Craft Wars

Here's a blast from my past.  My buddy Scott Wilkinson (hubby of Pattiewack and fab videographer) shared this link this morning from a taping of Craft TV we did over ten years ago at my home.

From Scott "This was the very first episode of Craft TV with our kick-off "Craft Wars" segment. We shot and produced this in June 2002 and sent this out to our subscriber list via snail mail. Can you believe it, 10 years later and our concept is still fun and relevant. Watch Pattiewack and Joan Fee battle off with berry baskets in the very first "Craft Wars". How fun! What could you make from berry baskets in 30 minutes? Stay tuned as we begin to upload over 300 crafting segments from our Craft TV series. Some of them are old and funky, but all of them are super fun. Crafts, crafts, and more crafts."

Check out who wins the crown! www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3_jslB-XrU

It's almost here!!!  MAYhem
 
That's what I called the month of May when I turned 50 and every weekend during that month I did something 'crazy'.  Well, this year I'm going to celebrate my friends and I'm getting the ball rolling with a handmade invitation to a weekend filled with fun activities. 

I started by gluing pieces of butterfly scrapbook paper on blank cards I got at Michaels then added some layered papers.  I wanted to get everyone excited about the event so I included a little butterfly charm that they'll bring to the weekend to craft with.

I scanned the image of the butterfly from the scrapbook paper and used it as a watermark on the inside.

I protected the charm with a light cardboard insert and I just couldn't leave it plain white so I added stickers and doodles - learned that from my friend, Pattie Donham Wilkinson years ago.

I added stickers to the outside of the envelopes too.  Can't wait for the RSVP's to come rolling in.

More details about the Slumber, Crafty, Celebration of our Lives Party soon - it's going to be so much fun!

More Christmas Decorating Ideas

I had a few snow people that I'd been given over the years so I sprinkled them around my kitchen - on top of my vertical blinds (who knew there was a ledge on top?), put a snow couple on my fridge, but I wanted to keep the family theme going that I'd used in the living room, so I printed out a collage of past Christmas family photos and placed them in a vase.




Remember the Aleene's / Michael's Magic of Christmas television special and book? I so loved being a part of that - I am lucky enough to have one of the creations from it. The wonderfully matching quilt was made by my friend Kathi ages ago. It matches perfect! Thanks, Kathi!

I love the dollar store!!! I was able to get these stockings for one dollar each and able to fill them with dollar store finds...I think no one is ever too old for a stocking!!! It brings wonderful color and festiveness to the stairs.

A friend had a great idea - a Christmas Sock Party. We were instructed to wear our Christmas socks to her home and what a colorful party it was. She had Chinese food waiting for us and I got an A from my friends on decorating my cookie 'platter'. We did some silly Christmas charades (ever hear of a movie The Lemon Drop Kid? - I had to act that out...)



My socks for the event.

Happy Holidays!

Magic of Christmas

Aleene's Magic of Christmas Book

I received a request last week from a reader wanting to locate the Aleene's The Magic of Christmas book from 1998. Well, I dug around a little in my craft room and found three copies. Looking through the 120 pages brought back amazing memories (I was the Editor on the project) of stunning ornaments, centerpieces, stocking ideas and tons more terrific holiday ideas. Anyone else looking for a copy??? There are only two left! Send me an email for details at craftproducts@yahoo.com

Another Day in Paradise

Today is one packed day! Exercise class this morning will hold a celebration for my 'adopted' mother, Gladys. She'll be 92!!! I hear a cake hat is in order for the festivities.

I'm looking forward to a phone call from Ann McDermott of COPE - the Center for Obesity Prevention and Education at Cal Poly. We have the big Hands on Health Symposium coming up in October and a friend and I will be doing the Passport - that's the paper people will carry around the symposium to document their vital info. I did a preliminary layout a few months ago but now we're getting down to details.

Then, it's off to San Luis Obispo to get my oil changed and have the alignment checked on my car. After spending huge bucks yesterday on new tires, they say I need it checked. All of this in preparation for my big road trip to WASHINGTON!!! Call it my Bucket List or my Passion List, I have wanted to go to the Museum of Glass in Washington for quite a long time. Well, the time has come - my sister-in-law has a favorite aunt up there, so five of us are climbing into my car (yes, it'll be a tight squeeze) and heading north. I'm linking up with Scott Wilkinson's mom who's a docent at the museum. Check out the beautiful glass. http://www.museumofglass.org/ I'm taking my good camera so be on the lookout late next week for the photos.

I stopped by my local Michaels store to pick up some beads to make my sister-in-laws aunt a necklace. I stumbled across great travel items for my nephews - all kinds of games and things to do.

Meanwhile, I need to call the Freight Room aka train depot to see if it would work for our class reunion.

Upward, onward and on to who knows what...

Joan