A Fall Craft Fair and scattered brains

Greetings, earthling!

(random Alien 'hello')



Today I am in a finish up mood.

The house is a wreck - seriously needs attention.

I have been picking up paper stuff mainly,

so far.

Those darn stacks of papers -

you can't throw them away because sure thing,if you do,

there will be an important bill or a check or something in the middle of it.

I have been throwing away magazines and catalogs from last year!

Yeah, pat on back!!

I am getting ready for a Craft Fair.

This is a new one to me, held at the

Adams County Fairgrounds

on October 1.

9:00 - 4:00

Come by and say hi!

That means

1. I'm terrified!

2. I have to organize my crafts and jewelry.

3. I have to figure out how to display the items for sale.

4. I want to make some more items to be sold.

(check out the making bottlecaps scene above)

5. I need to repair or re-glue anything that needs a little help.

6. I have to organize my craft room if I expect to be organized at all for the Show.

7. I have to print up price tags and affix them to most items.

8. I have to figure out how to package things, so they don't get damaged by being handled by possible customers.

9. I still need to recruit 1 or 2 persons to help me out i.e. carrying stuff in, set-up, doing sales and sales receipts, breaking down, repacking...+more!!

10. ...and probably at least 60 more things to do to get ready...

maybe even 85 things!

Okay, think calming thoughts...

dans le jardin, http://www.ellemoss.etsy.com/

That's me (not really), thinking calm thoughts,

or falling asleep.

Could be both...



The result for my blog?

My thoughts are pretty much on overtime right now,

so let's make a short blog today, shall we?

Yes, I really can!!!

Chimney Sweep Bert and Mary Poppins

I am laying out my finished bottlecap magnets now.

I organize them on pizza trays and cookie sheets,

as they are magnetic.

A magnet has come off, so I will re-glue that.

a recycled junk mail bottlecap magnet

http://www.inkspired.etsy.com/

Next up is to get out my Bottlecap Ribbons.

I have sold a good amount, so I'm not sure what I have left,

or what is in a 'making it' stage.

a series I am doing on "Peace" in different languages.

Custom work available.

Recycled bottlecap with hand colored Art Nouveau alphabet.

http://www.inkspired.etsy.com/

Now I need to get out my jewelry; it is scattered in a few different places.

Get out my displays, and match up what I want to put where

once I get to the Craft Fair set-up.

Oh yes, and find out how early that is!

an assortment of daisy chains I have made

Well, I guess instead of whining about all this,

I better get going!

Couldn't miss my blog though...

:0)

stamp by vivalasvegastamps:

inkspired

http://www.inkspired.etsy.com/

dominoes@myinkspired.com

and don't forget you can now easily leave a comment

on my blog!!

Honor, Loyalty and Chivalry with Castles and Paperdolls

Wai

or Oi or Oye

(Bodo, informal way of saying hello to someone.)

Bodo is a Tebeto-Burman language.



Going to church hat

http://www.inkspired.etsy.com/

First, I need to apologize for an incorrect link from yesterday.

For any of you that tried to reach Robert Sabuda's

Pop-Up tutorial and directions for a pop-up castle,

here is the correct link:

http://www.robertsabuda.com/popmake/index.asp

Sorry about that. I had forgotten a '/' from the former.

Vittskovle Castle

Sweden

So, did you know there is no country called

"Myanmar"?

The country's name is BURMA.

Myanmar is the name that the rebels have given the country that they took by force and much bloodshed.

They have not been officially recognized by the United Nations,

or the United States of America.

The people of Burma have not recognized them as official.

Only the USA newspaper journalists call it Myanmar...

apparently they have decided that violent takeover

deserves to be taken officially,

and to not recognize the true government of

BURMA.

SO glad that our journalists and newspaper reporters are

sooo unbiased....

moment of sarcasm....

passing now.

Glamis Castle

Scotland

the setting for Shakespeare's MacBeth

Let's get on with our knights -

known for their honor, loyalty and chivalry!

J. Waterhouse

'Tristram and Isolde', 1916

Prince Caspian,

recycled junk mail bottlecap magnet

http://www.inkspired.etsy.com/

movie poster, 1967

Muiderslot

Netherlands, 13th century

I think it's time for more paper dolls!

(Is there really a time for no paper dolls?)

Castle Mespelbrunn

Germany, 1412

a couple from 1449

'Romance in the Rose Garden'

medieval tapestry

Thanks to OrigamiBears for her spirit of sharing!

Bierten Peasant Castle

Romania

every day activities in Medieval times

Chateau de vitre

 France, 11th century

Knights from the 13th to the 16th century

Budget friendly projects:

Print these knights out on thin paper.

Cut out, and decoupage onto a wooden trunk,

or a set of decorative plates.

Print these knights out on sturdy cardboard - as thick as your printer will accept. If your card is still not sturdy enough, you can glue the printouts onto thin cereal box cardboard.

Cut slits in the bottom. Cut stands from extra cardboard. Slit at the top. Push slits together to make a simple stand.

Think paperdoll stands!

Now you can place these in a medieval/castle diorama,

or play with them with the wonderful cut and assemble castles from Dover publications.



Make your own castle settings, trees, etc. from magazine cutouts.

Mount them on the cereal box cardboard, and make stands as directed above. Set up your own castle scene using an old cookie sheet. Cover the cookie sheet with scraps of green/grey/brick/beige scrapbook paper leftovers.

Or tear tissue paper and overlap. This will work best if you dab glue in just a few places to hold down the flutterings.

Karlstejn Castle

Czechoslovakia, 1450



vintage paper dolls

Let's finish today with a modern day castle,

built in 1908!

Hatley Castle

California, USA, 1908

Browsing castles, and knights in shining armor, and medieval times, I have acquired quite a few more things to share

more along the lines of Camelot, perhaps.

But that's for another day!

Don't forget to smile at someone you don't know today...

inkspired

dominoes@myinkspired.com

http://www.inkspired.etsy.com/

http://www.inkspiredmusings.blogspot.com/



Great FREE craft site

Hi!

personalized hangings and more

http://www.prettypinkhouse.etsy.com/

Having a really tired day.

I got up early to go meet a friend for breakfast.

Before 10am.

I usually don't speak to anyone, much less be dressed

and ready to go anywhere

Before 10am.

yawn.

Then when we were saying goodby,

I was getting into the trusty red van when

ooww!

something poinged in my back, and now I hurt.

ouch.

It's hot again today, but not nearly as hot

as elsewhere in the states.

I shouldn't complain.

It's hot.

mosaic mirror by http://www.laurawinzeler.etsy.com/

Today I am going to be brief

(is that possible for me?)

and just share some cool things

and a website where you can find tons

of free craft patterns.

soda can purse with ultra suede lining

http://www.monicamarie.etsy.com/

travel house pocket with peeps

http://www.feevertelaine.etsy/

dragonfly doll from a wooden spoon

www.munieca.etsy.com

spoon herb garden markers

www.lilfoolery.etsy.com

vintage suitcase redone to a picnic getaway

http://www.heartfeltvintage.etsy.com/

The following website has tons of free craft pages.

http://rubyglen.com/crafts.htm

You can easily spend an hour or two just grazing.

Here are some samples of what she offers.

It is a very random, very small sample!

Terra Cotta Birdbath

Handmade Mulberry paper Card

Milkweed Pod Poinsettia Ornaments

Easy Potpourri Pie

Round Crochet Rag Rug

How to Air-Dry Flowers

Decoupage Plant Markers

Make candles from Old Crayons

Girls Journal

Unique Gift Wrapping Ideas

Coffee Can Container Gardne

Homemade Beaded Candles

Homemade Scented Bath Salts

Flavored Vinegars and Oils

Beautiful Balloon Wedding Decorations

Soap Crayons....

the list goes on and on and on!

Have fun exploring today!

Better yet, go get a glass of

Celestial Seasonings Tea, cold or hot

and a small bowl of M&Ms.

Or mixed nuts if you can't do that chocolate thing.

sigh.

Relax.

Take 3 Deep Breaths

and go!

see you tomorrow,

inkspired

http://www.inkspired.etsy.com/

dominoes@myinkspired.com



It's Hula Time!

Aloha!

vivalasvegastamps

Today I am in a HULA mood!

Think flower leis,

Hawaiian music

drums

grass skirts

hoola hoops

torches lit

exotic flowers and fragrance

pineapples

and of course....

the hula!

Dolls of the World, Polynesia Barbie, 1995

c.1920

Let's try on a few Hawaiian shirts and grass skirts

 to get in the mood...

Mary Englebreit's Ann Estelle Summer paper doll

Betsy McCall's Hawaiian trip

'Island Princess' from a magazine

DisneyLand's Tiki Room, with 50th anniversary symbol

I have a treasury on etsy's treasury site that is named:

Time to HULA

If you have time, go check it out!

It is full of fun Hula items for sale on etsy.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d2668d050a16d910a0d2a89/time-to-hula?index=6

While you're there, you can check out my other treasuries also:

My Garden Rocks

Old MacDonald Had a Farm...

Butterfly Flutterings

Mermaids' Self Portrait

Mermaids Boutique

Marie's (Antoinette) Closet

Elephants Never Forget

and many more!

Here is one of my bottlecaps that fits our Hula theme today:

My bottlecap art uses all recycled junk paper -

catalogs, magazines, flyers, annoying notices on the front door

- anything that is headed for the trash may become a treasure to me!

I also pester all my friends and family to save their bottlecaps for me,

so many of my bottlecaps are truly recycled.

Others are from a bottling company's overruns.

Sealed with a shiny acrylic coating, and backed with a VERY STRONG magnet, these pieces of art are one of a kind.

Can  you tell I like them?

:0)

bottlecap for sale www.inkspired.etsy.com

vintage song sheet cover

Let's put on some great Hawaiian music.

One of my absolute favorites is a singer/musician named IZ.

You can find his music here:

http://www.amazon.com/Alone-IZ-World-Israel-Kamakawiwoole/dp/B00005O4UG/ref=wl_mb_hu_m_1_dp

Alone in IZ World

http://www.amazon.com/Facing-Future-Israel-IZ-Kamakawiwoole/dp/B00000JFG3/ref=ntt_mus_ep_dpi_1

Facing the Future

(this is his first solo album)

And yes, he was quite a huge man, but much beloved by the Hawaiian people. He sang contemporary, but also traditional Hawaiian songs.

Just type in "IZ" in Amazon's search,

and you will find more of his wonderful music, and his life's story.

Here's another CD I found on Amazon.

I have not listened to it, but I would give it a try!

http://www.amazon.com/Hawaiian-Luau-Party-Music-Traditional/dp/B002HEWJQ0/ref=sr_1_5?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1307432014&sr=1-5

Wish I could hear some of these songs...

c.1916

c.1910

vintage song sheet cover

Super fast pineapple side dish:

You may laugh, but I grew up with this 'recipe'!

canned pineapple slices

maraschino cherries

cottage cheese

Place a pineapple slice onto a plate.

Scoop 1 heaping tablespoon of cottage cheese and put in the middle of the pineapple slice.

Top with one maraschino cherry, or half maraschino cherry.

For extra fancy, place a lettuce leaf first on the plate, then layer as above.

c.1914

That's all for today!

Aloha Ahi Hou

that means

Goodbye, Have a good day!

inkspired

http://www.inkspired.etsy.com/

dominoes@myinkspired.com