Suzanne of Pear Tree Prims.
I am to present a six word memoir that sums up my life.

Ernest Hemingway was bet $10 that he couldn't sum up his life in six words. He won that bet when he wrote, "For sale, baby shoes, never worn."

wow - Six words that sum up my life....
I've thought and thought about this - 6 words is hard to do! I could tell you all about how I'm always continually late, stubborn, bullheaded, too independent at times, full of mischief and practical jokes, or how I was a spoiled little girl who wouldn't smile for the camera because my brother got to hold the kitty on the first day of school - but instead, I think I'll leave it at this simple summary:

BUT BY THE GRACE OF GOD

If God had not made plans for me before the foundations of the world, I would be lost and alone today. But instead, I joyfully rejoice each day in knowing I have a personal relationship with Him and love calling out ABBA, FATHER!

Now the rules are:
1. Write your own six word memoir
2. Post it on your blog and include a visual illustration if you’d like
3. Link to the person that tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible, so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere
4. Tag five more blogs with links
5.Remember to leave a comment on the tagged blogs with an invitation to play!
I am tagging the following fab friends:

1. Goob - CountryFolk Keepsakes
2. Bee - Pond Creek Primitives
3. Paula and Tammie - Primitive Sisters
4. Nancy - Vintage Whimsey & Folkart
5. Flora - Bone Head Studios

Come On Global Warming!

I am beginning to realize exactly what Dr. Frankenstein was feeling like, up to his elbows creating in the dungeon. Springtime in my Missouri garden refuses to come and the sun is still in winter solstice - so I've been forced to create my own garden delights in the dreary old dungeon.
This is my latest creation and although she has no legs to run and skip through the fields yet, she is bringing some sunshine and warmth to my heart.

Does that come with BBQ sauce?

I couldn't love my nephew Darby and his wife Cheyenne more if they were our own children. They live about 50 miles north of us, but we always make it a point to spend at least one day together each month. These two are busy - they both work full time jobs, Darb for the school system and Chey as a special events coordinator at her church. Now, as a past church secretary, I realize that the title doesn't spare you from being the "go to girl" for anything that comes up. In addition, they are both involved with community arts ... Chey, in musicals and Darb in plays. And I'm here to tell you, the kid's stinkin' funny!
Anyway, hubs and I have always been close to Darb as he grew up. Everytime his folks would bring him down for the day, we would make sure to go to a restaurant that catered to his taste buds ... which meant Corn Dogs, Nachos and Ice Cream with carmel and sprinkles. Beyond those 3 food choices, you were pretty much out of luck unless you toss in some Barbeque sauce. The lure of a Condiment could *maybe* get him to try something new.
But since they've been married, Cheyenne has really gotten Darby to step out of the food-box and try new things! (It's nothing short of a miracle I tell ya.) So anyway - this leads me to our upcoming visit. Normally we try new restaurants when we get together, but we decided to have a fish fry instead. Hubs got some spoonbill from a fella he works with and Darby and Chey seem anxious to try it. Yesterday, I was working away and got an email from Darb asking what movies we are going to watch and what else I'm gonna fix to eat - now this is normal routine for us about 2 weeks out. We plan the movies, the things we are going to do that day and decide on the menu since food is an important part of our "day" together! :)
I told him I would fry up some potatoes to go with the fish and asked if he liked cole slaw (although I already knew the answer). Nope, can't do cole slaw - how bout bbq beans? Well, I dont mind fixing anything they want...
But the next question he emailed kinda threw me for a loop. He wanted to know what I usually fix to go with fish? I said I would make tarter sauce. Well, he doesnt do the tar-tar thing, so then he wanted to know if it's ok to dip his fish in BBQ Sauce?? oh heck yeah, bring on the sauce! Dont ever change Darb!

Juno is the Bomb Diggity!

Ready for another review, HomeSkillet?

This past weekend, I finally made it to the theatre to see JUNO - and now I'm wondering what took me so long??
From the very first scene where Juno MacGuff is standing staring at a lazy boy recliner in the middle of the yard, chugging away on a gallon jug of Sunny D - to the closing moments of the show where Juno is ... well never mind, I'll not ruin it for you - this movie was PURE JOY to me.
Like Napoleon D. (G O S H !) this movie holds sooo many quoteable lines that are worth repeating over and over. I found myself literally slapping my knees in bouts of sophomoric delight but wait, it gets even better!
Most of you who have visited my blog know my stand on abortion - and what I truly loved most about the movie was the fact that is showed there can be a uplifting end result from an unwanted teenage pregnancy that can be good for everyone involved, INCLUDING the baby.
Yup, I give this movie two very enthusistic thumbs up and highly recommend it.

♥ Up For Grabs on the TDIPT Merc♥

♥ The Birthday Bash is in Full Swing ♥
I just want to remind you of the drawings that will be occurring all month long at both the TDIPT Mercantile and the Humble Arts. If you haven't registered your name in for the many many drawings going on - make you way over there and do it right away!

SwooooooooooooooooosH!

Here's an update
Today was the big shoot out - and my boss made 3 of the 4 shots, for a grand total of $49,500!! Not bad for 15 seconds of fame, eh?


The BIG 12 is here!
This might be what some of you have been waiting for all season - I know alot of folks that get big-time excited over it. Personally, I've never been much into college or pro basketball - it's just not my thing - but I know it's good business for Kansas City. We hosted it for many years but lost it till the Sprint Arena was built (my hubs spent many hours there building it). Now it's bigger, brighter and more beautiful than ever!
So... back to my story - we get called into a sales meeting yesterday and my boss starts talking about basketball. Now, I know he is a huge fan and thought it was "filler" talk until one of the managers arrived. Apparently there was a nationwide contest hosted by Phillips 66 where they would draw one name from entries across the nation - and this one person gets to stand at the freethrow line and shoot 4 baskets, winning money for each shot made. And as he is talking about this, I can see he is getting more and more excited, which is making us excited (you know, it's like laugher, it's contagious!) He stops right in his tracks, looks directly at us and quietly utters:
MY NAME WAS DRAWN TO SHOOT THE FREETHROWS!
whaaaaaaaaaaaat? I'm sitting with a celebrity lol! I asked if he has been practicing? Oh yeah he says, I've shot about 2000 baskets so far!! I can't say that I blame him a bit either. It's going down Saturday afternoon between the first and second game - so if you happen to have the TV on and you see a tall lanky guy shooting hoops for $16,500 each, that's my boss! I told him to make sure and give a wave to us! :)

That Charlie... What a LIL Stinker!

~ Sweet Abilene ~

My newest little girl being offered on the TDIPT Merc is the first flowerhead I've ever made and I must admit ...

She's just as Sweet
as the Day is Long!

I had so much fun creating sweet Abilene - she is that kind of girl that everything just flows together so easily. I wish all dolls were like that, but sometimes what I have intended is definately NOT what they have in mind!

I've really been enjoying this sweet girl - she will be offered up on the TDIPT Mercantile on the 15th (but you can always get a "moonlight madness" preview come Friday night!)

Don't forget - we are still having big celebrations on both the TDIPT Merc and the Humble Arts, so if your name hasnt been tossed in the hat - you will want to do that Tout de suite!

WOOT WOOT!!!

WE HAVE A WINNER, FOLKS!
I just got notice that I get to award one of the first drawings during the month long celebration on The Humble Arts!
We have been in business for one year now and are celebrating during the entire month of March with drawings and mega-fun!
I'd like to officially congratulate Susan Saint-Leaves for entering her name and being one of the first to win!!
The next drawing will be Sunday, March 16th - so there's plenty of time for your name to be drawn! What's that... You say you're not entered? Don't fret - it's as simple as signing up for the mailing list - but wait, there's more (I kinda feel like the emcee for a Ginsu Knife advertisement here) make a purchase during the month of March from the Humble Arts marketplace and your name will be entered twice!
CONGRATS AGAIN, SUSAN!

Forgiveness

I've had the best weekend! With Friday off from my 9-5, I've been able to spend time sewing & creating, I watched a few movies & even spent time antiquing with my girlfriends!
Last night, we sat down to watch "Into the Wild" - a movie by Sean Penn. I wasn't quite sure what to expect but I'd heard good things about it and thought it might have alot of great scenery shots.
What I found was an awesome movie about feelings, emotions and forgiveness. It was absolutely incredible - one of those movies that you are still thinking about the next morning when you wake.
Today my Pastor was teaching about forgiveness in John 20 - and to some extent, I could see this lining up with what has been heavy on my heart since I finished the movie. This was a true story about how Chris McCandless aka "Alex Supertramp" gave up everything to try and escape the scars that affected him so deeply from years of a dysfunctional family filled with abuse. The thing was ... I really liked this kid - ALOT. He was sensitive, caring and very intelligent. Everyone he came in contact with was deeply touched by him - to the point that they never wanted to say goodbye. And every person he came in contact with gave him the same message - Forgive your Parents - and make contact with them. One of the last messages Chris scrawled in his notebook was this: "Happiness is not real unless it is shared"... how true!
I don't want to give away too much of the movie, but I will say this - RENT IT! It left a lasting impression on me, so much that I'm going to watch it again tonight.
If nothing else, it's worth popping into the dvd player just to hear the sound track - which any Eddie Vedder fan will agree, is INCREDIBLE :)

whaaaaaaaaaat?

after the afore-mentioned movie finished, I came upstairs to check in - ran back down to get a bit more coffee and saw THIS out of the back window.

SIGH

OK, it's March 7th in Missouri, for goodness sakes -
GLOBAL WARMING my eye!!

Aaaaaah!

I took the day off from the office, woke up this morning, grabbed a cup of joe and popped in a movie to get the day started.

I chose Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium and I have to say right here and now, I L♥ved It!

What a wonderful movie - what a sweet sweet story to get lost in. It's hard to find wholesome movies without underlying motives - and this is all about believing.
Too many adults have forgotten how to play, dream, and believe - and maybe this is just the ticket to help you find your way back to that stage of your life when you always saw the world through rose colored shades and the glass was always have FULL!

♥ I wholeheartedly recommend it ♥

~ As a postscript, I just want to add that the sockmonkey is precious and for some reason, made me think of my Buttonhead Joee!

How Wonderful Is This?

When I was very young, my mother's best friend lived in Wichita and had strong ties in the Literature World. Every year, she gave my brothers and me a book for Christmas, signed by the author. One year, she gave me a book on Helen Keller and I remember reading and re-reading this book so many times I think I wore out the binding. The biography touched me deeply as a young girl and left a lasting impression, so this morning, when I heard about the first photo from 1888 of Helen and Annie Sullivan, my heart skipped a beat.
Isn't it wonderful - and look at her precious doll she is holding too. It's no wonder the first word she signed was D-O-L-L! Aaaah Helen, my hero!

How Very Sweet!

I have been blessed with the friendships of so many truly sincere hearts through Ebay and blogging and just yesterday was given a special award by Nancy Malay of Vintage Whimsey fame!
Now anyone who has gotten to know Nancy, knows that girls just dont come anymore genuine than she is - so getting this award is extra special for me.
The rules for the “You Make My Day” award are to re-present it to 10people whose blogs bring you happiness and inspiration and make you feel happy about blog land. Let them know through email or by posting a comment on their blog so they can pass it on. Beware you may get the award several times, and if you do, consider yourself really, really loved. So to pass it on and keep the love going."Thanks so much Nancy! I MUST return this right back baktcha Nancy!
Here are the 10 people I've passed this on to:

Goob, Countryfolk Keepsakes
Blondie, Vintage Primitives
Pam, Soft in the Head
Patty, Dog Patch Primitives
Renee, Birchberry Farms
Monica, Girl Gone Wild Thread
Susan, PrimandProper Folk
Dana, Eccentricities Studios
Suzanne, Pear Tree Primitives
Bee, Pond Creek Primitives

The Squares are Rolling In !

"THE PINK ARTIST" was the brain child of Monica Magness who challenged the community of artists to join together to create an art doll to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
When this sweet doll is completed, it will be mailed in to Art Doll Quarterly™ before finally being auctioned off on eBay at a later date.
Monica put out a challenge to artists in every walk of medium, asking if any would like to participate in creating 2" x 2" squares of material, decorated any way they choose. The only stipulation was that the art had to have a material backing.
You see, she has created a doll and will use the squares to design a dress and quilt to accompany her.
The deadline for mailing was March 1st and as you can see by checking out the Pink Artist blog, the squares are arriving by the truckload! It's so exciting to be a part of all this and I once again just want to thank Monica for allowing me to participate, meager as my offerings were.
Please take some time to check out all of the beautiful squares - and stay tuned for details on how to win this wonderful collaboration!

~ALL PROCEEDS WILL DIRECTLY BENEFIT CHARITY~

I've been thinking...

Hubs has always encouraged me to get my own bike (he said once I tried it, I would never go back to being a rider again) but I've always been quite content riding on the back of his - that way I can gawk at where we're going and where we've been without getting in too much trouble!
I never really had a burning desire to get my own bike till I saw the latest from Harley Davidson - it's called the Cross Bones and it's totally wicked and totally old school. I dig old school...

I'm gonna hafta chew on this one for awhile. It's tempting -

Hot Dawg... spring is on the way!

After far too many months of snow storms and blustery 0º days, we went riding today and the thermometer on the bike said 70º!!

That's a 7 and a 0 ! Holy Macaroni ... I think everyone who owned a bike was out today enjoying the weather.
We took off this morning at 9am and didnt get home till 5:30pm and oh, did it ever feel good to have the wind in my hair again.

The weatherman is hinting at snow next week, but I think this is a wonderful preview of Spring and I gotta tell ya - it's not a moment too soon!