Last night I sorted through so many papers that it felt like I had recycled a whole tree!    Junk mail makes up a big part of the mess but there are other papers that for some reason were important at the time but no longer needed.    I should do it everyday but instead it creates a pile or a basket full.    In this case I had an old wine box full!    Need to turn over a new leaf on this one and keep it in check…

I love leaves and trees!   Guess that is part of why I chose the “Leafpile” for my website.

Leafpile

A pile gathering one creative leaf at a time…

No matter how you look at it, people on clothespins have to look skinny!    This was a fun one to do.   The idea was passed along by my friend Robin McLean.   Thought is was clever!!

It sure does help make me feel better when my feet are all comfy in my slippers!

I’ve been told I have a few screws loose and the accusers are probably right!   One day I took apart a broken calculator and saved all the parts.    These screws held the plastic case together.   It was a therapy thing – had to dismantle something!!  This clothespin was a challenging project because the screws are super tiny but I had a great time today hiding away from the sub-freezing temperatures and making my clothespin!!

Today I sadly read an article in the Burlington County Times about the Kodak Company.   After 132 years in business they have declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy.   If they are unable to turn things around within the next 5 years they will no longer be in business.

Being an independent business owner in this crazy economy this hit home for me.    This huge company that has been a part of our lives for so long is struggling.   So many of my memories are saved thanks to Kodak!   I hope they are able to transform their business into the digital age.

I am reminded that I must be willing to transform Jersey Made and so that it can continue to support the handmade arts.   Of course I will be unable to do that for 132 years and it will never be as huge as a worldwide corporate company but that does not make it any less significant for me!

Please think local and support those businesses that you want to see in business tomorrow!!

Happy National Cheese Day!

I celebrated with a triple cheese burger with a side of macaroni & cheese plus I made this cute clothespin too!!!  I do love cheese!

 Gathered on my table were remnants from another project and those scraps of paper inspired me to decorate this wooden heart.   The edges are painted in a pale pink.   The ribbon was rescued from a wedding invitation that a friend was throwing away.

I used Mod Podge to adhere all the papers that I selected from an old Sears catalog reproductions, scraps from my project and some old ads that a friend gave me leftover from her project!

I think it looks kind of great and it is now for sale at Jersey Made.

Still had some things leftover and my friend also gave me a few small bottles that were needing a new home.   Can’t have that happen so I created this as well.   I added a small doiley and created a flower from some old silk scrapbooking supplies!

Today is Edgar Allan Poe’s birthday!

Some day I want to go the the Poe Museum in Virginia but in the meantime I will enjoy my clothespin that he inspired!!

Gotta go – I hear knocking!

Had a meeting today for an upcoming possible event called Pillage the Village.  Guess it left me feeling like cracking out the sword and making someone walk the plank!    Just kidding – it is sure sounding like a fun and festive- arrrrr matey!!

Smiles can bring change!   I know it can for me.    Putting a smile on my face helps me to get past the pain that I have on my heart.     Having someone smile at me can make all the difference and brighten my day.