Post 1--Because I'm a Slacker!

Happy Friday Y'all!   Yes it's that time again....

Where I raise my hand and cry uncle!   I definitely have been burning the candle at both ends and juggling many various balls but that's no excuse for being late or not keeping my word to my friends, family, and those that count on me to get xyz done.  This lesson keeps coming back into my life time and time again.  Repeating itself in different ways and for various reasons. One common thread though in it all is...ME.  haha.  Very revealing, isn't it?   When something is playing on repeat, do you keep letting it play over and over again or do you change the station? It's up to you?  Anyway, that's my long winded reflection that when I disappear, not finish things on time, or don't get back to people when I should I have no one to blame but myself for taking on more than I can chew a set time frame.

Have you ever felt that way?   I know the answer is to say no more often, not really no, but thank you I'd love to but I'll have to decline at this time because my schedule is overflowing with goodness!

Easier said than done!  I want to say YES to everything!  I hate even  complaining in the first place because it's a good thing to be busy in my business There's a difference, however, between being busy, and working on the 20% of the stuff that make up 80% that reap the most rewards.  When you are 'busy', generally if you are honest with yourself, you tend to be working on the 80%  of what only nets you the 20%

That scenario was illustrated recently when I was listening to a podcast the other day by Tim Ferriss in his promotion of his new book, "Tools of the Titans" which I ordered BTW (did I ever mention I was a podcast and a self help junkie)?? haha.  Anyway,  he listed 17 questions that changed his life once he started asking himself, especially during times of great stress and challenges.  One of the questions was, "Am I chasing Antelopes or Field Mice".   Field mice are the lions low hanging fruit, they are plentiful and a great snack for the Lion, they bring him a temporary pleasure and immediate gratification but if the lion only feasted on field mice, he'd die of starvation (or exhaustion chasing them).   BUT...if he chases the Antelope, it's not going to be an easy fight, he may even struggle a bit, but when he captures his prey, he will be satisfied and fulfilled for a long time.  It's a lasting fulfillment that is worth the challenge and pursuit in an effort to stay in the game.

I don't know the answer my friends...I really don't other than I'm grateful for it all and it's going to take constant effort to recognize what I should be doing and what I should be letting go of.

With all of that long winded explanation of how and why I've become a slacker lately--I want to announce a winner (VERY LATE ANNOUNCEMENT BTW) from this post back in November.

The winner will be sent a jampacked art journaling video and a pack of 24 tube watercolors!

And the winner is......

suzieq23 said...

I am so thankful for my wonderful family who are happy, healthy and the loves of my life. I cannot imagine life without them. Time passes by so quickly these days and I am so thankful for every minute I get to spend with them.

Suzie--please email me at jodiohl at hotmail dot com with your mailing address and I'll be happy to get the video out to you!





If anyone else is interested in the video which is 5 hours long-a video broadcast of the Art Journaling Live event that features myself, Mary Beth Shaw,  Nathalie Kalbach, and Ginna Rossi Armfield,   I'm going to put up a button here for you to purchase from me at a sale price!

The retail price is 49.99 but for a limited time, I can offer it for 39.99 with 6.00 shipping US.   



Buy Art Journaling Live 3 now and save 10.00!

Okay kids...I have more to share today (haha)...I go away for a week or more and then when I come back, you can't get rid of me!    Seriously, lots of goodness to come--too much for one post I might have to do 2 or 3. I'm definitely doing a newsletter today so if you aren't on that bad boy...what are you waiting for? Join me for several subscriber only specials coming at ya later today as well as some big news you'll be the FIRST to hear!

To sign up for my newsletter (which is published 2-3 times a month during the holidays and 1-2 times a month the rest of the year) click HERE.

Thank you so much everyone, have a great weekend if I don't 'see ya' back here!  Jodi

Merry Mixed Media Holidays :)

What is it that you wish for this season?

It's hard to believe that as I'm sitting here writing this, it's already Sunday evening. Where did my week go, let alone the the weekend??? I had a full week of meetings that ran late, and training days out of town, so it seems like I got virtually no art completed this week. I tried my best to finish a few projects though this weekend, these "Merry Mini Canvases" are some fruits off my fun labor :)

I don't really make a whole lot of holiday related art or crafts, as I'm afraid it won't move and I will have to store it for next year, but these are so cute that even if I didn't sell them, I'd put them up in my own house for part of our decorations. Speaking of which...who already has their decorations out? I'm contemplating putting some of mine out after Thanksgiving. I have a nice assortment of fall items that I hate to put away until we've had Thanksgiving. It just doesn't seem right to rush the holiday. Time moves quickly enough on it's own.

I guess if I had a wish, time would be something I'd ask for. I'd not just want more of it, I'd want the secret to using what I had wisely. If I can't have that, then some nice perfume will do. ;)


For those of you who are local to my area or within a short drive, don't forget to sign up for my "Merry Mixed Media Ornament" class at Swank in Southern Pines, NC. December 6th, from 1-3pm. Class cost: $25 dollars including supplies to make 3 ornaments and if time permits, some cute holiday tags. For more info, email swankgirls@gmail.com

***I'm excited for a 2 day work week this week!!! whooohooo!!!!! I'm trying to figure out my Thanksgiving menu, I mean, I know typically what I'm going to make but there is always that new recipe I search for each year to try. Any suggestions? I always love to hear what others are having for their gathering! I'm getting hungry just thinking about it.

Sweet Sights of Holiday Happenings

If you think I've been sitting around twiddling my thumbs, think again....I've been up to my eyeballs in glitter, garland, pine needles, rubbermaid totes, paint, and more. Notice how I've left out anything to do with anything in the kitchen--no holiday smells coming yet from my stove other than the potpourri liquid that I bought. Nope--baking would have totally put me over the edget I think this weekend.
The cluster (you know what) thatI had this popsicle stand in all weekend up until 11pm last night was beyond all sense of sanity and I don't even have a lot, so it's beyond me how I took 3 rubbermaid totes and turned into 3 rooms of complete chaos!
The good news is, everything is put up, put out, swept up, and glowing like Chevy Chase on crack.

This is the fabulousity wreath I created with the multiple packs of bulbs I have purchased at some yard sales throughout the year, all glued down nice and tight (I hope....) on a flocked wreath purchased at the ultra swanky Dollar General! Not that it goes with the green and red decorations I have--that's really besides the point, isn't it? This isn't Design Challenge, Holiday Episode 2007 where everything looks like ummmmm...one of the 3 thousand beautiful pics I've seen in the multiple copies of Holiday magazines that I can't seem to walk by lately at the grocery store......no, this is use what you have and embellish the rest Holiday 2007 by Lucy.

This is a little out of order, put I loved this pic so added it at the top of my blog roll tonight--a view from the old railroad station in Aberdeen, NC--Rockfish Railroad. After all the stockings were hung (oooops wait, I lied, I still have stockings to hang now that I think about it), Josh and I took a spin around town to look at all the lights--a tradition we usually save until the Saturday before Christmas. I took a ton of pics with my new camera on the night time setting and well--ummm---this about the only one that came out clear. The rest look like I had about 7 martini's and was doing the samba while taking the shots. I obviously have a lot to learn yet about it..but that's a good thing. I learned how to use the "auction feature" though--aren't you proud? It has a cool function that will allow you to take smaller size pics and group them in blocks of up to 4 with no editing on the computer...purdy cool, huh??

Speaking of Auctions--here is a purchase I bought last spring from Carrie of Violet's are Blue from her ebay store. I won a HUGE box of John McCrae woodland ornaments and this ceramic house, all for a sweet price. All for less than what this house sold for at regular retail alone! Now that's SWEET!
Okay and if I'm not sewing, I might as well load up everything I own with fabric that I have. I've covered tables, carts, draped chairs--all with holiday fabric. It makes me feel better. LOL. I hate buying things and not using them. Not that I paid a lot for 5 bags of fabric--10.00 last year--the point is, I should have made at least 50 projects by now and I think I have done maybe...maybe...3. (hanging head) 3 or so sewing projects that is. My attention has been turned elsewhere not to mention my sewing machine sucks the big wad. And that's when it works.

Here's a snapshot of a couple of the woodland ornaments I bought--the snowman, and the ummmmwhatever that is on a string....LOL...and one of my favorite angel ornaments nestled imbetween the woodsy thingys.

I've done some painting too this week--well this isn't it, but just wanted to mention that I have a picture in the works. This one I was working on when I did the last portrait..or actually I think it was the last painting I featured. I was going to sell it but I just didn't create the look I was going for so it's going to stay in the family, not to mention it's too late to be listing Christmas things on etsy. That painting I'm working on right now is pretty cool--it's come to be about growing wings and flying away. More about that on my next post. Oh look--I guess I need some new candles don't I?? Yikes. Embarassing.

Oh look. There's my knee. It actually looks skinny. It's not. Ha. :) I decide to decorate in my holiday best pajamas--all red and white like a big ole walking candy cane. I felt better just putting them on, then again, I'd go to work in my pajamas if I could so that doesn't say much about me feeling in the spirit. My jammies always lift my spirit!

You'll have to trust me that it all came together swimmingly and that the tree is much more beautiful and comforting in person. I am still in the real tree mode--can't quite bring myself to buying an artificial one although it does make much more economical sense as well as less far less hassle--but then my sons would probably revolt because they like the tradition of buying a tree at Lowe's tree farm (snicker). Oh wait,, that would be me that likes that tradition and would revolt against myself if I changed it up. Or my other half changed it up--my more logical side (does she exist anymore)??
All in all, I moved a little further away from my holiday funk than when I started this mission Friday night. I'm still not all the way out of it--case in point--no holiday goodies in the freezer, only one bag of chips bought compared to the 10 or so I usually have stocked away--about 5 presents bought compared to the nearly completed list by now--no holiday cards written out, no holiday recipes list to make decided on, not one holiday project completed other than the painting (for me) and the wreath (for the house)....swap project barely started....I'm even scaring myself by highlighting all things I have yet to muster the energy to tackle. I just haven't had it in me for a variety of reasons this year. Hopefully some spirit will blow into me with the night wind outside of my door and I will awake tomorrow with the drive to make this holiday...a holiday like I want it to be which is different than how I've been feeling lately. The good news is, there is progress up the mountain--thank the blog diary to prove that :)

lucy

50th Post, Let's make some ornaments and get fat on candy! HO HO HO

Well it's my fiftieth post, and I wish I had some words of wisdom to share but I am brainfried today from a long day of work and then some Christmas shopping this evening. I want to thank everyone that reads my blog. I have been blessed with meeting wonderful people all across the country who are so kind with their comments, inspiring with their own ideas, and supportive in my endeavors and comforting me during my trials and tribulations! I hope to keep writing regularly because it's definitely inspired me to keep plugging away with my crafts, encouraged me with my thrifting, challenged me with my writing, and connected me to many lovely new friends that I may have never have met otherwise. I also have used this blog (and other blogs that I have found and enjoy to read) as cheap therapy when times are a little more chaotic than I want them to be--I always seem to relax as I sit and write on my own blog and read others. Anyway, thank you again for reading my blog, commenting, and for all your wonderful inspiration that you provide me whether you realize it or not, it has made a difference in my life!

Today I wanted to feature Patti- a friend I met through Taste of Home's recipe bulletin board. She is a very sweet and talented lady with 3 very handsome sons who keep her extremely busy! One of the things she has been working on is a holiday craft show. These gingerbread ornaments are just the cutest things! I love them. The best is that they are easy to make, they smell delicious, and they last from year to year. Wouldn't they make great gifts or ornament toppers? You can get cinnamon at the dollar store or Big Lots for a dollar or less. I think she also puts a wax coating on them after she is done, dipping them in a double boiler used soley for the ornaments from year to year.

Non-Edible Cinnamon Ornaments

This is a very fun and easy craft project to make with children. Makes wonderful smelling ornaments and pretty "package tie-ons!"

Makes 1 dozen, depending on size (1 serving).

1 cup ground cinnamon

1 tablespoon ground cloves

1 tablespoon ground nutmeg

3/4 cup applesauce

2 tablespoons glue

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, stir together the cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Mix in the applesauce and glue. Work the mixture with your hands 2 to 3 minutes to form a ball. If mixture is too wet, add more cinnamon. If mixture is too dry, add more applesauce.2 Lightly dust a clean surface with cinnamon. Roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut out shapes with cookie cutters, and use a toothpick to make a hole at the top for hanging with a ribbon. (you can also use a toothpick or mini cookie cutter to make a heart or buttons on the gingerbread man)

3 Dry in a slow oven 200 degrees F (100 degrees C) for several hours, or air dry in a sunny spot for 4 or 5 days. When dry, decorate with gingham and/ or ribbon

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I'm making this again for the holidays. It is a little softer/lighter than peanut brittle. I like cashews better anyway. Wrap the pieces up in a cute holiday bag and give as goodie favors for your holiday gathering!

Amish Cashew Crunch

1 cup butter

1 cup granulated sugar

1 tablespoon light corn syrup

2 cups cashews

Lightly butter a cookie sheet.In a heavy pan cook and stir the butter, sugar and corn syrup over low heat until the butter is melted and the mixture comes to a boil. Cook until it starts to turn golden brown (290 degrees F on a candy thermometer) like peanut brittle.Remove from heat. Quickly stir in cashews. Pour out onto prepared cookie sheet. Cool completely.

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Another quick holiday candy favorite:

Easy Peppermint Bark

2 pkgs 12 oz. vanilla chips ( I used 2 packs wilton vanilla chips)

24 hard peppermint candies, crushed (or chop up candy canes)

(optional a drop of peppermint flavoring)

Line a cookie sheet with waxed paper, tinfoil or parchment paper.Place candy coating in an 8 cup microwaveable bowl. Microwave uncovered for 2-3 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until almost melted. Stir until smooth.Place peppermint candies in a heavy plastic bag and crush with rolling pin or bottom of heavy saucepan. Pour crushed candies into a wire strainer. Shake strainer over melted coating until all of the tiniest candy pieces fall into chocolate. Reserve larger pieces. Stir to mix well. Spread mixture evenly on cookie sheet. Sprinkle with remaining larger candy pieces. Let stand 1 hour or until cool and hardened. Break into pieces.

You can also top with pink or red sugar crystals.

Recipes from here , my favorite cooking site. You can search for anything, ask for help and make some friends along the way.

*********Thank you Patti for sharing your crafts with me!!************